As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 2000
1933 Act File No. 2-78047
1940 Act File No. 811-3489
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [x]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 27 [x]
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [x]
AMENDMENT NO. 28 [x]
The Wright Managed Equity Trust
-----------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
255 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
617--482-8260
---------------------------
(Registrant's Telephone Number)
Alan R. Dynner
255 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
----------------------------------------------
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective pursuant to Rule 485
(check appropriate box):
[ ] Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ]On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[x] On May 1, 2000 pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ]75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ]On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
This Amendment to the registration statement on Form N-1A has been executed by
The Wright Blue Chip Master Portfolio Trust.
<PAGE>
THE WRIGHT MANAGED BLUE CHIP INVESTMENT FUNDS
Standard Shares
Institutional Shares
Money Market Shares
PROSPECTUS
MAY 1, 2000
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST
o Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund
o Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund
o Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund
THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST
o Wright U.S. Treasury Fund
o Wright U.S. Government Near Term Fund
o Wright Total Return Bond Fund
o Wright Current Income Fund
o Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether the information
in this prospectus is accurate or complete. Anyone who tells you otherwise is
committing a crime.
An investment in a mutual fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OVERVIEW OF PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS........1
Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund........................2
Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund...........................4
Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund...................6
Wright U.S. Treasury Fund......................................8
Wright U.S. Government Near Term Fund.........................10
Wright Total Return Bond Fund.................................12
Wright Current Income Fund....................................14
Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund........................16
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT.........................................18
How the Funds Value Their Shares..............................18
Purchasing Shares.............................................18
Selling Shares................................................19
Exchanging Shares.............................................20
DIVIDENDS AND TAXES....................................................21
MANAGING THE FUNDS.....................................................22
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS...................................................24
Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund.......................24
Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund..........................25
Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund..................27
Wright U.S. Treasury Fund.....................................29
Wright U.S. Government Near Term Fund.........................30
Wright Total Return Bond Fund.................................31
Wright Current Income Fund....................................32
Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund........................34
HOW TO USE THIS PROSPECTUS:
Reading this prospectus will help you decide if investing in the Wright funds is
right for you. Please keep this prospectus for future reference. Included in
this prospectus are descriptions telling you about each fund's:
(Graphic -- ship's wheel)
OBJECTIVE: what the fund seeks to achieve.
(Graphic -- compass)
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES: how the fund intends to achieve its investment
objective and the strategies used by Wright Investors' Service, the fund's
investment adviser.
(Graphic -- life preserver)
PRINCIPAL RISKS: the risks associated with the fund's primary investments.
Graphic -- assorted nautical flags)
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST: decide if the fund is a suitable investment for you.
(Graphic -- ship's log)
PAST PERFORMANCE: the total return on your investment, including income from
dividends and interest, and the increase or decrease in price over various time
periods.
(Graphic -- two crossed anchors with a $ in the center)
FEES AND EXPENSES: what overall costs you bear by investing in the fund.
<PAGE>
OVERVIEW OF PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This prospectus offers a variety of equity, fixed income and money market
mutual funds designed to meet various individual investment objectives. You can
use them singularly or in any combination to meet your objectives.
WRIGHT INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. AND THE APPROVED WRIGHT INVESTMENT LIST
Using bottom-up fundamental analysis, Wright Investors' Service systematically
identifies those companies in the Worldscope(R) database that meet minimum
standards of prudence and thus are suitable for investment by fiduciary
investors. These companies are then subjected to extensive analysis and
evaluation to identify those which meet Wright's standards of investment quality
or are leaders in their industry. These standards focus on liquidity, financial
strength, stability of profits and growth.
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Fundamental Analysis and
"Bottom-up" Approach
to Investing
Fundamental analysis is the analysis of company financial statements to
forecast future price movements using past records of assets, earnings, sales,
products, management and markets. It differs from technical analysis which
relies on price and volume movements of stocks and does not concern itself with
financial statistics.
Bottom-up investing is the analysis of company information before
considering the impact of industry and economic trends. It differs from the
"top-down" approach which looks first at the economy, then the industry and last
the company.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Only those companies meeting or exceeding these standards are eligible for
selection by the Wright investment committee for inclusion on an Approved Wright
Investment List (AWIL). There are separate AWILs for U.S. companies, non-U.S.
companies, small companies and fixed income securities. Different standards may
apply to each list. For example, smaller companies may have a lower market
capital requirement but a higher standard of profitability and growth. All the
companies on the lists are considered by Wright to be "Blue Chips." This means
that the companies have established records of earnings profitability and equity
growth. All these companies have established investment acceptance and active,
liquid markets or are leaders in their industry. Securities are selected from
the various approved lists to meet the objectives and strategies of each fund.
- ----SIDE BAR TEXT----
Blue Chip
Financial dictionaries define Blue Chip as a common stock of a company that has
a long record of profit growth and dividend payment and a reputation for quality
management, products and services. Wright further defines this to include only
securities issued by companies that meet its qualitative standards.
- ----END SIDE BAR TEXT----
<PAGE>
WRIGHT SELECTED BLUE CHIP EQUITIES FUND
CUSIP: Standard Shares 98235F107 Ticker Symbol:Standard Shares WSBEX
Institutional Shares 98235F800 Institutional Shares WSBIY (Unofficial)
(Graphic -- ship's wheel)
OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks to provide long-term total return consisting of price
appreciation and current income. The fund invests all of its assets in Selected
Blue Chip Equities Portfolio, which has the same objectives and policies as the
fund.
(Graphic -- compass)
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES The portfolio invests at least 80% of its
net assets in the equity securities of well-established quality companies on the
AWIL. Wright also considers benchmark weightings and which industries or sectors
will perform best. Wright selects only those companies whose current operations
reflect defined, quantified characteristics which Wright believes are likely to
provide comparatively superior total investment return.
Wright considers recent valuations and price/earnings momentum when
deciding which companies present the best value in terms of current price, and
current and forecasted earnings. Selected companies may or may not currently pay
dividends on their shares. At the end of 1999, the portfolio's median market
capitalization was $5.0 billion. Professional investment personnel characterize
the fund as a blend of growth and value. The portfolio attempts to outperform
the Standard & Poor's Mid-Cap 400 Index (S&P Mid-Cap 400).
Typically, the portfolio sells an individual security when it is no longer
eligible for inclusion in the AWIL, or it ceases to meet the investment
criteria.
When the market is unfavorable, the portfolio's assets may be held in cash
or invested in short-term obligations without limit. Although the portfolio
would do this to reduce losses, defensive investments may conflict with and hurt
the fund's efforts to achieve its investment objective.
The fund's objective may be changed by the trustees without shareholder
approval.
(Graphic -- life preserver)
PRINCIPAL RISKS
Before you invest in any mutual fund, you should understand the risks involved.
There are two basic risks prevalent in mutual funds investing in common stocks,
such as the fund. They are:
o MARKET RISK: when the prices of stocks fall, the value of the fund's
investments may fall
o MANAGEMENT RISK: Wright's strategy may not produce the expected results,
causing losses.
In addition to normal market and management risks, fund performance will be
adversely affected if:
o Mid-cap or value stocks fall out of favor with the market and returns
trail the overall stock market
o Selected companies remain undervalued or experience an adverse event,
such as an unfavorable earnings report.
The fund cannot eliminate risk or assure achievement of its objective and you
may lose money.
(Graphic -- assorted nautical flags)
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
You may be interested in the fund if you are seeking an actively managed common
stock investment for total investment return and intend to make a long-term
investment commitment.
(Graphic -- ship's log)
PAST PERFORMANCE
The information on the next page shows the performance of the fund's
Standard Shares for the ten-year period through December 31, 1999. These returns
include reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, and
reflect fund expenses. As with all mutual funds, past performance does not
guarantee future results.
<PAGE>
The bar chart illustrates the risk of investing in the fund by showing how
volatile the fund's performance has been for each full calendar year for the
past ten years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year-by-Year Total Return as of December 31
40%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30% 35.98% 30.34% 32.70%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% 18.57%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0% 4.71% 2.06% 0.14% 5.75%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10)% -3.30% -3.52%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(20)%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
</TABLE>
Best Quarter:18.72%(4th quarter 1998) Worst Quarter:-21.61%(4th quarter 1987)
The fund's average annual return is compared with that of the Standard & Poor's
Mid-Cap 400 Index (S&P Mid-Cap 400). The S&P Mid-Cap 400, unlike the fund, does
not incur fees or charges.
Average Annual Returns as of December 31, 1999
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares 5.75% 16.78% 11.40%
S&P Mid-Cap 400 14.67% 22.99% 17.22%
(Graphic -- two crossed anchors with a $ in the center)
FEES AND EXPENSES
The table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares
of the fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Fund Operating Expenses(1) Standard Shares Institutional Shares(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
(deducted directly from fund assets Management fee 0.63% 0.63%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees 0.25% none
As a shareholder in the fund Other expenses(3) 0.23% 0.23%
you do not pay any sales charges, ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
redemption or exchange fees. TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 1.22% 0.97%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fee Waiver (0.06%) (0.06%)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET OPERATING EXPENSES 1.16% 0.91%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Annual fund operating expenses consist of the fund's expenses plus the fund's
share of the expenses of the portfolio.
2 Estimated. As of December 31, 1999, no shares had been issued.
3 Under an expense offset arrangement, custodian fees are reduced by credits
based on the fund's average cash balance. Under SEC reporting requirements,
these reductions are not reflected in the above expense ratios. If reflected,
ratios would be:
NET OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER CUSTODIAN FEE REDUCTION 1.15% 0.90%
</TABLE>
EXAMPLE
The following example allows you to compare the cost of investing in the fund to
the cost of investing in other mutual funds by showing what your costs may be
over time. It uses the same assumptions that other funds use in their
prospectuses: $10,000 initial investment, 5% total return for each year, fund
operating expenses remain the same for each period and redemption after the end
of each period.
Your actual costs may be higher or lower, so use this example for comparison
only. Based on these assumptions your costs at the end of each period would be:
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares $124 $387 $670 $1,477
Institutional Shares $ 99 $309 $536 $1,190
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-------
Understanding Expenses
Annual fund operating expenses are paid by the fund. As a result, you pay for
them indirectly because they reduce the fund's return. Fund expenses include the
fund's share of the portfolio's expenses,12b-1 fees, an administration fee and
registration fees.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
WRIGHT MAJOR BLUE CHIP EQUITIES FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP: Standard Shares 98235F305 Ticker Symbol: Standard Shares WQCEX
Institutional Shares 98235F875 Institutional Shares WMBIY (Unofficial)
(Graphic -- ship's wheel)
OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks total return, consisting of price appreciation plus income.
(Graphic -- compass)
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The fund invests at least 85% of its net assets in the equity securities of
the larger companies (i.e.with a market capitalization of $5 billion or more)on
the AWIL. The fund is quality oriented and focuses on the common stocks of high
quality, well-established and profitable companies. The fund attempts to
outperform the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500).
Wright uses quantitative formulas to identify such factors as over/under
valuations and compatibility with current market trends. Selected companies are
expected to do better over the intermediate term. The market capitalizations of
these companies are similar to those companies in the Standard and Poor's 500
Index (S&P 500). At the end of 1999, the fund's median market capitalization was
$56.8 billion.
The fund will sell a security when Wright's quantitative formulas indicate
it is no longer desirable to hold it, it becomes incompatible with current
market trends or it is no longer eligible for inclusion in the AWIL. The fund
will buy securities to increase positions which are below target values and to
acquire new securities.
When the market is unfavorable, the fund's assets may be held in cash or
invested without limit in short-term obligations. Although the fund would do
this to reduce losses, defensive investments may conflict with and hurt the
fund's efforts to achieve its investment objective.
The fund's objective may be changed by the trustees without shareholder
approval.
(Graphic -- life preserver)
PRINCIPAL RISKS
Before you invest in any mutual fund, you should understand the risks
involved. There are two basic risks prevalent in mutual funds investing in
common stocks, such as the fund. They are:
o MARKET RISK: when the price of a security falls, the value of the fund's
investments may fall.
o MANAGEMENT RISK: Wright's strategy may not produce the expected results,
causing losses.
In addition to normal market and management risk, fund performance will be
adversely affected if large capitalization or value stocks fall out of favor
with the market and their returns trail the overall stock market.
The fund cannot eliminate risk or assure achievement of its objective and you
may lose money.
(Graphic -- assorted nautical flags)
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
This fund may be suitable for investors seeking a common stock investment
for total investment return or a core equity portfolio for those investing in
several asset classes.
(Graphic -- ship's log)
PAST PERFORMANCE
The information on the next page shows the performance of the fund's
Standard Shares for the ten-year period through December 31, 1999. These returns
include reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, and
reflect fund expenses. As with all mutual funds, past performance does not
guarantee future results.
<PAGE>
The bar chart illustrates the risk of investing in the fund by showing how
volatile the fund's performance has been for each full calendar year for the
past ten years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year-by-Year Total Return as of December 31
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
40%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30% 38.90% 33.86%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% 28.98% 20.43% 23.87%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10% 8.02% 17.63%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0% 1.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10)% -2.89% -0.73%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(20)%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Best quarter:27.86%(4th quarter 1998) Worst quarter:-21.16%(4th quarter 1987)
</TABLE>
The fund's average annual return is compared with that of the S&P 500. The
S&P 500, unlike the fund, does not incur fees or charges.
Average Annual Returns as of December 31, 1999
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares 23.87% 24.82% 16.04%
S&P 500 21.01% 28.49% 18.17%
(Graphic -- two crossed anchors with a $ in the center)
FEES AND EXPENSES
The table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares
of the fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Standard Institutional
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES Shares Shares (1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(deductly directly from fund assets)
<S> <C> <C>
As a shareholder in Management fee 0.45% 0.45%
the fund, you do not Distribution and
pay any sales charges, service (12b-1) fees 0.25% none
redemption or exchange Other Expenses 0.58% 0.58%
fees. -------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Operating Expenses 1.28% 1.03%
Expense Reimbursement(2)(3)(0.21%) (0.21%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET OPERATING EXPENSES 1.07% 0.82%
(1)Estimated - As of December 31,1999,no shares had been issued.
(2)Under an expense offset arrangement, custodian fees are reduced by credits
based on the fund's average daily cash balance. Under SEC reporting
requirements, these reductions are not reflected in the net operating ratio
above. If reflected, the ratio would be:
NET OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER CUSTODIAN FEE REDUCTIONS 1.05% 0.80%
(3)Under a written agreement, Wright waives a portion of its advisory fee and
assumes operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit expense ratios
to 1.25% and 0.80%.
</TABLE>
The following example allows you to compare the cost of investing in the fund to
the cost of investing in other mutual funds by showing what your costs may be
over time. It uses the same assumptions that other funds use in their
prospectuses: $10,000 initial investment, 5% total return for each year, fund
operating expenses remain the same for each period and redemption after the end
of each period.
Your actual costs may be higher or lower, so use this example for
comparison only. Based on these assumptions your costs at the end of each period
would be:
Example Costs
One Year Three Years Five Years Ten Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares $112 $350 $606 $1,340
Institutional Shares $124 $387 $670 $1,477
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Understanding Expenses
Annual fund operating expenses are paid by the fund. As a result, you pay for
them indirectly because they reduce the fund's return. Fund expenses include
management fees,12b-1 fees and administrative costs, such as shareholder
recordkeeping and reports, custodian and pricing services, and registration
fees.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
WRIGHT INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP EQUITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------
CUSIP:Standard Shares 98235F404 Ticker Symbol: Standard Shares WIBCX
Institutional Shares 98235F867 Institutional Shares WIBIY (Unofficial)
(Graphic -- ship's wheel)
OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks total return consisting of price appreciation plus income.
The fund invests all of its assets in the International Blue Chip Equities
Portfolio, which has the same objectives and policies as the fund.
(Graphic -- compass)
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The portfolio invests at least 80% of its net assets in the equity
securities of well-established non-U.S. companies. The portfolio invests only in
securities on the International Approved Wright Investment List (IAWIL). Wright
focuses on individual stock selection and also considers which country or
industry will perform best.
Wright systematically reviews about 13,000 non-U.S. companies from 54
countries contained in Wright's Worldscope(R) database to identify those which
meet minimum standards for fiduciary investment. These companies must have at
least five years of audited records and show a record of profitability over the
last three years.
Wright selects well-established and profitable non-U.S. companies which
have their principal business activities in at least three different countries.
These companies can be of any size that qualifies for trading on the securities
market of the company's home country, other foreign exchanges or in the U.S.
through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). ADRs represent interests in an
underlying security. Companies may or may not currently pay dividends on their
shares.
Individual securities which no longer meet the standard for the IAWIL or
Wright's investment criteria are sold.
When the market is unfavorable, the portfolio's assets may be held in cash
or invested without limit in short-term obligations. Although the portfolio
would do this to reduce losses, defensive investments may conflict with and hurt
the fund's efforts to achieve its investment objective.
The fund's objective may be changed by the trustees without shareholder
approval.
(Graphic -- life preserver)
PRINCIPAL RISKS
Before you invest in any mutual fund, you should understand the risks
involved. There are two basic risks prevalent in mutual funds investing in
common stocks, such as the fund. They are:
o MARKET RISK: when the price of stocks falls, the value of the fund's
investments may fall.
o MANAGEMENT RISK: Wright's strategy may not produce the expected results,
causing losses.
In addition to market and management risks, the fund is subject to
additional risks in connection with investing in foreign securities. These
include: currency risk (changes in foreign currency rates reducing the value
of the fund's assets) seizure, expropriation or nationalization of a company's
assets, less publicly available information and the impact of political, social
or diplomatic events. If an ADR is not sponsored by the issuer of the under-
lying security, there may be reduced access to information about the issuer.
The European countries have adopted the Euro as their common currency.
Existing national currencies of these countries are sub-currencies of the Euro
until July 1, 2002, when the old currencies will disappear entirely. The
introduction of the Euro presents some possible risks, which could adversely
affect the value of securities held by the portfolio, as well as possible
adverse tax consequences. There could be unpredictable effects on trade and
commerce, resulting in increased volatility for all financial markets.
The fund cannot eliminate risk or assure achievement of its objective and you
may lose money.
(Graphic -- assorted nautical flags)
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
The fund may be suitable for investors seeking a diversified portfolio of
quality non-U.S. equities offering ownership in some of the leading companies
throughout the world and who are not adverse to the risks associated with
international investing. Also, because foreign stock prices may not move in
concert with U.S. market prices, the fund may be a useful way to diversify you
investments.
<PAGE>
(Graphic -- ship's log)
PAST PERFORMANCE
The information below shows the performance of the fund's Standard Shares
for the periods indicated through December 31, 1999 and its Institutional Shares
since their inception on July 6, 1997. These returns include reinvestment of all
dividends and capital gain distributions, and reflect fund expenses. As with all
mutual funds, past performance does not guarantee future results.
The bar chart illustrates the risk of investing in the fund by showing how
volatile the fund's Standard Share performance has been by illustrating the
differences for each full calendar year for the past ten years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year-by-Year Total Return as of December 31
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
30% 34.26%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% 28.22% 20.73%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10% 17.21% 13.61%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0% 1.54% 6.14%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10)% -6.92% -3.94% -1.64%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(20)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Best quarter:30.24%(4th quarter 1999) Worst quarter:-16.71%(3rd quarter 1998)
</TABLE>
The fund's average annual return is compared with that of the FT/S&P Actuaries
World ex U.S. Index. While the fund does not seek to match the returns of this
index, this unmanaged index is a good indicator of foreign stock market
performance. The FT/S&P Actuaries World ex U.S. Index, unlike the fund, does not
incur fees or charges.
Average Annual Returns as of December 31, 1999
1 Year 5 Years 10Years Life of the Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares 34.26% 14.69% 10.12% 10.29%(9/14/1989)
Institutional Shares 34.49% - - 12.97%(7/6/1997)
FT/S&P Actuaries World 31.83% 12.67% 7.02% 7.77%(9/1989)
ex U.S. Index
(Graphic -- two crossed anchors with a $ in the center)
FEES AND EXPENSES
The table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares
of the fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Standard Institutional
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(1) Shares Shares
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(deductly directly from fund assets)
<S> <C> <C>
As a shareholder in Management fee 0.77% 0.77%
the fund, you do not Distribution and
pay any sales charges, service (12b-1) fees 0.25% none
redemption or exchange Other Expenses 0.33% 0.35%
fees. --------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 1.35% 1.12%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)Annual fund operating expenses consist of the fund's expenses plus the fund's
share of the expenses of the portfolio.
</TABLE>
The following example allows you to compare the cost of investing in the
fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds by showing what your costs
may be over time. It uses the same assumptions that other funds use in their
prospectuses: $10,000 initial investment, 5% total return for each year, fund
operating expenses remain the same for each period and redemption after the end
of each period.
Your actual costs may be higher or lower, so use this example for
comparison only. Based on these assumptions your costs at the end of each period
would be:
Example Costs
One Year Three Years Five Years Ten Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares $152 $470 $813 $1,779
Institutional Shares $130 $406 $702 $1,545
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Understanding Expenses
Annual fund operating expenses are paid by the fund. As a result, you pay for
them indirectly because they reduce the fund's return. Fund expenses include the
fund's share of the portfolio's expenses,12b-1 fees, an administration fee and
registration fees.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
WRIGHT U.S. TREASURY FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP: Standard Shares 982349102 Ticker Symbol: Standard Shares WGOBX
Institutional Shares 982349805 Institutional Shares WUSIY (Unofficial)
(Graphic -- ship's wheel)
OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks a high total return with a high level of income. The fund
invests all of its assets in the U.S. Treasury Portfolio, which has the same
objectives and policies as the fund.
(Graphic -- compass)
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The portfolio invests at least 65% of its total assets in U.S. Treasury
bills, notes and bonds. The portfolio's average weighted maturity will vary from
one to 30 years depending on the economic outlook and expected trend of interest
rates. The portfolio does not invest in mortgage-related securities or
derivatives. The portfolio's average maturity as of December 31, 1999 was 9.8
years, and its duration was 5.2 years.
In buying and selling securities for the portfolio, Wright analyzes a
security's structural features, current price compared with its estimated
long-term value and any short-term trading opportunities resulting from market
inefficiencies. The portfolio attempts to outperform the Lehman U.S. Treasury
Bond Index.
The fund's objective may be changed by the trustees without shareholder
approval.
(Graphic -- life preserver)
PRINCIPAL RISKS
The general risks of bond funds are credit and interest rate risks.Because
the fund invests in U.S.Treasury securities, credit risk is less than other
types of bonds. However, this does not protect the portfolio against interest
rate risk or guarantee the value of the fund's shares. These risks are defined
to mean:
o CREDIT OR DEFAULT RISK: An issuer's credit rating may be downgraded or the
issuer may be unable to pay principal and interest obligations.
o INTEREST RATE RISK: Bond prices fall when interest rates rise and vice
versa. The longer the maturity of the bonds, the greater the potential
change in price.
The fund's income may decline during times of falling interest rates. The table
below demonstrates how duration affects risk and return. It shows both interest
rate risk and income risk for funds of varying duration. Income risk is moderate
to high for funds with an intermediate duration such as this fund and is lower
for funds with a longer duration.
The fund cannot eliminate risk or assure acheivement of its objective and you
may lose money.
POTENTIAL INVESTMENT RISKS
Duration Interest Rate Risk Income Risk
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than one year Very low Very high
Less than three years Low to moderate High
From three to ten years Moderate to high Moderate
More than ten years High to very high Low
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Understanding Duration
Duration measures how quickly the principal and interest of a bond is expected
to be paid. It is also used to predict how much a bond's value will rise or fall
in response to small changes in interest rates. Generally, the shorter a fund's
duration is, the less its securities will decline in value when there is an
increase in interest rates.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
(Graphic -- assorted nautical flags)
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
You may be interested in the fund if you are looking for a high level of income
while owning debt securities with the highest credit quality available and can
accept greater principal fluctuations when maturities are lengthened. Dividends
may be exempt from state and local taxes in some states, which may be of value
if you live in one of these states.
(Graphic -- ship's log)
PAST PERFORMANCE
The information on the next page shows performance of the fund's Standard
Shares for the ten-year period through December 31, 1999. These returns include
reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, and reflect fund
expenses. As with all mutual funds, past performance does not guarantee future
results.
<PAGE>
The bar chart illustrates the risk of investing in the fund by showing how
volatile the fund's performance has been for each full calendar year for the
past ten years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year-by-Year Total Return as of December 31
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
30%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% 28.18%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10% 17.56% 15.90%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0% 6.33% 7.07% 9.08% 9.95%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10)% -8.62% -1.26% -3.97%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Best quarter:10.59%(2nd quarter 1989)Worst quarter:-6.67%(3rd quarter 1987)
</TABLE>
The fund's average annual return is compared with that of the Lehman U.S.
Treasury Bond Index. The Lehman U.S. Treasury Bond Index, unlike the fund, does
not incur fees or charges.
As of February 1, 2000, the fund's performance benchmark was changed to the
Lehman U.S. Treasury Bond Index, which better reflects the fund's current
investment policies. Before that date, the fund's benchmark was the Lehman
Government Bond Index.
Average Annual Returns as of December 31, 1999
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares -3.97% 7.83% 7.53%
Lehman Government Bond Index -2.23% 7.44% 7.48%
Lehman U.S. Treasury Bond Index -2.56% 7.38% 7.44%
(Graphic -- two crossed anchors with a $ in the center)
FEES AND EXPENSES
The table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares
of the fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Standard Institutional
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(1) Shares Shares (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(deductly directly from fund assets)
<S> <C> <C>
As a shareholder in Management fee 0.40% 0.40%
the fund, you do not Distribution and
pay any sales charges, service (12b-1) fees 0.25% none
redemption or exchange Other Expenses 0.31% 0.31%
fees. -------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Operating Expenses 0.96% 0.71%
Expense Reimbursement(3)(4) (0.02%) (0.02%)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
NET OPERATING EXPENSES 0.94% 0.69%
(1)Annual fund operating expenses consist of the fund's expenses plus the fund's
share of the expenses of the portfolio.
(2)Estimated - As of December 31, 1998, no shares had been issued.
(3)Under an expense offset arrangement, custodian fees are reduced by credits
based on the fund's average daily cash balance. Under SEC reporting
requirements, these reductions are not reflected in the net operating ratio
above. If reflected, the ratio would be:
NET OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER CUSTODIAN FEE REDUCTIONS
(4)Under a written agreement, Wright waives a portion of its advisory fee and
assumes operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit expense ratios
to 0.95% and 0.70%.
</TABLE>
The following example allows you to compare the cost of investing in the
fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds by showing what your costs
may be over time. It uses the same assumptions that other funds use in their
prospectuses: $10,000 initial investment, 5% total return for each year, fund
operating expenses remain the same for each period and redemption after the end
of each period.
Your actual costs may be higher or lower, so use this example for
comparison only. Based on these assumptions your costs at the end of each period
would be:
Example Costs
One Year Three Years Five Years Ten Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares $99 $309 $536 $1,190
Institutional Shares $74 $230 $401 $ 894
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Understanding Expenses
Annual fund operating expenses are paid by the fund. As a result, you pay for
them indirectly because they reduce the fund's return. Fund expenses include the
fund's share of the portfolio's expenses,12b-1 fees, an administration fee and
registration fees.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
WRIGHT U.S. GOVERNMENT NEAR TERM FUND
- -------------------------------------------
CUSIP: Standard Shares 982349201 Ticker Symbol: Standard Shares WNTBX
Institutional Shares 982349888 Institutional Shares WNTIY (Unofficial)
(Graphic -- ship's wheel)
OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks a high level of income, which is normally above that
available from short-term money market instruments or funds. The fund invests
all of its assets in the U.S. Government Near Term Portfolio, which has the same
objectives and policies as the fund.
(Graphic -- compass)
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The portfolio invests at least 65% of its assets in U.S. government
obligations and maintains an average weighted maturity of less than five years.
These include:
o direct obligations of the U.S. government, such as U.S. Treasury bills,
notes and bonds
o obligations of U.S. government agencies secured by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Treasury, such as securities, including pass-through
securities of the Government National Mortgage Association or securities
of the Export-Import Bank
o obligations secured by the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as
securities by the Federal Financing Bank or the Student Loan Marketing
Association
o obligations backed only by the credit of a government agency such as the
Federal Home Loan Bank, Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association)
and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
Wright allocates assets among different market sectors and maturities based
on its view of the economic outlook and expected trend in interest rates. For
example, the fund may invest more heavily in shorter term securities when it
expects an increase in interest rates. In buying and selling securities for the
portfolio, Wright analyzes a security's structural features, current price
compared with its estimated value and the credit quality of its issuer. The
portfolio's average maturity as of December 31, 1999 was 1.9 years and its
duration was 1.6 years.
When the market is unfavorable, the portfolio's assets may be held in cash
or invested without limit in short-term obligations. Although the portfolio
would do this to reduce losses, defensive investments may conflict with and hurt
the fund's efforts to achieve its investment objective.
The fund's objective may be changed by the trustees without shareholder
approval.
(Graphic -- life preserver)
PRINCIPAL RISKS
The general risks of bond funds are credit and interest rate risks. Because
the fund invests in U.S. government obligations, credit risk is less than other
types of bonds. However, this does not protect the portfolio against interest
rate risk or guarantee the value of the fund's shares. The fund's income may
decline during times of falling interest rates. Also, mortgage-related
securities (such as Ginnie Maes) are subject to prepayment and extension risks
during times of falling or rising interest rates. These risks are defined to
mean:
o CREDIT OR DEFAULT RISK: An issuer's credit rating may be downgraded or the
issuer may be unable to pay principal and interest obligations.
o INTEREST RATE RISK: Bond prices fall when interest rates rise and vice
versa. The longer the maturity of the bonds, the greater the potential
change in price.
o PREPAYMENT RISK: When interest rates decline, the issuer of a security may
exercise an option to prepay the principal. This forces the fund to
reinvest in lower yielding securities.
o EXTENSION RISK: When interest rates rise, the life of a mortgage-related
security is extended beyond the expected prepayment time, reducing the
value of the security.
The fund cannot eliminate risk or assure acheivement of its objective and
you may lose money.
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Understanding Duration
Duration measures how quickly the principal and interest of a bond is expected
to be paid. It is also used to predict how much a bond's value will rise and
fall in response to small changes in interest rates. Generally, the shorter a
fund's duration is, the less its securities will decline in value when there is
an increase in interest rates.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
(Graphic -- assorted nautical flags)
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
You may be interested in the fund if you seek a higher level of income than
is available from money market instruments and can accept greater fluctuation in
principal. Also, the fund may be suitable if you seek a total return alternative
to a money market investment, especially when you expect short-term interest
rates to decline.
<PAGE>
(Graphic -- ship's log)
PAST PERFORMANCE
The information below shows the fund's performance of its Standard Shares
for the ten-year period through December 31, 1999. These returns include
reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, and reflect fund
expenses. As with all mutual funds, past performance does not guarantee future
results.
The bar chart illustrates the risk of investing in the fund by showing how
volatile the fund's performance has been for each full calendar year for the
past ten years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year-by-Year Total Return as of December 31
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
20%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10% 13.08% 11.93%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0% 8.23% 6.26% 7.95% 3.94% 5.93% 5.98% 1.91%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10)% -3.09%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Best quarter:5.86(2nd quarter 1989) Worst quarter:-2.60%(1st quarter 1994)
</TABLE>
The fund's average annual return is compared with that of the Lehman Short (1-3
years) Government Bond Index. While the fund does not seek to match the returns
of the Lehman Short Government Bond Index, this unmanaged index is a good
indicator of the performance of the U.S. government bond market. The Lehman
Short Government Bond Index, unlike the fund, does not incur fees or charges.
Average Annual Returns as of December 31, 1999
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares 1.91% 5.89% 6.12%
Lehman Short Government Bond Index 2.97% 6.47% 6.56%
(Graphic -- two crossed anchors with a $ in the center)
FEES AND EXPENSES
The table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares
of the fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Standard Institutional
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(1) Shares Shares (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(deductly directly from fund assets)
<S> <C> <C>
As a shareholder in Management fee 0.41% 0.41%
the fund, you do not Distribution and
pay any sales charges, service (12b-1) fees 0.25% none
redemption or exchange Other Expenses 0.25% 0.25%
fees. -------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Operating Expenses 0.91% 0.66%
Expense Reimbursement(3)(4) (0.03%) (0.03%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
NET OPERATING EXPENSES 0.88% 0.63%
(1)Annual fund operating expenses consist of the fund's expenses plus the fund's
share of the expenses of the portfolio.
(2)Estimated - As of December 31,1999,no shares had been issued.
(3)Under an expense offset arrangement, custodian fees are reduced by credits
based on the fund's average daily cash balance. Under SEC reporting
requirements, these reductions are not reflected in the net operating ratio
above. If reflected, the ratio would be:
NET OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER CUSTODIAN FEE REDUCTIONS 0.87% 0.63%
(4)Under a written agreement, Wright waives a portion of its advisory fee and
assumes operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit expense ratios
to 0.95% and 0.70%.
</TABLE>
The following example allows you to compare the cost of investing in the
fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds by showing what your costs
may be over time. It uses the same assumptions that other funds use in their
prospectuses: $10,000 initial investment, 5% total return for each year, fund
operating expenses remain the same for each period and redemption after the end
of each period.
Your actual costs may be higher or lower, so use this example for
comparison only. Based on these assumptions your costs at the end of each period
would be:
Example Costs
One Year Three Years Five Years Ten Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares $98 $306 $536 $1,178
Institutional Shares $73 $227 $395 $ 883
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Understanding Expenses
Annual fund operating expenses are paid by the fund. As a result, you pay for
them indirectly because they reduce the fund's return. Fund expenses include the
fund's share of the portfolio's expenses,12b-1 fees, an administration fee and
registration fees.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
WRIGHT TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP: Standard Shares 982349300 Ticker Symbol: Standard Shares WTRBX
(Graphic -- ship's wheel)
OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks a superior rate of total return, consisting of a high level of
income plus price appreciation.
(Graphic -- compass)
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in U.S. government and
investment grade (rated "BBB" or higher) corporate debt securities. These
securities must also meet Wright Quality Rating Standards. Investment selections
differ depending on the trend in interest rates. The fund looks for securities
that in Wright's judgment will produce the best total return.
Wright allocates assets among different market sectors (such as U.S.
Treasury securities, U.S. government agency securities and corporate bonds) with
different maturities based on its view of the relative value of each sector or
maturity.
There are no limits on the minimum or maximum weighted average maturity of
the fund's portfolio or an individual security. The average weighted maturity
will vary from one to 30 years depending on the economic outlook and expected
trend in interest rates. As of December 31, 1999, the fund's average maturity
was 9.8 years and its duration was 5.5 years. The fund attempts to outperform
the Lehman U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.
Generally, the fund will sell an individual security if its rating is
downgraded below "BBB" by the major rating services such as Moody's or Standard
and Poor's.
When the market is unfavorable, the fund's assets may be held in cash or
invested without limit in short-term obligations. Although the fund would do
this to reduce losses, defensive investments may conflict with and hurt the
fund's efforts to achieve its investment objective.
The fund's objective may be changed by the trustees without shareholder
approval.
(Graphic -- life preserver)
PRINCIPAL RISKS
The general risks of bond funds are credit and interest rate risks. The
fund's risk profile will vary, depending on the mix of its assets.
The fund reduces credit risk by investing in U.S. government obligations
and high-grade corporate bonds. However, this does not protect the fund against
interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is greater for long-term debt securities
than for short-term debt securities. These risks are defined to mean:
o INTEREST RATE RISK: Bond prices fall when interest rates rise and vice
versa. The longer the maturity of the bonds, the greater the potential
change in price.
o CREDIT OR DEFAULT RISK: An issuer's credit rating may be downgraded or the
issuer may be unable to pay principal and interest obligations.
o PREPAYMENT RISK: When interest rates decline, the issuer of a security may
exercise an option to prepay the principal. This forces the fund to
reinvest in lower yielding securities. Corporate bonds may have a "call"
feature which gives the issuer the right to redeem outstanding bonds
before their scheduled maturity.
o EXTENSION RISK: When interest rates rise, the life of a mortgage-related
security is extended beyond the expected prepayment time, reducing the
value of the security.
Also, the fund's income may decline during times of falling interest rates.
The fund cannot eliminate risk or assure acheivement of its objective and
you may lose money.
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Understanding Duration
Duration measures how quickly the principal and interest of a bond is expected
to be paid. It is also used to predict how much a bond's value will rise and
fall in response to small changes in interest rates. Generally, the shorter a
fund's duration is, the less its securities will decline in value when there is
an increase in interest rates.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
(Graphic -- assorted nautical flags)
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
You may be interested in the fund if you seek a level of income consistent
with total return by investing in intermediate and longer term debt and can
accept price fluctuations.
<PAGE>
(Graphic -- ship's log)
PAST PERFORMANCE
The information below shows the fund's performance of its Standard Shares
for the ten-year period through December 31, 1999. These returns include
reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, and reflect fund
expenses. As with all mutual funds, past performance does not guarantee future
results.
The bar chart illustrates the risk of investing in the fund by showing how
volatile the fund's performance has been for each full calendar year for the
past ten years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year-by-Year Total Return as of December 31
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
30%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% 21.97%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10% 15.38% 11.03%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0% 5.29% 7.13% 0.90% 9.25% 9.56%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10)% -6.55% -3.91%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(20)%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Best quarter:8.20%(2nd quarter 1989) Worst quarter:-6.42%(3rd quarter 1987)
</TABLE>
The fund's average annual return is compared with that of the Lehman U.S.
Aggregate Bond Index. The Lehman U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, unlike the fund,
does not incur fees or charges.
As of February 1, 2000, the fund's performance benchmark was changed to the
Lehman U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which better reflects the fund's current
investment poolicies. Before that date, the fund's benchmark was the Lehman
Government/Corporate Bond Index.
Average Annual Returns as of December 31, 1999
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares -3.91% 7.19% 6.69%
Lehman Government/Corporate Bond Index -2.15% 7.61% 7.65%
Lehman U.S. Aggregate Bond Index -0.82% 7.73% 7.70%
(Graphic -- two crossed anchors with a $ in the center)
FEES AND EXPENSES
The table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares
of the fund.
Standard
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(deductly directly from fund assets)
As a shareholder in Management fee 0.41%
the fund, you do not Distribution and
pay any sales charges, service (12b-1) fees 0.25%
redemption or exchange Other Expenses 0.24%
fees. -------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 0.90%
The following example allows you to compare the cost of investing in the
fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds by showing what your costs
may be over time. It uses the same assumptions that other funds use in their
prospectuses: $10,000 initial investment, 5% total return for each year, fund
operating expenses remain the same for each period and redemption after the end
of each period.
Your actual costs may be higher or lower, so use this example for
comparison only. Based on these assumptions your costs at the end of each period
would be:
Example Costs
One Year Three Years Five Years Ten Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares $93 $290 $504 $1,120
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Understanding Expenses
Annual fund operating expenses are paid by the fund. As a result, you pay for
them indirectly because they reduce the fund's return. Fund expenses include
management fees,12b-1 fees and administrative costs, such as shareholder
recordkeeping and reports, custodian and pricing services, and registration
fees.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
WRIGHT CURRENT INCOME FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP: Standard Shares 982349607 Ticker Symbol: Standard Shares WCIFX
Institutional Shares 982349870 Institutional Shares WCIIY (Unofficial)
( Graphic -- ship's wheel)
OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks a high level of current income consistent with moderate
fluctuations of principal. The fund invests all of its assets in the Current
Income Portfolio, which has the same objectives and policies as the fund.
(Graphic -- compass)
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The portfolio invests at least 65% of its total assets in other debt
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies,
or backed only by the credit of a federal agency such as the Federal Home Loan
Bank, Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) and the Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation(Freddie Mac) and corporate debt securities. Since
inception, the portfolio has invested almost exclusively in the mortgage-related
securities of Ginnie Mae (Government National Mortgage Association)mortgage
related securities, but may be expected to invest in Fannie Maes and Freddie
Macs in the future.
The portfolio maintains an average weighted maturity of less than 30 years.
Corporate debt securities include commercial paper and other short-term
instruments rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's Rating Group or P-1 by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. THE PORTFOLIO DOES NOT INVEST IN THE RESIDUAL CLASSES OF
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS, STRIPPED MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES,
LEVERAGED FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS OR INDEXED SECURITIES. The portfolio
reinvests all principal payments.
When the market is unfavorable, the portfolio's assets may be held in cash
or invested without limit in short-term obligations. Although the portfolio
would do this to reduce losses, defensive investments may conflict with and hurt
the fund's efforts to achieve its investment objective.
The fund's objective may be changed by the trustees without shareholder
approval.
(Graphic -- life preserver)
PRINCIPAL RISKS
The general risks of bond funds are credit and interest rate risks. Credit
risk is minimal to the extent the portfolio concentrates in mortgage-related
securities whose timely payment of interest and principal is guaranteed by the
U.S. government. However, this does not protect the portfolio against interest
rate risk or guarantee the value of the fund's shares. The loans underlying
these securities are generally 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. Also, mortgage
related securities carry the following risks:
o INTEREST RATE RISK: Bond prices fall when interest rates rise and vice
versa. The longer the maturity of the bonds, the greater the potential
change in price.
o CREDIT OR DEFAULT RISK: An issuer's credit rating may be downgraded or the
issuer may be unable to pay principal and interest obligations.
o PREPAYMENT RISK: When interest rates decline, the issuer of a security may
excise an option to prepay the principal. This forces the portfolio to
reinvest in lower yielding securities.
o EXTENSION RISK: When interest rates rise, the life of a mortgage-related
security is extended beyond the expected prepayment time, reducing the
value of the security.
The fund cannot eliminate risk or assure acheivement of its objective and
you may lose money.
(Graphic -- assorted nautical flags)
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
You may want to invest in the fund if you are seeking a high level of
income over a long period of time. The fund is designed for investors who want
to receive the kind of income that mortgage-related securities provide, but do
not want to bother with the receipt or reinvestment of principal payments.
(Graphic -- ship's log)
PAST PERFORMANCE
The information on the next page shows the fund's performance of its
Standard Shares for the ten-year period through December 31, 1999 and its
Institutional Shares since their inception on July 6, 1997. These returns
include reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, and
reflect fund expenses. As with all mutual funds, past performance does not
guarantee future results.
<PAGE>
The bar chart illustrates the risk of investing in the fund by showing how
volatile the fund's Standard Share performance has been for each full calendar
year for the past ten years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year-by-Year Total Return as of December 31
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
30%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% 17.46%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10% 15.31%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0% 9.85% 6.73% 6.59% 4.35% 8.56% 6.51% 0.52%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10)% -3.28%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(20)%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Best quarter:8.16%(2nd quarter 1989) Worst quarter:-3.21%(1st quarter 1994)
</TABLE>
The fund's average annual return is compared with that of the Lehman GNMA Backed
Bond Index. While the fund does not seek to match the returns of the Lehman GNMA
Backed Bond Index, this unmanaged index is a good indicator of the performance
of government and corporate bond markets. The Lehman GNMA Backed Bond Index,
unlike the fund, does not incur fees or charges.
Average Annual Returns as of December 31, 1999
Life of the Class
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years (July 6, 1997)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares 0.52% 7.33% 7.10%
Institutional Shares 0.60% - - 4.63%
Lehman GNMA Backed Bond Index 1.93% 8.08% 7.87%
(Graphic -- two crossed anchors with a $ in the center)
FEES AND EXPENSES
The table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares
of the fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Standard Institutional
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(1) Shares Shares
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(deductly directly from fund assets)
<S> <C> <C>
As a shareholder in Management fee 0.41% 0.41%
the fund, you do not Distribution and
pay any sales charges, service (12b-1) fees 0.25% none
redemption or exchange Other Expenses 0.26% 0.34%
fees. -------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Operating Expenses 0.92% 0.75%
Expense Reimbursement(2) (0.02%) (0.02%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
NET OPERATING EXPENSES 0.90% 0.73%
(1) Annual fund operating expenses consist of the fund's expenses plus the fund's
share of the expenses of the portfolio.
(2)Under a written agreement, Wright waives a portion of its advisory fee and
assumes operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit expense ratios
to 0.95% and 0.70%%.
</TABLE>
The following example allows you to compare the cost of investing in the
fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds by showing what your costs
may be over time. It uses the same assumptions that other funds use in their
prospectuses: $10,000 initial investment, 5% total return for each year, fund
operating expenses remain the same for each period and redemption after the end
of each period.
Your actual costs may be higher or lower, so use this example for
comparison only. Based on these assumptions your costs at the end of each period
would be:
Example Costs
One Year Three Years Five Years Ten Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares $98 $306 $531 $1,178
Institutional Shares $72 $224 $390 $ 871
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Understanding Expenses
Annual fund operating expenses are paid by the fund. As a result, you pay for
them indirectly because they reduce the fund's return. Fund expenses include the
fund's share of the portfolio's expenses,12b-1 fees, an administration fee and
registration fees.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
WRIGHT U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
- --------------------------------------------
CUSIP: Money Market Shares 982349706 Ticker Symbol: WUSXX
(Graphic -- ship's wheel)
OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks to provide as high a rate of current income as possible
consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity. The
fund also seeks to maintain a stable net asset value per share price or NAV of
$1.00 per share.
(Graphic -- compass)
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities of the U.S.
government and its agencies that are backed by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. government (U.S. Treasury securities). The fund limits it portfolio to
investments maturing in 13 months or less and maintains a weighted average
maturity of 90 days or less. The fund may also invest in repurchase agreements
which are collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities. The fund may enter into
repurchase agreements only with large, well-capitalized banks of government
securities dealers that meet Wright credit standards.
Wright monitors the daily interest rate yield curve and selects the best
yield and maturities available. Longer maturities are selected when interest
rates are expected to fall and shorter maturities are selected when interest
rates are expected to rise.
The fund invests and engages only in investment practices that are legal
for federal credit unions described in the Federal Credit Union Act and the
National Credit Union Administration Regulations.
The fund reserves the right to hold up to 20% of its assets in cash or to
invest them in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are collateralized
short-term (usually overnight) debt used to invest cash.
The fund's objective may be changed by the trustees without shareholder
approval.
(Graphic --Life preserver)
PRINCIPAL RISKS
Although the fund invests exclusively in U. S. Treasury bills, notes and
bonds, an investment in the fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S.
government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any other government
agency. There is no guarantee that the fund will be able to maintain a stable
net asset value of $1.00 per share. The rate of income will vary from day to day
generally reflecting market changes in short-term interest rates.
The fund cannot eliminate risk or assure acheivement of its objective and you
may lose money.
(Graphic -- assorted nautical flags)
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
You may be interested in the fund if you seek to earn current income while
preserving the value of your investment. The fund may serve as a temporary
investment vehicle. You may also be interested in the fund if you live in a
state or local jurisdiction that exempts the fund's dividends from taxes.
(Graphic -- ship's log)
PAST PERFORMANCE
The information on the next page shows the fund's performance for the
indicated periods through December 31, 1999. These returns include reinvestment
of all dividends and capital gain distributions, and reflect fund expenses. As
with all mutual funds, past performance does not guarantee future results.
<PAGE>
The bar chart shows how the fund's performance has varied by illustrating
the differences for each full calendar year for the past eight years.
Year-by-Year Total Return as of December 31
15%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0% 3.27% 2.53% 3.56% 5.34% 4.85% 4.84% 4.73% 4.29%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10)%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Best quarter:1.36%(2nd quarter 1995) Worst quarter:0.62%(2nd quarter 1993)
The fund's 7-day yield on December 31, 1999, was 4.69%. For the fund's
current yield call (800) 225-6265 x7750.
The fund's average annual return is compared with that of 90-day Treasury bills.
While the fund does not seek to match the returns of 90-day Treasury bills, they
are a good indicator of the performance of money market instuments.
Average Annual Returns os of December 31, 1999
1 Year 5 Years Life of the Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market Shares 4.29% 4.81% 4.23%(July 1, 1991)
90-day Treasury bills 4.83% 5.09% 4.55%
(Graphic -- two crossed anchors with a $ in the center)
FEES AND EXPENSES
The table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares
of the fund.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES Money Market Shares
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(deductly directly from fund assets)
As a shareholder in Management fee 0.35%
the fund, you do not Distribution and
pay any sales charges, service (12b-1) fees none
redemption or exchange Other Expenses 0.26%
fees. ----------------------------------------------
Total Operating Expenses 0.61%
Fee Waiver and Expense
Reimbursement(1)(2) (0.16%)
-----------------------------------------------
NET OPERATING EXPENSES 0.45%
(1)Under an expense offset arrangement, custodian fees are reduced by credits
based on the fund's average daily cash balance. Under SEC reporting
requirements, these reductions are not reflected in the net operating ratio
above. If reflected, the ratio would be:
NET OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER CUSTODIAN FEE REDUCTIONS 0.41%
(3)Under a written agreement, Wright waives a portion of its advisory fee and
assumes operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit expense ratios
to 0.45%.
The following example allows you to compare the cost of investing in the
fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds by showing what your costs
may be over time. It uses the same assumptions that other funds use in their
prospectuses: $10,000 initial investment, 5% total return for each year, fund
operating expenses remain the same for each period and redemption after the end
of each period.
Your actual costs may be higher or lower, so use this example for
comparison only. Based on these assumptions your costs at the end of each period
would be:
Example Costs
One Year Three Years Five Years Ten Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market Shares $46 $144 $252 $567
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Understanding Expenses
Annual fund operating expenses are paid by the fund. As a result, you pay for
them indirectly because they reduce the fund's return. Fund expenses include
management fees,12b-1 fees and administrative costs, such as shareholder
recordkeeping and reports, custodian and pricing services, and registration
fees.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
- ------------------------------
HOW THE FUNDS VALUE THEIR SHARES
The price at which you buy, sell or exchange fund shares is the net asset value
per share or NAV.
The NAV for each fund, except Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, is
calculated at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) each day the Exchange is open. It is not
calculated on days the Exchange is closed. The price for a purchase, redemption
or exchange of fund shares is the next NAV calculated after your order is
received.
Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund's NAV is normally calculated
three times each day the Exchange is open. Calculations are made at noon, 3:00
p.m. and as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m.
New York time). The fund's securities are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value.
The other funds calculate their share price by valuing their portfolio
securities at the last current sales price on the market where the security is
normally traded. Securities that cannot be valued at these closing prices are
valued by Wright at fair value in accordance with procedures adopted by the
trustees. This could happen if an event after the close of the market seemed
likely to have a major impact on the price of securities traded on the market.
The value of all assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies is
converted into U.S. dollars at the most recent market rates quoted by one or
more major banks shortly before the close of the Exchange. Foreign securities
trade during hours and on days when the Exchange is closed and Wright
International Blue Chip Equities Fund's NAV is not calculated. Although Wright
International Blue Chip Equities Fund's NAV may be affected, you will not be
able to purchase or redeem shares on these days.
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Determining NAV
Share price is determined by adding the value of a fund's investments, cash and
other assets, deducting liabilities, and then dividing that amount by the total
number of shares outstanding.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
PURCHASING SHARES OF WRIGHT U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The fund's transactions in money market instruments normally require
immediate settlement in federal funds. Accordingly, purchase orders for the fund
are executed at the NAV next calculated after payment in cash or federal funds
is received. Shares purchased before 3:00 p.m. receive that day's dividends.
Shares purchased between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. start to earn dividends the
next business day.
If you pay by money order or personal check, your purchase will be executed at
the close of the second business day in Boston. The minimum initial investment
is $1,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments.
PURCHASING SHARES FOR CASH - NON-MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Shares of each fund may be purchased without a sales charge at NAV. The
minimum initial investment is $1,000 for Standard Shares and $3,000,000 for
Institutional Shares. There are no minimums for subsequent investments.
WAIVER OF THE MINIMUM INITIAL INVESTMENT: The minimums may be waived for
investments by bank trust departments, 401(k) or similar tax-sheltered
retirement plans and automatic investment program accounts. The minimum initial
investment will be reduced to $500 for shares purchased through certain
investment advisers, financial planners, brokers or other intermediaries that
charge a fee for their services.
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Paying for Shares
You may pay for shares by wire, check, Federal Reserve draft, or other
negotiable bank draft, payable in U.S. dollars and drawn on U.S banks. Third
party checks will not be accepted. A charge is imposed on any returned checks.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
Authorized dealers, including investment dealers, banks or other
institutions, may impose investment minimums higher than those imposed by the
funds. They may also charge for their services. There are no charges if you
purchase your shares directly from the funds.
The funds have the right to reject any purchase order, or limit or suspend
the offering of their shares.
Buying Fund Shares
o If you are buying shares directly from the funds, please refer to your
Shareholder Manual for additional instructions on how to buy fund shares.
o If you buy shares through bank trust departments or other fiduciary
institutions, please consult your trust or investment officer.
o If you buy shares through a broker, please consult your broker for
purchase instructions.
o If you buy shares through an account with a registered investment adviser
or financial planner, please contact your investment adviser or planner.
o If you buy shares of the funds through a retirement plan, please consult
your plan documents or speak with your plan administrator.
Purchasing Shares through Exchange of Securities
You may buy shares by delivering to the funds' custodian securities that
meet that fund's investment objective and policies, have easily determined
market prices and are otherwise acceptable. Exchanged securities must have a
minimum aggregate value of $5,000. Securities are valued as of the date they are
received by the funds. If you want to exchange securities for fund shares you
should furnish a list with a full description of these securities. See the
Shareholder Manual for detailed instructions.
Distribution and Service Plans
The funds have adopted a 12b-1 plan permitting them to pay a fee to finance
the distribution of their shares. Wright Investors' Service Distributors, Inc.
(WISDI), the principal underwriter and distributor of the funds' shares,
receives a distribution fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each
fund's Standard Share class's average daily net assets. Because this fee is paid
on an ongoing basis, it may cost you more than other types of sales charges over
time.
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Service Plans
Each fund, except for Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, has adopted a
service plan. This plan allows each fund to reimburse WISDI for payments to
intermediaries for providing account administration and personal and account
maintenance services to shareholders of the funds. The combined annual service
and 12b-1 plan fee may not exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each
class of shares.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
SELLING SHARES
You may redeem or sell shares of the funds on any business day. NO
REDEMPTION REQUEST WILL BE PAID UNTIL YOUR SHARES HAVE BEEN PAID FOR IN FULL. IF
THE SHARES TO BE REDEEMED WERE PURCHASED BY CHECK, THE REDEMPTION PAYMENT WILL
BE DELAYED UNTIL THE CHECK HAS BEEN COLLECTED WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 DAYS FROM
THE DATE OF PURCHASE. Telephone and internet redemption procedures are described
in the Shareholder Manual.
Redemption requests received in "proper form" before 4:00 p.m. New York
time will be processed at that day's NAV. "Proper form" means that the fund has
received your request, all shares are paid for, and all documentation along with
any required signature guarantees, are included. The funds normally pay
redemption proceeds by check on the next business day to the address of record.
Payment will be by wire if you specified this option on your account
application. Wire redemptions from Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
received before noon will be forwarded that afternoon.
For more information about selling your shares, please refer to your
Shareholder Manual or contact your trust officer, adviser or plan administrator
for more information.
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Redemption Proviso
In times of drastic economic or market conditions, you may have difficulty
selling shares by telephone or the internet. These redemption options may be
modified or terminated without notice to shareholders.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
Redemptions In-Kind
Although the funds expect to pay redemptions in cash, they reserve the
right to redeem shares in-kind by giving shareholders readily marketable
postfolio securities instead of cash. This is done to protect the interests of
remaining shareholders. If this occurs, you will incur transaction costs if you
sell the securities.
Involuntary Redemption
If your account falls below $500 a fund may redeem your shares. You will
receive notice 60 days before this happens. Your account will not be redeemed if
the balance is below the minimum due to investment losses.
EXCHANGING SHARES
Shares of the funds may be exchanged for shares of the same class of any
other fund described in this prospectus. You may also exchange shares for shares
of The Wright EquiFund Equity Trust. The exchange of shares results in the sale
of one fund's shares and the purchase of another, normally resulting in a gain
or loss and is therefore a taxable event for you.
You are limited to four"round-trip" exchanges each year. A round-trip exchange
is an exchange of one fund into another Wright fund and then back again into the
original fund. You will receive notice 60 days before the fund materially amends
or terminates the exchange privilege.
For more information on exchanging shares, please see the Shareholder Manual or
consult your adviser.
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Market-Timers
The funds believe that use of the exchange privilege by investors utilizing
market-timing strategies adversely affects other fund shareholders. Therefore,
each fund generally will not honor requests for exchanges by shareholders who
identify themselves or are identified as "market-timers." Market-timers are
identified as those investors who repeatedly make exchanges within a short
period. The funds do not automatically redeem shares that are the subject of a
rejected exchange request,but will honor any later redemption requests.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS AND TAXES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Unless you tell us that you want to receive your distributions in cash,
they are reinvested automatically in fund shares. The funds generally make two
different kinds of distributions:
o Capital gains from the sale of portfolio securities held by a fund. Each
fund will distribute any net realized capital gains annually, normally in
December. Capital gains are the main source of distributions paid by the
equity funds.
o Net investment income from interest or dividends received on securities
held by a fund. Net investment income is the primary source of dividends
paid by the bond and money market funds.
The funds will distribute their investment income as follows:
Distributions of
Fund Net Investment Income
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund Quarterly
Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund Annually
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wright U.S. Treasury Fund Declared Daily - Paid Monthly
Wright U.S. Government Near Term Fund
Wright Total Return Bond Fund
Wright Current Income Fund
Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Tax Considerations
Unless your investment is in a tax-deferred account you may want to avoid:
o Investing in a fund near the end of its fiscal year. If the fund makes a
capital gains distribution you will receive some of your investment back as a
taxable distribution.
o Selling shares at a loss for tax purposes and then making an identical
investment within 30 days. This results in a "wash sale" and you will not be
allowed to claim a tax loss.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Tax Consequences
Buying, selling, holding or exchanging mutual fund shares may result in a gain
or a loss and is a taxable event. Distributions, whether received in cash or
additional fund shares are subject to federal income tax.
Transaction Tax Status
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income dividends Ordinary income
Short-term capital gains Ordinary income
Long-term capital gains Capital gains
Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund may be subject to foreign
withholding taxes or other foreign taxes on some of its foreign investments.
This will reduce the yield or total return on those investments
Your investment in the funds could have additional tax consequences. Please
consult your tax advisor on state, local or other applicable tax laws.
<PAGE>
MANAGING THE FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wright Investors' Service, Inc.is a leading independent international
investment management and advisory firm with more than 35 years experience.
Wright manages about $4 billion of assets in portfolios of all sizes and
styles as well as a family of mutual funds. Wright developed Worldscope(R), one
of the world's largest and most complete databases of financial information,
which currently includes more than 23,000 companies in 54 nations.
Wright manages the investments of the funds and portfolios. Wright is
located at 440 Wheelers Farms Road, Milford, CT 06460. Wright receives a
monthly advisory fee for its services. The table below lists the advisory fee
rates paid for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999:
Fee Paid
Fund as a % of average daily net assets)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selected Blue Chip Equities Portolio 0.59%
Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund 0.45%
International Blue Chip Equities Portolio 0.76%
U.S. Treasury Portolio 0.40%
U.S. Government Near Term Portolio 0.40%
Wright Total Return Bond Fund 0.41%
Current Income Portolio 0.41%
Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0.35%(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 0.19% after waiver
Investment Committee
An investment committee of senior officers controls the investment
selections, policies and procedures of the funds and the portfolios. These
officers are experienced analysts with different areas of expertise, and have
over 195 years of combined service with Wright. The investment committee
consists of the following members:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Committee Member Title Joined Wright in
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Peter M. Donovan, CFA President and Chief Executive Officer 1966
Judith R. Corchard Chairman of the investment committee 1960
Executive Vice President - Investment Management
Jatin J. Mehta, CFA Executive Vice President 1969
Michael F. Flament, CFA Senior Vice President - Investment and Economic Analysis 1972
James P. Fields, CFA Senior Vice President - Fixed Income Investments 1982
Amit S. Khandwala Senior Vice President - International Investments 1986
Charles T. Simko, Jr., CFA Senior Vice President - Investment Research 1985
Patricia J. Pierce,CFA Senior Vice President - Equities 1999
George F. Faherty, CFA Vice President - Equities 2000
</TABLE>
The investment adviser, principal underwriter and each fund and portfolio have
adopted codes of ethics governing personal securities transactions. Under the
codes, Wright employees may purchase and sell securities subject to certain
pre-clearance and reporting requirements and other procedures.
<PAGE>
Portfolio Turnover
The funds may sell a portfolio security regardless of how long the security
has been held. The funds do not intend to engage in trading for short-term
profits. However, portfolio turnover rates will vary. In the past turnover rates
have exceeded and in the future may exceed 100%. A turnover rate of 100% means
the securities owned by a fund were replaced once during the year. Higher
turnover rates may result in higher brokerage costs to the funds and in higher
net taxable gains for you as an investor, and will reduce the funds' returns.
- -----SIDE BAR TEXT-----
Administrator
Eaton Vance Management serves as the funds' administrator and is responsible for
managing their daily business affairs. Eaton Vance's services include operating
the funds' order room, recordkeeping, preparing and filing documents required to
comply with federal and state securities laws, supervising the activities of the
funds' custodian and transfer agent, providing assistance in connection with the
trustees' and shareholders' meetings and other necessary administrative
services.
- -----END SIDE BAR TEXT-----
MASTER/FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE
Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund, Wright International Blue
Chip Equities Fund, Wright U.S. Treasury Fund, Wright U.S. Government Near Term
Fund and Wright Current Income Fund are organized as "feeder" funds in a
"master/feeder" structure. This means that the funds' assets are all invested in
larger "master" portfolios of securities which have investment objectives and
policies identical to those of the funds. All references to funds in this
prospectus include the master portfolio in which each feeder fund invests all of
its assets.
If the trustees determine that it is in the best interests of the fund, a
fund may withdraw its investment in a portfolio at any time. In that event, the
fund might transfer its assets to another master fund or hire its own investment
adviser. a withdrawal could result in the fund receiving an in-kind distribution
of portfolio securities from the portfolio. In that case, the fund could incur
brokerage, tax or other charges if it converted the securities to cash. In
addition, an in-kind distribution could adversely affect the liquidity of the
fund.
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
These financial highlights will help you understand each fund's financial
performance for the periods indicated. Certain information reflects financial
results for a single fund share. Total return shows how much your investment in
the fund increased or decreased during each period, assuming you reinvested all
dividends and distributions. Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public
accountants, audited this information. Their reports are included in the funds'
annual report, which is available upon request.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year.......... $ 17.630 $ 19.200 $ 17.730 $ 16.830 $ 13.850
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income(*)............... $ 0.181 $ 0.095 $ 0.133 $ 0.204 $ 0.226
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.638 (0.139) 5.172 2.886 3.904
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total income (loss)
from investment operations......... $ 0.819 $ (0.044) $ 5.305 $ 3.090 $ 4.130
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less distributions:
Dividends from investment income....... $ (0.055) $ (0.090) $ (0.145) $ (0.200) $ (0.200)
Distributions from capital gains....... (3.264) (1.366) (3.690) (1.990) (0.840)
In excess of net realized gain on investments - (0.070) - - (0.110)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total distributions................ $ (3.319) $ (1.526) $ (3.835) $ (2.190) $ (1.150)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year................ $ 15.130 $ 17.630 $ 19.200 $ 17.730 $ 16.830
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total return(1)............................. 5.75% 0.14% 32.70% 18.57% 30.34%
Ratios/Supplemental Data(*):
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted).. $ 74,547 $ 220,965 $ 259,411 $ 208,166 $217,588
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 1.16%(3) 1.11%(3) 1.08%(3) 1.04% 1.04%
Ratio of net expenses after custodian fee
reduction to average net assets..... 0.32% - - - -
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets.......................... 0.36% 0.46% 0.75% 1.15% 1.44%
Portfolio turnover rate .............. 106%(4) 78%(4) 10%(2) 43%(2) 44%(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
* For the year ended December 31, 1999, the distributor reduced its fees. Had
such action not been undertaken, net investment income per share and the
ratios would have been as follows:
1999
Net investment income per share........ $ 0.161
==========
Ratios (As a percentage of average net assets):
Expenses........................... 1.20%(3)
==========
Expenses after custodian fee reduction(5) 0.36%
==========
Net investment income.............. 0.32%
==========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
invested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
2 Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period
while the fund was making investments directly in securities.
3 Includes the fund's share of its corresponding portfolio's allocated expenses.
4 Represents portfolio turnover rate of the fund's corresponding portfolio.
5 Custodian fees were reduced by credits resulting from cash balances the
portfolio maintained with the custodian (Note 1D). The computation of net
expenses to average daily net assets reported above is computed without
consideration of such credits.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund 1999(4) 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares
----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year.......... $ 13.670 $ 12.020 $ 12.450 $ 12.650 $ 11.390
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income(1)............... $ 0.042 $ 0.091 $ 0.100 $ 0.064 $ 0.153
Net realized and unrealized gain....... 3.202 2.324 3.515 2.131 3.107
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total income
from investment operations......... $ 3.244 $ 2.415 $ 3.615 $ 2.195 $ 3.260
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less distributions:
Dividends from investment income....... $ (0.039) $ (0.055) $ (0.085) $ (0.120) $ (0.160)
In excess of investment income......... (0.006) - - - -
Distributions from capital gains....... (0.579) (0.710) (3.960) (2.275) (1.840)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total distributions................ $ (0.624) $ (0.765) $ (4.045) $ (2.395) $ (2.000)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year................ $ 16.290 $ 13.670 $ 12.020 $ 12.450 $ 12.650
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total Return(3)............................. 23.87% 20.43% 33.86% 17.63% 28.98%
Ratios/Supplemental Data1:
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted).. $144,359 $ 50,878 $ 27,721 $ 25,815 $ 49,134
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 1.05% 1.07% 1.08% 1.08% 1.07%
Ratio of net expenses after custodian fee
reduction to average net assets(2).. - 1.05% 1.05% 1.05% 1.05%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets ......................... 0.27% 0.49% 0.68% 0.90% 1.19%
Portfolio turnover rate................ 59% 36% 89% 45% 83%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
1 For the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the
distributor and/or investment adviser reduced their fees. Had such action not
been undertaken, net investment income per share and the ratios would have
been as follows:
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income per share........ $ 0.034 $ 0.052 $ 0.049 $ 0.061 $ 0.150
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Ratios (As a percentage of average net assets):
Expenses........................... 1.10% 1.28% 1.43% 1.12% 1.09%
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Expenses after custodian fee reduction2 - 1.26% 1.40% 1.09% 1.07%
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Net investment income.............. 0.22% 0.28% 0.33% 0.86% 1.17%
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Custodian fees were reduced by credits resulting from cash balances the fund
maintained with the custodian (Note 1D). The computation of net expenses to
average daily net assets reported above is computed without consideration of
such credits.
3 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
invested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
4 Certain per share amounts are based on average shares outstanding.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Year Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------
Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund 1999(++)(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Shares
Net asset value, beginning of year.......... $ 10.000
--------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income1 ................ $ 0.001
Net realized and unrealized gain....... 0.688
--------
Total income
from investment operations......... $ 0.689
--------
Less distributions:
Distributions from capital gains....... $ (0.267)
Distributions in excess of capital gains (0.312)
--------
Total distributions................ $ (0.579)
--------
Net asset value, end of year................ $ 10.110
==========
Total Return(2)............................. 7.26%
Ratios/Supplemental Data(1):
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted).. $ 2,037
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 1.19%(+)
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets ......................... 0.02%(+)
Portfolio turnover rate................ 59%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 For the year ended December 31, 1999, the administrator reduced its fee. Had
such action not been undertaken, net investment loss per share and the ratios
would have been as follows:
1999(++)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss per share.......... $ (0.001)
==========
Ratios (As a percentage of average net assets):
Expenses........................... 1.22%(+)
==========
Net investment loss................ (0.01%)(+)
==========
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
invested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
3 Certain per share amounts are based upon average shares outstanding.
+ Annualized.
++ For the period from July 14, 1999 (inception of offering Institutional
shares) to December 31, 1999.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund 1999(5) 1998 1997 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares
-----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year.......... $16.020 $16.020 $16.690 $14.770 $13.090
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) .......... $ (0.004) $ 0.078 $ 0.185 $ 0.128 $ 0.142
Net realized and unrealized gain....... 5.181 0.868 0.048+ 2.902 1.638
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total income
from investment operations......... $ 5.177 $ 0.946 $ 0.233 $ 3.030 $ 1.780
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Less distributions:
Dividends from investment income....... $ - $ (0.070) $ (0.163) $ (0.100) $ (0.100)
Distributions from capital gains....... (2.297) (0.876) (0.740) (1.010) -
Return of capital...................... - - - - -
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total distributions................ $ (2.297) $ (0.946) $ (0.903) $ (1.110) $ (0.100)
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net asset value, end of year................ $18.900 $16.020 $16.020 $16.690 $14.770
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total return(1)............................. 34.26% 6.14% 1.54% 20.73% 13.61%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted).. $147,610 $193,327 $212,698 $268,732 $237,176
Ratio of total expenses to average daily net assets 1.49%(3) 1.35%(3) 1.31%(3) 1.30% 1.29%
Ratio of net investment income to average daily
net assets.......................... 0.02% 0.42%(+) 0.82% 0.82% 0.99%
Portfolio turnover rate .............. 105%(4) 66%(4) 4%(2) 29%(2) 12%(2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
1 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
invested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
2 Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period
while the fund was making investments directly in securities.
3 Includes the fund's share of its corresponding portfolio's allocated expenses.
4 Represents portfolio turnover rate of the fund's corresponding portfolio.
5 Certain per share amounts are based on average shares outstanding.
+ Per share amount is not in accordance with the net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) for the period because of the timing of sales of fund shares and
the amounts per share realized and unrealized gains and losses at such times.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund 1999(4) 1998 1997(*)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Shares
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year.......... $ 8.750 $ 9.130 $ 10.000
-------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
Net investment income ................. $ 0.014 $ 0.159 $ 0.006
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 2.693 0.487 (0.646)(+)
-------- -------- --------
Total income (loss)
from investment operations......... $ 2.707 $ 0.646 $ (0.640)
-------- -------- --------
Less distributions:
Dividends from investment income....... $ - $ (0.150) $ -
Distributions from capital gains....... (2.297) (0.876) (0.230)
Return of capital...................... - - -
-------- -------- --------
Total distribution................. $ (2.297) $ (1.026) $ (0.230)
-------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year................ $ 9.160 $ 8.750 $ 9.130
========= ========= =========
Total return(1)............................. 34.49% 7.54% (6.37%)
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted).. $ 24,254 $ 18,511 $ 45,094
Ratio of total expenses to average daily
net assets........................... 1.28%(2) 1.12%(2) 1.16%(2)(++)
Ratio of net investment income to average daily
net assets........................... 0.16% 0.73% 0.15%(++)
Portfolio turnover rate................ 105%(3) 66%(3) 4%(5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
1 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
invested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
2 Includes the fund's share of its corresponding portfolio's allocated expenses.
3 Represents portfolio turnover rate of the fund's corresponding portfolio.
4 Certain per share amounts are based on average shares outstanding.
5 Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period
while the fund was making investments directly in securities.
+ Per share amount is not in accordance with the net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) for the period because of the timing of sales of fund shares and
the amounts per share realized and unrealized gains and losses at such times.
++ Annualized.
* For the period from July 7, 1997 (inception of offering institutional shares)
to December 31, 1997.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WRIGHT U.S. TREASURY FUND 1999 1998 1997 1996(3) 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year.......... $ 14.400 $ 13.950 $ 13.580 $ 14.710 $ 12.250
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income(1)................. $ 0.722 $ 0.724 $ 0.721 $ 0.769 $ 0.880
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).. (1.282) 0.632 0.462 (0.973) 2.458
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total income (loss)
from investment operations............. $ (0.560) $ 1.356 $ 1.183 $ (0.204) $ 3.338
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less distributions:
Dividends from investment income......... $ (0.716) $ (0.741) $ (0.703) $ (0.756) $ (0.878)
Distributions from capital gains......... (0.234) (0.165) (0.110) (0.170) -
Return of capital........................ - - - - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total distributions.................... $ (0.950) $ (0.906) $ (0.813) $ (0.926) $ (0.878)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year................ $ 12.890 $ 14.400 $ 13.950 $ 13.580 $ 14.710
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Total return(2)............................. (3.97%) 9.95% 9.09% (1.23%) 28.18%
Ratios/Supplemental Data(1):
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted).... $ 31,192 $ 67,256 $ 74,158 $ 54,978 $ 15,156
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets 0.92%(5) 0.94%(5) 1.01%(5) 0.90% 0.90%
Ratio of net expenses after custodian fee
reduction to average net assets(6).. 0.90%(5) 0.90%(5) 0.87%(5) - -
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets............... 5.26% 5.09% 5.34% 5.50% 6.60%
Portfolio turnover rate ................ 0%(7) 7%(7) 1%(4) 65%(4) 8%(4)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
1 For each of the periods presented, the operating expenses of the fund were
reduced by an allocation of expenses to the investment adviser, a reduction
in distribution fees by the distributor, a reduction in administrator fees,
or a combination thereof. Had such action not been undertaken, the net
investment income per share and the ratios would have been as follows:
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income per share............. $ 0.703 $ 0.721 $ 0.720 $ 0.769 $ 0.827
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
Expenses .............................. 1.06%(5) 0.96%(5) 1.02%(5) 0.90% 1.20%
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Expenses after custodian fee reduction(6) 1.04%(5) 0.92%(5) 0.88%(5) - -
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Net investment income.................... 5.12% 5.07% 5.33% 5.50% 6.20%
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each year reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
reinvested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
3 Certain of the per share data are based on average shares outstanding.
4 Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period
while the fund was making investments directly in securities.
5 Includes the fund's share of its corresponding portfolio's allocated expenses.
6 Custodian fees were reduced by credits resulting from cash balances the fund
and the portfolio maintained with the custodian (Note 1C). The computation of
net expenses to average daily net assets reported above is computed without
consideration of such credits, in accordance with reporting regulations in
effect beginning in 1995.
7 Represents portfolio turnover rate of the fund's corresponding portfolio.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WRIGHT U.S. GOVERNMENT NEAR TERM FUND 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year.......... $ 10.270 $ 10.240 $ 10.240 $ 10.450 $ 9.920
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income(1)................. $ 0.534 $ 0.549 $ 0.599 $ 0.606 $ 0.631
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).. (0.343) 0.048(+) (0.010) (0.212) 0.524
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total income from
investment operations............... $ 0.191 $ 0.597 $ 0.589 $ 0.394 $ 1.155
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less distributions:
Dividends from investment income....... $ (0.531) $ (0.567) $ (0.589) $ (0.604) $ (0.625)
Distributions from capital gains....... - - - - -
Return of capital...................... - - - - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total distributions.................... $ (0.531) $ (0.567) $ (0.589) $ (0.604) $ (0.625)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year................ $ 9.930 $ 10.270 $ 10.240 $ 10.240 $ 10.450
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Total return(2)............................. 1.91% 5.98% 5.93% 3.91% 11.93%
Ratios/Supplemental Data(1)
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted).... $ 52,825 $ 91,922 $ 102,565 $ 130,325 $143,600
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 0.91%(4) 0.88%(4) 0.87%(4) 0.80% 0.80%
Ratio of expenses after custodian fee
reduction to average net assets(5).... 0.90%(4) 0.87%(4) - - -
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets............................ 5.27% 5.38% 5.82% 5.90% 6.20%
Portfolio turnover rate ................ 0%(6) 10%(6) 4%(3) 28%(3) 21%(3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
1 For certain periods presented, the operating expenses of the fund were
reduced by an allocation of expenses to the investment adviser, a reduction
in distribution fees, a reduction in administrator fees, or a combination
thereof. Had such action not been undertaken, net investment income per share
and the ratios would have been as follows:
1999 1998 1997
------------------------------------------------
Net investment income per share........ $ 0.526 $ 0.546 $ 0.597
========= ========= =========
Ratios (As a percentage of average net assets):
Expenses........................... 0.99%(4) 0.91%(4) 0.89%(4)
========= ========= =========
Expenses after custodian fee reduction(5) 0.98%(4) 0.90%(4) -
========= ========= =========
Net investment income.............. 5.19% 5.35% 5.80%
========= ========= =========
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each year reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
reinvested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
3 Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period
while the fund was making investments directly in securities.
4 Includes the fund's share of its corresponding portfolio's allocated expenses.
5 Custodian fees were reduced by credits resulting from cash balances the fund
and the portfolio maintained with the custodian (Note 1C). The computation of
net expenses to average daily net assets reported above is computed without
consideration of such credits.
6 Represents portfolio turnover rate of the fund's corresponding portfolio.
+ Per share amount is not in accordance with the net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) for the period because of the timing of sales of Fund shares and
the amounts per share of realized and unrealized gains and losses at such
times.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WRIGHT TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND 1999 1998 1997 1996(3) 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year.......... $ 13.310 $ 12.930 $ 12.500 $ 13.120 $ 11.430
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income ................... $ 0.679 $ 0.680 $ 0.690 $ 0.720 $ 0.758
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).. (1.190) 0.524 0.427 (0.631) 1.685
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total income (loss)
from investment operations............. $ (0.511) $ 1.204 $ 1.117 $ 0.089 $ 2.443
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less distributions:
Dividends from investment income......... $ (0.680) $ (0.690) $ (0.687) $ (0.709) $ (0.753)
Dividends in excess of net investment income (0.000)(4) - - - -
Distributions from capital gains......... (0.011) (0.133) - - -
In excess of net realized gain on investments (0.008) (0.001) - - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total distributions.................... $ (0.699) $ (0.824) $ (0.687) $ (0.709) $ (0.753)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year................ $ 12.100 $ 13.310 $ 12.930 $ 12.500 $ 13.120
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Total return(2)............................. (3.91%) 9.56% 9.25% 0.87% 21.97%
Ratios/Supplemental Data(1)
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted).... $ 87,336 $115,937 $ 80,004 $ 91,382 $122,762
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 0.90% 0.90% 0.90% 0.80% 0.80%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets............................ 5.36% 5.18% 5.50% 5.70% 6.20%
Portfolio turnover rate.................. 31% 26% 34% 96% 50%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
1 For the year ended December 31, 1999, the investment adviser reduced its fee.
Had such action not been undertaken, net investment income per share and the
ratios would have been as follows:
1999
Net investment income per share........ $ 0.678
=========
Ratios (As a percentage of average net assets):
Expenses........................... 0.91%
=========
Net investment income.............. 5.35%
=========
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each year reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
reinvested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
3 Certain of the per share data are based on average shares outstanding.
4 Represents less than $(0.001) per share.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WRIGHT CURRENT INCOME FUND 1999(5) 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Shares
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year.......... $ 10.660 $ 10.630 $ 10.430 $ 10.670 $ 9.710
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income(1)................. $ 0.620 $ 0.646 $ 0.658 $ 0.674 $ 0.696
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).. (0.570) 0.028 0.206 (0.239) 0.955
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total income from
investment operations............. $ 0.050 $ 0.674 $ 0.864 $ 0.435 $ 1.651
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less distributions:
Dividends from investment income......... $ (0.620) $ (0.643) $ (0.664) $ (0.675) $ (0.691)
Distributions from capital gains......... - - - - -
In excess of net investment income....... - (0.001) - - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total distributions.................. $ (0.620) $ (0.644) $ (0.664) $ (0.675) $ (0.691)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year................ $ 10.090 $ 10.660 $ 10.630 $ 10.430 $ 10.670
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Total return(2)............................. 0.52% 6.51% 8.56% 4.31% 17.46%
Ratios/Supplemental Data(1)
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted).... $ 76,452 $ 90,262 $ 76,217 $ 64,623 $66,345
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets 0.91%(4) 0.90%(4) 0.89%(4) 0.90%(4) 0.90%(4)
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets................. 6.02% 6.03% 6.44% 6.50% 6.80%
Portfolio turnover rate ................. 0%(6) 1%(6) 3%(3) 9%(3) 26%(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
1 For the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, the distributor and/or
the administrator reduced its fees. Had such action not been undertaken, net
investment income per share and the ratios would have been as follows:
1999 1998 1997
---------- ------- ----------
Net investment income per share........ $ 0.615 $ 0.644 $ 0.652
========= ========= =========
Ratios (As a percentage of average net assets):
Expenses........................... 0.96%(4) 0.92%(4) 0.95%(4)
========= ========= =========
Net investment income.............. 5.97% 6.01% 6.38%
========= ========= =========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
reinvested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
3 Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period
while the fund was making investments directly in securities.
4 Includes the fund's share of its corresponding portfolio's allocated expenses.
5 Certain of the per share data are based on average shares outstanding.
6 Represents portfolio turnover rate at the fund's corresponding portfolio.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wright Current Income Fund - continued 1999(5) 1998 1997(*)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Shares
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year.......... $ 10.150 $ 10.120 $ 10.000
-------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .................. $ 0.620 $ 0.619 $ 0.313
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).. (0.560) 0.026 0.120
-------- -------- --------
Total income from
investment operations............. $ 0.060 $ 0.645 $ 0.433
-------- -------- --------
Less distributions:
Dividends from investment income......... $ (0.610) $ (0.615) $ (0.313)(4)
Distributions from capital gains......... - - -
Return of capital........................ - - -
-------- -------- --------
Total distributions.................. $ (0.610) $ (0.615) $ (0.313)
-------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year................ $ 9.600 $ 10.150 $ 10.120
========= ========= =========
Total return(1)............................. 0.60% 6.56% 4.40%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted).... $ 23,374 $ 23,231 $ 21,801
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets 0.70%(2) 0.75%(2) 0.48%(2)(3)
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets................. 6.23% 6.11% 4.70%(3)
Portfolio turnover rate ................. 0%(6) 1%(6) 3%(7)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
1 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
reinvested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
2 Includes the fund's share of its corresponding portfolio's allocated expenses.
3 Annualized.
4 Includes distribution in excess of net investment income of $0.00001 per share.
5 Certain of the per share data are based on average shares outstanding.
6 Represents portfolio turnover rate at the fund's corresponding portfolio.
7 Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period
while the fund was making investments directly in securities.
* For the period from July 7, 1997 (inception of offering of institutional
shares) to December 31, 1997.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WRIGHT U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year............. $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income(1) ................... 0.0420 0.0460 0.04739 0.04745 0.05212
Less distributions:
Dividends from net Investment income........ (0.0420) (0.0460) (0.04739) (0.04745) (0.05212)
Distributions from capital gains............ - - - - -
Return of capital........................... - - - - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total distributions......................... (0.0420) (0.0460) (0.04739) (0.04745) (0.05212)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year................... $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Total return(2)................................ 4.29% 4.73% 4.84% 4.85% 5.34%
Ratios/Supplemental Data(1)
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)....... $62,527 $91,323 $87,059 $95,184 $45,889
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets 0.45% 0.45% 0.45% 0.45%(3) 0.46%(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 4.19% 4.61% 4.74% 4.73% 5.22%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
1 During each of the above periods, the investment adviser voluntarily reduced
its fee and in certain periods was allocated a portion of the operating
expenses. Had such actions not been undertaken, net investment income per
share and the ratios would have been as follows:
Net investment income per share................ $0.0402 $0.0444 $0.04599 $0.04524 $0.05120
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):
Expenses.................................... 0.63% 0.61% 0.59% 0.67% 0.65%
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Net investment income ...................... 4.01% 4.45% 4.60% 4.51% 5.03%
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset
value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of
each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed to be
reinvested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date.
3 Custodian fees were reduced by credits resulting from cash balances the fund
maintained with the custodian (Note 1C). The computation of net expenses to
average daily net assets reported above is computed without consideration of
such credits. If these credits were considered, the ratio of net expenses to
average daily net assets would have been as follows:
1996 1995
-------------------
Actual ratio of net expenses 0.44% 0.45%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Additional information about the funds' investments is available in the funds'
semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders. The funds' annual report
contains a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that
affected the funds' performance over the past year.
You may want to read the statement of additional information (SAI) for more
information on the funds and the securities they invest in. The SAI is
incorporated into this prospectus by reference, which means that it is
considered to be part of the prospectus.
You can get free copies of the semi-annual and annual reports and the SAI,
request other information or get answers to your questions about the funds by
writing or calling:
Wright Investors' Service Distributors, Inc.
440 Wheelers Farms Road
Milford, CT 06460
(800) 888-9471
E-mail: [email protected]
Copies of documents and application forms can be viewed and downloaded from
Wright's website: www.wrightinvestors.com.
Text-only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or downloaded
from the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain copies by
visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington DC. For information on
the operation of the Public Reference Room, call (800) SEC-0330. Copies of
documents may also be obtained by sending your request and the appropriate
duplicating fee to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102
or by electronic mail at [email protected].
Investment Company Act file numbers:
The Wright Managed Equity Trust..........................811-03489
The Wright Managed Income Trust..........................811-03668
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
STANDARD SHARES
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
MONEY MARKET SHARES
May 1, 2000
THE WRIGHT MANAGED BLUE CHIP INVESTMENT FUNDS
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST
Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund
Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund
Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund
and
THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST
Wright U.S. Treasury Fund
Wright U.S. Government Near Term Fund
Wright Total Return Bond Fund
Wright Current Income Fund
Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
255 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
The Funds and their Investment Policies....................2
The Wright Managed Equity Trust.......................2
The Wright Managed Income Trust.......................4
Additional Investment Policies and Other Information.......5
Additional Information about the Trusts
and the Portfolio Trust...............................9
Investment Restrictions...................................10
Officers and Trustees.....................................11
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Shares...........14
Investment Advisory and Administrative Services...........16
Custodian and Transfer Agent..............................18
Independent Certified Public Accountants..................18
Brokerage Allocation......................................18
Pricing of Shares.........................................19
Principal Underwriter.....................................20
Service Plans.............................................21
Calculation of Performance and Yield Quotations...........22
Taxes.....................................................24
Financial Statements......................................25
APPENDIX..................................................26
This combined Statement of Additional Information is NOT a prospectus and is
authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or
accompanied by the current combined Prospectus of the funds in The Wright
Managed Equity Trust and The Wright Managed Income Trust (the "Trusts"), dated
May 1, 2000, as supplemented from time to time, which is incorporated herein by
reference. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge from Wright
Investors' Service Distributors, Inc., 440 Wheelers Farms Road, Milford, CT
06460 (Telephone: (800) 888-9471) or from the World Wide Web site
(http://www.wrightinvestors.com). Although each fund offers only its shares of
beneficial interest, it is possible that a fund might become liable for a
misstatement or omission in this Statement of Additional Information regarding
another fund because the funds use this combined Statement of Additional
Information. The Trustees of the Trusts have considered this factor in approving
the use of a combined Statement of Additional Information.
<PAGE>
THE FUNDS AND THEIR INVESTMENT POLICIES
Each fund is a diversified series of an open-end management investment
company.
The market price of securities held by the funds and the net asset value of
each fund's shares will fluctuate in response to stock or bond market
developments and, for WIBC, currency rate fluctuations. Capitalized terms used
in this Statement of Additional Information have the same meaning as in the
Prospectus.
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST
The Wright Managed Equity Trust (the "Equity Trust") consists of three
equity funds: Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund (WBC), Wright Major Blue
Chip Equities Fund (WMBC), and Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund
(WIBC) (the "Equity funds").
The objective of each Equity fund is described in the Prospectus. There is
no guarantee that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Securities
selected for each fund or portfolio are drawn from an investment list prepared
by Wright Investors' Service, Inc. ("Wright" or "Investment Adviser"), and known
as The Approved Wright Investment List (the "AWIL") and the International
Approved Wright Investment List (the "International AWIL").
All companies on the AWIL or International AWIL are, in the opinion of
Wright, soundly financed "Blue Chips" with established records of earnings
profitability and equity growth. All have established investment acceptance and
active, liquid markets for their publicly owned shares.
APPROVED WRIGHT INVESTMENT LIST (AWIL). Wright systematically reviews about
10,000 U.S. companies in its proprietary database in order to identify those
which pass the minimum standards of prudence (e.g., the value of the company's
assets and shareholders' equity exceeds certain minimum standards) and thus are
suitable for consideration by fiduciary investors. Companies which meet these
requirements (about 4,000 companies) are considered by Wright to be of
"investment grade." They may be large or small, may have their securities traded
on exchanges or over the counter, and may include companies not currently paying
dividends on their shares. These companies are then subjected to extensive
analysis and evaluation in order to identify those which meet Wright's standards
of investment quality or are leaders in their industry. Only those companies
meeting or exceeding these standards are assigned a Wright Quality Rating and
are eligible for selection by the Wright Investment Committee for inclusion in
the AWIL. The AWIL will normally be made of about 350 companies.
WRIGHT SELECTED BLUE CHIP EQUITIES FUND (WBC). This fund seeks to achieve
its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a
corresponding portfolio that has the same investment objective as the fund. The
portfolio invests only in those companies whose current operations reflect
defined, quantified characteristics which have been identified by Wright as
being likely to provide comparatively superior total investment return. The
process selects companies from the quality companies on the AWIL on the basis of
Wright's evaluation of their recent valuation and price/earnings momentum. These
selections are further reviewed to determine those that have the best value in
terms of current price and current, as well as forecasted, earnings.
Capitalization of companies selected is not a consideration. Companies may be
mid cap or large. Professional investment personnel characterize Wright Selected
Blue Chip Equities Fund as a blend of growth and value. The fund's benchmark is
the Standard & Poor's Mid-Cap 400 Index (S&P Mid-Cap 400).
The disciplines which determine sale include preventing individual holdings
from exceeding 2 times their normal value position in this portfolio, preventing
the retention of the securities of any company which no longer meets the
standards of the AWIL, and portfolio holdings which cease to meet the outlook
criteria described above. The disciplines which determine purchase provide that
new funds, income from securities currently held, and proceeds of sales of
securities will be used to increase those positions which at current market
values are the further below their normal target values and to purchase
companies which become eligible for the portfolio.
The portfolio will, under normal market conditions, invest at least 80% of
its net assets in Selected Blue Chip equity securities, including common stocks,
preferred stocks and securities convertible into stock. This is a fundamental
policy that can only be changed with shareholder approval. However, for
temporary defensive purposes the portfolio may hold cash or invest without limit
in the short-term debt securities described under "Additional Investment
Policies and Other Information - Defensive Investments."
<PAGE>
WRIGHT MAJOR BLUE CHIP EQUITIES FUND (WMBC). This fund seeks to enhance
total investment return (consisting of price appreciation plus income) by
providing management of a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of
larger well-established companies meeting strict quality standards. The fund
will, through continuous professional investment supervision by Wright, pursue
these objectives by investing in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of
what are believed to be high-quality, well-established and profitable companies.
The fund will, under normal market conditions, invest at least 80% of its
net assets in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and
securities convertible into stock. This is a fundamental policy that can only be
changed with shareholder approval. However, for temporary defensive purposes the
fund may hold cash or invest without limit in the short-term debt securities
described under "Additional Investment Policies and Other Information -
Defensive Investments."
This fund is quality oriented and is suitable for a total equity account or
as a base portfolio for accounts with multiple objectives. Investment, except
for temporary defensive investments, will be made solely in larger companies on
the AWIL. In selecting companies from the AWIL for this portfolio, the
Investment Committee of Wright selects, based on quantitative formulae, those
companies which are expected to do better over the intermediate term. The
quantitative formulae take into consideration factors such as over/under
valuation and compatibility with current market trends. The fund's benchmark is
the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500).
The disciplines which determine sale include preventing individual holdings
from exceeding 2-1/2 times their normal value position in this fund and
requiring the sale of the securities of any company which no longer meets the
standards of the AWIL. Also, portfolio holdings which fall in the unfavorable
category based on the quantitative formulae described above are generally sold.
The disciplines which determine purchase provide that new funds, income from
securities currently held, and proceeds of sales of securities will be used to
increase those positions which at current market are the furthest below their
normal target values and to purchase companies which become eligible for the
portfolio as described above.
THE INTERNATIONAL APPROVED WRIGHT INVESTMENT LIST (International AWIL) .
Wright systematically reviews approximately 13,000 non-U.S. companies from 54
countries contained in the Worldscope(R) database in order to identify those
which, on the basis of at least five years of audited records, pass the minimum
standards of prudence (e.g., the value of the companies assets and shareholders'
equity exceeds certain minimum standards and its operations have been profitable
during the last three years) and thus are suitable for consideration by
fiduciary investors. Companies which meet these requirements (about 4,000
companies) are considered by Wright to be suitable for prudent investment. They
may be large or small, may have their securities traded on exchanges or over the
counter, and may include companies not currently paying dividends on their
shares. These approximately 4,000 companies are then subjected to extensive
analysis and evaluation in order to identify those which meet Wright's standards
of investment quality or are leaders in their industry. Only those companies
meeting or exceeding these standards (a subset of the 4,000 companies considered
for prudent investment) are assigned a Wright Quality Rating and are eligible
for selection by the Wright Investment Committee for inclusion in the
International AWIL.
WRIGHT INTERNATIONAL BLUE CHIP EQUITIES FUND (WIBC). This fund seeks to
achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in
a corresponding portfolio that has the same investment objective as the fund.
The portfolio will, through continuous professional investment supervision by
Wright, pursue its objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity
securities of high-quality, well-established and profitable non-U.S. companies
having their principal business activities in at least three different countries
outside the United States.
The portfolio, under normal market conditions, will invest at least 80% of
its net assets in International Blue Chip equity securities, including common
stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into stock. This is a
fundamental policy that can only be changed with shareholder approval.
International Blue Chip equity securities are those included in the
International AWIL, as described above. However, for temporary defensive
purposes the portfolio may hold cash or invest without limit in the short-term
debt securities described under "Additional Investment Policies and Other
Information -- Defensive Investments."
The portfolio may purchase equity securities traded on a securities market
of the country in which the company is located or other foreign securities
exchanges, or it may purchase American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") traded in
the United States. Investing in the fund may be suitable for investors wishing
to diversify their portfolios by investing in non-U.S. companies or for
investors who simply wish to participate in non-U.S. investments. Although the
fund's and the portfolio's net asset values will be calculated in U.S. dollars,
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may affect the value of an
investment in the portfolio and the fund.
The disciplines which determine sale include disposing of equity securities
of any company which no longer meets the quality standards of the International
AWIL. The disciplines which determine purchase provide that new funds, income
from the securities held by the portfolio and proceeds of sales of the
securities held by the portfolio will be used to increase those positions which
at current market value are the furthest below their normal target values.
<PAGE>
THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST
The Wright Managed Income Trust (the "Income Trust") consists of four fixed
income funds: Wright U.S. Treasury Fund (WUSTB), Wright U.S. Government Near
Term Fund (WNTB), Wright Total Return Bond Fund (WTRB), and Wright Current
Income Fund (WCIF) (the "Income Funds"), and a money market fund, Wright U.S.
Treasury Money Market Fund.
Each fund seeks to achieve its objective through the investment policies
described below.
WRIGHT U.S. TREASURY FUND (WUSTB) . This fund seeks to achieve its
investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a
corresponding portfolio that has the same investment objective as the fund. U.S.
Treasury Portfolio ("USTP") invests in U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds.
Under normal market conditions, the portfolio will invest substantially all, but
in any case at least 65%, of its total assets in such U.S. Treasury obligations
and in repurchase agreements with respect to such obligations. The portfolio
will not invest in mortgage-related securities. The fund's benchmark is the
Lehman U.S. Treasury Bond Index.
WRIGHT U.S. GOVERNMENT NEAR TERM FUND (WNTB) . This fund seeks to achieve
its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a
corresponding portfolio that has the same investment objective as the fund. U.S.
Government Near Term Portfolio ("USGNTP") invests in U.S. Government obligations
with an average weighted maturity of less than five years. The U.S. Government
securities in which the portfolio may invest include direct obligations of the
U.S. Government, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury;
obligations of U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities secured by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, such as securities, including
pass-through securities, of the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA)
or the Export-Import Bank; obligations secured by the right to borrow from the
U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by the Federal Financing Bank or the
Student Loan Marketing Association; and obligations backed only by the credit of
the government agency itself, such as securities of the Federal Home Loan Bank,
the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC).
The portfolio may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to any
securities in which it may invest. This fund is designed to appeal to the
investor seeking a high level of income that is normally somewhat less variable
and normally somewhat higher than that available from short-term U.S. Government
money market securities and who is also seeking to limit fluctuation of capital
(i.e. compared with longer term U.S. Government securities).
WRIGHT TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND (WTRB) . The fund invests in bonds or other
investment-grade debt securities selected by the Investment Adviser with a
weighted average maturity that, in the Investment Adviser's judgment, produces
the best total return, i.e., the highest total of ordinary income plus capital
appreciation. There are no limits on the minimum or maximum weighted average
maturity of the fund's portfolio or on the maturity of any individual security.
Accordingly, investment selections may differ depending on the particular phase
of the interest rate cycle. This fund may invest in U.S. Government and agency
obligations, certificates of deposit of federally insured banks and corporate
obligations rated at the date of investment "BBB" or better (investment grade)
by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's") or, if not rated by such rating organizations, of comparable quality
as determined by Wright pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees. In
any case, they must also meet Wright Quality Rating Standards. The fund will
dispose of securities downgraded below BBB. The fund's benchmark is the Lehman
U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.
WRIGHT CURRENT INCOME FUND (WCIF) . This fund seeks to achieve its
investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a
corresponding portfolio that has the same investment objective as the fund.
Current Income Portfolio ("CIP") invests primarily in debt obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities,
mortgage-related securities of governmental or corporate issuers and corporate
debt securities. The U.S. Government securities in which the portfolio may
invest include direct obligations of the U.S. Government, such as bills, notes,
and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; obligations of U.S. Government agencies
and instrumentalities secured by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury,
such as securities of GNMA or the Export-Import Bank; obligations secured by the
right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by the Federal
Financing Bank or the Student Loan Marketing Association; and obligations backed
only by the credit of the government agency itself, such as securities of
Federal Home Loan Bank, FNMA and FHLMC.
The portfolio may invest in mortgage-related securities issued by certain
of the agencies or federally chartered corporations listed above. These include
mortgage-backed securities of GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, debentures and short-term
notes issued by FNMA and collateralized mortgage obligations issued by FHLMC.
These securities are backed by a pool of mortgages which pass through to
investors the principal and interest payments of homeowners. Ginnie Mae
guarantees that investors will receive timely principal payments even if
homeowners do not make their mortgage payments on time. See "Additional
Investment Policies and Other Information - Mortgage-Related Securities" on page
8.
<PAGE>
The corporate debt securities in which the portfolio may invest include
commercial paper and other short-term instruments rated A-1 by S&P or P-1 by
Moody's. The portfolio may invest in unrated debt securities if these are
determined by Wright pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees to be of
a quality comparable to that of the rated securities in which the portfolio may
invest. All of the corporate debt securities purchased by the portfolio must
meet Wright Quality Rating Standards.
Wright may allocate assets among different market sectors (such as agency
securities, U.S. government and Treasury securities, and corporate debt
securities) with different maturities based on its view of the relative value of
each sector or maturity. In buying and selling securities for the portfolio,
Wright analyzes a security's structural features, current price compared with
its estimated long-term price, and the credit quality of its issuer.
The portfolio may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to any
securities in which it may invest.
WRIGHT U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND (WTMM) . The fund's objective is to
provide as high a rate of current income as possible consistent with the
preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity. The fund will pursue its
objective by investing exclusively in securities of the U.S. Government and its
agencies that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
("U.S. Treasury securities") and in repurchase agreements relating to such
securities. At least 80% of the fund's assets will be invested in direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury, including Treasury bills, notes and bonds,
which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance. Up
to 20% of the fund's assets may be held in cash or invested in repurchase
agreements.
The fund will limit its portfolio to investments maturing in 13 months or
less and maintains a weighted average maturity of not more than 90 days. The
fund will seek to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share, but there is no
assurance that the fund will be able to do so. The yield of the fund will
fluctuate in response to changes in market conditions and interest rates.
The fund will limit its investments to legal investments and investment
practices for federal credit unions as set forth in the Federal Credit Union Act
and the National Credit Union Administration Regulations. The fund will provide
all federal credit union shareholders of record with sixty (60) days' written
notice before changing this investment policy.
* * *
None of the funds is intended to be a complete investment program, and the
prospective investor should take into account its objectives and other
investments when considering the purchase of any fund's shares. The funds cannot
eliminate risk or assure achievement of their objectives.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND OTHER INFORMATION
The Equity Trust, the Income Trust and the Portfolio Trust have adopted
certain fundamental investment restrictions which are enumerated under
"Investment Restrictions" and which may be changed as to a fund or portfolio
only by the vote of a majority of the fund's or the portfolio's outstanding
voting securities. Except for such enumerated restrictions and as otherwise
indicated herein, the investment objective and policies of each fund and
portfolio are not fundamental polices and accordingly may be changed by the
Trustees of each Trust and the Portfolio Trust without obtaining the approval of
a fund's shareholders or the investors in the corresponding portfolio, as the
case may be. If any changes were made in a fund's investment objective, the fund
might have investment objectives different from the objective which an investor
considered appropriate at the time the investor became a shareholder in the
fund. Each fund will notify its shareholders of any material change in its
investment objective.
The use of the term "fund" or "funds" in the following "Additional
Investment Policies and Other Information" is intended to include the
corresponding portfolios, except as noted.
U.S. GOVERNMENT, AGENCY AND INSTRUMENTALITY SECURITIES - U.S. Government
securities are issued by the Treasury and include bills, certificates of
indebtedness, notes, and bonds. Agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S.
Government are established under the authority of an act of Congress and
include, but are not limited to, GNMA, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Bank
for Cooperatives, the Farmers Home Administration, Federal Home Loan Banks,
Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, and FNMA.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS - Each of the funds may enter into repurchase
agreements to the extent permitted by its investment policies. A fund may enter
into repurchase agreements only with large, well-capitalized banks or government
securities dealers that meet Wright credit standards.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve purchase of U.S. Government securities or of
other high-quality, short-term debt obligations. At the same time a fund
purchases the security, it resells it to the vendor (a member bank of the
Federal Reserve System or recognized securities dealer), and is obligated to
redeliver the security to the vendor on an agreed-upon date in the future. The
resale price is in excess of the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon
market rate unrelated to the coupon rate on the purchased security. Such
transactions afford an opportunity for a fund to earn a return on cash which is
only temporarily available. A fund's risk is the ability of the vendor to pay an
agreed-upon sum upon the delivery date, and the Trust believes the risk is
limited to the difference between the market value of the security and the
repurchase price provided for in the repurchase agreement. However, bankruptcy
or insolvency proceedings affecting the vendor of the security which is subject
to the repurchase agreement, prior to the repurchase, may result in a delay in a
fund being able to resell the security.
In all cases when entering into repurchase agreements with other than FDIC
insured depository institutions, the funds will take physical possession of the
underlying collateral security, or will receive written confirmation of the
purchase of the collateral security and a custodial or safekeeping receipt from
a third party under a written bailment for hire contract, or will be the
recorded owner of the collateral security through the Federal Reserve Book-Entry
System. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT - are certificates issued against funds deposited
in a bank, are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return,
and are normally negotiable.
BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES - are short-term credit instruments used to finance
the import, export, transfer or storage of goods. They are termed "accepted"
when a bank guarantees their payment at maturity.
COMMERCIAL PAPER - refers to promissory notes issued by corporations in
order to finance their short-term credit needs.
FINANCE COMPANY PAPER - refers to promissory notes issued by finance
companies in order to finance their short-term credit needs.
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - include bonds and notes issued by corporations in
order to finance longer-term credit needs.
FOREIGN SECURITIES - WIBC may invest in foreign securities. Investing in
securities of foreign governments or securities issued by companies whose
principal business activities are outside the United States may involve
significant risks not associated with domestic investments. It is anticipated
that in most cases, the best available market for foreign securities will be on
exchanges or in over-the-counter markets located outside the U.S. Foreign stock
markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as
developed as those in the U.S. Securities of some foreign issuers (particularly
those located in emerging market countries) may be less liquid and more volatile
than securities of comparable U.S. companies. In addition, foreign brokerage
commissions are generally higher than commissions on securities traded in the
U.S. and may be non-negotiable. In general, there is less overall governmental
supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies
than in the U.S.
The limited liquidity of certain foreign markets in which the fund may
invest may affect the fund's ability to accurately value its assets invested in
such market. In addition, the settlement systems of certain foreign countries
are less developed than the U.S., which may impede the fund's ability to effect
portfolio transactions. There is generally less publicly available information
about foreign companies, particularly those not subject to the disclosure and
reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws. Foreign issuers are
generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting
requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Investments in
foreign securities also involve the risk of possible adverse changes in exchange
control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitation on
removal of funds or other assets of the fund, political or financial instability
or diplomatic and other developments which could affect such investments.
Further, economies of particular countries or areas of the world may differ
favorably or unfavorably from the economy of the U.S.
These risks may be intensified for the fund's investments in Latin or South
American emerging markets and countries with limited or developing capital
markets. Security prices in these markets can be significantly more volatile
than in more developed countries, reflecting the greater uncertainties of
investing in less established markets and economies. Political, legal and
economic structures in many of these emerging market countries may be undergoing
significant evolution and rapid development, and they may lack the social,
political, legal and economic stability characteristic of more developed
countries. Emerging market countries may have failed in the past to recognize
private property rights. They may have relatively unstable governments, present
the risk of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership, or
prohibitions on repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property
rights than more developed countries. Their economies may be predominately based
on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global
trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens,
inflation rates or currency exchange rates. Local securities markets may trade a
small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases
in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of substantial holdings
difficult or impossible at times. The fund may be required to establish special
custodial or other arrangements before making certain investments in those
countries. Securities of issuers located in these countries may have limited
marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements.
<PAGE>
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS - WIBC may engage in foreign
currency exchange transactions. Investments in securities of foreign governments
and companies whose principal business activities are located outside of the
United States will frequently involve currencies of foreign countries. In
addition, assets of the fund may temporarily be held in bank deposits in foreign
currencies during the completion of investment programs. Therefore, the value of
the fund's assets, as measured in U.S. dollars, may be affected favorably or
unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control
regulations. Although the fund values its assets daily in U.S. dollars, the fund
does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars
on a daily basis. The fund may conduct its foreign currency exchange
transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the
foreign currency exchange market. The fund will convert currency on a spot basis
from time to time and will incur costs in connection with such currency
conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for
conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the "spread")
between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the fund at one rate,
while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the fund desire to resell that
currency to the dealer. The fund does not intend to speculate in foreign
currency exchange rates.
As an alternative to spot transactions, the fund may enter into contracts
to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date ("forward" contracts) or
purchase currency call or put options. A forward contract involves an obligation
to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date and price fixed by
agreement between the parties at the time of entering into the contract. These
contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract
generally involves no deposit requirement and no commissions are charged at any
stage for trades. The fund intends to enter into such contracts only on net
terms. The purchase of a put or call option is an alternative to the purchase or
sale of forward contracts and will be used if the option premiums are less then
those in the forward contract market.
The fund may enter into forward contracts only under two circumstances.
First, when the fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a
security quoted or dominated in a foreign currency, it may desire to "lock in"
the U.S. dollar price of the security. This is accomplished by entering into a
forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars,
of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying security
transaction ("transaction hedging"). Such forward contract transactions will
enable the fund to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an
adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the subject
foreign currency during the period between the date the security is purchased or
sold and the date of payment for the security.
Second, when the Investment Adviser believes that the currency of a
particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S.
dollar, the fund may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount
of U.S. dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some
or all of the securities quoted or denominated in such foreign currency. The
precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities
involved will not generally be possible. The future value of such securities in
foreign currencies will change as a consequence of fluctuations in the market
value of those securities between the date the forward contract is entered into
and the date it matures. The projection of currency exchange rates and the
implementation of a short-term hedging strategy are highly uncertain.
The fund will place cash or liquid securities in a segregated account. The
amount of such segregated assets will be at least equal to the value of the
fund's total assets committed to the consummation of forward contracts involving
the purchase of forward currency. If the value of the securities placed in the
segregated account declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the
account on a daily basis so that the value of the account will equal the amount
of the fund's commitments with respect to such contracts.
At the maturity of a forward contract, the fund may elect to sell the
portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency. Alternatively, the
fund may retain the security and terminate its contractual obligation to deliver
the foreign currency by purchasing an identical offsetting contract from the
same currency trader.
It is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio
securities at the expiration of a forward contract. Accordingly, it may be
necessary for the fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot
market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the fund intends to sell the
security and the market value of the security is less than the amount of foreign
currency that the fund is obligated to deliver. Conversely, it may be necessary
to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency received upon the sale
of the portfolio security if its market value exceeds the amount of foreign
currency that the fund is obligated to deliver.
If the fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting
transaction, the fund will incur a gain or a loss (as described below) to the
extent that there has been a change in forward contract prices. If the fund
engages in an offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new
forward contract to sell the foreign currency. Should forward contract prices
decline during the period between the date the fund enters into a forward
contract for the sale of the foreign currency and the date it enters into an
offsetting contract for the purchase of the foreign currency, the fund will
realize a gain to the extent that the price of the currency it has agreed to
sell exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward
contract prices increase, the fund will suffer a loss to the extent that the
price of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the
currency it has agreed to sell.
<PAGE>
The fund will not speculate in forward contracts and will limit its use of
such contracts to the transactions described above. Of course, the fund is not
required to enter into such transactions with respect to its portfolio
securities and will not do so unless deemed appropriate by the Investment
Adviser. This method of protecting the value of the fund's 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 time. Additionally, although such
contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the
hedged currency, they also tend to limit any potential gain which might be
realized if the value of such currency increases.
"FORWARD COMMITMENTS AND WHEN-ISSUED" SECURITIES - Each fund may purchase
when-issued securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a
fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. Alternatively, a
fund may enter into offsetting contracts for the forward sale of other
securities that it owns. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or
forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to
be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the
security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date.
Securities are frequently offered on a "when-issued" basis. When so
offered, the price, which is generally expressed in terms of yield to maturity,
is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and
payment for the when-issued securities may take place at a later date. Normally,
the settlement date occurs 15 to 90 days after the date of the transaction. The
payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on the securities
are fixed at the time a fund enters into the purchase commitment. During the
period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the fund to the
issuer and no interest accrues to the fund. To the extent that assets of a fund
are held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the fund
would earn no income; however, it is intended that the funds will be fully
invested to the extent practicable and subject to the policies stated above.
While forward commitments and when-issued securities may be sold prior to the
settlement date, it is intended that such securities will be purchased for a
fund with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale appears to be
desirable for investment reasons. At the time a commitment to purchase
securities on a when-issued basis is made for a fund, the transaction will be
recorded and the value of the security reflected in determining the fund's net
asset value.
The Trust will establish a segregated account in which a fund that
purchases securities on a when-issued basis will maintain cash and liquid
securities equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities. If the
value of the securities placed in the separate account declines, additional cash
or securities will be placed in the account on a daily basis so that the value
of the account will at least equal the amount of a fund's when-issued
commitments. Such segregated securities either will mature or, if necessary, be
sold on or before the settlement date. Securities purchased on a when-issued
basis and the securities held by a fund are subject to changes in value based
upon the public's perception of the credit worthiness of the issuer and changes
in the level of interest rates (which will generally result in both changing in
value in the same way, i.e., both experiencing appreciation when interest rates
decline and depreciation when interest rates rise). Therefore, to the extent
that a fund remains substantially fully invested at the same time that it has
purchased securities on a when-issued basis, there will be greater fluctuations
in the market value of the fund's net assets than if cash were solely set aside
to pay for when-issued securities.
DEFENSIVE INVESTMENTS - During periods of unusual market conditions, when
Wright believes that investing for temporary defensive purposes is appropriate,
all or a portion of each fund's or portfolio's assets may be held in cash or
invested in short-term obligations. Short-term obligations include but are not
limited to short-term obligations issued or guaranteed as to interest and
principal by the U.S. Government or any agency or instrumentality thereof
(including repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities); commercial
paper which at the date of investment is rated A-1 by S&P or P-1 by Moody's, or,
if not rated by such rating organizations, is deemed by Wright pursuant to
procedures established by the Trustees to be of comparable quality; short-term
corporate obligations and other debt instruments which at the date of investment
are rated AA or better by S&P or Aa or better by Moody's or, if unrated by such
rating organizations, are deemed by Wright pursuant to procedures established by
the Trustees to be of comparable quality; and certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances and time deposits of domestic banks which are determined to be of
high quality by Wright pursuant to procedures established by the Trustees. The
funds may invest in instruments and obligations of banks that have other
relationships with the funds, the portfolios, Wright or Eaton Vance Management,
the Trusts' Administrator ("Eaton Vance" or "Administrator"). No preference will
be shown towards investing in banks which have such relationships.
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES - WTRB and WCIF may invest in mortgage-related
securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") and other
derivative mortgage-related securities. These securities will either be issued
by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities or, if
privately issued, supported by mortgage collateral that is insured, guaranteed
or otherwise backed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.
THE FUNDS DO NOT INVEST IN THE RESIDUAL CLASSES OF CMOS, STRIPPED
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES, LEVERAGED FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS OR INDEXED
SECURITIES.
Mortgage-related securities represent participation interests in pools of
adjustable and fixed mortgage loans. Unlike conventional debt obligations,
mortgage-related securities provide monthly payments derived from the monthly
interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the
individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans. The mortgage loans underlying
<PAGE>
mortgage-related securities are generally 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 and prepayment rate scenarios, a fund may fail to recover the full
amount of its investment in mortgage-related securities purchased at a premium,
notwithstanding any direct or indirect governmental or agency guarantee. The
fund may realize a gain on mortgage-related securities purchased at a discount.
Since faster than expected prepayments must usually be invested in lower
yielding securities, mortgage-related securities are less effective than
conventional bonds in "locking in" a specified interest rate. Conversely, in a
rising interest rate environment, a declining prepayment rate will extend the
average life of many mortgage-related securities. Extending the average life of
a mortgage related security increases the risk of depreciation due to future
increases in market interest rates.
A fund's investments in mortgage-related securities may include
conventional mortgage pass-through securities and certain classes of multiple
class CMOs. Senior CMO classes will typically have priority over residual CMO
classes as to the receipt of principal and/or interest payments on the
underlying mortgages. The CMO classes in which a fund may invest include
sequential and parallel pay CMOs, including planned amortization class ("PAC")
and target amortization class ("TAC") securities.
Different types of mortgage-related securities are subject to different
combinations of prepayment, extension, interest rate and/or other market risks.
Conventional mortgage pass-through securities and sequential pay CMOs are
subject to all of these risks, but are typically not leveraged. PACs, TACs and
other senior classes of sequential and parallel pay CMOs involve less exposure
to prepayment, extension and interest rate risk than other mortgage-related
securities, provided that prepayment rates remain within expected prepayment
ranges or "collars."
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES - All of the funds in the Equity Trust may
seek to increase income by lending portfolio securities to broker-dealers or
other institutional borrowers. Under present regulatory policies of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such loans are required to be secured
continuously by collateral in cash or liquid assets held by the fund's custodian
and maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market
value of the securities loaned, which will be marked to market daily. Cash
equivalents include certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other
short-term money market instruments. The fund would have the right to call a
loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on up to five business days'
notice. The fund would not have the right to vote any securities having voting
rights during the existence of a loan, but would call the loan in anticipation
of an important vote to be taken among holders of the securities or the giving
or withholding of their consent on a material matter affecting the investment.
During the existence of a loan, a fund will continue to receive the
equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities
loaned and will also receive a fee, or all or a portion of the interest, if any,
on investment of the collateral. However, the fund may at the same time pay a
transection fee to such borrowers and administrative expenses, such as finders'
fees to third parties. As with other extensions of credit there are risks of
delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the securities loaned if the
borrower of the securities fails financially. However, the loans will be made
only to organizations deemed by the Investment Adviser to be of good standing
and when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, the consideration which can
be earned from securities loans of this type justifies the attendant risk. The
financial condition of the borrower will be monitored by the Investment Adviser
on an ongoing basis and collateral values will be continuously maintained at no
less than 100% by "marking to market" daily. If the Investment Adviser decides
to make securities loans, it is intended that the value of the securities loaned
would no exceed 30% of the fund's total assets.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTS AND THE PORTFOLIO TRUST
Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms have the meaning given
them in the Prospectus.
Each Trust is an open-end, management investment company organized as a
Massachusetts business trust. The Wright Managed Equity Trust was organized in
1982 and has the three series described herein. Each series offers two classes
of shares - Standard Shares and Institutional Shares. The Wright Managed Income
Trust was organized in 1983 and has the five series described herein. Each of
Wright U.S. Treasury Fund, Wright Government Near Term Fund and Wright Current
Income Fund offers two classes of shares -Standard Shares and Institutional
Shares. Wright Total Return Bond Fund offers a single class of shares - Standard
Shares, and Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund offers a single class of
shares referred to as Money Market Shares. Prior to May 1, 1997, The Wright
Major Blue Chip Equities Fund was called the "Wright Quality Core Equities
Fund." The Trusts' series are collectively referred to as the "funds." Each fund
is a diversified fund.
Each Trust's Declaration of Trust may be amended with the affirmative vote
of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust or, if the interests of a
particular fund or class are affected, a majority of such fund's or class's
outstanding shares. The Trustees are authorized to make amendments to each
Declaration of Trust that do not have a material adverse effect on the financial
interests of shareholders. Each Trust or series may be terminated upon the sale
of the Trust's or series' assets to another diversified open-end management
investment company, if approved by vote of a majority of the Trust's Trustees.
Each Trust or series or class may be terminated upon liquidation and
distribution of the assets of the Trust or series or class, if approved by a
majority of the Trustees. If not so terminated, each Trust or series or class
may continue indefinitely.
<PAGE>
Each Trust's Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will
not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law; however,
nothing in either Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability
to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his office.
The Trusts are organizations of the type commonly known as "Massachusetts
business trusts." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may,
under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the
obligations of the trust. Each Trust's Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability in connection with the Trust property or the
acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust. Each Declaration of Trust also
provides for indemnification out of the Trust property of any shareholder held
personally liable for the claims and liabilities to which a shareholder may
become subject by reason of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk
of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which a Trust itself would be unable to meet its
obligations. The risk of any shareholder incurring any liability for the
obligations of a Trust is extremely remote. The Investment Adviser does not
consider this risk to be material.
Each portfolio is a series of the Portfolio Trust, an open-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"). The Portfolio Trust was organized as a trust under the
laws of the State of New York on March 18, 1997.
Interests in the Portfolio Trust have no preemptive or conversion rights,
and are fully paid and non-assessable except as described in the Prospectus. The
Portfolio Trust normally will not hold meetings of holders of such interests
except as required under the 1940 Act. The Portfolio Trust would be required to
hold a meeting of holders in the event that at any time less than a majority of
its Trustees holding office had been elected by holders. The Trustees of the
Portfolio Trust continue to hold office until their successors are elected and
have qualified. Trustees may be removed by a majority vote of the interests held
by holders in the Portfolio Trust qualified to vote in the election. The 1940
Act requires the Portfolio Trust to assist its holders in calling such a
meeting. Upon liquidation of a portfolio, holders in the portfolio would be
entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the portfolio available for
distribution to holders.
Each holder in the Portfolio Trust is entitled to a vote in proportion to
its percentage interest in the Portfolio Trust.
Investment Restrictions
The following investment restrictions have been adopted by each Trust and
the Portfolio Trust and may be changed as to a fund or a portfolio, as the case
may be, only by the vote of a majority of the fund's or portfolio's outstanding
voting securities, which as used in this Statement of Additional Information
means the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of the fund or the interests of the
portfolio if the holders of more than 50% of the shares or interests, as the
case may be, are present or represented at the meeting or (b) more than 50% of
the shares or interests of the fund or portfolio. Accordingly, the funds
(portfolios) may not:
(1) Borrow money or issue senior securities except as permitted by the
Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, a fund or portfolio may not
issue bonds, debentures or senior equity securities, other than shares of
beneficial interest;
(2) With respect to 75% of the total assets of a fund or portfolio, purchase
the securities of any issuer if such purchase would cause more than 5% of
its total assets (taken at market value) to be invested in the securities
of such issuer, or purchase securities of any issuer if such purchase would
cause more than 10% of the total voting securities of such issuer to be
held by the fund or portfolio, except obligations issued or guaranteed by
the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities;
(3) Purchase securities on margin (but a fund or portfolio may obtain such
short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchase and
sales of securities);
(4) Purchase or sell real estate, although a fund or portfolio may purchase and
sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of
companies which invest or deal in real estate;
(5) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts for the purchase or
sale of physical commodities other than currency, excluding financial
futures contracts and options on these financial futures contracts;
(6) Make an investment in any one industry that would cause investments in such
industry to equal or exceed 25% of the fund's or portfolio's total assets
taken at market value at the time of such investment (other than securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities);
(7) Underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of others; and
(8) Make loans to any person except by (a) the acquisition of debt securities
and making portfolio investments, (b) entering into repurchase agreements,
or (c) lending portfolio securities.
<PAGE>
Notwithstanding the investment policies and restrictions of a fund, a fund
which is organized in a master-feeder structure may invest its assets in an
open-end management investment company with substantially the same investment
objective, policies and restrictions as the fund. Notwithstanding the investment
restrictions set forth above, WTMM will be subject to the restrictions set forth
in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.
Nonfundamental Investment Restrictions - In addition to the foregoing
fundamental investment restrictions, each Trust and the Portfolio Trust have
adopted the following nonfundamental policies which may be amended or rescinded
by the vote of the Trust's or the Portfolio Trust's Board of Trustees without
shareholder or interest holder approval. The funds (portfolios) may not:
(a) Invest more than 15% (10% for Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund) of
the fund's or portfolio's net assets in illiquid investments, including
repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, securities which
are not readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for
resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, but excluding commercial
paper offered in reliance on Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act.
(b) Purchase additional securities if the fund's or portfolio's borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets;
(c) Make short sales of securities, except short sales against the box; and
(d) For purposes of fundamental investment restriction no. 6, the Trusts and
the Portfolio Trust consider utility companies, gas, electric, water and
telephone companies as separate industries; except that, with respect to
any fund which has a policy of being primarily invested in obligations
whose interest income is exempt from federal income tax, the restriction
shall be that the Trust (Portfolio Trust) will not purchase for that fund
either (i) pollution control and industrial development bonds issued by
non-governmental users or (ii) securities whose interest income is not
exempt from federal income tax, if in either case the purchase would cause
more than 25% of the market value of the assets of the fund (portfolio) at
the time of such purchase to be invested in the securities of one or more
issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry.
The Equity Trust on behalf of Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund, the
Income Trust on behalf of Wright Total Return Bond Fund and Wright U.S. Treasury
Money Market Fund, and the Portfolio Trust, have each adopted the following
nonfundamental investment restriction.
The funds (portfolios) may not acquire the securities of a registered
open-end investment company or a registered unit investment trust in reliance on
the provisions of Section 12(d)(1)(F) or Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The 1940 Act currently allows a fund to borrow (1) for any reason from
banks or by entering into reverse repurchase agreements in an amount not
exceeding one-third of the fund's total assets and (2) for temporary purposes
(presumed to mean not more than 60 days). If a fund's borrowings under clause
(1) later exceed one-third of the fund's total assets, the fund must reduce its
borrowings below this level within three business days.
Except for the restriction on borrowing described in the above paragraph,
if a percentage restriction contained in any fund's or portfolio's investment
policies is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decease in
the percentage resulting from a change in the value of portfolio securities or
the fund's or portfolio's net assets will not be considered a violation of such
restriction. If such a change causes a fund to exceed its percentage limitation
on illiquid investments, the fund will reduce these investments, in an orderly
manner, to a level that does not exceed this limitation.
Officers and Trustees
The officers and Trustees of the Trusts are listed below. The officers and
Trustees of the Portfolio Trust are identical to those of the Trusts. Except as
indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the
same company for the last five years. Those Trustees who are "interested
persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trusts, the Portfolio Trust,
Wright, The Winthrop Corporation ({Winthrop"), Eaton Vance, Eaton Vance's wholly
owned subsidiary, Boston Management and Research ("BMR"), Eaton Vance's parent
company, Eaton Vance Corp. ("EVC"), or Eaton Vance's and BMR's Trustee, Eaton
Vance, Inc. ("EV"), by virtue of their affiliation with either the Trust,
Wright, Winthrop, Eaton Vance, BMR, EVC or EV, are indicated by an asterisk (*).
PETER M. DONOVAN (57), President and Trustee*
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wright and Winthrop; Vice
President, Treasurer and a Director of Wright Investors' Service Distributors,
Inc.
Address: 440 Wheelers Farms Road, Milford, CT 06460
<PAGE>
H. DAY BRIGHAM, JR. (73), Vice President, Secretary and Trustee*
Retired Vice President, Chairman of the Management Committee and Chief Legal
Officer of Eaton Vance, EVC, BMR and EV; Director of Wright and Winthrop since
February, 1997.
Address: 92 Reservoir Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
JUDITH R. CORCHARD (61), Vice President and Trustee*
Executive Vice President, Investment Management: Senior Investment Officer;
Chairman of the Investment Committee and Director of Wright and Winthrop. Ms.
Corchard was appointed a Trustee of the Trusts on December 10, 1997.
Address: 440 Wheelers Farms Road, Milford, CT 06460
DORCAS R. HARDY (53), Trustee
President, Dorcas R. Hardy & Associates (a public policy and government
relations firm), Spotsylvania, VA; Director, The Options Clearing Corporation
and First Coast Service Options, Jacksonville, FL (FL Blue Cross Blue Shield
subsidiary); 1996-1998 - Chairman and CEO of Work Recovery, Inc. (an advanced
rehabilitation technology firm), Tucson, AZ; 1986-1989 - U.S. Commissioner of
Social Security. Ms. Hardy was elected a Trustee on December 9, 1998.
Address: 11407 Stonewall Jackson Drive Spotsylvania, VA 22553
LELAND MILES (76), Trustee
President Emeritus, University of Bridgeport (1987- present); President,
University of Bridgeport (1974-1987); Director, United Illuminating Company.
Address: 332 North Cedar Road, Fairfield, CT 06430
A.M. MOODY III (63), Vice President & Trustee*
Senior Vice President, Wright and Winthrop; President, Wright Investors'
Service Distributors, Inc.
Address: 440 Wheelers Farms Road, Milford, CT 06460
LLOYD F. PIERCE (81), Trustee
Retired Vice Chairman (prior to 1984 - President), People's Bank, Bridgeport,
CT; Member, Board of Trustees, People's Bank, Bridgeport, CT; Board of
Directors, Southern Connecticut Gas Company; Chairman, Board of Directors,
COSINE.
Address: 140 Snow Goose Court, Daytona Beach, FL 32119
RICHARD E. TABER (51), Trustee
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First County Bank, Stamford, CT. Mr.
Taber was appointed a Trustee of the Trusts on March 18, 1997.
Address: 117 Prospect Street, Stamford, CT 06904
RAYMOND VAN HOUTTE (75), Trustee
President Emeritus and Counselor of The Tompkins County Trust Co., Ithaca,
NY (since January 1989); President and Chief Executive Officer, The Tompkins
County Trust Company (1973-1988); President, New York State Bankers Association
(1987-1988); Director, McGraw Housing Company, Inc., Deanco, Inc., Evaporated
Metal Products and Ithaco, Inc.
Address: One Strawberry Lane, Ithaca, NY 14850
JAMES L. O'CONNOR (55), Treasurer
Vice President of Eaton Vance, BMR and EV. Officer of various investment
companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.
Address: 255 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
JANET E. SANDERS (64), Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
Vice President of Eaton Vance, BMR and EV. Officer of various investment
companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.
Address: 255 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
WILLIAM J. AUSTIN, JR. (48), Assistant Treasurer
Assistant Vice President of Eaton Vance, BMR and EV. Officer of various
investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Mr.
Austin was elected Assistant Treasurer of the Trusts on December 18, 1991.
Address: 255 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
<PAGE>
A. JOHN MURPHY (37), Assistant Secretary
Vice President of Eaton Vance, BMR and EV since March 1, 1994; employee of Eaton
Vance since March 1993. State Regulations Supervisor, The Boston Company
(1991-1993). Officer of various investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or
BMR. Mr. Murphy was elected Assistant Secretary of the Trusts on June 21, 1995.
Address: 255 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
ERIC G. WOODBURY (42), Assistant Secretary
Vice President of Eaton Vance, BMR and EV since February 1993; formerly,
associate attorney at Dechert, Price & Rhoads. Officer of various investment
companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Mr. Woodbury was elected Assistant
Secretary of the Trusts on June 21, 1995.
Address: 255 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
Each Trust's and the Portfolio Trust's Board of Trustees has established an
Independent Trustees' Committee and an Audit Committee, each consisting of all
of the Independent Trustees who are Messrs. Miles, Pierce (Chairman), Taber and
Van Houtte and Ms. Hardy. The responsibilities of the Independent Trustees'
Committee include those of a nominating committee for additional or replacement
trustees of the Trust and a contract review committee for consideration of
renewals or changes in the investment advisory agreements, distribution
agreements and distribution plans and other agreements as appropriate.
The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are: (a) to oversee the Trusts'
accounting and financial reporting practices, their internal controls and, as
appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; (b) to oversee
the quality and objectivity of the Trusts' financial statements and the
independent audit thereof; and (c) to act as a liaison between the Trusts'
independent auditors and the full Board of Trustees.
All of the Trustees and officers hold identical positions with the Equity
Trust, the Income Trust, The Wright Managed Blue Chip Series Trust, The Wright
EquiFund Equity Trust, Catholic Values Investment Trust and the Portfolio Trust.
The fees and expenses of those Trustees of the Trusts and the Portfolio Trust
(Messrs. Miles, Pierce, Taber and Van Houtte and Ms. Hardy) who are not
interested persons of the Trusts and the Portfolio Trust and of Mr. Brigham are
paid by the Trusts and the Portfolio Trust, respectively. They also receive
additional payments from other investment companies for which Wright provides
investment advisory services. The Trustees who are employees of Wright receive
no compensation from the Trusts and the Portfolio Trust. The Trusts and the
Portfolio Trust do not have a retirement plan for the Trustees. For Trustee
compensation from the Trusts and the other funds in the Wright Funds complex for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, see the following table.
COMPENSATION TABLE
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1999
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST - 4 Funds
THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST - 5 Funds
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Compensation from
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Wright Managed The Wright Managed Funds and
Trustees Equity Trust Income Trust Funds Complex(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
H. Day Brigham, Jr. $1,750 $1,750 $11,250
Dorcas R. Hardy 1,750 1,750 11,250
Leland Miles 1,750 1,750 11,250
Lloyd F. Pierce 1,750 1,750 11,250
Richard E. Taber 1,750 1,750 11,250
Raymond Van Houtte 1,250 1,250 8,250
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Total compensation paid includes not only service on the boards of The
Wright Managed Equity Trust (4 funds) and The Wright Managed Income Trust (5
funds) but also service on other boards in the Wright Fund complex for a
total of 22 funds.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SHARES
As of April 1, 2000, the Trustees and officers of the Trusts and the
Portfolio Trust, as a group, owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the
outstanding shares of each fund and portfolio.
As of April 1, 2000, the following shareholders were record holders of the
following percentages of the outstanding shares of the funds:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY TRUST Percent of Outstanding Shares Owned
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
WSBC WMBC WIBC
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Institutional Standard Institutional
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruane & Co. 5.94% 5.40% 22.2%
c/o Tompkins County Trust Co.
Ithaca, NY 14851
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 6.5%
Mutual Funds Dept.
San Francisco, CA 94104
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cenco 18.8%
Asset Management Group
Birmingham, AL 35296
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RWDSU Pension Fund 68.5%
c/o Compass Bank
Asset Management Group
Birmingham, AL 35296
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RWDSU General Fund Equity Acct 6.4%
c/o Bank of New York
New York, NY 10286
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RWDSU Staff Ret/Tr Fd Eq Acct 6.3%
c/o Bank of New York
New York, NY 10286
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wright Managed Growth
with Income Fund
100.0%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCOME TRUST Percent of Outstanding Shares Owned
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
WUSTB WNTB WTRB WCIF WTMM
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Standard Standard Standard Institutional Standard
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independence Trust Co. 20.0% 29.2%
Manchester, NH 03105
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 9.4%
Mutual Funds Dept.
San Francisco, CA 94104
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Community Bank 7.6% 7.1% 5.5%
Trut & Financial Services
Bluefield, WV
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruane & Co. 6.1% 7.4%
c/o Tompkins County Trust Company
Ithaca, NY 14851
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First National Bank - Winfield, Kansas 9.8%
Winfield, KS 67156
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FTC & Co. 9.9%
Denver, CO 80217
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fleet National Bank Cust. 6.1%
Plumbers & Pipefitters P/F
Rochester, NY 14592
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thompson & Co. 5.6%
c/o First National Bank
Brookings, SD 57006
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RWDSU Pension Fund - Fixed 62.8%
RWDSU Benefit Plan
c/o Compass Bank
Birmingham, AL 35296
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. 7.4%
c/o Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co.
Medford, MA 02155
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RWDSU Benefit Fund 33.4%
c/o Compass Bank
Birmingham, AL 35296
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First County Bank 6.1% 5.1% 8.1%
Stamford, CT 06901
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community Banks NA 8.3%
Trust Department
Hazleton, PA 18201
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturn & Co. 7.9%
c/o Investors Bank & Trust Co.
Boston, MA 02117
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Security First National Bank 8.1%
Alexandria, LA 71309
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greenfield Savings Bank 5.0%
Greenfield, MA 01302
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
The Trusts have engaged Wright to act as investment adviser to the funds
pursuant to an Investment Advisory Contract (the "Investment Advisory
Contract"). Wright furnishes each non-feeder fund with investment advice and
management services, as described below. Wright has agreed that for so long as a
feeder fund invests its investable assets in a corresponding portfolio it will
not impose any advisory fees to which it would be entitled under the respective
Investment Advisory Contract. The Portfolio Trust has engaged Wright as
investment adviser to provide investment advice and management services to the
portfolios pursuant to the Portfolio Investment Advisory Contract.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Contract and the Portfolio Investment
Advisory Contract, Wright will carry out the investment and reinvestment of the
assets of the non-feeder funds and the portfolios, will furnish continuously an
investment program with respect to the non-feeder funds and the portfolios, will
determine which securities should be purchased, sold or exchanged, and will
implement such determinations. Wright will furnish to the non-feeder funds and
the portfolios investment advice and management services, office space,
equipment and clerical personnel, and investment advisory, statistical and
research facilities. In addition, Wright has arranged for certain members of the
Eaton Vance and Wright organizations to serve without salary as officers or
Trustees. In return for these services, each non-feeder fund or portfolio is
obligated to pay a monthly advisory fee calculated at the rates set forth in the
current Prospectus.
The investment adviser, the distributor and each fund and portfolio have
adopted Codes of Ethics governing personal securities transactions. Under the
Codes, Wright employees may purchase and sell securities subject to certain
pre-clearance and reporting requirements and other procedures. These Codes of
Ethics are on public file with, and available from, the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The following table sets forth the net assets of each fund and the
portfolios at December 31, 1999 and the advisory fee paid by the funds and the
portfolios during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997. Prior
to the close of business on April 30, 1997, Wright managed directly the assets
of the feeder funds.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate Net Assets Advisory Fees Paid for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
at 12/31/99 1999 1998 1997*
----------- -------------------------------------------
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST
- ---------------------------------
WBC $ 74,547,357 $ - $ - $ 437,112
SBCP(1) 75,482,542 843,755 1,597,908 1,019,152
WMBC(2) 146,395,503 490,732 145,057 118,332
WIBC 171,864,428 - - 716,225
IBCP 172,471,189 1,290,967 1,990,690 1,441,589
THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST
- --------------------------------
WUSTB $ 31,192,496 $ - $ - $73,974
USTP(3) 33,753,155 213,958 289,260 179,562
WNTB 52,824,875 - - 172,837
USGNTP 52,963,032 299,429 404,601 301,140
WTRB(4) 87,336,205 429,396 377,910 326,326
WCIF 99,826,428 - - 94,877
CIP 99,987,097 434,441 430,622 245,848
WTMM(5) 62,527,175 278,468 329,520 329,000
* For the period from January 1, 1997 to April 1, 1997 for WBC and WIBC and
for the period from May 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997 for SBCP and IBCP.
(1) To enhance the net income of the fund, Wright made a reduction of its
advisory fee during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 by $11,400.
(2) To enhance the net income of the fund, Wright made a reduction of its
advisory fee during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 by $50,081.
(3) To enhance the net income of the fund, $6,000 of expenses were allocated to
the investment adviser for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
(4) To enhance the net income of the fund, Wright made a reduction of its
advisory fee during each of the three fiscal years ended December 31, 1999
by $11,175.
(5) To enhance the net income of the fund, Wright made a reduction of its
advisory fee during each of the four fiscal years ended December 31, 1999 by
$146,004, $154,396, $131,353 and $127,441, respectively.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The Trusts have engaged Eaton Vance to act as the administrator for each
fund pursuant to separate Administration Agreements. The Portfolio Trust has
engaged Eaton Vance to act as the administrator for each portfolio pursuant to a
Portfolio Administration Agreement. For its services under the Trusts' and the
Portfolio Trust's Administration Agreements, Eaton Vance receives monthly
administration fees. The following table sets forth the administration fee rates
paid for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, fees paid from the funds for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, and from the Portfolio
Trust for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fee Paid as a % of Average Daily Administration Fees Paid by the funds
Net Assets for the Fiscal Year for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ended December 31, 1999 1999 1998 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST
- --------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
WBC 0.02% $ 24,115 $ 56,229 $279,719
SBCP 0.16% 220,457 253,446 -
WMBC 0.20% 212,534(1) 70,463 51,841
WIBC 0.02% 26,865 56,746 301,235
IBCP 0.14% 235,077 256,090 -
THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST
- ----------------------------------
WUSTB 0.02% $ 10,513 $ 19,333 $ 63,450
USTP 0.10% 53,490 66,170 -
WNTB 0.02% 14,928 26,620 105,782
USGNTP 0.10% 74,857 91,438 -
WTRB 0.10% 101,757 92,690 81,582
WCIF 0.02% 20,783 27,077 83,305
CIP 0.10% 103,352 95,021 -
WTMM 0.07% 55,741 65,724 65,863
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) To enhance the net income of the fund, the administrator waived its fees by
$113 for Institutional Shares.
</TABLE>
The Portfolio Trust did not commence operations until May 1, 1997 and paid
no administration fees to Eaton Vance as of December 31, 1997.
Eaton Vance is a business trust organized under Massachusetts law. Eaton
Vance, Inc. ("EV") serves as trustee of Eaton Vance. Eaton Vance and EV are
wholly owned subsidiaries of Eaton Vance Corporation ("EVC"), a Maryland
corporation and publicly held holding company. EVC through its subsidiaries and
affiliates engages primarily in investment management, administration and
marketing activities.
In addition to the fees payable to the service providers described herein,
the funds and portfolios are responsible for usual and customary expenses
associated with their respective operations not otherwise payable by Wright or
Eaton Vance. These include, among other things, organization expenses, legal
fees, audit and accounting expenses, insurance costs, the compensation and
expenses of the Trustees, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses (such as
for litigation). For each fund, such expenses also include printing and mailing
reports, notices and proxy statements to shareholders and registration fees
under federal securities laws and the cost of providing required notices to
state securities administrators. For the portfolios, such expenses also include
registration fees under foreign securities laws (for WIBC) and brokerage
commissions.
The Investment Advisory Contract and Portfolio Investment Advisory Contract
will remain in effect until February 28, 2001. The Investment Advisory Contract
and the Portfolio Investment Advisory Contract may be continued from year to
year so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the vote
of a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust, the
Portfolio Trust, Eaton Vance or Wright cast in person at a meeting specifically
called for the purpose of voting on such approval and (ii) by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the respective funds or portfolios. The Administration Agreements
may be continued from year to year after February 28, 2001 so long as such
continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority of the Trustees. Each
agreement may be terminated at any time without penalty on sixty (60) days
written notice by the Board of Trustees or Directors of either party, or by vote
of the majority of the outstanding shares of the affected fund or portfolio, and
each agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. Each
agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations or duties to the Trust or
Portfolio Trust, as the case may be, under such agreement on the part of Eaton
Vance or Wright, Eaton Vance or Wright will not be liable to the Trust or
Portfolio Trust, as the case may be, for any loss incurred.
<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT"), 200 Clarendon Street, Boston,
Massachusetts, acts as custodian for the funds and the portfolios. IBT has the
custody of all cash and securities of the funds and portfolios, maintains the
funds' and portfolios' general ledgers and computes the daily net asset value
per share. In such capacity it attends to details in connection with the sale,
exchange, substitution, transfer or other dealings with the funds' and
portfolios' investments, receives and disburses all funds and performs various
other ministerial duties upon receipt of proper instructions from the funds and
portfolios. IBT also acts as transfer agent to the portfolios and keeps the
records of all purchases and redemptions of interests in the portfolios.
PFPC, Inc., P.O. Box 9697, Providence, RI 02904 is the funds' transfer agent.
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02116-9698 are the Trusts' and the Portfolio Trust's independent certified
public accountants, providing audit services, tax return preparation, and
assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION
Wright places the portfolio security transactions for each non-feeder fund
and portfolio, which in some cases may be effected in block transactions which
include other accounts managed by Wright. Wright provides similar services
directly for bank trust departments. Wright seeks to execute portfolio security
transactions on the most favorable terms and in the most effective manner
possible. In seeking best execution, Wright will use its best judgment in
evaluating the terms of a transaction, and will give consideration to various
relevant factors, including without limitation the size and type of the
transaction, the nature and character of the markets for the security, the
confidentiality, speed and certainty of effective execution required for the
transaction, the reputation, experience and financial condition of the
broker-dealer and the value and quality of service rendered by the broker-dealer
in other transactions, and the reasonableness of the brokerage commission or
markup, if any.
It is expected that on frequent occasions there will be many broker-dealer
firms which will meet the foregoing criteria for a particular transaction. In
selecting among such firms, the funds may give consideration to those firms
which supply brokerage and research services, quotations and statistical and
other information to Wright for their use in servicing their accounts. The funds
may include firms which purchase investment services from Wright. The term
"brokerage and research services" includes advice as to the value of securities,
the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the
availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing
analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic
factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts; and
effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto
(such as clearance and settlement). Such services and information may be useful
and of value to Wright in servicing all or less than all of their accounts and
the services and information furnished by a particular firm may not necessarily
be used in connection with the account which paid brokerage commissions to such
firm. The advisory fee paid by the non-feeder funds and the portfolios to Wright
is not reduced as a consequence of Wright's receipt of such services and
information. While such services and information are not expected to reduce
Wright's normal research activities and expenses, Wright would, through use of
such services and information, avoid the additional expenses which would be
incurred if it should attempt to develop comparable services and information
through its own staffs.
Subject to the requirement that Wright use its best efforts to seek to
execute each non-feeder fund's and portfolio's portfolio security transactions
at advantageous prices and at reasonably competitive commission rates, Wright,
as indicated above, is authorized to consider as a factor in the selection of
any broker-dealer firm with whom portfolio orders may be placed the fact that
such firm has sold or is selling shares of the funds or of other investment
companies sponsored by Wright. This policy is consistent with a rule of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., which rule provides that no
firm which is a member of the Association may favor or disfavor the distribution
of shares of any particular investment company or group of investment companies
on the basis of brokerage commissions received or expected by such firm from any
source.
Under the Investment Advisory Contract and the Portfolio Investment
Advisory Contract, Wright has the authority to pay commissions on portfolio
transactions for brokerage and research services exceeding that which other
brokers or dealers might charge provided certain conditions are met. This
authority will not be exercised, however, until the Prospectus or this Statement
of Additional Information has been supplemented or amended to disclose the
conditions under which Wright proposes to do so.
<PAGE>
The Investment Advisory Contract and the Portfolio Investment Advisory
Contract expressly recognizes the practices which are provided for in Section
28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by authorizing the selection of a
broker or dealer which charges a non-feeder fund or portfolio a commission which
is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction if it is determined in good faith that
such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and
research services which have been provided.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Equity
funds or their corresponding portfolios paid the following aggregate brokerage
commissions on portfolio transactions:
1999 1998 1997*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WBC $ - $ - $ 224,234
SBCP 485,035 421,219 -
WMBC 177,407 56,217 53,114
WIBC - - 779,120
IBCP 1,336,210 1,084,219 -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* For the period from January 1, 1997 to April 30, 1997 for WBC and WIBC
and for the period from May 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997 for SBCP and IBCP.
It is expected that purchases and sales of portfolio investments by the
Income funds (or their corresponding portfolios) will be with the issuers or
with major dealers in debt instruments acting as principal, and that the funds
(or portfolios) will normally pay no brokerage commissions. The cost of
securities purchased from underwriters includes a disclosed, fixed underwriting
commission or concession, and the prices for which securities are purchased from
and sold to dealers usually include an undisclosed dealer mark-up or mark-down.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, none of the
Income funds paid brokerage commissions.
PRICING OF SHARES
ALL FUNDS EXCEPT WRIGHT U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
For a description of how the funds value their Standard Shares and
Institutional Shares, see "Information About Your Account - How the Funds Value
their Shares" in the funds' current Prospectus. The funds value securities with
a remaining maturity of 60 days or less by the amortized cost method. The
amortized cost method involves initially valuing a security at its cost (or its
fair market value on the sixty-first day prior to maturity) and thereafter
assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, without
regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the market value of the
security.
WRIGHT U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund values its shares three times on
each day the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is open at noon, at 3:00
p.m. and as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange - normally 4:00 p.m.
New York time. The net asset value is determined by IBT (as agent for the fund)
in the manner authorized by the Trustees. Portfolio assets of the fund are
valued at amortized cost in an effort to attempt to maintain a constant net
asset value of $1.00 per share, which the Trustees have determined to be in the
best interests of the fund and its shareholders. The fund's use of the amortized
cost method to value the portfolio securities is conditioned on its compliance
with conditions contained in a rule issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Rule").
Under the Rule, the Trustees are obligated, as a particular responsibility
within the overall duty of care owed to the shareholders, to establish
procedures reasonably designed, taking into account current market conditions
and the investment objectives of the fund, to stabilize the net asset value per
share as computed for the purposes of distribution, redemption and repurchase at
$1.00 per share. The Trustees' procedures include periodically monitoring, as
they deem appropriate and at such intervals as are reasonable in light of
current market conditions, the extent of deviation between the amortized cost
value per share and a net asset value per share based upon available indications
of market value as well as review of the methods used to calculate the
deviation. The Trustees will consider what steps, if any, should be taken in the
event of a difference of more than 1/2 of 1% between such two values. The
Trustees will take such steps as they consider appropriate (e.g., redemption in
kind, selling prior to maturity to realize gains or losses or to shorten the
average portfolio maturity, withholding dividends or using market quotations) to
minimize any material dilution or other unfair results to investors or existing
shareholders, which might arise from differences between the two values.
<PAGE>
The Rule requires that the fund's investments, including repurchase
agreements, be limited to those U.S. dollar-denominated instruments which are
determined to present minimal credit risks and which are at the time of
acquisition rated by the requisite number of nationally recognized statistical
rating organizations in one of the two highest short-term rating categories or,
in the case of any instrument that is not so rated, of comparable quality as
determined by Wright in accordance with procedures established by the Trustees.
It also calls for the fund to maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio
maturity (not more than 90 days) appropriate to its objective of maintaining a
stable net asset value of $1.00 per share and precludes the purchase of any
instrument with a remaining maturity of more than 397 days. Should the
disposition of a portfolio security result in a dollar-weighted average
portfolio maturity of more than 90 days, the fund's available cash will be
invested in such a manner as to reduce such maturity to 90 days or less as soon
as reasonably practicable.
It is the normal practice of Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund to hold
portfolio securities to maturity and to realize par value therefor unless a sale
or other disposition is mandated by redemption requirements or other
extraordinary circumstances. Under the amortized cost method of valuation,
traditionally employed by institutions for valuation of money market
instruments, neither the amount of daily income nor the fund's net asset value
is affected by any unrealized appreciation or depreciation on securities held
for the fund. There can be no assurance that the fund's objectives will be
achieved.
* * *
The funds and the portfolios will not price securities on the following
national 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.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
Each Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan as defined in Rule 12b-1 under
the 1940 Act (the "Plan") on behalf of its funds (except Wright U.S. Treasury
Money Market Fund) with respect to each fund's Standard Shares. Each Plan was
approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial
interests in the operation of the Trust's Plan (the "12b-1 Trustees") on January
22, 1997. Each Trust's Plan specifically authorizes each fund to pay direct and
indirect expenses incurred by any separate distributor or distributors under
agreement with the Trust in activities primarily intended to result in the sale
of its Standard Shares. The expenses of such activities will not exceed 0.25%
per annum of each fund's average daily net assets attributable to the Standard
Shares. Payments under the Plan are reflected as an expense in each fund's
financial statements relating to the applicable class of shares.
Each Trust has entered into a distribution contract on behalf of its funds
with respect to the funds' Standard Shares and Institutional Shares with its
principal underwriter, Wright Investors' Service Distributors, Inc. ("WISDI"), a
wholly owned subsidiary of Winthrop, providing for WISDI to act as a separate
distributor of each fund's Standard Shares and Institutional Shares. Wright U.S.
Treasury Money Market Fund is not obligated to make any distribution payments to
WISDI under its Distribution Contract.
Each fund, except Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, will pay 0.25% of
its average daily net assets attributable to Standard Shares, to WISDI for
distribution activities on behalf of the fund in connection with the sale of its
Standard Shares. WISDI will provide on a quarterly basis documentation
concerning the expenses of such activities. Documented expenses of a fund may
include compensation paid to and out-of-pocket disbursements of officers,
employees or sales representatives of WISDI, including telephone costs, the
printing of prospectuses and reports for other than existing shareholders,
preparation and distribution of sales literature, advertising of any type
intended to enhance the sale of shares of the fund and interest or other
financing charges. Subject to the 0.25% per annum limitation imposed on Standard
Shares by each Trust's Plan, a fund may pay separately for expenses of
activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the fund's Standard
Shares. It is contemplated that the payments for distribution described above
will be made directly to WISDI. If the distribution payments to WISDI exceed its
expenses, WISDI may realize a profit from these arrangements. Peter M. Donovan,
President, Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of each Trust and President and
a Director of Wright and Winthrop, is Vice President, Treasurer and a Director
of WISDI. A.M. Moody, III, Vice President and a Trustee of the Trust and Senior
Vice President of Wright and Winthrop, is President and a Director of WISDI.
It is the opinion of the Trustees and officers of each Trust that the
following are not expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Standard
Shares issued by any fund: fees and expenses of registering shares of the fund
under federal or state laws regulating the sale of securities; fees and expenses
of registering the Trust as a broker-dealer or of registering an agent of the
Trust under federal or state laws regulating the sale of securities; fees of
registering, at the request of the Trust, agents or representatives of a
principal underwriter or distributor of any fund under federal or state laws
regulating the sale of securities, provided that no sales commission or "load"
is charged on sales of shares of the fund; and fees and expenses of preparing
and setting in type the Trust's registration statement under the Securities Act
of 1933. Should such expenses be deemed by a court or agency having jurisdiction
to be expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Standard Shares
issued by a fund, they will be considered to be expenses contemplated by and
included in the Plan but not subject to the 0.25% per annum limitation described
herein.
<PAGE>
Under each Trust's Plan, the President or Vice President of the Trust will
provide to the Trustees for their review, and the Trustees will review at least
quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended under the Plan and the
purposes for which such expenditures were made. For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999, it is estimated that WISDI spent approximately the following
amounts on behalf of The Wright Managed Investment Funds, including the funds in
the Trusts:
Wright Investors' Service Distributors, Inc.
Financial Summaries for the Year 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Printing Travel Commissions Adminis-
& Mailing & & tration
FUNDS - Standard Shares Promotional Prospectuses Entertainment Service Fees & Other TOTAL
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST
- -------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund (WBC) $177,271 $12,000 $10,909 $50,727 $21,818 $272,725
Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund (WMBC) 138,188 9,354 8,504 39,543 17,008 212,597
Wright International Blue Chip Equities
Fund (WIBC) 242,664 16,426 14,933 69,439 29,866 373,329
THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST
- --------------------------------
Wright U.S. Treasury Fund (WUSTB) $ 39,464 $ 2,671 $ 2,429 $11,293 $ 4,857 $ 60,714
Wright U.S. Government Near Term Fund (WNTB) 82,119 5,559 5,053 23,499 10,107 126,337
Wright Total Return Bond Fund (WTRB) 172,625 11,685 10,623 49,397 21,246 265,577
Wright Current Income Fund (WCIF) 104,993 7,107 6,461 30,044 12,922 161,528
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The following table shows the distribution expenses allowable to WISDI and
paid by each fund during the year ended December 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Distribution Distribution Distribution Distribution
Distribution Expenses Expenses Paid Distribution Expenses Expenses Paid
Expenses Paid As a % of Fund's Expenses Paid As a % of Fund's
Allowable by Fund Average Net Asset Value Allowable By Fund Average Net Asset Value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST - Standard Shares THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST - Standard Shares
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
WBC $353,111 $272,725 0.193% WUSTB 130,579 60,714 0.116%
WMBC 261,414 212,597 0.203% WNTB 185,829 126,337 0.169%
WIBC 373,329 373,329 0.250% WTRB 265,577 265,577 0.250%
WCIF 209,823 161,528 0.192%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Under its terms, each Trust's Plan remains in effect from year to year,
provided such continuance is approved annually by a vote of its Trustees,
including a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees. Each Plan may not be amended to
increase materially the amount to be spent by the applicable class for the
services described therein without approval of a majority of the outstanding
Standard Shares and all material amendments of the Plan must also be approved by
the Trustees of the Trust in the manner described above. Each Trust's Plan may
be terminated as to each class at any time without payment of any penalty by
vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons
of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Plan or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the affected class. If a Plan is terminated, the respective fund
would stop paying the distribution fee with respect to the affected class and
the Trustees would consider other methods of financing the distribution of the
fund's Standard Shares. So long as a Trust's Plan is in effect, the selection
and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust will be
committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not such interested persons.
The Trustees of each Trust have determined that in their judgment there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Trust and the holders of
Standard Shares.
SERVICE PLANS
The Service Plans were adopted on behalf of the funds by the Trustees of
each Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons
of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Trust's Service Plan (the "Plan Trustees"), on January 22,
1997, and will continue in effect from year to year, provided such continuance
is approved annually by a vote of the respective Trust's Trustees, including a
majority of the Plan Trustees. Each Service Plan may be terminated at any time
without payment of any penalty by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the
appropriate Trust who are not interested persons of that Trust and who have no
<PAGE>
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Service Plan. The
Trustees of each Trust have determined that in their judgment there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Service Plan will benefit the funds in each
respective Trust and each fund's holders of Standard Shares and Institutional
Shares.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, the funds did not accrue or
pay any service fees.
CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE AND YIELD QUOTATIONS
The average annual total return of each fund is determined for a particular
period by calculating the actual dollar amount of investment return on a $1,000
investment in the fund made at the maximum public offering price (i.e., net
asset value) at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual
compounded rate of return which would produce that amount. Total return for a
period of one year is equal to the actual return of the fund during that period.
This calculation assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at
net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period.
The yield of each fund, other than Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund,
is computed by dividing its net investment income per share earned during a
recent 30-day period by the maximum offering price (i.e., net asset value) per
share on the last day of the period and annualizing the resulting figure (only a
single class of shares of each fund was outstanding as of December 31, 1999).
Net investment income per share is equal to the fund's dividends and interest
earned during the period, with the resulting number being divided by the average
daily number of shares outstanding and entitled to receive dividends during the
period.
For the 30-day period ended December 31, 1999, the yield of each fund,
other than Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
30-Day Period Ended 30-Day Period Ended
December 31, 1999* December 31, 1999*
----------------------- ----------------------------
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST
- --------------------------------- ---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund 0.002% Wright U.S. Treasury Fund 5.55%
Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund 0.213% Wright U.S. Government Near Term Fund 5.72%
Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund N/A Wright Total Return Bond Fund 6.09%
Wright Current Income Fund 6.60%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* according to the following formula:
6
Yield = 2 [ ( a-b + 1) - 1 ]
---
cd
Where:
a = dividends and interest earned during the period.
b = expenses accrued for the period (after reductions).
c = the average daily number of accumulation units outstanding during
the period.
d = the maximum offering price per accumulation unit on the last day
of the period.
NOTE: "a" has been estimated for debt securities other than mortgage
certificates by dividing the year-end market value times the yield to maturity
by 360. "a" for mortgage securities, such as GNMA's, is the actual income
earned. Neither discount nor premium have been amortized.
"b" has been estimated by dividing the actual expense amounts for the year
by 360 or the number of days the fund was in existence.
Because each class of shares of each fund bears its own fees and certain
expenses, the classes will have different performance results.
* * *
<PAGE>
From time to time, quotations of Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund's
yield and effective yield may be included in advertisements or communications to
shareholders. If a portion of the fund's expenses had not been subsidized, the
fund would have had lower returns. These performance figures are calculated in
the following manner:
A. Yield - the net annualized yield based on a specified 7-calendar days
calculated at simple interest rates. Yield is calculated by determining the net
change, exclusive of capital changes, in the value of a hypothetical
pre-existing account having a balance of one share at the beginning of the
period, subtracting a hypothetical charge reflecting deductions from
shareholders accounts, and dividing the difference by the value of the account
at the beginning of the base period to obtain the base period return. The yield
is annualized by multiplying the base period return by 365/7. The yield figure
is stated to the nearest hundredth of one percent. The yield of Wright U.S.
Treasury Money Market Fund for the seven-day period ended December 31, 1999 was
4.69%.
B. Effective Yield - the net annualized yield for a specified 7-calendar
days assuming a reinvestment of the yield or compounding. Effective yield is
calculated by the same method as yield except the annualized yield figure is
compounded by adding 1, raising the sum to a power equal to 365 divided by 7,
and subtracting one from the result, according to the following formula:
Effective Yield = [(Base Period Return + 1 )^365/7] - 1. The effective yield of
Wright U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund for the seven-day period ended December
31, 1999 was 4.80%.
As described above, yield and effective yield are based on historical
earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance. Yield and
effective yield will vary based on changes in market conditions and the level of
expenses.
A fund's yield or total return may be compared to the Consumer Price Index
and various domestic securities indices. A fund's yield or total return and
comparisons with these indices may be used in advertisements and in information
furnished to present or prospective shareholders.
From time to time, evaluations of a fund's performance made by independent
sources may be used in advertisements and in information furnished to present or
prospective shareholders. The Lipper performance analysis includes the
reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, but does not take
sales charges into consideration and is prepared without regard to tax
consequences.
The following table shows the average annual total return of each fund for
the one, five and ten-year periods ended December 31, 1999 and the period from
inception to December 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period Ended 12/31/99 Inception To Inception
One Year Five Years Ten Years 12/31/99 Date
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund (1) 5.75% 16.78% 11.40% 12.63% 1/04/83
Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund (3) 23.87% 24.82% 16.04% 15.98% 7/22/85
Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund (4) 34.26% 14.84% 10.19% 10.36% 9/14/89
THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST
Wright U.S. Treasury Fund (5) -3.97% 7.83% 7.53% 9.44% 7/25/83
Wright U.S. Government Near Term Fund (6) 1.91% 5.89% 6.12% 7.53% 7/25/83
Wright Total Return Bond Fund (7) -3.91% 7.19% 6.69% 8.85% 7/25/83
Wright Current Income Fund (8) 0.52% 7.33% 7.10% 7.69% 4/15/87
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) If a portion of the WBC's expenses had not been subsidized for the years
ended December 31, 1987, 1986 and 1984, the fund would have had lower
returns.
(2) If a portion of the WJBC's expenses had not been subsidized during the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1987 and 1985, the fund would have had
lower returns.
(3) If a portion of the WMBC's expenses had not been subsidized during the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987 and 1985, the
fund would have had lower returns.
(4) If a portion of the WIBC's expenses had not been reduced during the fiscal
years ending December 31, 1990 and 1989, the fund would have had lower
returns.
(5) If a portion of WUSTB's expenses had not been subsidized for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1987,1985 and 1984, the fund
would have had lower returns.
(6) If a portion of WNTB's expenses had not been subsidized during the year
ended December 31, 1987, the fund would have had lower returns.
(7) If a portion of WTRB's expenses had not been subsidized during the five
years ended December 31, 1989, the fund would have had lower returns.
(8) If a portion of WCIF's expenses had not been subsidized during the five
years ended December 31, 1991, the fund would have had lower returns.
<PAGE>
TAXES
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company for any taxable year
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), as described
in the funds' Prospectus, each fund must meet certain requirements with respect
to the sources of its income, the diversification of its assets, and the
distribution of its income to shareholders. In satisfying these requirements,
each feeder fund will treat itself as owning its proportionate share of each of
its corresponding portfolio's assets and as entitled to the income of that
portfolio properly attributable to such share. Because each feeder fund invests
in its corresponding portfolio, each portfolio normally must satisfy the
applicable source of income and diversification requirements in order for the
feeder funds to satisfy them. Each portfolio will allocate among its investors,
including the corresponding feeder fund, the portfolio's net investment income,
net realized capital gains, and any other items of income, gain, loss, deduction
or credit in a manner intended to comply with the Code and applicable
regulations. Each portfolio will make moneys available for withdrawal at
appropriate times and in sufficient amounts to enable the corresponding feeder
fund to satisfy the tax distribution requirements the feeder fund must satisfy
in order to avoid liability for federal income and/or excise tax.
As a partnership under the Code, each portfolio does not pay federal income
or excise taxes. Each portfolio also does not expect to be required to pay any
state income or corporate excise or franchise taxes in Massachusetts or New
York.
In order to avoid federal excise tax, each fund must distribute (or be
deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each year at least 98% of its
ordinary income for such year, at least 98% of the excess of its realized
capital gains over its realized capital losses for the one-year period ending on
October 31 of such year, after reduction by any available capital loss
carryforwards, and 100% of any income and capital gains from the prior year (as
previously computed) that was not paid out during such year and on which the
fund paid no federal income tax.
As of December 31, 1999, the following funds had capital loss
carryforwards, as determined for federal income tax purposes, of $60,136 (WTMM),
$10,819,336 (WNTB), and $1,091,554 (WCIF) which in varying amounts expire
between the years 2000 and 2007. These loss carryforwards will reduce the
applicable fund's taxable income arising from future net realized capital gains,
if any, to the extent they are permitted to be used under the Code and
applicable Treasury regulations prior to their expiration dates, and thus will
reduce the amounts of the future distributions to shareholders that would
otherwise be necessary in order to relieve that fund of liability for federal
income tax.
Any dividends received deduction with respect to qualifying dividends
received from WBC or WMBC will be reduced to the extent the shares with respect
to which the dividends are received are treated as debt-financed under the Code
and will be eliminated if the shares are deemed to have been held for less than
a minimum period, generally 46 days, which must be satisfied over a prescribed
period immediately before and after the shares become ex-dividend. In particular
cases, receipt of distributions qualifying for the deduction may result in
liability for the alternative minimum tax and/or, for "extraordinary dividends,"
reduction of the tax basis (possibly requiring current recognition of income to
the extent such basis would otherwise be reduced below zero) of the corporate
shareholder's shares.
International Blue Chip Portfolio's transactions in certain foreign
currency options, futures or forward contracts will be subject to special tax
rules, the effect of which may be to accelerate income to WIBC, defer fund
losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of securities and convert
capital gains or losses into ordinary income or losses. These rules may
therefore affect the amount, timing and character of WIBC's distributions to
shareholders.
Certain foreign exchange gains or losses realized by the portfolio and
allocated to WIBC may be treated as ordinary income and losses. Certain uses of
foreign currency and foreign currency contracts, and equity investments by
International Blue Chip Portfolio in certain "passive foreign investment
companies," may be limited, or in the latter case a tax election (if available)
may be made, in order to avoid the imposition of a tax on WIBC.
An Equity fund may follow the tax accounting practice known as
equalization, which may affect the amount, timing and character of its
distributions to shareholders.
Special tax rules apply to IRA and other retirement plan accounts
(including penalties on certain distributions and other transactions) and to
other special classes of investors, such as tax-exempt organizations, banks or
insurance companies. Investors should consult their tax advisers for more
information.
Redemptions (including exchanges) and other dispositions of fund shares in
transactions that are treated as sales for tax purposes will generally result in
the recognition of taxable gain or loss by shareholders that are subject to tax,
<PAGE>
except in the case of WTMM (provided that WTMM has maintained a constant net
asset value). Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference
to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular
redemption, exchange or other disposition of fund shares is properly treated as
a sale for tax purposes, as this discussion assumes. Any loss realized upon the
redemption, exchange or other sale of shares of a fund with a tax holding period
of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent
of any distributions of long-term capital gains designated as capital gain
dividends with respect to such shares. All or a portion of a loss realized upon
the redemption, exchange or other sale of fund shares may be disallowed under
"wash sale" rules to the extent shares of the same fund are purchased (including
shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within the period beginning 30
days before and ending 30 days after the date of such redemption, exchange or
other sale.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements of, and the independent auditors' report
for the funds and the Portfolios appear in the funds' most recent annual report
to shareholders and are incorporated by reference into this Statement of
Additional Information. A copy of the funds' annual report accompanies this
Statement of Additional Information.
Registrant incorporates by reference the audited financial information for
the funds and the Portfolios for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 as
previously filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
February 28, 2000 (Accession Number 0000715165-00-0000010).
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WRIGHT QUALITY RATINGS
Wright Quality Ratings provide the means by which the fundamental criteria
for the measurement of quality of an issuer's securities can be objectively
evaluated.
Each rating is based on individual measures of quality grouped into four
components: (1) Investment Acceptance, (2) Financial Strength, (3) Profitability
and Stability, and (4) Growth. The total rating is three letters and a numeral.
The three letters measure (1) Investment Acceptance, (2) Financial Strength, and
(3) Profitability and Stability. Each letter reflects a composite measurement of
eight individual standards which are summarized as A: Outstanding, B: Excellent,
C: Good, D: Fair, L: Limited, and N: Not Rated. The numeral rating reflects
Growth and is a composite of eight individual standards ranging from 0 to 20.
EQUITY SECURITIES
INVESTMENT ACCEPTANCE reflects the acceptability of a security by and its
marketability among investors, and the adequacy of the floating supply of its
common shares for the investment of substantial funds.
FINANCIAL STRENGTH represents the amount, adequacy and liquidity of the
corporation's resources in relation to current and potential requirements. Its
principal components are aggregate equity and total capital, the ratio of
invested equity capital to debt, the adequacy of net working capital, its fixed
charges coverage ratio and other appropriate criteria.
PROFITABILITY AND STABILITY measures the record of a corporation's
management in terms of (1) the rate and consistency of the net return on
shareholders' equity capital investment at corporate book value, and (2) the
profits or losses of the corporation during generally adverse economic periods,
including its ability to withstand adverse financial developments.
GROWTH per common share of the corporation's equity capital, earnings, and
dividends - rather than the corporation's overall growth of dollar sales and
income.
These ratings are determined by specific quantitative formulae. A
distinguishing characteristic of these ratings is that The Wright Investment
Committee must review and accept each rating. The Committee may reduce a
computed rating of any company, but may not increase it.
DEBT SECURITIES
Wright ratings for commercial paper, corporate bonds and bank certificates
of deposit consist of the two central positions of the four position
alphanumeric corporate equity rating. The two central positions represent those
factors which are most applicable to fixed income and reserve investments. The
first, Financial Strength, represents the amount, the adequacy and the liquidity
of the corporation's resources in relation to current and potential
requirements. Its principal components are aggregate equity and total capital,
the ratios of (a) invested equity capital, and (b) long-term debt, total of
corporate capital, the adequacy of net working capital, fixed charges coverage
ratio and other appropriate criteria. The second letter represents Profitability
and Stability and measures the record of a corporation's management in terms of:
(a) the rate and consistency of the net return on shareholders' equity capital
investment at corporate book value, and (b) the profits and losses of the
corporation during generally adverse economic periods, and its ability to
withstand adverse financial developments.
<PAGE>
The first letter rating of the Wright four-part alphanumeric corporate
rating is not included in the ratings of fixed-income securities since it
primarily reflects the adequacy of the floating supply of the company's common
shares for the investment of substantial funds. The numeric growth rating is not
included because this element is identified only with equity investments.
A-1 AND P-1 COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS BY S&P AND MOODY'S
An S&P Commercial Paper Rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of
timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.
`A': Issues assigned this highest rating are regarded as having the
greatest capacity for timely payment. Issues in this category are delineated
with the numbers 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety. The
`A-1' designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment
is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to possess
overwhelming safety characteristics will be denoted with a plus (+) sign
designation.
The commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to purchase or sell a
security. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Standard &
Poor's by the issuer or obtained from other sources it considers reliable. The
ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in or
unavailability of such information.
Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated P-1 by Moody's have a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. P-1
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:
-- Leading market positions in well-established industries.
-- High rates of return on funds employed.
-- Conservative capitalization structures 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.
BOND RATINGS
In addition to Wright quality ratings, bonds or bond insurers may be
expected to have credit risk ratings assigned by the two major rating companies,
Moody's and S&P. Moody's uses a nine-symbol system with Aaa being the highest
rating and C the lowest. S&P uses a 10-symbol system that ranges from AAA to D.
Bonds within the top four categories of Moody's (Aaa, Aa, A, and Baa) and of S&P
(AAA, AA, A, and BBB) are considered to be of investment-grade quality. Bonds in
the lowest investment grade category (BBB) may have speculative characteristics.
Only the top three grades are acceptable for the taxable income funds. Note that
both S&P and Moody's currently give their highest rating to issuers insured by
the American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation (AMBAC) or by the Municipal
Bond Investors Assurance Corporation (MBIA).
Bonds rated A by S&P have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of change in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher- rated categories. The
rating of AA is accorded to issues where the capacity to pay principal and
interest is very strong and they differ from AAA issues only in small degree.
The AAA rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and
interest.
Bonds rated A by Moody's are judged by Moody's to possess many favorable
investment attributes and are considered as upper medium grade obligations.
Bonds rated Aa by Moody's are judged by Moody's 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 Aaa bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large or fluctuations of protective elements may be of
greater degree or there may be other elements present which make the long-term
risks appear somewhat larger. Bonds rated Aaa by Moody's are judged to be of the
best quality. 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 issuers.
NOTE RATINGS
In addition to Wright quality ratings, municipal notes and other short-term
loans may be assigned ratings by Moody's or Standard & Poor's. Moody's ratings
for municipal notes and other short- term loans are designated Moody's
Investment Grade (MIG). This distinction is in recognition of the differences
between short-term and long-term credit risk. Loans bearing the designation MIG
1 are of the best quality, enjoying strong protection by establishing cash flows
of funds for their servicing or by established and broad- based access to the
market for refinancing, or both. Loans bearing the designation MIG 2 are of high
quality, with margins of protection ample although not so large as in the
preceding group.
Standard & Poor's top ratings for municipal notes issued after July 29,
1984 are SP-1 and SP-2. The designation SP-1 indicates a very strong capacity to
pay principal and interest. A "+" is added for those issues determined to
possess overwhelming safety characteristics. An "SP-2" designation indicates a
satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
<PAGE>
PART C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Information
Item 23. Exhibits
(a) (1) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 28,
1997 filed as Exhibit No. (1) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 22 filed April 29, 1997 and incorporated herein
by reference.
(2) Amended and Restated Establishment and Designation of Series
dated December 8, 1999 filed herewith.
(b) Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 18, 1997 filed as
Exhibit No. (2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 filed
April 29, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Not Applicable
(d) (1) Investment Advisory Contract dated September 23, 1998
with Wright Investors' Service, Inc. filed as Exhibit No.
(d)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 on February 24, 1999
and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Amended and Restated Administration Agreement with Eaton Vance
Management dated February 1, 1998 filed as Exhibit (5)(b) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 filed April 29, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference.
(e) Distribution Contract between the Fund and MFBT Corporation
dated November 1, 1984 filed as Exhibit No. (6) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed April 29, 1996 and
incorporated herein by reference.
(f) Not Applicable
(g) (1) Custodian Agreement with Investors Bank & Trust Company
dated December 19, 1990 filed as Exhibit (8)(a) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed April 29, 1996 and
incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Amendment dated September 20, 1995 to Master Custodian
Agreement filed as Exhibit (8)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 20 filed April 29, 1996 and incorporated herein by
reference.
(3) Amendment dated September 24, 1997 to Master Custodian
Agreement filed as Exhibit (g)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 24 on February 24, 1999 and incorporated herein by
reference.
(h) (1) Transfer Agency Agreement dated June 9, 1989 filed as Exhibit
(9)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 filed April
29, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Service Plan for Standard Shares and Institutional Shares
dated May 1, 1997 filed as Exhibit (9)(c) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 22 filed April 29, 1997 and incorporated herein
by reference.
(i) (1) Opinion of Counsel dated April 7, 1998 filed as Exhibit 10
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 and incorporated
herein by reference.
(2) Consent of Counsel filed herewith.
(j) Consent of Independent Auditors filed herewith.
(k) Not Applicable
(l) Not Applicable
(m) Standard Shares Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, dated May 1, 1997 filed as Exhibit
15(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 filed April 29, 1997 and
incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
(n) Not Applicable
(o) Rule 18f-3 Plan dated May 1, 1997 for Standard and
Institutional Shares filed as Exhibit No. 18 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 22 filed April 29, 1997 and incorporated herein by
reference.
(p) (1) Power of Attorney dated March 26, 1998 filed as Exhibit
17(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 filed April 29,
1998 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Power of Attorney dated December 9, 1998 filed as Exhibit
(p)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 on February 24, 1999
and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Power of Attorney of The Wright Blue Chip Master Portfolio
Trust dated March 25, 1998 filed as Exhibit 17(b) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 filed April 29, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Power of Attorney of The Wright Blue Chip Master Portfolio
Trust dated January 19, 1999 filed as Exhibit (p)(4) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 on February 24, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference.
(q) Codes of Ethics
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
Not Applicable
Item 25. Indemnification
The Registrant's Amended and Restated By-Laws filed as Exhibit (2) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 contain provisions limiting the liability, and
providing for indemnification, of the Trustees and officers under certain
circumstances.
Registrant's Trustees and officers are insured under a standard investment
company errors and omissions insurance policy covering loss incurred by reason
of negligent errors and omissions committed in their capacities as such.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Reference is made to the information set forth under the captions "Officers and
Trustees" and "Investment Advisory and Administrative Services" in the Statement
of Additional Information, which information is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item 27. Principal Underwriter
(a) Wright Investors' Service Distributors, Inc. (a wholly-owned
subsidiary of The Winthrop Corporation) acts as principal
underwriter for each of the investment companies named below.
The Wright EquiFund Equity Trust
The Wright Managed Equity Trust
The Wright Managed Income Trust
Catholic Values Investment Trust
The Wright Asset Allocation Trust
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(b) (1) (2) (3)
Name and Principal Positions and Officers Positions and Offices
Business Address with Principal Underwriter with Registrant
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
A. M. Moody III* President Vice President and Trustee
Peter M. Donovan* Vice President and Treasurer President and Trustee
Vincent M. Simko* Vice President and Secretary None
* Address is 440 Wheelers Farms Road, Milford, CT 06460.
</TABLE>
(c) Not Applicable
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
All applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the
Registrant by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules
promulgated thereunder are in the possession and custody of the registrant's
custodian, Investors Bank & Trust Company, 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA
02116, and its transfer agent, PFPC, Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA
01581-5120, with the exception of certain corporate documents and portfolio
trading documents which are either in the possession and custody of the
Registrant's administrator, Eaton Vance Management, 255 State Street, Boston, MA
02109 or of the investment adviser, Wright Investors' Service, Inc., 440
Wheelers Farms Road, Milford, CT 06460. Registrant is informed that all
applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by registered
investment advisers are in the custody and possession of Registrant's
administrator, Eaton Vance Management, or of the investment adviser, Wright
Investors' Service, Inc.
Item 29. Management Services
Not Applicable
Item 30. Undertakings
The Registrant undertakes to furnish to each person to whom a prospectus is
delivered a copy of the latest annual report to shareholders, upon request and
without charge.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly
caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bridgeport, and
the State of Connecticut on the 26th day of April, 2000.
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST
By: Peter M. Donovan*
-------------------------------
Peter M. Donovan, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective
Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities indicated and on the 26th day of April, 2000.
SIGNATURE TITLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter M. Donovan* President, Principal
- ------------------ Executive Officer & Trustee
Peter M. Donovan
James L. O'Connor* Treasurer, Principal
- ------------------ Financial and Accounting Officer
James L. O'Connor
H. Day Brigham, Jr.* Trustee
- ---------------------
H. Day Brigham, Jr.
Judith R. Corchard* Trustee
- ---------------------
Judith R. Corchard
Dorcas R. Hardy* Trustee
- -----------------
Dorcas R. Hardy
Leland Miles* Trustee
- -----------------
Leland Miles
/s/ A. M. Moody III Trustee
- --------------------
A. M. Moody III
Lloyd F. Pierce* Trustee
- -----------------
Lloyd F. Pierce
Richard E. Taber* Trustee
- ------------------
Richard E. Taber
Raymond Van Houtte* Trustee
- --------------------
Raymond Van Houtte
*By /s/ A. M. Moody III
- -------------------------
A. M. Moody III
Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
Signatures
The Wright Blue Chip Master Portfolio Trust has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement of The Wright
Managed Equity Trust (File No. 2-78047) to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bridgeport, and the State
of Connecticut on the 26th day of April, 2000.
THE WRIGHT BLUE CHIP
MASTER PORTFOLIO TRUST
By: Peter M. Donovan*
--------------------------
Peter M. Donovan, President
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration Statement of The
Wright Managed Equity Trust (File No. 2-78047) has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the 26th day of April, 2000.
SIGNATURE TITLE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter M. Donovan* President, Principal
- ----------------- Executive Officer & Trustee
Peter M. Donovan
James L. O'Connor* Treasurer, Principal
- ------------------ Financial and Accounting Officer
James L. O'Connor
H. Day Brigham, Jr.* Trustee
- ---------------------
H. Day Brigham, Jr.
Judith R. Corchard* Trustee
- ---------------------
Judith R. Corchard
Dorcas R. Hardy* Trustee
- --------------------
Dorcas R. Hardy
Leland Miles* Trustee
- --------------------
Leland Miles
/s/A. M. Moody III Trustee
- --------------------
A. M. Moody III
Lloyd F. Pierce* Trustee
- --------------------
Lloyd F. Pierce
Richard E. Taber* Trustee
- --------------------
Richard E. Taber
Raymond Van Houtte* Trustee
- ---------------------
Raymond Van Houtte
*By /s/ A. M. Moody III
- ------------------------
A. M. Moody III
Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
Exhibit Index
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Amendment to the
Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 483 of Regulation C.
Exhibit No. Description
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) (2) Consent of Counsel
(j) Consent of Independent Auditors
(q) Codes of Ethics
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hale and Dorr LLP
Counsellors At Law
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
617-526-6000 FAX 617-526-5000
April 25, 2000
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration
Statement of The Wright Managed Equity Trust (Trust)
File Nos. 2-78047; 811-3489 (PEA no. 27)
-------------------------------------------------------
Gentlemen:
Hale and Dorr LLP hereby consents to the incorporation by reference into
PEA no. 27 of its opinion, dated April 7, 1998, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 29, 1998, as exhibit no. 10 to post-effective
amendment no. 23.
The consent may not be used for any purpose other than as set forth above
without our further consent.
Very truly yours,
/s/Hale and Dorr LLP
Hale and Dorr LLP
EXHIBIT j
Independent Auditors' Consent
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective
Amendement No. 27 to the Registration Statement of The Wright Managed Equity
Trust (1933 Act File No. 2-78047) on behalf of The Wright Selected Blue Chip
Equities Fund, Selected Blue Chip Equities Portfolio, Wright Major Blue Chip
Equities Fund, Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund and International
Blue Chip Equities Portfolio, of our report dated February 4, 2000, relating to
the Funds referenced above, which report is included in the Annual Report to
Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1999, in the Statement of
Additional Information which is part of such Registration Statement.
We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading
"Financial Highlights" in the Prospectus and under the caption "Independent
Certified Public Accountants" of the Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
April 26, 2000
CODE OF ETHICS
ADOPTED BY
THE WRIGHT MANAGED INCOME TRUST
THE WRIGHT MANAGED EQUITY TRUST
THE WRIGHT EQUIFUND EQUITY TRUST
THE WRIGHT ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST
THE WRIGHT MANAGED BLUE CHIP SERIES TRUST
THE WRIGHT BLUE CHIP MASTER PORTFOLIO TRUST
THE CATHOLIC VALUES INVESTMENT TRUST
As Adopted March 23, 2000
Each of The Wright Managed Income Trust, The Wright Managed Equity
Trust, The Wright EquiFund Equity Trust, The Wright Asset Allocation Trust, The
Wright Managed Blue Chip Series Trust, The Wright Blue Chip Master Portfolio
Trust and The Catholic Values Investment Trust (the "Funds") has adopted this
Code of Ethics, pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "1940 Act"), with respect to certain types of personal
securities transactions by the officers and Trustees of the Funds which might be
deemed to create possible conflicts of interest and to establish reporting
requirements and enforcement procedures with respect to such transactions.
I. Code Provisions Applicable Only to Affiliated Officers and Trustees of
the Funds.
A. INCORPORATION OF ADVISER'S CODE OF ETHICs. The provisions of the
Adviser's Code of Ethics of Wright Investors' Service (the "Adviser"), which is
attached as APPENDIX A hereto, are hereby incorporated herein as each Fund's
Code of Ethics applicable to Officers and Trustees of such Fund who are
employees or affiliates of the Adviser. A violation of the Adviser's Code of
Ethics by any such Officer or Trustee of a Fund shall constitute a violation of
the Fund's Code of Ethics. Reports of the Adviser's personnel required by the
Adviser's Code of Ethics shall be deemed to be reports with the Funds under this
Code of Ethics, and shall at all times be available to the Funds.
B. REPORTS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATOR'S CODE OF ETHICS. Officers and
Trustees of the Funds who are employees of the Administrator shall file copies
of the reports required by the Administrator's Code of Ethics with the Review
Officer (as defined in Section I.C. of this Code). Such filings shall be deemed
to be filings with the Funds under this Code of Ethics, and shall at all
times be available to the Funds.
C. REVIEW. The person designated as the review officer by the Trustees
of each Fund (the "Review Officer") shall compare the reported personal
securities transactions with completed and contemplated portfolio transactions
of the Funds to determine whether a violation of this Code may have occurred.
Before making any determination that a violation has been committed by any
person, the Review Officer shall give such person an opportunity to supply
additional explanatory material. If the Review Officer determines that a
material violation of this Code has or may have occurred, he or she shall submit
his or her written determination, together with the transaction report and any
additional explanatory material provided by the individual, to the President of
the Adviser, who shall make an independent determination of whether a material
violation has occurred.
D. SANCTIONS. If the Review Officer or the President of the Adviser
finds that a material violation has occurred, he shall report the violation and
any sanctions imposed by the Adviser to the Trustees of the affected Funds. If a
securities transaction of the Review Officer or the President of the Adviser is
under consideration, an alternate review officer appointed by the Trustees of
each Fund, who may be a Vice President or other senior officer of the Adviser or
an unaffiliated third party, shall act in all respects in the manner prescribed
herein for the Review Officer or the President of the Adviser.
II. CODE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE ONLY TO INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES OF THE FUNDS.
A. DEFINITIONS.
(1) "Beneficial ownership" shall be interpreted in the same manner as it
would be in determining whether a person is subject to the provisions of Section
16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations
thereunder. Application of this definition is explained in more detail in the
form of report attached as Appendix B hereto.
(2) "Control" shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section
2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. Generally, it means the power to exercise a controlling
influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is
solely the result of an official position with such company.
(3) "Independent Trustee" means a Trustee of any Fund who is not an
employee or affiliate of the Adviser or the Administrator.
(4) "Purchase or sale of a security" includes, among other things, the
writing of an option to purchase or sell a security.
(5) "Security" shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section
2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act (generally, all securities) except that it shall not
include direct obligations of the Government of the United States, bankers'
acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality
short-term debt instruments (including repurchase agreements) and shares of
registered open-end investment companies.
(6) A Security is "being considered for purchase or sale" by a Fund when a
recommendation that the Fund purchase or sell the Security has been communicated
by a member of the Adviser's Investment Department to an officer of such Fund.
B. PROHIBITED PURCHASES AND SALES. No Independent Trustee of any Fund
shall purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any Security in which he has,
or by reasons of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial
ownership and which to his actual knowledge at the time of such purchase or
sale:
(1) is being considered for purchase or sale by such Fund; or
(2) is being purchased or sold by such Fund.
C. EXEMPTED TRANSACTIONS. The prohibitions of Section IIB of this Code
shall not apply to:
(1) purchases or sales effected in any account over which the Independent
Trustee has no direct or indirect influence or control;
(2) purchases or sales
which are non-volitional on the part of the Independent Trustee or a Fund;
(3)purchases which are part of an automatic dividend reinvestment plan;
(4)purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro
rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were
acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired;
(5) purchases or sales other than those exempted in Paragraphs (1) through
(4) above, (a) which will not cause the Independent Trustee to gain improperly a
personal profit as a result of his relationship with any Fund, or (b) which will
only remotely affect a Fund because the proposed transaction would be unlikely
to affect a highly institutional market, or (c) which, because of the
circumstances of the proposed transaction, are not related economically to the
Securities purchased or sold or to be purchased or sold by a Fund, and in each
case which are previously approved by the Review Officer, which approval shall
be confirmed in writing.
D. REPORTING. Whether or not one of the exemptions listed in Section IIC
hereof applies, each Independent Trustee of each Fund shall file with the Review
Officer a written report containing the information described below in this
Section IID with respect to each transaction in any Security in which such
Independent Trustee has, or by reasons of such transaction acquires, any direct
or indirect beneficial ownership, if such Independent Trustee, at the time he
entered into that transaction, actually knew or, in the ordinary course of
fulfilling his official duties as a Trustee of such Fund should have know,1 that
during the 15-day period immediately preceding or after the date of that
transaction:
(a) such Security was or is to be purchased or sold by the Fund, or
(b) such Security was or is being considered for purchase or sale by the Fund;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such Independent Trustee shall not be required to make a
report with respect to any transaction effected for any account over which he
does not have any direct or indirect influence or control. Each such report
shall be deemed to be filed with the Funds for purposes of this Code, and may
contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by
the Independent Trustee that he has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership
in the Security to which the report relates.
Such report shall be made not later than 10 days after the end of the
calendar quarter in which the transaction to which the report relates was
effected, and shall contain the following information:
(i) The date of the transaction, the title, interest rate and maturity date
(if applicable), the number of shares, and the principal amount of each
security involved;
(ii) The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of
acquisition or disposition);
(iii) The price at which the transaction was effected;
(iv) The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the
transaction was effected; and
(v) The date that the report is submitted.
Any report concerning a purchase or sale prohibited under Section IIB hereof
with respect to which the Independent Trustee relies upon one of the exemptions
provided in Section IIC shall contain a brief statement of the exemption relied
upon and the circumstances of the transaction.
E. REVIEW. The Review Officer shall compare the reported personal
securities transactions with completed and contemplated portfolio transactions
of each Fund to determine whether any transaction ("Reviewable Transaction") of
the type listed in Section IIB (without regard to exemptions provided by Section
IIC(1) through (5)) may have occurred. If the Review Officer determines that a
Reviewable Transaction may have occurred, he shall submit the pertinent
information regarding the transaction to counsel for the Funds. Such counsel
shall determine whether a material violation of this Code has occurred, taking
into account all the exemptions provided under Section IIC. Before making any
determination that a violation has occurred, such counsel shall give the person
involved an opportunity to supply additional information regarding the
transaction in question.
F. SANCTIONS. If such counsel determines that a material violation of this
Code has occurred, such counsel shall so advise the President of the affected
Fund and an ad hoc committee consisting of the Independent Trustees of such
Fund, other than the person whose transaction is under consideration, and such
counsel shall provide the committee with a report of the matter, including any
additional information supplied by such person. The committee may impose such
sanctions as it deems appropriate.
III. MISCELLANEOUS CODE PROVISIONS.
A. AMENDMENT OR REVISION OF THE ADVISER'S CODE OF ETHICS. Any material
change or amendment to the Adviser's Code of Ethics must be approved by the
Board of Trustees of the Funds (including a majority of Independent Trustees) no
later than six months of its adoption by the Adviser. Such amendment or revision
shall be deemed to be an amendment or revisions of Section IA of this Code, and
a copy of such amendment or revision shall be appended hereto.
B. ANNUAL REPORT AND CERTIFICATION OF THE ADVISER. No later than once
annually, the Adviser shall prepare and submit a written report and
certification to the Trustees of the Funds, as required by Paragraph C.8. of the
Adviser's Code of Ethics (Appendix A hereto).
C. RECORDS. Each Fund shall maintain records in the manner and to the
extent set forth below, which records may be maintained in electronic format
under the conditions described in Rule 31a-2(f)(a) under the 1940 Act and shall
be available for examination by representatives of the Securities and Exchange
Commission:
(1) A copy of this Code and any other code which is, or at any time within
the past five years has been, in effect shall be preserved in an easily
accessible place;
(2) A record of any violation of this Code and of any action taken as a
result of such violation shall be preserved in an easily accessible place for a
period of not less than five years following the end of the fiscal year in which
the violation occurs;
(3) A copy of each report made by an Officer or Trustee pursuant to this
Code shall be preserved for a period of not less than five years after the end
of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two years in an easily
accessible place;
(4) A list of all persons who are, or within the past five years have been,
required to make reports pursuant to this Code shall be maintained in a easily
accessible place;
(5) A copy of each annual written report and certification made by the
Adviser to the Board of Trustees of the Funds must be maintained for a period of
five years after the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two
years in an easily accessible place; and
(6) A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to
approve the acquisition by Access Persons of any initial public offering or
private placement securities shall be maintained for at least five years after
the end of the fiscal year in which the approval was granted.
C. CONFIDENTIALITY. All reports of securities transactions and any other
information filed with the Funds or furnished to any person pursuant to this
Code shall be treated as confidential, but are subject to review as provided
herein and by representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
D. INTERPRETATION OF PROVISIONS. The Trustees of each Fund may from time to
time adopt such interpretations of this Code as they deem appropriate.
E. EFFECT OF VIOLATION OF THE CODE. In adopting Rule 17j-1 under the
1940 Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission specifically noted in
Investment Company Act Release No. IC-11421 that a violation of any provision of
a particular code of ethics, such as this Code, would not be considered a per se
unlawful act prohibited by the general anti-fraud provisions of the Rule. As
stated in the Release:
"....the Commission believes that such a violation should and would be
considered, with all the surrounding facts and circumstances, merely as one
piece of evidence in determining whether, in addition to a violation of the code
of ethics, a violation of the anti-fraud provisions of the Rule also has
occurred."
In adopting this Code of Ethics, it is not intended that a violation of this
Code is or should be considered to be a violation of Rule 17j-1.
<PAGE>
WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE, INC.
CODE OF ETHICS - PERSONAL INVESTMENTS
A. STATEMENT OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES
All directors, officers and employees of Wright Investors' Service,
Inc. ("Wright") shall conduct themselves with integrity and dignity and act in a
thoroughly ethical manner in dealings with clients, the public and fellow
employees. All such persons shall have the duty at all times to place the
interests of the shareholders of Wright-managed mutual funds (the "Funds") and
Wright's other clients first, and may not in any respect take advantage of
client transactions. It is essential that we avoid not only actual conflicts,
but also any appearance of conflicts of interest and any abuse of an
individual's position of trust and responsibility. No Code of Ethics can cover
every possible circumstance, and an individual's conduct must depend ultimately
upon his sense of fiduciary obligation to the Funds and Wright's direct advisory
clients.
This Code of Ethics ("Code") supersedes Wright's prior code and Statement
of Policy. The management of Wright believes this Code meets current SEC
requirements and is appropriate and desirable for the Company.
All requests and reports provided to anyone pursuant to this Code shall
be treated as confidential, but are subject to review as provided herein and by
representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
B. APPLICABILITY OF RESTRICTIONS AND PROCEDURES
PERSONS AFFECTED.
ALL EMPLOYEES* located in any office of Wright must comply with the
requirements of Paragraphs C-1 through C-3, below and all provisions of
Section E. Employees must also familiarize themselves with all other
parts of this Code.
ACCESS PERSONS (as defined in Exhibit A) must comply with the
requirements of Paragraphs C-1 through C-6, inclusive, and all
provisions of Section E. Access Persons must also familiarize
themselves with all other parts of this Code.
ACCOUNTS INCLUDED.
Wright's policies and procedures concerning personal investments apply
to all securities accounts in which the affected employee has "a direct
or indirect beneficial ownership," unless the employee has no "direct
or indirect influence or control" over the account. The concept of
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP is an important part of this Code and is more
extensively defined in Exhibit A.
* For purposes of clarity, all employees of The Winthrop Corporation
performing services for Wright are referred to as employees of Wright.
TYPES OF SECURITIES COVERED.
In general this Code employs the terms Security to mean shares of any
publicly-traded company, including puts, calls, options and warrants
for such securities, and open-end and closed-end mutual funds, except
direct obligations of the US Government, bank certificates of deposit
and money market funds.
C. COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES
1. Disclosure of Personal Holdings. As a condition to employment, each
newly-hired person must (i) make full disclosure of any brokerage account and
all publicly-traded securities beneficially owned by the employee or members of
the employee's immediate family; (ii) agree to comply with the Company's written
policies restricting personal trading and prohibiting insider trading; and (iii)
provide a written acknowledgment of receipt of such policies. This disclosure
must include all of the information requested on Exhibit B-1.
2. Preclearance. No employee of Wright may buy or sell shares of any
Security without the prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or the
Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Wright. Any such approval will only be given
in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph D, "Guidelines for Approval of
Securities Transactions." The approval will remain valid for three days.
Employees who receive approvals for trades must have the broker send a copy of
the confirmation to the Legal Department.
3. Annual Certification of Compliance. All employees shall certify
annually that they (i) have read and understand this Code; (ii) recognize that
they are subject thereto; (iii) have complied with its requirements, including
any necessary preclearance; and (iv) have disclosed or reported all personal
securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to this
Code. The form of such certification is set forth in Exhibit B-2.
4. Broker/Dealer Reports. All employees shall cause each broker/dealer
at which they have an account to send a copy of all quarterly and annual account
statements to the Legal Department.
5. Quarterly Report of Transactions. Each Access Person must file every
quarter with the Legal Department a report of all transactions in Securities.
(See Exhibit B-3) Transactions encompass sales, purchases and other acquisitions
or dispositions, including gifts and exercise of conversion rights or
subscription rights. In addition, if the Access Person established a securities
account during the quarter, the report must disclose the name of the broker,
dealer or bank with whom the account is established and the date the account was
established. The report must be filed with the Legal Department even if there
were no reportable transactions during the prior calendar quarter, in which case
the employee should state on the form that there were no such transactions. The
report is due ten days after the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to submit
the report in a timely manner is a violation of SEC regulations and this Code,
and may be a cause for sanctions. Copies of all brokerage statements should be
attached to an Access Person's signed report.
6. Annual Disclosure. No less than once annually, all Access Persons shall
submit to the Legal Department a list of all of his/her securities holdings. The
specific information of this report is identical to that of the Initial
Disclosure of Investments. Brokerage statements may be substituted for a
separate report.
7. Monitoring of Compliance. Within thirty days after the end of each
quarter, the Legal Department* shall review the Quarterly and Annual Reports for
reconciliation with the Initial Disclosure, Annual Disclosure, and the
Preclearance Approvals given in the same quarter or year, as applicable. The
Legal Department will investigate all apparent violations of this Code and will
prepare a report for the President of Wright.
8. Review by the Board of Trustees. No less than once each year, Wright
shall prepare and submit a written report to the Trustees of the Funds that
o describes any issues arising under this Code of Ethics since the last
report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to,
information about material violations of the Code or procedures, and
sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and
o certifies that Wright has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to
prevent violations of this Code.
If there have been any material changes to the Code of Ethics, Wright
will submit such changes to the Trustee at the next meeting of the Board.
The Trustees shall review any violations of the Code specified in the
annual report and any recommended changes in existing restrictions and
procedures. They should then take such action, if any, as they may deem
appropriate.
9. Additional Disclosure. Wright's Code of Ethics shall be filed with
the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of each Wright-managed
mutual fund. There will be disclosure in the Funds' prospectuses or their
statements of additional information that (i) Wright has a code of ethics, (ii)
whether personnel of Wright are permitted to invest in securities for their own
accounts, and (iii) that the code is on public file, and available from the SEC.
* As of March, 2000, Helen George, Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs, is
the person responsible for reviewing the reports.
D. GUIDELINES FOR APPROVAL OF SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
1. Initial Public Offerings. Generally no approval will be given for
any employee to purchase securities of a publicly owned corporation that is
making an initial public offering of its securities, except in connection with
the exercise of rights issued in respect of securities such employee owns. The
reason for this rule is that it precludes the appearance that an employee has
used our clients' market stature as a means of obtaining for himself or herself
"hot" issues which would otherwise not be offered to him or her. Any realization
of short-term profits may create at least the appearance that an investment
opportunity that should have been available to a direct advisory account or a
Fund account was diverted to the personal benefit of an employee.
2. Limited Offerings. Any prior approval of any acquisition of
securities in a limited offering (such as a private placement) should take into
account, among other factors, whether the investment opportunity should be
reserved for a Fund and its shareholders or other client, and whether the
opportunity is being offered to an individual by virtue of his or her position
with the investment adviser.
3. Blackout Periods. No employee shall be authorized to exercise a
securities transaction within seven calendar days before or after a direct
advisory account or a Fund in the Wright complex has a pending "buy" or "sell"
order in that same security until that order is executed or withdrawn.
4. Short Sales and Options. Usually no approval will be given for short
sales. Also prohibited are buying, selling or exercising put or call options or
combinations thereof of securities held by a Fund or other advisory client or
which are being considered for purchase for them. It should be noted, for
example, that an exercise of an option or the covering of a short sale could
conflict with current trading for clients. However, where any such option is
held by a member of an employee's family, approval may be given provided there
is no conflict with the interests of the Funds or other Wright clients.
5. Short-Term Trading Profits. Short-term trading, i.e., profiting in
the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of the same (or equivalent)
securities within 60 calendar days, is prohibited and approval will generally
not be given. The management of Wright believes that short-term trading by
Access Persons may increase the risk of conflicts of interest, affect an
individual's investment judgment, and in some instances divert an individual's
attention from the best interests of our Funds and other clients. Where one or
both sides of a short-term trade have not been pre-cleared, there is presumably
already a violation and the whole matter should be handled under the Sanctions
section of this Code, with disgorgement of profits being only one alternative
available to the President of Wright.
6. Margin Accounts. Margin Accounts are absolutely prohibited and no
approval will be given.
7. By-Law Violation. No approval will be given which would result in an
employee's holdings exceeding 1/2 of 1% of the shares or securities of any
publicly-owned issuer.
8. General Standards. In the rare case where approval is given for a
transaction involving an initial public offering or a limited offering,
additional written disclosure will be required and will be maintained in the
Legal Department. In authorizing any other types of transactions, the CEO or CIO
may consider the extent to which the employee has access to pending investment
decisions, the number of transactions already approved for such employee within
the past six months, whether the employee has made unreasonable use of the
company's resources during business hours in arriving at a personal investment
decision, and any other factors that are, in the opinion of the CEO or CIO,
pertinent to the matter.
E. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL EMPLOYEES RELATING TO PERSONAL INVESTMENTS.
1. Securities Recommended by a Member of the Investment Committee. Each
member of the Investment Committee who makes a recommendation as to whether a
security shall be purchased, sold or held in the account of a Fund or client
shall fully apprise the CEO or CIO of Wright of any direct or indirect
beneficial ownership the employee has in such security.
2. By-Law Provision. The by-laws of the Wright Funds generally provide
that a Wright Fund shall not purchase or retain in its portfolio any securities
issued by an issuer any of whose officers, directors or security holders is an
officer or director of the Fund, or is an officer or director of the investment
adviser of the Fund, if after the purchase of the securities of such issuer by
the Fund one or more of such persons owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of
the shares or securities, or both, of such issuer, and such persons owning more
than 1/2 of 1% of such shares or securities together own beneficially more than
5% of such shares or securities, or both. In view of the foregoing, and to avoid
any possibility of an inadvertent violation of this by-law provision, no
approval will be given that would result in an employee's holdings exceeding 1/2
of 1% of the shares or securities of any publicly-owned issuer. Any request for
prior approval of a trade in this type of security must state whether this
provision applies.
3. Gifts. No employee shall accept gifts of a value in excess of $35
from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of a Wright Fund
or direct advisory account. Any gift in excess of $35 shall be disclosed to the
President of Wright before acceptance by the employee.
4. Service As a Director. No employee shall serve on the board of
directors of a publicly traded company, absent prior authorization based upon a
determination by the President of Wright that the board service would be
consistent with the interests of the Fund and its shareholders which may have an
investment in such public company. In the relatively small number of instances
in which board service may be authorized, Access Persons serving as directors
should be isolated from those making investment decisions through written
procedures applicable to the person's position in Wright.
5. Sanctions. Careful adherence to this Code of Ethics is one of the
basic conditions of employment of every employee. Any employee violating any
provision of this Code of Ethics, including the Compliance Procedures, may be
subject to sanction, including but not limited to suspension or termination of
employment, censure or disgorgement of profits, at the determination of the
President of Wright.
Exhibit A
ACCESS PERSONS*
Using the Investment Company Act definition, an Access Person includes:
(i) any officer or director of Wright;
(ii) any employee of Wright who, in connection with his regular
functions or duties, makes, participates in or obtains information
regarding the purchase or sale of a security by a registered investment
company, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations
with respect to such purchases or sales; and
(iii) any natural person in a control relationship to Wright who
obtains information concerning recommendations regarding the
purchase or sale of a security for a Wright-managed mutual fund.
The current list of positions at Wright deemed to be "Access Persons"
are: directors, officers, trading department personnel, analysts and others
involved in making recommendations to portfolio managers, and any employee who
has direct contact with clients and/or receives advance notice from the
Investment Committee of contemplated portfolio transactions.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
Under current SEC interpretations, Beneficial Ownership includes
securities accounts of a spouse, minor children and relatives resident in the
employee's home, as well as accounts of another person if by reason of any
contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement the
employee obtains therefrom benefits substantially equivalent to those of
ownership.
When an employee has a substantial measure of influence or control over
an account, but not direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as for example when
the employee serves as executor or trustee for someone outside his immediate
family, or manages or helps to manage a charitable a account), the rules set
forth in this Code of Ethics will not be considered to be directly applicable,
but in all transactions involving any such account the employee will be expected
to conform to the spirit of these rules and specifically avoid any activity that
conflicts or might appear to conflict with the interests of our clients.
* Since all provisions of this Code restrict all Access Persons, no special
mention of Investment Personnel, as defined by the SEC, has been made. Further,
any director of Wright who is not an "interested person" of Wright (as defined
in applicable SEC regulations) need not make any initial, annual or quarterly
report, unless the director knows, or should have known, of a possible conflict
of interest between his/her securities transaction and the investment decisions
of Wright or the Funds. Within thirty days after the adoption of this Code, the
Legal Department of Wright shall send each such director a notice that includes
a full explanation of the types of transactions that are, in any case,
prohibited and the circumstances under which it may be necessary to report a
transaction.
<PAGE>
WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
CODE OF ETHICS - PERSONAL INVESTMENTS
A. STATEMENT OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Wright Investors' Service Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors") is the
principal underwriter of a family of mutual funds (the "Funds") managed by
Distributors' affiliate, Wright Investors' Service, Inc. ("Wright"). All
directors, officers and employees of Distributors shall conduct themselves with
integrity and dignity and act in a thoroughly ethical manner in dealings with
clients, the public and fellow employees. All such persons shall have the duty
at all times to place the interests of the shareholders of the Funds, and may
not in any respect take advantage of transactions made by or on behalf of the
Funds. It is essential that we avoid not only actual conflicts, but also any
appearance of conflicts of interest and any abuse of an individual's position of
trust and responsibility. No Code of Ethics can cover every possible
circumstance, and an individual's conduct must depend ultimately upon his sense
of fiduciary obligation to the Funds.
This Code of Ethics ("Code") supersedes Distributors's prior code and
Statement of Policy. The management of Distributors believes this Code meets
current SEC requirements and is appropriate and desirable for the Company.
All requests and reports provided to anyone pursuant to this Code shall
be treated as confidential, but are subject to review as provided herein and by
representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
B. APPLICABILITY OF RESTRICTIONS AND PROCEDURES
Persons Affected.
ALL EMPLOYEES* located in any office of Distributors must comply with
the requirements of Paragraphs C-1 through C-3, below and all
provisions of Section E. Employees must also familiarize themselves
with all other parts of this Code.
ACCESS PERSONS (as defined in Exhibit A) must comply with the
requirements of Paragraphs C-1 through C-6, inclusive, and all
provisions of Section E. Access Persons must also familiarize
themselves with all other parts of this Code.
ACCOUNTS INCLUDED.
Distributors's policies and procedures concerning personal investments
apply to all securities accounts in which the affected employee has "a
direct or indirect beneficial ownership," unless the employee has no
"direct or indirect influence or control" over the account. The concept
of Beneficial Ownership is an important part of this Code and is more
extensively defined in Exhibit A.
* For purposes of clarity, all employees of The Winthrop Corporation
performing services for Distributors are referred to as employees of
Distributors.
TYPES OF SECURITIES COVERED.
In general this Code employs the terms Security to mean shares of any
publicly-traded company, including puts, calls, options and warrants
for such securities, and open-end and closed-end mutual funds, except
direct obligations of the US Government, bank certificates of deposit
and money market funds.
C. COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES*
1. Disclosure of Personal Holdings. As a condition to employment, each
newly-hired person must (i) make full disclosure of any brokerage account and
all publicly-traded securities beneficially owned by the employee or members of
the employee's immediate family; (ii) agree to comply with the Company's written
policies restricting personal trading and prohibiting insider trading; and (iii)
provide a written acknowledgment of receipt of such policies. This disclosure
must include all of the information requested on Exhibit B-1.
2. Preclearance. No employee of Distributors may buy or sell shares of
any Security without the prior approval of the President of Distributors. Any
such approval will only be given in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph
D, "Guidelines for Approval of Securities Transactions." The approval will
remain valid for three days. Employees who receive approvals for trades must
have the broker send a copy of the confirmation to the President of
Distributors.
3. Annual Certification of Compliance. All employees shall certify
annually that they (i) have read and understand this Code; (ii) recognize that
they are subject thereto; (iii) have complied with its requirements, including
any necessary preclearance; and (iv) have disclosed or reported all personal
securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to this
Code. The form of such certification is set forth in Exhibit B-2.
4. Broker/Dealer Reports. All employees shall cause each broker/dealer
at which they have an account to send a copy of all quarterly and annual account
statements to the president of Distributors.
5. Quarterly Report of Transactions. Each Access Person must file every
quarter with the President of Distributors a report of all transactions in
Securities. (See Exhibit B-3) Transactions encompass sales, purchases and other
acquisitions or dispositions, including gifts and exercise of conversion rights
or subscription rights. In addition, if the Access Person established a
securities account during the quarter, the report must disclose the name of the
broker, dealer or bank with whom the account is established and the date the
account was established. The report must be filed with the President of
Distributors even if there were no reportable transactions during the
prior calendar quarter, in which case the employee should state on the form that
there were no such transactions. The report is due ten days after the end of
each calendar quarter. Failure to submit the report in a timely manner is a
violation of SEC regulations and this Code, and may be a cause for sanctions.
Copies of all brokerage statements should be attached to an Access Person's
signed report.
*At the present time, all employees of Distributors also perform services for
Wright. Therefore, a copy of any disclosure, preclearance (whether approved or
disapproved), report or certification required under Wright's Code of Ethics may
be submitted to the President of Distributors in order to comply with this Code.
6. Annual Disclosure. No less than once annually, all Access Persons shall
submit to the President of Distributors a list of all of his/her securities
holdings. The specific information of this report is identical to that of the
Initial Disclosure of Investments. Brokerage statements may be substituted for a
separate report.
7. Monitoring of Compliance. Within thirty days after the end of each
quarter, Internal Counsel for Distributors shall review the Quarterly and Annual
Reports for reconciliation with the Initial Disclosure, Annual Disclosure, and
the Preclearance Approvals given in the same quarter or year, as applicable. The
Internal Counsel will investigate all apparent violations of this Code and will
prepare a report for the President of Distributors.
8. Review by the Board of Trustees. No less than once each year,
Distributors shall prepare and submit a written report to the Trustees of the
Funds that
o describes any issues arising under this Code of Ethics since the last
report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to,
information about material violations of the Code or procedures, and
sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and
o certifies that Distributors has adopted procedures reasonably necessar
to prevent violations of this Code.
If there have been any material changes to the Code of Ethics,
Distributors will submit such changes to the Trustee at the next meeting of the
Board.
The Trustees shall review any violations of the Code specified in the
annual report and any recommended changes in existing restrictions and
procedures. They should then take such action, if any, as they may deem
appropriate.
9. Additional Disclosure. Distributors's Code of Ethics shall be filed
with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of each Fund. There
will be disclosure in the Funds' prospectuses or their statements of additional
information that (i) Distributors has a code of ethics, (ii) whether personnel
of Distributors are permitted to invest in securities for their own accounts,
and (iii) that the code is on public file, and available from the SEC.
* As of March, 2000, Helen W. George is Internal Counsel for Distributors and
the person responsible for reviewing the reports.
D. GUIDELINES FOR APPROVAL OF SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
1. Initial Public Offerings. Generally no approval will be given for
any employee to purchase securities of a publicly owned corporation that is
making an initial public offering of its securities, except in connection with
the exercise of rights issued in respect of securities such employee owns. The
reason for this rule is that it precludes the appearance that an employee has
used the Funds' market stature as a means of obtaining for himself or herself
"hot" issues which would otherwise not be offered to him or her. Any realization
of short-term profits may create at least the appearance that an investment
opportunity that should have been available to a Fund account was diverted to
the personal benefit of an employee.
2. Limited Offerings. Any prior approval of any acquisition of
securities in a limited offering (such as a private placement) should take into
account, among other factors, whether the investment opportunity should be
reserved for a Fund and its shareholders, and whether the opportunity is being
offered to an individual by virtue of his or her position with the principal
underwriter of the Funds.
3. Blackout Periods. No employee shall be authorized to exercise a
securities transaction within seven calendar days before or after a direct
advisory account or a Fund in the Wright complex has a pending "buy" or "sell"
order in that same security until that order is executed or withdrawn.
4. Short Sales and Options. Usually no approval will be given for short
sales. Also prohibited are buying, selling or exercising put or call options or
combinations thereof of securities held by a Fund, or which are being considered
for purchase for a Fund. It should be noted, for example, that an exercise of an
option or the covering of a short sale could conflict with current trading for a
Fund. However, where any such option is held by a member of an employee's
family, approval may be given provided there is no conflict with the interests
of the Fund(s).
5. Short-Term Trading Profits. Short-term trading, i.e., profiting in
the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of the same (or equivalent)
securities within 60 calendar days, is prohibited and approval will generally
not be given. The management of Distributors believes that short-term trading by
Access Persons may increase the risk of conflicts of interest, affect an
individual's investment judgment, and in some instances divert an individual's
attention from the best interests of the Funds. Where one or both sides of a
short-term trade have not been pre-cleared, there is presumably already a
violation and the whole matter should be handled under the Sanctions section of
this Code, with disgorgement of profits being only one alternative available to
the President of Distributors.
6. Margin Accounts. Margin Accounts are absolutely prohibited and no
approval will be given.
7. By-Law Violation. No approval will be given which would result in an
employee's holdings exceeding 1/2 of 1% of the shares or securities of any
publicly-owned issuer.
8. General Standards. In the rare case where approval is given for a
transaction involving an initial public offering or a limited offering,
additional written disclosure will be required and will be maintained by the
President of Distributors. In authorizing any other types of transactions, the
President may consider the extent to which the employee has access to pending
investment decisions, the number of transactions already approved for such
employee within the past six months, whether the employee has made unreasonable
use of the company's resources during business hours in arriving at a personal
investment decision, and any other factors that are, in the opinion of the
President, pertinent to the matter.
E. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL EMPLOYEES RELATING TO PERSONAL INVESTMENTS.
1. Securities Recommended by a Member of the Investment Committee. Each
member of the Investment Committee of Wright who is an employee of Distributors
and who makes a recommendation as to whether a security shall be purchased, sold
or held in the account of a Fund or client shall fully apprise the President of
Distributors of any direct or indirect beneficial ownership the employee has in
such security.
2. By-Law Provision. The by-laws of the Wright Funds generally provide
that a Wright Fund shall not purchase or retain in its portfolio any securities
issued by an issuer any of whose officers, directors or security holders is an
officer or director of the Fund, or is an officer or director of the principal
underwriter of the Fund, if after the purchase of the securities of such issuer
by the Fund one or more of such persons owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of
the shares or securities, or both, of such issuer, and such persons owning more
than 1/2 of 1% of such shares or securities together own beneficially more than
5% of such shares or securities, or both. In view of the foregoing, and to avoid
any possibility of an inadvertent violation of this by-law provision, no
approval will be given that would result in an employee's holdings exceeding 1/2
of 1% of the shares or securities of any publicly-owned issuer. Any request for
prior approval of a trade in this type of security must state whether this
provision applies.
3. Gifts. No employee shall accept gifts of a value in excess of $35
from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of a Wright Fund
or Distributors. Any gift in excess of $35 shall be disclosed to the President
of Distributors before acceptance by the employee.
4. Service As a Director. No employee shall serve on the board of
directors of a publicly traded company, absent prior authorization based upon a
determination by the President of Distributors that the board service would be
consistent with the interests of the Fund and its shareholders which may have an
investment in such public company. In the relatively small number of instances
in which board service may be authorized, Access Persons serving as directors of
Distributors should be isolated from personnel of Wright making investment
decisions through written procedures applicable to the person's position in
Distributors.
5. Sanctions. Careful adherence to this Code of Ethics is one of the
basic conditions of employment of every employee. Any employee violating any
provision of this Code of Ethics, including the Compliance Procedures, may be
subject to sanction, including but not limited to suspension or termination of
employment, censure or disgorgement of profits, at the determination of the
President of Distributors.
Exhibit A
ACCESS PERSONS*
Using the Investment Company Act definition, an Access Person includes
any director or officer of Distributors who, in the ordinary course of business,
makes, participates in or obtains information regarding, the purchase or sale of
Securities by any Fund for which Distributor acts, or whose functions or duties
in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to
any of the Funds regarding the purchase or sale of Securities.
The current list of positions at Distributors deemed to be "Access
Persons" are: directors, officers, and any employee who receives advance notice
from the Investment Committee of Wright of contemplated portfolio transactions.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
Under current SEC interpretations, Beneficial Ownership includes
securities accounts of a spouse, minor children and relatives resident in the
employee's home, as well as accounts of another person if by reason of any
contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement the
employee obtains therefrom benefits substantially equivalent to those of
ownership.
When an employee has a substantial measure of influence or control over
an account, but not direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as for example when
the employee serves as executor or trustee for someone outside his immediate
family, or manages or helps to manage a charitable a account), the rules set
forth in this Code of Ethics will not be considered to be directly applicable,
but in all transactions involving any such account the employee will be expected
to conform to the spirit of these rules and specifically avoid any activity that
conflicts or might appear to conflict with the interests of our clients.
* Since all provisions of this Code restrict all Access Persons, no special
mention of Investment Personnel, as defined by the SEC, has been made. Further,
any director of Distributors who is not an "interested person" of Distributors
(as defined in applicable SEC regulations) need not make any initial, annual or
quarterly report, unless the director knows, or should have known, of a possible
conflict of interest between his/her securities transaction and the investment
decision of the Funds. Within thirty days after the adoption of this Code, the
Internal Counsel for Distributors shall send each such director a notice that
includes a full explanation of the types of transactions that are, in any case,
prohibited and the circumstances under which it may be necessary to report a
transaction.