IDS EXTRA INCOME FUND INC
N-14/A, 2000-04-17
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form N-14

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933                     [ ]

Pre-Effective Amendment No.       1     (File No. 333-32362)                [X]
                                 ----

Post-Effective Amendment No.                                                [ ]

AXP EXTRA INCOME FUND, INC.
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0010

Leslie L. Ogg
901 S. Marquette Avenue, Suite 2810
Minneapolis, MN  55402-3268
(612) 330-9283

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

Title of Securities Being Registered:              Common Stock

No filing fee is due  because of  reliance  on Section  24(f) of the  Investment
Company Act of 1940.

This Registration  Statement shall hereafter become effective in accordance with
the  provisions  of Section 8(a) of the  Securities  Act of 1933.

<PAGE>


<PAGE>
                             STRATEGIST FUND GROUP

                  NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                             TO BE HELD MAY 9, 2000

Strategist Growth Fund, Inc.
 -Strategist Growth Fund
 -Strategist Growth Trends Fund
 -Strategist Special Growth Fund
Strategist Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
 -Strategist Balanced Fund
 -Strategist Equity Fund
 -Strategist Equity Income Fund
 -Strategist Total Return Fund
Strategist Income Fund, Inc.
 -Strategist Government Income Fund
 -Strategist High Yield Fund
 -Strategist Quality Income Fund
Strategist World Fund, Inc.
 -Strategist Emerging Markets Fund
 -Strategist World Growth Fund
 -Strategist World Income Fund
 -Strategist World Technologies Fund
Strategist Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.
 -Strategist Tax-Free High Yield Fund

Your Fund will hold a special shareholders' meeting at 2:00 p.m. on May 9, 2000,
at the IDS Tower, 80 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis, MN, in Conference Room A
on the 27th floor. This will be a joint meeting for all of the Funds listed
above. At the meeting, shareholders will consider the following:

- -  A proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the
   Strategist Fund and the corresponding AXP Fund investing in the same master
   fund. Under this Agreement, the Strategist Fund will transfer all of its
   assets to the AXP Fund in exchange for Class A shares of the AXP Fund. These
   shares will be distributed proportionately to you and the other shareholders
   of the Strategist Fund. The AXP Fund will assume the Strategist Fund's
   liabilities. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the
   proposal.
- -  Any other business that may come before the meeting.

Please take a few minutes to read the proxy statement. It discusses the proposal
in more detail. If you were a shareholder on April 5, 2000, you may vote at the
meeting or any adjournment of the meeting. We hope you can attend the meeting.
For those of you who cannot attend, please complete and return the enclosed
proxy card. If you have questions, please call 1-800-775-5805. This proxy
statement was first mailed to shareholders the week of April 17, 2000.

                                                                  April 17, 2000
<PAGE>
                      COMBINED PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
                              DATED APRIL 17, 2000

This document is a proxy statement for each of the Strategist Funds and a
prospectus for the corresponding AXP Fund as shown in the table below. It
contains the information you should know before voting on the proposed
reorganization of the Strategist Fund into the corresponding AXP Fund (the
"Reorganization"). Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.
The table shows the investment objective for each Strategist Fund and
corresponding AXP Fund. Investment policies for the Strategist Fund and its
corresponding AXP Fund are identical. The address of the Strategist Fund is IDS
Tower 10, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440-0010. The address of the AXP Fund is 901
Marquette Avenue South, Suite 2810, Minneapolis, MN 55402-3268.

                      FUND NAMES AND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>                  <C>
    STRATEGIST FUND            AXP FUND                  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Balanced        AXP Mutual           Balance of growth of capital and
                                                current income.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Emerging        AXP Emerging         Long-term capital growth.
Markets                    Markets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity          AXP Stock            Current income and growth of capital.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity          AXP Diversified      High level of current income.
Income                     Equity Income        Secondary goal is steady growth of
                                                capital.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Government      AXP Federal          High level of current income and
Income                     Income               safety of principal consistent with
                                                investment in U.S. government and
                                                government agency securities.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth          AXP Growth           Long-term capital growth.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth          AXP New              Long-term growth of capital.
Trends                     Dimensions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist High Yield      AXP Extra Income     High current income. Secondary goal is
                                                capital growth.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Quality         AXP Selective        Current income and preservation of
Income                                          capital.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>                  <C>
    STRATEGIST FUND            AXP FUND                  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Special         AXP Research         Long-term capital growth.
Growth                     Opportunities
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Tax-Free        AXP High Yield       High yield generally exempt from
High Yield                 Tax-Exempt           federal income taxes.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Total Return    AXP Managed          Maximum total return through a
                           Allocation           combination of growth of capital and
                                                current income.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Growth    AXP Global Growth    Long-term capital growth.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Income    AXP Global Bond      High total return through income and
                                                growth of capital.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World           AXP Innovations      Long-term capital growth.
Technologies
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

HOW THE REORGANIZATION WILL WORK

- -  The Strategist Fund will transfer all of its assets to the corresponding AXP
   Fund. The AXP Fund will assume the Strategist Fund's stated liabilities.

- -  The AXP Fund will issue Class A shares to the Strategist Fund in an amount
   equal to the value of the assets it receives, less the liabilities it
   assumes. These Class A shares will be distributed to the Strategist Fund's
   shareholders in proportion to their holdings in the Strategist Fund. You will
   not pay any sales charge in connection with this distribution of shares.

Please note that the AXP Fund is not a bank deposit, is not federally insured,
is not endorsed by any bank or government agency and is not guaranteed to
achieve its goal.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has
not approved or disapproved these securities or passed on the adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

                                       3
<PAGE>
                         WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>
The AXP Fund's most recent prospectus       In the same envelope as this proxy
and annual report.                          statement/prospectus.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The AXP Fund's most recent statement of     Incorporated by reference into this
additional information and semi-annual      proxy statement/prospectus. For a copy
report to shareholders (if a semi-annual    at no charge, call toll-free
report has been issued subsequent to the    1-800-862-7919 or write to the address
most recent annual report).                 below.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Strategist Fund's most recent           Incorporated by reference into this
prospectus.                                 proxy statement/prospectus. For a copy
                                            at no charge, call toll-free
                                            1-800-297-8800 or write to the address
                                            below.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Strategist Fund's most recent annual    Incorporated by reference into this
report and semi-annual report to            proxy statement/prospectus. For a copy
shareholders (if a semi-annual report       at no charge, call toll-free
has been issued subsequent to the most      1-800-297-8800 or write to the address
recent annual report).                      below.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of additional information         Incorporated by reference into this
dated the same date as this proxy           proxy statement/prospectus. For a copy
statement/prospectus. This document         at no charge, call toll-free
contains information about both the         1-800-862-7919 or write to the address
Strategist Fund and the AXP Fund.           below.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To ask questions about this proxy           Call toll-free 1-800-775-5805 or write
statement/prospectus.                       to: American Express Client Service
                                            Corporation, P.O. Box 534, Minneapolis,
                                            MN 55440-0534.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*   See Table G-2 for the dates of each of these documents.

                                       4
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
A. Summary..................................................      7

  - How the Reorganization Will Work........................      7

  - Comparison of the Strategist Fund to the AXP Fund.......      8

  - Tax Consequences........................................     10

  - Investment Policies and Risk Factors....................     10

B. Fees and Expenses........................................     13

C. The Reorganization.......................................     17

  - Terms of the Reorganization.............................     17

  - Conditions to Closing the Reorganization................     18

  - Termination of the Agreement............................     18

  - Tax Status of the Reorganization........................     18

  - Reasons for the Proposed Reorganization and Board
    Deliberations...........................................     19

  - Boards' Determination...................................     21

D. Information Concerning the Meeting.......................     22

  - Recommendation and Vote Required........................     22

  - Voting..................................................     22

  - Revoking Your Proxy.....................................     22

  - Simultaneous Meetings...................................     22

  - Solicitation of Proxies.................................     22

  - Dissenters' Right of Appraisal..........................     23

  - Other Business..........................................     23

  - Adjournment.............................................     23
</TABLE>

                                       5
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
E. Capitalization and Ownership of Fund Shares..............     24

  - Capitalization..........................................     24

  - Ownership of Fund Shares................................     25

F. Experts..................................................     28

G. Additional Information About the Funds' Businesses.......     28

EXHIBITS

1. Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the
  Strategist Fund and the AXP Fund..........................     30

2. Minnesota Business Corporation Act Sections 302A.471 and
  302A.473..................................................     42

3. Most recent AXP Fund prospectus and annual report
  (enclosed)
</TABLE>

                                       6
<PAGE>
                                   A. SUMMARY

This proxy statement/prospectus is being used by the Board of Directors (the
"Board") of the Strategist Fund to solicit proxies to vote at a special meeting
of shareholders. The purpose of the meeting is to consider a proposal to approve
an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Agreement") providing for the
Reorganization of the Strategist Fund into the corresponding AXP Fund invested
in the same master fund.

The following is a summary. More complete information appears later in this
proxy statement/prospectus. You should read the entire proxy
statement/prospectus and the exhibits because they contain details that are not
in the summary. The materials in the statement of additional information dated
the same date as this proxy statement/prospectus for the Strategist Fund and the
AXP Fund are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

HOW THE REORGANIZATION WILL WORK.

- -  The Strategist Fund will transfer all of its assets to the corresponding AXP
   Fund. The AXP Fund will assume all the Strategist Fund's stated liabilities.
   There are no outstanding liabilities with respect to the Strategist Fund's
   12b-1 plan.

- -  The AXP Fund will issue Class A shares to the Strategist Fund in an amount
   equal to the value of the assets it receives, less the liabilities it
   assumes. These Class A shares will be distributed to the Strategist Fund's
   shareholders in proportion to their holdings in the Strategist Fund.

- -  Neither the Strategist Fund nor the shareholders of the Strategist Fund will
   pay any sales charge in connection with the Reorganization.

- -  After the Reorganization is completed, Strategist shareholders will be
   shareholders of Class A shares of the corresponding AXP Fund. The Strategist
   Fund will be deregistered as a mutual fund and terminated under state law.

                                       7
<PAGE>
                                   TABLE A-1.
               COMPARISON OF THE STRATEGIST FUND TO THE AXP FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 STRATEGIST FUND                     AXP FUND
<S>                        <C>                             <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General                    A series of capital stock of    A series of capital stock of
                           an open-end management          an open-end management
                           investment company organized    investment company organized
                           as a Minnesota corporation.     as a Minnesota corporation.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Structure       A feeder fund, as shown in      A feeder fund, as shown in
                           Table A-2, investing all of     Table A-2, investing all of
                           its assets in a master fund.    its assets in a master fund.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Adviser         American Express Financial      AEFC is the investment
                           Corporation ("AEFC") is the     adviser for the master fund.
                           investment adviser for the
                           master fund.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Objectives,     Identical for both Funds.
Policies, Investment       See Table A-2 for more information on each fund.
Strategies, Risks and
Restrictions
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pricing                    Each Fund calculates its net asset value per share at the
                           close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE")
                           (normally 3:00 p.m. Central Time) each business day.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       8
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 STRATEGIST FUND                     AXP FUND
<S>                        <C>                             <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classes of Shares          One class of shares, offered    Three classes of shares.
                           without a sales charge.         Only Class A shares are
                           Effective October 4, 1999       being offered to Strategist
                           the Strategist Fund             Fund shareholders in this
                           discontinued a 0.25% 12b-1      proxy statement/prospectus.
                           fee.                            - Class A has a front-end
                                                           sales charge and a 0.25%
                                                           12b-1 fee.*
                                                           - Class B has a contingent
                                                           deferred sales charge and a
                                                           1% 12b-1 fee.
                                                           - Class Y is offered only to
                                                           institutional investors with
                                                           no sales charge and a 0.10%
                                                           service fee.
                                                           *No sales charge will be
                                                           charged as part of the
                                                           Reorganization. On
                                                           subsequent purchases, the
                                                           sales charge will be waived
                                                           permanently for former
                                                           Strategist shareholders.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buying and Selling         Strategist Fund shares are      Investors may purchase and
Shares                     no longer available for new     redeem shares directly,
                           investment. Existing            through their American
                           shareholders may make add-on    Express financial advisor or
                           purchases to existing           through other authorized
                           accounts.                       broker-dealers or third
                                                           parties.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum Investment         Initial: No new investments     Initial: $2,000*
Amounts                    allowed                         Subsequent: $100
                           Subsequent: $100 for            *The AXP Fund will waive the
                           existing investors              minimum investment amount
                                                           for any Strategist Fund
                                                           account that, after the
                                                           Reorganization, contains
                                                           less than $2,000.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 STRATEGIST FUND                     AXP FUND
<S>                        <C>                             <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchanges                  Permitted only between          Class A shares of the AXP
                           existing Strategist Fund        Fund may be exchanged for
                           accounts.                       Class A shares of 38 other
                                                           AXP Funds.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voting Rights              No cumulative voting rights     Cumulative voting rights
                           when voting on the election     when voting on the election
                           of directors.                   of directors.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

TAX CONSEQUENCES. The Reorganization is expected to be tax-free for federal
income tax purposes and will not take place unless the Strategist Fund and the
AXP Fund receive a satisfactory opinion from the law firm of Ropes & Gray,
substantially to that effect.

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISK FACTORS. Because both the Strategist Fund and the
AXP Fund invest in the same master fund and are subject to the same investment
objectives, investment strategies and restrictions, the risks of an investment
in the AXP Fund are identical to the risks of an investment in the Strategist
Fund. Investment policies and risk factors are described in detail in the
enclosed AXP Fund prospectus under the headings "Investment Strategies" and
"Risks". The following table provides a brief summary of the investment policies
and risks.

                                       10
<PAGE>
                                   TABLE A-2.
                SUMMARY OF PRIMARY INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS
(policies and risks are identical for the Strategist Fund and its corresponding
                                   AXP Fund)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   STRATEGIST FUND             AXP FUND              PRIMARY INVESTMENT POLICIES             PRIMARY INVESTMENT RISKS
<S>                     <C>                     <C>                                    <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Balanced     AXP Mutual              Primarily invests in a combination of  Market risk, interest rate risk,
                                                common stocks and senior securities.   sector/ concentration risk,
                                                                                       call/prepayment risk, credit risk,
                                                                                       liquidity risk, style risk
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Emerging     AXP Emerging Markets    Primarily invests in equity            Market risk, foreign/emerging markets
Markets                                         securities of companies in emerging    risk, liquidity risk, style risk,
                                                market countries.                      sector/ concentration risk
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity       AXP Stock               Primarily invests in common stocks     Market risk, inflation risk, foreign
                                                and securities convertible into        risk
                                                common stocks.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity       AXP Diversified Equity  Primarily invests in dividend-paying   Market risk, sector/concentration
Income                  Income                  equity securities.                     risk, inflation risk
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Government   AXP Federal Income      Primarily invests in debt obligations  Market risk, correlation risk,
Income                                          issued or guaranteed as to principal   interest rate risk, call/prepayment
                                                and interest by the U.S. government,   risk
                                                its agencies or instrumentalities.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth       AXP Growth              Primarily invests in common stocks     Market risk, style risk, foreign risk
                                                and securities convertible into
                                                common stocks that appear to offer
                                                growth opportunities.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth       AXP New Dimensions      Primarily invests in common stocks     Market risk, style risk, foreign risk
Trends                                          showing potential for significant
                                                growth.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist High Yield   AXP Extra Income        Primarily invests in high-yielding,    Market risk, interest rate risk,
                                                high risk corporate bonds (junk        credit risk
                                                bonds).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       11
<PAGE>
                                   TABLE A-2.
                SUMMARY OF PRIMARY INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS
(policies and risks are identical for the Strategist Fund and its corresponding
                                   AXP Fund)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   STRATEGIST FUND             AXP FUND              PRIMARY INVESTMENT POLICIES             PRIMARY INVESTMENT RISKS
<S>                     <C>                     <C>                                    <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Quality      AXP Selective           Primarily invests in debt obligations  Market risk, interest rate risk,
Income                                          that are investment grade or           credit risk
                                                equivalent.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Special      AXP Research            Primarily invests in securities of     Market risk, issuer risk, style risk
Growth                  Opportunities           companies that are part of the S&P
                                                500 and are believed to be
                                                undervalued or offer the potential
                                                for long-term growth.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Tax-Free     AXP High Yield Tax-     Primarily invests in medium and lower  Market risk, interest rate risk,
High Yield              Exempt                  quality bonds (junk bonds) and other   credit risk, legal/legislative risk,
                                                debt obligations issued by or on       call/ prepayment risk
                                                behalf of state or local governmental
                                                units whose interest is exempt from
                                                federal income tax.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Total        AXP Managed Allocation  Primarily allocates investments among  Market risk, interest rate risk,
Return                                          four asset classes: U.S. equities,     foreign/ emerging markets risk,
                                                U.S. and foreign debt securities,      call/prepayment risk, credit risk,
                                                foreign equity securities and cash.    event risk, liquidity risk, small
                                                                                       company risk
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World        AXP Global Growth       Primarily invests in equity            Market risk, foreign/emerging markets
Growth                                          securities of companies around the     risk, style risk
                                                world that are positioned to meet
                                                market needs in a changing world
                                                economy.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World        AXP Global Bond         Primarily invests in debt obligations  Interest rate risk, foreign/emerging
Income                                          of U.S. and foreign issuers.           markets risk, credit risk, liquidity
                                                                                       risk
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World        AXP Innovations         Primarily invests in equity            Market risk, sector/concentration
Technologies                                    securities of companies in the         risk, style risk
                                                information technology industry.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       12
<PAGE>
                              B. FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and
hold shares of the Strategist Fund or Class A shares of the AXP Fund. The table
also shows Pro Forma expenses of Class A shares of the AXP Fund assuming the
proposed Reorganization had been effective during the most recent fiscal year.

                                       13
<PAGE>
                                   TABLE B-1.
                       ACTUAL AND PRO FORMA FUND EXPENSES
                        For the Most Recent Fiscal Year
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    SHAREHOLDER FEES                   ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES(A)
                                                   (fees paid directly         (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
                      FUND                        from your investment)         (as a percent of average daily net assets)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Maximum sales        Management     Distribution        Other
                                                         charge             fees(b)      (12b-1) fees(c)   expenses(d)   Total(e)
<S>                                               <C>                     <C>            <C>               <C>           <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Balanced.............................            0%                0.48%           0.25%            2.41%       3.14%
AXP Mutual - Class A............................            5%                0.46%           0.25%            0.19%       0.90%
AXP Mutual - Class A Pro Forma..................            *                 0.46%           0.25%            0.19%       0.90%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Emerging Markets.....................            0%                1.10%           0.25%            4.82%       6.17%
AXP Emerging Markets - Class A..................            5%                1.10%           0.25%            0.76%       2.11%
AXP Emerging Markets - Class A Pro Forma........            *                 1.10%           0.25%            0.76%       2.11%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity...............................            0%                0.48%           0.25%            1.42%       2.15%
AXP Stock - Class A.............................            5%                0.48%           0.25%            0.15%       0.88%
AXP Stock - Class A Pro Forma...................            *                 0.48%           0.25%            0.15%       0.88%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity Income........................            0%                0.49%           0.25%            2.88%       3.62%
AXP Diversified Equity Income - Class A.........            5%                0.49%           0.25%            0.22%       0.96%
AXP Diversified Equity Income - Class A
Pro Forma.......................................            *                 0.49%           0.25%            0.22%       0.96%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Government Income....................            0%                0.50%           0.25%            0.66%       1.41%
AXP Federal Income - Class A....................            5%                0.50%           0.25%            0.23%       0.98%
AXP Federal Income - Class A Pro Forma..........            *                 0.50%           0.25%            0.23%       0.98%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth...............................            0%                0.52%           0.25%            0.26%       1.03%
AXP Growth - Class A............................            5%                0.53%           0.25%            0.19%       0.97%
AXP Growth - Class A Pro Forma..................            *                 0.53%           0.25%            0.19%       0.97%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth Trends........................            0%                0.53%           0.25%            0.17%       0.95%
AXP New Dimensions -- Class A...................            5%                0.53%           0.25%            0.15%       0.93%
AXP New Dimensions -- Class A Pro Forma.........            *                 0.53%           0.25%            0.15%       0.93%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist High Yield...........................            0%                0.56%           0.25%            1.04%       1.85%
AXP Extra Income - Class A......................            5%                0.56%           0.25%            0.20%       1.01%
AXP Extra Income - Class A Pro Forma............            *                 0.56%           0.25%            0.20%       1.01%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Quality Income.......................            0%                0.52%           0.25%            2.81%       3.58%
AXP Selective - Class A.........................            5%                0.51%           0.25%            0.22%       0.98%
AXP Selective - Class A Pro Forma...............            *                 0.51%           0.25%            0.22%       0.98%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       14
<PAGE>
                                   TABLE B-1.
                       ACTUAL AND PRO FORMA FUND EXPENSES
                        For the Most Recent Fiscal Year
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    SHAREHOLDER FEES                   ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES(A)
                                                   (fees paid directly         (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
                      FUND                        from your investment)         (as a percent of average daily net assets)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Maximum sales        Management     Distribution        Other
                                                         charge             fees(b)      (12b-1) fees(c)   expenses(d)   Total(e)
<S>                                               <C>                     <C>            <C>               <C>           <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Special Growth.......................            0%                0.64%           0.25%            1.38%       2.27%
AXP Research Opportunities - Class A............            5%                0.63%           0.25%            0.33%       1.21%
AXP Research Opportunities - Class A
Pro Forma.......................................            *                 0.63%           0.25%            0.33%       1.21%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Tax-Free High Yield..................            0%                0.45%           0.25%            2.55%       3.25%
AXP High Yield Tax-Exempt - Class A.............            5%                0.44%           0.25%            0.11%       0.80%
AXP High Yield Tax-Exempt - Class A
Pro Forma.......................................            *                 0.44%           0.25%            0.11%       0.80%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Total Return.........................            0%                0.44%           0.25%            0.62%       1.31%
AXP Managed Allocation - Class A................            5%                0.43%           0.25%            0.21%       0.89%
AXP Managed Allocation - Class A Pro Forma......            *                 0.43%           0.25%            0.21%       0.89%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Growth.........................            0%                0.75%           0.25%            1.85%       2.85%
AXP Global Growth - Class A.....................            5%                0.74%           0.25%            0.32%       1.31%
AXP Global Growth - Class A Pro Forma...........            *                 0.74%           0.25%            0.32%       1.31%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Income.........................            0%                0.75%           0.25%            2.46%       3.46%
AXP Global Bond - Class A.......................            5%                0.74%           0.25%            0.28%       1.27%
AXP Global Bond - Class A Pro Forma.............            *                 0.74%           0.25%            0.28%       1.27%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Technologies...................            0%                0.72%           0.25%            2.24%       3.21%
AXP Innovations - Class A.......................            5%                0.72%           0.25%            0.15%       1.12%
AXP Innovations - Class A Pro Forma.............            *                 0.72%           0.25%            0.15%       1.12%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>  <C>
*    The 5% sales charge will be waived permanently for former
     Strategist shareholders.
(a)  For all Funds, operating expenses include expenses charged
     by both the Fund and the master fund. Expenses are based on
     actual expenses for the last fiscal year, restated to
     reflect current fees.
(b)  The management fee is paid by the master fund and is
     allocated between the Strategist Fund and the AXP Fund based
     on respective net assets. For some Funds, the chart shows a
     slight difference between the management fee for the
     Strategist Fund and the management fee for the AXP Fund.
     This difference is due to rounding.
(c)  Effective October 4, 1999 the 0.25% distribution fee was
     discontinued for the Strategist Fund.
(d)  Other expenses include an administrative services fee, a
     transfer agency fee and other nonadvisory expenses.
(e)  For the Strategist Fund, AEFC has agreed to waive certain
     fees and to absorb certain other Fund expenses until the end
     of the Fund's current fiscal year. The agreement may be
     terminated at any time after that date. Under the agreement,
     total expenses will not exceed 0.95% for Tax-Free High
     Yield; 1.10% for Government Income and Quality Income; 1.20%
     for High Yield; 1.25% for Balanced, Equity and Equity
     Income; 1.30% for Growth, Growth Trends and Total Return;
     1.35% for World Income and World Technologies; 1.40% for
     Special Growth; 1.75% for World Growth; and 2.20% for
     Emerging Markets. For the most recent fiscal year, actual
     total expenses with fee waivers and expense reimbursement
     were 0.95% for Tax-Free High Yield; 1.09% for Government
     Income, 1.09% for Quality Income, 1.19% for High Yield;
     0.98% for Balanced; 1.25% for Equity; 1.25% for Equity
     Income; 1.03% for Growth; 0.95% for Growth Trends; 1.22% for
     Total Return; 1.35% for World Income, 1.47% for World
     Technologies; 1.39% for Special Growth; 1.71% for World
     Growth; and 2.20% for Emerging Markets.
</TABLE>

                                       15
<PAGE>
EXAMPLE: This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in
the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Assume you invest
$10,000 and the Fund earns a 5% return. The operating expenses remain the same
each year. If you hold your shares until the end of the year shown, the
following table shows your costs under the current arrangements and your costs
if the proposed reorganization had been in effect. The numbers for the AXP Fund
reflect the costs that would be incurred if a shareholder paid $500 in sales
charge to purchase Class A shares. You will not incur that cost since the sales
charge will be waived permanently for former Strategist Fund shareholders.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   FUND                       1 YEAR    3 YEARS    5 YEARS    10 YEARS
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Balanced........................    $317      $  969     $1,645     $3,451
AXP Mutual - Class A.......................     587         773        974      1,557
AXP Mutual - Class A Pro Forma.............     587         773        974      1,557
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Emerging Markets................     613       1,819      2,996      5,823
AXP Emerging Markets - Class A.............     703       1,128      1,578      2,824
AXP Emerging Markets - Class A Pro Forma..      703       1,128      1,578      2,824
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity..........................     218         673      1,155      2,487
AXP Stock - Class A........................     585         767        964      1,534
AXP Stock - Class A Pro Forma..............     585         767        964      1,534
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity Income...................     365       1,109      1,874      3,882
AXP Diversified Equity Income - Class A....     593         791      1,005      1,623
AXP Diversified Equity Income - Class A
Pro Forma..................................     593         791      1,005      1,623
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Government Income...............     144         447        772      1,696
AXP Federal Income - Class A...............     595         797      1,015      1,646
AXP Federal Income - Class A Pro Forma.....     595         797      1,015      1,646
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth..........................     105         328        570      1,264
AXP Growth - Class A.......................     594         794      1,010      1,634
AXP Growth - Class A Pro Forma.............     594         794      1,010      1,634
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth Trends...................      97         303        526      1,171
AXP New Dimensions - Class A...............     590         782        990      1,590
AXP New Dimensions - Class A Pro Forma.....     590         782        990      1,590
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist High Yield......................     188         582      1,002      2,174
AXP Extra Income - Class A.................     598         806      1,031      1,679
AXP Extra Income - Class A Pro Forma.......     598         806      1,031      1,679
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Quality Income..................     361       1,097      1,855      3,847
AXP Selective - Class A....................     595         797      1,015      1,646
AXP Selective - Class A Pro Forma..........     595         797      1,015      1,646
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Special Growth..................     230         710      1,216      2,610
AXP Research Opportunities - Class A.......     617         865      1,133      1,897
AXP Research Opportunities - Class A
Pro Forma..................................     617         865      1,133      1,897
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Tax-Free High Yield.............     328       1,001      1,698      3,552
AXP High Yield Tax-Exempt - Class A........     578         743        923      1,444
AXP High Yield Tax-Exempt - Class A
Pro Forma..................................     578         743        923      1,444
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       16
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1          3          5          10
                                         FUND  YEAR      YEARS      YEARS      YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Strategist Total Return....................    $133      $  415     $  719     $1,584
AXP Managed Allocation - Class A...........     586         770        969      1,545
AXP Managed Allocation - Class A
Pro Forma..................................     586         770        969      1,545
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Growth....................     288         883      1,504      3,179
AXP Global Growth - Class A................     627         895      1,183      2,005
AXP Global Growth - Class A Pro Forma......     627         895      1,183      2,005
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Income....................     349       1,062      1,798      3,740
AXP Global Bond - Class A..................     623         883      1,163      1,962
AXP Global Bond - Class A Pro Forma........     623         883      1,163      1,962
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Technologies..............     324         989      1,679      3,515
AXP Innovations - Class A..................     608         838      1,087      1,800
AXP Innovations - Class A Pro Forma........     608         838      1,087      1,800
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                             C. THE REORGANIZATION

TERMS OF THE REORGANIZATION.  The Board has approved the Agreement, a copy of
which is attached as Exhibit 1. The Agreement provides for Reorganization on the
following terms:

- -  The Reorganization is scheduled to occur on the first day that the NYSE is
   open for business following shareholder approval and receipt of any necessary
   regulatory approvals, but may occur on any later date agreed to by the Funds.

- -  The Strategist Fund will transfer all of its assets to the AXP Fund and, in
   exchange, the AXP Fund will assume the Strategist Fund's stated liabilities
   and issue Class A shares.

- -  The AXP Fund will issue Class A shares to the Strategist Fund in an amount
   equal to the value of the assets received by the AXP Fund, less the
   liabilities assumed by the AXP Fund in the transaction. These shares will
   immediately be distributed by the Strategist Fund to its shareholders in
   proportion to their holdings in the Strategist Fund. As a result,
   shareholders of the Strategist Fund will become Class A shareholders of the
   AXP Fund.

- -  Neither the Strategist Fund nor the shareholders of the Strategist Fund will
   pay any sales charge in connection with the Reorganization.

- -  The net asset value of both Funds will be computed as of 3:00 p.m. Central
   time, on the closing date.

                                       17
<PAGE>
- -  After the Reorganization, the Strategist Fund will be deregistered as a
   mutual fund and terminated under state law.

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING THE REORGANIZATION.  The completion of the Reorganization
is subject to certain conditions described in the Agreement, including:

- -  The Strategist Fund will have declared and paid a dividend that will
   distribute all of the Fund's taxable income, if any, to the shareholders of
   the Strategist Fund for the taxable years ending at or prior to the closing.

- -  The Funds will have received any approvals, consents or exemptions from the
   SEC or any regulatory body necessary to carry out the Reorganization.

- -  A registration statement on Form N-14 will have been filed with the SEC and
   declared effective for each of the Funds.

- -  The shareholders of the Strategist Funds will have approved the Agreement.

- -  The Funds will have received an opinion of tax counsel that the proposed
   Reorganization will be tax-free for each Fund and its shareholders.

TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT.  The Agreement and the transactions contemplated
by it may be terminated and abandoned by resolutions of the Board of the
Strategist Fund or the AXP Fund at any time prior to closing. In the event of a
termination, there will be no liability for damages on the part of either the
Strategist Fund or the AXP Fund or the directors, officers or shareholders of
either Fund.

TAX STATUS OF THE REORGANIZATION.  The Reorganization is expected to be tax-free
for federal income tax purposes and will not take place unless the Strategist
Fund and the AXP Fund receive a satisfactory opinion from the law firm of
Ropes & Gray, substantially to the effect that:

- -  The transfer of the Strategist Fund's assets to the AXP Fund in exchange for
   Class A shares of the AXP Fund and the assumption of the Strategist Fund's
   liabilities, followed by the distribution of those shares to the Strategist
   Fund's shareholders and the termination of the Strategist Fund will be a
   "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Internal
   Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), and the Strategist Fund and the
   corresponding AXP Fund will each be

                                       18
<PAGE>
   a "party to the reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the
   Code.

- -  No gain or loss will be recognized by the Strategist Fund upon the transfer
   of all of its assets to the AXP Fund or on the distribution by the Strategist
   Fund of Class A shares of the AXP Fund to Strategist Fund shareholders.

- -  No gain or loss will be recognized by the AXP Fund upon the receipt of the
   Strategist Fund's assets solely in exchange for the issuance of the AXP
   Fund's Class A shares to the Strategist Fund and the assumption of all of the
   Strategist Fund's liabilities by the AXP Fund.

- -  The basis of the assets of the Strategist Fund acquired by the AXP Fund will
   be, in each instance, the same as the basis of those assets in the hands of
   the Strategist Fund immediately before the transfer.

- -  The tax holding period of the assets of the Strategist Fund in the hands of
   the AXP Fund will include the Strategist Fund's tax holding period for those
   assets.

- -  The shareholders of the Strategist Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon
   the exchange of all their shares of the Strategist Fund solely for the AXP
   Fund Class A shares as part of the Reorganization.

- -  The basis of the Class A shares of the AXP Fund received by the Strategist
   Fund shareholders in the Reorganization will be the same as the basis of the
   shares of the Strategist Fund surrendered in exchange.

- -  The tax holding period of the Class A shares of the AXP Fund received by the
   Strategist Fund shareholders will include, for each shareholder, the tax
   holding period of the shares of the Strategist Fund surrendered in exchange,
   provided that the Class A shares of the AXP Fund were held as capital assets
   on the date of the exchange.

REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION AND BOARD DELIBERATIONS.  The Board
believes that the proposed Reorganization will be advantageous to the Strategist
Fund shareholders for several reasons. The Board considered the following
matters, among others, in approving the Reorganization.

- -  TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE REORGANIZATION. The Board considered the terms
   and conditions of the Reorganization as described in the previous paragraphs.

                                       19
<PAGE>
- -  TAX CONSEQUENCES. The Board considered the tax-free nature of the
   Reorganization.

- -  CONTINUITY OF INVESTMENT. The Board took into account the fact that,
   following the Reorganization, shareholders of the Strategist Funds will be
   invested in a fund holding an identical investment securities portfolio, with
   identical investment objectives, policies, and restrictions.

- -  CONTINUED NO-LOAD PURCHASES. The Board took into account that shareholders of
   the Strategist Fund will be able to make future purchases of shares of the
   AXP Fund on a no-load basis.

- -  EXPENSE RATIOS. Following the Reorganization, the expense ratio for the AXP
   Fund is expected to be lower than the expense ratio of the Strategist Fund.
   The Reorganization is expected to eliminate or reduce costs associated with
   maintaining separate funds, including costs of separate audits, printing
   costs and blue sky fees. The Strategist Fund has been unable to attract
   sufficient assets to operate effectively without significant expense
   subsidization. Since commencement of operations, AEFC has been waiving a
   portion of its fees. AEFC has committed to continue capping fees through the
   end of the 2000 fiscal year for the Strategist Fund, although waivers can be
   discontinued at any time after that. AEFC does not expect to waive fees
   indefinitely and, without continued fee waivers or growth in assets, the
   Strategist Fund's expense ratios would likely exceed those of many other
   funds with similar investment objectives. This could have an adverse impact
   on the Strategist Fund's performance. As a result, it is possible that the
   Strategist Fund's asset base will decline and the Strategist Fund's expense
   ratio will rise even higher as fixed costs are spread over a shrinking asset
   base.

    The AXP Fund, on the other hand, has achieved viable size. Certain fixed
    shareholder expenses (such as accounting fees, printing costs and blue sky
    expenses) are expected to be lower for the AXP fund than they would be for
    the Strategist Fund if AEFC discontinued waiving fees. Thus, Strategist Fund
    shareholders will experience lower per share fixed costs by holding AXP Fund
    shares than they would if they continued to hold shares in the Strategist
    Fund. Expense ratios for each of the Funds for the last fiscal year are
    shown under the heading "Fees and Expenses".

- -  POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO AEFC AND ITS AFFILIATES. Although not a reason for
   approving the Reorganization, as part of its deliberations the Board also
   considered the potential benefits from the Reorganization

                                       20
<PAGE>
   that could be realized by AEFC and its affiliates. The Board recognized that
   the potential benefits to AEFC consist principally of the elimination of
   expenses incurred in duplicative efforts to administer two separate funds.
   AEFC also will benefit to the extent it no longer waives its fees. The Board
   also noted, however, that shareholders of the Strategist Funds will benefit
   directly from any decrease in overall operating ratios resulting from the
   proposed Reorganization.

- -  COSTS. The Board considered the fact that AEFC has agreed to bear the costs
   of effecting the Reorganization.

- -  ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS. The Board determined that the Reorganization provided
   greater benefits to shareholders than other options, such as the liquidation
   of the Strategist Fund. Liquidating the Strategist Fund would require most
   shareholders, subject to federal income taxation, to recognize either gains
   or losses in the current tax year when many shareholders might prefer to
   defer those gains or losses. Another alternative, a voluntary exchange into
   the corresponding AXP Fund, generally also would require shareholders to
   recognize a gain or loss for tax purposes. The Reorganization, on the other
   hand, is expected to be achieved on a tax-free basis resulting in a deferral
   of any gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. Any shareholder who does
   not want to participate in the Reorganization may redeem shares. This would
   be a taxable event for the shareholder similar to what would happen if the
   Strategist Fund was liquidated.

BOARDS' DETERMINATION.  After considering the factors described above and other
relevant information, at a meeting held on March 10, 2000, the Strategist Fund
Board members, including a majority of the Independent Directors, found that
participation in the Reorganization is in the best interests of the Strategist
Fund and that the interests of existing shareholders of the Fund will not be
diluted as a result of the Reorganization. The Independent Directors were
advised, in their deliberations, by special counsel as to their fiduciary duties
under state law and the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), and met
separately on a number of occasions with counsel prior to approving the
Reorganization. In addition, AEFC agreed that, following the Reorganization, it
will provide the Independent Directors with the same level of indemnification
for their actions as directors of the Fund as is currently provided by the Fund.

The Board of Directors of the AXP Fund approved the Agreement at a meeting held
on March 8-9, 2000. The Board members considered the terms of the Agreement, the
provisions intended to avoid the dilution of

                                       21
<PAGE>
shareholder interests and the anticipated tax consequences of the
Reorganization. The Board found that participation in the Reorganization is in
the best interests of the AXP Fund and that the interests of existing
shareholders of the Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization.

                     D. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MEETING

RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE REQUIRED.  The Board recommends that shareholders
approve the proposed Agreement. The Agreement must be approved by a majority of
the Fund's shares voted at the meeting. If the Agreement is not approved, the
Board will consider what further action should be taken.

VOTING.  Each share is entitled to one vote. For those of you who cannot come to
the meeting, the Board is asking permission to vote for you. The shares will be
voted as you instruct. Signed proxy cards returned without instructions will be
voted in favor of the proposal.

All votes count toward a quorum, regardless of how they are voted (For, Against
or Abstain). Broker non-votes will be counted toward a quorum but not toward the
approval of the proposal. Broker non-votes are shares for which the underlying
owner has not voted and the broker holding the shares does not have authority to
vote.

REVOKING YOUR PROXY.  If your plans change and you can attend the meeting,
simply inform the Secretary at the meeting that you will be voting your shares
in person. Also, if you change your mind after you vote, you may change your
vote or revoke it by writing us or by sending another card.

SIMULTANEOUS MEETINGS.  The meeting of your Fund will be held simultaneously
with meetings of the other funds in the Strategist Fund Group. If any
shareholder objects to the holding of simultaneous meetings, the shareholder may
move for an adjournment of his or her Fund's meeting to a time immediately after
the simultaneous meetings so that a meeting of that Fund may be held separately.
If a shareholder makes this motion, the persons named as proxies will take into
consideration the reasons for the objection in deciding whether to vote in favor
of the adjournment.

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES.  The Board is asking for your vote and for you to vote
as promptly as possible. AEFC will pay the expenses for the proxy material and
the postage. Supplementary solicitations may be made by mail, telephone,
electronic means or personal contact. The expenses of supplementary solicitation
will be paid by AEFC.

                                       22
<PAGE>
DISSENTERS' RIGHT OF APPRAISAL.  Under Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the
Minnesota Business Corporation Act, Strategist Fund shareholders are entitled to
assert dissenters' rights in connection with the Reorganization and obtain
payment of the "fair value" of their shares, provided that they comply with the
requirements of Minnesota law. A copy of the relevant provisions is attached as
Exhibit 2.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota law, the SEC has taken the position
that use of state appraisal procedures by a mutual fund would be a violation of
Rule 22c-1, the forward pricing rule, under the 1940 Act. This rule states that
no mutual fund may redeem its shares other than at net asset value next computed
after receipt of a request for redemption. It is the SEC's position that Rule
22c-1 supersedes appraisal provisions in state statutes.

In the interest of ensuring equal valuation for all shareholders, dissenters'
rights will be determined in accordance with the SEC's interpretation. As a
result, if any shareholder elects to exercise dissenters' rights under Minnesota
law, the Strategist Fund intends to submit this question to a court of competent
jurisdiction. In that event, a dissenting shareholder would not receive any
payment until the end of the court proceeding.

OTHER BUSINESS.  The Board does not know at this time of any other business to
come before the meetings. If something does come up, the proxies will use their
best judgment to vote for you on the matter.

ADJOURNMENT.  In the event that not enough votes are received by the time
scheduled for the meeting, the persons named as proxies may move for one or more
adjournments of the meeting for a period of not more than 120 days in the
aggregate to allow further solicitation of shareholders on the proposal. Any
adjournment requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present at
the meeting. The persons named as proxies will vote in favor of adjournment
those shares they are entitled to vote that have voted in favor of the
proposals. They will vote against any adjournment those shares that have voted
against any of the proposals. AEFC will pay the costs of any additional
solicitation and of any adjourned meeting.

                                       23
<PAGE>
                 E. CAPITALIZATION AND OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES

CAPITALIZATION.  The following table shows the capitalization of the Strategist
Fund and the AXP Fund as of February 29, 2000 and on a pro forma basis, assuming
the proposed Reorganization had taken place.

                                   TABLE E-1.
                                 CAPITALIZATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    NET ASSET VALUE      SHARES
              FUND                  NET ASSETS         PER SHARE       OUTSTANDING
<S>                               <C>               <C>               <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Balanced.............  $     1,121,480       $14.19               79,051
AXP Mutual - Class A............    2,845,139,084        11.80          241,151,956
AXP Mutual - Class A
Pro Forma.......................    2,846,260,564        11.80          241,246,997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Emerging Markets.....          838,627         5.57              150,488
AXP Emerging Markets -
Class A.........................      345,604,086         6.63           52,129,590
AXP Emerging Markets - Class A
Pro Forma.......................      346,442,713         6.63           52,256,080
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity...............        1,268,457        33.36               38,021
AXP Stock - Class A.............    3,435,951,038        26.88          127,833,144
AXP Stock - Class A
Pro Forma.......................    3,437,219,495        26.88          127,880,334
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity Income........          911,061         8.90              102,388
AXP Diversified Equity Income -
Class A.........................    1,753,394,316         8.06          217,495,354
AXP Diversified Equity Income -
Class A Pro Forma...............    1,754,305,377         8.06          217,608,389
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Government Income....          839,068         4.55              184,345
AXP Federal Income - Class A....    1,333,443,659         4.67          285,435,290
AXP Federal Income - Class A
Pro Forma.......................    1,334,282,727         4.67          285,614,962
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth...............       30,296,472        58.84              514,904
AXP Growth - Class A............    6,211,706,008        53.38          116,377,239
AXP Growth - Class A
Pro Forma.......................    6,242,002,480        53.38          116,944,801
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth Trends........       29,539,340        37.92              779,012
AXP New Dimensions - Class A....   17,183,848,180        35.80          480,021,047
AXP New Dimensions - Class A
Pro Forma.......................   17,213,387,520        35.80          480,846,168
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist High Yield...........        1,695,722         3.73              454,423
AXP Extra Income - Class A......    2,501,563,029         3.75          667,793,439
AXP Extra Income - Class A
Pro Forma.......................    2,503,258,751         3.75          668,245,632
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       24
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    NET ASSET VALUE      SHARES
              FUND                  NET ASSETS         PER SHARE       OUTSTANDING
<S>                               <C>               <C>               <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Quality Income.......  $       740,918       $ 8.68               85,385
AXP Selective - Class A.........    1,014,413,269         8.46          119,970,541
AXP Selective - Class A
Pro Forma.......................    1,015,154,187         8.46          120,058,120
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Special Growth.......        1,913,631         5.99              319,504
AXP Research Opportunities -
Class A.........................      555,284,904         7.60           73,040,677
AXP Research Opportunities -
Class A Pro Forma...............      557,198,535         7.60           73,292,471
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Tax-Free High
Yield...........................          785,483         4.24              185,369
AXP High Yield Tax-Exempt -
Class A.........................    4,794,230,093         4.27        1,123,660,941
AXP High Yield Tax-Exempt -
Class A Pro Forma...............    4,795,015,576         4.27        1,123,844,895
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Total Return.........          868,449        12.73               68,215
AXP Managed Allocation -
Class A.........................    1,879,003,429        10.22          183,876,234
AXP Managed Allocation -
Class A Pro Forma...............    1,879,871,878        10.22          183,961,209
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Growth.........        1,093,025        11.46               95,390
AXP Global Growth - Class A.....    1,576,608,728        10.30          153,028,755
AXP Global Growth - Class A
Pro Forma.......................    1,577,701,753        10.30          153,134,874
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Income.........          597,880         5.56              107,505
AXP Global Bond - Class A.......      501,761,454         5.57           90,123,823
AXP Global Bond - Class A
Pro Forma.......................      502,359,334         5.57           90,231,162
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Technologies...        2,448,011        22.60              108,321
AXP Innovations - Class A.......       16,240,712        22.69              715,673
AXP Innovations - Class A
Pro Forma.......................       18,688,723        22.69              823,562
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.  The following table provides information on
shareholders who owned more than 5% of any Fund's outstanding shares as of
February 29, 2000. As of that date, AEFC or its parent company, American Express
Company, held more than 25% of the outstanding shares of each of the Strategist
Funds. Under the 1940 Act, any person who owns more than 25% of the voting
securities of a company is presumed to "control" the company. Under this
definition, as shown below, AEFC and American Express are deemed to be
controlling persons of the Strategist Funds. As of February 29, 2000, officers
and directors of each of the Funds as a group owned less than 1% of the
outstanding shares of each of the Funds.

                                       25
<PAGE>
                                   TABLE E-2.
                           OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  PERCENT OF AXP
                                                                  CLASS A SHARES
                                     NUMBER OF    PERCENT OF    HELD FOLLOWING THE
        FUND           5% OWNERS    SHARES HELD   SHARES HELD     REORGANIZATION
<S>                    <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist
Balanced.............   AEFC (1)       52,033        65.8%            0.03%
AXP Mutual...........     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Emerging
Markets..............     AEFC        120,595        80.0%            0.19%
AXP Emerging
Markets..............     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity....     AEFC         28,661        75.4%            3.15%
AXP Stock............     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity
Income...............     AEFC         82,394        80.5%            0.04%
AXP Diversified
Equity Income........     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Government     AEFC        134,197        72.8%            0.05%
Income...............     (2)          17,348         9.4%              **
                          (3)          10,947         5.9%              **
AXP Federal Income...     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth....     (4)         402,401        78.2%            0.38%
AXP Growth...........     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth
Trends...............     (4)         621,855        79.8%            0.14%
AXP New Dimensions...     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist High           AEFC        165,462        36.4%            0.03%
Yield................     (5)         123,529        27.4%            0.02%
                          (6)         104,720        23.0%            0.01%
AXP Extra Income.....     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Quality        AEFC         71,657        83.9%            0.06%
Income...............     (7)           5,328         6.2%              **
AXP Selective........     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Special
Growth...............     AEFC        163,702        51.2%            0.18%
AXP Research
Opportunities........     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       26
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  PERCENT OF AXP
                                                                  CLASS A SHARES
                                     NUMBER OF    PERCENT OF    HELD FOLLOWING THE
        FUND           5% OWNERS    SHARES HELD   SHARES HELD     REORGANIZATION
<S>                    <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Tax-Free       AEFC        141,173        76.2%            0.01%
High Yield...........     (8)          16,723         9.0%              **
AXP High Yield Tax-
Exempt...............     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Total          AEFC         58,061        85.1%            0.04%
Return...............     (9)           6,530         9.6%              **
AXP Managed
Allocation...........     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World          AEFC         80,173        84.0%
Growth...............     (10)          6,185         6.5%            0.06%
AXP Global Growth....     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World
Income...............     AEFC        101,305        94.2%            0.11%
AXP Global Bond......     None         --           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World
Technologies.........     AEFC        108,321         100%             100%
AXP Innovations......     AEFC        759,090         100%             100%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   * For the AXP Fund, 5% ownership is shown for Class A shares.

  ** Less than 0.01%

 (1) AEFC, a Delaware corporation, is located at IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN
     55440-0010.

 (2) Norrine F. Baggett, 326 East Southfield Road, Shreveport, LA 71105.

 (3) Nadia Hamidian, 22 68th Street, Guttenberg, NJ 07093.

 (4) American Express Company, a Delaware corporation, the parent company of
     AEFC, is located at American Express Tower, World Financial Center, New
     York, NY 10285.

 (5) American Latvian Association in the US, Inc., 400 Hurley Ave., Rockville,
     MD 20850.

 (6) Latvijas Brivibas Fonds LTD, 400 Hurley Ave., Rockville, MD 20850.

 (7) Barbara B. Ismel, 328 West 86th No. 2C, New York, NY 10024.

 (8) John L. and Rosana L. Warren, 4971 Little Cub Creek Road, Evergreen, CO
     80439.

 (9) Peter L. Rowe and Fredda Rosenblatt, 6887 Palm Grove Court, West Palm
     Beach, FL 33418.

 (10) William J. and Frances M. Russell, 1443 Creekside Court, Vienna, VA 22182.

                                       27
<PAGE>
                                   F. EXPERTS

The audited financial statements for the Strategist Fund and the AXP Fund
included in or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/ prospectus or
the Statement of Additional Information, have been audited by KPMG LLP,
independent auditors for the Funds, whose reports are included in the annual
report. The financial statements have been incorporated in this document in
reliance on KPMG's reports given on their authority as experts in auditing and
accounting matters.

             G. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS' BUSINESSES

The following table shows where in each Fund's prospectus you can find
additional information about the business of the Fund.

                                   TABLE G-1.
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   HEADING IN PROSPECTUS
         TYPE OF INFORMATION              STRATEGIST FUND             AXP FUND
<S>                                    <C>                     <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment objective                   Goal                    Goal
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal investment strategies        Investment Strategy     Investment Strategy
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal risks                        Risks                   Risks
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fee table                              Fees and Expenses       Fees and Expenses
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management                             Management              Management
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund share price                       Valuing Fund Shares     Valuing Fund Shares
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buying and selling fund shares         Purchasing Shares;      Purchasing Shares;
                                       Exchanging/Selling      Exchanging/Selling
                                       Shares                  Shares
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions and taxes                Distributions and       Distributions and
                                       Taxes                   Taxes
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial highlights                   Financial Highlights    Financial Highlights
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       28
<PAGE>
                                   TABLE G-2.
                            DATES OF FUND DOCUMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        SEMI-ANNUAL
                                                          ANNUAL          REPORT
                                                          REPORT      (IF APPLICABLE)
                                PROSPECTUS     SAI      (FOR PERIOD     (FOR PERIOD
             FUND                (DATED)     (DATED)      ENDED)          ENDED)
<S>                             <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Balanced...........   11/29/99    11/29/99    9/30/99            NA
AXP Mutual....................   11/29/99    11/29/99    9/30/99            NA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity.............   11/29/99    11/29/99    9/30/99            NA
AXP Stock.....................   11/29/99    11/29/99    9/30/99            NA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Equity Income......   11/29/99    11/29/99    9/30/99            NA
AXP Diversified Equity
Income........................   11/29/99    11/29/99    9/30/99            NA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Emerging Markets...   12/30/99    12/30/99    10/31/99           NA
AXP Emerging Markets..........   12/30/99    12/30/99    10/31/99           NA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Government Income..   7/30/99     7/30/99     5/31/99         11/30/99
AXP Federal Income............   7/30/99     7/30/99     5/31/99         11/30/99
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth.............   9/29/99     9/29/99     7/31/99          1/31/00
AXP Growth....................   9/29/99     9/29/99     7/31/99          1/31/00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Growth Trends......   9/29/99     9/29/99     7/31/99          1/31/00
AXP New Dimensions............   9/29/99     9/29/99     7/31/99          1/31/00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist High Yield.........   7/30/99     7/30/99     5/31/99         11/30/99
AXP Extra Income..............   7/30/99     7/30/99     5/31/99         11/30/99
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Quality Income.....   7/30/99     7/30/99     5/31/99         11/30/99
AXP Selective.................   7/30/99     7/30/99     5/31/99         11/30/99
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Special Growth.....   9/29/99     9/29/99     7/31/99          1/31/00
AXP Research Opportunities....   9/29/99     9/29/99     7/31/99          1/31/00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Tax-Free High
Yield.........................   1/28/00     1/28/00     11/30/99           NA
AXP High Yield Tax-Exempt.....   1/28/00     1/28/00     11/30/99           NA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist Total Return.......   11/29/99    11/29/99    9/30/99            NA
AXP Managed Allocation........   11/29/99    11/29/99    9/30/99            NA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Growth.......   12/30/99    12/30/99    10/31/99           NA
AXP Global Growth.............   12/30/99    12/30/99    10/31/99           NA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World Income.......   12/30/99    12/30/99    10/31/99           NA
AXP Global Bond...............   12/30/99    12/30/99    10/31/99           NA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategist World
Technologies..................   12/30/99    12/30/99    10/31/99           NA
AXP Innovations...............   3/15/00     3/15/00     10/31/99           NA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Each Fund is subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act and files reports, proxy materials and other
information with the SEC. These reports, proxy materials and other information
can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC
at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., the Midwest Regional Office of the
SEC at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 400, Chicago, Illinois 60611, and the
Northeast Regional Office of the SEC at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New
York, New York 10048. Copies of these materials also can be obtained from the
Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services,
Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549 at prescribed rates. In addition, copies of these documents may be viewed
on-line or downloaded from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

                                       29
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT 1

                                    FORM OF
                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

This Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of March 10, 2000 (the
"Agreement") is between Strategist Growth and Income Fund, Inc. (the "Strategist
Corporation"), a Minnesota corporation, on behalf of Strategist Balanced Fund
(the "Acquired Fund"), a series of capital stock of the Strategist Corporation,
and AXP Investment Series, Inc. (the "AXP Corporation"), a Minnesota
corporation, on behalf of AXP Mutual (the "Acquiring Fund"), a series of capital
stock of the AXP Corporation. The Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are
feeder funds investing in a single master trust.

In consideration of the mutual promises, the parties agree as follows:

1. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

  The Acquired Fund will call a meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of
  approving the Agreement and the transactions it contemplates (the
  "Reorganization"). The Acquiring Fund agrees to furnish data and information,
  as reasonably requested, for the proxy statement to be furnished to
  shareholders of the Acquired Fund.

2. REORGANIZATION

  a. Plan of Reorganization. At the closing, the Strategist Corporation will
  convey all of the assets of the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund. The
  Acquiring Fund will assume all liabilities of the Acquired Fund, reflected on
  an unaudited statement of assets and liabilities, as of the Closing. At the
  Closing, the AXP Corporation will deliver Class A shares of the Acquiring
  Fund, including fractional shares, to the Strategist Corporation. The number
  of shares will be determined by dividing the value of the net assets of the
  Acquired Fund, computed as described in paragraph 3(a), by the net asset value
  of one share of the Acquiring Fund, computed as described in paragraph 3(b).
  The Acquired Fund will not pay a sales charge on the receipt of Acquiring Fund
  shares in exchange for the assets of the Acquired Fund. In addition, the
  shareholders of the Acquired Fund will not pay a sales charge on distribution
  to them of Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund.

  b. Closing and Effective Time of the Reorganization. The Reorganization and
  all related acts necessary to complete the Reorganization (the

                                       30
<PAGE>
  "Closing") will occur on the first day on which the New York Stock Exchange
  (the "NYSE") is open for business following approval of shareholders of the
  Acquired Fund and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, or such later
  date as the parties may agree.

3. VALUATION OF NET ASSETS

  a. The value of the net assets of the Acquired Fund will be computed as of the
  close of regular trading on the NYSE on the day of Closing (the "Valuation
  Date") using the valuation procedures in the Acquiring Fund's prospectus.

  b. The net asset value per share of Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund will
  be determined as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the Valuation
  Date, using the valuation procedures in the Acquiring Fund's prospectus.

  c. At the Closing, the Acquired Fund will provide the Acquiring Fund with a
  copy of the computation showing the valuation of the Acquired Fund's net
  assets on the Valuation Date. The Acquiring Fund will provide the Acquired
  Fund with a copy of the computation showing the determination of the net asset
  value per share of Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund on the Valuation Date.
  Both computations will be certified by an officer of American Express
  Financial Corporation.

4. LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

  a. As soon as practicable after the Valuation Date, the Strategist Corporation
  will liquidate the Acquired Fund and distribute Class A shares of the
  Acquiring Fund to the Acquired Fund's shareholders of record. The Acquiring
  Fund will establish shareholder accounts in the names of each Acquired Fund
  shareholder, representing the respective pro rata number of full and
  fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund due to each shareholder. All issued
  and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund will simultaneously be cancelled
  on the books of the Strategist Corporation. Shareholder accounts will be
  established by the Acquiring Fund or its transfer agent in accordance with
  instructions from the Strategist Corporation.

  b. Immediately after the Valuation Date, the share transfer books of the
  Strategist Corporation relating to the Acquired Fund will be closed and no
  further transfer of shares will be made.

                                       31
<PAGE>
  c. Promptly after the distribution, the Acquiring Fund or its transfer agent
  will notify each shareholder of the Acquired Fund of the number of Class A
  shares distributed to the shareholder and confirm the registration in the
  shareholder's name.

  d. As promptly as practicable after the liquidation of the Acquired Fund, and
  in no event later than twelve months from the date of the Closing, the
  Acquired Fund will be dissolved.

5. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE AXP CORPORATION ON BEHALF OF
   THE ACQUIRING FUND

  The AXP Corporation represents and warrants to the Strategist Corporation as
  follows:

  a. Organization, Existence, etc. The AXP Corporation is a corporation duly
  organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
  of Minnesota and has the power to carry on its business as it is now being
  conducted.

  b. Registration as Investment Company. The Acquiring Fund is a series of the
  AXP Corporation, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
  "1940 Act") as an open-end, management investment company.

  c. Capitalization. The Acquiring Fund has authorized capital of 10,000,000,000
  shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. All of the outstanding
  shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
  non-assessable. Since the Acquiring Fund is engaged in the continuous offering
  and redemption of its shares, the number of outstanding shares may vary daily.

  d. Financial Statements. The audited financial statements as of the end of the
  last fiscal year, and the subsequent unaudited semi-annual financial
  statements, if any (the "Acquiring Fund Financial Statements"), fairly present
  the financial position of the Acquiring Fund, and the results of its
  operations and changes in its net assets for the periods shown.

  e. Shares to be Issued Upon Reorganization. The shares to be issued in
  connection with the Reorganization will be duly authorized and, at the time of
  the Closing, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

  f. Authority Relative to the Agreement. The AXP Corporation has the power to
  enter into and carry out the obligations described in this

                                       32
<PAGE>
  Agreement. The Agreement and the transactions contemplated by it have been
  duly authorized by the Board of Directors and no other proceedings by the AXP
  Corporation or the Acquiring Fund are necessary.

  g. No Violation. The AXP Corporation is not in violation of its Articles of
  Incorporation or By-Laws (the "Articles") or in default in the performance of
  any material agreement to which it is a party. The execution of this Agreement
  and the completion of the transactions contemplated by it will not conflict
  with, or constitute a breach of, any material contract or other instrument to
  which the Acquiring Fund is subject. Nor will the transactions result in any
  violation of the provisions of the Articles or any law, administrative
  regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to the Acquiring Fund.

  h. Liabilities. There are no liabilities of the Acquiring Fund other than:

  - liabilities disclosed in the Acquiring Fund Financial Statements

  - liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to the
    date of the latest annual or semi-annual financial statements, or

  - liabilities previously disclosed to the Strategist Corporation, none of
    which has been materially adverse to the business, assets or results of
    operation of the Acquiring Fund.

  i. Litigation. There is no litigation, administrative proceeding or
  investigation before any court or governmental body currently pending or, to
  the knowledge of the Acquiring Fund, threatened, that would materially and
  adversely affect the Acquiring Fund, its financial condition or the conduct of
  its business, or that would prevent or hinder completion of the transactions
  contemplated by this Agreement. The Acquiring Fund knows of no facts that
  might form the basis for the institution of any such litigation, proceeding or
  investigation and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order,
  decree or judgment.

  j. Contracts. Except for contracts and agreements previously disclosed to the
  Strategist Corporation, the Acquiring Fund is not a party to or subject to any
  material contract, debt instrument, plan, lease, franchise, license or permit.

  k. Taxes. The federal tax returns of the Acquiring Fund have been filed for
  all taxable years since commencement of its operations. The Acquiring Fund has
  qualified and will qualify as a regulated investment company under the
  Internal Revenue Code with respect to each taxable year since commencement of
  its operations.

                                       33
<PAGE>
  l. Registration Statement. The Acquiring Fund will file a registration
  statement on Form N-14 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and
  Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") relating
  to the shares to be issued in the Reorganization. At the time the Registration
  Statement becomes effective, at the time of the shareholders' meeting and at
  the Closing, the Registration Statement will not contain an untrue statement
  of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
  statements therein not misleading. However, none of the representations and
  warranties in this subsection apply to statements in, or omissions from, the
  Registration Statement made in reliance on information furnished by the
  Strategist Corporation for use in the Registration Statement.

6. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE STRATEGIST CORPORATION ON
   BEHALF OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

  The Strategist Corporation represents and warrants to the AXP Corporation as
  follows:

  a. Organization, Existence, etc. The Strategist Corporation is a corporation
  duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
  State of Minnesota and has the power to carry on its business as it is now
  being conducted.

  b. Registration as Investment Company. The Acquired Fund is a series of the
  Strategist Corporation, registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end,
  management investment company.

  c. Capitalization. The Acquired Fund has authorized capital of 10,000,000,000
  shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. All of the outstanding
  shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
  non-assessable. Since the Acquired Fund is engaged in the continuous offering
  and redemption of its shares, the number of outstanding shares may vary daily.

  d. Financial Statements. The audited financial statements as of the end of the
  last fiscal year, and the subsequent unaudited semi-annual financial
  statements, if any, (the "Acquired Fund Financial Statements") fairly present
  the financial position of the Acquired Fund, and the results of its operations
  and changes in its net assets for the periods shown.

  e. Authority Relative to the Agreement. The Strategist Corporation has the
  power to enter into and to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. The
  Agreement and the transactions contemplated by it

                                       34
<PAGE>
  have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors and no other proceedings
  by the Strategist Corporation or the Acquired Fund are necessary.

  f. No Violation. The Strategist Corporation is not in violation of its
  Articles or in default in the performance of any material agreement to which
  it is a party. The execution of this Agreement and the completion of the
  transactions contemplated by it will not conflict with or constitute a breach
  of, any material contract to which the Acquired Fund is subject. Nor will the
  transactions result in any violation of the provisions of the Articles or any
  law, administrative regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to
  the Acquired Fund.

  g. Liabilities. There are no liabilities of the Acquired Fund other than:

  - liabilities disclosed in the Acquired Fund Financial Statements

  - liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent to the
    date of the latest annual or semi-annual financial statements, or

  - liabilities previously disclosed to the AXP Corporation, none of which has
    been materially adverse to the business, assets or results of operation of
    the Acquired Fund.

  h. Litigation. There is no litigation, administrative proceeding or
  investigation before any court or governmental body currently pending or, to
  the knowledge of the Acquired Fund, threatened, that would materially and
  adversely affect the Acquired Fund, its financial condition or the conduct of
  its business, or that would prevent or hinder completion of the transactions
  contemplated by this Agreement. The Acquired Fund knows of no facts that might
  form the basis for the institution of any such litigation, proceeding or
  investigation and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order,
  decree or judgment.

  i. Contracts. Except for contracts and agreements previously disclosed to the
  AXP Corporation, the Acquired Fund is not a party to or subject to any
  material contract, debt instrument, plan, lease, franchise, license or permit.

  j. Taxes. The federal tax returns of the Acquired Fund have been filed for all
  taxable years since commencement of its operations. The Acquired Fund has
  qualified and will qualify as a regulated investment company under the
  Internal Revenue Code with respect to each taxable year since commencement of
  its operations.

  k. Fund Securities. All securities listed in the schedule of investments of
  the Acquired Fund as of the Closing will be owned by the Acquired

                                       35
<PAGE>
  Fund free and clear of any encumbrances, except as indicated in the schedule.

  l. Registration Statement. The Acquired Fund will cooperate with the Acquiring
  Fund and will furnish information relating to the Strategist Corporation and
  the Acquired Fund required in the Registration Statement. At the time the
  Registration Statement becomes effective, at the time of the shareholders'
  meeting and at the Closing, the Registration Statement, as it relates to the
  Strategist Corporation or the Acquired Fund, will not contain an untrue
  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
  make the statements therein not misleading. However, the representations and
  warranties in this subsection apply only to statements in or omissions from
  the Registration Statement made in reliance upon information furnished by the
  Strategist Corporation for use in the Registration Statement.

7. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE AXP CORPORATION

  The obligations of the AXP Corporation with respect to the Reorganization are
  subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

  a. Shareholder Approval. This Agreement will have been approved by the
  affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the outstanding shares of
  common stock of the Acquired Fund.

  b. Representations, Warranties and Agreements. The Strategist Corporation and
  the Acquired Fund will have complied with this Agreement and each of the
  representations and warranties in this Agreement will be true in all material
  respects as of the Closing. An officer of the Strategist Corporation will
  provide a certificate to the AXP Corporation confirming that, as of the
  Closing, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 are true
  and correct and that there have been no material adverse changes in the
  financial condition, results of operations, business, properties or assets of
  the Acquired Fund since the date of its last financial statement, except as
  otherwise indicated in any financial statements, certified by an officer of
  the Strategist Corporation, and delivered to the AXP Corporation on or prior
  to the last business day before the Closing.

  c. Regulatory Approvals.

  - The Registration Statement referred to in Section 5(l) will be effective and
    no stop orders under the 1933 Act will have been issued.

  - All necessary approvals, consents and exemptions from federal and state
    regulatory authorities will have been obtained.

                                       36
<PAGE>
  d. Tax Opinion. The AXP Corporation will have received the opinion of Ropes &
  Gray dated as of the Closing, as to the federal income tax consequences of the
  Reorganization to the Acquiring Fund and its shareholders. For purposes of
  rendering their opinion, Ropes & Gray may rely, as to factual matters, upon
  the statements made in this Agreement, the proxy statement which will be
  distributed to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund, and other written
  representations as an officer of the Strategist Corporation and the AXP
  Corporation, respectively will have verified as of Closing. The opinion of
  Ropes & Gray will be to the effect that: (i) neither the Acquired Fund nor the
  Acquiring Fund will recognize any gain or loss upon the transfer of the assets
  of the Acquired Fund to, and assumption of its liabilities by, the Acquiring
  Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and upon the distribution of
  the shares to the Acquired Fund shareholders in exchange for their shares of
  the Acquired Fund; (ii) the shareholders of the Acquired Fund who receive
  shares of the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will not recognize any gain
  or loss on the exchange of their shares of the Acquired Fund for the shares of
  the Acquiring Fund; (iii) the holding period and the basis of the shares
  received by the Acquired Fund shareholders will be the same as the holding
  period and the basis of the shares of the Acquired Fund surrendered in the
  exchange; (iv) the holding period and the basis of the assets acquired by the
  Acquiring Fund will be the same as the holding period and the basis of the
  assets to the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization.

  e. Opinion of Counsel. The AXP Corporation will have received an opinion of
  counsel for the Acquired Fund, dated as of the Closing, to the effect that:
  (i) the Strategist Corporation is a corporation duly organized and validly
  existing under the laws of the state of Minnesota; (ii) the Acquired Fund is a
  series of the Strategist Corporation, an open-end investment company
  registered under the 1940 Act; (iii) this Agreement and the Reorganization
  have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite action of the
  Strategist Corporation and the Acquired Fund and this Agreement has been duly
  executed by, and is a valid and binding obligation of, the Acquired Fund.

  f. Declaration of Dividend. The Strategist Corporation will have declared a
  dividend with respect to the Acquired Fund which, together with all previous
  dividends, will have the effect of distributing to the Acquired Fund's
  shareholders all of the Acquired Fund's investment company taxable income for
  the taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing (computed without regard
  to deduction for dividends paid) and

                                       37
<PAGE>
  all of its net capital gain realized in taxable years ending on or prior to
  the Closing (after reduction for capital loss carry forward).

8. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE STRATEGIST CORPORATION

  The obligations of the Strategist Corporation with respect to the
  Reorganization are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

  a. Shareholder Approval. This Agreement will have been approved by the
  affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the outstanding shares of
  common stock of the Acquired Fund.

  b. Representations, Warranties and Agreements. The Acquiring Fund will have
  complied with this Agreement and each of the representations and warranties in
  this Agreement will be true in all material respects as of the Closing. An
  officer of the AXP Corporation will provide a certificate to the Strategist
  Corporation confirming that, as of the Closing, the representations and
  warranties set forth in Section 5 are true and correct and that there have
  been no material adverse changes in the financial condition, results of
  operations, business, properties or assets of the Acquiring Fund since the
  date of its last financial statement, except as otherwise indicated in any
  financial statements, certified by an officer of the AXP Corporation, and
  delivered to the Strategist Corporation on or prior to the last business day
  before the Closing.

  c. Regulatory Approvals.

  - The Registration Statement referred to in Section 5(l) will be effective and
    no stop orders under the 1933 Act will have been issued.

  - All necessary approvals, consents and exemptions from federal and state
    regulatory authorities will have been obtained.

  d. Tax Opinion. The Strategist Corporation will have received the opinion of
  Ropes & Gray dated as of the Closing, as to the federal income tax
  consequences of the Reorganization to the Acquired Fund and its shareholders.
  For purposes of rendering their opinion, Ropes & Gray may rely, as to factual
  matters, upon the statements made in this Agreement, the proxy statement which
  will be distributed to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund, and other
  written representations as an officer of the Strategist Corporation and the
  AXP Corporation, respectively will have verified as of Closing. The opinion of
  Ropes & Gray will be to the effect that: (i) neither the Acquired Fund nor the
  Acquiring Fund will recognize any gain or loss upon the transfer of the assets
  of the Acquired Fund to, and assumption of its liabilities by, the Acquiring

                                       38
<PAGE>
  Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and upon the distribution of
  the shares to the Acquired Fund shareholders in exchange for their shares of
  the Acquired Fund; (ii) the shareholders of the Acquired Fund who receive
  shares of the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will not recognize any gain
  or loss on the exchange of their shares of the Acquired Fund for the shares of
  the Acquiring Fund; (iii) the holding period and the basis of the shares
  received by the Acquired Fund shareholders will be the same as the holding
  period and the basis of the shares of the Acquired Fund surrendered in the
  exchange; (iv) the holding period and the basis of the assets acquired by the
  Acquiring Fund will be the same as the holding period and the basis of the
  assets to the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization.

  e. Opinion of Counsel. The Strategist Corporation will have received the
  opinion of counsel for the Acquiring Fund, dated as of the Closing, to the
  effect that: (i) the AXP Corporation is a corporation duly organized and
  validly existing under the laws of the state of Minnesota; (ii) the Acquiring
  Fund is a series of the AXP Corporation, an open-end investment company
  registered under the 1940 Act; (iii) this Agreement and the Reorganization
  have been authorized and approved by all requisite action of the AXP
  Corporation and the Acquiring Fund and this Agreement has been duly executed
  by, and is a valid and binding obligation of, the AXP Corporation; and
  (iv) the shares to be issued in the Reorganization are duly authorized and
  upon issuance in accordance with this Agreement will be validly issued, fully
  paid and non-assessable shares of the Acquiring Fund.

9. AMENDMENT; TERMINATION; NON-SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, WARRANTIES AND
   REPRESENTATIONS

  a. This Agreement may be amended in writing if authorized by the respective
  Boards of Directors. The Agreement may be amended at any time before or after
  approval by the shareholders of the Acquired Fund, but after shareholder
  approval, no amendment shall be made that substantially changes the terms of
  paragraphs 2 or 3.

  b. At any time prior to the Closing, any of the parties may waive in writing
  (i) any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to it and (ii)
  compliance with any of the covenants or conditions made for its benefit.

  c. The Strategist Corporation may terminate this Agreement at any time prior
  to the Closing by notice to the AXP Corporation if a material

                                       39
<PAGE>
  condition to its performance or a material covenant of the AXP Corporation is
  not fulfilled on or before the date specified for its fulfillment or a
  material breach of this Agreement is made by the AXP Corporation and is not
  cured.

  d. The AXP Corporation may terminate this Agreement at any time prior to the
  Closing by notice to the Strategist Corporation if a material condition to its
  performance or a material covenant of the Strategist Corporation is not
  fulfilled on or before the date specified for its fulfillment or a material
  breach of this Agreement is made by the Strategist Corporation and is not
  cured.

  e. This Agreement may be terminated by any party at any time prior to the
  Closing, whether before or after approval by the shareholders of the Acquired
  Fund, without any liability on the part of either party or its respective
  directors, officers, or shareholders, on written notice to the other party,
  and shall be terminated without liability as of the close of business on
  December 31, 2000, or a later date agreed upon by the parties, if the Closing
  is not on or prior to that date.

  f. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement,
  or in any document delivered in connection with this Agreement, will survive
  the Reorganization.

10. EXPENSES

  The expenses of the reorganization, whether or not the Reorganization is
  completed, will be borne by American Express Financial Corporation.

11. GENERAL

  a. Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
  purposes only and will not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
  Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer upon any other
  person any rights or remedies by reason of this Agreement.

  b. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the state of
  Minnesota.

12. INDEMNIFICATION

  Each party will indemnify and hold the other and its officers and directors
  (each an "Indemnitee") harmless from and against any liability or other cost
  and expense, in connection with the defense or disposition of any action,
  suit, or other proceeding, before any court or administrative

                                       40
<PAGE>
  or investigative body in which the Indemnitee may be involved as a party, with
  respect to actions taken under this Agreement. However, no Indemnitee will be
  indemnified against any liability or expense arising by reason of willful
  misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
  involved in the conduct of the Indemnitee's position.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be signed.

Strategist Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
    on behalf of Strategist Balanced Fund

<TABLE>
<S>  <C>
By   /s/ James A. Mitchell
     ------------------------
     James A. Mitchell
     President

AXP Investment Series, Inc.
    on behalf of AXP Mutual

By   /s/ Leslie L. Ogg
     ------------------------
     Leslie L. Ogg
     Vice President
</TABLE>

The undersigned is a party to this Agreement for the purposes of Sections 3c and
10 only.

American Express Financial Corporation

<TABLE>
<S>  <C>
By   /s/ Pamela J. Moret
     ------------------------
     Pamela J. Moret
     Senior Vice President
</TABLE>

                                       41
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT 2

                       MINNESOTA BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT
                         SECTIONS 302A.471 AND 302A.473

Minnesota law requires that we provide you with a copy of the state law on
dissenters' rights. Notwithstanding the provisions of the law set out below, the
SEC has taken the position that use of state appraisal procedures by a
registered mutual fund such as the Strategist Fund would be a violation of
Rule 22c-1, the forward pricing rule, under the 1940 Act. As a result, if any
shareholder elects to exercise dissenters' rights under Minnesota law, the
Strategist Fund intends to submit this question to a court of competent
jurisdiction. In that event, a dissenting shareholder would not receive any
payment until the end of the court proceeding.

302A.471. RIGHTS OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS

SUBDIVISION 1. ACTIONS CREATING RIGHTS.  A shareholder of a corporation may
dissent from, and obtain payment for the fair value of the shareholder's shares
in the event of, any of the following corporate actions:

(a) An amendment of the articles that materially and adversely affects the
    rights or preferences of the shares of the dissenting shareholder in that
    it:

    (1) alters or abolishes a preferential right of the shares;

    (2) creates, alters, or abolishes a right in respect of the redemption of
        the shares, including a provision respecting a sinking fund for the
        redemption or repurchase of the shares;

    (3) alters or abolishes a preemptive right of the holder of the shares to
        acquire shares, securities other than shares, or rights to purchase
        shares or securities other than shares;

    (4) excludes or limits the right of a shareholder to vote on a matter, or to
        cumulate votes, except as the right may be excluded or limited through
        the authorization or issuance of securities of an existing or new class
        or series with similar or different voting rights; except that an
        amendment to the articles of an issuing public corporation that provides
        that section 302A.671 does not apply to a control share acquisition does
        not give rise to the right to obtain payment under this section;

                                       42
<PAGE>
(b) A sale, lease, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of
    the property and assets of the corporation, but not including a transaction
    permitted without shareholder approval in section 302A.661, subdivision 1,
    or a disposition in dissolution described in section 302A.725, subdivision
    2, or a disposition pursuant to an order of a court, or a disposition for
    cash on terms requiring that all or substantially all of the net proceeds of
    disposition be distributed to the shareholders in accordance with their
    respective interests within one year after the date of disposition;

(c) A plan of merger, whether under this chapter or under chapter 322B, to which
    the corporation is a party, except as provided in subdivision 3;

(d) A plan of exchange, whether under this chapter or under chapter 322B, to
    which the corporation is a party as the corporation whose shares will be
    acquired by the acquiring corporation, if the shares of the shareholder are
    entitled to be voted on the plan; or

(e) Any other corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote with respect
    to which the articles, the bylaws, or a resolution approved by the board
    directs that dissenting shareholders may obtain payment for their shares.

SUBDIVISION 2. BENEFICIAL OWNERS.

(a) A shareholder shall not assert dissenters' rights as to less than all of the
    shares registered in the name of the shareholder, unless the shareholder
    dissents with respect to all the shares that are beneficially owned by
    another person but registered in the name of the shareholder and discloses
    the name and address of each beneficial owner on whose behalf the
    shareholder dissents. In that event, the rights of the dissenter shall be
    determined as if the shares as to which the shareholder has dissented and
    the other shares were registered in the names of different shareholders.

(b) The beneficial owner of shares who is not the shareholder may assert
    dissenters' rights with respect to shares held on behalf of the beneficial
    owner, and shall be treated as a dissenting shareholder under the terms of
    this section and section 302A.473, if the beneficial owner submits to the
    corporation at the time of or before the assertion of the rights a written
    consent of the shareholder.

                                       43
<PAGE>
SUBDIVISION 3. RIGHTS NOT TO APPLY.

(a) Unless the articles, the bylaws, or a resolution approved by the board
    otherwise provide, the right to obtain payment under this section does not
    apply to a shareholder of the surviving corporation in a merger, if the
    shares of the shareholder are not entitled to be voted on the merger.

(b) If a date is fixed according to section 302A.445, subdivision 1, for the
    determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote on
    an action described in subdivision 1, only shareholders as of the date
    fixed, and beneficial owners as of the date fixed who hold through
    shareholders, as provided in subdivision 2, may exercise dissenters' rights.

SUBDIVISION 4. OTHER RIGHTS.  The shareholders of a corporation who have a right
under this section to obtain payment for their shares do not have a right at law
or in equity to have a corporate action described in subdivision 1 set aside or
rescinded, except when the corporate action is fraudulent with regard to the
complaining shareholder or the corporation.

302A.473. PROCEDURES FOR ASSERTING DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
SUBDIVISION 1. DEFINITIONS.

(a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the
    meanings given them.

(b) "Corporation" means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before the
    corporate action referred to in section 302A.471, subdivision 1 or the
    successor by merger of that issuer.

(c) "Fair value of the shares" means the value of the shares of a corporation
    immediately before the effective date of the corporate action referred to in
    section 302A.471, subdivision 1.

(d) "Interest" means interest commencing five days after the effective date of
    the corporate action referred to in section 302A.471, subdivision 1, up to
    and including the date of payment, calculated at the rate provided in
    section 549.09 for interest on verdicts and judgments.

SUBDIVISION 2. NOTICE OF ACTION.  If a corporation calls a shareholder meeting
at which any action described in section 302A.471, subdivision 1 is to be voted
upon, the notice of the meeting shall inform each shareholder of the right to
dissent and shall include a copy of section 302A.471 and this

                                       44
<PAGE>
section and a brief description of the procedure to be followed under these
sections.

SUBDIVISION 3. NOTICE OF DISSENT.  If the proposed action must be approved by
the shareholders, a shareholder who is entitled to dissent under section
302A.471 and who wishes to exercise dissenters' rights must file with the
corporation before the vote on the proposed action a written notice of intent to
demand the fair value of the shares owned by the shareholder and must not vote
the shares in favor of the proposed action.

SUBDIVISION 4. NOTICE OF PROCEDURE; DEPOSIT OF SHARES.

(a) After the proposed action has been approved by the board and, if necessary,
    the shareholders, the corporation shall send to all shareholders who have
    complied with subdivision 3 and to all shareholders entitled to dissent if
    no shareholder vote was required, a notice that contains:

    (1) The address to which a demand for payment and certificates of
        certificated shares must be sent in order to obtain payment and the date
        by which they must be received;

    (2) Any restrictions on transfer of uncertificated shares that will apply
        after the demand for payment is received;

    (3) A form to be used to certify the date on which the shareholder, or the
        beneficial owner on whose behalf the shareholder dissents, acquired the
        shares or an interest in them and to demand payment; and

    (4) A copy of section 302A.471 and this section and a brief description of
        the procedures to be followed under these sections.

(b) In order to receive the fair value of the shares, a dissenting shareholder
    must demand payment and deposit certificated shares or comply with any
    restrictions on transfer of uncertificated shares within 30 days after the
    notice required by paragraph (a) was given, but the dissenter retains all
    other rights of a shareholder until the proposed action takes effect.

SUBDIVISION 5. PAYMENT; RETURN OF SHARES.

(a) After the corporate action takes effect, or after the corporation receives a
    valid demand for payment, whichever is later, the corporation shall remit to
    each dissenting shareholder who has complied with

                                       45
<PAGE>
    subdivisions 3 and 4 the amount the corporation estimates to be the fair
    value of the shares, plus interest, accompanied by:

    (1) The corporation's closing balance sheet and statement of income for a
        fiscal year ending not more than 16 months before the effective date of
        the corporate action, together with the latest available interim
        financial statements;

    (2) An estimate by the corporation of the fair value of the shares and a
        brief description of the method used to reach the estimate; and

    (3) A copy of section 302A.471 and this section, and a brief description of
        the procedure to be followed in demanding supplemental payment.

(b) The corporation may withhold the remittance described in paragraph (a) from
    a person who was not a shareholder on the date the action dissented from was
    first announced to the public or who is dissenting on behalf of a person who
    was not a beneficial owner on that date. If the dissenter has complied with
    subdivisions 3 and 4, the corporation shall forward to the dissenter the
    materials described in paragraph (a), a statement of the reason for
    withholding the remittance, and an offer to pay to the dissenter the amount
    listed in the materials if the dissenter agrees to accept that amount in
    full satisfaction. The dissenter may decline the offer and demand payment
    under subdivision 6. Failure to do so entitled the dissenter only to the
    amount offered. If the dissenter makes demand, subdivision 7 and 8 apply.

(c) If the corporation fails to remit payment within 60 days of the deposit of
    certificates or the imposition of transfer restrictions on uncertificated
    shares, it shall return all deposited certificates and cancel all transfer
    restrictions. However, the corporation may again give notice under
    subdivision 4 and require deposit or restrict transfer at a later time.

SUBDIVISION 6. SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT; DEMAND.  If a dissenter believes that the
amount remitted under subdivision 5 is less than the fair value of the shares
plus interest, the dissenter may give written notice to the corporation of the
dissenter's own estimate of the fair value of the shares, plus interest, within
30 days after the corporation mails the remittance under subdivision 5, and
demand payment of the difference. Otherwise, a dissenter is entitled only to the
amount remitted by the corporation.

                                       46
<PAGE>
SUBDIVISION 7. PETITION; DETERMINATION.  If the corporation receives a demand
under subdivision 6, it shall, within 60 days after receiving the demand, either
pay to the dissenter the amount demanded or agreed to by the dissenter after
discussion with the corporation or file in a court a petition requesting that
the court determine the fair value of the shares, plus interest. The petition
shall be filed in the county in which the registered office of the corporation
is located, except that a surviving foreign corporation that receives a demand
relating to the shares of a constituent domestic corporation shall file the
petition in the county in this state in which the last registered office of the
constituent corporation was located. The petition shall name as parties all
dissenters who have demanded payment under subdivision 6 and who have not
reached agreement with the corporation. The corporation shall, after filing the
petition, serve all parties with a summons and copy of the petition under the
rules of civil procedure. Nonresidents of this state may be served by registered
or certified mail or by publication as provided by law. Except as otherwise
provided, the rules of civil procedures apply to this proceeding. The
jurisdiction of the court is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint
appraisers, with powers and authorities the court deems proper, to receive
evidence on and recommend the amount of the fair value of the shares. The court
shall determine whether the shareholder or shareholders in question have fully
complied with the requirements of this section, and shall determine the fair
value of the shares, taking into account any and all factors the court finds
relevant, computed by any method or combination of methods that the court, in
its discretion, sees fit to use, whether or not used by the corporation or by a
dissenter. The fair value of the shares as determined by the court is binding on
all shareholders, wherever located. A dissenter is entitled to judgment in cash
for the amount by which the fair value of the shares as determined by the court,
plus interest, exceeds the amount, if any, remitted under subdivision 5, but
shall not be liable to the corporation for the amount, if any, by which the
amount, if any, remitted to the dissenter under subdivision 5 exceeds the fair
value of the shares as determined by the court, plus interest.

SUBDIVISION 8. COSTS; FEES; EXPENSES.

(a) The court shall determine the costs and expenses of a proceeding under
    subdivision 7, including the reasonable expenses and compensation of any
    appraisers appointed by the court, and shall assess those costs and expenses
    against the corporation, except that the court may assess part or all of
    those costs and expenses against a dissenter

                                       47
<PAGE>
    whose action in demanding payment under subdivision 6 is found to be
    arbitrary, vexatious, or not in good faith.

(b) If the court finds that the corporation has failed to comply substantially
    with this section, the court may assess all fees and expenses of any experts
    or attorneys as the court deems equitable. These fees and expenses may also
    be assessed against a person who has acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not
    in good faith in bringing the proceeding, and may be awarded to a party
    injured by those actions.

(c) The court may award, in its discretion, fees and expenses to an attorney for
    the dissenters out of the amount awarded to the dissenters, if any.

                                       48


<PAGE>
AXPSM Extra Income Fund

PROSPECTUS
July 30, 1999

American
Express(R)
Funds

AXP Extra Income Fund seeks to provide  shareholders with high current income as
its primary goal and, as its secondary goal,  capital  growth.
Please note that this Fund:

o is not a bank deposit
o is not federally insured
o is not endorsed  by any  bank or  government  agency
o is not guaranteed  to achieve its goal

Like all mutual funds,  the Securities and Exchange  Commission
has not approved or disapproved  these securities or passed upon the adequacy of
this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

AMERICAN
EXPRESS (logo)

<PAGE>

Table of Contents

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT:
The Fund                               3p
Goal                                   3p
Investment Strategy                    3p
Risks                                  5p
Past Performance                       6p
Fees and Expenses                      8p
Management                             9p
Buying and Selling Shares              9p
Valuing Fund Shares                    9p
Investment Options                    10p
Purchasing Shares                     11p
Transactions Through Third Parties
Sales Charges                         14p
Exchanging/Selling Shares             18p
Distributions and Taxes               23p
Master/Feeder Structure               25p
Financial Highlights                  29p

FUND INFORMATION KEY

Goal and Investment Strategy

The Fund's particular investment goal and the strategies it intends
to use in pursuing its goal.

Risks

The major risk factors associated with the Fund.

Fees and Expenses

The overall costs incurred by an investor in the Fund, including
sales charges and annual expenses.

Management

The individual or group designated by the investment manager to
handle the Fund's day-to-day management.

Master/Feeder Structure

Describes the Fund's investment structure.

Financial Highlights

Tables showing the Fund's financial performance.

<PAGE>

The Fund

GOAL
AXP Extra Income Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with high current
income as its primary goal and, as its secondary goal,  capital growth.  Because
any investment involves risk, achieving these goals cannot be guaranteed.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund invests primarily,  and may invest all of its assets, in high-yielding,
high risk  corporate  bonds (junk bonds).  These bonds may be issued by U.S. and
foreign companies and governments.

The  selection  of debt  obligations  is the primary  decision  in building  the
investment portfolio.

In pursuit of the Fund's goal,  American Express Financial  Corporation  (AEFC),
the Fund's investment manager, chooses investments by:

o  Reviewing interest rate and economic forecasts.

o  Identifying securities and /or companies that:

   -- have medium and low quality ratings,
   -- have similar qualities,  in AEFC's opinion, even though they are not rated
      or have been given a different rating by a rating agency,
   -- have growth potential,

   -- have the potential to increase in value as their credit ratings improve.

o    Buying securities that are expected to outperform other securities. In this
     analysis,  AEFC will take risk factors into account (for  example,  whether
     money  has been  set  aside to cover  the cost of  principal  and  interest
     payments).  AEFC  believes that credit  selection is a primary  concern and
     aggressively manages the Fund to earn a high total return.

<PAGE>

In evaluating  whether to sell a security,  AEFC  considers,  among
other factors, whether:

   -- the interest rate or economic outlook changes,
   -- a sector or industry is experiencing  change,
   -- a security's  rating is changed,
   -- the security is overvalued,
   -- the company does not meet AEFC's performance expectations,
   -- AEFC  wishes  to  lock-in  profits,
   --  AEFC  identifies  a more  attractive opportunity, and
   -- the issuer or the security continues to meet the other standards described
      above.

Although not a primary  investment  strategy,  the Fund also may invest in other
instruments such as: money market securities,  convertible securities, preferred
stocks, and common stocks.

During  weak or  declining  markets,  the Fund may invest  more of its assets in
money  market  securities.  Although  the Fund  primarily  will  invest in these
securities to avoid losses,  this type of investing also could cause the Fund to
lose the opportunity to participate in market  improvement.  During these times,
AEFC may make frequent  securities  trades that could result in increased  fees,
expenses, and taxes.

For more  information  on strategies and holdings,  see the Fund's  Statement of
Additional Information (SAI) and the annual/semiannual reports.

<PAGE>

RISKS

This Fund is designed for long-term investors with above-average risk tolerance.
This Fund has a higher  potential for volatility  and loss of principal.  Please
remember that with any mutual fund investment you may lose money.
Principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund include:

   Market Risk

   Interest Rate Risk

   Credit Risk

Market Risk
The  market  may drop and you may lose  money.  Market  risk may affect a single
issuer,  sector of the economy,  industry,  or the market as a whole. The market
value  of  all  securities  may  move  up  and  down,   sometimes   rapidly  and
unpredictably.

Interest Rate Risk
The risk of losses  attributable  to changes  in  interest  rates.  This term is
generally  associated  with bond prices (when interest  rates rise,  bond prices
fall). In general, the longer the maturity of a debt obligation,  the higher its
yield and the greater the sensitivity to changes in interest rates.

Credit Risk
The risk that the issuer of a security, or the counterparty to a contract,  will
default or  otherwise  become  unable to honor a financial  obligation  (such as
payments due on a bond or a note). The price of junk bonds may react more to the
ability of the issuing  company to pay interest and  principal  when due than to
changes in interest  rates.  They have greater price  fluctuations  and are more
likely to experience a default.

<PAGE>

PAST PERFORMANCE

The  following  bar chart  and table  indicate  the  risks  and  variability  of
investing in the Fund by showing:

o how the Fund's  performance  has varied for each full calendar year shown on
  the chart below,  and
o how the Fund's  average annual total returns compare to other recognized
  indexes below.

How the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how the Fund will
perform in the future.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Class A Performance (based on calendar years
_______________________________________________________________________________
- -3.87% -10.69%  +38.45% +19.82%  +20.68% -7.70% +21.63% +14.28%  +13.00% -4.99%
_______________________________________________________________________________
1989    1990    1991    1992    1993    1994    1995    1996     1997     1998
_______________________________________________________________________________

During the  period  shown in the bar chart,  the  highest  return for a calendar
quarter  was +12.96%  (quarter  ending  March 1991) and the lowest  return for a
calendar quarter was -9.81% (quarter ending September 1998).

The 5% sales charge applicable to Class A shares of the Fund is not reflected in
the bar chart;  if  reflected,  returns  would be lower than  those  shown.  The
performance  of Class B and Class Y may vary from that  shown  above  because of
differences in sales charges and fees.

The Fund's year to date return as of March 31, 1999 was +5.29%.

<PAGE>

Average Annual Total Returns (as of Dec. 31, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                        <C>              <C>            <C>                <C>

                            1 year          5 years        10 years (A)        Since inception (B&Y)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Extra Income:
   Class A                   -9.75%          +5.52%           +8.44%                --
   Class B                   -9.13%            --               --                +8.11%a
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   Class Y                   -4.84%            --               --                +9.68%a
 Lehman Brothers Aggregate
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
     Bond Index              +7.44%          +6.97%           +9.10%              +8.79%b
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Merrill Lynch High
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
     Yield Bond Index        +3.66%          +9.01%          +11.08%              +10.87%b

a Inception date was March 20, 1995.
b Measurement period started April 1, 1995.
</TABLE>

This table shows total returns from hypothetical investments in Class A, Class B
and Class Y shares of the Fund.  These returns are compared to the indexes shown
for the same  periods.  The  performance  of Classes A, B and Y vary  because of
differences  in sales  charges and fees.  Past  performance  for Class Y for the
periods prior to March 20, 1995 may be calculated  based on the  performance  of
Class A,  adjusted to reflect  differences  in sales  charges,  although not for
other differences in expenses.

For purposes of this calculation we assumed:

o  a sales charge of 5% for Class A shares,
o  sales at the end of the period and deduction of the applicable contingent
   deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class B shares,
o  no sales charge for Class Y shares, and
o  no adjustments for taxes paid by an investor on the reinvested income and
   capital gains.

Lehman  Brothers  Aggregate  Bond  Index  is an  unmanaged  index  made  up of a
representative list of government,  corporate,  asset-backed and mortgage-backed
securities.  The index is  frequently  used as a general  measure of bond market
performance.  However,  the  securities  used to  create  the  index  may not be
representative of the bonds held in the Fund.

<PAGE>

Merrill Lynch High Yield Bond Index provides a broad-based  measure
of performance of the non-investment grade U.S. domestic bond market.
The index currently captures close to $200 billion of the outstanding
debt of domestic market issuers rated below  investment grade but not
in default. The index is "rule based", which means there is a defined
list of  criteria  that a bond  must  meet in  order to  qualify  for
inclusion in the index.

The indexes  reflect  reinvestment  of all  distributions  and changes in market
prices, but exclude brokerage commissions or other fees.

FEES AND EXPENSES
Fund  investors  pay various  expenses.  The table below  describes the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
<S>                                                            <C>               <C>            <C>
                                                                Class A           Class B        Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchasesa
(as a percentage of offering price)                                5%              none           none
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on
sales (as a percentage of offering price at time of purchase)     none             5%             none
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>

Annual Fund operating expensesb (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                            <C>             <C>              <C>

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As a percentage of average daily net assets:    Class A         Class B          Class Y
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Management fees                                0.56%            0.56%             0.56%
 Distribution (12b-1) fees                      0.25%            1.00%             0.00%
 Other expensesc                                0.20%            0.21%             0.27%
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Total                                          1.01%            1.77%             0.83%
</TABLE>

a This charge may be reduced  depending  on your total  investments  in American
Express mutual funds.  See "Sales  Charges."
b Both in this  table and the  following example,  fund operating  expenses
include expenses charged by both the Fund and its Master  Portfolio as
described  under  "Management."  Expenses for Class A, Class B and Class Y are
based on  actual  expenses  for the last  fiscal  year, restated to reflect
current fees.
c Other  expenses  include an  administrative services fee, a shareholder
services fee for Class Y, a transfer agency fee and other nonadvisory expenses.

<PAGE>

Example

This  example is intended to help you compare the cost of  investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Assume you invest $10,000 and the Fund earns a 5% annual  return.  The operating
expenses remain the same each year. If you hold your shares until the end of the
years shown, your costs would be:

                1 year            3 years           5 years         10 years
_______________________________________________________________________________
 Class Aa         $598              $806            $1,031           $1,679
_______________________________________________________________________________
 Class Bb         $680              $957            $1,160           $1,888d
_______________________________________________________________________________
 Class Bc         $180              $557           $   960           $1,888d
_______________________________________________________________________________
 Class Y          $ 85              $265           $   461           $1,029

a Includes a 5% sales charge.
b Assumes you sold your Class B shares at the end of the period and incurred the
  applicable  CDSC.
c Assumes  you did not sell your Class B shares at the end of the  period.
d Based on  conversion  of Class B shares to Class A shares in the
  ninth year of ownership.

This example does not represent actual expenses, past or future. Actual expenses
may be higher or lower than those shown.

MANAGEMENT
The Fund's assets are invested in High Yield Portfolio (the Portfolio), which is
managed by AEFC. Jack Utter, vice president and senior portfolio manager, joined
AEFC in 1962.  He has  managed  the  assets of the Fund since  1985.  He also is
co-portfolio  manager  of  AXP  Variable  Portfolio  Extra  Income  Fund.  Scott
Schroepfer,  senior portfolio  manager,  joined AEFC in 1990. He is co-portfolio
manager  and has  managed  the  assets  of the  Fund  since  March  1999.  He is
co-portfolio  manager of AXP Variable Portfolio Extra Income Fund, and serves as
portfolio  manager of the IDS Life Series Fund -- Managed  Portfolio  since 1995
and as associate portfolio manager since 1994.

Buying and Selling Shares

VALUING FUND SHARES
The public  offering price for Class A is the net asset value (NAV) adjusted for
the sales charge. For Class B and Class Y, it is the NAV.

The NAV is the value of a single Fund share.  The NAV usually changes daily, and
is calculated at the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange,  normally
3 p.m.  Central  Standard  Time (CST),  each  business day (any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open).

The Fund's  investments are valued based on market  quotations,  or where market
quotations are not readily  available based on methods selected in good faith by
the board. If the Fund's  investment  policies permit it to invest in securities
that are listed on foreign stock  exchanges that trade on weekends or other days
when the Fund does not  price its  shares,  the value of the  Fund's  underlying
investments  may  change on days  when you  could not buy or sell  shares of the
Fund. Please see the SAI for further information.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS
1. Class A shares  are sold to the  public  with a sales  charge at the time of
   purchase and on annual distribution (12b-1) fee.

2. Class B shares are sold to the public with a CDSC and an annual  distribution
   (12b-1) fee.

3. Class Y shares are sold to qualifying institutional investors without a sales
   charge or distribution fee. Please see the SAI for information on eligibility
   to purchase Class Y shares.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Investment options summary:

Class A           Maximum sales charge of 5%

                  Initial sales charge waived or reduced for certain purchases

                  Annual distribution fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets.*

                  Lower annual expenses than Class B shares
_______________________________________________________________________________

Class B           No initial sales charge

                  CDSC on shares sold in the first six years
                  (maximum of 5% in first year, reduced to 0% after year six)

                  CDSC waived in certain circumstances

                  Shares convert to Class A in ninth year of ownership

                  Annual distribution fee of 1.00% of average daily net assets*

                  Higher annual expenses than Class A shares
_______________________________________________________________________________

Class Y           No initial sales charge

                  No annual distribution fee

                  Service fee of 0.10% of average daily net assets

                  Available only to certain qualifying institutional investors
_______________________________________________________________________________

* The Fund has adopted a plan under Rule 12b-1 of the Investment  Company Act of
1940 that allows it to pay distribution fees and  servicing-related for the sale
of Class A and Class B shares.  Because  these  fees are paid out of the  Fund's
assets on an on-going basis, the fees may cost long-term  shareholders more than
paying other types of sales charges imposed by some mutual funds.
<PAGE>

Should you purchase Class A or Class B shares?

If your  investments  in American  Express  mutual funds total $250,000 or more,
Class A shares  may be the better  option.  If you  qualify  for a waiver of the
sales charge, Class A shares will be the best option.

If you  invest  less  than  $250,000,  consider  how long you plan to hold  your
shares.  Class B shares have a higher annual distribution fee and a CDSC for six
years.  To help  you  determine  what is best for you,  consult  your  financial
advisor.

Class B  shares  convert  to  Class  A  shares  in the  ninth  calendar  year of
ownership.   Class  B  shares  purchased   through   reinvested   dividends  and
distributions  also will convert to Class A shares in the same proportion as the
other Class B shares.

PURCHASING SHARES

To purchase  shares  through a  brokerage  account or from  entities  other than
American Express Financial Advisors Inc., please consult your selling agent. The
following  section  explains how you can purchase  shares from American  Express
Financial Advisors (the Distributor).

If you do not have a  mutual  fund  account,  you need to  establish  one.  Your
financial  advisor will help you fill out and submit an  application.  Once your
account is set up, you can choose among several convenient ways to invest.

When you  purchase  shares  for a new or  existing  account,  your order will be
priced at the next NAV  calculated  after your order is accepted by the Fund. If
your application  does not specify which class of shares you are purchasing,  we
will assume you are investing in Class A shares.

Important:  When you open an account,  you must provide  your  correct  Taxpayer
Identification  Number (TIN),  which is either your Social  Security or Employer
Identification number.

If you  do not  provide  the  correct  TIN,  you  could  be  subject  to  backup
withholding of 31% of taxable  distributions and proceeds from certain sales and
exchanges. You also could be subject to further penalties, such as:

o  a $50 penalty for each failure to supply your correct TIN,

o  a civil  penalty  of $500 if you make a false  statement  that  results  in
   no backup withholding, and

o  criminal penalties for falsifying information.

You also could be subject to backup  withholding if the IRS requires us to do so
or if you failed to report required interest or dividends on your tax return.

<PAGE>

How to determine the correct TIN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                              <C>

For this type of account:                         Use the Social Security or Employer Identification number of:

Individual or joint account                       The individual or one of the individuals listed on the joint
                                                  account

Custodian account of a minor                      The minor

(Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act)

A revocable living trust                          The grantor-trustee (the person who puts the money into the trust)

An irrevocable trust, pension trust or estate     The legal entity (not the personal representative  or trustee,
                                                  unless no legal entity is designated in the account title)

Sole proprietorship                               The owner


Partnership                                       The partnership


Corporate                                         The corporation

Association, club or tax-exempt organization      The organization

</TABLE>

For details on TIN requirements, contact your financial advisor to obtain a copy
of  federal  Form  W-9,   "Request  for  Taxpayer   Identification   Number  and
Certification."

Three ways to invest

_______________________________________________________________________________
1 By mail:

Once your account has been established, send your check with the
account number on it to:

American Express Funds
P.O. Box 74
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0074

Minimum amounts

Initial investment:        $2,000

Additional investments:    $100

Account balances:          $300

Qualified accounts:        none

If your account  balance  falls below $300,  you will be asked to increase it to
$300 or  establish a scheduled  investment  plan.  If you do not do so within 30
days, your shares can be sold and the proceeds mailed to you.

<PAGE>

_______________________________________________________________________________
2 By scheduled investment plan:

Contact your financial advisor for assistance in setting up one of the following
scheduled plans:

o automatic payroll deduction,
o bank authorization,
o direct deposit of Social Security check, or
o other plan approved by the Fund.

Minimum amounts

Initial investment:        $100

Additional investments:    $50/mo. for qualified accounts; $100/mo. for
                            nonqualified accounts

Account balances:          none (on active plans with monthly payments)

If your  account  balance  is below  $2,000,  you must  make  payments  at least
monthly.

_______________________________________________________________________________
3 By wire or electronic funds transfer:
If you have an established account, you may wire money to:

Norwest Bank Minnesota
Routing Transit No. 091000019

Give these instructions:
Credit American  Express  Financial  Advisors  Account  #0000030015 for personal
account # (your account  number) for (your name).  Please remember that you need
to provide all 10 digits.

If this  information is not included,  the order may be rejected,  and all money
received by the Fund, less any costs the Fund or American Express Client Service
Corporation (AECSC) incurs, will be returned promptly.

Minimum amounts
Each wire investment: $1,000

TRANSACTIONS THROUGH THIRD PARTIES

You may buy or sell shares through certain 401 (k) plans, banks, broker-dealers,
financial advisors or other investment  professionals.  These  organizations may
charge you a fee for this service and may have different  policies.  Some policy
differences  may  include  different  minimum   investment   amounts,   exchange
privileges,  fund  choices and cutoff  times for  investments.  The Fund and the
Distributor are not responsible for the failure of one of these organizations to
carry out its  obligations  to its  customers.  Some  organizations  may receive
compensation   from  the   Distributor  or  its   affiliates   for   shareholder
recordkeeping  and  similar   services.   When  authorized  by  the  Fund,  some
organizations may designate selected agents to accept purchase or sale orders on
the Fund's  behalf.  To buy or sell shares through third parties or determine if
there are policy  differences,  please  consult  your selling  agent.  For other
pertinent  information related to buying or selling shares,  please refer to the
appropriate prospectus.

<PAGE>

SALES CHARGES

Class A -- initial sales charge alternative
When you purchase Class A shares, you pay a 5% sales charge on the first $50,000
of your total investment and less on investments after the first $50,000:

_______________________________________________________________________________
 Total investment                 Sales charge as percentage of:a
                         Public offering priceb          Net amount invested
_______________________________________________________________________________
 Up to $50,000                    5.0%                          5.26%
 Next $50,000                     4.5                           4.71
 Next $400,000                    3.8                           3.95
 Next $500,000                    2.0                           2.04
 $1,000,000 or more               0.0                           0.00

a To calculate the actual sales charge on an investment greater than $50,000 and
  less than $1,000,000, you must total the amounts of all increments that apply.
b Offering price includes a 5% sales charge.

The sales charge on Class A shares may be lower than 5%,  depending on the
total amount:

o    you now are investing in this Fund,

o    you have previously invested in this Fund, or

o    you and your primary  household  group are  investing  or have  invested in
     other American Express mutual funds that have a sales charge.  (The primary
     household  group  consists  of  accounts  in any  ownership  for spouses or
     domestic  partners and their  unmarried  children under 21. For purposes of
     this  policy,  domestic  partners  are  individuals  who  maintain a shared
     primary  residence and have joint property or other  insurable  interests.)
     AXP Tax-Free Money Fund and Class A shares of AXP Cash  Management  Fund do
     not have sales charges.

Other Class A sales charge policies:

o    IRA  purchases  or other  employee  benefit plan  purchases  made through a
     payroll  deduction  plan  or  through  a  plan  sponsored  by an  employer,
     association of employers, employee organization or other similar group, may
     be added together to reduce sales charges for all shares purchased  through
     that plan, and

o    if you  intend to invest $1  million  over a period of 13  months,  you can
     reduce the sales charges in Class A by filing a letter of intent.  For more
     details, please see the SAI.

<PAGE>

Waivers of the sales charge for Class A shares

Sales charges do not apply to:

o    current or retired board members, officers or employees of the Fund or AEFC
     or its  subsidiaries,  their  spouses or domestic  partners  and  unmarried
     children under 21.

o    current or retired American Express  financial  advisors,  their spouses or
     domestic partners and unmarried children under 21.

o    investors  who  have  a  business  relationship  with  a  newly  associated
     financial  advisor who joined the Distributor from another  investment firm
     provided  that (1) the purchase is made within six months of the  advisor's
     appointment  date  with the  Distributor,  (2) the  purchase  is made  with
     proceeds  of shares sold that were  sponsored  by the  financial  advisor's
     previous broker-dealer, and (3) the proceeds are the result of a sale of an
     equal or greater value where a sales load was assessed.

o    qualified  employee  benefit plans  offering  participants  daily access to
     American  Express mutual funds.  Eligibility must be determined in advance.
     For assistance,  please contact your financial  advisor.  (Participants  in
     certain  qualified  plans where the initial  sales  charge is waived may be
     subject to a deferred sales charge of up to 4%.)

o    shareholders  who have at least $1 million  invested  in  American  Express
     mutual funds. If the investment is sold in the first year after purchase, a
     CDSC  of 1%  will  be  charged.  The  CDSC  will  be  waived  only  in  the
     circumstances described for waivers for Class B shares.

o    purchases  made  within 90 days  after a sale of shares  (up to the  amount
     sold):

     --   of American  Express  mutual  funds in a qualified  plan  subject to a
          deferred sales charge, or

     --   in a qualified  plan or account where  American  Express Trust Company
          has a recordkeeping,  trustee,  investment  management,  or investment
          servicing relationship.

<PAGE>

Send  the  Fund  a  written  request  along  with  your  payment, indicating the
date and the amount of the sale.

o  purchases made:

     --   with dividend or capital gain distributions from this Fund or from the
          same class of another  American  Express  mutual fund that has a sales
          charge,

     --   through  or  under a wrap fee  product  or  other  investment  product
          sponsored  by the  Distributor  or another  broker-dealer,  investment
          advisor, bank or investment professional.,

     --   within the University of Texas System ORP,

     --   within a  segregated  separate  account  offered  by  Nationwide  Life
          Insurance Company or Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company,

     --   within the University of Massachusetts After-Tax Savings Program,

     --   with  the  proceeds  from  IDS  Life  Real  Estate  Variable   Annuity
          surrenders, or

     --   through  or  under  a  subsidiary  of  AEFC  offering  Personal  Trust
          Services' Asset-Based pricing alternative.

Class B -- contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) alternative
A CDSC is based on the sale amount and the number of calendar years -- including
the year of purchase -- between purchase and sale. The following table shows how
CDSC percentages on sales decline after a purchase:

           If the sale is made during the:     The CDSC percentage rate is:
_______________________________________________________________________________
                      First year                             5%
                      Second year                            4%
                      Third year                             4%
                      Fourth year                            3%
                      Fifth year                             2%
                      Sixth year                             1%
                      Seventh year                           0%

If the amount you are  selling  causes the value of your  investment  in Class B
shares to fall below the cost of the shares you have  purchased  during the last
six years including the current year, the CDSC is based on the lower of the cost
of those shares purchased or market value.

<PAGE>

           Example:

Assume you had invested  $10,000 in Class B shares and that your  investment had
appreciated in value to $12,000 after 15 months,  including reinvested dividends
and  capital  gain  distributions.  You could sell up to $2,000  worth of shares
without paying a CDSC ($12,000 current value less $10,000 purchase  amount).  If
you sold $2,500 worth of shares,  the CDSC would apply to the $500  representing
part of your original purchase price. The CDSC rate would be 4% because the sale
was made during the second year after the purchase.

Because  the CDSC is imposed  only on sales  that  reduce  your  total  purchase
payments,  you  never  have  to  pay  a  CDSC  on  any  amount  that  represents
appreciation  in the value of your  shares,  income  earned by your  shares,  or
capital  gains.  In  addition,  the CDSC rate on your sale will be based on your
oldest purchase  payment.  The CDSC on the next amount sold will be based on the
next oldest purchase payment.

The CDSC on Class B shares will be waived on sales of shares:

o in the event of the shareholder's death,

o held in trust for an employee benefit plan, or

o held in IRAs or certain  qualified plans if American Express Trust Company is
  the  custodian,  such as Keogh  plans,  tax-sheltered  custodial  accounts or
  corporate pension plans,  provided that the shareholder is:

     --   at least 59 1/2 years old AND

     --   taking a retirement distribution (if the sale is part of a transfer to
          an IRA or qualified plan, or a  custodian-to-custodian  transfer,  the
          CDSC will not be waived) OR

     --   selling  under  an  approved   substantially  equal  periodic  payment
          arrangement.

<PAGE>

EXCHANGING/SELLING SHARES

Exchanges
You can  exchange  your Fund shares at no charge for shares of the same class of
any other publicly  offered  American  Express  mutual fund.  Exchanges into AXP
Tax-Free  Money  Fund  may  only  be made  from  Class A  shares.  For  complete
information on the other funds,  including  fees and expenses,  read that fund's
prospectus  carefully.  Your exchange will be priced at the next NAV  calculated
after it is accepted by that fund.

You may make up to three exchanges (1 1/2 round trips) within any 30-day period.
These limits do not apply to scheduled  exchange  programs and certain  employee
benefit plans. Exceptions may be allowed with pre-approval of the Fund.

Other exchange policies:

o  Exchanges must be made into the same class of shares of the new fund.

o  If your exchange creates a new account, it must satisfy the minimum
   investment amount for new purchases.

o  Once we receive your exchange request, you cannot cancel it.

o  Shares of the new fund may not be used on the same day for another exchange.

o  If your shares are pledged as collateral, the exchange will be delayed until
   AECSC receives written approval from the secured party.

AECSC and the Fund reserve the right to reject any  exchange,  limit the amount,
or modify or  discontinue  the exchange  privilege,  to prevent abuse or adverse
effects on the Fund and its  shareholders.  For example,  if  exchanges  are too
numerous  or too large,  they may disrupt the Fund's  investment  strategies  or
increase its costs.

<PAGE>

Selling Shares

You can sell your shares at any time.  The payment  will be mailed  within seven
days after accepting your request.

When you sell shares, the amount you receive may be more or less than the amount
you invested. Your sale price will be the next NAV calculated after your request
is accepted by the Fund, minus any applicable CDSC.

You can  change  your mind  after  requesting  a sale and use all or part of the
proceeds to purchase new shares in the same account from which you sold.  If you
reinvest  in Class A, you will  purchase  the new shares at NAV rather  than the
offering  price on the date of a new  purchase.  If you reinvest in Class B, any
CDSC you paid on the amount you are reinvesting also will be reinvested. To take
advantage  of this option,  send a request  within 90 days of the date your sale
request was  received and include your account  number.  This  privilege  may be
limited or withdrawn at any time and may have tax consequences.

The Fund reserves the right to redeem in kind.

For more details and a description of other sales policies, please see the SAI.

<PAGE>

Two ways to request an exchange or sale of shares

To sell or exchange  shares held  through a brokerage  account or with  entities
other than American  Express  Financial  Advisors,  please  consult your selling
agent.  The following  section explains how you can exchange or sell shares held
with American Express Financial Advisors.

Requests  to sell  shares  of the  Fund  are  not  allowed  within  30 days of a
telephoned-in address change.

Important:  If you request a sale of shares you recently purchased by a check or
money order that is not guaranteed,  the Fund will wait for your check to clear.
It may take up to 10 days  from the date of  purchase  before  payment  is made.
(Payment may be made earlier if your bank provides evidence  satisfactory to the
Fund and AECSC that your check has cleared.)

_______________________________________________________________________________
 1 By letter:
Include in your letter:

o  the name of the fund(s),

o  the class of shares to be exchanged or sold,

o  your  mutual  fund  account  number(s)  (for  exchanges,  both  funds  must
   be registered in the same ownership),

o  your TIN,

o the dollar amount or number of shares you want to exchange or sell,

o signature(s)  of all  registered  account owners,

o for sales,  indicate how you want your money  delivered to you, and

o any paper certificates of shares you hold.

Regular mail:

American Express Client Service Corporation
Attn: Transactions
P.O. Box 534
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0534

Express mail:

American Express Client Service Corporation
Attn: Transactions
733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55402

<PAGE>

_______________________________________________________________________________
2 By telephone:

American Express Client Service Corporation
Telephone Transaction Service
800-437-3133

o  The Fund and AECSC will use reasonable  procedures to confirm authenticity of
   telephone exchange or sale requests.

o  Telephone exchange and sale privileges automatically apply to all accounts
   except custodial, corporate or qualified retirement accounts. You may request
   that these privileges NOT apply by writing AECSC. Each registered owner must
   sign the request.

o  Acting on your instructions, your financial advisor may conduct telephone
   transactions on your behalf.

o  Telephone privileges may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Minimum sale amount: $100           Maximum sale amount: $50,000

<PAGE>

Three ways to receive payment when you sell shares

_______________________________________________________________________________
 1 By regular or express mail:

o    Mailed to the address on record.

o    Payable to names listed on the account.

   NOTE: The express mail delivery charges you pay
   will vary depending on the courier you select.

_______________________________________________________________________________
 2 By wire or electronic funds transfer:

o  Minimum wire: $1,000.

o    Request that money be wired to your bank.

o    Bank account must be in the same  ownership as the American  Express mutual
     fund account.

   NOTE: Pre-authorization required. For instructions,
   contact your financial advisor or AECSC.

_______________________________________________________________________________
 3 By scheduled payout plan:

o    Minimum payment: $50.

o    Contact  your  financial  advisor or AECSC to set up regular  payments on a
     monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis.

o    Purchasing  new shares  while  under a payout  plan may be  disadvantageous
     because of the sales charges.

<PAGE>

Distributions and Taxes
As a shareholder you are entitled to your share of the Fund's net income and net
gains.  The  Fund  distributes  dividends  and  capital  gains to  qualify  as a
regulated  investment  company and to avoid paying  corporate  income and excise
taxes.

DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTION
The Fund's net investment  income is  distributed  to you as dividends.  Capital
gains are realized  when a security is sold for a higher price than was paid for
it.  Net  short-term  capital  gains  are  included  in net  investment  income.
Long-term  capital  gains are realized when a security is held for more than one
year. The Fund offsets any net realized  capital gains by any available  capital
loss carryovers.  Net realized  long-term capital gains, if any, are distributed
by the end of the calendar year as capital gain distributions.

REINVESTMENTS
Dividends  and  capital  gain  distributions  are  automatically  reinvested  in
additional  shares  in  the  same  class  of the  Fund,  unless:

o    you request distributions in cash, or

o    you direct the Fund to invest your  distributions  in the same class of any
     publicly offered American Express mutual fund for which you have previously
     opened an account.

We  reinvest  the  distributions  for you at the next  calculated  NAV after the
distribution is paid.

If you choose cash  distributions,  you will receive cash only for distributions
declared after your request has been processed.

TAXES
Distributions  are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state and
local taxes in the year they are declared. You must report distributions on your
tax returns, even if they are reinvested in additional shares.

Income received by the Fund may be subject to foreign tax and  withholding.  Tax
conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate these
taxes. You may be entitled to claim foreign tax credits or deductions subject to
provisions and limitations of the Internal Revenue Code.

<PAGE>

If you buy shares shortly before the record date of a distribution  you will pay
taxes on money  earned by the Fund before you were a  shareholder.  You will pay
the full  pre-distribution  price for the shares, then receive a portion of your
investment back as a distribution, which is taxable.

For tax purposes, an exchange is considered a sale and purchase,  and may result
in a gain or loss. A sale is a taxable transaction.  If you sell shares for more
than their cost, the  difference is a capital gain.  Your gain may be short term
(for  shares  held for one year or less) or long term (for  shares held for more
than one year). If you sell shares for less than their cost, the difference is a
capital  loss.  If you buy Class A shares of this or  another  American  Express
mutual fund and within 91 days exchange into this Fund,  you may not include the
sales  charge in your  calculation  of tax gain or loss on the sale of the first
fund you purchased.  The sales charge may be included in the calculation of your
tax gain or loss on a subsequent sale.

Selling shares held in an IRA or qualified retirement account may subject you to
federal  taxes,  penalties and reporting  requirements.  Please consult your tax
advisor.

Important:  This information is a brief and selective summary of some of the tax
rules that apply to this Fund.  Because tax matters  are highly  individual  and
complex, you should consult a qualified tax advisor.

<PAGE>

Master/Feeder Structure
This Fund uses a  master/feeder  structure.  This  means that the Fund (a feeder
fund) invests all of its assets in the Portfolio (the master fund). Other feeder
funds also  invest in the  Portfolio.  The  master/feeder  structure  offers the
potential  for  reduced  costs  because  it  spreads  fixed  costs of  portfolio
management  over a larger pool of assets.  The Fund may withdraw its assets from
the  Portfolio at any time if the Fund's board  determines  that it is best.  In
that event,  the board would  consider  what action  should be taken,  including
whether to hire an investment advisor to manage the Fund's assets directly or to
invest all of the Fund's assets in another pooled investment entity.  Here is an
illustration of the structure:

                        Investors buy shares in the Fund

                      The Fund buys units in the Portfolio

          The Portfolio invests in securities, such as stocks or bonds

Other feeders may include mutual funds and institutional accounts. These feeders
buy the Portfolio's  securities on the same terms and conditions as the Fund and
pay  their  proportionate  share of the  Portfolio's  expenses.  However,  their
operating  costs  and  sales  charges  are  different  from  those of the  Fund.
Therefore,  the  investment  returns for other  feeders are  different  from the
returns of the Fund.

<PAGE>

YEAR 2000
The Fund could be adversely  affected if the  computer  systems used by AEFC and
the Fund's  other  service  providers  do not  properly  process  and  calculate
date-related  information from and after Jan. 1, 2000.  While Year  2000-related
computer  problems could have a negative  effect on the Fund, AEFC is working to
avoid such problems and to obtain  assurances  from service  providers that they
are taking similar steps.

The companies,  governments or international  markets, in which the Fund invests
also may be adversely  affected by Year 2000  issues.  To the extent a portfolio
holding is adversely affected by a Year 2000 processing issue, the Fund's return
could be adversely affected.

INVESTMENT MANAGER

The  investment  manager  of the  Portfolio  is AEFC,  located  at IDS Tower 10,
Minneapolis,  MN  55440-0010.  The  Portfolio  pays AEFC a fee for  managing its
assets.  The Fund pays its proportionate  share of the fee. Under the Investment
Management Services Agreement, the fee for the most recent fiscal year was 0.56%
of its average daily net assets.  Under the  agreement  the Portfolio  also pays
taxes,  brokerage commissions and nonadvisory  expenses.  AEFC is a wholly-owned
subsidiary  of American  Express  Company,  a financial  services  company  with
headquarters at American Express Tower,  World Financial  Center,  New York, NY,
10285.

<PAGE>

Financial Highlights

Fiscal period ended May 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                            <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Per share income and capital changesa
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Class A

                                                  1999      1998      1997       1996b      1995

Net asset value, beginning of period             $4.58     $4.39     $4.34      $4.15      $4.02
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)                       .40       .40       .39        .28        .39

Net gains (losses) (both realized and unrealized)  (.58)     .17       .06        .20        .13
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations                   (.18)     .57       .45        .48        .52
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:

Dividends from net investment income               (.43)    (.38)    (.40)      (.29)       (.39)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period                    $3.97     $4.58    $4.39     $4.34       $4.15

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Ratios/supplemental data
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period (in millions)          $2,814    $3,112    $2,582     $2,145      $1,822
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to average daily net assetsc    .91%      .89%      .92%      .94%d        .87%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average daily net assets                      9.86%     8.90%     9.01%     8.90%d       9.93%

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate
(excluding short-term securities)                 47%       81%       92%        61%         70%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total returne                                   (3.67%)   13.24%    10.92%     11.73%      14.15%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

a For a share outstanding  throughout the period. Rounded to the nearest cent.
b The Fund's fiscal year-end was changed from Aug. 31 to May 31, effective 1996.
c Effective  fiscal year 1996,  expense ratio is based on total  expenses of the
  Fund before  reduction of earnings  credits on cash  balances.
d Adjusted to an annual basis.
e Total return does not reflect payment of a sales charge.

<PAGE>

Fiscal period ended May. 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Per share income and capital changesa
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Class B                                              Class Y

<S>                       <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>               <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
                            1999   1998   1997   1996c   1995b                1999   1998   1997    1996c   1995b

Net asset value,
beginning of period        $4.58   $4.39  $4.34   $4.15   $3.93             $4.58   $4.39   $4.34   $4.15   $3.93
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:

Net investment
income (loss)               .37     .37    .36   .25    .18                   .41    .41    .40   .28    .20


Net gains (losses) (both
realized and unrealized)  (.58)     .16    .06   .20    .21                  (.59)   .16    .06   .20    .21
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from
investment operations     (.21)     .53    .42   .45    .39                  (.18)   .57    .46   .48    .41
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:

Dividends from net
investment income         (.40)   (.34)  (.37) (.26)  (.17)                  (.43)  (.38)  (.41) (.29)  (.19)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period            $3.97    $4.58   $4.39   $4.34  $4.15              $3.97  $4.58   $4.39   $4.34    $4.15
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Ratios/supplemental data
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of
period (in millions)     $1,076  $1,046  $613   $270     $76                  $1      $2     $--    $--      $2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses
to average daily
net assetsd               1.67%   1.65%   1.68%  1.70%e  1.72%e              .83%    .82%    .85%   .76%e   .78%e
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment
income (loss) to average
daily net assets          9.11%   8.23%   8.18%  8.34%e   9.51%e            9.93%   10.07%  8.68%  8.24e   10.19%e
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate
(excluding short-term
securities)                 47%    81%     92%     61%      70%              47%     81%     92%    61%     70%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total returnf            (4.39%)  12.42%  10.07%  11.10%   9.90%         (3.58%)  13.42%   11.05%  11.83%  10.40%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

a For a share outstanding  throughout the period. Rounded to the nearest cent.
b Inception date was March 20, 1995.
c The Fund's fiscal year-end was changed from Aug. 31 to May 31, effective 1996.
d Effective  fiscal year 1996,  expense ratio is based on total  expenses of the
  Fund before  reduction of earnings  credits on cash  balances.
e Adjusted to an annual basis.
f Total return does not reflect  payment of a sales  charge.
</TABLE>
The  information  in these  tables  has been  audited  by KPMG LLP,  independent
auditors.  The independent auditor's report and additional information about the
performance of the Fund are contained in the Fund's annual report which,  if not
included with this prospectus, may be obtained without charge.

<PAGE>

                 This page left blank intentionally

<PAGE>

American
Express(R)
Funds

This Fund, along with the other American Express mutual funds, is distributed by
American Express  Financial  Advisors Inc. and can be purchased from an American
Express  financial  advisor or from  other  authorized  broker-dealers  or third
parties.  The funds can be found under the "Amer Express"  banner in most mutual
fund quotations.

Additional  information  about the Fund and its  investments is available in the
Fund's Statement of Additional  Information (SAI), annual and semiannual reports
to  shareholders.  In the Fund's  annual  report,  you will find a discussion of
market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund
during its last  fiscal  year.  The SAI is  incorporated  by  reference  in this
prospectus.  For a free copy of the SAI,  the  annual  report or the  semiannual
report   contact  your  selling  agent  or  American   Express   Client  Service
Corporation.

American Express Client Service Corporation
P.O. Box 534, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0534
800-862-7919 TTY: 800-846-4852
Web site address:
http://www.americanexpress.com/advisors

You may review and copy  information  about the Fund,  including the SAI, at the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission's  (Commission)  Public  Reference  Room in
Washington,   D.C.  (for  information  about  the  public  reference  room  call
1-800-SEC-0330).  Reports and other  information about the Fund are available on
the Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this information
may be obtained by writing and paying a duplicating fee to the Public  Reference
Section of the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009.

Investment Company Act File #811-3848

TICKER SYMBOL
Class A: INEAX    Class B: IEIBX    Class Y: NA

AMERICAN EXPRESS (Logo)

S-6370-99 N (7/99)

<PAGE>

Independent Auditors' Report

THE BOARD AND SHAREHOLDERS
AXP EXTRA INCOME FUND, INC.

We have  audited the  accompanying  statement of assets and  liabilities  of AXP
Extra  Income  Fund,  Inc.  as of May 31,  1999,  and the related  statement  of
operations  for the year then ended and the  statements of changes in net assets
for each of the years in the  two-year  period  then  ended,  and the  financial
highlights for the  three-year  period ended May 31, 1999, the nine months ended
May 31, 1996 and the one-year  period ended  August 31,  1995.  These  financial
statements  and  the  financial   highlights  are  the  responsibility  of  fund
management.  Our  responsibility  is to express  an  opinion on these  financial
statements and the financial highlights based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable  assurance  about whether the financial  statements and the financial
highlights are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a
test basis,  evidence  supporting  the amounts and  disclosures in the financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects,  the financial position of AXP Extra Income Fund, Inc. as
of May 31, 1999,  and the results of its  operations,  changes in its net assets
and the  financial  highlights  for the  periods  stated in the first  paragraph
above, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.



/s/ KPMG LLP
    KPMG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 2, 1999

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Financial Statements

Statement of assets and liabilities
AXP Extra Income Fund, Inc.

May 31, 1999

Assets
<S>                                                                                                     <C>
Investment in High Yield Portfolio (Note 1)                                                             $3,892,924,152
                                                                                                        --------------

Liabilities
Dividends payable to shareholders                                                                            1,106,039
Accrued distribution fee                                                                                        22,070
Accrued service fee                                                                                             18,640
Accrued transfer agency fee                                                                                     12,608
Accrued administrative services fee                                                                              4,551
Other accrued expenses                                                                                         330,695
                                                                                                               -------
Total liabilities                                                                                            1,494,603
                                                                                                             ---------
Net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock                                                      $3,891,429,549
                                                                                                        ==============

Represented by
Capital stock-- $.01 par value (Note 1)                                                                 $    9,795,117
Additional paid-in capital                                                                               4,398,526,497
Undistributed net investment income                                                                            763,196
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)                                                                      (221,184,208)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                                                     (296,471,053)
                                                                                                          ------------
Total-- representing net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock                                 $3,891,429,549
                                                                                                        ==============
Net assets applicable to outstanding shares:                 Class A                                    $2,814,036,886
                                                             Class B                                    $1,076,149,676
                                                             Class Y                                    $    1,242,987
Net asset value per share of outstanding capital stock:      Class A shares         708,302,389         $         3.97
                                                             Class B shares         270,896,547         $         3.97
                                                             Class Y shares             312,738         $         3.97

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Statement of operations
AXP Extra Income Fund, Inc.

Year ended May 31, 1999

Investment income
Income:
<S>                                                                                                      <C>
Dividends                                                                                                $  39,984,393
Interest                                                                                                   376,326,585
                                                                                                           -----------
Total income                                                                                               416,310,978
                                                                                                           -----------
Expenses (Note 2):
Expenses allocated from High Yield Portfolio                                                                21,537,454
Distribution fee-- Class B                                                                                   7,644,344
Transfer agency fee                                                                                          3,693,064
Incremental transfer agency fee
    Class A                                                                                                    156,013
    Class B                                                                                                    134,766
Service fee
    Class A                                                                                                  4,935,188
    Class B                                                                                                  1,772,833
    Class Y                                                                                                      1,535
Administrative services fees and expenses                                                                    1,730,915
Compensation of board members                                                                                   12,474
Postage                                                                                                        900,806
Registration fees                                                                                              259,927
Reports to shareholders                                                                                        164,462
Audit fees                                                                                                      11,375
                                                                                                                ------
Total expenses                                                                                              42,955,156
    Earnings credits on cash balances (Note 2)                                                                (140,031)
                                                                                                              --------
Total net expenses                                                                                          42,815,125
                                                                                                            ----------
Investment income (loss) -- net                                                                            373,495,853
                                                                                                           -----------

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) -- net Net realized gain (loss) on:
    Security transactions                                                                                 (127,645,870)
    Foreign currency transactions                                                                             (197,934)
                                                                                                              --------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                                                                   (127,843,804)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                                       (413,763,674)
                                                                                                          ------------
Net gain (loss) on investments                                                                            (541,607,478)
                                                                                                          ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations                                          $(168,111,625)
                                                                                                         =============

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Statements of changes in net assets
AXP Extra Income Fund, Inc.

Year ended May 31,                                                                   1999                    1998

Operations and distributions
<S>                                                                             <C>                     <C>
Investment income (loss)-- net                                                  $  373,495,853          $  325,142,783
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                                           (127,843,804)            107,292,068
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments               (413,763,674)              8,762,590
                                                                                  ------------               ---------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations                   (168,111,625)            441,197,441
                                                                                  ------------             -----------
Distributions to shareholders from:
    Net investment income
        Class A                                                                   (296,255,921)           (240,406,587)
        Class B                                                                    (98,359,518)            (63,119,023)
        Class Y                                                                       (162,431)                (46,439)
                                                                                      --------                 -------
Total distributions                                                               (394,777,870)           (303,572,049)
                                                                                  ------------            ------------

Capital share transactions (Note 3)
Proceeds from sales
    Class A shares (Note 2)                                                        804,097,401             905,358,041
    Class B shares                                                                 467,391,217             584,338,366
    Class Y shares                                                                     648,414               1,680,622
Reinvestment of distributions at net asset value
    Class A shares                                                                 202,831,655             164,676,904
    Class B shares                                                                  83,023,420              53,387,290
    Class Y shares                                                                     162,431                  45,553
Payments for redemptions
    Class A shares                                                                (888,843,613)           (651,156,321)
    Class B shares (Note 2)                                                       (374,265,469)           (231,593,965)
    Class Y shares                                                                  (1,139,232)                (16,859)
                                                                                    ----------                 -------
Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions                  293,906,224             826,719,631
                                                                                   -----------             -----------
Total increase (decrease) in net assets                                           (268,983,271)            964,345,023
Net assets at beginning of year                                                  4,160,412,820           3,196,067,797
                                                                                 -------------           -------------
Net assets at end of year                                                       $3,891,429,549          $4,160,412,820
                                                                                ==============          ==============
Undistributed net investment income                                             $      763,196          $   23,077,627
                                                                                --------------          --------------

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>
<PAGE>

Notes to Financial Statements

AXP Extra Income Fund, Inc.


1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Fund is registered under the Investment  Company Act of 1940 (as amended) as
a diversified,  open-end management  investment company. The Fund has 10 billion
authorized shares of capital stock.

The Fund offers Class A, Class B and Class Y shares.

o Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge.
o Class B shares  may be  subject  to a  contingent  deferred  sales  charge and
  automatically  convert  to Class A shares  during  the  ninth  calendar  year
  of ownership.
o Class Y  shares  have no  sales  charge  and are  offered  only to qualifying
  institutional investors.

All classes of shares have identical  voting,  dividend and liquidation  rights.
The  distribution  fee,  transfer  agency fee and  service  fee (class  specific
expenses)  differs among classes.  Income,  expenses  (other than class specific
expenses)  and  realized  and  unrealized  gains or  losses on  investments  are
allocated to each class of shares based upon its relative net assets.

Investment in High Yield Portfolio
The Fund invests all of its assets in the High Yield Portfolio (the  Portfolio),
a series of Income  Trust,  an  open-end  investment  company  that has the same
objectives as the Fund. The Portfolio invests  primarily in long-term  corporate
bonds in the lower-rating categories, commonly known as junk bonds.

The Fund  records  daily  its  share of the  Portfolio's  income,  expenses  and
realized  and  unrealized  gains and losses.  The  financial  statements  of the
Portfolio  are  included  elsewhere  in  this  report  and  should  be  read  in
conjunction with the Fund's financial statements.

The Fund records its  investment  in the Portfolio at the value that is equal to
the Fund's  proportionate  ownership interest in the Portfolio's net assets. The
percentage  of the  Portfolio  owned by the Fund as of May 31,  1999 was 99.96%.
Valuation  of  securities  held by the  Portfolio  is discussed in Note 1 of the
Portfolio's "Notes to financial statements" (included elsewhere in this report).

Use of estimates
Preparing  financial  statements that conform to generally  accepted  accounting
principles   requires   management  to  make  estimates  (e.g.,  on  assets  and
liabilities) that could differ from actual results.

Federal taxes
The Fund's  policy is to comply with all sections of the  Internal  Revenue Code
that  apply to  regulated  investment  companies  and to  distribute  all of its
taxable income to the  shareholders.  No provision for income or excise taxes is
thus required.

Net  investment  income  (loss) and net realized  gains  (losses) may differ for
financial  statement and tax purposes  primarily  because of deferred  losses on
certain futures  contracts,  the  recognition of certain foreign  currency gains
(losses) as ordinary income (loss) for tax purposes,  and losses deferred due to
"wash sale"  transactions.  The character of distributions  made during the year
from net investment  income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate
characterization  for federal  income tax purposes.  Also,  due to the timing of
dividend  distributions,  the fiscal year in which amounts are  distributed  may
differ from the year that the income or realized gains (losses) were recorded by
the Fund.

On the statement of assets and liabilities, as a result of permanent book-to-tax
differences,   undistributed   net  investment  income  has  been  decreased  by
$1,032,414 and  accumulated  net realized gain has been increased by $43,900,721
resulting in a net  reclassification  adjustment to decrease  paid-in capital by
$42,868,307.

Dividends to shareholders
Dividends  from net  investment  income,  declared  daily and paid monthly,  are
reinvested  in  additional  shares of the Fund at net asset  value or payable in
cash. Capital gains, when available,  are distributed along with the last income
dividend of the calendar year.


2. EXPENSES AND SALES CHARGES
In addition to the expenses  allocated from the Portfolio,  the Fund accrues its
own expenses as follows:

The Fund has an agreement with American Express Financial  Corporation (AEFC) to
provide administrative services. Under an Administrative Services Agreement, the
Fund pays AEFC a fee for administration and accounting  services at a percentage
of the Fund's  average  daily net assets in reducing  percentages  from 0.05% to
0.025% annually. Additional administrative service expenses paid by the Fund are
office expenses,  consultants'  fees and compensation of officers and employees.
Under this  agreement,  the Fund also pays taxes,  audit and certain legal fees,
registration  fees for shares,  compensation of board members,  corporate filing
fees and any other  expenses  properly  payable by the Fund and  approved by the
board.

Under a separate  Transfer  Agency  Agreement,  American  Express Client Service
Corporation (AECSC) maintains  shareholder  accounts and records.  The Fund pays
AECSC an annual fee per shareholder account for this service as follows:

o  Class A $19.50
o  Class B $20.50
o  Class Y $17.50

Under  terms of a prior  agreement  that ended Jan.  31,  1999,  the Fund paid a
transfer  agency  fee at an annual  rate per  shareholder  account of $15.50 for
Class A and  $16.50  for Class B. Under  terms of a prior  agreement  that ended
March  31,  1999,  the Fund paid a  transfer  agency  fee at an annual  rate per
shareholder account of $15.50 for Class Y.

The Fund has  agreements  with  American  Express  Financial  Advisors  Inc. for
distribution   and  shareholder   services.   Under  a  Plan  and  Agreement  of
Distribution, the Fund pays a distribution fee at an annual rate of 0.75% of the
Fund's average daily net assets  attributable to Class B shares.  Effective July
1, 1999, the Fund will pay a  distribution  fee at an annual rate up to 0.25% of
the Fund's  average  daily net assets  attributable  to Class A shares and up to
1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares.

Under a Shareholder Service Agreement,  the Fund pays a fee for service provided
to shareholders by financial  advisors and other  servicing  agents.  The fee is
calculated  at a  rate  of  0.175%  of  the  Fund's  average  daily  net  assets
attributable to Class A and Class B shares and 0.10% of the Fund's average daily
net assets attributable to Class Y shares. Effective July 1, 1999, the Fund will
convert the  Shareholder  Service  Agreement with respect to Class A and Class B
shares into the Plan and Agreement of Distribution discussed above.

Sales  charges  received  by  American  Express  Financial   Advisors  Inc.  for
distributing Fund shares were $13,789,994 for Class A and $1,267,514 for Class B
for the year ended May 31, 1999.

During the year ended May 31, 1999, the Fund's transfer agency fees were reduced
by $140,031 as a result of earnings credits from overnight cash balances.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

3. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Transactions in shares of capital stock for the years indicated are as follows:

                                                                           Year ended May 31, 1999
                                                         Class A                    Class B                 Class Y
<S>                                                    <C>                       <C>                         <C>
Sold                                                   196,364,147               113,211,748                 159,985
Issued for reinvested distributions                     49,792,206                20,406,881                  39,979
Redeemed                                              (217,533,478)              (91,218,686)               (284,954)
                                                      ------------               -----------                --------
Net increase (decrease)                                 28,622,875                42,399,943                 (84,990)
                                                        ----------                ----------                 -------

                                                                           Year ended May 31, 1998
                                                         Class A                    Class B                 Class Y
Sold                                                   197,884,919               127,715,399                 362,086
Issued for reinvested distributions                     35,993,198                11,659,883                   9,921
Redeemed                                              (142,256,690)              (50,588,489)                 (3,656)
                                                      ------------               -----------                  ------
Net increase (decrease)                                 91,621,427                88,786,793                 368,351
                                                        ----------                ----------                 -------


4. CAPITAL LOSS CARRYOVER
For  federal  income tax  purposes,  the Fund has a capital  loss  carryover  of
$220,674,753 as of May 31, 1999, that if not offset by subsequent capital gains,
will expire in 2000  through  2008.  It is unlikely  the board will  authorize a
distribution  of any  net  realized  gains  until  the  available  capital  loss
carryover has been offset or expires.

5. BANK BORROWINGS
The Fund has a revolving credit agreement with U.S. Bank, N.A., whereby the Fund
is permitted to have bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes to fund
shareholder redemptions. The Fund must have asset coverage for borrowings not to
exceed the  aggregate  of 333% of advances  equal to or less than five  business
days plus 367% of advances over five business days. The agreement, which enables
the Fund to participate with other American Express funds, permits borrowings up
to $200  million,  collectively.  Interest  is charged to each Fund based on its
borrowings  at a  rate  equal  to the  Federal  Funds  Rate  plus  0.30%  or the
Eurodollar Rate (Reserve  Adjusted) plus 0.20%.  Borrowings are payable up to 90
days after such loan is executed.  The Fund also pays a commitment  fee equal to
its pro rata share of the amount of the credit  facility  at a rate of 0.05% per
annum.  The Fund had no  borrowings  outstanding  during  the year ended May 31,
1999.

6. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
"Financial highlights" showing per share data and selected financial information
are presented on pages 29 and 30 of the prospectus.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

Independent Auditors' Report

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND UNITHOLDERS
INCOME TRUST

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities,  including
the schedule of investments in securities,  of High Yield Portfolio (a series of
Income Trust) as of May 31, 1999,  and the related  statement of operations  for
the year then ended and the  statements of changes in net assets for each of the
years in the two-year period ended May 31, 1999. These financial  statements are
the responsibility of portfolio management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial  statements.  Investment securities
held in custody are confirmed to us by the custodian. As to securities purchased
and sold but not received or delivered,  we request  confirmations from brokers,
and where  replies are not  received,  we carry out other  appropriate  auditing
procedures.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects,  the financial position of High Yield Portfolio as of May
31, 1999,  and the results of its  operations  and the changes in its net assets
for the  periods  stated  in the  first  paragraph  above,  in  conformity  with
generally accepted accounting principles.



/s/ KPMG LLP
    KPMG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 2, 1999

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Financial Statements

Statement of assets and liabilities
High Yield Portfolio

May 31, 1999

Assets
Investments in securities, at value (Note 1)
<S>                                                                                                     <C>
    (identified cost $4,115,507,606)                                                                    $3,818,901,721
Accrued interest and dividends receivable                                                                   89,453,347
Receivable for investment securities sold                                                                      751,623
                                                                                                               -------
Total assets                                                                                             3,909,106,691
                                                                                                         -------------

Liabilities
Disbursements in excess of cash on demand deposit                                                            2,890,083
Payable for investment securities purchased                                                                 11,553,625
Accrued investment management services fee                                                                      59,493
Other accrued expenses                                                                                           6,600
                                                                                                                 -----
Total liabilities                                                                                           14,509,801
                                                                                                            ----------
Net assets                                                                                              $3,894,596,890
                                                                                                        ==============

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Statement of operations
High Yield Portfolio

Year ended May 31, 1999

Investment income
Income:
<S>                                                                                                     <C>
Dividend                                                                                                $   40,002,427
Interest                                                                                                   376,534,651
                                                                                                           -----------
Total income                                                                                               416,537,078
                                                                                                           -----------
Expenses (Note 2):
Investment management services fee                                                                          21,505,599
Compensation of board members                                                                                   18,323
Custodian fees                                                                                                 218,991
Audit fees                                                                                                      34,125
Other                                                                                                           91,552
                                                                                                                ------
Total expenses                                                                                              21,868,590
    Earnings credits on cash balances (Note 2)                                                                (321,344)
                                                                                                              --------
Total net expenses                                                                                          21,547,246
                                                                                                            ----------
Investment income (loss) -- net                                                                            394,989,832
                                                                                                           -----------

 Realized and unrealized gain (loss) -- net Net realized gain (loss) on:
    Security transactions (Note 3)                                                                        (127,712,172)
    Foreign currency transactions                                                                             (198,038)
                                                                                                              --------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                                                                   (127,910,210)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments                                       (413,949,530)
                                                                                                          ------------
Net gain (loss) on investments                                                                            (541,859,740)
                                                                                                          ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations                                          $(146,869,908)
                                                                                                         =============

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Statements of changes in net assets
High Yield Portfolio

Year ended May 31,                                                                 1999                       1998

Operations
<S>                                                                           <C>                       <C>
Investment income (loss)-- net                                                $  394,989,832            $  343,256,750
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                                         (127,910,210)              107,320,343
Net change in unrealized appreciation
    (depreciation) on investments                                               (413,949,530)                8,772,357
                                                                                ------------                 ---------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
    from operations                                                             (146,869,908)              459,349,450
Net contributions (withdrawals) from partners                                   (122,534,167)              505,587,141
                                                                                ------------               -----------
Total increase (decrease) in net assets                                         (269,404,075)              964,936,591
Net assets at beginning of year                                                4,164,000,965             3,199,064,374
                                                                               -------------             -------------
Net assets at end of year                                                     $3,894,596,890            $4,164,000,965
                                                                              ==============            ==============

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>
<PAGE>

Notes to Financial Statements
High Yield Portfolio


1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
High Yield Portfolio (the Portfolio) is a series of Income Trust (the Trust) and
is  registered  under  the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940 (as  amended)  as a
diversified,  open-end  management  investment  company.  High  Yield  Portfolio
invests primarily in long-term  corporate bonds in the lower-rating  categories,
commonly known as junk bonds.  The  Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to
issue non-transferable interests in the Portfolio.

The Portfolio's significant accounting policies are summarized below:

Use of estimates
Preparing  financial  statements that conform to generally  accepted  accounting
principles   requires   management  to  make  estimates  (e.g.,  on  assets  and
liabilities) that could differ from actual results.

Valuation of securities
All securities are valued at the close of each business day.  Securities  traded
on national  securities  exchanges  or included in national  market  systems are
valued at the last quoted sales price.  Debt securities are generally  traded in
the  over-the-counter  market and are valued at a price that reflects fair value
as quoted by dealers in these  securities or by an independent  pricing service.
Securities for which market  quotations are not readily  available are valued at
fair value according to methods selected in good faith by the board.  Short-term
securities  maturing in more than 60 days from the valuation  date are valued at
the market price or approximate  market value based on current  interest  rates;
those maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost.

Option  transactions
To produce incremental earnings, protect gains and facilitate buying and selling
of securities for investments, the Portfolio may buy and write options traded on
any U.S. or foreign exchange or in the over-the-counter  market where completing
the  obligation  depends  upon the  credit  standing  of the  other  party.  The
Portfolio  also may buy and sell put and call  options  and write  covered  call
options on portfolio  securities as well as write cash-secured put options.  The
risk in writing a call option is that the Portfolio gives up the opportunity for
profit if the market price of the security increases.  The risk in writing a put
option  is that  the  Portfolio  may  incur a loss if the  market  price  of the
security decreases and the option is exercised.  The risk in buying an option is
that the Portfolio  pays a premium  whether or not the option is exercised.  The
Portfolio also has the  additional  risk of being unable to enter into a closing
transaction if a liquid secondary market does not exist.

Option  contracts  are  valued  daily at the  closing  prices  on their  primary
exchanges and unrealized appreciation or depreciation is recorded. The Portfolio
will realize a gain or loss when the option transaction  expires or closes. When
options on debt securities or futures are exercised,  the Portfolio will realize
a gain or loss.  When other options are  exercised,  the proceeds on sales for a
written call option, the purchase cost for a written put option or the cost of a
security for a purchased put or call option is adjusted by the amount of premium
received or paid.

Futures transactions
To gain exposure to or protect itself from market changes, the Portfolio may buy
and sell financial futures contracts traded on any U.S. or foreign exchange. The
Portfolio  also  may buy and  write  put  and  call  options  on  these  futures
contracts.  Risks of entering into futures contracts and related options include
the  possibility  of an  illiquid  market  and that a change in the value of the
contract or option may not correlate with changes in the value of the underlying
securities.

Upon  entering  into a futures  contract,  the  Portfolio is required to deposit
either  cash or  securities  in an amount  (initial  margin)  equal to a certain
percentage of the contract value.  Subsequent  payments  (variation  margin) are
made or received by the Portfolio  each day. The variation  margin  payments are
equal to the daily changes in the contract  value and are recorded as unrealized
gains and losses.  The  Portfolio  recognizes  a realized  gain or loss when the
contract is closed or expires.

Foreign currency translations and foreign currency contracts
Securities and other assets and  liabilities  denominated in foreign  currencies
are translated daily into U.S. dollars at the closing rate of exchange.  Foreign
currency  amounts  related to the purchase or sale of securities  and income and
expenses are translated at the exchange rate on the transaction date. The effect
of changes in foreign  exchange rates on realized and unrealized  security gains
or losses is reflected as a component of such gains or losses.  In the statement
of operations,  net realized gains or losses from foreign currency transactions,
if any,  may arise from sales of foreign  currency,  closed  forward  contracts,
exchange gains or losses realized  between the trade date and settlement date on
securities  transactions,  and other  translation  gains or losses on dividends,
interest income and foreign withholding taxes.

The Portfolio may enter into forward  foreign  currency  exchange  contracts for
operational  purposes and to protect against adverse exchange rate  fluctuation.
The net U.S.  dollar  value  of  foreign  currency  underlying  all  contractual
commitments held by the Portfolio and the resulting  unrealized  appreciation or
depreciation  are  determined  using  foreign  currency  exchange  rates from an
independent  pricing  service.  The Portfolio is subject to the credit risk that
the other party will not complete its contract obligations.

Illiquid securities
As of May 31, 1999,  investments in securities included issues that are illiquid
which the Portfolio  currently limits to 10% of net assets,  at market value, at
the time of purchase.  The aggregate value of such securities as of May 31, 1999
was $48,850,315  representing 1.3% of net assets. According to board guidelines,
certain unregistered securities are determined to be liquid and are not included
within the 10% limitation specified above.

Federal taxes
For federal  income tax purposes the Portfolio  qualifies as a  partnership  and
each  investor  in the  Portfolio  is treated as the owner of its  proportionate
share of the net assets, income,  expenses and realized and unrealized gains and
losses of the Portfolio.  As a "pass-through"  entity,  the Portfolio  therefore
does not pay any income dividends or capital gain distributions.

Other
Security  transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or
sold.  Dividend  income is recognized on the  ex-dividend  date. For U.S. dollar
denominated bonds, interest income includes level-yield  amortization of premium
and  discount.  For foreign  bonds,  except for  original  issue  discount,  the
Portfolio does not amortize  premium and discount.  Interest  income,  including
level-yield amortization of premium and discount, is accrued daily.


2. FEES AND EXPENSES
The Trust,  on behalf of the Portfolio,  has an Investment  Management  Services
Agreement  with  AEFC to  manage  its  portfolio.  Under  this  agreement,  AEFC
determines which securities will be purchased,  held or sold. The management fee
is a  percentage  of the  Portfolio's  average  daily  net  assets  in  reducing
percentages from 0.59% to 0.465% annually.

Under the  agreement,  the Trust  also pays  taxes,  brokerage  commissions  and
nonadvisory  expenses,  which include  custodian  fees,  audit and certain legal
fees,  fidelity bond premiums,  registration  fees for units,  office  expenses,
consultants'  fees,  compensation of trustees,  corporate filing fees,  expenses
incurred in  connection  with lending  securities of the Portfolio and any other
expenses properly payable by the Trust or Portfolio and approved by the board.

During the year ended May 31, 1999, the Portfolio's  custodian fees were reduced
by $321,344 as a result of earnings  credits from overnight  cash balances.  The
Portfolio  also pays  custodian  fees to  American  Express  Trust  Company,  an
affiliate of AEFC.

According to a Placement Agency Agreement,  American Express Financial  Advisors
Inc. acts as placement agent of the Trust's units.


3. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities  (other than  short-term
obligations) aggregated $2,047,615,608 and $1,773,458,227, respectively, for the
year ended May 31, 1999.  For the same period,  the portfolio  turnover rate was
47%. Realized gains and losses are determined on an identified cost basis.

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Investments in Securities

High Yield Portfolio
May 31, 1999

(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)

Bonds (85.8%)
Issuer                                                          Coupon             Principal                  Value(a)
                                                                 rate                amount

Government obligations (--%)
Govt of Algeria
    (U.S. Dollar)
<S>     <C>                                                      <C>              <C>                          <C>
        03-04-00                                                 7.06%            $1,045,455(c)                $961,818
Govt of Russia
    (Russian Ruble)
        09-27-00                                                14.00             30,008,878(c)                  34,098
Total                                                                                                           995,916

Mortgage-backed securities (0.1%)
Federal Home Loan Mtge Corp
        08-01-17                                                 7.50                  3,376(e)                   3,432
Merrill Lynch Mtge Investors
        06-15-21                                                 7.77              4,990,514(d)               4,586,594
Total                                                                                                         4,590,026

Aerospace & defense (1.5%)
Compass Aerospace
    Sr Sub Nts
        04-15-05                                                10.13             15,160,000(d)              14,591,500
Fairchild
    Company Guaranty
        04-15-09                                                10.75             15,300,000(d)              15,280,875
L-3 Communications
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        05-01-07                                                10.38              6,145,000                  6,767,181
Sequa
    Sr Sub Nts
        12-15-03                                                 9.38             20,750,000                 21,398,438
Total                                                                                                        58,037,994

Automotive & related (2.8%)
EV Intl
    Company Guaranty Series A
        03-15-07                                                11.00             10,500,000                  8,163,750
French (JL) Auto Casting
    Sr Sub Nts
        06-01-09                                                11.50             12,900,000(d)              12,980,625
Hayes Lemmerz Intl
    Company Guaranty Series B
        07-15-07                                                 9.13             10,000,000                 10,287,500
Lear
    Sr Nts
        05-15-09                                                 8.11             30,000,000(d)              29,550,000
MSX Intl
    Company Guaranty
        01-15-08                                                11.38             13,110,000                 12,831,413
Oxford Automotive
    Company Guaranty Series B
        06-15-07                                                10.13             25,120,000                 26,093,400
Penda
    Sr Nts Series B
        03-01-04                                                10.75              4,500,000                  4,573,125
Venture Holdings Trust
    Sr Nts Series B
        07-01-05                                                 9.50              4,000,000                  3,855,000
Total                                                                                                       108,334,813

Banks and savings & loans (0.2%)
CEI Citicorp Holdings
    (Argentine Peso)
        02-14-07                                                11.25              5,000,000(c,d)             3,212,500
Wilshire Financial Services
        01-01-04                                                13.00             14,700,000(b)               2,205,000
    Series B
        08-15-04                                                13.00              8,500,000(b)               1,275,000
Total                                                                                                         6,692,500

Beverages & tobacco (0.3%)
Canandaigua Brands
    Company Guaranty
        03-01-09                                                 8.50             12,500,000                 12,546,875

Building materials & construction (0.4%)
Formica
    Sr Sub Nts
        03-01-09                                                10.88%           $15,000,000(d)             $14,850,000

Chemicals (0.9%)
Allied Waste North America
    Company Guaranty Series B
        01-01-09                                                 7.88             18,675,000                 17,531,156
Lyondell Chemical
        05-01-07                                                 9.88              9,500,000(d)               9,630,625
    Sr Sub Nts
        05-01-09                                                10.88              8,800,000(d)               8,998,000
Total                                                                                                        36,159,781

Commercial finance (0.4%)
Advance Holding
    Zero Coupon Series B
        04-15-03                                                12.45              8,800,000(g)               5,225,000
Netia Holdings
    (U.S. Dollar) Company Guaranty Series B
        11-01-07                                                10.25             12,750,000(c)              12,192,188
Total                                                                                                        17,417,188

Communications equipment & services (10.6%)
21st Century Telecom Group
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        02-15-03                                                12.25             15,500,000(g)               6,975,000
Bestel
    (U.S. Dollar) Zero Coupon
        05-15-01                                                12.75              6,400,000(c,g)             3,936,000
Birch Telecom
    Sr Nts
        06-15-08                                                14.00             14,000,000                 13,387,500
Caprock Communications
    Sr Nts Series B
        07-15-08                                                12.00             17,000,000                 17,212,500
Celcaribe
    Sr Nts
        03-15-04                                                13.50             11,150,000                  9,003,625
Crown Castle Intl
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        11-15-02                                                10.15             14,750,000(g)              10,306,563
Dobson/Sygnet Communications
    Sr Nts
        12-15-08                                                12.25             16,000,000(d)              17,040,000
EchoStar DBS
    Sr Nts
        02-01-09                                                 9.38             41,015,000(d)              41,220,074
Esprit Telecom Group
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        12-15-07                                                11.50             14,500,000(c)              15,732,500
        06-15-08                                                10.88             17,000,000(c)              18,190,000
GST Equipment Funding
    Sr Nts
        05-01-07                                                13.25              6,750,000                  7,399,688
GST Telecom/GST Network Funding
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        05-01-03                                                10.50             15,000,000(d,g)             8,400,000
GST Telecommunications
    Sr Sub Nts
        11-15-07                                                12.75              6,750,000                  7,315,313
Jordan Telecommunications Products
    Sr Nts Series B
        08-01-07                                                 9.88             25,950,000                 26,079,749
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts Series B
        08-01-00                                                10.04             21,900,000(g)              18,697,125
KMC Telecom Holdings
    Sr Nts
        05-15-09                                                13.50             12,000,000(d)              12,015,000
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        02-15-03                                                12.68             12,000,000(g)               6,690,000
MJD Communications
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        05-01-08                                                 9.50              5,525,000                  5,580,250
NTL
    Zero Coupon Sr Nts Series B
        02-01-01                                                11.40             40,000,000(g)              34,199,999
PhoneTel Technologies
    Sr Nts
        12-15-06                                                12.00             23,500,000(b)               8,577,500
Poland Telecom
    (U.S. Dollar) Company Guaranty
        06-01-04                                                14.00              4,000,000(c)               2,080,000
Price Communications Cellular Holdings
    Pay-in-kind Sr Nts
        08-15-08                                                11.25              9,000,000(k)               9,292,500
RCN
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts Series B
        02-15-03                                                 9.80              7,500,000(g)               4,621,875
Rhythms Net Connections
    Sr Nts
        04-15-09                                                12.75             12,500,000(d)              11,687,500
Satelites Mexicanos
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts Series B
        11-01-04                                                10.13             10,000,000(c)               8,000,000
Spectrasite Holdings
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        04-15-04                                                11.25             17,200,000(d,g)             9,997,500
Talton Holdings
    Company Guaranty Sr Nts Series B
        06-30-07                                                11.00              3,650,000                  3,426,438
Tele1 Europe
    (U.S. Dollar)
        05-15-09                                                13.00              8,000,000(c,d)             8,080,000
Telehub Communications
    Zero Coupon Company Guaranty
        07-31-01                                                13.88             12,000,000(g)               9,135,000
Triton Communications
    Zero Coupon Company Guaranty
        05-01-03                                                10.86             22,000,000(g)              13,282,500
Unisite
    Zero Coupon Sub Nts
        12-15-00                                                13.00              9,000,000(d,g,j)          10,769,310
Versatel Telecom
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        05-15-08                                                13.25             16,600,000(c)              17,596,000
Vialog
    Company Guaranty
        11-15-01                                                12.75             22,600,000                 18,362,500
Total                                                                                                       414,289,509

Computers & office equipment (2.2%)
Anacomp
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        04-01-04                                                10.88              8,500,000                  8,914,375
Concentric Network
    Sr Nts
        12-15-07                                                12.75              5,600,000                  5,901,000
Cooperative Computing
    Sr Sub Nts
        02-01-08                                                 9.00             20,250,000                 17,744,063
Decisionone Holdings
    Zero Coupon
        08-01-02                                                 9.89              8,450,000(b,g)                21,125
Globix
    Sr Nts
        05-01-05                                                13.00             17,825,000                 17,112,000
PSINet
    Sr Nts
        11-01-08                                                11.50              6,500,000                  6,825,000
    Sr Nts Series B
        02-15-05                                                10.00             11,025,000                 11,025,000
Verio
    Sr Nts
        04-01-05                                                10.38              7,000,000                  7,140,000
        12-01-08                                                11.25             11,000,000(d)              11,701,250
Total                                                                                                        86,383,813

Electronics (0.7%)
Hyundai Semiconductor
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        05-15-07                                                 8.63             15,000,000(c,d)            12,817,715
Metromedia Fiber Network
    Sr Nts
        11-15-08                                                10.00             13,750,000(d)              14,368,750
Total                                                                                                        27,186,465

Energy (3.9%)
Belco Oil & Gas
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        09-15-07                                                 8.88             11,000,000                 10,780,000
Canadian Forest Oil
    (U.S. Dollar) Company Guaranty
        09-15-07                                                 8.75             14,500,000(c)              13,901,875
Clark R&M
    Sr Sub Nts
        11-15-07                                                 8.88             10,100,000                  8,900,625
Energy Corp of America
    Sr Sub Nts Series A
        05-15-07                                                 9.50              9,000,000                  8,448,750
Houston Exploration
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        01-01-08                                                 8.63              6,450,000                  6,296,813
HS Resources
    Company Guaranty
        11-15-06                                                 9.25              4,250,000                  4,234,063
    Sr Sub Nts
        12-01-03                                                 9.88              9,700,000                  9,724,250
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        11-15-06                                                 9.25              8,000,000                  7,970,000
Hurricane Hydrocarbons
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        11-01-04                                                11.75             15,750,000(b,c,d)           3,150,000
Lodestar Holdings
    Company Guaranty
        05-15-05                                                11.50             18,350,000                 14,496,499
Michael Petroleum
    Sr Nts Series B
        04-01-05                                                11.50              6,000,000                  3,600,000
Nuevo Energy
    Company Guaranty Series B
        06-01-08                                                 8.88             12,000,000                 11,595,000
Ocean Energy
    Company Guaranty Series B
        07-01-08                                                 8.38             14,000,000                 13,930,000
Rayovac
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        11-01-06                                                10.25             11,814,000                 12,877,260
Roil
    (U.S. Dollar)
        12-05-02                                                12.78              8,240,000(c,d)             2,884,000
Tesoro Petroleum
    Company Guaranty Series B
        07-01-08                                                 9.00             14,250,000                 14,089,688
XCL
        05-01-04                                                13.50              8,000,000(d)               4,240,000
Total                                                                                                       151,118,823

Energy equipment & services (1.0%)
Dailey Intl
    Company Guaranty Series B
        02-15-08                                                 9.50              9,000,000                  5,850,000
DI Inds
    Sr Nts
        07-01-07                                                 8.88              6,000,000                  5,280,000
Grey Wolf
    Company Guaranty Series C
        07-01-07                                                 8.88              1,750,000                  1,540,000
Northern Offshore
    (U.S. Dollar) Company Guaranty Series B
        05-15-05                                                10.00             21,000,000(c)              10,710,000
Plains Resources
    Company Guaranty Series D
        03-15-06                                                10.25              9,000,000                  9,348,750
Seven Seas Petroleum
    Sr Nts Series B
        05-15-05                                                12.50              8,000,000                  4,550,000
Total                                                                                                        37,278,750

Financial services (2.0%)
AOA Holdings LLC
    Sr Nts
        06-01-06                                                10.38             15,500,000(d)              15,519,375
Arcadia Financial
    Sr Nts
        03-15-07                                                11.50             30,165,000                 25,337,044
Gemini Inds
        12-23-01                                                13.50             13,500,000(j)              10,800,000
Ono Finance
    (U.S. Dollar)
        05-01-09                                                13.00              6,100,000(c,d)             6,199,797
RBF Finance
    Company Guaranty
        03-15-09                                                11.38             12,375,000(d)              12,483,281
Tjiwi Kimia Finance Mauritius
    (U.S. Dollar) Company Guaranty
        08-01-04                                                10.00             10,000,000(c)               6,450,000
Total                                                                                                        76,789,497

Food (1.5%)
Ameriserve Food Distributions
        07-15-07                                                10.13             12,225,000                 10,742,719
Aurora Foods
    Sr Sub Nts Series D
        02-15-07                                                 9.88             10,000,000                 10,512,500
Chiquita Brands Intl
    Sr Nts
        01-15-04                                                 9.63              8,500,000                  8,744,375
Daya Guna
    (U.S. Dollar) Company Guaranty
        06-01-07                                                10.00             10,325,000(c,d)             7,021,000
RAB Enterprises
    Company Guaranty
        05-01-05                                                10.50              9,600,000                  5,472,000
Specialty Foods
    Sr Nts Series B
        08-15-01                                                10.25             15,000,000                 14,381,250
Total                                                                                                        56,873,844

Health care (0.6%)
Alaris Medical
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        08-01-03                                                11.12             16,000,000(g)               9,420,000
Alaris Medical Systems
    Company Guaranty
        12-01-06                                                 9.75             14,000,000                 14,297,500
Total                                                                                                        23,717,500

Health care services (3.0%)
Abbey Healthcare Group
    Sr Sub Nts
        11-01-02                                                 9.50             25,750,000                 26,007,499
Fountain View
    Company Guaranty Series B
        04-15-08                                                11.25              8,600,000                  7,535,750
Genesis Health Ventures
    Sr Sub Nts
        10-01-06                                                 9.25              5,800,000                  4,835,750
Magellan Health Services
    Sr Sub Nts
        02-15-08                                                 9.00             15,000,000                 12,731,250
Oxford Health Plans
    Sr Nts
        05-15-05                                                11.00             13,000,000(d)              13,455,000
Paracelsus Healthcare
    Sr Sub Nts
        08-15-06                                                10.00             17,600,000                 13,728,000
Physician Sales & Service
    Company Guaranty
        10-01-07                                                 8.50             15,250,000                 15,478,750
Tenet Healthcare
    Sr Sub Nts
        12-01-08                                                 8.13             17,050,000(d)              16,510,124
Triad Hospitals Holdings
    Sr Sub Nts
        05-15-09                                                11.00              6,050,000(d)               6,193,688
Total                                                                                                       116,475,811

Household products (0.5%)
Revlon Worldwide
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts Series B
        03-15-01                                                10.94             14,000,000(f)              10,220,000
Scotts
    Sr Sub Nts
        01-15-09                                                 8.63             10,385,000(d)              10,385,000
Total                                                                                                        20,605,000

Industrial equipment & services (1.8%)
Clark Materials Handling
    Sr Nts Series D
        11-15-06                                                10.75              2,650,000                  2,318,750
Fairfield Mfg
    Sr Sub Nts
        10-15-08                                                 9.63             13,600,000(d)              13,583,000
Grove Holdings/Capital
    Zero Coupon
        05-01-03                                                11.63              4,000,000(g)               1,520,000
Grove Inds
        05-01-10                                                14.50              3,114,730(d)               2,055,722
Motor & Gears
    Sr Nts Series D
        11-15-06                                                10.75             30,500,000                 31,376,875
Park-Ohio Inds
    Sr Sub Nts
        12-01-07                                                 9.25             15,000,000                 15,056,250
Thermadyne Holdings
    Zero Coupon
        06-01-03                                                12.49             12,000,000(g)               6,000,000
Total                                                                                                        71,910,597

Insurance (0.8%)
Americo Life
    Sr Sub Nts
        06-01-05                                                 9.25             15,000,000                 15,318,750
Veritas Holdings
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        12-15-03                                                 9.63             16,894,000(c)              17,189,645
Total                                                                                                        32,508,395

Leisure time & entertainment (6.3%)
Coast Hotels & Casino
    Sr Sub Nts
        04-01-09                                                 9.50              9,235,000(d)               9,177,281
Hammons (JQ) Hotels
        1st Mtge
        02-15-04                                                 8.88             12,000,000                 11,190,000
HMH Properties
    Sr Nts Series C
        12-01-08                                                 8.45             10,000,000                  9,587,500
Hollywood Park
    Company Guaranty Series B
        02-15-07                                                 9.25             10,000,000                 10,100,000
Horseshoe Gaming Holdings
    Sr Sub Nts
        05-15-09                                                 8.63             16,550,000(d)              16,156,938
Icon Health & Fitness
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        07-15-02                                                13.00             12,500,000(b)               8,625,000
Intl Game Technology
    Sr Nts
        05-15-09                                                 8.38             16,400,000(d)              16,236,000
Isle of Capri Casinos/Capital
    1st Mtge Series B
        08-31-04                                                13.00             16,250,000                 18,057,813
Lodgenet Entertainment
    Sr Nts
        12-15-06                                                10.25             15,000,000                 15,281,250
Mohegan Tribal Gaming
    Sr Sub Nts
        01-01-09                                                 8.75              2,400,000(d)               2,421,000
Premier Cruises
    Sr Nts
        03-15-08                                                11.00             11,000,000(b,d)             2,750,000
Premier Parks
    Sr Nts
        04-01-06                                                 9.25              8,300,000                  8,424,500
Regal Cinemas
    Sr Sub Nts
        06-01-08                                                 9.50              8,000,000                  7,660,000
        12-15-10                                                 8.88             12,000,000                 10,935,000
Riviera Holdings
    Company Guaranty
        08-15-04                                                10.00              4,700,000                  4,470,875
Trump Atlantic City Assn/Funding
    1st Mtge Company Guaranty
        05-01-06                                                11.25             26,945,000                 23,812,644
Trump Holdings & Funding
    Sr Nts
        06-15-05                                                15.50             28,050,000                 28,260,374
United Artists Theatres
    Series 1995A
        07-01-15                                                 9.30             13,222,657                 11,707,737
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        04-15-08                                                 9.75             10,000,000                  7,950,000
Venetian Casino/LV Sands
    Company Guaranty
        11-15-04                                                12.25             15,105,000                 15,595,913
    Zero Coupon
        11-15-99                                                10.00              6,000,000(g)               5,910,000
Total                                                                                                       244,309,825

Media (10.4%)
Adelphia Communications
    Sr Deb
        09-15-04                                                11.88              5,000,000                  5,306,250
    Sr Nts Series B
        02-01-08                                                 8.38             19,500,000                 19,524,375
Australis Holdings
    (U.S. Dollar) Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        11-01-00                                                13.35             17,900,000(b,c,g)             179,000
Australis Media
    (U.S. Dollar)
        11-01-00                                                14.00              2,419,998(b,c)             2,030,523
    (U.S. Dollar) Zero Coupon
        05-15-00                                                12.32             43,500,000(b,c,g)               4,350
    (U.S. Dollar) Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        05-15-00                                                13.83                469,560(b,c,g)               2,348
Benedek Communications
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        05-15-01                                                13.89             13,500,000(g)              11,188,125
Big City Radio
    Zero Coupon Company Guaranty
        03-15-01                                                11.25             10,000,000(g)               7,162,500
Bresnan Communications
    Sr Nts
        02-01-09                                                 8.00              4,800,000(d)               4,824,000
Cable Systems USA
        06-30-99                                                10.75                 12,088(j)                  12,088
Capstar Broadcasting
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        02-01-02                                                 7.49              8,000,000(g)               6,750,000
CBS Radio
    Pay-in-kind Sub Deb
        01-15-09                                                11.38              9,475,300(k)              10,801,842
Central Euro Media
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        08-15-04                                                 9.38             12,175,000(c)              10,227,000
Chancellor Media
    Sr Nts
        11-01-08                                                 8.00             50,000,000(d)              49,687,499
    Sr Sub Nts
        10-01-04                                                 9.38              3,500,000                  3,644,375
Coaxial Communications/Phoenix
    Company Guaranty
        08-15-06                                                10.00             10,000,000                 10,512,500
Emmis Communications
    Sr Sub Nts
        03-15-09                                                 8.13             11,525,000(d)              11,280,094
Globo Communicacoes Participacoes
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        12-05-08                                                10.63             15,000,000(c,d)            10,462,500
Golden Sky Systems
    Company Guaranty Series B
        08-01-06                                                12.38             17,000,000                 19,125,000
Jacor Communications
    Company Guaranty
        12-15-06                                                 9.75             19,000,000                 20,804,999
MDC Communications
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Sub Nts
        12-01-06                                                10.50             16,350,000(c)              16,493,063
Outdoor Systems
    Company Guaranty
        10-15-06                                                 9.38             10,000,000                 10,662,500
        06-15-07                                                 8.88             20,755,000                 21,766,805
Paxson Communications
    Sr Sub Nts
        10-01-02                                                11.63             13,000,000                 13,633,750
Pegasus Media & Communications
    Series B
        07-01-05                                                12.50             15,400,000                 17,017,000
    Sr Nts Series B
        10-15-05                                                 9.63              6,500,000                  6,662,500
Price Communications Wireless
    Company Guaranty Series B
        12-15-06                                                 9.13             15,000,000                 15,262,500
    Sr Sub Nts
        07-15-07                                                11.75             10,000,000                 11,000,000
Radio Unica
    Zero Coupon Company Guaranty
        08-01-02                                                11.74             13,000,000(g)               7,556,250
Regional Independent Medical
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        07-01-08                                                10.50             15,200,000(c)              15,599,000
Sinclair Broadcast Group
    Sr Sub Nts
        12-15-07                                                 8.75              1,800,000                  1,759,500
Spanish Broadcasting System
    Sr Nts
        06-15-02                                                12.50              4,000,000                  4,460,000
    Sr Nts Series B
        03-15-04                                                11.00              3,150,000                  3,437,438
Susquehanna Media
    Sr Sub Nts
        05-15-09                                                 8.50              6,395,000(d)               6,402,994
Telemundo Holdings
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts Series B
        08-15-03                                                11.50             17,000,000(g)               9,010,000
TeleWest Communications
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        11-01-08                                                11.25              8,000,000(c)               9,060,000
    (U.S. Dollar) Zero Coupon
        10-01-00                                                10.90              7,000,000(c,g)             6,212,500
    (U.S. Dollar) Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        04-15-04                                                 9.25             13,725,000(c,d,g)           9,024,188
Veninfotel
    (U.S. Dollar) Cv Pay-in-kind
        03-01-02                                                10.00              9,450,000(c,j,k)          14,175,000
Total                                                                                                       402,724,356

Metals (2.7%)
AK Steel
    Sr Nts
        02-15-09                                                 7.88             15,000,000(d)              14,737,500
Bar Technologies
    Company Guaranty
        04-01-01                                                13.50             10,000,000                 10,300,000
EnviroSource
    Sr Nts
        06-15-03                                                 9.75             26,648,000                 16,821,550
Imexsa Export Trust
    (U.S. Dollar)
        05-31-03                                                10.13              8,798,020(c,d)             8,446,099
Maxxam Group Holdings
    Sr Nts Series B
        08-01-03                                                12.00             12,000,000                 12,465,000
Natl Steel
    1st Mtge
        03-01-09                                                 9.88             11,000,000(d)              11,261,250
Neenah
    Sr Sub Nts
        05-01-07                                                11.13              3,700,000(d)               3,663,000
Ormet
    Company Guaranty
        08-15-08                                                11.00             17,000,000(d)              16,936,250
Sheffield Steel
    1st Mtge Series B
        12-01-05                                                11.50             10,200,000                  9,996,000
Total                                                                                                       104,626,649

Miscellaneous (8.8%)
Adams Outdoor Advertising
    Sr Nts
        03-15-06                                                10.75             10,800,000                 11,731,500
Advance Stores
    Company Guaranty Series B
        04-15-08                                                10.25              5,500,000                  5,500,000
Advanced Glassfiber Yarn
    Sr Sub Nts
        01-15-09                                                 9.88             17,720,000(d)              16,634,650
AMSC Acquisition
    Company Guaranty Series B
        04-01-08                                                12.25              8,000,000                  5,560,000
Argo-Tech
    Company Guaranty
        10-01-07                                                 8.63              5,750,000                  5,491,250
    Sr Sub Nts
        10-01-07                                                 8.63             13,000,000(d)              12,415,000
Bistro Trust
    Sub Nts
        12-31-02                                                 9.50             10,000,000(d)               9,503,000
Booth Creek Ski Holdings
    Sr Nts Series B
        03-15-07                                                12.50              4,500,000                  4,185,000
Centaur Mining & Exploration
    (U.S. Dollar) Company Guaranty
        12-01-07                                                11.00             11,500,000(c)              10,925,000
Comforce Operating
    Sr Nts Series B
        12-01-07                                                12.00              4,750,000                  4,708,438
CTI Holdings
    (U.S. Dollar) Zero Coupon Sr Nts
        04-15-03                                                11.50              9,450,000(c,g)             4,772,250
Dura Operating
    Sr Sub Nts
        05-01-09                                                 9.00              9,000,000(d)               8,898,750
ECM Funding LP
        06-10-02                                                11.92              1,277,510(j)               1,277,510
Grant Geophysical
    Company Guaranty Series B
        02-15-08                                                 9.75              7,250,000                  3,625,000
Great Central Mines
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        04-01-08                                                 8.88             10,000,000(c)               9,575,000
ISG Resources
        04-15-08                                                10.00             17,445,000                 17,902,931
Knology Holdings
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        10-15-02                                                12.14             11,000,000(g)               6,668,750
Nebco Evans Holding
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        07-15-02                                                34.18              8,500,000(g)               4,250,000
Nextel Partners
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        02-01-04                                                13.78             47,900,000(d,g)            25,865,999
Norcal Waste Systems
    Company Guaranty Series B
        11-15-05                                                13.50             20,300,000                 22,507,625
NSM Steel
    Company Guaranty
        02-01-06                                                12.00             10,375,000(b,d)             2,075,000
        02-01-08                                                12.25             11,700,000(b,d)               585,000
NTEX
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        06-01-06                                                11.50              6,900,000(c)               6,348,000
Omnipoint Communications
    Sr Nts
        02-17-06                                                 8.25             16,823,654(d)              15,477,762
Outsourcing Solutions
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        11-01-06                                                11.00             37,395,000                 37,067,793
Pierce Leahy Command
    Company Guaranty
        05-15-08                                                 8.13             25,150,000                 24,615,563
Poland Telecom Finance
    (U.S. Dollar) Company Guaranty Series B
        12-01-07                                                14.00             16,500,000(c)              15,015,000
Riviera Black Hawk
    1st Mtge
        06-01-05                                                13.00             10,425,000(d)              10,581,375
SC Intl
        09-01-07                                                 9.25             17,650,000                 18,775,188
Stellex Inds
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        11-01-07                                                 9.50             11,450,000                 10,405,188
Transamerica Energy
        06-15-02                                                11.50             13,960,000(b)               1,675,200
    Zero Coupon
        06-15-99                                                17.14              9,600,000(g)               1,032,000
United Inds
    Sr Sub Nts
        04-01-09                                                 9.88              7,195,000(d)               7,257,956
Total                                                                                                       342,908,678

Multi-industry conglomerates (1.1%)
Communications & Power Inds
        08-01-05                                                12.00             10,000,000                 10,487,500
Jordan Inds
    Sr Nts Series C
        08-01-07                                                10.38             10,410,000(d)              10,410,000
    Zero Coupon Sr Sub Debs Series B
        04-01-02                                                11.75             17,692,251(g)              11,477,848
Prime Succession
    Sr Sub Nts
        08-15-04                                                10.75             13,475,000                  9,702,000
Total                                                                                                        42,077,348

Paper & packaging (5.6%)
APP Intl Finance
    (U.S. Dollar)
        10-01-05                                                11.75              4,500,000(c)               3,330,000
Bear Island LLC/Finance
    Sr Nts Series B
        12-01-07                                                10.00              8,675,000                  8,599,094
Berry Plastics
    Sr Sub Nts
        04-15-04                                                12.25              3,250,000(d)               3,420,625
BPC Holding
    Sr Nts Series B
        06-15-06                                                12.50             11,750,000                 12,410,938
Crown Paper
    Sr Sub Nts
        09-01-05                                                11.00             20,000,000                 14,800,000
Doman Inds
    (U.S. Dollar)
        03-15-04                                                 8.75             10,500,000(c)               7,376,250
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts Series B
        11-15-07                                                 9.25              3,500,000(c)               2,310,000
Gaylord Container
    Sr Nts
        06-15-07                                                 9.75              6,000,000                  5,782,500
        02-15-08                                                 9.88             32,500,000                 28,559,374
    Sr Nts Series B
        06-15-07                                                 9.38              8,000,000                  7,510,000
Graham Packaging/GPC Capital
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts Series B
        01-15-03                                                10.76              5,000,000(g)               3,425,000
Grupo Industrial Durango
    (U.S. Dollar)
        08-01-03                                                12.63              5,000,000(c)               4,825,000
Packaging Corp of America
    Sr Sub Nts
        04-01-09                                                 9.63              9,905,000(d)              10,078,338
Repap New Brunswick
    (U.S. Dollar)
        06-01-04                                                11.50              7,500,000(c,d)             7,556,250
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        06-01-04                                                 9.00              5,450,000(c)               5,177,500
        04-15-05                                                10.63             33,000,000(c)              28,132,500
Riverwood Intl
    Company Guaranty
        08-01-07                                                10.63              5,500,000                  5,671,875
        04-01-08                                                10.88             10,000,000                  9,812,500
    Company Guaranty Sr Nts
        04-01-06                                                10.25             15,000,000                 15,281,250
Silgan Holdings
        06-01-09                                                 9.00             13,250,000                 13,581,250
    Pay-in-kind
        07-15-06                                                13.25              5,621,000(k)               6,295,520
Stone Container
    Sr Nts
        08-01-16                                                12.58              9,000,000                  9,337,500
Tjiwi Kimia Intl
    (U.S. Dollar) Company Guaranty
        08-01-01                                                13.25              7,000,000(c)               5,460,000
Total                                                                                                       218,733,264

Restaurants & lodging (1.4%)
American Restaurant Group
    Company Guaranty Series B
        02-15-03                                                11.50              9,000,000                  8,122,500
Domino's
    Sr Sub Nts
        01-15-09                                                10.38             16,325,000(d)              16,712,719
Florida Panthers Holdings
    Sr Sub Nts
        04-15-09                                                 9.88             11,000,000(d)              10,697,500
Prime Hospitality
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        04-01-07                                                 9.75             18,700,000                 19,471,375
Total                                                                                                        55,004,094

Retail (2.7%)
Amazon.com
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        05-01-03                                                10.00             15,750,000(g)              11,025,000
Dairy Mart Convenience Stores
    Sr Sub Nts
        03-15-04                                                10.25             17,675,000                 16,592,406
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        03-15-04                                                10.25              6,250,000                  5,867,188
Maxim Group
    Company Guaranty Series B
        10-15-07                                                 9.25             12,500,000                 12,515,625
Musicland Group
    Company Guaranty Series B
        03-15-08                                                 9.88             16,750,000                 16,896,563
Pathmark Stores
    Sr Sub Nts
        05-01-03                                                 9.63              8,500,000                  8,712,500
    Sub Nts
        06-15-02                                                11.63             18,000,000                 18,472,499
Stater Brothers Holdings
    Sr Nts
        03-01-01                                                11.00             14,500,000                 14,935,000
Total                                                                                                       105,016,781

Textiles & apparel (1.3%)
Anvil Knitwear
    Sr Nts Series B
        03-15-07                                                10.88             14,000,000                  8,960,000
Galey & Lord
    Company Guaranty
        03-01-08                                                 9.13              9,700,000                  6,353,500
GFSI
    Sr Sub Nts Series B
        03-01-07                                                 9.63             13,000,000                 11,960,000
GFSI Holdings
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts Series B
        09-15-04                                                10.77             17,300,000(g)              12,110,000
Hosiery Corp of America
    Sr Sub Nts
        08-01-02                                                13.75              8,000,000                  8,600,000
Steel Heddle Group
    Zero Coupon Series B
        06-01-03                                                13.74              6,200,000(g)                 992,000
Steel Heddle Mfg
    Company Guaranty Series B
        06-01-08                                                10.63              4,600,000                  2,754,250
Total                                                                                                        51,729,750

Transportation (1.5%)
American Architectural
    Company Guaranty
        12-01-07                                                11.75             10,000,000                  7,975,000
Autopistas Del Sol
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        08-01-09                                                10.25             13,500,000(c,d)            10,260,000
Enterprises Shipholding
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        05-01-08                                                 8.88             22,370,000(c)              14,540,500
Global Ocean Carriers
    Sr Nts
        07-15-07                                                10.25             13,500,000                  6,783,750
Greater Beijing First Expressways
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        06-15-04                                                 9.25              3,500,000(c)               1,925,000
        06-15-07                                                 9.50              5,000,000(c)               2,600,000
Hermes Europe RailTel
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        01-15-09                                                10.38             10,500,000(c)              10,762,500
Trico Marine Services
    Company Guaranty Series G
        08-01-05                                                 8.50              5,000,000                  4,500,000
Total   59,346,750

Utilities -- electric (0.3%)
Midland Funding
    Series B
        07-23-06                                                13.25             10,500,000                 12,678,750

Utilities -- gas (0.6%)
Bellwether Exploration
    Sr Nts
        04-01-07                                                10.88              9,000,000                  8,381,250
Empire Gas
    Zero Coupon Sr Nts
        07-15-99                                                 7.00             11,350,000(h)               5,675,000
Leviathan Gas
    Sr Sub Nts
        06-01-09                                                10.38              8,400,000(d)               8,452,500
Total                                                                                                        22,508,750

Utilities -- telephone (7.9%)
Allegiance Telecom
    Sr Nts
        05-15-08                                                12.88              2,000,000                  2,162,500
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts Series B
        02-15-03                                                11.99             30,450,000(g)              18,574,499
CCPR Services
    Company Guaranty
        02-01-07                                                10.00             10,000,000                 11,087,500
Colt Telecommunications Group
    (U.S. Dollar) Zero Coupon
        12-15-01                                                12.00              8,500,000(c,g)             7,055,000
Covad Communications Group
        02-15-09                                                12.50             14,000,000(d)              13,405,000
Geotek Communications
    Cv Sr Sub Nts
        02-15-01                                                12.00              4,135,000(b)                   5,169
Hyperion Telecommunications
        09-01-04                                                12.25             14,000,000                 14,700,000
Intermedia Communications
    Sr Nts Series B
        11-01-07                                                 8.88             11,025,000                 10,570,219
        06-01-08                                                 8.60              2,400,000                  2,274,000
    Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts Series B
        07-15-02                                                10.65             22,375,000(g)              16,165,938
ITC Deltacom
    Sr Nts
        06-01-07                                                11.00              9,457,000                 10,331,773
        03-01-08                                                 8.88             17,250,000                 17,250,000
        11-15-08                                                 9.75              4,500,000                  4,680,000
McLeod USA
    Sr Nts
        03-15-08                                                 8.38              7,680,000                  7,392,000
        02-15-09                                                 8.13             13,000,000(d)              12,122,500
Metrocall
    Sr Sub Nts
        10-01-07                                                10.38              5,700,000                  4,389,000
MetroNet Communications
    (U.S. Dollar) Sr Nts
        08-15-07                                                12.00              8,750,000(c)              10,346,875
        11-01-08                                                10.63              6,950,000(c,d)             8,018,563
    (U.S. Dollar) Zero Coupon Sr Disc Nts
        11-01-02                                                10.74              8,300,000(c,g)             6,671,125
        06-15-03                                                 9.96             16,000,000(c,g)            11,860,000
NEXTLINK Communications
    Sr Nts
        04-15-06                                                12.50             15,000,000                 16,556,250
        11-15-08                                                10.75              8,750,000(d)               8,771,875
Omnipoint Communications
    Sr Nts
        08-15-06                                                11.63             24,100,000                 22,141,874
Paging Network
    Sr Sub Nts
        08-01-07                                                10.13              6,950,000                  4,656,500
Panamsat Intl Systems
    Pay-in-kind
        04-15-05                                                12.75                  4,000(k)                   4,555
Primus Telecommunications Group
    Sr Nts
        08-01-04                                                11.75             11,550,000                 11,781,000
    Sr Nts Series B
        05-15-08                                                 9.88             10,000,000                  9,600,000
Pronet
    Sr Sub Nts
        06-15-05                                                11.88             19,350,000                 17,414,999
RSL Communications
    (U.S. Dollar) Company Guaranty
        11-15-06                                                12.25             10,167,000(c)              10,916,816
        11-15-08                                                10.50             16,250,000(c)              16,128,125
Total                                                                                                       307,033,655

Total bonds
(Cost: $3,638,943,412)                                                                                   $3,343,461,747

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Common stocks (1.2%)
Issuer                                                                          Shares                        Value(a)

<S>                                                                             <C>                          <C>
Arena Brands                                                                    111,111(b,j)                 $2,444,442
Celcaribe                                                                     1,812,990(b)                    3,625,980
Communications & Power Inds                                                       3,500(b)                      525,000
Concentric Network                                                              100,000(b)                    3,231,250
Earthwatch                                                                      308,812(b,d)                    386,015
EchoStar Communications CI A                                                     25,000(b)                    2,868,750
Foodmaker                                                                        21,000(b)                      567,000
Gaylord Container Cl A                                                        1,000,000(b)                    8,375,000
Global TeleSystems Group                                                        107,700(b)                    8,185,199
Intermedia Communications                                                       301,376(b)                    7,628,580
Nextel Communications Cl A                                                       41,056(b)                    1,513,940
OpTel                                                                            17,000(b,d)                     51,000
Pagemart Nationwide                                                              50,750(b)                      190,313
Pegasus Communications                                                           16,923(b)                      799,612
Primus Telecommunications Group                                                 300,000(b)                    4,987,500
Specialty Foods                                                                 300,000(b)                        6,000
Wilshire Real Estate Investment Trust                                           140,000                         595,000
Wireless One                                                                     25,000(b)                       77,344

Total common stocks
(Cost: $35,919,026)                                                                                         $46,057,925

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Preferred stocks & other (10.4%)

Issuer                                                                          Shares                        Value(a)

21st Century Telecom Group
<S> <C>                                                                           <C>                        <C>
    13.75% Pay-in-kind                                                            2,983(l)                   $1,372,180
    Warrants                                                                      2,600                          52,000
Allegiance Telecom
    Warrants                                                                     30,450                       1,735,650
American Mobile Satellite
    Warrants                                                                      8,000                         200,000
American Restaurant Group
    12.00% Pay-in-kind Series B                                                   3,920(l)                    3,920,000
    Warrants                                                                      3,500                              35
American Telecasting
    Warrants                                                                     85,225                             852
APP Finance II Mauritius Cl B
    12.00%                                                                       22,600(b,c)                 13,786,000
Australis Holdings
    Warrants                                                                     13,400(c)                          134
Bar Technologies
    Warrants                                                                     10,000                         200,000
Belco Oil & Gas
    6.50% Cv                                                                    210,000                       3,622,500
Bell Technology
    Warrants                                                                     19,525                       1,464,375
Benedek Communications
    11.50% Pay-in-kind                                                            7,000(b,l)                  5,250,000
    Warrants                                                                     70,000(j)                      140,000
Bestel
    Warrants                                                                     10,400                         104,000
Birch Telecom
    Warrants                                                                     14,000                          70,000
Capstar Broadcasting
    12.00% Pay-in-kind Exchangeable                                              47,700(l)                    5,777,663
Capstar Communications
    12.63% Pay-in-kind Series E                                                  64,555(l)                    8,012,889
Century Maintenance
    13.25% Pay-in-kind Series C                                                 127,640(l)                   14,024,445
Chesapeake Energy
    7.00% Cv                                                                     33,300(d)                      666,000
Clark Materials Handling
    13.00%                                                                        7,148(b)                    6,183,020
Clearnet Communications
    Warrants                                                                     42,240                         337,920
Communications & Power Inds
    14.00% Pay-in-kind Series B                                                 199,425(l)                   21,537,901
Concentric Network
    13.50% Pay-in-kind Series B                                                  12,670(l)                   12,606,650
Crown Packaging
    Warrants                                                                     10,000(i)                            --
CSC Holdings
    11.13% Pay-in-kind Series M                                                 330,067(l)                   38,081,479
    11.75% Pay-in-kind Series H                                                 150,267(l)                   17,261,922
Dairy Mart
    Warrants                                                                    311,333(d)                      112,080
Dobson Communications
    13.00% Pay-in-kind                                                            8,500(b,d,l)                8,415,000
Fairfield Mfg
    11.25% Pay-in-kind                                                            6,580(b,l)                  6,769,174
Geotek Communications
    Warrants                                                                    872,500                               1
HarCor Energy
    Warrants                                                                    110,000                          55,000
Hemmeter Enterprises
    Warrants                                                                     36,000(i)                           --
Hosiery Corp of America
    Warrants                                                                     10,000                         400,000
Hyperion Telecommunications
    12.88% Pay-in-kind Series B                                                   5,453(l)                    5,071,290
Intermedia Communications
    7.00% Cv Series F                                                           240,000                       5,130,000
    13.50% Pay-in-kind Series B                                                  18,631(l)                   19,562,550
    Warrants                                                                     22,750                       2,184,000
Intl Wireless Communications
    Warrants                                                                     14,750                             148
Iridium World Communications
    Warrants                                                                     17,150                          17,150
IXC Communications
    12.50% Pay-in-kind Series B                                                   4,452(l)                    4,318,440
Jitney-Jungle Stores of America Cl A
    15.00%                                                                      109,500                       7,117,500
Kelley Oil & Gas
    2.63% Cv                                                                    153,165                         775,398
KMC Telecom Holdings
    Warrants                                                                     12,000                          30,000
Knology Holdings
    Warrants                                                                     11,000                         $27,500
Lady Luck Gaming
    Pay-in-kind                                                                  50,000(b,j,l)                2,000,000
Liberty Group Publishing
    14.75% Cv                                                                   499,487(b)                   12,487,175
MetroNet Communications
    Warrants                                                                      8,750                         860,732
Nakornthai Strip Mill
    Warrants                                                                  7,407,184                               7
Nebco Evans Holdings
    11.25% Pay-in-kind                                                          129,891(l)                    5,260,586
Nextel Communications
    11.13% Pay-in-kind Series E                                                   7,462(l)                    7,462,000
    13.00% Pay-in-kind Series D                                                  20,500(l)                   22,293,750
North Atlantic Trading
    12.00% Pay-in-kind                                                                1(b,d,l)                       22
NTL
    13.00% Pay-in-kind Series B                                                  25,848(d,l)                 28,432,800
Packaging Corp of America
    12.38% Pay-in-kind                                                           42,500(b,d,l)                4,462,500
Paxson Communications
    12.50% Pay-in-kind Exchangeable                                             230,660(b,l)                 20,990,060
Pegasus Communications
    12.75% Pay-in-kind                                                           62,500(b,l)                  7,328,125
    12.75% Pay-in-kind Series A                                                   3,059(b,l)                  3,403,138
Poland Telecom
    Warrants                                                                     20,500                         990,800
Price Communications
    Warrants                                                                     41,280                       3,663,600
Primus Telecommunications
    Warrants                                                                     11,550                         173,250
R&B Falcon
    13.88% Pay-in-kind                                                           12,000(b,d,l)               12,360,000
RSL Communications
    Warrants                                                                      9,500                         902,500
SGW Holding
    12.50% Pay-in-kind Series B                                                 136,145(b,j,l)                2,314,465
    Cv Series A                                                                  87,091(b,j)                    899,940
    Warrants                                                                      2,750(j)                      870,375
Sinclair Capital
    11.63%                                                                      140,000                      15,260,000
Telehub Communications
    Warrants                                                                     12,000                         600,000
Unifi Communications
    Warrants                                                                     10,000                             100
Unisite
    Cl C                                                                          5,938(b,j)                  3,147,140
    Warrants                                                                      4,504(j)                           45
Versatel
    Warrants                                                                     16,600                         996,000
Vialog
    Warrants                                                                     22,600                       1,130,000
Warren (SD)
    14.00% Series B                                                             597,430(b)                   31,365,075
Wireless One
    Warrants                                                                     23,250                             233

Total preferred stocks & other
(Cost: $417,308,679)                                                                                       $406,047,264
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Short-term securities (0.6%)
Issuer                                                       Annualized             Amount                    Value(a)
                                                            yield on date         payable at
                                                             of purchase           maturity

U.S. government agencies (0.4%)
Federal Home Loan Bank Disc Nt
<S>                                                              <C>              <C>                        <C>
        06-30-99                                                 4.73%            $4,000,000                 $3,982,287
Federal Home Loan Mtge Corp Disc Nts
        06-24-99                                                 4.75              8,400,000                  8,371,365
        06-30-99                                                 4.75              1,600,000                  1,593,287
Federal Natl Mtge Assn Disc Nts
        06-04-99                                                 4.80              3,100,000                  3,096,950
        06-17-99                                                 4.73                400,000                    398,896
Total                                                                                                        17,442,785

Commercial paper (0.1%)
GTE Funding
        06-07-99                                                 4.84              3,700,000                  3,695,542

Letter of credit (0.1%)
Bank of America-
AES Hawaii
        06-10-99                                                 4.84              2,200,000                  2,196,458

Total short-term securities
(Cost: $23,336,489)                                                                                         $23,334,785

Total investments in securities
(Cost: $4,115,507,606)(m)                                                                                $3,818,901,721


See accompanying notes to investments in securities.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Notes to investments in securities

(a)  Securities  are valued by  procedures  described in Note 1 to the financial
statements.

(b) Non-income producing.  For long-term debt securities,  item identified is in
default as to payment of interest and/or principal.

(c) Foreign  security values are stated in U.S.  dollars.  For debt  securities,
principal amounts are denominated in the currency indicated. As of May 31, 1999,
the value of foreign securities represented 13.13% of net assets.

(d)  Represents  a  security  sold  under  Rule  144A,   which  is  exempt  from
registration  under the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended.  This security has
been determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the board.

(e)  Adjustable  rate mortgage;  interest rate varies to reflect  current market
conditions; rate shown is the effective rate on May 31, 1999.

(f) For zero coupon bonds, the interest rate disclosed represents the annualized
effective yield on the date of acquisition.

(g) For those zero coupon bonds that become coupon paying at a future date,  the
interest rate disclosed  represents the annualized effective yield from the date
of acquisition to interest reset date disclosed.

(h) Interest rate varies either based on a predetermined  schedule or to reflect
current market conditions; rate shown is the effective rate on May 31, 1999.

(i) Negligible market value.

(j) Identifies issues considered to be illiquid as to their  marketability  (see
Note  1 to the  financial  statements).  Information  concerning  such  security
holdings at May 31, 1999, is as follows:


Security                                             Acquisition                          Cost
                                                           dates

Arena Brands
<S>                                                     <C>                         <C>
  Common                                                09-03-92                    $5,888,888

Benedek Communications
  Warrants                                              05-10-96                       482,759

Cable Systems USA
  10.75% 1999                                           02-02-96                        11,644

ECM Funding LP
  11.92% 2002                                           04-13-92                     1,277,510

Gemini Inds
  13.50% 2001                                           12-23-96                    13,500,000

Lady Luck Gambling
  Pay-in-kind Preferred                                 11-19-98                     1,750,000

SGW Holdings
  12.50% Pay-in-kind Series B Preferred                 08-12-97 thru 04-15-99       2,328,107
  Cv Series A Preferred                                 08-12-97                       899,998
  Warrants                                              08-12-97                       867,900

Unisite
  Cl C Preferred                                        12-17-97                     2,750,066
  Warrants                                              12-17-97                            --
  13.00% Zero Coupon Sub Nts 2000*                      12-18-97                     9,000,000

Veninfotel
  (U.S. Dollar) 10.00% Cv Pay-in-kind 2002              03-05-97 thru 09-01-98       9,450,000

*Represents a security sold under Rule 144A,  which is exempt from  registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(k) Pay-in-kind  securities are securities in which the issuer has the option to
make  interest or dividend  payments in cash or in  additional  securities.  The
securities  issued  as  interest  or  dividends  usually  have the  same  terms,
including maturity date, as the pay-in-kind securities.

(l) Pay-in-kind  securities are securities in which the issuer makes interest or
dividend payments in cash or in additional  securities.  The securities  usually
have the same terms as the original holdings.

(m) At May 31, 1999,  the cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was
$4,115,990,015 and the aggregate gross unrealized  appreciation and depreciation
based on that cost was:

Unrealized appreciation                     $138,215,711
Unrealized depreciation                     (435,304,005)
                                            ------------
Net unrealized depreciation                $(297,088,294)
</TABLE>

<PAGE>



                               Form of Proxy Card

Proxy Card Front

Proxy Card

[Fund name]

This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors.

The undersigned  hereby appoints Heidi S. Brommer,  James A. Mitchell and Eileen
J. Newhouse, or any one of them, as proxies, with full power of substitution, to
represent  and to vote  all of the  shares  of the  undersigned  at the  special
meeting to be held on May 9, 2000, and any adjournment thereof.

TO HAVE YOUR VOTE COUNTED, YOU MUST SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY. IT WILL BE
VOTED AS MARKED, OR IF NOT MARKED,  WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSAL.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE
"FOR" THE PROPOSAL.




_____________________________________
Signature(s)

Date _______, 2000

Owners please sign as names appear at
left. Executors, administrators,
trustees, etc., should indicate
position when signing.


Proxy Card Back

Vote on Proposal

Approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the Strategist Fund and
the  AXP  Fund  providing  for  the  acquisition  of all of  the  assets  of the
Strategist  Fund by the AXP Fund in exchange  for Class A shares of the AXP Fund
and assumption by the AXP Fund of the liabilities of the Strategist  Fund, to be
followed  by  distribution  of those Class A shares to the  shareholders  of the
Strategist Fund and the subsequent termination of the Strategist Fund.

For _____                  Against  _____            Abstain _____

<PAGE>

                       Statement of Additional Information

                                 April 17, 2000

AXP Mutual
AXP Stock
AXP Diversified Equity Income
AXP Emerging Markets
AXP Federal Income
AXP Growth
AXP New Dimensions
AXP Extra Income
AXP Selective
AXP Research Opportunities
AXP High Yield  Tax-Exempt
AXP Managed  Allocation
AXP Global Growth
AXP Global Bond
AXP Innovations

This statement of additional information ("SAI") covers each of the funds listed
above  (each an "AXP Fund") and  consists  of this cover page and the  following
information:

1.   The AXP Fund's most recent SAI,  dated as shown in the table  below,  which
     has been previously filed and is incorporated by reference.

2.   The AXP  Fund's  most  recent  annual  report  and  semi-annual  report  to
     shareholders,  if a  semi-annual  report has been issued  subsequent to the
     date of the most recent  annual  report,  for the period shown in the table
     below, which have been previously filed and are incorporated by reference.

3.   The  Strategist  Fund's most recent SAI, dated as shown in the table below,
     which has been previously filed and is incorporated by reference.

4.   The  Strategist  Fund's most  recent  annual  report  and,  if  applicable,
     semi-annual  report  to  shareholders,  for the  period  shown in the table
     below, which have been previously filed and are incorporated by reference.

This SAI is not a prospectus.  It should be read in  conjunction  with the proxy
statement/prospectus, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-862-7919 or writing
American  Express  Client Service  Corporation,  P.O. Box 534,  Minneapolis,  MN
55440-0534.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>           <C>                        <C>               <C>                  <C>
                                                             Annual Report         Semi-Annual
                Fund                          SAI             (for period            Report
                                            (dated)              ended)          (if applicable)
                                                                                   (for period
                                                                                     ended)

Strategist Balanced                         11/29/99            9/30/99                NA

AXP Mutual                                  11/29/99            9/30/99                NA

Strategist Equity                           11/29/99            9/30/99                NA

AXP Stock                                   11/29/99            9/30/99                NA

Strategist Equity Income                    11/29/99            9/30/99                NA

AXP Diversified Equity Income               11/29/99            9/30/99                NA

Strategist Emerging Markets                 12/30/99            10/31/99               NA

AXP Emerging Markets                        12/30/99            10/31/99               NA

Strategist Government Income                7/30/99             5/31/99             11/30/99

AXP Federal Income                          7/30/99             5/31/99             11/30/99

Strategist Growth                           9/29/99             7/31/99              1/31/00

AXP Growth                                  9/29/99             7/31/99              1/31/00

Strategist Growth Trends                    9/29/99             7/31/99              1/31/00

AXP New Dimensions                          9/29/99             7/31/99              1/31/00

Strategist High Yield                       7/30/99             5/31/99             11/30/99

AXP Extra Income                            7/30/99             5/31/99             11/30/99

Strategist Quality Income                   7/30/99             5/31/99             11/30/99

AXP Selective                               7/30/99             5/31/99             11/30/99

Strategist Special Growth                   9/29/99             7/31/99              1/31/00

AXP Research Opportunities                  9/29/99             7/31/99              1/31/00

Strategist Tax-Free High Yield              1/28/00             11/30/99               NA

AXP High Yield Tax-Exempt                   1/28/00             11/30/99               NA

Strategist Total Return                     11/29/99            9/30/99                NA

AXP Managed Allocation                      11/29/99            9/30/99                NA

Strategist World Growth                     12/30/99            10/31/99               NA

AXP Global Growth                           12/30/99            10/31/99               NA

Strategist World Income                     12/30/99            10/31/99               NA

AXP Global Bond                             12/30/99            10/31/99               NA

Strategist World Technologies               12/30/99            10/31/99               NA

AXP Innovations                              3/15/00            10/31/99               NA

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                              AXP INNOVATIONS FUND
                       STRATEGIST WORLD TECHNOLOGIES FUND
                      INTRODUCTION TO PROPOSED FUND MERGER
                                OCTOBER 31, 1999

The  accompanying   unaudited  pro  forma  combining  statement  of  assets  and
liabilities  and the  statement  of  operations  reflect the accounts of the two
funds at and for the 12-month period ending October 31, 1999.  These  statements
have been derived from annual reports for AXP Innovations  Fund (a series of AXP
Global  Series,  Inc.)  and  Strategist  World  Technologies  Fund (a  series of
Strategist  World Fund,  Inc.) as of October 31, 1999.  Each Fund invests all of
its assets in World  Technologies  Portfolio (the Portfolio),  a series of World
Trust, an open-end investment company that has the same objectives as the Funds.
The Portfolio invests in technology  common stocks.  Management of the Funds has
elected not to present a combining  Schedule of  Investments  for the  Portfolio
because  it  will  not  change  as a  result  of the  merger.  The  schedule  of
investments  for the Portfolio is included in the Funds' annual  reports,  which
are available upon request.

Under  the  proposed  Agreement  and  Plan  of  Reorganization,  shares  of  the
Strategist World  Technologies Fund would be exchanged for Class A shares of the
AXP Innovations Fund.

The pro forma combining statements have been prepared based upon the various fee
structures of the funds in existence as of October 31, 1999.

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                              AXP Innovations Fund
                       Strategist World Technologies Fund
                               Pro forma Combining
                       Statement of assets and liabilities
                                October 31, 1999
                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                                            Strategist World
                                                                       AXP Innovations        Technologies
                                                                             Fund                 Fund                   Combined
Assets
<S>                                                                      <C>                   <C>                      <C>
Investments in World Technologies Portfolio (Note 1)                     $ 7,897,520           $ 1,125,654              $ 9,023,174
                                                                         -----------           -----------              -----------

Liabilities
Accrued distribution fee                                                           4                     -                        4
Accrued administrative services fee                                               12                     2                       14
Other accrued expenses                                                        16,790                 4,447                   21,237
                                                                              ------                 -----                   ------

Total liabilities                                                             16,806                 4,449                   21,255
                                                                              ------                 -----                   ------

Net assets applicable
  to outstanding capital stock                                           $ 7,880,714           $ 1,121,205              $ 9,001,919
                                                                         ===========           ===========              ===========

Represented by
Capital stock --- $.01 par value (Note 1)                                $     7,000           $     1,000              $     8,000
Additional paid-in capital                                                 3,399,239               484,163                3,883,402
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)                                         970,722               136,387                1,107,109
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
  on investments and on translation
  of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies                          3,503,753               499,655                4,003,408
                                                                           ---------               -------                ---------

Total --- representing net assets applicable
  to outstanding capital stock                                           $ 7,880,714           $ 1,121,205              $ 9,001,919
                                                                         ===========           ===========              ===========

Net assets applicable to outstanding shares:    Class A                  $ 7,435,047                                    $ 8,556,252
                                                Class B                  $   220,363                                    $   220,363
                                                Class Y                  $   225,304                                    $   225,304
Net asset value per share of outstanding
  capital stock: (Note 2)                       Class A shares  660,000  $     11.27   100,000 $     11.21  759,485     $     11.27
                                                Class B shares   20,000  $     11.02                         20,000     $     11.02
                                                Class Y shares   20,000  $     11.27                         20,000     $     11.27

See accompanying notes to pro forma combining financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                              AXP Innovations Fund
                       Strategist World Technologies Fund
                               Pro forma Combining
                             Statement of Operations
                                October 31, 1999
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                                            Strategist World                          Pro forma
Investment income                                        AXP Innovations      Technologies          Pro forma       AXP Innovations
Income:                                                        Fund               Fund             Adjustments           Fund

<S>                                                         <C>                <C>              <C>                      <C>
Dividends                                                   $   6,134          $     874                                   $ 7,008
    Less foreign taxes withheld                                  (328)               (47)                                     (375)
                                                                 ----                ---                                      ----
Total Income                                                    5,806                827                                     6,633
                                                                -----                ---                                     -----

Expenses:
Expenses allocated from World Technologies Portfolio           63,721              9,085                                    72,806
Distribution fee
   Class A                                                      5,263              1,900                                     7,163
   Class B                                                      1,395                                                        1,395
Transfer agency fee                                                48                 20               (2) a                    66
Incremental transfer agency fee
   Class A                                                          2                                                            2
   Class B                                                          2                                                            2
Administrative services fees and expenses                       2,467                504                                     2,971
Compensation of board members                                                        818                                       818
Registration fees                                                                    414                                       414
Audit fees                                                                         3,600                                     3,600
Other                                                                              2,490                                     2,490
                                                                                   -----                                     -----
Total Expenses                                                 72,898             18,831               (2)                  91,727
   Less expenses voluntarily reimbursed by AEFC                (6,548)            (6,496)                                  (13,044)
                                                               ------             ------                                   -------
Total net expenses                                             66,350             12,335               (2)                  78,683
                                                               ------             ------               --                   ------
Investment income (loss) -- net                               (60,544)           (11,508)               2                  (72,050)
                                                              -------            -------                -                  -------

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) -- net
Net realized gain (loss) on:
   Security transactions                                    1,376,509            196,456                                 1,572,965
   Foreign currency transactions                                  (38)                (5)                                      (43)
   Options contracts written                                   (1,470)              (210)                                   (1,680)
                                                               ------               ----                                    ------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                     1,375,001            196,241                                 1,571,242
Net change in unrealized apprciation
  (depreciation) on investments and on
  translation of assets and liabilities
  in foreign currencies                                     2,778,956            396,216                                 3,175,172
                                                            ---------            -------                                 ---------
Net gain (loss) on investments and foreign currencies       4,153,957            592,457                                 4,746,414
                                                            ---------            -------                                 ---------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
  resulting from operations                               $ 4,093,413          $ 580,949             $ 2               $ 4,674,364
                                                          ===========          =========             ===               ===========

a) Adjustment for transfer agency fee from $20 to Innovation Class A $19 per account.

See accompanying notes to pro forma combining financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                              AXP INNOVATIONS FUND
                       STRATEGIST WORLD TECHNOLOGIES FUND
                     NOTES TO PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                       (UNAUDITED AS TO OCTOBER 31, 1999)

1. BASIS OF COMBINATION

The unaudited pro forma  combining  statement of assets and  liabilities and the
statement  of  operations  reflect the  accounts of the two funds at and for the
12-month period ending October 31, 1999. These statements have been derived from
annual reports for AXP  Innovations  Fund (a series of AXP Global Series,  Inc.)
and Strategist World Technologies Fund (a series of Strategist World Fund, Inc.)
as of October 31, 1999.

Each  Fund  invests  all of its  assets  in World  Technologies  Portfolio  (the
Portfolio), a series of World Trust, an open-end investment company that has the
same objectives as the Funds. The Portfolio invests in technology common stocks.
Management  of the Funds has  elected  not to present a  combining  schedule  of
investments  for the  Portfolio  because  it will not  change as a result of the
merger.  The schedule of investments for the Portfolio is included in the Funds'
annual reports, which are available upon request.

The pro forma statements give effect to the proposed  transfer of the assets and
liabilities of Strategist World Technologies Fund in exchange for Class A shares
of AXP Innovations  Fund under generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  The
results  of  operations  for AXP  Innovations  Fund  will  not be  restated  for
Strategist World Technologies  Fund's results of operations for  pre-combination
periods.  The pro forma statements do not reflect the expenses of either fund in
carrying out its  obligation  under the  Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization.
American Express Financial Corporation has agreed to bear the costs of effecting
the Reorganization, which is estimated at $7,500.

The pro  forma  combining  statements  should  be read in  conjunction  with the
historical  financial  statements of the funds  incorporated by reference in the
Statement of Additional Information.

The pro forma statement of operations give effect to the proposed transaction on
the historical  operations of the surviving entity,  AXP Innovations Fund, as if
the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year presented.

2. CAPITAL SHARES

The pro forma net asset value per share assumes the issuance of additional Class
A shares of AXP Innovations Fund if the reorganization  were to have taken place
on October  31,  1999.  The pro forma  number of Class A shares  outstanding  of
759,485  consists  of 99,485  shares  assumed  to be issued to  shareholders  of
Strategist World  Technologies  Fund plus 660,000 shares of AXP Innovations Fund
outstanding as of October 31, 1999.



<PAGE>

PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 15.  Indemnification

The  Articles of  Incorporation  of the  registrant  provide that the Fund shall
indemnify  any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party,
by reason of the fact that she or he is or was a director,  officer, employee or
agent  of the  Fund,  or is or was  serving  at the  request  of the  Fund  as a
director,  officer,  employee or agent of another  company,  partnership,  joint
venture,  trust or other  enterprise,  to any  threatened,  pending or completed
action,  suit or  proceeding,  wherever  brought,  and  the  Fund  may  purchase
liability  insurance  and advance  legal  expenses,  all to the  fullest  extent
permitted  by the laws of the State of  Minnesota,  as now existing or hereafter
amended.  The By-laws of the registrant provide that present or former directors
or  officers  of the Fund made or  threatened  to be made a party to or involved
(including as a witness) in an actual or threatened  action,  suit or proceeding
shall be indemnified by the Fund to the full extent  authorized by the Minnesota
Business Corporation Act, all as more fully set forth in the By-laws filed as an
exhibit to this registration statement.

Insofar as  indemnification  for liability  arising under the  Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to  directors,  officers  and  controlling  persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,  the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
such  indemnification  is against  public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities  (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling  person of the registrant in the
successful  defense of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such
director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been  settled by  controlling  precedent,  submit to a court of  appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such  indemnification  by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

Any  indemnification  hereunder  shall not be  exclusive  of any other rights of
indemnification  to which the  directors,  officers,  employees  or agents might
otherwise  be  entitled.  No  indemnification  shall be made in violation of the
Investment Company Act of 1940.

Item 16.  Exhibits

(1)       Articles of Incorporation,  as amended Nov. 14, 1991, filed as Exhibit
          No. 1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to Registration Statement No.
          2-86637, are incorporated by reference.

(2)       Amended By-laws,  dated Jan. 10, 1996, filed electronically as Exhibit
          No. 2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registration Statement No.
          2-86637, are incorporated by reference.

(3)       Voting Trust Agreement: Not Applicable.

(4)       Form of Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization,  dated March 10, 2000,
          filed  electronically  herewith  as  Exhibit  1  to  Part  A  of  this
          Registration Statement.

(5)       Stock  certificate  for  common  stock,  filed  as  Exhibit  No.  4 to
          Registrant's  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  4,  is  incorporated  by
          reference.

(6)       Investment  Management and Services  Agreement between  Registrant and
          American Express  Financial  Corporation,  dated March 20, 1995, filed
          electronically as Exhibit 5 to Registrant's  Post-Effective  Amendment
          No. 23 to  Registration  Statement No.  2-86637,  is  incorporated  by
          reference.  The Agreement  was assumed by the Portfolio  when the Fund
          adopted the master/feeder structure.

(7)       Distribution   Agreement  between   Registrant  and  American  Express
          Financial  Advisors  Inc.,  dated March 20, 1995, is  incorporated  by
          reference to Exhibit 6 to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 29
          filed on or about July 30, 1998.

(8)       All employees are eligible to  participate  in a profit  sharing plan.
          Entry  into the plan is Jan. 1 or July 1. The  Registrant  contributes
          each year an amount up to 15 percent  of their  annual  salaries,  the
          maximum  deductible  amount  permitted  under  Section  404(a)  of the
          Internal Revenue Code.

(9)(a)    Custodian  Agreement  between  Registrant and First National Bank of
          Minneapolis,  dated July 23, 1986, refiled electronically as Exhibit 8
          (a) to  Registrant's  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 27 to Registration
          Statement No. 2-86637, is incorporated by reference.

(9)(b)    Addendum to the Custodian  Agreement,  dated July 23, 1986 between IDS
          Extra Income Fund, Inc. and First Bank National  Association  executed
          on  June  10,   1996,   filed   electronically   as  Exhibit  8(b)  to
          Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registration Statement No. 2-86637,
          is incorporated by reference.

(10)(a)   Plan and Agreement of  Distribution  dated July 1, 1999 between AXP
          Extra Income Fund, Inc. and American Express Financial  Advisors Inc.,
          is  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit (m) to AXP  Discovery  Fund,
          Inc.  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 36 to Registration  Statement File
          No.  2-72174  filed on or about July 30, 1999.  Registrant's  Plan and
          Agreement  of  Distribution  differs  from  the  one  incorporated  by
          reference only by the fact that Registrant is one executing party.

(10)(b)   Rule 18f-3 Plan dated April 1999 is  incorporated  by  reference to
          Exhibit (o) to IDS Precious Metals Fund, Inc. Post-Effective Amendment
          No. 33, File No. 2-93745 filed on or about May 21, 1999.

(11)      Opinion  and consent of counsel as to the  legality of the  securities
          being  registered  is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (11) to
          Registration Statement No. 333-32362 filed on or about March 13, 2000.

(12)      Tax Opinion to be filed by amendment.

(13(a)    Administrative  Services  Agreement between  Registrant and American
          Express Financial  Corporation,  dated March 20, 1995, is incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 9(d) to Registrant's  Post-Effective Amendment
          No. 29 filed on or about July 30, 1998.

(13)(b)   Agreement and Declaration of Unitholders  made June 10, 1996 by IDS
          Extra  Income Fund,  Inc. and  Strategist  Income  Fund,  Inc.,  filed
          electronically as Exhibit 9(e) to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 27 to
          Registration Statement No. 2-86637, is incorporated by reference.

(13)(c)   License Agreement dated Jan. 25, 1988,  between  Registrant and IDS
          Financial  Corporation,   filed  as  Exhibit  9(c)  to  Post-Effective
          Amendment  No.  15  to   Registration   Statement  No.   2-86637,   is
          incorporated by reference.

(13)(d)   Class Y Shareholder  Service  Agreement between IDS Precious Metals
          Fund, Inc. and American Express Financial  Advisors Inc., dated May 9,
          1997, filed  electronically on or about May 27, as Exhibit 9(e) to IDS
          Precious  Metals  Fund,   Inc.'s  Amendment  No.  30  to  Registration
          Statement No.  2-93745,  is  incorporated  by reference.  Registrant's
          Class  Y   shareholder   Service   Agreement   differs  from  the  one
          incorporated  by  reference  only by the fact that  Registrant  is one
          executing party.

(13)(e)   Transfer Agency Agreement dated February 1, 1999 between Registrant
          and American  Express Client Service  Corporation is  incorporated  by
          reference to Exhibit (h)(6) to Registrant's  Post-Effective  Amendment
          No. 30 filed on or about May 27, 1999.

(14)      Independent Auditors' Consent is filed electronically herewith.

(15)      Omitted Financial Statements: Not applicable.

(16)(a)   Directors'  Power of  Attorney,  dated  January  13, 2000, is
          incorporated by reference to Exhibit (16)(a) to Registration Statement
          No. 333-32362 filed on or about March 13, 2000.

(16)(b)   Officers' Power of Attorney, dated  January  13, 2000, is incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit (16)(b) to Registration Statement No.
          333-32362 filed on or about March 13, 2000.

(16)(c)   Trustees' Power of Attorney, dated January 13, 2000, is incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit (16)(c) to Registration Statement No.
          333-32362 filed on or about March 13, 2000.

(16)(d)   Officers' Power of Attorney, dated January 13, 2000, is incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit (16)(d) to Registration Statement No.
          333-32362 filed on or about March 13, 2000.

(17)(a)   Code  of  Ethics  adopted  under  Rule  17j-1  for  Registrant   filed
          electronically  on or about  March 30,  2000 as Exhibit  (p)(1) to AXP
          Market Advantage  Series,  Inc.'s  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 24 to
          Registration Statement No. 33-30770, is incorporated by reference.

(17)(b)   Code of Ethics  adopted under Rule 17j-1 for  Registrant's  investment
          advisor and principal  underwriter  filed  electronically  on or about
          March 30,  2000 as  Exhibit  (p)(2) to AXP  Market  Advantage  Series,
          Inc.'s Post-Effective  Amendment No. 24 to Registration  Statement No.
          33-30770, is incorporated by reference.

Item 17.  Undertakings

(1)  The undersigned  registrant  agrees that prior to any public  reoffering of
     the securities  registered  through the use of a prospectus which is a part
     of this  registration  statement by any person or party who is deemed to be
     an underwriter  within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act [17
     CFR  230.145c],  the  reoffering  prospectus  will contain the  information
     called for by the applicable  registration  form for reofferings by persons
     who may be deemed  underwriters,  in addition to the information called for
     by the other items of the applicable form.

(2)  The undersigned registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under
     paragraph  (1)  above  will  be  filed  as a part  of an  amendment  to the
     registration  statement  and  will  not be  used  until  the  amendment  is
     effective,  and that, in determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each
     post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
     for the securities  offered therein,  and the offering of the securities at
     that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them.

(3)  The Registrant undertakes to file by Post-Effective Amendment an Opinion of
     Counsel  supporting  the tax  consequences  of the proposed  reorganization
     within a reasonable time after receipt of such opinion.

<PAGE>

                               SIGNATURES

As required by the  Securities Act of 1933,  this Amendment to the  Registration
Statement  has  been  signed  on  behalf  of  the  Registrant,  in the  City  of
Minneapolis and State of Minnesota on the 17th day of April, 2000.


AXP EXTRA INCOME FUND, INC.


By /s/   Arne H. Carlson**
         Arne H. Carlson, Chief Executive Officer


By /s/   John M. Knight
         John M. Knight, Treasurer


As required by the  Securities Act of 1933,  this Amendment to the  Registration
Statement has been signed by the following  persons in the capacities  indicated
on the 17th day of April, 2000.

Signature                                            Capacity

 ____________________________                        Director
     Peter J. Anderson

/s/  H. Brewster Atwater, Jr.*                       Director
     H. Brewster Atwater, Jr.

/s/  Arne H. Carlson*                                Chairman of the Board
     Arne H. Carlson

/s/  Lynne V. Cheney*                                Director
     Lynne V. Cheney

/s/  David R. Hubers*                                Director
     David R. Hubers

/s/  Heinz F. Hutter*                                Director
     Heinz F. Hutter

/s/  Anne P. Jones*                                  Director
     Anne P. Jones

/s/  William R. Pearce*                              Director
     William R. Pearce

<PAGE>

Signature                                            Capacity

/s/  Alan K. Simpson*                                Director
     Alan K. Simpson

/s/  John R. Thomas*                                 Director
     John R. Thomas

/s/  C. Angus Wurtele*                               Director
     C. Angus Wurtele


*Signed  pursuant to Directors'  Power of Attorney dated January 13, 2000, filed
electronically as Exhibit (16)(a) to Registration Statement No. 333-32362, by:



/s/ Leslie L. Ogg
    Leslie L. Ogg

**Signed  pursuant to Officers' Power of Attorney dated January 13, 2000,  filed
electronically as Exhibit (16)(b) to Registration Statement No. 333-32362, by:



/s/ Leslie L. Ogg
    Leslie L. Ogg

<PAGE>

                                      SIGNATURES

As required by the Securities  Act of 1933,  Income Trust consents to the filing
of  this  Amendment  to the  Registration  Statement  signed  on  behalf  of the
Registrant, in the City of Minneapolis and State of Minnesota on the 17th day of
April, 2000.


INCOME TRUST

By /s/   Arne H. Carlson****
         Arne H. Carlson
         Chief Executive Officer


By /s/   John M. Knight
         John M. Knight
         Treasurer


As required by the  Securities Act of 1933,  this Amendment to the  Registration
Statement has been signed by the following  persons in the capacities  indicated
on the 17th day of April, 2000.

Signature                                            Capacity


 ____________________________                        Trustee
     Peter J. Anderson

/s/  H. Brewster Atwater, Jr.***                     Trustee
     H. Brewster Atwater, Jr.

/s/  Arne H. Carlson***                              Chairman of the Board
     Arne H. Carlson

/s/  Lynne V. Cheney***                              Trustee
     Lynne V. Cheney

/s/  David R. Hubers***                              Trustee
     David R. Hubers

/s/  Heinz F. Hutter***                              Trustee
     Heinz F. Hutter

<PAGE>

Signature                                            Capacity

/s/  Anne P. Jones***                                Trustee
     Anne P. Jones

/s/  William R. Pearce***                            Trustee
     William R. Pearce

/s/  Alan K. Simpson***                              Trustee
     Alan K. Simpson

/s/  John R. Thomas***                               Trustee
     John R. Thomas

/s/  C. Angus Wurtele***                             Trustee
     C. Angus Wurtele


***Signed  pursuant to Trustees' Power of Attorney dated January 13, 2000, filed
electronically as Exhibit (16)(c) to Registration Statement No. 333-32362, by:



/s/ Leslie L. Ogg
    Leslie L. Ogg

****Signed pursuant to Officers' Power of Attorney dated January 13, 2000, filed
electronically as Exhibit (16)(d) to Registration Statement No. 333-32362, by:



/s/ Leslie L. Ogg
    Leslie L. Ogg

<PAGE>

CONTENTS OF THIS AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

This Amendment to the Registration  Statement comprises the following papers and
documents:

The facing sheet.

Part A.

     The prospectus.

Part B.

     The Statement of Additional Information.

Part C.

     Other information.

     Exhibits.

     Undertakings.

The signatures.



<PAGE>

AXP Extra Income Fund, Inc.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit (14):       Independent Auditors' Consent





Independent auditors' consent

The board and shareholders
AXP Extra Income Fund, Inc.


The board and shareholders
Strategist Income Fund, Inc.
         Strategist High Yield Fund


The board of trustees and unitholders
Income Trust:
         High Yield Portfolio


We  consent  to the  use of our  reports  included  or  incorporated  herein  by
reference  and to the  references  to our  Firm  under  the  heading  "Financial
Highlights" in the  prospectuses  included or incorporated  herein by reference,
under  the  heading  "INDEPENDENT  AUDITORS"  in  the  Statement  of  Additional
Information  incorporated herein by reference and under the heading "Experts" of
the combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus on Form N-14.



/s/ KPMG LLP
    KPMG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 17, 2000




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