1933 Act File No. 2-62797
1940 Act File No. 811-2871
SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 [X]
And
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT [X]
OF 1940
Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 [X]
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter
767 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y. 10153-0203
Address of Principal Executive Office
Registrant's Telephone Number (212) 848-1800
Kenneth B. Cutler, Vice President & Secretary
767 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y. 10153
Name and Address of Agent for Service
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
immediately on filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
X on July 15, 1996 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (1) of Rule 485
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) (1) of Rule 485
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (2) of rule 485
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) (2) of rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
Registrant has registered an indefinite amount of securities under the
Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2(a) (1) and a Rule 24f-2 Notice for
Registrant's most recent fiscal year was filed with the Commission on or about
March 29, 1996.
<PAGE>
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
FORM N-1A
Cross Reference Sheet
Post-Effective Amendment No. 21
Pursuant to Rule 481 (a)
Form N-1A Location In Prospectus or
Item No. Statement of Additional Information
1 Cover Page
2 Fee Table
3 (a) Financial Highlights; Performance
3 (b) N/A
3 (c) Performance
3 (d) N/A
4 (a) (i) Cover Page
4 (a) (ii) Investment Objective; How We Invest
4 (b) (c) How We Invest
5 (a) Our Management
5 (b) Our Management; Back Cover Page
5 (c) Our Management
5 (d) N/A
5 (e) Back Cover Page
5 (f) Our Management
5 (g) N/A
5 A Performance
6 (a) Cover Page
6 (b) (c) (d) N/A
6 (e) Cover Page
6 (f) (g) Dividends, Capital Gains
Distributions and Taxes
6 (h) N/A
7 (a) Back Cover Page
7 (b) (c) (d)
(e) (f) Purchases
8 Redemptions
9 N/A
10 Cover Page
11 Cover Page - Table of Contents
12 N/A
13 Investment Objective and Policies
14 Directors and Officers
15 (a) (b) N/A
15 (c) Directors and Officers
16 (a) (i) Investment Advisory and Other Services
16 (a) (ii) Directors and Officers
16 (a) (iii) Investment Advisory and Other Services
16 (b) Investment Advisory and Other Services
16 (c) (d) (e)
(g) N/A
16 (f) Purchases, Redemptions; Investment Advisory and
Other Services
and Shareholder Services
16 (h) Investment Advisory and Other Services
16 (i) N/A
<PAGE>
Form N-1A Location In Prospectus or
Item No. Statement of Additional Information
17 (a) Portfolio Transactions
17 (b) N/A
17 (c)(d) Portfolio Transactions
17 (e) N/A
18 (a) Cover Page
18 (b) N/A
19 (a) (b) Purchases, Redemptions
and Shareholder Services
19 (c) N/A
20 Taxes
21 (a) Purchases, Redemptions
and Shareholder Services
21 (b) (c) N/A
22 (a) N/A
22 (b) Past Performance
23 Financial Statements
<PAGE>
LORD ABBETT
DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
THE GENERAL MOTORS BUILDING
767 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10153-0203
800-426-1130
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC. ("WE" OR THE "FUND"), IS A MUTUAL FUND
WITH THREE CLASSES OF SHARES. THESE CLASSES, CALLED CLASS A, B AND C SHARES,
PROVIDE INVESTORS WITH DIFFERENT INVESTMENT OPTIONS
IN PURCHASING SHARES OF THE FUND. SEE "PURCHASES" FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE
CHOICES. THE CLASS B AND C SHARES WILL BE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST
TIME ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 1, 1996.
OUR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL THROUGH A DIVERSIFIED
AND ACTIVELY-MANAGED PORTFOLIO CONSISTING OF DEVELOPING GROWTH COMPANIES, MANY
OF WHICH ARE TRADED OVER THE COUNTER. IN PURSUING OUR OBJECTIVE WE INVEST
PRIMARILY IN THE COMMON STOCKS OF COMPANIES WITH LONG-RANGE GROWTH POTENTIAL,
PARTICULARLY SMALLER COMPANIES CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE DEVELOPING GROWTH PHASE.
THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT OUR OBJECTIVE WILL BE ACHIEVED. VOLATILE PRICE
MOVEMENT CAN BE EXPECTED. THIS PROSPECTUS SETS FORTH CONCISELY THE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE FUND THAT A PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD KNOW BEFORE INVESTING.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST WITHOUT CHARGE. THE STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS AND
MAY BE OBTAINED, WITHOUT CHARGE, BY WRITING TO THE FUND OR BY CALLING
800-874-3733. ASK FOR "PART B OF THE PROSPECTUS -- THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION".
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS
JULY 15, 1996.
PROSPECTUS
Investors should read and retain this Prospectus. Shareholder inquiries should
be made in writing to the Fund or by calling 800-821-5129. You also can make
inquiries through your broker-dealer.
Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed
by, any bank, and the shares are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency. An
investment in the Fund involves risks, including the possible loss of principal.
1 Investment Objective 2
2 Fee Table 2
3 Financial Highlights 3
4 How We Invest 3
5 Purchases 5
6 Shareholder Services 13
7 Our Management 14
8 Dividends, Capital Gains
Distributions and Taxes 14
9 Redemptions 15
10 Performance 16
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
1 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Our investment objective is long-term growth of capital through a diversified
and actively-managed portfolio consisting of developing growth companies, many
of which are traded over the counter.
2 FEE TABLE
A summary of the Fund's expenses is set forth in the table below. The example is
not a representation of past or future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater
or less than those shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C
Shares Shares Shares
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
(as a percentage of offering price)
Maximum Sales Load(1) on Purchases
(See Purchases) 5.75%(2)(3) None None
Deferred Sales Load(1) (See Purchases) None(2) 5% if shares are redeemed 1% if shares
before 1st anniversary are redeemed
of purchase, declining before 1st anniversary
to 1% before 6th of purchase(2)(3)
anniversary and
eliminated on and
after 6th anniversary(2)(3)
Annual Fund Operating Expenses(4)
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees (See "Our Management") 0.64% 0.64% 0.64%
12b-1 Fees (See "Purchases") 0.19%(2)(3) 1.00%(2)(3) 1.00%(2)(3)
Other Expenses (See "Our Management") 0.21% 0.21% 0.21%
Total Operating Expenses 1.04% 1.85% 1.85%
<FN>
Example: Assume an annual return of 5% and there is no change in the level of
expenses described above. For a $1,000 investment, with reinvestment of all
distributions, you would have paid the following total expenses if you closed
your account after the number of years indicated.
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class A shares(4) $67 $89 $112 $177
Class B shares(4) $58 $86 $109 $195(5)
Class C shares(4) $19 $58 $100 $217
(1) Sales "load" is referred to as sales "charge", "deferred sales load" is
referred to as "contingent deferred sales charge" (or "CDSC") and "12b-1
fees" which consist of a "service fee" and a "distribution fee" are
referred to by either or both of these terms where appropriate with respect
to Class A, Class B and Class C shares throughout this Prospectus.
(2)See "Purchases" for descriptions of the Class A front-end sales charges, the
CDSC payable on certain redemptions of Class A, Class B and Class C shares
and separate Rule 12b-1 plans applicable to each class of shares of the
Fund. The CDSC reimburses: (a) the Fund, in the case of Class A and Class C
shares, and (b) Lord Abbett Distributor LLC, in the case of Class B shares.
(3) Although the Fund does not, with respect to the Class B and Class C shares,
charge a front-end sales charge, investors should be aware that long-term
shareholders may pay, under the Rule 12b-1 plans applicable to the Class B
and Class C shares of the Fund (both of which pay annual 0.25% service and
0.75% distribution fees), more than the economic equivalent of the maximum
front-end sales charge as permitted by certain rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Likewise, with respect to Class A
shares, investors should be aware that, long-term, such maximum may be
exceeded due to the Rule 12b-1 plan applicable to Class A shares which
permits the Fund to pay up to 0.50% in total annual fees, half for service
and the other half for distribution. The 12b-1 fee for the Class A shares
has been restated to reflect estimated current fees under the recently
amended Class A 12b-1 plan; the actual 12b-1 fees for such shares for the
fiscal year ended January 31, 1996 under the former plan were 0.18%.
(4) The annual operating expenses shown in the summary are the actual expenses
for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1996 except for the substitution of
estimated 12b-1 fees for Class A, B and C shares as explained in notes 2
and 3.
(5) Based on conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares on the eighth
anniversary of the purchase of Class B shares and closing your account by
redeeming Class A shares after ten years.
The foregoing is provided to give investors a better understanding of the
expenses that are incurred by an investment in the Fund.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
3 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table has been audited by Deloitte & Touche llp, independent
accountants, in connection with their annual audit of the Funds Financial
Statements, whose report thereon is incorporated by reference in the Statement
of Additional Information and may be obtained on request, and has been included
herein in reliance upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Class A+ Share Operating Year Ended October 31,
Performance: 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year $9.58 $10.65 $10.11 $10.86 $7.98 $6.96 $7.19 $6.50 $8.87 $8.41
Income from investment operations
Net investment income (loss) (.02) (.04) (.05) (.02) .02 .01* .01* .03* (.04) (.04)
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments 4.795 (.2225) 1.62 (.24) 3.28 1.01 (.02) .66 (1.05) .89
Total from investment operations 4.775 (.2625) 1.57 (.26) 3.30 1.02 (.01) .69 (1.09) .85
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income -- -- -- (.02) (.02) -- (.03) -- -- --
Distributions from net realized gain (2.865) (.8075) (1.03) (.47) (.40) -- (.19) -- (1.28) (.39)
Net asset value, end of year $11.49 $9.58 $10.65 $10.11 $10.86 $7.98 $6.96 $7.19 $6.50 $8.87
Total Return** 50.22% (2.74)% 16.41% (2.31)% 41.53% 14.66% (.38)% 10.62% (12.64)% 10.22%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of year (000) $197,602 $127,579 $143,693 $151,068 $156,932 $117,786 $119,836 $163,676 $181,401 $265,968
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses 1.03% 1.31% 1.34% 1.31% 1.14% 1.24% 1.13% 1.08% .92% .90%
Net investment income (loss) (.52)% (.38)% (.51)% (.25)% .26% .20% .08% .37% (.30)% (.41)%
Portfolio turnover rate 50.12% 17.57% 16.29% 17.22% 12.62% 12.76% 14.57% 20.20% 15.09% 6.95%
<FN>
+ The Fund had only one class of shares prior to July 12, 1996. That class of
shares is now designated Class A shares. * Computed by dividing the respective
dollar amounts per the Statement of Operations by average shares outstanding.
** Total return does not consider the effects of sales charges.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
4 HOW WE INVEST
Our present investment strategy, as developed by Lord, Abbett & Co. ("Lord
Abbett"), our investment manager, is based on the four phases of corporate
growth. As described below, only the second (or developing growth) phase is
characterized by a dramatic rate of growth. We look for companies in that phase
and, under normal circumstances, will invest at least 65% of our total assets in
securities of such companies. We also may invest in companies which are in their
formative phase. Developing growth companies are almost always small, usually
young and their shares are generally traded over the counter. Having, in
management's view, passed the pitfalls of the formative years, they are now in a
position to grow rapidly in their market.
THE FOUR PHASES OF BUSINESS GROWTH
(AS PERCEIVED BY LORD ABBETT)
Phase 1-- Formative: Phase 1 has high risk. Companies in this phase are
formative and the perils of infancy take a high toll during these years. Skill
of management and growth of revenues and earnings permit some companies to
survive and advance into the second phase.
Phase 2 -- Developing Growth: Phase 2 usually is a period of swift development,
when growth occurs at a rate rarely equaled by established companies in their
mature years. We focus on companies which we believe are strongly positioned in
this phase. Of course, the actual growth of a company cannot be foreseen and it
may be difficult to determine in which phase a company is presently situated.
Phase 3 -- Established Growth: Phase 3 is a time of established growth when
competitive forces, regulations and internal bureaucracy often begin to blunt
the sharp edge of success in the marketplace. Phase 4 -- Maturity: Phase 4 is a
time of maturity when companies ease into a growth pattern that roughly reflects
the increase in Gross Domestic Product.
<PAGE>
At any given time, there are many hundreds of publicly-traded corporations in
the developing growth phase. In choosing from among them, we look for special
characteristics that will help their growth. These can include a unique product
or service for which we foresee a rising demand; a special area of technological
expertise; the ability to service a region that is growing faster than average;
a competitive advantage or new opportunities in foreign trade or from shifts in
government priorities and programs; or an ability to take advantage of growth of
consumers' discretionary income and demographic changes.
We also look for certain financial charac-teristics such as: at least five years
of higher-than-average growth of revenues and earnings per share;
higher-than-average returns on equity; ability to finance growth in the form of
a lower-than-average ratio of long-term debt to capital and price/earnings
ratios that are below expected growth rates.
We also look for certain characteristics of management in addition to those that
are implied by the financial data. We look for management that is well-seasoned
and diverse in its talent and that is aggressive enough to seize the
opportunities we perceive in each company's future. Finally, we look for
management that has demonstrated an ability to manage through a full economic
cycle. We do not, however, invest in order to control management. Securities
being considered for our portfolio are analyzed solely on traditional investment
fundamentals. We do not select securities based on trends indicated by
chartists' technical analyses. In addition to the financial data already
mentioned, we evaluate the market for each company's products or services, the
strengths and weaknesses of competitors, the availability of raw materials,
diversity of product mix, etc. Finally, in assembling our portfolio, we try to
diversify our investments. Within the bounds of other criteria, we try to invest
in many securities and industries so that any misjudgments we might make are
adequately cushioned.
Up to 10% of our net assets (at the time of investment) may be invested in
foreign securities (of the type described above) primarily traded in foreign
countries.
Although we have no present plans to change our policies, if we determine that
our investment objective can best be achieved by a change in investment policies
or strategy, we reserve the right to make such a change without shareholder
approval, provided it is not prohibited by our investment restrictions or
applicable law. Any material change will first be disclosed in a current
prospectus. There may be times when management believes that economic conditions
or general levels of common stock prices are such that it would be advisable,
for defensive reasons, to curtail investments in common stocks. During such
periods, we may invest a substantial portion of our portfolio in cash or cash
equivalents (short-term obligations of banks, corporations or the U.S.
Government). We will not change our investment objective without shareholder
approval.
Risk Factors. An investment in the Fund is not intended as a complete investment
program. The Fund will not provide significant income. Moreover, because stocks
of developing growth companies are more risky and their prices more volatile
than those of mature companies, the Fund's net asset value per share is likely
to experience above-average fluctuations.
Securities markets of foreign countries in which the Fund may invest generally
are not subject to the same degree of regulation as the U.S. markets and may be
more volatile and less liquid than the major U.S. markets. Lack of liquidity may
affect the Fund's ability to purchase or sell large blocks of securities and
thus obtain the best price. There may be less publicly-available information on
publicly-traded companies, banks and governments in foreign countries than is
generally the case for such entities in the United States. The lack of uniform
accounting standards and practices among countries impairs the validity of
direct com-parisons of valuation measures (such as price/earnings ratios) for
securities in different countries. Other considerations include political and
social instability, expropriation, higher transaction costs, foreign government
<PAGE>
controls, currency fluctuations, withholding taxes that cannot be passed through
as a tax credit or deduction to shareholders and different securities settlement
practices. Settlement periods for foreign securities, which are sometimes longer
than those for securities of U.S. issuers, may affect portfolio liquidity. These
different settlement practices may cause missed purchasing opportunities and/or
the loss of interest on money market and debt investments pending further equity
or long-term debt investments. In addition, foreign securities held by the Fund
may be traded on days that the Fund does not value its portfolio securities,
such as Saturdays and customary business holidays, and, accordingly, the Fund's
net asset value may be significantly affected on days when shareholders do not
have access to the Fund.
5 PURCHASES
ALTERNATIVE SALES ARRANGEMENTS
CLASSES OF SHARES. The Fund offers investors three different classes of shares.
The different classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of
securities but are subject to different expenses and will likely have different
share prices. Investors should read this section carefully to determine which
class represents the best investment option for their particular situation.
CLASS A SHARES. If you buy Class A shares, you pay an initial sales charge on
investments of less than $1 million (or on investments for employer-sponsored
retirement plans under the Internal Revenue Code (hereinafter referred to as
"Retirement Plans") with less than 100 eligible employees). If you purchase
Class A shares as part of an investment of at least $1 million (or for
Retirement Plans with at least 100 eligible employees) in shares of one or more
Lord Abbett-sponsored funds, you will not pay an initial sales charge, but if
you redeem any of those shares within 24 months after the month in which you buy
them, you may pay to the Fund a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1%.
Class A shares are subject to service and distribution fees that are currently
estimated to total annually approximately 0.19 of 1% of the annual net asset
value of the Class A shares. The initial sales charge rates, the CDSC and the
Rule 12b-1 plan applicable to the Class A shares are described in "Buying Class
A Shares" below.
CLASS B SHARES. If you buy Class B shares, you pay no sales charge at the time
of purchase, but if you redeem your shares before the sixth anniversary of
buying them, you will normally pay a CDSC to Lord Abbett Distributor LLC ("Lord
Abbett Distributor"). That CDSC varies depending on how long you own shares.
Class B shares are subject to service and distribution fees at an annual rate of
1% of the annual net asset value of the Class B shares. The CDSC and the Rule
12b-1 plan applicable to the Class B shares are described in "Buying Class B
Shares" below.
CLASS C SHARES. If you buy Class C shares, you pay no sales charge at the time
of purchase, but if you redeem your shares before the first anniversary of
buying them, you will normally pay the Fund a CDSC of 1%. Class C shares are
subject to service and distribution fees at an annual rate of 1% of the annual
net asset value of the Class C shares. The CDSC and the Rule 12b-1 plan
applicable to the C shares are described in "Buying Class C Shares" below.
WHICH CLASS OF SHARES SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? Once you decide that the Fund is an
appropriate investment for you, the decision as to which class of shares is
better suited to your needs depends on a number of factors which you should
discuss with your financial adviser. The Fund's class-specific expenses and the
effect of the different types of sales charges on your investment will affect
your investment results over time. The most important factors are how much you
plan to invest and how long you plan to hold your investment. If your goals and
objectives change over time and you plan to purchase additional shares, you
should re-evaluate those factors to see if you should consider another class of
shares.
<PAGE>
In the following discussion, to help provide you and your financial adviser with
a framework in which to choose a class, we have made some assumptions using a
hypothetical investment in the Fund. We used the sales charge rates that apply
to Class A, Class B and Class C, and considered the effect of the higher
distribution fees on Class B and Class C expenses (which will affect your
investment return). Of course, the actual performance of your investment cannot
be predicted and will vary, based on the Fund's actual investment returns, the
operating expenses borne by each class of shares, and the class of shares you
purchase. The factors briefly discussed below are not intended to be investment
advice, guidelines or recommendations, because each investor's financial
considerations are different. The discussion below of the factors to consider in
purchasing a particular class of shares assumes that you will purchase only one
class of shares and not a combination of shares of different classes.
HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT TO HOLD YOUR INVESTMENT? While future financial needs
cannot be predicted with certainty, knowing how long you expect to hold your
investment will assist you in selecting the appropriate class of shares. For
example, over time, the reduced sales charges available for larger purchases of
Class A shares may offset the effect of paying an initial sales charge on your
investment, compared to the effect over time of higher class-specific expenses
on Class B or Class C shares, for which no initial sales charge is paid. Because
of the effect of class-based expenses, your choice should also depend on how
much you plan to invest.
INVESTING FOR THE SHORT TERM. If you have a short-term investment horizon (that
is, you plan to hold your shares for not more than six years), you should
probably consider purchasing Class A or Class C shares rather than Class B
shares. This is because of the effect of the Class B CDSC if you redeem before
the sixth anniversary of your purchase, as well as the effect of the Class B
distribution fee on the investment return for that class in the short term.
Class C shares might be the appropriate choice (especially for investments of
less than $100,000), because there is no initial sales charge on Class C shares,
and the CDSC does not apply to amounts you redeem after holding them one year.
However, if you plan to invest more than $100,000 for the short term, then the
more you invest and the more your investment horizon increases toward six years,
the more attractive the Class A share option may become. This is because the
annual distribution fee on Class C shares will have a greater impact on your
account over the longer term than the reduced front-end sales charge available
for larger purchases of Class A shares. For example, Class A might be more
appropriate than Class C for investments of more than $100,000 expected to be
held for 5 or 6 years (or more). For investments over $250,000 expected to be
held 4 to 6 years (or more), Class A shares may become more appropriate than
Class C. Although we believe you ought to have a long-term investment horizon,
if you are investing $500,000 or more, Class A may become more desirable as your
investment horizon approaches 3 years or more.
For most investors who invest $1 million or more or for Retirement Plans with at
least 100 eligible employees, in most cases Class A shares will be the most
advantageous choice, no matter how long you intend to hold your shares. For that
reason, Lord Abbett Distributor normally will not accept purchase orders (i) for
Class B shares of $500,000 or more and for Class C shares of $1,000,000 or more
from a single investor or (ii) for Retirement Plans with at least 100 eligible
employees.
INVESTING FOR THE LONGER TERM. If you are investing longer term (for example,
future college expenses for your child) and do not expect to need access to your
money for seven years or more, Class B shares may be an appropriate investment
option, if you plan to invest less than $100,000. If you plan to invest more
than $100,000 over the long term, Class A shares will likely be more
advantageous than Class B shares or Class C shares, as discussed above, because
of the effect of the expected lower expenses for Class A shares and the reduced
initial sales charges available for larger investments in Class A shares under
the Fund's Rights of Accumulation.
<PAGE>
Of course, these examples are based on approximations of the effect of current
sales charges and expenses on a hypothetical investment over time, and should
not be relied on as rigid guidelines.
ARE THERE DIFFERENCES IN ACCOUNT FEATURES THAT MATTER TO YOU? Some account
features are available in whole or in part to Class A, Class B and Class C
shareholders. Other features (such as Systematic Withdrawal Plans) might not be
advisable in non-Retirement Plan accounts for Class B shareholders (because of
the effect of the CDSC on withdrawals over 12% annually) and in any account for
Class C shareholders during the first year of share ownership (due to the CDSC
on withdrawals during that year). See "Systematic Withdrawal Plan" under
"Shareholder Services" for more information about the 12% annual waiver of the
CDSC. You should carefully review how you plan to use your investment account
before deciding which class of shares you buy. For example, the dividends
payable to Class B and Class C shareholders will be reduced by the expenses
borne solely by each of these classes, such as the higher distribution fee to
which Class B and Class C shares are subject, as described below.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT PAYMENTS TO MY BROKER? A salesperson, such as a broker, or
any other person who is entitled to receive compensation for selling Fund shares
may receive different compensation for selling one class than for selling
another class. As discussed in more detail below, such compensation is primarily
paid at the time of sale in the case of Class A and B shares and is paid over
time, so long as shares remain outstanding, in the case of Class C shares. It is
important that investors understand that the primary purpose of the CDSC for the
Class B shares and the distribution fee for Class B and Class C shares is the
same as the purpose of the front-end sales charge on sales of Class A shares: to
compensate brokers and other persons selling such shares. The CDSC, if payable,
supplements the Class B distribution fee and reduces the Class C distribution
fee expenses for the Fund and Class C shareholders.
GENERAL
HOW MUCH MUST YOU INVEST? You may buy our shares through any independent
securities dealer having a sales agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor, our
exclusive selling agent. Place your order with your investment dealer or send it
to Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc. (P.O. Box 419100, Kansas City,
Missouri 64141). The minimum initial investment is $1,000 except for
Invest-A-Matic and Div-Move ($250 initial and $50 subsequent minimum) and
Retirement Plans ($250 minimum). See "Shareholder Services". For information
regarding the proper form of a purchase or redemption order, call the Fund at
800-821-5129. This offering may be suspended, changed or withdrawn. Lord Abbett
Distributor reserves the right to reject any order. The net asset value of our
shares is calculated every business day as of the close of the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE") by dividing net assets by the number of shares outstanding.
Securities are valued at their market value as more fully described in the
Statement of Additional Information.
BUYING SHARES THROUGH YOUR DEALER. Orders for shares received by the Fund prior
to the close of the NYSE, or received by dealers prior to such close and
received by Lord Abbett Distributor prior to the close of its business day, will
be confirmed at the applicable public offering price effective at such NYSE
close. Orders received by dealers after the NYSE closes and received by Lord
Abbett Distributor in proper form prior to the close of its next business day
are executed at the applicable public offering price effective as of the close
of the NYSE on that next business day. The dealer is responsible for the timely
transmission of orders to Lord Abbett Distributor. A business day is a day on
which the NYSE is open for trading.
Lord Abbett Distributor may, for specified periods, allow dealers to retain the
full sales charge for sales of shares during such periods, or pay an additional
concession to a dealer who, during a specified period, sells a minimum dollar
amount of our shares and/or shares of other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds. In some
instances, such additional concessions will be offered only to certain dealers
expected to sell significant amounts of shares. Lord Abbett Distributor may,
from time to time, implement promotions under which Lord Abbett Distributor will
pay a fee to dealers
<PAGE>
with respect to certain purchases not involving imposition of a sales charge.
Additional payments may be paid from Lord Abbett Distributor's own resources and
will be made in the form of cash or, if permitted, non-cash payments. The
non-cash payments will include business seminars at resorts or other locations,
including meals and entertainment, or the receipt of merchandise. The cash
payments will include payment of various business expenses of the dealer. In
selecting dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund's portfolio, if
two or more dealers are considered capable of obtaining best execution, we may
prefer the dealer who has sold our shares and/or shares of other Lord
Abbett-sponsored funds.
BUYING CLASS A SHARES. The offering price of Class A shares is based on the
per-share net asset value next computed after your order is accepted plus a
sales charge as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sales Charge as a Dealer's
Percentage of: Concession
as a To Compute
Net Percentage Offering
Offering Amount of Offering Price, Divide
Size of Investment Price Invested Price NAV by
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.00% .9425
$50,000 to $99,999 4.75% 4.99% 4.00% .9525
$100,000 to $249,999 3.75% 3.90% 3.25% .9625
$250,000 to $499,999 2.75% 2.83% 2.25% .9725
$500,000 to $999,999 2.00% 2.04% 1.75% .9800
$1,000,000 or more No Sales Charge 1.00%* 1.0000
<FN>
*Authorized institutions receive concessions on purchases made by a retirement
plan or other qualified purchaser within a 12-month period (beginning with the
first net asset value purchase) as follows: 1.00% on purchases of $5 million,
0.55% of the next $5 million, 0.50% of the next $40 million and 0.25% on
purchases over $50 million. See Class A Rule 12b-1 Plan below.
</FN>
</TABLE>
CLASS A SHARE VOLUME DISCOUNTS. This section describes several ways to qualify
for a lower sales charge when purchasing Class A shares if you inform Lord
Abbett Distributor or the Fund that you are eligible at the time of purchase.
(1) Any purchaser (as described below) may aggregate a Class A share purchase in
the Fund with any share purchases of any other eligible Lord Abbett-sponsored
fund, together with the current value at maximum offering price of any shares in
the Fund and in any eligible Lord Abbett-sponsored funds held by the purchaser.
(Holdings in the following funds are not eligible for the above rights of
accumulation: Lord Abbett Equity Fund ("LAEF"), Lord Abbett Series Fund
("LASF"), any series of Lord Abbett Research Fund not offered to the general
public ("LARF") and Lord Abbett U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund
("GSMMF"), except for holdings in GSMMF which are attributable to any shares
exchanged from a Lord Abbett-sponsored fund.) (2) A purchaser may sign a
non-binding 13-month statement of intention to invest $50,000 or more in any
shares of the Fund or in any of the above eligible funds. If the intended
purchases are completed during the period, the total amount of your intended
purchases of any shares will determine the reduced sales charge rate for the
Class A shares purchased during the period. If not completed, each Class A share
purchase will be at the sales charge for the aggregate of the actual share
purchases. Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends or distributions are not
included in the statement of intention. The term "purchaser" includes (i) an
individual, (ii) an individual and his or her spouse and children under the age
of 21 and (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single
trust estate or single fiduciary account (including a pension, profit-sharing,
or other employee benefit trust qualified under Section 401 of the Internal
Revenue Code -- more than one qualified employee benefit trust of a single
employer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, may be considered a single
trust, as may qualified plans of multiple employers registered in the name of a
single bank trustee as one account), although more than one beneficiary is
involved.
CLASS A SHARE NET ASSET VALUE PURCHASES. Our Class A shares may be purchased at
net asset value by our directors, employees of Lord Abbett, employees of our
shareholder servicing agent and employees of any securities dealer having a
sales agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor who consents to such purchases or
by the trustee or custodian under any pension or profit-sharing plan or Payroll
Deduction IRA established for the benefit of such persons or for the benefit of
any national securities trade organization to which Lord Abbett or Lord Abbett
Distributor belongs or any company with an account(s) in excess of $10 million
managed by Lord Abbett on a private-advisory-account basis. For purposes of this
paragraph, the terms "directors" and "employees" include a director's or
employee's spouse (including the surviving spouse of a deceased director or
employee). The terms "directors" and "employees of Lord Abbett" also include
other family members and retired directors and employees. Our Class A shares
also may be purchased at net asset value (a) at $1 million or more, (b) with
dividends and distributions on Class A shares of other Lord Abbett-sponsored
funds, except for dividends and distributions on shares of LARF, LAEF and LASF,
(c) under the loan feature of the Lord Abbett-sponsored prototype 403(b) plan
for Class A share purchases representing the repayment of principal and
interest, (d) by certain authorized brokers, dealers, registered investment
advisers or other financial institutions who have entered into an agreement with
Lord Abbett Distributor in accordance with certain standards approved by Lord
Abbett Distributor, providing specifically for the use of our Class A shares in
particular investment products made available for a fee to clients of such
brokers, dealers, registered investment advisers and other financial
institutions ("mutual fund wrap fee programs"), (e) by employees, partners and
owners of unaffiliated consultants and advisers to Lord Abbett, Lord Abbett
Distributor or Lord Abbett-sponsored funds who consent to such purchase if such
persons provide services to Lord Abbett, Lord Abbett Distributor or such funds
on a continuing basis and are familiar with such funds, (f) through Retirement
Plans with at least 100 eligible employees and (g) subject to appropriate
documentation, through a securities dealer where the amount invested represents
redemption proceeds from shares ("Redeemed Shares") of a registered open-end
management investment company not distributed or managed by Lord Abbett
Distributor or Lord Abbett (other than a money market fund), if such redemptions
have occurred no more than 60 days prior to the purchase of our Class A shares,
the Redeemed Shares were held for at least six months prior to redemption and
the proceeds of redemption were maintained in cash or a money market fund prior
to purchase. Purchasers should consider the impact, if any, of contingent
deferred sales charges in determining whether to redeem shares for subsequent
investment in our Class A shares. Lord Abbett Distributor may suspend or
terminate the purchase option referred to in (g) above at anytime.
Our Class A shares may be issued at net asset value in exchange for the assets,
subject to possible tax adjustment, of a personal holding company or an
investment company.
CLASS A RULE 12B-1 PLAN. We have adopted a Class A share Rule 12b-1 plan (the "A
Plan") which authorizes the payment of fees to authorized institutions (except
as to certain accounts for which tracking data is not available) in order to
provide additional incentives for them (a) to provide continuing information and
investment services to their Class A shareholder accounts and otherwise to
encourage those accounts to remain invested in the Fund and (b) to sell Class A
shares of the Fund. Under the A Plan, in order to save on the expense of
shareholders' meetings and to provide flexibility to the Board of Directors, the
Board, including a majority of the outside directors who are not "interested
persons" of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, is
authorized to approve annual fee payments from our Class A assets of up to 0.50
of 1% of the average net of such assets consisting of distribution and service
fees, each at a maximum annual rate not exceeding 0.25 of 1% except that the
service fee may not exceed 0.15 of 1% in the case of shares sold or attributable
to shares sold prior to July 1, 1990 (the "Fee Ceiling").
Under the A Plan, the Board has approved payments by the Fund to Lord Abbett
Distributor which uses or passes on to authorized institutions (1) an annual
service fee (payable quarterly) of .25% of the average daily net asset value of
the Class A shares serviced by authorized institutions; and (2) a one-time
distribution fee of up to 1% (reduced according to the following schedule: 1% of
the first $5 million, .55% of the next $5 million, .50% of the next $40 million
and .25% over $50 million), payable at the time of sale on all Class A shares
sold during any 12-month period
<PAGE>
starting from the day of the first net asset value sale (i) at the $1 million
level by authorized institutions, including sales qualifying at such level under
the rights of accumulation and statement of intention privileges; or (ii)
through Retirement Plans with at least 100 eligible employees. In addition, the
Board has approved for those authorized institutions which qualify, a
supplemental annual distribution fee equal to 0.10% of the average daily net
asset value of the Class A shares serviced by authorized institutions which have
a satisfactory program for the promotion of such shares comprising a significant
percentage of the Class A assets, with a lower than average redemption rate.
Institutions and persons permitted by law to receive such fees are "authorized
institutions".
Under the A Plan, Lord Abbett Distributor is permitted to use payments received
to provide continuing services to Class A shareholder accounts not serviced by
authorized institutions and, with Board approval, to finance any activity which
is primarily intended to result in the sale of Class A shares. Any such payments
are subject to the Fee Ceiling. Any payments under that Plan not used by Lord
Abbett Distributor in this manner are passed on to authorized institutions.
Holders of Class A shares on which the 1% sales distribution fee has been paid
may be required to pay to the Fund on behalf of its Class A shares a CDSC of 1%
of the original cost or the then net asset value, whichever is less, of all
Class A shares so purchased which are redeemed out of the Lord Abbett-sponsored
family of funds on or before the end of the twenty-fourth month after the month
in which the purchase occurred. (An exception is made for redemptions by
Retirement Plans due to any benefit payment such as Plan loans, hardship
withdrawals, death, retirement or separation from service with respect to plan
participants or the distribution of any excess contributions.) If the Class A
shares have been exchanged into another Lord Abbett-sponsored fund and are
thereafter redeemed out of the Lord Abbett family of funds on or before the end
of such twenty-fourth month, the charge will be collected for the Fund's Class A
shares by the other fund. The Fund will collect such a charge for other Lord
Abbett-sponsored funds in a similar situation.
BUYING CLASS B SHARES. Class B shares are sold at net asset value per share
without an initial sales charge. However, if Class B shares are redeemed for
cash before the sixth anniversary of their purchase, a CDSC may be deducted from
the redemption proceeds. That sales charge will not apply to shares purchased by
the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. The charge will be
assessed on the lesser of the net asset value of the shares at the time of
redemption or the original purchase price. The CDSC is not imposed on the amount
of your account value represented by the increase in net asset value over the
initial purchase price (including increases due to the reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains distributions). The Class B CDSC is paid to Lord Abbett
Distributor to compensate it for its services rendered in connection with the
distribution of Class B shares, including the payment and financing of sales
commissions. See "Class B Rule 12b-1 Plan" below.
To determine whether the CDSC applies to a redemption, the Fund redeems shares
in the following order: (1) shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains distributions, (2) shares held until the sixth anniversary of
their purchase or later, and (3) shares held the longest before the sixth
anniversary of their purchase.
The amount of the CDSC will depend on the number of years since you invested and
the dollar amount being redeemed, according to the following schedule:
Anniversary
of the Day on Contingent Deferred
Which the Purchase Sales Charge on
Order Was Accepted Redemptions
(As % of Amount
On Before Subject to Charge)
1st 5.0%
1st 2nd 4.0%
2nd 3rd 3.0%
3rd 4th 3.0%
4th 5th 2.0%
5th 6th 1.0%
on or after the None
6th anniversary
In the table, an "anniversary" is the 365th day subsequent to a purchase or a
prior anniversary. All purchases are considered to have been made on the
business day the purchase was made. See "Buying Shares Through Your Dealer"
above.
<PAGE>
If Class B shares are exchanged into the same class of another Lord
Abbett-sponsored fund and the new shares are subsequently redeemed for cash
before the sixth anniversary of the original purchase, the CDSC will be payable
on the new shares on the basis of the time elapsed from the original purchase.
The Fund will collect such a charge for other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds in a
similar situation.
WAIVER OF CLASS B SALES CHARGES. The Class B CDSC will not be applied to shares
purchased in certain types of transactions nor will it apply to shares redeemed
in certain circumstances as described below.
The Class B CDSC will be waived for redemptions of shares (i) in connection with
the Systematic Withdrawal Plan and Div-Move services, as described in more
detail under "Shareholder Services" below; (ii) by Retirement Plans due to any
benefit payment such as Plan loans, hardship withdrawals, death, retirement or
separation from service with respect to plan participants or the distribution of
any excess contributions, and (iii) in connection with mandatory distributions
under 403(b) plans and individual retirement accounts.
Class B Rule 12b-1 Plan. The Fund has adopted a Class B share Rule 12b-1 plan
(the "B Plan") under which the Fund periodically pays Lord Abbett Distributor
(i) an annual service fee of 0.25 of 1% of the average daily net asset value of
the Class B shares and (ii) an annual distribution fee of 0.75 of 1% of the
average daily net asset value of the Class B shares that are outstanding for
less than 8 years.
Lord Abbett Distributor uses the service fee to compensate authorized
institutions for providing personal services for accounts that hold Class B
shares. Those services are primarily similar to those provided under the A Plan,
described above.
Lord Abbett Distributor pays an up-front payment to authorized institutions
totalling 4%, consisting of 0.25% for service and 3.75% for a sales commission
as described below.
Lord Abbett Distributor pays the 0.25% service fee to authorized institutions in
advance for the first year after Class B shares have been sold by the authorized
institutions. After the shares have been held for a year, Lord Abbett
Distributor pays the service fee on a quarterly basis. Lord Abbett Distributor
is entitled to retain such service fee payable under the B Plan with respect to
accounts for which there is no authorized institution of record or for which
such authorized institution did not qualify. Although not obligated to do so,
Lord Abbett Distributor may waive receipt from the Fund of part or all of the
service fee payments.
The 0.75% annual distribution fee is paid to Lord Abbett Distributor to
compensate it for its services rendered in connection with the distribution of
Class B shares, including the payment and financing of sales commissions.
Although Class B shares are sold without a front-end sales charge, Lord Abbett
Distributor pays authorized institutions responsible for sales of Class B shares
a sales commission of 3.75% of the purchase price. This payment is made at the
time of sale from Lord Abbett Distributor's own resources. Lord Abbett has made
arrangements to finance these commission payments, which arrangements include
non-recourse assignments by Lord Abbett Distributor to the financing party of
such distribution and CDSC payments which are made to Lord Abbett Distributor by
shareholders who redeem their Class B shares within six years of their purchase.
The distribution fee and CDSC payments described above allow investors to buy
Class B shares without a front-end sales charge while allowing Lord Abbett
Distributor to compensate authorized institutions that sell Class B shares. The
CDSC is intended to supplement Lord Abbett Distributor's
<PAGE>
reimbursement for the commission payments it has made with respect to Class B
shares and its related distribution and financing costs. The distribution fee
payments are at a fixed rate and the CDSC payments are of a nature that, during
any year, both forms of payment may not be sufficient to reimburse Lord Abbett
Distributor for its actual expenses. The Fund is not liable for any expenses
incurred by Lord Abbett Distributor in excess of (i) the amount of such
distribution fee payments to be received by Lord Abbett Distributor and (ii)
unreimbursed distribution expenses of Lord Abbett Distributor incurred in a
prior plan year, subject to the right of the Board of Directors or shareholders
to terminate the B Plan. Over the long term, the expenses incurred by Lord
Abbett Distributor are likely to be greater than such distribution fee and CDSC
payments. Nevertheless, there exists a possibility that for a short-term period
Lord Abbett Distributor may not have sufficient expenses to warrant
reimbursement by receipt of such distribution fee payments. Although Lord Abbett
Distributor undertakes not to make a profit under the B Plan, the B Plan is
considered a compensation plan (i.e., distribution fees are paid regardless of
expenses incurred) in order to avoid the possibility of Lord Abbett Distributor
not being able to receive distribution fees because of a temporary timing
difference between its incurring expenses and receipt of such distribution fees.
AUTOMATIC CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES. On the eighth anniversary of your
purchase of Class B shares, those shares will automatically convert to Class A
shares. This conversion relieves Class B shareholders of the higher annual
distribution fee that applies to Class B shares under the Class B Rule 12b-1
Plan. The conversion is based on the relative net asset values of the two
classes, and no sales charge or other charge is imposed. When Class B shares
convert, any other Class B shares that were acquired by the reinvestment of
dividends and distributions will also convert to Class A shares on a pro rata
basis. The conversion feature is subject to the continued availability of an
opinion of counsel or of a tax ruling described in "Purchases, Redemptions and
Shareholder Services" in the Statement of Additional Information.
BUYING CLASS C SHARES. Class C shares are sold at net asset value per share
without an initial sales charge. However, if Class C shares are redeemed for
cash before the first anniversary of their purchase, a CDSC of 1% will be
deducted from the redemption proceeds. That reimbursement charge will not apply
to shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The charge will be assessed on the lesser of the net asset value
of the shares at the time of redemption or the original purchase price. The CDSC
is not imposed on the amount of your account value represented by the increase
in net asset value over the initial purchase price (including increases due to
the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions). The Class C CDSC
is paid to the Fund to reimburse it, in whole or in part, for the service and
distribution fee payments made by the Fund at the time such shares were sold, as
described below.
To determine whether the CDSC applies to a redemption, the Fund redeems shares
in the following order: (1) shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains distributions, (2) shares held for one year or more and (3) shares
held the longest before the first anniversary of their purchase. If Class C
shares are exchanged into the same class of another Lord Abbett-sponsored fund
and subsequently redeemed before the first anniversary of their original
purchase, the charge will be collected by the other fund on behalf of this
Fund's Class C shares. The Fund will collect such a charge for other Lord
Abbett-sponsored funds in a similar situation.
CLASS C RULE 12B-1 PLAN. The Fund has adopted a Class C share Rule 12b-1 Plan
(the "C Plan") under which (except as to certain accounts for which tracking
data is not available) the Fund pays authorized institutions through Lord Abbett
Distributor (1) a service fee and a distribution fee, at the time shares are
sold, not to exceed 0.25 and 0.75 of 1%, respectively, of the net asset value of
such shares and (2) at each quarter-end after the first anniversary of the sale
of shares, fees for services and distribution at annual rates not to exceed 0.25
and 0.75 of 1%, respectively,
<PAGE>
of the average annual net asset value of such shares outstanding (payments with
respect to shares not outstanding during the full quarter to be prorated). These
service and distribution fees are for purposes similar to those mentioned above
with respect to the A Plan. Sales in clause (1) exclude shares issued for
reinvested dividends and distributions, and shares outstanding in clause (2)
include shares issued for reinvested dividends and distributions after the first
anniversary of their issuance.
6 SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
We offer the following shareholder services:
Telephone Exchange Privilege: Shares of any class may be exchanged without a
service charge: (a) for shares of the same class of any other Lord
Abbett-sponsored fund except for (i) LAEF, LASF and LARF and (ii) certain
tax-free, single-state series where the exchanging shareholder is a resident of
a state in which such series is not offered for sale and (b) for shares of any
authorized institution's affiliated money market fund satisfying Lord Abbett
Distributor as to certain omnibus account and other criteria (together,
"Eligible Funds").
You or YOUR REPRESENTATIVE WITH PROPER IDENTIFICATION can instruct the Fund to
exchange uncertificated shares of a class (held by
the transfer agent) by telephone. Shareholders have this privilege unless they
refuse it in writing. The Fund will not be liable for following instructions
communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be genuine and will
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions received are genuine,
including requesting proper identification and recording all telephone
exchanges. Instructions must be received by the Fund in Kansas City
(800-821-5129) prior to the close of the NYSE to obtain each fund's net asset
value per class share on that day. Expedited exchanges by telephone may be
difficult to implement in times of drastic economic or market change. The
exchange privilege should not be used to take advantage of short-term swings in
the market. The Fund reserves the right to terminate or limit the privilege of
any shareholder who makes frequent exchanges. The Fund can revoke the privilege
for all shareholders upon 60 days' prior written notice. A prospectus for the
other Lord Abbett-sponsored fund selected by you should be obtained and read
before an exchange. Exercise of the Exchange Privilege will be treated as a sale
for federal income tax purposes and, depending on the circumstances, a capital
gain or loss may be recognized.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN ("SWP"): Except for Retirement Plans for which there
is no such minimum, if the maximum offering price value of your uncertificated
shares is at least $10,000, you may have periodic cash withdrawals automatically
paid to you in either fixed or variable amounts. With respect to Class B shares,
the CDSC will be waived on redemptions of up to 12% per year of either the
current net asset value of your account or your original purchase price,
whichever is higher. For Class B shares (over 12% per year) and C shares,
redemption proceeds due to a SWP will be derived from the following sources in
the order listed: (1) shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and capital
gains, (2) shares held for six years or more (Class B) or one year or more
(Class C); and (3) shares held the longest before the sixth anniversary of their
purchase (Class B) or before the first anniversary of their purchase (Class C).
Shareholders should be careful in establishing a SWP, especially to the extent
that such a withdrawal exceeds the annual total return for a class, in which
case, the shareholder's original principal will be invaded and, over time, may
be depleted.
DIV-MOVE: You can invest the dividends paid on your account ($50 minimum
investment) into an existing account within the same class in any Eligible Fund.
The account must be either your account, a joint account for you and your
spouse, a single account for your spouse or a custodial account for your minor
child under the age of 21. Such dividends are not subject to a CDSC. You should
read the prospectus of the other fund before investing.
<PAGE>
INVEST-A-MATIC: You can make fixed, periodic investments ($250 initial and $50
subsequent minimum investment) into the Fund and/or any Eligible Fund by means
of automatic money transfers from your bank checking account. You should read
the prospectus of the other fund before investing.
RETIREMENT PLANS: Lord Abbett makes available the retirement plan forms and
custodial agreements for IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts including
Simplified Employee Pensions), 403(b) plans and pension and profit-sharing
plans, including 401(k) plans.
HOUSEHOLDING: A single copy of an annual or semi-annual report will be sent to
an address to which more than one registered shareholder of the Fund with the
same last name has indicated mail is to be delivered, unless additional reports
are specifically requested in writing or by telephone.
All correspondence should be directed to Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund,
Inc. (P.O. Box 419100, Kansas City, Missouri 64141; 800-821-5129).
7 OUR MANAGEMENT
Our business is managed by our officers on a day-to-day basis under the overall
direction of our Board of Directors with the advice of Lord Abbett. We employ
Lord Abbett as investment manager pursuant to a Management Agreement. Lord
Abbett has been an investment manager for over 65 years and currently manages
over $19 billion in a family of mutual funds and other advisory accounts. Under
the Management Agreement, Lord Abbett provides us with investment management
services and executive and other personnel, pays the remuneration of our
officers and our directors affiliated with Lord Abbett, provides us with office
space and pays for ordinary and necessary office and clerical expenses relating
to research, statistical work and supervision of our portfolio and certain other
costs. Lord Abbett provides similar services to twelve other Lord
Abbett-sponsored funds having various investment objectives and also advises
other investment clients. Stephen J. McGruder, Executive Vice President of the
Fund, serves as portfolio manager for the Fund and has done so since he joined
Lord Abbett in May 1995. Prior to joining Lord Abbett, Mr. McGruder had served
as Vice President of Wafra Investments Advisory Group, a private investment
company, since October 1988. Mr. McGruder has over 25 years of experience in the
investment business.
Under the Management Agreement, we pay Lord Abbett a monthly fee based on
average daily net assets for each month. For the fiscal year ended January 31,
1996, the effective fee paid to Lord Abbett as a percentage of average daily net
assets was at the annual rate of 0.64%. In addition, we pay all expenses not
expressly assumed by Lord Abbett. Our Class A share ratio of expenses, including
management fee expenses, to average net assets for the year ended January 31,
1996 was 1.03%. The Fund. The Fund is a diversified open-end management
investment company incorporated under Maryland law on August 28, 1978. Our
predecessor corporation was organized on July 11, 1973. Its Class A, B and C
shares have equal rights as to voting, dividends, assets and liquidation except
for differences resulting from certain class-specific expenses.
Dividends from net investment income may be taken in cash or reinvested in
additional shares at net asset value without a sales charge.
If you elect a cash payment (i) a check will be mailed to you as soon as
possible after the monthly reinvestment date or (ii) if you arrange for direct
deposit, your payment will be wired directly to your bank account within one day
after the date on which the dividend is paid.
A long-term capital gains distribution is made when we have net profits during
the year from sales of securities which we have held more than one year. If we
realize net short-term capital gains, they also will be distributed. Any capital
gains distribution will be paid in December and/or February. You may take them
in cash or
<PAGE>
reinvest them in additional shares at net asset value without a sales charge.
Dividends and distributions may be paid in December and/or February. Dividends
and distributions declared in October, November or December of any year to
shareholders of record as of a date in such a month will be treated for federal
income tax purposes as having been received by shareholders in that year if they
are paid before February 1 of the following year.
We intend to continue to meet the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code. We will try to distribute to shareholders all our net investment
income and net realized capital gains, so as to avoid the necessity of the Fund
paying federal income tax. Shareholders, however, must report dividends and
capital gains distributions as taxable income. Distributions derived from net
long-term capital gains which are designated by the Fund as "capital gains
dividends" will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, whether
received in cash or shares, regardless of how long a taxpayer has held the
shares. Under current law, net long-term capital gains are taxed at the rates
applicable to ordinary income, except that the maximum rate for long-term
capital gains for individuals is 28%. Legislation pending as of the date of this
Prospectus would have the effect of reducing the federal income tax rate on
capital gains.
Shareholders may be subject to a $50 penalty under the Internal Revenue Code and
we may be required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a portion (31%) of
any redemption proceeds (including the value of shares exchanged into another
Lord Abbett-sponsored fund), and of any dividend or distribution on any account,
where the payee (shareholder) failed to provide a correct taxpayer
identification number or to make certain required certifications.
We will inform shareholders of the federal tax status of each dividend and
distribution after
the end of each calendar year. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers
concerning applicable state and local taxes as well as the tax consequences of
gains or losses from the redemption or exchange of our shares.
9 REDEMPTIONS
To obtain the proceeds of an expedited redemption of $50,000 or less, you or
your representative with proper identification can telephone the Fund. The Fund
will not be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone that it
reasonably believes to be genuine and will employ reasonable procedures to
confirm that instructions received are genuine, including requesting proper
identification, recording all telephone redemptions and mailing the proceeds
only to the named shareholder at the address appearing on the account
registration.
If you do not qualify for the expedited procedures described above to redeem
shares directly, send your request to Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.
(P.O. Box 419100, Kansas City, Missouri 64141) with signature(s) and any legal
capacity of the signer(s) guaranteed by an eligible guarantor, accom-panied by
any certificates for shares to be redeemed and other required documentation. We
will make payment of the net asset value of the shares on the date the
redemption order was received in proper form. Payment will be made within three
days. The Fund may suspend the right to redeem shares for not more than seven
days (or longer under unusual circumstances as permitted by Federal law). If you
have purchased Fund shares by check and subsequently submit a redemption
request, redemption proceeds will be paid upon clearance of your purchase check,
which may take up to 15 days. To avoid delays you may arrange for the bank upon
which a check was drawn to communicate to the Fund that the check has cleared.
Shares also may be redeemed by the Fund at net asset value through your
securities dealer who, as an unaffiliated dealer, may charge you a fee. If your
dealer receives your order prior to the close of the NYSE and communicates it to
Lord Abbett, as our agent, prior to the close of Lord Abbett's business day, you
will receive the net asset value of the shares being redeemed as of the close of
the NYSE on that day. If the dealer does
<PAGE>
not communicate such an order to Lord Abbett until the next business day, you
will receive the net asset value as of the close of the NYSE on that next
business day.
Shareholders who have redeemed their shares have a one-time right to reinvest
into another account having the identical registration in any of the Eligible
Funds, at the then applicable net asset value of the shares being purchased (i)
without the payment of a sales charge or (ii) with reimbursement for the payment
of any CDSC. Such reinvestment must be made within 60 days of the redemption and
is limited to no more than the dollar amount of the redemption proceeds.
Under certain circumstances and subject to prior written notice, our Board of
Directors may authorize redemption of all of the shares in any account in which
there are fewer than 25 shares.
Tax-qualified Plans: For redemptions of $50,000 or less, follow normal
redemption procedures. Redemptions over $50,000 must be in writing from the
employer, broker or plan administrator stating the reason for the redemption.
The reason for the redemption must be received by the Fund prior to, or
concurrent with, the redemption request.
10 PERFORMANCE
The Fund ended fiscal 1996 on January 31, with a per share net asset value of
$11.49 versus $6.71 one year ago. The latter figure has been adjusted for
capital gains distributions totaling $2.865 per share paid over the Fund's
fiscal year. The Board of Directors subsequently declared a capital gains
distribution of $.16 per share which was paid on February 21 to shareholders of
record on February 14, 1996. The Fund's total return over the fiscal year was
50.2%.
1995 was a superior year for small company growth stocks; and the Fund performed
exceptionally well. We increased the number of holdings by adding over 25
companies to the Fund's portfolio, with particular emphasis on small and highly
specialized, niche companies. This strategy benefited the Fund's performance, as
did our holdings in technology stocks. During the second half of 1995, we were
net sellers of technology and captured many of the profits made from this
sector. As technology stock prices corrected in December, the Fund used this
opportunity to purchase more niche companies at attractive prices.
Total Return. Total return for the one-, five- and ten-year periods represents
the average annual compounded rate of return on an investment of $1,000 in the
Fund at the maximum public offering price. When total return is quoted for Class
A shares, it includes the payment of the maximum initial sales charge. When
total return is shown for Class B and Class C shares, it reflects the effect of
the applicable CDSC. Total return also may be presented for other periods or
based on investments at reduced sales charge levels or net asset value. Any
quotation of total return not reflecting the maximum sales charge (front-end,
level, or back-end) would be reduced if such sales charge were used. Quotations
of total return for any period when an expense limitation is in effect will be
greater than if the limitation had not been in effect. See "Past Performance" in
the Statement of Additional Information for a more detailed discussion of the
computation of the Fund's total return.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFER IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS
NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN SUPPLEMENTAL SALES MATERIAL AUTHORIZED BY
THE FUND AND NO PERSON IS ENTITLED TO RELY UPON ANY INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN.
<PAGE>
Comparison of changes in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of the
Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, in the Fund and
the Russell 2000 Index.
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
FUND FUND AT RUSSELL
AT NET MAXIMUM 2000
DATE ASSET VALUE OFFERING PRICE(1) INDEX(2)
- ---- ------------ -------------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1/31/86 $10,000 $ 9,428 $10,000
1/31/87 11,021 10,391 11,607
1/31/88 9,629 9,078 9,902
1/31/89 10,651 10,042 12,391
1/31/90 10,611 10,005 12,586
1/31/91 12,166 11,470 12,109
1/31/92 17,218 16,234 17,532
1/31/93 16,821 15,859 19,853
1/31/94 19,581 18,461 23,543
1/31/95 19,043 17,955 22,129
1/31/96 28,606 26,971 28,754
<FN>
(1)Data reflects the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%
applicable to Class A shares.
(2)Performance numbers for the unmanaged Russell 2000 Index do not reflect
transaction costs or management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in the
Russell 2000 Index.
(3)Total return is the percent change in value, after deduction of the maximum
initial sales charge of 5.75% applicable to Class A shares, with all dividends
and distributions reinvested for the periods shown ending January 31, 1996 using
the SEC-required uniform method to compute such return.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Investment Manager and Underwriter
Lord, Abbett & Co. and Lord Abbett Distributor LLC
The General Motors Building
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153-0203
212-848-1800
Custodian
The Bank of New York
48 Wall Street
New York, New York 10286
Transfer Agent and Dividend
Disbursing Agent
United Missouri Bank of Kansas City, N.A.
Tenth and Grand
Kansas City, Missouri 64141
Shareholder Servicing Agent
DST Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 419100
Kansas City, Missouri 64141 800-821-5129
Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Counsel
Debevoise & Plimpton
Printed in the U.S.A.
<PAGE>
LORD ABBETT
Statement of Additional Information July 15, 1996
Lord Abbett
Developing Growth Fund, Inc.
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. A Prospectus may
be obtained from your securities dealer or from Lord Abbett Distributor LLC
("Lord Abbett Distributor") at The General Motors Building, 767 Fifth Avenue,
New York, New York 10153-0203. This Statement relates to, and should be read in
conjunction with, the Prospectus dated July 15, 1996.
Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc. (sometimes referred to as "we" or the
"Fund") was incorporated under Maryland law on August 21, 1978 and its
predecessor corporation was organized on July 11, 1973. Our authorized capital
stock consisting of stock three classes (A, B and C), $0.01 par value. The Board
of Directors will allocate these authorized shares of capital stock among the
classes from time to time. Prior to July 12, 1996, we had only one class of
shares, which class is now designated Class A. The Class B shares will be
offered to the public for the first time on or about August 1, 1996. All shares
have equal noncumulative voting rights and equal rights with respect to
dividends, assets and liquidation, except for certain class-specific expenses.
They are fully paid and nonassessable when issued and have no preemptive or
conversion rights.
Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted, by
the provisions of the Act or applicable state law or otherwise, to the holders
of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Fund
shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class affected by such
matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a class shall be deemed to be affected
by a matter unless the interests of each class in the matter are substantially
identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such class. However, the
Rule exempts the selection of independent public accountants, the approval of
principal distributing contracts and the election of directors from its separate
voting requirements.
Shareholder inquiries should be made by writing directly to the Fund or by
calling 800-821-5129. In addition, you can make inquiries through your dealer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
1. Investment Objective and Policies 2
2. Directors and Officers 4
3. Investment Advisory and Other Services 7
4. Portfolio Transactions 8
5. Purchases, Redemptions and Shareholder Services 9
6. Past Performance 15
7. Taxes 15
8. Information About the Fund 16
9. Financial Statements 17
<PAGE>
1.
Investment Objective and Policies
Fundamental Investment Restrictions
- -----------------------------------
The Fund may not: (1) borrow money, except that (i) the Fund may borrow from
banks (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("the Act")) in amounts
up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (ii) the Fund
may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes,
(iii) the Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the
clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities and (iv) the Fund may
purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law; (2)
pledge its assets (other than to secure such borrowings, or to the extent
permitted by the Fund's investment policie, as permitted by applicable law; (3)
engage in the underwriting of securities, except pursuant to a merger or
acquisition or to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of its
portfolio securities, it may be deemed to be an underwriter under federal
securities laws; (4) make loans to other persons, except that the acquisition of
bonds, debentures or other corporate debt securities and investment in
government obligations, commercial paper, pass-through instruments, certificates
of deposit, bankers acceptances, repurchase agreements or any similar
instruments shall not be subject to this limitation and except further that the
Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided that the lending of portfolio
securities may be made only in accordance with applicable law; (5) buy or sell
real estate (except that the Fund may invest in securities directly or
indirectly secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies
which invest in real estate or interests therein) commodities or commodity
contracts (except to the extent the Fund may do so in accordance with applicable
law and without registering as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity
Exchange Act as, for example, with futures contracts); (6) with respect to 75%
of the gross assets of the Fund, buy securities of one issuer representing more
than (i) 5% of the Fund's gross assets, except securities issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or (ii) 10% of the
voting securities of such issuer; (7) invest more than 25% of its assets, taken
at market value, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry
(excluding securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies and
instrumentalities); or (8) issue senior securities to the extent such issuance
would violate applicable law.
With respect to the restrictions mentioned herein, compliance therewith will not
be affected by change in the market value of portfolio securities but will be
determined at the time of purchase or sale of such securities.
Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions. In addition to the investment
- -------------------------------------------
restrictions above which cannot be changed without shareholder approval, we also
are subject to the following non-fundamental investment policies which may be
changed by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval. The Fund may
not: (1) borrow in excess of 5% of its gross assets taken at cost or market
value, whichever is lower at the time of borrowing, and then only as a temporary
measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes; (2) make short sales of
securities or maintain a short position except to the extent permitted by
applicable law; (3) invest knowingly more than 15% of its net assets (at the
time of investment) in illiquid securities, except for securities qualifying for
resale under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, deemed to be liquid by the
Board of Directors; (4) invest in securities of other investment companies as
defined in the Act, except as permitted by applicable law; (5) invest in
securities of issuers which, with their predecessors, have a record of less than
three years of continuous operation, if more than 5% of the Fund's total assets
would be invested in such securities (this restriction shall not apply to
mortgaged-backed securities, asset-backed securities or obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U. S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities); (6) hold
securities of any issuer when more than 1/2 of 1% of the securities of such
issuer are owned beneficially by one or more of the Fund's officers or directors
or by one or more partners of the Fund's underwriter or investment adviser if
these owners in the aggregate own beneficially more than 5% of such securities
of such issuer; (7) invest in warrants if, at the time of acquisition, its
investment in warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market, would exceed 5%
of the Fund's total assets (included within such limitation, but not to exceed
2% of the Funds total assets, are warrants which are not listed on the New York
or American Stock Exchange or a major foreign exchange); (8) invest in real
estate limited partnership interests or interests in oil, gas or other mineral
leases, or exploration or development programs, except that the Fund may invest
in securities issued by companies that engage in oil, gas or other mineral
exploration or development activities; (9) write, purchase or sell puts, calls,
straddles, spreads or combinations thereof, except to the extent permitted in
the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information, as they may be
amended from time to time; or (10) buy from or sell
2
<PAGE>
to any of its officers, directors, employees, or its investment adviser or any
of its officers, directors, partners or employees, any securities other than
shares of the Fund's common stock.
Although it has no current intention to do so, the Fund may invest in financial
futures and options on financial futures.
A repurchase agreement is the purchase and simultaneous commitment to resell a
security at a specified time and price. The underlying security is collateral
under the agreement. As a matter of operating policy, we will not invest more
than 10% of the value of our assets in repurchase agreements maturing in more
than seven days.
We did not invest in repurchase agreements or lend portfolio securities during
our last fiscal year and have no present intent to do so.
Portfolio Turnover Rate. For the year ended January 31, 1996, our portfolio
turnover rate was 50.12%, versus 17.57% for the prior year.
STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Fund believes it can reduce the volatility
inherent in its portfolio through the use of stock index futures contracts. (A
stock index futures contract is an agreement pursuant to which two parties
agree, one to receive and the other to pay, on a specified date an amount of
cash equal to a specified dollar amount -- established by an exchange or board
of trade -- times the difference between the value of the index at the close of
the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the futures contract
is originally written. No consideration is paid or received at the time the
contract is entered into, only the good faith deposit described herein.) When
Lord Abbett, our investment manager, anticipates a general decline in the sector
of the stock market which includes our portfolio assets, we can reduce risk by
hedging the effect of such decline on our ability to sell assets at best price
or otherwise hedge a decision to delay the sale of portfolio securities. Such
hedging would be possible if there were an established, regularly-quoted stock
index for equities of the character in which we invest and if an active public
market were to develop on a stock exchange or board of trade in futures
contracts based on such index.
The market value of a futures contract is based primarily on the value of the
underlying index. Changes in the value of the index will cause roughly
corresponding changes in the market price of the futures contract, except as
otherwise described below. If a stock index is established which is made up of
securities whose market characteristics closely parallel the market
characteristics of the securities in our portfolio, then the market value of a
futures contract on that index should fluctuate in a way closely resembling the
market fluctuation of our portfolio. Thus, if we should sell futures contracts,
a decline in the market value of the portfolio will be offset by an increase in
the value of the short futures position to the extent of the hedge (i.e., the
percentage of the portfolio value represented by the value of the futures
position). Conversely, when we are in a strong cash position (for example,
through substantial sales of our shares) and wish to invest the cash in
anticipation of a rising market, we could rapidly hedge against the expected
market increase by buying futures contracts to offset the cash position and thus
cushion the adverse effect of attempting to buy individual securities in a
rising market.
The public markets for existing stock index futures contracts, such as those
using the Standard & Poor's 100 Index and 500 Index traded on the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange or those using the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index
traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), are active and have developed
substantial liquidity and we expect a similar market to develop for stock index
futures on a representative group of over-the-counter stocks. The existence of
an active market would permit us to close out our position in futures contracts
by purchasing an equal and opposite position in the public market. Under futures
contracts currently in use, the purchaser would be required to segregate in a
separate account, as a good faith deposit, cash or Treasury bills in an amount
set by a board of trade or exchange (currently approximately 5% of the contract
value). Each day during the contract period we would either pay or receive an
amount of cash equal to the daily change in the total value of the contracts.
The amount which we may segregate upon entering into a futures contract may not
exceed, together with the amounts on deposit under all outstanding contracts, 5%
of the value of our total assets, nor may we enter into additional futures
contracts if, as a result, the aggregate amount committed under all our open
futures contracts would exceed more than one-third of the value of such assets.
3
<PAGE>
There are several risks in connection with the use of futures contracts as a
hedging device. One risk is the imperfect correlation between the composition of
our portfolio securities and the applicable stock index. If the value of the
futures contract moves more than the value of the stock being hedged, we would
experience either a loss or a gain on the futures contract which would not be
completely offset by movements in the value of the securities which are the
subject of the hedge. Another risk is that the value of futures contracts may
not correlate perfectly with movement in the stock index due to certain market
distortions. Although we will enter into futures contracts strictly to hedge our
portfolio or cash positions, other investors use these investment vehicles for
other, sometimes more speculative, purposes. At times, excess speculation in the
futures market can distort the normal market relationship between the price of
the futures contract and the value of the index. If we decide to enter into or
close out our futures position during a period of such excess speculation, the
hedging strategy will be more or less successful, depending on the direction and
amount of this distortion, than otherwise would be the case. Due to the
possibility of price distortion in the futures market and because of the
imperfect correlation between movements in the stock index and movements in the
price of stock index futures contracts, a correct forecast of general market
trends by Lord Abbett may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.
It is possible that, when we sell futures contracts to hedge our portfolio
against a decline in the market, the market, as measured by the stock index, may
advance while the value of securities held in our portfolio may decline. If this
occurs, we will lose money on the futures contracts and also experience a
decline in value in our portfolio securities. However, Lord Abbett believes that
over time the value of a diversified portfolio will tend to move in the same
direction as the market index upon which the futures contracts are based.
Where futures contracts are purchased to hedge against a possible increase in
the price of stock before we are able to invest our cash position in stock in an
orderly fashion, it is possible that the market may decline instead and we would
realize a loss; if we then decide not to invest in stock at that time because of
concern as to possible further market decline or for other reasons, we would
realize a loss on the futures contract that would be offset, to the extent the
cash position had not been invested in stocks being hedged.
Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or board of
trade which provides a market for such contracts. Although we intend to purchase
or sell futures contracts only if an active market has developed and is
continuing, there is no assurance that a liquid 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 out a futures position, and in the
event of adverse price movements, we would continue to be required to make daily
cash payments marking our position to market. However, since futures contracts
would have been used to hedge portfolio securities and such securities would not
be sold until the futures contracts had been terminated, an increase in the
price of the securities, if any, may partially or completely offset losses on
the futures contract.
We may incur additional brokerage commissions through entering into futures
contracts, although we also can save on commissions by hedging through such
contracts rather than through buying or selling individual securities in
anticipation of market moves. Successful use by us of futures contracts will
depend upon Lord Abbett's ability to predict movements in the direction of the
over-the-counter market generally, which requires different skills and
techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual stocks.
To date, we have not entered into any futures contracts and have no present
intent to do so. An established, regularly-quoted stock index for equities of
the character in which we invest has not yet been established. If such an index
is established and we actually use futures contracts, we will disclose such use
in our Prospectus.
2.
Directors and Officers
The following director is a partner of Lord, Abbett & Co. ("Lord Abbett"), The
General Motors Building, 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153-0203. He has
been associated with Lord Abbett for over five years and is also an officer
and/or director or trustee of the twelve other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds. He
is an "interested person" as
4
defined in the Act, and as such, may be considered to have an indirect financial
interest in the Rule 12b-1 Plan described in the Prospectus.
Robert S. Dow, age 51, Chairman and President
The following outside directors are also directors or trustees of the twelve
other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds referred to above.
E. Thayer Bigelow
Time Warner Cable
300 First Stamford Place
Stamford, Connecticut
President and Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Cable Programming, Inc.
Formerly President and Chief Operating Officer of Home Box Office, Inc. Age 54.
Stewart S. Dixon
Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon
225 W. Wacker Drive (Suite 2800)
Chicago, Illinois
Partner in the law firm of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon. Age 65.
John C. Jansing
162 S. Beach Road
Hobe Sound, Florida
Retired. Former Chairman of Independent Election Corporation of America, a proxy
tabulating firm. Age 70.
C. Alan MacDonald
The Marketing Partnership, Inc.
27 Signal Road
Stamford, Connecticut
General Partner, The Marketing Partnership, Inc., a full service marketing
consulting firm. Formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln
Snacks, Inc., manufacturer of branded snack foods (1992-1994). Formerly
President and Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Foods Corp, and prior to that,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Stouffer Foods Corp., both subsidiaries
of Nestle SA, Switzerland. Currently serves as Director of Den West Restaurant
Co., J. B. Williams, and Fountainhead Water Company. Age 63.
Hansel B. Millican, Jr.
Rochester Button Company
1100 Noblin Avenue
South Boston, Virginia
President and Chief Executive Officer of Rochester Button Company. Age 68.
Thomas J. Neff
Spencer Stuart & Associates
277 Park Avenue
New York, New York
5
<PAGE>
President of Spencer Stuart & Associates, an executive search consulting firm.
Age 58.
The second column of the following table sets forth the compensation accrued for
the Fund's outside directors. The third and fourth columns set forth information
with respect to the retirement plan for outside directors maintained by the Lord
Abbett-sponsored funds. The fifth column sets forth the total compensation
payable by such funds to the outside directors. The first four columns give
information for the Fund's fiscal year ended January 31, 1996; the fifth column
gives information for the year ended December 31, 1995. No director of the Fund
associated with Lord Abbett or Lord Abbett Distributor and no officer of the
Fund received any compensation from the Fund for acting as a director or
officer.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Pension or Estimated Annual For Year Ended
Retirement Benefits Benefits Upon December 31, 1995
Accrued as Expenses Retirement Accrued Total Compensation
by the Fund and by the Fund and Accrued by the Fund and
Aggregate Twelve Other Lord Twelve Other Lord Twelve Other Lord
Compensation Abbett-sponsored Abbett-sponsored Abbett-sponsored
Name of Director from the Fund1 Funds2 Funds2 Funds3
- ---------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------ ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
E. Thayer Bigelow $485 $9,772 $33,600 $41,700
Stewart S. Dixon $463 $22,472 $33,600 $42,000
John C. Jansing $500 $28,480 $33,600 $42,960
C. Alan MacDonald $471 $27,435 $33,600 $42,750
Hansel B. Millican, Jr. $502 $24,707 $33,600 $43,000
Thomas J. Neff $484 $16,126 $33,600 $42,000
<FN>
1. Outside directors' fees, including attendance fees for board and committee
meetings, are allocated among all Lord Abbett-sponsored funds based on net
assets of each fund. A portion of the fees payable by the Fund to its outside
directors are being deferred under a plan that deems the deferred amounts to
be invested in shares of the Fund for later distribution to the directors.
The total amount accrued under the plan for each outside director since the
beginning of his tenure with the Fund, including dividends reinvested and
changes in net asset value applicable to such deemed investments were as
follows as of January 31, 1996: Mr. Bigelow, $741; Mr. Dixon, $39,202; Mr.
Jansing, $39,696 ; Mr. MacDonald, $13,861; Mr. Millican, $40,751 and Mr.
Neff, $41,016 .
2. The retirement plan of the Lord Abbett-sponsored funds provides that outside
directors will receive an annual retirement benefit equal to 80% of their
final annual retainer following retirement at or after age 72 with at least
10 years of service. The plan also provides for a reduced benefit upon early
retirement under certain circumstances, a pre-retirement death benefit and
actuarially reduced joint-and-survivor spousal benefits. The amounts stated
would be payable annually under such retirement plan if the director were to
retire at age 72 and the annual retainer payable by such funds were the same
as it is today. The amounts accrued in column 3 by the Lord Abbett-sponsored
funds during the fiscal year ended January 31, 1996 are used to fund the
retirement benefits in column 4.
3. This column shows aggregate compensation, including director's fees and
attendance fees for board and committee meetings, of a nature referred to in
the first sentence of footnote one accrued by the Lord Abbett-sponsored funds
during the year ended December 31, 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Except where indicated, the following executive officers of the Fund have been
associated with Lord Abbett for over five years. Of the following, Messrs.
Allen, Carper, Cutler, Henderson, Morris, Nordberg and Walsh are partners of
Lord Abbett; the others are employees: Stephen J. McGruder age 53, Executive
Vice President, Kenneth B. Cutler, age 64, Vice President and Secretary; Stephen
I. Allen, age 43; Daniel E. Carper, age 44; Robert G. Morris, age 51, E. Wayne
Nordberg, age 58; John J. Gargana, Jr., age 65; Paul A. Hilstad, age 53 (with
Lord Abbett since 1995; formerly
6
<PAGE>
Senior Vice President and General Counsel of American Capital Management &
Research, Inc.); Thomas F. Konop, age 54; Victor W. Pizzolato, age 63; John J.
Walsh, age 60, Vice Presidents; and Keith F. O'Connor, age 41, Treasurer.
The Fund's By-Laws provide that the Fund shall not hold an annual meeting of its
stockholders in any year unless one or more matters are required to be acted on
by stockholders under the Act, as amended (the "Act"), or unless called by a
majority of the Board of Directors or by stockholders holding at least one
quarter of the stock of the Fund outstanding and entitled to vote at the
meeting. When any such annual meeting is held, the stockholders will elect
directors and vote on the approval of the independent auditors of the Fund.
As of July 1, 1996, our officers and directors, as a group, owned less than 1%
of our outstanding shares.
3.
Investment Advisory and Other Services
As described under "Our Management" in the Prospectus, Lord Abbett is the Fund's
investment manager. The eight general partners of Lord Abbett, all of whom are
officers and/or directors of the Fund, are: Stephen I. Allen, Daniel E. Carper,
Kenneth B. Cutler, Robert S. Dow, Thomas S. Henderson, Robert G. Morris, E.
Wayne Nordberg and John J. Walsh. The address of each partner is The General
Motors Building, 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153-0203.
The services performed by Lord Abbett are described under "Our Management" in
the Prospectus. Under the Management Agreement, we are obligated to pay Lord
Abbett a monthly fee, based on average daily net assets for each month, at the
annual rate of .75 of 1% of the portion of our net assets not in excess of
$100,000,000 and .50 of 1% of such assets over $100,000,000. This fee is
allocated among Classes A, B and C based on the classes' proportionate shares of
such average daily net assets. For the fiscal years ended January 31, 1996, 1995
and 1994, the management fees paid to Lord Abbett amounted to $1,098,965,
$897,585 and $952,381, respectively.
We pay all expenses not expressly assumed by Lord Abbett, including, without
limitation, 12b-1 expenses, outside directors' fees and expenses, association
membership dues, legal and auditing fees, taxes, transfer and dividend
disbursing agent fees, shareholder servicing costs, expenses relating to
shareholder meetings, expenses of preparing, printing and mailing stock
certificates and shareholder reports, expenses of registering our shares under
federal and state securities laws, expenses of preparing, printing and mailing
prospectuses to existing shareholders, insurance premiums, brokerage and other
expenses connected with executing portfolio security transactions.
We have agreed with the State of California to limit operating expenses
(including management fees but excluding taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses
and brokerage commissions) to 2 1/2% of average annual net assets up to
$30,000,000, 2% of the next $70,000,000 of such assets and 1 1/2% of such assets
in excess of $100,000,000. The expense limitation is a condition on the
registration of investment company shares for sale in the State and applies so
long as our shares are registered for sale in that State.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Two World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281, are
the independent auditors of the Fund and must be approved at least annually by
our Board of Directors to continue in such capacity. They perform audit services
for the Fund including the examination of financial statements included in our
annual report to shareholders.
The Bank of New York ("BNY"), 48 Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, is the
Fund's custodian. In accordance with the requirements of Rule 17f-5 under the
Act, the Fund's directors have approved arrangements permitting the Fund's
foreign assets not held by BNY or its foreign branches to be held by certain
qualified foreign banks and depositories.
7
<PAGE>
4.
Portfolio Transactions
Our policy is to obtain best execution on all our portfolio transactions, which
means that we seek to have purchases and sales of portfolio securities executed
at the most favorable prices, considering all costs of the transaction including
brokerage commissions and dealer markups and markdowns and taking into account
the full range and quality of the brokers' services. Consistent with obtaining
best execution, we generally pay, as described below, a higher commission than
some brokers might charge on the same transactions. Our policy with respect to
best execution governs the selection of brokers or dealers and the market in
which the transaction is executed. To the extent permitted by law, we may, if
considered advantageous, make a purchase from or sale to another Lord
Abbett-sponsored fund without the intervention of any broker-dealer.
Broker-dealers are selected on the basis of their professional capability and
the value and quality of their brokerage and research services. Normally, the
selection is made by traders who are officers of the Fund and also are employees
of Lord Abbett. These traders do the trading as well for other accounts --
investment companies (of which they are also officers) and other investment
clients -- managed by Lord Abbett. They are responsible for obtaining best
execution.
We pay a commission rate that we believe is appropriate to give maximum
assurance that our brokers will provide us, on a continuing basis, the highest
level of brokerage services available. While we do not always seek the lowest
possible commissions on particular trades, we believe that our commission rates
are in line with the rates that many other institutions pay. Our traders are
authorized to pay brokerage commissions in excess of those that other brokers
might accept on the same transactions in recognition of the value of the
services performed by the executing brokers, viewed in terms of either the
particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of Lord Abbett with
respect to us and the other accounts they manage. Such services include showing
us trading opportunities including blocks, a willingness and ability to take
positions in securities, knowledge of a particular security or market proven
ability to handle a particular type of trade, confidential treatment, promptness
and reliability.
Some of these brokers also provide research services at least some of which are
useful to Lord Abbett in their overall responsibilities with respect to us and
the other accounts they manage. Research includes the furnishing of analyses and
reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends,
portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts and trading equipment and
computer software packages, acquired from third-party suppliers, that enable
Lord Abbett to access various information bases. Such services may be used by
Lord Abbett in servicing all their accounts, and not all of such services will
necessarily be used by Lord Abbett in connection with their management of the
Fund; conversely, such services furnished in connection with brokerage on other
accounts managed by Lord Abbett may be used in connection with their management
of the Fund, and not all of such services will necessarily be used by Lord
Abbett in connection with their advisory services to such other accounts. We
have been advised by Lord Abbett that research services received form brokers
cannot be allocated to any particular account, are not a substitute for Lord
Abbett's services but are supplemental to their own research effort and when
utilized, are subject to internal analysis before being incorporated by Lord
Abbett into their investment process. As a practical matter, it would not be
possible for Lord Abbett to generate all of the information presently provided
by brokers. While receipt of research services from brokerage firms has not
reduced Lord Abbett's normal research activities, the expenses of Lord Abbett
could be materially increased if it attempted to generate such additional
information through its own staff and purchased such equipment and software
packages directly from the suppliers.
No commitments are made regarding the allocation of brokerage business to or
among brokers, and trades are executed only when they are dictated by investment
decisions of the Fund to purchase or sell portfolio securities.
If two or more broker-dealers are considered capable of offering the equivalent
likelihood of best execution, the broker-dealer who has sold our shares and/or
shares of other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds may be preferred.
If other clients of Lord Abbett buy or sell the same security at the same time
as we do, transactions will, to the extent practicable, be allocated among all
participating accounts in proportion to the amount of each order and will be
executed
8
daily until filled so that each account shares the average price and commission
cost of each day. Other clients who direct that their brokerage business be
placed with specific brokers or who invest through wrap accounts introduced to
Lord Abbett by certain brokers may not participate with us in the buying and
selling of the same securities as described above. If these clients wish to buy
or sell the same security as we do, they may have their transactions executed at
times different from our transactions and thus may not receive the same price or
incur the same commission cost as we do.
We will not seek "reciprocal" dealer business (for the purpose of applying
commissions in whole or in part for our benefit or otherwise) from dealers as
consideration for the direction to them of portfolio business.
During the fiscal years ended January 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, we paid total
commissions to independent dealers of $981,015, $399,634 and $647,440,
respectively.
5.
Purchases, Redemptions
and Shareholder Services
The Fund values its portfolio securities at market value as of the close of the
NYSE. Market value will be determined as follows: securities listed or admitted
to trading privileges on the New York or American Stock Exchange or on the
NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last sales price, or, if there
is no sale on that day, at the mean between the last bid and asked prices, or,
in the case of bonds, in the over-the-counter market if, in the judgment of the
Fund's officers, that market more accurately reflects the market value of the
bonds. Over-the-counter securities not traded on the NASDAQ National Market
System are valued at the mean between the last bid and asked prices. Securities
for which market quotations are not available are valued at fair market value
under procedures approved by the Board of Directors.
Information concerning how we value our shares for the purchase and redemption
of our shares is described in the Prospectus under "Purchases" and
"Redemptions", respectively.
As disclosed in the Prospectus, we calculate our net asset value and are
otherwise open for business on each day that the NYSE is open for trading. The
NYSE is closed on Saturdays and Sundays and the following holidays -- New Year's
Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The net asset value per share for the Class B and Class C shares will be
determined in the same manner as for the Class A shares (net assets divided by
shares outstanding). Our Class B and Class C shares will be sold at net asset
value.
The maximum offering price of our Class A shares on January 31, 1996 was
computed as follows:
Net asset value per share (net assets divided by
shares outstanding).............................................. ......$11.49
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value
divided by .9425)........................................................$12.19
The Fund has entered into a distribution agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor
LLC, a New York limited liability company ("Lord Abbett Distributor") and
subsidiary of Lord Abbett under which Lord Abbett Distributor is obligated to
use its best efforts to find purchasers for the shares of the Fund, and to make
reasonable efforts to sell Fund shares so long as, in Lord Abbett Distributor's
judgment, a substantial distribution can be obtained by reasonable efforts.
9
<PAGE>
For the last three fiscal years, Lord Abbett, as our principal underwriter,
received net commissions after allowance of a portion of the sales charge to
independent dealers with respect to Class A shares as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended January 31
---------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Gross sales charge $747,825 $109,370 $115,031
Amount allowed to dealers $679,143 $ 92,501 $ 99,284
-------- -------- --------
Net commissions
received by Lord Abbett $68,682 $16,869 $ 15,747
====== ====== =======
</TABLE>
CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES. The conversion of Class B shares on the eighth
anniversary of their purchase is subject to the continuing availability of a
private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of
counsel or tax adviser, to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares does
not constitute a taxable event for the holder under Federal income tax law. If
such a revenue ruling or opinion is no longer available, the automatic
conversion feature may be suspended, in which event no further conversions of
Class B shares would occur while such suspension remained in effect. Although
Class B shares could then be exchanged for Class A shares on the basis of
relative net asset value of the two classes, without the imposition of a sales
charge or fee, such exchange could constitute a taxable event for the holder.
CLASS A, B AND C RULE 12B-1 PLANS. As described in the Prospectus, the Fund has
adopted a Distribution Plan and Agreement pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the Act for
each of the three Fund Classes: the "A Plan", the "B Plan" and the "C Plan",
respectively. In adopting each Plan and in approving its continuance, the Board
of Directors has concluded that there is a reasonable likelihood that each Plan
will benefit its respective Class and such Class' shareholders. The expected
benefits include greater sales and lower redemptions of Class shares, which
should allow each Class to maintain a consistent cash flow, and a higher quality
of service to shareholders by authorized institutions than would otherwise be
the case. During the last fiscal year, the Fund accrued or paid through Lord
Abbett to authorized institutions $304,960 under the A Plan. Both the B Plan and
the C Plan were adopted by the Fund subsequent to its last fiscal year. Lord
Abbett used all amounts received under the A Plan for payments to dealers for
(i) providing continuous services to the Class A shareholders, such as answering
shareholder inquiries, maintaining records, and assisting shareholders in making
redemptions, transfers, additional purchases and exchanges and (ii) their
assistance in distributing Class A shares of the Fund.
Each Plan requires the directors to review, on a quarterly basis, written
reports of all amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made. Each Plan shall continue in effect only if its
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by vote of the directors,
including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons of the Fund
and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the
Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan ("outside directors"), cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. No Plan may be
amended to increase materially above the limits set forth therein the amount
spent for distribution expenses thereunder without approval by a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the applicable class and the approval of a
majority of the directors, including a majority of the outside directors. Each
Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the outside
directors or by vote of a majority of its Class's outstanding voting securities.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES. The charges described below apply upon early
redemption of shares, and consist of a Contingent Deferred Sales charge
("CDSC"), regardless of class, (i) will not apply to shares purchased by the
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions; (ii) will be assessed
on the lesser of the net asset value of the shares at the time of redemption or
the original purchase price and (iii) are not imposed on the amount of your
account
10
value represented by the increase in net asset value over the initial
purchase price (including increases due to the reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains distributions).
CLASS A SHARES. As stated in the Prospectus, a CDSC of 1% is imposed with
respect to those Class A shares (or Class A shares of another Lord
Abbett-sponsored fund or series acquired through exchange of such shares) on
which the Fund has paid the one-time distribution fee of 1% if such shares are
redeemed out of the Lord Abbett-sponsored family of funds within a period of 24
months from the end of the month in which the original sale occurred.
CLASS B SHARES. As stated in the Prospectus, if Class B shares (or Class B
shares of another Lord Abbett-sponsored fund or series acquired through exchange
of such shares) are redeemed out of the Lord Abbett-sponsored family of funds
for cash before the sixth anniversary of their purchase, a CDSC will be deducted
from the redemption proceeds. The Class B CDSC is paid to Lord Abbett
Distributor to reimburse its expenses, in whole or in part, for providing
distribution-related service to the Fund in connection with the sale of Class B
shares.
To determine whether the CDSC applies to a redemption, the Fund redeems shares
in the following order: (1) shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains distributions, (2) shares held on or after the sixth anniversary
of their purchase, and (3) shares held the longest before such sixth
anniversary.
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge will depend on the number of
years since you invested and the dollar amount being redeemed, according to the
following schedule:
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
Anniversary of the Day on on Redemptions (As % of Amount
Which the Purchase Order Was Accepted Subject to Charge)
Before the 1st........................................................5.0%
On the 1st, before the 2nd............................................4.0%
On the 2nd, before the 3rd............................................3.0%
On the 3rd, before the 4th............................................3.0%
On the 4th, before the 5th............................................2.0%
On the 5th, before the 6th ...........................................1.0%
On or after the 6th anniversary........................................None
In the table, an "anniversary" is the 365th day subsequent to the acceptance of
a purchase order or a prior anniversary. All purchases are considered to have
been made on the business day on which the purchase order was received.
Class C Shares. As stated in the Prospectus, if Class C shares are redeemed for
cash before the first anniversary of their purchase, the redeeming shareholder
will be required to pay to the Fund on behalf of Class C shares a CDSC of 1% of
the lower of cost or the then net asset value of Class C shares redeemed. If
such shares are exchanged into the same class of another Lord Abbett-sponsored
fund and subsequently redeemed before the first anniversary of their original
purchase, the charge will be collected by the other fund on behalf of this
Fund's Class C shares.
General. Each percentage (1% in the case of Class A and C shares and 5% through
1% in the case of Class B shares) used to calculate CDSCs described above for
the Class A, Class B and Class C shares is sometimes hereinafter referred to as
the "Applicable Percentage".
With respect to Class A and Class B shares, no CDSC is payable on redemptions by
participants or beneficiaries from employer-sponsored retirement plans under the
Internal Revenue Code for benefit payments due to plan loans, hardship
withdrawals, death, retirement or separation from service and for returns of
excess contributions to retirement plan sponsors. In the case of Class A and
Class C shares, the CDSC is received by the Fund and is intended to reimburse
all or a portion of the amount paid by the Fund if the shares are redeemed
before the Fund has had an opportunity to realize the anticipated benefits of
having a long-term shareholder account in the Fund. In the case of Class B
shares, the CDSC is received by Lord Abbett Distributor and is intended to
reimburse its expenses of providing distribution-related service to the Fund
(including recoupment of the commission payments made) in connection with the
sale of Class B shares before Lord Abbett Distributor has had an opportunity to
realize its anticipated reimbursement by having such a long-term shareholder
account subject to the B Plan distribution fee.
The other funds and series which participate in the Telephone Exchange Privilege
(except (a) Lord Abbett U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.
("GSMMF"), (b) certain series of Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund and Lord
Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust for which a Rule 12b-1 Plan is not yet in effect,
and (c) any authorized institution's affiliated money market fund satisfying
Lord Abbett Distributor as to certain omnibus account and other criteria,
hereinafter referred to as an "authorized money market fund" or "AMMF"
(collectively, the "Non-12b-1 Funds")) have instituted a CDSC for each class on
the same terms and conditions. No CDSC will be charged on an exchange of shares
of the same class between Lord Abbett funds or between such funds and AMMF. Upon
redemption of shares out of the Lord Abbett family of funds or out of AMMF, the
CDSC will be charged on behalf of and paid: (i) to the fund in which the
original purchase (subject to a CDSC) occurred, in the case of the Class A and
Class C shares and (ii) to Lord Abbett Distributor if the original purchase was
subject to a CDSC, in the case of the Class B shares. Thus, if shares of a Lord
Abbett fund are exchanged for shares of the same class of another such fund and
the shares of the same class tendered ("Exchanged Shares") are subject to a
CDSC, the CDSC will carry over to the shares of the same class being acquired,
including GSMMF and AMMF ("Acquired Shares"). Any CDSC that is carried over to
Acquired Shares is calculated as if the holder of the Acquired Shares had held
those shares from the date on which he or she became the holder of the Exchanged
Shares. Although the Non-12b-1 Funds will not pay a distribution fee on their
own shares, and will, therefore, not impose their own CDSC, the Non-12b-1 Funds
will collect the CDSC (a) on behalf of other Lord Abbett funds, in the case of
the Class A and Class C shares and (b) on behalf of Lord Abbett Distributor, in
the case of the Class B shares. Acquired Shares held in GSMMF and AMMF which are
subject to a CDSC will be credited with the time such shares are held in GSMMF
but will not be credited with the time such shares are held in AMMF. Therefore,
if your Acquired Shares held in AMMF qualified for no CDSC or a lower Applicable
Percentage at the time of exchange into AMMF, that Applicable Percentage will
apply to redemptions for cash from AMMF, regardless of the time you have held
Acquired Shares in AMMF.
In no event will the amount of the CDSC exceed the Applicable Percentage of the
lesser of (i) the net asset value of the shares redeemed or (ii) the original
cost of such shares (or of the Exchanged Shares for which such shares were
acquired). No CDSC will be imposed when the investor redeems (i) amounts derived
from increases in the value of the account above the total cost of shares being
redeemed due to increases in net asset value, (ii) shares with respect to which
no Lord Abbett fund paid a 12b-1 fee and, in the case of Class B shares, Lord
Abbett Distributor paid no sales charge or service fee (including shares
acquired through reinvestment of dividend income and capital gains
distributions) or (iii) shares which, together with Exchanged Shares, have been
held continuously for 24 months from the end of the month in which the original
sale occurred (in the case of Class A shares); for six years or more (in the
case of Class B shares) and for one year or more (in the case of Class C
shares). In determining whether a CDSC is payable, (a) shares not subject to the
CDSC will be redeemed before shares subject to the CDSC and (b) of the shares
subject to a CDSC, those held the longest will be the first to be redeemed.
Exchanges. The Prospectus briefly describes the Telephone Exchange Privilege.
You may exchange some or all of your shares of any class for those in the same
class of: (i) Lord Abbett-sponsored funds currently offered to the public with a
sales charge (front-end, back-end or level ), (ii) GSMMF or (iii) AMMF, to the
extent offers and sales may be made in your state. You should read the
prospectus of the other fund before exchanging. In establishing a new account by
exchange, shares of the Fund being exchanged must have a value equal to at least
the minimum initial investment required for the other fund into which the
exchange is made.
Shareholders in other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds and AMMF have the same right
to exchange their shares for the corresponding class of the Fund's shares.
Exchanges are based on relative net asset values on the day instructions are
received by the Fund in Kansas City if the instructions are received prior to
the close of the NYSE in proper form. No sales charges are imposed except in the
case of exchanges out of GSMMF or AMMF (unless a sales charge (front-end,
back-end or level) was paid on the initial investment in a Lord Abbett-sponsored
fund). Exercise of the exchange privilege will be treated as a sale for federal
income tax purposes, and, depending on the circumstances, a gain or loss may be
recognized. In the case of an exchange of shares that have been held for 90 days
or less where no sales charge is payable on the exchange, the original sales
charge incurred with respect to the exchanged shares will be taken into account
in determining gain or loss on the exchange only to the extent such charge
exceeds the sales charge that would have been payable on the acquired shares had
they been acquired for cash rather than by exchange. The portion of the original
sales charge not so taken into account will increase the basis of the acquired
shares.
Shareholders have the exchange privilege unless they refuse it in writing. You
should not view the exchange privilege as a means for taking advantage of
short-term swings in the market, and we reserve the right to terminate or limit
the privilege of any shareholder who makes frequent exchanges. We can revoke or
modify the privilege for all shareholders upon 60 days' prior notice. "Eligible
Funds" are AMMF and other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds which are eligible for the
exchange privilege, except Lord Abbett Series Fund ("LASF") which offers its
shares only in connection with certain variable annuity contracts, Lord Abbett
Equity Fund ("LAEF") which is not issuing shares, and series of Lord Abbett
Research Fund not offered to the general public ("LARF").
Statement of Intention. Under the terms of the Statement of Intention to invest
$100,000 or more over a 13-month period as described in the Prospectus, in
shares of a Lord Abbett-sponsored fund (other than shares of LAEF, LASF, LARF,
GSMMF and AMMF, unless holdings in GSMMF and AMMF are attributable to shares
exchanged from a Lord Abbett-sponsored fund offered with a front-end, back-end
or level sales charge) shares currently owned by you are credited as purchases
(at their current offering prices on the date the Statement is signed) toward
achieving the stated investment and reduced initial sales charge for Class A
shares. Class A shares valued at 5% of the amount of intended purchases are
escrowed and may be redeemed to cover the additional sales charge payable if the
Statement is not completed. The Statement of Intention is neither a binding
obligation on you to buy, nor on the Fund to sell, the full amount indicated.
Rights of Accumulation. As stated in the Prospectus, purchasers (as defined in
the Prospectus) may accumulate their investment in Lord Abbett-sponsored funds
(other than LAEF, LARF, LASF, GSMMF, and AMMF unless holdings in GSMMF or AMMF
are attributable to shares exchanged from a Lord Abbett-sponsored fund offered
with a front-end, back-end or level sales charge) so that a current investment,
plus the purchaser's holdings valued at the current maximum offering price,
reach a level eligible for a discounted sales charge for Class A shares.
Net Asset Value Purchases of Class A Shares. As stated in the Prospectus, our
Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value by our directors, employees
of Lord Abbett, employees of our shareholder servicing agent and employees of
any securities dealer having a sales agreement with Lord Abbett who consents to
such purchases or by the director or custodian under any pension or
profit-sharing plan or Payroll Deduction IRA established for the benefit of such
persons or for the benefit of employees of any national securities trade
organization to which Lord Abbett belongs or any company with an account(s) in
excess of $10 million managed by Lord Abbett on a private-advisory-account
basis. For purposes of this paragraph, the terms "directors" and "employees"
include a director's or employee's spouse (including the surviving spouse of a
deceased director or employee). The terms "our directors" and "employees of Lord
Abbett" also include retired directors and employees and other family members
thereof.
Our Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value (a) at $1 million or
more, (b) with dividends and distributions from Class A shares of other Lord
Abbett-sponsored funds, except for LARF, LAEF and LASF, (c) under the loan
feature of the Lord Abbett-sponsored prototype 403(b) plan for share purchases
representing the repayment of principal and interest, (d) by certain authorized
brokers, dealers, registered investment advisers or other financial institutions
who have entered into an agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor in accordance
with certain standards approved by Lord Abbett Distributor, providing
specifically for the use of our shares in particular investment products made
available for a fee to clients of such brokers, dealers, registered investment
advisers and other financial institutions, and (e) by employees, partners and
owners of unaffiliated consultants and advisors to Lord Abbett, Lord Abbett
Distributor or Lord Abbett-sponsored funds who consent to such purchase if such
persons provide service to Lord Abbett, Lord Abbett Distributor or such funds on
a continuing basis and are familiar with such funds. Shares are offered at net
asset value to these investors for the purpose of promoting goodwill with
employees and others with whom Lord Abbett Distributor and/or the Fund has
business relationships.
Our Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value, subject to
appropriate documentation, through a securities dealer where the amount invested
represents redemption proceeds from shares ("Redeemed Shares") of a registered
open-end management investment company not distributed or managed by Lord Abbett
(other than a money market fund), if such redemption has occurred no more than
60 days prior to the purchase of our shares, the Redeemed Shares were held for
at least six months prior to redemption and the proceeds of redemption were
maintained in cash or a money market fund prior to purchase. Purchasers should
consider the impact, if any, of contingent deferred sales charges in determining
whether to redeem shares for subsequent investment in our Class A shares. Lord
Abbett may suspend, change or terminate this purchase option at any time.
Our Class A shares may be issued at net asset value in exchange for the assets,
subject to possible tax adjustment, of a personal holding company or an
investment company. There are economies of selling efforts and sales-related
expenses with respect to offers to these investors and those referred to above.
Redemptions. A redemption order is in proper form when it contains all of the
information and documentation required by the order form or supplementally by
Lord Abbett Distributor or the Fund to carry out the order. The signature(s) and
any legal capacity of the signer(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor.
See the Prospectus for expedited redemption procedures.
The right to redeem and receive payment, as described in the Prospectus, may be
suspended if the NYSE is closed (except for weekends or customary holidays),
trading on the NYSE is restricted or the Securities and Exchange Commission
deems an emergency to exist.
Our Board of Directors may authorize redemption of all of the shares in any
account in which there are fewer than 25 shares. Before authorizing such
redemption, the Board must determine that it is in our economic best interest or
necessary to reduce disproportionately burdensome expenses in servicing
shareholder accounts. At least 30 days' prior written notice will be given
before any such redemption, during which time shareholders may avoid redemption
by bringing their accounts up to the minimum set by the Board.
Div-Move. Under the Div-Move service described in the Prospectus, you can invest
the dividends paid on your account of any class into an existing account of the
same class in any other Eligible Fund. The account must be either your account,
a joint account for you and your spouse, a single account for your spouse, or a
custodial account for your minor child under the age of 21. You should read the
prospectus of the other fund before investing.
Invest-A-Matic. The Invest-A-Matic method of investing in the Fund and/or any
other Eligible Fund is described in the Prospectus. To avail yourself of this
method you must complete the application form, selecting the time and amount of
your bank checking account withdrawals and the funds for investment, include a
voided, unsigned check and complete the bank authorization.
Systematic Withdrawal Plans. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan ("SWP") also is
described in the Prospectus. You may establish a SWP if you own or purchase
uncertificated shares having a current offering price value of at least $10,000.
Lord Abbett prototype retirement plans have no such minimum. With respect to a
SWP for Class B shares, the CDSC will be waived on redemptions of up to 12% per
year of either the current net asset value of your account or your original
purchase price, whichever is higher. With respect to Class C shares, the CDSC
will be waived on and after the first anniversary of their purchase. The SWP
involves the planned redemption of shares on a periodic basis by receiving
either fixed or variable amounts at periodic intervals. Since the value of
shares redeemed may be more or less than their cost, gain or loss may be
recognized for income tax purposes on each periodic payment. Normally, you may
not make regular investments at the same time you are receiving systematic
withdrawal payments because it is not in your interest to pay a sales charge on
new investments when in effect a portion of that new investment is soon
withdrawn. The minimum investment accepted while a withdrawal plan is in effect
is $1,000. The SWP may be terminated by you or by us at any time by written
notice.
Retirement Plans. The Prospectus indicates the types of retirement plans for
which Lord Abbett provides forms and explanations. Lord Abbett makes available
the retirement plan forms and custodial agreements for IRAs (Individual
Retirement Accounts, including Simplified Employee Pensions), 403(b) plans and
qualified pension and profit-sharing plans, including 401(k) plans. The forms
name Investors Fiduciary Trust Company as custodian and contain specific
information about the plans. Explanations of the eligibility requirements,
annual custodial fees and allowable tax advantages and penalties are set forth
in the relevant plan documents. Adoption of any of these plans should be on the
advice of your legal counsel or qualified tax adviser.
6.
Past Performance
The Fund computes the average annual compounded rate of total return during
specified periods that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending
redeemable value of such investment by adding one to the computed average annual
total return, raising the sum to a power equal to the number of years covered by
the computation and multiplying the result by one thousand dollars, which
represents a hypothetical initial investment. The calculation assumes deduction
of the maximum sales charge from the initial amount invested and reinvestment of
all income dividends and capital gains distributions on the reinvestment dates
at prices calculated as stated in the Prospectus. The ending redeemable value is
determined by assuming a complete redemption at the end of the period(s) covered
by the average annual total return computation.
In calculating total returns for Class A shares, the current maximum sales
charge of 5.75% (as a percentage of the offering price) is deducted from the
initial investment (unless the return is shown at net asset value). For Class B
shares, the payment of the applicable CDSC (5.0% prior to the first anniversary
of purchase, 4.0% prior to the second anniversary of purchase, 3.0% prior to the
third and fourth anniversaries of purchase, 2.0% prior to the fifth anniversary
of purchase, 1.0% prior to the sixth anniversary of purchase and no CDSC on and
after the sixth anniversary of purchase) is applied to the Fund's investment
result for that class for the time period shown (unless the total return is
shown at net asset value). For Class C shares, the 1.0% CDSC is applied to the
Fund's investment result for that class for the time period shown prior to the
first anniversary of purchase (unless the total return is shown at net asset
value). Total returns also assume that all dividends and capital gains
distributions during the period are reinvested at net asset value per share, and
that the investment is redeemed at the end of the period. Prior to July 12,
1996, the Fund had only one class of shares, which class is now designated Class
A.
Using the computation method described above, the Fund's average annual
compounded rates of total return for the last one, five and ten fiscal years
ending on January 31, 1996 are as follows: 41.70%, 17.25% and 10.43% for the
Fund's Class A shares, respectively.
These figures represent past performance, and an investor should be aware that
the investment return and principal value of a Fund investment will fluctuate so
that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their
original cost. Therefore, there is no assurance that this performance will be
repeated in the future.
7.
Taxes
The value of any shares redeemed by the Fund or otherwise sold may be more or
less than your tax basis in the shares at the time the redemption or sale is
made. Any gain or loss generally will be taxable for federal income tax
purposes. Any loss realized on the sale, or redemption of Fund shares which you
have held for six months or less will be treated for tax purposes as a long-term
capital loss to the extent of any capital gains distributions which you received
with respect to such shares. Losses on the sale of stock or securities are not
deductible if, within a period beginning 30 days before the date of the sale and
ending 30 days after the date of the sale, the taxpayer acquires stock or
securities that are substantially identical.
As described in the Prospectus under "Risk Factors", the Fund may be subject to
foreign withholding taxes which would reduce the yield on its investments. Tax
treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate
such taxes. It is expected that Fund shareholders who are subject to United
States federal income tax will not be entitled to claim a federal income tax
credit or deduction for foreign income taxes paid by the Fund.
Gains and losses realized by the Fund on certain transactions, including sales
of foreign debt securities and certain transactions involving foreign currency,
will be treated as ordinary income or loss for federal income tax purposes to
the extent, if any, that such gains or losses are attributable to changes in
exchange rates for foreign currencies. Accordingly, distributions taxable as
ordinary income will include the net amount, if any, of such foreign exchange
gains and will be reduced by the net amount, if any, of such foreign exchange
losses.
If the Fund purchases shares in certain foreign investment entities, called
"PFICs" or "passive foreign investment companies," it may be subject to United
States federal income tax on a portion of any "excess distribution" or gain from
the disposition of such shares, even if such income is distributed as a taxable
dividend by the Fund to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of
interest may be imposed on either the Fund or its shareholders with respect to
deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Proposed regulations
would allow the Fund to avoid the Fund level tax and interest charges on excess
distributions and dispositions by electing to "mark to market" annually any
stock of passive foreign investment companies held by the Fund. Gain recognized
pursuant to such election would generally be treated as ordinary income subject
to the distribution requirements discussed in the Prospectus. It is unclear,
however, whether this option will be available under any final regulations that
might be adopted. If the Fund were to invest in a passive foreign investment
company with respect to which the Fund elected to make a "qualified electing
fund" election, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, the Fund might be
required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and
net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if such amount were not
distributed to the Fund. Proposed legislation would revise the passive foreign
investment company rules in various respects; it is unclear whether and in what
form such legislation might be enacted.
The Fund will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain amounts not
distributed (and not treated as having been distributed) on a timely basis in
accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement. The Fund intends to
distribute to shareholders each year an amount adequate to avoid the imposition
of such excise tax.
Dividends paid by the Fund should qualify for the dividends-received deduction
for corporations, to the extent they are derived from dividends paid by domestic
corporations.
8.
Information About the Fund
The directors, trustees and officers of Lord Abbett-sponsored mutual funds,
together with the partners and employees of Lord Abbett, are permitted to
purchase and sell securities for their personal investment accounts. In engaging
in personal securities transactions, however, such persons are subject to
requirements and restrictions contained in the Fund's Code of Ethics which
complies, in substance, with each of the recommendations of the Investment
Company Institute's Advisory Group on Personal Investing. Among other things,
the Code requires that Lord Abbett partners and employees obtain advance
approval before buying or selling securities, submit confirmations and quarterly
transaction reports, and obtain approval before becoming a director of any
company; and it prohibits such persons from investing in a security 7 days
before or after any Lord Abbett-sponsored fund or Lord Abbett-managed account
considers a trade or trades in such security, from profiting on trades of the
same security within 60 days and from trading on material and non-public
information. The Code imposes certain similar requirements and restrictions on
the independent directors and trustees of each Lord Abbett-sponsored mutual fund
to the extent contemplated by the recommendations of the Advisory Group.
9.
Financial Statements
The financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1996 and the
report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, on such financial
statements contained in the 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders of Lord Abbett
Developing Growth Fund, Inc. are incorporated herein by reference to such
financial statements and report in reliance upon the authority of Deloitte &
Touche LLP as experts in auditing and accounting. Prior to July 12, 1996, the
Fund had only one class of shares, which class is now designated Class A.
<PAGE>
PART C OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements
Part A- Financial Highlights for the ten years ended January
31, 1996.
Part B- Statement of Net Assets at January 31, 1996.
Statement of Operations for the year ended January
31, 1996. Statements of Changes in Net Assets for
the years ended January 31, 1996 and 1995. Financial
Highlights for the five years ended January 31,
1996.
(b) Exhibits -
99.B1 Articles of Amendment and articles Supplementing*
99.B6 Form of Distribution Agreement**
99.B11 Consent of Deloitte & Touche*
99.B15a Forms of Rule 12b-1 Plans for Class A and
Class C shares**
99.B15b Form of Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class B shares**
99.B18 Form of Plan entered into by Registrant pursuant
to Rule 18f-3.***
* Filed herewith.
** The form of this document is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Lord Abbett
Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-2145). The Lord Abbett
Bond-Debenture Fund document is substantially identical to that form used
for the Registrant except for the name of the Registrant and/or its Series
and perhaps minor differences.
*** Incorporated by Reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund,
Inc. (File No. 811-2145)
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
None.
Item 26. Number of Record Holders of Securities
At June 28, 1995 - 18,952
Item 27. Indemnification
Registrant is incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland and
is subject to Section 2-418 of the Corporations and Associations
Article of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland controlling the
indemnification of the directors and officers. Since Registrant has its
executive offices in the State of New York, and is qualified as a
foreign corporation doing business in such State, the persons covered
by the foregoing statute may also be entitled to and subject to the
limitations of the indemnification provisions of Section 721-726 of the
New York Business Corporation Law.
The general effect of these statutes is to protect officers, directors
and employees of Registrant against legal liability and expenses
incurred by reason of their positions with the Registrant. The statutes
provide for indemnification for liability for proceedings not brought
on behalf of the corporation and for those brought on behalf of the
corporation, and in each case place conditions under which
indemnification will be permitted, including requirements that the
officer, director or employee acted in good faith. Under certain
conditions,
1
<PAGE>
payment of expenses in advance of final disposition may be permitted.
The By-laws of Registrant, without limiting the authority of Registrant
to indemnify any of its officers, employees or agents to the extent
consistent with applicable law, make the indemnification of its
directors mandatory subject only to the conditions and limitations
imposed by the above- mentioned Section 2-418 of Maryland law and by
the provisions of Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
as interpreted and required to be implemented by SEC Release No.
IC-11330 of September 4, 1980.
In referring in its By-laws to, and making indemnification of directors
subject to the conditions and limitations of, both Section 2-418 of the
Maryland law and Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
Registrant intends that conditions and limitations on the extent of the
indemnification of directors imposed by the provisions of either
Section 2-418 or Section 17(h) shall apply and that any inconsistency
between the two will be resolved by applying the provisions of said
Section 17(h) if the condition or limitation imposed by Section 17(h)
is the more stringent. In referring in its By-laws to SEC Release No.
IC-11330 as the source for interpretation and implementation of said
Section 17(h), Registrant understands that it would be required under
its By-laws to use reasonable and fair means in determining whether
indemnification of a director should be made and undertakes to use
either (1) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body
before whom the proceeding was brought that the person to be
indemnified ("indemnitee") was not liable to Registrant or to its
security holders by reason of willful malfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct
of his office ("disabling conduct") or (2) in the absence of such a
decision, a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts,
that the indemnitee was not liable by reason of such disabling conduct,
by (a) the vote of a majority of a quorum of directors who are neither
"interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of Registrant nor
parties to the proceeding, or (b) an independent legal counsel in a
written opinion. Also, Registrant will make advances of attorneys' fees
or other expenses incurred by a director in his defense only if (in
addition to his undertaking to repay the advance if he is not
ultimately entitled to indemnification) (1) the indemnitee provides a
security for his undertaking, (2) Registrant shall be insured against
losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (3) a majority of a
quorum of the non-interested, non-party directors of Registrant, or an
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based
on a review of readily available facts, that there is reason to believe
that the indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to
indemnification.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of expense incurred or paid
by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion
of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
In addition, Registrant maintains a directors' and officers' errors and
omissions liability insurance policy protecting directors and officers
against liability for breach of duty, negligent act, error or omission
committed in their capacity as directors or officers. The policy
contains certain exclusions, among which is exclusion from coverage for
active or deliberate dishonest or fraudulent acts and exclusion for
fines or penalties imposed by law or other matters deemed uninsurable.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Lord, Abbett & Co. acts as investment adviser for twelve other
open-end investment companies (of which it is principal underwriter
for thirteen) and as investment adviser to approximately 5,100 private
accounts. Other
2
<PAGE>
than acting as directors and/or officers of open-end investment
companies sponsored by Lord, Abbett & Co., none of Lord, Abbett & Co.'s
partners has, in the past two fiscal years, engaged in any other
business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature
for his own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee,
or partner of any entity except as follows:
John J. Walsh
Trustee
The Brooklyn Hospital Center
100 Parkside Avenue
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Item 29.(a) Principal Underwriter
Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.
Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.
Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.
Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.
Lord Abbett U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc.
Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.
Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.
Lord Abbett U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Inc.
Lord Abbett Equity Fund
Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust
Lord Abbett Securities Trust
Lord Abbett Investment Trust
Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.
Investment Advisor
American Skandia Trust (Lord Abbett Growth & Income Portfolio)
(b) The partners of Lord, Abbett & Co. are:
Name and Principal Positions and Offices
Business Address (1) with Registrant
Robert S. Dow Chairman and President
Kenneth B. Cutler Vice President & Secretary
Stephen I. Allen Vice President
Daniel E. Carper Vice President
Thomas S. Henderson Vice President
Robert G. Morris Vice President
E. Wayne Nordberg Vice President
John J. Walsh Vice President
(1) Each of the above has a principal business address:
767 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10153
(c) Not applicable
3
<PAGE>
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
Registrant maintains the records, required by Rules 31a - 1(a)
and (b), and 31a - 2(a) at its main office.
Lord,Abbett & Co. maintains the records required by Rules 31a -
1(f) and 31a - 2(e) at its main office.
Certain records such as cancelled stock certificates and
correspondence may be physically maintained at the main office of
the Registrant's Transfer Agent, Custodian, or Shareholder
Servicing Agent within the requirements of Rule 31a-3.
Item 31. Management Services
(a) None
Item 32. Undertakings
(c) The Registrant undertakes to furnish each person to whom a
prospectus is delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest
annual report to shareholders, upon request and without charge.
The registrant undertakes, if requested to do so by the holders of
at least 10% of the registrant's outstanding shares, to call a
meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the
question of removal of a director or directors and to assist in
communications with other shareholders as required by Section
16(c).
4
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940 the Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements
for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under
the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement
and/or any amendment thereto to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York on the
10th day of July 1996.
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
By /S/ ROBERT S. DOW
Robert S. Dow, Chairman
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated.
NAME TITLE DATE
- ----- ----- ----
Chairman, Prsident
/s/ Robert S. Dow & Director July 10, 1996
/s/ John J. Gargana, Jr. Vice President & July 10, 1996
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ E. Thayer Bigelow Director July 10, 1996
/s/ Stewart S. Dixon Director July 10, 1996
E. Wayne Nordberg Director
/s/ John C. Jansing Director July 10, 1996
/s/ C. Alan MacDonald Director July 10, 1996
/s/ Hansel B. Millican, Jr. Director July 10, 1996
/s/ Thomas J. Neff Director July 10, 1996
<PAGE>
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC. , a Maryland corporation
(hereinafter called the "Corporation"), hereby certifies to the State Department
of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, that:
FIRST: The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation (hereinafter
called the "Articles"), as heretofore amended, are hereby further amended by:
(a) Striking out Section 1 of ARTICLE V and inserting in lieu thereof:
"SECTION 1. The total number of shares which the Corporation has
authority to issue is 75,000,000 shares of capital stock of the par value
of $.001 each, having an aggregate par value of $75,000. The Board of
Directors of the Corporation shall have full power and authority, from time
to time, to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of stock of the
Corporation, including, without limitation, the power to classify or
reclassify unissued shares into series, and to classify or reclassify a
series into one or more classes of stock that may be invested together in
the common investment portfolio in which the series is invested, by setting
or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, or terms or
conditions of redemption of such shares of stock. All shares of stock of a
series shall represent the same interest in the Corporation and have the
same preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of
redemption as the other shares of stock of that series, except to the
extent that the Board of Directors provides for differing preferences,
conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to
dividends, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of shares
of stock of classes of such series as determined pursuant to Articles
Supplementary filed for record with the State Department of Assessments and
Taxation of Maryland, or as otherwise determined pursuant to these Articles
or by the Board of Directors in accordance with law. Prior to the first
classification of unissued shares of stock into additional series, all
outstanding shares of stock shall be of a single series, and prior to the
<PAGE>
first classification of a series into additional classes, all outstanding
shares of stock of such series shall be of a single class. Notwithstanding
any other provision of these Articles, upon the first classification of
unissued shares of stock into additional series, the Board of Directors
shall specify a legal name for the outstanding series, as well as for the
new series, in appropriate charter documents filed for record with the
State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland providing for such
name change and classification, and upon the first classification of a
series into additional classes, the Board of Directors shall specify a
legal name for the outstanding class, as well as for the new class or
classes, in appropriate charter documents filed for record with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland providing for such name
change and classification."
(b) Adding a new Section 2 to Article V (and renumbering Sections 2, 3 and
4 as Sections 3, 4 and 5, respectively), as follows:
"SECTION 2. A description of the relative preferences, conversion and
other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends,
qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of all series and
classes of series of shares is as follows, unless otherwise set forth in
Articles Supplementary filed for record with the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland or otherwise determined pursuant to
these Articles:
(a) Assets Belonging to Series. All consideration received or
--------------------------
receivable by the Corporation for the issue or sale of shares of a
particular series, together with all assets in which such
consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings,
profits and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from
the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or
payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in
whatever form the same may be, shall irrevocably belong to that
series for all purposes, subject only to the rights of creditors,
and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the
Corporation. Such consideration, assets, income, earnings, profits
and proceeds, including any proceeds derived from the sale,
exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments
derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form
the
2
<PAGE>
same may be, together with any unallocated items (as hereinafter
defined) relating to that series as provided in the following
sentence, are herein referred to as "assets belonging to" that
series. In the event that there are any assets, income, earnings,
profits or proceeds thereof, funds or payments which are not
readily identifiable as belonging to any particular series
(collectively "Unallocated Items"), the Board of Directors shall
allocate such Unallocated Items to and among any one or more of
the series created from time to time in such manner and on such
basis as it, in its sole discretion, deems fair and equitable; and
any Unallocated Items so allocated to a particular series shall
belong to that series. Each such allocation by the Board of
Directors shall be conclusive and binding upon the stockholders of
all series for all purposes .
(b) Liabilities Belonging to Series. The assets belonging to each
-------------------------------
particular series shall be charged with the liabilities of the
Corporation in respect of that series, including any class
thereof, and with all expenses, costs, charges and reserves
attributable to that series, including any such class, and shall
be so recorded upon the books of account of the Corporation. Such
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves, together with
any unallocated items (as hereinafter defined) relating to that
series, including any class thereof, as provided in the following
sentence, so charged to that series, are herein referred to as
"liabilities belonging to" that series. In the event there are any
unallocated liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of
the Corporation which are not readily identifiable as belonging to
any particular series (collectively "Unallocated Items"), the
Board of Directors shall allocate and charge such Unallocated
Items to and among any one or more of the series created from time
to time in such manner and on such basis as the Board of Directors
in its sole discretion deems fair and equitable; and any
Unallocated Items so allocated and charged to a particular series
shall belong to that series. Each such allocation by the Board of
Directors shall be conclusive and binding upon the stock-
3
<PAGE>
holders of all series for all purposes. To the extent determined
by the Board of Directors, liabilities and expenses relating
solely to a particular class (including, without limitation,
distribution expenses under a Rule 12b-1 plan and administrative
expenses under an administration or service agreement, plan or
other arrangement, however designated, which may be adopted for
such class) shall be allocated to and borne by such class and
shall be appropriately reflected (in the manner determined by the
Board of Directors) in the net asset value, dividends and
distributions and liquidation rights of the shares of such class.
(c) Dividends. Dividends and distributions on shares of a particular
---------
series may be paid to the holders of shares of that series at such
times, in such manner and from such of the income and capital
gains, accrued or realized, from the assets belonging to that
series, after providing for actual and accrued liabilities
belonging to that series, as the Board of Directors may determine.
Such dividends and distributions may vary between or among classes
of a series to reflect differing allocations of liabilities and
expenses of such series between or among such classes to such
extent as may be provided in or determined pursuant to Articles
Supplementary filed for record with the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland or as may otherwise be
determined by the Board of Directors.
(d) Liquidation. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of
-----------
the Corporation, the stockholders of each series shall be entitled
to receive, as a series, when and as declared by the Board of
Directors, the excess of the assets belonging to that series over
the liabilities belonging to that series. The assets so
distributable to the stockholders of one or more classes of a
series shall be distributed among such stockholders in proportion
to the respective aggregate net asset values of the shares of such
series held by them and recorded on the books of the Corporation.
4
<PAGE>
(e) Voting. On each matter submitted to vote of the stockholders,
------
each holder of a share shall be entitled to one vote for each such
share standing in his name on the books of the Corporation
irrespective of the series or class thereof and all shares of all
series and classes shall vote as a single class ("Single Class
Voting"); provided, however, that (i) as to any matter with-
respect to which a separate vote of any series or class is
required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from
time to time, applicable rules and regulations thereunder, or the
Maryland General Corporation Law, such requirement as to a
separate vote of that series or class shall apply in lieu of
Single Class Voting as described above; (ii) in the event that the
separate vote--requirements referred to in (i) above apply with
respect to one or more (but less than all) series or classes,
then, subject to (iii) below, the shares of all other series and
classes shall vote as a single class; and (iii) as to any---matter
which does not affect the interest of a particular series or
class, only the holders of shares of the one or more affected
series or classes shall be entitled to vote.
(f) Conversion. At such times (which times may vary among shares of a
----------
class) as may be determined by the Board of Directors, shares of a
particular class of a series may be automatically converted into
shares of another class of such series based on the relative net
asset values of such classes at the time of conversion, subject,
however, to any conditions of conversion that may be imposed by
the Board of Directors."
(c) Striking out the last sentence of Section 3(a) (as renumbered from
Section 2(a) by this Amendment) of Article V, and inserting in lieu
thereof:
"Each holder of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation, upon
request to the Corporation accompanied by surrender (to the
Corporation, or an agent designated by it) of the appropriate stock
certificate or certificates, if any, in proper form for transfer, and
such other instruments as the Board of Directors may require, shall be
entitled to require the Corporation to redeem all or any part of the
shares of capital stock outstanding in the name of such holder on the
5
<PAGE>
books of the Corporation, at a redemption price equal to the net asset
value of such shares determined as hereinafter set forth.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may deduct from the
proceeds otherwise due to any stockholder requiring the Corporation to
redeem shares a redemption charge not to exceed one percent (1%) of
such net asset value or a reimbursement charge, a deferred sales charge
or other charge that is integral to the Corporation's distribution
program (which charges may vary within and among series and classes) as
may be established from time to time by the Board of Directors."
(d) Striking out the words "of any class" from Section 5 (as renumbered
from Section 4 by this Amendment) of Article V.
(e) Striking out the last sentence of Section 1(b) of Article VII.
(f) Striking out Section 1(g) of Article VII and inserting in lieu
thereof:
"(g) To authorize any agreement of the character described in subsection
(e) or (f) of this Section 1 with any person, corporation,
association, partnership or other organization, although one or more
of the members of the Board of Directors or officers of the
Corporation may be the other party to any such agreement or an
officer, director, shareholder, or member of such other party, and no
such agreement shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of
the existence of any such relationship. Any director of the
Corporation who is also a director or officer of such other
corporation or who is so interested may be counted in determining the
existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors which
shall authorize any such agreement, and may vote thereat to authorize
any such contract or transaction, with like force and effect as if he
were not such director or officer of such other corporation or not so
interested. Any agreement entered into pursuant to said subsections
(e) or (f) shall be consistent with and subject to the requirements
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time,
applicable rules and regulations thereunder, or any other applicable
Act of Congress hereafter enacted, and no amendment to
6
<PAGE>
any agreement entered into pursuant to said subsection (e) (other
than an amendment reducing the compensation of the other party
thereto) shall be effective unless assented to by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Corporation (as such phrase is defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended from time to time) entitled to vote on the
matter."
(g) Striking out the preamble to Section 3 of Article VII and the portion
of Section 3(a) of Article VII prior to subsection (1) and inserting in lieu
thereof:
"SECTION 3. For the purposes referred to in these Articles of
Incorporation, the net asset value of shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation of each series and class as of any particular time (a
"determination time") shall be determined by or pursuant to the direction
of the Board of Directors as follows:
(a) At times when a series is not classified into multiple classes,
the net asset value of each share of stock of a series, as of a
determination time, shall be the quotient, carried out to not less
than two decimal points, obtained by dividing the net value of the
assets of the Corporation belonging to that series (determined as
hereinafter provided) as of such determination time by the total
number of shares of that series then outstanding, including all
shares of that series which the Corporation has agreed to sell for
which the price has been determined, and excluding shares of that
series which the Corporation has agreed to purchase or which are
subject to redemption for which the price has been determined.
The net value of the assets of the Corporation of a series as of a
determination time shall be determined in accordance with sound
accounting practice by deducting from the gross value of the
assets of the Corporation belonging to that series (determined as
hereinafter provided), the amount of all liabilities belonging to
that series (as such terms are defined in subsection (b) of
7
<PAGE>
Section 2 of Article V), in each case as of such determination
time.
The gross value of the assets of the Corporation belonging to a
series as of such determination time shall be an amount equal to
all cash, receivables, the market value of all securities for
which market quotations are readily available and the fair value
of other assets of the Corporation belonging to that series (as
such terms are defined in subsection (a) of Section 2 of Article
V) at such determination time, all determined in accordance with
sound accounting practice and giving effect to the following:"
(h) Adding a new subsection (b) to Section 3 of Article VII (and
renumbering subsection (b) as subsection (c)), as follows:
"(b) At times when a series is classified into multiple classes, the
net asset value of each share of stock of a class of such series
shall be determined in accordance with subsections (a) and (c)
of this Section 3 with appropriate adjustments to reflect
differing allocations of liabilities and expenses of such series
between or among such classes to such extent as may be provided
in or determined pursuant to Articles Supplementary filed for
record with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of
Maryland or as may otherwise be determined by the Board of
Directors."
(j) Striking out Section 4 of Article VII and inserting in lieu thereof:
"SECTION 4. Any determination as to any of the following matters made
by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with
these Articles of Incorporation and in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties, shall be final and
conclusive and shall be stock of the Corporation, of any series or class,
namely, the amount of the assets, obligations, liabilities and expenses of the
Corporation or belonging to any series or with respect to any class; the amount
of the net income of the Corporation from dividends and interest for any period
and the
8
<PAGE>
amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment
of dividends with respect to any series or class; the amount of
paid-in surplus, other surplus, annual or other net profits, or
net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits, or excess of
profits over losses on sales of securities belonging to the
Corporation or any series or class; the amount, purpose, time of
creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of
any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or
not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or
charges shall have been created shall have been paid or
discharged) with respect to the Corporation or any series or
class; the market value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be
applied in determining the market value, of any security owned
or held by the Corporation; the fair value of any other asset
owned by the Corporation; the number of shares of stock of any
series or class issued or issuable; the existence of conditions
permitting the postponement of payment of the repurchase price
of shares of stock of any series or class or the suspension of
the right of redemption as provided by law; any matter relating
to the acquisition, holding and disposition of securities and
other assets by the Corporation; any question as to whether any
transaction constitutes a purchase of securities on margin, a
short sale of securities, or an underwriting of the sale of, or
participation in any underwriting or selling group in connection
with the public distribution of any securities; and any matter
relating to the issue, sale, repurchase and/or other acquisition
or disposition of shares of stock of any series or class."
SECOND: The Board of Directors of the Corporation on March 14,
1996, duly adopted resolutions in which was set forth the foregoing amendments
to the Articles, declaring that the said amendments of the Articles as proposed
were advisable and directing that they be submitted for action thereon by the
stockholders of the Corporation at a meeting to be held on June 19, 1996.
THIRD: Notice setting forth said amendments of the Articles and
stating that a purpose of the meeting of the stockholders would be to take
action thereon, was given, as required by law, to all stockholders entitled to
vote thereon. The amendments of the Articles as hereinabove set forth were
approved by the stockholders of the Corporation at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast thereon, as
required by the Articles.
9
<PAGE>
FOURTH: The amendments of the Articles hereinabove set forth
have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the
stockholders of the Corporation.
FIFTH: This Amendment does not increase the number of shares
which the Corporation has authority to issue. Immediately before this Amendment,
the total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue
was 75,000,000 shares of capital stock of the par value of $1.00 each, having an
aggregate par value of $75,000,000. As amended by this Amendment, the total
number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue is
75,000,000 shares of capital stock of the par value of $.001 each, having an
aggregate par value of $75,000.
10
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc. has
caused these presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its
President and witnessed by its Secretary on ____________, 1996.
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
By: /s/ Robert S. Dow
____________________________
Robert S. Dow, President
WITNESS:
/s/ Kenneth B. Culter
______________________________
Kenneth B. Cutler, Secretary
11
<PAGE>
THE UNDERSIGNED, President of Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.,
who executed on behalf of the Corporation the foregoing Articles of Amendment,
of which this Certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges, in the name and
on behalf of said Corporation, the foregoing Articles of Amendment to be the
corporate act of said Corporation and further certifies that, to the best of his
knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth therein with
respect to the authorization and approval thereof are true in all material
respects under the penalties of perjury.
/s/ Robert S. Dow
______________________________
Robert S. Dow, President
12
<PAGE>
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC. , a Maryland corporation
(hereinafter called the "Corporation"), hereby certifies to the State Department
of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, that:
FIRST: The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation (hereinafter
called the "Articles"), as heretofore amended, are hereby further amended by
specifying the legal name for the existing class of capital stock of the
Corporation, both outstanding shares and unissued shares, as Class A.
SECOND: A majority of the entire Board of Directors of the
Corporation on March 14, 1996, duly adopted resolutions approving the foregoing
amendment to the Articles.
THIRD: The amendment of the Articles hereinabove set forth has been
duly approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and is limited to a
change expressly permitted by (S) 2-605 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Maryland to be made without action of the stockholders.
FOURTH: The Corporation is registered as an open-end company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc. has
caused these presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its
President and witnessed by its Secretary on ____________, 1996.
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
By:/s/Robert S. Dow
----------------------------
Robert S. Dow, President
WITNESS:
/s/Kenneth B. Cutler
- -----------------------------
Kenneth B. Cutler, Secretary
2
<PAGE>
THE UNDERSIGNED, President of Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.,
who executed on behalf of the Corporation the foregoing Articles of Amendment,
of which this Certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges, in the name and
on behalf of said Corporation, the foregoing Articles of Amendment to be the
corporate act of said Corporation and further certifies that, to the best of his
knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth therein with
respect to the authorization and approval thereof are true in all material
respects under the penalties of perjury.
/s/Robert S. Dow
----------------------------
Robert S. Dow, President
3
<PAGE>
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation
(hereinafter called the "Corporation"), hereby certifies to the State De
partment of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: The Corporation presently has authority to issue 75,000,000
shares of capital stock, of the par value $.001 each, previously classified and
designated by the Board of Directors as Class A shares. The number of shares of
capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is hereby
increased to 1,000,000,000, of the par value $.001 each, having an aggregate par
value of $1,000,000.
SECOND: Pursuant to the authority of the Board of Directors to
classify and reclassify unissued shares of stock of the Corporation and to
classify a series into one or more classes of such series, the Board of
Directors hereby classifies and reclassifies (i) 25,000,000 authorized but
unissued Class A shares as Class C shares and (ii) 20,000,000 authorized but
unissued Class A shares as Class B shares.
THIRD: Subject to the power of the Board of Directors to classify and
reclassify unissued shares, all shares of the Corporation's Class B and Class C
stock shall be invested in the same investment portfolio of the Corporation as
the Class A stock and shall have the preferences, conversion or other rights,
voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and
terms and conditions of redemption set forth in Article V of the Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation (hereafter called the "Articles") and shall be
subject to all other provisions of the Articles relating to stock of the
Corporation generally.
FOURTH: The Corporation is registered as an open-end company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The total number of shares of
capital stock that the Corporation has authority to issue has been increased by
the Board of Directors in accordance with (S) 2-105(c) of Title 2 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Maryland.
FIFTH: The Class B and Class C shares aforesaid have been duly
classified by the Board of Directors under the authority contained in the
Articles.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc. has
caused these presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its
President and witnessed by its Secretary on July 9, 1996.
LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
By:/s/Robert S. Dow
---------------------------
Robert S. Dow, President
WITNESS:
/s/Kenneth B. Cutler
- -----------------------------
Kenneth B. Cutler, Secretary
2
<PAGE>
THE UNDERSIGNED, President of Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.,
who executed on behalf of the Corporation the foregoing Articles Supplementary,
of which this Certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges, in the name and
on behalf of said Corporation, the foregoing Articles Supplementary to be the
corporate act of said Corporation and further certifies that, to the best of his
knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth therein with
respect to the authorization and approval thereof are true in all material
respects under the penalties of perjury.
/s/Robert S. Dow
-----------------------------
Robert S. Dow, President
3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.:
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Post-Effective Amendment No. 21
to Registration Statement No. 811-2871 of our report dated March 1, 1996
appearing in the annual report to shareholders and to the reference to us under
the captions "Financial Highlights" in the Prospectus and "Investment Advisory
and Other Services" and "Financial Statements" in the Statement of Additional
Information, both of which are part of such Registration Statement.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
July 10, 1996
<TABLE> <S> <C>
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<NAME> LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
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<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 107638428
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 194190135
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