PILGRIM(R)
---------------------------
FUNDS FOR SERIOUS INVESTORS
Prospectus
Classes: A, B, C, M and T
July 31, 2000
U.S. EQUITY FUNDS
Pilgrim MagnaCap
Pilgrim Growth and Income
Pilgrim LargeCap Leaders
Pilgrim Research Enhanced Index
Pilgrim Growth Opportunities
Pilgrim LargeCap Growth
Pilgrim MidCap Value
Pilgrim MidCap Opportunities
Pilgrim MidCap Growth
Pilgrim Growth + Value
Pilgrim SmallCap Opportunities
Pilgrim SmallCap Growth
Pilgrim Bank and Thrift
EQUITY & INCOME FUNDS
Pilgrim Balanced
Pilgrim Convertible
This prospectus contains important
information about investing in the
Pilgrim Funds. You should read it
carefully before you invest, and keep
it for future reference. Please note
that your investment: is not a bank
deposit, is not insured or guaranteed
by the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board
or any other government agency and is
affected by market fluctuations. There
is no guarantee that the Funds will
achieve their objectives. As with all
mutual funds, the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) has not
approved or disapproved these
securities nor has the SEC judged
whether the information in this
prospectus is accurate or adequate.
Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
WHAT'S INSIDE
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[GRAPHIC]
OBJECTIVE These pages contain a description of each of our
Funds included in this prospectus, including its
[GRAPHIC] objective, investment strategy and risks.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
You'll also find:
[GRAPHIC]
RISKS How the Fund has performed. A chart that shows the
Fund's financial performance for the past ten
years (or since inception, if shorter).
[GRAPHIC]
HOW THE What you pay to invest. A list of the fees and
FUND HAS expenses you pay -- both directly and indirectly
PERFORMED -- when you invest in a Fund.
An Introduction to the
Pilgrim Funds 1
Funds At A Glance 2
U.S. EQUITY FUNDS
Pilgrim MagnaCap 4
Pilgrim Growth and Income 6
Pilgrim LargeCap Leaders 8
Pilgrim Research Enhanced Index 10
Pilgrim Growth Opportunities 12
Pilgrim LargeCap Growth 14
Pilgrim MidCap Value 16
Pilgrim MidCap Opportunities 18
Pilgrim MidCap Growth 20
Pilgrim Growth + Value 22
Pilgrim SmallCap Opportunities 24
Pilgrim SmallCap Growth 26
Pilgrim Bank and Thrift 28
EQUITY & INCOME FUNDS
Pilgrim Balanced 30
Pilgrim Convertible 32
What You Pay to Invest 34
Shareholder Guide 39
Management of the Funds 46
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes 49
More Information About Risks 50
Financial Highlights 53
Where To Go For More Information Back cover
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION TO THE
PILGRIM FUNDS
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Risk is the potential that your investment will lose money or not earn as much
as you hope. All mutual funds have varying degrees of risk, depending on the
securities they invest in. Please read this prospectus carefully to be sure you
understand the principal risks and strategies associated with each of our Funds.
You should consult the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) for a complete
list of the risks and strategies.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions about the Pilgrim Funds, please call your financial
consultant or us at 1-800-992-0180.
This prospectus is designed to help you make informed decisions about your
investments.
U.S. EQUITY FUNDS
Pilgrim's U.S. Equity Funds focus on long-term growth by investing primarily in
domestic equities.
They may suit you if you:
* are investing for the long-term -- at least several years
* are willing to accept higher risk in exchange for long-term growth.
EQUITY AND INCOME FUNDS
Pilgrim's Equity and Income Funds seek income and growth of capital.
They may suit you if you:
* want both regular income and capital appreciation
* are looking for growth potential, but don't feel comfortable with the level
of risk associated with the Equity Funds.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
1
<PAGE>
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Funds
At A
Glance
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This table is a summary of the objectives, main investments and risks of each
Pilgrim Fund. It is designed to help you understand the differences between the
Funds, the main risks associated with each, and how risk and investment
objectives relate. This table is only a summary. You should read the complete
descriptions of each Fund's investment objectives, strategies and risks, which
begin on page 4.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
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<S> <C> <C>
U.S. Equity MagnaCap Fund Growth of capital, with dividend
Funds Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc. income as a secondary consideration
Growth and Income Fund Long-term capital appreciation, with
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc. income as a secondary objective
LargeCap Leaders Fund Long-term capital appreciation
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
Research Enhanced Index Fund Capital appreciation
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
Sub-Adviser: J.P. Morgan
Investment Management Inc.
Growth Opportunities Fund Long-term growth of capital
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
LargeCap Growth Fund Long-term capital appreciation
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
Sub-Adviser: Nicholas-Applegate Capital Mgt.
MidCap Value Fund Long-term capital appreciation
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
MidCap Opportunities Fund Long-term capital appreciation
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
MidCap Growth Fund Long-term capital appreciation
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
Growth + Value Fund Capital appreciation
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
Sub-Adviser: Navellier Fund
Management, Inc.
SmallCap Opportunities Fund Capital appreciation
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
SmallCap Growth Fund Long-term capital appreciation
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
Bank and Thrift Fund Long-term capital appreciation, with
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc. income as a secondary objective
Equity & Balanced Fund Long-term capital appreciation and
Income Funds Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc. current income
Convertible Fund Total return, consisting of capital
Adviser: Pilgrim Investments, Inc. appreciation and current income
Sub-Adviser: Nicholas-Applegate Capital Mgt.
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
MAIN INVESTMENTS MAIN RISKS
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Equity securities that meet Price volatility and other risks that
disciplined selection criteria accompany an investment in equity securities.
designed to identify companies
capable of paying rising
dividends
Equity securities of large, Price volatility and other risks that
ably managed, and accompany an investment in equity securities.
well-financed U.S. companies
Equity securities of large Price volatility and other risks that
U.S. companies believed to be accompany an investment in equity securities.
leaders in their industries
Equity securities of large Price volatility and other risks that
U.S. companies that make up accompany an investment in equity securities.
the S&P 500 Index
Equity securities of large, Price volatility and other risks that
medium, and small U.S. accompany an investment in growth-oriented
companies believed to have equity securities.
growth potential
Equity securities of large Price volatility and other risks that
U.S. companies believed to accompany an investment in growth-oriented
have growth potential equity securities.
Equity securities of Price volatility and other risks that
medium-sized U.S. companies accompany an investment in equity securities
that meet disciplined of medium-sized companies. Particularly
selection criteria designed to sensitive to price swings during periods of
identify companies with prices economic uncertainty.
below their long-term value
Equity securities of Price volatility and other risks that
medium-sized U.S. companies accompany an investment in equity securities
believed to have growth of growth-oriented and medium-sized
potential companies. Particularly sensitive to price
swings during periods of economic
uncertainty.
Equity securities of Price volatility and other risks that
medium-sized U.S. companies accompany an investment in equity securities
believed to have growth of medium-sized companies. Particularly
potential sensitive to price swings during periods of
economic uncertainty.
Equity securities of Price volatility and other risks that
small-sized U.S. companies accompany an investment in equity securities
of growth-oriented and small-sized companies.
Particularly sensitive to price swings during
periods of economic uncertainty.
Equity securities of Price volatility and other risks that
small-sized U.S. companies accompany an investment in equity securities
believed to have growth of growth-oriented and small-sized companies.
potential Particularly sensitive to price swings during
periods of economic uncertainty.
Equity securities of Price volatility and other risks that
small-sized U.S. companies accompany an investment in equity securities
believed to have growth of growth-oriented and small-sized companies.
potential Particularly sensitive to price swings during
periods of economic uncertainty.
Equity securities of banks and Price volatility and other risks that
thrifts or their holding or accompany an investment in equity securities.
parent companies, and savings Susceptible to risks of decline in the price
accounts of mutual thrifts of securities concentrated in the banking and
thrift industries.
A mix of equity and debt Price volatility and other risks that
securities accompany an investment in equity securities.
Credit, interest rate and other risks that
accompany an investment in debt securities.
Convertible securities of Price volatility and other risks that
companies of various sizes, as accompany an investment in equity securities.
well as equities, and Credit, interest rate, liquidity and other
high-yield debt risks that accompany an investment in debt
securities,and lower quality debt securities.
3
<PAGE>
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U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
PILGRIM MAGNACAP FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
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OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks growth of capital, with dividend income as a secondary
consideration.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund is managed with the philosophy that companies that can best meet the
Fund's objectives have paid increasing dividends or have had the capability to
pay rising dividends from their operations. The Fund normally invests at least
65% of its assets in equity securities of companies that meet the following
disciplined criteria:
Consistent Dividends -- A company must have paid or had the financial capability
from its operations to pay a dividend in eight out of the last 10 years.
Substantial Dividend Increases -- A company must have increased its dividends or
had the financial capability from its operations to have increased its dividends
at least 100% over the past 10 years.
Reinvested Earnings -- Dividend payout must be less than 65% of current
earnings.
Strong Balance Sheet -- Long term debt should be no more than 25% of the
company's total capitalization or a company's bonds must be rated at least A- or
A-3.
Attractive Price -- A company's current share price should be in the lower half
of the stock's price/earnings ratio range for the past ten years, or the ratio
of the share price to its anticipated future earnings must be an attractive
value in relation to the average for its industry peer group or that of the
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index (S&P 500 Index).
The equity securities in which the Fund may invest include common stocks,
convertible securities, and rights or warrants. Normally, the Fund's investments
are primarily in larger companies that are included in the largest 500 U.S.
companies. The remainder of the Fund's assets may be invested in equity
securities that the adviser believes have growth potential because they
represent an attractive value.
In selecting securities for the Fund, preservation of capital is also an
important consideration. Although the Fund normally will be invested as fully as
practicable in equity securities, assets that are not invested in equity
securities may be invested in high quality debt securities. The Fund may invest
up to 5% of its assets, measured at the time of investment, in foreign
securities.
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RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the value
securities that meet the Fund's disciplined investment criteria. Rather, the
market could favor growth-oriented stocks or small company stocks, or may not
favor equities at all.
Debt securities -- the value of debt securities may fall when interest rates
rise. Debt securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to
changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than debt
securities with shorter maturities.
Credit Risk -- the Fund could lose money if the issuer of a debt security is
unable to meet its financial obligations or goes bankrupt. This is especially
true during periods of economic uncertainty or economic downturns.
Risks of Foreign Investing -- foreign investments may be riskier than U.S.
investments for many reasons, including changes in currency exchange rates,
unstable political and economic conditions, a lack of adequate company
information, differences in the way securities markets operate, less secure
foreign banks or securities depositories than those in the U.S., and foreign
controls on investment.
4 Pilgrim MagnaCap Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM MAGNACAP FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
-3.11 25.28 8.02 9.25 4.15 35.22 18.51 27.73 16.09 12.20
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1998: up 18.93%
3rd quarter 1990: down 15.99%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was down 2.58%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of a broad measure of market
performance -- the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.
Average Annual Total Returns(2)
S&P
500
Class A(3) Class B(4) Class M(5) Index(6)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 5.77 6.46 7.74 21.04
Five years, ended
December 31, 1999 % 20.24 N/A N/A 28.54
Ten years, ended
December 31, 1999 % 14.13 N/A N/A 18.19
Since inception(7) % N/A 18.74 18.32 26.23
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Class C shares of the Fund did not have a full year's performance during
the year ended December 31, 1999.
(3) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(4) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 2%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(5) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 3.5%.
(6) The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of
securities of approximately 500 large-capitalization U.S. companies.
(7) Classes B and M commenced operations on July 17, 1995.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim MagnaCap Fund 5
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
PILGRIM GROWTH AND INCOME FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund's principal investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.
Income is a secondary objective.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in common stocks of U.S.
companies, which may include dividend paying securities and securities
convertible into shares of common stock. The Fund seeks to invest in large, ably
managed and well financed companies. The investment approach is to identify high
quality companies with good earnings and price momentum which sell at attractive
valuations.
The Fund may invest the remaining 35% of its assets in foreign securities and
smaller capitalization companies.
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RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. The Fund invests primarily in equity
securities of larger companies, which sometimes have more stable prices than
smaller companies. The Fund also may invest in small and medium-sized companies,
which may be more susceptible to price swings because they have fewer financial
resources, more limited product and market diversification, and many are
dependent on a few key managers.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the large
company value securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the market could
favor growth-oriented stocks or small company stocks, or may not favor equities
at all.
Inability to Sell Securities -- securities of smaller companies trade in lower
volume and may be less liquid than securities of larger, more established
companies. The Fund could lose money if it cannot sell a security at the time
and price that would be most beneficial to the Fund.
Risks of Foreign Investing -- foreign investments may be riskier than U.S.
investments for many reasons, including changes in currency exchange rates,
unstable political and economic conditions, a lack of adequate company
information, differences in the way securities markets operate, less secure
foreign banks or securities depositories than those in the U.S., and foreign
controls on investment.
6 Pilgrim Growth and Income Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)(2)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
-10.27 24.87 12.36 13.22 -3.11 22.57 26.46 30.36 21.42 15.54
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1998: up 21.95%
3rd quarter 1990: down -14.87%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was up 1.74%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of a broad measure of market
performance -- the S&P 500 Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
S&P
500
Class A(3)(4) Index(5)
------------- --------
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 8.90 21.04
Five years, ended
December 31, 1999 % 21.72 28.56
Ten years, ended
December 31, 1999 % 13.94 18.21
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(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Prior to July 26, 2000, Lexington Management Corporation served as the
adviser to the Fund and the Fund's shares were sold on a no-load basis.
Effective July 31, 2000, the Fund's outstanding shares were classified as
"Class A" shares.
(3) This table shows the performance of the Class A shares of the Fund. Class B
and Class C shares were not offered during the period ended December 31,
1999.
(4) Reflects a deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(5) The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of
securities of approximately 500 large-capitalization U.S. companies.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Growth and Income Fund 7
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
PILGRIM LARGECAP LEADERS FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities
of large U.S. companies that the adviser believes are leaders in their
industries. The portfolio managers consider whether these companies have a
sustainable competitive edge.
The portfolio managers emphasize a value approach, and seek securities whose
prices in relation to projected earnings are believed to be reasonable in
comparison to the market. For this Fund, a company with a market capitalization
(outstanding shares multiplied by price per share) of over $5 billion is
considered to be a large company, although the Fund may also invest to a limited
degree in companies that have a market capitalization between $1 billion and $5
billion.
The equity securities in which the Fund may invest include common stock,
convertible securities, preferred stock, American Depositary Receipts, and
warrants. The Fund normally invests as fully as practicable (at least 80%) in
equity securities.
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RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. The Fund invests primarily in equity
securities of larger companies, which sometimes have more stable prices than
smaller companies. The Fund also may invest in small and medium-sized companies,
which may be more susceptible to price swings because they have fewer financial
resources, more limited product and market diversification, and many are
dependent on a few key managers.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the large
company value securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the market could
favor growth-oriented stocks or small company stocks, or may not favor equities
at all.
Inability to Sell Securities -- securities of smaller companies trade in lower
volume and may be less liquid than securities of larger, more established
companies. The Fund could lose money if it cannot sell a security at the time
and price that would be most beneficial to the Fund.
8 Pilgrim LargeCap Leaders Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM LARGECAP LEADERS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)(2)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
21.07 20.15 20.08 18.94
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1998: up 24.11%
3rd quarter 1998: down 12.86%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was down 3.35%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of a broad measure of market
performance -- the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.
Average Annual Total Returns(3)
S&P
500
Class A(4) Class B(5) Class M(6) Index(7)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 12.12 13.19 14.10 21.04
Since inception(8) % 18.68 19.18 18.73 26.99
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Prior to November 1, 1998, the Fund's investment policies were different in
that they emphasized large company value stocks without necessarily
emphasizing industry leaders. Pilgrim Investments has been the Fund's
investment adviser since the Fund commenced operations; however, prior to
November 1, 1997, the Fund was managed by a sub-adviser.
(3) Class C shares of the Fund did not have a full year's performance during
the year ended December 31, 1999.
(4) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(5) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 2%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(6) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 3.5%.
(7) The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of
securities of approximately 500 large-capitalization U.S. companies.
(8) The Fund commenced operations on September 1, 1995.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim LargeCap Leaders Fund 9
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
Sub-Adviser
J.P. Morgan Investment
PILGRIM RESEARCH ENHANCED INDEX FUND Management Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund invests primarily in large companies that make up the S&P 500 Index.
Based on extensive research regarding projected company earnings and dividends,
a valuation model ranks companies in each industry group according to their
relative value. Using this valuation model, the portfolio managers select stocks
for the Fund. Within each industry, the Fund modestly overweights stocks that
are ranked as undervalued or fairly valued while modestly underweighting or not
holding stocks that appear overvalued. Industry by industry, the Fund's assets
are invested so that the Fund's industry sector allocations and market cap
weightings closely parallel those of the S&P 500 Index.
By owning a large number of stocks within the S&P 500 Index, with an emphasis on
those that appear undervalued or fairly valued, and by tracking the industry
weightings and other characteristics of that index, the Fund seeks returns that
modestly exceed those of the S&P 500 Index over the long term with virtually the
same level of volatility.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total
assets in common stocks included in the S&P 500 Index. It may also invest in
other common stocks not included in the S&P 500 Index. The Fund may also invest
in certain higher-risk investments, including derivatives (generally these
investments will be limited to S&P 500 Index options).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. The Fund invests primarily in equity
securities of larger companies, which sometimes have more stable prices than
smaller companies. The portfolio managers try to remain fully invested in
companies included in the S&P 500 Index, and generally do not change this
strategy even temporarily, which could make the Fund more susceptible to poor
market conditions.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the large
company securities that are ranked as undervalued or fairly valued in which the
Fund invests. Rather, the market could favor small company stocks, growth-
oriented stocks, or may not favor equities at all.
Risks of Using Derivatives -- derivatives are subject to the risk of changes in
the market price of the security and the risk of loss due to changes in interest
rates. The use of certain derivatives may also have a leveraging effect, which
may increase the volatility of the Fund. The use of derivatives may reduce
returns for the Fund.
10 Pilgrim Research Enhanced Index Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM RESEARCH ENHANCED INDEX FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Return (%)(1)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
18.59
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1999: up 12.41%
3rd quarter 1999: down 6.39%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was down 1.88%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of a broad measure of market
performance -- the Standard and Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.
Average Annual Total Return
S&P
500
Class A(2) Class B(3) Class C(4) Index(5)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------
One year, ended
December 31, 1999(6) % 11.78 12.89 16.99 21.04
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31, 1999. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%
(3) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% for the 1 year return.
(4) Reflects deduction of a deferred sales charge of 1% for the 1 year return.
(5) The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of
securities of approximately 500 large-capitalization U.S. companies.
(6) The Fund commenced operations on December 30, 1998.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Research Enhanced Index Fund 11
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
PILGRIM GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund invests primarily in common stock of U.S. companies that the portfolio
manager feels have above average prospects for growth.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total
assets in securities purchased on the basis of the potential for capital
appreciation. These securities may be from large-cap, mid-cap or small-cap
companies.
The portfolio managers use a "top down" disciplined investment process, which
includes extensive database screening, frequent fundamental research,
identification and implementation of a trend-oriented approach in structuring
the portfolio and a sell discipline. The portfolio managers seek to invest in
companies expected to benefit most from major social, economic and technological
trends that are likely to shape the future of business and commerce over the
next three to five years, and attempt to provide a framework for identifying the
industries and companies expected to benefit most. This top down approach is
combined with rigorous fundamental research (a bottom-up approach) to guide
stock selection and portfolio structure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. This Fund invests in companies that the
portfolio manager feels have the potential for rapid growth, which may give the
Fund a higher risk of price volatility than a Fund that emphasizes other styles,
such as a value-oriented style. The Fund may invest in small and medium-sized
companies, which may be more susceptible to price swings than larger companies
because they have fewer financial resources, more limited product and market
diversification and many are dependent on a few key managers.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the growth
securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the market could favor
value-oriented stocks, or may not favor equities at all.
Inability to Sell Securities -- securities of smaller companies trade in lower
volume and may be less liquid than securities of larger, more established
companies. The Fund could lose money if it cannot sell a security at the time
and price that would be most beneficial to the Fund.
12 Pilgrim Growth Opportunities Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's shares from year to
year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
-5.24 38.10 8.05 10.36 -7.66 24.40 20.54 23.59 23.61 93.26
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1999: up 39.10%
3rd quarter 1998: down 15.25%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was up 0.76%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of a broad measure of market
performance -- the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P
500
Class A(2) Class B(3) Class C(4) Class T(5) Index(6)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 82.14 86.84 90.90 87.72 21.04
Five years, ended
December 31, 1999 % N/A N/A N/A 33.98 28.54
Ten years, ended
December 31, 1999 % N/A N/A N/A 20.05 18.19
Since inception of
Classes A, B, and C(7) % 33.48 34.17 34.34 N/A 26.94
Since inception of
Class T(7) % N/A N/A N/A 17.86 18.13 (8)
</TABLE>
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did. The figures shown for 1996 to 1999
provide performance for Class A shares of the Fund. The figures shown for
the years 1990 to 1995 provide performance for Class T shares of the Fund.
Class T shares would have substantially similar annual returns as the Class
A shares because the classes are invested in the same portfolio of
securities. Annual returns would differ only to the extent Class A shares
and Class T shares have different expenses.
(2) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%
(3) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 2%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(4) Reflects deduction of a deferred sales charge of 1% for the 1 year return.
(5) Reflects deduction of a deferred sales charge of 4% for the 1 year return.
(6) The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of
securities of approximately 500 large-capitalization U.S. companies.
(7) Classes A, B and C commenced operations on June 5, 1995. Class T commenced
operations on February 3, 1986.
(8) Index return is for the period beginning February 1, 1986.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Growth Opportunities Fund 13
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
Sub-Adviser
Nicholas-Applegate
PILGRIM LARGECAP GROWTH FUND Capital Management
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities
of large U.S. companies. The equity securities in which the Fund may invest
include common and preferred stocks, warrants, and convertible securities.
The Sub-Adviser emphasizes a growth approach by searching for successful,
growing companies that are managing change advantageously and poised to exceed
growth expectations. It focuses on a "bottom-up" analysis that evaluates the
financial condition and competitiveness of individual companies. It uses a blend
of traditional fundamental research of individual securities and a computer
intensive ranking system that analyzes and ranks securities. The Sub-Adviser
seeks to uncover signs of "change at the margin" -- positive business
developments which are not yet fully reflected in a company's stock price.
In analyzing specific companies for possible investment, the Sub-Adviser
ordinarily looks for several of the following characteristics: above-average per
share earnings growth; high return on invested capital; a healthy balance sheet;
sound financial and accounting policies and overall financial strength; strong
competitive advantages; effective research and product development and
marketing; development of new technologies; efficient service; pricing
flexibility; strong management; and general operating characteristics that will
enable the companies to compete successfully in their respective markets. The
Sub-Adviser usually considers whether to sell a particular security when any of
those factors materially changes.
The Fund considers a company to be large if its market capitalization
corresponds at the time of purchase to the upper 90% of the Russell 1000 Growth
Index. The market capitalization of companies held by the Fund as of March 31,
2000 ranged from $2.7 billion to $507.3 billion. Capitalization of companies in
the Index will change with market conditions.
The Fund may also lend portfolio securities on a short-term or long-term basis,
up to 30% of its total assets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. This Fund invests in companies that the
Sub-Adviser believes have the potential for rapid growth, which may give the
Fund a higher risk of price volatility than a Fund that emphasizes other styles,
such as a value-oriented style. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities
of larger companies, which sometimes have more stable prices than smaller
companies.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the large
company, growth-oriented securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the
market could favor value stocks or small company stocks, or may not favor
equities at all.
Securities Lending -- There is the risk that when lending portfolio securities,
the securities may not be available to the Fund on a timely basis and the Fund
may, therefore, lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable
price.
14 Pilgrim LargeCap Growth Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM LARGECAP GROWTH FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)(2)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
59.45 96.41
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1999: up 45.04%
3rd quarter 1998: down 8.50%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was up 6.86%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of a broad measure of market
performance -- the Russell 1000 Growth Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
Russell
1000
Growth
Class A(3) Class B(4) Class C(5) Index(6)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 85.11 90.23 94.18 33.16
Since inception(7) % 60.23 62.51 63.11 29.05
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Prior to May 24, 1999, Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management was the
adviser, rather than sub-adviser, to the Fund.
(3) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(4) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 3%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(5) Reflects deduction of a deferred sales charge of 1% for the 1 year return.
(6) The Russell 1000 Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of those companies among the Russell 1000 Index with higher
than average price-to-book ratios and forecasted growth.
(7) The Fund commenced operations on July 21, 1997.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim LargeCap Growth Fund 15
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
PILGRIM MIDCAP VALUE FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund normally invests as fully as practicable (at least 80% of its assets)
in equity securities of medium-sized U.S. companies. The Fund will normally
invest at least 65% of its assets in equity securities of companies that meet
the following disciplined criteria, which are intended to identify companies
that are attractive values:
Consistent Dividends -- The company must have paid or had the financial
capability from its operations to pay a dividend in its last five fiscal years.
Strong Balance Sheet -- If the company has debt that is rated, that debt is
rated investment grade by a nationally recognized rating agency. If the company
does not have debt that is rated, the company's long-term debt to capitalization
ratio is below 25%.
Reinvested Earnings -- The company currently pays out in dividends less than 65%
of current earnings, or less than the dividend payout as a percentage of current
earnings of at least half of the medium-sized companies in similar industries.
Attractive Price -- The ratio of the stock's price to the next fiscal year's
anticipated earnings is less than the corresponding ratio for at least half of
the medium-sized companies in similar industries.
The Fund considers a company to be medium-sized if it has a market
capitalization between $1 billion and $8 billion. The equity securities in which
the Fund may invest include common stock, convertible securities, preferred
stock and warrants.
PENDING MERGER -- Subject to shareholder approval, the Fund's Board of Directors
has approved the reorganization of the Fund into Pilgrim MagnaCap Fund. You
could therefore ultimately hold shares of that fund.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. The Fund invests in medium-sized
companies, which may be more susceptible to price swings than larger companies,
but usually tend to have less volatile price swings than smaller companies.
Securities of medium-size companies may be more susceptible to price swings than
larger companies because they have fewer financial resources, more limited
product and market diversification and many are dependent on a few key managers.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the mid-cap
value securities that meet the Fund's disciplined investment criteria. Rather,
the market could favor growth-oriented stocks or large or small company stocks,
or may not favor equities at all.
Inability to Sell Securities -- securities of mid-size companies trade in lower
volume and may be less liquid than securities of larger, more established
companies. The Fund could lose money if it cannot sell a security at the time
and price that would be most beneficial to the Fund.
16 Pilgrim MidCap Value Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM MIDCAP VALUE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)(2)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
29.56 21.87 4.89 -7.32
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
1st quarter 1998: up 13.45%
3rd quarter 1999: down 18.53%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was up 3.18%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of two broad measures of market
performance -- the Russell Midcap Index and the Russell Midcap Value Index.
Average Annual Total Returns(3)
Russell
Russell Midcap
Midcap Value
Class A(4) Class B(5) Class M(6) Index(7) Index(8)
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % -12.66 -12.56 -10.94 18.23 -0.11
Since inception(9) % 9.77 10.11 9.78 18.80 14.73
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Prior to October 1, 1999, the Fund's investment policies were different in
that they emphasized midcap value stocks without employing the current
disciplined selection criteria. Pilgrim Investments has been the Fund's
investment adviser since the Fund commenced operations; however, prior to
October 1, 1999, the Fund was managed by a sub-adviser.
(3) Class C shares of the Fund did not have a full year's performance during
the year ended December 31, 1999.
(4) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(5) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 2%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(6) Reflects deduction of a sales charge of 3.5%.
(7) The Russell Midcap Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000 Index.
(8) The Russell MidCap Value Index measures the performance of companies in the
Russell Midcap Index with lower book-to-price ratios and lower forecasted
growth values.
(9) Classes A, B and M commenced operations on September 1, 1995. Class C
commenced operations on May 24, 1999.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim MidCap Value Fund 17
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
PILGRIM MIDCAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
This Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in the common stocks
of mid-sized U.S. companies that the portfolio managers feel have above average
prospects for growth. For this Fund, mid-sized companies are companies with
market capitalizations that fall within the range of companies in the S&P MidCap
400 Index. As of February 29, 2000, the market capitalization of companies in
the S&P MidCap 400 Index ranged from $106.3 million to $27.2 billion. The market
capitalization range will change as the range of the companies included in the
S&P MidCap 400 Index changes.
The portfolio managers use a "top-down" disciplined investment process, which
includes extensive database screening, frequent fundamental research,
identification and implementation of a trend-oriented approach in structuring
the portfolio and a sell discipline. The portfolio managers seek to invest in
companies expected to benefit most from the major social, economic and
technological trends that are likely to shape the future of business and
commerce over the next three to five years, and attempt to provide a framework
for identifying the industries and companies expected to benefit most. This
top-down approach is combined with rigorous fundamental research (a bottom-up
approach) to guide stock selection and portfolio structure.
The Fund may invest in initial public offerings.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. This Fund invests in companies that the
portfolio managers feel have the potential for growth, which may give the Fund a
higher risk of price volatility than a Fund that emphasizes other styles, such
as a value-oriented style. The Fund invests in medium-sized companies, which may
be more susceptible to price swings than larger companies because they have
fewer financial resources, more limited product and market diversification, and
may be dependent on a few key managers.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the mid-cap
growth securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the market could favor
value-oriented stocks or large or small company stocks, or may not favor
equities at all.
The Fund's investment in technology sectors of the stock market and in initial
public offerings has had a significant impact on performance in 1999 and other
periods. There can be no assurance that these factors will continue to have a
positive effect on the Fund.
Inability to Sell Securities -- securities of mid-size companies usually trade
in lower volume and may be less liquid than securities of larger, more
established companies. The Fund could lose money if it cannot sell a security at
the time and price that would be most beneficial to the Fund.
18 Pilgrim MidCap Opportunities Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM MIDCAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Return (%)(1)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
103.24
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1999: up 44.90%
3rd quarter 1999: up 5.63%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was up 10.71%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of a broad measure of market
performance -- the Standard and Poor's MidCap 400 Index.
Average Annual Total Return
S&P
MidCap 400
Class A(2) Class B(3) Class C(4) Index(5)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 91.56 96.73 100.16 14.70
Since Inception(6) % 94.20 99.54 101.26 41.61
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31, 1999. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%
(3) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% for the 1 year return.
(4) Reflects deduction of a deferred sales charge of 1% for the 1 year return.
(5) The S&P MidCap 400 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of the mid-size company segment of the U.S. market.
(6) The Fund commenced operations on August 20, 1998.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim MidCap Opportunities Fund 19
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
PILGRIM MIDCAP GROWTH FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks maximum long-term capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
equity securities of medium-sized U.S. companies, and at least 75% of its total
assets in common stocks that the portfolio managers feel have above average
prospects for growth. Medium-sized companies are companies with market
capitalizations between $1.6 billion and $10.7 billion. The market
capitalization range will change as the range of the companies included in the
S&P MidCap 400 Index changes and with market conditions.
The portfolio managers emphasize a growth approach by searching for successful,
growing companies that are managing change advantageously and may be poised to
exceed growth expectations. It focuses on both a "bottom-up" analysis that
evaluates the financial condition and competitiveness of individual companies
and a thematic approach in structuring the portfolio and a sell discipline.
Themes attempt to articulate the major social, economic and technological trends
that are likely to shape the future of business and commerce over the next three
to five years, and provide a framework for identifying the industries and
companies expected to benefit most. This top down approach is combined with
rigorous fundamental research (a "bottom up" approach) to guide stock selection
and portfolio structure.
The Fund may invest in initial public offerings.
In periods of unusual market conditions, the Fund may temporarily invest part or
all of its assets in cash or high quality money market securities. In these
circumstances, the Fund may not achieve its objective.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. This Fund invests in companies that the
portfolio manager feels have the potential for growth, which may give the Fund a
higher risk of price volatility than a Fund that emphasizes other styles, such
as a value-oriented style. The Fund invests in medium-sized companies, which may
be more susceptible to price swings than larger companies because they have
fewer financial resources and more limited product and market diversification,
and may be dependent on a few key managers.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the mid-cap
growth securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the market could favor
value-oriented stocks or large or small company stocks, or may not favor
equities at all.
The Fund's investment in technology sectors of the stock market and in initial
public offerings has had a significant impact on performance in 1999 and other
periods. There can be no assurance that these factors will continue to have a
positive effect on the Fund.
Inability to Sell Securities -- securities of mid-size companies usually trade
in lower volume and may be less liquid than securities of larger, more
established companies. The Fund could lose money if it cannot sell a security at
the time and price that would be most beneficial to the Fund.
20 Pilgrim MidCap Growth Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM MIDCAP GROWTH FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)(2)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
-11.00 37.64 15.84 15.88 14.14 97.56
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1999: up 62.66%
3rd quarter 1998: down 17.73%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was up 9.02%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of two broad measures of market
performance -- the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index and the Russell Midcap
Growth Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P Russell
MidCap Midcap
400 Growth
Class A(3) Class B(4) Class C(5) Index(6) Index(7)
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 86.22 91.31 95.29 14.70 51.29
Five years, ended
December 31, 1999 % 31.47 N/A 32.23 23.00 28.02
Since inception of
Classes A and C(8) % 22.99 N/A 23.31 17.73 22.49 (9)
Since inception
of Class B(8) % N/A 32.47 N/A 22.09 27.12
</TABLE>
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Pilgrim Investments has been the Fund's investment adviser since May 24,
1999; however, prior to April 1, 2000, the Fund was managed by a
sub-adviser.
(3) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(4) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 2%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(5) Reflects deduction of a sales charge of 1% for the 1 year return.
(6) The S&P MidCap 400 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of the mid-size company segment of the U.S. market.
(7) The Russell Midcap Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000 Index.
(8) Classes A and C commenced operations on April 19, 1993. Class B commenced
operations on May 31, 1995.
(9) Index return is for period beginning April 30, 1993.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim MidCap Growth Fund 21
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
Sub-Adviser
PILGRIM GROWTH + VALUE FUND Navellier Fund Management, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities,
including common and preferred stock, warrants and convertible securities.
The Fund invests in common stock of companies the portfolio manager believes are
poised to rise in price. The Sub-Adviser uses a "bottom-up" quantitative
screening process designed to identify and select inefficiently priced stocks
that achieved superior returns compared to their risk characteristics. The
Sub-Adviser first uses a proprietary computer model to calculate and analyze a
"reward/risk" ratio. The reward/risk ratio is designed to identify stocks with
above average market returns and risk levels which are reasonable for higher
return rates. The Sub-Adviser then applies a quantitative analysis which focuses
on growth and value fundamental characteristics, such as earnings growth,
earnings momentum, price to earnings (P/E) ratios, and internal reinvestment
rates. The Sub-Adviser then allocates stocks according to how they complement
other portfolio holdings.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total
assets in securities purchased on the basis of the potential for capital
appreciation. These securities may be from large-cap, mid-cap, or small-cap
companies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. The Fund's performance will be affected
if the Sub-Adviser makes an inaccurate assessment of economic conditions and
investment opportunities, and chooses growth companies that do not grow as
quickly as hoped, or value companies that continue to be undervalued by the
market. Although the sub-adviser invests in value companies to decrease
volatility, these investments may also lower the Fund's performance. The Fund's
investments in smaller and mid-sized companies may be more susceptible to price
swings than investments in larger companies because they have fewer financial
resources, more limited product and market diversification and many are
dependent on a few key managers.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the mix of
growth and value securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the market could
favor growth stocks to the exclusion of value stocks, or favor value stocks to
the exclusion of growth stocks, or may not favor equities at all.
Inability to Sell Securities -- securities of smaller and mid-sized companies
usually trade in lower volume and may be less liquid than securities of larger,
more established companies. The Fund could lose money if it cannot sell a
security at the time and price that would be most beneficial to the Fund.
Changes in Interest Rates -- the value of the Fund's convertible securities may
fall when interest rates rise. Convertible securities with longer durations tend
to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more
volatile than debt securities with shorter durations.
Credit Risk -- the Fund could lose money if the issuer of a convertible security
is unable to meet its financial obligations or goes bankrupt.
22 Pilgrim Growth + Value Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM GROWTH + VALUE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
18.10 17.72 88.10
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1999: up 43.50%
3rd quarter 1998: down 16.34%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was up 14.01%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of two broad measures of market
performance -- the Russell 2000 Index and the Russell 3000 Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Russell Russell
2000 3000
Class A(2) Class B(3) Class C(4) Index(5) Index(6)
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 77.29 81.77 85.75 21.26 20.90
Since inception(7) % 32.32 33.38 33.86 13.65 (8) 24.27 (8)
</TABLE>
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(3) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 3%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(4) Reflects deduction of a deferred sales charge of 1% for the 1 year return.
(5) The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance
of securities of smaller U.S. companies.
(6) The Russell 3000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance
of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization.
(7) The Fund commenced operations on November 18, 1996.
(8) Index return is for period beginning December 1, 1996.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Growth + Value Fund 23
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
PILGRIM SMALLCAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in the common stock of
smaller, lesser-known U.S. companies that the portfolio manager believes have
above average prospects for growth. For this Fund, smaller companies are those
with market capitalizations that fall within the range of companies in the
Russell 2000 Index, which is an index that measures the performance of small
companies. The market capitalization range will change as the range of the
companies included in the Russell 2000 changes. The market capitalization of
companies held by the Fund as of March 31, 2000 ranged from $0.9 billion to
$22.2 billion.
The portfolio manager uses a "top-down" disciplined investment process, which
includes extensive database screening, frequent fundamental research,
identification and implementation of a brand-oriented approach in structuring
the portfolio and a sell discipline. The portfolio manager seeks to invest in
companies expected to benefit most from the major social, economic and
technological trends that are likely to shape the future of business and
commerce over the next three to five years, and attempts to provide a framework
for identifying the industries and companies expected to benefit most. This
top-down approach is combined with rigorous fundamental research (a bottom-up
approach) to guide stock selection and portfolio structure.
The Fund may invest in initial public offerings.
The Fund was closed to new investors effective February 29, 2000. Investors who
were shareholders of the Fund on that day may continue to buy shares after that
date into accounts existing on that day. The Fund may reopen in the future
subject to the discretion of the Board of Trustees.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. This Fund invests in companies that the
portfolio manager feels have above average prospects for growth, which may give
the Fund a higher risk of price volatility than a Fund that emphasizes other
styles, such as a value-oriented style. The Fund invests in smaller companies,
which may be more susceptible to price swings than larger companies because they
have fewer financial resources, more limited product and market diversification
and many are dependent on a few key managers.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the small
sized growth securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the market could
favor value-oriented stocks or large company stocks, or may not favor equities
at all.
The Fund's investment in technology sectors of the stock market and in initial
public offerings has had a significant impact on performance in 1999 and other
periods. There can be no assurance that these factors will continue to have a
positive effect on the Fund.
Inability to Sell Securities -- securities of smaller companies usually trade in
lower volume and may be less liquid than securities of larger, more established
companies. The Fund could lose money if it cannot sell a security at the time
and price that would be most beneficial to the Fund.
24 Pilgrim SmallCap Opportunities Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM SMALLCAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's shares from year to
year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
-8.83 57.27 14.54 20.16 -4.86 11.34 18.16 14.92 7.59 146.94
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1999: up 68.12%
3rd quarter 1998: down 24.07%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was up 7.80%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of a broad measure of market
performance -- the Russell 2000 Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Russell
2000
Class A(2) Class B(3) Class C(4) Class T(5) Index(6)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 132.73 140.24 144.12 141.51 21.26
Five years, ended
December 31, 1999 % N/A N/A N/A 31.45 16.69
Ten years, ended
December 31, 1999 % N/A N/A N/A 22.11 13.40
Since inception of
Classes A, B, and C(7) % 34.05 34.71 34.83 N/A 16.24
Since inception
for Class T(7) % N/A N/A N/A 16.73 12.01 (8)
</TABLE>
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did. The figures shown for the years
1996 to 1999 provide performance for Class A shares of the Fund. The
figures shown for the years 1990 to 1995 provide performance for Class T
shares of the Fund. Class T shares would have substantially similar annual
returns as the Class A shares because the classes are invested in the same
portfolio of securities. Annual returns would differ only to the extent
Class A shares and Class T shares have different expenses.
(2) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(3) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 2%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(4) Reflects deduction of a deferred sales charge of 1% for the 1 year return.
(5) Reflects deduction of a deferred sales charge of 4% for the 1 year return.
(6) The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance
of securities of small companies.
(7) Classes A, B and C commenced operations on June 5, 1995. Class T commenced
operations on February 3, 1986.
(8) Index return is for period beginning February 1, 1986.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim SmallCap Opportunities Fund 25
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
PILGRIM SMALLCAP GROWTH FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks maximum long-term capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
equity securities of small U.S. companies, and at least 75% of its total assets
in common stocks that the portfolio manager feels have above average prospects
for growth. Smaller companies are companies with market capitalizations that
fall within the range of companies in the Russell 2000 Index. As of March 31,
2000, the market capitalization of companies held by the Fund ranged from $0.5
billion to $75.8 billion. The market capitalization range will change as the
range of the companies included in the Russell 2000 changes.
The Fund emphasizes a growth approach by searching for successful, growing
companies that are managing change advantageously and may be poised to exceed
growth expectations. It focuses on both a "bottom-up" analysis that evaluates
the financial condition and competitiveness of individual companies and a
thematic approach in structuring the portfolio and a sell discipline. Themes
attempt to articulate the major social, economic and technological trends that
are likely to shape the future of business and commerce over the next three to
five years, and provide a framework for identifying the industries and companies
expected to benefit most. This top down approach is combined with rigorous
fundamental research (a "bottom up" approach) to guide stock selection and
portfolio structure.
The Fund may invest in initial public offerings.
In periods of unusual market conditions, the Fund may temporarily invest part or
all of its assets in cash or high quality money market securities. In these
circumstances, the Fund may not achieve its objective.
The Fund considers a company to be small if it has a market capitalization
corresponding at the time of purchase to the middle 90% of the Russell 2000
Growth Index. In the adviser's opinion, the middle 90% includes companies with
capitalizations between $255 million and $1.4 billion. Capitalization of
companies in the Index will change with market conditions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. This Fund invests in companies that the
portfolio manager feels have above average prospects for growth, which may give
the Fund a higher risk of price volatility than a Fund that emphasizes other
styles, such as a value-oriented style. The Fund invests in small-cap companies,
which may be more susceptible to price swings than larger companies because they
have fewer financial resources, more limited product and market diversification
and many are dependent on a few key managers.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the small-cap
growth securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the market could favor
value-oriented stocks or large company stocks, or may not favor equities at all.
The Fund's investment in technology sectors of the stock market and in initial
public offerings has had a significant impact on performance in 1999 and other
periods. There can be no assurance that these factors will continue to have a
positive effect on the Fund.
26 Pilgrim SmallCap Growth Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM SMALLCAP GROWTH FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)(2)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
-4.03 34.87 18.27 11.24 3.68 89.97
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1999: up 50.47%
3rd quarter 1998: down 23.64%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was up 4.85%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of a broad measure of market
performance -- the Russell 2000 Growth Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
Russell
2000
Growth
Class A(3) Class B(4) Class C(5) Index(6)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 79.04 83.85 87.89 43.09
Five years, ended
December 31, 1999 % 26.94 N/A 27.70 18.99
Since inception of
Classes A and C(7) % 21.74 N/A 22.20 15.13 (8)
Since inception
for Class B(7) % N/A 28.04 N/A 18.76
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Pilgrim Investments has been the Fund's investment adviser since May 24,
1999; however, prior to April 1, 2000, the Fund was managed by a
sub-adviser.
(3) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(4) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 2%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(5) Reflects deduction of a deferred sales charge of 1% for the 1 year return.
(6) The Russell 2000 Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of securities of smaller U.S. companies with
greater-than-average growth orientation.
(7) Classes A and C commenced operations on December 27, 1993. Class B
commenced operations on May 31, 1995.
(8) Index returns is for period beginning December 31, 1993.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim SmallCap Growth Fund 27
<PAGE>
-----------
U.S. Equity
Funds
-----------
Adviser
PILGRIM BANK AND THRIFT FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund primarily seeks long-term capital appreciation; a secondary objective
is income.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 65% of its total
assets in equity securities of national and state-chartered banks (other than
money center banks), thrifts, and the holding or parent companies of such
depository institutions, and in savings accounts of mutual thrifts that may
allow the Fund to participate in stock conversions of the mutual thrift. This
policy may only be changed with approval of the shareholders of the Fund. The
equity securities described above include common stocks, convertible securities
(including convertible preferred stock) and warrants, but do not include
non-convertible preferred stocks or adjustable rate preferred stocks.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in equity securities,
including preferred stocks or adjustable rate preferred stocks, of other types
of issuers, including money center banks, other financial services companies,
and companies that are not in financial services industries, and in
nonconvertible debt securities (including certificates of deposit, commercial
paper, notes, bonds or debentures) of any maturity that are either issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government or an agency thereof or issued by a
corporation or other issuer and rated in one of the top four categories by
Moody's (Baa and better) or S&P (BBB and better) or similarly rated by another
nationally recognized rating organization. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its
assets in securities of other investment companies.
The portfolio manager emphasizes a value approach, and selects securities that
are undervalued relative to the market and have potential for future growth,
including securities of institutions that the portfolio manager believes are
well positioned to take advantage of investment opportunities in the banking and
thrift industries.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- The value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. The Fund invests primarily in small- to
medium-sized companies, which may be more susceptible to price swings than
larger companies.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the value
securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the market could favor
growth-oriented stocks or large company stocks, or may not favor equities at
all.
Risks of Concentration -- because the Fund's investments are concentrated in the
banking and thrift industries, the value of the Fund may be subject to greater
volatility than a fund with a portfolio that is less concentrated. If securities
of banks and thrifts as a group falls out of favor, the Fund could underperform
funds that focus on other types of companies.
28 Pilgrim Bank and Thrift Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM BANK AND THRIFT FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)(2)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
-18.14 49.49 32.36 7.79 -1.89 49.69 41.10 64.86 -1.83 -18.84
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
3rd quarter 1997: up 16.43%
3rd quarter 1990: down 20.36%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was down 5.36%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of three broad measures of market
performance -- the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Major Regional Banks Index and the
NASDAQ 100 Financial Index.
Average Annual Total Returns(2)
S&P
Major NASDAQ
S&P Regional 100
Class Class 500 Banks Financial
A(3) B(4) Index(5) Index(6) Index(7)
---- ---- -------- -------- --------
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % -23.50 -23.00 21.04 -14.26 -7.27
Five years, ended
December 31, 1999 % 21.20 N/A 28.54 25.08 20.80
Ten years, ended
December 31, 1999 % 15.70 N/A 18.19 17.42 N/A
Since inception
of Class B(8) % N/A -6.74 23.94 1.22 0.78
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Prior to October 17, 1997, the Fund operated as a closed-end investment
company.
(3) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(4) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 3%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(5) The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of
securities of approximately 500 large-capitalization U.S. companies.
(6) The S&P Major Regional Banks Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of securities of major regional banks in the S&P 500 Index.
(7) The NASDAQ 100 Financial Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of securities of the 100 largest financial companies traded on
NASDAQ.
(8) Class B shares commenced operations on October 17, 1997.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Bank and Thrift Fund 29
<PAGE>
------------
Equity &
Income Funds
------------
Adviser
PILGRIM BALANCED FUND Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks a balance of long-term capital appreciation and current income.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund's adviser actively manages a blended portfolio of equity and debt
securities with an emphasis on overall total return. The Fund normally maintains
40% to 60% of its assets in debt securities of any maturity issued by
corporations or other business entities and the U.S. Government and its agencies
and instrumentalities, and government sponsored enterprises, and normally seeks
a target allocation of 50%, although this may vary with market conditions.
The remainder of the Fund's assets are normally invested in equity securities of
large companies that the adviser believes are leaders in their industries. The
adviser considers whether these companies have a sustainable competitive edge.
The portfolio managers emphasize a value approach in equity selection, and seek
securities whose prices in relation to projected earnings are believed to be
reasonable in comparison to the market. For this Fund, a company with a market
capitalization of over $5 billion is considered to be a large company, although
the Fund may also invest to a limited degree in companies that have a market
capitalization between $1 billion and $5 billion.
A portion of the Fund's net assets (up to 35%) may be invested in high yield
debt securities (commonly known as "junk bonds") rated below investment grade
(i.e., lower than the four-highest rating categories) by a nationally recognized
statistical rating agency, or of comparable quality if unrated. There is no
minimum credit quality for the high yield debt securities in which the Fund may
invest. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in other investment
companies that invest in secured floating rate loans, including up to 5% of its
assets in Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust, a closed-end investment company. The Fund
may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund may use
options on securities, securities indices, interest rates and foreign currencies
as a hedging technique or in furtherance of its investment objective. The Fund
may invest up to 35% of its net assets in zero coupon securities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Equity securities face market, issuer and other
risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Market risk is the risk that securities may decline in value due to factors
affecting securities markets generally or particular industries. Issuer risk is
the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons relating to the
issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of the issuer. While equities
may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities,
they generally have higher volatility. The Fund also may invest in smaller
companies, which may be more susceptible to price swings than larger companies.
Market Trends -- from time to time, the stock market may not favor the large
company value securities in which the Fund invests. Rather, the market could
favor growth-oriented stocks or small company stocks, or may not favor equities
at all.
Changes in Interest Rates -- the value of debt and equity securities can change
in response to changes in interest rates. The value of the debt securities held
by the Fund may fall when interest rates rise. The Fund may be sensitive to
changes in interest rates because it may invest in debt securities with
intermediate and long terms to maturity. Debt securities with longer maturities
tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more
volatile than debt securities with shorter maturities. Zero coupon securities
are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Credit Risk -- the Fund could lose money if the issuer of a debt security is
unable to meet its financial obligations or goes bankrupt. This Fund may be
subject to more credit risk than the other income funds, because it may invest
in high yield debt securities, which are considered predominantly speculative
with respect to the issuer's continuing ability to meet interest and principal
payments. This is especially true during periods of economic uncertainty or
economic downturns.
Inability to Sell Securities -- high yield securities and securities of smaller
companies may be less liquid than other investments. The Fund could lose money
if it cannot sell a security at the time and price that would be most beneficial
to the Fund.
Risks of Foreign Investing -- foreign investments may be riskier than U.S.
investments for many reasons, including changes in currency exchange rates,
unstable political and economic conditions, a lack of adequate company
information, differences in the way securities markets operate, less secure
foreign banks or securities depositories than those in the U.S., and foreign
controls on investment.
Risks of Using Derivatives -- derivatives are subject to the risk of changes in
the market price of the security, credit risk with respect to the counterparty
to the derivatives instrument, and the risk of loss due to changes in interest
rates. The use of certain derivatives may also have a leveraging effect, which
may increase the volatility of the Fund. The use of derivatives may reduce
returns for the Fund.
30 Pilgrim Balanced Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM BALANCED FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)(2)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
-6.29 23.43 16.39 20.50 23.35 8.48
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
3rd quarter 1997: up 14.44%.
2nd quarter 1994: down 5.93%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was down 3.59%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of broad measures of market
performance -- the Standard & Poor's Barra Value Index, the Lehman Aggregate
Bond Index, the Lipper Balanced Fund Index and a composite index consisting of
60% S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index and 40% Lehman Brothers
Government/Corporate Bond Index.
Average Annual Total Returns(3)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P Lehman Lipper
Barra Aggregate Balanced
Class Class Class Value Bond Fund Composite
A(4) B(5) C(6) Index(7) Index(8) Index(9) Index
---- ---- ---- -------- -------- -------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
One year,
ended December
31, 1999 % 2.25 3.51 6.89 12.72 -0.82 8.98 11.77
Five years,
ended December
31, 1999 % 16.91 N/A 17.53 20.57 7.73 16.33 20.15
Since inception of
Class A and C(10) % 13.37 N/A 13.67 8.66 6.00 (11) 12.85 15.48 (12)
Since inception
of Class B(10) % N/A 16.42 N/A 20.64 6.10 15.15 18.52
</TABLE>
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Prior to May 24, 1999, a different adviser managed the Fund.
(3) Class T did not have a full year's performance as of December 31, 1999.
(4) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(5) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 2%, respectively, for
1 year and since inception returns.
(6) Reflects deduction of a deferred sales charge of 1% for the 1 year return.
(7) The Standard and Poor's Barra Value Index is a capitalization-weighted
index of all stocks in the Standard and Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
Index ("S&P 500 Index") that have low price-to-book ratios. It is designed
so that approximately 50% of the market capitalization of the S&P 500 Index
is in the Standard & Poor's Barra Value Index.
(8) The Lehman Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, including
government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and
asset-backed securities.
(9) The Lipper Balanced Fund Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of balanced funds (funds that seek current income balanced with
capital appreciation).
(10) Classes A and C commenced operations on April 19, 1993. Class B commenced
operations on May 31, 1995. Class T commenced operations on January 4,
2000.
(11) Index return is for period beginning May 1, 1993.
(12) Index return is for period beginning April 30, 1993.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Balanced Fund 31
<PAGE>
------------
Equity &
Income Funds
------------
Adviser
Pilgrim Investments, Inc.
Sub-Adviser
Nicholas-Applegate
PILGRIM CONVERTIBLE FUND Capital Management
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC]
The Fund seeks maximum total return, consisting of capital appreciation and
current income.
INVESTMENT
STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC]
Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
convertible securities. Convertible securities are generally preferred stock or
other securities, including debt securities, that are convertible into common
stock. The Fund emphasizes companies with market capitalizations above $500
million. Through investments in convertible securities, the Fund seeks to
capture the upside potential of the underlying equities with less downside
exposure.
The Fund normally invests a minimum of 25% of its total assets in common and
preferred stocks, and 25% in other income producing convertible and debt
securities. The Fund may also invest up to 35% of its net assets in high yield
debt or convertible securities (commonly known as "junk bonds") rated below
investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating agency, or of
comparable quality if unrated. There is no minimum credit rating for high yield
securities in which the Fund may invest. The Fund may also invest in securities
issued by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities.
In evaluating convertibles, the Fund's Sub-Adviser evaluates each security's
investment characteristics as a fixed income instrument as well as its potential
for capital appreciation.
In analyzing specific companies for possible investment, the Sub-Adviser
ordinarily looks for several of the following characteristics: above-average per
share earnings growth; high return on invested capital; a healthy balance sheet;
sound financial and accounting policies and overall financial strength; strong
competitive advantages; effective research and product development and
marketing; development of new technologies; efficient service; pricing
flexibility; strong management; and general operating characteristics that will
enable the companies to compete successfully in their respective markets. The
Sub-Adviser usually considers whether to sell a particular security when any of
those factors materially changes.
The Fund may also lend portfolio securities on a short-term or long-term basis,
up to 30% of its total assets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISKS
[GRAPHIC]
You could lose money on an investment in the Fund. The Fund may be affected by
the following risks, among others:
Price Volatility -- the value of the Fund changes as the prices of its
investments go up or down. Convertible securities have investment
characteristics of both equity and debt securities. Equity securities face
market, issuer and other risks, and their values may go up or down, sometimes
rapidly and unpredictably. Market risk is the risk that securities may decline
in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or particular
industries. Issuer risk is the risk that the value of a security may decline for
reasons relating to the issuer, such as changes in the financial condition of
the issuer. While equities may offer the potential for greater long-term growth
than most debt securities, they generally have higher volatility. The Fund may
invest in small and medium-sized companies, which may be more susceptible to
greater price swings than larger companies because they may have fewer financial
resources, more limited product and market diversification and many are
dependent on a few key managers.
Changes in Interest Rates -- the value of the convertible and debt securities
held by the Fund may fall when interest rates rise. The Fund may be sensitive to
changes in interest rates because it may invest in securities with intermediate
and long terms to maturity. Securities with longer durations tend to be more
sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than
securities with shorter durations. Zero coupon securities are particularly
sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Credit Risk -- the Fund could lose money if the issuer of a security is unable
to meet its financial obligations or goes bankrupt. This is especially true
during periods of economic uncertainty or economic downturns. This Fund may be
subject to more credit risk than many bond funds, because the convertible
securities and debt securities in which it invests may be lower-rated
securities.
Inability to Sell Securities -- convertible securities and lower rated debt and
covertible securities may be less liquid than other investments. The Fund could
lose money if it cannot sell a security at the time and price that would be most
beneficial to the Fund.
Securities Lending -- There is the risk that when lending portfolio securities,
the securities may not be available to the Fund on a timely basis and the Fund
may, therefore, lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable
price.
32 Pilgrim Convertible Fund
<PAGE>
PILGRIM CONVERTIBLE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE
FUND HAS
PERFORMED
[GRAPHIC]
The bar chart and table below show the Fund's annual returns and long-term
performance, and illustrate the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's
past performance is not an indication of future performance.
The bar chart below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from
year to year.
Year by Year Total Returns (%)(1)(2)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
-8.23 21.67 20.29 22.58 20.86 50.20
Best and worst quarterly performance during this period:
4th quarter 1999: up 34.59%
3rd quarter 1998: down 9.08%
The Fund's year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2000 was up 6.04%.
The table below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund
by comparing the Fund's performance to that of a broad measure of market
performance -- the First Boston Convertible Index.
Average Annual Total Returns
First
Boston
Convertible
Class A(3) Class B(4) Class C(5) Index(6)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------
One year, ended
December 31, 1999 % 41.54 44.19 48.20 42.28
Five years, ended
December 31, 1999 % 25.14 N/A 25.81 20.08
Since inception of
Classes A and C(7) % 20.33 N/A 20.60 15.60 (8)
Since inception of
Class B(7) % N/A 26.67 N/A 19.24
----------
(1) These figures are as of December 31 of each year. They do not reflect sales
charges and would be lower if they did.
(2) Prior to May 24, 1999, Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management was the
adviser, rather than sub-adviser, to the Fund.
(3) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 5.75%.
(4) Reflects deduction of deferred sales charge of 5% and 2% respectively for 1
year and since inception returns.
(5) Reflects deduction of sales charge of 1% for the 1 year return.
(6) The First Boston Convertible Index is an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of a universe of convertible securities that are similar, but
not identical, to those in the Fund's portfolio.
(7) Classes A and C commenced operations on April 19, 1993. Class B commenced
operations on May 31, 1995.
(8) Index returns for period beginning April 30, 1993.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Convertible Fund 33
<PAGE>
WHAT YOU PAY TO INVEST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are two types of fees and expenses when you invest in mutual funds: fees,
including sales charges, you pay directly when you buy or sell shares, and
operating expenses paid each year by the Fund. The tables that follow show the
fees and expenses for each of the Pilgrim Funds.
Fees You Pay Directly
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C(1) Class M(1) Class T(2)
------- ------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum sales charge on your investment
(as a % of offering price) %
Equity Funds and Equity & Income Funds 5.75(3) none none 3.50(3) none
Maximum deferred sales charge (as a % of
purchase or sales price, whichever is less)
Equity Funds and Equity & Income Funds none(4) 5.00(5) 1.00(6) none 4.00(7)
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Not all Funds offer Classes C and M. Please
(2) Class T shares are available only for certain exchanges or reinvestment of
dividends. Please see page 39.
(3) Reduced for purchases of $50,000 and over. Please see page 40.
(4) A contingent deferred sales charge of no more than 1% may be assessed on
redemptions of Class A shares that were purchased without an initial sales
charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more. Please see page 40.
(5) Imposed upon redemption within 6 years from purchase. The fee has scheduled
reductions after the first year. Please see page 40.
(6) Imposed upon redemption within 1 year from purchase.
(7) Imposed upon redemption within 4 years from purchase. The fee has scheduled
reductions after the first year. Please see page 40.
Operating Expenses Paid Each Year by the Funds(1)
(as a % of average net assets)
Class A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Distribution Total
and Service Fund Fee Waiver
Management (12b-1) Other Operating by Net
Fund Fee Fees Expenses(2) Expenses Adviser(3) Expenses
---- --- ---- ----------- -------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MagnaCap % 0.71 0.30 0.34 1.35 -- 1.35
Growth and Income % 0.62 0.25 0.42 1.29 -- 1.29
LargeCap Leaders(4) % 0.85 0.25 0.73 1.83 -0.08 1.75
Research Enhanced Index % 0.70 0.30 0.56 1.56 -- 1.56
Growth Opportunities % 0.75 0.30 0.34 1.39 -- 1.39
LargeCap Growth % 0.75 0.35 0.25 1.35 -- 1.35
MidCap Value(4) % 0.85 0.25 0.54 1.64 -- 1.64
MidCap Opportunities % 1.00 0.30 0.44 1.74 -- 1.74
MidCap Growth % 0.75 0.35 0.25 1.35 -- 1.35
Growth + Value % 1.00 0.30 0.39 1.69 -- 1.69
SmallCap Opportunities % 0.75 0.30 0.38 1.43 -- 1.43
SmallCap Growth % 1.00 0.35 0.24 1.59 -- 1.59
Bank and Thrift % 0.72 0.25 0.42 1.39 -- 1.39
Balanced(8) % 0.75 0.35 0.51 1.61 -0.26 1.35
Convertible % 0.75 0.35 0.23 1.33 -- 1.33
</TABLE>
34 What You Pay to Invest
<PAGE>
WHAT YOU PAY TO INVEST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses Paid Each Year by the Funds(1)
(as a % of average net assets)
Class B(5)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Distribution Total
and Service Fund Fee Waiver
Management (12b-1) Other Operating by Net
Fund Fee Fees Expenses(2) Expenses Adviser(3) Expenses
---- --- ---- ----------- -------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MagnaCap % 0.71 1.00 0.34 2.05 -- 2.05
Growth and Income % 0.62 1.00 0.42 2.04 -- 2.04
LargeCap Leaders(4) % 0.85 1.00 0.73 2.58 -0.08 2.50
Research Enhanced Index % 0.70 1.00 0.59 2.29 -- 2.29
Growth Opportunities % 0.75 1.00 0.35 2.10 -- 2.10
LargeCap Growth % 0.75 1.00 0.25 2.00 -- 2.00
MidCap Value(4) % 0.85 1.00 0.54 2.39 -- 2.39
MidCap Opportunities % 1.00 1.00 0.40 2.40 -- 2.40
MidCap Growth % 0.75 1.00 0.25 2.00 -- 2.00
Growth + Value % 1.00 1.00 0.39 2.39 -- 2.39
SmallCap Opportunities % 0.75 1.00 0.40 2.15 -- 2.15
SmallCap Growth % 1.00 1.00 0.24 2.24 -- 2.24
Bank and Thrift % 0.72 1.00 0.42 2.14 -- 2.14
Balanced(8) % 0.75 1.00 0.51 2.26 -0.26 2.00
Convertible % 0.75 1.00 0.23 1.98 -- 1.98
Class C(6)
Distribution Total
and Service Fund Fee Waiver
Management (12b-1) Other Operating by Net
Fund Fee Fees Expenses(2) Expenses Adviser(3) Expenses
---- --- ---- ----------- -------- ---------- --------
MagnaCap % 0.71 1.00 0.34 2.05 -- 2.05
Growth and Income % 0.62 1.00 0.42 2.04 -- 2.04
LargeCap Leaders(4) % 0.85 1.00 0.73 2.58 -0.08 2.50
Research Enhanced Index % 0.70 1.00 0.57 2.27 -- 2.27
Growth Opportunities % 0.75 1.00 0.35 2.10 -- 2.10
LargeCap Growth % 0.75 1.00 0.25 2.00 -- 2.00
MidCap Value(4) % 0.85 1.00 0.54 2.39 -- 2.39
MidCap Opportunities % 1.00 1.00 0.36 2.36 -- 2.36
MidCap Growth % 0.75 1.00 0.25 2.00 -- 2.00
Growth + Value % 1.00 1.00 0.40 2.40 -- 2.40
SmallCap Opportunities % 0.75 1.00 0.43 2.18 -- 2.18
SmallCap Growth % 1.00 1.00 0.24 2.24 -- 2.24
Balanced(8) % 0.75 1.00 0.51 2.26 -0.26 2.00
Convertible % 0.75 1.00 0.23 1.98 -- 1.98
</TABLE>
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
What You Pay to Invest 35
<PAGE>
WHAT YOU PAY TO INVEST
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Class M
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Distribution Total
and Service Fund Fee Waiver
Management (12b-1) Other Operating by Net
Fund Fee Fees Expenses(2) Expenses Adviser(3) Expenses
---- --- ---- ----------- -------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MagnaCap % 0.71 0.75 0.34 1.80 -- 1.80
LargeCap Leaders(4) % 0.85 0.75 0.73 2.33 -0.08 2.25
MidCap Value(4) % 0.85 0.75 0.54 2.14 -- 2.14
Class T(7)
Distribution Total
and Service Fund Fee Waiver
Management (12b-1) Other Operating by Net
Fund Fee Fees Expenses(2) Expenses Adviser(3) Expenses
---- --- ---- ----------- -------- ---------- --------
Growth Opportunities % 0.75 0.95 0.33 2.03 -- 2.03
SmallCap Opportunities % 0.75 0.95 0.36 2.06 -- 2.06
Balanced(8) % 0.75 0.75 0.51 2.01 -0.26 1.75
</TABLE>
----------
(1) These tables show the estimated operating expenses for each Fund by class
as a ratio of expenses to average daily net assets. These estimates are
based on each Fund's actual operating expenses for its most recent complete
fiscal year and fee waivers to which the Adviser has agreed for each Fund
except Growth and Income. For Growth and Income, estimated operating
expenses are based on estimated contractual operating expenses commencing
with Pilgrim Investments' management of the Fund.
(2) For the LargeCap Growth, MidCap Growth, SmallCap Growth, Balanced and
Convertible Funds, other expenses have been restated to reflect the
elimination of certain administrative fees effective May 24, 1999.
(3) Pilgrim Investments has entered into expense limitation agreements with
each Fund except MagnaCap, Bank and Thrift, Research Enhanced Index, Growth
Opportunities, MidCap Opportunities, Growth + Value, and SmallCap
Opportunities, under which it will limit expenses of the Fund, excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage and extraordinary expenses, subject to possible
reimbursement to Pilgrim Investments within three years. The amount of each
Fund's expenses waived or reimbursed during the last fiscal year by Pilgrim
Investments is shown under the heading "Fee Waiver by Adviser". For each
Fund, the expense limit will continue through at least October 31, 2001.
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management bears 50% of the cost of maintaining
the expense limit for Funds which it serves as sub-adviser.
(4) For the LargeCap Leaders and MidCap Value Funds, the management fees shown
reflect a fee waiver effective July 26, 2000. Absent the waiver, the
management fees for each of LargeCap Leaders and MidCap Value Funds would
be 1.00%.
(5) Because Class B Shares are new for Growth and Income Fund, its expenses are
estimated based on Class A expenses.
(6) Because Class C shares are new for Growth and Income, its expenses are
estimated based on Class A expenses.
(7) Because Class T shares are new for Balanced Fund, its expenses are
estimated based on Class A expenses.
(8) Effective April 1, 2000, certain Pilgrim Funds merged into Balanced Fund.
As a result of the mergers, it is expected that operating expenses for
Balanced Fund will be lower than the operating expenses prior to the
mergers.
36 What You Pay to Invest
<PAGE>
WHAT YOU PAY TO INVEST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples
The examples that follow are intended to help you compare the cost of investing
in the Pilgrim Funds with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Each
example assumes that you invested $10,000, reinvested all your dividends, the
Fund earned an average annual return of 5%, and annual operating expenses
remained at the current level. Keep in mind that this is only an estimate --
actual expenses and performance may vary.
Class A
Fund 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
---- ------ ------- ------- --------
MagnaCap $ 705 978 1,272 2,105
Growth and Income $ 699 960 1,242 2,042
LargeCap Leaders $ 743 1,102 1,494 2,587
Research Enhanced Index $ 725 1,039 1,376 2,325
Growth Opportunities $ 709 990 1,292 2,148
LargeCap Growth $ 705 978 1,272 2,105
MidCap Value $ 732 1,063 1,415 2,407
MidCap Opportunities $ 742 1,091 1,464 2,509
MidCap Growth $ 705 978 1,272 2,105
Growth + Value $ 737 1,077 1,440 2,458
SmallCap Opportunities $ 712 1,001 1,312 2,190
SmallCap Growth $ 727 1,048 1,391 2,356
Bank and Thrift $ 708 990 1,292 2,148
Balanced $ 705 1,005 1,353 2,334
Convertible $ 703 972 1,262 2,084
Class B
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
If you sell your shares If you don't sell your shares
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Fund 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
---- ------ ------- ------- -------- ------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MagnaCap $ 708 943 1,303 2,200 208 643 1,103 2,200
Growth and Income $ 707 940 1,242 2,176 207 640 1,098 2,176
LargeCap Leaders $ 753 1,087 1,556 2,720 253 787 1,356 2,720
Research Enhanced Index $ 732 1,015 1,425 2,443 232 715 1,225 2,443
Growth Opportunities $ 713 958 1,329 2,250 213 658 1,129 2,250
LargeCap Growth $ 703 927 1,278 2,160 203 627 1,078 2,160
MidCap Value $ 742 1,045 1,475 2,540 242 745 1,275 2,540
MidCap Opportunities $ 743 1,048 1,480 2,573 243 748 1,280 2,573
MidCap Growth $ 703 927 1,278 2,160 203 627 1,078 2,160
Growth + Value $ 742 1,045 1,475 2,553 242 745 1,275 2,553
SmallCap Opportunities $ 718 973 1,354 2,300 218 673 1,154 2,300
SmallCap Growth $ 727 1,000 1,400 2,411 227 700 1,200 2,411
Bank and Thrift $ 717 970 1,349 2,282 217 670 1,149 2,282
Balanced $ 703 955 1,361 2,389 203 655 1,161 2,389
Convertible $ 701 921 1,268 2,139 201 621 1,068 2,139
</TABLE>
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
What You Pay to Invest 37
<PAGE>
WHAT YOU PAY TO INVEST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples
Class C
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
If you sell your shares If you don't sell your shares
--------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
Fund 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
---- ------ ------- ------- -------- ------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MagnaCap $ 308 643 1,103 2,379 208 643 1,103 2,379
Growth and Income $ 307 640 1,098 2,369 207 640 1,098 2,369
LargeCap Leaders $ 353 787 1,356 2,902 253 787 1,356 2,902
Research Enhanced Index $ 330 709 1,215 2,605 230 709 1,215 2,605
Growth Opportunities $ 313 658 1,129 2,431 213 658 1,129 2,431
LargeCap Growth $ 303 627 1,078 2,327 203 627 1,078 2,327
MidCap Value $ 342 745 1,275 2,726 242 745 1,275 2,726
MidCap Opportunities $ 339 736 1,260 2,696 239 736 1,260 2,696
MidCap Growth $ 303 627 1,078 2,327 203 627 1,078 2,327
Growth + Value $ 343 748 1,280 2,736 243 748 1,280 2,736
SmallCap Opportunities $ 321 682 1,169 2,513 221 682 1,169 2,513
SmallCap Growth $ 327 700 1,200 2,575 227 700 1,200 2,575
</TABLE>
Class M
Fund 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
---- ------ ------- ------- --------
MagnaCap $ 526 897 1,291 2,392
LargeCap Leaders $ 570 1,037 1,537 2,910
MidCap Value $ 559 997 1,459 2,736
Class T
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
If you sell your shares If you don't sell your shares
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Fund 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
---- ------ ------- ------- -------- ------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Growth Opportunities $ 606 837 1,093 2,194 206 637 1,093 2,194
SmallCap Opportunities $ 609 846 1,108 2,228 209 646 1,108 2,228
Balanced $ 578 779 1,034 2,192 178 579 1,034 2,192
</TABLE>
38 What You Pay to Invest
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS GUIDE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PILGRIM PURCHASE OPTIONSTM
Depending upon the Fund, you may select from up to four separate classes of
shares: Class A, Class B, Class C and Class M.
Class A
* Front-end sales charge, as described on the next page (except for Money
Market Fund).
* Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of 0.25% to 0.35%.
Class B
* No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work for you right away.
* Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of 1% (0.75% for Strategic Income
Fund).
* A contingent deferred sales charge, as described on the next page.
* Automatic conversion to Class A shares after eight years, thus reducing
future annual expenses. Class B shares acquired initially through Funds
that were part of the Nicholas-Applegate Mutual Funds at the time of
purchase will convert after seven years from the date of original purchase.
* Not offered by Global Corporate Leaders Fund, Worldwide Emerging Markets
Fund, Troika Dialog Russia Fund, Gold Fund and Silver Fund.
Class C
* No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work for you right away.
* Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of 1% (0.75% for Strategic Income
Fund).
* A 1% contingent deferred sales charge on shares sold within one year of
purchase.
* No automatic conversion to Class A shares, so annual expenses continue at
the Class C level throughout the life of your investment.
* Not offered by Bank and Thrift Fund, Asia-Pacific Equity Fund, Global
Corporate Leaders Fund, Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund, SmallCap Asia
Growth Fund, Troika Dialog Russia Fund, Gold Fund and Silver Fund.
Class M
* Lower front-end sales charge than Class A, as described on the next page.
* Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of 0.75%.
* No automatic conversion to Class A shares, so annual expenses continue at
the Class M level throughout the life of your investment.
* Offered only by MagnaCap Fund, LargeCap Leaders Fund, MidCap Value Fund,
Asia-Pacific Equity Fund, Government Securities Income Fund and High Yield
Fund.
Class T
* No longer available for purchase, unless you are investing income earned on
Class T shares or exchanging Class T Shares of another Fund.
* Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of 0.65 to 1% (varies by fund).
* A contingent deferred sales charge, as described in this section.
* Automatic conversion to Class A shares after 8 years, thus reducing future
annual expenses.
* Offered only by Growth Opportunities, SmallCap Opportunities, Government
Securities Income, High Yield II, and Balanced.
When choosing between classes, you should carefully consider the ongoing annual
expenses along with the initial sales charge or the contingent deferred sales
charge. The relative impact of the initial sales charges and ongoing annual
expenses will depend on the length of time a share is held. Higher distribution
fees mean a higher expense ratio, so Class B and Class C shares pay
correspondingly lower dividends and may have a lower net asset value than Class
A or Class M shares. Orders for Class B shares and Class M shares in excess of
$250,000 and $1,000,000, respectively, will be accepted as orders for Class A
shares or declined. You should discuss which Class of shares is right for you
with your investment professional.
Distribution and Shareholder Service Fees
To pay for the cost of promoting the Funds and servicing your shareholder
account, each class of each Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 plan which requires
fees to be paid out of the assets of each class. Over time the fees will
increase your cost of investing and may exceed the cost of paying other types of
sales charges.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Shareholder Guide 39
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALES CHARGE CALCULATION
Class A(1)
Class A shares of the Funds are sold subject to the following sales charge:
U.S. and International
Equity Funds,
Equity & Income Funds
and Precious Metals Funds Income Funds
-------------------------- ------------------------
As a % As a %
of the As a % of of the As a % of
offering net offering net
Your Investment price asset value price asset value
--------------- ----- ----------- ----- -----------
Less than $50,000 5.75 6.10 4.75 4.99
$50,000 - $99,999 4.50 4.71 4.50 4.71
$100,000 - $249,999 3.50 3.63 3.50 3.63
$250,000 - $499,999 2.50 2.56 2.50 2.56
$500,000 - $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 2.00 2.04
$1,000,000 and over See below See below
----------
(1) Shareholders that purchased funds that were a part of the Lexington family
of funds at the time of purchase are not subject to sales charges for the
life of their account.
Money Market Fund. There is no sales charge if you purchase Class A shares of
Money Market Fund. However, if the Class A shares are exchanged for shares of
another Pilgrim Fund, you will be charged the applicable sales load for that
fund upon the exchange.
Investments of $1 Million or More. There is no front-end sales charge if you
purchase Class A shares in an amount of $1 million or more. However, the shares
will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if they are redeemed
within one or two years of purchase, depending on the amount of the purchase, as
follows:
Period during which
Your investment CDSC CDSC applies
--------------- ---- ------------
$1,000,000 to $2,499,999 1.00% 2 years
$2,500,000 to $4,999,999 0.50% 1 year
$5,000,000 and over 0.25% 1 year
However, Class A shares that were purchased in an amount of $1 million or more
through Funds that were part of the Nicholas-Applegate Mutual Funds at the time
of purchase will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% within
one year from the date of purchase.
Class A shares that were purchased in an amount of $1 million or more through
funds that were part of the Northstar family of funds at the time of purchase
are subject to a different contingent deferred sales charge period of 18 months
from the date of purchase. See the SAI for further information.
Class B, Class C and Class T
Class B and Class C shares are offered at their net asset value per share
without any initial sales charge. However, you may be charged a contingent
deferred sales charge (CDSC) on shares that you sell within a certain period of
time after you bought them. The amount of the CDSC is based on the lesser of the
net asset value of the shares at the time of purchase or redemption. There is no
CDSC on shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions. The CDSCs are as follows:
Class B Deferred Sales Charge(1)
CDSC on shares
Years after purchase being sold
-------------------- ----------
1st year 5%
2nd year 4%
3rd year 3%
4th year 3%
5th year 2%
6th year 1%
After 6th year none
----------
(1) Class B shares that were purchased through funds that were part of the
Northstar family of funds at the time of purchase are subject to a
different contingent deferred sales charge. Please see the SAI for further
information.
Class C Deferred Sales Charge
CDSC on shares
Years after purchase being sold
-------------------- ----------
1st year 1%
After 1st year none
Class T Deferred Sales Charge
CDSC on shares
Years after purchase being sold
-------------------- ----------
1st year 4%
2nd year 3%
3rd year 2%
4th year 1%
After 4th year none
To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to redeem
shares the Funds will first redeem shares in your account that are not subject
to a CDSC, and then will sell shares that have the lowest CDSC.
Class M
Class M shares of the Funds are sold subject to the following sales charge.
MagnaCap,
LargeCap Leaders, Government
MidCap Value, Securities
and Income and
Asia-Pacific High Yield
Equity Funds Funds
-------------------- --------------------
As a % As a % As a % As a %
of the of net of the of net
offering asset offering asset
Your investment price value price value
--------------- ----- ----- ----- -----
Less than $50,000 3.50% 3.63% 3.25% 3.36%
$50,000 - $99,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.25% 2.30%
$100,000 - $249,999 1.50% 1.52% 1.50% 1.52%
$250,000 - $499,999 1.00% 1.01% 1.00% 1.01%
$500,000 and over none none none none
40 Shareholder Guide
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS GUIDE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers
Reduced Sales Charges. You may reduce the initial sales charge on a purchase of
Class A or Class M shares of the funds by combining multiple purchases to take
advantage of the breakpoints in the sales charge schedules. You may do this by:
Letter of Intent -- lets you purchase shares over a 13 month period and pay the
same sales charge as if the shares had all been purchased at once.
Rights of Accumulation -- lets you add the value of shares of any open-end
Pilgrim Fund (excluding the Money Market Fund) you already own to the amount of
your next purchase for purposes of calculating the sales charge.
Combination Privilege -- shares held by investors in the Pilgrim Funds which
impose a CDSC may be combined with Class A or Class M shares for a reduced sales
charge.
See the Account Application or the Statement of Additional Information for
details, or contact your financial representative or the Shareholder Servicing
Agent for more information.
CDSC Waivers. If you notify the Transfer Agent at the time of redemption, the
CDSC for each Class will be waived in the following cases:
* redemptions following the death or permanent disability of a shareholder if
made within one year of death or the initial determination of permanent
disability. The waiver is available only for shares held at the time of
death or initial determination of permanent disability.
* for Class B Shares, redemptions pursuant to a Systematic Withdrawal Plan,
up to a maximum of 12% per year of a shareholder's account value based on
the value of the account at the time the plan is established and annually
thereafter, provided all dividends and distributions are reinvested and the
total redemptions do not exceed 12% annually.
* mandatory distributions from a tax-deferred retirement plan or an IRA.
However, if you purchased shares that were part of the Nicholas-Applegate
Mutual Funds, you may be eligible for a CDSC waiver prior to the mandatory
distribution age.
* If you think you may be eligible for a CDSC waiver, contact your financial
representative or the Shareholder Servicing Agent.
Reinstatement Privilege. If you sell Class B, Class C or Class T shares of a
Pilgrim Fund, you may reinvest some or all of the proceeds in the same share
class within 90 days without a sales charge. Reinstated Class B, Class C and
Class T shares will retain their original cost and purchase date for purposes of
the CDSC. This privilege can be used only once per calendar year. If you want to
use the Reinstatement Privilege, contact your financial representative or the
Shareholder Servicing Agent. Consult the SAI for more information.
Sales Charge Waivers. Class A or Class M shares may be purchased without a sales
charge by certain individuals and institutions. For additional information,
contact the Shareholder Servicing Agent, or see the Statement of Additional
Information.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Shareholder Guide 41
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The minimum initial investment amounts for the Pilgrim Funds are as follows:
* Non-retirement accounts: $1,000
* Retirement accounts: $250
* Pre-Authorized Investment Plan: $100 to open; you must invest at least $100
a month.
The minimum additional investment is $100.
Make your investment using the table on the right.
The Funds and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase order.
Please note that cash, travelers checks, third party checks, money orders and
checks drawn on non-US banks (even if payment may be effected through a US bank)
will not be accepted. The Pilgrim Funds reserve the right to waive minimum
investment amounts. The Funds reserve the right to liquidate sufficient shares
to recover annual transfer agent fees or to close your account and redeem your
shares should you fail to maintain your account value at a minimum of $1,000.00
($250.00 for IRAs).
Retirement Plans
The Funds have available prototype qualified retirement plans for both
corporations and for self-employed individuals. They also have available
prototype IRA, Roth IRA and Simple IRA plans (for both individuals and
employers), Simplified Employee Pension Plans, Pension and Profit Sharing Plans
and Tax Sheltered Retirement Plans for employees of public educational
institutions and certain non-profit, tax-exempt organizations. State Street Bank
and Trust -- Kansas City (SSB) acts as the custodian under these plans. For
further information, contact the Shareholder Servicing Agent at (800) 992-0180.
SSB currently receives a $12 custodial fee annually for the maintenance of such
accounts.
Initial Additional
Method Investment Investment
------ ---------- ----------
By Contacting An investment
Your professional with an
Investment authorized firm
Professional can help you establish
and maintain your
account.
By Mail Visit or consult an Visit or consult an
investment investment
professional. Make professional. Fill out
your check payable to the Account Additions
the Pilgrim Funds and form included on the
mail it, along with a bottom of your account
completed Application. statement along with
Please indicate your your check payable to
investment professional the Fund and mail
on the New Account them to the address on
Application the account statement.
Remember to write
your account number
on the check.
By Wire Call the Pilgrim Wire the funds in the
Operations Department same manner described
at (800) 336-3436 to under "Initial
obtain an account Investment."
number and indicate
your investment
professional on the
account.
Instruct your bank to
wire funds to the Fund
in the care of:
State Street Bank and
Trust -- Kansas City
ABA #101003621
Kansas City, MO
credit to: ______________
(the Fund)
A/C #751-8315;
for further credit
to: _________________
Shareholder
A/C #________________
(A/C # you received
over the telephone)
Shareholder Name:
_____________________
(Your Name Here)
After wiring funds you
must complete the
Account Application
and send it to:
Pilgrim Funds
P.O. Box 219368
Kansas City, MO
64121-6368
42 Shareholder Guide
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES GUIDE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You may redeem shares using the table on the right.
Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may suspend the right of redemption as
allowed by federal securities laws.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
You may elect to make periodic withdrawals from your account on a regular basis.
* Your account must have a current value of at least $10,000.
* Minimum withdrawal amount is $100.
* You may choose from monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual payments.
For additional information, contact the Shareholder Servicing Agent, see the
Account Application or the Statement of Additional Information.
Payments
Normally, payment for shares redeemed will be made within three days after
receipt by the Transfer Agent of a written request in good order. When you place
a request to redeem shares for which the purchase money has not yet been
collected, the request will be executed at the next determined net asset value,
but the Fund will not release the proceeds until your purchase payment clears.
This may take up to 15 days or more. To reduce such delay, purchases should be
made by bank wire or federal funds.
Each Fund normally intends to pay in cash for all shares redeemed, but under
abnormal conditions that make payment in cash unwise, a Fund may make payment
wholly or partly in securities at their then current market value equal to the
redemption price. In such case, a Fund could elect to make payment in securities
for redemptions in excess of $250,000 or 1% of its net assets during any 90-day
period for any one shareholder. An investor may incur brokerage costs in
converting such securities to cash.
Method Procedures
------ ----------
By Contacting Your You may redeem by contacting your
Investment Professional investment professional. Investment
professionals may charge for their services in
connection with your redemption request, but
neither the Fund nor the Distributor imposes
any such charge.
By Mail Send a written request specifying the Fund
name and share class, your account number,
the name(s) in which the account is
registered, and the dollar value or number of
shares you wish to redeem to:
Pilgrim Funds
P.O. Box 219368
Kansas City, MO 64121-6368
If certificated shares have been issued, the
certificate must accompany the written request.
Corporate investors and other associations must
have an appropriate certification on file
authorizing redemptions. A suggested form of
such certification is provided on the Account
Application. A signature guarantee may be required.
By Telephone -- You may redeem shares by telephone on all
Expedited Redemption accounts other than retirement accounts,
unless you check the box on the Account Application
which signifies that you do not wish to use telephone
redemptions. To redeem by telephone, call the
Shareholder Servicing Agent at (800) 992-0180.
Receiving Proceeds By Check:
You may have redemption proceeds (up to a maximum
of $100,000) mailed to an address which has been
on record with Pilgrim Funds for at least 30 days.
Receiving Proceeds By Wire:
You may have redemption proceeds (subject to a
minimum of $5,000) wired to your pre-designated
bank account. You will not be able to receive
redemption proceeds by wire unless you check the
box on the Account Application which signifies
that you wish to receive redemption proceeds by
wire and attach a voided check. Under normal
circumstances, proceeds will be transmitted to your
bank on the business day following receipt of your
instructions, provided redemptions may be made.
In the event that share certificates have been
issued, you may not request a wire redemption
by telephone.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Shareholder Guide 43
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE TRANSACTION POLICIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value
The net asset value (NAV) per share for each Fund and class is determined each
business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). The NAV per share of each class of each
Fund is calculated by taking the value of the Fund's assets attributable to that
class, subtracting the Fund's liabilities attributable to that class, and
dividing by the number of shares of that class that are outstanding. Because
foreign securities may trade on days when the Funds do not price shares, the net
asset value of a Fund that invests in foreign securities may change on days when
shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the Fund's shares.
In general, assets are valued based on actual or estimated market value, with
special provisions for assets not having readily available market quotations,
and short-term debt securities, and for situations where market quotations are
deemed unreliable. Short-term debt securities having a maturity of 60 days or
less are valued at amortized cost, unless the amortized cost does not
approximate market value. Securities prices may be obtained from automated
pricing services. When market quotations are not readily available or are deemed
unreliable, securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good
faith under the supervision of the Board of Directors or Trustees. Valuing
securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than securities
that have readily available market quotations.
Price of Shares
When you buy shares, you pay the NAV plus any applicable sales charge. When you
sell shares, you receive the NAV minus any applicable deferred sales charge.
Exchange orders are effected at NAV.
Execution of Requests
Purchase and sale requests are executed at the next NAV determined after the
order is received in proper form by the Transfer Agent or Distributor. A
purchase order will be deemed to be in proper form when all of the required
steps set forth above under "How to Purchase Shares" have been completed. If you
purchase by wire, however, the order will be deemed to be in proper form after
the telephone notification and the federal funds wire have been received. If you
purchase by wire, you must submit an application form in a timely fashion. If an
order or payment by wire is received after the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), the shares will not
be credited until the next business day.
You will receive a confirmation of each new transaction in your account, which
also will show you the number of Fund shares you own including the number of
shares being held in safekeeping by the Transfer Agent for your account. You may
rely on these confirmations in lieu of certificates as evidence of your
ownership. Certificates representing shares of the Funds will not be issued
unless you request them in writing.
Telephone Orders
The Funds and their transfer agent will not be responsible for the authenticity
of phone instructions or losses, if any, resulting from unauthorized shareholder
transactions if they reasonably believe that such instructions were genuine. The
Funds and their transfer agent have established reasonable procedures to confirm
that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These procedures
include recording telephone instructions for exchanges and expedited
redemptions, requiring the caller to give certain specific identifying
information, and providing written confirmation to shareholders of record not
later than five days following any such telephone transactions. If the Funds and
their transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.
Exchanges
You may exchange shares of a Fund for shares of the same class of any other
Pilgrim Fund, except for Lexington Money Market Trust and Pilgrim Corporate
Leaders Trust Fund, without paying any additional sales charge, except that
Class A shares of the Pilgrim Money Market Fund for which no sales charge was
paid must pay the applicable sales load on an exchange into Class A shares of
another Fund. In addition, Class T shares of any Fund may be exchanged for Class
B shares of the Pilgrim Money Market Fund. Shares subject to a CDSC will
continue to age from the date that the original shares were purchased. If you
exchange shares of a Fund that at the time you acquired the shares was a
Nicholas-Applegate Mutual Fund, the shares you receive on the exchange will be
subject to the current CDSC structure and conversion rights of the Fund being
acquired, although the shares will continue to age for CDSC and conversion
purposes from the date the original shares were acquired.
The total value of shares being exchanged must at least equal the minimum
investment requirement of the Fund into which they are being exchanged.
Exchanges of shares are sales and may result in a gain or loss for federal and
state income tax purposes. There is no specific limit on exchange frequency;
however, the Funds are intended for long-term investment and not as a short-term
trading vehicle. The adviser may prohibit excessive exchanges (more than four
per year). The adviser also may, on 60 days' prior notice, restrict the
frequency of, otherwise modify, or impose charges of up to $5.00 upon exchanges.
You will automatically have the ability to request an exchange by calling the
Shareholder Service Agent unless you mark the box on the Account Application
that indicates that you do not wish to have the telephone exchange privilege. A
Fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time, upon 60 days'
written notice to shareholders.
44 Shareholder Guide
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER
TRANSACTION POLICIES GUIDE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Systematic Exchange Privilege
With an initial account balance of at least $5,000 and subject to the
information and limitations outlined above, you may elect to have a specified
dollar amount of shares systematically exchanged, monthly, quarterly,
semi-annually or annually (on or about the 10th of the applicable month), from
your account to an identically registered account in the same class of any other
open-end Pilgrim Fund. This exchange privilege may be modified at any time or
terminated upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders.
Small Accounts
Due to the relatively high cost of handling small investments, the Funds reserve
the right upon 30 days' written notice to redeem, at NAV, the shares of any
shareholder whose account (except for IRAs) has a value of less than $1,000,
other than as a result of a decline in the NAV per share.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Shareholder Guide 45
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUNDS ADVISER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilgrim Investments, Inc. ("Pilgrim" or "Pilgrim Investments") serves as the
investment adviser to each of the Funds. Pilgrim has overall responsibility for
the management of the Funds. Pilgrim provides or oversees all investment
advisory and portfolio management services for each Fund, and assists in
managing and supervising all aspects of the general day-to-day business
activities and operations of the Funds, including custodial, transfer agency,
dividend disbursing, accounting, auditing, compliance and related services.
Organized in December 1994, Pilgrim is registered as an investment adviser.
Pilgrim is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ReliaStar Financial Corp.
("ReliaStar") (NYSE: RLR). Through its subsidiaries, ReliaStar offers
individuals and institutions life insurance and annuities, employee benefits
products and services, life and health reinsurance, retirement plans, mutual
funds, bank products, and personal finance education.
Prior to April 30, 2000, Pilgrim Advisors, Inc. ("Pilgrim Advisors") served as
investment adviser to certain of the Funds. On April 30, 2000, Pilgrim Advisors,
an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ReliaStar, merged with Pilgrim
Investments. Pilgrim Advisors and Pilgrim Investments were sister companies and
shared certain resources and investment personnel.
Prior to July 26, 2000, Lexington Management Corporation ("Lexington") served as
investment adviser to certain of the Funds. On July 26, 2000, ReliaStar acquired
Lexington Global Asset Managers, Inc. the parent company of Lexington, and
Pilgrim Investments was approved as Adviser to the Funds formerly advised by
Lexington.
As of June 30, 2000, Pilgrim managed over $16.8 billion in assets.
Pilgrim's principal address is 40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200, Phoenix,
Arizona 85004.
Pilgrim receives a monthly fee for its services based on the average daily net
assets of each of the Funds.
The following table shows the aggregate annual advisory fee paid by each Fund
for the most recent fiscal year as a percentage of that Fund's average daily net
assets:
Advisory
Fund Fee
---- ---
MagnaCap 0.71%
Growth and Income 0.62
LargeCap Leaders 1.00
Research Enhanced Index 0.70
Growth Opportunities 0.75
LargeCap Growth 0.75
MidCap Value 1.00
MidCap Opportunities 1.00
MidCap Growth 0.75
Growth + Value 1.00
SmallCap Opportunities 0.75
SmallCap Growth 1.00
Bank and Thrift 0.72
Balanced 0.75
Convertible 0.75
Pilgrim Directly Manages the Portfolios of the Following Funds:
Growth Opportunities Fund, MidCap
Opportunities Fund and MidCap Growth Fund.
The following individuals share responsibility for the day-to-day management of
the Growth Opportunities Fund, MidCap Opportunities Fund and MidCap Growth Fund.
Mary Lisanti has co-managed the Pilgrim MidCap Opportunities Fund since the Fund
was formed in August 1998, managed or co-managed the Pilgrim Growth
Opportunities Fund since August 1998 and co-managed the Pilgrim MidCap Growth
Fund since April, 2000. She joined Pilgrim in May 1998.
Ms. Lisanti has over 20 years of experience in small and mid-cap investments.
Before joining Pilgrim, Ms. Lisanti was a Portfolio Manager at Strong Capital
Management where she managed the Strong Small Cap Fund and co-managed the Strong
Mid Cap Fund. From 1993 to 1996, Ms. Lisanti was a Managing Director and Head of
Small and Mid-Capitalization Equity Strategies at Bankers Trust Corp. where she
managed the BT Small Cap Fund and the BT Capital Appreciation Fund. Prior to
Bankers Trust, Ms. Lisanti was a Portfolio Manager with the Evergreen Funds. She
began her career as an Analyst specializing in emerging growth stocks with
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Shearson Lehman Hutton, and was ranked the
number one Institutional Investor Emerging Growth Stock Analyst in 1989. She is
a Chartered Financial Analyst, and a Member of the New York Society of Security
Analysts and the Financial Analyst Federation.
46 Management of the Funds
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
ADVISER OF THE FUNDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey Bernstein has co-managed the Pilgrim MidCap Opportunities Fund since the
Fund was formed in August 1998 and has co-managed the Pilgrim Growth
Opportunities Fund since January 2000. He joined Pilgrim in May 1998.
Mr. Bernstein has over 10 years of experience in small and mid-cap investments.
Before joining Pilgrim, Mr. Bernstein was a Portfolio Manager at Strong Capital
Management where he co-managed the Strong Mid Cap Fund. From November 1995 to
February 1997, Mr. Bernstein was a Portfolio Manager with Berkeley Capital.
From September 1993 to November 1995, Mr. Bernstein was an Assistant Portfolio
Manager at Bankers Trust Corp. Prior to Bankers Trust, Mr. Bernstein was an
Analyst for Cowen & Co.
SmallCap Opportunities Fund and SmallCap Growth Fund
Mary Lisanti, whose background is described above, has served as a manager of
the SmallCap Opportunities Fund since July 1998 and SmallCap Growth Fund since
April 2000.
MagnaCap Fund
This Fund is managed by a team led by Howard N. Kornblue, Senior Vice President
and Senior Portfolio Manager for Pilgrim. Mr. Kornblue has served as a
Portfolio Manager of MagnaCap Fund since 1989. The other individuals on the
team are G. David Underwood and Robert M. Kloss.
Growth and Income Fund
Alan H. Wapnick, Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Growth
and Income Fund has been managing the Fund's portfolio since January, 1994. He
joined Pilgrim in 1986. Prior to joining Pilgrim, Mr. Wapnick was an equity
analyst with Merrill Lynch, J.W. Seligman, Dean Witter and most recently Union
Carbide Corporation.
LargeCap Leaders and MidCap Value Fund
The LargeCap Leaders and MidCap Value Funds are managed by a team led by G.
David Underwood, Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for
Pilgrim. Mr. Underwood is the Lead Portfolio Manager of LargeCap Leaders Fund.
Prior to joining Pilgrim in December, 1996, Mr. Underwood served as Director of
Funds Management for First Interstate Capital Management. Mr. Underwood's prior
experience includes a 10 year association with Integra Trust Company of
Pittsburgh where he served as Director of Research and Senior Portfolio
Manager. The other individual on the team is Robert M. Kloss.
Bank and Thrift Fund
Carl Dorf, Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Bank and Thrift
Fund has been managing the Fund's portfolio since January 1991, when he joined
Pilgrim's predecessor. Mr. Dorf is also a Senior Vice President of Pilgrim.
Balanced Fund
The following individuals share responsibility for the day-to-day management of
the Balanced Fund:
G. David Underwood, whose background is described above, has served as Senior
Portfolio Manager of the equity portion of the Balanced Fund's assets since May
24, 1999.
Kevin G. Mathews, Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Pilgrim,
has served as Senior Portfolio Manager of the fixed income portion of Balanced
Fund's assets since May 24, 1999. Mr. Matthews has over 16 years of experience
in the management of high-yield fixed income investments. Prior to joining
Pilgrim, Mr. Mathews was a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Van
Kampen American Capital.
Robert K. Kinsey, Vice President and Portfolio Manager, has served as a
Portfolio Manager of the fixed income portion of Balanced Fund's assets since
May 24, 1999. Prior to joining Pilgrim, Mr. Kinsey was a Vice President and
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager for Federated Investors from January 1995 to
March 1999. From July 1992 to January 1995, Mr. Kinsey was a Principal and
Portfolio Manager for Harris Investment Management.
Charles Ullerich, Vice President and Portfolio Manager, has served as a
co-manager of the fixed income portion of Balanced Fund's assets since December
1999. Mr. Ullerich has approximately nine years of experience in the management
of fixed-income investments. Prior to joining Pilgrim, Mr. Ullerich was Vice
President of Treasury Services for First Liberty Bank of Macon, Georgia since
1991, where he was Portfolio Manager for a mortgage and treasury securities
portfolio.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Management of the Funds 47
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUNDS SUB-ADVISERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the following Funds, Pilgrim has engaged a Sub-Adviser to provide the
day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio. The Sub-Advisers are among the
most respected institutional investment advisers in the world, and have been
selected primarily on the basis of their successful application of a consistent,
well-defined, long-term investment approach over a period of several market
cycles.
Research Enhanced Index Fund
J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
A registered investment adviser, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (J.P.
Morgan) serves as Sub-Adviser to the Pilgrim Research Enhanced Index Fund. The
firm was formed in 1984. The firm evolved from the Trust and Investment
Division of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company which acquired its first tax-exempt
client in 1913 and its first pension account in 1940. J.P. Morgan currently
manages approximately $349 billion for institutions and pension funds. The
company is a wholly owned subsidiary of J.P. Morgan & Co. J.P. Morgan's
principal address is 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036.
Nanette Buziak, Timothy Devlin and Bernard Kroll share the responsibility for
the day-to-day management of the Pilgrim Research Enhanced Index Fund.
Ms. Buziak has co-managed the Pilgrim Research Enhanced Index Fund since April
1999. At J.P. Morgan, she serves as a Portfolio Manager and Member of the
Structured Equity Group.
Ms. Buziak has over 8 years of investment management experience. Before joining
J.P. Morgan in 1997, Ms. Buziak was an index arbitrage trader and convertible
bond portfolio manager at First Marathon America, Inc.
Mr. Devlin has co-managed the Pilgrim Research Enhanced Index Fund since the
Fund was formed in December 1998. At J.P. Morgan, he serves as a Portfolio
Manager and Member of the Structured Equity Group.
Mr. Devlin has over 12 years of investment management experience. Before
joining J.P. Morgan in 1996, Mr. Devlin was a Portfolio Manager for nine years
at Mitchell Hutchins Asset Management, Inc. where he managed
quantitatively-driven portfolios for institutional and retail investors.
Mr. Kroll has co-managed the Pilgrim Research Enhanced Index Fund since March
2000. At J.P. Morgan he serves as a Portfolio Manager and Member of the
Structured Equity Group.
Mr. Kroll has over 20 years of investment experience. Before joining J.P. Morgan
in 1996, Mr. Kroll was an equity derivatives specialist at Goldman Sachs & Co.
Earlier, he managed his own software development firm and options broker-dealer,
and managed several derivatives businesses at Kidder, Peabody & Co.
Growth + Value Fund
Navellier Fund Management, Inc.
A registered investment adviser, Navellier Fund Management Inc. (Navellier)
serves as Sub-Adviser to the Pilgrim Growth + Value Fund. Navellier and its
affiliate, Navellier & Associates, Inc., manage over $5 billion for
institutions, pension funds and high net worth individuals. Navellier's
principal address is 1 East Liberty, Third Floor, Reno, Nevada 89501.
Louis Navellier has managed the Pilgrim Growth + Value Fund since the Fund was
formed in November 1996. Mr. Navellier has over 19 years of investment
management experience and is the principal owner of Navellier & Associates,
Inc., a registered investment adviser that manages investments for institutions,
pension funds and high net worth individuals. Mr. Navellier's investment
newsletter, MPT Review, has been published for over 19 years and is widely
renowned throughout the investment community.
LargeCap Growth Fund and Convertible Fund
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management (NACM)
NACM serves as Sub-Adviser to the Funds listed above. Founded in 1984, NACM
manages over $40 billion of discretionary assets for numerous clients, including
employee benefit plans of corporations, public retirement systems and unions,
university endowments, foundations, and other institutional investors and
individuals. Each of the Funds listed above is managed by a team of portfolio
managers and analysts employed by NACM. NACM has offices in San Diego, New York,
Chicago and San Francisco. It's principal business address is 600 West Broadway,
San Diego, California 92101.
48 Management of the Funds
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS,
DISTRIBUTIONS
DIVIDENDS/TAXES AND TAXES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends
The Funds generally distribute most or all of their net earnings in the form of
dividends. Each Fund pays dividends, if any, as follows:
Annually(1) Semi-Annually(1) Quarterly(2)
----------- ---------------- ------------
LargeCap Leaders MagnaCap Balanced
Research Enhanced Growth and Convertible
Index Income
Growth
Opportunities
LargeCap Growth
MidCap Value
MidCap
Opportunities
MidCap Growth
Growth + Value
SmallCap
Opportunities
SmallCap Growth
Bank and Thrift
----------
(1) Distributions normally expected to consist primarily of capital gains.
(2) Distributions normally expected to consist on an annual basis of a variable
combination of capital gains and ordinary income.
Each Fund distributes capital gains, if any, annually.
Dividend Reinvestment
Unless you instruct a Fund to pay you dividends in cash, dividends and
distributions paid by a Fund will be reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund. You may, upon written request or by completing the appropriate section of
the Account Application, elect to have all dividends and other distributions
paid on Class A, B, C, M or T shares of a Fund invested in another Pilgrim Fund
which offers the same class shares. If you are a shareholder of Pilgrim Prime
Rate Trust, whose shares are not held in a broker or nominee account, you may,
upon written request, elect to have all dividends invested into a pre-existing
Class A account of any open-end Pilgrim Fund.
Taxes
The following information is meant as a general summary for U.S. shareholders.
Please see the Statement of Additional Information for additional information.
You should rely your own tax adviser for advice about the particular federal,
state and local tax consequences to you of investing in a Fund.
Each Fund will distribute most of its net investment income and net capital
gains to its shareholders each year. Although the Funds will not be taxed on
amounts they distribute, most shareholders will be taxed on amounts they
receive. A particular distribution generally will be taxable as either ordinary
income or long-term capital gains. It does not matter how long you have held
your Fund shares or whether you elect to receive your distributions in cash or
reinvest them in additional Fund shares. For example, if a Fund designates a
particular distribution as a long-term capital gains distribution, it will be
taxable to you at your long-term capital gains rate.
Dividends declared by a Fund in October, November or December and paid during
the following January may be treated as having been received by shareholders in
the year the distributions were declared.
You will receive an annual statement summarizing your dividend and capital gains
distributions.
If you invest through a tax-deferred account, such as a retirement plan, you
generally will not have to pay tax on dividends until they are distributed from
the account. These accounts are subject to complex tax rules, and you should
consult your tax adviser about investment through a tax-deferred account.
There may be tax consequences to you if you sell or redeem Fund shares. You will
generally have a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term,
generally depending on how long you hold those shares. If you exchange shares,
you may be treated as if you sold them. You are responsible for any tax
liabilities generated by your transactions.
As with all mutual funds, a Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income
tax at the rate of 31% of all taxable distributions payable to you if you fail
to provide the Fund with your correct taxpayer identification number or to make
required certifications, or if you have been notified by the IRS that you are
subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax;
rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise
due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax
liability.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes 49
<PAGE>
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISKS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All mutual funds involve risk -- some more than others -- and there is always
the chance that you could lose money or not earn as much as you hope. A Fund's
risk profile is largely a factor of the principal securities in which it invests
and investment techniques that it uses. The following pages discuss the risks
associated with certain of the types of securities in which the Funds may invest
and certain of the investment practices that the Funds may use. For more
information about these and other types of securities and investment techniques
that may be used by the Funds, see the Statement of Additional Information (the
"SAI").
Many of the investment techniques and strategies discussed in this prospectus
and in the SAI are discretionary, which means that the adviser or sub-adviser
can decide whether to use them or not. The adviser or sub-adviser of a Fund may
also use investment techniques or make investments in securities that are not a
part of the Fund's principal investment strategy.
PRINCIPAL RISKS
Investments in Foreign Securities. There are certain risks in owning foreign
securities, including those resulting from: fluctuations in currency exchange
rates; devaluation of currencies; political or economic developments and the
possible imposition of currency exchange blockages or other foreign governmental
laws or restrictions; reduced availability of public information concerning
issuers; accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or other
regulatory practices and requirements that are not uniform when compared to
those applicable to domestic companies; settlement and clearance procedures in
some countries that may not be reliable and can result in delays in settlement;
higher transaction and custody expenses than for domestic securities; and
limitations on foreign ownership of equity securities. Also, securities of many
foreign companies may be less liquid and the prices more volatile than those of
domestic companies. With certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of
expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation and limitations on the use
or removal of funds or other assets of the Funds, including the withholding of
dividends.
Each Fund that invests in foreign securities may enter into foreign currency
transactions either on a spot or cash basis at prevailing rates or through
forward foreign currency exchange contracts to have the necessary currencies to
settle transactions, or to help protect Fund assets against adverse changes in
foreign currency exchange rates, or to provide exposure to a foreign currency
commensurate with the exposure to securities from that country. Such efforts
could limit potential gains that might result from a relative increase in the
value of such currencies, and might, in certain cases, result in losses to the
Fund.
Emerging Markets Investments. Because of less developed markets and economies
and, in some countries, less mature governments and governmental institutions,
the risks of investing in foreign securities can be intensified in the case of
investments in issuers domiciled or doing substantial business in emerging
market countries. These risks include: high concentration of market
capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a
limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and
financial intermediaries; political and social uncertainties; over-dependence on
exports, especially with respect to primary commodities, making these economies
vulnerable to changes in commodity prices; overburdened infrastructure and
obsolete or unseasonal financial systems; environmental problems; less well
developed legal systems; and less reliable custodial services and settlement
practices.
Inability to Sell Securities. Some securities usually trade in lower volume and
may be less liquid than securities of large established companies. These less
liquid securities could include securities of small and mid-size U.S. companies,
high-yield securities, convertible securities, unrated debt and convertible
securities, securities that originate from small offerings, and foreign
securities, particularly those from companies in emerging markets. The Fund
could lose money if it cannot sell a security at the time and price that would
be most beneficial to the Fund.
High Yield Securities. Investments in high yield securities generally provide
greater income and increased opportunity for capital appreciation than
investments in higher quality debt securities, but they also typically entail
greater potential price volatility and principal and income risk. High yield
securities are not considered investment grade, and are regarded as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuing company's continuing
ability to meet principal and interest payments. The prices of high yield
securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than
higher-rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic downturns or
individual corporate developments. High yield securities structured as zero
coupon or pay-in-kind securities tend to be more volatile. The secondary market
in which high yield securities are traded is generally less liquid than the
market for higher grade bonds. At times of less liquidity, it may be more
difficult to value high yield securities.
Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate debt securities are subject to the risk of
the issuer's inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligation
and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as interest rate
sensitivity, market perception of the credit-worthiness of the issuer and
general market liquidity. When interest rates decline, the value of the Fund's
debt securities can be expected to rise, and when interest rates rise, the value
of those securities can be expected to decline. Debt securities with longer
maturities tend to be more sensitive to interest rate movements than those with
shorter maturities.
One measure of risk for fixed income securities is duration. Duration is one of
the tools used by a portfolio manager in selection of fixed income securities.
Historically, the maturity of a bond was used as a proxy for the sensitivity of
a bond's price to changes in interest rates, otherwise known as a bond's
"interest rate risk" or "volatility." According to this measure, the longer the
maturity of a bond, the more its price will change for a given change in market
50 More Information About Risks
<PAGE>
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISKS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
interest rates. However, this method ignores the amount and timing of all cash
flows from the bond prior to final maturity. Duration is a measure of average
life of a bond on a present value basis, which was developed to incorporate a
bond's yield, coupons, final maturity and call features into one measure. For
point of reference, the duration of a noncallable 7% coupon bond with a
remaining maturity of 5 years is approximately 4.5 years, and the duration of a
noncallable 7% coupon bond with a remaining maturity of 10 years is
approximately 8 years. Material changes in interest rates may impact the
duration calculation.
U.S. Government Securities. Some U.S. Government agency securities may be
subject to varying degrees of credit risk particularly those not backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States Government. All U.S. Government
securities may be subject to price declines in the securities due to changing
interest rates.
Convertible Securities. The price of a convertible security will normally
fluctuate in some proportion to changes in the price of the underlying equity
security, and as such is subject to risks relating to the activities of the
issuer and general market and economic conditions. The income component of
convertible securities causes fluctuations based upon changes in interest rates
and the credit quality of the issuer. Convertible securities are often lower
rated securities. A Fund may be required to redeem or convert a convertible
security before the holder would otherwise choose.
Other Investment Companies. Each Fund (except the MagnaCap, High Yield and
Government Securities Income Funds) may invest up to 10% of its assets in other
investment companies. When a Fund invests in other investment companies, you
indirectly pay a proportionate share of the expenses of that other investment
company (including management fees, administration fees, and custodial fees) in
addition to the expenses of the Fund.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest in restricted and
illiquid securities (except MagnaCap Fund may not invest in restricted
securities). If a security is illiquid, the Fund might be unable to sell the
security at a time when the adviser might wish to sell, and the security could
have the effect of decreasing the overall level of the Fund's liquidity.
Further, the lack of an established secondary market may make it more difficult
to value illiquid securities, which could vary from the amount the Fund could
realize upon disposition. Restricted securities, i.e., securities subject to
legal or contractual restrictions on resale, may be illiquid. However, some
restricted securities may be treated as liquid, although they may be less liquid
than registered securities traded on established secondary markets.
Mortgage-Related Securities. Although mortgage loans underlying a
mortgage-backed security may have maturities of up to 30 years, the actual
average life of a mortgage-backed security typically will be substantially less
because the mortgages will be subject to normal principal amortization, and may
be prepaid prior to maturity. Like other fixed income securities, when interest
rates rise, the value of a mortgage-backed security generally will decline;
however, when interest rates are declining, the value of mortgage-backed
securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed
income securities. The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will affect
the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security, and may have the effect
of shortening or extending the effective maturity of the security beyond what
was anticipated at the time of the purchase. Unanticipated rates of prepayment
on underlying mortgages can be expected to increase the volatility of such
securities. In addition, the value of these securities may fluctuate in response
to the market's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuers of
mortgage-related securities owned by a Fund. Additionally, although mortgages
and mortgage-related securities are generally supported by some form of
government or private guarantee and/or insurance, there is no assurance that
private guarantors or insurers will be able to meet their obligations.
Interests in Loans. Certain Funds may invest in participation interests or
assignments in secured variable or floating rate loans, which include
participation interests in lease financings. Loans are subject to the credit
risk of nonpayment of principal or interest. Substantial increases in interest
rates may cause an increase in loan defaults. Although the loans will generally
be fully collateralized at the time of acquisition, the collateral may decline
in value, be relatively illiquid, or lose all or substantially all of its value
subsequent to the Fund's investment. Many loans are relatively illiquid, and may
be difficult to value.
Derivatives. Generally, derivatives can be characterized as financial
instruments whose performance is derived, at least in part, from the performance
of an underlying asset or assets. Some derivatives are sophisticated instruments
that typically involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of
risks assumed. These may include swap agreements, options, forwards and futures.
Derivative securities are subject to market risk, which could be significant for
those that have a leveraging effect. Many of the Funds do not invest in these
types of derivatives, and some do, so please check the description of the Fund's
policies. Derivatives are also subject to credit risks related to the
counterparty's ability to perform, and any deterioration in the counterparty's
creditworthiness could adversely affect the instrument. A risk of using
derivatives is that the adviser or sub-adviser might imperfectly judge the
market's direction. For instance, if a derivative is used as a hedge to offset
investment risk in another security, the hedge might not correlate to the
market's movements and may have unexpected or undesired results, such as a loss
or a reduction in gains. Temporary Defensive Strategies. When the adviser or
sub-adviser to a Fund anticipates unusual market or other conditions, the Fund
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
More Information About Risks 51
<PAGE>
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISKS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies as a defensive
measure. To the extent that a Fund invests defensively, it likely will not
achieve capital appreciation.
Portfolio Turnover. Each Fund (except the MagnaCap, LargeCap Leaders, MidCap
Value, Bank and Thrift and Asia-Pacific Equity Funds) is generally expected to
engage in frequent and active trading of portfolio securities to achieve its
investment objective. A high portfolio turnover rate involves greater expenses
to a Fund, including brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, and is
likely to generate more taxable short-term gains for shareholders, which may
have an adverse effect on the performance of the Fund.
OTHER RISKS
Repurchase Agreements. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, which
involve the purchase by a Fund of a security that the seller has agreed to buy
back. If the seller defaults and the collateral value declines, the Fund might
incur a loss. If the seller declares bankruptcy, the Fund may not be able to
sell the collateral at the desired time.
Lending Portfolio Securities. In order to generate additional income, certain
Funds may lend portfolio securities in an amount up to 331|M/3% of total Fund
assets to broker-dealers, major banks, or other recognized domestic
institutional borrowers of securities. As with other extensions of credit, there
are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should
the borrower default or fail financially.
Borrowing. Certain Funds may borrow for certain types of temporary or emergency
purposes subject to certain limits. Borrowing may exaggerate the effect of any
increase or decrease in the value of portfolio securities or the net asset value
of a Fund, and money borrowed will be subject to interest costs. Interest costs
on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may
partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse
market conditions, a Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet
interest or principal payments at a time when fundamental investment
considerations would not favor such sales.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls. A reverse repurchase agreement
or dollar roll involves the sale of a security, with an agreement to repurchase
the same or substantially similar securities at an agreed upon price and date.
Whether such a transaction produces a gain for a Fund depends upon the costs of
the agreements and the income and gains of the securities purchased with the
proceeds received from the sale of the security. If the income and gains on the
securities purchased fail to exceed the costs, net asset value will decline
faster than otherwise would be the case. Reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls, as leveraging techniques, may increase a Fund's yield; however,
such transactions also increase a Fund's risk to capital and may result in a
shareholder's loss of principal.
Short Sales. Certain Funds may make short sales. A "short sale" is the sale by a
Fund of a security which has been borrowed from a third party on the expectation
that the market price will drop. If the price of the security rises, the Fund
may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale
price, resulting in a loss.
Pairing Off Transactions. A pairing-off transaction occurs when a Fund commits
to purchase a security at a future date, and then the Fund "pairs-off" the
purchase with a sale of the same security prior to or on the original settlement
date. Whether a pairing-off transaction on a debt security produces a gain
depends on the movement of interest rates. If interest rates increase, then the
money received upon the sale of the same security will be less than the
anticipated amount needed at the time the commitment to purchase the security at
the future date was entered and the Fund will experience a loss.
Percentage and Rating Limitations Unless otherwise stated, the percentage
limitations in this prospectus apply at the time of investment.
52 More Information About Risks
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The financial highlights tables on the following pages are intended to help you
understand each Fund's financial performance for the past five years or, if
shorter, the period of the Fund's operations. Certain information reflects
financial results for a single share. The total returns in the tables represent
the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the
Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). A report of
each Fund's independent accountant, along with the Fund's financial statements,
is included in the Fund's annual report, which is available upon request.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Financial Highlights 53
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
PILGRIM MAGNACAP FUND HIGHLIGHTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in the table below, except for the six months ended December 31,
1999, has been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
------------------------------------------------------------
Six
months
ended Year ended June 30,
Dec. 31, 1999 -----------------------------------------------
(unaudited) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 17.69 17.07 15.92 16.69 14.03 12.36
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.02 0.07 0.04 0.10 0.09 0.12
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 0.39 2.37 3.02 4.16 2.87 2.29
Total from investment operations $ 0.41 2.44 3.06 4.26 2.96 2.41
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.12 0.06 0.14
Net realized gains on investments $ 1.79 1.78 1.85 4.91 0.24 0.60
Net asset value, end of period $ 16.26 17.69 17.07 15.92 16.69 14.03
Total Return(3): % 2.28 15.93 20.53 30.82 21.31 20.61
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 343,628 368,508 348,759 290,355 235,393 211,330
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses(4) % 1.44 1.35 1.37 1.46 1.68 1.59
Net investment income (loss)(4) % 0.27 0.41 0.29 0.64 0.54 0.98
Portfolio turnover rate % 15 48 53 77 15 6
Class B
--------------------------------------------------
Six
months July 17,
ended Year ended June 30, 1995(2) to
Dec. 31, 1999 --------------------------- June 30,
(unaudited) 1999 1998 1997 1996
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 17.36 16.86 15.81 16.59 14.22
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.03) (0.04) (0.04) -- 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 0.37 2.32 2.97 4.13 2.61
Total from investment operations $ 0.34 2.28 2.93 4.13 2.67
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- 0.03 -- 0.06
Net realized gains on investments $ 1.79 1.78 1.85 4.91 0.24
Net asset value, end of period $ 15.91 17.36 16.86 15.81 16.59
Total Return(3): % 1.90 15.12 19.76 29.92 18.98
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 109,428 116,227 77,787 37,427 10,509
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses(4) % 2.14 2.05 2.07 2.16 2.38
Net investment income (loss)(4) % (0.42) (0.29) (0.41) (0.04) 0.07
Portfolio turnover rate % 15 48 53 77 15
Class C Class M
---------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Six Six
months June 1, months July 17,
ended 1999(2) to ended Year ended June 30, 1995(2) to
Dec. 31, 1999 June 30, Dec. 31, 1999 ----------------------- June 30,
(unaudited) 1999 (unaudited) 1999 1998 1997 1996
----------- ---- ----------- ---- ---- ---- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 17.37 16.69 17.51 16.95 15.87 16.63 14.22
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.08) -- (0.01) (0.01) -- 0.02 0.08
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 0.41 0.68 0.37 2.35 2.98 4.16 2.63
Total from investment operations $ 0.33 0.68 0.36 2.34 2.98 4.18 2.71
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- 0.01 -- 0.05 0.03 0.06
Net realized gains on investments $ 1.79 -- 1.79 1.78 1.85 4.91 0.24
Net asset value, end of period $ 15.91 17.37 16.07 17.51 16.95 15.87 16.63
Total Return(3): % 1.84 4.07 2.02 15.41 20.00 30.26 19.26
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 2,684 601 15,146 16,351 14,675 6,748 1,961
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses(4) % 2.14 1.12 1.89 1.80 1.82 1.91 2.13
Net investment income (loss)(4) % (0.42) 0.42 (0.18) (0.04) (0.16) 0.22 0.32
Portfolio turnover rate % 15 48 15 48 53 77 15
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Pilgrim Investments, Inc., the Fund's Investment Manager, acquired certain
assets of Pilgrim Management Corporation, the Fund's former Investment
Manager, in a transaction that closed on April 7, 1995.
(2) Commencement of offering shares.
(3) Total return is calculated assuming reinvestment of all dividends and
capital gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction
of sales charges. Total return for less than one year is not annualized.
(4) Annualized.
54 Pilgrim MagnaCap Fund
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS PILGRIM GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in the table below has been audited by KPMG, LLP, independent
auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 21.91 20.27 18.56 15.71 14.36
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.05 -- 0.05 0.07 0.22
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from
investment operations $ 3.33 4.30 5.46 4.08 3.00
Total income (loss) from investment operations $ 3.38 4.30 5.51 4.15 3.22
Less distributions:
Distributions from net investment income $ (0.05) -- (0.07) (0.13) (0.22)
Distributions in excess of net investment income $ -- -- -- -- --
Distributions from net realized gains $ 2.86 (2.66) (3.73) (1.17) (1.65)
Distribution in excess of net realized gains $ -- -- -- -- --
Total distributions $ (2.91) (2.66) (3.80) (1.30) (1.87)
Net asset value, end of period $ 22.38 21.91 20.27 18.56 15.71
Total return % 15.54 21.42 30.36 26.46 22.57
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (thousands) $ 254,532 245,790 228,037 200,309 138,901
Ratio of expenses to average net assets, before
reimbursement or waiver % 0.95 1.16 1.17 1.13 1.09
Ratio of expense to average net assets, net of
reimbusement or waiver % 0.95 1.16 1.17 1.13 1.09
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net
assets, before reimbursement or waiver % 0.21 0.06 0.21 0.43 1.38
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net
assets, net of reimbusement or waiver % 0.21 0.06 0.21 0.43 1.38
Portfolio Turnover Rate % 86.31 63.20 88.15 101.12 159.94
</TABLE>
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Growth and Income Fund 55
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
PILGRIM LARGECAP LEADERS FUND HIGHLIGHTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in the table below, except for the six months ended December 31,
1999, has been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
---------------------------------------------------
Six months
ended Ten months
Dec. 31, Year ended June 30, ended
1999 -------------------------- June 30,
(unaudited) 1999 1998(2) 1997 1996(1)
----------- ---- ------- ---- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 17.35 14.70 14.17 11.77 10.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.04) -- 0.01 0.06 0.07
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 1.12 3.00 2.30 2.63 1.87
Total from investment operations $ 1.08 3.00 2.31 2.69 1.94
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- 0.05 0.08
Net realized gains on investments $ 2.00 0.35 1.78 0.24 0.09
Net asset value, end of period $ 16.43 17.35 14.70 14.17 11.77
Total Return(4): % 6.62 20.66 17.71 23.24 19.56
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 9,305 8,506 7,606 8,961 2,530
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(5) % 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(5) % 1.80 1.98 2.28 2.33 5.44
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(5) % (0.42) (0.04) 0.03 0.41 0.65
Portfolio turnover rate % 10 87 78 86 59
Class B
---------------------------------------------------
Six months
ended Ten months
Dec. 31, Year ended June 30, ended
1999 ------------------------ June 30,
(unaudited) 1999 1998(2) 1997 1996(1)
----------- ---- ------- ---- -------
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 16.90 14.44 14.04 11.71 10.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.07) (0.09) (0.10) (0.02) 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 1.07 2.90 2.28 2.59 1.81
Total from investment operations $ 1.00 2.81 2.18 2.57 1.87
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- -- 0.07
Net realized gains on investments $ 2.00 0.35 1.78 0.24 0.09
Net asset value, end of period $ 15.90 16.90 14.44 14.04 11.71
Total Return(4): % 6.31 19.71 16.91 22.23 18.85
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 24,748 24,213 15,605 13,611 1,424
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(5) % 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(5) % 2.55 2.73 3.03 3.08 5.79
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(5) % (1.17) (0.79) (0.72) (0.35) (0.25)
Portfolio turnover rate % 10 87 78 86 59
Class C Class M
---------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Six months Six months
ended June 17, ended Ten months
Dec. 31, 1999(3) to Dec. 31, Year ended June 30, ended
1999 June 30, 1999 ----------------------- June 30,
(unaudited) 1999 (unaudited) 1999 1998(2) 1997 1996(1)
----------- ---- ----------- ---- ---- ---- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 16.92 16.54 17.08 14.55 14.10 11.73 10.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.03) -- (0.07) (0.09) (0.07) -- 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 1.02 0.38 1.08 2.97 2.30 2.62 1.83
Total from investment operations $ 0.99 0.38 1.01 2.88 2.23 2.62 1.89
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- -- -- 0.01 0.07
Net realized gains on investments $ 2.00 -- 2.00 0.35 1.78 0.24 0.09
Net asset value, end of period $ 15.91 16.92 16.09 17.08 14.55 14.10 11.73
Total Return(4): % 6.24 2.30 6.30 20.04 17.20 22.58 19.06
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 353 -- 5,594 5,661 5,533 4,719 1,240
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense reimbursement(5) % 2.50 -- 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(5) % 2.55 -- 2.30 2.48 2.78 2.83 5.90
Net investment income (loss) after expense
reimbursement(5) % (1.17) -- (0.92) (0.54) (0.47) (0.10) 0.06
Portfolio turnover rate % 10 87 10 87 78 86 59
</TABLE>
----------
(1) The Fund commenced operations on September 1, 1995.
(2) Effective November 1, 1997, Pilgrim Investments, Inc. assumed the portfolio
investment responsibilities of the Fund from ARK Asset Management Company,
Inc.
(3) Commencement of offering shares.
(4) Total return is calculated assuming reinvestment of all dividends and
capital gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction
of sales charges. Total return information for less than one year is not
annualized.
(5) Annualized.
56 Pilgrim LargeCap Leaders Fund
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS PILGRIM RESEARCH ENHANCED INDEX FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in the table below has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, independent auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A(1) Class B(1) Class C(1)
Year ended October 31,
1999 1999 1999
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating performance:
Net asset value at the beginning of the period $ 10.00 10.00 10.00
Net investment gain $ 0.01 (0.02) (0.02)
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments $ 1.13 1.11 1.11
Total from investment operations $ 1.14 1.09 1.09
Net asset value at the end of the period $ 11.14 11.09 11.09
Total investment return(2) % 11.40 10.90 10.90
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period ($000s) $ 27,091 99,249 75,941
Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3) % 1.29 1.99 1.99
Ratio of expense reimbursement to average net assets(3) % 0.27 0.30 0.28
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets(3) % 0.23 (0.49) (0.49)
Portfolio turnover rate % 26 26 26
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Class A, B and C commenced operations on December 30, 1998.
(2) Assumes dividends have been reinvested and does not reflect the effect of
sales charges.
(3) Annualized.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Research Enhanced Index Fund 57
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
PILGRIM GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND HIGHLIGHTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in the table below has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, independent auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating performance:
Net asset value, beginning of the period $ 26.06 21.26 17.92 15.53 17.59
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.15) (0.08) 0.03 0.02 0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments $ 20.10 5.09 4.16 3.18 1.95
Total from investment operations $ 19.95 5.01 4.19 3.20 2.03
Dividends from net investment income $ -- -- -- -- (0.10)
Distributions from net realized gain $ (12.84) (0.21) (0.85) (0.81) (3.99)
Total distributions $ (12.84) (0.21) (0.85) (0.81) (4.09)
Net asset value, end of the period $ 33.17 26.06 21.26 17.92 15.53
Total return(2) % 93.26 23.61 23.59 20.54 11.55
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period
(000s) $ 101,260 29,358 9,334 4,750 1,355
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
after reimbursement % 1.39 1.37 1.37 150 1.42(3)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
prior to expense reimbursement % 1.39 1.37 1.40 1.56 1.42(3)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets % (0.98) (0.47) 0.04 0.11 0.63(3)
Portfolio turnover % 286 98 32 62 134
Class B
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- -------
Operating performance:
Net asset value, beginning of the period $ 25.46 20.93 17.76 15.50 17.59
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.18) (0.23) (0.15) (0.06) 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments $ 19.26 4.97 4.17 3.13 1.92
Total from investment operations $ 19.08 4.74 4.02 3.07 1.98
Dividends from net investment income $ -- -- -- -- (0.08)
Distributions from net realized gain $ (12.84) (0.21) (0.85) (0.81) (3.99)
Total distributions $ (12.84) (0.21) (0.85) (0.81) (4.07)
Net asset value, end of the period $ 31.70 25.46 20.93 17.76 15.50
Total return(2) % 91.84 22.69 22.84 19.74 11.27
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period
(000s) $ 88,305 15,480 8,815 4,444 1,987
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
after reimbursement % 2.10 2.13 2.14 2.20 2.07(3)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
prior to expense reimbursement % 2.10 2.13 2.14 2.24 2.07(3)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets % (1.69) (1.26) (0.95) (0.55) 0.06(3)
Portfolio turnover % 286 98 32 62 134
Class C
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- -------
Operating performance:
Net asset value, beginning of the period $ 25.48 20.91 17.76 15.50 17.59
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.10) (0.27) (0.13) (0.05) 0.04
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments $ 19.21 5.05 4.13 3.12 1.92
Total from investment operations $ 19.11 4.78 4.00 3.07 1.96
Dividends from net investment income $ -- -- -- -- (0.06)
Distributions from net realized gain $ (12.84) (0.21) (0.85) (0.81) (3.99)
Total distributions $ (12.84) (0.21) (0.85) (0.81) (4.05)
Net asset value, end of the period $ 31.75 25.48 20.91 17.76 15.50
Total return(2) % 91.90 22.90 22.73 19.74 11.17
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period
(000s) $ 21,006 1,625 1,152 365 69
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
after reimbursement % 2.10 2.13 2.17 2.20 2.11(3)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
prior to expense reimbursement % 2.10 2.13 2.17 2.35 2.11(3)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets % (1.69) (1.24) (1.00) (0.57) 0.02(3)
Portfolio turnover % 286 98 32 62 134
Class T
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- -------
Operating performance:
Net asset value, beginning of the period $ 25.59 21.02 17.82 15.53 15.75
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.39) (0.36) (0.17) (0.06) 0.07
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments $ 19.57 5.14 4.22 3.16 3.77
Total from investment operations $ 19.18 4.78 4.05 3.10 3.84
Dividends from net investment income $ -- -- -- -- (0.07)
Distributions from net realized gain $ (12.84) (0.21) (0.85) (0.81) (3.99)
Total distributions $ (12.84) (0.21) (0.85) (0.81) (4.06)
Net asset value, end of the period $ 31.93 25.59 21.02 17.82 15.53
Total return(2) % 91.72 22.79 22.94 19.90 24.40
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period
(000s) $ 83,772 52,023 73,674 70,406 76,343
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
after reimbursement % 2.03 2.05 2.03 2.00 2.00
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
prior to expense reimbursement % 2.03 2.05 2.03 2.04 2.00
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets % (1.62) (1.19) (0.81) (3.05) 0.37
Portfolio turnover % 286 98 32 62 134
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Class A, B and C commenced operations on June 5, 1995.
(2) Assumes dividends have been reinvested and does not reflect the effect of
sales charges.
(3) Annualized.
58 Pilgrim Growth Opportunities Fund
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS PILGRIM LARGECAP GROWTH FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the three months ended June 30, 1999, the information in the table below has
been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. For all periods ending prior to
June 30, 1999, the financial information was audited by another independent
auditor.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
---------------------------------------------
Six months
ended Three months Year July 21,
Dec. 31, ended ended 1997(1) to
1999 June 30, March 31, March 31,
(unaudited) 1999(2) 1999 1998
----------- ------- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 28.09 24.94 15.73 12.50
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.07) (0.02) (0.08) (0.03)
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 12.71 3.17 9.77 3.29
Total from investment operations $ 12.64 3.15 9.69 3.26
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- --
Net realized gains on investments $ 0.38 -- 0.48 0.03
Net asset value, end of period $ 40.35 28.09 24.94 15.73
Total Return(3): % 45.32 12.63 63.06 62.35
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 118,232 30,108 12,445 4,742
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.25 1.43 1.59 1.60
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.25 1.45 2.24 4.70
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (0.69) (0.56) (0.65) (0.87)
Portfolio turnover % 84 27 253 306
Class B
---------------------------------------------
Six months
ended Three months Year July 21,
Dec. 31, ended ended 1997(1) to
1999 June 30, March 31, March 31,
(unaudited) 1999(2) 1999 1998
----------- ------- ---- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 28.15 25.04 15.64 12.50
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.13) (0.05) (0.08) (0.07)
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 12.68 3.16 9.71 3.24
Total from investment operations $ 12.55 3.11 9.63 3.17
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- --
Net realized gains on investments $ 0.38 -- 0.23 0.03
Net asset value, end of period $ 40.32 28.15 25.04 15.64
Total Return(3): % 44.90 12.42 62.28 61.08
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 227,042 49,057 20,039 3,187
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.90 2.08 2.24 2.25
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.90 2.10 2.89 4.78
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (1.33) (1.21) (1.28) (1.36)
Portfolio turnover % 84 27 253 306
Class C
---------------------------------------------
Six months
ended Three months Year July 21,
Dec. 31, ended ended 1997(1) to
1999 June 30, March 31, March 31,
(unaudited) 1999(2) 1999 1998
----------- ------- ---- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 28.07 24.97 15.63 12.50
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.13) (0.06) (0.07) (0.05)
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 12.65 3.16 9.65 3.24
Total from investment operations $ 12.52 3.10 9.58 3.19
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- --
Net realized gains on investments $ 0.38 -- 0.24 0.06
Net asset value, end of period $ 40.21 28.07 24.97 15.63
Total Return(3): % 44.92 12.41 61.97 61.38
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 87,229 17,755 8,004 960
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.90 2.08 2.25 2.25
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.90 2.10 2.90 7.79
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (1.33) (1.21) (1.26) (1.49)
Portfolio turnover % 84 27 253 306
</TABLE>
----------
(1) The Fund commenced operations on July 21, 1997.
(2) Effective May 24, 1999, Pilgrim Investments Inc., became the Investment
Manager of the Fund, concurrently Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management was
appointed as sub-advisor.
(3) Total return is calculated assuming reinvestment of all dividends and
capital gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction
of sales charges. Total return for less than one year is not annualized.
(4) Annualized.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim LargeCap Growth Fund 59
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
PILGRIM MIDCAP VALUE FUND HIGHLIGHTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in the table below, except for the six months ended December 31,
1999, has been audited by KMPG LLP, independent auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
------------------------------------------------
Six months
ended Three months
Dec. 31, ended
1999 Year ended June 30, June 30,
(unaudited) 1999 1998 1997 1996(1)
----------- ---- ---- ---- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.65 16.79 14.64 11.99 10.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.09) (0.09) (0.07) (0.02) 0.13
Net realized and unrealized gains
on investments $ (1.61) 0.12 2.71 2.85 1.91
Total from investment operations $ (1.70) 0.03 2.64 2.83 2.04
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- 0.07 0.05
Net realized gains on investments $ 0.09 1.17 0.49 0.11 --
Net asset value, end of period $ 13.86 15.65 16.79 14.64 11.99
Total Return(3): % (10.88) 0.95 18.40 23.89 20.48
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 11,221 18,621 27,485 16,985 2,389
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.96 1.79 1.78 1.94 4.91
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (0.60) (0.48) (0.53) (0.13) 2.00
Portfolio turnover rate % 95 109 85 86 60
Class B
------------------------------------------------
Six months
ended Ten months
Dec. 31, ended
1999 June 30,
(unaudited) 1999 1998 1997 1996(1)
----------- ---- ---- ---- -------
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.21 16.47 14.49 11.94 10.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.18) (0.21) (0.18) (0.05) 0.07
Net realized and unrealized gains
on investments $ (1.52) 0.12 2.65 2.76 1.90
Total from investment operations $ (1.70) (0.09) 2.47 2.71 1.97
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- 0.05 0.03
Net realized gains on investments $ 0.09 1.17 0.49 0.11 --
Net asset value, end of period $ 13.42 15.21 16.47 14.49 11.94
Total Return(3): % (11.19) 0.21 17.40 22.95 19.80
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 20,593 31,223 40,575 23,258 2,123
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.71 2.54 2.53 2.69 5.32
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (1.35) (1.23) (1.28) (0.90) 1.27
Portfolio turnover rate % 95 109 85 86 60
Class C Class M
--------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Six months Six months
ended June 2, ended Ten months
Dec. 31, 1999 to Dec. 31, ended
1999 June 30, 1999 June 30,
(unaudited) 1999(2) (unaudited) 1999 1998 1997 1996(1)
----------- ------- ----------- ---- ---- ---- -------
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.20 14.84 15.30 16.52 14.49 11.93 10.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.02) (0.02) (0.16) (0.17) (0.15) (0.03) 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gains
on investments $ (1.68) 0.38 (1.53) 0.12 2.67 2.76 1.91
Total from investment operations $ (1.70) 0.36 (1.69) (0.05) 2.52 2.73 1.97
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- -- -- 0.06 0.04
Net realized gains on investments $ 0.09 -- 0.09 1.17 0.49 0.11 --
Net asset value, end of period $ 13.41 15.20 13.52 15.30 16.52 14.49 11.93
Total Return(3): % (11.20) 2.43 (11.06) 0.46 17.76 23.21 19.82
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 179 47 6,556 10,504 13,232 8,378 1,731
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4): % 2.50 2.50 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4): % 2.71 2.54 2.46 2.29 2.28 2.44 4.72
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4): % (1.35) (1.23) (1.10) (0.98) (1.03) (0.63) 1.16
Portfolio turnover rate % 95 109 95 109 85 86 60
</TABLE>
----------
(1) The Fund commenced operations on September 1, 1995.
(2) Commencement of offering shares.
(3) Total return is calculated assuming reinvestment of all dividends and
capital gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction
of sales charges. Total return for less than one year is not annualized.
(4) Annualized.
60 Pilgrim MidCap Value Fund
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS PILGRIM MIDCAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in the table below has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, independent auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C
Year ended December 31, Year ended December 31, Year ended December 31,
1999 1998(1) 1999 1998(1) 1999 1998(1)
---- ------- ---- ------- ---- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of the period $ 12.96 10.00 12.97 10.00 12.96 10.00
Net investment loss $ (0.09) (0.03) (0.07) (0.03) (0.07) (0.04)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments $ 12.01 2.99 11.81 3.00 11.73 3.00
Total from investment operations $ 11.92 2.96 11.74 2.97 11.66 2.96
Distributions from net realized gain $ (3.59) -- (3.59) -- (3.59) --
Total distributions $ (3.59) -- (3.59) -- (3.59) --
Net asset value, end of the period $ 21.29 12.96 21.12 12.97 21.03 12.96
Total return(2): % 103.24 29.60 101.73 29.70 101.16 29.60
Ratios and supplemental data
Net assets, end of the period (000s) $ 6,291 610 8,252 140 4,560 87
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
after reimbursement % 1.74 1.80(3) 2.40 2.50(3) 2.36 2.50(3)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
prior to expense reimbursement % 1.74 2.42(3) 2.40 3.27(3) 2.36 3.22(3)
Ratio of net investment loss to
average net assets % (1.34) (1.10)(3) (2.00) (2.05)(3) (1.98) (2.04)(3)
Portfolio turnover % 201 61 201 61 201 61
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Class A, B and C commenced operations on August 20, 1998.
(2) Assumes dividends have been reinvested and does not reflect the effect of
sales charges.
(3) Annualized.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim MidCap Opportunities Fund 61
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
PILGRIM MIDCAP GROWTH FUND HIGHLIGHTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the three months ended June 30, 1999, the information in the table below has
been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. For all periods ending prior to
June 30, 1999, the financial information was audited by other independent
auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
----------------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months
Dec. 31, ended Year ended March 31,
1999 June 30, ----------------------------------------
(unaudited) 1999(1) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 21.34 19.93 18.63 16.80 18.37 13.61 13.25
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.11) (0.06) (0.50) (0.14) (0.17) (0.18) (0.10)
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 11.64 1.47 3.17 6.50 0.57 4.94 0.46
Total from investment operations $ 11.53 1.41 2.67 6.36 0.40 4.76 0.36
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Net realized gains on investments $ 7.03 -- 1.37 4.53 1.97 -- --
Net asset value, end of period $ 25.84 21.34 19.93 18.63 16.80 18.37 13.61
Total Return(3): % 62.66 7.07 15.36 41.81 1.09 35.07 2.72
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 111,000 66,586 67,550 90,619 76,108 77,275 65,292
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.35 1.49 1.56 1.57 1.60 1.58 1.59
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.37 1.50 1.64 1.66 1.56 1.56 1.63
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (1.21) (1.20) (1.04) (1.33) (1.05) (0.91) (0.66)
Portfolio turnover % 154 55 154 200 153 114 98
Class B
-------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months May 31,
Dec. 31, ended Year ended March 31, 1995(2) to
1999 June 30, ---------------------- March 31,
(unaudited) 1999(1) 1999 1998 1997 1996
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 25.18 23.54 21.55 16.33 16.25 12.50
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.19) (0.11) (0.42) (0.25) (0.17) (0.09)
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 13.67 1.75 3.42 6.74 0.25 3.84
Total from investment operations $ 13.48 1.64 3.00 6.49 0.08 3.75
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- -- -- --
Net realized gains on investments $ 8.28 -- 1.01 1.27 -- --
Net asset value, end of period $ 30.38 25.18 23.54 21.55 16.33 16.25
Total Return(3): % 62.09 6.97 14.59 40.84 (0.49) 30.00
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 85,201 49,335 45,876 46,806 29,002 11,186
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.00 2.14 2.22 2.22 2.25 2.22
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.02 2.14 2.29 2.21 2.66 3.39
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (1.84) (1.85) (1.69) (1.99) (1.69) (1.61)
Portfolio turnover % 154 55 154 200 153 114
Class C
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months
Dec. 31, ended Year ended March 31,
1999 June 30, --------------------------------------------
(unaudited) 1999(1) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 19.78 18.49 17.15 16.48 18.06 13.45 13.18
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.16) (0.09) (0.61) (0.28) (0.32) (0.27) (0.17)
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 10.74 1.38 2.97 6.26 0.62 4.88 0.44
Total from investment operations $ 10.58 1.29 2.36 5.98 0.30 4.61 0.27
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Net realized gains on investments $ 6.50 -- 1.02 5.31 1.88 -- --
Net asset value, end of period $ 23.86 19.78 18.49 17.15 16.48 18.06 13.45
Total Return(3): % 62.05 6.98 14.60 40.95 0.56 34.28 2.05
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 220,867 144,832 141,685 166,849 157,501 177,461 143,390
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.00 2.14 2.23 2.27 2.14 2.14 2.24
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.02 2.14 2.30 2.33 2.17 2.14 2.24
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (1.84) (1.85) (1.70) (2.01) (1.59) (1.47) (1.30)
Portfolio turnover % 154 55 154 200 153 114 98
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Effective May 24, 1999, Pilgrim Investments Inc. became the Investment
Manager of the Fund, concurrently Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management was
appointed as sub-advisor.
(2) Commencement of offering shares.
(3) Total return is calculated assuming reinvestment of dividends and capital
gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction of sales
charges. Total return for less than one year is not annualized.
(4) Annualized.
62 Pilgrim MidCap Growth Fund
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS PILGRIM GROWTH + VALUE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in the table below has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, independent auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A(1) Class B(1)
Year ended October 31, Year ended October 31,
------------------------ ------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating performance:
Net asset value at the beginning of the period $ 10.44 12.15 10.00 10.29 12.08 10.00
Net investment loss $ (0.17) (0.11) (0.05) (0.27) (0.16) (0.08)
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments $ 9.49 (1.42) 2.20 9.32 (1.45) 2.16
Total from investment operations $ 9.32 (1.53) 2.15 9.05 (1.61) 2.08
Dividends from net realized gain (loss) on
investments sold $ -- (0.18) -- -- (0.18) --
Total distributions $
Net asset value at the end of the period $ 19.76 10.44 12.15 19.34 10.29 12.08
Total investment return(2) % 89.27 (12.63) 21.50 87.95 (13.38) 20.80
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period ($000s) $ 81,225 33,425 34,346 227,227 105,991 76,608
Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3) % 1.69 1.72 1.84 2.39 2.45 2.55
Ratio of expense reimbursement to average net
assets(3) % -- -- 0.02 -- -- 0.02
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets(3) % (1.30) (0.92) (0.94) (2.00) (1.67) (1.68)
Portfolio turnover rate % 197 162 144 197 162 144
Class C(1)
-----------------------
Year ended October 31,
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
Operating performance:
Net asset value at the beginning of the period $ 10.29 12.08 10.00
Net investment loss $ (0.26) (0.16) (0.08)
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments $ 9.30 (1.45) 2.16
Total from investment operations $ 9.04 (1.61) 2.08
Dividends from net realized gain (loss) on
investments sold $ -- (0.18) --
Total distributions $
Net asset value at the end of the period $ 19.33 10.29 12.08
Total investment return(2) % 87.85 (13.38) 20.80
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period ($000s) $ 84,391 37,456 26,962
Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3) % 2.40 2.46 2.56
Ratio of expense reimbursement to average net
assets(3) % -- -- 0.02
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets(3) % (2.01) (1.69) (1.70)
Portfolio turnover rate % 197 162 144
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Class A, B and C commenced operations on November 18, 1996.
(2) Assumes dividends have been reinvested and does not reflect the effect of
sales charges.
(3) Annualized.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Growth + Value Fund 63
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
PILGRIM SMALLCAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND HIGHLIGHTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in the table below has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, independent auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating performance:
Net asset value, beginning of the
period $ 29.00 27.77 24.72 20.92 19.56
Net investment loss $ (0.32) (0.27) (0.02) (0.04) (0.09)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments $ 38.23 2.23 3.68 3.84 2.48
Total from investment operations $ 37.91 1.96 3.66 3.80 2.39
Distributions from net realized gain $ (7.56) (0.73) (0.61) -- (1.03)
Total distributions $ (7.56) (0.73) (0.61) -- (1.03)
Net asset value, end of the period $ 59.35 29.00 27.77 24.72 20.92
Total return(2) % 146.94 7.59 14.92 18.16 12.20
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period
(000s) $ 123,377 45,461 78,160 65,660 2,335
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets after reimbursement % 1.43 1.47 1.43 1.46 1.50(3)
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets prior to expense
reimbursement % 1.43 1.47 1.43 1.47 1.50(3)
Ratio of net investment loss to
average net assets % (1.21) (0.70) (0.07) (0.30) (0.91)(3)
Portfolio turnover % 223 257 175 140 71
Class B
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- -------
Operating performance:
Net asset value, beginning of the
period $ 28.26 27.27 24.46 20.84 19.56
Net investment loss $ (0.60) (0.48) (0.19) (0.12) (0.12)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments $ 36.96 2.20 3.61 3.74 2.43
Total from investment operations $ 36.36 1.72 3.42 3.62 2.31
Distributions from net realized gain $ (7.56) (0.73) (0.61) -- (1.03)
Total distributions $ (7.56) (0.73) (0.61) -- (1.03)
Net asset value, end of the period $ 57.06 28.26 27.27 24.46 20.84
Total return(2) % 145.24 6.84 14.10 17.37 11.79
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period
(000s) $ 264,677 124,065 169,516 126,859 1,491
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets after reimbursement % 2.15 2.18 2.15 2.17 2.20(3)
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets prior to expense
reimbursement % 2.15 2.18 2.15 2.18 2.21(3)
Ratio of net investment loss to
average net assets % (1.93) (1.43) (0.78) (1.01) (1.64)(3)
Portfolio turnover % 223 257 175 140 71
Class C
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- -------
Operating performance:
Net asset value, beginning of the
period $ 28.24 27.26 24.46 20.84 19.56
Net investment loss $ (0.53) (0.55) (0.20) ( 0.13) (0.15)
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments $ 36.83 2.26 3.61 3.75 2.46
Total from investment operations $ 36.30 1.71 3.41 3.62 2.31
Distributions from net realized gain $ (7.56) (0.73) (0.61) -- (1.03)
Total distributions $ (7.56) (0.73) (0.61) -- (1.03)
Net asset value, end of the period $ 56.98 28.24 27.26 24.46 20.84
Total return(2) % 145.12 6.81 14.06 17.37 11.79
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period
(000s) $ 72,581 29,746 51,460 37,342 62
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets after reimbursement % 2.18 2.22 2.18 2.20 2.20(3)
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets prior to expense
reimbursement % 2.18 2.22 2.18 2.21 2.23(3)
Ratio of net investment loss to
average net assets % (1.96) (1.45) (0.82) (1.03) (1.60)(3)
Portfolio turnover % 223 257 175 140 71
Class T
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- -------
Operating performance:
Net asset value, beginning of the
period $ 28.36 27.34 24.48 20.84 19.64
Net investment loss $ (0.65) (0.51) (0.18) (0.21) (0.34)
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments $ 37.24 2.26 3.65 3.85 2.57
Total from investment operations $ 36.59 1.75 3.47 3.64 2.23
Distributions from net realized gain $ (7.56) (0.73) (0.61) -- (1.03)
Total distributions $ (7.56) (0.73) (0.61) -- (1.03)
Net asset value, end of the period $ 57.39 28.36 27.34 24.48 20.84
Total return(2) % 145.51 6.94 14.29 17.47 11.34
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets at the end of the period
(000s) $ 33,634 18,203 32,800 35,670 33,557
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets after reimbursement % 2.06 2.10 1.99 2.07 2.16
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets prior to expense
reimbursement % 2.06 2.10 1.99 2.11 2.16
Ratio of net investment loss to
average net assets % (1.85) (1.33) (0.62) (0.89) (1.50)
Portfolio turnover % 223 257 175 140 71
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Classes A, B & C commenced operations on June 5, 1995.
(2) Assumes dividends have been reinvested and does not reflect the effect of
sales charges.
(3) Annualized.
64 Pilgrim SmallCap Opportunities Fund
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS PILGRIM SMALLCAP GROWTH FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the three months ended June 30, 1999, the information in the table below has
been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. For all periods ending prior to
June 30, 1999, the financial information was audited by other independent
auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months
Dec. 31, ended Year ended March 31,
1999 June 30, --------------------------------------------
(unaudited) 1999(1) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating
Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 19.08 16.72 19.75 15.15 17.93 13.06 12.10
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.09) (0.06) (0.85) (0.08) (0.22) (0.20) (0.16)
Net realized and unrealized gains
(loss) on investments $ 8.27 2.42 0.69 6.91 (0.66) 5.09 1.12
Total from investment operations $ 8.18 2.36 (0.16) 6.83 (0.88) 4.89 0.96
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Net realized gains on investments $ 9.73 -- 2.87 2.23 1.90 0.02 --
Net asset value, end of period $ 17.53 19.08 16.72 19.75 15.15 17.93 13.06
Total Return(3): % 53.23 14.11 0.37 46.32 (6.26) 37.48 7.93
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 148,392 102,641 94,428 201,943 121,742 138,155 106,725
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.59 1.70 1.85 1.89 1.72 1.74 1.86
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.63 1.74 1.95 1.90 1.72 1.74 1.84
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (1.31) (1.46) (1.32) (1.85) (1.26) (1.20) (1.27)
Portfolio turnover % 48 32 90 92 113 130 100
Class B
-----------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months May 31,
Dec. 31, ended Year ended March 31, 1995(2) to
1999 June 30, ------------------------ March 31,
(unaudited) 1999(1) 1999 1998 1997 1996
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ----
Per Share Operating
Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 24.05 21.12 22.53 15.51 16.69 12.50
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.16) (0.12) (0.53) (0.27) (0.21) (0.14)
Net realized and unrealized gains
(loss) on investments $ 10.40 3.05 0.33 7.29 (0.97) 4.33
Total from investment operations $ 10.24 2.93 (0.20) 7.02 (1.18) 4.19
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- -- -- --
Net realized gains on investments $ 12.24 -- 1.21 -- -- --
Net asset value, end of period $ 22.05 24.05 21.12 22.53 15.51 16.69
Total Return(3): % 52.82 13.87 (0.29) 45.26 (7.07) 33.52
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 76,897 49,448 45,140 55,215 28,030 13,626
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.24 2.35 2.57 2.62 2.61 2.58
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.28 2.39 2.66 2.63 2.73 3.26
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (1.96) (2.11) (2.03) (2.59) (2.13) (2.09)
Portfolio turnover % 48 32 90 92 113 130
Class C
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months
Dec. 31, ended Year ended March 31,
1999 June 30, --------------------------------------------
(unaudited) 1999(1) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Per Share Operating
Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 18.81 16.51 18.62 14.69 17.62 12.96 12.07
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ (0.13) (0.09) (0.84) (0.38) (0.31) (0.29) (0.22)
Net realized and unrealized gains
on investments $ 8.14 2.39 0.61 6.84 (0.63) 5.03 1.11
Total from investment operations $ 8.11 2.30 (0.23) 6.46 (0.94) 4.74 0.89
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Net realized gains on investments $ 9.57 -- 1.88 2.53 1.99 0.08 --
Net asset value, end of period $ 17.25 18.81 16.51 18.62 14.69 17.62 12.96
Total Return(3): % 52.94 13.93 (0.24) 45.40 (6.81) 37.18 7.37
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 213,994 153,471 144,597 225,025 182,907 207,332 157,292
Ratios to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.24 2.35 2.51 2.57 2.35 2.35 2.44
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.28 2.39 2.60 2.59 2.35 2.35 2.44
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % (1.96) (2.11) (1.97) (2.53) (1.89) (1.81) (1.85)
Portfolio turnover % 48 32 90 92 113 130 100
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Effective May 24, 1999, Pilgrim Investments Inc., became the Investment
Manager of the Fund, concurrently Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management was
appointed as sub-advisor.
(2) Commencement of offering shares.
(3) Total return is calculated assuming reinvestment of dividends and capital
gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction of sales
charges. Total return for less than one year is not annualized.
(4) Annualized.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim SmallCap Growth Fund 65
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
PILGRIM BANK AND THRIFT FUND HIGHLIGHTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the year ended June 30, 1999, the six-month period ended June 30, 1998 and
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the information in the table
below, with the exception of the six months ended December 31, 1999 and the
information in the row labeled "Total Investment Return at Net Asset Value" for
periods prior to January 1, 1997, have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent
auditors. For all periods ending prior to December 31, 1995, the financial
information, with the exception of the information in the row labeled "Total
Investment Return at Net Asset Value", was audited by another independent
auditor. The information in the row labeled "Total Investment Return at Net
Asset Value" has not been audited for periods prior to January 1, 1997. Prior to
October 17, 1997, the Class A shares were designated as Common Stock and the
Fund operated as a closed-end investment company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Six
ended Year months
Dec. 31, ended ended Year ended December 31,
1999 June 30, June 30, ------------------------------
(unaudited) 1999 1998(3) 1997 1996 1995(1) 1994
----------- ---- ------- ---- ---- ------- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 24.38 27.52 25.87 17.84 14.83 10.73 11.87
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income $ 0.15 0.29 0.11 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.26
Net realized and unrealized gains (loss) on
investments $ (4.21) (2.70) 1.54 10.83 5.18 4.78 (0.53)
Total from investment operations $ (4.06) (2.41) 1.65 11.17 5.50 5.09 (0.27)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ 0.25 0.18 -- 0.31 0.35 0.34 0.22
Net realized gains on investments $ 2.73 0.55 -- 2.65 2.14 0.65 0.65
Tax return of capital $ -- -- -- 0.18 -- -- --
Net asset value, end of year $ 17.34 24.38 27.52 25.87 17.84 14.83 10.73
Closing market price, end of year -- -- -- -- 15.75 12.88 9.13
Total Investment Return At Market Value(4) % -- -- -- -- 43.48 52.81 (8.85)
Total Investment Return At Net Asset Value(5) % (18.04) (8.61) 6.38 64.86 41.10 49.69 (1.89)
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of year ($millions) $ 258 403 549 383 252 210 152
Ratio to average net assets:
Expenses(6) % 1.43 1.39 1.20 1.10 1.01 1.05 1.28
Net investment income(6) % 1.15 1.09 0.94 1.39 1.94 2.37 2.13
Portfolio turnover rate % 5 29 2 22 21 13 14
Class B
----------------------------------------
Six
months Six
ended Year months Oct. 20,
Dec. 31, ended ended 1997(2) to
1999 June 30, June 30, Dec. 31,
(unaudited) 1999 1998(3) 1997
----------- ---- ------- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 24.21 27.40 25.85 25.25
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income $ 0.05 0.08 0.01 0.04
Net realized and unrealized gains (loss) on
investments $ (4.17) (2.66) 1.54 2.92
Total from investment operations $ (4.12) (2.58) 1.55 2.96
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ 0.03 0.06 -- 0.04
Net realized gains on investments $ 2.73 0.55 -- 2.04
Tax return of capital $ -- -- -- 0.28
Net asset value, end of year $ 17.33 24.21 27.40 25.85
Closing market price, end of year -- -- -- --
Total Investment Return At Market Value(4) % -- -- -- --
Total Investment Return At Net Asset Value(5) % (18.34) (9.31) 6.00 11.88
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of year ($millions) $ 207 343 360 76
Ratio to average net assets:
Expenses(6) % 2.18 2.14 1.95 1.89
Net investment income(6) % 0.40 0.34 0.19 0.99
Portfolio turnover rate % 5 29 2 22
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Pilgrim Investments, Inc., the Fund's Investment Manager, acquired certain
assets of Pilgrim Management Corporation, the Fund's former Investment
Manager, in a transaction that closed on April 7, 1995.
(2) Commencement of offering shares.
(3) Effective June 30, 1998, Bank and Thrift Fund changed its year end to June
30.
(4) Total return was calculated at market value without deduction of sales
commissions and assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
during the period.
(5) Total return is calculated at net asset value without deduction of sales
commissions and assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions
during the period. Total investment returns based on net asset value, which
can be higher or lower than market value, may result in substantially
different returns than total return based on market value. For all periods
prior to January 1, 1997, the total returns presented are unaudited.
(6) Annualized.
66 Pilgrim Bank and Thrift Fund
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS PILGRIM BALANCED FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the three months ended June 30, 1999, the information in the table below has
been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. For all periods ending prior to
June 30, 1999, the financial information was audited by other independent
auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
-------------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months
Dec 31, ended
1999 June 30, Year ended March 31,
(unaudited) 1999(2) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 19.23 19.03 19.53 15.54 16.16 13.74 13.52
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income $ 0.30 0.10 0.36 0.26 0.32 0.34 0.21
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 0.17 0.17 2.58 5.70 0.84 2.42 0.22
Total from investment operations $ 0.47 0.27 2.94 5.96 1.16 2.76 0.43
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ 0.39 0.07 0.43 0.27 0.32 0.34 0.21
Net realized gains on investments $ 3.71 -- 3.01 1.70 1.46 -- --
Net asset value, end of period $ 15.60 19.23 19.03 19.53 15.54 16.16 13.74
Total Return(3): % 2.68 1.42 17.10 39.34 6.74 20.16 3.22
Ratio/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $ 10,141 9,619 9,519 6,675 4,898 5,902 4,980
Ratio to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.35 1.49 1.59 1.61 1.60 1.60 1.60
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.59 1.75 1.97 2.56 3.00 3.30 2.78
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % 3.44 2.06 2.08 3.58 1.87 2.16 1.44
Portfolio turnover % 46 63 165 260 213 197 110
Class B
--------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months May 31,
Dec 31, ended Year ended March 31, 1995(1) to
1999 June 30, --------------------- March 31,
(unaudited) 1999(2) 1999 1998 1997 1996
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 20.59 20.38 20.07 14.88 14.18 12.50
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income $ 0.25 0.07 0.28 0.15 0.17 0.12
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments $ 0.20 0.18 2.74 5.58 0.70 1.68
Total from investment operations $ 0.45 0.25 3.02 5.73 0.87 1.80
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ 0.33 0.04 0.31 0.15 0.17 0.12
Net realized gains on investments $ 3.97 -- 2.40 0.39 -- --
Net asset value, end of period $ 16.74 20.59 20.38 20.07 14.88 14.18
Total Return(3): % 2.39 1.24 16.49 38.79 6.10 14.45
Ratio/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $ 7,716 7,157 6,048 4,254 2,133 673
Ratio to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.00 2.14 2.24 2.26 2.25 2.25
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.24 2.40 2.62 2.71 6.44 13.05
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % 2.80 1.41 1.43 2.99 1.25 1.38
Portfolio turnover % 46 63 165 260 213 197
Class C
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months
Dec 31, ended Year ended March 31,
1999 June 30, -----------------------------------------
(unaudited) 1999(2) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 18.53 18.35 19.90 15.59 16.20 13.76 13.54
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income $ 0.24 0.06 0.26 0.15 0.21 0.24 0.11
Net realized and unrealized gains
on investments $ 0.16 0.16 2.52 5.71 0.85 2.44 0.22
Total from investment operations $ 0.40 0.22 2.78 5.86 1.06 2.68 0.33
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ 0.34 0.04 0.28 0.15 0.21 0.24 0.11
Net realized gains on investments $ 3.57 -- 4.05 1.40 1.46 -- --
Net asset value, end of period $ 15.02 18.53 18.35 19.90 15.59 16.20 13.76
Total Return(3): % 2.35 1.21 16.34 38.35 6.05 19.58 2.47
Ratio/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $ 19,494 21,331 21,655 20,784 16,990 16,586 16,470
Ratio to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.00 2.14 2.23 2.26 2.25 2.25 2.25
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 2.24 2.40 2.61 2.68 2.83 3.01 2.60
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % 2.80 1.41 1.43 2.93 1.23 1.53 0.83
Portfolio turnover % 46 63 165 260 213 197 110
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Commencement of offering of shares.
(2) Effective May 24, 1999, Pilgrim Investments Inc., became the Investment
Manager of the Fund.
(3) Total return is calculated assuming reinvestment of all dividends and
capital gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction
of sales charges. Total return for less than one year is not annualized.
(4) Annualized.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-992-0180.
Pilgrim Balanced Fund 67
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL
PILGRIM CONVERTIBLE FUND HIGHLIGHTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the three months ended June 30, 1999, the information in the table below has
been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. For all periods ending prior to
June 30, 1999, the financial information was audited by other independent
auditors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months
Dec 31, ended Year ended March 31,
1999 June 30, ----------------------------------------
(unaudited) 1999(1) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 23.27 21.92 19.12 16.59 15.68 12.86 14.16
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.20 0.10 0.40 0.44 0.47 0.48 0.49
Net realized and unrealized gains
(loss) on investments $ 6.66 1.35 3.17 4.49 1.64 2.82 (0.89)
Total from investment operations $ 6.86 1.45 3.57 4.93 2.11 3.30 (0.40)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ 0.20 0.10 0.41 0.44 0.48 0.48 0.49
Net realized gains on investments $ 3.69 -- 0.36 1.96 0.72 -- 0.41
Net asset value, end of period $ 26.24 23.27 21.92 19.12 16.59 15.68 12.86
Total Return(3): % 31.97 6.62 19.17 31.04 13.73 26.00 (2.64)
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $ 88,816 73,133 65,742 47,290 32,082 31,712 31,150
Ratio to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.33 1.45 1.53 1.57 1.60 1.60 1.60
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.34 2.10 1.65 1.74 1.75 1.76 1.76
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % 1.75 1.82 2.08 5.64 2.83 3.29 3.71
Portfolio turnover % 68 28 138 160 167 145 126
Class B
--------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months May 31,
Dec 31, ended Year ended March 31, 1995(2) to
1999 June 30, ---------------------- March 31,
(unaudited) 1999(2) 1999 1998 1997 1996
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 25.34 23.86 20.56 16.60 14.96 12.50
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.12 0.07 0.29 0.32 0.31 0.24
Net realized and unrealized gains
(loss) on investments $ 7.25 1.47 3.47 4.65 1.64 2.46
Total from investment operations $ 7.37 1.54 3.76 4.97 1.95 2.70
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ 0.12 0.06 0.27 0.32 0.31 0.24
Net realized gains on investments $ 4.01 -- 0.19 0.69 -- --
Net asset value, end of period $ 28.58 25.34 23.86 20.56 16.60 14.96
Total Return(3): % 31.56 6.47 18.52 30.51 13.01 21.72
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $ 108,527 68,091 58,736 36,725 12,740 2,125
Ratio to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.98 2.10 2.18 2.22 2.25 2.25
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.99 2.10 2.30 2.33 3.19 7.08
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % 1.10 1.17 1.44 5.04 2.29 2.59
Portfolio turnover % 168 28 138 160 167 145
Class C
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Six
months Three
ended months
Dec 31, ended Year ended March 31,
1999 June 30, ----------------------------------------
(unaudited) 1999(1) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 23.78 22.40 19.55 17.05 15.89 13.03 14.28
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.13 0.07 0.28 0.34 0.37 0.40 0.41
Net realized and unrealized gains
(loss) on investments $ 6.78 1.37 3.25 4.60 1.66 2.86 (0.89)
Total from investment operations $ 6.91 1.44 3.53 4.94 2.03 3.26 (0.48)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income $ 0.12 0.06 0.25 0.34 0.37 0.40 0.41
Net realized gains on
investments $ 3.76 -- 0.43 2.10 0.50 -- 0.36
Net asset value, end of period $ 26.81 23.78 22.40 19.55 17.05 15.89 13.03
Total Return(3): % 31.56 6.45 18.45 30.22 12.91 25.24 (3.26)
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $ 132,756 100,276 95,998 81,561 62,143 58,997 61,792
Ratio to average net assets:
Net expenses after expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.98 2.10 2.18 2.22 2.25 2.25 2.25
Gross expenses prior to expense
reimbursement(4) % 1.99 2.10 2.30 2.31 2.29 2.28 2.29
Net investment income (loss) after
expense reimbursement(4) % 1.10 1.17 1.44 4.99 2.18 2.64 3.05
Portfolio turnover % 68 28 138 160 167 145 126
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Effective May 24, 1999, Pilgrim Investments Inc., became the Investment
Manager of the Fund, concurrently Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management was
appointed as sub-advisor.
(2) Commencement of offering of shares.
(3) Total return is calculated assuming reinvestment of all dividends and
capital gain distributions at net asset value and excluding the deduction
of sales charges. Total return for less than one year is not annualized.
(4) Annualized.
68 Pilgrim Convertible Fund
<PAGE>
WHERE TO GO FOR MORE INFORMATION
You'll find more information about the Pilgrim Funds in our:
ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS
Includes a discussion of recent market conditions and investment strategies that
significantly affected performance, the financial statements and the auditor's
reports (in annual report only).
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)
The SAI contains more detailed information about the Pilgrim Funds. The SAI is
legally part of this prospectus (it is incorporated by reference). A copy has
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Please write or call for a free copy of the current Annual/Semi-Annual reports,
the SAI or other Fund information, or to make shareholder inquiries:
The Pilgrim Funds
40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
Phoenix, AZ 85004
1-800-992-0180
Or visit our website at www.pilgrimfunds.com.
This information may also be reviewed or obtained from the SEC. In order to
review the information in person, you will need to visit the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or call 202-942-8090. Otherwise, you may
obtain the information for a fee by contacting the SEC at:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Public Reference Section
Washington, D.C. 20549-0102
or at the e-mail address: [email protected]
Or obtain the information at no cost by visiting the SEC's Internet website at
http://www.sec.gov.
When contacting the SEC, you will want to refer to the Fund's SEC file number.
The file numbers are as follows:
Pilgrim Growth Opportunities Fund 811-4431
Pilgrim Equity Trust 811-8817
Pilgrim Mayflower Trust 811-7978
Pilgrim SmallCap Opportunities Fund 811-4434
Pilgrim Advisory Funds, Inc. 811-9040
Pilgrim Growth and Income Fund, Inc. 811-0865
Pilgrim Investment Funds, Inc. 811-1939
Pilgrim Mutual Funds 811-7428
Pilgrim Bank and Thrift Fund, Inc. 811-4504
USEQPROS073100-073100
<PAGE>
GRAPHICS DESCRIPTION APPENDIX
There are four icon sized graphics used throughout the prospectus as follows:
1. In the sections describing the Objective of the Funds, the graphic icon is
that of a dart in the bullseye of a target.
2. In the sections describing the Investment Strategy of the Funds, the
graphic icon is that of a compass pointing due north.
3. In the sections describing the Risks of the Funds, the graphic icon is that
of an old fashioned scale tilting heavy on the left side.
4. In the sections describing the Performance history of the Funds, the
graphic icon is that of a stack of US currency bills.
5. On the bottom footer of every odd numbered page (right hand page), the
graphic icon is that of a telephone by the 800 number of the fund to call
for information.
