Lord Abbett
Developing Growth Fund
Prospectus
June 1, 1999
(As Revised August 1, 1999)
[LOGO]
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission does not
guarantee that the information in this prospectus is accurate or complete, and
it has not judged this fund for its investment merit. It is a criminal offense
to state otherwise.
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Table of Contents
The Fund Page
What you should know Goal/Strategy 2
about the fund Main Risks 2
Past Performance 3
Fees and Expenses 4
Your Investment
Information for managing Purchases 5
your fund account Opening Your Account 7
Redemptions 8
Distributions and Taxes 8
Services For Fund Investors 9
Sales Charges and Service Fees 10
Management 10
For More Information
How to learn more Other Investment Techniques 11
about the fund Glossary of Shaded Terms 11
Recent Performance 13
Financial Information
Financial Highlights 14
Compensation For Your Dealer 16
How to learn more about the Back Cover
fund and other Lord Abbett funds
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GOAL/STRATEGY
The fund seeks capital appreciation. It does this by investing primarily in
the common stocks of small companies with exciting prospects, strong
management, and aboveaverage, long-term growth potential. The fund uses a
bottom-up stock selection process, which means that it focuses on the
investment fundamentals of companies, rather than reacting to market
events. Normally, the fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
securities of small companies.
The fund tries to identify companies that are in the developing growth
phase. This is a period of swift development when growth occurs at a rate
rarely equaled by established companies in their mature years. The fund
focuses on companies that it believes are strongly positioned in this
phase. Of course, because the actual growth of a company cannot be
foreseen, Lord Abbett may not always be correct in its judgments about
which phase a company is in.
While typically fully invested, we may take a temporary defensive position
in cash and short-term debt securities. This could prevent the fund from
realizing its investment objective.
MAIN RISKS
Although small-company stocks offer significant appreciation potential,
they generally carry more risk than larger companies. Generally, small
companies rely on limited product lines and markets, financial resources,
or other factors, and may lack management depth or experience. This may
make them more susceptible to setbacks or economic downturns.
Small-company stocks tend to be more volatile in price, have fewer shares
outstanding and trade less frequently than other stocks. Therefore,
small-company stocks often are subject to wider price fluctuations. Many
small-company stocks are traded over the counter and are not traded in the
volume typical of stocks listed on a national securities exchange.
An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not FDIC insured or
governmentendorsed. It is not a complete investment program. You could lose
money in this fund.
We or the fund refers to Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc., which
operates under the supervision of its Board with the advice of Lord, Abbett &
Co. ("Lord Abbett"), its investment manager.
About the fund. This fund is a professionally managed portfolio primarily
holding securities purchased with the pooled money of investors. It strives to
reach its stated goal, although as with all mutual funds, it cannot guarantee
results.
Growth stocks are stocks which exhibit faster-than-average gains in earnings and
are expected to continue profit growth at a high level, but also tend to be more
volatile than bargain stocks.
Small-Company stocks are stocks of smaller companies which often are new and
less established, with a tendency to be faster-growing but more volatile than
large-company stocks.
You should read this entire prospectus, including "Other Investment Techniques,"
which concisely describes the other investment strategies, and their risks, used
by the fund.
2 The Fund
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Developing Growth Fund Symbols: Class A -LAGWX
Class B -LADBX
Class C -LADCX
PAST PERFORMANCE
The information below provides some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund by showing changes in the fund's class A shares' performance from
calendar year to calendar year and by showing how the fund's average annual
returns compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The
returns shown do not reflect fund fees and expenses. The deduction of such
fees and expenses (and the compounding effect thereof over time) may reduce
the investors' return. Past performance is not a prediction of future
results.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Best Quarter: 1st Q '91 29.96%
Worst Quarter: 3rd Q '90 (24.62)%
The table below shows a comparison of the fund's class A, B and C average
annual total return to that of a broad measure of market performance, as
represented by the Russell 2000 Index. Fund returns assume reinvestment of
dividends and distributions and payment of the maximum applicable front-end
or deferred sales charge. All periods end on December 31, 1998.
Class 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Inception (i) Russell 2000 (ii)
A 2.00% 20.32% 16.48% 12.53% --
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B 3.20% -- -- 19.84% 14.21% (iii)
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C 7.57% -- -- 21.42% 14.21% (iv)
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P -- -- -- 7.80% (0.98)% (v)
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Russell 2000 Index (2.55)% 11.87% 12.92% -- --
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(i) The dates of inception of each class are: A -10/10/73; B -8/1/96; C -8/1/96
and P -1/5/98.
(ii) Performance for the unmanaged Russell 2000 Index does not reflect
transaction costs or management fees.
(iii) Represents total returns for the period 7/31/96 to 12/31/98, to correspond
with class B inception date.
(iv) Represents total returns for the period 7/31/96 to 12/31/98, to correspond
with class C inception date.
(v) Represents total returns for the period 1/31/98 to 12/31/98, to correspond
with class P inception date.
The Fund 3
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FEES AND EXPENSES
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and
hold shares of the fund.
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Fee table
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Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment) Class A Class B Class C Class P
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge on Purchases
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(as a % of offering price) 5.75% none none none
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (See "Purchases") none 5.00% (1) 1.00% none
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses deducted from fund assets) (as a % of average net assets)
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Management Fees (See "Management") 0.53% 0.53% 0.53% 0.53%
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Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees (2)(3) 0.35% 1.00% 1.00% 0.45%
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Other Expenses 0.19% 0.19% 0.19% 0.19%
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Total Operating Expenses 1.07% 1.72% 1.72% 1.17%
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Expense example
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This example, like that in other funds' prospectuses, assumes a $10,000 initial
investment at maximum sales charge, if any, 5% total return each year and no
changes in expenses. You pay the following expenses over the course of each
period shown if you sell your shares at the end of the period, although your
actual cost may be higher or lower. The expenses include any applicable
contingent deferred sales charges.
Share class 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Class A shares $657 $830 $1,019 $1,566
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Class B shares $652 $774 $1,018 $1,617
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Class C shares $252 $474 $ 818 $1,793
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Class P shares $ 97 $302 $ 526 $1,169
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You would pay the following expenses on the same investment,
assuming you kept your shares.
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Class A shares $657 $830 $1,019 $1,566
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Class B shares $152 $474 $ 818 $1,617
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Class C shares $152 $474 $ 818 $1,793
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Class P shares $ 97 $302 $ 526 $1,169
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This example is for comparison and is not a representation of the fund's actual
expenses or returns, either past or present.
Management fees are payable to Lord Abbett for the fund's investment management.
12b-1 fees refer to fees incurred for activities that are primarily
intended to result in the sale of fund shares and service fees for
shareholder account service and maintenance.
Other expenses include fees paid for miscellaneous items such as
shareholder services and professional fees.
(1) Class B shares will convert to class A shares on the eighth anniversary of
your original purchase of class B shares.
(2) The Distribution and Service Fees have been restated from fiscal year
amounts to reflect current fees.
(3) Because 12b-1 distribution fees are paid out on an ongoing basis, over time
they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than
paying other types of sales charges.
4 The Fund
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Your Investment
PURCHASES
This prospectus offers four classes of shares, class A, B, C and P.
Although the fund has more than one class of shares, these different
classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities
but are subject to different sales charges and expenses. Our shares are
continuously offered. The offering price is based on the Net Asset Value
("NAV") per share next determined after we receive your purchase order
submitted in proper form. A front-end sales charge is added to the NAV in
the case of the class A shares. There is no front-end sales charge,
although there is a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge in the case of the
class B and C shares as described below.
You should read this section carefully to determine which class of shares
represents the best investment option for your particular situation. It may
not be suitable for you to place a purchase order for class B shares of
$500,000 or more, or a purchase order for class C shares of $1,000,000 or
more. You should discuss pricing options with your investment professional.
For more information, see "Alternative Sales Arrangements" in the Statement
of Additional Information.
We reserve the right to withdraw all or any part of the offering made by
this prospectus or to reject any purchase order. We also reserve the right
to waive or change minimum investment requirements. All purchase orders are
subject to our acceptance and are not binding until confirmed or accepted
in writing.
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Front-End Sales Charges - Class A Shares
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To Compute
As a % of As a % of Offering Price
Your Investment Offering Price Your Investment Divide NAV by
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Less than $50,000 5.75% 6.10% .9425
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$50,000 to $99,999 4.75% 4.99% .9525
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$100,000 to $249,999 3.95% 4.11% .9605
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$250,000 to $499,999 2.75% 2.83% .9725
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$500,000 to $999,999 1.95% 1.99% .9805
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$1,000,000 and over No Sales Charge 1.0000
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Reducing Your Class A Front-End Sales Charges. Class A shares may be
purchased at a discount if you qualify under either of the following
conditions:
Rights of Accumulation - A Purchaser can apply the value (at public
offering price) of the shares you already own to a new purchase of
class A shares of any Eligible Fund in order to reduce the sales
charge.
Statement of Intention - A Purchaser of class A shares can purchase
additional shares of any Eligible Fund over a 13-month period and
receive the same sales charge as if you had purchased all shares at
once. Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or
distributions are not included. A statement of intention can be
backdated 90 days. Current holdings under rights of accumulation can
be included in a statement of intention.
For more information on eligibility for these privileges,
read the applicable sections in the attached application.
NAV per share for each class of fund shares is calculated each business day at
the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (" NYSE"). Each fund
is open on those business days when the NYSE is open. Purchases and sales of
fund shares are executed at the NAV next determined after the fund receives your
order. In calculating NAV, securities for which market quotations are available
are valued at those quotations. Securities for which such quotations are not
available are valued at fair value under procedures approved by the Board.
Share classes
Class A
normally offered with a frontend sales charge
Class B
no front-end sales charge, however, a contingent deferred sales charge is
applied to shares sold prior to the sixth anniversary of purchase
higher annual expenses than class A shares
automatically convert to class A shares after eight years
Class C
no front-end sales charge
higher annual expenses than class A shares
a contingent deferred sales charge is applied to shares sold prior to the
first anniversary of purchase
Class P
available to certain pension or retirement plans and pursuant to a Mutual
Fund Advisory Program
Your Investment 5
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Class A Share Purchases Without A Front-End Sales Charge. Class A shares
may be purchased without a front-end sales charge under any of the
following conditions:
purchases of $1 million or more +
purchases by Retirement Plans with at least 100 eligible employees +
purchases under a Special Retirement Wrap Program +
purchases made with dividends and distributions on class A shares of
another Eligible Fund
purchases representing repayment under the loan feature of the Lord
Abbettsponsored prototype 403(b) Plan for class A shares
purchases by employees of any consenting securities dealer having a
sales agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor
purchases under a Mutual Fund Advisory Program
purchases by trustees or custodians of any pension or profit sharing
plan, or payroll deduction IRA for employees of any consenting
securities dealer having a sales agreement with Lord Abbett
Distributor
See the Statement of Additional Information for a listing of other
categories of purchasers who qualify for class A share purchases without a
front-end sales charge.
+ These categories may be subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
(" CDSC").
Class A Share CDSC. If you buy class A shares under one of the starred (+)
categories listed above and you redeem any of them within 24 months after
the month in which you initially purchased them, the fund normally will
collect a CDSC of 1%.
The class A share CDSC generally will be waived for the following
conditions:
benefit payments under Retirement Plans such as loans, hardship
withdrawals, death, disability, retirement, separation from service or
any excess distribution under Retirement Plans (documentation may be
required)
redemptions continuing as investments in another fund participating in
a Special Retirement Wrap Program
Class B Share CDSC. The CDSC for class B shares normally applies if you redeem
your shares before the sixth anniversary of their initial purchase. The CDSC
declines the longer you own your shares, according to the following schedule:
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Contingent Deferred Sales Charges -Class B Shares
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Anniversary (1) of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
the day on which the on redemption (as % of amount
purchase order was accepted subject to charge)
On Before
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1st 5.0%
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1st 2nd 4.0%
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2nd 3rd 3.0%
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3rd 4th 3.0%
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4th 5th 2.0%
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5th 6th 1.0%
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on or after the 6th (2) None
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(1) The anniversary is the same calendar day in each respective year after the
date of purchase. For example, the anniversaries for shares purchased on
May 1 will be May 1 of each succeeding year.
(2) Class B shares will automatically convert to class A shares on the eighth
anniversary of the purchase of class B shares.
CDSC, regardless of class, is not charged on shares acquired through
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions and is charged on the
original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares at the time
they are being sold, whichever is lower. In addition, repayment of loans under
Retirement Plans and 403(b) Plans will constitute new sales for purposes of
assessing the CDSC.
To minimize the amount of any CDSC, the fund redeems shares in the following
order:
1. shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains (always free
of a CDSC)
2. shares held for six years or more (class B) or two years or more after the
month of purchase (class A) or one year or more (class C)
3. shares held the longest before the sixth anniversary of their purchase
(class B) or before the second anniversary after the month of purchase
(class A) or before the first anniversary of their purchase (class C)
Retirement Plans include employersponsored retirement plans under the Internal
Revenue Code, excluding Individual Retirement Accounts.
Lord Abbett Distributor LLC (" Lord Abbett Distributor") acts as agent for the
funds to work with investment professionals that buy and/or sell shares of the
funds on behalf of their clients. Generally, Lord Abbett Distributor does not
sell fund shares directly to investors.
Benefit Payment Documentation. (class A CDSC only)
under $50,000 -no documentation necessary
over $50,000 -reason for benefit payment must be received in writing. Use
the address indicated under "Opening Your Account."
6 Your Investment
<PAGE>
The class B share CDSC generally will be waived under any one of the
following conditions:
benefit payments under Retirement Plans such as loans, hardship
withdrawals,
death, disability, retirement, separation from service or any excess
contribution or distribution under Retirement Plans
Eligible Mandatory Distributions under 403(b) Plans and individual
retirement accounts death of the shareholder (natural person)
redemptions of shares in connection with Div-Move and Systematic
Withdrawal Plans (up to 12% per year)
See "Systematic Withdrawal Plan" under "Services For Fund Investors" below
for more information on CDSCs with respect to class B shares.
Class C Share CDSC. The 1% CDSC for class C shares normally applies if you
redeem your shares before the anniversary of the purchase of such shares.
Class P Shares. Class P shares have lower annual expenses than class B and
class C shares, no front-end sales charge, and no CDSC. Class P shares are
currently sold and redeemed at NAV (a) pursuant to a Mutual Fund Advisory
Program, or (b) to the trustees of, or employer-sponsors with respect to,
pension or retirement plans with at least 100 eligible employees (such as a
plan under Section 401(a), 401(k) or 457(b) of the Internal Revenue Code)
which engage an investment professional providing or participating in an
agreement to provide certain recordkeeping, administrative and/or
sub-transfer agency services to the fund on behalf of the class P
shareholders.
OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT
MINIMUM INITIAL INVESTMENT
Regular account $1,000
Individual Retirement Accounts and
403(b) Plans under the Internal Revenue Code $250
Uniform Gifts to Minors Account $250
For Retirement Plans and Mutual Fund Advisory Programs, no minimum
investment is required, regardless of share class.
You may purchase shares through any independent securities dealer who has a
sales agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor or you can fill out the
attached application and send it to the fund at the address stated below.
You should carefully read the paragraph below entitled "Proper Form" before
placing your order to assure your order will be accepted.
Lord Abbett
Developing Growth Fund, Inc.
P. O. Box 419100
Kansas City, MO 64141
Proper Form. An order submitted directly to the fund must contain: (1) a
completed application, and (2) payment by check. When purchases are made by
check, redemptions will not be allowed until the fund or transfer agent is
advised that the check has cleared, which may take up to 15 calendar days.
For more information regarding proper form of a purchase order, call the
fund at 800-821-5129.
By Exchange. Telephone the fund at 800-821-5129 to request an exchange from
any eligible Lord Abbett-sponsored fund.
Important Information. You may be subject to a $50 penalty under the Internal
Revenue Code if you do not provide a correct taxpayer identification number
(Social Security Number for individuals) or make certain required
certifications. In addition, we may be required to withhold from your account
and pay to the U. S. Treasury 31% of any redemption proceeds and of any dividend
or distribution from your account.
Small Accounts. Our Board may authorize closing any account in which there are
fewer than 25 shares if it is in a fund's best interest to do so.
Your Investment 7
<PAGE>
REDEMPTIONS
By Broker. Call your investment professional for directions on how to
redeem your shares.
By Telephone. To obtain the proceeds of a redemption of $50,000 or less
from your account, you or your representative can call the fund at
800-821-5129.
By Mail. Submit a written redemption request indicating the name(s) in
which the account is registered, the fund's name, the class of shares, your
account number, and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell.
Include all necessary signatures. If the signer has any Legal Capacity, the
signature and capacity must be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor. Certain
other legal documentation may be required. For more information regarding
proper documentation call 800-821-5129.
Normally a check will be mailed to the name and address in which the
account is registered (or otherwise according to your instruction) within
three business days after receipt of your redemption request. Your account
balance must be sufficient to cover the amount being redeemed or your
redemption order will not be processed. Under unusual circumstances, the
fund may suspend redemptions, or postpone payment for more than seven days,
as permitted by federal securities laws.
To determine if a CDSC applies to a redemption, see "Class A Share CDSC,""
Class B Share CDSC" or "Class C Share CDSC."
Eligible Guarantor is any broker or bank that is a member of the Medallion STAMP
Program. Most major securities firms and banks are members of this program. A
notary public is not an eligible guarantor.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The fund pays its shareholders dividends from its net investment income,
and distributes any net capital gains that it has realized. The fund
expects to pay such income dividends to shareholders annually. If a capital
gain distribution is declared, it is expected to be paid annually. Your
distributions will be reinvested in your fund unless you instruct the fund
to pay them to you in cash. There are no sales charges on reinvestments.
The tax status of distributions is the same for all shareholders regardless
of how long they have been in the fund and whether distributions are
reinvested or paid in cash. In general, distributions are taxable as
follows:
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Federal Taxability Of Distributions
Type of Tax rate for taxpayer Tax rate for taxpayer subject
distribution subject to 15% bracket to 28% bracket or above
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Income Ordinary Ordinary
dividends income rate income rate
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Short-term Ordinary Ordinary
capital gains income rate income rate
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Long-term
capital gains 10% 20%
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Except in tax-advantaged accounts, any sale or exchange of fund shares may
be a taxable event.
Annual Information - Information concerning the tax treatment of dividends
and other distributions will be mailed to shareholders each year. The fund
will also provide annually to its shareholders information regarding the
source of dividends and distributions of capital gains paid by the fund.
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax
adviser regarding the treatment of those distributions under the federal,
state and local tax rules that apply to you as well as the tax consequences
of gains or losses from the redemption or exchange of your shares.
Taxes on Transactions. The chart at left also can provide a "rule of thumb"
guide for your potential U. S. federal income tax liability when selling or
exchanging fund shares. The second row, "Shortterm capital gains," applies to
fund shares sold within 12 months of purchase. The third row, "Long-term capital
gains," applies to shares held for more than 12 months.
Starting January 1, 2001, sales of securities held for more than five years will
be taxed at special lower rates.
Any gains realized on a fund's transactions in options and financial futures
will be treated as taxable long-or short-term capital gains.
8 Your Investment
<PAGE>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
AUTOMATIC SERVICES
Buying or selling shares automatically is easy with the services described
below. With each service, you select a schedule and amount, subject to
certain restrictions. You can set up most of these services when filling
out your application or by calling 800-821-5129.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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For investing
<S> <C>
Invest-A-Matic You can make fixed, periodic investments ($ 50 minimum) into your fund
(Dollar-cost account by means of automatic money transfers from your bank checking
averaging) account. See the attached application for instructions.
Div-Move You can automatically reinvest the dividends and distributions from your
account into another account in any Eligible Fund ($ 50 minimum).
For selling shares
Systematic You can make regular withdrawals from most Lord Abbett funds. Automatic
Withdrawal cash withdrawals can be paid to you from your account in fixed or variable
Plan ("SWP") amounts. To establish a plan, the value of your shares must be at least
$10,000, except for Retirement Plans for which there is no minimum. Your
shares must be in non-certificate form.
Class B shares The CDSC will be waived on SWP redemptions of up to 12% of the current net
asset value of your account at the time of your SWP request. For class B share
SWP redemptions over 12% per year, the CDSC will apply to the entire redemption.
Please contact the fund for assistance in minimizing the CDSC in this situation.
Class B and Redemption proceeds due to a SWP for class B and class C shares will be
C shares redeemed in the order described under "Purchases."
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</TABLE>
OTHER SERVICES
Telephone Investing . After we have received the attached application
(selecting "yes" under Section 7C and completing Section 7), you can
instruct us by phone to have money transferred from your bank account to
purchase shares of the fund for an existing account. The fund will purchase
the requested shares when it receives the money from your bank.
Exchanges. You or your investment professional can instruct your fund to
exchange shares of any class for shares of the same class of any Eligible
Fund. Instruction may be provided in writing or by telephone, with proper
identification, by calling 800-821-5129. The fund must receive instructions
for the exchange before the close of the NYSE on the day of your call. If
you meet this requirement, you will get the NAV per share of the Eligible
Fund determined on that day. Exchanges will be treated as a sale for
federal tax purposes. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund
into which you are exchanging.
Reinvestment Privilege. If you sell shares of the fund, you have a one time
right to reinvest some or all of the proceeds in the same class of any
Eligible Fund within 60 days without a sales charge. If you paid a CDSC
when you sold your shares, you will be credited with the amount of the
CDSC. All accounts involved must have the same registration.
Account Statements. Every Lord Abbett investor automatically receives
quarterly account statements.
Householding. Shareholders with the same last name and address will receive
a single copy of a prospectus and an annual or semi-annual report, unless
additional reports are specifically requested in writing to the fund.
Account Changes. For any changes you need to make to your account, consult
your investment professional or call the fund at 800-821-5129.
Systematic Exchange. You or your investment professional can establish a
schedule of exchanges between the same classes of any Eligible Fund.
Lord Abbett offers a variety of Retirement Plans. Call 800-253-7299 for
information about:
Traditional, Rollover, Roth and Education IRAs
Simple IRAs, SEP-IRAs, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts
Defined Contribution Plans
Telephone Transactions. You have this privilege unless you refuse it in writing.
For your security, telephone transaction requests are recorded. We will take
measures to verify the identity of the caller, such as asking for your name,
account number, social security or taxpayer identification number and other
relevant information. The fund will not be liable for following instructions
communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be genuine.
Transactions by telephone may be difficult to implement in times of drastic
economic or market change.
Exchange Limitations. Exchanges should not be used to try to take advantage of
short-term swings in the market. Frequent exchanges create higher expenses for
the fund. Accordingly, the fund reserves the right to limit or terminate this
privilege for any shareholder making frequent exchanges or abusing the
privilege. The fund also may revoke the privilege for all shareholders upon 60
days' written notice.
Your Investment 9
<PAGE>
SALES CHARGES AND SERVICE FEES
Sales and Service Compensation. As part of its plan for distributing
shares, the fund and Lord Abbett Distributor pay sales and service
compensation to Authorized Institutions that sell the fund's shares and
service its shareholder accounts.
Sales compensation originates from two sources: sales charges and 12b-1
distribution fees that are paid out of the fund's assets. Service
compensation originates from 12b-1 service fees. The 12b-1 fee rates vary
by share class, according to the Rule 12b-1 Plan adopted by the fund. The
sales charges and 12b-1 fees paid by investors are shown in the
class-by-class information under "Fees and Expenses" and "Purchases." The
portion of these expenses that is paid as sales and service compensation to
Authorized Institutions, such as your dealer, is shown in the chart at the
end of this prospectus. The portion of such sales and service compensation
paid to Lord Abbett Distributor is discussed under "Sales Activities" and
"Service Activities." Sometimes we do not pay sales and service
compensation where tracking data is not available for certain accounts or
where the Authorized Institution waives part of the compensation.
We may pay Additional Concessions to Authorized Institutions from time to
time.
Sales Activities. We may use 12b-1 distribution fees to pay Authorized
Institutions to finance any activity which is primarily intended to result
in the sale of shares. Lord Abbett Distributor uses its portion of the
distribution fees attributable to a fund's class A and class C shares for
activities which are primarily intended to result in the sale of such class
A and class C shares, respectively. These activities include, but are not
limited to, printing of prospectuses and statements of additional
information and reports for other than existing shareholders, preparation
and distribution of advertising and sales material, expenses of organizing
and conducting sales seminars, Additional Concessions to Authorized
Institutions, the cost necessary to provide distribution-related services
or personnel, travel, office expenses, equipment and other allocable
overhead.
Service Activities. We may pay Rule 12b-1 service fees to Authorized
Institutions for any activity which is primarily intended to result in
personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Any
portion of the service fees paid to Lord Abbett Distributor will be used to
service and maintain shareholder accounts.
12b-1 fees payable regardless of expenses. The amounts payable by a fund need
not be directly related to expenses. If Lord Abbett Distributor's actual
expenses exceed the fee payable to it, the fund will not have to pay more than
that fee. If Lord Abbett Distributor's expenses are less than the fee it
receives, Lord Abbett Distributor will keep the full amount of the fee.
MANAGEMENT
The fund's investment adviser is Lord, Abbett & Co., 767 Fifth Avenue, New
York, NY 10153-0203. Founded in 1929, Lord Abbett manages one of the
nation's oldest mutual fund complexes, with over $32 billion in more than
35 mutual fund portfolios and other advisory accounts. For more information
about the services Lord Abbett provides to the fund, see the Statement of
Additional Information.
The fund pays Lord Abbett a monthly fee based on average daily net assets
for each month. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 1999, the fee paid to
Lord Abbett was at an annual rate of .53 of 1%. In addition, the fund pays
all expenses not expressly assumed by Lord Abbett.
Lord Abbett uses a team of portfolio managers and analysts acting together
to manage the fund's investments. Stephen J. McGruder, Partner of Lord
Abbett, heads the team , the other senior members of which include
Lesley-Jane Dixon, Rayna Lesser and Cinda Hughes. Mr. McGruder and Ms.
Dixon have been with Lord Abbett since 1995, Ms. Lesser has been with Lord
Abbett since 1996 and Ms. Hughes since 1998. Prior to joining Lord Abbett,
Mr. McGruder was a portfolio manager with Wafra Investment Advisory Group.
Ms. Dixon was an equity analyst with Wafra Investment Advisory Group before
joining Lord Abbett. Ms. Lesser joined Lord Abbett directly from Barnard
College. Ms. Hughes was an Analyst/ Director of Equity Research at Phoenix
Investment Counsel and an Associate Strategist at Paine Webber,
Inc./Kidder, Peabody & Co. before joining Lord Abbett.
10 Your Investment
<PAGE>
OTHER INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
This section describes some of the investment techniques that might be used
by the fund and their risks.
Adjusting Investment Exposure. The fund may, but is not required to, use
various strategies to change its investment exposure to adjust to changing
security prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity prices
and other factors. These strategies may involve buying or selling
derivative instruments, such as financial futures and options on financial
futures. The fund may use these transactions to change the risk and return
characteristics of the fund's portfolio. If we judge market conditions
incorrectly or use a strategy that does not correlate well with the fund's
investments, it could result in a loss, even if we intended to lessen risk
or enhance returns. These transactions may involve a small investment of
cash compared to the magnitude of the risk assumed and could produce
disproportionate gains or losses. Also, these strategies could result in
losses if the counterparty to a transaction does not perform as promised.
Diversification. The fund is a diversified fund. This means that with
respect to 75% of its total assets, it will not purchase a security if, as
a result, more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested in
securities of a single issuer or the fund would hold more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of the issuer. U. S. Government Securities
are not subject to these requirements.
Foreign Securities. These securities are not subject to the same degree of
regulation and may be more volatile and less liquid than securities traded
in major U. S. markets. Foreign portfolio securities may trade on days when
an underlying fund does not value them. Fund share prices could be affected
on days an investor cannot purchase or sell shares. Other risks include
less information on public companies, banks and governments; political and
social instability; expropriations; higher transaction costs; currency
fluctuations; nondeductible withholding taxes and different accounting and
settlement practices. The fund may invest up to 10% of its assets at the
time of investment in foreign securities.
Portfolio Securities Lending. The fund may lend securities to
broker-dealers and financial institutions, as a means of earning income.
This practice could result in a loss or delay in recovering a fund's
securities if the borrower defaults. The fund will limit its loans to 30%
of its total assets.
Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement, a fund buys a security at
one price from a broker-dealer or financial institution and simultaneously
agrees to sell the same security back to the same party at a higher price
in the future. If the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes
insolvent, the fund could lose money.
GLOSSARY OF SHADED TERMS
Additional Concessions. Lord Abbett Distributor may, for specified periods,
allow dealers to retain the full sales charge for sales of shares or may
pay an additional concession to a dealer who 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. Additional payments
may be paid from Lord Abbett Distributor's own resources or from
distribution fees
For More Information 11
<PAGE>
received from a fund and will be made in the form of cash or, if permitted,
non-cash payments. The non-cash payments will include business seminars at
Lord Abbett's headquarters or other locations, including meals and
entertainment, or the receipt of merchandise. The cash payments may include
payment of various business expenses of the dealer.
In selecting dealers to execute portfolio transactions for a 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.
Authorized Institutions. Institutions and persons permitted by law to
receive service and/or distribution fees under a Rule 12b-1 Plan are
"Authorized Institutions." Lord Abbett Distributor is an Authorized
Institution.
Eligible Fund. An Eligible Fund is any Lord Abbett-sponsored fund except
for (1) certain tax-free, single-state funds where the exchanging
shareholder is a resident of a state in which such a fund is not offered
for sale; (2) Lord Abbett Equity Fund; (3) Lord Abbett Series Fund; (4)
Lord Abbett U. S. Government Securities Money Market Fund (" GSMMF")
(except for holdings in GSMMF which are attributable to any shares
exchanged from the Lord Abbett family of funds). An Eligible Fund also is
any Authori zed Institution's affiliated money market fund satisfying Lord
Abbett Distributor as to certain omnibus account and other criteria.
Eligible Mandatory Distributions. If class B shares represent a part of an
individual's total IRA or 403(b) investment, the CDSC will be waived only
for that part of a mandatory distribution which bears the same relation to
the entire mandatory distribution as the B share investment bears to the
total investment.
Legal Capacity. With respect to a redemption request, if (for example) the
request is on behalf of the estate of a deceased shareholder, John W. Doe,
by a person (Robert A. Doe) who has the legal capacity to act for the
estate of the deceased shareholder because he is the executor of the
estate, then the request must be executed as follows: Robert A. Doe,
Executor of the Estate of John W. Doe. That signature using that capacity
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor.
Similarly, if (for example) the redemption request is on behalf of the ABC
Corporation by a person (Mary B. Doe) who has the legal capacity to act on
behalf of this corporation, because she is the President of the
corporation, then the request must be executed as follows: ABC Corporation
by Mary B. Doe, President. That signature using that capacity must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor (see example in right column).
Mutual Fund Advisory Program. Certain unaffiliated authorized brokers,
dealers, registered investment advisers or other financial institutions who
either (1) have an arrangement with Lord Abbett Distributor in accordance
with certain standards approved by Lord Abbett Distributor, providing
specifically for the use of our shares (and sometimes providing for
acceptance of orders for such shares on our behalf ) in particular
investment products made available for a fee to clients of such brokers,
dealers, registered investment advisers and other financial institutions,
or (2) charge an advisory, consulting or other fee for their services and
buy shares for their own accounts or the accounts of their clients.
Purchaser. The term "purchaser" includes: (1) an individual, (2) an
individual and his or her spouse and children under the age of 21 and (3) 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
Guaranteed signature. An acceptable
form of guarantee would be
GUARANTEED SIGNATURE. An acceptable form of guarantee would be as follows:
In the case of the estate --
Robert A. Doe
Executor of the Estate of
John W. Doe
[Date]
SIGNATURE GUARANTEED
MEDALLION GUARANTEED
NAME OF GUARANTOR
[SIGNATURE ILLEGIBLE]
- --------------------------------------------------
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
(960) X 9 6 0 3 4 7 0
SECURITIES TRANSFER AGENTS MEDALLION PROGRAM'sm'
SR
In the case of the corporation --
ABC Corporation
Mary B. Doe
By Mary B. Doe, President
[Date]
SIGNATURE GUARANTEED
MEDALLION GUARANTEED
NAME OF GUARANTOR
[SIGNATURE ILLEGIBLE]
- --------------------------------------------------
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
(960) X 9 6 0 3 4 7 0
SECURITIES TRANSFER AGENTS MEDALLION PROGRAM'sm'
SR
12 For More Information
<PAGE>
plans of multiple employers registered in the name of a single bank trustee
as one account), although more than one beneficiary is involved.
Special Retirement Wrap Program. A program sponsored by an Authorized
Institution showing one or more characteristics distinguishing it, in the
opinion of Lord Abbett Distributor from a Mutual Fund Advisory Program.
Such characteristics include, among other things, the fact that an
Authorized Institution does not charge its clients any fee of a consulting
or advisory nature that is economically equivalent to the distribution fee
under the class A 12b-1 Plan and the fact that the program relates to
participant-directed Retirement Plans.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
Small-cap investors saw positive returns early on in the fund's fiscal year
erased by a sharp third-quarter downturn. This downturn was caused in part
by a "flight to quality" stemming from international monetary and economic
crises as well as political problems that led investors to seek more liquid
investments, such as larger-company stocks and higher-quality bonds. While
all major asset classes of the U. S. equity market experienced weakness
during the third quarter of 1998, small-cap equities had the lowest
returns.
The month of October, however, saw some price recovery for small-cap stocks
after August's severe declines. The October upswing turned out to be a
harbinger of extremely strong performance during the entire fourth quarter
as economic and political uncertainties that had previously affected
investor confidence subsided and a more optimistic outlook emerged. Key to
this turnaround was the Federal Reserve Board's decisive move to lower U.
S. interest rates through a series of autumn rate cuts.
Most sectors of the U. S. equity market participated in the fourth quarter
upswing. However, as the market reached its previous highs, certain
sectors, such as technology and consumer non-cyclicals, that had provided
price leadership earlier on, once again moved ahead of the broad market. In
addition, large-cap stocks continued to outperform mid- and small-cap
investments.
Our focus on bottom-up stock selection allowed the fund to overcome
industry-specific difficulties throughout most of the period under review.
Our strategy and philosophy remain constant. We concentrate on selecting
those companies that we believe will offer our investors superior long-term
stock price appreciation regardless of industry-specific problems or
large-scale economic trends.
In our view, the current backdrop of growth in the economy, low levels of
inflation and interest rates, paired with adequate liquidity supported by
Federal Reserve policy, should enable the U. S. equity market to show
progress in the next year. However, a slowing U. S. economy could spur
small-cap price volatility due to lower corporate earnings and employment
growth. We believe our focus on identifying financially strong companies
that can be purchased at attractive prices will help the fund to uncover
exciting investment opportunities even during a slowing economy. Since
small-cap stocks remain significantly undervalued with respect to relative
earnings versus large-caps, we also expect that a period of strong relative
performance by small-caps is likely during 1999.
Year 2000 Issues. The fund could be adversely affected if the computers used by
the fund and their service providers do not properly process and calculate
date-related information from and after January 1, 2000.
Lord Abbett is working to avoid such problems and has received assurances from
each fund's service providers that they are taking similar steps. Of course, the
Year 2000 problem is unprecedented and, therefore, Lord Abbett cannot eliminate
altogether the possibility that it or the funds will be affected.
For More Information 13
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table describes the fund's performance for the fiscal periods
indicated." Total return" shows how much your investment in the fund would
have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had
reinvested all dividends and distributions. These Financial Highlights have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the fund's independent auditors, in
conjunction with their annual audit of the fund's financial statements.
Financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1999 and the
Independent Auditors' Report thereon appear in the Annual Report to
Shareholders for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1999 and are
incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information,
which is available upon request. Certain information reflects financial
results for a single fund share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended January 31,
Per Share Operating Performance: 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year $14.27 $12.80 $11.49 $9.58 $10.65
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (.07) (a) (.10) (a) (.03) (.02) (.04)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gain (loss) on investments 2.10 3.16 3.12 4.80 (.22)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 2.03 3.06 3.09 4.78 (.26)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions from net realized gain (.05) (1.59) (1.78) (2.87) (.81)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of year $16.25 $14.27 $12.80 $11.49 $9.58
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return (b) 14.24% 24.38% 28.35% 50.22% (2.74)%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.98% (e) 1.06% 1.10% 1.03% 1.31%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (0.46)% (0.72)% (0.67)% (0.52)% (0.38)%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B Shares Class C Shares Class P Shares
--------------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------
Year Ended January 31, Year Ended January 31, Year Ended January 31,
Per Share Operating Performance: 1999 1998 1997 (d) 1999 1998 1997 (d) 1999 1998 (d)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $14.12 $12.75 $12.14 $14.13 $12.75 $12.14 $14.26 $14.38
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (.17)a) (.20)(a) (.05) (.17)(a) (.19)(a) (.05) (.10)(a) (.01)(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gain (loss) on investments 2.06 3.14 2.28 2.07 3.14 2.28 2.08 (.11)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 1.89 2.94 2.23 1.90 2.95 2.23 1.98 (.12)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions from net realized gain (.03) (1.57) (1.62) (.03) (1.57) (1.62) (.05) --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $15.98 $14.12 $12.75 $16.00 $14.13 $12.75 $16.19 $14.26
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return (b) 13.37% 23.48% 19.43%(c) 13.43% 23.55% 19.43%(c) 13.89% (0.83)%(c)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 1.72% (e) 1.76% 0.93%(c) 1.72%(e) 1.71% 0.93%(c) 1.17%(e) 0.08%(c)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (1.19)% (1.39)% (0.73)%(c) (1.20)% (1.34)% (0.73)%(c) (0.70)% (0.05)%(c)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended January 31,
Supplemental Data For All Classes: 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net assets, end of year (000) $1,344,203 $553,086 $330,358 $197,602 $127,579
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 30.89% 33.60% 42.35% 50.12% 17.57%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.
(b) Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the
reinvestment of all distributions.
(c) Not annualized.
(d) Commencement of offering respective class shares: B -August 1, 1996, C
-August 1, 1996 and P -January 5, 1998.
(e) The ratios for 1999 include expenses paid through an expense offset
arrangement.
14 Financial Information
<PAGE>
LINE GRAPH COMPARISON
Immediately below is a comparison of a $10,000 investment in class A shares
to the same investment in the Russell 2000 Index, assuming reinvestment of
all dividends and distributions.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Average Annual Total Return With Maximum Sales Charge
For The Periods Ending January 31, 1999
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Life
Class A (3) 7.60% 20.22% 16.53% 12.69%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B (4) 8.37% -- -- 21.93%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C (5) 12.43% -- -- 22.88%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class P (6) 13.89% -- -- 12.95%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Reflects the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.
(2) Performance for the unmanaged Russell 2000 Index does not reflect
transaction costs, management fees or sales charges.
(3) Total return which 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, 1999 using the SEC-required uniform method to compute such
return.
(4) The class B shares commenced operations on August 1, 1996. Performance
reflects the deduction of a CDSC of 5% (for 1 year) and 3% (for life of the
class).
(5) The class C shares commenced operations on August 1, 1996. Performance
reflects the deduction of a CDSC of 1% (for 1 year) and 0% (for life of the
class).
(6) The class P shares commenced operations on January 5, 1998. Performance is
at net asset value.
Financial Information 15
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION FOR YOUR DEALER
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIRST YEAR COMPENSATION
Front-end
sales charge Dealer's
paid by investors concession Service fee (1) Total compensation (2)
Class A investments (% of offering price) (% of offering price) (% of net investment) (% of offering price)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 5.75% 5.00% 0.25% 5.24%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$50,000 -$99,999 4.75% 4.00% 0.25% 4.24%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$100,000 -$249,999 3.95% 3.25% 0.25% 3.49%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$250,000 -$499,999 2.75% 2.25% 0.25% 2.49%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$500,000 -$999,999 1.95% 1.75% 0.25% 2.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1 million or more (3) or Retirement Plan -100 or more
eligible employees (3) or Special Retirement Wrap Program (3)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First $5 million no front-end sales charge 1.00% 0.25% 1.25%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next $5 million above that no front-end sales charge 0.55% 0.25% 0.80%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next $40 million above that no front-end sales charge 0.50% 0.25% 0.75%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over $50 million no front-end sales charge 0.25% 0.25% 0.50%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B investments Paid at time of sale (% of net asset value) (4)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All amounts no front-end sales charge 3.75% 0.25% 4.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C investments
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All amounts no front-end sales charge 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class P investments Percentage of average net assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All amounts no front-end sales charge 0.25% 0.20% 0.45%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AFTER FIRST YEAR
Class A investments
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
All amounts no front-end sales charge none 0.25% 0.25%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B investments Percentage of average net assets (5)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All amounts no front-end sales charge none 0.25% 0.25%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C investments
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All amounts no front-end sales charge 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class P investments
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All amounts no front-end sales charge 0.25% 0.20% 0.45%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The service fee for class A and P shares is paid quarterly and for class A
shares may not exceed 0.15% if sold prior to June 1, 1990. The first year's
service fee on class B and C shares is paid at the time of sale.
(2) Dealer's concession percentages and service fee percentages are calculated
from different amounts, and therefore may not equal total compensation
percentages if combined using simple addition. Additional Concessions may
be paid to Authorized Institutions from time to time.
(3) Concessions are paid at the time of sale on all class A shares sold during
any 12-month period starting from the day of the first net asset value
sale. With respect to (a) class A share purchases at $1 million or more,
sales qualifying at such level under rights of accumulation and statement
of intention privileges are included and (b) for Special Retirement Wrap
Programs, only new sales are eligible and exchanges into the fund are
excluded.
(4) Class C shares of the fund may be purchased under a Mutual Fund Advisory
Program, in which case, an alternative method of payment may be made
quarterly on average net assets, on a pro-rata basis, during the first year
subsequent to the purchase of shares, excluding dividend and distribution
reinvestments. After the first year, payments with respect to C shares
under a Mutual Fund Advisory Program follow the chart above as set forth
under "Annual Compensation After First Year."
(5) With respect to class B, C and P shares, 0.25% and 1.00% and 0.45%,
respectively, of the average annual net asset value of such shares
outstanding during the quarter (including distribution reinvestment shares
after the first anniversary of their issuance) is paid to Authorized
Institutions. These fees are paid quarterly in arrears.
16 Financial Information
<PAGE>
More information on this fund is available free upon request, including
the following:
ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Describes the fund, lists portfolio holdings and contains a letter from
the fund's manager discussing recent market conditions and the funds'
investment strategies.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI")
Provides more details about the fund and its policies. A current SAI is
on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is
incorporated by reference (is legally considered part of this
prospectus).
To obtain information:
By telephone. Call the fund at:
800-426-1130
By mail. Write to the fund at:
The Lord Abbett Family of Funds
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153-0203
Via the Internet.
Lord, Abbett & Co.
http://www.lordabbett.com
Text only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or downloaded from:
SEC http://www.sec.gov
You can also obtain copies by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in
Washington, DC (phone 800-SEC-0330) or by sending your request and a duplicating
fee to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-6009.
Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.
The General Motors Building
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153-0203
- -----------------------
SEC file number: 811-2871
LADG-1-699
(6/99)
