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_____________________________________
STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
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A CLASS
B CLASS
C CLASS
_____________________________________
PROSPECTUS
_____________________________________
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
(as revised October 4, 1996)
[Photo of water well]
DELAWARE
GROUP
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The Delaware Group includes funds with a wide range of investment
objectives. Stock funds, income funds, tax-free funds, money market funds,
global and international funds and closed-end equity funds give investors the
ability to create a portfolio that fits their personal financial goals. For more
information, contact your financial adviser or call Delaware Group at
800-523-4640.
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Delaware Management Company, Inc.
One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
SUB-ADVISER
Delaware International Advisers Ltd.
Veritas House
125 Finsbury Pavement
London, England EC2A 1NQ
NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR
Delaware Distributors, L.P.
1818 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING,
DIVIDEND DISBURSING,
ACCOUNTING SERVICES
AND TRANSFER AGENT
Delaware Service Company, Inc.
1818 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
LEGAL COUNSEL
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP
One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP
Two Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
CUSTODIAN
Bankers Trust Company
One Bankers Trust Plaza
New York, NY 10006
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STRATEGIC INCOME FUND A CLASS SHARES
STRATEGIC INCOME FUND B CLASS SHARES PROSPECTUS
STRATEGIC INCOME FUND C CLASS SHARES SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
(as revised October 4, 1996)
________________________________________________________
1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
For Prospectus and Performance:
Nationwide 800-523-4640
Information on Existing Accounts:
(SHAREHOLDERS ONLY)
Nationwide 800-523-1918
Dealer Services:
(BROKER/DEALERS ONLY)
Nationwide 800-362-7500
Representatives of Financial Institutions:
Nationwide 800-659-2259
This Prospectus describes the Strategic Income Fund A Class of shares
("Class A Shares"), the Strategic Income Fund B Class of shares ("Class B
Shares") and the Strategic Income Fund C Class of shares ("Class C Shares")
(individually, a "Class" and collectively, the "Classes") of the Strategic
Income Fund series (the "Fund") of Delaware Group Income Funds, Inc. ("Income
Funds, Inc."), a professionally-managed mutual fund of the series type. The
objective of the Fund is to seek to provide investors with high current income
and total return.
THIS FUND MAY INVEST UP TO 70% OF ITS ASSETS IN LOWER RATED SECURITIES,
COMMONLY KNOWN AS "JUNK BONDS" OR "BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE" SECURITIES WHICH
INVOLVE GREATER RISKS, INCLUDING DEFAULT RISKS, THAN HIGHER RATED SECURITIES.
PURCHASERS SHOULD CAREFULLY ASSESS THESE RISKS BEFORE INVESTING IN THIS FUND.
SEE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES, SPECIAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS, AND APPENDIX
B--RATINGS.
The Fund currently offers the three retail Classes. These alternatives
permit an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that is most
suitable for his or her needs.
Class A Shares may be purchased at the public offering price, which is
equal to the next determined net asset value per share, plus a front-end sales
charge. Class A Shares are subject to a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.75%
and annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to .30% (currently, no more than .25%
pursuant to Board action).
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Class B Shares may be purchased at a price equal to the next determined
net asset value per share. Class B Shares are subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge ("CDSC") which may be imposed on redemptions made within six years
of purchase and annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of 1%, which are assessed against the
Class B Shares for approximately eight years after purchase. See Automatic
Conversion of Class B Shares under Classes of Shares.
Class C Shares may be purchased at a price equal to the next determined
net asset value per share. Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC which may be
imposed on redemptions made within 12 months of purchase and annual 12b-1 Plan
expenses of 1%, which are assessed against the Class C Shares for the life of
the investment.
In choosing the most suitable Class, an investor should consider the
differences among the Classes, including the effect of sales charges and 12b-1
Plan expenses, given the amount of the purchase and the length of time the
investor expects to hold the shares, among other circumstances. See Summary of
Expenses and Classes of Shares.
This Prospectus sets forth information that you should read and
consider before you invest. Please retain it for future reference. Part B of
Income Funds, Inc.'s registration statement, dated September 30, 1996, as it may
be amended from time to time, contains additional information about the Fund and
has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Part B is
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and is available, without charge,
by writing to Delaware Distributors, L.P. at the above address or by calling the
above numbers.
The Fund also offers the Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class,
which is available for purchase only by certain investors. A prospectus for the
Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class can be obtained by writing to Delaware
Distributors, L.P. at the above address or by calling the above numbers.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page How to Buy Shares
Synopsis Redemption and Exchange
Summary of Expenses Dividends and Distributions
Investment Objective Taxes
and Policies Calculation of Offering Price and
Suitability Net Asset Value Per Share
Investment Strategy Management of the Fund
Special Risk Considerations Other Investment Policies and
High-Yield Securities Risk Considerations
Foreign Securities Appendix A -- Investment Illustrations
The Delaware Difference Appendix B -- Ratings
Plans and Services
Retirement Planning
Classes of Shares
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.
BE SURE TO CONSULT YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER WHEN MAKING INVESTMENTS. MUTUAL FUNDS
CAN BE A VALUABLE PART OF YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN; HOWEVER, SHARES OF THE FUND ARE
NOT FDIC OR NCUSIF INSURED, ARE NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK OR ANY CREDIT UNION,
ARE NOT OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK OR ANY CREDIT UNION, AND INVOLVE INVESTMENT
RISK, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL. SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT BANK
OR CREDIT UNION DEPOSITS.
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SYNOPSIS
Investment Objective
The objective of the Fund is to seek to provide investors with high
current income and total return. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
using a multi-sector investment approach, investing principally in three sectors
of the fixed-income securities markets: high-yield, higher risk securities;
investment grade fixed-income securities; and foreign government and other
foreign fixed-income securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in U.S. equity
securities. For further details, see Investment Objective and Policies.
Risk Factors
Prospective investors should consider the following:
1. The Fund may invest up to 70% of its assets in high-yield, higher
risk fixed-income or other securities ("junk" bonds or securities). Such
securities may increase the risks of an investment in this Fund. See High-Yield
Securities under Special Risk Considerations.
2. Investing in securities of non-United States companies which are
generally denominated in foreign currencies and the utilization of forward
foreign currency exchange contracts involve certain risk and opportunity
considerations not typically associated with investing in United States
companies. See Special Risk Considerations and Other Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations.
3. The Fund has the ability to engage in options transactions for
hedging purposes to counterbalance portfolio volatility. While the Fund does not
engage in options transactions for speculative purposes, there are risks which
result from the use of options, and an investor should carefully review the
descriptions of these risks in this Prospectus. Certain options may be
considered to be derivative securities. See Options under Other Investment
Policies and Risk Considerations.
4. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in issuers located
or operating in markets of emerging countries. The securities in these countries
may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability
than is the case in the United States, Western European and other developed
markets. See Special Risk Considerations.
Investment Manager, Sub-Adviser, Distributor and Service Agent
Delaware Management Company, Inc. (the "Manager") furnishes investment
management services to the Fund, subject to the supervision and direction of
Income Funds, Inc.'s Board of Directors. Under the Investment Management
Agreement between the Fund and the Manager, the annual compensation paid to the
Manager is equal to 0.65% on the first $500 million of average daily net assets,
0.625% on the next $500 million and 0.60% on the average daily net assets in
excess of $1 billion. The Manager has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with
Delaware International Advisers Ltd. (the "Sub-Adviser"), an affiliate of the
Manager, with respect to the management of the Fund's investments in foreign
government and other foreign fixed-income securities. The Sub-Adviser will
receive from the Manager one-third of the investment management fees paid to the
Manager by the Fund. See Management of the Fund.
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The Manager and the Sub-Adviser provide investment management services
to certain other funds in the Delaware Group. Delaware Distributors, L.P. (the
"Distributor") is the national distributor for the Fund and for all of the other
mutual funds in the Delaware Group. Delaware Service Company, Inc. (the
"Transfer Agent") is the shareholder servicing, dividend disbursing, accounting
services and transfer agent for the Fund and for all of the other mutual funds
in the Delaware Group. See Management of the Fund.
Sales Charges
The price of Class A Shares includes a maximum front-end sales charge
of 4.75% of the offering price, which is equivalent to 4.91% of the amount
invested, based on an initial net asset value of $5.50 per share. The front-end
sales charge is reduced on certain transactions of at least $100,000 but under
$1,000,000. There is no front-end sales charge on purchases of $1,000,000 or
more. Class A Shares are subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses.
The price of Class B Shares is equal to the net asset value per share.
Class B Shares are subject to a CDSC of: (i) 4% if shares are redeemed within
two years of purchase; (ii) 3% if shares are redeemed during the third or fourth
year following purchase; (iii) 2% if shares are redeemed during the fifth year
following purchase; and (iv) 1% if shares are redeemed during the sixth year
following purchase. Class B Shares are subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses for
approximately eight years after purchase. See Deferred Sales Charge Alternative
- - Class B Shares and Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares under Classes of
Shares.
The price of Class C Shares is equal to the net asset value per share.
Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC of 1% if shares are redeemed within 12
months of purchase. Class C Shares are subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses for
the life of the investment.
See Classes of Shares and Distribution (12b-1) and Service under
Management of the Fund.
Purchase Amounts
Generally, the minimum initial investment in any Class is $1,000.
Subsequent investments must generally be at least $100.
Each purchase of Class B Shares is subject to a maximum purchase
limitation of $250,000. For Class C Shares, each purchase must be in an amount
that is less than $1,000,000. An investor may exceed these maximum purchase
limitations for Class B Shares and Class C Shares by making cumulative purchases
over a period of time. An investor should keep in mind, however, that reduced
front-end sales charges apply to investments of $100,000 or more in Class A
Shares, and that Class A Shares are subject to lower annual 12b-1 Plan expenses
than Class B and Class C Shares and generally are not subject to a CDSC. The
minimum and maximum purchase amounts for retirement plans may vary. See How to
Buy Shares.
Redemption and Exchange
Class A Shares of the Fund may be redeemed or exchanged at the net
asset value calculated after receipt of the redemption or exchange request.
Neither the Fund nor the Distributor assesses a charge for redemptions or
exchanges of Class A Shares, except for certain redemptions of shares purchased
at net asset value, which may be subject to a CDSC if a dealer's commission was
paid in connection with such purchases. See Front-End Sales Charge Alternative -
Class A Shares under Classes of Shares.
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Class B Shares and Class C Shares may be redeemed or exchanged at the
net asset value calculated after receipt of the redemption or exchange request
subject, in the case of redemptions, to any applicable CDSC. Neither the Fund
nor the Distributor assesses any charges other than the CDSC for redemptions or
exchanges of Class B or Class C Shares. There are certain limitations on an
investor's ability to exchange shares between the various classes of shares that
are offered. See Redemption and Exchange.
Open-End Investment Company
Income Funds, Inc., which was organized as a Maryland corporation in
1983, is an open-end management investment company. The Fund's portfolio of
assets is diversified as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"1940 Act"). Income Funds, Inc. was previously organized as a Delaware
corporation in 1970. See Shares under Management of the Fund.
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SUMMARY OF EXPENSES
A general comparison of the sales arrangements and other expenses
applicable to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares follows:
Class A Class B Class C
Shareholder Transaction Expenses Shares Shares Shares
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage
of offering price). . . . . . . . . 4.75% None None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on
Reinvested Dividends (as a
percentage of offering price) . . . None None None
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge (as a percentage of
original purchase price or
redemption proceeds,
as applicable). . . . . . . . . . . None* 4.00%* 1.00%*
Redemption Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . None** None** None**
Annual Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of Class A Class B Class C
average daily net assets) Shares Shares Shares
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Management Fees . . . . . . . . . . .
(after voluntary waivers) 0.17% 0.17% 0.17%
12b-1 Plan Expenses
(including service fees) . . . . 0.25%+ 1.00%+ 1.00%+
Other Operating Expenses+ . . . . . . 0.58% 0.58% 0.58%
---- ---- ----
Total Operating Expenses++ . . .
(after voluntary waivers) 1.00% 1.75% 1.75%
==== ==== ====
The purpose of the above tables is to assist the investor in
understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in each Class will
bear directly or indirectly.
*Class A purchases of $1 million or more may be made at net asset
value. However, if in connection with any such purchase a dealer commission is
paid to the financial adviser through whom such purchase is effected, a CDSC of
1% will be imposed on certain redemptions within 12 months of purchase ("Limited
CDSC"). Class B Shares are subject to a CDSC of: (i) 4% if shares are redeemed
within two years of purchase; (ii) 3% if shares are redeemed during the third or
fourth year following purchase; (iii) 2% if shares are redeemed during the fifth
year following purchase; (iv) 1% if shares are redeemed during the sixth year
following purchase; and (v) 0% thereafter. Class C Shares are subject to a
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CDSC of 1% if the shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. See
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares
Purchased at Net Asset Value under Redemption and Exchange; Deferred Sales
Charge Alternative - Class B Shares and Level Sales Charge Alternative - Class C
Shares under Classes of Shares.
**CoreStates Bank, N.A. currently charges $7.50 per redemption for redemptions
payable by wire.
+Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares are subject to separate 12b-1
Plans. Long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent of the
maximum front-end sales charges permitted by rules of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"). The annual 12b-1 Plan expenses for
the Class A Shares have been set by the Board of Directors at .25% of the
average daily net assets of such Class. The maximum annual 12b-1 Plan expenses
permitted under the 12b-1 Plan for Class A Shares are .30% of the average daily
net assets of such Class. See Distribution (12b-1) and Service under Management
of the Fund.
++"Other Operating Expenses" and "Total Operating Expenses" for the Class A
Shares, the Class B Shares and the Class C Shares are based on estimated
expenses expected to be incurred during the first full fiscal year of the
Classes, after giving effect to the voluntary expense waiver. The Manager has
elected voluntarily to waive that portion, if any, of the annual management fees
payable by the Strategic Income Fund and to pay certain expenses of the Fund to
the extent necessary to ensure that the Total Operating Expenses of each Class
of the Fund, excluding each such Class' 12b-1 fees, do not exceed 0.75%, during
the commencement of the public offering of the Classes through June 30, 1997. If
the voluntary expense waivers were not in effect, it is estimated that the Total
Operating Expenses, as a percentage of average daily net assets, would be 1.48%,
2.23%, and 2.23%, respectively, for the Class A Shares', the Class B Shares' and
the Class C Shares' first full fiscal year, reflecting management fees of 0.65%.
For expense information about the Strategic Income Fund Institutional
Class of shares, see the separate prospectus relating to that class.
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The following example illustrates the expenses that an investor would
pay on a $1,000 investment over various time periods, assuming (1) a 5% annual
rate of return, (2) redemption and no redemption at the end of each time period
and (3) for Class B Shares and Class C Shares, payment of a CDSC at the time of
redemption, if applicable.
Assuming Redemption Assuming No Redemption
1 year 3 years 1 year 3 years
------ ------- ------ -------
Class A Shares $57(1) $78 $57 $78
Class B Shares(2) $58 $85 $18 $55
Class C Shares $28 $55 $18 $55
(1) Generally, no redemption charge is assessed upon redemption of Class A
Shares. Under certain circumstances, however, a Limited CDSC, which has
not been reflected in this calculation, may be imposed on certain
redemptions within 12 months of purchase. See Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares Purchased at Net Asset
Value under Redemption and Exchange.
(2) At the end of approximately eight years after purchase, Class B Shares
will be automatically converted into Class A Shares. The example above
does not assume conversion of Class B Shares since it reflects figures
only for one and three years. See Automatic Conversion of Class B
Shares under Classes of Shares for a description of the automatic
conversion feature.
This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or performance. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those
shown.
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
SUITABILITY
The Fund may be suitable for the investor interested in high current
income and total return which, in part, is derived from such income. The net
asset value per share of each Class may fluctuate in response to the condition
of individual companies and general market and economic conditions and, as a
result, the Fund is not appropriate for a short-term investor. The Fund cannot
assure a specific rate of return or that principal will be protected. However,
through the cautious selection and supervision of its portfolio, the Manager and
the Sub-Adviser will strive to achieve the Fund's objective.
The types of securities in which the Fund may invest are subject to
price fluctuations particularly due to changes in interest rates and economic
conditions. Investors should consider asset value fluctuation, as well as yield,
in making an investment decision. While investments in unrated, lower-rated and
certain restricted securities have the potential for higher yields, they are
more speculative and increase the credit risk of the Fund's portfolio. Changes
in the market value of portfolio securities will not affect interest income from
such securities, but will be reflected in a Class' net asset value. In addition,
investments in foreign fixed-income securities involve special risks, including
those related to currency fluctuations, as well as to political, economic and
social situations different from and potentially more volatile than those in the
United States. Investors should be willing to accept the risks, including the
risk of net asset value fluctuations, associated with investing in these types
of securities. See Special Risk Considerations and Other Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations for a complete discussion of the risk factors affecting the
Fund's portfolio securities.
Ownership of Strategic Income Fund shares can reduce the bookkeeping
and administrative inconveniences that would be connected with direct purchases
of the types of securities in which the Fund invests.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The objective of the Fund is to seek to provide investors with high
current income and total return. The Manager will seek to achieve this objective
by allocating the Fund's investments principally among the following three
sectors of the fixed-income securities markets:
o a High-Yield Sector, consisting of high-yielding, lower-rated or
unrated fixed-income securities issued by U.S. companies;
o an Investment Grade Sector, consisting of investment grade debt
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities, or by U.S. companies; and
o an International Sector, consisting of obligations of foreign
governments, their agencies and instrumentalities, and other
fixed-income securities of issuers in foreign countries and
denominated in foreign currencies.
The Manager will determine the amount of assets of the Fund that will
be allocated to each of the three sectors in which the Fund will invest, based
on its analysis of economic and market conditions and its assessment of the
returns and potential for appreciation that can be achieved from investment in
each of
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the three sectors. The Manager will periodically reallocate the Fund's assets as
it deems necessary, and as little as 20% and as much as 60% of the Fund's assets
among sectors may be invested in each fixed-income sector. In addition, the Fund
may invest up to 10% of its assets in U.S. equity securities.
Domestic High-Yield Sector
The Manager will invest the Fund's assets that are allocated to the
domestic high-yield sector primarily in those securities having a liberal and
consistent yield and those tending to reduce the risk of market fluctuations.
The Fund may invest in domestic corporate debt obligations, including, corporate
notes (including convertible notes), units consisting of bonds with stock or
warrants to buy stock attached, debentures, convertible debentures, zero coupon
bonds and pay-in-kind securities ("PIKs"). See Zero Coupon Bonds and Pay-In-Kind
Bonds under Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations. The Fund may also
purchase preferred stock and convertible preferred stock.
The Fund will invest in both rated and unrated bonds. The rated bonds
that the Fund may purchase in this sector of its portfolio will generally be
rated BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Fitch Investors
Service, Inc. ("Fitch"), Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's"), or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical
rating organization. See Appendix B to this Prospectus for more rating
information and High-Yield Securities under Special Risk Considerations for a
description of the risks associated with investing in lower-rated fixed-income
securities. Unrated bonds may be more speculative in nature than rated bonds.
Investment Grade Sector
In managing the Fund's assets allocated to the investment grade sector,
the Manager will invest primarily in debt obligations issued or guaranteed by
the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and by U.S. corporations.
The corporate debt obligations in which the Fund may invest include bonds,
notes, debentures and commercial paper of U.S. companies.
The U.S. government securities in which the Fund may invest include a
variety of securities which are issued or guaranteed as to the payment of
principal and interest by the U.S. government, and by various agencies or
instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the U.S.
government. See U.S. Government Securities under Other Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations for a discussion of these types of securities.
The investment grade sector of the Fund's portfolio may also be
invested in mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities or by government sponsored
corporations. See Mortgage-Backed Securities under Other Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations for a discussion of these types of securities. Other
mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest are issued by certain
private, non-government entities. Two principal types of mortgage-backed
securities are collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and real estate
mortgage investment conduits (REMICs). See CMOs and REMICs under Other
Investment Polices and Risk Considerations for a discussion of these types of
mortgage-backed securities.
Subject to the quality limitations set forth in this Prospectus, the
Fund may also invest in securities which are backed by assets such as
receivables on home equity and credit card loans, and receivables regarding
automobile, mobile home, recreational vehicle and other loans, wholesale dealer
floor plans and leases. See Asset-Backed Securities under Other Investment
Policies and Risk Considerations. The Fund may also invest in futures contracts
and options on futures contracts subject to certain limitations. See Futures
under Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations.
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Securities purchased by the Fund within the investment grade sector
will be rated in one of the four highest rating categories or will be unrated
securities that are of comparable quality as determined by the Manager. The four
highest rating categories are AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P and Fitch, or Aaa, Aa, A
or Baa by Moody's. Debt securities within the top three categories comprise what
are known as high-grade bonds and are regarded as having a strong capacity to
pay principal and interest. Securities in the fourth category, known as
medium-grade bonds, are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay principal
and interest but with greater vulnerability to adverse economic conditions and
speculative characteristics. See Appendix B to this Prospectus for more rating
information.
International Sector
The Sub-Adviser will invest the assets of the Fund that are allocated
to the international sector primarily in fixed-income securities of issuers
organized or having a majority of their assets or deriving a majority of their
operating income in foreign countries. These fixed-income securities include
foreign government securities, debt obligations of foreign companies, and
securities issued by supranational entities.
A supranational entity is an entity established or financially
supported by the national governments of one or more countries to promote
reconstruction or development. Examples of supranational entities include, among
others, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (more commonly
known as the World Bank), the European Economic Community, the European Coal and
Steel Community, the European Investment Bank, the Inter-Development Bank, the
Export-Import Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
The Fund may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary
Receipts, European Depositary Receipts, or Global Depositary Receipts
("Depositary Receipts"). Depositary Receipts are receipts typically issued by a
bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued
by a foreign corporation. "Sponsored" Depositary Receipts are issued jointly by
the issuer of the underlying security and a depository, and "unsponsored"
Depositary Receipts are issued without the participation of the issuer of the
deposited security. The Fund may also invest in Brady Bonds, which are described
more fully under Foreign Securities in the Special Risk Considerations section
of this Prospectus. The Fund may also invest in zero coupon bonds and may
purchase shares of other investment companies. See Zero Coupon Bonds and
Pay-In-Kind Bonds and Investment Company Securities under Other Investment
Polices and Risk Considerations.
The Fund may invest in securities issued in any currency and may hold
foreign currencies. Securities of issuers within a given country may be
denominated in the currency of another country or in multinational currency
units, such as the European Currency Unit. The Fund will, from time to time,
purchase or sell foreign currencies and/or engage in forward foreign currency
transactions in order to expedite settlement of Fund transactions and to
minimize currency value fluctuations. See Other Investment Policies and Risk
Considerations for a further description of the Fund's foreign currency
transactions.
While the Fund may purchase securities of issuers in any foreign
country, developed and underdeveloped, no more than 15% of the Fund's assets may
be invested in direct obligations of issuers located in emerging market
countries. See Emerging Market Securities under Special Risk Considerations.
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The Fund will invest in both rated and unrated foreign securities. The
rated securities that the Fund may purchase in the international sector of its
portfolio may include those rated BBB or lower by S&P or Fitch, Baa or lower by
Moody's, or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating
organization. See Appendix B to this Prospectus for more rating information and
Foreign Securities and High-Yield Securities under Special Risk Considerations
for a description of the risks associated with investing in foreign securities
and lower-rated fixed-income securities.
Equity Sector
Up to 10% of the Fund's assets may be invested in U.S. equity
securities. Such investments may include common stocks, preferred stocks
(including adjustable rate preferred stocks) and other equity securities, such
as convertible securities and warrants, which may be used to create other
permissible investments. Such investments must be consistent with the Fund's
objective of high current income and total return. In addition, the Fund may
invest in shares or convertible bonds of real estate investment trusts
("REITs"). See REITs under Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations for
a discussion of these types of securities.
In managing the Fund's assets allocated to the U.S. equity sector, the
Manager may invest in securities that are rated and unrated. The securities may
include those rated BBB or lower by S&P or Fitch, Baa or lower by Moody's or
similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating
organization. See Appendix B to this Prospectus for more rating information and
High-Yield Securities under Special Risk Considerations for a description of the
risks associated with investing in lower-rated securities.
* * *
For a description of the Fund's other investment policies and for a
further description of some of the policies described above, see Other
Investment Policies and Risk Considerations.
In unusual market conditions, in order to meet redemption requests, for
temporary defensive purposes, and pending investment, the Fund may hold a
substantial portion of its assets in cash or short-term fixed-income
obligations. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements, but it normally does
so only to invest cash balances. The Fund is permitted to borrow money.
Although the Fund will constantly strive to attain its objective, there
can be no assurance that it will be attained.
The Fund's investment objective, and its designation as an open-end
investment company and as a diversified fund, may not be changed unless
authorized by the vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities. A "majority vote of the outstanding voting securities" is the vote
by the holders of the lesser of a) 67% or more of the Fund's voting securities
present in person or represented by proxy if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy;
or b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities. Part B lists other
more specific investment restrictions of the Fund which may not be changed
without a majority shareholder vote.
The remaining investment policies of the Fund not identified above or
in Part B as fundamental are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of
Directors of Income Funds, Inc. without a shareholder vote.
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SPECIAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Generally
The Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in fixed-income
securities. The market values of fixed-income securities generally fall when
interest rates rise and, conversely, rise when interest rates fall. Lower-rated
and unrated fixed-income securities tend to reflect short-term corporate and
market developments to a greater extent than higher-rated fixed-income
securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of
interest rates. These lower-rated or unrated securities generally have higher
yields, but, as a result of factors such as reduced creditworthiness of issuers,
increased risk of default and a more limited and less liquid secondary market,
are subject to greater volatility and risk of loss of income and principal than
are higher-rated securities. The Manager will attempt to reduce such risk
through sector allocation, portfolio diversification, credit analysis, and
attention to trends in the economy, industries and financial markets.
High-Yield Securities
The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in bonds and
other securities rated BBB or lower by S&P or Fitch, Baa or lower by Moody's, or
similarly rated by another rating organization, and in unrated corporate bonds.
See Appendix B to this Prospectus for more rating information. Investing in
these so-called "junk" bonds or "high-yield" securities entails certain risks,
including the risk of loss of principal, which may be greater than the risks
involved in investment grade securities, and which should be considered by
investors contemplating an investment in the Fund. High-yield bonds are
sometimes issued by companies whose earnings at the time of issuance are less
than the projected debt service on the junk bonds. In addition to the
considerations discussed elsewhere in this Prospectus, those risks include the
following:
Youth and Volatility of the High-Yield Market. Although the market for
high-yield bonds has been in existence for many years, including periods of
economic downturns, the high-yield market grew rapidly during the long economic
expansion which took place in the United States during the 1980s. During that
economic expansion, the use of high-yield debt securities to fund highly
leveraged corporate acquisitions and restructurings increased dramatically. As a
result, the high-yield market grew substantially during that economic expansion.
Although experts disagree on the impact recessionary periods have had and will
have on the high-yield market, some analysts believe a protracted economic
downturn would severely disrupt the market for high-yield bonds, would adversely
affect the value of outstanding bonds and would adversely affect the ability of
high-yield issuers to repay principal and interest. Those analysts cite
volatility experienced in the high-yield market in the past as evidence for
their position. It is likely that protracted periods of economic uncertainty
would result in increased volatility in the market prices of high-yield bonds,
an increase in the number of high-yield bond defaults and corresponding
volatility in a Class' net asset value.
Redemptions. If, as a result of volatility in the high-yield market or other
factors, the Fund experiences substantial net redemptions of the Fund's shares
for a sustained period of time (i.e., more shares of the Fund are redeemed than
are purchased), the Fund may be required to sell certain of its high-yield
securities without regard to the investment merits of the securities to be sold.
If the Fund sells a substantial number of securities to generate proceeds for
redemptions, the asset base of the Fund will decrease and the Fund's expense
ratios may increase.
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<PAGE>
Liquidity and Valuation. The secondary market for high-yield securities is
currently dominated by institutional investors, including mutual funds, and
certain financial institutions. There is generally no established retail
secondary market for high-yield securities. As a result, the secondary market
for high-yield securities is more limited and less liquid than other secondary
securities markets. The high-yield secondary market is particularly susceptible
to liquidity problems when the institutions that dominate it temporarily cease
buying bonds for regulatory, financial or other reasons, such as the savings and
loan crisis. A less liquid secondary market may have an adverse effect on the
Fund's ability to dispose of particular issues, when necessary, to meet the
Fund's liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as the
deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. In addition, a less liquid
secondary market makes it more difficult for the Fund to obtain precise
valuations of the high-yield securities in its portfolio. During periods
involving such liquidity problems, judgment plays a greater role in valuing
high-yield securities than is normally the case. The secondary market for
high-yield securities is also generally considered to be more likely to be
disrupted by adverse publicity and investor perceptions than the more
established secondary securities markets. The privately placed high-yield
securities that the Fund may purchase are particularly susceptible to the
liquidity and valuation risks outlined above.
Foreign Securities
The Fund has the ability to purchase debt securities in any foreign
country. Investors should consider carefully the substantial risks involved in
investing in securities issued by companies and governments of foreign nations.
These risks are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments.
There is the possibility of expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory
taxation, taxation of income earned in foreign nations or other taxes imposed
with respect to investments in foreign nations, foreign exchange controls (which
may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given
country), default in foreign government securities, political or social
instability or diplomatic developments which could affect investments in
securities of issuers in those nations.
In addition, in many countries, there is substantially less publicly
available information about issuers than is available in reports about companies
in the United States. Foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards, and auditing practices and
requirements may not be comparable to those applicable to United States
companies. Consequently, financial data about foreign companies may not
accurately reflect the real condition of those issuers and securities markets.
Further, the Fund may encounter difficulty or be unable to pursue legal
remedies and obtain judgments in foreign courts. Commission rates on securities
transactions in foreign countries, which are sometimes fixed rather than subject
to negotiation as in the United States, are likely to be higher. Further, the
settlement period of securities transactions in foreign markets may be longer
than in domestic markets, and may be subject to administrative uncertainties. In
many foreign countries, there is less government supervision and regulation of
business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies
than in the United States, and capital requirements for brokerage firms are
generally lower. The foreign securities markets of many of the countries in
which the Fund may invest may also be smaller, less liquid and subject to
greater price volatility than those in the United States.
Emerging Market Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its assets
in the debt securities of issuers located in emerging market nations. Compared
to the United States and other developed countries, emerging countries may have
volatile social conditions, relatively unstable governments and political
systems, economies based on only a few industries and economic structures that
are less diverse and
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<PAGE>
mature, and securities markets that trade a small number of securities, which
can result in a low or nonexistent volume of trading. Prices in these securities
markets tend to be volatile and, in the past, securities in these countries have
offered greater potential for gain (as well as loss) than securities of
companies located in developed countries. Until recently, there has been an
absence of a capital market structure or market-oriented economy in certain
emerging countries. Further, investments and opportunities for investments by
foreign investors are subject to a variety of national policies and restrictions
in many emerging countries. Also, the repatriation of both investment income and
capital from several foreign countries is restricted and controlled under
certain regulations, including, in some cases, the need for certain governmental
consents. Countries such as those in which the Fund may invest have historically
experienced and may continue to experience, substantial, and in some periods
extremely high rates of inflation for many years, high interest rates, exchange
rate fluctuations or currency depreciation, large amounts of external debt,
balance of payments and trade difficulties and extreme poverty and unemployment.
Other factors which may influence the ability or willingness to service debt
include, but are not limited to, a country's cash flow situation, the
availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the
relative size of its debt service burden to the economy as a whole, its
government's policy towards the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and
other international agencies and the political constraints to which a government
debtor may be subject.
Brady Bonds. Among the foreign fixed-income securities in which the
Fund may invest are Brady Bonds. Brady Bonds are debt securities issued under
the framework of the Brady Plan, an initiative announced by former U.S. Treasury
Secretary Nicholas F. Brady in 1989 as a mechanism for debtor nations to
restructure their outstanding external indebtedness (generally commercial bank
debt). In so restructuring its external debt, a debtor nation negotiates with
its existing bank lenders, as well as multilateral institutions such as the
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to exchange its commercial bank
debt for newly issued bonds (Brady Bonds). The Sub-Adviser believes that
economic reforms undertaken by countries in connection with the issuance of
Brady Bonds make the debt of countries which have issued or have announced plans
to issue Brady Bonds an attractive opportunity for investment. Investors,
however, should recognize that the Brady Plan only sets forth general guiding
principles for economic reform and debt reduction, emphasizing that solutions
must be negotiated on a case-by-case basis between debtor nations and their
creditors. In addition, Brady Bonds have been issued only recently and,
accordingly, do not have a long payment history.
Foreign Government Securities. With respect to investment in debt
issues of foreign governments, including Brady Bonds, the ability of a foreign
government or government-related issuer to make timely and ultimate payments on
its external debt obligations will also be strongly influenced by the issuer's
balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international
credits and investments, fluctuations in interest rates and the extent of its
foreign reserves. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities
or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to
fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. If foreign
government or government-related issuers cannot generate sufficient earnings
from foreign trade to service its external debt, they may need to depend on
continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks and
multilateral organizations, and inflows of foreign investment. The commitment on
the part of these foreign governments, multilateral organizations and others to
make such disbursements may be conditioned on the government's implementation of
economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of its
obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic
performance or repay principal or interest when due may curtail the willingness
of such third parties to lend funds, which may further impair the issuer's
ability or willingness to service its debts in a timely
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<PAGE>
manner. The cost of servicing external debt will also generally be adversely
affected by rising international interest rates because many external debt
obligations bear interest at rates which are adjusted based upon international
interest rates. The ability to service external debt will also depend on the
level of the relevant government's international currency reserves and its
access to foreign exchange. Currency devaluations may affect the ability of a
government issuer to obtain sufficient foreign exchange to service its external
debt. If a foreign governmental issuer defaults on its obligations, the Fund may
have limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor.
See Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations for a further
description of certain risks associated with certain of the Fund's investments,
including the risks associated with engaging in foreign currency transactions
and options.
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THE DELAWARE DIFFERENCE
PLANS AND SERVICES
The Delaware Difference is our commitment to provide you with superior
information and quality service on your investments in the Delaware Group of
funds.
SHAREHOLDER PHONE DIRECTORY
Investor Information Center
800-523-4640
Fund Information, Literature Price, Yield and Performance Figures
Shareholder Service Center
800-523-1918
Information on Existing Regular Investment Accounts and Retirement
Plan Accounts, Wire Investments, Wire Liquidations, Telephone
Liquidations and Telephone Exchanges
Delaphone
800-362-FUND
(800-362-3863)
Performance Information
You can call the Investor Information Center at any time for current
yield information. Current yield and total return information may also be
included in advertisements and information given to shareholders. Yields are
computed on an annual basis over a 30-day period.
Shareholder Services
During business hours, you can call the Delaware Group's Shareholder
Service Center. Our representatives can answer any questions about your account,
the Fund, various service features and other funds in the Delaware Group.
Delaphone Service
Delaphone is an account inquiry service for investors with
Touch-Tone(R) phone service. It enables you to get information on your account
faster than the mailed statements and confirmations. Delaphone also provides
current performance information on the Fund, as well as other funds in the
Delaware Group. Delaphone is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
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Dividend Payments
Dividends, capital gains and other distributions are automatically
reinvested in your account, unless you elect to receive them in cash. You may
also elect to have the dividends earned in one fund automatically invested in
another Delaware Group fund with a different investment objective, subject to
certain exceptions and limitations.
For more information, see Additional Methods of Adding to Your
Investment - Dividend Reinvestment Plan under How to Buy Shares or call the
Shareholder Service Center.
MoneyLine Direct Deposit Service
If you elect to have your dividends and distributions paid in cash and
such dividends and distributions are in an amount of $25 or more, you may choose
the MoneyLine Direct Deposit Service and have such payments transferred from
your Fund account to your predesignated bank account. See Dividends and
Distributions. In addition, you may elect to have your Systematic Withdrawal
Plan payments transferred from your Fund account to your predesignated bank
account through this service. See Systematic Withdrawal Plans under Redemption
and Exchange. Your funds will normally be credited to your bank account two
business days after the payment date. There are no fees for this service. You
can initiate the MoneyLine Direct Deposit Service by completing an Authorization
Agreement. If your name and address are not identical to the name and address on
your Fund account, you must have your signature guaranteed. This service is not
available for retirement plans.
Statements and Confirmations
You will receive quarterly statements of your account summarizing all
transactions during the period. A confirmation statement will be sent following
all transactions other than those involving a reinvestment of dividends. You
should examine statements and confirmations immediately and promptly report any
discrepancy by calling the Shareholder Service Center.
Duplicate Confirmations
If your financial adviser or investment dealer is noted on your
investment application, we will send a duplicate confirmation to him or her.
This makes it easier for your adviser to help you manage your investments.
Tax Information
Each year, Income Funds, Inc. will mail to you information on the tax
status of your dividends and distributions.
Right of Accumulation
With respect to Class A Shares, the Right of Accumulation feature
allows you to combine the value of your current holdings of Class A Shares,
Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund with the dollar amount of new
purchases of Class A Shares of the Fund to qualify for a reduced front-end sales
charge on such purchases of Class A Shares. Under the Combined Purchases
Privilege, you may also include certain shares that you own in other funds in
the Delaware Group. See Classes of Shares.
Letter of Intention
The Letter of Intention feature permits you to obtain a reduced
front-end sales charge on purchases of Class A Shares by aggregating certain of
your purchases of Delaware Group fund shares over a 13-month period. See
Classes of Shares and Part B.
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<PAGE>
12-Month Reinvestment Privilege
The 12-Month Reinvestment Privilege permits you to reinvest proceeds
from a redemption of Class A Shares, within one year of the date of the
redemption, without paying a front-end sales charge. See Part B.
Exchange Privilege
The Exchange Privilege permits shareholders to exchange all or part of
their shares into shares of the other funds in the Delaware Group, subject to
certain exceptions and limitations. For additional information on exchanges, see
Investing by Exchange under How to Buy Shares and Redemption and Exchange.
Wealth Builder Option
You may elect to invest in the Fund through regular liquidations of
shares in your accounts in other funds in the Delaware Group. Investments under
this feature are exchanges and are therefore subject to the same conditions and
limitations as other exchanges of Fund shares. See Additional Methods of Adding
to Your Investment - Wealth Builder Option and Investing by Exchange under How
to Buy Shares, and Redemption and Exchange.
Delaware Group Asset Planner
Delaware Group Asset Planner is an asset allocation service that gives
investors, working with a professional financial adviser, the ability to more
easily design and maintain investments in a diversified selection of Delaware
Group mutual funds. The Asset Planner service offers a choice of four
predesigned allocation strategies (each with a different risk/reward profile)
made up of separate investments in predetermined percentages of Delaware Group
funds. With the guidance of a financial adviser, investors may also tailor an
allocation strategy that meets their personal needs and goals. See How to Buy
Shares.
Financial Information about the Fund
Each fiscal year, you will receive an audited annual report and an
unaudited semi-annual report. These reports provide detailed information about
the Fund's investments and performance. Income Funds, Inc.'s fiscal year ends
on July 31.
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RETIREMENT PLANNING
An investment in the Fund may be suitable for tax-deferred retirement
plans. Among the retirement plans noted below, Class B Shares are available for
investment only by Individual Retirement Accounts, Simplified Employee Pension
Plans, 457 Deferred Compensation Plans and 403(b)(7) Deferred
Compensation Plans.
Retirement plans may be subject to plan establishment fees, annual
maintenance fees and/or other administrative or trustee fees. Fees are based
upon the number of participants in the plan as well as the services selected.
Additional information about fees is included in retirement plan materials. Fees
are quoted upon request. Certain shareholder investment services available to
non-retirement plan shareholders may not be available to retirement plan
shareholders. Certain retirement plans may qualify to purchase the Strategic
Income Fund Institutional Class. For additional information on any of the plans
and Delaware's retirement services, call the Shareholder Service Center or see
Part B.
Individual Retirement Account ("IRA")
Individuals, even if they participate in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan, may establish their own retirement program for investments in
each of the Classes. Contributions to an IRA may be tax-deductible and earnings
are tax-deferred. Under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the tax deductibility of IRA
contributions is restricted, and in some cases eliminated, for individuals who
participate in certain employer-sponsored retirement plans and whose annual
income exceeds certain limits. Existing IRAs and future contributions up to the
IRA maximums, whether deductible or not, still earn on a tax-deferred basis.
Simplified Employee Pension Plan ("SEP/IRA")
A SEP/IRA may be established by an employer who wishes to sponsor a
tax-sheltered retirement program by making contributions on behalf of all
eligible employees. Each of the Classes is available for investment by a
SEP/IRA.
Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension Plan ("SAR/SEP")
Offers employers with 25 or fewer eligible employees the ability to
establish a SEP/IRA that permits salary deferral contributions. An employer may
also elect to make additional contributions to this plan. Class B Shares are not
available for purchase by such plans.
403(b)(7) Deferred Compensation Plan
Permits employees of public school systems or of certain types of
non-profit organizations to enter into a deferred compensation arrangement for
the purchase of shares of each of the Classes.
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Permits employees of state and local governments and certain other
entities to enter into a deferred compensation arrangement for the purchase of
shares of each of the Classes.
Prototype Profit Sharing or Money Purchase Pension Plan
Offers self-employed individuals, partnerships and corporations a
tax-qualified plan which provides for the investment of contributions in Class A
Shares or Class C Shares. Class B Shares are not available for purchase by such
plans.
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Prototype 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan
Permits employers to establish a tax-qualified plan based on salary
deferral contributions for investment in Class A or Class C Shares. Class B
Shares are not available for purchase by such plans.
Allied Plans
Class A Shares are available for purchase by participants in certain
401(k) Defined Contribution Plans ("Allied Plans") which are made available
under a joint venture agreement between the Distributor and another institution
through which mutual funds are marketed and which allow investments in Class A
Shares of designated Delaware Group funds ("eligible Delaware Group fund
shares"), as well as shares of designated classes of non-Delaware Group funds
("eligible non-Delaware Group fund shares"). Class B Shares and Class C Shares
are not eligible for purchase by Allied Plans.
With respect to purchases made in connection with an Allied Plan, the
value of eligible Delaware Group and eligible non-Delaware Group fund shares
held by the Allied Plan may be combined with the dollar amount of new purchases
by that Allied Plan to obtain a reduced front-end sales charge on additional
purchases of eligible Delaware Group fund shares. See Front-End Sales Charge
Alternative - Class A Shares under Classes of Shares.
Participants in Allied Plans may exchange all or part of their eligible
Delaware Group fund shares for other eligible Delaware Group fund shares or for
eligible non-Delaware Group fund shares at net asset value without payment of a
front-end sales charge. However, exchanges of eligible fund shares, both
Delaware Group and non-Delaware Group, which were not subject to a front-end
sales charge, will be subject to the applicable sales charge if exchanged for
eligible Delaware Group fund shares to which a sales charge applies. No sales
charge will apply if the eligible fund shares were previously acquired through
the exchange of eligible shares on which a sales charge was already paid or
through the reinvestment of dividends. See Investing by Exchange.
A dealer's commission may be payable on purchases of eligible Delaware
Group fund shares under an Allied Plan. In determining a financial adviser's
eligibility for a dealer's commission on net asset value purchases of eligible
Delaware Group fund shares in connection with Allied Plans, all participant
holdings in the Allied Plan will be aggregated. See Front-End Sales Charge
Alternative - Class A Shares under Classes of Shares.
The Limited CDSC is applicable to redemptions of net asset value
purchases from an Allied Plan on which a dealer's commission has been paid.
Waivers of the Limited CDSC, as described under Waiver of Limited Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge - Class A Shares under Redemption and Exchange, apply to
redemptions by participants in Allied Plans except in the case of exchanges
between eligible Delaware Group and non-Delaware Group fund shares. When
eligible Delaware Group fund shares are exchanged into eligible non-Delaware
Group fund shares, the Limited CDSC will be imposed at the time of the exchange,
unless the joint venture agreement specifies that the amount of the Limited CDSC
will be paid by the financial adviser or selling dealer. See Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares Purchased at Net Asset
Value under Redemption and Exchange.
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<PAGE>
CLASSES OF SHARES
Alternative Purchase Arrangements
Shares may be purchased at a price equal to the next determined net
asset value per share, subject to a sales charge which may be imposed, at the
election of the purchaser, at the time of the purchase for Class A Shares
("front-end sales charge alternative"), or on a contingent deferred basis for
Class B Shares ("deferred sales charge alternative") or Class C Shares ("level
sales charge alternative").
Class A Shares. An investor who elects the front-end sales charge
alternative acquires Class A Shares, which incur a sales charge when they are
purchased, but generally are not subject to any sales charge when they are
redeemed. Class A Shares are subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to a
maximum of .30% (currently, no more than .25% pursuant to Board action) of
average daily net assets of such shares. Certain purchases of Class A Shares
qualify for reduced front-end sales charges. See Front-End Sales Charge
Alternative - Class A Shares. See also Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for
Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares Purchased at Net Asset Value under
Redemption and Exchange and Distribution (12b-1) and Service under Management of
the Fund.
Class B Shares. An investor who elects the deferred sales charge
alternative acquires Class B Shares, which do not incur a front-end sales charge
when they are purchased, but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
if they are redeemed within six years of purchase. Class B Shares are subject to
annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to a maximum of 1% (.25% of which are service
fees to be paid to the Distributor, dealers or others for providing personal
service and/or maintaining shareholder accounts) of average daily net assets of
such shares for approximately eight years after purchase. Class B Shares permit
all of the investor's dollars to work from the time the investment is made. The
higher 12b-1 Plan expenses paid by Class B Shares will cause such shares to
have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends than Class A Shares. At
the end of approximately eight years after purchase, the Class B Shares will
automatically be converted into Class A Shares. See Automatic Conversion of
Class B Shares, below.
Class C Shares. An investor who elects the level sales charge
alternative acquires Class C Shares, which do not incur a front-end sales charge
when they are purchased, but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
if they are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class C Shares are subject to
annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to a maximum of 1% (.25% of which are service
fees to be paid to the Distributor, dealers or others for providing personal
service and/or maintaining shareholder accounts) of average daily net assets of
such shares for the life of the investment. The higher 12b-1 Plan expenses paid
by Class C Shares will cause such shares to have a higher expense ratio and to
pay lower dividends than Class A Shares. Unlike Class B Shares, Class C Shares
do not convert to another class.
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The alternative purchase arrangements described above permit investors
to choose the method of purchasing shares that is most suitable given the amount
of their purchase, the length of time they expect to hold their shares and other
relevant circumstances. Investors should determine whether, given their
particular circumstances, it is more advantageous to purchase Class A Shares and
incur a front-end sales charge, purchase Class B Shares and have the entire
initial purchase amount invested in the Fund with their investment being subject
to a CDSC if they redeem shares within six years of purchase, or purchase Class
C Shares and have the entire initial purchase amount invested in the Fund with
their investment being subject to a CDSC if they redeem shares within 12 months
of purchase. In addition, investors should consider the level of annual 12b-1
Plan expenses applicable to each Class. In comparing Class B Shares to Class C
Shares, investors should also consider the desirability of an automatic
conversion feature, which is available only for Class B Shares.
As an illustration, investors who qualify for significantly reduced
front-end sales charges on purchases of Class A Shares, as described below,
might choose the front-end sales charge alternative because similar sales charge
reductions are not available for purchases under either the deferred sales
charge alternative or the level sales charge alternative. Moreover, shares
acquired under the front-end sales charge alternative are subject to annual
12b-1 Plan expenses of up to .30% (currently, no more than .25% pursuant to
Board action), whereas Class B Shares acquired under the deferred sales charge
alternative are subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to 1% for
approximately eight years after purchase (see Automatic Conversion of Class B
Shares) and Class C Shares acquired under the level sales charge alternative are
subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to 1% for the life of the
investment. However, because front-end sales charges are deducted from the
purchase amount at the time of purchase, investors who buy Class A Shares would
not have their full purchase amount invested in the Fund.
Other investors might determine it to be more advantageous to purchase
Class B Shares and have all their money invested initially, even though they
would be subject to a CDSC for up to six years after purchase and annual 12b-1
Plan expenses of up to 1% until the shares are automatically converted into
Class A Shares. Still other investors might determine it to be more advantageous
to purchase Class C Shares and have all of their funds invested initially,
recognizing that they would be subject to a CDSC for just 12 months after
purchase, but that Class C Shares do not offer a conversion feature, so their
shares would be subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to 1% for the life
of the investment. The higher 12b-1 Plan expenses on Class B Shares and Class C
Shares will be offset to the extent a return is realized on the additional money
initially invested upon the purchase of such shares. However, there can be no
assurance as to the return, if any, that will be realized on such additional
money.
Prospective investors should refer to Appendix A--Investment
Illustrations in this Prospectus for an illustration of the potential effect
that each of the purchase options may have on a long-term shareholder's
investment.
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For the distribution and related services provided to, and the expenses
borne on behalf of, the Fund, the Distributor and others will be paid, in the
case of the Class A Shares, from the proceeds of the front-end sales charge and
12b-1 Plan fees and, in the case of the Class B Shares and the Class C Shares,
from the proceeds of the 12b-1 Plan fees and, if applicable, the CDSC incurred
upon redemption. Financial advisers may receive different compensation for
selling Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. Investors should understand that
the purpose and function of the respective 12b-1 Plans and the CDSCs applicable
to Class B Shares and Class C Shares are the same as those of the 12b-1 Plan and
the front-end sales charge applicable to Class A Shares in that such fees and
charges are used to finance the distribution of the respective Classes. See
12b-1 Distribution Plans - Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.
Dividends paid on Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, to the extent
any dividends are paid, will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time,
on the same day and will be in the same amount, except that the additional
amount of 12b-1 Plan expenses relating to Class B Shares and Class C Shares will
be borne exclusively by such shares. See Calculation of Offering Price and Net
Asset Value Per Share.
The NASD has adopted certain rules relating to investment company sales
charges. Income Funds, Inc. and the Distributor intend to operate in compliance
with these rules.
Front-End Sales Charge Alternative - Class A Shares
Class A Shares may be purchased at the offering price, which reflects a
maximum front-end sales charge of 4.75%. See Calculation of Offering Price and
Net Asset Value Per Share.
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Purchases of $100,000 or more carry a reduced front-end sales charge
as shown in the following table.
Strategic Income Fund A Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dealer's
Front-End Sales Charge Commission***
as % of as % of
Offering Amount Offering
Amount of Purchase Price Invested** Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than $100,000 4.75% 4.91% 4.00%
$100,000 but under $250,000 3.75 3.82 3.00
$250,000 but under $500,000 2.50 2.55 2.00
$500,000 but under $1,000,000* 2.00 2.00 1.60
* There is no front-end sales charge on purchases of Class A Shares of $1
million or more but, under certain limited circumstances, a 1% Limited
CDSC may apply upon redemption of such shares.
** Based upon the initial net asset value of $5.50 per share of the Class A
Shares.
*** Financial institutions or their affiliated brokers may receive an agency
transaction fee in the percentages set forth above.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund must be notified when a sale takes place which would qualify
for the reduced front-end sales charge on the basis of previous or
current purchases. The reduced front-end sales charge will be granted
upon confirmation of the shareholder's holdings by the Fund. Such
reduced front-end sales charges are not retroactive.
From time to time, upon written notice to all of its dealers, the
Distributor may hold special promotions for specified periods during
which the Distributor may reallow to dealers up to the full amount of
the front-end sales charge shown above. In addition, certain dealers who
enter into an agreement to provide extra training and information on
Delaware Group products and services and who increase sales of Delaware
Group funds may receive an additional commission of up to .15% of the
offering price. Dealers who receive 90% or more of the sales charge may
be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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For initial purchases of Class A Shares of $1,000,000 or more, a
dealer's commission may be paid by the Distributor to financial advisers through
whom such purchases are made in accordance with the following schedule:
Dealer's Commission
-------------------
(as a percentage of
Amount of Purchase amount purchased)
------------------
Up to $2 million 1.00%
Next $1 million up to $3 million .75
Next $2 million up to $5 million .50
Amount over $5 million .25
In determining a financial adviser's eligibility for the dealer's
commission, purchases of Class A Shares of other Delaware Group funds as to
which a Limited CDSC applies may be aggregated with those of the Class A Shares
of the Fund. Financial advisers also may be eligible for a dealer's commission
in connection with certain purchases made under a Letter of Intention or
pursuant to an investor's Right of Accumulation. Financial advisers should
contact the Distributor concerning the applicability and calculation of the
dealer's commission in the case of combined purchases.
An exchange from other Delaware Group funds will not qualify for
payment of the dealer's commission, unless a dealer's commission or similar
payment has not been previously paid on the assets being exchanged. The schedule
and program for payment of the dealer's commission are subject to change or
termination at any time by the Distributor at its discretion.
Redemptions of Class A Shares purchased at net asset value may result
in the imposition of a Limited CDSC if the dealer's commission described above
was paid in connection with the purchase of those shares. See Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares Purchased at Net
Asset Value under Redemption and Exchange.
Combined Purchases Privilege
By combining your holdings of Class A Shares with your holdings of
Class B Shares and/or Class C Shares of the Fund and shares of the other funds
in the Delaware Group, except those noted below, you can reduce the front-end
sales charges on any additional purchases of Class A Shares. Shares of Delaware
Group Premium Fund, Inc. beneficially owned in connection with ownership of
variable insurance products may be combined with other Delaware Group fund
holdings. Shares of other funds that do not carry a front-end sales charge or
CDSC may not be included unless they were acquired through an exchange from a
Delaware Group fund that does carry a front-end sales charge or CDSC.
This privilege permits you to combine your purchases and holdings with
those of your spouse, your children under 21 and any trust, fiduciary or
retirement account for the benefit of such family members.
It also permits you to use these combinations under a Letter of
Intention. A Letter of Intention allows you to make purchases over a 13-month
period and qualify the entire purchase for a reduction in front-end sales
charges on Class A Shares.
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Combined purchases of $1,000,000 or more, including certain purchases
made at net asset value pursuant to a Right of Accumulation or under a Letter of
Intention, may result in the payment of a dealer's commission and the
applicability of a Limited CDSC. Investors should consult their financial
advisers or the Shareholder Service Center about the operation of these
features. See Front-End Sales Charge Alternative - Class A Shares, above.
Buying Class A Shares at Net Asset Value
Class A Shares of the Fund may be purchased at net asset value under
the Delaware Group Dividend Reinvestment Plan and, under certain circumstances,
the Exchange Privilege and the 12-Month Reinvestment Privilege. See The Delaware
Difference and Redemption and Exchange for additional information.
Purchases of Class A Shares may be made at net asset value by current
and former officers, directors and employees (and members of their families) of
the Manager, any affiliate, any of the funds in the Delaware Group, certain of
their agents and registered representatives and employees of authorized
investment dealers and by employee benefit plans for such entities. Individual
purchases, including those in retirement accounts, must be for accounts in the
name of the individual or a qualifying family member.
Purchases of Class A Shares may also be made by clients of registered
representatives of an authorized investment dealer at net asset value within 12
months after the registered representative changes employment, if the purchase
is funded by proceeds from an investment where a front-end sales charge,
contingent deferred sales charge or other sales charge has been assessed.
Purchases of Class A Shares may also be made at net asset value by bank
employees who provide services in connection with agreements between the bank
and unaffiliated brokers or dealers concerning sales of shares of Delaware Group
funds. Officers, directors and key employees of institutional clients of the
Manager or any of its affiliates may purchase Class A Shares at net asset value.
Moreover, purchases may be effected at net asset value for the benefit of the
clients of brokers, dealers and registered investment advisers affiliated with a
broker or dealer, if such broker, dealer or investment adviser has entered into
an agreement with the Distributor providing specifically for the purchase of
Class A Shares in connection with special investment products, such as wrap
accounts or similar fee based programs.
Investments in Class A Shares made by plan level and/or participant
retirement accounts that are for the purpose of repaying a loan taken from such
accounts will be made at net asset value. Loan repayments made to a Delaware
Group account in connection with loans originated from accounts previously
maintained by another investment firm will also be invested at net asset value.
Investors who held shares in any class of any Delaware Group fund as of
December 1, 1995, may currently purchase Class A Shares at net asset value
through the Delaware Group Asset Planner service if such shares are being
purchased with proceeds from the redemption of shares of a fund (other than a
money market fund) outside of the Delaware Group of funds. The Delaware Group
Asset Planner Account Registration Form and check for such a transaction should
note that the investment is being made under the "NAV/Asset Planner
Accommodation Program." Prior notice will be given should this program be
discontinued. Class A Shares may also be purchased at net asset value in an IRA
through the Delaware Group Asset Planner service if the assets being invested
are being transferred from an existing IRA held outside of the Delaware Group or
are part of a distribution received from an employer-sponsored or other
retirement plan. See Delaware Group Asset Planner under How To Buy Shares.
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<PAGE>
The Fund must be notified in advance that an investment qualifies for
purchase at net asset value.
Group Investment Plans
Group Investment Plans (e.g., SEP/IRA, SAR/SEP, Prototype Profit
Sharing, Pension and 401(k) Defined Contribution Plans) may benefit from the
reduced front-end sales charges available on the Class A Shares set forth in the
table on page ____, based on total plan assets. In addition, 403(b)(7) and 457
Retirement Plan Accounts may benefit from a reduced front-end sales charge on
Class A Shares based on the total amount invested by all participants in the
plan by satisfying the following criteria: (i) the employer for which the plan
was established has 250 or more eligible employees and the plan lists only one
broker of record, or (ii) the plan includes employer contributions and the plan
lists only one broker of record. If a company has more than one plan investing
in the Delaware Group of funds, then the total amount invested in all plans will
be aggregated to determine the applicable front-end sales charge reduction on
each purchase, both initial and subsequent, if, at the time of each such
purchase, the company notifies the Fund that it qualifies for the reduction.
Employees participating in such Group Investment Plans may also combine the
investments held in their plan account to determine the front-end sales charge
applicable to purchases in non-retirement Delaware Group investment accounts if,
at the time of each such purchase, they notify the Fund that they are eligible
to combine purchase amounts held in their plan account.
For additional information on retirement plans, including plan forms,
applications, minimum investments and any applicable account maintenance fees,
contact your investment dealer or the Distributor.
For other retirement plans and special services, see Retirement
Planning.
Deferred Sales Charge Alternative - Class B Shares
Class B Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a front-end
sales charge and, as a result, the full amount of the investor's purchase
payment will be invested in Fund shares. The Distributor currently anticipates
compensating dealers or brokers for selling Class B Shares at the time of
purchase from its own assets in an amount equal to no more than 4% of the dollar
amount purchased. In addition, from time to time, upon written notice to all of
its dealers, the Distributor may hold special promotions for specified periods
during which the Distributor may pay additional compensation to dealers or
brokers for selling Class B Shares at the time of purchase. As discussed below,
however, Class B Shares are subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses and, if
redeemed within six years of purchase, a CDSC.
Proceeds from the CDSC and the annual 12b-1 Plan fees are paid to the
Distributor and others for providing distribution and related services, and
bearing related expenses, in connection with the sale of Class B Shares. These
payments support the compensation paid to dealers or brokers for selling Class B
Shares. Payments to the Distributor and others under the Class B 12b-1 Plan may
be in an amount equal to no more than 1% annually. The combination of the CDSC
and the proceeds of the 12b-1 Plan fees makes it possible for the Fund to sell
Class B Shares without deducting a front-end sales charge at the time of
purchase.
Holders of Class B Shares who exercise the exchange privilege described
below will continue to be subject to the CDSC schedule for the Class B Shares
described in this Prospectus, even after the exchange. Such CDSC schedule may be
higher than the CDSC schedule for the Class B Shares acquired as a result of the
exchange. See Redemption and Exchange.
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<PAGE>
Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares
Class B Shares, other than shares acquired through reinvestment of
dividends, held for eight years after purchase are eligible for automatic
conversion into Class A Shares. Conversions of Class B Shares into Class A
Shares will occur only four times in any calendar year, on the last business day
of the second full week of March, June, September and December (each, a
"Conversion Date"). If the eighth anniversary after a purchase of Class B Shares
falls on a Conversion Date, an investor's Class B Shares will be converted on
that date. If the eighth anniversary occurs between Conversion Dates, an
investor's Class B Shares will be converted on the next Conversion Date after
such anniversary. Consequently, if a shareholder's eighth anniversary falls on
the day after a Conversion Date, that shareholder will have to hold Class B
Shares for as long as three additional months after the eighth anniversary of
purchase before the shares will automatically convert into Class A Shares.
Class B Shares of a fund acquired through a reinvestment of dividends
will convert to the corresponding Class A Shares of that fund (or, in the case
of Delaware Group Cash Reserve, Inc., the Delaware Cash Reserve Consultant
Class) pro-rata with Class B Shares of that fund not acquired through dividend
reinvestment.
All such automatic conversions of Class B Shares will constitute
tax-free exchanges for federal income tax purposes. See Taxes.
Level Sales Charge Alternative - Class C Shares
Class C Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a front-end
sales charge and, as a result, the Fund will invest the full amount of the
investor's purchase payment. The Distributor currently anticipates compensating
dealers or brokers for selling Class C Shares at the time of purchase from its
own assets in an amount equal to no more than 1% of the dollar amount purchased.
As discussed below, however, Class C Shares are subject to annual 12b-1 Plan
expenses and, if redeemed within 12 months of purchase, a CDSC.
Proceeds from the CDSC and the annual 12b-1 Plan fees are paid to the
Distributor and others for providing distribution and related services, and
bearing related expenses, in connection with the sale of Class C Shares. These
payments support the compensation paid to dealers or brokers for selling Class C
Shares. Payments to the Distributor and others under the Class C 12b-1 Plan may
be in an amount equal to no more than 1% annually.
Holders of Class C Shares who exercise the exchange privilege described
below will continue to be subject to the CDSC schedule for the Class C Shares
as described in this Prospectus. See Redemption and Exchange.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class B Shares and Class C Shares
Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase may be subject to
a CDSC at the rates set forth below and Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months
of purchase may be subject to a CDSC of 1%. CDSCs are charged as a percentage of
the dollar amount subject to the CDSC. The charge will be assessed on an amount
equal to the lesser of the net asset value at the time of purchase of the shares
being redeemed or the net asset value of those shares at the time of redemption.
No CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
purchase price, nor will a CDSC be assessed on redemptions of shares acquired
through reinvestments of dividends or capital gains distributions. For purposes
of this
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<PAGE>
formula, the "net asset value at the time of purchase" will be the net asset
value at purchase of the Class B Shares or the Class C Shares of the Fund, even
if those shares are later exchanged for shares of another Delaware Group fund.
In the event of an exchange of the shares, the "net asset value of such shares
at the time of redemption" will be the net asset value of the shares that were
acquired in the exchange.
The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC for the Class B
Shares of the Fund:
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge (as a
Percentage of
Dollar Amount
Year After Purchase Made Subject to Charge)
------------------------ --------------------
0-2 4%
3-4 3%
5 2%
6 1%
7 and thereafter None
During the seventh year after purchase and, thereafter, until converted
automatically into Class A Shares, Class B Shares will still be subject to the
annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to 1% of average daily net assets of those
shares. See Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares, above. Investors are
reminded that the Class A Shares into which the Class B Shares will convert are
subject to ongoing annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to a maximum of .30%
(currently, no more than .25% pursuant to Board action) of average daily net
assets of such shares.
In determining whether a CDSC applies to a redemption of Class B
Shares, it will be assumed that shares held for more than six years are redeemed
first, followed by shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or
distributions, and finally by shares held longest during the six-year period.
With respect to Class C Shares, it will be assumed that shares held for more
than 12 months are redeemed first followed by shares acquired through the
reinvestment of dividends or distributions, and finally by shares held for 12
months or less.
All investments made during a calendar month, regardless of what day of
the month the investment occurred, will age one month on the last day of that
month and each subsequent month.
The CDSC is waived on certain redemptions of Class B Shares and Class C
Shares. See Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class B Shares and
Class C Shares under Redemption and Exchange.
12b-1 Distribution Plans - Class A, Class B and Class C Shares
Under the distribution plans adopted by Income Funds, Inc. in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, Income Funds, Inc. is permitted
to pay the Distributor annual distribution fees of up to .30% (currently, no
more than .25% pursuant to Board action) of the average daily net assets of the
Class A Shares, and 1% of the average daily net assets of each of the Class B
Shares and the Class C Shares. These fees, which are payable monthly, compensate
the Distributor for providing distribution and related services and bearing
certain expenses of each Class. The 12b-1 Plans applicable to Class B Shares and
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<PAGE>
Class C Shares are designed to permit an investor to purchase these shares
through dealers or brokers without paying a front-end sales charge while
enabling the Distributor to compensate dealers and brokers for the sale of such
shares. For a more detailed discussion of the 12b-1 Plans relating to the Class
A, Class B and Class C Shares, see Distribution (12b-1) and Service under
Management of the Fund.
Other Payments to Dealers -- Class A, Class B and Class C Shares
From time to time at the discretion of the Distributor, all registered
broker/dealers whose aggregate sales of the Classes exceed certain limits, as
set by the Distributor, may receive from the Distributor an additional payment
of up to .25% of the dollar amount of such sales. The Distributor may also
provide additional promotional incentives or payments to dealers that sell
shares of the Delaware Group of funds. In some instances, these incentives or
payments may be offered only to certain dealers who maintain, have sold or may
sell certain amounts of shares.
Subject to pending amendments to the NASD's Rules of Fair Practice, in
connection with the promotion of Delaware Group fund shares, the Distributor
may, from time to time, pay to participate in dealer-sponsored seminars and
conferences, reimburse dealers for expenses incurred in connection with
preapproved seminars, conferences and advertising and may, from time to time,
pay or allow additional promotional incentives to dealers, which shall include
non-cash concessions, such as certain luxury merchandise or a trip to or
attendance at a business or investment seminar at a luxury resort, as part of
preapproved sales contests. Payment of non-cash compensation to dealers is
currently under review by the NASD and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
It is likely that the NASD's Rules of Fair Practice will be amended such that
the ability of the Distributor to pay non-cash compensation as described above
will be restricted in some fashion. The Distributor intends to comply with the
NASD's Rules of Fair Practice as they may be amended.
Classes Offered
The following funds currently offer Class A, Class B and Class C
Shares: Enterprise Fund, U.S. Growth Fund, World Growth Fund, New Pacific Fund,
Federal Bond Fund and Corporate Income Fund of Delaware Group Adviser Funds,
Inc., Delaware Group Cash Reserve, Inc., Decatur Income Fund and Decatur Total
Return Fund of Delaware Group Decatur Fund, Inc., Delaware Fund and Devon Fund
of Delaware Group Delaware Fund, Inc., Delaware Group DelCap Fund, Inc.,
International Equity Series, Global Bond Series, Global Assets Series and
Emerging Markets Series of Delaware Group Global & International Funds, Inc.,
Delaware Group Government Fund, Inc., Limited-Term Government Fund of Delaware
Group Limited-Term Government Funds, Inc., Tax-Free USA Fund, Tax-Free Insured
Fund and Tax-Free USA Intermediate Fund of Delaware Group Tax-Free Fund, Inc.,
Delaware Group Trend Fund, Inc., Delaware Group Value Fund, Inc., Delchester
Fund of Delaware Group Income Funds, Inc., DMC Tax-Free Income
Trust-Pennsylvania, and the Fund. In addition, Delaware Group Cash Reserve, Inc.
offers Consultant Class shares.
U.S. Government Money Series of Delaware Group Limited-Term Government
Funds, Inc. and Delaware Group Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc. offer only Class A and
Consultant Class shares.
Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class
In addition to offering the Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, the
Fund also offers the Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class, which is
described in a separate prospectus and is available for purchase only by certain
investors. Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class shares generally are
distributed directly by the Distributor and do not have a front-end sales
charge, a CDSC or a Limited CDSC, and are
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<PAGE>
not subject to 12b-1 Plan distribution expenses. To obtain the prospectus that
describes the Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class, contact the Distributor
by writing to the address or by calling the telephone number listed on the back
of this Prospectus.
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<PAGE>
HOW TO BUY SHARES
Purchase Amounts
Generally, the minimum initial purchase is $1,000 for Class A Shares,
Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Subsequent purchases of shares of any Class
generally must be $100 or more. For purchases under a Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act or through an Automatic Investing Plan,
there is a minimum initial purchase of $250 and a minimum subsequent purchase of
$25. Minimum purchase requirements do not apply to retirement plans other than
IRAs, for which there is a minimum initial purchase of $250, and a minimum
subsequent purchase of $25, regardless of which Class is selected.
There is a maximum purchase limitation of $250,000 on each purchase of
Class B Shares. For Class C Shares, each purchase must be in an amount that is
less than $1,000,000. An investor may exceed these maximum purchase limitations
by making cumulative purchases over a period of time. In doing so, an investor
should keep in mind that reduced front-end sales charges are available on
investments of $100,000 or more in Class A Shares, and that Class A Shares (i)
are subject to lower annual 12b-1 Plan expenses than Class B Shares and Class C
Shares and (ii) generally are not subject to a CDSC. For retirement plans, the
maximum purchase limitations apply only to the initial purchase of Class B
Shares or Class C Shares by the plan.
Investing through Your Investment Dealer
You can make a purchase of shares of the Fund through most investment
dealers who, as part of the service they provide, must transmit orders promptly.
They may charge for this service. If you want a dealer but do not have one, we
can refer you to one.
Investing by Mail
1. Initial Purchases--An Investment Application or, in the case of a retirement
account, an appropriate retirement plan application, must be completed, signed
and sent with a check payable to Strategic Income Fund A Class, Strategic Income
Fund B Class or Strategic Income Fund C Class, to 1818 Market Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19103.
2. Subsequent Purchases--Additional purchases may be made at any time by mailing
a check payable to the specific Fund and Class selected. Your check should be
identified with your name(s) and account number. An investment slip (similar to
a deposit slip) is provided at the bottom of transaction confirmations and
dividend statements that you will receive from Income Funds, Inc. Use of this
investment slip can help expedite processing of your check when making
additional purchases. Your investment may be delayed if you send additional
purchases by certified mail.
Investing by Wire
You may purchase shares by requesting your bank to transmit funds by
wire to CoreStates Bank, N.A., ABA #031000011, account number 1412893401
(include your name(s) and your account number for the Class in which you are
investing).
1. Initial Purchases--Before you invest, telephone the Shareholder Service
Center to get an account number. If you do not call first, processing of your
investment may be delayed. In addition, you must promptly send your Investment
Application or, in the case of a retirement account, an appropriate
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<PAGE>
retirement plan application, to the specific Fund and Class selected, to 1818
Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
2. Subsequent Purchases--You may make additional investments anytime by wiring
funds to CoreStates Bank, N.A., as described above. You should advise the
Shareholder Service Center by telephone of each wire you send.
If you want to wire investments to a retirement plan account, call the
Shareholder Service Center for special wiring instructions.
Investing by Exchange
If you have an investment in another mutual fund in the Delaware Group,
you may write and authorize an exchange of part or all of your investment into
shares of the Fund. If you wish to open an account by exchange, call the
Shareholder Service Center for more information. All exchanges are subject to
the eligibility and minimum purchase requirements set forth in each fund's
prospectus.
Holders of Class A Shares may exchange all or part of their shares for
certain of the shares of other funds in the Delaware Group, including other
Class A Shares, but may not exchange their Class A Shares for Class B Shares or
Class C Shares of the Fund or of any other fund in the Delaware Group. Holders
of Class B Shares of the Fund are permitted to exchange all or part of their
Class B Shares only into Class B Shares of other Delaware Group funds.
Similarly, holders of Class C Shares of the Fund are permitted to exchange all
or part of their Class C Shares only into Class C Shares of other Delaware Group
funds. Class B Shares of the Fund and Class C Shares of the Fund acquired by
exchange will continue to carry the CDSC and, in the case of Class B Shares, the
automatic conversion schedule of the fund from which the exchange is made. The
holding period of Class B Shares of the Fund acquired by exchange will be added
to that of the shares that were exchanged for purposes of determining the time
of the automatic conversion into Class A Shares of the Fund.
Permissible exchanges into Class A Shares of the Fund will be made
without a front-end sales charge, except for exchanges of shares that were not
previously subject to a front-end sales charge (unless such shares were acquired
through the reinvestment of dividends). Permissible exchanges into Class B
Shares or Class C Shares of the Fund will be made without the imposition of a
CDSC by the fund from which the exchange is being made at the time of the
exchange.
See Allied Plans under Retirement Planning for information on exchanges
by participants in an Allied Plan.
Additional Methods of Adding to Your Investment
Call the Shareholder Service Center for more information if you wish to
use the following services:
1. Automatic Investing Plan
The Automatic Investing Plan enables you to make regular monthly
investments without writing or mailing checks. You may authorize Income Funds,
Inc. to transfer a designated amount monthly from your checking account to your
Fund account. Many shareholders use this as an automatic savings plan.
Shareholders should allow a reasonable amount of time for initial purchases and
changes to these plans to become effective.
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<PAGE>
This option is not available to participants in the following plans:
SAR/SEP, SEP/IRA, Profit Sharing and Money Purchase Pension Plans, 401(k)
Defined Contribution Plans, 403(b)(7) Deferred Compensation Plans or 457
Deferred Compensation Plans.
2. Direct Deposit
You may have your employer or bank make regular investments directly to
your Fund account for you (for example: payroll deduction, pay by phone, annuity
payments). The Fund also accepts preauthorized recurring government and private
payments by Electronic Fund Transfer, which avoids mail time and check clearing
holds on payments such as social security, federal salaries, Railroad Retirement
benefits, etc.
* * *
Should investments through an automatic investing plan or by direct
deposit be reclaimed or returned for some reason, Income Funds, Inc. has the
right to liquidate your shares to reimburse the government or transmitting bank.
If there are insufficient funds in your account, you are obligated to reimburse
the Fund.
3. Wealth Builder Option
You can use our Wealth Builder Option to invest in the Fund through
regular liquidations of shares in your accounts in other funds in the Delaware
Group. You may also elect to invest in other mutual funds in the Delaware Group
through the Wealth Builder Option through regular liquidations of shares in your
Fund account.
Under this automatic exchange program, you can authorize regular
monthly amounts (minimum of $100 per fund) to be liquidated from your account in
one or more funds in the Delaware Group and invested automatically into any
other Delaware Group account that you may specify. If in connection with the
election of the Wealth Builder Option, you wish to open a new account to receive
the automatic investment, such new account must meet the minimum initial
purchase requirements described in the prospectus of the fund that you select.
All investments under this option are exchanges and are therefore subject to the
same conditions and limitations as other exchanges noted above. You can
terminate your participation at any time by written notice to the fund from
which the exchanges are made. See Redemption and Exchange.
This option is not available to participants in the following plans:
SAR/SEP, SEP/IRA, Profit Sharing and Money Purchase Pension Plans, 401(k)
Defined Contribution Plans, 403(b)(7) Deferred Compensation Plans or 457
Deferred Compensation Plans.
4. Dividend Reinvestment Plan
You can elect to have your distributions (capital gains and/or dividend
income) paid to you by check or reinvested in your Fund account. Or, you may
invest your distributions in certain other funds in the Delaware Group, subject
to the exceptions noted below as well as the eligibility and minimum purchase
requirements set forth in each fund's prospectus.
Reinvestments of distributions into Class A Shares of the Fund or of
other Delaware Group funds are made without a front-end sales charge.
Reinvestments of distributions into Class B Shares of the Fund or of other
Delaware Group funds or into Class C Shares of the Fund or of other Delaware
Group funds are also made without any sales charge and will not be subject to a
CDSC if later redeemed.
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See Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares under Classes of Shares for
information concerning the automatic conversion of Class B Shares acquired by
reinvesting dividends.
Holders of Class A Shares of the Fund may not reinvest their
distributions into Class B Shares or Class C Shares of any fund in the Delaware
Group, including the Fund. Holders of Class B Shares of the Fund may reinvest
their distributions only into Class B Shares of the funds in the Delaware Group
which offer that class of shares (the "Class B Funds"). Similarly, holders of
Class C Shares of the Fund may reinvest their distributions only into Class C
Shares of the funds in the Delaware Group which offer that class of shares (the
"Class C Funds"). See Classes Offered under Classes of Shares for a list of the
funds offering those classes of shares. For more information about
reinvestments, call the Shareholder Service Center.
Delaware Group Asset Planner
To invest in Delaware Group funds using the Delaware Group Asset
Planner asset allocation service, you should complete a Delaware Group Asset
Planner Account Registration Form, which is available only from a financial
adviser or investment dealer. As previously described, the Delaware Group Asset
Planner service offers a choice of four predesigned asset allocation strategies
(each with a different risk/reward profile) in predetermined percentages in
Delaware Group funds. Or, with the help of a financial adviser, you may design a
customized asset allocation strategy.
The sales charge on an investment through the Asset Planner service is
determined by the individual sales charges of the underlying funds and their
percentage allocation in the selected Strategy. Exchanges from existing Delaware
Group accounts into the Asset Planner service may be made at net asset value
under the circumstances described under Investing by Exchange, above. Also see
Buying Class A Shares at Net Asset Value under Classes of Shares. The minimum
initial investment per Strategy is $2,000; subsequent investments must be at
least $100. Individual fund minimums do not apply to investments made using the
Asset Planner service. Class A, Class B and Class C Shares are available through
the Asset Planner service. Generally, only shares within the same class may be
used within the same Strategy. However, Class A Shares of the Fund and of other
funds in the Delaware Group may be used in the same Strategy with consultant
class shares that are offered by certain other Delaware Group funds. See Classes
Offered under Classes of Shares for the Delaware Group funds that offer
consultant class shares.
An annual maintenance fee, currently $35 per Strategy, is due at the
time of initial investment and by September 30th of each subsequent year.
However, for all IRA accounts established with the same Social Security number
under the Asset Planner service, the annual maintenance fee will be limited to
$35 irrespective of the number of Strategies selected. For example, if you
transfer regular IRA assets and rollover assets from a qualified plan into an
IRA through the Delaware Group Asset Planner service and, to avoid commingling,
maintain more than one Strategy registered under the same Social Security
number, only one $35 annual fee needs to be paid. The fee, payable to Delaware
Service Company, Inc. to defray extra costs associated with administering the
Asset Planner service, will be deducted automatically from one of the funds
within your Asset Planner account if not paid by September 30th. See Part B.
Investors will receive a customized quarterly Strategy Report
summarizing all Delaware Group Asset Planner investment performance and account
activity during the prior period. Confirmation statements will be sent following
all transactions other than those involving a reinvestment of distributions.
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Certain shareholder services are not available to investors using the
Asset Planner service, due to its special design. These include Delaphone,
Checkwriting, Wealth Builder Option and Letter of Intention. Systematic
Withdrawal Plans are available after the account has been open for two years.
Purchase Price and Effective Date
The offering price and net asset value of the Class A, Class B and
Class C Shares are determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (ordinarily, 4 p.m., Eastern time) on days when the Exchange is
open.
The effective date of a purchase made through an investment dealer is
the date the order is received by the Fund. The effective date of a direct
purchase is the day your wire, electronic transfer or check is received unless
it is received after the time the offering price or net asset value of shares is
determined, as noted above. Purchase orders received after such time will be
effective the next business day.
The Conditions of Your Purchase
The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order. If a purchase
is canceled because your check is returned unpaid, you are responsible for any
loss incurred. The Fund can redeem shares from your account(s) to reimburse
itself for any loss, and you may be restricted from making future purchases in
any of the funds in the Delaware Group. The Fund reserves the right to reject
purchase orders paid by third-party checks or checks that are not drawn on a
domestic branch of a United States financial institution. If a check drawn on a
foreign financial institution is accepted, you may be subject to additional bank
charges for clearance and currency conversion.
The Fund also reserves the right, following shareholder notification,
to charge a service fee on non-retirement accounts that have remained below the
minimum stated account balance for a period of three or more consecutive months.
Holders of such accounts may be notified of their insufficient account balance
and advised that they have until the end of the current calendar quarter to
raise their balance to the stated minimum. If the account has not reached the
minimum balance requirement by that time, the Fund will charge a $9 fee for that
quarter and each subsequent calendar quarter until the account is brought up to
the minimum balance. The service fee will be deducted from the account during
the first week of each calendar quarter for the previous quarter, and will be
used to help defray the cost of maintaining low-balance accounts. No fees will
be charged without proper notice, and no CDSC will apply to such assessments.
The Fund also reserves the right, upon 60 days' written notice, to
involuntarily redeem accounts that remain under the minimum initial purchase
amount as a result of redemptions. An investor making the minimum initial
investment may be subject to involuntary redemption without the imposition of a
CDSC or Limited CDSC if he or she redeems any portion of his or her account.
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REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE
You can redeem or exchange your shares in a number of different ways.
The exchange service is useful if your investment requirements change and you
want an easy way to invest in other bond funds, equity funds, tax-advantaged
funds or money market funds. This service is also useful if you are anticipating
a major expenditure and want to move a portion of your investment into a fund
that has the checkwriting feature. Exchanges are subject to the requirements of
each fund and all exchanges of shares constitute taxable events. See Taxes.
Further, in order for an exchange to be processed, shares of the fund being
acquired must be registered in the state where the acquiring shareholder
resides. You may want to consult your financial adviser or investment dealer to
discuss which funds in the Delaware Group will best meet your changing
objectives, and the consequences of any exchange transaction. You may also call
the Delaware Group directly for fund information.
All exchanges involve a purchase of shares of the fund into which the
exchange is made. As with any purchase, an investor should obtain and carefully
read that fund's prospectus before buying shares in an exchange. The prospectus
contains more complete information about the fund, including charges and
expenses.
Your shares will be redeemed or exchanged at a price based on the net
asset value next determined after the Fund receives your request in good order,
subject, in the case of a redemption, to any applicable CDSC or Limited CDSC.
Redemption or exchange requests received in good order after the time the
offering price and net asset value of shares are determined, as noted above,
will be processed on the next business day. See Purchase Price and Effective
Date under How to Buy Shares. A shareholder submitting a redemption request may
indicate that he or she wishes to receive redemption proceeds of a specific
dollar amount. In the case of such a request, and in the case of certain
redemptions from retirement plan accounts, the Fund will redeem the number of
shares necessary to deduct the applicable CDSC in the case of Class B and Class
C Shares, and, if applicable, the Limited CDSC in the case of Class A Shares and
tender to the shareholder the requested amount, assuming the shareholder holds
enough shares in his or her account for the redemption to be processed in this
manner. Otherwise, the amount tendered to the shareholder upon redemption will
be reduced by the amount of the applicable CDSC or Limited CDSC.
Except as noted below, for a redemption request to be in "good order,"
you must provide your account number, account registration, and the total number
of shares or dollar amount of the transaction. For exchange requests, you must
also provide the name of the fund you want to receive the proceeds. Exchange
instructions and redemption requests must be signed by the record owner(s)
exactly as the shares are registered. You may request a redemption or an
exchange by calling the Shareholder Service Center at 800-523-1918. The Fund may
suspend, terminate, or amend the terms of the exchange privilege upon 60 days'
written notice to shareholders.
The Fund will process written and telephone redemption requests to the
extent that the purchase orders for the shares being redeemed have already
settled. The Fund will honor redemption requests as to shares for which a check
was tendered as payment, but the Fund will not mail or wire the proceeds until
it is reasonably satisfied that the check has cleared, which may take up to 15
days from the purchase date. You can avoid this potential delay if you purchase
shares by wiring Federal Funds. The Fund reserves the right to reject a written
or telephone redemption request or delay payment of redemption proceeds if there
has been a recent change to the shareholder's address of record.
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There is no front-end sales charge or fee for exchanges made between
shares of funds which both carry a front-end sales charge. Any applicable
front-end sales charge will apply to exchanges from shares of funds not subject
to a front-end sales charge, except for exchanges involving assets that were
previously invested in a fund with a front-end sales charge and/or exchanges
involving the reinvestment of dividends.
Holders of Class B Shares or Class C Shares that exchange their shares
("Original Shares") for Class B shares of other Class B Funds or Class C shares
of other Class C Funds, as applicable (in each case, "New Shares"), will not be
subject to a CDSC that might otherwise be due upon redemption of the Original
Shares. However, such shareholders will continue to be subject to the CDSC and,
in the case of Class B Shares, the automatic conversion schedule of the Original
Shares as described in this Prospectus and any CDSC assessed upon redemption
will be charged by the Fund from which the Original Shares were exchanged. In an
exchange of Class B Shares from the Fund, the Fund's CDSC schedule may be higher
than the CDSC schedule relating to the New Shares acquired as a result of the
exchange. For purposes of computing the CDSC that may be payable upon a
disposition of the New Shares, the period of time that an investor held the
Original Shares is added to the period of time that an investor held the New
Shares. With respect to Class B Shares, the automatic conversion schedule of the
Original Shares may be longer than that of the New Shares. Consequently, an
investment in New Shares by exchange may subject an investor to the higher 12b-1
fees applicable to Class B Shares of the Fund for a longer period of time than
if the investment in New Shares were made directly.
Various redemption and exchange methods are outlined below. Except for
the CDSC applicable to certain redemptions of Class B and Class C Shares and the
Limited CDSC applicable to certain redemptions of Class A Shares purchased at
net asset value, there is no fee charged by the Fund or the Distributor for
redeeming or exchanging your shares, but such fees could be charged in the
future. You may have your investment dealer arrange to have your shares redeemed
or exchanged. Your investment dealer may charge for this service.
All authorizations given by shareholders, including selection of any of
the features described below, shall continue in effect until such time as a
written revocation or modification has been received by the Fund or its agent.
Written Redemption
You can write to the Fund at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
to redeem some or all of your shares. The request must be signed by all owners
of the account or your investment dealer of record. For redemptions of more than
$50,000, or when the proceeds are not sent to the shareholder(s) at the address
of record, the Fund requires a signature by all owners of the account and a
signature guarantee for each owner. Each signature guarantee must be supplied by
an eligible guarantor institution. The Fund reserves the right to reject a
signature guarantee supplied by an eligible institution based on its
creditworthiness. The Fund may require further documentation from corporations,
executors, retirement plans, administrators, trustees or guardians.
Payment is normally mailed the next business day, but no later than
seven days, after receipt of your redemption request. If your Class A Shares are
in certificate form, the certificate must accompany your request and also be in
good order. Certificates are issued for Class A Shares only if a shareholder
submits a specific request. Certificates are not issued for Class B Shares or
Class C Shares.
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Written Exchange
You may also write to the Fund (at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
19103) to request an exchange of any or all of your shares into another mutual
fund in the Delaware Group, subject to the same conditions and limitations as
other exchanges noted above.
Telephone Redemption and Exchange
To get the added convenience of the telephone redemption and exchange
methods, you must have the Transfer Agent hold your shares (without charge) for
you. If you choose to have your Class A Shares in certificate form, you may
redeem or exchange only by written request and you must return your
certificates.
The Telephone Redemption--Check to Your Address of Record service and
the Telephone Exchange service, both of which are described below, are
automatically provided unless you notify the Fund in writing that you do not
wish to have such services available with respect to your account. The Fund
reserves the right to modify, terminate or suspend these procedures upon 60
days' written notice to shareholders. It may be difficult to reach the Fund by
telephone during periods when market or economic conditions lead to an unusually
large volume of telephone requests.
Neither the Fund nor its Transfer Agent is responsible for any
shareholder loss incurred in acting upon written or telephone instructions for
redemption or exchange of Fund shares which are reasonably believed to be
genuine. With respect to such telephone transactions, the Fund will follow
reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are
genuine (including verification of a form of personal identification) as, if it
does not, the Fund or the Transfer Agent may be liable for any losses due to
unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. Instructions received by telephone are
generally tape recorded, and a written confirmation will be provided for all
purchase, exchange and redemption transactions initiated by telephone. By
exchanging shares by telephone, you are acknowledging prior receipt of a
prospectus for the fund into which your shares are being exchanged.
Telephone Redemption--Check to Your Address of Record
The Telephone Redemption feature is a quick and easy method to redeem
shares. You or your investment dealer of record can have redemption proceeds of
$50,000 or less mailed to you at your address of record. Checks will be payable
to the shareholder(s) of record. Payment is normally mailed the next business
day, but no later than seven days, after receipt of the request. This service is
only available to individual, joint and individual fiduciary-type accounts.
Telephone Redemption--Proceeds to Your Bank
Redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more can be transferred to your
predesignated bank account by wire or by check. You should authorize this
service when you open your account. If you change your predesignated bank
account, you must complete an Authorization Form and have your signature
guaranteed. For your protection, your authorization must be on file. If you
request a wire, your funds will normally be sent the next business day.
CoreStates Bank, N.A.'s fee (currently $7.50) will be deducted from your
redemption. If you ask for a check, it will normally be mailed the next business
day, but no later than seven days, after receipt of your request to your
predesignated bank account. Except for any CDSC which may be applicable to Class
B and Class C Shares and the Limited CDSC which may be applicable to certain
Class A Shares, there are no fees for this redemption method, but the mail time
may delay getting funds into your bank account. Simply call the Shareholder
Service Center prior to the time the offering price and net asset value are
determined, as noted above.
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If expedited payment by check or wire could adversely affect the Fund,
the Fund may take up to seven days to pay.
Telephone Exchange
The Telephone Exchange feature is a convenient and efficient way to
adjust your investment holdings as your liquidity requirements and investment
objectives change. You or your investment dealer of record can exchange your
shares into other funds in the Delaware Group under the same registration,
subject to the same conditions and limitations as other exchanges noted above.
As with the written exchange service, telephone exchanges are subject to the
requirements of each fund, as described above. Telephone exchanges may be
subject to limitations as to amounts or frequency.
Systematic Withdrawal Plans
1. Regular Plans
This plan provides shareholders with a consistent monthly (or
quarterly) payment. This is particularly useful to shareholders living on fixed
incomes, since it can provide them with a stable supplemental amount. With
accounts of at least $5,000, you may elect monthly withdrawals of $25 (quarterly
$75) or more. The Fund does not recommend any particular monthly amount, as each
shareholder's situation and needs vary. Payments are normally made by check. In
the alternative, you may elect to have your payments transferred from your Fund
account to your predesignated bank account through the MoneyLine Direct Deposit
Service. Your funds will normally be credited to your bank account two business
days after the payment date. Except for the Limited CDSC which may be applicable
to Class A Shares and the CDSC which may be applicable to Class B Shares and
Class C Shares as noted below, there are no fees for this redemption method. See
MoneyLine Direct Deposit Service under The Delaware Difference for more
information about this service.
2. Retirement Plans
For shareholders eligible under the applicable retirement plan to
receive benefits in periodic payments, the Systematic Withdrawal Plan provides
you with maximum flexibility. A number of formulas are available for calculating
your withdrawals depending upon whether the distributions are required or
optional. Withdrawals must be for $25 or more; however, no minimum account
balance is required. The MoneyLine Direct Deposit Service described above is not
available for retirement plans.
* * *
Shareholders should not purchase additional shares while participating
in a Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
Redemptions of Class A Shares via a Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be
subject to a Limited CDSC if the original purchase was made at net asset value
within the 12 months prior to the withdrawal and a dealer's commission was paid
on that purchase. See Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions
of Class A Shares Purchased at Net Asset Value, below.
The applicable CDSC for Class B Shares and Class C Shares redeemed via
a Systematic Withdrawal Plan will be waived if, on the date that the Plan is
established, the annual amount selected to be withdrawn is less than 12% of the
account balance. If the annual amount selected to be withdrawn exceeds 12% of
the account balance on the date that the Systematic Withdrawal Plan is
established, all redemptions under the Plan will be subject to the applicable
CDSC. Whether a waiver of the CDSC is
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available or not, the first shares to be redeemed for each Systematic Withdrawal
Plan payment will be those not subject to a CDSC because they have either
satisfied the required holding period or were acquired through the reinvestment
of distributions. The 12% annual limit will be reset on the date that any
Systematic Withdrawal Plan is modified (for example, a change in the amount
selected to be withdrawn or the frequency or date of withdrawals), based on the
balance in the account on that date. See Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge - Class B and Class C Shares, below.
For more information on Systematic Withdrawal Plans, call the
Shareholder Service Center.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares
Purchased at Net Asset Value
A Limited CDSC will be imposed on certain redemptions of Class A Shares
(or shares into which such Class A Shares are exchanged) made within 12 months
of purchase, if such purchases were made at net asset value and triggered the
payment by the Distributor of the dealer's commission previously described. See
Classes of Shares.
The Limited CDSC will be paid to the Distributor and will be equal to
the lesser of 1% of: (1) the net asset value at the time of purchase of the
Class A Shares being redeemed; or (2) the net asset value of such Class A Shares
at the time of redemption. For purposes of this formula, the "net asset value at
the time of purchase" will be the net asset value at purchase of the Class A
Shares even if those shares are later exchanged for shares of another Delaware
Group fund and, in the event of an exchange of Class A Shares, the "net asset
value of such shares at the time of redemption" will be the net asset value of
the shares acquired in the exchange.
Redemptions of such Class A Shares held for more than 12 months will
not be subjected to the Limited CDSC and an exchange of such Class A Shares into
another Delaware Group fund will not trigger the imposition of the Limited CDSC
at the time of such exchange. The period a shareholder owns shares into which
Class A Shares are exchanged will count towards satisfying the 12-month holding
period. The Limited CDSC is assessed if such 12-month period is not satisfied
irrespective of whether the redemption triggering its payment is of Class A
Shares of the Fund or Class A Shares acquired in the exchange.
In determining whether a Limited CDSC is payable, it will be assumed
that shares not subject to the Limited CDSC are the first redeemed followed by
other shares held for the longest period of time. The Limited CDSC will not be
imposed upon shares representing reinvested dividends or capital gains
distributions, or upon amounts representing share appreciation. All investments
made during a calendar month, regardless of what day of the month the investment
occurred, will age one month on the last day of that month and each subsequent
month.
Waiver of Limited Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class A Shares
The Limited CDSC for Class A Shares on which a dealer's commission has
been paid will be waived in the following instances: (i) redemptions that result
from the Fund's right to liquidate a shareholder's account if the aggregate net
asset value of the shares held in the account is less than the then-effective
minimum account size; (ii) distributions to participants from a retirement plan
qualified under section 401(a) or 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), or due to death of a participant in such a plan; (iii)
redemptions pursuant to the direction of a participant or beneficiary of a
retirement plan qualified under section 401(a) or 401(k) of the Code with
respect to that retirement plan; (iv) distributions from a section 403(b)(7)
Plan or an IRA due to death, disability, or attainment of age 59 1/2; (v)
returns of excess contributions to an IRA; (vi) distributions by other
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employee benefit plans to pay benefits; (vii) distributions described in (ii),
(iv), and (vi) above pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan; and (viii)
redemptions by the classes of shareholders who are permitted to purchase shares
at net asset value, regardless of the size of the purchase (see Buying Class A
Shares at Net Asset Value under Classes of Shares).
Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class B and Class C Shares
The CDSC is waived on certain redemptions of Class B Shares in
connection with the following redemptions: (i) redemptions that result from the
Fund's right to liquidate a shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset
value of the shares held in the account is less than the then-effective minimum
account size; (ii) returns of excess contributions to an IRA or 403(b)(7)
Deferred Compensation Plan; (iii) required minimum distributions from an IRA,
403(b)(7) Deferred Compensation Plan or 457 Deferred Compensation Plan; and (iv)
distributions from an account if the redemption results from the death of all
registered owners of the account (in the case of accounts established under the
Uniform Gifts to Minors or Uniform Transfers to Minors Acts or trust accounts,
the waiver applies upon the death of all beneficial owners) or a total and
permanent disability (as defined in Section 72 of the Code) of all registered
owners occurring after the purchase of the shares being redeemed.
The CDSC on Class C Shares is waived in connection with the following
redemptions: (i) redemptions that result from the Fund's right to liquidate a
shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset value of the shares held in the
account is less than the then-effective minimum account size; (ii) returns of
excess contributions to an IRA, 403(b)(7) Deferred Compensation Plan, Profit
Sharing Plan, Money Purchase Pension Plan or 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan;
(iii) required minimum distributions from an IRA, 403(b)(7) Deferred
Compensation Plan, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, Profit Sharing Plan, Money
Purchase Pension Plan or 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan; (iv) distributions
from a 403(b)(7) Deferred Compensation Plan, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan,
Profit Sharing Plan, or 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan, under hardship
provisions of the plan; (v) distributions from a 403(b)(7) Deferred Compensation
Plan, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, Profit Sharing Plan, Money Purchase
Pension Plan or a 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan upon attainment of normal
retirement age under the plan or upon separation from service; (vi)
distributions from an IRA on or after attainment of age 59 1/2; and (vii)
distributions from an account if the redemption results from the death of all
registered owners of the account (in the case of accounts established under the
Uniform Gifts to Minors or Uniform Transfers to Minors Acts or trust accounts,
the waiver applies upon the death of all beneficial owners) or a total and
permanent disability (as defined in Section 72 of the Code) of all registered
owners occurring after the purchase of the shares being redeemed.
In addition, the CDSC will be waived on Class B and Class C Shares
redeemed in accordance with a Systematic Withdrawal Plan if the annual amount
selected to be withdrawn under the Plan does not exceed 12% of the value of the
account on the date that the Systematic Withdrawal Plan was established or
modified.
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DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund expects to declare and pay dividends monthly. However, the
Fund does not anticipate declaring or paying dividends during the first few
months following the commencement of its operations. Payment by check of cash
dividends will ordinarily be mailed within three business days after the payable
date. Distributions from net realized securities profits, if any, will be
distributed twice a year. The first payment normally would be made during the
first quarter of the next fiscal year. The second payment would be made near the
end of the calendar year to comply with certain requirements of the Code.
Each class of the Fund will share proportionately in the investment
income and expenses of the Fund, except that the per share dividends from net
investment income on the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares and the Class C
Shares will vary due to the expenses under the 12b-1 Plan applicable to each
Class. Generally, the dividends per share on Class B Shares and Class C Shares
can be expected to be lower than the dividends per share on Class A Shares
because the expenses under the 12b-1 Plans relating to Class B and Class C
Shares will be higher than the expenses under the 12b-1 Plan relating to Class A
Shares. See Distribution (12b-1) and Service under Management of the Fund.
Both dividends and distributions, if any, are automatically reinvested
in your account at net asset value unless you elect otherwise. Any check in
payment of dividends or other distributions which cannot be delivered by the
United States Post Office or which remains uncashed for a period of more than
one year may be reinvested in your account at the then-current net asset value
and the dividend option may be changed from cash to reinvest. If you elect to
take your dividends and distributions in cash and such dividends and
distributions are in an amount of $25 or more, you may choose the MoneyLine
Direct Deposit Service and have such payments transferred from your Fund account
to your predesignated bank account. This service is not available for retirement
plans. See MoneyLine Direct Deposit Service under The Delaware Difference for
more information about this service.
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TAXES
The tax discussion set forth below is included for general information
only. Investors should consult their own advisers concerning the federal, state,
local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.
The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). As such, the Fund will
not be subject to federal income tax, or to any excise tax, to the extent its
earnings are distributed as provided in the Code.
The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment
income and net capital gains, if any. Dividends from net investment income or
net short-term capital gains will be taxable to those investors who are subject
to income taxes as ordinary income, whether received in cash or in additional
shares. It is expected that either none or only a nominal portion of the Fund's
dividends will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for
corporations.
Distributions paid by the Fund from long-term capital gains, whether
received in cash or in additional shares, are taxable to those investors who are
subject to income taxes as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of
time an investor has owned shares in the Fund. The Fund does not seek to realize
any particular amount of capital gains during a year; rather, realized gains are
a byproduct of Fund management activities. Consequently, capital gains
distributions may be expected to vary considerably from year to year. Also, for
those investors subject to tax, if purchases of shares in the Fund are made
shortly before the record date for a dividend or capital gains distribution, a
portion of the investment will be returned as a taxable distribution.
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid,
dividends which are declared in October, November or December to shareholders of
record on a specified date in one of those months, but which, for operational
reasons, may not be paid to the shareholder until the following January, will be
treated for tax purposes as if paid by the Fund and received by the shareholder
on December 31 of the calendar year in which they are declared.
The sale of shares of the Fund is a taxable event and may result in a
capital gain or loss to shareholders subject to tax. Capital gain or loss may be
realized from an ordinary redemption of shares or an exchange of shares between
the Fund and any other fund in the Delaware Group. Any loss incurred on a sale
or exchange of Fund shares that had been held for six months or less will be
treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends
received with respect to such shares. All or a portion of the sales charge
incurred in acquiring Fund shares will be excluded from the federal tax basis of
any of such shares sold or exchanged within 90 days of their purchase (for
purposes of determining gain or loss upon the sale of such shares) if the sale
proceeds are reinvested in the Fund or in another fund in the Delaware Group of
funds and a sales charge that would otherwise apply to the reinvestment is
reduced or eliminated. Any portion of such sales charge excluded from the tax
basis of the shares sold will be added to the tax basis of the shares acquired
in the reinvestment.
The automatic conversion of Class B Shares into Class A Shares at the
end of approximately eight years after purchase will be tax-free for federal tax
purposes. See Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares under Classes of Shares.
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The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on income from
certain of its foreign securities. If more than 50% in value of the total assets
of the Fund at the end of its fiscal year are invested in securities of foreign
corporations, the Fund may elect to pass-through to its shareholders a pro-rata
share of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made,
shareholders will be (i) required to include in their gross income their
pro-rata share of foreign source income (including any foreign taxes paid by the
Fund), and (ii) entitled to either deduct (as an itemized deduction in the case
of individuals) their share of such foreign taxes in computing their taxable
income or to claim a credit for such taxes against their U.S. income tax,
subject to certain limitations under the Code. Shareholders will be informed by
the Fund at the end of each calendar year of the availability of any credits on,
and the amount of foreign source income to be included in, their income tax
returns.
In addition to federal taxes, shareholders may be subject to state and
local taxes on distributions. Distributions of interest income and capital gains
realized from certain types of U.S. government securities may be exempt from
state personal income taxes. Shares of the Fund are exempt from Pennsylvania
county personal property taxes.
Each year, Income Funds, Inc. will mail to you information on the tax
status of the Fund's dividends and distributions. Shareholders will also receive
each year information as to the portion of dividend income that is derived from
U.S. government securities that are exempt from state income tax. Of course,
shareholders who are not subject to tax on their income would not be required to
pay tax on amounts distributed to them by the Fund.
The Fund is required to withhold 31% of taxable dividends, capital
gains distributions, and redemptions paid to shareholders who have not complied
with IRS taxpayer identification regulations. You may avoid this withholding
requirement by certifying on your Investment Application your proper Taxpayer
Identification Number and by certifying that you are not subject to backup
withholding.
See Taxes in Part B for additional information on tax matters relating
to the Fund and its shareholders.
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CALCULATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
The net asset value ("NAV") per share is computed by adding the value
of all securities and other assets in the portfolio, deducting any liabilities
(expenses and fees are accrued daily) and dividing by the number of shares
outstanding. Debt securities are priced on the basis of valuations provided by
an independent pricing service using methods approved by Income Funds, Inc.'s
Board of Directors. Equity securities for which market quotations are available
are priced at market value. Short-term investments having a maturity of less
than 60 days are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. All
other securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith and
in a method approved by Income Funds, Inc.'s Board of Directors.
Class A Shares are purchased at the offering price per share, while
Class B Shares and Class C Shares are purchased at the NAV per share. The
offering price per share of Class A Shares consists of the NAV per share next
computed after the order is received, plus any applicable front-end sales
charges.
The offering price and NAV are computed as of the close of regular
trading on the New York Stock Exchange (ordinarily, 4 p.m., Eastern time) on
days when the Exchange is open.
The net asset values of all outstanding shares of each class of the
Fund will be computed on a pro-rata basis for each outstanding share based on
the proportionate participation in the Fund represented by the value of shares
of that class. All income earned and expenses incurred by the Fund will be borne
on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding share of a class, based on each class'
percentage in the Fund represented by the value of shares of such classes,
except that the Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class will not incur any of
the expenses under the Fund's 12b-1 Plans and the Class A, Class B and Class C
Shares alone will bear the 12b-1 Plan expenses payable under their respective
Plans. Due to the specific distribution expenses and other costs that may be
allocable to each class, the NAV of each class is expected to vary.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Directors
The business and affairs of Income Funds, Inc. are managed under the
direction of its Board of Directors. Part B contains additional information
regarding Income Funds, Inc.'s directors and officers.
Investment Manager and Sub-Adviser
The Manager furnishes investment management services to the Fund.
The Manager and its predecessors have been managing the funds in the
Delaware Group since 1938. On July 31, 1996, the Manager and its affiliates in
the Delaware Group, including the Sub-Adviser, were supervising in the aggregate
more than $28 billion in assets in the various institutional or separately
managed (approximately $17,646,283,000) and investment company (approximately
$10,764,119,000) accounts.
The Manager is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Delaware
Management Holdings, Inc. ("DMH"). On April 3, 1995, a merger between DMH and a
wholly owned subsidiary of Lincoln National Corporation ("Lincoln National") was
completed. DMH and the Manager are now indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries, and
subject to the ultimate control, of Lincoln National. Lincoln National, with
headquarters in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a diversified organization with
operations in many aspects of the financial services industry, including
insurance and investment management.
The Manager manages the Fund's portfolio and makes investment decisions
for the Fund. The Manager also administers Income Funds, Inc.'s affairs and pays
the salaries of all the directors, officers and employees of Income Funds, Inc.
who are affiliated with the Manager. For these services, the Manager is paid an
annual fee equal to 0.65% on the first $500 million of average daily net assets,
0.625% on the next $500 million and 0.60% on the average daily net assets in
excess of $1 billion.
Subject to the overall supervision of the Manager, the Sub-Adviser
manages the international sector of the Fund's portfolio and furnishes the
Manager with investment recommendations, asset allocation advice, research and
other investment services with respect to foreign securities. For the services
provided to the Manager, the Manager pays the Sub-Adviser a fee equal to
one-third of the fee paid to the Manager under the terms of the Investment
Management Agreement.
Paul A. Matlack has primary responsibility for allocating the Fund's
assets among the fixed-income and equity sectors and for making day-to-day
investment decisions for the Fund regarding its investments in the high-yield
sector. Mr. Matlack, a Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Income Funds,
Inc., has been a member of the Fund's management team since its inception. A
Chartered Financial Analyst, Mr. Matlack is a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania with an MBA in Finance from George Washington University. He began
his career at Mellon Bank as a credit specialist, and later served as a
corporate loan officer for Mellon Bank and then Provident National Bank.
Paul Grillo has primary responsibility for making day-to-day investment
decisions for the Fund regarding its investments in investment grade securities.
Mr. Grillo has been a member of the Fund's management team since its inception.
Mr. Grillo, an Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Income Funds,
Inc., holds a BA in Business Management from North Carolina State University and
an MBA in Finance from Pace University. Prior to joining the Manager in 1993, he
served as mortgage strategist and trader at the Dreyfus Corporation. He also
served as a mortgage strategist and portfolio
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manager for the Chemical Investment Group and as financial analyst at the
Chemical Bank. Mr. Grillo is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Ian G. Sims, a Director and Senior Portfolio Manager with the
Sub-Adviser, has primary responsibility for making day-to-day investment
decisions for the Fund regarding its investments in foreign securities. Mr. Sims
has been a member of the Fund's management team since its inception. Mr. Sims is
a graduate of the University of Leicester and holds a postgraduate degree in
statistics from the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. He joined the Sub-Adviser
in 1990 as a senior international fixed-income and currency manager. Mr. Sims
began his investment career with the Standard Life Assurance Co., and
subsequently moved to the Royal Bank of Canada Investment Management
International Company, where he was an international fixed-income manager. Prior
to joining the Sub-Adviser, he was a senior fixed-income and currency portfolio
manager with Hill Samuel Investment Advisers Ltd.
Babak Zenouzi has primary responsibility for making day-to-day
investment decisions for the Fund regarding its investments in U.S. equity
securities. Mr. Zenouzi, a Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Income Funds,
Inc., has been a member of the Fund's management team since its inception. Mr.
Zenouzi holds a BS in Finance and Economics from Babson College in Wellesley,
Massachusetts, and an MS in Finance from Boston College. Prior to joining the
Manager in 1992, he was with The Boston Company where he held the positions of
assistant vice president, senior financial analyst, financial analyst and
portfolio accountant.
The portfolio management team will from time to time consult with Paul
E. Suckow, Executive Vice President/Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income of
Income Funds, Inc., with respect to security selection, evaluation of market and
economic trends, and sector allocation. A Chartered Financial Analyst, he is a
graduate of Bradley University with an MBA from Western Illinois University. Mr.
Suckow was a fixed-income portfolio manager at the Delaware Group from 1981 to
1985. He returned to the Delaware Group in 1993 after eight years with
Oppenheimer Management Corporation where he served as Executive Vice President
and Director of Fixed Income.
Portfolio Trading Practices
The Fund normally will not invest for short-term trading purposes.
However, the Fund may sell securities without regard to the length of time they
have been held. The degree of portfolio activity will affect brokerage costs of
the Fund and may affect taxes payable by the Fund's shareholders. Given the
Fund's investment objective, its annual portfolio turnover rate is not expected
to exceed 100%. A turnover rate of 100% would occur, for example, if all the
investments in the Fund's portfolio at the beginning of the year were replaced
by the end of the year.
The Manager and Sub-Adviser use their best efforts to obtain the best
available price and most favorable execution for portfolio transactions. Orders
may be placed with brokers or dealers who provide brokerage and research
services to the Manager or to the Sub-Adviser, or to their advisory clients.
These services may be used by the Manager or Sub-Adviser in servicing any of
their respective accounts. Subject to best price and execution, the Manager and
the Sub-Adviser may consider a broker/dealer's sales of the Fund's shares in
placing portfolio orders and may place orders with broker/dealers that have
agreed to defray certain Fund expenses such as custodian fees.
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Performance Information
From time to time, the Fund may quote yield or total return performance
of the Classes in advertising and other types of literature.
The current yield for each Class will be calculated by dividing the
annualized net investment income earned by that Class during a recent 30-day
period by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period.
The yield formula provides for semi-annual compounding, which assumes that net
investment income is earned and reinvested at a constant rate and annualized at
the end of a six-month period.
Total return will be based on a hypothetical $1,000 investment,
reflecting the reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value and: (i) in
the case of Class A Shares, the impact of the maximum front-end sales charge at
the beginning of each specified period; and (ii) in the case of Class B Shares
and Class C Shares, the deduction of any applicable CDSC at the end of the
relevant period. Each presentation will include the average annual total return
for one-, five- and ten-year periods, as relevant. The Fund may also advertise
aggregate and average total return information concerning a Class over
additional periods of time. In addition, the Fund may present total return
information that does not reflect the deduction of the maximum front-end sales
charge or any applicable CDSC. In this case, such total return information would
be more favorable than total return information that includes the deductions of
the maximum front-end sales charge or any applicable CDSC.
Yield and net asset value fluctuate and are not guaranteed. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.
Distribution (12b-1) and Service
The Distributor, Delaware Distributors, L.P., serves as the national
distributor of the Fund's shares under a Distribution Agreement with Income
Funds, Inc. dated as of September 30, 1996.
Income Funds, Inc. has adopted a separate distribution plan under Rule
12b-1 for each of the Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares (the
"Plans"). The Plans permit the Fund to pay the Distributor from the assets of
the respective Classes a monthly fee for the Distributor's services and expenses
in distributing and promoting sales of shares. These expenses include, among
other things, preparing and distributing advertisements, sales literature, and
prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, compensating sales and
marketing personnel, holding special promotions for specified periods of time,
and paying distribution and maintenance fees to brokers, dealers and others. In
connection with the promotion of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, the
Distributor may, from time to time, pay to participate in dealer-sponsored
seminars and conferences, and reimburse dealers for expenses incurred in
connection with preapproved seminars, conferences, and advertising. The
Distributor may pay or allow additional promotional incentives to dealers as
part of preapproved sales contests and/or to dealers who provide extra training
and information concerning a Class and increase sales of the Class. In addition,
the Fund may make payments from the assets of the respective Class directly to
others, such as banks, who aid in the distribution of Class shares or provide
services in respect of a Class, pursuant to service agreements with Income
Funds, Inc.
The 12b-1 Plan expenses relating to each of the Class B Shares and
Class C Shares are also used to pay the Distributor for advancing the commission
costs to dealers with respect to the initial sale of such shares.
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The aggregate fees paid by the Fund from the assets of the respective
Classes to the Distributor and others under the Plans may not exceed (i) .30% of
the Class A Shares' average daily net assets in any year, and (ii) 1% (.25% of
which are service fees to be paid to the Distributor, dealers and others for
providing personal service and/or maintaining shareholder accounts) of each of
the Class B Shares' and Class C Shares' average daily net assets in any year.
The Class A, Class B and Class C Shares will not incur any distribution expenses
beyond these limits, which may not be increased without shareholder approval.
Although the maximum fee payable under the Plan relating to the Class A
Shares is .30% of average daily net assets, the Board of Directors has currently
set the annual fee for the Class at .25% of the average daily net assets. The
Board of Directors may increase the fee to the full .30% on all Class A Shares'
assets at any time. See Shares.
While payments pursuant to the Plans may not exceed .30% annually with
respect to the Class A Shares, and 1% annually with respect to each of the Class
B Shares and the Class C Shares, the Plans do not limit fees to amounts actually
expended by the Distributor. It is therefore possible that the Distributor may
realize a profit in any particular year. However, the Distributor currently
expects that its distribution expenses will likely equal or exceed payments to
it under the Plans. The Distributor may, however incur such additional expenses
and make additional payments to dealers from its own resources to promote the
distribution of shares of the Classes. The monthly fees paid to the Distributor
are subject to the review and approval of Income Funds, Inc.'s unaffiliated
directors, who may reduce the fees or terminate the Plans at any time.
Income Funds, Inc.'s Plans do not apply to the Strategic Income Fund
Institutional Class of shares. Those shares are not included in calculating the
Plans' fees, and the Plans are not used to assist in the distribution and
marketing of the Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class shares.
The Transfer Agent, Delaware Service Company, Inc., serves as the
shareholder servicing, dividend disbursing and transfer agent for Income Funds,
Inc. under an agreement dated as of September 30, 1996. The Transfer Agent also
provides accounting services to the Fund pursuant to the terms of a separate
Fund Accounting Agreement. The directors annually review service fees paid to
the Transfer Agent.
The Distributor and the Transfer Agent are also indirect, wholly owned
subsidiaries of DMH.
Expenses
The Fund is responsible for all of its own expenses other than those
borne by the Manager under the Investment Management Agreement and those borne
by the Distributor under the Distribution Agreement. The expense ratio of each
Class will reflect the impact of its 12b-1 Plan.
Shares
Income Funds, Inc. is an open-end management investment company. The
Fund's portfolio of assets is diversified as defined by the 1940 Act. Commonly
known as a mutual fund, Income Funds, Inc. was organized as a Maryland
corporation on March 4, 1983. Income Funds, Inc. was previously organized as a
Delaware corporation in 1970. In addition to the Fund, Income Funds, Inc.
presently offers one other series of shares, the Delchester Fund series.
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Income Funds, Inc.'s shares have a par value of $1.00, equal voting
rights, except as noted below, and are equal in all other respects. Income
Funds, Inc.'s shares have noncumulative voting rights which means that the
holders of more than 50% of Income Funds, Inc.'s shares voting for the election
of directors can elect 100% of the directors if they choose to do so. Under
Maryland law, Income Funds, Inc. is not required, and does not intend, to hold
annual meetings of shareholders unless, under certain circumstances, it is
required to do so under the 1940 Act. Shareholders of 10% or more of Income
Funds, Inc.'s outstanding shares may request that a special meeting be called to
consider the removal of a director.
In addition to Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares, the
Fund also offers the Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class shares. Shares of
each class represent proportionate interests in the assets of the Fund and have
the same voting and other rights and preferences as the other classes of the
Fund, except that shares of the Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class are
not subject to, and may not vote on matters affecting, the Distribution Plans
under Rule 12b-1 relating to the Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. Similarly,
as a general matter, the shareholders of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and
Class C Shares may vote only on matters affecting the 12b-1 Plan that relates to
the class of shares that they hold. However, the Class B Shares may vote on any
proposal to increase materially the fees to be paid by the Fund under the Rule
12b-1 Plan relating to the Class A Shares.
It is expected that Lincoln National Corporation Employees' Retirement
Trust (the "Trust") will make an initial investment in the Fund, which could
result in the Trust holding up to 100% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
Subject to certain limited exceptions, there would be no limitation on the
Trust's ability to redeem its shares of the Fund and it may elect to do so at
any time.
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OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
U.S. Government Securities
U.S. Treasury securities are backed by the "full faith and credit" of
the United States. Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and U.S.
government sponsored instrumentalities may or may not be backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States. In the case of securities not backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States, investors in such securities
look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the
obligation for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against
the United States itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not
meet its commitment. Agencies which are backed by the full faith and credit of
the United States include the Export-Import Bank, Farmers Home Administration,
Federal Financing Bank, the Federal Housing Administration, the Maritime
Administration, the Small Business Administration, and others. Certain agencies
and instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association
("GNMA"), are, in effect, backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States through provisions in their charters that they may make "indefinite and
unlimited" drawings on the Treasury, if needed to service its debt. Debt from
certain other agencies and instrumentalities, including the Federal Home Loan
Bank and Federal National Mortgage Association, are not guaranteed by the United
States, but those institutions are protected by the discretionary authority for
the U.S. Treasury to purchase certain amounts of their securities to assist the
institutions in meeting their debt obligations. Finally, other agencies and
instrumentalities, such as the Farm Credit System, the Tennessee Valley
Authority and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, are federally
chartered institutions under U.S. government supervision, but their debt
securities are backed only by the creditworthiness of those institutions, not
the U.S. government.
An instrumentality of a U.S. government agency is a government agency
organized under Federal charter with government supervision. Instrumentalities
issuing or guaranteeing securities include, among others, Federal Home Loan
Banks, the Federal Land Banks, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal
Intermediate Credit Banks and the Federal National Mortgage Association.
The maturities of such securities usually range from three months to
thirty years. While such securities are guaranteed as to principal and interest
by the U.S. government or its instrumentalities, their market values may
fluctuate and are not guaranteed, which may, along with the other securities in
the Fund's portfolio, cause a Class' daily net asset value to fluctuate.
Zero Coupon Bonds and Pay-In-Kind Bonds
Although the Fund does not intend to purchase a substantial amount of
zero coupon bonds or PIK bonds, from time to time, the Fund may acquire zero
coupon bonds and, to a lesser extent, PIK bonds. Zero coupon bonds are debt
obligations which do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments of interest
prior to maturity or a specified date when the securities begin paying current
interest, and therefore are issued and traded at a discount from their face
amounts or par value. PIK bonds pay interest through the issuance to holders of
additional securities. Zero coupon bonds and PIK bonds are generally considered
to be more interest-sensitive than income bearing bonds, to be more speculative
than interest-bearing bonds, and to have certain tax consequences which could,
under certain circumstances, be adverse to the Fund. For example, with zero
coupon bonds, the Fund accrues, and is required to distribute to shareholders,
income on such bonds. However, the Fund may not receive the cash associated with
this income until the bonds are sold or mature. If the Fund did not have
sufficient cash to make the required distribution of accrued income, the Fund
could be required to sell other securities in its portfolio or to borrow to
generate the cash required.
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Mortgage-Backed Securities
The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities, including GNMA
certificates. Such securities differ from other fixed-income securities in that
principal is paid back by the borrower over the length of the loan rather than
returned in a lump sum at maturity. When prevailing interest rates rise, the
value of a GNMA security may decrease as do other debt securities. When
prevailing interest rates decline, however, the value of GNMA securities may not
rise on a comparable basis with other debt securities because of the prepayment
feature of GNMA securities. Additionally, if a GNMA certificate is purchased at
a premium above its principal value because its fixed rate of interest exceeds
the prevailing level of yields, the decline in price to par may result in a loss
of the premium in the event of prepayment. Funds received from prepayments may
be reinvested at the prevailing interest rates which may be lower than the rate
of interest that had previously been earned.
The mortgages backing these securities include conventional 30-year
fixed rate mortgages, graduated payment mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages.
These mortgages may be supported by various types of insurance, may be backed by
GNMA certificates or other mortgage pass-throughs issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. However, the guarantees do
not extend to the mortgage-backed securities' value, which is likely to vary
inversely with fluctuations in interest rates. These certificates are in most
cases "pass-through" instruments, through which the holder receives a share of
all interest and principal payments from the mortgages underlying the
certificate. Because the prepayment characteristics of the underlying mortgages
vary, it is not possible to predict accurately the average life or realized
yield of a particular issue of pass-through certificates. During periods of
declining interest rates, prepayment of mortgages underlying mortgage-backed
securities can be expected to accelerate. When the mortgage obligations are
prepaid, the Fund may reinvest the prepaid amounts in securities, the yield of
which reflects interest rates prevailing at the time. Moreover, prepayments of
mortgages which underlie securities purchased at a premium could result in
capital losses.
CMOs and REMICs
CMOs are debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies or by
financial institutions and other mortgage lenders and collateralized by a pool
of mortgages held under an indenture. CMOs are issued in a number of classes or
series with different maturities. The classes or series are retired in sequence
as the underlying mortgages are repaid. Prepayment may shorten the stated
maturity of the obligation and can result in a loss of premium, if any has been
paid. REMICs, which were authorized under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, are
private entities formed for the purpose of holding a fixed pool of mortgages
secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are similar to CMOs in that they
issue multiple classes of securities. To the extent any privately-issued CMOs or
REMICs in which the Fund may invest are considered by the Securities and
Exchange Commission to be investment companies, the Fund will limit its
investment in such securities in a manner consistent with the provisions of the
1940 Act.
Certain CMOs and REMICs may have variable or floating interest rates
and others may be stripped. Stripped mortgage securities have greater market
volatility than other types of mortgage securities in which the Fund may invest.
Stripped mortgage securities are usually structured with two classes
that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions
on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of stripped mortgage security will
have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the
mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the
remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all
of the interest (the "interest-only" class), while the other class will receive
all of the principal (the "principal-only" class). The yield to maturity on
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an interest-only class is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing
interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including
prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of
principal payments may have a material adverse effect on the Fund's yield to
maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated
prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial
investment in these securities even if the securities are rated in the highest
rating categories.
Although stripped mortgage securities are purchased and sold by
institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as
brokers or dealers, these securities were only recently developed. As a result,
established trading markets have not yet been fully developed and, accordingly,
these securities are generally illiquid and to such extent, together with any
other illiquid investments, will not exceed 15% of the Fund's net assets.
The Fund may invest in CMOs and REMICs issued by private entities which
are not collateralized by securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities, so-called non-agency
mortgage-backed securities. Investments in these securities may be made only if
the securities (i) are rated at the time of purchase in the four top rating
categories by a nationally-recognized statistical rating organization (e.g., BBB
or better by S&P or Fitch, or Baa or better by Moody's) and (ii) represent
interests in whole-loan mortgages, multi-family mortgages, commercial mortgages
and other mortgage collateral supported by a first mortgage lien on real estate.
Non-agency mortgage-backed securities are subject to the interest rate and
prepayment risks, described above, to which other CMOs and REMICs issued by
private issuers are subject. Non-agency mortgage-backed securities may also be
subject to a greater risk of loss of interest and principal because they are not
collateralized by securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. In
addition, timely information concerning the loans underlying these securities
may not be as readily available and the market for these securities may be less
liquid than other CMOs and REMICs.
Asset-Backed Securities
The asset-backed securities in which the Fund may invest must be rated
in the four top rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating
organization (e.g., BBB or better by S&P and Fitch, or Baa or better by
Moody's). The receivables underlying asset-backed securities are typically
securitized in either a pass-through or a pay-through structure. Pass-through
securities provide investors with an income stream consisting of both principal
and interest payments in respect of the receivables in the underlying pool.
Pay-through asset-backed securities are debt obligations issued usually by a
special purpose entity, which are collateralized by the various receivables and
in which the payments on the underlying receivables provide the funds to pay the
debt service on the debt obligations issued. The Fund may invest in these and
other types of asset-backed securities structured in this way that may be
developed in the future.
The rate of principal payment on asset-backed securities generally
depends upon the rate of principal payments received on the underlying assets.
Such rate of payments may be affected by economic and various other factors such
as changes in interest rates. Therefore, the yield may be difficult
to predict and actual yield to maturity may be more or less than the anticipated
yield to maturity. Due to the shorter maturity of the collateral backing such
securities, there is less of a risk of substantial prepayment than with
mortgage-backed securities. Such asset-backed securities do, however, involve
certain risks not associated with mortgage-backed securities, including the risk
that security interests cannot be adequately or in many cases, ever,
established. In addition, with respect to credit card receivables, a number of
state and federal consumer credit laws give debtors the right to set off certain
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amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the outstanding balance. In
the case of automobile receivables, there is a risk that the holders may not
have either a proper or first security interest in all of the obligations
backing such receivables due to the large number of vehicles involved in a
typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws. Therefore,
recoveries on repossessed collateral may not always be available to support
payments on the securities.
Borrowings
The Fund may borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary
purposes or to facilitate redemptions. The Fund will not borrow money in excess
of one-third of the value of its net assets. The Fund has no intention of
increasing its net income through borrowing. Any borrowing will be done from a
bank and, to the extent that such borrowing exceeds 5% of the value of the
Fund's net assets, asset coverage of at least 300% is required. In the event
that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below 300%, the Fund shall,
within three days thereafter (not including Sundays or holidays, or such longer
period as the Securities and Exchange Commission may prescribe by rules and
regulations), reduce the amount of its borrowings to such an extent that the
asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%. The Fund will not
pledge more than 10% of its net assets, or issue senior securities as defined in
the 1940 Act, except for notes to banks. Investment securities will not be
purchased while the Fund has an outstanding borrowing.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery
basis. In such transactions, instruments are purchased with payment and delivery
taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an
advantageous yield or price at the time of the transaction. Delivery of and
payment for these securities may take as long as a month or more after the date
of the purchase commitment. The Fund will maintain with its custodian bank a
separate account with a segregated portfolio of securities in an amount at least
equal to these commitments. The payment obligation and the interest rates that
will be received are each fixed at the time the Fund enters into the commitment
and no interest accrues to the Fund until settlement. Thus, it is possible that
the market value at the time of settlement could be higher or lower than the
purchase price if the general level of interest rates has changed.
Portfolio Loan Transactions
The Fund may loan up to 25% of its assets to qualified broker/dealers
or institutional investors.
The major risk to which the Fund would be exposed on a loan transaction
is the risk that the borrower would go bankrupt at a time when the value of the
security goes up. Therefore, the Fund will only enter into loan arrangements
after a review of all pertinent facts by the Manager, subject to overall
supervision by the Board of Directors, including the creditworthiness of the
borrowing broker, dealer or institution and then only if the consideration to be
received from such loans would justify the risk. Creditworthiness will be
monitored on an ongoing basis by the Manager.
Rule 144A Securities
The Fund may invest in restricted securities, including privately
placed securities, some of which may be eligible for resale without registration
pursuant to Rule 144A ("Rule 144A Securities") under the Securities Act of 1933.
Rule 144A permits many privately placed and legally restricted securities to be
freely traded among certain institutional buyers such as the Fund. The Fund may
invest no more than 15% of the value of its net assets in illiquid securities.
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While maintaining oversight, the Board of Directors has delegated to
the Manager the day-to-day function of determining whether or not individual
Rule 144A Securities are liquid for purposes of the Fund's 15% limitation on
investments in illiquid assets. The Board has instructed the Manager to consider
the following factors in determining the liquidity of a Rule 144A Security: (i)
the frequency of trades and trading volume for the security; (ii) whether at
least three dealers are willing to purchase or sell the security and the number
of potential purchasers; (iii) whether at least two dealers are making a market
in the security; (iv) the nature of the security and the nature of the
marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method
of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer).
If the Manager or Sub-Adviser determines that a Rule 144A Security
which was previously determined to be liquid is no longer liquid and, as a
result, the Fund's holdings of illiquid securities exceed the Fund's 15% limit
on investments in such securities, the Manager will determine what action to
take to ensure that the Fund continues to adhere to such limitation.
Investment Company Securities
Any investments that the Fund makes in either closed-end or open-end
investment companies will be limited by the 1940 Act, and would involve an
indirect payment of a portion of the expenses, including advisory fees, of such
other investment companies. Under the 1940 Act's current limitations, the Fund
may not (1) own more than 3% of the voting stock of another investment company;
(2) invest more than 5% of the Fund's total assets in the shares of any one
investment company; nor (3) invest more than 10% of the Fund's total assets in
shares of other investment companies. If the Fund elects to limit its investment
in other investment companies to closed-end investment companies, the 3%
limitation described above is increased to 10%. These percentage limitations
also apply to the Fund's investments in unregistered investment companies.
Repurchase Agreements
In order to invest its short-term cash reserves or when in a temporary
defensive posture, the Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks or
broker/dealers deemed to be creditworthy by the Manager, under guidelines
approved by the Board of Directors. A repurchase agreement is a short-term
investment in which the purchaser (i.e. the Fund) acquires ownership of a debt
security and the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a future time and
set price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser's holding period.
Generally, repurchase agreements are of short duration, often less than one week
but on occasion for longer periods. Not more than 15% of the Fund's assets may
be invested in repurchase agreements of over seven-days' maturity or other
illiquid assets. Should an issuer of a repurchase agreement fail to repurchase
the underlying security, the loss to the Fund, if any, would be the difference
between the repurchase price and the market value of the security. The Fund will
limit its investments in repurchase agreements to those which the Manager under
guidelines of the Board of Directors determines to present minimal credit risks
and which are of high quality. In addition, the Fund must have collateral of at
least 100% of the repurchase price, including the portion representing the
Fund's yield under such agreements, which is monitored on a daily basis.
Foreign Currency Transactions
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it
does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars
on a daily basis. The Fund will, however, from time to time, purchase or sell
foreign currencies and/or engage in forward foreign currency transactions in
order to expedite settlement of portfolio transactions and to minimize currency
value fluctuations. The Fund may conduct its foreign currency exchange
transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the
foreign currency exchange market or through entering into contracts to purchase
or sell foreign
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<PAGE>
currencies at a future date (i.e., a "forward foreign currency" contract or
"forward" contract). A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or
sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days
from the date of the contract, agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the
time of the contract. The Fund will convert currency on a spot basis from time
to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion.
The Fund may enter into forward contracts to "lock in" the price of a
security it has agreed to purchase or sell, in terms of U.S. dollars or other
currencies in which the transaction will be consummated. By entering into a
forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or
foreign currency, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying
security transaction, the Fund will be able to protect itself against a possible
loss resulting from an adverse change in currency exchange rates during the
period between the date the security is purchased or sold and the date on which
payment is made or received.
When the Sub-Adviser believes that the currency of a particular country
may suffer a significant decline against the U.S. dollar or against another
currency, the Fund may enter into a forward foreign currency contract to sell,
for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other appropriate currency, the amount of
foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's securities
denominated in such foreign currency.
The Fund will not enter into forward contracts or maintain a net
exposure to such contracts where the consummation of the contracts would
obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the
value of the Fund's securities or other assets denominated in that currency.
At the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may either sell the
portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency, or it may retain
the security and terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the foreign
currency by purchasing an "offsetting" contract with the same currency trader
obligating it to purchase, on the same maturity date, the same amount of the
foreign currency. The Fund may realize a gain or loss from currency
transactions. With respect to forward foreign currency contracts, the precise
matching of forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved is
generally not possible since the future value of such securities in foreign
currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of
those securities between the date the forward contract is entered into and the
date it matures. The projection of short-term currency strategy is highly
uncertain.
It is impossible to forecast the market value of Fund securities at the
expiration of the contract. Accordingly, it may be necessary for the Fund to
purchase additional foreign currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of
such purchase) if the market value of the security is less than the amount of
foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made to
sell the security and make delivery of the foreign currency. Conversely, it may
be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency received
upon the sale of a security if its market value exceeds the amount of foreign
currency the Fund is obligated to deliver.
Options
The Manager and Sub-Adviser may employ options techniques in an attempt
to protect appreciation attained and to take advantage of the liquidity
available in the options market. The Fund may purchase call options on foreign
or U.S. securities and indices and enter into related closing transactions and
the Fund may write covered call options on such securities. The Fund may also
purchase put options on such securities and indices and enter into related
closing transactions.
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<PAGE>
A call option enables the purchaser, in return for the premium paid, to
purchase securities from the writer of the option at an agreed price up to an
agreed date. A covered call option obligates the writer, in return for the
premium received, to sell the securities subject to the option to the purchaser
of the option for an agreed upon price up to an agreed date. The advantage is
that the purchaser may hedge against an increase in the price of securities it
ultimately wishes to buy or take advantage of a rise in a particular index. The
Fund will only purchase call options to the extent that premiums paid on all
outstanding call options do not exceed 2% of its total assets.
A put option enables the purchaser of the option, in return for the
premium paid, to sell the security underlying the option to the writer at the
exercise price during the option period, and the writer of the option has the
obligation to purchase the security from the purchaser of the option. The Fund
will only purchase put options to the extent that the premiums on all
outstanding put options do not exceed 2% of its total assets. The advantage is
that the purchaser can be protected should the market value of the security
decline or should a particular index decline.
An option on a securities index gives the purchaser of the option, in
return for the premium paid, the right to receive from the seller cash equal to
the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of
the option.
Closing transactions essentially let the Fund offset put options or
call options prior to exercise or expiration. If the Fund cannot effect closing
transactions, it may have to hold a security it would otherwise sell or deliver
a security it might want to hold.
In purchasing put and call options, the premium paid by the Fund plus
any transaction costs will reduce any benefit realized by the Fund upon exercise
of the option. With respect to writing covered call options, the Fund may lose
the potential market appreciation of the securities subject to the option, if
the Manager's or the Sub-Adviser's judgment is wrong and the price of the
security moves in the opposite direction from what was anticipated.
The Fund may use both Exchange-traded and over-the-counter options.
Certain over-the-counter options may be illiquid. The Fund will only invest in
such options to the extent consistent with its 15% limitation on investment in
illiquid securities. The Fund will comply with Securities and Exchange
Commission asset segregation and coverage requirements when engaging in these
types of transactions.
Futures
Futures contracts are agreements for the purchase or sale for future
delivery of securities. When a futures contract is sold, the Fund incurs a
contractual obligation to deliver the securities underlying the contract at a
specified price on a specified date during a specified future month. A purchase
of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual right to obtain
delivery to the Fund of the securities called for by the contract at a specified
price during a specified future month.
While futures contracts provide for the delivery of securities,
deliveries usually do not occur. Contracts are generally terminated by entering
into an offsetting transaction. When the Fund enters into a futures transaction,
it must deliver to the futures commission merchant selected by the Fund an
amount referred to as "initial margin." This amount is maintained by the futures
commission merchant in an account at the Fund's custodian bank. Thereafter, a
"variation margin" may be paid by the Fund to, or drawn by the Fund from, such
account in accordance with controls set for such account, depending upon changes
in the price of the underlying securities subject to the futures contract.
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<PAGE>
The Fund may also purchase and write options to buy or sell futures
contracts. Options on futures are similar to options on securities except that
options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid,
to assume a position in a futures contract, rather than actually to purchase or
sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the
period of the option.
The purpose of the purchase or sale of futures contracts consisting of
U.S. government securities is to protect the Fund against the adverse effects of
fluctuations in interest rates without actually buying or selling such
securities. Similarly, when it is expected that interest rates may decline,
futures contracts may be purchased to hedge in anticipation of subsequent
purchases of U.S. government securities at higher prices.
REITs
REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in
income-producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. REITs
are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of
equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets
directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of
rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that
have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in
real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest
payments. Like investment companies such as Income Funds, Inc., REITs are not
taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with several
requirements in the Code. REITs are subject to substantial cash flow dependency,
defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the risk of failing to qualify for
tax-free pass-through of income under the Code, and/or maintain exemptions from
the 1940 Act.
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<PAGE>
APPENDIX A - INVESTMENT ILLUSTRATIONS
Illustrations of the Potential Impact on Investment Based on Purchase Option
$10,000 Purchase
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Scenario 1 Scenario 2
No Redemption Redeem 1st Year
- ----- --------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C
- ---- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
0 9,525 10,000 10,000 9,525 10,000 10,000
1 10,192 10,625 10,625 10,192 10,225 10,525+
2 10,905 11,289 11,289
3 11,669 11,995 11,995
4 12,485 12,744 12,744
5 13,359 13,541 13,541
6 14,294 14,387 14,387
7 15,295 15,286 15,286
8 16,366+ 16,242 16,242
9 17,511 17,379* 17,257
10 18,737 18,595* 18,335
</TABLE>
*This assumes that Class B Shares were converted to Class A
Shares at the end of the eighth year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Scenario 3 Scenario 4
Redeem 3rd Year Redeem 5th Year
- ---- --------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Year Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C
- ---- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
0 9,525 10,000 10,000 9,525 10,000 10,000
1 10,192 10,625 10,625 10,192 10,625 10,625
2 10,905 11,289 11,289 10,905 11,289 11,289
3 11,669 11,695 11,995+ 11,669 11,995 11,995
4 12,485 12,744 12,744
5 13,359 13,341 13,541+
6
7
8
9
10
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
$250,000 Purchase
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Scenario 1 Scenario 2
No Redemption Redeem 1st Year
- ---- --------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C
- ---- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
0 243,750 250,000 250,000 243,750 250,000 250,000
1 260,813 265,625 265,625 260,813 255,625 263,125+
2 279,069 282,227 282,227
3 298,604 299,866 299,866
4 319,507+ 318,607 318,607
5 341,872 338,520 338,520
6 365,803 359,678 359,678
7 391,409 382,158 382,158
8 418,808 406,043 406,043
9 448,124 434,466* 431,420
10 479,493 464,878* 458,384
Scenario 3 Scenario 4
Redeem 3rd Year Redeem 5th Year
- ---- --------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Year Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C
- ---- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
0 243,750 250,000 250,000 243,750 250,000 250,000
1 260,813 265,625 265,625 260,813 265,625 265,625
2 279,069 282,227 282,227 279,069 282,227 282,227
3 298,604 292,366 300,866+ 298,604 299,866 299,866
4 319,507+ 318,607 318,607
5 341,872 333,520 338,520
6
7
8
9
10
</TABLE>
*This assumes that Class B Shares were converted to Class A
Shares at the end of the eighth year.
Assumes a hypothetical return for Class A of 7% per year, a hypothetical return
for Class B of 6.25% for years 1-8 and 7% for years 9-10, and a hypothetical
return for Class C of 6.25% per year. Hypothetical returns vary due to the
different expense structure for each Class and do not represent actual
performance.
Class A purchase subject to appropriate sales charge breakpoint (4.75% @
$10,000; 3.75% @ $100,000; 2.50% @ $250,000).
Class B purchase assessed appropriate CDSC upon redemption (4%-4%-3%-3%-2%-1%
in years 1-2-3-4-5-6).
Class C purchase assessed 1% CDSC upon redemption in year 1.
Figures marked "+" identify which Class offers the greater return potential
based on investment amount, the holding period and the expense structure of each
Class.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B -- RATINGS
The Fund's assets may be invested in securities rated BBB or lower by
S&P or Fitch, Baa or lower by Moody's, in securities similarly rated by another
nationally recognized statistical rating organization, and in unrated corporate
bonds. These credit ratings evaluate only the safety of principal and interest
and do not consider the market value risk associated with high-yield securities.
General Rating Information
Bonds
Excerpts from Moody's description of its bond ratings: Aaa--judged to
be the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk;
Aa--judged to be of high quality by all standards; A--possess favorable
attributes and are considered "upper medium" grade obligations; Baa--considered
as medium grade obligations. Interest payments and principal security appear
adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may
be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time; Ba--judged to
have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured.
Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and
thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future.
Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class; B--generally lack
characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal
payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period
of time may be small; Caa--are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default
or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest; Ca--represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such
issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings; C--the lowest
rated class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely
poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Excerpts from S&P's description of its bond ratings: AAA--highest grade
obligations. They possess the ultimate degree of protection as to principal and
interest; AA--also qualify as high grade obligations, and in the majority of
instances differ from AAA issues only in a small degree; A--strong ability to
pay interest and repay principal although more susceptible to changes in
circumstances; BBB--regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and
repay principal; BB, B, CCC, CC--regarded, on balance, as predominantly
speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in
accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of
speculation and CC the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will
likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by
large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions; C--reserved
for income bonds on which no interest is being paid; D--in default, and payment
of interest and/or repayment of principal is in arrears.
Excerpts from Fitch's description of its bond ratings:
AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events; AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very
strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in
the AAA and AA categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future
developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+; A--
Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances that bonds with higher ratings; BBB--Bonds considered to be
investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality. The obligor's ability to
pay interest and repay
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<PAGE>
principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these
bonds, and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of
these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with
higher ratings; BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to
pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic
changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which
could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements; B--Bonds
are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are currently
meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely payment
of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of safety and
the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the life of
the issue; CCC--Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not
remedied, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an
advantageous business and economic environment; CC--Bonds are minimally
protected. Default in payment of interest and/or principal seems probable over
time; C--Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal; and
DDD, DD and D--Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. "DDD"
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and "D" represents
the lowest potential for recovery.
Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the
relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs,
however, are not used in the "AAA" category.
Commercial Paper
Excerpts from Moody's description of its two highest commercial paper
ratings: P-1--the highest grade possessing greatest relative strength;
P-2--second highest grade possessing less relative strength than the highest
grade.
Excerpts from S&P's description of its two highest commercial paper
ratings: A-1--judged to be the highest investment grade category possessing the
highest relative strength; A-2--investment grade category possessing less
relative strength than the highest rating.
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