SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Co-Registrants __X__
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant _____
Check the appropriate box:
_____ Preliminary Proxy Statement
_____ Confidential, for use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2)
__X__ Definitive Proxy Statement
_____ Definitive Additional materials
_____ Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-l l(c) or ss.240.14a-12
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS
AMERICAN CENTURY GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
AMERICAN CENTURY INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
AMERICAN CENTURY MUNICIPAL TRUST
AMERICAN CENTURY QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUNDS
AMERICAN CENTURY TARGET MATURITIES TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Co-Registrant as Specified in Their Charters)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
__X__ No fee required.
_____ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
_____ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
<PAGE>
Proxy
Statement
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE
AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS
AMERICAN CENTURY GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
AMERICAN CENTURY INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS
AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT TRUST
AMERICAN CENTURY MUNICIPAL TRUST
AMERICAN CENTURY QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUNDS
AMERICAN CENTURY TARGET MATURITIES TRUST
JUNE 2, 1997
Important Voting Information Inside!
[front cover]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT...................................................1
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY.....................................................2
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS...................................6
DETAILED DISCUSSION OF ISSUES...............................................8
SHARE OWNERSHIP............................................................10
PROPOSAL 1: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS...........................11
PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT...............................12
PROPOSAL 3: ADOPTION OF STANDARDIZED
Fundamental Investment Restrictions......................................30
Change #1: Diversification of Investments...............................30
Change #2: Senior Securities............................................32
Change #3: Borrowing....................................................33
Change #4: Lending......................................................35
Change #5: Industry Concentration.......................................37
Change #6: Illiquid Securities..........................................38
Change #7: Other Investment Companies...................................39
Change #8: Real Estate..................................................41
Change #9: Underwriting.................................................42
Change #10: Commodities.................................................43
Change #11: Unseasoned Issuer...........................................44
Change #12: Short Sales.................................................45
Change #13: Margin......................................................47
Change #14: Warrants....................................................48
Change #15: Oil, Gas and Mineral Exploration Programs...................50
Change #16: Securities Owned by Officers and Directors..................51
Change #17: Restricted Securities.......................................51
Table of Contents American Century Investments
PROPOSAL 4: APPROVAL OF SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT WITH
J.P. MORGAN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC....................................52
PROPOSAL 5: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
FOR BENHAM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT BOND FUND.................................55
PROPOSAL 6: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT OF GENERAL INVESTMENT
POLICY FOR BENHAM ADJUSTABLE RATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND.............60
OTHER MATTERS..............................................................63
SCHEDULE I: NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING VOTES AS OF MAY 5, 1997..................64
APPENDIX I: PROPOSED MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT..................................65
EXHIBIT A REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES ...............................70
EXHIBIT B SERIES INVESTMENT CATEGORIES ..................................71
EXHIBIT C INVESTMENT CATEGORY FEE SCHEDULES:
MONEY MARKET FUNDS .................................................72
BOND FUNDS .........................................................73
EQUITY FUNDS .......................................................74
EXHIBIT D COMPLEX FEE SCHEDULE ..........................................74
APPENDIX II: STANDARDIZED FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS..................................................75
APPENDIX III: SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN ACIM AND JPMIM ..................................................76
Proxy Statement Table of Contents
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
American Century Investments
4500 Main Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64111
June 2, 1997
Dear American Century Shareholder,
I am writing to inform you of the upcoming special meeting of the
shareholders of your fund. At this meeting, you are being asked to vote on
important proposals affecting your fund. The Board of Directors of your fund,
including myself, unanimously believes that these proposals are in the fund's
and your best interest.
I'm sure that you, like most people, lead a busy life and are tempted to
put this proxy aside for another day. Please don't. When shareholders do not
return their proxies, additional expenses are incurred to pay for follow-up
mailings and telephone calls. PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO REVIEW THIS PROXY
STATEMENT AND SIGN AND RETURN ALL PROXY CARDS TODAY. If you hold shares in more
than one fund, you will receive a separate proxy card for each fund you hold.
Please be sure to sign and return each proxy card regardless of how many you
receive.
The Board of Directors of your fund has unanimously approved these
proposals and recommends a vote "FOR" each proposal. If you have any questions
regarding the issues to be voted on or need assistance in completing your proxy
card, please contact our proxy solicitor D.F. King & Co., Inc. at
1-800-755-3107.
I appreciate you taking the time to consider these important proposals.
Thank you for investing with American Century and for your continuing support.
Sincerely,
/s/James E. Stowers III
James E. Stowers III
President and Chief Executive Officer
1 Letter From The President American Century Investments
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
The following Q&A is a brief summary of the proposals to be considered at
the special meeting. The information below is qualified in its entirety by the
more detailed information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.
Accordingly, please read all the enclosed proxy materials before voting. Please
remember to vote your shares as soon as possible.
If you own other American Century funds and/or accounts, you may receive
additional proxy statements and voting cards in a separate mailing. It is
important that you vote ALL proxy cards that you receive.
WHEN WILL THE SPECIAL MEETING BE HELD? WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 1997, at 10 a.m. Central
time at the Companies' offices at 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri.
Please note that this will be a business meeting only. There will be no
presentations about the Funds. The record date for the meeting is the close of
business on May 16, 1997, for most Companies, and June 2, 1997, for American
Century Quantitative Equity Funds. Only shareholders who own shares at that time
are entitled to vote at the meeting.
WHAT IS BEING VOTED ON AT THE SPECIAL MEETING?
Your Board of Directors is recommending that shareholders consider the
following proposals:
PROPOSAL FUNDS AFFECTED
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. To ratify the selection of Coopers & Lybrand all
LLP as the independent auditors of the
Companies;
2. To approve a Management Agreement with all
American Century Investment Management, Inc.;
3. To approve the adoption of standardized all
investment limitations;
4. ONLY FOR BENHAM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT European
BOND FUND. To approve a Subadvisory Agreement Government
with J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc.; Bond only
5. ONLY FOR BENHAM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT European
BOND FUND. To approve an amendment to its Government
fundamental investment objective; Bond only
6. ONLY FOR BENHAM ADJUSTABLE RATE GOVERNMENT Adjustable
SECURITIES FUND. To approve an amendment to its Rate Growth
fundamental investment objective; and Securities only
7. To transact such other business which may come before all
the meeting, although we are not aware of any other items
to be considered.
Proxy Statement Proxy Statement Summary 2
HOW DO THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE ON THESE PROPOSALS?
The Directors unanimously recommend that you vote "FOR" each proposal.
WHAT IS THE "RATIFICATION" OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS? HAVE SHAREHOLDERS
VOTED ON COOPERS & LYBRAND LLP BEFORE?
The Investment Company Act of 1940 requires your Board of Directors to
select independent auditors for the Funds and also requires them to submit their
selection to the shareholders for their approval (technically called a
"ratification") in any year that a shareholder meeting is being held. Your Board
of Directors selected Coopers & Lybrand LLP in late 1996. This meeting is the
first opportunity for shareholders to vote on the selection of Coopers &
Lybrand.
A full discussion of the proposal to ratify the selection of Coopers &
Lybrand begins on page 11.
WHAT CHANGES ARE BEING PROPOSED TO THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT?
The proposed Management Agreement with American Century Investment
Management (ACIM) is substantially different from the Funds' current Advisory
Agreements with Benham Management Corporation (BMC). The most important change
is a difference in the way management fees are calculated under the proposed
agreement. Rather than paying separate investment advisory fees, transfer agency
fees, and operating costs, it is proposed that the Funds pay one "unified" fee
which would cover not just the investment advisory fee, but nearly all expenses
of the Funds. The expenses covered under the unified fee would include fees for
administrative services, transfer agency services, custodian fees, printing and
mailing costs for shareholder materials and shareholder meeting expenses, all of
which are charged to the Funds under the current arrangements with BMC. While
the fees paid under the proposed Management Agreement are not directly
comparable to those of the Companies' current agreements with their service
providers, the effect of the Proposed Manage-ment Agreement would have been a
net decrease in total expenses paid by all of the Funds as a group if the
proposed Management Agreement had been in effect during the year ended December
31, 1996. However, if the proposed Management Agreement had been in effect
during such period, the total expense ratios of some Funds may have been higher.
In no case is the proposed management fee of any Fund higher than the maximum
total expense ratio payable under the current advisory agreement. An extensive
discussion detailing the changes begins in this proxy statement on page 12.
WILL THE CHANGE IN INVESTMENT MANAGER CHANGE THE WAY MY FUND IS MANAGED?
No. If the proposed Management Agreement is approved, the investment
management of the Funds will not change in any way. Certain employees of ACIM
currently provide investment management services to the Funds
3 Proxy Statement Summary American Century Investments
through an arrangement with BMC by which certain employees of BMC also provide
investment management services to funds managed by ACIM. If the proposed
Investment Management Agreement is approved, ACIM intends to consolidate the
investment management capabilities of the two advisors in ACIM. The same
investment teams that currently manage the Funds will continue under the
proposed Management Agreement with ACIM.
WHY ARE THE DIRECTORS RECOMMENDING THE PROPOSED MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT?
The Directors have considered various matters in determining the
reasonableness and fairness of the fees payable by the Funds under the proposed
Management Agreement. In reaching their decision, the Directors examined and
weighed many factors, many of which are discussed in this Proxy State- ment.
Some of the factors the Directors used in reaching their determination: (1) the
benefits of the unified fee payable under the proposed Management Agreement over
the benefits payable under the current agreements through which the Funds
currently receive services; (2) the logical total expense ratio relationships
which result from the proposed Management Agreements; (3) the overall financial
impact to shareholders of the Funds as a group; (4) information concerning the
Funds' expense ratios on both an existing and pro forma basis; and (5)
competitive industry fee structures and expense ratios including, specifically,
the relationship of the total expense ratios under the proposed Management
Agreement and those of similar funds.
WHY AM I BEING ASKED TO ADOPT STANDARDIZED FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
LIMITATIONS?
Currently the Funds have fundamental investment restrictions which vary
between Companies and between Funds within the same Company. The funds also have
investment restrictions which reflect legal and other requirements which are no
longer applicable to the Funds. In the interests of efficiency in fund
management and compliance, the fund management has analyzed the fundamental
investment limitations and policies of the Funds in an effort to formulate a
standard set of policies for all Funds which reflect current industry practice
and will allow the Funds to respond to changes in regulatory and industry
practice without the expense and delay of a shareholder vote.
It should be noted that the adoption of the proposed changes is not
expected to substantially affect the way the Funds are managed.
Some of the proposed changes are quite technical. A full discussion of the
specific changes, as well as a further discussion of the benefits of
standardization, begins on page 30.
WHY ARE THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE BENHAM ADJUSTABLE RATE GOVERNMENT
SECURITIES FUND AND BENHAM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT BOND FUND BEING PROPOSED FOR
AMENDMENT?
Changes in the markets in which both Funds invest have made changes
advisable for these Funds to effectively pursue their respective investment
objectives.
Proxy Statement Proxy Statement Summary 4
BENHAM ADJUSTABLE RATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND. The amendment would
allow the Fund to broaden its investment universe to include other types of
short-term U.S. government securities. This is, in part, a response to the
investment manager's opinion that the market for adjustable rate government
securities has not developed as fully as the overall market for government
securities.
BENHAM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT BOND FUND. The amendment would allow the Fund to
broaden its investment universe to include high quality foreign debt securities
from all countries (except the United States) that satisfy its credit quality
standards. This is a response to changes in the market for European government
debt securities, particularly the prospect of currency unification in Europe.
WHEN WILL THE PROPOSALS TAKE EFFECT IF THEY ARE APPROVED?
If approved, the Proposed Management Agreement, the Proposed Subadvisory
Agreement, and the proposed changes to the fundamental investment limitations
will take effect on August 1, 1997. The proposals to change the investment
objectives of the Benham Adjustable Rate Government Securities Fund and the
Benham European Government Bond Fund will be effective on August 25, 1997. The
proposal regarding the ratification of Coopers & Lybrand does not involve any
changes from the Funds' current operations, so it will be effective immediately
upon approval.
WHO IS ASKING FOR MY VOTE?
Your Board of Directors is asking you to sign and return the enclosed proxy
so your votes can be cast at the Special Meeting. In the unlikely event your
Fund's meeting is adjourned, these proxies would also be voted at the reconvened
meeting.
IF I SEND MY PROXY IN NOW AS REQUESTED, CAN I LATER CHANGE MY VOTE?
A proxy can be revoked at any time by writing to us, by sending us another
proxy, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. Even if you plan to
attend the meeting and vote in person, we ask that you return the enclosed
proxy. Doing so will help us ensure that an adequate number of shares are
present at the meeting.
HOW DO I VOTE MY SHARES?
We've made it easy for you. You can vote by mail, phone, fax or in person
at the Special Meeting. To vote by mail, sign and send us the enclosed proxy
voting card in the envelope provided. You can fax your vote by signing the proxy
voting card and faxing both sides of the card to 1-888-PROXY-FAX
(1-888-776-9932). D.F. King & Co., our proxy solicitor, can accept your vote
over the phone -- simply call 1-800-755-3107. Or, you can vote in person at the
Special Meeting set for July 30, 1997.
If you have any questions regarding the proxy statement or need
assistance in voting your shares, please call D.F. King & Co., Inc. at
1-800-755-3107.
5 Proxy Statement Summary American Century Investments
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JULY 30, 1997
American Century Investments
4500 Main Street
P. O. Box 419200
Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6200
(800) 345-2021
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a joint Special Meeting of Shareholders of the
various series ("Funds" and, individually, a "Fund") of American Century
California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds, American Century Government Income
Trust, American Century International Bond Funds, American Century Investment
Trust, American Century Municipal Trust, American Century Quantitative Equity
Funds and American Century Target Maturities Trust, each a registered open-end
investment company (individually a "Company" and, collectively, the
"Companies"), will be held at the Companies' offices at 4500 Main Street, Kansas
City, Missouri, on Wednesday, July 30, 1997, at 10 a.m. Central time, for the
following purposes:
1. To ratify the selection of Coopers & Lybrand LLP as the independent
auditors of the Companies;
2. To approve a Management Agreement with American Century Investment
Management, Inc.;
3. To approve the adoption of standardized investment limitations by amending
or eliminating certain of the Companies' current fundamental investment
limitations;
4. ONLY FOR BENHAM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT BOND FUND. To approve of a Subadvisory
Agreement with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.;
5. ONLY FOR BENHAM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT BOND FUND. To approve an amendment to
its fundamental investment objective;
6. ONLY FOR BENHAM ADJUSTABLE RATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND. To approve an
amendment to its fundamental investment objective; and
7. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournment thereof.
This is a combined Notice and Proxy Statement for the Funds. The
shareholders of each Fund will vote only on those matters being considered by
their Fund. If you own shares of more than one of the Funds, you have received a
separate proxy for each Fund. Please complete, sign and return all proxies.
Proxy Statement Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders 6
Shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 2, 1997 (for
American Century Quantitative Equity Funds), or May 16, 1997 (for the rest of
the Companies), are the only persons entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting and any adjournments thereof. Your attention is directed to the attached
Proxy Statement.
We urge you to mark, sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy in the
postage-paid envelope provided so you will be represented at the meeting.
The Board of Directors of each Company recommends that you cast your vote
"FOR" each of the proposals.
June 2, 1997 BY ORDER OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
William M. Lyons
Executive Vice President
7 Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders American Century Investments
DETAILED DISCUSSION OF ISSUES
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors/Trustees (the
"Board of Directors") of the American Century investment companies listed above
in connection with a joint special meeting of shareholders to be held on
Wednesday, July 30, 1997, at the Companies' offices at 4500 Main Street, Kansas
City, Missouri, at 10 a.m. Central time, and any adjournments thereof. In this
proxy statement, an individual company will be referred to as a "Company,"
while, as a group, they will be called the "Companies." The shares of the
capital stock of each Company entitled to vote at the meeting are issued in
series representing different investment portfolios. A single series is called a
"Fund," while the series as a group will be called the "Funds."
The costs of soliciting proxies will be paid by American Century
Investment Management, Inc. (referred to in this Proxy Statement as "ACIM"),
the proposed investment manager of each Fund. The cost of preparing and
mailing the Notice of Meeting and this Proxy Statement will be paid by the
Funds under their current investment advisory agreement with Benham Management
Corporation ("BMC"). This Notice of Meeting and the Proxy Statement is first
being mailed to shareholders around June 2, 1997. ACIM, at its expense, has
hired the proxy solicitation firm of D. F. King & Co., Inc. to help solicit
proxies for the Meeting. Supplemental solicitations for the meeting may be
made by D. F. King & Co., Inc. or by ACIM, either personally or by mail,
telephone, or facsimile.
VOTING OF PROXIES. If you provide a proxy, you may revoke it before the
meeting by mailing written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the
respective Company before the meeting, or personally delivering your revocation
to the Secretary any time prior to the taking of the vote at the meeting. Unless
revoked, proxies that have been returned by shareholders without instructions
will be voted in favor of all proposals. In instances where choices are
specified on the proxy, those proxies will be voted as the shareholder has
instructed it be voted.
Common stock (in the case of American Century Quantitative Equity Funds)
and common shares (in the case of the other Companies) currently represent the
only class of securities of each Fund. The number of outstanding votes of each
Fund, as of the close of business on April 30, 1997, are shown on Schedule I,
which you will find at the end of this Proxy Statement.
Only those shareholders owning shares as of the close of business on May
16, 1997 (for all Companies except American Century Quantitative Equity Funds),
and June 2, 1997 (for American Century Quantitative Equity Funds), may vote at
the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Each share of each series or class gets
one vote for each dollar of a Fund's net asset value the share represents. If we
do not receive enough "for" votes by July 30,
Proxy Statement Detailed Discussion of Issues 8
1997, to approve the proposals being considered at the meeting, the named
proxies may propose adjourning the meeting to allow the gathering of more proxy
votes. An adjournment requires a vote "for" by a majority of the votes present
at the meeting (whether in person or by proxy). The named proxies will vote the
"for" votes they have received in favor of the adjournment, and any "against" or
"abstain" votes will count as votes against adjournment. An abstention on any
proposal will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum
of shares is present at the meeting with respect to the proposal on which the
abstention is noted, but will be counted as a vote against such proposal.
Abstentions and broker non-votes (i.e., proxies sent in by brokers and
other nominees that cannot be voted on a proposal because instructions have not
been received from the beneficial owners) will be counted for purposes of
determining whether or not a quorum is present for purposes of convening the
meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will, however, be considered to be a
vote against the proposals.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Benham Management Corporation ("BMC") is each Fund's
investment advisor. American Century Services Corporation ("ACSC"), an
affiliate of BMC, provides each Fund with transfer agency and administrative
services. American Century Investment Management, Inc. ("ACIM"), the proposed
investment manager, is also an affiliate of BMC. BMC, ACSC and ACIM are wholly
owned subsidiaries of American Century Companies, Inc. ("ACC"). The mailing
address of ACC, BMC, ACIM, ACSC and the Funds is P.O. Box 419200, Kansas City,
Missouri 64141-6200.
ANNUAL REPORT. Each Fund will furnish, without charge, a copy of its most
recent annual report and semiannual report upon request. To request these
materials, please call American Century at 1-800-345-2021.
9 Detailed Discussion of Issues American Century Investments
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARE OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth, as of May 5, 1997, the share ownership of
those shareholders known by ACIM to own more than 5% of a Fund's
outstanding shares.
Percent
Name of Beneficial Owner Shares Beneficially Owned of Fund
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Allied Clearings Co 298,366 (Short Treasury) 7.9%
Pasadena, CA 91109
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Investment Management 166,872 (Florida Intermediate) 12.8%
Kansas City, MO 64111 101,082 (Inflation-Adjusted Treasury) 33.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PACO 809,063 (California Limited) 7.5%
Los Angeles, CA 90078
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 579,548 (Arizona) 19.9%
San Francisco, CA 94104 1,313,719 (ARM) 5.5%
3,019,539 (California High Yield) 16.4%
1,331,166 (California Insured) 7.2%
6,725,946 (California Intermediate) 17.5%
1,716,043 (California Limited) 15.9%
1,829,188 (California Long) 6.9%
4,519,842 (Equity Growth) 19.0%
6,447,421 (European Bond) 31.8%
146,197 (Florida Intermediate) 11.2%
5,640,041 (Gold) 14.8%
20,070,144 (GNMA) 18.6%
8,861,330 (Income & Growth) 18.5%
712,459 (Intermediate Tax-Free) 12.5%
3,096,868 (Intermediate Treasury) 9.7%
590,571 (Long Tax-Free) 12.9%
7,687,292 (Long Treasury) 56.0%
1,091,937 (Natural Resources) 20.9%
645,779 (Short Treasury) 17.0%
480,082 (Target 2000) 15.1%
692,603 (Target 2005) 17.0%
499,849 (Target 2010) 20.7%
742,667 (Target 2015) 22.1%
12,320,975 (Target 2020) 32.9%
1,107,606 (Target 2025) 31.8%
1,388,448 (Utilities) 12.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ellen Haebler Skove 5,057,311 (Tax-Free Money Market) 6.0%
Key Largo, FL 33037
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leonard Chase 32,059 (Inflation-Adjusted Treasury) 10.7%
Palm Bay, FL 32905
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J Harriss Morgan TTEE 314,616 (Short Treasury) 8.3%
Greenville, TX 75403
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lorillard Inc. 3,223,556 (Intermediate Treasury) 10.1%
New York, NY 10003
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M Franklin Rudy and Margaret Rudy 21,172,899 (California Tax-Free Money Market) 5.1%
Calabasas, CA 91302
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Pershing Div. of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette 959,935 (Natural Resources) 18.4%
Jersey City, NJ 07303
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Holder of record, rather than beneficial owner.
</TABLE>
Proxy Statement Share Ownership 10
PROPOSAL 1:
RATIFICATION OF
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Investment Company Act, which is the primary federal law that regulates
the Companies, requires every registered investment company be audited at least
once a year by independent auditors selected by the Board of Directors,
including a majority of the Directors who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act). The Investment Company Act also requires
that the selection be submitted for ratification by the shareholders at their
next meeting following the selection.
At the meeting, the shareholders of each Company will be asked to ratify
the selection of Coopers & Lybrand LLP as each Company's independent auditors.
The Board of Directors chose Coopers & Lybrand upon the recommendation of the
Audit Committee of the Board following an exhaustive selection process during
which the Audit Committee reviewed proposals and conducted interviews with
representatives from each of the so-called "big six" accounting firms and one
regional firm with significant investment company experience. The Board selected
Coopers & Lybrand based upon its expertise as an auditor of investment
companies, the quality of its audit services, its commitment of experienced
audit personnel to the Funds, its tax and international experience in the mutual
fund area, and its use and commitment of technology in performing its audit
functions.
Coopers & Lybrand has no direct or material indirect financial interest in
the Companies or in BMC, ACIM or ACC, other than receipt of fees for services to
the Companies. Coopers & Lybrand representatives will be present at the meeting
and will have an opportunity to make a statement to the shareholders and to
respond to questions.
The approval of a majority of the votes of each Company represented at the
meeting, provided at least a quorum is represented in person or by proxy, is
necessary to ratify the selection of the independent auditors. Unless otherwise
instructed, the proxies will vote for the ratification of the selection of
Coopers & Lybrand as each Company's independent auditors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
"FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF COOPERS & LYBRAND LLP.
11 Proposal 1 American Century Investments
PROPOSAL 2:
APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
SUMMARY
The Directors of the Companies are proposing for shareholder approval a new
management agreement between the Companies and ACIM (the "Proposed Management
Agreement"). To lessen shareholder confusion and increase shareholder
understanding of the fees each Fund pays, the Proposed Management Agreement
would replace the Companies' current investment advisory agreements with BMC, an
affiliate of ACIM. Under the Proposed Management Agreement, ACIM will provide,
or arrange for the provision of, all services required by a Fund in exchange for
one "unified" fee. If this proposal is approved, the current investment advisory
agreements will terminate. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS THAT
CURRENTLY MANAGE THE FUNDS WILL NOT CHANGE, BUT WILL CONTINUE UNDER THE PROPOSED
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT.
While the unified fees paid under the Proposed Management Agreement are not
directly comparable to those of the Companies' current agreements with their
service providers, the effect of the Proposed Management Agreement would have
been a net decrease in total expenses paid by all of the Funds as a group if the
Proposed Management Agreement had been in effect during the year ended December
31, 1996. Additionally, the Directors considered the effect of the Proposed
Management Agreement on each of the Funds individually. The management fees
payable under the Proposed Management Agreement have been set at levels which
make the total expense ratios of each individual Fund more rational relative to
those of the other Funds. As a result, had the Proposed Management Agreement
been in effect during the year ended December 31, 1996, the total expense ratio
of some Funds would have been higher, some would have been lower, and some would
have remained unchanged. With respect to those Funds for which the total expense
ratio for the prior year would have increased, it is important to note that in
no case is the unified fee contained in the Proposed Management Agreement higher
than the maximum total expense ratio which could have been paid by the Funds
under their current agreements. More details about the changes appear in the
discussion which follows.
Shareholders are being asked to approve the Proposed Management Agreement,
which would replace the Funds' current Investment Advisory Agreement and
Administration Agreement (both of which are described below under "Current
Advisory Agreements"). The factors considered by the Directors in determining
the reasonableness and fairness of the proposed management fees are described
below under "Factors Considered by the Directors". A copy of the Proposed
Management Agreement is set forth as Appendix I to this Proxy Statement.
Proxy Statement Proposal 2 12
CURRENT AGREEMENTS
Overview. Currently, BMC provides investment advisory services to each Fund
pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between BMC and each Company dated
June 1, 1995 (collectively, the "Current Advisory Agreements"). American Century
Services Corporation ("ACSC"), an affiliate of BMC, also provides administrative
and transfer agency services to each Fund pursuant to a Transfer Agency and
Administrative Services Agreement dated September 3, 1996 (collectively, the
"Administration Agreements").
Advisory Agreements. Under the Current Advisory Agreements, BMC is
responsible for providing each Fund with continuous investment advice with
regard to each Fund's portfolio, preparing and making available to the Fund
necessary research and statistical data, supervising the purchase and sale of
specific investments by the Fund and performing such other services as are
reasonably incidental to such duties. Additionally, BMC furnishes each Fund with
office space and persons to serve as directors and officers of the Funds. In
return for these services, each of the Companies pays BMC an annual advisory fee
as described in the table below.
<TABLE>
Company Advisory Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
American Century Target Maturities Trust 0.35% of the first $750 million
0.25% of the next $750 million
0.24% of the next $1 billion
0.23% of the next $1 billion
0.22% of the next $1 billion
0.21% of the next $1 billion
0.20% of the next $1 billion
0.19% of the net assets over $6.5 billion
American Century International Bond Funds 0.45% of the first $200 million
0.40% of the next $300 million
0.35% of the next $1 billion
0.34% of the next $1 billion
0.33% of the next $1 billion
0.32% of the next $1 billion
0.31% of the next $1 billion
0.30% of the next $1 billion
0.29% of the net assets over $6.5 billion
All Other Companies 0.50% of the first $100 million
0.45% of the next $100 million
0.40% of the next $100 million
0.35% of the next $100 million
0.30% of the next $100 million
0.25% of the next $1 billion
0.24% of the next $1 billion
0.23% of the next $1 billion
0.22% of the next $1 billion
0.21% of the next $1 billion
0.20% of the next $1 billion
0.19% of the net assets over $6.5 billion
</TABLE>
13 Proposal 2 American Century Investments
The Advisory Fee is calculated by applying the net assets of each Company
to the appropriate fee schedule set forth above. Each Fund pays BMC a monthly
investment advisory fee equal to its proportionate share of its Company's
Advisory Fee. In addition to the fees set forth above, the American Century
Global Natural Resources Fund is also subject to the following additional
annualized fee based on that Fund's assets: 0.05% of the first $500 million,
0.04% of the next $500 million; and 0.03% of the net assets over $1 billion.
The Current Advisory Agreements were last approved by shareholders at a
meeting held on May 31, 1995.
Administrative Agreements. ACSC serves as each Fund's transfer agent and
administrative agent pursuant to the Administrative Agreements. Transfer agency
services include processing purchase and redemption orders, effecting transfers
of Fund shares, maintaining a Fund's stock registry records and performing other
duties usually and customarily performed by transfer agents. Administrative
services performed by ACSC under each Administrative Agreement include
maintaining and keeping current required books and records, calculating the
Fund's net asset value each business day, preparing and supplying the Funds with
required daily and periodic reports, processing dividends and distributions,
preparation and mailing of tax information forms, and mailing of annual and
semi-annual reports of the Funds.
In return for these administrative services, each of the Companies pays
ACSC an annual administration fee. The administrative fee is calculated by
applying the net assets of each Company to the appropriate fee schedule set
forth in the table below
Aggregate Fund Assets Fee Rate
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to $4.5 billion 0.11%
Up to $6.0 billion 0.10%
Up to $9.0 billion 0.09%
Balance over $9.0 billion 0.08%
In return for transfer agency services provided, each of the Companies also
pay ACSC a fee based on the number of shareholder accounts maintained and each
shareholder transaction executed on behalf of the Funds. The administration fee
and the transfer agency fee are paid monthly in three installments.
Expenses. In addition to the fees paid to BMC and ACSC, each Fund pays all
of its operating expenses. Such expenses include costs incurred in the purchase
and sale of investment securities, interest, taxes, custodian fees and charges,
costs of reports and proxy materials sent to Fund shareholders, fees of
independent auditors and legal counsel, costs of printing prospectuses, costs of
registering Fund shares, postage and insurance premiums. The Current Advisory
Agreements obligate BMC to reimburse the Funds for all Fund expenses (except for
brokerage commissions and other expenditures in connection with the purchase and
sale of portfolio securities, interest
Proxy Statement Proposal 2 14
expense, taxes, portfolio insurance premiums, rating agency fees and
extraordinary expenses) which for any fiscal year exceed certain limitations
("Expense Limitations"). These Expense Limitations are summarized in the table
below. Additionally, from time to time, BMC may voluntarily waive fees or
reimburse the Funds for expenses that exceed certain thresholds. Current Total
Expense Ratio Limitations (as a percentage of average daily net assets).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Expense
Fund Short Name Limitation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
American Century Equity Growth Fund Equity Growth 0.75%
American Century Global Gold Fund Gold 0.75%
American Century Global Natural Resources Fund Natural Resources 0.75%
American Century Income & Growth Fund Income & Growth 0.75%
American Century Utilities Fund Utilities 0.75%
Benham Adjustable Rate Government Securities Fund ARM 0.60%
Benham Arizona Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund Arizona 0.67%
Benham California High-Yield Municipal Fund California High Yield 0.59%
Benham California Insured Tax-Free Fund California Insured 0.59%
Benham California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Fund California Intermediate 0.59%
Benham California Limited-Term Tax-Free Fund California Limited 0.59%
Benham California Long-Term Tax-Free Fund California Long 0.59%
Benham California Municipal Money Market Fund California Muni 0.60%
Money Market
Benham California Tax-Free Money Market Fund California Tax-Free 0.53%
Money Market
Benham European Government Bond Fund European Bond 0.90%
Benham Florida Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund Florida Intermediate 0.67%
Benham Florida Municipal Money Market Fund Florida Money Market 0.61%
Benham GNMA Fund GNMA 0.60%
Benham Government Agency Money Market Fund Government Agency 0.60%
Benham Inflation-Adjusted Treasury Fund Inflation-Adjusted Treasury 0.50%
Benham Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Fund Intermediate Tax-Free 0.67%
Benham Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund Intermediate Treasury 0.60%
Benham Long-Term Tax-Free Fund Long Tax-Free 0.67%
Benham Long-Term Treasury Fund Long Treasury 0.60%
Benham Prime Money Market Fund Prime 0.50%
Benham Short-Term Treasury Fund Short Treasury 0.60%
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2000 Target 2000 0.62%
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2005 Target 2005 0.62%
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2010 Target 2010 0.62%
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2015 Target 2015 0.62%
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2020 Target 2020 0.62%
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2025 Target 2025 0.62%
Benham Tax-Free Money Market Fund Tax-Free Money Market 0.67%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
15 Proposal 2 American Century Investments
Under the Current Advisory Agreements, BMC may recover (recoup) amounts
absorbed on behalf of a Fund during the preceding 11 months if, and to the
extent that, for any given month, the Fund's expenses were less than the expense
limit in effect at that time. Brokerage commissions paid in connection with the
purchase and sale of securities or other assets (which are generally considered
part of the cost of the asset), taxes (if any) paid by the Fund, or
extraordinary expenses, such as litigation and indemnification expenses do not
count against the Expense Limitations.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Duties of ACIM. The Proposed Management Agreement requires ACIM to:
(1) supervise and manage the investment portfolios of the Companies and
direct the purchase and sale of investment securities, subject only to
any directions of the Companies' Boards of Directors, and
(2) pay all the expenses of the Companies except brokerage, taxes,
interest, portfolio insurance, fees and expenses of the non-interested
person Directors (including counsel fees) and extraordinary expenses.
The Proposed Management Agreement therefore provides that ACIM will provide
or arrange for the provision of all services needed by the Funds, including
those currently provided to the Funds by BMC under the Current Advisory
Agreements and by ACSC under the Administration Agreement. The text of the
Proposed Management Agreement is attached as Appendix I to this Proxy Statement.
Management Fee. Under the Proposed Management Agreement, the Funds will pay
to ACIM a "unified" fee which is calculated as a percentage of average daily net
assets of each Fund. The exact fee is calculated using a series of formulas
which are described below. The unified fee is an "all-inclusive" fee which
includes payment for investment advisory, administrative, shareholder and other
miscellaneous services provided to the Funds. If the Proposed Management
Agreement is approved, all of the fees payable separately under the Current
Agreements would be replaced by the unified management fee.
The formula for calculating a Fund's management fee is the sum of two
components: (1) a fee component based on the net assets of a Fund's investment
category and (2) a fee component based on the aggregate net assets under
management of the American Century family of mutual funds. The management fee
rates payable under the Proposed Management Agreement decrease as the net assets
of a particular Fund's investment category (as described below) increase. The
management fee rates also decrease as the net assets of the American Century
family of mutual funds increase. The fee components are added together to
calculate the total management fee. The total management fee is expressed as an
annual percentage of average net
Proxy Statement Proposal 2 16
assets of the Fund payable to ACIM for providing services under the Proposed
Management Agreement. The management fee is paid to ACIM monthly.
Calculation of Management Fee. The calculation of the total unified
management fee for a Fund is as follows:
(1) Each Fund has been assigned to one of three categories based on its overall
investment objective: Money Market Funds, Bond Funds and Equity Funds. The
individual Funds' investment category assignments appear in Exhibit B to
the Proposed Management Agreement. The investment categories are defined as
follows:
(a) Money Market Fund Category. The Money Market Fund Category includes
the assets of all mutual funds that are managed by ACIM to maintain by
a stable $1.00 share price (usually referred to as money market
funds), invest primar-ily in debt securities, and are subject to Rule
2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. The Money Market Fund Cate-gory
assets were $6,981,684,708 as of December 31, 1996.
(b) Bond Fund Category. The Bond Fund Category includes the assets of all
mutual funds managed by ACIM which invest primarily in debt securities
and are not subject to Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act
(i.e., are not money market funds). The Bond Fund Category assets were
$5,211,680,134 as of December 31, 1996.
(c) Equity Fund Category. The Equity Fund Category includes the assets of
all mutual funds managed by ACIM which invest primarily in equity
securities. The Equity FundCate-gory assets were $41,300,106,724 as of
December 31, 1996.
(2) Separate fee schedules apply to each investment category. These Schedules
are listed in Exhibit C to the Proposed Management Agreement. The total
assets of the Funds in that Investment Category determine the first
component of a Fund's fee. This fee rate component is referred to as the
"Investment Category Fee."
(3) The second management fee component relates to the assets of the American
Century family of funds as a whole and is calculated based on the total
assets in all three investment categories. This fee rate component is
referred to as the a Fund's "Complex Fee" and is determined by the schedule
which appears as Exhibit D to the Proposed Management Agreement. The
complex assets were $53,493,471,566 as of December 31, 1996.
(4) The Management Fee for a Fund is the total of its Investment Category Fee
and the Complex Fee.
17 Proposal 2 American Century Investments
On the first business day of each month, the required fee to be paid to
ACIM is calculated and paid for the previous month. The fee for the previous
month will be calculated by multiplying the Management Fee for a Fund by the
aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund during the previous month, and
then multiplying that product by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days in the previous month, and the denominator of which is the number
of days in the current year.
Affiliation of BMC and ACIM. If the Proposed Management Agreements are
approved, ACIM will become the investment manager of the Funds. However, the
investment management of the Funds, including the personnel who are responsible
for managing the Funds, will not be affected in any way as a result. Certain
investment professionals of ACIM currently provide investment management
services to the Funds through an arrangement with BMC. Similarly, certain
investment professionals of BMC provide investment management services to mutual
funds managed by ACIM. If the Proposed Management Agreements are approved, ACIM
intends to consolidate the investment management capabilities of the two
investment advisers in a single corporate entity, ACIM. ACIM would then be the
investment manager for all funds in the American Century family. ACIM and BMC
are both wholly owned subsidiaries of ACC.
FEE AND EXPENSE COMPARISON
The following tables set forth for each Fund the total fees and expenses as
of the year ended December 31, 1996 (except as noted), under the Current
Advisory and Administrative Agreements and the total fees and expenses had the
Proposed Management Agreement been in effect during that period, and the
difference between the two.
<TABLE>
Aggregate Fees Change from Current
and Expenses Advisory Agreements
------------------------------- -------------------------
Current Proposed (% total (% of avg.
Advisory Management Expenses) Net Assets)
Fund Agreements* Agreements
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS HIGHER THAN CURRENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gold $3,387,229 $3,882,728 14.63% 0.09%
Income & Growth $3,273,957 $3,733,599 14.04% 0.09%
Equity Growth $1,269,488 $1,423,423 12.13% 0.08%
California High Yield $709,406 $767,043 8.12% 0.04%
California Intermediate $2,068,968 $2,235,249 8.04% 0.04%
California Long $1,387,224 $1,498,555 8.03% 0.04%
GNMA $6,210,447 $6,655,411 7.16% 0.04%
Target 2000 $1,569,332 $1,672,555 6.58% 0.04%
California Insured $928,625 $981,975 5.75% 0.03%
California Limited $510,221 $532,838 4.43% 0.02%
European Bond $2,085,351 $2,141,198 2.68% 0.02%
California Tax-Free Money Market $2,107,699 $2,161,509 2.55% 0.01%
Target 2020 $4,895,381 $5,013,881 2.42% 0.01%
ARM $1,629,202 $1,666,030 2.26% 0.01%
Proxy Statement Proposal 2 18
Aggregate Fees Change from Current
and Expenses Advisory Agreements
------------------------------- -------------------------
Current Proposed (% total (% of avg.
Advisory Management Expenses) Net Assets)
Fund Agreements* Agreements
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS SAME AS CURRENT
Target 2005 $1,394,634 $1,409,456 1.06% 0.01%
Intermediate Treasury $1,606,204 $1,607,214 0.06% 0.00%
Utilities $1,197,754 $1,194,745 (0.25)% (0.00)%
PROPOSED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS LOWER THAN CURRENT
California Municipal Money Market $1,002,334 $975,832 (2.64)% (0.01)%
Prime $7,853,743 $7,567,880 (3.64)% (0.02)%
Target 2015 $770,388 $720,879 (6.43)% (0.04)%
Target 2010 $732,827 $676,988 (7.62)% (0.05)%
Government Agency $2,722,570 $2,364,995 (13.13)% (0.07)%
Long Treasury $714,783 $597,584 (16.40)% (0.10)%
Short Treasury $240,676 $188,342 (21.74)% (0.15)%
Natural Resources $451,784 $343,143 (24.05)% (0.23)%
Florida Money Market $771,787 $578,179 (25.09)% (0.17)%
Intermediate Tax-Free $466,609 $331,576 (28.94)% (0.21)%
Target 2025 $211,075 $149,147 (29.34)% (0.25)%
Tax-Free Money Market $650,541 $453,186 (30.34)% (0.22)%
Long Tax-Free $404,079 $280,796 (30.51)% (0.23)%
Arizona $208,571 $136,973 (34.33)% (0.27)%
Florida Intermediate Municipal $97,376 $57,049 (41.41)% (0.37)%
Inflation-Adjusted Treasury** $35,056 $2,200 (93.72)% (2.22)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*Without BMC's voluntary fee waiver, expense reimbursement and/or expense
recoupment, which resulted in the following actual net fees and expenses for the
Funds indicated: Arizona, $134,954; ARM, $1,621,983; European Bond, $2,057,194;
Florida Intermediate, $54,769; Florida Money Market, $0; Government Agency,
$1,606,204; Inflation-Adjusted Treasury, $7,394; Intermediate Tax-Free,
$432,230; Intermediate Treasury, $2,741,738; Long Tax-Free, $367,448; Long
Treasury, $715,533; Natural Resources, $357,405; Prime, $6,284,818; Short
Treasury, $222,559; Target 2010, $773,123; Target 2015, $804,655; Target 2020,
$5,014,920; Target 2025, $164,135; Tax-Free Money Market, $592,198; and
Utilities, $1,219,233.
**Figures presented for Inflation-Adjusted Treasury are from commencement
of operations (February 10, 1997) through March 31, 1997.
The following table shows the transaction expenses paid by a shareholder of
the Funds under the Current Advisory and Administrative Agreements and under the
Proposed Management Agreement.
19 Proposal 2 American Century Investments
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES--ALL FUNDS
Under Current Under Proposed
Advisory Management
Agreements Agreements
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases None None
Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends None None
Deferred Sales Load None None
Redemption Fees* None None
Exchange Fees None None
- --------------------
* Under both agreements, redemption proceeds sent by wire transfer are
subject to a $10 processing fee
<TABLE>
Management Fee Other Expenses Total Expenses
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Fund Current Proposed Current Proposed Current Proposed
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS HIGHER THAN CURRENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gold 0.27% 0.70% 0.35% 0.00% 0.62% 0.71%
Income & Growth 0.36% 0.70% 0.26% 0.00% 0.62% 0.71%
Equity Growth 0.35% 0.70% 0.28% 0.01% 0.63% 0.71%
California High Yield 0.31% 0.54% 0.20% 0.01% 0.51% 0.55%
California Intermediate 0.29% 0.51% 0.19% 0.01% 0.48% 0.52%
California Long 0.29% 0.51% 0.19% 0.01% 0.48% 0.52%
GNMA 0.28% 0.59% 0.28% 0.01% 0.56% 0.60%
Target 2000 0.25% 0.59% 0.31% 0.01% 0.56% 0.60%
California Insured 0.29% 0.51% 0.20% 0.01% 0.49% 0.52%
California Limited 0.30% 0.51% 0.20% 0.01% 0.50% 0.52%
European Bond 0.43% 0.85% 0.41% 0.02% 0.84% 0.87%
California Tax-Free Money Market 0.29% 0.50% 0.20% 0.00% 0.49% 0.50%
Target 2020 0.28% 0.59% 0.30% 0.01% 0.58% 0.60%
ARM 0.26% 0.59% 0.32% 0.01% 0.58% 0.60%
PROPOSED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS SAME AS CURRENT
Target 2005 0.26% 0.59% 0.33% 0.01% 0.59% 0.60%
Intermediate Treasury 0.29% 0.51% 0.23% 0.01% 0.52% 0.52%
Utilities 0.26% 0.70% 0.45% 0.01% 0.71% 0.71%
PROPOSED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS LOWER THAN CURRENT
California Muni Money Market 0.29% 0.50% 0.23% 0.00% 0.52% 0.50%
Prime 0.30% 0.60% 0.32% 0.00% 0.62% 0.60%
Target 2015 0.24% 0.59% 0.40% 0.01% 0.64% 0.60%
Target 2010 0.25% 0.59% 0.40% 0.01% 0.65% 0.60%
Government Agency 0.27% 0.48% 0.28% 0.00% 0.55% 0.48%
Long Treasury 0.29% 0.51% 0.33% 0.01% 0.62% 0.52%
Short Treasury 0.28% 0.51% 0.40% 0.02% 0.68% 0.53%
Natural Resources 0.40% 0.70% 0.55% 0.02% 0.95% 0.72%
Florida Money Market 0.48% 0.50% 0.19% 0.00% 0.67% 0.50%
Intermediate Tax-Free 0.43% 0.51% 0.31% 0.01% 0.73% 0.52%
Proxy Statement Proposal 2 20
Management Fee Other Expenses Total Expenses
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Fund Current Proposed Current Proposed Current Proposed
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS LOWER THAN CURRENT (CONT.)
Target 2025 0.42% 0.59% 0.43% 0.01% 0.85% 0.60%
Tax-Free Money Market 0.43% 0.50% 0.29% 0.00% 0.72% 0.50%
Long Tax-Free 0.43% 0.51% 0.32% 0.01% 0.75% 0.52%
Arizona 0.44% 0.51% 0.36% 0.01% 0.80% 0.52%
Florida Intermediate 0.43% 0.51% 0.47% 0.02% 0.90% 0.53%
Inflation-Adjusted Treasury 0.28% 0.51% 2.09% 0.07% 2.37% 0.58%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The annual operating expenses for certain Funds are expressed without
including BMC's voluntary fee waiver, expense reimbursement and/or expense
recoupment. After such waiver, reimbursement and/or recoupment, the Management
Fee, Other Expenses and Total Fund Operating Expenses under the current Advisory
Agreement would be, respectively: Arizona, 0.16%, 0.35% and 0.51%; ARM, 0.26%,
0.32% and 0.58%; European Bond, 0.42%, 0.41% and 0.83%; Florida Intermediate,
0.04%, 0.47% and 0.51%; Florida Money Market, 0.00%, 0.00% and 0.00%; Government
Agency, 0.05%, 0.28% and 0.33%; Inflation-Adjusted Treasury, 0.00%, 0.50% and
0.50%; Intermediate Tax-Free, 0.37%, 0.31% and 0.68%; Intermediate Treasury,
0.65%, 0.23% and 0.88%; Long Tax-Free, 0.36%, 0.32% and 0.68%; Long Treasury,
0.29%, 0.33% and 0.62%; Natural Resources, 0.20%, 0.55% and 0.75%; Prime, 0.18%,
0.32% and 0.50%; Short Treasury, 0.23%, 0.40% and 0.63%; Target 2010, 0.29%,
0.40% and 0.69%; Target 2015, 0.27%, 0.40% and 0.67%; Target 2020, 0.30%, 0.30%
and 0.60%; Target 2025, 0.24%, 0.43% and 0.66%; Tax-Free Money Market, 0.36%,
0.29% and 0.66%; Utilities, 0.28%, 0.45% and 0.73%.
If the Proposed Management Agreement is approved, ACIM will continue to
waive expenses which exceed 0.50% of the average daily net assets for Prime and
Inflation-Adjusted Treasury until May 31, 1998. ACIM will also waive its entire
Management Fee and absorb the Other Expenses of the Tax-Free Money Market Fund
until August 1, 1998. The Management Fee, Other Expenses and Total Fund
Operating Expenses for these Funds under the Proposed Management Agreement
therefore would be: Inflation-Adjusted Treasury, 0.44%, 0.06% and 0.50%; Prime,
0.50%, 0.00% and 0.50%; Tax-Free Money Market, 0.00%, 0.00% and 0.00%.
The following example illustrates a hypothetical shareholder's total
expenses on a $1,000 investment in a Fund, assuming a five percent annual return
and redemption at the end of each period, under both the Current Advisory
Agreements (without voluntary fee waivers, expense reimbursements and/or expense
recoupments) and the Proposed Management Agreements (without voluntary fee
waivers) . The example should not be considered a representation of past or
future expenses; actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.
21 Proposal 2 American Century Investments
<TABLE>
1 Year 3 Year 5 Year 10 year
Fund Current Proposed Current Proposed Current Proposed Current Proposed
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS HIGHER THAN CURRENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gold $6 $7 $20 $23 $34 $39 $77 $88
Income & Growth $6 $7 $20 $23 $35 $39 $77 $88
Equity Growth $6 $7 $20 $23 $35 $39 $79 $88
California High Yield $5 $6 $16 $18 $28 $31 $64 $69
California Intermediate $5 $5 $15 $17 $27 $29 $60 $65
California Long $5 $5 $15 $17 $27 $29 $60 $65
GNMA $6 $6 $18 $19 $31 $33 $70 $75
Target 2000 $6 $6 $18 $19 $31 $33 $70 $75
California Insured $5 $5 $16 $17 $27 $29 $62 $65
California Limited $5 $5 $16 $17 $28 $29 $63 $65
European Bond $9 $9 $27 $28 $47 $48 $104 $107
California Tax-Free Money Market $5 $5 $16 $16 $27 $28 $61 $63
Target 2020 $6 $6 $19 $19 $33 $33 $73 $75
ARM $6 $6 $19 $19 $33 $33 $73 $75
PROPOSED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS SAME AS CURRENT
Target 2005 $6 $6 $19 $19 $33 $33 $74 $75
Intermediate Treasury $5 $5 $17 $17 $29 $29 $65 $65
Utilities $7 $7 $23 $23 $40 $40 $89 $88
PROPOSED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS LOWER THAN CURRENT
California Municipal Money Market $5 $5 $17 $16 $29 $28 $65 $63
Prime $6 $6 $20 $19 $35 $34 $78 $75
Target 2015 $7 $6 $21 $19 $36 $34 $80 $75
Target 2010 $7 $6 $21 $19 $36 $34 $81 $75
Government Agency $6 $5 $18 $15 $31 $27 $69 $60
Long Treasury $6 $5 $20 $17 $35 $29 $78 $65
Short Treasury $7 $5 $22 $17 $38 $30 $85 $67
Natural Resources $10 $7 $30 $23 $53 $40 $117 $90
Florida Money Market $7 $5 $21 $16 $37 $28 $84 $63
Intermediate Tax-Free $7 $5 $23 $17 $41 $29 $91 $65
Target 2025 $9 $6 $27 $19 $47 $34 $105 $75
Tax-Free Money Market $7 $5 $23 $16 $40 $28 $90 $63
Long Tax-Free $8 $5 $24 $17 $42 $29 $93 $65
Arizona $8 $5 $25 $17 $44 $29 $98 $66
Florida Intermediate Municipal $9 $5 $29 $17 $50 $29 $111 $66
Inflation-Adjusted Treasury $24 $6 $74 $18 N/A N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
Proxy Statement Proposal 2 22
FACTORS CONSIDERED BY THE DIRECTORS
The Directors have considered various matters in determining the
reasonableness and fairness of the fees payable by each of the Funds under the
Proposed Management Agreement. The Directors' legal counsel advised the
Directors on the matters to be considered and the standards to be used by the
Directors in reaching their decision.
In reaching their decision, the Directors examined and weighed many
factors, including: (1) the benefits to shareholders of the unified fee payable
under the Proposed Management Agreement over the benefits payable under the
Current Advisory Agreements and Administration Agreements; (2) the logical total
expense ratio relationships which result under the Proposed Management
Agreements; (3) the overall financial impact to shareholders of the Funds as a
group; (4) the nature and quality of the services rendered and the results
achieved by BMC in the areas of investment management (including investment
performance comparisons with the Funds' established benchmark indices) and
administrative services; (5) changes in the mutual fund industry that have
affected the Funds; (6) the payments received by BMC and its affiliates,
including ACIM, from the Funds; (7) extensive financial, personnel and
structural information as to ACIM's organization, including the costs borne by
ACIM and its affiliates in providing services of all types to the Funds; (8) the
organizational capabilities and financial condition of ACIM; (9) an analysis of
the proposed fee rate changes; (10) information concerning each of the Funds'
expense ratios on both an existing and pro forma basis; (11) competitive
industry fee structures and expense ratios including, specifically, the
relationship of the total expense ratios under the Proposed Management Agreement
for each Fund and those of similar funds; and (12) a comparison of the overall
profitability of ACIM to the profitability of certain other investment advisers;
and (13) any other benefits which ACIM and its affiliates (including BMC) may
receive from the current relationship to the Funds.
Certain of the factors addressed by the Directors in reaching its
determination are discussed in more detail below.
BENEFITS OF THE UNIFIED FEE
One characteristic of the Proposed Management Agreement's unified fee
considered by the Directors is that it results in a single management fee for
the Funds. As described above, each Fund currently pays a a number of separate
fees: an investment advisory fee, administrative services fee, and transfer
agency fees in the form of an account fee and transaction fees. Each Fund also
pays all of its other expenses. All of these separate fees and expenses comprise
the total expense ratio under the current structure. As discussed previously,
total expenses of each Fund are "capped" at the limits set forth in the Current
Advisory Agreements, but certain expenses in excess of the cap can be recovered
in certain instances. The Directors, BMC and ACIM have concluded that this
structure is unnecessarily complicated and
23 Proposal 2 American Century Investments
should be replaced by a simpler structure in which ACIM provides, or arranges
for the provision of, investment advisory, administrative, share-holder and
other miscellaneous services in exchange for one unified fee.
Another characteristic of the proposed unified fee considered by the
Directors is the operation of its scheduled fee reductions as assets in a Fund's
Investment Category and in the American Century complex of funds increase. In
this way, the Funds can benefit from economies of scale that should become
available to ACIM as assets under its management grow. Many mutual funds,
including the Funds, feature fee schedules which decrease the effective fee as
assets grow in size. However, because the many of the fee schedules examined by
ACIM and the Directors impact only one relatively small component of total
expenses--the investment advisory fee--the benefits of asset growth are often
not reflected in total expense ratios of these mutual funds due to increases in
other expenses paid by such mutual funds. Because nearly all of these expenses
are paid by ACIM under the proposed unified management fee, Fund shareholders
will benefit directly as assets in the Funds increase over time. Under the
Proposed Management Agreement, shareholders will enjoy lower expenses as assets
in the American Century family grow regardless of increases in the costs of
providing services to the Funds.
RATIONALIZED TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS
The Directors also considered the whether the total expense ratios of the
Funds under the Proposed Management Agreement would represent the rational
differences in the cost of managing different types of Funds. The Directors
examined both the initial determination of the resulting total expense ratios
(i.e., the Management Fee) and the ability to maintain the Fund's rational total
expense ratios over time.
Determination of Appropriate Fund Total Expense Ratios. The Directors
examined the fees paid under the Current Advisory Agreements and the resulting
total expense ratios of the Funds. This total expense ratio represents the sum
of the Fund expense paid for by mutual fund shareholders. A mutual fund's
shareholders cannot "buy" a fund's investment advisory services alone without
"buying" a mutual fund's "other" expenses. As a result, the Directors concluded
that the relevant cost to a shareholder is a mutual fund's total expense ratio.
The Directors then examined the expectations for the total expense ratios
of funds by investment type. The Directors determined that the total expense
ratios of mutual funds appear to be influenced, among other factors, by two
components: (1) the complexity of managing the type of securities in which a
fund invests and (2) the risk associated with investments in which a fund
invests. The risk component can take many forms, such as credit, market,
reinvestment, structure, currency and interest rate risks. The Directors
concluded that, in general, a fund whose investments are less complex and
feature lower risk than those of another fund should feature a
Proxy Statement Proposal 2 24
lower total expense ratio, in part because the lower complexity/lower risk fund
is less costly to manage.
The following example illustrates the Directors' assessment of rational
total expense ratios of mutual funds. Compare a money market fund which invests
only in U.S. Treasury securities with a bond fund which invests in corporate
high yield securities. The money market fund is less complicated and will
require less risk management on the part of the fund's investment manager
relative to the bond fund. Consequently, the Directors concluded that the money
market fund should feature a lower total expense ratio than the bond fund.
Thus, a goal of the Directors was to establish management fees which would
correspond more closely to a rational total expense ratio for each Fund relative
to the other Funds. The Directors believe that the unified fee featured in the
proposed Management Agreement is particularly appropriate for this purpose,
since the management fee represents, with limited exceptions, a Fund's total
expense ratio.
Maintaining Relative Total Expense Ratios. The unified fee designed by the
Directors and ACIM seeks to maintain the relative total expense relationship
between the Funds even as assets grow at differing rates. First, because the
unified fee is essentially all-inclusive, the impact of "other" expenses which
differ among the Funds is borne almost entirely by ACIM. Second, as described
previously, each Fund's investment management fee is determined based on the
assets of all American Century funds in its basic investment category (money
market, bond or equity). This ensures that the rationalized total expense ratio
of these Funds will be maintained as assets grow, even at differing rates. Thus,
the rationalized total expense ratios of the Funds can be better maintained.
ACTUAL AND PRO FORMA MANAGEMENT FEES AND EXPENSES
The Directors considered the effect of the Proposed Management Agreement on
the Funds' fee rates and annual total expense ratios. These fees are reflected
in the table set forth on page 20, which provides comparative data for the year
ended December 31, 1996, assuming that the proposed fee increase had been in
effect throughout the year.
COSTS OF PROVIDING SERVICE
The Directors reviewed information concerning the profitability of
BMC/ACIM's investment management and investment company activities and its
financial condition based on results for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1996. The information considered by the Directors included operating profit
margin information for BMC/ACIM's investment company business alone (i.e.,
excluding the results of its affiliates) and on a consolidated basis both before
and after BMC/ACIM's net expenditures for marketing the Funds. The Directors
also reviewed profitability data for the year ended December 31, 1996 for each
of the Companies on a Fund-by-Fund basis.
25 Proposal 2 American Century Investments
In evaluating the costs of providing service, the Directors paid particular
attention to those Funds whose total expense ratios would have been higher in
1996 had the Proposed Management Agreement been in effect. The Directors
considered that the competitive nature of these Funds investment subcategories
and more complex investment management emphasized the need to employ highly
qualified personnel and advanced technology in managing these Funds.
American Century Quantitative Equity Funds. The equity category of mutual
funds are at one of their most competitive periods in history. As the number of
equity funds has grown, competition for the personnel required to run these
funds successfully has increased tremendously, increasing costs to investment
advisers who wish to attract and retain such personnel.
American Century California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds. The importance of
credit analysis and research has significantly increased for California
municipal securities. This is, in part, because the higher credit quality
securities in the market are becoming more difficult to identify and smaller in
quantity. Quality credit analysts and portfolio management personnel are
critical for these Funds to identify high-quality investment options in this
environment and conversely to avoid bad credit risks.
Benham GNMA Fund. The GNMA fund category is one of the most complex
government bond funds to manage. Unlike other government bond funds, GNMA funds
require an extensive risk evaluation, since pools of securities are subject to
prepayment risk. Evaluation of this risk is unlike the credit risk evaluation
performed for other government bond funds. Additionally, transactions in GNMA
securities settle less frequently than in other government bonds and therefore
increase the complexity of managing the Fund. As a result, special skills are
required for managing funds similar to the Benham GNMA Fund and competition for
the personnel required to manage this type of fund is higher than with other
government bond funds.
American Century Target Maturities Trust. The Funds of the American Century
Target Maturities Trust are a unique investment alternative with few peers.
Management of the Funds, while similar to that of general Treasury funds,
requires that each Fund reach a targeted net asset value per share in the year
of its "maturity". This special feature entails additional risk for the
management company (e.g., the risk that the anticipated net asset value at
maturity cannot be attained), calls for specialized portfolio skills and
necessarily reduces the pool of experienced personnel.
Proxy Statement Proposal 2 26
The Directors considered the fact that the proposed management fees on
these Funds would enhance ACIM's ability to attract and retain highly qualified
investment and administrative professionals in a competitive investment
management environment. The Directors also considered the fact that ACIM had
increased the quantity and quality of the resources committed to managing these
Funds' investment portfolios.
Finally, the Directors considered the fact that the proposed management
fees on these Funds would, in every case, be the same or lower than the maximum
total expense ratio currently in place for each Fund under the Current Advisory
Agreements. Thus, the Funds' total expense ratios under the Current Advisory
Agreements could, at any given time, be as high as those which would have
resulted had the Proposed Management Agreement been in effect.
COMPARISONS WITH OTHER FUNDS
The Directors compared the proposed total expense ratios the Funds over a
certain historical period with the total expense ratios of other investment
companies with similar investment objectives for the same period. Despite the
fact that the Proposed Management Agreement would increase total expense ratios
of some of the Funds, the Directors believe that the resulting total expense
ratios are fair and reasonable when compared to funds with similar investment
objectives. The total expense ratios of all of the Funds place them
substantially below the median fee levels of investment companies with a similar
broad investment objective, based on independent industry research figures.
PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE
The Directors considered the performance of the Funds as compared to the
performance of their established benchmark indices. The nature and quality of
the investment advice rendered by BMC as well as the backgrounds of the
portfolio managers and other executive personnel of BMC and ACIM were also
considered
CHANGE IN AGGREGATE TOTAL EXPENSE RATIOS OF THE FUNDS
The Directors also considered the Proposed Management Agreement's effect on
the overall profitability of ACIM. The Directors considered the fact that the
aggregate total expense ratios paid by the Funds would have been lower if the
Proposed Management Agreement had been in effect during the year ended December
31, 1996. The Directors also relied on the fact that the unified management fees
for each Fund would, in every case, be the same or lower than the maximum total
expense ratios for the Funds under the Current Advisory Agreements.
27 Proposal 2 American Century Investments
VOTING INFORMATION
Approval of the Proposed Management Agreements requires the affirmative
vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each Fund. For this
purpose, the term "majority of the outstanding shares" means the vote of (i) 67%
or more of the shares of a Fund present at the meeting, so long as the holders
of more than 50% of a Fund's outstanding shares are present or represented by
proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund,
whichever is less.
THE DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING ACIM
ACIM is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Century Companies, Inc.
("ACC"), a financial services firm headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. ACC's
principal offices are located at 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
James E. Stowers, Jr., Chairman of the Board of ACC and certain other investment
companies managed by ACIM, controls ACC by virtue of his ownership of a majority
of its voting stock.
Set forth below is a list of each officer or Director of the Companies who
is also an officer, employee or director of ACIM or ACC. No employee of JPMIM is
an officer or Director of any Funds.
James M. Benham, 62, Chairman. Mr. Benham is also Vice Chairman of ACC.
James E. Stowers III, 38, Director. President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director, ACC, ACSC and ACIM.
William M. Lyons, 41, Executive Vice President. Mr. Lyons is also
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and General Counsel of
ACIM, ACSC, and ACC.
Douglas A. Paul, 50, Vice President and Secretary. Vice President and
Associate General Counsel, ACSC.
Maryanne Roepke CPA, 41, Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial
Officer. Ms. Roepke is also Vice President of ACSC.
Proxy Statement Proposal 2 28
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS
The actual amount of the investment advisory fee paid to BMC, as well as
administrative and transfer agency service fees paid to ACSC by each Fund for
the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 is set forth below.
Administrative
Services and
Fund Advisory Fee Transfer Agency Fees
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona $113,582 $42,178
ARM $774,975 $598,766
California High Yield $405,770 $196,766
California Insured $550,497 $265,509
California Intermediate $1,257,174 $577,738
California Limited $297,269 $136,320
California Long $841,752 $393,891
California Municipal Money Market $563,124 $326,904
California Tax-Free Money Market $1,252,968 $639,327
Equity Growth $601,691 $450,916
European Bond $618,990 $422,039
Florida Intermediate Municipal $46,945 $19,000
Florida Money Market $498,049 $151,837
GNMA $3,106,681 $2,070,724
Gold $1,645,728 $1,039,424
Government Agency $1,371,715 $1,046,109
Income & Growth $1,584,257 $1,140,629
Inflation-Adjusted Treasury* $0 $0
Intermediate Tax-Free $276,027 $100,069
Intermediate Treasury $864,134 $537,706
Long Tax-Free $233,619 $87,077
Long Treasury $319,484 $186,378
Natural Resources $166,523 $119,292
Prime $3,892,245 $3,075,958
Short Treasury $98,137 $61,940
Target 2000 $753,322 $484,516
Target 2005 $653,356 $438,330
Target 2010 $311,644 $234,519
Target 2015 $323,469 $242,987
Target 2020 $2,372,272 $1,270,132
Target 2025 $73,114 $57,190
Tax-Free Money Market $390,667 $150,243
Utilities $504,533 $450,103
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Figures presented for Inflation-Adjusted Treasury are from commencement
of operations (February 10, 1997) through March 31, 1997.
29 Proposal 2 American Century Investments
PROPOSAL 3: ADOPTION OF
STANDARDIZED FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
BENEFITS OF ADOPTING STANDARDIZED INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The primary purpose of this Proposal is to revise the Funds' investment
limitations to conform to limitations which are expected to become standards for
similar types of funds managed by ACIM. The Directors have concurred with ACIM's
efforts to analyze the fundamental and non-fundamental investment limitations of
the various funds offered by the American Century family of mutual funds and,
where practical and appropriate to a Fund's investment objective and policies,
propose to shareholders adoption of standard fundamental limitations. In many
cases, when fundamental limitations are eliminated, a similar non-fundamental
limitation will replace them. It should be noted that, when these limitations
are non-fundamental, the Board of Directors must approve any amendment to the
limitations. The Board of Directors may approve an amendment, for example, to
respond to developments in the marketplace, or changes in federal or state law.
It is NOT anticipated that any of the changes will substantially affect the
way the Funds are currently managed. ACIM is presenting them to shareholders for
approval because ACIM believes that increased standardization will help to
promote operational efficiencies and facilitate monitoring of compliance with
both fundamental and non-fundamental investment limitations. Set forth below, is
a detailed description of each of the proposed changes. You will be given the
option to approve all, some, or none of the proposed changes on the proxy card
enclosed with this proxy statement.
A listing of the proposed standard fundamental investment limitations to be
adopted by each Company are set forth in Appendix II.
CHANGE #1: TO ELIMINATE THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS
(Equity Growth, Income & Growth, Utilities, Inflation-Adjusted
Treasury, Intermediate Tax-Free, Long Tax-Free, Long Treasury, Prime, Short
Treasury, Tax-Free Money Market and American Century Target Maturities Trust
only)
Equity Growth, Income & Growth, Utilities, Inflation-Adjusted Treasury,
Intermediate Tax-Free, Long Tax-Free, Long Treasury, Prime, Short Treasury and
Tax-Free Money Market each feature a fundamental investment objective regarding
diversification which states that each may not:
With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase the securities of any
issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government
or its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 30
than 5% of its total assets would be invested in securities of that issuer.
Purchase the securities of any one issuer if immediately after such
purchase the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of that issuer.
Similarly, Target 2000, Target 2005, Target 2010, Target 2015, Target 2020
and Target 2025 each feature a fundamental investment limitation which states
that each may not:
Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if,
as a result (a) more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the
securities of that issuer, or (b) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
It is proposed that shareholders approve eliminating this fundamental
investment limitation.
The Gold, Natural Resources, Arizona, California Muni Money Market,
European Bond, Florida Intermediate and Florida Money Market Funds are
"nondiversified open-end management companies" under the Investment Company Act
and therefore are not subject to a diversification requirement. The Funds listed
above have elected to be "diversified open-end management investment companies"
under the Investment Company Act, which requires the limitations contained in
the current fundamental limitation to apply to 75% of the total assets of the
Funds.
The current policy of the Funds in the American Century Target Maturities
Trust is more restrictive, applying the limitations on ownership to 100% of the
Funds' portfolio, while the other Funds listed above apply the Investment
Company Act standard. The primary purpose of the proposed change with respect to
those Funds applying the more restrictive standard is to allow the Funds to
invest in accordance with the limits contained in the Investment Company Act for
diversified companies. This would allow large Funds the flexibility to purchase
larger amounts of issuers' securities when ACIM deems an opportunity attractive.
The new policy would allow the investment policies of the Funds to conform with
the definition of "diversified" as it appears in the Investment Company Act.
Please note that the Funds could not change their election to be a diversified
company without a further shareholder vote.
With respect to those Funds currently applying the Investment Company Act
standard, the elimination of the fundamental policy will allow the Funds to
respond more quickly to changes of that standard, as well as other legal,
regulatory, and market developments without the delay or expense of a future
shareholder vote. However, none of the Funds could change their election
regarding their diversification without a future shareholder vote. The
elimination of the fundamental policy would also conform the limitations of the
Funds with the limitation which is expected to become standard
31 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
for all diversified funds managed by ACIM. Adoption of this change is not
expected to materially affect the operation of the Funds.
CHANGE #2: TO AMEND THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION CONCERNING
THE ISSUANCE OF SENIOR SECURITIES
(all Funds except Gold, Natural Resources, Utilities, Arizona, European Bond,
Florida Intermediate and Florida Money Market)
Target 2000, Target 2005, Target 2010, Target 2015, Target 2020 and Target
2025 each feature a fundamental investment limitation which states that each may
not:
Issue or sell any class of senior security as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
Similarly, the fundamental investment limitation for Equity Growth, Income
& Growth, ARM, California Muni Money Market, California Tax-Free Money Market,
GNMA, Government Agency, Short Treasury, Long Treasury, Prime and Tax-Free Money
Market requires that each may not:
Issue or sell any class of senior security as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940 except for notes or other evidences of indebtedness
permitted under the Fund's borrowing policies and except to the extent that
notes evidencing temporary borrowings or the purchase of securities on a
when-issued or delayed delivery basis might be deemed such.
Intermediate Treasury features a fundamental investment limitation which
states that the Fund may not:
Issue or sell any class of senior security, except to the extent that notes
evidencing temporary borrowings might be deemed such. The Fund may not
purchase any security for which it may be liable for further payment or
liability.
The fundamental investment limitation for California High Yield, California
Insured, California Intermediate, California Limited, California Long,
Intermediate Tax-Free and Long Tax-Free requires that each may not:
Issue or sell any class of senior security as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940 except to the extent that transactions in options,
futures, options on futures, other interest rate hedging instruments, notes
evidencing temporary borrowings, or the purchase of securities on a
when-issued or delayed-delivery basis might be deemed such.
It is proposed that shareholders approve replacing the Funds' current
fundamental investment limitation with the following fundamental investment
limitation governing the issuance of senior securities:
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 32
"The Fund shall not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940."
The primary purpose of this proposed change is to revise the Fund's
fundamental senior securities limitation to conform to a limitation that is
expected to become the standard for all funds managed by ACIM. If the proposal
is approved, the new fundamental senior securities limitation will also require
shareholder approval to modify.
The proposed limitation clarifies that the Funds may issue senior
securities to the full extent permitted under the Investment Company Act.
Although the definition of a "senior security" involves complex statutory and
regulatory concepts, a senior security is generally thought of as an obligation
of a fund which has a claim to the fund's assets or earnings that takes
precedence over the claims of the fund's shareholders. The Investment Company
Act generally prohibits mutual funds from issuing any such security; however,
mutual funds are permitted to engage in certain types of transactions that might
be considered "senior securities" as long as certain conditions are met. For
example, a transaction which obligates a fund to pay money at a future date
(e.g., the purchase of securities to be settled on a date that is farther away
than the normal settlement period) may be considered a "senior security." A
mutual fund is permitted to enter into this type of transaction if it maintains
a segregated account containing liquid securities in an amount to its obligation
to pay cash for the securities at a future date. Funds would utilize
transactions that may be considered "senior securities" only in accordance with
applicable regulatory requirements under the Investment Company Act.
Adoption of the proposed limitation on senior securities is not expected to
significantly affect the operation of the Funds. However, adoption of a
standardized fundamental investment limitation will facilitate ACIM's investment
compliance efforts and will allow the Fund to respond to developments in the
mutual fund industry and the law which may make the use of permissible senior
securities advantageous.
CHANGE #3: TO AMEND THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING BORROWING
(all Funds)
The fundamental investment limitation concerning borrowing for Gold,
Inflation-Adjusted Treasury and Utilities states that each may not:
Borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow money for temporary or
emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not
exceeding 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets (including the amount
borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). Any borrowings that
come to exceed this amount will be reduced within three days (not including
Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3%
limitation.
33 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
Long Treasury and Short Treasury each may not:
Borrow money, except for temporary or emergency purposes, and then only
from a bank. Such borrowings may not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's total
assets.
Target 2000, Target 2005, Target 2010, Target 2015, Target 2020 and Target
2025 each may not:
Borrow money in excess of 33 1/3% of the market value of its total assets,
and then only from a bank and as a temporary measure to satisfy redemption
requests or for extraordinary or emergency purposes, and provided that
immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least
300 per centum for all such borrowings. To secure any such borrowing, a
Portfolio may not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate in excess of 33 1/3% of
the value of its total assets. A Portfolio will not purchase any security
while borrowings representing more than 5% of its total assets are
outstanding. A Portfolio will not borrow in order to increase income
(leverage), but only to facilitate redemption requests that might require
untimely disposition of portfolio securities.
Prime may not:
Borrow money, except that the Fund may (i) borrow money for temporary or
emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) and (ii) engage in
reverse repurchase agreements and forward commitment transactions for any
purpose, provided that (i) and (ii) in combination do not exceed 33 1/3% of
the Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities
(other than borrowings). Any borrowings that exceed this amount will be
reduced within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the
extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation.
The remaining Funds each may not:
Borrow money in excess of 33 1/3% of the market value of its total assets,
and then only from a bank and as a temporary measure to satisfy redemption
requests or for extraordinary or emergency purposes, and provided that
immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least
300 per centum for all such borrowings. To secure any such borrowing, the
Fund may pledge or hypothecate not in excess of 33 1/3% of the value of its
total assets. The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings
representing more than 5% of its total assets are outstanding.
It is proposed that shareholders approve replacing the Fund's current
fundamental investment limitation with the following fundamental investment
limitation governing borrowing:
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 34
"The Fund shall not borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow money for
temporary or emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an
amount not exceeding 331/3% of the Fund's total assets (including the
amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings)."
If the proposal is approved, the Funds would also adopt a non-fundamental
limitation intended to prevent leveraging of the Funds. The non-fundamental
limitation could be changed without a shareholder vote and would state as
follows:
"As an operating policy, the Fund shall not purchase additional investment
securities at any time during which outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the
total assets of the Fund."
The primary purpose of the proposed change to the fundamental investment
limitation concerning borrowing is to conform it to a limitation that is
expected to become standard for all funds managed by ACIM. If the proposal is
approved, the amended fundamental borrowing limitation could not be changed
without a shareholder vote.
Adoption of the proposed limitation is not currently expected to materially
affect the operation of the Funds. However, the funds' current limitation
restricts borrowing to 5% of total assets, rather than the 331/3% in the
proposed limitation. The proposed limitation therefore would allow a Fund to
purchase a security while borrowings representing more than 5% of total assets
are outstanding. While the funds have no current intention to purchase
securities while borrowings equal to 5% of its total assets are outstanding, the
flexibility to do so may be beneficial to the Fund at a future date.
CHANGE #4: TO AMEND THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING LENDING
(all Funds except Gold and Inflation-Adjusted Treasury)
Equity Growth and Income & Growth each may not:
Make loans to others, except for the lending of portfolio securities
pursuant to guidelines established by the board of directors or in
connection with purchase of debt securities in accordance with the Fund's
investment objective and policies. The Fund may also lend money to other
funds or portfolios for which BMC is the investment advisor, as permitted
under its investment limitations.
Utilities and Prime each may not:
Lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3%
of its total assets would be lent to other parties, but this limitation
does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements.
35 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
Long Treasury and Short Treasury each may not:
Make loans, other than loans of portfolio securities pursuant to guidelines
established by the board of trustees, provided that this limitation will
not prohibit the Fund from purchasing debt securities in accordance with
its investment objectives and policies. Loans, in the aggregate, will be
limited to 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets.
Intermediate Treasury may not:
Lend money other than through the purchase of debt securities in accordance
with its investment policy (this restriction does not apply to repurchase
agreements).
Natural Resources, ARM, European Bond, GNMA, Government Agency, Target
2000, Target 2005, Target 2010, Target 2015, Target 2020 and Target 2025 each
may not:
Make loans to others, except for the lending of portfolio securities
pursuant to guidelines established by the board of trustees or for the
purchase of debt securities in accordance with its investment objectives
and policies.
The remaining Funds may not:
Make loans to others, except in accordance with the Fund's investment
objective and policies.
It is proposed that shareholders approve the replacement of the foregoing
investment limitations with the following amended fundamental limitation
concerning lending (which, if approved, could not be changed without a
shareholder vote):
The Fund may not lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result,
more than 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets would be lent to other
parties, except, (i) through the purchase of debt securities in accordance
with its investment objective, policies and limitations, or (ii) by
engaging in repurchase agreements with respect to portfolio securities.
The proposal is not expected to materially affect the operation of the
Funds. However, the proposed limitation would clarify the Funds' ability to
invest in direct debt instruments such as loans and loan participations, which
are interests in amounts owed to another party by a company, government or other
borrower. These types of securities may have additional risks beyond
conventional debt securities because they may provide less legal protection for
the Fund, or there may be a requirement that the Fund supply additional cash to
a borrower on demand.
Finally, the adoption of standardized investment limitations proposed will
advance the goals of investment limitation standardization.
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 36
CHANGE #5: TO AMEND THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS IN A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY
(Natural Resources, Equity Growth, Income & Growth, Intermediate Tax-Free,
Long Tax-Free, Long Treasury, Short Treasury, American Century California
Tax-Free and Municipal Funds and American Century Target Maturities Trust only)
The fundamental investment limitation concerning concentration of
investments in a particular industry for Natural Resources requires that it may
not:
Purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Fund's total
assets will be invested in the securities of issuers having their principal
business in the same industry, except that the Fund will invest more than
25% of its assets in securities of issuers in the natural resources
industry. This limitation does not apply to securities issued by the U.S.
government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
The remaining Funds may not:
Purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the value of the
Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers having
their principal business activity in the same industry. However, this
limitation does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or to municipal
securities of any type.
Shareholders are being asked to approve amendment of the above investment
limitation. As proposed, the Funds' current fundamental investment limitation
will be replaced by the following fundamental investment limitation which will
govern concentration of investments for all Funds except Natural Resources:
The Fund shall not concentrate its investments in securities of issuers in
a particular industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities).
The Natural Resources' limitation regarding concentration will be replaced
with the following:
The Fund shall not deviate from its policy of concentrating its investments
in securities of issuers engaged in the natural resources industries.
The primary purpose of the proposed amendment is to adopt a concentration
limitation that is expected to become the standard for all funds managed by
ACIM. If the proposal is approved, the new fundamental investment limitation may
not be changed without a shareholder vote.
37 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
CHANGE #6: TO ELIMINATE THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
REGARDING INVESTMENTS IN ILLIQUID SECURITIES
(Equity Growth, GNMA, Government Agency, Income & Growth, Intermediate Tax-Free,
Long Tax-Free, ARM, Tax-Free Money Market, American Century California Tax-Free
and Municipal Funds and American Century Target Maturities Trust only)
Equity Growth and Income & Growth both feature a fundamental investment
limitation which states that each may not:
Invest in securities that are not readily marketable or the disposition of
which is restricted under federal securities laws (collectively "illiquid
securities") if, as a result, more than 5% of the Fund's net assets would
be invested in illiquid securities.
The fundamental investment limitation for the remaining Funds requires that
each may not:
Invest in securities that are not readily marketable or the disposition of
which is restricted under federal securities laws (collectively, illiquid
securities) if, as a result, more than 10% of the Fund's net assets would
be invested in illiquid securities.
It is proposed that shareholders approve replacing this fundamental
limitation with the following non-fundamental limitation that could be changed
by vote of the Directors in response to regulatory, market, legal, or other
developments without further approval by shareholders.
As an operating policy, The Fund may not purchase any security or enter
into a repurchase agreement if, as a result, more than 15% of its net
assets (10% for money market funds) would be invested in repurchase
agreements not entitling the holder to payment of principal and interest
within seven days and in securities that are illiquid by virtue of legal or
contractual restrictions on resale or the absence of a readily available
market.
Under the rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
mutual funds are required to price their shares daily and to offer daily
redemptions with payment to follow within seven days of the redemption request.
In order to ensure that funds can satisfy these requirements, the SEC requires
mutual funds to limit their holdings in illiquid securities to 15% of their net
assets (10% for money market funds). This is due to the fact that illiquid
securities may be difficult to value daily and difficult to sell promptly at an
acceptable price.
The percentage limitation restricting the amount a mutual fund may invest
in illiquid securities has been changed by the SEC over time. For example, prior
to 1993, the percentage limit on a fund's investment in illiquid securities was
10%.
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 38
In order to be able to respond to regulatory and market developments
without the delay and expense of a shareholder vote, we are asking that
shareholders eliminate this fundamental investment limitation and replace it
with a similar non-fundamental limitation. While non-fundamental investment
limitations can be changed without shareholder approval, such changes still
require the approval of your Board of Directors.
If this proposal is approved by shareholders, the specific types of
securities that may be deemed illiquid will be determined by ACIM, utilizing the
guidelines that it currently uses.
The types of securities that may be considered illiquid by ACIM will vary
over time based on changing market and regulatory conditions. In determining the
liquidity of each Fund's investments, ACIM may consider various factors,
including (1) the frequency of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers
and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a
market, (4) the nature of the security (including any demand or tender
features), or (5) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including the
ability to assign or offset the Fund's rights and obligations relating to the
investment). Currently, ACIM anticipates treating repurchase agreements maturing
in more than seven days, over-the-counter options, non-government stripped
fixed-rate mortgage backed securities, and some government stripped, fixed-rate
mortgage backed securities, loans and other direct debt instruments, and swap
agreements as illiquid securities.
The proposed change will not materially impact the operation of the Funds.
However, adoption of a standardized non-fundamental investment limitation will
facilitate ACIM's investment compliance efforts and will enable the Funds to
respond more promptly if circumstances suggest such a change in the future.
CHANGE #7: TO ELIMINATE THE FUNDAMENTAL LIMITATION CONCERNING
INVESTMENT IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
(ARM, Equity Growth, GNMA, Income & Growth, Intermediate Tax-Free, Intermediate
Treasury, Long Tax-Free, Tax-Free Money Market, American Century California
Tax-Free and Municipal Funds and American Century Target Maturities Trust only)
The fundamental investment limitation concerning investment in other
investment companies for Equity Growth and Income & Growth states that each may
not:
Except in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, or
reorganization, invest in the securities of other investment companies,
including investment companies advised by BMC, if, immediately after such
purchase or acquisition, more than 10% of the value of the Fund's total
assets would be invested in such securities in the aggregate or more than
5% in any one such security.
39 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
Similarly, the fundamental limitation of California Muni Money Market,
California Tax-Free Money Market, GNMA and Tax-Free Money Market requires that
each may not:
Acquire or retain the securities of any other investment company, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, or reorganization.
Intermediate Tax-Free and Long Tax-Free each may not:
Acquire or retain the securities of any other investment company, except
that the Fund may, for temporary purposes, purchase shares of the Money
Market Fund, subject to such restrictions as may be imposed by (i) the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules thereunder or (ii) any state in
which shares of the Fund are registered, and may acquire shares of any
investment company in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition,
or reorganization.
California High Yield, California Insured, California Intermediate,
California Limited and California Long each may not:
Acquire or retain the securities of any other investment company except
that the Fund may, for temporary purposes, purchase shares of a money
market mutual fund, subject to such restrictions as may be imposed by (i)
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules thereunder, or (ii) any State
in which shares of the Fund are registered, and may acquire shares of any
investment company in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition,
or reorganization.
The remaining Funds feature a fundamental investment limitation which
requires that each may not:
Acquire or retain the securities of any other investment company if, as a
result, more than 3% of such investment company's outstanding shares would
be held by the Fund, more than 5% of the value of the Fund's assets would
be invested in shares of such investment company, or more than 10% of the
value of the Fund's assets would be invested in shares of investment
companies in the aggregate, or except in connection with a merger,
consolidation, acquisition, or reorganization.
Shareholders of the Funds listed above are being asked to approve the
elimination of these limitations.
The ability of mutual funds to invest in other investment companies is
restricted by the Investment Company Act, which requires that a Fund not invest
more than 10% of its total assets in other investment companies. These
restrictions will remain applicable to the Funds whether or not they are recited
in a fundamental limitation. As a result, elimination of the above fundamental
limitation is not expected to have any material impact on the Funds' investment
practices, except to the extent that regulatory requirements may change in the
future.
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 40
CHANGE #8: TO AMEND THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE
(Equity Growth, Income & Growth, Intermediate Tax-Free, Intermediate Treasury,
Long Tax-Free, Tax-Free Money Market, American Century California Tax-Free and
Municipal Funds and American Century Target Maturities Trust only)
The real estate fundamental investment limitation of Equity Growth and
Income & Growth states that each may not:
Purchase real estate, real estate mortgage loans, interests in real estate
limited partnerships, provided that this limitation shall not prohibit (i)
the purchase of U.S. Government securities and other debt securities
secured by real estate or interests therein; or (ii) the purchase of
marketable securities issued by companies or investment trusts that deal in
real estate or interests therein.
Intermediate Treasury, Target 2000, Target 2005, Target 2010, Target 2015,
Target 2020 and Target 2025 each feature a fundamental limitation which states
the each may not:
Purchase or sell real estate.
Under slightly different fundamental investment limitation, California High
Yield, California Insured, California Intermediate, California Limited,
California Long, Intermediate Tax-Free and Long Tax-Free are not permitted to:
Purchase, sell, or invest in real estate, provided that this limitation
shall not prohibit the purchase of municipal securities and other debt
securities secured by real estate or interests therein.
Likewise, California Muni Money Market, California Tax-Free Money Market
and Tax-Free Money Market may not:
Purchase, sell, or invest in real estate, provided that this limitation
shall not prohibit the purchase of municipal securities and other debt
securities secured by real estate or interests therein.
Shareholders are being asked to approve amendment of the above investment
limitation. As proposed, the Funds' current fundamental investment limitation
will be replaced by the following fundamental investment limitation which will
govern future purchases and sales of real estate:
The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result
of ownership of securities or other instruments. This policy shall not
prevent the Fund from investment in securities or other instruments backed
by real estate or securities of companies that deal in real estate or are
engaged in the real estate business.
41 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
The primary purpose of the proposed amendment is to clarify the types of
securities in which the Fund is authorized to invest and to conform the Fund's
fundamental real estate limitation to a limitation that is expected to become
the standard for all funds managed by ACIM. If the proposal is approved, the new
fundamental real estate limitation may not be changed without a shareholder
vote.
The proposed limitation would make it explicit that each of the Funds may
acquire a security or other instrument whose payments of interest and principal
may be secured by a mortgage or other right to foreclose on real estate, in the
event of default. Any investments in these securities are, of course, subject to
the Fund's investment objective and policies and to other limitations regarding
diversification and concentration. The proposed limitation also specifically
permits the Fund to sell real estate acquired as a result of ownership of
securities or other instruments. However, in light of the types of securities in
which the Funds regularly invest, ACIM considers this to be a remote
possibility.
To the extent that a Fund buys securities and instruments of companies in
the real estate business, the fund's performance will be affected by the
condition of the real estate market. This industry is sensitive to factors such
as changes in real estate values and property taxes, overbuilding, variations in
rental income, and interest rates. Performance could also be affected by the
structure, cash flow, and arrangement skill of real estate companies.
While the proposed change will have no current impact on the Funds,
adoption of the proposed standardized fundamental investment limitation will
advance the goals of standardization.
CHANGE #9: TO AMEND THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING UNDERWRITING
(ARM, Equity Growth, GNMA, Income & Growth, Florida Intermediate, Florida Money
Market, Intermediate Tax-Free, Intermediate Treasury, Long Tax-Free, Tax-Free
Money Market, American Century California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds and
American Century Target Maturities Trust only)
Equity Growth, Income & Growth, ARM, GNMA and Government Agency each have a
fundamental investment limitation which states the each may not "act as an
underwriter of securities issued by others." Similarly, Target 2000, Target
2005, Target 2010, Target 2015, Target 2020, Target 2025 each may not "act as an
underwriter of securities issued by others, except to the extent that the
purchase of portfolio securities may be deemed to be an underwriting."
The remaining Funds have a fundamental investment limitation which requires
that each may not:
Act as an underwriter of securities issued by others, except to the extent
that the purchase of municipal securities or other permitted
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 42
investments directly from the issuer thereof or from an underwriter for an
issuer, and the later disposition of such securities in accordance with the
Fund's investment policies and techniques, may be deemed to be an
underwriting.
It is proposed that shareholders approve replacing the current limitations
with the following fundamental investment limitation concerning underwriting:
The Fund shall not act as an underwriter of securities issued by others,
except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within
the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of restricted
securities.
The primary purpose of the proposed amendment is to clarify that the Funds
are not prohibited from selling restricted securities if, as a result of the
sale, the Funds would be considered underwriters under federal securities law.
It is also intended to revise the Funds' fundamental limitation on underwriting
so that it conforms to a limitation which is expected to become standard for all
funds managed by ACIM. While the proposed change will have no current impact on
the Fund, adoption of the proposed standardized fundamental investment
limitation will advance the goals of standardization.
CHANGE #10: TO AMEND THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING COMMODITIES
(all Funds except Equity Growth, Gold, Income & Growth and Utilities)
The fundamental investment limitation concerning commodities for Long
Treasury, Short Treasury and Utilities states that each may not:
Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments, provided that this limitation
will not prohibit the Fund from purchasing and selling options and futures
contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by
physical commodities.
Prime's fundamental investment limitation states that it may not:
Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments.
The remaining Funds are each subject to a fundamental limitation which
states that each may not:
Purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts relating to physical
commodities or buy and sell foreign exchange*.
- -------------------
*European Bond deletes the language relating to foreign exchange.
43 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
It is proposed that shareholders approve replacing the current limitations
with the following amended fundamental investment limitation concerning
commodities:
The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a
result of ownership of securities or other instruments; provided that this
policy shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling options and
futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments
backed by physical commodities.
The proposed amendment is intended to allow appropriate Funds to have the
flexibility to invest in futures contracts and related options, including
financial futures such as interest rate and stock index futures (S&P 500, etc.).
Certain Funds currently have the ability to invest in financial futures, these
include the Funds issued by American Century California Tax-Free and Municipal
Funds, American Century Municipal Trust, American Century Quantitative Equity
Funds, American Century International Bond Funds, as well as GNMA and ARM. Under
the proposed limitation, as under the current limitations, these types of
securities may be used for hedging or for investment purposes and involve
certain risks.
ACIM recognizes that investment in futures contracts and related options
may not be appropriate for all funds. If the proposed amendment is approved,
ACIM and the Board of Directors will determine the appropriateness of investment
in futures contracts (including financial futures) and related options on a
fund-by-fund basis. ACIM would propose that the Board of Directors adopt a
non-fundamental limitation allowing investment in certain types of futures
contracts and related options for those Funds for which the Directors and ACIM
determine such investment is appropriate. The adoption of such a non-fundamental
limitation by the Board of Directors of a Fund will be accompanied by
appropriate disclosure of such policy in the Prospectus and/or Statement of
Additional Information of the Fund.
The proposed amendment will also serve the purpose of conforming the
limitation with the limitation which is expected to become standard for all
funds managed by ACIM. While the proposed change will have no material impact on
the operation of the Funds, adoption of the proposed standardized fundamental
investment limitation will advance the goals of standardization.
CHANGE #11: TO ELIMINATE THE FUNDAMENTAL LIMITATION CONCERNING
INVESTMENTS IN ISSUERS WITH LESS THAN THREE YEARS OF
CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS
(Equity Growth, Income & Growth and Target Maturities Trust only)
Equity Growth and Income & Growth each feature a fundamental investment
limitation which requires that each may not:
Invest in securities of an issuer that, together with any predecessor, has
been in operation for less than three years if, as a result, more than
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 44
5% of the total assets of the Fund would then be invested in such
securities.
Likewise, the Target 2000, Target 2005, Target 2010, Target 2015, Target
2020 and Target 2025 each may not:
Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if,
as a result, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be
invested in the securities (taken at cost) of issuers which, at the time of
purchase, had been in operation less than three years, including
predecessors and unconditional guarantors.
It is proposed that shareholders approve the elimination of the above
fundamental investment limitation.
This investment limitation was originally adopted in response to state
"Blue Sky" requirements in connection with the registration of shares of the
Funds for sale. These requirements are no longer applicable to the Funds. The
Investment Company Act does not contain a similar restriction. ACIM does not
believe that a blanket prohibition against these types of investments is in the
best interests of the Funds, especially for those funds that invest in smaller
companies. Accordingly, it is recommending the change. Additionally, the
elimination of the fundamental limitation will advance the goals of
standardization.
ACIM recognizes that the investment in securities of companies with less
than three years of continuous operating history may not be appropriate for all
of the Funds. If the proposed amendment is approved, ACIM and the Board of
Directors will determine the appropriateness of such investments on a
fund-by-fund basis. None of the Funds is currently expected to invest in the
securities of unseasoned issuers even if the proposal is approved. If sometime
in the future it is deemed appropriate to a Fund, ACIM would propose that the
Board of Directors adopt a non-fundamental limitation allowing investment in
securities of issuers with less than three years continuous operating history
for that Fund. The adoption of such a non-fundamental limitation by the Board of
Directors of a Fund will be accompanied by appropriate disclosure of such policy
in the Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information of such Fund.
CHANGE #12: TO ELIMINATE THE FUNDAMENTAL LIMITATION
CONCERNING SHORT SALES
(ARM, Equity Growth, GNMA, Government Agency , Income & Growth, Intermediate
Tax-Free, Intermediate Treasury, Long Tax-Free, Tax-Free Money Market, American
Century California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds and American Century Target
Maturities Trust only)
In a short sale, an investor sells a borrowed security and has a
corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. In an
45 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
investment technique known as a short sale "against the box," an investor sells
short while owning the same securities in the same amount, or having the right
to obtain equivalent securities. The investor could have the right to obtain
equivalent securities, for example, through its ownership of warrants, options,
or convertible bonds.
Under their current fundamental investment limitations, Equity Growth and
Income & Growth each may not:
Engage in any short-selling operations (except by selling futures
contracts).
California High Yield, California Insured, California Intermediate,
California Limited, California Long, Intermediate Tax-Free and Long Tax-Free
each may not:
Engage in any short-selling operations, except that the Fund may purchase,
sell, or enter into short positions in options on securities or indexes of
securities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and any other
interest rate hedging instrument as may be permitted under the federal
securities or commodities laws.
The remaining Funds listed in the box above each may not:
Engage in any short-selling operations.
It is proposed that shareholders approve the elimination of this
fundamental investment limitation. If the proposal is approved, the current
fundamental limitation will be replaced with a non-fundamental limitation which
could be changed without a shareholder vote. The proposed non-fundamental
limitation is as follows:
As an operating policy, the Fund shall not sell securities short, unless it
owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to
the securities sold short, and provided that transaction in futures
contracts and options are not deemed to constitute selling securities
short.
ACIM recognizes that short sales may not be appropriate for all of the
Funds. If the proposal is approved, ACIM and the Board of Directors of the Funds
will determine the appropriateness of short sales on a fund-by-fund basis.
Appropriate disclosure of this practice will also be included in such Fund's
Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information.
While the proposed change will not materially impact the operation of the
Funds, elimination of the fundamental limitation will advance the goals of the
standardization.
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 46
CHANGE #13: TO ELIMINATE THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING MARGIN PURCHASES OF SECURITIES
(ARM, Equity Growth, GNMA, Government Agency, Income & Growth, Intermediate
Tax-Free, Intermediate Treasury, Long Tax-Free, Tax-Free Money Market, American
Century California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds and American Century Target
Maturities Trust only)
Margin purchases involve the purchase of securities with money borrowed
from a broker. "Margin" is the cash or eligible securities that the borrower
places with a broker as collateral against the loan.
Under their respective current fundamental investment limitations, Equity
Growth and Income & Growth each may not:
Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term credits as may be
necessary for the clearance of transactions, provided that the Fund may
make initial and variation margin payments in connection with purchases or
sales of futures contracts or options on futures contracts.
Under the current investment advisory structure. Target 2000, Target 2005,
Target 2010, Target 2015, Target 2020 and Target 2025 each may not:
Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term credits as are
necessary for the clearance of purchases of portfolio securities. The Fund
may not engage in transactions involving puts, calls, straddles or spreads.
ARM, GNMA, Government Agency and Intermediate Treasury each may not:
Engage in margin transactions or in transactions involving puts, calls,
straddles, or spreads.
California Muni Money Market, California Tax-Free Money Market and Tax-Free
Money Market each may not:
Engage in margin transactions or in transactions involving puts, calls,
straddles, or spreads, except that it may purchase and hold securities with
rights to put securities to the seller or "standby commitments" in
accordance with its investment techniques.
Intermediate Tax-Free and Long Tax-Free each may not:
Engage in margin transactions, except that it may purchase, sell, or enter
into positions in options on securities or indexes of securities, futures
contracts, options on futures contracts, and other interest rate hedging
instruments, and may make margin deposits in connection therewith, and may
purchase and hold securities with rights to put securities to the seller
(standby commitments) in accordance with its investment techniques.
47 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
The remaining Funds listed in the box above each may not:
Engage in margin transactions, except that it may purchase, sell, or enter
into positions in options on securities or indexes of securities, futures
contracts, options on futures contracts, and other interest rate hedging
instruments, and may make margin deposits in connection therewith, and may
purchase and hold securities with rights to put securities to the seller
(standby commitments) in accordance with its investment policies.
It is proposed that shareholders of the Fund approve the elimination of
this fundamental investment limitation. If the proposal is approved, the
Directors intend to replace the current fundamental limitation with a
non-fundamental limitation which could be changed without a shareholder-vote.
The proposed non-fundamental limitation is as follows:
As an operating policy, the Fund shall not purchase securities on margin,
except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary
for the clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments in
connection with futures contracts and options on futures contracts shall
not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
Mutual funds are generally prohibited from entering into most types of
margin purchases. However, policies of the SEC allow mutual funds to purchase
securities on margin for initial and variation margin payments made in
connection with the purchase and sale of futures contracts and options on
futures contracts. The proposed non-fundamental limitation would parallel the
SEC's policies.
Although elimination of the Funds' fundamental limitation on margin
purchases is unlikely to affect any Fund's investment techniques at this time,
in the event of a change in federal regulatory requirements, the Funds will be
able to alter their investment practices without the delay and expense of a
shareholder vote. We believe that efforts to standardize investment limitations
will also facilitate ACIM's investment compliance efforts.
CHANGE #14: TO ELIMINATE THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING WARRANTS
(ARM, Equity Growth, GNMA, Government Agency, Income & Growth, Intermediate
Tax-Free, Long Tax-Free, Tax-Free Money Market, American Century California
Tax-Free and Municipal Funds and American Century Target Maturities Trust only)
Equity Growth and Income & Growth both feature a fundamental investment
limitation concerning warrants which requires that each may not:
Purchase warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market, in excess of 5%
of the value of the Fund's net assets. Included within that amount, but not
to exceed 2% of the value of the Fund's net assets, may be
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 48
warrants which are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchanges.
Warrants acquired by the Fund at any time in units or attached to
securities are not subject to this restriction.
The remaining Funds listed in the box above each may not:
Purchase any equity securities in any companies, including warrants or
bonds with warrants attached, or any preferred stocks, convertible bonds,
or convertible debentures.
The Directors are proposing that shareholders vote to eliminate the above
fundamental limitations.
Warrants entitle the holder to buy the issuer's stock at a specific price
for a specific period of time. The price of a warrant tends to be more volatile
than, and does not always track, the price of the underlying stock. Warrants are
issued with expiration dates. Once a warrant expires, it has no value in the
market.
The fundamental investment limitation of Equity Growth and Income & Growth
was designed to track certain state regulations which prohibited mutual funds
from purchasing warrants in excess of 10% of the Fund's net assets. Of that
amount, no more than 2% of the value of the Fund's net assets could be warrants
which are not traded on principal domestic or foreign stock exchanges. These
state regulations are no longer applicable to the Funds. While these Funds have
no current intention of investing in warrants, elimination of the fundamental
limitation with respect to these Funds may offer them greater investment
opportunities in the future.
The proposed amendment is intended to allow appropriate Funds to have the
flexibility to invest in warrants to the extent permitted by law. ACIM
recognizes that investment in futures contracts and related options may not be
appropriate for all Funds. If the proposed amendment is approved, ACIM and the
Board of Directors will determine the appropriateness of investment in warrants
on a Fund-by-Fund basis. It is not currently expected that any of the Funds,
with the exception of Equity Growth and Income & Growth, would contemplate such
an investment. ACIM would propose that the Board of Directors adopt a
non-fundamental limitation allowing investment in certain types of warrants for
those Funds for which the Directors and American Century determine such
investment is appropriate. The adoption of such a non-fundamental limitation by
the Board of Directors of a Fund will be accompanied by appropriate disclosure
of such policy in the Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information of
such Fund. With respect to the remaining Funds, investments in warrants would
generally not be appropriate in light of their investment objectives. The
fundamental investment limitation is therefore redundant of the limitations
established by these Funds' respective investment objectives.
Elimination of the Fund's fundamental limitation regarding investments in
warrants is unlikely to affect the Funds' investments at this time. The
Directors believe that efforts to standardize the Fund's investment limitations
49 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
with those of the other Funds in the American Century family will facilitate
ACIM's investment compliance efforts.
CHANGE #15: TO ELIMINATE THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING INVESTMENTS IN OIL, GAS AND MINERAL EXPLORATION
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
(All Funds except Gold, Intermediate Treasury, Long Treasury, Prime, Short
Treasury and Utilities)
Currently, both Equity Growth and Income & Growth are subject to a
fundamental investment limitation which states that each may not:
purchase interests in oil, gas and/or mineral exploration development
programs or leases; provided that this limitation shall not prohibit the
purchase of marketable securities issued by companies or other entities or
investment vehicles that engage in businesses relating to the development,
exploration, mining, processing or distribution of oil, gas or minerals.
The remaining Funds' fundamental investment limitations state that each may
not:
purchase interests in oil, gas and/or mineral exploration development
programs or leases.
It is proposed that this limitation be eliminated. Investment in oil, gas
or other mineral exploration programs is permitted under federal standards for
mutual funds, but has historically prohibited by some state regulations. None of
the Funds intends to invest in the types of securities which are prohibited
under the current fundamental limitation. The proposed amendment is intended to
allow appropriate Funds to have the flexibility to invest in appropriate
securities to the extent permitted by law and as appropriate to a Fund's
investment objective. ACIM recognizes that investment in oil, gas or other
mineral exploration programs may not be appropriate for all, perhaps any, Funds.
If the proposed amendment is approved, ACIM and the Board of Directors will
determine the appropriateness of any investment in any oil, gas or other mineral
exploration programs on a Fund-by-Fund basis. ACIM would propose that the Board
of Directors adopt a non-fundamental limitation allowing investment in certain
types of warrants for those Funds for which the Directors and ACIM determine
such investment is appropriate. The adoption of such a non-fundamental
limitation by the Board of Directors of a Fund will be accompanied by
appropriate disclosure of such policy in the Prospectus and/or Statement of
Additional Information of such Fund. With respect to the remaining Funds,
investments in oil, gas or other mineral exploration programs would generally
not be appropriate in light of their investment objectives. The fundamental
investment limitation is therefore redundant of the limitations set by these
objectives.
Proxy Statement Proposal 3 50
Elimination of the limitation is therefore unlikely to affect the
investments of the Funds. However, the Directors believe that efforts to
standardize the Funds' investment limitations with those of the other Funds in
the American Century family of funds will facilitate ACIM's investment
compliance efforts and advance the goals of standardization.
CHANGE #16: TO ELIMINATE THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
LIMITATIONS CONCERNING INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES OWNED
BY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
(ARM, Equity Growth, GNMA, Government Agency, Income & Growth,
Intermediate-Tax-Free, Intermediate Treasury, Long Tax-Free, Tax-Free Money
Market, American Century California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds and American
Century Target Maturities Trust only)
The Funds listed above each are currently subject to a fundamental
investment limitation which states that it may not:
Purchase or retain securities of any issuer if, to the knowledge of the
Fund's management, those officers and trustees of the Trust and of its
investment advisor, who each own beneficially more than 0.5% of the
outstanding securities of such issuer, together own beneficially more than
5% of such securities. However, such restrictions shall not apply to
holdings of the issuers of industrial development bonds.
This investment limitation was originally adopted in response to state
"Blue Sky" requirements in connection with the registration of shares of the
Funds for sale. These requirements are no longer applicable to the Funds. As a
result, it is proposed that this fundamental limitation be eliminated with
respect to each Fund.
Elimination of the limitation will not significantly affect the investments
of the Funds. The Directors and ACIM believe that provisions of the Investment
Company Act which address the interests of directors and permissibility of
affiliated transactions sufficiently address the transactions covered by the
current fundamental limitation. Under those provisions, most significant
transactions between a fund and its affiliates (including officers and
directors) are prohibited without SEC approval. The elimination of this
limitation would advance the goals of standardization of the Funds' investment
limitations with those of the other Funds in the American Century family of
funds.
CHANGE #17: TO ELIMINATE THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATION
CONCERNING INVESTMENTS IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES
(Intermediate Treasury only)
Currently, Intermediate Treasury is subject to a fundamental investment
limitation which states that it may not:
51 Proposal 3 American Century Investments
Invest in portfolio securities that the Fund may not be free to sell to the
public without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or the taking
of similar actions under other securities laws relating to the sale of
securities.
The investment objective of the Fund precludes investment in restricted
securities by limiting the Fund's investments to securities issued by the U.S.
Treasury. As a result, the limitation is redundant and unnecessary. It is
proposed that this limitation be eliminated. While the change will not impact
the Fund's investments, the elimination of the limitation will advance the goals
of investment limitation standardization within the American Century family of
funds.
It may seem to most shareholders that the 18 proposals to modify
fundamental investment policies are technical and somewhat difficult to
understand. ACIM believes, however, that adopting uniform limitations, as well
as ones that are appropriate to the Funds, are in the best interests of Fund
shareholders. Your Board of Directors supports those efforts.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
THE ADOPTION OF STANDARDIZED FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS.
PROPOSAL 4: APPROVAL OF
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT WITH
J.P. MORGAN INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT INC.
(BENHAM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT
BOND FUND ONLY)
J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. ("JPMIM") serves as the subadvisor
to European Bond, pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement dated June 1,
1995 (the "Current Subadvisory Agreement"). This agreement is currently between
JPMIM and BMC. If the Proposed Management Agreement with ACIM is approved, the
Current Advisory Agreement between BMC and the European Bond will terminate
under the Investment Company Act. To accommodate this change and retain JPMIM as
the European Bond subadvisor, a replacement Subadvisory Agreement between JPMIM
and ACIM is necessary. No other substantive changes will be made to the
Agreement with JPMIM. The Investment Company Act requires the shareholders of
the Fund to approve the Subadvisory Agreement between JPMIM and ACIM.
Proxy Statement Proposal 4 52
The Current Subadvisory Agreement provides that JPMIM assumes the
responsibilities and obligations BMC assumed under its Advisory Agreement with
European Bond. The Sub-Advisory Agreement also provides that JPMIM will make
investment decisions for the Fund in accordance with the Fund's investment
objective, policies, restrictions and whatever additional written guidelines it
may receive from ACIM from time to time and that in providing those services,
JPMIM will supervise the Fund's investments and conduct a continual program of
investment evaluation and, if appropriate, sale and reinvestment of the Fund's
assets. All investments made by JPMIM are subject to approval or ratification by
BMC. For such services, BMC pays JPMIM a monthly fee on the first business day
of each month at an annual rate computed at 0.20% of the Fund's average daily
net assets up to $200 million and 0.15% of the Fund's average daily net assets
over $200 million.
The Current Subadvisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of
its assignment and may be terminated by European Bond at any time without
payment of any penalty on 60 days' written notice, by BMC, a majority of
European Bond Directors in office at the time, or by vote of a majority of
European Bond outstanding votes. The Current Subadvisory Agreement may be
terminated by JPMIM upon six months' written notice to European Bond and BMC.
The terms of the proposed Subadvisory Agreement are identical in all
respects to the terms of the Current Subadvisory Agreement. The proposed
Subadvisory Agreement appears as Appendix III to this Proxy Statement.
If the proposed Subadvisory Agreement is approved by European Bond
shareholders, it will become effective on August 1, 1997, and will remain in
effect, unless earlier terminated, for an initial two-year term and will
continue from year-to-year thereafter, subject to approval annually by the Board
of Trustees of European Bond, including a majority of the non-interested
Directors, or by affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding votes of
European Bond.
Actual fees paid to JPMIM under the Current Subadvisory Agreement for the
last fiscal year are set forth below under "Supplemental Information Regarding
JPMIM". Such fees would have been the same had the proposed Subadvisory
Agreement been in effect. The Current Subadvisory Agreement was last approved by
shareholders of European Bond at a meeting of shareholders held on May 31, 1995.
Approval of the proposed Subadvisory Agreement requires the affirmative
vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding votes of European Bond. For
this purpose, the term "majority of the outstanding votes" means the vote of (i)
67% or more of the votes of the Fund present at the meeting, so long as the
holders of more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding votes are present or
represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding votes of the
Fund, whichever is less.
THE DIRECTORS OF EUROPEAN BOND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
"FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT.
53 Proposal 4 American Century Investments
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING JPMIM
JPMIM has served as the subadvisor to European Bond since the Fund's
inception on January 7, 1992. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of J.P. Morgan &
Co. Incorporated and manages accounts for mutual funds, pension funds, and other
private institutional accounts. With offices in London and Singapore, JPMIM
draws from a worldwide resource base to provide comprehensive service to an
international group of clients. Investment management activities in Japan,
Australia, and Germany are carried out by affiliates: Morgan Trust Bank in
Tokyo, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Australia Limited in Melbourne, and
J.P. Morgan Investment GMBH in Frankfurt. JPMIM's principal business address is
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036.
For the period ended December 31, 1996, BMC paid $470,286 to JPMIM for its
services under the current Subadvisory Agreement. As previously indicated, the
Fund paid BMC $618,990 under the Current Advisory Agreement for the same period.
The directors and principal executive officers of JPMIM and their principal
occupations are listed below.
<TABLE>
Name and Address* Position with JPMIM and Principal Occupation
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
C. Nicholas Potter Chairman of the Board, and Retired Managing Director.
Kenneth W. Anderson Director and Managing Director.**
28 King Street
London, England SWIY GXA
United Kingdom
Robert A. Anselmi Director, Managing Director** and Secretary.
David L. Brigham Director, Managing Director.**
Jean L. Brunel Director.
William L. Cobb, Jr. Vice Chairman, Director and Managing Director.**
Michael R. Granito Director and Managing Director.**
Thomas M. Luddy Director and Managing Director.**
Michael E. Patterson Chairman, Director and Managing Director.**
60 Wall Street
New York, NY 10260
Keith M. Schappert President, Director and Managing Director.**
M. Steven Soltis Director and Managing Director.**
John R. Thomas Director.
Alaska Park Building
2-20, Alaska 5-chome
Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- --------------------
* Unless otherwise noted, the address for each is 522 Fifth Avenue, New
York, NY 10036.
** Managing Director is an officer's title, and those who hold it are not
necessarily directors of JPMIM.
</TABLE>
Proxy Statement Proposal 4 54
PROPOSAL 5: APPROVAL
OF AMENDMENT OF INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE FOR BENHAM EUROPEAN
GOVERNMENT BOND FUND
SUMMARY
On May 2, 1997, the Directors of European Bond unanimously approved the
amendment of the Fund's fundamental investment objective. This amendment would
change the Fund's investment objective by allowing the Fund to broaden its
investment universe from European government bonds to a portfolio of
international fixed income securities. This amendment is motivated by potential
changes, most notably the prospect of currency unification, which may affect the
security markets of Europe. If the amendment is approved, the name of the Fund
would be changed to the "Benham International Bond Fund." The Directors
unanimously recommend that shareholders vote to approve the Proposal.
CURRENT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The current fundamental investment objective of the Fund states that the
Fund "seeks over the long-term as high a level of total return as is consistent
with investment in the highest quality European government debt securities."
This investment objective has been in effect since the Fund's inception in
January 1992.
PROPOSED INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Directors propose that the fundamental investment objective of the Fund
be amended (the "Proposed Amendment") to state that the Fund
seeks to provide high current income and capital appreciation by investing
in high-quality, nondollar-denominated government and corporate debt securities
outside the U.S.
REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT
The Fund was designed to provide an investment vehicle for investors who
want to diversify beyond U.S. dollar denominated securities and who want to
protect their income against a decline in the purchasing power of the U.S.
dollar. The prospect of changes which may occur upon the adoption of the
European Monetary Union (EMU) has prompted BMC, the subadvisor and the Directors
to study and evaluate the benefit to shareholders of continuing the Fund's focus
on only European sovereign debt securities as the investment strategy for
achieving its goals.
The Board of Directors has concluded that increases in concentration risk
may result from the adoption of EMU. This could make less desirable
55 Proposal 5 American Century Investments
investment in a portfolio of diversified European sovereign debt securities,
such as those represented by the Fund. As a consequence, the Board recommends
that the investment objective of the Fund be changed to permit the Fund to seek
to provide high current income and capital appreciation by investing in
high-quality, nondollar-denominated government and foreign corporate debt
securities. The scope of the Fund will be expanded from European sovereign debt
to worldwide government and corporate debt rated "AA" or higher, as described
below. This expanded scope will enable the Fund to take advantage of investment
opportunities throughout the globe but particularly in the developed economies
of Japan, Canada, Sweden and Australia, in addition to those in Europe.
As the European Monetary Union unfolds, BMC and ACIM expect the Fund to
incrementally shift from being predominantly invested in European sovereign
debt, to a mix of foreign government and corporate debt, consistent with its
original purpose to provide investors with a vehicle for diversifying beyond
U.S. dollar denominated securities and consistent with its amended investment
objective.
IMPLEMENTATION OF PROPOSED CHANGES
If the Proposed Amendment is approved by shareholders, it would become
effective on October 1, 1997. After that date, the Fund will be able to invest
under the Proposed Amendment and as described below. While the portfolio of the
Fund will not change immediately, the Fund may then select its investments from
a broader universe of potential investments. It is expected that the Fund will
continue to invest a substantial portion of its assets in European securities.
The process for implementing changes to the Fund therefore will be gradual. The
ultimate result of the changes, however, will be to create a different type of
fund with different risks and rewards. The nature of these changes is discussed
below.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED CHANGES
The Proposed Amendment will change the characteristics of the Fund in a
number of significant ways. The change would, in effect, transform the Fund into
a different type of investment vehicle.
Countries in Which the Fund May Invest. If the proposal is approved, the
Fund will continue its subadvisory relationship with JPMIM. The subadvisor bases
its investment decisions on fundamental market factors, currency trends, and
credit quality. The Fund will generally invest in countries where the
combination of fixed income returns and currency exchange rates appears
attractive, or, if the currency trend is unfavorable, where the currency risk
can be minimized through hedging. While this is similar to the Fund's current
investment management, the number of countries will be expanded to include many
countries whose securities were not permissible investments under the current
investment objective.
Proxy Statement Proposal 5 56
Currently, the Fund invests at least 30% of its total assets in securities
denominated in German marks. Under the Proposed Amendment, the percentage of
total assets invested in German marks is expected to decrease, as securities
from other non-European countries are added. The Fund's credit quality
restrictions will effectively limit the universe of potential countries in which
the Fund may invest, since many countries have credit quality ratings lower than
the Fund's minimum of "AA" or better. As a result, Japan will be the source of
much of the non-European securities which satisfy the Fund's credit quality
standards. To limit the possibility that the Fund will become unduly
concentrated in Japan, the Fund will, as an operating policy, limit its
investment in securities issued by the government of Japan and by companies
located in Japan to no more than 15% of its total assets.
Types of Securities in Which the Fund May Invest. The Fund will normally
have at least 65% of its assets in bonds issued or guaranteed by foreign
governments or their agencies and by foreign authorities, provinces, and
municipalities. The Fund may also invest up to 35% of total assets in
high-quality (i.e., "AA" or higher) foreign corporate debt.
The Fund's investments may include but shall not be limited to: (1) Debt
obligations issued or guaranteed by (a) a foreign sovereign government or one of
its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or political subdivisions including
a foreign state, province or municipality, and (b) supranational organizations
such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank, and
European Economic Community; (2) Debt obligations (a) of foreign banks and bank
holding companies, and (b) of domestic banks and corporations issued in foreign
currencies; and (3) Foreign corporate debt securities and commercial paper. All
of these investments must satisfy the credit quality standards (i.e., "AA" or
higher) established by the Directors of the Fund.
Such securities may take a variety of forms including those issued in the
local currency of the issuer, Euro bonds, and bonds denominated in the European
currencies or ECUs. ECUs are a composite currency consisting of fixed amounts of
currency of European Economic Community member countries. Normally, the Fund
will only purchase bonds denominated in foreign currencies.
Currently, while the Fund may invest in corporate debt securities, it has
not done so. The Fund's ability to invest in corporate debt is therefore the
most significant part of this change. This change may result in additional risks
to the Fund, in part because the credit quality of foreign corporate issuers may
be more difficult to accurately assess due to differences in disclosure
requirements and accounting principles from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Hedging Transactions. As is currently the case, when JPMIM considers the
U.S. dollar to be attractive relative to foreign currencies, as much as 25% of
the Fund's total assets may be hedged into dollars. For temporary defensive
purposes and under extraordinary circumstances (such as significant political
events), more than 25% of the Fund's total assets may be hedged in
57 Proposal 5 American Century Investments
this manner. This is permitted under the Fund's current investment objective
and is therefore not a change.
Maturity. To reduce the effect of interest rate changes on the Fund's share
price while seeking higher yields, the weighted average maturity of the
portfolio is likely to average approximately seven years, although the Fund may
adopt longer or shorter maturities in anticipation of falling or rising interest
rates. The Fund may also hold individual securities with maturities longer or
shorter than seven years. This does not represent a significant change from the
current policy of the Fund to maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio
maturity from two to ten years.
Credit Quality. To limit credit risk, the Fund will invest exclusively in
high quality instruments of the types described above. "High quality" debt
securities are those rated in the top two ratings categories of Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P")
or Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch") or, if not rated, determined to be of
comparable quality by JPMIM. This necessarily means that the Fund will not be
able to invest in securities issued by many countries (including those of
corporations based in these countries) whose credit ratings do not satisfy these
requirements. Currently, the Fund is required to purchase debt securities which
are rated in the highest ratings categories of Moody's or S&P. The proposal
would therefore lower the credit quality standard by one rating category.
The table below provides more information about the securities ratings.
<TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moody's S&P Fitch Definition
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Long-Term Aaa AAA AAA Highest quality
Aa AA AA High quality
A A A Upper medium grade
Baa BBB BBB Medium grade
Ba BB BB Speculative
B B B Highly speculative
Caa CCC, CC CCC, CC Vulnerable to default
Ca C C Default is imminent
C D DDD, DD, D Probably in default
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moody's Fitch Definition
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial P-1 Superior A-1+ Extremely F-1+ Exceptionally
Paper quality strong quality strong quality
A-1 Strong F-1 Very strong
quality quality
P-2 Strong A-2 Satisfactory F-2 Good credit
quality quality quality
P-3 Acceptable A-3 Adequate F-3 Fair credit
quality quality quality
B Speculative F-3 Weak credit
quality quality
C Doubtful
quality
</TABLE>
Proxy Statement Proposal 5 58
Risk Factors and Investment Techniques. Broad international investing
involves additional risks which can increase the potential for losses in the
Fund when compared to the Fund's current investments in European government
securities. The currency risk associated with international investing may be
more difficult to eliminate entirely and the likelihood that hedging will work
may be reduced. In addition, it may not be possible to effectively hedge the
currencies of certain non-European countries. Furthermore, hedging costs may be
higher than under the Fund's Current Investment Objective, and these costs are
paid out of a Fund's capital and reflected in the net asset value. Although
expanding the universe of potential Fund investments to include countries
outside Europe may increase these risks, the high quality credit standards
adopted by the Directors should help to minimize the magnitude of the risks.
Costs. Some foreign markets may be more expensive for U.S. investors to
trade in than those in Europe. As a consequence, the Fund could incur
higher transaction costs for its investments in these markets.
Political and economic factors. The economies, markets, and political
structures of a number of the countries in which the Fund can invest may
not compare favorably with those of the European countries in which the
Fund can currently invest in terms of wealth and stability. Therefore,
investments in these countries will be riskier and more subject to erratic
and abrupt price movements. While this is particularly true for emerging
markets of the type in which the Fund cannot invest, even investments in
countries with highly developed economies are subject to risk.
Location of Company. In determining the domicile or nationality of a
company, the Fund would primarily consider the following factors: (1)
whether the securities of the company are primarily traded in a particular
country; (2) whether the company has its principal place of business or
principal office in or is organized under the laws of a particular country;
and (3) regardless of where a company's securities are traded, whether it
derives a significant proportion (at least 50%) of its revenues or profits
from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in the
country or has at least 50% of its assets situated in that country.
Other Investment Techniques. As is the case under the current Investment
Objective, the Fund may from time to time purchase securities on a
when-issued basis, invest in repurchase agreements, buy or sell interest
rate futures contracts, write or buy options relating to futures contracts
and purchase bonds which are convertible into equities.
59 Proposal 5 American Century Investments
VOTING REQUIREMENTS
Approval of the amendment requires the affirmative vote of holders of a
majority of the outstanding votes of the Fund. For this purpose, the term
"majority of the outstanding votes" means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the
votes of the Fund present at the meeting, so long as the holders of more than
50% of the Fund's outstanding votes are present or represented by proxy; or (ii)
more than 50% of the outstanding votes of the Fund, whichever is less.
THE DIRECTORS OF BENHAM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT BOND FUND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND
THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
PROPOSAL 6: APPROVAL
OF AMENDMENT OF GENERAL
INVESTMENT POLICY FOR BENHAM
ADJUSTABLE RATE GOVERNMENT
SECURITIES FUND
SUMMARY
The Directors of the Benham Adjustable Rate Government Securities Fund are
recommending that the shareholders of the Fund approve an amendment to the
Fund's general investment policy which dictates that it invest at least 65% of
the Fund's total assets in adjustable rate mortgage securities (ARMs). This
amendment would change the Fund's focus to that of a short-term government bond
fund. This amendment is motivated by changes which have made focusing on
adjustable-rate government securities less desirable. If the change is approved,
the name of the Fund would be changed to the "Benham Short-Term Government
Fund." While the changes contemplated by the Directors' recommendation do not
strictly require shareholder approval, the Directors have concluded that the
change is significant enough to warrant seeking shareholder approval.
PROPOSED CHANGE TO GENERAL INVESTMENT POLICY
The fundamental investment objective of the Fund states that the Fund
"seeks to provide investors with a high level of current income, consistent with
stability of principal." This investment objective has been in effect since the
Fund's inception in January 1992. The Fund currently pursues this objective by
investing at least 65% of the Fund's total assets in ARMs and other
Proxy Statement Proposal 6 60
securities collateralized by or representing interests in mortgages
(collectively, "mortgage-backed securities").
The Directors are proposing that the Fund change its general investment
policy so that the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in
securities of the U.S. government and its agencies and maintaining a weighted
average duration of three years or less.
REASONS FOR PROPOSED CHANGE
The Fund's original design was intended to provide an alternative
short-term government securities investment vehicle. At the time of its
inception, many investors, including BMC (the Fund's current investment
advisor), believed that funds that focused on ARMs and similar short-term
mortgage-backed securities could feature higher yield potential than short-term
U.S. government bond funds with lower share price volatility than more general
mortgage securities funds. During some periods of the Fund's existence, the Fund
was able to realize this intended goal. Generally, however, the market for ARMs
has not developed as the Fund and the investment industry as a whole had
anticipated. First, the activity in the market for ARMs has not risen to the
level of markets for other similar-duration government securities. Second,
despite the lower than expected activity in the ARM market, premiums required to
invest in many securities continue to be higher than for government securities
generally. Both of these factors have impacted the Fund's performance.
Other mutual funds have also been impacted by these developments. However,
these funds have been able to minimize the impact of the ARM market difficulties
by shifting investment to other short-term U.S. government securities. This
option was largely unavailable to the Fund because of its policy to invest at
least 65% of its assets in ARMs and similar mortgage-backed securities.
The Directors and ACIM believe that the Fund's investment objective will be
better pursued by changing the its general investment policy to allow investment
in other short-term government securities, such as Treasury securities and
securities issued by U.S. government agencies. As a result of the change, the
Fund's potential investment opportunities will be expanded to include a wider
array of short-term government securities. The market for many of these
securities, particularly Treasury securities, is substantially more active,
making the securities more liquid. In addition, premiums required to purchase
short-term Treasury securities and other non-mortgage-backed government
securities are generally smaller, with a greater percentage trading at a
discount to their face value.
The Fund could and expects to continue to invest in ARMs and
mortgage-backed securities. However, it will no longer be required to primarily
rely on these securities to pursue its investment objective. This will allow the
Fund to forego investment in mortgage-backed securities altogether when market
conditions for other types of short-term government securities
61 Proposal 6 American Century Investments
appear more favorable. In this sense, the Directors and ACIM, believe that the
Fund's ability to pursue its investment objective will be enhanced.
RISK FACTORS
Short-Term Duration. Duration is a calculation that seeks to measure the
price sensitivity of a bond or bond fund to changes in interest rates. It
measures bond price sensitivity to interest rate changes more accurately than
maturity because it takes into account the time value of cash flows generated
over the bond's life. Future interest and principal payments are discounted to
reflect their present value and then are multiplied by the number of years they
will be received to produce a value that is expressed in years. This value is
referred to as the "duration."
If the proposed change is approved, the Fund's "short-term" designation
means that the Fund will limit the dollar-weighted average duration of its
portfolio to three years or less. This means that the Fund's share price will
generally be less sensitive to changes in interest rates than longer-term
government bond funds.
U.S. Government Securities. If the proposed investment policy change is
approved, the Fund may invest in the following securities (1) direct
obligations of the United States, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds,
which are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, and (2)
obligations (including mortgage-related securities) issued or guaranteed by
agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that are established
under an act of Congress.
The securities of some of these agencies and instrumentalities, such as the
Government National Mortgage Association, are guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the U.S. Treasury, and other securities are supported by the right
of the issuer, such as the Federal Home Loan Banks, to borrow from the Treasury.
Other obligations, including those issued by the Federal National Mortgage
Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, are sup-ported only
by the credit of the instrumentality.
VOTING REQUIREMENTS
To deem the amendment as approved, the Directors are seeking the
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding votes of Benham
Adjustable Rate Government Securities Fund. For this purpose, the term "majority
of the outstanding shares" means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the shares of
the Fund present at the meeting, so long as the holders of more than 50% of the
Fund's outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than
50% of the outstanding votes of the Fund, whichever is less. If the proposed
amendment is approved, the Fund's name will be changed to "Benham Short-Term
Government Fund" upon implementation of the amended investment objective.
THE DIRECTORS OF BENHAM ADJUSTABLE RATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE FUND'S GENERAL INVESTMENT POLICY.
Proxy Statement Proposal 6 62
OTHER MATTERS
OTHER BUSINESS TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING
The Board of Directors knows of no other business to be brought before the
meeting. However, if any other matters are properly brought before the meeting,
it is the intention that proxies which do not contain specific restrictions to
the contrary will be voted on such matters in accordance with the judgment of
the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy.
SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Funds do not hold annual shareholder meetings. Shareholders wishing to
submit proposals for inclusion in a proxy statement for a subsequent shareholder
meeting should send their written proposals to William M. Lyons, Executive Vice
President, American Century Investments, P.O. Box 419200, Kansas City, Missouri
64141-6200.
NOTICE TO BANKS, BROKER-DEALERS,
AND VOTING TRUSTEES AND THEIR NOMINEES
Please advise the applicable Fund(s), in care of American Century
Investments, P.O. Box 419200, Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6200, whether other
persons are beneficial owners of shares for which proxies are being solicited
and, if so, the number of copies of the Proxy Statement you wish to receive in
order to supply copies to the beneficial owners of the respective shares.
June 2, 1997 William M. Lyons
Executive Vice President
63 Other Matters American Century Investments
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SCHEDULE I--NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING
VOTES AS OF APRIL 30, 1997
Number of Votes
Company Fund as of, April 30,1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
American Century California High Yield $174,164,303
California Tax-Free California Insured $186,073,286
and Municipal Funds California Intermediate $427,298,006
California Limited $109,900,387
California Long $294,764,279
California Muni Money Market $170,936,695
California Tax-Free Money Market $412,683,794
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FOR AMERICAN CENTURY
CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS $1,775,820,750
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century ARM $230,903,082
Government Income GNMA $1,128,173,081
Trust Government Agency $462,047,053
Inflation-Adjusted Treasury $2,826,018
Intermediate Treasury $326,669,047
Long Treasury $130,099,043
Short Treasury $36,920,030
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FOR AMERICAN CENTURY
GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST $2,317,637,354
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century European Bond $219,363,683
International Bond ------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FOR AMERICAN CENTURY
INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS $219,363,683
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Prime $1,208,432,678
Investment Trust ------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FOR AMERICAN CENTURY
INVESTMENT TRUST $1,208,432,678
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Arizona $30,111,194
Municipal Trust Florida Intermediate $13,354,822
Florida Money Market $112,574,94
Intermediate Tax-Free $60,857,544
Long Tax-Free $52,802,623
Tax-Free Money Market $84,351,283
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FOR AMERICAN CENTURY
MUNICIPAL TRUST $354,052,406
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Equity Growth $393,032,982
Quantitative Gold $354,815,596
Equity Funds Natural Resources $62,370,451
Income & Growth $1,002,382,908
Utilities $124,871,933
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FOR AMERICAN CENTURY
QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUNDS $1,937,473,869
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Target 2000 $261,812,817
Target Maturities Trust Target 2005 243,937,089
Target 2010 $106,598,420
Target 2015 $111,994,781
Target 2020 $867,276,091
Target 2025 $65,166,440
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FOR AMERICAN CENTURY
TARGET MATURITIES TRUST $1,656,785,637
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Proxy Statement Schedule I 64
APPENDIX I
PROPOSED MANAGEMENT
AGREEMENT
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT INVESTOR CLASS
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 1st day of August, 1997, is by and between
the registered investment companies listed on Exhibit A to this Agreement (the
"Companies") and American Century Investment Management, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (hereinafter called the "Investment Manager").
IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual promises and agreements herein contained,
the parties agree as follows:
1. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
The Investment Manager shall supervise the investments of each series of
shares of the Companies contemplated as of the date hereof, and such
subsequent series of shares as the Companies shall select the Investment
Manager to manage. In such capacity, the Investment Manager shall maintain
a continuous investment program for each such series, determine what
securities shall be purchased or sold by each series, secure and evaluate
such information as it deems proper and take whatever action is necessary
or convenient to perform its functions, including the placing of purchase
and sale orders.
2. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.
All functions undertaken by the Investment Manager hereunder shall at all
times conform to, and be in accordance with, any requirements imposed by:
(a) the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and
any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
(b) any other applicable provisions of law;
(c) the Declaration of Trust or Articles of Incorporation applicable to
each of the Companies as amended from time to time;
(d) the By-Laws of the Companies as amended from time to time; and
(e) the registration statement of the Companies, as amended from time to
time, filed under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act.
65 Appendix I American Century Investments
3. BOARD SUPERVISION.
All of the functions undertaken by the Investment Manager hereunder shall
at all times be subject to the direction of the Board of Trustees or Board
of Directors (collectively, the "Board of Directors") of the Companies, its
executive committee, or any committee or officers of the Companies acting
under the authority of the Board of Directors.
4. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.
The Investment Manager will pay all of the expenses of each series of the
Companies' shares that it shall manage, other than interest, taxes,
brokerage commissions, portfolio insurance, extraordinary expenses and the
fees and expenses of those Directors who are not "interested persons" as
defined in 1940 Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Independent
Directors") (including counsel fees). The Investment Manager will provide
the Companies with all physical facilities and personnel required to carry
on the business of each series that the Investment Manager shall manage,
including but not limited to office space, office furniture, fixtures and
equipment, office supplies, computer hardware and software and salaried and
hourly paid personnel. The Investment Manager may at its expense employ
others to provide all or any part of such facilities and personnel.
5. ACCOUNT FEES.
The Board of Directors may impose fees for various account services,
proceeds of which may be remitted to the appropriate Fund or the Advisor at
the discretion of the Board. At least 60 days' prior written notice of the
intent to impose such fee must be given to the shareholders of the affected
series.
6. MANAGEMENT FEES.
(a) In consideration of the services provided by the Investment Manager,
each series of shares of the Companies managed by the Investment
Manager shall pay to the Investment Manager a per annum management fee
(hereinafter, the "Applicable Fee"). The calculation of the Applicable
Fee for a series is performed as follows:
(i) Each series is assigned to one of three categories based on its
overall investment objective ("Investment Category"). The
Investment Category assignments appear in Exhibit B to this
Agreement.
(ii) Each series is assigned a fee schedule within its Investment
Category in Exhibit C to this Agreement. The Investment Category
assets managed by the Investment Manager
Proxy Statement Appendix I 66
determines the first component of a series' fee. This fee is
referred to as the "Investment Category Fee." The determination
of the Investment Category assets is as follows:
a) Money Market Fund Category. The assets which are used to
determine the fee for this Investment Category is the sum of
the assets of all of the open-end investment company series
which invest primarily in debt securities, are subject to
Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, managed by the Investment
Manager and distributed to the public by American Century
Investment Services, Inc.
b) Bond Fund Category. The assets which are used to determine
the fee for this Investment Category is the sum the assets
of all of the open-end investment company series which
invest primarily in debt securities, are not subject to Rule
2a-7 under the 1940 Act, are managed by the Investment
Manager and are distributed to the public by American
Century Investment Services, Inc.
c) Equity Fund Category. The assets which are used to determine
the fee for this Investment Category is the sum the assets
of all of the open-end investment company series which
invest primarily in equity securities, are managed by the
Investment Manager and are distributed to the public by
American Century Investment Services, Inc.
(iii)A fee which is based on the total assets in all of the Investment
Categories is determined by the schedule which appears in Exhibit
D. This fee is referred to as the series' "Complex Fee."
(iv) The Applicable Fee for a series is the sum of the Investment
Category Fee and the Complex Fee.
(v) The assets which are used to compute the Applicable Fee shall be
the assets of all of the open-end investment companies managed by
the Investment Manager. Any exceptions to this requirement shall
be approved by the Board of Directors of the Companies.
(b) On the first business day of each month, each series of shares shall
pay the management fee at the rate specified by subparagraph (a) of
this paragraph 6 to the Investment Manager for the previous month. The
fee for the previous month shall be calculated by multiplying the
Applicable Fee for such series by the aggregate average daily closing
value of the series' net assets during the previous month, and further
multiplying that product by a fraction, the numerator of which shall
be the number of days in the
67 Appendix I American Century Investments
previous month, and the denominator of which shall be 365 (366 in leap
years).
(c) In the event that the Board of Directors of a Company shall determine
to issue any additional series of shares for which it is proposed that
the Investment Manager serve as investment manager, the Company and
the Investment Manager shall enter into an Addendum to this Agreement
setting forth the name of the series, the Applicable Fee and such
other terms and conditions as are applicable to the management of such
series of shares.
7. CONTINUATION OF AGREEMENT.
This Agreement shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated as
hereinafter provided, for a period of two years from the execution hereof,
and for as long thereafter as its continuance is specifically approved, as
to each series of the Companies, at least annually (i) by the Board of
Directors of the Companies or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Companies, and (ii) by the vote of a majority of
the Directors of the Companies, who are not parties to the agreement or
interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval.
8. TERMINATION.
This Agreement may be terminated, with respect to any series, by the
Investment Manager at any time without penalty upon giving the appropriate
Company 60 days' written notice, and may be terminated, with respect to any
series, at any time without penalty by the Board of Directors of a Company
or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such
series on 60 days' written notice to the Investment Manager.
9. EFFECT OF ASSIGNMENT.
This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of assignment by
the Investment Manager, the term "assignment" for this purpose having the
meaning defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act.
10. OTHER ACTIVITIES.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the
Investment Manager, or the right of any of its officers, directors or
employees (who may also be a trustee, officer or employee of a Company), to
engage in any other business or to devote time and attention to the
management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or
dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other
corporation, firm, individual or association.
Proxy Statement Appendix I 68
11. STANDARD OF CARE.
In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of its obligations or duties hereunder on the part of
the Investment Manager, it, as an inducement to it to enter into this
Agreement, shall not be subject to liability to the Companies or to any
shareholder of the Companies for any act or omission in the course of, or
connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be
sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security.
12. SEPARATE AGREEMENT.
The parties hereto acknowledge that certain provisions of the 1940 Act, in
effect, treat each series of shares of a registered investment company as a
separate investment company. Accordingly, the parties hereto hereby
acknowledge and agree that, to the extent deemed appropriate and consistent
with the 1940 Act, this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a separate
agreement between the Investment Manager and each series of shares of the
Companies managed by the Investment Manager.
13. USE OF THE NAMES "AMERICAN CENTURY" AND "BENHAM."
The name "American Century" and all rights to the use of the names
"American Century" and "Benham" are the exclusive property of American
Century Services Corporation ("ACSC"), an affiliate of the Investment
Manager. ACSC has consented to, and granted a non-exclusive license for,
the use by the Companies and their respective series of the names "American
Century" and "Benham" in the name of the Companies and any series of shares
thereof. Such consent and non-exclusive license may be revoked by ACSC in
its discretion if ACSC, the Investment Manager, or a subsidiary or
affiliate of either of them is not employed as the investment manager of
each series of shares of the Corporation. In the event of such revocation,
the Companies and each series of shares thereof using the name "American
Century" or "Benham" shall cease using the name "American Century" or
"Benham," unless otherwise consented to by ACSC or any successor to its
interest in such names.
69 Appendix I American Century Investments
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT A
REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES
SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT
REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY SERIES
<S> <C>
American Century California Tax-Free Benham California High Yield Municipal Fund
and Municipal Funds Benham California Insured Tax-Free Fund
Benham California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham California Limited-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham California Long-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham California Municipal Money Market Fund
Benham California Tax-Free Money Market Fund
American Century Benham Adjustable Rate Government Securities Fund
Government Income Trust Benham Capital Preservation Fund
Benham GNMA Fund
Benham Government Agency Money Market Fund
Benham Inflation-Adjusted Treasury Fund
Benham Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund
Benham Long-Term Treasury Fund
Benham Short-Term Treasury Fund
American Century Benham European Government Bond Fund
International Bond Funds
American Century Investment Trust Benham Prime Money Market Fund
American Century Municipal Trust Benham Arizona Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund
Benham Florida Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund
Benham Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
Benham Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham Limited-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham Long-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham Tax-Free Money Market Fund
American Century American Century Equity Growth Fund
Quantitative Equity Funds American Century Global Gold Fund
American Century Global Natural Resources Fund
American Century Income & Growth Fund
American Century Utilities Fund
American Century Target Maturities Trust Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2000
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2005
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2010
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2015
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2020
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2025
Proxy Statement Appendix I 70
EXHIBIT B
SERIES INVESTMENT CATEGORIES
INVESTMENT CATEGORY SERIES
Money Market Funds Benham California Municipal Money Market Fund
Benham California Tax-Free Money Market Fund
Benham Capital Preservation Fund
Benham Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
Benham Government Agency Money Market Fund
Benham Prime Money Market Fund
Benham Tax-Free Money Market Fund
Bond Funds Benham Adjustable Rate Government Securities Fund
Benham Arizona Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund
Benham California High Yield Municipal Fund
Benham California Insured Tax-Free Fund
Benham California Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham California Limited-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham California Long-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham European Government Bond Fund
Benham Florida Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund
Benham GNMA Fund
Benham Inflation-Adjusted Treasury Fund
Benham Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund
Benham Limited-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham Long-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham Long-Term Treasury Fund
Benham Short-Term Treasury Fund
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2000
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2005
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2010
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2015
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2020
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2025
Equity Funds American Century Equity Growth Fund
American Century Global Gold Fund
American Century Global Natural Resources Fund
American Century Income & Growth Fund
American Century Utilities Fund
</TABLE>
71 Appendix I American Century Investments
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT C
INVESTMENT CATEGORY FEE
SCHEDULES: MONEY MARKET FUNDS
SCHEDULE 1
CATEGORY ASSETS FEE RATE SCHEDULE 1 FUNDS:
<S> <C> <C>
First $1 billion 0.2500% Benham Capital Preservation Fund
Next $1 billion 0.2070% Benham Government Agency Money Market Fund
Next $3 billion 0.1660%
Next $5 billion 0.1490%
Next $15 billion 0.1380%
Next $25 billion 0.1375%
Thereafter 0.1370%
SCHEDULE 2
CATEGORY ASSETS FEE RATE SCHEDULE 2 FUNDS:
First $1 billion 0.2700% Benham California Tax-Free Money Market Fund
Next $1 billion 0.2270% Benham California Municipal Money Market Fund
Next $3 billion 0.1860% Benham Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
Next $5 billion 0.1690% Benham Tax-Free Money Market Fund
Next $15 billion 0.1580%
Next $25 billion 0.1575%
Thereafter 0.1570%
SCHEDULE 3
CATEGORY ASSETS FEE RATE SCHEDULE 3 FUNDS:
First $1 billion 0.3700% Benham Prime Money Market Fund
Next $1 billion 0.3270%
Next $3 billion 0.2860%
Next $5 billion 0.2690%
Next $15 billion 0.2580%
Next $25 billion 0.2575%
Thereafter 0.2570%
</TABLE>
Proxy Statement Appendix I 72
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CATEGORY FEE SCHEDULES:
BOND FUNDS
SCHEDULE 1
CATEGORY ASSETS FEE RATE SCHEDULE 1 FUNDS:
<S> <C> <C>
First $1 billion 0.2800% Benham Short-Term Treasury Fund
Next $1 billion 0.2280% Benham Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund
Next $3 billion 0.1980% Benham Long-Term Treasury Fund
Next $5 billion 0.1780% Benham California Limited-Term Municipal Fund
Next $15 billion 0.1650% Benham California Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund
Next $25 billion 0.1630% Benham California Long-Term Municipal Fund
Thereafter 0.1625% Benham California Insured Tax-Free Fund
Benham Arizona Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund
Benham Florida Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund
Benham Limited-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham Intermediate-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham Long-Term Tax-Free Fund
Benham Inflation-Adjusted Treasury Fund
SCHEDULE 2
CATEGORY ASSETS FEE RATE SCHEDULE 2 FUNDS:
First $1 billion 0.3100% Benham California High-Yield Municipal Fund
Next $1 billion 0.2580%
Next $3 billion 0.2280%
Next $5 billion 0.2080%
Next $15 billion 0.1950%
Next $25 billion 0.1930%
Thereafter 0.1925%
SCHEDULE 3
CATEGORY ASSETS FEE RATE SCHEDULE 3 FUNDS:
First $1 billion 0.3600% Benham Adjustable Rate Government Securities Fund
Next $1 billion 0.3080% Benham GNMA Fund
Next $3 billion 0.2780% Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2000
Next $5 billion 0.2580% Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2005
Next $15 billion 0.2450% Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2010
Next $25 billion 0.2430% Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2015
Thereafter 0.2425% Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2020
Benham Target Maturities Trust: 2025
SCHEDULE 4
CATEGORY ASSETS FEE RATE SCHEDULE 4 FUNDS:
First $1 billion 0.6100% Benham European Government Bond Fund
Next $1 billion 0.5580%
Next $3 billion 0.5280%
Next $5 billion 0.5080%
Next $15 billion 0.4950%
Next $25 billion 0.4930%
Thereafter 0.4925%
73 Appendix I American Century Investments
CATEGORY FEE SCHEDULES:
EQUITY FUNDS
SCHEDULE 1
CATEGORY ASSETS FEE RATE SCHEDULE 1 FUNDS:
First $1 billion 0.5200% American Century Equity Growth Fund
Next $5 billion 0.4600% American Century Global Gold Fund
Next $15 billion 0.4160% American Century Global Natural Resources Fund
Next $25 billion 0.3690% American Century Income & Growth Fund
Next $50 billion 0.3420% American Century Utilities Fund
Next $150 billion 0.3390%
Thereafter 0.3380%
</TABLE>
EXHIBIT D
COMPLEX FEE SCHEDULE
COMPLEX ASSETS FEE RATE
First $2.5 billion 0.3100%
Next $7.5 billion 0.3000%
Next $15.0 billion 0.2985%
Next $25.0 billion 0.2970%
Next $50.0 billion 0.2960%
Next $100.0 billion 0.2950%
Next $100.0 billion 0.2940%
Next $200.0 billion 0.2930%
Next $250.0 billion 0.2920%
Next $500.0 billion 0.2910%
Thereafter 0.2900%
Proxy Statement Appendix I 74
APPENDIX II
STANDARDIZED FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT LANGUAGE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senior Securities The Fund shall not issue senior securities,
except as permitted under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
Borrowing The Fund shall not borrow money, except that the Fund
may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes
(not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not
exceeding 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets
(including the amount borrowed) less liabilities
(other than borrowings).
Lending The Fund shall not lend any security or make any
other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of
the Fund's total assets would be lent to other
parties, except, (i) through the purchase of debt
securities in accordance with its investment
objective, policies and limitations, or (ii) by
engaging in repurchase agreements with respect to
portfolio securities.
Real Estate The Fund shall not purchase or sell real estate
unless acquired as a result of ownership of
securities or other instruments. This policy shall
not prevent the Fund from investment in securities
or other instruments backed by real estate or
securities of companies that deal in real estate or
are engaged in the real estate business.
Concentration The Fund shall not concentrate its investments in
(all but Global Gold, securities of issuers in a particular industry
Global Natural (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the
Resources,Prime U.S. government or any of its agencies or
Money Market instrumentalities).
and Utilities)
Concentration The Fund shall not deviate from its policy of
(Global Gold, Global concentrating its investments in securities of
Natural Resources issuers [Global Gold: engaged in mining, and
Utilities only) fabricating, processing or dealing in gold or other
precious metals, such as silver, platinum and
palladium]/[Utilities: engaged in the utilities
industry]/[Global Natural Resources: engaged in the
natural resources industries].
Concentration Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than
(Prime Money securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Market only) government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of
the Fund's total assets would be invested in the
securities of companies whose principal business
activities are in the same industry, except that the
Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in
the financial services industry.
Underwriting The Fund shall not act as an underwriter of
securities issued by others, except to the extent
that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within
the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the
disposition of restricted securities.
Commodities The Fund shall not purchase or sell physical
(all non-money market commodities unless acquired as a result of
funds except Gold) ownership of securities or other instruments;
provided that this limitation shall not prohibit the
Fund from purchasing or selling options and futures
contracts or from investing in securities or other
instruments backed by physical commodities.
Commodities The Fund shall not purchase or sell physical
(money market funds) commodities unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments.
Commodities The Fund shall not purchase gold bullion, gold
(Gold Fund only) coins, or gold represented by certificates of
ownership interest or gold futures contracts whose
underlying commodity value would cause the Fund's
aggregate investment in such commodities to exceed
10% of the Fund's net assets.
Investing for Control The Fund shall not invest for purposes of
exercising control over management.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
75 Appendix II American Century Investments
APPENDIX III
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN ACIM AND JPMIM
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AMERICAN CENTURY INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS
American Century -- Benham European Government Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
Agreement effective this 1st day of August, 1997, between AMERICAN CENTURY
INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS (the "Trust"), a business trust organized under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting on behalf of American Century
- - Benham European Government Bond Fund, a portfolio of the Trust (the "Fund"),
and American Century Investment Management, Inc. ("ACIM") a corporation
organized under the laws of the state of Delaware, with offices located at 4500
Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64141-6200, hereby agree with J. P. MORGAN
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. (the "Sub-Advisor"), a corporation organized under
the laws of the state of Delaware with offices located at 522 Fifth Avenue, New
York, New York 10036, as follows:
I. INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION - APPOINTMENT
The Trust desires to appoint the Sub-Advisor to provide certain investment
advisory services to the Fund in accordance with the Fund's Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information as in effect and as amended from time
to time, in such manner and to such extent as may be approved by the Board
of Trustees of the Trust. The Trust agrees to provide the Sub-Advisor
copies of all amendments to the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information on an ongoing basis. In consideration for the
compensation set forth below the Sub-Advisor accepts the appointment and
agrees to furnish the services described herein.
II. SERVICES AS INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISOR
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust
and of ACIM, the Fund's investment advisor, the Sub-Advisor will (i) act in
conformity with the Trust's Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940, the Internal Revenue Code and all other applicable federal and
state laws and regulations, as the same may from time to time be amended,
(ii) make investment decisions for the fund in accordance with the Fund's
investment objective(s) and policies as stated in the Fund's Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information and
Proxy Statement Appendix III 76
with such written guidelines as ACIM may from time to time provide to the
Sub-Advisor; (iii) place purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund;
(iv) maintain books and records with respect to the securities transactions
of the Fund and furnish the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic,
regular and special reports as the Board may request; and (v) treat
confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and
other information related to the Trust and its prior, present or potential
shareholders. The Sub-Advisor will not use such records and information for
any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties
hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by
the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such records
may not be withheld when the Sub-Advisor may be exposed to civil or
criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to
divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so
requested by the Trust. In providing those services, the Sub-Advisor will
supervise the Fund's investments and conduct a continual program of
investment, evaluation and, if appropriate, sale and reinvestment of the
Fund's assets. In addition, the Sub-Advisor will furnish the Trust or ACIM
with whatever information, including statistical data, the Trust or ACIM
may reasonably request with respect to the instruments that the Fund may
hold or contemplate purchasing.
III. BROKERAGE
A. Securities In executing transactions for the Fund and selecting
brokers or dealers, the Sub-Advisor will use its best efforts to
obtain the best net price and execution available and shall execute or
direct the execution of all such transactions as permitted by law and
in a manner that best suits the interest of the Fund and its
shareholders. In assessing the best net price and execution available
for any Fund transaction, the Sub-Advisor will consider all factors it
deems relevant including, but not limited to, breadth of the market in
the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and
execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of
any commission for the specific transaction and on a continuing
basis.. Consistent with this obligation, when the execution and price
offered by two or more brokers or dealers are comparable, the
Sub-Advisor may, at its discretion, execute transactions with brokers
and dealers who provide the Trust with research advice and other
services, but in all instances best net price and execution shall
control.
On occasions when the Sub-Advisor deems the purchase or sale of a
security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as its other
clients, the Sub-Advisor may to the extent permitted by applicable
law, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the
77 Appendix III American Century Investments
securities to be sold or purchased with those of its other clients. In
such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold will be
made by the Sub-Advisor in a manner it considers to be equitable and
consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such
other clients. Securities so allocated will be delivered in proportion
to the consideration paid. The expenses incurred in the transaction
shall be allocated pro-rata.
B. Foreign Exchange Transactions The Sub-Advisor is authorized to effect,
on behalf of the Fund, spot and forward foreign exchange contracts for
purposes consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and policies
as described in the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information, as amended, and with such other operating policies and
guidelines as ACIM may from time to time provide to the Sub-Advisor.
The Sub-Advisor is further authorized to execute such documents as may
be required to effect such transactions. In effecting such spot and
forward foreign exchange contracts and in selecting counterparties for
such contracts, the Sub-Advisor shall use its best efforts to seek the
best overall terms available and shall execute or direct the execution
of all such transactions as permitted by law and in a manner that best
suits the interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
IV. INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE TRUST
The Sub-Advisor will keep the Trust and ACIM informed of developments
materially affecting the Fund and will take initiative to furnish the Trust
and ACIM on at least a quarterly basis with whatever information the
Sub-Advisor believes is appropriate for this purpose. Such regular
quarterly reports shall include (i) a discussion of the Fund's performance
relative to its benchmark, (ii) an assessment of investment decsions and
analysis of the components of the Fund's performance (i.e., bond selection
and currency hedging), (iii) the decisions it has made with respect to the
Fund's assets and the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities, (iv)
the reasons for such decisions and related actions, and (v) the extent to
which those decisions have been implemented.
Sub-Advisor will provide the Trust and ACIM with such investment records,
ledgers, accounting and statistical data, and other information as the
Trust or ACIM requires for the preparation of registration statements,
periodic and other reports and other documents required by federal and
state laws and regulations, and particularly as may be required for the
periodic review, renewal, amendment or termination of this Agreement, and
such additional documents and information as the Trust and ACIM may
reasonably request for the management of their affairs. At least once
annually a representative of the Sub-Advisor shall
Proxy Statement Appendix III 78
attend a meeting of the Board of Trustees to make a presentation on the
Fund's performance during the preceding year.
The Sub-Advisor shall furnish to regulatory authorities any information or
reports in connection with such services as may be lawfully requested. The
Sub-Advisor shall also, at the Trust's request, certify to the Trust's
independent auditors that sales or purchases aggregated with those of other
clients of the Sub-Advisor, as described in Section 3(a) above, were
equitably allocated.
In compliance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
the Sub-Advisor hereby agrees that all records that it maintains for the
Fund are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly
to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request. Sub-Advisor
further agrees to preserve for the periods of time prescribed by the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 the
records required to be maintained thereunder.
V. LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF THE SUB-ADVISOR
The Sub-Advisor shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in
carrying out its responsibilities hereunder; provided, however, that no
provision of this Agreement shall be construed to protect any trustee,
director, officer, agent or employee of the Sub-Advisor from liability by
reason of negligence, willful malfeasance, bad faith in the performance of
such person's duties or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and
duties hereunder.
ACIM shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Advisor from and against all
claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorneys fees
and other related expenses), arising from or in connection with the
performance by the Sub-Advisor of its duties hereunder and not resulting
from the Sub-Advisor's negligence, willful malfeasance, bad faith in the
performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of
obligations and duties hereunder.
VI. COMPENSATION
In consideration of the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement, ACIM
will pay the Sub-Advisor on the first business day of each month a fee for
the previous month at an annual rate computed as follows:
0.20% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to $200 million; and
0.15% of the Fund's average daily net assets over $200 million.
The Sub-Advisor shall have no right to obtain compensation directly from
the Fund or the Trust for services provided hereunder and agrees to look
solely to ACIM for payment of fees due. Upon termination of this Agreement
before the end of a month, the fee for that month shall be prorated
according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly
period and shall be payable upon the date of termination
79 Appendix III American Century Investments
of this Agreement. For the purpose of determining fees payable to the
Sub-Advisor, the value of the Fund's net assets shall be computed at the
times and in the manner specified in the Fund's Prospectus or Statement of
Additional Information.
VII. EXPENSES
The Sub-Advisor will bear all expenses in connection with the performance
of its services under this Agreement, which expenses shall not include
brokerage fees or commissions in connection with the execution of
securities transactions.
VIII. SERVICES TO OTHER COMPANIES OR ACCOUNTS
The Trust understands that the Sub-Advisor now acts, will continue to act
as investment advisor to one or more other investment companies or series
of investment companies. The Trust has no objection to the Sub-Advisor so
acting, provided that, as described in Section 3 above, whenever the Fund
and one or more other accounts or investment companies advised by the
Sub-Advisor have funds available for investment, investments suitable and
appropriate for each will be allocated equitably to each entity in
accordance with procedures. Similarly, opportunities to sell securities
will be allocated in an equitable manner. In addition, the Trust
understands that the persons employed by the Sub-Advisor to assist in the
performance of the Sub-Advisor's duties hereunder will not devote their
full time to such service and nothing contained herein shall be deemed to
limit or restrict the right of the Sub-Advisor or any affiliate of the
Sub-Advisor to engage in and devote time and attention to other business or
to render services of whatever kind or nature.
IX. TERM OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date the Fund commences its
investment operations and shall continue for a two-year term and thereafter
so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by
(i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust or (ii) a vote of a "majority" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities, provided that in either event the
continuance is also approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees who are
not "interested persons" (as defined in said Act) of any part to this
Agreement, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval. This Agreement is terminable, without penalty on
60 days' written notice, by ACIM, the Board of Trustees of the Trust, or by
vote of holders of a majority of the Fund's shares, or upon twelve months'
written notice by the Sub-Advisor, and will terminate automatically upon
any termination of the advisory agreement between the Trust and ACIM.
Proxy Statement Appendix III 80
In addition, this Agreement will also terminate automatically in the event
of its assignment (as defined in said Act). The Sub-Advisor agrees to
notify the Trust of any circumstances that might result in this Agreement
being deemed to be assigned.
X. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE TRUST AND THE SUB-ADVISOR
The Trust represents that (i) a copy of its Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, dated August 28, 1991, together with all amendments thereto, is on
file in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
(ii) the appointment of the Sub-Advisor has been duly authorized, and (iii)
it has acted and will continue to act in conformity with the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable laws.
The Sub-Advisor represents that it is authorized to perform the services
described herein.
XI. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or
terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party
against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination
is sought.
XII. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
This Agreement has been executed on behalf of the Trust by the undersigned
officer of the Trust solely in his capacity as an officer of the Trust. No
shareholder, trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be
subject to claims against or obligations of the Trust to any extent
whatsoever.
XIII. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto.
XIV. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
XV. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
In the performance of its duties hereunder, the Sub-Advisor is and shall be
an independent contractor and, unless otherwise expressly provided or
authorized, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or
ACIM in any way, or otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the Trust or
ACIM.
XVI. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or similar authority, the remainder of this
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
81 Appendix III American Century Investments
XVII. NOTICES
Notices hereunder shall be addressed as follows:
To the Sub-Advisor: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
Attention: Ms. Nina Mettelman
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036
with a copy to: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
Attention: Mr. Peter Young
28 King Street
London SWIY 6XA
To the Trust: American Century International Bond Funds
Attention: William M. Lyons
Executive Vice President
4500 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64141-0274
To ACIM: American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Attention: James Stowers, III
4500 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64141-0274
XVIII. PROMOTION AND DISTRIBUTION
The Sub-Advisor shall have no responsibility or authority to promote the
sale or distribution of the Trust's shares in any manner.
[Signatures omitted]
Proxy Statement Appendix III 82
NOTES
83 Notes American Century Investments
NOTES
Notes 84
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