<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.17a
VOTE THIS PROXY CARD TODAY! YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE WILL SAVE
THE EXPENSE OF ADDITIONAL MAILINGS
\/ Please fold and detach card at perforation before mailing \/
SMITH BARNEY SECTOR SERIES INC. ON BEHALF
OF SMITH BARNEY NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
MEETING: November 22, 2000 AT __ [A.M./P.M.] PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
</TABLE>
The undersigned holder of shares of Smith Barney Natural Resources Fund
(the "Acquired Fund"), a series of Smith Barney Sector Series Inc. ("Sector
Series"), hereby appoints Heath B. McLendon, Christina T. Sydor and Mike Kocur,
attorneys and proxies for the undersigned with full powers of substitution and
revocation, to represent the undersigned and to vote on behalf of the
undersigned all shares of the Acquired Fund that the undersigned is entitled to
vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Acquired Fund to be held at,
7 Word Trade Center, New York, New York _____ at _:__ [A.M./P.M.], and any
adjournment or adjournments thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt
of the Notice of Special Meeting and Prospectus/Proxy Statement dated ______,
2000 and hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote said shares as
indicated herein. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon
such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting. A majority
of the proxies present and acting at the Special Meeting in person or by
substitute (or, if only one shall be so present, then that one) shall have and
may exercise all of the power and authority of said proxies hereunder. The
undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY
in the enclosed envelope
Date:____________________________________
Note: Please sign exactly as your name appears on
this Proxy. If joint owners, EITHER may sign this
Proxy. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian or corporate
officer, please give your full title.
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
Signature(s) Title(s), if applicable
<PAGE>
\/ Please fold and detach card at perforation before mailing \/
Please indicate your vote by an "X" in the appropriate box below. This
proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the
undersigned shareholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR
APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
1. To approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization providing for (i)
the acquisition of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund in exchange for shares
of the corresponding class of Smith Barney Fundamental Value Fund Inc. (the
"Acquiring Fund"), and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the stated
liabilities of the Acquired Fund, (ii) the distribution to shareholders of the
Acquired Fund of such shares of the Acquiring Fund in liquidation of the
Acquired Fund and the cancellation of the Acquired Fund's outstanding shares and
(iii) the subsequent termination of the Acquired Fund as a series of Sector
Series.
2. To transact any other business which may properly come before the
Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
NOTE: your proxy is not valid unless it is signed on the reverse side.
----------------------------------------------------------------------