As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 1999
File Nos. 2-28273
811-1605
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / X /
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ___ /___/
Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 / X /
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940 / X /
Amendment No. 32 / X /
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (617) 742-7825
Joseph P. Barri, Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
___ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
_X_ on May 3, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b)
___ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
___ on [date] pursuant to paragraph(a)(1)
___ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
___ on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
___This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
<PAGE>
[PIONEER LOGO]
Pioneer
Balanced Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
Prospectus, May 3, 1999
Contents
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Basic information about the fund 1
Management 7
Buying, exchanging and selling shares 9
Dividends, capital gains and taxes 27
Financial highlights 28
</TABLE>
Neither the Securities and Exchange
Commission nor any state securities
agency has approved the fund's shares
or determined whether this prospectus is
accurate or complete. Any representation
to the contrary is a crime.
<PAGE>
Basic information about the fund
Investment objectives
Capital growth and current income by actively managing investments in a
diversified portfolio of equity securities and bonds.
Investment strategies
The fund's equity investments include common stocks, interests in real estate
investment trusts (REITs), and securities with common stock characteristics,
such as convertible bonds and preferred stocks. The fund's investments in debt
securities include U.S. government securities, corporate debt securities,
mortgage- and asset-backed securities and commercial paper. Debt securities in
which the fund invests may have fixed or variable principal payments and all
types of interest rate payment and reset terms, including fixed rate,
adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind and auction
rate features.
The fund uses a "growth at a reasonable price" style of management in selecting
equity securities for its portfolio. Using this investment style, Pioneer
Investment Management, Inc., the fund's investment adviser, seeks to invest in
companies with above average potential for earnings and revenue growth that are
also trading at attractive market valuations. To select stocks, Pioneer
employs fundamental research and due diligence. Factors Pioneer looks for in
selecting investments include:
[square bullet] Favorable expected returns relative to perceived risk
[square bullet] Low market valuations relative to earnings forecast, book value,
cash flow and sales
[square bullet] Increasing earnings forecast
Pioneer considers both broad economic factors and issuer specific factors in
selecting debt securities for its portfolio. In assessing the appropriate
maturity and sector weighting of the fund's portfolio, Pioneer considers a
variety of factors that are expected to influence economic activity and
interest rates. These factors include fundamental economic
indicators, such as the rates of economic growth and inflation, Federal
Reserve monetary policy and the relative value of the U.S. dollar compared to
other currencies. Once Pioneer determines the preferable portfolio
characteristics, Pioneer selects individual securities based upon the terms of
the securities (such as yields compared to U.S. Treasuries or comparable
issues), liquidity, sector and issuer diversification. Pioneer also
employs fundamental research and due diligence to assess an issuer's credit
quality, taking into account financial condition and profitability, future
capital needs, potential for change in rating, industry outlook, the competitive
environment and management ability.
In making portfolio decisions, Pioneer relies on the knowledge, experience and
judgment of its own staff who have access to a wide variety of research.
[BEGIN SIDEBAR]
- ----------------------------
[GRAPHIC: MAGNIFYING GLASS]
Asset Allocation
Pioneer allocates
the fund's assets
between equity
and debt
securities based
on its
assessment of
current business,
economic and
market
conditions.
Normally, equity
and debt
securities each
represent 35% to
65% of the fund's
assets.
- ----------------------------
[END SIDEBAR]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact your investment professional to discuss how the fund fits into your
portfolio.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1
<PAGE>
Principal risks of investing in the fund
Even though the fund seeks capital growth and current income, you could lose
money on your investment or not make as much as if you invested elsewhere if:
[square bullet] The stock market goes down (this risk may be greater in the
short term)
[square bullet] The fund's equity investments do not have the growth potential
originally expected
[square bullet] Stocks selected for income do not achieve the same return as
securities selected for capital growth
The fund also has risks associated with investing in debt securities. The fund
could underperform other investments if:
[square bullet] Interest rates go up causing the value of the fund's portfolio
to decline
[square bullet] The issuer of a debt security owned by the fund defaults on its
obligation to pay principal or interest or has its credit rating
downgraded
[square bullet] During periods of declining interest rates, the issuer of a
security may exercise its option to prepay earlier than
scheduled, forcing the fund to reinvest in lower yielding
securities. This is known as call or prepayment risk
[square bullet] During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of
certain types of securities may be extended because of slower
than expected principal payments. This may lock in a below
market interest rate, increase the security's duration and
reduce the value of the security. This is known as extension
risk
[square bullet] Pioneer's judgment about the attractiveness, relative value or
potential appreciation of a particular sector, security or
investment strategy proves to be incorrect
2
<PAGE>
Basic information about the fund
The fund's past performance
The bar chart and table indicate the risks of investing in the fund by showing
how the fund has performed in the past. The fund's performance varies from year
to year.
The fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform
in the future. As a shareowner, you may lose or make money on your investment.
The fund began to invest for capital growth and current income in February
1997. Before that time, the fund's objective was income from a portfolio of
income producing bonds and stocks.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund performance
The chart shows the performance of the fund's Class A shares for each of the
past 10 calendar years. Class B and Class C shares have different performance.
The chart does not reflect any Class A sales charges you may pay when you buy or
sell fund shares. Any sales charge will reduce your return.
The fund's highest calendar quarterly return was 8.61% (6/30/97 to 9/30/97)
The fund's lowest calendar quarterly return was -6.86% (6/30/98 to 9/30/98)
For the calendar quarter ended March 31, 1999, the fund's total return was
- -0.49%.
Annual return Class A shares
(Year ended December 31)
[BAR CHART]
'89 15.89
'90 3.59
'91 18.62
'92 7.59
'93 10.24
'94 -4.31
'95 22.00
'96 9.89
'97 13.92
'98 1.15
[END BAR CHART]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison with Standard & Poor's 500 Index and Lehman Brothers Government/
Corporate Bond Index
The table shows the average annual returns for each class of the fund over time
and compares these returns to the returns of Standard & Poor's 500 Index and
the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index. Standard & Poor's 500
Index is a widely recognized measure of the performance of 500 widely held
common stocks. The Lehman Brothers Government/ Corporate Bond Index is a
composite index of the U.S. bond market. Unlike the fund, the indices are not
managed and do not incur expenses. The table:
[square bullet] Reflects sales charges applicable to the class
[square bullet] Assumes that you sell your shares at the end of the period
[square bullet] Assumes that you reinvest all of your dividends and
distributions
Average annual total return (%)
(for periods ended December 31, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Since Inception
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Inception Date
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A -3.42 7.14 9.08 8.52 5/17/68
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -3.64 n/a n/a 9.01 4/28/95
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 0.27 n/a n/a 7.35 1/31/96
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index 28.73 24.05 19.19 12.70*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LB Government/
Corporate Bond Index 8.59 7.74 9.86 9.64**
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Reflects the return since the inception of Class A Shares. The return of the
index since the inception of Class B Shares is 29.19% and since the inception
of Class C Shares is 27.64%.
** Reflects the return of the index since the inception of Class B Shares. The
return of the index since the inception of Class C Shares is 7.30%. Index
return information is not available for periods prior to January 1973.
3
<PAGE>
Fees and expenses
These are the fees and expenses, based on the fund's latest fiscal year, you
may pay if you invest in the fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shareowner fees
paid directly from your investment Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum sales charge (load) when you buy shares as a
percentage of offering price 4.50% None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a percentage of
offering price or the amount you receive when you sell
shares, whichever is less None(1) 4% 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual fund operating expenses
paid from the assets of the fund
as a percentage of average daily net assets Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fee 0.65% 0.65% 0.65%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee 0.25% 1.00% 1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses 0.27% 0.38% 0.47%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.17% 2.03% 2.12%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Purchases of $1 million or more and purchases by participants in certain
group plans are not subject to an initial sales charge but may be subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge. See "Buying, exchanging and selling
shares."
Example
This example helps you compare the costs of investing in the fund with the cost
of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that: a) you invest $10,000 in
the fund for the time periods shown, b) you reinvest all dividends and
distributions, c) your investment has a 5% return each year and d) the fund's
operating expenses remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, under these assumptions your
costs would be:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
If you sell your shares If you do not sell your shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of years you own your shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 3 5 10 1 3 5 10
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A $ 564 $ 805 $1,065 $ 1,806 $ 564 $ 805 $1,065 $ 1,806
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 606 937 1,293 2,137 206 637 1,093 2,137
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 315 664 1,139 2,452 215 664 1,139 2,452
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
Basic information about the fund
Other investment strategies
As discussed, the fund primarily invests in equity securities and bonds to seek
capital growth and current income.
This section describes additional investments that the fund may make or
strategies that it may pursue to a lesser degree to achieve the fund's goal.
Some of the fund's secondary investment policies also entail risks. To learn
more about these investments and risks, you should obtain and read the
statement of additional information (SAI).
More information on principal investments
The fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets (at the time of purchase) in
real estate investment trusts. Real estate investment trusts are pooled
investment vehicles that invest primarily in real estate or real estate related
loans. Investing in real estate investment trusts involves unique risks. They
are significantly affected by the market for real estate and are dependent upon
management skills and cash flow.
The fund may invest in U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities
include obligations: directly issued by or supported by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. government, like Treasury bills, notes and bonds and
Government National Mortgage Association certificates; supported by the right
of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, like those of the Federal
Home Loan Banks; supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S.
government to purchase the agency's securities like those of the Federal
National Mortgage Association; or supported only by the credit of the issuer
itself, like the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The fund may invest in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.
Mortgage-related securities may be issued by private companies or by agencies of
the U.S. government and represent direct or indirect participation in, or are
collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property.
Asset-backed securities represent participations in, or are secured by and
payable from, assets such as installment sales or loan contracts, leases, credit
card receivables and other categories of receivables.
Certain debt instruments may only pay principal at maturity or may only
represent the right to receive payments of principal or payments of interest on
underlying pools of mortgage or government securities, but not both. The value
of these types of instruments may change more drastically than debt securities
that pay both principal and interest during periods of changing interest rates.
Principal only mortgage backed securities generally increase in value if
interest rates decline, but are also subject to the risk of prepayment. Interest
only instruments generally increase in value in a rising interst rate
environment when fewer of the underlying mortgages are prepaid.
For mortgage derivatives and structured securities that have imbedded leverage
features, small changes in interest or prepayment rates may cause large and
sudden price movements. Mortgage derivatives can also become illiquid and hard
to value in declining markets.
If a rating organization downgrades the quality rating assigned to one or more
of the fund's portfolio securities, Pioneer will consider what actions, if any,
are appropriate including selling the downgraded security or purchasing
additional investment grade securities as soon as it is prudent to do so.
Investments in lower rated debt securities
Up to 10% of the fund's total assets (at the time of purchase) may be invested
in debt securities rated below investment grade. A debt security is investment
grade if it is rated in one of the top four categories by a nationally
recognized securities rating organization or determined to be of equivalent
credit quality by Pioneer. Debt securities rated below investment grade are
commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are considered speculative. Below
investment grade quality debt securities involve greater risk of loss, are
subject to greater price volatility and are less liquid, especially during
periods of economic uncertainty or change, than higher quality debt securities.
5
<PAGE>
Investments other than U.S. common stocks
The fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets (at the time of purchase) in
equity and debt securities of non-U.S. issuers. The fund will not invest more
than 5% of its total assets (at the time of purchase) in the securities of
emerging markets issuers. The fund invests in non-U.S. securities to
diversify its portfolio when they offer similar or greater potential for capital
appreciation. Investing in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to
investing in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include:
[square bullet] Less information about non-U.S. issuers or markets may be
available due to less rigorous disclosure and accounting
standards or regulatory practices
[square bullet] Many non-U.S. markets are smaller, less liquid and more
volatile. In a changing market, Pioneer may not be able to sell
the fund's portfolio securities in amounts and at prices it
considers reasonable
[square bullet] Adverse effect of currency exchange rates or controls on the
value of the fund's investments
[square bullet] Political, economic and social developments that adversely
affect the securities markets
[square bullet] Withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the
fund's return
Temporary investments
Normally, the fund invests substantially all of its assets to meet its
investment objective. The fund may invest the remainder of its assets in
securities with a remaining maturity of less than one year, cash equivalents or
may hold cash. For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may depart from its
principal investment strategies and invest part or all of its assets in these
securities. During such periods, the fund may not be able to achieve its
investment objective. The fund intends to adopt a defensive strategy only when
Pioneer believes securities in which the fund normally invests have
extraordinary risks due to political or economic factors.
Short-term trading
The fund usually does not trade for short-term profits. The fund will sell an
investment, however, even if it has only been held for a short time, if it no
longer meets the fund's investment criteria. If the fund does a lot of trading,
it may incur additional operating expenses, which would reduce performance, and
could cause shareowners to incur a higher level of taxable income or capital
gains.
Derivatives
The fund may use futures, options and other derivatives. A derivative is a
security or instrument whose value is determined by reference to the value or
the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other
financial instruments. The fund does not use derivatives as a primary
investment technique and generally limits their use to hedging. However, the
fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including:
[square bullet] As a hedge against adverse changes in stock market prices,
interest rates or currency exchange rates
[square bullet] As a substitute for purchasing or selling securities
[square bullet] To increase the fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that
may be considered speculative
Even a small investment in derivatives can have a significant impact on the
fund's exposure to stock market values, interest rates or currency exchange
rates. If changes in a derivative's value do not correspond to changes in the
value of the fund's other investments, the fund may not fully benefit from or
could lose money on the derivative position. In addition, some derivatives
involve risk of loss if the person who issued the derivative defaults on its
obligation. Certain derivatives may be less liquid and more difficult to value.
6
<PAGE>
Management
Pioneer, the fund's investment adviser,
selects the fund's investments and oversees the fund's operations.
Pioneer Group
The Pioneer Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are engaged in financial services
businesses in the United States and many foreign countries. As of December 31,
1998, the firm had more than $23 billion in assets under management worldwide
including more than $22 billion in U.S. mutual funds. The firm's U.S. mutual
fund investment history includes creating in 1928 one of the first mutual
funds. John F. Cogan, chairman of the board and president of The Pioneer Group,
Inc., owns approximately 14% of the firm. He is also an officer and director of
each of the Pioneer mutual funds.
Investment adviser
Pioneer manages a family of U.S. and international stock funds, bond funds
and money market funds. Pioneer is a subsidiary of The Pioneer Group, Inc. Its
main office is at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Portfolio manager
Day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio is the responsibility of
co-managers Tin Chan and Eric Weigel, vice presidents of Pioneer. Mr. Chan is
responsible for the equity investments of the fund. He joined Pioneer in August
1998 and has been an investment professional since 1993. Prior to joining
Pioneer, Mr. Chan was an Equity Portfolio Manager with Allmerica Financial from
1995 to 1998 and was an Equity Research Analyst with Key Corp. from 1993 to
1995. Mr. Weigel is responsible for the asset allocation decisions for the
fund. He joined Pioneer in August 1998 and has been an investment professional
since 1989. Prior to joining Pioneer, Mr. Weigel was Head of Global Asset
Allocation and Portfolio Manager at Chancellor LGT Asset Management from 1994
to 1997 and managed domestic and international portfolios for INVESCO
Management and Research from 1993 to 1994. Mr. Chan and Mr. Weigel are
supported by a team of portfolio managers and analysts who focus on equity
securities. This team provides research for the fund and other Pioneer mutual
funds with similar investment objectives or styles.
Day-to-day management of the fixed income portion of the fund is the
responsibility of a team of managers and analysts which focuses on fixed income
investments, supervised by Kenneth J. Taubes, a vice president of Pioneer. Mr.
Taubes joined Pioneer in September 1998 and has been an investment professional
since 1989. Prior to joining Pioneer, Mr. Taubes had served since 1991 as a
senior vice president and senior portfolio manager for several Putnam
Investments institutional accounts and mutual funds.
The portfolio management team operates under the supervision of Theresa A.
Hamacher. Ms. Hamacher is chief investment officer of Pioneer. She joined
Pioneer in 1997 and has been an investment professional since 1984; most
recently as chief investment officer at another investment adviser.
7
<PAGE>
Management fee
The fund pays Pioneer a fee for managing the fund and to cover the cost of
providing certain services to the fund. Pioneer's annual fee is equal to 0.65%
of the fund's average daily net assets up to $1 billion, 0.60% of the next $4
billion and 0.55% on the assets over $5 billion. The fee is usually computed
daily and paid monthly.
Distributor and transfer agent
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. is the fund's distributor. Pioneering Services
Corporation is the fund's transfer agent. The fund compensates the distributor
and transfer agent for their services. The distributor and the transfer agent
are subsidiaries of The Pioneer Group, Inc.
Year 2000
Information technology experts are concerned about computer and other
electronic systems' ability to process date-related information on and after
January 1, 2000. This scenario, commonly referred to as the "Year 2000
problem," could have an adverse impact on the fund and the provision of
services to its shareowners. Pioneer is addressing the Year 2000 problem with
respect to its systems and those used by the distributor and transfer agent.
During 1999, Pioneer expects to finish addressing all material Year 2000 issues
and to participate in industry-wide testing. The fund has obtained assurances
from its other service providers that they are taking appropriate Year 2000
measures and Pioneer is monitoring their efforts. Although the fund does not
expect the Year 2000 problem to adversely impact it, the fund cannot guarantee
that its, or the fund's service providers', efforts will be successful.
8
<PAGE>
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
[BEGIN SIDEBAR]
[GRAPHIC: MAGNIFYING GLASS]
- -------------------
Share price
The net asset
value per share
calculated on the
day of your
transaction,
adjusted for any
applicable sales
charge, is often
referred to as the
share price.
- -------------------
[END SIDEBAR]
Net asset value
The fund's net asset value is the value of its portfolio of securities plus any
other assets minus its operating expenses and any other liabilities. The fund
calculates a net asset value for each class of shares every day the New York
Stock Exchange is open when regular trading closes (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time).
The fund generally values its portfolio securities based on market prices or
quotations. When market prices are not available or are considered by Pioneer
to be unreliable, the fund may use an asset's fair value. Fair value is
determined in accordance with procedures approved by the fund's trustees.
International securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are
closed. For this reason, the values of any international securities owned by
the fund could change on a day when you cannot buy or sell shares of the fund.
You buy or sell shares at the net asset value per share calculated on the day
of your transaction, adjusted for any applicable sales charge. When you buy
Class A shares, you pay an initial sales charge. When you sell Class B or Class
C shares, you may pay a contingent deferred sales charge depending on how long
you have owned your shares.
Choosing a class of shares
The fund offers three classes of shares through this prospectus. Each class has
different sales charges and expenses, allowing you to choose the class that
best meets your needs.
Factors you should consider include:
[square bullet] How long you expect to own the shares
[square bullet] The expenses paid by each class
[square bullet] Whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges
Your investment professional can help you determine which class meets your
goals. Your investment firm may receive different compensation depending upon
which class you choose. If you are not a U.S. citizen and are purchasing shares
outside the U.S., you may pay different sales charges under local laws and
business practices.
Distribution plans
The fund has adopted a distribution plan for each class of shares offered
through this prospectus in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Under each plan the fund pays distribution and service
fees to the distributor. Because these fees are an ongoing expense, over time
they increase the cost of your investment and your shares may cost more than
shares that are not subject to a distribution fee.
9
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparing classes of shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Why you might prefer Class A shares may be You may prefer Class B You may prefer Class C
each class your best alternative if shares if you do not shares if you do not wish
you prefer to pay an want to pay an initial to pay an initial sales
initial sales charge and sales charge, or if you charge and you would
have lower annual plan to hold your rather pay higher annual
expenses, or if you investment for at least expenses over time.
qualify for any reduction six years. Class B
or waiver of the initial shares are not
sales charge. recommended if you
are investing $250,000
or more.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial sales charge Up to 4.50% of the None None
offering price, which is
reduced or waived for
large purchases and
certain types of
investors. At the time of
your purchase, your
investment firm may
receive a commission
from the distributor of
up to 4%, declining as
the size of your
investment increases.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contingent deferred None, except in certain Up to 4% is charged if A 1% charge if you sell
sales charges circumstances when you sell your shares. your shares within one
the initial sales charge The charge is reduced year of purchase. Your
is waived. over time and not investment firm may
charged after six years. receive a commission
Your investment firm from the distributor at the
may receive a time of your purchase of
commission from the up to 1%.
distributor at the time
of your purchase of up
to 4%.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and Up to 0.25% of average Up to 1% of average Up to 1% of average daily
service fees daily net assets. daily net assets. net assets.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual expenses Lower than Class B or Higher than Class A Higher than Class A
(including distribution Class C. shares; Class B shares shares; Class C shares
and service fees) convert to Class A do not convert to any
shares after eight other class of shares.
years. You continue to pay
higher annual expenses.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange privilege Class A shares of other Class B shares of other Class C shares of other
Pioneer mutual funds. Pioneer mutual funds. Pioneer mutual funds.
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
[BEGIN SIDEBAR]
[GRAPHIC: MAGNIFYING GLASS]
- ----------------------
Offering price
The net asset value
per share plus any
initial sales charge.
- ----------------------
[END SIDEBAR]
Sales charges: Class A shares
You pay the offering price when you buy Class A shares unless you qualify to
purchase shares at net asset value. You pay a lower sales charge as the size of
your investment increases. You do not pay a sales charge when you reinvest
dividends or distributions paid by the fund.
Investments of $1 million or more
You do not pay a sales charge when you purchase Class A shares if you are
investing $1 million or more, or you are a participant in certain group plans.
However, you pay a deferred sales charge if you sell your Class A shares within
one year of purchase. The sales charge is equal to 1% of your investment or
your sales proceeds, whichever is less.
Reduced sales charges
You may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge if you own or are purchasing
shares of Pioneer mutual funds. If you or your investment professional notifies
the distributor of your eligibility for a reduced sales charge at the time of
your purchase, the distributor will credit you with the combined value (at the
current offering price) of all your Pioneer mutual fund shares and the shares
of your spouse and the shares of any children under 21. Certain trustees and
fiduciaries may also qualify for a reduced sales charge. For this purpose,
Pioneer mutual funds include any fund for which the distributor is principal
underwriter and, at the distributor's discretion, may include funds organized
outside the U.S. managed by Pioneer.
See "Qualifying for a reduced sales charge" for more information.
Sales charges for Class A shares
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sales charge as % of
-------------------------
Offering Net amount
Amount of purchase price invested
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $100,000 4.50 4.71
- --------------------------------------------------------------
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63
- --------------------------------------------------------------
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50 2.56
- --------------------------------------------------------------
$500,000 but less than $1 million 2.00 2.04
- --------------------------------------------------------------
$1 million or more -0- -0-
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
Sales charges: Class B shares
You buy Class B shares at net asset value per share without paying an initial
sales charge. However, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge to the
distributor if you sell your Class B shares within six years of purchase. The
contingent deferred sales charge decreases as the number of years since your
purchase increases.
Contingent deferred sales charge
- -----------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------
On shares sold As a % of
before the dollar amount subject
end of year to the sales charge
<S> <C>
- -----------------------------------------
1 4
- -----------------------------------------
2 4
- -----------------------------------------
3 3
- -----------------------------------------
4 3
- -----------------------------------------
5 2
- -----------------------------------------
6 1
- -----------------------------------------
7+ -0-
- -----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Conversion to Class A shares
Class B shares automatically convert into Class A shares. This helps you
because Class A shares pay lower expenses.
Your Class B shares will convert to Class A shares at the beginning of the
calendar month (calendar quarter for shares purchased before October 1, 1998)
that is eight years after the date of purchase except that:
[square bullet] Shares bought by reinvesting dividends and capital gains will
convert to Class A shares at the same time as shares on which
the dividend or distribution was paid
[square bullet] Shares purchased by exchanging shares from another fund will
convert on the date that the shares originally acquired would
have converted into Class A shares
Currently, the Internal Revenue Service permits the conversion of shares to
take place without imposing a federal tax. Conversion may not occur if the
Internal Revenue Service deems it a taxable event for federal tax purposes.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paying the contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC)
Several rules apply for Class B shares so that you pay the lowest CDSC.
[square bullet] The CDSC is calculated on the current market value, or the
original cost, of the shares you are selling, whichever is less
[square bullet] You do not pay a CDSC on reinvested dividends or distributions
[square bullet] In determining the number of years since your purchase, all
purchases are considered to have been made on the first day of
that month (quarter for shares purchased before October 1, 1998)
[square bullet] If you sell only some of your shares, the transfer agent will
first sell your shares that are not subject to any CDSC and then
the shares that you have owned the longest
[square bullet] You may qualify for a waiver of the CDSC normally charged. See
"Qualifying for a reduced sales charge"
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[BEGIN SIDEBAR]
[GRAPHIC: MAGNIFYING GLASS]
- ----------------------
Contingent deferred
sales charge
A sales charge that
may be deducted
from your sale
proceeds.
- ----------------------
[END SIDEBAR]
12
<PAGE>
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
[BEGIN SIDEBAR]
[GRAPHIC: MAGNIFYING GLASS]
- -------------------
Contingent deferred
sales charge
A sales charge that
may be deducted
from your sale
proceeds.
- -------------------
[END SIDEBAR]
Sales charges: Class C shares
You buy Class C shares at net asset value per share without paying an initial
sales charge. However, if you sell your Class C shares within one year of
purchase, you will pay to the distributor a contingent deferred sales charge of
1% of the current market value, or the original cost, of the shares you are
selling, whichever is less.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paying the contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC)
Several rules apply for Class C shares which result in your paying the lowest
CDSC.
[square bullet] The CDSC is calculated on the current market value, or the
original cost, of the shares you are selling, whichever is less
[square bullet] You do not pay a CDSC on reinvested dividends or distributions
[square bullet] In determining the number of years since your purchase, all
purchases are considered to have been made on the first day of
that month (quarter for shares purchased before October 1, 1998)
[square bullet] If you sell only some of your shares, the transfer agent will
first sell your shares that are not subject to any CDSC and then
the shares that you have bought most recently
[square bullet] You may qualify for a waiver of the CDSC normally charged. See
"Qualifying for a reduced sales charge"
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13
<PAGE>
Qualifying for a reduced sales charge
Initial Class A sales charge waivers
You may purchase Class A shares at net asset value (without a sales charge) or
with a reduced initial sales charge as follows. If you believe you qualify for
any of the waivers discussed below, contact the distributor. You are required
to provide written confirmation of your eligibility. You may not resell these
shares except to or on behalf of the fund.
Class A purchases at net asset value are available to:
[square bullet] Current or former trustees and officers of the fund;
[square bullet] Current or former partners and employees of legal counsel to the
fund;
[square bullet] Current or former directors, officers, employees or sales
representatives of The Pioneer Group, Inc. and its affiliates;
[square bullet] Current or former directors, officers, employees or sales
representatives of any subadviser or a predecessor adviser (or
their affiliates) to any investment company for which Pioneer
serves as investment adviser;
[square bullet] Current or former officers, partners, employees or registered
representatives of broker-dealers which have entered into sales
agreements with the distributor;
[square bullet] Members of the immediate families of any of the persons above;
[square bullet] Any trust, custodian, pension, profit sharing or other benefit
plan of the foregoing persons;
[square bullet] Insurance company separate accounts;
[square bullet] Certain "wrap accounts" for the benefit of clients of financial
planners adhering to standards established by the distributor;
[square bullet] Other funds and accounts for which Pioneer or any of its
affiliates serve as investment adviser or manager;
[square bullet] In connection with certain reorganization, liquidation or
acquisition transactions involving other investment companies or
personal holding companies;
[square bullet] Certain unit investment trusts;
[square bullet] Employer-sponsored retirement plans with 100 or more eligible
employees or at least $500,000 in plan assets;
[square bullet] Participants in Optional Retirement Programs if (i) your
employer has authorized a limited number of mutual funds to
participate in the program, (ii) all participating mutual funds
sell shares to program participants at net asset value, (iii)
your employer has agreed in writing to actively promote Pioneer
mutual funds to program participants and (iv) the program
provides for a matching contribution for each participant
contribution.
14
<PAGE>
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Class A purchases at a reduced initial sales charge or net asset value are also
available to:
Group Plans if the sponsoring organization
[square bullet] recommends purchases of Pioneer mutual funds to,
[square bullet] permits solicitation of, or
[square bullet] facilitates purchases by
its employees, members or participants.
Letter of intent (Class A)
You can use a letter of intent to qualify for reduced sales charges in two
situations:
[square bullet] If you plan to invest at least $100,000 (excluding any
reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions) in the
fund's Class A shares during the next 13 months
[square bullet] If you include in your letter of intent the value -- at the
current offering price -- of all of your Class A shares of the
fund and all other Pioneer mutual fund shares held of record in
the amount used to determine the applicable sales charge for the
fund shares you plan to buy.
Completing a letter of intent does not obligate you to purchase additional
shares, but if you do not buy enough shares to qualify for the projected level
of sales charges by the end of the 13-month period (or when you sell your
shares, if earlier), the distributor will recalculate your sales charge. You
must pay the additional sales charge within 20 days after you are notified of
the recalculation or it will be deducted from your account (or your sale
proceeds). For more information regarding letters of intent, please contact
your investment professional or obtain and read the statement of additional
information.
Reinvestment (Class A)
If you sold shares of another mutual fund within the past 60 days, you may be
able to reinvest the sale proceeds from that fund in Class A shares of the fund
at net asset value without a sales charge.
To qualify:
[square bullet] Your investment firm must have a sales agreement with the
distributor;
[square bullet] You must demonstrate that the amount invested is from the
proceeds of the sale of shares from another mutual fund that
occurred within 60 days immediately preceding your purchase;
[square bullet] You paid a sales charge on the original purchase of the shares
sold; and
[square bullet] The mutual fund whose shares were sold also offers net asset
value purchases to shareowners that sell shares of a Pioneer
mutual fund.
15
<PAGE>
Waiver or reduction of contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC)
Class A shares that are subject to a CDSC
Purchases of Class A shares of $1 million or more, or by participants in a
Group Plan which were not subject to an initial sales charge, may be subject to
a CDSC upon redemption. A CDSC is payable to the distributor in the event of a
share redemption within 12 months following the share purchase, at the rate of
1% of the lesser of the value of the shares redeemed (exclusive of reinvested
dividend and capital gain distributions) or the total cost of such shares.
However, the CDSC is waived for redemptions of Class A shares purchased by an
employer-sponsored retirement plan qualified under Section 401 of the Internal
Revenue Code that has 1,000 or more eligible employees or at least $10 million
in plan assets.
Class A, Class B and Class C shares
The distributor may waive or reduce the CDSC for Class A shares that are
subject to a CDSC or for Class B or Class C shares if:
[square bullet] The distribution results from the death of all registered
account owners or a participant in an employer-sponsored plan.
For UGMAs, UTMAs and trust accounts, the waiver applies only
upon the death of all beneficial owners;
[square bullet] The distribution results from a total and permanent disability
(as defined by Section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code)
occurring after the purchase of the shares being sold. For
UGMAs, UTMAs and trust accounts, the waiver only applies upon
the disability of all beneficial owners;
[square bullet] The distribution is made in connection with limited automatic
redemptions as described in "Systematic withdrawal plans"
(limited in any year to 10% of the value of the account in the
fund at the time the withdrawal plan is established);
[square bullet] The distribution is from any type of IRA, 403(b) or employer-
sponsored plan and one of the following applies:
- It is part of a series of substantially equal periodic
payments made over the life expectancy of the participant or
the joint life expectancy of the participant and his or her
beneficiary (limited in any year to 10% of the value of the
participant's account at the time the distribution amount is
established);
- It is a required minimum distribution due to the attainment of
age 701/2, in which case the distribution amount may exceed
10% (based solely on plan assets held in Pioneer mutual
funds);
16
<PAGE>
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
- It is rolled over to or reinvested in another Pioneer fund in
the same class of shares, which will be subject to the CDSC of
the shares originally held;
- It is in the form of a loan to a participant in a plan that
permits loans (each repayment will be subject to a CDSC as
though a new purchase);
[square bullet] The distribution is to a participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan qualified under section 401 of the Internal
Revenue Code and is:
- A return of excess employee deferrals or contributions;
- A qualifying hardship distribution as defined by the Internal
Revenue Code. For Class B shares, waiver is granted only on
payments of up to 10% of total plan assets held by Pioneer for
all participants, reduced by the total of any prior
distributions made in that calendar year;
- Due to retirement or termination of employment. For Class B
shares, waiver is granted only on payments of up to 10% of
total plan assets held in a Pioneer mutual fund for all
participants, reduced by the total of any prior distributions
made in the same calendar year;
- From a qualified defined contribution plan and represents a
participant's directed transfer, provided that this privilege
has been preauthorized through a prior agreement with the
distributor regarding participant directed transfers (not
available to Class B shares);
[square bullet] The distribution is made pursuant to the fund's right to
liquidate or involuntarily redeem shares in a shareholder's
account;
[square bullet] The selling broker elects, with the distributor's approval, to
waive receipt of the commission normally paid at the time of the
sale.
17
<PAGE>
Opening your account
If your shares are held in your investment firm's name, the options and
services available to you may be different from those discussed in this
prospectus. Ask your investment professional for more information.
Account options
Use your account application to select options and privileges for your account.
You can change your selections at any time by sending a completed account
options form to the transfer agent. You may be required to obtain a signature
guarantee to make certain changes to an existing account.
Call or write to the fund's transfer agent for account applications, account
options forms and other account information:
Pioneering Services Corporation
P.O. Box 9014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9014
Telephone 1-800-225-6292
Telephone transaction privileges
If your account is registered in your name, you can buy, exchange or sell fund
shares by telephone. If you do not want your account to have telephone
transaction privileges, you must indicate that choice on your account
application or by writing to the transfer agent.
When you request a telephone transaction the transfer agent will try to confirm
that the request is genuine. The transfer agent records the call, requires the
caller to provide the personal identification number for the account and sends
you a written confirmation. The fund may implement other confirmation
procedures from time to time. Different procedures may apply if you have a
non-U.S. account or if your account is registered in the name of an
institution, broker-dealer or other third party.
[BEGIN SIDEBAR]
[GRAPHIC: TELEPHONE]
- ---------------------
By phone
If you want to place
your telephone
transaction by
speaking to a
shareowner
services
representative, call
1-800-225-6292
between 8:00 a.m.
and 9:00 p.m.
Eastern time on
any weekday that
the New York Stock
Exchange is open.
You may use FactFone(sm)
at any time.
- ---------------------
[END SIDEBAR]
18
<PAGE>
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
[BEGIN SIDEBAR]
[GRAPHIC: QUESTION MARK]
- -------------------
Consult your
investment
professional to
learn more about
buying, exchanging
or selling fund
shares.
- -------------------
[END SIDEBAR]
General rules on buying, exchanging and selling
your fund shares
Share price
If you place an order with your investment firm before the New York Stock
Exchange closes and your investment firm submits the order to the distributor
prior to the distributor's close of business (usually 5:30 p.m. Eastern time),
your share price will be calculated that day. Otherwise, your price per share
will be calculated at the close of the New York Stock Exchange after the
distributor receives your order. Your investment firm is responsible for
submitting your order to the distributor.
Buying
You may buy fund shares from any investment firm that has a sales agreement
with the distributor. If you do not have an investment firm, please call
1-800-225-6292 for information on how to locate an investment professional in
your area.
You can buy fund shares at the offering price. The distributor may reject any
order until it has confirmed the order in writing and received payment. The
fund reserves the right to stop offering any class of shares.
Minimum investment amounts
Your initial investment must be at least $1,000. Additional investments must be
at least $50 for Class A shares and $500 for Class B or Class C shares. You may
qualify for lower initial or subsequent investment minimums if you are opening
a retirement plan account, establishing an automatic investment plan or placing
your trade through your investment firm.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retirement plan accounts
You can purchase fund shares through tax-deferred retirement plans for
individuals, businesses and tax-exempt organizations.
Your initial investment for most types of retirement plan accounts must be at
least $250. Additional investments for most types of retirement plans must be
at least $100.
You may not use the account application accompanying this prospectus to
establish a Pioneer retirement plan. You can obtain retirement plan
applications from your investment firm or by calling the Retirement Plans
Department at 1-800-622-0176.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19
<PAGE>
Exchanging
You may exchange your shares for shares of the same class of another Pioneer
mutual fund.
Your exchange request must be for at least $1,000 unless the fund you are
exchanging into has a different minimum. The fund allows you to exchange your
shares at net asset value without charging you either an initial or contingent
deferred sales charge at the time of the exchange. Shares you acquire as part
of an exchange will continue to be subject to any contingent deferred sales
charge that applies to the shares you originally purchased. When you ultimately
sell your shares, the date of your original purchase will determine your
contingent deferred sales charge.
Before you request an exchange, consider each fund's investment objective and
policies as described in the fund's prospectus.
Selling
Your shares will be sold at net asset value per share next calculated after the
fund receives your request in good order.
If the shares you are selling are subject to a deferred sales charge, it will
be deducted from the sale proceeds. The fund generally will send your sale
proceeds by check, bank wire or electronic funds transfer. Normally you will be
paid within seven days. If you recently sent a check to purchase the shares
being sold, the fund may delay payment of the sale proceeds until your check
has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days from the purchase date.
If you are selling shares from a nonretirement account or certain IRAs, you may
use any of the methods described below. If you are selling shares from a
retirement account other than an IRA, you must make your request in writing.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good order means that:
[square bullet] You have provided adequate instructions
[square bullet] There are no outstanding claims against your account
[square bullet] There are no transaction limitations on your account
[square bullet] If you have any fund share certificates, you submit them
and they are signed by each record owner exactly as the shares
are registered
[square bullet] Your request includes a signature guarantee if you:
- Are selling over $100,000 or exchanging over $500,000 worth of
shares
- Changed your account registration or address within the last
30 days
- Instruct the transfer agent to mail the check to an address
different from the one on your account
- Want the check paid to someone other than the account owner(s)
- Are transferring the sale proceeds to a Pioneer mutual fund
account with a different registration
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[BEGIN SIDEBAR]
[GRAPHIC: ARCHITECT COLUMN]
- ----------------------------
You may have to
pay federal income
taxes on a sale or
an exchange.
- ----------------------------
[END SIDEBAR]
20
<PAGE>
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Buying shares Exchanging shares
--------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Through your Normally, your investment firm will send your Normally, your investment firm will send your
investment firm purchase request to the fund's transfer exchange request to the fund's transfer
agent. Consult your investment professional agent. Consult your investment professional
for more information. Your investment firm for more information about exchanging your
may receive a commission from the distributor shares.
for your purchase of fund shares. The
distributor or its affiliates may pay
additional compensation, out of their own
assets, to certain investment firms or their
affiliates based on objective criteria
established by the distributor.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By phone You can use the telephone purchase privilege After you establish your fund account, you
if you have an existing non- retirement can exchange fund shares by phone if:
account or certain IRAs. You can purchase [square bullet] You are using the exchange to
additional fund shares by phone if: establish a new account,
[square bullet] You established your bank provided the new account has a
account of record at least registration identical to the
30 days ago original account
[square bullet] Your bank information has [square bullet] The fund into which you are
not changed for at least 30 exchanging offers the same
days class of shares
[square bullet] You are not purchasing more [square bullet] You are not exchanging more
than $25,000 worth of shares than $500,000 worth of shares
per account per day per account per day
[square bullet] You can provide the proper [square bullet] You can provide the proper
account identification account identification
information information
When you request a telephone purchase, the
transfer agent will electronically debit the
amount of the purchase from your bank account
of record. The transfer agent will purchase
fund shares for the amount of the debit at
the offering price determined after the
transfer agent receives your telephone
purchase instruction and good funds. It
usually takes three business days for the
transfer agent to receive notification from
your bank that good funds are available in
the amount of your investment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In writing, You can purchase fund shares for an existing You can exchange fund shares by mailing or
by mail fund account by mailing a check to the faxing a letter of instruction to the
or by fax transfer agent. Make your check payable to transfer agent. You can exchange fund shares
the fund. Neither initial nor subsequent directly through the fund only if your
investments should be made by third party account is registered in your name. However,
check. Your check must be in U.S. dollars and you may not fax an exchange request for more
drawn on a U.S. bank. Include in your than $500,000. Include in your letter:
purchase request the fund's name, the account [square bullet] The names, social security number and
number and the name or names in the account signatures of all registered owners
registration. [square bullet] A signature guarantee for each
registered owner if the amount
of the exchange is more than
$500,000
[square bullet] The name of the fund out of
which you are exchanging and
the name of the fund into
which you are exchanging
[square bullet] The class of shares you are
exchanging
[square bullet] The dollar amount or number of
shares you are exchanging
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------
Selling shares
- ----------------------------------------------
Normally, your investment firm will send your
request to sell shares to the fund's transfer
agent. Consult your investment professional
for more information. The fund has authorized
the distributor to act as its agent in the
repurchase of fund shares from qualified
investment firms. The fund reserves the right
to terminate this procedure at any time.
- ----------------------------------------------
You may sell up to $100,000 per account per
day. You may sell fund shares held in a
retirement plan account by phone only if your
account is an IRA. You may not sell your
shares by phone if you have changed your
address (for checks) or your bank information
(for wires and transfers) in the last 30
days.
You may receive your sale proceeds:
[square bullet] By check, provided the check
is made payable exactly as
your account is registered
[square bullet] By bank wire or by electronic
funds transfer, provided the
sale proceeds are being sent
to your bank address of record
- ----------------------------------------------
You can sell some or all of your fund shares
by writing directly to the fund only if your
account is registered in your name. Include
in your request your name, your social security
number, the fund's name, your fund account
number, the class of shares to be sold, the
dollar amount or number of shares to be sold
and any other applicable requirements as
described below. The transfer agent will
send the sale proceeds to your
address of record unless you provide other
instructions. Your request must be signed by
all registered owners and be in good order.
The transfer agent will not process your
request until it is received in good order.
You may not sell more than $100,000 per
account per day by fax.
- ----------------------------------------------
How to contact us
By phone [GRAPHIC: TELEPHONE]
For information or to request a telephone transaction between 8:00 a.m. and
9:00 p.m. (Eastern time) by speaking with a shareholder services
representative call
1-800-225-6292
To request a transaction using FactFone(sm) call
1-800-225-4321
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)
1-800-225-1997
By mail [GRAPHIC: ENVELOPE]
Send your written instructions to:
Pioneering Services Corporation
P.O. Box 9014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9014
By fax [GRAPHIC: FAX MACHINE]
Fax your exchange and sale requests to:
1-800-225-4240
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fund and the distributor reserve the right
to refuse any exchange request or restrict, at
any time without notice, the number and/or
frequency of exchanges to prevent abuses of
the exchange privilege. Abuses include
frequent trading in response to short-term
market fluctuations and a pattern of trading
that appears to be an attempt to "time the
market." In addition, the fund and the
distributor reserve the right, at any time
without notice, to charge a fee for exchanges
or to modify, limit or suspend the exchange
privilege. The fund will provide 60
days notice of material amendments to or
termination of the privilege.
- ------------------------------------------------
22
<PAGE>
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Account options
See the account application form for more details on each of the following
options.
Automatic investment plans
You can make regular periodic investments in the fund by setting up monthly
bank drafts, government allotments, payroll deduction, a Pioneer Investomatic
Plan and other similar automatic investment plans. You may use an automatic
investment plan to establish a Class A share account with a small initial
investment. If you have a Class B or Class C share account and your balance is
at least $1,000, you may establish an automatic investment plan.
Pioneer Investomatic Plan
If you establish a Pioneer Investomatic Plan, the transfer agent will make a
periodic investment in fund shares by means of a preauthorized electronic funds
transfer from your bank account. Your plan investments are voluntary. You may
discontinue your plan at any time or change the plan's dollar amount, frequency
or investment date by calling or writing to the transfer agent. You should
allow up to 30 days for the transfer agent to establish your plan.
Automatic exchanges
You can automatically exchange your fund shares for shares of the same class of
another Pioneer mutual fund. The automatic exchange will begin on the day you
select when you complete the appropriate section of your account application or
an account options form. In order to use automatic exchange:
[square bullet] You must select exchanges on a monthly or quarterly basis
[square bullet] Both the originating and receiving accounts must have identical
registrations
[square bullet] The originating account has a minimum balance of $5,000
Distribution options
The fund offers three distribution options. Any fund shares you buy by
reinvesting distributions will be priced at the applicable net asset value per
share.
(1) Unless you indicate another option on your account application, any
dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you by the fund will
automatically be invested in additional fund shares.
(2) You may elect to have the amount of any dividends paid to you in cash and
any capital gain distributions reinvested in additional shares.
(3) You may elect to have the full amount of any dividends and/or capital gain
distributions paid to you in cash.
Options (2) or (3) are not available to retirement plan accounts or accounts
with a current value of less than $500.
If your distribution check is returned to the transfer agent or you do not cash
the check for six months or more, the transfer agent may reinvest the amount of
the check in your account and automatically change the distribution option on
your account to option (1) until you request a different option in writing.
These additional shares will be purchased at the then current net asset value.
23
<PAGE>
Directed dividends
You can invest the dividends paid by one of your Pioneer mutual fund accounts
in a second Pioneer mutual fund account. The value of your second account must
be at least $1,000 ($500 for Pioneer Fund or Pioneer II). You may direct the
investment of any amount of dividends. There are no fees or charges for
directed dividends. If you have a retirement plan account, you may only direct
dividends to accounts with identical registrations.
Systematic withdrawal plans
When you establish a systematic withdrawal plan for your account, the transfer
agent will sell the number of fund shares you specify on a periodic basis and
the proceeds will be paid to you or to any person you select. You must obtain a
signature guarantee to direct payments to another person after you have
established your systematic withdrawal plan. Payments can be made either by
check or by electronic transfer to a bank account you designate.
To establish a systematic withdrawal plan:
[square bullet] Your account must have a total value of at least $10,000 when
you establish your plan
[square bullet] You must request a periodic withdrawal of at least $50
[square bullet] You may not request a periodic withdrawal of more than 10% of
the value of any Class B or Class C share account (valued at the
time the plan is implemented)
Systematic sales of fund shares may be taxable transactions for you. If you
purchase Class A shares while you are making systematic withdrawals from your
account, you may pay unnecessary sales charges.
Direct deposit
If you elect to take dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions in
cash, or if you establish a systematic withdrawal plan, you may choose to have
those cash payments deposited directly into your savings, checking or NOW bank
account.
Voluntary tax withholding
You may have the transfer agent withhold 28% of the dividends and capital gain
distributions paid from your fund account (before any reinvestment) and forward
the amount withheld to the Internal Revenue Service as a credit against your
federal income taxes. Voluntary tax withholding is not available for retirement
plan accounts or for accounts subject to backup withholding.
Reinstatement privilege for Class A shares
You may qualify for the reinstatement privilege if you recently sold all or
part of your Class A shares.
24
<PAGE>
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
Shareowner services
FactFone(sm) 1-800-225-4321
You can use FactFone(sm) to:
[square bullet] Obtain current information on your Pioneer mutual fund accounts
[square bullet] Inquire about the prices and yields of all publicly available
Pioneer mutual funds
[square bullet] Make computer-assisted telephone purchases, exchanges and
redemptions for your fund accounts
[square bullet] Request account statements
If you plan to use FactFone(sm) to make telephone purchases and redemptions,
first you must activate your personal identification number and establish your
bank account of record. If your account is registered in the name of a
broker-dealer or other third party, you may not be able to use FactFone(sm).
Confirmation statements
The transfer agent maintains an account for each investment firm or individual
shareowner and records all account transactions. You will be sent confirmation
statements showing the details of your transactions as they occur, except
automatic investment plan transactions, which are confirmed quarterly. If you
have more than one Pioneer mutual fund account registered in your name, the
Pioneer combined account statement will be mailed to you each quarter.
Tax information
In January of each year, the fund will mail you information about the tax
status of the dividends and distributions paid to you by the fund.
Pioneer website
www.pioneerfunds.com
The website includes a full selection of information on mutual fund investing.
You can also use the website to get:
[square bullet] Your current account information
[square bullet] Prices, returns and yields of all publicly available Pioneer
mutual funds
[square bullet] Prospectuses for all the Pioneer funds
TDD 1-800-225-1997
If you have a hearing disability and access to TDD keyboard equipment, you can
contact our telephone representatives with questions about your account by
calling our TDD number between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern time any weekday
that the New York Stock Exchange is open.
25
<PAGE>
Shareowner account policies
Signature guarantees and other requirements
You are required to obtain a signature guarantee when you are:
[square bullet] Requesting certain types of exchanges or sales of fund shares
[square bullet] Redeeming shares for which you hold a share certificate
[square bullet] Requesting certain types of changes for your existing account
You can obtain a signature guarantee from most broker-dealers, banks, credit
unions (if authorized under state law) and federal savings and loan
associations. You cannot obtain a signature guarantee from a notary public.
Fiduciaries and corporations are required to submit additional documents to
sell fund shares.
Minimum account size
The fund requires that you maintain a minimum account value of $500. If you
hold less than the minimum in your account because you have sold or exchanged
some of your shares, the fund will notify you of its intent to sell your shares
and close your account. You may avoid this by increasing the value of your
account to at least the minimum within six months of the notice from the fund.
Telephone access
You may have difficulty contacting the fund by telephone during times of market
volatility or disruption in telephone service. If you are unable to reach the
fund by telephone, you should communicate with the fund in writing.
Share certificates
Normally, your shares will remain on deposit with the transfer agent and
certificates will not be issued. If you are legally required to obtain a
certificate, you may request one for your Class A shares only. A fee may be
charged for this service.
Other policies
The fund may suspend transactions in shares when trading on the New York Stock
Exchange is closed or restricted, when an emergency exists that makes it
impracticable for the fund to sell or value its portfolio securities or with
the permission of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The fund or the distributor may revise, suspend or terminate the account
options and services available to shareowners at any time.
The fund reserves the right to redeem in kind by delivering portfolio securities
to a redeeming shareowner, provided that the fund must pay redemptions in cash
if a shareowner's aggregate redemptions in a 90 day period are less than
$250,000 or 1% of the fund's net assets.
26
<PAGE>
Dividends, capital gains and taxes
[BEGIN SIDEBAR]
[GRAPHIC: ARCHITECT COLUMN]
- ----------------------------
Sales and
exchanges may be
taxable
transactions to
shareowners.
- ----------------------------
[END SIDEBAR]
Dividends and capital gains
The fund declares a dividend daily. The dividend consists of substantially all
of the fund's net income. You begin to earn dividends on the first business day
following receipt of payment for shares. You continue to earn dividends up to
the date of sale. Dividends are normally paid on the last business day of each
month. The fund makes distributions from net long-term capital gains, if any,
annually, generally in November.
The fund may also pay dividends and distributions at other times if necessary
for the fund to avoid federal income or excise tax. If you invest in the fund
close to the time that the fund makes a capital gains distribution, generally
you will pay a higher price per share and you will pay taxes on the amount of
the capital gains distribution whether you reinvest the distribution or receive
it as cash.
Taxes
For federal income tax purposes, your distributions from the fund's net
long-term capital gains are considered long-term capital gains and may be
taxable to you at different maximum rates depending upon their source and other
factors. Dividends and short-term capital gain distributions are taxable as
ordinary income. Dividends and distributions are taxable, whether you take
payment in cash or reinvest them to buy additional fund shares. You may also
have tax consequences (generally, a capital gain or loss) when you sell or
exchange fund shares. Each year the fund will mail to you information about
your dividends and distributions for, and the shares you sold in, the previous
calendar year.
You must provide your social security number or other taxpayer identification
number to the fund along with the certifications required by the Internal
Revenue Service when you open an account. If you do not or if it is otherwise
legally required to do so, the fund will withhold 31% "backup withholding" tax
from your dividends and distributions, sales proceeds and any other payments to
you.
You should ask your own tax adviser about any federal or state tax
considerations, including possible additional withholding taxes for non-U.S.
shareholders. You may also consult the fund's statement of additional
information for a more detailed discussion of federal income tax considerations
that may affect the fund and its shareowners.
27
<PAGE>
Financial highlights
The financial highlights table helps you understand
the fund's financial performance for the past five years.
Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The
total returns in the table represent the rate that you would have earned on an
investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions).
This information has been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, whose report is
included in the fund's annual report along with the fund's financial
statements. The annual report is available upon request.
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Class A shares
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the year ended December 31
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.15 $ 10.65 $ 10.30 $ 9.11 $ 10.21
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.30 $ 0.41 $ 0.64 $ 0.66 $ 0.66
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments (0.18) 1.03 0.33 1.29 (1.09)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
from investment operations $ 0.12 $ 1.44 $ 0.97 $ 1.95 $ (0.43)
Distributions to shareholders:
Net investment income (0.30) (0.40) (0.62) (0.65) (0.67)
Net realized gain (0.23) (1.54) -- (0.11) --
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ (0.41) $ (0.50) $ 0.35 $ 1.19 $ (1.10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 9.74 $ 10.15 $ 10.65 $ 10.30 $ 9.11
=====================================================================
Total return* 1.14% 13.92% 9.89% 22.00% (4.31)%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 1.17%+ 1.19%+ 1.10%+ 1.13%+ 1.11%
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets 2.92%+ 3.55%+ 6.17%+ 6.58%+ 7.07%
Portfolio turnover rate 94% 1.22% 31% 25% 50%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $ 257,419 $274,695 $276,064 $281,639 $259,970
Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly:
Net expenses 1.16% 1.17% 1.08% 1.11% --
Net investment income (loss) 2.93% 3.57% 6.19% 6.60% --
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
+ Ratio assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
28
<PAGE>
Financial highlights
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Class B shares
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
April 28, 1995
For the year ended December 31, through
------------------------------------------ December 31,
1998 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.08 $ 10.59 $10.27 $ 9.55
-----------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.23 $ 0.32 $ 0.52 $ 0.39
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments (0.21) 1.02 0.37 0.90
-----------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) from
investment operations $ 0.02 $ 1.34 $ 0.89 $ 1.29
Distributions to shareholders:
Net investment income (0.22) (0.31) (0.52) (0.46)
In excess of net investment income - - (0.05) -
Net realized gain (0.23) (1.54) - (0.11)
-----------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $ (0.43) $ (0.51) $ 0.32 $ (0.72)
-----------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 9.65 $ 10.08 $10.59 $ 10.27
=====================================================
Total return* 0.19% 12.98% 9.02% 13.74%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 2.03%+ 2.01%+ 1.88%+ 1.88%**+
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets 2.09%+ 2.65%+ 5.45%+ 5.83**+
Portfolio turnover rate 94% 122% 31% 25%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $22,737 $13,789 $6,940 $1,800
Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly:
Net expenses 2.01% 1.99% 1.86% 1.78%**
Net investment income (loss) 2.11% 2.67% 5.47% 5.93%**
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
** Annualized.
+ Ratio assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
29
<PAGE>
Pioneer Balanced Fund
Class C shares
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the year ended January 31,
December 31 1996 through
------------------------- December 31,
1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.17 $10.62 $ 10.39
------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.23 $ 0.33 $ 0.49
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments (0.20) 1.07 0.31
------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) from
investment operations $ 0.03 $ 1.40 $ 0.80
Distributions to shareholders:
Net investment income (0.22) (0.31) (0.49)
In excess of net investment income -- -- (0.08)
Net realized gain (0.23) (1.54) --
------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value $(0.42) $(0.45) $ 0.23
------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 9.75 $10.17 $ 10.62
====================================
Total return* 0.27% 13.48% 8.12%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 2.12%+ 2.03%+ 1.76%**+
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets 2.01%+ 2.68%+ 5.63%**+
Portfolio turnover rate 94% 122% 31%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $3,778 $1,900 $ 1,059
Ratios assuming reduction for fees paid indirectly:
Net expenses 2.09% 1.98% 1.73%**
Net investment income (loss) 2.04% 2.73% 5.66%**
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
** Annualized.
+ Ratio assuming no reduction for fees paid indirectly.
30
<PAGE>
Pioneer
Balanced Fund
You can obtain more free information about the fund from your investment firm
or by writing to Pioneering Services Corporation, 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109. You may also call 1-800-225-6292.
Shareowner reports
Annual and semiannual reports to shareowners provide information about the
fund's investments. The annual report discusses market conditions and
investment strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during
its last fiscal year.
Statement of additional information
The statement of additional information provides more detailed information
about the fund. It is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Visit our website
www.pioneerfunds.com
You can also review the fund's shareowner reports, prospectus and statement of
additional information at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public
Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330 to request a
copy. The Commission charges a fee for this service. You can get the same
information free from the Commission's Internet website (http://www.sec.gov).
(Investment Company Act file no. 811-01605)
[PIONEER LOGO] Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
0499-6242
www.pioneerfunds.com (C) Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
<PAGE>
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
MAY 3, 1999
This statement of additional information is not a prospectus. It should be read
in conjunction with the fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares prospectus
dated May 3, 1999, as supplemented or revised from time to time. A copy of the
prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling Shareholder Services at
1-800-225-6292 or by written request to the fund at 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109. You can also obtain a copy of the fund's Class A, Class B
and Class C shares prospectus from our website at: www.pioneerfunds.com. The
fund's financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 are
incorporated into this statement of additional information by reference. The
most recent annual report to shareholders is attached to this statement of
additional information.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Fund History.......................................................2
2. Investment Policies, Risks and Restrictions........................2
3. Management of the Fund............................................25
4. Investment Adviser................................................29
5. Principal Underwriter and Distribution Plans......................30
6. Shareholder Servicing/Transfer Agent..............................35
7. Custodian.........................................................35
8. Independent Public Accountants....................................35
9. Portfolio Transactions............................................35
10. Description of Shares.............................................37
11. Sales Charges.....................................................39
12. Redeeming Shares..................................................42
13. Telephone Transactions............................................43
14. Pricing of Shares.................................................44
15. Tax Status........................................................45
16. Investment Results................................................49
17. Financial Statements..............................................52
18. Appendix A - Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information............53
19. Appendix B - Description of Short-term Debt, Corporate Bond and
Preferred Stock Ratings...........................................57
20. Appendix C - Performance Statistics...............................63
21. Appendix D - Other Pioneer Information............................77
<PAGE>
1. FUND HISTORY
The fund is a diversified open-end management investment company. The fund was
organized as a Nebraska corporation in 1968 and reorganized as a Delaware
business trust on June 16, 1994. Prior to February 1, 1997, the fund's name was
"Pioneer Income Fund" with an investment objective of income, primarily
investing in income producing bonds and stocks.
2. INVESTMENT POLICIES, RISKS AND RESTRICTIONS
The prospectus presents the investment objective and the principal investment
strategies and risks of the fund. This section supplements the disclosure in the
fund's prospectus and provides additional information on the fund's investment
policies or restrictions. Restrictions or policies stated as a maximum
percentage of the fund's assets are only applied immediately after a portfolio
investment to which the policy or restriction is applicable. Accordingly, any
later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, net assets or
other circumstances will not be considered in determining whether the investment
complies with the fund's restrictions and policies.
PRIMARY INVESTMENTS
Under normal circumstances, the fund invests in a diversified portfolio of
equity securities and bonds.
DEBT SECURITIES RATING CRITERIA
Investment grade debt securities are those rated "BBB" or higher by Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group ("Standard & Poor's"), the equivalent rating of other
national statistical rating organizations. Debt securities rated BBB are
considered medium grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken the issuer's
ability to pay interest and repay principal.
Below investment grade debt securities are those rated "BB" and below by
Standard & Poor's or the equivalent rating of other national statistical rating
organizations or are determined by Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.
("Pioneer") to be of equivalent credit quality. See Appendix B for a description
of rating categories.
Below investment grade debt securities or comparable unrated securities are
commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are considered predominantly
speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments.
Changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to
make principal payments and interest payments. The amount of junk bond
securities outstanding has proliferated as an increasing number of issuers have
used junk bonds for corporate financing. An economic downturn could severely
affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations
or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Factors having an adverse impact on
the market value of lower quality securities will have an adverse effect on the
fund's net asset value to the extent that it invests in such securities. In
addition, the fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to
seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its
portfolio holdings.
The secondary market for junk bond securities, which is concentrated in
relatively few market makers, may not be as liquid as the secondary market for
more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the
fund's ability to dispose of a particular security when necessary to meet its
liquidity needs. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary
market for junk bond securities could contract further, independent of any
specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. As a result,
the fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to
sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely
traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities,
under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the
fund's net asset value.
Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with
lower quality debt securities of the type in which the fund may invest a portion
of its assets, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate
more than those for higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of
the debt securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers' creditworthiness
tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in
higher quality segments of the debt securities market, resulting in greater
yield and price volatility.
Lower rated and comparable unrated debt securities tend to offer higher yields
than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical
financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been as
strong as that of other issuers. However, lower rated securities generally
involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher rated
securities. Pioneer will attempt to reduce these risks through portfolio
diversification and by analysis of each issuer and its ability to make timely
payments of income and principal, as well as broad economic trends and corporate
developments.
CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES
The fund may also invest in convertible debt securities which are debt
obligations convertible at a stated exchange rate or formula into common stock
or other equity securities of or owned by the issuer. Convertible securities
rank senior to common stocks in an issuer's capital structure and consequently
may be of higher quality and entail less risk than the issuer's common stock. As
with all debt securities, the market values of convertible securities tend to
increase when interest rates decline and, conversely, tend to decline when
interest rates increase.
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
For temporary defensive or cash management purposes, the fund may invest in all
types of short-term investments including, but not limited to, corporate
commercial paper and other short-term commercial obligations issued by domestic
companies; obligations (including certificates of deposit, time deposits, demand
deposits and bankers' acceptances) of banks located in the U.S.; obligations
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or
instrumentalities; and repurchase agreements.
DEBT OBLIGATIONS OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS
An investment in debt obligations of foreign governments and their political
subdivisions (sovereign debt) involve special risks that are not present in
corporate debt obligations. The foreign issuer of the sovereign debt or the
foreign governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be
unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and a fund may have
limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic
uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt may be more volatile than
prices of debt obligations of U.S. issues. In the past, certain foreign
countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations,
withheld payments of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the
payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debt.
A sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest
in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow
situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of
sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the
sovereign debtor's policy toward its principal international lenders and local
political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected
disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and other entities
to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure of a
sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of
economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the
cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor,
which may further impair such debtor's ability or willingness to service its
debts.
EURODOLLAR INSTRUMENTS AND SAMURAI AND YANKEE BONDS. The fund may invest in
Eurodollar instruments and Samurai and Yankee bonds. Eurodollar instruments are
bonds of corporate and government issuers that pay interest and principal in
U.S. dollars but are issued in markets outside the United States, primarily in
Europe. Samurai bonds are yen-denominated bonds sold in Japan by non-Japanese
issuers. Yankee bonds are U.S. dollar denominated bonds typically issued in the
U.S. by foreign governments and their agencies and foreign banks and
corporations. The fund may also invest in Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit
("ECDs"), Eurodollar Time Deposits ("ETDs") and Yankee Certificates of Deposit
("Yankee CDs"). ECDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued
by foreign branches of domestic banks; ETDs are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits
in a foreign branch of a U.S. bank or in a foreign bank; and Yankee CDs are U.S.
dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign
bank and held in the U.S. These investments involve risks that are different
from investments in securities issued by U.S. issuers, including potential
unfavorable political and economic developments, foreign withholding or other
taxes, seizure of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations or
other governmental restrictions which might affect payment of principal or
interest.
RISKS OF NON-U.S. INVESTMENTS
To the extent that the fund invests in the securities of non-U.S. issuers, those
investments involve considerations and risks not typically associated with
investing in the securities of issuers in the U.S. These risks are heightened
with respect to investments in countries with emerging markets and economies.
The risks of investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers or issuers with
significant exposure to non-U.S. markets may be related, among other things, to
(i) differences in size, liquidity and volatility of, and the degree and manner
of regulation of, the securities markets of certain markets compared to the
securities markets in the U.S.; (ii) economic, political and social factors; and
(iii) foreign exchange matters, such as restrictions on the repatriation of
capital, fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the
currencies in which the fund's portfolio securities are quoted or denominated,
exchange control regulations and costs associated with currency exchange. The
political and economic structures in certain non-U.S. countries, particularly
emerging markets, are expected to undergo significant evolution and rapid
development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic
stability characteristic of more developed countries. Unanticipated political or
social developments may affect the values of the fund's investments in such
countries. The economies and securities and currency markets of many emerging
markets have experienced significant disruption and declines. There can be no
assurances that these economic and market disruptions will not continue.
FOREIGN SECURITIES MARKETS AND REGULATIONS. There may be less publicly available
information about non-U.S. markets and issuers than is available with respect to
U.S. securities and issuers. Non-U.S. companies generally are not subject to
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. The trading
markets for most non-U.S. securities are generally less liquid and subject to
greater price volatility than the markets for comparable securities in the U.S.
The markets for securities in certain emerging markets are in the earliest
stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded
securities in certain non-U.S. markets, including emerging countries, may not be
able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading
volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in
the U.S. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less
extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and
reduced liquidity. The less liquid a market, the more difficult it may be for
the fund to accurately price its portfolio securities or to dispose of such
securities at the times determined by Pioneer to be appropriate. The risks
associated with reduced liquidity may be particularly acute in situations in
which the fund's operations require cash, such as in order to meet redemptions
and to pay its expenses.
ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS. Certain non-U.S. countries, including
emerging markets, may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and
social instability than is the case in the U.S. and Western European countries.
Such instability may result from, among other things: (i) authoritarian
governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making;
(ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved economic, political and
social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with
neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection and
conflict. Such economic, political and social instability could significantly
disrupt the financial markets in such countries and the ability of the issuers
in such countries to repay their obligations. Investing in emerging countries
also involves the risk of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets
and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on
repatriation of capital invested. In the event of such expropriation,
nationalization or other confiscation in any emerging country, the fund could
lose its entire investment in that country.
Certain emerging market countries restrict or control foreign investment in
their securities markets to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit the
fund's investment in those markets and may increase the expenses of the fund. In
addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain
markets in the region is subject to restrictions such as the need for certain
governmental consents. Even where this is no outright restriction on
repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain
aspects of the fund's operation.
Economies in individual non-U.S. countries may differ favorably or unfavorably
from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product,
rates of inflation, currency valuation, capital reinvestment, resource
self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Many non-U.S. countries have
experienced substantial, and in some cases extremely high, rates of inflation
for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had,
and may continue to have, very negative effects on the economies and securities
markets of certain emerging countries.
Economies in emerging countries generally are dependent heavily upon
international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected
adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative
currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the
countries with which they trade. These economies also have been, and may
continue to be, affected adversely by economic conditions in the countries with
which they trade.
CURRENCY RISKS. The value of the securities quoted or denominated in
international currencies may be adversely affected by fluctuations in the
relative currency exchange rates and by exchange control regulations. The fund's
investment performance may be negatively affected by a devaluation of a currency
in which the fund's investments are quoted or denominated. Further, the fund's
investment performance may be significantly affected, either positively or
negatively, by currency exchange rates because the U.S. dollar value of
securities quoted or denominated in another currency will increase or decrease
in response to changes in the value of such currency in relation to the U.S.
dollar.
CUSTODIAN SERVICES AND RELATED INVESTMENT COSTS. Custodial services and other
costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are
more expensive than in the U.S. Such markets have settlement and clearance
procedures that differ from those in the U.S. In certain markets there have been
times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The
inability of the fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement
problems could cause the fund to miss attractive investment opportunities.
Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could
result either in losses to the fund due to a subsequent decline in value of the
portfolio security or could result in possible liability to the fund. In
addition, security settlement and clearance procedures in some emerging
countries may not fully protect the fund against loss or theft of its assets.
WITHHOLDING AND OTHER TAXES. The fund will be subject to taxes, including
withholding taxes, on income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains)
that are or may be imposed by certain non-U.S. countries with respect to the
fund's investments in such countries. These taxes will reduce the return
achieved by the fund. Treaties between the U.S. and such countries may not be
available to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates.
ECONOMIC MONETARY UNION (EMU)
On January 1, 1999, 11 European countries adopted a single currency - the Euro.
The conversion to the Euro is being phased in over a three-year period. During
this time, valuation, systems and other operational problems may occur in
connection with the fund's investments quoted in the Euro. For participating
countries, EMU will mean sharing a single currency and single official interest
rate and adhering to agreed upon limits on government borrowing. Budgetary
decisions will remain in the hands of each participating country, but will be
subject to each country's commitment to avoid "excessive deficits" and other
more specific budgetary criteria. A European Central Bank is responsible for
setting the official interest rate to maintain price stability within the Euro
zone.
EMU is driven by the expectation of a number of economic benefits, including
lower transaction costs, reduced exchange risk, greater competition, and a
broadening and deepening of European financial markets. However, there are a
number of significant risks associated with EMU. Monetary and economic union on
this scale has never been attempted before. There is a significant degree of
uncertainty as to whether participating countries will remain committed to EMU
in the face of changing economic conditions. This uncertainty may increase the
volatility of European markets.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
U.S. government securities in which the fund invests include debt obligations of
varying maturities issued by the U.S. Treasury or issued or guaranteed by an
agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government, including the Federal Housing
Administration, Federal Financing Bank, Farmers Home Administration,
Export-Import Bank of the U.S., Small Business Administration, Government
National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), General Services Administration, Central
Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks,
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), Federal National Mortgage
Association ("FNMA"), Maritime Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority,
District of Columbia Armory Board, Student Loan Marketing Association,
Resolution Trust Corporation and various institutions that previously were or
currently are part of the Farm Credit System (which has been undergoing
reorganization since 1987). Some U.S. government securities, such as U.S.
Treasury bills, Treasury notes and Treasury bonds, which differ only in their
interest rates, maturities and times of issuance, are supported by the full
faith and credit of the United States. Others are supported by: (i) the right of
the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as securities of the Federal
Home Loan Banks; (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to
purchase the agency's obligations, such as securities of the FNMA; or (iii) only
the credit of the issuer, such as securities of the Student Loan Marketing
Association. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide
financial support in the future to U.S. government agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the
United States. Securities guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities include: (i)
securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an
irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government or any of its
agencies, authorities or instrumentalities; and (ii) participations in loans
made to foreign governments or other entities that are so guaranteed. The
secondary market for certain of these participations is limited and, therefore,
may be regarded as illiquid.
U.S. government securities may include zero coupon securities that may be
purchased when yields are attractive and/or to enhance portfolio liquidity. Zero
coupon U.S. government securities are debt obligations that are issued or
purchased at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates
the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound over the
period until maturity or the particular interest payment date at a rate of
interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance.
Zero coupon U.S. government securities do not require the periodic payment of
interest. These investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash
to meet debt service, but also require a higher rate of return to attract
investors who are willing to defer receipt of cash. These investments may
experience greater volatility in market value than U.S. government securities
that make regular payments of interest. The fund accrues income on these
investments for tax and accounting purposes, which is distributable to
shareholders and which, because no cash is received at the time of accrual, may
require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to satisfy the fund's
distribution obligations, in which case the fund will forego the purchase of
additional income producing assets with these funds. Zero coupon U.S. government
securities include STRIPS and CUBES, which are issued by the U.S. Treasury as
component parts of U.S. Treasury bonds and represent scheduled interest and
principal payments on the bonds.
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
The fund may purchase municipal obligations when Pioneer believes that they
offer favorable rates of income or capital gain potential when compared to a
taxable investment. The term "municipal obligations" generally is understood to
include debt obligations issued by municipalities to obtain funds for various
public purposes, the interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuer, excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. In addition,
if the proceeds from private activity bonds are used for the construction,
repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities,
the interest paid on such bonds may be excluded from gross income for federal
income tax purposes, although current federal tax laws place substantial
limitations on the size of these issues. The fund's distributions of any
interest it earns on municipal obligations will be taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income.
The two principal classifications of municipal obligations are "general
obligation" and "revenue" bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the
issuer's pledge of its faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of
principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable from the revenues derived from
a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the
proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, but not from the
general taxing power. Sizable investments in these obligations could involve an
increased risk to the fund should any of the related facilities experience
financial difficulties. Private activity bonds are in most cases revenue bonds
and do not generally carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality.
There are, of course, variations in the security of municipal obligations, both
within a particular classification and between classifications.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
The fund may invest in mortgage pass-through certificates and multiple-class
pass-through securities, and mortgage derivative securities such as real estate
mortgage investment conduits ("REMIC") pass-through certificates, collateralized
mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities ("SMBS"), interest
only mortgage-backed securities and principal only mortgage-backed securities
and other types of "mortgage-backed securities" that may be available in the
future. A mortgage-backed security is an obligation of the issuer backed by a
mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying pool of
mortgages. Some mortgage-backed securities, such as collateralized mortgage
obligations (CMOs), make payments of both principal and interest at a variety of
intervals; others make semiannual interest payments at a predetermined rate and
repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond). Mortgage-backed securities
are based on different types of mortgages including those on commercial real
estate or residential properties. Mortgage-backed securities often have stated
maturities of up to thirty years when they are issued, depending upon the length
of the mortgages underlying the securities. In practice, however, unscheduled or
early payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may make
the securities' effective maturity shorter than this, and the prevailing
interest rates may be higher or lower than the current yield of the fund's
portfolio at the time the fund receives the payments for reinvestment.
Mortgage-backed securities may have less potential for capital appreciation than
comparable fixed income securities, due to the likelihood of increased
prepayments of mortgages as interest rates decline. If the fund buys
mortgage-backed securities at a premium, mortgage foreclosures and prepayments
of principal by mortgagors (which may be made at any time without penalty) may
result in some loss of the fund's principal investment to the extent of the
premium paid.
The value of mortgage-backed securities may also change due to shifts in the
market's perception of issuers. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may
adversely affect the mortgage securities markets as a whole. Non-governmental
mortgage-backed securities may offer higher yields than those issued by
government entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes than
governmental issues.
GUARANTEED MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES. Guaranteed mortgage pass-through
securities represent participation interests in pools of residential mortgage
loans and are issued by U.S. Governmental or private lenders and guaranteed by
the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, including but
not limited to GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC. GNMA certificates are guaranteed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. government for timely payment of principal and
interest on the certificates. FNMA certificates are guaranteed by FNMA, a
federally chartered and privately owned corporation, for full and timely payment
of principal and interest on the certificates. FHLMC certificates are guaranteed
by FHLMC, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. government, for timely payment
of interest and the ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage
loans.
Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance
companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create
pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may,
in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage
loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Because
there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in
pools created by such non-governmental issuers, they generally offer a higher
rate of interest than government and government-related pools. Timely payment of
interest and principal of these pools may be supported by insurance or
guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and
letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental
entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers. There can be no assurance
that the private insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the
insurance policies or guarantee arrangements.
Mortgage-related securities without insurance or guarantees may be purchased if
Pioneer determines that the securities meet the fund's quality standards.
Mortgage-related securities issued by certain private organizations may not be
readily marketable.
MULTIPLE-CLASS PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES AND COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS.
CMOs and REMIC pass-through or participation certificates may be issued by,
among others, U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities as well as private
issuers. REMICs are CMO vehicles that qualify for special tax treatment under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and invest in
mortgages principally secured by interests in real property and other
investments permitted by the Code. CMOs and REMIC certificates are issued in
multiple classes and the principal of and interest on the mortgage assets may be
allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC certificates in various
ways. Each class of CMOs or REMIC certificates, often referred to as a
"tranche," is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be
fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Generally, interest is
paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC certificates on a monthly basis.
Typically, CMOs are collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC certificates but also
may be collateralized by other mortgage assets such as whole loans or private
mortgage pass-through securities. Debt service on CMOs is provided from payments
of principal and interest on collateral of mortgaged assets and any reinvestment
income thereon.
STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. SMBS are multiple-class mortgage-backed
securities that are created when a U.S. government agency or a financial
institution separates the interest and principal components of a mortgage-backed
security and sells them as individual securities. The fund invests in SMBS that
are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of
interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A typical
SMBS will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the
principal, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the
remaining principal. The holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives
the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage-backed security, while
the holder of the "interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from
the same underlying security. The prices of stripped mortgage-backed securities
may be particularly affected by changes in interest rates. As interest rates
fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends to reduce prices of IOs and
increase prices of POs. Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect.
Although the market for these securities is increasingly liquid, Pioneer may
determine that certain stripped mortgage-backed securities issued by the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities are not readily marketable. If so,
these securities, together with privately-issued stripped mortgage-backed
securities, will be considered illiquid for purposes of the fund's limitation on
investments in illiquid securities. The yields and market risk of interest only
and principal only SMBS, respectively, may be more volatile than those of other
fixed income securities.
The fund also may invest in planned amortization class ("PAC") and target
amortization class ("TAC") CMO bonds which involve less exposure to prepayment,
extension and interest rate risks than other mortgage-backed securities,
provided that prepayment rates remain within expected prepayment ranges or
"collars." To the extent that the prepayment rates remain within these
prepayment ranges, the residual or support tranches of PAC and TAC CMOs assume
the extra prepayment, extension and interest rate risks associated with the
underlying mortgage assets.
RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Investing in
mortgage-backed securities involves certain risks, including the failure of a
counterparty to meet its commitments, adverse interest rate changes and the
effects of prepayments on mortgage cash flows. In addition, investing in the
lowest tranche of CMOs and REMIC certificates involves risks similar to those
associated with investing in equity securities. However, due to adverse tax
consequences under current tax laws, the fund does not intend to acquire
"residual" interests in REMICs. Further, the yield characteristics of
mortgage-backed securities differ from those of traditional fixed income
securities. The major differences typically include more frequent interest and
principal payments (usually monthly), the adjustability of interest rates of the
underlying instrument, and the possibility that prepayments of principal may be
made substantially earlier than their final distribution dates.
Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a
variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors and cannot be
predicted with certainty. Both adjustable rate mortgage loans and fixed rate
mortgage loans may be subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments in a
declining interest rate environment and to a lesser rate of principal
prepayments in an increasing interest rate environment. Under certain interest
rate and prepayment rate scenarios, the fund may fail to recoup fully its
investment in mortgage-backed securities notwithstanding any direct or indirect
governmental, agency or other guarantee. When the fund reinvests amounts
representing payments and unscheduled prepayments of principal, it may obtain a
rate of interest that is lower than the rate on existing adjustable rate
mortgage pass-through securities Thus, mortgage-backed securities, and
adjustable rate mortgage pass-through securities in particular, may be less
effective than other types of U.S. government securities as a means of "locking
in" interest rates.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
The fund may invest in asset-backed securities, which are securities that
represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, a stream of
payments generated by particular assets, most often a pool or pools of similar
assets (e.g., trade receivables). The credit quality of these securities depends
primarily upon the quality of the underlying assets and the level of credit
support and/or enhancement provided.
The underlying assets (e.g., loans) are subject to prepayments which shorten the
securities' weighted average maturity and may lower their return. If the credit
support or enhancement is exhausted, losses or delays in payment may result if
the required payments of principal and interest are not made. The value of these
securities also may change because of changes in the market's perception of the
creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the
pool, or the financial institution or trust providing the credit support or
enhancement.
STRUCTURED SECURITIES
The fund may invest in structured securities. The value of the principal and/or
interest on such securities is determined by reference to changes in the value
of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial
indicators (the "Reference") or the relative change in two or more References.
The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption
may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the Reference. The terms
of the structured securities may provide in certain circumstances that no
principal is due at maturity and, therefor may result in a loss of the fund's
investment. Changes in the interest rate or principal payable at maturity may be
a multiple of the changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently,
structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk than other
types of fixed income securities.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES
The fund may purchase securities, including U.S. government securities, on a
when-issued basis or may purchase or sell securities for delayed delivery. In
such transactions, delivery of the securities occurs beyond the normal
settlement period, but no payment or delivery is made by the fund prior to the
actual delivery or payment by the other party to the transaction. The fund will
not earn income on these securities until delivered. The purchase of securities
on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis involves the risk that the value of
the securities purchased will decline prior to the settlement date. The sale of
securities for delayed delivery involves the risk that the prices available in
the market on the delivery date may be greater than those obtained in the sale
transaction. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions will be fully
collateralized by segregated liquid assets. See "Asset Segregation."
WARRANTS
The fund may invest in warrants, which are securities permitting, but not
obligating, their holder to subscribe for other securities. Warrants do not
carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the
securities that they entitle their holders to purchase, and they do not
represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, an investment in
warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of
investments. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change
with the value of the underlying securities, and a warrant expires worthless if
it is not exercised on or prior to its expiration date.
PREFERRED SHARES
The fund may invest in preferred shares of beneficial interest of trust
instruments. Preferred shares are equity securities, but they have many
characteristics of fixed income securities, such as a fixed dividend payment
rate and/or a liquidity preference over the issuer's common shares. However,
because preferred shares are equity securities, they may be more susceptible to
risks traditionally associated with equity investments than the fund's fixed
income securities.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid and other
securities that are not readily marketable. Repurchase agreements maturing in
more than seven days will be included for purposes of the foregoing limit.
Securities subject to restrictions on resale under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "1933 Act"), are considered illiquid unless they are eligible
for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or another exemption from the registration
requirements of the 1933 Act and are determined to be liquid by Pioneer. Pioneer
determines the liquidity of Rule 144A and other restricted securities according
to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees monitors
Pioneer's application of these guidelines and procedures. The inability of the
fund to dispose of illiquid investments readily or at reasonable prices could
impair the fund's ability to raise cash for redemptions or other purposes. If
the fund sold restricted securities other than pursuant to an exception from
registration under the 1933 Act such as Rule 144A, it may be deemed to be acting
as an underwriter and subject to liability under the 1933 Act.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS ("REITS") AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS
REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in income producing
real estate or real estate related loans or interests. REITs are generally
classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and
mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in
real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity
REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated
in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate
mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. REITs are
not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with the
applicable requirements of the Code. Debt securities issued by REITs, for the
most part, are general and unsecured obligations and are subject to risks
associated with REITs.
Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks
associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. An equity REIT
may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by
the REIT. A mortgage REIT may be affected by changes in interest rates and the
ability of the issuers of its portfolio mortgages to repay their obligations.
REITs are dependent upon the skills of their managers and are not diversified.
REITs are generally dependent upon maintaining cash flows to repay borrowings
and to make distributions to shareholders and are subject to the risk of default
by lessees or borrowers. REITs whose underlying assets are concentrated in
properties used by a particular industry, such as health care, are also subject
to risks associated with such industry.
REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks. When
interest rates decline, the value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate
obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the
value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to
decline. If the REIT invests in adjustable rate mortgage loans the interest
rates on which are reset periodically, yields on a REIT's investments in such
loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest
rates. This causes the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically
in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate
obligations.
REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a
limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than
larger company securities. Historically REITs have been more volatile in price
than the larger capitalization stocks included in Standard & Poor's 500 Stock
Index (the "S&P 500").
OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the
extent that such investments are consistent with the fund's investment objective
and policies and permissible under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"). Under the 1940 Act, the fund may not acquire the
securities of other domestic or foreign investment companies if, as a result,
(i) more than 10% of the fund's total assets would be invested in securities of
other investment companies, (ii) such purchase would result in more than 3% of
the total outstanding voting securities of any one investment company being held
by the fund, or (iii) more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested
in any one investment company. These limitations do not apply to the purchase of
shares of any investment company in connection with a merger, consolidation,
reorganization or acquisition of substantially all the assets of another
investment company. The fund will not invest in other investment companies for
which Pioneer or any of its affiliates act as an investment adviser or
distributor.
The fund, as a holder of the securities of other investment companies, will bear
its pro rata portion of the other investment companies' expenses, including
advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the
fund's own operations.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, member banks
of the Federal Reserve System and other financial institutions. Repurchase
agreements are arrangements under which the fund purchases securities and the
seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a specific time and at a
specific price. The repurchase price is generally higher than the fund's
purchase price, with the difference being income to the fund. The Board of
Trustees reviews and monitors the creditworthiness of any institution which
enters into a repurchase agreement with the fund. The counterparty's obligations
under the repurchase agreement are collateralized with U.S. Treasury and/or
agency obligations with a market value of not less than 100% of the obligations,
valued daily. Collateral is held by the fund's custodian in a segregated,
safekeeping account for the benefit of the fund. Repurchase agreements afford
the fund an opportunity to earn income on temporarily available cash at low
risk. In the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with
respect to the seller of the security before repurchase of the security under a
repurchase agreement, the fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being
able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or a
decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes the transaction as
a loan and the fund has not perfected a security interest in the security, the
fund may be required to return the security to the seller's estate and be
treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the
fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and interest
involved in the transaction.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Reverse purchase agreements involve the sale of U.S. government securities to a
bank with an agreement that the fund will buy back the securities at a fixed
future date at a fixed price plus an agreed amount of "interest" which may be
reflected in the repurchase price. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered
to be borrowings by the fund. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk
that the market value of securities purchased by the fund with proceeds of the
transaction may decline below the repurchase price of the securities sold by the
fund that it is obligated to repurchase. The fund will also continue to be
subject to the risk of a decline in the market value of the securities sold
under the agreements because it will reacquire those securities upon effecting
their repurchase. To minimize the risk associated with reverse repurchase
agreements, the fund will segregate assets in an amount at least equal to the
repurchase price of the securities. The fund will enter into reverse repurchase
agreements only with banks that are approved in advance as being creditworthy by
the Board of Trustees.
SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX
The fund may sell securities "short against the box." A short sale involves the
fund borrowing securities from a broker and selling the borrowed securities. The
fund has an obligation to return securities identical to the borrowed securities
to the broker. In a short sale against the box, the fund at all times owns an
equal amount of the security sold short or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, with or without payment of additional consideration, an equal
amount of the security sold short. The fund intends to use short sales against
the box to hedge. For example, when the fund believes that the price of a
current portfolio security may decline, the fund may use a short sale against
the box to lock in a sale price for a security rather than selling the security
immediately. In such a case, any future losses in the fund's long position
should be offset by a gain in the short position and, conversely, any gain in
the long position should be reduced by a loss in the short position.
If the fund effects a short sale against the box at a time when it has an
unrealized gain on the security, it may be required to recognize that gain as if
it had actually sold the security (a "constructive sale") on the date it effects
the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if the
fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated
securities held at the time of the short sale provided that certain other
conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding certain tax consequences of
effecting short sales may limit the extent to which the fund may make short
sales against the box.
ASSET SEGREGATION
The 1940 Act requires that the fund segregate assets in connection with certain
types of transactions that may have the effect of leveraging the fund's
portfolio. If the fund enters into a transaction requiring segregation, such as
a forward commitment, the custodian or Pioneer will segregate liquid assets in
an amount required to comply with the 1940 Act. Such segregated assets will be
valued at market daily. If the aggregate value of such segregated assets
declines below the aggregate value required to satisfy the 1940 Act, additional
liquid assets will be segregated.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
It is the policy of the fund not to engage in trading for short-term profits
although portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the
execution of investment decisions for the fund. See Appendix A for the fund's
annual portfolio turnover rate.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
The fund may engage in foreign currency transactions. These transactions may be
conducted at the prevailing spot rate for purchasing or selling currency in the
foreign exchange market. The fund also has authority to enter into forward
foreign currency exchange contracts involving currencies of the different
countries in which the fund invests as a hedge against possible variations in
the foreign exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar. This is
accomplished through contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified
currency at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract.
Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward foreign currency
contracts with respect to specific receivables or payables of the fund, accrued
in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities quoted in
foreign currencies. Portfolio hedging is the use of forward foreign currency
contracts to offset portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in such
foreign currencies. There is no guarantee that the fund will be engaged in
hedging activities when adverse exchange rate movements occur. The fund will not
attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio positions and will enter into such
transactions only to the extent, if any, deemed appropriate by Pioneer.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the
prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also limit the opportunity
for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not
be possible for the fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally
anticipated that the fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a
price above the devaluation level it anticipates.
The fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one
currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in
a different currency, if Pioneer determines that there is a pattern of
correlation between the two currencies. Cross-hedging may also include entering
into a forward transaction involving two foreign currencies, using one foreign
currency as a proxy for the U.S. dollar to hedge against variations in the other
foreign currency, if Pioneer determines that there is a pattern of correlation
between the proxy currency and the U.S. dollar.
The cost to the fund of engaging in foreign currency transactions varies with
such factors as the currency involved, the size of the contract, the length of
the contract period, differences in interest rates between the two currencies
and the market conditions then prevailing. Since transactions in foreign
currency and forward contracts are usually conducted on a principal basis, no
fees or commissions are involved. The fund may close out a forward position in a
currency by selling the forward contract or by entering into an offsetting
forward contract.
The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the
securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of
such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market
movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the
contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward contracts to
protect the value of the fund's portfolio securities against a decline in the
value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of
the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange which the fund can
achieve at some future point in time. The precise projection of short-term
currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging provides a
means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of the fund's foreign
assets.
While the fund will enter into forward contracts to reduce currency exchange
rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. While
the fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency
prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the fund than if it had
not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect
correlation between the fund's portfolio holdings of securities quoted or
denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by the
fund. Such imperfect correlation may cause the fund to sustain losses which will
prevent the fund from achieving a complete hedge or expose the fund to risk of
foreign exchange loss.
Over-the-counter markets for trading foreign forward currency contracts offer
less protection against defaults than is available when trading in currency
instruments on an exchange. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract
is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on the contract
would deprive the fund of unrealized profits or force the fund to cover its
commitments for purchase or resale, if any, at the current market price.
If the fund enters into a forward contract to purchase foreign currency, the
custodian or Pioneer will segregate liquid assets. See "Asset Segregation."
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The fund may purchase and write options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes in a manner similar to that of transactions in forward contracts. For
example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio
securities are quoted or denominated will reduce the dollar value of such
securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In an
attempt to protect against such decreases in the value of portfolio securities,
the fund may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the
currency declines, the fund will have the right to sell such currency for a
fixed amount of dollars which exceeds the market value of such currency. This
would result in a gain that may offset, in whole or in part, the negative effect
of currency depreciation on the value of the fund's securities quoted or
denominated in that currency.
Conversely, if a rise in the dollar value of a currency is projected for those
securities to be acquired, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the
fund may purchase call options on such currency. If the value of such currency
increases, the purchase of such call options would enable the fund to purchase
currency for a fixed amount of dollars which is less than the market value of
such currency. Such a purchase would result in a gain that may offset, at least
partially, the effect of any currency related increase in the price of
securities the fund intends to acquire. As in the case of other types of options
transactions, however, the benefit the fund derives from purchasing foreign
currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related
transaction costs. In addition, if currency exchange rates do not move in the
direction or to the extent anticipated, the fund could sustain losses on
transactions in foreign currency options which would deprive it of a portion or
all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.
The fund may also write options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes. For
example, if the fund anticipated a decline in the dollar value of securities
quoted or denominated in a foreign currency because of declining exchange rates,
it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a covered call option on the
relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs, the option will most likely
not be exercised, and the decrease in value of portfolio securities will be
partially offset by the amount of the premium received by the fund.
Similarly, the fund could write a put option on the relevant currency, instead
of purchasing a call option, to hedge against an anticipated increase in the
dollar cost of securities to be acquired. If exchange rates move in the manner
projected, the put option will expire unexercised and allow the fund to offset
such increased cost up to the amount of the premium. However, as in the case of
other types of options transactions, the writing of a foreign currency option
will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, only if
rates move in the expected direction. If unanticipated exchange rate
fluctuations occur, the option may be exercised and the fund would be required
to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a loss which may not be fully
offset by the amount of the premium. As a result of writing options on foreign
currencies, the fund also may be required to forego all or a portion of the
benefits which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements in
currency exchange rates.
A call option written on foreign currency by the fund is "covered" if the fund
owns the underlying foreign currency subject to the call, or if it has an
absolute and immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without additional
cash consideration. A call option is also covered if the fund holds a call on
the same foreign currency for the same principal amount as the call written
where the exercise price of the call held is (a) equal to or less than the
exercise price of the call written or (b) greater than the exercise price of the
call written if the amount of the difference is maintained by the fund in cash
or liquid securities. See "Asset Segregation."
The fund may close out its position in a currency option by either selling the
option it has purchased or entering into an offsetting option. An
exchange-traded options position may be closed out only on an options exchange
which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the
fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears
to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular
time. For some options no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such
event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular
options, with the result that the fund would have to exercise its options in
order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of
underlying currencies pursuant to the exercise of put options. If the fund as a
covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in
a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying currency (or
security quoted or denominated in that currency) until the option expires or it
delivers the underlying currency upon exercise.
The fund may also use options on currencies to cross-hedge, which involves
writing or purchasing options on one currency to hedge against changes in
exchange rates of a different currency with a pattern of correlation. Cross
hedging may also include using a foreign currency as a proxy for the U.S.
dollar, if Pioneer determines that there is a pattern of correlation between
that currency and the U.S. dollar.
The fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options to the extent
consistent with its limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Trading in
over-the-counter options is subject to the risk that the other party will be
unable or unwilling to close out options purchased or written by the fund.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES AND SECURITIES INDICES
The fund may purchase put and call options on any security in which it may
invest or options on any securities index based on securities in which it may
invest. The fund would also be able to enter into closing sale transactions in
order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it has purchased.
WRITING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. A call option written by the fund
obligates the fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a
specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration
date. All call options written by the fund are covered, which means that the
fund will own the securities subject to the options as long as the options are
outstanding, or the fund will use the other methods described below. The fund's
purpose in writing covered call options is to realize greater income than would
be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, the fund may
forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the
underlying security.
A put option written by the fund would obligate the fund to purchase specified
securities from the option holder at a specified price if the option is
exercised at any time before the expiration date. All put options written by the
fund would be covered, which means that the fund would have segregated assets
with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put option. The purpose
of writing such options is to generate additional income for the fund. However,
in return for the option premium, the fund accepts the risk that it may be
required to purchase the underlying security at a price in excess of its market
value at the time of purchase.
Call and put options written by the fund will also be considered to be covered
to the extent that the fund's liabilities under such options are wholly or
partially offset by its rights under call and put options purchased by the fund.
In addition, a written call option or put may be covered by entering into an
offsetting forward contract and/or by purchasing an offsetting option or any
other option which, by virtue of its exercise price or otherwise, reduces the
fund's net exposure on its written option position.
WRITING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. The fund may also write
(sell) covered call and put options on any securities index composed of
securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to
options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options
requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of
securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price
fluctuations in a group of securities or segments of the securities market
rather than price fluctuations in a single security.
The fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose
price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by
having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities without
additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration if cash in such
amount is segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities in its
portfolio. The fund may cover call and put options on a securities index by
segregated assets with a value equal to the exercise price.
PURCHASING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS. The fund would normally purchase call options
in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities of the type in
which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle the fund, in
return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified
price during the option period. The fund would ordinarily realize a gain if,
during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the
exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the fund would
realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.
The fund would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the
market value of securities in its portfolio ("protective puts") or in securities
in which it may invest. The purchase of a put option would entitle the fund, in
exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a specified price
during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset
or hedge against a decline in the market value of the fund's securities. Put
options may also be purchased by the fund for the purpose of affirmatively
benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which it does not own. The
fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of
the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to
more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the fund would
realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and
losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by
countervailing changes in the value of the underlying portfolio securities.
The fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange-traded call or put
option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations
under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an
offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are
referred to as "closing purchase transactions."
RISKS OF TRADING OPTIONS. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market
on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option, or
at any particular time. If the fund is unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the fund will not be
able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of its segregated assets until
the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if the fund is unable to effect
a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it will
have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur
transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities.
Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the
following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options;
(ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing
transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may
be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual
or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v)
the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (the "OCC")
may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one
or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled
at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class
or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or
in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding
options on that exchange, if any, that had been issued by the OCC as a result of
trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with
their terms.
The fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and foreign
exchanges and options traded over the counter with broker-dealers who make
markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter options is
more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that
broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their
obligations. Until such time as the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") changes its position, the fund will treat purchased
over-the-counter options and all assets used to cover written over-the-counter
options as illiquid securities, except that with respect to options written with
primary dealers in U.S. government securities pursuant to an agreement requiring
a closing purchase transaction at a formula price, the amount of illiquid
securities may be calculated with reference to the formula.
Transactions by the fund in options on securities and indices will be subject to
limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other
trading facilities governing the maximum number of options in each class which
may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in
concert. Thus, the number of options which the fund may write or purchase may be
affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of
Pioneer. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the
liquidations of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may
impose certain other sanctions.
The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The successful use of protective
puts for hedging purposes depends in part on Pioneer's ability to predict future
price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and
securities markets.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the
underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close
before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price movements
can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options
markets.
In addition to the risks of imperfect correlation between the fund's portfolio
and the index underlying the option, the purchase of securities index options
involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the fund in
purchasing an option will be lost. This could occur as a result of unanticipated
movements in the price of the securities comprising the securities index on
which the option is based.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
To hedge against changes in securities prices or currency exchange rates or to
seek to increase total return, the fund may purchase and sell various kinds of
futures contracts, and purchase and write (sell) call and put options on any of
such futures contracts. The fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale
transactions with respect to any of such contracts and options. The futures
contracts may be based on various securities (such as U.S. government
securities), securities indices, foreign currencies and other financial
instruments and indices. The fund will engage in futures and related options
transactions for bona fide hedging and non-hedging purposes as described below.
All futures contracts entered into by the fund are traded on U.S. exchanges or
boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (the "CFTC") or on foreign exchanges.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement
between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments for an
agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement
price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling
for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).
When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, the fund can
seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities
through the sale of futures contracts. When interest rates are falling or
securities prices are rising, the fund, through the purchase of futures
contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be
available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, the
fund can sell futures contracts on a specified currency to protect against a
decline in the value of such currency and a decline in the value of its
portfolio securities which are denominated in such currency. The fund can
purchase futures contracts on a foreign currency to establish the price in U.S.
dollars of a security denominated in such currency that the fund has acquired or
expects to acquire.
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity but are
instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit
or a loss. While futures contracts on securities or currency will usually be
liquidated in this manner, the fund may instead make, or take, delivery of the
underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous
to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures
on securities or currency are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or
purchase will be performed on the settlement date.
HEDGING STRATEGIES. Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish
with more certainty the effective price, rate of return and currency exchange
rate on portfolio securities and securities that the fund owns or proposes to
acquire. The fund may, for example, take a "short" position in the futures
market by selling futures contracts in order to hedge against an anticipated
rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or foreign currency rates
that would adversely affect the value of the fund's portfolio securities. Such
futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery of securities
held by the fund or securities with characteristics similar to those of the
fund's portfolio securities. Similarly, the fund may sell futures contracts in a
foreign currency in which its portfolio securities are denominated or in one
currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in
a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of
correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of Pioneer, there is
a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for the fund's portfolio
securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments,
securities indices or other indices, the fund may also enter into such futures
contracts as part of its hedging strategies. Although under some circumstances
prices of securities in the fund's portfolio may be more or less volatile than
prices of such futures contracts, Pioneer will attempt to estimate the extent of
this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any
such differential by having the fund enter into a greater or lesser number of
futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price
changes affecting the fund's portfolio securities. When hedging of this
character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities
will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures
position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of the
fund's portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the
value of the futures position.
On other occasions, the fund may take a "long" position by purchasing futures
contracts. This may be done, for example, when the fund anticipates the
subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but
expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the applicable
market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently available.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The acquisition of put and call options on futures
contracts will give the fund the right (but not the obligation) for a specified
price to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at
any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures
contract, the fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in
a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable
price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may
partially offset a decline in the value of the fund's assets. By writing a call
option, the fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a
futures contract (if the option is exercised), which may have a value higher
than the exercise price. Conversely, the writing of a put option on a futures
contract generates a premium which may partially offset an increase in the price
of securities that the fund intends to purchase. However, the fund becomes
obligated to purchase a futures contract (if the option is exercised) which may
have a value lower than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by the fund
in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount
of the premium received. The fund will incur transaction costs in connection
with the writing of options on futures.
The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its
position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same series. There
is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. The fund's
ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to
the development and maintenance of a liquid market.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. The fund will engage in futures and related options
transactions only for bona fide hedging or non-hedging purposes in accordance
with CFTC regulations which permit principals of an investment company
registered under the 1940 Act to engage in such transactions without registering
as commodity pool operators. The fund will determine that the price fluctuations
in the futures contracts and options on futures used for hedging purposes are
substantially related to price fluctuations in securities held by the fund or
which the fund expects to purchase. Except as stated below, the fund's futures
transactions will be entered into for traditional hedging purposes--i.e.,
futures contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price of
securities (or the currency in which they are denominated) that the fund owns,
or futures contracts will be purchased to protect the fund against an increase
in the price of securities (or the currency in which they are denominated) it
intends to purchase. As evidence of this hedging intent, the fund expects that
on 75% or more of the occasions on which it takes a long futures or option
position (involving the purchase of futures contracts), the fund will have
purchased, or will be in the process of purchasing, equivalent amounts of
related securities or assets denominated in the related currency in the cash
market at the time when the futures or option position is closed out. However,
in particular cases, when it is economically advantageous for the fund to do so,
a long futures position may be terminated or an option may expire without the
corresponding purchase of securities or other assets.
As an alternative to literal compliance with the bona fide hedging definition, a
CFTC regulation permits the fund to elect to comply with a different test, under
which the sum of the amounts of initial margin deposits on the fund's existing
non-hedging futures contracts and premiums paid for options on futures entered
into for non-hedging purposes (net of the amount the positions are "in the
money") would not exceed 5% of the market value of the fund's total assets. The
fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options only
to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Code
for maintaining its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal
income tax purposes.
Futures contracts and related options involve brokerage costs, require margin
deposits and, in the case of contracts and options obligating the fund to
purchase securities or currencies, require the fund to segregate assets to cover
such contracts and options.
While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce
certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus,
while the fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures,
unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange
rates may result in a poorer overall performance for the fund than if it had not
entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. In the event of an
imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which
is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the
fund may be exposed to risk of loss. It is not possible to hedge fully or
perfectly against the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of foreign
securities because currency movements impact the value of different securities
in differing degrees.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The fund may lend portfolio securities to member firms of the New York Stock
Exchange (the "Exchange") under agreements which require that the loans be
secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents or U.S. Treasury
bills maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market
value of the securities loaned. The fund continues to receive the equivalent of
the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned as well as
the benefit of an increase and the detriment of any decrease in the market value
of the securities loaned and would also receive compensation based on investment
of the collateral. The fund would not, however, have the right to vote any
securities having voting rights during the existence of the loan, but would call
the loan in anticipation of an important vote to be taken among holders of the
securities or of the giving or withholding of consent on a material matter
affecting the investment.
As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even
loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail
financially. The fund will lend portfolio securities only to firms that have
been approved in advance by the Board of Trustees, which will monitor the
creditworthiness of any such firms. At no time would the value of the securities
loaned exceed 30% of the value of the fund's total assets.
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS. The fund may invest a portion of its assets in loan
participations ("Participations") and other direct claims against a borrower. By
purchasing a Participation, the fund acquires some or all of the interest of a
bank or other lending institution in a loan to a corporate or government
borrower. The Participations typically will result in the fund having a
contractual relationship only with the lender not the borrower. The fund will
have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which
it is entitled only from the lender selling the Participation and only upon
receipt by the lender of the payments from the borrower. Many such loans are
secured, although some may be unsecured. Such loans may be in default at the
time of purchase. Loans that are fully secured offer a fund more protection than
an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or
principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral
from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower's obligation, or that
the collateral can be liquidated.
MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLLS. The fund may enter into mortgage "dollar rolls" in which
the fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously
contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon
and maturity), but not identical securities on a specified future date. During
the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid
on the securities sold. However, the Fund would benefit to the extent of any
difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower
forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the "drop") or fee
income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold
until the settlement date of the forward purchase. Unless such benefits exceed
the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments
that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage
dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance
of the fund compared with what such performance would have been without the use
of mortgage dollar rolls. All cash proceeds will be invested in instruments that
are permissible investments for the fund. The fund will hold and maintain in a
segregated account until the settlement date cash or liquid, high grade debt
securities in an amount equal to its forward purchase price.
For financial reporting and tax purposes, the fund treats mortgage dollar rolls
as two separate transactions; one involving the purchase of a security and a
separate transaction involving a sale. The fund does not currently intend to
enter into mortgage dollar rolls that are accounted for financings.
Mortgage dollar rolls involve certain risks including the following: if the
broker-dealer to whom the fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the fund's
right to purchase or repurchase the mortgage-related securities subject to the
mortgage dollar roll may be restricted and the instrument which the fund is
required to repurchase may be worth less than an instrument which the fund
originally held. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls will depend upon
Pioneer's ability to manage its interest rate and mortgage prepayments exposure.
For these reasons, there is no assurance that mortgage dollar rolls can be
successfully employed.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. The fund may invest in short term money market
instruments including commercial bank obligations and commercial paper. These
instruments may be denominated in both U.S. and non-U.S. currency. The fund's
investment in commercial bank obligations include certificates of deposit
("CDs"), time deposits ("TDs") and bankers' acceptances. Obligations of foreign
branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks may be general obligations of the
parent bank in addition to the issuing bank, or may be limited by the terms of a
specific obligation and by government regulation. As with investment in non-U.S.
securities in general, investments in the obligations of foreign branches of
U.S. banks and of foreign banks may subject the fund to investment risks that
are different in some respects from those of investments in obligations of
domestic issuers.
The fund's investments in commercial paper consist of short-term (usually from 1
to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to
finance their current operations. The fund may also invest in variable amount
master demand notes (which is a type of commercial paper) which represents a
direct borrowing arrangement involving periodically fluctuating rates of
interest under a letter agreement between a commercial paper issuer and an
institutional lender, pursuant to which the lender may determine to invest
varying amounts. Transfer of such notes is usually restricted by the issuer, and
there is no secondary trading market for such notes. To the extent the fund
invests in master demand notes, these investments will be included in the fund's
limitation on illiquid securities.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The fund does not intend to enter into any reverse repurchase agreements or
dollar rolls, or borrow money as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) below,
during the coming year. In addition, in compliance with an informal position
taken by the staff of the SEC regarding leverage, the fund will not purchase
securities during the coming year at any time that outstanding borrowings exceed
5% of the fund's total assets.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The fund has adopted certain investment
restrictions which, along with the fund's investment objective, may not be
changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a "majority of the
outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the fund. For
this purpose, a majority of the outstanding shares of the fund means the vote of
the lesser of:
1. 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting, if the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or
by proxy, or
2. more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund.
The fund may not:
(1) Issue senior securities, except as permitted by the fund's borrowing,
lending and commodity restrictions, and for purposes of this restriction, the
issuance of shares of beneficial interest in multiple classes or series, the
purchase or sale of options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts,
forward commitments, forward foreign exchange contracts, repurchase agreements,
reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, swaps and any other financial
transaction entered into pursuant to the fund's investment policies as described
in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information and in accordance
with applicable SEC pronouncements, as well as the pledge, mortgage or
hypothecation of the fund's assets within the meaning of the fund's fundamental
investment restriction regarding pledging, are not deemed to be senior
securities.
(2) Borrow money, except from banks as a temporary measure to facilitate the
meeting of redemption requests or for extraordinary or emergency purposes and
except pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls, in all cases
in amounts not exceeding 10% of the fund's total assets (including the amount
borrowed) taken at market value.
(3) Purchase securities on margin, but it may obtain such short-term credits as
may be necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of securities.
(4) Make short sales of securities unless at the time of such sale it owns or
has the right to acquire as a result of the ownership of convertible or
exchangeable securities, and without the payment of further consideration, an
equal amount of such securities which it will retain so long as it is in a short
position. At no time will more than 10% of the value of the fund's assets be
committed to short sales.
(5) Act as an underwriter, except as it may be deemed to be an underwriter in a
sale of restricted securities held in its portfolio.
(6) Invest in real estate, commodities or commodity contracts, except that the
fund may invest in financial futures contracts and related options and in any
other financial instruments which may be deemed to be commodities or commodity
contracts in which the fund is not prohibited from investing by the Commodity
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(7) Make loans of its assets, except that the fund may purchase a portion of an
issue of bonds or other obligations of types commonly distributed publicly to
financial institutions, may purchase repurchase agreements in accordance with
its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and may make both
short-term (nine months or less) and long-term loans of its portfolio securities
to the extent of 30% of the value of the fund's total assets computed at the
time of making such loans.
(8) Participate on a joint or joint-and-several basis in any securities trading
account.
(9) Purchase any security (other than obligations of the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities), if as a result: (a) more than 25% of the value
of the fund's total assets would then be invested in securities of any single
issuer, or (b) as to 75% of the value of the fund's total assets: (i) more than
5% of the value of the fund's total assets would then be invested in securities
of any single issuer, or (ii) the fund would own more than 10% of the voting
securities of any single issuer.
(10) Enter into transactions with officers, trustees or other affiliated persons
of the fund or its investment adviser or underwriter, or any organization
affiliated with such persons, except securities transactions on an agency basis
at standard commission rates, as limited by the provisions of the 1940 Act.
It is the fundamental policy of the fund not to concentrate its investments in
securities of companies in any particular industry. In the opinion of the SEC,
investments are concentrated in a particular industry if such investments
aggregate 25% or more of the fund's total assets. The fund's policy does not
apply to investments in U.S. government securities.
3. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The fund's Board of Trustees provides broad supervision over the affairs of the
fund. The officers of the fund are responsible for the fund's operations. The
Trustees and executive officers of the fund are listed below, together with
their principal occupations during the past five years. An asterisk indicates
those Trustees who are interested persons of the fund within the meaning of the
1940 Act.
JOHN F. COGAN, JR.*, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE,
DOB: JUNE 1926
President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of The Pioneer Group, Inc.
("PGI"); Chairman and a Director of Pioneer, Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
("PFD"), Pioneer Goldfields Limited, Teberebie Goldfields Limited, Closed
Joint-Stock Company "Amgun-Forest," Closed Joint-Stock Company "Udinskoye" and
Closed Joint-Stock Company "Tas-Yurjah" Mining Company; Director of Pioneering
Services Corporation ("PSC"), Pioneer Real Estate Advisors, Inc. ("PREA"),
Pioneer Forest, Inc., Pioneer Explorer, Inc., Pioneer Management (Ireland) Ltd.
("PMIL"), Pioneer First Investment Fund and Closed Joint-Stock Company
"Forest-Starma"; President and Director of Pioneer Metals and Technology, Inc.,
Pioneer International Corp. ("PIntl"), Pioneer First Russia, Inc. and Pioneer
Omega, Inc. ("Pioneer Omega"); Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Pioneer
Fonds Marketing, GmbH, Pioneer First Polish Investment Fund Joint Stock Company,
S.A. ("Pioneer First Polish") and Pioneer Czech Investment Company, A.S.
("Pioneer Czech"); Member of the Supervisory Board of Pioneer Universal Pension
Fund Company; Chairman, President and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual
funds; Director of Pioneer Global Equity Fund Plc, Pioneer Global Bond Fund Plc,
Pioneer Euro Reserve Fund Plc, Pioneer European Equity Fund Plc, Pioneer
Emerging Europe Fund Plc, Pioneer US Real Estate Fund Plc and Pioneer U.S.
Growth Fund Plc (collectively, the "Irish Funds"); and Partner, Hale and Dorr
LLP (counsel to PGI and the fund).
MARY K. BUSH, TRUSTEE, DOB: APRIL 1948
4201 CATHEDRAL AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20016
President, Bush & Co. (international financial advisory firm); Director and/or
Trustee of Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Novecon Management Company,
Hoover Institution, Folger Shakespeare Library, March of Dimes, Project 2000,
Inc. (not-for-profit educational organization), Wilberforce University and
Texaco, Inc.; Advisory Board Member, Washington Mutual Investors Fund
(registered investment company); and Trustee of all the Pioneer mutual funds,
except Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
RICHARD H. EGDAHL, M.D., TRUSTEE, DOB: DECEMBER 1926
BOSTON UNIVERSITY HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE, 53 BAY STATE ROAD, BOSTON, MA 02215
Alexander Graham Bell Professor of Health Care Entrepreneurship, Boston
University; Professor of Management, Boston University School of Management;
Professor of Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health; Professor
of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine; University Professor, Boston
University; Director, Boston University Health Policy Institute, Boston
University Program for Health Care Entrepreneurship, CORE (management of
workers' compensation and disability costs - Nasdaq National Market), and
WellSpace (provider of complementary health care); Trustee, Boston Medical
Center; Honorary Trustee, Franciscan Children's Hospital; and Trustee of all of
the Pioneer mutual funds.
MARGARET B.W. GRAHAM, TRUSTEE, DOB: MAY 1947
THE KEEP, P.O. BOX 110, LITTLE DEER ISLE, ME 04650
Founding Director, The Winthrop Group, Inc. (consulting firm); Manager of
Research Operations, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, from 1991 to 1994;
Professor of Operations Management and Management of Technology and Associate
Dean, Boston University School of Management, from 1989 to 1993; and Trustee of
all the Pioneer mutual funds, except Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
JOHN W. KENDRICK, TRUSTEE, DOB: JULY 1917
6363 WATERWAY DRIVE, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22044
Professor Emeritus, George Washington University; Director, American
Productivity and Quality Center; Adjunct Scholar, American Enterprise Institute;
Economic Consultant; and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds, except
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
MARGUERITE A. PIRET, TRUSTEE, DOB: MAY 1948
ONE BOSTON PLACE26TH FLOOR, BOSTON, MA 02108
President, Newbury, Piret & Company, Inc. (merchant banking firm); Trustee of
Boston Medical Center; Member of the Board of Governors of the Investment
Company Institute; Director, Organogenesis Inc. (tissue engineering company);
and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
DAVID D. TRIPPLE*, TRUSTEE AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, DOB: FEBRUARY 1944
Executive Vice President and a Director of PGI; President and a Director of
Pioneer and PFD; Director of PIntl, PREA, Pioneer Omega, PMIL, Pioneer First
Investment Fund and the Irish Funds; Member of the Supervisory Board of Pioneer
First Polish and Pioneer Czech; and Executive Vice President and Trustee of all
of the Pioneer mutual funds.
STEPHEN K. WEST, TRUSTEE, DOB: SEPTEMBER 1928
125 BROAD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10004
Of Counsel, Sullivan & Cromwell (law firm); Director, Kleinwort Benson
Australian Income Fund, Inc. since May 1997 and The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.
since 1995 (mutual funds), AMVESCAP PLC (investment managers) since 1997 and
American Insurance Holdings, Inc; Trustee, The Winthrop Focus Funds (mutual
funds); and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
JOHN WINTHROP, TRUSTEE, DOB: JUNE 1936
ONE NORTH ADGERS WHARF, CHARLESTON, SC 29401
President, John Winthrop & Co., Inc. (private investment firm); Director of NUI
Corp. (energy sales, services and distribution); and Trustee of all of the
Pioneer mutual funds, except Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
JOHN A. BOYNTON, TREASURER, DOB: JANUARY 1954
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of PGI; and
Treasurer of Pioneer, PFD, PSC, PIntl, PREA, Omega and all of the Pioneer mutual
funds. Prior to joining PGI in November 1998, Mr. Boynton was a Senior Vice
President of The Quaker Oats Company.
JOSEPH P. BARRI, SECRETARY, DOB: AUGUST 1946
Corporate Secretary of PGI and most of its subsidiaries; Secretary of all of the
Pioneer mutual funds; and Partner, Hale and Dorr LLP.
ERIC W. RECKARD, ASSISTANT TREASURER, DOB: JUNE 1956
Vice President-Corporate Finance of PGI since February 1999; Manager of Business
Planning and Internal Audit of PGI since September 1996; Manager of Fund
Accounting of Pioneer since May 1994; Manager of Auditing, Compliance and
Business Analysis for PGI prior to May 1994; and Assistant Treasurer of all of
the Pioneer mutual funds.
ROBERT P. NAULT, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, DOB: MARCH 1964
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of PGI since
1995; Assistant Secretary of Pioneer, certain other PGI subsidiaries and all of
the Pioneer mutual funds; Assistant Clerk of PFD and PSC; and junior partner of
Hale and Dorr LLP prior to 1995.
The business address of all officers is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02109.
All of the outstanding capital stock of PFD, Pioneer and PSC is owned, directly
or indirectly, by PGI, a publicly owned Delaware corporation. Pioneer, the
fund's investment adviser, serves as the investment adviser for the Pioneer
mutual funds and manages the investments of certain institutional accounts.
The table below lists all of the U.S.-registered Pioneer mutual funds currently
offered to the public and the investment adviser and principal underwriter for
each fund.
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
INVESTMENT ADVISER PRINCIPAL
FUND NAME UNDERWRITER
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer International Growth Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Europe Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer World Equity Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Indo-Asia Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Capital Growth Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Mid-Cap Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Growth Shares Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Small Company Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Independence Fund Pioneer Note 1
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Micro-Cap Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Gold Shares Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Balanced Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Equity-Income Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer II Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Real Estate Shares Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Short-Term Income Trust Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer America Income Trust Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Bond Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Tax-Free Income Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Cash Reserves Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Strategic Income Fund Pioneer PFD
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Interest Shares Pioneer Note 2
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust Pioneer Note 3
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Note 1 This fund is available to the general public only through Pioneer
Independence Plans, a systematic investment plan sponsored by PFD.
Note 2 This fund is a closed-end fund.
Note 3 This is a series of 12 separate portfolios designed to provide investment
vehicles for the variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts of
various insurance companies or for certain qualified pension plans.
SHARE OWNERSHIP
See Appendix A for annual information on the ownership of fund shares by the
Trustees, the fund's officers and owners in excess of 5% of any class of shares
of the fund.
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
The fund pays no salaries or compensation to any of its officers. The fund
compensates each Trustee who is not affiliated with PGI, Pioneer, PFD or PSC
with a base fee, a variable fee calculated on the basis of average net assets of
the fund, per meeting fees, and annual committee participation fees for each
committee member or chairperson that are based on percentages of his or her
aggregate annual fee. See the fee table in Appendix A.
SALES LOADS. Current and former Trustees and officers of the fund and other
qualifying persons may purchase the fund's Class A shares without an initial
sales charge.
4. INVESTMENT ADVISER
The fund has contracted with Pioneer to act as its investment adviser. Pioneer
is a wholly owned subsidiary of PGI. PGI is engaged in the financial services
business in the U.S. and other countries. Certain Trustees or officers of the
fund are also directors and/or officers of PGI and its subsidiaries (see
management biographies above).
As the fund's investment adviser, Pioneer provides the fund with investment
research, advice and supervision and furnishes an investment program for the
fund consistent with the fund's investment objective and policies, subject to
the supervision of the fund's Trustees. Pioneer determines what portfolio
securities will be purchased or sold, arranges for the placing of orders for the
purchase or sale of portfolio securities, selects brokers or dealers to place
those orders, maintains books and records with respect to the fund's securities
transactions, and reports to the Trustees on the fund's investments and
performance.
Under the terms of its contract with the fund, Pioneer pays all the operating
expenses, including executive salaries and the rental of office space, relating
to its services for the fund, with the exception of the following, which are to
be paid by the fund: (a) charges and expenses for fund accounting, pricing and
appraisal services and related overhead, including, to the extent such services
are performed by personnel of Pioneer, or its affiliates, office space and
facilities and personnel compensation, training and benefits; (b) the charges
and expenses of auditors; (c) the charges and expenses of any custodian,
transfer agent, plan agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar appointed by
the fund; (d) issue and transfer taxes, chargeable to the fund in connection
with securities transactions to which the fund is a party; (e) insurance
premiums, interest charges, dues and fees for membership in trade associations
and all taxes and corporate fees payable by the fund to federal, state or other
governmental agencies; (f) fees and expenses involved in registering and
maintaining registrations of the fund and/or its shares with the SEC, state or
blue sky securities agencies and foreign countries, including the preparation of
prospectuses and statements of additional information for filing with the SEC;
(g) all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing,
printing and distributing prospectuses, notices, proxy statements and all
reports to shareholders and to governmental agencies; (h) charges and expenses
of legal counsel to the fund and the Trustees; (i) any distribution fees paid by
the fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the
1940 Act; (j) compensation of those Trustees of the fund who are not affiliated
with or interested persons of Pioneer, the fund (other than as Trustees), PGI or
PFD; (k) the cost of preparing and printing share certificates; and (l) interest
on borrowed money, if any. In addition to the expenses described above, the fund
shall pay brokers' and underwriting commissions chargeable to the fund in
connection with securities transactions to which the fund is a party. The
Trustees' approval of and the terms, continuance and termination of the
management contract are governed by the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940, as applicable. Pursuant to the management contract, Pioneer will not be
liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss sustained by
reason of the adoption of any investment policy or the purchase, sale or
retention of any securities on the recommendation of Pioneer. Pioneer, however,
is not protected against liability by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith
or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its
reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the management contract.
ADVISORY FEE. As compensation for its management services, the fund pays
Pioneera fee at the annual rate of 0.65% of the fund's average daily net assets
up to $1 billion; 0.60% of the next $4 billion; and 0.55% of the excess over $5
billion. This fee is normally computed and accrued daily and paid monthly.
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT. The fund has entered into an administration agreement
with Pioneer pursuant to which certain accounting and legal services which are
expenses payable by the fund under the management contract are performed by
Pioneer and pursuant to which Pioneer is reimbursed for its costs of providing
such services.
POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. The fund is managed by Pioneer which also serves
as investment adviser to other Pioneer mutual funds and private accounts with
investment objectives identical or similar to those of the fund. Securities
frequently meet the investment objectives of the fund, the other Pioneer mutual
funds and such private accounts. In such cases, the decision to recommend a
purchase to one fund or account rather than another is based on a number of
factors. The determining factors in most cases are the amount of securities of
the issuer then outstanding, the value of those securities and the market for
them. Other factors considered in the investment recommendations include other
investments which each fund or account presently has in a particular industry
and the availability of investment funds in each fund or account.
It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more than one
fund and/or account. However, positions in the same issue may vary and the
length of time that any fund or account may choose to hold its investment in the
same issue may likewise vary. To the extent that more than one of the Pioneer
mutual funds or a private account managed by Pioneer seeks to acquire the same
security at about the same time, the fund may not be able to acquire as large a
position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher price for
the security. Similarly, the fund may not be able to obtain as large an
execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular portfolio
security if Pioneer decides to sell on behalf of another account the same
portfolio security at the same time. On the other hand, if the same securities
are bought or sold at the same time by more than one fund or account, the
resulting participation in volume transactions could produce better executions
for the fund. In the event more than one account purchases or sells the same
security on a given date, the purchases and sales will normally be made as
nearly as practicable on a pro rata basis in proportion to the amounts desired
to be purchased or sold by each account. Although the other Pioneer mutual funds
may have the same or similar investment objectives and policies as the fund,
their portfolios do not generally consist of the same investments as the fund or
each other, and their performance results are likely to differ from those of the
fund.
PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS. In an effort to avoid conflicts of interest
with the fund, the fund and Pioneer have adopted a code of ethics that is
designed to maintain a high standard of personal conduct by directing that all
personnel defer to the interests of the fund and its shareholders in making
personal securities transactions.
5. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND DISTRIBUTION PLANS
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
PFD, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is the principal underwriter
for the fund in connection with the continuous offering of its shares. PFD is an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of PGI.
The fund entered into an underwriting agreement with PFD which provides that PFD
will bear expenses for the distribution of the fund's shares, except for
expenses incurred by PFD for which it is reimbursed or compensated by the fund
under the distribution plans (discussed below). PFD bears all expenses it incurs
in providing services under the underwriting agreement. Such expenses include
compensation to its employees and representatives and to securities dealers for
distribution-related services performed for the fund. PFD also pays certain
expenses in connection with the distribution of the fund's shares, including the
cost of preparing, printing and distributing advertising or promotional
materials, and the cost of printing and distributing prospectuses and
supplements to prospective shareholders. The fund bears the cost of registering
its shares under federal and state securities law and the laws of certain
foreign countries. Under the underwriting agreement, PFD will use its best
efforts in rendering services to the fund.
See "Class A Share Sales Charges" for the schedule of initial sales charge
reallowed to dealers as a percentage of the offering price of the fund's Class A
shares.
See the tables in Appendix A for commissions retained by PFD and reallowed to
dealers in connection with PFD's offering of the fund's Class A shares during
recently completed fiscal years.
The fund will not generally issue fund shares for consideration other than cash.
At the fund's sole discretion, however, it may issue fund shares for
consideration other than cash in connection with a bona fide reorganization,
statutory merger or other acquisition of portfolio securities.
The redemption price of shares of beneficial interest of the fund may, at
Pioneer's discretion, be paid in cash or portfolio securities. The fund has,
however, elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to
which the fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of the fund's net asset value during any 90-day period for any
one shareholder. Should the amount of redemptions by any shareholder exceed such
limitation, the fund will have the option of redeeming the excess in cash or
portfolio securities. In the latter case, the securities are taken at their
value employed in determining the fund's net asset value. A shareholder whose
shares are redeemed in-kind may incur brokerage charges in selling the
securities received in-kind. The selection of such securities will be made in
such manner as the Board of Trustees deems fair and reasonable.
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The fund has adopted a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act with respect to its Class A shares (the "Class A Plan"), a plan of
distribution with respect to its Class B shares (the "Class B Plan") and a plan
of distribution with respect to its Class C shares (the "Class C Plan")
(together, the "Plans"), pursuant to which certain distribution and service fees
are paid to PFD. Because of the Plans, long-term shareholders may pay more than
the economic equivalent of the maximum sales charge permitted by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") regarding investment
companies.
CLASS A PLAN. Pursuant to the Class A Plan the fund reimburses PFD for its
actual expenditures to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the
sale of Class A shares or to provide services to holders of Class A shares,
provided the categories of expenses for which reimbursement is made are approved
by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has approved the following
categories of expenses that may be reimbursed under the Class A Plan: (i) a
service fee to be paid to qualified broker-dealers in an amount not to exceed
0.25% per annum of the fund's daily net assets attributable to Class A shares;
(ii) reimbursement to PFD for its expenditures for broker-dealer commissions and
employee compensation on certain sales of the fund's Class A shares with no
initial sales charge; and (iii) reimbursement to PFD for expenses incurred in
providing services to Class A shareholders and supporting broker-dealers and
other organizations (such as banks and trust companies) in their efforts to
provide such services. Banks are currently prohibited under the Glass-Steagall
Act from providing certain underwriting or distribution services. If a bank is
prohibited from acting in any capacity or providing any of the described
services, management will consider what action, if any, would be appropriate.
The expenses of the fund pursuant to the Class A Plan are accrued daily at a
rate which may not exceed the annual rate of 0.25% of the fund's average daily
net assets attributable to Class A shares. Distribution expenses of PFD are
expected to substantially exceed the distribution fees paid by the fund in a
given year.
The Class A Plan does not provide for the carryover of reimbursable expenses
beyond 12 months from the time the fund is first invoiced for an expense. The
limited carryover provision in the Class A Plan may result in an expense
invoiced to the fund in one fiscal year being paid in the subsequent fiscal year
and thus being treated for purposes of calculating the maximum expenditures of
the fund as having been incurred in the subsequent fiscal year. In the event of
termination or non-continuance of the Class A Plan, the fund has 12 months to
reimburse any expense which it incurs prior to such termination or
non-continuance, provided that payments by the fund during such 12-month period
shall not exceed 0.25% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to
Class A shares during such period. See Appendix A for the amount, if any, of
carryover of distribution expenses as of the end of the most recent calendar
year.
CLASS B PLAN. Commissions on the sale of Class B shares equal to 3.75% of the
amount invested are paid to broker-dealers who have sales agreements with PFD.
PFD may also advance to dealers the first-year service fee payable under the
Class B Plan at a rate up to 0.25% of the purchase price of such shares. As
compensation for such advance of the service fee, PFD may retain the service fee
paid by the fund with respect to such shares for the first year after purchase.
The Class B Plan provides that the fund shall pay PFD, as the fund's distributor
for its Class B shares, a daily distribution fee equal on an annual basis to
0.75% of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares and
will pay PFD a service fee equal to 0.25% of the fund's average daily net assets
attributable to Class B shares (which PFD will in turn pay to securities dealers
which enter into a sales agreement with PFD at a rate of up to 0.25% of the
fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares owned by
investors for whom that securities dealer is the holder or dealer of record).
This service fee is intended to be in consideration of personal services and/or
account maintenance services rendered by the dealer with respect to Class B
shares. Commencing in the 13th month following the purchase of Class B shares,
dealers will become eligible for additional annual service fees of up to 0.25%
of the net asset value of such shares. Dealers may from time to time be required
to meet certain other criteria in order to receive service fees. PFD or its
affiliates are entitled to retain all service fees payable under the Class B
Plan for which there is no dealer of record or for which qualification standards
have not been met as partial consideration for personal services and/or account
maintenance services performed by PFD or its affiliates for shareholder
accounts.
The purpose of distribution payments to PFD under the Class B Plan is to
compensate PFD for its distribution services with respect to Class B shares of
the fund. PFD pays commissions to dealers as well as expenses of printing
prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect to the
preparation and printing of sales literature and other distribution-related
expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary to provide
distribution-related services, or personnel, travel, office expenses and
equipment. The Class B Plan also provides that PFD will receive all contingent
deferred sales charges ("CDSCs") attributable to Class B shares. When a
broker-dealer sells Class B shares and elects, with PFD's approval, to waive its
right to receive the commission normally paid at the time of the sale, PFD may
cause all or a portion of the distribution fees described above to be paid to
the broker-dealer.
The Class B Plan and underwriting agreement were amended effective September 30,
1998 to permit PFD to sell its right to receive distribution fees under the
Class B Plan and CDSCs to third parties. PFD enters into such transactions to
finance the payment of commissions to brokers at the time of sale and other
distribution-related expenses. In connection with such amendments, the fund has
agreed that the distribution fee will not be terminated or modified (including a
modification by change in the rules relating to the conversion of Class B shares
into Class A shares) with respect to Class B shares (a) issued prior to the date
of any termination or modification or (b) attributable to Class B shares issued
through one or a series of exchanges of shares of another investment company for
which PFD acts as principal underwriter which were initially issued prior to the
date of such termination or modification or (c) issued as a dividend or
distribution upon Class B shares initially issued or attributable to Class B
shares issued prior to the date of any such termination or modification except:
(i) to the extent required by a change in the 1940 Act, the rules or
regulations under the 1940 Act, the Conduct Rules of the NASD or an order of any
court or governmental agency in each case enacted, issued or promulgated after
September 30, 1998;
(ii) in connection with a Complete Termination (as defined in the
Class B Plan); or
(iii) on a basis, determined by the Board of Trustees acting in good
faith, so long as from and after the effective date of such modification or
termination: neither the fund, the adviser nor certain affiliates pay, directly
or indirectly, a fee to any person for the provision of personal and account
maintenance services (as such terms are used in the Conduct Rules of the NASD)
to the holders of Class B shares of the fund and the termination or modification
of the distribution fee applies with equal effect to all Class B shares
outstanding from time to time.
The Class B Plan also provides that PFD shall be deemed to have performed all
services required to be performed in order to be entitled to receive the
distribution fee, if any, payable with respect to Class B shares sold through
PFD upon the settlement date of the sale of such Class B shares or in the case
of Class B shares issued through one or a series of exchanges of shares of
another investment company for which PFD acts as principal underwriter or issued
as a dividend or distribution upon Class B shares, on the settlement date of the
first sale on a commission basis of a Class B share from which such Class B
share was derived.
In the amendments to the underwriting agreement, the fund agreed that subsequent
to the issuance of a Class B share, it would not take any action to waive or
change any CDSC (including a change in the rules applicable to conversion of
Class B shares into another class) in respect of such Class B shares, except (i)
as provided in the fund's prospectus or statement of additional information in
effect on September 30, 1998, or (ii) as required by a change in the 1940 Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder, the Conduct Rules of the NASD or any
order of any court or governmental agency enacted, issued or promulgated after
September 30, 1998.
CLASS C PLAN. Commissions on the sale of Class C shares of up to 0.75% of the
amount invested in Class C shares are paid to broker-dealers who have sales
agreements with PFD. PFD may also advance to dealers the first-year service fee
payable under the Class C Plan at a rate up to 0.25% of the purchase price of
such shares. As compensation for such advance of the service fee, PFD may retain
the service fee paid by the fund with respect to such shares for the first year
after purchase.
The Class C Plan provides that the fund will pay PFD, as the fund's distributor
for its Class C shares, a distribution fee accrued daily and paid quarterly,
equal on an annual basis to 0.75% of the fund's average daily net assets
attributable to Class C shares and will pay PFD a service fee equal to 0.25% of
the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. PFD will in
turn pay to securities dealers which enter into a sales agreement with PFD a
distribution fee and a service fee at rates of up to 0.75% and 0.25%,
respectively, of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C
shares owned by investors for whom that securities dealer is the holder or
dealer of record. The service fee is intended to be in consideration of personal
services and/or account maintenance services rendered by the dealer with respect
to Class C shares. PFD will advance to dealers the first-year service fee at a
rate equal to 0.25% of the amount invested. As compensation therefor, PFD may
retain the service fee paid by the fund with respect to such shares for the
first year after purchase. Commencing in the 13th month following the purchase
of Class C shares, dealers will become eligible for additional annual
distribution fees and service fees of up to 0.75% and 0.25%, respectively, of
the net asset value of such shares. Dealers may from time to time be required to
meet certain other criteria in order to receive service fees. PFD or its
affiliates are entitled to retain all service fees payable under the Class C
Plan for which there is no dealer of record or for which qualification standards
have not been met as partial consideration for personal services and/or account
maintenance services performed by PFD or its affiliates for shareholder
accounts.
The purpose of distribution payments to PFD under the Class C Plan is to
compensate PFD for its distribution services with respect to Class C shares of
the fund. PFD pays commissions to dealers as well as expenses of printing
prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect to the
preparation and printing of sales literature and other distribution-related
expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary to provide
distribution-related services, or personnel, travel, office expenses and
equipment. The Class C Plan also provides that PFD will receive all CDSCs
attributable to Class C shares. When a broker-dealer sells Class C shares and
elects, with PFD's approval, to waive its right to receive the commission
normally paid at the time of the sale, PFD may cause all or a portion of the
distribution fees described above to be paid to the broker-dealer.
GENERAL
In accordance with the terms of each Plan, PFD provides to the fund for review
by the Trustees a quarterly written report of the amounts expended under the
Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. In the Trustees'
quarterly review of the Plans, they will consider the continued appropriateness
and the level of reimbursement or compensation the Plans provide.
No interested person of the fund, nor any Trustee of the fund who is not an
interested person of the fund, has any direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plans except to the extent that PFD and certain of its
employees may be deemed to have such an interest as a result of receiving a
portion of the amounts expended under the Plans by the fund and except to the
extent certain officers may have an interest in PFD's ultimate parent, PGI.
Each Plan's adoption, terms, continuance and termination are governed by Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees believes that there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the fund and its current and
future shareholders. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the
annual percentage limitation of average net assets which may be spent for the
services described therein without approval of the shareholders of the fund
affected thereby, and material amendments of the Plans must also be approved by
the Trustees as provided in Rule 12b-1.
See Appendix A for fund expenses under the Class A Plan, Class B Plan and Class
C Plan and CDSCs paid to PFD for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Upon redemption, Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC, Class B shares are
subject to a CDSC at a rate declining from a maximum 4% of the lower of the cost
or market value of the shares and Class C shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC.
6. SHAREHOLDER SERVICING/TRANSFER AGENT
The fund has contracted with PSC, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109,
to act as shareholder servicing and transfer agent for the fund.
Under the terms of its contract with the fund, PSC services shareholder
accounts, and its duties include: (i) processing sales, redemptions and
exchanges of shares of the fund; (ii) distributing dividends and capital gains
associated with the fund's portfolio; and (iii) maintaining account records and
responding to shareholder inquiries.
PSC receives an annual fee of $33.00 for each Class A, Class B and Class C
shareholder account from the fund as compensation for the services described
above. PSC is also reimbursed by the fund for its cash out-of-pocket
expenditures. The fund may compensate entities which have agreed to provide
certain sub-accounting services such as specific transaction processing and
recordkeeping services. Any such payments by the fund would be in lieu of the
per account fee which would otherwise be paid by the fund to PSC.
7. CUSTODIAN
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is
the custodian of the fund's assets. The custodian's responsibilities include
safekeeping and controlling the fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt
and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the fund's
investments.
8. INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Arthur Andersen LLP, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is the
fund's independent public accountants, providing audit services, tax return
review, and assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of
filings with the SEC.
9. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed on behalf
of the fund by Pioneer pursuant to authority contained in the fund's management
contract. Pioneer seeks to obtain the best execution on portfolio trades. The
price of securities and any commission rate paid are always factors, but
frequently not the only factors, in judging best execution. In selecting brokers
or dealers, Pioneer considers various relevant factors, including, but not
limited to, the size and type of the transaction; the nature and character of
the markets for the security to be purchased or sold; the execution efficiency,
settlement capability and financial condition of the dealer; the dealer's
execution services rendered on a continuing basis; and the reasonableness of any
dealer spreads. Transactions in foreign equity securities are executed by
broker-dealers in foreign countries in which commission rates are fixed and,
therefore, are not negotiable (as such rates are in the U.S.).
Debt securities purchased and sold on behalf of the fund normally will be traded
in the over-the counter market on a net basis (I.E. without commission) through
dealers acting for their own account and not as brokers or otherwise through
transactions directly with the issuer of the instrument. The cost of securities
purchased from underwriters includes an underwriter's commission or concession,
and the prices at which securities are purchased and sold from and to dealers
include a dealer's markup or markdown. Pioneer normally seeks to deal directly
with the primary market makers unless, in its opinion, better prices are
available elsewhere. Some securities are purchased and sold on an exchange or in
over-the-counter transactions conducted on an agency basis involving a
commission.
Pioneer may select broker-dealers that provide brokerage and/or research
services to the fund and/or other investment companies or other accounts managed
by Pioneer. In addition, consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, if Pioneer determines in good faith that the
amount of commissions charged by a broker-dealer is reasonable in relation to
the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker, the
fund may pay commissions to such broker-dealer in an amount greater than the
amount another firm may charge. Such services may include advice concerning the
value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling
securities; the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of
securities; providing stock quotation services, credit rating service
information and comparative fund statistics; furnishing analyses, electronic
information services, manuals and reports concerning issuers, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and performance of
accounts and particular investment decisions; and effecting securities
transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and
settlement). Pioneer maintains a listing of broker-dealers who provide such
services on a regular basis. However, because many transactions on behalf of the
fund and other investment companies or accounts managed by Pioneer are placed
with broker-dealers (including broker-dealers on the listing) without regard to
the furnishing of such services, it is not possible to estimate the proportion
of such transactions directed to such dealers solely because such services were
provided. Pioneer believes that no exact dollar value can be calculated for such
services.
The research received from broker-dealers may be useful to Pioneer in rendering
investment management services to the fund as well as other investment companies
or other accounts managed by Pioneer, although not all such research may be
useful to the fund. Conversely, such information provided by brokers or dealers
who have executed transaction orders on behalf of such other accounts may be
useful to Pioneer in carrying out its obligations to the fund. The receipt of
such research has not reduced Pioneer's normal independent research activities;
however, it enables Pioneer to avoid the additional expenses which might
otherwise be incurred if it were to attempt to develop comparable information
through its own staff.
In circumstances where two or more broker-dealers offer comparable prices and
executions, preference may be given to a broker-dealer which has sold shares of
the fund as well as shares of other investment companies managed by Pioneer.
This policy does not imply a commitment to execute all portfolio transactions
through all broker-dealers that sell shares of the fund.
Pursuant to certain directed brokerage arrangements with third-party
broker-dealers, such broker-dealers may pay certain of the fund's custody
expensesThe Pioneer funds have entered into third-party brokerage and/or expense
offset arrangements to reduce the funds' total operating expenses. Pursuant to
third-party brokerage arrangements, certain of the funds that invest primarily
in U.S. equity securities may incur lower custody fees by directing brokerage to
third-party broker-dealers. Pursuant to expense offset arrangements, the funds
incur lower transfer agency expenses by maintaining their cash balances with the
custodian. See "Financial highlights" in the prospectus. See the table in
Appendix A for aggregate brokerage and underwriting commissions paid by the fund
in connection with its portfolio transactions during recently completed fiscal
years. The Board of Trustees periodically reviews Pioneer's performance of its
responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions on
behalf of the fund.
10. DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
As an open-end management investment company, the fund continuously offers its
shares to the public and under normal conditions must redeem its shares upon the
demand of any shareholder at the next determined net asset value per share less
any applicable CDSC. See "Sales Charges." When issued and paid for in accordance
with the terms of the prospectus and statement of additional information, shares
of the fund are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares will remain on deposit
with the fund's transfer agent and certificates will not normally be issued. The
fund reserves the right to charge a fee for the issuance of Class A share
certificates; certificates will not be issued for Class B or Class C shares.
The fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated as of June 16, 1994 (the
"Declaration"), permits the Board of Trustees to authorize the issuance of an
unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest which may
be divided into such separate series as the Trustees may establish. Currently,
the fund consists of only one series. The Trustees may, however, establish
additional series of shares and may divide or combine the shares into a greater
or lesser number of shares without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial
interests in the fund. The Declaration further authorizes the Trustees to
classify or reclassify any series of the shares into one or more classes.
Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have authorized the issuance of three classes of
shares of the fund, designated as Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C
shares. Each share of a class of the fund represents an equal proportionate
interest in the assets of the fund allocable to that class. Upon liquidation of
the fund, shareholders of each class of the fund are entitled to share pro rata
in the fund's net assets allocable to such class available for distribution to
shareholders. The fund reserves the right to create and issue additional series
or classes of shares, in which case the shares of each class of a series would
participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets allocable to that
class of the particular series.
The shares of each class represent an interest in the same portfolio of
investments of the fund. Each class has equal rights as to voting, redemption,
dividends and liquidation, except that each class bears different distribution
and transfer agent fees and may bear other expenses properly attributable to the
particular class. Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders have exclusive
voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1 Plans adopted by holders of those
shares in connection with the distribution of shares.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held and may vote in the
election of Trustees and on other matters submitted to a meeting of
shareholders. Although Trustees are not elected annually by the shareholders,
shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more
Trustees. The fund is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual
shareholder meetings although special meetings may be called for the purpose of
electing or removing Trustees, changing fundamental investment restrictions or
approving a management contract.
The shares of each series of the fund are entitled to vote separately to approve
investment advisory agreements or changes in investment restrictions, but
shareholders of all series vote together in the election and selection of
Trustees and accountants. Shares of all series of the fund vote together as a
class on matters that affect all series of the fund in substantially the same
manner. As to matters affecting a single series or class, shares of such series
or class will vote separately. No amendment adversely affecting the rights of
shareholders may be made to the Declaration without the affirmative vote of a
majority of the fund's shares. Shares have no preemptive or conversion rights
except that under certain circumstances Class B shares may convert to Class A
shares.
As a Delaware business trust, the fund's operations are governed by the
Declaration. Generally, Delaware business trust shareholders are not personally
liable for obligations of the Delaware business trust under Delaware law. The
Delaware Business Trust Act (the "Delaware Act") provides that a shareholder of
a Delaware business trust shall be entitled to the same limitation of liability
extended to shareholders of private for-profit corporations. The Declaration
expressly provides that the fund is organized under the Delaware Act and that
the Declaration is to be governed by Delaware law. There is nevertheless a
possibility that a Delaware business trust, such as the fund, might become a
party to an action in another state whose courts refused to apply Delaware law,
in which case the fund's shareholders could become subject to personal
liability.
To guard against this risk, the Declaration (i) contains an express disclaimer
of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the fund and provides that
notice of such disclaimer may be given in each agreement, obligation or
instrument entered into or executed by the fund or its Trustees, (ii) provides
for the indemnification out of fund property of any shareholders held personally
liable for any obligations of the fund or any series of the fund and (iii)
provides that the fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made
against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the fund and satisfy any
judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss
beyond his or her investment because of shareholder liability is limited to
circumstances in which all of the following factors are present: (1) a court
refused to apply Delaware law; (2) the liability arose under tort law or, if
not, no contractual limitation of liability was in effect; and (3) the fund
itself would be unable to meet its obligations. In light of Delaware law, the
nature of the fund's business and the nature of its assets, the risk of personal
liability to a fund shareholder is remote.
In addition to the requirements under Delaware law, the Declaration provides
that a shareholder of the fund may bring a derivative action on behalf of the
fund only if the following conditions are met: (a) shareholders eligible to
bring such derivative action under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the
outstanding shares of the fund, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the series
or class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the
Trustees to commence such action; and (b) the Trustees must be afforded a
reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and investigate
the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or
other advisers in considering the merits of the request and shall require an
undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the fund for
the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to
bring such action.
The Declaration further provides that the fund shall indemnify each of its
Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred by
them in connection with, or arising out of, any action, suit or proceeding,
threatened against or otherwise involving such Trustee or officer, directly or
indirectly, by reason of being or having been a Trustee or officer of the fund.
The Declaration does not authorize the fund to indemnify any Trustee or officer
against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of
or for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
such person's duties.
The Declaration provides that any Trustees who is not an "interested person" of
Pioneer shall be considered to be independent for purposes of Delaware law
notwithstanding the fact that such trustees receive compensation for serving as
a trustee of the fund or other investment companies for which Pioneer acts as
investment adviser.
11. SALES CHARGES
The fund continuously offers three classes of shares designated as Class A,
Class B and Class C shares as described in the prospectus.
CLASS A SHARE SALES CHARGES
You may buy Class A shares at the public offering price, including a sales
charge, as follows:
SALES CHARGE AS A % OF
OFFERING NET AMOUNT DEALER
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE......... PRICE INVESTED REALLOWANCE
Less than $100,000......... 4.50 4.71 4.00
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 3.00
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50 2.56 2.00
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 1.75
$1,000,000 or more......... 0.00 0.00 see below
The schedule of sales charges above is applicable to purchases of Class A shares
of the fund by (i) an individual, (ii) an individual and his or her spouse and
children under the age of 21 and (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary of a trust
estate or fiduciary account or related trusts or accounts including pension,
profit-sharing and other employee benefit trusts qualified under Sections 401 or
408 of the Code although more than one beneficiary is involved. The sales
charges applicable to a current purchase of Class A shares of the fund by a
person listed above is determined by adding the value of shares to be purchased
to the aggregate value (at the then current offering price) of shares of any of
the other Pioneer mutual funds previously purchased and then owned, provided PFD
is notified by such person or his or her broker-dealer each time a purchase is
made which would qualify. Pioneer mutual funds include all mutual funds for
which PFD serves as principal underwriter. At the sole discretion of PFD,
holdings of funds domiciled outside the U.S., but which are managed by
affiliates of Pioneer, may be included for this purpose.
No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1 million
or more, or for purchases by participants in certain group plans described below
subject to a CDSC of 1% which may be imposed in the event of a redemption of
Class A shares within 12 months of purchase. PFD may, in its discretion, pay a
commission to broker-dealers who initiate and are responsible for such purchases
as follows: 1% on the first $5 million invested; 0.50% on the next $45 million
invested; and 0.25% on the excess over $50 million invested. These commissions
shall not be payable if the purchaser is affiliated with the broker-dealer or if
the purchase represents the reinvestment of a redemption made during the
previous 12 calendar months. Broker-dealers who receive a commission in
connection with Class A share purchases at net asset value by 401(a) or 401(k)
retirement plans with 1,000 or more eligible participants or with at least $10
million in plan assets will be required to return any commissions paid or a pro
rata portion thereof if the retirement plan redeems its shares within 12 months
of purchase. Contingent upon the achievement of certain sales objectives, PFD
may pay to Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. 50% of PFD's retention of any
sales commission on sales of the fund's Class A shares through such dealer. From
time to time, PFD may elect to reallow the entire initial sales charge to
participating dealers for all Class A sales with respect to which orders are
placed during a particular period. Dealers to whom substantially the entire
sales charge is reallowed may be deemed to be underwriters under the federal
securities laws.
LETTER OF INTENT ("LOI"). Reduced sales charges are available for purchases of
$50,000 or more of Class A shares (excluding any reinvestments of dividends and
capital gains distributions) made within a 13-month period pursuant to an LOI
which may be established by completing the Letter of Intent section of the
Account Application. The reduced sales charge will be the charge that would be
applicable to the purchase of the specified amount of Class A shares as if the
shares had all been purchased at the same time. A purchase not made pursuant to
an LOI may be included if the LOI is submitted to PSC within 90 days of such
purchase. You may also obtain the reduced sales charge by including the value
(at current offering price) of all your Class A shares in the fund and all other
Pioneer mutual funds held of record as of the date of your LOI in the amount
used to determine the applicable sales charge for the Class A shares to be
purchased under the LOI. Five percent of your total intended purchase amount
will be held in escrow by PSC, registered in your name, until the terms of the
LOI are fulfilled. When you sign the Account Application, you agree to
irrevocably appoint PSC your attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any or
all shares held in escrow with full power of substitution. An LOI is not a
binding obligation upon the investor to purchase, or the fund to sell, the
amount specified in the LOI.
If the total purchases, less redemptions, exceed the amount specified under the
LOI and are in an amount which would qualify for a further quantity discount,
all transactions will be recomputed on the expiration date of the LOI to effect
the lower sales charge. Any difference in the sales charge resulting from such
recomputation will be either delivered to you in cash or invested in additional
shares at the lower sales charge. The dealer, by signing the Account
Application, agrees to return to PFD, as part of such retroactive adjustment,
the excess of the commission previously reallowed or paid to the dealer over
that which is applicable to the actual amount of the total purchases under the
LOI.
If the total purchases, less redemptions, are less than the amount specified
under the LOI, you must remit to PFD any difference between the sales charge on
the amount actually purchased and the amount originally specified in the LOI.
When the difference is paid, the shares held in escrow will be deposited to your
account. If you do not pay the difference in sales charge within 20 days after
written request from PFD or your dealer, PSC, after receiving instructions from
PFD, will redeem the appropriate number of shares held in escrow to realize the
difference and release any excess.
CLASS B SHARES
You may buy Class B shares at the net asset value per share next computed after
receipt of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales charge;
however, Class B shares redeemed within six years of purchase will be subject to
a CDSC at the rates shown in the table below. The charge will be assessed on the
amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the original purchase
cost of the shares being redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in
account value above the initial purchase price, including shares derived from
the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.
The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years from
the time of purchase until the time of redemption of Class B shares. For the
purpose of determining the number of years from the time of any purchase after
September 30, 1998, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to
have been made on the first day of that month. For the purpose of determining
the number of years from the time of any purchase made prior to October 1, 1998,
all payments during a quarter will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on
the first day of that quarter. In processing redemptions of Class B shares, the
fund will first redeem shares not subject to any CDSC and then shares held
longest during the six-year period. As a result, you will pay the lowest
possible CDSC.
<PAGE>
The CDSC for Class B shares subject to a CDSC upon redemption will be determined
as follows:
CDSC AS A % OF DOLLAR
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE AMOUNT SUBJECT TO CDSC
First ......... 4.0
Second ......... 4.0
Third ......... 3.0
Fourth ......... 3.0
Fifth ......... 2.0
Sixth ......... 1.0
Seventh and thereafter 0.0
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to PFD and are used in whole or in part to
defray PFD's expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the
fund in connection with the sale of Class B shares, including the payment of
compensation to broker-dealers.
Class B shares will automatically convert into Class A shares at the beginning
of the calendar month (or the calendar quarter for purchases made prior to
October 1, 1998) that is eight years after the purchase date, except as noted
below. Class B shares acquired by exchange from Class B shares of another
Pioneer mutual fund will convert into Class A shares based on the date of the
initial purchase and the applicable CDSC. Class B shares acquired through
reinvestment of distributions will convert into Class A shares based on the date
of the initial purchase to which such shares relate. For this purpose, Class B
shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions will be attributed to
particular purchases of Class B shares in accordance with such procedures as the
Trustees may determine from time to time. The conversion of Class B shares to
Class A shares is subject to the continuing availability of a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or an opinion of counsel that such
conversions will not constitute taxable events for federal tax purposes. The
conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares will not occur if such ruling or
opinion is not available and, therefore, Class B shares would continue to be
subject to higher expenses than Class A shares for an indeterminate period.
CLASS C SHARES
You may buy Class C shares at net asset value per share next computed after
receipt of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales charge;
however, Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to
a CDSC of 1%. The charge will be assessed on the amount equal to the lesser of
the current market value or the original purchase cost of the shares being
redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in account value above the
initial purchase price, including shares derived from the reinvestment of
dividends or capital gains distributions. Class C shares do not convert to any
other class of fund shares.
For the purpose of determining the time of any purchase after September 30,
1998, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been
made on the first day of that month. For the purpose of determining the time of
any purchase made prior to October 1, 1998, all payments during a calendar
quarter will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the first day of that
quarter. In processing redemptions of Class C shares, the fund will first redeem
shares not subject to any CDSC and then shares held for the shortest period of
time during the one-year period. As a result, you will pay the lowest possible
CDSC.
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to PFD and are used in whole or in part to
defray PFD's expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the
fund in connection with the sale of Class C shares, including the payment of
compensation to broker-dealers.
12. REDEEMING SHARES
Redemptions may be suspended or payment postponed during any period in which any
of the following conditions exist: the Exchange is closed or trading on the
Exchange is restricted; an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the
fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not
reasonably practicable for the fund to fairly determine the value of the net
assets of its portfolio; or the SEC, by order, so permits.
Redemptions and repurchases are taxable transactions for shareholders that are
subject to U.S. federal income tax. The net asset value per share received upon
redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the cost of shares to an
investor, depending on the market value of the portfolio at the time of
redemption or repurchase.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN(S) ("SWP") (CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES). A
SWP is designed to provide a convenient method of receiving fixed payments at
regular intervals from fund share accounts having a total value of not less than
$10,000. You must also be reinvesting all dividends and capital gains
distributions to use the SWP option.
Periodic payments of $50 or more will be deposited monthly, quarterly,
semiannually or annually directly into a bank account designated by the
applicant or will be sent by check to the applicant, or any person designated by
the applicant. Payments can be made either by check or electronic funds transfer
to a bank account designated by you. Class B accounts must meet the minimum
initial investment requirement prior to establishing a SWP. Withdrawals from
Class B and Class C share accounts are limited to 10% of the value of the
account at the time the SWP is established. See "Qualifying for a reduced sales
charge" in the prospectus. If you direct that withdrawal payments be paid to
another person, want to change the bank where payments are sent or designate an
address that is different from the account's address of record after you have
opened your account, a signature guarantee must accompany your instructions.
Withdrawals under the SWP are redemptions that may have tax consequences for
you.
Purchases of Class A shares of the fund at a time when you have a SWP in effect
may result in the payment of unnecessary sales charges and may, therefore, be
disadvantageous. SWP redemptions reduce and may ultimately exhaust the number of
shares in your account. In addition, the amounts received by a shareholder
cannot be considered as yield or income on his or her investment because part of
such payments may be a return of his or her investment.
A SWP may be terminated at any time (1) by written notice to PSC or from PSC to
the shareholder; (2) upon receipt by PSC of appropriate evidence of the
shareholder's death; or (3) when all shares in the shareholder's account have
been redeemed.
You may obtain additional information by calling PSC at 1-800-225-6292.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE (CLASS A SHARES). If you redeem all or part of your
Class A shares of the fund, you may reinvest all or part of the redemption
proceeds without a sales charge in Class A shares of the fund if you send a
written request to PSC not more than 90 days after your shares were redeemed.
Your redemption proceeds will be reinvested at the next determined net asset
value of the Class A shares of the fund after receipt of the written request for
reinstatement. You may realize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as
a result of the redemption, and special tax rules may apply if a reinstatement
occurs. For example, if a redemption resulted in a loss and an investment is
made in shares of the fund within 30 days before or after the redemption, you
may not be able to recognize the loss for federal income tax purposes. Subject
to the provisions outlined in the prospectus, you may also reinvest in Class A
shares of other Pioneer mutual funds; in this case you must meet the minimum
investment requirements for each fund you enter.
The 90-day reinstatement period may be extended by PFD for periods of up to one
year for shareholders living in areas that have experienced a natural disaster,
such as a flood, hurricane, tornado or earthquake.
13. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
You may purchase, exchange or sell Class A, Class B or Class C shares by
telephone. See the prospectus for more information. For personal assistance,
call 1-800-225-6292 between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays.
Computer-assisted transactions may be available to shareholders who have
prerecorded certain bank information (see "FactFoneSM"). YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED
TO CONSULT WITH YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL PRIOR TO REQUESTING ANY TELEPHONE
TRANSACTION.
To confirm that each transaction instruction received by telephone is genuine,
the fund will record each telephone transaction, require the caller to provide
the personal identification number ("PIN") for the account and send you a
written confirmation of each telephone transaction. Different procedures may
apply to accounts that are registered to non-U.S. citizens or that are held in
the name of an institution or in the name of an investment broker-dealer or
other third party. If reasonable procedures, such as those described above, are
not followed, the fund may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or
fraudulent instructions. The fund may implement other procedures from time to
time. In all other cases, neither the fund, PSC nor PFD will be responsible for
the authenticity of instructions received by telephone; therefore, you bear the
risk of loss for unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions.
During times of economic turmoil or market volatility or as a result of severe
weather or a natural disaster, it may be difficult to contact the fund by
telephone to institute a purchase, exchange or redemption. You should
communicate with the fund in writing if you are unable to reach the fund by
telephone.
FACTFONESM. FactFoneSM is an automated inquiry and telephone transaction system
available to Pioneer mutual fund shareholders by dialing 1-800-225-4321.
FactFoneSM allows shareholder access to current information on Pioneer mutual
fund accounts and to the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer
mutual funds. In addition, you may use FactFoneSM to make computer-assisted
telephone purchases, exchanges or redemptions from your Pioneer mutual fund
accounts, access your account balances and last three transactions and order a
duplicate statement if you have activated your PIN. Telephone purchases or
redemptions require the establishment of a bank account of record. YOU ARE
STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT WITH YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL PRIOR TO REQUESTING
ANY TELEPHONE TRANSACTION. Shareholders whose accounts are registered in the
name of a broker-dealer or other third party may not be able to use FactFoneSM.
Call PSC for assistance.
FactFoneSM allows shareholders to hear the following recorded fund information:
net asset value prices for all Pioneer mutual funds;
annualized 30-day yields on Pioneer's fixed income funds;
annualized 7-day yields and 7-day effective (compound)
yields for Pioneer's money market fund; and
dividends and capital gains distributions on all Pioneer
mutual funds.
Yields are calculated in accordance with SEC mandated standard formulas.
All performance numbers communicated through FactFoneSM represent past
performance, and figures include the maximum applicable sales charge. A
shareholder's actual yield and total return will vary with changing market
conditions. The value of Class A, Class B and Class C shares (except for Pioneer
Cash Reserves Fund, which seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 share price) will
also vary, and such shares may be worth more or less at redemption than their
original cost.
14. PRICING OF SHARES
The net asset value per share of each class of the fund is determined as of the
close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on
each day on which the Exchange is open for trading. As of the date of this
statement of additional information, the Exchange is open for trading every
weekday except for the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The net asset value per share of each
class of the fund is also determined on any other day on which the level of
trading in its portfolio securities is sufficiently high that the current net
asset value per share might be materially affected by changes in the value of
its portfolio securities. The fund is not required to determine its net asset
value per share on any day on which no purchase orders in good order for fund
shares are received and no shares are tendered and accepted for redemption.
Securities are valued at the last sale price on the principal exchange or market
where they are traded. Securities which have not traded on the date of valuation
or securities for which sales prices are not generally reported are valued at
the mean between the current bid and asked prices. Securities quoted in foreign
currencies are converted to U.S. dollars utilizing foreign exchange rates
employed by the fund's independent pricing services. Generally, trading in
foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to
the close of regular trading on the Exchange. The values of such securities used
in computing the net asset value of the fund's shares are determined as of such
times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to
the close of regular trading on the Exchange. Occasionally, events which affect
the values of such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the
times at which they are determined and the close of regular trading on the
Exchange and will therefore not be reflected in the computation of the fund's
net asset value. If events materially affecting the value of such securities
occur during such period, then these securities may be valued at their fair
value as determined in good faith by the Trustees.
Ordinarily, investments in debt securities are valued on the basis of
information furnished by a pricing service which utilizes primarily a matrix
system (which reflects such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and
ratings), supplemented by dealer and exchange quotations, to recommend
valuations for normal institutional-sized trading units of debt securities.
All assets of the fund for which there is no other readily available valuation
method are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the
Trustees, although the actual computations may be made by persons acting
pursuant to the direction of the Board of Trustees.
The net asset value per share of each class of the fund is computed by taking
the value of all of the fund's assets attributable to a class, less the fund's
liabilities attributable to that class, and dividing the result by the number of
outstanding shares of that class. For purposes of determining net asset value,
expenses of the classes of the fund are accrued daily and taken into account.
The fund's maximum offering price per Class A share is determined by adding the
maximum sales charge to the net asset value per Class A share. Class B and Class
C shares are offered at net asset value without the imposition of an initial
sales charge (Class B and Class C shares may be subject to a CDSC).
15. TAX STATUS
The fund has elected to be treated, has qualified and intends to qualify each
year as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code so that
it will not pay federal income tax on income and capital gains distributed to
shareholders as required under the Code. If the fund did not qualify as a
regulated investment company, it would be treated as a U.S. corporation subject
to federal income tax. Under the Code, the fund will be subject to a
nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on a portion of its undistributed ordinary
income and capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements
with respect to each calendar year. The fund intends to make distributions in a
timely manner and accordingly does not expect to be subject to the excise tax.
The fund declares a dividend from any net investment income and any net
short-term capital gains each business day. Dividends are normally paid on the
last business day of the month or shortly thereafter. The fund distributes net
long-term capital gains, if any, in November. Dividends from income and/or
capital gains may also be paid at such other times as may be necessary for the
fund to avoid federal income or excise tax. In order to qualify as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M, the fund must, among other things, derive
at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from dividends, interest,
payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other
disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income
(including gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with
respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies
(the "90% income test") and satisfy certain annual distribution and quarterly
diversification requirements. For purposes of the 90% income test, income the
fund earns from equity interests in certain entities that are not treated as
corporations (e.g., are treated as partnerships or trusts) for U.S. tax purposes
will generally have the same character for the fund as in the hands of such
entities. Consequently, the fund may be required to limit its equity investments
in such entities that earn fee income, rental income or other nonqualifying
income.
Unless shareholders specify otherwise, all distributions will be automatically
reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the fund. For federal
income tax purposes, all dividends are taxable as described below whether a
shareholder takes them in cash or reinvests them in additional shares of the
fund. Dividends from investment company taxable income, which includes net
investment income, net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term
capital loss and certain net foreign exchange gains, are taxable as ordinary
income. Dividends from net long-term capital gain in excess of net short-term
capital loss ("net capital gain"), if any, are taxable to the fund's
shareholders as long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes without
regard to the length of time shares of the fund have been held. The federal
income tax status of all distributions will be reported to shareholders
annually.
Any dividend declared by the fund in October, November or December as of a
record date in such a month and paid during the following January will be
treated for federal income tax purposes as received by shareholders on December
31 of the calendar year in which it is declared.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the fund in connection with
certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities,
certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign
currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables
denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which
generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and
losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to
shareholders. Under future regulations, any such transactions that are not
directly related to the fund's investments in stock or securities (or its
options contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may
need to be limited in order to enable the fund to satisfy the 90% income test.
If the net foreign exchange loss for a year were to exceed the fund's investment
company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss), the resulting
ordinary loss for such year would not be deductible by the fund or its
shareholders in future years.
If the fund acquires any equity interest (under proposed regulations, generally
including not only stock but also an option to acquire stock such as is inherent
in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75%
of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends,
certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or hold at least 50% of their
assets in investments producing such passive income ("passive foreign investment
companies"), the fund could be subject to federal income tax and additional
interest charges on "excess distributions" received from such companies or gain
from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually
received by the fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The fund would
not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such
a tax. An election may generally be available that would ameliorate these
adverse tax consequences, but any such election could require the fund to
recognize taxable income or gain (subject to tax distribution requirements)
without the concurrent receipt of cash. These investments could also result in
the treatment of associated capital gains as ordinary income. The fund may limit
and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to limit its
tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.
The fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories
or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying
interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk
of or in default present special tax issues for the fund. Tax rules are not
entirely clear about issues such as when the fund may cease to accrue interest,
original issue discount or market discount when and to what extent deductions
may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on
obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and
whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These
and other issues will be addressed by the fund, in the event it invests in such
securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to
preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become
subject to federal income or excise tax.
If the fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities,
deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original
issue discount (or with market discount if the fund elects to include market
discount in income currently), the fund must accrue income on such investments
for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the
corresponding cash payments. However, the fund must distribute, at least
annually, all or substantially all of its net income, including such accrued
income, to shareholders to qualify as a regulated investment company under the
Code and avoid federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the fund may have to
dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to
generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy
distribution requirements.
For federal income tax purposes, the fund is permitted to carry forward a net
capital loss for any year to offset its capital gains, if any, during the eight
years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital gains are
offset by such losses, they would not result in federal income tax liability to
the fund and are not expected to be distributed as such to shareholders. See
Appendix A for the fund's available capital loss carryforwards.
At the time of an investor's purchase of fund shares, a portion of the purchase
price may be attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation in the fund's
portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the fund. Consequently, subsequent
distributions by the fund on these shares from such appreciation or income may
be taxable to such investor even if the net asset value of the investor's shares
is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor's cost for such
shares and the distributions economically represent a return of a portion of the
investment.
Redemptions and exchanges are taxable events for shareholders that are subject
to tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to
their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction
in fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as the following
discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in
such transactions. Any loss realized by a shareholder upon the redemption,
exchange or other disposition of shares with a tax holding period of six months
or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts
treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares.
In addition, if Class A shares redeemed or exchanged have been held for less
than 91 days, (1) in the case of a reinvestment in the fund or another mutual
fund at net asset value pursuant to the reinvestment privilege, or (2) in the
case of an exchange, all or a portion of the sales charge paid on such shares is
not included in their tax basis under the Code, to the extent a sales charge
that would otherwise apply to the shares received is reduced pursuant to the
reinvestment or exchange privilege. In either case, the portion of the sales
charge not included in the tax basis of the shares redeemed or surrendered in an
exchange is included in the tax basis of the shares acquired in the reinvestment
or exchange. Losses on redemptions or other dispositions of shares may be
disallowed under "wash sale" rules in the event of other investments in the fund
(including those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain
distributions) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30
days after a redemption or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the
disallowed portion of any loss would be included in the federal tax basis of the
shares acquired in the other investments.
Options written or purchased and futures contracts entered into by the fund on
certain securities, indices and foreign currencies, as well as certain forward
foreign currency contracts, may cause the fund to recognize gains or losses from
marking-to-market even though such options may not have lapsed, been closed out,
or exercised or such futures or forward contracts may not have been performed or
closed out. The tax rules applicable to these contracts may affect the
characterization as long-term or short-term of some capital gains and losses
realized by the fund. Certain options, futures and forward contracts relating to
foreign currency may be subject to Section 988, as described above, and
accordingly produce ordinary income or loss. Additionally, the fund may be
required to recognize gain if an option, futures contract, forward contract,
short sale or other transaction that is not subject to the mark-to-market rules
is treated as a "constructive sale" of an "appreciated financial position" held
by the fund under Section 1259 of the Code. Any net mark-to-market gains and/or
gains from constructive sales may also have to be distributed to satisfy the
distribution requirements referred to above even though no corresponding cash
amounts may concurrently be received, possibly requiring the disposition of
portfolio securities or borrowing to obtain the necessary cash. Losses on
certain options, futures or forward contracts and/or offsetting positions
(portfolio securities or other positions with respect to which the fund's risk
of loss is substantially diminished by one or more options, futures or forward
contracts) may also be deferred under the tax straddle rules of the Code, which
may also affect the characterization of capital gains or losses from straddle
positions and certain successor positions as long-term or short-term. Certain
tax elections may be available that would enable the fund to ameliorate some
adverse effects of the tax rules described in this paragraph. The tax rules
applicable to options, futures, forward contracts and straddles may affect the
amount, timing and character of the fund's income and gains or losses and hence
of its distributions to shareholders.
For purposes of the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to
corporations under the Code, dividends received by the fund from U.S.
corporations in respect of any share of stock with a tax holding period of at
least 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) extending before
and after each dividend held in an unleveraged position and distributed and
designated by the fund may be treated as qualifying dividends. Any corporate
shareholder should consult its tax adviser regarding the possibility that its
tax basis in its shares may be reduced, for federal income tax purposes, by
reason of "extraordinary dividends" received with respect to the shares and, to
the extent such basis would be reduced below zero, current recognition of income
may be required. In order to qualify for the deduction, corporate shareholders
must meet the minimum holding period requirement stated above with respect to
their fund shares, taking into account any holding period reductions from
certain hedging or other transactions or positions that diminish their risk of
loss with respect to their fund shares, and, if they borrow to acquire or
otherwise incur debt attributable to fund shares, they may be denied a portion
of the dividends-received deduction. The entire qualifying dividend, including
the otherwise deductible amount, will be included in determining the excess, if
any, of a corporation's adjusted current earnings over its alternative minimum
taxable income, which may increase a corporation's alternative minimum tax
liability.
The fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign
countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with respect
to its investments in those countries, which would, if imposed, reduce the yield
on or return from those investments. Tax conventions between certain countries
and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. The fund does not
expect to satisfy the requirements for passing through to its shareholders their
pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the fund, with the result
that shareholders will not include such taxes in their gross incomes and will
not be entitled to a tax deduction or credit for such taxes on their own tax
returns.
A state income (and possibly local income and/or intangible property) tax
exemption is generally available to the extent the fund's distributions are
derived from interest on (or, in the case of intangible property taxes, the
value of its assets is attributable to) certain U.S. Government obligations,
provided in some states that certain thresholds for holdings of such obligations
and/or reporting requirements are satisfied. The fund will not seek to satisfy
any threshold or reporting requirements that may apply in particular taxing
jurisdictions, although the fund may in its sole discretion provide relevant
information to shareholders.
Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and
deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions and certain
prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified
retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more
information.
Federal law requires that the fund withhold (as "backup withholding") 31% of
reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and the
proceeds of redemptions (including exchanges) or repurchases of fund shares paid
to shareholders who have not complied with IRS regulations. In order to avoid
this withholding requirement, shareholders must certify on their Account
Applications, or on separate IRS Forms W-9, that the Social Security Number or
other Taxpayer Identification Number they provide is their correct number and
that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are
exempt from backup withholding. The fund may nevertheless be required to
withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that the number provided
is incorrect or backup withholding is applicable as a result of previous
underreporting of interest or dividend income.
If, as anticipated, the fund continues to qualify as a regulated investment
company under the Code, it will not be required to pay any Massachusetts income,
corporate excise or franchise taxes or any Delaware corporation income tax.
The description of certain federal tax provisions above relates only to U.S.
federal income tax consequences for shareholders who are U.S. persons, i.e.,
U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or
estates, and who are subject to U.S. federal income tax. This description does
not address the special tax rules that may be applicable to particular types of
investors, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, securities
dealers, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts or entities. Investors
other than U.S. persons may be subject to different U.S. tax treatment,
including a possible 30% non-resident alien U.S. withholding tax (or
non-resident alien withholding tax at a lower treaty rate) on amounts treated as
ordinary dividends from the fund and, unless an effective IRS Form W-8, Form
W-8BEN, or other authorized withholding certificate is on file, to 31% backup
withholding on certain other payments from the fund. Shareholders should consult
their own tax advisers on these matters and on state, local and other applicable
tax laws.
16. INVESTMENT RESULTS
QUOTATIONS, COMPARISONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
From time to time, in advertisements, in sales literature or in reports to
shareholders, the past performance of the fund may be illustrated and/or
compared with that of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and
to stock or other relevant indices. For example, total return of the fund's
classes may be compared to rankings prepared by Lipper , Inc., a widely
recognized independent service which monitors mutual fund performance; the S&P
500, an index of unmanaged groups of common stock; the Dow Jones Industrial
Average, a recognized unmanaged index of common stocks of 30 industrial
companies listed on the Exchange; or the Russell U.S. Equity Indexes or the
Wilshire Total Market Value Index, which are recognized unmanaged indexes of
broad-based common stocks.
In addition, the performance of the classes of the fund may be compared to
alternative investment or savings vehicles and/or to indices or indicators of
economic activity, e.g., inflation or interest rates. The fund may also include
securities industry or comparative performance information generally and in
advertising or materials marketing the fund's shares. Performance rankings and
listings reported in newspapers or national business and financial publications,
such as BARRON'S, BUSINESS WEEK, CONSUMERS DIGEST, CONSUMER REPORTS, FINANCIAL
WORLD, FORBES, FORTUNE, INVESTORS BUSINESS DAILY, KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE
MAGAZINE, MONEY MAGAZINE, NEW YORK TIMES, SMART MONEY, USA TODAY, U.S. NEWS AND
WORLD REPORT, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and WORTH may also be cited (if the fund
is listed in any such publication) or used for comparison, as well as
performance listings and rankings from various other sources including Bloomberg
Financial Markets, CDA/Wiesenberger, Donoghue's Mutual Fund Almanac, Ibbotson
Associates, Investment Company Data, Inc., Johnson's Charts, Kanon Bloch Carre
and Co., Lipper, Inc., Micropal, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Schabacker Investment
Management and Towers Data Systems, Inc.
In addition, from time to time quotations from articles from financial
publications such as those listed above may be used in advertisements, in sales
literature or in reports to shareholders of the fund.
The fund may also present, from time to time, historical information depicting
the value of a hypothetical account in one of more classes of the fund since
inception.
In presenting investment results, the fund may also include references to
certain financial planning concepts, including (a) an investor's need to
evaluate his financial assets and obligations to determine how much to invest;
(b) his need to analyze the objectives of various investments to determine where
to invest; and (c) his need to analyze his time frame for future capital needs
to determine how long to invest. The investor controls these three factors, all
of which affect the use of investments in building assets.
STANDARDIZED YIELD QUOTATIONS
The yield of a class is computed by dividing the class' net investment income
per share during a base period of 30 days, or one month, by the maximum offering
price per share of the class on the last day of such base period in accordance
with the following formula:
a-b 6
YIELD = 2[ ( ----- +1) -1]
cd
Where:
a = interest earned during the period
b = net expenses accrued for the period
c = the average daily number of shares outstanding
during the period that were entitled to receive
dividends
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day
of the period
For purposes of calculating interest earned on debt obligations as provided in
item "a" above:
(i) The yield to maturity of each obligation held by the fund is
computed based on the market value of the obligation (including actual accrued
interest, if any) at the close of business each day during the 30-day base
period, or, with respect to obligations purchased during the month, the purchase
price (plus actual accrued interest, if any) on settlement date, and with
respect to obligations sold during the month the sale price (plus actual accrued
interest, if any) between the trade and settlement dates.
(ii) The yield to maturity of each obligation is then divided by 360
and the resulting quotient is multiplied by the market value of the obligation
(including actual accrued interest, if any) to determine the interest income on
the obligation for each day. The yield to maturity calculation has been made on
each obligation during the 30 day base period.
(iii) Interest earned on all debt obligations during the 30-day or one
month period is then totaled.
(iv) The maturity of an obligation with a call provision(s) is the next
call date on which the obligation reasonably may be expected to be called or, if
none, the maturity date.
With respect to the treatment of discount and premium on mortgage- or other
receivables-backed obligations which are expected to be subject to monthly
payments of principal and interest ("pay downs"), the fund accounts for gain or
loss attributable to actual monthly pay downs as an increase or decrease to
interest income during the period. In addition, the fund may elect (i) to
amortize the discount or premium remaining on a security, based on the cost of
the security, to the weighted average maturity date, if such information is
available, or to the remaining term of the security, if the weighted average
maturity date is not available, or (ii) not to amortize the remaining discount
or premium on a security.
For purposes of computing yield, interest income is recognized by accruing 1/360
of the stated interest rate of each obligation in the fund's portfolio each day
that the obligation is in the portfolio. Expenses of Class A and Class B accrued
during any base period, if any, pursuant to the respective Distribution Plans
are included among the expenses accrued during the base period.
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN QUOTATIONS
One of the primary methods used to measure the performance of a class of the
fund is "total return." Total return will normally represent the percentage
change in value of an account, or of a hypothetical investment in a class of the
fund, over any period up to the lifetime of that class of the fund. Total return
calculations will usually assume the reinvestment of all dividends and capital
gain distributions and will be expressed as a percentage increase or decrease
from an initial value for the entire period or for one or more specified periods
within the entire period. Total return percentages for periods of less than one
year will usually be annualized; total return percentages for periods longer
than one year will usually be accompanied by total return percentages for each
year within the period and/or by the average annual compounded total return for
the period. The income and capital components of a given return may be separated
and portrayed in a variety of ways in order to illustrate their relative
significance. Performance may also be portrayed in terms of cash or investment
values without percentages. Past performance cannot guarantee any particular
future result.
The fund's average annual total return quotations for each of its classes as
that information may appear in the fund's prospectus, this statement of
additional information or in advertising are calculated by standard methods
prescribed by the SEC.
Average annual total return quotations for each class of shares are computed by
finding the average annual compounded rates of return that would cause a
hypothetical investment in the class made on the first day of a designated
period (assuming all dividends and distributions are reinvested) to equal the
ending redeemable value of such hypothetical investment on the last day of the
designated period in accordance with the following formula:
n
P(1+T) = ERV
Where:
P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000, less the
maximum sales load of $57.50 for Class A shares or
the deduction of the CDSC for Class B and Class C
shares at the end of the period
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the hypothetical $1,000
initial payment made at the beginning of the
designated period (or fractional portion thereof)
For purposes of the above computation, it is assumed that all dividends and
distributions made by the fund are reinvested at net asset value during the
designated period. The average annual total return quotation is determined to
the nearest 1/100 of 1%.
In determining the average annual total return (calculated as provided above),
recurring fees, if any, that are charged to all shareholder accounts of a
particular class of shares are taken into consideration. For any account fees
that vary with the size of the account, the account fee used for purposes of the
above computation is assumed to be the fee that would be charged to the class'
mean account size.
See Appendix A for the annual total returns for each class of fund shares as of
the most recently completed fiscal year.
17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fund's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998 from the fund's annual report filed with the SEC on February 26, 1999
(Accession No. 0000069405-99-000004) are incorporated by reference into this
statement of additional information. Those financial statements, including the
financial highlights in the prospectuses, have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect
to the financial statements and are included in reliance upon the authority of
Arthur Andersen LLP as experts in accounting and auditing in giving their
report.
The fund's annual report includes the financial statements referenced above and
is available without charge upon request by calling Shareholder Services at
1-800-225-6292. To the extent permitted by the SEC, if members of the same
family hold shares of the fund and have the same address of record, the fund
will only send one copy of its shareholder reports to such address, unless the
shareholders at such address request otherwise.
<PAGE>
18. APPENDIX A - ANNUAL FEE, EXPENSE AND OTHER INFORMATION
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The fund's annual portfolio turnover rate was 94% for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998 (from 122% and 31% for the fiscal years ended December 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively). The increase from 1996 was a result of the fund
adjusting its investment focus in February 1997.
SHARE OWNERSHIP
As of March 31, 1999, the Trustees and officers of the fund owned beneficially
in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the fund. The
following is a list of the holders of 5% or more of any class of the fund's
outstanding shares as of March 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
RECORD HOLDER SHARE CLASS NUMBER OF SHARES % OF CLASS
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Class C 33,925.420 9.34
Incorporated for the Sole Benefit
of its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------------- ----------------
United Industrial Piping 5.37
9740 Near Drive Class C 19,512.509
Cincinnati, OH 045246-1013
</TABLE>
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
compensation of each Trustee of the fund.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
PENSION OR RETIREMENT TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM
BENEFITS ACCRUED AS THE FUND AND OTHER
AGGREGATE PART OF FUND EXPENSES PIONEER MUTUAL FUNDS**
COMPENSATION FROM
NAME OF TRUSTEE FUND*
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
John F. Cogan, Jr.*** $ 750.00 $0 $ 18,750.00
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
Mary K. Bush 2,597.00 0 77,125.00
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
Richard H. Egdahl, M.D. 2,597.00 0 79,125.00
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
Margaret B.W. Graham 2,666.00 0 81,750.00
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
John W. Kendrick 2,134.00 0 65,900.00
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
Marguerite A. Piret 2,982.00 0 98,750.00
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
David D. Tripple*** 750.00 0 18,750.00
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
Stephen K. West 2,647.00 0 85,050.00
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
John Winthrop 2,824.00 0 85,875.00
- -------- - - ---------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
$19,947.00 $0 $611,075.00
- ------------------------------------------ ---------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------
</TABLE>
* For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
** For the calendar year ended December 31, 1998.
*** Under the management contract, Pioneer reimburses the fund
for any Trustees fees paid by the fund.
APPROXIMATE MANAGEMENT FEES THE FUND PAID OR OWED PIONEER
- ----------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- ----------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
- ----------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------
1998 1997 1996
- ----------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------
- ----------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------
$1,917,359 $1,832,707 $1,386,645*
- ----------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------
- ------------------
*Pursuant to the prior management contract.
CARRYOVER OF DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES
As of December 31, 1998 there was a carryover of $35,683 distribution expenses
under the Class A Plan.
APPROXIMATE NET UNDERWRITING COMMISSIONS RETAINED BY PFD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
$78,000 $68,000 $76,000
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
APPROXIMATE COMMISSIONS REALLOWED TO DEALERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
$595,000 $487,000 $554,000
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
FUND EXPENSES UNDER THE DISTRIBUTION PLANS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
CLASS A PLAN CLASS B PLAN CLASS C PLAN
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
$685,982 $191,341 $32,121
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
CDSCS
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, CDSCs in the amount of $30,579
were paid to PFD.
APPROXIMATE BROKERAGE AND UNDERWRITING COMMISSIONS (PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
$486,000 $523,000 $76,000
- ------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------
See "Portfolio Transactions" directly above.
CAPITAL LOSS CARRYFORWARDS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998
As of the end of its most recent taxable year, the fund had a capital loss
carryforward of $14,695,906 which will expire in 2006 if not used.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (DECEMBER 31, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (%)
- ------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------ ------------- --------------- --------------- ------------- -------------
SINCE INCEPTION
CLASS OF SHARES ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS INCEPTION DATE
- ------------------------------------- ------------- --------------- --------------- ------------- -------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------- --------------- --------------- ------------- -------------
Class A Shares -3.42 7.14 9.08 8.52 05/17/68
Class B Shares -3.64 N/A N/A 9.01 04/28/95
Class C Shares 0.27 N/A N/A 7.36 01/31/96
- ------------------------------------- ------------- --------------- --------------- ------------- -------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
19. APPENDIX B - DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM DEBT, CORPORATE BOND AND
PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS1
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S") PRIME RATING SYSTEM
Moody's short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay
punctually senior debt obligations. These obligations have an original maturity
not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted.
Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment
grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
Prime-1: Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment
ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:
Leading market positions in well-established industries. High rates of
return on funds employed.
Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt
and ample asset protection. Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation. Well-established
access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate
liquidity.
Prime-2: Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally
be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Prime-3: Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable
ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry
characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in
earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection
measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate
alternate liquidity is maintained.
Not Prime: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating
categories.
Obligations of a branch of a bank are considered to be domiciled in the country
in which the branch is located. Unless noted as an exception, Moody's rating on
- --------
1 The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings
available at the date of this statement of additional information for the
securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of
issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings,
they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated do not
necessarily represent ratings which will be given to these securities on the
date of the fund's fiscal year-end.
<PAGE>
a bank's ability to repay senior obligations extends only to branches located in
countries which carry a Moody's Sovereign Rating for Bank Deposits. Such branch
obligations are rated at the lower of the bank's rating or Moody's Sovereign
Rating for Bank Deposits for the country in which the branch is located.
When the currency in which an obligation is denominated is not the same as the
currency of the country in which the obligation is domiciled, Moody's ratings do
not incorporate an opinion as to whether payment of the obligation will be
affected by actions of the government controlling the currency of denomination.
In addition, risks associated with bilateral conflicts between an investor's
home country and either the issuer's home country or the country where an
issuer's branch is located are not incorporated into Moody's short-term debt
ratings.
If an issuer represents to Moody's that its short-term debt obligations are
supported by the credit of another entity or entities, then the name or names of
such supporting entity or entities are listed within the parenthesis beneath the
name of the issuer, or there is a footnote referring the reader to another page
for the name or names of the supporting entity or entities. In assigning ratings
to such issuers, Moody's evaluates the financial strength of the affiliated
corporations, commercial banks, insurance companies, foreign governments or
other entities, but only as one factor in the total rating assessment.
MOODY'S DEBT RATINGS
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C: Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
Moody's bond ratings, where specified, are applicable to financial contracts,
senior bank obligations and insurance company senior policyholder and claims
obligations with an original maturity in excess of one year. Obligations relying
upon support mechanisms such as letters-of-credit and bonds of indemnity are
excluded unless explicitly rated. Obligations of a branch of a bank are
considered to be domiciled in the country in which the branch is located.
Unless noted as an exception, Moody's rating on a bank's ability to repay senior
obligations extends only to branches located in countries which carry a Moody's
Sovereign Rating for Bank Deposits. Such branch obligations are rated at the
lower of the bank's rating or Moody's Sovereign Rating for the Bank Deposits for
the country in which the branch is located. When the currency in which an
obligation is denominated is not the same as the currency of the country in
which the obligation is domiciled, Moody's ratings do not incorporate an opinion
as to whether payment of the obligation will be affected by the actions of the
government controlling the currency of denomination. In addition, risk
associated with bilateral conflicts between an investor's home country and
either the issuer's home country or the country where an issuer branch is
located are not incorporated into Moody's ratings.
Moody's makes no representation that rated bank obligations or insurance company
obligations are exempt from registration under the 1933 Act or issued in
conformity with any other applicable law or regulation. Nor does Moody's
represent any specific bank or insurance company obligation is legally
enforceable or a valid senior obligation of a rated issuer.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicated that the obligation
ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicated
a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of
that generic rating category.
MOODY'S PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS
Because of the fundamental differences between preferred stocks and bonds, a
variation of Moody's familiar bond rating symbols is used in the quality ranking
of preferred stock. The symbols, presented below, are designed to avoid
comparison with bond quality in absolute terms. It should always be borne in
mind that preferred stock occupies a junior position to bonds within a
particular capital structure and that these securities are rated within the
universe of preferred stocks.
aaa: An issue which is rated aaa is considered to be a top-quality preferred
stock. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of
dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.
aa: An issue which is rated aa is considered a high-grade preferred stock. This
rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings and asset
protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.
a: An issue which is rated a is considered to be an upper-medium grade preferred
stock. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater then in the aaa and aa
classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be
maintained at adequate levels.
baa: An issue which is rated baa is considered to be a medium-grade preferred
stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset
protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great
length of time.
ba: An issue which is rated ba is considered to have speculative elements and
its future cannot be considered well assured. Earnings and asset protection may
be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods.
Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.
b: An issue which is rated b generally lacks the characteristics of a desirable
investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the
issue over any long period of time may be small.
caa: An issue which is rated caa is likely to be in arrears on dividend
payments. This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status
of payments.
ca: An issue which is rated ca is speculative in a high degree and is likely to
be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments.
c: This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock. Issues so
rated can thus be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
any real investment standing.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each rating
classification: the modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher
end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking
and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its
generic rating category.
STANDARD & POOR'S SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
A-1: A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by
Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are
designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to
meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2: A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely
to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation.
B: A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties
which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
C: A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D: A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category
is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action
if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
STANDARD & POOR'S LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following
considerations:
Likelihood of payment-capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet
its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms
of the obligation; Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the
event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the
laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
The issue rating definitions are expressed in terms of default risk. As such,
they pertain to senior obligations of an entity. Junior obligations are
typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in
bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation applies when an entity has
both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or
operating company and holding company obligations.) Accordingly, in the case of
junior debt, the rating may not conform exactly with the category definition.
AAA: An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is extremely strong.
AA: An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only in
small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is very strong.
A: An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in
higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB: An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C
the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major
exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the
obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
B: An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated
BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will
likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
CCC: An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely
to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC: An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated C is CURRENTLY HIGHLY
VULNERABLE to nonpayment. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a
bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but
payments on this obligation are being continued. A C also will be assigned to a
preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments but that
is currently paying.
D: An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used
when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action
if payments are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The rating from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition
of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major categories.
r: This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant
noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected
returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include:
obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities;
obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk, such as interest-only or
principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky
interest terms, such as inverse floaters.
N.R.: This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's
does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
LOCAL CURRENCY AND FOREIGN CURRENCY RISKS
Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor's analysis
for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor
in this analysis. An obligor's capacity to repay foreign currency obligations
may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to
the sovereign government's own relatively lower capacity to repay external
versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in
the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings
are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those
instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
<PAGE>
20. APPENDIX C - PERFORMANCE STATISTICS
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
CLASS A SHARES
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
NET ASSET INITIAL NET
INITIAL SALES CHARGE VALUE PER ASSET VALUE
DATE INVESTMENT OFFERING PRICE INCLUDED SHARES PURCHASED SHARE
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
5/17/68 $10,000 $10.47 4.50% 955.110. $10.00 $9,550
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
</TABLE>
VALUE OF SHARES
(DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
FROM FROM CAPITAL FROM DIVIDENDS
DATE INVESTMENT GAINS REINVESTED REINVESTED TOTAL VALUE
12/31/89 $9,102 $4,074 $43,592 $56,768
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
12/31/90 $8,729 $3,907 $46,167 $58,803
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
12/31/91 $9,685 $4,334 $55,735 $69,754
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
12/31/92 $9,675 $5,010 $60,360 $75,045
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
12/31/93 $9,752 $7,376 $65,599 $82,727
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
12/31/94 $8,701 $6,581 $63,882 $79,164
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
12/31/95 $9,837 $8,436 $78,307 $96,580
\
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
12/31/96 $10,172 $8,734 $87,229 $106,135
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
12/31/97 $9,694 $24,275 $86,941 $120,910
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
12/31/98 $9,303 $26,100 $86,892 $122,295
- --------------- ------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------
</TABLE>
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Return and share price
fluctuate and your shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than your
original cost.
<PAGE>
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
CLASS B SHARES
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
NET ASSET INITIAL NET
INITIAL SALES CHARGE VALUE PER ASSET VALUE
DATE INVESTMENT OFFERING PRICE INCLUDED SHARES PURCHASED SHARE
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
4/28/95 $10,000 $9.55 0.00% 1,047.120 $9.55 $10,000
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
VALUE OF SHARES
(DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED)
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
FROM
FROM FROM CAPITAL DIVIDENDS
DATE INVESTMENT GAINS REINVESTED REINVESTED CDSC IF REDEEMED TOTAL VALUE CDSC %
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
12/31/95 $10,753 $118 $503 $400 $10,794 4.00
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
12/31/96 $11,089 $123 $1,188 $400 $12,000 4.00
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
12/31/97 $10,556 $1,981 $1,473 $300 $13,710 3.00
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
12/31/98 $10,105 $2,222 $1,709 $300 $13,736 3.00
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
CLASS C SHARES
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
NET ASSET INITIAL NET
INITIAL SALES CHARGE VALUE PER ASSET VALUE
DATE INVESTMENT OFFERING PRICE INCLUDED SHARES PURCHASED SHARE
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
1/31/96 $10,000 $10.39 0.00% 962.464 $10.39 $10,000
- ---------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
</TABLE>
VALUE OF SHARES
(DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
FROM
FROM FROM CAPITAL DIVIDENDS
DATE INVESTMENT GAINS REINVESTED REINVESTED CDSC IF REDEEMED TOTAL VALUE CDSC %
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
12/31/96 $10,222 $1 $589 $100 $10,712 1.00
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
12/31/97 $9,788 $1,622 $859 $0 $12,269 0.00
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
12/31/98 $9,383 $1,838 $1,080 $0 $12,302 0.00
- ---------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Return and share price
fluctuate and your shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than your
original cost.
<PAGE>
Comparative Performance Index Descriptions
The following securities indices are well known, unmanaged measures of market
performance. Advertisements and sales literature for the fund may refer to these
indices or may present comparisons between the performance of the fund and one
or more of the indices. Other indices may also be used, if appropriate. The
indices are not available for direct investment. The data presented are not
meant to be indicative of the performance of the fund, do not reflect past
performance and do not guarantee future results.
S&P 500. This index is a readily available, carefully constructed, market value
weighted benchmark of common stock performance. Currently, the S&P 500 includes
500 of the largest stocks (in terms of stock market value) in the U.S.
Dow Jones Industrial Average. This is a total return index based on the
performance of stocks of 30 blue chip companies widely held by individuals and
institutional investors. The 30 stocks represent about a fifth of the $8
trillion-plus market value of all U.S. stocks and about a fourth of the value of
stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
U.S. Small Stock Index. This index is a market value weighted index of the ninth
and tenth deciles of the NYSE, plus stocks listed on the American Stock Exchange
and over the counter with the same or less capitalization as the upper bound of
the NYSE ninth decile.
U.S. Inflation. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), not
seasonally adjusted, is used to measure inflation, which is the rate of change
of consumer goods prices. Unfortunately, the inflation rate as derived by the
CPI is not measured over the same period as the other asset returns. All of the
security returns are measured from one month-end to the next month-end. CPI
commodity prices are collected during the month. Thus, measured inflation rates
lag the other series by about one-half month. Prior to January 1978, the CPI (as
compared with CPI-U) was used. Both inflation measures are constructed by the
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, DC.
S&P/BARRA Indexes. The S&P/BARRA Growth and Value Indexes are constructed by
dividing the stocks in the S&P 500 according to price-to-book ratios. The Growth
Index contains stocks with higher price-to-book ratios, and the Value Index
contains stocks with lower price-to-book ratios. Both indexes are market
capitalization weighted.
Merrill Lynch Micro-Cap Index. The Merrill Lynch Micro-Cap Index represents the
performance of 1,980 stocks ranging in market capitalization from $50 million to
$125 million. Index returns are calculated monthly.
Long-Term U.S. Government Bonds. The total returns on long-term government bonds
after 1977 are constructed with data from The Wall Street Journal and are
calculated as the change in the flat price or and-interest price. From 1926 to
1976, data are obtained from the government bond file at the Center for Research
in Security Prices (CRSP), Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago.
Each year, a one-bond portfolio with a term of approximately 20 years and a
reasonably current coupon was used and whose returns did not reflect potential
tax benefits, impaired negotiability or special redemption or call privileges.
Where callable bonds had to be used, the term of the bond was assumed to be a
simple average of the maturity and first call dates minus the current date. The
bond was "held" for the calendar year and returns were computed.
Intermediate-Term U.S. Government Bonds. Total returns of intermediate-term
government bonds after 1987 are calculated from The Wall Street Journal prices,
using the change in flat price. Returns from 1934 to 1986 are obtained from the
CRSP government bond file.
Each year, one-bond portfolios are formed, the bond chosen is the shortest
noncallable bond with a maturity not less than five years, and this bond is
"held" for the calendar year. Monthly returns are computed. (Bonds with impaired
negotiability or special redemption privileges are omitted, as are partially or
fully tax-exempt bonds starting with 1943.) From 1934 to 1942, almost all bonds
with maturities near five years were partially or fully tax-exempt and were
selected using the rules described above. Personal tax rates were generally low
in that period, so that yields on tax-exempt bonds were similar to yields on
taxable bonds. From 1926 to 1933, there are few bonds suitable for construction
of a series with a five-year maturity. For this period, five-year bond yield
estimates are used.
Morgan Stanley Capital International ("MSCI"). These indices are in U.S. dollar
terms with gross dividends reinvested and measure the performance of 45 stock
markets around the world. MSCI All Country indices represent both the developed
and the emerging markets for a particular region. These indices are unmanaged.
The free indices exclude shares which are not readily purchased by non-local
investors. MSCI covers over 1,700 securities in 28 emerging markets and 2,600
securities in 23 developed markets, totalling over $15 trillion in market
capitalization.
Countries in the MSCI EAFE Index are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United
Kingdom.
Countries in the MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index are: Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
China Free, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia Free,
Israel, Jordan, Korea (at 50%), Malaysia Free, Mexico Free, Pakistan, Peru,
Philippines Free, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (at 50%),
Thailand Free, Turkey and Venezuela.
MSCI All Country (AC) Asia Free ex Japan: This index is made up of the following
12 countries: China Free, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia Free, Korea @50%, Malaysia
Free, Pakistan, Philippines Free, Singapore Free, Sri Lanka, Taiwan @50% and
Thailand Free.
MSCI All Country (AC) Asia Pacific Free ex Japan: This index is made up of the
following 14 countries: Australia, China Free, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia Free,
Korea @50%, Malaysia Free, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines Free, Singapore
Free, Sri Lanka, Taiwan @50% and Thailand Free.
6-Month CDs. Data sources include the Federal Reserve Bulletin and The Wall
Street Journal.
Long-Term U.S. Corporate Bonds. Since 1969, corporate bond total returns are
represented by the Salomon Brothers Long-Term High-Grade Corporate Bond Index.
As most large corporate bond transactions take place over the counter, a major
dealer is the natural source of these data. The index includes nearly all Aaa-
and Aa-rated bonds with at least 10 years to maturity. If a bond is downgraded
during a particular month, its return for the month is included in the index
before removing the bond from future portfolios.
From 1926 to 1968 the total returns were calculated by summing the capital
appreciation returns and the income returns. For the period 1946 to 1968,
Ibbotson and Sinquefield backdated the Salomon Brothers' index, using Salomon
Brothers' monthly yield data with a methodology similar to that used by Salomon
Brothers for 1969 to 1995. Capital appreciation returns were calculated from
yields assuming (at the beginning of each monthly holding period) a 20-year
maturity, a bond price equal to par, and a coupon equal to the
beginning-of-period yield. For the period 1926 to 1945, Standard & Poor's
monthly high-grade corporate composite yield data were used, assuming a 4%
coupon and a 20-year maturity. The conventional present-value formula for bond
price for the beginning and end-of-month prices was used. (This formula is
presented in Ross, Stephen A., and Westerfield, Randolph W., Corporate Finance,
Times Mirror/Mosby, St. Louis, 1990, p. 97 ["Level-Coupon Bonds"].) The monthly
income return was assumed to be one-twelfth the coupon.
U.S. (30-Day) Treasury Bills. For the U.S. Treasury Bill Index, data from The
Wall Street Journal are used after 1977; the CRSP government bond file is the
source until 1976. Each month a one-bill portfolio containing the shortest-term
bill having not less than one month to maturity is constructed. (The bill's
original term to maturity is not relevant.) To measure holding period returns
for the one-bill portfolio, the bill is priced as of the last trading day of the
previous month-end and as of the last trading day of the current month.
National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") Equity REIT
Index. All of the data are based upon the last closing price of the month for
all tax-qualified REITs listed on the NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ. The data are
market-value-weighted. Prior to 1987 REITs were added to the index the January
following their listing. Since 1987 newly formed or listed REITs are added to
the total shares outstanding figure in the month that the shares are issued.
Only common shares issued by the REIT are included in the index. The total
return calculation is based upon the weighting at the beginning of the period.
Only those REITs listed for the entire period are used in the total return
calculation. Dividends are included in the month based upon their payment date.
There is no smoothing of income. Liquidating dividends, whether full or partial,
are treated as income.
Russell U.S. Equity Indexes. The Russell 3000(R) Index (the "Russell 3000") is
comprised of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies as determined by market
capitalization representing approximately 98% of the U.S. equity market. The
average market capitalization is approximately $3.7 billion. The Russell 2500TM
Index measures performance of the 2,500 smallest companies in the Russell 3000.
The average market capitalization is approximately $931 million, and the largest
company in the index has an approximate market capitalization of $3.7 billion.
The Russell 2000(R) Index measures performance of the 2,000 smallest stocks in
the Russell 3000; the largest company in the index has a market capitalization
of approximately $1.4 billion. The Russell 1000(R) Index (the "Russell 1000")
measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000. The
average market capitalization is approximately $9.9 billion. The smallest
company in the index has an approximate market capitalization of $1.4 billion.
The Russell MidcapTM Index measures performance of the 800 smallest companies in
the Russell 1000. The largest company in the index has an approximate market
capitalization of $10.3 billion.
The Russell indexes are reconstituted annually as of July 1, based on May 31
market capitalization rankings.
Wilshire Real Estate Securities Index. The Wilshire Real Estate Securities Index
is a market capitalization weighted index of 119 publicly traded real estate
securities, such as REITs, real estate operating companies ("REOCs") and
partnerships.
The index contains performance data on five major categories of property:
office, retail, industrial, apartment and miscellaneous. The companies in the
index are 94.11% equity and hybrid REITs and 5.89% REOCs.
Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index. The S&P 400 is a
market-capitalization-weighted index. The performance data for the index were
calculated by taking the stocks presently in the index and tracking them
backwards in time as long as there were prices reported. No attempt was made to
determine what stocks "might have been" in the S&P 400 five or ten years ago had
it existed. Dividends are reinvested on a monthly basis prior to June 30, 1991,
and are reinvested daily thereafter.
Lipper Balanced Funds Index. This index represents equally weighted performance,
adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, of approximately
30 of the largest funds with a primary objective of conserving principal by
maintaining at all times a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds. Typically,
the stock/bond ratio ranges around 60%/40%.
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index. The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index
is composed of the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Index, the Lehman
Brothers Mortgage-Backed Securities Index and the Lehman Brothers Asset-Backed
Securities Index. The index includes fixed rate debt issues rated investment
grade or higher by Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Corporation or
Fitch Investors Service, in that order. All issues have at least one year to
maturity with intermediate indices including bonds with maturities up to ten
years and long-term indices composed of bonds with maturities longer than ten
years. All returns are market value weighted inclusive of accrued interest.
Bank Savings Account. Data sources include the U.S. League of Savings
Institutions Sourcebook; average annual yield on savings deposits in FSLIC
[FDIC] insured savings institutions for the years 1963 to 1987; and The Wall
Street Journal thereafter.
Sources: Ibbotson Associates, Towers Data Systems, Lipper, Inc. and PGI
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dow S&P/ S&P/
Jones U.S. Small BARRA BARRA Merrill Lynch
S&P Industrial Stock U.S. 500 500 Micro-Cap
500 Average Index Inflation Growth Value Index
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 11.62 N/A 0.28 -1.49 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 37.49 N/A 22.10 -2.08 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 43.61 55.38 39.69 -0.97 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 -8.42 -13.64 -51.36 0.20 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 -24.90 -30.22 -38.15 -6.03 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1931 -43.34 -49.02 -49.75 -9.52 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1932 -8.19 -16.88 -5.39 -10.30 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1933 53.99 73.72 142.87 0.51 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1934 -1.44 8.08 24.22 2.03 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1935 47.67 43.77 40.19 2.99 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1936 33.92 30.23 64.80 1.21 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1937 -35.03 -28.88 -58.01 3.10 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1938 31.12 33.16 32.80 -2.78 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1939 -0.41 1.31 0.35 -0.48 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1940 -9.78 -7.96 -5.16 0.96 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1941 -11.59 -9.88 -9.00 9.72 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1942 20.34 14.13 44.51 9.29 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1943 25.90 19.06 88.37 3.16 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1944 19.75 17.19 53.72 2.11 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1945 36.44 31.60 73.61 2.25 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1946 -8.07 -4.40 -11.63 18.16 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1947 5.71 7.61 0.92 9.01 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1948 5.50 4.27 -2.11 2.71 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1949 18.79 20.92 19.75 -1.80 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1950 31.71 26.40 38.75 5.79 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1951 24.02 21.77 7.80 5.87 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1952 18.37 14.58 3.03 0.88 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1953 -0.99 2.02 -6.49 0.62 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1954 52.62 51.25 60.58 -0.50 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1955 31.56 26.58 20.44 0.37 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1956 6.56 7.10 4.28 2.86 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1957 -10.78 -8.63 -14.57 3.02 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1958 43.36 39.31 64.89 1.76 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1959 11.96 20.21 16.40 1.50 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1960 0.47 -6.14 -3.29 1.48 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1961 26.89 22.60 32.09 0.67 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1962 -8.73 -7.43 -11.90 1.22 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1963 22.80 20.83 23.57 1.65 N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dow S&P/ S&P/
Jones U.S. Small BARRA 500 BARRA Merrill Lynch
S&P Industrial Stock U.S. Growth 500 Micro-Cap
500 Average Index Inflation Value Index
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1964 16.48 18.85 23.52 1.19 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1965 12.45 14.39 41.75 1.92 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1966 -10.06 -15.78 -7.01 3.35 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1967 23.98 19.16 83.57 3.04 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1968 11.06 7.93 35.97 4.72 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1969 -8.50 -11.78 -25.05 6.11 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1970 4.01 9.21 -17.43 5.49 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1971 14.31 9.83 16.50 3.36 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1972 18.98 18.48 4.43 3.41 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1973 -14.66 -13.28 -30.90 8.80 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1974 -26.47 -23.58 -19.95 12.20 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1975 37.20 44.75 52.82 7.01 31.72 43.38 N/A
Dec 1976 23.84 22.82 57.38 4.81 13.84 34.93 N/A
Dec 1977 -7.18 -12.84 25.38 6.77 -11.82 -2.57 N/A
Dec 1978 6.56 2.79 23.46 9.03 6.78 6.16 27.76
Dec 1979 18.44 10.55 43.46 13.31 15.72 21.16 43.18
Dec 1980 32.42 22.17 39.88 12.40 39.40 23.59 32.32
Dec 1981 -4.91 -3.57 13.88 8.94 -9.81 0.02 9.18
Dec 1982 21.41 27.11 28.01 3.87 22.03 21.04 33.62
Dec 1983 22.51 25.97 39.67 3.80 16.24 28.89 42.44
Dec 1984 6.27 1.31 -6.67 3.95 2.33 10.52 -14.97
Dec 1985 32.16 33.55 24.66 3.77 33.31 29.68 22.89
Dec 1986 18.47 27.10 6.85 1.13 14.50 21.67 3.45
Dec 1987 5.23 5.48 -9.30 4.41 6.50 3.68 -13.84
Dec 1988 16.81 16.14 22.87 4.42 11.95 21.67 22.76
Dec 1989 31.49 32.19 10.18 4.65 36.40 26.13 8.06
Dec 1990 -3.17 -0.56 -21.56 6.11 0.20 -6.85 -29.55
Dec 1991 30.55 24.19 44.63 3.06 38.37 22.56 57.44
Dec 1992 7.67 7.41 23.35 2.90 5.07 10.53 36.62
Dec 1993 9.99 16.94 20.98 2.75 1.68 18.60 31.32
Dec 1994 1.31 5.06 3.11 2.67 3.13 -0.64 1.81
Dec 1995 37.43 36.84 34.46 2.54 38.13 36.99 30.70
Dec 1996 23.07 28.84 17.62 3.32 23.96 21.99 13.88
Dec 1997 33.36 24.88 22.78 1.70 36.52 29.98 24.61
Dec 1998 28.58 18.15 -7.31 1.80 42.16 14.67 -6.15
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Long- Intermediate- MSCI Long-
Term Term U.S. EAFE 6- Term U.S. U.S.
U.S. Gov't Government (Net of Month Corporate T-Bill
Bonds Bonds Taxes) CDs Bonds (30-Day)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 7.77 5.38 N/A N/A 7.37 3.27
Dec 1927 8.93 4.52 N/A N/A 7.44 3.12
Dec 1928 0.10 0.92 N/A N/A 2.84 3.56
Dec 1929 3.42 6.01 N/A N/A 3.27 4.75
Dec 1930 4.66 6.72 N/A N/A 7.98 2.41
Dec 1931 -5.31 -2.32 N/A N/A -1.85 1.07
Dec 1932 16.84 8.81 N/A N/A 10.82 0.96
Dec 1933 -0.07 1.83 N/A N/A 10.38 0.30
Dec 1934 10.03 9.00 N/A N/A 13.84 0.16
Dec 1935 4.98 7.01 N/A N/A 9.61 0.17
Dec 1936 7.52 3.06 N/A N/A 6.74 0.18
Dec 1937 0.23 1.56 N/A N/A 2.75 0.31
Dec 1938 5.53 6.23 N/A N/A 6.13 -0.02
Dec 1939 5.94 4.52 N/A N/A 3.97 0.02
Dec 1940 6.09 2.96 N/A N/A 3.39 0.00
Dec 1941 0.93 0.50 N/A N/A 2.73 0.06
Dec 1942 3.22 1.94 N/A N/A 2.60 0.27
Dec 1943 2.08 2.81 N/A N/A 2.83 0.35
Dec 1944 2.81 1.80 N/A N/A 4.73 0.33
Dec 1945 10.73 2.22 N/A N/A 4.08 0.33
Dec 1946 -0.10 1.00 N/A N/A 1.72 0.35
Dec 1947 -2.62 0.91 N/A N/A -2.34 0.50
Dec 1948 3.40 1.85 N/A N/A 4.14 0.81
Dec 1949 6.45 2.32 N/A N/A 3.31 1.10
Dec 1950 0.06 0.70 N/A N/A 2.12 1.20
Dec 1951 -3.93 0.36 N/A N/A -2.69 1.49
Dec 1952 1.16 1.63 N/A N/A 3.52 1.66
Dec 1953 3.64 3.23 N/A N/A 3.41 1.82
Dec 1954 7.19 2.68 N/A N/A 5.39 0.86
Dec 1955 -1.29 -0.65 N/A N/A 0.48 1.57
Dec 1956 -5.59 -0.42 N/A N/A -6.81 2.46
Dec 1957 7.46 7.84 N/A N/A 8.71 3.14
Dec 1958 -6.09 -1.29 N/A N/A -2.22 1.54
Dec 1959 -2.26 -0.39 N/A N/A -0.97 2.95
Dec 1960 13.78 11.76 N/A N/A 9.07 2.66
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Long- Intermediate- MSCI Long-
Term Term U.S. EAFE 6- Term U.S. U.S.
U.S. Gov't Government (Net of Month Corporate T-Bill
Bonds Bonds Taxes) CDs Bonds (30-Day)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1961 0.97 1.85 N/A N/A 4.82 2.13
Dec 1962 6.89 5.56 N/A N/A 7.95 2.73
Dec 1963 1.21 1.64 N/A N/A 2.19 3.12
Dec 1964 3.51 4.04 N/A 4.17 4.77 3.54
Dec 1965 0.71 1.02 N/A 4.68 -0.46 3.93
Dec 1966 3.65 4.69 N/A 5.76 0.20 4.76
Dec 1967 -9.18 1.01 N/A 5.47 -4.95 4.21
Dec 1968 -0.26 4.54 N/A 6.45 2.57 5.21
Dec 1969 -5.07 -0.74 N/A 8.70 -8.09 6.58
Dec 1970 12.11 16.86 -11.66 7.06 18.37 6.52
Dec 1971 13.23 8.72 29.59 5.36 11.01 4.39
Dec 1972 5.69 5.16 36.35 5.39 7.26 3.84
Dec 1973 -1.11 4.61 -14.92 8.60 1.14 6.93
Dec 1974 4.35 5.69 -23.16 10.20 -3.06 8.00
Dec 1975 9.20 7.83 35.39 6.51 14.64 5.80
Dec 1976 16.75 12.87 2.54 5.22 18.65 5.08
Dec 1977 -0.69 1.41 18.06 6.11 1.71 5.12
Dec 1978 -1.18 3.49 32.62 10.21 -0.07 7.18
Dec 1979 -1.23 4.09 4.75 11.90 -4.18 10.38
Dec 1980 -3.95 3.91 22.58 12.33 -2.76 11.24
Dec 1981 1.86 9.45 -2.28 15.50 -1.24 14.71
Dec 1982 40.36 29.10 -1.86 12.18 42.56 10.54
Dec 1983 0.65 7.41 23.69 9.65 6.26 8.80
Dec 1984 15.48 14.02 7.38 10.65 16.86 9.85
Dec 1985 30.97 20.33 56.16 7.82 30.09 7.72
Dec 1986 24.53 15.14 69.44 6.30 19.85 6.16
Dec 1987 -2.71 2.90 24.63 6.59 -0.27 5.47
Dec 1988 9.67 6.10 28.27 8.15 10.70 6.35
Dec 1989 18.11 13.29 10.54 8.27 16.23 8.37
Dec 1990 6.18 9.73 -23.45 7.85 6.78 7.81
Dec 1991 19.30 15.46 12.13 4.95 19.89 5.60
Dec 1992 8.05 7.19 -12.17 3.27 9.39 3.51
Dec 1993 18.24 11.24 32.56 2.88 13.19 2.90
Dec 1994 -7.77 -5.14 7.78 5.40 -5.76 3.90
Dec 1995 31.67 16.80 11.21 5.21 27.20 5.60
Dec 1996 -0.93 2.10 6.05 5.21 1.40 5.21
Dec 1997 15.85 8.38 1.78 5.71 12.95 5.26
Dec 1998 13.06 10.21 20.00 5.34 10.76 4.86
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NAREIT Lipper MSCI
Equity Russell Wilshire Balanced Emerging Bank
REIT 2000 Real Estate S&P Fund Markets Savings
Index Index Securities 400 Index Free Index Account
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.30
Dec 1931 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.10
Dec 1932 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 4.10
Dec 1933 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.40
Dec 1934 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1935 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.10
Dec 1936 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.20
Dec 1937 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1938 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1939 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.40
Dec 1940 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.30
Dec 1941 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.10
Dec 1942 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.00
Dec 1943 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1944 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.80
Dec 1945 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.50
Dec 1946 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.20
Dec 1947 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.30
Dec 1948 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.30
Dec 1949 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.40
Dec 1950 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.50
Dec 1951 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.60
Dec 1952 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.70
Dec 1953 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.80
Dec 1954 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1955 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1956 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.00
Dec 1957 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.30
Dec 1958 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.38
Dec 1959 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.53
Dec 1960 N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.77 N/A 3.86
Dec 1961 N/A N/A N/A N/A 20.59 N/A 3.90
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NAREIT Lipper MSCI
Equity Russell Wilshire Balanced Emerging Bank
REIT 2000 Real Estate S&P Fund Markets Savings
Index Index Securities 400 Index Free Index Account
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1962 N/A N/A N/A N/A -6.80 N/A 4.08
Dec 1963 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.10 N/A 4.17
Dec 1964 N/A N/A N/A N/A 12.36 N/A 4.19
Dec 1965 N/A N/A N/A N/A 9.80 N/A 4.23
Dec 1966 N/A N/A N/A N/A -5.86 N/A 4.45
Dec 1967 N/A N/A N/A N/A 15.09 N/A 4.67
Dec 1968 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.97 N/A 4.68
Dec 1969 N/A N/A N/A N/A -9.01 N/A 4.80
Dec 1970 N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.62 N/A 5.14
Dec 1971 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.90 N/A 5.30
Dec 1972 8.01 N/A N/A N/A 11.13 N/A 5.37
Dec 1973 -15.52 N/A N/A N/A -12.24 N/A 5.51
Dec 1974 -21.40 N/A N/A N/A -18.71 N/A 5.96
Dec 1975 19.30 N/A N/A N/A 27.10 N/A 6.21
Dec 1976 47.59 N/A N/A N/A 26.03 N/A 6.23
Dec 1977 22.42 N/A N/A N/A -0.72 N/A 6.39
Dec 1978 10.34 N/A 13.04 N/A 4.80 N/A 6.56
Dec 1979 35.86 43.09 70.81 N/A 14.67 N/A 7.29
Dec 1980 24.37 38.58 22.08 N/A 19.70 N/A 8.78
Dec 1981 6.00 2.03 7.18 N/A 1.86 N/A 10.71
Dec 1982 21.60 24.95 24.47 22.68 30.63 N/A 11.19
Dec 1983 30.64 29.13 27.61 26.10 17.44 N/A 9.71
Dec 1984 20.93 -7.30 20.64 1.18 7.46 N/A 9.92
Dec 1985 19.10 31.05 22.20 35.58 29.83 N/A 9.02
Dec 1986 19.16 5.68 20.30 16.21 18.43 N/A 7.84
Dec 1987 -3.64 -8.77 -7.86 -2.03 4.13 N/A 6.92
Dec 1988 13.49 24.89 24.18 20.87 11.18 40.43 7.20
Dec 1989 8.84 16.24 2.37 35.54 19.70 64.96 7.91
Dec 1990 -15.35 -19.51 -33.46 -5.12 0.66 -10.55 7.80
Dec 1991 35.70 46.05 20.03 50.10 25.83 59.91 4.61
Dec 1992 14.59 18.41 7.36 11.91 7.46 11.40 2.89
Dec 1993 19.65 18.91 15.24 13.96 11.95 74.83 2.73
Dec 1994 3.17 -1.82 1.64 -3.57 -2.05 -7.32 4.96
Dec 1995 15.27 28.44 13.65 30.94 24.89 -5.21 5.24
Dec 1996 35.26 16.49 36.87 19.20 13.05 6.03 4.95
Dec 1997 20.29 22.36 19.80 32.26 20.30 -11.59 5.17
Dec 1998 -17.51 -2.55 -17.63 19.12 15.09 -25.34 4.63
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
MSCI All Country
MSCI All Country (AC) (AC) Asia Pacific Lehman Brothers
Asia Free ex Japan Free ex Japan Aggregate Bond Index
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1931 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1932 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1933 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1934 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1935 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1936 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1937 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1938 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1939 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1940 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1941 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1942 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1943 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1944 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1945 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1946 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1947 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1948 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1949 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1950 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1951 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1952 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1953 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1954 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1955 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1956 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1957 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1958 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1959 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1960 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1961 N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
MSCI All Country
MSCI All Country (AC) (AC) Asia Pacific Lehman Brothers
Asia Free ex Japan Free ex Japan Aggregate Bond Index
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1962 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1963 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1964 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1965 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1966 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1967 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1968 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1969 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1970 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1971 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1972 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1973 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1974 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1975 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1976 N/A N/A 15.62
Dec 1977 N/A N/A 3.05
Dec 1978 N/A N/A 1.39
Dec 1979 N/A N/A 1.94
Dec 1980 N/A N/A 2.70
Dec 1981 N/A N/A 6.23
Dec 1982 N/A N/A 32.62
Dec 1983 N/A N/A 8.37
Dec 1984 N/A N/A 15.14
Dec 1985 N/A N/A 22.11
Dec 1986 N/A N/A 15.29
Dec 1987 N/A N/A 2.75
Dec 1988 30.00 30.45 7.89
Dec 1989 32.13 21.43 14.53
Dec 1990 -6.54 -11.86 8.95
Dec 1991 30.98 32.40 16.00
Dec 1992 21.81 9.88 7.40
Dec 1993 103.39 84.94 9.75
Dec 1994 -16.94 -12.59 -2.92
Dec 1995 4.00 10.00 18.48
Dec 1996 10.05 8.08 3.61
Dec 1997 -40.31 -34.20 9.68
Dec 1998 -7.79 -4.42 8.67
</TABLE>
Source: Lipper, Inc.
<PAGE>
21. APPENDIX D - OTHER PIONEER INFORMATION
The Pioneer group of mutual funds was established in 1928 with the creation of
Pioneer Fund. Pioneer is one of the oldest and most experienced money managers
in the U.S.
As of June 30, 1998, Pioneer employed a professional investment staff of 75.
Total assets of all Pioneer mutual funds at December 31, 1998, were
approximately $22 billion representing 1,363,446 shareholder accounts, 890,148
non-retirement accounts and 473,298 retirement accounts.
<PAGE>
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
Amended Form N-1A
Exhibit Reference
(a) 1.1. Declaration of Trust.(1)
(a) 1.2. Establishment and Designation of Class B Shares.(1)
(a) 1.3. Establishment and Designation of Class C Shares.(2)
(a) 1.4. Form of Amendment to Agreement and Declaration of
Trust.(3)
(a) 1.5 Establishment and Designation of Class Y Shares.(6)
(b) 2. By-Laws.(1)
(c) 4. None.
(d) 5. Form of Management Contract.(3)
(e) 6.1. Form of Underwriting Agreement(4)
(e) 6.2. Form of Dealer Sales Agreement.(2)
(f) 7. None.
(g) 8. Form of Custodian Agreement; and the Assignment dated
August 28, 1990.(1)
(h) 9. Form of Investment Company Service Agreement.(6)
(h) 9.1. Administration Agreement.(5)
(i) 10. Opinion of and Consent of Counsel.(6)
(j) 11. Consent of Independent Public Accountants.(6)
(k) 12. None.
(l) 13. None.
(m) 15.1. Plan of Distribution.(1)
(m) 15.2. Form of Class B Plan of Distribution.(4)
(m) 15.3 Class C Plan of Distribution.(2)
(n) 17. Financial Data Schedules.(6)
(o) 18. Rule 18f-3 Plan Covering Three Classes of Shares.(2)
N/A 19. Powers of Attorney.(5)
- -------------------------
(1) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement (File No.
2-28273) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on
April 26, 1995 (Accession No. 0000069405-95-000007).
(2) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to the Registration Statement as
filed with the SEC on April 26, 1996 (Accession No. 0000069405-96-000012).
(3) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registration Statement as
filed with the SEC on November 27, 1996 (Accession No. 0000069405-96-000024).
(4) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to the Registration Statement as
filed with the SEC on October 30, 1998 (Accession No. 0000950146-98-001831).
(5) Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed
with Post-Effective AMendment No. 63 to the Registration Statement as filed
with the SEC on February 22, 1999 (Accession No. 0000069405-99-000002)
(6) Filed herewith.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
None.
Item 25. Indemnification
Except for the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated June 16, 1994, as
amended (the "Declaration"), establishing the Fund as a business trust under
Delaware law, there is no contract, arrangement or statute under which any
Trustee, officer, underwriter or affiliated person of the Fund is insured or
indemnified. The Declaration provides that no Trustee or officer will be
indemnified against any liability to which the Fund would otherwise be subject
by reason of or for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of such person's duties.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), may be available to Trustees, officers
and controlling persons of the Fund pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such
C-1
<PAGE>
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Fund of expenses incurred or
paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Fund in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustee, officer
or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Fund will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. ("Pioneer Investments") is a registered
investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is
a wholly owned subsidiary of The Pioneer Group, Inc. ("Pioneer"). Pioneer
Investments manages investment companies, pension and profit sharing plans,
trusts, estates or charitable organizations and other corporations or
business entities.
To the knowledge of the Fund, none of Pioneer Investments' directors
or executive officers is or has been during their employment with Pioneer
Investments engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment
of a substantial nature for the past two fiscal years, except as noted below.
Certain directors and officers, however, may hold or may have held various
positions with, and engage or have engaged in business for, the investment
companies that Pioneer Investments manages, Pioneer and/or other Pioneer
subsidiaries.
OTHER BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION OR
EMPLOYMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL NATURE WITHIN LAST TWO
NAME OF DIRECTOR/OFFICER FISCAL YEARS
John F. Cogan, Jr. Senior Partner, Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Joseph P. Barri Senior Partner, Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
(a) See "Management of the Fund" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
(b) Directors and officers of Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.:
POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH
NAME UNDERWRITER FUND
John F. Cogan, Jr. Director and Chairman Chairman of the Board,
President and Trustee
David D. Tripple Director and President Executive Vice President and
Trustee
Stephen W. Long Director and Executive
Vice President None
Steven M. Graziano Executive Vice President None
William A. Misata Senior Vice President None
Constance D. Spiros Senior Vice President None
Marcy L. Supovitz Senior Vice President None
Mark R. Kiniry Vice President, Regional
Director, Sales None
Barry G. Knight Vice President None
C-2
<PAGE>
William H. Spencer Vice President, Regional
Director, Sales None
Elizabeth A. Watson Vice President, Compliance None
Steven R. Berke Assistant Vice President,
Blue Sky None
John A. Boynton Treasurer Treasurer
Roy P. Rossi Assistant Treasurer None
Joseph P. Barri Clerk Secretary
Robert P. Nault Assistant Clerk Assistant Secretary
The principal business address of each of these individuals is 60 State Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109-1820.
(c) Not applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts and records are maintained at the Fund's office at
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109; contact the Treasurer.
Item 29. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 30. Undertakings
Not applicable.
C-3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Fund certifies that it meets all of the requirements
for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) and has duly
caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston and The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on the 30th day of April, 1999.
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
By: /s/ David D. Tripple
David D. Tripple
Executive Vice President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:
Signature Title
John F. Cogan, Jr.* Chairman of the Board )
John F. Cogan, Jr. and President )
(Principal Executive )
Officer) )
)
)
/s/ John A. Boynton Chief Financial Officer )
John A. Boynton and Treasurer (Principal )
Financial and Accounting )
Officer) )
)
)
Trustees: )
)
)
Mary K. Bush* )
Mary K. Bush )
)
)
John F. Cogan, Jr.* )
John F. Cogan, Jr. )
)
)
Richard H. Egdahl* )
Richard H. Egdahl )
)
)
Margaret BW Graham* )
Margaret B. W. Graham )
)
)
John W. Kendrick* )
John W. Kendrick )
)
)
Marguerite A. Piret* )
Marguerite A. Piret )
)
)
/s/ David D. Tripple )
David D. Tripple )
)
)
Stephen K. West* )
Stephen K. West )
)
)
John Winthrop* )
John Winthrop )
)
)
*By: /s/ David D. Tripple Dated: April 30, 1999)
David D. Tripple
Attorney-in-fact
<PAGE>
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number Document Title
1.5 Establishment and Designation of Class Y Shares
9. Form of Investment Company Service Agreement
10. Opinion and Consent of Counsel
11. Consent of Independent Public Accountants
17. Financial Data Schedules
PIONEER BALANCED FUND
Establishment and Designation
of
Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class Y Shares
of Beneficial Interest of
Pioneer Balanced Fund
The undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of Pioneer Real
Estate Shares, a Delaware business trust (the "Fund"), acting pursuant to
Article V, Section 1 of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 16,
1994 of the Fund (the "Declaration"), do hereby divide the shares of beneficial
interest of the Fund (the "Shares") to create four classes of Shares of the Fund
as follows:
1. The four classes of Shares established and designated hereby are
"Class A Shares," "Class B Shares," "Class C Shares" and "Class Y Shares,"
respectively.
2. Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class Y Shares
shall each be entitled to all of the rights and preferences accorded to Shares
under the Declaration.
3. The purchase price of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares
and Class Y Shares, the method of determining the net asset value of Class A
Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class Y Shares and the relative
dividend rights of holders of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and
Class Y Shares shall be established by the Trustees of the Trust in accordance
with the provisions of the Declaration and shall be set forth in the Trust's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and as in effect at the time of
issuing such Shares.
4. The Trustees, acting in their sole discretion, may determine that
any Shares of the Fund issued are Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C
Shares, Class Y Shares, or Shares of any other class of the Fund hereinafter
established and designated by the Trustees.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument this
1st day of July, 1997.
John F. Cogan, Jr. Marguerite A. Piret
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
975 Memorial Drive, #802 162 Washington Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 Belmont, MA 02178
Mary K. Bush David D. Tripple
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
Health Policy Institute 6 Woodbine Road
53 Bay State Road Belmont, MA 02178
Boston, MA 02215
Richard H. Egdahl, M.D. Stephen K. West, Esq.
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
Health Policy Institute Sullivan & Cromwell
53 Bay State Road 125 Board Street
Boston, MA 02215 New York, NY 10004
Margaret B.W. Graham John Winthrop
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
The Keep One Adgers Wharf
P.O. Box 110 Charlestown, SC 29401
Little Deer Isle, ME 04650
Stephen G. Kasnet Fred N. Pratt, Jr.
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
One University Lane c/o Boston Financial
Manchester, MA 01944 101 Arch Street
Boston MA 02110
John W. Kendrick Blake Eagle
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
6363 Waterway Drive Massachusetts Institute
Falls Church, VA 22044 of Technology
Building W31 310
Cambridge, MA 02139
INVESTMENT COMPANY SERVICE AGREEMENT
__________ __, 1999
__________________, a ____________ business trust with its principal
place of business at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 ("Customer"),
and Pioneering Services Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation with its
principal place of business at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
("PSC"), hereby agree as follows:
1. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY PSC. During the term of this Agreement,
PSC will provide to each series of shares of beneficial interest of Customer,
which may be established, from time to time (the "Account"), with the services
described in EXHIBITS A, B, C and D (collectively, the "Exhibits") that are
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. It is understood that PSC
may subcontract any of such services to one or more firms designated by PSC,
provided that PSC (i) shall be solely responsible for all compensation payable
to any such firm and (ii) shall be liable to Customer for the acts or omissions
of any such firm to the same extent as PSC would be liable to Customer with
respect to any such act or omission hereunder.
2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement shall become effective on the date
hereof (the "Effective Date") and shall continue in effect until it is
terminated in accordance with Section 11 below.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTATION, MATERIALS AND DATA. Customer shall, from
time to time, while this Agreement is in effect deliver all such documentation,
materials and data as may be necessary or desirable to enable PSC to perform its
services hereunder.
4. REPORTS AND MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS BY PSC. PSC will furnish to
Customer and to properly authorized auditors, examiners, distributors, dealers,
underwriters, salesmen, insurance companies, investors, and others designated by
Customer in writing, such books, any and all records and reports at such times
as are prescribed for each service in the Exhibits attached hereto. Customer
agrees to examine or to ask any other authorized recipient to examine each such
report or copy promptly and will report or cause to be reported any errors or
discrepancies therein of which Customer then has any knowledge. PSC may at its
option at any time, and shall forthwith upon Customer's demand, turn over to
Customer and cease to retain in PSC's files, any and all records and documents
created and maintained by PSC pursuant to this Agreement which are no longer
needed by PSC in the performance of its services or for its protection.
If not so turned over to Customer, such documents and reports will be
retained by PSC for six years from the year of creation, during the first two of
which the same shall be in readily accessible form. At the end of six years,
such records and documents will be turned over to Customer by PSC unless
Customer authorizes their destruction.
5. PSC'S DUTY OF CARE. PSC shall at all time use reasonable care and
act in good faith in performing its duties hereunder. PSC shall incur no
liability to Customer in connection with its performance of services hereunder
except to the extent that it does not comply with the foregoing standards.
PSC shall at all times adhere to various procedures and systems
consistent with industry standards in order to safeguard Customer's checks,
records and other data from loss or damage attributable to fire or theft. PSC
shall maintain insurance adequate to protect against the costs of reconstructing
checks, records and other data in the event of such loss and shall notify
Customer in the event of a material adverse change in such insurance coverage.
In the
-1-
<PAGE>
event of damage or loss occurring to Customer's records or data such that
PSC is unable to meet the terms of this Agreement, PSC shall transfer all
records and data to a transfer agent of Customer's choosing upon Customer's
written authorization to do so.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, PSC shall not be
liable or responsible for delays or errors occurring by reason of circumstances
beyond its control including acts of civil, military or banking authority,
national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, flood or other catastrophes,
acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, failure of transportation, communication
or power supply.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY. PSC will keep confidential all records and
information provided by Customer or by the shareholders of the Account to PSC,
except to the extent disclosures are required by this Agreement, are required by
the Customer's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, or are
required by a valid subpoena or warrant issued by a court of competent
jurisdiction or by a state or federal agency or governmental authority.
7. CUSTOMER INSPECTION. Upon reasonable notice, in writing signed by
Customer, PSC shall make available, during regular business hours, all records
and other data created and maintained pursuant to this Agreement for reasonable
audit and inspection by Customer or Customer's agents, including reasonable
visitation by Customer or Customer's agents, including inspecting PSC's
operation facilities. PSC shall not be liable for injury to or responsible in
any way for the safety of any individual visiting PSC's facilities under the
authority of this section. Customer will keep confidential and will cause to
keep confidential all confidential information obtained by its employees or
agents or any other individual representing Customer while on PSC's premises.
Confidential information shall include (1) any information of whatever nature
regarding PSC's operations, security procedures, and data processing
capabilities, (2) financial information regarding PSC, its affiliates, or
subsidiaries, and (3) any information of whatever kind or description regarding
any customer of PSC, its affiliates or subsidiaries.
8. RELIANCE BY PSC ON INSTRUCTIONS AND ADVICE; INDEMNITY. PSC shall be
entitled to seek advice of Customer's legal counsel with respect to PSC's
responsibilities and duties hereunder and shall in no event be liable to
Customer for any action taken pursuant to such advice, except to the extent that
Customer's legal counsel determines in its sole discretion that the rendering of
advice to PSC would result in a conflict of interest.
Whenever PSC is authorized to take action hereunder pursuant to proper
instructions from Customer, PSC shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate,
letter or other instrument or telephone call reasonably believed by PSC to be
genuine and to have been properly made or signed by an officer or other
authorized agent of Customer, and shall be entitled to receive as conclusive
proof of any fact or matter required to be ascertained by it hereunder a
certificate signed by an officer of Customer or any other person authorized by
Customer's Board of Trustees.
Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of this Agreement, Customer
agrees to indemnify and hold PSC, its employees, agents and nominees harmless
from any and all claims, demands, actions and suits, whether groundless or
otherwise, and from and against any and all judgments, liabilities, losses,
damages, costs, charges, counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and
character arising out of or in any way relating to PSC's action or non-action
upon information, instructions or requests given or made to PSC by Customer with
respect to the Account.
Notwithstanding the above, whenever Customer may be asked to indemnify
or hold PSC harmless, Customer shall be advised of all pertinent facts arising
from the situation in question. Additionally, PSC will use reasonable care to
identify and notify Customer promptly concerning
-2-
<PAGE>
any situation, which presents, actually or potentially, a claim for
indemnification against Customer. Customer shall have the option to defend PSC
against any claim for which PSC is entitled to indemnification from Customer
under the terms hereof, and in the event Customer so elects, it will notify PSC
and, thereupon, Customer shall take over complete defense of the claim and PSC
shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in such a situation for which
indemnification shall be sought or entitled. PSC may in no event confess any
claim or make any compromise in any case in which Customer will be asked to
indemnify PSC except with Customer's prior written consent.
9. MAINTENANCE OF DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS. PSC shall maintain on behalf of
Customer such deposit accounts as are necessary or desirable from time to time
to enable PSC to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
10. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT TO PSC. For the services rendered by
PSC under this Agreement, Customer agrees to pay to PSC an annual fee of
$______* per open account and an annual fee of $7.30 per closed account, such
fees to be payable in equal monthly installments. Customer shall reimburse PSC
monthly for out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to, forms,
postage, mail service, telephone charges, including internet access charges,
archives, microfiche and other records storage services, mailing and tabulating
proxies, sub account recordkeeper fees relating to omnibus accounts, and
miscellaneous. In addition, the Customer will reimburse any other expenses
incurred by PSC at the request of or with the consent of the Customer.
11. TERMINATION. Either PSC or Customer may at any time terminate this
Agreement by giving 90 days' prior written notice to the other.
After the date of termination, for so long as PSC in fact continues to
perform any one or more of the services contemplated by this Agreement or the
Exhibits, the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation the
provisions of Section 8 dealing with indemnification, shall where applicable
continue in full force and effect.
12. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.
12.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PSC.
PSC represents and warrants to the Customer that:
(a) It is a corporation duly organized and existing and
in good standing under the laws of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
(b) It is duly qualified to carry on its business in The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of
Nebraska.
(c) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken
to authorize it to enter into this Agreement.
(d) It is empowered under all applicable laws and by its
Articles of Organization and By Laws to enter into
and perform this Agreement.
12.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CUSTOMER.
Customer represents and warrants to PSC that:
- --------
* Insert $25.25 for equity funds and $33.00 for fixed income funds and money
market fund.
-3-
<PAGE>
(a) It is a business trust duly organized and existing and
in good standing under the laws of its governing
jurisdiction.
(b) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to
authorize it to enter into this Agreement.
(c) It is empowered under all applicable laws and by its
Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By Laws to enter
into and perform this Agreement.
(d) It is an open-end management investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
(e) A registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), has
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and is currently effective and will remain effective,
and appropriate state securities law filings have been
made and will continue to be made, with respect to all
shares of beneficial interest of the Customer to be
offered for sale.
12.3 CUSTOMER DOCUMENT DELIVERY.
Customer shall promptly furnish to PSC the following:
(a) A copy of Customer's Agreement and Declaration of Trust
and By Laws and all amendments related thereto.
(b) A certified copy of the resolution of the Customer's
Board of Trustees authorizing the appointment of PSC
and the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
(c) A copy of the Customer's Registration Statement and all
amendments thereto.
13. INDEMNIFICATION. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree
that all liabilities arising, directly or indirectly, under this Agreement, of
any and every nature whatsoever, including without limitation, liabilities
arising in connection with any agreement of Customer or its Trustees set forth
herein to indemnify any party to this Agreement or any other person, shall be
satisfied out of the assets of the Account first and then of Customer and that
no Trustee, officer or holder of shares of beneficial interest of Customer shall
be personally liable for any of the foregoing liabilities. Customer's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust describes in detail the respective responsibilities and
limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of
beneficial interest of Customer.
14. MISCELLANEOUS. In connection with the operation of this Agreement,
PSC and Customer may agree from time to time on such provisions interpretive of
or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion
be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or
additional provisions are to be signed by both parties and annexed hereto, but
no such provision shall contravene any applicable Federal and state law or
regulation, and no such provision shall be deemed to be an amendment of this
Agreement.
-4-
<PAGE>
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter
hereof whether written or oral.
If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held invalid,
unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the
remaining provisions of the Agreement shall not in any way be affected or
impaired.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Customer and PSC have caused this Agreement to
be executed in their respective names by their respective officers thereunto
duly authorized as of the date first written above.
ATTEST: PIONEERING SERVICES CORPORATION
_____________________________ By: _____________________________
Robert P. Nault, Assistant Clerk Roger B. Rainville
President
PIONEER ________________
_____________________________ By: _____________________________
Robert P. Nault, Assistant Secretary John F. Cogan, Jr.
President
-5-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A - TO INVESTMENT COMPANY SERVICE AGREEMENT
SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT SERVICE:
As Servicing Agent for fund accounts and in accordance with the provisions of
the standard fund application and Customer's Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information, PSC will:
1. Open, maintain and close accounts.
2. Purchase shares for the shareholder.
3. Out of the money received in payment for sales of Customer's shares pay
to the Customer's custodian the net asset value per share and pay to
the underwriter and to the dealer their commission, if any, on a
bimonthly basis.
4. Redeem shares by systematic withdrawal orders. (SEE EXHIBIT B)
5. Issue share certificates, upon instruction, resulting from withdrawals
from share accounts (It is the policy of PSC to issue share
certificates only upon request of the shareholder). Maintain records
showing name, address, certificate numbers and number of shares.
6. Deposit certificates to shareholder accounts when furnished with such
documents, as PSC deems necessary, to authorize the deposit.
7. Reinvest or disburse dividends and other distributions upon direction of
shareholder.
8. Establish the proper registration of ownership of shares.
9. Pass upon the adequacy of documents submitted by a shareholder or his
legal representative to substantiate the transfer of ownership of
shares from the registered owner to transferees.
10. Make transfers from time to time upon the books of the Customer in
accordance with properly executed transfer instructions furnished to
PSC.
11. Upon receiving appropriate detailed instructions and written materials
prepared by Customer and, where applicable, proxy proofs checked by
Customer, mail shareholder reports, proxies and related materials of
suitable design for automatic enclosing, receive and tabulate executed
proxies, and furnish an annual meeting list of shareholders when
required.
12. Respond to shareholder inquiries in a timely manner.
13. Maintain dealer and salesperson records.
14. Maintain and furnish to Customer such shareholder information as
Customer may reasonably request for the purpose of compliance by
Customer with the applicable tax and securities law of various
jurisdictions.
15. Mail confirmations of transactions to shareholders in a timely fashion
(confirmations of Automatic Investment Plan transactions will be mailed
quarterly).
-6-
<PAGE>
16. Provide Customer with such information regarding correspondence as well
as enable Customer to comply with related Form N-SAR (semi-annual
report) requirements.
17. Maintain continuous proof of the outstanding shares of Customer.
18. Solicit taxpayer identification numbers.
19. Provide data to enable Customer to file abandoned property reports for
those accounts that have been indicated by the Post Office to be not at
the address of record with no forwarding address.
20. Maintain bank accounts and reconcile same on a monthly basis.
21. Provide management information reports on a quarterly basis to
Customer's Board of Trustees outlining the level of service provided.
22. Provide sale/statistical reporting for purposes of providing Customer's
management with information to maximizing the return to shareholders.
-7-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B - TO INVESTMENT COMPANY SERVICE AGREEMENT
REDEMPTION SERVICE:
In accordance with the provisions of the Customer's Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information, as servicing agent for the redemptions, PSC will:
1. Where applicable, establish accounts payable based on information
furnished to PSC on behalf of Customer (i.e., copies of trade
confirmations and other documents deemed necessary or desirable by PSC
on the first business day following the trade date).
2. Receive for redemption either:
a. Share certificates, supported by appropriate documentation; or
b. Written or telephone authorization (where no share certificates are
issued).
3. Verify there are sufficient available shares in an account to cover
redemption requests.
4. Transfer the redeemed or repurchased shares to Customer's treasury
share account or, if applicable, cancel such shares for retirement.
5. Pay the applicable redemption or repurchase price to the shareholder in
accordance with Customer's Prospectus, Statement of Additional
Information and Agreement and Declaration of Trust on or before the
seventh calendar day succeeding any receipt of certificates or requests
for redemption or repurchase in "good order" as defined in the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
6. Notify Customer and the underwriter on behalf of Customer of the total
number of shares presented and covered by such requests within a
reasonable period of time following receipt.
7. Promptly notify the shareholder if any such certificate or request for
redemption or repurchase is not in "good order" together with notice of
the documents required to comply with the good order standards. Upon
receipt of the necessary documents PSC shall effect such redemption at
the net asset value applicable at the date and time of receipt of such
documents.
8. Produce periodic reports of unsettled items, if any.
9. Adjust unsettled items, if any, relative to dividends and distributions.
10. Report to Customer any late redemptions which must be included in
Customer's Form N-SAR (semi-annual report) filing.
-8-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C - TO INVESTMENT COMPANY SERVICE AGREEMENT
EXCHANGE SERVICE:
1. Receive and process exchanges in accordance with a duly executed
exchange authorization. PSC will redeem existing shares and use the
proceeds to purchase new shares. Shares of Customer purchased directly
or acquired through reinvestment of dividends on such shares may be
exchanged for shares of other Pioneer funds (which funds have sales
charges) only by payment of the applicable sales charge, if any, as
described in Customer's Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information. Shares of Customer acquired by exchange and through
reinvestment of dividends on such shares may be re-exchanged to another
Pioneer fund at their respective net asset values.
2. Make authorized deductions of fees, if any.
3. Register new shares identically with the shares surrendered for
exchange. Mail new shares certificates, if requested, or an account
statement confirming the exchange by first class mail to the address of
record.
4. Maintain a record of unprocessed exchanges and produce a periodic
report.
-9-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D - TO INVESTMENT COMPANY SERVICE AGREEMENT
INCOME ACCRUAL AND DISBURSING SERVICE:
1. Distribute income dividends and/or capital gain distributions, either
through reinvestment or in cash, in accordance with shareholder
instructions.
2. On the mailing date, Customer shall make available to PSC collected funds
to make such distribution.
3. Adjust unsettled items relative to dividends and distribution.
4. Reconcile dividends and/or distributions with Customer.
5. Prepare and file annual Federal and State information returns of
distributions and, in the case of Federal returns, mail information
copies to shareholders and report and pay Federal income taxes withheld
from distributions made to non-resident aliens.
-10-
K
HALE AND DORR LLP
Counsellors at Law
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
617-526-6000 o fax 617-526-5000
April 28, 1999
Pioneer Balanced Fund
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pioneer Balanced Fund (formerly Pioneer Income Fund) (the "Trust") was
established as a Delaware business trust under an Agreement and Declaration of
Trust dated, June 16, 1994, as amended from time to time (as so amended, the
"Declaration of Trust"). The beneficial interests thereunder are represented by
transferable shares of beneficial interest, no par value.
The Trustees have the powers set forth in the Declaration of Trust,
subject to the terms, provisions and conditions therein provided. Pursuant to
Article V, Section 2 of the Declaration of Trust, the number of shares of
beneficial interest authorized to be issued under the Declaration of Trust is
unlimited and the Trustees are authorized to divide the shares into one or more
series of shares and one or more classes thereof as they deem necessary or
desirable. Pursuant to Article V, Section 3 of the Declaration of Trust, the
Trustees are empowered in their discretion to issue shares of any series for
such amount and type of consideration, including cash or securities, and on such
terms as the Trustees may authorize, all without action or approval of the
shareholders. As of the date of this opinion, the Trustees have divided the
shares of the Trust into four classes, designated as Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class Y.
We have examined the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, each as amended
from time to time, of the Trust, and such other documents as we have deemed
necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including, but not
limited to, originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of such documents, Trust records and other instruments. In our
examination of the above documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and
the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as
certified of photostatic copies.
Washington, DC Boston, MA London, UK*
HALE AND DORR LLP INCLUDES PROFESSIONAL CORPORATIONS
*BROBECK HALE AND DORR INTERNATIONAL (AN INDEPENDENT JOINT VENTURE LAW FIRM)
<PAGE>
Any reference to "our knowledge", to any matter "known to us", "coming
to our attention" or "of which we are aware" or any variation of any of the
foregoing shall mean the conscious awareness of the attorneys in this firm who
have rendered substantive attention to the preparation of the Trust's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any amendments thereto, of the existence
or absence of any facts which would contradict the opinions set forth below. We
have not undertaken any independent investigation to determine the existence or
absence of such facts, and no inference as to our knowledge of the existence or
absence of such facts should be drawn from the fact of our representation of the
Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, we have not examined any dockets or
records of any court, administrative tribunal or other similar entity, or any
electronic or computer databases, in connection with our opinions expressed
below.
Our opinions below are qualified to the extent that they may be subject
to or affected by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting the
rights and remedies of creditors generally, (ii) statutory or decisional law
concerning recourse by creditors to security in the absence of notice or hearing
and (iii) duties and standards imposed on creditors and parties to contracts,
including, without limitation, requirements of good faith, reasonableness and
fair dealing. Further, we do not express any opinion as to (i) the availability
of the remedy of specific performance or any other equitable remedy upon breach
of any provision of any agreement whether applied by a court of law or equity,
(ii) the successful assertion of any equitable defense, or (iii) the right of
any party to enforce the indemnification or contribution provisions of any
agreement.
In rendering the opinion below, insofar as it relates to the good
standing and valid existence of the Trust, we have relied solely on certificates
of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, dated as of a recent date,
and such opinion is limited accordingly and is rendered as of the respective
dates of such certificates.
This opinion is limited to the Delaware Business Trust Act, and we
express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction or to any
other laws of the State of Delaware. Further, we express no opinion as to
compliance with any state or federal securities laws, including the securities
laws of the State of Delaware.
Our opinion below, as it relates to the non-assessability of the shares
of the Trust, is qualified to the extent that any shareholder is, was or may
become a named Trustee of the Trust. It is also qualified to the extent that,
pursuant to Section 2 of Article VIII of the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees
have the power to cause shareholders, or shareholders of a particular series, to
pay certain custodian, transfer, servicing or similar agent charges by setting
off the same against declared but unpaid dividends or by reducing share
ownership (or by both means).
<PAGE>
Subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Trust is a
duly organized and validly existing business trust in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware and that the shares of beneficial interest of the
Trust, when issued in accordance with the terms, conditions, requirements and
procedures set forth in the Declaration of Trust, the Trust's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A and the Underwriting Agreement between the Trust and
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc., will constitute legally and validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable shares of beneficial interest in the Trust,
subject to compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the applicable state laws
regulating the sale of securities.
We are opining only as to the specific legal issues expressly set forth
herein, and no opinion should be inferred as to any other matters. We are
opining on the date hereof as to the law in effect on the date hereof, and we
disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any of these sources of
law or subsequent legal or factual developments that might affect any matters or
opinions set forth herein. Further, we are expressing no opinion as to shares
previously issued by the Trust and currently outstanding.
This opinion is furnished to you solely for your use and may not be
quoted to or relied upon by any other person or entity or used for any other
purpose, without our prior written consent.
We consent to your filing this opinion with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") as an exhibit to any amendments to the Trust's
registration statement with the Commission. Except as provided in this
paragraph, this opinion may not be relied upon by, or filed with, any other
parties or for any other purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/Hale and Dorr LLP
Hale and Dorr LLP
/LegalOZ/Rogato_Lynn/Legal/719.76.111/opn4_99.wpf
Arthur Andersen LLP
Consent of Independent Public Accountants
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report
on Pioneer Balanced Fund dated February 12, 1999 (and to all references to our
firm) included in or made a part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 and
Amendment No. 32 to Registration Statement File Nos. 2-28273 and 811-01605,
respectively.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Arthur Andersen LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
April 28, 1999
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