<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 30, 1998
File No. 2-14660
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 /X/
Pre-Effective Amendment No. / /
Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 /X/
--
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 /X/
Amendment No. 22 /X/
--
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FPA PARAMOUNT FUND, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, California 90064
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(310)473-0225
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
----------------------
J. RICHARD ATWOOD, Treasurer Copy to:
FPA PARAMOUNT FUND, INC. LAWRENCE J. SHEEHAN, Esq.
11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200 O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Los Angeles, California 90064 1999 Avenue of the Stars
(Name and Address of Agent for Service) Los Angeles, California 90067
----------------------
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
As soon as practicable after Registration Statement becomes effective.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
/X/ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
/ / this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
TITLE OF SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED: COMMON STOCK, $0.25 PAR VALUE
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<PAGE>
FPA PARAMOUNT FUND, INC.
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Form N-1A Item Prospectus Caption
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Part A
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<S> <C>
1. Cover Page............................... Cover Page
2. Synopsis................................ Expense Synopsis
3. Condensed Financial Information......... Financial Highlights
4. General Description of Registrant....... The Fund and Its Management;
Investment Objectives and
Policies; Investment
Practices, Risks and
Restrictions
5. Management of the Fund.................. Cover Page; The Fund and Its
Management; Additional
Information - Shareholder
Service Agent
5A. Management's Discussion of Fund......... Inapplicable
Performance
6. Capital Stock and Securities............ Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes; Additional Information
7. Purchase of Securities Being Offered.... Cover Page; Purchase of
Shares; Shareholder Services;
Redemption of Shares -
Reinvestment Privilege;
Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes
8. Redemption or Repurchase................ Redemption of Shares
9. Legal Proceedings....................... Inapplicable
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Statement of Additional
Form N-1A Item Information Caption
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Part B
- ------
<S> <C>
10. Cover Page.............................. Cover Page
11. Table of Contents....................... Table of Contents
12. General Information and History......... General Information
13. Investment Objectives and Policies...... Investment Policies;
Investment Restrictions;
Portfolio Turnover
14. Management of the Fund.................. Directors and Officers of the
Fund
15. Control Persons and Principal Holders... Directors and Officers of the
of Securities Fund
16. Investment Advisory and Other Services.. Directors and Officers of the
Fund; Investment Advisory
Agreement
17. Brokerage Allocation and Other.......... Portfolio Transactions and
Practices Brokerage
18. Capital Stock and Other Securities...... General Information - Voting
Rights
19. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of..... Purchase and Redemption of
Securities Being Offered Shares; Tax Sheltered
Retirement Plans
20. Tax Status.............................. Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes
21. Underwriters............................ Distributor
22. Calculation of Performance Data......... Prior Performance Information
23. Financial Statements.................... Financial Statements
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS FPA PARAMOUNT FUND, INC.
FPA Paramount Fund, Inc. ("Fund")
seeks a high total investment return,
including capital appreciation and
income, from a diversified portfolio of
securities.
This Prospectus briefly outlines
information prospective investors should
know before purchasing Fund shares.
Investors should read and retain this
Prospectus for future reference.
A Statement of Additional
Information about the Fund dated
November 30, 1998, which is incorporated
by reference in this Prospectus, has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. It is available at no charge
by contacting FPA Fund Distributors, Inc.
("Distributor") at 11400 West Olympic
Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles,
California 90064; telephone (310)473-0225
or (800)982-4372, except from Alaska and
Hawaii.
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.
[LOGO FPA FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.]
DISTRIBUTOR:
FPA FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA90064
NOVEMBER 30, 1998
<PAGE>
FPA PARAMOUNT FUND, INC.
11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, California 90064
(310) 473-0225
INVESTMENT First Pacific Advisors, Inc.
ADVISER: 11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, California 90064
DISTRIBUTOR: FPA Fund Distributors, Inc.
11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, California 90064
(310) 473-0225
(800) 982-4372 except
Alaska and Hawaii
SHAREHOLDER Boston Financial Data
SERVICE AGENT: Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 8500
Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8500
(617) 483-5000
(800) 638-3060 except
Alaska, Hawaii and
Massachusetts
CUSTODIAN AND State Street Bank and
TRANSFER AGENT: Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
INQUIRIES CONCERNING TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION, DISTRIBUTIONS, REDEMPTIONS AND
SHAREHOLDER SERVICE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SHAREHOLDER SERVICE AGENT.
INQUIRIES CONCERNING SALES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE DISTRIBUTOR.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
Expense Synopsis.......................................................... 3
Financial Highlights...................................................... 4
Investment Objective and Policies......................................... 5
The Fund and Its Management............................................... 6
Advisory Agreement...................................................... 6
FPA Fund Family......................................................... 6
Prior Performance Information........................................... 7
Purchase of Shares........................................................ 7
Net Asset Value......................................................... 8
Table of Sales Charges.................................................. 8
Cumulative Purchase Discount............................................ 8
Letter of Intent........................................................ 8
Sales at Reduced Sales Charge........................................... 8
Sales at Net Asset Value................................................ 9
Shareholder Services...................................................... 9
FPA Exchange Privilege.................................................. 9
Money Market Fund Exchange Privilege.................................... 10
How to Exchange Shares.................................................. 10
Investment Account...................................................... 10
Pre-Authorized Investment Plan.......................................... 10
Retirement Plans........................................................ 11
Systematic Withdrawal Plan.............................................. 11
Redemption of Shares...................................................... 11
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
Telephone Transactions.................................................. 12
Reinvestment Privilege.................................................. 12
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes........................................ 12
Dividends............................................................... 12
Capital Gains........................................................... 12
Taxes................................................................... 13
Investment Practices, Risks and Restrictions.............................. 13
Gold Stocks............................................................. 13
Securities of Foreign Issuers........................................... 13
Foreign Currency Transactions........................................... 13
Short Sales Against the Box............................................. 14
Repurchase Agreements................................................... 14
Brokerage Practices..................................................... 14
Portfolio Turnover...................................................... 14
Investment Restrictions................................................. 14
Additional Information.................................................... 15
Common Stock............................................................ 15
Voting Rights........................................................... 15
Shareholder Inquiries................................................... 15
Shareholder Service Agent............................................... 15
Custodian............................................................... 15
Legal Counsel........................................................... 15
Independent Auditors.................................................... 15
</TABLE>
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NO DEALER, SALESMAN, OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION
OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR
IN SUPPLEMENTAL SALES LITERATURE DISTRIBUTED BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN CONNECTION
WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE FUND OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFERING BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT
LAWFULLY BE MADE.
2
<PAGE>
EXPENSE SYNOPSIS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering
price)...................................................................... 6.50%
Deferred Sales Load (as a percentage of original sales price or redemption
proceeds, as applicable).................................................... *
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed)......................... None
Exchange Fee................................................................ $5.00
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees............................................................. 0.68%
12b-1 Fees.................................................................. None
Other Expenses (including financial services)............................... 0.24%
---------
Total Fund Operating Expenses............................................... 0.92%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EXAMPLE
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming (1) five percent annual return and (2) redemption at
the end of each time period: $ 74.00 $ 92.00 $ 113.00 $ 171.00
</TABLE>
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* An account management fee is charged by unaffiliated investment advisers or
broker-dealers to certain accounts entitled to purchase shares without sales
charge.
The foregoing synopsis is intended to assist the investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. See "Purchase of Shares" and "The Fund and Its Management." The
example is included to provide a means for the investor to compare expense
levels of funds with different fee structures over varying investment periods.
To facilitate such comparison, all funds are required to utilize a five percent
annual return assumption. This assumption is unrelated to the Fund's prior
performance and is not a projection of future performance. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD
NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES
MAY BE GREATER OR LESSER THAN THOSE SHOWN.
3
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following information has been audited by the Fund's independent auditors.
Their report appears in the Statement of Additional Information. This
information should be read in conjunction with the related financial statements
included in the Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained
without charge from the Distributor at the address shown on the cover page of
this Prospectus.
For one share outstanding throughout each year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per share operating
performance:
Net asset value at
beginning of year...... $ 15.95 $ 16.54 $ 14.90 $ 14.73 $ 13.72 $ 13.09 $ 14.06 $ 12.04 $ 14.71 $ 14.07
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net investment income.... $ 0.16 $ 0.29 $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.24 $ 0.25 $ 0.31 $ 0.42 $ 0.56 $ 0.49
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on investment
securities............. (3.77) 2.30 2.52 1.17 2.54 1.61 0.57 2.83 (0.91) 2.07
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total from investment
operations............. $ (3.61) $ 2.59 $ 2.82 $ 1.47 $ 2.78 $ 1.86 $ 0.88 $ 3.25 $ (0.35) $ 2.56
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Less distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income.... $ (0.20) $ (0.31) $ (0.27) $ (0.29) $ (0.25) $ (0.25) $ (0.36) $ (0.48) $ (0.56) $ (0.45)
Distributions from net
realized capital
gains................ (1.90) (2.87) (0.91) (1.01) (1.52) (0.98) (1.49) (0.75) (1.76) (1.47)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total distributions...... $ (2.10) $ (3.18) $ (1.18) $ (1.30) $ (1.77) $ (1.23) $ (1.85) $ (1.23) $ (2.32) $ (1.92)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value at end of
year................... $ 10.24 $ 15.95 $ 16.54 $ 14.90 $ 14.73 $ 13.72 $ 13.09 $ 14.06 $ 12.04 $ 14.71
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total investment return
*...................... (24.76)% 17.70% 20.42% 11.11% 21.69% 15.08% 6.83% 29.12% (3.02)% 21.07%
Ratios/supplemental data:
Net assets at end of year
(in $000's)............ 385,845 830,733 683,059 595,917 421,382 327,179 279,990 250,980 199,381 217,164
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets..... 0.92% 0.86% 0.87% 0.89% 0.90% 0.89% 0.92% 0.93% 0.95% 0.95%
Ratio of net investment
income to average net
assets................. 1.14% 1.84% 1.94% 2.25% 1.69% 1.83% 2.33% 3.08% 4.30% 3.60%
Portfolio turnover
rate................... 68% 110% 131% 95% 76% 98% 146% 101% 94% 132%
Average brokerage
commissions per
share.................. $0.0550 $0.0676 $0.0646 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Return is based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of
distributions, and does not reflect deduction of the sales charge.
4
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund seeks a high total investment return, including capital appreciation
and income, from a diversified portfolio of securities. First Pacific Advisors,
Inc. ("Adviser") believes this usually can best be achieved by investing in
common stocks deemed to possess above-average ability to increase in market
value, although the Fund may also invest in fixed-income and convertible
securities. The Fund generally holds some assets in high quality short-term debt
securities to provide liquidity. Such investments may be increased when the
Adviser considers their expected total return to be more attractive than that of
common stocks. There is no assurance that the Fund will succeed in achieving its
investment objective as there is market risk inherent in seeking capital
appreciation and income and in owning common stocks and other securities.
The Adviser searches for companies deemed to be undervalued when considering
book value, replacement cost of assets and/or other relevant factors. The
Adviser seeks to obtain good values by not overpaying for the stock of even the
best companies. The Adviser believes price risk can be lessened by avoiding very
high prices paid for earnings of companies heavily favored at the time by
institutions or other investors. The Adviser also believes that better values
and lower price risk may often be found in securities of companies with
successful records that are currently out-of-favor as evidenced by such factors
as relatively low price-earnings ratios. There is no assurance, however, that
the Adviser's practices will reduce risk and in any event shares of the Fund may
decrease in value especially during periods of general decline in market prices
of equity securities.
The Adviser's emphasis on fundamental analysis of each company and the inherent
value of its securities may result in a substantial portion of the Fund's
portfolio being invested in companies the average investor perceives to be
unpopular or unfamiliar. This approach affords the Fund an increased opportunity
for capital gain if additional investor interest develops, but also involves
additional risk of capital loss in the event of adverse developments. The Fund
generally invests in large capitalization issuers as well as in medium and
smaller sized companies. Securities of smaller companies may be subject to
larger, more abrupt or erratic fluctuations in price than securities of larger
companies. The Fund's value-oriented investment approach may result in a
portfolio which does not reflect all facets of the national economy and which
differs significantly from the broader market.
Although the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the
securities of any one issuer (except the U.S. Government) at the time of
purchase, changes in market prices and the assets of the Fund may from time to
time cause more than 5% or even 10% of the Fund's assets to be invested in
securities of a single company. For example, on October 30, 1998, approximately
47% of the Fund's assets were represented by six issuers in which more than 5%
of the Fund's assets were invested. The largest holding represented
approximately 12% of the Fund's total assets. Such relative concentration is
likely to increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value per share.
Although the Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any one
industry at the time of purchase, changes in market prices and the assets of the
Fund may from time to time cause more than 25% of the Fund's assets to be
invested in one industry. For example, on October 30, 1998, approximately 29% of
the Fund's assets were invested in securities of three gold mining companies.
Such relative concentration may increase risk of loss as well as potential for
gain. See "Gold Stocks."
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in securities of foreign
issuers. Such investments involve additional risks and opportunities compared
with securities of United States issuers. See "Securities of Foreign Issuers"
and "Foreign Currency Transactions."
5
<PAGE>
Security purchases are primarily based on consideration of fundamental value and
earnings expectations rather than short-term stock market expectations. However,
if earnings prospects change, or a security no longer appears to represent an
unusual value, the Fund can sell all or part of the investment regardless of the
length of time held. See "Portfolio Turnover."
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
The Fund is a Maryland corporation and a diversified, open-end management
investment company, generally called a mutual fund, which was organized in 1958.
A mutual fund provides the investor a practical and convenient way to invest in
a diversified portfolio of securities by combining resources with others who
have similar investment goals.
A board of five directors is responsible for overseeing the Fund's affairs. The
Adviser selects investments for the Fund, provides administrative services and
manages the Fund's business. William M. Sams, President of the Fund, and
Principal and director of the Adviser, is primarily responsible for the day-to-
day management of the Fund's portfolio. Mr. Sams has been the Chief Investment
Officer of the Fund for twelve years and portfolio manager of the Fund for over
seventeen years. The Adviser, together with its predecessors, has been in the
investment advisory business since 1954, serving as investment adviser to the
Fund since July 1, 1978. Presently, the Adviser manages assets of approximately
$3.3 billion for seven investment companies, including one closed-end investment
company, and 28 institutional accounts. All officers of the Fund are also
officers of the Adviser. Certain officers of the Fund are also officers of the
Distributor. The Adviser and the Distributor are indirect wholly owned
subsidiaries of United Asset Management Corporation ("UAM"), a New York Stock
Exchange listed holding company principally engaged, through affiliated firms,
in providing institutional investment management and acquiring institutional
investment management firms.
ADVISORY AGREEMENT. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement dated June 27,
1991, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee computed on the average daily net
assets of the Fund at the annual rate of 0.75% on the first $50 million of net
assets and 0.65% on net assets over $50 million. In addition, the Adviser is
reimbursed for the cost of providing financial services to the Fund in an amount
not exceeding 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets for any fiscal year.
The advisory fee is higher than the fee paid by some other mutual funds. For the
last fiscal year, advisory fees plus the cost of financial services paid by the
Fund equaled 0.78% of the Fund's average net assets.
The Fund also pays for shareholder service agent fees, custodian fees, legal and
audit fees, directors' fees, reports to shareholders and proxy statements,
registration of Fund shares under federal and state laws, and all other expenses
incurred in the operation of the Fund except those assumed by the Adviser. For
the last fiscal year, the Fund's total operating expenses were 0.92% of average
net assets.
FPA FUND FAMILY. The Fund is one of four mutual funds in the FPA Fund Family
(collectively, the "FPA Funds"). FPA Capital Fund, Inc. ("Capital"), which
currently is not open to new investors, seeks long-term capital growth but
current income is also a factor. FPA New Income, Inc. ("New Income"), a fixed-
income fund, seeks current income and long-term total return. FPA Perennial
Fund, Inc. ("Perennial"), which is primarily designed for retirement plans,
seeks long-term growth of capital with current income as a secondary
consideration.
The FPA Funds offer exchange privileges and telephone redemptions plus combined
shareholdings for cumulative purchase discounts and letters of intent. These
privileges are more fully described under "Purchase of Shares," "Shareholder
Services" and "Redemption of Shares." The account information
6
<PAGE>
form should be used to change information and authorize these services.
Authorizing exchange privileges or telephone redemptions requires a signature
guarantee, which is described under "Redemption of Shares." The account
information form is available from authorized securities dealers ("dealers") or
the Distributor.
PRIOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION. From time to time, the Fund's total average
annual return for 1, 5 and 10 year periods may be quoted in advertisements.
Other total return quotations, aggregate or average, over other time periods may
also be included. Average annual total return reflects the average annual
percentage change in value of an investment in the Fund over the measuring
period. Aggregate total return reflects the total percentage change in value
over the measuring period. Total return calculations assume that dividends and
capital gain distributions paid by the Fund during the period are reinvested in
Fund shares at net asset value. Quotations of total returns reflect the maximum
sales charge, except that the Fund may also provide, in conjunction with such
quotations, additional quotations that do not reflect a sales charge.
Comparative performance information may also be used from time to time in
advertising or marketing of the Fund's shares. The Fund's total return may be
compared to that of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and to
stock and other relevant indices or to rankings prepared by independent services
or other financial or industry publications that monitor the performance of
mutual funds. For example, the total return on Fund shares may be compared to
data prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or to a stock index such as
the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index. Such comparative performance information
may be stated in the same terms in which the comparative data and indices are
stated. For these purposes, the performance of the Fund, as well as the
performance of other mutual funds or indices, would not reflect sales charges,
the inclusion of which would reduce such performance quotations.
Performance figures represent historic earnings, and should not be considered as
representative of future results. The investment return and principal value of
an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when
redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Since performance
will fluctuate, performance data for the Fund should not be used to compare an
investment in the Fund's shares with bank deposits, savings accounts and similar
investment alternatives which often provide an agreed or guaranteed fixed yield
for a stated period of time. Investors should remember that performance is
generally a function of the kind and quality of the securities held in a
portfolio, operating expenses and market conditions.
Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in the annual
report to shareholders which may be obtained without charge from the Distributor
at the address shown on the cover page of this Prospectus.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
Fund shares are sold through dealers in a continuous offering. The Distributor
serves as principal underwriter for Fund shares, which are available for
purchase at the offering price through dealers. The minimum initial investment
is $1,500. Each subsequent investment must be at least $100. Minimum investment
requirements can be changed by the Fund or waived by the Distributor. All
purchases made by check should be in U.S. dollars and made payable to the FPA
Funds or State Street Bank and Trust Company. Third party checks will not be
accepted. A charge may be imposed if any check used for investment does not
clear.
7
<PAGE>
The offering price equals the net asset value per share plus the applicable
sales charge. Orders received by dealers before the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") closes (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time) on any business day are
priced based on the net asset value for that day if Boston Financial Data
Services, Inc. ("Shareholder Service Agent"), as agent for the Distributor,
receives the order prior to its close of business. Orders received by the
Shareholder Service Agent after such time generally are priced based on net
asset value for the next business day. However, orders received by certain
retirement plans and certain other financial intermediaries before the NYSE
closes and communicated to the Shareholder Service Agent by 9:30 a.m., Eastern
time, on the following business day are priced at the net asset value for the
prior business day.
NET ASSET VALUE. Net asset value is computed as of the close of the NYSE on
each day the NYSE is open. Net asset value, rounded to the nearest cent per
share, equals the market value of all portfolio securities plus other assets,
less all liabilities, divided by the number of Fund shares outstanding.
TABLE OF SALES CHARGES. The following table shows the sales charge at various
investment levels. The sales charge applies to purchases made at one time by any
combination of an individual, his or her spouse and these related investors (and
their spouses): grandparents, parents, siblings, children or grandchildren; or
by the individual, his or her spouse and a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing
securities for related trusts, estates or fiduciary accounts, including employee
benefit plans.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES SALES REALLOWED
SIZE OF INVESTMENT CHARGE(1) CHARGE(2) TO DEALERS(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $10,000......................................................... 6.95% 6.50% 6.00%
$10,000 but less than $25,000............................................. 6.38% 6.00% 5.50%
$25,000 but less than $50,000............................................. 5.54% 5.25% 4.75%
$50,000 but less than $100,000............................................ 4.71% 4.50% 4.25%
$100,000 but less than $250,000........................................... 3.90% 3.75% 3.50%
$250,000 but less than $500,000........................................... 2.04% 2.00% 1.75%
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000......................................... 1.01% 1.00% 0.80%
$1,000,000 and over....................................................... 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) As a percentage of net amount invested.
(2) As a percentage of public offering price.
CUMULATIVE PURCHASE DISCOUNT. The size of investment may be determined by
adding the amount being invested to the current value, at offering price, of all
presently held shares of the FPA Funds. If such holdings qualify for a reduced
sales charge, information sufficient to permit verification must be furnished to
the Shareholder Service Agent on the account information form or when the order
is placed.
LETTER OF INTENT. A letter of intent ("LOI") allows investors to obtain a
reduced sales charge by aggregating investments made during a 13-month period.
The value of all presently held shares of the FPA Funds may also be used to
determine the applicable sales charge. The account information form contains the
LOI which must be signed at the time of initial purchase, or within 30 days.
Each investment made under an LOI during the period receives the sales charge
for the total investment goal. If the goal is not achieved within the period,
the shareholder must pay the amount equal to the sales charge applicable to the
purchases made minus the sales charges actually paid.
SALES AT REDUCED SALES CHARGE. Certain retirement plans, exempt from taxation
under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, with open accounts in the Fund
as of July 2, 1990, are permitted to
8
<PAGE>
continue to buy Fund shares at a sales charge equal to one-half of the normal
sales charge. Information sufficient to permit verification must be furnished to
the Shareholder Service Agent when the order is placed.
SALES AT NET ASSET VALUE. Fund shares may be purchased at net asset value,
without a sales charge, by these investors and their spouses (and their
immediate relatives): (a) current and former directors, officers and employees
of the Adviser, UAM and its affiliates; (b) current and former directors,
officers and employees of Angeles Corporation (the former parent of the Adviser)
and its affiliates; (c) current and former directors of, and partners and
employees of legal counsel to, the investment companies advised by the Adviser;
(d) investment advisory clients of the Adviser and pension consultants to such
clients and their directors, officers and employees; (e) employees (including
registered representatives) of a dealer which has a selling group agreement with
the Distributor and consents to such purchases; (f) any employee benefit plan
maintained for the benefit of such qualified investors; and (g) directors,
officers and employees of a company whose employee benefit plan holds shares of
one or more of the FPA Funds. Immediate relatives include grandparents, parents,
siblings, children and grandchildren of a qualified investor, and the spouse of
any immediate relative. The foregoing purchasers must represent that the shares
are purchased for investment and will not be resold except through redemption or
repurchase by the Fund.
The Fund also offers shares at net asset value without imposition of a sales
charge to the following persons: (i) trustees or other fiduciaries purchasing
shares for employee benefit plans of employers with 20 or more employees; (ii)
trust companies, bank trust departments and registered investment advisers
purchasing for accounts over which they exercise investment authority and which
are held in a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or similar capacity,
provided that the amount collectively invested or to be invested by such
accounts during the subsequent 13-month period in the Fund and/or the FPA Funds
totals at least $1,000,000; (iii) tax-exempt organizations enumerated in Section
501(c)(3), (9), or (13) of the Internal Revenue Code; and (iv) accounts upon
which an investment adviser, financial planner or broker-dealer charges an
account management or consulting fee, provided such organization has entered
into an agreement with the Distributor regarding such accounts or purchases Fund
shares for such accounts or for its own accounts through an omnibus account
maintained by a broker-dealer that has entered into such an agreement with the
Fund or the Distributor.
No sales charge is imposed because the Distributor anticipates that such
purchases should result in economies in the sales effort and related expenses
compared to sales made through normal distribution channels. A special
application form, which is available from the Distributor, must be submitted
with the initial purchase. All net asset value sales require specific
notification to the Distributor of the purchaser's eligibility at the time the
order is placed. If a purchaser places such an order through a securities
broker, the broker may charge a service fee. No such fee is charged if shares
are purchased directly from the Distributor or the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
FPA EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. Subject to the following requirements, Fund shares may
be exchanged for shares of another FPA Fund, except FPA Capital Fund, Inc.,
whose shares may only be acquired by existing Capital shareholders. An exchange
may establish a new or increase an existing FPA Fund account. Both accounts must
bear the same registration. A sales charge applies to the purchase by exchange
unless (a) a sales charge equivalent to that applicable to the acquired shares
was previously paid; (b) the shareholder is entitled to purchase shares at net
asset value; or (c) the shares being
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<PAGE>
exchanged were acquired by reinvestment. Shares of the Fund to be acquired, must
be registered for sale in the investor's state. A $5.00 service fee applies to
each exchange.
MONEY MARKET FUND EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. The Distributor has arranged for shares
of the money market portfolio of the Cash Equivalent Fund, a no-load diversified
open-end money market mutual fund ("Money Market Fund") to be available in
exchange for shares of the Fund. Shares of the Money Market Fund so acquired
plus any shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions may
be re-exchanged for shares of any FPA Fund without a sales charge, provided that
in the case of Capital, the investor has maintained his shareholder account
because shares of Capital, are currently offered only to existing shareholders.
The $5.00 exchange fee is paid by the Distributor which receives a fee from
Kemper Financial Services, the administrator for the Money Market Fund, of 0.15
of 1% per year or more of the average daily net asset value of shares of the
Money Market Fund acquired through this exchange privilege. This exchange
privilege does not constitute an offering or recommendation by the Fund of the
Money Market Fund. The Money Market Fund is separately managed and is not one of
the FPA Funds. FPA mutual fund investments held in Fund-Sponsored Individual
Retirement Accounts may not be exchanged into the Cash Equivalent Fund.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES. The above described exchange privileges may be
exercised by sending written instructions to the Shareholder Service Agent. See
"Redemption of Shares" for applicable signature and signature guarantee
requirements. Exchange privileges may also be exercised by telephone as
described under "Redemption of Shares--Telephone Transactions." Only four
exchanges may be made in one account during any calendar year; exchanges
exceeding this limit may be considered null and void, if the investor has been
notified that this limit has been reached. Shares must be owned for 15 days
before exchanging and cannot be in certificate form unless the certificate is
tendered with the request for exchange. An exchange requires the purchase of
shares of the acquired Fund with a value of at least $1,000. Exchange
redemptions and purchases are effected on the basis of the net asset values next
determined after receipt of the request in proper order by the Shareholder
Service Agent. In the case of exchanges into the Money Market Fund, dividends
generally commence on the following business day. For federal and state income
tax purposes, an exchange is treated as a sale and may result in a capital gain
or loss, although if the shares exchanged have been held less than 91 days, the
sales charge paid on such shares is not included in the tax basis of the
exchanged shares, but is carried over and included in the tax basis of the
shares acquired. See the Statement of Additional Information.
Additional information concerning this privilege and prospectuses for other FPA
Funds and/or for the Money Market Fund may be obtained from dealers or the
Distributor. A shareholder should read such prospectuses and consider
differences in objectives and policies before making any exchange. The Fund or
the Distributor can change or discontinue this privilege upon 60 days' advance
notice and investors who had exchanged into the Money Market Fund would be
permitted to reacquire shares of the Fund without sales charge for at least 60
days after notice of termination of the Money Market Fund exchange privilege.
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT. Each shareholder has an investment account in which the
Shareholder Service Agent holds Fund shares. Unless the Shareholder Service
Agent receives a written request, stock certificates will not be issued.
Certificates are only issued for full shares. The shareholder receives a
statement showing account activity after each transaction.
PRE-AUTHORIZED INVESTMENT PLAN. Investors desiring to make automatic monthly
investments may use the optional shareholder services form, available from
dealers or the Distributor. The Shareholder
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Service Agent withdraws funds from the investor's bank account monthly for $100
or more as specified through the Automated Clearing House.
RETIREMENT PLANS. An eligible investor may establish an IRA (individual
retirement account) and/or other retirement plan with a minimum initial
investment of $100 and an expressed intention to increase such investment to
$1,500 within 12 months. Each subsequent investment must be at least $100.
Neither the Fund nor the Distributor imposes additional fees for these plans,
but fees are charged by the plan custodian. Persons with earned income
ineligible for deductible contributions generally may make non-deductible
contributions and earnings on shares held in an IRA are tax-deferred. The
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 expanded opportunities for certain investors to make
deductible contributions to IRAs and also created two new tax-favored accounts,
the Roth IRA and the Education IRA, in which earnings (subject to certain
restrictions) are not taxed even on withdrawal. Investors should consult their
tax advisers. Applicable forms and information regarding plan administration,
custodial fees and other plan provisions are available from the Distributor or
dealers.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. Any shareholder whose account value is $10,000 or
more may make monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual withdrawals of $50 or
more by completing the optional shareholder services form. Under this plan,
sufficient Fund shares to cover these withdrawals are redeemed and proceeds are
forwarded as directed on the optional shareholder services form. Dividends and
capital gains distributions on Fund shares held under this plan are
automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares at net asset value. If these
withdrawals continuously exceed reinvestments, the shareholder's account is
correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. Concurrent withdrawals and
purchases are ordinarily disadvantageous to the shareholder due to additional
sales charges. The shareholder recognizes any taxable gain or loss on
redemptions.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Shareholders can redeem for cash, without charge, any or all of their Fund
shares at any time by sending a written request in proper form to the
Shareholder Service Agent. Facsimile transmissions are not acceptable.
Shareholders can also place redemption requests through dealers, who may charge
a fee. Shareholders redeeming Fund shares from retirement plans should consult
the plan documents concerning federal tax consequences and their plan custodian
regarding procedures.
All persons in whose name the account is established must sign the redemption
request exactly as registered. If the redemption exceeds $10,000, if the
proceeds are not paid to the record owner at the record address, or if the
shareholder is a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s)
must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company; a broker or dealer; a credit
union; a national securities exchange, registered securities association or
clearing agency; or a savings and loan association.
In most cases, only a properly signed request with any necessary signature
guarantee is required for a redemption. However, stock certificates, if held by
shareholders, must accompany requests. Additional documents are required if a
corporation, partnership, trust, fiduciary, executor or administrator requests
the redemption.
Redemptions are only processed on days the NYSE is open. The redemption price is
the first net asset value determined after the Shareholder Service Agent
receives the redemption request in proper form, except that redemption orders
received by an authorized dealer, certain retirement plans and certain other
financial intermediaries before the NYSE closes are priced at the closing price
for that day if communicated to the Shareholder Service Agent within the times
specified under "Purchase of Shares." A check for the proceeds is mailed within
seven days after the Shareholder Service Agent receives the
11
<PAGE>
request in good order. If Fund shares redeemed were recently purchased by check,
the Shareholder Service Agent may delay payment of the redemption proceeds until
it confirms the purchase check has cleared, usually a period of up to 15 days.
The Fund may direct the Shareholder Service Agent to redeem all Fund shares of
any shareholder whose account value is less than $500 as a result of a
redemption. In such case, the shareholder is notified in writing that the
account value is insufficient and is allowed up to 60 days to increase it to
$500.
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS. Telephone exchange privileges are available unless
declined by an investor on the account information form. Telephone redemption
privileges are available only if elected on the optional shareholder services
form. A properly completed request with a signature guarantee is required if a
telephone redemption election is made or changed after the account is opened.
Telephone redemptions are not available for shares held in a Fund-sponsored
retirement account. Shares held in certificate form cannot be redeemed or
exchanged by telephone. The Shareholder Service Agent (the "Agent") employs
procedures considered by it to be reasonable to confirm that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, including requiring account registration
verification from the caller and recording telephone instructions. If reasonable
procedures are employed, neither the Agent nor the Fund is responsible for
following telephone instructions the Agent reasonably believes to be genuine.
The Agent and the Fund may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent instructions if such loss results from a failure to employ reasonable
procedures. Proceeds of telephone redemptions are paid to the bank account the
shareholder designates when establishing this privilege. Telephone redemptions
of $5,000 or more are wired unless the designated bank cannot receive Federal
Reserve wires. Telephone redemptions under $5,000 are mailed unless a wire is
requested. There is a $3.50 charge for wires. During periods of significant
economic or market changes, telephone instructions may be difficult to place. If
an investor is unable to contact the Agent by telephone, instructions may be
sent to the Agent at the address set forth on page 2. The Fund may change or
discontinue telephone redemption privileges without notice.
REINVESTMENT PRIVILEGE. Proceeds from a redemption can be reinvested in Fund
shares within 30 days without paying a sales charge. Such reinvestment is made
at the first net asset value determined after the Shareholder Service Agent
receives the order. This privilege can be exercised only once for each Fund
investment. Information sufficient to permit verification must be furnished to
the Shareholder Service Agent when the purchase is placed. Such redemption and
reinvestment is a taxable transaction but losses on the redemption are not
deductible for federal income tax purposes.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Shareholders may receive dividends and/or capital gains distributions in
addition to any increase or decrease in the value of Fund shares. Dividends and
distributions are automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares at the net
asset value determined at the close of business on the day after the record
date, unless the Shareholder Service Agent receives a written request for cash
payment before the record date. The account information form may be used for
this purpose.
DIVIDENDS. The Fund's investment income consists principally of dividends and
interest earned on its portfolio securities. All of this income, after payment
of expenses, is distributed semi-annually as dividends to shareholders.
CAPITAL GAINS. When the Fund sells portfolio securities, it realizes capital
gains and losses, depending upon whether the selling price is higher or lower
than the purchase price. Net realized capital gains from
12
<PAGE>
sales of securities equal profits minus losses, including any losses carried
forward from prior years. The Fund distributes any net realized capital gains to
shareholders annually.
TAXES. Because the Fund plans to distribute all of its net investment income
and net realized capital gains to shareholders, it does not expect to pay any
federal income tax. Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders are subject
to federal income tax, and any state and local income tax. Shareholders are
notified annually of the federal tax status of these distributions. Dividends
from net investment income and distributions from short-term capital gains are
taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions from long-term capital
gains are taxable to shareholders as such. All distributions are taxable whether
paid in cash or reinvested. To avoid a 31% federal withholding tax on dividends,
distributions and redemptions, shareholders must certify their taxpayer
identification number to the Shareholder Service Agent, as agent for the Fund.
The account information form may be used for this purpose.
INVESTMENT PRACTICES, RISKS AND RESTRICTIONS
GOLD STOCKS. As long as the Fund maintains significant investments in gold
mining companies, an investment in the Fund may involve special considerations.
These include fluctuations in the price of gold; the potential effect of the
concentration of the sources of supply of gold and control over the sale of
gold; changes in U.S. or foreign tax, currency, or mining laws; increased
environmental costs; and unpredictable monetary policies and economic and
political conditions. Also, even gold mining companies with strong balance
sheets are likely to be adversely impacted by lower profitability from lower
gold prices.
SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets
in securities of foreign issuers. Investments in securities of foreign issuers
may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and
exchange control regulations. Compared to U.S. companies, there may be less
publicly available information about foreign companies which generally are
subject to less stringent accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
and requirements. Securities of some foreign companies may be less liquid or
more volatile than those of U.S. companies. Foreign brokerage commissions and
custodial fees are generally higher than in the United States. Settlement of
transactions in some foreign markets may be delayed or may be less frequent than
in the U.S., which could affect the liquidity of the Fund's portfolio.
Investments in foreign securities may involve additional risks, including local
political or economic developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets
and imposition of withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments.
The Fund may purchase foreign securities in the form of American Depositary
Receipts ("ADRs") or other securities representing underlying shares of foreign
companies. ADRs are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust
company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign
corporation. ADRs are publicly traded on exchanges or over-the-counter in the
United States and are issued through "sponsored" or "unsponsored" arrangements.
In a sponsored ADR arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes the obligation to pay
some or all of the depositary's transaction fees, whereas under an unsponsored
arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes no obligations and the depositary's
transaction fees are paid by the ADR holders. In addition, less information is
available in the United States about an unsponsored ADR than about a sponsored
ADR. The Fund may invest in ADRs through both sponsored and unsponsored
arrangements.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. The value of any of the Fund's portfolio
securities that are traded in foreign markets may be affected by changes in
currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations. In addition, the Fund,
in purchasing or selling securities in foreign markets, will incur costs in
13
<PAGE>
connection with conversions between various currencies. The Fund's foreign
currency exchange transactions generally are conducted on a spot basis (that is,
cash basis) at the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency prevailing in
the foreign currency exchange market. The Fund purchases and sells foreign
currency on a spot basis in connection with the settlement of transactions in
securities traded in such foreign currency. The cost of currency exchange
transactions is generally the difference between the bid and offer spot rate of
the currency being purchased or sold. The Fund does not purchase and sell
foreign currencies as an investment.
SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX. The Fund may make short sales of securities or
maintain a short position if the Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to
obtain at no added cost securities identical to those sold short (short sales
"against the box") or if the securities sold are "when issued" or "when
distributed" securities which the Fund expects to receive in a recapitalization,
reorganization, or other exchange for securities the Fund contemporaneously owns
or has the right to obtain at no added cost. The principal purpose of making
short sales is to enable the Fund to obtain the current market price of a
security which the Fund desires to sell but which cannot be currently delivered
for settlement. The Fund may not make short sales or maintain a short position
if to do so would cause more than 25% of its total net assets (exclusive of
proceeds from short sales) to be allocated to a segregated account in connection
with short sales.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements with
domestic banks or dealers to earn interest on temporarily available cash. A
repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser (i.e.,
the Fund) acquires a debt security which the seller agrees to repurchase at a
future time and set price, thereby determining the yield during the holding
period. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by the underlying debt
securities and may be considered loans under the Investment Company Act of 1940
("Investment Company Act"). In the event of bankruptcy or other default by the
seller, the Fund may experience delays and expenses liquidating the underlying
security, loss from decline in value of such security, and lack of access to
income on such security. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total net
assets in repurchase agreements which mature in more than seven days and/or
other securities which are not readily marketable.
BROKERAGE PRACTICES. The Adviser is responsible for placing orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities and negotiating brokerage commissions
on such transactions. Brokerage firms are selected for their professional
capability and the overall value and quality of their execution services. The
Adviser is authorized to pay higher commissions to brokerage firms providing
investment and research information if the Adviser deems such commissions
reasonable in relation to the overall services provided. The Adviser may also
use information received to manage the assets of other advisory accounts. The
Fund does not pay any mark-up over the market price of securities acquired in
principal transactions with dealers.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. The Fund purchases securities primarily for investment
rather than short-term trading. However, changes are made in the portfolio
whenever it appears advisable. The Fund's annual portfolio turnover rate is
shown in the table of "Financial Highlights." In some years this rate exceeds
100%, which is higher than that of many other investment companies. A 100%
turnover rate occurs, for example, if all the Fund's portfolio securities are
replaced during one year. Greater portfolio activity increases the Fund's
transaction costs, including brokerage commissions.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions
which, like its investment objective, cannot be changed without approval by a
majority (as defined in the Investment
14
<PAGE>
Company Act) vote of the Fund's shareholders. These restrictions provide, in
part, that the Fund shall not:
1. Invest more than 5% of its total assets, based on market value, in the
securities of any one issuer (except the U.S. Government); or acquire
more than 10% of any class of securities of any one issuer.
2. Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in any one
industry.
Percentage limitations are calculated and applied at the time of investment.
Thus, if securities of a given issuer come to constitute more than 5%, or
securities of a given industry come to constitute more than 25%, of the value of
the Fund's assets by reason of changes in value of either the given securities
or other assets, the excess need not be sold. Additional information concerning
the Fund's investment practices and restrictions is contained in the Statement
of Additional Information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
COMMON STOCK. Each Fund share outstanding participates equally in dividend and
liquidation rights. Fund shares are transferable, fully paid and non-assessable,
and do not have any preemptive or conversion rights. The Fund has authorized 100
million shares of $0.25 par value Common Stock.
VOTING RIGHTS. The By-Laws of the Fund provide that shareholder meetings are
required to be held to elect directors only when required by the Investment
Company Act. Such event is likely to occur infrequently. In addition, a special
meeting of the shareholders will be called, if requested by the holders of ten
percent of the Fund's outstanding shares, for the purposes, and to act upon the
matters, specified in the request (which may include election or removal of
directors). When matters are submitted for a shareholder vote, each shareholder
is entitled to one vote for each share owned.
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. Shareholders who have questions concerning (1) the Fund
may contact the Distributor; (2) their account may contact the Shareholder
Service Agent; and (3) their retirement plan may contact the Shareholder Service
Agent. The applicable addresses and telephone numbers appear on page 2 of this
Prospectus.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICE AGENT. Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., P. O. Box
8500, Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8500, serves as shareholder service and
dividend disbursing agent for the Fund. State Street Bank and Trust Company
serves as transfer agent for the Fund.
CUSTODIAN. All cash and securities of the Fund are held by the Fund's
custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110.
LEGAL COUNSEL. O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 400 South Hope Street, Los Angeles,
California 90071, provides legal services to the Fund.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. Ernst & Young LLP, 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles,
California 90071, performs annual audits of the Fund's financial statements.
15
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
November 30, 1998
FPA PARAMOUNT FUND, INC.
This Statement of Additional Information ("Statement") supplements the current
Prospectus of FPA Paramount Fund, Inc. ("Fund") dated November 30, 1998. This
Statement does not present a complete picture of the various topics discussed
and should be read in conjunction with the Fund's Prospectus. Although this
Statement is not itself a Prospectus, it is, in its entirety, incorporated by
reference into the Prospectus. The Fund's Prospectus may be obtained by
contacting your securities dealer or the Fund's principal underwriter, FPA Fund
Distributors, Inc. ("Distributor"), at 11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200,
Los Angeles, California 90064; telephone (310) 473-0225 or (800) 982-4372,
except from Alaska and Hawaii.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Voting Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Reports to Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Year 2000 Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Investment Policies and Risks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Securities of Foreign Issuers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Short Sales Against the Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Repurchase Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Leverage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Gold Stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Investment Restrictions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Directors and Officers of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Five Percent Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Investment Advisory Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Prior Performance Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Portfolio Turnover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Distributor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Purchase and Redemption of Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Net Asset Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sales Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Authorized Financial Intermediaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Sales at Net Asset Value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Letter of Intent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
FPA Exchange Privilege. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Redemption of Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Telephone Redemption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Tax Sheltered Retirement Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
GENERAL INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS. Fund shares do not have cumulative voting rights, which means
holders of more than 50% of Fund shares voting for the election of directors can
elect 100% of the directors if they so choose. In such event, the holders of
the remaining Fund shares will not be able to elect any person or persons to the
Fund's Board of Directors.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. Shareholders receive semi-annual and annual reports
which show the portfolio of investments, major portfolio changes and other
information. Financial statements accompanied by an opinion of independent
auditors are furnished to shareholders after the Fund's fiscal year-end.
Unaudited financial statements prepared by the Fund are provided after the first
six months of the fiscal year.
YEAR 2000 PROBLEM. Like other mutual funds, financial and business
organizations and individuals around the world, the Fund could be adversely
affected if the computer systems used by the Adviser and other service providers
do not properly process and calculate date-related information and data from and
after January 1, 2000. This is commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem." The
Adviser is taking steps that it believes are reasonably designed to address the
Year 2000 Problem with respect to computer systems that it uses and to obtain
reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being taken by the Fund's other
major service providers. At this time, however, there can be no assurance that
these steps will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact to the Fund.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS
The following supplements information set forth under the captions "Investment
Objective and Policies" and "Investment Practices, Risks and Restrictions" in
the Prospectus. Readers must also refer to the Prospectus.
SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets
in securities of foreign governments and companies. Securities of foreign
issuers may be subject to foreign government taxes which could reduce the
dividend or interest yield on such securities. Foreign investments involve
certain risks, such as political or economic instability of the issuer or of the
country of issue, the difficulty of predicting international trade patterns and
the possibility of imposition of exchange controls. Such securities may also be
subject to greater fluctuations in price than those of domestic corporations or
the United States Government. In addition, there may be less publicly available
information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Foreign
companies generally are not subject to the uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards applicable to domestic companies. There is
generally less government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed
companies abroad than in the United States. With respect to certain foreign
countries, there is a possibility of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, or
diplomatic developments affecting foreign investments. Finally, in the event of
default on any foreign debt obligation, it may be more difficult for the Fund to
obtain or enforce a judgment against the issuer.
SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX. In an effort to increase investment flexibility,
the Fund is authorized to make certain short sales. In a short sale, the Fund
does not immediately deliver the securities sold and does not receive the
proceeds from the sale. The Fund is said to have a short position in the
securities sold until it delivers such securities, at which time it receives the
proceeds of the sale. The Fund must pay the broker the amount of any dividend
paid on the securities while the short position is maintained. To secure its
obligation to deliver the securities sold short, the Fund deposits in escrow in
a segregated account with its custodian an equal amount of the securities sold
short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such securities.
Common stocks issuable upon conversion of a convertible security sometimes can
be sold at a better price than the convertible security owned by the Fund. In
such circumstances the Fund could sell the common stock short "against the box"
while tendering the convertible security to the issuer for conversion. Upon
receipt of the certificates for the underlying common stock, delivery would be
made to close the short sale.
2
<PAGE>
Similarly, when the Fund expects to receive new securities in a reorganization
in exchange for securities owned by the Fund, and the new securities are traded
on a "when issued" basis, the Fund could sell in the "when issued" market and
deliver the new securities when received following the consummation of the
reorganization. If the reorganization is not consummated, all transactions in
the "when issued" market are canceled in which event the Fund would realize no
gain or loss on the short sale, except for brokerage commissions.
The limited authority to utilize short sales as described above and in the
Prospectus would not subject the Fund to the risk of loss generally associated
with short sales. A short sale "against the box" does eliminate the potential
for gain or loss from subsequent changes in the market price of the security.
It constitutes a form of hedging under which the Fund obtains a current market
price considered attractive by the Adviser, rather than remain subject to future
fluctuations in the price of the security sold short. Such authority would be
utilized only in furtherance of the Fund's primary investment objective to seek
a high total investment return, including capital appreciation and income.
For federal income tax purposes, a short sale against the box involving stock or
securities (except conventional debt such as ordinary corporate or United States
Treasury bonds) that could be sold at a gain is treated as a constructive sale
requiring recognition of taxable gain.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund pays for repurchase agreements only upon
physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer of the underlying debt
security to a segregated account of State Street Bank and Trust Company, the
Fund's custodian, or its agent. The Fund only enters into repurchase agreements
involving securities in which the Fund can otherwise invest. The underlying
security (normally a security of the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities) may have a maturity date exceeding one year. Repurchase
agreements usually mature not more than seven days after purchase by the Fund.
It is the Fund's policy that the market value of the security collateralizing
the repurchase agreement at all times equal or exceed the amount of the
repurchase agreement. The Fund does not bear the risk of a decline in value of
the underlying security unless the seller defaults under its repurchase
obligation. In the event of bankruptcy or other default of a seller, the Fund
might experience both loss and delay in liquidating the underlying security,
including: (a) possible decline in the value of such security while the Fund
seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) possible lack of access to income on
such security during this period and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.
LEVERAGE. The Fund is authorized to borrow from banks in order to raise
additional monies for investment. Such borrowings may be made periodically when
it is expected that the potential return, including capital appreciation and/or
income, from the investment of these funds will exceed the cost. Any return
from investment of the borrowed funds that is in excess of the interest cost
will cause the net asset value of Fund shares to rise faster than would
otherwise be the case. Conversely, if the return on the investment of the
borrowed funds fails to cover the interest cost, the net asset value will
decrease faster than normal. This speculative factor is known as leverage.
This policy permitting bank borrowing may not be changed without the approval of
the holders of a majority (as defined under "Investment Restrictions") of the
Fund's outstanding voting securities. The Fund may collateralize any bank
borrowing by depositing portfolio securities with, or segregating such
securities for, the account of the lending bank.
The amount of money the Fund may borrow is restricted by the Investment Company
Act of 1940 ("Investment Company Act") so that, immediately after such
transaction, the Fund has an asset coverage of at least 300% of the amount
borrowed. Asset coverage means total assets, including borrowings, less
liabilities, excluding borrowings. If the Fund's asset coverage falls below
such requirement due to market fluctuations, redemptions or other reasons, the
Fund must reduce its bank debt as necessary within three business days. To do
this, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investments at a
disadvantageous time. The amount of any borrowing will also be limited by the
applicable Federal Reserve Board's margin limitations.
3
<PAGE>
The Fund has not borrowed for more than nineteen years and has no present
intention to do so.
GOLD STOCKS. As long as the Fund maintains significant investments in gold
mining companies, shares of the Fund may be affected by fluctuations in the
price of gold. The price of gold has recently been subject to substantial
upward and downward movements over short periods of time and may be affected by
unpredictable international monetary and political policies, such as currency
devaluations or reevaluations, economic conditions within an individual country,
trade imbalances or trade or currency restrictions between countries, and world
inflation rates and interest rates. Several central banks recently have sold
gold bullion from their reserves. Sales by central banks and/or rumors of these
sales have had a negative effect on gold prices. The price of gold, in turn, is
likely to affect the market prices of securities of companies mining gold and,
accordingly, the value of the Fund's investments in these securities.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted the investment restrictions set forth below, which apply at
the time securities are purchased or other relevant action is taken. These
restrictions and the Fund's investment objective cannot be changed without
approval of the holders of a majority of outstanding Fund shares. Such majority
is defined in the Investment Company Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the
voting securities present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting, if the
holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or
represented by proxy; or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.
Percentage limitations applicable to investments are calculated and applied at
the time of investment. In addition to those described in the Prospectus, these
restrictions provide that the Fund shall not:
1. Purchase securities of other investment companies if immediately after such
purchase the Fund will own (a) more than 3% of the total outstanding voting
stock of any such companies, (b) securities issued by any of such companies
having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets
of the Fund or (c) securities issued by investment companies having an
aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the
Fund.
2. Purchase, lease, acquire, hold or sell real estate or any illiquid interest
in real estate other than (a) for office space, (b) securities issued by
registered real estate investment trusts or (c) as provided in paragraph 4
below.
3. Engage in short sales, margin purchases, puts, calls, straddles or spreads,
except that the Fund may make certain short sales of securities or maintain
a short position if the Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to
obtain at no added cost securities identical to those sold short (short
sales "against the box") or if the securities sold are "when issued" or
"when distributed" securities which the Fund expects to receive in a
recapitalization, reorganization, or other exchange for securities the Fund
contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain at no added cost.
4. Make loans to any person or firm, except by the acquisition of outstanding
notes or other evidences of indebtedness secured by first deeds of trust or
mortgages on real property or interest therein, in an aggregate amount not
exceeding 10% of the value of its total assets. However, the making of
time or demand deposits with banks and the purchase of publicly traded
bonds, debentures or other securities of any other issuer of a type
customarily purchased by institutional investors or any government or
governmental issue at original issue or otherwise, shall not be deemed to
be a loan. Investment in repurchase agreements shall not be considered the
making of a loan for purposes of this investment restriction; although the
Fund will not invest in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven
days if any such investments, together with any other illiquid securities
held by the Fund, would exceed 10% of the Fund's total net assets.
5. Participate on a joint or a joint and several basis in any trading account
in securities.
4
<PAGE>
6. Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
However, once investments have been acquired, the Fund may exercise its
vote as a shareholder in its best interests even though such vote may
affect management or control of a company.
7. Underwrite the sale of securities of others, except when the Fund might be
deemed to be a statutory underwriter because of its disposing of restricted
securities. The Fund will not purchase restricted securities.
8. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts.
9. Purchase from, or sell to, any officers, directors or employees of the Fund
or its adviser or underwriter, or any of their officers or directors, any
securities other than the shares of the Fund's capital stock. Such persons
or firms, however, may act as brokers for the Fund for customary
commissions.
10. Issue any senior securities except that the Fund may borrow from banks to
the extent described above under "Investment Policies - Leverage."
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE FUND
Certain directors and all officers of the Fund are also directors and/or
officers of one or more of four other investment companies advised by the
Adviser, which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of United Asset Management
Corporation ("UAM"). These investment companies are FPA Capital Fund, Inc.
("Capital"), FPA New Income, Inc. ("New Income"), FPA Perennial Fund, Inc.
("Perennial") and Source Capital, Inc. ("Source") (collectively, the "FPA Fund
Complex").
The directors and officers of the Fund, their ages on the date hereof and their
principal occupations during the past five years are listed below. Their
address is 11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, California
90064.
Julio J. de Puzo, Jr., 44, Director and Executive Vice President (1)
Director (since October 1995), Principal and Chief Executive Officer (since
March 1996) of the Adviser; Director and President since March 1996 of Source;
Director and Executive Vice President since April 1996 of Perennial; and
Executive Vice President since August 1996 of New Income and of Capital.
President and Chief Executive Officer (since January 1997), and Director for
more than the past five years of the Distributor. Executive Vice President from
October 1995 to March 1996, Chief Administrative Officer from October 1995 to
March 1996, Chief Financial Officer from June 1991 to March 1996, Treasurer from
June 1991 to March 1996, and Senior Vice President from February 1993 to October
1995, of the Adviser. Treasurer from June 1981 to August 1996 of the Fund, from
May 1982 to August 1996 of Source; from September 1983 to August 1996 of
Perennial; and from July 1984 to August 1996 of Capital and of New Income.
Chief Financial Officer from October 1991 to March 1998, and Executive Vice
President (or Senior Vice President or First Vice President) from October 1991
to January 1997 of the Distributor.
John P. Endicott, 80, Director
Independent management consultant since January 1983 and from April 1979 to
March 1981; Associate, Case and Company, Inc. (management consultants) from
April 1981 to January 1983; President and Director, Sierracin Corporation
(manufacturer of high technology products) from 1969 to March 1979. Director of
Perennial for more than the past five years.
Leonard Mautner, 81, Director
President, Leonard Mautner Associates (management consultants) for more than the
past five years; General Partner, Goodman & Mautner Ltd. (venture capital
partnership) and President, Goodman & Mautner, Inc.
5
<PAGE>
(investment manager) from 1969 to 1979. Director of Perennial for more than the
past five years and Director of MRV Communications Inc. since April 1992.
John H. Rubel, 78, Director
President, John H. Rubel and Associates, Inc. (management consultants) for more
than the past five years; Senior Vice President, Litton Industries, Inc.
(diversified manufacturing) from 1963 to 1973; Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Research and Engineering) from 1961 to 1963; and member of the Task Force
Commission for the War on Poverty during 1964.
John P. Shelton, 78, Director
Professor Emeritus at UCLA Graduate School of Management for more than the past
five years. Director of Genisco Systems, Inc. (manufacturer of hardened
computers and electronics).
William M. Sams, 61, President & Chief Investment Officer
Director and Principal since March 1996 of the Adviser; and Director since
January 1997 of the Distributor. Executive Vice President from November 1981 to
March 1996 of the Adviser; and from September 1983 to August 1995 of Perennial.
Eric S. Ende, 54, Vice President
Senior Vice President (or Vice President) of the Adviser for more than the past
five years, and Chief Investment Officer since May 1997 and Senior Vice
President (or Vice President) for more than the past five years of Source, Vice
President of Capital and of New Income for more than the past five years, and
President and Chief Investment Officer of Perennial since September 1995.
Executive Vice President (or Vice President) of Perennial from May 1985 to
September 1995.
Janet M. Pitman, 55, Vice President
Vice President of the Adviser for more than the past five years, of Source and
of Perennial since April 1996, and of Capital and of New Income since February
1997.
J. Richard Atwood, 38, Treasurer
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Adviser
since January 1997; and Chief Financial Officer since March 1998, Senior Vice
President and Treasurer of the Distributor since January 1997. Treasurer of
Source, of Perennial, of Capital, and of New Income since January 1997. Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Transamerica Investment Services, Inc.
from January 1995 to January 1997. Vice President (or Assistant Vice President)
and Controller of the Adviser from July 1988 to January 1995, and Assistant
Treasurer of the Distributor from May 1991 to January 1995. Assistant Treasurer
of the Fund, of Capital, of New Income, of Perennial, and of Source from 1988 to
1995.
Sherry Sasaki, 43, Secretary
Assistant Vice President and Secretary of the Adviser, and Secretary of Source,
of Perennial, of Capital, of New Income, and of the Distributor for more than
the past five years.
Christopher H. Thomas, 41, Assistant Treasurer
Vice President and Controller of the Adviser and of the Distributor since March
1995, and Assistant Treasurer of Capital, of New Income, of Source and of
Perennial since April 1995. Staff Accountant with the Office of Inspection of
the Securities and Exchange Commission from 1994 to March 1995. School
Administrator of the Calvary Road Christian Academy from 1988 to 1993.
- --------------------
(1) Director who is an interested person, as defined in the Investment Company
Act, of the Fund by virtue of his affiliation with the Adviser.
The Directors and officers of the Fund as a group own less than 1% of the
outstanding Fund shares. During the last fiscal year, the Directors then in
office who were not affiliated with the Adviser received as a group
6
<PAGE>
$40,000 in Directors' fees. Such Directors are also reimbursed for certain
out-of-pocket expenses by the Fund. The following information relates to
Director compensation. The Fund does not pay any salaries to its officers, all
of whom are compensated by the Adviser.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL COMPENSATION*
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION* FROM THE FPA FUND COMPLEX
NAME OF DIRECTORS FROM THE FUND INCLUDING THE FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Julio J. de Puzo, Jr. $ -0- $ -0-
John P. Endicott 10,000 15,000**
Leonard Mautner 10,000 15,000**
John H. Rubel 10,000 10,000
John P. Shelton 10,000 10,000
</TABLE>
* No pension or retirement benefits are provided to Directors by the
Fund or the FPA Fund Complex.
** Includes compensation from the Fund and one other open-end investment
company.
Currently, the personnel of the Adviser consists of eight persons engaged full
time in portfolio management or investment research in addition to 26 persons
engaged full time in trading, administrative, financial or clerical activities.
The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, which does not imply supervision by said Commission of the
Adviser's activities. The Adviser's parent company, UAM, is a publicly held
corporation. No person is known by UAM to own or hold with power to vote 25% or
more of its outstanding shares of common stock.
FIVE PERCENT SHAREHOLDERS. As of October 30, 1998, no person was known by the
Fund to own of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding Fund shares,
except Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., for the sole benefit of its
customers, Attention: Fund Administration 97163, 4800 Deer Lake Drive, East
Floor 2, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484, which held 2,629,899 shares (7.3%).
Such broker-dealer advises that the shares are held for the benefit of its
customers.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated June 27, 1991
("Advisory Agreement"), with the Adviser pursuant to which the Adviser provides
continuing supervision of the Fund's investment portfolio. The Adviser is
authorized, subject to the control of the Fund's Board of Directors, to
determine which securities are to be bought or sold and in what amounts. In
addition to providing investment advisory and management services, the Adviser
furnishes office space, facilities and equipment, and maintains the Fund's books
and records. It also compensates all officers and other personnel of the Fund,
all of whom are employed by the Adviser, subject to reimbursement from the Fund
for personnel involved in providing financial services as indicated below.
Other than the expenses the Adviser specifically assumes under the Advisory
Agreement, the Fund bears all costs of its operation. These costs include
brokerage commissions and other costs of portfolio transactions; fees and
expenses of directors not affiliated with the Adviser; taxes; transfer agent,
dividend disbursement, reinvestment and custodian fees; legal and audit fees;
printing and mailing of reports to shareholders and proxy materials;
shareholders' and directors' meetings; registration of Fund shares under
federal and state laws; printing and engraving stock certificates; trade
association membership fees; premiums for the fidelity bond and errors and
omissions insurance maintained by the Fund; litigation; interest on
indebtedness; and reimbursement of the Adviser's expenses in providing financial
services to the Fund as described below.
7
<PAGE>
For services rendered, the Adviser is paid a monthly fee computed at the annual
rate of 0.75% of the first $50 million, and 0.65% of the excess over $50
million, of the Fund's average net assets. The advisory fee is higher than the
fee paid by some other mutual funds. The average net assets are determined by
taking the average of all the daily determinations of net assets made, in the
manner provided in the Fund's Articles of Incorporation, during a calendar
month.
In addition to the advisory fee, the Fund reimburses the Adviser monthly for the
costs incurred in providing financial services to the Fund. Such financial
services include (a) maintaining the accounts, books and other documents which
constitute the record forming the basis for the Fund's financial statements,
(b) preparing such financial statements and other Fund documents and reports of
a financial nature required by federal and state laws, (c) calculating daily net
assets and (d) participating in the production of the Fund's registration
statements, prospectuses, proxy materials and reports to shareholders (including
compensation of the Treasurer or other principal financial officer of the Fund,
compensation of personnel working under such person's direction and expenses of
office space, facilities and equipment such persons use to perform their
financial services duties). However, for any fiscal year, the cost of such
financial services paid by the Fund may not exceed 0.10% of the average daily
net assets of the Fund.
The advisory fee and cost of financial services is reduced in the amount by
which certain defined operating expenses of the Fund (including the advisory fee
and cost of financial services) for any fiscal year exceed 1.50% of the first
$30 million of average net assets, plus 1% of the remaining average net assets.
Such values are calculated at the close of business on the last business day of
each calendar month. Any required reduction or refund is computed and paid
monthly. Operating expenses (as defined in the Advisory Agreement) exclude
(a) interest, (b) taxes, (c) brokerage commissions and (d) any extraordinary
expenses, such as litigation, merger, reorganization or recapitalization, to the
extent such extraordinary expenses are permitted to be excluded by the rules or
policies of the states in which Fund shares are registered for sale. All
expenditures, including costs connected with the purchase, retention or sale of
portfolio securities, which are capitalized in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles applicable to investment companies, are
accounted for as capital items and not as expenses. This expense limitation
provision does not require any payment by the Adviser beyond the return of the
advisory fee and cost of financial services paid to it by the Fund for a fiscal
year.
The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser does not have any liability to
the Fund or any of its shareholders for any error of judgment, any mistake of
law or any loss the Fund suffers in connection with matters related to the
Advisory Agreement, except for liability resulting from willful misfeasance, bad
faith or negligence on the part of the Adviser or the reckless disregard of its
duties under the Advisory Agreement.
The Advisory Agreement is renewable annually if such renewal is specifically
approved each year (a) by the Fund's Board of Directors or by the vote of a
majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Fund's outstanding
voting securities and (b) by the vote of a majority of the Fund's directors who
are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons (as defined in
the Investment Company Act) of any such party, by votes cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The continuation of
the Advisory Agreement to May 31, 1999, has been approved by the Board of
Directors and a majority of the Fund's directors who are not parties to the
Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party (as defined in the
Investment Company Act). The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without
penalty by the Fund's Board of Directors or the vote of a majority (as defined
in the Investment Company Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting securities on 60
days' written notice to the other party. The Advisory Agreement automatically
terminates in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company
Act).
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the Adviser
received gross advisory fees of $4,090,006, $4,896,408, and $4,186,818,
respectively, plus $538,992, $715,380, and $636,434, respectively for costs
incurred in providing financial services to the Fund.
8
<PAGE>
PRIOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
For the purposes of quoting and comparing the performance of the Fund to that of
other mutual funds and to other relevant market indices in advertisements,
performance may be stated in terms of total return. Under regulations adopted
by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), funds that intend to
advertise performance must include total return quotations calculated according
to the following formula:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years (1, 5 or 10)
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment, made at the beginning of the 1, 5 or 10 year
period, at the end of such period (or fractional portion
thereof).
Under the foregoing formula, the time periods used in advertising are based on
rolling calendar quarters, updated to the last day of the most recent quarter
prior to submission of the advertising for publication, and cover 1, 5 and 10
year periods of a fund's existence or such shorter period dating from the
effectiveness of a fund's registration statement. In calculating the ending
redeemable value, the maximum sales load is deducted from the initial $1,000
payment and all dividends and distributions by a fund are assumed to have been
reinvested at net asset value as described in the Prospectus on the reinvestment
dates during the period. Total return, or "T" in the formula above, is computed
by finding the average annual compounded rates of return over the 1, 5 and 10
year periods (or fractional portion thereof) that would equate the initial
amount invested to the ending redeemable value.
The Fund may also from time to time include in such advertising a total return
figure that is not calculated according to the formula set forth above in order
to compare the performance of the Fund with other measures of investment return.
For example, in comparing the Fund's total return with a stock index such as the
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index, the Fund calculates its aggregate total
return for the specified periods of time by assuming the investment of $10,000
in Fund shares and assuming the reinvestment of each dividend or other
distribution at net asset value on the reinvestment date. Percentage increases
are determined by subtracting the initial value of the investment from the
ending value and by dividing the remainder by the beginning value. The Fund
does not, for these purposes, deduct from the initial value invested any amount
representing sales charges. The Fund, however, discloses the maximum sales
charge and also discloses that inclusion of sales charges would reduce the
performance quoted. Such alternative total return information may be given no
greater prominence in such advertising than the information prescribed under SEC
regulations.
The Fund's average annual total return (calculated in accordance with the SEC
regulations described above) for the one, five and ten-year periods ended
September 30, 1998 was (29.65)%, 6.16%, and 9.65%, respectively. The Fund's
average annual total return (determined pursuant to the alternative computation
which does not include the maximum initial sales charge of 6.5% of the offering
price) for the same periods was (24.76)%, 7.60%, and 10.39%, respectively.
These results are based on historical earnings and asset value fluctuations and
are not intended to indicate future performance.
The foregoing information should be considered in light of the Fund's investment
objectives and policies, as well as the risks incurred in the Fund's investment
practices. Future results will be affected by the future composition of the
Fund's portfolio, as well as by changes in the general price level of equity
securities, and general economic and other market conditions. The past 1, 5 and
10 year periods have been ones of generally rising common stock prices subject
to short-term fluctuations.
9
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
The Adviser makes decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, selects
broker-dealers and negotiates commission rates or net prices. In
over-the-counter transactions, orders are placed directly with a principal
market maker unless it is believed better prices and executions are available
elsewhere. Portfolio transactions are effected with broker-dealers selected for
their abilities to give prompt execution at prices favorable to the Fund. In
selecting broker-dealers and in negotiating commissions, the Adviser considers
each firm's reliability, the quality of its execution services on a continuing
basis and its financial condition. When more than one firm is believed to meet
these criteria, preference may be given to broker-dealers providing research
services to the Fund or the Adviser. Subject to seeking best execution, the
Adviser may also consider sales of Fund shares as a factor in selecting
broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund. Any solicitation
fees which the Adviser receives in connection with acceptance of an exchange or
tender offer of the Fund's portfolio securities are applied to reduce the
advisory fees.
The Advisory Agreement authorizes the Adviser to pay commissions on security
transactions to broker-dealers furnishing research services in an amount higher
than the lowest available rate. The Adviser must determine in good faith that
such amount is reasonable in relation to the brokerage and research services
provided (as required by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
viewed in terms of the particular transaction or the Adviser's overall
responsibilities with respect to accounts for which it exercises investment
discretion. The term brokerage and research services is defined to include (a)
providing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing
in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or
purchasers or sellers of securities; (b) furnishing analyses and reports
concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends,
portfolio strategy and performance of accounts; and (c) effecting securities
transactions and performing functions incidental thereto, such as clearance,
settlement and custody. The advisory fee is not reduced as a result of the
Adviser's receipt of such research.
Research services furnished by broker-dealers effecting securities transactions
for the Fund may be used by the Adviser for all advisory accounts. However, the
Adviser may not use all such research services in managing the Fund's portfolio.
In the opinion of the Adviser, it is not possible to measure separately the
benefits from research services to each advisory account. Because the volume
and nature of the trading activities of the advisory accounts are not uniform,
the amount of commissions in excess of the lowest available rate paid by each
advisory account for brokerage and research services will vary. However, the
Adviser believes the total commissions the Fund pays are not disproportionate to
the benefits it receives on a continuing basis.
The Adviser attempts to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever
concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities for the Fund and
other advisory accounts. In some cases, this procedure could have an adverse
effect on the price or amount of securities available to the Fund. The main
factors considered in such allocations are the respective investment objectives,
the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities,
the availability of cash for investment, the size of investment commitments
generally held, and the opinion of the persons responsible for recommending the
investments.
Brokerage commissions paid by the Fund on portfolio transactions for the fiscal
years ended September 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998 totaled $2,681,278, $2,599,684,
and $1,501,914, respectively. During the last fiscal year, $1,220,492 of
commissions were paid on transactions having a total value of $446,174,862 to
brokers selected because of research services provided to the Adviser.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or
sales of portfolio securities for a fiscal year by the average monthly value of
portfolio securities during such fiscal year. Securities maturing in one year
or less at the time of acquisition are not included in this computation. The
turnover rate for prior
10
<PAGE>
periods is shown in the Prospectus under the caption "Financial Highlights."
This rate may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a year.
DISTRIBUTOR
The Distributor acts as the principal underwriter of Fund shares pursuant to the
distribution agreement dated September 3, 1991 ("Distribution Agreement"). The
Distributor receives commissions from the sale of Fund shares and has the
exclusive right to distribute Fund shares through dealers. From the commissions
received, the Distributor pays sales commissions to dealers; its own overhead
and general administrative expenses; the cost of printing and distributing
prospectuses used in connection with this offering; and the cost of preparing,
printing and distributing sales literature and advertising relating to the Fund.
The Fund pays expenses attributable to registering Fund shares under federal and
state laws (including registration and filing fees), the cost of preparing the
prospectus (including typesetting and printing copies required for regulatory
filings by the Fund) and related legal and audit expenses.
The Distribution Agreement is renewable annually if such renewal is specifically
approved each year (a) by the Fund's Board of Directors or by a vote of a
majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Fund's outstanding
voting securities and (b) by a majority of the Fund's directors who are not
parties to the Distribution Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) of any such party, by votes cast in person at a meeting
called for such purpose. The continuation of the Distribution Agreement to
September 3, 1999, has been approved by the Board of Directors and a majority of
the Fund's directors who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or
interested persons of any such party (as defined in the Investment Company Act).
The Distribution Agreement terminates if assigned (as defined in the Investment
Company Act) and may be terminated, without penalty, by either party on 60 days'
written notice.
The Distributor's obligation under the Distribution Agreement is an agency or
best efforts arrangement pursuant to which the Distributor is required to take
and pay for only those Fund shares sold to the public. The Distributor is not
obligated to sell any stated number of Fund shares.
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, total
underwriting commissions on the sale of Fund shares were $1,737,788, $4,148,190,
and $678,116, respectively. Of such totals, the amount retained each year by
the Distributor, after reallowance to other dealers, was $95,250, $355,286, and
$53,540, respectively.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
NET ASSET VALUE. The net asset value is computed as of the close of the NYSE on
each business day during which the NYSE is open. Net asset value, rounded to
the nearest cent per share, is the total market value of all of the Fund's
portfolio securities plus other assets (including any accrued reimbursement of
expenses), less all liabilities, divided by the total number of Fund shares
outstanding. The NYSE is closed not only on weekends but also on customary
holidays, which currently are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Computation is made by (a) valuing
securities listed or traded on a national securities exchange or on the NASDAQ
National Market System at the last sale price or, if there has been no sale that
day, at the last bid price, (b) valuing unlisted securities for which quotations
are readily available at the last representative bid price as supplied by the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) or by
dealers and (c) appraising all other portfolio securities and assets at fair
value as determined in good faith by the Fund's Board of Directors.
SALES CHARGES. The maximum sales charge is 6.5% but lower sales charges apply
for larger purchases. A portion of the sales charge is allocated to dealers
selling Fund shares in amounts ranging from 80% to 95%, depending on the size of
the investment. During special promotions, the Distributor may reallow up to
100%
11
<PAGE>
of the sales charge to dealers. At such times dealers may be deemed to be
underwriters for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933. Discounts are alike to
all dealers.
AUTHORIZED FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES. The Fund has authorized certain financial
intermediaries including one or more brokers to accept on its behalf purchase
and redemption orders; such brokers are authorized to designate other
intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Fund's behalf;
the Fund is deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an
authorized financial intermediary including an authorized broker or if
applicable a broker's authorized designee accepts the order; and customer orders
are priced at the Fund's net asset value next computed after they are accepted
by an authorized financial intermediary including an authorized broker or the
broker's authorized designee.
SALES AT NET ASSET VALUE. Full-time employees of the Adviser may purchase Fund
shares at net asset value via payroll deduction, provided the minimum initial
investment is $250. Each subsequent investment must be at least $50.
LETTER OF INTENT. To be eligible, the investor must sign at the time of initial
purchase, or within 30 days, a letter of intent ("LOI") covering investments to
be made within a period of 13 months ("Period") from such initial purchase.
The investor thereby becomes eligible for a reduced sales charge based on the
total amount of the specified intended investment ("LOI Goal"), provided such
amount is not less than $10,000. A minimum initial purchase of $1,500 and
minimum subsequent purchases of $100 each are required. Fund shares may also be
purchased to fulfill a letter of intent entered into with respect to shares of
the other FPA Funds. The account information form, which should be used to
establish an LOI, is available from the Distributor.
All transactions under an LOI must be indicated as such and must be placed by
the dealer (in the case of an initial purchase) or the shareholder (in the case
of any subsequent purchase) directly through Boston Financial Data Services,
Inc. ("Shareholder Service Agent"). Shareholders should review for accuracy all
confirmations of transactions, especially purchases made pursuant to an LOI.
If the LOI Goal is completed before the end of the Period, any subsequent
purchases within the Period will receive the reduced sales charge applicable.
In addition, during the Period, the shareholder may increase his or her LOI Goal
and all subsequent purchases will be treated as a new LOI (including escrow of
additional Fund shares) except as to the Period, which does not change.
Signing an LOI does not bind the shareholder to complete his or her LOI Goal,
but the LOI Goal must be completed to obtain the reduced sales charge. The LOI
is binding on the Fund and the Distributor. However, the Distributor may
withdraw a shareholder's LOI privileges for future purchases upon receiving
information that the shareholder has resold or transferred his or her Fund
shares within the Period.
The LOI requires the Shareholder Service Agent, as escrow agent, to hold 5% of
the LOI Goal in escrow until completion of the LOI Goal within the Period. The
escrowed Fund shares are taken from the first purchase and, if necessary, from
each successive purchase. If the LOI Goal is completed within the Period, the
escrowed Fund shares will be promptly delivered to, or as directed by, the
shareholder.
If the LOI Goal is not completed within the Period, the shareholder must pay the
Distributor an amount equal to the sales charge applicable to a single purchase
in the total amount of the purchases made under the LOI minus the sales charges
actually paid. If the Distributor does not receive such unpaid sales charge
within 20 days after requesting payment in writing, the Distributor instructs
the Shareholder Service Agent to redeem escrowed Fund shares sufficient to cover
the unpaid sales charge. Under the LOI, the shareholder irrevocably appoints
the Shareholder Service Agent as his or her attorney with full power of
substitution in the premises to surrender for redemption any or all escrowed
Fund shares. If the redemption proceeds are inadequate, the shareholder is
liable to the Distributor for the difference. The Shareholder Service Agent
will deliver to, or
12
<PAGE>
as directed by, the shareholder all Fund shares remaining after such redemption,
together with any excess cash proceeds.
Any income dividends and capital gains distributions on the escrowed Fund shares
are paid to, or as directed by, the shareholder.
FPA EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. The procedures for exchanging shares between FPA Funds
are set forth under "Purchase of Shares - FPA Exchange Privilege" in the Fund's
Prospectus. If the account registration information for the two FPA Fund
accounts involved in the exchange are different in any respect, the exchange
instructions must be in writing and must contain a signature guarantee as
described under "Redemption of Shares" in the Fund's Prospectus.
By use of the exchange privilege, the investor authorizes the Shareholder
Service Agent ("Agent") to act on telephonic, telegraphic or written exchange
instructions from any person representing himself to be the investor or the
agent of the investor and believed by the Agent to be genuine. The Agent's
records of such instructions are binding.
For purposes of determining the sales charge rate previously paid, all sales
charges paid on the exchanged security and on any security previously exchanged
for such security or for any of its predecessors shall be included. If the
exchanged security was acquired through reinvestment, that security charge may
be exchanged without a sales charge. If a shareholder exchanges less than all
of his securities, the security requiring no or the lowest incremental sales
charge is deemed exchanged first.
Exchange requests received on a business day prior to the time shares of the
funds involved in the request are priced, are processed on the date of receipt
by the Shareholder Service Agent. "Processing" a request means that shares in
the Fund from which the shareholder is withdrawing an investment will be
redeemed at the net asset value per share next determined after receipt. Shares
of the new Fund into which the shareholder is investing will also normally be
purchased at the net asset value per share, plus any applicable sales charge,
next determined after receipt by the Shareholder Service Agent. Exchange
requests received on a business day after the time shares of the funds involved
in the request are priced, are processed on the next business day in the manner
described above.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES. Redemptions are not made on days during which the NYSE is
closed, including those holidays listed under "Purchase and Redemption of Shares
- - Net Asset Value." The right of redemption may be suspended and the payment
therefore may be postponed for more than seven days during any period when
(a) the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekends or holidays;
(b) trading on the NYSE is restricted; (c) an emergency exists as a result of
which disposal by the Fund of securities it owns is not reasonably practicable
or it is not reasonably practical for the Fund to fairly determine the value of
its net assets; or (d) the Securities and Exchange Commission, by order, so
permits.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION. Redemptions may be made by telephone once the shareholder
has properly completed and returned to the Shareholder Service Agent the
optional shareholder services form including the designation of a bank account
to which the redemption payment is to be sent ("Designated Bank"). The proceeds
will not be mailed or wired to other than the Designated Bank. Shareholders who
wish to authorize the telephone redemption privilege or change the Designated
Bank should either enter the new information on an optional shareholder services
form, marking it for "change of information" purposes, or send a letter
identifying the Fund account and specifying the exact information to be changed.
The letter must be signed exactly as the shareholder's name(s) appear on the
account. All signatures require a guarantee as described under "Redemption of
Shares" in the Fund's Prospectus. The optional shareholder services form is
available from authorized securities dealers or the Distributor.
13
<PAGE>
Shareholders who want to use a savings and loan ("S&L") as their Designated Bank
are advised that if the S&L is not a participant in the Federal Reserve System,
redemption proceeds must be wired through a commercial bank which is a
correspondent of the S&L. As this may delay receipt by the shareholder's
account, it is suggested that shareholders who wish to use an S&L discuss wire
procedures with their S&L and submit any special wire transfer information with
the telephone redemption authorization. If appropriate wire information is not
supplied, redemption proceeds will be mailed to such Designated Bank.
The shareholder may cancel the telephone redemption authorization upon written
notice. If the shareholder has authorized telephone redemptions, neither the
Fund nor the Shareholder Service Agent is responsible for any unauthorized
telephone redemptions. If the Fund shares to be redeemed by telephone
(technically a repurchase by agreement between the Fund and the shareholder)
were recently purchased by check, the Shareholder Service Agent can delay
transmitting the proceeds until the purchasing check has cleared.
TAX SHELTERED RETIREMENT PLANS
Through the Distributor, prototype retirement plans are available for purchase
of Fund shares. These include plans for self-employed individuals and plans for
individuals buying shares under an Individual Retirement Account. The investor
should be aware that a penalty tax applies, in general, to distributions made
before age 59-1/2, excess contributions and failure to commence distribution of
the account at age 70-1/2. Borrowing from or against the account may also
result in plan disqualification. Distributions from these retirement plans
generally are taxable as ordinary income when received.
State Street Bank and Trust Company ("Bank") presently acts as custodian for
these retirement plans and imposes fees for administering them. Purchases of
Fund shares for a retirement plan must be made by direct remittance to the Bank.
When contributions for any tax-qualified plan are invested in Fund shares, all
dividends and capital gains distributions paid on those Fund shares are retained
in such plan and automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares at net asset
value. All earnings accumulate tax-free until distribution.
The investor should consult his or her own tax adviser concerning the tax
ramifications of establishment of and distributions from a retirement plan.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The Fund qualified during the last fiscal year for the tax treatment applicable
to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") and
intends to so qualify in the future. Such qualification requires distributing
at least 90% of its investment company taxable income to shareholders and
meeting asset diversification and other requirements of the Code. As long as
the Fund so qualifies, it does not pay federal income tax on its net investment
income or on any net realized capital gains provided such income and capital
gains are distributed to shareholders. If for any taxable year the Fund does
not so qualify, all of its taxable income, including any net realized capital
gains, will be taxed at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for
distributions to shareholders).
The Fund is subject to a 4% excise tax to the extent it does not make certain
distributions to its shareholders. Such distributions must total (1) at least
98% of ordinary income (investment company taxable income subject to certain
adjustments) for any calendar year and (2) 98% of capital gains net income for
the twelve months ended October 31 of such year. The Fund intends to distribute
sufficient amounts to avoid liability for this excise tax.
If shares of the Fund are sold or exchanged within 90 days of acquisition, and
shares of the same or a related mutual fund are acquired, to the extent the
sales charge is reduced or waived on the subsequent acquisition,
14
<PAGE>
the sales charge may not be used to determine the basis in the disposed shares
for purposes of determining gain or loss. To the extent the sales charge is not
allowed in determining gain or loss on the initial shares, it is capitalized in
the basis of the subsequent shares.
Under federal tax law, any loss a shareholder realizes on redemption of Fund
shares held for less than six months is treated as a long-term capital loss to
the extent of any long-term capital gain distribution which was paid on such
Fund shares.
Prior to purchasing Fund shares, the impact of dividends or capital gains
distributions should be carefully considered. Any such payments made to a
shareholder shortly after purchasing Fund shares reduce the net asset value of
such Fund shares to that extent and unnecessarily increase sales charges. All
or a portion of such dividends or distributions, although in effect a return of
capital, is subject to taxes, possibly at ordinary income tax rates.
Dividends and distributions declared payable to shareholders of record after
September 30 of any year and paid before February 1 of the following year are
considered taxable income to shareholders on the record date even though paid in
the next year. To the extent determined each year, a portion of the dividends
paid to shareholders from the Fund's net investment income qualifies for the 70%
dividends received deduction for corporations.
Some shareholders may be subject to 31% withholding on reportable dividends,
capital gains distributions and redemption payments ("backup withholding").
Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding are those for whom a
taxpayer identification number is not on file with the Fund or who, to the
Fund's knowledge, furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account,
an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct
and that he or she is not subject to backup withholding.
Under existing provisions of the Code, dividends paid to shareholders who are
nonresident aliens may be subject to a 30% federal withholding tax applicable to
foreign individuals and entities unless a reduced rate of withholding or a
withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. Nonresident
shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning the
applicability of the federal withholding tax.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions
of the Code and treasury regulations presently in effect. For the complete
provisions, reference should be made to pertinent Code sections and treasury
regulations. The Code and these treasury regulations are subject to change by
legislative or administrative action either prospectively or retroactively.
Each investor should consult his or her own tax adviser as to federal tax laws
and the effect of state and local tax laws which may differ from federal tax
laws.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE, REDEMPTION PRICE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE
- - SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Net asset value and redemption price per share
(net assets divided by shares outstanding) . . . . . . . . . . .$10.24
Offering price per share
(100/93.5 of per share net asset value). . . . . . . . . . . . .$10.95
</TABLE>
The offering price is reduced on purchases of $10,000 or more; see "Purchase and
Redemption of Shares - Sales Charge" herein and "Purchase of Shares - Table of
Sales Charges" in the Prospectus.
15
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
September 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCKS Shares Cost Value
- -------------------------------------------------- ---------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
MINING -- 31.4%
De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. (ADR) . . . . . . 850,000 $ 15,327,513 $ 10,678,125
Homestake Mining Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,300,000 40,306,927 40,012,500
Newmont Mining Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,260,000 47,905,809 30,555,000
Placer Dome Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,900,000 48,764,501 40,056,250
------------ ------------
$152,304,750 $121,301,875
------------ ------------
CONSUMER NON-DURABLE GOODS -- 10.2%
Oakley, Inc.*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,865,100 $ 20,454,493 $ 17,951,587
Polymer Group, Inc.*+. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,736,500 28,146,505 21,549,937
------------ ------------
$ 48,600,998 $ 39,501,524
------------ ------------
RETAILING -- 9.7%
Charming Shoppes, Inc.*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,685,000 $ 19,886,165 $ 15,430,938
Service Merchandise Company, Inc.*+. . . . . . . . 9,500,000 42,525,597 14,250,000
Venator Group, Inc.* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900,000 7,969,940 7,818,750
------------ ------------
$ 70,381,702 $ 37,499,688
------------ ------------
HEALTHCARE -- 9.1%
Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation. . . . . . . . 1,047,000 $ 29,857,706 $ 21,005,438
Magellan Health Services, Inc.*. . . . . . . . . . 800,000 13,686,885 8,650,000
Physician Reliance Network, Inc.*. . . . . . . . . 456,900 4,279,825 5,368,575
------------ ------------
$ 47,824,416 $ 35,024,013
------------ ------------
OIL & GAS PRODUCTION/EXPLORATION -- 6.3%
Chieftain International, Inc.* . . . . . . . . . . 150,000 $ 3,179,250 $ 2,559,375
EEX Corporation* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,500,000 26,069,095 21,937,500
------------ ------------
$ 29,248,345 $ 24,496,875
------------ ------------
INSURANCE -- 4.6%
Leucadia National Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . 600,000 $ 12,692,393 $ 17,587,500
------------ ------------
COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION-- 4.4%
Paging Network, Inc.*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,800,000 $ 26,957,402 $ 16,887,500
------------ ------------
RESTAURANTS -- 4.1%
Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc.*+. . . . . . . 1,300,000 $ 29,098,274 $ 9,912,500
Luby's Cafeterias, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362,000 6,797,470 5,837,250
------------ ------------
$ 35,895,744 $ 15,749,750
------------ ------------
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
September 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares or
Principal
COMMON STOCKS-- CONTINUED Amount Cost Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST -- 2.8%
CCA Prison Realty Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600,000 $ 12,361,039 $ 10,800,000
------------ ------------
TECHNOLOGY -- 1.9%
BRC Holdings, Inc.*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425,000 $ 7,961,263 $ 7,225,000
------------ ------------
OTHER COMMON STOCKS -- 1.4%. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,525,010 $ 5,392,375
------------ ------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS -- 85.9% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $451,753,062 $331,466,100
------------ ------------
------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS -- 16.6%
Short-term Corporate Notes:
American General Corporation -- 5.53% 10/1/98. . . . . . . $ 5,000,000 $ 5,000,000
Toyota Motor Credit Corporation -- 5 1/2% 10/2/98. . . . . 7,000,000 6,998,930
Coca-Cola Company, The -- 5.47% 10/5/98. . . . . . . . . . 6,000,000 5,996,354
Bell Atlantic Financial Services, Inc. -- 5 1/2% 10/7/98 . 2,000,000 1,998,167
Coca-Cola Company, The -- 5.45% 10/8/98. . . . . . . . . . 8,000,000 7,991,522
Emerson Electric Co. -- 5.48% 10/9/98. . . . . . . . . . . 15,000,000 14,981,733
Daimler-Benz North America Corporation
-- 5.46% 10/13/98. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,000,000 14,972,700
Toys "R" Us, Inc. -- 5.51% 10/22/98. . . . . . . . . . . . 2,000,000 1,993,572
Coca-Cola Company, The -- 5.16% 10/29/98 . . . . . . . . . 3,000,000 2,987,960
State Street Bank Repurchase Agreement -- 4 3/4% 10/1/98
(Collateralized by U.S. Treasury Notes
-- 9 7/8% 2015, market value $1,248,896) . . . . . . . . . 1,220,000 1,220,169
------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 64,141,107
------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS -- 102.5%. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $395,607,207
Liabilities less other assets -- (2.5)%. . . . . . . . . . . (9,762,427)
------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS -- 100% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $385,844,780
------------
------------
</TABLE>
*Non-income producing securities
+Affiliate as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 by reason of
ownership of 5% or more of its outstanding voting securities. Following is
a summary of transactions in securities of these affiliates during the year
ended September 30, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Purchases Sales Realized Dividend
at Cost at Cost Gain (Loss) Income
----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc. -- $23,809,462 $(17,652,685) --
Polymer Group, Inc. $28,146,505 -- -- --
Service Merchandise Company, Inc. 5,272,262 -- -- --
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.
17
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
September 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments at value:
Investment securities -- at market value
(identified cost $451,753,062). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $331,466,100
Short-term investments -- at cost plus interest earned
(maturities of 60 days or less) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64,141,107 $395,607,207
------------
Cash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Receivable for:
Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 491,150
Capital Stock sold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115,745 606,895
------------ ------------
$396,214,264
LIABILITIES
Payable for:
Investment securities purchased. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8,575,015
Capital Stock repurchased. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,449,309
Advisory fees and financial services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248,660
Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96,500 10,369,484
------------ ------------
NET ASSETS -- equivalent to $10.24 per share on 37,677,392
shares of Capital Stock outstanding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $385,844,780
------------
------------
SUMMARY OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital Stock -- par value $0.25 per share; authorized
100,000,000 shares; outstanding 37,677,392 shares . . . . . . . . . $ 9,419,348
Additional Paid-in Capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496,109,892
Accumulated distributions in excess of net realized capital gains . . (524,934)
Undistributed net investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,127,436
Unrealized depreciation of investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (120,286,962)
------------
Net assets at September 30, 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $385,844,780
------------
------------
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.
18
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended September 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,201,484
Dividends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,515,457
-------------
$ 12,716,941
EXPENSES
Advisory fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,186,818
Financial services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 636,434
Transfer agent fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577,892
Registration fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75,871
Custodian fees and expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,711
Directors' fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,301
Reports to shareholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,063
Audit fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,750
Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,641
Legal fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,299
Other expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,841 5,693,621
------------ -------------
Net investment income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,023,320
-------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS
Net realized gain on investments:
Proceeds from sales of investment securities (excluding
short-term investments with maturities of 60 days or less) . . . $340,720,688
Cost of investment securities sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336,772,192
------------
Net realized gain on investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,948,496
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments:
Unrealized appreciation at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . $ 51,873,295
Unrealized depreciation at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (120,286,962)
------------
Decrease in unrealized appreciation of investments . . . . . . . (172,160,257)
-------------
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments . . . . . . . $(168,211,761)
-------------
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
FROM OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(161,188,441)
-------------
-------------
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.
19
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Year Ended September 30,
---------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997
--------------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN
NET ASSETS
Operations:
Net investment income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,023,320 $ 13,821,604
Net realized gain on investments . . . . . . . . 3,948,496 91,100,936
Increase (decrease) in unrealized
appreciation of investments. . . . . . . . . . (172,160,257) 19,103,006
------------ ------------
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(161,188,441) $124,025,546
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (9,597,211) $(13,949,391)
Net realized capital gains . . . . . . . . . . . (93,084,048) (102,681,259) (112,712,010) (126,661,401)
------------ ------------
Capital Stock transactions:
Proceeds from Capital Stock sold . . . . . . . . $ 36,433,838 $171,882,375
Proceeds from shares issued to
shareholders upon reinvestment
of dividends and distributions . . . . . . . . 89,093,956 107,501,337
Cost of Capital Stock repurchased. . . . . . . . (306,546,410) (181,018,616) (129,073,320) 150,310,392
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
Total increase (decrease) in net assets. . . . . . $(444,888,316) $147,674,537
NET ASSETS
Beginning of year, including
undistributed net investment income
of $3,701,327 and $3,829,114 . . . . . . . . . . 830,733,096 683,058,559
------------- ------------
End of year, including
undistributed net investment income
of $1,127,436 and $3,701,327 . . . . . . . . . . $ 385,844,780 $830,733,096
------------- ------------
------------- ------------
CHANGE IN CAPITAL STOCK
OUTSTANDING
Shares of Capital Stock sold . . . . . . . . . . . 2,801,067 11,574,033
Shares issued to shareholders
upon reinvestment of dividends
and distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,263,242 7,390,224
Shares of Capital Stock repurchased. . . . . . . . (24,454,493) (8,195,774)
------------- ------------
Increase (decrease) in Capital Stock
outstanding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (14,390,184) 10,768,483
------------- ------------
------------- ------------
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.
20
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 1998
NOTE 1 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as a
diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund's objective is a
high total investment return, including capital appreciation and income, from a
diversified portfolio of securities. The following is a summary of significant
accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its
financial statements.
A. Security Valuation
Securities listed or traded on a national securities exchange or on
the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last sale price on the
last business day of the year, or if there was not a sale that day, at the
last bid price. Unlisted securities are valued at the most recent bid
price. Short-term investments with maturities of 60 days or less are
valued at cost plus interest earned, which approximates market value.
B. Federal Income Tax
No provision for federal income tax is required because the Fund has
elected to be taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal
Revenue Code and intends to maintain this qualification and to distribute
each year to its shareholders, in accordance with the minimum distribution
requirements of the Code, all of its taxable net investment income and
taxable net realized gains on investments.
C. Securities Transactions and Related
Investment Income
Securities transactions are accounted for on the date the securities
are purchased or sold. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders
are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income and expenses are
recorded on an accrual basis.
D. Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
NOTE 2 -- PURCHASES OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Cost of purchases of investment securities (excluding short-term
investments with maturities of 60 days or less) aggregated $331,769,423 for the
year ended September 30, 1998. Realized gains or losses are based on the
specific-certificate identification method. The cost of securities held at
September 30, 1998 was the same for federal income tax and financial reporting
purposes.
NOTE 3 -- ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER
AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement, advisory fees were paid by
the Fund to First Pacific Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser"). Under the terms of
this Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee calculated at the annual
rate of 0.75% of the first $50 million of the Fund's average daily net assets
and 0.65% of the average daily net assets in excess of $50 million. In
addition, the Fund reimburses the Adviser monthly for the costs incurred by
the Adviser in providing financial services to the Fund, providing, however,
that this reimbursement shall not exceed 0.1% of the average daily net assets
for any fiscal year. The Agreement obligates the Adviser to reduce its
21
<PAGE>
fee to the extent necessary to reimburse the Fund for any annual expenses
(exclusive of interest, taxes, the cost of any supplemental statistical and
research information, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation) in excess
of 1 1/2% of the first $30 million and 1% of the remaining average net assets of
the Fund for the year.
For the year ended September 30, 1998, the Fund paid aggregate fees of
$40,000 to all Directors who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser.
Certain officers of the Fund are also officers of the Adviser and FPA Fund
Distributors, Inc.
NOTE 4 -- DISTRIBUTOR
For the year ended September 30, 1998, FPA Fund Distributors, Inc.
("Distributor"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, received $53,540
in net Fund share sales commissions after reallowance to other dealers. The
Distributor pays its own overhead and general administrative expenses, the
cost of supplemental sales literature, promotion and advertising.
22
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND
SHAREHOLDERS OF FPA PARAMOUNT FUND, INC.
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of FPA
Paramount Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), including the portfolio of investments, as
of September 30, 1998, and the related statement of operations for the year then
ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the
period then ended, and the financial highlights on page 4 of the Prospectus for
each of the ten years in the period then ended. These financial statements and
financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of
September 30, 1998, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of FPA
Paramount Fund, Inc. at September 30, 1998, the results of its operations for
the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in
the period then ended, and the financial highlights on page 4 of the Prospectus,
for each of the ten years in the period then ended, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Los Angeles, California
October 30, 1998
23
<PAGE>
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Financial Statements (all included in Part B)
Report of Independent Auditors
Portfolio of Investments, September 30, 1998
Statement of Assets and Liabilities, September 30, 1998
Statement of Operations
Year ended September 30, 1998
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Year ended September 30, 1998
Year ended September 30, 1997
All other financial statements and schedules are inapplicable.
(b) Exhibits
1.1 The Articles of Incorporation were filed as Exhibit 1.1 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 of Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form N-1A and is incorporated herein by reference.
1.1 Articles Supplementary, dated February 1, 1993 was filed as Exhibit 1.1
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 of Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A and is incorporated herein by reference.
1.2 Articles Supplementary, dated August 13, 1996 was filed as Exhibit 1.2
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 of Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A and is incorporated herein by reference.
2. By-Laws were filed as Exhibit 2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 of
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A and is incorporated
herein by reference.
2.1 By-Law Amendment to Article I, effective May 10, 1993 was filed as
Exhibit 2.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 of Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A and is incorporated herein by
reference.
4. Specimen common stock certificate was filed as Exhibit 4 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 of Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form N-1A and is incorporated herein by reference.
5. Investment Advisory Agreement, dated June 27, 1991, between Registrant
and First Pacific Advisors, Inc. was filed as Exhibit 5 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 of Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form N-1A and is incorporated herein by reference.
6. Distribution Agreement, dated September 3, 1991, between Registrant and
FPA Fund Distributors, Inc. was filed as Exhibit 6 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 50 of Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A and
is incorporated herein by reference.
6.1 Specimen Selling Group Agreement was filed as Exhibit 6.1 to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 50 of Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
and is incorporated herein by reference.
C-1
<PAGE>
6.2 Smith Barney Inc. Mutual Fund Dealer Agreement was filed as Exhibit 6.2
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 of Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A and is incorporated herein by reference.
8. Custodian Contract between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust
Company was filed as Exhibit 8 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 of
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A and is incorporated
herein by reference.
8.1 Custodian Fee Schedule Addendum for GNMA Securities Traded through
Participants Trust Company was filed as Exhibit 8 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 49 of Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A and
is incorporated herein by reference.
8.2 Amendment to the Custodian Contract was filed as Exhibit 8.2 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 of Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form N-1A and is incorporated herein by reference.
8.3 Amendment to Custodian Contract.
9. Agreement and Articles of Merger, dated December 2, 1985, between
Registrant and FPA Paramount Fund, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was
filed as Exhibit 1.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 of Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A and is incorporated herein by
reference.
11. Consent of Independent Auditors (filed as page C-8).
14. State Street Bank and Trust Company Individual Retirement Custodial
Account and Disclosure Statement was filed as Exhibit 14 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 of Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form N-1A and is incorporated herein by reference.
14.1 State Street Bank and Trust Company Universal Individual Retirement
Account Information Kit.
16. Schedule of computations of performance quotations.
17. Financial Data Schedule.
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
None.
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
As of September 30, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(1) (2)
Title of Class Number of Record Holders
-------------- ------------------------
<S> <C>
Common Stock, $0.25 par value 18,522
</TABLE>
C-2
<PAGE>
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION.
Item 27 of Part C of Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Registration No. 2-14660) is incorporated
herein by this reference.
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.
During the last two fiscal years, First Pacific Advisors, Inc., the investment
adviser to Registrant ("Adviser"), has not engaged in any other business of a
substantial nature except as investment adviser to Source Capital, Inc.
("Source"), a registered closed-end investment company; as investment adviser to
FPA Capital Fund, Inc. ("Capital"), FPA New Income, Inc. ("New Income"), FPA
Perennial Fund, Inc. ("Perennial") and FPA Crescent Portfolio, each a registered
open-end investment company; and as investment adviser to institutional
accounts. During the last two fiscal years, no director or officer of the
Adviser has engaged for his own account or in the capacity of director, officer,
employee, partner or trustee, in any other business, profession, vocation or
employment of a substantial nature except as described under the caption
"Directors and Officers of the Fund" in Part B hereof as set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Position
with Adviser Other Affiliations (1)
----------------- ----------------------
<S> <C>
Julio J. de Puzo, Jr., (2)
Director, Principal
& Chief Executive Officer
Robert L. Rodriguez, Director and officer of
Director, Principal Source; and officer of Capital &
Chief Investment Officer and New Income.
William M. Sams, (2)
Director & Principal
J. Richard Atwood, (2)
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
& Treasurer
Eric S. Ende, (2)
Senior Vice President
Steven T. Romick, Officer of Source.
Senior Vice President
Andrew C. Ward, ---
Senior Vice President
Christopher H. Thomas, (2)
Vice President & Controller
Thomas H. Atteberry, ---
Vice President
C-3
<PAGE>
Dennis M. Bryan, Officer of Capital.
Vice President
Steven R. Geist, Officer of Source and
Vice President Perennial.
Janet M. Pitman, (2)
Vice President
Mary S. Thomas, ---
Vice President
Sherry Sasaki, (2)
Assistant Vice President
& Secretary
Marie McAvenia, ---
Assistant Vice President
</TABLE>
(1) The address of each company named is 11400 West Olympic Boulevard,
Suite 1200, Los Angeles, California 90064.
(2) A description of such person's other affiliations is given under the
caption "Directors and Officers of the Fund" in Part B hereof.
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.
(a) FPA Fund Distributors, Inc., the principal underwriter for Registrant, acts
as a principal underwriter for Capital, New Income and Perennial but does not
act as depositor or investment adviser for any investment company.
(b) The following information is furnished with respect to each director and
officer of FPA Fund Distributors, Inc.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Principal Positions & Offices with Positions and Offices
Business Address Principal Underwriter with Registrant
- ------------------ ------------------------ ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Julio J. de Puzo, Jr. (1) President, Chief Executive Director
Officer & Director & Exec. Vice Pres.
Robert L. Rodriguez (1) Director ---
William M. Sams (1) Director President
& Chief Inv. Ofr.
J. Richard Atwood (1) Senior Vice President, Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer
& Treasurer
Andrew C. Ward (1) Senior Vice President ---
Christopher H. Thomas (1) Vice President Assistant Treasurer
& Controller
Sherry Sasaki (1) Secretary Secretary
</TABLE>
C-4
<PAGE>
(1) 11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, California 90064
(c) Commissions and other compensation received by each principal underwriter
who is not an affiliated person of Registrant or an affiliated person of
such an affiliated person, directly or indirectly, from Registrant during
Registrant's last fiscal year.
Inapplicable.
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS.
The accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated
thereunder are maintained in the physical possession of Mr. J. Richard Atwood,
Treasurer of Registrant*, except as otherwise stated below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Subparagraph of Physical Possession
Rule 31a-1 of Required Records
--------------- -------------------
<S> <C>
(b)(2)(iv) Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.,
Shareholder Service Agent for Registrant**
(b)(4) Sherry Sasaki,
Secretary of Registrant*
(f) First Pacific Advisors, Inc.,
Investment Adviser to Registrant*
</TABLE>
- --------------------
* 11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, California 90064
** P.O. Box 8500, Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8500
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
There is no management-related service contract under which services are
provided to Registrant which is not discussed in Parts A or B hereof.
ITEMS 32. UNDERTAKINGS.
Inapplicable.
C-5
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment to Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly
caused this Post-Effective Amendment to Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Los
Angeles, State of California, on the 25th day of November, 1998.
FPA PARAMOUNT FUND, INC.
By: /s/ WILLIAM M. SAMS
-----------------------------------
William M. Sams
President
C-6
<PAGE>
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective
Amendment to Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/WILLIAM M. SAMS President November 25, 1998
- ----------------------------------- (Principal Executive
William M. Sams Officer)
/s/J. RICHARD ATWOOD Treasurer November 25, 1998
- ----------------------------------- (Principal Financial
J. Richard Atwood Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)
JULIO J. DE PUZO, JR.*
- ----------------------------------- Director November 25, 1998
Julio J. de Puzo, Jr.
JOHN P. ENDICOTT*
- ----------------------------------- Director November 25, 1998
John P. Endicott
LEONARD MAUTNER*
- ----------------------------------- Director November 25, 1998
Leonard Mautner
JOHN H. RUBEL*
- ----------------------------------- Director November 25, 1998
John H. Rubel
JOHN P. SHELTON*
- ----------------------------------- Director November 25, 1998
John P. Shelton
*By: /S/JULIO J. DE PUZO, JR.
------------------------------
Julio J. de Puzo, Jr.
Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to Power-of-
Attorney included as page C-7 on
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment
No. 55 to the Registration Statement
which was filed January 31, 1997.
</TABLE>
C-7
<PAGE>
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Financial
Highlights" and "Additional Information" and to the use of our report dated
October 30, 1998, in Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 under the Securities Act of
1933 and Amendment No. 22 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to the
Registration Statement (Form N-1A No. 2-14660) and related Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information of FPA Paramount Fund, Inc.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Los Angeles, California
November 25, 1998
C-8
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
8.3 Amendment to Custodian Contract.
11. Consent of Independent Auditors (filed as page C-8).
14.1 State Street Bank and Trust Company Universal Individual
Retirement Account Information Kit.
16. Schedule of computations of performance quotations.
27. Financial Data Schedule.
All other applicable exhibits are incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8.3
AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
This Amendment to the Custodian Contract is made as of February
17, 1998 by and between FPA Paramount Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") and State Street
Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian"). Capitalized terms used in this
Amendment without definition shall have the respective meanings given to such
terms in the Custodian Contract referred to below.
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian entered into a Custodian
Contract dated as of January 11, 1989 (as amended and in effect from time to
time, the "Contract"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian desire to amend certain
provisions of the Contract to reflect revisions to Rule 17f-5 ("Rule 17f-5")
promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian desire to amend and restate
certain other provisions of the Contract relating to the custody of assets of
the Fund held outside of the United States.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereby agree to
amend the Contract, pursuant to the terms thereof, as follows:
I. Article 3 of the Contract is hereby deleted, and Articles 4 through 17 of
the Contract are hereby renumbered, as of the effective date of this
Amendment, as Articles 5 through 18, respectively.
II. New Articles 3 and 4 of the Contract are hereby added, as of the
effective date of this Amendment, as set forth below.
3. THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
3.1. DEFINITIONS.
Capitalized terms in this Article 3 shall have the following meanings:
"Country Risk" means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of
holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to,
such country's political environment; economic and financial infrastructure
(including any Mandatory Securities Depositories operating in the country);
prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices; and laws and
regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in
custody in that country.
"Eligible Foreign Custodian" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule
17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as
defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding
<PAGE>
company meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth
in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate action of the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC")), or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section
2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section
17(f) of the 1940 Act, except that the term does not include Mandatory
Securities Depositories.
"Foreign Assets" means any of the Fund's investments (including foreign
currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such
cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's
transactions in such investments.
"Foreign Custody Manager" has the meaning as set forth in section (a)(2) of
Rule 17f-5.
"Mandatory Securities Depository" means a foreign securities depository or
clearing agency that, either as a legal or practical matter, must be used if the
Fund determines to place Foreign Assets in a country outside the United States
(i) because required by law or regulation; (ii) because securities cannot be
withdrawn from such foreign securities depository or clearing agency; or (iii)
because maintaining or effecting trades in securities outside the foreign
securities depository or clearing agency is not consistent with prevailing or
developing custodial or market practices.
3.2. DELEGATION TO THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
The Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board of Directors (the "Board"), hereby
delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the
responsibilities set forth in this Article 3 with respect to Foreign Assets held
outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation, as
Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.
3.3. COUNTRIES COVERED.
The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated
responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody
arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Contract, which
list of countries may be amended from time to time by the Fund with the
agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager shall
list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign
Custody Manager to maintain the Fund's assets, which list of Eligible Foreign
Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the
Foreign Custody Manager. Mandatory Securities Depositories are listed on
Schedule B to this Contract, which Schedule B may be amended from time to time
by the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide
amended versions of Schedules A and B in accordance with Section 3.7 of this
Article 3.
Upon receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an
account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in a country listed on Schedule
A, and the fulfillment by the Fund of the applicable account opening
requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to
have been delegated by the Board responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with
respect
2
<PAGE>
to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this
Amendment by the Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an
account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on
Schedule A in which the Custodian currently maintains Foreign Assets pursuant to
the terms of the Contract. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions
directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account of the Fund with the
Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a
designated country, the delegation by the Board to the Custodian as Foreign
Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and the
Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund
with respect to that country.
The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated
responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice of the
Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period as to which the parties agree in
writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have
no further responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund with respect to
the country as to which the Custodian's acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.
3.4. SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES.
3.4.1. SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS.
Subject to the provisions of this Article 3, the Foreign Custody Manager may
place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign
Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on
Schedule A, as amended from time to time.
In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place
or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Foreign
Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be subject to
reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country
in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign Custodian,
after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets,
including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).
3.4.2. CONTRACTS WITH ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS.
The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the contract (or the rules or
established practices or procedures in the case of an Eligible Foreign Custodian
that is a foreign securities depository or clearing agency) governing the
foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by
the Foreign Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).
3.4.3. MONITORING.
In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with
an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager, the
Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the
appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such
3
<PAGE>
Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody
arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible
Foreign Custodian (or the rules or established practices and procedures in the
case of an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager
which is a foreign securities depository or clearing agency that is not a
Mandatory Securities Depository). In the event the Foreign Custody Manager
determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it
has selected are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify
the Board in accordance with Section 3.7 hereunder.
3.5. GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
For purposes of this Article 3, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and
determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining
the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign
Custody Manager of the Fund, and the Board shall be deemed to be monitoring on a
continuing basis such Country Risk to the extent that the Board considers
necessary or appropriate. The Fund and the Custodian each expressly acknowledge
that the Foreign Custody Manager shall not be delegated any responsibilities
under this Article 3 with respect to Mandatory Securities Depositories.
3.6. STANDARD OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER OF THE FUND.
In performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager
agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person
having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment
companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.
3.7. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets
from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with
another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board amended Schedules A
or B at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to either Schedule
has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying
the Board of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of
the Fund described in this Article 3 after the occurrence of the material
change.
3.8. REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO RULE 17f-5.
The Foreign Custody Manager represents to the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as
defined in section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5.
The Fund represents to the Custodian that the Board has determined that it is
reasonable for the Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the
responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Contract to the Custodian as the
Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.
4
<PAGE>
3.9. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY
MANAGER.
The Board's delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund
shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect until
terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating
party to the non-terminating party. Termination will become effective thirty
days after receipt by the non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions
of Section 3.3 hereof shall govern the delegation to and termination of the
Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund with respect to designated
countries.
4. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD OUTSIDE
THE UNITED STATES.
4.1. DEFINITIONS.
Capitalized terms in this Article 4 shall have the following meanings:
"Foreign Securities System" means either a clearing agency or a securities
depository listed on Schedule A hereto or a Mandatory Securities Depository
listed on Schedule B hereto.
"Foreign Sub-Custodian" means a foreign banking institution serving as an
Eligible Foreign Custodian.
4.2. HOLDING SECURITIES.
The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund the foreign
securities held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System.
The Custodian may hold foreign securities for all of its customers, including
the Fund, with any Foreign Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as
belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, PROVIDED HOWEVER,
that (i) the records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the
Fund which are maintained in such account shall identify those securities as
belonging to the Fund and (ii), to the extent permitted and customary in the
market in which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that
securities so held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any
assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign
Sub-Custodian.
4.3. FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS.
Foreign securities shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a
designated country only through arrangements implemented by the Foreign
Sub-Custodian in such country pursuant to the terms of this Contract.
5
<PAGE>
4.4. TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.
4.4.1. DELIVERY OF FOREIGN ASSETS.
The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign
securities of the Fund held by such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign
Securities System account, only upon receipt
of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed
appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
(i) upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Fund in
accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the
country where such Assets are held or traded, including, without
limitations: (A) delivery against expectation of receiving later
payment; or (B) in the case of a sale effected through a Foreign
Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the
operation of the Foreign Securities System;
(ii) in connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign
securities;
(iii) to the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar
offers for foreign securities of the Fund;
(iv) to the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities
are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
(v) to the issuer thereof, or its agent, for the transfer into the
name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign
Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or such Foreign
Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number of bonds,
certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate
face amount or number of units;
(vi) to brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for
examination or trade execution in accordance with market custom;
PROVIDED that in any such case the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall
have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the
delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such
securities except as may arise from the Foreign Sub-Custodian's
own negligence or willful misconduct;
(vii) for exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of
the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to
provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or
pursuant to any deposit agreement;
6
<PAGE>
(viii) in the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign securities, the
surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
temporary securities for definitive securities;
(ix) for delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the
Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund;
(x) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(xi) in connection with the lending of foreign securities; and
(xii) for any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a copy of a resolution of the
Board or of an Executive Committee of the Board so authorized by
the Board, signed by an officer of the Fund and certified by its
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the resolution was duly
adopted and is in full force and effect (a "Certified
Resolution"), specifying the Foreign Assets to be delivered,
setting forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made,
declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and
naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such Assets shall
be made.
4.4.2. PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when
deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the
respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to
pay out, monies of the Fund in the following cases only:
(i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Fund, unless
otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money
to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for
such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later
delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in the case of a
purchase effected through a Foreign Securities System, in
accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Foreign
Securities System;
(ii) in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of
foreign securities of the Fund;
(iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Fund including
but not limited to the following payments: interest, taxes,
investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under this
Contract, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating
expenses;
7
<PAGE>
(iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange
contracts for the Fund, including transactions executed with or
through the Custodian or its Foreign Sub-Custodians;
(v) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts,
including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(vi) (Does not exist.);
(vii) in connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities;
and
(viii) for any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a Certified Resolution specifying
the amount of such payment, setting forth the purpose for which
such payment is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper
corporate purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such
payment is to be made.
4.4.3. MARKET CONDITIONS; MARKET INFORMATION.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary, settlement and
payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Fund and delivery of
Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Fund may be effected in
accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing
practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction
occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the
purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or
dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets
from such purchaser or dealer.
The Custodian shall provide to the Board the information with respect to custody
and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign
Sub-Custodian, including without limitation information relating to Foreign
Securities Systems, described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set
forth on such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time,
provided that no such revision shall result in the Board being provided with
substantively less information than had been previously been provided hereunder.
4.5. REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES.
The foreign securities maintained in the custody of a Foreign Custodian (other
than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the
name of the Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name
of any nominee of the foregoing, and the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee
harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities.
The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obliged to accept
securities on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Contract unless the
form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in
accordance with reasonable market practice.
8
<PAGE>
4.6. BANK ACCOUNTS.
The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund cash
(including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the Custodian.
Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does not
facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a bank
account or bank accounts opened and maintained outside the United States on
behalf of the Fund with a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall be subject only to draft
or order by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, acting pursuant to the
terms of this Contract to hold cash received by or from or for the account of
the Fund.
4.7. COLLECTION OF INCOME.
The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and
other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the
Fund shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund.
In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income,
the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the
compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.
4.8. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS.
With respect to the foreign securities held under this Article 4, the Custodian
will use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and
other shareholder rights, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical
constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. The
Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous
procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of
severely limiting the ability of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.
4.9. COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SECURITIES.
The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund written information
(including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign
securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith) received by the
Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities
being held for the account of the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange
offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund written information so
received by the Custodian from issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or
exchange is sought or from the party (or its agents) making the tender or
exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of
any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with foreign
securities or other property of the Fund at any time held by it unless (i) the
Custodian or the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual possession of
such foreign securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper
Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both
(i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior to the date on which the
Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power.
9
<PAGE>
4.10. LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS AND FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS.
Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian
shall, to the extent possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise
reasonable care in the performance of its duties and, to the extent possible, 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 such
Foreign Sub-Custodian's performance of such obligations. At the election of the
Fund, the Fund shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian
with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of
any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent
that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim.
4.11. TAX LAW.
The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now
or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund by
the tax law of the United States or of any state or political subdivision
thereof. It shall be the responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian of
the obligations imposed on the Fund with respect to the Fund or the Custodian as
custodian of the Fund by the tax law of countries other than those mentioned in
the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes,
assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental
reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law
shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim
for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which the Fund has
provided such information.
4.12. LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct or
the negligence or willful misconduct of a Sub-Custodian, the Custodian shall be
without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense
resulting from or caused by anything which is (A) part of Country Risk or (B)
part of the "prevailing country risk" of the Fund, as such term is used in SEC
Release Nos. IC-22658; IS-1080 (May 12, 1997) or as such term or other similar
terms are now or in the future interpreted by the SEC or by the staff of the
Division of Investment Management of the SEC.
The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians
generally in the Contract and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in
the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or a Foreign Securities Depository, the
Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or
claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or
acts of war or terrorism, or any other loss where the Sub-Custodian has
otherwise acted with reasonable care.
10
<PAGE>
II. Except as specifically superseded or modified herein, the terms and
provisions of the Contract shall continue to apply with full force and
effect. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Contract
prior to this Amendment and this Amendment, the terms of this Amendment
shall prevail. If the Custodian is delegated the responsibilities of
Foreign Custody Manager pursuant to the terms of Article 3 hereof, in the
event of any conflict between the provisions of Articles 3 and 4 hereof,
the provisions of Article 3 shall prevail.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment
to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative as
of the date first above written.
WITNESSED BY: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
/s/ Glenn Ciotti By: /s/ Ronald E. Logue
Glenn Ciotti Name: Ronald E. Logue
VP & Assoc. Counsel Title: Executive Vice President
WITNESSED BY: FPA PARAMOUNT FUND, INC.
/s/ Sherry Sasaki By: /s/ J. Richard Atwood
Sherry Sasaki Name: J. Richard Atwood
Secretary Title: Treasurer
11
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C> <C>
Argentina Citibank, N.A. --
Australia Westpac Banking Corporation --
Austria Erste Bank der oesterreichischen --
Sparkasen AG
Bahrain The British Bank of the Middle East --
(as delegate of the Hongkong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)
Bangladesh Standard Chartered Bank --
Belgium Generale Bank --
Bermuda The Bank of Bermuda Limited --
Bolivia Banco Boliviano Americano --
Botswana Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited --
Brazil Citibank, N.A. --
Bulgaria ING Bank N.V. --
Canada Canada Trustco Mortgage Company --
Chile Citibank, N.A. --
People's Republic The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking --
of China Corporation Limited, Shanghai and
Shenzhen branches
Colombia Cititrust Colombia S.A. Societe --
Fiduciaria
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C> <C>
Croatia Privredana banka Zagreb d.d --
Cyprus Barclays Bank PLC --
Cyprus Offshore Banking Unit
Czech Republic Ceskoslovenska Obchodni --
Banka A.S.
Denmark Den Danske Bank --
Ecuador Citibank, N.A. --
Egypt National Bank of Egypt --
Estonia Hansabank --
Finland Merita Bank Ltd. --
France Banque Paribas --
Germany Dresdner Bank AG --
Ghana Barclays Bank of Ghana Limited --
Greece National Bank of Greece S.A. Bank of Greece
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank --
Hungary Citibank Budapest Rt. --
India Deutsche Bank AG; --
The Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C> <C>
Indonesia Standard Chartered Bank --
Ireland Bank of Ireland --
Italy Banque Paribas --
Ivory Coast Societe Generale de Banquers --
en Cote d'Ivoire
Jamaica Scotiabank Trust and Merchant Bank --
Japan The Daiwa Bank, Limited; Japan Securities Depository
The Fuji Bank, Limited Center
Jordan The British Bank of the Middle East --
(as delegate of the Hongkong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)
Kenya Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited --
Republic of Korea The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking --
Corporation Limited
Latvia Hansabank --
Lebanon The British Bank of the Middle East Custodian and Clearing Center
(as delegate of the Hongkong and of Financial Instruments for
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) Lebanon (MIDCLEAR)
S.A.L.
Lithuania Vilniaus Bankas AB --
Malaysia Standard Chartered Bank --
Malaysia Berhad
Mauritius The Hongkong and Shanghai --
Banking Corporation Limited
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C> <C>
Mexico Citibank Mexico, S.A. --
Morocco Banque Commerciale du Maroc --
Namibia (via) Standard Bank of South Africa --
The Netherlands MeesPierson N.V. --
New Zealand ANZ Banking Group --
(New Zealand) Limited
Norway Christiania Bank og --
Kreditkasse
Oman The British Bank of the Middle East --
(as delegate of the Hongkong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)
Pakistan Deutsche Bank AG --
Peru Citibank, N.A. --
Phillippines Standard Chartered Bank --
Poland Citibank Poland S.A. --
Portugal Banco Comercial Portugues --
Romania ING Bank, N.V. --
Russia Credit Suisse First Boston, Zurich --
via Credit Suisse First Boston
Limited, Moscow
Singapore The Development Bank of --
Singapore Limited
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C> <C>
Slovak Republic Ceskoslovenska Obchodna --
Banka AS
Slovenia Banka Creditanstalt d.d. --
South Africa Standard Bank of South Africa Limited --
Spain Banco Santander, S.A. --
Sri Lanka The Hongkong and Shanghai --
Banking Corporation Limited
Swaziland Barclays Bank of Swaziland Limited --
Sweden Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken --
Switzerland Union Bank of Switzerland --
Taiwan - R.O.C. Central Trust of China --
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank --
Trinidad & Tobago Republic Bank Ltd. --
Tunisia Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie --
Turkey Citibank, N.A. --
United Kingdom State Street Bank and Trust --
Uruguay Citibank, N.A. --
Venezuela Citibank, N.A. --
Zambia Barclays Bank of Zambia Limited --
Zimbabwe Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Limited --
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY SUBCUSTODIAN NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C> <C>
Euroclear (The Euroclear System)
Cedel (Cedel Bank, societe anonyme)
INTERSETTLE (for EASDAQ Securities)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C>
Argentina -Caja de Valores S.A.
-CRYL
Australia -Austraclear Limited
-Reserve Bank Information and Transfer System
Austria -Oesterreichische Kontrolbank AG
(Wertpapiersammelbank Division)
Belgium -Caisse Interprofessionnelle de Depots et de
Virements de Titres S.A.
-Banque Nationale de Belgique
Brazil -Camara de Liquidacao de Sao Paulo, (Calispa)
-Bolsa de Valores de Rio de Janeiro
-All SSB CLIENTS PRESENTLY USE CALISPA
-Central de Custodia e de Liquidacao Financeira
de Titulos
-Banco Central do Brasil, System Especial de
Liquidacao e Custodia
Bulgaria -Central Depository AD
Canada -The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited;
West Canada Depository Trust Company
[DEPOSITORIES LINKED]
People's Republic of China -Shanghai Securities Central Clearing and Registration
Corporation
-Shenzhen Securities Central Clearing Co., Ltd.
Croatia -Ministry of Finance
</TABLE>
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a
matter of law or effectively mandatory as a matter of market practice.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C>
Czech Republic -Stredisko cennych papiru
-Czech National Bank
Denmark -Vaerdipapircentralen - The Danish Securities Center
Egypt -Misr Company for Clearing, Settlement, and
Central Depository
Estonia -Eesti Vaatrpaberite Keskdepositooruim
Finland -The Finnish Central Securities Depository
France -Societe Interprofessionnelle pour la Compensation
des Valeurs Mobilieres
-Banque de France, Saturne System
Germany -The Deutscher Kassenverein AG
Greece -The Central Securities Depository
(Apothetirion Titlon A.E.)
Hong Kong -The Central Clearing and Settlement System
-The Central Money Markets Unit
Hungary -The Central Depository and Clearing House
(Budapest) Ltd. [MANDATORY FOR GOV'T BONDS
ONLY; SSB DOES NOT USE FOR OTHER SECURITIES]
India -The National Securities Depository Limited
Indonesia -Bank of Indonesia
</TABLE>
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a
matter of law or effectively mandatory as a matter of market practice.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C>
Ireland -The Central Bank of Ireland, The Gilt Settlement Office
Israel -The Clearing House of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
-Bank of Israel
Italy -Monte Titoli S.p.A
-Banca d'Italia
Japan -Bank of Japan Net System
Republic of Korea -Korea Securities Depository Corporation
Latvia -The Latvian Central Depository
Lebanon -The Central Bank of Lebanon
Lithuania -The Central Securities Depository of Lithuania
Malaysia -Malaysian Central Depository Sdn. Bhd.
-Bank Negara Malaysia, Scripless Securities
Trading and Safekeeping Systems
Mauritius -The Central Depository & Settlement Co. Ltd.
Mexico -S.D. INDEVAL, S.A. de C.V. (Instituto para el
Deposito de Valores)
The Netherlands -Nederlands Centraal Instituut voor Giraal
Effectenverkeer B.V. ("NECIGEF")
New Zealand -New Zealand Central Securities Depository Limited
</TABLE>
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a
matter of law or effectively mandatory as a matter of market practice.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C>
Norway -Verdipapirsentralen - The Norwegian Registry of Securities
Oman -Muscat Securities Market
Peru -Caja de Valores y Liquidaciones (CAVALI, S.A.)
Phillippines -The Phillippines Central Depository Inc.
-The Book-Entry-System of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
-The Registry of Sripless Securities of the Bureau of
the Treasury
Poland -The National Depository of Securities (Krajowy Depozyt
Papierow Wartosciowych)
-National Bank of Poland
Portugal -Central de Valores Mobilarios
Romania -National Securities Clearing, Settlement and Depository Co.
-Bucharest Stock Exchange
-National Bank of Romania
Singapore -The Central Depository (Pvt.) Limited
-Monetary Authority of Singapore
Slovak Republic -Stredisko Cennych Papierov
-National Bank of Slovakia
Slovenia -Klirinsko Depotna Bruzba
South Africa -The Central Depository Limited
Spain -Servicio de Compensacion y Liquidacion de Valores, S.A.
-Banco de Espana, Anotaciones en Cuenta
</TABLE>
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a
matter of law or effectively mandatory as a matter of market practice.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
STATE STREET GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COUNTRY MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES
<S> <C>
Sri Lanka -Central Depository System (Pvt) Limited
Sweden -Vardepapperscentralen VPC AB - The Swedish Central
Securities Depository
Switzerland -Schweizerische Effekten - Giro AG
Taiwan - R.O.C. -The Taiwan Securities Central Depository Company, Ltd.
Thailand -Thailand Securities Depository Company Limited
Tunisia -STICODEVAM
-Central Bank of Tunisia
-Tunisian Treasury
Turkey -Takas ve Saklama Bankasi A.S.
-Central Bank of Turkey
United Kingdom -The Bank of England, The Central Gilts Office; The Central
Moneymarkets Office
Uruguay -Central Bank of Uruguay
Zambia -Lusaka Central Depository
</TABLE>
* Mandatory depositories include entities for which use is mandatory as a
matter of law or effectively mandatory as a matter of market practice.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE C
MARKET INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PUBLICATION/TYPE OF INFORMATION BRIEF DESCRIPTION
- ------------------------------- -----------------
(FREQUENCY)
<S> <C>
THE GUIDE TO CUSTODY IN WORLD MARKETS (annually): An overview of safekeeping
and settlement practices
and procedures in each
market in which State
Street Bank and Trust
Company offers custodial
services.
THE DEPOSITORY REVIEW (annually): Information relating to the
operating history and
structure of depositories
located in the markets in
which State Street Bank and
Trust Company offers
custodial services,
including transnational
depositories.
Legal opinions (annually): With respect to each market
in which State Street Bank
and Trust Company offers
custodial services,
opinions relating to
whether local law restricts
(i) access of a fund's
independent public
accountants to books and
records of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian or Foreign
Securities System, (ii) the
Fund's ability to recover
in the event of bankruptcy
or insolvency of a Foreign
Sub-Custodian or Foreign
Securities System, (iii)
the Fund's ability to
recover in the event of a
loss by a Foreign
Sub-Custodian or Foreign
Securities System, and (iv)
the ability of a foreign
investor to convert cash
and cash equivalents to
U.S. dollars.
Network Bulletins (weekly): Developments of interest to
investors in the markets in
which State Street Bank and
Trust Company offers
custodial services.
Foreign Custody Advisories (as necessary): With respect to markets in
which State Street Bank and
Trust Company offers
custodial services which
exhibit special custody
risks, developments which
may impact State Street's
ability to deliver expected
levels of services.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 14.1
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
UNIVERSAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
INFORMATION KIT
(EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1998)
<PAGE>
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
UNIVERSAL IRA INFORMATION KIT
INTRODUCTION
WHAT'S NEW IN THE WORLD OF IRAS?
An Individual Retirement Account ("IRA") has always provided an attractive
means to save money for the future on a tax-advantaged basis. Recent changes to
Federal tax law have now made the IRA an even more flexible investment and
savings vehicle. Among the new changes is the creation of the Roth Individual
Retirement Account ("Roth IRA"), which will be available for use after January
1, 1998. Under a Roth IRA, the earnings and interest on an individual's
nondeductible contributions grow without being taxed, and distributions may be
tax-free under certain circumstances. Most taxpayers (except for those with
very high income levels) will be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA. A Roth
IRA can be used instead of a Regular IRA, to replace an existing Regular IRA, or
complement a Regular IRA you wish to continue maintaining.
Taxpayers with adjusted gross income of up to $100,000 are eligible to
convert existing IRAs into Roth IRAs. The details on conversion are found in
the description of Roth IRAs in this booklet.
Congress has also made significant changes to Regular IRAs. First,
Congress increased the income levels at which IRA holders who participate in
employer-sponsored retirement plans can make deductible Regular IRA
contributions. Also the rules for deductible contributions by an IRA holder
whose spouse is a participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan have been
liberalized. Second, the 10% penalty tax for premature withdrawals (before age
59 1/2) will no longer apply in the case of withdrawals to pay certain higher
education expenses or certain first-time homebuyer expenses.
WHAT'S IN THIS KIT?
In this Kit you will find detailed information about Roth IRAs and about
the changes that have been made to Regular IRAs. You will also find everything
you need to establish and maintain either a Regular or Roth IRA, or to convert
all or part of an existing Regular IRA to a Roth IRA.
The first section of this Kit contains the instructions and forms you will
need to open a new Regular or Roth IRA, to transfer from another IRA to a State
Street Bank and Trust IRA, or to convert a Regular IRA to a Roth IRA.
The second section of this Kit contains our Universal IRA Disclosure
Statement. The Disclosure Statement is divided into three parts:
- Part One describes the basic rules and benefits which are specifically
applicable to your Regular IRA.
- Part Two describes the basic rules and benefits which are specifically
applicable to your Roth IRA.
- Part Three describes important rules and information applicable to all
IRAs.
The third section of this Kit contains the Universal IRA Custodial
Agreement. The Custodial Agreement is also divided into three parts:
- Part One contains provisions specifically applicable to Regular IRAs.
- Part Two contains provisions specifically applicable to Roth IRAs.
- Part Three contains provisions applicable to all IRAs (Regular and
Roth).
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGULAR IRA AND A ROTH IRA?
With a Regular IRA, an individual can contribute up to $2,000 per year and
may be able to deduct the contribution from taxable income, reducing income
taxes. Taxes on investment growth and dividends are deferred until the money is
withdrawn. Withdrawals are taxed as additional
<PAGE>
ordinary income when received. Nondeductible contributions, if any, are
withdrawn tax-free. Withdrawals before age 59 1/2 are assessed a 10% penalty in
addition to income tax, unless an exception applies.
With a Roth IRA, the contribution limits are essentially the same as
Regular IRAs, but there is no tax deduction for contributions. All dividends
and investment growth in the account are tax-free. Most important with a Roth
IRA: there is NO INCOME TAX on qualified withdrawals from your Roth IRA.
Additionally, unlike a Regular IRA, there is no prohibition on making
contributions to Roth IRAs after turning age 70 1/2, and there's no requirement
that you begin making minimum withdrawals at that age.
The following chart highlights some of the major differences between a
Regular IRA and a Roth IRA:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGULAR ROTH
CHARACTERISTICS IRA IRA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ELIGIBILITY - Individuals (and their - Individuals (and their
spouses) who receive spouses) who receive
compensation compensation
- Individuals age 70 1/2 - Individuals age 70 1/2
and over MAY NOT and over MAY
contribute contribute
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAX TREATMENT OF - Subject to - No deduction permitted
CONTRIBUTIONS limitations, for amounts
contributions are contributed
deductible
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRIBUTION LIMITS - Individuals may - Individuals may
contribute up to $2,000 generally contribute
annually (or 100% of up to $2,000 (or 100%
compensation, if less) of compensation, if
- Deductibility depends less)
on income level for - Ability to contribute
individuals who are phases out at income
active participants in levels of $95,000 to
an employer-sponsored $110,000 (individual
retirement plan taxpayer) and $150,000
to $160,000 (married
taxpayers)
- Overall limit for
contributions to ALL
IRAs (Regular and
Roth combined) is
$2,000 annually (or
100% of compensation,
if less)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS - Earnings and interest - Earnings and interest
are not taxed when are not taxed when
received by your IRA received by your IRA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROLLOVER/CONVERSIONS - Individual may - Rollovers from other
rollover amounts held Roth IRAs or Regular
in employer-sponsored IRAs ONLY
retirement arrangements - Amounts rolled over
(401(k), SEP IRA, etc.) (or converted) from
tax free to Regular another Regular IRA
IRA are subject to income
tax in the year rolled
over or converted
- Tax on amounts rolled
over or converted in
1998 is spread over
four year period
(1998-2001)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITHDRAWALS - Total (principal + - Not taxable as long
earnings) taxable as as a QUALIFIED
income in year DISTRIBUTION--
withdrawn (except for generally, account
any prior non- open for 5 years, and
deductible age 59 1/2
contributions) - Minimum withdrawals
- Minimum withdrawals NOT REQUIRED after
must begin after age age 70 1/2
70 1/2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
IS A ROTH OR A REGULAR IRA RIGHT FOR ME?
We cannot act as your legal or tax advisor and so we cannot tell you which
kind of IRA is right for you. The information contained in this Kit is intended
to provide you with the basic information and material you will need if you
decide whether a Regular or Roth IRA is better for you, or if you want to
convert an existing Regular IRA to a Roth IRA. We suggest that you consult with
your accountant, lawyer or other tax advisor, or with a qualified financial
planner, to determine whether you should open a Regular or Roth IRA or convert
any or all of an existing Regular IRA to a Roth IRA. Your tax advisor can also
advise you as to the state tax consequences that may affect whether a Regular or
Roth IRA is right for you.
SEPS
The State Street Bank Regular IRA may be used in connection with a
simplified employee pension (SEP) plan maintained by your employer. To
establish a Regular IRA as part of your Employer's SEP plan, complete the
Adoption Agreement for a Regular IRA, indicating in the proper box that the IRA
is part of a SEP plan. A Roth IRA should NOT be used in connection with a SEP
plan.
<PAGE>
OTHER POINTS TO NOTE.
The Disclosure Statement in this Kit provides you with the basic
information that you should know about State Street Bank and Trust Company
Regular IRAs and Roth IRAs. The Disclosure Statement provides general
information about the governing rules for these IRAs and the benefits and
features offered through each type of IRA. However, the State Street Bank and
Trust Company Adoption Agreement and the Custodial Agreement, are the primary
documents controlling the terms and conditions of your personal State Street
Bank and Trust Company Regular or Roth IRA, and these shall govern in the case
of any difference with the Disclosure Statement.
YOU or YOUR when used throughout this Kit refer to the person for whom the
State Street Bank and Trust Company Regular or Roth IRA is established. A ROTH
IRA is either a State Street Bank and Trust Company Roth IRA or any Roth IRA
established by any other financial institution. A REGULAR IRA is any non-Roth
IRA offered by State Street Bank and Trust Company or any other financial
institution.
<PAGE>
FPA FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
UNIVERSAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT
Instructions for Opening Your Regular IRA or Roth IRA
1. Read carefully the applicable sections of the Universal IRA Disclosure
Statement contained in this Kit, the Regular or Roth Individual Retirement
Custodial Account document (as applicable), the Adoption Agreement, and the
prospectus(es) for any Fund(s) you are considering. Consult your lawyer or
other tax adviser if you have any questions about how opening a Regular IRA
or Roth IRA will affect your financial and tax situation.
2. Complete the Adoption Agreement
- Print the identifying information where requested at the top of the
Adoption Agreement.
- For a REGULAR IRA, check the box for Part A and check the other boxes
in Part A to specify the type of Regular IRA you are opening and
provide the registered information.
If this is an IRA to which you expect to make contributions each year,
check Box 1 and enclose a check in the amount of your first
contribution. Be sure to indicate whether this is a contribution for
last year or for the current year.
If this is a transfer directly from another IRA custodian or trustee,
check Box 2. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the funds
transferred were originally from contributions to an employee
qualified plan or a 403(b) arrangement, or whether any of the funds
were originally from your annual contributions to the IRA. Complete
and sign the Universal IRA Transfer of Assets Form.
If this is a rollover of amounts distributed to you from another IRA
or an employer qualified plan or a 403(b) arrangement, check Box 3.
Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the transfer is coming
from a qualified plan or 403(b) arrangement, or an IRA that held only
funds that were originally from contributions to a qualified plan or
403(b), or whether any of the funds were originally from your annual
contributions to the IRA. Enclose a check for the rollover
contribution amount.
If this is a direct rollover from a qualified plan or 403(b)
arrangement, check Box 4. Complete and sign the Universal IRA
Transfer of Assets Form.
Check Box 5 if applicable (for an IRA that will be used to receive
employer contributions under an employer's simplified employee pension
(or "SEP") plan or under a grandfathered salary reduction SEP plan (or
"SARSEP")).
- For a ROTH IRA, check the box for Part B. Check the other boxes in
Part B to specify the type of Roth IRA you are opening and provide the
requested information.
If this is Roth IRA to which you expect to make contributions each
year, enclose a check in the amount of your first contribution. Be
sure to indicate whether this is a contribution for last year or for
the current year. NOTE: Roth IRAs are available starting January 1,
1998, so you cannot make a contribution for 1997.
If you are converting an existing Regular IRA with the Bank as IRA
custodian or trustee, check Box 2. Indicate your current IRA account
number and how much you are converting. Conversion
1
<PAGE>
of an existing Regular IRA will result in inclusion of taxable amounts
in the existing Regular IRA on your income tax return.
If you are making a rollover or a transfer from an existing Regular
IRA with a different custodian or trustee, check Box 3. A rollover or
transfer from an existing Regular IRA means that the taxable amount in
the existing Regular IRA will be treated as additional income on your
income tax return.
If you are making a rollover or a transfer from another Roth IRA with
a different trustee or custodian, check Box 4. Put the requested
information where indicated.
- In Part C, indicate your investment choices.
- Sign and date the Adoption Agreement in Part D at the end.
3. If you are transferring assets from an existing IRA to this IRA, complete
the Universal Transfer of Assets Form.
4. Complete and sign the Designation of Beneficiary.
5. The Custodian fees for maintaining your IRA are listed in the FEES AND
EXPENSES section of Part Three of the Disclosure Statement or in the
Adoption Agreement. If you are paying by check, enclose a check for the
correct amount payable as specified below. If you do not pay by check, the
correct amount will be taken from your account.
6. Check to be sure you have properly completed all necessary forms and
enclosed a check for the Custodian's fees (unless being withdrawn from your
account) and a check for the first contribution to your Regular or Roth IRA
(if applicable). Your Regular IRA or Roth IRA cannot be accepted without
the properly completed documents or the Custodian fees.
All checks should be payable to "STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY"
Send the completed forms and checks to:
FPA Funds
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8500
Boston, MA 02266-8500
2
<PAGE>
FPA FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT
ADOPTION AGREEMENT
I, the person signing this Adoption Agreement (hereinafter called the
"Depositor"), establish an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), which is either
a Regular IRA or a Roth IRA, as indicated below, (the "Account") with State
Street Bank and Trust Company as Custodian ("Bank"). A Regular IRA operates
under Internal Revenue Code Section 408(a). A Roth IRA operates under Internal
Revenue Code Section 408A. I agree to the terms of my Account, which are
contained in the applicable provisions of the document entitled "State Street
Bank and Trust Company Universal Individual Retirement Custodial Account" and
this Adoption Agreement. I certify the accuracy of the information in this
Adoption Agreement. My Account will be effective upon acceptance by Bank.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S><C>
1. DEPOSITOR INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- / / / / - / / / - / / / / /
Print Full Name Social Security Number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Address Date of Birth
( )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
City State Zip Daytime Telephone Number
INSTRUCTIONS: To establish REGULAR IRA, check Box A and complete Part A. To establish a ROTH IRA, check Box B and complete Part B.
In either case, complete Part C to select your investment choices, and sign at the end of Part D.
/ / A. REGULAR IRA -- By checking this box, I designate my Account as a Regular IRA under Code Section 408(a).
(COMPLETE 1, 2, 3 OR 4 BELOW TO INDICATE THE TYPE OF REGULAR IRA YOU ARE OPENING. CHECK 5 IF APPLICABLE).
1. / / ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Current Contribution for the year 19__. Check enclosed for
$________________.
This contribution does not exceed the maximum permitted amount
as described in the Regular IRA Disclosure Statement.
2. / / TRANSFER
Transfer of existing Regular IRA directly from current Custodian or Trustee. Complete the Universal IRA
Transfer of Assets Form.
/ / The transferring IRA held annual contributions by me (or amounts transferred or rolled over from another IRA
holding annual contributions).
/ / The transferring IRA held only amounts that were originally contributions to an employer qualified plan or
403(b) plan.
3. / / ROLLOVER
The requirements for a valid rollover are complex. See the Regular IRA Disclosure Statement for additional
information and consult your tax advisor for help if needed. Check enclosed for $________________.
/ / Rollover of a qualifying rollover distribution to Depositor from an employer plan or 403(b) arrangement, or
rollover from another Regular IRA which held only assets distributed to Depositor from an employer plan or
403(b) arrangement and to which Depositor made no direct contributions.
/ / Rollover of distribution to Depositor from another Regular IRA that held amounts that originated from annual
contributions by the Depositor.
4. / / DIRECT ROLLOVER
/ / Direct rollover of an eligible distribution from a qualified plan.
/ / Direct rollover of an eligible distribution from a 403(b) account or annuity.
Direct rollovers are described in the Regular IRA Disclosure
Statement.
5. / / SEP PROVISION - check here if the Depositor intends to use this
Account in connection with a SEP Plan or grandfathered
SARSEP Plan established by the Depositor's employer.
/ / B. ROTH IRA -- By checking this box, I designate my Account as a Roth IRA under Code Section 408A.
(COMPLETE 1, 2, 3 OR 4 BELOW TO INDICATE THE TYPE OF ROTH IRA YOU ARE OPENING.)
1. / / ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Current Contribution for the year
19__. Check enclosed for $________________. This contribution does not exceed the maximum permitted amount as
described in the Roth IRA Disclosure Statement.
2. / / CONVERSION of existing Regular IRA with Bank as Custodian or Trustee to a Roth IRA with Bank.
Current Regular IRA Account No.:_______________
Amount Converted
/ / All
/ / Part (specify how much): $__________________
3. / / ROLLOVER OR TRANSFER from existing Regular IRA with a custodian or trustee other than Bank to a Roth IRA with
Bank.
4. / / ROLLOVER OR TRANSFER from existing Roth IRA with another custodian or trustee to a Roth IRA with Bank
Date existing Roth IRA was originally opened: ____________________
Indicate whether any amount in the existing Roth IRA represents amounts converted or transferred from a Regular
IRA into such other Roth IRA:
/ / Yes / / No
If yes, date of the most recent conversion or transfer into such other Roth: ________________________
Complete the Universal IRA TRANSFER OF ASSETS FORM if either 3 or 4 is checked and the transaction is a
transfer (as opposed to a rollover).
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
<S><C>
PART C. INVESTMENTS
Invest contributions to my Account as follows:
FPA Capital Fund, Inc.* _________% (*Open to existing shareholders)
FPA New Income, Inc. _________%
FPA Paramount Fund, Inc. _________%
FPA Perennial Fund, Inc. _________%
100%
PART D. ACCOUNT INFORMATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELEPHONE EXCHANGE AUTHORIZATION (Optional)
By signing this Form, I authorize the transfer agent to (1) exchange shares in my FPA Fund account pursuant to my telephone
instructions; and (2) register FPA shares acquired by exchange exactly as my Fund account from which such shares were transferred.
Furthermore, I hold neither the Funds nor the transfer agent responsible for the authenticity of the telephone instructions except
as described in the Prospectus.
/ / Telephone exchanges among my FPA Fund accounts are not authorized.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION (reduced sales charge)
/ / I apply for Cumulative Purchase Discount subject to confirmation of the following holdings of my account(s) of eligible related
investors as described in the applicable prospectus.
The existing Shareholder Account(s) within the Mutual Fund in which I am applying is/are listed below.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LETTER OF INTENT (Optional)
/ / I agree to the terms of the Letter of Intent set forth in the Prospectus. Although I am not obligated to do so, it is my
intention to purchase in FPA shares over a 13-month period an aggregate amount at least equal to that checked below.
/ / $ 10,000 / / $ 25,000 / / $ 50,000 / / $100,000
/ / $ 250,000 / / $500,000 / / $ 1,000,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BROKER-DEALER INFORMATION (Mandatory to open all new accounts)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broker-Dealer Name
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Branch Office Street Address
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City State Zip
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative Name and No.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative Telephone No.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorization Signature
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
<S><C>
PART E. CERTIFICATIONS AND SIGNATURES
If the Depositor has indicated a Regular IRA Rollover or Direct Rollover above, Depositor certifies that the contribution does not
include any employee contributions to any qualified plan (other than accumulated deductible employee contributions) or 403(b)
arrangement; that any assets transferred in kind by Depositor are the same assets received by the Depositor in the distribution
being rolled over; if the distribution is from another Regular IRA, that Depositor has not made another rollover within the one-year
period immediately preceding this rollover; that such distribution was received within 60 days of making the rollover to this
Account; and that no portion of the amount rolled over is a required minimum distribution under the required distribution rules.
If Depositor has indicated a Conversion or a Rollover of an existing Regular IRA to a Roth IRA, Depositor acknowledges that the
amount converted will be treated as taxable income (except for prior nondeductible contributions) for federal income tax purposes.
If Depositor has indicated a Rollover from another Roth IRA (Item 4 of Part B above), Depositor certifies that the information given
in Item 4 is correct and acknowledges that adverse tax consequences or penalties could result from giving incorrect information.
Depositor has received a current prospectus of the Mutual Fund selected above and read the applicable sections of the "State Street
Bank and Trust Company Universal Individual Retirement Account Disclosure Statement" relating to this Account (including the
Custodian's fee schedule), the Custodial Account document, and the "Instructions" pertaining to this Adoption Agreement. Depositor
acknowledges receipt of the Universal Individual Retirement Custodial Account document and Universal IRA Disclosure Statement at
least 7 days before the date inscribed below and acknowledges that Depositor has no further right of revocation.
I certify, under penalty (1) that the Social Security or Tax I.D. Number provided above is correct and (2) that I am not subject to
backup withholding either because I have not been notified that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to
report all interest or dividends or the Internal Revenue Service has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding.
- ------------------------------------------------------------ CUSTODIAN ACCEPTANCE. State Street Bank and Trust Company will
Signature of Depositor accept appointment as Custodian of the Depositor's Account.
However, this Agreement is not binding upon the Custodian until the
Depositor has received a statement of the transaction. Receipt by
Date the Depositor of a confirmation of the purchase of the Fund shares
-------------------- indicated above will serve as notification of State Street Bank and
Trust Company's acceptance of appointment as Custodian of the
Depositor's Account.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
By
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Date
---------------------------------------------------------------
RETAIN A PHOTOCOPY OF THE COMPLETED ADOPTION AGREEMENT FOR YOUR RECORDS
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FPA FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT
UNIVERSAL IRA TRANSFER OF ASSETS FORM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF DEPOSITOR
Name
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Address
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Street City State Zip
Day Telephone No. ( ) Social Security No.
----------------- ----------------
2. IDENTIFICATION OF RECEIVING ACCOUNT
This a transfer to a State Street Bank and Trust Company
/ / Regular IRA* / / SEP IRA / / Roth IRA**
* You may not transfer from a Roth IRA to a Regular IRA or a simplified
employee pension (SEP) IRA. Transfers to a Regular IRA or SEP IRA may
be made from another Regular IRA or SEP IRA, qualified employer plan,
403(b) arrangement.
** Transfers to a Roth IRA are possible only from another Roth IRA or
from a Regular IRA, not from other types of tax-deferred accounts. A
transfer from a Regular IRA will trigger federal income tax on the
taxable amount transferred from the Regular IRA.
If you already have a Regular IRA, SEP IRA or Roth IRA, indicate the
Account No.
----------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. INSTRUCTIONS TO PRESENT IRA CUSTODIAN OR TRUSTEE (Completed by Depositor)
Name of Custodian/Trustee
--------------------------------------------------
Attn: Mr./Ms.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Address
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Street City State Zip
Identification of Sending Account (including Account No.)__________________
Please transfer assets from the above account to State Street Bank and
Trust Company. Transfer should be in cash according to the following
instructions:
( ) Transfer the total amount or ( ) Transfer $___________ and
in my Account retain the balance.
Make check payable to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
FPA Funds
P.O. Box 8500
Boston, MA 02266-8500
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. INVESTMENT INSTRUCTIONS TO STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
(Depositor - check one box and complete if necessary)
( ) Invest the transferred amount in accordance with the investment
instructions in the Adoption Agreement for my State Street Bank
and Trust Company Individual Retirement Custodial Account.
( ) Invest the transferred FPA Capital Fund, Inc.* _________%
amount as follows: (*Open to existing shareholders)
FPA New Income, Inc. _________%
FPA Paramount Fund, Inc. _________%
FPA Perennial Fund, Inc. _________%
Must Total 100%
I acknowledge that I have sole responsibility for my investment choices and
that I have received a current prospectus for each Fund I select. Please
read the prospectus(es) of the Fund(s) you select before investing.
I understand that the requirements for a valid transfer to a Regular IRA,
SEP IRA or Roth IRA are complex and that I have the responsibility for
complying with all requirements and for the tax results of any such
transfer.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. SIGNATURE OF DEPOSITOR
The undersigned certifies to the present IRA custodian or trustee that the
undersigned has established a successor Individual Retirement Custodial
Account meeting the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 408(a),
408(p) or 408A (as the case may be) to which assets will be transferred,
and certifies to State Street Bank and Trust Company that the IRA from
which assets are being transferred meets the requirements of Internal
Revenue Code Section 408(a), 408(p) or 408A (as the case may be).
------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Date Signature of Depositor
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (only if required by current Custodian or Trustee)
Signature guaranteed by:
---------------------------------------------------
Name of Bank or Dealer Firm
---------------------------------------------------
Signature of Officer and Title
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. ACCEPTANCE BY NEW CUSTODIAN (Completed by State Street Bank and Trust
Company)
State Street Bank and Trust Company agrees to accept transfer of the above
amount for deposit to the Depositor's State Street Bank and Trust Company
Individual Retirement Custodial Account, and requests the liquidation and
transfer of assets as indicated above.
By:
------------------------------ -----------------------------------
<PAGE>
STATE STREET BANK UNIVERSAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY
Print Name of Depositor
---------------------------------------------------------
As Depositor, I hereby make the following designation of beneficiary in
accordance with the State Street Bank and Trust Company Regular Individual
Retirement Custodial Account, Roth Individual Retirement Custodial Account or
SIMPLE Individual Retirement Account:
In the event of my death, pay any interest I may have under my Account to the
following Primary Beneficiary or Beneficiaries who survive me. Make payment in
the proportions specified below (or in equal proportions if no different
proportions are specified). If any Primary Beneficiary predeceases me, his
share is to be divided among the Primary Beneficiaries who survive me in the
relative proportions assigned to each such surviving Primary Beneficiary.
PRIMARY BENEFICIARY OR BENEFICIARIES:
Name Relationship Date of Birth Social Security Number Proportion
- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------
- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------
- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------
- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------
If none of the Primary Beneficiaries survives me, pay any interest I may have
under my Account to the following Alternate Beneficiary or Beneficiaries who
survive me. Make payment in the proportions specified below (or in equal
proportions if no different proportions are specified). If any Alternate
Beneficiary predeceases me, his share is to be divided among the Alternate
Beneficiaries who survive me in the relative proportions assigned to each such
surviving Alternate Beneficiary.
ALTERNATE BENEFICIARY OR BENEFICIARIES:
Name Relationship Date of Birth Social Security Number Proportion
- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------
- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------
- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------
- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------------- ----------
<PAGE>
I understand that the beneficiaries named herein may be changed or revoked at
any time by filing a new designation in writing with the Custodian. All forms
must be acceptable to the Custodian and dated and signed by the Depositor.
- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Signature of Depositor Date
IMPORTANT: This Designation of Beneficiary may have important tax or estate
planning effects. Also, if you are married and reside in a community property
or marital property state (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New
Mexico, Texas Washington or Wisconsin), you may need to obtain your spouse's
consent if you have not designated your spouse as primary beneficiary for at
least half of your Account. See your lawyer or other tax professional for
additional information and advice.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPOUSAL (This section should be reviewed if the accountholder is married
CONSENT and designates a beneficiary other than the spouse. It is the
accountholder's responsibility to determine if this section
applies. The accountholder may need to consult with legal
counsel. Neither the Custodian nor the Sponsor are liable for
any consequences resulting from a failure of the accountholder to
provide proper spousal consent.)
I am the spouse of the above-named accountholder. I acknowledge
that I have received a full and reasonable disclosure of my
spouse's property and financial obligations. Due to any possible
consequences of giving up my community property interest in this
IRA, I have been advised to see a tax professional or legal
advisor.
I hereby consent to the beneficiary designation(s) indicated
above. I assume full responsibility for any adverse consequence
that may result. No tax or legal advice was given to me by the
Custodian or Sponsor.
---------------------------------------- --------------------
SIGNATURE OF SPOUSE DATE
---------------------------------------- --------------------
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS FOR SPOUSE DATE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
UNIVERSAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
PART ONE: DESCRIPTION OF REGULAR IRAS
-------------------------------------
SPECIAL NOTE
Part One of the Disclosure Statement describes the rules applicable to
Regular IRAs beginning January 1, 1998. IRAs described in these pages are
called "Regular IRAs" to distinguish them from the new "Roth IRAs" first
available starting in 1998. Roth IRAs are described in Part Two of this
Disclosure Statement.
For Regular IRA contributions for 1997 (including contributions made up to
April 15, 1998 but designated as contributions for 1997), there are different
rules for determining the deductibility of your contribution on your federal tax
return. For contributions for 1997, the "active participant" limits on
deductibility (described below) apply if EITHER spouse is an active participant
in an employer-sponsored plan. Also, the adjusted gross income ("AGI") levels
for partially deductible or nondeductible Regular IRA contributions (described
below) are lower for 1997 ($25,000 for single taxpayers, with no deduction if
your AGI is above $35,000; and $40,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly,
with no deduction if your AGI is above $50,000). Also, the exceptions to the
10% early withdrawal penalty for withdrawals to pay certain higher education
or first-time homebuyer expenses do not apply to withdrawals in 1997.
This Part One of the Disclosure Statement describes Regular IRAs. It does
not describe Roth IRAs, a new type of IRA available starting in 1998.
Contributions to a Roth IRA are not deductible (regardless of your AGI), but
withdrawals that meet certain requirements are not subject to federal income
tax, so that dividends and investment growth on amounts held in the Roth IRA can
escape federal income tax. Please see Part Two of this Disclosure Statement if
you are interested in learning more about Roth IRAs.
Regular IRAs described in this Disclosure Statement may be used as part of
a simplified employee pension (SEP) plan maintained by your employer. Under a
SEP your employer may make contributions to your Regular IRA, and these
contributions may exceed the normal limits on Regular IRA contributions.
YOUR REGULAR IRA
This Part One contains information about your Regular Individual Retirement
Custodial Account with State Street Bank and Trust Company as Custodian. A
Regular IRA gives you several tax benefits. Earnings on the assets held in your
Regular IRA are not subject to federal income tax until withdrawn by you. You
may be able to deduct all or part of your Regular IRA contribution on your
federal income tax return. State income tax treatment of your Regular IRA may
differ from federal treatment; ask your state tax department or your personal
tax advisor for details.
Be sure to read Part Three of this Disclosure Statement for important
additional information, including information on how to revoke your Regular IRA,
investments and prohibited transactions, fees and expenses, and certain tax
requirements.
ELIGIBILITY
WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A REGULAR IRA?
You are eligible to establish and contribute to a Regular IRA for a year
if:
- You received compensation (or earned income if you are self employed)
during the year for personal services you rendered. If you received
taxable alimony, this is treated like compensation for IRA purposes.
- You did not reach age 70 1/2 during the year.
CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO A REGULAR IRA FOR MY SPOUSE?
For each year before the year when your spouse attains age 70 1/2, you can
contribute to a separate Regular IRA for your spouse, regardless of whether your
spouse had any compensation or earned income in that year. This is called a
"spousal IRA." To make a contribution to a Regular IRA for your spouse, you
must file a joint tax return for the year with your spouse. For a spousal IRA,
your spouse must set up a different Regular IRA, separate from yours, to which
you contribute.
CONTRIBUTIONS
WHEN CAN I MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO A REGULAR IRA?
You may make a contribution to your existing Regular IRA or establish a new
Regular IRA for a taxable year by the due date (not including any extensions)
for your federal income tax return for the year. Usually this is April 15 of
the following year.
HOW MUCH CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO MY REGULAR IRA?
For each year when you are eligible (see above), you can contribute up to
the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of your compensation (or earned income, if you are
self-employed). However, under the tax laws, all or a portion of your
contribution may not be deductible.
If you and your spouse have spousal Regular IRAs, each spouse may
contribute up to $2,000 to his or her IRA for a year as long as the combined
compensation of both spouses for the year (as shown on your joint income tax
return) is at least $4,000. If the combined compensation of both spouses is
less than $4,000, the spouse with the higher amount of compensation may
contribute up to that spouse's compensation amount, or $2,000 if less. The
spouse with the
1
<PAGE>
lower compensation amount may contribute any amount up to that spouse's
compensation plus any excess of the other spouse's compensation over the other
spouse's IRA contribution. However, the maximum contribution to either spouse's
Regular IRA is $2,000 for the year.
If you (or your spouse) establish a new Roth IRA and make contributions to
both your Regular IRA and a Roth IRA, the combined limit on contributions to
both your (or your spouse's) Regular IRA and Roth IRA for a single calendar year
is $2,000.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CONTRIBUTION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
The deductibility of your contribution depends upon whether you are an
active participant in any employer-sponsored retirement plan. If you are not an
active participant, the entire contribution to your Regular IRA is deductible.
If you are an active participant in an employer-sponsored plan, your
Regular IRA contribution may still be completely or partly deductible on your
tax return. This depends on the amount of your income (see below).
Similarly, the deductibility of a contribution to a Regular IRA for your
spouse depends upon whether your spouse is an active participant in any
employer-sponsored retirement plan. If your spouse is not an active
participant, the contribution to your spouse's Regular IRA will be deductible.
If your spouse is an active participant, the Regular IRA contribution will be
completely, partly or not deductible depending upon your combined income.
An exception to the preceding rules applies to high-income married
taxpayers, where one spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan and the other spouse is not. A contribution to the non-active
participant spouse's Regular IRA will be only partly deductible at an adjusted
gross income level on the joint tax return of $150,000, and the deductibility
will be phased out as described below over the next $10,000 so that there will
be no deduction at all with an adjusted gross income level of $160,000 or
higher.
HOW DO I DETERMINE MY OR MY SPOUSE'S "ACTIVE PARTICIPANT" STATUS?
Your (or your spouse's) Form W-2 should indicate if you (or your spouse)
were an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan for a year.
If you have a question, you should ask your employer or the plan administrator.
In addition, regardless of income level, your spouse's "active participant"
status will not affect the deductibility of your contributions to your Regular
IRA if you and your spouse file separate tax returns for the taxable year and
you lived apart at all times during the taxable year.
WHAT ARE THE DEDUCTION RESTRICTIONS FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS?
If you (or your spouse) are an active participant in an employer plan
during a year, the contribution to your Regular IRA (or your spouse's Regular
IRA) may be completely, partly or not deductible depending upon your filing
status and your amount of adjusted gross income ("AGI"). If AGI is any amount
up to the lower limit, the contribution is deductible. If your AGI falls
between the lower limit and the upper limit, the contribution is partly
deductible. If your AGI falls above the upper limit, the contribution is not
deductible.
FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS - 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU ARE IF YOU ARE THEN YOUR REGULAR
SINGLE MARRIED FILING JOINTLY IRA CONTRIBUTION IS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to Up to FULLY
Lower Limit Lower Limit DEDUCTIBLE
($30,000 for 1998) ($50,000 for 1998)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ADJUSTED More than Lower More than Lower PARTLY
GROSS Limit Limit DEDUCTIBLE
INCOME but less than but less than
(AGI) Upper Limit Upper Limit
LEVEL ($40,000 for 1998) ($60,000 for 1998)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Upper Limit or more Upper Limit or more NOT
DEDUCTIBLE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Lower Limit and the Upper Limit will change for 1999 and later years. The
Lower Limit and Upper Limit for these years are shown in the following table.
Substitute the correct Lower Limit and Upper Limit in the table above to
determine deductibility in any particular year. (Note: if you are married but
filing separate returns, your Lower Limit is always zero and your Upper Limit is
always $10,000).
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF LOWER AND UPPER LIMITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR SINGLE MARRIED
FILING JOINTLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOWER LIMIT UPPER LIMIT LOWER LIMIT UPPER LIMIT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1999 $31,000 $41,000 $51,000 $61,000
2000 $32,000 $42,000 $52,000 $62,000
2001 $33,000 $43,000 $53,000 $63,000
2002 $34,000 $44,000 $54,000 $64,000
2003 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000
2004 $45,000 $55,000 $65,000 $75,000
2005 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000
2006 $50,000 $60,000 $75,000 $85,000
2007 and $50,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000
later
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
HOW DO I CALCULATE MY DEDUCTION IF I FALL IN THE "PARTLY DEDUCTIBLE" RANGE?
If your AGI falls in the partly deductible range, you must calculate the
portion of your contribution that is deductible. To do this, multiply your
contribution by a fraction. The numerator is the amount by which your AGI
exceeds the lower limit (for 1998: $30,000 if single, or $50,000 if married
filing jointly). The denominator is $10,000 (note that the denominator for
married joint filers is $20,000 starting in 2007). Subtract this from your
contribution and then round up to the nearest $10. The deductible amount is the
greater of the amount calculated or $200 (provided you contributed at least
$200). If your contribution was less than $200, then the entire contribution is
deductible.
For example, assume that you make a $2,000 contribution to your Regular IRA
in 1998, a year in which you are an active participant in your employer's
retirement plan. Also assume that your AGI is $57,555 and you are married,
filing jointly. You would calculate the deductible portion of your contribution
this way:
1. The amount by which your AGI exceeds the lower limit of the partly -
deductible range:
($57,555-$50,000) = $7,555
2. Divide this by $10,000:
$ 7,555 = 0.7555
-------
$10,000
3. Multiply this by your contribution limit:
0.7555 x $2,000 = $1,511
4. Subtract this from your contribution:
($2,000 - $1,551) = $489
5. Round this up to the nearest $10: = $490
6. Your deductible contribution is the greater of this amount or $200.
Even though part or all of your contribution is not deductible, you may
still contribute to your Regular IRA (and your spouse may contribute to your
spouse's Regular IRA) up to the limit on contributions. When you file your tax
return for the year, you must designate the amount of non-deductible
contributions to your Regular IRA for the year. See IRS Form 8606.
HOW DO I DETERMINE MY AGI?
AGI is your gross income minus those deductions which are available to all
taxpayers even if they don't itemize. Instructions to calculate your AGI are
provided with your income tax Form 1040 or 1040A.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN ALLOWED TO MY REGULAR IRA?
The maximum contribution you can make to a Regular IRA generally is $2,000
or 100% of compensation or earned income, whichever is less. Any amount
contributed to the IRA above the maximum is considered an "excess contribution."
The excess is calculated using your CONTRIBUTION limit, not the DEDUCTIBLE
limit. An excess contribution is subject to excise tax of 6% for each year it
remains in the IRA.
HOW CAN I CORRECT AN EXCESS CONTRIBUTION?
Excess contributions may be corrected without paying a 6% penalty. To do
so, you must withdraw the excess and any earnings on the excess before the due
date (including extensions) for filing your federal income tax return for the
year for which you made the excess contribution. A deduction should not be
3
<PAGE>
taken for any excess contribution. The earnings must be included in your income
for the tax year for which the contribution was made and may be subject to a 10%
premature withdrawal tax if you have not reached age 59 1/2.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T CORRECT THE EXCESS CONTRIBUTION BY THE TAX RETURN DUE
DATE?
Any excess contribution not withdrawn by the tax return due date (including
any extensions) for the year for which the contribution was made will be
subject to the 6% excise tax. There will be an additional 6% excise tax for
each subsequent year the excess remains in your account.
Under limited circumstances, you may correct an excess contribution after
tax filing time by withdrawing the excess contribution (leaving the earnings in
the account). This withdrawal will not be includable in income nor will it be
subject to any premature withdrawal penalty if (1) your contributions to all
Regular IRAs do not exceed $2,000 and (2) you did not take a deduction for the
excess amount (or you file an amended return (Form 1040X) which removes the
excess deduction).
HOW ARE EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS TREATED IF NONE OF THE PRECEDING RULES APPLY?
Unless an excess contribution qualifies for the special treatment outlined
above, the excess contribution and any earnings on it withdrawn after tax filing
time will be includable in taxable income and may be subject to a 10% premature
withdrawal penalty. No deduction will be allowed for the excess contribution
for the year in which it is made.
Excess contributions may be corrected in a subsequent year to the extent
that you contribute less than your maximum amount. As the prior excess
contribution is reduced or eliminated, the 6% excise tax will become
correspondingly reduced or eliminated for subsequent tax years. Also, you may
be able to take an income tax deduction for the amount of excess that was
reduced or eliminated, depending on whether you would be able to take a
deduction if you had instead contributed the same amount.
ARE THE EARNINGS ON MY REGULAR IRA FUNDS TAXED?
Any dividends on or growth of the investments held in your Regular IRA are
generally exempt from federal income taxes and will not be taxed until withdrawn
by you, unless the tax exempt status of your Regular IRA is revoked (this is
described in Part Three of this Disclosure Statement).
TRANSFERS/ROLLOVERS
CAN I TRANSFER OR ROLL OVER A DISTRIBUTION I RECEIVE FROM MY EMPLOYER'S
RETIREMENT PLAN INTO A REGULAR IRA?
Almost all distributions from employer plans or 403(b) arrangements (for
employees of tax-exempt employers) are eligible for rollover to a Regular IRA.
The main exceptions are
- payments over the lifetime or life expectancy of the participant (or
participant and a designated beneficiary),
- installment payments for a period of 10 years or more,
- required distributions (generally the rules require distributions
starting at age 70 1/2 or for certain employees starting at
retirement, if later), and
- payments of employee after-tax contributions.
If you are eligible to receive a distribution from a tax qualified
retirement plan as a result of, for example, termination of employment, plan
discontinuance, or retirement, all or part of the distribution may be
transferred directly into your Regular IRA. This is a called a "direct
rollover." Or, you may receive the distribution and make a regular rollover to
your Regular IRA within 60 days. By making a direct rollover or a regular
rollover, you can defer income taxes on the amount rolled over until you
subsequently make withdrawals from your IRA.
The maximum amount you may roll over is the amount of employer
contributions and earnings distributed. You may not roll over any after-tax
employee contributions you made to the employer retirement plan. If you are
over age 70 1/2 and are required to take minimum distributions under the tax
laws, you may not roll over any amount required to be distributed to you under
the minimum distribution rules. Also, if you are receiving periodic payments
over your, or your and your designated beneficiary's life expectancy, or for a
period of at least 10 years, you may not roll over these payments. A rollover
to a regular IRA must be completed within 60 days after the distribution from
the employer retirement plan to be valid.
NOTE: A qualified plan administrator or 403(b) sponsor MUST WITHHOLD 20%
OF YOUR DISTRIBUTION for federal income taxes UNLESS you elect a direct
rollover. Your plan or 403(b) sponsor is required to provide you with
information about direct and traditional rollovers and withholding taxes before
you receive your distribution and must comply with your directions to make a
direct rollover.
The rules governing rollovers are complicated. Be sure to consult your tax
advisor or the IRS if you have a question about rollovers.
ONCE I HAVE ROLLED OVER A PLAN DISTRIBUTION INTO A REGULAR IRA, CAN I
SUBSEQUENTLY ROLL OVER INTO ANOTHER EMPLOYER'S QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN?
Yes. Part or all of an eligible distribution received from a qualified
plan may be transferred from the Regular IRA holding it to another qualified
plan. However, the IRA must have no assets other than those which were
previously distributed to you from the qualified plan. Specifically, the IRA
cannot contain any contributions by you (or your spouse). Also, the new
qualified plan must accept rollovers. Similar rules apply to Regular IRAs
established with rollovers from 403(b) arrangements.
CAN I MAKE A TRADITIONAL ROLLOVER FROM MY REGULAR IRA TO ANOTHER REGULAR IRA?
You may make a rollover from one Regular IRA to another Regular IRA you
have or you establish to receive the rollover. Such a rollover must be
completed within 60 days after the withdrawal from your first Regular IRA.
After making a traditional rollover from one Regular IRA to another, you must
wait a full year (365 days) before you can make another such rollover.
(However, you can instruct a Regular IRA custodian to transfer amounts directly
to another Regular IRA custodian; such a direct transfer does not count as a
rollover.)
4
<PAGE>
WHAT HAPPENS IF I COMBINE ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTIONS WITH MY NORMAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN
ONE IRA?
If you wish to make both a normal annual contribution and a rollover
contribution, you may wish to open two separate Regular IRAs by completing two
Adoption Agreements and two sets of forms. You should consult a tax advisor
before making your annual contribution to the IRA you established with rollover
contributions (or make a rollover contribution to the IRA to which you make your
annual contributions). This is because combining your annual contributions and
rollover contributions originating from an employer plan distribution would
prohibit the future rollover out of the IRA into another qualified plan. If
despite this, you still wish to combine a rollover contribution and the IRA
holding your annual contributions, you should establish the account as a Regular
IRA on the Adoption Agreement (not a Rollover IRA or Direct Rollover IRA) and
make the contributions to that account.
HOW DO ROLLOVERS AFFECT MY CONTRIBUTION OR DEDUCTION LIMITS?
Rollover contributions, if properly made, do not count toward the maximum
contribution. Also, rollovers are not deductible and they do not affect your
deduction limits as described above.
WHAT ABOUT CONVERTING MY REGULAR IRA TO A ROTH IRA?
The rules for converting a Regular IRA to a new Roth IRA, or making a
rollover from a Regular IRA to a new Roth IRA, are described in Part Two below.
WITHDRAWALS
WHEN CAN I MAKE WITHDRAWALS FROM MY REGULAR IRA?
You may withdraw from your Regular IRA at any time. However,
withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a 10% penalty tax in addition
to regular income taxes (see below).
WHEN MUST I START MAKING WITHDRAWALS?
If you have not withdrawn your entire IRA by the April 1 following the year
in which you reach 70 1/2, you must make minimum withdrawals in order to avoid
penalty taxes. The rule allowing certain employees to postpone distributions
from an employer qualified plan until actual retirement (even if this is after
age 70 1/2) does NOT apply to Regular IRAs.
The minimum withdrawal amount is determined by dividing the balance in your
Regular IRA (or IRAs) by your life expectancy or the combined life expectancy of
you and your designated beneficiary. The minimum withdrawal rules are complex.
Consult your tax advisor for assistance.
The penalty tax is 50% of the difference between the minimum withdrawal
amount and your actual withdrawals during a year. The IRS may waive or reduce
the penalty tax if you can show that your failure to make the required minimum
withdrawals was due to reasonable cause and you are taking reasonable steps to
remedy the problem.
HOW ARE WITHDRAWALS FROM MY REGULAR IRA TAXED?
Amounts withdrawn by you are includable in your gross income in the taxable
year that you receive them, and are taxable as ordinary income. Lump sum
withdrawals from a Regular IRA are not eligible for averaging treatment
currently available to certain lump sum distributions from qualified employer
retirement plans.
Since the purpose of a Regular IRA is to accumulate funds for
retirement, your receipt or use of any portion of your Regular IRA before you
attain age 59 1/2 generally will be considered as an early withdrawal and
subject to a 10% penalty tax.
The 10% penalty tax for early withdrawal will not apply if:
- The distribution was a result of your death or disability.
- The purpose of the withdrawal is to pay certain higher education
expenses for yourself or your spouse, child, or grandchild.
Qualifying expenses include tuition, fees, books, supplies and
equipment required for attendance at a post-secondary educational
institution. Room and board expenses may qualify if the student is
attending at least half-time.
- The withdrawal is used to pay eligible first-time homebuyer expenses.
These are the costs of purchasing, building or rebuilding a principal
residence (including customary settlement, financing or closing
costs). The purchaser may be you, your spouse, or a child,
grandchild, parent or grandparent of you or your spouse. An
individual is considered a "first-time homebuyer" if the individual
(or the individual's spouse, if married) did not have an ownership
interest in a principal residence during the two-year period
immediately preceding the acquisition in question. The withdrawal
must be used for eligible expenses within 120 days after the
withdrawal. (If there is an unexpected delay, or cancellation of the
home acquisition, a withdrawal may be redeposited as a rollover).
There is a lifetime limit on eligible first-time homebuyer expenses of
$10,000 per individual.
- The distribution is one of a scheduled series of substantially equal
periodic payments for your life or life expectancy (or the joint lives
or life expectancies of you and your beneficiary).
If there is an adjustment to the scheduled series of payments, the 10%
penalty tax may apply. The 10% penalty will not apply if you make no
change in the series of payments until the end of five years or until
you reach age 59 1/2, whichever is later. If you make a change before
then, the penalty will apply. For example, if you begin receiving
payments at age 50 under a withdrawal program providing for
substantially equal payments over your life expectancy, and at age 58
you elect to receive the remaining amount in your Regular IRA in a
lump-sum, the 10% penalty tax will apply to the lump sum and to the
amounts previously paid to you before age 59 1/2.
- The distribution does not exceed the amount of your deductible medical
expenses for the year (generally speaking, medical expenses paid
during a year are
5
<PAGE>
deductible if they are greater than 7 1/2% of your adjusted gross
income for that year).
- The distribution does not exceed the amount you paid for health
insurance coverage for yourself, your spouse and dependents. This
exception applies only if you have been unemployed and received
federal or state unemployment compensation payments for at least 12
weeks; this exception applies to distributions during the year in
which you received the unemployment compensation and during the
following year, but not to any distributions received after you have
been reemployed for at least 60 days.
HOW ARE NONDEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS TAXED WHEN THEY ARE WITHDRAWN?
A withdrawal of nondeductible contributions (not including earnings) will
be tax-free. However, if you made both deductible and nondeductible
contributions to your Regular IRA, then each distribution will be treated as
partly a return of your nondeductible contributions (not taxable) and partly a
distribution of deductible contributions and earnings (taxable). The nontaxable
amount is the portion of the amount withdrawn which bears the same ratio as your
total nondeductible Regular IRA contributions bear to the total balance of all
your Regular IRAs (including rollover IRAs and SEPs, but not including Roth
IRAs).
For example, assume that you made the following Regular IRA contributions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Deductible Nondeductible
---- ---------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
1995 $2,000
1996 $2,000
1997 $1,000 $1,000
1998 $1,000
------ ------
$5,000 $2,000
</TABLE>
In addition assume that your Regular IRA has total investment earnings
through 1998 of $1,000. During 1998 you withdraw $500. Your total account
balance as of 12-31-98 is $7,500 as shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Deductible Contributions $5,000
Nondeductible Contributions $2,000
Earnings On IRA $1,000
Less 1998 Withdrawal $ 500
------
Total Account Balance as of 12/31/98 $7,500
</TABLE>
To determine the nontaxable portion of your 1998 withdrawal, the total 1998
withdrawal ($500) must be multiplied by a fraction. The numerator of the
fraction is the total of all nondeductible contributions remaining in the
account before the 1998 withdrawal ($2,000). The denominator is the total
account balance as of 12-31-98 ($7,500) plus the 1998 withdrawal ($500) or
$8,000. The calculation is:
Total Remaining
Nondeductible Contributions $2,000 x $500 = $ 125
--------------------------- ------
Total Account Balance $8,000
Thus, $125 of the $500 withdrawal in 1998 will not be included in your
taxable income. The remaining $375 will be taxable for 1998. In addition, for
future calculations the remaining nondeductible contribution total will be
$2,000 minus $125, or $1,875.
A loss in your Regular IRA investment may be deductible. You should
consult your tax advisor for further details on the appropriate calculation for
this deduction if applicable.
IS THERE A PENALTY TAX ON CERTAIN LARGE WITHDRAWALS OR ACCUMULATIONS IN MY IRA?
Earlier tax laws imposed a "success" penalty equal to 15% of withdrawals
from all retirement accounts (including IRAs, 401(k) or other employer
retirement plans, 403(b) arrangements and others) in a year exceeding a
specified amount (initially $150,000 per year). Also, there was a 15% estate
tax penalty on excess accumulations remaining in IRAs and other tax-favored
arrangements upon your death. These 15% penalty taxes have been REPEALED.
IMPORTANT: Please see Part Three below which contains important information
applicable to ALL State Street Bank and Trust Company IRAs.
6
<PAGE>
PART TWO: DESCRIPTION OF ROTH IRAS
SPECIAL NOTE
Part Two of the Disclosure Statement describes the rules generally
applicable to Roth IRAs beginning January 1, 1998.
Roth IRAs are a new kind of IRA available for the first time in 1998.
Contributions to a Roth IRA for 1997 are not permitted. Contributions to a Roth
IRA are not tax-deductible, but withdrawals that meet certain requirements are
not subject to federal income taxes. This makes the dividends on and growth of
the investments held in your Roth IRA tax-free for federal income tax purposes
if the requirements are met.
Regular IRAs, which have existed since 1975, are still available.
Contributions to a Regular IRA may be tax-deductible. Earnings and gains on
amounts while held in a Regular IRA are tax-deferred. Withdrawals are subject
to federal income tax (except for prior after-tax contributions which may be
recovered without additional federal income tax).
This Part Two does not describe Regular IRAs. If you wish to review
information about Regular IRAs, please see Part One of this Disclosure
Statement.
This Disclosure Statement also does not describe IRAs established in
connection with a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan maintained by your
employer. Roth IRAs may not be used in connection with a SEP plan.
YOUR ROTH IRA
Your Roth IRA gives you several tax benefits. While contributions to a
Roth IRA are not deductible, dividends on and growth of the assets held in your
Roth IRA are not subject to federal income tax. Withdrawals by you from your
Roth IRA are excluded from your income for federal income tax purposes if
certain requirements (described below) are met. State income tax treatment of
your Roth IRA may differ from federal treatment; ask your state tax department
or your personal tax advisor for details.
Be sure to read Part Three of this Disclosure Statement for important
additional information, including information on how to revoke your Roth IRA,
investments and prohibited transactions, fees and expenses and certain tax
requirements.
ELIGIBILITY
WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A ROTH IRA?
Starting with 1998, you are eligible to establish and contribute to a Roth
IRA for a year if you received compensation (or earned income if you are self
employed) during the year for personal services you rendered. If you received
taxable alimony, this is treated like compensation for IRA purposes.
In contrast to a Regular IRA, with a Roth IRA you may continue making
contributions after you reach age 70 1/2.
CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO ROTH IRA FOR MY SPOUSE?
Starting with 1998, if you meet the eligibility requirements you can not
only contribute to your own Roth IRA, but also to a separate Roth IRA for your
spouse out of your compensation or earned income, regardless of whether your
spouse had any compensation or earned income in that year. This is called a
"spousal Roth IRA." To make a contribution to a Roth IRA for your spouse, you
must file a joint tax return for the year with your spouse. For a spousal Roth
IRA, your spouse must set up a different Roth IRA, separate from yours, to which
you contribute.
Of course, if your spouse has compensation or earned income, your spouse
can establish his or her own Roth IRA and make contributions to it in accordance
with the rules and limits described in this Part Two of the Disclosure
Statement.
CONTRIBUTIONS
WHEN CAN I MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO A ROTH IRA?
You may make a contribution to your Roth IRA or establish a new Roth IRA
for a taxable year by the due date (NOT including any extensions) for your
federal income tax return for the year. Usually this is April 15 of the
following year. For example, you will have until April 15, 1999 to establish
and make a contribution to a Roth IRA for 1998.
CAUTION: Since Roth IRAs are available starting January 1, 1998, you may
NOT make a contribution by April 15, 1998 to a Roth IRA for 1997.
HOW MUCH CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO MY ROTH IRA?
For each year when you are eligible (see above), you can contribute up to
the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of your compensation (or earned income, if you are
self-employed).
Your Roth IRA limit is reduced by any contributions for the same year to a
Regular IRA. For example, assuming you have at least $2,000 in compensation or
earned income, if you contribute $500 to your Regular IRA for 1998, your
maximum Roth IRA contribution for 1998 will be $1,500.
If you and your spouse have spousal Roth IRAs, each spouse may contribute
up to $2,000 to his or her Roth IRA for a year as long as the combined
compensation of both spouses for the year (as shown on your joint income tax
return) is at least $4,000. If the combined compensation of both spouses is
less than $4,000, the spouse with the higher amount of compensation may
contribute up to that spouse's compensation amount, or $2,000 if less. The
spouse with the lower compensation amount may contribute any amount up to that
spouse's compensation plus any excess the other spouse's compensation over the
other spouse's Roth IRA contribution. However, the maximum contribution to
either spouse's Roth IRA is $2,000 for the year.
As noted above, the spousal Roth IRA limits are reduced by any
contributions for the same calendar year to a Regular IRA maintained by you or
your spouse.
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For taxpayers with high income levels, the contribution limits may be
reduced (see below).
ARE CONTRIBUTIONS TO A ROTH IRA TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Contributions to a Roth IRA are NOT deductible. This is a major difference
between Roth IRAs and Regular IRAs. Contributions to a Regular IRA may be
deductible on your federal income tax return depending on whether or not you are
an active participant in an employer-sponsored plan and on your income level.
ARE THE EARNINGS ON MY ROTH IRA FUNDS TAXED?
Any dividends on or growth of investments held in your Roth IRA are
generally exempt from federal income taxes and will not be taxed until withdrawn
by you, unless the tax exempt status of your Roth IRA is revoked. If the
withdrawal qualifies as a tax-free withdrawal (see below), amounts reflecting
earnings or growth of assets in your Roth IRA will not be subject to federal
income tax.
WHICH IS BETTER, A ROTH IRA OR A REGULAR IRA?
This will depend upon your individual situation. A Roth IRA may be better
if you are an active participant in an employer-sponsored plan and your adjusted
gross income is too high to make a deductible IRA contribution (but not too high
to make a Roth IRA contribution). Also, the benefits of a Roth IRA vs. a
Regular IRA may depend upon a number of other factors including: your current
income tax bracket vs. your expected income tax bracket when you make
withdrawals from your IRA, whether you expect to be able to make nontaxable
withdrawals from your Roth IRA (see below), how long you expect to leave your
contributions in the IRA, how much you expect the IRA to earn in the meantime,
and possible future tax law changes.
Consult a qualified tax or financial advisor for assistance on this
question.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS TO MY ROTH IRA?
Taxpayers with very high income levels may not be able to contribute to a
Roth IRA at all, or their contribution may be limited to an amount less than
$2,000. This depends upon your filing status and the amount of your adjusted
gross income (AGI). The following table shows how the contribution limits are
restricted:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ROTH IRA CONTRIBUTION LIMITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU ARE IF YOU ARE
SINGLE TAXPAYER MARRIED FILING JOINTLY THEN YOU MAY MAKE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to Up to Full
$95,000 $150,000 Contribution
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADJUSTED More than $95,000 More than $150,000 Reduced Contribution
GROSS but less than but less than (see explanation
INCOME $110,000 $160,000 below)
(AGI)
LEVEL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$110,000 $160,000 Zero (No
and up and up Contribution)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Note: If you are a married taxpayer filing separately, your maximum Roth
IRA contribution limit phases out over the first $15,000 of adjusted gross
income. If your AGI is $15,000 or more not contribute to a Roth IRA for the
year.
HOW DO I CALCULATE MY LIMIT IF I FALL IN THE "REDUCED CONTRIBUTION" RANGE?
If your AGI falls in the reduced contribution range, you must calculate
your contribution limit. To do this, multiply your normal contribution limit
($2,000 or your compensation if less) by a fraction. The numerator is the
amount by which your AGI exceeds the lower limit of the reduced contribution
range ($95,000 if single, or $150,000 if married filing jointly). The
denominator is $15,000 (single taxpayers) or $10,000 (married filing jointly).
Subtract this from your normal limit and then round up to the nearest $10. The
contribution limit is the greater of the amount calculated or $200.
For example, assume that your AGI for the year is $157,555 and you are
married, filing jointly. You would calculate your Roth IRA contribution limit
this way:
1. The amount by which your AGI exceeds the lower limit of the reduced
contribution deductible range:
($157,555-$150,000) = $7,555
2. Divide this by $10,000: $7,555
------
$10,000 = 0.7555
3. Multiply this by $2,000 (or your compensation for the year, if less):
0.7555 x $2,000 = $1,511
4. Subtract this from your $2,000 limit:
($2,000 - $1,551) = $489
5. Round this up to the nearest $10 = $490
6. Your contribution limit is the greater of this amount or $200.
Remember, your Roth IRA contribution limit of $2,000 is reduced by any
contributions for the same year to a Regular IRA. If you fall in the reduced
contribution range, the reduction formula applies to the Roth IRA contribution
limit left after subtracting your contribution for the year to a Regular IRA.
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HOW DO I DETERMINE MY AGI?
AGI is your gross income minus those deductions which are available to all
taxpayers even if they don't itemize. Instructions to calculate your AGI are
provided with your income tax Form 1040 or 1040A.
There are two additional rules when calculating AGI for purposes of Roth
IRA contribution limits. First, if you are making a deductible contribution for
the year to a Regular IRA, your AGI is reduced by the amount of the deduction.
Second, if you are converting a Regular IRA to a Roth IRA in a year (see below),
the amount includable in your income as a result of the conversion is not
considered AGI when computing your Roth IRA contribution limit for the year.
(Note: a bill pending in Congress might affect the first rule -- consult your
tax advisor or the IRS for the latest developments.)
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN ALLOWED TO MY ROTH IRA?
The maximum contribution you can make to a Roth IRA generally is $2,000 or
100% of compensation or earned income, whichever is less. As noted above, your
maximum is reduced by the amount of any contribution to a Regular IRA for the
same year and may be further reduced if you have high AGI. Any amount
contributed to the Roth IRA above the maximum is considered an "excess
contribution."
An excess contribution is subject to excise tax of 6% for each year it
remains in the Roth IRA.
HOW CAN I CORRECT AN EXCESS CONTRIBUTION?
Excess contributions may be corrected without paying a 6% penalty. To do
so, you must withdraw the excess and any earnings on the excess before the due
date (including extensions) for filing your federal income tax return for the
year for which you made the excess contribution. The earnings must be included
in your income for the tax year for which the contribution was made and may be
subject to a 10% premature withdrawal tax if you have not reached age 59 1/2
(unless an exception to the 10% penalty tax applies).
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T CORRECT THE EXCESS CONTRIBUTION BY THE TAX RETURN DUE
DATE?
Any excess contribution not withdrawn by the tax return due date (including
any extensions) for the year for which the contribution was made will be
subject to the 6% excise tax. There will be an additional 6% excise tax for
each subsequent year the excess remains in your account.
For subsequent years, you may reduce the excess contributions in your
account by making a withdrawal equal to the excess. Earnings need not be
withdrawn. To the extent that no earnings are withdrawn, the withdrawal will
not be subject to income taxes or possible penalties for premature withdrawals
before age 59 1/2. Excess contributions may also be corrected in a subsequent
year to the extent that you contribute less than your Roth IRA contribution
limit for the subsequent year. As the prior excess contribution is reduced or
eliminated, the 6% excise tax will become correspondingly reduced or eliminated
for subsequent tax years.
CONVERSION OF EXISTING REGULAR IRA
CAN I CONVERT AN EXISTING REGULAR IRA INTO A ROTH IRA?
Yes, starting in 1998 you can convert an existing Regular IRA into a Roth
IRA if you meet the adjusted gross income (AGI) limits described below.
Conversion may be accomplished either by establishing a Roth IRA and then
transferring the amount in your Regular IRA you wish to convert to the new Roth
IRA. Or, if you want to convert an existing Regular IRA with State Street Bank
as custodian to a Roth IRA, you may give us directions to convert.
You are eligible to convert a Regular IRA to a Roth IRA if, for the year of
the conversion, your AGI is $100,000 or less. The same limit applies to married
and single taxpayers, and the limit is not indexed to cost-of-living increases.
Married taxpayers are eligible to convert a Regular IRA to a Roth IRA only if
they file a joint income tax return; married taxpayers filing separately are not
eligible to convert.
CAUTION: You should be extremely cautious in converting an existing IRA
into a Roth IRA early in a year if there is any possibility that your AGI for
the year will exceed $100,000. Although a bill pending in Congress would permit
you to transfer amounts back to your Regular IRA if your AGI exceeds $100,000,
under the current rules, if you have already converted during a year and you
turn out to have more than $100,000 of AGI, there may be adverse tax results for
you. Consult your tax advisor or the IRS for the latest developments.
WHAT ARE THE TAX RESULTS FROM CONVERTING?
The taxable amount in your Regular IRA you convert to a Roth IRA will be
considered taxable income on your federal income tax return for the year of the
conversion. All amounts in a Regular IRA are taxable except for your prior
non-deductible contributions to the Regular IRA.
If you make the conversion during 1998, the taxable income is spread over
four years. In other words, you would include one quarter of the taxable amount
on your federal income tax return for 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.
SHOULD I CONVERT MY REGULAR IRA TO A ROTH IRA?
Only you can answer this question, in consultation with your tax or
financial advisors. A number of factors, including the following, may be
relevant. Conversion may be advantageous if you expect to leave the converted
funds on deposit in your Roth IRA for at least five years and to be able to
withdraw the funds under circumstances that will not be taxable (see below).
The benefits of converting will also depend on whether you expect to be in the
same tax bracket when you withdraw from your Roth IRA as you are now. Also,
conversion is based upon an assumption that Congress will not change the tax
rules for withdrawals from Roth IRAs in the future, but this cannot be
guaranteed.
TRANSFERS/ROLLOVERS
CAN I TRANSFER OR ROLL OVER A DISTRIBUTION I RECEIVE FROM MY EMPLOYER'S
RETIREMENT PLAN INTO A ROTH IRA?
Distributions from qualified employer-sponsored retirement plans or 403(b)
arrangements (for employees of tax-exempt employers) are NOT eligible for
rollover or direct transfer to a Roth IRA. However, in certain circumstances
it may be possible to make a direct rollover of an eligible distribution to a
Regular IRA and then to convert the Regular IRA to Roth IRA (see above).
Consult your tax or financial advisor for further information on this
possibility.
CAN I MAKE A ROLLOVER FROM MY ROTH IRA TO ANOTHER ROTH IRA?
You may make a rollover from one Roth IRA to another Roth IRA you have or
you establish to receive the rollover. Such a rollover must be completed within
60 days after the withdrawal from your first Roth IRA. After making a rollover
from one Roth IRA to another, you must wait a full year (365 days) before you
can make
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<PAGE>
another such rollover. (However, you can instruct a Roth IRA custodian to
transfer amounts directly to another Roth IRA custodian; such a direct transfer
does not count as a rollover.)
HOW DO ROLLOVERS AFFECT MY ROTH IRA CONTRIBUTION LIMITS?
Rollover contributions, if properly made, do not count toward the maximum
contribution. Also, you may make a rollover from one Roth IRA to another even
during a year when you are not eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA (for
example, because your AGI for that year is too high).
WITHDRAWALS
WHEN CAN I MAKE WITHDRAWALS FROM MY ROTH IRA?
You may withdraw from your Roth IRA at any time. If the withdrawal meets
the requirements discussed below, it is tax-free. This means that you pay no
federal income tax even though the withdrawal includes earnings or gains on your
contributions while they were held in your Roth IRA.
WHEN MUST I START MAKING WITHDRAWALS?
There are no rules on when you must start making withdrawals from your Roth
IRA or on minimum required withdrawal amounts for any particular year during
your lifetime. Unlike Regular IRAs, you are not required to start making
withdrawals from a Roth IRA by the April 1 following the year in which you reach
age 70 1/2.
After your death, there are IRS rules on the timing and amount of
distributions. In general, the amount in your Roth IRA must be distributed by
the end of the fifth year after your death. However, distributions to a
designated beneficiary that begin by the end of the year following the year of
your death and that are paid over the life expectancy of the beneficiary satisfy
the rules. Also, if your surviving spouse is your designated beneficiary, the
spouse may defer the start of distributions until you would have reached age
70 1/2 had you lived.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A TAX-FREE WITHDRAWAL?
To be tax-free, a withdrawal from your Roth IRA must meet two requirements.
First, the Roth IRA must have been open for 5 or more years before the
withdrawal. Second, at least one of the following conditions must be satisfied:
- You are age 59 1/2 or older when you make the withdrawal.
- The withdrawal is made by your beneficiary after you die.
- You are disabled (as defined in IRS rules) when you make the
withdrawal.
- You are using the withdrawal to cover eligible first time homebuyer
expenses. These are the costs of purchasing, building or rebuilding a
principal residence (including customary settlement, financing or
closing costs). The purchaser may be you, your spouse or a child,
grandchild, parent or grandparent of you or your spouse. An
individual is considered a "first-time homebuyer" if the individual
(or the individual's spouse, if married) did not have an ownership
interest in a principal residence during the two-year period
immediately preceding the acquisition in question. The withdrawal
must be used for eligible expenses within 120 days after the
withdrawal (if there is an unexpected delay, or cancellation of the
home acquisition, a withdrawal may be redeposited as a rollover).
- There is a lifetime limit on eligible first-time homebuyer expenses of
$10,000 per individual.
For a Roth IRA that you set up with amounts rolled over or converted from a
Regular IRA, the 5 year period begins with the year in which the conversion or
rollover was made. (Note: a bill pending in Congress might affect this rule --
consult your tax advisor or the IRS for the latest developments.)
For a Roth IRA that you started with a normal contribution, the 5 year
period starts with the year for which you make the initial normal contribution.
HOW ARE WITHDRAWALS FROM MY ROTH IRA TAXED IF THE TAX-FREE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT
MET?
If the qualified withdrawal requirements are not met, a withdrawal
consisting of your own prior contribution amounts to your Roth IRA will not be
considered taxable income in the year you receive it, nor will the 10% penalty
apply. To the extent that the nonqualified withdrawal consists of dividends or
gains while your contributions were held in your Roth IRA, the withdrawal is
includable in your gross income in the taxable year you receive it, and may be
subject to the 10% withdrawal penalty. All amounts withdrawn from your Roth IRA
are considered withdrawals of your contributions until you have withdrawn the
entire amount you have contributed. After that, all amounts withdrawn are
considered taxable withdrawals of dividends and gains.
Note that, for purposes of determining what portion of any distribution is
includable in income, all of your Roth IRA accounts are considered as one single
account. Amounts withdrawn from any one Roth IRA account are deemed to be
withdrawn from contributions first. Since all your Roth IRAs are considered to
be one account for this purpose, withdrawals from Roth IRA accounts are not
considered to be from earnings or interest until an amount equal to ALL
contributions made to ALL of an individual's Roth IRA accounts is withdrawn.
The following example illustrates this:
A single individual contributes $1,000 a year to his State Street Bank and
Trust Company Roth IRA account and $1,000 a year to the Brand X Roth IRA account
over a period of ten years. At the end of 10 years his account balances are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTIONS EARNINGS
<S> <C> <C>
STATE STREET BANK ROTH IRA $10,000 $10,000
BRAND X ROTH IRA $10,000 $10,000
------- -------
TOTAL $20,000 $20,000
</TABLE>
At the end of 10 years, this person has $40,000 in both Roth IRA accounts,
of which $20,000 represents his contributions (aggregated) and $20,000
represents his earnings (aggregated). This individual, who is 40, withdraws
$15,000 from his Brand X Roth IRA (not a qualified withdrawal). We look to the
aggregate amount of all principal contributions - in this case $20,000 - to
determine if the withdrawal is from contributions, and thus non-taxable. In
this example, there is no ($0) taxable income as a result of this withdrawal
because the $15,000 withdrawal is less than the total amount of aggregated
contributions ($20,000). If this individual then withdrew $15,000 from his
State Street Bank Roth IRA, $5,000 would not be taxable (the remaining aggregate
contributions) and $10,000 would be
10
<PAGE>
treated as taxable income for the year of the withdrawal, subject to regular
income taxes and the 10% premature withdrawal penalty (unless an exception
applies).
Taxable withdrawals of dividends and gains from a Roth IRA are treated as
ordinary income. Withdrawals of taxable amounts from a Roth IRA are not
eligible for averaging treatment currently available to certain lump sum
distributions from qualified employer-sponsored retirement plans, nor are such
withdrawals eligible for taxable gains tax treatment.
Your receipt of any taxable withdrawal from your Roth IRA before you
attain age 59 1/2 generally will be considered as an early withdrawal and
subject to a 10% penalty tax.
The 10% penalty tax for early withdrawal will not apply if any of the
following exceptions applies:
- The withdrawal was a result of your death or disability.
- The withdrawal is one of a scheduled series of substantially equal
periodic payments for your life or life expectancy (or the joint lives
or life expectancies of you and your beneficiary).
If there is an adjustment to the scheduled series of payments, the 10%
penalty tax will apply. For example, if you begin receiving payments
at age 50 under a withdrawal program providing for substantially equal
payments over your life expectancy, and at age 58 you elect to
withdraw the remaining amount in your Roth IRA in a lump-sum, the 10%
penalty tax will apply to the lump sum and to the amounts previously
paid to you before age 59 1/2 to the extent they were includable in
your taxable income.
- The withdrawal is used to pay eligible higher education expenses.
These are expenses for tuition, fees, books, and supplies required to
attend an institution for post-secondary education. Room and board
expenses are also eligible for a student attending at least
half-time. The student may be you, your spouse, or your child or
grandchild. However, expenses that are paid for with a scholarship or
other educational assistance payment are not eligible expenses.
- The withdrawal is used to cover eligible first time homebuyer expenses
(as described above in the discussion of tax-free withdrawals).
- The withdrawal does not exceed the amount of your deductible medical
expenses for the year (generally speaking, medical expenses paid
during a year are deductible if they are greater than 7 1/2% of your
adjusted gross income for that year).
- The withdrawal does not exceed the amount you paid for health
insurance coverage for yourself, your spouse and dependents. This
exception applies only if you have been unemployed and received
federal or state unemployment compensation payments for at least 12
weeks; this exception applies to distributions during the year in
which you received the unemployment compensation and during the
following year, but not to any distributions received after you have
been reemployed for at least 60 days.
WHAT ABOUT THE 15 PERCENT PENALTY TAX?
The rule imposing a 15% penalty tax on very large withdrawals from
tax-favored arrangements (including IRAs, 403(b) arrangements and qualified
employer-sponsored plans), or on excess amounts remaining in such tax-favored
arrangements at your death, has been REPEALED. This 15% tax no longer applies.
IMPORTANT: The discussion of the tax rules for Roth IRAs in this Disclosure
Statement is based upon the best available information. However, Roth IRAs are
new under the tax laws, and the IRS has not issued regulations or rulings on the
operation and tax treatment of Roth IRA accounts. Also, if enacted, legislation
now pending in Congress will change some of the rules. Therefore, you should
consult your tax advisor for the latest developments or for advice about how
maintaining a Roth IRA will affect your personal tax or financial situation.
Also, please see Part Three below which contains important information
applicable to ALL State Street Bank and Trust Company IRAs.
11
<PAGE>
PART THREE: RULES FOR ALL IRAS (REGULAR AND ROTH)
GENERAL INFORMATION
IRA REQUIREMENTS
All IRAs must meet certain requirements. Contributions generally must be
made in cash. The IRA trustee or custodian must be a bank or other person who
has been approved by the Secretary of the Treasury. Your contributions may not
be invested in life insurance or collectibles or be commingled with other
property except in a common trust or investment fund. Your interest in the
account must be nonforfeitable at all times. You may obtain further information
on IRAs from any district office of the Internal Revenue Service.
MAY I REVOKE MY IRA?
You may revoke a newly established Regular or Roth IRA at any time within
seven days after the date on which you receive this Disclosure Statement. A
Regular or Roth IRA established more than seven days after the date of your
receipt of this Disclosure Statement may not be revoked.
To revoke your Regular or Roth IRA, mail or deliver a written notice of
revocation to the Custodian at the address which appears at the end of this
Disclosure Statement. Mailed notice will be deemed given on the date that it is
postmarked (or, if sent by certified or registered mail, on the date of
certification or registration). If you revoke your Regular or Roth IRA within
the seven-day period, you are entitled to a return of the entire amount you
originally contributed into your Regular or Roth IRA, without adjustment for
such items as sales charges, administrative expenses or fluctuations in market
value.
INVESTMENTS
HOW ARE MY IRA CONTRIBUTIONS INVESTED?
You control the investment and reinvestment of contributions to your
Regular or Roth IRA. Investments must be in one or more of the Fund(s)
available from time to time as listed in the Adoption Agreement for your Regular
or Roth IRA or in an investment selection form provided with your Adoption
Agreement or from the Fund Distributor or Service Company. You direct the
investment of your IRA by giving your investment instructions to the Distributor
or Service Company for the Fund(s). Since you control the investment of your
Regular or Roth IRA, you are responsible for any losses; neither the Custodian,
the Distributor nor the Service Company has any responsibility for any loss or
diminution in value occasioned by your exercise of investment control.
Transactions for your Regular or Roth IRA will generally be at the applicable
public offering price or net asset value for shares of the Fund(s) involved next
established after the Distributor or the Service Company (whichever may apply)
receives proper investment instructions from you; consult the current prospectus
for the Fund(s) involved for additional information.
Before making any investment, read carefully the current prospectus for any
Fund you are considering as an investment for your Regular IRA or Roth IRA. The
prospectus will contain information about the Fund's investment objectives and
policies, as well as any minimum initial investment or minimum balance
requirements and any sales, redemption or other charges.
Because you control the selection of investments for your Regular or Roth
IRA and because mutual fund shares fluctuate in value, the growth in value of
your Regular or Roth IRA cannot be guaranteed or projected.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF MY IRA ASSETS?
The tax-exempt status of your Regular or Roth IRA will be revoked if you
engage in any of the prohibited transactions listed in Section 4975 of the tax
code. Upon such revocation, your Regular or Roth IRA is treated as distributing
its assets to you. The taxable portion of the amount in your IRA will be
subject to income tax (unless, in the case of a Roth IRA, the requirements for a
tax-free withdrawal are satisfied). Also, you may be subject to a 10% penalty
tax on the taxable amount as a premature withdrawal if you have not yet reached
the age of 59 1/2.
Any investment in a collectible (for example, rare stamps) by your Regular
or Roth IRA is treated as a withdrawal; the only exception involves certain
types of government-sponsored coins or certain types of precious metal bullion.
WHAT IS A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION?
Generally, a prohibited transaction is any improper use of the assets in
your Regular or Roth IRA. Some examples of prohibited transactions are:
- Direct or indirect sale or exchange of property between you and your
Regular or Roth IRA.
- Transfer of any property from your Regular or Roth IRA to yourself or
from yourself to your Regular or Roth IRA.
Your Regular or Roth IRA could lose its tax exempt status if you use
all or part of your interest in your Regular or Roth IRA as security for a loan
or borrow any money from your Regular or Roth IRA. Any portion of your Regular
or Roth IRA used as security for a loan will be treated as a distribution in the
year in which the money is borrowed. This amount may be taxable and you may
also be subject to the 10% premature withdrawal penalty on the taxable amount.
FEES AND EXPENSES
CUSTODIAN'S FEES
The following is a list of the fees charged by the Custodian for
maintaining either a Regular IRA or a Roth IRA.
Annual Maintenance Fee per account $13.00
GENERAL FEE POLICIES
- - Fees may be paid by you directly, or the Custodian may deduct them from
your Regular or Roth IRA.
- - Fees may be changed upon 30 days written notice to you.
- - The full annual maintenance fee will be charged for any calendar year
during which you have a Regular or Roth IRA with us. This fee is not
prorated for periods of less than one full year.
12
<PAGE>
- - The Custodian may charge you for its reasonable expenses for services not
covered by its fee schedule.
OTHER CHARGES
- - There may be sales or other charges associated with the purchase or
redemption of shares of a Fund in which your Regular IRA or Roth IRA is
invested. Before investing, be sure to read carefully the current
prospectus of any Fund you are considering as an investment for your
Regular IRA or Roth IRA for a description of applicable charges.
TAX MATTERS
WHAT IRA REPORTS DOES THE CUSTODIAN ISSUE?
The Custodian will report all withdrawals to the IRS and the recipient on
the appropriate form. For reporting purposes, a direct transfer of assets to a
successor custodian or trustee is not considered a withdrawal.
The Custodian will report to the IRS the year-end value of your account and
the amount of any rollover (including conversions of a Regular IRA to a Roth
IRA) or regular contribution made during a calendar year, as well as the tax
year for which a contribution is made. Unless the Custodian receives an
indication from you to the contrary, it will treat any amount as a contribution
for the tax year in which it is received. It is MOST IMPORTANT that a
contribution between January and April 15th for the prior year be clearly
designated as such.
WHAT TAX INFORMATION MUST I REPORT TO THE IRS?
You must file Form 5329 with the IRS for each taxable year for which you
made an excess contribution or you take a premature withdrawal that is subject
to the 10% penalty tax, or you withdraw less than the minimum amount required
from your Regular IRA. If your beneficiary fails to make required minimum
withdrawals from your Regular or Roth IRA after your death, your beneficiary may
be subject to an excise tax and be required to file Form 5329.
For Regular IRAs, you must also report each nondeductible contribution to
the IRS by designating it a nondeductible contribution on your tax return. Use
Form 8606. In addition, for any year in which you make a nondeductible
contribution or take a withdrawal, you must include additional information on
your tax return. The information required includes: (1) the amount of your
nondeductible contributions for that year; (2) the amount of withdrawals from
Regular IRAs in that year; (3) the amount by which your total nondeductible
contributions for all the years exceed the total amount of your distributions
previously excluded from gross income; and (4) the total value of all your
Regular IRAs as of the end of the year. If you fail to report any of this
information, the IRS will assume that all your contributions were deductible.
This will result in the taxation of the portion of your withdrawals that should
be treated as a nontaxable return of your nondeductible contributions.
WHICH WITHDRAWALS ARE SUBJECT TO WITHHOLDING?
ROTH IRA
Federal income tax will be withheld at a flat rate of 10% of any taxable
withdrawal from your Roth IRA, unless you elect not to have tax withheld.
Withdrawals from a Roth IRA are not subject to the mandatory 20% income tax
withholding that applies to most distributions from qualified plans or 403(b)
accounts that are not directly rolled over to another plan or IRA.
REGULAR IRA
Federal income tax will be withheld at a flat rate of 10% from any
withdrawal from your Regular IRA, unless you elect not to have tax withheld.
Withdrawals from a Regular IRA are not subject to the mandatory 20% income tax
withholding that applies to most distributions from qualified plans or 403(b)
accounts that are not directly rolled over to another plan or IRA.
ACCOUNT TERMINATION
You may terminate your Regular IRA or Roth IRA at any time after its
establishment by sending a completed withdrawal form, or a transfer
authorization form, to:
FPA FUNDS
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
P.O. Box 8500
Boston, MA 02266-8500
Your Regular IRA or Roth IRA with State Street Bank will terminate upon the
first to occur of the following:
- The date your properly executed withdrawal form (as described above)
withdrawing your total Regular IRA or Roth IRA balance is received and
accepted by the Custodian or, if later, the termination date specified
in the withdrawal form.
- The date the Regular IRA or Roth IRA ceases to qualify under the tax
code. This will be deemed a termination.
- The transfer of the Regular IRA or Roth IRA to another
custodian/trustee.
- The rollover of the amounts in the Regular IRA or Roth IRA to another
custodian/trustee.
Any outstanding fees must be received prior to such a termination of your
account.
The amount you receive from your IRA upon termination of the account
will be treated as a withdrawal, and thus the rules relating to Regular IRA
or Roth IRA withdrawals will apply. For example, if the IRA is terminated
before you reach age 59 1/2, the 10% early withdrawal penalty may apply to
the taxable amount you receive.
IRA DOCUMENTS
REGULAR IRA
The terms contained in Articles I to VII of Part One of the State Street
Bank and Trust Company Universal Individual Retirement Custodial Account
document have been promulgated by the IRS in Form 5305-A for use in establishing
a Regular IRA Custodial Account that meets the requirements of Code Section
408(a) for a valid Regular IRA. This IRS approval relates only to the form of
Articles I to VII and is not an approval of the merits of the Regular IRA or of
any investment permitted by the Regular IRA.
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ROTH IRA
The terms contained in Articles I through VII of Part Two of the State
Street Bank and Trust Company Universal Individual Retirement Account Custodial
Agreement have not been promulgated or approved by the IRS. It is expected
that, if the IRS issues a model form for establishing a Roth IRA, the Custodian
will adopt the provisions of such model form as an amendment to such Part Two.
Based on our legal advice, State Street Bank believes that the use of a
Universal Individual Retirement Account Information Kit such as this, containing
information and documents for both a Regular IRA or a Roth IRA, will be
acceptable. However, if the IRS makes a ruling, or if Congress enacts
legislation, disallowing the use of a "combined" approach such as this, State
Street Bank will forward to you a Regular IRA or a Roth IRA Kit (as appropriate)
for you to read and, if necessary, an appropriate new Adoption Agreement to
sign. By adopting a Regular IRA or a Roth IRA using these materials, you
acknowledge this possibility and agree to this procedure if necessary. In all
cases, to the extent permitted, State Street Bank will treat your IRA as being
opened on the date your account was opened using the Adoption Agreement in this
Kit.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information you may write to the following address or call
the following telephone number.
FPA Funds
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8500
Boston, MA 02266-8500
(800) 638-3060
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STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY UNIVERSAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT
ACCOUNT CUSTODIAL AGREEMENT
PART ONE: PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO REGULAR IRAS PROVISIONS
The following provisions of Articles I to VII are in the form promulgated by the
Internal Revenue Service in Form 5305-A for use in establishing an individual
retirement custodial account.
ARTICLE I.
The Custodian may accept additional cash contributions on behalf of
the Depositor for a tax year of the Depositor. The total cash contributions are
limited to $2,000 for the tax year unless the contribution is a rollover
contribution described in section 402(c)(but only after December 31, 1992),
403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), or an employer contribution to a simplified
employee pension plan as described in section 408(k). Rollover contributions
before January 1, 1993 include rollovers described in section 402(a)(5),
402(a)(6), 402(a)(7), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8) or 408(d)(3) of the Code or an
employer contribution to a simplified employee pension plan as described in
section 408(k).
ARTICLE II.
The Depositor's interest in the balance in the custodial account is
nonforfeitable.
ARTICLE III.
1. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in life insurance
contracts, nor may the assets of the custodial account be commingled
with other property except in a common trust fund or common investment
fund (within the meaning of section 408(a)(5) of the Code).
2. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in collectibles (within
the meaning of section 408(m) except as otherwise permitted by section
408(m)(3) which provides an exception for certain gold and silver
coins and coins issued under the laws of any state.
ARTICLE IV.
1. Notwithstanding any provisions of this agreement to the contrary, the
distribution of the Depositor's interest in the custodial account shall be
made in accordance with the following requirements and shall otherwise
comply with section 408(a)(6) and Proposed Regulations section 1.408-8,
including the incidental death benefit provisions of Proposed Regulations
section 1.401(a)(9)-2, the provisions of which are incorporated by
reference.
2. Unless otherwise elected by the time distributions are required to begin to
the Depositor under paragraph 3, or to the surviving spouse under paragraph
4, other than in the case of a life annuity, life expectancies shall be
recalculated annually. Such election shall be irrevocable as to the
Depositor and the surviving spouse and shall apply to all subsequent years.
The life expectancy of a nonspouse beneficiary may not be recalculated.
3. The Depositor's entire interest in the custodial account must be, or begin
to be, distributed by the Depositor's required beginning date, the April 1
following the calendar year end in which the Depositor reaches age 70 1/2.
By that date, the Depositor may elect, in a manner acceptable to the
Custodian, to have the balance in the custodial account distributed in:
a) A single-sum payment.
b) An annuity contract that provides equal or substantially equal
monthly, quarterly, or annual payments over the life of the Depositor.
c) An annuity contract that provides equal or substantially equal
monthly, quarterly, or annual payments over the joint and last
survivor lives of the Depositor and his or her designated beneficiary.
d) Equal or substantially equal annual payments over a specified period
that may not be longer than the Depositor's life expectancy.
e) Equal or substantially equal annual payments over a specified period
that may not be longer than the joint life and last survivor
expectancy of the Depositor and his or her designated beneficiary.
4. If the Depositor dies before his or her entire interest is distributed to
him or her, the entire remaining interest will be distributed as follows:
a) If the Depositor dies on or after distribution of his or her interest
has begun, distribution must continue to be made in accordance with
paragraph 3.
b) If the Depositor dies before distribution of his or her interest has
begun, the entire remaining interest will, at the election of the
Depositor or, if the Depositor has not so elected, at the election of
the beneficiary or beneficiaries, either
i) Be distributed by the December 31 of the year containing the
fifth anniversary of the Depositor's death, or
ii) Be distributed in equal or substantially equal payments over the
life or life expectancy of the designated beneficiary or
beneficiaries starting by December 31 of the year following the
year of the Depositor's death. If, however, the beneficiary is
the Depositor's surviving spouse, then this distribution is not
required to begin before December 31 of the year in which the
Depositor would have turned age 70 1/2.
c) Except where distribution in the form of an annuity meeting the
requirements of section 408(b)(3) and its related regulations has
irrevocably commenced, distributions are treated as having begun on
the Depositor's required beginning date, even though
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payments may actually have been made before that date.
d) If the Depositor dies before his or her entire interest has been
distributed and if the beneficiary is other than the surviving spouse,
no additional cash contributions or rollover contributions may be
accepted in the account.
5. In the case of distribution over life expectancy in equal or substantially
equal annual payments, to determine the minimum annual payment for each
year, divide the Depositor's entire interest in the custodial account as of
the close of business on December 31 of the preceding year by the life
expectancy of the Depositor (or the joint life and last survivor expectancy
of the Depositor and the Depositor's designated beneficiary, or the life
expectancy of the designated beneficiary, whichever applies.) In the case
of distributions under paragraph 3, determine the initial life expectancy
(or joint life and last survivor expectancy) using the attained ages of the
Depositor and designated beneficiary as of their birthdays in the year the
Depositor reaches age 70 1/2. In the case of a distribution in accordance
with paragraph 4(b)(ii), determine life expectancy using the attained age
of the designated beneficiary as of the beneficiary's birthday in the year
distributions are required to commence.
The owner of two or more individual retirement accounts may use the
"alternative method" described in Notice 88-38, 1988-1 C.B. 524, to satisfy
the minimum distribution requirements described above. This method permits
an individual to satisfy these requirements by taking from one individual
retirement account the amount required to satisfy the requirement for
another.
ARTICLE V.
1. The Depositor agrees to provide the Custodian with information
necessary for the Custodian to prepare any reports required under
section 408(i) and Regulations sections 1.408-5 and 1.408-6.
2. The Custodian agrees to submit reports to the Internal Revenue Service
and the Depositor as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE VI.
Notwithstanding any other articles which may be added or incorporated,
the provisions of Articles I through III and this sentence will be controlling.
Any additional articles that are not consistent with section 408(a) and the
related regulations will be invalid.
ARTICLE VII.
This agreement will be amended from time to time to comply with the
provisions of the Code and related regulations. Other amendments may be made
with the consent of the persons whose signatures appear on the Adoption
Agreement.
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PART TWO: PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ROTH IRAS
See Section 25 of Part Three for information about the following provisions of
Articles I to VII.
ARTICLE I.
The Custodian may accept additional cash contributions on behalf of
the Depositor for a tax year of the Depositor. The total cash contributions are
limited to $2,000 for the tax year unless the contribution is a rollover
contribution which is a qualified rollover described in Section 408A(c)(6) of
the Code.
ARTICLE II.
The Depositor's interest in the balance in the custodial account is
nonforfeitable.
ARTICLE III.
1. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in life insurance
contracts, nor may the assets of the custodial account be commingled
with other property except in a common trust fund or common investment
fund (within the meaning of section 408(a)(5) of the Code).
2. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in collectibles (within
the meaning of section 408(m)) except as otherwise permitted by
section 408(m)(3) which provides an exception for certain coins issued
under specified statutes, coins issued under the laws of any state,
and certain gold, silver, platinum or palladium bullion.
ARTICLE IV.
1. Notwithstanding any provisions of this agreement to the contrary, the
distribution of the Depositor's interest in the custodial account
shall be made in accordance with the following requirements and shall
otherwise comply with section 408(a)(6) as modified by section
408A(c)(5).
2. Unless otherwise elected by the time distributions are required to
begin to the surviving spouse of the Depositor under paragraph 3,
other than in the case of a life annuity to the surviving spouse, life
expectancy of the surviving spouse shall be recalculated annually.
Such election shall be irrevocable as to the surviving spouse and
shall apply to all subsequent years. The life expectancy of a
nonspouse beneficiary may not be recalculated.
3. If the Depositor dies before his or her entire interest is distributed
to him or her, the entire remaining interest will at the election of
the Depositor or, if the Depositor has not so elected, at the
election of the beneficiary or beneficiaries, either:
a) Be distributed by the December 31 of the year containing the
fifth anniversary of the Depositor's death, or
b) Be distributed in equal or substantially equal payments over the
life or life expectancy of the designated beneficiary or
beneficiaries starting by December 31 of the year following the
year of the Depositor's death. If, however, the beneficiary is
the Depositor's surviving spouse, then this distribution is not
required to begin before December 31 of the year in which the
Depositor would have turned age 70 1/2.
c) If the Depositor dies before his or her entire interest has been
distributed and if the beneficiary is other than the surviving
spouse, no additional cash contributions or rollover
contributions may be accepted in the account.
4. In the case of distribution over life expectancy in equal or
substantially equal annual payments, to determine the minimum annual
payment for each year, divide the Depositor's entire interest in the
custodial account as of the close of business on December 31 of the
preceding year by the life expectancy of the designated beneficiary.
Determine that initial life expectancy using the attained age of the
designated beneficiary as of such beneficiary's birthday in the year
distributions are required to commence.
ARTICLE V.
1. The Depositor agrees to provide the Custodian with information
necessary for the Custodian to prepare any reports required under
section 408(i) and section 408A(d)(3)(E) and regulations thereunder.
2. The Custodian agrees to submit reports to the Internal Revenue Service
and the Depositor as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE VI.
Notwithstanding any other articles which may be added or incorporated,
the provisions of Articles I through III and this sentence will be controlling.
Any additional articles that are not consistent with section 408A and any
related regulations will be invalid.
ARTICLE VII.
This agreement will be amended from time to time to comply with the
provisions of the Code and related regulations. Other amendments may be made
with the consent of the persons whose signatures appear on the Adoption
Agreement.
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PART THREE: PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO BOTH REGULAR IRAS AND ROTH IRAS
Article VIII.
1. As used in this Article VIII the following terms have the following
meanings:
"Account" or "Custodial Account" means the individual retirement account
established using the terms of either Part One or Part Two and, in either
event, Part Three of this State Street Bank and Trust Company Universal
Individual Retirement Account Custodial Agreement and the Adoption
Agreement signed by the Depositor. The Account may be a Regular Individual
Retirement Account or a Roth Individual Retirement Account, as specified by
the Depositor. See Section 24 below.
"Custodian" means State Street Bank and Trust Company.
"Fund" means any registered investment company which is advised, sponsored
or distributed by Sponsor provided, however, that such a mutual fund or
registered investment company must be legally offered for sale in the state
of the Depositor's residence.
"Distributor" means the entity which has a contract with the Fund(s) to
serve as distributor of the shares of such Fund(s).
In any case where there is no Distributor, the duties assigned hereunder to
the Distributor may be performed by the Fund(s) or by an entity that has a
contract to perform management or investment advisory services for the
Fund(s).
"Service Company" means any entity employed by the Custodian or the
Distributor, including the transfer agent for the Fund(s), to perform
various administrative duties of either the Custodian or the Distributor.
In any case where there is no Service Company, the duties assigned
hereunder to the Service Company will be performed by the Distributor (if
any) or by an entity specified in the second preceding paragraph.
"Sponsor" means FPA Fund Distributors, Inc.
2. The Depositor may revoke the Custodial Account established hereunder by
mailing or delivering a written notice of revocation to the Custodian
within seven days after the Depositor receives the Disclosure Statement
related to the Custodial Account. Mailed notice is treated as given to the
Custodian on date of the postmark (or on the date of Post Office
certification or registration in the case of notice sent by certified or
registered mail). Upon timely revocation, the Depositor's initial
contribution will be returned, without adjustment for administrative
expenses, commissions or sales charges, fluctuations in market value or
other changes.
The Depositor may certify in the Adoption Agreement that the Depositor
received the Disclosure Statement related to the Custodial Account at least
seven days before the Depositor signed the Adoption Agreement to establish
the Custodial Account, and the Custodian may rely upon such certification.
3. All contributions to the Custodial Account shall be invested and reinvested
in full and fractional shares of one or more Funds. Such investments shall
be made in such proportions and/or in such amounts as Depositor from time
to time in the Adoption Agreement or by other written notice to the Service
Company (in such form as may be acceptable to the Service Company) may
direct.
The Service Company shall be responsible for promptly transmitting all
investment directions by the Depositor for the purchase or sale of shares
of one or more Funds hereunder to the Funds' transfer agent for execution.
However, if investment directions with respect to the investment of any
contribution hereunder are not received from the Depositor as required or,
if received, are unclear or incomplete in the opinion of the Service
Company, the contribution will be returned to the Depositor, or will be
held uninvested (or invested in a money market fund if available) pending
clarification or completion by the Depositor, in either case without
liability for interest or for loss of income or appreciation. If any other
directions or other orders by the Depositor with respect to the sale or
purchase of shares of one or more Funds for the Custodial Account are
unclear or incomplete in the opinion of the Service Company, the Service
Company will refrain from carrying out such investment directions or from
executing any such sale or purchase, without liability for loss of income
or for appreciation or depreciation of any asset, pending receipt of
clarification or completion from the Depositor.
All investment directions by Depositor will be subject to any minimum
initial or additional investment or minimum balance rules applicable to a
Fund as described in its prospectus.
All dividends and capital gains or other distributions received on the
shares of any Fund held in the Depositor's Account shall be (unless
received in additional shares) reinvested in full and fractional shares of
such Fund (or of any other Fund offered by the Sponsor, if so directed).
4. Subject to the minimum initial or additional investment, minimum balance
and other exchange rules applicable to a Fund, the Depositor may at any
time direct the Service Company to exchange all or a specified portion of
the shares of a Fund in the Depositor's Account for shares and fractional
shares of one or more other Funds. The Depositor shall give such
directions by written notice acceptable to the Service Company, and the
Service Company will process such directions as soon as practicable after
receipt thereof (subject to the second paragraph of Section 3 of this
Article VIII).
5. Any purchase or redemption of shares of a Fund for or from the Depositor's
Account will be effected at the public offering price or net asset value of
such Fund (as described in the then effective prospectus for such Fund)
next established after the Service Company has transmitted the Depositor's
investment directions to the transfer agent for the Fund(s).
Any purchase, exchange, transfer or redemption of shares of a Fund for or
from the Depositor's Account will be subject to any applicable sales,
redemption or other charge as described in the then effective prospectus
for such Fund.
6. The Service Company shall maintain adequate records of all purchases or
sales of shares of one or more Funds for the Depositor's Custodial Account.
Any account maintained in
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connection herewith shall be in the name of the Custodian for the benefit
of the Depositor. All assets of the Custodial Account shall be registered
in the name of the Custodian or of a suitable nominee. The books and
records of the Custodian shall show that all such investments are part of
the Custodial Account.
The Custodian shall maintain or cause to be maintained adequate records
reflecting transactions of the Custodial Account. In the discretion of the
Custodian, records maintained by the Service Company with respect to the
Account hereunder will be deemed to satisfy the Custodian's recordkeeping
responsibilities therefor. The Service Company agrees to furnish the
Custodian with any information the Custodian requires to carry out the
Custodian's recordkeeping responsibilities.
Neither the Custodian nor any other party providing services to the
Custodial Account will have any responsibility for rendering advice with
respect to the investment and reinvestment of Depositor's Custodial
Account, nor shall such parties be liable for any loss or diminution in
value which results from Depositor's exercise of investment control over
his Custodial Account. Depositor shall have and exercise exclusive
responsibility for and control over the investment of the assets of his
Custodial Account, and neither Custodian nor any other such party shall
have any duty to question his directions in that regard or to advise him
regarding the purchase, retention or sale of shares of one or more Funds
for the Custodial Account.
8. The Depositor may in writing appoint an investment advisor with respect to
the Custodial Account on a form acceptable to the Custodian and the Service
Company. The investment advisor's appointment will be in effect until
written notice to the contrary is received by the Custodian and the Service
Company. While an investment advisor's appointment is in effect, the
investment advisor may issue investment directions or may issue orders for
the sale or purchase of shares of one or more Funds to the Service Company,
and the Service Company will be fully protected in carrying out such
investment directions or orders to the same extent as if they had been
given by the Depositor.
The Depositor's appointment of any investment advisor will also be deemed
to be instructions to the Custodian and the Service Company to pay such
investment advisor's fees to the investment advisor from the Custodial
Account hereunder without additional authorization by the Depositor or the
Custodian.
9. Distribution of the assets of the Custodial Account shall be made at such
time and in such form as Depositor (or the Beneficiary if Depositor is
deceased) shall elect by written order to the Custodian. Depositor
acknowledges that any distribution of a taxable amount from the Custodial
Account (except for distribution on account of Depositor's disability or
death, return of an "excess contribution" referred to in Code Section 4973,
or a "rollover" from this Custodial Account) made earlier than age 59 1/2
may subject Depositor to an "additional tax on early distributions" under
Code Section 72(t) unless an exception to such additional tax is
applicable. For that purpose, Depositor will be considered disabled if
Depositor can prove, as provided in Code Section 72(m)(7), that Depositor
is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected
to result in death or be of long-continued and indefinite duration. It is
the responsibility of the Depositor (or the Beneficiary) by appropriate
distribution instructions to the Custodian to insure that any applicable
distribution requirements of Code Section 401(a)(9) and Article IV above
are met. If the Depositor (or Beneficiary) does not direct the Custodian
to make distributions from the Custodial Account by the time that such
distributions are required to commence in accordance with such distribution
requirements, the Custodian (and Service Company) shall assume that the
Depositor (or Beneficiary) is meeting the minimum distribution requirements
from another individual retirement arrangement maintained by the Depositor
(or Beneficiary) and the Custodian and Service Company shall be fully
protected in so doing. The Depositor (or the Depositor's surviving spouse)
may elect to comply with the distribution requirements in Article IV using
the recalculation of life expectancy method, or may elect that the life
expectancy of the Depositor and/or the Depositor's surviving spouse, as
applicable, will not be recalculated; any such election may be in such form
as the Depositor (or surviving spouse) provides (including the calculation
of minimum distribution amounts in accordance with a method that does not
provide for recalculation of the life expectancy of one or both of the
Depositor and surviving spouse and instructions for withdrawals to the
Custodian in accordance with such method). Notwithstanding paragraph 2 of
Article IV, unless an election to have life expectancies recalculated
annually is made by the time distributions are required to begin, life
expectancies shall not be recalculated. Neither the Custodian nor any
other party providing services to the Custodial Account assumes any
responsibility for the tax treatment of any distribution from the Custodial
Account; such responsibility rests solely with the person ordering the
distribution.
10. The Custodian assumes (and shall have) no responsibility to make any
distribution except upon the written order of Depositor (or Beneficiary if
Depositor is deceased) containing such information as the Custodian may
reasonably request. Also, before making any distribution or honoring any
assignment of the Custodial Account, Custodian shall be furnished with any
and all applications, certificates, tax waivers, signature guarantees and
other documents (including proof of any legal representative's authority)
deemed necessary or advisable by Custodian, but Custodian shall not be
responsible for complying with any order or instruction which appears on
its face to be genuine, or for refusing to comply if not satisfied it is
genuine, and Custodian has no duty of further inquiry. Any distributions
from the Account may be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the last
known address of the person who is to receive such distribution, as shown
on the Custodian's records, and such distribution shall to the extent
thereof completely discharge the Custodian's liability for such payment.
11. a) The term "Beneficiary" means the person or persons designated as such
by the "designating person" (as defined below) on a form acceptable to
the Custodian for use in connection with the Custodial Account, signed
by the designating person, and filed with the Custodian. The form may
name individuals, trusts, estates, or other entities as either primary
or contingent beneficiaries. However, if the designation does not
effectively dispose of the entire Custodial Account as of the time
distribution is to commence, the term "Beneficiary" shall then mean
the designating person's estate with respect to the assets of the
Custodial Account not disposed of by the designation form. The form
last accepted by the Custodian before such distribution is to
commence, provided it was received by the Custodian (or deposited in
the U.S. Mail or with a reputable delivery service) during the
designating person's lifetime, shall be controlling and,
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whether or not fully dispositive of the Custodial Account, thereupon
shall revoke all such forms previously filed by that person. The term
"designating person" means Depositor during his/her lifetime; after
Depositor's death, it also means Depositor's spouse, but only if the
spouse elects to treat the Custodial Account as the spouse's own
Custodial Account in accordance with applicable provisions of the
Code.
b) When and after distributions from the Custodial Account to Depositor's
Beneficiary commence, all rights and obligations assigned to Depositor
hereunder shall inure to, and be enjoyed and exercised by, Beneficiary
instead of Depositor.
12. a) The Depositor agrees to provide information to the Custodian at such
time and in such manner as may be necessary for the Custodian to
prepare any reports required under Section 408(i) or Section
408A(d)(3)(E) of the Code and the regulations thereunder or otherwise.
b) The Custodian or the Service Company will submit reports to the
Internal Revenue Service and the Depositor at such time and manner and
containing such information as is prescribed by the Internal Revenue
Service.
c) The Depositor, Custodian and Service Company shall furnish to each
other such information relevant to the Custodial Account as may be
required under the Code and any regulations issued or forms adopted by
the Treasury Department thereunder or as may otherwise be necessary
for the administration of the Custodial Account.
d) The Depositor shall file any reports to the Internal Revenue Service
which are required of him by law (including Form 5329), and neither
the Custodian nor Service Company shall have any duty to advise
Depositor concerning or monitor Depositor's compliance with such
requirement.
13. a) Depositor retains the right to amend this Custodial Account document
in any respect at any time, effective on a stated date which shall be
at least 60 days after giving written notice of the amendment
(including its exact terms) to Custodian by registered or certified
mail, unless Custodian waives notice as to such amendment. If the
Custodian does not wish to continue serving as such under this
Custodial Account document as so amended, it may resign in accordance
with Section 17 below.
b) Depositor delegates to the Custodian the Depositor's right so to
amend, provided (i) the Custodian does not change the investments
available under this Custodial Agreement and (ii) the Custodian amends
in the same manner all agreements comparable to this one, having the
same Custodian, permitting comparable investments, and under which
such power has been delegated to it; this includes the power to amend
retroactively if necessary or appropriate in the opinion of the
Custodian in order to conform this Custodial Account to pertinent
provisions of the Code and other laws or successor provisions of law,
or to obtain a governmental ruling that such requirements are met, to
adopt a prototype or master form of agreement in substitution for this
Agreement, or as otherwise may be advisable in the opinion of the
Custodian. Such an amendment by the Custodian shall be communicated
in writing to Depositor, and Depositor shall be deemed to have
consented thereto unless, within 30 days after such communication to
Depositor is mailed, Depositor either (i) gives Custodian a written
order for a complete distribution or transfer of the Custodial
Account, or (ii) removes the Custodian and appoints a successor under
Section 17 below.
Pending the adoption of any amendment necessary or desirable to
conform this Custodial Account document to the requirements of any
amendment to any applicable provision of the Internal Revenue Code or
regulations or rulings thereunder, the Custodian and the Service
Company may operate the Depositor's Custodial Account in accordance
with such requirements to the extent that the Custodian and/or the
Service Company deem necessary to preserve the tax benefits of the
Account.
c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) above, no
amendment shall increase the responsibilities or duties of Custodian
without its prior written consent.
d) This Section 13 shall not be construed to restrict the Custodian's
right to substitute fee schedules in the manner provided by Section 16
below, and no such substitution shall be deemed to be an amendment of
this Agreement.
14. a) Custodian shall terminate the Custodial Account if this Agreement is
terminated or if, within 30 days (or such longer time as Custodian may
agree) after resignation or removal of Custodian under Section 17,
Depositor or Sponsor, as the case may be, has not appointed a
successor which has accepted such appointment. Termination of the
Custodial Account shall be effected by distributing all assets thereof
in a single payment in cash or in kind to Depositor, subject to
Custodian's right to reserve funds as provided in Section 17.
b) Upon termination of the Custodial Account, this custodial account
document shall have no further force and effect (except for Sections
15(f), 17(b) and (c) hereof which shall survive the termination of
the Custodial Account and this document), and Custodian shall be
relieved from all further liability hereunder or with respect to the
Custodial Account and all assets thereof so distributed.
15. a) In its discretion, the Custodian may appoint one or more contractors
or service providers to carry out any of its functions and may
compensate them from the Custodial Account for expenses attendant to
those functions. In the event of such appointment, all rights and
privileges of the Custodian under this Agreement shall pass through to
such contractors or service providers who shall be entitled to enforce
them as if a named party.
b) The Service Company shall be responsible for receiving all
instructions, notices, forms and remittances from Depositor and for
dealing with or forwarding the same to the transfer agent for the
Fund(s).
c) The parties do not intend to confer any fiduciary duties on Custodian
or Service Company (or any other party providing services to the
Custodial Account), and none shall be implied. Neither shall be
liable (or assumes
20
<PAGE>
any responsibility) for the collection of contributions, the proper
amount, time or tax treatment of any contribution to the Custodial
Account or the propriety of any contributions under this Agreement, or
the purpose, time, amount (including any minimum distribution
amounts), tax treatment or propriety of any distribution hereunder,
which matters are the sole responsibility of Depositor and Depositor's
Beneficiary.
d) Not later than 60 days after the close of each calendar year (or after
the Custodian's resignation or removal), the Custodian or Service
Company shall file with Depositor a written report or reports
reflecting the transactions effected by it during such period and the
assets of the Custodial Account at its close. Upon the expiration of
60 days after such a report is sent to Depositor (or Beneficiary), the
Custodian or Service Company shall be forever released and discharged
from all liability and accountability to anyone with respect to
transactions shown in or reflected by such report except with respect
to any such acts or transactions as to which Depositor shall have
filed written objections with the Custodian or Service Company within
such 60 day period.
e) The Service Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to
Depositor all notices, prospectuses, financial statements and other
reports to shareholders, proxies and proxy soliciting materials
relating to the shares of the Funds(s) credited to the Custodial
Account. No shares shall be voted, and no other action shall be taken
pursuant to such documents, except upon receipt of adequate written
instructions from Depositor.
f) Depositor shall always fully indemnify Service Company, Distributor,
the Fund(s), Sponsor and Custodian and save them harmless from any and
all liability whatsoever which may arise either (i) in connection with
this Agreement and the matters which it contemplates, except that
which arises directly out of the Service Company's, Distributor's,
Fund's, Sponsor's or Custodian's bad faith, gross negligence or
willful misconduct, (ii) with respect to making or failing to make any
distribution, other than for failure to make distribution in
accordance with an order therefor which is in full compliance with
Section 10, or (iii) actions taken or omitted in good faith by such
parties. Neither Service Company nor Custodian shall be obligated or
expected to commence or defend any legal action or proceeding in
connection with this Agreement or such matters unless agreed upon by
that party and Depositor, and unless fully indemnified for so doing to
that party's satisfaction.
g) The Custodian and Service Company shall each be responsible solely for
performance of those duties expressly assigned to it in this
Agreement, and neither assumes any responsibility as to duties
assigned to anyone else hereunder or by operation of law.
h) The Custodian and Service Company may each conclusively rely upon and
shall be protected in acting upon any written order from Depositor or
Beneficiary, or any investment advisor appointed under Section 8, or
any other notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or
paper believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed,
and so long as it acts in good faith, in taking or omitting to take
any other action in reliance thereon. In addition, Custodian will
carry out the requirements of any apparently valid court order
relating to the Custodial Account and will incur no liability or
responsibility for so doing.
16. a) The Custodian, in consideration of its services under this Agreement,
shall receive the fees specified on the applicable fee schedule. The
fee schedule originally applicable shall be the one specified in the
Adoption Agreement or Disclosure Statement, as applicable. The
Custodian may substitute a different fee schedule at any time upon
30 days' written notice to Depositor. The Custodian shall also
receive reasonable fees for any services not contemplated by any
applicable fee schedule and either deemed by it to be necessary or
desirable or requested by Depositor.
b) Any income, gift, estate and inheritance taxes and other taxes of any
kind whatsoever, including transfer taxes incurred in connection with
the investment or reinvestment of the assets of the Custodial Account,
that may be levied or assessed in respect to such assets, and all
other administrative expenses incurred by the Custodian in the
performance of its duties (including fees for legal services rendered
to it in connection with the Custodial Account) shall be charged to
the Custodial Account. If the Custodian is required to pay any such
amount, the Depositor (or Beneficiary) shall promptly upon notice
thereof reimburse the Custodian.
c) All such fees and taxes and other administrative expenses charged to
the Custodial Account shall be collected either from the amount of any
contribution or distribution to or from the Account, or (at the option
of the person entitled to collect such amounts) to the extent possible
under the circumstances by the conversion into cash of sufficient
shares of one or more Funds held in the Custodial Account (without
liability for any loss incurred thereby). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian or Service Company may make demand upon the
Depositor for payment of the amount of such fees, taxes and other
administrative expenses. Fees which remain outstanding after 60 days
may be subject to a collection charge.
17. a) Upon 30 days' prior written notice to the Custodian, Depositor or
Sponsor, as the case may be, may remove it from its office hereunder.
Such notice, to be effective, shall designate a successor custodian
and shall be accompanied by the successor's written acceptance. The
Custodian also may at any time resign upon 30 days' prior written
notice to Sponsor, whereupon the Sponsor shall notify the Depositor
(or Beneficiary) and shall appoint a successor to the Custodian. In
connection with its resignation hereunder, the Custodian may designate
a successor custodian by written notice to the Sponsor or Depositor
(or Beneficiary), and the Sponsor or Depositor (or Beneficiary) will
be deemed to have consented to such successor unless the Sponsor or
Depositor (or Beneficiary) designates a different successor custodian
and provides written notice thereof together with such a different
successor's written acceptance by such date as the Custodian specifies
in its original notice to the Sponsor or Depositor (or Beneficiary)
(provided that the Sponsor or Depositor (or Beneficiary) will have a
21
<PAGE>
minimum of 30 days to designate a different successor).
b) The successor custodian shall be a bank, insured credit union, or
other person satisfactory to the Secretary of the Treasury under Code
Section 408(a)(2). Upon receipt by Custodian of written acceptance by
its successor of such successor's appointment, Custodian shall
transfer and pay over to such successor the assets of the Custodial
Account and all records (or copies thereof) of Custodian pertaining
thereto, provided that the successor custodian agrees not to dispose
of any such records without the Custodian's consent. Custodian is
authorized, however, to reserve such sum of money or property as it
may deem advisable for payment of all its fees, compensation, costs,
and expenses, or for payment of any other liabilities constituting a
charge on or against the assets of the Custodial Account or on or
against the Custodian, with any balance of such reserve remaining
after the payment of all such items to be paid over to the successor
custodian.
c) Any Custodian shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of its
predecessor or its successor.
18. References herein to the "Internal Revenue Code" or "Code" and sections
thereof shall mean the same as amended from time to time, including
successors to such sections.
19. Except where otherwise specifically required in this Agreement, any notice
from Custodian to any person provided for in this Agreement shall be
effective if sent by first-class mail to such person at that person's last
address on the Custodian's records.
20. Depositor or Depositor's Beneficiary shall not have the right or power to
anticipate any part of the Custodial Account or to sell, assign, transfer,
pledge or hypothecate any part thereof. The Custodial Account shall not be
liable for the debts of Depositor or Depositor's Beneficiary or subject to
any seizure, attachment, execution or other legal process in respect
thereof except to the extent required by law. At no time shall it be
possible for any part of the assets of the Custodial Account to be used for
or diverted to purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of the
Depositor or his/her Beneficiary except to the extent required by law.
21. When accepted by the Custodian, this Agreement is accepted in and shall be
construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the state where
the principal offices of the Custodian are located. Any action involving
the Custodian brought by any other party must be brought in a state or
federal court in such state.
If in the Adoption Agreement, Depositor designates that the Custodial
Account is a Regular IRA, this Agreement is intended to qualify under Code
Section 408(a) as an individual retirement Custodial Account and to entitle
Depositor to the retirement savings deduction under Code Section 219 if
available. If in the Adoption Agreement Depositor designates that the
Custodial Account is a Roth IRA, this Agreement is intended to qualify
under Code Section 408A as a Roth individual retirement Custodial Account
and to entitle Depositor to the tax-free withdrawal of amounts from the
Custodial Account to the extent permitted in such Code section.
If any provision hereof is subject to more than one interpretation or any
term used herein is subject to more than one construction, such ambiguity
shall be resolved in favor of that interpretation or construction which is
consistent with the intent expressed in whichever of the two preceding
sentences is applicable.
However, the Custodian shall not be responsible for whether or not such
intentions are achieved through use of this Agreement, and Depositor is
referred to Depositor's attorney for any such assurances.
22. Depositor should seek advice from Depositor's attorney regarding the legal
consequences (including but not limited to federal and state tax matters)
of entering into this Agreement, contributing to the Custodial Account, and
ordering Custodian to make distributions from the Account. Depositor
acknowledges that Custodian and Service Company (and any company associated
therewith) are prohibited by law from rendering such advice.
23. If any provision of any document governing the Custodial Account provides
for notice, instructions or other communications from one party to another
in writing, to the extent provided for in the procedures of the Custodian,
Service Company or another party, any such notice, instructions or other
communications may be given by telephonic, computer, other electronic or
other means, and the requirement for written notice will be deemed
satisfied.
24. The legal documents governing the Custodial Account are as follows:
a) If in the Adoption Agreement the Depositor designated the Custodial
Account as a Regular IRA under Code Section 408(a), the provisions of
Part One and Part Three of this Agreement and the provisions of the
Adoption Agreement are the legal documents governing the Depositor's
Custodial Account.
b) If in the Adoption Agreement the Depositor designated the Custodial
Account as a Roth IRA under Code Section 408A, the provisions of Part
Two and Part Three of this Agreement and the provisions of the
Adoption Agreement are the legal documents governing the Depositor's
Custodial Account.
25. Articles I through VII of Part One of this Agreement are in the form
promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service as Form 5305-A. It is
anticipated that, if and when the Internal Revenue Service promulgates
changes to Form 5305-A, the Custodian will amend this Agreement
correspondingly.
Articles I through VII of Part Two of this Agreement have not been
promulgated or approved by the Internal Revenue Service. It is anticipated
that, if and when the Internal Revenue Service promulgates a model form to
establish a Roth IRA Custodial Account, the Custodian will amend this
Agreement to substitute the provisions of such model Roth IRA Custodial
Account form for the provisions of Part Two of this Agreement, and the
Depositor specifically consents to such amendment in accordance with
Section 13(b) hereof.
If, due to change in the applicable tax laws a ruling of the Internal
Revenue Service, it is established that the use of the Adoption Agreement
or this Agreement do not establish a Regular IRA or a Roth IRA (as the case
may be), the Custodian will furnish the Depositor with replacement
documents and the Depositor will if necessary sign such replacement
documents. Depositor acknowledge and agrees to such procedures and to
cooperate with Custodian to preserve the intended tax treatment of the
Account.
22
<PAGE>
26. If the Depositor maintains an Individual Retirement Account under Code
section 408(a), Depositor may convert or transfer such other IRA to a Roth
IRA under Code section 408A using the terms of this Agreement and the
Adoption Agreement by completing and executing the Adoption Agreement and
giving suitable directions to the Custodian and the custodian or trustee of
such other IRA. Alternatively, the Depositor may convert or transfer such
other IRA to a Roth IRA by use of a reply card or by telephonic, computer
or electronic means in accordance with procedures adopted by the Custodian
or Service Company intended to meet the requirements of Code section 408A,
and the Depositor will be deemed to have executed the Adoption Agreement
and adopted the provisions of this Agreement and the Adoption Agreement in
accordance with such procedures.
27. The Depositor acknowledges that he or she has received and read the current
prospectus for each Fund in which his or her Account is invested and the
Individual Retirement Account Disclosure Statement related to the Account.
The Depositor represents under penalties of perjury that his or her Social
Security number (or other Taxpayer Identification Number) as stated in the
Adoption Agreement is correct.
23
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 16
CALCULATION OF TOTAL RETURN
The Fund calculates its average annual total return quotations for the 1, 5, and
10 year periods ended on the date of the most recent balance sheet included in
the registration statement, by finding the average annual compounded rates of
return over the 1, 5, and 10 year periods that would equate the initial amount
invested to the ending redeemable value, according to the following formula:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the 1, 5, or 10
year periods at the end of 1, 5, or 10 year
periods (or fractional portion thereof).
These calculations incorporate the following assumptions:
1. The maximum sales load (or other charges deducted from payments)
is deducted from the initial $1000 payment.
2. All dividends and distributions by the Fund are reinvested at the
price stated in the prospectus on the reinvestment dates during
the period, i.e., any sales load charged upon reinvestment of
dividends would be reflected.
3. All recurring fees, if any, charged to all shareholder accounts
are included.
4. The ending redeemable value assumes a complete redemption at the
end of the 1, 5, or 10 year periods and the deduction of all
nonrecurring charges deducted at the end of each period.
<PAGE>
ONE YEAR CALCULATION
P = 1000
n = 1
ERV = $ 703.49
n
P(1+T) = ERV
1000(1+T) = $ 703.49
T = (29.65)%
FIVE YEAR CALCULATION
P = 1000
n = 5
ERV = $1,348.57
n
P(1+T) = ERV
5
1000(1+T) = $1,348.57
T = 6.16%
TEN YEAR CALCULATION
P = 1000
n = 10
ERV = $2,512.52
n
P(1+T) = ERV
10
1000(1+T) = $2,512.52
T = 9.65%
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 515,894,169
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 395,607,207
<RECEIVABLES> 606,895
<ASSETS-OTHER> 162
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 396,214,015
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 8,575,015
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1,794,469
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 10,369,484
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 505,529,240
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 37,677,240
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 52,067,576
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1,127,436
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (524,934)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (120,286,962)
<NET-ASSETS> 385,844,780
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3,515,457
<INTEREST-INCOME> 9,201,484
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 5,693,621
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 7,023,320
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 3,948,496
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (172,160,257)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (161,188,441)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 9,597,211
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 93,084,048
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2,801,067
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 24,454,493
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 7,263,242
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (444,888,316)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 3,701,327
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 88,610,618
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4,823,252
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 5,693,621
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 617,326,595
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 15.95
<PER-SHARE-NII> .16
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (3.77)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .20
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 1.90
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.24
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .92
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
