This prospectus sets forth concisely the information about Scudder GNMA Fund, a
diversified open-end management investment company, that a prospective investor
should know before investing. Please retain it for future reference.
If you require more detailed information, a Statement of Additional Information
dated August 1, 1997 as revised May 4, 1998, as amended from time to time, may
be obtained without charge by writing Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Two
International Place, Boston, MA 02110-4103 or calling 1-800-225-2470. The
Statement, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is available along with
other related materials on the SEC's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Contents--see page 4.
- --------------------------------
NOT FDIC- MAY LOSE VALUE
INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE
- --------------------------------
SCUDDER [logo]
Scudder
GNMA
Fund
Prospectus
August 1, 1997
As Revised May 4, 1998
A pure no-load(TM) (no sales charges) mutual fund which seeks high current
income primarily from U.S. Government guaranteed mortgage-backed ("Ginnie Mae")
securities.
<PAGE>
Expense information
How to compare a Scudder Family of Funds pure no-load(TM) fund
This information is designed to help you understand the various costs and
expenses of investing in Scudder GNMA Fund (the "Fund"). By reviewing this
table and those in other mutual funds' prospectuses, you can compare the Fund's
fees and expenses with those of other funds. With Scudder's pure no-load(TM)
funds, you pay no commissions to purchase or redeem shares, or to exchange from
one fund to another. As a result, all of your investment goes to work for you.
1) Shareholder transaction expenses: Expenses charged directly to your
individual account in the Fund for various transactions.
Sales commissions to purchase shares (sales load) NONE
Commissions to reinvest dividends NONE
Redemption fees NONE*
Fees to exchange shares NONE
2) Annual Fund operating expenses: Expenses paid by the Fund before it
distributes its net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the
Fund's average daily net assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997.
Investment management fee 0.62%
12b-1 fees NONE
Other expenses 0.34%
----
Total Fund operating expenses 0.96%
====
Example
Based on the level of total Fund operating expenses listed above, the total
expenses relating to a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return and
redemption at the end of each period, are listed below. Investors do not pay
these expenses directly; they are paid by the Fund before it distributes its
net investment income to shareholders. (As noted above, the Fund has no
redemption fees of any kind.)
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
------ ------- ------- --------
$10 $31 $53 $118
See "Fund organization--Investment adviser" for further information about the
investment management fee. This example assumes reinvestment of all dividends
and distributions and that the percentage amounts listed under "Annual Fund
operating expenses" remain the same each year. This example should not be
considered a representation of past or future expenses or return. Actual Fund
expenses and return vary from year to year and may be higher or lower than
those shown.
* You may redeem by writing or calling the Fund. If you wish to receive
redemption proceeds via wire, there is a $5 wire service fee. For
additional information, please refer to "Transaction information
--Redeeming shares."
2
<PAGE>
Financial highlights
The following table includes selected data for a share outstanding throughout
each period and other performance information derived from the audited
financial statements.
If you would like more detailed information concerning the Fund's performance,
a complete portfolio listing and audited financial statements are available in
the Fund's Annual Report dated March 31, 1997 which may be obtained without
charge by writing or calling Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended March 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994(c) 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of period ............... $14.54 $14.07 $14.33 $15.52 $15.07 $14.80 $14.22 $13.87 $14.61 $15.44
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment income ...... .93 .94 .93 1.12 1.29 1.24 1.23 1.26 1.28 1.30
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investment
transactions ............ (.25) .47 (.26) (1.19) .45 .27 .58 .35 (.74) (.83)
Total from investment ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
operations .............. .68 1.41 .67 (.07) 1.74 1.51 1.81 1.61 .54 .47
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions from:
Net investment income ... (.93) (.94) (.92) (1.12) (1.29) (1.24) (1.23) (1.26) (1.28) (1.30)
Net realized gains on
investment transactions . -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --(a)
Tax return of capital ...... -- -- (.01) -- -- -- -- -- -- --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions ........ (.93) (.94) (.93) (1.12) (1.29) (1.24) (1.23) (1.26) (1.28) (1.30)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
period .................. $14.29 $14.54 $14.07 $14.33 $15.52 $15.07 $14.80 $14.22 $13.87 $14.61
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return (%) ........... 4.81 10.20 4.94 (.64) 11.91 10.48 13.26 11.86 3.81 3.47
Ratios and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period
($ millions) ............ 383 425 429 544 597 350 264 251 242 251
Ratio of operating expenses
to average daily net
assets (%) .............. .96 .94 .95 .87 .93 .99 1.04 1.05 1.04 1.04
Ratio of net investment
income to average net
assets (%) .............. 6.44 6.45 6.65 7.35 8.36 8.24 8.49 8.74 8.95 8.93
Portfolio turnover rate (%). 188.0 157.8 220.5(b) 272.1(b) 87.3(b) 87.1(b) 52.1 71.3 128.4 92.1
</TABLE>
(a) Distributions from net realized gains were less than 3/10 of $.01 per
share.
(b) The significant increase in the portfolio turnover rate for the year ended
March 31, 1994 is primarily attributable to prepayments. The portfolio
turnover rates including mortgage dollar roll transactions were 255.4%,
392.5%, 356.8%, and 147.0%, for the periods ended March 31, 1995, 1994,
1993, and 1992, respectively.
(c) Per share amounts have been calculated using weighted average shares
outstanding.
3
<PAGE>
A message from the President
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., investment adviser to the Scudder Family of
Funds, is one of the largest and most experienced investment management
organizations worldwide, managing more than $200 billion in assets globally for
mutual fund investors, retirement and pension plans, institutional and corporate
clients, and private family and individual accounts. It is one of the ten
largest mutual fund companies in the U.S.
We offered America's first no-load mutual fund in 1928, and today the Scudder
Family of Funds includes over 50 no-load mutual fund portfolios or classes of
shares. We also manage the mutual funds in a special program for the American
Association of Retired Persons, as well as the fund options available through
Scudder Horizon Plan, a tax-advantaged variable annuity. We also advise The
Japan Fund, and numerous other open- and closed-end funds that invest in this
country and other countries around the world.
The Scudder Family of Funds is designed to make investing easy and less costly.
It includes money market, tax free, income and growth funds as well as IRAs,
401(k)s, Keoghs and other retirement plans.
Services available to shareholders include toll-free access to professional
representatives, easy exchange among the Scudder Family of Funds, shareholder
reports, informative newsletters and the walk-in convenience of Scudder Investor
Centers.
Funds or fund classes in the Scudder Family of Funds are offered without
commissions to purchase or redeem shares or to exchange from one fund to
another. There are no 12b-1 fees either, which many other funds now charge to
support their marketing efforts. All of your investment goes to work for you. We
look forward to welcoming you as a shareholder.
/s/Edmond D. Villani
Scudder GNMA Fund
Investment objective
o high current income primarily from U.S. Government guaranteed mortgage-backed
("Ginnie Mae") securities.
Investment characteristics
o high quality investments
o convenient participation in the mortgage-backed securities market
o portfolio securities with higher income than normally available from U.S.
Treasury securities of comparable maturities
o dividends declared daily and distributed monthly
Contents
Investment objectives and policies 5
Why invest in the Fund? 6
Additional information about policies
and investments 6
Distribution and performance information 9
Fund organization 10
Transaction information 11
Shareholder benefits 15
Purchases 17
Exchanges and redemptions 18
Trustees and Officers 20
Investment products and services 21
How to contact Scudder 22
4
<PAGE>
Investment objectives and policies
Scudder GNMA Fund (the "Fund" or the "Trust"), a diversified, open-end
management investment company, seeks high current income primarily from U.S.
Government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
The Fund invests primarily in mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by
the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA" or "Ginnie Mae"). Such
guarantees are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
These guarantees apply only to the timely payment of both principal and interest
of the GNMA securities held in the Fund's portfolio. These guarantees do not
apply to the market value or yield of mortgage-backed securities or to the value
of Fund shares which will vary in response to interest rate fluctuations and
other market and credit factors. In addition, the Fund may invest in bills,
notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury. Income from U.S. Government
mortgage-backed securities may be lower than that from longer-term lower quality
securities.
The market value of the Fund's investments and correspondingly the Fund's share
price will vary inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates and in
response to other bond market factors, such as changes in the supply and demand
for mortgage-backed securities.
Except as otherwise indicated, the Fund's investment objectives and policies are
not fundamental and may be changed without a vote of shareholders. If there is a
change in investment objective, shareholders should consider whether the Fund
remains an appropriate investment in light of their then current financial
position and needs. There can be no assurance that the Fund's objectives will be
met.
Characteristics of GNMA securities
GNMA securities are mortgage-backed securities representing part ownership in a
pool of mortgage loans. Mortgage owners have the right to prepay the principal
on their mortgages at any time. Monthly mortgage payments of both interest and
principal are passed through from homeowners to investors, such as the Fund. The
Fund generally reinvests the principal portion in additional securities and
distributes the interest portion as income to its shareholders. Under normal
circumstances, GNMA securities are expected to provide higher yields than U.S.
Treasury securities of similar maturities. Although the stated maturities of
GNMA securities generally range from 25 to 30 years, their effective maturities
are usually much shorter due to the prepayment of the underlying mortgages by
homeowners.
The unique characteristics of GNMA securities may cause the Fund to experience
greater price and yield volatility than other bond funds under certain market
conditions. When interest rates rise, homeowners tend to prepay their mortgages
at slower rates, thus lengthening the life of the mortgage-backed securities.
Longer term securities tend to fluctuate more widely in response to changes in
interest rates, so the Fund may experience increased share price volatility.
When interest rates fall, homeowners are more likely to refinance their home
mortgages. An increase in prepayments can have two significant effects on the
Fund. The Fund's overall level of income may be reduced because the Fund must
reinvest the additional prepayments at lower interest rates, and the value of
the mortgage- backed securities in the Fund may not appreciate as rapidly as
other comparable long-term bonds.
Investments
Under normal conditions at least 65% of the Fund's total assets are invested in
GNMA securities. Up to 35% of the Fund's total assets may be held in cash, cash
equivalents or invested in securities issued or directly guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, including U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds. When the Fund's
investment adviser, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser"), determines
5
<PAGE>
that market conditions warrant, the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes,
invest its assets without limit in short-term U.S. Government obligations. It is
impossible to accurately predict for how long such alternate strategies may be
utilized.
The Fund may invest in when-issued securities, zero coupon securities and
illiquid securities, and may enter into dollar roll transactions and repurchase
agreements fully secured by U.S. Government obligations. The Fund may also
engage in strategic transactions, as described below. More information about
these investment techniques is provided under "Additional information about
policies and investments."
Why invest in the Fund?
Ginnie Maes are one of the dominant securities on the mortgage-backed securities
market today and the only mortgage-backed securities backed by the full faith
and credit of the U.S. Government. GNMA mortgage-backed securities are created
from pools of government-guaranteed or insured (FHA and VA) mortgages originated
by mortgage bankers, banks, and savings and loan associations. By insuring the
timely payment of principal and interest to investors, GNMA eliminates the
potential credit risks inherent in buying individual whole mortgages.
The standardization of the mortgage market has made it more accessible to a
broader range of investors. While individuals are able to participate directly
in the GNMA market, an initial investment of $25,000 or more is usually
required. In addition, the investor who purchases GNMA mortgage-backed
securities directly must deal with the problem of monthly reinvestment of small
principal repayments and interest as well as a relatively illiquid secondary
market for small holdings of mortgage-backed securities.
Scudder GNMA Fund provides individuals as well as institutional investors with
an easy way to invest in the mortgage-backed securities market. Its dividends
from investment income, which are declared daily and distributed monthly, can be
automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
Advantages of GNMA securities
GNMA mortgage-backed securities offer three important advantages to investors:
o Full Faith and Credit Backing of the U.S. Government
o High Current Income
o Secondary Market Liquidity
GNMA mortgage-backed securities generally offer high current yields comparable
to those of high quality bonds with long maturities. While many bonds repay
principal only at maturity, GNMA securities repay principal each month.
As the size of the mortgage-backed securities market has grown and investors
have become more familiar with these securities, the secondary market for
mortgage-backed securities has expanded.
Additional information about policies and investments
Investment restrictions
The Fund has certain investment restrictions which are designed to reduce the
Fund's investment risk. Fundamental investment restrictions may not be changed
without a vote of shareholders; non-fundamental investment restrictions may be
changed by a vote of the Trust's Board of Trustees. A complete listing of
investment restrictions is contained under "Investment Restrictions" in the
Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not borrow money, except as
permitted under Federal law. Further, as a matter of non-fundamental policy, the
Fund may not borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of total assets, except
for temporary or emergency purposes and by engaging in reverse repurchase
agreements and dollar rolls.
6
<PAGE>
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not make loans except through
the lending of portfolio securities, the purchase of debt securities or
interests in indebtedness or through repurchase agreements. The Fund has adopted
a non-fundamental policy restricting the lending of portfolio securities to no
more than 5% of total assets.
Portfolio turnover rate
Recent economic and market conditions have necessitated more active trading,
resulting in a higher portfolio turnover rate for the Fund. A higher rate
involves greater transaction costs to the Fund and may result in the realization
of net capital gains, which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed.
Dollar roll transactions
The Fund may enter into dollar roll transactions with selected banks and
broker/dealers. Dollar roll transactions are treated as reverse repurchase
agreements for purposes of the Fund's borrowing restrictions and consist of the
sale by the Fund of mortgage-backed securities, together with a commitment to
purchase similar, but not identical, securities at a future date, at the same
price. In addition, the Fund receives compensation as consideration for entering
into the commitment to repurchase. The compensation is paid in the form of a
fee, or alternatively, a lower price for the security upon its repurchase.
Dollar rolls may be renewed after cash settlement and initially may involve only
a firm commitment agreement by the Fund to buy securities.
When-issued securities
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or forward delivery basis, for
payment and delivery at a later date. The price and yield are generally fixed on
the date of commitment to purchase. During the period between purchase and
settlement, no interest accrues to the Fund. At the time of settlement, the
market value of the security may be more or less than the purchase price.
Illiquid securities
The Fund may invest in securities for which there is not an active trading
market, or which have resale restrictions. These types of securities generally
offer a higher return than more readily marketable securities, but carry the
risk that the Fund may not be able to dispose of them at an advantageous time or
price.
Repurchase agreements
As a means of earning taxable income for periods as short as overnight, the Fund
may enter into repurchase agreements with selected banks and broker/dealers.
Under a repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires securities subject to the
seller's agreement to repurchase them at a specified time and price.
Zero coupon securities
The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities which pay no cash income and are
sold at substantial discounts from their maturity value. When held to maturity,
their entire income, which consists of accretion of discount, comes from the
difference between the issue price and their maturity value.
Strategic Transactions and derivatives
The Fund may, but is not required to, utilize various other investment
strategies as described below to hedge various market risks (such as interest
rates and broad or specific market movements), to manage the effective maturity
or duration of the Fund's portfolio, or to enhance potential gain. These
strategies may be executed through the use of derivative contracts. Such
strategies are generally accepted as a part of modern portfolio management and
are regularly utilized by many mutual funds and other institutional investors.
Techniques and instruments may change over time as new instruments and
strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur.
In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may purchase and
sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities,
fixed-income indices and other financial instruments, purchase and sell
7
<PAGE>
financial futures contracts and options thereon, and enter into various interest
rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars (collectively, all the
above are called "Strategic Transactions"). Strategic Transactions may be used
without limit to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value
of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund's portfolio resulting from
securities markets fluctuations, to protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the
value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for
investment purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund's
portfolio, or to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a temporary
substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. Some Strategic
Transactions may also be used to enhance potential gain although no more than 5%
of the Fund's assets will be committed to Strategic Transactions entered into
for non-hedging purposes. Any or all of these investment techniques may be used
at any time and in any combination, and there is no particular strategy that
dictates the use of one technique rather than another, as use of any Strategic
Transaction is a function of numerous variables including market conditions. The
ability of the Fund to utilize these Strategic Transactions successfully will
depend on the Adviser's ability to predict pertinent market movements, which
cannot be assured. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory requirements
when implementing these strategies, techniques and instruments. Strategic
Transactions involving financial futures and options thereon will be purchased,
sold or entered into only for bona fide hedging, risk management or portfolio
management purposes and not to create leveraged exposure in the Fund. Please
refer to "Risk factors--Strategic Transactions and derivatives" for more
information.
Risk factors
The Fund's risks are determined by the nature of the securities held and the
portfolio management strategies used by the Adviser. The following are
descriptions of certain risks related to the investments and techniques that the
Fund may use from time to time.
Dollar roll transactions. If the broker/dealer to whom the Fund sells the
securities underlying a dollar roll transaction becomes insolvent, the Fund's
right to purchase or repurchase the securities may be restricted; the value of
the securities may change adversely over the term of the dollar roll; the
securities that the Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than the
securities that the Fund originally held; and the return earned by the Fund with
the proceeds of a dollar roll may not exceed transaction costs. Dollar roll
transactions necessitate more active trading, resulting in a higher portfolio
turnover rate. A higher rate involves greater brokerage expenses to the Fund and
may result in the realization of net capital gains, which would be taxable to
shareholders when distributed.
Repurchase agreements. If the seller under a repurchase agreement becomes
insolvent, the Fund's right to dispose of the securities may be restricted, or
the value of the securities may decline before the Fund is able to dispose of
them. In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings
with respect to the seller of the securities before repurchase under a
repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs, including a
decline in the value of the securities, before being able to sell the
securities.
Illiquid securities. The absence of a trading market can make it difficult to
ascertain a market value for these investments. Disposing of illiquid
investments may involve time-consuming negotiation and legal expenses, and it
8
<PAGE>
may be difficult or impossible for the Fund to sell them promptly at an
acceptable price.
Zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities are subject to greater market
value fluctuations from changing interest rates than debt obligations of
comparable maturities that make current cash distributions of interest.
Strategic Transactions and derivatives. Strategic Transactions, including
derivative contracts, have risks associated with them including possible default
by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the
Adviser's view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the
use of such Strategic Transactions could result in losses greater than if they
had not been used. Use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund,
force the purchase or sale of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for
prices higher than (in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of
call options) current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund
can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might
otherwise sell. The use of options and futures transactions entails certain
other risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price
movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio
position of the Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging
instrument may be greater than gains in the value of the Fund's position. In
addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and
certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in certain
markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring
substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of futures contracts and options
transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a
decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to limit
any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of such
position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts
would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of
options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium.
Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce net asset
value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the Strategic
Transactions had not been utilized. The Strategic Transactions that the Fund may
use and some of their risks are described more fully in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information.
Distribution and performance information
Dividends and capital gains distributions
The Fund's dividends from net investment income are declared daily and
distributed monthly. The Fund intends to distribute net realized capital gains
after utilization of capital loss carryforwards, if any, in November or December
to prevent application of a federal excise tax, although an additional
distribution may be made if necessary. Any dividends or capital gains
distributions declared in October, November or December with a record date in
such month and paid during the following January will be treated by shareholders
for federal income tax purposes as if received on December 31 of the calendar
year declared. According to preference, shareholders may receive distributions
in cash or have them reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. If an
investment is in the form of a retirement plan, all dividends and capital gains
distributions must be reinvested into the account.
Generally, dividends from net investment income are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. Long-term capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable at a
maximum 20% or 28% capital gains rate (depending on the Fund's holding period
for the assets giving rise to the gain), regardless of the length of time
shareholders have owned their shares. Short-term capital gains and any other
taxable income distributions are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends will not
9
<PAGE>
qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations because the Fund's
income generally will not consist of dividends paid by U.S. corporations.
The Fund sends detailed tax information to shareholders about the amount and
type of its distributions by January 31 of the following year.
Performance information
From time to time, quotations of the Fund's performance may be included in
advertisements, sales literature or shareholder reports. All performance figures
are historical, show the performance of a hypothetical investment and are not
intended to indicate future performance. The "SEC yield" of the Fund is an
annualized expression of the net income generated by the Fund over a specified
30-day (one month) period, as a percentage of the Fund's share price on the last
day of that period. This yield is calculated according to methods required by
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and therefore may not equate
the level of income paid to shareholders. "Total return" is the change in value
of an investment in the Fund for a specified period. The "average annual total
return" of the Fund is the average annual compound rate of return of an
investment in the Fund assuming the investment has been held for one year, five
years and ten years as of a stated ending date. "Cumulative total return"
represents the cumulative change in value of an investment in the Fund for
various periods. All types of total return calculations assume that all
dividends and capital gains distributions during the period were reinvested in
shares of the Fund.
Performance will vary based upon, among other things, changes in market
conditions and the level of the Fund's expenses.
Fund organization
Scudder GNMA Fund is a diversified, open-end management investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). The Fund
was organized as a Massachusetts business trust in March 1983 but did not
commence operations until 1985.
The Fund's activities are supervised by its Board of Trustees. Shareholders have
one vote for each share held on matters on which they are entitled to vote. The
Fund is not required to and has no current intention of holding annual
shareholder meetings, although special meetings may be called for purposes such
as electing or removing Trustees, changing fundamental investment policies or
approving an investment advisory contract. Shareholders will be assisted in
communicating with other shareholders in connection with removing a Trustee as
if Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act were applicable.
Investment adviser
The Fund retains the investment management firm of Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly known as Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc.,
to manage its daily investment and business affairs subject to the policies
established by the Board of Trustees. The Trustees have overall responsibility
for the management of the Fund under Massachusetts law.
Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc. ("Scudder"), and Zurich Insurance Company
("Zurich"), an international insurance and financial services organization, have
formed a new global investment organization by combining Scudder's business with
that of Zurich's subsidiary, Zurich Kemper Investments, Inc. and Scudder has
changed its name to Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. As a result of the
transaction, Zurich owns approximately 70% of the Adviser, with the balance
owned by the Adviser's officers and employees.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Adviser received an investment
management fee of 0.62% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The fee is
graduated so that increases in the Fund's net assets may result in a lower fee
and decreases in the Fund's net assets may result in a higher fee. The fee is
10
<PAGE>
payable monthly, provided the Fund will make such interim payments as may be
requested by the Adviser not to exceed 75% of the amount of the fee then accrued
on the books of the Fund and unpaid.
All of the Fund's expenses are paid out of gross investment income. Shareholders
pay no direct charges or fees for investment or administrative services.
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. is located at Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts.
Like other mutual funds and financial and business organizations worldwide, the
Fund could be adversely affected if computer systems on which the Fund relies,
which primarily include those used by the Adviser, its affiliates or other
service providers, are unable to correctly process date-related information on
and after January 1, 2000. This risk is commonly called the Year 2000 Issue.
Failure to successfully address the Year 2000 Issue could result in
interruptions to and other material adverse effects on the Fund's business and
operations. The Adviser has commenced a review of the Year 2000 Issue as it may
affect the Fund and is taking steps it believes are reasonably designed to
address the Year 2000 Issue, although there can be no assurances that these
steps will be sufficient. In addition, there can be no assurances that the Year
2000 Issue will not have an adverse effect on the companies whose securities are
held by the Fund or on global markets or economies generally.
Transfer agent
Scudder Service Corporation, P.O. Box 2291, Boston, Massachusetts 02107-2291, a
subsidiary of the Adviser, is the transfer, shareholder servicing and
dividend-paying agent for the Fund.
Underwriter
Scudder Investor Services, Inc., a subsidiary of the Adviser, is the Fund's
principal underwriter. Scudder Investor Services, Inc. confirms, as agent, all
purchases of shares of the Fund. Scudder Investor Relations is a telephone
information service provided by Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
Fund accounting agent
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation, a subsidiary of the Adviser, is responsible
for determining the daily net asset value per share and maintaining the general
accounting records of the Fund.
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company is the Fund's Custodian.
Transaction information
Purchasing shares
Purchases are executed at the next calculated net asset value per share after
the Fund's transfer agent receives the purchase request in good order. Purchases
are made in full and fractional shares. (See "Share price.")
By check. If you purchase shares with a check that does not clear, your purchase
will be canceled and you will be subject to any losses or fees incurred in the
transaction. Checks must be drawn on or payable through a U.S. bank. If you
purchase shares by check and redeem them within seven business days of purchase,
the Fund may hold redemption proceeds until the purchase check has cleared. If
you purchase shares by federal funds wire, you may avoid this delay. Redemption
requests by telephone prior to the expiration of the seven-day period will not
be accepted.
By wire. To open a new account by wire, first call Scudder at 1-800-225-5163 to
obtain an account number. A representative will instruct you to send a
completed, signed application to the transfer agent. Accounts cannot be opened
without a completed, signed application and a Scudder fund account number.
Contact your bank to arrange a wire transfer to:
The Scudder Funds
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Boston, MA 02101
11
<PAGE>
ABA Number 011000028
DDA Account 9903-5552
Your wire instructions must also include:
- -- the name of the fund in which the money is to be invested,
- -- the account number of the fund, and
- -- the name(s) of the account holder(s).
The account will be established once the application and money order are
received in good order.
You may also make additional investments of $100 or more to your existing
account by wire.
By telephone order. To a limited extent, certain financial institutions may
place orders to purchase shares unaccompanied by payment prior to the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"), normally 4:00
p.m. eastern time, and receive that day's price. Please call 1-800-854-8525 for
more information, including the dividend treatment and method and manner of
payment for Fund shares.
By "QuickBuy." If you elected "QuickBuy" for your account, you can call
toll-free to purchase shares. The money will be automatically transferred from
your predesignated bank checking account. Your bank must be a member of the
Automated Clearing House for you to use this service. If you did not elect
"QuickBuy," call 1-800-225-5163 for more information.
To purchase additional shares, call 1-800-225-5163. Purchases may not be for
more than $250,000. Proceeds in the amount of your purchase will be transferred
from your bank checking account in two or three business days following your
call. For requests received by the close of regular trading on the Exchange,
shares will be purchased at the net asset value per share calculated at the
close of trading on the day of your call. "QuickBuy" requests received after the
close of regular trading on the Exchange will begin their processing and be
purchased at the net asset value calculated the following business day.
If you purchase shares by "QuickBuy" and redeem them within seven days of the
purchase, the Fund may hold the redemption proceeds for a period of up to seven
business days. If you purchase shares and there are insufficient funds in your
bank account, the purchase will be canceled and you will be subject to any
losses or fees incurred in the transaction. "QuickBuy" transactions are not
available for most retirement plan accounts. However, "QuickBuy" transactions
are available for Scudder IRA accounts.
By exchange. Your new account will have the same registration and address as
your existing account.
The exchange requirements for corporations, other organizations, trusts,
fiduciaries, agents, institutional investors and retirement plans may be
different from those for regular accounts. Please call 1-800-225-5163 for more
information, including information about the transfer of special account
features.
You can also make exchanges among your Scudder fund accounts on SAIL, the
Scudder Automated Information Line, by calling 1-800-343-2890.
Redeeming shares
The Fund allows you to redeem shares (i.e., sell them back to the Fund) without
redemption fees.
By telephone. This is the quickest and easiest way to sell Fund shares. If you
elected telephone redemption to your bank on your application, you can call to
request that federal funds be sent to your authorized bank account. If you did
not elect telephone redemption to your bank on your application, call
1-800-225-5163 for more information.
Redemption proceeds will be wired to your bank unless otherwise requested. If
your bank cannot receive federal reserve wires, redemption proceeds will be
mailed to your bank. There will be a $5 charge for all wire redemptions.
12
<PAGE>
You can also make redemptions from your Scudder fund account on SAIL by calling
1-800-343-2890.
If you open an account by wire, you cannot redeem shares by telephone until the
Fund's transfer agent has received your completed and signed application.
Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in Scudder IRA accounts
and most other Scudder retirement plan accounts.
In the event that you are unable to reach the Fund by telephone, you should
write to the Fund; see "How to contact Scudder" for the address.
By "QuickSell." If you elected "QuickSell" for your account, you can call
toll-free to redeem shares. The money will be automatically transferred to your
predesignated bank checking account. Your bank must be a member of the Automated
Clearing House for you to use this service. If you did not elect "QuickSell,"
call 1-800-225-5163 for more information.
To redeem shares, call 1-800-225-5163. Redemptions must be for at least $250.
Proceeds in the amount of your redemption will be transferred to your bank
checking account in two or three business days following your call. For requests
received by the close of regular trading on the Exchange, shares will be
redeemed at the net asset value per share calculated at the close of trading on
the day of your call. "QuickSell" requests received after the close of regular
trading on the Exchange will begin their processing and be redeemed at the net
asset value calculated the following business day.
"QuickSell" transactions are not available for Scudder IRA accounts and most
other retirement plan accounts.
Signature guarantees. For your protection and to prevent fraudulent redemptions,
on written redemption requests in excess of $100,000 we require an original
signature and an original signature guarantee for each person in whose name the
account is registered. (The Fund reserves the right, however, to require a
signature guarantee for all redemptions.) You can obtain a signature guarantee
from most banks, credit unions or savings associations, or from broker/dealers,
municipal securities broker/dealers, government securities broker/dealers,
national securities exchanges, registered securities associations or clearing
agencies deemed eligible by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Signature
guarantees by notaries public are not acceptable. Redemption requirements for
corporations, other organizations, trusts, fiduciaries, agents, institutional
investors and retirement plans may be different from those for regular accounts.
For more information, please call 1-800-225-5163.
Telephone transactions
Shareholders automatically receive the ability to exchange by telephone and the
right to redeem by telephone up to $100,000 to their address of record.
Shareholders also may, by telephone, request that redemption proceeds be sent to
a predesignated bank account. The Fund uses procedures designed to give
reasonable assurance that telephone instructions are genuine, including
recording telephone calls, testing a caller's identity and sending written
confirmation of telephone transactions. If the Fund does not follow such
procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
telephone instructions. The Fund will not be liable for acting upon instructions
communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be genuine.
Share price
Purchases and redemptions, including exchanges, are made at net asset value.
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation determines net asset value per share as of
the close of regular trading on the Exchange, normally 4 p.m. eastern time, on
each day the Exchange is open for trading. Net asset value per share is
13
<PAGE>
calculated by dividing the value of total Fund assets, less all liabilities, by
the total number of shares outstanding.
Processing time
All purchase and redemption requests must be received in good order by the
Fund's transfer agent. Those requests received by the close of regular trading
on the Exchange are executed at the net asset value per share calculated at the
close of trading that day. Purchase and redemption requests received after the
close of regular trading on the Exchange will be executed the following business
day. Purchases made by federal funds wire before noon eastern time will begin
earning income that day; all other purchases received before the close of
regular trading on the Exchange will begin earning income the next business day.
Redeemed shares will earn income on the day on which the redemption request is
executed.
If you wish to make a purchase of $500,000 or more, you should notify Scudder
Investor Relations by calling 1-800-225-5163.
The Fund will normally send redemption proceeds within one business day
following the redemption request, but may take up to seven business days (or
longer in the case of shares recently purchased by check).
Purchase restrictions
Purchases and sales should be made for long-term investment purposes only. The
Fund and Scudder Investor Services, Inc. each reserves the right to reject
purchases of Fund shares (including exchanges) for any reason including when a
pattern of frequent purchases and sales made in response to short-term
fluctuations in the Fund's share price appears evident.
Tax information
A redemption of shares, including an exchange into another Scudder fund, is a
sale of shares and may result in a gain or loss for income tax purposes.
Tax identification number
Be sure to complete the Tax Identification Number section of the Fund's
application when you open an account. Federal tax law requires the Fund to
withhold 31% of taxable dividends, capital gains distributions and redemption
and exchange proceeds from accounts (other than those of certain exempt payees)
without a correct certified Social Security or tax identification number and
certain other certified information or upon notification from the IRS or a
broker that withholding is required. The Fund reserves the right to reject new
account applications without a correct certified Social Security or tax
identification number. The Fund also reserves the right, following 30 days'
notice, to redeem all shares in accounts without a correct certified Social
Security or tax identification number. A shareholder may avoid involuntary
redemption by providing the Fund with a tax identification number during the
30-day notice period.
Minimum balances
Shareholders should maintain a share balance worth at least $2,500, which amount
may be changed by the Board of Trustees. Scudder retirement plans and certain
other accounts have similar or lower minimum share balance requirements. A
shareholder may open an account with at least $1,000, if an automatic investment
plan of $100/month is established.
Shareholders who maintain a non-fiduciary account balance of less than $2,500 in
the Fund, without establishing an automatic investment plan, will be assessed an
annual $10.00 per fund charge with the fee to be paid to the Fund. The $10.00
charge will not apply to shareholders with a combined household account balance
in any of the Scudder Funds of $25,000 or more. The Fund reserves the right,
following 60 days' written notice to shareholders, to redeem all shares in
accounts below $250, including accounts of new investors, where a reduction in
value has occurred due to a redemption or exchange out of the account. The Fund
14
<PAGE>
will mail the proceeds of the redeemed account to the shareholder. Reductions in
value that result solely from market activity will not trigger an involuntary
redemption. Retirement accounts and certain other accounts will not be assessed
the $10.00 charge or be subject to automatic liquidation. Please refer to
"Exchanges and Redemptions--Other Information" in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information for more information.
Third party transactions
If purchases and redemptions of Fund shares are arranged and settlement is made
at an investor's election through a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., other than Scudder Investor Services, Inc., that
member may, at its discretion, charge a fee for that service.
Shareholder benefits
Experienced professional management
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., one of the nation's most experienced
investment management firms, actively manages your fund investment. Professional
management is an important advantage for investors who do not have the time or
expertise to invest directly in individual securities.
A team approach to investing
Scudder GNMA Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals, each of whom
plays an important role in the Fund's management process. Team members work
together to develop investment strategies and select securities for the Fund's
portfolio. They are supported by the Adviser's large staff of economists,
research analysts, traders and other investment specialists who work in the
Adviser's offices across the United States and abroad. The Adviser believes its
team approach benefits Fund investors by bringing together many disciplines and
leveraging its extensive resources.
Richard L. Vandenberg, Lead Portfolio Manager, joined the Adviser as a portfolio
manager in 1996, and is responsible for setting the Fund's investment strategy
and overseeing security selection for the Fund's portfolio. Prior to 1996, Mr.
Vandenberg had been a portfolio manager for several investment management firms
for over 22 years. Scott E. Dolan, Portfolio Manager, joined the Adviser in
1989. Mr. Dolan has four years of experience in compliance analysis and account
administration and has been a portfolio manager since 1993.
SAIL(TM)--Scudder Automated Information Line
For personalized account information including fund prices, yields and account
balances, to perform transactions in existing Scudder fund accounts, or to
obtain information on any Scudder fund, shareholders can call Scudder's
Automated Information Line (SAIL) at 1-800-343-2890, 24 hours a day. During
periods of extreme economic or market changes, or other conditions, it may be
difficult for you to effect telephone transactions in your account. In such an
event you should write to the Fund; please see "How to contact Scudder" for the
address.
Investment flexibility
Scudder offers toll-free telephone exchange between funds at current net asset
value. You can move your investments among money market, income, growth,
tax-free and growth and income funds with a simple toll-free call or, if you
prefer, by sending your instructions through the mail or by fax. (The exchange
privilege may not be available for certain Scudder funds or classes thereof. For
more information, please call 1-800-225-5163.) Telephone and fax redemptions and
exchanges are subject to termination and their terms are subject to change at
any time by the Fund or the transfer agent. In some cases, the transfer agent or
Scudder Investor Services, Inc. may impose additional conditions on telephone
transactions.
15
<PAGE>
Personal Counsel(SM) -- A Managed Fund Portfolio Program
If you would like to receive direct guidance and management of your overall
mutual fund portfolio to help you pursue your investment goals, you may be
interested in Personal Counsel from Scudder. Personal Counsel, a program of
Scudder Investor Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser and a
subsidiary of Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., combines the benefits of a
customized portfolio of no-load mutual funds with ongoing portfolio monitoring
and individualized service, for an annual fee of generally 1.25% or less of
assets (with a $1,250 minimum). In addition, it draws upon the Adviser's more
than 75-year heritage of providing investment counsel to large corporate and
private clients. If you have $100,000 or more to invest initially and would like
more information about Personal Counsel, please call 1-800-700-0183.
Dividend reinvestment plan
You may have dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in additional
Fund shares. Please call 1-800-225-5163 to request this feature.
Shareholder statements
You will receive a detailed statement summarizing account activity, including
dividend and capital gain reinvestment, purchases and redemptions. All of your
statements should be retained to help you keep track of account activity and the
cost of shares for tax purposes.
Shareholder reports
In addition to account statements, you receive periodic shareholder reports
highlighting relevant information, including investment results and a review of
portfolio changes.
To reduce the volume of mail you receive, only one copy of most Fund reports,
such as the Fund's Annual Report, may be mailed to your household (same surname,
same address). Please call 1-800-225-5163 if you wish to receive additional
shareholder reports.
Newsletters
Four times a year, Scudder sends you Perspectives, an informative newsletter
covering economic and investment developments, service enhancements and other
topics of interest to Scudder fund investors.
Scudder Investor Centers
As a convenience to shareholders who like to conduct business in person, Scudder
Investor Services, Inc. maintains Investor Centers in Boca Raton, Boston,
Chicago, New York and San Francisco.
T.D.D. service for the hearing impaired
Scudder's full range of investor information and shareholder services is
available to hearing impaired investors through a toll-free T.D.D. (Telephone
Device for the Deaf) service. If you have access to a T.D.D., call
1-800-543-7916 for investment information or specific account questions and
transactions.
16
<PAGE>
Purchases
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Opening Minimum initial investment: $2,500; IRAs $1,000
an account Group retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), etc.) have similar
or lower minimums. See appropriate plan literature.
Make checks o By Mail Send your completed and signed application and check
payable to "The
Scudder Funds."
by regular mail to: or by express, registered,
or certified mail to:
The Scudder Funds The Scudder Funds
P.O. Box 2291 66 Brooks Drive
Boston, MA Braintree, MA 02184
02107-2291
o By Wire Please see Transaction information--Purchasing shares-- By
wire for details, including the ABA wire transfer number. Then call
1-800-225-5163 for instructions.
o In Person Visit one of our Investor Centers to complete your application with the
help of a Scudder representative. Investor Center locations are listed
under Shareholder benefits.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchasing Minimum additional investment: $100; IRAs $50
additional shares Group retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), etc.) have similar or lower minimums.
See appropriate plan literature.
Make checks o By Mail Send a check with a Scudder investment slip, or with a
payable to "The letter of instruction including your account number and the
Scudder Funds." complete Fund name, to the appropriate address listed above.
o By Wire Please see Transaction information--Purchasing shares-- By
wire for details, including the ABA wire transfer number.
o In Person Visit one of our Investor Centers to make an additional
investment in your Scudder fund account. Investor Center locations
are listed under Shareholder benefits.
o By Telephone Please see Transaction information--Purchasing shares-- By
QuickBuy or By telephone order for more details.
o By Automatic You may arrange to make investments on a regular basis through
Investment Plan automatic deductions from your bank checking account. Please call
($50 minimum) 1-800-225-5163 for more information and an enrollment form.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE>
Exchanges and redemptions
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Exchanging Minimum investments: $2,500 to establish a new account;
shares $100 to exchange among existing accounts
o By Telephone To speak with a service representative, call 1-800-225-5163 from
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time or to access SAIL(TM), Scudder's Automated
Information Line, call 1-800-343-2890 (24 hours a day).
o By Mail Print or type your instructions and include:
or Fax
- the name of the Fund and the account number you are exchanging from;
- your name(s) and address as they appear on your account;
- the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to exchange;
- the name of the Fund you are exchanging into;
- your signature(s) as it appears on your account; and
- a daytime telephone number.
Send your instructions
by regular mail to: or by express, registered, or by fax to:
or certified mail to:
The Scudder Funds The Scudder Funds 1-800-821-6234
P.O. Box 2291 66 Brooks Drive
Boston, MA 02107-2291 Braintree, MA 02184
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redeeming o By Telephone To speak with a service representative, call 1-800-225-5163 from
shares 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time or to access SAIL(TM), Scudder's Automated
Information Line, call 1-800-343-2890 (24 hours a day). You may have redemption
proceeds sent to your predesignated bank account, or redemption proceeds of up
to $100,000 sent to your address of record.
o By Mail Send your instructions for redemption to the appropriate address or fax number
or Fax above and include:
- the name of the Fund and account number you are redeeming from;
- your name(s) and address as they appear on your account;
- the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to redeem;
- your signature(s) as it appears on your account; and
- a daytime telephone number.
A signature guarantee is required for redemptions over $100,000. See
Transaction information--Redeeming shares.
o By Automatic You may arrange to receive automatic cash payments periodically.
Withdrawal Plan Call 1-800-225-5163 for more information and an enrollment form.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE>
Scudder tax-advantaged retirement plans
Scudder offers a variety of tax-advantaged retirement plans for individuals,
businesses and non-profit organizations. These flexible plans are designed for
use with the Scudder Family of Funds (except Scudder tax-free funds, which are
inappropriate for such plans). Scudder Funds offer a broad range of investment
objectives and can be used to seek almost any investment goal. Using Scudder's
retirement plans can help shareholders save on current taxes while building
their retirement savings.
o Scudder No-Fee IRAs. These retirement plans allow a maximum annual
contribution of up to $2,000 per person for anyone with earned income (up to
$2,000 per individual for married couples filing jointly, even if only one
spouse has earned income). Many people can deduct all or part of their
contributions from their taxable income, and all investment earnings accrue on
a tax-deferred basis. The Scudder No-Fee IRA charges you no annual custodial
fee.
o Scudder Roth No-Fee IRAs. Similar to the traditional IRA in many respects,
these retirement plans provide a unique opportunity for qualifying individuals
to accumulate investment earnings tax free. Unlike a traditional IRA, with a
Roth IRA, if you meet the distribution requirements, you can withdraw your
money without paying any taxes on the earnings. No tax deduction is allowed
for contributions to a Roth IRA. The Scudder Roth IRA charges you no annual
custodial fee.
o 401(k) Plans. 401(k) plans allow employers and employees to make
tax-deductible retirement contributions. Scudder offers a full service program
that includes recordkeeping, prototype plan, employee communications and
trustee services, as well as investment options.
o Profit Sharing and Money Purchase Pension Plans. These plans allow
corporations, partnerships and people who are self-employed to make annual,
tax-deductible contributions of up to $30,000 for each person covered by the
plans. Plans may be adopted individually or paired to maximize contributions.
These are sometimes known as Keogh plans.
o 403(b) Plans. Retirement plans for tax-exempt organizations and school systems
to which employers and employees may both contribute.
o SEP-IRAs. Easily administered retirement plans for small businesses and
self-employed individuals. The maximum annual contribution to SEP-IRA accounts
is adjusted each year for inflation. The Scudder SEP-IRA charges you no annual
custodial fee.
o Scudder Horizon Plan. A no-load variable annuity that lets you build assets by
deferring taxes on your investment earnings. You can start with $2,500 or
more.
Scudder Trust Company (an affiliate of the Adviser) is Trustee or Custodian for
some of these plans and is paid an annual fee for some of the above retirement
plans. For information about establishing a Scudder No-Fee IRA, SEP-IRA, Profit
Sharing Plan, Money Purchase Pension Plan or a Scudder Horizon Plan, please call
1-800-225-2470. For information about 401(k)s or 403(b)s please call
1-800-323-6105. To effect transactions in existing IRA, SEP-IRA and most Profit
Sharing or Pension Plan accounts, call 1-800-225-5163.
The variable annuity contract is provided by Charter National Life Insurance
Company (in New York State, Intramerica Life Insurance Company [S 1802]). The
contract is offered by Scudder Insurance Agency, Inc. (in New York State, Nevada
and Montana, Scudder Insurance Agency of New York, Inc.). CNL, Inc. is the
Principal Underwriter. Scudder Horizon Plan is not available in all states.
Scudder Investor Relations is a service provided through Scudder Investor
Services, Inc., Distributor.
19
<PAGE>
Trustees and Officers
Daniel Pierce*
President and Trustee
Kathryn L. Quirk*
Trustee, Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Henry P. Becton, Jr.
Trustee; President and General Manager, WGBH Educational Foundation
Dawn-Marie Driscoll
Trustee; President, Driscoll Associates
Peter B. Freeman
Trustee; Corporate Director and Trustee
George M. Lovejoy, Jr.
Trustee; President and Director, Fifty Associates
Wesley W. Marple, Jr.
Trustee; Professor of Business Administration, Northeastern University,
College of Business Administration
Jean C. Tempel
Trustee; Director, Managing Partner, Technology Equity Partners
David H. Glen*
Vice President
Jerard K. Hartman*
Vice President
Thomas W. Joseph*
Vice President
Thomas F. McDonough*
Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
Richard L. Vandenburg*
Vice President
John R. Hebble*
Assistant Treasurer
Caroline Pearson*
Assistant Secretary
*Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
20
<PAGE>
Investment products and services
The Scudder Family of Funds+++
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market
- ------------
Scudder U.S. Treasury Money Fund
Scudder Cash Investment Trust
Scudder Money Market Series--
Premium Shares*
Managed Shares*
Scudder Government Money Market Series--
Managed Shares*
Tax Free Money Market+
- ----------------------
Scudder Tax Free Money Fund
Scudder Tax Free Money Market Series--
Managed Shares*
Scudder California Tax Free Money Fund**
Scudder New York Tax Free Money Fund**
Tax Free+
- ---------
Scudder Limited Term Tax Free Fund
Scudder Medium Term Tax Free Fund
Scudder Managed Municipal Bonds
Scudder High Yield Tax Free Fund
Scudder California Tax Free Fund**
Scudder Massachusetts Limited Term Tax Free Fund**
Scudder Massachusetts Tax Free Fund**
Scudder New York Tax Free Fund**
Scudder Ohio Tax Free Fund**
Scudder Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund**
U.S. Income
- -----------
Scudder Short Term Bond Fund
Scudder Zero Coupon 2000 Fund
Scudder GNMA Fund
Scudder Income Fund
Scudder High Yield Bond Fund
Global Income
- -------------
Scudder Global Bond Fund
Scudder International Bond Fund
Scudder Emerging Markets Income Fund
Asset Allocation
- ----------------
Scudder Pathway Conservative Portfolio
Scudder Pathway Balanced Portfolio
Scudder Pathway Growth Portfolio
Scudder Pathway International Portfolio
U.S. Growth and Income
- ----------------------
Scudder Balanced Fund
Scudder Growth and Income Fund
Scudder S&P 500 Index Fund
Scudder Real Estate Investment Fund
U.S. Growth
- -----------
Value
Scudder Large Company Value Fund
Scudder Value Fund***
Scudder Small Company Value Fund
Scudder Micro Cap Fund
Growth
Scudder Classic Growth Fund***
Scudder Large Company Growth Fund
Scudder Development Fund
Scudder 21st Century Growth Fund
Global Growth
- -------------
Worldwide
Scudder Global Fund
Scudder International Growth and Income Fund
Scudder International Fund
Scudder Global Discovery Fund***
Scudder Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Scudder Gold Fund
Regional
Scudder Greater Europe Growth Fund
Scudder Pacific Opportunities Fund
Scudder Latin America Fund
The Japan Fund, Inc.
Industry Sector Funds
- ---------------------
Choice Series
Scudder Financial Services Fund
Scudder Health Care Fund
Scudder Technology Fund
Retirement Programs and Education Accounts
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retirement Programs
- -------------------
Traditional IRA
Roth IRA
SEP-IRA
Keogh Plan
401(k), 403(b) Plans
Scudder Horizon Plan **+++ +++
(a variable annuity)
Education Accounts
- ------------------
Education IRA
UGMA/UTMA
Closed-End Funds#
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Argentina Fund, Inc.
The Brazil Fund, Inc.
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Montgomery Street Income Securities, Inc.
Scudder Global High Income Fund, Inc.
Scudder New Asia Fund, Inc.
Scudder New Europe Fund, Inc.
Scudder Spain and Portugal Fund, Inc.
For complete information on any of the above Scudder funds, including management
fees and expenses, call or write for a free prospectus. Read it carefully before
you invest or send money. +++Funds within categories are listed in order from
expected least risk to most risk. Certain Scudder funds or classes thereof may
not be available for purchase or exchange. +A portion of the income from the
tax-free funds may be subject to federal, state, and local taxes. *A class of
shares of the Fund. **Not available in all states. ***Only the Scudder Shares of
the Fund are part of the Scudder Family of Funds. +++ +++A no-load variable
annuity contract provided by Charter National Life Insurance Company and its
affiliate, offered by Scudder's insurance agencies, 1-800-225-2470. #These
funds, advised by Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., are traded on the New York
Stock Exchange and, in some cases, on various foreign stock exchanges.
21
<PAGE>
How to contact Scudder
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Account Service and Information:
<S> <C>
For existing account service and transactions
Scudder Investor Relations -- 1-800-225-5163
For 24 hour account information, fund information, exchanges, and an
overview of all the services available to you
Scudder Electronic Account Services -- http://funds.scudder.com
For personalized information about your Scudder accounts, exchanges and redemptions
Scudder Automated Information Line (SAIL) -- 1-800-343-2890
Investment Information:
For information about the Scudder funds, including additional
applications and prospectuses, or for answers to investment questions
Scudder Investor Relations -- 1-800-225-2470
[email protected]
Scudder's World Wide Web Site -- http://funds.scudder.com
For establishing 401(k) and 403(b) plans
Scudder Defined Contribution Services -- 1-800-323-6105
Scudder Brokerage Services:
To receive information about this discount brokerage service and to obtain an application
Scudder Brokerage Services* -- 1-800-700-0820
Personal Counsel(SM) -- A Managed Fund Portfolio Program:
To receive information about this mutual fund portfolio guidance and management program
Personal Counsel from Scudder -- 1-800-700-0183
Please address all correspondence to:
The Scudder Funds
P.O. Box 2291
Boston, Massachusetts
02107-2291
Or Stop by a Scudder Investor Center:
Many shareholders enjoy the personal, one-on-one service of the Scudder
Investor Centers. Check for an Investor Center near you--they can be
found in the following cities:
Boca Raton Chicago San Francisco
Boston New York
Scudder Investor Relations and Scudder Investor Centers are services provided
through Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Distributor.
</TABLE>
* Scudder Brokerage Services, Inc., 42 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA
02061--Member NASD/SIPC.
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SCUDDER GNMA FUND
A Pure No-Load(TM) (No Sales Charges)
Diversified Mutual Fund Which
Seeks High Current Income
Primarily from U.S. Government
Guaranteed Mortgage-backed ("Ginnie Mae") Securities
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 1, 1997
As Revised May 4, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be
read in conjunction with the prospectus of Scudder GNMA Fund dated August 1,
1997, as amended from time to time, a copy of which may be obtained without
charge by writing to Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Two International Place,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-4103.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES................................. 1
General Investment Objectives and Policies............................. 1
Master/feeder structure................................................ 2
Investments and Investment Techniques.................................. 2
Investment Restrictions................................................ 1
PURCHASES.................................................................... 11
Additional Information About Opening An Account........................ 11
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments by QuickBuy. 11
Checks................................................................. 12
Wire Transfer of Federal Funds......................................... 12
Share Price............................................................ 12
Share Certificates..................................................... 12
Other Information...................................................... 13
EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS.................................................... 13
Exchanges.............................................................. 13
Redemption by Telephone................................................ 14
Redemption by QuickSell................................................ 15
Redemption by Mail or Fax.............................................. 15
Other Information...................................................... 15
FEATURES AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE FUND.................................... 16
The Pure No-Load(TM) Concept........................................... 16
Internet access........................................................ 17
Dividend and Capital Gain Distribution Options......................... 18
Diversification........................................................ 18
Scudder Investor Centers............................................... 18
Reports to Shareholders................................................ 18
Transaction Summaries.................................................. 18
THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS.................................................. 19
SPECIAL PLAN ACCOUNTS........................................................ 23
Scudder Retirement Plans: Profit-Sharing and Money Purchase
Pension Plans for Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals........... 24
Scudder 401(k): Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan for
Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals............................. 24
Scudder IRA: Individual Retirement Account............................ 24
Scudder Roth IRA: Individual Retirement Account....................... 25
Scudder 403(b) Plan.................................................... 26
Automatic Withdrawal Plan.............................................. 26
Group or Salary Deduction Plan......................................... 26
Automatic Investment Plan.............................................. 26
Uniform Transfers/Gifts to Minors Act.................................. 27
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS.................................... 27
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION...................................................... 27
Average Annual Total Return............................................ 27
Cumulative Total Return................................................ 28
Total Return........................................................... 28
Yield.................................................................. 28
Comparison of Fund Performance......................................... 29
FUND ORGANIZATION............................................................ 32
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page
INVESTMENT ADVISER........................................................... 33
Personal Investments by Employees of the Adviser....................... 35
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS........................................................ 36
REMUNERATION................................................................. 37
Responsibilities of the Board--Board and Committee Meetings............ 37
Compensation of Officers and Trustees.................................. 38
DISTRIBUTOR.................................................................. 39
TAXES........................................................................ 39
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS....................................................... 42
Brokerage Commissions.................................................. 42
Portfolio Turnover..................................................... 43
NET ASSET VALUE.............................................................. 43
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION....................................................... 44
Experts................................................................ 44
Shareholder Indemnification............................................ 44
Other Information...................................................... 45
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 45
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THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
(See "Investment objective and policies" and "Additional information
about policies and investments" in the Fund's prospectus.)
Scudder GNMA Fund (the "Fund" or "Trust") is a pure no-load(TM),
diversified, open-end management investment company. It is a company of the type
commonly known as a mutual fund.
General Investment Objectives and Policies
Scudder GNMA Fund seeks high current income primarily from U.S. Government
guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. The Fund invests primarily in
mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the Government National
Mortgage Association ("GNMA" or "Ginnie Mae"). Such guarantees are supported by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. These guarantees apply only to
the timely payment of both principal and interest of the GNMA securities held in
the Fund's portfolio. These guarantees do not apply to the market value or yield
of mortgage-backed securities or to the value of Fund shares which will vary in
response to interest rate fluctuations and other market and credit factors.
The market value of the Fund's investments and correspondingly the Fund's
share price will vary inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates and in
response to other bond market factors, such as changes in the supply and demand
for mortgage-backed securities. Income from U.S. Government mortgage-backed
securities may be lower than that from longer-term lower quality securities.
The Fund may make long-term investments but may also invest in short- and
intermediate-maturity investments and may engage in strategic transactions.
Under certain market conditions, these strategies may reduce current income. At
any time, the Fund may have a substantial portion of its assets in securities of
a particular type or maturity. The Fund may invest in U.S. Treasury bills,
notes, and bonds; GNMA securities; options on such securities; futures
contracts; repurchase agreements fully secured by U.S. Government obligations;
dollar roll transactions; zero coupon securities; when-issued securities;
illiquid securities; and cash equivalents.
Some investors may view the Fund as an alternative to a bank certificate
of deposit ("CD"). While an investment in the Fund is not federally insured, and
there is no guarantee of price stability, an investment in the Fund--unlike a
CD--is not locked away for any period, may be redeemed at any time without
incurring early withdrawal penalties, and may provide a higher yield.
At least 65% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in
mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by GNMA (which are backed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. Government). Up to 35% of the Fund's total
assets may be held in cash, cash equivalents or invested in securities issued or
directly guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As used in this Statement of
Additional Information, the term "U.S. Government securities" refers to the
following securities: (1) securities issued and backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Government, including U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds;
and (2) securities issued by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government
and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, including but
not limited to securities of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the
General Services Administration and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority.
During periods which, in the opinion of the Fund's investment adviser,
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser"), require defensive investing,
the Fund may temporarily invest its assets without limit in short-term U.S.
Government obligations. It is impossible to accurately predict for how long such
alternate strategies may be utilized. The securities in which the Fund may
invest are further described under "Investment objectives and policies" and
"Additional information about policies and investments" in the Fund's
prospectus.
The Fund cannot guarantee a gain or eliminate the risk of loss. The net
asset value of the Fund's shares will increase or decrease with changes in the
market prices of the Fund's investments and there is no assurance that the
Fund's objective will be achieved. Except as otherwise indicated, the Fund's
investment objective and policies are not fundamental and may be changed by the
Board of Trustees without a vote of shareholders.
<PAGE>
Master/feeder structure
The Board of Trustees has the discretion to retain the current
distribution arrangement for the Fund while investing in a master fund in a
master/feeder structure as described below.
A master/feeder fund structure is one in which a fund (a "feeder fund"),
instead of investing directly in a portfolio of securities, invests most or all
of its investment assets in a separate registered investment company (the
"master fund") with substantially the same investment objective and policies as
the feeder fund. Such a structure permits the pooling of assets of two or more
feeder funds, preserving separate identities or distribution channels at the
feeder fund level. Based on the premise that certain of the expenses of
operating an investment portfolio are relatively fixed, a larger investment
portfolio may eventually achieve a lower ratio of operating expenses to average
net assets. An existing investment company is able to convert to a feeder fund
by selling all of its investments, which involves brokerage and other
transaction costs and realization of a taxable gain or loss, or by contributing
its assets to the master fund and avoiding transaction costs and, if proper
procedures are followed, the realization of taxable gain or loss.
Investments and Investment Techniques
GNMA Mortgage-Backed Securities ("GNMAs"). GNMAs are mortgage-backed securities
representing pro rata ownership of a pool of mortgage loans. These loans, which
are issued by lenders such as mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and savings
and loan associations, are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration
(FHA) or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (VA). A "pool", or group of
mortgages, is assembled and after being approved by GNMA, a U.S. Government
agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the timely
payment of interest and principal is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. Government.
As mortgage-backed securities, GNMAs differ from many bonds in that
principal is paid back by the borrower over the life of the security rather than
returned in a lump sum at maturity. GNMAs are called "pass-through" securities
because both interest and principal, including prepayments, are passed through
to the holder of the security (in this case, the Fund). Because principal may be
prepaid at any time, mortgage-backed securities may involve significantly
greater price and yield volatility than traditional debt securities.
The payment of principal on the underlying mortgages may exceed the
minimum required by the schedule of payments for the mortgages. Such prepayments
are made at the option of the mortgagors for a wide variety of reasons
reflecting their individual circumstances and may result in capital losses to
the Fund if the mortgages were purchased at a premium. For example, mortgagors
may speed up the rate at which they prepay their mortgages when interest rates
decline sufficiently to encourage refinancing. The Fund, when such prepayments
are passed through to it, may be able to reinvest them only at a lower rate of
interest. When interest rates rise, mortgage prepayment rates tend to decline,
thus lengthening the life of mortgage-related securities and increasing their
volatility, affecting the price volatility of the Fund's shares. The Adviser, in
determining the relative attractiveness of GNMAs compared to alternative
fixed-income securities, and in choosing specific GNMA issues, will have made
assumptions as to the likely speed of prepayment. Actual experience may vary
from these assumptions, resulting in a higher or lower investment return than
anticipated.
Dollar Roll Transactions. The Fund may enter into "dollar roll" transactions,
which consist of the sale by the Fund to a bank or broker/dealer (the
"counterparty") of GNMA certificates or other mortgage-backed securities
together with a commitment to purchase from the counterparty similar, but not
identical, securities at a future date, at the same price. The counterparty
receives all principal and interest payments, including prepayments, made on the
security while it is the holder. The Fund receives compensation from the
counterparty as consideration for entering into the commitment to repurchase.
The compensation is paid in the form of a fee or alternatively, a lower price
for the security upon its repurchase. Dollar rolls may be renewed over a period
of several months with a different repurchase price and a cash settlement made
at each renewal without physical delivery of securities. Moreover, the
transaction may be preceded by a firm commitment agreement pursuant to which the
Fund agrees to buy a security on a future date.
The Fund will not use such transactions for leveraging purposes and,
accordingly, will segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount sufficient to
meet its purchase obligations under the transactions. The Fund will also
maintain asset coverage of at least 300% for all outstanding firm commitments,
dollar rolls and other borrowings.
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<PAGE>
Notwithstanding such safeguards, the Fund's overall investment exposure may be
increased by such transactions to the extent that the Fund bears a risk of loss
on the securities it is committed to purchase as well as on the segregated
assets.
Dollar rolls are treated for purposes of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as borrowings of the Fund because they
involve the sale of a security coupled with an agreement to repurchase. Like all
borrowings, a dollar roll involves costs to the Fund. For example, while the
Fund receives either a fee or alternatively, a lower price for the security upon
its repurchase as consideration for agreeing to repurchase the security, the
Fund forgoes the right to receive all principal and interest payments while the
counterparty holds the security. These payments to the counterparty may exceed
the fee received by the Fund, thereby effectively charging the Fund interest on
its borrowing. Further, although the Fund can estimate the amount of expected
principal prepayment over the term of the dollar roll, a variation in the actual
amount of prepayment could increase or decrease the cost of the Fund's
borrowing.
The entry into dollar rolls involves potential risks of loss which are
different from those related to the securities underlying the transactions. For
example, if the counterparty becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to purchase
from the counterparty might be restricted. Additionally, the value of such
securities may change adversely before the Fund is able to purchase them.
Similarly, the Fund may be required to purchase securities in connection with a
dollar roll at a higher price than may otherwise be available on the open
market. Since, as noted above, the counterparty is required to deliver a
similar, but not identical security to the Fund, the security which the Fund is
required to buy under the dollar roll may be worth less than an identical
security. Finally, there can be no assurance that the Fund's use of the cash
that it receives from a dollar roll will provide a return that exceeds borrowing
costs.
The Trustees of the Fund have adopted guidelines to ensure that those
securities received are substantially identical to those sold. To reduce the
risk of default, the Fund will engage in such transactions only with banks and
broker/dealers selected pursuant to such guidelines.
Zero Coupon Securities. The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities which pay
no cash income and are sold at substantial discounts from their value at
maturity. When held to maturity, their entire income, which consists of
accretion of discount, comes from the difference between the issue price and
their value at maturity. Zero coupon securities are subject to greater market
value fluctuations from changing interest rates than debt obligations of
comparable maturities which make current distributions of interest (cash). Zero
coupon convertible securities offer the opportunity for capital appreciation as
increases (or decreases) in market value of such securities closely follow the
movements in the market value of the underlying common stock. Zero coupon
convertible securities generally are expected to be less volatile than the
underlying common stocks as they usually are issued with short maturities (15
years or less) and are issued with options and/or redemption features
exercisable by the holder of the obligation entitling the holder to redeem the
obligation and receive a defined cash payment.
Zero coupon securities include securities issued directly by the U.S.
Treasury, and U.S. Treasury bonds or notes and their unmatured interest coupons
and receipts for their underlying principal ("coupons") which have been
separated by their holder, typically a custodian bank or investment brokerage
firm. A holder will separate the interest coupons from the underlying principal
(the "corpus") of the U.S. Treasury security. A number of securities firms and
banks have stripped the interest coupons and receipts and then resold them in
custodial receipt programs with a number of different names, including "Treasury
Income Growth Receipts" ("TIGRS") and Certificate of Accrual on Treasuries
("CATS"). The underlying U.S. Treasury bonds and notes themselves are held in
book-entry form at the Federal Reserve Bank or, in the case of bearer securities
(i.e., unregistered securities which are owned ostensibly by the bearer or
holder thereof), in trust on behalf of the owners thereof. Counsel to the
underwriters of these certificates or other evidences of ownership of the U.S.
Treasury securities has stated that for federal tax and securities purposes, in
their opinion purchasers of such certificates, such as the Fund, most likely
will be deemed the beneficial holders of the underlying U.S. Government
securities.
The Treasury has facilitated transfers of ownership of zero coupon
securities by accounting separately for the beneficial ownership of particular
interest coupon and corpus payments on Treasury securities through the Federal
Reserve book-entry record-keeping system. The Federal Reserve program, as
established by the Treasury Department, is known as "STRIPS" or "Separate
Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities." Under the STRIPS
program, the Fund will be able to have its beneficial ownership of zero coupon
securities recorded directly in the book-
3
<PAGE>
entry record-keeping system in lieu of having to hold certificates or other
evidences of ownership of the underlying U.S. Treasury securities.
When U.S. Treasury obligations have been stripped of their unmatured
interest coupons by the holder, the principal or corpus is sold at a deep
discount because the buyer receives only the right to receive a future fixed
payment on the security and does not receive any rights to periodic interest
(cash) payments. Once stripped or separated, the corpus and coupons may be sold
separately. Typically, the coupons are sold separately or grouped with other
coupons with like maturity dates and sold in such bundled form. Purchasers of
stripped obligations acquire, in effect, discount obligations that are
economically identical to the zero coupon securities that the Treasury sells.
(See "TAXES.")
When-Issued Securities. The Fund may purchase securities offered on a
"when-issued" or "forward delivery" basis. When so offered, the price, which is
generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment to
purchase is made, but delivery and payment for the when-issued or forward
delivery securities take place at a later date. During the period between
purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the purchaser to the issuer and
no interest accrues to the purchaser. To the extent that assets of the Fund are
not invested prior to the settlement of a purchase of securities, a Fund will
earn no income; however, it is intended that the Fund will be fully invested to
the extent practicable and subject to the policies stated herein. When-issued or
forward delivery purchases are negotiated directly with the other party, and are
not traded on an exchange. While when-issued or forward delivery securities may
be sold prior to the settlement date, it is intended that the Fund will purchase
such securities with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale
appears desirable for investment reasons. At the time the Fund makes the
commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or forward delivery basis, it
will record the transaction and reflect the value of the security in determining
its net asset value. The Fund does not believe that its net asset value or
income will be adversely affected by its purchase of securities on a when-issued
or forward delivery basis. The Fund will establish a segregated account with the
Fund's custodian in which it will maintain cash, U.S. Government securities and
other high grade debt obligations equal in value to commitments for when-issued
or forward delivery securities. Such segregated securities either will mature
or, if necessary, be sold on or before the settlement date. The Fund will not
enter into such transactions for leveraging purposes.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with any
member bank of the Federal Reserve System and any broker/dealer which is
recognized as a reporting government securities dealer if the creditworthiness
of the bank or broker/dealer has been determined by the Adviser to be at least
as high as that of other obligations the Fund may purchase or to be at least
equal to that of issuers of commercial paper rated within the two highest grades
assigned by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P").
A repurchase agreement provides a means for the Fund to earn income on
funds for periods as short as overnight. It is an arrangement under which the
Purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires a security ("Obligation") and the seller
agrees, at the time of sale, to repurchase the Obligation at a specified time
and price. Securities subject to a repurchase agreement are held in a segregated
account and the value of such securities is kept at least equal to the
repurchase price on a daily basis. The repurchase price may be higher than the
purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and
repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the
Fund together with the repurchase price on the date of repurchase. In either
case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the Obligation
itself. Obligations will be held by the Fund's custodian or in the Federal
Reserve Book Entry System.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a
loan from the Fund to the seller of the Obligation subject to the repurchase
agreement and is therefore subject to the Fund's investment restriction
applicable to loans. It is not clear whether a court would consider the
Obligation purchased by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being
owned by the Fund or as being collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller.
In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with
respect to the seller of the Obligation before repurchase of the Obligation
under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs
before being able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or
decline in price of the Obligation. If the court characterizes the transaction
as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the Obligation,
the Fund may be required to return the Obligation to the seller's estate and be
treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the
Fund would be at the risk of losing some or all of the principal and income
involved in the transaction. As with unsecured debt obligations purchased for
the Fund, the Adviser seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase
agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the
seller of the Obligation. Apart
4
<PAGE>
from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk
that the seller may fail to repurchase the Obligation. However, if the market
value of the Obligation subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than
the repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will direct the seller of
the Obligation to deliver additional securities so that the market value of all
securities subject to the repurchase agreement will equal or exceed the
repurchase price. It is possible that the Fund will be unsuccessful in seeking
to impose on the seller a contractual obligation to deliver additional
securities.
Strategic Transactions and Derivatives. The Fund may, but is not required to,
utilize various other investment strategies as described below to hedge various
market risks (such as interest rates and broad or specific market movements), to
manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund's portfolio, or to enhance
potential gain. These strategies may be executed through the use of derivative
contracts. Such strategies are generally accepted as a part of modern portfolio
management and are regularly utilized by many mutual funds and other
institutional investors. Techniques and instruments may change over time as new
instruments and strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur.
In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may
purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on
securities, fixed-income indices and other financial instruments, purchase and
sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, and enter into various
interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars (collectively,
all the above are called "Strategic Transactions"). Strategic Transactions may
be used without limit to attempt to protect against possible changes in the
market value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund's portfolio
resulting from securities markets fluctuations, to protect the Fund's unrealized
gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such
securities for investment purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration
of the Fund's portfolio, or to establish a position in the derivatives markets
as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. Some
Strategic Transactions may also be used to enhance potential gain although no
more than 5% of the Fund's assets will be committed to Strategic Transactions
entered into for non-hedging purposes. Any or all of these investment techniques
may be used at any time and in any combination, and there is no particular
strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another, as use of
any Strategic Transaction is a function of numerous variables including market
conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these Strategic Transactions
successfully will depend on the Adviser's ability to predict pertinent market
movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will comply with applicable
regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies, techniques and
instruments. Strategic Transactions involving financial futures and options
thereon will be purchased, sold or entered into only for bona fide hedging, risk
management or portfolio management purposes and not to create leveraged
exposure in the Fund.
Strategic Transactions, including derivative contracts, have risks
associated with them including possible default by the other party to the
transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Adviser's view as to certain
market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic
Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use
of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale or
purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than
(in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of call options) current
market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its
investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The
use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In
particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of
futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio position of the
Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be
greater than gains in the value of the Fund's position. In addition, futures and
options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and certain
over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in certain markets,
the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring
substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of futures and options
transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a
decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to limit
any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of such
position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts
would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of
options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium.
Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce net asset
value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the Strategic
Transactions had not been utilized.
General Characteristics of Options. Put options and call options typically have
similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the
underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following
general discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed
in greater detail below. In
5
<PAGE>
addition, many Strategic Transactions involving options require segregation of
Fund assets in special accounts, as described below under "Use of Segregated and
Other Special Accounts."
A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium,
the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying
security, commodity, index or other instrument at the exercise price. For
instance, the Fund's purchase of a put option on a security might be designed to
protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar
instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value by giving the Fund
the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise price. A call option,
upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy,
and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise
price. The Fund's purchase of a call option on a security, financial future,
index or other instrument might be intended to protect the Fund against an
increase in the price of the underlying instrument that it intends to purchase
in the future by fixing the price at which it may purchase such instrument. An
American style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option
period while a European style put or call option may be exercised only upon
expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto. The Fund is authorized to
purchase and sell exchange listed options and over-the-counter options ("OTC
options"). Exchange listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary such
as the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), which guarantees the performance of
the obligations of the parties to such options. The discussion below uses the
OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other financial intermediaries.
With certain exceptions, OCC issued and exchange listed options generally
settle by physical delivery of the underlying security, although in the future
cash settlement may become available. Index options and Eurodollar instruments
are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is
"in-the-money" (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in
the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the
exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised. Frequently,
rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the
process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into
offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the
new option.
The Fund's ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of
an OCC or exchange listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the
liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a
liquid option market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in
certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii)
trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to
particular classes or series of options or underlying securities including
reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the
OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to
handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to
discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options),
in which event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease
to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue
to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours
during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that
the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial
instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the
underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.
OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial
institutions or other parties ("Counterparties") through direct bilateral
agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which
generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an
OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price,
premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties. The
Fund will only sell OTC options that are subject to a buy-back provision
permitting the Fund to require the Counterparty to sell the option back to the
Fund at a formula price within seven days. The Fund expects generally to enter
into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions, although it is not
required to do so.
Unless the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or
guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty fails to
make or take delivery of the security or other instrument underlying an OTC
option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash settlement
payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund will lose any
premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the
transaction. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of each
such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty's
credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be
satisfied.
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The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only with U.S. government
securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as
"primary dealers," or broker dealers, domestic or foreign banks or other
financial institutions which have received (or the guarantors of the obligation
of which have received) a short-term credit rating of A-1 from S&P or P-1 from
Moody's or an equivalent rating from any other nationally recognized statistical
rating organization ("NRSRO") or are determined to be of equivalent credit
quality by the Adviser. The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") currently takes the position that OTC options purchased by the Fund, and
portfolio securities "covering" the amount of the Fund's obligation pursuant to
an OTC option sold by it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money
amount, if any) are illiquid, and are subject to the Fund's limitation on
investing no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as
a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in the
value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will
increase the Fund's income. The sale of put options can also provide income.
The Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities, including U.S.
Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and Eurodollar
instruments that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in
over-the-counter markets, and on securities indices and futures contracts. All
calls sold by the Fund must be "covered" (i.e., the Fund must own the securities
or futures contract subject to the call) or must meet the asset segregation
requirements described below as long as the call is outstanding. Even though the
Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against loss, a call
sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss
of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying
security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or instrument
which it might otherwise have sold.
The Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities, including U.S.
Treasury and agency securities (whether or not it holds the above securities in
its portfolio) and on securities indices and futures contracts other than
futures on individual corporate debt and individual equity securities. The Fund
will not sell put options if, as a result, more than 50% of the Fund's assets
would be required to be segregated to cover its potential obligations under such
put options other than those with respect to futures and options thereon. In
selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the
underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.
General Characteristics of Futures. The Fund may enter into financial futures
contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures as a hedge
against anticipated interest rate or fixed-income market changes, for duration
management and for risk management purposes. Futures are generally bought and
sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed with payment of initial
and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures contract creates
a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific
type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future
time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures and Eurodollar
instruments, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to
options on securities except that an option on a futures contract gives the
purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a
futures contract and obligates the seller to deliver such position.
The Fund's use of financial futures and options thereon will in all cases
be consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and in particular the
rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and will be
entered into only for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration
management) or other portfolio management purposes. Typically, maintaining a
futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to deposit with
a financial intermediary as security for its obligations an amount of cash or
other specified assets (initial margin) which initially is typically 1% to 10%
of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances).
Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to be deposited
thereafter on a daily basis as the mark to market value of the contract
fluctuates. The purchase of options on financial futures involves payment of a
premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the Fund.
If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be obligated to
post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation margin) for the
resulting futures position just as it would for any position. Futures contracts
and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting
transaction but there can be no assurance that the position can be offset prior
to settlement at an advantageous price, nor that delivery will occur.
The Fund will not enter into a futures contract or related option (except
for closing transactions) if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of
its initial margin and premiums on open futures contracts and options
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thereon would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets (taken at current value);
however, in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of the
purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%
limitation. The segregation requirements with respect to futures contracts and
options thereon are described below.
Options on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices. The Fund also may
purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices and other financial
indices and in so doing can achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve
through the sale or purchase of options on individual securities or other
instruments. Options on securities indices and other financial indices are
similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than
settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash
settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive,
upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index
upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than,
in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option (except if, in the case
of an OTC option, physical delivery is specified). This amount of cash is equal
to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the
option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the
option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of
this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price
movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or
other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price
movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on
securities.
Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including
multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions and multiple
interest rate transactions and any combination of futures, options and interest
rate transactions ("component" transactions), instead of a single Strategic
Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of
the Adviser, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined
transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of
its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered
into based on the Adviser's judgment that the combined strategies will reduce
risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management
goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or
hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.
Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. Among the Strategic Transactions into which the
Fund may enter are interest rate and index swaps and the purchase or sale of
related caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter into these
transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment
or portion of its portfolio, as a duration management technique or to protect
against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing
at a later date. The Fund intends to use these transactions as hedges and not as
speculative investments and will not sell interest rate caps or floors where it
does not own securities or other instruments providing the income stream the
Fund may be obligated to pay. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the
Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive
interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments
with respect to a notional amount of principal. An index swap is an agreement to
swap cash flows on a notional amount based on changes in the values of the
reference indices. The purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser to receive
payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such cap to the
extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate or amount.
The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional
principal amount from the party selling such floor to the extent that a
specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate or amount. A collar is
a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a
predetermined range of interest rates or values.
The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two
payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates
specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may
be, only the net amount of the two payments. Inasmuch as these swaps, caps,
floors and collars are entered into for good faith hedging purposes, the Adviser
and the Fund believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities under
the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to its
borrowing restrictions. The Fund will not enter into any swap, cap, floor or
collar transaction unless, at the time of entering into such transaction, the
unsecured long-term debt of the Counterparty, combined with any credit
enhancements, is rated at least A by S&P or Moody's or has an equivalent rating
from an NRSRO or is determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the
Adviser. If there is a default by the Counterparty, the Fund may have
contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The
swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks
and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing
standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become
relatively liquid. Caps, floors and collars are more recent innovations for
which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and,
accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.
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Eurodollar Instruments. The Fund may make investments in Eurodollar instruments.
Eurodollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts or options
thereon which are linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"),
although foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time to
time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for
the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. The Fund
might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against
changes in LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments
are linked.
Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts. Many Strategic Transactions, in
addition to other requirements, require that the Fund segregate cash or liquid
assets with its custodian to the extent Fund obligations are not otherwise
"covered" through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or
currency. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to
pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the
securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered, or, subject to any
regulatory restrictions, an amount of cash or liquid assets at least equal to
the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the custodian. The
segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are
substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. For
example, a call option written by the Fund will require the Fund to hold the
securities subject to the call (or a convertible into the needed securities
without additional consideration) or to segregate cash or liquid assets
sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the call is exercised. A
call option sold by the Fund on an index will require the Fund to own portfolio
securities which correlate with the index or to segregate cash or liquid assets
equal to the excess of the index value over the exercise price on a current
basis. A put option written by the Fund requires the Fund to segregate cash or
liquid assets equal to the exercise price.
Except when the Fund enters into a forward contract for the purchase or
sale of a security denominated in a particular currency, which requires no
segregation, a currency contract which obligates the Fund to buy or sell
currency will generally require the Fund to hold an amount of that currency or
liquid assets denominated in that currency equal to the Fund's obligations or to
segregate cash or liquid assets equal to the amount of the Fund's obligation.
OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities,
currency, financial instruments or indices and OCC issued and exchange listed
index options, will generally provide for cash settlement. As a result, when the
Fund sells these instruments it will only segregate an amount of cash or liquid
assets equal to its accrued net obligations, as there is no requirement for
payment or delivery of amounts in excess of the net amount. These amounts will
equal 100% of the exercise price in the case of a non cash-settled put, the same
as an OCC guaranteed listed option sold by the Fund, or the in-the-money amount
plus any sell-back formula amount in the case of a cash-settled put or call. In
addition, when the Fund sells a call option on an index at a time when the
in-the-money amount exceeds the exercise price, the Fund will segregate, until
the option expires or is closed out, cash or cash equivalents equal in value to
such excess. OCC issued and exchange listed options sold by the Fund other than
those above generally settle with physical delivery, or with an election of
either physical delivery or cash settlement and the Fund will segregate an
amount of cash or liquid assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC
options settling with physical delivery, or with an election of either physical
delivery or cash settlement will be treated the same as other options settling
with physical delivery.
In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon, the Fund must
deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to
segregating cash or liquid assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase
or provide securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration
of an index-based futures contract. Such liquid assets may consist of cash, cash
equivalents, liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets.
With respect to swaps, the Fund will accrue the net amount of the excess,
if any, of its obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap on a
daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or liquid assets having a value
equal to the accrued excess. Caps, floors and collars require segregation of
assets with a value equal to the Fund's net obligation, if any.
Strategic Transactions may be covered by other means when consistent with
applicable regulatory policies. The Fund may also enter into offsetting
transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets,
equals its net outstanding obligation in related options and Strategic
Transactions. For example, the Fund could purchase a put option if the strike
price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option
sold by the Fund. Moreover, instead of segregating cash or liquid assets if the
Fund held a futures or forward contract, it could
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<PAGE>
purchase a put option on the same futures or forward contract with a strike
price as high or higher than the price of the contract held. Other Strategic
Transactions may also be offset in combinations. If the offsetting transaction
terminates at the time of or after the primary transaction no segregation is
required, but if it terminates prior to such time, cash or liquid assets equal
to any remaining obligation would need to be segregated.
Investment Restrictions
Unless specified to the contrary, the following restrictions are
fundamental policies and may not be changed without the approval of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund which, under the 1940 Act and
the rules thereunder and as used in this Statement of Additional Information,
means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a
meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (2) more than 50% of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Any investment restrictions herein
which involve a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be
considered to be violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs
immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities
or assets of, or borrowings by, the Fund.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
(1) borrow money, except as permitted under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory
authority having jurisdiction from time to time;
(2) issue senior securities, except as permitted under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by
regulatory authority having jurisdiction from time to time;
(3) purchase physical commodities or contracts relating to physical
commodities;
(4) engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others,
except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an
underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio
securities;
(5) purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities
of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments
secured by real estate or interests therein, except that the Fund
reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired
as a result of the Fund's ownership of securities;
(6) make loans to other persons except (i) loans of portfolio
securities, and (ii) to the extent that entry into repurchase
agreements and the purchase of debt instruments or interests in
indebtedness in accordance with the Fund's investment objective
and policies may be deemed to be loans; or
(7) concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term
is used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as
interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction
from time to time.
Nonfundamental policies may be changed without shareholder approval. The
Fund may not, as a nonfundamental policy:
(1) borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of its total assets,
except (i) for temporary or emergency purposes and (ii) by engaging
in reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, or other investments
or transactions described in the Fund's registration statement which
may be deemed to be borrowings;
(2) purchase securities on margin or make short sales, except (i) short
sales against the box, (ii) in connection with arbitrage
transactions, (iii) for margin deposits in connection with futures
contracts, options or other permitted investments, (iv) that
transactions in futures contracts and options shall not be deemed to
constitute selling securities short, and (v) that the Fund may
obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance
of securities transactions;
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(3) purchase options, unless the aggregate premiums paid on all such
options held by the Fund at any time do not exceed 20% of its total
assets; or sell put options, if as a result, the aggregate
value of the obligations underlying such put options would exceed
50% of its total assets;
(4 ) enter into futures contracts or purchase options thereon unless
immediately after the purchase, the value of the aggregate initial
margin with respect to such futures contracts entered into on
behalf of the Fund and the premiums paid for such options on futures
contracts does not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's
total assets; provided that in the case of an option that is
in-the-money at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be
excluded in computing the 5% limit;
(5) purchase warrants if as a result, such securities, taken at the
lower of cost or market value, would represent more than 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets (for this purpose, warrants
acquired in units or attached to securities will be deemed to have
no value); and
(6) lend portfolio securities in an amount greater than 5% of its total
assets.
PURCHASES
(See "Purchases" and "Transaction information" in the Fund's prospectus.)
Additional Information About Opening An Account
Clients having a regular investment counsel account with the Adviser or
its affiliates and members of their immediate families, officers and employees
of the Adviser or of any affiliated organization and their immediate families,
members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and
banks may, if they prefer, subscribe initially for at least $2,500 of Fund
shares through Scudder Investor Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") by letter,
fax, TWX or telephone.
Shareholders of other Scudder funds who have submitted an account
application and have a certified taxpayer identification number, clients having
a regular investment counsel account with the Adviser or its affiliates and
members of their immediate families, officers and employees of the Adviser or of
any affiliated organization and their immediate families, members of the NASD
and banks may open an account by wire. These investors must call 1-800-225-5163
to get an account number. During the call the investor will be asked to indicate
the Fund name, amount to be wired ($2,500 minimum), name of bank or trust
company from which the wire will be sent, the exact registration of the new
account, the taxpayer identification or Social Security number, address and
telephone number. The investor must then call the bank to arrange a wire
transfer to The Scudder Funds, State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA
02101, ABA Number 011000028, DDA Account Number 9903-5552. The investor must
give the Scudder fund name, account name and new account number. Finally, the
investor must send the completed and signed application to the Fund promptly.
The minimum initial purchase amount is less than $2,500 under certain
special plan accounts.
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments by QuickBuy
Shareholders, whose predesignated bank account of record is a member of
the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) and who have elected to participate
in the QuickBuy program, may purchase shares of the Fund by telephone. Through
this service shareholders may purchase up to $250,000. To purchase shares by
QuickBuy, shareholders should call before the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"), normally 4 p.m. eastern time. Proceeds
in the amount of your purchase will be transferred from your bank checking
account two or three business days following your call. For requests received by
the close of regular trading on the Exchange, shares will be purchased at the
net asset value per share calculated at the close of trading on the day of your
call. QuickBuy requests received after the close of regular trading on the
Exchange will begin their processing and be purchased at the net asset value
calculated the following business day. If you purchase shares by QuickBuy and
redeem them within seven days of the purchase, the Fund may hold the redemption
proceeds for a period of up to seven business days. If you purchase shares and
there are insufficient funds in your bank account the purchase will be
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<PAGE>
canceled and you will be subject to any losses or fees incurred in the
transaction. QuickBuy transactions are not available for most retirement plan
accounts. However, QuickBuy transactions are available for Scudder IRA
accounts.
In order to request purchases by QuickBuy, shareholders must have
completed and returned to the Transfer Agent the application, including the
designation of a bank account from which the purchase payment will be debited.
New investors wishing to establish QuickBuy may so indicate on the
application. Existing shareholders who wish to add QuickBuy to their account
may do so by completing a QuickBuy Enrollment Form. After sending in an
enrollment form shareholders should allow 15 days for this service to be
available.
The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls, testing
a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone transactions,
designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent that the Fund does
not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be liable for acting upon
instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be
genuine.
Checks
A certified check is not necessary, but checks are only accepted subject
to collection at full face value in U.S. funds and must be drawn on, or payable
through, a U.S. bank.
If shares of the Fund are purchased by a check which proves to be
uncollectible, the Fund reserves the right to cancel the purchase immediately
and the purchaser will be responsible for any loss incurred by the Fund or the
principal underwriter by reason of such cancellation. If the purchaser is a Fund
shareholder, the Fund will have the authority, as agent of the shareholder, to
redeem shares in the account in order to reimburse the Fund or the principal
underwriter for the loss incurred. Investors whose orders have been canceled may
be prohibited from or restricted in placing future orders in any of the Scudder
funds.
Wire Transfer of Federal Funds
To purchase shares of the Fund and obtain the same day's dividend you must
have your bank forward federal funds by wire transfer and provide the required
account information so as to be available to the Fund prior to twelve o'clock
noon eastern time on that day. If you wish to make a purchase of $500,000 or
more you should notify Scudder Service Corporation (the "Transfer Agent") of
such a purchase by calling 1-800-225-5163. If either the federal funds or the
account information is received after twelve o'clock noon eastern time, but both
the funds and the information are made available before the close of regular
trading on the Exchange, normally 4 p.m., eastern time, on any business day,
shares will be purchased at net asset value determined on that day but will not
receive the dividend; in such cases, dividends commence on the next business
day.
The bank sending an investor's federal funds by bank wire may charge for
the service. Presently the Fund pays a fee for receipt by State Street Bank and
Trust Company (the "Custodian") of "wired funds," but the right to charge
investors for this service is reserved.
Boston banks are presently closed on certain holidays although the
Exchange may be open. These holidays include Columbus Day (the 2nd Monday in
October) and Veterans' Day (November 11). Investors are not able to purchase
shares by wiring federal funds on such holidays because the Custodian is not
open to receive such federal funds on behalf of the Fund.
Share Price
Purchases will be filled without sales charge at the net asset value next
computed after receipt of the purchase order in good order. Net asset value
normally will be computed as of the close of regular trading on each day during
which the Exchange is open for trading. Orders received after the close of
regular trading on the Exchange will be executed at the next business day's net
asset value. If the order has been placed by a member of the NASD, other than
the Distributor, it is the responsibility of that member broker, rather than the
Fund, to forward the purchase order to the Fund's Transfer Agent in Boston by
the close of regular trading on the Exchange.
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Share Certificates
Due to the desire of Fund management to afford ease of redemption,
certificates will not be issued to indicate ownership in the Fund. Share
certificates now in a shareholder's possession may be sent to the Transfer Agent
for cancellation and credit to such shareholder's account. Shareholders who
prefer may hold the certificates in their possession until they wish to exchange
or redeem such shares.
Other Information
The Fund has authorized certain members of the NASD other than the
Distributor to accept purchase and redemption orders for the Fund's shares.
Those brokers may also designate other parties to accept purchase and redemption
orders on the Fund's behalf. Orders for purchase or redemption will be deemed to
have been received by the Fund when such brokers or their authorized designees
accept the orders. Subject to the terms of the contract between the Fund and the
broker, ordinarily orders will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next
computed after acceptance by such brokers or their authorized designees.
Further, if purchases or redemptions of the Fund's shares are arranged and
settlement is made at an investor's election through any other authorized NASD
member, that member may, at its discretion, charge a fee for that service. The
Board of Trustees and the Distributor, also the Fund's principal underwriter,
each has the right to limit the amount of purchases by, and to refuse to sell
to, any person. The Trustees and the Distributor may suspend or terminate the
offering of shares of the Fund at any time for any reason.
The Trustees and the Distributor each has the right to limit the amount of
purchases by, and to refuse to sell to any person, and may suspend or terminate
the offering of shares of the Fund at any time.
The "Tax Identification Number" section of the application must be
completed when opening an account. Applications and purchase orders without a
certified tax identification number and certain other certified information
(e.g., from exempt organizations a certification of exempt status) may be
returned to the investor if a correct certified tax identification number and
certain other required certificates are not supplied.
The Fund may issue shares at net asset value in connection with any merger
or consolidation with, or acquisition of the assets of, any investment company
or personal holding company, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.
EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS
(See "Exchanges and redemptions" and "Transaction
information" in the Fund's prospectus.)
Exchanges
Exchanges are comprised of a redemption from one Scudder fund and a
purchase into another Scudder fund. The purchase side of the exchange either may
be an additional investment into an existing account or may involve opening a
new account in the other fund. When an exchange involves a new account, the new
account will be established with the same registration, tax identification
number, address, telephone redemption option, "Scudder Automated Information
Line" (SAIL) transaction authorization and dividend option as the existing
account. Other features will not carry over automatically to the new account.
Exchanges into a new fund account must be for a minimum of $2,500. When an
exchange represents an additional investment into an existing account, the
account receiving the exchange proceeds must have identical registration,
address, and account options/features as the account of origin. Exchanges into
an existing account must be for $100 or more. If the account receiving the
exchange proceeds is to be different in any respect, the exchange request must
be in writing and must contain a signature guarantee as described under
"Transaction information--Signature guarantees" in the Fund's prospectus.
Exchange orders received before the close of regular trading on the
Exchange on any business day ordinarily will be executed at the respective net
asset values determined on that day. Exchange orders received after the close of
regular trading on the Exchange will be executed on the following business day.
Investors may also request, at no extra charge, to have exchanges
automatically executed on a predetermined schedule from one Scudder fund to an
existing account in another Scudder fund, at current net asset value, through
Scudder's Automatic Exchange Program. Exchanges must be for a minimum of $50.
Shareholders may add this free
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feature over the telephone or in writing. Automatic Exchanges will continue
until the shareholder requests by telephone or in writing to have the feature
removed, or until the originating account is depleted. The Trust and the
Transfer Agent each reserves the right to suspend or terminate the privilege of
the Automatic Exchange Program at any time.
There is no charge to the shareholder for any exchange described above. An
exchange into another Scudder fund is a redemption of shares, and therefore may
result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder, and the proceeds
of such an exchange may be subject to backup withholding. (See "TAXES.")
Investors currently receive the exchange privilege, including exchange by
telephone, automatically without having to elect it. The Fund employs
procedures, including recording telephone calls, testing a caller's identity,
and sending written confirmation of telephone transactions, designed to give
reasonable assurance that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine,
and to discourage fraud. To the extent that the Fund does not follow such
procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
telephone instructions. The Fund will not be liable for acting upon instructions
communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be genuine. The Fund
and the Transfer Agent each reserves the right to suspend or terminate the
privilege of exchanging by telephone or fax at any time.
The Scudder funds into which investors may make an exchange are listed
under "THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS" herein. Before making an exchange,
shareholders should obtain from Scudder Investor Services, Inc. a prospectus of
the Scudder fund into which the exchange is being contemplated. The exchange
privilege may not be available for certain Scudder funds or classes thereof.
For more information call 1-800-225-5163.
Scudder retirement plans may have different exchange requirements. Please
refer to appropriate plan literature.
Redemption by Telephone
In order to request redemptions by telephone, shareholders must have
completed and returned to the Transfer Agent the application, including the
designation of a bank account to which the redemption proceeds are to be sent.
Shareholders currently receive the right to redeem up to $100,000 to their
address of record automatically, without having to elect it. Shareholders may
also request to have the proceeds mailed or wired to their pre-designated bank
account.
(a) NEW INVESTORS wishing to establish telephone redemption to a
pre-designated bank account must complete the appropriate section on
the application.
(b) EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS (except those who are Scudder IRA, Scudder
Pension and Profit-Sharing, Scudder 401(k) and Scudder 403(b)
Planholders) who wish to establish telephone redemption to a
pre-designated bank account or who want to change the bank account
previously designated to receive redemption payments should either
return a Telephone Redemption Option Form (available upon request)
or send a letter identifying the account and specifying the exact
information to be changed. The letter must be signed exactly as the
shareholder's name(s) appears on the account. A signature and a
signature guarantee are required for each person in whose name the
account is registered.
Telephone redemption is not available with respect to shares represented
by share certificates or shares held in certain retirement accounts.
If a request for redemption to a shareholder's bank account is made by
telephone or fax, payment will be by Federal Reserve bank wire to the bank
account designated on the application, unless a request is made that the
redemption check be mailed to the designated bank account. There will be a $5
charge for all wire redemptions.
Note: Investors designating a savings bank to receive their telephone
redemption proceeds are advised that if the savings bank is not a participant in
the Federal Reserve System, redemption proceeds must be wired through a
commercial bank which is a correspondent of the savings bank. As this may delay
receipt by the shareholder's account,
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<PAGE>
it is suggested that investors wishing to use a savings bank discuss wire
procedures with their bank and submit any special wire transfer information with
the telephone redemption authorization. If appropriate wire information is not
supplied, redemption proceeds will be mailed to the designated bank.
The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls, testing
a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone transactions,
designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent that the Fund does
not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be liable for acting upon
instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be
genuine.
Redemption requests by telephone (technically a repurchase by agreement
between the Fund and the shareholder) of shares purchased by check will not be
accepted until the purchase check has cleared.
Redemption by QuickSell
Shareholders, whose predesignated bank account of record is a member of
the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) and who have elected to participate
in the QuickSell program may sell shares of the Fund by telephone. To sell
shares by QuickSell, shareholders should call before the close of regular
trading on the Exchange, normally 4 p.m. eastern time. Redemptions must be for
at least $250. Proceeds in the amount of your redemption will be transferred to
your bank checking account two or three business days following your call. For
requests received by the close of regular trading on the Exchange, shares will
be redeemed at the net asset value per share calculated at the close of trading
on the day of your call. QuickSell requests received after the close of
regular trading on the Exchange will begin their processing and be redeemed at
the net asset value calculated the following business day. QuickSell
transactions are not available for Scudder IRA accounts and most other
retirement plan accounts.
In order to request redemptions by QuickSell, shareholders must have
completed and returned to the Transfer Agent the application, including the
designation of a bank account to which the redemption proceeds will be credited.
New investors wishing to establish QuickSell may so indicate on the
application. Existing shareholders who wish to add QuickSell to their account
may do so by completing a QuickSell Enrollment Form. After sending in an
enrollment form, shareholders should allow for 15 days for this service to be
available.
The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls, testing
a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone transactions,
designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent that the Fund does
not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be liable for acting upon
instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be
genuine.
Redemption by Mail or Fax
Any existing share certificates representing shares being redeemed must
accompany a request for redemption and be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
proper stock assignment form with a signature guarantee.
In order to ensure proper authorization before redeeming shares, the
Transfer Agent may request additional documents such as, but not restricted to,
stock powers, trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as
executor, certificates of corporate authority and waivers of tax (required in
some states when settling estates).
It is suggested that shareholders holding share certificates or shares
registered in other than individual names contact the Transfer Agent prior to
any redemptions to ensure that all necessary documents accompany the request.
When shares are held in the name of a corporation, trust, fiduciary agent,
attorney or partnership, the Transfer Agent requires, in addition to the stock
power, certified evidence of authority to sign. These procedures are for the
protection of shareholders and should be followed to ensure prompt payment.
Redemption requests must not be conditional as to date or price of the
redemption. Proceeds of a redemption will be sent within seven business days
after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a request for redemption that complies
with the above requirements. Delays of more than seven days of payment for
shares tendered for repurchase or redemption may result, but only until the
purchase check has cleared.
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<PAGE>
The requirements for IRA redemptions are different from those for regular
accounts. For more information call 1-800-225-5163.
Other Information
If a shareholder redeems all shares in the account after the record date
of a dividend, the shareholder will receive, in addition to the net asset value
thereof, all declared but unpaid dividends thereon. The value of shares redeemed
or repurchased may be more or less than a shareholder's cost depending upon the
net asset value at the time of the redemption or repurchase. The Fund does not
impose a redemption or repurchase charge, although a wire charge may be
applicable for redemption proceeds wired to an investor's bank account.
Redemptions of shares, including redemptions undertaken to effect an exchange
for shares of another Scudder fund, may result in tax consequences (gain or
loss) to the shareholder and the proceeds of such redemptions may be subject to
backup withholding. (See "TAXES.")
Shareholders who wish to redeem shares from Special Plan Accounts should
contact the employer, trustee or custodian of the Plan for the requirements.
The determination of net asset value may be suspended at times and a
shareholder's right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be
suspended at times (a) during which the Exchange is closed, other than customary
weekend and holiday closings, (b) during which trading on the Exchange is
restricted for any reason, (c) during which an emergency exists as a result of
which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably
practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine
the value of its net assets, or (d) during which the SEC by order permits a
suspension of the right of redemption or a postponement of the date of payment
or of redemption; provided that applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (or
any succeeding governmental authority) shall govern as to whether the conditions
prescribed in (b), (c) or (d) exist.
If transactions at any time reduce a shareholder's account balance in the
Fund to below $2,500 in value, the Fund may notify the shareholder that, unless
the account balance is brought up to at least $2,500, the Fund will redeem all
shares and close the account sending redemption proceeds to the shareholder. The
shareholder has sixty days to bring the account balance up to $2,500 before any
action will be taken by the Fund. (This policy applies to accounts of new
shareholders, but does not apply to certain Special Plan Accounts.) The Trustees
have the authority to change the minimum account size.
FEATURES AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE FUND
(See "Shareholder benefits" and "Scudder
tax-advantaged retirement plans" in the Fund's
prospectus.)
The Pure No-Load(TM) Concept
Investors are encouraged to be aware of the full ramifications of mutual
fund fee structures, and of how Scudder distinguishes its Scudder Family of
Funds from the vast majority of mutual funds available today. The primary
distinction is between load and no-load funds.
Load funds generally are defined as mutual funds that charge a fee for the
sale and distribution of fund shares. There are three types of loads: front-end
loads, back-end loads, and asset-based 12b-1 fees. 12b-1 fees are
distribution-related fees charged against fund assets and are distinct from
service fees, which are charged for personal services and/or maintenance of
shareholder accounts. Asset-based sales charges and service fees are typically
paid pursuant to distribution plans adopted under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
A front-end load is a sales charge, which can be as high as 8.50% of the
amount invested. A back-end load is a contingent deferred sales charge, which
can be as high as 8.50% of either the amount invested or redeemed. The maximum
front-end or back-end load varies, and depends upon whether or not a fund also
charges a 12b-1 fee and/or a service fee or offers investors various
sales-related services such as dividend reinvestment. The maximum charge for a
12b-1 fee is 0.75% of a fund's average annual net assets, and the maximum charge
for a service fee is 0.25% of a fund's average annual net assets.
16
<PAGE>
A no-load fund does not charge a front-end or back-end load, but can
charge a small 12b-1 fee and/or service fee against fund assets. Under the NASD
Rules of Fair Practice, a mutual fund can call itself a "no-load" fund only if
the 12b-1 fee and/or service fee does not exceed 0.25% of a fund's average
annual net assets.
Because funds in the Scudder Family of Funds do not pay any asset-based
sales charges or service fees, Scudder developed and trademarked the phrase pure
no-load(TM) to distinguish Scudder funds from other no-load mutual funds.
Scudder pioneered the no-load concept when it created the nation's first no-load
fund in 1928, and later developed the nation's first family of no-load mutual
funds.
The following chart shows the potential long-term advantage of investing
$10,000 in a Scudder Family of Funds pure no-load fund over investing the same
amount in a load fund that collects an 8.50% front-end load, a load fund that
collects only a 0.75% 12b-1 and/or service fee, and a no-load fund charging only
a 0.25% 12b-1 and/or service fee. The hypothetical figures in the chart show the
value of an account assuming a constant 10% rate of return over the time periods
indicated and reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
================================================================================
No-Load Fund
ScudderPure 8.50% Load Load Fund with with 0.25%
YEARS No-Load(TM) Fund Fund 0.75% 12b-1 Fee 12b-1 Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 $ 25,937 $ 23,733 $ 24,222 $ 25,354
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 41,772 38,222 37,698 40,371
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 67,275 61,557 58,672 64,282
===============================================================================
Investors are encouraged to review the fee tables on page 2 of the Fund's
prospectus for more specific information about the rates at which management
fees and other expenses are assessed.
Internet access
World Wide Web Site -- The address of the Scudder Funds site is
http://funds.scudder.com. The site offers guidance on global investing and
developing strategies to help meet financial goals and provides access to the
Scudder investor relations department via e-mail. The site also enables users to
access or view fund prospectuses and profiles with links between summary
information in Profiles and details in the Prospectus. Users can fill out new
account forms on-line, order free software, and request literature on funds.
The site is designed for interactivity, simplicity and maneuverability. A
section entitled "Planning Resources" provides information on asset allocation,
tuition, and retirement planning to users who fill out interactive "worksheets."
Investors can easily establish a "Personal Page," that presents price
information, updated daily, on funds they're interested in following. The
"Personal Page" also offers easy navigation to other parts of the site. Fund
performance data from both Scudder and Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. are
available on the site. Also offered on the site is a news feature, which
provides timely and topical material on the Scudder Funds.
Scudder has communicated with shareholders and other interested parties on
Prodigy since 1988 and has participated since 1994 in GALT's Networth "financial
marketplace" site on the Internet. The firm made Scudder Funds information
available on America Online in early 1996.
Account Access -- Scudder is among the first mutual fund families to allow
shareholders to manage their fund accounts through the World Wide Web. Scudder
Fund shareholders can view a snapshot of current holdings, review account
activity and move assets between Scudder Fund accounts.
17
<PAGE>
Scudder's personal portfolio capabilities -- known as SEAS (Scudder
Electronic Account Services) -- are accessible only by current Scudder Fund
shareholders who have set up a Personal Page on Scudder's Web site. Using a
secure Web browser, shareholders sign on to their account with their Social
Security number and their SAIL password. As an additional security measure,
users can change their current password or disable access to their portfolio
through the World Wide Web.
An Account Activity option reveals a financial history of transactions for
an account, with trade dates, type and amount of transaction, share price and
number of shares traded. For users who wish to trade shares between Scudder
Funds, the Fund Exchange option provides a step-by-step procedure to exchange
shares among existing fund accounts or to new Scudder Fund accounts.
A Call MeTM feature enables users to speak with a Scudder Investor
Relations telephone representative while viewing their account on the Web site.
In order to use the Call MeTM feature, an individual must have two phone lines
and enter on the screen the phone number that is not being used to connect to
the Internet. They are connected to the next available Scudder Investor
Relations representative from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time.
Dividend and Capital Gain Distribution Options
Investors have freedom to choose whether to receive cash or to reinvest
any dividends from net investment income or distributions from realized capital
gains in additional shares of the Fund. A change of instructions for the method
of payment must be given to the Transfer Agent in writing at least five days
prior to a dividend record date. Shareholders may change their dividend option
by calling 1-800-225-5163.
Reinvestment is usually made at the closing net asset value determined on
the business day following the record date. Investors may leave standing
instructions with the Transfer Agent designating their option for either
reinvestment or cash distribution of any income dividends or capital gains
distributions. If no election is made, dividends and distributions will be
invested in additional shares of the Fund.
Investors may also have dividends and distributions automatically
deposited to their predesignated bank account through Scudder's
DistributionsDirect Program. Shareholders who elect to participate in the
DistributionsDirect Program, and whose predesignated checking account of record
is with a member bank of the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) can have
income and capital gain distributions automatically deposited to their personal
bank account usually within three business days after the Fund pays its
distribution. A DistributionsDirect request form can be obtained by calling
1-800-225-5163. Confirmation statements will be mailed to shareholders as
notification that distributions have been deposited.
Investors choosing to participate in Scudder's Automatic Withdrawal Plan
must reinvest any dividends or capital gains. For most retirement plan accounts,
the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains is also required.
Diversification
Your investment represents an interest in a large, diversified portfolio
of carefully selected securities. Diversification helps reduce investment risk.
Scudder Investor Centers
Investors may visit any of the Centers maintained by Scudder Investor
Services, Inc. listed in the Fund's prospectus. The Centers are designed to
provide individuals with services during any business day. Investors may pick up
literature or obtain assistance with opening an account, adding monies or
special options to existing accounts, making exchanges within the Scudder Family
of Funds, redeeming shares or opening retirement plans. Checks should not be
mailed to the Centers but should be mailed to "The Scudder Funds" at the address
listed under "How to contact Scudder" in the prospectus.
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<PAGE>
Reports to Shareholders
The Fund issues to its shareholders semiannual financial statements
(audited annually by independent accountants), including a list of investments
held and statements of assets and liabilities, operations, changes in net assets
and financial highlights.
Transaction Summaries
Annual summaries of all transactions in each Fund account are available to
shareholders. The summaries may be obtained by calling 1-800-225-5163.
THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS
(See "Investment products and services" in the Fund's prospectuses.)
The Scudder Family of Funds is America's first family of mutual funds and
the nation's oldest family of no-load mutual funds. To assist investors in
choosing a Scudder fund, descriptions of the Scudder funds' objectives follow.
MONEY MARKET
Scudder U.S. Treasury Money Fund seeks to provide safety, liquidity and
stability of capital and, consistent therewith, to provide current income.
The Fund seeks to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per
share, although in certain circumstances this may not be possible, and
declares dividends daily.
Scudder Cash Investment Trust ("SCIT") seeks to maintain the stability of
capital and, consistent therewith, to maintain the liquidity of capital
and to provide current income. SCIT seeks to maintain a constant net
asset value of $1.00 per share, although in certain circumstances this may
not be possible, and declares dividends daily.
Scudder Money Market Series seeks to provide investors with as high a
level of current income as is consistent with its investment polices and
with preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund seeks to maintain a
constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, but there is no assurance
that it will be able to do so. The institutional class of shares of this
Fund is not within the Scudder Family of Funds.
Scudder Government Money Market Series seeks to provide investors with as
high a level of current income as is consistent with its investment
polices and with preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund seeks
to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, but there is no
assurance that it will be able to do so. The institutional class of shares
of this Fund is not within the Scudder Family of Funds.
TAX FREE MONEY MARKET
Scudder Tax Free Money Fund ("STFMF") seeks to provide income exempt
from regular federal income tax and stability of principal through
investments primarily in municipal securities. STFMF seeks to maintain a
constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, although in extreme
circumstances this may not be possible.
Scudder Tax Free Money Market Series seeks to provide investors with as
high a level of current income that cannot be subjected to federal income
tax by reason of federal law as is consistent with its investment policies
and with preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund seeks to maintain
a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, but there is no assurance
that it will be able to do so. The institutional class of shares of this
Fund is not within the Scudder Family of Funds.
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<PAGE>
Scudder California Tax Free Money Fund* seeks stability of capital and
the maintenance of a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share while
providing California taxpayers income exempt from both California State
personal and regular federal income taxes. The Fund is a professionally
managed portfolio of high quality, short-term California municipal
securities. There can be no assurance that the stable net asset value will
be maintained.
Scudder New York Tax Free Money Fund* seeks stability of capital and the
maintenance of a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, while
providing New York taxpayers income exempt from New York State and New
York City personal income taxes and regular federal income tax. There
can be no assurance that the stable net asset value will be maintained.
TAX FREE
Scudder Limited Term Tax Free Fund seeks to provide as high a level of
income exempt from regular federal income tax as is consistent with a high
degree of principal stability.
Scudder Medium Term Tax Free Fund seeks to provide a high level of income
free from regular federal income taxes and to limit principal fluctuation.
The Fund will invest primarily in high-grade, intermediate-term bonds.
Scudder Managed Municipal Bonds seeks to provide income exempt from
regular federal income tax primarily through investments in high-grade,
long-term municipal securities.
Scudder High Yield Tax Free Fund seeks to provide a high level of
interest income, exempt from regular federal income tax, from an
actively managed portfolio consisting primarily of investment-grade
municipal securities.
Scudder California Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide California taxpayers
with income exempt from both California State personal income and regular
federal income tax. The Fund is a professionally managed portfolio
consisting primarily of California municipal securities.
Scudder Massachusetts Limited Term Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide
Massachusetts taxpayers with as high a level of income exempt from
Massachusetts personal income tax and regular federal income tax, as is
consistent with a high degree of price stability, through a
professionally managed portfolio consisting primarily of investment-grade
municipal securities.
Scudder Massachusetts Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide Massachusetts
taxpayers with income exempt from both Massachusetts personal income tax
and regular federal income tax. The Fund is a professionally managed
portfolio consisting primarily of investment-grade municipal
securities.
Scudder New York Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide New York taxpayers with
income exempt from New York State and New York City personal income taxes
and regular federal income tax. The Fund is a professionally managed
portfolio consisting primarily of New York municipal securities.
Scudder Ohio Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide Ohio taxpayers with income
exempt from both Ohio personal income tax and regular federal income
tax. The Fund is a professionally managed portfolio consisting primarily
of investment-grade municipal securities.
- ----------
* These funds are not available for sale in all states. For information,
contact Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
* These funds are not available for sale in all states. For information,
contact Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
20
<PAGE>
Scudder Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide Pennsylvania
taxpayers with income exempt from both Pennsylvania personal income tax
and regular federal income tax. The Fund is a professionally managed
portfolio consisting primarily of investment-grade municipal securities.
U.S. INCOME
Scudder Short Term Bond Fund seeks to provide a high level of income
consistent with a high degree of principal stability by investing
primarily in high quality short-term bonds.
Scudder Zero Coupon 2000 Fund seeks to provide as high an investment
return over a selected period as is consistent with investment in U.S.
Government securities and the minimization of reinvestment risk.
Scudder GNMA Fund seeks to provide high current income primarily from U.S.
Government guaranteed mortgage-backed (Ginnie Mae) securities.
Scudder Income Fund seeks a high level of income, consistent with the
prudent investment of capital, through a flexible investment program
emphasizing high-grade bonds.
Scudder High Yield Bond Fund seeks a high level of current income and,
secondarily, capital appreciation through investment primarily in below
investment-grade domestic debt securities.
GLOBAL INCOME
Scudder Global Bond Fund seeks to provide total return with an emphasis on
current income by investing primarily in high-grade bonds denominated in
foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. As a secondary objective, the Fund
will seek capital appreciation.
Scudder International Bond Fund seeks to provide income primarily by
investing in a managed portfolio of high-grade international bonds. As a
secondary objective, the Fund seeks protection and possible enhancement of
principal value by actively managing currency, bond market and maturity
exposure and by security selection.
Scudder Emerging Markets Income Fund seeks to provide high current income
and, secondarily, long-term capital appreciation through investments
primarily in high-yielding debt securities issued by governments and
corporations in emerging markets.
ASSET ALLOCATION
Scudder Pathway Series: Conservative Portfolio seeks primarily current
income and secondarily long-term growth of capital. In pursuing these
objectives, the Portfolio, under normal market conditions, will invest
substantially in a select mix of Scudder bond mutual funds, but will have
some exposure to Scudder equity mutual funds.
Scudder Pathway Series: Balanced Portfolio seeks to provide investors with
a balance of growth and income by investing in a select mix of Scudder
money market, bond and equity mutual funds.
Scudder Pathway Series: Growth Portfolio seeks to provide investors with
long-term growth of capital. In pursuing this objective, the Portfolio
will, under normal market conditions, invest predominantly in a select mix
of Scudder equity mutual funds designed to provide long-term growth.
Scudder Pathway Series: International Portfolio seeks maximum total return
for investors. Total return consists of any capital appreciation plus
dividend income and interest. To achieve this objective, the Portfolio
invests in a select mix of established international and global Scudder
funds.
21
<PAGE>
U.S. GROWTH AND INCOME
Scudder Balanced Fund seeks a balance of growth and income from a
diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income securities. The Fund also
seeks long-term preservation of capital through a quality-oriented
approach that is designed to reduce risk.
Scudder Growth and Income Fund seeks long-term growth of capital, current
income, and growth of income.
Scudder S&P 500 Index Fund seeks to provide investment results that,
before expenses, correspond to the total return of common stocks publicly
traded in the United States, as represented by the Standard & Poor's 500
Composite Stock Price Index.
Scudder Real Estate Investment Fund seeks long-term capital growth and
current income by investing primarily in equity securities of companies in
the real estate industry.
U.S. GROWTH
Value
Scudder Large Company Value Fund seeks to maximize long-term capital
appreciation through a value-driven investment program.
Scudder Value Fund** seeks long-term growth of capital through investment
in undervalued equity securities.
Scudder Small Company Value Fund invests for long-term growth of capital
by seeking out undervalued stocks of small U.S. companies.
Scudder Micro Cap Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of U.S. micro-capitalization
("micro-cap") common stocks.
Growth
Scudder Classic Growth Fund** seeks to provide long-term growth of capital
with reduced share price volatility compared to other growth mutual funds.
Scudder Large Company Growth Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of
capital through investment primarily in the equity securities of seasoned,
financially strong U.S. growth companies.
Scudder Development Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
primarily in securities of small and medium-size growth companies.
Scudder 21st Century Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by
investing primarily in the securities of emerging growth companies poised
to be leaders in the 21st century.
SCUDDER CHOICE SERIES
Scudder Financial Services Fund seeks long-term growth of capital
primarily through investment in equity securities of financial services
companies.
Scudder Health Care Fund seeks long-term growth of capital primarily
through investment in securities of companies that are engaged in the
development, production or distribution of products or services related to
the treatment or prevention of diseases and other medical problems.
- ----------
** Only the Scudder Shares are part of the Scudder Family of Funds.
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<PAGE>
Scudder Technology Fund seeks long-term growth of capital primarily
through investment in securities of companies engaged in the development,
production or distribution of technology-related products or services.
GLOBAL GROWTH
Worldwide
Scudder Global Fund seeks long-term growth of capital through a
diversified portfolio of marketable securities, primarily equity
securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and debt securities
convertible into common stocks.
Scudder International Growth and Income Fund seeks long-term growth of
capital and current income primarily from foreign equity securities.
Scudder International Fund seeks long-term growth of capital primarily
through a diversified portfolio of marketable foreign equity securities.
Scudder Global Discovery Fund** seeks above-average capital appreciation
over the long term by investing primarily in the equity securities of
small companies located throughout the world.
Scudder Emerging Markets Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital
primarily through equity investment in emerging markets around the globe.
Scudder Gold Fund seeks maximum return (principal change and income)
consistent with investing in a portfolio of gold-related equity securities
and gold.
Regional
Scudder Greater Europe Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital
through investments primarily in the equity securities of European
companies.
Scudder Pacific Opportunities Fund seeks long-term growth of capital
through investment primarily in the equity securities of Pacific Basin
companies, excluding Japan.
Scudder Latin America Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation
through investment primarily in the securities of Latin American issuers.
The Japan Fund, Inc. seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
primarily in equity securities (including American Depository Receipts) of
Japanese companies.
The net asset values of most Scudder funds can be found daily in the
"Mutual Funds" section of The Wall Street Journal under "Scudder Funds," and in
other leading newspapers throughout the country. Investors will notice the net
asset value and offering price are the same, reflecting the fact that no sales
commission or "load" is charged on the sale of shares of the Scudder funds.
The latest seven-day yields for the money-market funds can be found every Monday
and Thursday in the "Money-Market Funds" section of The Wall Street Journal.
This information also may be obtained by calling the Scudder Automated
Information Line (SAIL) at 1-800-343-2890.
The Scudder Family of Funds offers many conveniences and services,
including: active professional investment management; broad and diversified
investment portfolios; pure no-load funds with no commissions to purchase or
redeem shares or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees; individual attention from a
service representative of Scudder Investor Relations; and easy telephone
exchanges into other Scudder funds. Certain Scudder funds or classes thereof may
not be available for purchase or exchange. For more information, please call
1-800-225-5163.
- ----------
** Only the Scudder Shares are part of the Scudder Family of Funds.
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SPECIAL PLAN ACCOUNTS
(See "Scudder tax-advantaged retirement plans," "Purchases--By Automatic
Investment Plan" and "Exchanges and redemptions--By Automatic Withdrawal Plan"
in the Fund's prospectus.)
Detailed information on any Scudder investment plan, including the
applicable charges, minimum investment requirements and disclosures made
pursuant to Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") requirements, may be obtained
by contacting Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110-4103 or by calling toll free, 1-800-225-2470. The
discussions of the plans below describe only certain aspects of the federal
income tax treatment of the plan. The state tax treatment may be different and
may vary from state to state. It is advisable for an investor considering the
funding of the investment plans described below to consult with an attorney or
other investment or tax adviser with respect to the suitability requirements and
tax aspects thereof.
Shares of the Fund may also be a permitted investment under profit sharing
and pension plans and IRAs other than those offered by the Fund's distributor
depending on the provisions of the relevant plan or IRA.
None of the plans assures a profit or guarantees protection against
depreciation, especially in declining markets.
Scudder Retirement Plans: Profit-Sharing and Money Purchase
Pension Plans for Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the investment medium under a plan
in the form of a Scudder Profit-Sharing Plan (including a version of the Plan
which includes a cash-or-deferred feature) or a Scudder Money Purchase Pension
Plan (jointly referred to as the Scudder Retirement Plans) adopted by a
corporation, a self-employed individual or a group of self-employed individuals
(including sole proprietorships and partnerships), or other qualifying
organization. Each of these forms was approved by the IRS as a prototype. The
IRS's approval of an employer's plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code will be greatly facilitated if it is in such approved form. Under
certain circumstances, the IRS will assume that a plan, adopted in this form,
after special notice to any employees, meets the requirements of Section 401(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code as to form.
Scudder 401(k): Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan
for Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the investment medium under a plan
in the form of a Scudder 401(k) Plan adopted by a corporation, a self-employed
individual or a group of self-employed individuals (including sole proprietors
and partnerships), or other qualifying organization. This plan has been approved
as a prototype by the IRS.
Scudder IRA: Individual Retirement Account
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the underlying investment for an
Individual Retirement Account which meets the requirements of Section 408(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code.
A single individual who is not an active participant in an
employer-maintained retirement plan, a simplified employee pension plan, or a
tax-deferred annuity program (a "qualified plan"), and a married individual who
is not an active participant in a qualified plan and whose spouse is also not an
active participant in a qualified plan, are eligible to make tax deductible
contributions of up to $2,000 to an IRA prior to the year such individual
attains age 70 1/2. In addition, certain individuals who are active participants
in qualified plans (or who have spouses who are active participants) are also
eligible to make tax-deductible contributions to an IRA; the annual amount, if
any, of the contribution which such an individual will be eligible to deduct
will be determined by the amount of his, her, or their adjusted gross income for
the year. Whenever the adjusted gross income limitation prohibits an individual
from contributing what would otherwise be the maximum tax-deductible
contribution he or she could make, the individual will be eligible to contribute
the difference to an IRA in the form of nondeductible contributions.
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An eligible individual may contribute as much as $2,000 of qualified
income (earned income or, under certain circumstances, alimony) to an IRA each
year (up to $2,000 per individual for married couples if only one spouse has
earned income). All income and capital gains derived from IRA investments are
reinvested and compound tax-deferred until distributed. Such tax-deferred
compounding can lead to substantial retirement savings.
The table below shows how much individuals would accumulate in a fully
tax-deductible IRA by age 65 (before any distributions) if they contribute
$2,000 at the beginning of each year, assuming average annual returns of 5, 10,
and 15%. (At withdrawal, accumulations in this table will be taxable.)
Value of IRA at Age 65
Assuming $2,000 Deductible Annual Contribution
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starting Annual Rate of Return
Age of ------------------------------------------------------
Contributions 5% 10% 15%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 $253,680 $973,704 $4,091,908
35 139,522 361,887 999,914
45 69,439 126,005 235,620
55 26,414 35,062 46,699
This next table shows how much individuals would accumulate in non-IRA
accounts by age 65 if they start with $2,000 in pretax earned income at the
beginning of each year (which is $1,380 after taxes are paid), assuming average
annual returns of 5, 10 and 15%. (At withdrawal, a portion of the accumulation
in this table will be taxable.)
Value of a Non-IRA Account at
Age 65 Assuming $1,380 Annual Contributions
(post tax, $2,000 pretax) and a 31% Tax Bracket
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starting Annual Rate of Return
Age of ------------------------------------------------------
Contributions 5% 10% 15%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 $119,318 $287,021 $741,431
35 73,094 136,868 267,697
45 40,166 59,821 90,764
55 16,709 20,286 24,681
Scudder Roth IRA: Individual Retirement Account
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the underlying investment for an
Individual Retirement Account which meets the requirements of Section 408A of
the Internal Revenue Code.
A single individual earning below $95,000 can contribute up to $2,000 per
year to a Roth IRA. The maximum contribution amount diminishes and gradually
falls to zero for single filers with adjusted gross incomes ranging from $95,000
to $110,000. Married couples earning less than $150,000 combined, and filing
jointly, can contribute a full $4,000 per year ($2,000 per IRA). The maximum
contribution amount for married couples filing jointly phases out from $150,000
to $160,000.
An eligible individual can contribute money to a traditional IRA and a
Roth IRA as long as the total contribution to all IRAs does not exceed $2,000.
No tax deduction is allowed under Section 219 of the Internal Revenue Code for
contributions to a Roth IRA. Contributions to a Roth IRA may be made even after
the individual for whom the account is maintained has attained age 70 1/2.
All income and capital gains derived from Roth IRA investments are
reinvested and compounded tax-free. Such tax-free compounding can lead to
substantial retirement savings. No distributions are required to be taken prior
to the death of the original account holder. If a Roth IRA has been established
for a minimum of five years, distributions can be taken tax-free after reaching
age 59 1/2, for a first-time home purchase ($10,000 maximum, one-time
25
<PAGE>
use) or upon death or disability. All other distributions from a Roth IRA are
taxable and subject to a 10% tax penalty unless an exception applies. Exceptions
to the 10% penalty include: disability, excess medical expenses, the purchase of
health insurance for an unemployed individual and education expenses.
An individual with an income of less than $100,000 (who is not married
filing separately) can roll his or her existing IRA into a Roth IRA. However,
the individual must pay taxes on the taxable amount in his or her traditional
IRA. Individuals who complete the rollover in 1998 will be allowed to spread the
tax payments over a four-year period. After 1998, all taxes on such a rollover
will have to be paid in the tax year in which the rollover is made.
Scudder 403(b) Plan
Shares of the Fund may also be purchased as the underlying investment for
tax sheltered annuity plans under the provisions of Section 403(b)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code. In general, employees of tax-exempt organizations
described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (such as hospitals,
churches, religious, scientific, or literary organizations and educational
institutions) or a public school system are eligible to participate in a 403(b)
plan.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan
Non-retirement plan shareholders may establish an Automatic Withdrawal
Plan to receive monthly, quarterly or periodic redemptions from his or her
account for any designated amount of $50 or more. Shareholders may designate
which day they want the automatic withdrawal to be processed. The check amounts
may be based on the redemption of a fixed dollar amount, fixed share amount,
percent of account value or declining balance. The Plan provides for income
dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, to be reinvested in
additional shares. Shares are then liquidated as necessary to provide for
withdrawal payments. Since the withdrawals are in amounts selected by the
investor and have no relationship to yield or income, payments received cannot
be considered as yield or income on the investment and the resulting
liquidations may deplete or possibly extinguish the initial investment and any
reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions. Requests for increases in
withdrawal amounts or to change the payee must be submitted in writing, signed
exactly as the account is registered, and contain signature guarantee(s) as
described under "Transaction information--Redeeming shares--Signature
guarantees" in the Fund's prospectus. Any such requests must be received by the
Fund's transfer agent ten days prior to the date of the first automatic
withdrawal. An Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by the
shareholder, the Trust, or its agent on written notice, and will be terminated
when all shares of the Fund under the Plan have been liquidated or upon receipt
by the Trust, of notice of death of the shareholder.
An Automatic Withdrawal Plan request form can be obtained by calling
1-800-225-5163.
Group or Salary Deduction Plan
An investor may join a Group or Salary Deduction Plan where satisfactory
arrangements have been made with Scudder Investor Services, Inc. for forwarding
regular investments through a single source. The minimum annual investment is
$240 per investor which may be made in monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual
payments. The minimum monthly deposit per investor is $20. Except for trustees
or custodian fees for certain retirement plans, at present there is no separate
charge for maintaining group or salary deduction plans; however, the Trust, and
its agents reserve the right to establish a maintenance charge in the future
depending on the services required by the investor.
The Trust, reserves the right, after notice has been given to the
shareholder, to redeem and close a shareholder's account in the event that the
shareholder ceases participating in the group plan prior to investment of $1,000
per individual or in the event of a redemption which occurs prior to the
accumulation of that amount or which reduces the account value to less than
$1,000 and the account value is not increased to $1,000 within a reasonable time
after notification. An investor in a plan who has not purchased shares for six
months shall be presumed to have stopped making payments under the plan.
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<PAGE>
Automatic Investment Plan
Shareholders may arrange to make periodic investments through automatic
deductions from checking accounts by completing the appropriate form and
providing the necessary documentation to establish this service. The minimum
investment is $50.
The Automatic Investment Plan involves an investment strategy called
dollar cost averaging. Dollar cost averaging is a method of investing whereby a
specific dollar amount is invested at regular intervals. By investing the same
dollar amount each period, when shares are priced low the investor will purchase
more shares than when the share price is higher. Over a period of time this
investment approach may allow the investor to reduce the average price of the
shares purchased. However, this investment approach does not assure a profit or
protect against loss. This type of regular investment program may be suitable
for various investment goals such as, but not limited to, college planning or
saving for a home.
Uniform Transfers/Gifts to Minors Act
Grandparents, parents or other donors may set up custodian accounts for
minors. The minimum initial investment is $1,000 unless the donor agrees to
continue to make regular share purchases for the account through Scudder's
Automatic Investment Plan (AIP). In this case, the minimum initial investment is
$500.
The Trust, reserves the right, after notice has been given to the
shareholder and custodian, to redeem and close a shareholder's account in the
event that regular investments to the account cease before the $1,000 minimum is
reached.
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
(See "Distribution and performance information--Dividends and capital
gains distributions" in the Fund's prospectus.)
The Fund intends to follow the practice of distributing substantially all
of its investment company taxable income, which includes any excess of net
realized short-term capital gains over net realized long-term capital losses.
The Fund may follow the practice of distributing the entire excess of net
realized long-term capital gains over net realized short-term capital losses.
However, the Fund may retain all or part of such gain for reinvestment after
paying the related federal income taxes for which the shareholders may then be
able to claim a credit against their federal income tax liability. (See
"TAXES.")
If the Fund does not distribute the amount of capital gain and/or ordinary
income required to be distributed by an excise tax provision of the Code, the
Fund may be subject to that excise tax. In certain circumstances, the Fund may
determine that it is in the interest of shareholders to distribute less than the
required amount. (See "TAXES.")
Dividends will be declared daily and distributions of net investment
income will be made monthly. Distributions of net short-term and net long-term
realized capital gains will be made in November or December to prevent
application of a federal excise tax, although an additional distribution may be
made if necessary. Both types of distributions will be made in shares of the
Fund and confirmations will be mailed to each shareholder unless a shareholder
has elected to receive cash, in which case a check will be sent.
Each distribution is accompanied by a brief explanation of the form and
character of the distribution. The characterization of distributions on such
correspondence may differ from the characterization for federal tax purposes. In
January of each year, the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the
federal income tax status of all distributions in the prior calendar year.
27
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
(See "Distribution and performance information--
Performance information" in the Fund's prospectus.)
From time to time, quotations of the Fund's performance may be included in
advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders or prospective
investors. These performance figures may be calculated in the following manner:
Average Annual Total Return
Average annual total return is the average annual compound rate of return
for the periods of one year, five years and for the life of the Fund ended on
the last day of a recent calendar quarter. Average annual total return
quotations reflect changes in the price of the Fund's shares and assume that all
dividends and capital gains distributions during the respective periods were
reinvested in Fund shares. Average annual total return is calculated by finding
the average annual compound rates of return of a hypothetical investment over
such periods, according to the following formula (average annual total return is
then expressed as a percentage):
T = (ERV/P)1/n - 1
Where:
P = a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000
T = Average Annual Total Return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value: ERV is the value, at the end of the
applicable period, of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made
at the beginning of the applicable period
Average Annual Total Return for Periods ended March 31, 1997
One Five Ten
Year Years Years
Scudder GNMA Fund 4.81% 6.15% 7.32%
Cumulative Total Return
Cumulative total return is the cumulative rate of return on a hypothetical
initial investment of $1,000 for a specified period. Cumulative total return
quotations reflect changes in the price of a Fund's shares and assume that all
dividends and capital gains distributions during the period were reinvested in
Fund shares. Cumulative total return is calculated by finding the cumulative
rates of return of a hypothetical investment over such periods, according to the
following formula (cumulative total return is then expressed as a percentage):
C = (ERV/P)-1
Where:
C = Cumulative Total Return
P = a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000
ERV = ending redeemable value: ERV is the value, at the end of the
applicable period, of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made
at the beginning of the applicable period
Cumulative Total Return for Periods Ended March 31, 1997
One Five Ten
Year Years Years
Scudder GNMA Fund 4.81% 34.78% 102.62%
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<PAGE>
Total Return
Total return is the rate of return on an investment for a specified period
of time calculated in the same manner as cumulative total return.
Yield
Yield is the net annualized yield based on a specified 30-day (or one
month) period assuming semiannual compounding of income. Yield, sometimes
referred to as the Fund's "SEC yield," is calculated by dividing the net
investment income per share earned during the period by the maximum offering
price per share on the last day of the period, according to the following
formula:
YIELD = 2[(a-b/cd + 1)^6 - 1]
Where:
a = dividends and interest earned during the period
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements)
c = the average daily number of shares outstanding during
the period that were entitled to receive dividends
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day of
the period
The 30-day SEC yield for Scudder GNMA Fund for the Period ended March 31,
1997 was 6.63%.
Quotations of the Fund's performance are historical, show the performance
of a hypothetical investment and are not intended to indicate future performance
of the Fund. Average annual total return, cumulative total return and yield for
the Fund will vary based on changes in market conditions and the level of the
Fund's expenses. An investor's shares when redeemed may be worth more or less
than their original cost.
Investors should be aware that the principal of the Fund is not insured.
Comparison of Fund Performance
A comparison of the quoted non-standard performance offered for various
investments is valid only if performance is calculated in the same manner. Since
there are different methods of calculating performance, investors should
consider the effects of the methods used to calculate performance when comparing
performance of the Fund with performance quoted with respect to other investment
companies or types of investments.
In connection with communicating its performance to current or prospective
shareholders, the Fund also may compare these figures to the performance of
unmanaged indices which may assume reinvestment of dividends or interest but
generally do not reflect deductions for administrative and management costs.
Examples include, but are not limited to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the
Consumer Price Index, Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index (S&P
500), the Nasdaq OTC Composite Index, the Nasdaq Industrials Index, the Russell
2000 Index, and statistics published by the Small Business Administration.
From time to time, in advertising and marketing literature, this Fund's
performance may be compared to the performance of broad groups of mutual funds
with similar investment goals, as tracked by independent organizations such as,
Investment Company Data, Inc. ("ICD"), Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
("Lipper"), CDA Investment Technologies, Inc. ("CDA"), Morningstar, Inc., Value
Line Mutual Fund Survey and other independent organizations. When these
organizations' tracking results are used, the Fund will be compared to the
appropriate fund category, that is, by fund objective and portfolio holdings, or
to the appropriate volatility grouping, where volatility is a measure of a
fund's risk. For instance, a Scudder growth fund will be compared to funds in
the growth fund category; a Scudder income fund will be compared to funds in the
income fund category; and so on. Scudder funds (except for money market funds)
may also be compared to funds with similar volatility, as measured statistically
by independent organizations.
29
<PAGE>
From time to time, in marketing and other Fund literature, Trustees and
officers of the Fund, the Fund's portfolio manager, or members of the portfolio
management team may be depicted and quoted to give prospective and current
shareholders a better sense of the outlook and approach of those who manage the
Fund. In addition, the amount of assets that the Adviser has under management in
various geographical areas may be quoted in advertising and marketing materials.
The Fund may be advertised as an investment choice in Scudder's college
planning program. The description may contain illustrations of projected future
college costs based on assumed rates of inflation and examples of hypothetical
fund performance, calculated as described above.
Statistical and other information, as provided by the Social Security
Administration, may be used in marketing materials pertaining to retirement
planning in order to estimate future payouts of social security benefits.
Estimates may be used on demographic and economic data.
Marketing and other Fund literature may include a description of the
potential risks and rewards associated with an investment in the Fund. The
description may include a "risk/return spectrum" which compares the Fund to
other Scudder funds or broad categories of funds, such as money market, bond or
equity funds, in terms of potential risks and returns. Money market funds are
designed to maintain a constant $1.00 share price and have a fluctuating yield.
Share price, yield and total return of a bond fund will fluctuate. The share
price and return of an equity fund also will fluctuate. The description may also
compare the Fund to bank products, such as certificates of deposit. Unlike
mutual funds, certificates of deposit are insured up to $100,000 by the U.S.
government and offer a fixed rate of return.
Because bank products guarantee the principal value of an investment and
money market funds seek stability of principal, these investments are considered
to be less risky than investments in either bond or equity funds, which may
involve the loss of principal. However, all long-term investments, including
investments in bank products, may be subject to inflation risk, which is the
risk of erosion of the value of an investment as prices increase over a long
time period. The risks/returns associated with an investment in bond or equity
funds depend upon many factors. For bond funds these factors include, but are
not limited to, a fund's overall investment objective, the average portfolio
maturity, credit quality of the securities held, and interest rate movements.
For equity funds, factors include a fund's overall investment objective, the
types of equity securities held and the financial position of the issuers of the
securities. The risks/returns associated with an investment in international
bond or equity funds also will depend upon currency exchange rate fluctuation.
A risk/return spectrum generally will position the various investment
categories in the following order: bank products, money market funds, bond funds
and equity funds. Shorter-term bond funds generally are considered less risky
and offer the potential for less return than longer-term bond funds. The same is
true of domestic bond funds relative to international bond funds, and bond funds
that purchase higher quality securities relative to bond funds that purchase
lower quality securities. Growth and income equity funds are generally
considered to be less risky and offer the potential for less return than growth
funds. In addition, international equity funds usually are considered more risky
than domestic equity funds but generally offer the potential for greater return.
Risk/return spectrums also may depict funds that invest in both domestic
and foreign securities or a combination of bond and equity securities.
Evaluation of Fund performance or other relevant statistical information
made by independent sources may also be used in advertisements concerning the
Fund, including reprints of, or selections from, editorials or articles about
this Fund. Sources for Fund performance information and articles about the Fund
include the following:
American Association of Individual Investors' Journal, a monthly publication of
the AAII that includes articles on investment analysis techniques.
Asian Wall Street Journal, a weekly Asian newspaper that often reviews U.S.
mutual funds investing internationally.
Banxquote, an on-line source of national averages for leading money market and
bank CD interest rates, published on a weekly basis by Masterfund, Inc. of
Wilmington, Delaware.
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<PAGE>
Barron's, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. business and financial weekly that
periodically reviews mutual fund performance data.
Business Week, a national business weekly that periodically reports the
performance rankings and ratings of a variety of mutual funds investing abroad.
CDA Investment Technologies, Inc., an organization which provides performance
and ranking information through examining the dollar results of hypothetical
mutual fund investments and comparing these results against appropriate market
indices.
Consumer Digest, a monthly business/financial magazine that includes a "Money
Watch" section featuring financial news.
Financial Times, Europe's business newspaper, which features from time to time
articles on international or country-specific funds.
Financial World, a general business/financial magazine that includes a "Market
Watch" department reporting on activities in the mutual fund industry.
Forbes, a national business publication that from time to time reports the
performance of specific investment companies in the mutual fund industry.
Fortune, a national business publication that periodically rates the performance
of a variety of mutual funds.
The Frank Russell Company, a West-Coast investment management firm that
periodically evaluates international stock markets and compares foreign equity
market performance to U.S. stock market performance.
Global Investor, a European publication that periodically reviews the
performance of U.S. mutual funds investing internationally.
IBC Money Fund Report, a weekly publication of IBC Financial Data, Inc.,
reporting on the performance of the nation's money market funds, summarizing
money market fund activity and including certain averages as performance
benchmarks, specifically "IBC's Money Fund Average," and "IBC's Government Money
Fund Average."
Ibbotson Associates, Inc., a company specializing in investment research and
data.
Investment Company Data, Inc., an independent organization which provides
performance ranking information for broad classes of mutual funds.
Investor's Business Daily, a daily newspaper that features financial, economic,
and business news.
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly investment advisory publication
that periodically features the performance of a variety of securities.
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.'s Mutual Fund Performance Analysis, a weekly
publication of industry-wide mutual fund averages by type of fund.
Money, a monthly magazine that from time to time features both specific funds
and the mutual fund industry as a whole.
Morgan Stanley International, an integrated investment banking firm that
compiles statistical information.
Mutual Fund Values, a biweekly Morningstar, Inc. publication that provides
ratings of mutual funds based on fund performance, risk and portfolio
characteristics.
The New York Times, a nationally distributed newspaper which regularly covers
financial news.
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<PAGE>
The No-Load Fund Investor, a monthly newsletter, published by Sheldon Jacobs,
that includes mutual fund performance data and recommendations for the mutual
fund investor.
No-Load Fund*X, a monthly newsletter, published by DAL Investment Company, Inc.,
that reports on mutual fund performance, rates funds and discusses investment
strategies for the mutual fund investor.
Personal Investing News, a monthly news publication that often reports on
investment opportunities and market conditions.
Personal Investor, a monthly investment advisory publication that includes a
"Mutual Funds Outlook" section reporting on mutual fund performance measures,
yields, indices and portfolio holdings.
Smart Money, a national personal finance magazine published monthly by Dow Jones
and Company, Inc. and The Hearst Corporation. Focus is placed on ideas for
investing, spending and saving.
Success, a monthly magazine targeted to the world of entrepreneurs and growing
business, often featuring mutual fund performance data.
United Mutual Fund Selector, a semi-monthly investment newsletter, published by
Babson United Investment Advisors, that includes mutual fund performance data
and reviews of mutual fund portfolios and investment strategies.
USA Today, a leading national daily newspaper.
U.S. News and World Report, a national news weekly that periodically reports
mutual fund performance data.
Value Line Mutual Fund Survey, an independent organization that provides
biweekly performance and other information on mutual funds.
The Wall Street Journal, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. newspaper which regularly
covers financial news.
Wiesenberger Investment Companies Services, an annual compendium of information
about mutual funds and other investment companies, including comparative data on
funds' backgrounds, management policies, salient features, management results,
income and dividend records and price ranges.
Working Woman, a monthly publication that features a "Financial Workshop"
section reporting on the mutual fund/financial industry.
Worth, a national publication issued 10 times per year by Capital Publishing
Company, a subsidiary of Fidelity Investments. Focus is placed on personal
financial journalism.
FUND ORGANIZATION
(See "Fund organization" in the Fund's prospectus.)
The Fund is a Massachusetts business trust established under the name
Master Investment Services Tax Free Fund pursuant to a Declaration of Trust
dated March 24, 1983. The Declaration of Trust was amended on April 5, 1985 to
change the name of the Fund to Scudder Government Mortgage Securities Fund. The
Declaration of Trust was further amended on December 3, 1987 to change the name
of the Fund to Scudder GNMA Fund. The Fund had not commenced operations prior to
1985. On November 4, 1987, the par value of the shares of beneficial interest of
the Fund was changed from no par value to $.01 par value per share. The Fund's
authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest of $.01 par value, all of which are of one class and have equal rights
as to voting, dividends and liquidation. Shareholders have one vote for each
share held.
All shares issued and outstanding will be fully paid and nonassessable by
the Fund, and redeemable as described in this Statement of Additional
Information and in the Fund's prospectus. The Trustees have the authority to
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<PAGE>
issue two or more series of shares and to designate the relative rights and
preferences as between the different series, although they have not exercised
this authority. If more than one series of shares were issued and a series were
unable to meet its obligations, the remaining series might have to assume the
unsatisfied obligations of that series.
The Trustees, at their discretion, may authorize the division of shares of
the Fund (or shares of a series) into different classes, permitting shares of
different classes to be distributed by different methods. Although shareholders
of different classes of a series would have an interest in the same portfolio of
assets, shareholders of different classes may bear different expenses in
connection with different methods of distribution.
The Declaration of Trust provides that obligations of the Fund are not
binding upon the Trustees individually but only upon the property of the Fund,
that the Trustees and officers will not be liable for errors of judgment or
mistakes of fact or law, and that the Fund will indemnify its Trustees and
officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation
in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Fund except if
it is determined in the manner provided in the Declaration of Trust that they
have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in
the best interests of the Fund. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust
protects or indemnifies a Trustee or officer against any liability to which he
or she 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 or her respective office.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
(See "Fund organization -- Investment adviser" in the Fund's prospectus.)
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser"), an investment counsel
firm, acts as investment adviser to the Fund. This organization, the predecessor
of which is Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc., is one of the most experienced
investment counsel firms in the U.S. It was established as a partnership in
1919 and pioneered the practice of providing investment counsel to individual
clients on a fee basis. In 1928 it introduced the first no-load mutual fund to
the public. In 1953 the Adviser introduced Scudder International Fund, Inc.,
the first mutual fund available in the U.S. investing internationally in
securities of issuers in several foreign countries. The predecessor firm
reorganized from a partnership to a corporation on June 28, 1985. On June 26,
1997, Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc. ("Scudder") entered into an agreement with
Zurich Insurance Company ("Zurich") pursuant to which Scudder and Zurich agreed
to form an alliance. On December 31, 1997, Zurich acquired a majority interest
in Scudder, and Zurich Kemper Investments, Inc., a Zurich subsidiary, became
part of Scudder. Scudder's name has been changed to Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc.
Founded in 1872, Zurich is a multinational, public corporation organized
under the laws of Switzerland. Its home office is located at Mythenquai 2, 8002
Zurich, Switzerland. Historically, Zurich's earnings have resulted from its
operations as an insurer as well as from its ownership of its subsidiaries and
affiliated companies (the "Zurich Insurance Group"). Zurich and the Zurich
Insurance Group provide an extensive range of insurance products and services
and have branch offices and subsidiaries in more than 40 countries throughout
the world.
The principal source of the Adviser's income is professional fees received
from providing continuous investment advice, and the firm derives no income from
brokerage or underwriting of securities. Today, it provides investment counsel
for many individuals and institutions, including insurance companies, colleges,
industrial corporations, and financial and banking organizations. In addition,
it manages Montgomery Street Income Securities, Inc., Scudder California Tax
Free Trust, Scudder Cash Investment Trust, Scudder Equity Trust, Scudder Fund,
Inc., Scudder Funds Trust, Scudder Global Fund, Inc., Scudder Global High Income
Fund, Inc., Scudder GNMA Fund, Scudder Portfolio Trust, Scudder Institutional
Fund, Inc., Scudder International Fund, Inc., Scudder Investment Trust, Scudder
Municipal Trust, Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc., Scudder New Asia Fund, Inc.,
Scudder New Europe Fund, Inc., Scudder Pathway Series, Scudder Securities Trust,
Scudder State Tax Free Trust, Scudder Tax Free Money Fund, Scudder Tax Free
Trust, Scudder U.S. Treasury Money Fund, Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund,
The Argentina Fund, Inc., The Brazil Fund, Inc., The Korea Fund, Inc., The
Japan Fund, Inc. and Scudder Spain and Portugal Fund, Inc. Some of the
foregoing companies or trusts have two or more series.
The Adviser also provides investment advisory services to the mutual funds
which comprise the AARP Investment Program from Scudder. The AARP Investment
Program from Scudder has assets over $13 billion and
33
<PAGE>
includes the AARP Growth Trust, AARP Income Trust, AARP Tax Free Income Trust,
AARP Managed Investment Portfolios Trust and AARP Cash Investment Funds.
Pursuant to an Agreement between Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. and
AMA Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of the American Medical Association (the
"AMA"), dated May 9, 1997, the Adviser has agreed, subject to applicable
state regulations, to pay AMA Solutions, Inc. royalties in an amount equal to 5%
of the management fee received by the Adviser with respect to assets invested
by AMA members in Scudder funds in connection with the AMA InvestmentLinkSM
Program. The Adviser will also pay AMA Solutions, Inc. a general monthly fee,
currently in the amount of $833. The AMA and AMA Solutions, Inc. are not engaged
in the business of providing investment advice and neither is registered as an
investment adviser or broker/dealer under federal securities laws. Any person
who participates in the AMA InvestmentLinkSM Program will be a customer of the
Adviser (or of a subsidiary thereof) and not the AMA or AMA Solutions, Inc. AMA
InvestmentLinkSM is a service mark of AMA Solutions, Inc.
The Adviser maintains a large research department, which conducts
continual studies of the factors that affect the position of various industries,
companies, and individual securities. In this work, the Adviser utilizes certain
reports and statistics from a wide variety of sources, including brokers and
dealers who may execute portfolio transactions for the Fund and other clients of
the Adviser, but conclusions are based primarily on investigations and critical
analyses by the Adviser's own research specialists. However, the Adviser regards
this information and material as an adjunct to its own research activities. In
selecting the securities in which the Fund may invest, the conclusions and
investment decisions of the Adviser with respect to the Fund are based primarily
on the analyses by its own research department.
Certain investments may be appropriate for the Fund and also for other
clients advised by the Adviser. Investment decisions for the Fund and other
clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives
and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings, availability
of cash for investment and the size of their investments generally. Frequently,
a particular security may be bought or sold for only one client or in different
amounts and at different times for more than one but less than all clients.
Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one
or more other clients are selling the security. In addition, purchases or sales
of the same security may be made for two or more clients on the same day. In
such event, such transactions will be allocated among the clients in a manner
believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each. In some cases, this procedure
could have an adverse effect on the price or amount of the securities purchased
or sold by the Fund. Purchase and sale orders for the Fund may be combined with
those of other clients of the Adviser in the interest of achieving the most
favorable net results to the Fund.
The transaction between Scudder and Zurich resulted in the assignment of
the Fund's investment management agreement with Scudder, the agreement
automatically terminated at the consummation of the transaction. In anticipation
of the transaction, however, a new investment management agreement (the
"Agreement") between the Fund and the Adviser was approved by the Fund's
Trustees on August 12, 1997. At the special meeting of the Fund's shareholders
held on October 24, 1997, the shareholders also approved the Agreement. The
Agreement became effective as of December 31, 1997 and will be in effect
for an initial term ending on September 30, 1998. The Agreement is in all
material respects on the same terms as the previous investment management
agreement which it supersedes. The Agreement incorporates conforming changes
which promote consistency among all of the funds advised by the Adviser and
which permit ease of administration. The Agreement will continue in effect from
year to year thereafter only if its continuance is approved annually by the vote
of a majority of those Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or
interested persons of the Adviser or the Trust, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and either by a vote of the
Fund's Trustees or of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Fund. The Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of penalty by
either party on sixty days' written notice and automatically terminates in
the event of its assignment.
Under the Agreement, the Adviser provides the Fund with continuing
investment management consistent with the Fund's investment objectives, policies
and restrictions and determines what securities will be purchased for the
portfolio of the Fund, what portfolio securities will be held or sold by the
Fund, and what portion of the Fund's assets shall be held uninvested, subject
always to the provisions of the Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the
1940 Act, the Code and to the Fund's investment objectives, policies and
restrictions, and subject, further, to such policies and restrictions as the
Trustees of the Fund may from time to time establish. The Adviser also advises
and assists the
34
<PAGE>
officers of the Fund in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to
carry out the decisions of its Trustees and the appropriate committees of the
Trustees regarding the conduct of the business of the Fund.
Under the Agreement, the Adviser renders significant administrative
services (not otherwise provided by third parties) necessary for the Fund's
operations as an open-end investment company including, but not limited to:
preparing reports and notices to the Trustees and shareholders; supervising,
negotiating contractual arrangements with, and monitoring various third-party
service providers to the Fund (such as the Transfer Agent, pricing agents,
Custodian, accountants and others); preparing and making filings with the SEC
and other regulatory agencies; assisting in the preparation and filing of the
Fund's federal, state and local tax returns, preparing and filing the Fund's
federal excise tax returns; assisting with investor and public relations
matters; monitoring the valuation of securities and the calculation of net asset
value; monitoring the registration of shares of the Fund under applicable
federal and state securities laws; maintaining the Fund's books and records to
the extent not otherwise maintained by a third party; assisting in establishing
accounting policies of the Fund; assisting in the resolution of accounting and
legal issues; establishing and monitoring the Fund's operating budget;
processing the payment of the Fund's bills; assisting the Fund in, and otherwise
arranging for, the payment of distributions and dividends and otherwise
assisting the Fund in the conduct of its business, subject to the direction and
control of the Trustees.
The Adviser pays the compensation and expenses (except those of attending
Board and committee meetings outside New York, New York or Boston,
Massachusetts) of all Trustees, officers and executive employees of the Fund
affiliated with the Adviser and makes available, without expense to the Fund,
the services of such Trustees, officers and employees as may duly be elected
officers of the Fund, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any
limitations imposed by law and provides the Fund's office space and facilities.
For these services, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual fee equal to 0.65
of 1% on the first $200 million of the Fund's average daily net assets, 0.60 of
1% on the next $300 million of such assets and 0.55 of 1% on such assets in
excess of $500 million. The fee is payable monthly, provided the Fund will make
such interim payments as may be requested by the Adviser not to exceed 75% of
the amount of the fee then accrued on the books of the Fund and unpaid.
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995, 1996, and 1997, the management
fees incurred by the Fund to the Adviser amounted to $2,867,542, $2,688,700 and
$2,532,357, respectively.
Under the Agreement, the Fund is responsible for all its other expenses,
including fees and expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment
company organizations; brokers' commissions; legal, auditing and accounting
expenses; the calculation of net asset value; taxes and governmental fees; the
fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent; the cost of preparing share
certificates or any other expenses including expenses of issuance, sale,
underwriting, distribution, redemption or repurchase of shares; the expenses of
and the fees for registering or qualifying securities for sale; the fees and
expenses of the Trustees, officers and employees of the Fund who are not
affiliated with the Adviser; the cost of printing and distributing reports and
notices to shareholders; and the fees and disbursements of custodians. The Fund
may arrange to have third parties assume all or part of the expenses of sale,
underwriting and distribution of shares of the Fund. The Fund is also
responsible for its expenses of shareholders' meetings, the cost of responding
to shareholders' inquiries, and its expenses incurred in connection with
litigation, proceedings and claims and the legal obligation it may have to
indemnify its officers and Trustees with respect thereto.
The Agreements identify the Adviser as the exclusive licensee of the
rights to use and sublicense the names "Scudder," "Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc." and "Scudder Stevens and Clark, Inc." (together, the "Scudder Marks").
Under this license the Fund has the non-exclusive right to use and sublicense
the Scudder name and marks as part of its name, and to use the Scudder Marks in
the Fund's investment products and services.
In reviewing the terms of the Agreement and in discussions with the
Adviser concerning such Agreement, the Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Adviser are represented by independent counsel at
the Fund's expense.
The Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error
of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection
with matters to which the Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in
the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Adviser of its
obligations and duties under the Agreement.
35
<PAGE>
Officers and employees of the Adviser from time to time may have
transactions with various banks, including the Fund's custodian bank. It is the
Adviser's opinion that the terms and conditions of those transactions which have
occurred were not influenced by existing or potential custodial or other Fund
relationships.
The Adviser may serve as adviser to other funds with investment objectives
and policies similar to those of the Funds that may have different distribution
arrangements or expenses, which may affect performance.
None of the Trustees or officers of the Fund may have dealings with the
Fund as principals in the purchase or sale of securities, except as individual
subscribers or holders of shares of the Fund.
Personal Investments by Employees of the Adviser
Employees of the Adviser are permitted to make personal securities
transactions, subject to requirements and restrictions set forth in the
Adviser's Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics contains provisions and
requirements designed to identify and address certain conflicts of interest
between personal investment activities and the interests of investment advisory
clients such as the Fund. Among other things, the Code of Ethics, which
generally complies with standards recommended by the Investment Company
Institute's Advisory Group on Personal Investing, prohibits certain types of
transactions absent prior approval, imposes time periods during which personal
transactions may not be made in certain securities, and requires the submission
of duplicate broker confirmations and monthly reporting of securities
transactions. Additional restrictions apply to portfolio managers, traders,
research analysts and others involved in the investment advisory process.
Exceptions to these and other provisions of the Code of Ethics may be granted in
particular circumstances after review by appropriate personnel.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Position with
Underwriter,
Scudder Investor
Name, Age and Address Position with Fund Principal Occupation** Services, Inc.
- --------------------- ------------------ ---------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Daniel Pierce (64)+*= President and Trustee Chairman of the Board and Vice President,
Managing Director of Scudder Director and
Kemper Investments, Inc. Assistant Treasurer
Henry P. Becton, Jr. (54) Trustee President and General Manager, --
125 Western Avenue WGBH Educational Foundation
Allston, MA 02134
Dawn-Marie Driscoll (51) Trustee Executive Fellow, Center for --
4909 SW 9th Place Business Ethics, Bentley College;
Cape Coral, FL 33914 President, Driscoll Associates
Peter B. Freeman (65) Trustee Director, the A.H. Belo Company; --
100 Alumni Avenue Trustee, Eastern Utilities
Peovidence, RI 02906 Associates (public utility
holding company); Director, AMICA
Life Insurance Co.
George M. Lovejoy, Jr. (68)=50 Trustee President and Director, Fifty --
50 Congress Street, Suite 543 Associates (real estate
Boston, MA 02109 investment trust)
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Position with
Underwriter,
Scudder Investor
Name, Age and Address Position with Fund Principal Occupation** Services, Inc.
- --------------------- ------------------ ---------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Wesley W. Marple, Jr. Trustee Professor of Business --
(66)= Administration, Northeastern
Northeastern University University, College of Business
413 Hayden Hall Administration
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Jean C. Tempel (55) Trustee Managing Partner, Technology --
Technology Equity Partners Equity Partners
Ten Post Office Square
Suite 1325
Boston, MA 02109
Kathryn L. Quirk (45)# Trustee, Vice President Managing Director of Scudder Director, Senior
and Assistant Secretary Kemper Investments, Inc. Vice President and
Assistant Clerk
David H. Glen (40)+ Vice President Managing Director of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc.
Jerard K. Hartman (65)# Vice President Managing Director of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc.
Thomas W. Joseph (59)+ Vice President Senior Vice President of Vice President,
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. Director, Treasurer
and Assistant Clerk
Thomas F. McDonough (51)+ Vice President, Secretary Senior Vice President of Clerk
and Assistant Treasurer Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
Richard L. Vandenberg (48)# Vice President Senior Vice President of --
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
John R. Hebble (39)+ Assistant Treasurer Senior Vice President of --
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
Caroline Pearson (36)+ Assistant Secretary Vice President of Scudder Kemper --
Investments, Inc.; Associate,
Dechert Price & Rhoads (law
firm), 1989 to 1997
</TABLE>
* Mr. Pierce and Ms. Quirk are considered by the Fund and its counsel to be
persons who are "interested persons" of the Adviser or of the Fund (within
the meaning of the 1940 Act, as amended).
** Unless otherwise stated, all the Trustees and officers have been
associated with their respective companies for more than five years, but
not necessarily in the same capacity. = Messrs. Lovejoy, Marple and
Pierce and Ms. Quirk are members of the Executive Committee, which has the
power to declare dividends from ordinary income and distributions of
realized capital gains to the same extent as the Board is so empowered.
+ Address: Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts
37
<PAGE>
# Address: 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York
To the knowledge of the Trust, as of March 31, 1998, all Trustees and
officers as a group owned beneficially (as that term is defined in Section 13(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) 290,709 shares, or 1.10% of the
shares of the Fund.
Certain accounts for which the Adviser acts as investment adviser owned
1,598,566 shares in the aggregate, or 6.05% of the outstanding shares on March
31, 1998. The Adviser may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares
but disclaims any beneficial ownership in such shares.
To the best of the Fund's knowledge, as of March 31, 1998 no person
owned beneficially (as so defined) more than 5% of the Fund's outstanding shares
except as stated above.
The Trustees and officers of the Fund also serve in similar capacities
with respect to other Scudder funds.
REMUNERATION
Responsibilities of the Board--Board and Committee Meetings
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the general oversight of the
Fund's business. A majority of the Board's members are not affiliated with the
Adviser. These "Independent Trustees" have primary responsibility for assuring
that the Fund is managed in the best interests of its shareholders.
The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly to review the investment
performance of the Fund and other operational matters, including policies and
procedures designated to assure compliance with various regulatory requirements.
At least annually, the Independent Trustees review the fees paid to the Adviser
and its affiliates for investment advisory services and other administrative and
shareholder services. In this regard, they evaluate, among other things, the
Fund's investment performance, the quality and efficiency of the various other
services provided, costs incurred by the Adviser and its affiliates, and
comparative information regarding fees and expenses of competitive funds. They
are assisted in this process by the Fund's independent public accountants and by
independent legal counsel selected by the Independent Trustees.
All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Committee on Independent
Trustees, which nominates Independent Trustees and considers other related
matters, and the Audit Committee, which selects the Fund's independent public
accountants and reviews accounting policies and controls. In addition,
Independent Trustees from time to time have established and served on task
forces and subcommittees focusing on particular matters such as investment,
accounting and shareholder service issues.
Compensation of Officers and Trustees
The Independent Trustees receive the following compensation from the Fund:
an annual trustee's fee of $2,400 for a Fund in which assets do not exceed $100
million, $4,800 for assets which exceed $100 million, but not exceeding $1
billion, and $7,200 if assets exceed $1 billion; a fee of $150 for attendance at
each board meeting, audit committee meeting, or other meeting held for the
purposes of considering arrangements between the Trust and Scudder or any
affiliate of Scudder; $75 for any other committee meeting (although in some
cases the Independent Trustees have waived committee meeting fees); and
reimbursement of expenses incurred for travel to and from Board Meetings. No
additional compensation is paid to any Independent Trustee for travel time to
meetings, attendance at directors' educational seminars or conferences, service
on industry or association committees, participation as speakers at directors'
conferences, service on special trustee task forces or subcommittees or service
as lead or liaison trustee. Independent Trustees do not receive any employee
benefits such as pension, retirement or health insurance. For the year ended
December 31, 1997, such fees aggregated $36,513.
The Independent Trustees also serve in the same capacity for other funds
managed by the Adviser. These funds differ broadly in type an complexity and in
some cases have substantially different Trustee fee schedules. The
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<PAGE>
following table shows the aggregate compensation received by each Independent
Trustee during 1997 from the Trust and from all of Scudder funds as a group.
Name Scudder GNMA Fund All Scudder Funds
---- ----------------- -----------------
Henry P. Becton,
*Trustee $1,050 $114,554 (24 funds)
Dawn-Marie Driscoll,
Trustee $8,650 $107,722 (24 funds)
Peter B. Freeman,
*Trustee $1,263 $137,011 (42 funds)
George M. Lovejoy,
Jr., Trustee $8,450 $139,113 (22 funds)
Wesley W. Marple,
Jr., Trustee $8,450 $121,129 (23 funds)
Jean C. Tempel, Trustee $8,650 $122,504 (23 funds)
* Elected as trustee on October 24, 1997.
Members of the Board of Trustees who are employees of the Adviser or its
affiliates receive no direct compensation from the Trust, although they are
compensated as employees of the Adviser, or its affiliates, as a result of which
they may be deemed to participate in fees paid by each Fund.
DISTRIBUTOR
The Fund has an underwriting agreement with Scudder Investor Services,
Inc. (the "Distributor"), a Massachusetts corporation, which is a subsidiary of
the Adviser, a Delaware corporation. The Fund's underwriting agreement dated
September 10, 1985 will remain in effect until September 30, 1998, and from
year to year thereafter only if its continuance is approved annually by a
majority of the members of the Board of Trustees who are not parties to such
agreement or interested persons of any such party and either by a vote of a
majority of the Board of Trustees or a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund. The underwriting agreement was last approved by the
Trustees on August 13, 1996.
Under the underwriting agreement, the Fund is responsible for: the payment
of all fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing with the
SEC of the registration statement and prospectus and any amendments and
supplements thereto; the registration and qualification of shares for sale in
the various states, including registering the Fund as a broker/dealer in various
states as required; the fees and expenses of preparing, printing and mailing
prospectuses annually to existing shareholders (see below for expenses relating
to prospectuses paid by the Distributor), notices, proxy statements, reports or
other communications to shareholders of the Fund; the cost of printing and
mailing confirmations of purchases of shares and any prospectuses accompanying
such confirmations; any issuance taxes and/or any initial transfer taxes; a
portion of shareholder toll-free telephone charges and expenses of shareholder
service representatives; the cost of wiring funds for share purchases and
redemptions (unless paid by the shareholder who initiates the transaction); the
cost of printing and postage of business reply envelopes; and a portion of the
cost of computer terminals used by both the Fund and the Distributor.
The Distributor will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or
reports prepared for its use in connection with the offering of the Fund's
shares to the public and preparing, printing and mailing any other literature or
advertising in connection with the offering of the shares of the Fund to the
public. The Distributor will pay for all fees and expenses in connection with
its qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state
laws, a portion of the cost of toll-free telephone service and expenses of
shareholder service representatives, a portion of the cost of computer
terminals, and expenses of any activity which is primarily intended to result in
the sale of shares
39
<PAGE>
issued by the Fund, unless a Rule 12b-1 Plan is in effect which provides that
the Fund shall bear some or all of such expenses.
Note: Although the Fund does not currently have a 12b-1 Plan, and the Trustees
have no current intention of adopting one, the Fund will also pay those fees and
expenses permitted to be paid or assumed by the Fund pursuant to a 12b-1 Plan,
if any, adopted by the Fund, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary
in the underwriting agreement.
As agent, the Distributor currently offers the Fund's shares on a
continuous basis to investors in all states in which shares of the Fund may from
time to time be registered or where permitted by applicable law. The
underwriting agreement provides that the Distributor accepts orders for shares
at net asset value as no sales commission or load is charged to the investor.
The Distributor has made no firm commitment to acquire shares of the Fund.
TAXES
(See "Distribution and performance information --
Dividends and capital gains distributions" and
"Transaction information--Tax information,
and Tax identification number" in the Fund's prospectus.)
The Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Code, and has qualified as such since its inception. It
intends to continue to qualify for such treatment. Such qualification does not
involve governmental supervision or management of investment practices or
policy.
As a regulated investment company qualifying under Subchapter M of the
Code, the Fund is required to distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income (including net short-term capital gain) and
generally is not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it distributes
annually its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains in
the manner required under the Code. The Fund intends to distribute, at least
annually, all of its investment company taxable income and net realized capital
gains.
The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on amounts required
to be but not distributed under a prescribed formula. The formula requires
payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at
least 98% of the Fund's ordinary income for the calendar year, at least 98% of
the excess of its capital gains over capital losses (adjusted for certain
ordinary losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during
such year (although investment companies with taxable years ending on November
30 or December 31 may make an irrevocable election to measure the required
capital gain distribution using their actual taxable year), and all ordinary
income and capital gains for prior years that were not previously distributed.
Investment company taxable income generally includes interest and net
short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, less
expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal year are computed by taking
into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund.
If any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized
short-term capital losses are retained by the Fund for reinvestment, requiring
federal income taxes to be paid thereon by the Fund, the Fund intends to elect
to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to shareholders. As a
result, each shareholder will report such capital gains as long-term capital
gains taxable to individual shareholders at a maximum 20% or 28% capital gains
rate (depending on the Fund's holding period for the assets giving rise to the
gain), will be able to claim a proportionate share of federal income taxes paid
by the Fund on such gains as a credit against the shareholder's federal income
tax liability, and will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of Fund
shares owned by the difference between the shareholder's pro rata share of such
gains and the shareholder's tax credit.
At March 31, 1997, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward
of approximately $29,207,000 which may be applied against any realized net
taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until
March 31, 2003, the expiration date.
Distributions of investment company taxable income are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income.
40
<PAGE>
Since no portion of the Fund's income is comprised of dividends from
domestic corporations, none of the income distributions of the Fund are eligible
for the deduction for dividends received by corporations.
Properly designated distributions of the excess of net long-term capital
gain over net short-term capital loss are taxable to individual shareholders
at a maximum 20% or 28% capital gains rate (depending on the Fund's holding
period for the assets giving rise to the gain), regardless of the length of time
the shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders. Such distributions
are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Any loss realized upon
the redemption of shares held at the time of redemption for six months or less
will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated
as distributions of long-term capital gains during such six-month period.
Distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gains will be taxable as described above, whether received in shares or
in cash. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of
additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each
share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment
date.
All distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each
shareholder on the shareholder's federal income tax return. Dividends declared
in October, November or December with a record date in such a month are deemed
to have been received by shareholders on December 31 if paid in January of the
following year. Redemptions of shares, including exchanges for shares of another
Scudder fund, may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder
and are also subject to these reporting requirements.
A qualifying individual may make a deductible IRA contribution of up to
$2,000 or, if less, the amount of the individual's earned income (up to $2,000
per individual for married couples if only one spouse has earned income) for any
taxable year only if (i) neither the individual nor a spouse (unless filing
separate returns) is an active participant in an employer's retirement plan, or
(ii) the individual (and a spouse, if applicable) has an adjusted gross income
below a certain level ($40,050 for married individuals filing a joint return,
with a phase-out of the deduction for adjusted gross income between $40,050 and
$50,000; $25,050 for a single individual, with a phase-out for adjusted gross
income between $25,050 and $35,000). However, an individual not permitted to
make a deductible contribution to an IRA for any such taxable year may
nonetheless make nondeductible contributions up to $2,000 to an IRA for that
year. There are special rules for determining how withdrawals are to be taxed if
an IRA contains both deductible and nondeductible amounts. In general, a
proportionate amount of each withdrawal will be deemed to be made from
nondeductible contributions; amounts treated as a return of nondeductible
contributions will not be taxable. Also, annual contributions may be made to a
spousal IRA even if the spouse has earnings in a given year if the spouse elects
to be treated as having no earnings (for IRA contribution purposes) for the
year.
Distributions by the Fund result in a reduction in the net asset value of
the Fund's shares. Should a distribution reduce the net asset value below a
shareholder's cost basis, such distribution may nevertheless be taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain as described above, even though,
from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In
particular, investors should consider the tax implications of buying shares just
prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the
amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior to a
distribution will then receive a partial return of capital upon the
distribution, which will nevertheless be taxable to them.
A portion of the difference between the issue price of zero coupon
securities and their face value ("original issue discount") is considered to be
income to the Fund each year, even though the Fund will not receive cash
interest payments from these securities. This original issue discount (imputed
income) will comprise a part of the investment company taxable income of the
Fund which must be distributed to shareholders in order to maintain the
qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company and to avoid federal
income tax at the Fund level. Shareholders will be subject to income tax on such
original issue discount, whether or not they elect to receive their
distributions in cash. In the event that a Fund acquires a debt instrument at a
market discount, it is possible that a portion of any gain recognized on the
disposition of such instrument will be reclassed to ordinary income.
In general, no loss is recognized by the Fund upon payment of a premium in
connection with the purchase of a put or call option. The character of any gain
or loss recognized (i.e., long-term or short-term) generally depends, in the
case of a lapse or sale of the option, on the Fund's holding period for the
option, and in the case of an exercise of a put
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option, on the Fund's holding period for the underlying security. The purchase
of a put option may constitute a short sale for federal income tax purposes,
causing an adjustment in the holding period of the underlying security or a
substantially identical security in the Fund's portfolio. If the Fund writes a
put or call option, no gain is recognized upon its receipt of a premium. If the
option lapses or is closed out, any gain or loss is treated as a short-term
capital gain or loss. If a call option written by the Fund is exercised, the
character of the gain or loss depends on the holding period of the underlying
security. The exercise of a put option written by the Fund is not a taxable
transaction for the Fund.
Many futures and forward contracts entered into by the Fund and all listed
nonequity options written or purchased by the Fund (including listed options on
debt securities and options on futures contracts), will be governed by Section
1256 of the Code. Absent a tax election to the contrary, gain or loss
attributable to the lapse, exercise or closing out of any such position
generally will be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term, and on the last
trading day of the Fund's fiscal year, (and generally, on October 31 for
purposes of the 4% excise tax) all outstanding Section 1256 positions will be
marked to market (i.e., treated as if such positions were closed out at their
closing price on such day), with any resulting gain or loss recognized as 60%
long-term and 40% short-term. Under certain circumstances, entry into a futures
contract to sell a security may constitute a short sale for federal income tax
purposes, causing an adjustment in the holding period of the underlying security
or a substantially identical security in the Fund's portfolio.
Positions of the Fund which consist of at least one position not governed
by Section 1256 and at least one futures contract or nonequity option governed
by Section 1256 which substantially diminishes the Fund's risk of loss with
respect to such other position will be treated as a "mixed straddle." Although
mixed straddles are subject to the straddle rules of Section 1092 of the Code,
the operation of which may cause deferral of losses, adjustments in the holding
periods of securities, and conversion of short-term capital losses into
long-term capital losses, certain tax elections exist for them which reduce or
eliminate the operation of these rules. The Fund will monitor its transactions
in options and futures and may make certain tax elections in connection with
these investments.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, recent tax law changes may require
the Fund to recognize gain (but not loss) from a constructive sale of certain
"appreciated financial positions" if the Fund enters into a short sale,
offsetting notional principal contract, futures or forward contract transaction
with respect to the appreciated position or substantially identical property.
Appreciated financial positions subject to this constructive sale treatment are
interests (including options, futures and forward contracts and short sales) in
stock, partnership interests, certain actively traded trust instruments and
certain debt instruments. Constructive sale treatment of appreciated financial
positions does not apply to certain transactions closed in the 90-day period
ending with the 30th day after the close of the Fund's taxable year, if certain
conditions are met.
Similarly, if the Fund enters into a short sale of property that becomes
substantially worthless, the Fund will be required to recognize gain at that
time as though it had closed the short sale. Future regulations may apply
similar treatment to other strategic transactions with respect to property that
becomes substantially worthless.
The Fund will be required to report to the IRS all distributions of
taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption
or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders.
Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code,
distributions of taxable income and capital gains and proceeds from the
redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be
subject to withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 31% in the case of
nonexempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their
taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their
status under the federal income tax law. Withholding may also be required if a
Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that the taxpayer identification number
furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder has previously
failed to report interest or dividend income. If the withholding provisions are
applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or
reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be
withheld.
Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on
distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares.
Under the laws of certain states, distributions of investment company taxable
income are taxable to shareholders as dividends, even though a portion of such
distributions may be derived from interest on U.S. Government obligations which,
if received directly by such shareholders, would be exempt from state income
tax.
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The Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and, provided that
it qualifies as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes,
is not liable for any income or franchise tax in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to
the application of that law to U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens and residents
and U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each shareholder who is
not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of
ownership of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that such a
shareholder may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or at a
lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts constituting
ordinary income received by the shareholder, where such amounts are treated as
income from U.S. sources under the Code.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of
the provisions of tax law described in this Statement of Additional Information
in light of their particular tax situations.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Brokerage Commissions
Allocation of brokerage is supervised by the Adviser.
The primary objective of the Adviser in placing orders for the purchase
and sale of securities for the Fund is to obtain the most favorable net
results, taking into account such factors as price, commission where
applicable, size of order, difficulty of execution and skill required of the
executing broker/dealer. The Adviser seeks to evaluate the overall
reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid (to the extent applicable) through
the familiarity of the Distributor with commissions charged on comparable
transactions, as well as by comparing commissions paid by the Fund to reported
commissions paid by others. The Adviser reviews on a routine basis commission
rates, execution and settlement services performed, making internal and external
comparisons.
The Fund's purchases and sales of fixed-income securities are generally
placed by the Adviser with primary market makers for these securities on a net
basis, without any brokerage commission being paid by the Fund. Trading does,
however, involve transaction costs. Transactions with dealers serving as primary
market makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices. Purchases of
underwritten issues may be made, which will include an underwriting fee paid to
the underwriter. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the
Fund paid no brokerage commissions or underwriting discounts.
When it can be done consistently with the policy of obtaining the most
favorable net results, it is the Adviser's practice to place such orders with
broker/dealers who supply research, market and statistical information to the
Fund. The term "research, market and statistical information" includes advice as
to the value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or
selling securities; the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of
securities; and analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities,
economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts.
The Adviser is authorized when placing portfolio transactions for the Fund to
pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker might charge
for executing the same transaction on account of execution services and the
receipt of research, market or statistical information. The Adviser will not
place orders with broker/dealers on the basis that the broker/dealer has or has
not sold shares of the Fund. In effecting transactions in over-the-counter
securities, orders are placed with the principal market makers for the security
being traded unless, after exercising care, it appears that more favorable
results are available elsewhere.
To the maximum extent feasible, it is expected that the Adviser will place
orders for portfolio transactions through the Distributor, which is a
corporation registered as a broker-dealer and a subsidiary of the Adviser; the
Distributor will place orders on behalf of the Fund with issuers, underwriters
or other brokers and dealers. The Distributor will not receive any commission,
fee or other remuneration from the Fund for this service.
Although certain research, market and statistical information from
broker/dealers may be useful to the Fund and to the Adviser, it is the opinion
of the Adviser that such information only supplements the Adviser's own research
effort since the information must still be analyzed, weighed, and reviewed by
the Adviser's staff. Such
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information may be useful to the Adviser in providing services to clients
other than the Fund, and not all such information is used by the Adviser in
connection with the Fund. Conversely, such information provided to the Adviser
by broker/dealers through whom other clients of the Adviser effect securities
transactions may be useful to the Adviser in providing services to the Fund.
The Trustees review from time to time whether the recapture for the
benefit of the Fund of some portion of the brokerage commissions or similar fees
paid by the Fund on portfolio transactions is legally permissible and advisable.
Portfolio Turnover
Fund securities may be sold to take advantage of investment opportunities
arising from changing market levels or yield relationships. Although such
transactions involve additional costs in the form of spreads or commissions,
they will be undertaken in an effort to improve the overall investment return of
the Fund, consistent with the Fund's objectives. The portfolio turnover rates
(defined by the SEC as the ratio of the lesser of sales or purchases to the
monthly average value of such securities owned during the year, excluding all
securities whose remaining maturities at the time of acquisition were one year
or less) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 were 188% and
157.8%, respectively.
Recent economic and market conditions have necessitated more active
trading, resulting in a higher portfolio turnover rate. A higher rate involves
greater transaction costs to the Fund and may result in the realization of net
capital gains, which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of shares of the Fund is computed as of the close of
regular trading on the Exchange on each day the Exchange is open for trading.
The Exchange is scheduled to be closed on the following holidays: New Year's
Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Net asset value per
share is determined by dividing the value of the total assets of the Fund, less
all liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding.
An exchange-traded equity security is valued at its most recent sale
price. Lacking any sales, the security is valued at the calculated mean between
the most recent bid quotation and the most recent asked quotation (the
"Calculated Mean"). Lacking a Calculated Mean, the security is valued at the
most recent bid quotation. An equity security which is traded on The Nasdaq
Stock Market ("Nasdaq") is valued at its most recent sale price. Lacking any
sales, the security is valued at the most recent bid quotation. The value of an
equity security not quoted on the Nasdaq System, but traded in another
over-the-counter market, is its most recent sale price. Lacking any sales, the
security is valued at the Calculated Mean. Lacking a Calculated Mean, the
security is valued at the most recent bid quotation.
Debt securities, other than short-term securities, are valued at prices
supplied by the Fund's pricing agent(s) which reflect broker/dealer supplied
valuations and electronic data processing techniques. Short-term securities
purchased with remaining maturities of sixty days or less shall be valued by the
amortized cost method, which the Board believes approximates market value. If it
is not possible to value a particular debt security pursuant to these valuation
methods, the value of such security is the most recent bid quotation supplied by
a bona fide marketmaker. If it is not possible to value a particular debt
security pursuant to the above methods, the Adviser may calculate the price of
that debt security, subject to limitations established by the Board.
An exchange traded options contract on securities, currencies, futures and
other financial instruments is valued at its most recent sale price on such
exchange. Lacking any sales, the options contract is valued at the Calculated
Mean. Lacking any Calculated Mean, the options contract is valued at the most
recent bid quotation in the case of a purchased options contract, or the most
recent asked quotation in the case of a written options contract. An options
contract on securities, currencies and other financial instruments traded
over-the-counter is valued at the most recent bid quotation in the case of a
purchased options contract and at the most recent asked quotation in the case of
a written options contract. Futures contracts are valued at the most recent
settlement price. Foreign currency exchange forward contracts are valued at the
value of the underlying currency at the prevailing exchange rate.
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If a security is traded on more than one exchange, or upon one or more
exchanges and in the over-the-counter market, quotations are taken from the
market in which the security is traded most extensively.
If, in the opinion of the Fund's Valuation Committee, the value of a
portfolio asset as determined in accordance with these procedures does not
represent the fair market value of the portfolio asset, the value of the
portfolio asset is taken to be an amount which, in the opinion of the Valuation
Committee, represents fair market value on the basis of all available
information. The value of other portfolio holdings owned by the Fund is
determined in a manner which, in the discretion of the Valuation Committee most
fairly reflects fair market value of the property on the valuation date.
Following the valuations of securities or other portfolio assets in terms
of the currency in which the market quotation used is expressed ("Local
Currency"), the value of these portfolio assets in terms of U.S. dollars is
calculated by converting the Local Currency into U.S. dollars at the prevailing
currency exchange rate on the valuation date.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Experts
The Financial highlights of the Fund included in the prospectus and the
Financial Statements incorporated by reference in this Statement of Additional
Information have been so included or incorporated by reference in reliance on
the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., One Post Office Square, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, independent accountants, and given on the authority of that
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Shareholder Indemnification
The Fund is an organization of the type commonly known as a Massachusetts
business trust. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations
of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability in connection with the Fund property or the acts,
obligations or affairs of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides for
indemnification out of the Fund 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 the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations.
Other Information
The CUSIP number of the Fund is 810903-10-4.
The Fund has a fiscal year end of March 31.
Portfolio securities of the Fund are held separately, pursuant to a
custodian agreement, by the Fund's custodian, State Street Bank and Trust
Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02101.
The law firm of Dechert Price & Rhoads is counsel to the Fund.
The name "Scudder GNMA Fund" is the designation of the Trust for the
time being under an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated November 3,
1987, as amended from time to time, and all persons dealing with the Fund must
look solely to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims
against the Fund as neither the Trustees, officers, agents nor shareholders
assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the
Fund. Upon the initial purchase of shares, the shareholder agrees to be bound by
the Fund's Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time. The Declaration
of the Trust is on file at the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office in
Boston, Massachusetts.
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation, Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts, 02210-4103, a subsidiary of the Adviser, computes net asset value
for the Fund. The Fund pays Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation an annual fee
equal to 0.025% of the first $150 million of average daily net assets, 0.0075%
of such assets
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in excess of $150 million, 0.0045% of such assets in excess of $1 billion, plus
holding and transaction charges for this service. The fees incurred by the Fund
for the years ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 amounted to $112,508 and $95,411,
respectively. Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation assumed responsibility for
determining the daily net asset value per share and maintaining the portfolio
and general accounting records for the Fund on May 9, 1995.
Scudder Service Corporation ("Service Corporation"), P.O. Box 2291,
Boston, Massachusetts 02107-2291, a subsidiary of the Adviser, is the transfer,
dividend-paying and shareholder service agent for the Fund and also provides
subaccounting and recordkeeping services for shareholder accounts in certain
retirement and employee benefit plans. The Fund pays Service Corporation an
annual fee of $26.00 for each account maintained for a shareholder. The fees
incurred by the Fund for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
amounted to $601,383, $787,701 and $843,236, respectively.
Scudder Trust Company, a subsidiary of the Adviser, provides recordkeeping
and other services in connection with certain retirement and employee benefit
plans. Annual service fees are paid by the Fund to Scudder Trust Company, Two
International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-4103 for such accounts. The
Fund pays Scudder Trust Company an annual fee of $29.00 per shareholder account.
The Fund incurred fees of $176,074, $164,073 and $158,815 for the fiscal years
ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
The Fund's prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information omit
certain information contained in the Registration Statement and its amendments
which the Fund has filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 and
reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement for further information
with respect to the Fund and the securities offered hereby. This Registration
Statement and its amendments are available for inspection by the public at the
SEC in Washington, D.C.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements, including the investment portfolio of the Fund,
together with the Report of Independent Accountants, Financial Highlights and
notes to financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in the Annual
Report to the Shareholders of the Fund dated March 31, 1997 and are hereby
deemed to be a part of this Statement of Additional Information.
46
