<PAGE>
______, 1999
FUND PROFILE
T. ROWE PRICE
Global Bond Fund
A worldwide income fund seeking high income, capital growth, and
diversification through foreign and U.S. fixed income securities.
This profile summarizes key information about the fund that is included in the
fund's prospectus. The fund's prospectus includes additional information about
the fund, including a more detailed description of the risks associated with
investing in the fund that you may want to consider before you invest. You may
obtain the prospectus and other information about the fund at no cost by calling
1-800-638-5660, or by visiting our Web site at www.troweprice.com.
T. ROWE PRICE RAM LOGO
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FUND PROFILE
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What is the fund's objective?
The fund seeks high current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation and
protection of principal by investing primarily in high-quality foreign and
U.S. government bonds.
What is the fund's principal investment strategy?
We expect the fund will normally have at least 65% of its total assets in
bonds issued or guaranteed by the U.S. or foreign governments or their
agencies and by foreign authorities, provinces, and municipalities. Corporate
bonds may also be purchased. The fund may also invest up to 20% of total
assets in below-investment-grade, high-risk bonds including bonds in default
or those with the lowest rating.
To reduce the effect of interest rate changes on the fund's share price, the
weighted average maturity of the portfolio is likely to average around five
to seven years, although this may vary according to our interest rate
outlook. The fund may also hold individual securities with maturities longer
or shorter than five or seven years. The fund has wide flexibility to
purchase and sell currencies in an effort to profit from currency trends and
reduce the impact of currency fluctuations on the share price.
Investment decisions are based on fundamental market factors, such as yield
differences among bonds as well as demand and supply factors, currency
trends, and credit quality. The fund generally invests in countries where the
combination of fixed income returns and currency exchange rates appears
attractive, or, if the currency trend is unfavorable, where Price-Fleming
believes the currency risk can be minimized through hedging. The fund sells
holdings for a variety of reasons, such as to adjust a portfolio's average
maturity or quality, to shift assets into higher-yielding securities, or to
alter geographic or currency exposure.
Further information about the fund's investments, including a review of
market conditions and fund strategies and their impact on performance, is
available in the annual and semiannual shareholder reports. To obtain free
copies of any of these documents, call 1-800-638-5660.
What are the main risks of investing in the fund?
The fund is subject to the usual risks of fixed income investing as well as
the special risks of international investing.
. Interest rate risk This risk refers to the decline in bond prices that
usually accompanies a rise in interest rates. Longer-maturity bonds typically
suffer greater declines than those with shorter maturities.
. Credit risk This is the chance that any fund holding could have its credit
rating downgraded, or that a bond issuer will default (the failure of an
issuer to
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FUND PROFILE
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make timely payments of interest or principal), potentially reducing the
fund's income level and share price. The risk of default is much greater for
the emerging market bonds in the fund's portfolio.
. Nondiversified risk Because it is nondiversified, the fund can invest more
of its assets in a fewer number of issuers than diversified funds. This could
result in greater potential losses than funds investing in a broader variety
of issues.
. Currency risk This is a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus
the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in
that currency. The overall impact on the fund's holdings can be significant
and long lasting, depending on the currencies represented in the portfolio,
how each one appreciates or depreciates in relation to the U.S. dollar, and
whether currency positions are hedged. We may actively manage currency risk
in the fund in an effort to reduce the negative impact of a strong dollar.
Currency trends are unpredictable and to the extent the fund purchases and
sells currencies, it will also be subject to the risk that its trading
strategies, including efforts at hedging, will not be successful.
Furthermore, hedging costs can be significant and reduce fund net asset
values.
. Emerging market risk The fund's investments in emerging markets are subject
to abrupt and severe price declines. The economic and political structures of
developing nations, in most cases, do not compare favorably with the U.S. or
other developed countries in terms of wealth and stability, and their
financial markets often lack liquidity. Certain countries have legacies of
hyperinflation and currency devaluations versus the dollar (which adversely
affects returns to US investors).
. Other risks of foreign investing Other risks of foreign investing result
from the varying stages of economic and political development of foreign
countries, the differing regulatory environments, trading days and accounting
standards of non-U.S. markets, and higher transaction costs. Acts of
government interfering in capital markets, such as capital or currency
controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of
assets, or imposition of punitive taxes would also have an adverse effect on
the fund.
. Derivatives risk To the extent the fund uses these instruments, it may be
exposed to additional volatility and potential losses.
. Year 2000 risk Companies, organizations, governmental entities, and markets
in which the fund invests will be affected by the Year 2000 problem. While at
this time the fund cannot predict the degree of impact, it is possible that
foreign markets will be less prepared than U.S. ones. The fund's return could
be adversely affected as a result.
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As with any mutual fund, there can be no guarantee the fund will achieve its
objective.
3 The fund's share price may decline, so when you sell your shares, you may
lose money. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any
other government agency.
How can I tell if the fund is appropriate for me?
Consider your investment goals, your time horizon for achieving them, and
your tolerance for the inherent risk of fixed income investing. If you are
willing to accept the special risks associated with international investing
and the general risks of investing in fixed income securities to achieve
current income and potential capital growth, this fund could be appropriate
for you.
The fund can be used in both regular and tax-deferred accounts, such as IRAs.
3 The fund should not represent your complete investment program or be used
for short-term trading purposes.
How has the fund performed in the past?
The bar chart and the average annual total return table indicate risk by
illustrating how much returns can differ from one year to the next. The
fund's past performance is no guarantee of its future returns.
The fund can also experience short-term performance swings, as shown by the
best and worst calendar quarter returns during the years depicted in the
chart.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Calendar Year Total Returns
"91" "92" "93" "94" "95" "96" "97" "98"
--------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
11.31 3.26 11.15 -3.05 18.13 6.59 1.61 11.93
--------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Quarter ended Total return
Best quarter 3/31/95 7.82%
Worst quarter 3/31/97 -3.56%
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FUND PROFILE
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<TABLE>
Table 1 Average Annual Total Returns
<CAPTION>
Periods ended
December 31, 1998
Since inception
1 year 5 years (12/31/90)
----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Global Bond Fund 11.93% 6.78% 7.43%
J.P. Morgan Global Bond Index Plus 14.28 8.06 --
J.P. Morgan Global Gov't. Bond Index 15.32 8.08 9.41
(unhedged)
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</TABLE>
These figures include changes in principal value, reinvested dividends, and
capital gain distributions, if any.
What fees or expenses will I pay?
The fund is 100% no load. There are no fees or charges to buy or sell fund
shares, reinvest dividends, or exchange into other T. Rowe Price funds. There
are no 12b-1 fees.
<TABLE>
Table 2 Fees and Expenses of the Fund
<CAPTION>
Annual fund operating expenses
(expenses that are deducted from fund assets)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Management fee 0.67%/a/
Other expenses 0.76%
Total annual fund operating
expenses 1.43%/a/
Fee waiver/reimbursement
Net expenses 1.00%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
/a/Price-Fleming is contractually obligated to waive its fees and bear any
expenses to the extent such fees or expenses would cause the fund's ratios of
expenses to average net assets to exceed the indicated percentage
limitations. Fees waived or expenses paid or assumed are subject to
reimbursement to Price-Fleming by the fund through the indicated
reimbursement date, but no reimbursement will be made if it would result in
the fund's expense ratio exceeding its specified limit. A summary of the
fund's expense limitation and the periods for which it is effective is set
forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C> <C> <C> <S>
Limitation Period Expense Ratio Limitation Reimbursement Date
1/1/99-12/31/00 1.00% 12/31/02
</TABLE>
Previously, the fund operated under a 1.20% expense ratio limitation that
expired December 31, 1997. Effective January 1, 1998, Price-Fleming agreed
to extend the limitation period through December 31, 1998, and lower the
expense limitation to 1.00%. Fees waived or expenses assumed under these
agreements are subject to reimbursement to Price-Fleming by the fund
whenever the fund's expense ratio is below 1.00%. However, no
reimbursement will be made after December 31, 1999 (for the first
agreement), or December 31, 2000 (for the second agreement), or if it
would result in the expense ratio exceeding 1.00%.
Example. The following table gives you a rough idea of how expense ratios
may translate into dollars and helps you to compare the cost of investing in
this fund with that of other funds. Although your actual costs may be higher
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FUND PROFILE
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or lower, the table shows how much you would pay if operating expenses remain
the same, the expense limitation currently in place is not renewed, you
invest $10,000, you earn a 5% annual return, and you hold the investment for
the following periods:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$102 $366 $697 $1,637
----------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Who manages the fund?
The fund is managed by Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc., a joint
venture between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and the London-based Fleming
Group. Established in 1979, Price-Fleming manages investments for individual
and institutional accounts, including 12 no-load mutual funds sold directly
to the public.
The fund has an Investment Advisory Group with day-to-day responsibility for
managing the funds. The advisory group consists of Peter Askew, who joined
Price-Fleming in 1988 and has been managing multicurrency fixed income
portfolios since 1976; Christopher Rothery, who joined Price-Fleming in 1994
has been managing multicurrency fixed income portfolios since 1988; and
Michael Conelius, who joined Price-Fleming in 1995 and, prior to that, had
been with T. Rowe Price since 1988.
The following questions and answers about buying and selling shares and
services do not apply to employer-sponsored retirement plans. If you are a
participant in one of these plans, please call your plan's toll-free number for
additional information.
How can I purchase shares?
Fill out the New Account Form and return it with your check in the postpaid
envelope. The minimum initial purchase is $2,500 ($1,000 for IRAs and gifts
or transfers to minors). The minimum subsequent investment is $100 ($50 for
IRAs, gifts or transfers to minors, or Automatic Asset Builder). You can also
open an account by bank wire, by exchanging from another T. Rowe Price fund,
or by transferring assets from another financial institution.
How can I sell shares?
You may redeem or sell any portion of your account on any business day.
Simply write to us or call. You can also access your account at any time via
Tele*Access /(R)/ or our Web site. We offer convenient exchange among our
entire family of domestic and international funds. Restrictions may apply in
special circumstances, and some redemption requests need a signature
guarantee. A $5 fee is charged for wire redemptions under $5,000.
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FUND PROFILE
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When will I receive income and capital gain distributions?
The fund distributes income monthly and net capital gains, if any, at
year-end. For regular accounts, income and short-term gains are taxable at
ordinary income rates, and long-term gains are taxable at the capital gains
rate. Distributions are reinvested automatically in additional shares unless
you choose another option, such as receiving a check. Distributions paid to
IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are automatically reinvested.
What services are available?
A wide range, including but not limited to:
. retirement plans for individuals and large and small businesses;
. automated information and transaction services by telephone or computer;
. electronic transfers between fund and bank accounts;
. automatic investing and automatic exchange;
. brokerage services; and
. asset manager accounts.
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FUND PROFILE
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T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
www.troweprice.com
LOGO
RPS F51-035
T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., Distributor
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FUND PROFILE
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NEW ACCOUNT FORM (LOGO)
You may purchase shares of a T. Rowe Price fund after
reviewing the information in the profile or after requesting
and reviewing the fund's prospectus (and other information).
Please note: an IRA will not be established using this form.
If you want to open an IRA, call 1-800-638-5660 to request
an IRA New Account Form.
Mail this form to: T. Rowe Price
P.O. Box 17300, Baltimore, MD 21298-9353
For help with this form, call toll free 1-800-638-5660.
Please do not remove the mailing label from this form.
1 PROVIDE YOUR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Owner's or Minor's Social Security or Tax ID Number
(Use Minor's Social Security Number for Custodial Account)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Joint Owner's or Custodian's Social Security or Tax ID Number
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2 DESIGNATE TYPE OF ACCOUNT AND OWNER NAME(S)
Please print in CAPITAL LETTERS. Choose one:
__ Individual or Joint Account.*
*Joint tenancy with right of survivorship unless you instruct otherwise.
Owner's Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
________________________________
Title: Mr. Ms. Mrs. Dr.
Joint Owner's Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
________________________________
Title: Mr. Ms. Mrs. Dr.
__ Custodial Account.
Uniform Gift or Transfer to Minors Act (UGMA or UTMA)
Custodian's Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
________________________________
Minor's Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
________________________________
State of Residence (Minor's or Custodian's)
________________________________
__ Trust, Corporation, Business, or Other Entity Account.*
*Please attach the first and last pages of the trust agreement or a copy
of
the corporate resolution.
Name of Trust, Corporation, or Other Entity
_________________________________________________________
Trustee Names or Type of Entity
________________________________________________________
Name of Trust Beneficiary (Optional) Date of Trust Agreement
________________ __-__-__
month day year
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FUND PROFILE
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__ Check this box if your organization is incorporated or tax-exempt under
Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a qualified retirement plan
under Section 401(a), or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7),
and
you DO NOT want us to file information returns on your behalf.
3 PROVIDE YOUR ADDRESS
Street Address or P.O. Box
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
City State
____________________ __
ZIP Code
_ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
4 PROVIDE OTHER ACCOUNT DATA
Daytime Phone Ext.
_ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Evening Phone Ext.
_ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Date of Birth (Owner/Minor)
Date of Birth (Joint Owner/Custodian)
_ _ - _ _ - _ _ _ _ - _ _ - _ _
month day year month day year
__ U.S. Citizen __ Resident Alien
__ Nonresident Alien. My permanent foreign address for tax purposes is:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Owner's Occupation / Employer Name (Optional)
_____________________________________
Employer Address (Optional)
__________________________________________________________________________
5 SELECT YOUR FUND(S)
Please print the fund name(s) exactly as listed inside the Investment Kit you
received with this form. Fill in the amount of your investment for each fund.
The minimum initial investment is $2,500 per fund ($1,000 for UGMAs/UTMAs)
but is waived if you use Automatic Asset Builder (see Sections 6 and 7E).
Fund Name Amount
__________________________________ $________
Fund Name Amount
__________________________________ $________
Fund Name Amount
__________________________________ $________
Fund Name Amount
__________________________________ $________
Total Investment$________
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FUND PROFILE
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6 CHOOSE YOUR INVESTMENT METHOD
A. __ By check.
Make payable to T. Rowe Price Funds. (Otherwise it may be returned.)
B. __ By Automatic Asset Builder.
See Section 7E for instructions.
C. __ By wire.
Please call 1-800-225-5132 for the following information and wiring
instructions:
Account Number
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - _
Date of Wire
_ _ - _ _ - _ _
month day year
(over, please)
7 SELECT YOUR ACCOUNT SERVICE OPTIONS
A. TO RECEIVE YOUR DISTRIBUTIONS
Your dividends and capital gains will be reinvested unless you indicate
------
otherwise.
__ Pay dividends and capital gains to me by check.
__ Transfer dividends and capital gains to my bank account.
(Please complete Section 7C if you elect this option.)
__ Pay dividends to me by check and reinvest capital gains.
B. TO EXCHANGE AND REDEEM FUND SHARES
You can use the telephone or your personal computer to check your account
balance, redeem shares, or make exchanges among any identically registered
accounts unless you check the boxes below.
------
__ I do NOT want telephone/computer exchange.
__ I do NOT want telephone/computer redemption.
C. TO MAKE TRANSFERS BETWEEN YOUR BANK AND T. ROWE PRICE
This service makes purchasing or redeeming fund shares even more convenient.
Simply call a T. Rowe Price representative or Tele*Access (R) and your
transaction
will be processed by electronically moving money between your bank
account and your mutual fund accounts.
Transfers occur only when you initiate them ($100 minimum) and are made
through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network or by wire.* This service
becomes available approximately 20 days after your application is
processed. Since you initiate transfers by phone or computer, be sure that
you did not decline the phone/computer redemption service above.
__ Check this box to set up this service. YOU MUST ALSO ATTACH A BLANK,
VOIDED CHECK (other than your investment check) from your bank
account to this form.
Any co-owner of your bank account who is not a co-owner of
---
your mutual fund account must sign below.
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FUND PROFILE
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X___________________________________________
Bank Account Co-owner's Signature
*There is a $5 fee for wire redemptions under $5,000 but no fee for ACH
transactions.
ATTACH VOIDED CHECK HERE
D. TO SET UP CHECKWRITING
You can write checks for $500 or more on all T. Rowe Price money market and
bond fund accounts (except the High Yield and Emerging Markets Bond funds).
Those authorized to write checks should read the checking agreement and sign
below.
By signing this form, I agree to all of State Street Bank's checking account
rules, and to any conditions and limitations on redeeming checks from the
T. Rowe Price Funds. I also agree that:
(1) This form applies to any other identically registered T. Rowe Price
fund checking account I establish later;
(2) If I am subject to IRS backup withholding, I may write checks only on
money fund accounts;
(3) State Street Bank and the Fund reserve the right to change, revoke, or
close any checking account;
(4) The signatures are authentic, and, for organizations, I have submitted
an original or certified resolution authorizing the individuals with legal
capacity to sign and act on behalf of the organization.
(Do not detach this section from the rest of the form.)
_____________________________________________________
Fund Name Fund Name
_____________________________________________________
Print Name of Owner, Custodian, or Trustee
X___________________________________________________
Signature Date
_____________________________________________________
Print Name of Joint Owner, Co-trustee, Corporate Officer, etc.
X___________________________________________________
Signature Date
How many signatures do you require on checks?
__ Only one owner __ All owners
G00-008 6/30/98
E. TO SET UP AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER
This service allows you to automatically invest in your fund account through
your
bank account and/or payroll deduction each month (minimum $50 per fund).
___ Check this box to invest from your bank account.
Be sure to complete Section 7C and fill in the information below.
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Fund Name
__________________________________________________________________________
Amount Day of Month You Would Like to Invest
__________________________________ ____
Fund Name
__________________________________________________________________________
Amount Day of Month You Would Like to Invest
_____________________ ___
Fund Name
__________________________________________________________________________
Amount Day of Month You Would Like to Invest
_____________________ ___
Fund Name
__________________________________________________________________________
Amount Day of Month You Would Like to Invest
_____________________ ___
____ Check this box to invest through payroll deduction.
T. Rowe Price will mail you instructions for this service.
8 SIGN YOUR NEW ACCOUNT FORM
By signing this form, I certify that:
- - I agree to be bound by the terms of the prospectus for each fund in which
I am investing. If I am purchasing shares after reviewing a fund profile, I
understand that I will receive the prospectus after I purchase shares in the
fund. I have the authority and legal capacity to purchase mutual fund shares,
am of legal age in my state, and believe each investment is suitable for me.
- - I authorize T. Rowe Price, the Funds, their affiliates and agents to act on
any
instructions believed to be genuine for any service authorized on this form,
including telephone/computer services. The Funds use reasonable procedures
(including shareholder identity verification) to confirm that instructions
given by telephone/computer are genuine, and the Funds are not liable for
acting on these instructions. (If these procedures are not followed, it is the
opinion of certain regulatory agencies that the Funds may be liable for any
loss that may result from acting on instructions given.) I understand that
anyone who can properly identify my account(s) can make phone/computer
transactions on my behalf.
- - The Funds can redeem shares from my account(s) to reimburse a fund for
any loss due to nonpayment or other indebtedness.
- - By selecting the electronic transfer service in Section 7C, I hereby authorize
T. Rowe Price to initiate credit and debit entries to my (our) account at the
Financial Institution indicated and for the Financial Institution to credit or
debit the same to such account through the Automated Clearing House
(ACH) system, subject to the rules of the Financial Institution, ACH, and the
Fund. T. Rowe Price may correct any transaction error with a debit or credit
to my Financial Institution account and/or Fund account. THIS AUTHORIZATION,
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FUND PROFILE
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including any credit or debit entries initiated thereunder, is in full
force and effect until I notify T. Rowe Price of its revocation by telephone
or in writing and T. Rowe Price has had sufficient time to act on it.
- - Under penalties of perjury, the tax identification number(s) shown on
this form is correct. If I fail to give the correct number or fail to sign this
form, T. Rowe Price may reject, restrict, or redeem my investment. I may
also be subject to IRS backup withholding (currently 31%) on all
distributions and redemptions, and I may be subject to a $50 IRS penalty.
- - Under penalties of perjury, I am NOT subject to IRS backup withholding
because 1) I have not been notified, or 2) notification has been revoked
(cross out "NOT" if you are currently subject to withholding), or 3) I have
indicated in Section 4 that I am a nonresident alien and certify that for
dividends I am not a U.S. citizen or resident (or I am filing for a foreign
corporation, partnership, estate, or trust).
- - For clarification on any of these certification issues, please contact us for
assistance.
- - The IRS does not require your consent to any provision of this document
other than the certifications required to avoid backup withholding.
PLEASE SIGN HERE
X__________________________________________________
Signature of Owner, Custodian, or Trustee Date
X__________________________________________________
Signature of Joint Owner, Co-trustee, Corporate Officer, etc. Date
Thank you for your investment. You will receive a confirmation shortly.
8
0142
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