SCUDDER
INVESTMENTS(SM)
[LOGO]
Supplement to the currently effective Prospectus of each of the listed funds:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Scudder Corporate Bond Fund Scudder Massachusetts Limited Term Tax Free Fund
Scudder GNMA Fund Scudder Micro Cap Fund
Scudder International Bond Fund Scudder Ohio Tax Free Fund
Scudder International Growth and Income Fund Scudder Tax Managed Growth Fund
Scudder Limited Term Tax Free Fund Scudder Tax Managed Small Company Fund
</TABLE>
On February 7, 2000, the applicable Board of each of the above-mentioned funds
(identified in the table below under the heading "Acquired Fund") approved an
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan") between each Fund and the
corresponding Acquiring Fund identified in the chart below. The proposed
transaction is part of Scudder Kemper's initiative to restructure and streamline
the management and operations of the funds it manages.
The Plan applicable to each Fund, except for Scudder International Bond Fund and
Scudder International Growth and Income Fund, provides for the transfer of
substantially all of the assets and the assumption of all of the liabilities of
the Fund solely in exchange for voting shares of the corresponding Acquiring
Fund. Following the exchange, the Fund will distribute shares of the
corresponding Acquiring Fund to the Fund's shareholders as part of the Fund's
cessation of operations as provided for in the Plan. With respect to Scudder
International Bond Fund and Scudder International Growth and Income Fund, the
Plan provides that the voting shares of such Funds will be reclassified into
voting shares of the corresponding Acquiring Fund and, accordingly, the
corresponding Acquiring Fund will acquire all of the assets and assume all of
the liabilities of the Fund (the transactions contemplated by the Plan are
referred to as the "Reorganization").
Each Reorganization can be consummated only if, among other things, it is
approved by a majority vote of shareholders of the applicable Fund. A Special
Meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of each Fund will be held on or
about July 13, 2000 and shareholders will be given the opportunity to vote on
the Plan and any other applicable matters affecting the Fund at that time. In
connection with the Meeting, each Fund will be filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and delivering to its shareholders: (i) a Proxy Statement
describing in detail the Reorganization and the Board's considerations in
recommending that shareholders approve the Reorganization, and (ii) a Prospectus
for the Acquiring Fund.
If the Plan for a Fund is approved at the Meeting and certain conditions
required by the Plan are satisfied, the Reorganization is expected to become
effective at 9:00 a.m. eastern standard time on or about the appropriate
Proposed Reorganization Date identified in the chart below. If shareholder
approval of a Plan is delayed due to failure to obtain a quorum or otherwise,
the applicable Reorganization will become effective as soon as practicable after
the receipt of shareholder approval.
In the event the shareholders of a Fund fail to approve the Plan for that Fund,
the Fund will continue to operate and the Fund's Board may resubmit the Plan for
shareholder approval or consider other proposals.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Acquired Fund Acquiring Fund Proposed Reorganization Date
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Scudder Corporate Bond Fund Scudder Income Fund July 31, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder GNMA Fund AARP GNMA and U.S. Treasury Fund July 17, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder International Bond Fund Scudder Global Bond Fund September 25, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder International Growth and Income Fund Scudder International Fund August 28, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder Limited Term Tax Free Fund Scudder Medium Term Tax Free Fund July 31, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder Massachusetts Limited Term Tax Free Fund Scudder Massachusetts Tax Free Fund July 31, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder Micro Cap Fund AARP Small Company Stock Fund July 17, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder Ohio Tax Free Fund Scudder Managed Municipal Bonds July 31, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder Tax Managed Growth Fund Scudder Select 500 Fund August 28, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder Tax Managed Small Company Fund Scudder Small Company Value Fund August 28, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
February 8, 2000
<PAGE>
SCUDDER
INVESTMENTS(SM)
[LOGO]
- -------------------
BOND/GLOBAL
- -------------------
Scudder International
Bond Fund
Fund #018
Prospectus
March 1, 2000
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) does not approve
or disapprove these shares or determine
whether the information in this prospectus
is truthful or complete. It is a criminal
offense for anyone to inform you otherwise.
<PAGE>
Scudder International Bond Fund
How the fund works
2 Investment Approach
3 Main Risks To Investors
4 The Fund's Track Record
5 How Much Investors Pay
6 Other Policies and Risks
7 Who Manages and Oversees the Fund
9 Financial Highlights
How to invest in the fund
11 How to Buy Shares
12 How to Exchange or Sell Shares
13 Policies You Should Know About
18 Understanding Distributions and Taxes
<PAGE>
How the fund works
On the next few pages, you'll find information about this fund's investment
goal, the main strategies it uses to pursue that goal and the main risks that
could affect its performance.
Whether you are considering investing in the fund or are already a shareholder,
you'll probably want to look this information over carefully. You may want to
keep it on hand for reference as well.
Remember that mutual funds are investments, not bank deposits. They're not
insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency, and you could
lose money by investing in them.
You can access all Scudder fund prospectuses online at: www.scudder.com
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ticker symbol | SCIBX fund number | 018
Scudder International Bond Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Approach
The fund seeks to provide high income and, secondarily, capital preservation and
appreciation. It does this by investing at least 65% of total assets in high
quality bonds of any maturity from non-U.S. issuers around the world.
The fund can buy many types of income-producing securities, among them foreign
government bonds, corporate bonds and bonds issued by supranational
organizations such as the World Bank. To a more limited extent, the fund may
utilize various types of derivatives (contracts whose value is based on, for
example, indices, currencies or securities).
In making their buy and sell decisions, the managers typically consider a number
of factors, such as economic and currency outlooks, credit quality, possible
interest rate movements, security characteristics and changes in supply and
demand within international bond markets.
In choosing individual bonds, the managers use independent analysis to look for
bonds that have attractive yields and show improving credit. The managers
prefer, but may not exclusively invest in, bonds that are denominated in stable
or strengthening currencies.
The managers may favor different types of securities at different times, while
still maintaining variety in terms of the countries, issuers and types of
securities represented.
Although the managers may adjust the fund's duration (a measure of sensitivity
to interest rate movements), they generally intend to keep it between 4 and 6
years.
THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CREDIT QUALITY POLICIES
This fund normally invests at least 65% of total assets in bonds of the top two
grades of credit quality.
The fund could put up to 35% of total assets in investment-grade U.S. debt
securities, and up to 15% of net assets in junk bonds, which are those below the
fourth credit grade (i.e., grade BB/Ba and below). Compared to investment-grade
bonds, junk bonds may pay higher yields and have higher volatility and risk of
default.
2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ICON] This fund may interest investors who want exposure to high
quality bonds outside the United States.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Risks to Investors
There are several risk factors that could reduce the yield you get from the
fund, cause you to lose money or make the fund perform less well than other
investments.
As with most bond funds, the most important factor is market interest rates --
in this case, interest rates outside the U.S. A rise in interest rates generally
means a fall in bond prices and, in turn, a fall in the value of your
investment. (As a rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for
every year of duration.) An increase in its duration would make the fund more
sensitive to this risk. Foreign bonds tend to be more volatile than their U.S.
counterparts, for reasons ranging from political and economic uncertainties to a
higher risk that essential information may be incomplete or wrong. Because the
fund isn't diversified and can invest a larger percentage of assets in a given
issuer than a diversified fund, factors affecting that issuer could affect fund
performance.
When the dollar value of a foreign currency falls, so does the value of any
investments the fund owns that are denominated in that currency.
Other factors that could affect performance include:
o the managers could be wrong in their analysis of economic trends,
geographical areas, industries, issuers or other matters
o a bond could decline in credit quality or go into default; this risk is
greater with junk and foreign bonds
o derivatives could produce disproportionate losses
o at times, market conditions might make it hard to value some
investments or to get an attractive price for them
3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ICON] While a fund's past performance isn't necessarily a sign of
how it will do in the future, it can be valuable for an
investor to know. This page looks at fund performance two
different ways: year by year and over time.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's Track Record
The bar chart shows how fund returns have varied from year to year, which may
give some idea of risk. The table shows how the fund's returns over different
periods average out. For context, the table also includes a broad-based market
index (which, unlike the fund, does not have any fees or expenses). The
performance of both the fund and the index varies over time. All figures on this
page assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total Returns (%) as of 12/31 each year
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT CONTAINS A BAR CHART HERE
BAR CHART DATA:
'90 21.11
'91 22.23
'92 7.62
'93 15.83
'94 -8.61
'95 8.50
'96 3.54
'97 -4.10
'98 12.63
'99 -5.43
Best Quarter: 11.14%, Q3 1991 Worst Quarter: -5.83%, Q1 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Average Annual Total Returns (%) as of 12/31/1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Fund -5.43 2.79 6.83
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Index -5.07 5.90 8.60
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Index: Salomon Brothers Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index, an
unmanaged measure of worldwide fixed-rate government bonds with remaining
maturities greater than one year.
In both the chart and the table, total returns for 1990 through 1994 and 1998
through 1999 would have been lower if operating expenses hadn't been reduced.
4
<PAGE>
How Much Investors Pay
This fund has no sales charge or other shareholder fees. The fund does have
annual operating expenses, and as a shareholder you pay them indirectly.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Fee Table
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Fees (paid directly from your investment) None
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Operating Expenses (deducted from fund assets)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 0.82%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution (12b-1) Fee None
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses* 0.81%
-------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.63%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Expense Reimbursement 0.13%
-------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Net Annual Operating Expenses** 1.50%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes costs of shareholder servicing, custody, accounting services
and similar expenses, which may vary with fund size and other factors.
** By contract, total annual operating expenses are capped at 1.50%
through 2/28/2001.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Expense Example
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
This example is designed to help you compare this fund's expenses to those of
other funds. The example assumes the expenses above remain the same, and
includes one year of capped expenses in each period. It also assumes that you
invested $10,000, earned 5% annual returns, reinvested all dividends and
distributions and sold your shares at the end of each period. This is only an
example; your actual expenses will be different.
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
$153 $502 $874 $1,922
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
5
<PAGE>
Other Policies and Risks
While the sections on the previous pages describe the main points of the fund's
strategy and risks, there are a few other issues to know about:
o Although major changes tend to be infrequent, the fund's Board could
change the fund's goal without seeking shareholder approval.
o As a temporary defensive measure, the fund could shift up to 100% of
its assets into investments such as money market securities. This could
prevent losses, but would mean that the fund was not pursuing its goal.
o This fund may trade securities more frequently than some other bond
funds. This could raise transaction costs (and lower performance) and
could mean higher taxable distributions.
o The investment adviser measures credit quality at the time it buys
securities, using independent ratings or, for unrated securities, its
own credit analysis. If a security's credit quality changes, the
portfolio managers will decide what to do with the security based on
their assessment of what would benefit shareholders most.
Euro conversion
Funds which invest in foreign securities could be affected by accounting
differences, changes in tax treatment or other issues related to the conversion
of certain European currencies into the euro, which is already underway. The
investment adviser is working to address euro-related issues as they occur and
has been notified that other key service providers are taking similar steps.
Still, there's some risk that this problem could materially affect a fund's
operation (including its ability to calculate net asset value and to handle
purchases and redemptions), its investments or securities markets in general.
THE FOLLOWING SIDEBAR TEXT APPEARS NEXT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus doesn't tell you about every policy or risk of investing in the
fund.
If you want more information on the fund's allowable securities and investment
practices and the characteristics and risks of each one, you may want to request
a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (the back cover tells you how
to do this).
Keep in mind that there is no assurance that any mutual fund will achieve its
goal.
6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ICON] Scudder Kemper, the company with overall responsibility for
managing the fund, takes a team approach to asset management.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who Manages and Oversees the Fund
The investment adviser
The fund's investment adviser is Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., 345 Park
Avenue, New York, NY. Scudder Kemper has more than 80 years of experience
managing mutual funds, and currently has more than $290 billion in assets under
management.
The fund is managed by a team of investment professionals, who individually
represent different areas of expertise and who together develop investment
strategies and make buy and sell decisions. Supporting the fund managers are
Scudder Kemper's many economists, research analysts, traders and other
investment specialists, located in offices across the United States and around
the world.
As payment for serving as investment adviser, Scudder Kemper receives a
management fee from the fund. For the 12 months through the most recent fiscal
year end, the actual amount the fund paid in management fees was 0.69% of
average daily net assets.
The portfolio managers
The following people handle the day-to-day management of the fund.
Jan C. Faller Jeremy L. Ragus
Lead Portfolio Manager o Began investment career
o Began investment career in in 1981
1988 o Joined the adviser in 1990
o Joined the adviser in 1999 o Joined the fund team
o Joined the fund team in 1999
in 1999
7
<PAGE>
The Board
A mutual fund's Board is responsible for the general oversight of the fund's
business. The majority of the Board is not affiliated with Scudder Kemper. The
independent members have primary responsibility for assuring that the fund is
managed in the best interests of its shareholders. The following people comprise
the fund's board.
Directors Honorary Directors
Sheryle J. Bolton Paul Bancroft III
o Chief Executive Officer, o Venture Capitalist and
Scientific Learning Corporation Consultant
William T. Burgin Thomas J. Devine
o General Partner, Bessemer o Consultant
Venture Partners
William H. Gleysteen, Jr.
Keith R. Fox o Consultant
o Private equity investor o Guest Scholar, Brookings
Institution
William H. Luers
o Chairman and President, U.N. Robert G. Stone, Jr.
Association of America o Chairman Emeritus and Director,
Kirby Corporation
Kathryn L. Quirk
o Managing Director,
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
Joan E. Spero
o President, Doris Duke Charitable
Foundation
8
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
This table is designed to help you understand the fund's financial performance
in recent years. The figures in the first part of the table are for a single
share. The total return figures represent the percentage that an investor in the
fund would have earned (or lost), assuming all dividends and distributions were
reinvested. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the
annual report (see "Shareholder reports" on the back cover).
Scudder International Bond Fund
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999(c) 1998(b) 1998(a) 1997(a) 1996(a) 1995(a)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of
period $10.70 $ 9.92 $10.52 $10.98 $11.43 $11.97
------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income .46 .18 .61 .58 .73 .98
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments (.74) .78 (.60) (.46) (.45) (.54)
------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment
operations (.28) .96 .01 .12 .28 .44
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net investment income (.02) -- -- (.58) (.12) --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax return of capital (.44) (.18) (.61) -- (.61) (.98)
------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (.46) (.18) (.61) (.58) (.73) (.98)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 9.96 $10.70 $ 9.92 $10.52 $10.98 $11.43
------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return (%) -2.70(d) 9.76(d)** .10(d) .94 2.59 3.92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and Supplemental Data
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period
($ millions) 115 150 146 236 515 910
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of operating expenses,
before expense reductions, to
average daily net assets (%) 1.63 1.58* 1.62 1.36 1.26 1.30
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of operating expenses,
net, to average daily net
assets (%) 1.50 1.50* 1.56 1.36 1.26 1.30
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment income
to average daily net assets (%) 4.44 5.20* 5.91 5.28 6.50 8.52
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 193.7 303.5* 190.1 298.2 275.7 318.5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(a) For the years ended June 30.
(b) For the four months ended October 31, 1998. On September 15, 1998, the
Board of the fund changed the fiscal year end from June 30 to October
31.
(c) For the year ended October 31, 1999.
(d) Total returns for certain periods would have been lower had certain
expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
9
<PAGE>
How to invest in the fund
The following pages tell you how to invest in the fund and what to expect as a
shareholder. If you're investing directly with Scudder, all of this information
applies to you.
If you're investing through a "third party provider" -- for example, a workplace
retirement plan, financial supermarket or financial adviser -- your provider may
have its own policies or instructions, and you should follow those.
<PAGE>
How to Buy Shares
Use these instructions to invest directly with Scudder. Make out your check to
"The Scudder Funds."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First investment Additional investments
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
$2,500 or more for regular $100 or more for regular
accounts accounts
$1,000 or more for IRAs $50 or more for IRAs
$50 or more with an Automatic
Investment Plan
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By mail or express o Fill out and sign an o Send a check and a Scudder
(see below) application investment slip to us at the
appropriate address below
o Send it to us at the
appropriate address, along o If you don't have an
with an investment check investment slip, simply include
a letter with your name,
account number, the full name
of the fund and your investment
instructions
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By wire o Call 1-800-SCUDDER for o Call 1-800-SCUDDER for
instructions instructions
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By phone -- o Call 1-800-SCUDDER for
instructions
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With an automatic -- o To set up regular investments
investment plan from a bank checking account,
call 1-800-SCUDDER
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using -- o Call 1-800-SCUDDER
QuickBuy
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ICON] Regular mail:
The Scudder Funds, PO Box 2291, Boston, MA 02107-2291
Express, registered or certified mail:
The Scudder Funds, 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA 02184-3839
Fax number: 1-800-821-6234 (for exchanging and selling only)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11
<PAGE>
How to Exchange or Sell Shares
Use these instructions to exchange or sell shares in an account opened directly
with Scudder.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchanging into another fund Selling shares
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
$2,500 or more to open a new Some transactions, including
account ($1,000 for IRAs) most for over $100,000, can
only be ordered in writing; if
$100 or more for exchanges you're in doubt, see page 15
between existing accounts
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By phone or wire o Call 1-800-SCUDDER for o Call 1-800-SCUDDER for
instructions instructions
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using SAIL(TM) o Call 1-800- 343-2890 and o Call 1-800-343-2890 and
follow the instructions follow the instructions
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By mail, express Write a letter that includes: Write a letter that includes:
or fax
(see previous o the fund, class and account o the fund, class and account
page) number you're exchanging number from which you want to
out of sell shares
o the dollar amount or number o the dollar amount or number
of shares you want to exchange of shares you want to sell
o the name and class of the o your name(s), signature(s)
fund you want to exchange into and address, as they appear on
your account
o your name(s), signature(s)
and address, as they appear o a daytime telephone number
on your account
o a daytime telephone number
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With an automatic -- o To set up regular cash
withdrawal plan payments from a Scudder
account, call 1-800-SCUDDER
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using QuickSell -- o Call 1-800-SCUDDER
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ICON] Questions? You can speak to a Scudder representative between 8
a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time on any fund business day by
calling 1-800-SCUDDER.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Policies You Should Know About
Along with the instructions on the previous pages, the policies below may affect
you as a shareholder. Some of this information, such as the section on dividends
and taxes, applies to all investors, including those investing through
investment providers.
If you are investing through an investment provider, check the materials you got
from them. As a general rule, you should follow the information in those
materials wherever it contradicts the information given here. Please note that
an investment provider may charge its own fees.
Policies about transactions
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. The
fund calculates its share price every business day, as of the close of regular
trading on the Exchange (typically 4 p.m. Eastern time, but sometimes earlier,
as in the case of scheduled half-day trading or unscheduled suspensions of
trading).
You can place an order to buy or sell shares at any time. Once your order is
received by Scudder Service Corporation, and they have determined that it is a
"good order," it will be processed at the next share price calculated.
Because orders placed through investment providers must be forwarded to Scudder
Service Corporation before they can be processed, you'll need to allow extra
time. A representative of your investment provider should be able to tell you
when your order will be processed.
13
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ICON] The Scudder Web site can be a valuable resource for
shareholders with Internet access. Go to www.scudder.com to
get up-to-date information, review balances or even place
orders for exchanges.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAIL(TM), the Scudder Automated Information Line, is available 24 hours a day by
calling 1-800-343-2890. You can use SAIL to get information on Scudder funds
generally and on accounts held directly at Scudder. You can also use it to make
exchanges and sell shares.
QuickBuy and QuickSell let you set up a link between a Scudder account and a
bank account. Once this link is in place, you can move money between the two
with a phone call. You'll need to make sure your bank has Automated Clearing
House (ACH) services. To set up QuickBuy or QuickSell on a new account, see the
account application; to add it to an existing account, call 1-800-SCUDDER.
When you call us to sell shares, we may record the call, ask you for certain
information, or take other steps designed to prevent fraudulent orders. It's
important to understand that as long as we take reasonable steps to ensure that
an order appears genuine, we are not responsible for any losses that may occur.
When you ask us to send or receive a wire, please note that while we don't
charge a fee to receive wires, we will deduct a $5 fee from all wires sent from
us to your bank. Your bank may charge its own fees for handling wires. The funds
can only accept wires of $100 or more.
14
<PAGE>
Exchanges among Scudder funds are an option for shareholders who bought their
fund shares directly from Scudder and many other investors as well. Exchanges
are a shareholder privilege, not a right: we may reject any exchange order,
particularly when there appears to be a pattern of "market timing" or other
frequent purchases and sales. We may also reject purchase orders, for these or
other reasons.
When you want to sell more than $100,000 worth of shares, you'll usually need to
place your order in writing and include a signature guarantee. The only
exception is if you want money wired to a bank account that is already on file
with us; in that case, you don't need a signature guarantee. Also, you don't
need a signature guarantee for an exchange, although we may require one in
certain other circumstances.
A signature guarantee is simply a certification of your signature -- a valuable
safeguard against fraud. You can get a signature guarantee from most brokers,
banks, savings institutions and credit unions. Note that you can't get a
signature guarantee from a notary public.
Money from shares you sell is normally sent out within one business day of when
your order is processed (not when it is received), although it could be delayed
for up to seven days. There are also two circumstances when it could be longer:
when you are selling shares you bought recently by check and that check hasn't
cleared yet (maximum delay: 15 days) or when unusual circumstances prompt the
SEC to allow further delays.
15
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ICON] If you ever have difficulty placing an order by phone or fax,
you can always send us your order in writing.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How the fund calculates share price
The fund's share price is its net asset value per share, or NAV. To calculate
NAV, the fund uses the following equation:
TOTAL ASSETS - TOTAL LIABILITIES
------------------------------------ = NAV
TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING
We typically use market prices to value securities. However, when a market price
isn't available, or when we have reason to believe it doesn't represent market
realities, we may use fair value methods approved by the fund's Board. In such a
case, the fund's value for a security is likely to be different from quoted
market prices.
Because the fund invests in securities that are traded primarily in foreign
markets, the value of its holdings could change at a time when you aren't able
to buy or sell fund shares. This is because some foreign markets are open on
days when the fund doesn't price its shares.
16
<PAGE>
Other rights we reserve
You should be aware that we may do any of the following:
o withhold 31% of your distributions as federal income tax if you have
been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding, or
if you fail to provide us with a correct taxpayer ID number or
certification that you are exempt from backup withholding
o charge you $10 a year if your account balance falls below $2,500, and
close your account and send you the proceeds if your balance falls
below $1,000; in either case, we will give you 60 days' notice so you
can either increase your balance or close your account (these policies
don't apply to retirement accounts, to investors with $100,000 or more
in Scudder fund shares or in any case where a fall in share price
created the low balance)
o reject a new account application if you don't provide a correct Social
Security or other tax ID number; if the account has already been
opened, we may give you 30 days' notice to provide the correct number
o pay you for shares you sell by "redeeming in kind," that is, by giving
you marketable securities (which typically will involve brokerage costs
for you to liquidate) rather than cash; generally, the fund won't make
a redemption in kind unless your requests over a 90-day period total
more than $250,000 or 1% of the value of the fund's net assets,
whichever is less
o change, add or withdraw various services, fees and account policies
(for example, we may change or terminate the exchange privilege at any
time)
17
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ICON] Because each shareholder's tax situation is unique, it's
always a good idea to ask your tax professional about the tax
consequences of your investments, including any state and
local tax consequences.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Understanding Distributions and Taxes
By law, a mutual fund is required to pass through to its shareholders virtually
all of its net earnings. A fund can earn money in two ways: by receiving
interest, dividends or other income from securities it holds, and by selling
securities for more than it paid for them. (A fund's earnings are separate from
any gains or losses stemming from your own purchase of shares.) A fund may not
always pay a distribution for a given period.
The fund has a regular schedule for paying out any earnings to shareholders:
o Income dividends: declared daily and paid monthly
o Short-term and long-term capital gains: December, or otherwise as
needed.
You can choose how to receive your dividends and distributions. You can have
them all automatically reinvested in fund shares or all sent to you by check.
Tell us your preference on your application. If you don't indicate a preference,
your dividends and distributions will all be reinvested. For retirement plans,
reinvestment is the only option.
Buying and selling fund shares will usually have tax consequences for you
(except in an IRA or other tax-advantaged account). Your sales of shares may
result in a capital gain or loss for you; whether long-term or short-term
depends on how long you owned the shares. For tax purposes, an exchange is the
same as a sale.
18
<PAGE>
The tax status of the fund earnings you receive, and your own fund transactions,
generally depends on their type:
Generally taxed at ordinary income rates
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
o short-term capital gains from selling fund shares
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
o taxable income dividends you receive from the fund
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
o short-term capital gains distributions you receive from the
fund
Generally taxed at capital gains rates
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
o long-term capital gains from selling fund shares
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
o long-term capital gains distributions you receive from the
fund
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
You may be able to claim a tax credit or deduction for your share of any foreign
taxes that the fund pays.
The fund will send you detailed tax information every January. These statements
tell you the amount and the tax category of any dividends or distributions you
received. They also have certain details on your purchases and sales of shares.
The tax status of dividends and distributions is the same whether you reinvest
them or not. Dividends or distributions declared in the last quarter of a given
year are taxed in that year, even though you may not receive the money until the
following January.
If you invest right before the fund pays a dividend, you'll be getting some of
your investment back as a taxable dividend. You can avoid this, if you want, by
investing after the fund declares a dividend. In tax-advantaged retirement
accounts you don't need to worry about this.
19
<PAGE>
Notes
<PAGE>
Notes
<PAGE>
To Get More Information
Shareholder reports -- These include commentary from the fund's management team
about recent market conditions and the effect of the fund's strategies on its
performance. They also have detailed performance figures, a list of everything
the fund owns and the fund's financial statements. Shareholders get these
reports automatically. To reduce costs, we may mail one copy per household. For
more copies, call 1-800-SCUDDER.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI) -- This tells you more about the
fund's features and policies, including additional risk information. The SAI is
incorporated by reference into this document (meaning that it's legally part of
this prospectus).
If you'd like to ask for copies of these documents, or if you're a shareholder
and have questions, please contact Scudder or the SEC (see below). Materials you
get from Scudder are free; those from the SEC involve a copying fee. If you
like, you can look over these materials at the SEC's Public Reference Room in
Washington, DC or request them electronically at [email protected].
Scudder Funds SEC
PO Box 2291 450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Boston, MA 02107-2291 Washington, DC 20549-6009
1-800-SCUDDER 1-202-942-8090
www.scudder.com www.sec.gov
SEC File Number 811-4670
<PAGE>
SCUDDER INTERNATIONAL BOND FUND
A series of Global/International Fund, Inc.
A Non-Diversified Mutual Fund Series which Seeks Income
Primarily by Investing in high-grade International Bonds. As a Secondary
Objective, the Fund Seeks Protection and Possible Enhancement of Principal
Value by Actively Managing Currency, Bond Market and
Maturity Exposure and by Security Selection.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
March 1, 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should
be read in conjunction with the prospectus of Scudder International Bond Fund
dated March 1, 2000, as amended from time to time, a copy of which may be
obtained without charge by writing to Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Two
International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-4103.
The Annual Report to Shareholders for Scudder International Bond Fund
dated October 31, 1999, is incorporated by reference and is hereby deemed to be
part of this Statement of Additional Information.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
<S> <C>
THE FUND' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES......................................................................1
General Investment Objectives and Policies...............................................................1
Master/feeder structure..................................................................................1
Special Investment Considerations........................................................................2
Investments and Investment Techniques....................................................................3
Investment Restrictions.................................................................................21
PURCHASES........................................................................................................23
Additional Information About Opening An Account.........................................................23
Minimum balances........................................................................................23
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments by Telephone Order...........................24
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments by QuickBuy..................................24
Checks..................................................................................................25
Wire Transfer of Federal Funds..........................................................................25
Share Price.............................................................................................25
Share Certificates......................................................................................25
Other Information.......................................................................................25
EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS........................................................................................26
Exchanges...............................................................................................26
Redemption by Telephone.................................................................................27
Redemption by QuickSell.................................................................................27
Redemption by Mail or Fax...............................................................................28
Redemption-in-Kind......................................................................................28
Other Information.......................................................................................28
FEATURES AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE FUND........................................................................29
The No-Load Concept.....................................................................................29
Internet access.........................................................................................30
Dividends and Capital Gains Distribution Options........................................................30
Reports to Shareholders.................................................................................31
Transaction Summaries...................................................................................31
THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS......................................................................................31
SPECIAL PLAN ACCOUNTS............................................................................................33
Scudder Retirement Plans: Profit-Sharing and Money Purchase Pension Plans for
Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals............................................................33
Scudder 401(k): Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan for Corporations and Self-Employed
Individuals...........................................................................................33
Scudder IRA: Individual Retirement Account.............................................................33
Scudder Roth IRA: Individual Retirement Account........................................................34
Scudder 403(b) Plan.....................................................................................35
Automatic Withdrawal Plan...............................................................................35
Group or Salary Deduction Plan..........................................................................35
Automatic Investment Plan...............................................................................35
Uniform Transfers/Gifts to Minors Act...................................................................36
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS........................................................................36
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION..........................................................................................36
Average Annual Total Return.............................................................................36
Cumulative Total Return.................................................................................37
Total Return............................................................................................37
Yield...................................................................................................37
Comparison of Fund Performance..........................................................................38
ORGANIZATION OF THE FUND.........................................................................................39
i
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Page
INVESTMENT ADVISER...............................................................................................40
Personal Investments by Employees of the Adviser........................................................43
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS...........................................................................................43
REMUNERATION.....................................................................................................46
Responsibilities of the Board -- Board and Committee Meetings...........................................46
Compensation of Officers and Directors..................................................................46
DISTRIBUTOR......................................................................................................47
TAXES ........................................................................................................48
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS...........................................................................................52
Brokerage Commissions...................................................................................52
Portfolio Turnover......................................................................................53
NET ASSET VALUE..................................................................................................53
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...........................................................................................54
Experts.................................................................................................54
Other Information.......................................................................................54
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................................................................55
APPENDIX
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
On May 29, 1998, the name "Scudder Global Fund, Inc." was changed to
"Global/International Fund, Inc." Global/International Fund, Inc., a Maryland
corporation of which Scudder International Bond Fund ("International Bond Fund")
is a no-load, non-diversified series, is referred to herein as the
"Corporation." International Bond Fund is referred to herein as the "Fund." The
Corporation is an open-end, management investment company, which continuously
offers and redeems its shares. The Corporation is a company of the type commonly
known as a mutual fund.
Descriptions in this Statement of Additional Information of a
particular investment practice or technique in which the Fund may engage (such
as short selling, hedging, etc.) or a financial instrument which the Fund may
purchase (such as options, forward foreign currency contracts, etc.) are meant
to describe the spectrum of investments that Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
(the "Adviser"), in its discretion, might, but is not required to, use in
managing the Fund's portfolio assets. The Adviser may, in its discretion, at any
time employ such practice, technique or instrument for one or more funds but not
for all funds advised by it. Furthermore, it is possible that certain types of
financial instruments or investment techniques described herein may not be
available, permissible, economically feasible or effective for their intended
purposes in all markets. Certain practices, techniques, or instruments may not
be principal activities of a Fund but, to the extent employed, could from time
to time have a material impact on the Fund's performance.
Except as otherwise indicated, the Fund's objectives and policies are
not fundamental and may be changed without a shareholder vote. There can be no
assurance that the Fund will achieve its objectives.
Changes in portfolio securities are made on the basis of investment
considerations, and it is against the policy of management to make changes for
trading purposes.
General Investment Objectives and Policies
International Bond Fund may offer investors a convenient way to invest
in a managed portfolio of debt securities denominated in foreign currencies
("international securities"). The Fund's objective is to provide income
primarily by investing in a managed portfolio of high-grade international bonds.
As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks protection and possible enhancement of
principal value by actively managing currency, bond market and maturity exposure
and by security selection. To achieve its objectives, the Fund will primarily
invest in international bonds that are denominated in foreign currencies,
including bonds denominated in the European Currency Unit (ECU). The Fund's
investments may include debt securities issued or guaranteed by a foreign
national government, its agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions,
debt securities issued or guaranteed by supranational organizations, corporate
debt securities, bank or bank holding company debt securities and other debt
securities including those convertible into common stock. In addition, for
temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may vary from its investment policies
during periods when the Adviser determines that it is advisable to do so because
of conditions in the securities markets or other economic or political
conditions. During such periods, the Fund may hold without limit cash and cash
equivalents. It is impossible to accurately predict for how long such
alternative strategies may be utilized. The Fund will invest no more than 15% of
its total assets in debt securities that are rated below BBB by S&P or below Baa
by Moody's, but rated no lower than B by S&P or Moody's, respectively. The Fund
may also invest in zero coupon securities that pay no cash income and are issued
at substantial discounts from their value at maturity. When held to maturity,
their entire income, which consists of accretion of discount, comes from the
difference between the issue price and their value at maturity.
Master/feeder structure
The Board of Directors has the discretion to retain the current
distribution arrangement for the Fund while investing in a master fund in a
master/feeder fund structure as described below.
A master/feeder fund structure is one in which a fund (a "feeder
fund"), instead of investing directly in a portfolio of securities, invests most
or all of its investment assets in a separate registered investment company (the
"master fund") with substantially the same investment objective and policies as
the feeder fund. Such a structure permits the pooling of assets of two or more
feeder funds, preserving separate identities or distribution channels at the
feeder fund level. Based on the premise that certain of the expenses of
operating an investment portfolio are relatively fixed, a
<PAGE>
larger investment portfolio may eventually achieve a lower ratio of operating
expenses to average net assets. An existing investment company is able to
convert to a feeder fund by selling all of its investments, which involves
brokerage and other transaction costs and realization of a taxable gain or loss,
or by contributing its assets to the master fund and avoiding transaction costs
and, if proper procedures are followed, the realization of taxable gain or loss.
Interfund Borrowing and Lending Program
The Corporation's Board of Directors has approved the filing of an application
for exemptive relief with the SEC which would permit the Fund to participate in
an interfund lending program among certain investment companies advised by the
Adviser. If the Fund receives the requested relief, the interfund lending
program would allow the participating funds to borrow money from and loan money
to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. The program would be subject
to a number of conditions designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all
participating funds, including the following: (1) no fund may borrow money
through the program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than a
rate approximating the lowest interest rate at which bank loans would be
available to any of the participating funds under a loan agreement; and (2) no
fund may lend money through the program unless it receives a more favorable
return than that available from an investment in repurchase agreements and, to
the extent applicable, money market cash sweep arrangements. In addition, a fund
would participate in the program only if and to the extent that such
participation is consistent with the fund's investment objectives and policies
(for instance, money market funds would normally participate only as lenders and
tax exempt funds only as borrowers). Interfund loans and borrowings would extend
overnight, but could have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans could be
called on one day's notice. A fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher
interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed. Any delay in
repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or
additional costs. The program is subject to the oversight and periodic review of
the Boards of the participating funds. To the extent the Fund is actually
engaged in borrowing through the interfund lending program, the Fund, as a
matter of non-fundamental policy, may not borrow for other than temporary or
emergency purposes (and not for leveraging), except that the Fund may engage in
reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls for any purpose.
Special Investment Considerations of the Fund
The Fund is intended to provide individual and institutional investors
with an opportunity to invest a portion of their assets in globally and/or
internationally oriented portfolios, according to the Fund's respective
objectives and policies, and are designed for long-term investors who can accept
international investment risk. Management of the Fund believes that allocation
of assets on a global or international basis decreases the degree to which
events in any one country, including the U.S., will affect an investor's entire
investment holdings. In the period since World War II, many leading foreign
economies have grown more rapidly than the U.S. economy, thus providing
investment opportunities; although there can be no assurance that this will be
true in the future. As with any long-term investment, the value of the Fund's
shares when sold may be higher or lower than when purchased.
Investors should recognize that investing in foreign securities
involves certain special considerations, including those set forth below, which
are not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities and which may
favorably or unfavorably affect the Fund's performance. As foreign companies are
not generally subject to uniform standards, practices and requirements, with
respect to accounting, auditing and financial reporting, as are domestic
companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign
company than about a domestic company. Many foreign securities markets, while
growing in volume of trading activity, have substantially less volume than the
U.S. market, and securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more
volatile than securities of domestic issuers. Similarly, volume and liquidity in
most foreign bond markets is less than in the U.S. and, at times, volatility of
price can be greater than in the U.S. Further, foreign markets have different
clearance and settlement procedures and in certain markets there have been times
when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities
transactions making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in
settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of the Fund are
uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make
intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to
miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio
securities due to settlement problems either could result in losses to the Fund
due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if the Fund
has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible
liability to the purchaser. Fixed commissions on some foreign securities
exchanges and bid to asked spreads in foreign bond markets are generally higher
than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges and bid to asked spreads in the
U.S. bond market, although the Fund will endeavor to achieve the most favorable
net results on their
2
<PAGE>
portfolio transactions. Further, the Fund may encounter difficulties or be
unable to pursue legal remedies and obtain judgments in foreign courts. There is
generally less governmental supervision and regulation of business and industry
practices, securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the U.S.
It may be more difficult for the Fund's agents to keep currently informed about
corporate actions such as stock dividends or other matters which may affect the
prices of portfolio securities. Communications between the U.S. and foreign
countries may be less reliable than within the U.S., thus increasing the risk of
delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for
portfolio securities. Payment for securities without delivery may be required in
certain foreign markets. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries,
there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or
social instability, or diplomatic developments, which could affect U.S.
investments in those countries. Investments in foreign securities may also
entail certain risks, such as possible currency blockages or transfer
restrictions, and the difficulty of enforcing rights in other countries.
Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from
the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of
inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of
payments position. The management of the Fund seeks to mitigate the risks
associated with the foregoing considerations through continuous professional
management.
These considerations generally are more of a concern in developing
countries. For example, the possibility of revolution and the dependence on
foreign economic assistance may be greater in these countries than in developed
countries. Investments in companies domiciled in developing countries may be
subject to potentially greater risks than investments in developed countries.
Investments in foreign securities usually will involve currencies of
foreign countries. Because of the considerations discussed above, the value of
the assets of the Fund as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or
unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control
regulations, and the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between
various currencies. Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S.
dollars, they do not intend to convert their holdings of foreign currencies into
U.S. dollars on a daily basis. They will do so from time to time, and investors
should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange
dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on
the difference (the "spread") between the prices at which they are buying and
selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency
to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the
Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer. The Fund will conduct its
foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at
the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through
entering into strategic transactions involving currencies (see "Strategic
Transactions and Derivatives").
Because the Fund may be invested in both U.S. and foreign securities
markets, changes in the Fund's share price may have a low correlation with
movements in the U.S. markets. The Fund's share price will reflect the movements
of both the different stock and bond markets in which it is invested and of the
currencies in which the investments are denominated; the strength or weakness of
the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies may account for part of the Fund's
investment performance. Foreign securities such as those purchased by the Fund
may be subject to foreign governmental taxes which could reduce the yield on
such securities, although a shareholder of the Fund may, subject to certain
limitations, be entitled to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income
tax purposes for his or her proportionate share of such foreign taxes paid by
the Fund (see "TAXES"). U.S. and foreign securities markets do not always move
in step with each other, and the total returns from different markets may vary
significantly. The Fund invests in many securities markets around the world in
an attempt to take advantage of opportunities wherever they may arise.
Because of the Fund's investment considerations discussed above and the
investment policies, investment in shares of a Fund is not intended to provide a
complete investment program for an investor.
Neither Fund can guarantee a gain or eliminate the risk of loss. The
net asset value of the Fund's shares will increase or decrease with changes in
the market price of the Fund's investments, and there is no assurance that the
Fund's objectives will be achieved.
Investments and Investment Techniques
Foreign Securities. The Fund is designed for investors who can accept currency
and other forms of international investment risk. The Adviser believes that
allocation of the Fund's assets on a global basis decreases the degree to
3
<PAGE>
which events in any one country, including the U.S., will affect an investor's
entire investment holdings. In the period since World War II, many leading
foreign economies have grown more rapidly than the U.S. economy and from time to
time have had interest rate levels that had a higher real return than the U.S.
bond market. Consequently, the securities of foreign issuers have provided
attractive returns relative to the returns provided by the securities of U.S.
issuers, although there can be no assurance that this will be true in the
future.
Investors should recognize that investing in foreign securities
involves certain special considerations, including those set forth below, which
are not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities and which may
affect the Fund's performance favorably or unfavorably. As foreign companies are
not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic
companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign
company than about a domestic company. Many foreign stock markets, while growing
in volume of trading activity, have substantially less volume than that of the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "Exchange"), and securities of some foreign
issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of domestic issuers.
Similarly, volume and liquidity in most foreign bond markets is less than that
in the U.S. market and at times, volatility of price can be greater than in the
U.S. Further, foreign markets have different clearance and settlement procedures
and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable
to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to
conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary
periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned thereon.
The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement
problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities.
Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems either
could result in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the
portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the
security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Fixed commissions
on some foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated
commissions on U.S. exchanges, although the Adviser will endeavor to achieve the
most favorable net results on the Fund's portfolio transactions. Further, the
Fund may encounter difficulties or be unable to pursue legal remedies and obtain
judgment in foreign courts. There is generally less government supervision and
regulation of business and industry practices, securities exchanges, brokers and
listed companies than in the U.S. It may be more difficult for the Fund's agents
to keep currently informed about corporate actions such as stock dividends or
other matters that may affect the prices of portfolio securities. Communications
between the U.S. and foreign countries may be less reliable than within the
U.S., thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions
or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. In addition, with respect to
certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of nationalization,
expropriation, the imposition of confiscatory or withholding taxation,
political, social or economic instability, or diplomatic developments that could
affect U.S. investments in those countries. Investments in foreign securities
may also entail certain risks, such as possible currency blockages or transfer
restrictions, and the difficulty of enforcing rights in other countries.
Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from
the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of
inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of
payments position. The Adviser seeks to mitigate the risks to the Fund
associated with the foregoing considerations through investment variation and
continuous professional management.
Eastern Europe. Investments in companies domiciled in Eastern European countries
may be subject to potentially greater risks than those of other foreign issuers.
These risks include (i) potentially less social, political and economic
stability; (ii) the small current size of the markets for such securities and
the low volume of trading, which result in less liquidity and in greater price
volatility; (iii) certain national policies which may restrict the Fund's
investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or
industries deemed sensitive to national interests; (iv) foreign taxation; (v)
the absence of developed legal structures governing private or foreign
investment or allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property; (vi)
the absence, until recently in certain Eastern European countries, of a capital
market structure or market-oriented economy; and (vii) the possibility that
recent favorable economic developments in Eastern Europe may be slowed or
reversed by unanticipated political or social events in such countries, or in
the countries of the former Soviet Union.
Investments in such countries involve risks of nationalization,
expropriation and confiscatory taxation. The Communist governments of a number
of Eastern European countries expropriated large amounts of private property in
the past, in many cases without adequate compensation, and there may be no
assurance that such expropriation will not occur in the future. In the event of
such expropriation, the Fund could lose a substantial portion of any investments
it has made in the affected countries. Further, no accounting standards exist in
Eastern European countries. Finally, even
4
<PAGE>
though certain Eastern European currencies may be convertible into U.S. dollars,
the conversion rates may be artificial to the actual market values and may be
adverse to the Fund's shareholders.
Foreign Currencies. Investments in foreign securities usually will involve
currencies of foreign countries. Moreover, the Fund may temporarily hold funds
in bank deposits in foreign currencies during the completion of investment
programs and may purchase forward foreign currency contracts, foreign currency
futures contracts and options on such contracts. Because of these factors, the
value of the assets of the Fund as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and
exchange control regulations, and the Fund may incur costs in connection with
conversions between various currencies. Although the Fund's custodian values the
Fund's assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, the Fund intends to convert its
holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. The Fund will
do so from time to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of currency
conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for
conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the "spread")
between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate,
while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that
currency to the dealer. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency exchange
transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in
the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward or
futures contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.
Because the Fund normally will be invested in both U.S. and foreign
securities markets, changes in the Fund's share price may have a low correlation
with movements in the U.S. markets. The Fund's share price will reflect the
movements of both the different stock and bond markets in which it is invested
and of the currencies in which the investments are denominated; the strength or
weakness of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies may account for part of
the Fund's investment performance. U.S. and foreign securities markets do not
always move in step with each other, and the total returns from different
markets may vary significantly. The Fund invests in many securities markets
around the world in an attempt to take advantage of opportunities wherever they
may arise.
Investing in Emerging Markets. Most emerging securities markets may have
substantially less volume and are subject to less government supervision than
U.S. securities markets. Securities of many issuers in emerging markets may be
less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. In
addition, there is less regulation of securities exchanges, securities dealers,
and listed and unlisted companies in emerging markets than in the U.S.
Emerging markets also have different clearance and settlement
procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have
been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions. Delays in
settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of the
Fund is uninvested and no cash is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to
make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund
to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio
securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund
due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if the Fund
has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible
liability to the purchaser. Costs associated with transactions in foreign
securities are generally higher than costs associated with transactions in U.S.
securities. Such transactions also involve additional costs for the purchase or
sale of foreign currency.
Foreign investment in certain emerging market debt obligations is
restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may
at times limit or preclude foreign investment in certain emerging markets debt
obligations and increase the costs and expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging
markets require prior governmental approval of investments by foreign persons,
limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular company, limit
the investment by foreign persons only to a specific class of securities of a
company that may have less advantageous rights than the classes available for
purchase by domiciliaries of the countries and/or impose additional taxes on
foreign investors. Certain emerging markets may also restrict investment
opportunities in issuers in industries deemed important to national interest.
Certain emerging markets may require governmental approval for the
repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of
securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in an
emerging market's balance of payments or for other reasons, a country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund could be
adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required
governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application
to the Fund of any restrictions on investments.
5
<PAGE>
In the course of investment in emerging market debt obligations, the
Fund will be exposed to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social
and economic changes in one or more emerging markets. Political changes in
emerging market countries may affect the willingness of an emerging market
country governmental issuer to make or provide for timely payments of its
obligations. The country's economic status, as reflected, among other things, in
its inflation rate, the amount of its external debt and its gross domestic
product, also affects its ability to honor its obligations. While the Fund
manages its assets in a manner that will seek to minimize the exposure to such
risks, and will further reduce risk by owning the bonds of many issuers, there
can be no assurance that adverse political, social or economic changes will not
cause the Fund to suffer a loss of value in respect of the securities in the
Fund's portfolio.
The risk also exists that an emergency situation may arise in one or
more emerging markets as a result of which trading of securities may cease or
may be substantially curtailed and prices for the Fund's securities in such
markets may not be readily available. The Corporation may suspend redemption of
its shares for any period during which an emergency exists, as determined by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly if the Fund believes
that appropriate circumstances exist, it will promptly apply to the SEC for a
determination that an emergency is present. During the period commencing from
the Fund's identification of such condition until the date of the SEC action,
the Fund's securities in the affected markets will be valued at fair value
determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Corporation's Board of
Directors.
Volume and liquidity in most foreign bond markets are less than in the
U.S. and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile
than securities of comparable U.S. companies. Fixed commissions on foreign
securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S.
exchanges, although the Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results
on its portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision
and regulation of business and industry practices, securities exchanges,
brokers, dealers and listed companies than in the U.S. Mail service between the
U.S. and foreign countries may be slower or less reliable than within the U.S.,
thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or
loss of certificates for portfolio securities. In addition, with respect to
certain emerging markets, there is the possibility of expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments, which could affect the Fund's investments in those countries.
Moreover, individual emerging market economies may differ favorably or
unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national
product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, and resource self-sufficiency
and balance of payments position.
The Fund may have limited legal recourse in the event of a default with
respect to certain debt obligations it holds. If the issuer of a fixed-income
security owned by the Fund defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to
seek recovery. Debt obligations issued by emerging market country governments
differ from debt obligations of private entities; remedies from defaults on debt
obligations issued by emerging market governments, unlike those on private debt,
must be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself. The Fund's ability
to enforce its rights against private issuers may be limited. The ability to
attach assets to enforce a judgment may be limited. Legal recourse is therefore
somewhat diminished. Bankruptcy, moratorium and other similar laws applicable to
private issuers of debt obligations may be substantially different from those of
other countries. The political context, expressed as an emerging market
governmental issuer's willingness to meet the terms of the debt obligation, for
example, is of considerable importance. In addition, no assurance can be given
that the holders of commercial bank debt may not contest payments to the holders
of debt obligations in the event of default under commercial bank loan
agreements. With four exceptions, (Panama, Cuba, Costa Rica and Yugoslavia), no
sovereign emerging markets borrower has defaulted on an external bond issue
since World War II.
Income from securities held by the Fund could be reduced by a
withholding tax on the source or other taxes imposed by the emerging market
countries in which the Fund makes its investments. The Fund's net asset value
may also be affected by changes in the rates or methods of taxation applicable
to the Fund or to entities in which the Fund has invested. The Adviser will
consider the cost of any taxes in determining whether to acquire any particular
investments, but can provide no assurance that the taxes will not be subject to
change.
Many emerging markets have experienced substantial, and in some periods
extremely high rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid
fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have adverse
effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market
countries. In an attempt to control inflation, wage and price controls have been
imposed in certain countries. Of these countries, some, in recent years, have
begun to control inflation through prudent economic policies.
6
<PAGE>
Emerging market governmental issuers are among the largest debtors to
commercial banks, foreign governments, international financial organizations and
other financial institutions. Certain emerging market governmental issuers have
not been able to make payments of interest on or principal of debt obligations
as those payments have come due. Obligations arising from past restructuring
agreements may affect the economic performance and political and social
stability of those issuers.
Governments of many emerging market countries have exercised and
continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private
sector through the ownership or control of many companies, including some of the
largest in any given country. As a result, government actions in the future
could have a significant effect on economic conditions in emerging markets,
which in turn, may adversely affect companies in the private sector, general
market conditions and prices and yields of certain of the securities in the
Fund's portfolio. Expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization,
political, economic or social instability or other similar developments have
occurred frequently over the history of certain emerging markets and could
adversely affect the Fund's assets should these conditions recur.
The ability of emerging market country governmental issuers to make
timely payments on their obligations is likely to be influenced strongly by the
issuer's balance of payments, including export performance, and its access to
international credits and investments. An emerging market whose exports are
concentrated in a few commodities could be vulnerable to a decline in the
international prices of one or more of those commodities. Increased
protectionism on the part of an emerging market's trading partners could also
adversely affect the country's exports and diminish its trade account surplus,
if any. To the extent that emerging markets receive payment for its exports in
currencies other than dollars or non-emerging market currencies, its ability to
make debt payments denominated in dollars or non-emerging market currencies
could be affected.
To the extent that an emerging market country cannot generate a trade
surplus, it must depend on continuing loans from foreign governments,
multilateral organizations or private commercial banks, aid payments from
foreign governments and on inflows of foreign investment. The access of emerging
markets to these forms of external funding may not be certain, and a withdrawal
of external funding could adversely affect the capacity of emerging market
country governmental issuers to make payments on their obligations. In addition,
the cost of servicing emerging market debt obligations can be affected by a
change in international interest rates since the majority of these obligations
carry interest rates that are adjusted periodically based upon international
rates.
Another factor bearing on the ability of emerging market countries to
repay debt obligations is the level of international reserves of the country.
Fluctuations in the level of these reserves affect the amount of foreign
exchange readily available for external debt payments and thus could have a
bearing on the capacity of emerging market countries to make payments on these
debt obligations.
Investing in Latin America. Investing in securities of Latin American issuers
may entail risks relating to the potential political and economic instability of
certain Latin American countries and the risks of expropriation,
nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign
investment and on repatriation of capital invested. In the event of
expropriation, nationalization or other confiscation by any country, the Fund
could lose its entire investment in any such country.
The securities markets of Latin American countries are substantially
smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities
markets in the U.S. Disclosure and regulatory standards are in many respects
less stringent than U.S. standards. Furthermore, there is a lower level of
monitoring and regulation of the markets and the activities of investors in such
markets.
The limited size of many Latin American securities markets and limited
trading volume in the securities of Latin American issuers compared to volume of
trading in the securities of U.S. issuers could cause prices to be erratic for
reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the
securities issuers. For example, limited market size may cause prices to be
unduly influenced by traders who control large positions. Adverse publicity and
investors' perceptions, whether or not based on in-depth fundamental analysis,
may decrease the value and liquidity of portfolio securities.
7
<PAGE>
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities denominated
in currencies of Latin American countries. Accordingly, changes in the value of
these currencies against the U.S. dollar may result in corresponding changes in
the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated in those currencies.
Some Latin American countries also may have managed currencies, which
are not free floating against the U.S. dollar. In addition, there is risk that
certain Latin American countries may restrict the free conversion of their
currencies into other currencies. Further, certain Latin American currencies may
not be internationally traded. Certain of these currencies have experienced a
steep devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar. Any devaluations in the
currencies in which the Fund's portfolio securities are denominated may have a
detrimental impact on the Fund's net asset value.
The economies of individual Latin American countries may differ
favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as the rate of
growth of gross domestic product, the rate of inflation, capital reinvestment,
resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Certain Latin
American countries have experienced high levels of inflation which can have a
debilitating effect on an economy, although some have begun to control inflation
in recent years through prudent economic policies. Furthermore, certain Latin
American countries may impose withholding taxes on dividends payable to the Fund
at a higher rate than those imposed by other foreign countries. This may reduce
the Fund's investment income available for distribution to shareholders.
Certain Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Mexico
are among the world's largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign
governments. At times, certain Latin American countries have declared moratoria
on the payment of principal and/or interest on outstanding debt.
Latin America is a region rich in natural resources such as oil,
copper, tin, silver, iron ore, forestry, fishing, livestock and agriculture. The
region has a large population (roughly 300 million) representing a large
domestic market. Economic growth was strong in the 1960s and 1970s, but slowed
dramatically (and in some instances was negative) in the 1980s as a result of
poor economic policies, higher international interest rates, and the denial of
access to new foreign capital. Although a number of Latin American countries are
currently experiencing lower rates of inflation and higher rates of real growth
in gross domestic product than they have in the past, other Latin American
countries continue to experience significant problems, including high inflation
rates and high interest rates. Capital flight has proven a persistent problem
and external debt has been forcibly restructured. Political turmoil, high
inflation, capital repatriation restrictions, and nationalization have further
exacerbated conditions.
Governments of many Latin American countries have exercised and
continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private
sector through the ownership or control of many companies, including some of the
largest in those countries. As a result, government actions in the future could
have a significant effect on economic conditions which may adversely affect
prices of certain portfolio securities. Expropriation, confiscatory taxation,
nationalization, political, economic or social instability or other similar
developments, such as military coups, have occurred in the past and could also
adversely affect the Fund's investments in this region.
Changes in political leadership, the implementation of market oriented
economic policies, such as privatization, trade reform and fiscal and monetary
reform are among the recent steps taken to renew economic growth. External debt
is being restructured and flight capital (domestic capital that has left home
country) has begun to return. Inflation control efforts have also been
implemented. Free Trade Zones are being discussed in various areas around the
region, the most notable being a free zone among Mexico, the U.S. and Canada and
another zone among four countries in the southernmost point of Latin America.
Currencies are typically weak, but most are now relatively free floating, and it
is not unusual for the currencies to undergo wide fluctuations in value over
short periods of time due to changes in the market.
Investing in the Pacific Basin. Economies of individual Pacific Basin countries
may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as
growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment,
resource self-sufficiency, interest rate levels, and balance of payments
position. Of particular importance, most of the economies in this region of the
world are heavily dependent upon exports, particularly to developed countries,
and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade
barriers, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other
protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the U.S. and other countries
with which they trade. These economies also have been and may continue to be
negatively impacted by economic conditions in the U.S. and other trading
partners, which can lower the demand for goods produced in the Pacific Basin.
8
<PAGE>
With respect to the Peoples Republic of China and other markets in
which the Fund may participate, there is the possibility of nationalization,
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political changes, government
regulation, social instability or diplomatic developments that could adversely
impact a Pacific Basin country or the Fund's investment in the debt of that
country.
Foreign companies, including Pacific Basin companies, are not generally
subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards,
practices and disclosure requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S.
companies. Consequently, there may be less publicly available information about
such companies than about U.S. companies. Moreover, there is generally less
government supervision and regulation in the Pacific Basin than in the U.S.
Investing in Europe. Most Eastern European nations, including Hungary, Poland,
Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, and Romania have had centrally planned,
socialist economies since shortly after World War II. A number of their
governments, including those of Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland are
currently implementing or considering reforms directed at political and economic
liberalization, including efforts to foster multi-party political systems,
decentralize economic planning, and move toward free market economies. At
present, no Eastern European country has a developed stock market, but Poland,
Hungary, and the Czech Republic have small securities markets in operation.
Ethnic and civil conflict currently rage through the former Yugoslavia. The
outcome is uncertain.
Both the European Community (the "EC") and Japan, among others, have
made overtures to establish trading arrangements and assist in the economic
development of the Eastern European nations. A great deal of interest also
surrounds opportunities created by the reunification of East and West Germany.
Following reunification, the Federal Republic of Germany has remained a firm and
reliable member of the EC and numerous other international alliances and
organizations. To reduce inflation caused by the unification of East and West
Germany, Germany has adopted a tight monetary policy which has led to weakened
exports and a reduced domestic demand for goods and services. However, in the
long-term, reunification could prove to be an engine for domestic and
international growth.
The conditions that have given rise to these developments are
changeable, and there is no assurance that reforms will continue or that their
goals will be achieved.
Portugal is a genuinely emerging market which has experienced rapid
growth since the mid-1980s, except for a brief period of stagnation over
1990-91. Portugal's government remains committed to privatization of the
financial system away from one dependent upon the banking system to a more
balanced structure appropriate for the requirements of a modern economy.
Inflation continues to be about three times the EC average.
Economic reforms launched in the 1980s continue to benefit Turkey in
the 1990s. Turkey's economy has grown steadily since the early 1980s, with real
growth in per capita Gross Domestic Product (the "GDP") increasing more than 6%
annually. Agriculture remains the most important economic sector, employing
approximately 55% of the labor force, and accounting for nearly 20% of GDP and
20% of exports. Inflation and interest rates remain high, and a large budget
deficit will continue to cause difficulties in Turkey's substantial
transformation to a dynamic free market economy.
Like many other Western economies, Greece suffered severely from the
global oil price hikes of the 1970s, with annual GDP growth plunging from 8% to
2% in the 1980s, and inflation, unemployment, and budget deficits rising
sharply. The fall of the socialist government in 1989 and the inability of the
conservative opposition to obtain a clear majority have led to business
uncertainty and the continued prospects for flat economic performance. Once
Greece has sorted out its political situation, it will have to face the
challenges posed by the steadily increasing integration of the EC, including the
progressive lowering of trade and investment barriers. Tourism continues as a
major industry, providing a vital offset to a sizable commodity trade deficit.
Securities traded in certain emerging European securities markets may
be subject to risks due to the inexperience of financial intermediaries, the
lack of modern technology and the lack of a sufficient capital base to expand
business operations. Additionally, former Communist regimes of a number of
Eastern European countries had expropriated a large amount of property, the
claims of which have not been entirely settled. There can be no assurance that
the Fund's investments in Eastern Europe would not also be expropriated,
nationalized or otherwise confiscated. Finally, any change in leadership or
policies of Eastern European countries, or countries that exercise a significant
9
<PAGE>
influence over those countries, may halt the expansion of or reverse the
liberalization of foreign investment policies now occurring and adversely affect
existing investment opportunities.
Investing in Africa. Africa is a continent of roughly 50 countries with a total
population of approximately 840 million people. Literacy rates (the percentage
of people who are over 15 years of age and who can read and write) are
relatively low, ranging from 20% to 60%. The primary industries include crude
oil, natural gas, manganese ore, phosphate, bauxite, copper, iron, diamond,
cotton, coffee, cocoa, timber, tobacco, sugar, tourism and cattle.
Many of the countries are fraught with political instability. However,
there has been a trend over the past five years toward democratization. Many
countries are moving from a military style, Marxist, or single party government
to a multi-party system. Still, there remain many countries that do not have a
stable political process. Other countries have been enmeshed in civil wars and
border clashes.
Economically, the Northern Rim countries (including Morocco, Egypt and
Algeria) and Nigeria, Zimbabwe and South Africa are the wealthier countries on
the continent. The market capitalization of these countries has been growing
recently as more international companies invest in Africa and as local companies
start to list on the exchanges. However, religious and ethnic strife has been a
significant source of instability.
On the other end of the economic spectrum are countries, such as
Burkinafaso, Madagascar and Malawi, that are considered to be among the poorest
or least developed in the world. These countries are generally landlocked or
have poor natural resources. The economies of many African countries are heavily
dependent on international oil prices. Of all the African industries, oil has
been the most lucrative, accounting for 40% to 60% of many countries' GDP.
However, general decline in oil prices has had an adverse impact on many
economies.
Debt Securities. The Fund may invest in debt securities if the Adviser
determines that the capital appreciation on debt securities is likely to exceed
that of common stocks. Portfolio debt investments will be selected on the basis
of capital appreciation potential, by evaluating, among other things, potential
yield, if any, credit quality, and the fundamental outlooks for currency and
interest rate trends in different parts of the world, taking into account the
ability to hedge a degree of currency or local bond price risk. The Fund may
purchase "investment-grade" bonds, which are those rated Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by
Moody's or AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or, if unrated, judged to be of equivalent
quality as determined by the Adviser. Bonds rated Baa or BBB may have
speculative elements as well as investment-grade characteristics. Below
investment-grade securities, are those rated below Baa by Moody's or below BBB
by S&P and in unrated securities of equivalent quality. TheFund may invest up to
15% of its total assets in securities rated below BBB or below Baa, but may not
invest in securities rated lower than B by Moody's and S&P or in equivalent
unrated securities.
High Yield, High Risk Securities. Below investment grade securities (rated below
Baa by Moody's and below BBB by S&P and commonly referred to as "high yield" or
"junk" bonds) or unrated securities of equivalent quality in the Adviser's
judgment, carry a high degree of risk (including the possibility of default or
bankruptcy of the issuers of such securities), generally involve greater
volatility of price and risk of principal and income, and may be less liquid,
than securities in the higher rating categories and are considered speculative.
The lower the ratings of such debt securities, the greater their risks render
them like equity securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets.
See the Appendix to this Statement of Additional Information for a more complete
description of the ratings assigned by ratings organizations and their
respective characteristics.
An economic downturn could disrupt the high-yield market and impair the
ability of issuers to repay principal and interest. Also, an increase in
interest rates would likely have a greater adverse impact on the value of such
obligations than on higher quality debt securities. During an economic downturn
or period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issues may experience
financial stress which could adversely affect their ability to service their
principal and interest payment obligations. Prices and yields of high-yield
securities will fluctuate over time and, during periods of economic uncertainty,
volatility of high-yield securities may adversely affect a Fund's net asset
value. In addition, investments in high-yield zero coupon or pay-in-kind bonds,
rather than income-bearing high-yield securities, may be more speculative and
may be subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest
rates.
10
<PAGE>
The trading market for high-yield securities may be thin to the extent
that there is no established retail secondary market. A thin trading market may
limit the ability of a Fund to accurately value high-yield securities in its
portfolio and to dispose of those securities. Adverse publicity and investor
perceptions may decrease the values and liquidity of high-yield securities.
These securities may also involve special registration responsibilities,
liabilities and costs, and liquidity and valuation difficulties.
Credit quality in the high-yield securities market can change suddenly
and unexpectedly, and even recently issued credit ratings may not fully reflect
the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security. For these reasons,
it is the policy of the Adviser not to rely exclusively on ratings issued by
established credit rating agencies, but to supplement such ratings with its own
independent and on-going review of credit quality. The achievement of the Fund's
investment objective by investment in such securities may be more dependent on
the Adviser's credit analysis than is the case for higher quality bonds. Should
the rating of a portfolio security be downgraded, the Adviser will determine
whether it is in the best interest of the Fund to retain or dispose of such
security.
Prices for below investment-grade securities may be affected by
legislative and regulatory developments. For example, new federal rules require
savings and loan institutions to gradually reduce their holdings of this type of
security. Also, recent legislation restricts the issuer's tax deduction for
interest payments on these securities. Such legislation may significantly
depress the prices of outstanding securities of this type. For more information
regarding tax issues related to high-yield securities (see "TAXES").
Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in convertible securities, that is,
bonds, notes, debentures, preferred stocks and other securities which are
convertible into common stock. Investments in convertible securities can provide
an opportunity for capital appreciation and/or income through interest and
dividend payments by virtue of their conversion or exchange features. The Fund
limits its purchases of convertible securities to debt securities convertible
into common stock.
The convertible securities in which the Fund may invest are either
fixed income or zero coupon debt securities which may be converted or exchanged
at a stated or determinable exchange ratio into underlying shares of common
stock. The exchange ratio for any particular convertible security may be
adjusted from time to time due to stock splits, dividends, spin-offs, other
corporate distributions or scheduled changes in the exchange ratio. Convertible
debt securities and convertible preferred stocks, until converted, have general
characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. Although to a lesser
extent than with debt securities generally, the market value of convertible
securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to
increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion or
exchange feature, the market value of convertible securities typically changes
as the market value of the underlying common stocks changes, and, therefore,
also tends to follow movements in the general market for equity securities. A
unique feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the
underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade
increasingly on a yield basis, and so may not experience market value declines
to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the
underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend
to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock, although
typically not as much as the underlying common stock. While no securities
investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities generally
entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer.
As debt securities, convertible securities are investments which
provide for a stream of income (or in the case of zero coupon securities,
accretion of income) with generally higher yields than common stocks. Of course,
like all debt securities, there can be no assurance of income or principal
payments because the issuers of the convertible securities may default on their
obligations. Convertible securities generally offer lower yields than
non-convertible securities of similar quality because of their conversion or
exchange features.
Convertible securities generally are subordinated to other similar but
non-convertible securities of the same issuer, although convertible bonds, as
corporate debt obligations, enjoy seniority in right of payment to all equity
securities, and convertible preferred stock is senior to common stock, of the
same issuer. However, because of the subordination feature, convertible bonds
and convertible preferred stock typically have lower ratings than similar
non-convertible securities.
Convertible securities may be issued as fixed income obligations that
pay current income or as zero coupon notes and bonds, including Liquid Yield
Option Notes ("LYONs"(TM)). Zero coupon securities pay no cash income and
11
<PAGE>
are sold at substantial discounts from their value at maturity. When held to
maturity, their entire income, which consists of accretion of discount, comes
from the difference between the issue price and their value at maturity. Zero
coupon convertible securities offer the opportunity for capital appreciation as
increases (or decreases) in market value of such securities closely follow the
movements in the market value of the underlying common stock. Zero coupon
convertible securities generally are expected to be less volatile than the
underlying common stocks as they usually are issued with shorter maturities (15
years or less) and are issued with options and/or redemption features
exercisable by the holder of the obligation entitling the holder to redeem the
obligation and receive a defined cash payment.
Illiquid Securities. The Fund may purchase securities other than in the open
market. While such purchases may often offer attractive opportunities for
investment not otherwise available on the open market, the securities so
purchased are often "restricted securities" or "not readily marketable," i.e.,
securities which cannot be sold to the public without registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or the availability of an
exemption from registration (such as Rule 144A) or because they are subject to
other legal or contractual delays in or restrictions on resale. This investment
practice, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the level of
illiquidity of the Fund. It is the Fund's policy that illiquid securities
(including repurchase agreements of more than seven days duration, certain
restricted securities, and other securities which are not readily marketable)
may not constitute, at the time of purchase, more than 15% of the value of the
Fund's net assets. The Corporation's Board of Directors has approved guidelines
for use by the Adviser in determining whether a security is illiquid.
Generally speaking, restricted securities may be sold (i) only to
qualified institutional buyers; (ii) in a privately negotiated transaction to a
limited number of purchasers; (iii) in limited quantities after they have been
held for a specified period of time and other conditions are met pursuant to an
exemption from registration; or (iv) in a public offering for which a
registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Issuers of restricted
securities may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection
requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded.
If adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between the
Fund's decision to sell a restricted or illiquid security and the point at which
the Fund is permitted or able to sell such security, the Fund might obtain a
price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell.
Where a registration statement is required for the resale of restricted
securities, the Fund may be required to bear all or part of the registration
expenses. The Fund may be deemed to be an "underwriter" for purposes of the 1933
Act when selling restricted securities to the public and, in such event, the
Fund may be liable to purchasers of such securities if the registration
statement prepared by the issuer is materially inaccurate or misleading.
Dollar Rolls. The Fund may enter into "dollar roll" transactions, which consist
of the sale by the Fund to a bank or broker/dealer (the "counterparty") of GNMA
certificates or other mortgage-backed securities together with a commitment to
purchase similar, but not identical, securities at a future date, at the same
price. The counterparty receives all principal and interest payments, including
prepayments, made on the security while the counterparty is the holder. The Fund
receives a fee from the counterparty as consideration for entering into the
commitment to purchase. Dollar rolls may be renewed over a period of several
months with a different repurchase price and a cash settlement made at each
renewal without physical delivery of securities. Moreover, the transaction may
be preceded by a firm commitment agreement pursuant to which the Fund agrees to
buy a security on a future date.
The Fund will not use such transactions for leveraging purposes and,
accordingly, will segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount sufficient to
meet its purchase obligations under the transactions. The Fund will also
maintain asset coverage of at least 300% for all outstanding firm commitments,
dollar rolls and other borrowings. Notwithstanding such safeguards, the Fund's
overall investment exposure may be increased by such transactions to the extent
that the Fund bears a risk of loss on the securities it is committed to
purchase, as well as on the segregated assets.
Dollar rolls are treated for purposes of the 1940 Act as borrowings of
the Fund because they involve the sale of a security coupled with an agreement
to repurchase. Like all borrowings, a dollar roll involves costs to the Fund.
For example, while the Fund receives a fee as consideration for agreeing to
repurchase the security, the Fund forgoes the right to receive all principal and
interest payments while the counterparty holds the security. These payments to
the counterparty may exceed the fee received by the Fund, thereby effectively
charging the Fund interest on its borrowing. Further, although the Fund can
estimate the amount of expected principal prepayment over the term of the dollar
roll, a variation in the actual amount of prepayment could increase or decrease
the cost of the Fund's borrowing.
12
<PAGE>
The entry into dollar rolls involves potential risks of loss which are
different from those of the securities underlying the transactions. For example,
if the counterparty becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to purchase from the
counterparty might be restricted. Additionally, the value of such securities may
change adversely before the Fund is able to purchase them. Similarly, the Fund
may be required to purchase securities in connection with a dollar roll at a
higher price than may otherwise be available on the open market. Since, as noted
above, the counterparty is required to deliver a similar, but not identical
security to the Fund, the security which the Fund is required to buy under the
dollar roll may be worth less than an identical security. Finally, there can be
no assurance that the Fund's use of the cash that it receives from a dollar roll
will provide a return that exceeds borrowing costs.
The Directors of the Corporation on behalf of the Fund has adopted
guidelines to ensure that those securities received are substantially identical
to those sold. To reduce the risk of default, the Fund will engage in such
transactions only with banks and broker-dealers selected pursuant to such
guidelines.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with member
banks of the Federal Reserve System, any foreign bank or with any domestic or
foreign broker/dealer which is recognized as a reporting government securities
dealer, if the creditworthiness of the bank or broker/dealer has been determined
by the Adviser to be at least as high as that of other obligations the Fund may
purchase.
A repurchase agreement provides a means for the Fund to earn income on
funds for periods as short as overnight. It is an arrangement under which the
purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires a debt security ("Obligation") and the
seller agrees, at the time of sale, to repurchase the Obligation at a specified
time and price. Securities subject to a repurchase agreement are held in a
segregated account and the value of such securities is kept at least equal to
the repurchase price on a daily basis. The repurchase price may be higher than
the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and
repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the
Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the
income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the Obligation itself.
Obligations will be physically held by the Fund's custodian (Brown Brothers
Harriman and Co. ) or in the Federal Reserve Book Entry system.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a
loan from the Fund to the seller of the Obligation subject to the repurchase
agreement and is therefore subject to that Fund's investment restrictions
applicable to loans. It is not clear whether a court would consider the
Obligation purchased by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being
owned by the Fund or as being collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller.
In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with
respect to the seller of the Obligation before repurchase of the Obligation
under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs
before being able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or
decline in price of the Obligation. If the court characterizes the transaction
as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the Obligation,
the Fund may be required to return the Obligation to the seller's estate and be
treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the
Fund would be at risk of losing some or the entire principal and income involved
in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt instrument purchased for the
Fund, the Adviser seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase
agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the
seller of the Obligation. Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the
security. However, if the market value of the Obligation subject to the
repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including
interest), the Fund will direct the seller of the Obligation to deliver
additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the
repurchase agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. It is possible
that the Fund will be unsuccessful in seeking to enforce the seller's
contractual obligation to deliver additional securities. A repurchase agreement
with foreign banks may be available with respect to government securities of the
particular foreign jurisdiction, and such repurchase agreements involve risks
similar to repurchase agreements with U.S. entities.
The Fund may also enter into repurchase commitments with any party
deemed creditworthy by the Adviser, including foreign banks and broker/dealers,
if the transaction is entered into for investment purposes and the
counterparty's creditworthiness is at least equal to that of issuers of
securities which the Fund may purchase. Such transactions may not provide the
Fund with collateral which is marked-to-market during the term of the
commitment.
13
<PAGE>
Indexed Securities. The Fund may invest in indexed securities, the value of
which is linked to currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other
financial indicators ("reference instruments"). Most indexed securities have
maturities of three years or less.
Indexed securities differ from other types of debt securities in which
the Fund may invest in several respects. First, the interest rate or, unlike
other debt securities, the principal amount payable at maturity of an indexed
security may vary based on changes in one or more specified reference
instruments, such as an interest rate compared with a fixed interest rate or the
currency exchange rates between two currencies (neither of which need be the
currency in which the instrument is denominated). The reference instrument need
not be related to the terms of the indexed security. For example, the principal
amount of a U.S. dollar denominated indexed security may vary based on the
exchange rate of two foreign currencies. An indexed security may be positively
or negatively indexed; that is, its value may increase or decrease if the value
of the reference instrument increases. Further, the change in the principal
amount payable or the interest rate of an indexed security may be a multiple of
the percentage change (positive or negative) in the value of the underlying
reference instrument(s).
Investment in indexed securities involves certain risks. In addition to
the credit risk of the security's issuer and the normal risks of price changes
in response to changes in interest rates, the principal amount of indexed
securities may decrease as a result of changes in the value of reference
instruments. Further, in the case of certain indexed securities in which the
interest rate is linked to a reference instrument, the interest rate may be
reduced to zero, and any further declines in the value of the security may then
reduce the principal amount payable on maturity. Finally, indexed securities may
be more volatile than the reference instruments underlying indexed securities.
Zero Coupon Securities. The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities which pay
no cash income and are sold at substantial discounts from their value at
maturity. When held to maturity, their entire income, which consists of
accretion of discount, comes from the difference between the issue price and
their value at maturity. Zero coupon securities are subject to greater market
value fluctuations from changing interest rates than debt obligations of
comparable maturities which make current distributions of interest (cash). Zero
coupon securities which are convertible into common stock offer the opportunity
for capital appreciation as increases (or decreases) in market value of such
securities closely follows the movements in the market value of the underlying
common stock. Zero coupon convertible securities generally are expected to be
less volatile than the underlying common stocks, as they usually are issued with
maturities of 15 years or less and are issued with options and/or redemption
features exercisable by the holder of the obligation entitling the holder to
redeem the obligation and receive a defined cash payment.
Zero coupon securities include securities issued directly by the U.S.
Treasury, and U.S. Treasury bonds or notes and their unmatured interest coupons
and receipts for their underlying principal ("coupons") which have been
separated by their holder, typically a custodian bank or investment brokerage
firm. A holder will separate the interest coupons from the underlying principal
(the "corpus") of the U.S. Treasury security. A number of securities firms and
banks have stripped the interest coupons and receipts and then resold them in
custodial receipt programs with a number of different names, including "Treasury
Income Growth Receipts" (TIGRS(TM)) and Certificate of Accrual on Treasuries
(CATS(TM)). The underlying U.S. Treasury bonds and notes themselves are held in
book-entry form at the Federal Reserve Bank or, in the case of bearer securities
(i.e., unregistered securities which are owned ostensibly by the bearer or
holder thereof), in trust on behalf of the owners thereof. Counsel to the
underwriters of these certificates or other evidences of ownership of the U.S.
Treasury securities have stated that, for federal tax and securities purposes,
in their opinion purchasers of such certificates, such as the Fund, most likely
will be deemed the beneficial holder of the underlying U.S. Government
securities. The Fund understands that the staff of the Division of Investment
Management of the SEC no longer considers such privately stripped obligations to
be U.S. Government securities, as defined in the 1940 Act.
The U.S. Treasury has facilitated transfers of ownership of zero coupon
securities by accounting separately for the beneficial ownership of particular
interest coupon and corpus payments on Treasury securities through the Federal
Reserve book-entry record keeping system. The Federal Reserve program as
established by the Treasury Department is known as "STRIPS" or "Separate Trading
of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities." Under the STRIPS program,
the Fund will be able to have its beneficial ownership of zero coupon securities
recorded directly in the book-entry record-keeping system in lieu of having to
hold certificates or other evidences of ownership of the underlying U.S.
Treasury securities.
14
<PAGE>
When U.S. Treasury obligations have been stripped of their unmatured
interest coupons by the holder, the principal or corpus is sold at a deep
discount because the buyer receives only the right to receive a future fixed
payment on the security and does not receive any rights to periodic interest
(cash) payments. Once stripped or separated, the corpus and coupons may be sold
separately. Typically, the coupons are sold separately or grouped with other
coupons with like maturity dates and sold bundled in such form. Purchasers of
stripped obligations acquire, in effect, discount obligations that are
economically identical to the zero coupon securities that the Treasury sells
itself (see "TAXES").
Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may seek to increase its income by
lending portfolio securities. Such loans may be made to registered
broker/dealers and are required to be secured continuously by collateral in
cash, U.S. Government Securities and liquid high grade debt obligations
maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value
and accrued interest of the securities loaned. The Fund has the right to call a
loan and obtain the securities loaned on no more than five days' notice. During
the existence of a loan, the Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of any
distributions paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and will also receive
compensation based on investment of the collateral. As with other extensions of
credit there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the
loans will be made only to firms deemed by the Adviser to be in good standing.
The value of the securities loaned will not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's
total assets at the time any loan is made.
Borrowing. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will not borrow money,
except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or
modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. While
the Directors do not currently intend to borrow for investment leverage
purposes, if such a strategy were implemented in the future it would increase
the Fund's volatility and the risk of loss in a declining market. Borrowing by
the Fund will involve special risk considerations. Although the principal of the
Fund's borrowings will be fixed, the Fund's assets may change in value during
the time a borrowing is outstanding, thus increasing exposure to capital risk.
Strategic Transactions and Derivatives. The Fund may, but are not required to,
utilize various other investment strategies as described below for a variety of
purposes, such as hedging various market risks, managing the effective maturity
or duration of the fixed-income securities in the Fund's portfolio or enhancing
potential gain. These strategies may be executed through the use of derivative
contracts.
In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may
purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on
securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other instruments, purchase and
sell futures contracts and options thereon, enter into various transactions such
as swaps, caps, floors, collars, currency forward contracts, currency futures
contracts, currency swaps or options on currencies, or currency futures and
various other currency transactions (collectively, all the above are called
"Strategic Transactions"). In addition, strategic transactions may also include
new techniques, instruments or strategies that are permitted as regulatory
changes occur. Strategic Transactions may be used without limit (subject to
certain limits imposed by the 1940 Act) to attempt to protect against possible
changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for the
Fund's portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange rate
fluctuations, to protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its
portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment
purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund's portfolio,
or to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a substitute for
purchasing or selling particular securities. Some Strategic Transactions may
also be used to enhance potential gain although no more than 5% of the Fund's
assets will be committed to Strategic Transactions entered into for non-hedging
purposes. Any or all of these investment techniques may be used at any time and
in any combination, and there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of
one technique rather than another, as use of any Strategic Transaction is a
function of numerous variables including market conditions. The ability of the
Fund to utilize these Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the
Adviser's ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be
assured. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory requirements when
implementing these strategies, techniques and instruments. Strategic
Transactions will not be used to alter fundamental investment purposes and
characteristics of the Fund, and the Fund will segregate assets (or as provided
by applicable regulations, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its
obligations under options, futures and swaps to limit leveraging of the Fund.
Strategic Transactions, including derivative contracts, have risks
associated with them including possible default by the other party to the
transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Adviser's view as to certain
market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic
Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had
15
<PAGE>
not been used. Use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund,
force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for
prices higher than (in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of
call options) current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund
can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might
otherwise sell. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund
incurring losses as a result of a number of factors including the imposition of
exchange controls, suspension of settlements, or the inability to deliver or
receive a specified currency. The use of options and futures transactions
entails certain other risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation
between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related
portfolio position of the Fund creates the possibility that losses on the
hedging instrument may be greater than gains in the value of the Fund's
position. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all
circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a
result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a
transaction without incurring substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of
futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of
loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they
tend to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of
such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures
contracts would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would
purchases of options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial
premium. Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce
net asset value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the
Strategic Transactions had not been utilized.
General Characteristics of Options. Put options and call options typically have
similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the
underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following
general discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed
in greater detail below. In addition, many Strategic Transactions involving
options require segregation of Fund assets in special accounts, as described
below under "Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts."
A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a
premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying
security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price.
For instance, the Fund's purchase of a put option on a security might be
designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some
cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value
by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise
price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the
option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying
instrument at the exercise price. The Fund's purchase of a call option on a
security, financial future, index, currency or other instrument might be
intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying
instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at
which it may purchase such instrument. An American style put or call option may
be exercised at any time during the option period while a European style put or
call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior
thereto. The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell exchange listed options and
over-the-counter options ("OTC options"). Exchange listed options are issued by
a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), which
guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to such options.
The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other
financial intermediaries.
With certain exceptions, OCC issued and exchange listed options
generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency,
although in the future cash settlement may become available. Index options and
Eurodollar instruments are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the
option is "in-the-money" (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument
exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put
option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised.
Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument
through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by
entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in
ownership of the new option.
The Fund's ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller
of an OCC or exchange listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the
liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a
liquid option market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in
certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii)
trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to
particular classes or series of options or underlying securities including
reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the
OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to
handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to
discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options),
in which event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease
to exist,
16
<PAGE>
although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue to be
exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours
during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that
the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial
instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the
underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.
OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial
institutions or other parties ("Counterparties") through direct bilateral
agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which
generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an
OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price,
premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties. The
Fund will only sell OTC options (other than OTC currency options) that are
subject to a buy-back provision permitting the Fund to require the Counterparty
to sell the option back to the Fund at a formula price within seven days. The
Fund expects generally to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement
provisions, although it is not required to do so.
Unless the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or
guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty fails to
make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying
an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash
settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund
will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit
of the transaction. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of
each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the
Counterparty's credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC
option will be satisfied. The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only
with U.S. government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York as "primary dealers" or broker/dealers, domestic or foreign banks or
other financial institutions which have received (or the guarantors of the
obligation of which have received) a short-term credit rating of A-1 from S&P or
P-1 from Moody's or an equivalent rating from any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization ("NRSRO") or, in the case of OTC currency
transactions, are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser.
The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") currently takes
the position that OTC options purchased by the Fund, and portfolio securities
"covering" the amount of the Fund's obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by
it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) are
illiquid, and are subject to the Fund's limitation on investing no more than 15%
of its net assets in illiquid securities.
If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve
as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in
the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will
increase the Fund's income. The sale of put options can also provide income.
The Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities including
U.S. Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, foreign
sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, equity securities (including
convertible securities) and Eurodollar instruments that are traded on U.S. and
foreign securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets, and on
securities indices, currencies and futures contracts. The Fund will not purchase
call options unless the aggregate premiums paid on all options held by the Fund
at any time do not exceed 20% of its total assets. All calls sold by the Fund
must be "covered" (i.e., the Fund must own the securities or futures contract
subject to the call) or must meet the asset segregation requirements described
below as long as the call is outstanding. Even though the Fund will receive the
option premium to help protect it against loss, a call sold by the Fund exposes
that Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to
realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or
instrument and may require that Fund to hold a security or instrument which it
might otherwise have sold.
The Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities including U.S.
Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, foreign sovereign
debt, corporate debt securities, equity securities (including convertible
securities) and Eurodollar instruments (whether or not it holds the above
securities in its portfolio), and on securities indices, currencies and futures
contracts other than futures on individual corporate debt and individual equity
securities. The Fund will not purchase put options unless the aggregate premiums
paid on all options held by the Fund at any time do not exceed 20% of its total
assets. The Fund will not sell put options if, as a result, more than 50% of the
Fund's total assets would be required to be segregated to cover its potential
obligations under such put options other than those
17
<PAGE>
with respect to futures and options thereon. In selling put options, there is a
risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a
disadvantageous price above the market price.
General Characteristics of Futures. The Fund may enter into futures contracts or
purchase or sell put and call options on such futures as a hedge against
anticipated interest rate, currency or equity market changes, and for duration
management, risk management, and return enhancement purposes. Futures are
generally bought and sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed,
with payment of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a
futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to
the buyer the specific type of instrument called for in the contract at a
specific future time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures
and Eurodollar instruments, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts
are similar to options on securities except that an option on a futures contract
gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a
position in a futures contract and obligates the seller to deliver such
position.
The Fund's use of futures and options thereon will in all cases be
consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and in particular the rules
and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and will be entered
into for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration management) or
other portfolio and return enhancement management purposes. Typically,
maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to
deposit with a financial intermediary as security for its obligations an amount
of cash or other specified assets (initial margin) which initially is typically
1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some
circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to
be deposited thereafter on a daily basis as the mark to market value of the
contract fluctuates. The purchase of an option on financial futures involves
payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part
of the Fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be
obligated to post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation margin) for
the resulting futures position just as it would for any position. Futures
contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an
offsetting transaction but there can be no assurance that the position can be
offset prior to settlement at an advantageous price, nor that delivery will
occur.
The Fund will not enter into a futures contract or related option
(except for closing transactions) if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the
amount of its initial margin and premiums on open futures contracts and options
thereon would exceed 5% of that Fund's total assets (taken at current value);
however, in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of the
purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%
limitation. The segregation requirements with respect to futures contracts and
options thereon are described below.
Options on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices. The Fund also may
purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices and other financial
indices and in so doing can achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve
through the sale or purchase of options on individual securities or other
instruments. Options on securities indices and other financial indices are
similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than
settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash
settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive,
upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index
upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than,
in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option (except if, in the case
of an OTC option, physical delivery is specified). This amount of cash is equal
to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the
option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the
option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of
this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price
movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or
other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price
movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on
securities.
Currency Transactions. The Fund may engage in currency transactions with
Counterparties primarily in order to hedge, or manage the risk of the value of
portfolio holdings denominated in particular currencies against fluctuations in
relative value. Currency transactions include forward currency contracts,
exchange listed currency futures, exchange listed and OTC options on currencies,
and currency swaps. A forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated
obligation to purchase or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific
currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date
of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the
contract. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows based on the
notional difference among two or more currencies and operates similarly to an
interest rate swap, which is described below. The Fund may enter into currency
transactions with Counterparties which have received (or the guarantors of the
obligations which have received) a credit rating of A-
18
<PAGE>
1 or P-1 by S&P or Moody's, respectively, or that have an equivalent rating from
a NRSRO or (except for OTC currency options) are determined to be of equivalent
credit quality by the Adviser.
The Fund's dealings in forward currency contracts and other currency
transactions such as futures, options, options on futures and swaps generally
will be limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio
positions except as described below. Transaction hedging is entering into a
currency transaction with respect to specific assets or liabilities of the Fund,
which will generally arise in connection with the purchase or sale of its
portfolio securities or the receipt of income therefrom. Position hedging is
entering into a currency transaction with respect to portfolio security
positions denominated or generally quoted in that currency.
The Fund generally will not enter into a transaction to hedge currency
exposure to an extent greater, after netting all transactions intended wholly or
partially to offset other transactions, than the aggregate market value (at the
time of entering into the transaction) of the securities held in its portfolio
that are denominated or generally quoted in or currently convertible into such
currency, other than with respect to proxy hedging or cross hedging as described
below.
The Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions
to purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value
relative to other currencies to which that Fund has or in which that Fund
expects to have portfolio exposure.
To reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing
or anticipated holdings of portfolio securities, the Fund may also engage in
proxy hedging. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Fund's
portfolio is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the dollar. Proxy
hedging entails entering into a commitment or option to sell a currency whose
changes in value are generally considered to be correlated to a currency or
currencies in which some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities are or are
expected to be denominated, in exchange for U.S. dollars. The amount of the
commitment or option would not exceed the value of that Fund's securities
denominated in correlated currencies. For example, if the Adviser considers that
the Austrian schilling is correlated to the German deutschemark (the "D-mark"),
the Fund holds securities denominated in schillings and the Adviser believes
that the value of schillings will decline against the U.S. dollar, the Adviser
may enter into a commitment or option to sell D-marks and buy dollars. Currency
hedging involves some of the same risks and considerations as other transactions
with similar instruments. Currency transactions can result in losses to the Fund
if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction
that is not anticipated. Further, there is the risk that the perceived
correlation between various currencies may not be present or may not be present
during the particular time that the Fund is engaging in proxy hedging. If the
Fund enters into a currency hedging transaction, that Fund will comply with the
asset segregation requirements described below.
Risks of Currency Transactions. Currency transactions are subject to risks
different from those of other portfolio transactions. Because currency control
is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic
planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency and related instruments can
be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and
manipulations or exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These can result
in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or funds in
settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be
rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring
transaction costs. Buyers and sellers of currency futures are subject to the
same risks that apply to the use of futures generally. Further, settlement of a
currency futures contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a
bank based in the issuing nation. Trading options on currency futures is
relatively new, and the ability to establish and close out positions on such
options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid market which may not always be
available. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate based on factors extrinsic to
that country's economy.
Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including
multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency
transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate
transactions and any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate
transactions ("component" transactions), instead of a single Strategic
Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of
the Adviser, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined
transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of
its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered
into based on the Adviser's judgment that the combined strategies will reduce
risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management
goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or
hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.
19
<PAGE>
Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. Among the Strategic Transactions into which the
Fund may enter are interest rate, currency, index and other swaps and the
purchase or sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter
into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular
investment or portion of its portfolio, to protect against currency
fluctuations, as a duration management technique or to protect against any
increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later
date. The Fund will not sell interest rate caps or floors where it does not own
securities or other instruments providing the income stream the Fund may be
obligated to pay. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with
another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g.,
an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a
notional amount of principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash
flows on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value
differential among them and an index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on
a notional amount based on changes in the values of the reference indices. The
purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional
principal amount from the party selling such cap to the extent that a specified
index exceeds a predetermined interest rate or amount. The purchase of a floor
entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from
the party selling such floor to the extent that a specified index falls below a
predetermined interest rate or amount. A collar is a combination of a cap and a
floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest
rates or values.
The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two
payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates
specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may
be, only the net amount of the two payments. Inasmuch as the Fund will segregate
assets (or enter into offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under
swaps, the Adviser and the Fund believe such obligations do not constitute
senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as
being subject to its borrowing restrictions. The Fund will not enter into any
swap, cap, floor or collar transaction unless, at the time of entering into such
transaction, the unsecured long-term debt of the Counterparty, combined with any
credit enhancements, is rated at least A by S&P or Moody's or has an equivalent
rating from a NRSRO or is determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the
Adviser. If there is a default by the Counterparty, the Fund may have
contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The
swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks
and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing
standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become
relatively liquid. Caps, floors and collars are more recent innovations for
which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and,
accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.
Eurodollar Instruments. The Fund may make investments in Eurodollar instruments.
Eurodollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts or options
thereon which are linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"),
although foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time to
time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for
the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. The Fund
might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against
changes in LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed-income instruments
are linked.
Risks of Strategic Transactions Outside the U.S. When conducted outside the
U.S., Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the U.S.,
may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to
the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign
securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also
could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and
economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the U.S. of data on which to
make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon economic
events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the U.S., (iv)
the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and
margin requirements than in the U.S., and (v) lower trading volume and
liquidity.
Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts. Many Strategic Transactions, in
addition to other requirements, require that the Fund segregates cash or liquid
assets with its custodian to the extent that obligations are not otherwise
"covered" through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or
currency. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to
pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the
securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered, or, subject to any
regulatory restrictions, an amount of cash or liquid assets at least equal to
the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the custodian. The
segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are
substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. For
example, a call option written by the Fund will require that Fund to hold the
securities subject to the
20
<PAGE>
call (or securities convertible into the needed securities without additional
consideration) or to segregate cash or liquid assets sufficient to purchase and
deliver the securities if the call is exercised. A call option sold by the Fund
on an index will require that Fund to own portfolio securities which correlate
with the index or to segregate cash or liquid assets equal to the excess of the
index value over the exercise price on a current basis. A put option written by
the Fund requires that Fund to segregate cash or liquid assets equal to the
exercise price.
Except when the Fund enters into a forward contract for the purchase or
sale of a security denominated in a particular currency, which requires no
segregation, a currency contract which obligates the Fund to buy or sell
currency will generally require that Fund to hold an amount of that currency or
liquid assets denominated in that currency equal to that Fund's obligations or
to segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of that Fund's obligation.
OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities,
currency, financial instruments or indices and OCC issued and exchange listed
index options, will generally provide for cash settlement. As a result, when the
Fund sells these instruments it will only segregate an amount of cash or liquid
assets equal to its accrued net obligations, as there is no requirement for
payment or delivery of amounts in excess of the net amount. These amounts will
equal 100% of the exercise price in the case of a non cash-settled put, the same
as an OCC guaranteed listed option sold by the Fund, or the in-the-money amount
plus any sell-back formula amount in the case of a cash-settled put or call. In
addition, when the Fund sells a call option on an index at a time when the
in-the-money amount exceeds the exercise price, that Fund will segregate, until
the option expires or is closed out, cash or cash equivalents equal in value to
such excess. OCC issued and exchange listed options sold by the Fund other than
those above generally settle with physical delivery, or with an election of
either physical delivery or cash settlement and that Fund will segregate an
amount of cash or liquid assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC
options settling with physical delivery, or with an election of either physical
delivery or cash settlement will be treated the same as other options settling
with physical delivery.
In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon, the Fund must
deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to
segregating cash or liquid assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase
or provide securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration
of an index-based futures contract. Such liquid assets may consist of cash, cash
equivalents, liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets.
With respect to swaps, the Fund will accrue the net amount of the
excess, if any, of its obligations over its entitlements with respect to each
swap on a daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or liquid securities
having a value equal to the accrued excess. Caps, floors and collars require
segregation of assets with a value equal to the Fund's net obligation, if any.
Strategic Transactions may be covered by other means when consistent
with applicable regulatory policies. The Fund may also enter into offsetting
transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated cash or
liquid assets, equals its net outstanding obligation in related options and
Strategic Transactions. For example, the Fund could purchase a put option if the
strike price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put
option sold by that Fund. Moreover, instead of segregating assets if the Fund
held a futures or forward contract, it could purchase a put option on the same
futures or forward contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price
of the contract held. Other Strategic Transactions may also be offset in
combinations. If the offsetting transaction terminates at the time of or after
the primary transaction no segregation is required, but if it terminates prior
to such time, cash or liquid assets equal to any remaining obligation would need
to be segregated.
Warrants. The Fund may invest in warrants up to 5% of the value of its total
assets. The holder of a warrant has the right, until the warrant expires, to
purchase a given number of shares of a particular issuer at a specified price.
Such investments can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an
equivalent investment in the underlying security. Prices of warrants do not
necessarily move, however, in tandem with the prices of the underlying
securities and are, therefore, considered speculative investments. Warrants pay
no dividends and confer no rights other than a purchase option. Thus, if a
warrant held by the Fund were not exercised by the date of its expiration, the
Fund would lose the entire purchase price of the warrant.
Investment Restrictions
Unless specified to the contrary, the following fundamental policies
may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund which, under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and as
21
<PAGE>
used in this Statement of Additional Information, means the lesser of (1) 67% or
more of the voting securities present at such meeting, if the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or
represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund. The Fund is under no restriction as to the amount of portfolio
securities which may be bought or sold.
If a percentage restriction on investment or utilization of assets as
set forth under "Investment Restrictions" and "Other Investment Policies" above
is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later change in percentage
resulting from changes in the value or the total cost of the Fund's assets will
not be considered a violation of the restriction.
The Fund has elected to be classified as a non-diversified series of an
open-end investment company. In addition, as a matter of fundamental policy, the
Fund may not:
(1) borrow money, except as permitted under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by
regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;
(2) issue senior securities, except as permitted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted
or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from
time to time;
(3) purchase physical commodities or contracts relating to
physical commodities;
(4) concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that
term is used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory
authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;
(5) engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by
others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be
an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio
securities;
(6) purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include
securities or companies which deal in real estate or interests
therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to
hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the
Fund's ownership of securities; or
(7) make loans except as permitted under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by
regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
The Directors of the Corporation have voluntarily adopted certain
policies and restrictions which are observed in the conduct of the Fund's
affairs. These represent intentions of the Directors based upon current
circumstances. They differ from fundamental investment policies in that they may
be changed or amended by action of the Directors without requiring prior notice
to or approval of shareholders.
As a matter of non-fundamental policy the Fund does not currently
intend to:
(1) borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of its total assets,
except (i) for temporary or emergency purposes and (ii) by
engaging in reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, or
other investments or transactions described in the Fund's
registration statement which may be deemed to be borrowings;
(2) purchase securities on margin or make short sales, except (i)
short sales against the box, (ii) in connection with arbitrage
transactions, (iii) for margin deposits in connection with
futures contracts, options or other permitted investments,
(iv) that transactions in futures contracts and options shall
not be deemed to constitute selling securities short, and (v)
that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be
necessary for the clearance of securities transactions;
(3) purchase options, unless the aggregate premiums paid on all
such options held by the Fund at any time do not exceed 20% of
its total assets; or sell put options, if as a result, the
aggregate value of the obligations underlying such put options
would exceed 50% of its total assets;
22
<PAGE>
(4) enter into futures contracts or purchase options thereon
unless immediately after the purchase, the value of the
aggregate initial margin with respect to such futures
contracts entered into on behalf of the Fund and the premiums
paid for such options on futures contracts do not exceed 5% of
the fair market value of the Fund's total assets; provided
that in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time
of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in
computing the 5% limit;
(5) purchase warrants if as a result, such securities, taken at
the lower of cost or market value, would represent more than
5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (for this purpose,
warrants acquired in units or attached to securities will be
deemed to have no value); and
(6) lend portfolio securities in an amount greater than 5% of its
total assets.
Restrictions with respect to repurchase agreements shall be construed
to be for repurchase agreements entered into for the investment of available
cash, consistent with the Fund's repurchase agreement procedures, not repurchase
commitments entered into for general investment purposes.
PURCHASES
Additional Information About Opening An Account
Clients having a regular investment counsel account with the Adviser or
its affiliates and members of their immediate families, officers and employees
of the Adviser or of any affiliated organization and their immediate families,
members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and
banks may, if they prefer, subscribe initially for at least $2,500 of Fund
shares through Scudder Investor Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") by letter,
fax, TWX, or telephone.
Shareholders of other Scudder funds who have submitted an account
application and have a certified Tax Identification Number, clients having a
regular investment counsel account with the Adviser or its affiliates and
members of their immediate families, officers and employees of the Adviser or of
any affiliated organization and their immediate families, members of the NASD,
and banks may open an account by wire. These investors must call
1-800-225-SCUDDER to get an account number. During the call, the investor will
be asked to indicate the Fund name, amount to be wired ($2,500 minimum), name of
bank or trust company from which the wire will be sent, the exact registration
of the new account, the taxpayer identification or Social Security number,
address and telephone number. The investor must then call the bank to arrange a
wire transfer to The Scudder Funds, State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston,
MA 02110, ABA Number 011000028, DDA Account Number: 9903-5552. The investor must
give the Scudder fund name, account name and the new account number. Finally,
the investor must send the completed and signed application to the Fund
promptly.
The minimum initial purchase amount is less than $2,500 under certain
special plan accounts.
Minimum balances
Shareholders should maintain a share balance worth at least $2,500
($1,000 for fiduciary accounts such as IRAs, and custodial accounts such as
Uniform Gift to Minor Act, and Uniform Trust to Minor Act accounts), which
amount may be changed by the Board of Directors. A shareholder may open an
account with at least $1,000 ($500 for fiduciary/custodial accounts), if an
automatic investment plan (AIP) of $100/month ($50/month for fiduciary/custodial
accounts) is established. Scudder group retirement plans and certain other
accounts have similar or lower minimum share balance requirements.
The Fund reserves the right, following 60 days' written notice to
applicable shareholders, to:
o assess an annual $10 per Fund charge (with the Fee to be paid
to the Fund) for any non-fiduciary/non-custodial account
without an automatic investment plan (AIP) in place and a
balance of less than $2,500; and
23
<PAGE>
o redeem all shares in Fund accounts below $1,000 where a
reduction in value has occurred due to a redemption, exchange
or transfer out of the account. The Fund will mail the
proceeds of the redeemed account to the shareholder.
Reductions in value that result solely from market activity will not
trigger an involuntary redemption. Shareholders with a combined household
account balance in any of the Scudder Funds of $100,000 or more, as well as
group retirement and certain other accounts will not be subject to a fee or
automatic redemption.
Fiduciary (e.g., IRA or Roth IRA) and custodial accounts (e.g., UGMA or
UTMA) with balances below $100 are subject to automatic redemption following 60
days' written notice to applicable shareholders.
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments by Telephone Order
Subsequent purchase orders for $10,000 or more and for an amount not
greater than four times the value of the shareholder's account may be placed by
telephone, fax, etc. by established shareholders (except by Scudder Individual
Retirement Account (IRA), Scudder Horizon Plan, Scudder Profit Sharing and Money
Purchase Pension Plans, Scudder 401(k) and Scudder 403(b) Plan holders), members
of the NASD, and banks. Orders placed in this manner may be directed to any
office of the Distributor listed in the Fund's prospectus. . Contact the
Distributor at 1-800-SCUDDER for additional information. A confirmation of the
purchase will be mailed out promptly following receipt of a request to buy.
Federal regulations require that payment be received within three business days.
If payment is not received within that time, the order is subject to
cancellation. In the event of such cancellation or cancellation at the
purchaser's request, the purchaser will be responsible for any loss incurred by
the Fund or the principal underwriter by reason of such cancellation. If the
purchaser is a shareholder, the Corporation shall have the authority, as agent
of the shareholder, to redeem shares in the account in order to reimburse the
Fund or the principal underwriter for the loss incurred. Net losses on such
transactions which are not recovered from the purchaser will be absorbed by the
principal underwriter. Any net profit on the liquidation of unpaid shares will
accrue to the Fund.
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments by QuickBuy
Shareholders, whose predesignated bank account of record is a member of
the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) and who have elected to participate
in the QuickBuy program, may purchase shares of the Fund by telephone. Through
this service shareholders may purchase up to $250,000. To purchase shares by
QuickBuy, shareholders should call before the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "Exchange"), normally 4 p.m. eastern time.
Proceeds in the amount of your purchase will be transferred from your bank
checking account two or three business days following your call. For requests
received by the close of regular trading on the Exchange, shares will be
purchased at the net asset value per share calculated at the close of trading on
the day of your call. QuickBuy requests received after the close of regular
trading on the Exchange will begin their processing and be purchased at the net
asset value calculated the following business day. If you purchase shares by
QuickBuy and redeem them within seven days of the purchase, the Fund may hold
the redemption proceeds for a period of up to seven business days. If you
purchase shares and there are insufficient funds in your bank account the
purchase will be canceled and you will be subject to any losses or fees incurred
in the transaction. QuickBuy transactions are not available for most retirement
plan accounts. However, QuickBuy transactions are available for Scudder IRA
accounts.
In order to request purchases by QuickBuy, shareholders must have
completed and returned to the Transfer Agent the application, including the
designation of a bank account from which the purchase payment will be debited.
New investors wishing to establish QuickBuy may so indicate on the application.
Existing shareholders who wish to add QuickBuy to their account may do so by
completing a QuickBuy Enrollment Form. After sending in an enrollment form,
shareholders should allow 15 days for this service to be available.
The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls,
testing a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone
transactions, designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent
that the Fund does not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be
liable for acting upon instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably
believes to be genuine.
24
<PAGE>
Checks
A certified check is not necessary, but checks are only accepted
subject to collection at full face value in U.S. funds and must be drawn on, or
payable through, a U.S. bank.
If shares of the Fund are purchased by a check which proves to be
uncollectible, the Corporation reserves the right to cancel the purchase
immediately and the purchaser will be responsible for any loss incurred by the
Trust or the principal underwriter by reason of such cancellation. If the
purchaser is a shareholder, the Corporation will have the authority, as agent of
the shareholder, to redeem shares in the account in order to reimburse the Fund
or the principal underwriter for the loss incurred. Investors whose orders have
been canceled may be prohibited from, or restricted in, placing future orders in
any of the Scudder funds.
Wire Transfer of Federal Funds
To obtain the net asset value determined as of the close of regular
trading on the Exchange on a selected day, your bank must forward federal funds
by wire transfer and provide the required account information so as to be
available to the Fund prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange
(normally 4 p.m. eastern time).
The bank sending an investor's federal funds by bank wire may charge
for the service. Presently, the Distributor pays a fee for receipt by State
Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian") of "wired funds," but the right
to charge investors for this service is reserved.
Boston banks are closed on certain holidays although the Exchange may
be open. These holidays include Columbus Day (the 2nd Monday in October) and
Veterans Day (November 11). Investors are not able to purchase shares by wiring
federal funds on such holidays because the Custodian is not open to receive such
federal funds on behalf of the Fund.
Share Price
Purchases will be filled without sales charge at the net asset value
next computed after receipt of the application in good order. Net asset value
normally will be computed as of the close of regular trading on each day during
which the Exchange is open for trading. Orders received after the close of
regular trading on the Exchange will receive the next business day's net asset
value. If the order has been placed by a member of the NASD, other than the
Distributor, it is the responsibility of that member broker, rather than the
Fund, to forward the purchase order to Scudder Service Corporation (the
"Transfer Agent") by the close of regular trading on the Exchange.
Share Certificates
Due to the desire of the Corporation's management to afford ease of
redemption, certificates will not be issued to indicate ownership in the Fund.
Share certificates now in a shareholder's possession may be sent to the Transfer
Agent for cancellation and credit to such shareholder's account. Shareholders
who prefer may hold the certificates in their possession until they wish to
exchange or redeem such shares.
Other Information
The Fund has authorized certain members of the NASD other than the
Distributor to accept purchase and redemption orders for the Fund's shares.
Those brokers may also designate other parties to accept purchase and redemption
orders on the Fund's behalf. Orders for purchase or redemption will be deemed to
have been received by the Fund when such brokers or their authorized designees
accept the orders. Subject to the terms of the contract between the Fund and the
broker, ordinarily orders will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next
computed after acceptance by such brokers or their authorized designees.
Further, if purchases or redemptions of the Fund's shares are arranged and
settlement is made at an investor's election through any other authorized NASD
member, that member may, at its discretion, charge a fee for that service. The
Board of Directors and the Distributor, also the Fund's principal underwriter,
each has the right to limit the amount of purchases by and to refuse to sell to,
any person. The Directors and the Distributor may suspend or terminate the
offering of shares of the Fund at any time for any reason.
25
<PAGE>
The Board of Directors and the Distributor each has the right to limit,
for any reason, the amount of purchases by, and to refuse to, sell to any
person, and each may suspend or terminate the offering of shares of the Fund at
any time for any reasons.
The Tax Identification Number section of the application must be
completed when opening an account. Applications and purchase orders without a
correct certified tax identification number and certain other certified
information (e.g. from exempt organizations, certification of exempt status)
will be returned to the investor. The Fund reserves the right, following 30
days' notice, to redeem all shares in accounts without a correct certified
Social Security or tax identification number. A shareholder may avoid
involuntary redemption by providing the Fund with a tax identification number
during the 30-day notice period.
The Corporation may issue shares at net asset value in connection with
any merger or consolidation with, or acquisition of the assets of, any
investment company or personal holding company, subject to the requirements of
the 1940 Act.
EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS
Exchanges
Exchanges are comprised of a redemption from one Scudder fund and a
purchase into another Scudder fund. The purchase side of the exchange either may
be an additional investment into an existing account or may involve opening a
new account in the other fund. When an exchange involves a new account, the new
account will be established with the same registration, tax identification
number, address, telephone redemption option, "Scudder Automated Information
Line" (SAIL) transaction authorization and dividend option as the existing
account. Other features will not carry over automatically to the new account.
Exchanges to a new fund account must be for a minimum of $2,500. When an
exchange represents an additional investment into an existing account, the
account receiving the exchange proceeds must have identical registration, tax
identification number, address, and account options/features as the account of
origin. Exchanges into an existing account must be for $100 or more.
If the account receiving the exchange proceeds is to be different in
any respect, the exchange request must be in writing and must contain an
original signature guarantee as described under "Transaction information --
Signature guarantees" in the Fund's prospectus.
Exchange orders received before the close of regular trading on the
Exchange on any business day will ordinarily be executed at respective net asset
values determined on that day. Exchange orders received after the close of
trading will be executed on the following business day.
Investors may also request, at no extra charge, to have exchanges
automatically executed on a predetermined schedule from one Scudder fund to an
existing account in another Scudder fund, at current net asset value, through
Scudder's Automatic Exchange Program. Exchanges must be for a minimum of $50.
Shareholders may add this free feature over the telephone or in writing.
Automatic Exchanges will continue until the shareholder requests by telephone or
in writing to have the feature removed, or until the originating account is
depleted. The Corporation and the Transfer Agent each reserves the right to
suspend or terminate the privilege of the Automatic Exchange Program at any
time.
There is no charge to the shareholder for any exchange described above.
An exchange into another Scudder fund is a redemption of shares, and therefore
may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder, and the
proceeds of such an exchange may be subject to backup withholding (see "TAXES").
Investors currently receive the exchange privilege, including exchange
by telephone, automatically without having to elect it. The Fund employs
procedures, including recording telephone calls, testing a caller's identity,
and sending written confirmation of telephone transactions, designed to give
reasonable assurance that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine,
and to discourage fraud. To the extent that the Fund does not follow such
procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
telephone instructions. The Fund will not be liable for acting upon instructions
communicated by telephone that they reasonably believe to be genuine. The Fund
and
26
<PAGE>
the Transfer Agent each reserves the right to suspend or terminate the privilege
of exchanging by telephone or fax at any time.
The Scudder funds into which investors may make an exchange are listed
under "THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS" herein. Before making an exchange,
shareholders should obtain from the Distributor a prospectus of the Scudder fund
into which the exchange is being contemplated. The exchange privilege may not be
available for certain Scudder funds or classes thereof. For more information,
please call 1-800-225-SCUDDER.
Scudder retirement plans may have different exchange requirements.
Please refer to appropriate plan literature.
Redemption by Telephone
Shareholders currently receive the right, automatically without having
to elect it, to redeem by telephone up to $50,000 and have the proceeds mailed
to their address of record. Shareholders may request to have the proceeds mailed
or wired to their predesignated bank account. In order to request redemptions by
telephone, shareholders must have completed and returned to the Transfer Agent
an application, including the designation of a bank account to which the
redemption proceeds are to be sent.
(a) NEW INVESTORS wishing to establish the telephone redemption
privilege must complete the appropriate section on the
application.
(b) EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS (except those who are Scudder IRA,
Scudder pension and profit-sharing, Scudder 401(k) and Scudder
403(b) Planholders) who wish to establish telephone redemption
to a predesignated bank account or who want to change the bank
account previously designated to receive redemption proceeds
should either return a Telephone Redemption Option Form
(available upon request), or send a letter identifying the
account and specifying the exact information to be changed.
The letter must be signed exactly as the shareholder's name(s)
appears on the account. An original signature and an original
signature guarantee are required for each person in whose name
the account is registered.
If a request for a redemption to a shareholder's bank account is made
by telephone or fax, payment will be made by Federal Reserve bank wire to the
bank account designated on the application, unless a request is made that the
redemption be mailed to the designated bank account. There will be a $5 charge
for all wire redemptions.
Note: Investors designating a savings bank to receive their
telephone redemption proceeds are advised that if the savings
bank is not a participant in the Federal Reserve System,
redemption proceeds must be wired through a commercial bank
which is a correspondent of the savings bank. As this may
delay receipt by the shareholder's account, it is suggested
that investors wishing to use a savings bank discuss wire
procedures with their bank and submit any special wire
transfer information with the telephone redemption
authorization. If appropriate wire information is not
supplied, redemption proceeds will be mailed to the designated
bank.
The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls,
testing a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone
transactions, designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent
that the Fund does not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be
liable for acting upon instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably
believes to be genuine.
Redemption by QuickSell
Shareholders, whose predesignated bank account of record is a member of
the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) and who have elected to participate
in the QuickSell program may sell shares of the Fund by telephone. Redemptions
must be for at least $250. Proceeds in the amount of your redemption will be
transferred to your bank checking account two or three business days following
your call. For requests received by the close of regular trading on the
Exchange, normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time, shares will be redeemed at the net
asset value per share calculated at the close of trading on the day of your
call. QuickSell requests received after the close of regular trading on the
Exchange
27
<PAGE>
will begin their processing and be redeemed at the net asset value calculated
the following business day. QuickSell transactions are not available for Scudder
IRA accounts and most other retirement plan accounts.
In order to request redemptions by QuickSell, shareholders must have
completed and returned to the Transfer Agent the application, including the
designation of a bank account to which redemption proceeds will be credited. New
investors wishing to establish QuickSell may so indicate on the application.
Existing shareholders who wish to add QuickSell to their account may do so by
completing a QuickSell Enrollment Form. After sending in an enrollment form,
shareholders should allow for 15 days for this service to be available.
The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls,
testing a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone
transactions, designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent
that the Fund does not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be
liable for acting upon instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably
believes to be genuine.
Redemption by Mail or Fax
Any existing share certificates representing shares being redeemed must
accompany a request for redemption and be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
proper stock assignment form with signature(s) guaranteed.
Any existing share certificates representing shares being redeemed must
accompany a request for redemption and be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
proper stock assignment form with a signature guarantee as explained in the
Fund's prospectus.
In order to ensure proper authorization before redeeming shares, the
Transfer Agent may request additional documents such as, but not restricted to,
stock powers, trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as
executor, certificates of corporate authority and waivers of tax required in
some states when settling estates.
It is suggested that shareholders holding share certificates or shares
registered in other than individual names contact the Transfer Agent prior to
redemptions to ensure that all necessary documents accompany the request. When
shares are held in the name of a corporation, trust, fiduciary agent, attorney
or partnership, the Transfer Agent requires, in addition to the stock power,
certified evidence of authority to sign. These procedures are for the protection
of shareholders and should be followed to ensure prompt payment. Redemption
requests must not be conditional as to date or price of the redemption. Proceeds
of a redemption will be sent within seven business days after receipt by the
Transfer Agent of a request for redemption that complies with the above
requirements. Delays of more than seven days of payment for shares tendered for
redemption may result but only until the purchase check has cleared.
The requirements for IRA redemptions are different from those for
regular accounts. For more information, please call 1-800-225-SCUDDER.
Redemption-in-Kind
The Corporation reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash
payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase order by
making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities chosen by
the Corporation and valued as they are for purposes of computing the Fund's net
asset value (a redemption-in-kind). If payment is made in securities, a
shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities into
cash. The Corporation has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under
the 1940 Act as a result of which the Fund is obligated to redeem shares, with
respect to any one shareholder during any 90-day period, solely in cash up to
the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the relevant Fund at the
beginning of the period.
Other Information
Clients, officers or employees of the Adviser or of an affiliated
organization, and members of such clients', officers' or employees' immediate
families, banks and members of the NASD may direct repurchase requests to the
Fund through Scudder Investor Services, Inc. at Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110-4103 by letter, fax, TWX, or telephone. A two-part
confirmation will be mailed out promptly after receipt of the repurchase
request. A
28
<PAGE>
written request in good order with a proper original signature guarantee, as
described in the Fund's prospectus under "Transaction information -- Signature
guarantees," should be sent with a copy of the invoice to Scudder Funds, c/o
Scudder Confirmed Processing, Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts
02110-4103. Failure to deliver shares or required documents (see above) by the
settlement date may result in cancellation of the trade and the shareholder will
be responsible for any loss incurred by the Fund or the principal underwriter by
reason of such cancellation. Net losses on such transactions which are not
recovered from the shareholder will be absorbed by the principal underwriter.
Any net gains so resulting will accrue to the Fund. For this group, repurchases
will be carried out at the net asset value next computed after such repurchase
requests have been received. The arrangements described in this paragraph for
repurchasing shares are discretionary and may be discontinued at any time.
If a shareholder redeems all shares in the account after the record
date of a dividend, the shareholder will receive in addition to the net asset
value thereof, all declared but unpaid dividends thereon. The value of shares
redeemed or repurchased may be more or less than the shareholder's cost
depending on the net asset value at the time of redemption or repurchase. The
Corporation does not impose a redemption or repurchase charge. Redemption of
shares, including an exchange into another Scudder fund, may result in tax
consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and the proceeds of such
redemptions may be subject to backup withholding. (See "TAXES.")
Shareholders who wish to redeem shares from Special Plan Accounts
should contact the employer, trustee or custodian of the Plan for the
requirements.
The determination of net asset value may be suspended at times and a
shareholder's right to redeem shares and to receive payment may be suspended at
times during which (a) the Exchange is closed, other than customary weekend and
holiday closings, (b) trading on the Exchange is restricted for any reason, (c)
an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities
owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable
for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or (d) the SEC may
by order permit such a suspension for the protection of the Corporation's
shareholders; provided that applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (or any
succeeding governmental authority) shall govern as to whether the conditions
prescribed in (b) or (c) exist.
FEATURES AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE FUND
The No-Load Concept
Investors are encouraged to be aware of the full ramifications of
mutual fund fee structures, and of how Scudder distinguishes its Scudder Family
of Funds from the vast majority of mutual funds available today. The primary
distinction is between load and no-load funds.
Load funds generally are defined as mutual funds that charge a fee for
the sale and distribution of fund shares. There are three types of loads:
front-end loads, back-end loads, and asset-based 12b-1 fees. 12b-1 fees are
distribution-related fees charged against fund assets and are distinct from
service fees, which are charged for personal services and/or maintenance of
shareholder accounts. Asset-based sales charges and service fees are typically
paid pursuant to distribution plans adopted under 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
A front-end load is a sales charge, which can be as high as 8.50% of
the amount invested. A back-end load is a contingent deferred sales charge,
which can be as high as 8.50% of either the amount invested or redeemed. The
maximum front-end or back-end load varies, and depends upon whether or not a
fund also charges a 12b-1 fee and/or a service fee or offers investors various
sales-related services such as dividend reinvestment. The maximum charge for a
12b-1 fee is 0.75% of a fund's average annual net assets, and the maximum charge
for a service fee is 0.25% of a fund's average annual net assets.
A no-load fund does not charge a front-end or back-end load, but can
charge a small 12b-1 fee and/or service fee against fund assets. Under the
National Association of Securities Dealers Conduct Rules, a mutual fund can call
itself a "no-load" fund only if the 12b-1 fee and/or service fee does not exceed
0.25% of a fund's average annual net assets.
29
<PAGE>
Because funds and classes in the Scudder Family of Funds do not pay any
asset-based sales charges or service fees, Scudder uses the phrase no-load to
distinguish Scudder funds and classes from other no-load funds. Scudder
pioneered the no-load concept when it created the nation's first no-load fund in
1928, and later developed the nation's first family of no-load mutual funds.
Internet access
World Wide Web Site -- The address of the Scudder Funds site is
http://www.scudder.com. The site offers guidance on global investing and
developing strategies to help meet financial goals and provides access to the
Scudder investor relations department via e-mail. The site also enables users to
access or view fund prospectuses and profiles with links between summary
information in Profiles and details in the Prospectus. Users can fill out new
account forms on-line, order free software, and request literature on funds.
Account Access -- Scudder is among the first mutual fund families to allow
shareholders to manage their fund accounts through the World Wide Web. Scudder
Fund shareholders can view a snapshot of current holdings, review account
activity and move assets between Scudder Fund accounts.
Scudder's personal portfolio capabilities -- known as SEAS (Scudder
Electronic Account Services) -- are accessible only by current Scudder Fund
shareholders who have set up a Personal Page on Scudder's Web site. Using a
secure Web browser, shareholders sign on to their account with their Social
Security number and their SAIL password. As an additional security measure,
users can change their current password or disable access to their portfolio
through the World Wide Web.
An Account Activity option reveals a financial history of transactions
for an account, with trade dates, type and amount of transaction, share price
and number of shares traded. For users who wish to trade shares between Scudder
Funds, the Fund Exchange option provides a step-by-step procedure to exchange
shares among existing fund accounts or to new Scudder Fund accounts.
Dividends and Capital Gains Distribution Options
Investors have freedom to choose whether to receive cash or to reinvest
any dividends from net investment income or distributions from realized capital
gains in additional shares of the Fund. A change of instructions for the method
of payment must be received by the Transfer Agent at least five days prior to a
dividend record date. Shareholders also may change their dividend option either
by calling 1-800-SCUDDER or by sending written instructions to the Transfer
Agent. Please include your account number with your written request. See "How to
Buy Shares" in the Fund's prospectus for the address.
Reinvestment is usually made at the closing net asset value determined
on the business day following the record date. Investors may leave standing
instructions with the Transfer Agent designating their option for either
reinvestment or cash distribution of any income dividends or capital gains
distributions. If no election is made, dividends and distributions will be
invested in additional shares of the Fund.
Investors may also have dividends and distributions automatically
deposited in their predesignated bank account through Scudder's
DistributionsDirect Program. Shareholders who elect to participate in the
DistributionsDirect Program, and whose predesignated checking account of record
is with a member bank of the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) can have
income and capital gain distributions automatically deposited to their personal
bank account usually within three business days after the Fund pays its
distribution. A DistributionsDirect request form can be obtained by calling
1-800-SCUDDER. Confirmation statements will be mailed to shareholders as
notification that distributions have been deposited.
Investors choosing to participate in Scudder's Automatic Withdrawal
Plan must reinvest any dividends or capital gains. For most retirement plan
accounts, the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains is also required.
30
<PAGE>
Reports to Shareholders
The Trust issues shareholders unaudited semiannual financial statements
and annual financial statements audited by independent accountants, including a
list of investments held and statements of assets and liabilities, operations,
changes in net assets and financial highlights. The Trust presently intends to
distribute to shareholders informal quarterly reports during the intervening
quarters, containing a statement of the investments of the Fund.
Transaction Summaries
Annual summaries of all transactions in the Fund account are available
to shareholders. The summaries may be obtained by calling 1-800-SCUDDER.
THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS
The Scudder Family of Funds is America's first family of mutual funds
and the nation's oldest family of no-load mutual funds; a list of Scudder funds
follows.
MONEY MARKET
Scudder U.S. Treasury Money Fund
Scudder Cash Investment Trust
Scudder Money Market Series+
Scudder Government Money Market Series+
TAX FREE MONEY MARKET
Scudder Tax Free Money Fund
Scudder Tax Free Money Market Series+
Scudder California Tax Free Money Fund*
Scudder New York Tax Free Money Fund*
TAX FREE
Scudder Limited Term Tax Free Fund
Scudder Medium Term Tax Free Fund
Scudder Managed Municipal Bonds
Scudder High Yield Tax Free Fund
Scudder California Tax Free Fund*
Scudder Massachusetts Limited Term Tax Free Fund*
Scudder Massachusetts Tax Free Fund*
Scudder New York Tax Free Fund*
Scudder Ohio Tax Free Fund*
U.S. INCOME
Scudder Short Term Bond Fund
Scudder GNMA Fund
Scudder Income Fund
Scudder Corporate Bond Fund
Scudder High Yield Bond Fund
GLOBAL INCOME
Scudder Global Bond Fund
Scudder International Bond Fund
- ----------------------------------
+ The institutional class of shares is not part of the Scudder Family of
Funds.
* These funds are not available for sale in all states. For information,
contact Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
31
<PAGE>
Scudder Emerging Markets Income Fund
ASSET ALLOCATION
Scudder Pathway Series: Conservative Portfolio
Scudder Pathway Series: Balanced Portfolio
Scudder Pathway Series: Growth Portfolio
U.S. GROWTH AND INCOME
Scudder Balanced Fund
Scudder Dividend & Growth Fund
Scudder Growth and Income Fund
Scudder Select 500 Fund
Scudder 500 Index Fund
Scudder Real Estate Investment Fund
U.S. GROWTH
Value
Scudder Large Company Value Fund
Scudder Value Fund**
Scudder Small Company Value Fund
Scudder Micro Cap Fund
Growth
Scudder Classic Growth Fund**
Scudder Large Company Growth Fund
Scudder Select 1000 Growth Fund
Scudder Development Fund
Scudder 21st Century Growth Fund
GLOBAL EQUITY
Worldwide
Scudder Global Fund
Scudder International Value Fund
Scudder International Growth and Income Fund
Scudder International Fund***
Scudder International Growth Fund
Scudder Global Discovery Fund**
Scudder Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Scudder Gold Fund
Regional
Scudder Greater Europe Growth Fund
Scudder Pacific Opportunities Fund
Scudder Latin America Fund
The Japan Fund, Inc.
INDUSTRY SECTOR FUNDS
Choice Series
Scudder Financial Services Fund
- ----------------------------------
** Only the Scudder Shares are part of the Scudder Family of Funds.
*** Only the International Shares are part of the Scudder Family of Funds.
32
<PAGE>
Scudder Health Care Fund
Scudder Technology Fund
SCUDDER PREFERRED SERIES
Scudder Tax Managed Growth Fund
Scudder Tax Managed Small Company Fund
The net asset values of most Scudder funds can be found daily in the
"Mutual Funds" section of The Wall Street Journal under "Scudder Funds," and in
other leading newspapers throughout the country. Investors will notice the net
asset value and offering price are the same, reflecting the fact that no sales
commission or "load" is charged on the sale of shares of the Scudder funds. The
latest seven-day yields for the money-market funds can be found every Monday and
Thursday in the "Money-Market Funds" section of The Wall Street Journal. This
information also may be obtained by calling the Scudder Automated Information
Line (SAIL) at 1-800-343-2890.
Certain Scudder funds or classes thereof may not be available for
purchase or exchange. For more information, please call 1-800-225-SCUDDER.
SPECIAL PLAN ACCOUNTS
Detailed information on any Scudder investment plan, including the
applicable charges, minimum investment requirements and disclosures made
pursuant to Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") requirements, may be obtained
by contacting Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110-4103 or by calling toll free, 1-800-225-2470. The
discussions of the plans below describe only certain aspects of the federal
income tax treatment of the plan. The state tax treatment may be different and
may vary from state to state. It is advisable for an investor considering the
funding of the investment plans described below to consult with an attorney or
other investment or tax adviser with respect to the suitability requirements and
tax aspects thereof.
Shares of the Fund may also be a permitted investment under profit
sharing and pension plans and IRAs other than those offered by the Fund's
distributor depending on the provisions of the relevant plan or IRA.
None of the plans assures a profit or guarantees protection against
depreciation, especially in declining markets.
Scudder Retirement Plans: Profit-Sharing and Money Purchase
Pension Plans for Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the investment medium under a
plan in the form of a Scudder Profit-Sharing Plan (including a version of the
Plan which includes a cash-or-deferred feature) or a Scudder Money Purchase
Pension Plan (jointly referred to as the Scudder Retirement Plans) adopted by a
corporation, a self-employed individual or a group of self-employed individuals
(including sole proprietorships and partnerships), or other qualifying
organization. Each of these forms was approved by the IRS as a prototype. The
IRS's approval of an employer's plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code will be greatly facilitated if it is in such approved form. Under
certain circumstances, the IRS will assume that a plan, adopted in this form,
after special notice to any employees, meets the requirements of Section 401(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code as to form.
Scudder 401(k): Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan
for Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the investment medium under a
plan in the form of a Scudder 401(k) Plan adopted by a corporation, a
self-employed individual or a group of self-employed individuals (including sole
proprietors and partnerships), or other qualifying organization. This plan has
been approved as a prototype by the IRS.
Scudder IRA: Individual Retirement Account
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the underlying investment for an
Individual Retirement Account which meets the requirements of Section 408(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code.
33
<PAGE>
A single individual who is not an active participant in an
employer-maintained retirement plan, such as a pension or profit sharing plan, a
governmental plan, a simplified employee pension plan, a simple retirement
account, or a tax-deferred annuity program (a "qualified plan"), and a married
individual who is not an active participant in a qualified plan and whose spouse
is also not an active participant in a qualified plan, are eligible to make tax
deductible contributions of up to $2,000 to an IRA prior to the year such
individual attains age 70 1/2. In addition, certain individuals who are active
participants in qualified plans (or who have spouses who are active
participants) are also eligible to make tax-deductible contributions to an IRA;
the annual amount, if any, of the contribution which such an individual will be
eligible to deduct will be determined by the amount of his, her, or their
adjusted gross income for the year. If an individual is an active participant,
the deductibility of his or her IRA contributions in 2000 is phased out if the
individual has gross income between $32,000 and $42,000 and is single, if the
individual has gross income between $52,000 and $62,000 and is married filing
jointly, or if the individual has gross income between $0 and $10,000 and is
married filing separately; the phase-out ranges for individuals who are single
or married filing jointly are subject to annual adjustment through 2005 and
2007, respectively. If an individual is married filing jointly and the
individual's spouse is an active participant but the individual is not, the
deductibility of his or her IRA contributions is phased out if their combined
gross income is between $150,000 and $160,000. Whenever the adjusted gross
income limitation prohibits an individual from contributing what would otherwise
be the maximum tax-deductible contribution he or she could make, the individual
will be eligible to contribute the difference to an IRA in the form of
nondeductible contributions.
An eligible individual may contribute as much as $2,000 of qualified
income (earned income or, under certain circumstances, alimony) to an IRA each
year (up to $2,000 per individual for married couples, even if only one spouse
has earned income). All income and capital gains derived from IRA investments
are reinvested and compound tax-deferred until distributed. Such tax-deferred
compounding can lead to substantial retirement savings.
Scudder Roth IRA: Individual Retirement Account
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the underlying investment for a
Roth Individual Retirement Account which meets the requirements of Section 408A
of the Internal Revenue Code.
A single individual earning below $95,000 can contribute up to $2,000
per year to a Roth IRA. The maximum contribution amount diminishes and gradually
falls to zero for single filers with adjusted gross incomes ranging from $95,000
to $110,000. Married couples earning less than $150,000 combined, and filing
jointly, can contribute a full $4,000 per year ($2,000 per IRA). The maximum
contribution amount for married couples filing jointly phases out from $150,000
to $160,000.
An eligible individual can contribute money to a traditional IRA and a
Roth IRA as long as the total contribution to all IRAs does not exceed $2,000.
No tax deduction is allowed under Section 219 of the Internal Revenue Code for
contributions to a Roth IRA. Contributions to a Roth IRA may be made even after
the individual for whom the account is maintained has attained age 70 1/2.
All income and capital gains derived from Roth IRA investments are
reinvested and compounded tax-free. Such tax-free compounding can lead to
substantial retirement savings. No distributions are required to be taken prior
to the death of the original account holder. If a Roth IRA has been established
for a minimum of five years, distributions can be taken tax-free after reaching
age 59 1/2, for a first-time home purchase ($10,000 maximum, one-time use) or
upon death or disability. All other distributions of earnings from a Roth IRA
are taxable and subject to a 10% tax penalty unless an exception applies.
Exceptions to the 10% penalty include: disability, certain medical expenses, the
purchase of health insurance for an unemployed individual and qualified higher
education expenses.
An individual with an income of $100,000 or less (who is not married
filing separately) can roll his or her existing IRA into a Roth IRA. However,
the individual must pay taxes on the taxable amount in his or her traditional
IRA. Individuals who complete the rollover in 1998 will be allowed to spread the
tax payments over a four-year period. After 1998, all taxes on such a rollover
will have to be paid in the tax year in which the rollover is made.
34
<PAGE>
Scudder 403(b) Plan
Shares of the Fund may also be purchased as the underlying investment
for tax sheltered annuity plans under the provisions of Section 403(b)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code. In general, employees of tax-exempt organizations
described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (such as hospitals,
churches, religious, scientific, or literary organizations and educational
institutions) or a public school system are eligible to participate in a 403(b)
plan.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan
Non-retirement plan shareholders may establish an Automatic Withdrawal
Plan to receive monthly, quarterly or periodic redemptions from his or her
account for any designated amount of $50 or more. Shareholders may designate
which day they want the automatic withdrawal to be processed. The check amounts
may be based on the redemption of a fixed dollar amount, fixed share amount,
percent of account value or declining balance. The Plan provides for income
dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, to be reinvested in
additional shares. Shares are then liquidated as necessary to provide for
withdrawal payments. Since the withdrawals are in amounts selected by the
investor and have no relationship to yield or income, payments received cannot
be considered as yield or income on the investment and the resulting
liquidations may deplete or possibly extinguish the initial investment and any
reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions. Requests for increases in
withdrawal amounts or to change the payee must be submitted in writing, signed
exactly as the account is registered, and contain signature guarantee(s) as
described under "Transaction information -- Redeeming shares -- Signature
guarantees" in the Fund's prospectus. Any such requests must be received by the
Fund's transfer agent ten days prior to the date of the first automatic
withdrawal. An Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by the
shareholder, the Trust or its agent on written notice, and will be terminated
when all shares of the Fund under the Plan have been liquidated or upon receipt
by the Trust of notice of death of the shareholder.
An Automatic Withdrawal Plan request form can be obtained by calling
1-800-225-SCUDDER.
Group or Salary Deduction Plan
An investor may join a Group or Salary Deduction Plan where
satisfactory arrangements have been made with Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
for forwarding regular investments through a single source. The minimum annual
investment is $240 per investor which may be made in monthly, quarterly,
semiannual or annual payments. The minimum monthly deposit per investor is $20.
Except for trustees or custodian fees for certain retirement plans, at present
there is no separate charge for maintaining group or salary deduction plans;
however, the Trust and its agents reserve the right to establish a maintenance
charge in the future depending on the services required by the investor.
The Trust reserves the right, after notice has been given to the
shareholder, to redeem and close a shareholder's account in the event that the
shareholder ceases participating in the group plan prior to investment of $1,000
per individual or in the event of a redemption which occurs prior to the
accumulation of that amount or which reduces the account value to less than
$1,000 and the account value is not increased to $1,000 within a reasonable time
after notification. An investor in a plan who has not purchased shares for six
months shall be presumed to have stopped making payments under the plan.
Automatic Investment Plan
Shareholders may arrange to make periodic investments through automatic
deductions from checking accounts by completing the appropriate form and
providing the necessary documentation to establish this service. The minimum
investment is $50.
The Automatic Investment Plan involves an investment strategy called
dollar cost averaging. Dollar cost averaging is a method of investing whereby a
specific dollar amount is invested at regular intervals. By investing the same
dollar amount each period, when shares are priced low the investor will purchase
more shares than when the share price is higher. Over a period of time this
investment approach may allow the investor to reduce the average price of the
shares purchased. However, this investment approach does not assure a profit or
protect against loss. This type of regular investment program may be suitable
for various investment goals such as, but not limited to, college planning or
saving for a home.
35
<PAGE>
Uniform Transfers/Gifts to Minors Act
Grandparents, parents or other donors may set up custodian accounts for
minors. The minimum initial investment is $1,000 unless the donor agrees to
continue to make regular share purchases for the account through Scudder's
Automatic Investment Plan (AIP). In this case, the minimum initial investment is
$500.
The Trust reserves the right, after notice has been given to the
shareholder and custodian, to redeem and close a shareholder's account in the
event that regular investments to the account cease before the $1,000 minimum is
reached.
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to follow the practice of distributing substantially
all and in no event less than 90% of its investment company taxable income
including any excess of net realized short-term capital gains over net realized
long-term capital losses. The Fund may follow the practice of distributing the
entire excess of net realized long-term capital gains over net realized
short-term capital losses. However, the Fund may retain all or part of such gain
for reinvestment, after paying the related federal income taxes for which the
shareholders may then claim a credit against their federal income tax liability.
If the Fund does not distribute an amount of capital gains and/or ordinary
income required to be distributed by an excise tax provision of the Code, it may
be subject to such tax. In certain circumstances, the Fund may determine that it
is in the interest of shareholders to distribute less than such an amount. (See
"TAXES.")
The Fund intends to declare daily and distribute monthly substantially
all of its investment company taxable income resulting from Fund investment
activity. Distributions, if any, of net realized capital gains normally will be
distributed in November or December. An additional distribution may be made, if
necessary. Distributions of certain realized gains or losses on the sale or
retirement of securities denominated in foreign currencies held by the Fund, to
the extent attributable to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, as well as
certain other gains or losses attributable to exchange rate fluctuations, are
treated as ordinary income or loss and also normally will be made in December.
Additional distributions may be made if necessary.
All distributions will be made in shares of the Fund and confirmations
will be mailed to each shareholder unless a shareholder has elected to receive
cash, in which case a check will be sent. Distributions are taxable, whether
made in shares or cash. (See "TAXES.")
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, quotations of the Fund's performance may be included
in advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders or prospective
investors. These performance figures are calculated in the following manner:
Average Annual Total Return
Average annual total return is the average annual compound rate of
return for the periods of one year, five years and the life of the Fund, each
ended on the last day of a recent calendar quarter. Average annual total return
quotations reflect changes in the price of the Fund's shares and assume that all
dividends and capital gains distributions during the respective periods were
reinvested in Fund shares. Average annual total return is calculated by
computing the average annual compound rates of return of a hypothetical
investment over such periods, according to the following formula (average annual
total return is then expressed as a percentage):
T = (ERV/P)1/n - 1
Where:
P = a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000
T = Average Annual Total Return
N = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value: ERV is
the value, at the end of the
applicable period, of a
hypothetical $1,000 investment
made at the beginning of the
applicable period.
36
<PAGE>
Average Annual Total Return for periods ended October 31, 1999
One Year Five Years Ten Year Life of the Fund
International Bond Fund -2.70%* 2.72%* 7.48%*
* If the Adviser had not maintained expenses, the average annual returns
for periods indicated would have been lower.
Cumulative Total Return
Cumulative total return is the cumulative rate of return on a
hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 for a specified period. Cumulative
total return quotations reflect changes in the price of the Fund's shares and
assume that all dividends and capital gains distributions during the period were
reinvested in Fund shares. Cumulative total return is calculated by computing
the cumulative rates of return of a hypothetical investment over such periods,
according to the following formula (cumulative total return is then expressed as
a percentage):
C = (ERV/P) -1
Where:
C = Cumulative Total Return
P = a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000
ERV = ending redeemable value: ERV is
the value, at the end of the
applicable period, of a
hypothetical $1,000 investment
made at the beginning of the
applicable period.
Cumulative Total Return for periods ended October 31, 1999
One Year Five Years Ten Year Life of the Fund
International Bond Fund -2.70%* 14.33%* 105.75%*
* If the Adviser had not maintained expenses, the cumulative total
returns for periods indicated would have been lower.
Total Return
Total return is the rate of return on an investment for a specified
period of time calculated in the same manner as cumulative total return.
Yield
Yield of International Bond Fund is the net annualized SEC yield of the
Fund based on a specified 30-day (or one month) period assuming semiannual
compounding of income. Yield is calculated by dividing the net investment income
per share earned during the period by the maximum offering price per share on
the last day of the period, according to the following formula:
37
<PAGE>
YIELD = 2[(a-b/cd + 1)6-1]
Where:
a = dividends and interest earned during the period,
including amortization of market premium or
accretion of market discount
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of
reimbursements)
c = the average daily number of shares outstanding
reimbursements) were entitled to receive dividends
d = the maximum offering price per share on the
last day of the period
The SEC yield of the Fund for the 30-day period ended October 31, 1999 was
4.00%.
Calculation of the Fund's yield does not take into account "Section 988
Transactions." (See "TAXES.")
From time to time The Fund may advertise potential advantages of investing
in foreign markets and may use these figures in an updated form. Past market
results are no guarantee of future performance. Data are based on bonds with
maturities of at least one year. Source: Salomon Brothers World Government Bond
Index.
Quotations of the Fund's performance are historical, show the
performance of a hypothetical investment, and are not intended to indicate
future performance. An investor's shares when redeemed may be worth more or less
than their original cost. Performance of the Fund will vary based on changed in
market conditions and the level of the Fund's expenses.
Comparison of Fund Performance
In connection with communicating its performance to current or
prospective shareholders, the Fund also may compare these figures to the
performance of unmanaged indices which may assume reinvestment of dividends or
interest but generally do not reflect deductions for administrative and
management costs. From time to time, in advertising and marketing literature,
the Fund's performance may be compared to the performance of broad groups of
mutual funds with similar investment goals, as tracked by independent
organizations..
From time to time, in marketing and other Fund literature, Directors
and officers of the Fund, the Fund's portfolio manager, or members of the
portfolio management team may be depicted and quoted to give prospective and
current shareholders a better sense of the outlook and approach of those who
manage the Fund. In addition, the amount of assets that the Adviser has under
management in various geographical areas may be quoted in advertising and
marketing materials.
Historical information on the value of the dollar versus foreign
currencies may be used from time to time in advertisements concerning the Fund.
Such historical information is not indicative of future fluctuations in the
value of the U.S. dollar against these currencies. In addition, marketing
materials may cite country and economic statistics and historical stock market
performance for any of the countries in which the Fund invests.
From time to time, in advertising and marketing literature, the Fund's
performance may be compared to the performance of broad groups of mutual funds
with similar investment goals, as tracked by independent organizations.
From time to time, in marketing and other Fund literature, Directors
and officers of the Fund, the Fund's portfolio manager, or members of the
portfolio management team may be depicted and quoted to give prospective and
current shareholders a better sense of the outlook and approach of those who
manage the Fund. In addition, the amount of assets that the Adviser has under
management in various geographical areas may be quoted in advertising and
marketing materials.
The Fund may be advertised as an investment choice in Scudder's college
planning program. Statistical and other information, as provided by the Social
Security Administration, may be used in marketing materials pertaining to
retirement planning in order to estimate future payouts of social security
benefits. Estimates may be used on demographic and economic data.
38
<PAGE>
Marketing and other Fund literature may include a description of the
potential risks and rewards associated with an investment in the Fund. The
description may include a "risk/return spectrum" which compares the Fund to
other Scudder funds or broad categories of funds, such as money market, bond or
equity funds, in terms of potential risks and returns. Money market funds are
designed to maintain a constant $1.00 share price and have a fluctuating yield.
Share price, yield and total return of a bond fund will fluctuate. The share
price and return of an equity fund also will fluctuate. The description may also
compare the Fund to bank products, such as certificates of deposit. Unlike
mutual funds, certificates of deposit are insured up to $100,000 by the U.S.
government and offer a fixed rate of return.
Because bank products guarantee the principal value of an investment
and money market funds seek stability of principal, these investments are
considered to be less risky than investments in either bond or equity funds,
which may involve the loss of principal. However, all long-term investments,
including investments in bank products, may be subject to inflation risk, which
is the risk of erosion of the value of an investment as prices increase over a
long time period. The risks/returns associated with an investment in bond or
equity funds depend upon many factors. For bond funds these factors include, but
are not limited to, a fund's overall investment objective, the average portfolio
maturity, credit quality of the securities held, and interest rate movements.
For equity funds, factors include a fund's overall investment objective, the
types of equity securities held and the financial position of the issuers of the
securities. The risks/returns associated with an investment in international
bond or equity funds also will depend upon currency exchange rate fluctuation.
A risk/return spectrum generally will position the various investment
categories in the following order: bank products, money market funds, bond funds
and equity funds. Shorter-term bond funds generally are considered less risky
and offer the potential for less return than longer-term bond funds. The same is
true of domestic bond funds relative to international bond funds, and bond funds
that purchase higher quality securities relative to bond funds that purchase
lower quality securities. Growth and income equity funds are generally
considered to be less risky and offer the potential for less return than growth
funds. In addition, international equity funds usually are considered more risky
than domestic equity funds but generally offer the potential for greater return.
Risk/return spectrums also may depict funds that invest in both
domestic and foreign securities or a combination of bond and equity securities.
Evaluation of Fund performance or other relevant statistical
information made by independent sources may also be used in advertisements
concerning the Fund, including reprints of, or selections from, editorials or
articles about these Funds.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FUND
The Fund is a separate series of Global/International Fund, Inc., a Maryland
corporation organized on May 15, 1986. The name of the Corporation was changed,
effective May 29, 1998, from Scudder Global Fund, Inc. The Corporation currently
consists of five series: Scudder Global Bond Fund, Scudder International Bond
Fund, Scudder Global Fund, Global Discovery Fund and Scudder Emerging Markets
Income Fund. The Board of Directors has subdivided the shares of Global
Discovery Fund into four classes, namely, the Scudder Shares and the Global
Discovery Fund Kemper Class A, Class B and Class C shares. The authorized
capital stock of the Corporation consists of 800 million shares with $0.01 par
value, 300 million shares of which are allocated to Scudder Global Bond Fund,
200 million shares of which are allocated to Scudder International Bond Fund and
100 million shares each are allocated to Scudder Global Fund, Global Discovery
Fund and Scudder Emerging Markets Growth Fund. Each share of each series of the
Corporation (or class thereof) has equal rights as to each other share of that
series (or class) as to voting for directors, redemption, dividends and
liquidation. The Directors have the authority to issue additional series of
shares and to designate the relative rights and preferences as between the
different series. The assets of the Corporation received for the issue or sale
of the shares of each series and all income, earnings, profits and proceeds
thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, are specifically allocated to
such series and constitute the underlying assets of such series. The underlying
assets of each series are segregated on the books of account, and are to be
charged with the liabilities in respect to such series and with such a share of
the general liabilities of the Corporation. If a series were unable to meet its
obligations, the assets of all other series may in some circumstances be
available to creditors for that purpose, in which case the assets of such other
series could be used to meet liabilities which are not otherwise properly
chargeable to them. Expenses with respect to any two or more series are to be
allocated in proportion to the asset value of the respective series except where
allocations of direct expenses can otherwise be fairly made. The officers of the
Corporation, subject to the general
39
<PAGE>
supervision of the Directors, have the power to determine which liabilities are
allocable to a given series, or which are general or allocable to two or more
series. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation or any
series, the holders of the shares of any series are entitled to receive as a
class the underlying assets of such shares available for distribution to
shareholders. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and
non-assessable, transferable, and redeemable at net asset value at the option of
the shareholder. Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion rights.
Shares of the Corporation entitle their holders to one vote per share;
however, separate votes are taken by each series on matters affecting an
individual series, and by class on matters affecting an individual class. For
example, a change in investment policy for a series would be voted upon only by
shareholders of the series involved. Additionally, approval of the investment
advisory agreement is a matter to be determined separately by each series.
Approval by the shareholders of one series is effective as to that series
whether or not enough votes are received from the shareholders of the other
series to approve such agreement as to the other series.
The shares of the Corporation have non-cumulative voting rights, which
means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of
Directors can elect 100% of the directors if they choose to do so, and, in such
event, the holders of the remaining less than 50% of the shares voting for the
election of Directors will not be able to elect any person or persons to the
Board of Directors.
The Directors, in their discretion, may authorize the division of
shares of different series of the Fund into different classes and may authorize
the shares of different classes to be distributed by different methods. Although
shareholders of different classes of a series would have an interest in the same
portfolio of assets, shareholders of different classes may bear different
expenses in connection with different methods of distribution.
Maryland corporate law provides that a Director of the Corporation
shall not be liable for actions taken in good faith, in a manner he or she
reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the Corporation and with the
care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under
similar circumstances. In so acting, a Director shall be fully protected in
relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon reports made
to the Corporation by persons selected in good faith by the Directors as
qualified to make such reports. The By-Laws provide that the Corporation will
indemnify Directors and officers of the Corporation against liabilities and
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be
involved because of their positions with the Corporation, to the fullest extent
permitted by Maryland corporate law as amended from time to time. However,
nothing in the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, or the By-Laws protects or
indemnifies a Director or officer against any liability to which he or she would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or
her office.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser"), an investment counsel
firm, acts as investment adviser to the Fund. This organization, the predecessor
of which is Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc., is one of the most experienced
investment counsel firms in the U. S. It was established as a partnership in
1919 and pioneered the practice of providing investment counsel to individual
clients on a fee basis. In 1928 it introduced the first no-load mutual fund to
the public. In 1953 the Adviser introduced Scudder International Fund, Inc., the
first mutual fund available in the U.S. investing internationally in securities
of issuers in several foreign countries. The predecessor firm reorganized from a
partnership to a corporation on June 28, 1985On December 31, 1997, Zurich
Insurance Company ("Zurich") acquired a majority interest in the Adviser, and
Zurich Kemper Investments, Inc., a Zurich subsidiary, became part of the
AdviserThe Adviser's name changed to Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. On
September 7, 1998, the businesses of Zurich (including Zurich's 70% interest in
Scudder Kemper) and the financial services businesses of B.A.T Industries p.l.c.
("B.A.T") were combined to form a new global insurance and financial services
company known as Zurich Financial Services Group. By way of a dual holding
company structure, former Zurich shareholders initially owned approximately 57%
of Zurich Financial Services Group, with the balance initially owned by former
B.A.T shareholders.
Founded in 1872, Zurich is a multinational, public corporation
organized under the laws of Switzerland. Its home office is located at
Mythenquai 2, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. Historically, Zurich's earnings have
resulted from its operations as an insurer as well as from its ownership of its
subsidiaries and affiliated companies (the "Zurich Insurance
40
<PAGE>
Group"). Zurich and the Zurich Insurance Group provide an extensive range of
insurance products and services and have branch offices and subsidiaries in more
than 40 countries throughout the world.
The principal source of the Adviser's income is professional fees
received from providing continuous investment advice, and the firm derives no
income from brokerage or underwriting of securities. Today, it provides
investment counsel for many individuals and institutions, including insurance
companies, colleges, industrial corporations, and financial and banking
organizations, as well as providing investment advice to over 280 open and
closed-end mutual funds. The Adviser maintains a large research department,
which conducts continuous studies of the factors that affect the position of
various industries, companies and individual securities. The Adviser receives
published reports and statistical compilations from issuers and other sources,
as well as analyses from brokers and dealers who may execute portfolio
transactions for the Adviser's clients. However, the Adviser regards this
information and material as an adjunct to its own research activities. The
Adviser's international investment management team travels the world,
researching hundreds of companies. In selecting the securities in which the Fund
may invest, the conclusions and investment decisions of the Adviser with respect
to the Fund are based primarily on the analyses of its own research department.
Certain investments may be appropriate for the Fund and also for other
clients advised by the Adviser. Investment decisions for the Fund and other
clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives
and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings, availability
of cash for investment and the size of their investments generally. Frequently,
a particular security may be bought or sold for only one client or in different
amounts and at different times for more than one but less than all clients.
Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one
or more other clients are selling the security. In addition, purchases or sales
of the same security may be made for two or more clients on the same day. In
such event, such transactions will be allocated among the clients in a manner
believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each. In some cases, this procedure
could have an adverse effect on the price or amount of the securities purchased
or sold by the Fund. Purchase and sale orders for the Fund may be combined with
those of other clients of the Adviser in the interest of achieving the most
favorable net results to the Fund.
The present investment management agreements (the "Agreements") became
effective September 7, 1998, were approved at a shareholder meeting held on
December 15, 1998 and were most recently approved by the Directors on September
14, 1999.
The Agreements will continue in effect until September 30, 2000 and
from year to year thereafter only if their continuance is approved annually by
the vote of a majority of those Directors who are not parties to such Agreements
or interested persons of the Adviser or the Corporation, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and either by a vote
of the Corporation's Directors or of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the respective Fund. The Agreements may be terminated at any time
without payment of penalty by either party on sixty days' written notice and
automatically terminate in the event of their assignment.
Under the Agreement, the Adviser regularly provides the Fund with
continuing investment management for the Fund's portfolio consistent with the
Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions and determines what
securities shall be purchased for the portfolio of the Fund, what portfolio
securities shall be held or sold by the Fund, and what portion of the Fund's
assets shall be held uninvested, subject always to the provisions of the
Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, of the 1940 Act and the
Code and to the Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and
subject, further, to such policies and instructions as the Directors of the
Corporation may from time to time establish. The Adviser also advises and
assists the officers of the Corporation in taking such steps as are necessary or
appropriate to carry out the decisions of its Directors and the appropriate
committees of the Directors regarding the conduct of the business of the
Corporation.
Under the Agreement, the Adviser also renders significant
administrative services (not otherwise provided by third parties) necessary for
the Fund's operations as an open-end investment company including, but not
limited to, preparing reports and notices to the Directors and shareholders,
supervising, negotiating contractual arrangements with, and monitoring various
third-party service providers to the Fund (such as the Fund's transfer agent,
pricing agents, custodians, accountants and others); preparing and making
filings with the SEC and other regulatory agencies; assisting in the preparation
and filing of the Fund's federal, state and local tax returns; preparing and
filing the Fund's federal excise tax returns; assisting with investor and public
relations matters; monitoring the valuation of securities and the
41
<PAGE>
calculation of net asset value; monitoring the registration of shares of the
Fund under applicable federal and state securities laws; maintaining the Fund's
books and records to the extent not otherwise maintained by a third party;
assisting in establishing accounting policies of the Fund; assisting in the
resolution of accounting and legal issues; establishing and monitoring the
Fund's operating budget; processing the payment of the Fund's bills; assisting
the Fund in, and otherwise arranging for, the payment of distributions and
dividends and otherwise assisting the Fund in the conduct of its business,
subject to the direction and control of the Directors.
The Adviser pays the compensation and expenses (except those of
attending Board and committee meetings outside New York, New York and Boston,
Massachusetts) of all directors, officers and executive employees of the
Corporation affiliated with the Adviser and makes available, without expense to
the Fund, the services of such directors, officers and employees as may duly be
elected officers, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any
limitations imposed by law, and provides the Fund's office space and facilities.
The Fund pays the Adviser an annual fee equal to 0.85% of the first $1
billion of average daily net assets and 0.80% of such assets in excess of $1
billion. The fee is payable monthly, provided the Fund will make such interim
payments as may be requested by the Adviser not to exceed 75% of the amount of
the fee then accrued on the books of the Fund and unpaid. For the fiscal years
ended June 30, 1997 and, 1998, the Adviser imposed a management fee amounting to
$3,077,316 and $1,444,303, respectively. The Adviser did not impose a portion of
its management fee amounting to $110,285 for the fiscal year ended June 30,
1998. For the four months ended October 31, 1998, the Adviser did not impose a
portion of its management fee amounting to $37,131, and the Adviser imposed a
management fee amounting to $375,286. For the fiscal year ended October 31,
1999, the Adviser did not impose a portion of its management fee amounting to
$166,835, and the Adviser imposed a management fee amounting to $904,051. Total
Fund operating expenses are contractually maintained at 1.50% until February 28,
2001. Under the Agreement, the Fund is responsible for all of its other expenses
including organization expenses; fees and expenses incurred in connection with
membership in investment company organizations; broker's commissions; legal,
auditing and accounting expenses; taxes and governmental fees; the fees and
expenses of the Transfer Agent; the cost of preparing share certificates or any
other expenses, including clerical expenses of issue, redemption or repurchase
of shares of capital stock; the expenses of and the fees for registering or
qualifying securities for sale; the fees and expenses of the Directors, officers
and employees who are not affiliated with the Adviser; the cost of printing and
distributing reports and notices to shareholders; and the fees and disbursements
of custodians. The Corporation may arrange to have third parties assume all or
part of the expenses of sale, underwriting and distribution of shares of the
Fund. The Fund is also responsible for its expenses incurred in connection with
litigation, proceedings and claims and the legal obligation it may have to
indemnify its officers and Directors with respect thereto. The custodian
agreements provide that the custodian shall compute the Fund's net asset value.
The Agreements expressly provide that the Adviser shall not be required to pay a
pricing agent of the Fund for portfolio pricing services, if any.
The Agreement identifies the Adviser as the exclusive licensee of the
rights to use and sublicense the names "Scudder," "Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc." and "Scudder, Stevens and Clark, Inc." (together, the "Scudder Marks").
Under this license, the Corporation, with respect to the Fund, has the
non-exclusive right to use and sublicense the Scudder name and marks as part of
its name, and to use the Scudder Marks in the Corporation's investment products
and services.
The Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the relevant
Fund in connection with matters to which the Agreements relate, except a loss
resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of
the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the
Adviser of its obligations and duties under the Agreements.
Officers and employees of the Adviser from time to time may have
transactions with various banks, including the Fund's custodian banks. It is the
Adviser's opinion that the terms and conditions of those transactions which have
occurred were not influenced by existing or potential custodial or other Fund
relationships.
The Adviser may serve as Adviser to other funds with investment
objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund that may have different
distribution arrangements or expenses, which may affect performance.
None of the officers or Directors may have dealings with the Fund as
principals in the purchase or sale of securities, except as individual
subscribers or holders of shares of the Fund.
42
<PAGE>
The term Scudder Investments is the designation given to the services
provided by Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. and its affiliates to the Scudder
Family of Funds.
Pursuant to an Agreement between the Adviser and AMA Solutions, Inc., a
subsidiary of the American Medical Association (the "AMA"), dated May 9, 1997,
the Adviser has agreed, subject to applicable state regulations, to pay AMA
Solutions, Inc. royalties in an amount equal to 5% of the management fee
received by the Adviser with respect to assets invested by AMA members in
Scudder funds in connection with the AMA InvestmentLink(SM) Program. The Adviser
will also pay AMA Solutions, Inc. a general monthly fee, currently in the amount
of $833. The AMA and AMA Solutions, Inc. are not engaged in the business of
providing investment advice and neither is registered as an investment adviser
or broker/dealer under federal securities laws. Any person who participates in
the AMA InvestmentLink(SM) Program will be a customer of the Adviser (or of a
subsidiary thereof) and not the AMA or AMA Solutions, Inc. AMA
InvestmentLink(SM) is a service mark of AMA Solutions, Inc.
Personal Investments by Employees of the Adviser
Employees of the Adviser are permitted to make personal securities
transactions, subject to requirements and restrictions set forth in the
Adviser's Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics contains provisions and
requirements designed to identify and address certain conflicts of interest
between personal investment activities and the interests of investment advisory
clients such as the Fund. Among other things, the Code of Ethics, which
generally complies with standards recommended by the Investment Company
Institute's Advisory Group on Personal Investing, prohibits certain types of
transactions absent prior approval, imposes time periods during which personal
transactions may not be made in certain securities, and requires the submission
of duplicate broker confirmations and monthly reporting of securities
transactions. Additional restrictions apply to portfolio managers, traders,
research analysts and others involved in the investment advisory process.
Exceptions to these and other provisions of the Code of Ethics may be granted in
particular circumstances after review by appropriate personnel.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Position with
Underwriter,
Name, Age and Position Scudder Investor
Address with Corporation Principal Occupation** Services, Inc.
- ------- ---------------- ---------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Nicholas Bratt (50)++@ President, all series except Managing Director of Scudder --
Scudder Global Fund Kemper Investments, Inc.
William E. Holzer++@ (49) President, Scudder Global Managing Director of Scudder --
Fund Kemper Investments, Inc.
Sheryle J. Bolton (53) Director Chief Executive Officer and --
Scientific Learning Director, Scientific Learning
Corporation Corporation, Former President
1995 University Ave. and Chief Operating Officer,
Suite 400 Physicians Online, Inc.
San Francisco, CA 94704 (electronic transmission of
clinical information for
physicians (1994-1995)
William T. Burgin (56) Director General Partner, Bessemer --
83 Walnut Street Venture Partners; General
Wellesley, MA 02181-2101 Partner, Deer & Company;
Director, Fort James
Corporation; Director, Galileo
Corporation; Director of
various privately held
companies
43
<PAGE>
Position with
Underwriter,
Name, Age and Position Scudder Investor
Address with Corporation Principal Occupation** Services, Inc.
- ------- ---------------- ---------------------- --------------
Keith R. Fox (45) Director Private Equity Investor, Exeter --
10 East 53rd Street Capital Management
New York, NY 10022 Corporation
William H. Luers (70) Director Chairman and President of the --
The United Nations United .Nations Association
Association of America of America
801 Second Avenue (organizer/researcher of U.N.-
New York, NY 10017 supporting entities);
Retired, President, The
Metropolitan Museum of Art
(1986 to 1999)
Kathryn L. Quirk*#++(46) Director, Vice President Managing Director of Scudder Director, Senior Vice
and Assistant Secretary Kemper Investments, Inc. President, Chief Legal
Officer and Assistant
Clerk
Joan E. Spero (55) Director President, Doris Duke --
Doris Duke Charitable Charitable Foundation(1997-
Foundation present); Undersecretary of
650 Fifth Avenue State for Economic, Business
19th Floor and Agricultural Affairs
New York, NY 10128 (March 1993-January 1997)
Paul Bancroft III (69) Honorary Director Venture Capitalist and
79 Pine Lane Consultant: Retired President,
Box 6639 Chief Executive Officer and
Snowmass Village, CO Director, Besemer Securities
81615 Corporation
Thomas J. Devine (72) Honorary Director Consultant --
450 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
William H. Gleysteen, Jr. Honorary Director Consultant; Guest Scholar, --
(72) Brookings Institution;
4937 Crescent Street President, The Japan Society,
Bethesda, MD 20816 Inc. (1989-December 1995)
Robert G. Stone, Jr. (76) Honorary Director Chairman Emeritus and --
405 Lexington Avenue Director, Kirby Corporation
New York, NY 10174 (inland and offshore marine
transportation and diesel
repairs)
44
<PAGE>
Position with
Underwriter,
Name, Age and Position Scudder Investor
Address with Corporation Principal Occupation** Services, Inc.
- ------- ---------------- ---------------------- --------------
Jan C. Faller ( )+ Vice President Vice President of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc.
Ann M. McCreary++(43) Vice President Managing Director of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc.
Gerald J. Moran++ (59) Vice President Senior Vice President of --
Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc.
Isabel M. Saltzman+ (44) Vice President Managing Director of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc.
John R. Hebble+ (41) Treasurer Senior Vice President of Assistant Treasurer
Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc.
John Millette (37)+ Vice President and Assistant Vice President of --
Secretary Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc. since September 1994;
previously employed by the
law firm Kaye, Scholer,
Fierman, Hays & Handler
Caroline Pearson+ (37) Assistant Secretary Senior Vice President of Clerk
Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc.; Associate, Dechert Price
& Rhoads (law firm) 1989 -
1997
</TABLE>
* Ms. Quirk is considered by the Corporation and its counsel to be a person
who is an "interested person" of the Adviser or of the Corporation (as
defined in the 1940 Act).
** Unless otherwise stated, all the Directors and officers have been
associated with their respective companies for more than five years, but
not necessarily in the same capacity.
# Ms. Quirk is a member of the Executive Committee, which may exercise the
powers of the Directors when they are not in session.
+ Address: Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts
++ Address: 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York
@ The President of a series shall have the status of Vice President of the
Corporation.
To the knowledge of the Corporation, as of January 31, 2000, all
Directors and Officers as a group owned beneficially (as the term is defined in
Section 13(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) less than 1% of the
shares of International Bond Fund outstanding on such date.
To the knowledge of the Corporation, as of January 31, 2000, 1,518,034
shares in the aggregate, 14.61% of the outstanding shares, of International Bond
Fund, were held in the name of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., 101 Montgomery
45
<PAGE>
Street, San Francisco, CA 94104-4122, who may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of certain of these shares, but disclaims any beneficial ownership
therein.
Except as stated above, to the knowledge of the Corporation, as of
January 31, 2000, no person owned beneficially more than 5% of the Fund's
outstanding shares.
The Directors and officers also serve in similar capacities with
respect to other Scudder funds.
REMUNERATION
Responsibilities of the Board -- Board and Committee Meetings
The Board of Directors is responsible for the general oversight of the
Fund's business. A majority of the Board's members are not affiliated with
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. These "Independent Directors" have primary
responsibility for assuring that the Fund is managed in the best interests of
its shareholders.
The Board of Directors meets at least quarterly to review the
investment performance of the Fund and other operational matters, including
policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with various regulatory
requirements. At least annually, the Independent Directors review the fees paid
to the Adviser and its affiliates for investment advisory services and other
administrative and shareholder services. In this regard, they evaluate, among
other things, the Fund's investment performance, the quality and efficiency of
the various other services provided, costs incurred by the Adviser and its
affiliates and comparative information regarding fees and expenses of
competitive funds. They are assisted in this process by the Fund's independent
public accountants and by independent legal counsel selected by the Independent
Directors.
All the Independent Directors serve on the Committee on Independent
Directors, which nominates Independent Directors and considers other related
matters, and the Audit Committee, which selects the Fund's independent public
accountants and reviews accounting policies and controls. In addition,
Independent Directors from time to time have established and served on task
forces and subcommittees focusing on particular matters such as investment,
accounting and shareholder service issues.
Compensation of Officers and Directors
The Independent Directors receive the following compensation from the
Funds of Global/International Fund, Inc.: an annual director's fee of $3,500; a
fee of $325 for attendance at each board meeting, audit committee meeting or
other meeting held for the purposes of considering arrangements between the
Corporation on behalf of the Fund and the Adviser or any affiliate of the
Adviser; $100 for all other committee meetings; and reimbursement of expenses
incurred for travel to and from Board Meetings. No additional compensation is
paid to any Independent Director for travel time to meetings, attendance at
directors' educational seminars or conferences, service on industry or
association committees, participation as speakers at directors' conferences or
service on special director task forces or subcommittees. Independent Directors
do not receive any employee benefits such as pension or retirement benefits or
health insurance. Notwithstanding the schedule of fees, the Independent
Directors have in the past and may in the future waive a portion of their
compensation.
The Independent Directors also serve in the same capacity for other
funds managed by the Adviser. These funds differ broadly in type and complexity
and in some cases have substantially different Director fee schedules. The
following table shows the aggregate compensation received by each Independent
Director during 1999 from the Corporation and from all of the Scudder funds as a
group.
46
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Global/International Fund, Inc.* All Scudder Funds
---- -------------------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Paul Bancroft III, $31,500 $159,991 (25 funds)
Honorary Director
Sheryle J. Bolton, Director $38,000 $179,860 (24 funds)
William T. Burgin, Director $36,375 $160,325 (23 funds)
Keith R. Fox, Director $36,375 $160,325 (23 funds)
William H. Gleysteen, Jr. $ 0.00 $19,933@ (2 funds)
Honorary Director
William H. Luers, Director $39,625 $212,596 (26 funds)
Joan E. Spero*** $39,625 $175,275 (23 funds)
</TABLE>
* Global/International Fund, Inc. consists of five funds: Scudder Global
Fund, Scudder International Bond Fund, Scudder Global Bond Fund, Global
Discovery Fund and Scudder Emerging Markets Income Fund.
** Elected as Honorary Director in December 1999, after serving as Director.
*** Elected as Director of the Corporation in September 1998.
@ This amount does not reflect $6,208 in retirement benefits accrued as part
of Fund Complex expenses, and $3,000, in estimated annual benefits payable
upon retirement. Retirement benefits accrued and proposed are to be paid to
Mr. Gleysteen as additional compensation for serving on the Board of The
Japan Fund, Inc.
Members of the Board of Directors who are employees of the Adviser or
its affiliates receive no direct compensation from the Corporation, although
they are compensated as employees of the Adviser, or its affiliates, as a result
of which they may be deemed to participate in fees paid by the Fund.
DISTRIBUTOR
The Corporation has an underwriting agreement with Scudder Investor
Services, Inc., Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110 (the "Distributor"), a
Massachusetts corporation, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, a
Delaware corporation. The Corporation's underwriting agreement dated September
7, 1998 will remain in effect until September 30, 2000 and from year to year
thereafter only if its continuance is approved annually by a majority of the
Board of Directors who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons
of any such party and either by a vote of a majority of the Directors or a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation. The Directors
most recently approved the underwriting agreement on September 14, 1999.
Under the principal underwriting agreement, the Corporation is
responsible for: the payment of all fees and expenses in connection with the
preparation and filing with the SEC of the Fund's registration statement and
prospectuses and any amendments and supplements thereto, the registration and
qualification of shares for sale in the
47
<PAGE>
various states, including registering the Corporation as a broker/dealer in
various states; the fees and expenses of preparing, printing and mailing
prospectuses annually to existing shareholders (see below for expenses relating
to prospectuses paid by the Distributor), notices, proxy statements, reports or
other communications to shareholders of the Fund; the cost of printing and
mailing confirmations of purchases of shares and any prospectuses accompanying
such confirmations; any issue taxes or any initial transfer taxes; a portion of
shareholder toll-free telephone charges and expenses of shareholder service
representatives, the cost of wiring funds for share purchases and redemptions
(unless paid by the shareholder who initiates the transaction); the cost of
printing and postage of business reply envelopes; and a portion of the cost of
computer terminals used by both the Corporation and the Distributor.
The Distributor will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or
reports prepared for its use in connection with the offering of the Fund's
shares to the public and preparing, printing and mailing any other literature or
advertising in connection with the offering of shares of the Fund to the public.
The Distributor will pay all fees and expenses in connection with its
qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state
laws, a portion of the cost of toll-free telephone service and expenses of
service representatives, a portion of the cost of computer terminals, and of any
activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by
the Corporation unless a Rule 12b-1 Plan is in effect which provides that the
Fund shall bear some or all of such expenses.
Note: Although the Fund currently has no 12b-1 Plan, the Fund would
also pay those fees and expenses permitted to be paid or
assumed by the Fund pursuant to a 12b-1 Plan, if any, adopted
by the Fund, notwithstanding any other provision to the
contrary in the underwriting agreement.
As agent, the Distributor currently offers the Fund's shares on a
continuous basis to investors in all states. The underwriting agreement provides
that the Distributor accepts orders for shares at net asset value as no sales
commission or load is charged the investor. The Distributor has made no firm
commitment to acquire shares of the Corporation.
TAXES
The Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company
under Subchapter M of the Code, or a predecessor statute and has qualified as
such since its inception. It intends to continue to qualify for such treatment.
Such qualification does not involve governmental supervision or management of
investment practices or policy.
A regulated investment company qualifying under Subchapter M of the
Code is required to distribute to its shareholders at least 90 percent of its
investment company taxable income (including net short-term capital gain) and
generally is not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it distributes
annually its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains in
the manner required under the Code.
If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for the special
federal income tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies, all of its
taxable income will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates
(without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders).
The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on amounts
required to be but not distributed under a prescribed formula. The formula
requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions
representing at least 98% of the Fund's ordinary income for the calendar year,
at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over capital losses (adjusted
for certain ordinary losses) realized during the one-year period ending October
31 during such year, and all ordinary income and capital gains for prior years
that were not previously distributed.
Investment company taxable income generally is made up of dividends,
interest and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital
losses, less expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal year are computed
by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund.
At October 31, 1999, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss
carryforward of approximately $73,227,000, which may be applied against any
realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized
or until October 31, 2002, ($64,329,000), October 31, 2003 ($6,093,000), October
31, 2006 ($494,000) and October 31, 2007 ($2,311,000), the respective expiration
dates.
48
<PAGE>
If any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized
short-term capital losses are retained by the Fund for reinvestment, requiring
federal income taxes to be paid thereon by the Fund, that Fund intends to elect
to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to shareholders. As a
result, each shareholder will report such capital gains as long-term capital
gains, will be able to claim a proportionate share of federal income taxes paid
by the Fund on such gains as a credit against the shareholder's federal income
tax liability, and will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of the
shareholder's Fund shares by the difference between such reported gains and the
shareholder's tax credit. If the Fund makes such an election, it may not be
treated as having met the excise tax distribution requirement.
Distributions of investment company taxable income are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income.
Dividends from domestic corporations are not expected to comprise a
substantial part of the Fund's gross income. If any such dividends constitute a
portion of the Fund's gross income, a portion of the income distributions of
that Fund may be eligible for the 70% deduction for dividends received by
corporations. Shareholders will be informed of the portion of dividends which so
qualify. The dividends-received deduction is reduced to the extent the shares of
the Fund with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as
debt-financed under federal income tax law and is eliminated if either those
shares or shares of the Fund are deemed to have been held by the Fund or the
shareholder, as the case may be, for less than 46 days during the 90-day period
beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend.
Properly designated distributions of the excess of net long-term
capital gain over net short-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as
long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund
have been held by such shareholders. Such distributions are not eligible for the
dividends-received deduction. Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares
held at the time of redemption for six months or less will be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of
long-term capital gain during such six-month period.
Distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gains will be taxable as described above, whether received in shares or
in cash. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of
additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each
share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment
date.
All distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each
shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends declared in
October, November or December with a record date in such a month will be deemed
to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of
the following year. Redemptions of shares, including exchanges for shares of
another Scudder fund, may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the
shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.
An individual may make a deductible IRA contribution of up to $2,000
or, if less, the amount of the individual's earned income for any taxable year
only if (i) neither the individual nor his or her spouse (unless filing separate
returns) is an active participant in an employer's retirement plan, or (ii) the
individual (and his or her spouse, if applicable) has an adjusted gross income
below a certain level ($52,000 for married individuals filing a joint return,
with a phase-out of the deduction for adjusted gross income between $52,000 and
$62,000; $32,000 for a single individual, with a phase-out for adjusted gross
income between $32,000 and $42,000). However, an individual not permitted to
make a deductible contribution to an IRA for any such taxable year may
nonetheless make nondeductible contributions up to $2,000 to an IRA (up to
$2,500 per individual for married couples if only one spouse has earned income)
for that year. There are special rules for determining how withdrawals are to be
taxed if an IRA contains both deductible and nondeductible amounts. In general,
a proportionate amount of each withdrawal will be deemed to be made from
nondeductible contributions; amounts treated as a return of nondeductible
contributions will not be taxable. Also, annual contributions may be made to a
spousal IRA even if the spouse has earnings in a given year if the spouse elects
to be treated as having no earnings (for IRA contribution purposes) for the
year.
Distributions by the Fund result in a reduction in the net asset value
of that Fund's shares. Should a distribution reduce the net asset value below a
shareholder's cost basis, such distribution would nevertheless be taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain as described above, even though,
from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In
particular, investors should consider the tax implications of buying shares just
prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the
amount of the forthcoming distribution.
49
<PAGE>
Those purchasing just prior to a distribution will then receive a partial return
of capital upon the distribution, which will nevertheless be taxable to them.
The Fund intends to qualify for and may make the election permitted
under Section 853 of the Code so that shareholders may (subject to limitations)
be able to claim a credit or deduction on their federal income tax returns for,
and will be required to treat as part of the amounts distributed to them, their
pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries (which
taxes relate primarily to investment income). The Fund may make an election
under Section 853 of the Code, provided that more than 50% of the value of the
total assets of the Fund at the close of the taxable year consists of securities
in foreign corporations. The foreign tax credit available to shareholders is
subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code except in the case of certain
electing individual shareholders who have limited creditable foreign taxes and
no foreign source income other than passive investment-type income. Furthermore,
the foreign tax credit is eliminated with respect to foreign taxes withheld on
dividends if the dividend-paying shares or the shares of the Fund are held by
the Fund or the shareholder, as the case may be, for less than 16 days (46 days
in the case of preferred shares) during the 30-day period (90-day period for
preferred shares) beginning 15 days (45 days for preferred shares) before the
shares become ex-dividend. In addition, if the Fund fails to satisfy these
holding period requirements, it cannot elect under Section 853 to pass through
to shareholders the ability to claim a deduction for the related foreign taxes.
The Fund may make an election to mark to market its shares of these
foreign investment companies in lieu of being subject to U.S. federal income
taxation. At the end of each taxable year to which the election applies, the
Fund would report as ordinary income the amount by which the fair market value
of the foreign company's stock exceeds the Fund's adjusted basis in these
shares; any mark to market losses and any loss from an actual disposition of
shares would be deductible as ordinary loss to the extent of any net mark to
market gains included in income in prior years. The effect of the election would
be to treat excess distributions and gain on dispositions as ordinary income
which is not subject to a fund level tax when distributed to shareholders as a
dividend. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to include as income and gain its
share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of certain foreign
investment companies in lieu of being taxed in the manner described above.
Equity options (including covered call options written on portfolio
stock) and over-the-counter options on debt securities written or purchased by
the Fund will be subject to tax under Section 1234 of the Code. In general, no
loss will be recognized by the Fund upon payment of a premium in connection with
the purchase of a put or call option. The character of any gain or loss
recognized (i.e. long-term or short-term) will generally depend, in the case of
a lapse or sale of the option, on the Fund's holding period for the option, and
in the case of the exercise of a put option, on the Fund's holding period for
the underlying property. The purchase of a put option may constitute a short
sale for federal income tax purposes, causing an adjustment in the holding
period of any property in the Fund's portfolio similar to the property
underlying the put option. If the Fund writes an option, no gain is recognized
upon its receipt of a premium. If the option lapses or is closed out, any gain
or loss is treated as short-term capital gain or loss. If a call option is
exercised, the character of the gain or loss depends on the holding period of
the underlying stock.
Positions of the Fund which consist of at least one stock and at least
one stock option or other position with respect to a related security which
substantially diminishes that Fund's risk of loss with respect to such stock
could be treated as a "straddle" which is governed by Section 1092 of the Code,
the operation of which may cause deferral of losses, adjustments in the holding
periods of stocks or securities and conversion of short-term capital losses into
long-term capital losses. An exception to these straddle rules exists for
certain "qualified covered call options" on stock written by the relevant Fund.
Many futures and forward contracts entered into by the Fund and listed
nonequity options written or purchased by the Fund (including options on debt
securities, options on futures contracts, options on securities indices and
options on currencies), will be governed by Section 1256 of the Code. Absent a
tax election to the contrary, gain or loss attributable to the lapse, exercise
or closing out of any such position generally will be treated as 60% long-term
and 40% short-term capital gain or loss, and on the last trading day of the
Fund's fiscal year, all outstanding Section 1256 positions will be marked to
market (i.e., treated as if such positions were closed out at their closing
price on such day), with any resulting gain or loss recognized as 60% long-term
and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Under Section 988 of the Code,
discussed below, foreign currency gain or loss from foreign currency-related
forward contracts, certain futures and options and similar financial instruments
entered into or acquired by the Fund will be treated as ordinary income or loss.
50
<PAGE>
If the Fund writes a covered call option on portfolio stock, no gain is
recognized upon its receipt of a premium. If the option lapses or is closed out,
any gain or loss is treated as short-term capital gain or loss. If the option is
exercised, the character of the gain or loss depends on the holding period of
the underlying stock.
Positions of the Fund which consist of at least one position not
governed by Section 1256 and at least one futures or forward contract or
nonequity option or other position governed by Section 1256 which substantially
diminishes that Fund's risk of loss with respect to such other position will be
treated as a "mixed straddle." Although mixed straddles are subject to the
straddle rules of Section 1092 of the Code, the operation of which may cause
deferral of losses, adjustments in the holding periods of securities and
conversion of short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses, certain
tax elections exist for them which reduce or eliminate the operation of these
rules. The Fund will monitor its transactions in options, foreign currency
futures and forward contracts and may make certain tax elections in connection
with these investments.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, recent tax law changes may
require the Fund to recognize gain (but not loss) from a constructive sale of
certain "appreciated financial positions" if the Fund enters into a short sale,
offsetting notional principal contract, futures or forward contract transaction
with respect to the appreciated position or substantially identical property.
Appreciated financial positions subject to this constructive sale treatment are
interests (including options, futures and forward contracts and short sales) in
stock, partnership interests, certain actively traded trust instruments and
certain debt instruments. Constructive sale treatment of appreciated financial
positions does not apply to certain transactions closed in the 90-day period
ending with the 30th day after the close of the Fund's taxable year, if certain
conditions are met.
Similarly, if the Fund enters into a short sale of property that
becomes substantially worthless, the Fund will be required to recognize gain at
that time as though it had closed the short sale. Future regulations may apply
similar treatment to other strategic transactions with respect to property that
becomes substantially worthless.
Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in
exchange rates which occur between the time the Fund accrues receivables or
liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time that Fund actually
collects such receivables or pays such liabilities generally are treated as
ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities
denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain options, futures
and forward contracts, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value
of foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract
and the date of disposition are also treated as ordinary gain or loss. These
gains or losses, referred to under the Code as "Section 988" gains or losses,
may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's investment company taxable
income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.
The Fund may make an election to mark to market its shares of these
foreign investment companies, in lieu of being subject to U.S. federal income
taxation. At the end of each taxable year to which the election applies, the
Fund would report as ordinary income the amount by which the fair market value
of the foreign company's stock exceeds the Fund's adjusted basis in these
shares; any mark-to-market losses and any loss from an actual disposition of
stock would be deductible as ordinary losses to the extent of any net
mark-to-market gains previously included in income in prior years. The effect of
this election would be to treat excess distributions and gain on dispositions as
ordinary income which is not subject to the Fund-level tax when distributed to
shareholders as a dividend. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to include as
income and gain their share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of
certain foreign investment companies in lieu of being taxed in the manner
described above.
If the Fund holds zero coupon securities or other securities which are
issued at a discount a portion of the difference between the issue price and the
face value of such securities ("original issue discount") will be treated as
income to the Fund each year, even though the Fund will not receive cash
interest payments from these securities. This original issue discount (imputed
income) will comprise a part of the investment company taxable income of the
Fund which must be distributed to shareholders in order to maintain the
qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company and to avoid federal
income tax at the Fund level. In addition, if the Fund invests in certain high
yield original issue discount obligations issued by corporations, a portion of
the original issue discount accruing on the obligation may be eligible for the
deduction for dividends received by corporations. In such event, dividends of
investment company taxable income received from the Fund by its corporate
shareholders, to the extent attributable to such portion of accrued
51
<PAGE>
original issue discount, may be eligible for this deduction for dividends
received by corporations if so designated by the Fund in a written notice to
shareholders.
The Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all
distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gains as well as
gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the
case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of
Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of investment company taxable income and
capital gains and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a
regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax
at the rate of 31% in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish
the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with
required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law.
Withholding may also be required if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker
that the taxpayer identification number furnished by the shareholder is
incorrect or that the shareholder has previously failed to report interest or
dividend income. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such
distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional
shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.
Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on
distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares.
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to
the application of that law to U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens and residents
and U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each shareholder who is
not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of
ownership of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that such a
shareholder may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or at a
lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts constituting
ordinary income received by him or her, where such amounts are treated as income
from U.S. sources under the Code.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of
the provisions of tax law described in this Statement of Additional Information
in light of their particular tax situations.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Brokerage Commissions
Allocation of brokerage is supervised by the Adviser.
The primary objective of the Adviser in placing orders for the purchase
and sale of securities for the Fund is to obtain the most favorable net results,
taking into account such factors as price, commission where applicable, size of
order, difficulty of execution and skill required of the executing
broker/dealer. The Adviser seeks to evaluate the overall reasonableness of
brokerage commissions paid (to the extent applicable) through the familiarity of
the Distributor with commissions charged on comparable transactions, as well as
by comparing commissions paid by the Fund to reported commissions paid by
others. The Adviser reviews on a routine basis commission rates, execution and
settlement services performed, making internal and external comparisons.
The Fund's purchases and sales of fixed-income securities are generally
placed by the Adviser with primary market makers for these securities on a net
basis, without any brokerage commission being paid by the Fund. Trading does,
however, involve transaction costs. Transactions with dealers serving as primary
market makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices. Purchases of
underwritten issues may be made, which will include an underwriting fee paid to
the underwriter.
When it can be done consistently with the policy of obtaining the most
favorable net results, it is the Adviser's practice to place such orders with
broker/dealers who supply research, market and statistical information to the
Fund. The term "research, market and statistical information" includes advice as
to the value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or
selling securities; the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of
securities; and analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities,
economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts.
The Adviser is authorized when placing portfolio transactions for the Fund to
pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker might charge
for executing the same transaction on account of execution services and the
receipt of research, market or statistical information. The Adviser will not
place orders with
52
<PAGE>
broker/dealers on the basis that the broker/dealer has or has not sold shares of
the Fund. In effecting transactions in over-the-counter securities, orders are
placed with the principal market makers for the security being traded unless,
after exercising care, it appears that more favorable results are available
elsewhere.
To the maximum extent feasible, it is expected that the Adviser will
place orders for portfolio transactions through the Distributor, which is a
corporation registered as a broker-dealer and a subsidiary of the Adviser; the
Distributor will place orders on behalf of the Fund with issuers, underwriters
or other brokers and dealers. The Distributor will not receive any commission,
fee or other remuneration from the Fund for this service.
Although certain research, market and statistical information from
broker/dealers may be useful to the Fund and to the Adviser, it is the opinion
of the Adviser that such information only supplements the Adviser's own research
effort since the information must still be analyzed, weighed, and reviewed by
the Adviser's staff. Such information may be useful to the Adviser in providing
services to clients other than the Fund, and the Adviser in connection with the
Fund uses not all such information. Conversely, such information provided to the
Adviser by broker/dealers through whom other clients of the Adviser effect
securities transactions may be useful to the Adviser in providing services to
the Fund.
The Directors review from time to time whether the recapture for the
benefit of the Fund of some portion of the brokerage commissions or similar fees
paid by the Fund on portfolio transactions is legally permissible and advisable.
For the fiscal years ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997, The Fund paid
no brokerage commissions.
Portfolio Turnover
Average annual portfolio turnover rate is the ratio of the lesser of
sales or purchases to the monthly average value of the portfolio securities
owned during the year, excluding from both the numerator and the denominator all
securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less.
The Fund's portfolio turnover rate for each of the fiscal years ended
June 30, 1998 and 1997 was 190.1% and 298.2%, respectively. For the four months
ended October 31, 1998, and the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999, the Fund's
portfolio turnover rate was 303.5% (annualized) and 193.7%, respectively. Recent
economic and market conditions necessitated more active trading, resulting in
the higher portfolio turnover rates. A higher rate involves greater transaction
expenses to the Fund and may result in the realization of net capital gains,
which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed. Purchases and sales are
made for the Fund's portfolio whenever necessary, in management's opinion, to
meet the Fund's objectives.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of shares of the Fund is computed as of the close
of regular trading on the Exchange on each day the Exchange is open for trading
(the "Value Time"). The Exchange is scheduled to be closed on the following
holidays: New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas,
and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when one of these holidays
falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. Net asset value per share is
determined by dividing the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all
liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding.
An exchange-traded equity security is valued at its most recent sale
price on the exchange it is traded as of the Value Time. Lacking any sales, the
security is valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid quotation
and the most recent asked quotation (the "Calculated Mean") on such exchange as
of the Value Time. Lacking a Calculated Mean quotation the security is valued at
the most recent bid quotation on such exchange as of the Value Time. An equity
security which is traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation ("Nasdaq") system will be valued at its most recent sale
price on such system as of the Value Time. Lacking any sales, the security will
be valued at the most recent bid quotation as of the Value Time. The value of an
equity security not quoted on the Nasdaq system, but traded in another
over-the-counter market, is its most recent sale price if there are any sales of
such security on such market as of the Value Time. Lacking any sales, the
security is valued at the Calculated Mean quotation for such security as of the
Value Time. Lacking a Calculated Mean quotation the security is valued at the
most recent bid quotation as of the Value Time.
53
<PAGE>
Debt securities, other than money market instruments, are valued at
prices supplied by the Fund's pricing agent(s) which reflect broker/dealer
supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques. Money market
instruments with an original maturity of sixty days or less maturing at par
shall be valued at amortized cost, which the Board believes approximates market
value. If it is not possible to value a particular debt security pursuant to
these valuation methods, the value of such security is the most recent bid
quotation supplied by a bona fide marketmaker. If it is not possible to value a
particular debt security pursuant to the above methods, the Adviser may
calculate the price of that debt security, subject to limitations established by
the Board.
An exchange traded options contract on securities, currencies, futures
and other financial instruments is valued at its most recent sale price on such
exchange. Lacking any sales, the options contract is valued at the Calculated
Mean. Lacking any Calculated Mean, the options contract is valued at the most
recent bid quotation in the case of a purchased options contract, or the most
recent asked quotation in the case of a written options contract. An options
contract on securities, currencies and other financial instruments traded
over-the-counter is valued at the most recent bid quotation in the case of a
purchased options contract and at the most recent asked quotation in the case of
a written options contract. Futures contracts are valued at the most recent
settlement price. Foreign currency exchange forward contracts are valued at the
value of the underlying currency at the prevailing exchange rate.
If a security is traded on more than one exchange, or upon one or more
exchanges and in the over-the-counter market, quotations are taken from the
market in which the security is traded most extensively.
If, in the opinion of the Fund's Valuation Committee, the value of a
portfolio asset as determined in accordance with these procedures does not
represent the fair market value of the portfolio asset, the value of the
portfolio asset is taken to be an amount which, in the opinion of the Valuation
Committee, represents fair market value on the basis of all available
information. The value of other portfolio holdings owned by the Fund is
determined in a manner which, in the discretion of the Valuation Committee most
fairly reflects fair market value of the property on the valuation date.
Following the valuations of securities or other portfolio assets in
terms of the currency in which the market quotation used is expressed ("Local
Currency"), the value of these portfolio assets in terms of U.S. dollars is
calculated by converting the Local Currency into U.S. dollars at the prevailing
currency exchange rate on the valuation date.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Experts
The financial highlights of the Fund included in the Fund's prospectus
and the Financial Statements incorporated by reference in this Statement of
Additional Information have been so included or incorporated by reference in
reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 160 Federal Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110, independent accountants, and given on the authority
of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
audits the financial statements of the Fund and provides other audit, tax, and
related services.
Other Information
Many of the investment changes in the Fund will be made at prices
different from those prevailing at the time they may be reflected in a regular
report to shareholders of the Fund. These transactions will reflect investment
decisions made by the Adviser in the light of the objectives and policies of the
Fund, and such factors as its other portfolio holdings and tax considerations
and should not be construed as recommendations for similar action by other
investors.
The CUSIP number of the Fund is 378947-30-3.
The Fund has a fiscal year end of October 31.
The law firm of Dechert Price & Rhoads is counsel for the Fund.
54
<PAGE>
The Corporation employs Brown Brothers Harriman and Co., 40 Water
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 as Custodian for the Fund. Brown Brothers
Harriman and Co. have entered into agreements with foreign subcustodians
approved by the Directors of the Corporation pursuant to Rule 17f-5 of the 1940
Act.
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation ("SFAC"), Two International Place,
Boston, Massachusetts, 02210-4103, a subsidiary of the Adviser, computes net
asset value for the Fund. The Fund pays Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation an
annual fee equal to 0.08% of the first $150 million of average net assets, 0.06%
of such assets in excess of $150 million and 0.04% of such assets in excess of
$1 billion.
For the fiscal years ended June 30, 1997 and 1998, SFAC charged the
Fund aggregate fees of $285,933 and $154,342, respectively. For the four months
ended October 31, 1998, the Fund incurred fees of $42,020, of which $21,295 was
unpaid on October 31, 1998. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999, the Fund
incurred fees of $114,645, of which $17,386 was unpaid on October 31, 1999.
Scudder Service Corporation
Scudder Service Corporation ("SSC"), P.O. Box 2291, Boston,
Massachusetts 02107-2291, a subsidiary of the Adviser, is the transfer,
dividend-paying and shareholder service agent for the Fund. The Fund pays SSC an
annual fee of $25.00 for each account maintained for a participant.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, SSC charged The Fund aggregate
fees of $462,449. For the four months ended October 31, 1998, and the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1999, The Fund incurred fees of $119,561 and $315,573,
respectively, of which $29,578 and $46,673 was unpaid at October 31, 1998 and
1999, respectively.
Scudder Trust Company
Scudder Trust Company ("STC"), an affiliate of the Adviser, provides
subaccounting and recordkeeping services for shareholder accounts in certain
retirement and employee benefit plans. Annual service fees are paid by the Fund
to STC, Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-4103 for such
accounts. The Fund pays STC an annual fee of $29.00 per shareholder account.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, the Fund incurred fees of
$80,418. For the four months ended October 31, 1998, and the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1999, The Fund incurred fees of $25,953 and $78,041, of which $6,499
and $18,815 was unpaid at October 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
The Directors of the Corporation have considered the appropriateness of
using this Statement of Additional Information for the Fund. There is a
possibility that the Fund might become liable for any misstatement, inaccuracy,
or incomplete disclosure in this Statement of Additional Information concerning
the other Fund.
The Fund, or the Adviser (including any affiliate of the Adviser), or
both, may pay unaffiliated third parties for providing recordkeeping and other
administrative services with respect to accounts of participants in retirement
plans or other beneficial owners of Fund shares whose interests are held in an
omnibus account.
The Fund's prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information omit
certain information contained in the Registration Statement which the
Corporation has filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 and
reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement for further information
with respect to the Fund and the securities offered hereby. This Registration
Statement is available for inspection by the public at the SEC in Washington,
D.C.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements, including the Investment Portfolio of The
Fund, together with the Report of Independent Accountants, Financial Highlights
and notes to financial statements, are incorporated by reference and attached
hereto in the Annual Report to Shareholders of the Fund dated October 31, 1999,
and are hereby deemed to be part of this Statement of Additional Information.
55
<PAGE>
56
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
The following is a description of the ratings given by Moody's and S&P
to corporate and municipal bonds.
Ratings of Municipal and Corporate Bonds
S&P:
Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong. Debt rated AA
has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from
the highest rated issues only in small degree. Debt rated A has a strong
capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more
susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than debt in higher rated categories. Debt rated BBB is regarded as
having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it
normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or
changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay
interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated
categories.
Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded as having predominantly
speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While
such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these
are outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating. Debt rated B has a greater
vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest
payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic
conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay
principal. The B rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior
debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating.
Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default,
and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to
meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have
the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is
also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or
implied B or B- rating. The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated
to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating. The rating C
typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an
actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C rating may be used to cover a
situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments
are continued. The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest
is being paid. Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used
when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even
if the applicable grace period had not expired, unless S&P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
Moody's:
Bonds, which are rated Aaa, are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues. Bonds, which are rated Aa, are
judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they
comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than
the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa
securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or
there may be other elements present which make the long term risks appear
somewhat larger than in Aaa securities. Bonds which are rated A possess many
favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade
obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered
adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to
impairment sometime in the future.
<PAGE>
Bonds, which are rated Baa, are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well. Bonds, which are rated Ba, are
judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well
assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very
moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during other good and bad times over
the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class. Bonds,
which are rated B generally, lack characteristics of the desirable investment.
Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of
the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Bonds, which are rated Caa, are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest. Bonds, which are rated Ca, represent obligations that are speculative
in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings. Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and
issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever
attaining any real investment standing.
58
