<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
File No. 2-28871
File No. 811-1485
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 X
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____
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Post-Effective Amendment No. _58_ X
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AND
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 X
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Amendment No. _58_ X
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DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS III
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (215) 255-2923
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Richard J. Flannery, Esquire, 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Approximate Date of Public Offering: August 27, 1999
---------------
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
_____ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
_____ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
_____ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
__X__ on August 27, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
_____ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
_____ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
If appropriate:
_____ this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment
Title of Securities Being Registered
------------------------------------
Trend Fund A Class
Trend Fund B Class
Trend Fund C Class
Trend Fund Institutional Class
<PAGE>
This amendment is being filed pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act of
1933. The successor issuer, Delaware Group Equity Funds III, is filing the
amendment to the registration statement of Delaware Group Equity Funds III,
Inc., the predecessor issuer, and expressly adopting the registration statement
as its own for all purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
This filing is made in anticipation of the reorganization of Delaware Group
Equity Funds III, Inc., a Maryland Corporation, whereby the Corporation will
merge into Delaware Group Equity Funds III, a Delaware Business Trust.
Shareholders approved this reorganization at a meeting expressly called for that
purpose on March 17, 1999 and adjouned to April 13, 1999.
<PAGE>
--- C O N T E N T S ---
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to Registration File No. 2-28871 includes
the following:
1. Facing Page
2. Contents Page
3. Cross-Reference Sheets
4. Part A - Prospectuses
5. Part B - Statement of Additional Information
6. Part C - Other Information
7. Signatures
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
PART A
Location in Prospectus
Class A
Class B
Item No. Description Class C Institutional Class
- -------- ----------- ------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1 Front and Back Cover Pages Same Same
2 Risk/Return Summary: Fund profile Fund profile
Investments, Risks and Performance
3 Risk/Return Summary: Fund profile Fund profile
Fee Table
4 Investment Objectives, Principal How we manage the Fund How we manage the Fund
Investment Strategies, and Related
Risks
5 Management's Discussion of N/A N/A
Performance
6 Management, Organization, and Who manages the Fund Who manages the Fund
Capital Structure
7 Shareholder Information How to buy shares; How to buy shares;
How to redeem shares; How to redeem shares;
Special services; Special services;
Dividends, distributions Dividends, distributions
and taxes all under About and taxes all under About
your account your account
8 Distribution Arrangements Choosing a share class; About your account
How to reduce sales
charges under About your
account
9 Financial Highlights Information Financial Highlights Financial Highlights
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
PART B
Location in Statement of Additional
Item No. Description Information
- -------- ----------- -----------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
10 Cover Page and Table of Contents Same
11 Fund History General Information
12 Description of the Fund and Its Investments and Investment Objectives and Policies
Risks
13 Management of the Fund Officers and Trustees; Purchasing
Shares
14 Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities Officers and Trustees
15 Investment Advisory and Other Services Officers and Trustees; Purchasing
Shares); Investment Management
Agreement; General Information;
Financial Statements
16 Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices Trading Practices and Brokerage
17 Capital Stock and Other Securities Capitalization and Noncumulative
Voting (under General Information)
18 Purchase, Redemption, and Pricing of Shares Purchasing Shares; Redemption and
Exchange; Determining Offering Price
and Net Asset Value
19 Taxation of the Fund Taxes
20 Underwriters Purchasing Shares
21 Calculation of Performance Data Performance Information
22 Financial Statements Financial Statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
PART C
Item No. Description Location in Part C
- -------- ----------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
23 Exhibits Item 23
24 Persons Controlled by or under Item 24
Common Control with Registrant
25 Indemnification Item 25
26 Business and Other Connections Item 26
of the Investment Adviser
27 Principal Underwriters Item 27
28 Location of Accounts and Item 28
Records
29 Management Services Item 29
30 Undertakings Item 30
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
DELAWARE
INVESTMENTS
-----------
Philadelphia * London
Trend Fund
Class A * Class B * Class C
Prospectus
August 27, 1999
Growth of Capital Fund
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the accuracy of this prospectus, and any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
Table of Contents
Fund profile page
Trend Fund
How we manage the Fund page
Our investment strategies
The securities we typically invest in
The risks of investing in the Fund
Who manages the Fund page
Investment manager
Portfolio managers
Fund administration (Who's who)
About your account page
Investing in the Fund
Choosing a share class
How to reduce your sales charge
How to buy shares
Retirement plans
How to redeem shares
Account minimums
Special services
Dividends, distributions and taxes
Certain management considerations page
Financial highlights page
<PAGE>
Profile: Trend Fund
- -------------------
What are the Fund's goals?
Trend Fund seeks capital appreciation by investing primarily in securities of
emerging or other growth-oriented companies. Although the Fund will strive to
meet its goals, there is no assurance that it will.
What are the Fund's main investment strategies?
We invest primarily in stocks of small, growth-oriented companies that we
believe are responsive to changes within the marketplace and which we believe
have the fundamental characteristics to support continued growth.
What are the main risks of investing in the Fund?
Investing in any mutual fund involves risk, including the risk that you may lose
part or all of the money you invest. The value of your investment in the Fund
will increase and decrease according to changes in the value of the securities
in the Fund's portfolio. This Fund will be affected by declines in stock prices.
In addition, the companies that Trend Fund invests in may involve greater risk
due to their size, narrow product lines and limited financial resources. For a
more complete discussion of risk, please turn to "The risks of investing in the
Fund."
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other
government agency.
Who should invest in the Fund
o Investors with long-term financial goals.
o Investors seeking an investment primarily in common stocks.
o Investors seeking exposure to the capital appreciation opportunities of
small companies.
Who should not invest in the Fund
o Investors with short-term financial goals.
o Investors whose primary goal is current income.
o Investors who are unwilling to accept share prices that may fluctuate,
sometimes significantly over the short term.
<PAGE>
How has the Fund performed?
This bar chart and table can help you evaluate the potential risks of investing
in the Fund. We show how returns for the Fund's Class A shares have varied over
the past ten calendar years as well as the average annual returns of all shares
for one-, five-, and ten-year periods, if applicable. The Fund's past
performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: BAR CHART SHOWING YEAR BY YEAR TOTAL RETURN (CLASS A)]
Year-by-year total return
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Fund`s Class A had a 0.00% year-to-date return as of June 30, 1999. During
the periods illustrated in this bar chart, Class A's highest quarterly return
was 0.00% for the quarter ended ____________ and its lowest quarterly return was
0.00% for the quarter ended ____________.
The maximum Class A sales charge of 5.75%, which is normally deducted when you
purchase shares, is not reflected in the total returns above. If this fee were
included, the returns would be less than those shown. The average annual returns
shown in the table below do include the sales charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average annual returns for the period ending 12/31/98
CLASS A B (if redeemed)* C (if redeemed)* Russell 2000
(Inception10/3/68) (Inception 9/6/94) (Inception 11/29/95) Growth Index
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 year 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
5 years 0.00% N/A N/A 0.00%
10 years or
Lifetime** 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
</TABLE>
The Fund's returns are compared to the performance of the Russell 2000 Growth
Index. You should remember that unlike the Fund, the index is unmanaged and
doesn't include the costs of operating a mutual fund, such as the costs of
buying, selling, and holding the securities.
*If redeemed at end of period shown. If shares were not redeemed, the returns
for Class B would be 0.00% and 0.00%, respectively, for the one-year and
lifetime periods. Returns for Class C would be 0.00% and 0.00%, respectively,
for the one-year and lifetime periods.
**Lifetime returns are shown if the Fund or Class existed for less than 10
years. Russell 2000 Growth Index returns are for 10 years. Index returns for
Class B and Class C lifetime periods were 0.00% and 0.00%, respectively. Maximum
sales charges are included in the Fund returns shown in the table above.
<PAGE>
What are the Fund's fees and expenses?
Sales charges are fees paid directly from your investments when you buy or sell
shares of the Fund. The Fund may waive or reduce sales charges; please see the
Statement of Additional Information for details.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A B C
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<S> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases as 5.75% none none
a percentage of offering price
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum contingent deferred sales charge (load) as a none(1) 5%(2) 1%(3)
percentage of original purchase price or redemption
price, whichever is lower
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested none none none
dividends
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption fees none none none
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Annual fund operating expenses are deducted from the Fund's assets before it
pays dividends and before its net asset value and total return are calculated.
We will not charge you separately for these expenses. These expenses are based
on amounts incurred during the Fund's most recent fiscal year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Management fees(4) 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees 0.00% 1.00% 1.00%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other expenses 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
to the cost of investing in other mutual funds with similar investment
objectives. We show the cumulative amount of Fund expenses on a hypothetical
investment of $10,000 with an annual 5% return over the time shown.(5) This is
an example only, and does not represent future expenses, which may be greater or
less than those shown here.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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CLASS(6) A B B C C
(if redeemed) (if redeemed)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 year $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 years $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 years $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) A purchase of Class A shares of $1 million or more may be made at net
asset value. However, if you buy the shares through a financial adviser who
is paid a commission, a contingent deferred sales charge will apply to
certain redemptions. Additional Class A purchase options that involve a
contingent deferred sales charge may be permitted from time to time and
will be disclosed in the prospectus if they are available.
(2) If you redeem Class B shares during the first year after you buy them, you
will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 5%, which declines to 4%
during the second year, 3% during the third and fourth years, 2% during the
fifth year, 1% during the sixth year, and 0% thereafter.
(3) Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1%
contingent deferred sales charge.
(4) The Management Fee has been restated to reflect a new management fee
schedule which became effective on April ____, 1999.
(5) The Fund's actual rate of return may be greater or less than the
hypothetical 5% return we use here. Also, this example assumes that the
Fund's total operating expenses remain unchanged in each of the periods we
show. 6 The Class B example reflects the conversion of Class B shares to
Class A shares after approximately eight years. Information for the ninth
and tenth years reflects expenses of the Class A shares.
<PAGE>
How we manage the Fund
- ----------------------
Our investment strategies
We strive to identify small companies that offer above-average opportunities for
long-term price appreciation because they are poised to benefit from changing
and dominant trends within society or the political arena. In striving to
identify such companies, we will evaluate a company's managerial skills, product
development and sales and earnings.
We take a disciplined approach to investing, combining investment strategies and
risk management techniques that can help shareholders meet their goals.
Companies in the early stages of their development often offer the greatest
opportunities for rising share prices. The key to investing successfully in
small companies is to invest in them before their stock price matches their
growth potential. In striving to do this, Trend Fund studies:
o the operational history of the company
o its strategic focus
o its competitive environment.
The Fund uses a bottom-up approach to stock selection that seeks market leaders,
strong product cycles, innovative concepts and industry trends. We look at
price/earnings ratios, estimated growth rates, market capitalization and
cashflows as we strive to determine how attractive a company is relative to
other companies.
We also rely on our own research in selecting companies for the portfolio. That
research might include one-on-one meetings with executives, company competitors,
industry experts and customers. Our goal is to select companies that are likely
to perform well over an extended time frame.
Because there is added risk when investing in smaller companies, which may still
be in their early developmental stages, we maintain a well-diversified
portfolio, typically holding a mix of different stocks, representing a wide
array of industries.
<PAGE>
The securities we typically invest in
Stocks offer investors the potential for capital appreciation, and may pay
dividends as well.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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Securities How we use them
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<S> <C>
Common stocks: Securities that represent shares of Generally, we invest 90% to 100% of net assets in common stock
ownership in a corporation. Stockholders participate in the with at least 65% in small growth-oriented companies
corporation's profits and losses, proportionate to the
number of shares they own.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Depositary Receipts: ADRs are issued by a U.S. We may hold ADRs when we believe they offer greater appreciation
bank and represent the bank's holdings of a stated number potential than U.S. securities.
of shares of a foreign corporation. An ADR entitles the
holder to all dividends and capital gains earned by the
underlying foreign shares. ADRs are bought and sold the
same as U.S. securities.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repurchase agreements: An agreement between a buyer, such Typically, we use repurchase agreements as a short-term
as the Fund, and a seller of securities in which the seller investment for the Fund's cash position. In order to enter
agrees to buy the securities back within a specified time into these repurchase agreements, the Fund must have
at the same price the buyer paid for them, plus an amount collateral of at least 102% of the repurchase price.
equal to an agreed upon interest rate. Repurchase
agreements are often viewed as equivalent to cash.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restricted securities: Privately placed securities whose We may invest in privately placed securities that are
resale is restricted under securities law. eligible for resale only among certain institutional buyers
without registration. These are commonly known as Rule 144A
Securities. Restricted securities that are determined to be
illiquid may not exceed the Fund's 10% limit on illiquid
securities, which is described below.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illiquid securities: Securities that do not have a ready We may invest up to 10% of net assets in illiquid
market, and cannot be easily sold, if at all, at securities, including repurchase agreements with maturities
approximately the price that the Fund has valued them. of over seven days.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Fund may also invest in other securities including convertible securities,
warrants, preferred stocks, and bonds. The Fund may invest a portion of its net
assets in foreign securities; however, the manager has no present intention of
doing so. Please see the Statement of Additional Information for additional
descriptions and risk information on these securities as well as those listed in
the table above. You can find additional information about the investments in
the Fund's portfolio in the annual or semi-annual shareholder report.
Lending securities
The Fund may lend up to 25% of its assets to qualified dealers and investors for
their use in security transactions.
Purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis
The Fund may buy or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis;
that is, paying for securities before delivery or taking delivery at a later
date.
Borrowing from banks
The Fund may borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary purposes or
to facilitate redemptions. Borrowing money could result in the Fund being unable
to meet its investment objective.
Portfolio turnover
We anticipate that the Fund's annual portfolio turnover may be greater than
100%. A turnover rate of 100% would occur if the Fund sold and replaced
securities valued at 100% of its net assets within one year. High turnover can
result in increased transaction costs and tax liability for the Fund.
<PAGE>
The risks of investing in the Fund
Investing in any mutual fund involves risk, including the risk that you may
receive little or no return on your investment, and the risk that you may lose
part or all of the money you invest. Before you invest in the Fund you should
carefully evaluate the risks. An investment in the Fund typically provides the
best results when held for a number of years. The following are the chief risks
you assume when investing in the Fund. Please see the Statement of Additional
Information for further discussion of these risks and the other risks not
discussed here.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risks How we strive to manage them
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Market risk is the risk that all or a majority of the We maintain a long-term investment approach and focus on
securities in a certain market -- like the stock or bond stocks we believe can appreciate over an extended time frame
market -- will decline in value because of factors such as regardless of interim market fluctuations. We do not try to
economic conditions, future expectations or investor predict overall stock market movements and though we may
confidence. hold securities for any amount of time, we typically do not
trade for short-term purposes.
We may hold a substantial part of the Fund's assets in cash
or cash equivalents as a temporary, defensive strategy.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry and security risk is the risk that the one value We limit the amount of the Fund's assets invested in any one
of securities in a particular industry or the value industry and in any individual security. We also follow a
of an individual stock or bond will decline because of rigorous selection process before choosing securities and
changing expectations for the performance of that industry continuously monitor them while they remain in the
or for the individual company issuing the stock. portfolio.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small company risk is the risk that prices of smaller The Fund maintains a well-diversified portfolio, selects
companies may be more volatile than larger companies because stocks carefully and monitors them continuously.
of limited financial resources or dependence on narrow
product lines.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate risk is the risk that securities will decrease We analyze each company's financial situation and its cash
in value if interest rates rise. The risk is generally flow to determine the company's ability to finance future
associated with bonds; however, because smaller companies expansion and operations. The potential effect that rising
often borrow money to finance their operations, they may be interest rates might have on a stock is taken into
adversely affected by rising interest rates. consideration before the stock is purchased.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign risk is the risk that foreign securities may We typically invest only a small portion of the Fund's
be adversely affected by political instability, changes portfolio in foreign corporations through American
in currency exchange rates, foreign economic conditions Depositary Receipts. We do not invest directly in foreign
or inadequate regulatory and accounting standards. securities. When we do purchase ADRs, they are generally
denominated in U.S. dollars and traded on a U.S. exchange.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liquidity risk is the possibility that securities cannot be We limit exposure to illiquid securities.
readily sold, or can only be sold at approximately the price
that the Fund has valued them.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Who manages the Fund
Investment manager
The Fund is managed by Delaware Management Company, a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust which is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of
Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. Delaware Management Company makes investment
decisions for the Fund, manages the Fund's business affairs and provides daily
administrative services. For these services, the manager was paid 0.00% as a
percentage of average daily net assets for the last fiscal year.
Portfolio managers
Gerald S. Frey, Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager
Mr. Frey has 22 years' experience in the money management business and holds a
BA in Economics from Bloomsburg University and attended Wilkes College and New
York University. Prior to joining Delaware Investments in 1996, he was a Senior
Director with Morgan Grenfell Capital Management in New York. Mr. Frey has been
senior portfolio manager for the Fund since March 1997 and was co-manager from
June 1996 to March 1997.
Marshall T. Bassett, Vice President
Mr. Bassett joined Delaware Investments in 1997. In his most recent position, he
served as Vice President in Morgan Stanley Asset Management's Emerging Growth
Group, where he analyzed small growth companies. Prior to that, he was a trust
officer at Sovran Bank and Trust Company. He received his bachelor's degree and
MBA from Duke University.
John A. Heffern, Vice President
Mr. Heffern holds a bachelor's degree and an MBA from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. He joined Delaware Investments in 1997. Previously, he
was a Senior Vice President, Equity Research at NatWest Securities Corporation's
Specialty Finance Services unit and a Principal and Senior Regional Bank Analyst
at Alex. Brown & Sons.
Jeffrey W. Hynoski, Vice President
Mr. Hynoski joined Delaware Investments in 1998. Previously he served as a Vice
President at Bessemer Trust Company in the mid and large capitalization growth
group, where he specialized in the areas of science, technology, and
telecommunications. Prior to that, Mr. Hynoski held positions at Lord Abbett &
Co. and Cowen Asset Management. Mr. Hynoski holds a BS in Finance from the
University of Delaware and an MBA with a concentration in Investments/Portfolio
Management and Financial Economics from Pace University.
Stephen T. Lampe, Vice President
Mr. Lampe earned a bachelor's degree and an MBA at the University of
Pennsylvania's Wharton School. He joined Delaware Investments in 1995 and
provides analytical services for small and mid-capitalization stocks,
specializing in financial services and business services. He previously served
as a manager at Price Waterhouse, specializing in financial services firms. Mr.
Lampe is a Certified Public Accountant.
Lori P. Wachs, Vice President
Ms. Wachs joined Delaware Investments in 1992 from Goldman Sachs, where she was
an equity analyst for two years. She is a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania's Wharton School, where she majored in Finance and Oriental
Studies.
<PAGE>
Who's who?
This diagram shows the various organizations involved with managing,
administering, and servicing the Delaware Investments funds.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: DIAGRAM SHOWING THE VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED WITH
MANAGING, ADMINISTERING, AND SERVICING THE DELAWARE INVESTMENTS FUNDS]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Board of trustees
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment manager The Fund Custodian
Delaware Management Company The Chase Manhattan Bank
One Commerce Square 4 Chase Metrotech Center
Philadelphia, PA 19103 Brooklyn, NY 11245
Portfolio managers Distributor Service agent
(see page __ for details) Delaware Distributors, L.P. Delaware Service Company, Inc.
1818 Market Street 1818 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103 Philadelphia, PA 19103
Financial advisers
Shareholders
</TABLE>
Board of trustees A mutual fund is governed by a board of trustees which has
oversight responsibility for the management of the fund's business affairs.
Trustees establish procedures and oversee and review the performance of the
investment manager, the distributor and others that perform services for the
fund. At least 40% of the board of trustees must be independent of the fund's
investment manager or distributor. These independent fund trustees, in
particular, are advocates for shareholder interests.
Investment manager An investment manager is a company responsible for selecting
portfolio investments consistent with the objective and policies stated in the
mutual fund's prospectus. The investment manager places portfolio orders with
broker/dealers and is responsible for obtaining the best overall execution of
those orders. A written contract between a mutual fund and its investment
manager specifies the services the manager performs. Most management contracts
provide for the manager to receive an annual fee based on a percentage of the
fund's average daily net assets. The manager is subject to numerous legal
restrictions, especially regarding transactions between itself and the funds it
advises.
Portfolio managers Portfolio managers are employed by the investment manager or
sub-adviser to make investment decisions for individual portfolios on a
day-to-day basis.
Custodian Mutual funds are legally required to protect their portfolio
securities and typically place them with a qualified bank custodian who
segregates fund securities from other bank assets.
Distributor Most mutual funds continuously offer new shares to the public
through distributors who are regulated as broker-dealers and are subject to
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) rules governing mutual
fund sales practices.
Service agent Mutual fund companies employ service agents (sometimes called
transfer agents) to maintain records of shareholder accounts, calculate and
disburse dividends and capital gains and prepare and mail shareholder statements
and tax information, among other functions. Many service agents also provide
customer service to shareholders.
Financial advisers Financial advisers provide advice to their clients--analyzing
their financial objectives and recommending appropriate funds or other
investments. Financial advisers are compensated for their services, generally
through sales commissions, and through 12b-1 and/or service fees deducted from
the fund's assets.
Shareholders Like shareholders of other companies, mutual fund shareholders have
specific voting rights, including the right to elect trustees. Material changes
in the terms of a fund's management contract must be approved by a shareholder
vote, and funds seeking to change fundamental investment objectives or policies
must also seek shareholder approval.
<PAGE>
About your account
Investing in the Fund
You can choose from a number of share classes for the Fund. Because each share
class has a different combination of sales charges, fees, and other features,
you should consult your financial adviser to determine which class best suits
your investment goals and time frame.
Choosing a share class
Class A
o Class A shares have an up-front sales charge of up to 5.75% that you pay
when you buy the shares. The offering price for Class A shares includes the
front-end sales charge.
o If you invest $50,000 or more, your front-end sales charge will be reduced.
o You may qualify for other reduced sales charges, as described in "How to
reduce your sales charge," and under certain circumstances the sales charge
may be waived; please see the Statement of Additional Information.
o Class A shares are also subject to an annual 12b-1 fee no greater than 0.30%
of average daily net assets, which is lower than the 12b-1 fee for Class B
and Class C shares.
o Class A shares generally are not subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge unless purchased at net asset value and redeemed within the
first two years from the date of purchase.
<PAGE>
Class A Sales Charges
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount of purchase Sales charge as % Sales charge as % of amount Dealer's commission as %
of offering price invested of offering price
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 5.75% 0.00% 5.00%
$50,000 but 4.75% 0.00% 4.00%
under $100,000
$100,000 but 3.75% 0.00% 3.00%
under $250,000
$250,000 but 2.50% 0.00% 2.00%
under $500,000
$500,000 but 2.00% 0.00% 1.60%
under $1 million
</TABLE>
As shown below, there is no front-end sales charge when you purchase $1 million
or more of Class A shares. However, if your financial adviser is paid a
commission on your purchase, you may have to pay a limited contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% if you redeem these shares within the first year and 0.50% if
you redeem them within the second year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount of purchase Sales charge as % Sales charge as % of amount Dealer's commission as %
of offering price invested of offering price
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$1 million up to $5 none none 1.00%
million
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next $20 million none none 0.50%
Up to $25 million
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount over $25 million none none 0.25%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Class B
o Class B shares have no up-front sales charge, so the full amount of
your purchase is invested in the Fund. However, you will pay a
contingent deferred sales charge if you redeem your shares within six
years after you buy them.
o If you redeem Class B shares during the first year after you buy them,
the shares will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 5%.
The contingent deferred sales charge is 4% during the second year, 3%
during the third and fourth years, 2% during the fifth year, 1% during
the sixth year, and 0% thereafter.
o Under certain circumstances the contingent deferred sales charge may be
waived; please see the Statement of Additional Information.
o For approximately eight years after you buy your Class B shares, they
are subject to annual 12b-1 fees no greater than 1% of average daily
net assets, of which 0.25% are service fees paid to the distributor,
dealers or others for providing services and maintaining accounts.
o Because of the higher 12b-1 fees, Class B shares have higher expenses
and any dividends paid on these shares are lower than dividends on
Class A shares.
o Approximately eight years after you buy them, Class B shares
automatically convert into Class A shares with a 12b-1 fee of no more
than 0.30%. Conversion may occur as late as three months after the
eighth anniversary of purchase, during which time Class B's higher
12b-1 fees apply.
o You may purchase up to $250,000 of Class B shares at any one time. The
limitation on maximum purchases varies for retirement plans.
Class C
o Class C shares have no up-front sales charge, so the full amount of
your purchase is invested in the Fund. However, you will pay a
contingent deferred sales charge if you redeem your shares within 12
months after you buy them.
o Under certain circumstances the contingent deferred sales charge may be
waived; please see the Statement of Additional Information.
o Class C shares are subject to an annual 12b-1 fee which may not be
greater than 1% of average daily net assets, of which 0.25% are service
fees paid to the distributor, dealers or others for providing services
and maintaining shareholder accounts.
o Because of the higher 12b-1 fees, Class C shares have higher expenses
and pay lower dividends than Class A shares.
o Unlike Class B shares, Class C shares do not automatically convert into
another class.
o You may purchase any amount less than $1,000,000 of Class C shares at
any one time. The limitation on maximum purchases varies for retirement
plans.
Each share class of the Fund has adopted a separate 12b-1 plan that allows it to
pay distribution fees for the sales and distribution of its shares. Because
these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time
these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than
paying other types of sales charges.
<PAGE>
About your account (continued)
How to reduce your sales charge
We offer a number of ways to reduce or eliminate the sales charge on shares.
Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information for detailed information
and eligibility requirements. You can also get additional information from your
financial adviser. You or your financial adviser must notify us at the time you
purchase shares if you are eligible for any of these programs.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program How it works Share class
A B C
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Letter of Intent Through a Letter of Intent you X Although the Letter of
agree to invest a certain Intent and Rights of
amount in Delaware Investment Accumulation do not apply
Funds (except money market to the purchase of Class
funds with no sales charge) B and C shares, you can
over a 13-month period to combine your purchase of
qualify for reduced front-end Class A shares with your
sales charges. purchase of B and C
shares to fulfill your
Letter of Intent or
qualify for Rights of
Accumulation.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rights of accumulation You can combine your holdings X
or purchases of all funds in the
Delaware Investments family
(except money market funds with
no sales charge) as well as the
holdings and purchases of your
spouse and children under 21 to
qualify for reduced front-end
sales charges.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reinvestment of redeemed shares Up to 12 months after you X Not available.
redeem shares, you can reinvest
the proceeds without paying a
front-end sales charge.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, SARSEP, Prototype These investment plans may X There is no reduction in
Profit Sharing, Pension, 401(k), SIMPLE qualify for reduced sales sales charges for Class B
401(k), 403(b)(7), and 457 Retirement charges by combining the or Class C shares for
Plans purchases of all members of the group purchases for
group. Members of these groups retirement plans.
may also qualify to purchase
shares without a front-end sales
charge and a waiver of any
contingent deferred sales
charges.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
How to buy shares
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A PERSON]
Through your financial adviser
Your financial adviser can handle all the details of purchasing shares,
including opening an account. Your adviser may charge a separate fee for this
service.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF AN ENVELOPE]
By mail
Complete an investment slip and mail it with your check, made payable to the
fund and class of shares you wish to purchase, to Delaware Investments, 1818
Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-3682. If you are making an initial
purchase by mail, you must include a completed investment application (or an
appropriate retirement plan application if you are opening a retirement account)
with your check.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A JAGGED LINE]
By wire
Ask your bank to wire the amount you want to invest to First Union Bank, ABA
#031201467, Bank Account number 2014 12893 4013. Include your account number and
the name of the fund in which you want to invest. If you are making an initial
purchase by wire, you must call us so we can assign you an account number.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF AN EXCHANGE SYMBOL]
By exchange
You can exchange all or part of your investment in one or more funds in the
Delaware Investments family for shares of other funds in the family. Please keep
in mind, however, that under most circumstances you are allowed to exchange only
between like classes of shares. To open an account by exchange, call the
Shareholder Service Center at 800.523.1918.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A KEYPAD]
Through automated shareholder services
You can purchase or exchange shares through Delaphone, our automated telephone
service, or through our web site, www.delawareinvestments.com. For more
information about how to sign up for these services, call our Shareholder
Service Center at 800.523.1918.
<PAGE>
About your account (continued)
How to buy shares (continued)
Once you have completed an application, you can open an account with an initial
investment of $1,000 --- and make additional investments at any time for as
little as $100. If you are buying shares in an IRA or Roth IRA, under the
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act; or through
an Automatic Investing Plan, the minimum purchase is $250, and you can make
additional investments of only $25. The minimum for an Education IRA is $500.
The minimums vary for retirement plans other than IRA's, Roth IRA's or Education
IRA's.
The price you pay for shares will depend on when we receive your purchase order.
If we or an authorized agent receive your order before the close of trading on
the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on a business day,
you will pay that day's closing share price which is based on the Fund's net
asset value. If we receive your order after the close of trading, you will pay
the next business day's price. A business day is any day that the New York Stock
Exchange is open for business. We reserve the right to reject any purchase
order.
We determine the Fund's net asset value (NAV) per share at the close of trading
of the New York Stock Exchange each business day that the Exchange is open. We
calculate this value by adding the market value of all the securities and assets
in the Fund's portfolio, deducting all liabilities, and dividing the resulting
number by the number of shares outstanding. The result is the net asset value
per share. We price securities and other assets for which market quotations are
available at their market value. We price fixed-income securities on the basis
of valuations provided to us by an independent pricing service that uses methods
approved by the board of trustees. Any fixed-income securities that have a
maturity of less than 60 days we price at amortized cost. We price all other
securities at fair market value using a method approved by the board of
trustees.
Retirement plans
In addition to being an appropriate investment for your Individual Retirement
Account (IRA), Roth IRA and Education IRA, shares in the Fund may be suitable
for group retirement plans. You may establish your IRA account even if you are
already a participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan. For more
information on how shares in the Fund can play an important role in your
retirement planning or for details about group plans, please consult your
financial adviser, or call 800.523.1918.
<PAGE>
How to redeem shares
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A PERSON]
Through your financial adviser
Your financial adviser can handle all the details of redeeming your shares. Your
adviser may charge a separate fee for this service.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF AN ENVELOPE]
By mail
You can redeem your shares (sell them back to the fund) by mail by writing to:
Delaware Investments, 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-3682. All
owners of the account must sign the request, and for redemptions of $50,000 or
more, you must include a signature guarantee for each owner. Signature
guarantees are also required when redemption proceeds are going to an address
other than the address of record on an account.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A TELEPHONE]
By telephone
You can redeem up to $50,000 of your shares by telephone. You may have the
proceeds sent to you by check, or, if you redeem at least $1,000 of shares, you
may have the proceeds sent directly to your bank by wire. Bank information must
be on file before you request a wire redemption.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A JAGGED LINE]
By wire
You can redeem $1,000 or more of your shares and have the proceeds deposited
directly to your bank account the next business day after we receive your
request. If you request a wire deposit, the First Union Bank fee (currently
$7.50) will be deducted from your proceeds. Bank information must be on file
before you request a wire redemption.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A KEYPAD]
Through automated shareholder services
You can redeem shares through Delaphone, our automated telephone service, or
through our web site, www.delawareinvestments.com. For more information about
how to sign up for these services, call our Shareholder Service Center at
800.523.1918.
<PAGE>
About your account (continued)
How to redeem shares (continued)
If you hold your shares in certificates, you must submit the certificates with
your request to sell the shares. We recommend that you send your certificates by
certified mail.
When you send us a properly completed request to redeem or exchange shares
before the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time), you will receive the net asset value as determined on the
business day we receive your request. We will deduct any applicable contingent
deferred sales charges. You may also have to pay taxes on the proceeds from your
sale of shares. We will send you a check, normally the next business day, but no
later than seven days after we receive your request to sell your shares. If you
purchased your shares by check, we will wait until your check has cleared, which
can take up to 15 days, before we send your redemption proceeds.
If you are required to pay a contingent deferred sales charge when you redeem
your shares, the amount subject to the fee will be based on the shares' net
asset value when you purchased them or their net asset value when you redeem
them, whichever is less. This arrangement assures that you will not pay a
contingent deferred sales charge on any increase in the value of your shares.
You also will not pay the charge on any shares acquired by reinvesting dividends
or capital gains. If you exchange shares of one fund for shares of another, you
do not pay a contingent deferred sales charge at the time of the exchange. If
you later redeem those shares, the purchase price for purposes of the contingent
deferred sales charge formula will be the price you paid for the original
shares--not the exchange price. The redemption price for purposes of this
formula will be the NAV of the shares you are actually redeeming.
Account minimums
If you redeem shares and your account balance falls below the required account
minimum of $1,000 ($250 for IRAs, Uniform Gift to Minors Act accounts or
accounts with automatic investing plans, $500 for Education IRAs) for three or
more consecutive months, you will have until the end of the current calendar
quarter to raise the balance to the minimum. If your account is not at the
minimum by the required time, you will be charged a $9 fee for that quarter and
each quarter after that until your account reaches the minimum balance. If your
account does not reach the minimum balance, the Fund may redeem your account
after 60 days' written notice to you.
<PAGE>
Special services
To help make investing with us as easy as possible, and to help you build your
investments, we offer the following special services.
Automatic Investing Plan
The Automatic Investing Plan allows you to make regular monthly investments
directly from your checking account.
Direct Deposit
With Direct Deposit you can make additional investments through payroll
deductions, recurring government or private payments such as social security or
direct transfers from your bank account.
Wealth Builder Option
With the Wealth Builder Option you can arrange automatic monthly exchanges
between your shares in one or more Delaware Investments funds. Wealth Builder
exchanges are subject to the same rules as regular exchanges (see below) and
require a minimum monthly exchange of $100 per fund.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Through our Dividend Reinvestment Plan, you can have your distributions
reinvested in your account or the same share class in another fund in the
Delaware Investments family. The shares that you purchase through the Dividend
Reinvestment Plan are not subject to a front-end sales charge or to a contingent
deferred sales charge. Under most circumstances, you may reinvest dividends only
into like classes of shares.
Exchanges
You can exchange all or part of your shares for shares of the same class in
another Delaware Investments fund without paying a sales charge and without
paying a contingent deferred sales charge at the time of the exchange. However,
if you exchange shares from a money market fund that does not have a sales
charge you will pay any applicable sales charges on your new shares. When
exchanging Class B and Class C shares of one fund for similar shares in other
funds, your new shares will be subject to the same contingent deferred sales
charge as the shares you originally purchased. The holding period for the CDSC
will also remain the same, with the amount of time you held your original shares
being credited toward the holding period of your new shares. You don't pay sales
charges on shares that you acquired through the reinvestment of dividends. You
may have to pay taxes on your exchange. When you exchange shares, you are
purchasing shares in another fund so you should be sure to get a copy of the
fund's prospectus and read it carefully before buying shares through an
exchange.
<PAGE>
About your account (continued)
Special services (continued)
MoneyLineSM On Demand Service
Through our MoneyLineSM On Demand Service, you or your financial adviser may
transfer money between your Fund account and your predesignated bank account by
telephone request. This service is not available for retirement plans, except
for purchases into IRAs. MoneyLine has a minimum transfer of $25 and a maximum
transfer of $50,000.
MoneyLine Direct Deposit Service
Through our MoneyLine Direct Deposit Service you can have $25 or more in
dividends and distributions deposited directly to your bank account. Delaware
Investments does not charge a fee for this service; however, your bank may
assess one. This service is not available for retirement plans.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
Through our Systematic Withdrawal Plan you can arrange a regular monthly or
quarterly payment from your account made to you or someone you designate. If the
value of your account is $5,000 or more, you can make withdrawals of at least
$25 monthly, or $75 quarterly. You may also have your withdrawals deposited
directly to your bank account through our MoneyLine Direct Deposit Service.
Dividends, distributions and taxes
Dividends and capital gains, if any, are paid twice a year. We automatically
reinvest all dividends and any capital gains, unless you tell us otherwise.
Tax laws are subject to change, so we urge you to consult your tax adviser about
your particular tax situation and how it might be affected by current tax law.
The tax status of your dividends from the Fund is the same whether you reinvest
your dividends or receive them in cash. Distributions from the Fund's long-term
capital gains are taxable as capital gains, while distributions from short-term
capital gains and net investment income are generally taxable as ordinary
income. Any capital gains may be taxable at different rates depending on the
length of time the Fund held the assets. In addition, you may be subject to
state and local taxes on distributions.
We will send you a statement each year by January 31 detailing the amount and
nature of all dividends and capital gains that you were paid for the prior year.
<PAGE>
Certain management considerations
Year 2000
As with other mutual funds, financial and business organizations and individuals
around the world, the Fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems
used by its service providers do not properly process and calculate date-related
information from and after January 1, 2000. This is commonly known as the "Year
2000 Problem." The Fund is taking steps to obtain satisfactory assurances that
its major service providers are taking steps reasonably designed to address the
Year 2000 Problem on the computer systems that the service providers use.
However, there can be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid
any adverse impact on the business of the Fund. The Year 2000 Problem may also
adversely affect the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. The
portfolio manager and investment professionals of the Fund consider Year 2000
compliance in the securities selection and investment process. However, there
can be no guarantee that, even with their due diligence efforts, they will be
able to predict the affect of Year 2000 on any company or the performance of its
securities.
Investments by fund of funds
The Fund accepts investments from the series portfolios of Delaware Group
Foundation Funds, a fund of funds. From time to time, the Fund may experience
large investments or redemptions due to allocations or rebalancings by
Foundation Funds. While it is impossible to predict the overall impact of these
transactions over time, there could be adverse effects on portfolio management.
For example, the Fund may be required to sell securities or invest cash at times
when it would not otherwise do so. These transactions could also have tax
consequences if sales of securities result in gains, and could also increase
transaction costs or portfolio turnover. The manager will monitor transactions
by Foundation Funds and will attempt to minimize any adverse effects on both the
Fund and Foundation Funds as a result of these transactions.
<PAGE>
Financial highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund's
financial performance. All "per share" information reflects financial results
for a single Fund share. This information has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, is included in the
Fund's annual report, which is available upon request by calling 800.523.1918.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Fund A Class
Year Ended 6/30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, beginning of period $16.730 $18.160 $14.210 $12.210
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss(1) (0.126) (0.075) (0.127) (0.074)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 3.886 0.155 4.977 2.864
------- ------- ------- -------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 3.760 0.080 4.850 2.790
------- ------- ------- -------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions from net realized gain on investments (1.940) (1.510) (9.000) (0.790)
------- ------- ------- -------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (1.940) (1.510) (9.000) (0.790)
------- ------- ------- -------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $18.550 $16.730 $18.160 $14.210
======= ======= ======= =======
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return(2) 23.97% 1.67% 35.53% 24.40%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and supplemental data:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $469,152 $428,309 $497,188 $318,933
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.34% 1.34% 1.31% 1.36%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (0.70%) (0.47%) (0.79%) (0.58%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover 114% 115% 90% 64%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Fund B Class Period
Year Ended 6/30 9/6/94(1)
through
6/30/95
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, beginning of period $16.370 $17.920 $14.130 $12.110
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss(2) (0.252) (0.189) (0.248) (0.142)
------- ------- ------- -------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 3.782 0.149 4.938 2.162
------- ------- ------- -------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 3.530 (0.040) 4.690 2.020
------- ------- ------- -------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions from net realized gain on investments (1.940) (1.510) (0.900) none
------- ------- ------- -------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (1.940) (1.510) (0.900) none
------- ------- ------- -------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $17.960 $16.370 $17.920 $14.130
======= ======= ======= =======
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return(3) 23.09% 0.96% 34.55% 16.68%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and supplemental data:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $71,470 $55,047 $35,090 $5,175
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.09% 2.09% 2.06% 2.12%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (1.45%) (1.25%) (1.54%) (1.34%)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover 114% 115% 90% 64%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trend Fund C Class Period
Year Ended 6/30 11/29/95(1)
through
6/30/96
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, beginning of period $16.540 $18.090 $15.460
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss(2) (0.255) (0.197) (0.253)
------- ------- -------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 3.825 0.157 3.233
----- ----- -----
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 3.570 (0.040) 2.980
----- ----- -----
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions from net realized gain on investments (1.940) (1.510) (0.350)
----- ----- -----
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (1.940) (1.510) (0.350)
----- ----- -----
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $18.170 $16.540 $18.090
======= ======= =======
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return(3) 23.09% 0.95% 19.66%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and supplemental data:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $14,259 $11,447 $6,359
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.09% 2.09% 2.06%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (1.45%) (1.28%) (1.54%)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover 114% 115% 90%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Year ended 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and for the six months ended December 31,
1998 [and 1999] per share information was based on the average shares
outstanding method.
(2) Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a share
during the period and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net asset
value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge.
(3) Date of initial public offering; ratios have been annualized and total
returns have not been annualized.
<PAGE>
How to read the financial highlights
Net investment income
Net investment income includes dividend and interest income earned from the
Fund's securities; it is after expenses have been deducted.
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
A realized gain occurs when we sell an investment at a profit, while a realized
loss occurs when we sell an investment at a loss. When an investment increases
or decreases in value but we do not sell it, we record an unrealized gain or
loss. The amount of realized gain per share that we pay to shareholders is
listed under "Less dividends and distributions-Distributions from net realized
gain on investments."
Net asset value (NAV)
This is the value of a mutual fund share, calculated by dividing the net assets
by the number of shares outstanding.
Total return
This represents the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an
investment in the Fund. In calculating this figure for the financial highlights
table, we include applicable fee waivers, exclude front-end and contingent
deferred sales charges, and assume the shareholder has reinvested all dividends
and realized gains.
Net assets
Net assets represent the total value of all the assets in the Fund's portfolio,
less any liabilities, that are attributable to that class of the Fund.
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
The expense ratio is the percentage of net assets that a fund pays annually for
operating expenses and management fees. These expenses include accounting and
administration expenses, services for shareholders, and similar expenses.
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
We determine this ratio by dividing net investment income by average net assets.
Portfolio turnover rate
This figure tells you the amount of trading activity in a fund's portfolio. For
example, a fund with a 50% turnover has bought and sold half of the value of its
total investment portfolio during the stated period.
<PAGE>
How to use this glossary
The glossary includes definitions of investment terms used throughout the
Prospectus. If you would like to know the meaning of an investment term that is
not explained in the text please check the glossary.
Amortized cost
Amortized cost is a method used to value a fixed income security that starts
with the face value of the security and then adds or subtracts from that value
depending on whether the purchase price was greater or less than the value of
the security at maturity. The amount greater or less than the par value is
divided equally over the time remaining until maturity.
Average maturity
An average of when the individual bonds and other debt securities held in a
portfolio will mature.
Bond
A debt security, like an IOU, issued by a company, municipality or government
agency. In return for lending money to the issuer, a bond buyer generally
receives fixed periodic interest payments and repayment of the loan amount on a
specified maturity date. A bond's price changes prior to maturity and is
inversely related to current interest rates. When interest rates rise, bond
prices fall, and when interest rates fall, bond prices rise.
Capital
The amount of money you invest.
Capital appreciation
An increase in the value of an investment.
Capital gains distributions
Payments to mutual fund shareholders of profits (realized gains) from the sale
of a fund's portfolio securities. Usually paid once a year; may be either
short-term gains or long-term gains.
Commission
The fee an investor pays to a financial adviser for investment advice and help
in buying or selling mutual funds, stocks, bonds or other securities.
Compounding
Earnings on an investment's previous earnings.
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Measurement of U.S. inflation; represents the price of a basket of commonly
purchased goods.
Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC)
Fee charged by some mutual funds when shares are redeemed (sold back to the
fund) within a set number of years; an alternative method for investors to
compensate a financial adviser for advice and service, rather than an up-front
commission.
Cost basis
The original purchase price of an investment, used in determining capital gains
and losses.
Depreciation
A decline in an investment's value.
Diversification
The process of spreading investments among a number of different securities,
asset classes or investment styles to reduce the risks of investing.
<PAGE>
Dividend distribution
Payments to mutual fund shareholders of dividends passed along from the fund's
portfolio of securities.
Expense ratio
A mutual fund's total operating expenses, expressed as a percentage of its total
net assets. Operating expenses are the costs of running a mutual fund, including
management fees, offices, staff, equipment and expenses related to maintaining
the fund's portfolio of securities and distributing its shares. They are paid
from the fund's assets before any earnings are distributed to shareholders.
Financial adviser
Financial professional (e.g., broker, banker, accountant, planner or insurance
agent) who analyzes clients' finances and prepares personalized programs to meet
objectives.
Inflation
The increase in the cost of goods and services over time. U.S. inflation is
frequently measured by changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Investment goal
The objective, such as long-term capital growth or high current income, that a
mutual fund pursues.
Management fee
The amount paid by a mutual fund to the investment adviser for management
services, expressed as an annual percentage of the fund's average daily net
assets.
Market capitalization
The value of a corporation determined by multiplying the current market price of
a share of common stock by the number of shares held by shareholders. A
corporation with one million shares outstanding and the market price per share
of $10 has a market capitalization of $10 million.
National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD)
A self-regulating organization, consisting of brokerage firms (including
distributors of mutual funds), that is responsible for overseeing the actions of
its members.
Net asset value (NAV)
The daily dollar value of one mutual fund share. Equal to a fund's net assets
divided by the number of shares outstanding.
Preferred stock
Preferred stock has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and
liquidation of assets. Preferred stocks also often pays dividends at a fixed
rate and is sometimes convertible into common stock.
Price/earnings ratio
A measure of a stock's value calculated by dividing the current market price of
a share of stock by its annual earnings per share. A stock selling for $100 per
share with annual earnings per share of $5 has a P/E of 20.
<PAGE>
Principal
Amount of money you invest (also called capital). Also refers to a bond's
original face value, due to be repaid at maturity.
Prospectus
The official offering document that describes a mutual fund, containing
information required by the SEC, such as investment objectives, policies,
services and fees.
Redeem
To cash in your shares by selling them back to the mutual fund.
Risk
Generally defined as variability of value; also credit risk, inflation risk,
currency and interest rate risk. Different investments involve different types
and degrees of risk.
Russell 2000 Growth Index
Russell 2000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000
companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
These stocks are selected from the 2000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000
Inde, which represent approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of
the Russell 3000 Index.
Sales charge
Charge on the purchase or redemption of fund shares sold through financial
advisers. May vary with the amount invested. Typically used to compensate
advisers for advice and service provided.
SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)
Federal agency established by Congress to administer the laws governing the
securities industry, including mutual fund companies.
Share classes
Different classifications of shares; mutual fund share classes offer a variety
of sales charge choices.
Signature guarantee
Certification by a bank, brokerage firm or other financial institution that a
customer's signature is valid; signature guarantees can be provided by members
of the STAMP program.
Standard deviation
A measure of an investment's volatility; for mutual funds, measures how much a
fund's total return has typically varied from its historical average.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The document serving as "Part B" of a fund's prospectus that provides more
detailed information about the fund's organization, investments, policies and
risks.
Stock
An investment that represents a share of ownership (equity) in a corporation.
Stocks are often referred to as "equities."
Total return
An investment performance measurement, expressed as a percentage, based on the
combined earnings from dividends, capital gains and change in price over a given
period.
Uniform Gift to Minors Act and Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
Federal and state laws that provide a simple way to transfer property to a minor
with special tax advantages.
Volatility
The tendency of an investment to go up or down in value by different magnitudes.
Investments that generally go up or down in value in relatively small amounts
are considered "low volatility" investments, whereas those investments that
generally go up or down in value in relatively large amounts are considered
"high volatility" investments.
<PAGE>
Trend Fund
Additional information about the Fund's investments is available in the Fund's
annual and semi-annual report to shareholders. In the Fund's shareholder
report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during the report
period. You can find more detailed information about the Fund in the current
Statement of Additional Information, which we have filed electronically with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and which is legally a part of this
prospectus. If you want a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information,
the annual or semi-annual report, or if you have any questions about investing
in the Fund, you can write to us at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103,
or call toll-free 800.523.1918. You may also obtain additional information about
the Fund from your financial adviser.
You can find reports and other information about the Fund on the SEC web site
(http://www.sec.gov), or you can get copies of this information, after payment
of a duplicating fee, by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC,
Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. Information about the Fund, including its Statement
of Additional Information, can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and
Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can get
information on the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1.800.SEC.0330.
Web site
www.delawareinvestments.com
E-mail
[email protected]
Shareholder Service Center
800.523.1918
Call the Shareholder Service Center Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern
time:
o For fund information; literature; price, yield and performance figures.
o For information on existing regular investment accounts and retirement plan
accounts including wire investments; wire redemptions; telephone redemptions
and telephone exchanges.
Delaphone Service
800.362.FUND (800.362.3863)
o For convenient access to account information or current performance
information on all Delaware Investments Funds seven days a week, 24 hours a
day, use this Touch-Tone(R) service.
Investment Company Act file number: 811-1485
Trend Fund Symbols
CUSIP NASDAQ
Class A 245905104 DELTX
Class B 245905302 DERBX
Class C 245905401 DETCX
DELAWARE
INVESTMENTS
Philadelphia * London
P-002 [--] PP 8/99
<PAGE>
DELAWARE
INVESTMENTS
-----------
Philadelphia * London
Trend Fund
Institutional Class
Prospectus
August 27, 1999
Growth of Capital Fund
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the accuracy of this prospectus, and any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
[inside front cover]
Table of Contents
Fund profile page
Trend Fund
How we manage the Fund page
Our investment strategies
The securities we typically invest in
The risks of investing in the Fund
Who manages the Fund page
Investment manager
Portfolio managers
Fund administration (Who's who)
About your account page
Investing in the Fund
How to buy shares
How to redeem shares
Account minimum
Exchanges
Dividends, distributions and taxes
Certain management considerations
Financial highlights page
2
<PAGE>
Profile: Trend Fund
- -------------------
What are the Fund's goals?
Trend Fund seeks capital appreciation by investing primarily in securities of
emerging or other growth-oriented companies. Although the Fund will strive to
meet its goals, there is no assurance that it will.
What are the Fund's main investment strategies?
We invest primarily in stocks of small, growth-oriented companies that we
believe are responsive to changes within the marketplace and which we believe
have the fundamental characteristics to support continued growth.
What are the main risks of investing in the Fund?
Investing in any mutual fund involves risk, including the risk that you may lose
part or all of the money you invest. The value of your investment in the Fund
will increase and decrease according to changes in the value of the securities
in the Fund's portfolio. This Fund will be affected by declines in stock prices.
In addition, the companies that Trend Fund invests in may involve greater risk
due to their size, narrow product lines and limited financial resources. For a
more complete discussion of risk, please turn to "The risks of investing in the
Fund."
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other
government agency.
Who should invest in the Fund
o Investors with long-term financial goals.
o Investors seeking an investment primarily in common stocks.
o Investors seeking exposure to the capital appreciation opportunities of small
companies.
Who should not invest in the Fund
o Investors with short-term financial goals.
o Investors whose primary goal is current income.
o Investors who are unwilling to accept share prices that may fluctuate,
sometimes significantly over the short term.
3
<PAGE>
How has the Fund performed?
This bar chart and table can help you evaluate the potential risks of investing
in the Fund. We show how returns for the Fund's Institutional Class shares have
varied over the past ten calendar years as well as the average annual returns of
all shares for one-, five-, and ten-year periods, if applicable. Trend Fund's
Institutional Class commenced operations on November 23, 1992. Return
information for the Class for the periods prior to the time the Class commenced
operations is calculated by taking the performance of Trend Fund A Class and
eliminating all sales charges that apply to Class A shares. However, for those
periods, Class A 12b-1 payments were not eliminated, and performance would have
been affected if this adjustment had been made. The Fund's past performance does
not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: BAR CHART SHOWING TOTAL RETURN (INSTITUTIONAL CLASS)]
Total return (Institutional Class)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Fund`s Institutional Class had a 0.00% year-to-date return as of June 30,
1999. During the periods illustrated in this bar chart, Institutional Class's
highest quarterly return was 0.00% for the quarter ended ____________ and its
lowest quarterly return was 0.00% for the quarter ended ____________.
Average annual return as of 12/31/98
Institutional Russell 2000
Class Growth Index
1 year 0.00% 0.00%
5 years 0.00% 0.00%
10 years 0.00% 0.00%
4
<PAGE>
What are Trend Fund's fees and expenses?
You do not pay sales charges directly from your investments when you buy or sell
shares of the Institutional Class.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases as none
a percentage of offering price
----------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum contingent deferred sales charge none
(load) as a none percentage of original purchase
price or redemption price, whichever is lower
----------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested none
dividends
----------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption fees none
----------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fees(1) none
----------------------------------------------------------------
Annual fund operating expenses are deducted from the Fund's assets before it
pays dividends and before its net asset value and total return are calculated.
We will not charge you separately for these expenses. These expenses are based
on amounts incurred during the Fund's most recent fiscal year.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Management fees 0.00%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees none
----------------------------------------------------------------
Other expenses 0.00%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses 0.00%
----------------------------------------------------------------
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
to the cost of investing in other mutual funds with similar investment
objectives. We show the cumulative amount of Fund expenses on a hypothetical
investment of $10,000 with an annual 5% return over the time shown.(2) This is
an example only, and does not represent future expenses, which may be greater or
less than those shown here.
---------------------------
1 year $0
---------------------------
3 years $0
---------------------------
5 years $0
---------------------------
10 years $0
---------------------------
(1) Exchanges are subject to the requirements of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family. A front-end sales charge may apply if you exchange your
shares into a fund that has a front-end sales charge.
(2) The Fund's actual rate of return may be greater or less than the
hypothetical 5% return we use here. Also, this example assumes that the Fund's
total operating expenses remain unchanged in each of the periods we show.
5
<PAGE>
How we manage the Fund
Our investment strategies
We strive to identify small companies that offer above-average opportunities for
long-term price appreciation because they are poised to benefit from changing
and dominant trends within society or the political arena. In striving to
identify such companies, we will evaluate a company's managerial skills, product
development and sales and earnings.
We take a disciplined approach to investing, combining investment strategies and
risk management techniques that can help shareholders meet their goals.
Companies in the early stages of their development often offer the greatest
opportunities for rising share prices. The key to investing successfully in
small companies is to invest in them before their stock price matches their
growth potential. In striving to do this, Trend Fund studies:
o the operational history of the company
o its strategic focus
o its competitive environment.
The Fund uses a bottom-up approach to stock selection that seeks market leaders,
strong product cycles, innovative concepts and industry trends. We look at
price/earnings ratios, estimated growth rates, market capitalization and
cashflows as we strive to determine how attractive a company is relative to
other companies.
We also rely on our own research in selecting companies for the portfolio. That
research might include one-on-one meetings with executives, company competitors,
industry experts and customers. Our goal is to select companies that are likely
to perform well over an extended time frame.
Because there is added risk when investing in smaller companies, which may still
be in their early developmental stages, we maintain a well-diversified
portfolio, typically holding a mix of different stocks, representing a wide
array of industries.
6
<PAGE>
The securities we typically invest in
Stocks offer investors the potential for capital appreciation, and may pay
dividends as well.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities How we use them
- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Common stocks: Securities that represent shares of Generally, we invest 90% to 100% of net assets in common stock
ownership in a corporation. Stockholders participate in the with at least 65% in small growth-oriented companies
corporation's profits and losses, proportionate to the
number of shares they own.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
American Depositary Receipts: ADRs are issued by a U.S. We may hold ADRs when we believe they offer greater appreciation
bank and represent the bank's holdings of a stated number potential than U.S. securities.
of shares of a foreign corporation. An ADR entitles the
holder to all dividends and capital gains earned by the
underlying foreign shares. ADRs are bought and sold the
same as U.S. securities.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Repurchase agreements: An agreement between a buyer, such Typically, we use repurchase agreements as a short-term
as the Fund, and a seller of securities in which the seller investment for the Fund's cash position. In order to enter
agrees to buy the securities back within a specified time into these repurchase agreements, the Fund must have collateral of
at the same price the buyer paid for them, plus an at least 102% of the repurchase price.
amount equal to an agreed upon interest rate. Repurchase
agreements are often viewed as equivalent to cash.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Restricted securities: Privately placed securities whose We may invest in privately placed securities that are
resale is restricted under securities law. eligible for resale only among certain institutional
buyers withoutregistration. These are commonly known as
Rule 144A Securities. Restricted securities that are
determined to be illiquid may not exceed the Fund's 10%
limit on illiquid securities, which is described below.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Illiquid securities: Securities that do not have a ready We may invest up to 10% of net assets in illiquid securities,
market, and cannot be easily sold, if at all, at including repurchase agreements with maturities of over seven days.
approximately the price that the Fund has valued them.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Fund may also invest in other securities including convertible securities,
warrants, preferred stocks, and bonds. The Fund may invest a portion of its net
assets in foreign securities; however, the manager has no present intention of
doing so. Please see the Statement of Additional Information for additional
descriptions and risk information on these securities as well as those listed in
the table above. You can find additional information about the investments in
the Fund's portfolio in the annual or semi-annual shareholder report.
Lending securities
The Fund may lend up to 25% of its assets to qualified dealers and investors for
their use in security transactions.
Purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis
The Fund may buy or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis;
that is, paying for securities before delivery or taking delivery at a later
date.
Borrowing from banks
The Fund may borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary purposes or
to facilitate redemptions. Borrowing money could result in the Fund being unable
to meet its investment objective.
Portfolio turnover
We anticipate that the Fund's annual portfolio turnover may be greater than
100%. A turnover rate of 100% would occur if the Fund sold and replaced
securities valued at 100% of its net assets within one year. High turnover can
result in increased transaction costs and tax liability for the Fund.
7
<PAGE>
The risks of investing in the Fund
Investing in any mutual fund involves risk, including the risk that you may
receive little or no return on your investment, and the risk that you may lose
part or all of the money you invest. Before you invest in the Fund you should
carefully evaluate the risks. An investment in the Fund typically provides the
best results when held for a number of years. The following are the chief risks
you assume when investing in the Fund. Please see the Statement of Additional
Information for further discussion of these risks and the other risks not
discussed here.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Risks How we strive to manage them
- ------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Market risk is the risk that all or a majority We maintain a long-term investment approach and
of the securities in a certain market -- like focus on stocks we believe can appreciate over
the stock or bond market -- will decline in an extended time frame regardless of interim
value because of factors such as economic market fluctuations. We do not try to predict
conditions, future expectations or investor overall stock market movements and though we
confidence. may hold securities for any amount of time, we
typically do not trade for short-term purposes.
We may hold a substantial part of the Funds
assets in cash or cash equivalents as a
temporary, defensive strategy.
- ------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Industry and security risk is the risk that the We limit the amount of the Fund's assets
value of securities in a particular industry or invested in any one industry and in any
the value of an individual stock or bond will individual security. We also follow a rigorous
decline because of changing expectations for selection process before choosing securities
the performance of that industry or for the and continuously monitor them while they remain
individual company issuing the stock. in the portfolio.
- ------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Small company risk is the risk that prices of The Fund maintains a well-diversified
smaller companies may be more volatile than portfolio, selects stocks carefully and
larger companies because of limited financial monitors them continuously.
resources or dependence on narrow product lines.
- ------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Interest rate risk is the risk that securities We analyze each companys financial situation
will decrease in value if interest rates rise. and its cash flow to determine the companys
The risk is generally associated with bonds; ability to finance future expansion and
however, because smaller companies often borrow operations. The potential effect that rising
money to finance their operations, they may be interest rates might have on a stock is taken
adversely affected by rising interest rates. into consideration before the stock is
purchased.
- ------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Foreign risk is the risk that foreign We typically invest only a small portion of the
securities may be adversely affected by Fund's portfolio in foreign corporations
political instability, changes in currency through American Depositary Receipts. We do
exchange rates, foreign economic conditions or not invest directly in foreign securities.
inadequate regulatory and accounting standards. When we do purchase ADRs, they are generally
denominated in U.S. dollars and traded on a
U.S. exchange.
- ------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Liquidity risk is the possibility that We limit exposure to illiquid securities.
securities cannot be readily sold, or can only
be sold at approximately the price that the
Fund has valued them.
- -------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
Who manages the Fund
Investment manager
The Fund is managed by Delaware Management Company, a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust which is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of
Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. Delaware Management Company makes investment
decisions for the Fund, manages the Fund's business affairs and provides daily
administrative services. For these services, the manager was paid 0.00% as a
percentage of average daily net assets for the last fiscal year.
Portfolio managers
Gerald S. Frey, Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager
Mr. Frey has 22 years' experience in the money management business and holds a
BA in Economics from Bloomsburg University and attended Wilkes College and New
York University. Prior to joining Delaware Investments in 1996, he was a Senior
Director with Morgan Grenfell Capital Management in New York. Mr. Frey has been
senior portfolio manager for the Fund since March 1997 and was co-manager from
June 1996 to March 1997.
Marshall T. Bassett, Vice President
Mr. Bassett joined Delaware Investments in 1997. In his most recent position, he
served as Vice President in Morgan Stanley Asset Management's Emerging Growth
Group, where he analyzed small growth companies. Prior to that, he was a trust
officer at Sovran Bank and Trust Company. He received his bachelor's degree and
MBA from Duke University.
John A. Heffern, Vice President
Mr. Heffern holds a bachelor's degree and an MBA from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. He joined Delaware Investments in 1997. Previously, he
was a Senior Vice President, Equity Research at NatWest Securities Corporation's
Specialty Finance Services unit and a Principal and Senior Regional Bank Analyst
at Alex. Brown & Sons.
Jeffrey W. Hynoski, Vice President
Mr. Hynoski joined Delaware Investments in 1998. Previously he served as a Vice
President at Bessemer Trust Company in the mid and large capitalization growth
group, where he specialized in the areas of science, technology, and
telecommunications. Prior to that, Mr. Hynoski held positions at Lord Abbett &
Co. and Cowen Asset Management. Mr. Hynoski holds a BS in Finance from the
University of Delaware and an MBA with a concentration in Investments/Portfolio
Management and Financial Economics from Pace University.
Stephen T. Lampe, Vice President
Mr. Lampe earned a bachelor's degree and an MBA at the University of
Pennsylvania's Wharton School. He joined Delaware Investments in 1995 and
provides analytical services for small and mid-capitalization stocks,
specializing in financial services and business services. He previously served
as a manager at Price Waterhouse, specializing in financial services firms. Mr.
Lampe is a Certified Public Accountant.
Lori P. Wachs, Vice President
Ms. Wachs joined Delaware Investments in 1992 from Goldman Sachs, where she was
an equity analyst for two years. She is a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania's Wharton School, where she majored in Finance and Oriental
Studies.
9
<PAGE>
Who's who?
This diagram shows the various organizations involved with managing,
administering, and servicing the Delaware Investments funds.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: DIAGRAM SHOWING THE VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
WITH MANAGING, ADMINISTERING, AND SERVICING THE DELAWARE INVESTMENTS
FUNDS]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Board of trustees
<S> <C> <C>
Investment manager The Fund Custodian
Delaware Management Company The Chase Manhattan Bank
One Commerce Square 4 Chase Metrotech Center
Philadelphia, PA 19103 Brooklyn, NY 11245
Portfolio managers Distributor Service agent
(see page __ for details) Delaware Distributors, L.P. Delaware Service Company, Inc.
1818 Market Street 1818 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103 Philadelphia, PA 19103
Shareholders
</TABLE>
Board of trustees A mutual fund is governed by a board of trustees which has
oversight responsibility for the management of the fund's business affairs.
Trustees establish procedures and oversee and review the performance of the
investment manager, the distributor and others that perform services for the
fund. At least 40% of the board of trustees must be independent of the fund's
investment manager or distributor. These independent fund trustees, in
particular, are advocates for shareholder interests.
Investment manager An investment manager is a company responsible for selecting
portfolio investments consistent with the objective and policies stated in the
mutual fund's prospectus. The investment manager places portfolio orders with
broker/dealers and is responsible for obtaining the best overall execution of
those orders. A written contract between a mutual fund and its investment
manager specifies the services the manager performs. Most management contracts
provide for the manager to receive an annual fee based on a percentage of the
fund's average daily net assets. The manager is subject to numerous legal
restrictions, especially regarding transactions between itself and the funds it
advises.
Sub-adviser A sub-adviser is a company generally responsible for the management
of the fund's assets. They are selected and supervised by the investment
manager.
Portfolio managers Portfolio managers are employed by the investment manager or
sub-adviser to make investment decisions for individual portfolios on a
day-to-day basis.
Custodian Mutual funds are legally required to protect their portfolio
securities and typically place them with a qualified bank custodian who
segregates fund securities from other bank assets.
Distributor Most mutual funds continuously offer new shares to the public
through distributors who are regulated as broker-dealers and are subject to
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) rules governing mutual
fund sales practices.
Service agent Mutual fund companies employ service agents (sometimes called
transfer agents) to maintain records of shareholder accounts, calculate and
disburse dividends and capital gains and prepare and mail shareholder
10
<PAGE>
statements and tax information, among other functions. Many service agents also
provide customer service to shareholders.
Shareholders Like shareholders of other companies, mutual fund shareholders have
specific voting rights, including the right to elect trustees. Material changes
in the terms of a fund's management contract must be approved by a shareholder
vote, and funds seeking to change fundamental investment objectives or policies
must also seek shareholder approval.
11
<PAGE>
About your account
- ------------------
Investing in the Fund
Institutional Class shares are available for purchase only by the
following:
o 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
o tax-exempt employee benefit plans of the manager or its affiliates and
securities dealer firms with a selling agreement with the distributor
o institutional advisory accounts of the manager, or its affiliates and those
having client relationships with Delaware Investment Advisers, an affiliate
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
o 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
o 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
12
<PAGE>
How to buy shares
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF AN ENVELOPE]
By mail
Complete an investment slip and mail it with your check, made payable to the
fund and class of shares you wish to purchase, to Delaware Investments, 1818
Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-3682. If you are making an initial
purchase by mail, you must include a completed investment application (or an
appropriate retirement plan application if you are opening a retirement account)
with your check.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A JAGGED LINE]
By wire
Ask your bank to wire the amount you want to invest to First Union Bank, ABA
#031201467, Bank Account number 2014128934013. Include your account number and
the name of the fund in which you want to invest. If you are making an initial
purchase by wire, you must call us at 800-510-4015 so we can assign you an
account number.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF AN EXCHANGE SYMBOL]
By exchange
You can exchange all or part of your investment in one or more funds in the
Delaware Investments family for shares of other funds in the family. Please keep
in mind, however, that you may not exchange your shares for Class B or Class C
shares. To open an account by exchange, call your Client Services Representative
at 800-510-4015.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A PERSON]
Through your financial adviser
Your financial adviser can handle all the details of purchasing shares,
including opening an account. Your adviser may charge a separate fee for this
service.
13
<PAGE>
About your account (continued)
How to buy shares (continued)
The price you pay for shares will depend on when we receive your purchase order.
If we or an authorized agent receive your order before the close of trading on
the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on a business day,
you will pay that day's closing share price which is based on the Fund's net
asset value. If we receive your order after the close of trading, you will pay
the next business day's price. A business day is any day that the New York Stock
Exchange is open for business. We reserve the right to reject any purchase
order.
We determine the funds net asset value (NAV) per share at the close of trading
of the New York Stock Exchange each business day that the Exchange is open. We
calculate this value by adding the market value of all the securities and assets
in the Fund's portfolio, deducting all liabilities, and dividing the resulting
number by the number of shares outstanding. The result is the net asset value
per share. We price securities and other assets for which market quotations are
available at their market value. We price fixed-income securities on the basis
of valuations provided to us by an independent pricing service that uses methods
approved by the board of trustees. Any fixed-income securities that have a
maturity of less than 60 days we price at amortized cost. We price all other
securities at fair market value using a method approved by the board of
trustees.
14
<PAGE>
How to redeem shares
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF AN ENVELOPE]
By mail
You can redeem your shares (sell them back to the fund) by mail by writing to:
Delaware Investments, 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-3682. All
owners of the account must sign the request, and for redemptions of $50,000 or
more, you must include a signature guarantee for each owner. You can also fax
your written request to 215-255-8864. Signature guarantees are also required
when redemption proceeds are going to an address other than the address of
record on an account.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A TELEPHONE]
By telephone
You can redeem up to $50,000 of your shares by telephone. You may have the
proceeds sent to you by check, or, if you redeem at least $1,000 of shares, you
may have the proceeds sent directly to your bank by wire. Bank information must
be on file before you request a wire redemption.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A JAGGED LINE]
By wire
You can redeem $1,000 or more of your shares and have the proceeds deposited
directly to your bank account the next business day after we receive your
request. Bank information must be on file before you request a wire redemption.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: ILLUSTRATION OF A PERSON]
Through your financial adviser
Your financial adviser can handle all the details of redeeming your shares. Your
adviser may charge a separate fee for this service.
15
<PAGE>
About your account (continued)
How to redeem shares (cont.)
If you hold your shares in certificates, you must submit the certificates with
your request to sell the shares. We recommend that you send your certificates by
certified mail.
When you send us a properly completed request to redeem or exchange shares, you
will receive the net asset value as determined on the business day we receive
your request. We will send you a check, normally the next business day, but no
later than seven days after we receive your request to sell your shares. If you
purchased your shares by check, we will wait until your check has cleared, which
can take up to 15 days, before we send your redemption proceeds.
Account minimums
If you redeem shares and your account balance falls below $250, the Fund may
redeem your account after 60 days' written notice to you.
Exchanges
You can exchange all or part of your shares for shares of the same class in
another Delaware Investments fund. If you exchange shares to a fund that has a
sales charge you will pay any applicable sales charges on your new shares. You
don't pay sales charges on shares that are acquired through the reinvestment of
dividends. You may have to pay taxes on your exchange. When you exchange shares,
you are purchasing shares in another fund so you should be sure to get a copy of
the fund's prospectus and read it carefully before buying shares through an
exchange. You may not exchange your shares for Class B and Class C shares of the
funds in the Delaware Investments family.
Dividends, distributions and taxes
Dividends and capital gains, if any, are paid annually. We automatically
reinvest all dividends and any capital gains.
Tax laws are subject to change, so we urge you to consult your tax adviser about
your particular tax situation and how it might be affected by current tax law.
The tax status of your dividends from this Fund is the same whether you reinvest
your dividends or receive them in cash. Distributions from the Fund's long-term
capital gains are taxable as capital gains, while distributions from short-term
capital gains and net investment income are generally taxable as ordinary
income. Any capital gains may be taxable at different rates depending on the
length of time the Fund held the assets. In addition, you may be subject to
state and local taxes on distributions.
We will send you a statement each year by January 31 detailing the amount and
nature of all dividends and capital gains that you were paid for the prior year.
16
<PAGE>
Certain management considerations
Year 2000
As with other mutual funds, financial and business organizations and individuals
around the world, the Fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems
used by its service providers do not properly process and calculate date-related
information from and after January 1, 2000. This is commonly known as the "Year
2000 Problem." The Fund is taking steps to obtain satisfactory assurances that
its major service providers are taking steps reasonably designed to address the
Year 2000 Problem on the computer systems that the service providers use.
However, there can be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid
any adverse impact on the business of the Fund. The Year 2000 Problem may also
adversely affect the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. The
portfolio manager and investment professionals of the Fund consider Year 2000
compliance in the securities selection and investment process. However, there
can be no guarantee that, even with their due diligence efforts, they will be
able to predict the affect of Year 2000 on any company or the performance of its
securities.
Investments by fund of funds
The Fund accepts investments from the series portfolios of Delaware Group
Foundation Funds, a fund of funds. From time to time, the Fund may experience
large investments or redemptions due to allocations or rebalancings by
Foundation Funds. While it is impossible to predict the overall impact of these
transactions over time, there could be adverse effects on portfolio management.
For example, the Fund may be required to sell securities or invest cash at times
when it would not otherwise do so. These transactions could also have tax
consequences if sales of securities result in gains, and could also increase
transaction costs or portfolio turnover. The manager will monitor transactions
by Foundation Funds and will attempt to minimize any adverse effects on both the
Fund and Foundation Funds as a result of these transactions.
17
<PAGE>
Financial highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund's
financial performance. All "per share" information reflects financial results
for a single Fund share. This information has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, is included in the
Fund's annual report, which is available upon request by calling 800-523-1918.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Fund Institutional Class
Year Ended 6/30
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $16.950 $18.330 $14.300 $12.250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss(1) (0.082) (0.034) (0.087) (0.044)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 3.942 0.164 5.017 2.884
----- ----- ----- -----
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 3.860 0.130 4.930 2.840
----- ----- ----- -----
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions from net realized gain on investments (1.940) (1.510) (0.900) (0.790)
------- ------- ------- -------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (1.940) (1.510) (0.900) (0.790)
------- ------- ------- -------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $18.870 $16.950 $18.330 $14.300
======= ======= ======= =======
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return(2) 24.35% 1.94% 35.88% 24.74%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and supplemental data:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $61,275 $120,319 $150,695 $55,437
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.09% 1.08% 1.06% 1.12%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (0.45%) (0.21%) (0.54%) (0.34%)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover 114% 115% 90% 64%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Year ended 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 [and 1999] per share information was
based on the average shares outstanding method.
(2) Total investment return is based on the change in net asset value of a
share during the period and assumes reinvestment of distributions at net
asset value.
18
<PAGE>
How to read the financial highlights
Net investment income
Net investment income includes dividend and interest income earned from the
Fund's securities; it is after expenses have been deducted.
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
A realized gain occurs when we sell an investment at a profit, while a realized
loss occurs when we sell an investment at a loss. When an investment increases
or decreases in value but we do not sell it, we record an unrealized gain or
loss. The amount of realized gain per share that we pay to shareholders is
listed under "Less dividends and distributions-Distributions from realized gain
on investments."
Net asset value (NAV)
This is the value of a mutual fund share, calculated by dividing the net assets
by the number of shares outstanding.
Total return
This represents the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an
investment in the Fund. In calculating this figure for the financial highlights
table, we include fee waivers and assume the shareholder has reinvested all
dividends and realized gains.
Net assets
Net assets represent the total value of all the assets in the Fund's portfolio,
less any liabilities, that are attributable to that class of the Fund.
Ratio of expenses to average assets
The expense ratio is the percentage of net assets that a fund pays annually for
operating expenses and management fees. These expenses include accounting and
administration expenses, services for shareholders, and similar expenses.
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
We determine this ratio by dividing net investment income by average net assets.
Portfolio turnover rate
This figure tells you the amount of trading activity in a fund's portfolio. For
example, a fund with a 50% turnover has bought and sold half of the value of its
total investment portfolio during the stated period.
19
<PAGE>
[begin glossary]
How to use this glossary
[glossary runs along the bottom of the pages]
The glossary includes definitions of investment terms used throughout the
Prospectus. If you would like to know the meaning of an investment term that is
not explained in the text please check the glossary.
Glossary A-C
Amortized cost
Amortized cost is a method used to value a fixed income security that starts
with the face value of the security and then adds or subtracts from that value
depending on whether the purchase price was greater or less than the value of
the security at maturity. The amount greater or less than the par value is
divided equally over the time remaining until maturity.
Bond
A debt security, like an IOU, issued by a company, municipality or government
agency. In return for lending money to the issuer, a bond buyer generally
receives fixed periodic interest payments and repayment of the loan amount on a
specified maturity date. A bond's price changes prior to maturity and is
inversely related to current interest rates. When interest rates rise, bond
prices fall, and when interest rates fall, bond prices rise.
Bond ratings
Independent evaluations of creditworthiness, ranging from Aaa/AAA (highest
quality) to D (lowest quality). Bonds rated Baa/BBB or better are considered
investment grade. Bonds rated Ba/BB or lower are commonly known as junk bonds.
See also Nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
Capital
The amount of money you invest.
C-D
Capital appreciation
An increase in the value of an investment.
Capital gains distributions
Payments to mutual fund shareholders of profits (realized gains) from the sale
of a fund's portfolio securities. Usually paid once a year; may be either
short-term gains or long-term gains.
Compounding
Earnings on an investment's previous earnings.
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Measurement of U.S. inflation; represents the price of a basket of commonly
purchased goods.
Corporate bond
A debt security issued by a corporation. See "bond."
Cost basis
The original purchase price of an investment, used in determining capital gains
and losses.
Depreciation
A decline in an investment's value.
Diversification
The process of spreading investments among a number of different securities,
asset classes or investment styles to reduce the risks of investing.
20
<PAGE>
D-I
Dividend distribution
Payments to mutual fund shareholders of dividends passed along from the fund's
portfolio of securities.
Expense ratio
A mutual fund's total operating expenses, expressed as a percentage of its total
net assets. Operating expenses are the costs of running a mutual fund, including
management fees, offices, staff, equipment and expenses related to maintaining
the fund's portfolio of securities and distributing its shares. They are paid
from the fund's assets before any earnings are distributed to shareholders.
Financial adviser
Financial professional (e.g., broker, banker, accountant, planner or insurance
agent) who analyzes clients' finances and prepares personalized programs to meet
objectives.
Fixed-income securities
With fixed-income securities, the money you originally invested is paid back at
a pre-specified maturity date. These securities, which include government,
corporate or municipal bonds, as well as money market securities, typically pay
a fixed rate of return (often referred to as interest). See Bonds.
Inflation
The increase in the cost of goods and services over time. U.S. inflation is
frequently measured by changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
I-N
Investment goal
The objective, such as long-term capital growth or high current income, that a
mutual fund pursues.
Management fee
The amount paid by a mutual fund to the investment adviser for management
services, expressed as an annual percentage of the fund's average daily net
assets.
Market capitalization
The value of a corporation determined by multiplying the current market price of
a share of common stock by the number of shares held by shareholders. A
corporation with one million shares outstanding and the market price per share
of $10 has a market capitalization of $10 million.
National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD)
A self-regulating organization, consisting of brokerage firms (including
distributors of mutual funds), that is responsible for overseeing the actions of
its members.
N-S
Net asset value (NAV)
The daily dollar value of one mutual fund share. Equal to a fund's net assets
divided by the number of shares outstanding.
Preferred stock
Preferred stock has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and
liquidation of assets. Preferred stocks also often pays dividends at a fixed
rate and is sometimes convertible into common stock.
Price/earnings ratio
A measure of a stock's value calculated by dividing the current market price of
a share of stock by its annual earnings per share. A stock selling for $100 per
share with annual earnings per share of $5 has a P/E of 20.
21
<PAGE>
Principal
Amount of money you invest (also called capital). Also refers to a bond's
original face value, due to be repaid at maturity.
Prospectus
The official offering document that describes a mutual fund, containing
information required by the SEC, such as investment objectives, policies,
services and fees.
Redeem
To cash in your shares by selling them back to the mutual fund.
Risk
Generally defined as variability of value; also credit risk, inflation risk,
currency and interest rate risk. Different investments involve different types
and degrees of risk.
Russell 2000 Growth Index
Russell 2000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000
companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
These stocks are selected from the 2000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000
Index, which represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of
the Russell 3000 Index.
S-T
Sales charge
Charge on the purchase or redemption of fund shares sold through financial
advisers. May vary with the amount invested. Typically used to compensate
advisers for advice and service provided.
SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)
Federal agency established by Congress to administer the laws governing the
securities industry, including mutual fund companies.
Share classes
Different classifications of shares; mutual fund share classes offer a variety
of sales charge choices.
Signature guarantee
Certification by a bank, brokerage firm or other financial institution that a
customer's signature is valid; signature guarantees can be provided by members
of the STAMP program.
Standard deviation
A measure of an investment's volatility; for mutual funds, measures how much a
fund's total return has typically varied from its historical average.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The document serving as "Part B" of a fund's prospectus that provides more
detailed information about the fund's organization, investments, policies and
risks.
Stock
An investment that represents a share of ownership (equity) in a corporation.
Stocks are often referred to as "equities."
Total return
An investment performance measurement, expressed as a percentage, based on the
combined earnings from dividends, capital gains and change in price over a given
period.
V
22
<PAGE>
Volatility
The tendency of an investment to go up or down in value by different magnitudes.
Investments that generally go up or down in value in relatively small amounts
are considered "low volatility" investments, whereas those investments that
generally go up or down in value in relatively large amounts are considered
"high volatility" investments.
<PAGE>
[back cover]
Trend Fund
Additional information about the Fund's investments is available in the Fund's
annual and semi-annual report to shareholders. In the Fund's shareholder
report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during the report
period. You can find more detailed information about the Fund in the current
Statement of Additional Information, which we have filed electronically with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and which is legally a part of this
prospectus. If you want a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information,
the annual or semi-annual report, or if you have any questions about investing
in this Fund, you can write to us at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
19103-3682, or call toll-free 800-523-1918. You may also obtain additional
information about the Fund from your financial adviser.
You can find reports and other information about the Fund on the SEC web site
(http://www.sec.gov), or you can get copies of this information, after payment
of a duplicating fee, by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC,
Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. Information about the Fund, including its Statement
of Additional Information, can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and
Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can get
information on the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
Web site
www.delawareinvestments.com
- ---------------------------
E-mail
[email protected]
Client Services Representative
800-510-4015
Delaphone Service
800-362-FUND (800-362-3863)
For convenient access to account information or current performance information
on all Delaware Investments Funds seven days a week, 24 hours a day, use this
Touch-Tone service.
DELAWARE
INVESTMENTS
-----------
Philadelphia * London
Registrant's Investment Company Act file number: 811-1485
Trend Fund Symbol
CUSIP NASDAQ
Institutional Class 245905203 DGTIX
P-___ [--] PP 1/99
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 27, 1999
DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS III
TREND FUND
1818 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
For more information about the Institutional Class: 800-510-4015
For Prospectus, Performance and Information on Existing Accounts of
Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares: Nationwide 800-523-1918
Dealer Services: (BROKER/DEALERS ONLY)
Nationwide 800-362-7500
Delaware Group Equity Funds III ("Equity Funds III") is a
professionally-managed mutual fund of the series type which currently offers one
series of shares: Trend Fund series (the Fund). The Fund offers Class A Shares,
Class B Shares and Class C Shares (together referred to as the "Fund Classes").
The Fund also offers an Institutional Class (the "Institutional Class"). All
references to "shares" in this Part B refer to all Classes of shares of Equity
Funds III, except where noted.
This Statement of Additional Information ("Part B" of the registration
statement) supplements the information contained in the current Prospectus for
the Fund Classes dated August 27, 1999 and the current Prospectus for the
Institutional Class dated August 27, 1999, as they may be amended from time to
time. Part B should be read in conjunction with the respective Class'
Prospectus. Part B is not itself a prospectus but is, in its entirety,
incorporated by reference into each Class' Prospectus. A Prospectus relating to
the Fund Classes and a prospectus relating to the Institutional Class may be
obtained by writing or calling your investment dealer or by contacting the
Fund's national distributor, Delaware Distributors, L.P. (the "Distributor"), at
the above address or by calling the above phone numbers. The Fund's financial
statements, the notes relating thereto, the financial highlights and the report
of independent auditors are incorporated by reference from the Annual Report
into this Part B. The Annual Report will accompany any request for Part B. The
Annual Report can be obtained, without charge, by calling 800-523-1918.
-1-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Cover Page Dividends and Realized Securities Profits Distributions
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Objective and Policies Taxes
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Information Investment Management Agreement
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trading Practices and Brokerage Officers and Trustees
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchasing Shares Exchange Privilege
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Plans General Information
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Determining Offering Price and Net Asset Value Financial Statements
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption and Repurchase Appendix A
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-2-
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation. The strategy
is to invest primarily in the common stocks and securities convertible into
common stocks of emerging and other growth-oriented companies that, in the
judgment of Delaware Management Company (the "Manager"), are responsive to
changes within the marketplace and have the fundamental characteristics to
support growth. Income will not be a significant investment factor except so far
as future dividend growth may affect market appraisal of a security. Purchases
and sales of portfolio securities will be based upon management's judgment of
economic and market trends in addition to fundamental investment analysis. The
Fund will seek to identify changing and dominant trends affecting securities
values which it believes will offer the opportunities for growth of capital,
such as trends in the overall economic environment (including social, political,
monetary and technological trends); trends within a company and its industry
reflected by, for example, improving managerial skills, new product development
and sales and earnings trends; and trends in market prices of various types of
categories of investments. Since the production of income is not an objective of
the Fund, any income earned and paid to shareholders is expected to be minimal.
An investor should not consider a purchase of Fund shares as equivalent to a
complete investment program.
Although the Fund will constantly strive to attain the objective of capital
appreciation, there can be no assurance that it will be attained. It also should
be borne in mind that investing in securities believed to have a potential for
capital appreciation may involve exposure to a greater risk than securities
which do not have growth characteristics, and that the shares of the Fund will
fluctuate in value. Investing for this objective, the Fund usually will invest
in common stocks or securities convertible into common stocks of emerging and
other growth-oriented companies, some of which may be of a speculative nature
and subject the Fund to an additional risk. However, from time to time, the Fund
may, in its judgment, depending upon prevailing circumstances, and for defensive
purposes without limit as to the proportion of assets invested, hold varying
proportions of cash, U.S. government securities, nonconvertible securities and
straight debt securities.
In investing for capital appreciation, the Fund may hold securities for any
period of time. See Portfolio Turnover under Trading Practices and Brokerage.
Investment Restrictions
Trend Fund has adopted the following restrictions for the Fund which cannot
be changed without approval by the holders of a "majority" of the Fund's
outstanding shares, which is a vote by the holders of the lesser of a) 67% or
more of the voting securities present in person or by proxy at a meeting, if the
holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or
represented by proxy; or b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.
The percentage limitations contained in the restrictions and policies set forth
herein apply at the time of purchase of securities.
The Fund shall not:
1. Make investments that will result in the concentration (as that term may
be defined in the 1940 Act, any rule or other thereunder, or U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") staff interpretation thereof) of its investments in
the securities of issuers primarily engaged in the same industry, provided that
this restriction does not limit the Fund from investing in obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or in
certificates of deposit.
-3-
<PAGE>
2. Borrow money or issue senior securities, except as the 1940 Act, any
rule or order thereunder, or SEC staff interpretation thereof, may permit.
3. Underwrite the securities of other issuers, except that the Fund may
engage in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale of its
portfolio securities, under circumstances where it may be considered to be an
underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933.
4. Purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership
of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not
prevent the Fund from investing in issuers which invest, deal or otherwise
engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, or investing in
securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein.
5. Purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction
does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving futures
contracts and options thereon or investing in securities that are secured by
physical commodities.
6. Make loans, provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund
from purchasing debt obligations, entering into repurchase agreements, loaning
its assets to broker/dealers or institutional investors and investing in loans,
including assignments and participation interests.
In addition to the fundamental policies and investment restrictions
described above, and the various general investment policies described in the
Prospectus, the Fund will be subject to the following investment restrictions,
which are considered non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of
Trustees without shareholder approval.
1. The Fund is permitted to invest in other investment companies, including
open-end, closed-end or unregistered investment companies, either within the
percentage limits set forth in the 1940 Act, any rule or order thereunder, or
SEC staff interpretation thereof, or without regard to percentage limits in
connection with a merger, reorganization, consolidation or other similar
transaction. However, the Fund may not operate as a "fund of funds" which
invests primarily in the shares of other investment companies as permitted by
Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) of the 1940 Act, if its own shares are utilized as
investments by such a "fund of funds."
2. The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in securities
which it cannot sell or dispose of in the ordinary course of business within
seven days at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the
investment.
The following are additional non-fundamental investment restrictions:
The Fund shall not:
1. Invest more than 5% of the value of its assets in securities of any one
company (except U.S. government bonds) or purchase more than 10% of the voting
or nonvoting securities of any one company.
2. Acquire control of any company.
3. Purchase or retain securities of any company which has an officer or
director who is an officer or director of the Fund, or an officer, director or
partner of its investment manager if, to the knowledge of the Fund, one or more
of such persons own beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of the shares of the
company, and in the aggregate more than 5% thereof.
4. Invest in securities of other investment companies except at customary
brokerage commissions rates or in connection with mergers, consolidations or
offers of exchange.
5. Purchase any security issued by any other investment company if after
such purchase it would: (a) own more than 3% of the voting stock of such
company, (b) own securities of such company having a value in excess of 5% of
the Fund's assets or (c) own securities of investment companies having an
aggregate value in excess of 10% of the Fund's assets.
-4-
<PAGE>
6. Make any investment in real estate unless necessary for office space or
the protection of investments already made. (This restriction does not preclude
the Fund's purchase of securities issued by real estate investment trusts.) Any
investment in real estate together with any investment in illiquid assets cannot
exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's assets.
7. Sell short any security or property.
8. Deal in commodities.
9. Borrow money in excess of 10% of the value of its assets, and then only
as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes. Any borrowing
will be done from a bank and to the extent that such borrowing exceeds 5% of the
value of the Fund's 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 Sunday and holidays) or such
longer period as the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") may
prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to an
extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%. The
Fund shall not issue senior securities as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), except for notes to banks.
10. Make loans. However, the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly
distributed bonds, debentures or other securities, whether or not the purchase
was made upon the original issuance of the securities, and the entry into
"repurchase agreements" are not to be considered the making of a loan by the
Fund and the Fund may loan up to 25% of its assets to qualified broker/dealers
or institutional investors for their use relating to short sales or other
security transactions.
11. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of
companies less than three years old. Such three-year period shall include the
operation of any predecessor company or companies.
12. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers.
13. Permit long or short positions on shares of the Fund to be taken by its
officers, trustees or any of its affiliated persons. Such persons may buy shares
of the Fund for investment purposes, however, as described under Purchasing
Shares.
14. Invest more than 25% of its assets in any one particular industry.
Although it is not a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund has also made a
commitment that it will not invest in warrants valued at the lower of cost or
market exceeding 5% of the Fund's net assets. Included within that amount, but
not to exceed 2% of the Fund's net assets, may be warrants not listed on the New
York Stock Exchange or American Stock Exchange. In addition, although not the
Fundamental investment restriction, the Fund currently does not invest its
assets in real estate limited partnerships or oil, gas and other mineral leases.
-5-
<PAGE>
Foreign Securities
Although it is not a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may invest not
more than 5% of its assets in foreign securities. Foreign markets may be more
volatile than U.S. markets. Such investments involve sovereign risk in addition
to the normal risks associated with American securities. These risks include
political risks, foreign taxes and exchange controls and currency fluctuations.
For example, foreign portfolio investments may fluctuate in value due to changes
in currency rates (i.e., the value of foreign investments would increase with a
fall in the value of the dollar, and decrease with a rise in the value of the
dollar) and control regulations apart from market fluctuations. The Fund may
also experience delays in foreign securities settlement.
Repurchase Agreements
A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment by which the purchaser
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. 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 the guidelines of the Board of Trustees determines to
present minimal credit risks and which are of high quality. In addition, the
Fund must have collateral of at least 100% of the repurchase price, including
the portion representing the Fund's yield under such agreements which is
monitored on a daily basis. While the Fund is permitted to do so, it normally
does not invest in repurchase agreements, except to invest excess cash balances.
The funds available from the Delaware Investments family have obtained an
exemption from the joint-transaction prohibitions of Section 17(d) of the 1940
Act to allow the funds in the Delaware Investments family jointly to invest cash
balances. The Fund may invest cash balances in a joint repurchase agreement in
accordance with the terms of the Order and subject generally to the conditions
described above.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities
The Fund may purchase privately placed securities the resale of which is
restricted under applicable securities laws. Such securities may offer a higher
return than comparably registered securities but involve some additional risk as
they can be resold only in privately negotiated transactions, in accordance with
an exemption from the registration requirements under applicable securities laws
or after registration. The Fund will not purchase illiquid assets, including
such restricted securities, if more than 10% of the value of its assets would
then consist of illiquid securities.
Certain of the privately placed securities acquired by the Fund will be
eligible for resale by the Fund pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act
of 1933 ("Rule 144A Securities"). Rule 144A permits many privately placed or
legally restricted securities to be freely traded without restriction among
certain institutional buyers such as the Fund.
While maintaining oversight, the Board of Trustees of the Fund has
delegated to the Manager the day-to-day function of determining whether or not
individual Rule 144A Securities are liquid for purposes of the Fund's 10%
limitation on investments in illiquid securities. 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's 10% limit on investments in
such securities, the Manager will determine what action to take to ensure that
the Fund continues to adhere to such limitation.
Borrowings
Although the Fund is permitted under certain circumstances to borrow money
and invest in investment company securities, it does not normally do so. The
Fund normally will not purchase securities while the Fund has an outstanding
borrowing.
-6-
<PAGE>
Portfolio Loan Transactions
The Fund may loan up to 25% of its assets to qualified broker/dealers or
institutional investors for their use relating to short sales or other security
transactions.
It is the understanding of the Manager that the staff of the SEC permits
portfolio lending by registered investment companies if certain conditions are
met. These conditions are as follows: 1) each transaction must have 100%
collateral in the form of cash, short-term U.S. government securities, or
irrevocable letters of credit payable by banks acceptable to the Fund from the
borrower; 2) this collateral must be valued daily and should the market value of
the loaned securities increase, the borrower must furnish additional collateral
to the Fund; 3) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan after notice, at any
time; 4) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on any loan, and any
dividends, interest or other distributions on the lent securities, and any
increase in the market value of such securities; 5) the Fund may pay reasonable
custodian fees in connection with the loan; 6) the voting rights on the lent
securities may pass to the borrower; however, if the trustees of the Fund know
that a material event will occur affecting an investment loan, they must either
terminate the loan in order to vote the proxy or enter into an alternative
arrangement with the borrower to enable the trustees to vote the proxy.
The major risk to which the Fund would be exposed on a portfolio loan
transaction is the risk that the borrower would go bankrupt at a time when the
value of the security goes up. Therefore, the Fund will only enter into loan
arrangements after a review of all pertinent facts by the Manager, under the
supervision of the Board of Trustees, including the creditworthiness of the
borrowing broker, dealer or institution and then only if the consideration to be
received from such loans would justify the risk. Creditworthiness will be
monitored on an ongoing basis by the Manager.
Concentration
In applying the Fund's policy on concentration: (i) utility companies will
be divided according to their services, for example, gas, gas transmission,
electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry; (ii)
financial service companies will be classified according to the end users of
their services, for example, automobile finance, bank finance and diversified
finance will each be considered a separate industry; and (iii) asset backed
securities will be classified according to the underlying assets securing such
securities.
-7-
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may state each Class' total return in
advertisements and other types of literature. Any statement of total return
performance data for a Class will be accompanied by information on the average
annual compounded rate of return for that Class over, as relevant, the most
recent one-, five- and ten-year, or life-of-fund, periods, as applicable. The
Fund may also advertise aggregate and average total return information of each
Class over additional periods of time.
The average annual total rate of return for each Class is based on a
hypothetical $1,000 investment that includes capital appreciation and
depreciation during the stated periods. The following formula will be used for
the actual computations:
n
P(1+T) = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000 from
which, in the case of Class A Shares only, the
maximum front-end sales charge, if any, is deducted;
T = average annual total return;
n = number of years;
ERV = redeemable value of the hypothetical $1,000 purchase
at the end of the period after the deduction of the
applicable CDSC, if any, with respect to Class B
Shares and Class C Shares.
In presenting performance information for Class A Shares, the Limited CDSC,
or other CDSC, applicable only to certain redemptions of those shares, will not
be deducted from any computation of total return. See the Prospectus for the
Fund Classes for a description of the Limited CDSC, or other CDSC, and the
limited instances in which it applies. All references to a CDSC in this
Performance Information section will apply to Class B Shares or Class C Shares.
Total return performance for each Class will be computed by adding all
reinvested income and realized securities profits distributions plus the change
in net asset value during a specific period and dividing by the offering price
at the beginning of the period. It will not reflect any income taxes payable by
shareholders on the reinvested distributions included in the calculation.
Because securities prices fluctuate, past performance should not be considered
as a representative of the results which may be realized from an investment in
the Fund in the future.
Aggregate or cumulative total return is calculated in a similar manner,
except that the results are not annualized. Each calculation assumes the maximum
front-end sales charge, if any, is deducted from the initial $1,000 investment
at the time it is made with respect to Class A Shares and that all distributions
are reinvested at net asset value, and, with respect to Class B Shares and Class
C Shares, reflects the deduction of the CDSC that would be applicable upon
-8-
<PAGE>
complete redemption of such shares. In addition, the Fund may present total
return information that does not reflect the deduction of the maximum front-end
sales charge or any applicable CDSC.
The performance of each Class as shown below, is the average annual total
return quotations through June 30, 1999, computed as described above. The
average annual total return for Class A Shares at offer reflects the maximum
front-end sales charge of 5.75% paid on the purchase of shares. The average
annual total return for the Class A Shares at net asset value (NAV) does not
reflect the payment of any front-end sales charge. Pursuant to applicable
regulation, total return shown for the Institutional Class for the periods prior
to the commencement of operations of such Class is calculated by taking the
performance of Class A Shares and adjusting it to reflect the elimination of all
sales charges. However, for those periods, no adjustment has been made to
eliminate the impact of 12b-1 payments, and performance would have been affected
had such an adjustment been made. The performance of Class B and C Shares, as
shown below, is the average annual total return quotation through June 30, 1999.
The average annual total return for Class B and C Shares including deferred
sales charge reflects the deduction of the applicable CDSC that would be paid if
the shares were redeemed at June 30, 1999. The average annual total return for
Class B and C Shares excluding deferred sales charge assumes the shares were not
redeemed at June 30, 1999, and therefore does not reflect the deduction of a
CDSC. Stock prices fluctuated during the periods covered and past results should
not be considered as representative of future performance.
Average Annual Total Return
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Fund Trend Fund Trend Fund Trend Fund Trend Fund Trend Fund Trend Fund
Class A Class A Institutional Class B Shares Class B Class C Class C
Shares(1)(2) Shares (1) Class (Including Shares Shares Shares
(at Offer) (at NAV) Deferred Sales (Excluding (Including (Excluding
Charge)(3) Deferred Deferred Deferred
Sales Charge) Sales Charge) Sales Charge)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 year ended
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 years ended
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 years ended
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% N/A N/A N/A N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years ended
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% N/A N/A N/A N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life of Fund(4) 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Class A Shares began paying 12b-1 payments on June 1, 1992 and performance
prior to that date does not reflect such payments.
(2) Prior to November 2, 1998, the maximum front-end sales charge was 4.75%.
Effective November 2, 1998, the maximum front-end sales charge was increased
to 5.75% and the above performance numbers are calculated using 5.75% as the
applicable sales charge.
(3) Effective November 2, 1998, the CDSC schedule for Class B Shares increased
as follows: (i) 5% if shares are redeemed within one year of purchase (ii)
4% if shares are redeemed with two years of purchase; (iii) 3% if shares are
redeemed during the third or fourth year following purchase; (iv) 2% if
shares are redeemed during the fifth year following purchase; (v) 1% if
shares are redeemed during the sixth year following purchase; and (v) 0%
thereafter. The above figures have been calculated using this new schedule.
(4) Date of initial public offering of Class A Shares was October 3, 1968; date
of initial public offering of Class B Shares was September 6, 1994; date of
initial public offering of Class C Shares was November 29, 1995; date of
initial public offering of Institutional Class shares was November 23, 1992.
-9-
<PAGE>
Total return performance for the Classes will be computed by adding all
reinvested income and realized securities profits distributions plus the change
in net asset value during a specific period and dividing by the offering price
at the beginning of the period. It will also reflect, as applicable, the maximum
sales charge, or CDSC, paid with respect to the illustrated investment amount,
but not any income taxes payable by shareholders on the reinvested distributions
included in the calculation. Because securities prices fluctuate, past
performance should not be considered as a representation of the results that may
be realized from an investment in the Fund in the future.
From time to time, the Fund may also quote each Class' actual total return
performance, dividend results and other performance information in advertising
and other types of literature. This information may be compared to that of other
mutual funds with similar investment objectives and to stock, bond and other
relevant indices or to rankings prepared by independent services or other
financial or industry publications that monitor the performance of mutual funds.
For example, the performance of the Fund (or Fund Class) may be compared to data
prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc. or to the S&P
500 Index or the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. maintains statistical performance
databases, as reported by a diverse universe of independently-managed mutual
funds. Morningstar, Inc. is a mutual fund rating service that rates mutual funds
-10-
<PAGE>
on the basis of risk-adjusted performance. Rankings that compare the Fund's
performance to another fund in appropriate categories over specific time periods
also may be quoted in advertising and other types of literature. The S&P 500
Stock Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are industry-accepted unmanaged
indices of generally-conservative securities used for measuring general market
performance. The Russell 2000 Index TR is a total return weighted index which is
comprised of 2,000 of the smallest stocks (on the basis of capitalization) in
the Russell 3000 Index and is calculated on a monthly basis. The NASDAQ
Composite Index is a market capitalization price only index that tracks the
performance of domestic common stocks traded on the regular NASDAQ market as
well as National Market System traded foreign common stocks and American
Depository Receipts. The total return performance reported for these indices
will reflect the reinvestment of all distributions on a quarterly basis and
market price fluctuations. The indices do not take into account any sales charge
or other fees. A direct investment in an unmanaged index is not possible.
In addition, the performance of multiple indices compiled and maintained by
statistical research firms, such as Salomon Brothers and Lehman Brothers may be
combined to create a blended performance result for comparative performances.
Generally, the indices selected will be representative of the types of
securities in which the Fund may invest and the assumptions that were used in
calculating the blended performance will be described.
Ibbotson Associates of Chicago, Illinois ("Ibbotson") provides historical
returns of the capital markets in the United States, including common stocks,
small capitalization stocks, long-term corporate bonds, intermediate-term
government bonds, long-term government bonds, Treasury bills, the U.S. rate of
inflation (based on the Consumer Price Index), and combinations of various
capital markets. The performance of these capital markets is based on the
returns of different indices. The Fund may use the performance of these capital
markets in order to demonstrate general risk-versus-reward investment scenarios.
Performance comparisons may also include the value of a hypothetical investment
in any of these capital markets. The risks associated with the security types in
any capital market may or may not correspond directly to those of the Fund. The
Fund may also compare performance to that of other compilations or indices that
may be developed and made available in the future.
The Fund may include discussions or illustrations of the potential
investment goals of a prospective investor (including materials that describe
general principles of investing, such as asset allocation, diversification, risk
tolerance, and goal setting, questionnaires designed to help create a personal
financial profile, worksheets used to project savings needs based on assumed
rates of inflation and hypothetical rates of return and action plans offering
investment alternatives), investment management techniques, policies or
investment suitability of the Fund (such as value investing, market timing,
dollar cost averaging, asset allocation, constant ratio transfer, automatic
account rebalancing, the advantages and disadvantages of investing in
tax-deferred and taxable investments), economic and political conditions, the
relationship between sectors of the economy and the economy as a whole, the
effects of inflation and historical performance of various asset classes,
including but not limited to, stocks, bonds and Treasury bills. From time to
time advertisements, sales literature, communications to shareholders or other
materials may summarize the substance of information contained in shareholder
reports (including the investment composition of the Fund), as well as the views
as to current market, economic, trade and interest rate trends, legislative,
regulatory and monetary developments, investment strategies and related matters
believed to be of relevance to the Fund. In addition, selected indices may be
used to illustrate historic performance of selected asset classes. The Fund may
also include in advertisements, sales literature, communications to shareholders
or other materials, charts, graphs or drawings which illustrate the potential
risks and rewards of investment in various investment vehicles, including but
not limited to, stocks, bonds, treasury bills and shares of the Fund. In
addition, advertisements, sales literature, communications to shareholders or
other materials may include a discussion of certain attributes or benefits to be
derived by an investment in the Fund and/or other mutual funds, shareholder
profiles and hypothetical investor scenarios, timely information on financial
-11-
<PAGE>
management, tax and retirement planning (such as information on Roth IRAs and
Education IRAs) and investment alternative to certificates of deposit and other
financial instruments. Such sales literature, communications to shareholders or
other materials may include symbols, headlines or other material which highlight
or summarize the information discussed in more detail therein.
Materials may refer to the CUSIP numbers of the Fund and may illustrate how
to find the listings of the Fund in newspapers and periodicals. Materials may
also include discussions of other Funds, products, and services.
The Fund may quote various measures of volatility and benchmark correlation
in advertising. In addition, the Fund may compare these measures to those of
other funds. Measures of volatility seek to compare the historical share price
fluctuations or total returns to those of a benchmark. Measures of benchmark
correlation indicate how valid a comparative benchmark may be. Measures of
volatility and correlation may be calculated using averages of historical data.
The Fund may advertise its current interest rate sensitivity, duration, weighted
average maturity or similar maturity characteristics. Advertisements and sales
materials relating to the Fund may include information regarding the background
and experience of its portfolio managers.
-12-
<PAGE>
The following table presents examples, for purposes of illustration only,
of cumulative total return performance for each Class through June 30, 1999. For
these purposes, the calculations assume the reinvestment of any capital gains
distributions and income dividends paid during the indicated periods. The
performance does not reflect any income taxes payable by shareholders on the
reinvested distributions included in the calculations. The performance of Class
A Shares reflects the maximum front-end sales charge paid on the purchase of
shares but may also be shown without reflecting the impact of any front-end
sales charge. Pursuant to applicable regulation, total return shown for the
Institutional Class for the periods prior to the commencement of operations of
such Class is calculated by taking the performance of Class A Shares and
adjusting it to reflect the elimination of all sales charges. However, for those
periods, no adjustment has been made to eliminate the impact of 12b-1 payments,
and performance would have been affected had such an adjustment been made. The
performance of Class B Shares and Class C Shares is calculated both with the
applicable CDSC included and excluded. Past performance is no guarantee of
future results.
Cumulative Total Return
Trend Fund
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Fund Trend Fund Trend Fund Trend Fund Trend Fund Trend Fund Trend Fund
Class A Class A Institutional Class B Shares Class B Class C Class C
Shares(1) Shares Class (Including Shares Shares Shares
(at Offer) (at NAV) Deferred Sales (Excluding (Including (Excluding
Charge)(2) Deferred Deferred Deferred
Sales Charge) Sales Charge) Sales Charge)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 months ended
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 months ended
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 months ended
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 year ended
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 years ended
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 years ended N/A N/A N/A N/A
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years ended N/A N/A N/A N/A
6/30/99 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life of Fund(3) 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Prior to November 2, 1998, the maximum front-end sales charge was 4.75%.
Effective November 2, 1998, the maximum front-end sales charge was increased
to 5.75% and the above performance numbers are calculated using 5.75% as the
applicable sales charge.
(2) Effective November 2, 1998, the CDSC schedule for Class B Shares increased
as follows: (i) 5% if shares are redeemed within one year of purchase (ii)
4% if shares are redeemed with two years of purchase; (iii) 3% if shares are
redeemed during the third or fourth year following purchase; (iv) 2% if
shares are redeemed during the fifth year following purchase; (v) 1% if
shares are redeemed during the sixth year following purchase; and (v) 0%
thereafter. The above figures have been calculated using this new schedule.
(3) Date of initial public offering of Class A Shares was October 3, 1968; date
of initial public offering of Class B Shares was September 6, 1994; date of
initial public offering of Class C Shares was November 29, 1995; date of
initial public offering of Institutional Class shares was November 23, 1992.
-13-
<PAGE>
Because every investor's goals and risk threshold are different, the
Distributor, as distributor for the Fund and other mutual funds available from
the Delaware Investments family, will provide general information about
investment alternatives and scenarios that will allow investors to assess their
personal goals. This information will include general material about investing
as well as materials reinforcing various industry-accepted principles of prudent
and responsible personal financial planning. One typical way of addressing these
issues is to compare an individual's goals and the length of time the individual
has to attain these goals to his or her risk threshold. In addition, the
Distributor will provide information that discusses the Manager's overriding
investment philosophy and how that philosophy impacts the investment disciplines
employed in seeking the objectives of the Fund and the other funds in the
Delaware Investments family. The Distributor may also from time to time cite
general or specific information about the institutional clients Delaware
Investment Advisers, an affiliate of the Manager, including the number of such
clients serviced by the Manager's affiliate.
Dollar-Cost Averaging
For many people, deciding when to invest can be a difficult decision.
Security prices tend to move up and down over various market cycles and logic
says to invest when prices are low. However, even experts can't always pick the
highs and the lows. By using a strategy known as dollar-cost averaging, you
schedule your investments ahead of time. If you invest a set amount on a regular
basis, that money will always buy more shares when the price is low and fewer
when the price is high. You can choose to invest at any regular interval--for
example, monthly or quarterly--as long as you stick to your regular schedule.
Dollar-cost averaging looks simple and it is, but there are important things to
remember.
Dollar-cost averaging works best over longer time periods, and it doesn't
guarantee a profit or protect against losses in declining markets. If you need
to sell your investment when prices are low, you may not realize a profit no
matter what investment strategy you utilize. That's why dollar-cost averaging
can make sense for long-term goals. Since the potential success of a dollar-cost
averaging program depends on continuous investing, even through periods of
fluctuating prices, you should consider your dollar-cost averaging program a
long-term commitment and invest an amount you can afford and probably won't need
to withdraw. Investors also should consider their financial ability to continue
to purchase shares during periods of high fund share prices. Delaware
Investments offers three services -- Automatic Investing Program, Direct Deposit
Program and the Wealth Builder Option -- that can help to keep your regular
investment program on track. See Direct Deposit Purchase Plan, Automatic
Investing Plan and Wealth Builder Option under Purchasing Shares - Investing by
Electronic Fund Transfer for a complete description of these services, including
restrictions or limitations.
-14-
<PAGE>
The example below illustrates how dollar-cost averaging can work. In a
fluctuating market, the average cost per share of a stock or bond fund over a
period of time will be lower than the average price per share of the Fund for
the same time period.
Number
Investment Price Per of Shares
Amount Share Purchased
Month 1 $100 $10.00 10
Month 2 $100 $12.50 8
Month 3 $100 $ 5.00 20
Month 4 $100 $10.00 10
-----------------------------------------------------
$400 $37.50 48
Total Amount Invested: $400
Total Number of Shares Purchased: 48
Average Price Per Share: $9.38 ($37.50/4)
Average Cost Per Share: $8.33 ($400/48 shares)
This example is for illustration purposes only. It is not intended to
represent the actual performance of the Fund or any stock or bond fund in the
Delaware Investments family. Dollar-cost averaging can be appropriate for
investments in shares of funds that tend to fluctuate in value. Please obtain
the prospectus of any fund in the Delaware Investments family in which you plan
to invest through a dollar-cost averaging program. The prospectus contains
additional information, including charges and expenses. Please read it carefully
before you invest or send money.
THE POWER OF COMPOUNDING
When you opt to reinvest your current income for additional Fund shares,
your investment is given yet another opportunity to grow. It's called the Power
of Compounding. The Fund may include illustrations showing the power of
compounding in advertisements and other types of literature.
-15-
<PAGE>
TRADING PRACTICES AND BROKERAGE
The Fund selects brokers, dealers and banks to execute transactions for the
purchase or sale of portfolio securities on the basis of its judgment of their
professional capability to provide the service. The primary consideration is to
have brokers, dealers or banks execute transactions at best execution. Best
execution refers to many factors, including the price paid or received for a
security, the commission charged, the promptness and reliability of execution,
the confidentiality and placement accorded the order and other factors affecting
the overall benefit obtained by the account on the transaction. When a
commission is paid, the Fund pays reasonably competitive brokerage commission
rates based upon the professional knowledge of the Manager's trading department
as to rates paid and charged for similar transactions throughout the securities
industry. In some instances, the Fund pays a minimal share transaction cost when
the transaction presents no difficulty. A number of trades are made on a net
basis where the Fund either buys the securities directly from the dealer or
sells them to the dealer. In these instances, there is no direct commission
charged but there is a spread (the difference between the buy and sell price)
which is the equivalent of a commission.
During the fiscal years ended June 30, 1997, 1998 and 1999, the aggregate
dollar amounts of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund were $928,343,
$1,104,062 and $0,000,000 respectively.
The Manager may allocate out of all commission business generated by all of
the funds and accounts under its management, brokerage business to brokers or
dealers who provide brokerage and research services. These services include
advice, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the value of
securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities,
and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities;
furnishing of analyses and reports concerning issuers, securities or industries;
providing information on economic factors and trends; assisting in determining
portfolio strategy; providing computer software and hardware used in security
analyses; and providing portfolio performance evaluation and technical market
analyses. Such services are used by the Manager in connection with its
investment decision-making process with respect to one or more funds and
accounts managed by it, and may not be used, or used exclusively, with respect
to the fund or account generating the brokerage.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999, portfolio transactions of the
Fund in the amount of $0,000,000, resulting in brokerage commissions of
$0,000,000, were directed to brokers for brokerage and research services
provided.
As provided in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and the
Fund's Investment Management Agreement, higher commissions are permitted to be
paid to broker/dealers who provide brokerage and research services than to
broker/dealers who do not provide such services if such higher commissions are
deemed reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided. Although transactions are directed to broker/dealers who
provide such brokerage and research services, the Fund believes that the
commissions paid to such broker/dealers are not, in general, higher than
commissions that would be paid to broker/dealers not providing such services and
that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage
and research services provided. In some instances, services may be provided to
the Manager which constitute in some part brokerage and research services used
by the Manager in connection with its investment decision-making process and
constitute in some part services used by the Manager in connection with
administrative or other functions not related to its investment decision-making
-16-
<PAGE>
process. In such cases, the Manager will make a good faith allocation of
brokerage and research services and will pay out of its own resources for
services used by the Manager in connection with administrative or other
functions not related to its investment decision-making process. In addition, so
long as no fund is disadvantaged, portfolio transactions which generate
commissions or their equivalent are allocated to broker/dealers who provide
daily portfolio pricing services to the Fund and to other funds in the Delaware
Investments family. Subject to best execution, commissions allocated to brokers
providing such pricing services may or may not be generated by the funds
receiving the pricing service.
The Manager may place a combined order for two or more accounts or funds
engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security if, in its judgment, joint
execution is in the best interest of each participant and will result in best
execution. Transactions involving commingled orders are allocated in a manner
deemed equitable to each account or fund. When a combined order is executed in a
series of transactions at different prices, each account participating in the
order may be allocated an average price obtained from the executing broker. It
is believed that the ability of the accounts to participate in volume
transactions will generally be beneficial to the accounts and funds. Although it
is recognized that, in some cases, the joint execution of orders could adversely
affect the price or volume of the security that a particular account or fund may
obtain, it is the opinion of the Manager and Equity Funds III's Board of
Trustees that the advantages of combined orders outweigh the possible
disadvantages of separate transactions.
Consistent with the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"), and subject to seeking best execution, the Fund may
place orders with broker/dealers that have agreed to defray certain expenses of
the funds in the Delaware Investments family, such as custodian fees, and may,
at the request of the Distributor, give consideration to sales of shares of the
funds in the Delaware Investments family as a factor in the selection of brokers
and dealers to execute Fund portfolio transactions.
Portfolio Turnover
In investing for capital appreciation, the Fund may hold securities for any
period of time. It is anticipated that, given the Fund's investment objective,
its annual portfolio turnover rate will be higher than that of many other
investment companies. A turnover rate of 100% would occur, for example, if all
the investments in the Fund's portfolio at the beginning of the year were
replaced by the end of the year. The degree of portfolio activity will affect
brokerage costs of the Fund and may affect taxes payable by the Fund's
shareholders. Total brokerage costs generally increase with higher portfolio
turnover rates. To the extent the Fund realizes gains on securities held for
less than six months, such gains are taxable to the shareholder or to the Fund
at ordinary income tax rates. The turnover rate also may be affected by cash
requirements from redemptions and repurchases of Fund shares.
The portfolio turnover rate of the Fund is calculated by dividing the
lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the particular fiscal
year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by
the Fund during the particular fiscal year, exclusive of securities whose
maturities at the time of acquisition are one year or less.
During the past two fiscal years, the Fund's portfolio turnover rates were
114% for 1998 and 000% for 1999.
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<PAGE>
PURCHASING SHARES
The Distributor serves as the national distributor for the Fund's shares
and has agreed to use its best efforts to sell shares of the Fund. See the
Prospectuses for information on how to invest. Shares of the Fund are offered on
a continuous basis and may be purchased through authorized investment dealers or
directly by contacting Equity Funds III or the Distributor.
The minimum initial investment generally is $1,000 for Class A Shares,
Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Subsequent purchases of such Classes
generally must be at least $100. The initial and subsequent investment minimums
for Class A Shares will be waived for purchases by officers, directors and
employees of any Delaware Investments fund, the Manager or any of the Manager's
affiliates if the purchases are made pursuant to a payroll deduction program.
Shares purchased pursuant to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform
Transfers to Minors Act and shares purchased in connection with an Automatic
Investing Plan are subject to a minimum initial purchase of $250 and a minimum
subsequent purchase of $25. Accounts opened under the Delaware Investments Asset
Planner service are subject to a minimum initial investment of $2,000 per Asset
Planner Strategy selected. There are no minimum purchase requirements for the
Institutional Class, but certain eligibility requirements must be satisfied.
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. See Investment Plans for purchase limitations applicable to
retirement plans. Equity Funds III will reject any purchase order for more than
$250,000 of Class B Shares and $1,000,000 or more of Class C Shares. An investor
may exceed these limitations by making cumulative purchases over a period of
time. In doing so, an investor should keep in mind, however, that reduced
front-end sales charges apply to investments of $50,000 or more in Class A
Shares, and that Class A Shares are subject to lower annual 12b-1 Plan expenses
than Class B Shares and Class C Shares and generally are not subject to a CDSC.
Selling dealers are responsible for transmitting orders promptly. Equity
Funds III reserves the right to reject any order for the purchase of its shares
of the Fund if in the opinion of management such rejection is in the Fund's best
interest. 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 family.
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 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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<PAGE>
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.
The NASD has adopted amendments to its Conduct Rules, as amended, relating
to investment company sales charges. Equity Funds III and the Distributor intend
to operate in compliance with these rules.
Class A Shares are purchased at the offering price which reflects a maximum
front-end sales charge of 5.75%; however, lower front-end sales charges apply
for larger purchases. See the table in the Fund Classes' Prospectus.
Class B Shares are purchased at net asset value and are subject to a CDSC
of: (i) 5% if shares are redeemed within one year of purchase; (ii) 4% if shares
are redeemed within two years of purchase; (iii) 3% if shares are redeemed
during the third or fourth year following purchase; (iv) 2% if shares are
redeemed during the fifth year following purchase; and (v) 1% if shares are
redeemed during the sixth year following purchase. Class B Shares are also
subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses which are higher than those to which Class
A Shares are subject and are assessed against Class B Shares for approximately
eight years after purchase. See Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares, below.
Class C Shares are purchased at net asset value and are subject to a CDSC
of 1% if shares are redeemed within 12 months following purchase. Class C Shares
are also subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses for the life of the investment
which are equal to those to which Class B Shares are subject.
Institutional Class shares are purchased at the net asset value per share
without the imposition of a front-end or contingent deferred sales charge or
12b-1 Plan expenses. See Plans Under Rule 12b-1 for the Fund Classes under
Purchasing Shares, and Determining Offering Price and Net Asset Value in this
Part B.
Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Institutional Class
shares represent a proportionate interest in the Fund's assets and will receive
a proportionate interest in the Fund's income, before application, as to Class
A, Class B and Class C Shares, of any expenses under the Fund's 12b-1 Plans.
Certificates representing shares purchased are not ordinarily issued
unless, in the case of Class A Shares or Institutional Class shares, a
shareholder submits a specific request. Certificates are not issued in the case
of Class B Shares or Class C Shares or in the case of any retirement plan
account including self-directed IRAs. However, purchases not involving the
issuance of certificates are confirmed to the investor and credited to the
shareholder's account on the books maintained by Delaware Service Company, Inc.
(the "Transfer Agent"). The investor will have the same rights of ownership with
respect to such shares as if certificates had been issued. An investor that is
permitted to obtain a certificate may receive a certificate representing full
share denominations purchased by sending a letter signed by each owner of the
account to the Transfer Agent requesting the certificate. No charge is assessed
by Equity Funds III for any certificate issued. A shareholder may be subject to
fees for replacement of a lost or stolen certificate, under certain conditions,
including the cost of obtaining a bond covering the lost or stolen certificate.
Please contact the Fund for further information. Investors who hold certificates
representing any of their shares may only redeem those shares by written
request. The investor's certificate(s) must accompany such request.
-19-
<PAGE>
Alternative Purchase Arrangements
The alternative purchase arrangements of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and
Class C Shares permit investors to choose the method of purchasing shares that
is most suitable for their needs 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
and annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to a maximum of 0.30% of the average daily
net assets of Class A Shares, or to purchase either Class B or Class C Shares
and have the entire initial purchase amount invested in the Fund with the
investment thereafter subject to a CDSC and annual 12b-1 Plan expenses. Class B
Shares are subject to a CDSC if the shares are redeemed within six years of
purchase, and Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC if the shares are redeemed
within 12 months of purchase. Class B and Class C Shares are each 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
the respective Class. Class B Shares will automatically convert to Class A
Shares at the end of approximately eight years after purchase and, thereafter,
be subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to a maximum of 0.30% of average
daily net assets of such shares. Unlike Class B Shares, Class C Shares do not
convert to another 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 Plans Under Rule 12b-1 for the Fund Classes.
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 and 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 Determining Offering Price and Net Asset Value.
Class A Shares
Purchases of $50,000 or more of Class A Shares at the offering price carry
reduced front-end sales charges as shown in the table in the Fund Classes'
Prospectus, and may include a series of purchases over a 13-month period under a
Letter of Intention signed by the purchaser. See Special Purchase Features -
Class A Shares, below for more information on ways in which investors can avail
themselves of reduced front-end sales charges and other purchase features.
-20-
<PAGE>
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.
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 in connection with sales of
Class A Shares. Such dealers must meet certain requirements in terms of
organization and distribution capabilities and their ability to increase sales.
The Distributor should be contacted for further information on these
requirements as well as the basis and circumstances upon which the additional
commission will be paid. Participating dealers may be deemed to have additional
responsibilities under the securities laws. Dealers who receive 90% or more of
the sales charge may be deemed to be underwriters under the 1933 Act.
Dealer's Commission
As described in the Prospectus, 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 effected.
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 Delaware Investments
funds as to which a Limited CDSC applies (see Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares Purchased at Net Asset Value under
Redemption and Exchange) may be aggregated with those of the Class A Shares of
the Fund. Financial advisers also may be eligible for a dealer's commission in
connection with certain purchases made under a Letter of Intention or pursuant
to an investor's Right of Accumulation. Financial advisers should contact the
Distributor concerning the applicability and calculation of the dealer's
commission in the case of combined purchases.
An exchange from other Delaware 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.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class B Shares and Class C Shares
Class B Shares and Class C Shares are purchased without a front-end sales
charge. Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase may be subject to a
CDSC at the rates set forth above, and Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months
of purchase may be subject to a CDSC of 1%. CDSCs are charged as a percentage of
the dollar amount subject to the CDSC. The charge will be assessed on an amount
equal to the lesser of the net asset value at the time of purchase of the shares
being redeemed or the net asset value of those shares at the time of redemption.
No CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
purchase price, nor will a CDSC be assessed on redemptions of shares acquired
through reinvestment 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
-21-
<PAGE>
were acquired in the exchange. See Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge--Class B Shares and Class C Shares under Redemption and Exchange for the
Fund Classes for a list of the instances in which the CDSC is waived.
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. At the end of approximately eight years after purchase, the investor's
Class B Shares will be automatically converted into Class A Shares of the
Fund. See Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares below. Such conversion will
constitute a tax-free exchange for federal income tax purposes. See Taxes.
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.
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 compensates
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 5% of the dollar amount purchased.
In addition, from time to time, upon written notice to all of its dealers, the
Distributor may hold special promotions for specified periods during which the
Distributor may pay additional compensation to dealers or brokers for selling
Class B Shares at the time of purchase. As discussed below, however, Class B
Shares are subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses and, if redeemed within six
years of purchase, a CDSC.
Proceeds from the CDSC and the annual 12b-1 Plan fees are paid to the
Distributor and others for providing distribution and related services, and
bearing related expenses, in connection with the sale of Class B Shares. These
payments support the compensation paid to dealers or brokers for selling Class B
Shares. Payments to the Distributor and others under the Class B 12b-1 Plan may
be in an amount equal to no more than 1% annually. The combination of the CDSC
and the proceeds of the 12b-1 Plan fees makes it possible for the Fund to sell
Class B Shares without deducting a front-end sales charge at the time of
purchase.
Holders of Class B Shares who exercise the exchange privilege described
below will continue to be subject to the CDSC schedule for Class B Shares
described in this Part B, 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
-22-
<PAGE>
Shares will occur only four times in any calendar year, on the 18th day or next
business day 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 the Fund acquired through a reinvestment of dividends
will convert to the corresponding Class A Shares of the Fund (or, in the case of
Delaware Group Cash Reserve, Inc., the Delaware Cash Reserve Consultant Class)
pro-rata with Class B Shares of the 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 compensates
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, Class C Shares are subject to annual 12b-1 Plan expenses
and, if redeemed within 12 months of purchase, a CDSC.
Proceeds from the CDSC and the annual 12b-1 Plan fees are paid to the
Distributor and others for providing distribution and related services, and
bearing related expenses, in connection with the sale of Class C Shares. These
payments support the compensation paid to dealers or brokers for selling Class C
Shares. Payments to the Distributor and others under the Class C 12b-1 Plan may
be in an amount equal to no more than 1% annually.
Holders of Class C Shares who exercise the exchange privilege described
below will continue to be subject to the CDSC schedule for Class C Shares as
described in this Part B. See Redemption and Exchange.
Plans Under Rule 12b-1 for the Fund Classes
Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, Equity Funds III has adopted a
separate plan for each of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares of
the Fund (the "Plans"). Each Plan permits the Fund to pay for certain
distribution, promotional and related expenses involved in the marketing of only
the Class of shares to which the Plan applies. The Plans do not apply to
Institutional Class of shares. Such shares are not included in calculating the
Plans' fees, and the Plans are not used to assist in the distribution and
marketing of shares of Institutional Class. Shareholders of Institutional Class
may not vote on matters affecting the Plans.
The Plans permit the Fund, pursuant to its Distribution Agreement, to pay
out of the assets of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares monthly
fees to the Distributor for its services and expenses in distributing and
promoting sales of shares of such classes. 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
-23-
<PAGE>
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 Equity Funds III. The Plan expenses relating to Class
B Shares and Class C Shares are also used to pay the Distributor for advancing
the commission costs to dealers with respect to the initial sale of such shares.
The maximum aggregate fee payable by the Fund under the Plans, and the
Fund's Distribution Agreement, is on an annual basis, up to 0.30% of average
daily net assets of Class A Shares, and up to 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 for the year. Equity Funds III's
Board of Directors may reduce these amounts at any time.
Effective June 1, 1992, the Board of Trustees has determined that the
annual fee, payable on a monthly basis, for Class A Shares, under its Plan, will
be equal to the sum of: (i) the amount obtained by multiplying 0.30% by the
average daily net assets represented by Class A Shares that were acquired by
shareholders on or after June 1, 1992, and (ii) the amount obtained by
multiplying 0.10% by the average daily net assets represented by Class A Shares
that were acquired before June 1, 1992. While this is the method for calculating
the 12b-1 fees to be paid by Class A Shares, the fee is a Class expense so that
all shareholders of that Class, regardless of when they purchased their shares,
will bear 12b-1 expenses at the same per share rate. As Class A Shares are sold
on or after June 1, 1992, the initial rate of at least 0.10% will increase over
time. Thus, as the proportion of Class A Shares purchased on or after June 1,
1992 to Class A outstanding prior to June 1, 1992 increases, the expenses
attributable to payments under the Plan will also increase (but will not exceed
0.30% of average daily net assets). While this describes the current formula for
calculating the fees which will be payable under the Plan, such Plan permits the
Fund to pay a full 0.30% on all of the Fund's Class A Shares' assets at any
time.
All of the distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor and others,
such as broker/dealers, in excess of the amount paid on behalf of Class A
Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares would be borne by such persons without
any reimbursement from such Fund Classes. Subject to seeking best execution, the
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<PAGE>
Fund may, from time to time, buy or sell portfolio securities from or to firms
which receive payments under the Plans.
From time to time, the Distributor may pay additional amounts from its own
resources to dealers for aid in distribution or for aid in providing
administrative services to shareholders.
The Plans and the Distribution Agreement, as amended, have all been
approved by the Board of Directors of Equity Funds III, including a majority of
the directors who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
Equity Funds III and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
Plans by vote cast in person at a meeting duly called for the purpose of voting
on the Plans and such Agreement. Continuation of the Plans and the Distribution
Agreement, as amended, must be approved annually by the Board of Directors in
the same manner as specified above.
Each year, the directors must determine whether continuation of the Plans
is in the best interest of shareholders of, respectively, Class A Shares, Class
B Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund and that there is a reasonable
likelihood of the Plan relating to a Class providing a benefit to that Class.
The Plans and the Distribution Agreement, as amended, may be terminated with
respect to a Class at any time without penalty by a majority of those directors
who are not "interested persons" or by a majority vote of the relevant Class'
outstanding voting securities. Any amendment materially increasing the
percentage payable under the Plans must likewise be approved by a majority vote
of the relevant Class' outstanding voting securities, as well as by a majority
vote of those directors who are not "interested persons." With respect to each
Class A Shares' Plan, any material increase in the maximum percentage payable
thereunder must also be approved by a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund's B Class. Also, any other material amendment to the
Plans must be approved by a majority vote of the directors including a majority
of the noninterested directors of Equity Funds III having no interest in the
Plans. In addition, in order for the Plans to remain effective, the selection
and nomination of directors who are not "interested persons" of Equity Funds III
must be effected by the directors who themselves are not "interested persons"
and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans. Persons
authorized to make payments under the Plans must provide written reports at
least quarterly to the Board of Directors for their review.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999, payments from Class A Shares,
Class B Shares and Class C Shares of Trend Fund amounted to $000,000, $000,000
and $000,000, respectively. Such amounts were used for the following purposes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trend Fund A Class Trend Fund B Class Trend Fund C Class
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Advertising $0 $0 $0
Annual/Semi-Annual Reports 0 0 0
Broker Trails 0 0 0
Broker Sales Charges 0 0 0
Dealer Service Expenses 0 0 0
Interest on Broker Sales Charges 0 0 0
Commissions to Wholesalers 0 0 0
Promotional-Broker Meetings 0 0 0
Promotional-Other 0 0 0
Prospectus Printing 0 0 0
Telephone 0 0 0
Wholesaler Expenses 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
</TABLE>
-25-
<PAGE>
Other Payments to Dealers - Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
From time to time, at the discretion of the Distributor, all registered
broker/dealers whose aggregate sales of Fund 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 Delaware Investments family of funds. In some instances, these
incentives or payments may be offered only to certain dealers who maintain, have
sold or may sell certain amounts of shares. The Distributor may also pay a
portion of the expense of preapproved dealer advertisements promoting the sale
of Delaware Investments fund shares.
Special Purchase Features - Class A Shares
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.
Purchases of Class A Shares may be made at net asset value by current and
former officers, directors and employees (and members of their families) of the
Manager, any affiliate, any of the funds in the Delaware Investments family,
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. Class A
Shares may also be purchased at net asset value by current and former officers,
directors and employees (and members of their families) of the Dougherty
Financial Group LLC.
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
-26-
<PAGE>
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 funds in the
Delaware Investments family. 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. Such purchasers are required to sign a letter stating that the
purchase is for investment only and that the securities may not be resold except
to the issuer. Such purchasers may also be required to sign or deliver such
other documents as the Fund may reasonably require to establish eligibility for
purchase at net asset value. Investors may be charged a fee when effecting
transactions in Class A Shares through a broker or agent that offers these
special investment 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 Retirement Financial Services, Inc. (formerly known as
Delaware Investment & Retirement Services, Inc.) proprietary record keeping
system that (i) has in excess of $500,000 of plan assets invested in Class A
Shares of funds in the Delaware Investments family and any stable value account
available to investment advisory clients of the Manager or its affiliates; 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 Fund in the
Delaware Investments family and such employer has properly represented in
writing to Retirement Financial Services, Inc. that it has the requisite number
of employees and received written confirmation back from Retirement Financial
Services, Inc. See Group Investment Plans for information regarding the
applicability of the Limited CDSC.
Purchases of Class A Shares at net asset value may also be made by bank
sponsored retirement plans that are no longer eligible to purchase Institutional
Class Shares or purchase interests in a collective trust as a result of a change
in distribution arrangements.
Investors in Delaware Investments Unit Investment Trusts may reinvest
monthly dividend checks and/or repayment of invested capital into Class A Shares
of any of the funds in the Delaware Investments family 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 the Fund
account in connection with loans originated from accounts previously maintained
by another investment firm will also be invested at net asset value.
Equity Funds III must be notified in advance that the trade qualifies for
purchase at net asset value.
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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. See Combined
Purchases Privilege, below.
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. See Class A Shares.
The Limited CDSC is applicable to redemptions of net asset value purchases
from an Allied Plan on which a dealer's commission has been paid. Waivers of the
Limited CDSC, as described under Waiver of Limited Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge Class A Shares under Redemption and Exchange, apply to redemptions by
participants in Allied Plans except in the case of exchanges between eligible
Delaware 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 Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares
Purchased at Net Asset Value under Redemption and Exchange.
Letter of Intention
The reduced front-end sales charges described above with respect to Class A
Shares are also applicable to the aggregate amount of purchases made by any such
purchases previously enumerated within a 13-month period pursuant to a written
Letter of Intention provided by the Distributor and signed by the purchaser, and
not legally binding on the signer or Equity Funds III which provides for the
holding in escrow by the Transfer Agent, of 5% of the total amount of Class A
Shares intended to be purchased until such purchase is completed within the
13-month period. A Letter of Intention may be dated to include shares purchased
up to 90 days prior to the date the Letter is signed. The 13-month period begins
on the date of the earliest purchase. If the intended investment is not
completed, except as noted below, the purchaser will be asked to pay an amount
equal to the difference between the front-end sales charge on Class A Shares
purchased at the reduced
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rate and the front-end sales charge otherwise applicable to the total shares
purchased. If such payment is not made within 20 days following the expiration
of the 13-month period, the Transfer Agent will surrender an appropriate number
of the escrowed shares for redemption in order to realize the difference. Such
purchasers may include the value (at offering price at the level designated in
their Letter of Intention) of all their shares of the Fund and of any class of
any of the other mutual funds in Delaware Investments (except shares of any
Delaware Investments fund which do not carry a front-end sales charge, CDSC or
Limited CDSC other than shares of Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. beneficially
owned in connection with the ownership of variable insurance products, unless
they were acquired through an exchange from a Delaware Investments fund which
carried a front-end sales charge, CDSC or Limited CDSC) previously purchased and
still held as of the date of their Letter of Intention toward the completion of
such Letter. For purpose of satisfying an investor's obligation under a Letter
of Intention, Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund and the
corresponding classes of shares of other funds in the Delaware Investments
family which offer such shares may be aggregated with Class A Shares of the Fund
and the corresponding class of shares of the other funds in the Delaware
Investments family.
Employers offering a Delaware Investments retirement plan may also complete
a Letter of Intention to obtain a reduced front-end sales charge on investments
of Class A Shares made by the plan. The aggregate investment level of the Letter
of Intention will be determined and accepted by the Transfer Agent at the point
of plan establishment. The level and any reduction in front-end sales charge
will be based on actual plan participation and the projected investments in
Delaware Investments funds that are offered with a front-end sales charge, CDSC
or Limited CDSC for a 13-month period. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to
adjust the signed Letter of Intention based on this acceptance criteria. The
13-month period will begin on the date this Letter of Intention is accepted by
the Transfer Agent. If actual investments exceed the anticipated level and equal
an amount that would qualify the plan for further discounts, any front-end sales
charges will be automatically adjusted. In the event this Letter of Intention is
not fulfilled within the 13-month period, the plan level will be adjusted
(without completing another Letter of Intention) and the employer will be billed
for the difference in front-end sales charges due, based on the plan's assets
under management at that time. Employers may also include the value (at offering
price at the level designated in their Letter of Intention) of all their shares
intended for purchase that are offered with a front-end sales charge, CDSC or
Limited CDSC of any class. Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund and
other Delaware Investments funds which offer corresponding classes of shares may
also be aggregated for this purpose.
Combined Purchases Privilege
In determining the availability of the reduced front-end sales charge
previously set forth with respect to Class A Shares, purchasers may combine the
total amount of any combination of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and/or Class C
Shares of the Fund, as well as shares of any other class of any of the other
Delaware Investments funds (except shares of any Delaware Investments fund which
do not carry a front-end sales charge, CDSC or Limited CDSC, other than shares
of Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. beneficially owned in connection with the
ownership of variable insurance products, unless they were acquired through an
exchange from a Delaware Investments fund which carried a front-end sales
charge, CDSC or Limited CDSC). In addition, assets held by investment advisory
clients of Delaware Investment Advisers, the Manager's affiliate, or any of the
Manager's other affiliates in a stable value account may be combined with other
Delaware Investments fund holdings.
The privilege also extends to all purchases made at one time by an
individual; or an individual, his or her spouse and their children under 21; or
a trustee or other fiduciary of trust estates or fiduciary accounts for the
benefit of such family members (including certain employee benefit programs).
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Right of Accumulation
In determining the availability of the reduced front-end sales charge with
respect to the Class A Shares, purchasers may also combine any subsequent
purchases of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund, as
well as shares of any other class of any of the other Delaware Investments funds
which offer such classes (except shares of any Delaware Investments fund which
do not carry a front-end sales charge, CDSC or Limited CDSC, other than shares
of Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. beneficially owned in connection with the
ownership of variable insurance products, unless they were acquired through an
exchange from a Delaware Investments fund which carried a front-end sales
charge, CDSC or Limited CDSC). If, for example, any such purchaser has
previously purchased and still holds Class A Shares and/or shares of any other
of the classes described in the previous sentence with a value of $40,000 and
subsequently purchases $10,000 at offering price of additional shares of Class A
Shares, the charge applicable to the $10,000 purchase would currently be 4.75%.
For the purpose of this calculation, the shares presently held shall be valued
at the public offering price that would have been in effect were the shares
purchased simultaneously with the current purchase. Investors should refer to
the table of sales charges for Class A Shares to determine the applicability of
the Right of Accumulation to their particular circumstances.
12-Month Reinvestment Privilege
Holders of Class A Shares of the Fund (and of Institutional Class holding
shares which were acquired through an exchange from one of the other mutual
funds in Delaware Investments offered with a front-end sales charge) who redeem
such shares of the Fund have one year from the date of redemption to reinvest
all or part of their redemption proceeds in Class A Shares of the Fund or in
Class A Shares of any of the other funds in the Delaware Investments family,
subject to applicable eligibility and minimum purchase requirements, in states
where shares of such other funds may be sold, at net asset value without the
payment of a front-end sales charge. This privilege does not extend to Class A
Shares where the redemption of the shares triggered the payment of a Limited
CDSC. Persons investing redemption proceeds from direct investments in mutual
funds in the Delaware Investments family offered without a front-end sales
charge will be required to pay the applicable sales charge when purchasing Class
A Shares. The reinvestment privilege does not extend to a redemption of Class C
Shares.
Any such reinvestment cannot exceed the redemption proceeds (plus any
amount necessary to purchase a full share). The reinvestment will be made at the
net asset value next determined after receipt of remittance. A redemption and
reinvestment could have income tax consequences. It is recommended that a tax
adviser be consulted with respect to such transactions. Any reinvestment
directed a fund in which the investor does not then have an account will be
treated like all other initial purchases of a fund's shares. Consequently, an
investor should obtain and read carefully the prospectus for the fund in which
the investment is intended to be made before investing or sending money. The
prospectus contains more complete information about the fund, including charges
and expenses.
Investors should consult their financial advisers or the Transfer Agent,
which also serves as the Fund's shareholder servicing agent, about the
applicability of the Limited CDSC (see Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for
Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares Purchased at Net Asset Value under
Redemption and Exchange) in connection with the features described above.
Group Investment Plans
Group Investment Plans which are not eligible to purchase shares of the
Institutional Class may also benefit from the reduced front-end sales charges
for investments in Class A Shares, based on total plan assets. If a company has
more than one plan investing in the Delaware Investments family of funds, then
the total amount invested in all plans would be used in determining the
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applicable front-end sales charge reduction upon each purchase, both initial and
subsequent, upon notification to the Fund at the time of each such purchase.
Employees participating in such Group Investment Plans may also combine the
investments made in their plan account when determining the applicable front-end
sales charge on purchases to non-retirement Delaware Investments investment
accounts if they so notify the Fund in which they are investing in connection
with each purchase. See Retirement Plans for the Fund Classes under Investment
Plans for information about Retirement Plans.
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 the Fund in the Delaware Investments family.
See Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares
Purchased at Net Asset Value under Redemption and Exchange.
Institutional Class
The Institutional Class of the Fund is 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, an affiliate of the Manager, or its other
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 of 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.
Shares of the Institutional Class are available for purchase at net asset
value, without the imposition of a front-end or contingent deferred sales charge
and are not subject to Rule 12b-1 expenses.
INVESTMENT PLANS
Reinvestment Plan/Open Account
Unless otherwise designated by shareholders in writing, dividends from net
investment income and distributions from realized securities profits, if any,
will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the respective Fund
Class in which an investor has an account (based on the net asset value in
effect on the reinvestment date) and will be credited to the shareholder's
account on that date. All dividends and distributions of the Institutional Class
are reinvested in the accounts of the holders of such shares (based on the net
asset value in effect on the reinvestment date). A confirmation of each dividend
payment from net investment income and of distributions from realized securities
profits, if any, will be mailed to shareholders in the first quarter of the
fiscal year.
Under the Reinvestment Plan/Open Account, shareholders may purchase and add
full and fractional shares to their plan accounts at any time either through
their investment dealers or by sending a check or money order to the specific
Class in which shares are being purchased. Such purchases, which must
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meet the minimum subsequent purchase requirements set forth in the Prospectuses
and this Part B, are made for Class A Shares at the public offering price, and
for Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Institutional Class at the net asset
value, at the end of the day of receipt. A reinvestment plan may be terminated
at any time. This plan does not assure a profit nor protect against depreciation
in a declining market.
Reinvestment of Dividends in Other Delaware Investments Family of Funds
Subject to applicable eligibility and minimum initial purchase requirements
and the limitations set forth below, holders of Class A Shares, Class B Shares
and Class C Shares may automatically reinvest dividends and/or distributions in
any of the mutual funds in the Delaware Investments, including the Fund, in
states where their shares may be sold. Such investments will be at net asset
value at the close of business on the reinvestment date without any front-end
sales charge or service fee. The shareholder must notify the Transfer Agent in
writing and must have established an account in the fund into which the
dividends and/or distributions are to be invested. Any reinvestment directed to
the Fund in which the investor does not then have an account will be treated
like all other initial purchases of the Fund's shares. Consequently, an investor
should obtain and read carefully the prospectus for the fund in which the
investment is intended to be made before investing or sending money. The
prospectus contains more complete information about the fund, including charges
and expenses.
Subject to the following limitations, dividends and/or distributions from
other funds in Delaware Investments may be invested in shares of the Fund,
provided an account has been established. Dividends from Class A Shares may not
be directed to Class B Shares or Class C Shares. Dividends from Class B Shares
may only be directed to other Class B Shares and dividends from Class C Shares
may only be directed to other Class C Shares.
Capital gains and/or dividend distributions 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 Plans, or 403(b)(7) or 457 Deferred Compensation Plans.
Investing by Exchange
If you have an investment in another mutual fund in the Delaware
Investments family, 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 the Fund's prospectus. See Redemption and Exchange for more complete
information concerning your exchange privileges.
Holders of Class A Shares of the Fund may exchange all or part of their
shares for certain of the shares of other funds in the Delaware Investments
family, including other Class A Shares, but may not exchange their Class A
Shares for Class B Shares or Class C Shares of the Fund or of any other fund in
the Delaware Investments family. 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.
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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.
Investing by Electronic Fund Transfer
Direct Deposit Purchase Plan--Investors may arrange for the Fund to
accept for investment in Class A Shares, Class B Shares or Class C Shares,
through an agent bank, preauthorized government or private recurring payments.
This method of investment assures the timely credit to the shareholder's account
of payments such as social security, veterans' pension or compensation benefits,
federal salaries, Railroad Retirement benefits, private payroll checks,
dividends, and disability or pension fund benefits. It also eliminates lost,
stolen and delayed checks.
Automatic Investing Plan--Shareholders of Class A Shares, Class B Shares
and Class C Shares may make automatic investments by authorizing, in advance,
monthly payments directly from their checking account for deposit into their
Fund account. This type of investment will be handled in either of the following
ways. (1) If the shareholder's bank is a member of the National Automated
Clearing House Association ("NACHA"), the amount of the investment will be
electronically deducted from his or her account by Electronic Fund Transfer
("EFT"). The shareholder's checking account will reflect a debit each month at a
specified date although no check is required to initiate the transaction. (2) If
the shareholder's bank is not a member of NACHA, deductions will be made by
preauthorized checks, known as Depository Transfer Checks. Should the
shareholder's bank become a member of NACHA in the future, his or her
investments would be handled electronically through EFT.
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.
* * *
Initial investments under the Direct Deposit Purchase Plan and the
Automatic Investing Plan must be for $250 or more and subsequent investments
under such plans must be for $25 or more. An investor wishing to take advantage
of either service must complete an authorization form. Either service can be
discontinued by the shareholder at any time without penalty by giving written
notice.
Payments to the Fund from the federal government or its agencies on behalf
of a shareholder may be credited to the shareholder's account after such
payments should have been terminated by reason of death or otherwise. Any such
payments are subject to reclamation by the federal government or its agencies.
Similarly, under certain circumstances, investments from private sources may be
subject to reclamation by the transmitting bank. In the event of a reclamation,
the Fund may liquidate sufficient shares from a shareholder's account to
reimburse the government or the private source. In the event there are
insufficient shares in the shareholder's account, the shareholder is expected to
reimburse the Fund.
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Direct Deposit Purchases by Mail
Shareholders may authorize a third party, such as a bank or employer, to
make investments directly to their Fund accounts. The Fund will accept these
investments, such as bank-by-phone, annuity payments and payroll allotments, by
mail directly from the third party. Investors should contact their employers or
financial institutions who in turn should contact Equity Funds III for proper
instructions.
MoneyLine (SM) On Demand
You or your investment dealer may request purchases of Fund shares by phone
using MoneyLine (SM) 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) 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 $50,000 maximum limit for MoneyLine (SM) On Demand transactions.
It may take up to four business days for the transactions to be completed.
You can initiate this service by completing an Account Services form. If your
name and address 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 this
service; however, your bank may charge a fee.
Wealth Builder Option
Shareholders can use the Wealth Builder Option to invest in the Fund
Classes through regular liquidations of shares in their accounts in other mutual
funds in the Delaware Investments family. Shareholders of the Fund Classes may
elect to invest in one or more of the other mutual funds in Delaware Investments
family through the Wealth Builder Option. 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.
Under this automatic exchange program, shareholders can authorize regular
monthly investments (minimum of $100 per fund) to be liquidated from their
account and invested automatically into other mutual funds in the Delaware
Investments family, subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the
Fund Classes' Prospectus. The investment will be made on the 20th day of each
month (or, if the fund selected is not open that day, the next business day) at
the public offering price or net asset value, as applicable, of the fund
selected on the date of investment. No investment will be made for any month if
the value of the shareholder's account is less than the amount specified for
investment.
Periodic investment through the Wealth Builder Option does not insure
profits or protect against losses in a declining market. The price of the fund
into which investments are made could fluctuate. Since this program involves
continuous investment regardless of such fluctuating value, investors selecting
this option should consider their financial ability to continue to participate
in the program through periods of low fund share prices. This program involves
automatic exchanges between two or more fund accounts and is treated as a
purchase of shares of the fund into which investments are made through the
program. See Exchange Privilege for a brief summary of the tax consequences of
exchanges. Shareholders can terminate their participation in Wealth Builder at
any time by giving written notice to the fund from which exchanges are made.
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. This option also is not available to shareholders of the
Institutional Class.
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Asset Planner
To invest in Delaware Investments funds using the Asset Planner asset
allocation service, you should complete an Asset Planner Account Registration
Form, which is available only from a financial adviser or investment dealer.
Effective September 1, 1997, the Asset Planner Service is only available to
financial advisers or investment dealers who have previously used this service.
The Asset Planner service offers a choice of four predesigned asset allocation
strategies (each with a different risk/reward profile) in predetermined
percentages in Delaware Investments funds. With the help of a financial adviser,
you may also design a customized asset allocation strategy.
The sales charge on an investment through the Asset Planner service is
determined by the individual sales charges of the underlying funds and their
percentage allocation in the selected Strategy. Exchanges from existing Delaware
Investments accounts into the Asset Planner service may be made at net asset
value under the circumstances described under Investing by Exchange. Also see
Buying Class A Shares at Net Asset Value. The minimum initial investment per
Strategy is $2,000; subsequent investments must be at least $100. Individual
fund minimums do not apply to investments made using the Asset Planner service.
Class A, Class B and Class C Shares are available through the Asset Planner
service. Generally, only shares within the same class may be used within the
same Strategy. However, Class A Shares of the Fund and of other funds in the
Delaware Investments family may be used in the same Strategy with consultant
class shares that are offered by certain other Delaware Investments funds.
An annual maintenance fee, currently $35 per Strategy, is due at the time
of initial investment and by September 30 of each subsequent year. The fee,
payable to Delaware Service Company, Inc. to defray extra costs associated with
administering the Asset Planner service, will be deducted automatically from one
of the funds within your Asset Planner account if not paid by September 30.
However, effective November 1, 1996, the annual maintenance fee is waived until
further notice. Investors who utilize the Asset Planner for an IRA will continue
to pay an annual IRA fee of $15 per Social Security number.
Investors will receive a customized quarterly Strategy Report summarizing
all Asset Planner investment performance and account activity during the prior
period. Confirmation statements will be sent following all transactions other
than those involving a reinvestment of distributions.
Certain shareholder services are not available to investors using the Asset
Planner service, due to its special design. These include Delaphone,
Checkwriting, Wealth Builder Option and Letter of Intention. Systematic
Withdrawal Plans are available after the account has been open for two years.
Retirement Plans for the Fund Classes
An investment in the Fund may be suitable for tax-deferred retirement
plans. Delaware Investments offers a full spectrum of retirement plans,
including the 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan, Individual Retirement Account
("IRA") and the new Roth IRA and Education IRA.
Among the retirement plans that Delaware Investments offers, Class B Shares
are available only by Individual Retirement Accounts, SIMPLE IRAs, Roth IRAs,
Education IRAs, Simplified Employee Pension Plans, Salary Reduction Simplified
Employee Pension Plans, and 403(b)(7) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans. The
CDSC may be waived on certain redemptions of Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
See Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class B Shares and Class C
Shares under Redemption and Exchange for a list of the instances in which the
CDSC is waived.
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Purchases of Class B Shares are subject to a maximum purchase limitation of
$250,000 for retirement plans. Purchases of Class C Shares must be in an amount
that is less than $1,000,000 for such plans. The maximum purchase limitations
apply only to the initial purchase of shares by the retirement plan.
Minimum investment limitations generally applicable to other investors do
not apply to retirement plans other than Individual Retirement Accounts, for
which there is a minimum initial purchase of $250 and a minimum subsequent
purchase of $25, regardless of which Class is selected. Retirement plans may be
subject to plan establishment fees, annual maintenance fees and/or other
administrative or trustee fees. Fees are based upon the number of participants
in the plan as well as the services selected. Additional information about fees
is included in retirement plan materials. Fees are quoted upon request. Annual
maintenance fees may be shared by Delaware Management Trust Company, the
Transfer Agent, other affiliates of the Manager and others that provide services
to such Plans.
Certain shareholder investment services available to non-retirement plan
shareholders may not be available to retirement plan shareholders. Certain
retirement plans may qualify to purchase shares of the Institutional Class
shares. See Institutional Class, above. For additional information on any of the
plans and Delaware's retirement services, call the Shareholder Service Center
telephone number.
It is advisable for an investor considering any one of the retirement plans
described below to consult with an attorney, accountant or a qualified
retirement plan consultant. For further details, including applications for any
of these plans, contact your investment dealer or the Distributor.
Taxable distributions from the retirement plans described below may be
subject to withholding.
Please contact your investment dealer or the Distributor for the special
application forms required for the Plans described below.
Prototype Profit Sharing or Money Purchase Pension Plans
Prototype Plans are available for self-employed individuals, partnerships,
corporations and other eligible forms of organizations. These plans can be
maintained as Section 401(k), profit sharing or money purchase pension plans.
Contributions may be invested only in Class A Shares and Class C Shares.
Individual Retirement Account ("IRA")
A document is available for an individual who wants to establish an IRA and
make contributions which may be tax-deductible, even if the individual is
already participating in an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Even if
contributions are not deductible for tax purposes, as indicated below, earnings
will be tax-deferred. In addition, an individual may make contributions on
behalf of a spouse who has no compensation for the year; however, participation
may be restricted based on certain income limits.
IRA Disclosures
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 provides new opportunities for investors.
Individuals have five types of tax-favored IRA accounts that can be utilized
depending on the individual's circumstances. A new Roth IRA and Education IRA
are available in addition to the existing deductible IRA and non-deductible IRA.
Deductible and Non-deductible IRAs
An individual can contribute up to $2,000 in his or her IRA each year.
Contributions may or may not be deductible depending upon the taxpayer's
adjusted gross income ("AGI") and whether the taxpayer is an active participant
in an employer sponsored retirement plan. Even if a taxpayer is an active
participant in an employer sponsored retirement plan, the full $2,000 is still
available if the taxpayer's AGI is below $30,000 ($50,000 for taxpayers filing
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joint returns) for years beginning after December 31, 1997. A partial deduction
is allowed for married couples with income between $50,000 and $60,000, and for
single individuals with incomes between $30,000 and $40,000. These income
phase-out limits reach $80,000-$100,000 in 2007 for joint filers and
$50,000-$60,000 in 2005 for single filers. No deductions are available for
contributions to IRAs by taxpayers whose AGI after IRA deductions exceeds the
maximum income limit established for each year and who are active participants
in an employer sponsored retirement plan.
Taxpayers who are not allowed deductions on IRA contributions still can
make non-deductible IRA contributions of as much as $2,000 for each working
spouse and defer taxes on interest or other earnings from the IRAs.
Under the new law, a married individual is not considered an active
participant in an employer sponsored retirement plan merely because the
individual's spouse is an active participant if the couple's combined AGI is
below $150,000. The maximum deductible IRA contribution for a married individual
who is not an active participant, but whose spouse is, is phased out for
combined AGI between $150,000 and $160,000.
Conduit (Rollover) IRAs
Certain individuals who have received or are about to receive eligible
rollover distributions from an employer-sponsored retirement plan or another IRA
may rollover the distribution tax-free to a Conduit IRA. The rollover of the
eligible distribution must be completed by the 60th day after receipt of the
distribution; however, if the rollover is in the form of a direct
trustee-to-trustee transfer without going through the distributee's hand, the
60-day limit does not apply.
A distribution qualifies as an "eligible rollover distribution" if it is
made from a qualified retirement plan, a 403(b) plan or another IRA and does not
constitute one of the following:
(1) Substantially equal periodic payments over the employee's life or life
expectancy or the joint lives or life expectancies of the employee and his/her
designated beneficiary;
(2) Substantially equal installment payments for a period certain of 10 or
more years;
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(3) A distribution, all of which represents a required minimum distribution
after attaining age 70 1/2;
(4) A distribution due to a Qualified Domestic Relations Order to an
alternate payee who is not the spouse (or former spouse) of the employee; and
(5) A distribution of after-tax contributions which is not includable in
income.
Roth IRAs
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997, non-deductible
contributions of up to $2,000 per year can be made to a new Roth IRA. As a
result of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (the
"1998 Act"), the $2,000 annual limit will not be reduced by any contributions to
a deductible or nondeductible IRA for the same year. The maximum contribution
that can be made to a Roth IRA is phased out for single filers with AGI between
$95,000 and $110,000, and for couples filing jointly with AGI between $150,000
and $160,000. Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA would be exempt from
federal taxes. Qualified distributions are distributions (1) made after the
five-taxable year period beginning with the first taxable year for which a
contribution was made to a Roth IRA and (2) that are (a) made on or after the
date on which the individual attains age 59 1/2, (b) made to a beneficiary on or
after the death of the individual, (c) attributed to the individual being
disabled, or (d) for a qualified special purpose (e.g., first time homebuyer
expenses).
Distributions that are not qualified distributions would always be tax-free
if the taxpayer is withdrawing contributions, not accumulated earnings.
Taxpayers with AGI of $100,000 or less are eligible to convert an existing
IRA (deductible, nondeductible and conduit) to a Roth IRA. Earnings and
contributions from a deductible IRA are subject to a tax upon conversion;
however, no 10% excise tax for early withdrawal would apply. If the conversion
is done prior to January 1, 1999, then the income from the conversion can be
included in income ratably over a four-year period beginning with the year of
conversion.
Education IRAs
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997, an Education IRA has
been created exclusively for the purpose of paying qualified higher education
expenses. Taxpayers can make non-deductible contributions up to $500 per year
per beneficiary. The $500 annual limit is in addition to the $2,000 annual
contribution limit applicable to IRAs and Roth IRAs. Eligible contributions must
be in cash and made prior to the date the beneficiary reaches age 18. Similar to
the Roth IRA, earnings would accumulate tax-free. There is no requirement that
the contributor be related to the beneficiary, and there is no limit on the
number of beneficiaries for whom one contributor can establish Education IRAs.
In addition, multiple Education IRAs can be created for the same beneficiaries,
however, the contribution limit of all contributions for a single beneficiary
cannot exceed $500 annually.
This $500 annual contribution limit for Education IRAs is phased out
ratably for single contributors with modified AGI between $95,000 and $110,000,
and for couples filing jointly with modified AGI of between $150,000 and
$160,000. Individuals with modified AGI above the phase-out range are not
allowed to make contributions to an Education IRA established on behalf of any
other individual.
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Distributions from an Education IRA are excludable from gross income to the
extent that the distribution does not exceed qualified higher education expenses
incurred by the beneficiary during the year the distribution is made regardless
of whether the beneficiary is enrolled at an eligible educational institution on
a full-time, half-time, or less than half-time basis.
Any balance remaining in an Education IRA at the time a beneficiary becomes
30 years old must be distributed, and the earnings portion of such a
distribution will be includable in gross income of the beneficiary and subject
to an additional 10% penalty tax if the distribution is not for qualified higher
education expenses. Tax-free (and penalty-free) transfers and rollovers of
account balances from one Education IRA benefiting one beneficiary to another
Education IRA benefiting a different beneficiary (as well as redesignations of
the named beneficiary) is permitted, provided that the new beneficiary is a
member of the family of the old beneficiary and that the transfer or rollover is
made before the time the old beneficiary reaches age 30 and the new beneficiary
reaches age 18.
A company or association may establish a Group IRA or Group Roth IRA for
employees or members who want to purchase shares of the Fund.
Investments generally must be held in the IRA until age 59 1/2 in order to
avoid premature distribution penalties, but distributions generally must
commence no later than April 1 of the calendar year following the year in which
the participant reaches age 70 1/2. Individuals are entitled to revoke the
account, for any reason and without penalty, by mailing written notice of
revocation to Delaware Management Trust Company within seven days after the
receipt of the IRA Disclosure Statement or within seven days after the
establishment of the IRA, except, if the IRA is established more than seven days
after receipt of the IRA Disclosure Statement, the account may not be revoked.
Distributions from the account (except for the pro-rata portion of any
nondeductible contributions) are fully taxable as ordinary income in the year
received. Excess contributions removed after the tax filing deadline, plus
extensions, for the year in which the excess contributions were made are subject
to a 6% excise tax on the amount of excess. Premature distributions
(distributions made before age 59 1/2, except for death, disability and certain
other limited circumstances) will be subject to a 10% excise tax on the amount
prematurely distributed, in addition to the income tax resulting from the
distribution. For information concerning the applicability of a CDSC upon
redemption of Class B Shares and Class C Shares, see Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge - Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
Effective January 1, 1997, the 10% premature distribution penalty will not
apply to distributions from an IRA that are used to pay medical expenses in
excess of 7.5% of adjusted gross income or to pay health insurance premiums by
an individual who has received unemployment compensation for 12 consecutive
weeks. In addition, effective January 1, 1998, the new law allows for premature
distribution without a 10% penalty if (i) the amounts are used to pay qualified
higher education expenses (including graduate level courses) of the taxpayer,
the taxpayer's spouse or any child or grandchild of the taxpayer or the
taxpayer's spouse, or (ii) used to pay acquisition costs of a principle
residence for the purchase of a first-time home by the taxpayer, taxpayer's
spouse or any child or grandchild of the taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse. A
qualified first-time homebuyer is someone who has had no ownership interest in a
residence during the past two years. The aggregate amount of distribution for
first-time home purchases cannot exceed a lifetime cap of $10,000.
Simplified Employee Pension Plan ("SEP/IRA")
A SEP/IRA may be established by an employer who wishes to sponsor a
tax-sheltered retirement program by making contributions on behalf of all
eligible employees. Each of the Classes are available for investment by a
SEP/IRA.
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Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension Plan ("SAR/SEP")
Although new SAR/SEP plans may not be established after December 31, 1996,
existing plans may continue to be maintained by employers having 25 or fewer
employees. An employer may elect to make additional contributions to such
existing plans.
Prototype 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan
Section 401(k) of the Code permits employers to establish qualified plans
based on salary deferral contributions. Effective January 1, 1997,
non-governmental tax-exempt organizations may establish 401(k) plans. Plan
documents are available to enable employers to establish a plan. An employer may
also elect to make profit sharing contributions and/or matching contributions
with investments in only Class A Shares and Class C Shares or certain other
funds in the Delaware Investments family. Purchases under the Plan may be
combined for purposes of computing the reduced front-end sales charge applicable
to Class A Shares as set forth in the table the Prospectus for the Fund Classes.
Deferred Compensation Plan for Public Schools and Non-Profit Organizations
("403(b)(7)")
Section 403(b)(7) of the Code permits public school systems and certain
non-profit organizations to use mutual fund shares held in a custodial account
to fund deferred compensation arrangements for their employees. A custodial
account agreement is available for those employers who wish to purchase shares
of any of the Classes in conjunction with such an arrangement. Purchases under
the Plan may be combined for purposes of computing the reduced front-end sales
charge applicable to Class A Shares as set forth in the table the Prospectus for
the Fund Classes.
Deferred Compensation Plan for State and Local Government Employees ("457")
Section 457 of the Code permits state and local governments, their agencies
and certain other entities to establish a deferred compensation plan for their
employees who wish to participate. This enables employees to defer a portion of
their salaries and any federal (and possibly state) taxes thereon. Such plans
may invest in shares of the Fund. Although investors may use their own plan,
there is available a Delaware Investments 457 Deferred Compensation Plan.
Interested investors should contact the Distributor or their investment dealers
to obtain further information. Purchases under the Plan may be combined for
purposes of computing the reduced front-end sales charge applicable to Class A
Shares as set forth in the table in the Prospectus for the Fund Classes.
SIMPLE IRA
A SIMPLE IRA combines many of the features of an IRA and a 401(k) Plan but
is easier to administer than a typical 401(k) Plan. It requires employers to
make contributions on behalf of their employees and also has a salary deferral
feature that permits employees to defer a portion of their salary into the plan
on a pre-tax basis. A SIMPLE IRA is available only to plan sponsors with 100 or
fewer employees.
SIMPLE 401(k)
A SIMPLE 401(k) is like a regular 401(k) except that it is available only
to plan sponsors 100 or fewer employees and, in exchange for mandatory plan
sponsor contributions, discrimination testing is no longer required. Class B
Shares are not available for purchase by such plans.
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DETERMINING OFFERING PRICE AND NET ASSET VALUE
Orders for purchases of Class A Shares are effected at the offering price
next calculated after receipt of the order by the Fund, it agent or certain
other authorized persons. See Distribution and Service under Investment
Management Agreement. Orders for purchases of Class B Shares, Class C Shares and
Institutional Class shares are effected at the net asset value per share next
calculated after receipt of the order by the Fund, its agent or certain other
authorized persons. Selling dealers are responsible for transmitting orders
promptly.
The offering price for Class A Shares consists of the net asset value per
share plus any applicable sales charges. Offering price and net asset value 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 New
York Stock Exchange is scheduled to be open Monday through Friday throughout the
year except for days when the following holidays are observed: New Year's Day,
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. When the New York Stock
Exchange is closed, the Fund will generally be closed, pricing calculations will
not be made and purchase and redemption orders will not be processed.
An example showing how to calculate the net asset value per share and, in
the case of Class A Shares, the offering price per share, is included in the
Fund's financial statements which are incorporated by reference into this Part
B.
The Fund's net asset value per share is computed by adding the value of all
the securities and other assets in the Fund's portfolio, deducting any
liabilities of the Fund, and dividing by the number of Fund shares outstanding.
Expenses and fees are accrued daily. In determining the Fund's total net assets,
portfolio securities primarily listed or traded on a national or foreign
securities exchange, except for bonds, are valued at the last sale price on that
exchange. Exchange traded options are valued at the last reported sale price or,
if no sales are reported, at the mean between bid and asked prices. Non-exchange
traded options are valued at fair value using a mathematical model. Futures
contracts are valued at their daily quoted settlement price. For valuation
purposes, foreign currencies and foreign securities denominated in foreign
currency values will be converted into U.S. dollar values at the mean between
the bid and offered quotations of such currencies against U.S. dollars based on
rates in effect that day. Securities not traded on a particular day,
over-the-counter securities, and government and agency securities are valued at
the mean value between bid and asked prices. Money market instruments having a
maturity of less than 60 days are valued at amortized cost. Debt securities
(other than short-term obligations) are valued on the basis of valuations
provided by a pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect the fair
value of such securities. Foreign securities and the prices of foreign
securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars
based on rates in effect as of 12 p.m., Eastern time. Use of a pricing service
has been approved by the Board of Directors. Prices provided by a pricing
service take into account appropriate factors such as institutional trading in
similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of
issue, trading characteristics and other market data. Subject to the foregoing,
securities for which market quotations are not readily available and other
assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith and in a method
approved by the Board of Directors.
Each Class of the Fund will bear, pro-rata, all of the common expenses of
the Fund. 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
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Classes, except that Institutional Class will not incur any of the expenses
under Equity Funds III's 12b-1 Plans and Class A Shares, Class B Shares and
Class C Shares alone will bear the 12b-1 Plan expenses payable under their
respective Plans. Due to the specific distribution expenses and other costs that
will be allocable to each Class, the net asset value of each Class of the Fund
will vary.
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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 equity funds, tax-advantaged funds, bond 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 the Fund that has
the checkwriting feature. Exchanges are subject to the requirements of the Fund
and all exchanges of shares constitute taxable events. 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 the Delaware Investments directly for
fund information.
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 the Prospectus. 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 Shares 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
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suspend, terminate, or amend the terms of the exchange privilege upon 60 days'
written notice to shareholders.
In addition to redemption of Fund shares, the Distributor, acting as agent
of the Fund, offers to repurchase Fund shares from broker/dealers acting on
behalf of shareholders. The redemption or repurchase price, which may be more or
less than the shareholder's cost, is the net asset value per share next
determined after receipt of the request in good order by the Fund, its agent, or
certain authorized persons, subject to applicable CDSC or Limited CDSC. This is
computed and effective at the time the offering price and net asset value are
determined. See Determining Offering Price and Net Asset Value. The Fund and the
Distributor end their business days at 5 p.m., Eastern time. This offer is
discretionary and may be completely withdrawn without further notice by the
Distributor.
Orders for the repurchase of Fund shares which are submitted to the
Distributor prior to the close of its business day will be executed at the net
asset value per share computed that day (subject to the applicable CDSC or
Limited CDSC), if the repurchase order was received by the broker/dealer from
the shareholder prior to the time the offering price and net asset value are
determined on such day. The selling dealer has the responsibility of
transmitting orders to the Distributor promptly. Such repurchase is then settled
as an ordinary transaction with the broker/dealer (who may make a charge to the
shareholder for this service) delivering the shares repurchased.
Payment for shares redeemed will ordinarily be mailed the next business
day, but in no case later than seven days, after receipt of a redemption request
in good order by the Fund or certain other authorized persons (see Distribution
and Service under Investment Management Agreement); provided, however, that each
commitment to mail or wire redemption proceeds by a certain time, as described
below, is modified by the qualifications described in the next paragraph.
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 purchase 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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If a shareholder has been credited with a purchase by a check which is
subsequently returned unpaid for insufficient funds or for any other reason, the
Fund will automatically redeem from the shareholder's account the shares
purchased by the check plus any dividends earned thereon. Shareholders may be
responsible for any losses to the Fund or to the Distributor.
In case of a suspension of the determination of the net asset value because
the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than weekends or holidays, or
trading thereon is restricted or an emergency exists as a result of which
disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practical, or
it is not reasonably practical for the Fund fairly to value its assets, or in
the event that the SEC has provided for such suspension for the protection of
shareholders, the Fund may postpone payment or suspend the right of redemption
or repurchase. In such case, the shareholder may withdraw the request for
redemption or leave it standing as a request for redemption at the net asset
value next determined after the suspension has been terminated.
Payment for shares redeemed or repurchased may be made either in cash or
kind, or partly in cash and partly in kind. Any portfolio securities paid or
distributed in kind would be valued as described in Determining Offering Price
and Net Asset Value. Subsequent sale by an investor receiving a distribution in
kind could result in the payment of brokerage commissions. However, Equity Funds
III has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to
which the Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of such Fund during any 90-day period for
any one shareholder.
The value of the Fund's investments is subject to changing market prices.
Thus, a shareholder reselling shares to the Fund may sustain either a gain or
loss, depending upon the price paid and the price received for such shares.
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Certain redemptions of Class A Shares purchased at net asset value may
result in the imposition of a Limited CDSC. See Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares Purchased at Net Asset Value, below.
Class B Shares are subject to a CDSC of: (i) 5% if shares are redeemed within
one year of purchase; (ii) 4% if shares are redeemed during the second year
after purchase (iii) 3% if shares are redeemed during the third or fourth year
following purchase; (iv) 2% if shares are redeemed during the fifth year
following purchase; and (v) 1% if shares are redeemed during the sixth year
following purchase. Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC of 1% if shares are
redeemed within 12 months following purchase. See Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge - Class B Shares and Class C Shares under Purchasing Shares. Except for
the applicable CDSC or Limited CDSC and, with respect to the expedited payment
by wire described below for which, in the case of the Fund Classes, there is
currently a $7.50 bank wiring cost, neither the Fund nor the Distributor charges
a fee for redemptions or repurchases, but such fees could be charged at any time
in the future.
Holders of Class B Shares or Class C Shares that exchange their shares
("Original Shares") for shares of other funds in the 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 Part B 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
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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.
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. A signature guarantee can be obtained from a
commercial bank, a trust company or a member of a Securities Transfer
Association Medallion Program ("STAMP"). 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.
Written Exchange
You may also write to the Fund (at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
19103) to request an exchange of any or all of your shares into another mutual
fund in 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
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 which you have your account 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
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procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine
(including verification of a form of personal identification) as, if it does
not, such Fund or the Transfer Agent may be liable for any losses due to
unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. Telephone instructions received by the
Fund Classes 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. If the
proceeds are wired to the shareholder's account at a bank which is not a member
of the Federal Reserve System, there could be a delay in the crediting of the
funds to the shareholder's bank account. First Union National Bank's fee
(currently $7.50) will be deducted from Fund Class 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.
Telephone Exchange
The Telephone Exchange feature is a convenient and efficient way to adjust
your investment holdings as your liquidity requirements and investment
objectives change. You or your investment dealer of record can exchange your
shares into other funds in 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 the Fund, as described above. Telephone exchanges may be subject
to limitations as to amounts or frequency.
The telephone exchange privilege is intended as a convenience to
shareholders and is not intended to be a vehicle to speculate on short-term
swings in the securities market through frequent transactions in and out of the
funds in the Delaware Investments family. Telephone exchanges may be subject to
limitations as to amounts or frequency. The Transfer Agent and the Fund reserve
the right to record exchange instructions received by telephone and to reject
exchange requests at any time in the future.
MoneyLine (SM) On Demand
You or your investment dealer may request redemptions of Fund shares by
phone using MoneyLine (SM) On Demand. When you authorize the Fund to accept such
requests from you or your investment dealer, funds will be 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 $50,000 maximum limit for MoneyLine (SM) On Demand transactions. See
MoneyLine (SM) On Demand under Investment Plans.
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Right to Refuse Timing Accounts
With regard to accounts that are administered by market timing services
("Timing Firms") to purchase or redeem shares based on changing economic and
market conditions ("Timing Accounts"), the Fund will refuse any new timing
arrangements, as well as any new purchases (as opposed to exchanges) in Delaware
Investments funds from Timing Firms. The Fund reserves the right to temporarily
or permanently terminate the exchange privilege or reject any specific purchase
order for any person whose transactions seem to follow a timing pattern who: (i)
makes an exchange request out of the Fund within two weeks of an earlier
exchange request out of the Fund, or (ii) makes more than two exchanges out of
the Fund per calendar quarter, or (iii) exchanges shares equal in value to at
least $5 million, or more than 1/4 of 1% of the Fund's net assets. Accounts
under common ownership or control, including accounts administered so as to
redeem or purchase shares based upon certain predetermined market indicators,
will be aggregated for purposes of the exchange limits.
Restrictions on Timed Exchanges
Timing Accounts operating under existing timing agreements may only execute
exchanges between the following eight Delaware Investments funds: (1) Decatur
Income Fund, (2) Decatur Total Return Fund, (3) Small Cap Value Fund, (4)
Limited-Term Government Fund, (5) Trend Fund, (6) Delaware Cash Reserve, (7)
Delchester Fund and (8) Tax-Free Pennsylvania Fund. No other Delaware
Investments funds are available for timed exchanges. Assets redeemed or
exchanged out of Timing Accounts in Delaware Investments funds not listed above
may not be reinvested back into that Timing Account. The Fund reserves the right
to apply these same restrictions to the account(s) of any person whose
transactions seem to follow a time pattern (as described above).
The Fund also reserves the right to refuse the purchase side of an exchange
request by any Timing Account, person, or group if, in the Manager's judgment,
the Fund would be unable to invest effectively in accordance with its investment
objectives and policies, or would otherwise potentially be adversely affected. A
shareholder's purchase exchanges may be restricted or refused if the Fund
receives or anticipates simultaneous orders affecting significant portions of
the Fund's assets. In particular, a pattern of exchanges that coincide with a
"market timing" strategy may be disruptive to the Fund and therefore may be
refused.
Except as noted above, only shareholders and their authorized brokers of
record will be permitted to make exchanges or redemptions.
Systematic Withdrawal Plans
Shareholders of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares who own
or purchase $5,000 or more of shares at the offering price, or net asset value,
as applicable, for which certificates have not been issued may establish a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan for monthly withdrawals of $25 or more, or quarterly
withdrawals of $75 or more, although the Fund does not recommend any specific
amount of withdrawal. This is particularly useful to shareholders living on
fixed incomes, since it can provide them with a stable supplemental amount. This
$5,000 minimum does not apply for the Fund's prototype retirement plans. Shares
purchased with the initial investment and through reinvestment of cash dividends
and realized securities profits distributions will be credited to the
shareholder's account and sufficient full and fractional shares will be redeemed
at the net asset value calculated on the third business day preceding the
mailing date.
Checks are dated either the 1st or the 15th of the month, as selected by
the shareholder (unless such date falls on a holiday or a weekend), and are
normally mailed within two business days. Both ordinary income dividends and
realized securities profits distributions will be automatically reinvested in
additional shares of the Class at net asset value. This plan is not recommended
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for all investors and should be started only after careful consideration of its
operation and effect upon the investor's savings and investment program. To the
extent that withdrawal payments from the plan exceed any dividends and/or
realized securities profits distributions paid on shares held under the plan,
the withdrawal payments will represent a return of capital, and the share
balance may in time be depleted, particularly in a declining market.
Shareholders should not purchase additional shares while participating in a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
The sale of shares for withdrawal payments constitutes a taxable event and
a shareholder may incur a capital gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.
This gain or loss may be long-term or short-term depending on the holding period
for the specific shares liquidated. Premature withdrawals from retirement plans
may have adverse tax consequences.
Withdrawals under this plan made concurrently with the purchases of
additional shares may be disadvantageous to the shareholder. Purchases of Class
A Shares through a periodic investment program in the Fund managed by the
Manager must be terminated before a Systematic Withdrawal Plan with respect to
such shares can take effect, except if the shareholder is a participant in one
of our retirement plans or is investing in Delaware Investments funds which do
not carry a sales charge. Redemptions of Class A Shares pursuant to a Systematic
Withdrawal Plan may be subject to a Limited CDSC if the purchase was made at net
asset value and a dealer's commission has been paid on that purchase. The
applicable CDSC for Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares redeemed
via a Systematic Withdrawal Plan will be waived if, on the date that the Plan is
established, the annual amount selected to be withdrawn is less than 12% of the
account balance. If the annual amount selected to be withdrawn exceeds 12% of
the account balance on the date that the Systematic Withdrawal Plan is
established, all redemptions under the Plan will be subject to the applicable
CDSC. Whether a waiver of the CDSC is 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 Charges, below.
An investor wishing to start a Systematic Withdrawal Plan must complete an
authorization form. If the recipient of Systematic Withdrawal Plan payments is
other than the registered shareholder, the shareholder's signature on this
authorization must be guaranteed. 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. This plan may be terminated by the shareholder or the Transfer
Agent at any time by giving written notice.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan payments are normally made by check. In the
alternative, you may elect to have your payments transferred from your Fund
account to your predesignated bank account through the MoneyLine (SM) 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. It may take up to four business days for the transactions to
be completed. You can initiate this service by completing an Account Services
form. If your name and address are not identical to the name and address on your
Fund account, you must have your signature guaranteed. The Fund does not charge
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a fee for any this service; however, your bank may charge a fee. This service is
not available for retirement plans.
The Systematic Withdrawal Plan is not available for the Institutional
Class. Shareholders should consult with their financial advisers to determine
whether a Systematic Withdrawal Plan would be suitable for them.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares
Purchased at Net Asset Value
For purchases of $1,000,000 or more made on or after July 1, 1998, a
Limited CDSC will be imposed on certain redemptions of Class A Shares (or shares
into which such Class A Shares are exchanged) according to the following
schedule: (1) 1.00% if shares are redeemed during the first year after the
purchase; and (2) 0.50% if such shares are redeemed during the second year after
the purchase, if such purchases were made at net asset value and triggered the
payment by the Distributor of the dealer's commission described above.
The Limited CDSC will be paid to the Distributor and will be assessed on an
amount equal to the lesser 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 two years 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 two-year
holding period. The Limited CDSC is assessed if such two year 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.
Waivers of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges
Waiver of Limited Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class A Shares
The Limited CDSC for Class A Shares on which a dealer's commission has been
paid will be waived in the following instances: (i) redemptions that result from
the Fund's right to liquidate a shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset
value of the shares held in the account is less than the then-effective minimum
account size; (ii) distributions to participants from a retirement plan
qualified under section 401(a) or 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), or due to death of a participant in such a plan; (iii)
redemptions pursuant to the direction of a participant or beneficiary of a
retirement plan qualified under section 401(a) or 401(k) of the Code with
respect to that retirement plan; (iv) periodic distributions from an IRA, SIMPLE
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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 Internal Revenue 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 Purchasing Shares).
Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class B Shares 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 Plan; (iii) periodic distributions from
an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SAR/SEP, SEP/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 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 Internal
Revenue Code; (iv) distributions from a 403(b)(7) or 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) or 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 A Shares, Class B Shares 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 REALIZED SECURITIES PROFITS DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund will make payments from its net investment income and net realized
securities profits, if any, twice a year. The first payment 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.
All dividends and any capital gains distributions will be automatically
reinvested for the shareholder in additional shares of the same Class at net
asset value unless, in the case of shareholders in the Fund Classes, the
shareholder requests in writing that such dividends and/or distributions be paid
in cash. Dividend payments of $1.00 or less will be automatically reinvested,
notwithstanding a shareholder's election to receive dividends in cash. If such a
shareholder's dividends increase to greater than $1.00, the shareholder would
have to file a new election in order to begin receiving dividends in cash again.
Each Class of shares of the Fund will share proportionately in the
investment income and expenses of the Fund, except that Class A Shares, Class B
Shares and Class C Shares alone will incur distribution fees under their
respective 12b-1 Plans.
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 the shareholder's account at
the then-current net asset value and the dividend option may be changed from
cash to reinvest. The Fund may deduct from a shareholder's account the costs of
the Fund's effort to locate a shareholder if a shareholder's mail is returned by
the United States Post Office or the Fund is otherwise unable to locate the
shareholder or verify the shareholder's mailing address. These costs may include
a percentage of the account when a search company charges a percentage fee in
exchange for their location services.
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TAXES
It is the Fund's policy to pay out substantially all net investment income
and net realized gains to shareholders to relieve the Fund of federal income tax
liability on that portion of its income paid to shareholders under Subchapter M
of the Code. The Fund has met these requirements in previous years and intends
to meet them this year. Such distributions are taxable as ordinary income or
capital gain to those shareholders who are liable for federal income tax. The
Fund also intends to meet the calendar year distribution requirements imposed by
the Code to avoid the imposition of a 4% excise tax.
Distributions may also be subject to state and local taxes; shareholders
are advised to consult with their tax advisers in this regard. Shares of the
Fund will be exempt from Pennsylvania personal property taxes.
Dividends representing net investment income or short-term capital gains
are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of long-term
capital gains, if any, are taxable as long-term capital gain regardless of the
length of time an investor has held such shares, and these gains are currently
taxed at long-term capital gain rates. The tax status of dividends and
distributions will not be affected by whether they are paid in cash or in
additional shares. A portion of these distributions may be eligible for the
dividends-received deduction for corporations. The portion of dividends, if any,
paid by the Fund that so qualifies will be designated each year in a notice
mailed to the Fund's shareholders, and cannot exceed the gross amount of
dividends received by the Fund from domestic (U.S.) corporations that would have
qualified for the dividends-received deduction in the hands of the Fund if the
Fund was a regular corporation. The availability of the dividends-received
deduction is subject to certain holding period and debt financing restrictions
imposed under the Code on the corporation claiming the deduction. Under the 1997
Act, the amount that the Fund may designate as eligible for the
dividends-received deduction will be reduced or eliminated if the shares on
which the dividends earned by the Fund were debt-financed or held by the Fund
for less than a 46-day period during a 90-day period beginning 45 days before
the ex-dividend date and ending 45 days after the ex-dividend date. Similarly,
if your Fund shares are debt-financed or held by you for less than a 46-day
period during a 90-day period beginning 45 days before the ex-dividend date and
ending 45 days after the ex-dividend date, then the dividends-received deduction
for Fund dividends on your shares may also be reduced or eliminated. Even if
designated as dividends eligible for the dividends-received deduction, all
dividends (including any deducted portion) must be included in your alternative
minimum taxable income calculation. Advice as to the tax status of each year's
dividends and distributions, when paid, will be mailed annually.
If the net asset value of shares were reduced below a shareholder's cost by
distribution of gain realized on sale of securities, such distribution would be
a return of investment though taxable as stated above. The Fund's portfolio
securities had an unrealized appreciation for tax purposes of $000,000,000 as of
June 30, 1999.
Prior to purchasing shares of the Fund, you should carefully consider the
impact of dividends or realized securities profits distributions which have been
declared but not paid. Any such dividends or realized securities profits
distributions paid shortly after a purchase of shares by an investor will have
the effect of reducing the per share net asset value of such shares by the
amount of the dividends or realized securities profits distributions. All or a
portion of such dividends or realized securities profits distributions, although
in effect a return of capital, are subject to taxes which may be at ordinary
income tax rates. The purchase of shares just prior to the ex-dividend date has
an adverse effect for income tax purposes.
Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, as revised by the Internal Revenue
Service Act of 1998 (the "1998 Act") and the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations Act, the Fund is required to track its sales of
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portfolio securities and to report its capital gain distributions to you
according to the following categories of holding periods:
"Mid-term capital gains" or "28 percent rate gain": securities sold by the
Fund after July 28, 1997 that were held more than one year but not more
than 18 months. These gains will be taxable to individual investors at a
maximum rate of 28%. This category of gains applied only to gains and
distributions in 1997.
"1997 Act long-term capital gains" or "20 percent rate gain": securities
sold between May 7, 1997 and July 28, 1997 that were held for more than 12
months, and securities sold by the Fund after July 28, 1997 that were held
for more than 18 months. As revised by the 1998 Act, this rate applies to
securities held for more than 12 months and sold in tax years beginning
after December 1, 1997. These gains will be taxable to individual investors
at a maximum rate of 20% for investors in the 28% or higher federal income
tax brackets, and at a maximum rate of 10% for investors in the 15% federal
income tax bracket. The Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Act passed in October of 1998 included technical corrections
to the 1998 Act. The effect of this correction is that essentially all
capital gain distributions paid to shareholders during 1998 will be taxed
at a maximum rate of 20%.
"Qualified 5-year gains": For individuals in the 15% bracket, qualified
five-year gains are net gains on securities held for more than 5 years
which are sold after December 31, 2000. For individual who are subject to
tax at higher rate brackets, qualified five-year gains are net gains on
securities which are purchased after December 31, 2000 and are held for
more than five years. Taxpayers subject to tax at a higher rate brackets
may also make an election for shares held on January 1, 2001 to recognize
gain on their shares in order to qualify such shares as qualified five-year
property. These gains will be taxable to individual investors at a maximum
rate of 18% for investors in the 28% or higher federal income tax brackets,
and at a maximum rate of 8% for investors in the 15% federal income tax
bracket when sold after the five-year holding period.
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 it satisfies other requirements
relating to the sources of its income and diversification of its assets. In
order to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal income tax
purposes, the Fund must meet certain specific requirements, including:
(i) The Fund must maintain a diversified portfolio of securities, wherein
no security (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other
regulated investment companies) can exceed 25% of the Fund's total assets, and,
with respect to 50% of the Fund's total assets, no investment (other than cash
and cash items, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated
investment companies) can exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets;
(ii) The Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or
disposition of stock and securities or foreign currencies, or other income
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or
currencies;
(iii) The Fund must distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income for each of its
fiscal years, and
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(iv) The Fund must realize less than 30% of its gross income for each
fiscal year from gains from the sale of securities and certain other assets that
have been held by the Fund for less than three months ("short-short income").
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the "1997 Act") repealed the 30% short-short
income test for tax years of regulated investment companies beginning after
August 5, 1997; however, this rule may have continuing effect in some states for
purposes of classifying the Fund as a regulated investment company.
The Code requires the Fund to distribute at least 98% of its taxable
ordinary income earned during the calendar year and 98% of its capital gain net
income earned during the 12 month period ending October 31 (in addition to
amounts from the prior year that were neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund)
to shareholders by December 31 of each year in order to avoid federal excise
taxes. The Fund intends as a matter of policy to declare and pay sufficient
dividends in December or January (which are treated by shareholders as received
in December) but does not guarantee and can give no assurances that its
distributions will be sufficient to eliminate all such taxes.
The straddle rules of Section 1092 may apply. Generally, the straddle
provisions require the deferral of losses to the extent of unrecognized gains
related to the offsetting positions in the straddle. Excess losses, if any, can
be recognized in the year of loss. Deferred losses will be carried forward and
recognized in the year that unrealized losses exceed unrealized gains or when
the offsetting position is sold.
The 1997 Act has also added new provisions for dealing with transactions
that are generally called "Constructive Sale Transactions." Under these rules,
the Fund must recognize gain (but not loss) on any constructive sale of an
appreciated financial position in stock, a partnership interest or certain debt
instruments. The Fund will generally be treated as making a constructive sale
when it: 1) enters into a short sale on the same or substantially identical
property; 2) enters into an offsetting notional principal contract; or 3) enters
into a futures or forward contract to deliver the same or substantially
identical property. Other transactions (including certain financial instruments
called collars) will be treated as constructive sales as provided in Treasury
regulations to be published. There are also certain exceptions that apply for
transactions that are closed before the end of the 30th day after the close of
the taxable year.
Investment in Foreign Currencies and Foreign Securities--The Fund is
authorized to invest certain limited amounts in foreign securities. Such
investments, if made, will have the following additional tax consequences to the
Fund:
Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange rates which occur between the time the Fund accrues income
(including dividends), or accrues expenses which are denominated in a foreign
currency, and the time the Fund actually collects such income or pays such
expenses generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, on the
disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on the
disposition of certain options, futures, forward contracts, gain or loss
attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date
of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of its disposition are
also treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains or losses, referred to under
the Code as "Section 988" gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount
of the Fund's net investment company taxable income, which, in turn, will affect
the amount of income to be distributed to you by the Fund.
If the Fund's Section 988 losses exceed the Fund's other investment company
taxable income during a taxable year, the Fund generally will not be able to
make ordinary dividend distributions to you for that year, or distributions made
before the losses were realized will be recharacterized as return of capital
distributions for federal income tax purposes, rather than as an ordinary
dividend or capital gain distribution. If a distribution is treated as a return
of capital, your tax basis in your Fund shares will be reduced by a like amount
(to the extent of such basis), and any excess of the distribution over your tax
basis in your Fund shares will be treated as capital gain to you.
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The 1997 Act generally requires that foreign income be translated into U.S.
dollars at the average exchange rate for the tax year in which the transactions
are conducted. Certain exceptions apply to taxes paid more than two years after
the taxable year to which they relate. This new law may require the Fund to
track and record adjustments to foreign taxes paid on foreign securities in
which it invests. Under the Fund's current reporting procedure, foreign security
transactions are recorded generally at the time of each transaction using the
foreign currency spot rate available for the date of each transaction. Under the
new law, the Fund will be required to record at fiscal year end (and at calendar
year end for excise tax purposes) an adjustment that reflects the difference
between the spot rates recorded for each transaction and the year-end average
exchange rate for all of the Fund's foreign securities transactions. There is a
possibility that the mutual fund industry will be given relief from this new
provision, in which case no year-end adjustments will be required.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on income from certain
of its foreign securities. If more than 50% of the total assets of the Fund at
the end of its fiscal year are invested in securities of foreign corporations,
the Fund may elect to pass-through to you your pro rata share of foreign taxes
paid by the Fund. If this election is made, you will be: (i) required to include
in your gross income your pro rata share of foreign source income (including any
foreign taxes paid by the Fund); and (ii) entitled to either deduct your share
of such foreign taxes in computing your taxable income or to claim a credit for
such taxes against your U.S. income tax, subject to certain limitations under
the Code. You will be informed by the Fund at the end of each calendar year
regarding the availability of any such foreign tax credits and the amount of
foreign source income (including any foreign taxes paid by the Fund). If the
Fund elects to pass-through to you the foreign income taxes that it has paid,
you will be informed at the end of the calendar year of the amount of foreign
taxes paid and foreign source income that must be included on your federal
income tax return. If the Fund invests 50% or less of its total assets in
securities of foreign corporations, it will not be entitled to pass-through to
you your pro-rata shares of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. In this case, these
taxes will be taken as a deduction by the Fund, and the income reported to you
will be the net amount after these deductions. The 1997 Act also simplifies the
procedures by which investors in funds that invest in foreign securities can
claim tax credits on their individual income tax returns for the foreign taxes
paid by the Fund. These provisions will allow investors who pay foreign taxes of
$300 or less on a single return or $600 or less on a joint return during any
year (all of which must be reported on IRS Form 1099-DIV from the Fund to the
investor) to claim a tax credit against their U.S. federal income tax for the
amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. This process will allow you, if you
qualify, to bypass the burdensome and detailed reporting requirements on the
foreign tax credit schedule (Form 1116) and report your foreign taxes paid
directly on page 2 of Form 1040. You should note that this simplified procedure
will not be available until calendar year 1998.
Investment in Passive Foreign Investment Company Securities--The Fund may
invest in shares of foreign corporations which may be classified under the Code
as passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs"). In general, a foreign
corporation is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets
constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is
investment-type income. If the Fund receives an "excess distribution" with
respect to PFIC stock, the Fund itself may be subject to U.S. federal income tax
on a portion of the distribution, whether or not the corresponding income is
distributed by the Fund to you. In general, under the PFIC rules, an excess
distribution is treated as having been realized ratably over the period during
which the Fund held the PFIC shares. The Fund itself will be subject to tax on
the portion, if any, of an excess distribution that is so allocated to prior
Fund taxable years, and an interest factor will be added to the tax, as if the
tax had been payable in such prior taxable years. In this case, you would not be
permitted to claim a credit on your own tax return for the tax paid by the Fund.
Certain distributions from a PFIC as well as gain from the sale of PFIC shares
are treated as excess distributions. Excess distributions are characterized as
-57-
<PAGE>
ordinary income even though, absent application of the PFIC rules, certain
distribution might have been classified as capital gain. This may have the
effect of increasing Fund distributions to you that are treated as ordinary
dividends rather than long-term capital gain dividends.
The Fund may be eligible to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to
PFIC shares. Under an election that currently is available in some
circumstances, the Fund generally would be required to include in its gross
income its share of the earnings of a PFIC on a current basis, regardless of
whether distributions are received from the PFIC during such period. If this
election were made, the special rules, discussed above, relating to the taxation
of excess distributions, would not apply. In addition, the 1997 Act provides for
another election that would involve marking-to-market the Fund's PFIC shares at
the end of each taxable year (and on certain other dates as prescribed in the
Code), with the result that unrealized gains would be treated as though they
were realized. The Fund would also be allowed an ordinary deduction for the
excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of its investment in the PFIC stock over
its fair market value at the end of the taxable year. This deduction would be
limited to the amount of any net mark-to-market gains previously included with
respect to that particular PFIC security. If the Fund were to make this second
PFIC election, tax at the Fund level under the PFIC rules would generally be
eliminated.
The application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the
amount of tax payable by the Fund (if any), the amounts distributable to you by
the Fund, the time at which these distributions must be made, and whether these
distributions will be classified as ordinary income or capital gain
distributions to you.
You should be aware that it is not always possible at the time shares of a
foreign corporation are acquired to ascertain that the foreign corporation is a
PFIC, and that there is always a possibility that a foreign corporation will
become a PFIC after the Fund acquires shares in that corporation. While the Fund
will generally seek to avoid investing in PFIC shares to avoid the tax
consequences detailed above, there are no guarantees that it will do so and it
reserves the right to make such investments as a matter of its fundamental
investment policy.
Most foreign exchange gains are classified as ordinary income which will be
taxable to you as such when distributed. Similarly, you should be aware that any
foreign exchange losses realized by the Fund, including any losses realized on
the sale of foreign debt securities, are generally treated as ordinary losses
for federal income tax purposes. This treatment could increase or reduce the
Fund's income available for distribution to you, and may cause some or all of
the Fund's previously distributed income to be classified as a return of
capital.
-58-
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
The Manager, located at One Commerce Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103,
furnishes investment management services to the Fund, subject to the supervision
and direction of Equity Funds III's Board of Trustees.
The Manager and its predecessors have been managing the funds in the
Delaware Investments family since 1938. On June 30, 1999, the Manager and its
affiliates within Delaware Investments, including Delaware International
Advisers Ltd., were managing in the aggregate more than $00 billion in assets in
various institutional or separately managed (approximately $00,00,000,000) and
investment company (approximately $00,000,000,000) accounts.
The Investment Management Agreement for the Fund is dated August _____,
1999 and was approved by shareholders on March 17, 1999. The Agreement has an
initial term of two years and may be renewed only so long as such renewal and
continuance are specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees
or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and
only if the terms and the renewal thereof have been approved by the vote of a
majority of the trustees of Equity Funds III who are not parties thereto or
interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval. The Agreement is terminable without penalty
on 60 days' notice by the trustees of Equity Funds III or by the Manager. The
Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
The compensation paid by the Fund for investment management services is
equal to the following fee rate which is based on the average daily net assets
of the Fund.
0.75% on the first $500 million
0.70 on the next $500 million
0.65% on the next %1.5 billion
0.60% on assets in excess of $2.5 billion
On June 30, 1999, the total net assets of the Fund were $000,000,000.
Investment management fees paid by the Fund during the past three fiscal years
were $4,865,223 for 1997, $4,849,848 for 1998 and 0,000,000 for 1999. Under the
general supervision of the Board of Trustees, the Manager makes all investment
decisions which are implemented by the Fund. The Manager pays the salaries of
all trustees, officers and employees who are affiliated with both the Manager
and the Fund.
Except for those expenses borne by the Manager under the Investment
Management Agreement and the Distributor under the Distribution Agreement, the
Fund is responsible for all of its own expenses. Among others, these include the
Fund's proportionate share of rent and certain other administrative expenses;
the investment management fees; transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees and
costs; custodian expenses; federal and state securities registration fees; proxy
costs; and the costs of preparing prospectuses and reports sent to shareholders.
-59-
<PAGE>
Distribution and Service
The Distributor, Delaware Distributors, L.P., located at 1818 Market
Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, serves as the national distributor of Fund
shares under a Distribution Agreement dated August ____, 1999. The Distributor
is an affiliate of the Manager and bears all of the costs of promotion and
distribution, except for payments by the Fund on behalf of Class A Shares, Class
B Shares and Class C Shares under their respective 12b-1 Plans. Delaware
Distributors, L.P. is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Delaware
Management Holdings, Inc.
The Transfer Agent, Delaware Service Company, Inc., another affiliate of
the Manager located at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, serves as the
Fund's shareholder servicing, dividend disbursing and transfer agent pursuant to
a Shareholders Services Agreement dated August ___, 1999. The Transfer Agent
also provides accounting services to the Fund pursuant to the terms of a
separate Fund Accounting Agreement. The Transfer Agent is also an indirect,
wholly owned subsidiary of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.
The Fund has authorized one or more brokers to accept on its behalf
purchase and redemption orders in addition to the Transfer Agent. Such brokers
are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and
redemption orders on the behalf of the Fund. For purposes of pricing, the Fund
will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an
authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker's authorized designee, accepts the
order. Investors may be charged a fee when effecting transactions through a
broker or agent.
-60-
<PAGE>
OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
The business and affairs of Equity Funds III are managed under the
direction of its Board of Trustees.
Certain officers and trustees of Equity Funds III hold identical positions
in each of the other funds in the Delaware Investments family. On July 31, 1999,
Equity Funds III's officers and trustees owned less than 0% of the outstanding
shares of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and the Institutional
Class.
As of July 31, 1999, management believes the following accounts held 5% or
more of the outstanding shares of a Class of the Fund. With the exception of DMC
Profit Sharing Plans, the Fund has no knowledge of beneficial ownership.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class Name of Address of Account Share Amount Percentage
- ----- -------------------------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Shares Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Class B Shares Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Class C Shares Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Institutional Class Fidelity Investments - Institutional Operations
CO FIICO as Agent
For Certain Employee Benefit Plans
100 Magellan Way
Covington, KY 41015
Merrill Lynch Trust Co.
Trust Qualified Retirement Plans
Attn: Sue Nohilly
265 Davidson Avenue - 3rd Floor
Somerset, NJ 08873
</TABLE>
-61-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class Name of Address of Account Share Amount Percentage
- ----- -------------------------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Institutional Class Bank of New York
TRST First Hospital Corp.
Retirement Plan
Attn: Michael Polis
1 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
Fifth Third Bank
Benefits & PPA
P.O. Box 630074
Cincinnati, OH 45263
Northern Trust
Trust PHH Corp
P.O. Box 92956
Chicago, IL 60675
RS DMC Employee Profit Sharing Plan
Delaware Management Company
Employee Profit Sharing Trust
c/o Rick Seidel
1818 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
</TABLE>
DMH Corp., Delvoy, Inc., Delaware Management Business Trust, Delaware
Management Company, Inc., Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust), Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust), Delaware Distributors, L.P., Delaware Distributors,
Inc., Delaware Service Company, Inc., Delaware Management Trust Company,
Delaware International Holdings Ltd., Founders Holdings, Inc., Delaware
International Advisers Ltd., Delaware Capital Management, Inc. and Retirement
Financial Services, Inc. are direct or indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries 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.
-62-
<PAGE>
Certain officers and trustees of the Fund hold identical positions in each
of the other funds in the Delaware Investments family. Trustees and principal
officers of the Fund are noted below along with their ages and their business
experience for the past five years. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each
officer and director is One Commerce Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
*Wayne A. Stork (62) Director and/or Trustee of the Fund and each of the other 33 investment companies in the Delaware
Investments family.
Chairman and Director of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.
Prior to January 1, 1999, Mr. Stork was Chairman and Director and/or Trustee of Equity Funds II, Inc.
and each of the other 33 investment companies in the Delaware Investments family and Delaware Capital
Management, Inc.; Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of DMH Corp., Delaware
Distributors, Inc. and Founders Holdings, Inc.; Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Investment Officer and Director/Trustee of Delaware Management Company, Inc. and Delaware Management
Business Trust; Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Delaware
Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Investment Officer of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Delaware International Advisers Ltd.,
Delaware International Holdings Ltd. and Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.; President and Chief
Executive Officer of Delvoy, Inc.; Chairman of Delaware Distributors, L.P.; Director of Delaware
Service Company, Inc. and Retirement Financial Services, Inc.
In addition, during the five years prior to January 1, 1999, Mr. Stork has served in various executive
capacities at different times within Delaware Investments.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- ----------------------
*Director affiliated with the Fund's investment manager and considered an
"interested person" as defined in the 1940 Act.
-63-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Richard G. Unruh, Jr. (59) Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Equities of the Fund, each of the other 33
investment companies in the Delaware Investments family and Delaware Management Company (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust)
Executive Vice President of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and Delaware Capital Management, Inc.
and Delaware Management Business Trust
Executive Vice President/Chief Investment Officer, Equities and Director of Delaware Management
Company, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer/Chief Investment Officer, Equities of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series
of Delaware Management Business Trust)
Director of Delaware International Advisers Ltd.
During the past five years, Mr. Unruh has served in various executive capacities at different times
within Delaware Investments.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David K. Downes (59) Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Fund and each of
the other 33 investment companies in the Delaware Investments family, Delaware Management Holdings,
Inc., Founders CBO Corporation, Delaware Capital Management, Inc., Delaware Management Company (a
series of Delaware Management Business Trust), Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust) and Delaware Distributors, L.P.
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Delaware
Management Company, Inc., DMH Corp, Delaware Distributors, Inc., Founders Holdings, Inc. and Delvoy,
Inc.; Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Trustee of
Delaware Management Business Trust
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Delaware Service Company,
Inc.
President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Delaware International
Holdings Ltd.
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Retirement Financial Services, Inc.
Chairman and Director of Delaware Management Trust Company
Director of Delaware International Advisers Ltd.
During the past five years, Mr. Downes has served in various executive capacities at different times
within Delaware Investments.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-64-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Richard J. Flannery (42) Executive Vice President of the Fund and each of the other 33 investment companies in the Delaware
Investments family
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc., Delaware
Distributors, L.P., Delaware Management Trust Company, Delaware Capital Management, Inc., Delaware
Service Company, Inc., Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust),
Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust) and Founders CBO
Corporation
Executive Vice President/General Counsel and Director of DMH Corp., Delaware Management Company, Inc.,
Delaware Distributors, Inc., Delaware International Holdings Ltd., Founders Holdings, Inc., Delvoy,
Inc. and Retirement Financial Services, Inc.
Director of Delaware International Advisers Ltd.
Director, HYPPCO Finance Company Ltd.
During the past five years, Mr. Flannery has served in various executive capacities at different times
within Delaware Investments organization.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walter P. Babich (72)
Director and/or Trustee of the Fund and each of the other 33 investment companies in the Delaware
Investments family
460 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Board Chairman, Citadel Constructors, Inc.
From 1986 to 1988, Mr. Babich was a partner of Irwin & Leighton and from 1988 to 1991, he was a
partner of I&L Investors.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-65-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
John H. Durham (62) Director and/or Trustee of the Fund and 18 other investment companies in the Delaware Investments
family.
Partner, Complete Care Services.
Mr. Durham served as Chairman of the Board of each fund in the Delaware Investments family from 1986
to 1991; President of each fund from 1977 to 1990; and Chief Executive Officer of each fund from 1984
to 1990. Prior to 1992, with respect to Delaware Management Holdings, Inc., Delaware Management
Company, Delaware Distributors, Inc. and Delaware Service Company, Inc., Mr. Durham served as a
director and in various executive capacities at different times.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anthony D. Knerr (60) Director and/or Trustee of the Fund and each of the 33 other investment companies in the Delaware
Investments family
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
Founder and Managing Director, Anthony Knerr & Associates
From 1982 to 1988, Mr. Knerr was Executive Vice President/Finance and Treasurer of Columbia
University, New York. From 1987 to 1989, he was also a lecturer in English at the University. In
addition, Mr. Knerr was Chairman of The Publishing Group, Inc., New York, from 1988 to 1990. Mr. Knerr
founded The Publishing Group, Inc. in 1988.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ann R. Leven (58) Director and/or Trustee of the Fund and each of the other 33 other investment companies in the
Delaware Investments family
785 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021
Treasurer, National Gallery of Art
From 1984 to 1990, Ms. Leven was Treasurer and Chief Fiscal Officer of the Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, DC, and from 1975 to 1992, she was Adjunct Professor of Columbia Business School.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-66-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Thomas F. Madison (63) Director and/or Trustee of the Fund and each of the other 33 investment companies in the Delaware
Investments family
200 South Fifth Street, Suite 2100, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
President and Chief Executive Officer, MLM Partners, Inc.
Mr. Madison has also been Chairman of the Board of Communications Holdings, Inc. since 1996. From
February to September 1994, Mr. Madison served as Vice Chairman--Office of the CEO of The Minnesota
Mutual Life Insurance Company and from 1988 to 1993, he was President of U.S. WEST
Communications--Markets.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles E. Peck (73) Director and/or Trustee of the Fund and each of the other 33 investment companies in the Delaware
Investments family
P.O. Box 1102, Columbia, MD 21044
Secretary/Treasurer, Enterprise Homes, Inc.
From 1981 to 1990, Mr. Peck was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Ryland Group, Inc.,
Columbia, MD.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-67-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Joseph H. Hastings (49) Senior Vice President/Corporate Controller of the Fund and each of the other 33 investment companies
in the Delaware Investments family and Founders Holdings, Inc.
Senior Vice President/Corporate Controller and Treasurer of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc., DMH
Corp., Delaware Management Company, Inc., Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust), Delaware Distributors, L.P., Delaware Distributors, Inc., Delaware Service Company,
Inc., Delaware Capital Management, Inc., Delaware International Holdings Ltd., Delvoy, Inc. and
Delaware Management Business Trust.
Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer of Retirement Financial Services, Inc.
Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer of Delaware Management Trust Company
Senior Vice President/Assistant Treasurer of Founders CBO Corporation
During the past five years, Mr. Hastings has served in various executive capacities at different times
within the Delaware organization.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-68-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Michael P. Bishof (37) Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Fund and each of the other 33 investment companies in the
Delaware Investments family and Founders Holdings, Inc.
Senior Vice President/Investment Accounting of Delaware Management Company, Inc., Delaware Management
Company (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust) and Delaware Service Company, Inc.
Senior Vice President and Treasurer/Manager, Investment Accounting of Delaware Distributors, L.P. and
Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust)
Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of Founders CBO Corporation
Senior Vice President and Manager of Investment Accounting of Delaware International Holdings Ltd.
Before joining Delaware Investments in 1995, Mr. Bishof was a Vice President for Bankers Trust, New
York, NY from 1994 to 1995, a Vice President for CS First Boston Investment Management, New York, NY
from 1993 to 1994 and an Assistant Vice President for Equitable Capital Management Corporation, New
York, NY from 1987 to 1993.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald S. Frey (53) Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Fund and nine other investment companies in the
Delaware Investments family, Delaware Management Company, Inc., Delaware Management Company (a series
of Delaware Management Business Trust) and Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust).
Before joining Delaware Investments in 1996, Mr. Frey was a Senior Director with Morgan Grenfell
Capital Management, New York, NY from 1986 to 1995.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-69-
<PAGE>
The following is a compensation table listing for each director entitled to
receive compensation, the aggregate compensation received from Equity Funds III
and the total compensation received from all investment companies in the
Delaware Investments family for which he or she serves as a director or trustee
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 and an estimate of annual benefits to be
received upon retirement under the Delaware Group Retirement Plan for Trustees
as of June 30, 1999. Only the independent trustees of the Fund receive
compensation from the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pension or Estimated Total Compensation
Aggregate Retirement Annual from the Investment
Compensation Benefits Accrued Benefits Companies in
from Equity as Part of Upon Delaware
Name Funds III, Inc. Fund Expenses Retirement(1) Investments(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Walter P. Babich $0 None $38,000 $0
John H. Durham $0 None $31,180 $0
Anthony D. Knerr $0 None $38,000 $0
Ann R. Leven $0 None $38,000 $0
Thomas F. Madison $0 None $38,000 $0
Charles E. Peck $0 None $38,000 $0
</TABLE>
(1) Under the terms of the Delaware Group Retirement Plan for Trustees, each
disinterested director/trustee who, at the time of his or her retirement
from the Board, has attained the age of 70 and served on the Board for at
least five continuous years, is entitled to receive payments from each
investment company in the Delaware Investments family for which he or she
serves as a director or trustee for a period equal to the lesser of the
number of years that such person served as a director or trustee or the
remainder of such person's life. The amount of such payments will be equal,
on an annual basis, to the amount of the annual retainer that is paid to
trustees of each investment company at the time of such person's retirement.
If an eligible director/trustee retired as of June 30, 1999, he or she would
be entitled to annual payments totaling the amount noted above, in the
aggregate, from all of the investment companies in the Delaware Investments
family for which he or she served as director or trustee, based on the
number of investment companies in the Delaware Investments family as of that
date.
(2) Each independent director/trustee (other than John H. Durham) currently
receives a total annual retainer fee of $38,000 for serving as a director or
trustee for all 33 investment companies in Delaware Investments, plus $3,145
for each Board Meeting attended. John H. Durham currently receives a total
annual retainer fee of $31,180 for serving as a director or trustee for 19
investment companies in Delaware Investments, plus $1,810 for each Board
Meeting attended. Ann R. Leven, Anthony D. Knerr Thomas F. Madison and
Charles E. Peck serve on the Fund's audit committee; Ms. Leven is the
chairperson. Members of the audit committee currently receive additional
annual compensation of $5,000 from all investment companies, in the
aggregate, with the exception of the chairperson, who receives $6,000.
-70-
<PAGE>
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Manager is the investment manager of the Fund. The Manager also
provides investment management services to certain of the other funds available
from the Delaware Investments family. An affiliate of the Manager manages
private investment accounts. While investment decisions of the Fund are made
independently from those of the other funds and accounts, investment decisions
for such other funds and accounts may be made at the same time as investment
decisions for the Fund.
Delaware or Delaware International also manages the investment options for
Delaware-Lincoln Choice Plus and Delaware Medallion (SM) III Variable Annuities.
Choice Plus is issued and distributed by Lincoln National Life Insurance
Company. Choice Plus offers a variety of different investment styles managed by
leading money managers. Medallion is issued by Allmerica Financial Life
Insurance and Annuity Company (First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
in New York and Hawaii). Delaware Medallion offers various investment series
ranging from domestic equity funds, international equity and bond funds and
domestic fixed income funds. Each investment series available through Choice
Plus and Medallion utilizes an investment strategy and discipline the same as or
similar to one of the Delaware Investments mutual funds available outside the
annuity. See Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc., in Appendix A.
Access persons and advisory persons of the funds in the Delaware
Investments family, as those terms are defined in SEC Rule 17j-1 under the 1940
Act, who provide services to the Manager, Delaware International Advisers Ltd.
or their affiliates, are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions
subject to the exceptions set forth in Rule 17j-1 and the following general
restrictions and procedures: (1) certain blackout periods apply to personal
securities transactions of those persons; (2) transactions must receive advance
clearance and must be completed on the same day as the clearance is received;
(3) certain persons are prohibited from investing in initial public offerings of
securities and other restrictions apply to investments in private placements of
securities; (4) opening positions may only be closed-out at a profit after a
60-day holding period has elapsed; and (5) the Compliance Officer must be
informed periodically of all securities transactions and duplicate copies of
brokerage confirmations and account statements must be supplied to the
Compliance Officer.
The Distributor acts as national distributor for the Fund and for the other
mutual funds in the Delaware Investments family. The Distributor ("DDLP")
received net commissions from the Fund on behalf of the Class A Shares, after
reallowances to dealers, as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total
Amount of Amounts Net
Underwriting Reallowed Commission
Fiscal Year Ended Commission to Dealers to DDLP
----------------- ------------ ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
June 30, 1999 $0 $0 $0
June 30, 1998 872,998 722,205 150,793
June 30, 1997 1,602,046 1,336,246 265,831
</TABLE>
-71-
<PAGE>
The Distributor received in the aggregate Limited CDSC payments with
respect to Class A Shares as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended Limited CDSC Payments
----------------- ---------------------
June 30, 1999 $0
June 30, 1998 9,869
June 30, 1997 10,416
The Distributor received in the aggregate CDSC payments with respect to
Class B Shares as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended Limited CDSC Payments
----------------- ---------------------
June 30, 1999 $0
June 30, 1998 190,555
June 30, 1997 175,785
The Distributor received CDSC payments with respect to Class C Shares as
follows:
Fiscal Year Ended Limited CDSC Payments
----------------- ---------------------
June 30, 1999 $0
June 30, 1998 9,374
June 30, 1997 14,972
The Transfer Agent, an affiliate of the Manager, acts as shareholder
servicing, dividend disbursing and transfer agent for the Fund and for the other
mutual funds in the Delaware Investments family. The Transfer Agent is paid a
fee by the Fund for providing these services consisting of an annual per account
charge of $5.50 plus transaction charges for particular services according to a
schedule. Compensation is fixed each year and approved by the Board of Trustees,
including a majority of the disinterested trustees. The Transfer Agent also
provides accounting services to the Fund. Those services include performing all
functions related to calculating the Fund's net asset value and providing all
financial reporting services, regulatory compliance testing and other related
accounting services. For its services, the Transfer Agent is paid a fee based on
total assets of all funds in the Delaware Investments family for which it
provides such accounting services. Such fee is equal to 0.25% multiplied by the
total amount of assets in the complex for which the Transfer Agent furnishes
accounting services, where such aggregate complex assets are $10 billion or
less, and 0.20% of assets if such aggregate complex assets exceed $10 billion.
The fees are charged to the Fund, including the Fund, on an aggregate pro-rata
basis. The asset-based fee payable to the Transfer Agent is subject to a minimum
fee calculated by determining the total number of investment portfolios and
associated classes.
The Manager and its affiliates own the name "Delaware Group." Under certain
circumstances, including the termination of Equity Funds III's advisory
relationship with the Manager or its distribution relationship with the
Distributor, the Manager and its affiliates could cause Equity Funds III to
delete the words "Delaware Group" from Equity Funds III's name.
Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase"), 4 Chase Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY
11245, is custodian of the Fund's securities and cash. As custodian for the
Fund, Chase maintains a separate account or accounts for the Fund; receives,
holds and releases portfolio securities on account of the Fund; receives and
disburses money on behalf of the Fund; and collects and receives income and
other payments and distributions on account of the Fund's portfolio securities.
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Capitalization
Equity Funds III has a present unlimited authorized number of shares of
beneficial interest with no par value allocated to each Class. Each Class
represents a proportionate interest in the assets of the Fund, and each has the
same voting and other rights and preferences as the other classes of the Fund,
except that shares of the Institutional Class may not vote on any matter that
affects the Fund Classes' Distribution Plans under Rule 12b-1. Similarly, as a
general matter, 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 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. General expenses of the Fund will be allocated on a
pro-rata basis to the classes according to asset size, except that expenses of
the Plans of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares will be allocated
solely to those classes.
All shares have no preemptive rights, are fully transferable and, when
issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and, except as described above, have
equal voting rights.
Prior to September 6, 1994, Trend Fund A Class was known as Trend Fund
class and Trend Fund Institutional Class was known as Trend Fund (Institutional)
class.
Effective as of August 29, 1997, the name of Delaware Group Trend Fund,
Inc. was changed to Delaware Group Equity Funds III, Inc. and effective August
27, 1999 the name of Delaware Group Equity Funds III, Inc. was changed to
Delaware Group Equity Funds III.
Noncumulative Voting
Equity Funds III shares have noncumulative voting rights which means that
the holders of more than 50% of the shares of Equity Funds III voting for the
election of trustees can elect all the trustees if they choose to do so, and, in
such event, the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any
trustees.
This Part B does not include all of the information contained in the
Registration Statement which is on file with the SEC.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent auditor for Delaware Group
Equity Funds III and, in its capacity as such, audits the annual financial
statements of the Fund. The Fund's Statement of Net Assets, Statement of
Operations, Statements of Changes in Net Assets, Financial Highlights and Notes
to Financial Statements, as well as the report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 are included in the Fund's
Annual Report to shareholders. The financial statements and financial
highlights, the notes relating thereto and the report of Ernst & Young LLP
listed above are incorporated by reference from the Annual Report into this
Part B.
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APPENDIX A--INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE FUNDS IN THE DELAWARE INVESTMENTS
FAMILY
Following is a summary of the investment objectives of the funds in the
Delaware Investments family:
Delaware Balanced Fund seeks long-term growth by a balance of capital
appreciation, income and preservation of capital. It uses a dividend-oriented
valuation strategy to select securities issued by established companies that are
believed to demonstrate potential for income and capital growth. Devon Fund
seeks current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in
income-producing common stocks, with a focus on common stocks the investment
adviser believes have the potential for above average dividend increases over
time.
Trend Fund seeks long-term growth by investing in common stocks issued by
emerging growth companies exhibiting strong capital appreciation potential.
Small Cap Value Fund seeks capital appreciation by investing primarily in
common stocks whose market values appear low relative to their underlying value
or future potential.
DelCap Fund seeks long-term capital growth by investing in common stocks
and securities convertible into common stocks of companies that have a
demonstrated history of growth and have the potential to support continued
growth.
Decatur Equity Income Fund seeks the highest possible current income by
investing primarily in common stocks that provide the potential for income and
capital appreciation without undue risk to principal. Growth and Income Fund
seeks long-term growth by investing primarily in securities that provide the
potential for income and capital appreciation without undue risk to principal.
Blue Chip Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation. Current income
is a secondary objective. It seeks to achieve these objectives by investing
primarily in equity securities and any securities that are convertible into
equity securities. Social Awareness Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital
appreciation. It seeks to achieve this objective by investing primarily in
equity securities of medium- to large-sized companies expected to grow over time
that meet the Fund's "Social Criteria" strategy.
Delchester Fund seeks as high a current income as possible by investing
principally in high yield, high risk corporate bonds, and also in U.S.
government securities and commercial paper. Strategic Income Fund seeks to
provide investors with high current income and total return by using a
multi-sector investment approach, investing principally in three sectors of the
fixed-income securities markets: high yield, higher risk securities, investment
grade fixed-income securities and foreign government and other foreign
fixed-income securities. High-Yield Opportunities Fund seeks to provide
investors with total return and, as a secondary objective, high current income.
Corporate Bond Fund seeks to provide investors with total return by investing
primarily in corporate bonds. Extended Duration Bond Fund seeks to provide
investors with total return by investing primarily in corporate bonds
U.S. Government Fund seeks high current income by investing primarily in
long-term debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
Limited-Term Government Fund seeks high, stable income by investing
primarily in a portfolio of short- and intermediate-term securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and
instruments secured by such securities.
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Delaware Cash Reserve seeks the highest level of income consistent with the
preservation of capital and liquidity through investments in short-term money
market instruments, while maintaining a stable net asset value.
REIT Fund seeks to achieve maximum long-term total return with capital
appreciation as a secondary objective. It seeks to achieve its objectives by
investing in securities of companies primarily engaged in the real estate
industry.
Tax-Free Money Fund seeks high current income, exempt from federal income
tax, by investing in short-term municipal obligations, while maintaining a
stable net asset value.
Tax-Free USA Fund seeks high current income exempt from federal income tax
by investing in municipal bonds of geographically-diverse issuers. Tax-Free
Insured Fund invests in these same types of securities but with an emphasis on
municipal bonds protected by insurance guaranteeing principal and interest are
paid when due. Tax-Free USA Intermediate Fund seeks a high level of current
interest income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with the preservation
of capital by investing primarily in municipal bonds.
Tax-Free Pennsylvania Fund seeks a high level of current interest income
exempt from federal and, to the extent possible, certain Pennsylvania state and
local taxes, consistent with the preservation of capital. Tax-Free New Jersey
Fund seeks a high level of current interest income exempt from federal income
tax and New Jersey state and local taxes, consistent with preservation of
capital. Tax-Free Ohio Fund seeks a high level of current interest income exempt
from federal income tax and Ohio state and local taxes, consistent with
preservation of capital.
Foundation Funds are "fund of funds" which invest in other funds in the
Delaware Investments family (referred to as "Underlying Funds"). Foundation
Funds Income Portfolio seeks a combination of current income and preservation of
capital with capital appreciation by investing primarily in a mix of fixed
income and domestic equity securities, including fixed income and domestic
equity Underlying Funds. Foundation Funds Balanced Portfolio seeks capital
appreciation with current income as a secondary objective by investing primarily
in domestic equity and fixed income securities, including domestic equity and
fixed income Underlying Funds. Foundation Funds Growth Portfolio seeks long-term
capital growth by investing primarily in equity securities, including equity
Underlying Funds, and, to a lesser extent, in fixed income securities, including
fixed-income Underlying Funds.
International Equity Fund seeks to achieve long-term growth without undue
risk to principal by investing primarily in international securities that
provide the potential for capital appreciation and income. Global Bond Fund
seeks to achieve current income consistent with the preservation of principal by
investing primarily in global fixed-income securities that may also provide the
potential for capital appreciation. Global Equity Fund seeks to achieve
long-term total return by investing in global securities that provide the
potential for capital appreciation and income. Emerging Markets Fund seeks
long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of
issuers located or operating in emerging countries.
U.S. Growth Fund seeks to maximize capital appreciation by investing in
companies of all sizes which have low dividend yields, strong balance sheets and
high expected earnings growth rates relative to their industry. Overseas Equity
Fund seeks to maximize total return (capital appreciation and income),
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principally through investments in an internationally diversified portfolio of
equity securities. New Pacific Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by
investing primarily in companies which are domiciled in or have their principal
business activities in the Pacific Basin.
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. offers various funds available
exclusively as funding vehicles for certain insurance company separate accounts.
Growth and Income Series seeks the highest possible total rate of return by
selecting issues that exhibit the potential for capital appreciation while
providing higher than average dividend income. Delchester Series seeks as high a
current income as possible by investing in rated and unrated corporate bonds,
U.S. government securities and commercial paper. Capital Reserves Series seeks a
high stable level of current income while minimizing fluctuations in principal
by investing in a diversified portfolio of short- and intermediate-term
securities. Cash Reserve Series seeks the highest level of income consistent
with preservation of capital and liquidity through investments in short-term
money market instruments. DelCap Series seeks long-term capital appreciation by
investing its assets in a diversified portfolio of securities exhibiting the
potential for significant growth. Delaware Balanced Series seeks a balance of
capital appreciation, income and preservation of capital. It uses a
dividend-oriented valuation strategy to select securities issued by established
companies that are believed to demonstrate potential for income and capital
growth. International Equity Series seeks long-term growth without undue risk to
principal by investing primarily in equity securities of foreign issuers that
provide the potential for capital appreciation and income. Small Cap Value
Series seeks capital appreciation by investing primarily in small-cap common
stocks whose market values appear low relative to their underlying value or
future earnings and growth potential. Emphasis will also be placed on securities
of companies that may be temporarily out of favor or whose value is not yet
recognized by the market. Trend Series seeks long-term capital appreciation by
investing primarily in small-cap common stocks and convertible securities of
emerging and other growth-oriented companies. These securities will have been
judged to be responsive to changes in the market place and to have fundamental
characteristics to support growth. Income is not an objective. Global Bond
Series seeks to achieve current income consistent with the preservation of
principal by investing primarily in global fixed-income securities that may also
provide the potential for capital appreciation. Strategic Income Series seeks
high current income and total return by using a multi-sector investment
approach, investing primarily in three sectors of the fixed-income securities
markets: high-yield, higher risk securities; investment grade fixed-income
securities; and foreign government and other foreign fixed-income securities.
Devon Series seeks current income and capital appreciation by investing
primarily in income-producing common stocks, with a focus on common stocks that
the investment manager believes have the potential for above-average dividend
increases over time. Emerging Markets Series seeks to achieve long-term capital
appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of issuers located or
operating in emerging countries. Convertible Securities Series seeks a high
level of total return on its assets through a combination of capital
appreciation and current income by investing primarily in convertible
securities. Social Awareness Series seeks to achieve long-term capital
appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of medium to
large-sized companies expected to grow over time that meet the Series' "Social
Criteria" strategy. REIT Series seeks to achieve maximum long-term total return,
with capital appreciation as a secondary objective, by investing in securities
of companies primarily engaged in the real estate industry. Aggressive Growth
Series seeks long-term capital appreciation. The Series attempts to achieve its
investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies
which the manager believes have the potential for high earnings growth.
Delaware-Voyageur US Government Securities Fund seeks to provide a high
level of current income consistent with the prudent investment risk by investing
in U.S. Treasury bills, notes, bonds, and other obligations issued or
unconditionally guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury,
and repurchase agreements fully secured by such obligations.
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Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Arizona Insured Fund seeks to provide a high
level of current income exempt from federal income tax and the Arizona personal
income tax, consistent with the preservation of capital. Delaware-Voyageur
Minnesota Insured Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income exempt
from federal income tax and the Minnesota personal income tax, consistent with
the preservation of capital.
Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund seeks to provide a
high level of current income exempt from federal income tax and the Minnesota
personal income tax, consistent with preservation of capital. The Fund seeks to
reduce market risk by maintaining an average weighted maturity from five to ten
years.
Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free California Insured Fund seeks to provide a high
level of current income exempt from federal income tax and the California
personal income tax, consistent with the preservation of capital.
Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Florida Insured Fund seeks to provide a high level of
current income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with the preservation
of capital. The Fund will seek to select investments that will enable its shares
to be exempt from the Florida intangible personal property tax.
Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Florida Fund seeks to provide a high level of current
income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with the preservation of
capital. The Fund will seek to select investments that will enable its shares to
be exempt from the Florida intangible personal property tax. Delaware-Voyageur
Tax-Free Kansas Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income exempt from
federal income tax, the Kansas personal income tax and the Kansas intangible
personal property tax, consistent with the preservation of capital.
Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Missouri Insured Fund seeks to provide a high level
of current income exempt from federal income tax and the Missouri personal
income tax, consistent with the preservation of capital. Delaware-Voyageur
Tax-Free New Mexico Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income exempt
from federal income tax and the New Mexico personal income tax, consistent with
the preservation of capital. Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Oregon Insured Fund
seeks to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax
and the Oregon personal income tax, consistent with the preservation of capital.
Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Utah Fund seeks to provide a high level of current
income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with the preservation of
capital. Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Washington Insured Fund seeks to provide a
high level of current income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with the
preservation of capital.
Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Arizona Fund seeks to provide a high level of
current income exempt from federal income tax and the Arizona personal income
tax, consistent with the preservation of capital. Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free
California Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income exempt from
federal income tax and the California personal income tax, consistent with the
preservation of capital. Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Iowa Fund seeks to provide a
high level of current income exempt from federal income tax and the Iowa
personal income tax, consistent with the preservation of capital.
Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Idaho Fund seeks to provide a high level of current
income exempt from federal income tax and the Idaho personal income tax,
consistent with the preservation of capital. Delaware-Voyageur Minnesota High
Yield Municipal Bond Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income exempt
from federal income tax and the Minnesota personal income tax primarily through
investment in medium and lower grade municipal obligations. National High Yield
Municipal Fund seeks to provide a high level of income exempt from federal
income tax, primarily through investment in medium and lower grade municipal
obligations. Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free New York Fund seeks to provide a high
level of current income exempt from federal income tax and the personal income
tax of the state of New York and the city of New York, consistent with the
preservation of capital. Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Wisconsin Fund seeks to
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provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax and the
Wisconsin personal income tax, consistent with the preservation of capital.
Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Colorado Fund seeks to provide a high level of
current income exempt from federal income tax and the Colorado personal income
tax, consistent with the preservation of capital.
Aggressive Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation, which the Fund
attempts to achieve by investing primarily in equity securities believed to have
the potential for high earnings growth. Although the Fund, in seeking its
objective, may receive current income from dividends and interest, income is
only an incidental consideration in the selection of the Fund's investments.
Growth Stock Fund has an objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Fund
seeks to achieve its objective from equity securities diversified among
individual companies and industries. Tax-Efficient Equity Fund seeks to obtain
for taxable investors a high total return on an after-tax basis. The Fund will
attempt to achieve this objective by seeking to provide a high long-term
after-tax total return through managing its portfolio in a manner that will
defer the realization of accrued capital gains and minimize dividend income.
Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free Minnesota Fund seeks to provide a high level of
current income exempt from federal income tax and the Minnesota personal income
tax, consistent with the preservation of capital. Delaware-Voyageur Tax-Free
North Dakota Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income exempt from
federal income tax and the North Dakota personal income tax, consistent with the
preservation of capital.
For more complete information about any of the funds in the Delaware
Investments family, including charges and expenses, you can obtain a prospectus
from the Distributor. Read it carefully before you invest or forward funds.
Each of the summaries above is qualified in its entirety by the information
contained in the Portfolio's prospectus(es).
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Delaware Investments includes 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, shareholders of the Fund Classes should
contact their financial adviser or call Delaware Investments at 800-523-1918 and
shareholders of the Institutional Class should contact Delaware Investments at
800-828-5052.
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Delaware Management Company
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
<PAGE>
DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS III
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TREND FUND
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A CLASS
B CLASS
C CLASS
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INSTITUTIONAL CLASS
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CLASSES OF DELAWARE GROUP
EQUITY FUNDS III
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PART B
STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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AUGUST 27, 1999
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
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PART C
Other Information
Item 23. Exhibits
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(a) Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
(1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust (December 17, 1998) attached as
Exhibit.
(2) Certificate of Trust (December 17, 1998) attached as Exhibit.
(b) By-Laws. By-Laws (December 17, 1998) attached as Exhibit.
(c) Copies of All Instruments Defining the Rights of Holders.
(1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust. Articles III, IV, V and VI of
Agreement and Declaration of Trust attached as Exhibit (a)(2).
(2) By-Laws. Article II of By-Laws attached as Exhibit (b).
(d) Investment Management Agreement. Form of Investment Management Agreement
(August 1999) between Delaware Management Company and the Registrant attached
as Exhibit.
(e) (1) Distribution Agreement.
(i) Form of Distribution Agreement incorporated into
this filing by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.
55 filed August 28, 1996.
(ii) Form of Amendment No. 1 to Distribution Agreement
incorporated into this filing by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 filed August 28, 1996.
(2) Administration and Service Agreement. Form of Administration and Service
Agreement (as amended November 1995) incorporated into this filing by
reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 filed November 20, 1995.
(3) Dealer's Agreement. Dealer's Agreement (as amended November 1995)
incorporated into this filing by reference to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 54 filed November 20, 1995.
(4) Mutual Fund Agreement for the Delaware Group of Funds (as amended
November 1995) (Module) incorporated into this filing by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 filed August 28, 1996.
(f) Inapplicable.
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(g) Custodian Agreement.
(1) Form of Custodian Agreement with The Chase Manhattan Bank
attached as Exhibit.
(2) Form of Securities Lending Agreement with The Chase Manhattan Bank
attached as Exhibit.
(h) Other Material Contracts.
(1) Form of Shareholders Services Agreement incorporated into this
filing by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 filed
August 28, 1996.
(2) Form of Delaware Group of Funds Fund Accounting Agreement with Delaware
Service Company, Inc. incorporated into this filing by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 filed August 29, 1997.
(i) Opinion of Counsel. Attached as Exhibit.
(j) Consent of Auditors. To be filed by Amendment.
(k-l) Inapplicable.
(m) Plans under Rule 12b-1.
(1) Form of Plan under Rule 12b-1 for Class A incorporated into this filing
by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 filed August 28, 1996.
(2) Form of Plan under Rule 12b-1 for Class B incorporated into this filing
by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 filed August 28, 1996.
(3) Form of Plan under Rule 12b-1 for Class C incorporated into this filing
by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 filed August 28, 1996.
(n) Plan under Rule 18f-3. Form of Plan under Rule 18f-3 incorporated into this filing by
reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 filed August 28, 1996.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant. None.
Item 25. Indemnification. Article VI of the By-Laws attached as Exhibit (b).
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Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
Delaware Management Company (the "Manager"), a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust, serves as investment manager to the Registrant and
also serves as investment manager or sub-adviser to certain of the other funds
in the Delaware Investments family (Delaware Group Equity Funds I, Inc.,
Delaware Group Equity Funds II, Inc., Delaware Group Equity Funds IV, Inc.,
Delaware Group Equity Funds V, Inc., Delaware Group Government Fund, Inc.,
Delaware Group Income Funds, Inc., Delaware Group Limited-Term Government Funds,
Inc., Delaware Group Cash Reserve, Inc., Delaware Group Tax-Free Fund, Inc.,
Delaware Group State Tax-Free Income Trust, Delaware Group Tax-Free Money Fund,
Inc., Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc., Delaware Group Global & International
Funds, Inc., Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc., Delaware Group Adviser Funds, Inc.,
Delaware Group Dividend and Income Fund, Inc., Delaware Group Global Dividend
and Income Fund, Inc., Delaware Group Foundation Funds, Inc., Voyageur
Intermediate Tax-Free Funds, Inc., Voyageur Tax-Free Funds, Inc., Voyageur
Funds, Inc., Voyageur Insured Funds, Inc., Voyageur Investment Trust, Voyageur
Investment Trust II, Voyageur Mutual Funds, Inc., Voyageur Mutual Funds II,
Inc., Voyageur Mutual Funds III, Inc., Voyageur Arizona Municipal Income Fund,
Inc., Voyageur Colorado Insured Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Voyageur Florida
Insured Municipal Income Fund, Voyageur Minnesota Municipal Fund, Inc., Voyageur
Minnesota Municipal Fund II, Inc. and Voyageur Minnesota Municipal Fund III,
Inc.). In addition, certain officers of the Manager also serve as
directors/trustees of the other funds in the Delaware Investments family, and
certain officers are also officers of these other funds. A company indirectly
owned by the Manager's indirect parent company acts as principal underwriter to
the mutual funds in the Delaware Investments family (see Item 29 below) and
another such company acts as the shareholder services, dividend disbursing,
accounting servicing and transfer agent for all of the mutual funds in the
Delaware Investments family.
<PAGE>
The following persons serving as directors or officers of the Manager have
held the following positions during the past two years:
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Name and Positions and Offices with Delaware Management Company and its affiliates and other Positions
Principal Business and Offices Held
Address*
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David K. Downes President of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Executive Vice
President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.;
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director of DMH Corp.;
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Delvoy, Inc.;
President and Director of Delaware Management Company, Inc.; Executive Vice President, Chief Operating
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Trustee of Delaware Management Business Trust; Executive Vice
President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series
of Delaware Management Business Trust); Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Delaware Service Company, Inc.; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Delaware Capital
Management, Inc.; Chairman and Director of Retirement Financial Services, Inc.; Chairman and Director of
Delaware Management Trust Company; Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial
Officer and Director of Delaware Distributors, Inc.; Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
and Chief Financial Officer of Delaware Distributors, L.P.; President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief
Financial Officer and Director of Delaware International Holdings Ltd.; Director of Delaware
International Advisers Ltd.; Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer
and Director of Founders Holdings, Inc.; Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief
Financial Officer of Founders CBO Corporation; Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and
Chief Financial Officer of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Forewarn, Inc. since 1993, 8 Clayton Place, Newtown Square, PA
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Richard J. Flannery Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust); Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Delaware Management Holdings,
Inc.; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Director of DMH Corp.; Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Director of Delvoy, Inc.; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Director of
Delaware Management Company, Inc.; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Trustee of Delaware
Management Business Trust; Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Delaware Investment Advisers
(a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Director
of Delaware Service Company, Inc.; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Director of Delaware
Capital Management, Inc.; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Director of Retirement Financial
Services, Inc.; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Director of Delaware Management Trust
Company; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Director of Delaware Distributors, Inc.; Executive
Vice President and General Counsel of Delaware Distributors, L.P.; Executive Vice President, General
Counsel and Director of Delaware International Holdings Ltd.; Director of Delaware International Advisers
Ltd.; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Director of Founders Holdings, Inc.; Executive Vice
President and General Counsel of Founders CBO Corporation; Executive Vice President of each fund in the
Delaware Investments family.
Director, HYPPCO Finance Company Ltd.
Limited Partner of Stonewall Links, L.P. since 1991, Bulltown Rd., Elverton, PA; Director and Member of
Executive Committee of Stonewall Links, Inc. since 1991, Bulltown Rd., Elverton, PA
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Richard G. Unruh Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer/ DMC Equity of Delaware Management Company (a series
of Delaware Management Business Trust); Executive Vice President of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.;
Executive Vice President and Trustee of Delaware Management Business Trust; Chief Executive Office, Chief
Investment Officer/DIA Equity of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust; Executive Vice President of Delaware Capital Management, Inc.; Director of Delaware Investment
Advisers Ltd.; Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer/Equity of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
Board of Directors, Chairman of Finance Committee, Keystone Insurance Company since 1989, 2040 Market
Street, Philadelphia, PA; Board of Directors, Chairman of Finance Committee, AAA Mid Atlantic, Inc. since
1989, 2040 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA; Board of Directors, Metron, Inc. since 1995, 11911 Freedom
Drive, Reston, VA
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Douglas L. Anderson Senior Vice President/Operations of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust; Senior Vice President/Operations of Delaware Service Company, Inc.; Senior Vice
President/Operations of Retirement Financial Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Operations of Delaware
Management Trust Company.
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Name and Positions and Offices with Delaware Management Company and its affiliates and other Positions
Principal Business and Offices Held
Address*
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Michael P. Bishof Senior Vice President, Treasurer/Investment Accounting of Delaware Management Company (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Senior Vice President, Treasurer/Investment Accounting of
Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Senior Vice
President/Investment Accounting of Delaware Service Company, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Investment
Accounting of Delaware Capital Management, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Treasurer/Investment Accounting
of Delaware Distributors, L.P.; Senior Vice President, Manager of Investment Accounting of Delaware
International Holdings Ltd.; Senior Vice President, Treasurer/Investment Accounting of Founders Holdings,
Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of Founders CBO Corporation; Senior Vice President
and Treasurer of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
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Robert J. DiBraccio Senior Vice President/Head of Equity Trading of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust); Senior Vice President/Head of Equity Trading of Delaware Investment Advisers
(a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Senior Vice President/Head of Equity Trading of
Delaware Capital Management, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John B. Fields Senior Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust); Trustee of Delaware Management Business Trust; Senior Vice President/Senior
Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust);
Senior Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Capital Mangement, Inc.; Senior Vice
President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Susan L. Hanson Senior Vice President/Global Marketing and Client Services of Delaware Management Company (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Senior Vice President/Global Marketing and Client Services of
Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph H. Hastings Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust); Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of Delaware Management
Holdings, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of DMH Corp; Senior Vice
President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of Delvoy, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Corporate
Controller of Delaware Management Company, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of
Delaware Management Business Trust; Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of Delaware
Service Company, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of Delaware Capital
Management, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of Retirement Financial Services,
Inc.; Executive Vice President/Corporate Controller/Treasurer of Delaware Management Trust Company;
Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of Delaware Distributors, L.P.; Senior Vice
President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of Delaware International Holdings; Senior Vice
President/Treasurer/Corporate Controller of Founders Holdings, Inc.; Senior Vice President/ Assistant
Treasurer Founders CBO Corporation; Senior Vice President/Corporate Controller of each fund in the
Delaware Investments family
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joanne O. Hutcheson Senior Vice President/Human Resources of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust); Senior Vice President/Human Resources of Delaware Management Holdings,
Inc.; Senior Vice President/Human Resources of DMH Corp.; Senior Vice President/Human Resources of
Delvoy, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Human Resources of Delaware Management Company, Inc.; Senior
Vice President/Human Resources of Delaware Management Business Trust; Senior Vice President/Human
Resources of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Senior
Vice President/Human Resources of Delaware Service Company, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Human
Resources of Delaware Capital Management, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Human Resources of Delaware
Retirement Financial Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President/Human Resources of Delaware Management
Trust Company; Senior Vice President/Human Resources of Delaware Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice
President/Human Resources of Delaware Distributors, L.P.; Senior Vice President/Human Resources of
each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Name and Positions and Offices with Delaware Management Company and its affiliates and other Positions
Principal Business and Offices Held
Address*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richelle S. Maestro Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware Management Company
(a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy
General Counsel of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and
Deputy General Counsel of DMH Corp.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General
Counsel of Delvoy, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of
Delaware Management Company, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General
Counsel of Delaware Management Business Trust; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy
General Counsel of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust);
Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware Service Company, Inc.;
Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware Capital Management,
Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Retirement Financial
Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware
Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware
Distributors, L.P.; Senior Vice President, Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware International
Holdings Ltd.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Founders
Holdings, Inc.; Secretary of Founders CBO Corporation; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and
Deputy General Counsel of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
General Partner of Tri-R Associates since 1989, 10001 Sandmeyer Lane, Philadelphia, PA.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric E. Miller Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware Management Company
(a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy
General Counsel of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and
Deputy General Counsel of DMH Corp.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General
Counsel of Delvoy, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of
Delaware Management Company, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General
Counsel of Delaware Management Business Trust; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy
General Counsel of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust);
Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware Service Company, Inc.;
Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware Capital Management,
Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Retirement Financial
Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware
Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware
Distributors, L.P.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Founders
Holdings, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of each fund in the
Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James L. Shields Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust); Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer of Delaware Investment
Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Senior Vice President, Chief Information
Officer of Delaware Service Company, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer of Delaware
Capital Management Company, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer of Retirement
Financial Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer of Delaware Distributors, L.P.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christopher S. Adams Vice President/Business Manager, Equity of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Business Manager, Equity of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert L. Arnold Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Capital Management, Inc., Vice
President/Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marshall T. Bassett(1) Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christopher S. Beck(2) Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
Trustee of New Castle County Pension Board since October 1992, Wilmington DE.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard E. Beister Vice President/Trading Operations of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Name and Positions and Offices with Delaware Management Company and its affiliates and other Positions
Principal Business and Offices Held
Address*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lisa O. Brinkley Vice President/Compliance Director of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Compliance Director of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.;Vice
President/Compliance Director of DMH Corp.;Vice President/Compliance Director of Delvoy, Inc.;Vice
President/Compliance Director of Delaware Management Company, Inc.;Vice President/Compliance Director of
Delaware Management Business Trust; Vice President/Compliance Director of Delaware Investment Advisers (a
series of Delaware Management Business Trust);Vice President/Compliance Director of Delaware Service
Company, Inc.;Vice President/Compliance Director of Delaware Capital Management, Inc.;Vice
President/Compliance Director of Retirement Financial Services, Inc.; Vice President/Compliance
Director/Assistant Secretary of Delaware Management Business Trust; Vice President/Compliance Director of
Delaware Distributors, Inc.;Vice President/Compliance Director of Delaware Distributors, L.P.;Vice
President/Compliance Director of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Ellen M. Carrozza Vice President/Client Services of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust);Vice President/Client Services of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust);Vice President/Client Services of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen R. Cianci Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mitchell L. Conery(3) Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy G. Connors Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick P. Coyne Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Capital
Management, Inc.; Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments
family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy M. Crouse Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George E. Deming Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James P. Dokas(4) Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/ Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael J. Dugan Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger A. Early Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Name and Positions and Offices with Delaware Management Company and its affiliates and other Positions
Principal Business and Offices Held
Address*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joel A. Ettinger(5) Vice President/Taxation of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust);Vice President/Taxation of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.;Vice President/Taxation of DMH
Corp.;Vice President/Taxation of Delvoy, Inc.; Vice President/Taxation of Delaware Management Company,
Inc.;Vice President/Taxation of Delaware Management Business Trust; Vice President/Taxation of Delaware
Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust);Vice President/Taxation of Delaware
Service Company, Inc.;Vice President/Taxation of Delaware Capital Management, Inc.;Vice
President/Taxation of Retirement Financial Services, Inc.;Vice President/Taxation of Delaware
Distributors, Inc.;Vice President/Taxation of Delaware Distributors, L.P.;Vice President/Taxation of
Founders Holdings, Inc.; Vice President/Taxation of Founders CBO Corporation; Vice President/Taxation of
each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald S. Frey Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James A. Furgele Vice President/Investment Accounting of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust);Vice President/Investment Accounting of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Investment Accounting of Delaware Service Company,
Inc.;Vice President/Investment Accounting of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stuart M. George Vice President/Equity Trading of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust);Vice President/Equity Trading of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Grillo Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian T. Hannon Vice President of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice
President of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice
President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John A. Heffern(6) Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth H. Howell(7) Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey Hynoski Vice President/Analyst of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust);Vice President/Analyst of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust);Vice President/Analyst of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cynthia Isom Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karina J. Ivstan Vice President/Strategic Planning of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Strategic Planning of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.;Vice
President/Strategic Planning of Delaware Management Business Trust; Senior Vice President, Assistant
Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Strategic Planning of Delaware Service Company, Inc.;Vice
President/Strategic Planning of Delaware Capital Management, Inc.; Vice President/Strategic Planning of
Retirement Financial Services, Inc.; Vice President/Strategic Planning of Delaware Management Trust
Company; Vice President/Strategic of Delaware Distributors, L.P.; Vice President/Strategic Planning of
each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audrey E. Kohart Vice President/Assistant Controller/Corporate Accounting of Delaware Management Company (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Name and Positions and Offices with Delaware Management Company and its affiliates and other Positions
Principal Business and Offices Held
Address*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steven T. Lampe Vice President/Research Analyst of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philip Y. Lin Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Management Company (a
series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Associate General
Counsel of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust);Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Service Company, Inc.;Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Capital Management, Inc.;Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Retirement Financial Services, Inc.; Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Management Trust Company; Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Distributors, L.P.;Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael D. Mabry Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Management Company (a
series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Associate General
Counsel of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust);Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Service Company, Inc.;Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Capital Management, Inc.;Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Retirement Financial Services, Inc.; Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Distributors, L.P.; Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul A. Matlack Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Founders Holdings, Inc.,
President and Director of Founders CBO Corporation; Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund
in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew M. McCullagh, Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Jr(8) Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Francis X Morris Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald T. Nichols Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Founders Holdings, Inc.,
Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and Director of Founders CBO Corporation; Vice President/Senior Portfolio
Manager of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert A Norton, Jr. Vice President/Research Analyst of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business
Trust); Vice President/Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David P. O'Connor Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Management Company (a
series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Associate General
Counsel of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust);Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Service Company, Inc.;Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Capital Management, Inc.;Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Retirement Financial Services, Inc.; Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Delaware Distributors, L.P.; Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of each fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary A. Reed Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of each fund in the Delaware
Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Salus Vice President/Assistant Controller of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management
Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Assistant Controller of Delaware Management Trust
Company; Vice President/Assistant Controller of Delaware International Holdings Ltd.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Name and Positions and Offices with Delaware Management Company and its affiliates and other Positions
Principal Business and Offices Held
Address*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard D. Siedel Vice President/Assistant Controller/Manager Payroll of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan R. Stuart Vice President/Trading of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust);
Vice President/Trading of Delaware Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael T. Taggart Vice President/Facilities and Administration Services of Delaware Management Company (a series of
Delaware Management Business Trust);Vice President/Facilities and Administration Services of Delaware
Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Facilities and
Administration Services of Delaware Service Company, Inc.;Vice President/Facilities and Administration
Services of Delaware Distributors, L.P.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas J. Trottman Vice President/Senior Corporate Bond Analyst of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Corporate Bond Analyst of Delaware Investment Advisers
(a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Senior Corporate Bond Analyst of each
fund in the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce A. Ulmer Vice President/Year 2000 of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust);
Vice President/Year 2000 of Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.; Vice President/Year 2000 of Delvoy, Inc.;
Vice President/Year 2000 of Delaware Management Business Trust; Vice President/Year 2000 of Delaware
Investment Advisers (a series of Delaware Management Business Trust); Vice President/Year 2000 of
Delaware Capital Management, Inc.; Vice President/Year 2000 of Retirement Financial Services, Inc.; Vice
President/Year 2000 of Delaware Management Trust Company; Vice President/Year 2000 of each fund in the
Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lori P. Wachs Vice President/Assistant Portfolio Manager of Delaware Management Company (a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust);Vice President/Assistant Portfolio Manager of Delaware Investment Advisers (a
series of Delaware Management Business Trust);Vice President/Assistant Portfolio Manager of each fund in
the Delaware Investments family.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Business Address is 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) VICE PRESIDENT, Morgan Stanley Asset Management prior to March 1997.
(2) SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGER, Pitcairn Trust Company prior to May 1997.
(3) INVESTMENT OFFICER, Travelers Insurance prior to January 1997.
(4) DIRECTOR OF TRUST INVESTMENTS, Bell Atlantic Corporation prior to February 1997.
(5) TAX PRINCIPAL, Ernst & Young LLP prior to April 1998.
(6) SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, EQUITY RESEARCH, NatWest Securities Corporation prior to March 1997.
(7) SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGER, Voyageur Fund Managers, Inc. prior to May 1997.
(8) SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGER, Voyageur Asset Management LLC prior to May 1997.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Item 27. Principal Underwriters.
(a) Delaware Distributors, L.P. serves as principal underwriter for
all the mutual funds in the Delaware Investments family.
(b) Information with respect to each director, officer or partner of
principal underwriter:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Principal Business Positions and Offices with Positions and Offices with
Address* Underwriter Registrant
- --------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware Distributors, Inc. General Partner None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware Investment Advisers Limited Partner None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware Capital Management, Inc. Limited Partner None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce D. Barton President and Chief Executive Officer None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David K. Downes Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Executive Vice President/Chief Operating
Officer/Chief Financial Officer Officer/Chief Financial Officer
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard J. Flannery Executive Vice President/General Counsel Executive Vice President
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diane M. Anderson Senior Vice President/Retirement None
Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael P. Bishof Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Investment Senior Vice President/Treasurer
Accounting
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daniel J. Brooks III Senior Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrence P. Cunningham Senior Vice President/National Sales None
Director, Financial Institutions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen J. Deangelis Senior Vice President/National Sales, None
Managed Account Services
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph H. Hastings Senior Vice President/Treasurer/Corporate Senior Vice President/Corporate Controller
Controller
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joanne O. Hutcheson Senior Vice President/Human Resources Senior Vice President/Human Resources
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William M. Kimbrough Senior Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bradley L. Kolstoe Senior Vice President/Western Division None
Sales, IPI Channel
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richelle S. Maestro Senior Vice President/Deputy General Senior Vice President/Deputy General
Counsel/Assistant Secretary Counsel/Assistant Secretary
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mac Macaulliffe Senior Vice President/Divisional Sales None
Manager
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Chris Meyer Senior Vice President/Director, Product None
Management
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric E. Miller Senior Vice President/Deputy General Senior Vice President/Deputy General
Counsel/Assistant Secretary Counsel/Assistant Secretary
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen C. Nell Senior Vice President/National Retirement None
Sales
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry W. Orvin Senior Vice President/Eastern Division None
Sales
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christopher H. Price Senior Vice President/Channel Manager None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas E. Sawyer Senior Vice President/Director, National None
Sales
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Principal Business Positions and Offices with Positions and Offices with
Address* Underwriter Registrant
- --------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James L. Shields Senior Vice President/Chief Information None
Officer
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard P. Allen Vice President/Wholesaler, Midwest None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David P. Anderson, Jr. Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey H. Arcy Vice President/Wholesaler, South East None
Region
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick A. Bearss Vice President/Wholesaler - Midwest None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabriella Bercze Vice President/Wholesaler, Financial None
Institution
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denise D. Bradley Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larry Bridwell Vice President/Financial Institutions None
Wholesaler
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lisa O. Brinkley Vice President/Compliance Director Vice President/Compliance Director
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrance L. Bussard Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daniel H. Carlson Vice President/Marketing Services None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larry Carr Vice President/VA Sales Manager None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William S. Carroll Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas J. Chadie Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew Coldren Vice President/National Accounts None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick A Connelly Vice President/RIA Sales None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jessie V. Emery Vice President/Marketing Communications None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joel A. Ettinger Vice President/Taxation Vice President/Taxation
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Susan T. Friestedt Vice President/Retirement Services None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Douglan R. Glennon Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darryl S. Grayson Vice President/Director, Internal Sales None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rhonda J. Guido Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ronald A. Haimowitz Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward J. Hecker Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John R. Herron Vice President/VA Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dinah J. Huntoon Vice President/Product Manager, Equities None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karina J. Istvan Vice President/Strategic Planning None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chirstopher L. Johnston Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael J. Jordan Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carolyn Kelly Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard M. Koerner Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ellen M. Krott Vice President/Marketing None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Leboeuf Vice President/VA Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Principal Business Positions and Offices with Positions and Offices with
Address* Underwriter Registrant
- --------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SooHee Lee Vice President/Fixed Income & None
International Product Management
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philip Y. Lin Vice President/Associate General Vice President/Associate General
Counsel/Assistant Secretary Counsel/Assistant Secretary
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John R. Logan Vice President/Wholesaler, Financial None
Institutions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael D. Mabry Vice President/Associate General Vice President/Associate General
Counsel/Assistant Secretary Counsel/Assistant Secretary
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thoedore T. Malone Vice President/IPI Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debbie Marler Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregory J. McMillan Vice President/National Accounts None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nathan W. Medin Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott L. Metzger Vice President/Business Development None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger J. Miller Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christopher W. Moore Vice President/VA Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew F. Morris Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick L. Murphy Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott E. Naughton Vice President/IPI Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Julie Nusbaum Vice President/Wholesaler, Financial None
Institutions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Julie A. Nye Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daniel J. O'Brien Vice President/Insurance Products None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David P. O'Connor Vice President/Associate General Vice President/Associate General
Counsel/Assistant Secretary Counsel/Assistant Secretary
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph T. Owczarek Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Otis S. Page Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Ellen Pernice-Fadden Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark A. Pletts Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philip G. Rickards Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laura E. Roman Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rovert A. Rosso Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Linda D. Shulz Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordan E. Searles Vice President/Client Services None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James R. Searles Vice President/VA Sales Manager None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catherine A. Seklecki Vice President/Retirement Sales None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John C. Shalloe Vice President/Wrap Fee Wholesaler, None
Western Region
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward B. Sheridan Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Principal Business Positions and Offices with Positions and Offices with
Address* Underwriter Registrant
- --------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert E. Stansbury Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael T. Taggart Vice President/Facilities and None
Administration Services
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce A. Ulmer Vice President/Year 2000 Vice President/Year 2000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Julia R. Vander-Els Vice President/Retirement Plan None
Communications
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne W. Wagner Vice President/Wholesaler None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John A. Wells Vice President/Marketing Technology None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Courtney S. West Vice President/Institutional Sales None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew J. Wittaker Vice President/Wholesaler, Financial None
Institutions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Theordore V. Wood Vice President/Technical Systems Officer None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael J. Woods Vice President/National Sales None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Business address of each is 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
(c) Inapplicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records.
All accounts and records are maintained in Philadelphia at 1818
Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or One Commerce Square,
Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Item 29. Management Services. None.
Item 30. Undertakings.
(a) Not Applicable.
(b) Not Applicable.
(c) The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to
whom a prospectus is delivered with a copy of the
Registrant's latest annual report to shareholders, upon
request and without charge.
(d) Not Applicable.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, this Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
this City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on this 16th day of
June, 1999.
DELAWARE GROUP TAX-FREE MONEY FUND
By /s/David K. Downes
------------------
David K. Downes
Executive Vice President/
Chief Operating Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
- --------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ David K. Downes Executive Vice President/Chief Operating June 16, 1999
- --------------------------------------- Officer/Chief Financial Officer
David K. Downes (Principal Executive Officer/Principal
Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Wayne A. Stork Trustee June 16, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
Wayne A. Stork
/s/ John H. Durham Trustee June 17, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
John H. Durham
/s/ Anthony D. Knerr Trustee June 17, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
Anthony D. Knerr
/s/ Ann R. Leven Trustee June 17, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
Ann R. Leven
/s/ Thomas F. Madison Trustee June 17, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
Thomas F. Madison
/s/ Charles E. Peck Trustee June 17, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
Charles E. Peck
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Exhibits
to
Form N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Exhibit
- ----------- -------
EX-99.A1 Agreement and Declaration of Trust
EX-99.A2 Certificate of Trust
EX-99.B By-Laws
EX-99.D Form of Investment Management Agreement (August 1999) between
Delaware Management Company and the Registrant
EX-99.G1 Form of Custodian Agreement with The Chase Manahattan Bank
EX-99.G2 Form of Securities Lending Agreement with The Chase
Manhattan Bank
EX-99.I Opinion of Counsel
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
of
DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS III
a Delaware Business Trust
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
ARTICLE I. Name and Definitions..................................................................................1
Section 1. Name.........................................................................................1
Section 2. Registered Agent and Registered Office; Principal Place of Business..........................1
(a) Registered Agent and Registered Office...................................................1
(b) Principal Place of Business..............................................................2
Section 3. Definitions..................................................................................2
(a) "1940 Act"...............................................................................2
(b) "Affiliate"..............................................................................2
(c) "Board of Trustees"......................................................................2
(d) "By-Laws"................................................................................2
(e) "Certificate of Trust"...................................................................2
(f) "Code"...................................................................................2
(g) "Commission".............................................................................2
(h) "DBTA"...................................................................................2
(i) "Declaration of Trust"...................................................................2
(j) "General Liabilities"....................................................................2
(k) "Interested Person"......................................................................2
(l) "Investment Adviser" or "Adviser"........................................................2
(m) "National Financial Emergency"...........................................................2
(n) "Person".................................................................................3
(o) "Principal Underwriter"..................................................................3
(p) "Series".................................................................................3
(q) "Shares".................................................................................3
(r) "Shareholder"............................................................................3
(s) "Trust"..................................................................................3
(t) "Trust Property".........................................................................3
(u) "Trustee" or "Trustees"..................................................................3
ARTICLE II. Purpose of Trust.....................................................................................3
ARTICLE III. Shares..............................................................................................6
Section 1. Division of Beneficial Interest..............................................................6
Section 2. Ownership of Shares..........................................................................8
Section 3. Investments in the Trust.....................................................................8
Section 4. Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability........................................8
Section 5. Power of Board of Trustees to Change Provisions Relating to Shares...........................8
Section 6. Establishment and Designation of Series......................................................9
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
(a) Assets Held with Respect to a Particular Series..........................................9
(b) Liabilities Held with Respect to a Particular Series....................................10
(c) Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions and Repurchases...................................11
(d) Voting..................................................................................11
(e) Equality................................................................................11
(f) Fractions...............................................................................11
(g) Exchange Privilege......................................................................11
(h) Combination of Series...................................................................11
(i) Elimination of Series...................................................................11
Section 7. Indemnification of Shareholders.............................................................12
ARTICLE IV.......................................................................................................12
The Board of Trustees............................................................................................12
Section 1. Number, Election and Tenure.................................................................12
Section 2. Effect of Death, Resignation, Removal, etc. of a Trustee...................................13
Section 3. Powers......................................................................................13
Section 4. Payment of Expenses by the Trust............................................................14
Section 5. Payment of Expenses by Shareholders.........................................................14
Section 6. Ownership of Trust Property.................................................................15
Section 7. Service Contracts...........................................................................15
ARTICLE V. Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings.............................................................16
Section 1. Voting Powers...............................................................................16
Section 2. Meetings....................................................................................16
Section 3. Quorum and Required Vote....................................................................16
Section 4. Shareholder Action by Written Consent without a Meeting.....................................17
Section 5. Record Dates................................................................................17
Section 6. Additional Provisions.......................................................................18
ARTICLE VI. Net Asset Value, Distributions and Redemptions......................................................18
Section 1. Determination of Net Asset Value, Net Income and Distributions..............................18
Section 2. Redemptions at the Option of a Shareholder..................................................18
Section 3. Redemptions at the Option of the Trust......................................................20
ARTICLE VII. Compensation and Limitation of Liability of Officers and Trustees..................................20
Section 1. Compensation................................................................................20
Section 2. Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.................................................20
Section 3. Officers and Trustees' Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety..................20
Section 4. Insurance...................................................................................21
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
ARTICLE VIII. Miscellaneous.....................................................................................21
Section 1. Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees............................................21
Section 2. Dissolution of Trust or Series..............................................................21
Section 3. Merger and Consolidation; Conversion........................................................22
(a) Merger and Consolidation..................................................................22
(b) Conversion................................................................................22
Section 4. Reorganization..............................................................................22
Section 5. Amendments..................................................................................23
Section 6. Filing of Copies, References, Headings......................................................23
Section 7. Applicable Law..............................................................................24
Section 8. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations..............................................24
Section 9. Business Trust Only.........................................................................24
Section 10. Use of the Names "Delaware Group" and "Delaware Investments"................................24
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS III
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST made as of this 17th day of
December, 1998, by the Trustees hereunder, and by the holders of shares of
beneficial interest to be issued hereunder as hereinafter provided. This
Declaration of Trust shall be effective upon the filing of the Certificate of
Trust in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS this Trust has been formed to carry on the business of an
investment company; and
WHEREAS this Trust is authorized to issue its shares of beneficial
interest in separate Series, and to issue classes of Shares of any Series or
divide Shares of any Series into two or more classes, all in accordance with the
provisions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS the Trustees have agreed to manage all property coming into
their hands as trustees of a Delaware business trust in accordance with the
provisions of the Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C. ss.3801, et seq.), as
from time to time amended and including any successor statute of similar import
(the "DBTA"), and the provisions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they will hold all
cash, securities and other assets which they may from time to time acquire in
any manner as Trustees hereunder IN TRUST to manage and dispose of the same upon
the following terms and conditions for the benefit of the holders from time to
time of shares of beneficial interest in this Trust and the Series created
hereunder as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I.
Name and Definitions
Section 1. Name. This trust shall be known as "Delaware Group Equity
Funds III" and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that
name, or any other name as they may from time to time determine.
Section 2. Registered Agent and Registered Office; Principal Place of
Business.
(a) Registered Agent and Registered Office. The name of the registered
agent of the Trust and the address of the registered office of the Trust are as
set forth on the Certificate of Trust.
<PAGE>
(b) Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the
Trust is One Commerce Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103 or such other
location within or outside of the State of Delaware as the Board of Trustees may
determine from time to time.
Section 3. Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required
by the context or specifically provided:
(a) "1940 Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
rules and regulations thereunder, all as adopted or amended from time to time;
(b) "Affiliate" shall have the meaning given to it in Section 2(a)(3)
of the 1940 Act when used with reference to a specified Person.
(c) "Board of Trustees" shall mean the governing body of the Trust,
which is comprised of the Trustees of the Trust;
(d) "By-Laws" shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust, as amended from time
to time in accordance with Article X of the By-Laws, and incorporated herein by
reference;
(e) "Certificate of Trust" shall mean the certificate of trust filed
with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required
under the DBTA to form the Trust;
(f) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and the rules and regulations thereunder;
(g) "Commission" shall have the meaning given it in Section 2(a)(7) of
the 1940 Act;
(h) "DBTA" shall mean the Delaware Business Trust Act, (12 Del. C.
ss.3801, et seq.), as amended from time to time;
(i) "Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, as amended or restated from time to time;
(j) "General Liabilities" shall have the meaning given it in Article
III, Section 6(b) of this Declaration Trust;
(k) "Interested Person" shall have the meaning given it in Section
2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act;
(l) "Investment Adviser" or "Adviser" shall mean a party furnishing
services to the Trust pursuant to any contract described in Article IV, Section
7(a) hereof;
2
<PAGE>
(m) "National Financial Emergency" shall mean the whole or any part of
any period set forth in Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees
may, in its discretion, declare that the suspension relating to a national
financial emergency shall terminate, as the case may be, on the first business
day on which the New York Stock Exchange shall have reopened or the period
specified in Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act shall have expired (as to which, in
the absence of an official ruling by the Commission, the determination of the
Board of Trustees shall be conclusive);
(n) "Person" shall include a natural person, partnership, limited
partnership, trust, estate, association, corporation, custodian, nominee or any
other individual or entity in its own or any representative capacity;
(o) "Principal Underwriter" shall have the meaning given to it in
Section 2(a)(29) of the 1940 Act;
(p) "Series" shall refer to each Series of Shares established and
designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article III and shall
mean an entity such as that described in Section 18(f)(2) of the 1940 Act, and
subject to Rule 18f-2 thereunder;
(q) "Shares" shall mean the outstanding shares of beneficial interest
into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to
time, and shall include fractional and whole shares;
(r) "Shareholder" shall mean a record owner of Shares;
(s) "Trust" shall refer to the Delaware business trust established by
this Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time;
(t) "Trust Property" shall mean any and all property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the
Trust or one or more of any Series, including, without limitation, the rights
referenced in Article VIII, Section 2 hereof;
(u) "Trustee" or "Trustees" shall refer to each signatory to this
Declaration of Trust as a trustee, so long as such signatory continues in office
in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may, from time to
time, be duly elected or appointed, qualified and serving on the Board of
Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof. Reference herein to a Trustee
or the Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons in their capacity as
trustees hereunder.
ARTICLE II.
Purpose of Trust
The purpose of the Trust is to conduct, operate and carry on the
business of a registered management investment company registered under the 1940
Act through one or more Series investing primarily in securities and, in
addition to any authority given by law, to exercise all of the powers and to do
any and all of the things as fully and to the same extent as any private
corporation organized for profit under the general corporation law of the State
of Delaware, now or hereafter in force, including, without limitation, the
following powers:
3
<PAGE>
(a) To invest and reinvest cash, to hold cash uninvested, and to
subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold,
pledge, sell, assign, mortgage, transfer, exchange, distribute, write options
on, lend or otherwise deal in or dispose of contracts for the future acquisition
or delivery of fixed income or other securities, and securities or property of
every nature and kind, including, without limitation, all types of bonds,
debentures, stocks, preferred stocks, negotiable or non-negotiable instruments,
obligations, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of deposit or indebtedness,
commercial paper, repurchase agreements, bankers' acceptances, and other
securities of any kind, issued, created, guaranteed, or sponsored by any and all
Persons, including, without limitation, states, territories, and possessions of
the United States and the District of Columbia and any political subdivision,
agency, or instrumentality thereof, any foreign government or any political
subdivision of the U.S. Government or any foreign government, or any
international instrumentality, or by any bank or savings institution, or by any
corporation or organization organized under the laws of the United States or of
any state, territory, or possession thereof, or by any corporation or
organization organized under any foreign law, or in "when issued" contracts for
any such securities, to change the investments of the assets of the Trust;
(b) To exercise any and all rights, powers and privileges with
reference to or incident to ownership or interest, use and enjoyment of any of
such securities and other instruments or property of every kind and description,
including, but without limitation, the right, power and privilege to own, vote,
hold, purchase, sell, negotiate, assign, exchange, lend, transfer, mortgage,
hypothecate, lease, pledge or write options with respect to or otherwise deal
with, dispose of, use, exercise or enjoy any rights, title, interest, powers or
privileges under or with reference to any of such securities and other
instruments or property, the right to consent and otherwise act with respect
thereto, with power to designate one or more Persons, to exercise any of said
rights, powers, and privileges in respect of any of said instruments, and to do
any and all acts and things for the preservation, protection, improvement and
enhancement in value of any of such securities and other instruments or
property;
(c) To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, lease or
write options with respect to or otherwise deal in any property rights relating
to any or all of the assets of the Trust or any Series, subject to any
requirements of the 1940 Act;
(d) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with
respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver
proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall
deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with
relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(e) To exercise powers and right of subscription or otherwise which in
any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(f) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating that it
is trust property, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, or
in its own name or in the name of a custodian or subcustodian or a nominee or
nominees or otherwise or to authorize the custodian or a subcustodian or a
nominee or nominees to deposit the same in a securities depository, subject in
each case to proper safeguards according to the usual practice of investment
companies or any rules or regulations applicable thereto;
4
<PAGE>
(g) To consent to, or participate in, any plan for the reorganization,
consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer of any security which is
held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale
of property by such corporation or issuer; and to pay calls or subscriptions
with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(h) To join with other security holders in acting through a committee,
depositary, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any
security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee, depositary or
trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any
security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem
proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and
compensation of such committee, depositary or trustee as the Trustees shall deem
proper;
(i) To compromise, arbitrate or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or
against the Trust or any matter in controversy, including but not limited to
claims for taxes;
(j) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships and
any other combinations or associations;
(k) To endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or other
obligations of any Person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship, or
otherwise assume liability for payment thereof;
(l) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust Property such
insurance as the Trustees may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of
the business, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the
assets of the Trust or payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio
investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees,
officers, employees, agents, Investment Advisers, Principal Underwriters, or
independent contractors of the Trust, individually against all claims and
liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding Shares, holding, being
or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged
to have been taken or omitted by any such Person as Trustee, officer, employee,
agent, Investment Adviser, Principal Underwriter, or independent contractor, to
the fullest extent permitted by this Declaration of Trust, the Bylaws and by
applicable law; and
(m) To adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share
bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and
benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance
and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other
benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the
Trust.
(n) To purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold, sell, negotiate,
exchange, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise deal with, dispose of,
use, exercise or enjoy, property of all kinds.
5
<PAGE>
(o) To buy, sell, mortgage, encumber, hold, own, exchange, rent or
otherwise acquire and dispose of, and to develop, improve, manage, subdivide,
and generally to deal and trade in real property, improved and unimproved, and
wheresoever situated; and to build, erect, construct, alter and maintain
buildings, structures, and other improvements on real property.
(p) To borrow or raise moneys for any of the purposes of the Trust, and
to mortgage or pledge the whole or any part of the property and franchises of
the Trust, real, personal, and mixed, tangible or intangible, and wheresoever
situated.
(q) To enter into, make and perform contracts and undertakings of every
kind for any lawful purpose, without limit as to amount.
(r) To issue, purchase, sell and transfer, reacquire, hold, trade and
deal in Shares, bonds, debentures and other securities, instruments or other
property of the Trust, from time to time, to such extent as the Board of
Trustees shall, consistent with the provisions of this Declaration of Trust,
determine; and to repurchase, re-acquire and redeem, from time to time, its
Shares or, if any, its bonds, debentures and other securities.
The Trust shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing
before the possible dissolution of the Trust or one or more of its Series. The
Trust shall not in any way be bound or limited by any present or future law or
custom in regard to investment by fiduciaries. Neither the Trust nor the
Trustees shall be required to obtain any court order to deal with any assets of
the Trust or take any other action hereunder.
The foregoing clauses shall each be construed as purposes, objects and
powers, and it is hereby expressly provided that the foregoing enumeration of
specific purposes, objects and powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in
any manner the powers of the Trust, and that they are in furtherance of, and in
addition to, and not in limitation of, the general powers conferred upon the
Trust by the DBTA and the other laws of the State of Delaware or otherwise; nor
shall the enumeration of one thing be deemed to exclude another, although it be
of like nature, not expressed.
ARTICLE III.
Shares
Section 1. Division of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in
the Trust shall at all times be divided into Shares, all without par value. The
number of Shares authorized hereunder is unlimited. The Board of Trustees may
authorize the division of Shares into separate and distinct Series and the
division of any Series into separate classes of Shares. The different Series and
classes shall be established and designated, and the variations in the relative
rights and preferences as between the different Series and classes shall be
fixed and determined by the Board of Trustees without the requirement of
6
<PAGE>
Shareholder approval. If no separate Series or classes shall be established, the
Shares shall have the rights and preferences provided for herein and in Article
III, Section 6 hereof to the extent relevant and not otherwise provided for
herein, and all references to Series and classes shall be construed (as the
context may require) to refer to the Trust. The fact that a Series shall have
initially been established and designated without any specific establishment or
designation of classes (i.e., that all Shares of such Series are initially of a
single class) shall not limit the authority of the Board of Trustees to
establish and designate separate classes of said Series. The fact that a Series
shall have more than one established and designated class, shall not limit the
authority of the Board of Trustees to establish and designate additional classes
of said Series, or to establish and designate separate classes of the previously
established and designated classes.
The Board of Trustees shall have the power to issue Shares of the
Trust, or any Series or class thereof, from time to time for such consideration
(but not less than the net asset value thereof) and in such form as may be fixed
from time to time pursuant to the direction of the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees may hold as treasury shares, reissue for such
consideration and on such terms as they may determine, or cancel, at their
discretion from time to time, any Shares of any Series reacquired by the Trust.
The Board of Trustees may classify or reclassify any unissued Shares or any
Shares previously issued and reacquired of any Series or class into one or more
Series or classes that may be established and designated from time to time.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust and any Series thereof may acquire,
hold, sell and otherwise deal in, for purposes of investment or otherwise, the
Shares of any other Series of the Trust or Shares of the Trust, and such Shares
shall not be deemed treasury shares or cancelled.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6 of this Article III, each Share
shall have voting rights as provided in Article V hereof, and the Shareholders
of any Series shall be entitled to receive dividends and distributions, when, if
and as declared with respect thereto in the manner provided in Article IV,
Section 3 hereof. No Share shall have any priority or preference over any other
Share of the same Series or class with respect to dividends or distributions
paid in the ordinary course of business or distributions upon dissolution of the
Trust or of such Series or class made pursuant to Article VIII, Section 2
hereof. All dividends and distributions shall be made ratably among all
Shareholders of a particular class of Series from the Trust Property held with
respect to such Series according to the number of Shares of such class of such
Series held of record by such Shareholders on the record date for any dividend
or distribution. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to
subscribe to new or additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or
any Series. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares of
any particular Series into a greater or lesser number of Shares of that Series.
Such division or combination may not materially change the proportionate
beneficial interests of the Shares of that Series in the Trust Property held
with respect to that Series or materially affect the rights of Shares of any
other Series.
Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust, and any organization
in which any such Person is interested, may acquire, own, hold and dispose of
Shares of the Trust to the same extent as if such Person were not a Trustee,
officer or other agent of the Trust; and the Trust may issue and sell or cause
to be issued and sold and may purchase Shares from any such Person or any such
organization subject only to the general limitations, restrictions or other
provisions applicable to the sale or purchase of such Shares generally.
7
<PAGE>
Section 2. Ownership of Shares. The ownership of Shares shall be
recorded on the books of the Trust kept by the Trust or by a transfer or similar
agent for the Trust, which books shall be maintained separately for the Shares
of each Series and class thereof that has been established and designated. No
certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the
Board of Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Board of
Trustees may make such rules not inconsistent with the provisions of the 1940
Act as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, the
transfer of Shares of each Series or class and similar matters. The record books
of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, as the case
may be, shall be conclusive as to who are the Shareholders of each Series or
class thereof and as to the number of Shares of each Series or class thereof
held from time to time by each such Shareholder.
Section 3. Investments in the Trust. Investments may be accepted by the
Trust from such Persons, at such times, on such terms, and for such
consideration as the Board of Trustees may, from time to time, authorize. Each
investment shall be credited to the individual Shareholder's account in the form
of full and fractional Shares of the Trust, in such Series or class as the
purchaser may select, at the net asset value per Share next determined for such
Series or class after receipt of the investment; provided, however, that the
Principal Underwriter may, in its sole discretion, impose a sales charge upon
investments in the Trust.
Section 4. Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability.
Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving to Shareholders only the
rights provided in this Declaration of Trust and under applicable law. Every
Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have
expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof and to have become a party
hereto. The death of a Shareholder during the existence of the Trust shall not
operate to dissolve the Trust or any Series, nor entitle the representative of
any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or
elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees or any Series, but entitles such
representative only to the rights of said deceased Shareholder under this
Declaration of Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to
any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust Property or right to call
for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the
ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders as partners. Neither the Trust
nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall have
any power to bind personally any Shareholder, nor, except as specifically
provided herein, to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of
money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any
time personally agree to pay. All Shares when issued on the terms determined by
the Board of Trustees, shall be fully paid and nonassessable. As provided in the
DBTA, Shareholders of the Trust shall be entitled to the same limitation of
personal liability extended to stockholders of a private corporation organized
for profit under the general corporation law of the State of Delaware.
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Section 5. Power of Board of Trustees to Change Provisions Relating to
Shares. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration of Trust and
without limiting the power of the Board of Trustees to amend this Declaration of
Trust or the Certificate of Trust as provided elsewhere herein, the Board of
Trustees shall have the power to amend this Declaration of Trust, or the
Certificate of Trust, at any time and from time to time, in such manner as the
Board of Trustees may determine in its sole discretion, without the need for
Shareholder action, so as to add to, delete, replace or otherwise modify any
provisions relating to the Shares contained in this Declaration of Trust,
provided that before adopting any such amendment without Shareholder approval,
the Board of Trustees shall determine that it is consistent with the fair and
equitable treatment of all Shareholders and that Shareholder approval is not
otherwise required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. If Shares have been
issued, Shareholder approval shall be required to adopt any amendments to this
Declaration of Trust which would adversely affect to a material degree the
rights and preferences of the Shares of any Series or class already issued;
provided, however, that in the event that the Board of Trustees determines that
the Trust shall no longer be operated as an investment company in accordance
with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Board of Trustees may adopt such
amendments to this Declaration of Trust to delete those terms the Board of
Trustees identifies as being required by the 1940 Act.
Subject to the foregoing Paragraph, the Board of Trustees may amend the
Declaration of Trust to amend any of the provisions set forth in paragraphs (a)
through (i) of Section 6 of this Article III.
The Board of Trustees shall have the power, in its discretion, to make
such elections as to the tax status of the Trust as may be permitted or required
under the Code as presently in effect or as amended, without the vote of any
Shareholder.
Section 6. Establishment and Designation of Series. The establishment
and designation of any Series or class of Shares shall be effective upon the
resolution by a majority of the then Board of Trustees, adopting a resolution
which sets forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and
preferences of such Series or class. Each such resolution shall be incorporated
herein by reference upon adoption.
Each Series shall be separate and distinct from any other Series and
shall maintain separate and distinct records on the books of the Trust, and the
assets and liabilities belonging to any such Series shall be held and accounted
for separately from the assets and liabilities of the Trust or any other Series.
Shares of each Series or class established pursuant to this Section 6,
unless otherwise provided in the resolution establishing such Series, shall have
the following relative rights and preferences:
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(a) Assets Held with Respect to a Particular Series. All consideration
received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series,
together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested,
all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof from whatever source
derived, including, without limitation, any proceeds derived from the sale,
exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from
any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall
irrevocably be held with respect to that Series for all purposes, subject only
to the rights of creditors with respect to that Series, and shall be so recorded
upon the books of account of the Trust. Such consideration, assets, income,
earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, from whatever source derived, including,
without limitation, any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation
of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such
proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, are herein referred to as "assets
held with respect to" that Series. In the event that there are any assets,
income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, funds or payments which are not
readily identifiable as assets held with respect to any particular Series
(collectively "General Assets"), the Board of Trustees shall allocate such
General Assets to, between or among any one or more of the Series in such manner
and on such basis as the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, deems fair
and equitable, and any General Asset so allocated to a particular Series shall
be held with respect to that Series. Each such allocation by the Board of
Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for
all purposes.
(b) Liabilities Held with Respect to a Particular Series. The assets of
the Trust held with respect to each particular Series shall be charged against
the liabilities of the Trust held with respect to that Series and all expenses,
costs, charges and reserves attributable to that Series, and any liabilities,
expenses, costs, charges and reserves of the Trust which are not readily
identifiable as being held with respect to any particular Series (collectively
"General Liabilities") shall be allocated and charged by the Board of Trustees
to and among any one or more of the Series in such manner and on such basis as
the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion deems fair and equitable. The
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges, and reserves so charged to a Series are
herein referred to as "liabilities held with respect to" that Series. Each
allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Board of
Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for
all purposes. All Persons who have extended credit which has been allocated to a
particular Series, or who have a claim or contract which has been allocated to
any particular Series, shall look, and shall be required by contract to look
exclusively, to the assets of that particular Series for payment of such credit,
claim, or contract. In the absence of an express contractual agreement so
limiting the claims of such creditors, claimants and contract providers, each
creditor, claimant and contract provider will be deemed nevertheless to have
impliedly agreed to such limitation unless an express provision to the contrary
has been incorporated in the written contract or other document establishing the
claimant relationship.
Subject to the right of the Board of Trustees in its discretion to
allocate General Liabilities as provided herein, the debts, liabilities,
obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with
respect to a particular Series, whether such Series is now authorized and
existing pursuant to this Declaration of Trust or is hereafter authorized and
existing pursuant to this Declaration of Trust, shall be enforceable against the
assets held with respect to that Series only, and not against the assets of any
other Series or the Trust generally and none of the debts, liabilities,
obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with
respect to the Trust generally or any other Series thereof shall be enforceable
against the assets held with respect to such Series. Notice of this limitation
on liabilities between and among Series shall be set forth in the Certificate of
Trust of the Trust (whether originally or by amendment) as filed or to be filed
in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the
DBTA, and upon the giving of such notice in the Certificate of Trust, the
statutory provisions of Section 3804 of the DBTA relating to limitations on
liabilities between and among Series (and the statutory effect under Section
3804 of setting forth such notice in the Certificate of Trust) shall become
applicable to the Trust and each Series.
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(c) Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions and Repurchases.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration of Trust, including,
without limitation, Article VI, no dividend or distribution including, without
limitation, any distribution paid upon dissolution of the Trust or of any Series
with respect to, nor any redemption or repurchase of, the Shares of any Series
or class shall be effected by the Trust other than from the assets held with
respect to such Series, nor, except as specifically provided in Section 7 of
this Article III, shall any Shareholder of any particular Series otherwise have
any right or claim against the assets held with respect to any other Series or
the Trust generally except to the extent that such Shareholder has such a right
or claim hereunder as a Shareholder of such other Series. The Board of Trustees
shall have full discretion, to the extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to
determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital; and
each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the
Shareholders.
(d) Voting. All Shares of the Trust entitled to vote on a matter shall
vote on the matter, separately by Series and, if applicable, by class, subject
to: (1) where the 1940 Act requires all Shares of the Trust to be voted in the
aggregate without differentiation between the separate Series or classes, then
all of the Trust's Shares shall vote in the aggregate; and (2) if any matter
affects only the interests of some but not all Series or classes, then only the
Shareholders of such affected Series or classes shall be entitled to vote on the
matter.
(e) Equality. All Shares of each particular Series shall represent an
equal proportionate undivided beneficial interest in the assets held with
respect to that Series (subject to the liabilities held with respect to that
Series and such rights and preferences as may have been established and
designated with respect to classes of Shares within such Series), and each Share
of any particular Series shall be equal to each other Share of that Series
(subject to the rights and preferences with respect to separate classes of such
Series).
(f) Fractions. Any fractional Share of a Series shall carry
proportionately all the rights and obligations of a whole Share of that Series,
including rights with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and distributions,
redemption of Shares and dissolution of the Trust or that Series.
(g) Exchange Privilege. The Board of Trustees shall have the authority
to provide that the holders of Shares of any Series shall have the right to
exchange said Shares for Shares of one or more other Series in accordance with
such requirements and procedures as may be established by the Board of Trustees,
and in accordance with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(h) Combination of Series. The Board of Trustees shall have the
authority, without the approval of the Shareholders of any Series unless
otherwise required by applicable law, to combine the assets and liabilities held
with respect to any two or more Series into assets and liabilities held with
respect to a single Series.
(i) Elimination of Series. At any time that there are no Shares
outstanding of any particular Series or class previously established and
designated, the Board of Trustees may by resolution of a majority of the then
Board of Trustees abolish that Series or class and rescind the establishment and
designation thereof.
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Section 7. Indemnification of Shareholders. If any Shareholder or
former Shareholder shall be exposed to liability by reason of a claim or demand
relating solely to his or her being or having been a Shareholder of the Trust
(or by having been a Shareholder of a particular Series), and not because of
such Person's acts or omissions, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or, in
the case of a natural person, his or her heirs, executors, administrators, or
other legal representatives or, in the case of a corporation or other entity,
its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled to be held harmless
from and indemnified out of the assets of the Trust or out of the assets of the
applicable Series (as the case may be) against all loss and expense arising from
such claim or demand; provided, however, there shall be no liability or
obligation of the Trust (or any particular Series) arising hereunder to
reimburse any Shareholder for taxes paid by reason of such Shareholder's
ownership of any Shares.
ARTICLE IV.
The Board of Trustees
Section 1. Number, Election and Tenure. The number of Trustees
constituting the Board of Trustees may be fixed from time to time by a written
instrument signed, or by resolution approved at a duly constituted meeting, by a
majority of the Board of Trustees, provided, however, that the number of
Trustees shall in no event be less than one (1) nor more than fifteen (15). The
Board of Trustees, by action of a majority of the then Trustees at a duly
constituted meeting, may fill vacancies in the Board of Trustees or remove any
Trustee with or without cause. The Shareholders may elect Trustees, including
filling any vacancies in the Board of Trustees, at any meeting of Shareholders
called by the Board of Trustees for that purpose. A meeting of Shareholders for
the purpose of electing one or more Trustees may be called by the Board of
Trustees or, to the extent provided by the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, by the Shareholders. Shareholders shall have the power
to remove a Trustee only to the extent provided by the 1940 Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder.
Each Trustee shall serve during the continued lifetime of the Trust
until he or she dies, resigns, is declared bankrupt or incompetent by a court of
appropriate jurisdiction, or is removed, or, if sooner than any of such events,
until the next meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of electing
Trustees and until the election and qualification of his or her successor. Any
Trustee may resign at any time by written instrument signed by him or her and
delivered to any officer of the Trust or to a meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be
effective at some later time. Except to the extent expressly provided in a
written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee resigning and no Trustee removed
shall have any right to any compensation for any period following any such event
or any right to damages on account of such events or any actions taken in
connection therewith following his or her resignation or removal.
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Section 2. Effect of Death, Resignation, Removal, etc. of a Trustee.
The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, declaration as
bankrupt or incapacity of one or more Trustees, or of all of them, shall not
operate to dissolve the Trust or any Series or to revoke any existing agency
created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust. Whenever a vacancy
in the Board of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided
in this Article IV, Section 1, the Trustee(s) in office, regardless of the
number, shall have all the powers granted to the Board of Trustees and shall
discharge all the duties imposed upon the Board of Trustees by this Declaration
of Trust. In the event of the death, declination, resignation, retirement,
removal, declaration as bankrupt or incapacity of all of the then Trustees, the
Trust's Investment Adviser(s) is (are) empowered to appoint new Trustees subject
to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.
Section 3. Powers. Subject to the provisions of this Declaration of
Trust, the business of the Trust shall be managed by the Board of Trustees, and
such Board of Trustees shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry
out that responsibility, including, without limitation, the power to engage in
securities or other transactions of all kinds on behalf of the Trust. The Board
of Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to
make and execute any and all contracts and instruments that it may consider
necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration of the Trust. The
Trustees shall not be bound or limited by present or future laws or customs with
regard to investment by trustees or fiduciaries, but shall have full authority
and absolute power and control over the assets of the Trust and the business of
the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the
assets of the Trust and the business in their own right, including such
authority, power and control to do all acts and things as they, in their sole
discretion, shall deem proper to accomplish the purposes of this Trust. Without
limiting the foregoing, the Trustees may: (1) adopt, amend and repeal By-Laws
not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust providing for the regulation and
management of the affairs of the Trust; (2) fill vacancies in or remove from
their number in accordance with this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, and
may elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they
consider appropriate; (3) appoint from their own number and establish and
terminate one or more committees consisting of two or more Trustees which may
exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Trustees to the extent that
the Board of Trustees determine; (4) employ one or more custodians of the Trust
Property and may authorize such custodians to employ subcustodians and to
deposit all or any part of such Trust Property in a system or systems for the
central handling of securities or with a Federal Reserve Bank; (5) retain a
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, a shareholder servicing agent or
administrative services agent, or all of them; (6) provide for the issuance and
distribution of Shares by the Trust directly or through one or more Principal
Underwriters or otherwise; (7) retain one or more Investment Adviser(s); (8)
redeem, repurchase and transfer Shares pursuant to applicable law; (9) set
record dates for the determination of Shareholders with respect to various
matters, in the manner provided in Article V, Section 5 of this Declaration of
Trust; (10) declare and pay dividends and distributions to Shareholders from the
Trust Property; (11) establish from time to time, in accordance with the
provisions of Article III, Section 6 hereof, any Series or class of Shares, each
such Series to operate as a separate and distinct investment medium and with
separately defined investment objectives and policies and distinct investment
purposes; and (12) in general delegate such authority as they consider desirable
to any officer of the Trust, to any committee of the Board of Trustees and to
any agent or employee of the Trust or to any such custodian, transfer, dividend
disbursing or shareholder servicing agent, Principal Underwriter or Investment
Adviser. Any determination as to what is in the best interests of the Trust made
by the Board of Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive.
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In construing the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the
presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees. Unless
otherwise specified herein or required by law, any action by the Board of
Trustees shall be deemed effective if approved or taken by a majority of the
Trustees then in office.
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Trustees,
or a committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if a majority of the
members of the Board of Trustees, or committee thereof, as the case may be,
shall individually or collectively consent in writing to that action. Such
action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a majority
vote of the Board of Trustees, or committee thereof, as the case may be. Such
written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings
of the Board of Trustees, or committee thereof, as the case may be.
The Trustees shall devote to the affairs of the Trust such time as may
be necessary for the proper performance of their duties hereunder, but neither
the Trustees nor the officers, directors, shareholders or partners of the
Trustees, shall be expected to devote their full time to the performance of such
duties. The Trustees, or any Affiliate shareholder, officer, director, partner
or employee thereof, or any Person owning a legal or beneficial interest
therein, may engage in or possess an interest in any other business or venture
of any nature and description, independently or with or for the account of
others.
Section 4. Payment of Expenses by the Trust. The Board of Trustees is
authorized to pay or cause to be paid out of the principal or income of the
Trust or any particular Series or class, or partly out of the principal and
partly out of the income of the Trust or any particular Series or class, and to
charge or allocate the same to, between or among such one or more of the Series
or classes that may be established or designated pursuant to Article III,
Section 6, as it deems fair, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities
incurred by or arising in connection with the maintenance or operation of the
Trust or a particular Series or class, or in connection with the management
thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees' compensation and such
expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities for the services of the Trust's
officers, employees, Investment Adviser, Principal Underwriter, auditors,
counsel, custodian, sub-custodian (if any), transfer agent, dividend disbursing
agent, shareholder servicing agent, and such other agents or independent
contractors and such other expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities as the
Board of Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur.
Section 5. Payment of Expenses by Shareholders. The Board of Trustees
shall have the power, as frequently as it may determine, to cause each
Shareholder of the Trust, or each Shareholder of any particular Series, to pay
directly, in advance or arrears, for charges of the Trust's custodian or
transfer, dividend disbursing, shareholder servicing or similar agent, an amount
fixed from time to time by the Board of Trustees, by setting off such charges
due from such Shareholder from declared but unpaid dividends or distributions
owed such Shareholder and/or by reducing the number of Shares in the account of
such Shareholder by that number of full and/or fractional Shares which
represents the outstanding amount of such charges due from such Shareholder.
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Section 6. Ownership of Trust Property. Legal title to all of the Trust
Property shall at all times be considered to be vested in the Trust, except that
the Board of Trustees shall have the power to cause legal title to any Trust
Property to be held by or in the name of any Person as nominee, on such terms as
the Board of Trustees may determine, in accordance with applicable law.
Section 7. Service Contracts.
(a) Subject to such requirements and restrictions as may be set forth
in the By-Laws and/or the 1940 Act, the Board of Trustees may, at any time and
from time to time, contract for exclusive or nonexclusive advisory, management
and/or administrative services for the Trust or for any Series with any
corporation, trust, association or other organization, including any Affiliate;
and any such contract may contain such other terms as the Board of Trustees may
determine, including without limitation, authority for the Investment Adviser or
administrator to determine from time to time without prior consultation with the
Board of Trustees what securities and other instruments or property shall be
purchased or otherwise acquired, owned, held, invested or reinvested in, sold,
exchanged, transferred, mortgaged, pledged, assigned, negotiated, or otherwise
dealt with or disposed of, and what portion, if any, of the Trust Property shall
be held uninvested and to make changes in the Trust's or a particular Series'
investments, or such other activities as may specifically be delegated to such
party.
(b) The Board of Trustees may also, at any time and from time to time,
contract with any corporation, trust, association or other organization,
including any Affiliate, appointing it or them as the exclusive or nonexclusive
distributor or Principal Underwriter for the Shares of the Trust or one or more
of the Series or classes thereof or for other securities to be issued by the
Trust, or appointing it or them to act as the custodian, transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and/or shareholder servicing agent for the Trust or
one or more of the Series or classes thereof.
(c) The Board of Trustees is further empowered, at any time and from
time to time, to contract with any Persons to provide such other services to the
Trust or one or more of its Series, as the Board of Trustees determines to be in
the best interests of the Trust or one or more of its Series.
(d) The fact that:
(i) any of the Shareholders, Trustees, employees or
officers of the Trust is a shareholder, director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee, manager, Adviser, Principal
Underwriter, distributor, or Affiliate or agent of or for any
corporation, trust, association, or other organization, or for
any parent or Affiliate of any organization with which an
Adviser's, management or administration contract, or Principal
Underwriter's or distributor's contract, or custodian,
transfer, dividend disbursing, shareholder servicing or other
type of service contract may have been or may hereafter be
made, or that any such organization, or any parent or
Affiliate thereof, is a Shareholder or has an interest in the
Trust, or that
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(ii) any corporation, trust, association or other
organization with which an Adviser's, management or
administration contract or Principal Underwriter's or
distributor's contract, or custodian, transfer, dividend
disbursing, shareholder servicing or other type of service
contract may have been or may hereafter be made also has an
Adviser's, management or administration contract, or Principal
Underwriter's or distributor's contract, or custodian,
transfer, dividend disbursing, shareholder servicing or other
service contract with one or more other corporations, trusts,
associations, or other organizations, or has other business or
interests,
shall not affect the validity of any such contract or disqualify any
Shareholder, Trustee, employee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or
executing the same, or create any liability or accountability to the Trust or
its Shareholders, provided that the establishment of and performance under each
such contract is permissible under the provisions of the 1940 Act.
(e) Every contract referred to in this Section 7 shall comply with such
requirements and restrictions as may be set forth in the By-Laws, the 1940 Act
or stipulated by resolution of the Board of Trustees; and any such contract may
contain such other terms as the Board of Trustees may determine.
ARTICLE V.
Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings
Section 1. Voting Powers. Subject to the provisions of Article III,
Section 6(d), the Shareholders shall have power to vote only (i) for the
election of Trustees, including the filling of any vacancies in the Board of
Trustees, as provided in Article IV, Section 1; (ii) with respect to such
additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by this Declaration
of Trust, the By-Laws, the 1940 Act or any registration statement of the Trust
filed with the Commission; and (iii) on such other matters as the Board of
Trustees may consider necessary or desirable. The Shareholder of record (as of
the record date established pursuant to Section 5 of this Article V) of each
Share shall be entitled to one vote for each full Share, and a fractional vote
for each fractional Share. Shareholders shall not be entitled to cumulative
voting in the election of Trustees or on any other matter. Shares may be voted
in person or by proxy.
Section 2. Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders may be called by the
Board of Trustees for the purpose of electing Trustees as provided in Article
IV, Section 1 and for such other purposes as may be prescribed by law, by this
Declaration of Trust or by the By-Laws. Meetings of the Shareholders may also be
called by the Board of Trustees from time to time for the purpose of taking
action upon any other matter deemed by the Board of Trustees to be necessary or
desirable.
Section 3. Quorum and Required Vote. Except when a larger quorum is
required by applicable law, by the By-Laws or by this Declaration of Trust,
thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the Shares present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at a Shareholders' meeting shall
constitute a quorum at such meeting. When a separate vote by one or more Series
or classes is required, thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the
Shares of each such Series or class present in person or represented by proxy
and entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a Shareholders' meeting of
such Series or class. Subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 6(d),
Article VIII, Section 4 and any other provision of this Declaration of Trust,
the By-Laws or applicable law which requires a different vote: (1) in all
matters other than the election of Trustees, the affirmative vote of the
majority of votes cast at a Shareholders' meeting at which a quorum is present
shall be the act of the Shareholders; (2) Trustees shall be elected by a
plurality of the votes cast at a Shareholders' meeting at which a quorum is
present.
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Section 4. Shareholder Action by Written Consent without a Meeting. Any
action which may be taken at any meeting of Shareholders may be taken without a
meeting and without prior notice if a consent in writing setting forth the
action so taken is signed by the holders of Shares having not less than the
minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action
at a meeting at which all Shares entitled to vote on that action were present
and voted. All such consents shall be filed with the secretary of the Trust and
shall be maintained in the Trust's records. Any Shareholder giving a written
consent or the Shareholder's proxy holders or a transferee of the Shares or a
personal representative of the Shareholder or its respective proxy-holder may
revoke the consent by a writing received by the secretary of the Trust before
written consents of the number of Shares required to authorize the proposed
action have been filed with the secretary.
If the consents of all Shareholders entitled to vote have not been
solicited in writing and if the unanimous written consent of all such
Shareholders shall not have been received, the secretary shall give prompt
notice of the action taken without a meeting to such Shareholders. This notice
shall be given in the manner specified in the By-Laws.
Section 5. Record Dates. For purposes of determining the Shareholders
entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote or entitled to give consent to
action without a meeting, the Board of Trustees may fix in advance a record date
which shall not be more than one hundred eighty (180) days nor less than seven
(7) days before the date of any such meeting.
If the Board of Trustees does not so fix a record date:
(a) The record date for determining Shareholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of Shareholders shall be at the close of business on the
business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is
waived, at the close of business on the business day which is five (5) business
days next preceding to the day on which the meeting is held.
(b) The record date for determining Shareholders entitled to give
consent to action in writing without a meeting, (i) when no prior action by the
Board of Trustees has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written
consent is given, or (ii) when prior action of the Board of Trustees has been
taken, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of
Trustees adopts the resolution taking such prior action or the seventy-fifth
(75th) day before the date of such other action, whichever is later.
For the purpose of determining the Shareholders of any Series or class
who are entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of any other
distribution, the Board of Trustees may from time to time fix a date, which
shall be before the date for the payment of such dividend or such other
distribution, as the record date for determining the Shareholders of such Series
or class having the right to receive such dividend or distribution. Nothing in
this Section shall be construed as precluding the Board of Trustees from setting
different record dates for different Series or classes.
Section 6. Additional Provisions. The By-Laws may include further
provisions for Shareholders' votes, meetings and related matters.
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ARTICLE VI.
Net Asset Value, Distributions and Redemptions
Section 1. Determination of Net Asset Value, Net Income and
Distributions. Subject to Article III, Section 6 hereof, the Board of Trustees
shall have the power to fix an initial offering price for the Shares of any
Series or class thereof which shall yield to such Series or class not less than
the net asset value thereof, at which price the Shares of such Series or class
shall be offered initially for sale, and to determine from time to time
thereafter the offering price which shall yield to such Series or class not less
than the net asset value thereof from sales of the Shares of such Series or
class; provided, however, that no Shares of a Series or class thereof shall be
issued or sold for consideration which shall yield to such Series or class less
than the net asset value of the Shares of such Series or class next determined
after the receipt of the order (or at such other times set by the Board of
Trustees), except in the case of Shares of such Series or class issued in
payment of a dividend properly declared and payable.
Subject to Article III, Section 6 hereof, the Board of Trustees, in
their absolute discretion, may prescribe and shall set forth in the By-laws or
in a duly adopted vote of the Board of Trustees such bases and time for
determining the per Share or net asset value of the Shares of any Series or net
income attributable to the Shares of any Series, or the declaration and payment
of dividends and distributions on the Shares of any Series, as they may deem
necessary or desirable.
Section 2. Redemptions at the Option of a Shareholder. Unless otherwise
provided in the prospectus of the Trust relating to the Shares, as such
prospectus may be amended from time to time ("Prospectus"):
(a) The Trust shall purchase such Shares as are offered by any
Shareholder for redemption, upon the presentation of a proper instrument of
transfer together with a request directed to the Trust or a Person designated by
the Trust that the Trust purchase such Shares or in accordance with such other
procedures for redemption as the Board of Trustees may from time to time
authorize; and the Trust will pay therefor the net asset value thereof, in
accordance with the By-Laws and applicable law. Payment for said Shares shall be
made by the Trust to the Shareholder within seven days after the date on which
the request is received in proper form. The obligation set forth in this Section
2 is subject to the provision that in the event that any time the New York Stock
Exchange (the "Exchange") is closed for other than weekends or holidays, or if
permitted by the Rules of the Commission during periods when trading on the
Exchange is restricted or during any National Financial Emergency which makes it
impracticable for the Trust to dispose of the investments of the applicable
Series or to determine fairly the value of the net assets held with respect to
such Series or during any other period permitted by order of the Commission for
the protection of investors, such obligations may be suspended or postponed by
the Board of Trustees. If certificates have been issued to a Shareholder, any
such request by such Shareholder must be accompanied by surrender of any
outstanding certificate or certificates for such Shares in form for transfer,
together with such proof of the authenticity of signatures as may reasonably be
required on such Shares and accompanied by proper stock transfer stamps, if
applicable.
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(b) Payments for Shares so redeemed by the Trust shall be made in cash,
except payment for such Shares may, at the option of the Board of Trustees, or
such officer or officers as it may duly authorize in its complete discretion, be
made in kind or partially in cash and partially in kind. In case of any payment
in kind, the Board of Trustees, or its delegate, shall have absolute discretion
as to what security or securities of the Trust shall be distributed in kind and
the amount of the same; and the securities shall be valued for purposes of
distribution at the value at which they were appraised in computing the then
current net asset value of the Shares, provided that any Shareholder who cannot
legally acquire securities so distributed in kind by reason of the prohibitions
of the 1940 Act or the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
("ERISA") shall receive cash. Shareholders shall bear the expenses of in-kind
transactions, including, but not limited to, transfer agency fees, custodian
fees and costs of disposition of such securities.
(c) Payment for Shares so redeemed by the Trust shall be made by the
Trust as provided above within seven days after the date on which the redemption
request is received in good order; provided, however, that if payment shall be
made other than exclusively in cash, any securities to be delivered as part of
such payment shall be delivered as promptly as any necessary transfers of such
securities on the books of the several corporations whose securities are to be
delivered practicably can be made, which may not necessarily occur within such
seven day period. Moreover, redemptions may be suspended in the event of a
National Financial Emergency. In no case shall the Trust be liable for any delay
of any corporation or other Person in transferring securities selected for
delivery as all or part of any payment in kind.
(d) The right of Shareholders to receive dividends or other
distributions on Shares may be set forth in a Plan adopted by the Board of
Trustees and amended from time to time pursuant to Rule 18f-3 of the 1940 Act.
The right of any Shareholder of the Trust to receive dividends or other
distributions on Shares redeemed and all other rights of such Shareholder with
respect to the Shares so redeemed by the Trust, except the right of such
Shareholder to receive payment for such Shares, shall cease at the time as of
which the purchase price of such Shares shall have been fixed, as provided
above.
Section 3. Redemptions at the Option of the Trust. The Board of
Trustees may, from time to time, without the vote or consent of the
Shareholders, and subject to the 1940 Act, redeem Shares or authorize the
closing of any Shareholder account, subject to such conditions as may be
established by the Board of Trustees.
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ARTICLE VII.
Compensation and Limitation of Liability of
Officers and Trustees
Section 1. Compensation. Except as set forth in the last sentence of
this Section 1, the Board of Trustees may, from time to time, fix a reasonable
amount of compensation to be paid by the Trust to the Trustees and officers of
the Trust. Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any Trustee
for advisory, management, legal, accounting, investment banking or other
services and payment for the same by the Trust.
Section 2. Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.
(a) To the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of Trustees
and officers are permitted by the DBTA, the officers and Trustees shall not be
responsible or liable in any event for any act or omission of: any agent or
employee of the Trust; any Investment Adviser or Principal Underwriter of the
Trust; or with respect to each Trustee and officer, the act or omission of any
other Trustee or officer, respectively. The Trust, out of the Trust Property,
shall indemnify and hold harmless each and every officer and Trustee from and
against any and all claims and demands whatsoever arising out of or related to
such officer's or Trustee's performance of his or her duties as an officer or
Trustee of the Trust. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring
at the time a Person serves as a Trustee or officer of the Trust whether or not
such Person is a Trustee or officer at the time of any proceeding in which
liability is asserted. Nothing herein contained shall indemnify, hold harmless
or protect any officer or Trustee from or against any liability to the Trust or
any Shareholder to which such Person would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of such Person's office.
(b) Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking
and every other act or document whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on
behalf of the Trust, the officers or the Trustees or any of them in connection
with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or
done only in such Person's capacity as Trustee and/or as officer, and such
Trustee or officer, as applicable, shall not be personally liable therefore,
except as described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of this Section
2 of this Article VII.
Section 3. Officers and Trustees' Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No
Bond or Surety. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions
hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. An officer or Trustee shall
be liable to the Trust and to any Shareholder solely for such officer's or
Trustee's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of such officer or
Trustee, and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or
mistakes of fact or law. The officers and Trustees may obtain the advice of
counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this
Declaration of Trust and their duties as officers or Trustees. No such officer
or Trustee shall be liable for any act or omission in accordance with such
advice and no inference concerning liability shall arise from a failure to
follow such advice. The officers and Trustees shall not be required to give any
bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
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Section 4. Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law, the officers and Trustees shall be entitled and have the authority to
purchase with Trust Property, insurance for liability and for all expenses
reasonably incurred or paid or expected to be paid by a Trustee or officer in
connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which such Person
becomes involved by virtue of such Person's capacity or former capacity with the
Trust, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person
against such liability under the provisions of this Article.
ARTICLE VIII.
Miscellaneous
Section 1. Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees. No person
dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the
validity of any actions made or to be made by the Trustees.
Section 2. Dissolution of Trust or Series. Unless dissolved as provided
herein, the Trust shall have perpetual existence. The Trust may be dissolved at
any time by vote of a majority of the Shares of the Trust entitled to vote or by
the Board of Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders. Any Series may be
dissolved at any time by vote of a majority of the Shares of that Series or by
the Board of Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders of that Series.
Upon dissolution of the Trust (or a particular Series, as the case may
be), the Trustees shall (in accordance with ss. 3808 of the DBTA) pay or make
reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of each Series (or the
particular Series, as the case may be), including all contingent, conditional or
unmatured claims and obligations known to the Trust, and all claims and
obligations which are known to the Trust but for which the identity of the
claimant is unknown. If there are sufficient assets held with respect to each
Series of the Trust (or the particular Series, as the case may be), such claims
and obligations shall be paid in full and any such provisions for payment shall
be made in full. If there are insufficient assets held with respect to each
Series of the Trust (or the particular Series, as the case may be), such claims
and obligations shall be paid or provided for according to their priority and,
among claims and obligations of equal priority, ratably to the extent of assets
available therefor. Any remaining assets (including without limitation, cash,
securities or any combination thereof) held with respect to each Series of the
Trust (or the particular Series, as the case may be) shall be distributed to the
Shareholders of such Series, ratably according to the number of Shares of such
Series held by the several Shareholders on the record date for such dissolution
distribution.
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Section 3. Merger and Consolidation; Conversion.
(a) Merger and Consolidation. Pursuant to an agreement of merger or
consolidation, the Trust, or any one or more Series, may, by act of a majority
of the Board of Trustees, merge or consolidate with or into one or more business
trusts or other business entities formed or organized or existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware or any other state or the United States or any foreign
country or other foreign jurisdiction. Any such merger or consolidation shall
not require the vote of the Shareholders affected thereby, unless such vote is
required by the 1940 Act, or unless such merger or consolidation would result in
an amendment of this Declaration of Trust which would otherwise require the
approval of such Shareholders. In accordance with Section 3815(f) of the DBTA,
an agreement of merger or consolidation may effect any amendment to this
Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws or effect the adoption of a new declaration
of trust or by-laws of the Trust if the Trust is the surviving or resulting
business trust. Upon completion of the merger or consolidation, the Trustees
shall file a certificate of merger or consolidation in accordance with Section
3810 of the DBTA.
(b) Conversion. A majority of the Board of Trustees may, without the
vote or consent of the Shareholders, cause (i) the Trust to convert to a
common-law trust, a general partnership, limited partnership or a limited
liability company organized, formed or created under the laws of the State of
Delaware as permitted pursuant to Section 3821 of the DBTA; (ii) the Shares of
the Trust or any Series to be converted into beneficial interests in another
business trust (or series thereof) created pursuant to this Section 3 of this
Article VIII, or (iii) the Shares to be exchanged under or pursuant to any state
or federal statute to the extent permitted by law; provided, however, that if
required by the 1940 Act, no such statutory conversion, Share conversion or
Share exchange shall be effective unless the terms of such transaction shall
first have been approved at a meeting called for that purpose by the "vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities," as such phrase is defined in the
1940 Act, of the Trust or Series, as applicable; provided, further, that in all
respects not governed by statute or applicable law, the Board of Trustees shall
have the power to prescribe the procedure necessary or appropriate to accomplish
a sale of assets, merger or consolidation including the power to create one or
more separate business trusts to which all or any part of the assets,
liabilities, profits or losses of the Trust may be transferred and to provide
for the conversion of Shares of the Trust or any Series into beneficial
interests in such separate business trust or trusts (or series thereof).
Section 4. Reorganization.
A majority of the Board of Trustees may cause the Trust to sell, convey
and transfer all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust, or all or
substantially all of the assets associated with any one or more Series, to
another trust, business trust, partnership, limited partnership, limited
liability company, association or corporation organized under the laws of any
state, or to one or more separate series thereof, or to the Trust to be held as
assets associated with one or more other Series of the Trust, in exchange for
cash, shares or other securities (including, without limitation, in the case of
a transfer to another Series of the Trust, Shares of such other Series) with
such transfer either (a) being made subject to, or with the assumption by the
transferee of, the liabilities associated with each Series the assets of which
are so transferred, or (b) not being made subject to, or not with the assumption
of, such liabilities; provided, however, that, if required by the 1940 Act, no
assets associated with any particular Series shall be so sold, conveyed or
transferred unless the terms of such transaction shall first have been approved
at a meeting called for that purpose by the "vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities," as such phrase is defined in the 1940 Act, of
that Series. Following such sale, conveyance and transfer, the Board of Trustees
shall distribute such cash, shares or other securities (giving due effect to the
assets and liabilities associated with and any other differences among the
various Series the assets associated with which have so been sold, conveyed and
transferred) ratably among the Shareholders of the Series the assets associated
with which have been so sold, conveyed and transferred (giving due effect to the
differences among the various classes within each such Series); and if all of
the assets of the Trust have been so sold, conveyed and transferred, the Trust
shall be dissolved.
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Section 5. Amendments.
Subject to the provisions of the second paragraph of this Section 5 of
this Article VIII, this Declaration of Trust may be restated and/or amended at
any time by an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the then Board of
Trustees and, if required, by approval of such amendment by Shareholders in
accordance with Article V, Section 3 hereof. Any such restatement and/or
amendment hereto shall be effective immediately upon execution and approval or
upon such future date and time as may be stated therein. The Certificate of
Trust of the Trust may be restated and/or amended by a similar procedure, and
any such restatement and/or amendment shall be effective immediately upon filing
with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or upon such
future date as may be stated therein.
Notwithstanding the above, the Board of Trustees expressly reserves the
right to amend or repeal any provisions contained in this Declaration of Trust
or the Certificate of Trust, in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of
Article III hereof, and all rights, contractual and otherwise, conferred upon
Shareholders are granted subject to such reservation. The Board of Trustees
further expressly reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision of the
By-Laws pursuant to Article X of the By-Laws.
Section 6. Filing of Copies, References, Headings. The original or a
copy of this Declaration of Trust and of each restatement and/or amendment
hereto shall be kept at the principal executive office of the Trust where it may
be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a
certificate by an officer of the Trust as to whether or not any such
restatements and/or amendments have been made and as to any matters in
connection with the Trust hereunder; and, with the same effect as if it were the
original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy
of this instrument or of any such restatements and/or amendments. In this
Declaration of Trust and in any such restatements and/or amendments, references
to this instrument, and all expressions of similar effect to "herein," "hereof"
and "hereunder," shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as amended or
affected by any such restatements and/or amendments. Headings are placed herein
for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken as a part hereof or
control or affect the meaning, construction or effect of this instrument.
Whenever the singular number is used herein, the same shall include the plural;
and the neuter, masculine and feminine genders shall include each other, as
applicable. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 7. Applicable Law. This Declaration of Trust is created under
and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of
the State of Delaware and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the
Code. The Trust shall be a Delaware business trust pursuant to the DBTA, and
without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which
are ordinarily exercised by such a business trust.
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Section 8. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations.
(a) The provisions of this Declaration of Trust are severable, and if
the Board of Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of
such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, the Code, the DBTA, or with
other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed
not to have constituted a part of this Declaration of Trust from the time when
such provisions became inconsistent with such laws or regulations; provided,
however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining
provisions of this Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action
taken or omitted prior to such determination.
(b) If any provision of this Declaration of Trust shall be held invalid
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall
attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner
affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this
Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.
Section 9. Business Trust Only. It is the intention of the Trustees to
create a business trust pursuant to the DBTA, and thereby to create the
relationship of trustee and beneficial owners within the meaning of the DBTA
between the Trustees and each Shareholder. It is not the intention of the
Trustees to create a general or limited partnership, limited liability company,
joint stock association, corporation, bailment, or any form of legal
relationship other than a business trust pursuant to the DBTA. Nothing in this
Declaration of Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either by
themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock
association.
Section 10. Use of the Names "Delaware Group" and "Delaware
Investments". The Trust expressly agrees and acknowledges that the names
"Delaware Group" and "Delaware Investments" are the sole property of Delaware
Management Holdings, Inc. ("DMH"), and, with respect to such names, that similar
names are used by funds in the investment business which are affiliated with
DMH. DMH has consented to the use by the Trust of the identifying words
"Delaware Group" and "Delaware Investments" and has granted to the Trust a
nonexclusive license to use the names "Delaware Group" and "Delaware
Investments" as part of the name of the Trust and the name of any Series of
Shares. The Trust further expressly agrees and acknowledges that the
non-exclusive license granted herein may be terminated by DMH if the Trust
ceases to use an Affiliate of DMH as Investment Adviser or Delaware
Distributors, L.P. ("DDLP") as Principal Underwriter (or to use other Affiliates
or successors of DMH and DDLP for such purposes). In such event, the
non-exclusive license granted herein may be revoked by DMH and the Trust shall
cease using the names "Delaware Group" and "Delaware Investments" as part of its
name or the name of any Series of Shares, unless otherwise consented to by DMH
or any successor to its interests in such names.
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The Trust further understands and agrees that so long as DMH and/or its
advisory Affiliates shall continue to serve as the Trust's Investment Adviser,
other mutual funds as may be sponsored or advised by DMH or its Affiliates shall
have the right permanently to adopt and to use the words "Delaware" in their
names and in the names of any Series or class of Shares of such funds.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trustees named below do hereby make and enter
into this Declaration of Trust as of the 17th day of December, 1998.
/s/Wayne A. Stork /s/Jeffrey J. Nick
- ------------------------- -------------------------
Wayne A. Stork Jeffrey J. Nick
Trustee Trustee
/s/Walter P. Babich /s/John H. Durham
- ------------------------- -------------------------
Walter P. Babich John H. Durham
Trustee Trustee
/s/Anthony D. Knerr /s/Ann R. Leven
- ------------------------- -------------------------
Anthony D. Knerr Ann R. Leven
Trustee Trustee
/s/W. Thacher Longstreth /s/Thomas F. Madison
- ------------------------- -------------------------
W. Thacher Longstreth Thomas F. Madison
Trustee Trustee
/s/Charles E. Peck
- -------------------------
Charles E. Peck
Trustee
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.A2
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF
DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS III
This Certificate of Trust of Delaware Group Equity Funds III, a
business trust (the "Trust"), executed by the undersigned trustees, and filed
under and in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Business Trust Act
(12 Del. C. ss. 3801 et seq.) (the "Act"), sets forth the following:
FIRST: The name of the business trust formed hereby is Delaware Group
Equity Funds III.
SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Trust in the State
of Delaware is at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 and
the name and address of the registered agent for service of process on
the Trust in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company,
1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
THIRD: The Trust formed hereby is or will become an investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (15
U.S.C. ss.ss.80a-1 et seq.).
FOURTH: Pursuant to Section 3804 of the Act, the debts, liabilities,
obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing
with respect to a particular series, whether such series is now
authorized and existing pursuant to the governing instrument of the
Trust or is hereafter authorized and existing pursuant to said
governing instrument, shall be enforceable against the assets
associated with such series only, and not against the assets of the
Trust generally or any other series thereof, and, except as otherwise
provided in the governing instrument of the Trust, none of the debts,
liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or
otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally or any other
series thereof shall be enforceable against the assets of such series.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, being all of the trustees of
Delaware Group Equity Funds III, have duly executed this Certificate of Trust as
of the 17th day of December, 1998.
By: /s/Wayne A. Stork By: /s/Jeffrey J. Nick
----------------------------- --------------------------
Wayne A. Stork Jeffrey J. Nick
Trustee Trustee
By: /s/Walter P. Babich By: /s/John H. Durham
----------------------------- --------------------------
Walter P. Babich John H. Durham
Trustee Trustee
By: /s/Anthony D. Knerr By: /s/Ann R. Leven
----------------------------- --------------------------
Anthony D. Knerr Ann R. Leven
Trustee Trustee
By: /s/W. Thacher Longstreth By: /s/Thomas F. Madison
----------------------------- --------------------------
W. Thacher Longstreth Thomas F. Madison
Trustee Trustee
By: /s/Charles E. Peck
-----------------------------
Charles E. Peck
Trustee
<PAGE>
BY-LAWS
OF
Delaware Group Equity Funds III
A Delaware Business Trust
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal executive office of Delaware
Group Equity Funds III (the "Trust") shall be One Commerce Square, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, 19103. The board of trustees (the "Board of Trustees") may, from
time to time, change the location of the principal executive office of the Trust
to any place within or outside the State of Delaware.
Section 2. OTHER OFFICES. The Board of Trustees may at any time establish
branch or subordinate offices at any place or places where the Trust intends to
do business.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of shareholders shall be held at any
place within or outside the State of Delaware designated by the Board of
Trustees. In the absence of any such designation by the Board of Trustees,
shareholders' meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the
Trust. For purposes of these By-Laws, the term "shareholder" shall mean a record
owner of shares of the Trust.
Section 2. CALL OF MEETING. A meeting of the shareholders may be called at
any time by the Board of Trustees or by the chairperson of the board or by the
president. If the Trust is required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"), to hold a shareholders' meeting to elect trustees, the
meeting shall be deemed an "annual meeting" for that year for purposes of the
1940 Act.
Section 3. NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING. All notices of meetings of
shareholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 4 of
this Article II not less than seven (7) nor more than ninety-three (93) days
before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify (i) the place, date and
hour of the meeting, and (ii) the general nature of the business to be
transacted. The notice of any meeting at which trustees are to be elected also
shall include the name of any nominee or nominees whom at the time of the notice
are intended to be presented for election. Except with respect to adjournments
as provided herein, no business shall be transacted at such meeting other than
that specified in the notice.
Section 4. MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE. Notice of any
meeting of shareholders shall be given either personally or by first-class mail,
courier or telegraphic, facsimile, electronic mail or other written
communication, charges prepaid, addressed to the shareholder at the address of
that shareholder appearing on the books of the Trust or its transfer agent or
given by the shareholder to the Trust for the purpose of notice. If no such
<PAGE>
address appears on the Trust's books or is given, notice shall be deemed to have
been given if sent to that shareholder by first-class mail, courier, or
telegraphic, facsimile, electronic mail or other written communication to the
Trust's principal executive office. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at
the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail, with a courier or
sent by telegram, facsimile, electronic mail or other means of written
communication.
If any notice addressed to a shareholder at the address of that shareholder
appearing on the books of the Trust is returned to the Trust marked to indicate
that the notice to the shareholder cannot be delivered at that address, all
future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without
further mailing, or substantial equivalent thereof, if such notices shall be
available to the shareholder on written demand of the shareholder at the
principal executive office of the Trust for a period of one year from the date
of the giving of the notice.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any
shareholders' meeting shall be executed by the secretary, assistant secretary or
any transfer agent of the Trust giving the notice and shall be filed and
maintained in the records of the Trust. Such affidavit shall, in the absence of
fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
Section 5. ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE. Any shareholders' meeting, whether or
not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time (and at any time
during the course of the meeting) by a majority of the votes cast by those
shareholders present in person or by proxy, or by the chairperson of the
meeting. Any adjournment may be with respect to one or more proposals, but not
necessarily all proposals, to be voted or acted upon at such meeting and any
adjournment will not delay or otherwise affect the effectiveness and validity of
a vote or other action taken at a shareholders' meeting prior to adjournment.
When any shareholders' meeting is adjourned to another time or place,
notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting at which the adjournment is
taken, unless a new record date of the adjourned meeting is fixed or unless the
adjournment is for more than one hundred eighty (180) days from the record date
set for the original meeting, in which case the Board of Trustees shall set a
new record date. If notice of any such adjourned meeting is required pursuant to
the preceding sentence, it shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled
to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 3
and 4 of this Article II. At any adjourned meeting, the Trust may transact any
business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.
Section 6. VOTING. The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of
shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust, as in effect at such time. The shareholders' vote may be
by voice vote or by ballot, provided, however, that any election for trustees
must be by ballot if demanded by any shareholder before the voting has begun. On
any matter other than elections of trustees, any shareholder may vote part of
the shares in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares
or vote them against the proposal, but if the shareholder fails to specify the
number of shares which the shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be
conclusively presumed that the shareholder's approving vote is with respect to
the total shares that the shareholder is entitled to vote on such proposal.
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Abstentions and broker non-votes will be included for purposes of
determining whether a quorum is present at a shareholders' meeting. Abstentions
and broker non-votes will be treated as votes present at a shareholders'
meeting, but will not be treated as votes cast. Abstentions and broker
non-votes, therefore, will have no effect on proposals which require a plurality
or majority of votes cast for approval, but will have the same effect as a vote
"against" on proposals requiring a majority of outstanding voting securities for
approval.
Section 7. WAIVER OF NOTICE BY CONSENT OF ABSENT SHAREHOLDERS. The
transactions of a meeting of shareholders, however called and noticed and
wherever held, shall be valid as though transacted at a meeting duly held after
regular call and notice if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy.
Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of notice
with respect to that person of that meeting, except when the person objects at
the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the
meeting is not lawfully called or convened and except that such attendance is
not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters not included
in the notice of the meeting if that objection is expressly made at the
beginning of the meeting. Whenever notice of a meeting is required to be given
to a shareholder under the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws, a written
waiver thereof, executed before or after the meeting by such shareholder or his
or her attorney thereunto authorized and filed with the records of the meeting,
shall be deemed equivalent to such notice.
Section 8. PROXIES. Every shareholder entitled to vote for trustees or on
any other matter shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or
more agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the shareholder and filed
with the secretary of the Trust. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the
shareholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature,
typewriting, telegraphic transmission or otherwise) by the shareholder or the
shareholder's attorney-in-fact. A validly executed proxy which does not state
that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i)
revoked by the shareholder executing it by a written notice delivered to the
Trust prior to the exercise of the proxy or by the shareholder's execution of a
subsequent proxy or attendance and vote in person at the meeting; or (ii)
written notice of the death or incapacity of the shareholder is received by the
Trust before the proxy's vote is counted; provided, however, that no proxy shall
be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of the proxy
unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The revocability of a proxy that states
on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
With respect to any shareholders' meeting, the Board of Trustees may act to
permit the Trust to accept proxies by any electronic, telephonic, computerized,
telecommunications or other reasonable alternative to the execution of a written
instrument authorizing the proxy to act, provided the shareholder's
authorization is received within eleven (11) months before the meeting. A proxy
with respect to shares held in the name of two or more Persons shall be valid if
executed by any one of them unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the
Trust receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. A
proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a shareholder shall be deemed
valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of proving
invalidity shall rest with the challenger.
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Section 9. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. Before any meeting of shareholders, the
Board of Trustees may appoint any person other than nominees for office to act
as inspector of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no inspector of
election is so appointed, the chairperson of the meeting may, and on the request
of any shareholder or a shareholder's proxy shall, appoint an inspector of
election at the meeting. If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or
fails or refuses to act, the chairperson of the meeting may, and on the request
of any shareholder or a shareholder's proxy shall, appoint a person to fill the
vacancy.
The inspector shall:
(a) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of
each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the
authenticity, validity and effect of proxies;
(b) receive votes, ballots or consents;
(c) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in
connection with the right to vote;
(d) count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) determine when the polls shall close;
(f) determine the result; and
(g) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote
with fairness to all shareholders.
ARTICLE III
TRUSTEES
Section 1. POWERS. Subject to the applicable provisions of the Declaration
of Trust and these By-Laws relating to action required to be approved by the
shareholders, the business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed and all
powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees.
Section 2. NUMBER OF TRUSTEES. The number of trustees constituting the
Board of Trustees shall be determined as set forth in the Declaration of Trust.
Section 3. VACANCIES. Vacancies in the Board of Trustees may be filled by a
majority of the remaining trustees, though less than a quorum, or by a sole
remaining trustee, unless the Board of Trustees calls a meeting of shareholders
for the purpose of filling such vacancies. Notwithstanding the above, whenever
and for so long as the Trust is a participant in or otherwise has in effect a
plan under which the Trust may be deemed to bear expenses of distributing its
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shares as that practice is described in Rule 12b- 1 under the 1940 Act, then the
selection and nomination of the trustees who are not "interested persons" of the
Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) shall be, and is, committed to
the discretion of such disinterested trustees.
Section 4. PLACE OF MEETINGS AND MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE. All meetings of the
Board of Trustees may be held at any place within or outside the State of
Delaware that has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Board
of Trustees. In the absence of such a designation, regular meetings shall be
held at the principal executive office of the Trust. Any meeting, regular or
special, may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment,
so long as all trustees participating in the meeting can hear one another, and
all such trustees shall be deemed to be present in person at the meeting.
Section 5. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees
shall be held without call at such time as shall from time to time be fixed by
the Board of Trustees. Such regular meetings may be held without notice.
Section 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Trustees for
any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairperson of the
board or the president or any vice president or the secretary or any two (2)
trustees.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered
personally or by telephone to each trustee or sent by first-class mail, courier
or telegram, charges prepaid, or by facsimile or electronic mail, addressed to
each trustee at that trustee's address as it is shown on the records of the
Trust. In case the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States
mail at least seven (7) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. In
case the notice is delivered personally, by telephone, by courier, to the
telegraph company, or by express mail, facsimile, electronic mail or similar
service, it shall be delivered at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time
of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone
may be communicated either to the trustee or to a person at the office of the
trustee who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly
communicate it to the trustee. The notice need not specify the purpose of the
meeting or the place if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive
office of the Trust.
Section 7. QUORUM. A majority of the authorized number of trustees shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as
provided in Section 10 of this Article III. Every act or decision done or made
by a majority of the trustees present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum
is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Trustees, subject to the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust. A meeting at which a quorum is initially
present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of
trustees if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required
quorum for that meeting.
Section 8. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any
trustee who either before or after the meeting signs a written waiver of notice,
a consent to holding the meeting, or an approval of the minutes. The waiver of
notice or consent need not specify the purpose of the meeting. All such waivers,
consents, and approvals shall be filed with the records of the Trust or made a
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part of the minutes of the meeting. Notice of a meeting shall also be deemed
given to any trustee who attends the meeting without protesting before or at its
commencement about the lack of notice to that trustee.
Section 9. ADJOURNMENT. A majority of the trustees present, whether or not
constituting a quorum, may adjourn any matter at any meeting to another time and
place.
Section 10. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT. Notice of the time and place of holding
an adjourned meeting need not be given unless the meeting is adjourned for more
than seven (7) days, in which case notice of the time and place shall be given
before the time of the adjourned meeting to the trustees who were present at the
time of the adjournment.
Section 11. FEES AND COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES. Trustees and members of
committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services and such
reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the
Board of Trustees. This Section 11 shall not be construed to preclude any
trustee from serving the Trust in any other capacity as an officer, agent,
employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation for those services.
Section 12. TRUSTEE EMERITUS. Upon retirement of a trustee, the Board of
Trustees may elect him or her to the position of Trustee Emeritus. Said Trustee
Emeritus shall serve for one year and may be reelected by the Board of Trustees
from year to year thereafter. Said Trustee Emeritus shall not vote at meetings
of trustees and shall not be held responsible for actions of the Board of
Trustees but shall receive fees paid to trustees for serving as such.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. COMMITTEES OF TRUSTEES. The Board of Trustees may, by resolution
adopted by a majority of the authorized number of trustees, designate one or
more committees, each consisting of two (2) or more trustees, to serve at the
pleasure of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may designate one or
more trustees as alternate members of any committee who may replace any absent
member at any meeting of the committee. Any committee to the extent provided in
the resolution of the Board of Trustees, shall have the authority of the Board
of Trustees, except with respect to:
(a) the approval of any action which under the Declaration of Trust or
applicable law also requires shareholders' approval or requires approval by a
majority of the entire Board of Trustees or certain members of said Board of
Trustees;
(b) the filling of vacancies on the Board of Trustees or in any committee;
(c) the fixing of compensation of the trustees for serving on the Board of
Trustees or on any committee;
(d) the amendment or repeal of the Declaration of Trust or of the By-Laws
or the adoption of new By-Laws;
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(e) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board of Trustees
which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable; or
(f) the appointment of any other committees of the Board of Trustees or the
members of these committees.
Section 2. MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES. Meetings and action of any
committee shall be governed by and held and taken in accordance with the
provisions of Article III of these By-Laws, with such changes in the context
thereof as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the
Board of Trustees and its members, except that the time of regular meetings of
any committee may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Trustees or
by resolution of the committee. Special meetings of any committee may also be
called by resolution of the Board of Trustees, and notice of special meetings of
any committee shall also be given to all alternate members who shall have the
right to attend all meetings of the committee. The Board of Trustees may adopt
rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions
of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. OFFICERS. The officers of the Trust shall be a chairperson of
the board, a president and chief executive officer, a secretary, and a
treasurer. The Trust may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Trustees,
one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more
assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, and such other officers
as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this
Article V. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except the
offices of president and vice president.
Section 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The officers of the Trust shall be chosen
by the Board of Trustees, and each shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of
Trustees, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of
employment.
Section 3. SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The Board of Trustees may appoint and may
empower the president to appoint such other officers as the business of the
Trust may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such
authority and perform such duties as are provided in these By-Laws or as the
Board of Trustees may from time to time determine.
Section 4. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS. Subject to the rights, if
any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed,
either with or without cause, by the Board of Trustees at any regular or special
meeting of the Board of Trustees, or by an officer upon whom such power of
removal may be conferred by the Board of Trustees.
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Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Trust.
Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or
at any later time specified in that notice; and unless otherwise specified in
that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the
Trust under any contract to which the officer is a party.
Section 5. VACANCIES IN OFFICES. A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause shall be filled in the
manner prescribed in these By-Laws for regular appointment to that office.
Section 6. CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD. The chairperson of the board shall, if
present, preside at meetings of the Board of Trustees and exercise and perform
such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to the
chairperson by the Board of Trustees or prescribed by the By-Laws. The
chairperson of the board shall be a member ex officio of all standing
committees. In the absence, resignation, disability or death of the president,
the chairperson shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the
president until his or her return, or until such disability shall be removed or
until a new president shall have been elected.
Section 7. PRESIDENT. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be
given by the Board of Trustees to the chairperson of the board, the president
shall be the chief executive officer of the Trust and shall, subject to the
control of the Board of Trustees, have general supervision, direction and
control of the business and the officers of the Trust. In the absence of the
chairperson of the board, he shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders
and at all meetings of the Board of Trustees. He shall have the general powers
and duties of management usually vested in the office of president of a
corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by
the Board of Trustees or these By-Laws.
Section 8. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence or disability of the president,
the vice presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of
Trustees or if not ranked, a vice president designated by the Board of Trustees,
shall perform all the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all
powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president. The vice
presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from
time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board of Trustees or
by these By-Laws and the president or the chairperson of the board.
Section 9. SECRETARY. The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept at the
principal executive office of the Trust or such other place as the Board of
Trustees may direct a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of trustees,
committees of trustees and shareholders with the time and place of holding,
whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, the notice given,
the names of those present at trustees' meetings or committee meetings, the
number of shares present or represented at shareholders' meetings, and the
proceedings.
The secretary shall cause to be kept at the principal executive office of
the Trust or at the office of the Trust's transfer agent or registrar, as
determined by resolution of the Board of Trustees, a share register or a
duplicate share register showing the names of all shareholders and their
addresses, the number, series and classes of shares held by each, the number and
date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of cancellation
of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
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The secretary shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the
shareholders and of the Board of Trustees required by these By-Laws or by
applicable law to be given and shall have such other powers and perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees or by these By-Laws.
Section 10. TREASURER. The treasurer shall keep and maintain or cause to be
kept and maintained adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the
properties and business transactions of the Trust, including accounts of its
assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained
earnings and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open
to inspection by any trustee.
The treasurer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and
to the credit of the Trust with such depositories as may be designated by the
Board of Trustees. He shall disburse the funds of the Trust as may be ordered by
the Board of Trustees, shall render to the president and trustees, whenever they
request it, an account of all of his transactions and of the financial condition
of the Trust and shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the Board of Trustees or these By-Laws.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS
Section 1. AGENTS, PROCEEDINGS AND EXPENSES. For the purpose of this
Article, "agent" means any person who is or was a trustee, officer, employee or
other agent of this Trust or is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a
trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or was a
trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of a foreign or domestic
corporation which was a predecessor of another enterprise at the request of such
predecessor entity; "proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed
action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative;
and "expenses" includes without limitation attorneys' fees and any expenses of
establishing a right to indemnification under this Article.
Section 2. ACTIONS OTHER THAN BY TRUST. The Trust shall indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of
the fact that such person is or was an agent of the Trust, against expenses,
judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred
in connection with such proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a
manner that such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the
Trust and in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe the conduct of such person was unlawful. The termination of any
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or plea of nolo contendere
or its equivalent shall not of itself create a presumption that the person did
not act in good faith or in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be
in the best interests of the Trust or that the person had reasonable cause to
believe that the person's conduct was unlawful.
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Section 3. ACTIONS BY TRUST. The Trust shall indemnify any person who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its
favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was an agent of the Trust,
against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by that person in connection
with the defense or settlement of that action if that person acted in good
faith, in a manner that person believed to be in the best interests of the Trust
and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, as an ordinarily prudent
person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.
Section 4. EXCLUSION OF INDEMNIFICATION. Notwithstanding any provision to
the contrary contained herein, there shall be no right to indemnification for
any liability arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or the reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
the agent's office with the Trust.
No indemnification shall be made under Sections 2 or 3 of this Article:
(a) In respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which that person shall
have been adjudged to be liable in the performance of that person's duty to the
Trust, unless and only to the extent that the court in which that action was
brought shall determine upon application that in view of all the circumstances
of the case, that person was not liable by reason of the disabling conduct set
forth in the preceding paragraph and is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for the expenses which the court shall determine; or
(b) In respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which that person shall
have been adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received by him, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action
taken in the person's official capacity; or
(c) Of amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of a threatened or
pending action, with or without court approval, or of expenses incurred in
defending a threatened or pending action which is settled or otherwise disposed
of without court approval, unless the required approval set forth in Section 6
of this Article is obtained.
Section 5. SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE BY AGENT. To the extent that an agent of the
Trust has been successful on the merits in defense of any proceeding referred to
in Sections 2 or 3 of this Article or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, before the court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought,
the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred
by the agent in connection therewith, provided that the Board of Trustees,
including a majority who are disinterested, non-party trustees, also determines
that based upon a review of the facts, the agent was not liable by reason of the
disabling conduct referred to in Section 4 of this Article.
Section 6. REQUIRED APPROVAL. Except as provided in Section 5 of this
Article, any indemnification under this Article shall be made by the Trust only
if authorized in the specific case on a determination that indemnification of
the agent is proper in the circumstances because the agent has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 2 or 3 of this Article and
is not prohibited from indemnification because of the disabling conduct set
forth in Section 4 of this Article, by:
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(a) A majority vote of a quorum consisting of trustees who are not parties
to the proceeding and are not "interested persons" of the Trust (as defined in
the 1940 Act); or
(b) A written opinion by an independent legal counsel.
Section 7. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. Expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding may be advanced by the Trust before the final disposition of the
proceeding on receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the agent to repay
the amount of the advance unless it shall be determined ultimately that the
agent is entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Article, provided the
agent provides a security for his undertaking, or a majority of a quorum of the
disinterested, non-party trustees, or an independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, determine that based on a review of readily available facts, there is
reason to believe that said agent ultimately will be found entitled to
indemnification.
Section 8. OTHER CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS. Nothing contained in this Article
shall affect any right to indemnification to which persons other than trustees
and officers of the Trust or any subsidiary thereof may be entitled by contract
or otherwise.
Section 9. LIMITATIONS. No indemnification or advance shall be made under
this Article, except as provided in Sections 5 or 6, in any circumstances where
it appears:
(a) That it would be inconsistent with a provision of the Declaration of
Trust, a resolution of the shareholders, or an agreement which prohibits or
otherwise limits indemnification which was in effect at the time of accrual of
the alleged cause of action asserted in the proceeding in which the expenses
were incurred or other amounts were paid; or
(b) That it would be inconsistent with any condition expressly imposed by a
court in approving a settlement.
Section 10. INSURANCE. Upon and in the event of a determination by the
Board of Trustees to purchase such insurance, the Trust shall purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of the Trust against any liability
asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the
agent's status as such, but only to the extent that the Trust would have the
power to indemnify the agent against that liability under the provisions of this
Article.
Section 11. FIDUCIARIES OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN. This Article does not
apply to any proceeding against any trustee, investment manager or other
fiduciary of an employee benefit plan in that person's capacity as such, even
though that person may also be an agent of the Trust as defined in Section 1 of
this Article. Nothing contained in this Article shall limit any right to
indemnification to which such a trustee, investment manager, or other fiduciary
may be entitled by contract or otherwise which shall be enforceable to the
extent permitted by applicable law other than this Article.
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ARTICLE VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
Section 1. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER. The Trust shall
keep at its principal executive office or at the office of its transfer agent or
registrar a record of its shareholders, providing the names and addresses of all
shareholders and the number, series and classes of shares held by each
shareholder.
Section 2. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BY-LAWS. The Trust shall keep at
its principal executive office the original or a copy of these By-Laws as
amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all
reasonable times during office hours.
Section 3. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER RECORDS. The accounting
books and records and minutes of proceedings of the shareholders and the Board
of Trustees and any committee or committees of the Board of Trustees shall be
kept at such place or places designated by the Board of Trustees or in the
absence of such designation, at the principal executive office of the Trust. The
minutes shall be kept in written form and the accounting books and records shall
be kept either in written form or in any other form capable of being converted
into written form. The minutes and accounting books and records shall be open to
inspection upon the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting
trust certificate at any reasonable time during usual business hours for a
purpose reasonably related to the holder's interests as a shareholder or as the
holder of a voting trust certificate. The inspection may be made in person or by
an agent or attorney and shall include the right to copy and make extracts.
Section 4. INSPECTION BY TRUSTEES. Every trustee shall have the absolute
right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, and documents of
every kind and the physical properties of the Trust. This inspection by a
trustee may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of
inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents.
ARTICLE VIII
DIVIDENDS
Section 1. DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS. Dividends upon the shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust may, subject to the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust, if any, be declared by the Board of Trustees at any
regular or special meeting, pursuant to applicable law. Dividends may be paid in
cash, in property, or in shares of the Trust.
Section 2. RESERVES. Before payment of any dividend there may be set aside
out of any funds of the Trust available for dividends such sum or sums as the
Board of Trustees may, from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think
proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or
for repairing or maintaining any property of the Trust, or for such other
purpose as the Board of Trustees shall deem to be in the best interests of the
Trust, and the Board of Trustees may abolish any such reserve in the manner in
which it was created.
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ARTICLE IX
GENERAL MATTERS
Section 1. CHECKS, DRAFTS, EVIDENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS. All checks, drafts, or
other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness
issued in the name of or payable to the Trust shall be signed or endorsed by
such person or persons and in such manner as from time to time shall be
determined by resolution of the Board of Trustees.
Section 2. CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS; HOW EXECUTED. The Board of Trustees,
except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, may authorize any officer or
officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument
in the name of and on behalf of the Trust and this authority may be general or
confined to specific instances; and unless so authorized or ratified by the
Board of Trustees or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent,
or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Trust by any contract
or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or
for any amount.
Section 3. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. A certificate or certificates for
shares of beneficial interest in any series of the Trust may be issued to a
shareholder upon his request when such shares are fully paid. All certificates
shall be signed in the name of the Trust by the chairperson of the board or the
president or vice president and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer or
the secretary or any assistant secretary, certifying the number of shares and
the series and class of shares owned by the shareholders. Any or all of the
signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer
agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed
on a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or
registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with
the same effect as if such person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar
at the date of issue. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may adopt and use
a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares by electronic or
other means.
Section 4. LOST CERTIFICATES. Except as provided in this Section 4, no new
certificates for shares shall be issued to replace an old certificate unless the
latter is surrendered to the Trust and cancelled at the same time. The Board of
Trustees may in case any share certificate or certificate for any other security
is lost, stolen, or destroyed, authorize the issuance of a replacement
certificate on such terms and conditions as the Board of Trustees may require,
including a provision for indemnification of the Trust secured by a bond or
other adequate security sufficient to protect the Trust against any claim that
may be made against it, including any expense or liability on account of the
alleged loss, theft, or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the
replacement certificate.
Section 5. REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER ENTITIES HELD BY TRUST. The
chairperson of the board, the president or any vice president or any other
person authorized by resolution of the Board of Trustees or by any of the
foregoing designated officers, is authorized to vote or represent on behalf of
the Trust any and all shares of any corporation, partnership, trust, or other
entity, foreign or domestic, standing in the name of the Trust. The authority
granted may be exercised in person or by a proxy duly executed by such
designated person.
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<PAGE>
Section 6. TRANSFER OF SHARES. Shares of the Trust shall be transferable
only on the record books of the Trust by the Person in whose name such Shares
are registered, or by his or her duly authorized attorney or representative. In
all cases of transfer by an attorney-in-fact, the original power of attorney, or
an official copy thereof duly certified, shall be deposited and remain with the
Trust, its transfer agent or other duly authorized agent. In case of transfers
by executors, administrators, guardians or other legal representatives, duly
authenticated evidence of their authority shall be produced, and may be required
to be deposited and remain with the Trust, its transfer agent or other duly
authorized agent. No transfer shall be made unless and until the certificate
issued to the transferor, if any, shall be delivered to the Trust, its transfer
agent or other duly authorized agent, properly endorsed.
Section 7. HOLDERS OF RECORD. The Trust shall be entitled to treat the
holder of record of any share or shares as the owner thereof and, accordingly,
shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in
such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Trust
shall have express or other notice thereof.
Section 8. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Trust and each series
thereof shall end on the last day of June each year. The fiscal year of the
Trust or any series thereof may be refixed or changed from time to time by
resolution of the Board of Trustees. The fiscal year of the Trust shall be the
taxable year of each series of the Trust.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. AMENDMENT. These By-laws may be restated and/or amended at any
time, without the approval of the shareholders, by an instrument in writing
signed by, or a resolution of, a majority of the then Board of Trustees.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, made by and between DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS III, a Delaware
business trust (the "Trust") severally on behalf of each series of shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust that is listed on Exhibit A to this Agreement,
as that Exhibit may be amended from time to time (each such series of shares is
hereinafter referred to as a "Fund" and, together with other series of shares
listed on such Exhibit, the "Funds"), and DELAWARE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, a series
of Delaware Management Business Trust, a Delaware business trust (the
"Investment Manager").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Trust has been organized and operates as an investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act") ;
WHEREAS, each Fund engages in the business of investing and reinvesting
its assets in securities; and
WHEREAS, the Investment Manager is registered under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 as an investment adviser and engages in the business of
providing investment management services; and
WHEREAS, the Trust, severally on behalf of each Fund, and the Investment
Manager desire to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
and each of the parties hereto intending to be legally bound, it is agreed as
follows:
1. The Trust hereby employs the Investment Manager to manage the
investment and reinvestment of each Fund's assets and to administer the Trust's
affairs, subject to the direction of the Trust's Board of Trustees and officers
for the period and on the terms hereinafter set forth. The Investment Manager
hereby accepts such employment and agrees during such period to render the
services and assume the obligations herein set forth for the compensation herein
provided. The Investment Manager shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be
an independent contractor, and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided and
authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way, or
in any way be deemed an agent of the Trust. The Investment Manager shall
regularly make decisions as to what securities and other instruments to purchase
and sell on behalf of each Fund and shall effect the purchase and sale of such
investments in furtherance of each Fund's objectives and policies and shall
furnish the Board of Trustees of the Trust with such information and reports
regarding each Fund's investments as the Investment Manager deems appropriate or
as the Trustees of the Trust may reasonably request.
2. The Trust shall conduct its own business and affairs and shall bear the
expenses and salaries necessary and incidental thereto, including, but not in
limitation of the foregoing, the costs incurred in: the maintenance of its
corporate existence; the maintenance of its own books, records and procedures;
dealing with its own shareholders; the payment of dividends; transfer of shares,
including issuance, redemption and repurchase of shares; preparation of share
certificates; reports and notices to shareholders; calling and holding of
shareholders' and Trustees' meetings; miscellaneous office expenses; brokerage
commissions; custodian fees; legal and accounting fees; taxes; and federal and
state registration fees. Directors, trustees, officers and employees of the
Investment Manager may be directors, trustees, officers and employees of any of
the investment companies within the Delaware Investments family (including the
Trust). Directors, trustees, officers and employees of the Investment Manager
who are directors, trustees, officers and/or employees of these investment
companies shall not receive any compensation from such companies for acting in
such dual capacity.
<PAGE>
In the conduct of the respective businesses of the parties hereto and in
the performance of this Agreement, the Trust and Investment Manager may share
facilities common to each, which may include legal and accounting personnel,
with appropriate proration of expenses between them.
3. (a) Subject to the primary objective of obtaining the best execution,
the Investment Manager will place orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities and other instruments with such broker/dealers selected who provide
statistical, factual and financial information and services to the Trust, to the
Investment Manager, to any sub-adviser (as defined in Paragraph 5 hereof, a
"Sub-Adviser") or to any other fund for which the Investment Manager or any
Sub-Adviser provides investment advisory services and/or with broker/dealers who
sell shares of the Trust or who sell shares of any other investment company (or
series thereof) for which the Investment Manager or any Sub-Adviser provides
investment advisory services. Broker/dealers who sell shares of any investment
companies or series thereof for which the Investment Manager or Sub-Adviser
provide investment advisory services shall only receive orders for the purchase
or sale of portfolio securities to the extent that the placing of such orders is
in compliance with the Rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASD
Regulation, Inc.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) above and
subject to such policies and procedures as may be adopted by the Board of
Trustees and officers of the Trust, the Investment Manager may cause a Fund to
pay a member of an exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for
effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another
member of an exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction, in such instances where the Investment Manager has determined in
good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the
value of the brokerage and research services provided by such member, broker or
dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Investment
Manager's overall responsibilities with respect to the Trust on behalf of the
Funds and to other investment companies (or series thereof) and other advisory
accounts for which the Investment Manager or any Sub-Adviser exercises
investment discretion.
4. As compensation for the services to be rendered to a particular Fund by
the Investment Manager under the provisions of this Agreement, that Fund shall
pay monthly to the Investment Manager exclusively from that Fund's assets, a fee
based on the average daily net assets of that Fund during the month. Such fee
shall be calculated in accordance with the fee schedule applicable to that Fund
as set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which Exhibit may be amended from time to time
as provided in Paragraphs 10(b) and (c) of this Agreement.
If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any calendar month
with respect to a particular Fund, the management fee for such Fund shall be
prorated for the portion of any month in which this Agreement is in effect with
respect to such Fund according to the proportion which the number of calendar
days during which the Agreement is in effect bears to the number of calendar
days in the month, and shall be payable within 10 calendar days after the date
of termination.
5. The Investment Manager may, at its expense, select and contract with
one or more investment advisers registered under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940 ("Sub-Advisers") to perform some or all of the services for a Fund for
which it is responsible under this Agreement. The Investment Manager will
compensate any Sub-Adviser for its services to the Fund. The Investment Manager
may terminate the services of any Sub-Adviser at any time in its sole
discretion, and shall at such time assume the responsibilities of such
Sub-Adviser unless and until a successor Sub-Adviser is selected and the
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<PAGE>
requisite approval of the Fund's shareholders is obtained. The Investment
Manager will continue to have responsibility for all advisory services furnished
by any Sub-Adviser.
6. The services to be rendered by the Investment Manager to the Trust on
behalf of each Fund under the provisions of this Agreement are not to be deemed
to be exclusive, and the Investment Manager shall be free to render similar or
different services to others so long as its ability to render the services
provided for in this Agreement shall not be impaired thereby.
7. The Investment Manager, its directors, officers, employees, agents and
shareholders may engage in other businesses, may render investment advisory
services to other investment companies, or to any other corporation,
association, firm or individual, and may render underwriting services to the
Trust or to any other investment company, corporation, association, firm or
individual.
8. It is understood and agreed that so long as the Investment Manager
and/or its advisory affiliates shall continue to serve as the investment adviser
to any of the Trust's Funds, other investment companies as may be sponsored or
advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates shall have the right
permanently to adopt and to use the words "Delaware," "Delaware Investments" or
"Delaware Group" in their names and in the names of any series or class of
shares of such funds.
9. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
a reckless disregard of the performance of its duties as the Investment Manager
to the Trust on behalf of any Fund, the Investment Manager shall not be subject
to liability to the Trust or to any Fund or to any shareholder of the Trust for
any action or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services
hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or
sale of any security, or otherwise.
10. (a) This Agreement shall be executed and become effective as of the
date written below, and shall become effective with respect to a particular Fund
as of the effective date set forth in Exhibit A for that Fund, only if approved
by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Fund. It
shall continue in effect for an initial period of two years for each Fund and
may be renewed thereafter only so long as such renewal and continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by the vote
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Fund and only if the
terms and the renewal hereof have been approved by the vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Trust who are not parties hereto or interested persons of any
such party ("Independent Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) Except as provided in Paragraph 10(c) below, no amendment to this
Agreement (or to Exhibit A hereto) shall be effective with respect to any Fund
unless approved by: (i) a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, including a
majority of Independent Trustees; and (ii) a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the particular Fund. Any such amendment that pertains to a Fund
will not change, or otherwise affect the applicability of, this Agreement with
respect to other Funds.
(c) The Agreement (and Exhibit A hereto) may be amended with respect
to a Fund without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of that Fund if the amendment relates solely to a management fee
reduction or other change that is permitted or not prohibited under federal law,
rule, regulation or SEC staff interpretation thereof to be made without
shareholder approval. This Agreement may be amended from time to time to add or
remove one or more Funds, or to reflect changes in management fees, by an
amendment to Exhibit A hereto executed by the Trust and the Investment Manager.
Any such amendment that pertains to a Fund will not change, or otherwise affect
the applicability of, this Agreement with respect to other Funds.
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<PAGE>
(d) This Agreement may be terminated as to any Fund by the Trust at
any time, without the payment of a penalty, on sixty days' written notice to the
Investment Manager of the Trust's intention to do so, pursuant to action by the
Board of Trustees of the Trust or pursuant to the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the affected Fund. The Investment Manager may
terminate this Agreement at any time, without the payment of a penalty, on sixty
days' written notice to the Fund of its intention to do so. Upon termination of
this Agreement, the obligations of all the parties hereunder shall cease and
terminate as of the date of such termination, except for any obligation to
respond for a breach of this Agreement committed prior to such termination, and
except for the obligation of the Trust on behalf of a Fund to pay to the
Investment Manager the fee provided in Paragraph 4 hereof, prorated to the date
of termination. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment.
11. This Agreement shall extend to and bind the heirs, executors,
administrators and successors of the parties hereto.
12. For the purposes of this Agreement, the terms "vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities"; "interested persons"; and "assignment" shall
have the meaning defined in the 1940 Act.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be signed by their duly authorized officers and duly attested as of the _____
day of _________________, _____.
DELAWARE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY
a series of Delaware Management Business Trust FUNDS III on behalf of
the Funds listed on Exhibit A
By:__________________________ By:__________________________
Name:________________________ Name:________________________
Title:_______________________ Title:_______________________
Attest:______________________ Attest:______________________
Name:________________________ Name:________________________
Title:_______________________ Title:_______________________
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
THIS EXHIBIT to the Investment Management Agreement between DELAWARE GROUP
EQUITY FUNDS III and DELAWARE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, a series of Delaware
Management Business Trust entered into as of the ___________ day of
______________,_________________ (the "Agreement") lists the Funds for which the
Investment Manager provides investment management services pursuant to this
Agreement, along with the management fee rate schedule for each Fund and the
date on which the Agreement became effective for each Fund.
Management Fee Schedule
(as a percentage of
average daily net assets)
Fund Name Effective Date Annual Rate
- --------- -------------- -----------
Trend Fund
0.75% on first $500 million
0.70% on next $500 million
0.65% on next $1,500
million
0.60% on assets in excess
of $2,500 million
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<PAGE>
CHASE FORM OF AGREEMENT
GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, effective May 1, 1996, between THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
N.A. (the "Bank") and those registered investment companies listed on Schedule A
hereto (each a "Customer") on behalf of certain of their respective series, as
listed on Schedule A (individually and collectively the "Series").
1. Customer Accounts.
The Bank agrees to establish and maintain the following accounts
("Accounts"):
(a) A custody account in the name of the Customer on behalf of each
Series ("Custody Account") for any and all stocks, shares, bonds, debentures,
notes, mortgages or other obligations for the payment of money, bullion, coin
and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments representing
rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the same or evidencing or
representing any other rights or interests therein and other similar property
whether certificated or uncertificated as may be received by the Bank or its
Subcustodian (as defined in Section 3) for the account of the Customer
("Securities"); and
(b) A deposit account in the name of the Customer on behalf of each
Series ("Deposit Account") for any and all cash in any currency received by the
Bank or its Subcustodian for the account of the Customer, which cash shall not
be subject to withdrawal by draft or check.
The Customer warrants its authority to: 1) deposit the cash and
Securities ("Assets") received in the Accounts and 2) give Instructions (as
defined in Section 11) concerning the Accounts. Such Instructions shall
specifically indicate to which Series such Assets belong or, if such Assets
belong to more than one Series, shall allocate such Assets to the appropriate
Series. The Bank may deliver securities of the same class in place of those
deposited in the Custody Account.
Upon written agreement between the Bank and the Customer, additional
Accounts may be established and separately accounted for as additional Accounts
under the terms of this Agreement.
2. Maintenance of Securities and Cash at Bank and Subcustodian Locations.
Unless Instructions specifically require another location acceptable to
the Bank:
(a) Securities will be held in the country or other jurisdiction in
which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such
Securities are to be presented for payment or where such Securities are
acquired; and
<PAGE>
(b) Cash will be credited to an account in a country or other
jurisdiction in which such cash may be legally deposited or is the legal
currency for the payment of public or private debts.
To the extent available and permissible under applicable law and
regulation, Cash held pursuant to Instructions shall be held in interest bearing
accounts. If interest bearing accounts are not available, such cash may be held
in non-interest bearing accounts. The Bank is authorized to maintain cash
balances on deposit for the Customer with itself or one of its affiliates.
Interest bearing accounts shall bear interest at such reasonable rates of
interest as may from time to time be paid on such accounts by the Bank or its
affiliates.
(iii) For each Series that is exclusively a domestic Series, the following
additional provisions shall apply:
(x) In the event that during a given calendar month a Series has maintained an
average daily cash balance greater than zero, the Bank shall provide an earnings
credit against custody fees otherwise owing hereunder by such Series during such
calendar month in an amount equal to the product of (A) 75% of the 90 day U.S.
government Treasury bill rate as quoted in the Wall Street Journal for the last
"Business Day" (being a day on which the Bank is open for the transaction of all
its ordinary business) of such calendar month, (B) the average daily cash
balance for such month, and (C) the number of days in such calendar month
divided by 365.
(y) In the event that during a given calendar month a Series has maintained an
average daily cash balance less than or equal to zero, the Bank shall be paid
interest on such amount by such Series in an amount equal to the product of (A)
the "Overnight Fed Funds Rate" (as defined below) plus 25 basis points for the
last Business Day of such calendar month, (B) the average daily cash balance for
such month, and (C) the number of days in such calendar month divided by 365.
(z) For purposes of (y) above, the term "Overnight Fed Funds Rate" shall mean
the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with
members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (with the rate for the last
Business Day of a given calendar month being the rate so published on the
Business Day immediately following such Day), or, if such rate is note so
published, the average quotations, for the last Business Day of a given calendar
month, of such transactions received by the Bank from three Federal funds
brokers of recognized standing selected by the Bank.
<PAGE>
If the Customer wishes to have any of its Assets held in the custody of
an institution other than the established Subcustodians as defined in Section 3
(or their securities depositories), such arrangement must be authorized by a
written agreement, signed by the Bank and the Customer.
3. Subcustodians and Securities Depositories.
The Bank may act under this Agreement through the subcustodians listed
in Schedule B of this Agreement with which the Bank has entered into
subcustodial agreements ("Subcustodians"). The Customer authorizes the Bank to
hold Assets in the Accounts in accounts which the Bank has established with one
or more of its branches or Subcustodians. The Bank and Subcustodians are
authorized to hold any of the Securities in their account with any securities
depository in which they participate.
The Bank reserves the right to add new, replace or remove
Subcustodians. The Customer will be given reasonable notice by the Bank of any
amendment to Schedule B. Upon request by the Customer, the Bank will identify
the name, address and principal place of business of any Subcustodian of the
Customer's Assets and the name and address of the governmental agency or other
regulatory authority that supervises or regulates such Subcustodian.
Upon receipt of Instructions, the Bank shall cease using any
Subcustodian with respect to the customer, and arrange for delivery of
Securities held with such Subcustodian to another entity as designated by the
Customer; provided that, the Bank shall have no responsibility for the
performance of such other entity.
4. Use of Subcustodian.
(a) The Bank will identify the Assets on its books as belonging to the
Customer.
(b) A Subcustodian will hold such Assets together with assets belonging
to other customers of the Bank in accounts identified on such Subcustodian's
books as special custody accounts for the exclusive benefit of customers of the
Bank.
(c) Any Assets in the Accounts held by a Subcustodian will be subject
only to the instructions of the Bank or its agent. Any Securities held in a
securities depository for the account of a Subcustodian will be subject only to
the instructions of such Subcustodian.
<PAGE>
(d) Any agreement the Bank enters into with a Subcustodian for holding
its customer's assets shall provide that: (i) such assets will not be subject to
any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such
Subcustodian except for safe custody or administration, (ii) the beneficial
ownership of such assets will be freely transferable without the payment of
money or value other than for safe custody or administration; (iii) adequate
records will be maintained identifying the assets held pursuant to such
agreement as belonging to the customers of the Bank; (iv) subject to applicable
law, Subcustodian shall permit independent public accountants for Bank and
customers of the Bank reasonable access to Subcustodian's books and records as
they pertain to the subcustody account in connection with such accountants'
examination of the books and records of such account; and (v) the Bank will
receive periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of assets in the
subcustody account, including advices and/or notifications of any transfers to
or from such subcustody account. The foregoing shall not apply to the extent of
any special agreement or arrangement made by the Customer with any particular
Subcustodian.
(e) Upon request of the Customer, the Bank shall deliver to the
Customer annually a report stating: (i) the identity of each Subcustodian then
acting on behalf of the Bank and the name and address of the governmental agency
or other regulatory authority that supervises or regulates such Subcustodian;
(ii) the countries in which each Subcustodian is located; and (iii) as long as
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Rule 17f-5 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"), requires the Customer's Board of
Directors/Trustees directly to approve its foreign custody arrangements, such
other information relating to such Subcustodians as may reasonably be requested
by the Customer to ensure compliance with Rule 17f-5. As long as Rule 17f-5
requires the Customer's Board of Directors/Trustees directly to approve its
foreign custody arrangements, the Bank shall also furnish annually to the
Customer information concerning such Subcustodians similar in kind and scope as
that furnished to the Customer in connection with the initial approval hereof.
The Bank shall timely advise the Customer of any material adverse change in the
facts or circumstances upon which such information is based where such changes
would affect the eligibility of the Subcustodian under Rule 17f-5 as soon as
practicable after it becomes aware of any such material adverse change in the
normal course of its custodial activities.
5. Deposit Account Transactions
(a) The Bank or its Subcustodians will make payments from the Deposit
Account upon receipt of Instructions which include all information required by
the Bank.
(b) In the event that any payment to be made under this Section 5
exceeds the funds available in the Deposit Account, the Bank, in its discretion,
may advance the Customer such excess amount which shall be deemed a loan payable
on demand, bearing interest at the rate customarily charged by the Bank on
similar loans.
<PAGE>
(c) If the Bank credits the Deposit Account on a payable date, or at
any time prior to actual collection and reconciliation to the Deposit Account,
with interest, dividends, redemptions or any other amount due, the Customer will
promptly return any such amount upon oral or written notification: (i) that such
amount has not been received in the ordinary course of business or (ii) that
such amount was incorrectly credited. If the Customer does not promptly return
any amount upon such notification, the Bank shall be entitled, upon oral or
written notification to the Customer, to reverse such credit by debiting the
Deposit Account for the amount previously credited. The Bank or its Subcustodian
shall have no duty or obligation to institute legal proceedings, file a claim or
a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any other action with
respect to the collection of such amount, but may act for the Customer upon
Instructions after consultation with the Customer.
6. Custody Account Transactions.
(a) Securities will be transferred, exchanged or delivered by the Bank
or its Subcustodian upon receipt by the Bank of Instructions which include all
information required by the Bank. Settlement and payment for Securities received
for, and delivery of Securities out of, the Custody Account may be made in
accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities
processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the
transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery of Securities to a
purchaser, dealer or their agents against a receipt with the expectation of
receiving later payment and free delivery. Delivery of Securities out of the
Custody Account may also be made in any manner specifically required by
Instructions acceptable to the Bank.
(b) The Bank shall credit or debit the Accounts on a contractual
settlement date with cash or Securities with respect to any sale, exchange or
purchase of Securities in those countries set forth in Appendix A hereto;
provided that, the Bank may amend Appendix A from time to time in its sole
discretion and shall advise the Customer of such amendments. Otherwise,
transactions will be credited or debited to the Accounts on the date cash or
Securities are actually received by the Bank and reconciled to the Account.
(i) The Bank may reverse credits or debits made to the Accounts in its
discretion if the related transaction fails to settle within a reasonable
period, determined by the Bank in its discretion, after the contractual
settlement date for the related transaction; provided that, the Bank shall give
Customer prior notification of any such reversal. Where the foregoing
notification is oral, the Bank shall promptly provide written confirmation of
the same (which confirmation may be electronic).
<PAGE>
(ii) If any Securities delivered pursuant to this Section 6 are
returned by the recipient thereof, the Bank may reverse the credits and debits
of the particular transaction at any time.
7. Actions of the Bank.
The Bank shall follow Instructions received regarding assets held in
the Accounts. However, until it receives Instructions to the contrary, the Bank
will:
(a) Present for payment any Securities which are called, redeemed or
retired or otherwise become payable and all coupons and other income items which
call for payment upon presentation, to the extent that the Bank or Subcustodian
is actually aware of such opportunities.
(b) Execute in the name of the Customer such ownership and other
certificates as may be required to obtain payments in respect of Securities.
(c) Exchange interim receipts or temporary Securities for definitive
Securities.
(d) Appoint brokers and agents for any transaction involving the
Securities, including, without limitation, affiliates of the Bank or any
Subcustodian, subject to applicable SEC rules and regulations under the Act.
(e) Issue statements to the Customer, at times mutually agreed upon,
identifying the Assets in the Accounts.
The Bank will send the Customer an advice or notification of any
transfers of Assets to or from the Accounts. Such statements, advices or
notifications shall indicate the identity of the entity having custody of the
Assets. Unless the Customer advises the Bank orally and then promptly sends the
Bank a written exception or objection to any Bank statement within 180 days of
receipt, the Customer shall be deemed to have approved such statement.
All collections of funds or other property paid or distributed in
respect of Securities in the Custody Account shall be made at the risk of the
Customer. Subject to the standard of care in Section 12 hereof, the Bank shall
have no liability for any loss occasioned by delay in the actual receipt of
notice by the Bank or by its Subcustodians of any payment, redemption or other
transaction regarding Securities in the Custody Account in respect of which the
Bank has agreed to take any action under this Agreement.
<PAGE>
8. Corporate Actions; Proxies; Tax Reclaims.
a. Corporate Actions. Whenever the Bank receives information concerning
the Securities which requires discretionary action by the beneficial owner of
the Securities (other than a proxy), such as subscription rights, bonus issues,
stock repurchase plans and rights offerings, or legal notices or other material
intended to be transmitted to securities holders ("Corporate Actions"), the Bank
will give the Customer written notice (which may be electronic) of such
Corporate Actions to the extent that the Bank's central corporate actions
department has actual knowledge of a Corporate Action in time to notify its
customers.
When a rights entitlement or a fractional interest resulting from a
rights issue, stock dividend, stock split or similar Corporate Action is
received which bears an expiration date, the Bank will endeavor to obtain
Instructions from the Customer or its Authorized Person (as defined in ss.10
hereof), but if Instructions are not received in time for the Bank to take
timely action, or actual notice of such Corporate Action was received too late
to seek Instructions, the Bank is authorized to sell such rights entitlement or
fractional interest and to credit the Deposit Account with the proceeds or take
any other action it deems, in good faith, to be appropriate in which case it
shall be held harmless for any such action.
b. Proxy Voting. With respect to domestic U.S. and Canadian Securities
(the latter if held in DTC), the Bank will send to the Customer or the
Authorized Person (as defined in Section 10) for a Custody Account, such proxies
(signed in blank, if issued in the name of the Bank's nominee or the nominee of
a central depository) and communications with respect to Securities in the
Custody Account as call for voting or relate to legal proceedings within a
reasonable time after sufficient copies are received by the Bank for forwarding
to its customers. In addition, the Bank will follow coupon payments,
redemptions, exchanges or similar matters with respect to Securities in the
Custody Account and advise the Customer or the Authorized Person for such
Account of rights issued, tender offers or any other discretionary rights with
respect to such Securities, in each case, of which the Bank has received notice
from the issuer of the Securities, or as to which notice is published in
publications routinely utilized by the Bank for this purpose.
With respect to Securities other than the foregoing, proxy voting
services shall be provided in accordance with separate proxy voting agreement
annexed hereto a Appendix B.
The foregoing proxy voting services may be provided by Bank, in whole
or in part, by one or more third parties appointed by the Bank (which may be
affiliates of the Bank), provided that the Bank shall be liable for the
performance of any such third parties to the same extent as the Bank would have
been if it performed such services itself.
<PAGE>
c. Tax Reclaims. (i) Subject to the provisions hereof, the Bank will
apply for a reduction of withholding tax and any refund of any tax paid or tax
credits which apply in each applicable market in respect of income payments on
Securities for the benefit of the Customer which the Bank believes may be
available to such Customer. Where such reports are available, the Bank shall
periodically report to Customer concerning the making of applications for a
reduction of withholding tax and refund of any tax paid or tax credits which
apply in each applicable market in respect of income payments on Securities for
the benefit of the Customer.
(ii) The provision of tax reclaim services by the Bank is conditional
upon the Bank receiving from the beneficial owner of Securities (A) a
declaration of its identity and place of residence and (B) certain other
documentation (pro forma copies of which are available from the Bank). The Bank
shall use reasonable means to advise the Customer of the declarations,
documentation and information which the Customer is to provide to the Bank in
order for the Bank to provide the tax reclaim services described herein. The
Customer acknowledges that, if the Bank does not receive such declarations,
documentation and information, additional United Kingdom taxation will be
deducted from all income received in respect of Securities issued outside the
United Kingdom and that U.S. non-resident alien tax or U.S. backup withholding
tax will be deducted from U.S. source income. The Customer shall provide to the
Bank such documentation and information as it may require in connection with
taxation, and warrants that, when given, this information shall be true and
correct in every respect, not misleading in any way, and contain all material
information. The Customer undertakes to notify the Bank immediately if any such
information requires updating or amendment.
(iii) Subject to subsection (vii) hereof, the Bank shall not be liable
to the Customer or any third party for any tax, fines or penalties payable by
the Bank or the Customer, and shall be indemnified accordingly, whether these
result from the inaccurate completion of documents by the Customer or any third
party, or as a result of the provision to the Bank or any third party of
inaccurate or misleading information or the withholding of material information
by the Customer or any other third party, or as a result of any delay of any
revenue authority or any other matter beyond the control of the Bank.
(iv) The Customer confirms that the Bank is authorized to deduct from
any cash received or credited to the Cash Account any taxes or levies required
by any revenue or governmental authority for whatever reason in respect of the
Securities or Cash Accounts.
(v) The Bank shall perform tax reclaim services only with respect to
taxation levied by the revenue authorities of the countries notified to the
Customer from time to time and the Bank may, by notification in writing, at its
absolute discretion, supplement or amend the markets in which the tax reclaim
services are offered. Other than as expressly provided in this sub-clause, the
Bank shall have no responsibility with regard to the Customer's tax position or
status in any jurisdiction. Except as provided in Section 8(c)(ii) and pursuant
to Instructions, the Bank shall take no action in the servicing of the
Customer's Securities which, in and of itself, creates a taxable nexus for the
Customer in any jurisdiction other than with respect to interest, dividends and
capital gains that may otherwise be subject to tax by such jurisdiction with
respect to a foreign investor not otherwise engaged in a trade or business in
such jurisdiction in a given taxable year. Bank shall not be liable for any tax
liability caused, directly or indirectly, by Customer's actions or status in any
jurisdiction.
<PAGE>
(vi) In connection with obtaining tax relief, the Customer confirms
that the Bank is authorized to disclose any information requested by any revenue
authority or any governmental body in relation to the Customer or the Securities
and/or Cash held for the Customer. This provision does not authorize any other
voluntary disclosure to any revenue authority or any governmental body without
the prior written consent of Customer.
(vii) Tax reclaim services may be provided by the Bank or, in whole or
in part, by one or more third parties appointed by the Bank (which may be
affiliates of the Bank); provided that the Bank shall be liable for the
performance of any such third party to the same extent as the Bank would have
been if it performed such services itself.
9. Nominees.
Securities which are ordinarily held in registered form may be
registered in a nominee name of the Bank, Subcustodian or securities depository,
as the case may be. The Bank may without notice to the Customer cause any such
Securities to cease to be registered in the name of any such nominee and to be
registered in the name of the Customer. In the event that any Securities
registered in a nominee name are called for partial redemption by the issuer,
the Bank may allot the called portion to the respective beneficial holders of
such class of security in any manner the Bank deems to be fair and equitable.
The Customer agrees to hold the Bank, Subcustodians, and their respective
nominees harmless from any liability arising directly or indirectly from their
status as a mere record holder of Securities in the Custody Account.
10. Authorized Persons.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Authorized Person" means employees
or agents including investment managers as have been designated by written
notice from the Customer or its designated agent to act on behalf of the
Customer under this Agreement. Such persons shall continue to be Authorized
Persons until such time as the Bank receives Instructions from the Customer or
its designated agent that any such employee or agent is no longer an Authorized
Person.
<PAGE>
11. Instructions.
The term "Instructions" means instructions of any Authorized Person
received by the Bank, via telephone, telex, TWX, facsimile transmission, bank
wire or other teleprocess or electronic instruction or trade information system
acceptable to the Bank which the Bank reasonably believes in good faith to have
been given by Authorized Persons or which are transmitted with proper testing or
authentication pursuant to terms and conditions which the Bank may specify.
Unless otherwise expressly provided, all Instructions shall continue in full
force and effect until canceled or superseded. For purposes hereof,
reasonableness shall mean compliance with applicable procedures.
Any Instructions delivered to the Bank by telephone (including cash
transfer instructions as described below) shall promptly thereafter be confirmed
in writing by any two Authorized Persons (which confirmation may bear the
facsimile signature of such Persons), but the Customer will hold the Bank
harmless for the failure of such Authorized Persons to send such confirmation in
writing, the failure of such confirmation to conform to the telephone
instructions received or the Bank's failure to produce such confirmation at any
subsequent time; provided that, where the Bank receives a telephone Instruction
from an Authorized Person requiring the transfer of cash, prior to executing
such Instruction the Bank will, to confirm such Instruction, call back any one
of the individuals on a list of persons authorized to confirm such oral transfer
Instructions (which Person shall be a person other than the initiator of the
transfer Instruction) and the Bank shall not execute the Instruction until it
has received such confirmation. Either party may electronically record any
Instructions given by telephone, and any other telephone discussions with
respect to the Custody Account. The Customer shall be responsible for
safeguarding any testkeys, identification codes or other security devices which
the Bank shall make available to the Customer or its Authorized Persons.
12. Standard of Care; Liabilities.
(a) The Bank shall be responsible for the performance of only such
duties as are set forth in this Agreement or expressly contained in Instructions
which are consistent with the provisions of this Agreement as follows:
(i) The Bank will use reasonable care with respect to its obligations
under this Agreement and the safekeeping of Assets. The Bank shall be liable to
<PAGE>
the Customer for any loss which shall occur as the result of the failure of a
Subcustodian to exercise reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping of such
Assets to the same extent that the Bank would be liable to the Customer if the
Bank were holding such Assets in New York. In the event that Securities are lost
by reason of the failure of the Bank or its Subcustodian to use reasonable care,
the Bank shall be liable to the Customer based on the market value of the
property which is the subject of the loss on the date it is replaced by the Bank
and without reference to any special conditions or circumstances, it being
understood that for purposes of measuring damages hereunder, the value of
Securities which are sold by the Customer prior to the replacement thereof shall
be equal to the sale price thereof less the expenses of such sale incurred by
the Customer. The Bank shall act with reasonable promptness in making such
replacements. In no event shall the Bank be liable for special, indirect or
consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited
to lost profits), even if the Bank has been advised of the likelihood of such
loss or damage and regardless of the form of action. Subject to the Bank's
obligations pursuant to ss.4(e) hereof, the Bank will not be responsible for the
insolvency of any Subcustodian which is not a branch or affiliate of Bank.
(ii) The Bank will not be responsible for any act, omission, default or
the solvency of any broker or agent which it or a Subcustodian appoints unless
such appointment was made negligently or in bad faith.
(iii) (a) The Bank shall be indemnified by, and without liability to
the Customer for any action taken or omitted by the Bank whether pursuant to
Instructions or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement if such act or omission was
in good faith, without negligence. In performing its obligations under this
Agreement, the Bank may rely on the genuineness of any Customer document which
it reasonably believes in good faith to have been validly executed. (b) The Bank
shall hold Customer harmless from, and shall indemnify Customer for, any loss,
liability, claim or expense incurred by Customer (including, but not limited to,
Customer's reasonable legal fees) to the extent that such loss, liability, claim
or expense arises from the negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the
Bank or a Subcustodian; provided that, in no event shall the Bank be liable for
special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever
(including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Bank has been advised
of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
Subject to the Bank's obligations pursuant to ss.4(e) hereof, the Bank will not
be responsible for the insolvency of any Subcustodian which is not a branch or
affiliate of Bank.
(iv) The Customer agrees to pay for and hold the Bank harmless from any
liability or loss resulting from the imposition or assessment of any taxes or
other governmental charges, and any related expenses with respect to income from
or Assets in the Accounts.
<PAGE>
(v) The Bank shall be entitled to rely, and may act, upon the advice of
counsel (who may be counsel for the Customer) on all matters and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such
advice.
(vi) The Bank need not maintain any insurance for the benefit of the
Customer.
(vii) Without limiting the foregoing, the Bank shall not be liable for
any loss which results from: 1) the general risk of investing, or 2) investing
or holding Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, losses
resulting from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions;
regulation of the banking or securities industry; currency restrictions,
devaluations or fluctuations; and market conditions which prevent the orderly
execution of securities transactions or affect the value of Assets.
(viii) Neither party shall be liable to the other for any loss due to
forces beyond their control including, but not limited to strikes or work
stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear fusion,
fission or radiation, or acts of God.
(b) Consistent with and without limiting the first paragraph of this
Section 12, it is specifically acknowledged that the Bank shall have no duty or
responsibility to:
(i) question Instructions or make any suggestions to the Customer or an
Authorized Person regarding such Instructions;
(ii) supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments or
the retention of Securities;
(iii) advise the Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any default
in the payment of principal or income of any security other than a Security.
(iv) except as may be otherwise provided in any securities lending
agreement between the Customer and the Bank, evaluate or report to the Customer
or an Authorized Person regarding the financial condition of any broker, agent
or other party to which Securities are delivered or payments are made pursuant
to this Agreement;
(v) except for trades settled at DTC where the broker provides to the
Bank the trade confirmation and the Customer provides for the Bank to receive
the trade instruction, review or reconcile trade confirmations received from
brokers. The Customer or its Authorized Persons (as defined in Section 10)
issuing Instructions shall bear any responsibility to review such confirmations
against Instructions issued to and statements issued by the Bank.
<PAGE>
(c) The Customer authorizes the Bank to act, hereunder, in its capacity
as a custodian notwithstanding that the Bank or any of its divisions or
affiliates may have a material interest in a transaction, or circumstances are
such that the Bank may have a potential conflict of duty or interest including
the fact that the Bank or any of its affiliates may provide brokerage services
to other customers, act as financial advisor to the issuer of Securities, act as
a lender to the issuer of Securities, act in the same transaction as agent for
more than one customer, have a material interest in the issue of Securities, or
earn profits from any of the activities listed herein.
13. Fees and Expenses.
The Customer agrees to pay the Bank for its services under this
Agreement such amount as may be agreed upon in writing ("Fee Schedule"),
together with the Bank's reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses (as
further defined in the Fee Schedule), including, but not limited to, legal fees.
The Bank shall have a lien on and is authorized to charge any Accounts of the
Customer for any amount owing to the Bank under any provision of this Agreement.
14. Miscellaneous.
(a) Foreign Exchange Transactions. To facilitate the administration of
the Customer's trading and investment activity, the Bank is authorized to enter
into spot or forward foreign exchange contracts with the Customer or an
Authorized Person for the Customer and may also provide foreign exchange through
its subsidiaries, affiliates or Subcustodians. Instructions, including standing
instructions, may be issued with respect to such contracts but the Bank may
establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made
available. In all cases where the Bank, its subsidiaries, affiliates or
Subcustodians enter into a foreign exchange contract related to Accounts, the
terms and conditions of the then current foreign exchange contract of the Bank,
its subsidiary, affiliate or Subcustodian and, to the extent not inconsistent,
this Agreement shall apply to such transaction.
(b) Certification of Residency, etc. The Customer certifies that it is
a resident of the United States and agrees to notify the Bank of any changes in
residency. The Bank may rely upon this certification or the certification of
such other facts as may be required to administer the Bank's obligations under
this Agreement. The Customer will indemnify the Bank against all losses,
liability, claims or demands arising directly or indirectly from any such
certifications.
<PAGE>
(c) Access to Records. Applicable accounts, books and records of the
Bank shall be open to inspection and audit at all reasonable times during normal
business hours upon reasonable advance notice by Customer's independent public
accountants and by employees of Customer designated to the Bank. All such
materials shall, to the extent applicable, be maintained and preserved in
conformity with the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including
without limitation, SEC Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2. Subject to restrictions under
applicable law, the Bank shall also obtain an undertaking to permit the
Customer's independent public accountants reasonable access to the records of
any Subcustodian which has physical possession of any Assets as may be required
in connection with the examination of the Customer's books and records.
(d) Governing Law; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be
governed by the laws of the State of New York and shall not be assignable by
either party, but shall bind the successors in interest of the Customer and the
Bank.
(e) Entire Agreement; Applicable Riders. Customer represents that the
Assets deposited in the Accounts are Mutual Fund assets subject to certain
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations.
This Agreement consists exclusively of this document together with
Schedules A and B, Appendices 1 and 2, Exhibits I - _______ and the following
Rider(s) [Check applicable rider(s)]:
X MUTUAL FUND
----
X SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
----
There are no other provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement
supersedes any other agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties.
Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing, executed by both parties.
(f) Severability. In the event that one or more provisions of this
Agreement are held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis
of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality
and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or
in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions will not in any way be
affected or impaired.
(g) Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no failure
or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right under this
Agreement operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any
power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any
other power or right. No waiver by a party of any provision of this Agreement,
or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless in writing and signed by
the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced.
<PAGE>
(h) Notices. All notices under this Agreement shall be effective when
actually received. Any notices or other communications which may be required
under this Agreement are to be sent to the parties at the following addresses or
such other addresses as may subsequently be given to the other party in writing:
Bank: The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
4 Chase MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11245
Attention: Global Custody Division
or telex:______________________________________
Customer: Delaware Group of Funds
1818 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
att: Messrs. Bishof and O'Conner
or telex:______________________________________
(i) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Customer or
the Bank by giving sixty (60) days written notice to the other, provided that
such notice to the Bank shall specify the names of the persons to whom the Bank
shall deliver the Assets in the Accounts. If notice of termination is given by
the Bank, the Customer shall, within sixty (60) days following receipt of the
notice, deliver to the Bank Instructions specifying the names of the persons to
whom the Bank shall deliver the Assets. In either case the Bank will deliver the
Assets to the persons so specified, after deducting any amounts which the Bank
determines in good faith to be owed to it under Section 13. If within sixty (60)
days following receipt of a notice of termination by the Bank, the Bank does not
receive Instructions from the Customer specifying the names of the persons to
whom the Bank shall deliver the Assets, the Bank, at its election, may deliver
the Assets to a bank or trust company doing business in the State of New York to
be held and disposed of pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, or to
Authorized Persons, or may continue to hold the Assets until Instructions are
provided to the Bank; provided that, where the Bank is the terminating party and
the Bank had not notified the Customer that termination was for breach of this
Agreement by the Customer, such 60 day period shall be extended for an
additional period as requested by Customer of up to 120 days.
<PAGE>
Termination as to One or More Series. This Agreement may be terminated
as to one or more Series (but less than all the Series) by delivery of an
amended Schedule A deleting such Series, in which case termination as to the
deleted Series shall take effect sixty (60) days after the date of such
delivery. The execution and delivery of an amended Schedule A which deletes one
or more Series, shall constitute a termination hereof only with respect to such
deleted Series, shall be governed by the preceding provisions of Section 14 as
to the identification of a successor custodian and the delivery of the Assets of
the Series so deleted to such successor custodian, and shall not affect the
obligations of the Bank and the Customer hereunder with respect to the other
Series set forth in Schedule A, as amended from time to time.
(j) Several Obligations of the Series. With respect to any obligations
of the Customer on behalf of the Series and their related Accounts arising
hereunder, the Custodian shall look for payment or satisfaction of any such
obligation solely to the assets and property of the Series and such Accounts to
which such obligation relates as though the Customer had separately contracted
with the Custodian by separate written instrument with respect to each Series
and its Accounts.
CUSTOMER
By:
---------------------
Title Vice President and Treasurer
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
By:
-----------------------
Title Vice President
STATE OF )
: ss.
COUNTY OF )
On this day of , , before me personally came
, to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he/she
resides in New Providence, NJ at 31 Sagamore Drive; that he/she is Vice
President of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, the entity described in and which
executed the foregoing instrument; that she knows the seal of said entity, that
the seal affixed to said instrument is such seal, that it was so affixed by
order of said entity, and that she signed his/her name thereto by like order.
<PAGE>
Sworn to before me this
day of .
- --------------
Notary
STATE OF NEW YORK )
: ss.
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On this day of ,19 , before me personally
came , to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did
depose and say that he/she resides in at
; that he/she is a Vice
President of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, (National Association), the corporation
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he/she knows the
seal of said corporation, that the seal affixed to said instrument is such
corporate seal, that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of
said corporation, and that he/she signed his/her name thereto by like order.
Sworn to before me this __________________________________
day of_______________, 19________.
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Notary
Schedule A
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. - Global Fixed Income Portfolio
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. - International Equity Portfolio
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. - Labor Select International Equity Portfolio
<PAGE>
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. - Real Estate Investment Trust Portfolio
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. - High Yield Portfolio
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. - International Fixed Income Portfolio
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. - Defensive Equity Utility Portfolio
Delaware Group Global & International Funds, Inc. - International Equity Fund
Delaware Group Global & International Funds, Inc. - Global Assets Fund
Delaware Group Global & International Funds, Inc. - Global Bond Fund
Delaware Group Global & International Funds, Inc. - Emerging Markets Fund
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. - International Equity Series
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. - Equity Income Series
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. - High Yield Series
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. - Capital Reserves Series
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. - Money Market Series
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. - Growth Series
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. - Multiple Strategy Series
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. - Value Series
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. - Emerging Growth Series
Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc. - Global Bond Series
Delaware Group Income Funds, Inc. - Delchester Fund
Delaware Group Income Funds, Inc. - High-Yield Opportunitites Fund
Delaware Group Delaware Fund, Inc. - Delaware Fund
Delaware Group Delaware Fund, Inc. - Devon Fund
Delaware Group Value Fund, Inc.
Delaware Group DelCap Fund, Inc.
Delaware Group Dividend & Income Fund, Inc.
Delaware Group Advisor Funds, Inc. - Enterprise Fund
Delaware Group Advisor Funds, Inc. - U.S. Growth Fund
Delaware Group Advisor Funds, Inc. - World Growth Fund
Delaware Group Advisor Funds, Inc. - New Pacific Fund
Delaware Group Advisor Funds, Inc. - Federal Bond Fund
Delaware Group Advisor Funds, Inc. - Corporate Income Fund
<PAGE>
March, 1996 Schedule B
SUB-CUSTODIANS EMPLOYED BY
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A. LONDON, GLOBAL CUSTODY
-----------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
COUNTRY SUB-CUSTODIAN CORRESPONDENT BANK
ARGENTINA The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Arenales 707, 5th Floor Buenos Aires
De Mayo 130/140
1061Buenos Aires
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALIA The Chase Manhattan Bank The Chase Manhattan Bank
Australia Limited Australia Limited
36th Floor Sydney
World Trade Centre
Jamison Street
Sydney
New South Wales 2000
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA Creditanstalt - Bankverein Credit Lyonnais
Schottengasse 6 Vienna
A - 1011, Vienna
AUSTRIA
BANGLADESH Standard Chartered Bank Standard Chartered Bank
18-20 Motijheel C.A. Dhaka
Box 536,
Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
BELGIUM Generale Bank Credit Lyonnais Bank
3 Montagne Du Parc Brussels
1000 Bruxelles
BELGIUM
BOTSWANA Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited Barclays Bank of Botswana
Barclays House Gaborone
Khama Crescent
Gaborone
BOTSWANA
BRAZIL Banco Chase Manhattan, S.A. Banco Chase Manhattan S.A.
Chase Manhattan Center Sao Paulo
Rua Verbo Divino, 1400
Sao Paulo, SP 04719-002
BRAZIL
CANADA The Royal Bank of Canada Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank Plaza Toronto
Toronto
Ontario M5J 2J5
CANADA
Canada Trust Royal Bank of Canada
Canada Trust Tower Toronto
BCE Place
161 Bay at Front
Toronto
Ontario M5J 2T2
CANADA
CHILE The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Agustinas 1235 Santiago
Casilla 9192
Santiago
CHILE
<PAGE>
COLOMBIA Cititrust Colombia S.A. Cititrust Colombia S.A.
Sociedad Fiduciaria Sociedad Fiduciaria
Carrera 9a No 99-02 Santafe de Bogota
Santafe de Bogota, DC
COLOMBIA
CZECH REPUBLIC Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka, A.S. Komercni Banka, A.S.,
Na Prikope 14 Praha
115 20 Praha 1
CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK Den Danske Bank Den Danske Bank
2 Holmens Kanala DK 1091 Copenhagen
Copenhagen
DENMARK
EGYPT National Bank of Egypt National Bank of Egypt
24 Sherif Street Cairo
Cairo
EGYPT
EUROBONDS Cedel S.A. ECU:Lloyds Bank PLC
67 Boulevard Grande Duchesse Charlotte International Banking Division
LUXEMBOURG London
A/c The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. For all other currencies: see
London relevant country
A/c No. 17817
EURO CDS First Chicago Clearing Centre ECU:Lloyds Bank PLC
27 Leadenhall Street Banking Division London
London EC3A 1AA For all other currencies: see
UNITED KINGDOM relevant country
FINLAND Merita Bank KOP Merita Bank KOP
Aleksis Kiven 3-5 Helsinki
00500 Helsinki
FINLAND
FRANCE Banque Paribas Societe Generale
Ref 256 Paris
BP 141
3, Rue D'Antin
75078 Paris
Cedex 02
FRANCE
GERMANY Chase Bank A.G. Chase Bank A.G.
Alexanderstrasse 59 Frankfurt
Postfach 90 01 09
60441 Frankfurt/Main
GERMANY
GHANA Barclays Bank of Ghana Barclays Bank
Barclays House Accra
High Street
Accra
GHANA
GREECE Barclays Bank Plc National Bank of Greece S.A.
1 Kolokotroni Street Athens
10562 Athens A/c Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.,
GREECE London
A/c No. 040/7/921578-68
HONG KONG The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
40/F One Exchange Square Hong Kong
8, Connaught Place
Central, Hong Kong
HONG KONG
<PAGE>
HUNGARY Citibank Budapest Rt. Citibank Budapest Rt.
Vaci Utca 19-21 Budapest
1052 Budapest V
HUNGARY
INDIA The Hongkong and Shanghai The Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited Banking Corporation Limited
52/60 Mahatma Gandhi Road Bombay
Bombay 400 001
INDIA
Deutsche Bank AG, Bombay Branch Deutsche Bank
Securities & Custody Services Bombay
Kodak House
222 D.N. Road, Fort
Bombay 400 001
INDIA
INDONESIA The Hongkong and Shanghai The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Banking Corporation Limited Jakarta
World Trade Center
J1. Jend Sudirman Kav. 29-31
Jakarta 10023
INDONESIA
IRELAND Bank of Ireland Allied Irish Bank
International Financial Services Centre Dublin
1 Harbourmaster Place
Dublin 1
IRELAND
ISRAEL Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M. Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M.
19 Herzl Street Tel Aviv
61000 Tel Aviv
ISRAEL
ITALY The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Piazza Meda 1 Milan
20121 Milan
ITALY
JAPAN The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
1-3 Marunouchi 1-Chome Tokyo
Chiyoda-Ku
Tokyo 100
JAPAN
JORDAN Arab Bank Limited Arab Bank Limited
P O Box 950544-5 Amman
Amman
Shmeisani
JORDAN
KENYA Barclays Bank of Kenya Barclays Bank of Kenya
Third Floor Nairobi
Queensway House
Nairobi
KENYA
LUXEMBOURG Banque Generale du Luxembourg S.A. Banque Generale du Luxembourg
50 Avenue J.F. Kennedy S.A.
L-2951 LUXEMBOURG Luxembourg
MALAYSIA The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Pernas International Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Sultan Ismail
50250, Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA
MAURITIUS Hongkong and Shanghai Banking The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Ltd Corporation Ltd.
Curepipe Road Curepipe
Curepipe
MAURITIUS
<PAGE>
MEXICO The Chase Manhattan Bank, S.A. No correspondent Bank
(Equities) Montes Urales no. 470, 4th Floor
Col. Lomas de Chapultepec
11000 Mexico D.F.
(Government Banco Nacional de Mexico, No correspondent Bank
Bonds) Avenida Juarez No. 104 - 11 Piso
06040 Mexico D.F.
MEXICO
MOROCCO Banque Commerciale du Maroc Banque Commerciale du Maroc
2 Boulevard Moulay Youssef Casablanca
Casablanca 20000
MOROCCO
NETHERLANDS ABN AMRO N.V. Generale Bank
Securities Centre Nederland N.V.
P O Box 3200 Rotterdam
4800 De Breda
NETHERLANDS
NEW ZEALAND National Nominees Limited National Bank of New Zealand
Level 2 BNZ Tower Wellington
125 Queen Street
Auckland
NEW ZEALAND
NORWAY Den Norske Bank Den Norske Bank
Kirkegaten 21 Oslo
Oslo 1
NORWAY
PAKISTAN Citibank N.A. Citibank N.A.
I.I. Chundrigar Road Karachi
AWT Plaza
Karachi
PAKISTAN
Deutsche Bank Deutsche Bank
Unitowers Karachi
I.I. Chundrigar Road
Karachi
PAKISTAN
PERU Citibank, N.A. Citibank N.A.
Camino Real 457 Lima
CC Torre Real - 5th Floor
San Isidro, Lima 27
PERU
PHILIPPINES The Hongkong and Shanghai The Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited Banking Corporation Limited
Hong Kong Bank Centre 3/F Manila
San Miguel Avenue
Ortigas Commercial Centre
Pasig Metro Manila
PHILIPPINES
POLAND Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A. Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A.
Curtis Plaza Warsaw
Woloska 18
02-675 Warsaw
POLAND
<PAGE>
For Mutual Funds:
Bank Handlowy W. Warsawie. S.A. Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A.
Custody Dept. Warsaw
Capital Markets Centre
Ul, Nowy Swiat 6/12
00-920 Warsaw
POLAND
PORTUGAL Banco Espirito Santo & Comercial de Lisboa Banco Nacional Ultra Marino
Servico de Gestaode Titulos Lisbon
R. Mouzinho da Silveira, 36 r/c
1200 Lisbon
PORTUGAL
SHANGHAI The Hongkong and Shanghai Citibank
(CHINA) Banking Corporation Limited New York
Shanghai Branch
Corporate Banking Centre
Unit 504, 5/F Shanghai Centre
1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
Shanghai
THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
SHENZHEN The Hongkong and Shanghai The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
(CHINA) Banking Corporation Limited Hong Kong
1st Floor
Central Plaza Hotel
No.1 Chun Feng Lu
Shenzhen
THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
SINGAPORE The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Shell Tower Singapore
50 Raffles Place
Singapore 0104
SINGAPORE
SLOVAK REPUBLIC Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka, A.S. Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka
Michalska 18 Slovak Republic
815 63 Bratislava
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
SOUTH AFRICA Standard Bank of South Africa Standard Bank of South Africa
Standard Bank Chambers South Africa
46 Marshall Street
Johannesburg 2001
SOUTH AFRICA
<PAGE>
SOUTH KOREA The Hongkong & Shanghai The Hongkong & Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited Banking Corporation Limited
6/F Kyobo Building Seoul
#1 Chongro, 1-ka Chongro-Ku,
Seoul
SOUTH KOREA
SPAIN The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya,
Calle Peonias 2 Madrid
7th Floor
La Piovera
28042 Madrid
SPAIN
SRI LANKA The Hongkong & Shanghai The Hongkong & Shangai
Banking Corporation Limited Banking Corporation Limited
Unit #02-02 West Block, Colombo
World Trade Center
Colombo 1,
SRI LANKA
SWEDEN Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken Svenska Handelsbanken
Kungstradgardsgatan 8 Stockholm
Stockholm S-106 40
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND Union Bank of Switzerland Union Bank of Switzerland
45 Bahnhofstrasse Zurich
8021 Zurich
SWITZERLAND
TAIWAN The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. No correspondent Bank
115 Min Sheng East Road - Sec 3,
9th Floor
Taipei
TAIWAN
Republic of China
THAILAND The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Bubhajit Building Bangkok
20 North Sathorn Road
Silom, Bangrak
Bangkok 10500
THAILAND
TUNISIA Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie Banque Internationale Arabe de
70-72 Avenue Habib Bourguiba Tunisie, Tunisia
P.O. Box 520
1080 Tunis Cedex
TUNISIA
<PAGE>
TURKEY The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Emirhan Cad. No: 145 Istanbul
Atakule, A Blok Kat:11
80700-Dikilitas/Besiktas
Istanbul
TURKEY
U.K. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Woolgate House London
Coleman Street
London EC2P 2HD
UNITED KINGDOM
URUGUAY The First National Bank of Boston The First National Bank of Boston
Zabala 1463 Montevideo
Montevideo
URUGUAY
U.S.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza New York
New York
NY 10081
U.S.A.
VENEZUELA Citibank N.A. Citibank N.A.
Carmelitas a Altagracia Caracas
Edificio Citibank
Caracas 1010
VENEZUELA
ZAMBIA Barclays Bank of Zambia Barclays Bank of Zambia
Kafue House Lusaka
Cairo Road
P.O.Box 31936
Lusaka
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe
Ground Floor Harare
Tanganyika House
Corner of 3rd Street & Union Avenue
Harare
ZIMBABWE
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SECURITIES LENDING AGREEMENT ("Lending Agreement"), dated as of ,
1996 between ("Lender"), having its principal place of business at
, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. ("Chase"), having its principal
place of business at One Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10081.
It is hereby agreed as follows:
Section 1 - Definitions
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following words
shall have the meanings set forth below when used herein:
a. "Account" shall mean the securities account established and
maintained by Chase on behalf of Lender pursuant to, as the case may be, a
separate custody agreement or a separate directed trust agreement ("Agreement")
between Chase and Lender, which Agreement provides, inter alia, for the
safekeeping of Securities received by Chase from time to time on behalf of
Lender.
b. "Agreement" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 1(a)
hereof.
c. "Authorized Investment" shall mean any type of instrument, security,
participation or other property in which Cash Collateral may be invested or
reinvested, as described in Section 5(f) hereof and Appendix 4 hereto (and as
such Appendix may be amended from time to time by written agreement of the
parties).
d. "Authorized Person" shall mean, except to the extent that Chase is
advised to the contrary by Proper Instruction, any person who is authorized to
give instructions to Chase pursuant to the Agreement and any mandates given to
Chase in connection with such Agreement. An Authorized Person shall continue to
be so until such time as Chase receives Proper Instructions that nay such person
is no longer an Authorized Person.
e. "Borrower" shall mean an entity listed on Appendix 1 hereto, other
than an entity which Chase shall have been instructed to delete from list
pursuant to Written Instructions and as such Appendix may be amended in
accordance with Section 4(b) hereof.
f. "Business Day" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the
applicable MSLA.
g. "Buy-in" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7(c)
hereof.
<PAGE>
h. "Cash Collateral" shall mean fed funds, New York Clearing House
Association funds and such non-U.S. currencies as may be pledged by a Borrower
in connection with a particular Loan.
i. "Collateral" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the
applicable MSLA, together with Cash Collateral.
j. "Collateral Account" shall mean, as the case may be, an account
maintained by Chase with itself, with any Depository or with any Triparty
Institution and designated as a Collateral Account for the purpose of holding
any one or more of Collateral, Authorized Investments, and Proceeds in
connection with Loans hereunder.
k. "Collateral Amount" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 5(c) hereof.
l. "Collateral Criterion" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 5(c) hereof.
m. "Depository" shall mean: (1) the Depository Trust Company, the
Participants' Trust Company and any other securities depository or clearing
agency (and each of their respective successors and nominees) registered with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or registered with or regulated by
the applicable foreign equivalent thereof or otherwise able to act as a
securities depository or clearing agency, (ii) any transnational depository,
(iii) the Federal Reserve book-entry system for the receiving and delivering of
U.S. Government Securities, and (iv) any other national system for the receiving
and delivering of that country's government securities.
n. "Difference" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7(c)
hereof.
o. "Distributions" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
3(b)(v) hereof.
p. "Dollars" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7(b)
hereof.
q. "Due Date" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7(b)
hereof.
r. "Insolvency Event" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 7(b) hereof.
s. "Letter of Credit" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the
applicable MSLA and be issued by a bank listed on Appendix 2 hereto (as such
list may be amended by Chase from time to time on notice to Lender), other than
a bank deleted from such list pursuant to Written Instruction.
<PAGE>
t. "Loan" shall mean a loan of Securities hereunder and under the
applicable MSLA.
u. "Loan Fee" shall mean the amount payable by a Borrower to Chase
pursuant to the applicable MSLA in connection with Loans collateralized other
than by Cash Collateral.
v. "Market Value" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the
applicable MSLA.
w. "MSLA" shall mean a master securities lending agreement between
Chase and a Borrower, pursuant to which Chase as agent lends securities on
behalf of its customers (including Lender) from time to time. A copy of Chase's
standard form of MSLA, including the international addendum thereto, is annexed
as Appendix 3.
x. "Net Assets" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 8
hereof.
y. "Net Realized Income" shall have the meaning thereto in Section 8
hereof.
z. "Oral Instructions" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 10 hereof.
aa. "Proceeds" shall mean interest, dividends and other payments and
Distributions received by Chase in connection with Authorized Investments.
bb. "Proper Instructions" shall mean Oral Instructions and Written
Instructions.
cc. "Rebate" shall mean the amount payable by Chase on behalf of Lender
to a Borrower in connection with Loans collateralized by Cash Collateral.
dd. "Return Date" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
7(c) hereof.
ee. "Securities" shall mean government securities (including U.S.
Government Securities), equity securities, bonds, debentures, other corporate
debt securities, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any certificates,
warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or
subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or
interests therein and held pursuant to the Agreement.
ff. "Term Loan" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5(i)
hereof.
<PAGE>
gg. "Triparty Institution" shall mean a financial institution with
which Chase shall have previously entered a triparty agreement among itself,
such Triparty Institution and a particular Borrower providing, among other
things, for the holding of Collateral in a Collateral Account at such Triparty
Institution in Chase's name on behalf of Chase's lending customers and for the
substitution of Collateral; provided, however, that any substituted Collateral
shall meet the then standards for acceptable Collateral set by Chase.
hh. "U.S. Government Security" shall mean book-entry securities issued
by the U.S. Treasury defined in Subpart 0 of Treasury Department Circular No.
300 and any successor provisions) and any other securities issued or fully
guaranteed by the United States government or any agency, instrumentality or
establishment of the U.S. government, including, without limitation, securities
commonly known as "Ginnie Maes," Sally Maes," "Fannie Maes" and "Freddie Maes".
ii. "Written Instructions" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 10 hereof.
Section 2 - Appointment, Authority
(a) Appointment. Lender hereby appoints Chase as its agent to lend
Securities in the Account on Lender's behalf on a fully disclosed basis to
Borrowers from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and on such
terms and conditions and at such times as Chase shall determine and Chase may
exercise all rights and powers provided under any MSLA as may be incidental
thereto, and Chase hereby accepts appointment as such agent and agrees to so
act.
(b) Authority. Lender hereby authorizes and empowers Chase to execute
in Lender's name on its behalf and at its risk all agreements and documents as
may be necessary to carry out any of the powers herein granted to Chase. Lender
grants Chase the authority set forth herein notwithstanding its awareness that
Chase, in its individual capacity or acting in a fiduciary capacity for other
accounts, may have transactions with the same institutions to which Chase may be
lending Securities hereunder, which transactions may give rise to actual or
potential conflict of interest situations. Chase shall not be bound to: (i)
account to Lender for any sum received or profit made by Chase for its own
account or the account of any other person or (ii) disclose or refuse to
disclose any information or take any other action if the same would or might in
Chase's judgment, made in good faith, constitute a breach of any law or
regulation or be otherwise actionable with respect to Chase; provided that, in
circumstances mentioned in (ii) above, Chase shall promptly inform Lender of the
relevant facts (except where doing so would, or might in Chase's judgment, made
in good faith, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or be otherwise
actionable as aforesaid).
<PAGE>
Section 3 - Representation and Warranties
(a) Representations of each party. Each party hereto represents and
warrants to the other that: (i) it has the power to execute and deliver this
Lending Agreement, to enter into the transactions contemplated hereby, and to
perform its obligations hereunder; (ii) it has taken all necessary action to
authorize such execution, delivery, and performance; (iii) this Lending
Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation enforceable against
it; and (iv) the execution, delivery, and performance by it of this Lending
Agreement shall at all times comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
(b) Representations of Lender. Lender represents and warrants to Chase
that: (i) this Lending Agreement is, and each Loan shall be, legally and validly
entered into, and does not and shall not violate any statute, regulation, rule,
order or judgment binding on Lender, or any provision of Lender's charter or
by-laws, or any agreement binding on Lender or affecting its property, and is
enforceable against Lender in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws, or by equitable
principles relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally; (ii) the person
executing this Lending Agreement and all Authorized Persons acting on behalf of
Lender has and have been duly and properly authorized to do so; (iii) it is
lending Securities as principal and shall not transfer, assign or encumber its
interest in, or rights with respect to, any Securities available for Loan
hereunder; (iv) it is the beneficial owner of all Securities or otherwise has
the right to lend Securities; and (v) it is entitled to receive all interest,
dividends and other distributions ("Distributions") made by the issuer with
respect thereto. Lender shall promptly identify to Chase by notice, which notice
may be oral, any Securities that are no longer subject to the representations
contained in (b).
Section 4 - Borrowers
(a) MSLA. Lender hereby acknowledges receipt of the form of MSLA and
authorizes Chase to lend Securities in the Account to Borrowers thereunder
pursuant to an agreement substantially in the form thereof.
(b) Borrowers. Securities may be lent to any Borrower selected by Chase
in Chase's sole discretion, in accordance with the terms hereof. In that
connection, Appendix 1 may be amended from time to time by Chase on notice to
Lender.
<PAGE>
Section 5 - Loans
(a) Securities to be lent, Lending opportunities, Loan initiation. All
Securities of Lender held by Chase that are issued, settled or traded in the
markets that have been approved by Chase from time to time for purposes of
Chase's discretionary securities lending program shall be subject to the terms
hereof. Chase shall seek to assure that Lender receives a fair allocation of
lending opportunities vis-a-vis other lenders, taking into account the demand
for and availability of Securities, types of Collateral, eligibility of
Borrowers, limitations on investments of Cash Collateral, tax treatment, and
similar commercial factors. From time to time, Chase may lend to Borrowers
Securities held in the Account (except Securities that are no longer subject to
the representations set forth in Section 3) and shall deliver such Securities
against receipt of Collateral in accordance with the applicable MSLA. Chase
shall have the right to decline to make any Loans to any Borrower and to
discontinue lending to any Borrower in its sole discretion and without notice to
Lender.
(b) Receipt of Collateral, Collateral substitution. For each Loan,
Chase shall receive and hold Letters of Credit received as Collateral and Chase
or a Triparty Institution shall receive and hold all other Collateral required
by the applicable MSLA in a Collateral Account, and Chase is hereby authorized
and directed, without obtaining any further approval from Lender, to invest and
reinvest all or substantially all Cash Collateral. Chase shall credit, or where
applicable shall have a Triparty Institution credit, all Collateral, Authorized
Investments and Proceeds to a Collateral Account and Chase shall not mark its
books and records to identify Lender's interest therein, it being understood,
however, that all monies credited to a Collateral Account may for purposes of
investment be commingled with cash collateral held for other lenders of
securities on whose behalf Chase may act. Chase may, in its sole discretion,
liquidate any Authorized Investment and credit the net proceeds in a Collateral
Account. Chase shall accept substitutions of Collateral in accordance with the
applicable MSLA and shall credit, or where applicable shall have a Triparty
Institution credit, all such substitutions to a Collateral Account.
(c) Mark to market procedures. (i) Chase shall require initial
Collateral for a Loan in an amount determined by applying the then applicable
"Collateral Criterion" (as defined below) to the Market Value of the Security
that is the subject of the Loan. The Collateral Criterion with respect to a
given Security shall be an amount equal to the then applicable percentage
(currently 102% for securities issued in the U.S. and 105% for securities issued
outside of the U.S.) of the Market Value of the Security (plus accrued interest,
if any, with respect to debt securities) which is the subject of a Loan as
determined as of the close of trading on the preceding Business Day. (ii) Each
Business Day Chase shall determine if the Market Value of all Collateral
received by Chase from a given Borrower in connection with all loans to such
Borrower from all lenders is at least equal to the aggregate amount ("Collateral
Amount") determined by applying the applicable Collateral Criterion to each
security on loan to such Borrower from all lenders. (iii) In accordance with
general market practice, the Market Value of certain securities (including,
without limitation, U.S. Government Securities) whether on Loan or received as
Collateral, may be determined on a same day basis by reference to recognized
pricing services.
<PAGE>
(d) Demand for additional Collateral. If the determination made in
Section 5(c)(ii) above demonstrates that the Market Value of all Collateral
received from a given Borrower is not at least equal to the Collateral Amount,
Chase shall demand additional Collateral from such Borrower in accordance with
the applicable MSLA so as to meet the Collateral Amount by making specific
Loans; provided that, Chase may from time to time establish de minimis
guidelines pursuant to which a mark would not be made even where the aggregate
Collateral Amount has not been met.
(e) Changes in procedures applicable to Collateral. The Collateral
procedures set forth in Sections 5(b)-(d) above reflect Chase's current practice
and may be changed by Chase from time to time based on general market conditions
(including volatility of Securities on Loan and of securities Collateral), the
Market Value of Securities on Loan to a given Borrower, and in accordance with
general market practice and regulatory requirements. Chase shall notify Lender
of material revisions to the foregoing procedures.
(f) Investment of Cash Collateral. (i) Chase is hereby authorized to
invest and reinvest cash Collateral in accordance with the investment guidelines
(and the interpretations, procedures and definitions included therewith) annexed
hereto as Appendix 4. (ii) Authorized Investments are made for the account of,
and at the sole risk of, Lender. In that connection, Lender shall pay to Chase
on demand in cash an amount equal to any deficiency in the amount of Collateral
available for return to a Borrower pursuant to an applicable MSLA.
(g) Lender's rights with respect to Securities on Loan; Distribution
and voting rights. (i) An amount equal to the amount of all Distributions paid
with respect to Securities on Loan that Lender would have received had such
Securities not been on Loan shall be credited to Lender's account on the date
such Distributions are delivered by Borrower to Chase. Any non-cash Distribution
on Securities on Loan which is in the nature of a stock split or a stock
dividend, shall be added to the Loan (and shall be considered to constitute
Securities on Loan) as of the date such non-cash Distribution is received by the
Borrower and shall be subject to the provisions of this Lending Agreement;
provided that the Lender may, by giving chase ten (10) Business Days' notice
prior to the date of such non-cash Distribution (or such different amount of
time as Chase may from time to time require on advice to Lender), direct Chase
to request that the Borrower deliver such non-cash Distribution to Chase
pursuant to the applicable MSLA, in which case Chase shall credit such non-cash
Distribution to Lender's account on the date it is delivered to Chase. Without
regard to the reference to "delivered" in the foregoing, the "AutoCredit"
provisions of the Agreement shall apply where a Borrower fails to make a
Distribution payment to Chase, the effect of which would be for Chase to credit
Lender's account with Distributions on the payable date. (ii) During the term of
any Loan, Chase will permit the Securities on Loan to be transferred into the
name of and be voted by the Borrower or others. Lender shall not be entitled to
participate in any dividend reinvestment program or to vote proxies with respect
to Securities that are eligible for Loan (whether or not actually on Loan) as of
the applicable record date for such Securities.
<PAGE>
(h) Advances, overdrafts and indebtedness, Security Interest. Chase
may, in its sole discretion, advance funds on behalf of Lender in order to pay
to Borrowers any Rebates or to return to Borrowers Cash Collateral to which they
are entitled pursuant to the applicable MSLA. Lender shall repay Chase on demand
the amount of any advance or any other amount owned by Lender hereunder plus
accrued interest at a rate per annum not to exceed the rate customarily charged
by Chase for such loans at the time such loan is made and shall otherwise be on
such terms and conditions as Chase customarily makes such loans available. In
order to secure repayment of any advance or other indebtedness of Lender to
Chase arising hereunder, Chase shall have a continuing lien and security
interest in and to all assets now or hereafter held in the Account and any
Collateral Account (to which Lender is entitled hereunder) and any other
property at any time held by it for the benefit of Lender or in which Lender may
have an interest which is then in Chase's possession or control or in the
possession or control of any third party acting on Chase's behalf. In this
regard, Chase shall be entitled to all the rights and remedies of a pledgee
under common law and a secured party under the New York Uniform Commercial Code
and/or any other applicable laws and/or regulations as then in effect.
(i) Termination of a Loan. (i) Loans shall generally be terminable on
demand. With the prior approval of Lender, however, Loans may be made on the
basis of a reasonably anticipated termination date ("Term Loan") and without
providing for the right of substitution of equivalent Securities. Termination of
a Term Loan prior to its anticipated termination date by either Lender or
Borrower may result in the terminating party having to pay non-terminating party
damages based on the cost of obtaining a replacement loan. (ii) Chase shall
terminate any Loan of Securities to a Borrower as soon as practicable after (a)
receipt by Chase of a notice of termination of the respective MSLA; (b) receipt
by Chase of Written Instructions directing it to terminate a Loan; (c) receipt
by Chase of Written Instructions instructing it to delete from Appendix 2 the
Borrower to whom such Loans was made; (d) receipt by Chase of Written
Instructions advising that the Security subject to a Loan is no longer subject
to the representation contained in Section 3 hereof; (e) receipt by Chase of
notice advising that an Event of Default (as defined in the applicable MSLA) has
occurred and is continuing beyond any applicable grace period; (f) whenever
Chase, in its sole discretion, elects to terminate such Loan other than a Term
Loan; or (g) termination of this Lending Agreement. (iii) If Securities which
are the subject of a Loan being terminated are to be sold by Lender, Written
Instructions shall in no event be given to Chase later than the trade date
established by Lender for such sale or such earlier date of which Chase may
advise Lender from time to time with respect to particular markets. Chase shall
not be liable for any failure of a Borrower to return Securities on Loans in a
time fashion.
(j) Recordkeeping and Reports. Chase shall establish and maintain such
records as are reasonably necessary to account for Loans that are made and the
income derived therefrom. Chase shall provide Lender with a monthly statement
describing the Loans made during the preceding month, and the income derived
from Loans, during the period covered by such statement. A party shall comply
with the reasonable requests of the other party for information necessary to the
requester's performance of its duties hereunder.
<PAGE>
Section 6 - Default by Borrower
(1) Chase may assume (unless it has actual knowledge to the contrary)
that any representations made by a Borrower in connection with any Loan are
true, that no event which is or may become an Event of Default (as defined in
the applicable MSLA) has occurred and that a Borrower has complied with its
obligations under the applicable MSLA. Subject to Sections 7(b)-(d), Chase shall
have no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any information
supplied, or for any breach of any obligation, by any Borrower under or in
connection with any MSLA or Loan. Chase shall not be liable as a result of
taking or omitting to take any action provided that Chase shall have carried out
its responsibilities hereunder in good faith. (ii) If any Borrower with respect
to any Loan affected pursuant hereto and pursuant to the applicable MSLA fails
to return any loaned Securities when due thereunder for reasons other than
relating to the solvency of the Borrower, Chase shall then take whatever action
its deems appropriate in accordance with general market practice and Chase's
reasonable judgment, including, but no necessarily limited to, claiming
compensation from such Borrower on behalf of Lender in the event a trade
executed by Lender fails on account of such Borrower's failure timely to have
returned Securities on Loan or, where Chase deems it necessary, such other
action as may be permitted by the applicable MSLA, including collecting any
applicable MSLA fails to return any Securities on Loan when due thereunder for
reasons relating to the solvency of the Borrower, Chase shall take such action
as its deems appropriate in accordance with Chase's reasonable judgment under
the applicable MSLA.
Section 7 - Standard of Care, Liabilities, Indemnification
(a) Standard of care, Liabilities. Except as provided in paragraphs (b)
and (c) hereof, Chase shall be liable for any costs, expenses, damages,
liabilities or claims (including attorneys' and accountants' fees) incurred by
Lender, except those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities and claims arising
out of the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of Chase. Chase shall
have no obligation hereunder for: (i) costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or
claims (including attorneys' and accountants' fees), which are sustained or
incurred by Lender by reason of any action or inaction by any pricing service,
any Depository or a Triparty Institution or their respective successors or
nominees; and (ii) any failure to perform any obligation due to any matters
beyond the control of Chase. In no event shall Chase be liable for indirect or
consequential damages or lost profits or loss of business, arising hereunder or
in connection herewith, even if previously informed of the possibility of such
damages and regardless of the form of action.
<PAGE>
Except for any costs or expenses incurred by Chase in performing its
obligations pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) hereof any ordinary operating
expenses incurred by Chase in providing services hereunder, Lender shall
indemnify Chase and hold it harmless from and against any and all costs,
expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including reasonable fees and expenses
of counsel, which Chase may sustain or incur or which may be asserted against
Chase by reason of or as a result of any action taken or omitted by Chase in
connection with operating under this Lending Agreement or enforcing Lender's
rights under the applicable MSLA, other than those costs, expenses, damages,
liabilities or claims arising out of the negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct of Chase. The foregoing indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of
the Lender, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of any
Loans hereunder or of this Lending Agreement. Chase may charge any amounts to
which it is entitled hereunder against the Account, and Lender shall be entitled
to an accounting of all amounts so charged. Actions taken or omitted in reliance
upon Proper Instructions, or upon any information, order, indenture, stock
certificate, power of attorney, assignment, affidavit or other instrument
reasonably believed by Chase, in good faith, to be genuine or bearing the
signature of a person or persons believed, in good faith, to be authorized to
sign, countersign or execute the same, shall be conclusively presumed to have
been taken or omitted in good faith.
(b) Indemnification of Lender in respect to Distributions. If the
Borrower in respect of any Loan effected pursuant hereto and pursuant to the
applicable MSLA fails, as a result of its bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, liquidation, receivership or similar event (each an "Insolvency
Event"), to remit to Chase for Lender's account any Distributions on or with
respect to Securities on Loan when due (the "Due Date") in accordance with such
MSLA and such Due Date occurs at least one day prior to an Insolvency Event then
Chase shall at its expense (subject to paragraph (d) hereof) and within one (1)
Business Day of the Due Date, undertake the following: (i) with respect to
Distributions in the form of cash, Chase shall credit Lender's account with the
full amount of such Distributions and (ii) with respect to Distributions in the
form of securities, Chase shall, at its option, either purchase replacement
securities (of an equal amount of the same issue, class, type or series as the
Distributions) on the principal market in which such securities are traded or
credit Lender's account with the market value in United States dollars
("Dollars") of such Distributions on the Due Date as determined by Chase in good
faith. Market value shall be determined by Chase in accordance with the
applicable MSLA, including the computation of Dollar equivalents where
Securities on Loan and/or Collateral (and Proceeds) are denominated in a
currency other than Dollars.
<PAGE>
(c) Indemnification of Lender in respect of Securities. If the Borrower
in respect of any Loan effected pursuant hereto and pursuant to the applicable
MSLA fails to return any Securities on Loan to Chase for Lender's account when
due thereunder (the "Return Date") which is the date of default, then Chase
shall, at its expense (subject to paragraph (d) hereof) and within one (1)
Business Day of the Return Date, credit Lender's account in Dollars with the
difference ("Difference") (where a positive number), if any, between (x) the
market value of such lent Securities on the Return Date (including, in the case
of debt Securities, accrued but unpaid interest), and (y) in the case of Loans
collateralized by (i) Cash Collateral, the greater of (A) the Market Value of
the Cash Collateral on the date of initial pledge as adjusted for any subsequent
marks-to-market through the Return Date and (B) the Market Value of Cash
Collateral investments on the Return Date, (ii) non-Cash Collateral comprising
securities Collateral, the greater of the Market Value of such Collateral on the
(A) Business Day immediately preceding the Return Date and (B) Return Date, or
(iii) non-Cash Collateral comprising Letter of Credit Collateral, the Market
Value of the Letter of Credit Collateral on the date of initial pledge as
adjusted for any subsequent marks-to-market through the Return Date. Market
Value shall be determined by Chase in accordance with the applicable MSLA,
including the computation of Dollar equivalents where Securities on Loan and/or
Collateral (and Proceeds) are denominated in a currency other than Dollars.
Where Cash Collateral and non-Cash Collateral have each been allocated to a Loan
as of the Return Date, the Difference payable by Chase shall be computed in
accordance with the foregoing as if there had been two Loans in effect on the
Return Date, one collateralized by Cash Collateral and the other collateralized
by non-Cash Collateral. In lieu of paying Lender the Difference, Chase may, at
its sole option and expense, purchase for Lender's account ("Buy-in")
replacement securities of the same issue, type, class, and series as that of the
Securities on Loan.
(d) Subrogation. If Chase makes a payment or a purchase pursuant to
Section 7(b) or effects a Buy-in pursuant to Section 7(c), or if Chase effects a
Difference payment pursuant to Section 7(c) on account of a failure to return
Securities on Loan not arising from an Insolvency Event, Chase shall, to the
extent of such payment, purchase, Difference payment or Buy-in, be subrogated
to, and Lender shall assign and be deemed to have assigned to Chase, all of its
rights in, to and against the Borrower (and any guarantor thereof) in respect of
such Loan, any Collateral pledged by the Borrower in respect of such Loan, and
all proceeds of such Collateral. In the event that Lender receives or is
credited with any payment, benefit or value from or on behalf of the Borrower in
respect of rights to which Chase is subrogated as provided herein, Lender shall
promptly remit or pay to Chase the same (or its Dollar equivalent) but only to
the extent that Lender has been paid all amounts owed to it by Borrower.
Section 8 - Chase Compensation
(a) In connection with each Loan hereunder, Lender shall pay to Chase a
fee equal to ___% of (i) earnings (less any Rebate paid by Chase to a Borrower)
derived from Authorized Investments in connection with Loans collateralized by
cash, and (ii) any Securities Loan Fee paid or payable by the Borrower on Loans
not collateralized by cash. (b) The fee payable to Chase for services performed
pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof shall be equal to one tenth of the one percent
(0.1%) of the Fund's average daily Assets (with "Fund" being as defined in
Appendix 4 hereto). All securities in the Fund shall be valued based on their
amortized cost. Fees shall be accrued and charged daily against the Fund's yield
or assets, as appropriate, and shall be payable monthly in arrears on the first
business day of the month following the month in which earned. (c) Chase is
authorized, on a monthly basis, to charge all the foregoing fees (together with
reasonable expenses incurred by Chase hereunder) and any other amounts owed by
Lender hereunder against the Account and/or a Collateral Account.
Section 9 - Taxes
Lender shall be responsible for all filings, tax returns and reports on
any Loans undertaken by Chase on Lender's behalf which are to be made to any
authority whether governmental or otherwise and for the payment of all unpaid
calls, taxes (including, without limitations, any value added tax), imposts,
levies or duties due on any principal or interest, or any other liability or
payments arising out of or in connection with any Securities or any Collateral,
and in so far as Chase is under obligation (whether of a governmental nature or
otherwise) to pay the same on Lender's behalf Chase may do so out of any monies
or assets held by it pursuant to the terms of the Agreement or hereunder.
<PAGE>
Section 10 - Instructions
(a)(i) Written Instructions. "Written Instructions" shall mean written
communications actually received by Chase from an Authorized Person or from a
person reasonably believed by Chase to be an Authorized Person by letter,
memorandum, telegram, cable, telex, telecopy facsimile, computer, video (CRT)
terminal or other on-line system, or any other method reasonably acceptable to
Chase and whereby Chase is able to verify with a reasonable degree of certainty
the identity of the sender of such communications or with communications are
transmitted with proper testing or authentication pursuant to terms and
conditions which Chase may specify. (ii) Oral Instructions. "Oral Instructions"
shall mean oral communications actually received by Chase from an Authorized
Person or from a person reasonably believed by Chase to be an Authorized Person.
Oral Instructions shall promptly thereafter be confirmed in writing by an
Authorized Person (which confirmation may bear the facsimile signature of such
Person), but Lender will hold Chase harmless for the failure of an Authorized
Person to send such confirmation in writing, the failure of such confirmation to
conform to the Oral Instructions received, or Chase's failure to produce such
confirmation at any subsequent time. Lender shall be responsible for
safeguarding any testkeys, identification codes or other security devices which
Chase may make available to Lender or its Authorized Persons.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided, all Proper Instructions shall
continue in full force and effect until canceled or superseded.
Section 11 - Pricing Services
Chase may use any pricing service referred to in an applicable MSLA and
any other recognized pricing service (including itself and any of its
affiliates) in order to perform its valuation responsibilities with respect to
Securities, Collateral and Authorized Investments, and Lender shall hold Chase
harmless from and against any loss or damage suffered or incurred as a result of
errors or omissions of any such pricing service.
Section 12 - Termination
This Lending Agreement may be terminated at any time by either party
upon delivery to the other party of notice specifying the date of such
termination, which shall be not less than 30 days after the date of receipt of
such notice. Notwithstanding any such notice, this Lending Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect with respect to all Loans outstanding on the
termination date, which Loans shall, however, be terminated as soon as
reasonably practicable.
Section 13 - Miscellaneous
(a) Legal proceedings. Chase may refrain from bringing any legal action
or proceeding arising out of or in connection with any Loan until it shall have
received such security as it may require for all costs, expenses (including
legal fees) and liabilities which it will or may expend or incur in relation
thereto.
<PAGE>
(b) Integration, Lending Agreement to Govern. This Lending Agreement
and the Agreement contain the complete agreement of the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof and supersede and replace any previously made
proposals, representations, warranties or agreements with respect thereto by the
parties. In the event of any conflict between this Lending Agreement, and the
Agreement, this Lending Agreement shall govern.
(c) Notice. Unless expressly provided herein to the contrary, notices
hereunder shall be in writing, and delivered by telecopier, overnight express
mail, first-class postage prepaid, delivered personally or by receipt courier
service. All such notices which are mailed shall be deemed delivered upon
receipt. Notices shall be addresses as follows (or to such other address as a
party may from time to time designate on notice duly given in accordance with
this paragraph): notices to Chase shall be addressed to it at 2 Chase Manhattan
Plaza, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10081, Attention: Securities Lending
Division; notices to be given to Lender shall be addressed to it at its offices
at ___________________________________________ Attention:______________________.
(d) Amendments, Waiver. This Lending Agreement may be modified only by
a written amendment signed by both parties, and no waiver of any provisions
hereof shall be effective unless expressed in a writing signed by the party to
be charged.
(e) Government Law, Consent to Jurisdiction, Waiver of Immunity. This
Lending Agreement shall be construed in accordance with laws of the State of New
York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Chase and
Lender each hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court
situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising
hereunder and Lender hereby waives any claim of forum non conveniens to the
extent that it may lawfully do so. To the extent that in any jurisdiction Lender
may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity
from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal
process, Lender irrevocably shall not claim, and it hereby waives, such
immunity.
<PAGE>
(f) Counterparts, Headings. This Lending Agreement may be executed in
several counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original, and all
collectively shall constitute but one instrument. The headings of the sections
hereof are included for convenience of reference only and do not form part of
this Lending Agreement.
(g) Severability. Any provisions of this Lending Agreement which may be
determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such prohibition, or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining
provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceably in any jurisdiction
shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provisions in any other
jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Lending Agreement as
of the date first above-written.
[Insert name of LENDER] THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
By: By:
Title: Title:
<PAGE>
Law Office
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP
2600 One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7098
(215) 564-8000
Direct Dial: (215) 564-8115
June 17, 1999
Delaware Group Equity Funds III
1818 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Re: Legal Opinion-Securities Act of 1933
------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, (the
"Agreement"), of Delaware Group Equity Funds III (the "Fund"), a series business
trust organized under Delaware law, the By-Laws of the Fund, and its proposed
form of Share Certificates (if any), and the various pertinent corporate
proceedings we deem material. We have also examined the Notification of
Registration and the Registration Statements filed under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 as amended, (the "Investment Company Act") and the Securities Act of
1933 as amended, (the "Securities Act"), all as amended to date, as well as
other items we deem material to this opinion.
The Fund is authorized by the Agreement to issue an unlimited
number of shares with no par value and currently issues shares of the Trend Fund
series of shares. The Agreement also empowers the Board to designate any
additional series or classes and allocate shares to such series or classes.
The Fund has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, a registration statement under the Securities Act, which
registration statement is deemed to register an indefinite number of shares of
the Fund pursuant to the provisions of Section 24(f) of the Investment Company
Act. You have further advised us that the Fund, and/or its predecessor, has
filed, and each year hereafter will timely file, a Notice pursuant to Rule 24f-2
under the Investment Company Act perfecting the registration of the shares sold
by the Fund during each fiscal year during which such registration of an
indefinite number of shares remains in effect.
You have also informed us that the shares of the Fund, and/or
its predecessor, have been, and will continue to be sold in accordance with the
Fund's usual method of distributing its registered shares, under which
prospectuses are made available for delivery to offerees and purchasers of such
shares in accordance with Section 5(b) of the Securities Act.
<PAGE>
Delaware Group Equity Funds III
June 17, 1999
Page 2
Based upon the foregoing information and examination, so long
as the Fund remains a valid and subsisting entity under the laws of its state of
organization, and the registration of an indefinite number of shares of the Fund
remains effective, the authorized shares of the Fund when issued for the
consideration set by the Board of Trustees pursuant to the Agreement, and
subject to compliance with Rule 24f-2, will be legally outstanding, fully-paid,
and non-assessable shares, and the holders of such shares will have all the
rights provided for with respect to such holding by the Agreement and the laws
of the State of Delaware.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion, in lieu of any
other, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of the Fund, along with any
amendments thereto, covering the registration of the shares of the Fund under
the Securities Act and the applications, registration statements or notice
filings, and amendments thereto, filed in accordance with the securities laws of
the several states in which shares of the Fund are offered, and we further
consent to reference in the registration statement of the Fund to the fact that
this opinion concerning the legality of the issue has been rendered by us.
Very truly yours,
STRADLEY, RONON, STEVENS & YOUNG, LLP
BY: /s/ Bruce G. Leto
---------------------------------
Bruce G. Leto
