Centennial
New York Tax Exempt Trust
Prospectus dated November 1, 1996
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust is a no-load "money market" mutual fund
with the investment objective of seeking the maximum current income exempt from
Federal, New York State and New York City income taxes for individual investors
that is consistent with preservation of capital. The Trust seeks to achieve this
objective by investing in municipal obligations meeting specified quality
standards, the income from which is tax-exempt as described above. Normally, the
Trust will invest at least 80% of its assets in U.S. dollar-denominated, high
quality tax-exempt municipal obligations. The Trust may invest a significant
percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer, and therefore an
investment in the Trust may be riskier than an investment in other types of
money market funds.
An investment in the Trust is neither insured nor guaranteed by the
U.S. Government. While the Trust seeks to maintain a stable net asset value of
$1.00 per share, there can be no assurance that the Trust will be able to do so.
Shares of the Trust may be purchased directly from brokers or dealers
having sales agreements with the Trust's Distributor and also are offered to
participants in Automatic Purchase and Redemption Programs (the "Programs")
established by certain brokerage firms with which the Trust's Distributor has
entered into agreements for that purpose. See "How to Buy Shares" in the
Prospectus. Program participants should also read the description of the Program
provided by their broker.
This Prospectus explains concisely what you should know before
investing in the Trust. Please read this Prospectus carefully and keep it for
future reference. You can find more detailed information about the Trust in the
November 1, 1996 Statement of Additional Information. For a free copy, call
Shareholder Services, Inc., the Trust's Transfer Agent, at 1-800-525-9310 or
write to the Transfer Agent at the address on the back cover. The Statement of
Additional Information has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (which means
that it is legally part of this Prospectus).
Shares of the Trust are not deposits or obligations of any bank,
are not guaranteed by any bank, are not insured by the F.D.I.C. or
<PAGE>
any other agency, and involve investment risks, including the
possible loss of the principal amount invested.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
Contents
3 Expenses
4 Financial Highlights
5 Performance of the Trust
5 Investment Objective and Policies
12 Investment Restrictions
13 How the Trust is Managed
15 How To Buy Shares
16 Purchases Through Automatic Purchase and Redemption
Programs
17 Direct Purchases
17 Payment by Check
17 Payment by Federal Funds Wire
18 Guaranteed Payment
18 Automatic Investment Plans
19 Service Plan
19 How To Sell Shares
19 Program Participants
20 Shares of the Trust Owned Directly
20 Regular Redemption Procedure
20 Expedited Redemption Procedure
21 Check Writing
22 Telephone Redemptions
22 Automatic Withdrawal Plans
23 General Information on Redemptions
23 Exchanges of Shares
27 Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
-3-
<PAGE>
Expenses
The following table sets forth the fees that an investor in the Trust might pay,
and the expenses paid by the Trust during its fiscal year ended June 30, 1996.
o Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Charge on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price) None
- ---------------------------------------------------
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends None
- ---------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fees None
- ---------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None
o Annual Trust Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees (after expense assumption) 0.39%
- ---------------------------------------------------
12b-1 (Service Plan) Fees 0.19%
- ---------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 0.22%
- ---------------------------------------------------
Total Trust Operating Expenses
(after expense assumption) 0.80%
The purpose of this table is to assist an investor in understanding
the various costs and expenses that an investor in the Trust will bear directly
(Shareholder Transaction Expenses) or indirectly (Annual Trust Operating
Expenses). "Other Expenses" includes such expenses as custodial and transfer
agent fees, audit, legal and other business operating expenses, but excludes
extraordinary expenses. The Annual Trust Operating Expenses shown are net of a
voluntary expense assumption undertaking by the Trust's investment manager,
Centennial Asset Management Corporation (the "Manager"). Without such
assumption, "Management Fees" and "Total Trust Operating Expenses" would have
been 0.50% and 0.93% of average net assets, respectively. The expense assumption
undertaking is described in "The Manager and Its Affiliates" in the Statement of
Additional Information and may be amended or withdrawn at any time. For further
details, see the Trust's Financial Statements included in the Statement of
Additional Information.
-4-
<PAGE>
o Example. To try to show the effect of these expenses on an investment
over time, we have created the hypothetical example shown below. Assume that you
make a $1,000 investment in shares of the Trust, and the Trust's annual return
is 5%, and that its operating expenses are the ones shown in the Annual Trust
Operating Expenses chart above. If you were to redeem your shares at the end of
each period shown below, your investment would incur the following expenses by
the end of each period shown.
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
------ ------- ------- --------
$8 $26 $44 $99
This example shows the effect of expenses on an investment, but is not
meant to state or predict actual or expected costs or investment returns of the
Trust, all of which may be more or less than those shown.
Financial Highlights
The table on the following page presents selected financial information about
the Trust, including per share data and expense ratios and other data based on
the Trust's average net assets. This information has been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, whose report on the financial statements of
the Trust for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996 is included in the Statement
of Additional Information.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Financial Highlights
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Nine Months Period Ended
Year Ended June 30, Ended June 30, September 30,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989(1)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share Operating Data:
Net asset value, beginning of period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations - net
investment income and net realized gain .03 .03 .02 .02 .03 .05 .04 .04
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and distributions to shareholders (.03) (.03) (.02) (.02) (.03) (.05) (.04) (.04)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
=======================================================================================
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return, at Net Asset Value(2) 2.79% 2.85% 1.68% 1.83% 3.11% 4.74% 3.87% 3.84%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $39,807 $35,846 $26,519 $24,994 $24,103 $21,439 $ 9,133 $ 4,935
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $42,351 $29,590 $25,419 $24,257 $23,221 $16,766 $ 7,008 $ 2,084
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 2.76% 2.84% 1.67% 1.74% 3.00% 4.42% 4.98%(3) 5.41%(3)
Expenses, before voluntary assumption
by the Manager(4) 0.93% 0.95% 1.02% 0.98% 1.09% 1.08% 1.48%(3) 2.21%(3)
Expenses, net of voluntary assumption
by the Manager 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.72% 0.96%(3) 1.00%(3)
<FN>
1. For the period from January 4, 1989 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 1989.
2. Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends
reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business
day of the fiscal period. Total returns are not annualized for periods of less than one full year. Total returns reflect changes
in net investment income only.
3. Annualized.
4. Beginning in fiscal 1995, the expense ratio reflects the effect of gross expenses paid indirectly by the Trust. Prior year
expense ratios have not been adjusted.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-5-
<PAGE>
Performance of the Trust
Explanation of "Yield." From time to time, the "yield," "tax- equivalent yield"
and "compounded effective yield" of an investment in the Trust may be
advertised. All yield figures are based on historical earnings per share and are
not intended to indicate future performance. The "yield" of the Trust is the
income generated by an investment in the Trust over a seven-day period, which is
then "annualized." In annualizing, the amount of income generated by the
investment during that seven days is assumed to be generated each week over a
52-week period, and is shown as a percentage of the investment. The "compounded
effective yield" is calculated similarly, but the annualized income earned by an
investment in the Trust is assumed to be reinvested. The "compounded effective
yield" will therefore be slightly higher than the yield because of the effect of
the assumed reinvestment. The Trust's "tax-equivalent yield" is calculated by
dividing that portion of the Trust's "yield" (calculated as described above)
which is tax-exempt by one minus a stated income tax rate and adding the result
to the portion (if any) of the Trust's yield that is not tax-exempt. The
"tax-equivalent yield" is then compounded and annualized in the same manner as
the Trust's yield. See "Performance of the Trust" in the Statement of Additional
Information for further information on the methods of calculating these yields.
From time to time the Manager may voluntarily assume a portion of the Trust's
expenses (which may include the management fee), thereby lowering the overall
expense ratio per share and increasing the Trust's yield during the time such
expenses are assumed.
Investment Objective and Policies
Objective. The Trust is a no-load tax-exempt money market fund. It is an
open-end, non-diversified, management investment company organized on July 29,
1988 as a Massachusetts business trust. The Trust's investment objective is to
seek the maximum current income exempt from Federal, New York State and New York
City income taxes for individual investors as is consistent with preservation of
capital. The Trust's shares may be purchased at their net asset value, which
will remain fixed at $1.00 per share except under extraordinary circumstances
(see "Determination of Net Asset Value Per Share" in the Statement of Additional
Information for further information). There can be no assurance, however, that
the Trust's net asset value will not vary or that the Trust will achieve its
investment objective. The value of Trust shares is not insured or
-6-
<PAGE>
guaranteed by any government agency. However, shares held in brokerage accounts
may be eligible for coverage by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation
for losses arising from the insolvency of the brokerage firm.
Portfolio Quality/Ratings of Securities. Under Rule 2a-7 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), the Trust uses
the amortized cost method to value its portfolio securities to determine the
Trust's net asset value per share. Rule 2a-7 places restrictions on a money
market fund's investments. Under the Rule, the Trust may purchase only those
securities that the Manager, under procedures approved by the Trust's Board of
Trustees, has determined have minimal credit risks and are "Eligible
Securities." An "Eligible Security" is (a) one that has received a rating in one
of the two highest short-term rating categories by any two
"nationally-recognized statistical rating organizations" (as defined in the
Rule) ("Rating Organizations"), or, if only one Rating Organization has rated
that security, by that Rating Organization, or (b) an unrated security that is
judged by the Manager to be of comparable quality to investments that are
"Eligible Securities" rated by Rating Organizations. The Rule permits the Trust
to purchase "First Tier Securities," which are Eligible Securities rated in the
highest rating category for short-term debt obligations by at least two Rating
Organizations, or, if only one Rating Organization has rated a particular
security, by that Rating Organization, or comparable unrated securities. Under
the Rule, the Trust may also invest in "Second Tier Securities," which are
Eligible Securities that are not "First Tier Securities." Additionally, under
Rule 2a-7, the Trust must maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity
of no more than 90 days; and the remaining maturity of any single portfolio
investment may not exceed 397 days. Certain of the Trust's fundamental
investment restrictions (which may be changed only by shareholder vote) are more
restrictive than the provisions of Rule 2a-7, and the Trust must restrict the
maturity of portfolio securities to one year or less. The Trust's Board has
adopted procedures under Rule 2a-7 pursuant to which the Board has delegated to
the Manager certain responsibilities, in accordance with that Rule, of
conforming the Trust's investments with the requirements of the Rule and those
procedures.
Appendix A of the Statement of Additional Information contains
descriptions of the rating categories of Rating Organizations.
Ratings at the time of purchase will determine whether securities
may be acquired under the above restrictions. Subsequent
-7-
<PAGE>
downgrades in ratings may require reassessment of the credit risk presented by a
security and may require its sale. The rating restrictions described in this
Prospectus do not apply to banks in which the Trust's cash is kept. See
"Municipal Bonds" and "Ratings of Securities" in "Investment Objective and
Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information for further details.
Investment Policies and Strategies. The Trust's investment policies and
practices are not "fundamental" policies as defined in "Investment Restrictions"
unless a particular policy is identified as fundamental. The Trust's investment
objective is a fundamental policy. The Board may change non-fundamental
investment policies without shareholder approval. In seeking its objective, the
Trust may invest in the types of securities listed below and use the following
strategies:
o Municipal Securities. Under normal market conditions, the Trust attempts to
invest 100% of its assets, and will invest at least 80% of its assets in
municipal bonds, municipal notes (including tax anticipation notes, bond
anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes and
other short-term loans), tax-exempt commercial paper and other debt obligations
issued by or on behalf of the State of New York, and other states, and the
District of Columbia, their political subdivisions, or any commonwealth or
territory of the United States, or their respective agencies, instrumentalities
or authorities, the interest from which is not subject to federal individual
income tax, in the opinion of bond counsel to the respective issuer
(collectively, "Municipal Securities") and will invest at least 65% of its total
assets in obligations of the State of New York and its political subdivisions,
agencies, authorities or instrumentalities or those of commonwealths or
territories of the U.S., the interest from which is not subject to New York
State and New York City personal income tax in the opinion of bond counsel to
the respective issuer ("New York Municipal Securities"). The Trust may also
purchase Municipal Securities with demand features that meet the requirements of
Rule 2a-7 (discussed above). All Municipal Securities in which the Trust invests
must have, or, pursuant to regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, be deemed to have, remaining maturities of one year or less at the
date the Trust purchases them.
As a matter of fundamental policy, normally the Trust will
make no investment that will reduce the portion of its total assets
which are invested in Municipal Securities to less than 80%. The
-8-
<PAGE>
balance of the Trust's assets may be invested in investments the income from
which may be taxable, including: (i) repurchase agreements (described below);
(ii) Municipal Securities issued to benefit a private user ("Private Activity
Municipal Securities"), the interest from which may be subject to Federal
alternative minimum tax (see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" below and
"Private Activity Municipal Securities" in the Statement of Additional
Information); and (iii) certain temporary investments defined below in
"Temporary Investments." The Trust may hold Temporary Investments pending the
investment of proceeds from the sale of Trust shares or portfolio securities,
pending settlement of Municipal Securities purchases or to meet anticipated
redemptions. Normally, the Trust will not invest more than 20% of its total
assets in Private Activity Municipal Securities and other taxable investments
described above. No independent investigation has been made by the Manager as to
the users of proceeds of such offerings or the application of such proceeds. To
the extent the Trust receives income from taxable investments, it may not
achieve its investment objective. Investments in unrated Municipal Securities
will not exceed 20% of the Trust's total assets.
o Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations. Some of the Municipal Securities
the Trust may purchase may have variable or floating interest rates. Variable
rates are adjustable at stated periodic intervals of no more than one year.
Floating rates are automatically adjusted according to a specified market rate
for such investments, such as the PSA Municipal Swap Index or J.J. Kenney Index.
The Trust may purchase these obligations if they have a remaining maturity of
one year or less; if their maturity is greater than one year, they may be
purchased if they have a demand feature that permits the Trust to recover the
principal amount of the underlying security at specified intervals not exceeding
one year and on not more than 30 days' notice. The Manager may determine that an
unrated floating rate or variable rate demand obligation meets the Trust's
quality standards solely by reason of being backed by a letter of credit or
guarantee issued by a bank that meets the Trust's quality standards. However,
the letter of credit or bank guarantee must be rated or meet the other
requirements of Rule 2a-7. See "Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations" in the
Statement of Additional Information for more details.
o When-Issued Securities. The Trust may invest in Municipal
Securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed delivery" basis. In
those transactions, the Trust obligates itself to purchase or sell
-9-
<PAGE>
securities, with delivery and payment to occur at a later date, to secure what
is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time the obligation
is entered into. The price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is
fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment
for when- issued securities take place at a later date (normally within 120 days
of purchase). During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is
made by the Trust to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Trust from the
investment. Although the Trust is subject to the risk of adverse market
fluctuation during that period, the Manager does not believe that the Trust's
net asset value or income will be materially adversely affected by the Trust's
purchase of Municipal Securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed delivery" basis.
See "When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions" in the Statement of
Additional Information for more details.
o Puts and Demand Features. The Trust may invest a significant percentage of
its assets in Municipal Securities subject to put or demand features. Because
the Trust invests in securities backed by banks and other financial
institutions, changes in the credit quality of these institutions could cause
losses to the Trust. Therefore, an investment in the Trust may be riskier than
an investment in other types of money market funds.
A "put" is the right to sell a particular security within a specified period of
time at a stated exercise price. The put may be sold, transferred, or assigned
only with the underlying security. A demand feature is a put that may be
exercised at specified intervals not exceeding 397 calendar days and upon no
more than thirty days' notice. Demand features can: (1) shorten the maturity of
a variable or floating rate security, (2) enhance the security's credit quality,
and (3) enhance the ability to sell the security. The aggregate price for a
security subject to a put or demand feature may be higher than the price that
would be paid for the security without the put or demand feature. The effect of
the put or demand feature is to increase the cost of the security and reduce its
yield.
o Municipal Lease Obligations. The Trust may invest in certificates of
participation, which are tax-exempt obligations that evidence the holder's right
to share in lease, installment loan or other financing payments by a public
entity. Projects financed with certificates of participation generally are not
subject to state constitutional debt limitations or other statutory requirements
that may be applicable to Municipal Securities.
-10-
<PAGE>
Payments by the public entity on the obligation underlying the certificates are
derived from available revenue sources; such revenue may be diverted to the
funding of other municipal service projects. Payments of interest and/or
principal with respect to the certificates are not guaranteed and do not
constitute an obligation of the state or any of its political subdivisions.
While some municipal lease securities may be deemed to be "illiquid" securities
(the purchase of which would be limited as described below in "Illiquid and
Restricted Securities"), from time to time the Trust may invest more than 5% of
its net assets in municipal lease obligations that the Manager has determined to
be liquid under guidelines set by the Trust's Board of Trustees.
o Illiquid and Restricted Securities. Under the policies and procedures
established by the Trust's Board of Trustees, the Manager determines the
liquidity of certain of the Trust's investments. Investments may be illiquid
because of the absence of an active trading market, making it difficult to value
them or dispose of them promptly at an acceptable price. A restricted security
is one that has a contractual restriction on its resale or which cannot be sold
publicly until it is registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The Trust will
not invest more than 10% of its net assets in illiquid or restricted securities.
This policy does not limit purchases of: (1) restricted securities eligible for
resale to qualified institutional purchasers pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933 that are determined to be liquid by the Board of Trustees
or by the Manager under Board-approved guidelines, or (2) commercial paper that
may be sold without registration under Sections 3(a)(3) or 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933. Such guidelines take into account trading activity for
such securities and the availability of reliable pricing information, among
other factors. If there is a lack of trading interest in particular Rule 144A
Securities, the Trust's holdings of those securities may be illiquid. If due to
changes in relative value, more than 10% of the value of the Trust's net assets
consist of illiquid securities, the Manager would consider appropriate steps to
protect the Trust's maximum flexibility. There may be undesirable delays in
selling illiquid securities at prices representing their fair value.
o Non-diversification. The Trust is classified as a "non-diversified"
investment company under the Investment Company Act, so that the proportion of
the Trust's assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer is
not limited by the Investment Company Act. An investment in the Trust will
therefore
-11-
<PAGE>
entail greater risk than an investment in a diversified investment company
because a higher percentage of investments among fewer issuers may result in
greater credit risk exposure to a smaller number of issuers, greater fluctuation
in the total market value of the Trust's portfolio, and economic, political or
regulatory developments may have a greater impact on the value of the Trust's
portfolio than would be the case if the portfolio were diversified among more
issuers. However, the Trust intends to conduct its operations so as to qualify
as a "regulated investment company" for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"), which will relieve the Trust
from liability for Federal income tax to the extent its earnings are distributed
to shareholders. Among the requirements for such qualification are that: (1) not
more than 25% of the market value of the Trust's total assets will be invested
in the securities of a single issuer, and (2) with respect to 50% of the market
value of its total assets, not more than 5% of the market value of its total
assets may be invested in the securities of a single issuer and the Trust must
not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer.
o Repurchase Agreements. The Trust may acquire securities that are subject to
repurchase agreements to generate income while providing liquidity. The Trust's
repurchase agreements must be fully collateralized under the requirements of
Rule 2a-7. However, if the seller of the securities fails to pay the agreed-upon
repurchase price on the delivery date, the Trust's risks may include the costs
of disposing of the collateral for the agreement and losses that might result
from any delays in foreclosing on the collateral. The Trust will not enter into
a repurchase agreement that will cause more than 10% of its net assets to be
subject to repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days and may not
enter into repurchase agreements if the scheduled repurchase date is greater
than one year. Income earned on repurchase transactions is not tax-exempt and
accordingly, under normal market conditions, the Trust will limit its
investments in repurchase transactions to 20% of its total assets. See
"Repurchase Agreements" in the Statement of Additional Information for further
details.
o Temporary Investments. The Trust may hold the following
"Temporary Investments" that are Eligible Securities: (i)
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its
agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) bankers acceptances; (iii)
taxable commercial paper rated in the highest category by a Rating
Organization; (iv) short-term taxable debt obligations rated in one
-12-
<PAGE>
of the two highest rating categories of a Rating Organization; or (v)
certificates of deposit of domestic banks with assets of $1 billion or more and
repurchase agreements. To the extent the Trust assumes a temporary defensive
position, a significant portion of the Trust's distributions may be subject to
Federal, New York State and local taxes.
o Special Risk Considerations - New York Municipal Securities. The Trust
concentrates its investments in securities issued by the State of New York or
entities within that state, and therefore an investment in the Trust may be
riskier than an investment in other types of money market funds that do not
concentrate their investments in that manner. Because the Trust concentrates its
investments in New York Municipal Securities, the market value and marketability
of such Municipal Securities and the interest income and repayment of principal
to the Trust from them could be adversely affected by a default or financial
crisis relating to any of such issuers. Investors should consider these matters
and the financial difficulties experienced in past years by New York State and
certain of its agencies and subdivisions (particularly New York City), as well
as economic trends in New York, summarized in the Statement of Additional
Information under "Special Investment Considerations - New York Municipal
Securities." In addition, the Trust's portfolio securities are affected by
general changes in interest rates, which result in changes in the value of
portfolio securities held by the Trust, which can be expected to vary inversely
to changes in prevailing interest rates.
Investment Restrictions
The Trust has certain investment restrictions which, together with its
investment objective, are fundamental policies, which can be changed only by the
vote of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) of the Trust. Under some of those restrictions, the
Trust cannot: (1) make loans, except that the Trust may purchase debt securities
described in "Investment Objective and Policies" and repurchase agreements, and
the Trust may lend its portfolio securities as described in the Statement of
Additional Information; (2) borrow money in excess of 10% of the value of its
total assets or make any investment when borrowings exceed 5% of the value of
its total assets; it may borrow only as a temporary measure for extraordinary or
emergency purposes; no assets of the Trust may be pledged, mortgaged or assigned
to secure a debt; (3) invest more than 25% of
-13-
<PAGE>
its total assets in any one industry; however, for the purposes of this
restriction Municipal Securities and U.S. Government obligations are not
considered to be part of any single industry. The percentage restrictions
described in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information
apply only at the time of investment and require no action by the Trust as a
result of subsequent changes in value of the investments or the size of the
Trust. A supplementary list of investment restrictions is contained in "Other
Investment Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
How the Trust is Managed
Organization and History. The Trust's Board of Trustees has overall
responsibility for the management of the Trust under the laws of Massachusetts
governing the responsibilities of trustees of business trusts. "Trustees and
Officers" in the Statement of Additional Information identifies the Trust's
Trustees and officers and provides information about them. Subject to the
authority of the Board, the Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management
of the Trust's business, supervises the investment operations of the Trust and
the composition of its portfolio and furnishes the Trust advice and
recommendations with respect to investments, investment policies and the
purchase and sale of securities, pursuant to a management agreement with the
Trust (the "Agreement").
The Trust's shares are of one class, are transferrable without restriction and
have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Trust represents an interest
in the Trust equal to the interest of each other share in the Trust and entitles
the holder to one vote per share (and a fractional vote for a fractional share)
on matters submitted to a shareholder vote, and to participate pro-rata in
dividends and distributions and in the net distributable assets of the Trust on
liquidation. The Trustees may divide or combine shares into a greater or lesser
number of shares without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interest
in the Trust. Shares do not have preemptive, subscription or cumulative voting
rights. The Trust's Board of Trustees is empowered to issue additional "series"
of shares of the Trust, which may have separate assets and liabilities.
The Trust will not normally hold annual meetings of shareholders. The Trust
may hold shareholder meetings from time to time on important matters, and
shareholders have the right to call
-14-
<PAGE>
a meeting to remove a Trustee or take other action described in the Declaration
of Trust. Although the Declaration of Trust states that when issued, shares are
fully-paid and nonassessable, shareholders may be held personally liable as
"partners" for the Trust's obligations. However, the risk of a shareholder
incurring any financial loss is limited to the relatively remote circumstances
in which the Trust is unable to meet its obligations. See "Organization and
History of the Trust" in the Statement of Additional Information for details.
The Manager and Its Affiliates. The Manager, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI"), has operated as an investment advisor since
1978. The Manager and OFI currently advise U.S. investment companies with assets
aggregating over $55 billion as of September 30, 1996, and having more than 3
million shareholder accounts. OFI is owned by Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., a
holding company owned in part by senior management of OFI and the Manager, and
ultimately controlled by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, a mutual
life insurance company which also advises pension plans and investment
companies.
o Fees and Expenses. The Trust's management fee, payable monthly to the
Manager under the terms of the Agreement, is computed as a percentage of the
Trust's average annual net assets as of the close of business each day at the
following annual rates: 0.50% of the first $250 million of net assets; 0.475% of
the next $250 million; 0.45% of the next $250 million; 0.425% of the next $250
million and 0.40% of net assets in excess of $1 billion.
The Agreement lists examples of expenses paid by the Trust, the major
categories of which relate to interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, certain
insurance premiums, fees to certain Trustees, legal and audit expenses, transfer
agent and custodian expenses, certain registration expenses and non-recurring
expenses, including litigation costs. For further information about the
Agreement, including a description of expense assumption arrangements by the
Manager, exculpation provisions and portfolio transactions, see "The Manager and
Its Affiliates" in the Statement of Additional Information.
o The Custodian. The Custodian of the assets of the Trust
is Citibank, N.A. The Manager and its affiliates presently have
banking relationships with the Custodian. See "The Manager and Its
Affiliates" in the Statement of Additional Information for further
information. The Trust's cash balances in excess of $100,000 held
-15-
<PAGE>
by the Custodian are not protected by Federal deposit insurance. Such uninsured
balances may at times be substantial. The rating restrictions under Rule 2a-7
(see "Portfolio Quality/Ratings of Securities," above) do not apply to banks in
which the Trust's cash is kept.
o Transfer Agent. Shareholder Services, Inc., a subsidiary of OFI, acts as
Transfer Agent and shareholder servicing agent on an at-cost basis for the Trust
and other mutual funds advised by the Manager. The fees to the Transfer Agent do
not include payments for any services of the type paid, or to be paid, by the
Trust to the Distributor and to Recipients under the Service Plan (see "Service
Plan"). Direct shareholders should direct any inquiries regarding the Trust to
the Transfer Agent at the address or toll-free phone number on the back cover.
Program participants should direct any inquiries regarding the Trust to their
broker.
How To Buy Shares
Shares of the Trust may be purchased at their offering price, which is the net
asset value per share, without sales charge. The net asset value will remain
fixed at $1.00 per share, except under extraordinary circumstances (see
"Determination of Net Asset Value Per Share" in the Statement of Additional
Information for further details). There can be no guarantee that the Trust will
maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share. Centennial Asset
Management Corporation, which also acts as the Trust's distributor (and in that
capacity is referred to as the "Distributor"), may in its sole discretion accept
or reject any order for purchase of the Trust's shares. OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc., an affiliate of the Distributor, acts as the Trust's
sub-distributor (the "Sub- Distributor").
The minimum initial investment is $500 ($2,500 if by Federal Funds wire),
except as otherwise described in this Prospectus. Subsequent purchases must be
in amounts of $25 or more, and may be made through authorized dealers or brokers
or by forwarding payment to the Distributor at P.O. Box 5143, Denver, Colorado
80217, with the name(s) of all account owners, the account number and the name
of the Trust. The minimum initial and subsequent purchase requirements are
waived on purchases made by reinvesting dividends from any of the "Eligible
Funds" listed in "Exchange of Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information
or by reinvesting distributions from unit investment trusts for which
reinvestment arrangements have been made with the Distributor. Under an
-16-
<PAGE>
Automatic Investment Plan, military allotment plan, 403(b)(7) custodial plan or
payroll deduction plan, initial and subsequent investments must be at least $25.
No share certificates will be issued unless specifically requested in writing by
an investor or
the dealer or broker.
The Trust intends to be as fully invested as practicable to maximize its
yield. Therefore, dividends will accrue on newly- purchased shares only after
the Distributor accepts the purchase order for them at its address in Denver,
Colorado, on a day The New York Stock Exchange is open (a "regular business
day"), under one of the methods of purchasing shares described below. The
purchase will be made at the net asset value next determined after the
Distributor accepts the purchase order.
The Trust's net asset value per share is determined twice each regular
business day, at 12:00 Noon and the close of The New York Stock Exchange that
day, which is normally 4:00 P.M. but may be earlier on some days (all references
to time in this Prospectus mean New York time) by dividing the net assets of the
Trust by the total number of its shares outstanding. The Trust's Board of
Trustees has established procedures for valuing the Trust's assets, using the
amortized cost method as described in "Determination of Net Asset Value Per
Share" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Dealers and brokers who process orders for the Trust's shares on behalf of
their customers may charge a fee for this service. That fee can be avoided by
purchasing shares directly from the Trust. The Distributor, in its sole
discretion, may accept or reject any order for purchases of the Trust's shares.
The sale of shares will be suspended during any period when the determination of
net asset value is suspended, and may be suspended by the Board of Trustees
whenever the Board judges it in the best interest of the Trust to do so.
Purchases Through Automatic Purchase and Redemption Programs. Shares of the
Trust are available under Automatic Purchase and Redemption Programs
("Programs") of broker-dealers that have entered into agreements with the
Distributor for that purpose. Broker-dealers whose clients participate in such
Programs will invest the "free cash balances" of such client's Program account
in shares of the Trust if the Trust has been selected as the primary Trust by
the client for the Program account. Such purchases will be made by the
broker-dealer under the procedures described in
-17-
<PAGE>
"Guaranteed Payment," below. The Program may have minimum investment
requirements established by the broker-dealer. The description of the Program
provided by the broker-dealer should be consulted for details, and all questions
about investing in, exchanging or redeeming shares of the Trust through a
Program should be directed to the broker-dealer.
Direct Purchases. An investor (who is not a program participant, a "direct
purchaser") may directly purchase shares of the Trust through any dealer which
has a sales agreement with the Distributor or the Sub-Distributor. There are two
ways to make a direct initial investment: either (1) complete a Centennial Funds
New Account Application and mail it with payment to the Distributor at P.O. Box
5143, Denver, Colorado 80217-5143 (if no dealer is named in the Application, the
Sub-Distributor will act as the dealer), or (2) order the shares through your
dealer or broker. Purchases made by Application should have a check enclosed, or
payment may be made by one of the alternative means described below.
o Payment by Check. Orders for shares purchased by check in U.S. dollars drawn
on a U.S. bank will be effected on the regular business day on which the check
(and a purchase application, if the account is new) is accepted by the
Distributor. Dividends will begin to accrue on such shares the next regular
business day after the purchase order is accepted. For other checks, the shares
will not be purchased until the Distributor is able to convert the purchase
payment to Federal Funds, and dividends will begin to accrue on such shares on
the next regular business day.
o Payment by Federal Funds Wire. Shares of the Trust may be
purchased by Federal Funds wire. The minimum investment by wire is
$2,500. The investor must first call the Distributor's Wire
Department at 1-800-852-8457 to notify the Distributor of the
transmittal of the wire and to order the shares. The investor's
bank must wire the Federal Funds to Citibank, N.A., ABA No. 0210-
0008-9 for credit to Concentration Account No. 3737-5674, for
further credit to Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust Custodian
Account No. 845-766.
The wire must state the investor's name. Shares will be purchased on the
regular business day on which the Federal Funds are received by Citibank, N.A.
prior to the close of The New York Stock Exchange (which is normally 4:00 P.M.
but may be earlier on some days) and the Distributor has received and accepted
the investor's notification of the wire order prior to the close of the
-18-
<PAGE>
New York Stock Exchange. Shares will be purchased at the net asset value next
determined after receipt of the Federal Funds and the order. Dividends on newly
purchased shares will begin to accrue on the purchase date if the Federal Funds
and order for the purchase are received and accepted by 12:00 Noon. Dividends
will begin to accrue on the next regular business day if the Federal Funds and
purchase order are received and accepted between 12:00 Noon and the close of The
New York Stock Exchange (which is normally 4:00 P.M. but may be earlier on some
days). The investor must also send the Distributor a completed Application when
the purchase order is placed to establish a new account.
o Guaranteed Payment. Broker-dealers with sales agreements with the
Distributor (including broker-dealers who have made special arrangements with
the Distributor for purchases for Program accounts) may place purchase orders
with the Distributor for purchases of the Trust's shares prior to 12:00 Noon on
a regular business day, and the order will be effected at net asset value
determined at 12:00 Noon that day if the broker-dealer guarantees that payment
for such shares in Federal Funds will be received by the Trust's Custodian prior
to 2:00 P.M. on the same day. Dividends will begin to accrue on the purchase
date. If an order is received between 12:00 Noon and the close of The New York
Stock Exchange (which is normally 4:00 P.M., but may be earlier on some days)
with the broker-dealer's guarantee that payment for such shares in Federal Funds
will be received by the Trust's Custodian by the close of the Exchange on the
next regular business day, the order will be effected on the day the order is
received, and dividends on such shares will begin to accrue on the next regular
business day the Federal Funds are received by the required time. If the
broker-dealer guarantees that the Federal Funds payment will be received by the
Trust's Custodian by 2:00 P.M. on a regular business day on which an order is
placed for shares after 12:00 Noon, the order will be effected at the close of
the Exchange that day and dividends will begin to accrue on such shares on the
purchase date.
o Automatic Investment Plans. Direct investors may purchase shares of the
Trust automatically. Automatic Investment Plans may be used to make regular
monthly investments ($25 minimum) from the investor's account at a bank or other
financial institution. To establish an Automatic Investment Plan from a bank
account, a check (minimum $25) for the initial purchase must accompany the
application. Shares purchased by Automatic Investment Plan payments are subject
to the redemption restrictions for recent
-19-
<PAGE>
purchases described in "How to Sell Shares." The amount of the Automatic
Investment Plan payment may be changed or the automatic investments may be
terminated at any time by writing to the Transfer Agent. A reasonable period
(approximately 15 days) is required after receipt of such instructions to
implement them. The Trust reserves the right to amend, suspend, or discontinue
offering such Automatic Investment Plans at any time without prior notice.
Service Plan. The Trust has adopted a service plan (the "Plan") under Rule 12b-1
of the Investment Company Act pursuant to which the Trust will reimburse the
Distributor for a portion of its costs incurred in connection with the personal
service and maintenance of accounts that hold Trust shares. The Distributor will
use all the fees received from the Trust to reimburse dealers, brokers, banks,
or other financial institutions ("Recipients") each quarter for providing
personal service and maintenance of accounts that hold Trust shares. The
services to be provided by Recipients under the Plan include, but shall not be
limited to, the following: answering routine inquiries from the Recipient's
customers concerning the Trust, providing such customers with information on
their investment in Trust shares, assisting in the establishment and maintenance
of accounts or sub-accounts in the Trust, making the Trust's investment plans
and dividend payment options available, and providing such other information and
customer liaison services and the maintenance of accounts as the Distributor or
the Trust may reasonably request. Plan payments by the Trust to the Distributor
will be made quarterly in the amount of the lesser of: (i) 0.05% (0.20%
annually) of the net asset value of the Trust, computed as of the close of each
business day or (ii) the Distributor's actual distribution expenses for that
quarter of the type approved by the Board. Any unreimbursed expenses incurred
for any quarter by the Distributor may not be recovered in later periods. The
Plan has the effect of increasing annual expenses of the Trust by up to 0.20% of
average annual net assets from what its expenses would otherwise be. In
addition, the Manager may, under the Plan, from time to time from its own
resources (which may include the profits derived from the advisory fee it
receives from the Trust), make payments to Recipients for distribution,
administrative and accounting services performed by Recipients. For further
details, see "Service Plan" in the Statement of Additional Information.
How to Sell Shares
Program Participants. A program participant may redeem shares in
the Program by writing checks as described below, or by contacting
-20-
<PAGE>
the dealer or broker. A Program participant may also arrange for "Expedited
Redemptions," as described below, only through his or her dealer or broker.
Shares of the Trust Owned Directly. Shares of the Trust owned by a shareholder
directly (not through a Program) (a "direct shareholder"), may be redeemed in
the following ways:
oRegular Redemption Procedure. A direct shareholder who wishes to redeem some
or all shares in an account (whether or not represented by certificates) under
the Trust's regular redemption procedure, must send the following to the
Transfer Agent for the Trust, Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5143, Denver,
Colorado 80217 [send courier or express mail deliveries to 10200 E. Girard
Avenue, Building D, Denver, Colorado 80231]: (1) a written request for
redemption signed by all registered owners exactly as the shares are registered,
including fiduciary titles, if any, and specifying the account number and the
dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed; (2) a guarantee of the
signatures of all registered owners on the redemption request or on the
endorsement on the share certificate or accompanying stock power, by a U.S.
bank, trust company, credit union or savings association, or a foreign bank
having a U.S. correspondent bank, or by a U.S. registered dealer or broker in
securities, municipal securities or government securities, or by a U.S. national
securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; (3)
any share certificates issued for any of the shares to be redeemed; and (4) any
additional documents which may be required by the Transfer Agent for redemption
by corporations, partnerships or other organizations, executors, administrators,
trustees, custodians, or guardians, or if the redemption is requested by anyone
other than the shareholder(s) of record. Transfers of shares are subject to
similar requirements. A signature guarantee is not required for redemptions of
$50,000 or less, requested by and payable to all shareholders of record, to be
sent to the address of record for that account. To avoid delay in redemption or
transfer, shareholders having questions about these requirements should contact
the Transfer Agent in writing or by calling 1-800-525-9310 before submitting a
request. From time to time the Transfer Agent in its discretion may waive any or
certain of the foregoing requirements in particular cases. Redemption or
transfer requests will not be honored until the Transfer Agent receives all
required documents in proper form.
-21-
<PAGE>
o Expedited Redemption Procedure. In addition to the regular redemption
procedure set forth above, direct shareholders whose shares are not represented
by certificates may arrange to have redemption proceeds of $2,500 or more wired
in Federal Funds to a designated commercial bank if the bank is a member of the
Federal Reserve wire system. To place a wire redemption request, call the
Transfer Agent at 1-800-852-8457. The account number of the designated financial
institution, and the Bank ABA number must be supplied to the Transfer Agent on
the Application or dealer settlement instructions establishing the account or
may be added to existing accounts or changed only by signature-guaranteed
instructions to the Transfer Agent from all shareholders of record. Such
redemption requests may be made by telephone, wire or written instructions to
the Transfer Agent. The wire for the redemption proceeds of shares redeemed
prior to 12:00 Noon, normally will be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the
shareholder's designated bank account on the day the shares are redeemed (or, if
that day is not a bank business day, on the next bank business day). No
dividends are paid on the proceeds of redeemed shares awaiting transmittal by
wire. Shares redeemed prior to 12:00 Noon do not earn dividends on the
redemption date. The wire for the redemption proceeds of shares redeemed between
12:00 Noon and the close of The New York Stock Exchange (which is normally 4:00
P.M., but may be earlier on some days) normally will be transmitted by the
Transfer Agent to the shareholder's designated bank account on the next bank
business day after the redemption. Shares redeemed between 12:00 Noon and the
close of the Exchange earn dividends on the redemption date. See "Purchase,
Redemption and Pricing of Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information for
further details.
o Check Writing. Upon request, the Transfer Agent will provide any direct
shareholder of the Trust or any Program participant whose shares are not
represented by certificates with forms of drafts ("checks") payable through a
bank selected by the Trust (the "Bank"). Program participants must arrange for
check writing through their brokers or dealers. The Transfer Agent will arrange
for checks written by direct shareholders to be honored by the Bank after
obtaining a specimen signature card from the shareholder(s). Shareholders of
joint accounts may elect to have checks honored with a single signature. Program
participants trust arrange for check writing through their broker or dealer.
Checks may be made payable to the order of anyone in any amount not less than
$250 and will be subject to the Bank's rules and regulations governing checks.
If a check is presented for an amount greater
-22-
<PAGE>
than the account value, it will not be honored. For Program participants, checks
will be drawn against the primary account designated by the Program participant.
Checks issued for one Fund account must not be used if the shareholder's account
has been transferred to a new account or if the account number or registration
has been changed. Shares purchased by check or Automatic Investment Plan
payments within the prior 10 days may not be redeemed by check writing. A check
presented to the Bank for payment that would require redemption of some or all
of the shares so purchased is subject to non-payment. The Bank will present
checks to the Trust to redeem shares to cover the amount of the check. Checks
may not be presented for cash payment at the offices of the Bank or the Trust's
Custodian. This limitation does not affect the use of checks for the payment of
bills or to obtain cash at other banks. The Trust reserves the right to amend,
suspend or discontinue check writing privileges at any time without prior
notice.
o Telephone Redemptions. Direct shareholders of the Trust may redeem their
shares by telephone by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-800-852-8457. This
procedure for telephone redemptions is not available to Program participants.
Proceeds of telephone redemptions will be paid by check payable to the
shareholder(s) of record and sent to the address of record for the account.
Telephone redemptions are not available within 30 days of a change of the
address of record. Up to $50,000 may be redeemed by telephone, in any seven day
period. The Transfer Agent may record any calls. Telephone redemptions may not
be available if all lines are busy, and shareholders would have to use the
Trust's regular redemption procedure described above. Telephone redemption
privileges are not available for newly-purchased (within the prior 10 days)
shares or for shares represented by certificates. Telephone redemption
privileges apply automatically to each direct shareholder and the dealer
representative of record unless the Transfer Agent receives cancellation
instructions from a shareholder of record. If an account has multiple owners,
the Transfer Agent may rely on the instructions of any one owner.
o Automatic Withdrawal Plans. Direct shareholders of the Trust can authorize
the Transfer Agent to redeem shares (minimum $50) automatically on a monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Shares will be redeemed as of the close of The New York Stock Exchange (which is
normally 4:00 P.M. but may be earlier on some days) three business days prior to
the date requested by the shareholder for receipt of the
-23-
<PAGE>
payment. The Trust cannot guarantee receipt of payment on the date requested and
reserves the right to amend, suspend or discontinue offering such Plan at any
time without prior notice. For further details, refer to "Automatic Withdrawal
Plan Provisions" included as Appendix D in the Statement of Additional
Information.
General Information on Redemptions. The redemption price will be the net asset
value per share of the Trust next determined after the receipt by the Transfer
Agent of a request in proper form. Under certain unusual circumstances, shares
of the Trust may be redeemed "in kind" (i.e., by payment in portfolio
securities). Under certain circumstances, the Trust may involuntarily redeem
small accounts if the account has fallen below $200 in value. For details, see
"Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares" in the Statement of Additional
Information. Under the Internal Revenue Code, the Trust may be required to
impose "backup" withholding of Federal income tax at the rate of 31% from any
taxable dividends and distributions (including exchanges) the Trust may make, if
the shareholder has not furnished the Trust a certified taxpayer identification
number or has not complied with provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and
regulations thereunder.
Payment for redeemed shares is made ordinarily in cash and forwarded within
seven days of the Transfer Agent's receipt of redemption instructions in proper
form, except under unusual circumstances as determined by the SEC. For accounts
registered in the name of a broker-dealer, payment will be forwarded within
three business days. The Transfer Agent may delay forwarding a redemption check
for recently purchased shares only until the purchase check has cleared which
may take up to 10 days or more. Such delay may be avoided if the shareholder
arranges telephone or written assurance satisfactory to the Transfer Agent from
the bank on which the payment was drawn or by purchasing shares by Federal Funds
wire, as described above. The Trust makes no charge for redemption. Dealers or
brokers may charge a fee for handling redemption transactions, but such fee can
be avoided by requesting the redemption directly through the Transfer Agent.
Under certain circumstances, the proceeds of redemptions of shares of the Trust
acquired by exchange of Class A shares of "Eligible Funds" (described below)
that were purchased subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") may
be subject to the CDSC (see "Exchange Privilege" below).
Exchanges of Shares
-24-
<PAGE>
Exchange Privilege. Shares of the Trust held under a Program may be exchanged
for shares of Centennial Money Market Trust, Centennial Government Trust,
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust, and Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust
(collectively, the "Centennial Trusts") if available for sale in the
shareholder's state of residence and only by instructions of the broker.
Shares of the Trust may, under certain conditions, be exchanged by direct
shareholders for Class A shares of certain Oppenheimer funds. A list of the
Oppenheimer funds currently available for exchange is included in the Statement
of Additional Information. That list can change from time to time. (The funds
included on the list are collectively referred to as "Eligible Funds"). There is
an initial sales charge on the purchase of Class A shares of each Eligible Fund
except the Money Market Funds (as defined in the Statement of Additional
Information). Under certain circumstances described below, redemption proceeds
of Money Market Fund shares may be subject to a CDSC.
Shares of the Trust and of the other Eligible Funds may be exchanged at net
asset value, if all of the following conditions are met: (1) shares of the fund
selected for exchange are available for sale in the shareholder's state of
residence; (2) the respective prospectuses of the funds whose shares are to be
exchanged and acquired offer the Exchange Privilege to the investor; (3)
newly-purchased shares (by initial or subsequent investment) are held in an
account for at least seven days prior to the exchange; and (4) the aggregate net
asset value of the shares surrendered for exchange into a new account is at
least equal to the minimum investment requirements of the fund whose shares are
to be acquired.
In addition to the conditions stated above, shares of Eligible Funds may be
exchanged for shares of any Money Market Fund; shares of any Money Market Fund
held by direct shareholders (including the Trust) purchased without a sales
charge may be exchanged for shares of Eligible Funds offered with a sales charge
upon payment of the sales charge (or, if applicable, may be used to purchase
shares of Eligible Funds subject to a CDSC); and shares of the Trust acquired by
reinvestment of dividends and distributions from any Eligible Fund, except
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves, or from any unit investment trust for which
reinvestment arrangements have been made with the Distributor or Sub-Distributor
may be exchanged at net asset value for shares of any Eligible Fund. The
redemption proceeds of shares of the Trust acquired by exchange of Class A
shares of an Eligible
-25-
<PAGE>
Fund purchased subject to a CDSC, that are redeemed within 18 months of the end
of the calendar month of the initial purchase of the exchanged shares, will be
subject to the CDSC as described in the prospectus of that other Eligible Fund.
In determining whether the CDSC is payable, shares of the Trust not subject to
the CDSC are redeemed first, including shares purchased by reinvestment of
dividends and capital gains distributions from any Eligible Fund or shares of
the Trust acquired by exchange of shares of Eligible Funds on which a front-end
sales charge was paid or credited, and then other shares are redeemed in the
order of purchase.
How to Exchange Shares. An exchange may be made by a direct shareholder by
submitting an Exchange Authorization Form to the Transfer Agent, signed by all
registered owners. In addition, direct shareholders of the Trust may exchange
shares of the Trust for shares of any Eligible Fund by telephone exchange
instructions to the Transfer Agent by a shareholder or the dealer representative
of record for an account. The Trust may modify, suspend or discontinue these
exchange privileges at any time. Although the Trust will attempt to provide
notice whenever it is reasonably able to do so, it may impose these changes at
any time. The Trust reserves the right to reject requests submitted in bulk on
behalf of more than one account. Exchange requests must be received by the
Transfer Agent by the close of the Exchange on a regular business day to be
effected that day. The number of shares exchanged may be less than the number
requested if the number requested would include shares subject to a restriction
cited above or shares covered by a certificate that is not tendered with such
request. Only the shares available for exchange without restriction will be
exchanged.
Telephone Exchanges. Direct shareholders may place a telephone exchange request
by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-800-852-8457. Telephone exchange calls may be
recorded by the Transfer Agent. Telephone exchanges are subject to the rules
described above. By exchanging shares by telephone, the shareholder is
acknowledging receipt of a prospectus of the fund to which the exchange is made
and that for full or partial exchanges, any special account features such as
Automatic Investment Plans and Automatic Withdrawal Plans will be switched to
the new account unless the Transfer Agent is otherwise instructed. Telephone
exchange privileges automatically apply to each direct shareholder of record and
the dealer representative of record unless and until the Transfer Agent receives
written instructions from a shareholder of record canceling such privileges. If
an account has multiple
-26-
<PAGE>
owners, the Transfer Agent may rely on the instructions of any one
owner.
The Transfer Agent has adopted procedures concerning telephone transactions
including confirming that telephone instructions are genuine by requiring
callers to provide tax identification number(s) and other account data or by
using PINs, and by recording calls and confirming such transactions in writing.
If the Transfer Agent does not use reasonable procedures, it may be liable for
losses due to unauthorized transactions, but otherwise neither it nor the Trust
will be liable for losses or expenses arising out of telephone instructions
reasonably believed to be genuine. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to
require shareholders to confirm, in writing, telephone exchange privileges for
an account. Shares acquired by telephone exchange must be registered exactly as
the account from which the exchange was made. Certificated shares are not
eligible for telephone exchange. If all telephone exchange lines are busy (which
might occur, for example, during periods of substantial market fluctuations),
shareholders might not be able to request telephone exchanges and would have to
submit written exchange requests.
General Information on Exchanges. Shares to be exchanged are redeemed on the day
the Transfer Agent receives an exchange request in proper form (the "Redemption
Date") as of the close of The New York Stock Exchange (which is normally 4:00
P.M., but may be earlier on some days). Normally, shares of the fund to be
acquired are purchased on the Redemption Date, but such purchases may be delayed
by either fund for up to five business days if it determines that it would be
disadvantaged by an immediate transfer of the redemption proceeds. The Trust in
its discretion reserves the right to refuse any exchange request that will
disadvantage it.
The Eligible Funds have different investment objectives and policies. Each of
those funds imposes a sales charge on purchases of Class A shares (except the
Money Market Funds). For complete information, including sales charges and
expenses, a prospectus of the fund into which the exchange is being made should
be read prior to an exchange. Dealers and brokers who process exchange orders on
behalf of their customers may charge for their services. Direct shareholders may
avoid those charges by requesting the Trust directly to exchange shares. For
Federal tax purposes, an exchange is treated as a redemption and purchase of
shares.
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
-27-
<PAGE>
This discussion relates solely to Federal tax laws and New York income tax laws
and is not exhaustive; a qualified tax advisor should be consulted. A portion of
the Trust's dividends and distributions may be subject to Federal, state and
local taxation. The Statement of Additional Information contains further
discussion of tax matters affecting the Trust and its distributions, and
information about the possible applicability of the Alternative Minimum Tax to
the Trust's dividends and distributions (see "Investment Objective and Policies"
"Private Activity Municipal Securities").
Dividends and Distributions. The Trust intends to declare all of its net income,
as defined below, as dividends on each regular business day and to pay dividends
monthly. Dividends will be payable to shareholders as described in "How to Buy
Shares" above.
All dividends and capital gains distributions for the accounts of Program
participants are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Trust.
Dividends accumulated since the prior payment will be reinvested in full and
fractional shares of the Trust (or paid in cash) at net asset value on the third
Thursday of each calendar month. Program participants may receive cash payments
by asking the broker to redeem shares. Dividends and distributions payable to
direct shareholders will also be automatically reinvested in shares of the Trust
at net asset value, unless the shareholder asks the Transfer Agent in writing to
pay dividends in cash, or to reinvest them in another Eligible Fund, as
described in "Dividend Reinvestment in Another Fund" in the Statement of
Additional Information. That notice must be received prior to a dividend record
date to be effective as to that dividend. If a shareholder redeems all shares at
any time during a month, the redemption proceeds include all dividends accrued
up to the redemption date for shares redeemed prior to 12:00 Noon, and include
all dividends accrued through the redemption date for shares redeemed between
12:00 Noon and the close of The New York Stock Exchange. Dividends,
distributions and the proceeds of redemptions of Trust shares represented by
checks returned to the Transfer Agent by the Postal Service as undeliverable
will be reinvested in shares of the Trust, as promptly as possible after the
return of such checks to the Transfer Agent, to enable the investor to earn a
return on otherwise idle funds.
Under the terms of a Program, a broker-dealer may pay out the value of some or
all of a Program participant's Trust shares prior to redemption of such shares
by the Trust. In such cases, the
-28-
<PAGE>
shareholder will be entitled to dividends on such shares only up to and
including the date of such payment. Dividends on such shares accruing between
the date of payment and the date such shares are redeemed by the Trust will be
paid to the broker-dealer. Program participants should discuss these
arrangements with their broker-dealer.
The Trust's net investment income for dividend purposes consists of all
interest accrued on portfolio assets, less all expenses of the Trust for such
period. Distributions from net realized gains on securities, if any, will be
paid at least once each year, and may be made more frequently in compliance with
the Internal Revenue Code and the Investment Company Act. Any net realized
capital loss is carried forward to offset against capital gains in later years.
The Trust will not make any distributions from net realized securities gains
unless capital loss carry forwards, if any, have been used or have expired.
Long-term capital gains, if any, will be identified separately when tax
information for the Trust is distributed to shareholders. Receipt of tax-exempt
income must be reported on the taxpayer's Federal income tax return. The
Statement of Additional Information describes how dividends and distributions
received by direct shareholders of the Trust may be reinvested in shares of any
Eligible Fund at net asset value. To effect its policy of maintaining a net
asset value of $1.00 per share, the Trust, under certain circumstances, may
withhold dividends or make distributions from capital or capital gains.
Tax Status of the Trust's Dividends. The Trust intends to qualify under the
Internal Revenue Code during each fiscal year to pay "exempt-interest dividends"
to its shareholders, and so qualified during its last fiscal year.
Exempt-interest dividends which are derived from net investment income earned by
the Trust on Municipal Securities will be excludable from gross income of
shareholders for Federal income tax purposes. This allocation will be made by
uniformly applying a designated percentage to all income dividends made during
the Trust's calendar year. Such designation will normally be made following the
end of such fiscal year as to income dividends paid in the prior year. The
percentage of income designated as tax-exempt may differ substantially from the
percentage of the Trust's income that was tax-exempt for a given period. A
shareholder treats a dividend as a receipt of ordinary income (whether paid in
cash or reinvested in additional shares) if derived from net interest income
earned by the Trust from one or more of: (i) certain taxable temporary
investments (such as
-29-
<PAGE>
certificates of deposit, commercial paper and obligations of the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements), (ii)
income from securities loans or repurchase agreements, (iii) an excess of net
short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses. Losses realized by
shareholders on the redemption or other disposition of Trust shares within six
months of purchase (which period may be shortened by regulation and may be
extended in certain circumstances) will be disallowed for Federal income tax
purposes to the extent of exempt-interest dividends received on such shares. For
corporate shareholders, all of the Trust's dividends will be a component of
adjusted current earnings for determining Federal corporate alternative minimum
tax. Shareholders receiving Social Security benefits should be aware that
exempt-interest dividends are a factor in determining whether such benefits are
subject to Federal income tax. Interest on loans used to purchase shares of the
Trust may not be deducted for Federal tax purposes. Under rules used by the
Internal Revenue Service to determine when borrowed funds are deemed used for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the purchase of Trust
shares may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though the
borrowed funds are not directly traceable to the purchase of shares.
Furthermore, under Section 147(a) of the Internal Revenue code, persons who are
"substantial users" (or persons related thereto) of facilities financed by
industrial development bond or Private Activity Municipal Securities should
refer to "Private Activity Municipal Securities" in the Statement of Additional
Information and should consult their own tax advisors before purchasing shares.
No investigation as to the users of the facilities financed by such bonds is
made by the Trust. The Trust also intends to qualify during each fiscal year to
pay "exempt- interest dividends" that will be exempt from New York State and New
York City personal income taxes to the extent the Trust's income is derived from
New York state municipal securities. Distributions, including "exempt-interest
dividends," may be subject to New York state franchise taxes if received by a
corporation.
Dividends paid by the Trust derived from net short-term capital gains are
taxable to shareholders as ordinary income whether received in cash or
reinvested. Any distribution of long-term capital gain, when designated by the
Trust as a capital gain dividend, is taxable to shareholders as long-term
capital gain, whether received in cash or reinvested and regardless of how long
Trust shares have been held. The Trust will report annually to its shareholders
the percentage of interest income it received during the preceding year on
Municipal Securities. It will also report
-30-
<PAGE>
the net amount of its income that is subject to alternative minimum tax. Receipt
of tax-exempt income must be reported on a taxpayer's Federal income tax return.
Tax Status of the Trust. If the Trust qualifies as a "regulated investment
company" under the Internal Revenue Code, it will not be liable for Federal
income taxes on amounts paid by it as dividends and distributions. The Trust so
qualified during its last fiscal year and intends to qualify in the current and
future fiscal years, while reserving the right not to so qualify. However, the
Internal Revenue Code contains a number of complex tests relating to
qualification which the Trust might not meet in any particular year. If the
Trust does not qualify, it would be treated for Federal tax purposes as an
ordinary corporation, would receive no tax deduction for payments made to
shareholders and would be unable to pay "exempt-interest dividends" as discussed
above.
-31-
<PAGE>
No dealer, broker, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to make any representations other than those contained in
this Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information, and if given or made
such information and representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Trust, the Manager, the Distributor or any affiliate thereof.
This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an
offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any state to any person to
whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such state.
Investment Advisor and Distributor
Centennial Asset Management Corporation
3410 South Galena Street
Denver, Colorado 80231 Centennial
New York Tax Exempt Trust
Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent
Shareholder Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5143 Prospectus
Denver, Colorado 80217-5143
1-800-525-9310 Dated November 1, 1996
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
Citibank, N.A.
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 3600
Denver, Colorado 80202-3942
Legal Counsel
Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
The Colorado State Bank Building
1600 Broadway, Suite 1480
Denver, Colorado 80202
-32-
<PAGE>
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
1-800-525-9310
Statement of Additional Information dated November 1, 1996
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. This
document contains additional information about the Trust and supplements
information in the Prospectus dated November 1, 1996. It should be read together
with the Prospectus, which may be obtained by writing to the Trust's Transfer
Agent, Shareholder Services, Inc. at P.O. Box 5143, Denver, Colorado 80217-5143,
or by calling the toll-free number shown above.
Contents Page
About the Trust
Investment Objective and Policies............................................2
Special Investment Considerations - New York Municipal Securities............8
Other Investment Restrictions...............................................16
Organization and History of the Trust.......................................17
Trustees and Officers.......................................................18
The Manager and Its Affiliates..............................................22
Service Plan................................................................24
Performance of the Trust....................................................25
About Your Account
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares..................................27
Exchange of Shares..........................................................29
Dividend, Distributions and Taxes...........................................30
Financial Information About the Trust
Independent Auditors' Report................................................30
Financial Statements........................................................31
Appendices
Appendix A: Description of Securities Ratings.............................A-1
Appendix B: Industry Classifications......................................B-1
Appendix C: Tax Equivalent Yield Tables...................................C-1
Appendix D: Automatic Withdrawal Plan Provisions..........................D-1
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE TRUST
Investment Objective and Policies
Investment Policies and Strategies. The investment objective and policies of the
Trust are described in the Prospectus. Set forth below is supplemental
information about those policies. Certain capitalized terms used in this
Statement of Additional Information are defined in the Prospectus.
The Trust will not make investments with the objective of seeking
capital growth. However, the value of the securities held by the Trust may be
affected by changes in general interest rates. Because the current value of debt
securities varies inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates, if
interest rates increase after a security is purchased, that security would
normally decline in value. Conversely, should interest rates decrease after a
security is purchased, its value would rise. However, those fluctuations in
value will not generally result in realized gains or losses to the Trust since
the Trust does not usually intend to dispose of securities prior to their
maturity. A debt security held to maturity is redeemable by its issuer at full
principal value plus accrued interest. To a limited degree, the Trust may engage
in short-term trading to attempt to take advantage of short-term market
variations, or may dispose of a portfolio security prior to its maturity if, on
the basis of a revised credit evaluation of the issuer or other considerations,
the Trust believes such disposition advisable or it needs to generate cash to
satisfy redemptions. In such cases, the Trust may realize a capital gain or
loss.
There are, of course, variations in the quality of Municipal
Securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications,
depending on numerous factors. The yields of Municipal Securities depend on,
among other things, general conditions of the Municipal Securities market, size
of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and rating of the
issue. The market value of Municipal Securities will vary as a result of
changing evaluations of the ability of their issuers to meet interest and
principal payments, as well as changes in the interest rates payable on new
issues of Municipal Securities.
Municipal Bonds. The principal classifications of Municipal Bonds are "general
obligations" (secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and
taxing power for the payment of principal and interest), "revenue obligations"
(payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of
facilities, or specific excise tax or other revenue source) and "industrial
development bonds".
o General Obligation Bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds include
states, counties, cities, towns, and regional districts. The proceeds of these
obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects, including
construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads, and water and sewer
systems. The basic security behind general obligation bonds is the issuer's
pledge of its full faith and credit and taxing power for the payment of
principal and interest. The taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt
service may be limited or unlimited as to the rate or amount of special
assessments.
o Revenue Bonds. The principal security for a revenue bond is generally
the net revenues derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or, in
some cases, the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source.
Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects
including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges, and
tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals.
Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many provide
additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose money may
be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer's obligations.
Housing finance authorities have a wide range of security, including partially
or fully insured mortgages, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages,
and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Some authorities
provide further security in the form of a state's ability (without obligation)
to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
o Industrial Development Bonds. Industrial development bonds, which are
considered municipal bonds if the interest paid is exempt from Federal income
tax, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance
various privately operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing,
sports, and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public
facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports, and parking. The
payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the
ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge,
if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such payment.
Municipal Notes. Municipal Securities having a maturity when issued of less than
one year are generally known as Municipal Notes. Municipal Notes generally are
used to provide for short-term working capital needs and include:
o Tax Anticipation Notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance
working capital needs of municipalities. Generally, they are issued in
anticipation of seasonal tax revenue, such as income, sales, use or business
taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes.
o Revenue Anticipation Notes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in
expectation of receipt of other types of revenue, such as Federal revenues
available under Federal revenue sharing programs.
o Bond Anticipation Notes. Bond anticipation notes are issued to
provide interim financing until long-term financing can be arranged. In most
cases, the long-term bonds then provide the money for the repayment of the
notes.
o Construction Loan Notes. Construction loan notes are sold to
provide construction financing. After successful completion and acceptance,
many projects receive permanent financing through the Federal Housing
Administration.
o Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper. Tax-exempt commercial paper is a
short-term obligation issued by state and local governments or their agencies to
finance seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing in
anticipation of longer-term financing.
-2-
<PAGE>
Floating Rate/Variable Rate Obligations. Floating rate and variable rate demand
notes are tax-exempt obligations which may have a stated maturity in excess of
one year, but may include features that permit the holder to recover the
principal amount of the underlying security on not more than thirty days' notice
at any time or at specified intervals not exceeding one year. The issuer of such
notes normally has a corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its
discretion the outstanding principal amount of the note plus accrued interest
upon a specified number of days notice to the holder. The interest rate on a
floating rate demand note is based on a stated prevailing market rate, such as
the PSA Municipal Swap Index, or J.J. Kenney Index, or some other standard, and
is adjusted automatically each time such rate is adjusted. The interest rate on
a variable rate demand note is also based on a stated prevailing market rate but
is adjusted automatically at specified intervals of no more than one year.
Generally, the changes in the interest rate on such securities reduce the
fluctuation in their market value. As interest rates decrease or increase, the
potential for capital appreciation or depreciation is less than that for
fixed-rate obligations of the same maturity.
Puts and Stand-By Commitments. When the Trust buys Municipal Securities, it may
obtain a stand-by commitment from the seller to repurchase the securities that
entitles the Trust to achieve same-day settlement from the repurchaser and to
receive an exercise price equal to the amortized cost of the underlying security
plus accrued interest, if any, at the time of exercise. A put purchased in
conjunction with a Municipal Security enables the Trust to sell the underlying
security within a specified period of time at a fixed exercise price. The Trust
may pay for a stand-by commitment or put either separately in cash or by paying
a higher price for the securities acquired subject to the stand-by commitment or
put. The Trust will enter into these transactions only with banks and dealers
which, in the Manager's opinion, present minimal credit risks.
The Trust's purchases of puts are subject to the provisions of Rule
2a-7 under the Investment Company Act because the Trust uses the amortized cost
method to value its portfolio securities. For purposes of the Trust's compliance
with Rule 2a-7 when investing in puts, a put will be considered to be issued by
the party to which the Trust will look for payment of the exercise price, and an
unconditional put will be considered to be a guarantee of the underlying
security. An unconditional put or guarantee with respect to a security will not
be deemed to be issued by the institution providing the guarantee or put
provided that the value of all securities held by the Trust and issued or
guaranteed by the issuer providing the guarantee or put shall not exceed 10% of
the Trust's total assets. The Trust's ability to exercise a put or stand-by
commitment will depend on the ability of the bank or dealer to pay for the
securities if the put or stand-by commitment is exercised. If the bank or dealer
should default on its obligation, the Trust might not be able to recover all or
a portion of any loss sustained from having to sell the security elsewhere. Puts
and stand-by commitments are not transferable by the Trust, and therefore
terminate if the Trust sells the underlying security to a third party. The Trust
intends to enter into these arrangements to facilitate portfolio liquidity,
although such arrangements may enable the Trust to sell a security at a
pre-arranged price which may be higher than the prevailing market price at the
time the put or stand-by commitment is exercised. However, the Trust might
refrain from exercising a put or stand-by commitment if the exercise price is
significantly higher than the prevailing market price, to avoid imposing a loss
on the seller which could jeopardize the Trust's business relationship with the
seller. Any consideration paid by the Trust for the put or stand-by commitment
(which increases the cost of the security and reduces the
-3-
<PAGE>
yield otherwise available from the security) will be reflected on the Trust's
books as unrealized depreciation while the put or stand-by commitment is held,
and a realized gain or loss when the put or commitment is exercised or expires.
Interest income received by the Trust from Municipal Securities subject to puts
or stand-by commitments may not qualify as tax-exempt in its hands if the terms
of the put or stand-by commitment cause the Trust not to be treated as the tax
owner of the underlying Municipal Securities.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions. As stated in the Prospectus, the
Trust may invest in Municipal Securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed
delivery" basis. Payment for and delivery of the securities shall not exceed 120
days from the date the offer is accepted. The purchase price and yield are fixed
at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. During the period between the
time of commitment and settlement, no payment is made by the Trust to the issuer
and no interest accrues to the Trust from the investment. However, the Trust
intends to be as fully invested as possible and will not invest in when-issued
securities if its income or net asset value will be materially adversely
affected. At the time the Trust makes the commitment to purchase a Municipal
Security on a when-issued basis, it will record the transaction on its books and
reflect the value of the security in determining its net asset value. It will
also segregate cash or liquid high-grade Municipal Securities equal in value to
the commitment for the when-issued securities. While when-issued securities may
be sold prior to settlement date, the Trust intends to acquire the securities
upon settlement unless a prior sale appears desirable for investment reasons.
There is a risk that the yield available in the market when delivery occurs may
be higher than the yield on the security acquired.
Municipal Lease Obligations. From time to time the Trust may invest more than 5%
of its net assets in municipal lease obligations, generally through the
acquisition of certificates of participation, that the Manager has determined to
be liquid under guidelines set by the Board of Directors. Those guidelines
require the Manager to evaluate: (1) the frequency of trades and price
quotations for such securities; (2) the number of dealers or other potential
buyers willing to purchase or sell such securities; (3) the availability of
market-makers; and (4) the nature of the trades for such securities. The Manager
will also evaluate the likelihood of a continuing market for such securities
throughout the time they are held by the Trust and the credit quality of the
instrument. Municipal leases may take the form of a lease or an installment
purchase contract issued by a state or local government authority to obtain
funds to acquire a wide variety of equipment and facilities. Although lease
obligations do not constitute general obligations of the municipality for which
the municipality's taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is ordinarily
backed by the municipality's covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the
payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations
contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the municipality has no
obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless
money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. Projects financed with
certificates of participation generally are not subject to state constitutional
debt limitations or other statutory requirements that may be applicable to
Municipal Securities. Payments by the public entity on the obligation underlying
the certificates are derived from available revenue sources; such revenue may be
diverted to the funding of other municipal service projects. Payments of
interest and/or principal with respect to the certificates are not guaranteed
and do not constitute an obligation of the State of California or any of its
political subdivisions.
-4-
<PAGE>
Private Activity Municipal Securities. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (the "Tax
Reform Act") reorganized, as well as amended, the rules governing tax exemption
for interest on Municipal Securities. The Tax Reform Act generally did not
change the tax treatment of bonds issued in order to finance governmental
operations. Thus, interest on obligations issued by or on behalf of a state or
local government, the proceeds of which are used to finance the operations of
such governments (e.g., general obligation bonds) continues to be tax-exempt.
However, the Tax Reform Act further limited the use of tax-exempt bonds for
non-governmental (private) purposes. More stringent restrictions were placed on
the use of proceeds of such bonds. Interest on certain private activity bonds
(other than those specified as "qualified" tax-exempt private activity bonds,
e.g., exempt facility bonds including certain industrial development bonds,
qualified mortgage bonds, qualified Section 501(c)(3) bonds, qualified student
loan bonds, etc.) is taxable under the revised rules.
Interest on certain private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986,
which continues to be tax-exempt will be treated as a tax preference item
subject to the alternative minimum tax (discussed below) to which certain
taxpayers are subject. Further, a private activity bond which would otherwise be
a qualified tax-exempt private activity bond will not, under Internal Revenue
Code Section 147(a), be a qualified bond for any period during which it is held
by a person who is a "substantial user" of the facilities or by a "related
person" of such a substantial user. This "substantial user" provision is
applicable primarily to exempt facility bonds, including industrial development
bonds. The Trust may not be an appropriate investment for entities which are
"substantial users" (or persons related thereto) of such exempt facilities, and
such persons should consult their own tax advisors before purchasing shares. A
"substantial user" of such facilities is defined generally as a "non-exempt
person who regularly uses part of a facility" financed from the proceeds of
exempt facility bonds. Generally, an individual will not be a "related person"
under the Internal Revenue Code unless such investor or the investor's immediate
family (spouse, brothers, sisters and immediate descendants) own directly or
indirectly in the aggregate more than 50% in value of the equity of a
corporation or partnership which is a "substantial user" of a facility financed
from the proceeds of exempt facility bonds. In addition, limitations on the
dollar amount of private activity bonds which each state may issue were revised
downward by the Tax Reform Act, which will reduce the supply of such bonds. The
value of the Trust's portfolio could be affected if there is a reduction in the
availability of such bonds. That value may also be affected by a 1988 U.S.
Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the imposition of a
Federal tax on the interest earned on Municipal Securities issued in bearer
form.
A Municipal Security is treated as a taxable private activity bond
under a test for (a) a trade or business use and security interest, or (b) a
private loan restriction. Under the trade or business use and security interest
test, an obligation is a private activity bond if (i) more than 10% of bond
proceeds are used for private business purposes and (ii) 10% or more of the
payment of principal or interest on the issue is directly or indirectly derived
from such private use or is secured by the privately used property or the
payments related to the use of the property. For certain types of users, a 5%
threshold is substituted for this 10% threshold. (The term "private business
use" means any direct or indirect use in a trade or business carried on by an
individual or entity other than a state or municipal governmental unit.) Under
the private loan restriction, the amount of bond proceeds which may be used to
make private loans is limited to the lesser of 5% or $5.0 million of the
proceeds. Thus, certain issues of Municipal Securities could lose their
tax-exempt status
-5-
<PAGE>
retroactively if the issuer fails to meet certain requirements as to the
expenditure of the proceeds of that issue or use of the bond-financed facility.
The Trust makes no independent investigation of the users of such bonds or their
use of proceeds. If the Trust holds a bond that loses its tax-exempt status
retroactively, an adjustment to the tax-exempt income previously paid to
shareholders may result.
The Federal alternative minimum tax is designed to ensure that all
taxpayers pay some tax, even if they have no other income tax obligation. This
is accomplished in part by including in taxable income certain tax preference
items in arriving at alternative minimum taxable income. The Tax Reform Act made
tax-exempt interest from certain private activity bonds a tax preference item
for purposes of the alternative minimum tax on individuals and corporations. Any
exempt-interest dividend paid by a regulated investment company will be treated
as interest on a specific private activity bond to the extent of its
proportionate share of the interest on such bonds received by the regulated
investment company. The U.S. Treasury is authorized to issue regulations
implementing this provision. In addition, corporate taxpayers subject to the
alternative minimum tax may, under some circumstances, have to include
exempt-interest dividends in calculating their alternative minimum taxable
income in situations where the "adjusted current earnings" of the corporation
exceeds its alternative minimum taxable income. The Trust may hold Municipal
Securities the interest on which (and thus a proportionate share of the
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Trust) will be subject to the Federal
alternative minimum tax. For calendar year 1994, approximately 13.8% of the
Trust dividends paid to shareholders were a tax preference item for shareholders
subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax. The Trust anticipates that under
normal circumstances it will not purchase any such securities in an amount
greater than 20% of the Trust's total assets.
Ratings of Securities. The prospectus describes "Eligible Securities" in which
the Trust may invest and indicates that if a security's rating is downgraded,
the Manager and/or the Board may have to reassess the security's credit risks.
If a security has ceased to be a First Tier Security, the Manager will promptly
reassess whether the security continues to present "minimal credit risks." If
the Manager becomes aware that any Rating Organization has downgraded its rating
of a Second Tier Security or rated an unrated security below its second highest
rating category, the Trust's Board of Trustees shall promptly reassess whether
the security presents minimal credit risks and whether it is in the best
interests of the Trust to dispose of it. If a security is in default, or ceases
to be an Eligible Security, or is determined no longer to present minimal credit
risks, the Board must determine whether it would be in the best interests of the
Trust to dispose of the security. In each of the foregoing instances, Board
action is not required if the Trust disposes of the security within 5 days of
the Manager learning of the downgrade, the Manager will provide the Board with
subsequent notice of such downgrade. The Rating Organizations currently
designated as such by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") are
Standard & Poor's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Fitch Investors
Services, Inc., Duff and Phelps, Inc., IBCA Limited, its affiliate, IBCA, Inc.
and Thomson BankWatch, Inc. A description of the ratings categories of those
Rating Organizations is contained in Appendix A.
Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase transaction, the Trust acquires a
security from, and simultaneously resells it to, an approved vendor which meets
the requirements of Rule 2a-7. The resale price exceeds the purchase price by an
amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate
-6-
<PAGE>
effective for the period during which the repurchase agreement is in effect. The
majority of these transactions run from day to day, and delivery pursuant to the
resale typically will occur within one to five days of the purchase. Repurchase
agreements are considered loans under the Investment Company Act, collateralized
by the underlying security. The Trust's repurchase agreements require that at
all times while the repurchase agreement is in effect, the value of the
collateral must equal or exceed the repayment obligation to fully collateralize
the repayment obligation. Additionally, the Manager will impose creditworthiness
requirements to confirm that the vendor is financially sound and will
continuously monitor the collateral's value.
Loans of Portfolio Securities. To attempt to increase its income, the Trust may
lend its portfolio securities to qualified borrowers (other than in repurchase
transactions) if the loan is collateralized in accordance with applicable
regulatory requirements and if, after any loan, the value of the securities
loaned does not exceed 25% of the value of its total assets. The Trust presently
does not intend that the value of securities loaned during the current fiscal
year will exceed 5% of the Trust's total assets. The income from such loans,
when distributed by the Trust, will be taxable.
Under applicable regulatory requirements (which are subject to
change), the loan collateral must, on each business day, be at least equal to
the value of the loaned securities and must consist of cash, bank letters of
credit or securities of the U.S. Government (or its agencies or
instrumentalities) or other cash equivalents in which the Trust is permitted to
invest. To be acceptable as collateral, letters of credit must obligate a bank
to pay amounts demanded by the Trust if the demand meets the terms of the
letter. Such terms and the issuing bank must be satisfactory to the Trust. The
Trust receives an amount equal to the dividends or interest on loaned securities
and also receives one or more of: (a) negotiated loan fees, (b) interest on
securities used as collateral, or (c) interest on short-term debt securities
purchased with such loan collateral; either type of interest may be shared with
the borrower. The Trust may also pay reasonable finder's, custodian and
administrative fees and will not lend its portfolio securities to any officer,
trustee, employee or affiliate of the Trust or the Manager. The terms of the
Trust's loans must meet certain tests under the Internal Revenue Code and permit
the Trust to reacquire loaned securities on five days' notice or in time to vote
on any important matter. Income from securities loans is not included in the
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Trust.
Special Investment Considerations - New York Municipal Securities
As explained in the Prospectus, the Trust is highly sensitive to the fiscal
stability of New York State (the "State") and its subdivisions, agencies,
instrumentalities or authorities, including New York City, which issue the
Municipal Securities in which the Trust concentrates its investments. The
following information on risk factors in concentrating in New York Municipal
Securities is only a summary, based on official statements relating to offerings
of New York issuers of Municipal Securities on or prior to July 15, 1996, with
respect to offerings of the State, and August 8, 1996, with respect to offerings
of New York City. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such
information.
During the mid-1970's the State, some of its agencies,
instrumentalities and public benefit corporations (the "Authorities"), and
certain of its municipalities faced serious financial difficulties.
-7-
<PAGE>
To address many of these financial problems, the State developed various
programs, many of which were successful in ameliorating the financial crisis.
Any further financial problems experienced by these Authorities or
municipalities could have a direct adverse effect on the New York Municipal
Securities in which the Trust invests.
New York City. More than any other municipality, the fiscal health of New York
City (the "City") has a significant effect on the fiscal health of the State.
The national economic downturn which began in July 1990 adversely affected the
local economy which had been declining since late 1989. As a result, the City
experienced job losses in 1990 and 1991 and real Gross City Product ("GCP") fell
in those two years. Beginning in 1992, the improvement in the national economy
helped stabilize conditions in the City. Employment losses moderated toward
year-end and real GCP increased, boosted by strong wage gains. After noticeable
improvements in the City's economy during 1994, economic growth slowed in 1995,
and the City's current four-year financial plan assumes that moderate economic
growth will continue through the year 2000. On June 21, 1996, the City submitted
to the Control Board a fourth quarter modification to the City's financial plan
for the 1996 fiscal year (the "1996 Modification") which projects a balanced
budget in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for
the 1996 fiscal year, after taking into account a discretionary transfer of $243
million.
For each of the 1981 through 1995 fiscal years, the City achieved
balanced operating results as reported in accordance with GAAP. The City was
required to close substantial budget gaps in recent years in order to maintain
balanced operating results. For fiscal year 1995, the City adopted a budget
which halted the trend in recent years of substantial increases in City spending
from one year to the next. There can be no assurance that the City will continue
to maintain a balanced budget as required by state law without additional tax or
other revenue increases or additional reductions in City services or programs,
which could adversely affect the City's economic base.
The Mayor is responsible for preparing the City's four-year financial
plan, including the City's current financial plan for the 1997 through 2000
fiscal years (the "1997-2000 Financial Plan", "Financial Plan" or "City Plan").
The City's projections set forth in the City Plan are based on various
assumptions and contingencies which are uncertain and which may not materialize.
Changes in major assumptions could significantly affect the City's ability to
balance its budget as required by State law and to meet its annual cash flow and
financing requirements. Such assumptions and contingencies include the condition
of the regional and local economies, the impact on real estate tax revenues of
the real estate market, wage increases for City employees consistent with those
assumed in the City Plan, employment growth, the ability to implement reductions
in City personnel and other cost reduction initiatives, the ability of the New
York City Health and Hospitals Corporation ("HHC") and the Board of Education
("BOE") to take actions to offset reduced revenues, the ability to complete
revenue generating transactions, provision of State and Federal aid and mandate
relief and the impact on City revenues of proposals for Federal and State
welfare reform.
Implementation of the City Plan is also dependent upon the City's
ability to market its securities successfully in the public credit markets. The
City's financing program for fiscal years
-8-
<PAGE>
1997 through 2000 contemplates the issuance of $5.7 billion of general
obligation bonds and $4.5 billion of bonds to be issued by the proposed New York
City Infrastructure Finance Authority ("IFA") primarily to reconstruct and
rehabilitate the City's infrastructure and physical assets and to make other
capital investments. The creation of the IFA is subject to the enactment of
State legislation. In addition, the City issues revenue and tax anticipation
notes to finance its seasonal working capital requirements. The success of
projected public sales of City bonds and notes and IFA bonds will be subject to
prevailing market conditions, and no assurance can be given that such sales will
be completed. If the City were unable to sell its general obligation bonds and
notes or bonds of the proposed IFA, it would be prevented from meeting its
planned operating and capital expenditures. Future developments concerning the
City and public discussion of such developments, as well as prevailing market
conditions, may affect the market for outstanding City general obligation bonds
and notes.
The City Comptroller and other agencies and public officials have
issued reports and make public statements which, among other things, state that
projected revenues may be less and future expenditures may be greater than
forecasted in the City Plan. It is reasonable to expect that such reports and
statements will continue to be issued and to engender public comment.
o 1997-2000 Financial Plan. The 1997-2000 Financial Plan projects
revenues and expenditures for the 1997 fiscal year balanced in accordance with
GAAP. The projections for the 1997 fiscal year reflect proposed actions to close
a previously projected gap of approximately $2.6 billion for the 1997 fiscal
year.
The proposed actions for the 1997 fiscal year include (i) additional
agency actions totaling $1.2 billion; (ii) a revised tax reduction program which
would increase projected tax revenues by $385 million due to the four year
extension of the 12.5% personal income tax surcharge and other actions; (iii)
savings resulting from cost containment in entitlement programs to reduce City
expenditures and additional proposed State aid of $75 million; (iv) the assumed
receipt of revenues relating to rent payments for the City's airports totaling
$269 million, which are currently the subject of a dispute with the Port
Authority; (v) the sale of the City's television station for $207 million; and
(vi) pension cost savings totaling $134 million resulting from a proposed
increase in earnings assumption for pension assets from 8.5% to 8.75%, $40
million of which the City currently does not expect to be achieved.
The Financial Plan also sets forth projections for the 1998 through
2000 fiscal years and projects gaps of $1.7 billion, $2.7 billion and $3.4
billion for the 1998, 1999 and 2000 fiscal years, respectively. The projections
for the 1997 through 2000 fiscal years assume (i) approval by the Governor and
the State Legislature of the extension of the 12.5 % personal income tax
surcharge, which is projected to provide revenue of $171 million, $447 million,
$478 million and $507 million in the 1997 through 2000 fiscal years,
respectively; (ii) collection of the projected rent payments for the City's
airports, which may depend on the successful completion of negotiations with
Port authority or the enforcement of the City's rights under the existing leases
thereto through pending legal actions; (iii) the ability of HHC and BOE to
identify actions to offset substantial City and State revenue reductions and the
receipt by BOE of additional State aid; and (iv) State approval of the cost
containment initiatives and State aid proposed by the City. The Financial Plan
does not reflect any
-9-
<PAGE>
increased costs which the City might incur as a result of welfare legislation
recently enacted by Congress.
The City's financial plans have been the subject of extensive public
comment and criticism. On July 16, 1996, the staff of the City Comptroller
issued a report on the Financial Plan. The report concluded that the City's
fiscal situation remains serious, and that the City faces budgetary risks of
approximately $787 million to $941 million for the 1997 fiscal year, which
increase to as much as $4.31 billion for fiscal year 2000.
Various actions proposed in the Financial Plan are uncertain. If these
measures cannot be implemented, the City will be required to take other actions
to decrease expenditures or increase revenues to maintain a balanced financial
plan.
The projections for the 1997 through 2000 fiscal years reflect the
costs of the settlements with the United Federation of Teachers ("UFT") and a
coalition of unions headed by District Council 37 of the American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees, which together represent approximately
two-thirds of the City's workforce, and assume that the City will reach
agreement with its remaining municipal unions under terms which are generally
consistent with such settlements. The settlement provides for a wage freeze in
the first two years, followed by a cumulative effective wage increase of 11% by
the end of the five year period covered by the proposed agreements, ending in
fiscal years 2000 and 2001. Additional benefit increases would raise the total
cumulative effective increase to 13% above present costs. Costs associated with
similar settlements for all City-funded employees would total $49 million, $459
million and $1.2 billion in the 1997, 1998 and 1999 fiscal years, respectively,
and exceed $2 billion in each fiscal year after the 1999 fiscal year. There can
be no assurance that the City will reach an agreement with the unions that have
not reached a settlement with City on the terms contained in the Financial Plan.
In the event of a collective bargaining impasse, the terms of wage
settlements could be determined through statutory impasse procedures, which can
impose a binding settlement except in the case of collective bargaining with the
UFT, which may be subject to a non-binding arbitration. On January 23, 1996, the
City requested the Office of Collective Bargaining to declare an impasse against
the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and the Uniformed Firefighters
Association.
o Ratings. On July 10, 1995, Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("Standard
& Poor's") revised downward its rating on City general obligations bonds from A-
to BBB+ and removed City bond from CreditWatch. Standard & Poor's stated that
"structural budgetary balance remains elusive because of persistent softness in
the City's economy, highlighted by weak job growth and a growing dependence on
the historically volatile financial services sector". Other factors identified
by Standard & Poor's in lowering its rating on City bonds included a trend of
using one-time measures, including debt refinancings, to close projected budget
gaps, dependence on unratified labor savings to help balance the Financial Plan,
optimistic projections of additional Federal and State aid or mandate relief, a
history of cash flow difficulties caused by State budget delays and continued
high debt levels. Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch") continues to rate the
City general obligation bond A-. On February 28, 1996, Fitch placed the City's
general obligation bonds on Fitch Alert with negative implications. Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") rating for City general
-10-
<PAGE>
obligation bonds is Baa1. Such ratings reflect only the views of these rating
agencies, from which an explanation of the significance of such ratings may be
obtained. There is no assurance that such ratings will continue for any given
period of time or that they will not be revised downward or withdrawn entirely.
Any such downward revision or withdrawal could have an adverse effect on the
market prices of bonds.
o Outstanding Net Indebtedness. As of June 30, 1996, the City and the
Municipal Assistance Corporation for the City of New York had, respectively,
$25.052 billion and $4.056 billion of outstanding net long-term debt.
The City depends on the State for State aid both to enable the City to
balance its budget and to meet its cash requirements. There can be no assurance
that there will not be reductions in State aid to the City from amounts
currently projected or that State budgets in future fiscal years will be adopted
by the April 1 statutory deadline or that any such reductions or delays will not
have adverse effects on the City's cash flow or expenditures.
o Litigation. The City is a defendant in lawsuits pertaining to
material matters, including claims asserted which are incidental to performing
routine governmental and other functions. This litigation includes, but is not
limited to, actions commenced and claims asserted against the City arising out
of alleged torts, alleged breaches of contracts, alleged violations of law and
condemnation proceedings. As of June 30, 1995 and 1994, claims in excess of $311
billion and $286 billion, respectively, were outstanding against the City, for
which the City estimates its potential future liability to be $2.5 billion and
$2.6 billion, respectively.
New York State. The State has historically been one of the wealthiest states in
the nation. For decades, however, the State economy has grown more slowly than
that of the nation as a whole, resulting in the gradual erosion of its relative
economic affluence. The causes of this relative decline are varied and complex,
in many cases involving national and international developments beyond the
State's control.
o Recent Developments. The national economy has resumed a more robust
rate of growth after a "soft landing" in 1995, with over 11 million jobs added
nationally since early 1992. The State economy has continued to expand, but
growth remains somewhat slower than in the nation. Although the State has added
approximately 240,000 jobs since late 1992, employment growth in the State has
been hindered during recent years by significant cutbacks in the computer and
instrument manufacturing, utility, defense and banking industries. Government
downsizing has also moderated these job gains.
The 1996-1997 New York State Financial Plan (the "State Plan") is based
on the State's economy showing modest expansion during the first half of 1996,
but that some slowdown is projected during the second half of the year. Although
industries that export goods and services are expected to continue to do well,
growth is expected to be slowed by government cutbacks at all levels and by
tight fiscal constraints on health and social services. On an average annual
basis, employment growth in the State is expected to be up slightly from the
1995 rate. Personal income is expected to record moderate gains in 1996. Bonus
payments in the securities industry are
-11-
<PAGE>
expected to increase further from last year's record level.
The State Plan is based upon forecasts of national and State economic
activity developed through both internal analysis and review of State and
national economic forecasts prepared by commercial forecasting services and
other public and private forecasters. Economic forecasts have frequently failed
to predict accurately the timing and magnitude of changes in the national and
the State economies. Many uncertainties exist in forecasts of both the national
and State economies, including consumer attitudes toward spending, the extent of
corporate and governmental restructuring, federal fiscal and monetary policies,
the level of interest rates, and the condition of the world economy, which could
have an adverse effect on the State. There can be no assurance that the State
economy will not experience results in the current fiscal year that are worse
than predicted, with corresponding material and adverse effects on the State's
projections of receipts and disbursements.
o The 1996-97 Fiscal Year. The State's General Fund (the major
operating Fund of the State) is projected to be balanced on a cash basis for the
1996-97 fiscal year. Total receipts and transfers from other funds are projected
to be $33.17 billion, an increase of $365 million from the prior fiscal year.
Total General Fund disbursements and transfers to other funds are projected to
be $33.12 billion, an increase of $444 million from the total in the prior
fiscal year.
Projections of total State receipts in the State Financial Plan are
based on the State tax structure in effect during the fiscal year and on
assumptions relating to basic economic factors and their historical
relationships to State tax receipts. In preparing projections of State receipts,
economic forecasts relating to personal income, wages, consumption, profits and
employment have been particularly important. The projection of receipts from
most tax or revenue sources is generally made by estimating the change in yield
of such tax or revenue source caused by economic and other factors, rather than
by estimating the total yield of such tax or revenue source from its estimated
tax base. The forecasting methodology, however, ensures that State fiscal year
estimates for taxes that are based on a computation of annual liability, such as
the business and personal income taxes, are consistent with estimates of total
liability under such taxes.
Projections of total State disbursements are based on assumptions
relating to economic and demographic factors, levels of disbursements for
various services provided by local governments (where the cost is partially
reimbursed by the State), and the results of various administrative and
statutory mechanisms in controlling disbursements for State operations. Factors
that may affect the level of disbursements in the fiscal year include
uncertainties relating to the economy of the nation and the State, the policies
of the federal government, and changes in the demand for and use of State
services.
In recent years, State actions affecting the level of receipts and
disbursements, the relative strength of the State and regional economy, actions
of the federal government and other factors, have created structural gaps for
the State. These gaps resulted from a significant disparity between recurring
revenues and the costs of maintaining or increasing the level of support for
State programs. To address a potential imbalance in any given fiscal year, the
State would be required to take actions to increase receipts and/or reduce
disbursements as it enacts the budget for that year, and under the
-12-
<PAGE>
State Constitution, the Governor is required to propose a balanced budget each
year. There can be no assurance, however, that the Legislature will enact the
Governor's proposals or that the State's actions will be sufficient to preserve
budgetary balance in a given fiscal year or to align recurring receipts of
disbursements in future fiscal years.
o Composition of State's Governmental Funds Group. Substantially all
State non- pension financial operations are accounted for in the State's
governmental funds group. Governmental funds include the General Fund, which
receives all income not required by law to be deposited in another fund; Special
Revenue Funds, which receive the preponderance of moneys received by the State
from the Federal government and other income the use of which is legally
restricted to certain purposes; Capital Projects Funds, used to finance the
acquisition and construction of major capital facilities by the State and to aid
in certain of such projects conducted by local governments or public
authorities; and Debt Service Funds, which are used for the accumulation of
moneys for the payment of principal of and interest on long-term debt and to
meet lease-purchase and other contractual-obligation commitments.
o Local Government Assistance Corporation ("LGAC"). In 1990, as part of
a State fiscal reform program, legislation was enacted creating LGAC, a public
benefit corporation empowered to issue long-term obligations to fund certain
payments to local governments traditionally funded through the State's annual
seasonal borrowing. The legislation authorized LGAC to issue its bond and notes
in an amount not in excess of $4.7 billion (exclusive of certain refunding
bonds) plus certain other amounts. Over a period of years, the issuance of these
long-term obligations, which are to be amortized over no more than 30 years, was
expected to eliminate the need for continued short-term seasonal borrowing. The
legislation also dedicated revenues equal to one-quarter of the four percent
State sales and use tax to pay debt service on these bonds. The legislation also
imposed a cap on the annual seasonal borrowing of the State at $4.7 billion,
less net proceeds of bonds issued by LGAC and bonds issued to provide for
capitalized interest, except in cases where the Governor and the legislative
leaders have certified the need for additional borrowing and provided a schedule
for reducing it to the cap. If borrowing above the cap is thus permitted in any
fiscal year, it is required by law to be reduced to the cap by the fourth fiscal
year after the limit was first exceeded. This provision capping the seasonal
borrowing was included as a covenant with LGAG's bondholders in the resolution
authorizing such bonds.
As of June 1995, LGAC had issued bonds and notes to provide net
proceeds of $4.7 billion completing the program. The impact of LGAC's borrowing
is that the State is able to meet its cash flow needs in the first quarter of
the fiscal year without relying on short-term seasonal borrowings.
The State Plan includes no seasonal borrowing.
o Authorities. The fiscal stability of the State is related to the
fiscal stability of its public authorities ("Authorities"). Authorities have
various responsibilities, including those which finance, construct and/or
operate revenue-producing public facilities. Authorities are not subject to the
constitutional restrictions on the incurrence of debt which apply to the State
itself, and may issue bonds and notes within the amounts and restrictions set
forth in their legislative authorization. As of September 30, 1995, the latest
data available, there were 17 Authorities that had outstanding debt of $100
million or more. The aggregate outstanding debt, including refunding bonds, of
these 17
-13-
<PAGE>
Authorities was $73.45 billion as of September 30, 1995.
Authorities are generally supported by revenues generated by the
projects financed or operated, such as fares, user fees on bridges or tunnels,
highway tolls, rentals for dormitory rooms and housing units and charges for
occupancy at medical care facilities. In addition, State legislation authorizes
several financing techniques for Authorities. Also, there are statutory
arrangements providing for State local assistance payments otherwise payable to
localities to be made under certain circumstances to Authorities. Although the
State has no obligation to provide additional assistance to localities whose
local assistance payments have been paid to Authorities under these
arrangements, if local assistance payments are diverted the affected localities
could seek additional State assistance. Some Authorities also receive moneys
from State appropriations to pay for the operating costs of certain of their
programs.
o Ratings. On January 13, 1992, Standard & Poor's reduced its ratings
on the State's general obligation bonds from A to A- and, in addition, reduced
its ratings on the State's moral obligation, lease purchase, guaranteed and
contractual obligation debt. Standard & Poor's also continued its negative
rating outlook assessment on State general obligation debt. On April 26, 1993,
Standard & Poor's revised the rating outlook assessment to stable. On February
14, 1994, Standard & Poor's raised its outlook to positive and, on October 3,
1995, confirmed its A-rating. On January 6, 1992, Moody's reduced its ratings on
outstanding limited-liability State lease purchase and contractual obligations
from A to Baa1. On October 2, 1995, Moody's reconfirmed its A rating on the
State's general obligation long-term indebtedness. Ratings reflect only the
respective views of such organizations, and an explanation of the significance
of such ratings may be obtained from the rating agency furnishing the same.
There is no assurance that a particular rating will continue for any given
period of time or that any such rating will not be revised downward or withdrawn
entirely, if in the judgment of the agency originally establishing the rating,
circumstances so warrant. A downward revision or withdrawal of such ratings, or
either of them, may have an effect on the market price of the State Municipal
Securities in which the Trust invests.
o General Obligation Debt. As of March 31, 1996, the State had
approximately $5.05 billion in general obligation bonds, including $294 million
in bond anticipation notes outstanding. Principal and interest due on general
obligation bonds and interest due on bond anticipation notes were $735 million
for the 1995-96 fiscal year and are estimated to be $719 million for the State's
1996-97 fiscal year.
o Litigation. The State is a defendant in numerous legal proceedings
pertaining to matters incidental to the performance of routine governmental
operations. Such litigation includes, but is not limited to, claims asserted
against the State arising from alleged torts, alleged breaches of contracts,
condemnation proceedings and other alleged violations of State and Federal laws.
These proceedings could affect adversely the financial condition of the State in
the 1996-1997 fiscal year or thereafter.
The State believes that the State Plan includes sufficient reserves for
the payment of judgments that may be required during the 1996-97 fiscal year.
There can be no assurance, however, that an adverse decision in any of these
proceedings would not exceed the amount the State Plan
-14-
<PAGE>
reserves for the payment of judgments and, therefore, could affect the ability
of the State to maintain a balanced 1996-1997 State Plan. In its audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, the State
reported its estimated liability for awarded and anticipated unfavorable
judgments at $474 million.
In addition, the State is party to other claims and litigations which
its counsel has advised are not probable of adverse court decisions. Although,
the amounts of potential losses, if any, are not presently determinable, it is
the State's opinion that its ultimate liability in these cases is not expected
to have a material adverse effect on the State's financial position in the
1996-97 fiscal year or thereafter.
o Other Localities. Certain localities in addition to the City could
have financial problems leading to requests for additional State assistance
during the State's 1996-97 fiscal year and thereafter. The potential impact on
the State of such actions by localities is not included in the projections of
the State receipts and disbursements in the State's 1996-97 fiscal year.
Fiscal difficulties experienced by the City of Yonkers ("Yonkers")
resulted in the creation of the Financial Control Board for the City of Yonkers
(the "Yonkers Board") by the State in 1984. The Yonkers Board is charged with
oversight of the fiscal affairs of Yonkers. Future actions taken by the Governor
or the State Legislature to assist Yonkers could result in increased State
expenditures for extraordinary local assistance.
Other Investment Restrictions
The Trust's most significant investment restrictions are set forth in the
Prospectus. The following investment restrictions are also fundamental
investment policies of the Trust, and, together with the fundamental policies
and investment objective described in the Prospectus, cannot be changed without
the vote of a "majority" of the Trust's outstanding shares. Under the Investment
Company Act, such "majority" vote is defined as the vote of the holders of the
lesser of: (i) 67% or more of the shares present or represented by proxy at a
shareholder's meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares
are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding
shares. Under these additional restrictions, the Trust cannot: (1) invest in any
debt instrument having a maturity in excess of one year from the date of
purchase, unless purchased subject to a demand feature which may not exceed one
year and requires payment on not more than 30 days' notice; (2) enter into a
repurchase agreement or purchase a security subject to a call if the scheduled
repurchase or redemption date is greater than one year; (3) invest in
commodities or commodity contracts, or invest in interests in oil, gas, or other
mineral exploration or development programs; (4) invest in real estate; however,
the Trust may purchase debt securities issued by companies which invest in real
estate or interests therein; (5) purchase securities on margin or make short
sales of securities; (6) invest in or hold securities of any issuer if those
officers and trustees or directors of the Trust or its advisor who beneficially
own individually more than 0.5% of the securities of such issuer together own
more than 5% of the securities of such issuer; (7) underwrite securities of
other companies except insofar as the Trust may be deemed an underwriter under
the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the disposition of portfolio
securities; (8) invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in
securities of companies that have operated less than three years,
-15-
<PAGE>
including the operations of predecessors; or (9) purchase securities of other
investment companies, except in connection with a merger, consolidation,
acquisition or reorganization.
For purposes of investment restriction (6) above and the investment
restrictions in the Prospectus, the identification of the "issuer" of a
Municipal Security depends on the terms and conditions of the security. When the
assets and revenues of an agency, authority, instrumentality or other political
subdivision are separate from those of the government creating the subdivision
and the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the subdivision,
such subdivision would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Similarly, in the case
of an industrial development bond, if that bond is backed only by the assets and
revenues of the nongovernmental user, then such nongovernmental user would be
deemed to be the sole issuer. However, if in either case the creating government
or some other entity guarantees the security, such guarantee would be considered
a separate security and would be treated as an issue of such government or other
agency.
In applying the restrictions in the Prospectus as to the Trust's
investments, the Manager will consider a nongovernmental user of facilities
financed by industrial development bonds as being in a particular industry,
despite the fact that there is no industry concentration limitation as to
municipal securities the Trust may own. Although this application of the
restriction is not technically a fundamental policy of the Trust, it will not be
changed without shareholder approval. This is not a fundamental policy, and
therefore may be changed without shareholder approval. Should any such change be
made, the Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information will be
supplemented to reflect the change.
For purposes of the Trust's policy not to concentrate its assets,
described under restriction number (3) in the Prospectus, the Trust has adopted
the industry classifications set forth in Appendix B to this Statement of
Additional Information. This is not a fundamental policy.
Organization and History of the Trust
Until February 1, 1990, the Trust's name was "Oppenheimer New York Tax-Exempt
Cash Reserves." The Trust's Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer
of shareholder or Trustee liability for the Trust's obligations, and provides
for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of its property for any
shareholder held personally liable for its obligations. The Declaration of Trust
also provides that the Trust shall, upon request, assume a defense of any claim
made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust and satisfy
any judgment thereon. Thus, while Massachusetts law permits a shareholder of a
trust (such as the Trust) to be held personally liable as a "partner" for the
Trust's obligations under certain circumstances, the risk of a Trust shareholder
incurring any financial loss on account of shareholder liability is highly
unlikely and is limited to the relatively remote circumstance in which the Trust
itself would be unable to meet its obligations. Any person doing business with
the Trust, and any shareholder of the Trust, agrees under the Trust's
Declaration of Trust to look solely to the assets of the Trust for satisfaction
of any claim or demand which may arise out of any dealings with the Trust, and
the Trustees shall have no personal liability to any such person, to the extent
permitted by law. It is not contemplated that regular annual meetings of
shareholders will be held. The Trust will hold meetings when required to do so
by the Investment Company Act or other applicable law, or when a shareholder
meeting is called by the
-16-
<PAGE>
Trustees. Shareholders have the right, upon the declaration in writing or vote
of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust, to remove a Trustee. The
Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to vote on the removal of a Trustee
upon the written request of the record holders of 10% of its outstanding shares.
In addition, if the Trustees receive a request from at least 10 shareholders
(who have been shareholders for at least six months) holding in the aggregate
shares of the Trust valued at $25,000 or more or holding 1% or more of the
Trust's outstanding shares, whichever is less, that they wish to communicate
with other shareholders to request a meeting to remove a Trustee, the Trustees
will then either make the Trust's shareholder list available to the applicants
or mail their communication to all other shareholders at the applicants'
expense, or the Trustees may take such other action as set forth in Section
16(c) of the Investment Company Act.
Trustees and Officers
The Trustees and officers of the Trust and their principal business affiliations
and occupations during the past five years are listed below. The Trustees are
also trustees, directors, or managing general partners of Centennial America
Fund, L.P., Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial Government Trust,
Centennial Money Market Trust, Centennial Tax Exempt Trust, Daily Cash
Accumulation Fund, Inc., Oppenheimer Cash Reserves, Oppenheimer Champion Income
Fund, Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund, Oppenheimer High Yield Fund, Oppenheimer
Integrity Funds, Oppenheimer International Bond Fund, Oppenheimer Limited-Term
Government Fund, Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc., Oppenheimer Municipal
Fund, Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund, Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth
Fund, Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc., Oppenheimer Total Return Fund Inc.
Capital Accumulation Plan, Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds, Panorama Series
Fund, Inc. and The New York Tax Exempt Income Fund, Inc. (all of the foregoing
funds along with the Trust are collectively referred to as the "Denver
Oppenheimer funds") except for Mr. Fossel and Ms. Macaskill, who are Trustees,
Directors or Managing Partners of all the Denver-based Oppenheimer funds except
Oppenheimer Integrity Funds, Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund, Oppenheimer
Variable Account Funds and Panorama Series Fund Inc. Mr. Fossel is also not a
trustee of the Trust and he is not a Managing General Partner of Centennial
America Fund, L.P. Ms. Macaskill is President and Mr. Swain is Chairman of the
Denver Oppenheimer funds. All of the officers except Mr. Carbuto hold similar
positions with each of the Denver Oppenheimer funds. As of October 1, 1996, the
Trustees and officers of the Trust in the aggregate owned less than 1% of the
outstanding shares of the Trust.
ROBERT G. AVIS, Trustee*; Age 65
One North Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103
Vice Chairman of A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. (a broker-dealer) and A.G.
Edwards, Inc. (its parent holding company); Chairman of A.G.E. Asset
Management and A.G. Edwards Trust Company (its affiliated investment
advisor and trust company, respectively).
WILLIAM A. BAKER, Trustee; Age 81
197 Desert Lakes Drive, Palm Springs, California 92264
Management Consultant.
-17-
<PAGE>
CHARLES CONRAD, JR., Trustee; Age 66
1501 Quail Street, Newport Beach, California 92660
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Space Lines, Inc. (A
space services management company); formerly, Vice President of
McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. and associated with National
Aeronautics and Space Administration.
SAM FREEDMAN, Trustee; Age 56
4975 Lakeshore Drive, Littleton, Colorado 80123
Formerly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OppenheimerFunds
Services (a transfer agent); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a
director of SSI; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and director of
Shareholder Financial Services, Inc. ("SFSI"); Vice President and a
director of OAC and a director of OFI.
RAYMOND J. KALINOWSKI, Trustee; Age 67
44 Portland Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131
Director of Wave Technologies International, Inc.(a computer products
training company), formerly Vice Chairman and a director of A.G.
Edwards, Inc., parent holding company of A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
(a broker-dealer), of which he was a Senior Vice President.
C. HOWARD KAST, Trustee; Age 74
2552 E. Alameda, Denver, Colorado 80209
Formerly Managing Partner of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (an accounting
firm).
ROBERT M. KIRCHNER, Trustee; Age 75
7500 East Arapahoe Road, Englewood, Colorado 80112
President of The Kirchner Company (management consultants).
BRIDGET A. MACASKILL, President and Trustee*; Age 48
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of OFI and
HarbourView Asset Management Corporation ("HarbourView"), a subsidiary
of OFI; Chairman and a director of SSI and SFSI; President and a
director of OAC and Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings Inc., a holding
company subsidiary of OFI; a director of Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. ("Real Asset"); formerly an Executive Vice President
of OFI.
NED M. STEEL, Trustee; Age 81
3416 South Race Street, Englewood, Colorado 80110
Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter; Director of Visiting Nurse
Corporation of Colorado; formerly Senior Vice President and a director
of the Van Gilder Insurance Corp.
(insurance brokers).
JAMES C. SWAIN, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee*; Age 62
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Vice Chairman of OFI; formerly President and a director of the Manager,
and formerly Chairman of the Board of SSI.
-18-
<PAGE>
MICHAEL A. CARBUTO, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age 41
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Vice President of the Manager and OFI; an officer of other Oppenheimer
funds.
ANDREW J. DONOHUE, Vice President and Secretary; Age 46
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of OFI and
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. ("OFDI"); President and a director
of the Manager; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and a
director of HarbourView, SFSI, SSI and Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings
Inc.; President and a director of Real Asset; General Counsel of OAC;
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and a director of
MultiSource Services, Inc. (A broker-dealer); an officer of other
Oppenheimer funds; formerly Senior Vice President and Associate General
Counsel of OFI and OFDI; Partner in Kraft & McManimon (a law firm); an
officer of First Investors Corporation (a broker-dealer) and First
Investors Management Company, Inc. (broker-dealer and investment
advisor); director and an officer of First Investors Family of Funds
and First Investors Life Insurance Company.
GEORGE C. BOWEN, Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary; Age 60
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of OFI; Vice President and
Treasurer of OFDI and HarbourView; Senior Vice President, Treasurer
Assistant Secretary and a director of the Manager; Vice President,
Treasurer and Secretary of SSI and SFSI; Treasurer of OAC; Vice
President and Treasurer of Real Asset; Chief Executive Officer,
Treasurer and a director of MultiSource Services, Inc.; an officer of
other Oppenheimer funds.
ROBERT J. BISHOP, Assistant Treasurer; Age 37
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Vice President of the OFI/Mutual Fund Accounting; an officer of other
Oppenheimer funds; formerly a Fund Controller for OFI, prior to which
he was an Accountant for Yale & Seffinger, P.C., an accounting firm,
and previously an Accountant and Commissions Supervisor for Stuart
James Company, Inc., a broker-dealer.
SCOTT T. FARRAR, Assistant Treasurer; Age 31
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Vice President of OFI/Mutual Fund Accounting; an officer of other
Oppenheimer funds; formerly a Fund Controller for OFI, prior to which
he was an International Mutual Fund Supervisor for Brown Brothers,
Harriman Co., a bank, and previously a Senior Fund Accountant for State
Street Bank & Trust Company.
ROBERT G. ZACK, Assistant Secretary; Age 48
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel of OFI; Assistant
Secretary of SSI and SFSI; an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
- ---------------------
-19-
<PAGE>
* A Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Trusts as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
Remuneration of Trustees. The officers of the Trust are affiliated with the
Manager. They and the Trustees of the Trust who are affiliated with the Manager
(Ms. Macaskill and Mr. Swain) receive no salary or fee from the Trust. The
remaining Trustees of the Trust (excluding Mr. Freedman, who did not become a
Trustee until June 27, 1996) received the compensation shown below from the
Trust, during its fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, and from all of the
Denver-based Oppenheimer funds (including the Trust) for which they served as
Trustee, Director or Managing General Partner. Compensation is paid for services
in the positions listed beneath their names:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Compensation
Aggregate From All
Compensation Denver-based
Name Position from Trust Oppenheimer funds1
- ----- --------- ------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Robert G. Avis Trustee $227 $53,000
William A. Baker Audit and Review $314 $73,255
Committee Chairman
and Trustee
Charles Conrad, Jr. Audit and Review $275 $64,309
Committee
Member and Trustee
Raymond J. Kalinowski Risk Management Oversight $278 $65,000
Committee Member
and Trustee
C. Howard Kast Risk Management Oversight $278 $65,000
Committee Member
and Trustee
Robert M. Kirchner Audit and Review $293 $68,292
Committee Member
and Trustee
Ned M. Steel Trustee $227 $53,000
- ----------------------
<FN>
1For the 1995 calendar year during which the Denver-based Oppenheimer funds
listed in the first paragraph of this section included Oppenheimer Strategic
Investment Grade Bond Fund and Oppenheimer Strategic Short-Term Income Fund
(which ceased operations following the acquisition of their assets by other
Oppenheimer funds).
</FN>
</TABLE>
Major Shareholders. As of October 1, 1996, A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
("Edwards"), 1 North
-20-
<PAGE>
Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103, which in turn is owned by A.G. Edwards,
Inc., was the record owner of 34,256,768 shares of the Trust (approximately
85.41% of outstanding shares). The Trust is informed that the shares held of
record by Edwards were beneficially owned for the benefit of its brokerage
clients. As of that date, no other person owned of record or was known by the
Trust to own beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Trust.
The Manager and Its Affiliates
The Manager is wholly-owned by OFI which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), a holding company controlled by
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. The remaining stock is owned by:
(i) certain of OFI's directors and officers, some of whom may serve as officers
of the Trust, and two of whom (Mr. Swain and Ms. Macaskill) serve as Trustees of
the Trust and (ii) Edwards, which owns less than 5% of its equity.
Investment Advisory Agreement. A management fee is payable monthly to the
Manager under the terms of the investment advisory agreement between the Manager
and the Trust (the "Agreement"), and is computed on the aggregate net assets of
the Trust as of the close of business each day. The Agreement requires the
Manager, at its expense, to provide the Trust with adequate office space,
facilities and equipment and to provide and supervise the activities of all
administrative and clerical personnel required to provide effective
administration of the Trust, including the compilation and maintenance of
records with respect to its operations, the preparation and filing of specified
reports, and composition of proxy materials and registration statements for
continuous public sale of shares of the Trust. Expenses not expressly assumed by
the Manager under the Agreement or by the Distributor of the shares of the Trust
are paid by the Trust. A description of examples of such expenses is in the
Prospectus.
The Agreement contains no expense limitation. However, independently of
the Agreement, the Manager has undertaken that the total expenses of the Trust
in any fiscal year (including the management fee, but excluding taxes, interest,
brokerage commissions (if any), distribution assistance payments and
extraordinary expenses such as litigation costs) shall not exceed (and the
Manager undertakes to assume any amount by which such expenses shall exceed) the
most stringent state securities law expense limitation applicable to the sale of
the Trust's shares. In addition, independently of the Agreement, the Manager has
temporarily undertaken to assume any expenses of the Trust in any fiscal year
they exceed 0.80% of the Trust's average annual net assets. The payment of the
management fee at the end of any month will be reduced so that there will not be
any accrued but unpaid liability under those expense limitations. Any assumption
of the Trust's expenses under either limitation lowers the Trust's overall
expense ratio and increases its yield and total return during the time such
expenses are assumed. The Manager reserves the right to terminate or amend
either of these undertakings at any time. For the fiscal years ended June 30,
1994, 1995 and 1996 the management fees payable by the Trust to the Manager
would have been $127,154, 147,859 and $211,940, respectively. Those amounts do
not reflect the effect of the expense assumptions of $55,589, $44,890 and
$45,647 respectively, in those periods by the Manager.
The Agreement provides that the Manager is not liable for any loss
sustained by reason of good faith errors or omissions in connection with matters
to which the Agreement relates, except a
-21-
<PAGE>
loss resulting by reason of its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence
or reckless disregard for its obligations thereunder. The Manager is permitted
by the Agreement to act as investment advisor for any other person, firm or
corporation. If the Manager shall no longer act as investment advisor to the
Trust, the right of the Trust to use the name "Centennial" as part of its name
may be withdrawn.
The Custodian. The Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and
controlling the Trust's portfolio securities and handling the delivery of
portfolio securities to and from the Trust. The Manager has represented to the
Trust that its banking relationships between the Manager and the Custodian have
been and will continue to be unrelated to and unaffected by the relationships
between the Trust and the Custodian. It will be the practice of the Trust to
deal with the Custodian in a manner uninfluenced by any banking relationship the
Custodian may have with the Manager or its affiliates.
The Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent (Shareholder Services, Inc.) is
responsible for maintaining the Trust's shareholder registry and shareholder
accounting records, and for shareholder servicing and administrative functions.
The Distributor. Under the General Distributor's Agreement between the Trust and
the Distributor, the Distributor acts as the Trust's principal underwriter in
the continuous public offering of its shares. The General Distributor is not
obligated to sell a specific number of shares. Expenses normally attributable to
sales (other than those paid under the Service Plan), including advertising and
the cost of printing and mailing prospectuses other than those furnished to
existing shareholders, are borne by the Distributor.
Independent Auditors and Financial Statements. The independent auditors of the
Trust audit the Trust's financial statements and perform other related audit
services. They also act as auditors for the Manager and for OFI, the Manager's
immediate parent, as well as for certain other funds advised by the Manager and
OFI.
Portfolio Transactions. Portfolio decisions are based upon the recommendations
and judgment of the Manager subject to the overall authority of the Board of
Trustees. As most purchases made by the Trust are principal transactions at net
prices, the Trust incurs little or no brokerage costs. The Trust deals directly
with the selling or purchasing principal or market maker without incurring
charges for the services of a broker on its behalf unless it is determined that
a better price or execution may be obtained by using the services of a broker.
Purchases of portfolio securities from underwriters include a commission or
concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers
include a spread between the bid and asked prices.
The Trust seeks to obtain prompt and reliable execution of orders at
the most favorable net price. If dealers or brokers are used for portfolio
transactions, transactions may be directed to dealers or brokers furnishing
execution and research services. The research services provided by a particular
dealer or broker may be useful only to one or more of the advisory accounts of
the Manager or its affiliates and investment research received for the
commissions of those other accounts may be useful to both the Trust and one or
more of such other accounts. Such research, which may be
-22-
<PAGE>
supplied by a third party at the instance of a dealer or broker, includes
information and analyses on particular companies and industries as well as
market or economic trends and portfolio strategy, receipt of market quotations
for portfolio evaluations, information systems, computer hardware and similar
products and services. If a research service also assists the Manager in a
non-research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other administrative functions),
then only the percentage or component that provides assistance to the Manager in
the investment decision-making process may be paid for in commission dollars.
The research services provided by dealers or brokers broaden the scope and
supplement the research activities of the Manager by making available additional
views for consideration and comparisons, and enabling the Manager to obtain
market information for the valuation of securities held in the Trust's portfolio
or being considered for purchase. In the rare instances where the Trust pays
commissions for research, the Board of Trustees, including the independent
Trustees of the Trust, will review information furnished by the Manager as to
the commissions paid to brokers furnishing such services in an effort to
ascertain that the amount of such commissions was reasonably related to the
value or the benefit of such services. The Trust does not direct the handling of
purchases or sales of portfolio securities, whether on a principal or agency
basis, to brokers for selling shares of the Trust. No portfolio transactions are
handled by firms which are affiliated with the Trust or the Manager if that
dealer or broker is acting as principal. The Trust's policy of investing in
short-term debt securities with maturities of less than one year results in high
portfolio turnover. However, since brokerage commissions, if any, are small and
securities are usually held to maturity, high turnover does not have an
appreciable adverse effect upon the net asset value or income of the Trust.
Other funds advised by the Manager have investment objectives and
policies similar to that of the Trust. Such other funds may purchase or sell the
same securities at the same time as the Trust, which could affect the supply or
price of such securities. If two or more of such funds purchase the same
security on the same day from the same dealer, the Manager may average the price
of the transactions and allocate the cost among such funds.
Service Plan
The Trust has adopted a service plan (the "Plan") under Rule 12b-1 of the
Investment Company Act, as described in the Prospectus. No payment will be made
by the Distributor to any Recipient if the aggregate net asset value of Trust
shares held by it or its customers at the end of a calendar quarter is less than
the minimum level of qualified holdings, if any, established under the Plan from
time to time by the "Independent Trustees". Currently, no minimum level of
qualified holdings has been established by the Board of Trustees. For the
Trust's fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, payments under the Plan totaled $81,880
all of which were paid by the Distributor to Recipients, as reimbursement for
costs incurred with the personal service and maintenance of accounts that hold
Trust shares.
The Distributor has entered into Supplemental Distribution Assistance
Agreements ("Supplemental Agreements") under the Plan with selected dealers
distributing shares of Centennial America Fund, L.P., Centennial California Tax
Exempt Trust, Centennial Government Trust, Oppenheimer Cash Reserves and the
Trust. Quarterly payments by the Distributor for distribution- related services
will range from 0.10% to 0.30%, annually, of the average net asset value of
shares
-23-
<PAGE>
of the above-mentioned funds owned during the quarter beneficially or of record
by the dealer or its customers. However, no payment shall be made to any dealer
for any quarter during which the average net asset value of shares of the
above-mentioned funds owned during that quarter by the dealer or its customers
is less than $5 million. Payments made pursuant to Supplemental Agreements are
not a Trust expense, but are made by the Distributor out of its own resources or
out of the resources of the Manager which may include profits derived from the
advisory fee it receives from the Trust. Payments to affiliates of the
Distributor are not permitted under the Supplemental Agreements.
The Plan shall, unless terminated as described below, continue in
effect from year to year but only so long as such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Trust's Board of Trustees including its
Independent Trustees by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for that
purpose. The Supplemental Agreements are subject to the same renewal
requirement. The Plan and the Supplemental Agreements may be terminated at any
time by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the
holders of a "majority" of the Trust's outstanding voting securities. The
Supplemental Agreements will automatically terminate in the event of their
"assignment" (as defined in the Investment Company Act), and each may be
terminated by the Distributor: (i) in the event the Trust terminates the Plan,
or (ii) if the net asset value of shares of the above-mentioned funds covered by
Supplemental Agreements held by the dealer or its customers is less than $5
million for two or more consecutive quarters. A dealer may terminate a
Supplemental Agreement at any time upon giving 30 days' notice. The Plan may not
be amended without shareholder approval, as set forth above, to increase
materially the amount of payments to be made and all material amendments must be
approved by the Board and the Independent Trustees.
While the Plan is in effect, the Treasurer of the Trust shall provide a
report to the Board of Trustees in writing at least quarterly on the amount of
all payments made pursuant to the Plan and the identity of each Recipient that
received any such payment and the purposes for which payments were made. The
Plan further provides that while it is in effect, the selection and nomination
of those Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" of the Trust is
committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees. This does not prevent
the involvement of others in such selection and nomination if the final decision
as to the selection or nomination is approved by a majority of the Independent
Trustees.
Performance of the Trust
Yield Information. The Trust's current yield is calculated for a seven-day
period of time in accordance with regulations adopted under the Investment
Company Act. First, a base period return is calculated for the seven-day period
by determining the net change in the value of a hypothetical pre-existing
account having one share at the beginning of the seven day period. The change
includes dividends declared on the original share and dividends declared on any
shares purchased with dividends on that share, but such dividends are adjusted
to exclude any realized or unrealized capital gains or losses affecting the
dividends declared. Next, the base period return is multiplied by 365/7, to
obtain the current yield to the nearest hundredth of one percent. The compounded
effective yield for a seven-day period is calculated by (a) adding 1 to the base
period return (obtained as described above), (b) raising the sum to a power
equal to 365 divided by 7, and (c) subtracting 1 from the
-24-
<PAGE>
result. For the seven-day period ended June 30, 1996, the Trust's current yield
was 2.61%, and its compounded effective yield was 2.64%.
The yield as calculated above may vary for accounts less than
approximately $100 in value due to the effect of rounding off each daily
dividend to the nearest full cent. Since the calculation of yield under either
procedure described above does not take into consideration any realized or
unrealized gains or losses on the Trust's portfolio securities which may affect
dividends, the return on dividends declared during a period may not be the same
on an annualized basis as the yield for that period.
The Trust's "tax-equivalent yield" adjusts the Trust's current yield,
as calculated above, by a combined Federal, New York State and New York City tax
rate. The tax-equivalent yield is computed by dividing the tax-exempt portion of
the Trust's current yield by one minus a stated income tax rate and adding the
result to the portion (if any) of the Trust's current yield that is not
tax-exempt. The tax-equivalent yield may be compounded as described above to
provide a compounded effective tax equivalent yield. The tax-equivalent yield
may be used to compare the tax effects of income derived from the Trust with
income from taxable investments at the tax rates stated. Appendix B includes a
tax equivalent yield table, based on various effective tax brackets for
individual taxpayers. Such tax brackets are determined by a taxpayer's Federal,
New York State and City taxable income (the net amount subject to income tax
after deductions and exemptions). The tax equivalent yield table assumes that
the investor is taxed at the highest applicable bracket, regardless of whether a
switch to non-taxable investments would cause a lower bracket to apply, and that
state income tax payments are fully deductible for income tax purposes. For
taxpayers with income above certain levels, otherwise allowable itemized
deductions are limited. For the seven-day period ended June 30, 1996, the
Trust's tax-equivalent yield was 4.83% and its tax-equivalent compounded yield
was 4.89% for an investment subject to a 45.96% combined effective tax rate (the
maximum for a New York City resident).
Yield information may be useful to investors in reviewing the Trust's
performance. The Trust's yield may be compared to that of other investments, by
citing various indices such as The Bank Rate Monitor National Index (provided by
Bank Rate MonitorTM), which measures the average rate paid on bank money market
accounts, NOW accounts and certificates of deposit by the 100 largest banks and
thrift institutions in the top ten metropolitan areas. However, a number of
factors should be considered before using yield information as a basis for
comparison with other investments. An investment in the Trust is not insured.
Its yield is not guaranteed and normally will fluctuate on a daily basis. The
yield for any given past period is not an indication or representation by the
Trust of future yields or rates of return on its shares. The Trust's yield is
affected by portfolio quality, portfolio maturity, type of instruments held and
operating expenses. The Trust's performance reflects the voluntary assumption of
expenses by the Manager, absent which such figures would have been lower than
those shown above. When comparing the Trust's yield and investment risk with
that of other investments, investors should understand that certain other
investment alternatives, such as certificates of deposit, U.S. Government
Securities, money market instruments or bank accounts may provide fixed yields
or yields that may vary above a stated minimum, and also that bank accounts may
be insured or guaranteed. Certain types of bank accounts may not pay interest
when the balance falls below a specified level and may limit the number of
-25-
<PAGE>
withdrawals by check per month. In order to compare the Trust's dividends to the
rate of return on taxable investments federal and New York state and city income
taxes on such investments should be considered.
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares
Determination of Net Asset Value Per Share. The net asset value per share of the
Trust is determined twice each day, as of 12:00 Noon (all references to time
mean New York time) and the close of The New York Stock Exchange (the
"Exchange") which is normally 4:00 P.M., but may be earlier on some days, each
day the Exchange is open (a "regular business day") by dividing the Trust's net
assets (the total value of the Trust's portfolio securities, cash and other
assets less all liabilities) by the total number of shares outstanding. Shares
of the Trust are sold at their offering price (net asset value, without a sales
charge) as described in the Prospectus. The Exchange's most recent annual
holiday schedule states that it will close New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas Day. The Exchange may also close on other days. Dealers other than
Exchange members may conduct trading in Municipal Securities on certain days on
which the Exchange is closed (e.g., Good Friday), so that securities of the same
type held by the Trust may be traded, and its net asset value per share may be
significantly affected, on such days when shareholders may not purchase or
redeem shares.
The Trust's Board of Trustees has established procedures for the
valuation of the Trust's securities, generally as follows: (i) long-term debt
securities having a remaining maturity in excess of 60 days are valued based on
the mean between the "bid" and "ask" prices determined by a portfolio pricing
service approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees or obtained by the Manager
from two active market makers in the security on the basis of reasonable
inquiry; (ii) debt instruments having a maturity of more than 397 days when
issued, and non-money market type instruments having a maturity of 397 days or
less when issued, which have a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued
at the mean between the "bid" and "ask" prices determined by a pricing service
approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees or obtained by the Manager from two
active market makers in the security on the basis of reasonable inquiry; (iii)
money market debt securities that had a maturity of less than 397 days when
issued that have a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at cost,
adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts; and (iv)
securities (including restricted securities) not having readily-available market
quotations are valued at fair value determined under the Board's procedures. If
the Manager is unable to locate two market makers willing to give quotes (see
(i) and (ii) above), the security may be priced at the mean between the "bid"
and "ask" prices provided by a single active market maker (which in certain
cases may be the "bid" price if no "ask" price is available).
In the case of Municipal Securities, when last sale information is not
generally available, such pricing procedures may include "matrix" comparisons to
the prices for comparable instruments on the basis of quality, yield, maturity,
and other special factors involved (such as the tax-exempt status of the
interest paid by Municipal Securities). The Manager may use pricing services
approved by the Board of Trustees to price any of the types of securities
described above. The Manager will
-26-
<PAGE>
monitor the accuracy of such pricing services, which may include comparing
prices used for portfolio evaluation to actual sales prices of selected
securities.
In the case of U.S. Government Securities and mortgage-backed
securities, where last sale information is not generally available, such pricing
procedures may include "matrix" comparisons to the prices for comparable
instruments on the basis of quality, yield, maturity and other special factors
involved. The Manager may use pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees
to price U.S. Government Securities for which last sale information is not
generally available. The Manager will monitor the accuracy of such pricing
services, which may include comparing prices used for portfolio evaluation to
actual sales prices of selected securities.
Redemption of Shares. Information on how to redeem shares of the Trust is stated
in the Prospectus. The Prospectus states that payment for shares tendered for
redemption is ordinarily made in cash. If, however, the Board of Trustees
determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining
shareholders of the Trust to make payment wholly in cash, the redemption price
may be paid in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities from the
portfolio of the Trust in lieu of cash or in conformity with applicable
Securities and Exchange Commission rules. The Trust has elected to be governed
by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act, pursuant to which the Trust is
obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of
the net assets of the Trust during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. If
shares are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur transaction
or other costs in converting the assets to cash. The method of valuing
securities used to make redemptions in kind will be the same as the method of
valuing securities described under "Determination of Net Asset Value" above, and
such valuation will be made as of the same time the redemption price is
determined.
The Trust's Board of Trustees has the right, in conformity with
applicable law, to cause the involuntary redemption of shares held in any
account if the aggregate net asset value of such shares is less than $200 or
such lesser amount as the Board may fix. Should the Board elect to exercise this
right, it may also fix, in accordance with the Investment Company Act or
Massachusetts law, the requirements for any notice to be given to the
shareholder(s) in question (not less than 30 days) or may set requirements for
permission to allow the shareholder to increase the investment so that the
shares would not be involuntarily redeemed.
Expedited Redemption Procedures. Under the Expedited Redemption Procedure
available to direct shareholders of the Trust, discussed in the Prospectus, the
wiring of redemption proceeds may be delayed if the Trust's Custodian bank is
not open for business on a day that the Trust would normally authorize the wire
to be made, which is usually the same day for redemptions prior to 12:00 Noon
and the Trust's next regular business day for redemptions between 12:00 Noon and
the close of the Exchange, which is normally 4:00 P.M., but may be earlier on
some days. In those circumstances, the wire will not be transmitted until the
next bank business day on which the Trust is open for business, and no dividends
will be paid on the proceeds of redeemed shares awaiting transfer by wire.
Dividend Reinvestment in Another Fund. Direct shareholders of the Trust may
elect to reinvest all dividends and/or distributions in Class A shares of any
of the other funds listed in the Prospectus
-27-
<PAGE>
as "Eligible Funds" at net asset value without sales charge. To elect this
option, a shareholder must notify the Transfer Agent in writing, and either must
have an existing account in the fund selected for reinvestment or must obtain a
prospectus for that fund and an application from the Transfer Agent to establish
an account. The investment will be made at the net asset value per share next
determined on the payable date of the dividend or distribution.
Exchange of Shares
Eligible Funds. As stated in the Prospectus, shares of the Trust may, under
certain circumstances, be exchanged by direct shareholders for Class A shares of
the following Oppenheimer funds ("Eligible Funds"):
Bond Fund Series - Oppenheimer Bond Fund for Growth
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund
Oppenheimer California Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund
Oppenheimer Enterprise Fund
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund
Oppenheimer Fund
Oppenheimer Global Emerging Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Global Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Integrity Funds
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund
Oppenheimer International Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc.
Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust
Oppenheimer Multi-State Municipal Trust
Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer New York Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer Quest for Value Funds
Oppenheimer Quest Global Value Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Series Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Target Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
-28-
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer World Bond Fund
Rochester Fund Municipals*
Rochester Portfolio Series - Limited Term New York Municipal Fund* The New York
Tax Exempt Income Fund, Inc.
the following "Money Market Funds":
Centennial America Fund, L.P.
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Government Trust
Centennial Money Market Trust
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
- ----------------------------------------------------
*Shares of the Trust are not presently exchangeable for shares of these funds.
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
Tax Status of the Trust's Dividends and Distributions. The Federal and New York
tax treatment of the Trust's dividends and distributions to shareholders is
explained in the Prospectus under the caption "Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes." Under the Internal Revenue Code, by December 31 each year, the Trust
must distribute 98% of its taxable investment income earned from January 1
through December 31 of that year and 98% of its capital gains realized in the
period from November 1 of the prior year through October 31 of the current year
or else the Trust must pay an excise tax on the amounts not distributed. While
it is presently anticipated that the Trust's distributions will meet those
requirements, the Trust's Board and the Manager might determine in a particular
year that it might be in the best interest of the Trust's shareholders not to
distribute income or capital gains at the mandated levels and to pay the excise
tax on the undistributed amounts.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the statement of investments, of Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust as of June
30, 1996, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the
statements of changes in net assets for the years ended June
-29-
<PAGE>
30, 1996 and 1995, and the financial highlights for the period July 1, 1991 to
June 30, 1996. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned at June 30,
1996 by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Centennial
New York Tax Exempt Trust at June 30, 1996, the results of its operations, the
changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the respective
stated periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
- -------------------------
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Denver, Colorado
July 22, 1996
-30-
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
======================================
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS June 30, 1996
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
FACE VALUE
AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
======================================================================================================================
SHORT-TERM TAX-EXEMPT OBLIGATIONS - 101.1%
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK - 97.3%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Babylon, New York Industrial Development Agency
Revenue Bonds, J. D'Addario & Co. Project, 3.25%(1) $ 500,000 $500,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buffalo, New York General Obligation Revenue
Anticipation Nts., Series A, 4.20%, 7/16/96(2) 2,500,000 2,500,798
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of New York Housing Development Corp. Multifamily
Mtg. Revenue Bonds, Columbus Project, Series A, 3.10%(1) 1,800,000 1,800,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of New York Industrial Development Agency Civic
Facility Revenue Bonds, Columbia Grammar School Project,
3.10%(1) 1,000,000 1,000,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of New York Trust Cultural Resources Revenue
Refunding Bonds, American Museum of Natural History,
Series A, MBIA Insured, 3.10%(1) 500,000 500,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of New York Water Finance Authority Revenue
Bonds, 3.65%, 8/1/96(2) 1,900,000 1,900,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dormitory Authority of the State of New York Revenue:
Bonds, City University System, Escrowed to Maturity,
Series A, 7.10%, 7/1/96(2) 1,250,000 1,250,000
Bonds, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Project,
Series D, 3.40%, 8/7/96(2) 700,000 700,000
Bonds, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Project,
Series D, 3.55%, 8/21/96(2) 1,270,000 1,270,000
Bonds, Series A, FGIC Insured, 3.45%(1) 1,000,000 1,000,000
Refunding Bonds, Ellis Hospital Project, MBIA Insured,
3.70%, 8/1/96(2) 1,000,000 1,000,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Erie County, New York Revenue Anticipation Nts.,
4.50%, 9/20/96 1,000,000 1,001,385
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franklin County, New York Industrial Development
Agency Revenue Refunding Bonds, McAdam Cheese
Co. Project, 3.40%(1) 1,700,000 1,700,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York
Revenue Bonds, Prerefunded, Series F, AMBAC Insured,
8.375%, 7/1/96 3,350,000 3,417,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nassau County, New York Industrial Development
Agency Revenue Bonds, Cold Spring Harbor Labor
Project, 3.45%(1) 1,000,000 1,000,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Energy Research & Development
Authority:
Electric Facilities Revenue Bonds, Long Island Lighting
Co., Series A, 3.05%(1) 1,000,000 1,000,000
Electric Facilities Revenue Bonds, Long Island Lighting
Co., Series B, 3.05%(1) 900,000 900,000
Pollution Control Revenue Bonds, New York State Electric
& Gas Corp., Series B, 3.85%, 10/15/96(2) 1,700,000 1,700,000
Pollution Control Revenue Bonds, Rochester Gas &
Electric Co., 3.45%(1) 600,000 600,000
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
FACE VALUE
AMOUNT SEE NOTE 1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NEW YORK (CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. Solid
Waste Disposal Revenue:
Bonds, General Electric Co. Project, Series A, 3.55%,
8/21/96(2) $1,000,000 $ 1,000,000
Refunding Bonds, General Electric Co. Project, Series A,
3.50%, 8/21/96(2) 2,400,000 2,400,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Housing Finance Agency Revenue Bonds:
Normandie Court I Project, 3.05%(1) 800,000 800,000
Prerefunded, 7.90%, 11/1/96 1,185,000 1,202,158
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Local Government Assistance Corp.
Revenue Bonds, Series A, 3.10%(1) 600,000 600,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance Agency
Revenue Bonds:
Lenox Hill Hospital Project, Series A, 3.30%(1) 200,000 200,000
Pooled Equipment Loan Program II-A, 3.20%(1) 800,000 800,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Power Authority Revenue & General
Purpose Bonds:
3.75%, 9/10/96(2) 900,000 900,000
3.80%, 9/10/96(2) 1,000,000 1,000,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Hempstead, New York Solid Waste Management
Authority Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, 3.05%(1) 600,000 600,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seneca County, New York Industrial Development Agency
Civic Facilities Revenue Bonds, New York Chiropractic
College, 3.15%(1) 400,000 400,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suffolk County, New York Industrial Development Agency
Revenue Bonds, Nissequogue Cogeneration Partnership,
3.35%(1) 1,500,000 1,500,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suffolk County, New York Public Improvement Bonds,
Series A, 5%, 10/15/96(2) 1,000,000 1,003,801
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority of New York
<PAGE>
Revenue Bonds, FGIC Insured, 3.05%(1) 1,600,000 1,600,000
------------
38,745,142
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. POSSESSIONS - 3.8%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puerto Rico Industrial, Medical & Environmental Pollution
Control Facilities Financing Authority Revenue Bonds,
Key Pharmaceuticals, 3.80%, 12/1/96(2) 1,500,000 1,501,216
<PAGE>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS, AT VALUE 101.1% 40,246,358
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (1.1) (439,157)
----------- -------------
NET ASSETS 100.0% $39,807,201
=========== =============
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
====================================
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Floating or variable rate obligation maturing in more than one
year. The interest rate, which is based on specific, or an index of,
market interest rates, is subject to change periodically and is the
effective rate on June 30, 1996. This instrument may also have a
demand feature which allows the recovery of principal at any time, or
at specified intervals not exceeding one year, on up to 30 days'
notice. 2. Put obligation redeemable at full face value on the date
reported.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=================================================
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES June 30, 1996
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
======================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS Investments, at value - see accompanying statement $40,246,358
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash 181,998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Receivables:
Interest 450,769
Shares of beneficial interest sold 213,539
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 3,507
------------
Total assets 41,096,171
======================================================================================================================
LIABILITIES Payables and other liabilities:
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed 1,199,086
Dividends 29,291
Service plan fees 20,598
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees 5,383
Other 34,612
------------
Total liabilities 1,288,970
======================================================================================================================
NET ASSETS $39,807,201
============
======================================================================================================================
COMPOSITION OF Paid-in capital $39,808,919
NET ASSETS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions (1,718)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets - applicable to 39,808,919 shares of beneficial
interest outstanding $39,807,201
============
=====================================================================================================================
NET ASSET VALUE, REDEMPTION PRICE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE $1.00
======
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
========================================================
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended June 30, 1996
<PAGE>
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
=====================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME Interest $1,509,140
=====================================================================================================================
EXPENSES Management fees - Note 3 211,940
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service plan fees - Note 3 81,880
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees - Note 3 37,223
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder reports 28,298
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custodian fees and expenses 11,139
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal and auditing fees 9,789
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration and filing fees 6,616
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance expenses 3,160
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trustees' fees and expenses 1,892
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 1,452
------------
Total expenses 393,389
------------
Less expenses paid indirectly - Note 3 (8,728)
------------
Less assumption of expenses by Centennial Asset
Management Corporation - Note 3 (45,647)
------------
Net expenses 339,014
======================================================================================================================
NET INVESTMENT INCOME 1,170,126
======================================================================================================================
NET REALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS (395)
<PAGE>
=====================================================================================================================
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $ 1,169,731
============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===================================
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
1996 1995
======================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS Net investment income $ 1,170,126 $841,058
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized loss (395) (171)
-----------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 1,169,731 840,887
=====================================================================================================================
DIVIDENDS AND
DISTRIBUTIONS
TO SHAREHOLDERS (1,170,126) (842,946)
======================================================================================================================
BENEFICIAL INTEREST Net increase in net assets resulting from
TRANSACTIONS beneficial interest transactions - Note 2 3,961,784 9,328,969
======================================================================================================================
NET ASSETS Total increase 3,961,389 9,326,910
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 35,845,812 26,518,902
-----------------------------
End of period $39,807,201 $35,845,812
=============================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
8
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Year Ended June 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
================================================================================
PER SHARE OPERATING DATA:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations -
net investment income and
net realized gain on investments .03 .03 .02 .02 .03
Dividends and distributions to shareholders (.03) (.03) (.02) (.02) (.03)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
================================================================================================================================
=====
TOTAL RETURN, AT NET ASSET VALUE(1) 2.79% 2.85% 1.68% 1.83% 3.11%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $39,807 $35,846 $26,519 $24,994 $24,103
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $42,351 $29,590 $25,419 $24,257 $23,221
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 2.76% 2.84% 1.67% 1.74% 3.00%
Expenses, before voluntary assumption by the
Manager(2) 0.93% 0.95% 1.02% 0.98% 1.09%
Expenses, net of voluntary assumption by the
Manager 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.80%
</TABLE>
1. Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before the
first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends reinvested in additional
shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value
calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns reflect
changes in net investment income only. 2. Beginning in fiscal 1995, the expense
ratio reflects the effect of gross expenses paid indirectly by the Fund. Prior
year expense ratios have not been adjusted.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
9
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust (the Trust) is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a non-diversified, open-end
management investment company. The Trust's investment objective is to seek the
maximum current income exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City
income taxes for individual investors that is consistent with preservation of
capital. The Trust's investment advisor is Centennial Asset Management
Corporation (the Manager), a subsidiary of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (OFI). The
following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed
by the Trust.
INVESTMENT VALUATION. Portfolio securities are valued on the basis of amortized
cost, which approximates market value.
FEDERAL TAXES. The Trust intends to continue to comply with provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute all of its taxable income to shareholders. Therefore, no federal
income or excise tax provision is required.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Trust intends to declare dividends from net
investment income each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business and
pay such dividends monthly. To effect its policy of maintaining a net asset
value of $1.00 per share, the Trust may withhold dividends or make distributions
<PAGE>
of net realized gains.
OTHER. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the investments are
purchased or sold (trade date). Realized gains and losses on investments are
determined on an identified cost basis, which is the same basis used for federal
income tax purposes. The Trust concentrates its investments in New York and,
therefore, may have more credit risks related to the economic conditions of New
York than a portfolio with a broader geographical diversification.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
2. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The Trust has authorized an unlimited number of no par value shares of
beneficial interest. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
----------------------------------- ---------------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sold 123,079,408 $ 123,079,408 94,305,152 $94,305,152
Dividends and distributions
reinvested 1,153,820 1,153,820 798,765 798,765
Redeemed (120,271,444) (120,271,444) (85,774,948) (85,774,948)
------------- -------------- ------------ -------------
Net increase 3,961,784 $ 3,961,784 9,328,969 $9,328,969
============= ============== ============ =============
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
3. MANAGEMENT FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES Management fees paid
to the Manager were in accordance with the investment advisory agreement with
the Trust which provides for a fee of 0.50% on the first $250 million of average
annual net assets with a reduction of 0.025% on each $250 million thereafter, to
0.40% on net assets in excess of $1 billion. The Manager has agreed to assume
Trust expenses (with specified exceptions) in excess of the most stringent
applicable regulatory limit on Trust expenses. In addition, the Manager has
voluntarily undertaken to assume Trust expenses in excess of 0.80% of average
annual net assets.
Shareholder Services, Inc. (SSI), a subsidiary of OFI, is the transfer and
shareholder servicing agent for the Trust, and for other registered investment
companies. SSI's total costs of providing such services are allocated ratably to
these companies.
Expenses paid indirectly represent a reduction of custodian fees for earnings on
cost balances maintained by the Fund.
Under an approved service plan, the Trust may expend up to 0.20% of its net
assets annually to reimburse Centennial Asset Management Corporation, as
distributor, for costs incurred in connection with the personal service and
maintenance of accounts that hold shares of the Trust, including amounts paid to
brokers, dealers, banks and other institutions.
11
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned at June 30,
1996 by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Centennial New York
Tax Exempt Trust at June 30, 1996, the results of its operations, the changes in
its net assets, and the financial highlights for the respective stated periods,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
<PAGE>
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
Below is a description of the two highest rating categories for Short Term Debt
and Long Term Debt by the "Nationally-Recognized Statistical Rating
Organizations" which the Manager evaluates in purchasing securities on behalf of
the Trust. The ratings descriptions are based on information supplied by the
ratings organizations to subscribers.
Short Term Debt Ratings.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"): The following rating designations
for commercial paper (defined by Moody's as promissory obligations not having
original maturity in excess of nine months), are judged by Moody's to be
investment grade, and indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers:
Prime-1: Superior capacity for repayment. Capacity will normally be
evidenced by the following characteristics: (a) leveling market
positions in well-established industries; (b) high rates of return
on funds employed; (c) conservative capitalization structures with
moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; (d) broad
margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation; and (e) well established access to a
range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate
liquidity.
Prime-2: Strong capacity for repayment. This will normally be evidenced by
many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more
subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still
appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample
alternate liquidity is maintained.
Moody's ratings for state and municipal short-term obligations are designated
"Moody's Investment Grade" ("MIG"). Short-term notes which have demand features
may also be designated as "VMIG".
These rating categories are as follows:
MIG1/VMIG1: Best quality. There is present strong protection by
established cash flows, superior liquidity support or
demonstrated broadbased access to the market for
refinancing.
MIG2/VMIG2: High quality. Margins of protection are ample although
not so large as in the preceding group.
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"): The following ratings by S&P for
commercial paper (defined by S&P as debt having an original maturity of no more
than 365 days) assess the likelihood of payment:
A- 1
<PAGE>
A-1: Strong capacity for timely payment. Those issues determined to possess
extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign
(+) designation.
A-2: Satisfactory capacity for timely payment. However, the relative
degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated "A-1".
S&P's ratings for Municipal Notes due in three years or less are:
SP-1: Very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those
issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics will
be given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2: Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
S&P assigns "dual ratings" to all municipal debt issues that have a demand or
double feature as part of their provisions. The first rating addresses the
likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating
addresses only the demand feature. With short-term demand debt, S&P's note
rating symbols are used with the commercial paper symbols (for example,
"SP-1+/A- 1+").
Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"): Fitch assigns the following short-
term ratings to debt obligations that are payable on demand or have original
maturities of generally up to three years, including commercial paper,
certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and investment notes:
F-1+: Exceptionally strong credit quality; the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment.
F-1: Very strong credit quality; assurance of timely payment is only
slightly less in degree than issues rated "F-1+".
F-2: Good credit quality; satisfactory degree of assurance for timely
payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues
assigned "F-1+" or "F-1" ratings.
Duff & Phelps, Inc. ("Duff & Phelps"): The following ratings are for commercial
paper (defined by Duff & Phelps as obligations with maturities, when issued, of
under one year), asset-backed commercial paper, and certificates of deposit (the
ratings cover all obligations of the institution with maturities, when issued,
of under one year, including bankers' acceptance and letters of credit):
Duff 1+: Highest certainty of timely payment. Short-term liquidity,
including internal operating factors and/or access to alternative
sources of funds, is outstanding, and safety is just below
risk-free U.S. Treasury short-term obligations.
Duff 1: Very high certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are
excellent and supported by good fundamental protection factors.
Risk factors are minor.
A- 2
<PAGE>
Duff 1-: High certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are strong
and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk
factors are very small.
Duff 2: Good certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors and company
fundamentals are sound. Although ongoing funding needs may enlarge
total financing requirements, access to capital markets is good.
Risk factors are small.
IBCA Limited or its affiliate IBCA Inc. ("IBCA"): Short-term ratings,
including commercial paper (with maturities up to 12 months), are as follows:
A1+: Obligations supported by the highest capacity for timely repayment.
A1: Obligations supported by a very strong capacity for timely repayment.
A2: Obligations supported by a strong capacity for timely repayment,
although such capacity may be susceptible to adverse changes in
business, economic, or financial conditions.
Thomson BankWatch, Inc. ("TBW"): The following short-term ratings apply to
commercial paper, certificates of deposit, unsecured notes, and other
securities having a maturity of one year or less.
TBW-1: The highest category; indicates the degree of safety regarding
timely repayment of principal and interest is very strong.
TBW-2: The second highest rating category; while the degree of safety
regarding timely repayment of principal and interest is strong,
the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues rated
"TBW-1".
Long Term Debt Ratings. These ratings are relevant for securities purchased by
the Trust with a remaining maturity of 397 days or less, or for rating issuers
of short-term obligations.
Moody's: Bonds (including municipal bonds) are rated as follows:
Aaa: Judged to be the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of
investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge." Interest
payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin, and principal is secure. While the various protective elements
are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most
unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong positions of such issues.
Aa: Judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the "Aaa"
group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They
are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may
not be as large as in "Aaa" securities or fluctuations of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in
"Aaa" securities.
A- 3
<PAGE>
Moody's applies numerical modifiers "1", "2" and "3" in its "Aa" rating
classification. The modifier "1" indicates that the security ranks in the higher
end of its generic rating category; the modifier "2" indicates a mid-range
ranking; and the modifier "3" indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of
its generic rating category.
Standard & Poor's: Bonds (including municipal bonds) are rated as follows:
AAA: The highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay
principal is extremely strong.
AA A strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differ from
"AAA" rated issues only in small degree.
Fitch:
AAA: Considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality.
The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably
foreseeable events.
AA: Considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very
strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated "AAA". Plus (+)
and minus (-) signs are used in the "AA" category to indicate the
relative position of a credit within that category.
Because bonds rated in the "AAA" and "AA" categories are not significantly
vulnerable to foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of these issuers
is generally rated "F-1+".
Duff & Phelps:
AAA: The highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being
only slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
AA: High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is modest
but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic
conditions. Plus (+) and minus (-) signs are used in the "AA"
category to indicate the relative position of a credit within that
category.
IBCA: Long-term obligations (with maturities of more than 12 months) are
rated as follows:
AAA: The lowest expectation of investment risk. Capacity for timely
repayment of principal and interest is substantial such that adverse
changes in business, economic, or financial conditions are unlikely
to increase investment risk significantly.
AA: A very low expectation for investment risk. Capacity for timely
repayment of principal
A- 4
<PAGE>
and interest is substantial. Adverse changes in business, economic,
or financial conditions may increase investment risk albeit not very
significantly.
A plus (+) or minus (-) sign may be appended to a long term rating to denote
relative status within a rating category.
TBW: TBW issues the following ratings for companies. These ratings assess the
likelihood of receiving payment of principal and interest on a timely basis and
incorporate TBW's opinion as to the vulnerability of the company to adverse
developments, which may impact the market's perception of the company, thereby
affecting the marketability of its securities.
A: Possesses an exceptionally strong balance sheet and earnings record,
translating into an excellent reputation and unquestioned access to its
natural money markets. If weakness or vulnerability exists in any
aspect of the company's business, it is entirely mitigated by the
strengths of the organization.
A/B: The company is financially very solid with a favorable track record and
no readily apparent weakness. Its overall risk profile, while low, is
not quite as favorable as for companies in the highest rating category.
A- 5
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATIONS
Adult Living Facilities
Education
Electric
Gas
General Obligation
Higher Education
Highways
Hospital
Lease Rental
Manufacturing, Durables
Manufacturing, Non Durables
Marine/Aviation Facilities
Multi Family Housing
Non Profit Organization
Pollution Control
Resource Recovery
Sales Tax
Sewer
Single Family Housing
Special Assessment
Telephone
Water
B- 1
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD TABLES
The equivalent yield tables below compare tax-free income with taxable income
under Federal, New York State and New York City income tax rates effective
January 1, 1996. Combined taxable income refers to the net amount subject to (i)
Federal and New York State income tax as to the first two tables below and (ii)
Federal, New York State and New York City income tax as to the third and fourth
tables below, in each case after deductions and exemptions. The tables assume
that an investor's highest tax bracket applies to the change in taxable income
resulting from a switch between taxable and non-taxable investments, that the
investor is not subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax and that New York State
and local income tax payments are fully deductible for Federal income tax
purposes. They do not reflect the phaseout of itemized deductions and personal
exemptions at higher income levels, resulting in higher effective tax rates and
tax equivalent yields.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
New York State Residents
Combined Taxable Income
Centennial New York
Tax-Exempt Trust Yield
Single Return Joint Return of:
- ------------- ------------
Combined 2.0% 2.5% 3.0%
Effective Is Approximately
Not Not Tax Equivalent to a Taxable
Over Over Over Over Bracket Yield of:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 13,000 $ 16,000 19.25% 2.48% 3.10% 3.72%
$ 16,000 $ 26,000 20.10% 2.50% 3.13% 3.75%
$ 13,000 $ 24,000 $ 26,000 $ 40,100 21.06% 2.53% 3.17% 3.80%
$ 24,000 $ 58,150 $ 40,100 $ 96,900 33.13% 2.99% 3.74% 4.49%
$ 58,150 $121,300 $ 96,900 $147,700 35.92% 3.12% 3.90% 4.68%
$121,300 $263,750 $147,700 $263,750 40.56% 3.36% 4.21% 5.05%
$263,750 $263,750 43.90% 3.57% 4.46% 5.35%
C-1
<PAGE>
New York State Residents
Combined Taxable Income
Centennial New York
Tax-Exempt Trust Yield
Single Return Joint Return of:
- ------------- ------------
Combined 3.5% 4.0% 4.5%
Effective Is Approximately
Not Not Tax Equivalent to a Taxable
Over Over Over Over Bracket Yield of:
$ 13,000 $ 16,000 19.25% 4.33% 4.95% 5.57%
$ 16,000 $ 26,000 20.10% 4.38% 5.01% 5.63%
$ 13,000 $ 24,000 $ 26,000 $ 40,100 21.06% 4.43% 5.07% 5.70%
$ 24,000 $ 58,150 $ 40,100 $ 96,900 33.13% 5.23% 5.98% 6.73%
$ 58,150 $121,300 $ 96,900 $147,700 35.92% 5.46% 6.24% 7.02%
$121,300 $263,750 $147,700 $263,750 40.56% 5.89% 6.73% 7.57%
$263,750 $263,750 43.90% 6.24% 7.13% 8.02%
New York City Residents
Combined Taxable Income
Centennial New York
Tax-Exempt Trust Yield
Single Return Joint Return of:
- ------------- ------------
Combined 2.0% 2.5% 3.0%
Effective Is Approximately
Not Not Tax Equivalent to a Taxable
Over Over Over Over Bracket Yield of:
$ 16,000 $ 26,000 22.65% 2.59% 3.23% 3.88%
$ 26,000 $ 27,000 23.61% 2.62% 3.27% 3.93%
$ 16,000 $ 24,000 $ 27,000 $ 40,100 23.86% 2.63% 3.28% 3.94%
$ 24,000 $ 25,000 $ 40,100 $ 45,000 35.51% 3.10% 3.88% 4.65%
$ 25,000 $ 58,150 $ 45,000 $ 96,900 35.54% 3.10% 3.88% 4.65%
$ 58,150 $ 60,000 $ 96,900 $108,000 38.23% 3.24% 4.05% 4.86%
$ 60,000 $121,300 $108,000 $147,700 38.26% 3.24% 4.05% 4.86%
$121,300 $263,750 $147,700 $263,750 42.74% 3.49% 4.37% 5.24%
$263,750 $263,750 45.96% 3.70% 4.63% 5.55%
C-2
<PAGE>
New York City Residents
Combined Taxable Income
Centennial New York
Tax-Exempt Trust Yield
Single Return Joint Return of:
- ------------- ------------
Combined 3.5% 4.0% 4.5%
Effective Is Approximately
Not Not Tax Equivalent to a Taxable
Over Over Over Over Bracket Yield of:
$ 16,000 $ 26,000 22.65% 4.52% 5.17% 5.82%
$ 26,000 $ 27,000 23.61% 4.58% 5.24% 5.89%
$ 16,000 $ 24,000 $ 27,000 $ 40,100 23.86% 4.60% 5.25% 5.91%
$ 24,000 $ 25,000 $ 40,100 $ 45,000 35.51% 5.43% 6.20% 6.98%
$ 25,000 $ 58,150 $ 45,000 $ 96,900 35.54% 5.43% 6.21% 6.98%
$ 58,150 $ 60,000 $ 96,900 $108,000 38.23% 5.67% 6.48% 7.28%
$ 60,000 $121,300 $108,000 $147,700 38.26% 5.67% 6.48% 7.29%
$121,300 $263,750 $147,700 $263,750 42.74% 6.11% 6.99% 7.86%
$263,750 $263,750 45.96% 6.48% 7.40% 8.33%
</TABLE>
C-3
<PAGE>
APPENDIX D
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN PROVISIONS
By requesting an Automatic Withdrawal Plan, the shareholder agrees to the terms
and conditions applicable to such plans, as stated below and elsewhere in the
Application for such Plans, the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information as they may be amended from time to time by the Trust and/or the
Distributor. When adopted, such amendments will automatically apply to existing
Plans.
Trust shares will be redeemed as necessary to meet withdrawal payments.
Shares acquired without a sales charge will be redeemed first and thereafter
shares acquired with reinvested dividends and distributions followed by shares
acquired with a sales charge will be redeemed to the extent necessary to make
withdrawal payments. Depending upon the amount withdrawn, the investor's
principal may be depleted. Payments made to shareholders under such plans should
not be considered as a yield or income on an investment. Purchases of additional
shares concurrently with withdrawals are undesirable because of sales charges on
purchases when made. Accordingly, a shareholder may not maintain an Automatic
Withdrawal Plan while simultaneously making regular purchases.
1. Shareholder Services, Inc., the Transfer Agent of the Trust, will
administer the Automatic Withdrawal Plan (the "Plan") as agent for the person
(the "Planholder") who executed the Plan authorization and application submitted
to the Transfer Agent.
2. Certificates will not be issued for shares of the Trust purchased
for and held under the Plan, but the Transfer Agent will credit all such shares
to the account of the Planholder on the records of the Trust. Any share
certificates now held by the Planholder may be surrendered unendorsed to the
Transfer Agent with the Plan application so that the shares represented by the
certificate may be held under the Plan. Those shares will be carried on the
Planholder's Plan Statement.
3. Distributions of capital gains must be reinvested in shares of the
Trust, which will be done at net asset value without a sales charge. Dividends
may be paid in cash or reinvested.
4. Redemptions of shares in connection with disbursement payments will
be made at the net asset value per share determined on the redemption date.
5. Checks or ACH payments will be transmitted approximately three
business days prior to the date selected for receipt of the monthly or quarterly
payment (the date of receipt is approximate), according to the choice specified
in writing by the Planholder.
6. The amount and the interval of disbursement payments and the address
to which checks are to be mailed may be changed at any time by the Planholder on
written notification to the Transfer Agent. The Planholder should allow at least
two weeks' time in mailing such notification before the requested change can be
put in effect.
D-4
<PAGE>
7. The Planholder may, at any time, instruct the Transfer Agent by
written notice (in proper form in accordance with the requirements of the
then-current prospectus of the Trust) to redeem all, or any part of, the shares
held under the Plan. In such case, the Transfer Agent will redeem the number of
shares requested at the net asset value per share in effect in accordance with
the Trust's usual redemption procedures and will mail a check for the proceeds
of such redemption to the Planholder.
8. The Plan may, at any time, be terminated by the Planholder on
written notice to the Transfer Agent, or by the Transfer Agent upon receiving
directions to that effect from the Trust. the Transfer Agent will also terminate
the Plan upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to it of the death or legal
incapacity of the Planholder. Upon termination of the Plan by the Transfer Agent
or the Trust, shares remaining unredeemed will be held in an uncertificated
account in the name of the Planholder, and the account will continue as a
dividend-reinvestment, uncertificated account unless and until proper
instructions are received from the Planholder, his executor or guardian, or as
otherwise appropriate.
9. For purposes of using shares held under the Plan as collateral, the
Planholder may request issuance of a portion of his shares in certificated form.
Upon written request from the Planholder, the Transfer Agent will determine the
number of shares as to which a certificate may be issued, so as not to cause the
withdrawal checks to stop because of exhaustion of uncertificated shares needed
to continue payments. Should such uncertificated shares become exhausted, Plan
withdrawals will terminate.
10. The Transfer Agent shall incur no liability to the Planholder for
any action taken or omitted by the Transfer Agent in good faith.
11. In the event that the Transfer Agent shall cease to act as transfer
agent for the Trust, the Planholder will be deemed to have appointed any
successor transfer agent to act as his agent in administering the Plan.
D-5
<PAGE>
Investment Advisor and Distributor
Centennial Asset Management Corporation
3410 South Galena Street
Denver, Colorado 80231
Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent
Shareholder Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5143
Denver, Colorado 80217-5143
1-800-525-9310
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
Citibank, N.A.
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 3600
Denver, Colorado 80202-3942
Legal Counsel
Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
The Colorado State Bank Building
1600 Broadway, Suite 1480
Denver, Colorado 80202
PXO780.001 1196
