File No. 33-11351
Rule No. 497(c)
STEIN ROE INVESTMENT TRUST
Stein Roe Growth Investor Fund
Supplement to March 31, 1999 Prospectus
________________
Effective March 31, 1999, through the close of business on
June 30, 1999, the minimum initial amount that must be invested to
open a Growth Investor Fund account under an automatic investment
plan has been reduced from $1,000 ($500 for UGMA accounts) to
$100, provided that the automatic investment plan continue at a
monthly minimum investment of $100 until the account has a value
of at least $2,500 ($1,000 for UGMA accounts). (See Your Account-
Purchasing Shares.)
This Supplement is Dated March 31, 1999
<PAGE>
Stein Roe Growth Investor Fund
Prospectus
March 31, 1999
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or
disapproved these securities or determined whether this prospectus
is truthful or complete. Anyone who tells you otherwise is
committing a crime.
<PAGE>
1 The Fund
Investment Goal
Principal Investment Strategy
Principal Investment Risks
Fund Performance
Your Expenses
8 Your Account
Purchasing Shares
Opening an Account
Determining Share Price (NAV)
Selling Shares
Exchanging Shares
Dividends and Distributions
22 Other Investments and Risks
Portfolio Turnover
Temporary Defensive Positions
Interfund Lending Program
24 The Fund's Management
Investment Adviser
Portfolio Managers
Master/Feeder Fund Structure
Year 2000 Readiness
Please keep this prospectus as your reference manual.
<PAGE>
THE FUND
INVESTMENT GOAL
Stein Roe Growth Investor Fund seeks long-term growth.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund invests all its assets in SR&F Growth Investor Portfolio
as part of a master fund/feeder fund structure. The Portfolio
invests primarily in common stocks believed to have long-term
growth potential. Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio
invests at least 65 percent of its assets in common stocks of
companies that Stein Roe believes have long-term appreciation
potential. The Portfolio may invest in companies of any size
including smaller emerging companies. It emphasizes companies in
the technology sector and various consumer goods sectors,
including personal care products, pharmaceuticals and food
products. The Portfolio may invest up to 25 percent of its assets
in foreign stocks.
To select investments for the portfolio, the portfolio managers
look for companies that are market leaders with growing market
share in their respective industries. The managers also look for
companies with strong financial balance sheets and experienced
management teams.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
There are two basic risks for all mutual funds that invest in
stocks: management risk and market risk. These risks may cause
you to lose money when you sell your shares.
[Callout]
What are market and management risks? Management risk means that
Stein Roe's stock selections and other investment decisions might
produce losses or cause the Fund to underperform when compared to
other funds with similar goals. Market risk means that security
prices in a market, sector or industry may move down. Downward
movements will reduce the value of your investment. Because of
management and market risk, there is no guarantee that the Fund
will achieve its investment goal or perform favorably compared
with competing funds.
[End Callout]
Because the Portfolio invests in stocks, the price of the Fund's
shares-its net asset value per share (NAV)-fluctuates daily in
response to changes in the market value of the securities. In
addition, the risks associated with its investment strategy may
cause the Fund's total return or yield to decrease.
Due to its focus on companies in the technology sector and various
consumer goods sectors, including personal care products,
pharmaceuticals and food products, the Fund may perform
differently than the stock market. Shares of a small company may
pose greater risks than shares of a large company due to narrow
product lines, limited financial resources, less depth in
management or a limited trading market for its stock.
Foreign Securities
Foreign securities are subject to special risks. Foreign stock
markets, especially in countries with developing stock markets,
can be extremely volatile. The liquidity of foreign securities
may be more limited than domestic securities, which means that the
Portfolio may at times be unable to sell them at desirable prices.
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates impact the value of
foreign securities. Brokerage commissions, custodial fees, and
other fees are generally higher for foreign investments. In
addition, foreign governments may impose withholding taxes which
would reduce the amount of income available to distribute to
shareholders. Other risks include: possible delays in settlement
of transactions; less publicly available information about
companies; the impact of political, social or diplomatic events;
and possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of the
company or its assets.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any
other government agency. It is not a complete investment program
and you can lose money by investing in the Fund.
For more information on the Portfolio's investment techniques,
please refer to "Other Investments and Risks."
Who Should Invest in the Fund?
You may want to invest in the Fund if you:
* are a long-term investor who wants to participate in the stock
market through a Fund that emphasizes growth companies
* can accept more investment risk and volatility than the general
stock market
The Fund is not appropriate for shareholders who:
* can't tolerate volatility or possible losses
* want to save for a short-term investment
* need regular current income
FUND PERFORMANCE
The historical performance of the Fund shown in the performance
table is the performance of Stein Roe Young Investor Fund, a
separate feeder fund of the Portfolio. Performance for Young
Investor Fund is not restated for any differences in expenses
between the Fund and Young Investor Fund. The chart and table
give some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The
returns include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
As with all mutual funds, past performance does not predict the
Fund's future performance.
Year-by-Year Total Returns
Year-by-year calendar returns show the volatility of Young
Investor Fund since it started. This chart illustrates
performance differences for each calendar year and provides an
indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.
YEAR-BY-YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
45%
40%
35% 39.79% 35.10%
30%
25% 26.28%
20%
15% 17.65%
10%
5%
0%
- -5%
1995 1996 1997 1998
[ ] Growth Investor Fund
Best quarter: 4th quarter 1998, +20.82%
Worst quarter: 3rd quarter 1998, -16.46%
*Growth Investor Fund performance is the performance of Young
Investor Fund from April 29, 1994 through Dec. 31, 1998.
Average Annual Total Returns
Stein Roe Growth Investor Fund commenced operations on March 31,
1999. The Fund's historical performance for all periods is the
performance of Young Investor Fund and has not been restated for
any difference in expenses between the Fund and Young Investor
Fund. Average annual total returns measure Young Investor Fund's
performance over time. We compare Young Investor Fund's return
with returns for the S&P 500 Index, which is a broad-based measure
of market performance. We show returns for calendar years to be
consistent with the way other mutual funds report performance in
their prospectuses. This allows you to accurately compare similar
mutual fund investments and provides an indication of the risks of
investing in the Fund.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
Period ending Dec. 31, 1998
1 yr Since Inception
April 29, 1994
Growth Investor Fund* 17.65% 26.62%
S&P 500 Index** 28.60% 26.66%
________
*Growth Investor Fund performance is the performance of Young
Investor Fund from April 29, 1994 through Dec. 31, 1998.
**The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged group of stocks that differs
from the Fund's composition; it is not available for direct
investment. Since inception performance for the S&P 500 Index is
from April 30, 1994 to Dec. 31, 1998.
YOUR EXPENSES
This table shows fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Fund. You do not pay any sales charge when you
purchase or sell your shares.(a) However, you pay various other
indirect expenses because the Fund or the Portfolio pays fees and
other expenses that reduce your investment return.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (b)
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
Management fees(c) 0.73%
Distribution (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses 0.49%
Total annual fund operating expenses (d) 1.22%
Less expense reimbursement 0.12%
Net expenses 1.10%
(a) There is a $7 charge for wiring redemption proceeds to your
bank. A fee of $5 per quarter may be charged to accounts that
fall below the required minimum balance.
(b) Annual fund operating expenses consist of Fund expenses plus
the Fund's share of the expenses of the Portfolio. Management
fees reflect the fees charged at the Portfolio level based on
the Portfolio's assets as of Feb. 28, 1999. Other expenses
are based on projected average annual assets of $50 million.
Fund expenses include management fees and administrative costs
such as furnishing the Fund with offices and providing tax and
compliance services.
(c) Management fees include both the management fee and the
administrative fee charged to the Fund.
(d) Stein Roe will reimburse the Fund if its annual ordinary
operating expenses exceed 1.10% of average daily net assets.
This commitment expires on Jan. 31, 2000. After
reimbursement, management fees will be 0.61%. A reimbursement
lowers the expense ratio and increases overall return to
investors.
Expense Example
This example compares the cost of investing in the Fund to the
cost of investing in a similar mutual fund. It uses the same
hypothetical assumptions that other funds use in their
prospectuses:
* $10,000 initial investment
* 5 percent total return each year
* the Fund's operating expenses remain constant as a percent of
net assets
* redemption at the end of each time period
Your actual costs may be higher or lower because in reality fund
returns and operating expenses change. Expenses based on these
assumptions are:
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
1 yr 3 yrs
Growth Investor Fund $125 $387
<PAGE>
YOUR ACCOUNT
Purchasing Shares
You may purchase shares of the Fund without a sales charge. Your
purchases are made at the NAV next determined after the Fund
receives your check, wire transfer or electronic transfer. If the
Fund receives your check, wire transfer or electronic transfer
after the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE)-normally 3 p.m. Central time-your purchase is effective on
the next business day. If you participate in the Stein Roe
Counselor [service mark] program or are a client of Stein Roe
Private Capital Management, the minimum initial investment is
determined by those programs.
Purchases through Third Parties
If you purchase shares of the Fund through certain broker-dealers,
banks or other intermediaries (intermediaries), they may charge a
fee for their services. They may also place limits on your
ability to use services the Fund offers. There are no charges or
limitations if you purchase shares directly from the Fund, except
those fees described in this prospectus.
If an intermediary is an agent or designee of the Fund, orders are
processed at the NAV next calculated after the intermediary
receives the order. The intermediary must segregate any orders it
receives after the close of regular trading on the NYSE and
transmit those orders separately for execution at the NAV next
determined.
Conditions of Purchase
An order to purchase Fund shares is not binding unless and until
an authorized officer, agent or designee of the Fund accepts and
enters it on the Fund's books. Once we accept your purchase
order, you may not cancel or revoke it; however, you may redeem
your shares. The Fund may reject any purchase order if it
determines that the order is not in the best interests of the Fund
and its shareholders. The Fund may waive or lower its investment
minimums for any reason.
ACCOUNT MINIMUMS
Minimum to Minimum Minimum
Type of Account Open an Account Addition Balance
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Regular $2,500 $100 $1,000
Custodial (UGMA/UTMA) 1,000 100 1,000
Automatic Investment Plan 100 50 --
Roth and Traditional IRA 500 50 500
Educational IRA 500 50 500
Opening an Account
OPENING OR ADDING TO AN ACCOUNT
Opening an Account BY MAIL:
Complete the application.
Make check payable to Stein Roe Mutual Funds.
Mail application and check to:
SteinRoe Services Inc.
P.O. Box 8900
Boston, MA 02205
If you participate in the Stein Roe Counselor
program, mail application and check to:
SteinRoe Services Inc.
P.O. Box 803938
Chicago, IL 60680
BY WIRE:
Mail your application to the address
listed on the left, then call 800-338-2550
to obtain an account number. Include your
Social Security Number. To wire funds,
use the instructions below.
BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER:
You cannot open a new account via electronic
transfer.
BY EXCHANGE:
By mail, phone, in person or automatically (be
sure to elect the Automatic Exchange Privilege
on your application).
THROUGH AN INTERMEDIARY:
Contact your financial professional.
Adding to an Account
BY MAIL:
Make check payable to Stein Roe Mutual
Funds. Be sure to write your account
number on the check.
Fill out investment slip (stub from your
statement or confirmation) or include a
note indicating the amount of your
purchase, your account number, and the
name in which your account is registered.
Mail check with investment slip or note to
the appropriate address above.
BY WIRE:
Wire funds to:
First National Bank of Boston
ABA: 011000390
Attn: SSI, Account No. 560-99696
Fund No. 26; Stein Roe Growth Investor Fund
Your name (exactly as in the registration).
Account number
(Counselor Account No. if you participate
in the Stein Roe Counselor program).
BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER:
Call 800-338-2550 to make your purchase. To
set up prescheduled purchases, be sure to
elect the Automatic Investment Plan option on
your application.
BY EXCHANGE:
By mail, phone, in person or automatically (be
sure to elect the Automatic Exchange Privilege
on your application).
THROUGH AN INTERMEDIARY:
Contact your financial professional.
All checks must be made payable in U.S. dollars and drawn on U.S.
banks. Third-party checks will not be accepted. Money orders
will not be accepted for initial purchases.
Determining Share Price
The Fund's share price is its NAV next determined. NAV is the
difference between the values of the Fund's assets and liabilities
divided by the number of shares outstanding. We determine NAV at
the close of regular trading on the NYSE-normally 3 p.m. Central
time. If you place an order after that time, you receive the
share price determined on the next business day.
To calculate NAV on a given day, we value each stock listed or
traded on a stock exchange at its latest sale price on that day.
If there are no sales that day, we value the security at the most
recently quoted bid price. We value each over-the-counter
security or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation (Nasdaq) security as of the last sale price for that
day. We value all other over-the-counter securities that have
reliable quotes at the latest quoted bid price.
We value long-term debt obligations and securities convertible
into common stock at fair value. Pricing services provide the
Fund with the value of the securities. When the price of a
security is not available, including days when we determine that
the sale or bid price of the security does not reflect that
security's market value, we value the security at a fair value
determined in good faith under procedures established by the Board
of Trustees.
We value a security at fair value when events have occurred after
the last available market price and before the close of the NYSE
that materially affect the security's price. In the case of
foreign securities, this could include events occurring after the
close of the foreign market and before the close of the NYSE.
The Fund's foreign securities may trade on days when the NYSE is
closed. We will not price shares on days that the NYSE is closed
for trading. You will not be able to purchase or redeem shares
until the next NYSE-trading day.
Selling Shares
You may sell your shares any day the Fund is open for business.
Please follow the instructions below.
SELLING SHARES
By Mail: Send a letter of instruction, in English, including
your account number and the dollar value or number
of shares you wish to sell. Sign the request
exactly as the account is registered. Be sure to
include a signature guarantee. All supporting
legal documents as required from executors,
trustees, administrators, or others acting on
accounts not registered in their names, must
accompany the request. We will mail the check to
your registered address.
By Phone: This feature is automatically added to your account
unless you decline it on your application. Call
800-338-2550 to redeem an amount of $1,000 or more.
We will mail the check to your registered address.
By Wire: Fill out the appropriate areas of the account
application for this feature. Proceeds of $1,000
or more ($100,000 maximum) may be wired to your
predesignated bank account. Call 800-338-2550 to
give instructions to Stein Roe. There is a $7
charge for wiring redemption proceeds to your bank.
By Electronic Transfer:
Fill out the appropriate areas of the account
application for this feature. To request an
electronic transfer (not less than $50; not more
than $100,000), call 800-338-2550. We will
transfer your sale proceeds electronically to your
bank. The bank must be a member of the Automated
Clearing House.
By Exchange: Call 800-338-2550 to exchange any portion of your
Fund shares for shares in any other Stein Roe no-
load fund.
By Automatic Exchange:
Fill out the appropriate areas of the account
application for this feature. Redeem a fixed
amount on a regular basis (not less than $50 per
month; not more than $100,000) from the Fund for
investment in another Stein Roe no-load fund.
What You Need to Know When Selling Shares
Once we receive and accept your order to sell shares, you may not
cancel or revoke it. We cannot accept an order to sell that
specifies a particular date or price or any other special
conditions. If you have any questions about the requirements for
selling your shares, please call 800-338-2550 before submitting
your order.
The Fund redeems shares at the NAV next determined after an order
has been accepted. We will mail the proceeds within seven days
after the sale. The Fund normally pays wire redemption or
electronic transfer proceeds on the next business day.
We will not pay sale proceeds until your shares are paid for. If
you attempt to sell shares purchased by check or electronic
transfer within 15 days of the purchase date, we will delay
sending the sale proceeds until we can verify that those shares
are paid for. You may avoid this delay by purchasing shares by a
federal funds wire.
We use procedures reasonably designed to confirm that telephone
instructions are genuine. These include recording the
conversation, testing the identity of the caller by asking for
account information, and sending prompt written confirmation of
the transaction to the shareholder of record. If these procedures
are followed, the Fund and its service providers will not be
liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions.
If the amount you redeem is large enough to affect the Fund's
operation, the Fund may pay the redemption "in kind." This is
payment in portfolio securities rather than cash. If this occurs,
you may incur transaction costs when you sell the securities.
Involuntary Redemption
If your account value falls below $1,000, the Fund may redeem your
shares and send the proceeds to the registered address. You will
receive notice 30 days before this happens. If your account falls
below $10, the Fund may redeem your shares without notice to you.
Low Balance Fee
Due to the expense of maintaining accounts with low balances, if
your account balance falls below $2,000 ($800 for custodial
accounts), you will be charged a low balance fee of $5 per
quarter. The low balance fee does not apply to: (1) shareholders
whose accounts in the Stein Roe Funds total $50,000 or more; (2)
Stein Roe IRAs; (3) other Stein Roe prototype retirement plans;
(4) accounts with automatic investment plans (unless regular
investments have been discontinued); or (5) omnibus or nominee
accounts. The Fund can waive the fee, at its discretion, in the
event of significant market corrections.
Exchanging Shares
You may exchange Fund shares for shares of other Stein Roe no-load
funds. Call 800-338-2550 to request a prospectus and application
for the fund you wish to exchange into. Please be sure to read
the prospectus carefully before you exchange your shares.
The account you exchange into must be registered exactly the same
as the account you exchange from. You must meet all investment
minimum requirements for the fund you wish to exchange into before
we can process your exchange transaction.
An exchange is a redemption and purchase of shares for tax
purposes, and you may realize a gain or a loss when you exchange
Fund shares for shares of another fund.
We may change, suspend or eliminate the exchange service after
notification to you.
Generally, we limit you to four telephone exchanges "roundtrips"
per year. A roundtrip is an exchange out of the Fund into another
Stein Roe no-load fund and then back to the Fund.
Reporting to Shareholders
To reduce the volume of mail you receive, only one copy of certain
materials, such as prospectuses and shareholder reports, will be
mailed to your household (same address). Please call 800-338-2550
if you want to receive additional copies free of charge. This
policy may not apply if you purchase shares through an
intermediary.
Dividends and Distributions
The Fund distributes, at least once a year, virtually all of its
net investment income and net realized capital gains.
A dividend from net investment income represents the income the
Fund earns from dividends and interest paid on its investments,
after payment of the Fund's expenses.
A capital gain is the increase in value of a security that the
Fund holds. The gain is "unrealized" until the security is sold.
Each realized capital gain is either short-term or long-term
depending on whether the Fund held the security for one year or
less or more than one year, regardless of how long you have held
your Fund shares.
When the Fund makes a distribution of income or capital gains, the
distribution is automatically invested in additional shares of the
Fund unless you elect on the account application to have
distributions paid by check.
OPTIONS FOR RECEIVING DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION PROCEEDS:
* by check
* by electronic transfer into your bank account
* a purchase of shares of another Stein Roe fund
* a purchase of shares in a Stein Roe fund account of another
person
If you elect to receive distributions by check and a distribution
check is returned to the Fund as undeliverable, or if you do not
present a distribution check for payment within six months, we
will change the distribution option on your account and reinvest
the proceeds of the check in additional shares of the Fund. You
will not receive any interest on amounts represented by uncashed
distribution or redemption checks.
Tax Consequences
You are subject to federal income tax on both dividends and
capital gains distributions whether you elect to receive them in
cash or reinvest them in additional shares of the Fund. If the
Fund declares a distribution in December, but does not pay it
until after December 31, you will be taxed as if the distribution
were paid in December. Stein Roe will process your distributions
and send you a statement for tax purposes each year showing the
source of distributions for the preceding year.
TRANSACTION TAX STATUS
Income dividend Ordinary income
Short-term capital gain distribution Ordinary income
Long-term capital gain distribution Capital gain
Sale of shares owned one year or less Gain is ordinary
income; loss is
subject to special
rules
Sale of shares owned more than one year Capital gain or loss
If you sell or exchange your shares, any gain or loss is a taxable
event. You may also be subject to state and local income taxes on
dividends or capital gains from the sale or exchange of Fund
shares.
This tax information provides only a general overview. It does
not apply if you invest in a tax-deferred retirement account such
as an IRA. Please consult your own tax advisor about the tax
consequences of an investment in the Fund.
If you have any account questions, you may call 800-338-2550. We
are here seven days a week to help you.
<PAGE>
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
The Portfolio's primary investment strategies and risks are
described in this prospectus. (See "The Fund.") The Statement of
Additional Information (SAI) describes other investments that the
Portfolio may make and risks associated with them. The Board of
Trustees can change the Fund's investment objective without
shareholder approval.
The Fund's portfolio managers generally make decisions on buying
and selling portfolio investments based upon their judgment that
the decision will improve the Fund's investment return and further
its investment goal. The portfolio managers may also be required
to sell portfolio investments to fund redemptions.
Portfolio Turnover
There are no limits on turnover. Turnover may vary significantly
from year to year. Stein Roe does not expect it to exceed 100
percent under normal conditions. Portfolio turnover typically
produces capital gains or losses resulting in tax consequences for
Fund shareholders. It also increases transaction expenses, which
reduce the Fund's return.
Temporary Defensive Positions
When Stein Roe believes that a temporary defensive position is
necessary, the Portfolio may invest, without limit, in high-
quality debt securities or hold assets in cash and cash
equivalents. Stein Roe is not required to take a temporary
defensive position, and market conditions may prevent such an
action. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective if it
takes a defensive position.
Interfund Lending Program
The Portfolio may lend money to and borrow money from other funds
advised by Stein Roe. The Portfolio will do so when Stein Roe
believes such lending or borrowing is necessary and appropriate.
Borrowing costs will be the same as or lower than the costs of a
bank loan.
<PAGE>
THE FUND'S MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, One South Wacker Drive, Chicago,
IL 60606, manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund and the
Portfolio. Stein Roe (and its predecessor) has advised and
managed mutual funds since 1949. As of Sept. 30, 1998, Stein Roe
managed more than $28 billion in assets. The Fund pays Stein Roe
an administrative fee at an annual rate of 0.15% of the first $500
million of average net assets, 0.125% of the next $500 million,
and 0.10% thereafter. The Portfolio pays Stein Roe a management
fee at an annual rate of 0.60% of the first $500 million, 0.55% of
the next $500 million, and 0.50% thereafter.
Stein Roe's mutual funds and institutional investment advisory
businesses are managed together with that of its affiliate,
Colonial Management Associates, Inc. (CMA), by a combined
management team of employees from both companies. CMA also shares
personnel, facilities, and systems with Stein Roe that may be used
in providing administrative or operational services to the Fund.
CMA is a registered investment adviser. Both Stein Roe and CMA
are subsidiaries of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
Stein Roe can use the services of AlphaTrade Inc., an affiliated
broker-dealer, when buying or selling equity securities for the
Fund's portfolio, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund's
Board of Trustees.
Portfolio Managers
Erik P. Gustafson and David P. Brady, CFA, are the portfolio
managers.
Mr. Gustafson joined Stein Roe in 1992 as a portfolio manager for
privately managed accounts and is a senior vice president. He has
managed the Portfolio since February 1995 and the SR&F Growth
Stock Portfolio since May 1994. He holds a B.A. degree from the
University of Virginia and M.B.A. and J.D. degrees from Florida
State University. As of Sept. 30, 1998, Mr. Gustafson managed
$1.4 billion in mutual fund net assets.
Mr. Brady, also a vice president, joined Stein Roe in 1993 and was
employed as an associate portfolio manager for Stein Roe Special
Fund until 1995. He has been portfolio manager of the Portfolio
since March 1995 and portfolio manager of Stein Roe Large Company
Focus Fund since June 1998. He holds a B.S. degree in finance,
graduating Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Arizona and an
M.B.A. degree from the University of Chicago. As of Sept. 30,
1998, Mr. Brady managed $767 million in mutual fund net assets.
Master/Feeder Fund Structure
Unlike mutual funds that directly acquire and manage their own
portfolio of securities, the Fund is a "feeder" fund in a
"master/feeder" structure. This means that the Fund invests its
assets in a larger "master" portfolio of securities, the SR&F
Growth Investor Portfolio, which has investment objectives and
policies substantially identical to those of the Fund. The
investment performance of the Fund depends upon the investment
performance of the Portfolio. If the investment policies of the
Portfolio and the Fund became inconsistent, the Fund's Board of
Trustees can decide what actions to take. Actions the Board of
Trustees may recommend include withdrawal of the Fund's assets
from the Portfolio. For more information on the master/feeder
fund structure, see the SAI.
Year 2000 Readiness
Like other investment companies, financial and business
organizations and individuals around the world, the Fund could be
adversely affected if the computer systems used by Stein Roe and
other service providers do not properly process and calculate
date-related information and data from and after Jan. 1, 2000.
This is commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem." The Fund's
service providers are taking steps that they believe are
reasonably designed to address the Year 2000 problem, including
communicating with vendors who furnish services, software and
systems to the Fund to provide that date-related information and
data can be properly processed after Jan. 1, 2000. Many Fund
service providers and vendors, including Funds' service providers,
are in the process of making Year 2000 modifications to their
software and systems and believe that such modifications will be
completed on a timely basis prior to Jan. 1, 2000. However, no
assurances can be given that all modifications required to ensure
proper data processing and calculation on and after Jan. 1, 2000,
will be timely made or that services to the Fund will not be
adversely affected.
<PAGE>
[BACK COVER]
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You can obtain more information about the Fund's investments in
its semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. These reports
discuss the market conditions and investment strategies that
affected the Fund's performance over the past six months and year.
You may wish to read the Fund's SAI for more information. The SAI
is incorporated into this prospectus by reference, which means it
is part of this prospectus and you are deemed to have been told of
its contents.
To obtain free copies of the Fund's semiannual and annual reports
or SAI, or to request other information about the Fund, write or
call:
Stein Roe Mutual Funds
One South Wacker Drive
Suite 3200
Chicago, IL 60606
800-338-2550
www.steinroe.com
Text-only versions of all Fund documents can be viewed online or
downloaded from the SEC at www.sec.gov. You can also obtain
copies by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington,
DC, by calling 800-SEC-0330, or by sending your request and the
appropriate fee to the SEC's public reference section, Washington,
DC 20549-6009.
Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc.
Investment Company Act file number of Stein Roe Investment Trust:
811-04978
<PAGE 1>
Statement of Additional Information Dated March 31, 1999
STEIN ROE INVESTMENT TRUST
Suite 3200, One South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606
800-338-2550
STEIN ROE GROWTH INVESTOR FUND
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a
prospectus, but provides additional information that should be
read in conjunction with the prospectus of Stein Roe Growth
Investor Fund dated March 31, 1999, and any supplements thereto
("Prospectus"). The Prospectus may be obtained at no charge by
telephoning 800-338-2550.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
General Information......................................... 2
Investment Policies......................................... 3
Portfolio Investments and Strategies........................ 4
Investment Restrictions.....................................19
Additional Investment Considerations........................22
Purchases and Redemptions...................................23
Management..................................................26
Principal Shareholders......................................30
Investment Advisory and Other Services......................30
Distributor.................................................32
Transfer Agent..............................................33
Custodian...................................................33
Independent Public Accountants..............................34
Portfolio Transactions......................................34
Additional Income Tax Considerations........................36
Investment Performance......................................37
Master Fund/Feeder Fund: Structure and Risk Factors.........40
Appendix-Ratings............................................42
<PAGE 2>
GENERAL INFORMATION
Stein Roe Growth Investor Fund (the "Fund") is a series of
Stein Roe Investment Trust (the "Trust"). The Trust is a
Massachusetts business trust organized under an Agreement and
Declaration of Trust ("Declaration of Trust") dated Jan. 8, 1987,
which provides that each shareholder shall be deemed to have
agreed to be bound by the terms thereof. The Declaration of Trust
may be amended by a vote of either the Trust's shareholders or its
trustees. The Trust may issue an unlimited number of shares, in
one or more series as the Board may authorize. Currently, 13
series are authorized and outstanding. On Feb. 1, 1996, the name
of the Trust was changed to separate "SteinRoe" into two words.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts
business trust such as the Trust could, in some circumstances, be
held personally liable for unsatisfied obligations of the trust.
The Declaration of Trust provides that persons extending credit
to, contracting with, or having any claim against the Trust or any
particular series shall look only to the assets of the Trust or of
the respective series for payment under such credit, contract or
claim, and that the shareholders, trustees and officers shall have
no personal liability therefor. The Declaration of Trust requires
that notice of such disclaimer of liability be given in each
contract, instrument or undertaking executed or made on behalf of
the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification
of any shareholder against any loss and expense arising from
personal liability solely by reason of being or having been a
shareholder. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial
loss on account of shareholder liability is believed to be remote,
because it would be limited to circumstances in which the
disclaimer was inoperative and the Trust was unable to meet its
obligations. The risk of a particular series incurring financial
loss on account of unsatisfied liability of another series of the
Trust also is believed to be remote, because it would be limited
to claims to which the disclaimer did not apply and to
circumstances in which the other series was unable to meet its
obligations.
Each share of a series, without par value, is entitled to
participate pro rata in any dividends and other distributions
declared by the Board on shares of that series, and all shares of
a series have equal rights in the event of liquidation of that
series. Each whole share (or fractional share) outstanding on the
record date established in accordance with the By-Laws shall be
entitled to a number of votes on any matter on which it is
entitled to vote equal to the net asset value of the share (or
fractional share) in United States dollars determined at the close
of business on the record date (for example, a share having a net
asset value of $10.50 would be entitled to 10.5 votes). As a
business trust, the Trust is not required to hold annual
shareholder meetings. However, special meetings may be called for
purposes such as electing or removing trustees, changing
fundamental policies, or approving an investment advisory
contract. If requested to do so by the holders of at least 10% of
its outstanding shares, the Trust will call a special meeting for
the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of a trustee or
trustees and will assist in the communications with other
shareholders as if the Trust were subject to Section 16(c) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940. All shares of all series of the
Trust are voted together in the election of trustees. On any
other matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, shares are voted
in the aggregate and not by individual series, except that shares
are voted by individual series when required by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 or other applicable law, or when the Board of
Trustees determines
<PAGE 3>
that the matter affects only the interests of
one or more series, in which case shareholders of the unaffected
series are not entitled to vote on such matters.
Special Considerations Regarding Master Fund/Feeder Fund Structure
The Fund is a "feeder fund"; that is, rather than invest in
securities directly, it seeks to achieve its objective by pooling
its assets with those of other investment companies for investment
in a separate "master fund" having the same investment objective
and substantially the same investment policies as its feeder
funds. The purpose of such an arrangement is to achieve greater
operational efficiencies and reduce costs. SR&F Growth Investor
Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), the Fund's master fund, is a series
of SR&F Base Trust. For more information, please see Master
Fund/Feeder Fund: Structure and Risk Factors.
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated ("Stein Roe") provides
administrative and accounting and recordkeeping services to the
Fund and investment management services to the Portfolio.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Trust and SR&F Base Trust are open-end management
investment companies. The Fund and the Portfolio are diversified,
as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in the
Portfolio. Their common investment objective is long-term capital
appreciation. The Portfolio invests primarily in common stocks
and other equity-type securities that, in the opinion of Stein
Roe, have long-term appreciation potential.
Under normal circumstances, at least 65% of the total assets
of the Portfolio will be invested in securities of companies that
are believed to have above-average growth prospects, many of which
affect the lives of young people. Such companies may include
companies that produce products or services that young people use,
are aware of, or could potentially have an interest in. Although
the Portfolio invests primarily in common stocks and other equity-
type securities (such as preferred stocks, securities convertible
into or exchangeable for common stocks, and warrants or rights to
purchase common stocks), it may invest up to 35% of its total
assets in debt securities. It may invest in securities of smaller
emerging companies as well as securities of well-seasoned
companies of any size. Smaller companies, however, involve higher
risks in that they typically have limited product lines, markets,
and financial or management resources. In addition, the
securities of smaller companies may trade less frequently and have
greater price fluctuation than larger companies, particularly
those operating in countries with developing markets.
In pursuing its objective, the Portfolio may employ the
investment techniques described in the Prospectus and under
Portfolio Investments and Strategies. The investment
<PAGE 4>
objective is a nonfundamental policy and may be changed by the Board
of Trustees without the approval of a "majority of the outstanding
voting securities."/1/
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS AND STRATEGIES
Debt Securities
In pursuing its investment objective, the Portfolio may
invest in debt securities of corporate and governmental issuers.
The risks inherent in debt securities depend primarily on the term
and quality of the obligations in the investment portfolio as well
as on market conditions. A decline in the prevailing levels of
interest rates generally increases the value of debt securities,
while an increase in rates usually reduces the value of those
securities.
Debt securities within the four highest grades are generally
referred to as "investment grade." The Portfolio may invest up to
35% of its net assets in debt securities, but does not expect to
invest more than 5% of its net assets in debt securities that are
rated below investment grade.
Securities in the fourth highest grade may possess
speculative characteristics, and changes in economic conditions
are more likely to affect the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. If the rating of a security held is lost or
reduced below investment grade, the Portfolio is not required to
dispose of the security, but Stein Roe will consider that fact in
determining whether it should continue to hold the security.
Securities that are rated below investment grade are
considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's
capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the
terms of the obligation and therefore carry greater investment
risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy.
When Stein Roe determines that adverse market or economic
conditions exist and considers a temporary defensive position
advisable, the Portfolio may invest without limitation in high-
quality fixed income securities or hold assets in cash or cash
equivalents.
Derivatives
Consistent with its objective, the Portfolio may invest in a
broad array of financial instruments and securities, including
conventional exchange-traded and non-exchange-traded options,
futures contracts, futures options, securities collateralized by
underlying pools of mortgages or other receivables, floating rate
instruments, and other instruments that securitize assets of
various types ("Derivatives"). In each case, the value of the
instrument or security is "derived" from the performance of an
underlying asset or a "benchmark" such as a security index, an
interest rate, or a currency.
- --------------------
/1/ A "majority of the outstanding voting securities" means the
approval of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the shares at a
meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares
are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares.
- --------------------
<PAGE 5>
Derivatives are most often used to manage investment risk or
to create an investment position indirectly because using them is
more efficient or less costly than direct investment that cannot
be readily established directly due to portfolio size, cash
availability, or other factors. They also may be used in an
effort to enhance portfolio returns.
The successful use of Derivatives depends on Stein Roe's
ability to correctly predict changes in the levels and directions
of movements in security prices, interest rates and other market
factors affecting the Derivative itself or the value of the
underlying asset or benchmark. In addition, correlations in the
performance of an underlying asset to a Derivative may not be well
established. Finally, privately negotiated and over-the-counter
Derivatives may not be as well regulated and may be less
marketable than exchange-traded Derivatives. The Portfolio does
not currently intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets in
any type of Derivative except for options, futures contracts, and
futures options. (See Options and Futures below.)
Some mortgage-backed debt securities are of the "modified
pass-through type," which means the interest and principal
payments on mortgages in the pool are "passed through" to
investors. During periods of declining interest rates, there is
increased likelihood that mortgages will be prepaid, with a
resulting loss of the full-term benefit of any premium paid by the
Portfolio on purchase of such securities; in addition, the
proceeds of prepayment would likely be invested at lower interest
rates.
Mortgage-backed securities provide either a pro rata interest
in underlying mortgages or an interest in collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs") that represent a right to interest and/or
principal payments from an underlying mortgage pool. CMOs are not
guaranteed by either the U.S. Government or by its agencies or
instrumentalities, and are usually issued in multiple classes each
of which has different payment rights, prepayment risks, and yield
characteristics. Mortgage-backed securities involve the risk of
prepayment on the underlying mortgages at a faster or slower rate
than the established schedule. Prepayments generally increase
with falling interest rates and decrease with rising rates but
they also are influenced by economic, social, and market factors.
If mortgages are prepaid during periods of declining interest
rates, there would be a resulting loss of the full-term benefit of
any premium paid by the Portfolio on purchase of the CMO, and the
proceeds of prepayment would likely be invested at lower interest
rates.
Non-mortgage asset-backed securities usually have less
prepayment risk than mortgage-backed securities, but have the risk
that the collateral will not be available to support payments on
the underlying loans that finance payments on the securities
themselves.
Floating rate instruments provide for periodic adjustments in
coupon interest rates that are automatically reset based on
changes in amount and direction of specified market interest
rates. In addition, the adjusted duration of some of these
instruments may be materially shorter than their stated
maturities. To the extent such instruments are subject to
lifetime or periodic interest rate caps or floors, such
instruments may experience greater price volatility than debt
instruments without such features. Adjusted duration is an
inverse relationship between market price and interest rates and
refers to the approximate percentage change in price for a 100
basis point change in yield. For example, if interest rates
decrease by
<PAGE 6>
100 basis points, a market price of a security with an
adjusted duration of 2 would increase by approximately 2%.
Convertible Securities
By investing in convertible securities, the Portfolio obtains
the right to benefit from the capital appreciation potential in
the underlying stock upon exercise of the conversion right, while
earning higher current income than would be available if the stock
were purchased directly. In determining whether to purchase a
convertible, Stein Roe will consider substantially the same
criteria that would be considered in purchasing the underlying
stock. While convertible securities it purchases are frequently
rated investment grade, the Portfolio may purchase unrated
securities or securities rated below investment grade if the
securities meet Stein Roe's other investment criteria.
Convertible securities rated below investment grade (a) tend to be
more sensitive to interest rate and economic changes, (b) may be
obligations of issuers who are less creditworthy than issuers of
higher quality convertible securities, and (c) may be more thinly
traded due to such securities being less well known to investors
than investment grade convertible securities, common stock or
conventional debt securities. As a result, Stein Roe's own
investment research and analysis tend to be more important in the
purchase of such securities than other factors.
Foreign Securities
The Portfolio may invest up to 25% of its total assets in
foreign securities, which may entail a greater degree of risk
(including risks relating to exchange rate fluctuations, tax
provisions, or expropriation of assets) than investment in
securities of domestic issuers. For this purpose, foreign
securities do not include American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) or
securities guaranteed by a United States person. ADRs are
receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust company
evidencing ownership of the underlying securities. The Portfolio
may invest in sponsored or unsponsored ADRs. In the case of an
unsponsored ADR, the Portfolio is likely to bear its proportionate
share of the expenses of the depositary and it may have greater
difficulty in receiving shareholder communications than it would
have with a sponsored ADR. The Portfolio does not intend to
invest, nor during the past fiscal year has it invested, more than
5% of its net assets in unsponsored ADRs.
As of Sept. 30, 1998, the Portfolio's holdings of foreign
companies amounted to 3.9% of its average net assets (none in
foreign securities and 3.9% in ADRs and ADSs).
With respect to portfolio securities that are issued by
foreign issuers or denominated in foreign currencies, investment
performance is affected by the strength or weakness of the U.S.
dollar against these currencies. For example, if the dollar falls
in value relative to the Japanese yen, the dollar value of a yen-
denominated stock held in the portfolio will rise even though the
price of the stock remains unchanged. Conversely, if the dollar
rises in value relative to the yen, the dollar value of the yen-
denominated stock will fall. (See discussion of transaction
hedging and portfolio hedging under Currency Exchange
Transactions.)
Investors should understand and consider carefully the risks
involved in foreign investing. Investing in foreign securities,
positions which are generally denominated in foreign
<PAGE 7>
currencies, and utilization of forward foreign currency exchange
contracts involve certain considerations comprising both risks and
opportunities not typically associated with investing in U.S.
securities. These considerations include: fluctuations in
exchange rates of foreign currencies; possible imposition of
exchange control regulation or currency restrictions that would
prevent cash from being brought back to the United States; less
public information with respect to issuers of securities; less
governmental supervision of stock exchanges, securities brokers,
and issuers of securities; lack of uniform accounting, auditing,
and financial reporting standards; lack of uniform settlement
periods and trading practices; less liquidity and frequently
greater price volatility in foreign markets than in the United
States; possible imposition of foreign taxes; possible investment
in securities of companies in developing as well as developed
countries; and sometimes less advantageous legal, operational, and
financial protections applicable to foreign sub-custodial
arrangements.
Although the Portfolio will try to invest in companies and
governments of countries having stable political environments,
there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory
taxation, seizure or nationalization of foreign bank deposits or
other assets, establishment of exchange controls, the adoption of
foreign government restrictions, or other adverse political,
social or diplomatic developments that could affect investment in
these nations.
Currency Exchange Transactions. Currency exchange
transactions may be conducted either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis
at the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency prevailing in
the foreign exchange market or through forward currency exchange
contracts ("forward contracts"). Forward contracts are
contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at
a specified future date (or within a specified time period) and
price set at the time of the contract. Forward contracts are
usually entered into with banks and broker-dealers, are not
exchange traded, and are usually for less than one year, but may
be renewed.
The Portfolio's foreign currency exchange transactions are
limited to transaction and portfolio hedging involving either
specific transactions or portfolio positions. Transaction hedging
is the purchase or sale of forward contracts with respect to
specific receivables or payables of the Portfolio arising in
connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities.
Portfolio hedging is the use of forward contracts with respect to
portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in a particular
foreign currency. Portfolio hedging allows it to limit or reduce
its exposure in a foreign currency by entering into a forward
contract to sell such foreign currency (or another foreign
currency that acts as a proxy for that currency) at a future date
for a price payable in U.S. dollars so that the value of the
foreign-denominated portfolio securities can be approximately
matched by a foreign-denominated liability. The Portfolio may not
engage in portfolio hedging with respect to the currency of a
particular country to an extent greater than the aggregate market
value (at the time of making such sale) of the securities held in
its portfolio denominated or quoted in that particular currency,
except that it may hedge all or part of its foreign currency
exposure through the use of a basket of currencies or a proxy
currency where such currencies or currency act as an effective
proxy for other currencies. In such a case, the Portfolio may
enter into a forward contract where the amount of the foreign
currency to be sold exceeds the value of the securities
denominated in such currency. The use of this basket hedging
technique may be more efficient and economical than entering into
separate forward contracts for each currency it holds. The
Portfolio may not engage in "speculative" currency exchange
transactions.
<PAGE 8>
At the maturity of a forward contract to deliver a particular
currency, the Portfolio may either sell the portfolio security
related to such contract and make delivery of the currency, or it
may retain the security and either acquire the currency on the
spot market or terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the
currency by purchasing an offsetting contract with the same
currency trader obligating it to purchase on the same maturity
date the same amount of the currency.
It is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the
market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of a
forward contract. Accordingly, it may be necessary for the
Portfolio to purchase additional currency on the spot market (and
bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the
security is less than the amount of currency it is obligated to
deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security and make
delivery of the currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell
on the spot market some of the currency received upon the sale of
the portfolio security if its market value exceeds the amount of
currency it is obligated to deliver.
If the Portfolio retains the portfolio security and engages
in an offsetting transaction, it will incur a gain or a loss to
the extent that there has been movement in forward contract
prices. If the Portfolio engages in an offsetting transaction, it
may subsequently enter into a new forward contract to sell the
currency. Should forward prices decline during the period between
the Portfolio's entering into a forward contract for the sale of a
currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for
the purchase of the currency, it will realize a gain to the extent
the price of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price
of the currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward prices
increase, the Portfolio will suffer a loss to the extent the price
of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the
currency it has agreed to sell. A default on the contract would
deprive it of unrealized profits or force it to cover its
commitments for purchase or sale of currency, if any, at the
current market price.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not
eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or
prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such
transactions also preclude the opportunity for gain if the value
of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be
possible for the Portfolio to hedge against a devaluation that is
so generally anticipated that it is not able to contract to sell
the currency at a price above the devaluation level it
anticipates. The cost to the Portfolio of engaging in currency
exchange transactions varies with such factors as the currency
involved, the length of the contract period, and prevailing market
conditions. Since currency exchange transactions are usually
conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are
involved.
Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars
The Portfolio may enter into swaps and may purchase or sell
related caps, floors and collars. It would 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 it
purchases at a later date. The Portfolio intends to use these
techniques as hedges and not as
<PAGE 9>
speculative investments and will not sell interest rate income
stream it may be obligated to pay.
A swap agreement is generally individually negotiated and
structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of
investments or market factors. Depending on its structure, a swap
agreement may increase or decrease the exposure to changes in the
value of an index of securities in which the Portfolio might
invest, the value of a particular security or group of securities,
or foreign currency values. Swap agreements can take many
different forms and are known by a variety of names. The
Portfolio may enter into any form of swap agreement if Stein Roe
determines it is consistent with its investment objective and
policies.
A swap agreement tends to shift the Portfolio's investment
exposure from one type of investment to another. For example, if
it agrees to exchange payments in dollars at a fixed rate for
payments in a foreign currency the amount of which is determined
by movements of a foreign securities index, the swap agreement
would tend to increase exposure to foreign stock market movements
and foreign currencies. Depending on how it is used, a swap
agreement may increase or decrease the overall volatility of its
investments and its net asset value.
The performance of a swap agreement is determined by the
change in the specific currency, market index, security, or other
factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from the
Portfolio. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the
Portfolio, it must be prepared to make such payments when due. If
the counterparty's creditworthiness declines, the value of a swap
agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in a
loss. The Portfolio 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
Standard & Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
or has an equivalent rating from a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization or is determined to be of
equivalent credit quality by Stein Roe.
The purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser to receive
payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling the
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 floor that preserves a certain return
within a predetermined range of interest rates or values.
At the time the Portfolio enters into swap arrangements or
purchases or sells caps, floors or collars, liquid assets having a
value at least as great as the commitment underlying the
obligations will be segregated on the books of the Portfolio and
held by the custodian throughout the period of the obligation.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
Subject to restriction (5) under Investment Restrictions in
this SAI, the Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to
broker-dealers and banks. Any such loan must be continuously
<PAGE 10>
secured by collateral in cash or cash equivalents maintained on a
current basis in an amount at least equal to the market value of
the securities loaned by the Portfolio. It would continue to
receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the
issuer on the securities loaned, and would also receive an
additional return that may be in the form of a fixed fee or a
percentage of the collateral. It would have the right to call the
loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice of not
more than five business days. It would not have the right to vote
the securities during the existence of the loan but would call the
loan to permit voting of the securities if, in Stein Roe's
judgment, a material event requiring a shareholder vote would
otherwise occur before the loan was repaid. In the event of
bankruptcy or other default of the borrower, it could experience
both delays in liquidating the loan collateral or recovering the
loaned securities and losses, including (a) possible decline in
the value of the collateral or in the value of the securities
loaned during the period while it seeks to enforce its rights
thereto, (b) possible subnormal levels of income and lack of
access to income during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing
its rights. The Portfolio did not loan portfolio securities
during the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 1998 nor does it currently
intend to loan more than 5% of its net assets.
Repurchase Agreements
The Portfolio may invest in repurchase agreements, provided
that it will not invest more than 15% of net assets in repurchase
agreements maturing in more than seven days and any other illiquid
securities. A repurchase agreement is a sale of securities to the
Portfolio in which the seller agrees to repurchase the securities
at a higher price, which includes an amount representing interest
on the purchase price, within a specified time. In the event of
bankruptcy of the seller, the Portfolio could experience both
losses and delays in liquidating its collateral.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Securities; Reverse Repurchase
Agreements
The Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued or
delayed-delivery basis. Although the payment and interest terms
of these securities are established at the time the Portfolio
enters into the commitment, the securities may be delivered and
paid for a month or more after the date of purchase, when their
value may have changed. The Portfolio makes such commitments only
with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but may
sell the securities before settlement date if Stein Roe deems it
advisable for investment reasons. During its last fiscal year,
the Portfolio did not, nor does it currently intend to have,
commitments to purchase when-issued securities in excess of 5% of
its net assets.
The Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements
with banks and securities dealers. A reverse repurchase agreement
is a repurchase agreement in which the Portfolio is the seller of,
rather than the investor in, securities and agrees to repurchase
them at an agreed-upon time and price. Use of a reverse
repurchase agreement may be preferable to a regular sale and later
repurchase of securities because it avoids certain market risks
and transaction costs. The Portfolio did not enter into any
reverse repurchase agreements during the fiscal year ended Sept.
30, 1998.
At the time the Portfolio enters into a binding obligation to
purchase securities on a when-issued basis or enters into a
reverse repurchase agreement, liquid assets (cash, U.S.
<PAGE 11>
Government securities or other "high-grade" debt obligations) of
the Portfolio having a value at least as great as the purchase
price of the securities to be purchased will be segregated on the
books of the Portfolio and held by the custodian throughout the
period of the obligation. The use of these investment strategies,
as well as borrowing under a line of credit as described below,
may increase net asset value fluctuation.
Short Sales "Against the Box"
The Portfolio may sell securities short against the box; that
is, enter into short sales of securities that it currently owns or
has the right to acquire through the conversion or exchange of
other securities that it owns at no additional cost. The
Portfolio may make short sales of securities only if at all times
when a short position is open it owns at least an equal amount of
such securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
securities of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the
securities sold short, at no additional cost.
In a short sale against the box, the Portfolio does not
deliver from its portfolio the securities sold. Instead, it
borrows the securities sold short from a broker-dealer through
which the short sale is executed, and the broker-dealer delivers
such securities, on its behalf, to the purchaser of such
securities. The Portfolio is required to pay to the broker-dealer
the amount of any dividends paid on shares sold short. Finally,
to secure its obligation to deliver to such broker-dealer the
securities sold short, it must deposit and continuously maintain
in a separate account with its custodian an equivalent amount of
the securities sold short or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for such securities at no additional cost. The
Portfolio is said to have a short position in the securities sold
until it delivers to the broker-dealer the securities sold. It
may close out a short position by purchasing on the open market
and delivering to the broker-dealer an equal amount of the
securities sold short, rather than by delivering portfolio
securities.
Short sales may protect against the risk of losses in the
value of portfolio securities because any unrealized losses with
respect to such portfolio securities should be wholly or partially
offset by a corresponding gain in the short position. However,
any potential gains in such portfolio securities should be wholly
or partially offset by a corresponding loss in the short position.
The extent to which such gains or losses are offset will depend
upon the amount of securities sold short relative to the amount it
owns, either directly or indirectly, and, in the case where it
owns convertible securities, changes in the conversion premium.
Short sale transactions involve certain risks. If the price
of the security sold short increases between the time of the short
sale and the time the Portfolio replaces the borrowed security, it
will incur a loss and if the price declines during this period, it
will realize a short-term capital gain. Any realized short-term
capital gain will be decreased, and any incurred loss increased,
by the amount of transaction costs and any premium, dividend or
interest which it may have to pay in connection with such short
sale. Certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code may limit
the degree to which the Portfolio is able to enter into short
sales. There is no limitation on the amount of assets that, in
the aggregate, may be deposited as collateral for the obligation
to replace securities borrowed to effect short sales and allocated
to segregated accounts in connection with short sales. The
Portfolio currently expects that no more than 5% of its total
assets would be involved in short sales against the box.
<PAGE 12>
Rule 144A Securities
The Portfolio may purchase securities that have been
privately placed but that are eligible for purchase and sale under
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. That Rule permits
certain qualified institutional buyers, such as the Portfolio, to
trade in privately placed securities that have not been registered
for sale under the 1933 Act. Stein Roe, under the supervision of
the Board of Trustees, will consider whether securities purchased
under Rule 144A are illiquid and thus subject to the restriction
of investing no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid
securities. A determination of whether a Rule 144A security is
liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this
determination, Stein Roe will consider the trading markets for the
specific security, taking into account the unregistered nature of
a Rule 144A security. In addition, Stein Roe could consider the
(1) frequency of trades and quotes, (2) number of dealers and
potential purchasers, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market,
and (4) nature of the security and of marketplace trades (e.g.,
the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of
soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer). The liquidity
of Rule 144A securities would be monitored and if, as a result of
changed conditions, it is determined that a Rule 144A security is
no longer liquid, the Portfolio's holdings of illiquid securities
would be reviewed to determine what, if any, steps are required to
assure that it does not invest more than 15% of its assets in
illiquid securities. Investing in Rule 144A securities could have
the effect of increasing the amount of assets invested in illiquid
securities if qualified institutional buyers are unwilling to
purchase such securities. The Portfolio does not expect to invest
as much as 5% of its total assets in Rule 144A securities that
have not been deemed to be liquid by Stein Roe.
Line of Credit
Subject to restriction (6) under Investment Restrictions in
this SAI, the Fund and the Portfolio may establish and maintain a
line of credit with a major bank in order to permit borrowing on a
temporary basis to meet share redemption requests in circumstances
in which temporary borrowing may be preferable to liquidation of
portfolio securities.
Interfund Borrowing and Lending Program
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Portfolio may lend money to and borrow
money from other mutual funds advised by Stein Roe. The Portfolio
will borrow through the program when borrowing is necessary and
appropriate and the costs are equal to or lower than the costs of
bank loans.
Portfolio Turnover
Although the Portfolio does not purchase securities with a
view to rapid turnover, there are no limitations on the length of
time that portfolio securities must be held. Portfolio turnover
can occur for a number of reasons such as general conditions in
the securities markets, more favorable investment opportunities in
other securities, or other factors relating to the desirability of
holding or changing a portfolio investment. The Portfolio may
have greater portfolio turnover than that of a mutual funds that
have the primary objectives of income or maintenance of a balanced
investment position. The future turnover rate may vary
<PAGE 13>
greatly from year to year. A high rate of portfolio turnover, if
it should occur, would result in increased transaction expenses,
which must be borne by the Portfolio. High portfolio turnover may
also result in the realization of capital gains or losses and, to
the extent net short-term capital gains are realized, any
distributions resulting from such gains will be considered
ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.
Options on Securities and Indexes
The Portfolio may purchase and sell put options and call
options on securities, indexes or foreign currencies in
standardized contracts traded on recognized securities exchanges,
boards of trade, or similar entities, or quoted on Nasdaq. The
Portfolio may purchase agreements, sometimes called cash puts,
that may accompany the purchase of a new issue of bonds from a
dealer.
An option on a security (or index) is a contract that gives
the purchaser (holder) of the option, in return for a premium, the
right to buy from (call) or sell to (put) the seller (writer) of
the option the security underlying the option (or the cash value
of the index) at a specified exercise price at any time during the
term of the option (normally not exceeding nine months). The
writer of an option on an individual security or on a foreign
currency has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver
the underlying security or foreign currency upon payment of the
exercise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the
underlying security or foreign currency. Upon exercise, the
writer of an option on an index is obligated to pay the difference
between the cash value of the index and the exercise price
multiplied by the specified multiplier for the index option. (An
index is designed to reflect specified facets of a particular
financial or securities market, a specific group of financial
instruments or securities, or certain economic indicators.)
The Portfolio will write call options and put options only if
they are "covered." For example, in the case of a call option on
a security, the option is "covered" if the Portfolio owns the
security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate
right to acquire that security without additional cash
consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required,
cash or cash equivalents in such amount are held in a segregated
account by its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other
securities held in its portfolio.
If an option written by the Portfolio expires, it realizes a
capital gain equal to the premium received at the time the option
was written. If an option purchased by the Portfolio expires, it
realizes a capital loss equal to the premium paid.
Prior to the earlier of exercise or expiration, an option may
be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of
the same series (type, exchange, underlying security or index,
exercise price, and expiration). There can be no assurance,
however, that a closing purchase or sale transaction can be
effected when it is desired.
The Portfolio will realize a capital gain from a closing
purchase transaction if the cost of the closing option is less
than the premium received from writing the option, or, if it is
more, it will realize a capital loss. If the premium received
from a closing sale transaction is more than the premium paid to
purchase the option, the Portfolio will realize a capital gain
<PAGE 14>
or, if it is less, it will realize a capital loss. The principal
factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option
include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market
price of the underlying security or index in relation to the
exercise price of the option, the volatility of the underlying
security or index, and the time remaining until the expiration
date.
A put or call option purchased by the Portfolio is an asset
of the Portfolio, valued initially at the premium paid for the
option. The premium received for an option written by the
Portfolio is recorded as a deferred credit. The value of an
option purchased or written is marked-to-market daily and is
valued at the closing price on the exchange on which it is traded
or, if not traded on an exchange or no closing price is available,
at the mean between the last bid and asked prices.
Risks Associated with Options on Securities and Indexes.
There are several risks associated with transactions in options.
For example, there are significant differences between the
securities markets, the currency markets, and the options markets
that could result in an imperfect correlation between these
markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its
objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options
involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-
conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because
of market behavior or unexpected events.
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist
when the Portfolio seeks to close out an option position. If it
were unable to close out an option that it had purchased on a
security, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize
any profit or the option would expire and become worthless. If it
were unable to close out a covered call option that it had written
on a security, it would not be able to sell the underlying
security until the option expired. As the writer of a covered
call option on a security, it foregoes, during the option's life,
the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of
the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium
and the exercise price of the call.
If trading were suspended in an option purchased or written
by the Portfolio, it would not be able to close out the option.
If restrictions on exercise were imposed, it might be unable to
exercise an option it has purchased.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
The Portfolio may use interest rate futures contracts, index
futures contracts, and foreign currency futures contracts. An
interest rate, index or foreign currency futures contract provides
for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of
a specified quantity of a financial instrument or the cash value
of an index/2/ at a specified price and time. A public market
exists in futures contracts covering a number of indexes
(including, but not limited to: the Standard & Poor's 500 Index,
the Value Line Composite Index, and the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Index) as well as financial instruments (including, but
not limited to: U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury notes,
Eurodollar certificates of deposit, and
- -------------------
/2/ A futures contract on an index is an agreement pursuant to
which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of
cash equal to the difference between the value of the index at the
close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at
which the index contract was originally written. Although the
value of a securities index is a function of the value of certain
specified securities, no physical delivery of those securities is
made.
- -------------------
<PAGE 15>
foreign currencies). Other index and financial instrument futures
contracts are available and it is expected that additional futures
contracts will be developed and traded.
The Portfolio may purchase and write call and put futures
options. Futures options possess many of the same characteristics
as options on securities, indexes and foreign currencies
(discussed above). A futures option gives the holder the right,
in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call)
or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified
exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon
exercise of a call option, the holder acquires a long position in
the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short
position. In the case of a put option, the opposite is true. The
Portfolio might, for example, use futures contracts to hedge
against or gain exposure to fluctuations in the general level of
stock prices, anticipated changes in interest rates or currency
fluctuations that might adversely affect either the value of its
securities or the price of the securities that it intends to
purchase. Although other techniques could be used to reduce or
increase exposure to stock price, interest rate and currency
fluctuations, the Portfolio may be able to achieve its exposure
more effectively and perhaps at a lower cost by using futures
contracts and futures options.
The Portfolio will only enter into futures contracts and
futures options that are standardized and traded on an exchange,
board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated
quotation system.
The success of any futures transaction depends on accurate
predictions of changes in the level and direction of stock prices,
interest rates, currency exchange rates and other factors. Should
those predictions be incorrect, the return might have been better
had the transaction not been attempted; however, in the absence of
the ability to use futures contracts, Stein Roe might have taken
portfolio actions in anticipation of the same market movements
with similar investment results but, presumably, at greater
transaction costs.
When a purchase or sale of a futures contract is made by the
Portfolio, it is required to deposit with its custodian (or
broker, if legally permitted) a specified amount of cash or U.S.
Government securities or other securities acceptable to the broker
("initial margin"). The margin required for a futures contract is
set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be
modified during the term of the contract. The initial margin is
in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the
futures contract, which is returned to the Portfolio upon
termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations
have been satisfied. The Portfolio expects to earn interest
income on its initial margin deposits. A futures contract held is
valued daily at the official settlement price of the exchange on
which it is traded. Each day the Portfolio pays or receives cash,
called "variation margin," equal to the daily change in value of
the futures contract. This process is known as "marking-to-
market." Variation margin paid or received by the Portfolio does
not represent a borrowing or loan by it but is instead settlement
between it and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if
the futures contract had expired at the close of the previous day.
In computing daily net asset value, the Portfolio will mark-to-
market its open futures positions.
<PAGE 16>
The Portfolio is also required to deposit and maintain margin
with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written
by it. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of
the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin
requirements), the current market value of the option, and other
futures positions held.
Although some futures contracts call for making or taking
delivery of the underlying securities, usually these obligations
are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales
of matching futures contracts (same exchange, underlying security
or index, and delivery month). If an offsetting purchase price is
less than the original sale price, the Portfolio realizes a
capital gain, or if it is more, it realizes a capital loss.
Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original
purchase price, it realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, it
realizes a capital loss. The transaction costs must also be
included in these calculations.
Risks Associated with Futures
There are several risks associated with the use of futures
contracts and futures options. A purchase or sale of a futures
contract may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in
the futures contract. In trying to increase or reduce market
exposure, there can be no guarantee that there will be a
correlation between price movements in the futures contract and in
the portfolio exposure sought. In addition, there are significant
differences between the securities and futures markets that could
result in an imperfect correlation between the markets, causing a
given transaction not to achieve its objectives. The degree of
imperfection of correlation depends on circumstances such as:
variations in speculative market demand for futures, futures
options and the related securities, including technical influences
in futures and futures options trading and differences between the
securities market and the securities underlying the standard
contracts available for trading. For example, in the case of
index futures contracts, the composition of the index, including
the issuers and the weighting of each issue, may differ from the
composition of the investment portfolio, and, in the case of
interest rate futures contracts, the interest rate levels,
maturities, and creditworthiness of the issues underlying the
futures contract may differ from the financial instruments held in
the investment portfolio. A decision as to whether, when and how
to use futures contracts involves the exercise of skill and
judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be
unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or
unexpected stock price or interest rate trends.
Futures exchanges may limit the amount of fluctuation
permitted in certain futures contract prices during a single
trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that
the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from
the previous day's settlement price at the end of the current
trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a
futures contract subject to the limit, no more trades may be made
on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs
only price movements during a particular trading day and therefore
does not limit potential losses because the limit may work to
prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example,
futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for
several consecutive trading days with little or no trading,
thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting
some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses. Stock
index futures contracts are not normally subject to such daily
price change limitations.
<PAGE 17>
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at
a time when the Portfolio seeks to close out a futures or futures
option position. The Portfolio would be exposed to possible loss
on the position during the interval of inability to close, and
would continue to be required to meet margin requirements until
the position is closed. In addition, many of the contracts
discussed above are relatively new instruments without a
significant trading history. As a result, there can be no
assurance that an active secondary market will develop or continue
to exist.
Limitations on Options and Futures
If other options, futures contracts, or futures options of
types other than those described herein are traded in the future,
the Portfolio may also use those investment vehicles, provided the
Board of Trustees determines that their use is consistent with the
investment objective.
The Portfolio will not enter into a futures contract or
purchase an option thereon if, immediately thereafter, the initial
margin deposits for futures contracts held by it plus premiums
paid by it for open futures option positions, less the amount by
which any such positions are "in-the-money,"/3/ would exceed 5% of
total assets.
When purchasing a futures contract or writing a put option on
a futures contract, the Portfolio must maintain with its custodian
(or broker, if legally permitted) cash or cash equivalents
(including any margin) equal to the market value of such contract.
When writing a call option on a futures contract, the Portfolio
similarly will maintain with its custodian cash or cash
equivalents (including any margin) equal to the amount by which
such option is in-the-money until the option expires or is closed
out.
The Portfolio may not maintain open short positions in
futures contracts, call options written on futures contracts or
call options written on indexes if, in the aggregate, the market
value of all such open positions exceeds the current value of the
securities in its portfolio, plus or minus unrealized gains and
losses on the open positions, adjusted for the historical relative
volatility of the relationship between the portfolio and the
positions. For this purpose, to the extent it has written call
options on specific securities in its portfolio, the value of
those securities will be deducted from the current market value of
the securities portfolio.
In order to comply with Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Regulation 4.5 and thereby avoid being deemed a "commodity pool
operator," the Portfolio will use commodity futures or commodity
options contracts solely for bona fide hedging purposes within the
meaning and intent of Regulation 1.3(z), or, with respect to
positions in commodity futures and commodity options contracts
that do not come within the meaning and intent of 1.3(z), the
aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish such
positions will not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the
assets of the Portfolio, after taking into account unrealized
profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it has entered
into [in the case
- ---------------------
/3/ A call option is "in-the-money" if the value of the futures
contract that is the subject of the option exceeds the exercise
price. A put option is "in-the-money" if the exercise price
exceeds the value of the futures contract that is the subject of
the option.
- ---------------------
<PAGE 18>
of an option that is in-the-money at the time of purchase, the in-
the-money amount (as defined in Section 190.01(x) of the
Commission Regulations) may be excluded in computing such 5%].
Taxation of Options and Futures
If the Portfolio exercises a call or put option that it
holds, the premium paid for the option is added to the cost basis
of the security purchased (call) or deducted from the proceeds of
the security sold (put). For cash settlement options and futures
options exercised by it, the difference between the cash received
at exercise and the premium paid is a capital gain or loss.
If a call or put option written by the Portfolio is
exercised, the premium is included in the proceeds of the sale of
the underlying security (call) or reduces the cost basis of the
security purchased (put). For cash settlement options and futures
options written by it, the difference between the cash paid at
exercise and the premium received is a capital gain or loss.
Entry into a closing purchase transaction will result in
capital gain or loss. If an option written by the Portfolio was
in-the-money at the time it was written and the security covering
the option was held for more than the long-term holding period
prior to the writing of the option, any loss realized as a result
of a closing purchase transaction will be long-term. The holding
period of the securities covering an in-the-money option will not
include the period of time the option is outstanding.
If the Portfolio writes an equity call option/4/ other than a
"qualified covered call option," as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code, any loss on such option transaction, to the extent
it does not exceed the unrealized gains on the securities covering
the option, may be subject to deferral until the securities
covering the option have been sold.
A futures contract held until delivery results in capital
gain or loss equal to the difference between the price at which
the futures contract was entered into and the settlement price on
the earlier of delivery notice date or expiration date. If the
Portfolio delivers securities under a futures contract, it also
realizes a capital gain or loss on those securities.
For federal income tax purposes, the Portfolio generally is
required to recognize as income for each taxable year its net
unrealized gains and losses as of the end of the year on futures,
futures options and non-equity options positions ("year-end mark-
to-market"). Generally, any gain or loss recognized with respect
to such positions (either by year-end mark-to-market or by actual
closing of the positions) is considered to be 60% long-term and
40% short-term, without regard to the holding periods of the
contracts. However, in the case of positions classified as part
of a "mixed straddle," the recognition of losses on certain
positions (including options, futures and futures options
positions, the related securities and certain successor positions
thereto) may be deferred to a later taxable year. Sale of futures
contracts
- -------------------
/4/ An equity option is defined to mean any option to buy or sell
stock, and any other option the value of which is determined by
reference to an index of stocks of the type that is ineligible to
be traded on a commodity futures exchange (e.g., an option
contract on a sub-index based on the price of nine hotel-casino
stocks). The definition of equity option excludes options on
broad-based stock indexes (such as the Standard & Poor's 500
index).
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<PAGE 19>
or writing of call options (or futures call options) or
buying put options (or futures put options) that are intended to
hedge against a change in the value of securities held: (1) will
affect the holding period of the hedged securities; and (2) may
cause unrealized gain or loss on such securities to be recognized
upon entry into the hedge.
If the Portfolio were to enter into a short index future,
short index futures option or short index option position and its
portfolio were deemed to "mimic" the performance of the index
underlying such contract, the option or futures contract position
and its stock positions would be deemed to be positions in a mixed
straddle, subject to the above-mentioned loss deferral rules.
In order for the Portfolio to continue to qualify for federal
income tax treatment as a regulated investment company, at least
90% of its gross income for a taxable year must be derived from
qualifying income; i.e., dividends, interest, income derived from
loans of securities, and gains from the sale of securities or
foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to
gains from options, futures, or forward contracts). Any net gain
realized from futures (or futures options) contracts will be
considered gain from the sale of securities and therefore be
qualifying income for purposes of the 90% requirement.
The Fund distributes to shareholders annually any net capital
gains that have been recognized for federal income tax purposes
(including year-end mark-to-market gains) on options and futures
transactions. Such distributions are combined with distributions
of capital gains realized on its other investments, and
shareholders are advised of the nature of the payments.
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the "Act") imposed
constructive sale treatment for federal income tax purposes on
certain hedging strategies with respect to appreciated securities.
Under these rules, taxpayers will recognize gain, but not loss,
with respect to securities if they enter into short sales of
"offsetting notional principal contracts" (as defined by the Act)
or futures or "forward contracts" (as defined by the Act) with
respect to the same or substantially identical property, or if
they enter into such transactions and then acquire the same or
substantially identical property. These changes generally apply
to constructive sales after June 8, 1997. Furthermore, the
Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to promulgate regulations
that will treat as constructive sales certain transactions that
have substantially the same effect as short sales, offsetting
notional principal contracts, and futures or forward contracts to
deliver the same or substantially similar property.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund and the Portfolio operate under the following
investment restrictions. Neither the Fund nor the Portfolio may:
(1) with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than
5% of its total assets, taken at market value at the time of a
particular purchase, in the securities of a single issuer, except
for securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any
of its agencies or instrumentalities or repurchase agreements for
such securities, and [Fund only] except that all or substantially
all of the assets of the Fund may be invested in another
registered investment
<PAGE 20>
company having the same investment objective and substantially
similar investment policies as the Fund;
(2) acquire more than 10%, taken at the time of a particular
purchase, of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer,
[Fund only] except that all or substantially all of the assets of
the Fund may be invested in another registered investment company
having the same investment objective and substantially similar
investment policies as the Fund;
(3) act as an underwriter of securities, except insofar as it
may be deemed an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act of
1933 on disposition of securities acquired subject to legal or
contractual restrictions on resale, [Fund only] except that all or
substantially all of the assets of the Fund may be invested in
another registered investment company having the same investment
objective and substantially similar investment policies as the
Fund;
(4) purchase or sell real estate (although it may purchase
securities secured by real estate or interests therein, or
securities issued by companies which invest in real estate or
interests therein), commodities, or commodity contracts, except
that it may enter into (a) futures and options on futures and (b)
forward contracts;
(5) make loans, although it may (a) lend portfolio securities
and participate in an interfund lending program with other Stein
Roe Funds and Portfolios provided that no such loan may be made
if, as a result, the aggregate of such loans would exceed 33 1/3%
of the value of its total assets (taken at market value at the
time of such loans); (b) purchase money market instruments and
enter into repurchase agreements; and (c) acquire publicly
distributed or privately placed debt securities;
(6) borrow except that it may (a) borrow for nonleveraging,
temporary or emergency purposes, (b) engage in reverse repurchase
agreements and make other borrowings, provided that the
combination of (a) and (b) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value
of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less
liabilities (other than borrowings) or such other percentage
permitted by law, and (c) enter into futures and options
transactions; it may borrow from banks, other Stein Roe Funds and
Portfolios, and other persons to the extent permitted by
applicable law;
(7) invest in a security if more than 25% of its total assets
(taken at market value at the time of a particular purchase) would
be invested in the securities of issuers in any particular
industry, except that this restriction does not apply to
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its
agencies or instrumentalities, and [Fund only] except that all or
substantially all of the assets of the Fund may be invested in
another registered investment company having the same investment
objective and substantially similar investment policies as the
Fund; or
(8) issue any senior security except to the extent permitted
under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
The above restrictions are fundamental policies and may not
be changed without the approval of a "majority of the outstanding
voting securities" as defined above. The Fund and the Portfolio
are also subject to the following nonfundamental restrictions and
policies,
<PAGE 21>
which may be changed by the Board of Trustees. None of
the following restrictions shall prevent the Fund from investing
all or substantially all of its assets in another investment
company having the same investment objective and substantially the
same investment policies as the Fund. Neither the Fund nor the
Portfolio may:
(a) invest in any of the following: (i) interests in oil,
gas, or other mineral leases or exploration or development
programs (except readily marketable securities, including but not
limited to master limited partnership interests, that may
represent indirect interests in oil, gas, or other mineral
exploration or development programs); (ii) puts, calls, straddles,
spreads, or any combination thereof (except that it may enter into
transactions in options, futures, and options on futures); (iii)
shares of other open-end investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, or
reorganization; and (iv) limited partnerships in real estate
unless they are readily marketable;
(b) invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control
or management;
(c) purchase more than 3% of the stock of another investment
company or purchase stock of other investment companies equal to
more than 5% of its total assets (valued at time of purchase) in
the case of any one other investment company and 10% of such
assets (valued at time of purchase) in the case of all other
investment companies in the aggregate; any such purchases are to
be made in the open market where no profit to a sponsor or dealer
results from the purchase, other than the customary broker's
commission, except for securities acquired as part of a merger,
consolidation or acquisition of assets;
(d) invest more than 5% of its net assets (valued at time of
purchase) in warrants, nor more than 2% of its net assets in
warrants that are not listed on the New York or American Stock
Exchange;
(e) write an option on a security unless the option is issued
by the Options Clearing Corporation, an exchange, or similar
entity;
(f) invest more than 25% of its total assets (valued at time
of purchase) in securities of foreign issuers (other than
securities represented by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) or
securities guaranteed by a U.S. person);
(g) purchase a put or call option if the aggregate premiums
paid for all put and call options exceed 20% of its net assets
(less the amount by which any such positions are in-the-money),
excluding put and call options purchased as closing transactions;
(h) purchase securities on margin (except for use of short-
term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions),
or sell securities short unless (i) it owns or has the right to
obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to those sold
short at no added cost or (ii) the securities sold are "when
issued" or "when distributed" securities which it expects to
receive in a recapitalization, reorganization, or other exchange
for securities it contemporaneously owns or has the right to
obtain and provided that transactions in options, futures, and
options on futures are not treated as short sales;
<PAGE 22>
(i) invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market
value at the time of a particular investment) in restricted
securities, other than securities eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933;
(j) invest more than 15% of its net assets (taken at market
value at the time of a particular investment) in illiquid
securities, including repurchase agreements maturing in more than
seven days.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Stein Roe seeks to provide superior long-term investment
results through a disciplined, research-intensive approach to
investment selection and prudent risk management. In working to
take sensible risks and make intelligent investments it has been
guided by three primary objectives which it believes are the
foundation of a successful investment program. These objectives
are preservation of capital, limited volatility through managed
risk, and consistent above-average returns as appropriate for the
particular client or managed account. Because every investor's
needs are different, Stein Roe mutual funds are designed to
accommodate different investment objectives, risk tolerance
levels, and time horizons. In selecting a mutual fund, investors
should ask the following questions:
What are my investment goals?
It is important to a choose a fund that has investment objectives
compatible with your investment goals.
What is my investment time frame?
If you have a short investment time frame (e.g., less than three
years), a mutual fund that seeks to provide a stable share price,
such as a money market fund, or one that seeks capital
preservation as one of its objectives may be appropriate. If you
have a longer investment time frame, you may seek to maximize your
investment returns by investing in a mutual fund that offers
greater yield or appreciation potential in exchange for greater
investment risk.
What is my tolerance for risk?
All investments, including those in mutual funds, have risks which
will vary depending on investment objective and security type.
However, mutual funds seek to reduce risk through professional
investment management and portfolio diversification.
In general, equity mutual funds emphasize long-term capital
appreciation and tend to have more volatile net asset values than
bond or money market mutual funds. Although there is no guarantee
that they will be able to maintain a stable net asset value of
$1.00 per share, money market funds emphasize safety of principal
and liquidity, but tend to offer lower income potential than bond
funds. Bond funds tend to offer higher income potential than
money market funds but tend to have greater risk of principal and
yield volatility.
<PAGE 23>
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Purchases Through Third Parties
You may purchase (or redeem) shares through certain broker-
dealers, banks, or other intermediaries ("Intermediaries"). The
state of Texas has asked that investment companies disclose in
their Statements of Additional Information, as a reminder to any
such bank or institution, that it must be registered as a
securities dealer in Texas. Intermediaries may charge for their
services or place limitations on the extent to which you may use
the services offered by the Trust. It is the responsibility of
any such Intermediary to establish procedures insuring the prompt
transmission to the Trust of any such purchase order. An
Intermediary, who accepts orders that are processed at the net
asset value next determined after receipt of the order by the
Intermediary, accepts such orders as authorized agent or designee
of the Fund. The Intermediary is required to segregate any orders
received on a business day after the close of regular session
trading on the New York Stock Exchange and transmit those orders
separately for execution at the net asset value next determined
after that business day.
Some Intermediaries that maintain nominee accounts with the
Fund for their clients for whom they hold Fund shares charge an
annual fee of up to 0.35% of the average net assets held in such
accounts for accounting, servicing, and distribution services they
provide with respect to the underlying Fund shares. Stein Roe and
the Fund's transfer agent share in the expense of these fees, and
Stein Roe pays all sales and promotional expenses.
Net Asset Value
The net asset value of the Fund is determined on days on
which the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is open for regular
session trading. The NYSE is regularly closed on Saturdays and
Sundays and on New Year's Day, the third Monday in January, the
third Monday in February, Good Friday, the last Monday in May,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If one
of these holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the NYSE will be
closed on the preceding Friday or the following Monday,
respectively. Net asset value will not be determined on days when
the NYSE is closed unless, in the judgment of the Board of
Trustees, net asset value of the Fund should be determined on any
such day, in which case the determination will be made at 3 p.m.,
Central time. Please refer to Your Account-Determining Share
Price in the Prospectus for additional information on how the
purchase and redemption price of Fund shares is determined.
General Redemption Policies
The Trust intends to pay all redemptions in cash and is
obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of
$250,000 or one percent of the net assets during any 90-day period
for any one shareholder. However, redemptions in excess of such
limit may be paid wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of
securities. If redemptions were made in kind, the redeeming
shareholders might incur transaction costs in selling the
securities received in the redemptions.
The Trust reserves the right to suspend or postpone
redemptions of shares during any period when: (a) trading on the
NYSE is restricted, as determined by the Securities and
<PAGE 24>
Exchange Commission, or the NYSE is closed for other than
customary weekend and holiday closings; (b) the Securities and
Exchange Commission has by order permitted such suspension; or (c)
an emergency, as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, exists, making disposal of portfolio securities or
valuation of net assets not reasonably practicable.
You may not cancel or revoke your redemption order once
instructions have been received and accepted. The Trust cannot
accept a redemption request that specifies a particular date or
price for redemption or any special conditions. Please call 800-
338-2550 if you have any questions about requirements for a
redemption before submitting your request. The Trust reserves the
right to require a properly completed application before making
payment for shares redeemed.
The Trust will generally mail payment for shares redeemed
within seven days after proper instructions are received.
However, the Trust normally intends to pay proceeds of a Telephone
Redemption paid by wire on the next business day. If you attempt
to redeem shares within 15 days after they have been purchased by
check or electronic transfer, the Trust will delay payment of the
redemption proceeds to you until it can verify that payment for
the purchase of those shares has been (or will be) collected. To
reduce such delays, the Trust recommends that your purchase be
made by federal funds wire through your bank.
Generally, you may not use any Special Redemption Privilege
to redeem shares purchased by check (other than certified or
cashiers' checks) or electronic transfer until 15 days after their
date of purchase. The Trust reserves the right at any time
without prior notice to suspend, limit, modify, or terminate any
Privilege or its use in any manner by any person or class.
Neither the Trust, its transfer agent, nor their respective
officers, trustees, directors, employees, or agents will be
responsible for the authenticity of instructions provided under
the Privileges, nor for any loss, liability, cost or expense for
acting upon instructions furnished thereunder if they reasonably
believe that such instructions are genuine. The Fund employs
procedures reasonably designed to confirm that instructions
communicated by telephone under any Special Redemption Privilege
or the Special Electronic Transfer Redemption Privilege are
genuine. Use of any Special Redemption Privilege or the Special
Electronic Transfer Redemption Privilege authorizes the Fund and
its transfer agent to tape-record all instructions to redeem. In
addition, callers are asked to identify the account number and
registration, and may be required to provide other forms of
identification. Written confirmations of transactions are mailed
promptly to the registered address; a legend on the confirmation
requests that the shareholder review the transactions and inform
the Fund immediately if there is a problem. If the Fund does not
follow reasonable procedures for protecting shareholders against
loss on telephone transactions, it may be liable for any losses
due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
Shares in any account you maintain with the Fund or any of
the other Stein Roe Funds may be redeemed to the extent necessary
to reimburse any Stein Roe Fund for any loss you cause it to
sustain (such as loss from an uncollected check or electronic
transfer for the purchase of shares, or any liability under the
Internal Revenue Code provisions on backup withholding).
<PAGE 25>
The Trust reserves the right to suspend or terminate, at any
time and without prior notice, the use of the Telephone Exchange
Privilege by any person or class of persons. The Trust believes
that use of the Telephone Exchange Privilege by investors
utilizing market-timing strategies adversely affects the Fund.
Therefore, regardless of the number of telephone exchange round-
trips made by an investor, the Trust generally will not honor
requests for Telephone Exchanges by shareholders identified by the
Trust as "market-timers" if the officers of the Trust determine
the order not to be in the best interests of the Trust or its
shareholders. The Trust generally identifies as a "market-timer"
an investor whose investment decisions appear to be based on
actual or anticipated near-term changes in the securities markets
other than for investment considerations. Moreover, the Trust
reserves the right to suspend, limit, modify, or terminate, at any
time and without prior notice, the Telephone Exchange Privilege in
its entirety. Because such a step would be taken only if the
Board of Trustees believes it would be in the best interests of
the Fund, the Trust expects that it would provide shareholders
with prior written notice of any such action unless the resulting
delay in the suspension, limitation, modification, or termination
of the Telephone Exchange Privilege would adversely affect the
Fund. If the Trust were to suspend, limit, modify, or terminate
the Telephone Exchange Privilege, a shareholder expecting to make
a Telephone Exchange might find that an exchange could not be
processed or that there might be a delay in the implementation of
the exchange. During periods of volatile economic and market
conditions, you may have difficulty placing your exchange by
telephone.
The Telephone Exchange Privilege and the Telephone Redemption
by Check Privilege will be established automatically for you when
you open your account unless you decline these Privileges on your
application. Other Privileges must be specifically elected. A
signature guarantee may be required to establish a Privilege after
you open your account. If you establish both the Telephone
Redemption by Wire Privilege and the Electronic Transfer
Privilege, the bank account that you designate for both Privileges
must be the same. The Telephone Redemption by Check Privilege,
Telephone Redemption by Wire Privilege, and Special Electronic
Transfer Redemptions may not be used to redeem shares held by a
tax-sheltered retirement plan sponsored by Stein Roe.
Redemption Privileges
Exchange Privilege. You may redeem all or any portion of
your Fund shares and use the proceeds to purchase shares of any
other no-load Stein Roe Fund offered for sale in your state if
your signed, properly completed application is on file. An
exchange transaction is a sale and purchase of shares for federal
income tax purposes and may result in capital gain or loss.
Before exercising the Exchange Privilege, you should obtain the
prospectus for the no-load Stein Roe Fund in which you wish to
invest and read it carefully. The registration of the account to
which you are making an exchange must be exactly the same as that
of the Fund account from which the exchange is made and the amount
you exchange must meet any applicable minimum investment of the
no-load Stein Roe Fund being purchased.
Telephone Exchange Privilege. You may use the Telephone
Exchange Privilege to exchange an amount of $50 or more from your
account by calling 800-338-2550 or by sending a telegram; new
accounts opened by exchange are subject to the $2,500 initial
purchase
<PAGE 26>
minimum. Generally, you will be limited to four
Telephone Exchange round-trips per year and the Fund may refuse
requests for Telephone Exchanges in excess of four round-trips (a
round-trip being the exchange out of the Fund into another no-load
Stein Roe Fund, and then back to the Fund). In addition, the
Trust's general redemption policies apply to redemptions of shares
by Telephone Exchange.
Automatic Exchanges. You may use the Automatic Exchange
Privilege to automatically redeem a fixed amount from your Fund
account for investment in another no-load Stein Roe Fund account
on a regular basis ($50 minimum; $100,000 maximum).
Telephone Redemption by Wire Privilege. You may use this
Privilege to redeem shares from your account ($1,000 minimum;
$100,000 maximum) by calling 800-338-2550. The proceeds will be
transmitted by wire to your account at a commercial bank
previously designated by you that is a member of the Federal
Reserve System. The fee for wiring proceeds (currently $7.00 per
transaction) will be deducted from the amount wired.
Telephone Redemption by Check Privilege. You may use the
Telephone Redemption by Check Privilege to redeem an amount of
$1,000 or more from your account by calling 800-338-2550. The
proceeds will be sent by check to your registered address.
Electronic Transfer Privilege. You may redeem shares by
calling 800-338-2550 and requesting an electronic transfer
("Special Redemption") of the proceeds to a bank account
previously designated by you at a bank that is a member of the
Automated Clearing House. You may also request electronic
transfers at scheduled intervals ("Automatic Redemptions"). A
Special Redemption request received by telephone after 3 p.m.,
Central time, is deemed received on the next business day. You
may purchase Fund shares directly from your bank account either at
regular intervals ("Regular Investments") or upon your request
("Special Investments"). Electronic transfers are subject to a
$50 minimum and a $100,000 maximum. You may also have income
dividends and capital gains distributions deposited directly into
your bank account ("Automatic Dividend Deposits").
Systematic Withdrawals. You may have a fixed dollar amount,
declining balance, or fixed percentage of your account redeemed
and sent at regular intervals by check to you or another payee.
Dividend Purchase Option. You may have distributions from
one Fund account automatically invested in another no-load Stein
Roe Fund account. Before establishing this option, you should
obtain and read the prospectus of the Stein Roe Fund into which
you wish to have your distributions invested. The account from
which distributions are made must be of sufficient size to allow
each distribution to usually be at least $25.
MANAGEMENT
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has overall management
responsibility for the Trust and the Fund. The following table
sets forth certain information with respect to the trustees and
officers of the Trust:
<PAGE 27>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Position(s) held Principal occupation(s)
Name with the Trust during past five years
- ------------------ ------------------------ -----------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
William D. Andrews, 51 (4) Executive Vice-President Executive vice president of Stein
Roe
Gary A. Anetsberger,43 (4) Senior Vice-President; Chief financial officer and chief
Controller administrative officer of the Mutual Funds
division of Stein Roe; senior vice president
of Stein Roe since April 1996; vice president
of Stein Roe prior thereto
John A. Bacon Jr., 71 Trustee Private investor
(3) (4)
William W. Boyd, 72 Trustee Chairman and director of Sterling
(2) (3) (4) Plumbing (manufacturer of plumbing products)
David P. Brady, 35 (4) Vice-President Senior vice president of Stein Roe since March 1998;
vice president of Stein Roe from Nov. 1995 to March
1998; portfolio manager for Stein Roe since 1993
Thomas W. Butch, 42 (4) President President of the Mutual Funds division of Stein Roe
since March 1998; senior vice president of Stein Roe
from Sept. 1994 to March 1998; first vice president,
corporate communications, of Mellon Bank Corporation
prior thereto
Daniel K. Cantor, 39 (4) Vice-President Senior vice president of Stein Roe
Kevin M. Carome, 42 (4) Vice-President; Senior vice president, legal, COGRA LLC (an
Assistant Secretary affiliate of Stein Roe) since Jan. 1999;
general counsel and secretary of Stein Roe
since Jan. 1998; associate general counsel and
vice president of Liberty Financial Companies,
Inc. (the indirect parent of Stein Roe) through
Jan. 1999
J. Kevin Connaughton, 34 Vice-President Vice president of Colonial Management
(4) Associates, Inc. ("CMA"), since February, 1998; senior
tax manager, Coopers & Lybrand, LLP from April 1996 to
January 1998; vice president, 440 Financial
Group/First Data Investor Services Group from March
1994 to April 1996
Lindsay Cook, 47 Trustee Executive vice president of Liberty Financial
(1)(2)(4) Companies, Inc. since March 1997; senior vice
president prior thereto
William M. Garrison, 33 Vice-President Vice president of Stein Roe since Feb. 1998; associate
portfolio manager for Stein Roe since August 1994
Erik P. Gustafson, 35 (4) Vice-President Senior portfolio manager of Stein Roe; senior vice
president of Stein Roe since April 1996; vice
president of Stein Roe from May 1994 to April 1996;
associate of Stein Roe prior thereto
Douglas A. Hacker, 43 Trustee Senior vice president and chief financial officer
(3)(4) of UAL, Inc. (airline) since July 1994; senior vice
president, finance of UAL, Inc. prior thereto
<PAGE 28>
Loren A. Hansen, 51 (4) Executive Vice-President Chief investment officer/equity of CMA since 1997;
executive vice president of Stein Roe since Dec. 1995;
vice president of The Northern Trust (bank) prior
thereto
James P. Haynie, 36 (4) Vice-President Vice President of Stein Roe since Oct. 1998; Vice
President of CMA since 1993
Harvey B. Hirschhorn, 49 Vice-President Executive vice president, senior portfolio manager,
(4) and chief economist and investment strategist of Stein
Roe; director of research of Stein Roe, 1991 to 1995
Timothy J. Jacoby, 46 (4) Vice-President Fund treasurer for The Colonial Group since Sept. 1996
and chief financial officer since Aug. 1997; senior
vice president of Fidelity Investments from Sept. 1993
to Sept. 1996
Janet Langford Kelly, 41 Trustee Senior vice president, secretary and general
(3) (4) counsel of Sara Lee Corporation (branded, packaged,
consumer-products manufacturer) since 1995; partner of
Sidley & Austin (law firm) prior thereto
Gail D. Knudsen, 36 (4) Vice-President Vice president and assistant controller of CMA
Eric S. Maddix, 35 Vice-President Senior vice president of Stein Roe since March 1998;
vice president of Stein Roe from Nov. 1995 to March
1998; portfolio manager or research assistant for
Stein Roe since 1987
Lynn C. Maddox, 58 Vice-President Senior vice president of Stein Roe
Arthur J. McQueen, 40 Vice-President Senior vice president of Stein Roe
Charles R. Nelson, 56 Trustee Van Voorhis Professor of Political Economy,
(3) (4) Department of Economics of the University of
Washington
Nicolette D. Parrish, 49 Vice-President; Senior legal assistant and assistant secretary of
(4) Assistant Secretary Stein Roe
Gita R. Rao, 39 (4) Vice-President Vice President of Stein Roe since Oct. 1998; vice
president and portfolio manager CMA since 1995; global
equity research analyst at Fidelity Management &
Research Company prior thereto
Michael E. Rega, 39 (4) Vice-President Vice President of Stein Roe since Oct. 1998; Vice
President of CMA since 1996
Janet B. Rysz, 43 (4) Assistant Secretary Senior legal assistant and assistant secretary of
Stein Roe
Steven M. Salopek, 35 Vice-President Vice president of Stein Roe since Feb. 1998; analyst
for Stein Roe from June 1996 to Feb. 1998; analyst for
Banc One Investment Advisors from Nov. 1990 to
May 1996
M. Gerard Sandel, 44 (4) Vice-President Senior vice president of Stein Roe since July 1997;
vice president of M&I Investment Management
Corporation prior thereto
<PAGE 29>
Gloria J. Santella, 41 Vice-President Senior vice president of Stein Roe since Nov. 1995;
vice president of Stein Roe prior thereto
Thomas C. Theobald, 61 Trustee Managing director, William Blair Capital Partners
(3) (4) (private equity fund) since 1994; chief executive
officer and chairman of the Board of Directors of
Continental Bank Corporation, 1987-1994
Sharlene A. Thomas, 37 (4) Vice-President Assistant vice president of mutual fund sales &
service of Stein Roe since Feb. 1999; manager of
mutual fund sales & services of Stein Roe from March
1997 to Feb. 1999; account executive with Stein Roe's
Counselor department prior thereto
Scott E. Volk, 27 (4) Treasurer Vice president of Stein Roe since March 1999;
financial reporting manager for Stein Roe 's Mutual
Funds division since Oct. 1997; senior auditor with
Ernst & Young LLP from Sept. 1993 to April 1996 and
from Oct. 1996 to Sept. 1997; financial analyst with
John Nuveen & Company Inc. from May 1996 to Sept. 1996
Heidi J. Walter, 31 (4) Vice-President; Secretary Vice president of Stein Roe since March 1998; senior
legal counsel for Stein Roe since Feb. 1998; legal
counsel for Stein Roe March 1995 to Jan. 1998;
associate with Beeler Schad & Diamond, PC (law firm)
prior thereto
<FN>
_________________________
(1) Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Trust and of
Stein Roe, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(2) Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees,
which is authorized to exercise all powers of the Board with
certain statutory exceptions.
(3) Member of the Audit Committee of the Board, which makes
recommendations to the Board regarding the selection of
auditors and confers with the auditors regarding the scope and
results of the audit.
(4) This person holds the corresponding officer or trustee
position with SR&F Base Trust.
</TABLE>
Certain of the trustees and officers of the Trust are
trustees or officers of other investment companies managed by
Stein Roe. Mr. Anetsberger, Mr. Butch, and Ms. Walter are also
officers of Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc., the Fund's
distributor. The address of Mr. Bacon is 4N640 Honey Hill Road,
Box 296, Wayne, IL 60184; that of Mr. Boyd is 2900 Golf Road,
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008; that of Mr. Cook is 600 Atlantic
Avenue, Boston, MA 02210; that of Mr. Hacker is P.O. Box 66100,
Chicago, IL 60666; that of Ms. Kelly is Three First National
Plaza, Chicago, IL 60602; that of Mr. Nelson is Department of
Economics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195; that of
Mr. Theobald is Suite 3300, 222 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL
60606; that of Mr. Cantor is 1330 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, NY 10019; that of Ms. Knudsen, Ms. Rao, and Messrs.
Connaughton, Haynie, Jacoby, and Rega is One Financial Center,
Boston, MA 02111; and that of the other officers is One South
Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.
Officers and trustees affiliated with Stein Roe serve without
any compensation from the Trust. In compensation for their
services to the Trust, trustees who are not "interested persons"
of the Trust or Stein Roe are paid an annual retainer plus an
attendance fee for each meeting of the Board or standing committee
thereof attended. The Trust has no retirement
<PAGE 30>
or pension plan. The following table sets forth compensation paid
during the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 1998 to each of the
trustees:
Compensation from the
Stein Roe Fund Complex*
-----------------------
Aggregate Compensation Total Average
Name of Trustee from the Trust Compensation Per Series
- ------------------- -------------------- ------------ ----------
Timothy K. Armour** -0- -0- -0-
Thomas W. Butch** -0- -0- -0-
Lindsay Cook -0- -0- -0-
John A. Bacon Jr.** -0- -0- -0-
Kenneth L. Block** $ 3,800 $ 23,100 $ 525
William W. Boyd 21,700 109,902 2,498
Douglas A. Hacker 19,050 101,148 2,299
Janet Langford Kelly 19,050 97,950 2,226
Francis W. Morley** 3,800 23,100 525
Charles R. Nelson 21,700 109,552 2,490
Thomas C. Theobald 19,050 101,148 2,299
- --------
* At Sept. 30, 1998, the Stein Roe Fund Complex consisted of 11
series of the Trust, 10 series of Stein Roe Advisor Trust, four
series of Stein Roe Income Trust, four series of Stein Roe
Municipal Trust, one series of Stein Roe Institutional Trust,
one series of Stein Roe Trust, and 13 series of SR&F Base Trust.
**Messrs. Block and Morley retired as trustees on Dec. 31, 1997.
Mr. Armour resigned as a trustee on April 14, 1998. Mr. Butch
served as a trustee from April 14, 1998 to Nov. 3, 1998. Mr.
Bacon was elected a trustee effective Nov. 3, 1998.
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information,
no shares of the Fund were outstanding.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated provides investment
management services to the Fund and administrative services to the
Fund and the Portfolio. Stein Roe is a wholly owned subsidiary of
SteinRoe Services Inc. ("SSI"), the Fund's transfer agent, which
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.
("Liberty Financial"), which is a majority owned subsidiary of
Liberty Corporate Holdings, Inc., which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of LFC Holdings, Inc., which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Equity Corporation, which is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Liberty
Mutual Insurance Company is a mutual insurance company,
principally in the property/casualty insurance field, organized
under the laws of Massachusetts in 1912.
The directors of Stein Roe are Kenneth R. Leibler, C. Allen
Merritt, Jr., Thomas W. Butch, and Hans P. Ziegler. Mr. Leibler
is President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Financial; Mr.
Merritt is Chief Operating Officer of Liberty Financial; Mr. Butch
is President of Stein Roe's Mutual Funds division; and Mr. Ziegler
is Chief Executive Officer of Stein Roe. The business address of
Messrs. Leibler and Merritt is Federal Reserve Plaza, 600
<PAGE 31>
Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02210; and that of Messrs. Butch and
Ziegler is One South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.
Stein Roe and its predecessor have been providing investment
advisory services since 1932. Stein Roe acts as investment
adviser to wealthy individuals, trustees, pension and profit
sharing plans, charitable organizations, and other institutional
investors. As of Dec. 31, 1998, Stein Roe managed over $29.7
billion in assets: over $11.1 billion in equities and over $18.6
billion in fixed income securities (including $1.1 billion in
municipal securities). The $29.7 billion in managed assets
included over $8.9 billion held by open-end mutual funds managed
by Stein Roe (approximately 14% of the mutual fund assets were
held by clients of Stein Roe). These mutual funds were owned by
over 293,000 shareholders. The $8.9 billion in mutual fund assets
included over $685 million in over 44,000 IRA accounts. In
managing those assets, Stein Roe utilizes a proprietary computer-
based information system that maintains and regularly updates
information for approximately 7,500 companies. Stein Roe also
monitors over 1,400 issues via a proprietary credit analysis
system. At Dec. 31, 1998, Stein Roe employed 18 research analysts
and 54 account managers. The average investment-related
experience of these individuals was 17 years.
Stein Roe Counselor [service mark] and Stein Roe Personal
Counselor [service mark] are professional investment advisory
services offered to Fund shareholders. Each is designed to help
shareholders construct Fund investment portfolios to suit their
individual needs. Based on information shareholders provide about
their financial circumstances, goals, and objectives in response
to a questionnaire, Stein Roe's investment professionals create
customized portfolio recommendations for investments in the mutual
funds managed by Stein Roe. Shareholders participating in Stein
Roe Counselor [service mark] are free to self direct their
investments while considering Stein Roe's recommendations;
shareholders participating in Stein Roe Personal Counselor
[service mark] enjoy the added benefit of having Stein Roe
implement portfolio recommendations automatically for a fee of 1%
or less, depending on the size of their portfolios. In addition
to reviewing shareholders' circumstances, goals, and objectives
periodically and updating portfolio recommendations to reflect any
changes, the shareholders who participate in these programs are
assigned a dedicated Counselor [service mark] representative.
Other distinctive services include specially designed account
statements with portfolio performance and transaction data,
newsletters, and regular investment, economic, and market updates.
A $50,000 minimum investment is required to participate in either
program.
In return for its services, Stein Roe is entitled to receive
a monthly administrative fee from the Fund at an annual rate of
.15% of the first $500 million of average net assets, .125% of the
next $500 million, and .10% thereafter; and a monthly management
fee from the Portfolio at an annual rate of .60% of the first $500
million, .55% of the next $500 million, and .50% thereafter.
Stein Roe provides office space and executive and other
personnel to the Fund, and bears any sales or promotional
expenses. The Fund pays all expenses other than those paid by
Stein Roe, including but not limited to printing and postage
charges, securities registration and custodian fees, and expenses
incidental to its organization.
<PAGE 32>
The administrative agreement provides that Stein Roe shall
reimburse the Fund to the extent that its total annual expenses
(including fees paid to Stein Roe, but excluding taxes, interest,
commissions and other normal charges incident to the purchase and
sale of portfolio securities, and expenses of litigation to the
extent permitted under applicable state law) exceed the applicable
limits prescribed by any state in which its shares are being
offered for sale to the public; provided, however, Stein Roe is
not required to reimburse the Fund an amount in excess of fees
paid by the Fund under that agreement for such year. In addition,
in the interest of further limiting Fund expenses, Stein Roe has
agreed to waive its fees and/or absorb certain Fund expenses to
the extent that such annualized fees and expenses (excluding
taxes, interest, all commissions and other normal charges incident
to the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, and
extraordinary charges such as litigation costs) exceed 1.10% of
the Fund's average net assets though Jan. 31, 2000. Any such
reimbursement will enhance the yield of the Fund.
The management agreement provides that neither Stein Roe, nor
any of its directors, officers, stockholders (or partners of
stockholders), agents, or employees shall have any liability to
the Trust or any shareholder of the Trust for any error of
judgment, mistake of law or any loss arising out of any
investment, or for any other act or omission in the performance by
Stein Roe of its duties under the agreement, except for liability
resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless
disregard by it of its obligations and duties under the agreement.
Any expenses that are attributable solely to the
organization, operation, or business of the Fund are paid solely
out of its assets. Any expenses incurred by the Trust that are
not solely attributable to a particular series are apportioned in
such manner as Stein Roe determines is fair and appropriate,
unless otherwise specified by the Board of Trustees.
Bookkeeping and Accounting Agreement
Pursuant to a separate agreement with the Trust, Stein Roe
receives a fee for performing certain bookkeeping and accounting
services for the Fund. For services provided to the Trust, Stein
Roe receives an annual fee of $25,000 per series plus .0025 of 1%
of average net assets over $50 million. During the fiscal years
ended Sept. 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, Stein Roe received aggregate
fees of $265,246, $315,067 and $358,936, respectively, from the
Trust for services performed under this Agreement.
DISTRIBUTOR
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Liberty Funds
Distributor, Inc. ("Distributor"), One Financial Center, Boston,
MA 02111, under a Distribution Agreement. The Distributor is a
subsidiary of Colonial Management Associates, Inc., which is an
indirect subsidiary of Liberty Financial. The Distribution
Agreement continues in effect from year to year, provided such
continuance is approved annually (i) by a majority of the trustees
or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Trust, and (ii) by a majority of the trustees who are not parties
to the Agreement or interested persons of any such party. The
Trust has agreed to pay all expenses in connection with
registration of its shares with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and auditing and filing fees in connection with
registration of its
<PAGE 33>
shares under the various state blue sky laws and assumes the cost
of preparation of prospectuses and other expenses.
As agent, the Distributor offers shares to investors in
states where the shares are qualified for sale, at net asset
value, without sales commissions or other sales load to the
investor. In addition, no sales commission or "12b-1" payment is
paid by the Fund. The Distributor offers Fund shares only on a
best-efforts basis.
TRANSFER AGENT
SteinRoe Services Inc. ("SSI"), One South Wacker Drive,
Chicago, IL 60606, is the agent of the Trust for the transfer of
shares, disbursement of dividends, and maintenance of shareholder
accounting records. For performing these services, SSI receives
from the Fund a fee based on an annual rate of .22 of 1% of
average net assets. The Trust believes the charges by SSI to the
Fund are comparable to those of other companies performing similar
services. (See Investment Advisory and Other Services.) Under a
separate agreement, SSI also provides certain investor accounting
services to the Portfolio.
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank"), 225
Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02101, is the custodian for the Trust
and SR&F Base Trust. It is responsible for holding all securities
and cash, receiving and paying for securities purchased,
delivering against payment securities sold, receiving and
collecting income from investments, making all payments covering
expenses, and performing other administrative duties, all as
directed by authorized persons. The Bank does not exercise any
supervisory function in such matters as purchase and sale of
portfolio securities, payment of dividends, or payment of
expenses.
Portfolio securities purchased in the U.S. are maintained in
the custody of the Bank or of other domestic banks or
depositories. Portfolio securities purchased outside of the U.S.
are maintained in the custody of foreign banks and trust companies
that are members of the Bank's Global Custody Network and foreign
depositories ("foreign sub-custodians"). Each of the domestic and
foreign custodial institutions holding portfolio securities has
been approved by the Board of Trustees in accordance with
regulations under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Each Board of Trustees reviews, at least annually, whether it
is in the best interests of the Portfolio and the Fund and its
shareholders to maintain assets in each of the countries in which
the Portfolio invests with particular foreign sub-custodians in
such countries, pursuant to contracts between such respective
foreign sub-custodians and the Bank. The review includes an
assessment of the risks of holding assets in any such country
(including risks of expropriation or imposition of exchange
controls), the operational capability and reliability of each such
foreign sub-custodian, and the impact of local laws on each such
custody arrangement. Each Board of Trustees is aided in its
review by the Bank, which has assembled the network of foreign
sub-custodians, as well as by Stein Roe and counsel. However,
with respect to foreign sub-custodians, there can be no assurance
that the Portfolio, and the value of its shares, will not be
adversely affected by acts of foreign governments, financial or
<PAGE 34>
operational difficulties of the foreign sub-custodians,
difficulties and costs of obtaining jurisdiction over or enforcing
judgments against the foreign sub-custodians, or application of
foreign law to the foreign sub-custodial arrangements.
Accordingly, an investor should recognize that the non-investment
risks involved in holding assets abroad are greater than those
associated with investing in the United States.
The Fund and the Portfolio may invest in obligations of the
Bank and may purchase or sell securities from or to the Bank.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The independent public accountants for the Fund and the
Portfolio are Arthur Andersen LLP, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago,
IL 60603. The accountants audit and report on the annual
financial statements, review certain regulatory reports and the
federal income tax returns, and perform other professional
accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services when engaged to do
so by the Trust.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Stein Roe places the orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities and options and futures contracts. Stein
Roe's overriding objective in selecting brokers and dealers to
effect portfolio transactions is to seek the best combination of
net price and execution. The best net price, giving effect to
brokerage commissions, if any, is an important factor in this
decision; however, a number of other judgmental factors may also
enter into the decision. These factors include Stein Roe's
knowledge of negotiated commission rates currently available and
other current transaction costs; the nature of the security being
purchased or sold; the size of the transaction; the desired timing
of the transaction; the activity existing and expected in the
market for the particular security; confidentiality; the
execution, clearance and settlement capabilities of the broker or
dealer selected and others considered; Stein Roe's knowledge of
the financial condition of the broker or dealer selected and such
other brokers and dealers; and Stein Roe's knowledge of actual or
apparent operation problems of any broker or dealer. Recognizing
the value of these factors, Stein Roe may cause a client to pay a
brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker may
have charged for effecting the same transaction.
Stein Roe has established internal policies for the guidance
of its trading personnel, specifying minimum and maximum
commissions to be paid for various types and sizes of transactions
and effected for clients in those cases where Stein Roe has
discretion to select the broker or dealer by which the transaction
is to be executed. Transactions which vary from the guidelines
are subject to periodic supervisory review. These guidelines are
reviewed and periodically adjusted, and the general level of
brokerage commissions paid is periodically reviewed by Stein Roe.
Evaluations of the reasonableness of brokerage commissions, based
on the factors described in the preceding paragraph, are made by
Stein Roe's trading personnel while effecting portfolio
transactions. The general level of brokerage commissions paid is
reviewed by Stein Roe, and reports are made annually to the Board
of Trustees.
<PAGE 35>
Where more than one broker or dealer is believed to be
capable of providing a combination of best net price and execution
with respect to a particular portfolio transaction, Stein Roe
often selects a broker or dealer that has furnished it with
investment research products or services such as: economic,
industry or company research reports or investment
recommendations; subscriptions to financial publications or
research data compilations; compilations of securities prices,
earnings, dividends, and similar data; computerized data bases;
quotation equipment and services; research or analytical computer
software and services; or services of economic and other
consultants. Such selections are not made pursuant to any
agreement or understanding with any of the brokers or dealers.
However, Stein Roe does in some instances request a broker to
provide a specific research or brokerage product or service which
may be proprietary to the broker or produced by a third party and
made available by the broker and, in such instances, the broker in
agreeing to provide the research or brokerage product or service
frequently will indicate to Stein Roe a specific or minimum amount
of commissions which it expects to receive by reason of its
provision of the product or service. Stein Roe does not agree
with any broker to direct such specific or minimum amounts of
commissions; however, Stein Roe does maintain an internal
procedure to identify those brokers who provide it with research
products or services and the value of such products or services,
and Stein Roe endeavors to direct sufficient commissions on client
transactions (including commissions on transactions in fixed
income securities effected on an agency basis and, in the case of
transactions for certain types of clients, dealer selling
concessions on new issues of securities) to ensure the continued
receipt of research products or services Stein Roe believes are
useful.
In a few instances, Stein Roe receives from a broker a
product or service which is used by Stein Roe both for investment
research and for administrative, marketing, or other non-research
or brokerage purposes. In such an instance, Stein Roe makes a
good faith effort to determine the relative proportion of its use
of such product or service which is for investment research or
brokerage, and that portion of the cost of obtaining such product
or service may be defrayed through brokerage commissions generated
by client transactions, while the remaining portion of the costs
of obtaining the product or service is paid by Stein Roe in cash.
Stein Roe may also receive research in connection with selling
concessions and designations in fixed income offerings.
The Fund does not believe it pays brokerage commissions
higher than those obtainable from other brokers in return for
research or brokerage products or services provided by brokers.
Research or brokerage products or services provided by brokers may
be used by Stein Roe in servicing any or all of the clients of
Stein Roe and such research products or services may not
necessarily be used by Stein Roe in connection with client
accounts which paid commissions to the brokers providing such
products or services.
The table below shows information on brokerage commissions
paid by the Portfolio during the last three fiscal years:
<PAGE 36>
Total amount of brokerage commissions paid during fiscal
year ended 9/30/98 $807,008
Amount of commissions paid to brokers or dealers who
supplied research services to Stein Roe 731,886
Total dollar amount involved in such transactions
(000 omitted) 476,833
Amount of commissions paid to brokers or dealers that
were allocated to such brokers or dealers by a portfolio
manager because of research services provided 131,103
Total dollar amount involved in such transactions
(000 omitted) 88,249
Total amount of brokerage commissions paid during
fiscal year ended 9/30/97 512,584
Total amount of brokerage commissions paid during
fiscal year ended 9/30/96 174,919
Each Trust has arranged for its custodian to act as a
soliciting dealer to accept any fees available to the custodian as
a soliciting dealer in connection with any tender offer for
portfolio securities. The custodian will credit any such fees
received against its custodial fees. In addition, the Board of
Trustees has reviewed the legal developments pertaining to and the
practicability of attempting to recapture underwriting discounts
or selling concessions when portfolio securities are purchased in
underwritten offerings. However, the Board has been advised by
counsel that recapture by a mutual fund currently is not permitted
under the Rules of the Association of the National Association of
Securities Dealers.
During the last fiscal year, the Portfolio held securities
issued by one or more of its regular broker-dealers or the parent
of such broker-dealers that derive more than 15% of gross revenue
from securities-related activities. Such holdings were as follows
at Sept. 30, 1998:
Broker-Dealer Value of Securities Held
(in thousands)
Associates Corp. of North America $35,775
Travelers Group 9,375
ADDITIONAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The Fund and the Portfolio intend to qualify under Subchapter
M of the Internal Revenue Code and to comply with the special
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that relieve it of federal
income tax to the extent of net investment income and capital
gains currently distributed to shareholders.
Because dividend and capital gains distributions reduce net
asset value, a shareholder who purchases shares shortly before a
record date will, in effect, receive a return of a portion of his
investment in such distribution. The distribution would
nonetheless be taxable to him, even if the net asset value of
shares were reduced below his cost. However, for federal income
tax purposes the shareholder's original cost would continue as his
tax basis.
The Fund expects that less than 100% of its dividends will
qualify for the deduction for dividends received by corporate
shareholders.
To the extent the Portfolio invests in foreign securities, it
may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign
countries. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United
States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Investors may be
entitled to claim U.S. foreign tax credits with respect to such
taxes, subject to certain provisions and
<PAGE 37>
limitations contained in the Code. Specifically, if more than 50%
of total assets at the close of any fiscal year consist of stock
or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may file an
election with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to which its
shareholders will be required to (i) include in ordinary gross
income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) their
pro rata shares of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund even
though not actually received, (ii) treat such respective pro rata
shares as foreign income taxes paid by them, and (iii) deduct such
pro rata shares in computing their taxable incomes, or,
alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits, subject to
applicable limitations, against their United States income taxes.
Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax
purposes will not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata
portion of foreign taxes paid by the Fund, although such
shareholders will be required to include their share of such taxes
in gross income. Shareholders who claim a foreign tax credit may
be required to treat a portion of dividends received from the Fund
as separate category income for purposes of computing the
limitations on the foreign tax credit available to such
shareholders. Tax-exempt shareholders will not ordinarily
benefit from this election relating to foreign taxes. Each year,
the Fund will notify shareholders of the amount of (i) each
shareholder's pro rata share of foreign income taxes paid by the
Fund and (ii) the portion of Fund dividends which represents
income from each foreign country, if the Fund qualifies to pass
along such credit.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
The Fund may quote certain total return figures from time to
time. A "Total Return" on a per share basis is the amount of
dividends distributed per share plus or minus the change in the
net asset value per share for a period. A "Total Return
Percentage" may be calculated by dividing the value of a share at
the end of a period by the value of the share at the beginning of
the period and subtracting one. For a given period, an "Average
Annual Total Return" may be computed by finding the average annual
compounded rate that would equate a hypothetical initial amount
invested of $1,000 to the ending redeemable value.
n
Average Annual Total Return is computed as follows: ERV = P(1+T)
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the period at the
end of the period (or fractional portion).
Investment performance figures assume reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions and do not take into account any
federal, state, or local income taxes which shareholders must pay
on a current basis. They are not necessarily indicative of future
results. The performance of the Fund is a result of conditions in
the securities markets, portfolio management, and operating
expenses. Although investment performance information is useful
in reviewing performance and in providing some basis for
comparison with other investment alternatives, it should not be
used for comparison with other investments using different
reinvestment assumptions or time periods.
The Fund may note its mention or recognition in newspapers,
magazines, or other media from time to time. However, the Fund
assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of such data.
<PAGE 38>
Newspapers and magazines which might mention the Fund include, but
are not limited to, the following:
Architectural Digest
Arizona Republic
Atlanta Constitution
Atlantic Monthly
Associated Press
Barron's
Bloomberg
Boston Globe
Boston Herald
Business Week
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times
Cleveland Plain Dealer
CNBC
CNN
Crain's Chicago Business
Consumer Reports
Consumer Digest
Dow Jones Investment Advisor
Dow Jones Newswire
Fee Advisor
Financial Planning
Financial World
Forbes
Fortune
Fund Action
Fund Marketing Alert
Gourmet
Individual Investor
Investment Dealers' Digest
Investment News
Investor's Business Daily
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine
Knight-Ridder
Lipper Analytical Services
Los Angeles Times
Louis Rukeyser's Wall Street
Money
Money on Line
Morningstar
Mutual Fund Market News
Mutual Fund News Service
Mutual Funds Magazine
Newsday
Newsweek
New York Daily News
The New York Times
No-Load Fund Investor
Pension World
Pensions and Investment
Personal Investor
Physicians Financial News
Jane Bryant Quinn (syndicated column)
Reuters
The San Francisco Chronicle
Securities Industry Daily
Smart Money
Smithsonian
Strategic Insight
Street.com
Time
Travel & Leisure
USA Today
U.S. News & World Report
Value Line
The Wall Street Journal
The Washington Post
Working Women
Worth
Your Money
In advertising and sales literature, the Fund may compare its
performance with that of other mutual funds, indexes or averages
of other mutual funds, indexes of related financial assets or
data, and other competing investment and deposit products
available from or through other financial institutions. The
composition of these indexes or averages differs from that of the
Fund. Comparison of the Fund to an alternative investment should
be made with consideration of differences in features and expected
performance. All of the indexes and averages noted below will be
obtained from the indicated sources or reporting services, which
the Trust believes to be generally accurate.
The Fund may compare its performance to the Consumer Price
Index (All Urban), a widely recognized measure of inflation. Its
performance also may be compared to the following indexes or
averages:
Dow-Jones Industrial Average New York Stock Exchange Composite Index
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index American Stock Exchange Composite Index
Standard & Poor's 400 Industrials NASDAQ Composite
Wilshire 5000 NASDAQ Industrials
(These indexes are widely (These indexes generally reflect
recognized indicators of the performance of stocks
general U.S. stock market traded in the indicated
results.) markets.)
In addition, the Fund may compare its performance to the
following benchmarks:
<PAGE 39>
Lipper Equity Fund Average
Lipper General Equity Fund Average
Lipper Growth Fund Average
Lipper Growth Fund Index
Morningstar All Equity Funds Average
Morningstar Domestic Stock Average
Morningstar Equity Fund Average
Morningstar General Equity Average*
Morningstar Growth Fund Average
Morningstar Hybrid Fund Average
Morningstar Total Fund Average
Morningstar U.S. Diversified Average
_________
*Includes Morningstar Aggressive Growth, Growth,
Balanced, Equity Income, and Growth and Income
Averages.
Lipper Growth Fund Index reflects the net asset value
weighted total return of the largest thirty growth funds and
thirty growth and income funds, respectively, as calculated and
published by Lipper. The Lipper and Morningstar averages are
unweighted averages of total return performance of mutual funds as
classified, calculated, and published by these independent
services that monitor the performance of mutual funds. The Fund
may also use comparative performance as computed in a ranking by
Lipper or category averages and rankings provided by another
independent service. Should Lipper or another service reclassify
the Fund to a different category or develop (and place it into) a
new category, it may compare its performance or ranking with those
of other funds in the newly assigned category, as published by the
service.
The Fund may also cite its rating, recognition, or other
mention by Morningstar or any other entity. Morningstar's rating
system is based on risk-adjusted total return performance and is
expressed in a star-rating format. The risk-adjusted number is
computed by subtracting a fund's risk score (which is a function
of the fund's monthly returns less the 3-month T-bill return) from
its load-adjusted total return score. This numerical score is
then translated into rating categories, with the top 10% labeled
five star, the next 22.5% labeled four star, the next 35% labeled
three star, the next 22.5% labeled two star, and the bottom 10%
one star. A high rating reflects either above-average returns or
below-average risk, or both.
Of course, past performance is not indicative of future
results.
________________
To illustrate the historical returns on various types of
financial assets, the Fund may use historical data provided by
Ibbotson Associates, Inc. ("Ibbotson"), a Chicago-based investment
firm. Ibbotson constructs (or obtains) very long-term (since
1926) total return data (including, for example, total return
indexes, total return percentages, average annual total returns
and standard deviations of such returns) for the following asset
types:
<PAGE 40>
Common stocks
Small company stocks
Long-term corporate bonds
Long-term government bonds
Intermediate-term government bonds
U.S. Treasury bills
Consumer Price Index
_____________________
The Fund may also use hypothetical returns to be used as an
example in a mix of asset allocation strategies. One such example
is reflected in the chart below, which shows the effect of tax
deferral on a hypothetical investment. This chart assumes that an
investor invested $2,000 a year on January 1, for any specified
period, in both a Tax-Deferred Investment and a Taxable
Investment, that both investments earn either 6%, 8% or 10%
compounded annually, and that the investor withdrew the entire
amount at the end of the period. (A tax rate of 39.6% is applied
annually to the Taxable Investment and on the withdrawal of
earnings on the Tax-Deferred Investment.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX-DEFERRED INVESTMENT VS. TAXABLE INVESTMENT
Interest
Rate 3% 5% 7% 9% 3% 5% 7% 9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Com-
pound-
ing
Years Tax-Deferred Investment Taxable Investment
- ---- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
30 $82,955 $108,031 $145,856 $203,239 $80,217 $98,343 $121,466 $151,057
25 65,164 80,337 101,553 131,327 63,678 75,318 89,528 106,909
20 49,273 57,781 68,829 83,204 48,560 55,476 63,563 73,028
15 35,022 39,250 44,361 50,540 34,739 38,377 42,455 47,025
10 22,184 23,874 25,779 27,925 22,106 23,642 25,294 27,069
5 10,565 10,969 11,393 11,840 10,557 10,943 11,342 11,754
1 2,036 2,060 2,085 2,109 2,036 2,060 2,085 2,109
</TABLE>
Dollar Cost Averaging. Dollar cost averaging is an
investment strategy that requires investing a fixed amount of
money in Fund shares at set intervals. This allows you to
purchase more shares when prices are low and fewer shares when
prices are high. Over time, this tends to lower your average cost
per share. Like any investment strategy, dollar cost averaging
can't guarantee a profit or protect against losses in a steadily
declining market. Dollar cost averaging involves uninterrupted
investing regardless of share price and therefore may not be
appropriate for every investor.
From time to time, the Fund may offer in its advertising and
sales literature to send an investment strategy guide, a tax
guide, or other supplemental information to investors and
shareholders. It may also mention the Stein Roe Counselor
[service mark] and the Stein Roe Personal Counselor [service mark]
programs and asset allocation and other investment strategies.
MASTER FUND/FEEDER FUND: STRUCTURE AND RISK FACTORS
The Fund, which is an open-end management investment company,
seeks to achieve its objective by investing all of its assets in
another mutual fund having an investment objective identical to
that of the Fund. The initial shareholder of the Fund approved
this policy of permitting the Fund to act as a feeder fund by
investing in the Portfolio. Please refer to
<PAGE 41>
Investment Policies, Portfolio Investments and Strategies, and
Investment Restrictions for a description of the investment
objectives, policies, and restrictions of the Fund and the
Portfolio. The management fees and expenses of the Fund and the
Portfolio are described under Investment Advisory and Other
Services. The Fund bears its proportionate share of the
Portfolio's expenses.
See Management for the names of and additional information
about the trustees and officers. Since the Trust and SR&F Base
Trust have the same trustees, the trustees have adopted conflict
of interest procedures to monitor and address potential conflicts
between the interests of the Fund and the Portfolio.
Stein Roe has provided investment management services in
connection with other mutual funds employing the master
fund/feeder fund structure since 1991.
SR&F Growth Investor Portfolio is a separate series of SR&F
Base Trust ("Base Trust"), a Massachusetts common law trust
organized under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust
("Declaration of Trust") dated Aug. 23, 1993. The Declaration of
Trust of Base Trust provides that the Fund and other investors in
the Portfolio will be liable for all obligations of the Portfolio
that are not satisfied by the Portfolio. However, the risk of the
Fund incurring financial loss on account of such liability is
limited to circumstances in which liability was inadequately
insured and the Portfolio was unable to meet its obligations.
Accordingly, the trustees of the Trust believe that neither the
Fund nor its shareholders will be adversely affected by reason of
the Fund's investing in the Portfolio.
The Declaration of Trust of Base Trust provides that the
Portfolio will terminate 120 days after the withdrawal of the Fund
or any other investor in the Portfolio, unless the remaining
investors vote to agree to continue the business of the Portfolio.
The trustees of the Trust may vote the Fund's interests in the
Portfolio for such continuation without approval of the Fund's
shareholders.
The fundamental policies of the Fund and the corresponding
fundamental policies of the Portfolio can be changed only with
shareholder approval. If the Fund, as a Portfolio investor, is
requested to vote on a change in a fundamental policy of the
Portfolio or any other matter pertaining to the Portfolio (other
than continuation of the business of the Portfolio after
withdrawal of another investor), the Fund will solicit proxies
from its shareholders and vote its interest in the Portfolio for
and against such matters proportionately to the instructions to
vote for and against such matters received from Fund shareholders.
The Fund will vote shares for which it receives no voting
instructions in the same proportion as the shares for which it
receives voting instructions. There can be no assurance that any
matter receiving a majority of votes cast by Fund shareholders
will receive a majority of votes cast by all investors in the
Portfolio. If other investors hold a majority interest in the
Portfolio, they could have voting control over the Portfolio.
In the event that the Portfolio's fundamental policies were
changed so as to be inconsistent with those of the Fund, the Board
of Trustees of the Trust would consider what action might be
taken, including changes to the Fund's fundamental policies,
withdrawal of the Fund's assets from the Portfolio and investment
of such assets in another pooled investment entity, or the
retention of an investment adviser to invest those assets directly
in a portfolio of
<PAGE 42>
securities. Any of these actions would require
the approval of the Fund's shareholders. The Fund's inability to
find a substitute master fund or comparable investment management
could have a significant impact upon its shareholders'
investments. Any withdrawal of the Fund's assets could result in
a distribution in kind of portfolio securities (as opposed to a
cash distribution) to the Fund. Should such a distribution occur,
the Fund would incur brokerage fees or other transaction costs in
converting such securities to cash. In addition, a distribution
in kind could result in a less diversified portfolio of
investments for the Fund and could affect the liquidity of the
Fund.
Each investor in the Portfolio, including the Fund, may add
to or reduce its investment in the Portfolio on each day the NYSE
is open for business. The investor's percentage of the aggregate
interests in the Portfolio will be computed as the percentage
equal to the fraction (i) the numerator of which is the beginning
of the day value of such investor's investment in the Portfolio on
such day plus or minus, as the case may be, the amount of any
additions to or withdrawals from the investor's investment in the
Portfolio effected on such day; and (ii) the denominator of which
is the aggregate beginning of the day net asset value of the
Portfolio on such day plus or minus, as the case may be, the
amount of the net additions to or withdrawals from the aggregate
investments in the Portfolio by all investors in the Portfolio.
The percentage so determined will then be applied to determine the
value of the investor's interest in the Portfolio as of the close
of business.
Base Trust may permit other investment companies and/or other
institutional investors to invest in the Portfolio, but members of
the general public may not invest directly in the Portfolio.
Other investors in the Portfolio are not required to sell their
shares at the same public offering price as the Fund, might incur
different administrative fees and expenses than the Fund, and
might charge a sales commission. Therefore, Fund shareholders
might have different investment returns than shareholders in
another investment company that invests exclusively in the
Portfolio. Investment by such other investors in the Portfolio
would provide funds for the purchase of additional portfolio
securities and would tend to reduce the operating expenses as a
percentage of the Portfolio's net assets. Conversely, large-scale
redemptions by any such other investors in the Portfolio could
result in untimely liquidations of the Portfolio's security
holdings, loss of investment flexibility, and increases in the
operating expenses of the Portfolio as a percentage of the
Portfolio's net assets. As a result, the Portfolio's security
holdings may become less diverse, resulting in increased risk.
Information regarding other investors in the Portfolio may be
obtained by writing to SR&F Base Trust at Suite 3200, One South
Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606, or by calling 800-338-2550.
Stein Roe may provide administrative or other services to one or
more of such investors.
APPENDIX-RATINGS
RATINGS IN GENERAL
A rating of a rating service represents the service's opinion
as to the credit quality of the security being rated. However,
the ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality
or guarantees as to the creditworthiness of an issuer.
Consequently, Stein Roe
<PAGE 43>
believes that the quality of debt securities in which a fund
invests should be continuously reviewed and that individual
analysts give different weightings to the various factors involved
in credit analysis. A rating is not a recommendation to purchase,
sell or hold a security because it does not take into account
market value or suitability for a particular investor. When a
security has received a rating from more than one service, each
rating should be evaluated independently. Ratings are based on
current information furnished by the issuer or obtained by the
rating services from other sources which they consider reliable.
Ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of
changes in or unavailability of such information, or for other
reasons.
The following is a description of the characteristics of
ratings of corporate debt securities used by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and Standard & Poor's Corporation
("S&P").
RATINGS BY MOODY'S
Aaa. Bonds rated Aaa are judged to be 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 an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure.
Although the various protective elements are likely to change,
such changes as can be visualized are more unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such bonds.
Aa. Bonds 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 bonds 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 bonds.
A. Bonds 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.
Baa. Bonds 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.
Ba. 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 both good
and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B. Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of 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.
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Caa. 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.
Ca. Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are
speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or
have other marked shortcomings.
NOTE: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in
each generic rating classification from Aa through B in its
corporate bond rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the
security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category;
the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3
indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic
rating category.
RATINGS BY S&P
AAA. Debt rated AAA has the highest rating. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA. 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.
A. 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.
BBB. 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 for debt in higher rated categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC, and C. Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC, or C is
regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to
capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with
the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of
speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such
debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics,
these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk
exposures to adverse conditions.
C1. This rating is reserved for income bonds on which no interest
is being paid.
D. Debt rated D is in default, and payment of interest and/or
repayment of principal is in arrears. The D rating is also used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments
are jeopardized.
NOTES:
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a
plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the
major rating categories. Foreign debt is rated on the same basis
as domestic debt measuring the creditworthiness of the issuer;
ratings of foreign debt do not take into account currency exchange
and related uncertainties.
The "r" is attached to highlight derivative, hybrid, and certain
other obligations that S&P believes may experience high volatility
or high variability in expected returns due to non-
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credit risks. Examples of such obligations are: securities whose
principal or interest return is indexed to equities, commodities,
or currencies; certain swaps and options; and interest only and
principal only mortgage securities. The absence of an "r" symbol
should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will
exhibit no volatility or variability in total return.
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