[ACT] 33
[ACT] 40
[NOTIFY] 72741,1446
[SUBMISSION-CONTACT]
[NAME] ROBERT G. ZACK, ESQ.
[PHONE] 212-323-0250
[DESCRIPTION] POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT #20
[TEXT]
Registration No. 2-86903
File No. 811-3864
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / X /
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. __ / /
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 20 / X /
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY / X /
ACT OF 1940
AMENDMENT NO. 21 / X /
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
212-323-0200
(Registrant's Telephone Number)
ANDREW J. DONOHUE, ESQ.
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate
box):
/ / Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / On _______________, pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ X / On May 1, 1995, pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
of Rule 485
/ / 75 days after filing, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
/ / On ______________, pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
The Registrant has registered an indefinite number of shares under the
Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2 promulgated under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. A Rule 24f-2 Notice for the Registrant's
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 was filed on February __, 1995.
<PAGE>
FORM N-1A
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
Cross Reference Sheet
Part A of
Form N-1A
Item No. Prospectus Heading
- --------- ------------------
1 Front Cover Page
2 Expenses; Overview of the Fund
3 Financial Highlights; Performance of the Fund
4 Front Cover Page; How the Fund is Managed - Organization and
History; Investment Objective and Policies; Investment
Restrictions
5 Expenses; How the Fund is Managed; Back Cover
5A Performance of the Fund
6 How the Fund is Managed - Organization and History;
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes; Investment Objective and
Policies - Portfolio Turnover
7 Shareholder Account Rules and Policies; How to Buy Shares;
Special Investor Services; How to Sell Shares; How to
Exchange Shares; Service Plan for Class A Shares; Service and
Distribution Plan for Class C Shares
8 Special Investor Services; How to Sell Shares
9 *
Part B of
Form N-1A
Item No. Heading in Statement of Additional Information
- --------- ----------------------------------------------
10 Cover Page
11 Cover Page
12 *
13 Investment Objective and Policies; Other Investment
Techniques and Strategies; Additional Investment Restrictions
14 How the Fund is Managed - Trustees and Officers of the Fund
15 How the Fund is Managed - Major Shareholders
16 How the Fund is Managed - Distribution and Service Plans
17 Brokerage Policies of the Fund
18 Additional Information About the Fund
19 Your Investment Account - How to Buy Shares; How to Sell
Shares; How to Exchange Shares
20 Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
21 How the Fund is Managed; Brokerage Policies of the Fund
22 Performance of the Fund
23 Financial Statements
_________________________________
* Not applicable or negative answer.
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
Prospectus dated May 1, 1995.
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund is a mutual fund with the
investment objective of seeking high total investment return. That means
the Fund seeks current income and capital appreciation in the value of its
shares. In seeking this objective, the Fund may invest in different types
of securities, including common stocks and other equity securities, money
market securities and bonds and other debt securities, including lower-
rated, high yield debt securities of U.S. companies commonly known as
"junk bonds".
In seeking its objective, the Fund may invest some or all of its
assets in any one or more of those different types of securities. The
Fund also uses "hedging instruments" to try to reduce the risks of market
fluctuations that can affect the value of the securities the Fund holds.
The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in junk bonds or foreign debt
securities rated below investment grade. These securities may be
considered to be speculative and involve greater risks, including risk of
default, than higher-rated securities. An investment in the Fund does not
constitute a complete investment program and is not appropriate for
persons unwilling or unable to assume the high degree of risk associated
with investing in lower rated securities. Investors should carefully
consider these risks before investing. Some other investment techniques
the Fund uses may be considered to be speculative investment methods that
may increase the risks of investing in the Fund and may also increase the
Fund's operating costs. You should carefully review the risks associated
with an investment in the Fund discussed in "Investment Policies and
Strategies" on page __.
The Fund offers two classes of shares: (1) Class A shares, which are
sold at a public offering price that includes a front-end sales charge,
and (2) Class C shares, which are sold without a front-end sales charge,
although you may pay a sales charge when you redeem your shares, depending
on how long you hold them. A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed
on most Class C shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class C
shares are also subject to an annual "asset-based sales charge." Each
class of shares bears different expenses. In deciding which class of
shares to buy, you should consider how much you plan to purchase, how long
you plan to keep your shares, and other factors discussed in "How to Buy
Shares" starting on page __.
This Prospectus explains concisely what you should know before
investing in the Fund. Please read this Prospectus carefully and keep it
for future reference. You can find more detailed information about the
Fund in the May 1, 1995, Statement of Additional Information. For a free
copy, call Oppenheimer Shareholder Services, the Fund's Transfer Agent,
at 1-800-525-7048, or write to the Transfer Agent at the address on the
back cover. The Statement of Additional Information has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated into this
Prospectus by reference (which means that it is legally part of this
Prospectus).
Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not
guaranteed by any bank, are not insured by the F.D.I.C. or any other
agency, and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of the
principal amount invested.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
Contents
ABOUT THE FUND
Expenses
Overview of the Fund
Financial Highlights
Investment Objective and Policies
How the Fund is Managed
Performance of the Fund
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How to Buy Shares
Class A Shares
Class C Shares
Special Investor Services
AccountLink
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans
Reinvestment Privilege
Retirement Plans
How to Sell Shares
By Mail
By Telephone
How to Exchange Shares
Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Appendix: Description of Securities Ratings
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND
Expenses
The Fund pays a variety of expenses directly for management of its
assets, administration, distribution of its shares and other services, and
those expenses are subtracted from the Fund's assets to calculate the
Fund's net asset value per share. All shareholders therefore pay those
expenses indirectly. Shareholders pay other expenses directly, such as
sales charges and account transaction charges. The following tables are
provided to help you understand your direct expenses of investing in the
Fund and your share of the Fund's operating expenses that you will bear
indirectly. The calculations are based on the Fund's expenses during its
last fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
- Shareholder Transaction Expenses are charges you pay when you buy
or sell shares of the Fund. Please refer to "About Your Account", from
pages __ through __ for an explanation of how and when these charges
apply.
Class A Shares Class C Shares
-------------- --------------
Maximum Sales Charge on Purchases
(as a % of offering price) 5.75% None
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends None None
Deferred Sales Charge
(as a % of the lower of the original
purchase price or redemption proceeds) None(1) 1.0%(2)
Exchange Fee $5.00(3) $5.00(3)
(1) If you invest more than $1 million in Class A shares, you may have to
pay a sales charge of up to 1% if you sell your shares within 18 calendar
months from the end of the calendar month during which you purchased those
shares. See "How to Buy Shares - Class A Shares," below.
(2) If you redeem Class C shares within 12 months of buying them, you may
have to pay a 1.0% contingent deferred sales charge. See "How to Buy
Shares" below.
(3) The fee is waived for automated exchanges described in "How To
Exchange Shares."
- Annual Fund Operating Expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets
and represent the Fund's expenses in operating its business. For example,
the Fund pays management fees to its investment adviser, Oppenheimer
Management Corporation (which is referred to in this Prospectus as the
"Manager"). The rates of the Manager's fees are set forth in "How the
Fund Is Managed", below. The Fund has other regular expenses for
services, such as transfer agent fees, custodial fees paid to the bank
that holds the Fund's portfolio securities, audit fees and legal expenses.
Those expenses are detailed in the Fund's Financial Statements in the
Statement of Additional Information.
The numbers in the table below are projections of the Fund's business
expenses based on the Fund's expenses in its last fiscal year. These
amounts are shown as a percentage of the average net assets of each class
of the Fund's shares for that year. The Management Fees and Total Fund
Operating Expenses have been restated to apply the new management fee
rates approved by the Fund's shareholders at a meeting held on June 27,
1994, as if those rates had been in effect for the entire fiscal year.
The 12b-1 Plan fees for Class A shares are Service Plan Fees (which are
a maximum of 0.25% of average annual net assets of that class), and for
Class C shares include the service fee of 0.25% and the asset-based sales
charge of 0.75%. These plans are described in greater detail in "How to
Buy Shares".
The actual expenses for each class of shares in future years may be
more or less than the figures in the table, depending on a number of
factors, including the actual value of the Fund's assets represented by
each class of shares.
Class A Shares Class C Shares
-------------- --------------
Management Fees (restated) % 0.78%
12b-1 Distribution or Service Plan Fees % %
Other Expenses % %
Total Fund Operating Expenses (restated) % %
- Examples. To try to show the effect of these expenses on an
investment over time, we have created the hypothetical examples shown
below. Assume that you make a $1,000 investment in each class of shares
of the Fund, and that the Fund's annual return is 5%, and that its
operating expenses for each class are the ones shown in the Annual Fund
Operating Expenses table above. If you were to redeem your shares at the
end of each period shown below, your investment would incur the following
expenses by the end of 1, 3, 5 and 10 years:
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years*
------ ------- ------- --------
Class A Shares $ $ $ $
Class C Shares $ $ $ $
If you did not redeem your investment, it would incur the following
expenses:
Class A Shares $ $ $ $
Class C Shares $ $ $ $
* Because of the effect of the asset-based sales charge
imposed on Class C shares of the Fund, long-term shareholders of Class C
shares could bear expenses that would be the economic equivalent of an
amount greater than the maximum front-end sales charges permitted under
applicable regulations.
These examples show the effect of expenses on an investment, but are
not meant to state or predict actual or expected costs or investment
returns of the Fund, all of which will vary.
<PAGE>
A Brief Overview of the Fund
Some of the important facts about the Fund are summarized below, with
references to the section of this Prospectus where more complete
information can be found. You should carefully read the entire Prospectus
before making a decision about investing. Keep the Prospectus for
reference after you invest, particularly for information about your
account, such as how to sell or exchange shares.
- What Is the Fund's Investment Objective? The Fund's investment
objective is to seek high total investment return, which includes both
current income and capital appreciation.
- What Does the Fund Invest In? The Fund invests in a variety of
different types of securities. These include common and preferred stocks,
convertible securities and warrants; debt securities such as corporate
bonds and notes, U.S. Government securities, and money market instruments.
The Fund's investments can include "junk bonds" and foreign securities,
including foreign debt securities, that are below investment grade, which
have special risks. While all securities investments entail risks, high
yield bonds have special risks, described in more detail in "Investment
Objective and Policies." The Fund may also write covered calls and use
certain types of securities called "derivative investments" and hedging
instruments to try to manage investment risks. These investments are more
fully explained in "Investment Objective and Policies" starting on page
__.
- Who Manages the Fund? The Fund's investment adviser (the
"Manager") is Oppenheimer Management Corporation. The Manager (including
a subsidiary) advises investment company portfolios having over $30
billion in assets. The Fund has a portfolio manager, Richard H.
Rubinstein, who is employed by the Manager. He is primarily responsible
for the selection of the Fund's securities. The Manager is paid an
advisory fee by the Fund, based on its net assets. The Fund's Board of
Trustees, elected by shareholders, oversees the investment adviser and the
portfolio manager. Please refer to "How the Fund is Managed," starting
on page ___ for more information about the Manager and its fees.
- How Risky is the Fund? All investments carry risks to some
degree. The Fund's investments in stocks and bonds are subject to changes
in their value from a number of factors such as changes in general bond
and stock market movements. The change in value of particular stocks or
bonds may result from an event affecting the issuer, or changes in
interest rates that can affect bond prices. These changes affect the
value of the Fund's investments and its share prices for each class of its
shares. In the OppenheimerFunds spectrum, the Fund is generally
considered moderately aggressive because it may invest in foreign
securities and high-yield debt securities ("junk bonds") and may invest
for capital appreciation in stocks. While the Manager tries to reduce
risks by diversifying investments, by carefully researching securities
before they are purchased for the portfolio, and in some cases by using
hedging techniques, there is no guarantee of success in achieving the
Fund's objective, and your shares may be worth more or less than their
original cost when you redeem them. Please refer to "Investment Objective
and Policies" starting on page ___ for a more complete discussion of the
Fund's investment risks.
- How Can I Buy Shares? You can buy shares through your dealer or
financial institution, or you can purchase shares directly through the
Distributor by completing an Application or by using an Automatic
Investment Plan under AccountLink. Please refer to "How To Buy Shares"
on page ___ for more details.
- Will I Pay a Sales Charge to Buy Shares? The Fund has two classes
of shares. Class A shares are offered with a front-end sales charge,
starting at 5.75%, and reduced for larger purchases. Class C shares are
offered without a front-end sales charge, but may be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1% if redeemed within 12 months of
purchase. There is also an annual asset-based sales charge on Class C
shares. Please review "How To Buy Shares" starting on page ___ for more
details, including a discussion about factors you and your financial
advisor should consider in determining which class may be appropriate for
you.
- How Can I Sell My Shares? Shares can be redeemed by mail or by
telephone call to the Transfer Agent on any business day, or through your
dealer. Please refer to "How To Sell Shares" on page ___.
- How Has the Fund Performed? The Fund measures its performance by
quoting its average annual total return and cumulative total return, which
measure historical performance. Those returns can be compared to the
returns (over similar periods) of other funds. Of course, other funds may
have different objectives, investments, and levels of risk. The Fund's
performance can also be compared to broad market indices, which we have
done on page ___. Please remember that past performance does not
guarantee future results.
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
The table on this page presents selected financial information about
the Fund, including per share data and expense ratios and other data based
on the Fund's average net assets. This information has been audited by
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, the Fund's independent auditors, whose report on
the Fund's financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1994, is included in the Statement of Additional Information.
<PAGE>
Investment Objective and Policies
Objective. The Fund seeks high total investment return, which
includes current income as well as capital appreciation in the value of
its shares.
Investment Policies and Strategies. The Fund seeks its investment
objective by investing its assets in a variety of different types of
securities. In general, those investments include the categories listed
below.
Equity securities, which generally are securities that represent an
ownership interest in the company issuing the security. They include
common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities and warrants
issued by domestic and foreign companies. When investing in convertible
securities, the Manager looks to the conversion feature and treats the
securities as "equity securities."
Debt securities. The Fund's debt security investments may include
bonds and notes issued by domestic or foreign companies, and obligations
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities (these are referred to as U.S. Government securities),
and by foreign governments. The Fund is not required to limit those
investments to securities having particular ratings by nationally-
recognized rating agencies. The Manager does not rely solely on ratings
of securities in making investment decisions, but evaluates other business
and economic factors affecting the issues as well. The Fund can buy
unrated securities, and when doing so, the Manager will determine in its
judgement whether unrated securities are of comparable quality to
securities rated by rating organizations.
Money market instruments are short-term debt securities (that is,
they have a maturity of one year or less). They include U.S. Treasury
Bills (which have maturities of one year or less) and short-term debt
obligations, payable in U.S. dollars, issued by banks, savings and loan
associations and corporations.
Hedging Instruments are investments used by the Fund primarily to
manage or "hedge" against investment risks. The Fund's Hedging
Instruments may include put and call options, Futures and options on
Futures.
The Fund does not have any requirement to invest any set amount or
percentage of its assets at any one time in one or more of the types of
investments identified above. To seek the Fund's investment objective of
a high total investment return, from time to time the Manager reallocates
the Fund's assets among the different kinds of investment categories
listed above. That allocation is based upon many factors, including the
Manager's evaluation of general economic and market conditions in the U.S.
and abroad and its expectations as to the potential total return of a
particular category of investments. For example, at certain times, equity
securities may be emphasized. When stock market conditions are unstable,
the Fund may reallocate its assets to debt securities, with emphasis on
money market instruments. Using this "asset allocation" approach, the
proportion of the Fund's assets invested in any one type of investment
will vary from time to time.
The Fund may try to hedge against losses in the value of its
portfolio investments by using hedging strategies and derivative
investments described below. The Fund's portfolio manager may employ
special investing techniques in selecting investments for the Fund. These
are also described below. Additional information about them may be found
under the same headings in the Statement of Additional Information.
- Can the Fund's Investment Objective and Policies Change? The Fund
has an investment objective, described above, as well as investment
policies it follows to try to achieve its objective. Additionally, the
Fund uses certain investment techniques and strategies in carrying out
those investment policies. The Fund's investment policies and practices
are not "fundamental" unless the Prospectus or Statement of Additional
Information says that a particular policy is "fundamental." The Fund's
investment objective is a fundamental policy.
The Fund's Board of Trustees may change non-fundamental policies
without shareholder approval, although significant changes will be
described in amendments to this Prospectus. Fundamental policies are
those that cannot be changed without the approval of a "majority" of the
Fund's outstanding voting shares. The term "majority" is defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to be a particular percentage
of outstanding voting shares (and this term is explained in the Statement
of Additional Information).
- Interest Rate Risks. In addition to credit risks, described
below, debt securities are subject to changes in their value due to
changes in prevailing interest rates. When prevailing interest rates
fall, the values of already-issued debt securities generally rise. When
interest rates rise, the values of already-issued debt securities
generally decline. The magnitude of these fluctuations will often be
greater for longer-term debt securities than shorter-term debt securities.
Changes in the value of securities held by the Fund mean that the Fund's
share prices can go up or down when interest rates change, because of the
effect of the change on the value of the Fund's portfolio of debt
securities.
- Special Risks of Lower-Rated Securities. The domestic and
foreign debt securities the Fund can invest in may include (without any
restriction as to the amount) high-yield, "lower-grade" debt securities
(including both high-yielding rated and unrated securities). They
generally offer higher income potential than investment grade securities.
"Lower-grade" securities are those rated below "investment grade," which
means they have a rating below "BBB" by Standard & Poor's Corporation or
"Baa" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or similar ratings by other
rating organizations. "Lower-grade" debt securities the Fund may invest
in also include securities that are not rated by a nationally-recognized
rating organization like Standard & Poor's or Moody's, but which the
Manager judges to be comparable to lower-rated securities. The Fund may
invest in securities rated as low as "D" by Standard & Poor's or "C" by
Moody's. For a description of these securities ratings, please refer to
the Appendix to this Prospectus.
At December 31, 1994, the Fund's portfolio contained domestic and
foreign debt securities in the categories that follow. The ratings were
by Standard & Poor's and the percentages relate to the weighted average
value of the bonds in each rating category as a percentage of the Fund's
total assets: AAA, ____%; BBB, ____%; BB, ____%; B, ____%; CCC, ____%; CC,
____%; D, ____%; and unrated, ____%. If a bond was not rated by Standard
& Poor's but was rated by Moody's, it is included in Standard & Poor's
comparable category. Unrated bonds were not rated by either Moody's or
Standard & Poor's.
High yield, lower-grade securities, whether rated or unrated,
often have speculative characteristics and special risks that make them
riskier investments than investment grade securities. They may be subject
to greater market fluctuations and risk of loss of income and principal
than lower yielding, investment grade securities. There may be less of
a market for them and therefore they may be harder to sell at an
acceptable price. There is a relatively greater possibility that the
issuer's earnings may be insufficient to make the payments of interest due
on the bonds. The issuer's low creditworthiness may increase the
potential for its insolvency. For foreign lower-grade debt securities,
these risks are in addition to the risks of investing in foreign
securities, described in "Foreign Securities," below.
These risks mean that the Fund may not achieve the income it
expects from lower-grade securities, and that the Fund's net asset value
per share may be affected by declines in value of these securities.
However, the Fund's allocation of its assets among different types of
investments under normal conditions may reduce some of the risk that
investing in these securities can have on the value of the Fund's shares,
as will the Fund's policy of diversifying its investments. Also,
convertible securities may be less subject to some of these risks than
other debt securities, to the extent they can be converted into stock.
That is because stock may be more liquid and less affected by the other
risk factors affecting junk bonds.
- Stock Investment Risks. Because the Fund can invest a
substantial portion (or all) of its assets in stocks, the value of the
Fund's portfolio will be affected by changes in the stock markets. This
market risk will affect the Fund's net asset values per share, which will
fluctuate as the values of the Fund's portfolio securities change. Not
all stock prices change uniformly or at the same time, and other factors
can affect a particular stock's price (for example, poor earnings reports
by an issuer, loss of major customers, major litigation against an issuer,
changes in government regulations affecting an industry). Not all of
these factors can be predicted.
As discussed below, the Fund attempts to limit market risks by
diversifying its investments, that is, by not holding a substantial amount
of the stock of any one company and by not investing too great a
percentage of the Fund's assets in any one company. Also, the Fund does
not concentrate its investments in any one industry or group of
industries. Because changes in overall market prices can occur at any
time, and because the income earned on securities is subject to change,
there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective,
and when you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what
you paid for them.
Equity Securities. When investing for capital appreciation, the Fund
may buy equity securities issued by domestic or foreign companies in any
industry (i.e., industrial, financial or utility). These investments may
include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities and
warrants. In selecting stocks, the Fund will emphasize issues that are
listed on a U.S. securities exchange or quoted on the automated quotation
system of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASDAQ).
Although the Fund may invest in securities of small, unseasoned companies,
it does not currently intend that its investments in the current year in
securities of companies (including predecessors) that have operated less
than three years will exceed 5% of its total assets.
Debt Securities. The Fund has no limitations on the maturity,
capitalization of the issuer or credit rating of the domestic debt
securities in which it invests. The Fund may invest in any debt
securities, including bonds, debentures, notes, participation interests,
asset-backed securities and zero coupon securities, issued by corporations
in any industry.
The Fund may also invest in U.S. Government Securities. Certain
of these obligations, including U.S. Treasury notes and bonds, and
mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage
Association ("Ginnie Maes") are supported by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. government. Other mortgage-related U.S. Government Securities the
Fund invests in that are issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or
government-sponsored entities are not supported by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. government. Those securities include obligations
supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury,
such as obligations of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie
Macs") and obligations supported only by the credit of the
instrumentality, such as Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie
Maes"). Other U.S. Government Securities the Fund may invest in include
zero coupon U.S. Treasury securities and money market instruments.
- Participation Interests. The Fund may acquire participation
interests in loans that are made to U.S. or foreign companies. These
interests are acquired from banks or brokers that have made the loan or
are members of the lending syndicate. No more than 5% of the Fund's net
assets can be invested in participation interests of the same borrower.
The value of loan participation interests depends primarily upon the
creditworthiness of the borrower, and its ability to pay interest and
repay the principal. The Manager has set creditworthiness standards for
issuers of loan participations, and monitors their creditworthiness.
Borrowers may have difficulty making payments. Under the Fund's standard
for creditworthiness, some borrowers may have senior securities rated as
low as "C" by Moody's or "D" by Standard & Poor's, but may be considered
to be acceptable credit risks. If a borrower fails to make scheduled
interest or principal payments, the value of the Fund's participation in
that loan could decline, and the Fund could experience a decline in the
net asset value of its shares. Participation interests are subject to the
Fund's limitations on investments in illiquid securities, described in
"Illiquid and Restricted Securities".
- Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in "asset-backed"
securities. These are interests in pools of consumer loans and other
trade receivables similar to mortgage-backed securities, described below.
They are issued by trusts and "special purpose corporations." They are
backed by a pool of assets, such as credit card or auto loan receivables,
which are the obligations of a number of different parties. The income
from the underlying pool is passed through to holders, such as the Fund.
These securities may be supported by a credit enhancement, such as a
letter of credit, a guarantee or a preference right. However, the extent
of the credit enhancement may be different for different securities and
generally applies to only a fraction of the security's value. These
securities present special risks. For example, in the case of credit card
receivables, the issuer of the security may have no security interest in
the related collateral.
- Mortgage-Backed Securities and CMOs. The Fund may invest in
securities that represent an interest in a pool of residential mortgage
loans. These include collateralized mortgage-backed obligations (referred
to as "CMOs"). CMOs are considered U.S. Government Securities if they are
issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S.
Government (for example, Ginnie Maes, Freddie Macs and Fannie Maes).
However, other mortgage-backed securities represent pools of mortgages
"packaged" and offered by private issuers.
CMOs and mortgage-backed securities differ from conventional debt
securities that provide periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts and
repay the principal at maturity or specified call dates. Mortgage-backed
securities provide monthly payments that are, in effect, a "pass-through"
of the monthly interest and principal payments made by the individual
borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans. Those payments may include
prepayments of mortgages, which have the effect of paying the debt on the
CMO early. When the Fund receives scheduled principal payments and
unscheduled prepayments it will have cash to reinvest but may have to
invest that cash in investments having lower interest rates than the
original investment. That could reduce the yield of the Fund.
The issuer's obligation to make interest and principal payments
on a mortgage-backed security is secured by the underlying portfolio of
mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities
created by private issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan
institutions, and private mortgage insurance companies) may be supported
by insurance or guarantees, such as letters of credit issued by
governmental entities, private insurers or the private issuer of the
mortgage pool. There can be no assurance that private insurers will be
able to meet their obligations.
The Fund may also invest in CMOs that are "stripped." That means
that the security is divided into two parts, one of which receives some
or all of the principal payments and the other which receives some or all
of the interest. Stripped securities that receive only interest are
subject to increased price volatility when interest rates change. They
have an additional risk that if the principal underlying the CMO is
prepaid (which is more likely to happen if interest rates fall), the Fund
will lose the anticipated cash flow from the interest on the mortgages
that were prepaid.
The Fund may also enter into "forward roll" transactions with
mortgage-backed securities. In this investment strategy, the Fund sells
mortgage-backed securities it holds to banks or other buyers and
simultaneously agrees to repurchase a similar security from that party at
a later date at an agreed-upon price. Forward rolls are considered to be
a borrowing by the Fund (which is a technique explained in "Special
Investment Methods - Borrowing," below). The Fund would be required to
place liquid assets (such as cash, U.S. Government securities or other
high-grade debt securities) in a segregated account with its Custodian in
an amount equal to its obligation under the roll; that amount is subject
to the limitation on borrowing described in "Borrowing" below. The main
investment risk of this strategy is the risk of default by the
counterparty.
- Zero Coupon Securities. The Fund may invest in zero coupon
securities issued either by private issuers or by the U.S. Treasury. Some
zero coupon securities of private issuers are notes or debentures that do
not pay current interest and are issued at substantial discounts from par
value. Other private issuer zero coupon securities are notes or
debentures that pay no current interest until a stated date one or more
years in the future, after which the issuer is obligated to pay interest
until maturity. Usually that interest rate is higher than if interest
were payable from the date the security is issued. Private issuer zero
coupon securities are subject to the risk of the issuer's failure to pay
interest and repay the principal value of the security.
Zero coupon U.S. Treasury securities generally are U.S. Treasury
notes or bonds that have been "stripped" of their interest coupons, U.S.
Treasury bills issued without interest coupons, or certificates
representing an interest in the stripped securities. A zero coupon
Treasury security pays no current interest and trades at a deep discount
from its face value and will be subject to greater market fluctuations
from changes in interest rates than interest-paying securities. While the
Fund does not receive cash payments of interest on zero coupon securities,
it does accrue taxable income on these securities. As a result, the Fund
may be forced to sell portfolio securities to pay cash dividends or meet
redemptions. Zero coupon corporate securities are similar to U.S.
Government zero coupon securities but are issued by companies. They have
an additional risk that the issuing company may fail to pay interest or
repay the principal on the obligation.
- Derivative Investments. The Fund can invest in a number of
different kinds of "derivative investments." They are used in some cases
for hedging purposes and in other cases to attempt to enhance income. In
general, a "derivative investment" is a specially designed investment
whose performance is linked to the performance of another investment or
security, such as an option, future, index, currency or commodity. In the
broadest sense, exchange-traded options and futures contracts (discussed
in "Hedging," below) may be considered "derivative investments."
There are special risks in investing in derivative investments.
The company issuing the instrument may fail to pay the amount due on the
maturity of the instrument. Also, the underlying investment or security
on which the derivative is based might not perform the way the Manager
expected it to perform. The performance of derivative investments may
also be influenced by interest rate changes in the U.S. and abroad. All
of this can mean that the Fund will realize less principal or income from
the investment than expected. Certain derivative investments held by the
Fund may trade in the over-the-counter market and may be illiquid. Please
refer to "Illiquid and Restricted Securities" for an explanation.
The Fund may invest in different types of derivatives, described
below. "Index-linked" or "commodity-linked" notes are debt securities of
companies that call for payment on the maturity of the note in different
terms than the typical note where the borrower agrees to pay a fixed sum
on the maturity of the note. The payment on maturity of an index-linked
note depends on the performance of one or more market indices, such as the
S & P 500 Index or a weighted index of commodity futures, such as crude
oil, gasoline and natural gas. The Fund may invest in debt exchangeable
for common stock of an issuer or "equity-linked" debt securities of an
issuer. At maturity, the principal amount of the debt security is
exchanged for common stock of the issuer or is payable in an amount based
on the issuer's common stock price at the time of maturity. In either
case there is a risk that the amount payable at maturity will be less than
the principal amount of the debt.
The Fund may also invest in currency-indexed securities.
Typically, these are short-term or intermediate-term debt securities
having a value at maturity or an interest rate determined by reference to
one or more foreign currencies. The currency-indexed securities purchased
by the Fund may make payments based on a formula. The payment may be
calculated as a multiple of the movement of one currency against another
currency, or against an index. These investments may entail increased
risk to principal and increased price volatility.
Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in equity and debt securities
issued by foreign companies and debt securities issued by foreign
governments. The Fund has no restrictions on the amount of foreign
securities it may purchase. However, normally the Fund does not expect
to have more than 35% of its assets invested in foreign securities.
Foreign securities are those that are listed on a foreign securities
exchange or are traded in the foreign over-the-counter markets. The Fund
may purchase foreign securities issued by companies engaged in mining gold
and other precious metals. It may buy securities of companies or
governments in any country, developed or underdeveloped. If the Fund's
investments held abroad, the countries in which they are held and the sub-
custodians holding them must be approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees.
Foreign Securities Have Special Risks. There are certain risks
of holding foreign securities. The first is the risk of changes in
foreign currency values. Because the Fund may purchase securities
denominated in foreign currencies, a change in the value of a foreign
currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a change in the U.S.
dollar value of the Fund's securities denominated in that currency. The
currency rate change will also affect its income available for
distribution. Although the Fund's investment income from foreign
securities may be received in foreign currencies, the Fund will be
required to distribute its income in U.S. dollars. Therefore, the Fund
will absorb the cost of currency fluctuations. If the Fund suffers losses
on foreign currencies after it has distributed its income during the year,
the Fund may find that it has distributed more income than was available
from actual investment income. That could result in a return of capital
to shareholders.
The Fund may invest in foreign securities issued in any country,
developed or underdeveloped. Securities of issuers in non-industrialized
countries generally involve more risk and may be considered highly
speculative. There are other risks of foreign investing. For example,
foreign issuers are not required to use generally-accepted accounting
principles. If foreign securities are not registered for sale in the U.S.
under U.S. securities laws, the issuer does not have to comply with the
disclosure requirements of our laws, which are generally more stringent
than foreign laws. The values of foreign securities investments will be
affected by other factors, including exchange control regulations or
currency blockage and possible expropriation or nationalization of assets.
There may also be changes in governmental administration or economic or
monetary policy in the U.S. or abroad that can affect foreign investing.
In addition, it is generally more difficult to obtain court judgments
outside the United States if the Fund has to sue a foreign broker or
issuer. Additional costs may be incurred because foreign broker
commissions are generally higher than U.S. rates, and there are additional
custodial costs associated with holding securities abroad.
Money Market Instruments. The Fund may invest in money market
instruments, which are debt obligations generally maturing in one year or
less. They may include short-term certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances, commercial paper (including variable amount master demand
notes), U.S. Government obligations, and other debt instruments (including
bonds) issued by corporations. These securities may have variable or
floating interest rates.
- Portfolio Turnover. A change in the securities held by the
Fund is known as "portfolio turnover." Generally, the Fund will not trade
in securities for short-term profits, and the Fund's portfolio turnover
rate is normally expected to be less than 100% a year. However, the rate
may vary when the Fund re-allocates its assets and the Fund will actively
use portfolio trading to try to benefit from differences in short-term
yields among different issues of debt securities, to try to increase its
income or to take advantage of differences in securities prices. The
"Financial Highlights," above, show the Fund's portfolio turnover rate
during past fiscal years.
High portfolio turnover may affect the ability of the Fund to
qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue
Code for tax deductions for dividends and capital gains distributions the
Fund pays to shareholders. Portfolio turnover affects brokerage costs,
dealer markups and other transaction costs, and results in the Fund's
realization of capital gains or losses for tax purposes.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies. The Fund may also use the
investment techniques and strategies described below. These techniques
involve certain risks. The Statement of Additional Information contains
more information about these practices, including limitations on their use
that may help reduce some of the risks.
- Illiquid and Restricted Securities. Under the policies and
procedures established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Manager
determines the liquidity of the Fund's investments. Investments may be
illiquid because of the absence of an active trading market, making it
difficult to value them or dispose of them promptly at an acceptable
price. A restricted security is one that has a contractual restriction
on its resale or which cannot be sold publicly until it is registered
under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund will not invest more than 10%
of its net assets in illiquid or restricted securities (that limit may
increase to 15% if certain state laws are changed or the Fund's shares are
no longer sold in those states). The Fund's percentage limitation on
these investments does not apply to certain restricted securities that are
eligible for resale to qualified institutional purchasers.
- Loans of Portfolio Securities. To attempt to increase its
income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers
and other financial institutions. As a matter of fundamental policy,
these loans are limited to not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's
total assets. They are also subject to other conditions described in the
Statement of Additional Information. The Fund presently does not intend
to lend its portfolio securities, but if it does, the value of securities
loaned is not expected to exceed 5% of the value of its total assets.
- Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase
agreements. In a repurchase transaction, the Fund buys a security and
simultaneously sells it to the vendor for delivery at a future date.
Repurchase agreements must be fully collateralized. However, if the
vendor fails to pay the resale price on the delivery date, the Fund may
incur costs in disposing of the collateral and may experience losses if
there is any delay in its ability to do so. The Fund will not enter into
a repurchase agreement that will cause more than 10% of its net assets to
be subject to repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.
There is no limit on the amount of the Fund's net assets that may be
subject to repurchase agreements of seven days or less. See the Statement
of Additional Information for more details.
- "When-Issued" and Delayed Delivery Transactions. The Fund may
purchase securities on a "when-issued" basis and may purchase or sell
securities on a "delayed delivery" basis. These terms refer to securities
that have been created and for which a market exists, but which are not
available for immediate delivery. There may be a risk of loss to the Fund
if the value of the security declines prior to the settlement date.
- Hedging. As described below, the Fund may purchase and sell
certain kinds of futures contracts, put and call options, forward
contracts, and options on futures, broadly-based stock or bond indices and
foreign currency, or enter into interest rate swap agreements. These are
all referred to as "hedging instruments." The Fund does not use hedging
instruments for speculative purposes, and has limits on the use of them,
described below. The hedging instruments the Fund may use are described
below and in greater detail in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund may buy and sell options, futures and forward contracts
for a number of purposes. It may do so to try to manage its exposure to
the possibility that the prices of its portfolio securities may decline,
or to establish a position in the securities market as a temporary
substitute for purchasing individual securities. It may do so to try to
manage its exposure to changing interest rates. Some of these strategies,
such as selling futures, buying puts and writing covered calls, hedge the
Fund's portfolio against price fluctuations.
Other hedging strategies, such as buying futures and call
options, tend to increase the Fund's exposure to the securities market.
Forward contacts are used to try to manage foreign currency risks on the
Fund's foreign investments. Foreign currency options are used to try to
protect against declines in the dollar value of foreign securities the
Fund owns, or to protect against an increase in the dollar cost of buying
foreign securities. Writing covered call options may also provide income
to the Fund for liquidity purposes, defensive reasons, or to raise cash
to distribute to shareholders. At present, the Fund does not intend to
enter into Futures contracts, forward contracts or options on Futures if,
after any purchase or sale, the value of all put and call options held by
the Fund would exceed 5% of its total assets.
Futures. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts that relate
to (1) foreign currencies (these are called Forward Contracts), (2)
broadly-based stock indices (these are called Stock Index Futures) or (3)
interest rates (these are referred to as Interest Rate Futures). These
types of Futures are described in "Hedging" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
Put and Call Options. The Fund may buy and sell certain kinds
of put options (puts) and call options (calls).
The Fund may buy calls on debt or equity securities, broadly-
based stock indices, foreign currencies, or Futures, or to terminate its
obligation on a call the Fund previously wrote. The value of debt
securities underlying calls bought by the Fund will not exceed the value
of the Fund's cash or cash-equivalent portfolio holdings (that is,
securities with maturity of less than one year).
The Fund may write (that is, sell) call options that are listed
on a domestic securities exchange or quoted on NASDAQ. In addition, the
Fund may write calls on debt securities in the over-the-counter market,
and on foreign currency or Futures. All calls must be "covered." That
means the Fund must own the security subject to the call while the call
is outstanding (or own other securities acceptable for applicable escrow
requirements). Calls on Futures must be covered by securities or other
liquid assets the Fund owns and segregates to enable it to satisfy its
obligations if the call is exercised.
When the Fund writes a call, it receives cash (called a premium).
The call gives the buyer the ability to buy the investment on which the
call was written from the Fund at the call price during the period in
which the call may be exercised. If the value of the investment does not
rise above the call price, it is likely that the call will lapse without
being exercised, while the Fund keeps the cash premium (and the
investment). Up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be subject to
calls.
The Fund may purchase put options. Buying a put on an investment
gives the Fund the right to sell the investment at a set price to a seller
of a put on that investment. The Fund can buy puts that relate to debt
securities, equity securities, broadly-based stock indices, Futures, or
foreign currencies. The Fund can buy a put on a debt or an equity
security, Futures, broadly-based stock indices or foreign currency,
whether or not the Fund owns the particular investment in its portfolio.
The Fund may sell a put on equity or debt securities or on Futures, but
only if the puts are covered by segregated liquid assets. The Fund will
not write puts if more than 50% of the Fund's net assets would have to be
segregated to cover put obligations.
A call or put may be purchased only if, after the purchase, the
value of all call and put options held by the Fund will not exceed 5% of
the Fund's total assets. In the case of foreign currency options, they
may be quoted by major recognized dealers in those options. Options
traded in the over-the-counter market may be "illiquid," and therefore may
be subject to the Fund's restrictions on illiquid investments, described
in "Illiquid and Restricted Securities," below.
Forward Contracts. Forward Contracts are foreign currency
exchange contracts. They are used to buy or sell foreign currency for
future delivery at a fixed price. The Fund uses them to try to "lock in"
the U.S. dollar price of a security denominated in a foreign currency that
the Fund has purchased or sold, or to protect against possible losses from
changes in the relative value of the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency.
The Fund may also use "cross hedging," where the Fund hedges against
changes in currencies other than the currency in which a security it holds
is denominated.
Interest Rate Swaps. In an interest rate swap, the Fund and
another party exchange their right to receive, or their obligation to pay,
interest on a security. For example, they may swap a right to receive
floating rate interest payments for fixed rate payments. The Fund enters
into swaps only on securities it owns. The Fund may not enter into swaps
with respect to more than 50% of its total assets. The Fund will
segregate liquid assets (such as cash or U.S. Government securities) to
cover any amounts it could owe under swaps that exceed the amounts it is
entitled to receive, and it will adjust that amount daily, as needed.
Hedging instruments can be volatile investments and may involve
special risks. The use of hedging instruments requires special skills and
knowledge of investment techniques that are different from what is
required for normal portfolio management. If the Manager uses a hedging
instrument at the wrong time or judges market conditions incorrectly,
hedging strategies may reduce the Fund's return. The Fund could also
experience losses if the prices of its futures and options positions were
not correlated with its other investments or if it could not close out a
position because of an illiquid market for the future or option.
Options trading involves the payment of premiums and has special
tax effects on the Fund. There are also special risks in particular
hedging strategies. If a covered call written by the Fund is exercised
on an investment that has increased in value, the Fund will be required
to sell the investment at the call price and will not be able to realize
any profit if the investment has increased in value above the call price.
In writing puts, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the
underlying security at a disadvantageous price. The use of forward
contracts may reduce the gain that would otherwise result from a change
in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency. The
Fund limits its exposure in foreign currency exchange contracts to the
amount of its assets denominated in the foreign currency to avoid having
to buy or sell foreign currency at disadvantageous prices. Interest rate
swaps are subject to the risk that the other party will fail to meet its
obligations (or that the underlying issuer will fail to pay on time), as
well as interest rate risks. The Fund could be obligated to pay more
under its swap agreements than it receives under them, as a result of
interest rate changes. Cross-hedging entails a risk of loss on both the
value of the security that is the basis of the hedge and the currency
contract that was used in the hedge. These risks and the hedging
strategies the Fund may use are described in greater detail in the
Statement of Additional Information.
- Short Sales Against-the-Box. The Fund may not sell securities
short (that is, sell securities it does not own) except in collateralized
transactions referred to as "short sales against-the-box." No more than
15% of the Fund's net assets will be held as collateral for such short
sales at any one time.
Other Investment Restrictions. The Fund has other investment restrictions
which are fundamental policies.
Under these fundamental policies, the Fund cannot do any of the
following: (i) invest in securities (except U.S. Government Securities)
of any issuer if immediately thereafter, either (a) more than 5% of the
Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of that issuer, or (b)
the Fund would then own more than 10% of that issuer's voting securities;
(ii) lend money except in connection with the acquisition of debt
securities which the Fund's investment policies and restrictions permit
it to purchase; the Fund may also make loans of portfolio securities
subject to the restrictions stated under "Loans of Portfolio Securities";
(iii) borrow money in excess of 5% of the value of its total assets; it
may borrow only as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency
purposes; or mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets to secure
a debt (the escrow or other collateral arrangements in connection with
hedging instruments are not considered to involve such a mortgage,
hypothecation or pledge); (iv) invest more than 5% of the value of its
total assets in warrants nor more than 2% of such value in warrants which
are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchanges; warrants
attached to other securities are not subject to this restriction; or (v)
invest in commodities or commodity contracts; however, the Fund may buy
and sell hedging instruments permitted by any of its other fundamental
policies. In addition, the Fund may not concentrate investments in any
particular industry. Therefore, the Fund will not purchase the securities
of companies in any one industry if thereafter more than 25% of the value
of the Fund's total assets would consist of companies in that industry.
However, that limitation does not apply to U.S. Government Securities.
All of the percentage restrictions described above and elsewhere
in this Prospectus (other than the percentage limits that apply to
borrowing, described in the Statement of Additional Information) above,
apply only at the time the Fund purchases a security, and the Fund need
not dispose of a security merely because the Fund's assets have changed
or the security has increased in value relative to the size of the Fund.
There are other fundamental policies discussed in the Statement of
Additional Information.
How the Fund is Managed
Organization and History. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts
business trust in 1987 as the result of the combination of three series
of a mutual fund managed by the Manager into a single fund that became
this Fund, with a new investment objective and policies. The Fund is an
open-end, diversified management investment company, with an unlimited
number of authorized shares of beneficial interest.
The Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is responsible
for protecting the interests of shareholders under Massachusetts law. The
Trustees periodically meet throughout the year to oversee the Fund's
activities, review its performance, and review the actions of the Manager.
"Trustees and Officers of the Fund" in the Statement of Additional
Information names the Trustees and provides more information about them
and the officers of the Fund. Although the Fund is not required by law
to hold annual meetings, it may hold shareholder meetings from time to
time on important matters, and shareholders have the right to call a
meeting to remove a Trustee or to take other action described in the
Fund's Declaration of Trust.
The Board of Trustees has the power, without shareholder
approval, to divide unissued shares of the Fund into two or more classes.
The Board has done so, and the Fund currently has two classes of shares,
Class A and Class C. Each class has its own dividends and distributions
and pays certain expenses, which may be different for the different
classes. Each class may have a different net asset value. Each share has
one vote at shareholder meetings, with fractional shares voting
proportionally. Only shares of a particular class vote together on
matters that affect that class alone. Shares are freely transferrable.
The Manager and Its Affiliates. The Fund is managed by Oppenheimer
Management Corporation, which chooses the Fund's investments and handles
its day-to-day business. The Manager carries out its duties, subject to
the policies established by the Board of Trustees, under an Investment
Advisory Agreement which states the Manager's responsibilities. The
Agreement sets forth the fees paid by the Fund to the Manager and
describes the expenses that the Fund is responsible to pay to conduct its
business.
The Manager has operated as an investment adviser since 1959. The
Manager and its affiliates currently manage investment companies,
including other OppenheimerFunds, with assets of more than $30 billion as
of ________________, 1995, and with more than 2.4 million shareholder
accounts. The Manager is owned by Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., a
holding company that is owned in part by senior officers of the Manager
and controlled by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.
- Portfolio Managers. The Portfolio Manager of the Fund (who
is also a Vice President of the Fund) is Richard H. Rubinstein, who is
also a Vice President of the Manager. Mr. Rubinstein has been one of the
persons primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's
portfolio since April 1991. He serves as an officer and portfolio manager
of other OppenheimerFunds. Before joining the Manager in 1990, Mr.
Rubinstein served as a Vice President and Portfolio Manager/Security
Analyst for Oppenheimer Capital Corp., an investment adviser.
- Fees and Expenses. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement
that became effective June 27, 1994, the Fund pays the Manager the
following annual fees, which decline on additional assets as the Fund
grows: 0.75% of the first $200 million of aggregate net assets, 0.72% of
the next $200 million, 0.69% of the next $200 million, 0.66% of the next
$200 million, and 0.60% of aggregate net assets in excess of $800 million.
Under the Fund's investment advisory agreement in effect prior to June 27,
1994, the rates were: 1.00% of the first $50 million of aggregate net
assets, 0.75% of the next $150 million of aggregate net assets; 0.70% of
the next $200 million; 0.65% of the next $200 million; and 0.60% of net
assets in excess of $600 million. Prior to the adoption of the current
fee rates on June 27, 1994, the Manager has voluntarily agreed to reduce
its management fee rates to be rates under the current Agreement. The
Fund's management fee for its last fiscal year was ____% of average annual
net assets for Class A shares and ____% of average annual net assets for
Class C shares (based on the actual management fee rates in effect during
that year).
The Fund pays expenses related to its daily operations, such as
custodian fees, Trustees' fees, transfer agency fees, legal and auditing
costs. Those expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets and are not paid
directly by shareholders. However, those expenses affect the net asset
value of shares, and therefore are indirectly borne by shareholders
through their investment. More information about the Investment Advisory
Agreement and the other expenses paid by the Fund is contained in the
Statement of Additional Information.
There is also information about the Fund's brokerage policies and
practices in "Brokerage Policies of the Fund" in the Statement of
Additional Information. That section discusses how brokers and dealers
are selected for the Fund's portfolio transactions. When deciding which
brokers to use, the Manager is permitted by the Investment Advisory
Agreement to consider whether brokers have sold shares of the Fund or any
other funds for which the Manager serves as investment adviser.
- The Distributor. The Fund's shares are sold through dealers
and brokers that have a sales agreement with Oppenheimer Funds
Distributor, Inc., a subsidiary of the Manager that acts as the
Distributor. The Distributor also distributes the shares of other mutual
funds managed by the Manager (the "OppenheimerFunds") and is sub-
distributor for funds managed by a subsidiary of the Manager.
- The Transfer Agent. The Fund's transfer agent is Oppenheimer
Shareholder Services, a division of the Manager, which acts as the
shareholder servicing agent for the Fund and the other OppenheimerFunds
on an "at-cost" basis. Shareholders should direct inquiries about their
accounts to the Transfer Agent at the address and toll-free numbers shown
below in this Prospectus or on the back cover.
Performance of the Fund
Explanation of Performance Terminology. The Fund uses certain terms
to illustrate its "total returns" and "average annual total returns." The
performance of each class of shares is shown separately, because each
class of shares will usually have different performance, as a result of
the different kinds of expenses each class bears. This performance
information may be useful to help you see how well your investment has
done and to compare it to other funds or market indices, as we have done
below.
It is important to understand that the Fund's total returns
represent past performance and should not be considered to be predictions
of future returns or performance. This performance data is described
below, but more detailed information about how total returns are
calculated is contained in the Statement of Additional Information, which
also contains information about other ways to measure and compare the
Fund's performance. The Fund's investment performance will vary, depending
on market conditions, the composition of the portfolio, expenses and which
class of shares you purchase.
- Total Returns. There are different types of "total returns"
used to measure the Fund's performance. Total return is the change in
value of a hypothetical investment in the Fund over a given period,
assuming that all dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested
in additional shares. The cumulative total return measures the change in
value over the entire period (for example, ten years). An average annual
total return shows the average rate of return for each year in a period
that would produce the cumulative total return over the entire period.
However, average annual total returns do not show the Fund's actual year-
by-year performance.
When total returns are quoted for Class A shares, they reflect
the payment of the maximum initial sales charge. Total returns may also
be quoted "at net asset value," without considering the effect of the
sales charge, and those returns would be reduced if sales charges were
deducted. When total returns are shown for a one-year period for Class C
shares, they reflect the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
They may also be shown based on the change in net asset value, without
considering the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge.
How Has the Fund Performed? Below is a discussion by the Manager of
the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year ended December 31,
1994, followed by a graphical comparison of the Fund's performance to two
appropriate broad-based market indices.
- Management's Discussion of Performance. (To be provided by
Post-Effective Amendment.)
- Comparing the Fund's Performance to the Market. The chart
below shows the performance of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in each
class of shares of the Fund held until December 31, 1994; in the case of
Class A shares, from the inception of the Class on April 23, 1987, and in
the case of Class C shares, from the inception of the Class on December
1, 1993, with all dividends and capital gains distributions reinvested in
additional shares.
Because the Fund invests in a variety of equity and fixed-income
securities, the Fund's performance is compared to the performance of two
market indices: (i) the S&P 500 Index, a broad-based index of equity
securities widely regarded as a general measurement of the performance of
the U.S. equity securities market; and (ii) the Lehman Brothers Aggregate
Bond Index, a broad-based index of U.S. corporate bond issues, U.S.
government securities and mortgage-backed securities, widely regarded as
a measure of the performance of the domestic debt securities market.
Index performance reflects the reinvestment of dividends but does not
consider the effect of capital gains or transaction costs, and none of the
data below shows the effect of taxes. Also, the Fund's performance data
reflects the effect of Fund business and operating expenses. While index
comparisons may be useful to provide a benchmark for the Fund's
performance, it must be noted that the Fund's investments are not limited
to the securities in any one index and the index data does not reflect any
assessment of the risk of the investments included in the index.
Class A Shares
Comparison of Change in Value
of $10,000 Hypothetical Investments in
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund Class A,
the S&P 500 Index and the
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index
(Graph)
Past performance is not predictive of future performance.
Average Annual Total Return of Class A shares
of the Fund at 12/31/94
1 Year 5 Years Life of Class*
____% ____% ____%
- -------------------------
* The inception date of the Fund (Class A shares) was 6/01/92. The
average annual total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and
capital gains distributions and are shown net of the current maximum
initial sales charge of 5.75%.
Class C Shares
Comparison of Change in Value
of $10,000 Hypothetical Investments in
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund Class C,
the S&P 500 Index and the
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index
(Graph)
Past performance is not predictive of future performance.
Average Annual Total Return of Class C shares
of the Fund at 12/31/94
1 Year Life of Class**
____% ____%
- -------------------------
** Class C shares were first publicly offered on 12/01/93. The average
annual total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and capital
gains distributions and the 1 year return is shown net of the 1%
contingent deferred sales charge; no sales charge applies to the life of
class data.
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How to Buy Shares
Classes of Shares. The Fund offers investors two different classes of
shares. The different classes of shares represent investments in the same
portfolio of securities but are subject to different expenses and will
likely have different share prices.
- Class A Shares. If you buy Class A shares, you pay an initial
sales charge (on investments up to $1 million). If you purchase Class A
shares as part of an investment of at least $1 million in shares of one
or more OppenheimerFunds, and you sell any of those shares within 18
months after your purchase, you will pay a contingent deferred sales
charge, which will vary depending on the amount you invested.
- Class C Shares. If you buy Class C shares, you pay no sales
charge at the time of purchase, but if you sell your shares within 12
months of buying them, you will normally pay a contingent deferred sales
charge of 1%.
Which Class of Shares Should You Choose? Once you decide that the Fund
is an appropriate investment for you, the decision as to which class of
shares is better suited to your needs depends on a number of factors which
you should discuss with your financial advisors:
- How Much Do You Plan to Invest? If you plan to invest a
substantial amount over the long term, the reduced sales charges available
for larger purchases of Class A shares may be more beneficial to you than
purchasing Class C shares, because of the higher annual expenses Class C
shares will likely bear. For purchases over $1 million, the contingent
deferred sales charge on Class A shares may be more beneficial. The
Distributor will not accept any order for $1 million or more for Class C
shares on behalf of a single investor for that reason.
- How Long Do You Expect to Hold Your Investment? While future
financial needs cannot be predicted with certainty, investors who prefer
not to pay an initial sales charge and who plan to hold their shares for
more than one year might consider Class C shares. Investors who plan to
redeem shares within a year might consider whether the front-end sales
charge on Class A shares would result in higher net expenses after
redemption.
- Are There Differences in Account Features That Matter to
You? Because some account features may not be available for Class C
shareholders, you should carefully review how you plan to use your
investment account before deciding which class of shares is better for
you. Additionally, the dividends payable to Class C shareholders will be
reduced by the additional expenses borne solely by that class, such as the
asset-based sales charge to which Class C shares are subject, as described
below and in the Statement of Additional Information.
- How Does It Affect Payments to My Broker? A salesperson or
any other person who is entitled to receive compensation for selling Fund
shares may receive different compensation for selling one class than for
selling another class. It is important that investors understand that the
purpose of the contingent deferred sales charge and asset-based sales
charge for Class C shares is the same as the purpose of the front-end
sales charge on sales of Class A shares.
How Much Must You Invest? You can open a Fund account with a minimum
initial investment of $1,000 and make additional investments at any time
with as little as $25. There are reduced minimum investments under special
investment plans:
With Asset Builder Plans, Automatic Exchange Plans, 403(b)(7)
custodial plans and military allotment plans, you can make initial and
subsequent investments of as little as $25; and subsequent purchases of
at least $25 can be made by telephone through AccountLink.
Under pension and profit-sharing plans and Individual
Retirement Accounts (IRAs), you can make an initial investment of as
little as $250 (if your IRA is established under an Asset Builder Plan,
the $25 minimum applies), and subsequent investments may be as little as
$25.
There is no minimum investment requirement if you are buying
shares by reinvesting dividends from the Fund or other OppenheimerFunds
(a list of them appears in the Statement of Additional Information, or you
can ask your dealer or call the Transfer Agent), or by reinvesting
distributions from unit investment trusts that have made arrangements with
the Distributor.
- How Are Shares Purchased? You can buy shares several ways --
through any dealer, broker or financial institution that has a sales
agreement with the Distributor, or directly through the Distributor, or
automatically from your bank account through an Asset Builder Plan under
the OppenheimerFunds AccountLink service. When you buy shares, be sure to
specify Class A or Class C shares. If you do not choose, your investment
will be made in Class A shares.
- Buying Shares Through Your Dealer. Your dealer will place
your order with the Distributor on your behalf.
- Buying Shares Through the Distributor. Complete an
OppenheimerFunds New Account Application and return it with a check
payable to "Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc." Mail it to P.O. Box 5270,
Denver, Colorado 80217. If you don't list a dealer on the application,
the Distributor will act as your agent in buying the shares.
- Buying Shares Through OppenheimerFunds AccountLink. You can
use AccountLink to link your Fund account with an account at a U.S. bank
or other financial institution that is an Automated Clearing House (ACH)
member, to transmit funds electronically to purchase shares, to send
redemption proceeds, and to transmit dividends and distributions. Shares
are purchased for your account on the regular business day the Distributor
is instructed by you to initiate the ACH transfer to buy shares. You can
provide those instructions automatically, under an Asset Builder Plan,
described below, or by telephone instructions using OppenheimerFunds
PhoneLink, also described below. You must request AccountLink privileges
on the application or dealer settlement instructions used to establish
your account. Please refer to "AccountLink" below for more details.
- Asset Builder Plans. You may purchase shares of the Fund
(and up to four other OppenheimerFunds) automatically each month from your
account at a bank or other financial institution under an Asset Builder
Plan with AccountLink. Details are on the Application and in the Statement
of Additional Information.
- At What Price Are Shares Sold? Shares are sold at the public
offering price based on the net asset value that is next determined after
the Distributor receives the purchase order in Denver. In most cases, to
enable you to receive that day's offering price, the Distributor must
receive your order by 4:00 P.M., New York time (all references to time in
this Prospectus mean "New York time"). The net asset value of each class
of shares is determined as of that time on each day The New York Stock
Exchange is open (which is a "regular business day"). If you buy shares
through a dealer, the dealer must receive your order by 4:00 P.M., on a
regular business day and transmit it to the Distributor so that it is
received before the Distributor's close of business that day, which is
normally 5:00 P.M. The Distributor may reject any purchase order for the
Fund's shares, in its sole discretion.
Class A Shares. Class A shares are sold at their offering price, which
is normally net asset value plus an initial sales charge. However, in
some cases, described below, where purchases are not subject to an initial
sales charge, the offering price may be net asset value. In some cases,
reduced sales charges may be available, as described below. Out of the
amount you invest, the Fund receives the net asset value to invest for
your account. The sales charge varies depending on the amount of your
purchase. A portion of the sales charge may be retained by the
Distributor and allocated to your dealer. The current sales charge rates
and commissions paid to dealers and brokers are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Front-End Front-End
Sales Charge Sales Charge Commission
as Percentage as Percentage as Percentage
of Offering of Amount of Offering
Amount of Purchase Price Invested Price
- ------------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000 5.75% 6.10% 4.75%
$25,000 or more but
less than $50,000 5.50% 5.82% 4.75%
$50,000 or more but
less than $100,000 4.75% 4.99% 4.00%
$100,000 or more but
less than $250,000 3.75% 3.90% 3.00%
$250,000 or more but
less than $500,000 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000 or more but
less than $1 million 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
- ------------------
<FN>
The Distributor reserves the right to reallow the entire commission to
dealers. If that occurs, the dealer may be considered an "underwriter"
under Federal securities laws.
</TABLE>
- Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. There is no initial
sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of any one or more
OppenheimerFunds aggregating $1 million or more. However, the Distributor
pays dealers of record commissions on such purchases in an amount equal
to the sum of 1.0% of the first $2.5 million, plus 0.50% of the next $2.5
million, plus 0.25% of share purchases over $5 million. However, that
commission will be paid only on the amount of those purchases in excess
of $1 million that were not previously subject to a front-end sales charge
and dealer commission.
If you redeem any of those shares within 18 months of the end of
the calendar month of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge
(called the "Class A contingent deferred sales charge") will be deducted
from the redemption proceeds. That sales charge will be equal to 1.0% of
the aggregate net asset value of either (1) the redeemed shares (not
including shares purchased by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain
distributions) or (2) the original cost of the shares, whichever is less.
However, the Class A contingent deferred sales charge will not exceed the
aggregate commissions the Distributor paid to your dealer on all Class A
shares of all OppenheimerFunds you purchased subject to the Class A
contingent deferred sales charge. In determining whether a contingent
deferred sales charge is payable, the Fund will first redeem shares that
are not subject to the sales charge, including shares purchased by
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and then will redeem other
shares in the order that you purchased them. The Class A contingent
deferred sales charge is waived in certain cases described in "Waivers of
Class A Sales Charges" below.
No Class A contingent deferred sales charge is charged on
exchanges of shares under the Fund's Exchange Privilege (described below).
However, if the shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 18 months
of the end of the calendar month of the purchase of the exchanged shares,
the sales charge will apply.
- Special Arrangements With Dealers. The Distributor may
advance up to 13 months' commissions to dealers that have established
special arrangements with the Distributor for Asset Builder Plans for
their clients. Dealers whose sales of Class A shares of OppenheimerFunds
(other than money market funds) under OppenheimerFunds-sponsored 403(b)(7)
custodial plans exceed $5 million per year (calculated per quarter), will
receive monthly one-half of the Distributor's retained commissions on
those sales, and if those sales exceed $10 million per year, those dealers
will receive the Distributor's entire retained commission on those sales.
The Distributor sponsors an annual sales conference to which a dealer firm
is eligible to send, with a guest, a registered representative who sells
more than $2.5 million of Class A shares of OppenheimerFunds (other than
money market funds) in a calendar year, or the dealer may, at its option,
receive the equivalent cash value of that award as additional commission.
Reduced Sales Charges for Class A Share Purchases. You may be eligible
to buy Class A shares at reduced sales charge rates in one or more of the
following ways:
- Right of Accumulation. You and your spouse can cumulate
Class A shares you purchase for your own accounts, or jointly, or on
behalf of your children who are minors, under trust or custodial accounts.
A fiduciary can cumulate shares purchased for a trust, estate or other
fiduciary account (including one or more employee benefit plans of the
same employer) that has multiple accounts.
Additionally, you can cumulate current purchases of Class A
shares of the Fund and other OppenheimerFunds with Class A shares of
OppenheimerFunds you previously purchased subject to a sales charge,
provided that you still hold your investment in one of the
OppenheimerFunds. The value of those shares will be based on the greater
of the amount you paid for the shares or their current value (at offering
price). The OppenheimerFunds are listed in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the
Statement of Additional Information, or a list can be obtained from the
Transfer Agent. The reduced sales charge will apply only to current
purchases and must be requested when you buy your shares.
- Letter of Intent. Under a Letter of Intent, you may
purchase Class A shares of the Fund and other OppenheimerFunds during a
13-month period at the reduced sales charge rate that applies to the
aggregate amount of the intended purchases, including purchases made up
to 90 days before the date of the Letter. More information is contained
in the Application and in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
- Waivers of Class A Sales Charges. No sales charge is imposed
on sales of Class A shares to the following investors: (1) the Manager or
its affiliates; (2) present or former officers, directors, trustees and
employees (and their "immediate families" as defined in "Reduced Sales
Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information) of the Fund, the
Manager and its affiliates, and retirement plans established by them for
their employees; (3) registered management investment companies, or
separate accounts of insurance companies having an agreement with the
Manager or the Distributor for that purpose; (4) dealers or brokers that
have a sales agreement with the Distributor, if they purchase shares for
their own accounts or for retirement plans for their employees; (5)
employees and registered representatives (and their spouses) of dealers
or brokers described above or financial institutions that have entered
into sales arrangements with such dealers or brokers (and are identified
to the Distributor) or with the Distributor; the purchaser must certify
to the Distributor at the time of purchase that the purchase is for the
purchaser's own account (or for the benefit of such employee's spouse or
minor children); (6) dealers, brokers or registered investment advisers
that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor providing
specifically for the use of shares of the Fund in particular investment
products made available to their clients.
Additionally, no sales charge is imposed on shares that are (a)
issued in plans of reorganization, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and
exchange offers, to which the Fund is a party, or (b) purchased by the
reinvestment of loan repayments by a participant in a retirement plan for
which the Manager or its affiliates acts as sponsor, or (c) purchased by
the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions reinvested from the
Fund or other OppenheimerFunds (other than the Cash Reserves Funds) or
unit investment trusts for which reinvestment arrangements have been made
with the Distributor. There is a further discussion of this policy in
"Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Class A contingent deferred sales charge is also waived if
shares are redeemed in the following cases: (1) retirement distributions
or loans to participants or beneficiaries from qualified retirement plans,
deferred compensation plans or other employee benefit plans ("Retirement
Plans"), (2) returns of excess contributions made to Retirement Plans, (3)
Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments that are limited to no more than 12%
of the original account value annually, and (4) involuntary redemptions
of shares by operation of law or under the procedures set forth in the
Fund's Declaration of Trust or adopted by the Board of Trustees.
- Service Plan for Class A Shares. The Fund has adopted a
Service Plan for Class A shares to reimburse the Distributor for a portion
of its costs incurred in connection with the personal service and
maintenance of accounts that hold Class A shares. Reimbursement is made
quarterly at an annual rate that may not exceed 0.25% of the average
annual net assets of Class A shares of the Fund. The Distributor uses all
of those fees to compensate dealers, brokers, banks and other financial
institutions quarterly for providing personal service and maintenance of
accounts of their customers that hold Class A shares and to reimburse
itself (if the Fund's Board of Trustees authorizes such reimbursements,
which it has not yet done) for its other expenditures under the Plan.
Services to be provided include, among others, answering customer
inquiries about the Fund, assisting in establishing and maintaining
accounts in the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans available and
providing other services at the request of the Fund or the Distributor.
Payments are made by the Distributor quarterly at an annual rate not to
exceed 0.25% of the average annual net assets of Class A shares held in
accounts of the dealer or its customers. The payments under the Plan
increase the annual expenses of Class A shares. For more details, please
refer to "Distribution and Service Plans" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
Class C Shares. Class C shares are sold at net asset value per share
without an initial sales charge. However, if Class C shares are redeemed
within 12 months of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge of
1.0% will be deducted from the redemption proceeds. That sales charge
will not apply to shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or
capital gains distributions. The charge will be assessed on the lesser of
the net asset value of the shares at the time of redemption or the
original purchase price. The contingent deferred sales charge is not
imposed on the amount of your account value represented by the increase
in net asset value over the initial purchase price (including increases
due to the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions). The
Class C contingent deferred sales charge is paid to the Distributor to
reimburse its expenses of providing distribution-related services to the
Fund in connection with the sale of Class C shares.
To determine whether the contingent deferred sales charge applies
to a redemption, the Fund redeems shares in the following order: (1)
shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions, (2) shares held for over 12 months, and (3) shares held the
longest during the 12-month period.
- Waivers of Class C Sales Charge. The Class C contingent
deferred sales charge will be waived if the shareholder requests it for
any of the following redemptions: (1) distributions to participants or
beneficiaries from Retirement Plans, if the distributions are made (a)
under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan after the participant reaches age 59-
1/2, as long as the payments are no more than 10% of the account value
annually (measured from the date the Transfer Agent receives the request),
or (b) following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code) of the participant or beneficiary; (2) redemptions from
accounts other than Retirement Plans following the death or disability of
the shareholder (you must provide evidence of a determination of
disability by the Social Security Administration), and (3) returns of
excess contributions to Retirement Plans.
The contingent deferred sales charge is also waived on Class C
shares in the following cases: (i) shares sold to the Manager or its
affiliates; (ii) shares sold to registered management investment companies
or separate accounts of insurance companies having an agreement with the
Manager or the Distributor for that purpose; (iii) shares issued in plans
of reorganization to which the Fund is a party; and (iv) shares redeemed
in involuntary redemptions as described above. Further details about this
policy are contained in "Reduced Sales Charges" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
- Distribution and Service Plan for Class C Shares. The Fund
has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan for Class C shares to
compensate the Distributor for its services and costs in distributing
Class C shares and servicing accounts. Under the Plan, the Fund pays the
Distributor an annual "asset-based sales charge" of 0.75% per year on
Class C shares. The Distributor also receives a service fee of 0.25% per
year. Both fees are computed on the average annual net assets of Class
C shares, determined as of the close of each regular business day. The
asset-based sales charge allows investors to buy Class C shares without
a front-end sales charge while allowing the Distributor to compensate
dealers that sell Class C shares.
The Distributor uses the service fee to compensate dealers for
providing personal services for accounts that hold Class C shares. Those
services are similar to those provided under the Class A Service Plan,
described above. The asset-based sales charge and service fees increase
Class C expenses by up to 1.00% of average net assets per year.
The Distributor pays the 0.25% service fee to dealers in advance
for the first year after Class C shares have been sold by the dealer.
After the shares have been held for a year, the Distributor pays the fee
on a quarterly basis. The Distributor pays sales commissions of 0.75% of
the purchase price to dealers from its own resources at the time of sale.
The Distributor retains the asset-based sales charge during the first year
shares are outstanding to recoup the sales commissions it pays, the
advances of service fee payments it makes, and its financing costs. The
Distributor plans to pay the asset-based sales charge as an ongoing
commission to the dealer on Class C shares that have been outstanding for
a year or more.
Because the Distributor's actual expenses in selling Class C
shares may be more than the payments it receives from contingent deferred
sales charges collected on redeemed shares and from the Fund under the
Distribution and Service Plan for Class C shares, those expenses may be
carried over and paid in future years. If the Plan is terminated by the
Fund, the Board of Trustees may allow the Fund to continue payments of the
asset-based sales charge to the Distributor for certain expenses it
incurred before the plan was terminated.
Special Investor Services
AccountLink. OppenheimerFunds AccountLink links your Fund account to your
account at your bank or other financial institution to enable you to send
money electronically between those accounts to perform a number of types
of account transactions, including purchases of shares by telephone
(either through a service representative or by PhoneLink, described
below), automatic investments under Asset Builder Plans, and sending
dividends and distributions or Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments directly
to your bank account. Please refer to the Application for details or call
the Transfer Agent for more information.
AccountLink privileges must be requested on the Application you
use to buy shares, or on your dealer's settlement instructions if you buy
your shares through your dealer. After your account is established, you
can request AccountLink privileges on signature-guaranteed instructions
to the Transfer Agent. AccountLink privileges will apply to each
shareholder listed in the registration on your account as well as to your
dealer representative of record unless and until the Transfer Agent
receives written instructions terminating or changing those privileges.
After you establish AccountLink for your account, any change of bank
account information must be made by signature-guaranteed instructions to
the Transfer Agent signed by all shareholders who own the account.
- Using AccountLink to Buy Shares. Purchases may be made by
telephone only after your account has been established. To purchase shares
in amounts up to $250,000 through a telephone representative, call the
Distributor at 1-800-852-8457. The purchase payment will be debited from
your bank account.
- PhoneLink. PhoneLink is the OppenheimerFunds automated
telephone system that enables shareholders to perform a number of account
transactions automatically using a touch-tone phone. PhoneLink may be used
on already-established Fund accounts after you obtain a Personal
Identification Number (PIN), by calling the special PhoneLink number: 1-
800-533-3310.
- Purchasing Shares. You may purchase shares in amounts up to
$100,000 by phone, by calling 1-800-533-3310. You must have established
AccountLink privileges to link your bank account with the Fund, to pay for
these purchases.
- Exchanging Shares. With the OppenheimerFunds Exchange
Privilege, described below, you can exchange shares automatically by phone
from your Fund account to another OppenheimerFunds account you have
already established by calling the special PhoneLink number. Please refer
to "How to Exchange Shares," below, for details.
- Selling Shares. You can redeem shares by telephone
automatically by calling the PhoneLink number and the Fund will send the
proceeds directly to your AccountLink bank account. Please refer to "How
to Sell Shares," below, for details.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. The Fund has several plans that
enable you to sell shares automatically or exchange them to another
OppenheimerFunds account on a regular basis:
- Automatic Withdrawal Plans. If your Fund account is $5,000 or
more, you can establish an Automatic Withdrawal Plan to receive payments
of at least $50 on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. The
checks may be sent to you or sent automatically to your bank account on
AccountLink. You may even set up certain types of withdrawals of up to
$1,500 per month by telephone. You should consult the Application and
Statement of Additional Information for more details.
- Automatic Exchange Plans. You can authorize the Transfer Agent
to exchange an amount you establish in advance automatically for shares
of up to five other OppenheimerFunds on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual
or annual basis under an Automatic Exchange Plan. The minimum purchase
for each other OppenheimerFunds account is $25. These exchanges are
subject to the terms of the Exchange Privilege, described below.
Reinvestment Privilege. If you redeem some or all of your Fund shares,
you have up to 6 months to reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds
in Class A shares of the Fund or other OppenheimerFunds without paying
sales charge. This privilege applies to Class A shares that you sell, and
Class C shares on which you paid a contingent deferred sales charge when
you redeemed them. You must be sure to ask the Distributor for this
privilege when you send your payment. Please consult the Statement of
Additional Information for more details.
Retirement Plans. Fund shares are available as an investment for your
retirement plans. If you participate in a plan sponsored by your employer,
the plan trustee or administrator must make the purchase of shares for
your retirement plan account. The Distributor offers a number of different
retirement plans that can be used by individuals and employers:
- Individual Retirement Accounts including rollover IRAs, for
individuals and their spouses
- 403(b)(7) Custodial Plans for employees of eligible tax-
exempt organizations, such as schools, hospitals and charitable
organizations
- SEP-IRAs (Simplified Employee Pension Plans) for small
business owners or people with income from self-employment
- Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans for self-employed persons
and small business owners
Please call the Distributor for the OppenheimerFunds plan
documents, which contain important information and applications.
How to Sell Shares
You can arrange to take money out of your account on any regular
business day by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. Your
shares will be sold at the next net asset value calculated after your
order is received and accepted by the Transfer Agent. The Fund offers you
a number of ways to sell your shares: in writing or by telephone. You can
also set up Automatic Withdrawal Plans to redeem shares on a regular
basis, as described above. If you have questions about any of these
procedures, and especially if you are redeeming shares in a special
situation, such as due to the death of the owner, or from a retirement
plan, please call the Transfer Agent first, at 1-800-525-7048, for
assistance.
- Retirement Accounts. To sell shares in an OppenheimerFunds
retirement account in your name, call the Transfer Agent for a
distribution request form. There are special income tax withholding
requirements for distributions from retirement plans and you must submit
a withholding form with your request to avoid delay. If your retirement
plan account is held for you by your employer, you must arrange for the
distribution request to be sent by the plan administrator or trustee.
There are additional details in the Statement of Additional Information.
- Certain Requests Require a Signature Guarantee. To protect
you and the Fund from fraud, certain redemption requests must be in
writing and must include a signature guarantee in the following situations
(there may be other situations also requiring a signature guarantee):
- You wish to redeem more than $50,000 worth of shares and
receive a check
- The check is not payable to all shareholders listed on the
account statement
- The check is not sent to the address of record on your
statement
- Shares are being transferred to a Fund account with a
different owner or name
- Shares are redeemed by someone other than the owners (such
as an Executor)
- Where Can I Have My Signature Guaranteed? The Transfer Agent
will accept a guarantee of your signature by a number of financial
institutions, including: a U.S. bank, trust company, credit union or
savings association, or by a foreign bank that has a U.S. correspondent
bank, or by a U.S. registered dealer or broker in securities, municipal
securities or government securities, or by a U.S. national securities
exchange, a registered securities association or a clearing agency. If you
are signing as a fiduciary or on behalf of a corporation, partnership or
other business, you must also include your title in the signature.
Selling Shares by Mail. Write a "letter of instructions" that includes:
- Your name
- The Fund's name
- Your Fund account number (from your statement)
- The dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed
- Any special payment instructions
- Any share certificates for the shares you are selling, and
- Any special requirements or documents requested by the
Transfer Agent to assure proper authorization of the person asking to sell
shares.
Use the following address for requests by mail:
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado 80217
Send courier or Express Mail requests to:
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services
10200 E. Girard Avenue, Building D
Denver, Colorado 80231
Selling Shares by Telephone. You and your dealer representative of record
may also sell your shares by telephone. To receive the redemption price
on a regular business day, your call must be received by the Transfer
Agent by 4:00 P.M. You may not redeem shares held in an OppenheimerFunds
retirement plan or under a share certificate by telephone.
- To redeem shares through a service representative, call 1-
800-852-8457
- To redeem shares automatically on PhoneLink, call 1-800-533-
3310
Whichever method you use, you may have a check sent to the
address on the account, or, if you have linked your Fund account to your
bank account on AccountLink, you may have the proceeds wired to that
account.
- Telephone Redemptions Paid by Check. Up to $50,000 may be
redeemed by telephone, once in each 7-day period. The check must be
payable to all owners of record of the shares and must be sent to the
address on the account. This service is not available within 30 days of
changing the address on an account.
- Telephone Redemptions Through AccountLink. There are no
dollar limits on telephone redemption proceeds sent to a bank account
designated when you establish AccountLink. Normally the ACH wire to your
bank is initiated on the business day after the redemption. You do not
receive dividends on the proceeds of the shares you redeemed while they
are waiting to be wired.
How to Exchange Shares
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of certain
OppenheimerFunds at net asset value per share at the time of exchange,
without sales charge. A $5 service fee will be deducted from the fund
account you are exchanging into to help defray administrative costs. That
charge is waived for automated exchanges between already established
accounts on PhoneLink described below. To exchange shares, you must meet
several conditions:
- Shares of the fund selected for exchange must be available
for sale in your state of residence
- The prospectuses of this Fund and the fund whose shares you
want to buy must offer the exchange privilege
- You must hold the shares you buy when you establish your
account for at least 7 days before you can exchange them; after the
account is open 7 days, you can exchange shares every regular business day
- You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the fund
you purchase by exchange
- Before exchanging into a fund, you should obtain and read
its prospectus
Shares of a particular class may be exchanged only for shares of
the same class in the other OppenheimerFunds. For example, you can
exchange Class A shares of this Fund only for Class A shares of another
fund. At present, not all of the OppenheimerFunds offer the same classes
of shares. If a fund has only one class of shares that does not have a
class designation, they are "Class A" shares for exchange purposes. In
some cases, sales charges may be imposed on exchange transactions.
Certain OppenheimerFunds offer Class A shares and either Class B or Class
C shares, and a list can be obtained by calling the Distributor at 1-800-
525-7048. Please refer to "How to Exchange Shares" in the Statement of
Additional Information for more details.
Exchanges may be requested in writing or by telephone:
- Written Exchange Requests. Submit an OppenheimerFunds Exchange
Request form, signed by all owners of the account. Send it to the
Transfer Agent at the addresses listed in "How to Sell Shares."
- Telephone Exchange Requests. Telephone exchange requests may
be made either by calling a service representative at 1-800-852-8457 or
by using PhoneLink for automated exchanges, by calling 1-800-533-3310.
Telephone exchanges may be made only between accounts that are registered
with the same name(s) and address. Shares held under certificates may not
be exchanged by telephone.
You can find a list of OppenheimerFunds currently available for
exchanges in the Statement of Additional Information or by calling the
Transfer Agent at 1-800-525-7048. Exchanges of shares involve a redemption
of the shares of the fund you own and a purchase of shares of the other
fund.
There are certain exchange policies you should be aware of:
- Shares are normally redeemed from one fund and purchased
from the other fund in the exchange transaction on the same regular
business day on which the Transfer Agent receives an exchange request by
4:00 P.M. that is in proper form, but either fund may delay the purchase
of shares of the fund you are exchanging into if it determines it would
be disadvantaged by a same-day transfer of the proceeds to buy shares. For
example, the receipt of multiple exchange requests from a dealer in a
"market-timing" strategy might require the disposition of securities at
a time or price disadvantageous to the Fund.
- Because excessive trading can hurt fund performance and harm
shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to refuse any exchange request
that will disadvantage it, or to refuse multiple exchange requests
submitted by a shareholder or dealer.
- The Fund may amend, suspend or terminate the exchange
privilege at any time. Although the Fund will attempt to provide you
notice whenever it is reasonably able to do so, it may impose these
changes at any time.
- If the Transfer Agent cannot exchange all the shares you
request because of a restriction cited above, only the shares eligible for
exchange will be exchanged.
The Distributor has entered into agreements with certain dealers
and investment advisers permitting them to exchange their clients' shares
by telephone. These privileges are limited under those agreements and the
Distributor has the right to reject or suspend those privileges. As a
result, those exchanges may be subject to notice requirements, delays and
other limitations that do not apply to shareholders who exchange their
shares directly by calling or writing to the Transfer Agent.
Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
- Net Asset Value Per Share is determined for each class of
shares as of 4:00 P.M. each day The New York Stock Exchange is open by
dividing the value of the Fund's net assets attributable to a class by the
number of shares of that class that are outstanding. The Fund's Board of
Trustees has established procedures to value the Fund's securities to
determine net asset value. In general, securities values are based on
market value. There are special procedures for valuing illiquid and
restricted securities, obligations for which market values cannot be
readily obtained, and call options and hedging instruments. These
procedures are described more completely in the Statement of Additional
Information.
- The offering of shares may be suspended during any period in
which the determination of net asset value is suspended, and the offering
may be suspended by the Board of Trustees at any time the Board believes
it is in the Fund's best interest to do so.
- Telephone Transaction Privileges for purchases, redemptions
or exchanges may be modified, suspended or terminated by the Fund at any
time. If an account has more than one owner, the Fund and the Transfer
Agent may rely on the instructions of any one owner. Telephone privileges
apply to each owner of the account and the dealer representative of record
for the account unless and until the Transfer Agent receives cancellation
instructions from an owner of the account.
- The Transfer Agent will record any telephone calls to verify
data concerning transactions and has adopted other procedures to confirm
that telephone instructions are genuine, by requiring callers to provide
tax identification numbers and other account data or by using PINs, and
by confirming such transactions in writing. If the Transfer Agent does
not use reasonable procedures it may be liable for losses due to
unauthorized transactions, but otherwise it will not be liable for losses
or expenses arising out of telephone instructions reasonably believed to
be genuine. If you are unable to reach the Transfer Agent during periods
of unusual market activity, you may not be able to complete a telephone
transaction and should consider placing your order by mail.
- Redemption or transfer requests will not be honored until the
Transfer Agent receives all required documents in proper form. From time
to time, the Transfer Agent in its discretion may waive certain of the
requirements for redemptions stated in this Prospectus.
- Dealers that can perform account transactions for their
clients by participating in NETWORKING through the National Securities
Clearing Corporation are responsible for obtaining their clients'
permission to perform those transactions and are responsible to their
clients who are shareholders of the Fund if the dealer performs any
transaction erroneously.
- The redemption price for shares will vary from day to day
because the value of the securities in the Fund's portfolio fluctuates,
and the redemption price, which is the net asset value per share, will
normally be different for Class A and Class C shares. Therefore, the
redemption value of your shares may be more or less than their original
cost.
- Payment for redeemed shares is made ordinarily in cash and
forwarded by check or through AccountLink (as elected by the shareholder
under the redemption procedures described above) within 7 days after the
Transfer Agent receives redemption instructions in proper form, except
under unusual circumstances determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission delaying or suspending such payments. The Transfer Agent may
delay forwarding a check or processing a payment via AccountLink for
recently purchased shares, but only until the purchase payment has
cleared. That delay may be as much as 15 days from the date the shares
were purchased. That delay may be avoided if you purchase shares by
certified check or arrange with your bank to provide telephone or written
assurance to the Transfer Agent that your purchase payment has cleared.
- Involuntary redemptions of small accounts may be made by the
Fund if the account value has fallen below $200 for reasons other than the
fact that the market value of shares has dropped, and in some cases
involuntary redemptions may be made to repay the Distributor for losses
from the cancellation of share purchase orders.
- Under unusual circumstances, shares of the fund may be
redeemed "in kind", which means that the redemption proceeds will be paid
with securities from the Fund's portfolio. Please refer to the Statement
of Additional Information for more details.
- "Backup Withholding" of Federal income tax may be applied at
the rate of 31% from dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds
(including exchanges) if you fail to furnish the Fund a certified Social
Security or taxpayer identification number when you sign your application,
or if you violate Internal Revenue Service regulations on tax reporting
of dividends.
- The Fund does not charge a redemption fee, but if your dealer
or broker handles your redemption, they may charge a fee. That fee can
be avoided by redeeming your Fund shares directly through the Transfer
Agent. Under the circumstances described in "How To Buy Shares," you may
be subject to a contingent deferred sales charges when redeeming certain
Class A and Class C shares.
- To avoid sending duplicate copies of materials to households,
the Fund will mail only one copy of each annual and semi-annual report and
updated prospectus to shareholders having the same address on the Fund's
records. However, each shareholder may call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-
525-7048 to ask that copies of those materials be sent personally to that
shareholder.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Dividends. The Fund declares dividends separately for Class A and
Class C shares quarterly, payable on or about the 29th of March, June,
September and December. Another date may be selected by the Fund's Board
of Trustees. Normally, distributions paid on Class A shares generally are
expected to be higher than for Class C shares because expenses allocable
to Class C shares will generally be higher. There is no fixed dividend
rate and there can be no assurance as to the payment of any dividends.
The amount of a class's dividends or distributions may vary from time to
time depending on market conditions, the composition of the Fund's
portfolio and expenses borne by that class.
Capital Gains. The Fund may make distributions annually in December out
of any net short-term or long-term capital gains, and the Fund may make
supplemental distributions of dividends and capital gains following the
end of its fiscal year. Long-term capital gains will be separately
identified in the tax information the Fund sends you after the end of the
year. Short-term capital gains are treated as dividends for tax purposes.
There can be no assurance that the Fund will pay any capital gains
distributions in a particular year.
Distribution Options. When you open your account, specify on your
application how you want to receive your distributions. For
OppenheimerFunds retirement accounts, all distributions are reinvested.
For other accounts, you have four options:
- Reinvest All Distributions in the Fund. You can elect to
reinvest all dividends and long-term capital gains distributions in
additional shares of the Fund.
- Reinvest Capital Gains Only. You can elect to reinvest long-
term capital gains in the Fund while receiving dividends by check or sent
to your bank account on AccountLink.
- Receive All Distributions in Cash. You can elect to receive
a check for all dividends and long-term capital gains distributions or
have them sent to your bank on AccountLink.
- Reinvest Your Distributions in Another OppenheimerFunds
Account. You can reinvest all distributions in another OppenheimerFunds
account you have established.
Taxes. If your account is not a tax-deferred retirement account, you
should be aware of the following tax implications of investing in the
Fund. Long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains when
distributed to shareholders. Dividends paid from short-term capital gains
and net investment income are taxable as ordinary income. Distributions
are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state or local
taxes. Your distributions are taxable when paid, whether you reinvest
them in additional shares or take them in cash. Every year the Fund will
send you and the IRS a statement showing the amount of each taxable
distribution you received in the previous year.
- "Buying a Dividend": When a fund goes ex-dividend, its share
price is reduced by the amount of the distribution. If you buy shares on
or just before the ex-dividend date, or just before the Fund declares a
capital gains distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares and
then receive a portion of the price back as a taxable dividend or capital
gain.
- Taxes on Transactions: Share redemptions, including
redemptions for exchanges, are subject to capital gains tax. A capital
gain or loss is the difference between the price you paid for the shares
and the price you received when you sold them.
- Returns of Capital: In certain cases if distributions made by
the Fund may be considered a non-taxable return of capital to
shareholders. If that occurs, it will be identified in notices to
shareholders.
This information is only a summary of certain federal tax
information about your investment. More information is contained in the
Statement of Additional Information, and in addition you should consult
with your tax adviser about the effect of an investment in the Fund on
your particular tax situation.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A TO PROSPECTUS OF
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
Graphic material included in Prospectus of Oppenheimer Asset
Allocation Fund: "Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investments in
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund, the S&P 500 Index, and The Lehman
Brothers Aggregate Bond Index".
A linear graph will be included in the Prospectus of Oppenheimer Asset
Allocation Fund (the "Fund") depicting the initial account value and
subsequent account value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund
during each of the Fund's fiscal periods since the commencement of the
Fund's operations (April 24, 1987) as to Class A shares and the
commencement of the Class (December 1, 1993) as to Class C shares, and
comparing such values with the same investments over the same time periods
with S&P 500 Index and The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index. Set
forth below are the relevant data points that will appear on the linear
graph. Additional information with respect to the foregoing, including
a description of the S&P 500 Index and The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond
Index is set forth in the Prospectus under "How the Fund is Managed - How
Has the Fund Performed?"
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Oppenheimer Lehman
Fiscal Year Asset Allocation Brothers Aggregate
(Period) Ended Fund A Bond Index S&P 500 Index
-------------- ---------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
04/23/87(1) $9,425 $10,000 $10,000
12/31/87 $8,615 $10,343 $8,751
12/31/88 $9,982 $11,159 $10,200
12/31/89 $11,800 $12,780 $13,426
12/31/90 $11,910 $13,926 $13,009
12/31/91 $13,656 $16,154 $16,964
12/31/92 $14,686 $17,349 $18,255
12/31/93 $17,079 $19,041 $20,091
12/31/94 $ $ $
Oppenheimer Lehman
Fiscal Year Asset Allocation Brothers Aggregate
(Period) Ended Fund C Bond Index S&P 500 Index
<S> <C> <C> <C>
12/01/93(2) $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
12/31/93 $ $10,059 $10,121
12/31/94 $' $' $
- ------------------
<FN>
(1) Commencement of Fund's operations.
(2) Commencement of public offering of Class C shares.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Telephone: 1-800-525-7048
Investment Adviser
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Distributor OPPENHEIMER
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. Asset Allocation Fund
Two World Trade Center Prospectus
New York, New York 10048 Effective May 1, 1995
Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217
1-800-525-7048
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
The Bank of New York
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10015
Independent Auditors
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
707 Seventeenth Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen
Shalov & Wein
114 West 47th Street
New York, New York 10036
No dealer, broker, salesperson or any other person
has been authorized to give any information or to
make any representations other than those
contained in this Prospectus or the Additional
Statement, and if given or made, such information
and representations must not be relied upon as
having been authorized by the Fund, Oppenheimer
Management Corporation, Oppenheimer Funds
Distributor, Inc. or any affiliate thereof. This
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities
offered hereby in any state to any person to whom
it is unlawful to make such an offer in such state.
PR240 (5/95) Printed on recycled paper.
<PAGE>
Prospectus and
New Account Application
OPPENHEIMER
Asset Allocation Fund
Effective May 1, 1995
(OppenheimerFunds Logo)
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
1-800-525-7048
Statement of Additional Information dated May 1, 1995
This Statement of Additional Information of Oppenheimer Asset
Allocation Fund is not a Prospectus. This document contains additional
information about the Fund and supplements information in the Prospectus
dated May 1, 1995. It should be read together with the Prospectus, which
may be obtained by writing to the Fund's Transfer Agent, Oppenheimer
Shareholder Services, at P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado 80217 or by
calling the Transfer Agent at the toll-free number shown above.
CONTENTS
Page
About the Fund
Investment Objective and Policies
Investment Policies and Strategies
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies
Other Investment Restrictions
How the Fund is Managed
Organization and History
Trustees and Officers of the Fund
The Manager and Its Affiliates
Brokerage Policies of the Fund
Performance of the Fund
Distribution and Service Plans
About Your Account
How To Buy Shares
How To Sell Shares
How To Exchange Shares
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Additional Information About the Fund
Financial Information About the Fund
Independent Auditors' Report
Financial Statements
Appendix A: Bond Ratings A-1
Appendix B: Industry Classifications B-1
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND
Investment Objective and Policies
Investment Policies and Strategies. The investment objective and
policies of the Fund are described in the Prospectus. Set forth below is
supplemental information about those policies and strategies and about
types of securities in which the Fund invests, as well as the strategies
the Fund may use to try to achieve its objective. Certain capitalized
terms used in this Statement of Additional Information have the same
meaning as those terms have in the Prospectus.
- Investment Risks in Fixed-Income Securities. All fixed-income
securities are subject to two types of risks: credit risk and interest
rate risk; these are in addition to other investment risks that may affect
a particular security. Credit risk relates to the ability of the issuer
to meet interest or principal payments or both as they become due.
Generally, higher yielding bonds are subject to credit risk to a greater
extent than lower yielding, higher quality bonds. Interest rate risk
refers to the fluctuations in value of fixed-income securities resulting
solely from the inverse relationship between price and yield of
outstanding fixed-income securities. An increase in prevailing interest
rates will generally reduce the market value of fixed-income investments,
and a decline in interest rates will tend to increase their value. In
addition, debt securities with longer maturities, which tend to produce
higher yields, are subject to potentially greater capital appreciation and
depreciation than obligations with shorter maturities. Fluctuations in
the market value of fixed-income securities subsequent to their
acquisition will not affect the interest payable on those securities, and
thus the cash income from such securities, but will be reflected in the
valuations of these securities used to compute the Fund's net asset
values.
As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in fixed-income
securities rated as low as "C" or "D" by Moody's or S&P. High yield
securities, whether rated or unrated, may be subject to greater market
fluctuations and risks of loss of income and principal than lower-
yielding, higher-rated, fixed-income securities. Risks of high yield
securities may include (i) limited liquidity and secondary market support,
(ii) substantial market price volatility resulting from changes in
prevailing interest rates, (iii) subordination to the prior claims of
banks and other senior lenders, (iv) the operation of mandatory sinking
fund or call/redemption provisions during periods of declining interest
rates that could cause the Fund to be able to reinvest premature
redemption proceeds only in lower-yielding portfolio securities, (v) the
possibility that earnings of the issuer may be insufficient to meet its
debt service, and (vi) the issuer's low creditworthiness and potential for
insolvency during periods of rising interest rates and economic downturn.
As a result of the limited liquidity of high yield securities, their
prices have at times experienced significant and rapid decline when a
substantial number of holders decided to sell. A decline is also likely
in the high yield bond market during an economic downturn. An economic
downturn or an increase in interest rates could severely disrupt the
market for high yield bonds and adversely affect the value of outstanding
bonds and the ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest. In
addition, there have been several Congressional attempts to limit the use
of tax and other advantages of high yield bonds which, if enacted, could
adversely affect the value of these securities and the Fund's net asset
value. For example, federally-insured savings and loan associations have
been required to divest their investments in high yield bonds.
Domestic Equity Securities.
- Small, Unseasoned Companies. The securities of small, unseasoned
companies may have a limited trading market, which may adversely affect
their disposition and can result in their being priced lower than might
otherwise be the case. If other investment companies and investors that
invest in such securities trade the same securities when the Fund attempts
to dispose of its holdings, the Fund might receive lower prices than might
otherwise be obtained because of the thinner market for such securities.
- Preferred Stocks. Preferred stocks, unlike common stocks, offer
a stated dividend rate payable from the corporation's earnings. Such
preferred stock dividends may be cumulative or non-cumulative,
participating, or auction rate. If interest rates rise, the fixed
dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of
preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking
fund provisions, as well as call/redemption provisions prior to maturity,
a negative feature when interest rates decline. Dividends on some
preferred stock may be "cumulative," requiring all or a portion of prior
unpaid dividends to be paid. Preferred stock also generally has a
preference over common stock on the distribution of a corporation's assets
in the event of liquidation of the corporation, and may be
"participating," which means that it may be entitled to a dividend
exceeding the stated dividend in certain cases. The rights of preferred
stocks on distribution of a corporation's assets in the event of a
liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a
corporation's debt securities.
- Convertible Securities. While convertible securities are a form
of debt security in many cases, their conversion feature (allowing
conversion into equity securities) causes them to be regarded more as
"equity equivalents." As a result, the rating assigned to the security
has less impact on the Manager's investment decision with respect to
convertible securities than in the case of non-convertible debt
securities. To determine whether convertible securities should be
regarded as "equity equivalents," the Manager examines the following
factors: (1) whether, at the option of the investor, the convertible
security can be exchanged for a fixed number of shares of common stock of
the issuer, (2) whether the issuer of the convertible securities has
restated its earnings per share of common stock on a fully diluted basis
(considering the effect of converting the convertible securities), and (3)
the extent to which the convertible security may be a defensive "equity
substitute," providing the ability to participate in any appreciation in
the price of the issuer's common stock.
- Warrants and Rights. Warrants basically are options to purchase
equity securities at set prices valid for a specified period of time. The
prices of warrants do not necessarily move in a manner parallel to the
prices of the underlying securities. The price the Fund pays for a
warrant will be lost unless the warrant is exercised prior to its
expiration. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a short
duration and are distributed directly by the issuer to its shareholders.
Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have
no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
Domestic Debt Securities. The Fund may purchase or sell debt
securities (including U.S. Government Securities, discussed below) and
money market instruments without regard to the length of time the security
has been held to take advantage of short-term differentials in yields.
While short-term trading increases the portfolio turnover, the execution
cost for these securities is substantially less than for equivalent dollar
values of equity securities. The Fund will only purchase securities
meeting the requirements, including applicable rating qualifications,
stated in the Prospectus. See Appendix A to this Statement of Additional
Information for a description of the factors considered by the rating
agencies in rating particular debt securities. General changes in
prevailing interest rates will affect the value of the debt securities and
money market instruments held by the Fund, the value of which will vary
inversely to the changes in such rates. For example, if such rates go up
after a security is purchased, the value of the security would normally
decline.
- U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities are debt
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its
agencies or instrumentalities. The U.S. Government Securities the Fund
can invest in are described in the Prospectus and include U.S. Treasury
securities such as "zero coupon" U.S. Treasury securities, mortgage-backed
securities and CMOs.
- Floating Rate/Variable Rate Notes. Some of the notes the Fund may
purchase may have variable or floating interest rates. Variable rates are
adjustable at stated periodic intervals; floating rates are automatically
adjusted according to a specified market rate for such investments, such
as a percentage of the prime rate of a bank or the 91-day U.S. Treasury
bill rate. Such obligations may be secured by bank letters of credit or
other credit support arrangements.
- Variable Amount Master Demand Notes. Variable amount master
demand notes are corporate obligations that permit the investment of
fluctuating amounts by the Fund at varying rates of interest pursuant to
direct arrangements between the Fund as lender and the corporate borrower.
These notes permit daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has
the right to increase the amount under the note at any time up to the full
amount provided by the note agreement, or to decrease the amount, and the
borrower may repay up to the full amount of the note at any time without
penalty. These notes may or may not be backed by bank letters of credit.
Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the lender and
the borrower, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded.
There is no secondary market for these notes, although they are redeemable
(and thus immediately repayable by the borrower) at principal value, plus
accrued interest, at any time. Accordingly, the Fund's right to redeem
is dependent upon the ability of the borrower to pay principal and
interest on demand. The Fund has no limitations on the type of issuer
from whom these notes will be purchased; however, in connection with such
purchases and on an ongoing basis, the Manager will consider the earning
power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuer and its ability
to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which
all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Investments in
master demand notes are subject to the limitation on investments by the
Fund in illiquid securities described in the Prospectus. The Fund does
not currently intend that its investments in variable amount master demand
notes in the coming year will exceed 5% of its total assets.
- Participation Interests. The Fund may invest in participation
interests, subject to the limitation described in "Illiquid and Restricted
Securities" in the Prospectus on investments by the Fund in illiquid
investments. Participation interests provide the Fund an undivided
interest in a loan made by the issuing financial institution in the
proportion that the Fund's participation interest bears to the total
principal amount of the loan. The issuing financial institution may have
no obligation to the Fund other than to pay the Fund the proportionate
amount of the principal and interest payments it receives. Participation
interests are primarily dependent upon the financial strength of the
borrowing corporation, which is obligated to make payments of principal
and interest on the loan, and there is a risk that such borrowers may have
difficulty making payments. Such borrowers may have senior securities
rated as low as "C" or "D" by Moody's or S&P. In the event the borrower
fails to pay scheduled interest or principal payments, the Fund could
experience a reduction in its income and might experience a decline in the
net asset value of its shares. In the event of a failure by the financial
institution to perform its obligation in connection with the participation
agreement, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing
payment or may suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. The Manager
has set certain creditworthiness standards for issuers of loan
participation and monitors their creditworthiness. These same standards
apply to participation interests in loans to foreign companies.
- Asset-Backed Securities. The value of an asset-backed security
is affected by changes in the market's perception of the asset backing the
security, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool,
the originator of the loans, or the financial institution providing any
credit enhancement, and is also affected if any credit enhancement has
been exhausted. The risks of investing in asset-backed securities are
ultimately dependent upon payment of consumer loans by the individual
borrowers. As a purchaser of an asset-backed security, the Fund would
generally have no recourse to the entity that originated the loans in the
event of default by a borrower. The underlying loans are subject to
prepayments, which shorten the weighted average life of asset-backed
securities and may lower their return, in the same manner as described
above for prepayments of a pool of mortgage loans underlying mortgage-
backed securities. However, asset-backed securities do not have the
benefit of the same security interest in the underlying collateral as do
mortgage backed securities.
- Mortgage-Backed Securities. These securities represent
participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans that are
guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government. Such
securities differ from conventional debt securities, which generally
provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed or determinable amounts
(usually semi-annually) with principal payments at maturity or specified
call dates. Some of the mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may
invest may be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury
(e.g., direct pass-through certificates of the Government National
Mortgage Association ("GNMA"); some are supported by the right of the
issuer to borrow from the U.S. Government (e.g., obligations of the
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"); and some are backed by
only the credit of the issuer itself. Those guarantees do not extend to
the value or yield of the mortgage-backed securities themselves or to the
net asset value of the Fund's shares. Any of these government agencies
may issue collateralized mortgage-backed obligations ("CMOs"), discussed
below.
The yield on mortgage-backed securities is based on the average
expected life of the underlying pool of mortgage loans. The actual life
of any particular pool will be shortened by any unscheduled or early
payments of principal and interest. Principal prepayments generally
result from the sale of the underlying property or the refinancing or
foreclosure of underlying mortgages. The occurrence of prepayments is
affected by a wide range of economic, demographic and social factors and,
accordingly, it is not possible to predict accurately the average life of
a particular pool. Yield on such pools is usually computed by using the
historical record of prepayments for that pool or, in the case of newly-
issued mortgages, the prepayment history of similar pools. The actual
prepayment experience of a pool of mortgage loans may cause the yield
realized by the Fund to differ from the yield calculated on the basis of
the expected average life of the pool.
Prepayments tend to increase during periods of falling interest
rates, while during periods of rising interest rates prepayments will most
likely decline. When prevailing interest rates rise, the value of a pass-
through security may decrease as do other debt securities, but, when
prevailing interest rates decline, the value of a pass-through security
is not likely to rise on a comparable basis with other debt securities
because of the prepayment feature of pass-through securities. The Fund's
reinvestment of scheduled principal payments and unscheduled prepayments
it receives may occur at higher or lower rates than the original
investment, thus affecting the yield of the Fund. Monthly interest
payments received by the Fund have a compounding effect that may increase
the yield to the Fund more than debt obligations that pay interest semi-
annually. Due to those factors, mortgage-backed securities may be less
effective than Treasury bonds of similar maturity at maintaining yields
during periods of declining interest rates. The Fund may purchase
mortgage-backed securities at par, at a premium or at a discount.
Accelerated prepayments adversely affect yields for pass-through
securities purchased at a premium (i.e., at a price in excess of principal
amount) and may involve additional risk of loss of principal because the
premium may not have been fully amortized at the time the obligation is
repaid. The opposite is true for pass-through securities purchased at a
discount. The Fund may purchase mortgage-backed securities at par, at a
premium or at a discount.
The Fund may invest in "stripped" mortgage backed securities, in
which the principal and interest portions of the security are separated
and sold. Stripped mortgage-backed securities usually have at least two
classes each of which receives different proportions of interest and
principal distributions on the underlying pool of mortgage assets. One
common variety of stripped mortgage-backed security has one class that
receives some of the interest and most of the principal, while the other
class receives most of the interest and remainder of the principal. In
some cases, one class will receive all of the interest (the "interest-
only" or "IO" class), while the other class will receive all of the
principal (the "principal-only" or "PO" class). Interest only securities
are extremely sensitive to interest rate changes, and prepayments of
principal on the underlying mortgage assets. An increase in principal
payments or prepayments will reduce the income available to the IO
security. In other types of CMOs, the underlying principal payments may
apply to various classes in a particular order, and therefore the value
of certain classes or "tranches" of such securities may be more volatile
than the value of the pool as a whole, and losses may be more severe than
on other classes.
Mortgage-backed securities may be less effective than debt
obligations of similar maturity at maintaining yields during periods of
declining interest rates. As new types of mortgage-related securities are
developed and offered to investors, the Manager will, subject to the
direction of the Board of Trustees and consistent with the Fund's
investment objective and policies, consider making investments in such new
types of mortgage-related securities.
- GNMA Certificates. Certificates of the Government National
Mortgage Association ("GNMA") are mortgage-backed securities that evidence
an undivided interest in a pool or pools of mortgages ("GNMA
Certificates"). The GNMA Certificates that the Fund may purchase are of
the "modified pass-through" type, which entitle the holder to receive
timely payment of all interest and principal payments due on the mortgage
pool, net of fees paid to the "issuer" and the GNMA, regardless of whether
the mortgagor actually makes the payments.
The National Housing Act authorized the GNMA to guarantee the timely
payment of principal and interest on securities backed by a pool of
mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (the "FHA") or
guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (the "VA"). The GNMA guarantee
is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. The GNMA
is also empowered to borrow without limitation from the U.S. Treasury if
necessary to make any payments under its guarantee.
The average life of a GNMA Certificate is likely to be substantially
shorter than the original maturity of the mortgages underlying the
securities. Prepayments of principal by mortgagors and mortgage
foreclosures will usually result in the return of the greater part of
principal investment long before the maturity of the mortgages in the
pool. Foreclosures impose no risk to principal investment because of the
GNMA guarantee, except to the extent that the Fund has purchased the
certificates at a premium in the secondary market.
- FNMA Securities. The Federal National Mortgage Association
("FNMA") was established to create a secondary market in mortgages insured
by the FHA. The FNMA issues guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates
("FNMA Certificates"). FNMA Certificates resemble GNMA Certificates in
that each FNMA Certificate represents a pro rata share of all interest and
principal payments made and owed on the underlying pool. The FNMA
guarantees timely payment of interest and principal on FNMA Certificates.
The FNMA guarantee is not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government.
- FHLMC Securities. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association
("FHLMC") was created to promote development of a nationwide secondary
market for conventional residential mortgages. The FHLMC issues two types
of mortgage pass-through certificates ("FHLMC Certificates"): mortgage
participation certificates ("PCs") and guaranteed mortgage certificates
("GMCs"). PCs resemble GNMA Certificates in that each PC represents a pro
rata share of all interest and principal payments made and owed on the
underlying pool. The FHLMC guarantees timely monthly payment of interest
on PCs and the ultimate payment of principal. The FHLMC guarantee is not
backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
- Collateralized Mortgage-Backed Obligations ("CMOs"). CMOs are
fully-collateralized bonds that are the general obligations of the issuer
thereof, either the U.S. Government, a U.S. Government instrumentality,
or a private issuer. Such bonds generally are secured by an assignment
to a trustee (under the indenture pursuant to which the bonds are issued)
of collateral consisting of a pool of mortgages. Payments with respect
to the underlying mortgages generally are made to the trustee under the
indenture. Payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages
are not passed through to the holders of the CMOs as such (i.e., the
character of payments of principal and interest is not passed through, and
therefore payments to holders of CMOs attributable to interest paid and
principal repaid on the underlying mortgages do not necessarily constitute
income and return of capital, respectively, to such holders), but such
payments are dedicated to payment of interest on, and repayment of
principal of, the CMOs. CMOs often are issued in two or more classes with
different characteristics such as varying maturities and stated rates of
interest. Because interest and principal payments on the underlying
mortgages are not passed though to holders of CMOs, CMOs of varying
maturities may be secured by the same pool of mortgages, the payments on
which are used to pay interest on each class and to retire successive
maturities in sequence. Unlike other mortgage-backed securities
(discussed above), CMOs are designed to be retired as the underlying
mortgages are repaid. In the event of prepayment on such mortgages, the
class of CMO first to mature generally will be paid down. Therefore,
although in most cases the issuer of CMOs will not supply additional
collateral in the event of such prepayment, there will be sufficient
collateral to secure CMOs that remain outstanding.
- Mortgage-Backed Security Rolls. The Fund may enter into "forward
roll" transactions with respect to mortgage-backed securities issued by
the GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC. In a forward roll transaction, which is
considered to be a borrowing by the Fund, the Fund will sell a mortgage
security to a bank or other permitted entity and simultaneously agree to
repurchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an
agreed-upon price. The mortgage-backed securities that are repurchased
will bear the same interest rate as those sold, but generally will be
collateralized by different pools of mortgages with different prepayment
histories than those sold. Risks of mortgage-backed security rolls
include (i) the risk of prepayment prior to maturity, (ii) the possibility
that the Fund may not be entitled to receive interest and principal
payments on the securities sold and that the proceeds of the sale may have
to be invested in money market instruments (typically repurchase
agreements) maturing not later than the expiration of the roll, and (iii)
the possibility that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund
may decline below the price at which the Fund is obligated to purchase the
securities. Upon entering into a mortgage-backed security roll, the Fund
will be required to place cash, U.S. Government Securities or other high-
grade debt securities in a segregated account with its Custodian in an
amount equal to its obligation under the roll.
- Zero Coupon Securities. The Fund may invest in zero coupon
securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. Zero coupon U.S. Treasury
securities include: (1) U.S. Treasury bills without interest coupons, (2)
U.S. Treasury notes and bonds that have been stripped of their unmatured
interest coupons, and (3) receipts or certificates representing interest
in such stripped debt obligations or coupons. These securities usually
trade at a deep discount from their face or par value and will be subject
to greater fluctuations in market value in response to changing interest
rates than debt obligations of comparable maturities that make current
payments of interest. However, the lack of periodic interest payments
means that the interest rate is "locked in" and there is no risk of having
to reinvest periodic interest payments in securities having lower rates.
The Fund may also invest in zero coupon securities issued by private
issuers, such as corporations.
Because the Fund accrues taxable income from zero coupon securities
issued by either the U.S. Treasury or other issuers without receiving
cash, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to
pay dividends or redemption proceeds for its shares, which require the
payment of cash. This will depend on several factors: the proportion of
shareholders who elect to receive dividends in cash rather than
reinvesting dividends in additional shares of the Fund, the amount of cash
income the Fund receives from other investments, and the sale of shares.
The Fund might also sell portfolio securities to maintain portfolio
liquidity. In either case, cash distributed or held by the Fund and not
reinvested by investors in additional Fund shares will hinder the Fund
from seeking current income.
- Certificates of Deposit. Except as described below, the Fund may
purchase certificates of deposit if they are issued or guaranteed by
domestic banks (including foreign branches of domestic banks) which have
total assets in excess of $500 million, and the Fund may purchase bankers'
acceptances (which may be supported by letters of credit) only if
guaranteed by U.S. commercial banks having total assets in excess of $500
million. The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit of $100,000 or
less of a domestic bank, even if such bank has assets of less than $500
million, if the certificate of deposit is fully insured as to principal
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. At no time will the Fund
hold more than one certificate of deposit from any one such bank. Because
of the limited marketability of such certificates of deposit, no more than
10% of the Fund's net assets will be invested in certificates of deposit
of banks having total assets of less than $500 million. For these
purposes, the term "bank" includes U.S. commercial banks, savings banks
and savings and loan associations.
- Commercial Paper. The Fund may purchase commercial paper only
if rated "A-1" or "A-2" by S&P or "Prime-1" or "Prime-2" by Moody's or,
if not rated, issued by a corporation having an existing debt security
rated at least "AA" or "Aa" by S&P or Moody's, respectively. See
Appendix A hereto for a description of the factors considered by S&P and
Moody's for determining such ratings. The Fund may purchase obligations
issued by other entities (including U.S. dollar-denominated securities of
foreign branches of U.S. banks) if they are (i) guaranteed as to
principal and interest by a bank, government or corporation whose
certificates of deposit or commercial paper may otherwise be purchased by
the Fund, or (ii) subject to repurchase agreements (described below).
(The foregoing ratings restrictions do not apply to banks in which the
Fund's cash is kept.)
Foreign Securities. Investments in foreign securities offer potential
benefits not available from investing solely in securities of domestic
issuers. These investments offer the opportunity to invest in foreign
issuers that appear to offer growth potential, or in foreign countries
with economic policies or business cycles different from those of the
U.S., or to reduce fluctuations in portfolio value by taking advantage of
foreign stock markets that do not move in a manner parallel to U.S.
markets. Securities of foreign issuers (i) represented by American
Depositary Receipts, (ii) traded in the U.S. over-the-counter markets, or
(iii) listed on a U.S. securities exchange are not considered to be
foreign securities because they are not subject to many of the special
considerations and risks (discussed below) that apply to investments in
foreign securities traded and held abroad. Because the Fund may purchase
securities denominated in foreign currencies, a change in the value of any
such currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a change in the U.S.
dollar value of the Fund's assets and the Fund's income available for
distribution.
In buying foreign securities, the Fund may convert U.S. dollars into
foreign currency, but only to effect securities transactions on foreign
securities exchanges and not to hold such currency as an investment. In
addition, although a portion of the Fund's investment income, if any, may
be received or realized in foreign currencies, the Fund will be required
to compute and distribute its income in U.S. dollars, and absorb the cost
of currency fluctuations. The Fund may engage in foreign currency
exchange transactions for hedging purposes to protect against changes in
future exchange rates. See "Other Investment Techniques and Strategies -
Hedging With Options and Futures Contracts" below.
Investment in foreign securities involves considerations and risks
not associated with investment in securities of U.S. issuers. For
example, foreign issuers are not required to use generally-accepted
accounting principles ("G.A.A.P."). If foreign securities are not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer does not have to
comply with the disclosure requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. The values of foreign securities investments will be affected by
incomplete or inaccurate information available as to foreign issuers,
changes in currency rates, exchange control regulations or currency
blockage, expropriation or nationalization of assets, application of
foreign tax laws (including withholding taxes), changes in governmental
administration or economic or monetary policy in the U.S. or abroad, or
changed circumstances in dealings between nations. In addition, it is
generally more difficult to obtain court judgments outside the United
States. The values of foreign securities will be affected by changes in
currency rates or exchange control regulations or currency blockage,
application of foreign tax laws, including withholding taxes, changes in
governmental administration or economic or monetary policy (in the U.S.
or abroad) or changed circumstances in dealings between nations. Costs
will be incurred in connection with conversions between various
currencies. Foreign brokerage commissions are generally higher than
commissions in the U.S., and foreign securities markets may be less
liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental regulation than in
the U.S. Investments in foreign countries could be affected by other
factors not generally thought to be present in the U.S., including
expropriation or nationalization, confiscatory taxation and potential
difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations, and could be subject
to extended settlement periods.
Securities of foreign issuers that are represented by American
depository receipts, or that are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange,
or are traded in the U.S. over-the-counter market are not considered
"foreign securities" because they are not subject to many of the special
considerations and risks (discussed below) that apply to foreign
securities traded and held abroad. If the Fund's securities are held
abroad, the countries in which such securities may be held and the sub-
custodians holding them must be in most cases approved by the Fund's Board
of Trustees under applicable SEC rules.
The Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign securities
referred to as "Brady Bonds". These debt obligations of foreign entities
may be fixed-rate par bonds or floating rate discount bonds and are
generally collateralized in full as to principal due at maturity by U.S.
Treasury zero coupon obligations that have the same maturity as the Brady
Bonds. However, the Fund may also invest in uncollateralized Brady Bonds.
Brady Bonds are generally viewed as having three or four valuation
components: (i) the collateralized repayment of principal at final
maturity; (ii) the collateralized interest payments; (iii) the
uncollateralized interest payments; and (iv) any uncollateralized
repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized amounts
constitute the "residual risk"of such bonds). In the event of a default
with respect to collateralized Brady Bonds as a result of which the
payment obligations of the issuer are accelerated, the zero coupon U.S.
Treasury securities held as collateral for the payment of principal will
not be distributed to investors, nor will such obligations be sold and the
proceeds distributed. The collateral will be held by the collateral agent
to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds, which will
continue to be outstanding, at which time the face amount of the
collateral will equal the principal payments which would have then been
due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. In addition, in light of the
residual risk of Brady Bonds, and among other factors, the history of
defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private
entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds are
to be viewed as speculative.
The obligations of foreign governmental entities may or may not be
supported by the full faith and credit of a foreign government.
Obligations of supranational entities include those of international
organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to promote
economic reconstruction or development and of international banking
institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the "World Bank"),
the European Coal and Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank and the
Inter-American Development Bank. The governmental members, or
"stockholders," of these entities usually make initial capital
contributions to the supranational entity and in many cases are committed
to make additional capital contributions if the supranational entity is
unable to repay its borrowings. Each supranational entity's lending
activities are limited to a percentage of its total capital (including
"callable capital" contributed by members at the entity's call), reserves
and net income. There is no assurance that foreign governments will be
able or willing to honor their commitments.
Investing in foreign securities involves considerations and possible
risks not typically associated with investing in securities in the U.S.
The values of foreign securities will be affected by changes in currency
rates or exchange control regulations or currency blockage, application
of foreign tax laws, including withholding taxes, changes in governmental
administration or economic or monetary policy (in the U.S. or abroad) or
changed circumstances in dealings between nations. Costs will be incurred
in connection with conversions between various currencies. Foreign
brokerage commissions are generally higher than commissions in the U.S.,
and foreign securities markets may be less liquid, more volatile and less
subject to governmental regulation than in the U.S. Investments in foreign
countries could be affected by other factors not generally thought to be
present in the U.S., including expropriation or nationalization,
confiscatory taxation and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual
obligations, and could be subject to extended settlement periods.
Because the Fund may purchase securities denominated in foreign
currencies, a change in the value of any such currency against the U.S.
dollar will result in a change in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's
assets and its income available for distribution. In addition, although
a portion of the Fund's investment income may be received or realized in
foreign currencies, the Fund will be required to compute and distribute
its income in U.S. dollars, and absorb the cost of currency fluctuations.
The Fund may engage in foreign currency exchange transactions for hedging
purposes to protect against changes in future exchange rates. See "Other
Investment Techniques and Strategies - Hedging," below.
The values of foreign investments and the investment income derived
from them may also be affected unfavorably by changes in currency exchange
control regulations. Although the Fund will invest only in securities
denominated in foreign currencies that at the time of investment do not
have significant government-imposed restrictions on conversion into U.S.
dollars, there can be no assurance against subsequent imposition of
currency controls. In addition, the values of foreign securities will
fluctuate in response to a variety of factors, including changes in U.S.
and foreign interest rates.
Investments in foreign securities offer potential benefits not
available from investing solely in securities of domestic issuers, by
offering the opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear to offer
growth potential, or in foreign countries with economic policies or
business cycles different from those of the U.S., or to reduce
fluctuations in portfolio value by taking advantage of foreign bond or
other markets that do not move in a manner parallel to U.S. markets. From
time to time, U.S. government policies have discouraged certain
investments abroad by U.S. investors, through taxation or other
restrictions, and it is possible that such restrictions could be
reimposed.
Other Investment Techniques And Strategies
- Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend its portfolio
securities, subject to the restrictions stated in the Prospectus, if the
loan is collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory
requirements. Under applicable regulatory requirements (which are subject
to change), the loan collateral must, on each business day, at least equal
the market value of the loaned securities and must consist of cash, bank
letters of credit, U.S. Government Securities, or other cash equivalents
in which the Fund is permitted to invest. To be acceptable as collateral,
letters of credit must obligate a bank to pay amounts demanded by the Fund
if the demand meets the terms of the letter. Such terms and the issuing
bank must be satisfactory to the Fund. In a portfolio securities lending
transaction, the Fund receives from the borrower an amount equal to the
interest paid or the dividends declared on the loaned securities during
the term of the loan as well as the interest on the collateral securities,
less any finders' or administrative fees the Fund pays in arranging the
loan. The Fund may share the interest it receives on the collateral
securities with the borrower as long as it realizes at least the minimum
amount of interest required by the lending guidelines established by its
Board of Trustees. In connection with securities lending, the Fund might
experience risks of delay in receiving additional collateral, or risks of
delay in recovery of the securities, or loss of rights in the collateral
should the borrower fail financially. The Fund will not lend its
portfolio securities to any officer, trustee, employee or affiliate of
the Fund or its Manager. The terms of the Fund's loans must meet certain
tests under the Internal Revenue Code and permit the Fund to reacquire
loaned securities on five business days' notice or in time to vote on any
important matter.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions. The Fund may purchase
securities on a "when-issued" basis, and may purchase or sell such
securities on a "delayed delivery" basis. Although the Fund will enter
into such transactions for the purpose of acquiring securities for its
portfolio or for delivery pursuant to options contracts it has entered
into, the Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement. "When-
issued" or "delayed delivery" refers to securities whose terms and
indenture are available and for which a market exists, but which are not
available for immediate delivery. When such transactions are negotiated
the price (which is generally expressed in yield terms) is fixed at the
time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities
take place at a later date. During the period between commitment by the
Fund and settlement (generally within two months but not to exceed 120
days), no payment is made for the securities purchased by the purchaser,
and no interest accrues to the purchaser from the transaction. Such
securities are subject to market fluctuation; the value at delivery may
be less than the purchase price. The Fund
will maintain a segregated account with its Custodian, consisting of cash,
U.S. Government Securities or other high grade debt obligations at least
equal to the value of purchase commitments until payment is made.
The Fund will engage in when-issued transactions in order to secure
what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of
entering into the obligation. When the Fund engages in when-issued or
delayed delivery transactions, it relies on the buyer or seller, as the
case may be, to consummate the transaction. Failure to do so may result
in the Fund losing the opportunity to obtain a price and yield considered
to be advantageous. If the Fund chooses to (i) dispose of the right to
acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or (ii) dispose
of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it may
incur a gain or loss. At the time the Fund makes a commitment to purchase
or sell a security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, it
records the transaction and reflects the value of the security purchased,
or if a sale, the proceeds to be received in determining its net asset
value.
To the extent the Fund engages in when-issued and delayed delivery
transactions, it will do so for the purpose of acquiring or selling
securities consistent with its investment objective and policies and not
for the purposes of investment leverage. The Fund enters into such
transactions only with the intention of actually receiving or delivering
the securities, although (as noted above) when-issued securities and
forward commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date. In
addition, changes in interest rates in a direction other than that
expected by the Manager before settlement will affect the value of such
securities and may cause loss to the Fund.
When-issued transactions and forward commitments allow the Fund a
technique to use against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices.
For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling prices, the
Fund might sell securities in its portfolio on a forward commitment basis
to attempt to limit its exposure to anticipated falling prices. In
periods of falling interest rates and rising prices, the Fund might sell
portfolio securities and purchase the same or similar securities on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis, thereby obtaining the benefit of
currently higher cash yields.
- Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase transaction, the Fund
purchases a security from, and simultaneously resells it to, an approved
vendor (a U.S. commercial bank, the U.S. branch of a foreign bank, or a
broker-dealer which has been designated a primary dealer in government
securities), which must meet the audit requirements met by the Fund's
Board of Trustees from time to time, for delivery on an agreed-on future
date. The resale price exceeds the purchase price by an amount that
reflects an agreed-upon interest rate effective for the period during
which the repurchase agreement is in effect. The majority of these
transactions run from day to day, and delivery pursuant to the resale
typically will occur within one to five days of the purchase. Repurchase
agreements are considered "loans" under the Investment Company Act,
collateralized by the underlying security. The Fund's repurchase
agreements require that at all times while the repurchase agreement is in
effect, the collateral's value must equal or exceed the repurchase price
to fully collateralize the repayment obligation. Additionally, the
Manager will impose creditworthiness requirements to confirm that the
vendor is financially sound and will continuously monitor the collateral's
value.
- Illiquid and Restricted Securities. The Fund has percentage
limitations that apply to purchases of illiquid and restricted securities.
This policy applies to participation interests, bank time deposits, master
demand notes, repurchase transactions having a maturity beyond seven days,
over-the-counter options held by the Fund and that portion of assets used
to cover such options. This policy is not a fundamental policy and does
not limit purchases of restricted securities eligible for resale to
qualified institutional purchasers pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933 that are determined to be liquid by the Board of
Trustees or by the Manager under Board-approved guidelines. Those
guidelines take into account trading activity for such securities and the
availability of reliable pricing information, among other factors. If
there is a lack of trading interest in particular Rule 144A securities,
the Fund's holdings of those securities may be illiquid. There may be
undesirable delays in selling illiquid securities at prices representing
their fair value.
To enable the Fund to sell restricted securities not registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, the Fund may have to cause those securities
to be registered. The expenses of registration of restricted securities
may be negotiated at the time such securities are purchased by the Fund,
if such registration is required before such securities may be sold
publicly. When registration must be arranged because the Fund wishes to
sell the security, a considerable period may elapse between the time the
decision is made to sell the securities and the time the Fund would be
permitted to sell them. The Fund would bear the risks of any downward
price fluctuations during that period. The Fund also may acquire, through
private placements, securities having contractual resale restrictions,
which might lower the amount realizable upon the sale of such securities.
- Hedging. As described in the Prospectus, the Fund may employ one
or more types of hedging instruments, including the Futures identified in
the Prospectus. When hedging to attempt to protect against declines in
the market value of the Fund's portfolio, to permit the Fund to retain
unrealized gains in the value of portfolio securities which have
appreciated, or to facilitate selling securities for investment reasons,
the Fund may (i) sell Futures, (ii) buy puts on such Futures or
securities, or (iii) write covered calls on securities held by it or on
Futures. When hedging to permit the Fund to establish a position in the
equities market as a temporary substitute for purchasing individual equity
securities (which the Fund will normally purchase, and then terminate that
hedging position) or to attempt to protect against the possibility that
portfolio debt securities are not fully included in a rise in value of the
debt securities market, the Fund may (i) buy Futures, or (ii) buy calls
on such Futures or on securities.
The Fund's strategy of hedging with Futures and options on Futures
will be incidental to the Fund's activities in the underlying cash market.
When hedging to attempt to protect against declines in the dollar value
of a foreign currency-denominated security or in a payment on such
security, the Fund may (a) purchase puts on that foreign currency, (b)
write calls on that currency or (c) enter into Forward Contracts at a
different rate than the spot ("cash") rate. At present, the Fund does not
intend to enter into Futures and options on Futures if, after any such
purchase or sale, the sum of margin deposits on Futures and premiums paid
on Futures options exceeds 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
Certain options on foreign currencies are considered related options for
this purpose. Additional information about the hedging instruments the
Fund may use is provided below. The Fund may, in the future, employ
hedging instruments and strategies that are not presently contemplated to
the extent such investment methods are consistent with the Fund's
investment objective, are legally permissible and are adequately
disclosed.
- Writing Covered Call Options. When the Fund writes a call on a
security, it receives a premium and agrees to sell the callable investment
to a purchaser of a corresponding call on the same security during the
call period (usually not more than 9 months) at a fixed exercise price
(which may differ from the market price of the underlying security),
regardless of market price changes during the call period. The Fund has
retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security
decline during the call period, which may be offset to some extent by the
premium.
To terminate its obligation on a call it has written, the Fund may
purchase a corresponding call in a "closing purchase transaction." A
profit or loss will be realized, depending upon whether the net of the
amount of the option transaction costs and the premium received on the
call written is more or less than the price of the call subsequently
purchased. A profit may also be realized if the call lapses unexercised,
because the Fund retains the underlying investment and the premium
received. Any such profits are considered short-term capital gains for
Federal income tax purposes, and when distributed by the Fund are taxable
as ordinary income. An option position may be closed out only on a market
that provides secondary trading for option of the same series, and there
is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular
option. If the Fund could not effect a closing purchase transaction due
to lack of a market, it would have to hold the callable investments until
the call lapsed or was exercised.
The Fund may also write calls on Futures without owning a futures
contract or a deliverable bond, provided that at the time the call is
written, the Fund covers the call by segregating in escrow an equivalent
dollar amount of liquid assets. The Fund will segregate additional liquid
assets if the value of the escrowed assets drops below 100% of the
obligation under the Future. In no circumstances would an exercise notice
require the Fund to deliver a futures contract; it would simply put the
Fund in a short futures position, which is permitted by the Fund's hedging
policies.
- Writing Put Options. A put option on securities gives the
purchaser the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the
underlying investment at the exercise price during the option period.
Writing a put covered by segregated liquid assets equal to the exercise
price of the put has the same economic effect to the Fund as writing a
covered call. The premium the Fund receives from writing a put option
represents a profit, as long as the price of the underlying investment
remains above the exercise price. However, the Fund has also assumed the
obligation during the option period to buy the underlying investment from
the buyer of the put at the exercise price, even though the value of the
investment may fall below the exercise price. If the put expires
unexercised, the Fund (as the writer of the put) realizes a gain in the
amount of the premium less transaction costs. If the put is exercised,
the Fund must fulfill its obligation to purchase the underlying investment
at the exercise price, which will usually exceed the market value of the
investment at that time. In that case, the Fund may incur a loss, equal
to the sum of the sale price of the underlying investment and the premium
received minus the sum of the exercise price and any transaction costs
incurred.
When writing put options on securities or on foreign currencies, to
secure its obligation to pay for the underlying security, the Fund will
deposit in escrow liquid assets with a value equal to or greater than the
exercise price of the underlying securities. The Fund therefore foregoes
the opportunity of investing the segregated assets or writing calls
against those assets. As long as the obligation of the Fund as the put
writer continues, it may be assigned an exercise notice by the broker-
dealer through whom such option was sold, requiring the Fund to take
delivery of the underlying security against payment of the exercise price.
The Fund has no control over when it may be required to purchase the
underlying security, since it may be assigned an exercise notice at any
time prior to the termination of its obligation as the writer of the put.
This obligation terminates upon expiration of the put, or such earlier
time at which the Fund effects a closing purchase transaction by
purchasing a put of the same series as that previously sold. Once the
Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, it is thereafter not allowed
to effect a closing purchase transaction.
The Fund may effect a closing purchase transaction to realize a
profit on an outstanding put option it has written or to prevent an
underlying security from being put. Furthermore, effecting such a closing
purchase transaction will permit the Fund to write another put option to
the extent that the exercise price thereof is secured by the deposited
assets, or to utilize the proceeds from the sale of such assets for other
investments by the Fund. The Fund will realize a profit or loss from a
closing purchase transaction if the cost of the transaction is less or
more than the premium received from writing the option. As above for
writing covered calls, any and all such profits described herein from
writing puts are considered short-term gains for Federal tax purposes, and
when distributed by the Fund, are taxable as ordinary income.
- Purchasing Calls and Puts. When the Fund purchases a call (other
than in a closing purchase transaction), it pays a premium and, except as
to calls on stock indices or Stock Index Futures, has the right to buy the
underlying investment from a seller of a corresponding call on the same
investment during the call period at a fixed exercise price. When the
Fund purchases a call on a stock index or Stock Index Future, settlement
is in cash rather than by delivery of the underlying investment to the
Fund. The Fund benefits only if the call is sold at a profit or if,
during the call period, the market price of the underlying investment is
above the sum of the call price plus the transaction costs and the premium
paid and the call is exercised. If the call is not exercised or sold
(whether or not at a profit), it will become worthless at its expiration
date and the Fund will lose its premium payment and the right to purchase
the underlying investment.
When the Fund purchases a put, it pays a premium and, except as to
puts on stock indices, has the right to sell the underlying investment to
a seller of a corresponding put on the same investment during the put
period at a fixed exercise price. Buying a put on an investment the Fund
owns enables the Fund to protect itself during the put period against a
decline in the value of the underlying investment below the exercise price
by selling such underlying investment at the exercise price to a seller
of a corresponding put. If the market price of the underlying investment
is equal to or above the exercise price and as a result the put is not
exercised or resold, the put will become worthless at its expiration date,
and the Fund will lose its premium payment and the right to sell the
underlying investment. The put may, however, be sold prior to expiration
(whether or not at a profit).
Buying a put on Futures it does not own permits the Fund either to
resell the put or, if applicable, to buy the underlying investment and
sell it at the exercise price. The resale price of the put will vary
inversely with the price of the underlying investment. If the market
price of the underlying investment is above the exercise price, and, as
a result, the put is not exercised, the put will become worthless on its
expiration date. In the event of a decline in price of the underlying
investment, the Fund could exercise or sell the put at a profit to attempt
to offset some or all of its loss on its portfolio securities. When the
Fund purchases a put on a Future not held by it, the put protects the Fund
to the extent that the prices of the underlying Futures move in a similar
pattern to the prices of the securities in the Fund's portfolio.
- Stock Index Futures and Interest Rate Futures. The Fund may buy
and sell futures contracts relating either to broadly-based stock indices
("Stock Index Futures") or to debt securities ("Interest Rate Futures").
A Stock Index Future obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser
to take) cash to settle the futures transaction, or to enter into an
offsetting contract. No physical delivery of the underlying stocks in the
index is made. Generally, contracts are closed out with offsetting
transactions prior to the expiration date of the contract. An Interest
Rate Future obligates the seller to deliver and the purchaser to take a
specific type of debt security or cash to settle the futures transaction,
or to enter into an offsetting contract. Upon entering into a Futures
transaction, the Fund will be required to deposit an initial margin
payment in cash or U.S. Treasury bills with the futures commission
merchant (the "futures broker"). The initial margin will be deposited
with the Fund's Custodian in an account registered in the futures broker's
name; however, the futures broker can gain access to that account only
under certain specified conditions. As the Future is marked to market to
reflect changes in its market value, subsequent margin payments, called
variation margin, will be paid to or by the futures broker on a daily
basis.
Prior to expiration of the Future, if the Fund elects to close out
its position by taking an opposite position, a final determination of
variation margin is made and additional cash is required to be paid by
or released to the Fund. Any gain or loss is then realized. Although
Stock Index Futures and Interest Rate Futures by their terms call for
settlement by the delivery of cash and of debt securities, respectively,
in most cases the obligation is fulfilled without such delivery by
entering into an offsetting transaction. All futures transactions are
effected through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the
contracts are traded.
- Options on Foreign Currencies. The Fund intends to write and
purchase calls and puts on foreign currencies. A call written on a
foreign currency by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying
foreign currency covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate
right to acquire that foreign currency without additional cash
consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated
account by its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other foreign
currency held in its portfolio. Normally this will be effected by the
sale of a security denominated in the relevant currency at a price higher
or lower than the original acquisition price of the security. This will
result in a loss or gain in addition to that resulting from the currency
option position. The Fund will not engage in writing options on foreign
currencies unless the Fund has sufficient liquid assets denominated in the
same currency as the option or in a currency that, in the judgment of the
Manager, will experience substantially similar movements against the U.S.
dollar as the option currency.
- Forward Contracts. A Forward Contract involves bilateral
obligations of one party to purchase, and another party to sell, a
specific currency at a future date (which may be any fixed number of days
from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties), at a price set
at the time the contract is entered into. These contracts are traded in
the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually
large commercial banks) and their customers.
The Fund may use Forward Contracts to protect against uncertainty in
the level of future exchange rates. The use of Forward Contracts does not
eliminate fluctuations in the prices of the underlying securities the Fund
owns or intends to acquire, but it does fix a rate of exchange in advance.
In addition, although Forward Contracts limit the risk of loss due to a
decline in the value of the hedged currencies, at the same time they limit
any potential gain that might result should the value of the currencies
increase. The Fund will not speculate with Forward Contracts or foreign
currency exchange rates.
The Fund may enter into Forward Contracts with respect to specific
transactions. For example, when the Fund enters into a contract for the
purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency, or when
the Fund anticipates receipt of dividend payments in a foreign currency,
the Fund may desire to "lock-in" the U.S. dollar price of the security or
the U.S. dollar equivalent of such payment by entering into a Forward
Contract, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars per unit of foreign currency,
for the purchase or sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in the
underlying transaction ("transaction hedge"). The Fund will thereby be
able to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse
change in the relationship between the currency exchange rates during the
period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on
which the payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are
made or received.
The Fund may also use Forward Contracts to lock in the U.S. dollar
value of portfolio positions ("position hedge"). In a position hedge, for
example, when the Fund believes that foreign currency may suffer a
substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward
sale contract to sell an amount of that foreign currency approximating the
value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in
such foreign currency, or when the Fund believes that the U.S. dollar may
suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it may enter into
a forward purchase contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed
dollar amount. In this situation the Fund may, in the alternative, enter
into a forward contract to sell a different foreign currency for a fixed
U.S. dollar amount where the Fund believes that the U.S. dollar value of
the currency to be sold pursuant to the forward contract will fall
whenever there is a decline in the U.S. dollar value of the currency in
which portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated ("cross-hedge").
The Fund will not enter into such Forward Contracts or maintain a net
exposure to such contracts where the consummation of the contracts would
obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of
the value of the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in that currency.
The Fund, however, in order to avoid excess transactions and transaction
costs, may maintain a net exposure to Forward Contracts in excess of the
value of the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in that currency
provided the excess amount is "covered" by liquid, high grade debt
securities, denominated in either that foreign currency or U.S. dollars,
at least equal at all times to the amount of such excess. As an
alternative, the Fund may purchase a call option permitting the Fund to
purchase the amount of foreign currency being hedged by a forward sale
contract at a price no higher than the Forward Contract price or the Fund
may purchase a put option permitting the Fund to sell the amount of
foreign currency subject to a forward purchase contract at a price as high
or higher than the Forward Contract price. Unanticipated changes in
currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than
if it had not entered into such contracts.
The precise matching of the Forward Contract amounts and the value
of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the
future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a
consequence of market movements in the value of these securities between
the date the Forward Contract is entered into and the date it is sold.
Accordingly, it may be necessary for the Fund to purchase additional
foreign currency on the spot (i.e., cash) market (and bear the expense of
such purchase), if the market value of the security is less than the
amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver and if a
decision is made to sell the security and make delivery of the foreign
currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market some
of the foreign currency received upon the sale of the portfolio security
if its market value exceeds the amount of foreign currency the Fund is
obligated to deliver. The projection of short-term currency market
movements is extremely difficult, and the successful execution of a short-
term hedging strategy is highly uncertain. Forward Contracts involve the
risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted,
causing the Fund to sustain losses on these contracts and incur
transactions costs.
At or before the maturity of a Forward Contract requiring the Fund
to sell a currency, the Fund may either sell a portfolio security and use
the sale proceeds to make delivery of the currency or retain the security
and offset its contractual obligation to deliver the currency by
purchasing a second contract pursuant to which the Fund will obtain, on
the same maturity date, the same amount of the currency that it is
obligated to deliver. Similarly, the Fund may close out a Forward
Contract requiring it to purchase a specified currency by entering into
a second contract entitling it to sell the same amount of the same
currency on the maturity date of the first contract. The Fund would
realize a gain or loss as a result of entering into such an offsetting
Forward Contract under either circumstance to the extent the exchange rate
or rates between the currencies involved moved between the execution dates
of the first contract and offsetting contract.
The cost to the Fund of engaging in Forward Contracts varies with
factors such as the currencies involved, the length of the contract period
and the market conditions then prevailing. As Forward Contracts are
usually entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are
involved. Because such contracts are not traded on an exchange, the Fund
must evaluate the credit and performance risk of each particular
counterparty under a Forward Contract.
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars,
it does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S.
dollars on a daily basis. The Fund may convert foreign currency from time
to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of currency
conversion. Foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion,
by they do seek to realize a profit based on the difference between the
prices at which they buy and sell various currencies. Thus, a dealer may
offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering
a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency
to the dealer.
- Interest Rate Swap Transactions. The value of securities subject
to interest rate swaps will not exceed 25% of the Fund's net assets. Swap
agreements entail both interest rate risk and credit risk. There is a
risk that, based on movements of interest rates in the future, the
payments made by the Fund under a swap agreement will have been greater
than those received by it. Credit risk arises from the possibility that
the counterparty will default. If the counterparty to an interest rate
swap defaults, the Fund's loss will consist of the net amount of
contractual interest payments that the Fund has not yet received. The
Manager will monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties to the Fund's
interest rate swap transactions on an ongoing basis. The Fund will enter
into swap transactions with appropriate counterparties pursuant to master
netting agreements.
A master netting agreement provides that all swaps done between the
Fund and that counterparty under that master agreement shall be regarded
as parts of an integral agreement. If on any date amounts are payable in
the same currency in respect of one or more swap transactions, the net
amount payable on that date in that currency shall be paid. In addition,
the master netting agreement may provide that if one party defaults
generally or on one swap, the counterparty may terminate the swaps with
that party. Under such agreements, if there is a default resulting in a
loss to one party, the measure of that party's damages is calculated by
reference to the average cost of a replacement swap with respect to each
swap (i.e., the mark-to-market value at the time of the termination of
each swap). The gains and losses on all swaps are then netted, and the
result is the counterparty's gain or loss on termination. The termination
of all swaps and the netting of gains and losses on termination is
generally referred to as "aggregation".
- Additional Information About Hedging Instruments and Their Use.
The Fund's Custodian, or a securities depository acting for the Custodian,
will act as the Fund's escrow agent through the facilities of the Options
Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), as to the investments on which the Fund has
written options traded on exchanges, or as to other acceptable escrow
securities, so that no margin will be required for such transactions. OCC
will release the securities covering a call on the expiration of the calls
or upon the Fund entering into a closing purchase transaction. An option
position may be closed out only on a market which provides secondary
trading for options of the same series, and there is no assurance that a
liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option.
When the Fund writes an OTC option, it will enter into an arrangement
with a primary U.S. government securities dealer, which will establish a
formula price at which the Fund would have the absolute right to
repurchase that OTC option. That formula price would generally be based
on a multiple of the premium received for the option, plus the amount by
which the option is exercisable below the market price of the underlying
security (that is, the extent to which the option is "in-the-money"). For
any OTC option the Fund writes, it will treat as illiquid (for purposes
of the limit on its assets that may be invested in illiquid securities,
stated in the Prospectus) an amount of assets used to cover written OTC
options, equal to the formula price for the repurchase of the OTC option
less the amount by which the OTC option is "in-the-money." The Fund will
also treat as illiquid any OTC option held by it. The SEC is evaluating
whether OTC options should be considered liquid securities, and the
procedure described above could be affected by the outcome of that
evaluation.
The Fund's option activities may affect its turnover rate and
brokerage commissions. The exercise by the Fund of puts on securities
will cause the sale of related investments, increasing portfolio turnover.
Although such exercise is within the Fund's control, holding a put might
cause the Fund to sell the related investments for reasons which would not
exist in the absence of the put. The Fund will pay a brokerage commission
each time it buys a put or call, or sells a call. Such commissions may
be higher than those which would apply to direct purchases or sales of
such underlying investments. Premiums paid for options are small in
relation to the market value of the related investments, and consequently,
put and call options offer large amounts of leverage. The leverage
offered by trading in options could result in the Fund's net asset value
being more sensitive to changes in the value of the underlying
investments.
- Regulatory Aspects of Hedging Instruments. The Fund is required
to operate within certain guidelines and restrictions with respect to its
use of Futures and options on Futures established by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission ("CFTC"). In particular, the Fund is exempted from
registration with the CFTC as a "commodity pool operator" if the Fund
complies with the requirements of the Rule adopted by the CFTC. Under
these restrictions, the Fund will not, as to any positions, whether long,
short or a combination thereof, enter into Futures and options thereon for
which the aggregate initial margins and premiums exceed 5% of the fair
market value of its net assets, with certain exclusions as defined in the
CFTC Rule. Under the restrictions, the Fund also must, as to its short
positions, use Futures and options thereon solely for bona fide hedging
purposes within the meaning and intent of the applicable provisions of the
CEA.
Transactions in options by the Fund are subject to limitations
established by each of the exchanges governing the maximum number of
options which may be written or held by a single investor or group of
investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options were
written or purchased on the same or different exchanges or are held in one
or more accounts or through one or more different exchanges or through one
or more brokers. Thus, the number of options which the Fund may write or
hold may be affected by options written or held by other entities,
including other investment companies having the same or an affiliated
investment adviser. Position limits also apply to Futures. An exchange
may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of those
limits and may impose certain other sanctions.
Due to requirements under the Investment Company Act, when the Fund
purchases a Future, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account or
accounts with its Custodian, cash or readily marketable short-term
(maturing in one year or less) debt instruments in an amount equal to the
market value of the securities underlying such Future, less the margin
deposit applicable to it.
- Tax Aspects of Hedging Instruments and Covered Calls. The Fund
intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal
Revenue Code. That qualification enables the Fund to "pass through" its
income and realized capital gains to shareholders without the Fund having
to pay tax on them. This avoids a "double tax" on that income and capital
gains, since shareholders will be taxed on the dividends and capital gains
they receive from the Fund. One of the tests for the Fund's qualification
is that less than 30% of its gross income (irrespective of losses) must
be derived from gains realized on the sale of securities held for less
than three months. To comply with that 30% cap, the Fund will limit the
extent to which it engages in the following activities, (but will not be
precluded from them): (i) selling investments, including Futures, held
for less than three months, whether or not they were purchased on the
exercise of a call held by the Fund; (ii) writing calls on investments
held for less than three months; (iii) purchasing calls or puts which
expire in less than three months; (iv) effecting closing transactions with
respect to calls or puts purchased less than three months previously; and
(v) exercising puts or calls held by the Fund for less than three months.
Certain foreign currency exchange contracts (Forward Contracts) in
which the Fund may invest are treated as "section 1256 contracts." Gains
or losses relating to section 1256 contracts generally are characterized
under the Internal Revenue Code as 60% long-term and 40% short-term
capital gains or losses. However, foreign currency gains or losses
arising from certain section 1256 contracts (including Forward Contracts)
generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. In addition, section
1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year are
"marked-to-market" with the result that unrealized gains or losses are
treated as though they were realized. These contracts also may be marked-
to-market for purposes of the excise tax applicable to investment company
distributions and for other purposes under rules prescribed pursuant to
the Internal Revenue Code. An election can be made by the Fund to exempt
these transactions from this marked-to-market treatment.
Certain Forward Contracts entered into by the Fund may result in
"straddles" for Federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may
affect the character of gains (or losses) realized by the Fund on straddle
positions. Generally, a loss sustained on the disposition of a
position(s) making up a straddle is allowed only to the extent such loss
exceeds any unrecognized gain in the offsetting positions making up the
straddle. Disallowed loss is generally allowed at the point where there
is no unrecognized gain in the offsetting positions making up the
straddle, or the offsetting position is disposed of.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, gains or losses attributable to
fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time the Fund
accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other
liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund
actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities generally are
treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, on disposition
of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition
of foreign currency forward contracts, gains or losses attributable to
fluctuations in the value of a foreign currency between the date of
acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also
are treated as an ordinary gain or loss. Currency gains and losses are
offset against market gains and losses before determining a net "section
988" gain or loss under the Internal Revenue Code, which may increase or
decrease the amount of the Fund's investment company income available for
distribution to its shareholders.
- Risks of Hedging With Futures and Options. An option position may
be closed out only on a market that provides secondary trading for options
of the same series, and there is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for any particular option. In addition to the risks
associated with hedging discussed in the Prospectus and above, there is
a risk in using short hedging by selling Futures to attempt to protect
against decline in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities (due to
an increase in interest rates) that the prices of such Futures will
correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash (i.e., market value)
prices of the Fund's portfolio securities. The ordinary spreads between
prices in the cash and futures markets are subject to distortions due to
differences in the natures of those markets. First, all participants in
the futures market are subject to margin deposit and maintenance
requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements,
investors may close out futures contracts through offsetting transactions
which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and futures
markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on
participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or
taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take
delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing
distortion. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit
requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin
requirements in the securities markets. Therefore, increased
participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary
price distortions.
The risk of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the
Fund's portfolio diverges from the securities included in the applicable
index. To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the
price of the portfolio securities being hedged and movements in the price
of the hedging instruments, the Fund may use hedging instruments in a
greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of portfolio securities being
hedged if the historical volatility of the prices of such portfolio
securities being hedged is more than the historical volatility of the
applicable index. It is also possible that if the Fund has used hedging
instruments in a short hedge, the market may advance and the value of the
securities held in the Fund's portfolio may decline. If that occurred,
the Fund would lose money on the hedging instruments and also experience
a decline in value in its portfolio securities. However, while this could
occur for a very brief period or to a very small degree, over time the
value of a diversified portfolio of securities will tend to move in the
same direction as the indices upon which the hedging instruments are
based.
If the Fund uses hedging instruments to establish a position in the
securities markets as a temporary substitute for the purchase of
particular securities (long hedging) by buying Futures and/or calls on
such Futures, on securities or on stock indices, it is possible that the
market may decline. If the Fund then concludes not to invest in
securities at that time because of concerns as to possible further market
decline or for other reasons, the Fund will realize a loss on the hedging
instruments that is not offset by a reduction in the price of such
securities.
- Short Sales Against-the-Box. In a short sale, the seller does not
own the security that is sold, but normally borrows it to fulfill the
delivery obligation. The seller later buys the security to repay the
loan, in the expectation that the price of the security will be lower when
the purchase is made, resulting in a gain. While any such short position
is open, the Fund must own an equal amount of the securities sold short,
or by virtue of ownership of securities have the right, without payment
of further consideration, to obtain an equal amount of the securities sold
short. Short sales against-the-box may be made to defer, for Federal
income tax purposes, recognition of gain or loss on the sale of securities
"in the box" until the short position is closed out.
Other Investment Restrictions
The Fund's most significant investment restrictions are set forth in
the Prospectus. There are additional investment restrictions that the
Fund must follow that are also fundamental policies. Fundamental policies
and the Fund's investment objective cannot be changed without the vote of
a "majority" of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. Under the
Investment Company Act, such a "majority" vote is defined as the vote of
the holders of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the shares present or
represented by proxy at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than
50% of the outstanding shares are present, or (2) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares.
Under these additional restrictions, the Fund cannot: (1) buy or sell
real estate or commodities or commodity contracts, including futures
contracts; however, the Fund may invest in debt securities secured by real
estate or interests therein, and the Fund may buy and sell any of the
hedging instruments which it may use as approved by the Fund's Board of
Trustees, whether or not such hedging instrument is considered to be a
commodity or commodity contract; (2) buy securities on margin, except that
the Fund may make margin deposits in connection with any of the hedging
instruments which it may use; (3) underwrite securities issued by other
persons except to the extent that in connection with the disposition of
its portfolio investments, it may be deemed to be an underwriter for
purposes of the Securities Act of 1933; (4) buy the securities of any
company for the purpose of acquiring control or management thereof, except
in connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition
of assets; (5) buy and retain securities of any issuer if officers and
Trustees or Directors of the Fund and the Manager individually owning more
than 0.5% of the securities of such issuer together own more than 5% of
the securities of such issuer; or (6) invest in other open-end investment
companies, or invest more than 5% of its net assets at the time of
purchase in closed-end investment companies (including small business
investment companies), nor make any such investments at commission rates
in excess of normal brokerage commissions.
In connection with the qualification of its shares in certain states,
the Fund has undertaken that in addition to the above, as a non-
fundamental policy, the Fund will not (i) invest in oil, gas or mineral
leases or (ii) invest in real estate limited partnership interests. In
the event the Fund's shares cease to be qualified under such laws or if
such undertaking(s) otherwise cease to be operative, the Fund would not
be subject to such restrictions.
The percentage restrictions described above and in the Prospectus are
applicable only at the time of investment and require no action by the
Fund as a result of subsequent changes in value of the investments or the
size of the Fund.
For purposes of the Fund's policy not to concentrate its investments,
described under investment restriction number two in the Prospectus, the
Fund has adopted the Industry Classifications set forth in Appendix A to
this Statement of Additional Information.
How the Fund Is Managed
Organization and History. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Fund is
not required to hold, and does not plan to hold, regular annual meetings
of shareholders. The Fund will hold meetings when required to do so by the
Investment Company Act or other applicable law, or when a shareholder
meeting is called by the Trustees or upon proper request of the
shareholders. Shareholders have the right, upon the declaration in
writing or vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Fund, to
remove a Trustee. The Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to
vote on the removal of a Trustee upon the written request of the record
holders of 10% of its outstanding shares. In addition, if the Trustees
receive a request from at least 10 shareholders (who have been
shareholders for at least six months) holding shares of the Fund valued
at $25,000 or more or holding at least 1% of the Fund's outstanding
shares, whichever is less, stating that they wish to communicate with
other shareholders to request a meeting to remove a Trustee, the Trustees
will then either make the Fund's shareholder list available to the
applicants or mail their communication to all other shareholders at the
applicants' expense, or the Trustees may take such other action as set
forth under Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act.
The Fund's Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder or Trustee liability for the Fund's obligations, and provides
for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of its property for
any shareholder held personally liable for its obligations. The
Declaration of Trust also provides that the Fund shall, upon request,
assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act
or obligation of the Fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, while
Massachusetts law permits a shareholder of a business trust (such as the
Fund) to be held personally liable as a "partner" under certain
circumstances, the risk of a Fund shareholder incurring financial loss on
account of shareholder liability is limited to the relatively remote
circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations
described above. Any person doing business with the Trust, and any
shareholder of the Trust, agrees under the Trust's Declaration of Trust
to look solely to the assets of the Trust for satisfaction of any claim
or demand which may arise out of any dealings with the Trust, and the
Trustees shall have no personal liability to any such person, to the
extent permitted by law.
Trustees and Officers of the Fund. The Fund's Trustees and officers
and their principal occupations and business affiliations during the past
five years are set forth below. The address of each Trustee and officer
is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203, unless another
address is listed below. All of the Trustees are also trustees of
Oppenheimer Fund, Oppenheimer Global Fund, Oppenheimer Time Fund,
Oppenheimer Growth Fund, Oppenheimer Discovery Fund, Oppenheimer Global
Growth & Income Fund, Oppenheimer Global Emerging Growth Fund, Oppenheimer
Gold & Special Minerals Fund, Oppenheimer Tax-Free Bond Fund, Oppenheimer
New York Tax-Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund,
Oppenheimer Multi-State Tax-Exempt Trust, Oppenheimer Target Fund,
Oppenheimer Mortgage Income Fund, Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust,
Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust and Oppenheimer Multi-Government
Trust (the "New York OppenheimerFunds"). Messrs. Spiro, Donohue, Bowen,
Zack, Bishop and Farrar hold the same offices with the other New York
OppenheimerFunds as with the Fund. As of March __, 1995, the Trustees and
officers of the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund, not including shares held of record by an employee
benefit plan of the Manager for which an officer of the Fund (Andrew J.
Donohue) is a Trustee.
Leon Levy, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Age 69
31 West 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019
General Partner of Odyssey Partners, L.P. (investment partnership);
Chairman of Avatar Holdings, Inc. (real estate development).
Leo Cherne, Trustee; Age 82
122 East 92nd Street, New York, New York 10168
Chairman Emeritus of the International Rescue Committee (philanthropic
organization); formerly Executive Director of The Research Institute of
America.
Robert G. Galli, Trustee; Age 61
Vice Chairman of the Manager and Vice President and Counsel of Oppenheimer
Acquisition Corp., the Manager's parent holding company; formerly he held
the following positions: a director of the Manager and Oppenheimer Funds
Distributor, Inc. ("OFDI"), Vice President and a director of HarbourView
Asset Management Corporation ("HarbourView") and Centennial Asset
Management Corporation ("Centennial"), investment advisory subsidiaries
of the Manager, a director of Shareholder Financial Services, Inc.
("SFSI") and Shareholder Services, Inc. ("SSI"), transfer agent
subsidiaries of the Manager, an officer of other OppenheimerFunds and
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Manager and OFDI.
Benjamin Lipstein, Trustee; Age 71
591 Breezy Hill Road, Hillsdale, New York 12529
Professor Emeritus of Marketing, Stern Graduate School of Business
Administration, New York University; Director of Sussex Publications, Inc.
(publishers of Psychology Today and Mother Earth News) and of Spy
Magazine, L.P.
Elizabeth B. Moynihan, Trustee; Age 65
801 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004
Author and architectural historian; a trustee of the American Schools of
Oriental Research, the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, the
Institute of Fine Arts (New York University), and the National Building
Museum; a member of the Indo-U.S. Sub-Commission on Education and Culture;
and the Trustees Council, Preservation League of New York State.
Kenneth A. Randall, Trustee; Age 67
6 Whittaker's Mill, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
A director of Dominion Energy, Inc. (electric power and oil & gas
producer), Enron-Dominion Cogen Corp. (cogeneration company), Kemper
Corporation (insurance and financial services company) and Fidelity Life
Association (mutual life insurance company); formerly Chairman of the
Board of ICL Inc. (information systems) and President and Chief Executive
Officer of The Conference Board, Inc. (international economic and business
research).
Edward V. Regan, Trustee; Age 64
40 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016
President of Jerome Levy Economics Institute; a member of the U.S.
Competitiveness Policy Council; a director of GranCare, Inc. (health care
provider); formerly New York State Comptroller and trustee, New York State
and Local Retirement Fund.
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., Trustee; Age 63
200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166
Founder Chairman of Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. (executive
recruiting); Chairman of Directors Publication, Inc. (consulting and
publishing); a trustee of Mystic Seaport Museum, International House,
Greenwich Hospital and the Greenwich Historical Society.
Sidney M. Robbins, Trustee; Age 82
50 Overlook Road, Ossining, New York 10562
Chase Manhattan Professor Emeritus of Financial Institutions, Graduate
School of Business, Columbia University; Visiting Professor of Finance,
University of Hawaii; a director of The Korea Fund, Inc. and The Malaysia
Fund, Inc. (closed-end investment companies); a member of the Board of
Advisors, Olympus Private Placement Fund, L.P.; Professor Emeritus of
Finance, Adelphi University.
Donald W. Spiro, President and Trustee; Age 69
Chairman Emeritus and a director of the Manager; formerly Chairman of the
Manager and OFDI.
Pauline Trigere, Trustee; Age 82
550 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10018
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trigere, Inc. (design and sale of
women's fashions).
Clayton K. Yeutter, Trustee; Age 64
1325 Merrie Ridge Road, McLean, Virginia 22101
Of Counsel to Hogan & Hartson (a law firm); a director of B.A.T.
Industries, Ltd. (tobacco and financial services), Caterpillar, Inc.
(machinery), ConAgra, Inc. (food and agricultural products), Farmers
Insurance Company (insurance), FMC Corp. (chemicals and machinery),
Lindsay Manufacturing Co. (irrigation equipment), Texas Instruments, Inc.
(electronics) and The Vigoro Corporation (fertilizer manufacturer);
formerly (in descending chronological order) Counsellor to the President
(Bush) for Domestic Policy, Chairman of the Republican National Committee,
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Trade
Representative.
Richard H. Rubinstein, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age 46
Vice President of the Manager; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds;
formerly Vice President and Portfolio Manager/Security Analyst for
Oppenheimer Capital Corp., an investment adviser.
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary; Age 44
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Manager and OFDI; an
officer of other OppenheimerFunds; formerly Senior Vice President and
Associate General Counsel of the Manager and OFDI; prior to which he was
a partner in, Kraft & McManimon (a law firm); an officer of First
Investors Corporation (a broker-dealer) and First Investors Management
Company, Inc. (broker-dealer and investment adviser), and a director and
an officer of First Investors Family of Funds and First Investors Life
Insurance Company.
George C. Bowen, Treasurer; Age 58
3410 South Galena Street Denver, Colorado 80231
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Manager; Vice President and
Treasurer of OFDI and HarbourView; Senior Vice President, Treasurer,
Assistant Secretary and a director of Centennial; Vice President,
Treasurer and Secretary of SSI and SFSI; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary; Age 46
Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel of the Manager;
Assistant Secretary of SSI and SFSI; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds.
Robert Bishop, Assistant Treasurer; Age 36
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80231
Assistant Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting; an officer
of other OppenheimerFunds; previously a Fund Controller for the Manager,
prior to which he was an Accountant for Resolution Trust Corporation and
previously an Accountant and Commissions Supervisor for Stuart James
Company Inc., a broker-dealer.
Scott Farrar, Assistant Treasurer; Age 29
3410 South Galena Street, Denver, Colorado 80310
Assistant Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting; an officer
of other OppenheimerFunds; previously a Fund Controller for the Manager,
prior to which he was an International Mutual Fund Supervisor for Brown
Brothers Harriman Co., a bank, and previously a Senior Fund Accountant for
State Street Bank & Trust Company, before which he was a sales
representative for Central Colorado Planning. [/R]
- Remuneration of Trustees. The officers of the Fund are
affiliated with the Manager; they and the Trustees of the Fund who are
affiliated with the Manager (Messrs. Galli and Spiro; Mr. Spiro is also
an officer) receive no salary or fee from the Fund. The Trustees of the
Fund (including Mr. Delaney, a former Trustee, but excluding Messrs. Galli
and Spiro) received the total amounts shown below from all 19 of the New
York-based OppenheimerFunds (including the Fund) listed in the first
paragraph of this section (and from Oppenheimer Global Environment Fund,
a former New York-based OppenheimerFund), for services in the positions
shown:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Compensation From All
Name Position New York-based OppenheimerFunds1
- ---- -------- --------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Leon Levy Chairman and Trustee $141,000.00
Leo Cherne Audit Committee Member and $ 68,800.00
Trustee
Edmund T. Delaney Study Committee Member and $ 86,200.00
Trustee2
Benjamin Lipstein Study Committee Member and $ 86,200.00
Trustee
Elizabeth B. MoynihanStudy Committee Member3 and $ 60,625.00
Trustee
Kenneth A. Randall Audit Committee Member and $ 78,400.00
Trustee
Edward V. Regan Audit Committee Member3 and $ 56,275.00
Trustee
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Trustee $ 52,100.00
Sidney M. Robbins Study Committee Chairman, $122,100.00
Audit Committee Vice-Chairman
and Trustee
Pauline Trigere Trustee $ 52,100.00
Clayton K. Yuetter Trustee $ 52,100.00
______________________
<FN>
1 For the 1994 calendar year.
2 Board and committee positions held during a portion of the period
shown.
3 Committee position held during a portion of the period shown.
</TABLE>
The Fund has adopted a retirement plan that provides for payment to
a retired Trustee of up to 80% of the average compensation paid during
that Trustee's five years of service in which the highest compensation was
received. A Trustee must serve in that capacity for any of the New York-
based OppenheimerFunds for at least 15 years to be eligible for the
maximum payment. No payments have been made by the Fund under the plan as
of December 31, 1994. The accumulated liability for the Fund's projected
benefit obligations under the plan was $110,974 as of that date.
- Major Shareholders. As of ___________, 1995, the only person who
owned of record or was known by the Fund to own beneficially 5% or more
of the Fund's outstanding Class A or Class C shares was Massachusetts
Mutual Life Insurance Company ("MassMutual") and its affiliates (including
its employee benefit plans), which collectively owned of record
_______________ Class A shares (____% of the Class A shares then
outstanding). MassMutual is located at 1295 State Street, Springfield,
MA 01111, and its affiliation with the Manager is described below.
The Manager and Its Affiliates. The Manager is wholly-owned by
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), a holding company controlled by
MassMutual. OAC is also owned in part by certain of the Manager's
directors and officers, some of whom also serve as officers of the Fund
and two of whom (Messrs. Galli and Spiro) also serve as Trustees of the
Fund.
- The Investment Advisory Agreement. The investment advisory
agreement between the Manager and the Fund requires the Manager, at its
expense, to provide the Fund with adequate office space, facilities and
equipment, and to provide and supervise the activities of all
administrative and clerical personnel required to provide corporate
effective administration for the Fund, including the compilation and
maintenance of records with respect to its operations, the preparation and
filing of specified reports, and composition of proxy materials and
registration statements for continuous public sale of shares of the Fund.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Manager under the advisory
agreement or by the Distributor under the Distribution Agreement are paid
by the Fund. The advisory agreement lists examples of expenses paid by
the Fund, the major categories of which relate to interest, taxes,
brokerage commissions, fees to certain Trustees, legal and audit expenses,
custodian and transfer agent expenses, share issuance costs, certain
printing and registration costs and non-recurring expenses, including
litigation costs. For the Fund's fiscal years ended December 31, 1992,
1993 and 1994, the management fees paid by the Fund to the Manager were
$2,110,846, $2,130,917 and $1,869,498, respectively.
The advisory agreement contains no provisions limiting the Fund's
expenses. However, independently of the advisory agreement, the Manager
has undertaken that the total expenses of the Fund in any fiscal year
(including the management fee but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage
commissions, distribution assistance payments and extraordinary expenses
such as litigation costs) shall not exceed (and the Manager undertakes to
reduce the Fund's management fee in the amount by which such expenses
shall exceed) the most stringent applicable state regulatory limitation
on fund expenses. Currently, the most stringent state expense limitation
is imposed by California, and limits the Fund's expenses (with specified
exclusions) to 2.5% of the first $30 million of average net assets, 2.0%
of the next $70 million of average annual net assets, and 1.5% of average
annual net assets in excess of $100 million. The payment of the
management fee at the end of any month will be reduced or eliminated such
that there will not be any accrued but unpaid liability under this expense
limitation. The Manager reserves the right to terminate or amend the
undertaking at any time. Any assumption of the Fund's expenses under this
undertaking would lower the Fund's overall expense ratio and increase its
total return during any period in which expenses are limited.
The advisory agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties, or reckless disregard for its obligations and duties under the
advisory agreement, the Manager is not liable for any loss resulting from
a good faith error or omission on its part with respect to any of its
duties thereunder. The advisory agreement permits the Manager to act as
investment adviser for any other person, firm or corporation and to use
the name "Oppenheimer" in connection with its other investment companies
for which it may act as investment advisor or general distributor. If the
Manager shall no longer act as investment adviser to the Fund, the right
of the Fund to use the name "Oppenheimer" as part of its name may be
withdrawn.
- The Distributor. Under its Distribution Agreement with the Fund,
the Distributor acts as the Fund's principal underwriter in the continuous
public offering of the Fund's Class A and Class C shares but is not
obligated to sell a specific number of shares. Expenses normally
attributable to sales, including advertising and the cost of printing and
mailing prospectuses, other than those furnished to existing shareholders,
are borne by the Distributor. During the Fund's fiscal years ended
December 31, 1992, 1993, and 1994, the aggregate amount of sales charges
on sales of the Fund's Class A shares was $39,326,104, $413,077 and
$446,064 in those respective years, of which the Distributor and an
affiliated broker-dealer retained in the aggregate $9,834,389, $165,368
and $160,107, respectively. During the Fund's fiscal year ended December
31, 1994, the contingent deferred sales charges collected on the Fund's
Class C shares totalled $2,135, all of which the Distributor retained.
For additional information about distribution of the Fund's shares and the
expenses connected with such activities, please refer to "Distribution and
Service Plans" below.
- The Transfer Agent. Oppenheimer Shareholder Services, the Fund's
transfer agent, is responsible for maintaining the Fund's shareholder
registry and shareholder accounting records, and for shareholder servicing
and administrative functions.
Brokerage Policies of the Fund
Brokerage Provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement. One of the
duties of the Manager under the advisory agreement is to arrange the
portfolio transactions for the Fund. The advisory agreement contains
provisions relating to the employment of broker-dealers ("brokers") to
effect the Fund's portfolio transactions. In doing so, the Manager is
authorized by the advisory agreement to employ such broker-dealers,
including "affiliated" brokers, as that term is defined in the Investment
Company Act, as may, in it's best judgment based on all relevant factors,
implement the policy of the Fund to obtain, at reasonable expense, the
"best execution" (prompt and reliable execution at the most favorable
price obtainable) of such transactions. The Manager need not seek
competitive commission bidding, but is expected to minimize the
commissions paid to the extent consistent with the interest and policies
of the Fund as established by its Board of Trustees. Purchases of
securities from underwriters include a commission or concession paid by
the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers include a spread
between the bid and asked price.
Under the advisory agreement, the Manager is authorized to select
brokers that provide brokerage and/or research services for the Fund
and/or the other accounts over which the Manager or its affiliates have
investment discretion. The commissions paid to such brokers may be higher
than another qualified broker would have charged if a good faith
determination is made by the Manager and the commission is fair and
reasonable in relation to the services provided. Subject to the foregoing
considerations, the Manager may also consider sales of shares of the Fund
and other investment companies managed by the Manager or its affiliates
as a factor in the selection of brokers for the Fund's portfolio
transactions.
Description of Brokerage Practices Followed by the Manager. Subject to
the provisions of the advisory agreement, the procedures and rules
described above, allocations of brokerage are made by portfolio managers
of the Manager under the supervision of the Manager's executive officers.
Transactions in securities other than those for which an exchange is the
primary market are generally done with principals or market makers.
Brokerage commissions are paid primarily for effecting transactions in
listed securities and otherwise only if it appears likely that a better
price or execution can be obtained. In connection with transactions on
foreign exchanges, the Fund may be required to pay fixed brokerage
commissions and thereby forego the benefit of negotiated commissions
available in U.S. markets. When the Fund engages in an option
transaction, ordinarily the same broker will be used for the purchase or
sale of the option and any transactions in the securities to which the
option relates. When possible, concurrent orders to purchase or sell the
same security by more than one of the accounts managed by the Manager or
its affiliates are combined. The transactions effected pursuant to such
combined orders are averaged as to price and allocated in accordance with
the purchase or sale orders actually placed for each account. Option
commissions may be relatively higher than those which would apply to
direct purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
Most purchases of money market instruments and debt obligations are
principal transactions at net prices. Instead of using a broker for those
transactions, the Fund normally deals directly with the selling or
purchasing principal or market maker unless it is determined that a better
price or execution can be obtained by using a broker. Purchases of these
securities from underwriters include a commission or concession paid by
the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers include a spread
between the bid and asked price. The Fund seeks to obtain prompt
execution of such orders at the most favorable net price.
The research services provided by a particular broker may be useful
only to one or more of the advisory accounts of the Manager and its
affiliates, and investment research received for the commissions of those
other accounts may be useful both to the Fund and one or more of such
other accounts. Such research, which may be supplied by a third party at
the instance of a broker, includes information and analyses on particular
companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and
portfolio strategy, receipt of market quotations for portfolio
evaluations, information systems, computer hardware and similar products
and services. If a research service also assists the Manager in a non-
research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other administrative functions),
then only the percentage or component that provides assistance to the
Manager in the investment decision-making process may be paid for in
commission dollars.
The research services provided by brokers broaden the scope and
supplement the research activities of the Manager, by making available
additional views for consideration and comparisons, and enabling the
Manager to obtain market information for the valuation of securities held
in the Fund's portfolio or being considered for purchase. The Board of
Trustees, including the "Independent" Trustees of the Fund (those Trustees
of the Fund who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment
Company Act), and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the advisory agreement or the Distribution and Service Plans
described below), annually reviews information furnished by the Manager
as to the commissions paid to brokers furnishing such services so that the
Board may ascertain whether the amount of such commissions was reasonably
related to the value or benefit of such services. The Board of Trustees
has permitted the Manager to use concessions on fixed price offerings to
obtain research, in the same manner as is permitted for agency
transactions.
During the Fund's fiscal years ended December 31, 1992, 1993 and
1994, total brokerage commissions paid by the Fund (not including spreads
or concessions on principal transactions on a net trade basis) amounted
to $359,816, $2,914,950 and $_________, respectively. During the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1994, $_________ was paid to brokers as
commissions in return for research services (including special research,
statistical information and execution); the aggregate dollar amount of
those transactions was $___________.
Performance of the Fund
Total Return Information. As described in the Prospectus, from time to
time the "average annual total return", "total return," and "total return
at net asset value" of an investment in each class of Fund shares may be
advertised. An explanation of these are calculated for each class and the
components of those calculations is set forth below.
The Fund's advertisement of its performance must, under applicable
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, include the average
annual total returns for each class of shares of the Fund for the 1, 5 and
10-year period (or the life of the class, if less) as of the most recently
ended calendar quarter prior to the publication of the advertisement.
This enables an investor to compare the Fund's performance to the
performance of other funds for the same periods. However, a number of
factors should be considered before using such information as a basis for
comparison with other investments. An investment in the Fund is not
insured; total return and share prices are not guaranteed and normally
will fluctuate on a daily basis. When redeemed, an investor's shares may
be worth more or less than their original cost. Total return for any
given past period are not a prediction or representation by the Fund of
future rates of return. The total returns of the Class A and Class C
shares of the Fund are affected by portfolio quality, the type of
investments the Fund holds and its operating expenses allocated to a
particular class.
- - Average Annual Total Returns. The "average annual total return" of
each class is an average annual compounded rate of return for each year
in a specified number of years. It is the rate of return based on the
change in value of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 ("P" in the
formula below) held for a number of years ("n") to achieve an Ending
Redeemable Value ("ERV"), according to the following formula:
( ERV ) 1/n
(-----) -1 = Average Annual Total Return
( P )
- - Cumulative Total Returns. The cumulative "total return" calculation
measures the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $1,000 over
an entire period of years. Its calculation uses some of the same factors
as average annual total return, but it does not average the rate of return
on an annual basis. Cumulative total return is determined as follows:
ERV - P
- ------- = Total Return
P
In calculating total returns for Class A shares, the current maximum
sales charge of 5.75% (as a percentage of the offering price) is deducted
from the initial investment ("P") (unless the return is shown at net asset
value, as discussed below). For Class C shares, the payment of the 1.0%
contingent deferred sales charge is applied to the investment result for
the one-year period (or less). Total returns also assume that all
dividends and capital gains distributions during the period are reinvested
to buy additional shares at net asset value per share, and that the
investment is redeemed at the end of the period. The "average annual
total returns" on an investment in Class A shares of the Fund for the one-
and five-year periods ended December 31, 1993 and for the period from
April 24, 1987 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 1993, were
9.61%, 10.03% and 8.33%, respectively. The cumulative "total return" on
Class A shares for the latter period was 70.79%. For the fiscal period
from December 1, 1993 through December 31, 1993, the cumulative total
return on an investment in Class C shares of the Fund was 1.51%.
- Total Returns at Net Asset Value. From time to time the Fund may
also quote an "average annual total return at net asset value" or a
"cumulative total return at net asset value" for Class A or Class C
shares. Each is based on the difference in net asset value per share at
the beginning and the end of the period for a hypothetical investment in
that class of shares (without considering front-end or contingent deferred
sales charges) and takes into consideration the reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains distributions. The cumulative "total returns at net
asset value" of the Fund's Class A shares for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994, and for the period from April 24, 1987 (commencement
of operations) to December 31, 1994 were ____% and ____%, respectively.
Total return information may be useful to investors in reviewing the
performance of the Fund's Class A or Class C shares. However, when
comparing total return of an investment in Class A or Class C shares of
the Fund with that of other alternatives, investors should understand that
as the Fund is an aggressive equity fund seeking capital appreciation, its
shares are subject to greater market risks than shares of funds having
other investment objectives and that the Fund is designed for investors
who are willing to accept greater risk of loss in the hopes of realizing
greater gains.
Other Performance Comparisons. From time to time the Fund may publish
the ranking of its Class A or Class C shares by Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc. ("Lipper"), a widely-recognized independent service.
Lipper monitors the performance of regulated investment companies,
including the Fund, and ranks their performance for various periods based
on categories relating to investment objectives. The performance of the
Fund is ranked against (i) all other funds, excluding money market funds,
and (ii) flexible portfolio funds. The Lipper performance rankings are
based on total returns that include the reinvestment of capital gains
distributions and income dividends but do not take sales charges or taxes
into consideration.
From time to time the Fund may publish the ranking of the performance
of its Class A or Class C shares by Morningstar, Inc., an independent
mutual fund monitoring service that ranks mutual funds, including the
Fund, monthly in broad investment categories (equity, taxable bond, tax-
exempt and other), based on risk-adjusted investment return. Investment
return measures a Fund's three, five and ten-year average annual total
returns (when available) in excess of 90-day U.S. Treasury bill monthly
returns after considering sales charges and expenses. Risk and return are
combined to produce star rankings reflecting performance relative to the
average fund in a fund's category. Five stars is the "highest" ranking
(top 10%), four stars is "above average" (next 22.5%), three stars is
"average" (next 35%), two stars is "below average" (next 22.5%) and one
star is "lowest" (bottom 10%). Morningstar ranks the Class A and Class
C shares of the Fund in relation to other rated "hybrid" funds, including
all other asset allocation funds. Rankings are subject to change.
The total return on an investment in the Fund's Class A or Class C
shares may be compared with performance for the same period of one or more
of the following indices: (i) the S&P 500 Index, an unmanaged index of
common stocks widely used as a measure of general U.S. stock market
performance; and (ii) the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, an
unmanaged index of U.S. corporate bond issues, U.S. government securities
and mortgage-backed securities, widely regarded as a measure of the
performance of the domestic debt securities market. Other indices may be
used from time to time. The foregoing indices do not reflect reinvestment
of capital gains or take transaction charges or taxes into consideration,
as these items are not applicable to indices.
Investors may also wish to compare the Fund's Class A or Class C
return to the return on fixed income investments available from banks and
thrift institutions, such as certificates of deposit, ordinary interest-
paying checking and savings accounts, and other forms of fixed or variable
time deposits, and various other instruments such as Treasury bills.
However, the Fund's returns and share price are not guaranteed and will
fluctuate daily, while bank depository obligations may be insured by the
FDIC and may provide fixed rates of return, and Treasury bills are
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government.
Distribution and Service Plans
The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for Class A shares and a
Distribution and Service Plan for Class C shares under Rule 12b-1 of the
Investment Company Act, pursuant to which the Fund will reimburse the
Distributor quarterly for all or a portion of its costs incurred in
connection with the distribution and/or servicing of the shares of that
class, as described in the Prospectus. Each Plan has been approved by a
vote of (i) the Board of Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the
Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on that Plan, and (ii) the holders of a "majority" (as defined
in the Investment Company Act) of the shares of each class. For the
Distribution and Service Plan for the Class C shares, that vote was cast
by the Manager as the sole initial holder of Class C shares of the Fund.
In addition, under the Plans, the Manager and the Distributor in
their sole discretion from time to time may use their own resources
(which, as to the Manager, may include profits derived from the advisory
fee it receives from the Fund) to make payments to brokers, dealers or
other financial institutions (each is referred to as a "Recipient" under
the Plans) for distribution and administrative services they perform. The
Distributor and the Manager may, in their sole discretion, increase or
decrease the amount of payments they make to Recipients from their own
resources.
Unless terminated as described below, each Plan continues in effect
from year to year but only as long as such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Fund's Board of Trustees and its
Independent Trustees by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such continuance. Either Plan may be terminated at
any time by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the
vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company
Act) of the outstanding shares of that class. Neither Plan may be amended
to increase materially the amount of payments to be made unless such
amendment is approved by shareholders of the class affected by the
amendment. All material amendments must be approved by the Independent
Trustees.
While the Plans are in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall
provide separate written reports to the Fund's Board of Trustees at least
quarterly on the amount of all payments made pursuant to each Plan, the
purpose for which the payment was made and the identity of each Recipient
that received any such payment. The report for the Class C Plan shall
also include the distribution costs for that quarter, and such costs for
previous fiscal periods that are carried forward, as explained in the
Prospectus and below. Those reports, including the allocations on which
they are based, will be subject to the review and approval of the
Independent Trustees in the exercise of their fiduciary duty. Each Plan
further provides that while it is in effect, the selection and nomination
of those Trustees of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund
is committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees. This does not
prevent the involvement of others in such selection and nomination if the
final decision on any such selection or nomination is approved by a
majority of such Independent Trustees.
Under the Plans, no payment will be made to any Recipient in any
quarter if the aggregate net asset value of all Fund shares held by the
Recipient for itself and its customers did not exceed a minimum amount,
if any, that may be determined from time to time by a majority of the
Fund's Independent Trustees. Initially, the Board of Trustees has set the
fee at the maximum rate and set no minimum amount.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, payments under the Class
A Plan totaled $________, all of which was paid by the Distributor to
Recipients, including $________ paid to MML Investor Services, Inc., an
affiliate of the Distributor. Any unreimbursed expenses incurred with
respect to Class A shares for any fiscal quarter by the Distributor may
not be recovered in subsequent fiscal quarters. Payments received by the
Distributor under the Plan for Class A shares will not be used to pay any
interest expense, carrying charges, or other financial costs, or
allocation of overhead by the Distributor.
The Class C Plan allows the service fee payment to be paid by the
Distributor to Recipients in advance for the first year Class C shares are
outstanding, and thereafter on a quarterly basis, as described in the
Prospectus. The advance payment is based on the net asset value of the
Class C shares sold. An exchange of shares does not entitle the Recipient
to an advance service fee payment. In the event Class C shares are
redeemed during the first year such shares are outstanding, the Recipient
will be obligated to repay a pro rata portion of such advance payment to
the Distributor.
Although the Class C Plan permits the Distributor to retain both the
asset-based sales charges and the service fee on Class C shares, or to pay
Recipients the service fee on a quarterly basis, without payment in
advance, the Distributor intends to pay the service fee to Recipients in
the manner described above. A minimum holding period may be established
from time to time under the Class C Plan by the Board. Initially, the
Board has set no minimum holding period. All payments under the Class C
Plan are subject to the limitations imposed by the Rules of Fair Practice
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. on payments of
asset-based sales charges and service fees.
The Class C Plan allows for the carry-forward of distribution
expenses, to be recovered from asset-based sales charges in subsequent
fiscal periods, as described above and in the Prospectus. The asset-based
sales charge paid to the Distributor by the Fund under the Class C Plan
is intended to allow the Distributor to recoup the cost of sales
commissions paid to authorized brokers and dealers at the time of sale,
plus financing costs, as described in the Prospectus. Such payments may
also be used to pay for the following expenses in connection with the
distribution of Class C shares: (i) financing the advance of the service
fee payment to Recipients under the Class C Plan, (ii) compensation and
expenses of personnel employed by the Distributor to support distribution
of Class C shares, and (iii) costs of sales literature, advertising and
prospectuses (other than those furnished to current shareholders) and
state "blue sky" registration fees.
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How to Buy Shares
Alternative Sales Arrangements - Class A and Class C Shares. The
availability of two classes of shares permits an investor to choose the
method of purchasing shares that is more beneficial to the investor
depending on the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor
expects to hold shares and other relevant circumstances. Investors should
understand that the purpose and function of the deferred sales charge and
asset-based sales charge with respect to Class C shares are the same as
those of the initial sales charge with respect to Class A shares. Any
salesperson or other person entitled to receive compensation for selling
Fund shares may receive different compensation with respect to one class
of shares than the other. The Distributor will not accept any order for
$1 million or more of Class C shares on behalf of a single investor (not
including dealer "street name" or omnibus accounts) because generally it
will be more advantageous for that investor to purchase Class A shares of
the Fund instead.
The two classes of shares each represent an interest in the same
portfolio investments of the Fund. However, each class has different
shareholder privileges and features. The net income attributable to Class
C shares and the dividends payable on Class C shares will be reduced by
incremental expenses borne solely by that class, including the asset-based
sales charge to which Class C shares are subject.
The methodology for calculating the net asset value, dividends and
distributions of the Fund's Class A and Class C shares recognizes two
types of expenses. General expenses that do not pertain specifically to
either class are allocated pro rata to the shares of each class, based on
the percentage of the net assets of such class to the Fund's total net
assets, and then equally to each outstanding share within a given class.
Such general expenses include (i) management fees, (ii) legal, bookkeeping
and audit fees, (iii) printing and mailing costs of shareholder reports,
Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information and other materials for
current shareholders, (iv) fees to unaffiliated Trustees, (v) custodian
expenses, (vi) share issuance costs, (vii) organization and start-up
costs, (viii) interest, taxes and brokerage commissions, and (ix) non-
recurring expenses, such as litigation costs. Other expenses that are
directly attributable to a class are allocated equally to each outstanding
share within that class. Such expenses include (i) Distribution and/or
Service Plan fees, (ii) incremental transfer and shareholder servicing
agent fees and expenses, (iii) registration fees and (iv) shareholder
meeting expenses, to the extent that such expenses pertain to a specific
class rather than to the Fund as a whole.
Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share. The net asset values per
share of Class A and Class C shares of the Fund are determined as of the
close of business of The New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on each day
that the Exchange is open by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets
attributable to that class by the number of shares of that class
outstanding. The NYSE's most recent annual announcement (which is subject
to change) states that it will close New Year's Day, President's Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas Day; it may also close on other days. Trading may occur in debt
securities and in foreign securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges
or in foreign over-the-counter markets at times when the NYSE is closed
(including weekends or holidays or after 4:00 P.M., New York time, on a
regular business day). Because the Fund's price and net asset value will
not be calculated at such times, the net asset values per share of Class
A and Class C shares of the Fund may be significantly affected at such
times when shareholders do not have the ability to purchase or redeem
shares.
In the case of U.S. Government Securities, mortgage-backed
securities, foreign securities and corporate bonds, where last sale
information is not generally available, such pricing procedures may
include "matrix" comparisons to the prices for comparable instruments on
the basis of quality, yield, maturity and other special factors involved.
The Fund's Board of Trustees has authorized the Manager to employ a
pricing service to price U.S. Government Securities, mortgage-backed
securities, foreign government securities and corporate bonds. The
Trustees will monitor the accuracy of pricing services by comparing prices
used for portfolio evaluation to actual sales prices of selected
securities.
The Fund's Board of Trustees has established procedures for the
valuation of the Fund's securities, generally as follows: (i) equity
securities traded on a securities exchange or on NASDAQ for which last
sale information is regularly reported are valued at the last reported
sale prices on their primary exchange or NASDAQ that day (or, in the
absence of sales that day, at values based on the last sales prices of the
preceding trading day, or closing bid and asked prices); (ii) securities
traded on NASDAQ and other unlisted equity securities for which last sale
prices are not regularly reported but for which over-the-counter market
quotations are readily available are valued at the highest closing bid
price at the time of valuation, or, if no closing bid price is reported,
on the basis of a closing bid price obtained from a dealer who maintains
an active market in that security; (iii) securities (including restricted
securities) not having readily-available market quotations are valued at
fair value under the Board's procedures; (iv) debt securities having a
maturity in excess of 60 days are valued at the mean between the asked and
bid prices determined by a portfolio pricing service approved by the
Fund's Board of Trustees or obtained from an active market maker in the
security on the basis of reasonable inquiry; (v) short-term debt
securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at
cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts;
and (vi) securities traded on foreign exchanges or in foreign over-the-
counter markets are valued as determined by a portfolio pricing service
approved by the Board, based upon last sales prices reported or, if none,
at the mean between closing bid and asked prices and reflect prevailing
rates of exchange taken from the closing price on the London foreign
exchange market that day.
Trading in securities on European and Asian exchanges and over-the-
counter markets is normally completed before the close of the NYSE.
Events affecting the values of foreign securities traded in such markets
that occur between the time their prices are determined and the close of
the NYSE will not be reflected in the Fund's calculation of net asset
value unless the Board of Trustees or the Manager, under procedures
established by the Board of Trustees, determines that the particular event
would materially affect the Fund's net asset value, in which case an
adjustment would be made. Foreign currency will be valued as close to the
time fixed for the valuation date as is reasonably practicable. The
values of securities denominated in foreign currency will be converted to
U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange at the time of valuation.
Puts, calls and Futures held by the Fund are valued at the last sales
price on the principal exchange on which they are traded, or on NASDAQ,
as applicable or, if there were no sales that day, in accordance with (i)
above. Forward currency contracts are valued at the closing price on the
London foreign exchange market. When the Fund writes an option, an amount
equal to the premium received by the Fund is included in the Fund's
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset, and an equivalent
deferred credit is included in the liability section. The deferred credit
is adjusted ("marked-to-market") to reflect the current market value of
the option. In determining the Fund's gain on investments, if a call
written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds are increased by the
premium received. If a call or put written by the Fund expires, the Fund
has a gain in the amount of the premium; if the Fund enters into a closing
purchase transaction, it will have a gain or loss depending on whether the
premium was more or less than the cost of the closing transaction. If
the Fund exercises a put it holds, the amount the Fund receives on its
sale of the underlying investment is reduced by the amount of premium paid
by the Fund.
AccountLink. When shares are purchased through AccountLink, each
purchase must be at least $25.00. Shares will be purchased on the regular
business day the Distributor is instructed to initiate the Automated
Clearing House transfer to buy the shares. Dividends will begin to accrue
on such shares on the day the Fund receives Federal Funds for such
purchase through the ACH system before the close of the New York Stock
Exchange. The Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M. but may close earlier
on certain days. If the Federal Funds are received on a business day
after the close of the Exchange, dividends will begin to accrue on the
next regular business day. The proceeds of ACH transfers are normally
received by the Fund 3 days after transfers are initiated. The
Distributor and the Fund are not responsible for any delays in purchasing
shares resulting from delays in ACH transmissions.
Reduced Sales Charges. As discussed in the Prospectus, a reduced sales
charge rate may be obtained for Class A shares under Right of Accumulation
and Letters of Intent because of the economies of sales efforts and
reduction in expenses realized by the Distributor, dealers and brokers
making such sales. No sales charge is imposed in certain other
circumstances described in the Prospectus because the Distributor or
dealer or broker incurs little or no selling expenses. The term
"immediate family" refers to one's spouse, children, grandchildren,
parents, grandparents, parents-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law,
siblings, a sibling's spouse and a spouse's siblings.
- The OppenheimerFunds. The OppenheimerFunds are those mutual funds
for which the Distributor acts as the distributor or the sub-distributor
and include the following:
Oppenheimer Tax-Free Bond Fund
Oppenheimer New York Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street California Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Florida Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Pennsylvania Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer New Jersey Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund
Oppenheimer Time Fund
Oppenheimer Target Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund
Oppenheimer Value Stock Fund
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Main Street Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Champion High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Investment Grade Bond Fund
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund
Oppenheimer Mortgage Income Fund
Oppenheimer Global Fund
Oppenheimer Global Emerging Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Investment Grade Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Short-Term Income Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income Fund
and, the following "Money Market Funds":
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Centennial Money Market Trust
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Government Trust
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial America Fund, L.P.
Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc.
There is an initial sales charge on the purchase of Class A shares
of each of the OppenheimerFunds except Money Market Funds (under certain
circumstances described herein, redemption proceeds of Money Market Fund
shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge).
- Letters of Intent. A Letter of Intent ("Letter") is the
investor's statement of intention to purchase Class A shares of the Fund
(and other eligible OppenheimerFunds) sold with a front-end sales charge
during the 13-month period from the investor's first purchase pursuant to
the Letter (the "Letter of Intent period"), which may, at the investor's
request, include purchases made up to 90 days prior to the date of the
Letter. The Letter states the investor's intention to make the aggregate
amount of purchases (excluding any purchases made by reinvestments of
dividends or distributions or purchases made at net asset value without
sales charge), which together with the investor's holdings of such funds
(calculated at their respective public offering prices calculated on the
date of the Letter) will equal or exceed the amount specified in the
Letter to obtain the reduced sales charge rate (as set forth in the
Prospectus) applicable to purchases of shares in that amount (the
"intended amount"). Each purchase under the Letter will be made at the
public offering price applicable to a single lump-sum purchase of shares
in the intended purchase amount, as described in the Prospectus.
In submitting a Letter, the investor makes no commitment to purchase
shares, but if the investor's purchases of shares within the Letter of
Intent period, when added to the value (at offering price) of the
investor's holdings of shares on the last day of that period, do not equal
or exceed the intended amount, the investor agrees to pay the additional
amount of sales charge applicable to such purchases, as set forth in
"Terms of Escrow," below (as those terms may be amended from time to
time). The investor agrees that shares equal in value to 5% of the
intended amount will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent subject to
the Terms of Escrow. Also, the investor agrees to be bound by the terms
of the Prospectus, this Statement of Additional Information and the
Application used for such Letter of Intent, and if such terms are amended,
as they may be from time to time by the Fund, that those amendments will
apply automatically to existing Letters of Intent.
If the total eligible purchases made during the Letter of Intent
period do not equal or exceed the intended amount, the commissions
previously paid to the dealer of record for the account and the amount of
sales charge retained by the Distributor will be adjusted to the rates
applicable to actual total purchases. If total eligible purchases during
the Letter of Intent period exceed the intended amount and exceed the
amount needed to qualify for the next sales charge rate reduction set
forth in the applicable prospectus, the sales charges paid will be
adjusted to the lower rate, but only if and when the dealer returns to the
Distributor the excess of the amount of commissions allowed or paid to the
dealer over the amount of commissions that apply to the actual amount of
purchases. The excess commissions returned to the Distributor will be
used to purchase additional shares for the investor's account at the net
asset value per share in effect on the date of such purchase, promptly
after the Distributor's receipt thereof.
In determining the total amount of purchases made under a Letter,
shares redeemed by the investor prior to the termination of the Letter of
Intent period will be deducted. It is the responsibility of the dealer
of record and/or the investor to advise the Distributor about the Letter
in placing any purchase orders for the investor during the Letter of
Intent period. All of such purchases must be made through the
Distributor.
- Terms of Escrow That Apply to Letters of Intent.
1. Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if
necessary) made pursuant to a Letter, shares of the Fund equal in value
to 5% of the intended amount specified in the Letter shall be held in
escrow by the Transfer Agent. For example, if the intended amount
specified under the Letter is $50,000, the escrow shall be shares valued
in the amount of $2,500 (computed at the public offering price adjusted
for a $50,000 purchase). Any dividends and capital gains distributions
on the escrowed shares will be credited to the investor's account.
2. If the total minimum investment specified under the Letter is
completed within the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period, the escrowed
shares will be promptly released to the investor.
3. If, at the end of the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period the
total purchases pursuant to the Letter are less than the intended amount
specified in the Letter, the investor must remit to the Distributor an
amount equal to the difference between the dollar amount of sales charges
actually paid and the amount of sales charges which would have been paid
if the total amount purchased had been made at a single time. Such sales
charge adjustment will apply to any shares redeemed prior to the
completion of the Letter. If such difference in sales charges is not paid
within twenty days after a request from the Distributor or the dealer, the
Distributor will, within sixty days of the expiration of the Letter,
redeem the number of escrowed shares necessary to realize such difference
in sales charges. Full and fractional shares remaining after such
redemption will be released from escrow. If a request is received to
redeem escrowed shares prior to the payment of such additional sales
charge, the sales charge will be withheld from the redemption proceeds.
4. By signing the Letter, the investor irrevocably constitutes and
appoints the Transfer Agent as attorney-in-fact to surrender for
redemption any or all escrowed shares.
5. The shares eligible for purchase under the Letter (or the
holding of which may be counted toward completion of the Letter) do not
include any shares sold without a front-end sales charge or without being
subject to a Class A contingent deferred sales charge unless (for the
purpose of determining completion of the obligation to purchase shares
under the Letter) the shares were acquired in exchange for shares of one
of the OppenheimerFunds whose shares were acquired by payment of a sales
charge.
6. Shares held in escrow hereunder will automatically be exchanged
for shares of another fund to which an exchange is requested, as described
in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Exchange Privilege," and the
escrow will be transferred to that other fund.
Payments in Kind. The Prospectus states that payment for shares tendered
for redemption is ordinarily made in cash. However, if the Board of
Trustees of the Fund determines that it would be detrimental to the best
interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment of a
redemption order wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may pay the redemption
proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution "in kind" of securities
from the portfolio of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with
applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. If shares are
redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur brokerage or other
costs in selling the securities for cash. The method of valuing
securities used to make redemptions in kind will be the same as the method
the Fund uses to value its portfolio securities described above under
"Determination of Net Asset Value Per Share", and such valuation will be
made as of the time the redemption price is determined.
Asset Builder Plans. To establish an Asset Builder Plan from a bank
account, a check (minimum $25) for the initial purchase must accompany the
application. Shares purchased by Asset Builder Plan payments from bank
accounts are subject to the redemption restrictions for recent purchases
described in "How To Sell Shares," in the Prospectus. Asset Builder Plans
also enable shareholders of Oppenheimer Cash Reserves to use those
accounts for monthly automatic purchases of shares of up to four other
Eligible Funds.
There is a front-end sales charge on the purchase of certain
OppenheimerFunds, or a contingent deferred sales charge may apply to
shares purchased by Asset Builder payments. An application should be
obtained from the Distributor, completed and returned, and a prospectus
of the selected fund(s) (available from the Distributor) should be
obtained before initiating Asset Builder payments. The amount of the
Asset Builder investment may be changed or the automatic investments may
be terminated at any time by writing to the Transfer Agent. A reasonable
period (approximately 15 days) is required after the Transfer Agent's
receipt of such instructions to implement them. The Fund reserves the
right to amend, suspend, or discontinue offering such plans at any time
without prior notice.
Cancellation of Purchase Orders. Cancellation of purchase orders for the
Fund's shares (for example, when a purchase check is returned to the Fund
unpaid) causes a loss to be incurred when the net asset value of the
Fund's shares on the cancellation date is less than on the purchase date.
That loss is equal to the amount of the decline in the net asset value per
share multiplied by the number of shares in the purchase order. The
investor is responsible for that loss. If the investor fails to
compensate the Fund for the loss, the Distributor will do so. The Fund
may reimburse the Distributor for that amount by redeeming shares from any
account registered in that investor's name, or the Fund or the Distributor
may seek other redress.
How to Sell Shares
Information on how to sell shares of the Fund is stated in the
Prospectus. The information below supplements the terms and conditions
for redemptions set forth in the Prospectus.
Reinvestment Privilege. Within six months of a redemption, a
shareholder may reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds of (i)
Class A shares, or (ii) Class C shares that were subject to the Class C
contingent deferred sales charge when redeemed. The reinvestment may be
made without sales charge only in Class A shares of the Fund or any of the
other OppenheimerFunds into which shares of the Fund are exchangeable as
described below, at the net asset value next computed after the Transfer
Agent receives the reinvestment order. The shareholder must ask the
Distributor for that privilege at the time of reinvestment. Any capital
gain that was realized when the shares were redeemed is taxable, and
reinvestment will not alter any capital gains tax payable on that gain.
If there has been a capital loss on the redemption, some or all of the
loss may not be tax deductible, depending on the timing and amount of the
reinvestment. Under the Internal Revenue Code, if the redemption proceeds
of Fund shares on which a sales charge was paid are reinvested in shares
of the Fund or another of the OppenheimerFunds within 90 days of payment
of the sales charge, the shareholder's basis in the shares of the Fund
that were redeemed may not include the amount of the sales charge paid.
That would reduce the loss or increase the gain recognized from the
redemption. However, in that case the sales charge would be added to the
basis of the shares acquired by the reinvestment of the redemption
proceeds. The Fund may amend, suspend or cease offering this reinvestment
privilege at any time as to shares redeemed after the date of such
amendment, suspension or cessation.
Transfers of Shares. Shares are not subject to the payment of a
contingent deferred sales charge of either class at the time of transfer
to the name of another person or entity (whether the transfer occurs by
absolute assignment, gift or bequest, not involving, directly or
indirectly, a public sale). The transferred shares will remain subject
to the contingent deferred sales charge, calculated as if the transferee
shareholder had acquired the transferred shares in the same manner and at
the same time as the transferring shareholder. If less than all shares
held in an account are transferred, and some but not all shares in the
account would be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed
at the time of transfer, the priorities described in the Prospectus under
"How to Buy Shares" for the imposition of the Class C contingent deferred
sales charge will be followed in determining the order in which shares are
transferred.
Distributions From Retirement Plans. Requests for distributions from
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored IRAs, 403(b)(7) custodial plans, or pension or
profit-sharing plans should be addressed to "Trustee, OppenheimerFunds
Retirement Plans," c/o the Transfer Agent at its address listed in "How
To Sell Shares" in the Prospectus. The request must: (i) state the reason
for the distribution; (ii) state the owner's awareness of tax penalties
if the distribution is premature; and (iii) conform to the requirements
of the plan and the Fund's other redemption requirements. Participants
(other than self-employed persons) in OppenheimerFunds-sponsored pension
or profit-sharing plans may not directly request redemption of their
accounts. The employer or plan administrator must sign the request.
Distributions from pension and profit sharing plans are subject to special
requirements under the Internal Revenue Code and certain documents
(available from the Transfer Agent) must be completed before the
distribution may be made. Distributions from retirement plans are subject
to withholding requirements under the Internal Revenue Code, and IRS Form
W-4P (available from the Transfer Agent) must be submitted to the Transfer
Agent with the distribution request, or the distribution may be delayed.
Unless the shareholder has provided the Transfer Agent with a certified
tax identification number, the Internal Revenue Code requires that tax be
withheld from any distribution even if the shareholder elects not to have
tax withheld. The Fund, the Manager, the Distributor, the Trustee and the
Transfer Agent assume no responsibility to determine whether a
distribution satisfies the conditions of applicable tax laws and will not
be responsible for any tax penalties assessed in connection with a
distribution.
Special Arrangements for Repurchase of Shares from Dealers and
Brokers. The Distributor is the Fund's agent to repurchase its shares
from authorized dealers or brokers. The repurchase price per share will
be the net asset value next computed after the Distributor receives the
order placed by the dealer or broker, except that if the Distributor
receives a repurchase order after the close of The New York Stock Exchange
on a regular business day, it will be processed at that day's net asset
value if the order was received by the dealer or broker from its customers
prior to the time the Exchange closes (normally, that is 4:00 P.M., but
may be earlier on some days) and the order was transmitted to and received
by the Distributor prior to its close of business that day (normally 5:00
P.M.). Payment ordinarily will be made within seven days after the
Distributor's receipt of the required documents, with signature(s)
guaranteed as described in the Prospectus.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. Investors owning shares of the
Fund valued at $5,000 or more can authorize the Transfer Agent to redeem
shares (minimum $50) automatically on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual
or annual basis under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Shares will be
redeemed three business days prior to the date requested by the
shareholder for receipt of the payment. Automatic withdrawals of up to
$1,500 per month may be requested by telephone if payments are by check
payable to all shareholders of record and sent to the address of record
for the account (and if the address has not been changed within the prior
30 days). Required minimum distributions from OppenheimerFunds-sponsored
retirement plans may not be arranged on this basis. Payments are normally
made by check, but shareholders having AccountLink privileges (see "How
To Buy Shares") may arrange to have Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments
transferred to the bank account designated on the OppenheimerFunds New
Account Application or signature-guaranteed instructions. The Fund cannot
guarantee receipt of the payment on the date requested and reserves the
right to amend, suspend or discontinue offering such plans at any time
without prior notice. Because of the sales charge assessed on Class A
share purchases, shareholders should not make regular additional Class A
purchases while participating in an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Class C
shareholders should not establish withdrawal plans that would require the
redemption of shares held less than 12 months, because of the imposition
of the Class C contingent deferred sales charge on such withdrawals
(except where the Class C contingent deferred sales charge is waived as
described in "Class C Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
By requesting an Automatic Withdrawal or Exchange Plan, the
shareholder agrees to the terms and conditions applicable to such plans,
as stated below and in the provisions of the OppenheimerFunds Application
relating to such Plans, as well as the Prospectus. These provisions may
be amended from time to time by the Fund and/or the Distributor. When
adopted, such amendments will automatically apply to existing Plans.
- Automatic Exchange Plans. Shareholders can authorize the
Transfer Agent (on the OppenheimerFunds Application or signature-
guaranteed instructions) to exchange a pre-determined amount of shares of
the Fund for shares (of the same class) of other OppenheimerFunds
automatically on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis under
an Automatic Exchange Plan. The minimum amount that may be exchanged to
each other fund account is $25. Exchanges made under these plans are
subject to the restrictions that apply to exchanges as set forth in
"Exchange Privilege" in the Prospectus and "How to Exchange Shares" below
in this Statement of Additional Information.
- Automatic Withdrawal Plans. Fund shares will be redeemed as
necessary to meet withdrawal payments. Shares acquired without a sales
charge will be redeemed first and thereafter shares acquired with
reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions will be redeemed
next, followed by shares acquired with a sales charge, to the extent
necessary to make withdrawal payments. Depending upon the amount
withdrawn, the investor's principal may be depleted. Payments made under
such plans should not be considered as a yield or income on your
investment.
The Transfer Agent will administer the investor's Automatic
Withdrawal Plan (the "Plan") as agent for the investor (the "Planholder")
who executed the Plan authorization and application submitted to the
Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall incur no liability to the
Planholder for any action taken or omitted by the Transfer Agent in good
faith to administer the Plan. Certificates will not be issued for shares
of the Fund purchased for and held under the Plan, but the Transfer Agent
will credit all such shares to the account of the Planholder on the
records of the Fund. Any share certificates held by a Planholder may be
surrendered unendorsed to the Transfer Agent with the Plan application so
that the shares represented by the certificate may be held under the Plan.
For accounts subject to Automatic Withdrawal Plans, distributions of
capital gains must be reinvested in shares of the Fund, which will be done
at net asset value without a sales charge. Dividends on shares held in
the account may be paid in cash or reinvested.
Redemptions of shares needed to make withdrawal payments will be made
at the net asset value per share determined on the redemption date.
Checks or AccountLink payments of the proceeds of Plan withdrawals will
normally be transmitted three business days prior to the date selected for
receipt of the payment (receipt of payment on the date selected cannot be
guaranteed), according to the choice specified in writing by the
Planholder.
The amount and the interval of disbursement payments and the address
to which checks are to be mailed or AccountLink payments are to be sent
may be changed at any time by the Planholder by writing to the Transfer
Agent. The Planholder should allow at least two weeks' time in mailing
such notification for the requested change to be put in effect. The
Planholder may, at any time, instruct the Transfer Agent by written notice
(in proper form in accordance with the requirements of the then-current
Prospectus of the Fund) to redeem all, or any part of, the shares held
under the Plan. In that case, the Transfer Agent will redeem the number
of shares requested at the net asset value per share in effect in
accordance with the Fund's usual redemption procedures and will mail a
check for the proceeds to the Planholder.
The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Planholder by writing
to the Transfer Agent. A Plan may also be terminated at any time by the
Transfer Agent upon receiving directions to that effect from the Fund.
The Transfer Agent will also terminate a Plan upon receipt of evidence
satisfactory to it of the death or legal incapacity of the Planholder.
Upon termination of a Plan by the Transfer Agent or the Fund, shares that
have not been redeemed from the account will be held in uncertificated
form in the name of the Planholder, and the account will continue as a
dividend-reinvestment, uncertificated account unless and until proper
instructions are received from the Planholder or his or her executor or
guardian, or other authorized person.
To use shares held under the Plan as collateral for a debt, the
Planholder may request issuance of a portion of the shares in certificated
form. Upon written request from the Planholder, the Transfer Agent will
determine the number of shares for which a certificate may be issued
without causing the withdrawal checks to stop because of exhaustion of
uncertificated shares needed to continue payments. However, should such
uncertificated shares become exhausted, Plan withdrawals will terminate.
If the Transfer Agent ceases to act as transfer agent for the Fund,
the Planholder will be deemed to have appointed any successor transfer
agent to act as agent in administering the Plan.
- Involuntary Redemptions. The Fund's Board of Trustees has the
right to cause the involuntary redemption of the shares held in any
account if the aggregate net asset value of those shares is less than $200
or such lesser amount as the Board may fix. The Board of Trustees will
not cause the involuntary redemption of shares in an account if the
aggregate net asset value of the shares has fallen below the stated
minimum solely as a result of market fluctuations. Should the Board elect
to exercise this right, it may also fix, in accordance with the Investment
Company Act, the requirements for any notice to be given to the
shareholders in question (not less than 30 days), or the Board may set
requirements for granting permission to the Shareholder to increase the
investment, and set other terms and conditions so that the shares would
not be involuntarily redeemed.
- Payments "In Kind". The Prospectus states that payment for shares
tendered for redemption is ordinarily made in cash. However, the Board
of Trustees of the Fund may determine that it would be detrimental to the
best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment
of a redemption order wholly or partly in cash. In that case the Fund may
pay the redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution "in
kind" of securities from the portfolio of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in
conformity with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the
Investment Company Act, pursuant to which the Fund is obligated to redeem
shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets
of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. If shares
are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur brokerage or
other costs in selling the securities for cash. The method of valuing
securities used to make redemptions in kind will be the same as the method
the Fund uses to value its portfolio securities described above under
"Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share" and that valuation will be
made as of the time the redemption price is determined.
How to Exchange Shares
As stated in the Prospectus, shares of a particular class of
OppenheimerFunds having more than one class of shares may be exchanged
only for shares of the same class of other OppenheimerFunds. All of the
OppenheimerFunds offer Class A shares, but only the following other
OppenheimerFunds offer Class C shares:
Oppenheimer Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Target Fund
Oppenheimer Champion High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income Fund
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund
Class A shares of OppenheimerFunds may be exchanged for shares of any
Money Market Fund; shares of any Money Market Fund purchased without a
sales charge may be exchanged for shares of OppenheimerFunds offered with
a sales charge upon payment of the sales charge (or, if applicable, may
be used to purchase shares of OppenheimerFunds subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge); and shares of the Fund acquired by reinvestment
of dividends or distributions from any other of the OppenheimerFunds or
from any unit investment trust for which reinvestment arrangements have
been made with the Distributor may be exchanged at net asset value for
shares of any of the OppenheimerFunds. No contingent deferred sales
charge is imposed on exchanges of shares of either class purchased subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge. However, when Class A shares
acquired by exchange of Class A shares purchased subject to a Class A
contingent deferred sales charge are redeemed within 18 months of the end
of the calendar month of the initial purchase of the exchanged Class A
shares, the Class A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on the
redeemed shares (see "Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the
Prospectus). The Class C contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on
Class C shares redeemed within 12 months of the initial purchase of the
exchanged Class C shares.
The Fund reserves the right to reject telephone or written exchange
requests submitted in bulk by anyone on behalf of 10 or more accounts. The
Fund may accept requests for exchanges of up to 50 accounts per day from
representatives of authorized dealers that qualify for this privilege. In
connection with any exchange request, the number of shares exchanged may
be less than the number requested if the exchange or the number requested
would include shares subject to a restriction cited in the Prospectus or
this Statement of Additional Information or shares covered by a share
certificate that is not tendered with the request. In those cases, only
the shares available for exchange without restriction will be exchanged.
When Class C shares are redeemed to effect an exchange, the
priorities described in "How To Buy Shares" in the Prospectus for the
imposition of the Class C contingent deferred sales charge will be
followed in determining the order in which the shares are exchanged.
Shareholders should take into account the effect of any exchange on the
applicability and rate of any contingent deferred sales charge that might
be imposed in the subsequent redemption of remaining shares. Shareholders
owning shares of both classes must specify whether they intend to exchange
Class A or Class C shares.
When exchanging shares by telephone, the shareholder must either have
an existing account in, or acknowledge receipt of a prospectus of, the
fund to which the exchange is to be made. For full or partial exchanges
of an account made by telephone, any special account features such as
Asset Builder Plans, Automatic Withdrawal Plans and retirement plan
contributions will be switched to the new account unless the Transfer
Agent is instructed otherwise. If all telephone lines are busy (which
might occur, for example, during periods of substantial market
fluctuations), shareholders might not be able to request exchanges by
telephone and would have to submit written exchange requests.
Shares to be exchanged are redeemed on the regular business day the
Transfer Agent receives an exchange request in proper form (the
"Redemption Date"). Normally, shares of the fund to be acquired are
purchased on the Redemption Date, but such purchases may be delayed by
either fund up to five business days if it determines that it would be
disadvantaged by an immediate transfer of the redemption proceeds. The
Fund reserves the right, in its discretion, to refuse any exchange request
that may disadvantage it (for example, if the receipt of multiple exchange
request from a dealer might require the disposition of portfolio
securities at a time or at a price that might be disadvantageous to the
Fund).
The different OppenheimerFunds available for exchange have different
investment objectives, policies and risks, and a shareholder should assure
that the Fund selected is appropriate for his or her investment and should
be aware of the tax consequences of an exchange. For federal tax
purposes, an exchange transaction is treated as a redemption of shares of
one fund and a purchase of shares of another. "Reinvestment Privilege,"
above, discusses some of the tax consequences of reinvestment of
redemption proceeds in such cases. The Fund, the Distributor, and the
Transfer Agent are unable to provide investment, tax or legal advice to
a shareholder in connection with an exchange request or any other
transaction.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions. Dividends will be payable on shares held of
record at the time of the previous determination of net asset value, or
as otherwise described in "How to Buy Shares." Daily dividends on newly
purchased shares will not be declared or paid until such time as Federal
Funds (funds credited to a member bank's account at the Federal Reserve
Bank) are available from the purchase payment for such shares. Normally,
purchase checks received from investors are converted to Federal Funds on
the next business day. Dividends will be declared on shares repurchased
by a dealer or broker for four business days following the trade date
(i.e., to and including the day prior to settlement of the repurchase).
If all shares in an account are redeemed, all dividends accrued on shares
of the same class in the account will be paid together with the redemption
proceeds.
Dividends, distributions and the proceeds of the redemption of Fund
shares represented by checks returned to the Transfer Agent by the Postal
Service as undeliverable will be invested in shares of Oppenheimer Money
Market Fund, Inc., as promptly as possible after the return of such checks
to the Transfer Agent, to enable the investor to earn a return on
otherwise idle funds.
Tax Status of The Fund's Dividends and Distributions. The Federal tax
treatment of the Fund's dividends and capital gains distributions is
explained in the Prospectus under the caption "Dividends, Capital Gains
and Taxes." Special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code govern the
eligibility of the Fund's dividends for the dividends-received deduction
for corporate shareholders. Long-term capital gains distributions are not
eligible for the deduction. In addition, the amount of dividends paid by
the Fund which may qualify for the deduction is limited to the aggregate
amount of qualifying dividends which the Fund derives from its portfolio
investments that the Fund has held for a minimum period, usually 46 days.
A corporate shareholder will not be eligible for the deduction on
dividends paid on shares held for 45 days or less. To the extent the
Fund's dividends are derived from gross income from option premiums,
interest income or short-term capital gains from the sale of securities,
or dividends from foreign corporations, its dividends will not qualify for
the deduction. It is expected that for the most part the Fund's dividends
will not qualify, because of the nature of the investments held by the
Fund in its portfolio.
Distributions may be made annually in December out of any net short-
term or long-term capital gains realized from the sale of securities,
premiums from expired calls written by the Fund and net profits from
hedging instruments and closing purchase transactions realized in the
twelve months ending on October 31 of the current year. Any difference
between the net asset value of Class A and Class C shares will be
reflected in such distributions. Distributions from net short-term
capital gains are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income and when paid
by the Fund are considered "dividends." The Fund may make a supplemental
distribution of capital gains and ordinary income following the end of its
fiscal year. Any long-term capital gains distributions will be identified
separately when paid and when tax information is distributed by the Fund.
If prior distributions must be re-characterized at the end of the fiscal
year as a result of the effect of the Fund's investment policies,
shareholders may have a non-taxable return of capital, which will be
identified in notices to shareholders. There is no fixed dividend rate
(although the Fund may have a targeted dividend rate for Class A shares)
and there can be no assurance as to the payment of any dividends or the
realization of any capital gains.
If the Fund qualifies as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code, it will not be liable for Federal income taxes on
amounts paid by it as dividends and distributions. The Fund qualified as
a regulated investment company in its last fiscal year and intends to
qualify in future years, but reserves the right not to qualify. The
Internal Revenue Code contains a number of complex tests to determine
whether the Fund will qualify, and the Fund might not meet those tests in
a particular year. For example, if the Fund derives 30% or more of its
gross income from the sale of securities held less than three months, it
may fail to qualify (see "Tax Aspects of Hedging Instruments and Covered
Calls," above). If it does not qualify, the Fund will be treated for tax
purposes as an ordinary corporation and will receive no tax deduction for
payments of dividends and distributions made to shareholders.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, by December 31 each year the Fund
must distribute 98% of its taxable investment income earned from January
1 through December 31 of that year and 98% of its capital gains realized
in the period from November 1 of the prior year through October 31 of the
current year, or else the Fund must pay an excise tax on the amounts not
distributed. While it is presently anticipated that the Fund will meet
those requirements, the Fund's Board and the Manager might determine in
a particular year that it might be in the best interest of shareholders
for the Fund not to make such distributions at the required levels and to
pay the excise tax on the undistributed amounts. That would reduce the
amount of income or capital gains available for distribution to
shareholders.
The Internal Revenue Code requires that a holder (such as the Fund)
of a zero coupon security accrue as income each year a portion of the
discount at which the security was purchased even though the Fund receives
no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. As an
investment company, the Fund must pay out substantially all of its net
investment income each year or be subject to excise taxes, as described
above. Accordingly, when the Fund holds zero coupon securities, it may
be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which
is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually
received during that year. Such distributions will be made from the cash
assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if
necessary. The Fund may realize a gain or loss from such sales. In the
event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its
shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they
would have had in the absence of such transactions.
Dividend Reinvestment in Another Fund. Shareholders of the Fund may elect
to reinvest all dividends and/or capital gains distributions in shares of
the same class of any of the other OppenheimerFunds listed in "Reduced
Sales Charges" above at net asset value without sales charge. Class C
shareholders should be aware that as of the date of this Statement of
Additional Information, not all OppenheimerFunds offer Class C shares.
The names of funds that do as of the date of this document can be obtained
by referring to "How to Exchange Shares," above or by calling the
Distributor at 1-800-525-7048. To elect this option, a shareholder must
notify the Transfer Agent in writing and either have an existing account
in the fund selected for reinvestment or must obtain a prospectus for that
fund and an application from the Distributor to establish an account. The
investment will be made at the net asset value per share in effect at the
close of business on the payable date of the dividend or distribution.
Dividends and/or distributions from certain OppenheimerFunds may be
invested in shares of this Fund on the same basis.
Additional Information About The Fund
The Custodian. The Bank of New York is the Custodian of the Fund's
assets. The Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and
controlling the Fund's portfolio securities, collecting income on the
portfolio securities and handling the delivery of such securities to and
from the Fund. The Manager has represented to the Fund that its banking
relationships with the Custodian have been and will continue to be
unrelated to and unaffected by the relationship between the Fund and the
Custodian. It will be the practice of the Fund to deal with the
Custodian in a manner uninfluenced by any banking relationship the
Custodian may have with the Manager and its affiliates.
Independent Auditors. The independent auditors of the Fund audit the
Fund's financial statements and perform other related audit services.
They also act as auditors for certain other funds advised by the Manager
and its affiliates.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A: BOND RATINGS
Description of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Bond Ratings
Aaa: Bonds which are rated "Aaa" are judged to be the best quality
and to carry the smallest degree of investment risk. Interest payments
are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and
principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to
change, the changes that can be expected are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated "Aa" are judged to be of high quality by
all standards. Together with the "Aaa" group, they comprise what are
generally known as "high-grade" bonds. They are rated lower than the best
bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as with "Aaa"
securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater
amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term
risks appear somewhat larger than those of "Aaa" securities.
A: Bonds which are rated "A" possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium grade obligations.
Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate
but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment
sometime in the future.
The investments in which the Fund will principally invest will be in
the lower-rated categories described below.
Baa: Bonds which are rated "Baa" are considered medium grade
obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present
but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be
characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds
lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative
characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated "Ba" are judged to have speculative
elements; their future cannot be considered well-assured. Often the
protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and not
well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future.
Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated "B" generally lack characteristics of
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of
maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time
may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated "Caa" are of poor standing and may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to
principal or interest.
Ca: Bonds which are rated "Ca" represent obligations which are
speculative in a high degree and are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C: Bonds which are rated "C" are the lowest rated class of bonds and
can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
Description of Standard & Poor's Bond Ratings
AAA: "AAA" is the highest rating assigned to a debt obligation and
indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
AA: Bonds rated "AA" also qualify as high-quality debt obligations.
Capacity to pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority
of instances they differ from "AAA" issues only in small degree.
A: Bonds rated "A" have a strong capacity to pay principal and
interest, although they are somewhat more susceptible to adverse effects
of change in circumstances and economic conditions.
The investments in which the Fund will principally invest will be in
the lower-rated categories, described below.
BBB: Bonds rated "BBB" are regarded as having an adequate capacity
to pay principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest for
bonds in this category than for bonds in the "A" category.
BB, B, CCC, CC: Bonds rated "BB," "B," "CCC" and "CC" are regarded,
on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's
capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms
of the obligation. "BB" indicates the lowest degree of speculation and
"CC" the highest degree. While such bonds will likely have some quality
and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
C: Bonds on which no interest is being paid are rated "C".
D: Bonds rated "D" are in payment default and payment of interest
and/or repayment of principal is in arrears.
<PAGE>
Appendix B
Industry Classifications
Aerospace/Defense
Air Transportation
Auto Parts Distribution
Automotive
Bank Holding Companies
Banks
Beverages
Broadcasting
Broker-Dealers
Building Materials
Cable Television
Chemicals
Commercial Finance
Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Conglomerates
Consumer Finance
Containers
Convenience Stores
Department Stores
Diversified Financial
Diversified Media
Drug Stores
Drug Wholesalers
Durable Household Goods
Education
Electric Utilities
Electrical Equipment
Electronics
Energy Services & Producers
Entertainment/Film
Environmental
Food
Gas Transmission
Gas Utilities
Gold
Health Care/Drugs
Health Care/Supplies & Services
Homebuilders/Real Estate
Hotel/Gaming
Industrial Services
Insurance
Leasing & Factoring
Leisure
Manufacturing
Metals/Mining
Nondurable Household Goods
Oil - Integrated
Paper
Publishing/Printing
Railroads
Restaurants
Savings & Loans
Shipping
Special Purpose Financial
Specialty Retailing
Steel
Supermarkets
Telecommunications - Technology
Telephone - Utility
Textile/Apparel
Tobacco
Toys
Trucking
<PAGE>
Investment Adviser
Oppenheimer Management Corporation
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Distributor
Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent
Oppenheimer Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217
1-800-525-7048
Custodian of Portfolio Securities
The Bank of New York
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10015
Independent Auditors
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
707 Seventeenth Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen
Shalov & Wein
114 West 47th Street
New York, New York 10036
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
FORM N-1A
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
---------------------------------
(a) Financial Statements
(1) Condensed Financial Information*
(2) Independent Auditors' Report*
(3) Statement of Investments*
(4) Statement of Assets and Liabilities*
(5) Statement of Operations*
(6) Statements of Changes in Net Assets*
(7) Per Share Data and Ratios*
(8) Notes to Financial Statements*
(9) Independent Auditors' Consent*
- ------------------
* To be filed by amendment
(b) Exhibits
--------
1. Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated June 1,
1992: Filed with Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.
17, 2/28/94, and incorporated herein by reference.
2. By-Laws, amended as of 8/6/87: Filed with Registrant's
12/31/87 Annual Report Form N-SAR, and refiled herewith
pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
3. Inapplicable
4. (i) Specimen Class A Share Certificate of Registrant:
Filed with Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.
17, 2/28/94, and incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Specimen Class C Share Certificate of Registrant:
Filed with Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.
17, 2/28/94, and incorporated herein by reference.
5. Investment Advisory Agreement dated 10/22/90: Filed with
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 12, 2/15/91, and
refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
6. (i) General Distributor's Agreement dated 12/10/92: Filed
with Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 15,
4/19/93, and refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of
Regulation S-T.
(ii) Form of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. Dealer
Agreement: Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No.
14 of Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc. (Reg.
No. 33-17850), 9/30/94, and incorporated herein by
reference.
(iii) Form of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. Broker
Agreement: Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No.
14 of Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc. (Reg. No.
33-17850), 9/30/94, and incorporated herein by
reference.
(iv) Form of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. Agency
Agreement: Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No.
14 of Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc. (Reg. No.
33-17850), 9/30/94, and incorporated herein by
reference.
(v) Broker Agreement between Oppenheimer Fund Management,
Inc. and Newbridge Securities, Inc. dated 10/1/86:
Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 of
Oppenheimer Growth Fund (Reg. No. 2-45272), 11/1/86,
and refiled with Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of
Oppenheimer Growth Fund (Reg. No. 2-45272), 8/22/94,
pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
7. Retirement Plan for Non-Interested Trustees or Directors
(dated 6/7/90): Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 97
of Oppenheimer Fund (File No. 2-14586), 8/30/90, refiled
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of Oppenheimer Growth
Fund (Reg. No. 2-45272), 8/22/94, pursuant to Item 102 of
Regulation S-T, and incorporated herein by reference.
8. Custody Agreement with The Bank of New York dated 11/12/92:
Filed with Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 15,
4/19/93, and refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of
Regulation S-T.
9. Inapplicable.
10. Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated 3/2/87: Filed with
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.7, 4/24/87, and
refiled herewith pursuant to Item 102 of Regulation S-T.
11. Inapplicable.
12. Inapplicable.
13. Investment Letter dated 11/30/86 from Oppenheimer
Management Corporation to Registrant: Filed with
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 7, 4/24/87, and
incorporated herein by reference.
14. (i) Form of Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Trust
Agreement: Filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 21
of Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust (Reg. No. 2-
76645), 8/25/93, and incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Form of prototype Standardized and Non-Standardized
Profit-Sharing Plan and Money Purchase Pension Plan for
self-employed persons and corporations: Filed with
Post Effective Amendment No. 7 of the Registration
Statement of Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
(Reg. No. 33-33799), 12/2/94, and incorporated herein
by reference.
(iii) Form of Tax-Sheltered Retirement Plan and Custody
Agreement for employees of public schools and tax-
exempt organizations: Filed with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 47 of Oppenheimer Growth Fund (File
No. 2-45272), 10/21/94, and incorporated herein by
reference.
(iv) Form of Simplified Employee Pension IRA: Filed with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 of Oppenheimer Equity
Income Fund (Reg. No. 2-33043), 10/23/91 and
incorporated herein by reference.
(v) Form of SAR-SEP Employee Pension IRA: Filed with Post-
Effective Amendment No. 19 of Oppenheimer Integrity
Funds (File No. 2-76547), 3/1/94, and incorporated
herein by reference.
15. (i) Service Plan and Agreement dated 7/1/94 for Class A
Shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1: Filed herewith.
(ii) Distribution and Service Plan and Agreement dated
December 1, 1993 for Class C Shares pursuant to Rule
12b-1: Filed with Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 17, 2/28/94, and incorporated herein by
reference.
16. Performance Calculation Schedule: To be filed by amendment.
-- Powers of Attorney and Certified Board Resolutions: Filed
with Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, 2/28/94,
and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with
Registrant
---------------------------------------------------
None
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities
-------------------------------
Number of Record Holders
Title of Class as of March __, 1995
- -------------- ------------------------
Class A Shares of Beneficial Interest ______
Class C Shares of Beneficial Interest ------
Item 27. Indemnification
---------------
Reference is made to paragraphs (c) through (g) of Section 12 of
Article SEVENTH of Registrant's Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit
24(b)(1) to this Registration Statement.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person, 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 Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
----------------------------------------------------
(a) Oppenheimer Management Corporation is the investment
adviser of the Registrant; it and certain subsidiaries and affiliates act
in the same capacity to other registered investment companies as described
in Parts A and B hereof and listed in Item 28(b) below.
(b) There is set forth below information as to any other
business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in
which each officer and director of Oppenheimer Management Corporation is,
or at any time during the past two fiscal years has been, engaged for
his/her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee,
partner or trustee.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name & Current Position
with Oppenheimer Other Business and Connections
Management Corporation During the Past Two Years
- ----------------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C>
Lawrence Apolito, None.
Vice President
James C. Ayer, Jr., Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Assistant Vice President Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund and
Oppenheimer Global Emerging Growth Fund.
Victor Babin, None.
Senior Vice President
Robert J. Bishop Assistant Treasurer of the OppenheimerFunds
Assistant Vice President (listed below); previously a Fund Controller
for Oppenheimer Management Corporation (the
"Manager").
George Bowen Treasurer of the New York-based
Senior Vice President OppenheimerFunds; Vice President, Secretary
and Treasurer and Treasurer of the Denver-based
OppenheimerFunds. Vice President and
Treasurer of Oppenheimer Funds Distributor,
Inc. (the "Distributor") and HarbourView
Asset Management Corporation
("HarbourView"), an investment adviser
subsidiary of OMC; Senior Vice President,
Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and a
director of Centennial Asset Management
Corporation ("Centennial"), an investment
adviser subsidiary of the Manager; Vice
President, Treasurer and Secretary of
Shareholder Services, Inc. ("SSI") and
Shareholder Financial Services, Inc.
("SFSI"), transfer agent subsidiaries of
OMC; President, Treasurer and Director of
Centennial Capital Corporation; Vice
President and Treasurer of Main Street
Advisers; formerly Senior Vice President/
Comptroller and Secretary of Oppenheimer
Asset Management Corporation ("OAMC"), an
investment adviser which was a subsidiary of
the OMC.
Michael A. Carbuto, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Cash Reserves,
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust,
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust and
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust; Vice President
of Centennial.
William Colbourne, Formerly, Director of Alternative Staffing
Assistant Vice President Resources, and Vice President of Human
Resources, American Cancer Society.
Lynn Coluccy, Vice President Formerly Vice President/Director of Internal
Audit of the Manager.
O. Leonard Darling, Formerly Co-Director of Fixed Income for
Executive Vice President State Street Research & Management Co.
Robert A. Densen, None.
Vice President
Robert Doll, Jr., Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Executive Vice President Oppenheimer Growth Fund and Oppenheimer
Target Fund; Senior Vice President and
Portfolio Manager of Strategic Income &
Growth Fund.
John Doney, Vice President Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund.
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary of the New York-based
Executive Vice President OppenheimerFunds; Vice President of the
& General Counsel Denver-based OppenheimerFunds; Executive
Vice President, Director and General Counsel
of the Distributor; formerly Senior Vice
President and Associate General Counsel of
the Manager and the Distributor.
Kenneth C. Eich, Treasurer of Oppenheimer Acquisition
Executive Vice President/ Corporation
Chief Financial Officer
George Evans, Vice President Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Oppenheimer Global Securities Fund.
Scott Farrar, Assistant Treasurer of the OppenheimerFunds;
Assistant Vice President previously a Fund Controller for the
Manager.
Katherine P.Feld Vice President and Secretary of Oppenheimer
Vice President and Funds Distributor, Inc.; Secretary of
Secretary HarbourView, Main Street Advisers, Inc. and
Centennial; Secretary, Vice President and
Director of Centennial Capital Corp.
Jon S. Fossel, President and director of Oppenheimer
Chairman of the Board, Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), the Manager's
Chief Executive Officer parent holding company; President, CEO and
and Director a director of HarbourView; a director of SSI
and SFSI; President, Director, Trustee, and
Managing General Partner of the Denver-based
OppenheimerFunds; formerly President of the
Manager. President and Chairman of the Board
of Main Street Advisers, Inc.
Robert G. Galli, Trustee of the New York-based
Vice Chairman OppenheimerFunds; Vice President and Counsel
of OAC; formerly he held the following
positions: a director of the Distributor,
Vice President and a director of HarbourView
and Centennial, a director of SFSI and SSI,
an officer of other OppenheimerFunds and
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
of the Manager and the Distributor.
Linda Gardner, None.
Assistant Vice President
Ginger Gonzalez, Formerly 1st Vice President/Director of
Vice President Creative Services for Shearson Lehman
Brothers.
Dorothy Grunwager, None.
Assistant Vice President
Caryn Halbrecht, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt Bond Fund and
Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax Exempt Bond
Fund; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds;
formerly Vice President of Fixed Income
Portfolio Management at Bankers Trust.
Barbara Hennigar, President and Director of Shareholder
President and Chief Financial Service, Inc.
Executive Officer of
Oppenheimer Shareholder
Services, a division of OMC.
Alan Hoden, Vice President None.
Merryl Hoffman, None.
Vice President
Scott T. Huebl, None.
Assistant Vice President
Jane Ingalls, Formerly a Senior Associate with Robinson,
Assistant Vice President Lake/Sawyer Miller.
Stephen Jobe, None.
Vice President
Avram Kornberg, Formerly a Vice President with Bankers
Vice President Trust.
Paul LaRocco, Portfolio Manager of Oppenheimer Capital
Assistant Vice President Appreciation Fund; Associate Portfolio
Manager of Oppenheimer Discovery Fund and
Oppenheimer Time Fund. Formerly a
Securities Analyst for Columbus Circle
Investors.
Mitchell J. Lindauer, None.
Vice President
Loretta McCarthy, None.
Senior Vice President
Bridget Macaskill, Director of HarbourView; Director of Main
President and Director Street Advisers, Inc.; and Chairman of
Shareholder Services, Inc.
Sally Marzouk, None.
Vice President
Denis R. Molleur, None.
Vice President
Kenneth Nadler, None.
Vice President
David Negri, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Strategic Bond Fund, Oppenheimer
Multiple Strategies Fund, Oppenheimer
Strategic Investment Grade Bond Fund,
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income
Fund, Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Short-Term Income
Fund, Oppenheimer High Income Fund and
Oppenheimer Bond Fund; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Barbara Niederbrach, None.
Assistant Vice President
Stuart Novek, Formerly a Director Account Supervisor for
Vice President J. Walter Thompson.
Robert A. Nowaczyk, None.
Vice President
Julia O'Neal, None.
Assistant Vice President
Robert E. Patterson, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Senior Vice President Oppenheimer Main Street California Tax-
Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer Insured Tax-Exempt
Bond Fund, Oppenheimer Intermediate Tax-
Exempt Bond Fund, Oppenheimer Florida Tax-
Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer New Jersey Tax-
Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer Pennsylvania Tax-
Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer California Tax-
Exempt Fund, Oppenheimer New York Tax-Exempt
Fund and Oppenheimer Tax-Free Bond Fund;
Vice President of the New York Tax-Exempt
Income Fund, Inc.; Vice President of
Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust.
Tilghman G. Pitts III, Chairman and Director of the Distributor.
Executive Vice President
and Director
Jane Putnam, Associate Portfolio Manager of Oppenheimer
Assistant Vice President Growth Fund and Oppenheimer Target Fund and
Portfolio Manager for Oppenheimer Variable
Account Funds-Growth Fund; Senior Investment
Officer and Portfolio Manager with Chemical
Bank.
Russell Read, Formerly an International Finance Consultant
Assistant Vice President for Dow Chemical.
Thomas Reedy, Vice President of Oppenheimer Multi-Sector
Vice President Income Trust and Oppenheimer Multi-
Government Trust; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds; formerly a Securities
Analyst for the Manager.
David Rosenberg, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund and
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust. Formerly
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager
for Delaware Investment Advisors.
Richard H. Rubinstein, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund,
Oppenheimer Fund and Oppenheimer Multiple
Strategies Fund; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds; formerly Vice President
and Portfolio Manager/Security Analyst for
Oppenheimer Capital Corp., an investment
adviser.
Lawrence Rudnick, Formerly Vice President of Dollar Dry Dock
Assistant Vice President Bank.
Ellen Schoenfeld, None.
Assistant Vice President
Nancy Sperte, None.
Senior Vice President
Donald W. Spiro, President and Trustee of the New York-based
Chairman Emeritus OppenheimerFunds; formerly Chairman of the
and Director Manager and the Distributor.
Arthur Steinmetz, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Senior Vice President Oppenheimer Strategic Diversified Income
Fund, Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund,
Oppenheimer Strategic Investment Grade Bond
Fund, Oppenheimer Strategic Short-Term
Income Fund; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Ralph Stellmacher, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Senior Vice President Oppenheimer Champion High Yield Fund and
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund; an officer of
other OppenheimerFunds.
John Stoma, Vice President Formerly Vice President of Pension Marketing
with Manulife Financial.
James C. Swain, Chairman, CEO and Trustee, Director or
Vice Chairman of the Managing Partner of the Denver-based
Board of Directors OppenheimerFunds; President and a Director
and Director of Centennial; formerly President and
Director of OAMC, and Chairman of the Board
of SSI.
James Tobin, Vice President None.
Jay Tracey, Vice President Vice President of the Manager; Vice
President and Portfolio Manager of
Oppenheimer Time Fund and Oppenheimer
Discovery Fund. Formerly Managing Director
of Buckingham Capital Management.
Gary Tyc, Vice President, Assistant Treasurer of the Distributor and
Assistant Secretary SFSI.
and Assistant Treasurer
Ashwin Vasan, Vice President of Oppenheimer Multi-Sector
Vice President Income Trust and Oppenheimer Multi-
Government Trust: an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Valerie Victorson, None.
Vice President
John Wallace, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, and
Oppenheimer Main Street Income and Growth
Fund; an officer of other OppenheimerFunds;
formerly a Securities Analyst and Assistant
Portfolio Manager for the Manager.
Dorothy Warmack, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc.,
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves, Centennial
America Fund, L.P., Centennial Government
Trust and Centennial Money Market Trust;
Vice President of Centennial.
Christine Wells, None.
Vice President
William L. Wilby, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Senior Vice President Oppenheimer Global Fund and Oppenheimer
Global Growth & Income Fund; Vice President
of HarbourView; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
Carol Wolf, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.,
Centennial America Fund, L.P., Centennial
Government Trust, Centennial Money Market
Trust and Daily Cash Accumulation Fund,
Inc.; Vice President of Oppenheimer Multi-
Sector Income Trust; Vice President of
Centennial.
Robert G. Zack, Associate General Counsel of the Manager;
Senior Vice President Assistant Secretary of the OppenheimerFunds;
and Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of SSI, SFSI; an officer
of other OppenheimerFunds.
Eva A. Zeff, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Assistant Vice President Oppenheimer Mortgage Income Fund; an officer
of other OppenheimerFunds; formerly a
Securities Analyst for the Manager.
Arthur J. Zimmer, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
Vice President Centennial America Fund, L.P., Oppenheimer
Money Fund, Centennial Government Trust,
Centennial Money Market Trust and Daily Cash
Accumulation Fund, Inc.; Vice President of
Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust; Vice
President of Centennial; an officer of other
OppenheimerFunds.
</TABLE>
The OppenheimerFunds include the New York-based OppenheimerFunds
and the Denver-based OppenheimerFunds set forth below:
New York-based OppenheimerFunds
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund
Oppenheimer California Tax-Exempt Fund
Oppenheimer Discovery Fund
Oppenheimer Global Emerging Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Global Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Income Fund
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Mortgage Income Fund
Oppenheimer Multi-Government Trust
Oppenheimer Multi-Sector Income Trust
Oppenheimer Multi-State Tax-Exempt Trust
Oppenheimer New York Tax-Exempt Trust
Oppenheimer Fund
Oppenheimer Target Fund
Oppenheimer Tax-Free Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Time Fund
Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Denver-based OppenheimerFunds
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Centennial America Fund, L.P.
Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Government Trust
Centennial Money Market Trust
Centennial New York Tax Exempt Trust
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Daily Cash Accumulation Fund, Inc.
The New York Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Champion High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund
Oppenheimer Integrity Funds
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Government Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Inc.
Oppenheimer Strategic Funds Trust
Oppenheimer Strategic Income & Growth Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Investment Grade Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Strategic Short-Term Income Fund
Oppenheimer Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Oppenheimer Total Return Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds
The address of Oppenheimer Management Corporation, the New York-
based OppenheimerFunds, Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc., Harbourview
Asset Management Corp., Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc., and
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. is Two World Trade Center, New York, New
York 10048-0203.
The address of the Denver-based OppenheimerFunds, Shareholder
Financial Services, Inc., Shareholder Services, Inc., Oppenheimer
Shareholder Services, Centennial Asset Management Corporation, Centennial
Capital Corp., and Main Street Advisers, Inc. is 3410 South Galena Street,
Denver, Colorado 80231.
Item 29. Principal Underwriter
(a) Oppenheimer Funds Distributor, Inc. is the Distributor of
Registrant's shares. It is also the Distributor of each of the other
registered open-end investment companies for which Oppenheimer Management
Corporation is the investment adviser, as described in Part A and B of
this Registration Statement and listed in Item 28(b) above.
(b) The directors and officers of the Registrant's principal
underwriter are:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Positions and
Name & Principal Positions & Offices Offices with
Business Address with Underwriter Registrant
- ---------------- ------------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
George Clarence Bowen+ Vice President & Treasurer Treasurer
Christopher Blunt Vice President None
6 Baker Avenue
Westport, CT 06880
Julie Bowers Vice President None
21 Dreamwold Road
Scituate, MA 02066
Peter W. Brennan Vice President None
1940 Cotswold Drive
Orlando, FL 32825
Mary Ann Bruce* Senior Vice President - None
Financial Institution Div.
Robert Coli Vice President None
12 Whitetail Lane
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Ronald T. Collins Vice President None
710-3 E. Ponce DeLeon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
Ronald Corlew Vice President None
1020 Montecito Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Mary Crooks+ Vice President None
Paul Della Bovi Vice President None
750 West Broadway
Apt. 5M
Long Beach, NY 11561
Andrew John Donohue* Executive Vice Secretary
President & Director
Wendy H. Ehrlich Vice President None
4 Craig Street
Jericho, NY 11753
Kent Elwell Vice President None
41 Craig Place
Cranford, NJ 07016
John Ewalt Vice President None
2301 Overview Dr. NE
Tacoma, WA 98422
Gregory Farley Vice President - None
1116 Westbury Circle Financial Institution Div.
Eagan, MN 55123
Katherine P. Feld* Vice President & Secretary None
Mark Ferro Vice President None
43 Market Street
Breezy Point, NY 11697
Wendy Fishler* Vice President - None
Financial Institution Div.
Wayne Flanagan Vice President - None
36 West Hill Road Financial Institution Div.
Brookline, NH 03033
Ronald R. Foster Vice President - None
11339 Avant Lane Eastern Division Manager
Cincinnati, OH 45249
Patricia Gadecki Vice President None
6026 First Ave. South,
Apt. 10
St. Petersburg, FL 33707
Luiggino Galleto Vice President None
10239 Rougemont Lane
Charlotte, NC 28277
Mark Giles Vice President - None
5506 Bryn Mawr Financial Institution Div.
Dallas, TX 75209
Ralph Grant* Vice President/National None
Sales Manager - Financial
Institution Div.
Sharon Hamilton Vice President None
720 N. Juanita Ave. - #1
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Carla Jiminez Vice President None
609 Chimney Bluff Drive
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Terry Lee Kelley Vice President - None
1431 Woodview Lane Financial Institution Div.
Commerce Township, MI 48382
Michael Keogh* Vice President None
Richard Klein Vice President None
4011 Queen Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55410
Hans Klehmet II Vice President None
26542 Love Lane
Ramona, CA 92065
Ilene Kutno* Assistant Vice President None
Wayne A. LeBlang Vice President - None
23 Fox Trail Director Eastern Div.
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Dawn Lind Vice President - None
7 Maize Court Financial Institution Div.
Melville, NY 11747
James Loehle Vice President None
30 John Street
Cranford, NJ 07016
Laura Mulhall* Vice President - None
Director of Key Accounts
Gina Munson Vice President None
120 Fisherville Road
Apt. 136
Concord, NH 03301
Charles Murray Vice President None
50 Deerwood Drive
Littleton, CO 80127
Patrick Palmer Vice President None
958 Blue Mountain Cr.
West Lake Village, CA 91362
Randall Payne Vice President - None
1307 Wandering Way Dr. Financial Institution Div.
Charlotte, NC 28226
Gayle Pereira Vice President None
2707 Via Arboleda
San Clemente, CA 92672
Charles K. Pettit Vice President None
1900 Eight Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94116
Tilghman G. Pitts, III* Chairman & Director None
Elaine Puleo* Vice President - None
Financial Institution Div.
Minnie Ra Vice President - None
109 Peach Street Financial Institution Div.
Avenel, NJ 07001
David Robertson Vice President None
9 Hawks View
Hoeoye Falls, NY 14472
Ian Robertson Vice President None
4204 Summit Wa
Marietta, GA 30066
Robert Romano Vice President None
1512 Fallingbrook Drive
Fishers, IN 46038
James Ruff* President None
Timothy Schoeffler Vice President None
3118 N. Military Road
Arlington, VA 22207
Mark Schon Vice President None
10483 E. Corrine Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Michael Sciortino Vice President None
785 Beau Chene Dr.
Mandeville, LA 70448
James A. Shaw Vice President - None
5155 West Fair Place Financial Institution Div.
Littleton, CO 80123
Robert Shore Vice President - None
26 Baroness Lane Financial Institution Div.
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Peggy Spilker Vice President - None
2017 N. Cleveland, #2 Financial Institution Div.
Chicago, IL 60614
Michael Stenger Vice President None
C/O America Building
30 East Central Pkwy
Suite 1008
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Paul Stickney Vice President None
1314 Log Cabin Lane
St. Louis, MO 63124
George Sweeney Vice President None
1855 O'Hara Lane
Middletown, PA 17057
Philip St. John Trimble Vice President None
2213 West Homer
Chicago, IL 60647
Gary Paul Tyc+ Assistant Treasurer None
Mark Stephen Vandehey+ Vice President None
Gregory K. Wilson Vice President None
2 Side Hill Road
Westport, CT 06880
Bernard J. Wolocko Vice President None
33915 Grand River
Farmington, MI 48335
William Harvey Young+ Vice President None
* Two World Trade Center, New York, NY 10048-0203
+ 3410 South Galena St., Denver, CO 80231
</TABLE>
(c) Not applicable.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
--------------------------------
The accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act
and rules promulgated thereunder are in possession of Oppenheimer
Management Corporation at its offices at 3410 South Galena Street,
Denver, Colorado 80231.
Item 31. Management Services
-------------------
Not applicable.
Item 32. Undertakings
------------
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this
registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York
on the 2nd day of March, 1995.
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
/s/ Donald W. Spiro *
by: --------------------------
Donald W. Spiro, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities on the dates indicated:
Signatures Title Date
- ---------- ----- ----
/s/ Leon Levy * Chairman of the Board March 2, 1995
- ---------------------- of Trustees
Leon Levy
/s/ Donald W. Spiro * President, Principal March 2, 1995
- ---------------------- Executive Officer and
Donald W. Spiro Trustee
/s/ George Bowen * Treasurer and March 2, 1995
- ---------------------- Principal Financial
George Bowen and Accounting Officer
/s/ Leo Cherne * Trustee March 2, 1995
- ----------------------
Leo Cherne
/s/ Robert G. Galli * Trustee March 2, 1995
- ----------------------
Robert G. Galli
/s/ Benjamin Lipstein* Trustee March 2, 1995
- ----------------------
Benjamin Lipstein
/s/ Kenneth A. Randall* Trustee March 2, 1995
- ----------------------
Kenneth A. Randall
/s/ Sidney M. Robbins* Trustee March 2, 1995
- ----------------------
Sidney M. Robbins
/s/ Russell S. Reynolds, Jr.* Trustee March 2, 1995
- ----------------------
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr.
/s/ Pauline Trigere * Trustee March 2, 1995
- ----------------------
Pauline Trigere
/s/ Elizabeth B. Moynihan* Trustee March 2, 1995
- ----------------------
Elizabeth B. Moynihan
/s/ Clayton K. Yeutter* Trustee March 2, 1995
- ----------------------
Clayton K. Yeutter
/s/ Edward V. Regan * Trustee March 2, 1995
- ----------------------
Edward V. Regan
*By: /s/ Robert G. Zack
-------------------------------------
Robert G. Zack, Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
EXHIBIT INDEX
24(b)(2) By-Laws dated 8/6/87
24(b)(5) Investment Advisory Agreement dated 10/20/90
24(b)(6)(i) General Distributor's Agreement dated 12/10/92
24(b)(8) Custody Agreement dated 11/12/92
24(b)(10) Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated 3/2/87
24(b)(15)(i) Service Plan and Agreement for Class A Shares
Exhibit 24(b)(2)
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
BY-LAWS
(amended as of 8/6/87)
ARTICLE I
SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meeting. All meetings of the Shareholders
(which terms as used herein shall, together with all other terms defined
in the Declaration of Trust, have the same meaning as in the Declaration
of Trust) shall be held at the principal office of the Trust or at such
other place as may from time to time be designated by the Board of
Trustees and stated in the notice of meting.
Section 2. Shareholder Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders for
any purpose or purposes may be called by the Chairman of the Board of
Trustees, if any, or by the President or by the Board of Trustees and
shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of the request in writing
signed by Shareholders holding not less than one third in amount of the
entire number of Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote
thereat. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed
meeting. In addition, meetings of the Shareholders shall be called by the
Board of Trustees upon receipt of the request in writing signed by
Shareholders that have, for at least six months prior to making such
requests, held not less than ten percent in amount of the entire number
of Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, stating
that the purpose of the proposed meeting is the removal of a Trustee.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings of Stockholders. Not less than ten
days' and not more than 120 days' written or printed notice of every
meeting of Shareholders, stating the time and place thereof (and the
general nature of the business proposed to be transacted at any special
or extraordinary meeting), shall be given to each Shareholder entitled to
vote thereat by leaving the same with him or at his residence or usual
place of business or by mailing it, postage prepaid and addressed to him
at his address as it appears upon the books of the Trust.
No notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting of
Shareholders need by given to any Shareholder who attends in person or by
proxy or to any Shareholder who, in writing executed and filed with the
records of the meeting, either before or after the holding thereof, waives
such notice.
Section 4. Record Dates. The Board of Trustees may fix, in advance,
a date, not exceeding 120 days and not less than ten days preceding the
date of any meeting of Shareholders, and not exceeding 120 days preceding
any dividend payment date or any date and entitled to receive such
dividends or rights for the allotment of rights, as a record date for the
determination of the Shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or
rights, as the case may be; and only Shareholders of record on such date
and entitled to receive such dividends or rights shall be entitled to
notice of and to vote at such meeting or to receive such dividends or
rights, as the case may be.
Section 5. Access to Shareholder List. The Board of Trustees
shall make available a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders
as recorded on the books of the Trust, upon receipt of the request in
writing signed by not less than ten Shareholders holding Shares of the
Trust valued at $25,000 or more at current offering price (as defined in
the Trust's Prospectus), or holding not less than one percent in amount
of the entire number of shares of the Trust issued and outstanding; such
request must state that such
Shareholders wish to communicate with other Shareholders with a view to
obtaining signatures to a request for a meeting pursuant to Section 2 of
Article II of these By-Laws and accompanied by a form of communication to
the Shareholders. The Board of Trustees may, in its discretion, satisfy
its obligation under this Section 5 by either making available the
Shareholder List to such Shareholders at the principal offices of the
Trust, or at the offices of the Trust's transfer agents, during regular
business hours, or by mailing a copy of such Shareholders' proposed
communication and form of request, at their expense, to all other
Shareholders.
Section 6. Quorum, Adjournment of Meetings. The presence in person
or by proxy of the holders of record of more than 50% of the Shares of the
stock of the Trust issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat,
shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Shareholders. If at any
meeting of the Shareholders there shall be less than a quorum present, the
Shareholders present at such meeting may, without further notice, adjourn
the same from time to time until a quorum shall attend, but no business
shall be transacted at any such adjourned meeting except such as might
have been lawfully transacted had the meeting not been adjourned.
Section 7. Voting and Inspectors. At all meetings of Shareholders,
every Shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to
vote at such meeting either in person or by proxy appointed by instrument
in writing subscribed by such Shareholder or his duly authorized attorney-
in-fact.
All elections of Trustees shall be had by a plurality of the votes
cast and all questions shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast,
in each case at a duly constituted meeting, except as otherwise provided
in the Declaration of Trust or in these By-Laws or by specific statutory
provision superseding the restrictions and limitations contained in the
Declaration of Trust or in these By-Laws.
At any election of Trustees, the Board of Trustees prior thereto may,
or, if they have not so acted, the Chairman of the meeting may, and upon
the request of the holders of ten per cent (10%) of the Shares entitled
to vote at such election shall, appoint two inspectors of election who
shall first subscribe an oath or affirmation to execute faithfully the
duties of inspectors at such election with strick impartiality and
according to the best of their ability, and shall after the election make
a certificate of the result of the vote taken. No candidate for the
office of Truste shall be appointed such Inspector.
The Chairman of the meeting may cause a vote by ballot to be taken
upon any election of matter, and such vote shall be taken upon the request
of the holders of ten per cent (10%) of the Shares entitled to vote on
such election or matter.
Section 8. Conduct of Shareholders' Meetings. The meetings of the
Shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of
Trustees, if any, or if he shall not be present, by the President, or if
he shall not be present, by a Vice-President, or if neither the Chairman
of the Board of Trustees, the President nor any Vice-President is present,
by a chairman to be elected at the meeting. The Secretary of the Trust,
if present, shall act as Secretary of such meetings, or if he is not
present, an Assistant Secretary shall so act, if neither the Secretary nor
an Assistant Secretary is present, than the meeting meeting shall elect
is secretary.
Section 9. Concerning Validity of Proxies, Ballots, Etc. At every
meeting of the
Shareholders, all proxies shall be received and taken in charge of and all
ballots shall be received and canvassed by the secretary of the meeting,
who shall decide all questions touching the qualification of voters, the
validity of the proxies, and the acceptance or rejection of votes, unless
inspectors of election shall have been appointed as provided in Section
7, in which event such inspectors of election shall decide all such
questions.
ARTICLE II
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. Number and Tenure of Office. The business and property
of the Trust shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Trustees
consisting of the number of initial Trustees, which number may be
increased or decreased as provided in Section 2 of this Article. Each
Trustee shall, except as otherwise provided herein, hold office until the
annual meeting of Shareholders of the Trust next succeeding his election
or until his successor is duly elected and qualifies. Trustees need not
be Shareholders.
Section 2. Increase of Decrease in Number of Trustees; Removal. The
Board of Trustees, by the vote of a majority of the entire Board, may
increase the number of Trustees to a number not exceeding fifteen, and may
elect Trustees to fill the vacancies created by any such increase in the
number of Trustees until the next annual meeting or until their successors
are duly elected and qualify; the Board of Trustees, by the vote of a
majority of the entire Board, may likewise decrease the number of Trustees
to a number not less than three but the tenure of office of any Trustee
shall not be affected by any such decrease. Vacancies occurring other
than by reason of any such increase shall be filled as provided for a
Massachusetts business corporation. In the event that after the proxy
material has been printed for a meeting of Shareholders at which Trustees
are to be elected and any one or more nominees named in such proxy
material dies or become incapacitated, the authorized number of Trustees
shall be automatically reduced by the number of such nominees, unless the
Board of Trustees prior to the meeting shall otherwise determine. A
Trustee at any time may be removed either with or without cause by
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative votes of the holders of the
majority of the Shares of the Trust, present in person or by proxy at any
meeting of Shareholders at which such vote may be taken, provided that a
quorum is present. Any Trustee at any time may be removed for cause by
resolution duly adopted at any meeting of the Board of Trustees provided
that notice thereof is contained in the notice of such meeting and that
such resolution is adopted by the vote of at least two thirds of the
Trustees whose removal is not proposed. As used herein, "for cause" shall
mean any cause which under Massachusetts law would permit the removal of
a Trustee of a business trust.
Section 3. Place of Meeting. The Trustees may hold their meetings,
have one or more offices, and keep the books of the Trust outside
Massachusetts, at any office or offices of the Trust or at any other place
as they may from time to time by resolution determine, or, in the case of
meetings, as they may from time to time by resolution determine or as
shall be specified or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice
thereof.
Section 4. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of
Trustees shall be held at such time and on such notice, if any, as the
Trustees may from time to time determine. The annual meeting of the Board
of Trustees shall be held as soon as practicable after the annual meeting
of the Shareholders for the election of Trustees.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of
Trustees may be held from time to time upon call of the Chairman of the
Board of Trustees, if any, the President or two or more of the Trustees,
by oral telegraphic or written notice duly served on or sent or mailed to
each Trustee not less than one day before such meeting. No notice need be
given to any Trustee who attends in person or to any Trustee who in
writing executed and filed with the records of the meeting either before
or after the holding thereof, waives such notice. Such notice or waiver
of notice need not state the purpose or purposes of such meeting.
Section 6. Quorum. One-third of the Trustees then in office shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that a
quorum shall in no case be less than two Trustees. If at any of the Board
there shall be less than a quorum present (in person or by open telephone
line, to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"1940 Act")), a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from
time to time until a quorum shall have been obtained. The act of the
majority of the Trustees present at any meeting at which there is a quorum
shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically
provided by statute, by the Declaration of Trust or by these By-Laws.
Section 7. Executive Committee. The Board of Trustees may, by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, elect from the
Trustees an Executive Committee to consist of such number of Trustees as
the Board may from time to time determine. The Board of Trustees by such
affirmative vote shall have power at any time to change the members of
such Committee and may fill vacancies in the Committee by election from
the Trustees. When the Board of Trustees is not in session, the Executive
Committee shall have and may exercise any or all of the powers of the
Board of Trustees in the management of the business and affairs of the
Trust (including the power to authorize the seal of the Trust to be
affixed to all papers which may require it) except as provided by law and
except the power to increase or decrease the size of, or fill vacancies
on the Board. The Executive Committee may fix its own rules of procedure,
and may meet, when and as provided by such rules or by resolution of the
Board of Trustees, but in every case the presence of a majority shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum. In the absence of any member of the
Executive Committee the members thereof present at any meeting, whether
or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a member of the Board of
Trustees to act in the place of such absent member.
Section 8. Other Committees. The Board of Trustees, by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, may appoint other
committees which shall in each case consist of such number of members (not
less than two) and shall have and may exercise such powers as the Board
may determine in the resolution appointing them. A majority of all
members of any such committee may determine its action, and fix the time
and place of its meetings, unless the Board of Trustees shall otherwise
provide. The Board of Trustees shall have power at any time to change the
members and powers of any such committee, to fill vacancies, and to
discharge any such committee.
Section 9. Informal Action by _and Telephone Meetings of Trustees
and Committees. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any
meeting of the Board of Trustees or any committee thereof may be taken
without a meeting, if a written consent to such action is signed by all
members of the Board, or of such committee, as the case may be. Trustees
or members of a committee of the Board of Trustees may participate in a
meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications
equipment; such participation shall, except as otherwise required by the
1940 Act, have the same effect as presence in person.
Section 10. Compensation of Trustees. Trustees shall be entitled
to receive such compensation from the Trust for their services as may from
time to time be voted by the Board of Trustees.
Section 11. Dividends. Dividends or distributions payable on the
Shares of any Series may, but need not be, declared by specific resolution
of the Board as to each dividend or distribution; in lieu of such specific
resolutions, the Board may, by general resolution, determine the method
of computation thereof, the method of determining the Shareholders of the
Series to which they are payable and the methods of determining whether
and to which Shareholders they are to be paid in cash or in additional
Shares.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
Section 1. Executive Officers. The executive officers of the Trust
may include a Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and shall include a
President, one or more Vice-Presidents (the number thereof to be
determined by the Board of Trustees), a Secretary and a Treasurer. The
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, if any, and the President shall be
selected from among the Trustees. The Board of Trustees may also in its
discretion appoint Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, and other
officers, agents and employees, who shall have authority and perform such
duties as the Board or the Executive Committee may determine. The Board
of Trustees may fill any vacancy which may occur in any office. Any two
offices, except those of President and Vice-President, may be held by the
same person, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any
instrument in more than one capacity, if such instrument is required by
law or these By-Laws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or
more officers.
Section 2. Term of Office. The term of office of all officers shall
be one year and until their respective successors are chosen and qualify;
however, any officer may be removed from office at any time with or
without cause by the vote of a majority of the entire Board of Trustees.
Section 3. Powers and Duties. The officers of the Trust shall have
such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices,
as well as such powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred
by the Board of Trustees or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IV
SHARES
Section 1. Certificates of Shares. Each Shareholder of any Series
of the Trust may be issued a certificate or certificates for his Shares
of that Series, in such form as the Board of Trustees may from time to
time prescribe, but only if and to the extent and on the conditions
described by the Board.
Section 2. Transfer of Shares. Shares of any Series shall be
transferable on the books of the Trust by the holder thereof in person or
by his duly authorized attorney or legal representative, upon surrender
and cancellation of certificates, if any, for the same number of Shares
of that Series, duly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of
assignment and transfer, with such proof of the authenticity of the
signature as the Trust or its agent may reasonably require; in the case
of shares not represented by certificates, the same or similar
requirements may be imposed by the Board of Trustees.
Section 3. Share Ledgers. The share ledgers of the Trust,
containing the name and address of the Shareholders of each Series and the
number of shares of that Series, held by them respectively, shall be kept
at the principal offices of the Trust or, if the Trust employs a transfer
agent, at the offices of the transfer agent of the Trust.
Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Board of
Trustees may determine the conditions upon which a new certificate may be
issued in place of a certificate which is alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed; and may, in their discretion, require the owner of
such certificate or his legal representative to give bond, with sufficient
surety to the Trust and the transfer agent, if any, to indemnify it and
such transfer agent against any and all loss or claims which may arise by
reason of the issue of a new certificate in the place of the one so lost,
stolen or destroyed.
ARTICLE V
SEAL
The Board of Trustees shall provide a suitable seal of the Trust, in
such form and bearing such inscriptions as it may determine.
ARTICLE VI
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Trust shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
The By-Laws of the Trust may be altered, amended, added to or
repealed by the Shareholders or by majority vote of the entire Board of
Trustees, but any such alteration, amendment, addition or repeal of the
By-Laws by action of the Board of Trustees may be altered or repealed by
the Shareholders.
orgzn\240#2
Exhibit 24(b)(6)(i)
GENERAL DISTRIBUTOR'S AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
AND
OPPENHEIMER FUND MANAGEMENT, INC.
Date: December 10, 1992
OPPENHEIMER FUND MANAGEMENT, INC.
Two World Trade Center, Suite 3400
New York, NY 10048
Dear Sirs:
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND, a Massachusetts business trust
(the "Fund"), is registered as an investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), and an indefinite number of one or
more classes of its shares of beneficial interest ("Shares") have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") to be offered
for sale to the public in a continuous public offering in accordance with
the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information ("SAI") included in the Fund's Registration
Statement as it may be amended from time to time (the "current Prospectus
and/or SAI").
In this connection, the Fund desires that your firm (the "General
Distributor") act in a principal capacity as General Distributor for the
sale and distribution of Shares which have been registered as described
above and of any additional Shares which may become registered during the
term of this Agreement. You have advised the Fund that you are willing
to act as such General Distributor, and it is accordingly agreed by and
between us as follows:
1. Appointment of the Distributor. The Fund hereby appoints you
as the sole General Distributor, pursuant to the aforesaid continuous
public offering of its Shares, and the Fund further agrees from and after
the date of this Agreement, that it will not, without your consent, sell
or agree to sell any Shares otherwise than through you, except (a) the
Fund may itself sell shares without sales charge as an investment to the
officers, trustees or directors and bona fide present and former full-time
employees of the Fund, the Fund's Investment Adviser and affiliates
thereof, and to other investors who are identified in the current
Prospectus and/or SAI as having the privilege to buy Shares at net asset
value; (b) the Fund may issue shares in connection with a merger,
consolidation or acquisition of assets on such basis as may be authorized
or permitted under the 1940 Act; (c) the Fund may issue shares for the
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions of the Fund or of any
other Fund if permitted by the current Prospectus and/or SAI; and (d) the
Fund may issue shares as underlying securities of a unit investment trust
if such unit investment trust has elected to use Shares as an underlying
investment; provided that in no event as to any of the foregoing
exceptions shall Shares be issued and sold at less than the then-existing
net asset value.
2. Sale of Shares. You hereby accept such appointment and agree
to use your best efforts to sell Shares, provided, however, that when
requested by the Fund at any time because of market or other economic
considerations or abnormal circumstances of any kind, or when agreed to
by mutual consent of the Fund and the General Distributor, you will
suspend such efforts. The Fund may also withdraw the offering of Shares
at any time when required by the provisions of any statute, order, rule
or regulation of any governmental body having jurisdiction. It is
understood that you do not undertake to sell all or any specific number
of Shares.
3. Sales Charge. Shares shall be sold by you at net asset value
plus a front-end sales charge not in excess of 8.5% of the offering price,
but which front-end sales charge shall be proportionately reduced or
eliminated for larger sales and under other circumstances, in each case
on the basis set forth in the current Prospectus and/or SAI. The
redemption proceeds of shares offered and sold at net asset value with or
without a front-end sales charge may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge ("CDSC") under the circumstances described in the current
Prospectus and\or SAI. You may reallow such portion of the front-end
sales charge to dealers or cause payment (which may exceed the front-end
sales charge, if any) of commissions to brokers through which sales are
made, as you may determine, and you may pay such amounts to dealers and
brokers on sales of shares from your own resources (such dealers and
brokers shall collectively include all domestic or foreign institutions
eligible to offer and sell the Shares), and in the event the Fund has more
than one class of Shares outstanding, then you may impose a front-end
sales charge and/or a CDSC on Shares of one class that is different from
the charges imposed on Shares of the Fund's other class(es), in each case
as set forth in the current Prospectus and/or SAI, provided the front-end
sales charge and CDSC to the ultimate purchaser do not exceed the
respective levels set forth for such category of purchaser in the current
Prospectus and/or SAI.
4. Purchase of Shares.
(a) As General Distributor, you shall have the right to
accept or reject orders for the purchase of Shares at your
discretion. Any consideration which you may receive in
connection with a rejected purchase order will be returned
promptly.
(b) You agree promptly to issue or to cause the duly appointed
transfer or shareholder servicing agent of the Fund to
issue as your agent confirmations of all accepted purchase
orders and to transmit a copy of such confirmations to the
Fund. The net asset value of all Shares which are the
subject of such confirmations, computed in accordance with
the applicable rules under the 1940 Act, shall be a
liability of the General Distributor to the Fund to be
paid promptly after receipt of payment from the
originating dealer or broker (or investor, in the case of
direct purchases) and not later than eleven business days
after such confirmation even if you have not actually
received payment from the originating dealer or broker, or
investor. In no event shall the General Distributor make
payment to the Fund later than permitted by applicable
rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
(c) If the originating dealer or broker shall fail to make
timely settlement of its purchase order in accordance with
applicable rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or if a direct purchaser shall fail to make
good payment for shares in a timely manner, you shall have
the right to cancel such purchase order and, at your
account and risk, to hold responsible the originating
dealer or broker, or investor. You agree promptly to
reimburse the Fund for losses suffered by it that are
attributable to any such cancellation, or to errors on
your part in relation to the effective date of accepted
purchase orders, limited to the amount that such losses
exceed contemporaneous gains realized by the Fund for
either of such reasons with respect to other purchase
orders.
(d) In the case of a canceled purchase for the account of a
directly purchasing shareholder, the Fund agrees that if
such investor fails to make you whole for any loss you pay
to the Fund on such canceled purchase order, the Fund will
reimburse you for such loss to the extent of the aggregate
redemption proceeds of any other shares of the Fund owned
by such investor, on your demand that the Fund exercise
its right to claim such redemption proceeds. The Fund
shall register or cause to be registered all Shares sold
to you pursuant to the provisions hereof in such names and
amounts as you may request from time to time and the Fund
shall issue or cause to be issued certificates evidencing
such Shares for delivery to you or pursuant to your
direction if and to the extent that the shareholder
account in question contemplates the issuance of such
certificates. All Shares, when so issued and paid for,
shall be fully paid and non-assessable by the Fund (which
shall not prevent the imposition of any CDSC that may
apply) to the extent set forth in the current Prospectus
and/or SAI.
5. Repurchase of Shares.
(a) In connection with the repurchase of Shares, you are
appointed and shall act as Agent of the Fund. You are
authorized, for so long as you act as General Distributor
of the Fund, to repurchase, from authorized dealers,
certificated or uncertificated shares of the Fund
("Shares") on the basis of orders received from each
dealer ("authorized dealer") with which you have a dealer
agreement for the sale of Shares and permitting resales of
Shares to you, provided that such authorized dealer, at
the time of placing such resale order, shall represent (i)
if such Shares are represented by certificate(s), that
certificate(s) for the Shares to be repurchased have been
delivered to it by the registered owner with a request for
the redemption of such Shares executed in the manner and
with the signature guarantee required by the then-
currently effective prospectus of the Fund, or (ii) if
such Shares are uncertificated, that the registered
owner(s) has delivered to the dealer a request for the
redemption of such Shares executed in the manner and with
the signature guarantee required by the then-currently
effective prospectus of the Fund.
(b) You shall (a) have the right in your discretion to accept
or reject orders for the repurchase of Shares; (b)
promptly transmit confirmations of all accepted
repurchase orders; and (c) transmit a copy of such
confirmation to the Fund, or, if so directed, to any duly
appointed transfer or shareholder servicing agent of the
Fund. In your discretion, you may accept repurchase
requests made by a financially responsible dealer which
provides you with indemnification in form satisfactory to
you in consideration of your acceptance of such dealer's
request in lieu of the written redemption request of the
owner of the account; you agree that the Fund shall be a
third party beneficiary of such indemnification.
(c) Upon receipt by the Fund or its duly appointed transfer or
shareholder servicing agent of any certificate(s) (if any
has been issued) for repurchased Shares and a written
redemption request of the registered owner(s) of such
Shares executed in the manner and bearing the signature
guarantee required by the then-currently effective
Prospectus or SAI of the Fund, the Fund will pay or cause
its duly appointed transfer or shareholder servicing agent
promptly to pay to the originating authorized dealer the
redemption price of the repurchased Shares (other than
repurchased Shares subject to the provisions of part (d)
of Section 5 of this Agreement) next determined after your
receipt of the dealer's repurchase order.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of part (c) of Section 5 of
this Agreement, repurchase orders received from an
authorized dealer after the determination of the Fund's
redemption price on a regular business day will receive
that day's redemption price if the request to the dealer
by its customer to arrange such repurchase prior to the
determination of the Fund's redemption price that day
complies with the requirements governing such requests as
stated in the current Prospectus and/or SAI.
(e) You will make every reasonable effort and take all
reasonably available measures to assure the accurate
performance of all services to be performed by you
hereunder within the requirements of any statute, rule or
regulation pertaining to the redemption of shares of a
regulated investment company and any requirements set
forth in the then-current Prospectus and/or SAI of the
Fund. You shall correct any error or omission made by you
in the performance of your duties hereunder of which you
shall have received notice in writing and any necessary
substantiating data; and you shall hold the Fund harmless
from the effect of any errors or omissions which might
cause an over- or under-redemption of the Fund's Shares
and/or an excess or non-payment of dividends, capital
gains distributions, or other distributions.
(f) In the event an authorized dealer initiating a repurchase
order shall fail to make delivery or otherwise settle such
order in accordance with the rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., you shall have
the right to cancel such repurchase order and, at your
account and risk, to hold responsible the originating
dealer. In the event that any cancellation of a Share
repurchase order or any error in the timing of the
acceptance of a Share repurchase order shall result in a
gain or loss to the Fund, you agree promptly to reimburse
the Fund for any amount by which any losses shall exceed
then-existing gains so arising.
6. 1933 Act Registration. The Fund has delivered to you a copy of
its current Prospectus and SAI. The Fund agrees that it will use its best
efforts to continue the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under
the 1933 Act. The Fund further agrees to prepare and file any amendments
to its Registration Statement as may be necessary and any supplemental
data in order to comply with the 1933 Act. The Fund will furnish you at
your expense with a reasonable number of copies of the Prospectus and SAI
and any amendments thereto for use in connection with the sale of Shares.
7. 1940 Act Registration. The Fund has already registered under
the 1940 Act as an investment company, and it will use its best efforts
to maintain such registration and to comply with the requirements of the
1940 Act.
8. State Blue Sky Qualification. At your request, the Fund will
take such steps as may be necessary and feasible to qualify Shares for
sale in states, territories or dependencies of the United States, the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and in foreign
countries, in accordance with the laws thereof, and to renew or extend any
such qualification; provided, however, that the Fund shall not be required
to qualify shares or to maintain the qualification of shares in any
jurisdiction where it shall deem such qualification disadvantageous to the
Fund.
9. Duties of Distributor. You agree that:
(a) Neither you nor any of your officers will take any long or
short position in the Shares, but this provision shall not
prevent you or your officers from acquiring Shares for
investment purposes only;
(b) You shall furnish to the Fund any pertinent information
required to be inserted with respect to you as General
Distributor within the purview of the Securities Act of
1933 in any reports or registration required to be filed
with any governmental authority; and
(c) You will not make any representations inconsistent with
the information contained in the current Prospectus and/or
SAI.
(d) You shall maintain such records as may be reasonably
required for the Fund or its transfer or shareholder
servicing agent to respond to shareholder requests or
complaints, and to permit the Fund to maintain proper
accounting records, and you shall make such records
available to the Fund and its transfer agent or
shareholder servicing agent upon request.
(e) In performing under this Agreement, you shall comply with
all requirements of the Fund's current Prospectus and/or
SAI and all applicable laws, rules and regulations with
respect to the purchase, sale and distribution of Shares.
10. Allocation of Costs. The Fund shall pay the cost of composition
and printing of sufficient copies of its Prospectus and SAI as shall be
required for periodic distribution to its shareholders and the expense of
registering Shares for sale under federal securities laws. You shall pay
the expenses normally attributable to the sale of Shares, other than as
paid under the Fund's Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act,
including the cost of printing and mailing of the Prospectus (other than
those furnished to existing shareholders) and any sales literature used
by you in the public sale of the Shares and for registering such shares
under state blue sky laws pursuant to paragraph 8.
11. Duration. This Agreement shall take effect on the date first
written above, and shall supersede any and all prior General Distributor's
Agreements by and among the Fund and you. Unless earlier terminated
pursuant to paragraph 12 hereof, this Agreement shall remain in effect
until September 30, 1994. This Agreement shall continue in effect from
year to year thereafter, provided that such continuance shall be
specifically approved at least annually: (a) by the Fund's Board of
Trustees or by vote of a majority of the voting securities of the Fund;
and (b) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees, who are not parties to
this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any
such person, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on such approval.
12. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated (a) by the
General Distributor at any time without penalty by giving sixty days'
written notice (which notice may be waived by the Fund); (b) by the Fund
at any time without penalty upon sixty days' written notice to the General
Distributor (which notice may be waived by the General Distributor); or
(c) by mutual consent of the Fund and the General Distributor, provided
that such termination by the Fund shall be directed or approved by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund or by the vote of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. In the event this
Agreement is terminated by the Fund, the General Distributor shall be
entitled to be paid the CDSC under paragraph 3 hereof on the redemption
proceeds of Shares sold prior to the effective date of such termination.
13. Assignment. This Agreement may not be amended or changed except
in writing and shall be binding upon and shall enure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors; however, this Agreement
shall not be assigned by either party and shall automatically terminate
upon assignment.
14. Disclaimer of Shareholder Liability. The General Distributor
understands and agrees that the obligations of the Fund under this
Agreement are not binding upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Fund
personally, but bind only the Fund and the Fund's property; the General
Distributor represents that it has notice of the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder liability for
acts or obligations of the Fund.
15. Section Headings. The headings of each section is for
descriptive purposes only, and such headings are not to be construed or
interpreted as part of this Agreement.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, so
indicate by signing in the space provided below.
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
By: /s/ Robert G. Galli
-------------------
Robert G. Galli, Secretary
Accepted:
OPPENHEIMER FUND MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Andrew J. Donohue
---------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Senior Vice President
OFMI\2401A
Exhibit 24(b)(5)
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 27th day of June, 1994, by and between
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND (the "Fund"), and OPPENHEIMER MANAGEMENT
CORPORATION ("OMC").
WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end, diversified management investment
company registered as such with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"Investment Company Act"), and OMC is a registered investment adviser;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the parties, as
follows:
1. General Provision.
a. The Fund hereby employs OMC and OMC hereby undertakes to act as
the investment adviser of the Fund and to perform for the Fund
such other duties and functions as are hereinafter set forth.
OMC shall, in all matters, give to the Fund and its Board of
Trustees the benefit of its best judgment, effort, advice and
recommendations and shall at all times conform to, and use its
best efforts to enable the Fund to conform to: (i) the
provisions of the Investment Company Act and any rules or
regulations thereunder; (ii) any other applicable provisions of
state or federal law; (iii) the provisions of the Declaration
of Trust and By-Laws of the Fund as amended from time to time;
(iv) policies and determinations of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund; (v) the fundamental policies and investment restrictions
of the Fund as reflected in the Fund's registration statement
under the Investment Company Act or as such policies may, from
time to time, be amended by the Fund's shareholders; and (vi)
the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the
Fund in effect from time to time. The appropriate officers and
employees of OMC shall be available upon reasonable notice for
consultation with any of the Trustees and officers of the Fund
with respect to any matters dealing with the business and
affairs of the Fund, including the valuation of any of the
Fund's portfolio securities which are either not registered for
public sale or not traded on any securities market.
b. OMC shall not be liable for any loss sustained by the Fund in
connection with any matters to which this Agreement relates,
except a loss resulting by reason of OMC's willful misfeasance,
bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties;
or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties under this Agreement.
2. Investment Management.
a. OMC shall, subject to the direction and control by the Fund's
Board of Trustees: (i) regularly provide investment advice and
recommendations to the Fund with respect to its investments,
investment policies and the purchase and sale of securities;
(ii) supervise continuously the investment program of the Fund
and the composition of its portfolio and determine what
securities shall be purchased or sold by the Fund; and (iii)
arrange, subject to the provisions of paragraph "8" hereof, for
the purchase of securities and other investments for the Fund
and the sale of securities and other investments held in the
portfolio of the Fund.
b. Provided that the Fund shall not be required to pay any
compensation other than as provided by the terms of this
Agreement and subject to the provisions of paragraph "8" hereof,
OMC may obtain investment information, research or assistance
from any other person, firm or corporation to supplement, update
or otherwise improve its investment management services.
3. Acting as Adviser for Others.
Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent OMC or any officer thereof
from acting as investment adviser for any other person, firm or
corporation and shall not in any way limit or restrict OMC or any of
its directors, officers, or employees from buying, selling or trading
any securities for its or their own account or for the account of
others for whom it or they may be acting, provided that such
activities will not adversely affect or otherwise impair the
performance by OMC of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.
4. Other Duties of OMC.
OMC shall, at its own expense, provide and supervise the activities
of all administrative and clerical personnel as shall be required to
provide effective corporate administration for the Fund, including
the compilation and maintenance of such records with respect to its
operations as may reasonably be required; the preparation and filing
of such reports with respect thereto as shall be required by the
Commission; composition of periodic reports with respect to its
operations for the shareholders of the Fund; composition of proxy
materials for meetings of the Fund's shareholders and the composition
of such registration statements as may be required by federal and
state securities laws for continuous public sale of shares of the
Fund. OMC shall, at its own cost and expense, also provide the Fund
with adequate office space, facilities and equipment.
5. Allocation of Expenses.
All other costs and expenses not expressly assumed by OMC under this
Agreement, or to be paid by the General Distributor of the shares of
the Fund, shall be paid by the Fund, including, but not limited to:
(i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions; (iii) premiums
for fidelity and other insurance coverage requisite to its
operations; (iv) the fees and expenses of its Trustees; (v) legal
and audit expenses; (vi) custodian and transfer agent fees and
expenses; (vii) expenses incident to the redemption of its shares;
(viii) expenses incident to the issuance of its shares against
payment therefor by or on behalf of the subscribers thereto; (ix)
fees and expenses, other than as hereinabove provided, incident to
the registration under federal and state securities laws of shares
of the Fund for public sale; (x) expenses of printing and mailing
reports, notices and proxy materials to shareholders of the Fund;
(xi) except as noted above, all other expenses incidental to holding
meetings of the Fund's shareholders; and (xii) such extraordinary
non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation, affecting
the Fund and any obligation which the Fund may have to indemnify its
officers and Trustees with respect thereto. Any officers or
employees of OMC or any entity controlling, controlled by or under
common control with OMC, who may also serve as officers, Trustees or
employees of the Fund shall not receive any compensation by the Fund
for their services.
6. Compensation of OMC.
The Trust agrees to pay OMC and OMC agrees to accept as full
compensation for the performance of all functions and duties on its
part to be performed pursuant to the provisions hereof, a fee
computed on the aggregate net assets of the Fund as of the close of
each business day and payable monthly at the following annual rates:
0.75% of the first $200 million of aggregate net assets;
0.72% of the next $200 million of aggregate net assets;
0.69% of the next $200 million of aggregate net assets;
0.66% of the next $200 million of aggregate net assets; and
0.60% of aggregate net assets over $800 million.
7. Use of Name "Oppenheimer."
OMC hereby grants to the Fund a royalty-free, non-exclusive license
to use the name "Oppenheimer" in the name of the Fund for the
duration of this Agreement and any extensions or renewals thereof.
Such license may, upon termination of this Agreement, be terminated
by OMC, in which event the Fund shall promptly take whatever action
may be necessary to change its name and discontinue any further use
of the name "Oppenheimer" in the name of the Fund or otherwise. The
name "Oppenheimer" may be used or licensed by OMC in connection any
of its activities or licensed by OMC to any other party.
8. Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage.
a. OMC is authorized, in arranging the Fund's portfolio
transactions, to employ or deal with such members of securities
or commodities exchanges, brokers or dealers including
"affiliated" broker-dealers (as that term is defined in the
Investment Company Act) (hereinafter "broker-dealers"), as may,
in its best judgment, implement the policy of the Fund to
obtain, at reasonable expense, the "best execution" (prompt and
reliable execution at the most favorable security price
obtainable) of the Fund's portfolio transactions as well as to
obtain, consistent with the provisions of subparagraph "(c)" of
this paragraph "8," the benefit of such investment information
or research as may be of significant assistance to the
performance by OMC of its investment management functions.
b. OMC shall select broker-dealers to effect the Fund's portfolio
transactions on the basis of its estimate of their ability to
obtain best execution of particular and related portfolio
transactions. The abilities of a broker-dealer to obtain best
execution of particular portfolio transaction(s) will be judged
by OMC on the basis of all relevant factors and considerations
including, insofar as feasible, the execution capabilities
required by the transaction or transactions; the ability and
willingness of the broker-dealer to facilitate the Fund's
portfolio transactions by participating therein for its own
account; the importance to the Fund of speed, efficiency or
confidentiality; the broker-dealer's apparent familiarity with
sources from or to whom particular securities might be purchased
or sold; as well as any other matters relevant to the selection
of a broker-dealer for particular and related transactions of
the Fund.
c. OMC shall have discretion, in the interests of the Fund, to
allocate brokerage on the Fund's portfolio transactions to
broker-dealers, other than affiliated broker-dealers, qualified
to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide
brokerage and/or research services (as such services are defined
in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) for
the Fund and/or other accounts for which OMC and its affiliates
exercise "investment discretion" (as that term is defined in
Section 3(a)(35) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and to
cause the Fund to pay such broker-dealers a commission for
effecting a portfolio transaction for the Fund that is in excess
of the amount of commission another broker-dealer adequately
qualified to effect such transaction would have charged for
effecting that transaction, if OMC determines, in good faith,
that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of
the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-
dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction
or the overall responsibilities of OMC and its investment
advisory affiliates with respect to the accounts as to which
they exercise investment discretion. In reaching such
determination, OMC will not be required to place or attempt to
place a specific dollar value on the brokerage and/or research
services provided or being provided by such broker-dealer. In
demonstrating that such determinations were made in good faith,
OMC shall be prepared to show that all commissions were
allocated for purposes contemplated by this Agreement and that
the total commissions paid by the Fund over a representative
period selected by the Fund's Trustees were reasonable in
relation to the benefits to the Fund.
d. OMC shall have no duty or obligation to seek advance competitive
bidding for the most favorable commission rate applicable to any
particular portfolio transactions or to select any broker-dealer
on the basis of its purported or "posted" commission rate but
will, to the best of its ability, endeavor to be aware of the
current level of the charges of eligible broker-dealers and to
minimize the expense incurred by the Fund for effecting the
Fund's portfolio transactions to the extent consistent with the
interests and policies of the Fund as established by the
determinations of the Fund's Board of Trustees and the
provisions of this paragraph "8".
e. The Fund recognizes that an affiliated broker (i) may act as one
of the Fund's regular brokers so long as it is lawful for it so
to act; (ii) may be a major recipient of brokerage commissions
paid by the Fund; and (iii) may effect portfolio transactions
for the Fund only if the commissions, fees or other remuneration
received or to be received by it are determined in accordance
with procedures contemplated by any rule, regulation or order
adopted under the Investment Company Act for determining the
permissible level of such commissions.
f. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph "8," OMC
may also consider sales of Fund shares and shares of other
investment companies managed by OMC or its affiliates as a
factor in the selection of broker-dealers for the Fund's
portfolio transactions.
9. Duration.
This Agreement will take effect on the date first set forth
above, and replaces the Fund's Investment Advisory Agreement
dated October 22, 1990. This Agreement will continue in effect
until December 31, 1994, and thereafter, from year to year, so
long as such continuance shall be approved at least annually in
the manner contemplated by Section 15 of the Investment Company
Act.
10. Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by OMC at any time without
penalty upon giving the Fund sixty days' written notice (which
notice may be waived by the Fund); or (ii) by the Fund at any
time without penalty upon sixty days' written notice to OMC
(which notice may be waived by OMC) provided that such
termination by the Fund shall be directed or approved by the vote
of a majority of all of the Trustees of the Fund then in office
or by the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund.
11. Assignment or Amendment.
This Agreement may not be amended or the rights of OMC hereunder
sold, transferred, pledged or otherwise in any manner encumbered
without the affirmative vote or written consent of the holders of
the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund;
this Agreement shall automatically and immediately terminate in
the event of its "assignment," as defined in the Investment
Company Act.
12. Disclaimer of Shareholder Liability.
OMC understands and agrees that the obligations of the Fund under
this Agreement are not binding upon any Trustee or shareholder of
the Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and its property.
OMC represents that it has notice of the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.
13. Definitions.
The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted
and defined in a manner consistent with the provisions and
definitions of the Investment Company Act.
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
By: /s/ Andrew J. Donohue
---------------------
Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary
OPPENHEIMER MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
By: /s/ Mitchell J. Lindauer
------------------------
Mitchell J. Lindauer, Vice President
ADVISORY\240
Exhibit 24(b)(8)
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 12th day of November, 1992, between
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND, a business trust organized and existing
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its principal
office and place of business at 2 World Trade Center, New York, New York
10048 (hereinafter called the "Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New
York corporation authorized to do a banking business, having its principal
office and place of business at 48 Wall Street, New York, New York 10286
(hereinafter called the "Custodian").
W I T N E S S E T H
that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set
forth, the Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases,
shall have the following meanings:
1. "Agreement" shall mean this Custody Agreement and all Appendices
and Certifications described in the Exhibits delivered in connection
herewith.
2. "Authorized Person" shall mean any person, whether or not such
person is an Officer or employee of the Fund, duly authorized by the Board
of Trustees of the Fund to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions
on behalf of the Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as
Appendix A or such other Certificate as may be received by the Custodian
from time to time, provided that each person who is designated in any such
Certificate as an "Officer of OSS" shall be an Authorized Person only for
purposes of Articles XII and XIII hereof.
3. "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-
entry system for United States and federal agency securities, its
successor or successors and its nominee or nominees.
4. "Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option with respect
to Securities other than Index, Futures Contracts, and Futures Contract
Options entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the
exercise price, as specified therein, to purchase from the writer thereof
the specified underlying instruments, currency, or Securities.
5. "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, or other
instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be
given to the Custodian which is actually received (irrespective of
constructive receipt) by the Custodian and signed on behalf of the Fund
by any two Officers. The term Certificate shall also include instructions
by the Fund to the Custodian communicated by a Terminal Link.
6. "Clearing Member" shall mean a registered broker-dealer which
is a clearing member under the rules of O.C.C. and a member of a national
securities exchange qualified to act as a custodian for an investment
company, or any broker-dealer reasonably believed by the Custodian to be
such a clearing member.
7. "Collateral Account" shall mean a segregated account so de-
nominated which is specifically allocated to a Series and pledged to the
Custodian as security for, and in consideration of, the Custodian's
issuance of any Put Option guarantee letter or similar document described
in paragraph 8 of Article V herein.
8. "Covered Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option
entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise
price, as specified therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the
specified underlying instruments, currency, or Securities (excluding
Futures Contracts) which are owned by the writer thereof.
9. "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"),
a clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
its successor or successors and its nominee or nominees. The term
"Depository" shall further mean and include any other person authorized
to act as a depository under the Investment Company Act of 1940, its
successor or successors and its nominee or nominees, specifically
identified in a certified copy of a resolution of the Fund's Board of
Trustees specifically approving deposits therein by the Custodian,
including, without limitation, a Foreign Depository.
10. "Financial Futures Contract" shall mean the firm commitment to
buy or sell financial instruments on a U.S. commodities exchange or board
of trade at a specified future time at an agreed upon price.
11. "Foreign Subcustodian" shall mean an "Eligible Foreign
Custodian" as defined in Rule 17-5 which is appointed by the Custodian to
perform or coordinate the receipt, custody and delivery of Foreign
Property of the Fund outside the United States in a manner consistent with
the provisions of this Agreement and whose written contract is approved
by the Board of Trustees of the Fund in accordance with Rule 17f-5.
References to the Custodian herein shall, when appropriate, include
reference to its Foreign Subcustodians.
12. "Foreign Depository" shall mean an entity organized under the
laws of a foreign country which operates a system outside the United
States in general use by foreign banks and securities brokers for the
central or transnational handling of securities or equivalent book-entries
which is regulated by a foreign government or agency thereof and which is
an "Eligible Foreign Custodian" as defined in Rule 17f-5.
13. "Foreign Securities" shall mean securities and/or short term
paper as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Act, whether issued in registered
or bearer form.
14. "Foreign Property" shall mean Foreign Securities and money of
any currency which is held outside of the United States.
15. "Futures Contract" shall mean a Financial Futures Contract
and/or Index Futures Contracts.
16. "Futures Contract Option" shall mean an Option with respect to
a Futures Contract.
17. "Investment Company Act of 1940" shall mean the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
18. "Index Futures Contract" shall mean a bilateral agreement
pursuant to which the parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount
of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between
the value of a particular index at the close of the last business day of
the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally
struck.
19. "Index Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option entitling
the holder, upon timely exercise, to receive an amount of cash determined
by reference to the difference between the exercise price and the value
of the index on the date of exercise.
20. "Margin Account" shall mean a segregated account in the name of
a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant, or a Clearing Member, or
in the name of the Fund for the benefit of a broker, dealer, futures
commission merchant, or Clearing Member, or otherwise, in accordance with
an agreement between the Fund, the Custodian and a broker, dealer, futures
commission merchant or a Clearing Member (a "Margin Account Agreement"),
separate and distinct from the custody account, in which certain
Securities and/or money of the Fund shall be deposited and withdrawn from
time to time in connection with such transactions as the Fund may from
time to time determine. Securities held in the Book-Entry System or a
Depository shall be deemed to have been deposited in, or withdrawn from,
a Margin Account upon the Custodian's effecting an appropriate entry in
its books and records.
21. "Money Market Security" shall mean all instruments and ob-
ligations commonly known as a money market instruments, where the purchase
and sale of such securities normally requires settlement in federal funds
on the same day as such purchase or sale, including, without limitation,
certain Reverse Repurchase Agreements, debt obligations issued or
guaranteed as to interest and/or principal by the government of the United
States or agencies or instrumentalities thereof, any tax, bond or revenue
anticipation note issued by any state or municipal government or public
authority, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and bankers'
acceptances, repurchase agreements with respect to Securities and bank
time deposits.
22. "Nominee" shall mean, in addition to the name of the registered
nominee of the Custodian, (i) a partnership or other entity of a Foreign
Subcustodian which is used solely for the assets of its customers other
than the Custodian and the Foreign Subcustodian, if any, by which it was
appointed; or (ii) the nominee of a Foreign Depository which is used for
the securities and other assets of its customers, members or participants.
23. "O.C.C." shall mean the Options Clearing Corporation, a clearing
agency registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, its successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees.
24. "Officers" shall mean the President, any Vice President, the
Secretary, the Treasurer, the Controller, any Assistant Secretary, any
Assistant Treasurer, and any other person or persons, whether or not any
such other person is an officer or employee of the Fund, but in each case
only if duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to execute
any Certificate, instruction, notice or other instrument on behalf of the
Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix B or such
other Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to time;
provided that each person who is designated in any such Certificate as
holding the position of "Officer of OSS" shall be an Officer only for
purposes of Articles XII and XIII hereof.
25. "Option" shall mean a Call Option, Covered Call Option, Index
Option and/or a Put Option.
26. "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually
received (irrespective of constructive receipt) by the Custodian from an
Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by the Custodian
to be an Authorized Person.
27. "Put Option" shall mean an exchange traded Option with respect
to instruments, currency, or Securities other than Index Options, Futures
Contracts, and Futures Contract Options entitling the holder, upon timely
exercise and tender of the specified underlying instruments, currency, or
Securities, to sell such instruments, currency, or Securities to the
writer thereof for the exercise price.
28. "Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant to which
the Fund buys Securities and agrees to resell such Securities at a
described or specified date and price.
29. "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant
to which the Fund sells Securities and agrees to repurchase such
Securities at a described or specified date and price.
30. "Rule 17f-5" shall mean Rule 17f-5 (Reg. 270.17f-5) promulgated
by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended.
31. "Security" shall be deemed to include, without limitation, Money
Market Securities, Call Options, Put Options, Index Options, Index Futures
Contracts, Index Futures Contract Options, Financial Futures Contracts,
Financial Futures Contract Options, Reverse Repurchase Agreements, over
the counter Options on Securities, common stocks and other securities
having characteristics similar to common stocks, preferred stocks, debt
obligations issued by state or municipal governments and by public
authorities, (including, without limitation, general obligation bonds,
revenue bonds, industrial bonds and industrial development bonds), bonds,
debentures, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any certificates,
receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive,
purchase, sell or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing
any other rights or interest therein, or rights to any property or assets.
32. "Senior Security Account" shall mean an account maintained and
specifically allocated to a Series under the terms of this Agreement as
a segregated account, by recordation or otherwise, within the custody
account in which certain Securities and/or other assets of the Fund
specifically allocated to such Series shall be deposited and withdrawn
from time to time in accordance with Certificates received by the
Custodian in connection with such transactions as the Fund may from time
to time determine.
33. "Series" shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Fund
as described from time to time in the current and effective prospectus for
the Fund, except that if the Fund does not have more than one portfolio,
"Series" shall mean the Fund or be ignored where a requirement would be
imposed on the Fund or the Custodian which is unnecessary if there is only
one portfolio.
34. "Shares" shall mean the shares of beneficial interest of the
Fund and its Series.
35. "Terminal Link" shall mean an electronic data transmission link
between the Fund and the Custodian requiring in connection with each use
of the Terminal Link the use of an authorization code provided by the
Custodian and at least two access codes established by the Fund, provided,
that the Fund shall have delivered to the Custodian a Certificate
substantially in the form of Appendix C.
36. "Transfer Agent" shall mean Oppenheimer Shareholder Services,
a division of Oppenheimer Management Corporation, its successors and as-
signs.
37. "Transfer Agent Account" shall mean any account in the name of
the Fund, or the Transfer Agent, as agent for the Fund, maintained with
United Missouri Bank or such other Bank designated by the Fund in a
Certificate.
38. "Written Instructions" shall mean written communications
actually received (irrespective of constructive receipt) by the Custodian
from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be an Authorized Person by telex or any other such system
whereby the receiver of such communications is able to verify by codes or
otherwise with a reasonable degree of certainty the identity of the sender
of such communication.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
1. The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as
custodian of the Securities and moneys at any time owned or held by the
Fund during the period of this Agreement.
2. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and
agrees to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES
1. Except for monies received and maintained in the Transfer Agent
Account, or as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article or in
Article VIII or XV, the Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Custodian all Securities and all moneys owned by it, at any time during
the period of this Agreement, and shall specify with respect to such
Securities and money the Series to which the same are specifically
allocated, and the Custodian shall not be responsible for any Securities
or money not so delivered. Except for assets held at DTC, the Custodian
shall physically segregate, keep and maintain the Securities of the Series
separate and apart from each other Series and from other assets held by
the Custodian. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement,
the Custodian will not be responsible for any Securities and moneys not
actually received by it, unless the Custodian has been negligent or has
engaged in willful misconduct with respect thereto. The Custodian will
be entitled to reverse any credit of money made on the Fund's behalf where
such credits have been previously made and moneys are not finally col-
lected, unless the Custodian has been negligent or has engaged in willful
misconduct with respect thereto; provided that if such reversal is thirty
(30) days or more after the credit was issued, the Custodian will give
five (5) days' prior notice of such reversal. The Fund shall deliver to
the Custodian a certified resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, approving, authorizing and
instructing the Custodian on a continuous and on-going basis to deposit
in the Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for deposit therein,
regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically allocated and
to utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent possible in connection with
its performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in connection
with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities
and deliveries and returns of Securities collateral. Prior to a deposit
of Securities specifically allocated to a Series in any Depository, the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a certified resolution of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto,
approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and
ongoing basis until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate to deposit
in such Depository all Securities specifically allocated to such Series
eligible for deposit therein, and to utilize such Depository to the extent
possible with respect to such Securities in connection with its per-
formance hereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with
settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities, and
deliveries and returns of Securities collateral. Securities and moneys
deposited in either the Book-Entry System or a Depository will be
represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian
for customers, including, but not limited to, accounts in which the Custo-
dian acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity and will be
specifically allocated on the Custodian's books to the separate account
for the applicable Series. Prior to the Custodian's accepting, utilizing
and acting with respect to Clearing Member confirmations for Options and
transactions in Options for a Series as provided in this Agreement, the
Custodian shall have received a certified resolution of the Fund's Board
of Trustees, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, approving,
authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and on-going
basis, until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate to accept,
utilize and act in accordance with such confirmations as provided in this
Agreement with respect to such Series. All Securities are to be held or
disposed of by the Custodian for, and subject at all times to the
instructions of, the Fund pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The
Custodian shall have no power or authority to assign, hypothecate, pledge
or otherwise dispose of any Securities except as provided by the terms of
this Agreement, and shall have the sole power to release and deliver
Securities held pursuant to this Agreement.
2. The Custodian shall establish and maintain separate accounts,
in the name of each Series, and shall credit to the separate account for
each Series all moneys received by it for the account of the Fund with
respect to such Series. Money credited to a separate account for a Series
shall be subject only to drafts, orders, or charges of the Custodian
pursuant to this Agreement and shall be disbursed by the Custodian only:
(a) As hereinafter provided;
(b) Pursuant to Certificates or Resolutions of the Fund's
Board of Trustees certified by an Officer and by the Secretary or
Assistant Secretary of the Fund setting forth the name and address of the
person to whom the payment is to be made, the Series account from which
payment is to be made, the purpose for which payment is to be made, and
declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose; provided,
however, that amounts representing dividends, distributions, or
redemptions proceeds with respect to Shares shall be paid only to the
Transfer Agent Account;
(c) In payment of the fees and in reimbursement of the
expenses and liabilities of the Custodian attributable to such Series and
authorized by this Agreement; or
(d) Pursuant to Certificates to pay interest, taxes,
management fees or operating expenses (including, without limitation
thereto, Board of Trustees' fees and expenses, and fees for legal
accounting and auditing services), which Certificates set forth the name
and address of the person to whom payment is to be made, state the purpose
of such payment and designate the Series for whose account the payment is
to be made.
3. Promptly after the close of business on each day, the Custodian
shall furnish the Fund with confirmations and a summary, on a per Series
basis, of all transfers to or from the account of the Fund for a Series,
either hereunder or with any co-custodian or subcustodian appointed in
accordance with this Agreement during said day. Where Securities are
transferred to the account of the Fund for a Series but held in a
Depository, the Custodian shall upon such transfer also by book-entry or
otherwise identify such Securities as belonging to such Series in a
fungible bulk of Securities registered in the name of the Custodian (or
its nominee) or shown on the Custodian's account on the books of the Book-
Entry System or the Depository. At least monthly and from time to time,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a detailed statement, on a per
Series basis, of the Securities and moneys held under this Agreement for
the Fund.
4. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article and
in Article VIII, all Securities held by the Custodian hereunder, which are
issued or issuable only in bearer form, except such Securities as are held
in the Book-Entry System, shall be held by the Custodian in that form; all
other Securities held hereunder may be registered in the name of the Fund,
in the name of any duly appointed registered nominee of the Custodian as
the Custodian may from time to time determine, or in the name of the Book-
Entry System or a Depository or their successor or successors, or their
nominee or nominees. The Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian
appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold or deliver in
proper form for transfer, or to register in the name of its registered
nominee or in the name of the Book-Entry System or a Depository any
Securities which it may hold hereunder and which may from time to time be
registered in the name of the Fund. The Custodian shall hold all such
Securities specifically allocated to a Series which are not held in the
Book-Entry System or in a Depository in a separate account in the name of
such Series physically segregated at all times from those of any other
person or persons.
5. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and unless
otherwise instructed to the contrary by a Certificate, the Custodian by
itself, or through the use of the Book-Entry System or a Depository with
respect to Securities held hereunder and therein deposited, shall with
respect to all Securities held for the Fund hereunder in accordance with
preceding paragraph 4:
(a) Promptly collect all income, dividends and dis-
tributions due or payable;
(b) Promptly give notice to the Fund and promptly present
for payment and collect the amount of money or other consideration payable
upon such Securities which are called, but only if either (i) the
Custodian receives a written notice of such call, or (ii) notice of such
call appears in one or more of the publications listed in Appendix D
annexed hereto, which may be amended at any time by the Custodian without
the prior consent of the Fund, provided the Custodian gives prior notice
of such amendment to the Fund;
(c) Promptly present for payment and collect for the
Fund's account the amount payable upon all Securities which mature;
(d) Promptly surrender Securities in temporary form in
exchange for definitive Securities;
(e) Promptly execute, as custodian, any necessary de-
clarations or certificates of ownership under the Federal Income Tax Laws
or the laws or regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter
in effect;
(f) Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System or the
Depository with respect to Securities therein deposited, for the account
of a Series, all rights and similar securities issued with respect to any
Securities held by the Custodian for such Series hereunder; and
(g) Promptly deliver to the Fund all notices, proxies,
proxy soliciting materials, consents and other written information
(including, without limitation, notices of tender offers and exchange
offers, pendency of calls, maturities of Securities and expiration of
rights) relating to Securities held pursuant to this Agreement which are
actually received by the Custodian, such proxies and other similar
materials to be executed by the registered holder (if Securities are
registered otherwise than in the name of the Fund), but without indicating
the manner in which proxies or consents are to be voted.
6. Upon receipt of a Certificate and not otherwise, the Custodian,
directly or through the use of the Book-Entry System or the Depository,
shall:
(a) Promptly execute and deliver to such persons as may
be designated in such Certificate proxies, consents, authorizations, and
any other instruments whereby the authority of the Fund as owner of any
Securities held hereunder for the Series specified in such Certificate may
be exercised;
(b) Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder for the
Series specified in such Certificate in exchange for other Securities or
cash issued or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization,
refinancing, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation,
or the exercise of any right, warrant or conversion privilege and receive
and hold hereunder specifically allocated to such Series any cash or other
Securities received in exchange;
(c) Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder for the
Series specified in such Certificate to any protective committee,
reorganization committee or other person in connection with the
reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or
sale of assets of any corporation, and receive and hold hereunder
specifically allocated to such Series in exchange therefor such
certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or
documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery or such
Securities as may be issued upon such delivery; and
(d) Promptly present for payment and collect the amount
payable upon Securities which may be called as specified in the
Certificate.
7. Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained herein, the
Custodian shall not be required to obtain possession of any instrument or
certificate representing any Futures Contract, any Option, or any Futures
Contract Option until after it shall have determined, or shall have
received a Certificate from the Fund stating, that any such instruments
or certificates are available. The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian
such a Certificate no later than the business day preceding the
availability of any such instrument or certificate. Prior to such
availability, the Custodian shall comply with Section 17(f) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 in connection with the purchase, sale,
settlement, closing out or writing of Futures Contracts, Options, or
Futures Contract Options by making payments or deliveries specified in
Certificates in connection with any such purchase, sale, writing,
settlement or closing out upon its receipt from a broker, dealer, or
futures commission merchant of a statement or confirmation reasonably
believed by the Custodian to be in the form customarily used by brokers,
dealers, or future commission merchants with respect to such Futures
Contracts, Options, or Futures Contract Options, as the case may be,
confirming that such Security is held by such broker, dealer or futures
commission merchant, in book-entry form or otherwise in the name the
Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian for the Fund;
provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, payments to or
deliveries from the Margin Account and payments with respect to Securities
to which a Margin Account relates, shall be made in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement. Whenever any such
instruments or certificates are available, the Custodian shall,
notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, make
payment for any Futures Contract, Option, or Futures Contract Option for
which such instruments or such certificates are available only against the
delivery to the Custodian of such instrument or such certificate, and
deliver any Futures Contract, Option or Futures Contract Option for which
such instruments or such certificates are available only against receipt
by the Custodian of payment therefor. Any such instrument or certificate
delivered to the Custodian shall be held by the Custodian hereunder in
accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND
OTHER THAN OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS,
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS, REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS,
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND SHORT SALES
1. Promptly after each execution of a purchase of Securities by the
Fund, other than a purchase of an Option, a Futures Contract, a Futures
Contract Option, a Repurchase Agreement, a Reverse Repurchase Agreement
or a Short Sale, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect
to each purchase of Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a
Certificate, and (ii) with respect to each purchase of Money Market
Securities, a Certificate, oral Instructions or Written Instructions,
specifying with respect to each such purchase: (a) the Series to which
such Securities are to be specifically allocated; (b) the name of the
issuer and the title of the Securities; (c) the number of shares or the
principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any; (d) the date of
purchase and settlement; (e) the purchase price per unit; (f) the total
amount payable upon such purchase; (g) the name of the person from whom
or the broker through whom the purchase was made, and the name of the
clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the broker or other party to
whom payment is to be made. Custodian shall, upon receipt of such
Securities purchased by or for the Fund, pay to the broker specified in
the Certificate out of the moneys held for the account of such Series the
total amount payable upon such purchase, provided that the same conforms
to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate, oral
Instructions or Written Instructions.
2. Promptly after each execution of a sale of Securities by the
Fund, other than a sale of any Option, Futures Contract, Futures Contract
Option, Repurchase Agreement, Reverse Repurchase Agreement or Short Sale,
the Fund shall deliver such to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale
of Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and
(ii) with respect to each sale of Money Market Securities, a Certificate,
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, specifying with respect to each
such sale: (a) the Series to which such Securities were specifically
allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Security; (c)
the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued interest, if
any; (d) the date of sale and settlement; (e) the sale price per unit; (f)
the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; (g) the name of the
broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was made, and the name
of the clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the broker to whom the
Securities are to be delivered. On the settlement date, the Custodian
shall deliver the Securities specifically allocated to such Series to the
broker in accordance with generally accepted street practices and as
specified in the Certificate upon receipt of the total amount payable to
the Fund upon such sale, provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in such Certificate, oral Instructions or
Written Instructions.
ARTICLE V
OPTIONS
1. Promptly after each execution of a purchase of any Option by the
Fund other than a closing purchase transaction, the Fund shall deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each Option
purchased: (a) the Series to which such Option is specifically allocated;
(b) the type of Option (put or call); (c) the instrument, currency, or
Security underlying such Option and the number of Options, or the name of
the in the case of an Index Option, the index to which such Option relates
and the number of Index Options purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e)
the exercise price; (f) the dates of purchase and settlement; (g) the
total amount payable by the Fund in connection with such purchase; and (h)
the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Option was purchased.
The Custodian shall pay, upon receipt of a Clearing Member's written
statement confirming the purchase of such Option held by such Clearing
Member for the account of the Custodian (or any duly appointed and
registered nominee of the Custodian) as Custodian for the Fund, out of
moneys held for the account of the Series to which such Option is to be
specifically allocated, the total amount payable upon such purchase to the
Clearing Member through whom the purchase was made, provided that the same
conforms to the amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Option purchased
by the Fund, other than a closing sale transaction, pursuant to paragraph
1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying
with respect to each such sale: (a) the Series to which such Option was
specifically allocated; (b) the type of Option (put or call); (c) the
instrument, currency, or Security underlying such Option and the number
of Options, or the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares
subject to such Option or, in the case of a Index Option, the index to
which such Option relates and the number of Index Options sold; (d) the
date of sale; (e) the sale price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the
total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; and (h) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall
consent to the delivery of the Option sold by the Clearing Member which
previously supplied the confirmation described in preceding paragraph of
this Article with respect to such Option upon receipt by the Custodian of
the total amount payable to the Fund, provided that the same conforms to
the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
3. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Call Option
purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Call Option: (a) the Series to which such Call Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares
subject to the Call Option; (c) the expiration date; (d) the date of
exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share; (f) the total
amount to be paid by the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom such Call Option was exercised. The Custo-
dian shall, upon receipt of the Securities underlying the Call Option
which was exercised, pay out of the moneys held for the account of the
Series to which such Call Option was specifically allocated the total
amount payable to the Clearing Member through whom the Call Option was ex-
ercised, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as
set forth in such Certificate.
4. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Put Option
purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put
Option: (a) the Series to which such Put Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares
subject to the Put Option; (c) the expiration date; (d) the date of
exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share; (f) the total
amount to be paid to the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom such Put Option was exercised. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the amount payable upon the exercise of the Put
Option, deliver or direct a Depository to deliver the Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, provided the same conforms to the
amount payable to the Fund as set forth in such Certificate.
5. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Index Option
purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Index Option: (a) the Series to which such Index Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the type of Index Option (put or call) (c) the number of
Options being exercised; (d) the index to which such Option relates; (e)
the expiration date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the total amount to be
received by the Fund in connection with such exercise; and (h) the
Clearing Member from whom such payment is to be received.
6. Whenever the Fund writes a Covered Call Option, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect
to such Covered Call Option: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call
Option was written; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number
of shares for which the Covered Call Option was written and which underlie
the same; (c) the expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium
to be received by the Fund; (f) the date such Covered Call Option was
written; and (g) the name of the Clearing Member through whom the premium
is to be received. The Custodian shall deliver or cause to be delivered,
upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate with respect to
such Covered Call Option, such receipts as are required in accordance with
the customs prevailing among Clearing Members dealing in Covered Call
Options and shall impose, or direct a Depository to impose, upon the
underlying Securities specified in the Certificate specifically allocated
to such Series such restrictions as may be required by such receipts.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian has the right, upon prior
written notification to the Fund, at any time to refuse to issue any
receipts for Securities in the possession of the Custodian and not
deposited with a Depository underlying a Covered Call Option.
7. Whenever a Covered Call Option written by the Fund and described
in the preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate instructing the Custodian
to deliver, or to direct the Depository to deliver, the Securities subject
to such Covered Call Option and specifying: (a) the Series for which such
Covered Call Option was written; (b) the name of the issuer and the title
and number of shares subject to the Covered Call Option; (c) the Clearing
Member to whom the underlying Securities are to be delivered; and (d) the
total amount payable to the Fund upon such delivery. Upon the return
and/or cancellation of any receipts delivered pursuant to paragraph 6 of
this Article, the Custodian shall deliver, or direct a Depository to
deliver, the underlying Securities as specified in the Certificate upon
payment of the amount to be received as set forth in such Certificate.
8. Whenever the Fund writes a Put Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put
Option: (a) the Series for which such Put Option was written; (b) the
name of the issuer and the title and number of shares for which the Put
Option is written and which underlie the same; (c) the expiration date;
(d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be received by the Fund; (f)
the date such Put Option is written; (g) the name of the Clearing Member
through whom the premium is to be received and to whom a Put Option
guarantee letter is to be delivered; (h) the amount of cash, and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such
Series to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series; and
(i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities
specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited into the Collateral
Account for such Series. The Custodian shall, after making the deposits
into the Collateral Account specified in the Certificate, issue a Put
Option guarantee letter substantially in the form utilized by the
Custodian on the date hereof, and deliver the same to the Clearing Member
specified in the Certificate upon receipt of the premium specified in said
Certificate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall be under
no obligation to issue any Put Option guarantee letter or similar document
if it is unable to make any of the representations contained therein.
9. Whenever a Put Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Put
Option was written; (b) the name of the issuer and title and number of
shares subject to the Put Option; (c) the Clearing Member from whom the
underlying Securities are to be received; (d) the total amount payable by
the Fund upon such delivery; (e) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities specifically allocated to such Series to be withdrawn
from the Collateral Account for such Series and (f) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, specifically allocated to such
series, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account. Upon
the return and/or cancellation of any Put Option guarantee letter or
similar document issued by the Custodian in connection with such Put
Option, the Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of
the series to which such Put Option was specifically allocated the total
amount payable to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate as set
forth in such Certificate, upon delivery of such Securities, and shall
make the withdrawals specified in such Certificate.
10. Whenever the Fund writes an Index Option, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect
to such Index Option: (a) the Series for which such Index Option was
written; (b) whether such Index Option is a put or a call; (c) the number
of Options written; (d) the index to which such Option relates; (e) the
expiration date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the Clearing Member through
whom such Option was written; (h) the premium to be received by the Fund;
(i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any,
specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in the Senior
Security Account for such Series; (j) the amount of cash and/or the amount
and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to
be deposited in the Collateral Account for such Series; and (k) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited in a Margin Account, and the name
in which such account is to be or has been established. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate, make the
deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account specified in the
Certificate, and either (1) deliver such receipts, if any, which the
Custodian has specifically agreed to issue, which are in accordance with
the customs prevailing among Clearing Members in Index Options and make
the deposits into the Collateral Account specified in the Certificate, or
(2) make the deposits into the Margin Account specified in the Certi-
ficate.
11. Whenever an Index Option written by the Fund and described in
the preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect
to such Index Option: (a) the Series for which such Index Option was
written; (b) such information as may be necessary to identify the Index
Option being exercised; (c) the Clearing Member through whom such Index
Option is being exercised; (d) the total amount payable upon such
exercise, and whether such amount is to be paid by or to the Fund; (e) the
amount of cash and/or amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be with-
drawn from the Margin Account; and (f) the amount of cash and/or amount
and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security
Account for such Series; and the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind
of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account for
such Series. Upon the return and/or cancellation of the receipt, if any,
delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph of this Article, the
Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series
to which such Stock Index Option was specifically allocated to the Clear-
ing Member specified in the Certificate the total amount payable, if any,
as specified therein.
12. Promptly after the execution of a purchase or sale by the Fund
of any Option identical to a previously written Option described in
paragraphs, 6, 8 or 10 of this Article in a transaction expressly
designated as a "Closing Purchase Transaction" or a "Closing Sale
Transaction", the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to the Option being purchased: (a)
that the transaction is a Closing Purchase Transaction or a Closing Sale
Transaction; (b) the Series for which the Option was written; (c) the
instrument, currency, or Security subject to the Option, or, in the case
of an Index Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number
of Options held; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by or
the amount to be paid to the Fund; (f) the expiration date; (g) the type
of Option (put or call); (h) the date of such purchase or sale; (i) the
name of the Clearing Member to whom the premium is to be paid or from whom
the amount is to be received; and (j) the amount of cash and/or the amount
and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral
Account, a specified Margin Account, or the Senior Security Account for
such Series. Upon the Custodian's payment of the premium or receipt of
the amount, as the case may be, specified in the Certificate and the
return and/or cancellation of any receipt issued pursuant to paragraphs
6, 8 or 10 of this Article with respect to the Option being liquidated
through the Closing Purchase Transaction or the Closing Sale Transaction,
the Custodian shall remove, or direct a Depository to remove, the pre-
viously imposed restrictions on the Securities underlying the Call Option.
13. Upon the expiration, exercise or consummation of a Closing
Purchase Transaction with respect to any Option purchased or written by
the Fund and described in this Article, the Custodian shall delete such
Option from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3
Article III herein, and upon the return and/or cancellation of any
receipts issued by the Custodian, shall make such withdrawals from the
Collateral Account, and the Margin Account and/or the Senior Security
Account as may be specified in a Certificate received in connection with
such expiration, exercise, or consummation.
Option described in this Article shall be subject to Article IV hereof.
ARTICLE VI
FUTURES CONTRACTS
1. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to
such Futures Contract, (or with respect to any number of identical Futures
Contract (s)): (a) the Series for which the Futures Contract is being
entered; (b) the category of Futures Contract (the name of the underlying
index or financial instrument); (c) the number of identical Futures
Contracts entered into; (d) the delivery or settlement date of the Futures
Contract(s); (e) the date the Futures Contract(s) was (were) entered into
and the maturity date; (f) whether the Fund is buying (going long) or
selling (going short) such Futures Contract(s); (g) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited in the
Senior Security Account for such Series; (h) the name of the broker,
dealer, or futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract
was entered into; and (i) the amount of fee or commission, if any, to be
paid and the name of the broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant
to whom such amount is to be paid. The Custodian shall make the deposits,
if any, to the Margin Account in accordance with the terms and conditions
of the Margin Account Agreement. The Custodian shall make payment out of
the moneys specifically allocated to such Series of the fee or commission,
if any, specified in the Certificate and deposit in the Senior Security
Account for such Series the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities specified in said Certificate.
2. (a) Any variation margin payment or similar payment
required to be made by the Fund to a broker, dealer, or futures commission
merchant with respect to an outstanding Futures Contract shall be made by
the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.
(b) Any variation margin payment or similar payment from
a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant to the Fund with respect
to an outstanding Futures Contract shall be received and dealt with by the
Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder is
retained by the Fund until delivery or settlement is made on such Futures
Contract, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian prior to the delivery
or settlement date a Certificate specifying: (a) the Futures Contract and
the Series to which the same relates; (b) with respect to an Index Futures
Contract, the total cash settlement amount to be paid or received, and
with respect to a Financial Futures Contract, the Securities and/or amount
of cash to be delivered or received; (c) the broker, dealer, or futures
commission merchant to or from whom payment or delivery is to be made or
received; and (d) the amount of cash and/or Securities to be withdrawn
from the Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall
make the payment or delivery specified in the Certificate, and delete such
Futures Contract from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 3 of Article III herein.
4. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract to offset
a Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the items of information
required in a Certificate described in paragraph 1 of this Article, and
(b) the Futures Contract being offset. The Custodian shall make payment
out of the money specifically allocated to such Series of the fee or
commission, if any, specified in the Certificate and delete the Futures
Contract being offset from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant
to paragraph 3 of Article III herein, and make such withdrawals from the
Senior Security Account for such Series as may be specified in the Cer-
tificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be made from the Margin Account
shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions
of the Margin Account Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS
1. Promptly after the execution of a purchase of any Futures
Contract Option by the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Futures Contract Option: (a)
the Series to which such Option is specifically allocated; (b) the type
of Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract
and such other information as may be necessary to identify the Futures
Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option purchased; (d) the
expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the dates of purchase and
settlement; (g) the amount of premium to be paid by the Fund upon such
purchase; (h) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant
through whom such Option was purchased; and (i) the name of the broker,
or futures commission merchant, to whom payment is to be made. The Cus-
todian shall pay out of the moneys specifically allocated to such Series
the total amount to be paid upon such purchase to the broker or futures
commissions merchant through whom the purchase was made, provided that the
same conforms to the amount set forth in such Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Futures Contract
Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund
shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to
each such sale: (a) Series to which such Futures Contract Option was
specifically allocated; (b) the type of Future Contract Option (put or
call); (c) the type of Futures Contract and such other information as may
be necessary to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures
Contract Option; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale price; (f) the date
of settlement; (g) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale;
and (h) the name of the broker of futures commission merchant through whom
the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to the cancellation of the
Futures Contract Option being closed against payment to the Custodian of
the total amount payable to the Fund, provided the same conforms to the
total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract Option purchased by the Fund
pursuant to paragraph 1 is exercised by the Fund, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to
which such Futures Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the
particular Futures Contract Option (put or call) being exercised; (c) the
type of Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the
date of exercise; (e) the name of the broker or futures commission
merchant through whom the Futures Contract Option is exercised; (f) the
net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund; (g) the amount, if any, to
be received by the Fund; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall make, out of the moneys and Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, the payments of money, if any, and
the deposits of Securities, if any, into the Senior Security Account as
specified in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the
Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms
and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with
respect to such Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series for which such
Futures Contract Option was written; (b) the type of Futures Contract
Option (put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract and such other
information as may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the expiration date; (e) the
exercise price; (f) the premium to be received by the Fund; (g) the name
of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the premium is
to be received; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for
such Series. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified
in the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities specifically
allocated to such Series the deposits into the Senior Security Account,
if any, as specified in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made
to the Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
5. Whenever a Futures Contract Option written by the Fund which is
a call is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures Contract
Option was specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract
Option exercised; (c) the type of Futures Contract underlying the Futures
Contract Option; (d) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant
through whom such Futures Contract Option was exercised; (e) the net total
amount, if any, payable to the Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total
amount, if any, payable by the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be deposited in the
Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall, upon its
receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund, if any, specified in
such Certificate make the payments, if any, and the deposits, if any, into
the Senior Security Account as specified in the Certificate. The de-
posits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall be made by the
Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.
6. Whenever a Futures Contract Option which is written by the Fund
and which is a put is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Option
was specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option
exercised; (c) the type of Futures Contract underlying such Futures
Contract Option; (d) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant
through whom such Futures Contract Option is exercised; (e) the net total
amount, if any, payable to the Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total
amount, if any, payable by the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the amount
and kind of Securities and/or cash to be withdrawn from or deposited in,
the Senior Security Account for such Series, if any. The Custodian shall,
upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund, if any,
specified in the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, the payments, if any, and the
deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account,
if any, shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
7. Promptly after the execution by the Fund of a purchase of any
Futures Contract Option identical to a previously written Futures Contract
Option described in this Article in order to liquidate its position as a
writer of such Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to the Futures Contract
Option being purchased: (a) the Series to which such Option is
specifically allocated; (b) that the transaction is a closing transaction;
(c) the type of Future Contract and such other information as may be
necessary to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Option
Contract; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by the Fund;
(f) the expiration date; (g) the name of the broker or futures commission
merchant to whom the premium is to be paid; and (h) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the
Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall effect the
withdrawals from the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate.
The withdrawals, if any, to be made from the Margin Account shall be made
by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.
8. Upon the expiration, exercise, or consummation of a closing
transaction with respect to, any Futures Contract Option written or
purchased by the Fund and described in this Article, the Custodian shall
(a) delete such Futures Contract Option from the statements delivered to
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III herein and (b) make such
withdrawals from and/or in the case of an exercise such deposits into the
Senior Security Account as may be specified in a Certificate. The
deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account, if any, shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Margin Account Agreement.
9. Futures Contracts acquired by the Fund through the exercise of
a Futures Contract Option described in this Article shall be subject to
Article VI hereof.
ARTICLE VIII
SHORT SALES
by any Series of the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series for which such short sale was
made; (b) the name of the issuer-and the title of the Security; (c) the
number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued interest or
dividends, if any; (d) the dates of the sale and settlement; (e) the sale
price per unit; (f) the total amount credited to the Fund upon such sale,
if any, (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any, which are to be deposited in a Margin Account and the name in
which such Margin Account has been or is to be established; (h) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited
in a Senior Security Account, and (i) the name of the broker through whom
such short sale was made. The Custodian shall upon its receipt of a
statement from such broker confirming such sale and that the total amount
credited to the Fund upon such sale, if any, as specified in the
Certificate is held by such broker for the account of the Custodian (or
any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian of the Fund, issue a receipt
or make the deposits into the Margin Account and the Senior Security
Account specified in the Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a purchase to close-out any
short sale of Securities, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian
a Certificate specifying with respect to each such closing out: (a) the
Series for which such transaction is being made; (b) the name of the
issuer and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or the
principal amount, and accrued interest or dividends, if any, required to
effect such closing-out to be delivered to the broker; (d) the dates of
closing-out and settlement; (e) the purchase price per unit; (f) the net
total amount payable to the Fund upon such closing-out; (g) the net total
amount payable to the broker upon such closing-out; (h) the amount of cash
and the amount and kind of Securities to be withdrawn, if any, from the
Margin Account; (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account; and
(j) the name of the broker through whom the Fund is effecting such
closing-out. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the net total amount
payable to the Fund upon such closing-out, and the return and/or
cancellation of the receipts, if any, issued by the Custodian with respect
to the short sale being closed-out, pay out of the moneys held for the
account of the Fund to the broker the net total amount payable to the
broker, and make the withdrawals from the Margin Account and the Senior
Security Account, as the same are specified in the Certificate.
ARTICLE IX
REPURCHASE AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
1. Promptly after the Fund enters a Repurchase Agreement or a
Reverse Repurchase Agreement with respect to Securities and money held by
the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certi-
ficate, or in the event such Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase
Agreement is a Money Market Security, a Certificate, Oral Instructions,
or Written Instructions specifying: (a) the Series for which the
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is entered; (b) the
total amount payable to or by the Fund in connection with such Repurchase
Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement and specifically allocated to
such Series; (c) the broker, dealer, or financial institution with whom
the Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is entered; (d)
the amount and kind of Securities to be delivered or received by the Fund
to or from such broker, dealer, or financial institution; (e) the date of
such Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement; and (f) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifi-
cally allocated to such Series to be deposited in a Senior Security Ac-
count for such Series in connection with such Reverse Repurchase
Agreement. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the total amount payable
to or by the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions make or accept the delivery to or from the broker,
dealer, or financial institution and the deposits, if any, to the Senior
Security Account, specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions.
2. Upon the termination of a Repurchase Agreement or a Reverse
Repurchase Agreement described in preceding paragraph 1 of this Article,
the Fund shall promptly deliver a Certificate or, in the event such
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market
Security, a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions to the
Custodian specifying: (a) the Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase
Agreement being terminated and the Series for which same was entered; (b)
the total amount payable to or by the Fund in connection with such
termination; (c) the amount and kind of Securities to be received or
delivered by the Fund and specifically allocated to such Series in
connection with such termination; (d) the date of termination; (e) the
name of the broker, dealer, or financial institution with whom the Repur-
chase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement is to be terminated; and
(f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any,
to be withdrawn from the Senior Securities Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall, upon receipt or delivery of the amount and kind of
Securities or cash to be received or delivered by the Fund specified in
the Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions, make or
receive the payment to or from the broker, dealer, or financial
institution and make the withdrawals, if any, from the Senior Security
Account, specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions.
3. The Certificates, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions
described in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article may with respect to any
particular Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement be
combined and delivered to the Custodian at the time of entering into such
Repurchase Agreement or Reverse Repurchase Agreement.
ARTICLE X
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES OF THE FUND
1. Promptly after each loan of portfolio Securities specifically
allocated to a Series held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a Certificate specifying
with respect to each such loan: (a) the Series to which the loaned
Securities are specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title of the Securities, (c) the number of shares or the principal amount
loaned, (d) the date of loan and delivery, (e) the total amount to be
delivered to the Custodian against the loan of the Securities, including
the amount of cash collateral and the premium, if any, separately iden-
tified, and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or financial institution
to which the loan was made. The Custodian shall deliver the Securities
thus designated to the broker, dealer or financial institution to which
the loan was made upon receipt of the total amount designated in the
Certificate as to be delivered against the loan of Securities. The
Custodian may accept payment in connection with a delivery otherwise than
through the Book-Entry System or a Depository only in the form of a
certified or bank cashier's check payable to the order of the Fund or the
Custodian drawn on New York Clearing House funds.
2. In connection with each termination of a loan of Securities by
the Fund, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian
a Certificate specifying with respect to each such loan termination and
return of Securities: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are
specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the
Securities to be returned, (c) the number of shares or the principal
amount to be returned, (d) the date of termination, (e) the total amount
to be delivered by the Custodian (including the cash collateral for such
Securities minus any offsetting credits as described in said Certificate),
and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or financial institution from
which the Securities will be returned. The Custodian shall receive all
Securities returned from the broker, dealer, or financial institution to
which such Securities were loaned and upon receipt thereof shall pay, out
of the moneys held for the account of the Fund, the total amount payable
upon such return of Securities as set forth in the Certificate.
ARTICLE XI
CONCERNING MARGIN ACCOUNTS, SENIOR SECURITY
ACCOUNTS, AND COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS
1. The Custodian shall establish a Senior Security Account and from
time to time make such deposits thereto, or withdrawals therefrom, as
specified in a Certificate. Such Certificate shall specify the Series for
which such deposit or withdrawal is to be made and the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically allocated to such
Series to be deposited in, or withdrawn from, such Senior Security Account
for such Series. In the event that the Fund fails to specify in a
Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer, the title and the number
of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be
deposited by the Custodian into, or withdrawn from, a Senior Securities
Account, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to make any such
deposit or withdrawal and shall promptly notify the Fund that no such
deposit has been made.
2. The Custodian shall make deliveries or payments from a Margin
Account to the broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing
Member in whose name, or for whose benefit, the account was established
as specified in the Margin Account Agreement.
3. Amounts received by the Custodian as payments or distributions
with respect to Securities deposited in any Margin Account shall be dealt
with in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.
4. The Custodian shall to the extent permitted by the Fund's
Declaration of Trust, investment restrictions and the Investment Company
Act of 1940 have a continuing lien and security interest in and to any
property at any time held by the Custodian in any Collateral Account
described herein. In accordance with applicable law the Custodian may
enforce its lien and realize on any such property whenever the Custodian
has made payment or delivery pursuant to any Put Option guarantee letter
or similar document or any receipt issued hereunder by the Custodian;
provided, however, that the Custodian shall not be required to issue any
Put Option guarantee letter unless it shall have received an opinion of
counsel to the Fund or its investment adviser that the issuance of such
letters is authorized by the Fund and that the Custodian's continuing lien
and security interest is valid, enforceable and not limited by the
Declaration of Trust, any investment restrictions or the Investment
Company Act of 1940. In the event the Custodian should realize on any
such property net proceeds which are less than the Custodian's obligations
under any Put Option guarantee letter or similar document or any receipt,
such deficiency shall be a debt owed the Custodian by the Fund within the
scope of Article XIV herein.
5. On each business day the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with
a statement with respect to each Margin Account in which money or
Securities are held specifying as of the close of business on the previous
business day: (a) the name of the Margin Account; (b) the amount and kind
of Securities held therein; and (c) the amount of money held therein. The
Custodian shall make available upon request to any broker, dealer, or
futures commission merchant specified in the name of a Margin Account a
copy of the statement furnished the Fund with respect to such Margin
Account.
6. The Custodian shall establish a Collateral Account and from time
to time shall make such deposits thereto as may be specified in a
Certificate. Promptly after the close of business on each business day
in which cash and/or Securities are maintained in a Collateral Account for
any Series, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a statement with
respect to such Collateral Account specifying the amount of cash and/or
the amount and kind of Securities held therein. No later than the close
of business next succeeding the delivery to the Fund of such statement,
the Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a Certificate or Written
Instructions specifying the then market value of the Securities described
in such statement. In the event such then market value is indicated to
be less than the Custodian's obligation with respect to any outstanding
Put Option guarantee letter or similar document, the Fund shall promptly
specify in a Certificate the additional cash and/or Securities to be
deposited in such Collateral Account to eliminate such deficiency.
ARTICLE XII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the resolution
of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any
Assistant Secretary, either (i) setting forth with respect to the Series
specified therein the date of the declaration of a dividend or distribu-
tion, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which
shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable
per Share of such Series to the shareholders of record as of that date and
the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent Account and any sub-
dividend agent or co-dividend agent of the Fund on the payment date, or
(ii) authorizing with respect to the Series specified therein and the
declaration of dividends and distributions thereon the Custodian to rely
on Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or a Certificate setting forth
the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the date of
payment thereof, the record date as of which shareholders entitled to
payment shall be determined, the amount payable per Share of such Series
to the shareholders of record as of that date and the total amount payable
to the Transfer Agent Account on the payment date.
2. Upon the payment date specified in such resolution, Oral
Instructions, Written Instructions, or Certificate, as the case may be,
the Custodian shall pay to the Transfer Agent Account out of the moneys
held for the account of the Series specified therein the total amount
payable to the Transfer Agent Account and with respect to such Series.
ARTICLE XIII
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1. Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, it shall deliver or
cause to be delivered, to the Custodian a Certificate duly specifying:
(a) The Series, the number of Shares sold, trade date, and
price; and
(b) The amount of money to be received by the Custodian
for the sale of such Shares and specifically allocated to the separate
account in the name of such Series.
2. Upon receipt of such money from the Fund's General Distributor,
the Custodian shall credit such money to the separate account in the name
of the Series for which such money was received.
3. Upon issuance of any Shares of any Series the Custodian shall
pay, out of the money held for the account of such Series, all original
issue or other taxes required to be paid by the Fund in connection with
such issuance upon the receipt of a Certificate specifying the amount to
be paid.
4. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund desires the
Custodian to make payment out of the money held by the Custodian hereunder
in connection with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish, or cause
to be furnished, to the Custodian a Certificate specifying:
(a) The number and Series of Shares redeemed; and
(b) The amount to be paid for such Shares.
5. Upon receipt of an advice from an Authorized Person setting
forth the Series and number of Shares received by the Transfer Agent for
redemption and that such Shares are in good form for redemption, the
Custodian shall make payment to the Transfer Agent Account out of the
moneys held in the separate account in the name of the Series the total
amount specified in the Certificate issued pursuant to the foregoing
paragraph 4 of this Article.
ARTICLE XIV
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If the Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on
behalf of any Series which results in an overdraft because the moneys held
by the Custodian in the separate account for such Series shall be insuffi-
cient to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, as set forth in a Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions or which results in an overdraft in
the separate account of such Series for some other reason, or if the Fund
is for any other reason indebted to the Custodian with respect to a Ser-
ies, (except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency
purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a separate agreement
and subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of this Article), such
overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by the
Custodian to the Fund for such Series payable on demand and shall bear
interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum (based on a 360-day
year for the actual number of days involved) equal to the Federal Funds
Rate plus 1/2%, such rate to be adjusted on the effective date of any change
in such Federal Funds Rate but in no event to be less than 6% per annum.
In addition, unless the Fund has given a Certificate that the Custodian
shall not impose a lien and security interest to secure such overdrafts
(in which event it shall not do so), the Custodian shall have a continuing
lien and security interest in the aggregate amount of such overdrafts and
indebtedness as may from time to time exist in and to any property
specifically allocated to such Series at any time held by it for the
benefit of such Series or in which the Fund may have an interest which is
then in the Custodian's possession or control or in possession or control
of any third party acting in the Custodian's behalf. The Fund authorizes
the Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such
overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any
money balance in an account standing in the name of such Series' credit
on the Custodian's books. In addition, the Fund hereby covenants that on
each Business Day on which either it intends to enter a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement and/or otherwise borrow from a third party, or which next
succeeds a Business Day on which at the close of business the Fund had
outstanding a Reverse Repurchase Agreement or such a borrowing, it shall
prior to 9 a.m., New York City time, advise the Custodian, in writing, of
each such borrowing, shall specify the Series to which the same relates,
and shall not incur any indebtedness, including pursuant to any Reverse
Repurchase Agreement, not so specified other than from the Custodian.
2. The Fund will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by any bank
(including, if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement, the
Custodian) from which it borrows money for investment or for temporary or
emergency purposes using Securities held by the Custodian hereunder as
collateral for such borrowings, a notice or undertaking in the form
currently employed by any such bank setting forth the amount which such
bank will loan to the Fund against delivery of a stated amount of
collateral. The Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the
Series to which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the
amount and terms of the borrowing, which may be set forth by incorporating
by reference an attached promissory note, duly endorsed by the Fund, or
other loan agreement, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan
is to be entered into, (e) the date on which the loan becomes due and
payable, (f) the total amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing date,
(g) the market value of Securities to be delivered as collateral for such
loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares
or the principal amount of any particular Securities, and (h) a statement
specifying whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary
or emergency purposes and that such loan is in conformance with the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Fund's prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information. The Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date
specified in a Certificate the specified collateral and the executed
promissory note, if any, against delivery by the lending bank of the total
amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. The Custodian may, at the
option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but
such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending
bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. The Custodian
shall deliver such Securities as additional collateral as may be specified
in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described in
this paragraph. The Fund shall cause all Securities released from
collateral status to be returned directly to the Custodian, and the
Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may
be tendered to it. In the event that the Fund fails to specify in a
Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer, the title and number of
shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be
delivered as collateral by the Custodian, to any such bank, the Custodian
shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.
ARTICLE XV
CUSTODY OF ASSETS OUTSIDE THE U.S.
1. The Custodian is authorized and instructed to employ, as its
agent, as subcustodians for the securities and other assets of the Fund
maintained outside of the United States the Foreign Subcustodians and For-
eign Depositories designated on Schedule A hereto. Except as provided in
Schedule A, the Custodian shall employ no other Foreign Custodian or
Foreign Depository. The Custodian and the Fund may amend Schedule A
hereto from time to time to agree to designate any additional Foreign
Subcustodian or Foreign Depository with which the Custodian has an
agreement for such entity to act as the Custodian's agent, as subcus-
todian, and which the Custodian in its absolute discretion proposes to
utilize to hold any of the Fund's Foreign Property. Upon receipt of a
Certificate or Written Instructions from the Fund, the Custodian shall
cease the employment of any one or more of such subcustodians for
maintaining custody of the Fund's assets and such custodian shall be
deemed deleted from Schedule A.
2. The Custodian shall limit the securities and other assets
maintained in the custody of the Foreign Subcustodians to: (a) "foreign
securities," as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such
amounts as the Fund may determine to be reasonably necessary to effect the
foreign securities transactions of the Fund.
3. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the
Fund, the Foreign Securities held by each Foreign Subcustodian.
4. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign
Subcustodian shall be substantially in the form reviewed and approved by
the Fund and will not be amended in a way that materially affects the Fund
without the Fund's prior written consent and shall:
(a) require that such institution establish custody account(s)
for the Custodian on behalf of the Fund and physically segregate in each
such account securities and other assets of the fund, and, in the event
that such institution deposits the securities of the Fund in a Foreign
Depository, that it shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund
or the Custodian, as agent for the Fund, the securities so deposited;
(b) provide that:
(1) the assets of the Fund will not be subject to any
right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of
the Foreign Subcustodian or its creditors, except a claim of payment for
their safe custody or administration;
(2) beneficial ownership for the assets of the Fund will
be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than
for custody or administration;
(3) adequate records will be maintained identifying the
assets as belonging to the Fund;
(4) the independent public accountants for the Fund will
be given access to the books and records of the Foreign Subcustodian
relating to its actions under its agreement with the Custodian or
confirmation of the contents of those records;
(5) the Fund will receive periodic reports with respect
to the safekeeping of the Fund's assets, including, but not necessarily
limited to, notification of any transfer to or from the custody
account(s); and
(6) assets of the Fund held by the Foreign Subcustodian
will be subject only to the instructions of the Custodian or its agents.
(c) Require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the
performance of its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the
Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or
claim arising out of or in connection with the institution's performance
of such obligations, with the exception of any such losses, damages,
costs, expenses, liabilities or claims arising as a result of an act of
God. At the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated
to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a
Foreign Subcustodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost,
expense, liability or claim of or to the Fund, if and to the extent that
the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim.
5. Upon receipt of a Certificate or Written Instructions, which may
be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the
Custodian shall on behalf of the Fund make or cause its Foreign
Subcustodian to transfer, exchange or deliver securities owned by the
Fund, except to the extent explicitly prohibited therein. Upon receipt
of a Certificate or Written Instructions, which may be continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall
on behalf of the fund pay out or cause its Foreign Subcustodians to pay
out monies of the Fund. The Custodian shall use all means reasonably
available to it, including, if specifically authorized by the Fund in a
Certificate, any necessary litigation at the cost and expense of the Fund
(except as to matters for which the Custodian is responsible hereunder)
to require or compel each Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Depository to
perform the services required of it by the agreement between it and the
Custodian authorized pursuant to this Agreement.
6. The Custodian shall maintain all books and records as shall be
necessary to enable the Custodian readily to perform the services required
of it hereunder with respect to the Fund's Foreign Properties. The
Custodians shall supply to the Fund from time to time, as mutually agreed
upon, statements in respect of the Foreign Securities and other Foreign
Properties of the Fund held by Foreign Subcustodians, directly or through
Foreign Depositories, including but not limited to an identification of
entities having possession of the Fund's Foreign Securities and other
assets, an advice or other notification of any transfers of securities to
or from each custodial account maintained for the Fund or the Custodian
on behalf of the Fund indicating, as to securities acquired for the Fund,
the identity of the entity having physical possession of such securities.
The Custodian shall promptly and faithfully transmit all reports and
information received pertaining to the Foreign Property of the Fund,
including, without limitation, notices or reports of corporate action,
proxies and proxy soliciting materials.
7. Upon request of the Fund, the Custodian shall use reasonable
efforts to arrange for the independent accountants of the Fund to be
afforded access to the books and records of any Foreign Subcustodian, or
confirmation of the contents thereof, insofar as such books and records
relate to the Foreign Property of the Fund or the performance of such
Foreign Subcustodian under its agreement with the Custodian; provided that
any litigation to afford such access shall be at the sole cost and expense
of the Fund.
8. The Custodian recognizes that employment of a Foreign Sub-
custodian or Foreign Depository for the Fund's Foreign Securities and
Foreign Property is permitted by Section 17(f) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940 only upon compliance with Section (a) of Rule 17f-5
promulgated thereunder. With respect to the Foreign Subcustodians and
Foreign Depositories identified on Schedule A, the Custodian represents
that it has furnished the Fund with certain materials prepared by the
Custodian and with such other information in the possession of the Cus-
todian as the Fund advised the Custodian was reasonably necessary to
assist the Board of Trustees of the Fund in making the determinations
required of the Board of Trustees by Rule 17f-5, including, without
limitation, consideration of the matters set forth in the Notes to Rule
17f-5. If the Custodian recommends any additional Foreign Subcustodian
or Foreign Depository, the Custodian shall supply information similar in
kind and scope to that furnished pursuant to the preceding sentence. Fur-
ther, the Custodian shall furnish annually to the Fund, at such time as
the Fund and Custodian shall mutually agree, information concerning each
Foreign Subcustodian and Foreign Depository then identified on Schedule
A similar in kind and scope to that furnished pursuant to the preceding
two sentences.
9. The Custodian's employment of any Foreign Subcustodian or
Foreign Depository shall constitute a representation that the Custodian
believes in good faith that such Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign
Depository provides a level of safeguards for maintaining the Fund's
assets not materially different from that provided by the Custodian in
maintaining the Fund's securities in the United States. In addition, the
Custodian shall monitor the financial condition and general operational
performance of the Foreign Subcustodians and Foreign Depositories and
shall promptly inform the Fund in the event that the Custodian has actual
knowledge of a material adverse change in the financial condition thereof
or that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that the share-
holders' equity of any Foreign Subcustodian will decline below $200
million (U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders'
equity has declined below $200 million , or that the Foreign Subcustodian
or Foreign Depository has breached the agreement between it and the
Custodian in a way that the Custodian believes adversely affects the Fund.
Further, the Custodian shall advise the Fund if it believes that there is
a material adverse change in the operating environment of any Foreign
Subcustodian or Foreign Depository.
ARTICLE XVI
CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN
1. The Custodian shall use reasonable care in the performance of
its duties hereunder, and, except as hereinafter provided, neither the
Custodian nor its nominee shall be liable for any loss or damage,
including counsel fees, resulting from its action or omission to act or
otherwise, either hereunder or under any Margin Account Agreement, except
for any such loss or damage arising out of its own negligence, bad faith,
or willful misconduct or that of the subcustodians or co-custodians
appointed by the Custodian or of the officers, employees, or agents of any
of them. The Custodian may, with respect to questions of law arising
hereunder or under any Margin Account Agreement, apply for and obtain the
advice and opinion of counsel to the Fund, at the expense of the Fund, or
of its own counsel, at its own expense, and shall be fully protected with
respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with
such advice or opinion. The Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any
loss or damage resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or any
Depository arising by reason of any negligence, bad faith or willful mis-
conduct on the part of the Custodian or any of its employees or agents.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no
obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:
(a) The validity (but not the authenticity) of the issue of any
Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Fund, the legality
of the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount
paid or received therefor, as specified in a Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions;
(b) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or
the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor, as specified
in a Certificate;
(c) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend
by the Fund, as specified in a resolution, Certificate, Oral Instructions,
or Written Instructions;
(d) The legality of any borrowing by the Fund using Securities
as collateral;
(e) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall
the Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that the cash
collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer, or financial institution
or held by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities
of the Fund is adequate collateral for the Fund against any loss it might
sustain as a result of such loan, except that this subparagraph shall not
excuse any liability the Custodian may have for failing to act in accor-
dance with Article X hereof or any Certificate, Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions given in accordance with this Agreement. The Custo-
dian specifically, but not by way of limitation, shall not be under any
duty or obligation periodically to check or notify the Fund that the
amount of such cash collateral held by it for the Fund is sufficient
collateral for the Fund, but such duty or obligation shall be the sole
responsibility of the Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no
duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution
to which portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent pursuant to Article X
of this Agreement makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which
are payable to or for the account of the Fund during the period of such
loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however, that the
Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in the event that such dividends
or interest are not paid and received when due; or
(f) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or
Securities held in any Margin Account, Senior Security Account or
Collateral Account in connection with transactions by the Fund, except
that this subparagraph shall not excuse any liability the Custodian may
have for failing to establish, maintain, make deposits to or withdrawals
from such accounts in accordance with this Agreement. In addition, the
Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker,
dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member makes payment to
the Fund of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Fund
may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or Clearing Member, to see that any payment received by the
Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing
Member is the amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to notify the
Fund of the Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of any such payment.
3. The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the
Custodian of, any money, whether or not represented by any check, draft,
or other instrument for the payment of money, received by it on behalf of
the Fund until the Custodian actually receives such money directly or by
the final crediting of the account representing the Fund's interest at the
Book-Entry System or the Depository.
4. With respect to Securities held in a Depository, except as
otherwise provided in paragraph 5(b) of Article III hereof, the Custodian
shall have no responsibility and shall not be liable for ascertaining or
acting upon any calls, conversions, exchange offers, tenders, interest
rate changes or similar matters relating to such Securities, unless the
Custodian shall have actually received timely notice from the Depository
in which such Securities are held. In no event shall the Custodian have
any responsibility or liability for the failure of a Depository to
collect, or for the late collection or late crediting by a Depository of
any amount payable upon Securities deposited in a Depository which may
mature or be redeemed, retired, called or otherwise become payable. How-
ever, upon receipt of a Certificate from the Fund of an overdue amount on
Securities held in a Depository the Custodian shall make a claim against
the Depository on behalf of the Fund, except that the Custodian shall not
be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action suit
or proceeding in respect to any Securities held by a Depository which in
its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity
satisfactory to it against all expense and liability be furnished as often
as may be required, or alternatively, the Fund shall be subrogated to the
rights of the Custodian with respect to such claim against the Depository
should it so request in a Certificate. This paragraph shall not, however,
excuse any failure by the Custodian to act in accordance with a
Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions given in
accordance with this Agreement.
5. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take
action to effect collection of any amount due the Fund from the Transfer
Agent of the Fund nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution
by the Transfer Agent of the Fund of any amount paid by the Custodian to
the Transfer Agent of the Fund in accordance with this Agreement.
6. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take
action to effect collection of any amount if the Securities upon which
such amount is payable are in default, or if payment is refused after the
Custodian has timely and properly, in accordance with this Agreement, made
due demand or presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to
take such action by a Certificate and (ii) it shall be assured to its
satisfaction of reimbursement of its costs and expenses in connection with
any such action, but the Custodian shall have such a duty if the Secu-
rities were not in default on the payable date and the Custodian failed
to timely and properly make such demand for payment and such failure is
the reason for the non-receipt of payment.
7. The Custodian may, with the prior approval of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, appoint one or more banking institutions as
subcustodian or subcustodians, or as co-Custodian or co-Custodians, of
Securities and moneys at any time owned by the Fund, upon such terms and
conditions as may be approved in a Certificate or contained in an
agreement executed by the Custodian, the Fund and the appointed
institution; provided, however, that appointment of any foreign banking
institution or depository shall be subject to the provisions of Article
XV hereof.
8. The Custodian agrees to indemnify the Fund against and save the
Fund harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever,
including attorney's fees, howsoever arising or incurred because of the
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of any subcustodian of the
Securities and moneys owned by the Fund.
9. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation (a) to
ascertain whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it,
for the account of the Fund and specifically allocated to a Series are
such as properly may be held by the Fund or such Series under the
provisions of its then current prospectus, or (b) to ascertain whether any
transactions by the Fund, whether or not involving the Custodian, are such
transactions as may properly be engaged in by the Fund.
10. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the Fund agrees
to pay to the Custodian all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and such
compensation as may be agreed upon in writing from time to time between
the Custodian and the Fund. The Custodian may charge such compensation,
and any such expenses with respect to a Series incurred by the Custodian
in the performance of its duties under this Agreement against any money
specifically allocated to such Series. The Custodian shall also be
entitled to charge against any money held by it for the account of a
Series the amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense, including
counsel fees, for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the
provisions of this Agreement attributable to, or arising out of, its
serving as Custodian for such Series. The expenses for which the
Custodian shall be entitled to reimbursement hereunder shall include, but
are not limited to, the expenses of subcustodians and foreign branches of
the Custodian incurred in settling outside of New York City transactions
involving the purchase and sale of Securities of the Fund. Notwithstanding
the foregoing or anything else contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, the Custodian shall, prior to effecting any charge for
compensation, expenses, or any overdraft or indebtedness or interest
thereon, submit an invoice therefor to the Fund.
11. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Certificate,
notice or other instrument in writing, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be genuine. The Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian a
Certificate or facsimile thereof confirming Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions in such manner so that such Certificate or facsimile thereof
is received by the Custodian, whether by hand delivery, telecopier or
other similar device, or otherwise, by the close of business of the same
day that such Oral Instructions or Written Instructions are given to the
Custodian. The Fund agrees that the fact that such confirming
instructions are not received by the Custodian shall in no way affect the
validity of the transactions or enforceability of the transactions thereby
authorized by the Fund. The Fund agrees that the Custodian shall incur
no liability to the Fund in acting upon Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions given to the Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions
provided such instructions reasonably appear to have been received from
an Authorized Person.
12. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any instrument,
instruction or notice received by the Custodian and reasonably believed
by the Custodian to be given in accordance with the terms and conditions
of any Margin Account Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no duty to inquire into, and shall
not be liable for, the accuracy of any statements or representations
contained in any such instrument or other notice including, without limi-
tation, any specification of any amount to be paid to a broker, dealer,
futures commission merchant or Clearing Member. This paragraph shall not
excuse any failure by the Custodian to have acted in accordance with any
Margin Agreement it has executed or any Certificate, Oral Instructions,
or Written Instructions given in accordance with this Agreement.
13. The books and records pertaining to the Fund, as described in
Appendix E hereto, which are in the possession of the Custodian shall be
the property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and
maintained by the Custodian as required by the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, and other applicable Securities laws and rules and
regulations. The Fund, or the Fund's authorized representatives, shall
have access to such books and records during the Custodian's normal
business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any
such books and records shall be provided by the Custodian to the Fund or
the Fund's authorized representative, and the Fund shall reimburse the
Custodian its expenses of providing such copies. Upon reasonable request
of the Fund, the Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on micro-film,
whichever the Custodian elects, any records included in any such delivery
which are maintained by the Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly
maintained, and the Fund shall reimburse the Custodian for its expenses
of providing such hard copy or micro-film.
14. The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained
by the Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the Book-
Entry system, each Depository or O.C.C., and with such reports on its own
systems of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request
from time to time.
15. The Custodian shall furnish upon request annually to the Fund
a letter prepared by the Custodian's accountants with respect to the
Custodian's internal systems and controls in the form generally provided
by the Custodian to other investment companies for which the Custodian
acts as custodian.
16. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian against and save the
Custodian harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands
whatsoever, including attorney's fees, howsoever arising out of, or
related to, the Custodian's performance of its obligations under this
Agreement, except for any such liability, claim, loss and demand arising
out of the negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct of the Custodian,
any co-Custodian or subcustodian appointed by the Custodian, or that of
the officers, employees, or agents of any of them.
17. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, the
Custodian shall deliver and receive Securities, and receipts with respect
to such Securities, and shall make and receive payments only in accordance
with the customs prevailing from time to time among brokers or dealers in
such Securities and, except as may otherwise be provided by this Agreement
or as may be in accordance with such customs, shall make payment for
Securities only against delivery thereof and deliveries of Securities only
against payment therefor.
18. The Custodian will comply with the procedures, guidelines or
restrictions ("Procedures") adopted by the Fund from time to time for par-
ticular types of investments or transactions, e.g., Repurchase Agreements
and Reverse Repurchase Agreements, provided that the Custodian has
received from the Fund a copy of such Procedures. If within ten days
after receipt of any such Procedures, the Custodian determines in good
faith that it is unreasonable for it to comply with any new procedures,
guidelines or restrictions set forth therein, it may within such ten day
period send notice to the Fund that it does not intend to comply with
those new procedures, guidelines or restrictions which it identifies with
particularity in such notice, in which event the Custodian shall not be
required to comply with such identified procedures, guidelines or
restrictions; provided, however, that, anything to the contrary set forth
herein or in any other agreement with the Fund, if the Custodian identi-
fies procedures, guidelines or restrictions with which it does not intend
to comply, the Fund shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement without
cost or penalty to the Fund upon thirty days' written notice.
19. Whenever the Custodian has the authority to deduct monies from
the account for a series without a Certificate, it shall notify the Fund
within one business day of such deduction and the reason for it. Whenever
the Custodian has the authority to sell Securities or any other property
of the Fund on behalf of any Series without a Certificate, the Custodian
will notify the Fund of its intention to do so and afford the Fund the
reasonable opportunity to select which Securities or other property it
wishes to sell on behalf of such Series. If the Fund does not promptly
sell sufficient Securities or Deposited Property on behalf of the Series,
then, after notice, the Custodian may proceed with the intended sale.
20. The Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities
whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set
forth or referred to in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation
shall be implied in this Agreement against the Custodian.
ARTICLE XVII
TERMINATION
1. Except as provided in paragraph 3 of this Article, this
Agreement shall continue until terminated by either the Custodian giving
to the Fund, or the Fund giving to the Custodian, a notice in writing
specifying the date of such termination, which date shall be not less than
60 days after the date of the giving of such notice. In the event such
notice or a notice pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article is given by the
Fund, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, certified by an Officer and the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary of the Fund, electing to terminate this Agreement and
designating a successor custodian or custodians, each of which shall be
eligible to serve as a custodian for the Securities of a management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the event
such notice is given by the Custodian, the Fund shall, on or before the
termination date, deliver to the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the ab-
sence of such designation by the Fund, the Custodian may designate a
successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company eligible to
serve as a custodian for Securities of a management investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and which is acceptable to the
Fund. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall
terminate, and the Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance
by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor
custodian all Securities and moneys then owned by the Fund and held by it
as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the
payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.
2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or the
Custodian in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Fund shall upon
the date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon
the delivery by the Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities
held in the Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and
moneys then owned by the Fund be deemed to be its own custodian and the
Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities
pursuant to this Agreement arising thereafter, other than the duty with
respect to Securities held in the Book Entry System which cannot be deliv-
ered to the Fund to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this
Agreement.
3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may terminate this
Agreement upon the date specified in a written notice in the event of the
"Bankruptcy" of The Bank of New York. As used in this sub-paragraph, the
term "Bankruptcy" shall mean The Bank of New York's making a general
assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its
creditors, or instituting or having instituted against it a proceeding
seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of a order for
relief under any applicable bankruptcy law or any other relief under any
bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors
rights, or if a petition is presented for the winding up or liquidation
of the party or a resolution is passed for its winding up or liquidation,
or it seeks, or becomes subject to, the appointment of an administrator,
receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all
or substantially all of its assets or its taking any action in furtherance
of, or indicating its consent to approval of, or acquiescence in, any of
the foregoing.
ARTICLE XVIII
TERMINAL LINK
1. At no time and under no circumstances shall the Fund be
obligated to have or utilize the Terminal Link, and the provisions of this
Article shall apply if, but only if, the Fund in its sole and absolute
discretion elects to utilize the Terminal Link to transmit Certificates
to the Custodian.
2. The Terminal Link shall be utilized only for the purpose of the
Fund providing Certificates to the Custodian and the Custodian providing
notices to the Fund and only after the Fund shall have established access
codes and internal safekeeping procedures to safeguard and protect the
confidentiality and availability of such access codes. Each use of the
Terminal Link by the Fund shall constitute a representation and warranty
that at least two officers have each utilized an access code that such
internal safekeeping procedures have been established by the Fund, and
that such use does not contravene the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
the rules and regulations thereunder.
3. Each party shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense
all equipment and services, including, but not limited to communications
services, necessary for it to utilize the Terminal Link, and the other
party shall not be responsible for the reliability or availability of any
such equipment or services, except that the Custodian shall not pay any
communications costs of any line leased by the Fund, even if such line is
also used by the Custodian.
4. The Fund acknowledges that any data bases made available as part
of, or through the Terminal Link and any proprietary data, software,
processes, information and documentation (other than any such which are
or become part of the public domain or are legally required to be made
available to the public) (collectively, the "Information"), are the
exclusive and confidential property of the Custodian. The Fund shall, and
shall cause others to which it discloses the Information, to keep the
Information confidential by using the same care and discretion it uses
with respect to its own confidential property and trade secrets, and shall
neither make nor permit any disclosure without the express prior written
consent of the Custodian.
5. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, each Fund
shall return to the Custodian any and all copies of the Information which
are in the Fund's possession or under its control, or which the Fund
distributed to third parties. The provisions of this Article shall not
affect the copyright status of any of the Information which may be
copyrighted and shall apply to all Information whether or not copyrighted.
6. The Custodian reserves the right to modify the Terminal Link from
time to time without notice to the Fund, except that the Custodian shall
give the Fund notice not less than 75 days in advance of any modification
which would materially adversely affect the Fund's operation, and the Fund
agrees not to modify or attempt to modify the Terminal Link without the
Custodian's prior written consent. The Fund acknowledges that any
software provided by the Custodian as part of the Terminal Link is the
property of the Custodian and, accordingly, the Fund agrees that any
modifications to the same, whether by the Fund or the Custodian and
whether with or without the Custodian's consent, shall become the property
of the Custodian.
7. Neither the Custodian nor any manufacturers and suppliers it
utilizes or the Fund utilizes in connection with the Terminal Link makes
any warranties or representations, express or implied, in fact or in law,
including but not limited to warranties of merchantability and fitness for
a particular purpose.
8. Each party will cause its officers and employees to treat the
authorization codes and the access codes applicable to Terminal Link with
extreme care, and irrevocably authorizes the other to act in accordance
with and rely on Certificates and notices received by it through the
Terminal Link. Each party acknowledges that it is its responsibility to
assure that only its authorized persons use the Terminal Link on its
behalf, and that a party shall not be responsible nor liable for use of
the Terminal Link on behalf of the other party by unauthorized persons of
such other party.
9. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither party shall have any liability to the other for any losses,
damages, injuries, claims, costs or expenses arising as a result of a
delay, omission or error in the transmission of a Certificate or notice
by use of the Terminal Link except for money damages for those suffered
as the result of the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such
party or its officers, employees or agents in an amount not exceeding for
any incident $100,000; provided, however, that a party shall have no
liability under this Section 9 if the other party fails to comply with the
provisions of Section 11.
10. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in no event
shall either party or any manufacturer or supplier of its computer
equipment, software or services relating to the Terminal Link be
responsible for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages
which the other party may incur or experience by reason of its use of the
Terminal Link even if such party, manufacturer or supplier has been
advised of the possibility of such damages, nor with respect to the use
of the Terminal Link shall either party or any such manufacturer or
supplier be liable for acts of God, or with respect to the following to
the extent beyond such person's reasonable control: machine or computer
breakdown or malfunction, interruption or malfunction of communication
facilities, labor difficulties or any other similar or dissimilar cause.
11. The Fund shall notify the Custodian of any errors, omissions or
interruptions in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link as
promptly as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours after the
earliest of (i) discovery thereof, and (ii) in the case of any error, the
date of actual receipt of the earliest notice which reflects such error,
it being agreed that discovery and receipt of notice may only occur on a
business day. The Custodian shall promptly advise the Fund whenever the
Custodian learns of any errors, omissions or interruption in, or delay or
unavailability of, the Terminal Link.
12. Each party shall, as soon as practicable after its receipt of
a Certificate or a notice transmitted by the Terminal Link, verify to the
other party by use of the Terminal Link its receipt of such Certificate
or notice, and in the absence of such verification the party to which the
Certificate or notice is sent shall not be liable for any failure to act
in accordance with such Certificate or notice and the sending party may
not claim that such Certificate or notice was received by the other party.
ARTICLE XIX
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a Certificate signed by two of
the present Officers of the Fund under its seal, setting forth the names
and the signatures of the present Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to
furnish to the Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event
that any such present Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized Person
or in the event that other or additional Authorized Persons are elected
or appointed. Until such new Certificate shall be received, the Custodian
shall be entitled to rely and to act upon Oral Instructions, Written
Instructions, or signatures of the present Authorized Persons as set forth
in the last delivered Certificate to the extent provided by this
Agreement.
2. Annexed hereto as Appendix B is a Certificate signed by two of
the present Officers of the Fund under its seal, setting forth the names
and the signatures of the present Officers of the Fund. The Fund agrees
to furnish to the Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event
any such present officer ceases to be an officer of the Fund, or in the
event that other or additional officers are elected or appointed. Until
such new Certificate shall be received, the Custodian shall be entitled
to rely and to act upon the signatures of the officers as set forth in the
last delivered Certificate to the extent provided by this Agreement.
3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or
required by this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, other than any
Certificate or Written Instructions, shall be sufficiently given if
addressed to the Custodian and mailed or delivered to it at its offices
at 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286, or at such other place
as the Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.
4. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or rehired
by this Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given if
addressed to the Fund and mailed or delivered to it at its office at the
address for the Fund first above written, or at such other place as the
Fund may from time to time designate in writing.
5. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties, replaces all prior agreements and may not be amended or modified
in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties with
the same formality as this Agreement and approved by a resolution of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund, except that Appendices A and B may be
amended unilaterally by the Fund without such an approving resolution.
6. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the
parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided,
however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without
the written consent of the Custodian, or by the Custodian or The Bank of
New York without the written consent of the Fund, authorized or approved
by a resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees. For purposes of this
paragraph, no merger, consolidation, or amalgamation of the Custodian, The
Bank of New York, or the Fund shall be deemed to constitute an assignment
of this Agreement.
7. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York without giving effect to conflict of laws
principles thereof. Each party hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a
state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection
with any dispute arising hereunder and hereby waives its right to trial
by jury.
8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts
shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
9. A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with
the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby
given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees
of the Fund as Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of
the instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders
individually but are binding upon the assets and property of the Fund;
provided, however, that the Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that
the assets of a particular series of the Fund shall under no circumstances
be charges with liabilities attributable to any other series of the Fund
and that all persons extending credit to, or contracting with or having
any claim against a particular series of the Fund shall look only to the
assets of that particular series for payment of such credit, contract or
claim.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized and
their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year
first above written.
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
By: /s/ Robert G. Galli
--------------------------
Robert G. Galli, Secretary
[SEAL]
Attest:
/s/ Robert G. Zack
- -----------------------------------
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
[SEAL] By__________________________________
Attest:
___________________________________
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
I, President and I,
, of Oppenheimer Fund,
a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund") do hereby certify that:
The following individuals have been duly authorized by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund in conformity with the Fund's Declaration of Trust
and By-Laws to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf
of the Fund, except that those persons designated as being an "Officer of
OSS" shall be an Authorized Person only for purposes of Articles XII and
XIII. The signatures set forth opposite their respective names are their
true and correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
__________________ _______________________ __________________
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
I, President and I,
, of Oppenheimer Fund, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), do hereby certify that:
The following individuals for whom a position other than "Officer of
OSS" is specified serve in the following positions with the Fund and each
has been duly elected or appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
to each such position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund's
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. With respect to the following
individuals for whom a position of "Officer of OSS" is specified, each
such individual has been designated by a resolution of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund to be an Officer for purposes of the Fund's Custody
Agreement with The Bank of New York, but only for purposes of Articles XII
and XIII thereof and a certified copy of such resolution is attached
hereto. The signatures of each individual below set forth opposite their
respective names are their true and correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
__________________ _______________________ __________________
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
The undersigned, hereby
certifies that he or she is the duly elected and acting
of Oppenheimer Fund (the "Fund"),
further certifies that the following resolutions were adopted by the Board
of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on __________________, 199
, at which a quorum at all times present and that such resolutions have
not been modified or rescinded and are in full force an effect as of the
date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank New York, as Custodian pursuant to
a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the
Fund dated as of 199 (the "Custody Agreement") is
authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing basis
to act in accordance with, and to rely on instructions by
the Fund to the Custodian communicated by a Terminal Link as
defined in the Custody Agreement.
RESOLVED, that the Fund shall establish access codes and
grant use of such access codes only to officers of the Fund
as defined in the Custody Agreement, and shall establish
internal safekeeping procedures to safeguard and protect the
confidentiality and availability of such access codes.
RESOLVED, that Officers of the Fund as defined in the
Custody Agreement shall, following the establishment of such
access codes and such internal safekeeping procedures,
advise the Custodian that the same have been established by
delivering a Certificate, as defined in the Custody
Agreement, and the Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon
such advice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of
, as of the day of , 199 .
APPENDIX D
I, Richard P. Lando, an Assistant Vice President with THE BANK OF NEW
YORK do hereby designate the following publications:
The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
JJ Kenney Municipal Bond Service
London Financial Times
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal<PAGE>
APPENDIX E
The following books and records pertaining to Fund shall be prepared
and maintained by the Custodian and shall be the property of the Fund:
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby
certifies that he or she is the duly elected and acting
of Oppenheimer Fund, a Massachusetts business trust
(the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on 199
, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such resolution has
not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of the
date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant
to a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the
Fund dated as of , 199 (the "Custody Agreement")
is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing
basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System, as defined in the
Custody Agreement, all Securities eligible for deposit
therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are
specifically allocated, and to utilize the Book-Entry System
to the extent possible in connection with its performance
thereunder, including, without limitation, In connection
with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans
of Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities col-
lateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal
of , as of the day of
, 199 .
__________________________
[SEAL]<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned , hereby certifies
that he or she is the duly elected and acting
of Oppenheimer Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was adopted
by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on
, 199 , at which a quorum was at all times present and
that such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full
force and effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant
to a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the
Fund dated as of , 199 (the "Custody Agreement")
is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing
basis until such time as it receives a Certificate, as
defined in the Custody Agreement, to the contrary to deposit
in The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") as a "Depository" as
defined in the Custody Agreement, all Securities eligible
for deposit therein, regardless of the Series to which the
same are specifically allocated, and to utilize DTC to the
extent possible in connection with its performance there-
under, including, without limitation, in connection with
settlements of purchases and sales of Securities, loans of
Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities
collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of
as of the day of , 199 .
___________________________
[SEAL]<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B-1
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, hereby certifies that he or she
is the duly elected and acting
of Oppenheimer Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was adopted
by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on
, 199 , at which a quorum was at all times present and that such
resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and
effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant
to a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the
Fund dated as of 199 , (the "Custody Agreement") is
authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing basis
until such time as it receives a Certificate, as defined in
the Custody Agreement, to the contrary to deposit in the
Participants Trust Company as a Depository, as defined in
the Custody Agreement, all Securities eligible for deposit
therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are
specifically allocated, and to utilize the Participants
Trust Company to the extent possible in connection with its
performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in
connection with settlements of purchases and sales of
Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns
of Securities collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of
, as of the day of , 199 .
_______________________
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby certifies that
he or she is the duly elected and acting
of Oppenheimer Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution was adopted
by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on
, 199 , at which a quorum was at all times present and that
such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force
and effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant
to a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the
Fund dated as of , 199 (the "Custody Agreement")
is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongoing
basis until such time as it receives a Certificate, as
defined in the Custody Agreement, to the contrary, to ac-
cept, utilize and act with respect to Clearing Member
confirmations for Options and transaction in Options,
regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically
allocated, as such terms are defined in the Custody
Agreement, as provided in the Custody Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the
seal of , as of the day of , 199 .
____________________________
[SEAL]<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
[FORM OF FOREIGN SUBCUSTODIAN AGREEMENT]<PAGE>
Appendix A
Article XIX. 149
Appendix B
Article XIX. 250
Exhibit A
Article III. 17
Exhibit B
Article III. 18
Exhibit C
Article III. 18
Exhibit D 34
Article XV.4 34
Schedule A
Article XV.1 33
CUSTODY\240
Exhibit 24(b)(10)
GORDON HURWITZ BUTOWSKY WEITZEN SHALOV & WEIN
101 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10178
March 2, 1987
Oppenheimer Retirement Fund
2 Broadway
New York, New York 10004
Dear Sirs:
In connection with the proposed public offering of shares of
beneficial interest in Oppenheimer Selective Stocks Fund, Oppenheimer U.S.
Government Securities Fund, Oppenheimer Quality Money Market Fund and
Oppenheimer Asset Allocation Fund (collectively, the "Funds"), each being
a series of Oppenheimer Retirement Fund (the "Trust"), we have examined
such records and documents and have made such further investigations and
examinations as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion.
It is our opinion that the Trust is a business trust duly organized
and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and that an indefinite number of shares of each Fund covered by the
Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (SEC Reg. No. 2-86903) (the
"Registration Statement), when issued and paid for in accordance with the
terms of the offering, as set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information forming a part of the Registration Statement, will
be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust to the
extent set forth in the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us in the Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information forming a part thereof. We also
consent to the filing of this opinion with the authorities administering
the "Blue Sky" or securities law of any jurisdiction in connection with
the registration or qualification under such law of the Trust's only
shares.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Gordon Hurwitz Butowsky
Weitzen Shalov & Wein
---------------------------
Gordon Hurwitz Butowsky
Weitzen Shalov & Wein
OPINION\240
Exhibit 24(b)(15)(i)
SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
OPPENHEIMER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
AND
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
For Class A Shares
SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT (the "Plan") dated the 1st day of July, 1994,
by and between OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND (the "Fund") and
OPPENHEIMER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC. (the "Distributor").
1. The Plan. This Plan is the Fund's written service plan for its
Class A Shares described in the Fund's registration statement as of the
date this Plan takes effect, contemplated by and to comply with Article
III, Section 26 of the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, pursuant to which the Fund will reimburse the
Distributor for a portion of its costs incurred in connection with the
personal service and the maintenance of shareholder accounts ("Accounts")
that hold Class A Shares (the "Shares") of the Fund. The Fund may be
deemed to be acting as distributor of securities of which it is the
issuer, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the "1940 Act"), according to the terms of this Plan. The Distributor
is authorized under the Plan to pay "Recipients," as hereinafter defined,
for rendering services and for the maintenance of Accounts. Such
Recipients are intended to have certain rights as third-party
beneficiaries under this Plan.
2. Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
(a) "Recipient" shall mean any broker, dealer, bank or other
institution which: (i) has rendered services in connection with the
personal service and maintenance of Accounts; (ii) shall furnish the
Distributor (on behalf of the Fund) with such information as the
Distributor shall reasonably request to answer such questions as may
arise concerning such service; and (iii) has been selected by the
Distributor to receive payments under the Plan. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a majority of the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Board") who
are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have
no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan
or in any agreements relating to this Plan (the "Independent Trustees")
may remove any broker, dealer, bank or other institution as a
Recipient, whereupon such entity's rights as a third-party beneficiary
hereof shall terminate.
(b) "Qualified Holdings" shall mean, as to any Recipient, all Shares
owned beneficially or of record by: (i) such Recipient, or (ii) such
customers, clients and/or accounts as to which such Recipient is a
fiduciary or custodian or co-fiduciary or co-custodian (collectively,
the "Customers"), but in no event shall any such Shares be deemed owned
by more than one Recipient for purposes of this Plan. In the event
that two entities would otherwise qualify as Recipients as to the same
Shares, the Recipient which is the dealer of record on the Fund's books
shall be deemed the Recipient as to such Shares for purposes of this
Plan.
3. Payments.
(a) Under the Plan, the Fund will make payments to the Distributor,
within forty-five (45) days of the end of each calendar quarter, in the
amount of the lesser of: (i) .0625% (.25% on an annual basis) of the
average during the calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value
of the Shares computed as of the close of each business day of
Qualified Holdings, or (ii) the Distributor's actual expenses under the
Plan for that quarter of the type approved by the Board. The
Distributor will use such fee received from the Fund in its entirety
to reimburse itself for payments to Recipients and for its other
expenditures and costs of the type approved by the Board incurred in
connection with the personal service and maintenance of Accounts
including, but not limited to, the services described in the following
paragraph. The Distributor may make Plan payments to any "affiliated
person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Distributor if such
affiliated person qualifies as a Recipient.
The services to be rendered by the Distributor and Recipients in
connection with the personal service and the maintenance of Accounts
may include, but shall not be limited to, the following: answering
routine inquiries from the Recipient's customers concerning the Fund,
providing such customers with information on their investment in
shares, assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or
sub-accounts in the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans and
dividend payment options available, and providing such other
information and customer liaison services and the maintenance of
Accounts as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably request. It may
be presumed that a Recipient has provided services qualifying for
compensation under the Plan if it has Qualified Holdings of Shares to
entitle it to payments under the Plan. In the event that either the
Distributor or the Board should have reason to believe that,
notwithstanding the level of Qualified Holdings, a Recipient may not
be rendering appropriate services, then the Distributor, at the request
of the Board, shall require the Recipient to provide a written report
or other information to verify that said Recipient is providing
appropriate services in this regard. If the Distributor still is not
satisfied, it may take appropriate steps to terminate the Recipient's
status as such under the Plan, whereupon such entity's rights as a
third-party beneficiary hereunder shall terminate.
Payments received by the Distributor from the Fund under the Plan
will not be used to pay any interest expense, carrying charges or other
financial costs, or allocation of overhead by the Distributor, or for
any other purpose other than for the payments described in this Section
3. The amount payable to the Distributor each quarter will be reduced
to the extent that reimbursement payments otherwise permissible under
the Plan have not been authorized by the Board of Trustees for that
quarter. Any unreimbursed expenses incurred for any quarter by the
Distributor may not be recovered in later periods.
(b) The Distributor shall make payments to any Recipient quarterly,
within forty-five (45) days of the end of each calendar quarter, at a
rate not to exceed .0625% (.25% on an annual basis) of the average
during the calendar quarter of the aggregate net asset value of the
Shares computed as of the close of each business day of Qualified
Holdings owned beneficially or of record by the Recipient or by its
Customers. However, no such payments shall be made to any Recipient
for any such quarter in which its Qualified Holdings do not equal or
exceed, at the end of such quarter, the minimum amount ("Minimum
Qualified Holdings"), if any, to be set from time to time by a majority
of the Independent Trustees. A majority of the Independent Trustees
may at any time or from time to time increase or decrease and
thereafter adjust the rate of fees to be paid to the Distributor or to
any Recipient, but not to exceed the rate set forth above, and/or
increase or decrease the number of shares constituting Minimum
Qualified Holdings. The Distributor shall notify all Recipients of the
Minimum Qualified Holdings and the rate of payments hereunder
applicable to Recipients, and shall provide each Recipient with written
notice within thirty (30) days after any change in these provisions.
Inclusion of such provisions or a change in such provisions in a
revised current prospectus shall constitute sufficient notice.
(c) Under the Plan, payments may be made to Recipients: (i) by
Oppenheimer Management Corporation ("OMC") from its own resources
(which may include profits derived from the advisory fee it receives
from the Fund), or (ii) by the Distributor (a subsidiary of OMC), from
its own resources.
4. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in
effect, the selection or replacement of Independent Trustees and the
nomination of those persons to be Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund shall be committed to the discretion of
the Independent Trustees. Nothing herein shall prevent the Independent
Trustees from soliciting the views or the involvement of others in such
selection or nomination if the final decision on any such selection and
nomination is approved by a majority of the incumbent Independent
Trustees.
5. Reports. While this Plan is in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund
shall provide at least quarterly a written report to the Fund's Board for
its review, detailing the amount of all payments made pursuant to this
Plan, the identity of the Recipient of each such payment, and the purposes
for which the payments were made. The report shall state whether all
provisions of Section 3 of this Plan have been complied with. The
Distributor shall annually certify to the Board the amount of its total
expenses incurred that year with respect to the personal service and
maintenance of Accounts in conjunction with the Board's annual review of
the continuation of the Plan.
6. Related Agreements. Any agreement related to this Plan shall be
in writing and shall provide that: (i) such agreement may be terminated
at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the
Independent Trustees or by a vote of the holders of a "majority" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting securities of
the Class, on not more than sixty days written notice to any other party
to the agreement; (ii) such agreement shall automatically terminate in the
event of its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act); (iii) it shall
go into effect when approved by a vote of the Board and its Independent
Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such agreement; and (iv) it shall, unless terminated as herein provided,
continue in effect from year to year only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by the Board and its Independent
Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such continuance.
7. Effectiveness, Continuation, Termination and Amendment. This Plan
has been approved by a vote of the Independent Trustees cast in person at
a meeting called on June 10, 1993 for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
It takes effect as of July 1, 1994, whereupon it replaces the Service Plan
and Agreement dated June 10, 1993. Unless terminated as hereinafter
provided, it shall continue in effect until December 31, 1994 and from
year to year thereafter or as the Board may otherwise determine only so
long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the
Board and its Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such continuance. This Plan may be terminated
at any time by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the
vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund's outstanding voting securities of the Class. This Plan may not be
amended to increase materially the amount of payments to be made without
approval of the Shareholders of the Class, in the manner described above,
and all material amendments must be approved by a vote of the Board and
of the Independent Trustees.
8. Disclaimer of Shareholder and Trustee Liability. The Distributor
understands that the obligations of the Fund under this Plan are not
binding upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind
only the Fund and the Fund's property. The Distributor represents that
it has notice of the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund
disclaiming shareholder and Trustee liability for acts or obligations of
the Fund.
OPPENHEIMER ASSET ALLOCATION FUND
By: /s/ Andrew J. Donohue
__________________________________________
Vice President
OPPENHEIMER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
By: /s/ Katherine P. Feld
__________________________________________
Vice President & Secretary
OFMI/240A#3
