<PAGE>
Delaware Investments offers funds
with a wide range of investment objectives.
Stock funds, income funds, national and
state specific tax-exempt funds, money market
funds, global and international funds and
closed-end 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 Investments at 800-523-4640.
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Delaware Management Company, Inc.
One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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
The Chase Manhattan Bank
4 Chase Metrotech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11245
- -------------------------------------------
HIGH-YIELD OPPORTUNITIES FUND
- -------------------------------------------
A CLASS
B CLASS
C CLASS
- -------------------------------------------
PROSPCTUS
- -------------------------------------------
FEBRUARY 17, 1998
DELAWARE
INVESTMENTS
===========
<PAGE>
HIGH-YIELD OPPORTUNITIES FUND PROSPECTUS
A CLASS SHARES FEBRUARY 17, 1998
B CLASS SHARES
C CLASS SHARES
----------------------------------------
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 800-659-2265
This Prospectus describes shares of High-Yield Opportunities Fund series
(the "Fund") of Delaware Group Income Funds, Inc. ("Income Funds, Inc."), a
professionally-managed mutual fund of the series type. The Fund's objective is
to seek to provide investors with total return and, as a secondary objective,
high current income.
The Fund invests up to 100% of its assets in lower rated fixed-income
securities, commonly known as "junk bonds," which involve greater risks,
including default risks, than higher rated fixed-income securities. Purchasers
should carefully assess these risks before investing in the Fund. See
Investment Objective and Policies, Risk Factors, and Appendix A--Ratings.
The Fund offers High-Yield Opportunities Fund A Class ("Class A Shares"),
High-Yield Opportunities Fund B Class ("Class B Shares") and High-Yield
Opportunities Fund C Class ("Class C Shares") (individually, a "Class" and
collectively, the "Classes").
This Prospectus relates only to the classes listed above and sets forth
information that you should read and consider before you invest. Please retain
it for future reference. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information ("Part
B" of Income Funds, Inc.'s registration statement) dated September 29, 1997, 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 SEC also maintains a Web site
(http://www.sec.gov) that contains Part B, material incorporated by reference
into Income Funds, Inc.'s registration statement, and other information
regarding registrants that electronically file with the SEC. The Fund's
financial statements appear in its Annual Report, which will accompany any
requests for Part B.
<PAGE>
The Fund also offers High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class,
which is available for purchase only by certain investors. A prospectus for
High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class can be obtained by writing to
Delaware Distributors, L.P. at the above address or by calling the above
number.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER PAGE CLASSES OF SHARES
SYNOPSIS HOW TO BUY SHARES
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES TAXES
Suitability
Investment Strategy CALCULATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
RISK FACTORS MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Youth and Volatility of the
High-Yield Market OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES AND
Redemptions RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Liquidity and Valuation
THE DELAWARE DIFFERENCE APPENDIX A--RATINGS
Plans and Services
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 THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED.
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT BANK OR CREDIT UNION DEPOSITS.
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<PAGE>
SYNOPSIS
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to provide investors with
total return and, as a secondary objective, high current income. The Fund seeks
to achieve its objective by investing principally in corporate bonds rated BB
or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Ba or lower by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or similarly rated by another nationally-
recognized statistical rating organization, or, if unrated (which may be more
speculative in nature than rated bonds), judged to be of comparable quality by
the Manager (as defined below). The Fund may also invest in U.S. and foreign
government securities and commercial paper. For further details, see Investment
Objective and Policies, Risk Factors and Other Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations.
Risk Factors
The Fund invests primarily in high-yield securities ("junk bonds") and
greater risks may be involved with an investment in the Fund than an investment
in a mutual fund comprised primarily of investment grade bonds.
See Risk Factors.
Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer 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. The Manager also provides investment
management services to certain of the other funds available from Delaware
Investments. Delaware Distributors, L.P. (the "Distributor") is the national
distributor for the Fund and for all of the other mutual funds available from
Delaware Investments. 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 available
from Delaware Investments. See Summary of Expenses and Management of the Fund
for further information regarding the Manager and the fees payable under the
Fund's Investment Management Agreement.
Sales Charges
The price of Class A Shares includes a maximum front-end sales charge of
4.75% of the offering price. The front-end sales charge is reduced on certain
transactions of at least $100,000 but under $1,000,000. For purchases of
$1,000,000 or more, the front-end sales charge is eliminated (subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge ("Limited CDSC") of 1% if shares are redeemed
within 12 months of purchase if in connection with such purchase a dealer
commission was paid). Class A Shares are subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses
for the life of the investment.
The price of Class B Shares is equal to the net asset value per share.
Class B Shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("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
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<PAGE>
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 generally must 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.
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. 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 first organized as a
Delaware corporation in 1970 and was subsequently organized as a Maryland
corporation on March 4, 1983. See Shares under Management of the Fund.
-4-
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OFEXPENSES
A general comparison of the sales arrangements and other expenses
applicable to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C
Shareholder Transaction Expenses Shares Shares Shares
- -------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
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****
</TABLE>
* 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 Limited
CDSC of 1% will be imposed on certain redemptions within 12 months of
purchase. Additional Class A purchase options involving the imposition of a
CDSC may be permitted as described in the Prospectus from time to time. See
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares
Purchased at Net Asset Value under Redemption and Exchange.
** 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. See Deferred Sales Charge
Alternative -- Class B Shares.
*** Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC of 1% if the shares are redeemed
within 12 months of purchase. See 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.
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Operating Expenses Class A Class B Class C
(as a percentage of average daily net assets) Shares Shares Shares
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees (after voluntary waivers) ............................. 0.33%++ 0.33%++ 0.33%++
12b-1 Plan Expenses (including service fees) (after voluntary waivers) 0.30%+ 1.00%+ 1.00%+
Other Operating Expenses .............................................. 0.62%++ 0.62%++ 0.62%++
---- ---- ----
Total Operating Expenses (after voluntary waivers) .................. 1.25%++ 1.95%++ 1.95%++
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
+ 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"). See Distribution (12b-1)
and Service under Management of the Fund. From the commencement of operations
through February 16, 1998, the Distributor waived its right to receive 12b-1
fees. Beginning February 17, 1998, the Fund commenced paying 12b-1 fees and
the expense information set forth in this section has been restated to reflect
these fees.
++ Total Operating Expenses and Other Operating Expenses for Class A Shares,
Class B Shares and Class C Shares are based on estimated amounts for the first
full fiscal year of the Classes, after giving effect to the voluntary expense
waiver. Beginning January 1, 1998, the Manager has elected voluntarily to
waive that portion, if any, of the annual management fees payable by the 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 0.95% on an annualized basis through
September 30, 1998. From the commencement of operations through December 31,
1997, commitments of waiver and payment by the Manager that were different
from that currently in effect for the Fund were in place. See Management of
the Fund. The expense information set forth above has been restated to reflect
the current fees. If the voluntary expense waivers by the Manager were not in
effect, it is estimated that for the first full year, the Total Operating
Expenses, as a percentage of average daily net assets, would be 1.57%, 2.27%
and 2.27%, respectively, for Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C
Shares, reflecting management fees of 0.65%.
Investors utilizing the Asset Planner asset allocation service also
typically incur an annual maintenance fee of $35 per Strategy. However, the
annual maintenance fee is waived until further notice. Investors who utilize
the Asset Planner for an Individual Retirement Account ("IRA") will pay an
annual IRA fee of $15 per Social Security number. See Part B.
For expense information about High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional
Class of shares, see the separate prospectus relating to that class.
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<PAGE>
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. The following example assumes the voluntary waiver
of the management fee by the Manager as discussed in this Prospectus.
Assuming No
Assuming Redemption Redemption
1 year 3 years 1 year 3 years
-------- --------- -------- --------
Class A Shares .......... $ 60(1) $85 $60 $85
Class B Shares(2)........ $ 60 $91 $20 $61
Class C Shares .......... $ 30 $61 $20 $61
(1) Generally, no redemption charge is assessed upon redemption of Class A
Shares. Under certain circumstances, however, a Limited CDSC, or other
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.
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.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following financial highlights are derived from the financial statements of
High-Yield Opportunities Fund of Delaware Group Income Funds, Inc. and have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors. The data should be
read in conjunction with the financial statements, related notes, and the
report of Ernst & Young LLP, all of which are incorporated by reference into
Part B. Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in its
Annual Report to shareholders. A copy of the Fund's Annual Report (including
the report of Ernst & Young LLP) may be obtained from Income Funds, Inc. upon
request at no charge.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
High-Yield
Opportunities
Fund A Class
---------------
For the period
1/2/97(1)
through
7/31/97
---------------
<S> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period ..................................................... $ 5.5000
Income From Investment Operations
- ---------------------------------
Net Investment Income(2) ................................................................. 0.2902
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (both realized and unrealized) .......................... 0.2990
---------
Total From Investment Operations ..................................................... 0.5892
---------
Less Distributions
- ------------------
Dividends from Net Investment Income ..................................................... (0.1692)
Distributions from Capital Gains ......................................................... none
---------
Total Distributions .................................................................. (0.1692)
---------
Net Asset Value, End of Period ........................................................... $ 5.9200
=========
Total Return(3,4)......................................................................... 10.81%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios/Supplemental Data
- ------------------------
Net Assets, End of Period (000's omitted) ................................................ $ 5,990
Ratio of Expenses to Average Daily Net Assets ............................................ 0.75%
Ratio of Expenses to Average Daily Net Assets Prior to Expense Limitation ................ 1.57%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Daily Net Assets ............................... 8.53%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Daily Net Assets Prior to Expense Limitation ... 7.70%
Portfolio Turnover Rate .................................................................. 270%
</TABLE>
- -----------
(1) Date of initial public offering of Class A Shares was January 2, 1997;
ratios have been annualized but total return has not been annualized.
Total return for this short of a time period may not be representative of
longer term results.
(2) Net investment income per share information was based on the average
shares outstanding method.
(3) Does not reflect maximum sales charge of 4.75% for Class A Shares.
(4) Total return reflects the expense limitations and waivers of 12b-1 Plan
expenses referenced under Management of the Fund.
-8-
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The objective of the Fund is to seek total return and, as a secondary
objective, high current income. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in corporate bonds rated BB or lower by S&P or Ba or lower
by Moody's, or similarly rated by another nationally-recognized statistical
rating organization or, if unrated (which may be more speculative in nature
than rated bonds), judged to be of comparable quality by the Manager. See
Appendix A -- Ratings for more rating information and Risk Factors and Other
Investment Policies and Risk Considerations for a description of
the risks associated with investing in lower-rated fixed-income securities.
SUITABILITY
The Fund may be suitable for the investor interested in total return. High
current income is a secondary objective. The Manager's primary focus in
selecting securities for the Fund will be total return. Lower-yielding
securities may be selected over higher-yield securities based on the Manager's
view of the potential for returns offered by the securities being considered
for the Fund.
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 yield, or that
principal will be protected. However, through the cautious selection and
supervision of its portfolio, the Manager 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 greater
price appreciation and 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. 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 Risk Factors and
Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations for a complete discussion of
the risk factors affecting the Fund's portfolio securities.
Investors should not consider a purchase of Fund shares as equivalent to
a complete investment program. Delaware Investments offers a family of funds,
generally available through registered investment dealers, which may be used
together to create a more complete investment program.
Ownership of 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 Fund will invest at least 65% of its assets at the time of purchase in
corporate bonds that may be rated BB or lower by S&P or Ba or lower by Moody's,
or similarly rated by another nationally-recognized statistical rating
organization, or if unrated (which may be more speculative in nature than rated
bonds), judged to be of comparable quality by the Manager. The Fund generally
will not purchase corporate bonds which, at the time of purchase, are rated
lower than CCC by S&P or Caa by Moody's. If a corporate bond held by the Fund
drops below these levels, including a security that goes into default, the Fund
will commence with an orderly sale of the security in a manner devised to
minimize any adverse affect on the Fund. If a sale of the
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<PAGE>
security is not practicable for any reason, the Fund will pursue other
available measures reasonably anticipated by the Manager to facilitate
repayment of the bond.
The Fund may also invest in securities of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. and
foreign governments, their agencies or instrumentalities and commercial paper
of companies having, at the time of purchase, an issue of outstanding debt
securities rated as described above or commercial paper rated A-1 or A-2 by S&P
or rated P-1 or P-2 by Moody's or, if unrated, judged to be of comparable
quality by the Manager.
The Fund may acquire zero coupon bonds and, to a lesser extent,
pay-in-kind (PIK) bonds. See Zero Coupon Bonds and Pay-In-Kind Bonds under
Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations. The Fund may also invest in
other types of income-producing securities, including common stocks and
preferred stocks, some of which may have convertible features or attached
warrants and which may be speculative. See Convertible, Debt and
Non-Traditional Equity Securities under Other Investment Policies and Risk
Considerations.
The Fund may purchase privately-placed debt and other securities the
resale of which is restricted under applicable securities laws. Such securities
may be less liquid than securities that are not subject to resale restrictions.
The Fund will not purchase illiquid assets, if more than 15% of its net assets
would consist of such illiquid securities. See Restricted/Illiquid Securities
under Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in securities of issuers
domiciled in foreign countries. See Foreign Investment Information under Other
Investment Policies and Risk Considerations.
The Fund may hold cash or invest in short-term debt securities and other
money market instruments when, in the Manager's opinion, such holdings are
prudent given then prevailing market conditions or pending investment in other
types of securities. All these short-term investments will be of the highest
quality as determined by a nationally-recognized statistical rating
organization (e.g., AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's) or, if unrated, judged to be
of comparable quality as determined by the Manager. See Short-Term Investments
under Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations.
The Manager does not normally intend to respond to short-term market
fluctuations or to acquire securities for the purpose of short-term trading;
however, the Manager may take advantage of short-term opportunities that are
consistent with its investment objective.
* * *
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.
Although the Fund will constantly strive to attain its objective, there
can be no assurance that it will be attained.
The Fund's 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
-10-
<PAGE>
securities. Part B lists other more specific investment restrictions of the
Fund which may not be changed without a majority shareholder vote.
The investment policies of the Fund that are 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.
-11-
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
Generally
The Fund invests principally 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 a greater potential for price appreciation
and can offer 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 portfolio diversification, credit analysis,
and attention to trends in the economy, industries and financial markets.
High-Yield Securities
The Fund may invest primarily in bonds rated BB or lower by S&P or Ba or
lower by Moody's, and in bonds of comparable quality. See Appendix A --
Ratings in this Prospectus for more rating information. Investing in these
so-called "junk" bonds or "high-yield" bonds entails certain risks, including
the risk of loss of principal and default on interest payments, 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, the
risks of lower-rated bonds 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 the 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 the
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 the Fund's 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, the Fund may be required to sell
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.
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 which dominate it temporarily
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<PAGE>
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 Fund's privately placed
high-yield securities are particularly susceptible to the liquidity and
valuation risks outlined above.
See High-Yield, High Risk Securities under Other Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations for further information about high-yield securities.
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<PAGE>
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 Investments
family 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 Delaware Investments' Shareholder
Service Center. Our representatives can answer any questions about your
account, the Fund, various service features and other funds available from
Delaware Investments.
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 Delaware
Investments. Delaphone is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Dividend Payments
Dividends, capital gains and other distributions, if any, 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 Investments 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.
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<PAGE>
MoneyLineSM Services
Delaware Investments offers the following services for fast and convenient
transfer of funds between your personal bank account and your Fund account:
1. MoneyLineSM 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 MoneyLineSM 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. This service is not available
for certain retirement plans.
2. MoneyLineSM On Demand
You or your investment dealer may request purchases and redemptions of
Fund shares by using MoneyLineSM On Demand. When you authorize the Fund to
accept such requests from you or your investment dealer, funds will be
withdrawn from (for share purchases) or deposited to (for share redemptions)
your predesignated bank account. Your request will be processed the same day
if you call prior to 4 p.m., Eastern time. There is a $25 minimum and a
$50,000 maximum limit for MoneyLineSM On Demand transactions. This service is
not available for retirement plans, except for purchases of shares by IRAs.
For each MoneyLineSM Service, it may take up to four business days for the
transactions to be completed. You can initiate either service by completing an
Account Services form. If the name and address on your designated bank account
are not identical to the name and address on your Fund account, you must have
your signature guaranteed. The Fund does not charge a fee for any MoneyLineSM
Service; however, your bank may charge a fee. Please call the Shareholder
Service Center for additional information about these services.
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.
Retirement Planning
An investment in the Fund may be a suitable investment option for
tax-deferred retirement plans. Delaware Investments offers a full spectrum of
qualified and non-qualified retirement plans,
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<PAGE>
including the popular 401(k) deferred compensation plan, IRA, and the new Roth
IRA. Please call Delaware Investments at 1-800-523-1918 for more information.
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 Delaware Investments
funds. 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 Investments fund shares over a 13-month period. See
Classes of Shares and Part B.
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 other funds in Delaware Investments, 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 Delaware Investments. 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.
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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<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 0.30% 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, below. 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% (0.25% 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,
Class B Shares automatically will be converted into Class A Shares and,
thereafter, for the remainder of the life of the investment, the annual 12b-1
Plan fee of up to 0.30% for the Class A Shares will apply. 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% (0.25% 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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<PAGE>
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. 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. In addition, the effect of any
return earned on such additional money will diminish over time. In comparing
Class B Shares to Class C Shares, investors should also consider the duration
of the annual 12b-1 Plan expenses to which each of the Classes is subject and
the desirability of an automatic conversion feature, which is available only
for Class B Shares.
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 Class A Shares, from the proceeds of the front-end sales charge and
12b-1 Plan fees and, in the case of Class B Shares and 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 Shares, Class B Shares 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 Distribution (12b-1) and Service under Management of the Fund.
Dividends, if any, paid on Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C
Shares 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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<PAGE>
Purchases of $100,000 or more carry a reduced front-end sales charge as
shown in the following table.
High-Yield Opportunities 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% 5.07% 4.00%
$100,000 but under
$250,000 3.75 3.89 3.00
$250,000 but under
$500,000 2.50 2.53 2.00
$500,000 but under
$1,000,000* 2.00 2.03 1.60
* There is no front-end sales charge on purchases of Class A Shares of
$1,000,000 or more but, under certain limited circumstances, a 1% Limited
CDSC may apply upon redemption of such shares.
** Based upon the net asset value per share of Class A Shares as of Income
Funds, Inc.'s most recent fiscal year.
*** 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
Investments products and services and who increase sales of Delaware
Investments funds may receive an additional commission of up to 0.15% 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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<PAGE>
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 of purchase)
- ---------------------------------- --------------------
Up to $2 million 1.00%
Next $1 million up to $3 million 0.75
Next $2 million up to $5 million 0.50
Amount over $5 million 0.25
For accounts with assets over $1 million, the dealer commission resets
annually to the highest incremental commission rate on the anniversary of the
first purchase. In determining a financial adviser's eligibility for the
dealer's commission, purchases of Class A Shares of other funds from Delaware
Investments as to which a Limited CDSC applies may be aggregated with those of
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 Investments 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 other funds in Delaware
Investments, 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 Investments fund
holdings. In addition, assets held by investment advisory clients of the
Manager or its affiliates in a stable value account may be combined with other
Delaware Investments 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 Investments 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.
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<PAGE>
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.
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.
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 Investments funds ("eligible Delaware Investments
fund shares"), as well as shares of designated classes of non-Delaware
Investments funds ("eligible non-Delaware Investments 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 Investments and eligible non-Delaware Investments
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 Investments fund shares.
Participants in Allied Plans may exchange all or part of their eligible
Delaware Investments fund shares for other eligible Delaware Investments fund
shares or for eligible non-Delaware Investments fund shares at net asset value
without payment of a front-end sales charge. However, exchanges of eligible
fund shares, both Delaware Investments and non-Delaware Investments, which were
not subject to a front-end sales charge, will be subject to the applicable
sales charge if exchanged for eligible Delaware Investments 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
Investments 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 Investments fund shares in connection with Allied Plans, all
participant holdings in the Allied Plan will be aggregated.
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 Investments and non-Delaware Investments fund shares.
When eligible Delaware Investments fund shares are exchanged into eligible
non-Delaware Investments 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
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<PAGE>
Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares Purchased at Net Asset Value
under Redemption and Exchange.
Buying Class A Shares at Net Asset Value
Class A Shares of the Fund may be purchased at net asset value under the
Delaware Investments 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 Delaware Investments, 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
Investments 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.
Investors may be charged a fee when effecting transactions in Class A Shares
through a broker or agent that offers these special products.
Purchases of Class A Shares at net asset value may also be made by the
following: financial institutions investing for the account of their trust
customers if they are not eligible to purchase shares of the Institutional
Class of the Fund; any group retirement plan (excluding defined benefit
pension plans), or such plans of the same employer, for which plan participant
records are maintained on the Delaware Investment & Retirement Services, Inc.
("DIRSI") proprietary record keeping system that (i) has in excess of $500,000
of plan assets invested in Class A Shares of Delaware Investments funds and
any stable value account available to investment advisory clients of the
Manager or its affiliate, or (ii) is sponsored by an employer that has at any
point after May 1, 1997 had more than 100 employees while such plan has held
Class A Shares of a Delaware Investments fund and such employer has properly
represented to DIRSI in writing that it has the requisite number of employees
and has received written confirmation back from DIRSI.
Investors in Delaware-Voyageur Unit Investment Trusts may reinvest monthly
dividend checks and/or repayment of invested capital into Class A Shares of any
of the funds in Delaware Investments at net asset value.
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
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<PAGE>
a Delaware Investments account in connection with loans originated from
accounts previously maintained by another investment firm will also be
invested at net asset value.
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, SIMPLE IRA, SIMPLE 401(k),
Profit Sharing, Money Purchase Pension, 401(k) Defined Contribution Plans and
403(b)(7) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans) may benefit from the reduced
front-end sales charges available on the Class A Shares, based on total plan
assets. If a company has more than one plan investing in Delaware Investments
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 investment accounts available from Delaware Investments 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.
The Limited CDSC is applicable to any redemptions of net asset value
purchases made on behalf of any group retirement plan on which a dealer's
commission has been paid only if such redemption is made pursuant to a
withdrawal of the entire plan from Delaware Investments funds. See Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares Purchased at
Net Asset Value under Redemption and Exchange.
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.
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, if any, 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.
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<PAGE>
Holders of Class B Shares who exercise the exchange privilege described
below will continue to be subject to the CDSC schedule for Class B Shares
described in this Prospectus, even after the exchange. Such CDSC schedule may
be higher than the CDSC schedule for Class B Shares acquired as a result of the
exchange. See Redemption and Exchange.
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 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 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, if any, 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 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
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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 formula, the "net asset value at the time
of purchase" will be the net asset value at purchase of Class B Shares or
Class C Shares of the Fund, even if those shares are later exchanged for
shares of another Delaware Investments 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.
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The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC for Class B Shares of the
Fund:
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge (as a
Percentage of
Year After Dollar Amount
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 Class B Shares will convert are
subject to ongoing annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to a maximum of 0.30% 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 and Class C
Shares under Redemption and Exchange.
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 0.25% of the dollar amount of such sales. The Distributor may also
provide additional promotional incentives or payments to dealers that sell
shares of the funds in Delaware Investments. 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 Conduct Rules, in connection
with the promotion of Delaware Investments 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
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Exchange Commission. It is likely that the NASD's Conduct Rules 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 Conduct Rules as they may be amended.
High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class
In addition to offering Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, the Fund also
offers High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class, which is described in
a separate prospectus and is available for purchase only by certain investors.
High-Yield Opportunities 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 not subject to 12b-1 Plan
distribution expenses. To obtain the prospectus that describes the High-Yield
Opportunities 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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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 the 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, Delaware Investments 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 High-Yield Opportunities Fund A Class,
High-Yield Opportunities Fund B Class or High-Yield Opportunities Fund C Class,
to Delaware Investments at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
2. Subsequent Purchases--Additional purchases may be made at any time by
mailing a check payable to the 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 retirement
plan application, for the specific Fund and Class selected, to Delaware
Investments at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
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<PAGE>
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 from Delaware
Investments, 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. See Redemption and Exchange for more complete information
concerning your exchange privileges.
Holders of Class A Shares may exchange all or part of their shares for
certain of the shares of other funds available from Delaware Investments,
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 available
from Delaware Investments. 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 Investments 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 Investments 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 Classes of Shares 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, SIMPLE IRA, SIMPLE 401(k), Profit Sharing and Money Purchase
Pension Plans, 401(k) Defined Contribution Plans or, 403(b)(7) 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. MoneyLineSM On Demand
Through the MoneyLineSM On Demand service, you or your investment dealer
may call the Fund to request a transfer of funds from your predesignated bank
account to your Fund account. See MoneyLineSM Services under
The Delaware Difference for additional information about this service.
4. 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 available from
Delaware Investments. You may also elect to invest in other mutual funds in
Delaware Investments 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 Delaware Investments and invested automatically into any other
Delaware Investments fund 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, SIMPLE IRA, SIMPLE 401(k), Profit Sharing and Money Purchase
Pension Plans, 401(k) Defined Contribution Plans, or 403(b)(7) and 457 Deferred
Compensation Plans.
5. 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 Investments,
subject to the exceptions noted below as well as the eligibility and minimum
purchase requirements set forth in each fund's prospectus.
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<PAGE>
Reinvestments of distributions into Class A Shares of the Fund or of other
Delaware Investments funds are made without a front-end sales charge.
Reinvestments of distributions into Class B Shares of the Fund or of other
Delaware Investments funds or into Class C Shares of the Fund or of other
Delaware Investments funds are also made without any sales charge and will not
be subject to a CDSC if later redeemed. 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 Delaware Investments,
including the Fund. Holders of Class B Shares of the Fund may reinvest their
distributions only into Class B Shares of Delaware Investments funds that offer
that class of shares. Similarly, holders of Class C Shares of the Fund may
reinvest their distributions only into Class C Shares of Delaware Investments
funds that offer that class of shares. For more information about
reinvestments, call the Shareholder Service Center.
Capital gains and/or dividends for participants in the following
retirement plans are automatically reinvested into the same Delaware
Investments fund in which their investments are held: SAR/SEP, SEP/IRA, SIMPLE
IRA, SIMPLE 401(k), Profit Sharing and Money Purchase Pension Plans, 401(k)
Defined Contribution Plan, 403(b)(7) or 457 Deferred Compensation Plans.
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 is the date the order is received by the
Fund, its agent or designee. 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 Investments. 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, as a result of a
redemption, 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.
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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 Delaware Investments will best meet your changing
objectives, and the consequences of any exchange transaction. You may also call
Delaware Investments 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.
For example, redemption or exchange requests received in good order after the
time the offering price and net asset value of shares are determined 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. Redemption
proceeds will be distributed promptly, as described below, but not later than
seven days after receipt of a redemption request.
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 in which you want to invest 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 shares of other funds available from Delaware
Investments (in each case, "New Shares") in a permitted exchange, 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 after receipt of your
redemption request. If your Class A Shares are in certificate form, the
certificate(s) 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 available from Delaware Investments, 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
certificate(s).
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 after receipt of the redemption 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 proceeds. If you ask for a check, it will normally be mailed the
next business day after receipt of your redemption request to your
predesignated bank account. There are no separate 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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MoneyLineSM On Demand
Through the MoneyLineSM On Demand service, you or your investment dealer
may call the Fund to request a transfer of funds from your Fund account to
your predesignated bank account. See MoneyLineSM Services under The Delaware
Difference for additional information about this service.
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 available from Delaware Investments 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 MoneyLineSM Direct
Deposit Service. Your funds will normally be credited to your bank account up
to four business days after the payment date. There are no separate fees for
this redemption method. See MoneyLineSM Services 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 MoneyLineSM Direct Deposit Service described above is not
available for certain 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
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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 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
Investments 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 Investments 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
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401(a) or 401(k) of the Code with respect to that retirement plan; (iv)
periodic distributions from an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or 403(b)(7) or 457 Deferred
Compensation Plan due to death, disability, or attainment of age 59 1/2, and
IRA distributions qualifying under Section 72(t) of the Code; (v) returns of
excess contributions to an IRA; (vi) distributions by other 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, SIMPLE IRA, SEP/IRA or
403(b)(7) or 457 Deferred Compensation Plans; (iii) periodic distributions
from an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SAR/SEP, SEP/IRA, 403(b)(7) or 457 Deferred
Compensation Plan due to death, disability or attainment of age 59 1/2, and
IRA distributions qualifying under Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code;
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, SIMPLE IRA, 403(b)(7) or 457 Deferred
Compensation Plan, Profit Sharing Plan, Money Purchase Pension Plan, or 401(k)
Defined Contribution Plan; (iii) periodic distributions from a 403(b)(7) or
457 Deferred Compensation Plan upon attainment of age 59 1/2, Profit Sharing
Plan, Money Purchase Plan, 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan upon attainment of
age 70 1/2, and IRA distributions qualifying under Section 72(t) of the Code;
(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) periodic distributions from an IRA or SIMPLE 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 declares a dividend to all shareholders of record at the time the
offering price of shares is determined. See Purchase Price and Effective Date
under How to Buy Shares. Thus, when redeeming shares, dividends continue to be
credited up to and including the date of redemption.
The Fund's dividends are expected to be declared daily and paid monthly.
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.
Purchases of Fund shares by wire begin earning dividends when converted
into Federal Funds and available for investment, normally the next business day
after receipt. However, if the Fund is given prior notice of Federal Funds wire
and an acceptable written guarantee of timely receipt from an investor
satisfying the Fund's credit policies, the purchase will start earning
dividends on the date the wire is received. Purchases by check earn dividends
upon conversion to Federal Funds, normally one business day after receipt.
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 Class A Shares, Class B Shares and 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 MoneyLineSM
Direct Deposit Service and have such payments transferred from your Fund
account to your predesignated bank account. This service is not available for
certain retirement plans. See MoneyLineSM Services 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 tax advisers concerning the federal,
state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.
On August 5, 1997, President Clinton signed into law the Taxpayer Relief
Act of 1997 (the "1997 Act"). This new law makes sweeping changes in the Code.
Because many of these changes are complex, and only indirectly affect the Fund
and its distributions to you, they are discussed in Part B. Changes in the
treatment of capital gains, however, are discussed in this section.
The Fund has qualified, and intends to continue to qualify, as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of 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 and by satisfying certain
other requirements relating to the sources of its income and diversification
of its assets.
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, even though received in additional
shares. It is expected that 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, received 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 by-product
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.
The Treatment of Capital Gain Distributions under the Taxpayer Relief Act of
1997
The 1997 Act creates a category of long-term capital gain for individuals
who will be taxed at new lower tax rates. For investors who are in the 28% or
higher federal income tax brackets, these gains will be taxed at a maximum
rate of 20%. For investors who are in the 15% federal income tax bracket,
these gains will be taxed at a maximum rate of 10%. Capital gain distributions
will qualify for these new maximum tax rates, depending on when the Fund's
securities were sold and how long they were held by the Fund before they were
sold. Investors who want more information on holding periods and other
qualifying rules relating to these new rates should contact their own tax
advisers.
Income Funds, Inc. will advise you in its annual information reporting at
calendar year end of the amount of its capital gain distributions which will
qualify for these maximum federal tax rates.
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.
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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 available from Delaware Investments. 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 gains 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 available from Delaware Investments 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.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on income from
certain of its foreign securities.
In addition to the federal taxes described above, shareholders may or may
not be subject to various state and local taxes. For example, distributions of
interest income and capital gains realized from certain types of U.S.
government securities may be exempt from state personal income taxes. Because
investors' state and local taxes may be different than the federal taxes
described above, investors should consult their own tax advisers.
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, if any,
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.
Income Funds, Inc. 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 Fund, Inc.'s
Board of Directors. Equity securities for which marked 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 High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class will not incur any
of the expenses under Income Funds, Inc.'s 12b-1 Plans and Class A, Class B and
Class C Shares alone will bear the 12b-1 Plan expenses payable under their
respective 12b-1 Plans.
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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
The Manager furnishes investment management services to the Fund.
The Manager and its predecessors have been managing the funds in Delaware
Investments since 1938. On November 30, 1997, the Manager and its affiliates
within Delaware Investments, including Delaware International Advisers Ltd.,
were managing in the aggregate more than $39 billion in assets in the various
institutional or separately managed (approximately $23,274,532,000) and
investment company (approximately $16,181,491,000) 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 which are implemented by the Fund's Trading Department. 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.
Investment management fees incurred by the Fund for the period January 2, 1997
(date of initial public offering) through July 31, 1997, were 0.65% (annualized)
and 0.13% (annualized) was paid as a result of the voluntary waiver of fees by
the Manager as described below. The directors of Income Funds, Inc. annually
review fees paid to the Manager.
The Manager elected voluntarily to waive that portion, if any, of the
annual management fees payable by the 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, did not exceed,
on an annual basis, 0.75%, from the commencement of the public offering of the
Classes through December 31, 1997. From the commencement of operations through
February 16, 1998, the Distributor also has elected to voluntarily waive 12b-1
Plan expenses. Beginning January 1, 1998, the Manager has elected voluntarily
to waive that portion, if any, of the annual management fees payable by the
Fund and to pay certain of the Fund's expenses to the extent necessary to
ensure that the Total Operating Expenses of the Fund do not exceed, on an
annual basis, 0.95% (excluding the 12b-1 plan expenses). This waiver of fees
and payment of expenses will extend through September 30, 1998.
Paul A. Matlack and Gerald T. Nichols have primary responsibility for
making day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. 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. Mr. Matlack is a CFA
charterholder and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with an MBA in
Finance from George Washington University. He
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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.
Mr. Nichols, a Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Income Funds,
Inc., has been a member of the Fund's management team since its inception. Mr.
Nichols is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he received a BS in
Business Administration and an MS in Finance. Prior to joining the Manager, he
was a high yield credit analyst at Waddell & Reed, Inc. and subsequently the
investment officer for a private merchant banking firm. He is a CFA
charterholder.
Mr. Matlack and Mr. Nichols will from time to time consult with Paul E.
Suckow, Executive Vice President/Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income of
Income Funds, Inc. He is a CFA charterholder and a graduate of Bradley
University with an MBA from Western Illinois University. Mr. Suckow was a
fixed-income portfolio manager at Delaware Investments from 1981 to 1985. He
returned to Delaware Investments 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 and current market conditions, its annual portfolio
turnover rate is expected to exceed 100%. A turnover rate of 100% occurs, for
example, when all the investments in the Fund's portfolio at the beginning of
the year were replaced by the end of the year. For the period January 2, 1997
(date of initial public offering) through July 31, 1997, the Fund's portfolio
turnover rate was 270% (annualized).
The Fund uses its 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 their advisory clients. These services may be used by the Manager in
servicing any of its accounts. Subject to best price and execution, the Fund may
consider a broker/dealer's sales of shares of funds in the Delaware Investments
family of funds in placing portfolio orders and may place orders with
broker/dealers that have agreed to defray certain expenses of such funds, such
as custodian fees.
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 (or life-of-fund, if applicable) periods. The Fund may also
advertise aggregate and average total return information concerning a Class over
additional periods of time. In
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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 considered a guarantee of future results.
Distribution (12b-1) and Service
The Distributor, Delaware Distributors, L.P., serves as the national
distributor for the Fund's shares under a separate Distribution Agreement with
Income Funds, Inc. dated as of December 27, 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 of the
Fund (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 shares of the Classes, 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
12b-1 Plan fees of its respective Classes 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 Distributor
has elected voluntarily to waive its right to receive 12b-1 fees (including
service fees) from the commencement of the public offering of the Classes
through February 16, 1998.
The 12b-1 Plan expenses relating to each of the Class B Shares and Class C
Shares of the Fund are also used to pay the Distributor for advancing the
commission costs to dealers with respect to the initial sale of such shares.
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) 0.30%
of the Class A Shares' average daily net assets in any year, and (ii) 1% (0.25%
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.
While payments, if any, pursuant to the Plans may not exceed 0.30%
annually with respect to Class A Shares, and 1% annually with respect to each
of the Class B Shares and 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
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Classes. The monthly fees paid to the Distributor under the Plans 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.
The Plans do not apply to High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional
Class. Those shares are not included in calculating the Plans' fees, and the
Plans are not used to assist in the distribution and marketing of High-Yield
Opportunities Fund Institutional Class.
The Transfer Agent, Delaware Service Company, Inc., serves as the
shareholder servicing, dividend disbursing and transfer agent for the Fund
pursuant to an amended and restated agreement dated as of December 27, 1996.
The Transfer Agent also provides accounting services to the Fund pursuant to
the terms of a separate Fund
Accounting Agreement.
The directors of Income Funds, Inc. annually review service fees paid to
the Distributor and 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 ratio of expenses to average
daily net assets is expected to equal 1.25% for Class A Shares, 1.95% for Class
B Shares and 1.95% for Class C Shares, reflecting the voluntary waivers of fees
and payments of expenses by the Manager as described above. These ratios would
be higher if such waivers and payments were not in effect. See Summary
of Expenses.
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 and was previously organized as a Delaware
corporation in 1970. In addition to the Fund, Income Funds, Inc. presently
offers two other series of shares, the Delchester Fund series and the Strategic
Income Fund series.
Fund 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 High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class. 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 High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class are not
subject to, and may not vote on matters affecting, the Distribution Plans under
Rule 12b-1 relating to 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, Class B Shares may
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vote on any proposal to increase materially the fees to be paid by the Fund
under the Rule 12b-1 Plan relating to Class A Shares.
Lincoln National Corporation Employees' Retirement Trust (the "Trust")
made an initial investment in the Fund, and as of July 31, 1997, the Trust held
no shares of the Fund's Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares,
respectively, but the Trust held 99% of the outstanding shares of the Fund's
Institutional Class. 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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<PAGE>
OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
High-Yield, High Risk Securities
The Fund invests primarily in securities rated BB or lower by S&P or Ba or
lower by Moody's, or similarly rated by another nationally-recognized
statistical rating organization or, if unrated (which may be more speculative
in nature than rated bonds), judged to be of comparable quality by the Manager.
See Appendix A--Ratings in this Prospectus for more rating information. The
discussion in this section supplements the description of the risks of
high-yield securities found earlier in this Prospectus in Investment Objective
and Policies and Risk Factors and investors should refer to those sections for
a further discussion of the risks of high-yield bonds.
Fixed-income securities of this type are considered to be of poor standing
and predominantly speculative. Such securities are subject to a substantial
degree of credit risk. In the past, the high-yields from these bonds have more
than compensated for their higher default rates. There can be no assurance,
however, that yields will continue to offset default rates on these bonds in
the future. The Manager intends to maintain an adequately diversified portfolio
of these bonds. While diversification can help to reduce the effect of an
individual default on the Fund, there can be no assurance that diversification
will protect the Fund from widespread bond defaults brought about by a
sustained economic downturn.
Medium and low-grade bonds held by the Fund may be issued as a consequence
of corporate restructurings, such as leveraged buy-outs, mergers, acquisitions,
debt recapitalizations or similar events. Also, these bonds are often issued by
smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms,
which are generally less able than more financially stable firms to make
scheduled payments of interest and principal. The risks posed by bonds issued
under such circumstances are substantial.
The economy and interest rates may affect these high-yield, high risk
securities differently from other securities. Prices have been found to be less
sensitive to interest rate changes than higher rated investments, but more
sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments.
Also, during an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest
rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress which would
adversely affect their ability to service principal and interest payment
obligations, to meet projected business goals and to obtain additional
financing. Changes by recognized rating agencies in their rating of any
security and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and
principal will also ordinarily have a more dramatic effect on the values of
these investments than on the values of higher rated securities. Such changes
in value will not affect cash income derived from these securities, unless the
issuers fail to pay interest or dividends when due. Such changes will, however,
affect the Fund's net asset value per share.
Zero Coupon Bonds and Pay-In-Kind Bonds
The Fund may purchase zero-coupon bonds and pay-in-kind ("PIK") bonds. A
zero-coupon bond has no cash coupon payments. Instead, the issuer sells the
security at a substantial discount from its maturity value. The interest
received by the investor from holding this security to maturity is the
difference between the maturity value and the purchase price. The advantage to
the investor is that the reinvestment risk of the income received during the
life of the bond is eliminated. However, zero-coupon bonds, like other bonds,
retain interest rate and credit risk and usually display more price volatility
than securities that pay a cash coupon. Since there are no periodic interest
payments made to the holder of a zero-coupon bond, when interest rates rise,
the value of such a security will fall more dramatically than a bond paying out
interest on a current basis. When interest
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<PAGE>
rates fall, however, zero- coupon bonds rise more rapidly in value because the
bonds have locked in a specific rate of return which becomes more attractive the
further interest rates fall.
PIK bonds are securities that pay interest in either cash or additional
securities, at the issuer's option, for a specified period. PIKs, like
zero-coupon bonds, are designed to give an issuer flexibility in managing cash
flow. PIK bonds can be either senior or subordinated debt and trade flat (i.e.,
without accrued interest). The price of PIK bonds is expected to reflect to the
market value of the underlying debt plus an amount representing accrued
interest since the last payment. PIKs are usually less volatile than
zero-coupon bonds, but more volatile than cash-pay securities. PIK bonds may
provide an attractive yield on the Fund's investment even when the interest
paid is in the form of additional securities of the issuer instead of cash.
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.
Foreign Investment Information
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in securities of foreign
issuers, including Yankee Bonds. Investments in obligations of foreign issuers
involve somewhat different investment risks than those affecting obligations of
United States issuers. There is limited publicly available information with
respect to foreign issuers, and foreign issuers are not subject to uniform
accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to
those applicable to domestic companies. There is also less government
supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed
companies than in the United States and it is more difficult to enforce legal
rights outside of the U.S. Many foreign securities markets have substantially
less volume than U.S. national securities exchanges, and securities of some
foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable
domestic issuers. Settlement practices of certain foreign countries may include
delays and may otherwise differ from those customary in U.S. markets. Brokerage
commissions and other transaction costs on foreign securities exchanges are
generally higher than in the United States. It is also expected that the
expenses for custodial arrangements of the Fund's foreign securities will be
somewhat greater than the expenses for the custodial arrangements for U.S.
securities of equal value. Dividends and interest paid by foreign issuers may
be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes. Although in some countries a
portion of these taxes is recoverable, the non-recovered portion of foreign
withholding taxes will reduce the income the Fund receives from the companies
comprising the Fund's investments. See Taxes. Additional risks include future
political and economic developments, the possibility that a foreign
jurisdiction might impose or change withholding taxes on income payable with
respect to foreign securities, possible seizure, nationalization or
expropriation of the foreign issuer or foreign deposits and the possible
adoption of foreign government restrictions such as exchange controls. Also,
because stocks of foreign companies are normally denominated in foreign
currencies, the Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in
currency rates and exchange control regulations, and may incur costs in
connection with conversions between various currencies.
The risks noted above often are heightened for investments in emerging or
developing countries. Compared to the United States and other developed
countries, emerging or developing countries may have relatively unstable
governments, economies based on only a few industries, and securities markets
that trade a small number of securities. Prices on these exchanges tend to be
volatile and, in the past, securities in these
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<PAGE>
countries have offered greater potential for gain (as well as loss) than
securities of companies located in developed countries. Further, investments by
foreign investors are subject to a variety of restrictions in many emerging or
developing countries. These restrictions may take the form of prior governmental
approval, limits on the amount or type of securities held by foreigners, and
limits on the type of companies in which foreigners may invest. Additional
restrictions may be imposed at any time by these or other countries in which the
Fund invests. In addition, 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 government
consents. Although these restrictions may in the future make it undesirable to
invest in emerging or developing countries, the Manager does not believe that
any current repatriation restrictions would affect the Fund's decision to invest
in such countries.
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, 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, 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 Immediate
Credit Banks and the Federal National Mortgage Association.
Short-Term Investments
The short-term investments in which the Fund may invest are:
(1) Time deposits, certificates of deposit (including marketable variable
rate certificates of deposit) and bankers' acceptances issued by a U.S.
commercial bank. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a
banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate.
Time deposits maturing in more than seven days will not be purchased by the
Fund, and time deposits maturing from two business days through seven calendar
days will not exceed 15% of the total assets of the Fund. Certificates of
deposit are negotiable short-term obligations issued by commercial banks
against funds deposited in the issuing institution. Variable rate certificates
of deposit are certificates of deposit on which the interest rate is
periodically adjusted prior to their stated maturity based upon a specified
market rate. A bankers' acceptance is
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<PAGE>
a time draft drawn on a commercial bank by a borrower usually in connection with
an international commercial transaction (to finance the import, export, transfer
or storage of goods).
The Fund will not invest in any security issued by a commercial bank unless
(i) the bank has total assets of at least $1 billion or, in the case of a bank
which does not have total assets of at least $1 billion, the aggregate
investment made in any one such bank is limited to $100,000 and the principal
amount of such investment is insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, (ii) it is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
and (iii) the bank or its securities have received the highest quality rating by
a nationally-recognized statistical rating organization;
(2) Commercial paper with the highest quality rating by a
nationally-recognized statistical rating organization (e.g., A-1 by S&P or
Prime-1 by Moody's) or, if not so rated, of comparable quality as determined by
the Manager;
(3) Short-term corporate obligations with the highest quality rating by a
nationally-recognized statistical rating organization (e.g., AAA by S&P or Aaa
by Moody's) or, if not so rated, of comparable quality as determined by the
Manager;
(4) U.S. government securities (see U.S. Government Securities); and
(5) Repurchase agreements collateralized by securities listed above.
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 illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements
of over seven days' maturity. 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 102% of the repurchase price, including
the portion representing the Fund's yield under such agreements, which is
monitored on a daily basis.
Restricted/Illiquid Securities
The Fund may invest in restricted securities, including securities
eligible for resale without registration pursuant to Rule 144A ("Rule 144A
Securities") under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A exempts many privately placed and
legally restricted securities from the registration requirements of the 1933
Act and permits such 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. Illiquid securities, for purposes of this policy, include
repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.
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<PAGE>
While maintaining oversight, the Board of Directors has delegated to the
Manager the day-to-day functions 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; and
(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 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 15% limit on investment in such
securities, the Manager will determine what action shall
be taken to ensure that the Fund continues to adhere to such limitation.
Unseasoned Companies
The Fund may invest in relatively new or unseasoned companies which are in
their early stages of development, or small companies positioned in new and
emerging industries where the opportunity for rapid growth is expected to be
above average. Securities of unseasoned companies present greater risks than
securities of larger, more established companies. The companies in which the
Fund may invest may have relatively small revenues, limited product lines, and
may have a small share of the market for their products or services. Small
companies may lack depth of management, they may be unable to internally
generate funds necessary for growth or potential development or to generate
such funds through external financing or favorable terms, or they may be
developing or marketing new products or services for which markets are not yet
established and may never become established. Due these and other factors,
small companies may suffer significant losses as well as realize substantial
growth, and investments in such companies tend to be volatile and are therefore
speculative.
Borrowing from Banks
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.
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<PAGE>
APPENDIX A--RATINGS
The Fund's assets may be invested in corporate bonds that may be rated BB
or lower by S&P or Ba or lower by Moody's, or similarly rated by another
nationally-recognized statistical rating organization or that may be unrated.
These credit ratings evaluate only the safety of principal and interest and do
not consider the market value risk associated with high-yield securities.
The table set forth below shows the percentage of the Fund's securities
included in each of the specified rating categories and shows the percentage of
the Fund's assets held in U.S. government securities. Certain securities may not
be rated because the rating agencies were either not asked to provide ratings
(e.g., many issuers of privately placed bonds do not seek ratings) or because
the rating agencies declined to provide a rating for some reason, such as
insufficient data. The table below shows the percentage of the Fund's securities
which are not rated. The information contained in the table was prepared based
on a dollar weighted average of the Fund's portfolio composition based on month
end data for the period January 2, 1997 (date of initial public offering)
through July 31, 1997. The paragraphs following the table contain excerpts from
Moody's and S&P's rating descriptions.
Average Weighted
Rating Moody's and/or S&P Percentage of Portfolio
- ------------------------------------ ---------------------------
United States Treasury Obligations 3.13%
Aaa/AAA N/A
Aa/AA N/A
A/A N/A
Baa/BBB N/A
Ba/BB N/A
B/B 15.18%
Caa/CCC 79.61%
Not Rated/Other 2.08%
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.
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<PAGE>
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.
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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<PAGE>
For more information, contact -------------------------------
Delaware Investments at 800-828-5052.
HIGH-YIELD OPPORTUNITIES FUND
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Delaware Management Company, Inc. ----------------------------
One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103 INSTITUTIONAL
NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR ----------------------------
Delaware Distributors, L.P.
1818 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING, P R O S P E C T U S
DIVIDEND DISBURSING,
ACCOUNTING SERVICES ----------------------------
AND TRANSFER AGENT
Delaware Service Company, Inc. February 17, 1998
1818 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
LEGAL COUNSEL
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens
& Young, LLP
One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP DELAWARE(SM)
Two Commerce Square INVESTMENT
Philadelphia, PA 19103 ------------
CUSTODIAN
The Chase Manhattan Bank
4 Chase Metrotech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11245
<PAGE>
HIGH-YIELD OPPORTUNITIES FUND PROSPECTUS
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES FEBRUARY 17, 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------
1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
For more information about
High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class
call Delaware Investments at 800-828-5052.
This Prospectus describes shares of High-Yield Opportunities Fund series
(the "Fund") of Delaware Group Income Funds, Inc. ("Income Funds, Inc."), a
professionally-managed mutual fund of the series type. The investment objective
of the Fund is to seek to provide investors with total return and, as a
secondary objective, high current income.
The Fund invests up to 100% of its assets in lower rated fixed-income
securities, commonly known as "junk bonds," which involve greater risks,
including default risks, than higher rated fixed-income securities. Purchasers
should carefully assess these risks before investing in the Fund. See
Investment Objective and Policies, Risk Factors, and Appendix A--Ratings.
The Fund offers High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class (the
"Class") of shares.
This Prospectus sets forth information that you should read and consider
before you invest. Please retain it for future reference. The Fund's Statement
of Additional Information ("Part B" of Income Funds, Inc.'s registration
statement) dated September 29, 1997, 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 telephone
numbers. The SEC also maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains
Part B, material incorporated by reference into Income Funds, Inc.'s
registration statement, and other information regarding registrants that
electronically file with the SEC. The Fund's financial statements appear in its
Annual Report, which will accompany any response to requests for Part B.
The Fund also offers High-Yield Opportunities Fund A Class, High-Yield
Opportunities Fund B Class and High-Yield Opportunities Fund C Class. Shares of
these classes are subject to sales charges and other expenses, which may affect
their performance. A prospectus for these classes can be obtained by writing to
Delaware Distributors, L.P. at the above address or by calling 800-523-4640.
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<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page Classes of Shares
Synopsis How to Buy Shares
Summary of Redemption and Exchange
Expenses Dividends and Distributions
Financial Highlights Taxes
Investment Objective and Calculation of Net Asset
Policies Value Per Share
Suitability Management of the Fund
Investment Strategy Other Investment Policies and
Risk Factors Risk Considerations
Youth and Volatility of the Appendix A--Ratings
High-Yield Market
Redemptions
Liquidity and Valuation
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 THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED. SHARES OF
THE FUND ARE NOT BANK OR CREDIT UNION DEPOSITS.
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<PAGE>
SYNOPSIS
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to provide investors with
total return and, as a secondary objective, high current income. The Fund seeks
to achieve its objective by investing principally in corporate bonds rated BB
or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Ba or lower by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or similarly rated by another
nationally-recognized statistical rating organization, or, if unrated (which
may be more speculative in nature than rated bonds), judged to be of comparable
quality by the Manager (as defined below). The Fund may also invest in U.S. and
foreign government securities and commercial paper. For further details, see
Investment Objective and Policies, Risk Factors and Other Investment Policies
and Risk Considerations.
Risk Factors
The Fund invests primarily in high-yield securities (junk bonds) and
greater risks may be involved with an investment in the Fund than an investment
in a mutual fund comprised primarily of investment grade bonds. See Risk
Factors under Investment Objectives and Policies.
Investment Manager, Distributor and Transfer 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. The Manager also provides investment
management services to certain other funds available from Delaware Investments.
Delaware Distributors, L.P. (the "Distributor") is the national distributor for
the Fund and for all of the other mutual funds available from Delaware
Investments. 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 available from Delaware
Investments. See Summary of Expenses and Management of the Fund for further
information regarding the Manager and the fees payable under the Fund's
Investment Management Agreement.
Purchase Price
Shares of the Class offered by this Prospectus are available at net asset
value, without a front-end or contingent deferred sales charge, and are not
subject to distribution fees under a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan. See Classes
of Shares.
Redemption and Exchange
Shares of the Class are redeemed or exchanged at the net asset value
calculated after receipt of the redemption or exchange request. See Redemption
and Exchange.
Open-End Investment Company
Income Funds, Inc. 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 first organized as a Delaware
corporation in 1970 and subsequently organized as a Maryland corporation on
March 4, 1983. See Shares under Management of the Fund.
-3-
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price) .............. None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
(as a percentage of offering price) .............. None
Exchange Fees ...................................... None*
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average daily net assets)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fees .................................. 0.33%+
12b-1 Fees ....................................... None
Other Operating Expenses ......................... 0.62%+
----
Total Operating Expenses ....................... 0.95%+
====
*Exchanges are subject to the requirements of each fund and a front-end sales
charge may apply.
+ Total Operating Expenses and Other Operating Expenses for the Class are based
on estimated amounts for the first full fiscal year of the Class, after giving
effect to the voluntary expense waiver. Beginning January 1, 1998, the Manager
has elected voluntarily to waive that portion, if any, of the annual management
fees payable by the Fund and to pay certain expenses of the Fund to the extent
necessary to ensure that the Total Operating Expenses of the Class do not
exceed 0.95% through September 30, 1998. From the commencement of operations
through December 31, 1997, commitments of waiver and payment by the Manager
that were different from that currently in effect for the Fund were in place.
See Management of the Fund. The expense information set forth above has been
restated to reflect the current fees. If the voluntary expense waivers by the
Manager were not in effect, it is estimated that for the first full year, the
Total Operating Expenses, as a percentage of average daily net assets, would be
1.27%, reflecting management fees of 0.65%.
For expense information about High-Yield Opportunities Fund A Class,
High-Yield Opportunities Fund B Class and High-Yield Opportunities Fund C
Class, see the separate prospectus relating to those classes.
-4-
<PAGE>
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, and (2) redemption at the end of each time period. The Fund charges
no redemption fees. The following example assumes the voluntary waiver of the
management fee by the Manager as discussed in this Prospectus.
1 year 3 years
-------- --------
$ 10 $30
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.
The purpose of the above tables is to assist the investor in understanding
the various costs and expenses that an investor in the Class will bear directly
or indirectly.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following financial highlights are derived from the financial statements of
High-Yield Opportunities Fund of Delaware Group Income Funds, Inc. and have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors. The data should be
read in conjunction with the financial statements, related notes, and the
report of Ernst & Young LLP, all of which are incorporated by reference into
Part B. Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in its
Annual Report to shareholders. A copy of the Fund's Annual Report (including
the report of Ernst & Young LLP) may be obtained from Income Funds, Inc. upon
request at no charge.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-5-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
High-Yield Opportunities
Fund Institutional Class
-------------------------
For the
period
1/2/97(1)
through
7/31/97
<S> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period ..................................................... $ 5.5000
Income From Investment Operations
- ---------------------------------
Net Investment Income(2).................................................................. 0.2902
Net Gains on Securities (both realized and unrealized) ................................... 0.2990
---------
Total From Investment Operations ....................................................... 0.5892
---------
Less Distributions
- ------------------
Dividends from Net Investment Income ..................................................... (0.1692)
Distributions from Capital Gains ......................................................... none
---------
Total Distributions .................................................................... (0.1692)
---------
Net Asset Value, End of Period ........................................................... $ 5.9200
=========
Total Return(3)........................................................................... 10.81%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios/Supplemental Data
- ------------------------
Net Assets, End of Period (000's omitted) ................................................ $ 3,330
Ratio of Expenses to Average Daily Net Assets ............................................ 0.75%
Ratio of Expenses to Average Daily Net Assets Prior to Expense Limitation ................ 1.27%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Daily Net Assets ............................... 8.53%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Daily Net Assets Prior to Expense Limitation ... 8.00%
Portfolio Turnover Rate .................................................................. 270%
</TABLE>
- -----------
(1) Date of initial public offering of Institutional Class; ratios have been
annualized but total return has not been annualized. Total return for this
short of a time period may not be representative of longer term results.
(2) The average shares outstanding method has been applied for per share
information.
(3) Total return reflects the expense limitations referenced under Summary of
Expenses in the Prospectus.
-6-
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The objective of the Fund is to seek total return and, as a secondary
objective, high current income. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in corporate bonds rated BB or lower by S&P or Ba or lower
by Moody's, or similarly rated by another nationally-recognized statistical
rating organization or, if unrated (which may be more speculative in nature than
rated bonds), judged to be of comparable quality by the Manager. See Appendix A
- -- Ratings for more rating information and Other Investment Policies and Risk
Considerations for a description of the risks associated with investing in
lower-rated fixed-income securities.
SUITABILITY
The Fund may be suitable for the investor interested in total return. High
current income is a secondary objective. The Manager's primary focus in
selecting securities for the Fund will be total return. Lower-yielding
securities may be selected over higher-yield securities based on the Manager's
view of the potential for returns offered by the securities being considered
for the Fund.
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 yield, or that principal will be
protected. However, through the cautious selection and supervision of its
portfolio, the Manager 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 greater price appreciation
and 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. 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 Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations for a
complete discussion of the risk factors affecting the Fund's portfolio
securities.
Investors should not consider a purchase of Fund shares as equivalent to a
complete investment program. Delaware Investments offers a family of funds,
generally available through registered investment dealers, which may be used
together to create a more complete investment program.
Ownership of 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 Fund will invest at least 65% of its assets at the time of purchase in
corporate bonds that may be rated BB or lower by S&P or Ba or lower by Moody's,
or similarly rated by another nationally-recognized statistical rating
organization, or if unrated (which may be more speculative in nature than rated
bonds), judged to be of comparable quality by the Manager. The Fund generally
will not purchase corporate bonds which, at the time of purchase, are rated
lower than CCC by S&P or Caa by Moody's. If a corporate bond held by the Fund
drops below these levels, including a security that goes into default, the Fund
will commence with an orderly sale of the security in a manner devised to
minimize any adverse affect on the Fund. If a sale of the
-7-
<PAGE>
security is not practicable for any reason, the Fund will pursue other available
measures reasonably anticipated by the Manager to facilitate repayment of the
bond.
The Fund may also invest in securities of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. and
foreign governments, their agencies or instrumentalities and commercial paper
of companies having, at the time of purchase, an issue of outstanding debt
securities rated as described above or commercial paper rated A-1 or A-2 by S&P
or rated P-1 or P-2 by Moody's or, if unrated, judged to be of comparable
quality by the Manager.
The Fund may acquire zero coupon bonds and, to a lesser extent,
pay-in-kind (PIK) bonds. See Zero Coupon Bonds and Pay-In-Kind Bonds under
Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations. The Fund may also invest in
other types of income-producing securities, including common stocks and
preferred stocks, some of which may have convertible features or attached
warrants and which may be speculative. See Convertible, Debt and
Non-Traditional Equity Securities under Other Investment Policies and Risk
Considerations.
The Fund may purchase privately-placed debt and other securities the
resale of which is restricted under applicable securities laws. Such securities
may be less liquid than securities that are not subject to resale restrictions.
The Fund will not purchase illiquid assets, if more than 15% of its net assets
would consist of such illiquid securities. See Restricted/Illiquid Securities
under Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in securities of issuers
domiciled in foreign countries. See Foreign Investment Information under Other
Investment Policies and Risk Considerations.
The Fund may hold cash or invest in short-term debt securities and other
money market instruments when, in the Manager's opinion, such holdings are
prudent given then prevailing market conditions or pending investment in other
types of securities. All these short-term investments will be of the highest
quality as determined by a nationally-recognized statistical rating
organization (e.g., AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's) or, if unrated, judged to be
of comparable quality as determined by the Manager. See Short-Term Investments
under Other Investment Policies and Risk Considerations.
The Manager does not normally intend to respond to short-term market
fluctuations or to acquire securities for the purpose of short-term trading;
however, the Manager may take advantage of short-term opportunities that are
consistent with its investment objective.
* * *
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.
Although the Fund will constantly strive to attain its objective, there
can be no assurance that it will be attained.
The Fund's 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
-8-
<PAGE>
securities. Part B lists other more specific investment restrictions of the Fund
which may not be changed without a majority shareholder vote.
The investment policies of the Fund that are 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.
-9-
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
Generally
The Fund invests principally 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 a greater potential for price appreciation
and can offer 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 portfolio diversification, credit analysis,
and attention to trends in the economy, industries and financial markets.
High-Yield Securities
The Fund may invest primarily in bonds rated BB or lower by S&P or Ba or
lower by Moody's, and in bonds of comparable quality. See Appendix A -- Ratings
in this Prospectus for more rating information. Investing in these so-called
"junk" bonds or "high-yield" bonds entails certain risks, including the risk of
loss of principal and default on interest payments 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, the risks of lower-rated
bonds 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 the
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 the 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 the Fund's 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, the Fund may be required to sell
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.
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
-10-
<PAGE>
market is particularly susceptible to liquidity problems when the institutions
which 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 Fund's privately placed
high-yield securities are particularly susceptible to the liquidity and
valuation risks outlined above.
See High-Yield, High Risk Securities under Other Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations for further information about high-yield securities.
-11-
<PAGE>
CLASSES OF SHARES
The Distributor serves as the national distributor for the Fund. Shares of
the Class may be purchased directly by contacting the Fund or its agent or
through authorized investment dealers. All purchases of shares of the Class are
at net asset value. There is no front-end or contingent deferred sales charge.
Investment instructions given on behalf of participants in an
employer-sponsored retirement plan are made in accordance with directions
provided by the employer. Employees considering purchasing shares of the Class
as part of their retirement program should contact their employer for details.
Shares of the Class are available for purchase only by: (a) retirement
plans introduced by persons not associated with brokers or dealers that are
primarily engaged in the retail securities business and rollover individual
retirement accounts from such plans; (b) tax-exempt employee benefit plans of
the Manager, or its affiliates and securities dealer firms with a selling
agreement with the Distributor; (c) institutional advisory accounts of the
Manager or its affiliates and those having client relationships with Delaware
Investment Advisers, a division of the Manager, or its affiliates and their
corporate sponsors, as well as subsidiaries and related employee benefit plans
and rollover individual retirement accounts from such institutional advisory
accounts; (d) a bank, trust company and similar financial institution investing
for its own account or for the account of its trust customers for whom such
financial institution is exercising investment discretion in purchasing shares
of the Class, except where the investment is part of a program that requires
payment to the financial institution of a Rule 12b-1 Plan fee; and (e)
registered investment advisers investing on behalf of clients that consist
solely of institutions and high net-worth individuals having at least $1,000,000
entrusted to the adviser for investment purposes, but only if the adviser is not
affiliated or associated with a broker or dealer and derives compensation for
its services exclusively from its clients for such advisory services.
High-Yield Opportunities Fund A Class, High-Yield Opportunities Fund B Class and
High-Yield Opportunities Fund C Class
In addition to offering High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class,
the Fund also offers High-Yield Opportunities Fund A Class, High-Yield
Opportunities Fund B Class and High-Yield Opportunities Fund C Class, which are
described in a separate prospectus. The Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of
the Fund may be purchased through authorized investment dealers or directly by
contacting the Fund or its Distributor. Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class
C Shares may have different sales charges and other expenses which may affect
performance. To obtain a prospectus relating to such classes, contact the
Distributor by writing to the address or by calling the phone numbers listed on
page 1 of this Prospectus.
-12-
<PAGE>
HOW TO BUY SHARES
The Fund makes it easy to invest by mail, by wire, by exchange and by
arrangement with your investment dealer.
In all instances, investors must qualify to purchase shares of
the Class.
Investing Directly 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 High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional
Class, to Delaware Investments at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
2. Subsequent Purchases--Additional purchases may be made at any time by
mailing a check payable to High-Yield Opportunities Fund Institutional Class.
Your check should be identified with your name(s) and account number.
Investing Directly 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).
1. Initial Purchases--Before you invest, telephone the Fund's Client Services
Department at 800-828-5052 to get an account number. If you do not call first,
it may delay processing your investment. In addition, you must promptly send
your Investment Application, or in the case of a retirement account, an
appropriate retirement plan application, for High-Yield Opportunities Fund
Institutional Class, to Delaware Investments at 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 must advise your Client
Services Representative by telephone at 800-828-5052 prior to sending your
wire.
Investing by Exchange
If you have an investment in another mutual fund available from Delaware
Investments and you qualify to purchase shares of the Class, you may write and
authorize an exchange of part or all of your investment into the Fund. However,
shares of High-Yield Opportunities Fund B Class and High-Yield Opportunities
Fund C Class and Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the other funds available
from Delaware Investments offering such a class of shares may not be exchanged
into the Class. If you wish to open an account by exchange, call your Client
Services Representative at 800-828-5052 for more information. See Redemption
and Exchange for more complete information concerning your exchange privileges.
Investing through Your Investment Dealer
You can make a purchase of Fund shares through most investment dealers
who, as part of the service they provide, must transmit orders promptly to the
Fund. They may charge for this service.
Purchase Price and Effective Date
The purchase price (net asset value) is 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.
-13-
<PAGE>
The effective date of a purchase made through an investment dealer is the
date the order is received by the Fund, its agent or designee. 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 share price 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 available from Delaware Investments. 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, upon 60 days' written notice, to
involuntarily redeem accounts that remain under $250 as a result of
redemptions.
-14-
<PAGE>
REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE
Redemption and exchange requests made on behalf of participants in an
employer-sponsored retirement plan are made in accordance with directions
provided by the employer. Employees should therefore contact their employer for
details.
Your shares will be redeemed or exchanged based on the net asset value
next determined after the Fund receives your request in good order. For
example, redemption and exchange requests received in good order after the time
the net asset value of shares is determined, as noted above, will be processed
on the next business day. See Purchase Price and Effective Date under How to
Buy Shares. Except as otherwise noted below, for a redemption request to be in
"good order," you must provide your Class account number, account registration,
and the total number of shares or dollar amount of the transaction. With regard
to exchanges, 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 Fund at 800-828-5052. Redemption
proceeds will be distributed promptly, as described below, but not later than
seven days after receipt of a redemption request.
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.
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.
Shares of the Class may be exchanged into any other Delaware Investments
mutual fund, provided: (1) the investment satisfies the eligibility and other
requirements set forth in the prospectus of the fund being acquired, including
the payment of any applicable front-end sales charge; and
(2) the shares of the fund being acquired are in a state where that fund is
registered. If exchanges are made into other shares that are eligible for
purchase only by those permitted to purchase shares of the Class, such exchange
will be exchanged at net asset value. Shares of the Class may not be exchanged
into Class B Shares or Class C Shares of the funds available from Delaware
Investments. The Fund may suspend, terminate or amend the terms of the exchange
privilege upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders.
Various redemption and exchange methods are outlined below. No fee is
charged by the Fund or the Distributor for redeeming or exchanging your shares,
although in the case of an exchange, a sales charge may apply. You may also
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.
-15-
<PAGE>
Written Redemption and Exchange
You can write to the Fund at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 to
redeem some or all of your shares or to request an exchange of any or all of
your shares into another mutual fund available from Delaware Investments,
subject to the same conditions and limitations as other exchanges noted above.
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 may require a signature guarantee. 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 after receipt of your
redemption request. Certificates are issued for shares only if you submit a
specific request. If your shares are in certificate form, the certificate must
accompany your request and also be in good order.
You also may submit your written request for redemption or exchange by
facsimile transmission at the following number: 215-255-8864.
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 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. 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
You or your investment dealer of record can have redemption proceeds of
$50,000 or less mailed to you at your record address. Checks will be payable to
the shareholder(s) of record. Payment is normally mailed the next business day
after receipt of the redemption request.
-16-
<PAGE>
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 submit a written authorization and you may need to 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.
If you ask for a check, it will normally be mailed the next business day after
receipt of your redemption request to your predesignated bank account. There
are no fees for this redemption method, but the mail time may delay getting
funds into your bank account. Simply call your Client Services Representative
prior to the time the net asset value is determined, as noted above.
Telephone Exchange
You or your investment dealer of record can exchange shares into any fund
available from Delaware Investments under the same registration. As with the
written exchange service, telephone exchanges are subject to the same
conditions and limitations as other exchanges noted above. Telephone exchanges
may be subject to limitations as to amounts or frequency.
-17-
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund declares a dividend to all shareholders of record at the time the
offering price of shares is determined. See Purchase Price and Effective Date
under How to Buy Shares. Thus, when redeeming shares, dividends continue to be
credited up to and including the date of redemption.
Purchases of Fund shares by wire begin earning dividends when converted
into Federal Funds and available for investment, normally the next business day
after receipt. However, if the Fund is given prior notice of Federal Funds wire
and an acceptable written guarantee of timely receipt from an investor
satisfying the Fund's credit policies, the purchase will start earning
dividends on the date the wire is received. Purchases by check earn dividends
upon conversion to Federal Funds, normally one business day after receipt.
Each Class of the Fund will share proportionately in the investment income
and expenses of the Fund, except that the Class will not incur distribution
fees under the Rule 12b-1 Plans which apply to High-Yield Opportunities Fund A
Class, High-Yield Opportunities Fund B Class and High-Yield Opportunities Fund
C Class.
The Fund's dividends are expected to be declared daily and paid monthly.
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. Both dividends
and distributions are automatically reinvested in your account at net asset
value.
-18-
<PAGE>
TAXES
The tax discussion set forth below is included for general information
only. Investors should consult their own tax advisers concerning the federal,
state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.
On August 5, 1997, President Clinton signed into law the Taxpayer Relief
Act of 1997 (the "1997 Act"). This new law makes sweeping changes in the Code.
Because many of these changes are complex, and only indirectly affect the Fund
and its distributions to you, they are discussed in Part B. Changes in the
treatment of capital gains, however, are discussed in this section.
The Fund has qualified, and intends to continue to qualify, as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of 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 and by satisfying certain
other requirements relating to the sources of its income and diversification of
its assets.
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, even though received in additional shares.
It is expected that 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, received 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 by-product
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.
Treatment of Capital Gain Distributions under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
The 1997 Act creates a category of long-term capital gain for individuals
who will be taxed at new lower tax rates. For investors who are in the 28% or
higher federal income tax brackets, these gains will be taxed at a maximum rate
of 20%. For investors who are in the 15% federal income tax bracket, these
gains will be taxed at a maximum rate of 10%. Capital gain distributions will
qualify for these new maximum tax rates, depending on when the Fund's
securities were sold and how long they were held by the Fund before they were
sold. Investors who want more information on holding periods and other
qualifying rules relating to these new rates should contact their own tax
advisers.
Income Funds, Inc. will advise you in its annual information reporting at
calendar year end of the amount of its capital gain distributions which will
qualify for these maximum federal tax rates.
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.
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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 available from Delaware Investments. 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.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on income from
certain of its foreign securities.
In addition to the federal taxes described above, shareholders may or may
not be subject to various state and local taxes. For example, distributions of
interest income and capital gains realized from certain types of U.S.
government securities may be exempt from state personal income taxes. Because
investors' state and local taxes may be different than the federal taxes
described above, investors should consult their own tax advisers.
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, if any,
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.
Income Funds, Inc. 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 NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
The purchase and redemption price of Class shares is the net asset value
("NAV") per share of the Class shares next computed after the order is
received. The NAV is 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 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 Fund, 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.
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 Class will not incur any of the expenses under the Income
Funds, Inc.'s 12b-1 Plans and the High-Yield Opportunities Fund A, B and C
Classes alone will bear the 12b-1 Plan fees payable under their respective
Plans.
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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
The Manager furnishes investment management services to the Fund.
The Manager and its predecessors have been managing the funds in Delaware
Investments since 1938. On November 30, 1997, the Manager and its affiliates
within Delaware Investments, including Delaware International Advisers Ltd.,
were managing in the aggregate more than $39 billion in assets in the various
institutional or separately managed (approximately $23,274,532,000) and
investment company (approximately $16,181,491,000) 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 which are implemented by the Fund's Trading Department. 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. Investment management fees incurred by the Fund for the
period January 2, 1997 (date of initial public offering) through July 31, 1997,
were 0.65% (annualized), and 0.13% (annualized) was paid as a result of the
voluntary waiver of fees by the Manager as described below. The directors of
Income Funds, Inc. annually review fees paid to the Manager.
The Manager elected voluntarily to waive that portion, if any, of the
annual management fees payable by the Fund and to pay certain expenses of the
Fund to the extent necessary to ensure that the Total Operating Expenses of the
Class did not exceed, on an annual basis, 0.75%, from the commencement of the
public offering of the Classes through December 31, 1997. Beginning January 1,
1998, the Manager has elected voluntarily to waive that portion, if any, of the
annual management fees payable by the Fund and to pay certain of the Fund's
expenses to the extent necessary to ensure that the Total Operating Expenses of
the Fund do not exceed 0.95% on an annual basis. This waiver of fees and
payment of expenses will extend through September 30, 1998.
Paul A. Matlack and Gerald T. Nichols have primary responsibility for
making day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund. 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. Mr. Matlack is a CFA
charterholder and 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. Mr. Nichols, a Vice President/Senior
Portfolio Manager of Income
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Funds, Inc., has been a member of the Fund's management team since its
inception. Mr. Nichols is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he
received a BS in Business Administration and an MS in Finance. Prior to joining
the Manager, he was a high yield credit analyst at Waddell & Reed, Inc. and
subsequently the investment officer for a private merchant banking firm. He is a
CFA charterholder.
Mr. Matlack and Mr. Nichols will from time to time consult with Paul E.
Suckow, Executive Vice President/Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income of
Income Funds, Inc. He is a CFA charterholder and a graduate of Bradley
University with an MBA from Western Illinois University. Mr. Suckow was a
fixed-income portfolio manager at Delaware Investments from 1981 to 1985. He
returned to Delaware Investments 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 and current market conditions, its annual portfolio
turnover rate is expected to exceed 100%. A turnover rate of 100% occurs, for
example, when all the investments in the Fund's portfolio at the beginning of
the year were replaced by the end of the year. During the period January 2,
1997 (date of initial public offering) through July 31, 1997, the Fund's
portfolio turnover rate was 270% (annualized).
The Fund uses its 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 their advisory clients. These services may be used by the Manager in
servicing any of its accounts. Subject to best price and execution, the Fund
may consider a broker/dealer's sales of shares of funds in the Delaware
Investments family of funds in placing portfolio orders and may place orders
with broker/dealers that have agreed to defray certain expenses of such funds,
such as custodian fees.
Performance Information
From time to time, the Fund may quote yield or total return performance of
the Class in advertising and other types of literature.
The current yield for the Class will be calculated by dividing the
annualized net investment income earned by the Class during a recent 30-day
period by the net asset value 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. Each presentation will include the
average annual total return for one-, five- and ten-year (or life-of-fund, if
applicable) periods. The Fund may also advertise aggregate and average total
return information concerning the Class over additional periods of time.
Yield and net asset value fluctuate and are not guaranteed. Past
performance is not considered a guarantee of future results.
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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 your Client Services Representative.
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. The Fund's fiscal year ends on July 31.
Distribution and Service
The Distributor, Delaware Distributors, L.P., serves as the national
distributor for the Fund's shares under a separate Distribution Agreement with
Income Funds, Inc. dated as of December 27, 1996. The Distributor bears all of
the costs of promotion and distribution.
The Transfer Agent, Delaware Service Company, Inc., serves as the
shareholder servicing, dividend disbursing and transfer agent for Income Funds,
Inc. under an amended and restated agreement dated as of December 27, 1996. The
Transfer Agent also provides accounting services to the Fund pursuant to the
terms of a separate Fund Accounting Agreement. Certain recordkeeping services
and other shareholder services that otherwise would be performed by the
Transfer Agent may be performed by certain other entities and the Transfer
Agent may elect to enter into an agreement to pay such other entities for their
services. In addition, participant account maintenance fees may be assessed for
certain recordkeeping provided as part of retirement plan
and administration service packages. These fees are based
on the number of participants in the plan and the various
services selected. Fees will be quoted upon request and are
subject to change.
The directors of Income Funds, Inc. annually review fees paid to the
Distributor and 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 ratio of operating expenses
to average daily net assets for the Class is expected to equal 0.95% on an
annual basis. The ratio reflects the voluntary waiver of fees and payment of
expenses by the Manager as described above.
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 two other series of shares, the Delchester Fund series and the
Strategic Income Fund series.
Fund shares have a par value of $1.00, equal voting rights, except as
noted below, and are equal in all other respects.
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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 the Class, the Fund also offers High-Yield Opportunities
Fund A Class, High-Yield Opportunities Fund B Class and High-Yield
Opportunities Fund C Class which represent proportionate interests in the
assets of the Fund and have the same voting and other rights and preferences as
the Class, except that shares of the Class are not subject to, and may not vote
on matters affecting, the Distribution Plans under Rule 12b-1 relating to
High-Yield Opportunities Fund A Class, High-Yield Opportunities Fund B Class
and High-Yield Opportunities Fund C Class.
Lincoln National Corporation Employees' Retirement Trust (the "Trust")
made an initial investment in the Fund, and as of July 31, 1997, the Trust held
99% of the outstanding shares of the Class. Subject to certain limited
exceptions, there are no limitations 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
High-Yield, High Risk Securities
The Fund invests primarily in securities rated BB or lower by S&P or Ba or
lower by Moody's, or similarly rated by another nationally-recognized
statistical rating organization or, if unrated (which may be more speculative
in nature than rated bonds), judged to be of comparable quality by the Manager.
See Appendix A--Ratings in this Prospectus for more rating information. The
discussion in this section supplements the description of the risks of
high-yield securities found earlier in this Prospectus in Investment Objective
and Policies and investors should refer to those sections for a further
discussion of the risks of high-yield bonds.
Fixed-income securities of this type are considered to be of poor standing
and predominantly speculative. Such securities are subject to a substantial
degree of credit risk. In the past, the high-yields from these bonds have more
than compensated for their higher default rates. There can be no assurance,
however, that yields will continue to offset default rates on these bonds in the
future. The Manager intends to maintain an adequately diversified portfolio of
these bonds. While diversification can help to reduce the effect of an
individual default on the Fund, there can be no assurance that diversification
will protect the Fund from widespread bond defaults brought about by a sustained
economic downturn.
Medium and low-grade bonds held by the Fund may be issued as a consequence
of corporate restructurings, such as leveraged buy-outs, mergers, acquisitions,
debt recapitalizations or similar events. Also, these bonds are often issued by
smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms,
which are generally less able than more financially stable firms to make
scheduled payments of interest and principal. The risks posed by bonds issued
under such circumstances are substantial.
The economy and interest rates may affect these high-yield, high risk
securities differently from other securities. Prices have been found to be less
sensitive to interest rate changes than higher rated investments, but more
sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments.
Also, during an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest
rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress which would
adversely affect their ability to service principal and interest payment
obligations, to meet projected business goals and to obtain additional
financing. Changes by recognized rating agencies in their rating of any
security and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and
principal will also ordinarily have a more dramatic effect on the values of
these investments than on the values of higher rated securities. Such changes
in value will not affect cash income derived from these securities, unless the
issuers fail to pay interest or dividends when due. Such changes will, however,
affect the Fund's net asset value per share.
Zero Coupon Bonds and Pay-In-Kind Bonds
The Fund may purchase zero-coupon bonds and pay-in-kind ("PIK") bonds. A
zero-coupon bond has no cash coupon payments. Instead, the issuer sells the
security at a substantial discount from its maturity value. The interest
received by the investor from holding this security to maturity is the
difference between the maturity value and the purchase price. The advantage to
the investor is that the reinvestment risk of the income received during the
life of the bond is eliminated. However, zero-coupon bonds, like other bonds,
retain interest rate and credit risk and usually display more price volatility
than securities that pay a cash coupon. Since there are no periodic interest
payments made to the holder of a zero-coupon bond, when interest rates rise,
the value of such a security will fall more dramatically than a bond paying out
interest on a current basis. When interest rates fall, however, zero-coupon
bonds rise more rapidly in value because the bonds have locked in a specific
rate of return which becomes more attractive the further interest rates fall.
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PIK bonds are securities that pay interest in either cash or additional
securities, at the issuer's option, for a specified period. PIKs, like
zero-coupon bonds, are designed to give an issuer flexibility in managing cash
flow. PIK bonds can be either senior or subordinated debt and trade flat (i.e.,
without accrued interest). The price of PIK bonds is expected to reflect to the
market value of the underlying debt plus an amount representing accrued interest
since the last payment. PIKs are usually less volatile than zero-coupon bonds,
but more volatile than cash-pay securities. PIK bonds may provide an attractive
yield on the Fund's investment even when the interest paid is in the form of
additional securities of the issuer instead of cash.
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.
Foreign Investment Information
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in securities of foreign
issuers, including Yankee Bonds. Investments in obligations of foreign issuers
involve somewhat different investment risks than those affecting obligations of
United States issuers. There is limited publicly available information with
respect to foreign issuers, and foreign issuers are not subject to uniform
accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to
those applicable to domestic companies. There is also less government
supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed
companies than in the United States and it is more difficult to enforce legal
rights outside of the U.S. Many foreign securities markets have substantially
less volume than U.S. national securities exchanges, and securities of some
foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable
domestic issuers. Settlement practices of certain foreign countries may include
delays and may otherwise differ from those customary in U.S. markets. Brokerage
commissions and other transaction costs on foreign securities exchanges are
generally higher than in the United States. It is also expected that the
expenses for custodial arrangements of the Fund's foreign securities will be
somewhat greater than the expenses for the custodial arrangements for U.S.
securities of equal value. Dividends and interest paid by foreign issuers may be
subject to withholding and other foreign taxes. Although in some countries a
portion of these taxes is recoverable, the non-recovered portion of foreign
withholding taxes will reduce the income the Fund receives from the companies
comprising the Fund's investments. See Taxes. Additional risks include future
political and economic developments, the possibility that a foreign jurisdiction
might impose or change withholding taxes on income payable with respect to
foreign securities, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of the
foreign issuer or foreign deposits and the possible adoption of foreign
government restrictions such as exchange controls. Also, because stocks of
foreign companies are normally denominated in foreign currencies, the Fund may
be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange
control regulations, and may incur costs in connection with conversions between
various currencies.
The risks noted above often are heightened for investments in emerging or
developing countries. Compared to the United States and other developed
countries, emerging or developing countries may have relatively unstable
governments, economies based on only a few industries, and securities markets
that trade a small number of securities. Prices on these exchanges 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. Further, investments by foreign investors are subject to a
variety of restrictions in many emerging or developing countries. These
restrictions may take the form of prior governmental approval, limits
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on the amount or type of securities held by foreigners, and limits on the type
of companies in which foreigners may invest. Additional restrictions may be
imposed at any time by these or other countries in which the Fund invests. In
addition, 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 government consents. Although these
restrictions may in the future make it undesirable to invest in emerging or
developing countries, the Manager does not believe that any current repatriation
restrictions would affect the Fund's decision to invest in such countries.
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, 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, 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 Immediate
Credit Banks and the Federal National Mortgage Association.
Short-Term Investments
The short-term investments in which the Fund may invest are:
(1) Time deposits, certificates of deposit (including marketable variable
rate certificates of deposit) and bankers' acceptances issued by a U.S.
commercial bank. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a
banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate.
Time deposits maturing in more than seven days will not be purchased by the
Fund, and time deposits maturing from two business days through seven calendar
days will not exceed 15% of the total assets of the Fund. Certificates of
deposit are negotiable short-term obligations issued by commercial banks
against funds deposited in the issuing institution. Variable rate certificates
of deposit are certificates of deposit on which the interest rate is
periodically adjusted prior to their stated maturity based upon a specified
market rate. A bankers' acceptance is a time draft drawn on a commercial bank
by a borrower usually in connection with an international commercial
transaction (to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods).
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The Fund will not invest in any security issued by a commercial bank
unless (i) the bank has total assets of at least $1 billion or, in the case of
a bank which does not have total assets of at least $1 billion, the aggregate
investment made in any one such bank is limited to $100,000 and the principal
amount of such investment is insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, (ii) it is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
and (iii) the bank or its securities have received the highest quality rating
by a nationally-recognized statistical rating organization;
(2) Commercial paper with the highest quality rating by a
nationally-recognized statistical rating organization (e.g., A-1 by S&P or
Prime-1 by Moody's) or, if not so rated, of comparable quality as determined by
the Manager;
(3) Short-term corporate obligations with the highest quality rating by a
nationally-recognized statistical rating organization (e.g., AAA by S&P or Aaa
by Moody's) or, if not so rated, of comparable quality as determined by the
Manager;
(4) U.S. government securities (see U.S. Government Securities); and
(5) Repurchase agreements collateralized by securities
listed above.
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 illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements
of over seven days' maturity. Should an issuer of a repurchase agreement fail
to repurchase the underlying security, the loss of 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 102% of the repurchase price, including
the portion representing the Fund's yield under such agreements, which is
monitored on a daily basis.
Restricted/Illiquid Securities
The Fund may invest in restricted securities, including securities
eligible for resale without registration pursuant to Rule 144A ("Rule 144A
Securities") under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A exempts many privately placed and
legally restricted securities from the registration requirements of the 1933
Act and permits such 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. Illiquid securities, for purposes of this policy, include
repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.
While maintaining oversight, the Board of Directors has delegated to the
Manager the day-to-day functions 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
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<PAGE>
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; and (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 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 15% limit on investment in such
securities, the Manager will determine what action shall be taken to ensure
that the Fund continues to adhere to such limitation.
Unseasoned Companies
The Fund may invest in relatively new or unseasoned companies which are in
their early stages of development, or small companies positioned in new and
emerging industries where the opportunity for rapid growth is expected to be
above average. Securities of unseasoned companies present greater risks than
securities of larger, more established companies. The companies in which the
Fund may invest may have relatively small revenues, limited product lines, and
may have a small share of the market for their products or services. Small
companies may lack depth of management, they may be unable to internally
generate funds necessary for growth or potential development or to generate
such funds through external financing or favorable terms, or they may be
developing or marketing new products or services for which markets are not yet
established and may never become established. Due these and other factors,
small companies may suffer significant losses as well as realize substantial
growth, and investments in such companies tend to be volatile and are therefore
speculative.
Borrowing from Banks
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.
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APPENDIX A--RATINGS
The Fund's assets may be invested in corporate bonds that may be rated BB
or lower by S&P or Ba or lower by Moody's, or similarly rated by another
nationally-recognized statistical rating organization or that may be unrated.
These credit ratings evaluate only the safety of principal and interest and do
not consider the market value risk associated with high-yield securities.
The table set forth below shows the percentage of the Fund's securities
included in each of the specified rating categories and shows the percentage of
the Fund's assets held in U.S. government securities. Certain securities may
not be rated because the rating agencies were either not asked to provide
ratings (e.g., many issuers of privately placed bonds do not seek ratings) or
because the rating agencies declined to provide a rating for some reason, such
as insufficient data. The table below shows the percentage of the Fund's
securities which are not rated. The information contained in the table was
prepared based on a dollar weighted average of the Fund's portfolio composition
based on month end data for the period January 2, 1997 (date of initial public
offering) through July 31, 1997. The paragraphs following the table contain
excerpts from Moody's and S&P's rating descriptions.
Average Weighted
Percentage of
Rating Moody's and/or S&P Portfolio
- ------------------------- ---------------
United States Treasury Obligations ......... 3.13%
Aaa/AAA .................................... N/A
Aa/AA ...................................... N/A
A/A ........................................ N/A
Baa/BBB .................................... N/A
Ba/BB ...................................... 15.18%
B/B ........................................ 79.61%
Caa/CCC .................................... N/A
Not Rated/Other ............................ 2.08%
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--
sidered 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
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<PAGE>
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.
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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