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File No. 33-12112
File No. 811-5032
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ ]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. _______ [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 [X]
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940 [ ]
Amendment No. 13 [X]
BARON ASSET FUND
________________________________________________________________________________
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
767 Fifth Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, New York 10153
________________________________________________________________________________
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (zip code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 583-2000
Linda S. Martinson
BARON ASSET FUND
767 Fifth Avenue
24th Floor
New York, New York 10153
________________________________________________________________________________
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: Immediately
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
X immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
- ---
- --- on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
- --- 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
Registrant has registered an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest,
$0.01 par value, of securities of the Fund, now existing or hereafter
established, under the Securties Act of 1933. The Rule 24f-2 Notice for
Registrant's most recent fiscal year was filed on October 30, 1995.
The Registrant proposes that this amendment will become effective pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933.
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BARON ASSET FUND
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
Items Required by Form N-1A
PART A
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<CAPTION>
Caption in
Item No. Item Caption Prospectus
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<S> <C> <C>
1. Cover Page COVER PAGE
2. Synopsis FUND EXPENSES
3. Condensed Financial FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Information
4. General Description of INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND
Registrant PHILOSPOHY; INVESTMENT
POLICIES AND RISKS; GENERAL
POLICIES; DISTRIBUTION
PLAN; INVESTMENT
PERFORMANCE; GENERAL
INFORMATION
5. Management of the Fund MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS;
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND
PHILIOSOPHY; INVESTMENT
POLICIES AND RISKS; GENERAL
POLICIES; FUND EXPENSES
6. Capital Stock and Other DIVIDENDS AND
Securities DISTRIBUTIONS; TAXES;
GENERAL INFORMATION
7. Purchase of Securities HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES;
Being Offered DETERMINING YOUR SHARE
PRICE; DISTRIBUTION PLAN;
GENERAL INFORMATION
8. Redemption or Repurchase HOW TO REDEEM SHARES;
DETERMINING YOUR SHARE
PRICE; GENERAL INFORMATION
9. Pending Legal Proceedings NOT APPLICABLE
PART B
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Caption in
Item No. Item Caption Additional Information
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10. Cover Page COVER PAGE
11. Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS
12. General Information and NOT APPLICABLE
History
13. Investment Objectives and INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND
Policies POLICIES
14. Management of the MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
Registrant
15. Control Persons and MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
Prinicipal Holders of
Securities
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Caption in
Item No. Item Caption Additional Information
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<S> <C> <C>
19. Purchase, Redemption and MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS;
Pricing of Securities Being REDEMPTION OF SHARES; NET
Offered ASSET VALUE
20. Tax Status NOT APPICABLE
21. Underwriters MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
22. Caluculation of Performance CALUCULATION OF PERFORMANCE
Data DATA
23. Financial Statements FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
</TABLE>
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THE BARON FUNDS
[Photo]
WELCOME TO THE BARON FUNDS:
MANY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES CAN BE SUCCESSFUL
Twenty seven years experience as a securities analyst and twenty two years as a
portfolio manager have taught me there are many ways to be a successful
investor. Baron Funds have chosen to be long term investors in publicly held
businesses. We are not short term traders of common stocks. Baron Funds focus on
the long term fundamental prospects for the companies in which we are investors.
The Funds have often remained shareholders of companies, part owners of their
businesses, for years. This is regardless of stock market fluctuations. (We
don't even try to predict what "the market" will do. Since I became interested
in investing while I was still in school, I have never known or observed anyone
who has been able to forecast broad market trends accurately.) Baron Asset Fund,
our first mutual fund was founded in June 1987. It has been a shareholder in
discount broker, mutual fund distributor CHARLES SCHWAB since 1992, in nursing
home owner/operator MANOR CARE since 1989, in casino hotel owner/operator MIRAGE
RESORTS since 1987, in specialized temporary help provider ROBERT HALF since
1991 and in private college DEVRY, also since 1991. The stock prices of these
companies have appreciated several fold since our initial purchases. In all
these instances, we believe the prospects for their businesses, and therefore
for their stocks, continue to be favorable.
Baron Funds do not rely upon brokerage firm research, computer-based stock
selections or so-called momentum investing. The Funds do not seek to emulate
popular market indexes. The Funds' investment decisions are based upon our
independent, fundamental analyses of businesses. Basics. Company visits;
management, employee, customer and competitor interviews; our opinions of
management talent, integrity, honesty and business strategies; and our
assessments of industry prospects. Baron Funds believe management is a most
critical element in determining the success of a business. We choose to invest
in people, not just in buildings. We believe my long experience as a securities
analyst, as well as the very extensive experience of our three senior analysts,
Cliff Greenberg, Susan Robbins and Morty Schaja, offer our Funds significant
competitive advantage in studying, understanding and analyzing businesses and
their managements.
Once we qualitatively identify great businesses and managements in which we
would like to invest, we value those businesses quantitatively. Baron Funds seek
to purchase either debt or equity issued by companies with compelling investment
characteristics before their business' prospects are widely recognized. The
Funds seek to purchase securities at prices which offer our shareholders the
potential to earn a return of at least 50% over a two year period. (We are
willing to invest in income producing securities such as real estate investment
trusts or convertible bonds which offer us the potential to earn at least 30%
over a two year period. We are willing to accept a lower potential return on
income generating securities because we regard these securities as less risky.)
Of course, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to achieve these results.
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BARON FUNDS INVEST IN GROWING, WELL MANAGED, VERY PROFITABLE BUSINESSES
Baron Funds focus their investments in businesses managed by hardworking,
ethical, entrepreneurial executives. These companies are usually small and
mid-sized. They are nearly always growing their business' value, e.g. earnings,
cash flow or asset value, at least 15-20% per year. These companies are in
emerging, job creating "sunrise" industries, industries in which our children
are likely to work, not industries in which our parents and grandparents were
employed. The Funds currently have significant investments in health care,
education, financial services, government "privatization" services,
communications, media and entertainment, temporary help and other "outsourced"
business services and casino gaming. These industries are favorably impacted by
strong "megatrends," by demographics and legislative initiatives and programs.
These areas of investment focus represent several of our "investment themes."
Because investors have differing investment needs and risk tolerances, we
currently offer two Funds to help them achieve their long term financial goals.
BARON ASSET FUND, A NO-LOAD, SMALL CAP FUND
BARON ASSET FUND, founded June 12, 1987, invests primarily in small and
mid-sized companies. We believe the market is least efficient when valuing
assets and growth prospects of these companies. This is because most investors
and securities analysts are most interested in larger companies. They also seem
to be most interested in current events and company earnings results for the
next three months, information they believe will influence stock prices in the
near term. This provides our Fund with investment opportunity since we focus,
instead, on the prospects for businesses in the long term, e.g. at least three
to five years. Baron Asset Fund is suitable for investors seeking long term
capital appreciation.
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND, A NO-LOAD, GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND, founded January 3, 1995, also invests primarily in
common stocks of well managed, fast growing, small and mid-sized companies. In
addition, it currently invests 30-40% of its assets in convertible debt
securities and dividend paying common stocks which offer both attractive yields
and growth. A large portion of these income producing securities are currently
real estate investment trusts. Baron Growth & Income Fund could achieve higher
returns than most growth and income funds due to its investments in fast growing
smaller companies; it should be less volatile than most small cap growth funds
due to its significant investments in income producing securities. This Fund is
suitable for investors seeking capital appreciation but who desire less risk
than is usually associated with investing in small cap funds.
1996 WAS AN EVENTFUL YEAR FOR BARON FUNDS
Baron Funds performed well in 1996. Assets under management in the Funds
increased substantially during the year. We attribute the increase in
shareholder interest in our Funds to the strong long term performance of our
Funds; the very significant increase in favorable media attention to our Funds;
the very large increase in financial planner interest in our Funds; and, the
ability of investors to conveniently purchase our Funds without any fees through
mutual fund marketplaces, most importantly Charles Schwab's Mutual Fund
OneSource and Fidelity's FundsNetwork. During the year, both our Funds received
a great deal of favorable publicity. Among the most notable were magazine
articles featuring our Funds in Money, Kiplingers, Smart Money, Fortune,
Individual Investor and Mutual Funds Magazine. An October Money article, "Inside
the Mind of a Manager," a six page, study of how we conduct research in order to
identify companies in which to invest, seemed to produce the most
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interest. That magazine's reporter actually spent three days with us, both in
our offices interviewing managements and traveling with us to other cities
visiting companies. We were also the subject of lengthy and favorable articles
in the newspapers Barron's and The Sunday New York Times.
At the start of 1996, Northern Telecom, with the advice of its consultants,
began to include Baron Asset Fund as an option for their employees' 401(k)
plans. Northern Telecom's employees invested more than $70 million last year in
Baron Asset Fund and are now the Fund's largest shareholder. Attendance at the
Fifth Annual Baron Investment Conference on October 18th in New York City by
shareholders and financial planners exceeded 500 persons, nearly double the
attendance last year. Again, shareholders came from both near and far, this year
from as far away as Hawaii. We greatly appreciate your interest. In November,
Baron Asset Fund was included in Schwab's new fund of funds, OneSource
Portfolios. Finally, our Funds continue to be highly ranked by businesses that
study mutual funds, e.g. Morningstar, Lipper Analytical, and Value Line.
OUTLOOK FOR 1997
Although we do not believe it is possible to predict how the stock market will
perform either next year or any other year, we believe our Funds' 1997
investment performance could approximate the profits growth of the businesses in
which we are shareholders. The performance of our stock portfolio investments in
1996, in many instances, did not fully reflect the growth of their underlying
business. In the long term, we believe that prices of securities mirror the
value of their underlying businesses. While the U.S. economy is currently
growing moderately, we expect most companies in which we are shareholders to
achieve strong profits growth in 1997. We are therefore optimistic that 1997
could be another strong year for The Baron Funds. Of course, investing in small
cap stocks is inherently risky. Please see page *** of the prospectus for a
discussion of the investment risks. Our past performance (see pages *** of the
Prospectus) should not be considered a predictor of future results.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONFIDENCE IN BARON FUNDS
Individuals have numerous choices when they decide to invest in mutual funds. In
fact, there are now nearly as many stock mutual funds as there are stocks. We
want to thank our fellow shareholders of Baron Funds for choosing to invest with
us. We also appreciate the interest in Baron Funds shown by many other potential
investors. We want to assure both our new and our long term shareholders that we
will remain disciplined and will continue to work hard to provide superior
returns and service. Please feel free to write of call if you have any questions
or comments. We are looking forward to a successful 1997.
Sincerely,
Ronald Baron
President
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE OF FUND PORTFOLIO AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
Stock Baron Asset Fund Baron Growth &
Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Charles Schwab 6.76% 6.73%
Manor Care 7.79 4.54
Mirage Resorts 0.56 0.44
Robert Half 3.43 1.89
DeVry 1.59 1.40
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</TABLE>
Not part of the Prospectus.
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<CAPTION>
BARON BARON
ASSET GROWTH &
FUND INCOME FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
FUND CATEGORY Small cap fund. Growth and income fund.
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OBJECTIVE Capital appreciation. Capital appreciation with income as a secondary
objective.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTOR PROFILE Long-term growth stock investor. Long-term investor seeking capital appreciation
with less risk.
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STRATEGY Invests in: Similar, except:
small cap companies with $100 - $500 mean market capitalization of companies will
million market values. tend to be somewhat larger than that of Baron
Asset Fund.
mid-sized companies with $500 million - $1.5 significant investments in convertible
billion market values. bonds, dividend paying stocks, real
estate investment trusts and publicly traded
partnerships for income and appreciation.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHILOSOPHY Value orientation towards growth. Similar. In addition, the Fund seeks to research
Not all stocks are efficiently priced. and purchase at attractive
Investors can gain an investment advantage prices debt and dividend paying equity
through intense research. This is especially securities with growth prospects.
true for smaller companies. The Fund seeks
to purchase at attractive prices companies
with compelling investment characteristics
before their growth prospects and assets have
been properly valued by other investors.
</TABLE>
Not part of the Prospectus.
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BARON ASSET FUND
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND
767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153 1-800-99-BARON 212-583-2100
BARON ASSET FUND, started in June of 1987, and BARON GROWTH & INCOME
FUND, started in January of 1995, are no-load, open-end, diversified management
investment companies, commonly referred to as mutual funds. BARON ASSET FUND'S
investment objective is to seek capital appreciation through investments in
securities of small and medium sized companies, with undervalued assets or
favorable growth prospects. BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND'S investment objective is
to seek capital appreciation with income as a secondary objective. Both of these
Funds are described in this Prospectus and are referred to individually as a
"Fund" and collectively as the "Funds."
The Funds are no-load funds. They sell and redeem their shares at net asset
value without any sales charges or redemption fees. The minimum initial
investment is $2,000. There is no minimum for subsequent purchases. The minimum
for purchases made pursuant to the Fund's Automatic Investment Plan is $500 with
a $50 monthly minimum for subsequent purchases.
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the essential information a prospective
investor should know before investing. Investors are advised to read this
Prospectus and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional
Information, dated January 14, 1997, containing additional and more detailed
information about the Funds, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. A copy
of the Statement of Additional Information may be obtained without charge by
writing or calling the Funds at the address and telephone number set forth
above.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
January 14, 1997
- ------------------------------------
1 PROSPECTUS
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
<S> <C>
Fund Expenses 3
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Financial Highlights 4
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Investment Objective and Philosophy 6
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Investment Policies and Risks 7
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Investment Performance 14
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Management of the Fund 15
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Distribution Plan 18
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How to Purchase Shares 18
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How to Redeem Shares 20
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Determining Your Share Price 22
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Dividends and Distributions 23
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Taxes 24
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General Information 25
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Management Discussion and Analysis 26
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</TABLE>
The net asset value per share and the value of a shareholder's holding in the
Funds will vary with economic and market conditions. The dividends paid by each
Fund will increase or decrease in relation to the income received by that Fund
from its investments and the expenses incurred by that Fund.
There is no assurance that the Funds will achieve their respective objectives.
Neither Fund purports to offer a complete investment program to which investors
should commit all of their investment capital. Please see the section entitled
"Investment Policies and Risks" starting on page 7 for a discussion of the risks
associated with the Funds.
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with
the offer contained in the Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or
representations may not be relied upon as authorized by the Funds, their
Investment Adviser or any affiliate thereof. This Prospectus does not constitute
an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy securities in any state
to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such state.
The Funds have registered some or all of the shares intended to be sold pursuant
to this Prospectus under State securities laws.
2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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FUND EXPENSES
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases................ NONE
Redemption Fee................................. NONE
Deferred Sales Load............................ NONE
Exchange Fees.................................. NONE
</TABLE>
There are additional charges associated with retirement accounts and wire
transfers. Purchases and redemptions may also be made through broker-dealers or
others who may charge a commission or other transaction fee for their services.
(See "How to Purchase Shares" and "How to Redeem Shares")
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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TOTAL
MANAGEMENT 12B-1 OTHER OPERATING
FEES FEES EXPENSES EXPENSES
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BARON
ASSET
FUND 1.00% 0.25% 0.15% 1.40%
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BARON
GROWTH
&
INCOME
FUND 1.00% 0.25% 0.29% 1.54%
- ------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
THE EXPENSES SET FORTH IN THE TABLE ABOVE FOR THE FUNDS ARE BASED ON ACTUAL
EXPENSES INCURRED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
EXAMPLE
A Shareholder would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
(1) a 5% annual return, and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
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<CAPTION>
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YEAR 1 3 5 10
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BARON ASSET FUND $14 $44 $ 77 $168
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BARON GROWTH &
INCOME FUND $16 $49 $ 84 $183
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</TABLE>
This information is provided to assist an investor in understanding the various
costs and expenses that an investor will bear, directly or indirectly, as a
shareholder of each of the Funds. This information should not be considered a
representation of past or future expenses, as actual expenses fluctuate and may
be greater or less than those shown. The example assumes a 5% annual return as
required by SEC regulations applicable to all mutual funds. The actual
performance of the Funds will vary and may result in an actual return greater or
less than 5%. The Funds have a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1
pursuant to which the Funds pay the Distributor a fee for distribution-related
services at the annual rate of .25% of the respective Fund's average daily net
assets. As a result, long-term shareholders of the Funds may pay more than the
economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales load permitted by the rules
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). For a
description of the various costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the
Funds, as well as any expense reimbursement or reduction arrangements, see
"Management of the Funds" and "Distribution Plan."
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following tables show, on a per share basis, the changes in net asset value,
total return and ratios/supplemental data for a share of beneficial interest of
the Funds for each period. The information was audited by Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P., the Funds' independent auditors. Their report and the Financial
Statements for the Funds are included in the Funds' Annual Report and the
Statement of Additional Information, which are available from the Distributor.
The following information should be read in conjunction with the Financial
Statements and related notes.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BARON ASSET FUND
Year Ended September 30
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1996 1995 1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $29.30 $22.82 $21.91
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income (Loss) .... (0.06) (0.09) (0.14)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on Investments ....... 6.29 7.23 1.82
------ ------- -----
Total from Investment Operations 6.23 7.14 1.68
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net Investment
Income ........................ 0 0 0
Distributions from Net Realized
Gains ......................... (0.03) (0.66) (0.77)
------ ------- ------
Total Distributions ............. (0.03) (0.66) (0.77)
------ ------- ------
Net Asset Value, End of Year .... $35.50 $29.30 $22.82
------ ------- ------
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TOTAL RETURN .................... 21.3% 32.3% 8.0%
------ ------- ------
------ ------- ------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets (in millions), End of
Year .......................... $1,166.1 $290.0 $80.3
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net
Assets ........................ 1.4% 1.4% 1.6%
Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets .. (0.3%) (0.5%) (0.7%)
Portfolio Turnover Rate ......... 19.3% 35.2% 55.9%
Average per share commission
rate paid*** .................... $0.06
<CAPTION>
BARON ASSET FUND
Year Ended September 30
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1993 1992 1991
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year ...... $16.20 $14.80 $10.88
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income (Loss) ........... (0.13) (0.08) 0.07
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on Investments .............. 6.00 1.52 4.05
------- ------ -------
Total from Investment Operations ....... 5.87 1.44 4.12
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net Investment
Income ............................... 0 (0.04) (0.20)
Distributions from Net Realized
Gains ................................ (0.16) 0 0
------- ------ -------
Total Distributions .................... (0.16) (0.04) (0.20)
------- ------ -------
Net Asset Value, End of Year ........... $21.91 $16.20 $14.80
------- ------ -------
------- ------ -------
TOTAL RETURN ........................... 36.5% 9.7% 38.3%
------- ------ -------
------- ------ -------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets (in millions), End of
Year ................................. $59.9 $43.8 $47.4
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net
Assets ............................... 1.8% 1.7% 1.7%
Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets ......... (0.7%) (0.5%) 0.5%
Portfolio Turnover Rate ................ 107.9% 95.5% 142.7%
Average per share commission
rate paid***
<CAPTION>
BARON ASSET FUND
Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990 1989 1988 1987*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $17.22 $12.98 $11.95 $10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income (Loss) .... 0.21 0.13 0.05 0.07
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on Investments ....... (5.14) 4.81 1.18 1.88
------ ------- ------- ------
Total from Investment Operations (4.93) 4.94 1.23 1.95
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net Investment
Income ........................ (0.16) (0.05) (0.03) 0
Distributions from Net Realized
Gains ......................... (1.25) (0.65) (0.17) 0
------ ------- ------- ------
Total Distributions ............. (1.41) (0.70) (0.20) 0
------ ------- ------- ------
Net Asset Value, End of Year .... $10.88 $17.22 $12.98 $11.95
------ ------- ------- ------
------ ------- ------- ------
TOTAL RETURN .................... (30.7%) 39.9% 10.7% 19.5%
------ ------- ------- ------
------ ------- ------- ------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets (in millions), End of
Year .......................... $40.0 $47.7 $11.7 $3.9
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net
Assets ........................ 1.8% 2.1% 2.5% 2.8%**
Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets .. 1.5% 1.3% 0.5% 1.9%**
Portfolio Turnover Rate ......... 97.8% 148.9% 242.4% 84.7%
Average per share commission
rate paid***
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* For the period June 12, 1987 (commencement of operations) to September 30,
1987.
** Annualized.
*** Disclosure required for fiscal years beginning after September 1, 1995.
BARON ASSET FUND'S Adviser and/or Baron Capital reimbursed Baron Asset Fund for
expenses aggregating $8,561 (less than $.01 per share) in 1990, $27,315 ($.01
per share) in 1989, $83,219 ($.11 per share) in 1988, and $36,330 ($.20 per
share) in 1987. The reimbursement amounts are excluded from the expense data
above to the benefit of the Fund's shareholders. The Distributor may from time
to time voluntarily assume certain Fund expenses while retaining the ability to
be reimbursed by the Fund for those amounts. This has the effect of lowering the
overall expense ratio and of increasing yield to investors, or the converse, at
the time amounts are assumed or reimbursed.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND
Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year ......................... $14.77 $10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income (Loss) .............................. 0.11 0.04
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments . 3.66 4.73
----- ------
Total from Investment Operations .......................... 3.77 4.77
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net Investment Income ...................... (0.04) 0
Distributions from Net Realized Gains ..................... (0.10) 0
----- ------
Total Distributions ....................................... (0.14) 0
------ ------
Net Asset Value, End of Year .............................. $18.40 $14.77
------ ------
------ ------
TOTAL RETURN .............................................. 25.8% 47.7%
------ ------
------ ------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets (in millions), End of Year ..................... $207.2 $28.6
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets ................... 1.5% 2.0%**
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets 1.2% 1.1%**
Portfolio Turnover Rate ................................... 40.3% 40.6%
Average per share commission rate paid*** ................. $ 0.06
- ---------------
* For the period January 3, 1995 (commencement of operations) to September
30, 1995.
** Annualized.
*** Disclosure required for fiscal years beginning after September 1, 1995.
The Fund's Custodian offset custody fees of $12,003 (less than $0.01 per share)
in 1995. The expense offset amount is included in the expense data above. The
Distributor may from time to time voluntarily assume certain Fund expenses while
retaining the ability to be reimbursed by the Fund for those amounts. This has
the effect of lowering the overall expense ratio and of increasing yield to
investors, or the converse, at the time amounts are assumed or reimbursed.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PHILOSOPHY
The investment objective of BARON ASSET FUND is to seek capital appreciation
through investments in securities of small and medium sized companies with
undervalued assets or favorable growth prospects. Production of income, if any,
is incidental to this objective. The investment objective of BARON GROWTH &
INCOME FUND is to seek capital appreciation with income as a secondary
objective. These investment objectives are fundamental and, as such, may not be
changed without the approval of a majority of the respective Fund's outstanding
shares. There is no assurance that the Funds will achieve their investment
objectives. Investment decisions are made by the Funds' investment adviser,
BAMCO, Inc. (the "Adviser").
BARON ASSET FUND seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing its
assets in a diversified portfolio of primarily common stocks. BARON GROWTH &
INCOME FUND seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in equity and
debt securities. Both invest primarily in the securities of small sized
companies with market values of approximately $100 - $750 million and medium
sized companies with market values of $750 million to $2.0 billion, although the
mean market capitalization of BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND'S portfolio will tend
to be higher than BARON ASSET FUND'S. The other kinds of investments each Fund
makes and the risks associated therewith are discussed below in connection with
the Funds' investment policies.
The Funds seek to purchase securities judged by their Adviser to have favorable
price to value characteristics based on the Adviser's assessment of their
prospects for future growth and profitability. The Adviser seeks securities that
the Adviser believes have the potential to increase in value at least 50% over
two subsequent years, although that goal may not be achieved. As a guide in
selecting such investments, the Adviser studies and considers such fundamentals
as business profitability, strong balance sheets, undervalued and unrecognized
assets, low multiples of free cash flow and income, perceived management skills,
unit growth, and the potential to capitalize upon anticipated economic trends.
Securities are selected for investment after thorough research of the issuers,
the industries in which they operate, and their management.
When the Adviser determines that opportunities for profitable investments are
limited or that adverse market conditions exist and believes that investing for
temporary defensive purposes is appropriate, all or a portion of the Funds'
assets may be invested in money market instruments, which include U.S.
Government securities, certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers'
acceptances, short-term investment grade corporate bonds and other short-term
debt instruments, and repurchase agreements. Investment grade obligations would
be classified at the time of the investment within the four highest ratings of
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or Moody's Investor's Service, Inc.
("Moody's"), or, if unrated, would be determined by the Adviser to be of
comparable high quality and liquidity. The Funds may also invest in money market
instruments in anticipation of investing cash positions or of meeting
redemptions. To the extent the Funds are so invested their investment objectives
may not be achieved.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS
BARON ASSET FUND
In seeking its investment objective of capital appreciation, BARON ASSET FUND
invests primarily in common stocks but may also invest in other equity-type
securities such as convertible bonds and debentures, preferred stocks, warrants
and convertible preferred stocks. Securities are selected solely for their
capital appreciation potential, and investment income is not a consideration.
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND seeks capital appreciation and income by investing in
equity and debt securities. The proportion of BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND'S
assets invested in each type of security will vary depending entirely on the
Adviser's view of then-existing investment opportunities and economic
conditions. The Fund will sometimes be more heavily invested in equity
securities and at other times more heavily invested in debt securities. The
portion of the portfolio invested in equity securities is comprised of common
stocks and other equity-type securities such as convertible bonds and
debentures, preferred stocks, warrants and convertible preferred stocks. The
debt security portion of the portfolio includes notes, bonds, and money market
instruments. The debt securities consist of all varieties of corporate debt,
including the debt of financially distressed companies, and debt issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, without
restriction as to duration. Equity securities are purchased for their capital
appreciation potential, but may
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<PAGE>
also be purchased for income purposes because of their dividends. Debt
securities are purchased for both their income potential and their capital
appreciation opportunities.
GENERAL POLICIES
SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED COMPANIES
Both Funds invest primarily in small to medium sized companies with market
values between $100 million and $2.0 billion. The mean market capitalization of
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND'S portfolio will tend to be higher than the mean of
BARON ASSET FUND'S. Although the Adviser believes there is more potential for
capital appreciation in smaller companies, there also may be more risk.
Securities of smaller companies may not be well known to most investors and may
be thinly traded. There is more reliance on the skills of a company's management
and on their continued tenure. Investments may be attractively priced relative
to the Adviser's assessment of a company's growth prospects, management
expertise, and business niche, yet have modest or no current cash flows or
earnings. Although the Adviser concentrates on a company's growth prospects, it
also focuses on cash flow, asset value and reported earnings. This investment
approach requires a long-term outlook and may require shareholders to assume
more risk and to have more patience than investing in the securities of larger,
more established companies. From time to time the Adviser may purchase
securities of larger, more widely followed companies if it believes such
investments meet the Adviser's investment criteria and the Funds' investment
objectives. The Funds will invest in larger companies if the Adviser judges the
securities of smaller companies to be overpriced or where it perceives an
attractive opportunity in a larger company.
Equity securities may fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to
the value of the issuer or its securities. Since convertible securities combine
the investment characteristics of both bonds and common stocks, the Funds absorb
the market risks of both stocks and bonds. The combination does, however, make
the investment less sensitive to interest rate changes than straight bonds of
comparable maturity and quality. Because of these factors, convertible
securities are likely to perform differently than broadly-based measures of the
stock and bond markets.
DEBT SECURITIES
The debt securities in which the Funds may invest include rated and unrated
securities and convertible instruments. In making investment selections, the
Adviser, in addition to using nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations ("NRSROs"), also makes its own independent judgments about a
security and its issuer. BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may invest up to 35% of its
assets in non-investment grade debt securities, commonly referred to as "junk
bonds." Lower rated securities may have a higher yield and the potential for a
greater return than investment grade securities but may also have more risk.
Lower rated securities are generally meant for longer-term investing and may be
subject to certain risks with respect to the issuing entity and to market
fluctuations. The NRSROs may characterize these securities as speculative, with
moderate or little protection as to the payment of interest and principal. See
the Statement of Additional Information for a general description of NRSRO
ratings of debt obligations. The ratings by these NRSROs represent their
opinions as to the quality of the debt obligations which they undertake to rate.
It should be emphasized that ratings are relative and subjective, and although
ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and principal
payments, they do not evaluate the market value risks of these securities. The
Adviser will also evaluate the securities and the ability of the issuers to pay
interest and principal. The Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective
may be more dependent on the Adviser's credit analysis than might be the case
with higher rated securities. The market price and yield of lower rated
securities are generally more volatile than those of higher rated securities.
Factors adversely affecting the market price and yield of these securities will
adversely affect the Fund's net asset value. The trading market for these
securities may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities. Companies
that issue lower rated securities may be highly leveraged or may have unstable
earnings, and consequently the risk of the investment in the securities of such
issuers may be greater than with higher rated securities.
With respect to debt securities generally, the interest bearing features of such
securities carry a promise of income flow, but the price of the securities are
inversely affected by changes in interest rates and are therefore subject to the
risk of market price fluctuations. The market values of debt securities may also
be affected by changes in the credit ratings or financial condition of the
issuers.
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND from time to time may also purchase indebtedness and
participations therein, both secured and unsecured, of debtor companies in
reorganization or financial restructuring. Such indebtedness may be in the form
of loans, notes, bonds or debentures. Participations normally are made available
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
only on a nonrecourse basis by financial institutions, such as banks or
insurance companies, or by governmental institutions, such as the Resolution
Trust Corporation or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation. When the Fund purchases a participation interest
it assumes the credit risk associated with the bank or other financial
intermediary as well as the credit risk associated with the issuer of any
underlying debt instrument. The Fund may also purchase trade and other claims
against, and other unsecured obligations of, such debtor companies, which
generally represent money due a supplier of goods or services to such company.
Some debt securities, purchased by the Fund may have very long maturities. The
length of time remaining until maturity is one factor the Adviser considers in
purchasing a particular indebtedness. The purchase of indebtedness of a troubled
company always involves a risk as to the creditworthiness of the issuer and the
possibility that the investment may be lost. The Adviser believes that the
difference between perceived risk and actual risk creates the opportunity for
profit which can be realized through thorough analysis. There are no established
markets for some of this indebtedness and it is less liquid than more heavily
traded securities. Indebtedness of the debtor company to a bank are not
securities of the banks issuing or selling them. The Fund may purchase loans
from national and state chartered banks as well as foreign ones. The Fund
normally invests in senior indebtedness of the debtor companies, although on
occasion subordinated indebtedness may also be acquired. The Fund may also
invest in distressed first mortgage obligations and other debt secured by real
property. The Fund does not currently anticipate investing more than 5% of the
Fund's assets in trade and other claims.
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may invest in zero-coupon, step-coupon, and
pay-in-kind securities. These securities are debt securities that do not make
regular interest payments. Zero-coupon and step-coupon securities are sold at a
deep discount to their face value; pay-in-kind securities pay interest through
the issuance of additional securities. The market value of these debt securities
generally fluctuates in response to changes in interest rates to a greater
degree than interest-paying securities of comparable term and quality.
OPTIONS
BARON ASSET FUND may, in certain market conditions, use options to defer
recognition of unrealized gains in the portfolio and to take advantage of
perceived investment opportunities. BARON ASSET FUND may write (sell) call
options or buy put options on specific securities BARON ASSET FUND owns where,
in the Adviser's judgment, there may be temporary downward pressure on the
security. The Adviser does not expect options transactions to be a significant
part of BARON ASSET FUND'S investment program. BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may
purchase put and call options and write (sell) covered put and call options on
equity and/or debt securities. A call option gives the purchaser of the options
the right to buy, and when exercised obligates the writer to sell, the
underlying security at the exercise price. A put option gives the purchaser of
the option the right to sell, and when exercised obligates the writer to buy,
the underlying security at the exercise price. The writing of put options will
be limited to situations where the Adviser believes that the exercise price is
an attractive price at which to purchase the underlying security. A put option
sold by BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND would be considered covered by placing cash
or liquid securities in a segregated account with the custodian in an amount
necessary to fulfill the obligation undertaken.
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may engage in options transactions on specific
securities that may be listed on national securities exchanges or traded in the
over-the-counter market. Options not traded on a national securities exchange
are treated as illiquid securities and may be considered to be "derivative
securities." Options transactions will not exceed 25% of BARON GROWTH & INCOME
FUND'S net assets, as measured by the securities covering the options, or 5% of
net assets, as measured by the premiums paid for the options, at the time the
transactions are entered into.
The Funds will engage in options transactions only to the extent permitted by
state securities laws and regulations in states where shares of the Funds are
qualified for offer and sale.
BORROWINGS
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND and BARON ASSET FUND may borrow up to 5% of their
respective net assets for extraordinary or emergency temporary investment
purposes or to meet redemption requests which might otherwise require an
untimely sale of portfolio securities. In addition, BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND
may borrow for other short-term purposes. To the extent a Fund borrows, it must
maintain continuous asset coverage of 300% of the amount borrowed. BARON GROWTH
& INCOME FUND will not borrow in an amount exceeding 25% of the value of its
total assets, including the amount borrowed, as of the time the
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
borrowing is made. Such borrowing has special risks. Any amount borrowed for
leveraging will be subject to interest costs that may or may not exceed the
appreciation of the securities purchased.
As a form of borrowing BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may engage in reverse
repurchase agreements with certain banks or non-bank dealers, where it sells a
security and simultaneously agrees to buy it back later at a mutually agreed
upon price. If it engages in reverse repurchase agreements BARON GROWTH & INCOME
FUND will maintain a segregated account consisting of liquid assets or highly
marketable securities to cover its obligations. Reverse repurchase agreements
may expose the Fund to greater fluctuations in the value of its assets.
SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX
For the purpose of either protecting or deferring unrealized gains on portfolio
securities, BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may make short sales "against the box"
where it sells short a security it already owns or has the right to obtain
without payment of additional consideration an equal amount of the same type of
securities sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be held by the broker until
the settlement date, at which time BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND delivers the
security to close the short position. If the Fund sells securities short against
the box, it may protect unrealized gains, but will lose the opportunity to
profit on such securities if the price rises. BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND will
not sell short against the box in excess of 25% of its net assets.
LENDING
Both of the Funds may lend their portfolio securities to broker-dealers and
other institutions as a means of earning additional income. In lending their
portfolio securities, the Funds may incur delays in recovery of loaned
securities or a loss of rights in the collateral. To minimize such risks, such
loans will only be made if the Funds deem the other party to be of good standing
and determines that the income justifies the risk. Baron Asset Fund will not
lend more than 25% of its total assets and Baron Growth & Income Fund will not
lend more than 25% of its total assets.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
BARON ASSET FUND may invest up to 10%, and BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may invest
up to 15%, of their respective total assets in securities that are not readily
marketable or are otherwise restricted. The absence of a trading market could
make it difficult to ascertain a market value for illiquid positions. A Fund's
net asset value could be adversely affected if there were no ready buyer at an
acceptable price at the time the Fund decided to sell. Time consuming
negotiations and expenses could occur in disposing of the shares.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
BARON ASSET FUND AND BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may invest up to 10% of their
respective total assets directly in the securities of foreign issuers which are
not publicly traded in the U.S. and may also invest in foreign securities in
domestic markets through depositary receipts without regard to this limitation.
The Adviser currently intends to invest not more than 10% of the Funds' assets
in foreign securities, including both direct investments and investments made
through depositary receipts. These securities may involve additional risks not
associated with securities of domestic companies, including exchange rate
fluctuations, political or economic instability, the imposition of exchange
controls, or expropriation or confiscatory taxation. Issuers of foreign
securities are subject to different, often less detailed, accounting, reporting
and disclosure requirements than are domestic issuers.
SHORT-TERM TRADING AND TURNOVER
Both Funds will engage in short-term trading where the Adviser believes that the
anticipated gains outweigh the costs of short-term trading. The Adviser expects
that the average turnover rate of BARON ASSET FUND'S AND BARON GROWTH & INCOME
FUND'S portfolios should not exceed 100%. The turnover rate may vary from year
to year depending on how the Adviser anticipates portfolio securities will
perform. Short-term trading will increase the amount of brokerage commissions
paid by each Fund and the amount of possible short-term capital gains. The
amount of portfolio activity will not be a limiting factor in making portfolio
decisions.
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<PAGE>
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Both Funds may enter into repurchase agreements with certain banks or non-bank
dealers. In a repurchase agreement the Fund buys a security at one price, and at
the time of sale, the seller agrees to repurchase that security at a mutually
agreed upon time and price. Repurchase agreements could involve certain risks in
the event of the failure of the seller to repurchase the securities as agreed,
which may cause a fund to suffer a loss, including loss of interest on or
principal of the security, and costs associated with delay and enforcement of
the repurchase agreement. Repurchase agreements with a duration of more than
seven days are considered illiquid securities and are subject to the
restrictions stated above.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may invest up to 5% of its assets in mortgage-backed
securities that are issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or
instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association and the
Federal National Mortgage Association. Mortgage-backed securities represent
direct or indirect participation in, or are secured by and payable from,
mortgage loans secured by real property. These securities are subject to the
risk that prepayments on the underlying mortgages will cause the principal and
interest on the mortgage-backed securities to be paid prior to their stated
maturities. Mortgage prepayments are more likely to accelerate during periods of
declining long-term interest rates. If a prepayment occurs, BARON GROWTH &
INCOME FUND may have unanticipated proceeds which it may then have to invest at
a lower interest rate, and may be penalized by not having participated in a
comparable security not subject to prepayment.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may invest up to 5% of its assets in debt and equity
securities purchased on a when-issued basis. Although the payment and interest
terms of when-issued securities are established at the time the purchaser enters
into the commitment, the actual payment for and delivery of when-issued
securities generally takes place within 45 days. The Fund bears the risk that
interest rates on debt securities at the time of delivery may be higher or lower
than those contracted for on the when-issued security. Failure of the issuer to
deliver the security purchased on a when-issued basis may result in a loss or
missed opportunity to make an alternative investment.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Both BARON ASSET FUND AND BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may invest in "special
situations." A special situation arises when, in the opinion of the Adviser, the
securities of a company will be recognized and appreciate in value due to a
specific anticipated development at that company. Such developments might
include a new product, a management change, an acquisition or a technological
advancement. Investments in special situations may carry an additional risk of
loss in the event that the anticipated development does not occur or does not
attract the expected attention.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
The investment results of each Fund quoted in advertisements and other sales
literature may refer to average annual total return and actual return. Average
annual total return assumes that an investment in the Fund was purchased with an
initial payment of $1,000 and that the investment was redeemed at the end of a
stated period of time, after giving effect to the reinvestment of all dividends
and distributions during the period at the net asset value on the reinvestment
date. The return is expressed as a percentage rate which, if applied on a
compounded annual basis, would result in the redeemable value of the investment
at the end of the period. Because average annual returns are annualized they
tend to even out variations in the returns, and are not the same as actual
year-by-year results. The actual return performance calculations, which also may
be quoted in advertising, reflect the results of a continuous shareholder who
does not redeem. It measures the percentage change between the net asset value
of a hypothetical $1,000 investment in each Fund at the beginning of a period
and the net asset value of that investment at the end of a period, assuming
reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions at the net asset
value on the reinvestment date. The performance of major market indices such as
the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Russell 2000, and Standard & Poor's 500 may
also be included in advertising so that each Fund's results may be compared with
those of groups of unmanaged securities widely regarded by investors as measures
of market performance. Brokerage fees are not factored into the performance of
the indices. The performance data of the Funds include all recurring fees such
as brokerage and investment advisory fees. Data
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
and rankings from Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., CDA Investment Technologies,
Morningstar or other industry publications may also be used in advertising. See
the Statement of Additional Information.
Performance results represent past performance and are not necessarily
representative of future results. Investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when
redeemed.
The annual report contains additional performance information which is available
upon request without charge by writing or calling the Funds at the address and
telephone number set forth on the cover of this Prospectus.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISER
BAMCO, Inc., the Adviser, is located at 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
10153, and is responsible for portfolio management. It is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Baron Capital Group, Inc. ("BCG"). Baron Capital, Inc. ("Baron
Capital"), a registered broker-dealer and the distributor of the shares of the
Funds, is also a wholly owned subsidiary of BCG.
Under separate Advisory Agreements with each Fund (the "Advisory Agreements"),
the Adviser furnishes continuous investment advisory services and management to
each Fund. Mr. Ronald Baron is the chief investment officer of the Adviser and
is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portfolios of each
Fund. He has managed THE FUND'S portfolios since their inception. The Adviser
also keeps the books of account of each series, and calculates daily the income
and net asset value per share of each Fund.
As compensation for the services rendered under each Advisory Agreement, the
Adviser receives a fee payable monthly from the assets of each Fund equal to 1%
per annum of each Fund's respective average daily net asset value. The advisory
fee is higher than that paid by most investment companies.
BROKERAGE
Brokerage transactions for the Funds are effected chiefly by or through its
Adviser's affiliate, Baron Capital, when consistent with the policy of obtaining
the best net results for the Funds and subject to the conditions and limitations
of the 1940 Act. Baron Capital is a registered broker-dealer and a member of the
NASD. In determining the best net results for the Fund, the Adviser will examine
factors such as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer
spread), size of order, efficiency and reliability of execution. The Funds'
Board of Trustees has adopted procedures in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the
1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to Baron Capital are
reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration
received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving
similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a
comparable period of time. The Funds will also consider sales of their shares as
a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions.
See Statement of Additional Information for a description of the commissions
paid to Baron Capital.
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<PAGE>
TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Funds' Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the management of
the Funds. The Trustees and executive officers of the Funds and their principal
occupations during the last five years are set forth below.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION HELD WITH
NAME AND ADDRESS THE FUNDS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST
FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ronald Baron*+ President & Trustee President and Director of: Baron Capital, Inc.
767 Fifth Avenue (1982-Present), Baron Capital Management, Inc.
New York, NY 10153 (1983-Present), Baron Capital Group, Inc.
(1984-Present), BAMCO, Inc. (1987-Present).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norman S. Edelcup Trustee Chairman, Item Processing of America
244 Atlantic Isle (1989-Present), (financial institution service bureau);
N. Miami Beach, FL 33160 Director, Valhi, Inc. (1975-Present) (diversified
company); Director, Artistic Greetings, Inc.
(1985-Present).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neal M. Elliott Trustee President, Chief Executive Officer and
6001 Indian School Rd., NE Chairman, Horizon/CMS Healthcare Corp.
Albuquerque, NM 87110 (1986-Present) (long-term health care);
Director, LTC Properties, Inc. (1992-Present)
(real estate investment trust); Director,
Frontier Natural Gas Corp. (1991-Present) (oil and
gas exploration).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark M. Feldman Trustee President and Chief Executive Officer, Cold Spring
245 Park Avenue Group, Inc.(1993-Present) (reorganization and
New York, N.Y. 10261 restructuring consulting); Executive Vice President
and Chief Restructuring Officer, Lomas Financial
Corp. and subsidiaries (1995-1996) (reorganizing
debtors-in-possession); Trustee, Aerospace Creditors
Liquidating Trust (1993-Present) (administers and
liquidates assets).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irwin Greenberg Trustee Chairman, Lehigh Valley Hospital Board
3048 Congress Street (1991-Present); Retail Consultant, (1990-Present);
Allentown, PA 18101 Director, Cedar Crest College (1990-Present);
President and Chief Executive Officer, Hess's
Department Stores (1976-1990).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION HELD WITH
NAME AND ADDRESS THE FUNDS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE
YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Linda S. Martinson*+ Secretary, General Counsel, Baron Capital, Inc. (1983 -
767 Fifth Avenue Vice President Present); Secretary and General Counsel,
New York, NY 10153 and Trustee BAMCO, Inc. (1987-Present).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles N. Mathewson Trustee Chairman of the Board, International Game Technology
5270 Neil Road (1986-Present) (manufacturer of
Reno, NV 89502-4169 microprocessor-controlled gaming machines and monitoring
systems).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harold W. Milner Trustee President and Chief Executive Officer, Kahler Realty
20 2nd Avenue, SW Corporation (1985-Present) (hotel ownership and
Rochester, MN 55901 management).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raymond Noveck+ Trustee President, Strategic Systems, Inc. (1990-Present)
31 Karen Road (health care information); Director,
Waban, MA 02168 Horizon/CMS Healthcare Corporation
(1987-Present).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Susan Robbins Vice President Senior Analyst, Vice President, Secretary and Director
767 Fifth Avenue of: Baron Capital, Inc. (1982-Present), Baron Capital
New York, NY 10153 Management, Inc. (1983-Present), Baron Capital Group,
Inc. (1984-Present).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morty Schaja Vice President Managing Director, Vice President, Baron Capital, Inc.
767 Fifth Avenue and Trustee (1991-Present).
New York, NY 10153
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David A. Silverman, M.D. Trustee Physician (1976-Present).
239 Central Park West
New York, NY 10024
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peggy Wong Treasurer and Chief Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Baron Capital,
767 Fifth Avenue Financial Officer Inc. (1987-Present).
New York, NY 10153
- --------------------
</TABLE>
*Trustees deemed to be "interested persons" of the Fund as that term is defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
+Members of the Executive Committee, which is empowered to exercise all of the
powers, including the power to declare dividends, of the full Board of Trustees
when the full Board of Trustees is not in session.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Funds' shares are distributed by Baron Capital, which is the principal
underwriter of the shares of each Fund, pursuant to a distribution plan under
Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act ("Distribution Plan"). The Distribution Plan
authorizes the Fund to pay the Principal Underwriter a distribution fee equal on
an annual basis to 0.25% of each Fund's average daily net assets. The
distribution fee is paid to the Principal Underwriter in connection with its
activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of shares,
including, but not limited to, compensation to registered representatives or
other employees of the Principal Underwriter who engage in or support the
distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts; telephone expenses;
interest expenses; preparing, printing and distributing promotional and
advertising material; preparing, printing and distributing the Prospectus and
reports to other than current shareholders; and commissions and other fees to
broker-dealers or other persons (excluding banks) who have introduced investors
to the Funds. See the Statement of Additional Information for a more detailed
listing of the expenses covered by the Distribution Plan.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Shares of BARON ASSET FUND and BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND are offered without
any sales load. This means you may purchase, redeem, or exchange shares directly
without paying a sales charge. An application is included with this prospectus.
A special application is required to open an individual retirement account
("IRA"). Purchase applications are subject to acceptance by the Funds and the
Funds reserve the right to reject any purchase application in whole or part. All
purchase payments will be invested in full and fractional shares at a price
based on the next calculation of net asset value after the order is received by
the transfer agent. See "Net Asset Value."
The minimum initial investment is $2,000 unless you choose to invest through the
Baron InvestPlan (see below). There is no minimum for subsequent purchases.
Shareholders who are employees of the Adviser or its affiliates and their
immediate families are not subject to the minimums. The Fund may redeem the
shares of any shareholder who has an account balance of less than $2,000. See
"How to Redeem Shares."
At present, only U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens with a tax identification
number who reside in the U.S., may purchase shares of the Funds. Please call the
Funds' transfer agent at 1-800-442-3814, if you have any questions.
No certificates will be issued except upon written request, and no certificates
are issued for fractional shares. The Funds' transfer agent establishes an
account for each shareholder to which all shares purchased are credited,
together with any dividends and capital gain distributions which may be paid in
additional shares. Whenever a transaction occurs in a shareholder's account, the
transfer agent will mail a statement showing the transaction and the status of
the account.
You may invest the following ways:
BY MAIL
To open a new account send your signed application form with your check payable
to BARON FUNDS to:
Baron Funds
P.O. Box 419946
Kansas City, MO 64141-6946
Please make sure you indicate how much money you want invested in which Fund.
Checks must be payable in U.S. dollars and must be drawn on a U.S. bank. Third
party checks, credit cards and cash will not be accepted.
When making subsequent investments, complete the additional investment form
provided at the bottom of your account statement or purchase confirmation. If
you do not have that form, write a note indicating in which Baron Fund the
investment should go and the account number. Send it to the address above.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BY WIRE
You can make your initial or subsequent investments in the Funds by wire. To do
so: (1) contact the Funds' transfer agent, DST Systems, Inc., at 1-800-442-3814
to obtain an account number. (2) Complete and sign the application form and mail
it to Baron Funds, P.O. Box 419946, Kansas City, MO 64141-6946. (3) Instruct
your bank to wire funds to the United Missouri Bank of Kansas City, N.A., ABA
No. 1010-0069-5, Account No. 98-7037-101-4. (4) Be sure to specify the following
information in the wire: (a) Fund you are buying, (b) your account number, (c)
your name, and (d) your wire number.
Please be sure to include your name and account number. The Fund will not be
responsible for the consequences of delays in the wiring process.
BY TELEPHONE
Once your account is open you may make subsequent investments by telephone and
exchange between the Funds if you have elected that option on the application.
By choosing this option you authorize Baron Funds to draw on your bank account.
Please note that your accounts must be identically registered. To add this
option to your account, call 1-800-442-3814 for the forms.
BARON INVESTPLAN
Baron InvestPlan is an automatic investment plan offered by the Funds. The
minimum initial investment is $500 with monthly investments of as little as $50
automatically invested from your checking account. To enroll in the Baron
InvestPlan, complete the Enrollment Form (available by calling 1-800-99-BARON),
attach a voided check and mail them to Baron Funds, P.O. Box 419946, Kansas
City, MO 64141-6946.
THROUGH BROKER-DEALERS
You may purchase shares of the Funds through a broker-dealer or other financial
institution that may charge a transaction fee. Investors should be aware that if
you purchase the shares directly from the Funds, no transaction fee is charged.
The Funds will effect purchase orders through broker dealers at the net asset
value next determined after the Fund has received the order from the
broker-dealer.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
Shares of the Funds may be redeemed by any of the methods described below. If
you are selling shares in an IRA account please read the information in the IRA
kit.
BY MAIL
Shares may be sold by executing a written request for redemption, as described
below, and mailing the request to Baron Funds, P.O. Box 419946, Kansas City, MO
64141-6946.
The redemption request must specify the name of the Fund, the number of shares,
or dollar amount, to be redeemed and the account number. The request must be
signed in exactly the same way the account is registered, including the
signature of each joint owner, if applicable. A signature guarantee is required
for redemptions greater than $25,000. See the "Special Information About
Redemptions" section below. If any certificates have been issued for shares that
are included in the redemption request, the certificates must be presented in
properly endorsed form. Within three days after receipt of a redemption request
by the transfer agent in proper form, the Fund will normally mail you the
proceeds.
BY TELEPHONE
If you have selected the telephone redemption option when you opened your
account, you may redeem your shares by telephone. To add this option to your
account call 1-800-442-3814 for a telephone redemption form. Once made, your
telephone request cannot be modified or canceled. The minimum amount that you
may redeem by telephone is $1,000. The maximum amount that you may redeem by
telephone in any quarter is $25,000. You may receive the proceeds by any one of
the following methods: (a) we will mail a check to the address to which your
account is registered, (b) we will transmit the proceeds by Electronic Funds
Transfer to a pre-authorized
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
bank account (usually a two banking day process), or (c) we will wire the
proceeds to a pre-authorized bank account for a $10.00 fee (usually a next
banking day process).
The Funds reserve the right to refuse a telephone redemption if they believe it
advisable to do so. Investors will bear the risk of loss from fraudulent or
unauthorized instructions received over the telephone provided that the Fund
reasonably believes that such instructions are genuine. The Funds and their
transfer agent employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, including recording telephonic
instructions and sending written confirmations. The Funds may incur liability if
they do not follow these procedures.
BY BROKER-DEALER
You may redeem shares through broker-dealers or other institutions who may
charge you a fee.
SPECIAL INFORMATION ABOUT REDEMPTIONS
If the amount to be redeemed is greater than $25,000, all of the signatures on a
redemption request and/or certificate must be guaranteed by an "eligible"
guarantor. A signature guarantee is a widely accepted way to protect you and the
Funds by verifying the signature on your request. The Funds will honor a
signature guarantee from acceptable financial institutions such as banks, trust
companies, savings and loan associations, credit unions and broker-dealers. A
notary public is not an acceptable guarantor. No signature guarantee is required
for redemptions of $25,000 or less, per quarter, if proceeds are sent to the
address of record.
A corporate resolution, specifying the authorized signatory and containing the
corporate seal, is required for corporations that are redeeming. Further
documentation may be requested from corporations, administrators, executors,
trustees, custodians, or others who hold shares in a fiduciary or representative
capacity to evidence the authority of the person or entity making the request.
If there are any questions concerning the required documentation, the transfer
agent should be contacted in advance at 1-800-442-3814. Redemptions will not be
effective or complete until all of the foregoing conditions, including receipt
of all required documentation by the transfer agent, have been satisfied.
If you have recently purchased shares please be aware that your redemption
request may not be honored until the purchase check has cleared your bank, which
generally occurs within ten calendar days. Upon receipt of a redemption request
in proper form, the shares will be redeemed at their next computed net asset
value following receipt of redemption requests by the transfer agent. The net
asset value of shares on redemption may be more or less than the investor's cost
depending on the market value of the Fund's portfolio securities at the time of
redemption. A redemption of shares is a taxable event that may result in
recognition of a gain or loss for tax purposes.
The Funds may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment
beyond three days during any period when (a) the New York Stock Exchange is
closed other than customary weekend and holiday closings; (b) trading on the New
York Stock Exchange is restricted; (c) the Securities and Exchange Commission
has by order permitted such suspension; or (d) an emergency, as defined by rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, exists as a result of
which disposal of portfolio securities or determination of the value of the
Funds' net assets is not reasonably practicable.
If you redeem more than $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of a Fund during
any 90-day period, the Fund has the right to pay the redemption price, either
totally or partially, by a distribution of portfolio securities instead of cash.
The securities distributed in such a distribution would be valued at the same
amount as that assigned to them in calculating the net asset value for the
shares being redeemed or repurchased. If shares are redeemed in kind, the
redeeming investor may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to
cash.
The Trustees may, in order to reduce the expenses of the Funds, redeem all of
the shares of any shareholder whose account, due to the redemption of shares,
has a net asset value of less than $2,000. The Funds will give 60 days' prior
written notice to shareholders whose shares are being redeemed to allow them to
purchase sufficient additional shares of the Funds to avoid such redemption.
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DETERMINING YOUR SHARE PRICE
Your purchases, sales or exchanges will be processed at the net asset value per
share of the Fund as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (the
"Exchange") (currently 4:00 p.m., New York City time) on each day that the
Exchange is open for trading by dividing the current market value of the Fund's
total assets less all of its liabilities by the total number of shares
outstanding at the time the determination is made. Valid purchase and redemption
orders placed prior to the close of the Exchange on a day the Exchange is open
for trading are executed at the net asset value determined as of the close that
day, and orders placed after that time are valued as of the close of the next
trading day. The Funds may have arrangements with certain institutional entities
with respect to the actual receipt of orders. The Funds reserve the right to
change the time at which orders are priced if the Exchange closes at a different
time or an emergency exists.
The Funds' portfolio securities traded on any national stock exchange or quoted
on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued on the basis of the last sale
price on the date of valuation or, in the absence of any sale on that date, the
last sale price on the date the security last traded. Other securities are
valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices if market quotations
are readily available. Where market quotations are not readily available the
securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the
Board of Trustees, although the actual calculations may be done by others. Money
market instruments and debt securities with a remaining maturity of sixty days
or less are valued by the amortized cost method unless such method does not
represent fair value. Odd lot differentials and brokerage commissions are
excluded in calculating net asset value. Securities quoted in a foreign currency
are valued daily in U.S. dollars at the foreign currency exchange rates that are
prevailing at the time the daily net asset value per share is determined. If
events that materially affect the value of a Fund's foreign investments occur,
the investments will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
by the Board of Trustees.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income and realized
capital gains, if any, to its shareholders in a single, combined distribution by
December 31 of each year. After every distribution, the value of a share is
automatically reduced by the amount of the distribution. You may elect to have
all your dividends and capital gains distributions from the Funds automatically
reinvested in additional shares of that Fund at the next computed net asset
value at the close of business on the payment date. You may, instead, elect to
receive your distributions in cash, which the Fund will pay by either crediting
your bank account by Electronic Funds Transfer or issuing a check to you within
five business days of the reinvestment date. If no election is made all
distributions will automatically be reinvested in shares of the Fund. You may
change your election by notifying the Fund in writing prior to the record date
for a particular distribution. There are no charges in connection with the
reinvestment of distributions.
TAXES
Each Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). Qualification as a regulated
investment company relieves the Fund of federal income and excise taxes on the
portion of its net ordinary income and net realized capital gain distributed to
shareholders.
You are subject to federal income tax at ordinary income tax rates on any
dividends derived from net investment income and distributions of net short-term
capital gains, whether received in cash or in additional shares. A portion of
such dividends received by corporate shareholders may qualify for the
dividends-received deduction. Distributions of net capital gain (the excess of
net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) are taxable to
you as long-term gains regardless of how long you have held your Fund shares.
Dividends and distributions declared by the Fund may also be subject to state
and local taxes.
If you purchase shares shortly before a distribution, you must pay income taxes
on the distribution, even though the value of your investment (plus cash
received, if any) remains the same. The share price at the time of your purchase
may include unrealized gains in the securities held in the investment portfolio
of that Fund. If these portfolio securities are subsequently sold and the gains
are realized, they will (to the extent not offset by capital loses) be paid to
you as a distribution of capital gains and be taxable to you.
The Fund will be required to withhold 31% of all dividends, distributions and
redemption proceeds if you do not provide the Fund with your valid social
security or taxpayer identification number or are otherwise subject to
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
backup withholding. In addition to the 31% backup withholding, your account will
be charged $50 to reimburse the Fund for any penalty that the IRS imposes on the
Fund for your failure to provide the required information.
Each shareholder will receive information annually on Form 1099 as to the
federal income tax status of all dividends and other distributions paid or
deemed paid to them for the year.
The foregoing is only a summary of some important tax considerations generally
affecting the Funds and their shareholders. Prospective shareholders are urged
to consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of this
investment.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Funds are organized as diversified open-end management investment companies
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") as two series
of Baron Asset Fund, a Massachusetts business trust organized under the laws of
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 19, 1987. The Funds are each
authorized to issue an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest. The
Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to establish additional series. Each
share of a Fund has one vote on all matters for which a shareholder vote is
required, and participates equally in dividend and capital gain distributions
when and if declared by the Fund and in the Fund's net assets upon liquidation.
Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and there are no preemptive, conversion
or exchange rights. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights and, as a
result, holders of at least 50% of the shares voting for Trustees can elect all
Trustees and the remaining shareholders would not be able to elect any Trustees.
As a Massachusetts business trust, annual shareholder meetings are not required.
Shareholders have certain rights, as set forth in the Declaration of Trust,
including the right to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting
on the removal of one or more Trustees on the written request of not less than
10% of the outstanding shares. Such removal can be effected upon the action of
two-thirds of the outstanding shares.
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND AGENT
The Bank of New York, 48 Wall Street, New York, New York 10015 is the custodian
for the Funds' cash and securities. DST Systems, Inc. serves as transfer agent
and dividend disbursing agent for the shares. In their respective capacities
both institutions maintain certain financial and accounting records pursuant to
agreements with the Funds. They do not assist in and are not responsible for
investment decisions involving assets of the Funds.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
All shareholder inquiries regarding account information or transactions should
be directed to DST Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 419946, Kansas City, MO 64141-6946,
or by telephone to 1-800-442-3814.
Shareholder inquiries about general Fund information should be directed to the
Funds' office at 1-800-99-BARON or 212-583-2100.
Shareholders will be provided semi-annual unaudited and annual audited reports,
including a listing of portfolio securities held. A single copy of each report
will be mailed to an address at which more than one registered shareholder with
the same last name (except nominees) has indicated mail is to be delivered,
unless a shareholder requests otherwise.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
BARON ASSET FUND
Baron Asset Fund performed well in the fiscal year ended September 39, 1996,
both absolutely and relative to other equity funds and market averages. The
Fund's one year performance of 21.3% was better than its 17.9% average annual
performance since its inception almost ten years ago. Baron Asset Fund ranks
among the top 2% of all taxable equity funds since its inception in June 1987,
according to Lipper Analytical data.
[GRAPH]
Although the Fund performed well during the year, performance was not uniform
throughout the year nor was the performance uniform across all areas of
investment. Baron Asset Fund began the fiscal year under-performing the market
averages in the December 1995 quarter, significantly outperformed the market
averages in the March and June quarters of 1996, and then closed the year
under-performing the market averages in the September 1996 quarter. The Fund's
approach to analyzing the long term prospects of businesses leaves it
susceptible to short periods of under- performance when other investors focus on
short term events and ignore the positive long term prospects of businesses that
our research has identified. After a period of negative returns and under-
performance for the last five months, the portfolio seems attractively priced
relative to the fundamental performance of the companies in which we are
invested, and we are well-positioned for relatively good performance in 1997.
The performance of the Fund was not uniform across sectors. The Fund performed
well with its investments in Amusement & Recreation, Business Services,
Education, Government Services, Media & Entertainment and Retail Stores.
However, the Fund did not perform well with its investments in Communications,
Financial Services and Health Care Services. While the stock prices of these
investments did not perform well during the year, in most cases the fundamentals
of these businesses were strong and these industries that under-performed last
year represent significant opportunities for the Fund in the upcoming year.
Baron Asset Fund concentrates its investments in small and mid sized companies.
During the year the performance of market averages that represent this universe
of smaller companies significantly under-performed the market averages that
represent more established large cap companies. We believe that in the
slow-growth environment that we anticipate for 1997, investors should be willing
to pay a premium for those companies that can grow at above average rates and
small cap stocks should do well in this environment after under-performing in
1996.
In fiscal year 1997, the Fund will continue to invest in companies that are
undervalued, with significant growth prospects and increasing profitability. The
companies will continue to be identified through our independent research
efforts. Companies in which we invest will have the potential to increase in
price at least 50% over the next two years. The Fund will remain diversified not
only by industry and by investment theme, but also by external factors that we
have identified that could affect company performance. This approach to
investing in companies, and not trading in stocks, should allow the Fund to
continue to produce above average rates of return with an attractive risk
profile. We are looking forward to a successful 1997.
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND
Baron Growth & Income Fund performed well in the fiscal year ended September 30,
1996, both absolutely and relative to other equity funds and the market
averages. The Fund is the number one ranked growth & income fund since its
inception on January 3, 1995, according to Lipper Analytical data.
The Fund's strong performance can be attributed to its investment strategy of
allocating approximately 60% of its portfolio to rapidly growing, well managed,
very profitable small-cap companies that are attractively priced, and the
remaining 40% to value oriented, income producing securities, also principally
of smaller companies.
[GRAPH]
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<PAGE>
The growth component of the Fund performed well with its investments in
Amusement & Recreation, Business Services, Education, Government Services and
Retail Stores. The Fund's investments in Communications and Health Care Services
under-performed the Fund overall and provide opportunities for strong
performance in 1997.
The income component of the Fund performed well with its heavy allocation of, on
average, nearly 23% of the portfolio in REITs. The REIT portion of the Fund
gained 26.5% for the year. The combination of strong performance from this
income component and substantial current income provided the Fund with very
attractive relative risk characteristics for a fund that is mostly invested in
small cap companies.
In fiscal year 1997, the Fund's portfolio should continue to be structured as it
was in fiscal year 1996. Approximately 40% of the portfolio will likely remain
invested in income producing securities. We currently expect that more than half
of this portfolio segment will be invested in REITs. We expect the income
component of the Fund to produce annual returns of approximately 15%. This is a
combination of attractive yields and moderate business growth. The growth
component of the portfolio, like that of Baron Asset Fund, will be fully
invested in stocks that have the potential to appreciate in value at least 50%
during the next two years.
The Fund's portfolio is well positioned to offer attractive returns by investing
in small cap companies with significant growth potential, while mitigating risk
because of the cushion provided by its investments in income-producing
securities. We are looking forward to a successful 1997.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
(Please consult the Prospectus for more detailed information)
BY MAIL
To open a new account send your application form with your check payable to:
Baron Funds
P.O. Box 419946
Kansas City, MO 64141-6946
When making subsequent investments, complete the additional investment form
provided at the bottom of your account statement or purchase confirmation, or
write a note indicating in which Baron Fund the investment should go and the
account number.
BY TELEPHONE
Once your account is open you may make subsequent investments by telephone and
exchange between the Funds if you have elected that option on the application.
By choosing this option you authorize Baron Funds to draw on your bank account.
Please note that your accounts must be identically registered. To add this
option to your account, call 1-800-442-3814 for the forms.
BY WIRE
You can make your initial or subsequent investments in the Funds by wire. To do
so: (1) contact the Funds' transfer agent, DST Systems, Inc., at 1-800-442-3814
to obtain an account number. (2) Complete the application form and mail it to:
Baron Funds
P.O. Box 419946
Kansas City, MO 64141-6946
(3) Instruct your bank to wire funds to the United Missouri Bank of Kansas City,
N.A., ABA No. 1010-0069-5, Account No. 98-7037-101-4. (4) Be sure to specify the
following information in the wire: (a) Fund you are buying, (b) your account
number, (c) your name, and (d) your wire number.
BY BROKER-DEALERS
You may purchase shares of the Funds through a broker-dealer or other financial
institution that may charge a transaction fee. Investors should be aware that if
you purchase the shares directly from the Funds, no transaction fee is charged.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
(Please consult the Prospectus for more detailed information)
Shares may be sold by executing a written request for redemption, as described
below, and mailing the request to:
Baron Funds
P.O. Box 419946
Kansas City, MO 64141-6946
The redemption request must specify the name of the Fund, the number of shares,
or dollar amount, to be redeemed and the account number.
BY TELEPHONE
If you have selected the telephone redemption option when you opened your
account, you may redeem up to $25,000 per quarter by telephone. To add this
option to your account call 1-800-442-3814 for a telephone redemption form. Once
made, your telephone request cannot be modified or canceled. The minimum amount
that you may redeem by telephone is $1,000.
BY WIRE
To have redeemed shares wired to you please call 1-800-442-3814 for
instructions.
BY BROKER-DEALERS
You may redeem shares through broker-dealers or other institutions who may
charge you a fee.
SPECIAL INFORMATION ABOUT REDEMPTIONS
If the amount to be redeemed is greater than $25,000, all of the signatures on a
redemption request and/or certificate must be guaranteed by an "eligible"
guarantor. Corporations and other entities may have additional requirements.
Not part of the Prospectus.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BARON ASSET FUND
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153
(800) 99-BARON
212-583-2100
----------
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
January 14, 1997
----------
BARON ASSET FUND is a no-load, open-end, diversified management
investment company organized as a series fund with two series currently
available (individually a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds"): BARON ASSET
FUND, started in June of 1987, and BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND, started in
January of 1995. BARON ASSET FUND'S investment objective is to seek capital
appreciation through investments in securities of small and medium sized
companies with under valued assets or favorable growth prospects. BARON GROWTH &
INCOME FUND'S investment objective is to seek capital appreciation with income
as a secondary objective.
----------
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and is only
authorized for distribution when preceded or accompanied by the Funds'
prospectus dated January 14, 1997 as amended or supplemented from time to time
(the "Prospectus"). This Statement of Additional Information contains additional
and more detailed information than that set forth in the Prospectus and should
be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. Additional copies of the Prospectus
may be obtained without charge by writing or calling the Funds at the address
and telephone number set forth above.
No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this
Statement of Additional Information or in the related Prospectus, in connection
with the offer contained herein, and, if given or made, such other information
or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the
Funds or the Distributor. This Statement of Additional Information and the
related Prospectus do not constitute an offer by the Funds or by the Distributor
to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any of the securities offered
hereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such
offer in such jurisdiction.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page in
Statement
of
Additional Page in
Information Prospectus
----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Investment Objectives and Policies................. 3 6
Investment Restrictions.................... 3
Short Sales Against the Box................ 7 11
Option Transactions........................ 8 10
Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts 10 10
Depository Receipts........................ 11 12
Medium and Lower Rated Corporate Debt Securities... 12 8
Turnover Rate.............................. 14 12
Management of the Funds
Board of Trustees and Officers............. 15 16
Principal Holders of Shares................ 17
Investment Adviser......................... 17 15
Distributor................................ 19 18
Distribution Plan.......................... 20 18
Brokerage.................................. 23 15
Custodian, Transfer Agent and
Dividend Agent............................. 26 25
Redemption of Shares............................... 26 20
Net Asset Value.................................... 26 22
Taxes ........................................... 27 24
Organization and Capitalization.................... 28 25
General.................................... 28 25
Shareholder and Trustee Liability.......... 28
Other Information.................................. 29 25
Independent Accountants.................... 29 4
Calculation of Performance Data............ 29 14
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The following information supplements the discussion of the Funds'
investment objectives and policies set forth on pages 6-14 of the Prospectus.
Unless otherwise specified, the investment programs and restrictions are not
fundamental policies. Such operating policies are subject to change by the
Fund's Board of Trustees without the approval by the shareholders. Shareholders
will, however, be notified prior to any material changes. Fundamental policies
may be changed only with the approval of a majority of the Funds' outstanding
voting securities.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
BARON ASSET FUND and BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND have adopted the
following investment restrictions, which include those described in the
Prospectus. These restrictions represent fundamental policies of the Funds and
may not be changed without the approval of the Funds' shareholders. Unless
otherwise noted, all percentage restrictions are as of the time of the
investment after giving effect to the transaction.
BARON ASSET FUND may not:
1. Issue senior securities except in connection with any permitted
borrowing where the Fund is deemed to have issued a senior
security;
2. Borrow money except from banks for temporary purposes in an
amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund's total assets less
liabilities at the time the borrowing is made;
3. Purchase securities on margin except for short-term credit
necessary for the clearance of portfolio transactions;
4. Make short sales of securities, maintain a short position, write
put options or buy futures contracts;
5. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts;
6. Purchase or sell real estate or real estate mortgage loans or
invest in the securities of real estate companies unless such
securities are publicly traded;
3
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
7. Invest in oil, gas or mineral-related programs or leases;
8. Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in any one
industry, except investments in U.S. government securities;
9. Purchase the securities of any one issuer other than the U.S.
government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, if
immediately after such purchase more than 5% of the value of the
Fund's total assets would be invested in such issuer or the Fund
would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer, except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's
total assets may be invested without regard to the 5% and 10%
limitations;
10. Invest more than 10% of the value of the Fund's assets in
securities which are restricted or not readily marketable or in
repurchase agreements maturing or terminable in more than seven
days;
11. Invest in securities of other open end investment companies
(except in connection with a merger, consolidation or other
reorganization and except for the purchase of shares of
registered open-end money market mutual funds if double advisory
fees are not assessed), invest more than 5% of the value of the
Fund's total assets in more than 3% of the total outstanding
voting securities of another investment company or more than 10%
of the value of the Fund's total assets in securities issued by
other investment companies;
12. Participate on a joint, or a joint and several, basis in any
securities trading account;
13. Underwrite securities of other issuers;
14. Make loans to other persons, except up to 10% of the value of the
Fund's total assets in loans of portfolio securities and except
to the extent that the purchase of publicly traded debt
securities and the entry into repurchase agreements in accordance
with the Fund's investment objective and policies may be deemed
to be loans;
15. Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any portfolio securities owned or
held by the Fund, except as may be necessary in connection with
permitted borrowing;
16. Invest more than 5% of its total assets in warrants to purchase
common stock;
17. Purchase securities of any issuer with a record of less than
three years' continuous operation, including predecessors, except
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
4
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<PAGE>
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, if such purchase
would cause the investments of the Fund in all such issuers to
exceed 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; or
18. Purchase or retain any securities of an issuer any of whose
officers, directors, trustees or security holders is an officer
or Trustee of the Fund, or is a member, officer or Director of
the Adviser, if after the purchase of the securities of such
issuer by the Fund one or more of such persons owns beneficially
more than 1/2 of 1% of the shares or securities, or both, all
taken at market value, of such issuer, and such persons owning
more than 1/2 of 1% of such shares or securities together own
beneficially more than 5% of such shares or securities, or both,
all taken at market value.
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may not:
1. Issue senior securities or borrow money or utilize leverage in
excess of 25% of its net assets (plus 5% for emergency or other
short-term purposes) from banks from time to time.
2. Except as described in the prospectus, engage in short-sales,
purchase securities on margin or maintain a net short position.
3. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts except for
hedging purposes and in conformity with regulations of the
Commodities Futures Trading Commission such that the Fund would
not be considered a commodity pool.
4. Purchase or sell oil and gas interests or real estate. Debt or
equity securities issued by companies engaged in the oil, gas or
real estate business are not considered oil or gas interests or
real estate for purposes of this restriction. First mortgage
loans and other direct obligations secured by real estate are not
considered real estate for purposes of this restriction.
5. Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in any one
industry, except investments in U.S. government securities.
6. Purchase the securities of any one issuer other than the U.S.
government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, if
immediately after such purchase more than 5% of the value
5
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<PAGE>
of the Fund's total assets would be invested in such issuer or
the Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer, except that up to 25% of the value of
the Fund's total assets may be invested without regard to the 5%
and 10% limitations.
7. Underwrite securities of other issuers.
8. Make loans, except to the extent the purchase of debt obligations
of any type (including repurchase agreements and corporate
commercial paper) are considered loans and except that the Fund
may lend portfolio securities to qualified institutional
investors in compliance with requirements established from time
to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
securities exchanges where such securities are traded.
9. Participate on a joint, or a joint and several, basis in any
securities trading account.
10. Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets, except as may
be necessary in connection with options, loans of portfolio
securities, or other permitted borrowings.
11. Purchase securities of any issuer with a record of less than
three years' continuous operations, including predecessors,
except obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or
its agencies or instrumentalities, if such purchase would cause
the investments of the Fund in all such issuers to exceed 5% of
the value of the total assets of the Fund.
12. Invest more than 15% of its assets in restricted or illiquid
securities, including repurchase agreements maturing in more than
seven days.
As a non-fundamental policy, BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND will not:
1. Invest in securities of other registered investment companies
(except in connection with a merger, consolidation or other
reorganization and except for the purchase of shares of
registered open-end money market funds if double advisory fees
are not assessed), invest more than 5% of the value of the Fund's
total assets in more than 3% of the total outstanding voting
securities of another investment company or more than 10% of the
value of the Fund's total assets in securities issued by other
investment companies.
2. Invest more than 5% of its total assets in warrants to purchase
common stock.
6
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3. Purchase the securities of any issuer of which any officer or
director of the Fund owns 1/2 of 1% of the outstanding securities
or in which the officers and directors in the aggregate own more
than 5%.
The Securities and Exchange Commission currently requires that the
following conditions be met whenever portfolio securities are loaned: (1) the
Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral from the borrower; (2) the
borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the
securities rises above the level of such collateral; (3) the Fund must be able
to terminate the loan at any time; (4) the Fund must receive reasonable interest
on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the
loaned securities, and any increase in market value; (5) the Fund may pay only
reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan; and (6) while voting
rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, the Fund's trustees
must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities if a
material event adversely affecting the investment occurs. These conditions may
be subject to future modifications. The portfolios of the Funds are valued every
day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
With respect to investments in warrants, the Funds will not invest in
excess of 2% of the value of the particular Fund's net assets in warrants that
are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchanges. Warrants are
essentially options to purchase equity securities at a specified price valid for
a specific period of time. Their prices do not necessarily move parallel to the
prices of the underlying securities. Warrants have no voting rights, receive no
dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may sell short "against the box" to protect
or defer an unrealized gain in a security. At the time of the short sale, the
Fund will either own or have the unconditional right to acquire at no additional
cost the identical security sold short. The Fund may use this technique in
connection with convertible securities as well as common stock. The Fund may
have to pay a fee to borrow securities, which would partially offset any gain
thereon.
7
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OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
BARON ASSET FUND may write (sell) call options and purchase put options,
and BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may purchase or write put or call options. The
purpose of writing covered call options is to reduce the effect of price
fluctuations of the securities owned by the Fund (and involved in the options)
on the Fund's net asset value per share.
A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a
premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation, when exercised, to
buy, the underlying security, at the exercise price. For instance, the Fund's
purchase of a put option on a security might be designed to protect its holdings
in the underlying security against a substantial decline in the market value by
giving the Fund the right to sell such security at the exercise price. A call
option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right
to buy, and the seller if exercised, the obligation to sell, the underlying
security at the exercise price. The Fund's purchase of a call option on a
security might be intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price
of the underlying security that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing
the price at which it may purchase such security or to limit the loss to the
extent of the premium for a security it might otherwise purchase. An American
style put or call option may be exercised at any time during a fixed period
while a European style put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration
or during a fixed period prior thereto, and the Funds may engage in either style
option. The Funds are authorized to engage in transactions with respect to
exchange-listed options and over-the-counter options ("OTC options").
Exchange-listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the
Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), which guarantees the performance of the
obligations of the parties to such options. The discussion below uses the OCC as
an example, but is also applicable to other financial intermediaries.
With certain exceptions, OCC-issued and exchange-listed options
generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security, although in
the future cash settlement may become available. Rather than taking or making
delivery of the underlying security through the process of exercising the
option, listed options are usually closed by entering into offsetting purchase
or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the new option.
The Fund's ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of
an OCC or exchange-listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the
liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for
8
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<PAGE>
the absence of a liquid option market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient
trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed
by an exchange; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed
with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities
including reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal
operations of the OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an
exchange or OCC to handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or
more exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or
series of options), in which event the relevant market for that option on that
exchange would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange
would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. The
hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours during which
the underlying instruments are traded. To the extent that the option markets
close before the markets for the underlying instruments, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected
in the option markets.
OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial
institutions or other parties ("Counterparties") through direct bilateral
agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange-listed options, which
generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an
OTC option, including terms such as method of settlement, term, exercise price,
premium, guarantees and security, are negotiated by the parties. The Funds
expect generally to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions,
although they are not required to do so.
Unless the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or
guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty fails to
make or take delivery of the security, or other instrument underlying an OTC
option it has entered into with a Fund or fails to make a cash settlement
payment due in according with the option, the Fund will lose any premium it paid
for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction.
Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of each such
Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty's credit
to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be satisfied.
The Funds will engage in OTC option transactions only with United States
securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as
"primary dealers" or broker dealers, domestic or foreign banks or other
financial institutions which have received (or the guarantors of the obligations
of which have received) a short-term credit rating of "A-1" from Standard &
Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or "P-1" from Moody's Investor Services ("Moody's")
or an equivalent rating from any nationally
9
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<PAGE>
recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO"). The staff of the SEC
currently takes the position that OTC options purchased by a fund, and portfolio
securities "covering" the amount of the fund's obligation pursuant to an OTC
option sold by it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if
any,) are illiquid, and are subject to a fund's limitations on investments in
illiquid securities.
If a Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as
a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in the
value of the underlying securities in its portfolio or will increase the Fund's
income. The sale of put options can also provide income.
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may purchase and sell call options, and BARON
ASSET FUND may sell options, on corporate debt securities and equity securities
(including convertible securities). All calls sold by the Funds must be
"covered" (i.e., a Fund must own the underlying securities) or must meet the
asset segregation requirements described below as long as the call is
outstanding. Even though a Fund will receive the option premium to help protect
it against loss, a call sold by a Fund exposes that Fund during the term of the
option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market
price of the underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold
a security or instrument which it might otherwise have sold.
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may purchase and sell put options, and BARON
ASSET FUND may buy put options, on corporate debt securities and equity
securities (including convertible securities). All put options must be covered.
In selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the
underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.
USE OF SEGREGATED AND OTHER SPECIAL ACCOUNTS
Many hedging transactions, in addition to other requirements, require
that a Fund segregate liquid high grade assets with its custodian to the extent
Fund obligations are not otherwise "covered" through ownership of the underlying
security or instrument. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by
the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by
the securities or instruments required to be delivered, or, subject to any
regulatory restrictions, an amount of cash or liquid high grade securities at
least equal to the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the
custodian. The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent
assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate
them. For example, a call option written by the Fund will require that
10
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<PAGE>
Fund to hold the securities subject to the call (or securities convertible into
the needed securities without additional consideration) or to segregate liquid
high grade securities sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the
call is exercised. A put option written requires that the Fund segregate liquid,
high grade assets equal to the exercise price. Hedging transactions may be
covered by other means when consistent with applicable regulatory policies.
OTC options entered into by a Fund will generally provide for cash
settlement. As a result, when the Fund sells these instruments it will only
segregate an amount of assets equal to its accrued net obligations, as there is
no requirement for payment or delivery of amounts in excess of the net amount.
These amounts will equal 100% of the exercise price in the case of a noncash
settled put, the same as an OCC guaranteed listed option sold by the Fund, or
the in-the-money amount plus any sell-back formula amount in the case of a
cash-settled put or call. OCC-issued and exchange-listed options sold by a Fund
other than those above generally settle with physical delivery, or with an
election of either physical delivery, or cash settlement and the Fund will
segregate an amount of assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC options
settling with physical delivery, or with an election of either physical delivery
or cash settlement, will be treated the same as other options settling with
physical delivery.
DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS
The Funds may invest in securities commonly known as American Depository
Receipts ("ADRs"), and in European Depository Receipts ("EDRs") or other
securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are certificates
issued by a United States bank or trust company and represent the right to
receive securities of a foreign issuer deposited in a domestic bank or foreign
branch of a United States bank and traded on a United States exchange or in an
over-the-counter market. EDRs are receipts issued in Europe generally by a
non-U.S. bank or trust company that evidence ownership of non-U.S. or domestic
securities. Generally, ADRs are in registered form and EDRs are in bearer form.
There are no fees imposed on the purchase or sale of ADR's or EDRs although the
issuing bank or trust company may impose on the purchase of dividends and the
conversion of ADRs and EDRs into the underlying securities. Investment in ADRs
has certain advantages over direct investment in the underlying non-U.S.
securities, since (i) ADRs are U.S. dollar denominated investments which are
easily transferable and for which market quotations are readily available
11
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and (ii) issuers whose securities are represented by ADRs are subject to the
same auditing, accounting and financial reporting standards as domestic issuers.
EDRs are not necessarily denominated in the currency of the underlying security.
MEDIUM AND LOWER RATED CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND may invest in securities that are rated in
the medium to lowest rating categories by S&P and Moody's, some of which may be
known as "junk bonds." The Fund will invest in securities of distressed issuers
when the intrinsic values of such securities have, in the opinion of the
Adviser, warranted such investment. Corporate debt securities rated Baa are
regarded by Moody's as being neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Interest payments and principal security appears adequate to Moody's for the
present, but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be
characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such securities are
regarded by Moody's as lacking outstanding investment characteristics and having
speculative characteristics. Corporate debt securities rated BBB are regarded by
S&P as having adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Such
securities are regarded by S&P as normally exhibiting adequate protection
parameters, although adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal
for securities in this rating category than in higher rated categories.
Corporate debt securities which are rated B are regarded by Moody's as
generally lacking characteristics of the desirable investment. In Moody's view,
assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of
the security over any long period of time may be small. Corporate debt
securities rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are regarded by S&P on balance as
predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. In S&P's view,
although such securities likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk
exposures to adverse conditions. BB and B are regarded by S&P as indicating the
two lowest degrees of speculation in this group of ratings. Securities rated D
by S&P or C by Moody's are in default and are not currently performing.
The Fund will rely on the Adviser's judgment, analysis and experience in
evaluating debt securities. Ratings by S&P and Moody's evaluate only the safety
of principal and interest payments, not market value
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risk. Because the creditworthiness of an issuer may change more rapidly than is
able to be timely reflected in changes in credit ratings, the Adviser monitors
the issuers of corporate debt securities held in the Fund's portfolio. The
credit ratings assigned by a rating agency to a security is a factor considered
by the Adviser in selecting a security, but the intrinsic value in light of
market conditions and the Adviser's analysis of the fundamental values
underlying the issuer are of more significance. Because of the nature of medium
and lower rated corporate debt securities, achievement by the Fund of its
investment objective when investing in such securities is dependent on the
credit analysis of the Adviser. If the Fund purchased primarily higher rated
debt securities, risks would be substantially reduced.
A general economic downturn or a significant increase in interest rates
could severely disrupt the market for medium and lower grade corporate debt
securities and adversely affect the market value of such securities. Securities
in default are relatively unaffected by such events or by changes in prevailing
interest rates. In addition, in such circumstances, the ability of issuers of
medium and lower grade corporate debt securities to repay principal and to pay
interest, to meet projected business goals and to obtain additional financing
may be adversely affected. Such consequences could lead to an increased
incidence of default for such securities and adversely affect the value of the
corporate debt securities in the Fund's portfolio. The secondary market prices
of medium and lower grade corporate debt securities are less sensitive to
changes in interest rates than are higher rated debt securities, but are more
sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments.
Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on rational
analysis, may also affect the value and liquidity of medium and lower grade
corporate debt securities, although such factors also present investment
opportunities when prices fall below intrinsic values. Yields on debt securities
in the portfolio that are interest rate sensitive can be expected to fluctuate
over time. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty and changes in interest
rates can be expected to have an impact on the market price of any medium to
lower grade corporate debt securities in the portfolio and thus could have an
effect on the net asset value of the Fund if other types of securities did not
show offsetting changes in values. The secondary market value of corporate debt
securities structured as zero coupon securities or payment-in-kind securities
may be more volatile in response to changes in interest rates than debt
securities which pay interest periodically in cash. Because such securities do
not pay current interest, but rather, income is accrued, to the extent that the
Fund does not have available cash to meet distribution requirements
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with respect to such income, it could be required to dispose of portfolio
securities that it otherwise would not. Such disposition could be at a
disadvantageous price. Investment in such securities also involves certain tax
considerations.
To the extent that there is no established market for some of the medium
or low grade corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest, there may
be thin or no trading in such securities and the ability of the Adviser to value
accurately such securities may be adversely affected. Further, it may be more
difficult for the Fund to sell securities for which no established retail market
exists as compared with securities for which such a market does exist. During
periods of reduced market liquidity and in the absence of readily available
market quotations for medium and lower grade corporate debt securities held in
the Fund's portfolio, the responsibility of the Adviser to value the Fund's
securities becomes more difficult and the Adviser's judgment may play a greater
role in the valuation of the Fund's securities due to a reduced availability of
reliable objective data. To the extent that the Fund purchases illiquid
corporate debt securities or securities which are restricted as to resale, the
Fund may incur additional risks and costs. Illiquid and restricted securities
may be particularly difficult to value and their disposition may require greater
effort and expense than more liquid securities. A Fund may be required to incur
costs in connection with the registration of restricted securities in order to
dispose of such securities, although under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933 certain securities may be determined to be liquid pursuant to procedures
adopted by the Fund's Board of Trustees under applicable guidelines.
TURNOVER RATE
The adviser expects that the average annual turnover rate of the
portfolio of BARON ASSET FUND should not exceed 100% and of BARON GROWTH &
INCOME FUND should not exceed 150%. A portfolio turnover rate of 100% would
occur if all the securities in the portfolio were replaced in a one year period.
The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of portfolio
purchases or sales by the average monthly value of portfolio securities,
excluding short term securities. For the year ended September 30, 1996, Baron
Asset Fund's portfolio turnover was 19% and Baron Growth & Income Fund's
portfolio turnover was 40%. For the year ended September 30, 1995, BARON ASSET
FUND'S portfolio turnover was 35%. For the period January 3, 1995 (commencement
of operations) to September 30, 1995, BARON GROWTH & INCOME'S portfolio turnover
was 41% (54% on an annualized basis). The turnover rate fluctuates depending on
market conditions.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees and executive officers of the Funds and their principal
occupations during the last five years are set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION HELD PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS WITH THE FUND DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ---------------- ------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ronald Baron *+ President and President and Director of: Baron
767 Fifth Avenue Trustee Capital, Inc. (1982-Present), Baron
New York, NY 10153 Capital Management, Inc. (1983-
Present), Baron Capital Group, Inc.
(1984-Present), BAMCO, Inc. (1987-
Present).
Norman S. Edelcup Trustee Chairman, Item Processing of
244 Atlantic Isle America (1989-Present), (financial
N. Miami Beach, FL 33160 institution service bureau); Director,
Valhi Inc. (1975-Present) (diversified
company); Director, Artistic
Greetings, Inc. (1985-Present).
Neal M. Elliott Trustee President, Chief Executive Officer
6001 Indian School Road, NE and Chairman, Horizon/CMS
Albuquerque, NM 87110 Healthcare Corp. (1986-Present)
(long term health care); Director,
LTC Properties, Inc.(1992-Present)
(real estate investment trust);
Director, Frontier Natural Gas Corp.
(1991-Present) (oil
and gas exploration).
Mark M. Feldman Trustee President and Chief Executive
245 Park Avenue Officer, Cold Spring Group, Inc.
New York, NY 10261 (1993-Present) (reorganization and
restructuring consulting); Executive Vice
President and Chief Restructuring
Officer, Lomas Financial Corp. and
subsidiaries (1995-1996) (reorganizing
debtors- in-possession); Trustee,
Aerospace Creditors Liquidating Trust
(1993- Present) (administers and
liquidates assets).
Irwin Greenberg Trustee Chairman, Lehigh Valley Hospital
3048 Congress Street Board (1991-Present); Retail
Allentown, PA 18101 Consultant, (1990-Present); Director,
Cedar Crest College (1990-Present);
President and Chief Executive
Officer, Hess's Department Stores
(1976-1990).
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION HELD PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME AND ADDRESS WITH THE FUND DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ---------------- ------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Linda S. Martinson *+ Secretary, General Counsel, Baron Capital, Inc.
767 Fifth Avenue Vice President, and (1983-Present); Secretary and
New York, NY 10153 Trustee General Counsel, BAMCO, Inc.
(1987-Present).
Charles N. Mathewson Trustee Chairman of the Board, International
5270 Neil Road Game Technology (1986-Present)
Reno, NV 89502-4169 (manufacturer of microprocessor-
controlled gaming machines and
monitoring systems).
Harold W. Milner Trustee President and Chief Executive
20 Second Avenue, SW Officer, Kahler Realty Corporation
Rochester, MN 55901 (1985-Present) (hotel ownership and
management).
Raymond Noveck + Trustee President, Strategic Systems, Inc.
31 Karen Road (1990-Present) (health care
Waban, MA 02168 information); Director, Horizon/CMS
Healthcare Corporation (1987-
Present).
Susan Robbins Vice President Senior Analyst, Vice President,
767 Fifth Avenue Secretary and Director of: Baron
New York, NY 10153 Capital, Inc. (1982-Present), Baron
Capital Management, Inc. (1984-
Present), Baron Capital Group, Inc.
(1984-Present).
Morty Schaja Vice President Managing Director, Vice President,
767 Fifth Avenue and Trustee Baron Capital, Inc. (1991-Present).
New York, NY 10153
David A. Silverman, M.D. Trustee Physician (1976-Present).
239 Central Park West
New York, NY 10024
Peggy Wong Treasurer and Treasurer and Chief Financial
767 Fifth Avenue Chief Financial Officer, Baron Capital, Inc.
New York, NY 10153 Officer (1987-Present).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Trustees deemed to be "interested persons" of the Fund as that term is
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
+ Members of the Executive Committee, which is empowered to exercise all
of the powers, including the power to declare dividends, of the full
Board of Trustees when the full Board of Trustees is not in session.
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<PAGE>
The Trustees who are not affiliated with or interested persons of the
Funds' investment adviser receive fees of $5,000 annually plus an attendance fee
of $500 for each meeting attended in person ($250 for telephone participation).
The Trustees who are interested persons of the Funds' investment adviser receive
no compensation from the Funds. As indicated in the above table, certain
Trustees and officers also hold positions with the Funds' adviser and
distributor.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SHARES
As of December 20, 1996, the following persons were known to the Funds
to be the record or beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding
securities of the Funds:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BARON ASSET BARON GROWTH
FUND & INCOME FUND
----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 52.1% 49.5%
National Financial Services Corp. 9.9% 17.1%
Bankers Trust Co. 5.3%
</TABLE>
All of the above record owners are brokerage firms or trust companies that hold
stock for the benefit of their respective customers. As of December 31, 1996,
all of the officers and Trustees of BARON ASSET FUND as a group beneficially
owned directly or indirectly 0.56% of BARON ASSET FUND'S outstanding shares and
0.74% of Baron Growth & Income Fund's outstanding shares.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The investment adviser to the Funds is BAMCO, Inc. (the "Adviser"), a
New York corporation with its principal offices at 767 Fifth Avenue, New York,
N.Y. 10153 and a subsidiary of Baron Capital Group, Inc. ("BCG"). Mr. Ronald
Baron is the controlling stockholder of BCG and is BAMCO's chief investment
officer. Mr. Baron has over 25 years of experience as a Wall Street analyst and
has managed money for others for over 20 years. He has been a participant in
Barron's Roundtable and has been a featured guest on Wall Street Week, CNN and
CNBC/FNN. Pursuant to separate Advisory Agreements with each Fund (the "Advisory
Agreement"), the Adviser furnishes continuous investment advisory services and
management to each Fund, including making the day-to-day investment decisions
and arranging portfolio transactions for the
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Funds subject to such policies as the Trustees may determine. BARON ASSET FUND
incurred advisory expenses of $6,923,899 for the year ended September 30, 1996;
$1,549,306 for the year ended September 30, 1995; and $674, 234 for the year
ended September 30, 1994. BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND incurred advisory expenses
of $994,621 for the year ended September 30, 1996; and $60,398 for the period
January 3, 1995 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 1995.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, at its own expense and
without reimbursement from the Funds, furnishes office space and all necessary
office facilities, equipment and executive personnel for managing the Funds, and
pays the salaries and fees of all officers and Trustees who are interested
persons of the Adviser.
The Funds pay all operating and other expenses not borne by the Adviser
such as audit, accounting and legal fees; custodian fees; expenses of
registering and qualifying its shares with federal and state securities
commissions; expenses in preparing shareholder reports and proxy solicitation
materials; expenses associated with each Fund's shares such as dividend
disbursing, transfer agent and registrar fees; certain insurance expenses;
compensation of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Adviser; and
other miscellaneous business expenses. The Funds also pay the expenses of
offering the shares of each respective Fund, including the registration and
filing fees, legal and accounting fees and costs of printing the prospectus and
related documents. Each Fund also pays all taxes imposed on it and all brokerage
commissions and expenses incurred in connection with its portfolio transactions.
Ronald Baron is the controlling stockholder, President and a Director of
BCG. The Adviser utilizes the staffs of Baron Capital and Baron Capital's
subsidiary Baron Capital Management, Inc. ("BCM") to provide research.
Directors, officers or employees of the Adviser and/or its affiliates may also
serve as officers or Trustees of the Fund. BCM is an investment adviser to
institutional and individual accounts. Clients of BCM and Baron Capital have
investment objectives which may vary only slightly from those of each other and
of the Fund. BCM and Baron Capital invest assets in such clients' accounts and
in the accounts of principals and employees of BCM and Baron Capital in
investments substantially similar to, or the same as, those which constitute the
principal investments of the Fund. When the same securities are purchased for or
sold by the Fund and any of such other accounts, it is the policy of the
Adviser, BCM and Baron Capital to allocate such transactions in a manner deemed
equitable by the Adviser, and for the Adviser's, BCM's and Baron Capital's
18
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
principals and employees to take either the same or least favorable
price of the day.
Each Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund may use "Baron" as part
of its name for so long as the Adviser serves as investment adviser to that
Fund. Each Fund acknowledges that the word "Baron" in its name is derived from
the name of the entities controlling, directly and indirectly, the Adviser,
which derive their name from Ronald Baron; that such name is the property of the
Adviser and its affiliated companies for copyright and/or other purposes; and
that if for any reason the Adviser ceases to be that Fund's investment adviser,
that Fund will promptly take all steps necessary to change its name to one that
does not include "Baron," absent the Adviser's written consent.
Each Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall have no
liability to that Fund or its shareholders for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by that Fund; provided, that the Adviser shall
not be protected against liabilities arising by virtue of willful misfeasance,
bad faith or gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the Adviser's
obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
The Advisory Agreement with respect to BARON ASSET FUND was approved by
a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
"interested persons" (as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940
Act")) on May 11, 1987. The Advisory Agreement with respect to BARON GROWTH &
INCOME FUND was approved by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of
the non- interested Trustees, on October 21, 1994. BARON GROWTH & INCOME'S
Advisory Agreement is for an initial two year period but the Advisory Agreements
must normally be approved annually by the Trustees or a majority of the
particular Fund's shares and by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties
to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party. Such approval
for 1996 was approved at a Board of Trustees meeting held on April 16, 1996.
Each Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by either the Fund
(when authorized by majority vote of either its outstanding shares or the
Trustees) or the Adviser on 60 days' written notice. Each Advisory Agreement
shall automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment" (as defined by
1940 Act).
DISTRIBUTOR
The Funds have a distribution agreement with Baron Capital, Inc.,
("Baron Capital" or the "Distributor") a New York corporation and a subsidiary
of BCG (controlled by Ronald Baron), located at 767 Fifth Avenue,
19
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<PAGE>
New York, N.Y. 10153. Baron Capital is affiliated with the Adviser. The
Distributor acts as the agent for the Funds for the continuous public offering
of their shares on a best efforts basis pursuant to a distribution plan adopted
under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act ("Distribution Plan").
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Distribution Plan authorizes the Funds to pay the Distributor a
distribution fee equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of the Funds' average daily
net assets. The fee was reduced to 0.25% from 0.50% on July 12, 1993. The
distribution fee is paid to the Distributor in connection with its activities or
expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of shares, including, but not
limited to, compensation to registered representatives or other employees of the
Distributor; compensation to and expenses of employees of the Distributor who
engage in or support the distribution of shares or who service shareholder
accounts; telephone expenses; interest expenses; preparing, printing and
distributing promotional and advertising material; preparing, printing and
distributing the Prospectus and reports to other than current shareholders; and
commissions and other fees to broker-dealers or other persons (excluding banks)
who have introduced investors to the Fund.
If and to the extent the expenses listed below are considered to be
primarily intended to result in the sale of shares within the meaning of Rule
12b-1, they are exempted from the limits set forth above: (a) the costs of
preparing, printing or reproducing and mailing all required reports and notices
to shareholders; (b) the costs of preparing, printing or reproducing and mailing
all proxy statements and proxies (whether or not such proxy materials include
any item relating to or directed toward the sale of shares); (c) the costs of
preparing, printing or reproducing and mailing all prospectuses and statements
of additional information; (d) all legal and accounting fees relating to the
preparation of any such report, prospectus, and proxy materials; (e) all fees
and expenses relating to the qualification of the Funds and/or their shares
under the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of any jurisdiction; (f) all fees under
the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, including fees in connection with
any application for exemption relating to or directed toward the sale of Shares;
(g) all fees and assessments, if any, of the Investment Company Institute or any
successor organization, whether or not its activities are designed to provide
sales assistance; (h) all costs of preparing and mailing confirmations of shares
sold or redeemed and reports of share balances; (i) all costs of responding to
telephone or mail
20
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<PAGE>
inquiries of shareholders or prospective shareholders.
The Distribution Plan requires that while it is in effect the
Distributor report in writing, at least quarterly, the amounts of all
expenditures, the identity of the payees and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made for the preceding fiscal quarter.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, BARON ASSET FUND paid
distribution fees to the Distributor of $1,730,975 (an additional $696,333 was
incurred but not paid pursuant to the 0.25% limitation), and BARON GROWTH &
INCOME FUND paid distribution fees to the Distributor of $248,655 (an additional
$90,398 was incurred but not paid pursuant to the 0.25% limitation). The
distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996 with respect to the Funds were as follows:
(a) Advertising $ 4,548
(b) Printing and mailing of prospectuses to other
than current shareholders 560,132
(c) Compensation paid or to be paid to sales
personnel 1,552,617
(d) Other 649,064
Trustees of the Funds who were not interested persons of the Funds had
no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution
Plan or the Distribution Agreement. Ronald Baron, an interested person of the
Funds, the Adviser and the Distributor, had such an interest.
BARON ASSET FUND received net proceeds of approximately $1,084,669,617
from sales of its shares during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. The
cost of shares redeemed by the Fund during such year was approximately
$305,341,662. BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND received net proceeds of approximately
$203,482,737 from sales of its shares for the fiscal year ended September
30,1996. The cost of shares redeemed by the Fund during such period was
approximately $43,883,283.
The Distribution Plan has been approved by the Funds' Board of Trustees,
including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds
and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the
Distribution Plan or in any agreements related thereto. In approving the
Distribution Plan, the Trustees considered various factors and determined that
there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Funds and their
shareholders.
21
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<PAGE>
Baron Capital is authorized to make payments to authorized dealers,
banks and other financial institutions who have rendered distribution assistance
and ongoing shareholder support services, shareholder servicing assistance or
record keeping. Certain states may require that any such person be registered as
a dealer with such state. The Funds may execute portfolio transactions with and
purchase securities issued by depository institutions that receive payments
under the Distribution Plan. No preference will be shown in the selection of
investments for the instruments of such depository institutions. Baron Capital
may also retain part of the distribution fee as compensation for its services
and expenses in connection with the distribution of shares.
Baron Capital anticipates that its actual expenditures will
substantially exceed the distribution fee received by its during the early years
of the Funds, and that in later years its expenditures may be less than the
distribution fee, thus enabling Baron Capital to realize a profit in those
years. For example, if a Fund's average daily net asset value were $2 million,
even if Baron Capital incurred $50,000 of distribution expenses, it would
receive only $10,000 as its fee. Alternatively, if, the Fund's daily average net
assets were $25 million, and Baron Capital incurred $60,000 of distribution
expenses, it would receive $125,000 as its fee giving Baron Capital a $65,000
profit. If the Distribution Plan is terminated, the Funds will owe no payments
to Baron Capital other than any portion of the distribution fee accrued through
the effective date of termination but then unpaid.
Unless terminated in accordance with its terms, the Distribution Plan
shall continue in effect until, and from year to year thereafter if, such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by its Trustees and by a
majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have
no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution
Plan or in any agreements related thereto, such votes cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of such vote.
The Distribution Plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a
majority of the members of the Funds' Board of Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Funds and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreements related thereto or by
the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares. The Distribution Plan may not
be amended to increase materially the amount of payments to be made without the
approval of a majority of the shareholders. All material amendments must be
approved by a vote of the Trustees and of the Trustees who are not interested
persons
22
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
of the Funds and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation
of the Distribution Plan or in any agreements related thereto, such votes cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of such vote.
The Glass-Steagall Act and other applicable laws, among other things,
prohibit banks from engaging in business of underwriting, selling or
distributing securities. Accordingly, the Distributor will enter into agreements
with banks only to provide administrative assistance. However, changes in
federal or state statues and regulations pertaining to the permissible
activities of banks and their affiliates, as well as judicial or administrative
decisions or interpretations could prevent a bank from continuing to perform all
or a part of the contemplated services. If a bank were prohibited from so
acting, the Trustees would consider what actions, if any, would be necessary to
continue to provide efficient and effective shareholder services. It is not
expected that shareholders would suffer any adverse financial consequences as a
result of these occurrences.
BROKERAGE
The Adviser is responsible for placing the portfolio brokerage business
of the Funds with the objective of obtaining the best net results for the Funds,
taking into account prompt, efficient and reliable executions at a favorable
price. Brokerage transactions for the Funds are effected chiefly by or through
the Adviser's affiliate, Baron Capital, when consistent with this objective and
subject to the conditions and limitations of the 1940 Act. Baron Capital is a
member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., but is not a
member of any securities exchange.
The Funds' Board of Trustees has adopted procedures pursuant to Rule
17e-1 of the 1940 Act which are reasonably designed to provide that the
commissions paid to Baron Capital are reasonable and fair compared to the
commission, fee or other enumeration received by other brokers in connection
with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or
sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time. The Board
reviews no less frequently than quarterly that all transactions effected
pursuant to Rule 17e-1 during the preceding quarter were effected in compliance
with such procedures. The Funds and the Adviser furnish such reports and
maintain such records as required by Rule 17e-1. The Funds do not deal with
Baron Capital in any portfolio transaction in which Baron Capital acts as
principal.
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<PAGE>
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, of the total $1,576,882
brokerage commissions paid by BARON ASSET FUND and BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND,
$1,383,564 brokerage commissions were paid to Baron Capital. The brokerage
commissions paid to Baron Capital represent 87.7% of the aggregate dollar amount
of brokerage commissions paid and 58.4% of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions involving the payment of commissions for the 1996 fiscal year. For
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995, of the total $369,753 brokerage
commissions paid by the Funds, $341,336 in brokerage commissions were paid to
Baron Capital. The brokerage commissions paid to Baron Capital represent 92.3%
of the aggregate dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid and 89.0% of the
aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of commissions for
the 1995 fiscal year. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, of the total
$131,851 in brokerage commissions paid by BARON ASSET FUND, $118,918 in
brokerage commissions were paid to Baron Capital. The brokerage commissions paid
to Baron Capital represent 90.2% of the aggregate dollar amount of brokerage
commissions paid and 89.9% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions
involving the payment of commissions for BARON ASSET FUND for the 1994 fiscal
year.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreements and as permitted by Section
28(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Adviser may cause the
Funds to pay a broker-dealer (except Baron Capital) which provides brokerage and
research services to the Adviser an amount of commission for effecting a
securities transaction for the Funds in excess of the amount other
broker-dealers would have charged for the transaction if the Adviser determines
in good faith that the greater commission is consistent with the Funds' policies
and is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by the executing broker-dealer viewed in terms of either a
particular transaction or the Adviser's overall responsibilities to the Funds or
to its other clients. The term "brokerage and research services" includes advice
as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or
selling securities, and the availability of securities or of purchasers or
sellers of securities; furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers,
industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the
performance of accounts; and effecting securities transactions and performing
functions incidental thereto such as clearance and settlement. Such research and
information may be used by the Adviser or its affiliates to supplement the
services it is required to perform pursuant to the Advisory Agreement in serving
the Funds and/or other advisory clients of affiliates.
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<PAGE>
Broker-dealers may be willing to furnish statistical research and other
factual information or services to the Adviser for no consideration other than
brokerage or underwriting commissions. Securities may be bought or sold through
such broker-dealers, but at present, unless otherwise directed by the Funds, a
commission higher than one charged elsewhere will not be paid to such a firm
solely because it provided research to the Adviser. Research provided by brokers
is used for the benefit of all of the Adviser's or its affiliates' clients and
not solely or necessarily for the benefit of the Funds. The Adviser's investment
management personnel attempt to evaluate the quality of research provided by
brokers. Results of this effort are sometimes used by the Adviser as a
consideration the in the selection of brokers to execute portfolio transactions.
Baron Capital acts as broker for, in addition to the Funds, accounts of
BCM and Baron Capital, including accounts of principals and employees of Baron
Capital, BCM and the Adviser. Investment decisions for the Funds for investment
accounts managed by BCM and for accounts of Baron Capital are made independent
of each other in light of differing considerations for the various accounts. The
same investment decision may, however, be made for two or more of the Adviser's,
BCM's and/or Baron Capital's accounts. In such event, simultaneous transactions
are inevitable. Purchases and sales are averaged as to price where possible and
allocated to account in a manner deemed equitable by the Adviser in conjunction
with BCM and Baron Capital. This procedure could have a detrimental effect upon
the price or value of the security for the Funds, but may have a beneficial
effect.
The investment advisory fee that the Funds pay to the Adviser is not
reduced as a consequence of the Adviser's receipt of brokerage and research
services. To the extent the Funds' portfolio transactions are used to obtain
such services, the brokerage commissions paid by the Funds will exceed those
that might otherwise be paid by an amount that cannot be presently determined.
Such services would by useful and of value to the Adviser in serving both the
Funds and other clients and, conversely, such services obtained by the placement
of brokerage business of other clients would by useful to the Adviser in
carrying out its obligations to the Funds.
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<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND AGENT
The Bank of New York, 48 Wall Street, New York, NY, is the custodian for
the Funds' cash and securities. DST Systems, Inc., CT-7 Tower, 1004 Baltimore,
Kansas City, MO 64105, is the transfer agent and dividend agent for the Funds'
shares. Neither institution assists in or is responsible for investment
decisions involving assets of the Funds. Both institutions are responsible for
the maintenance of the Funds' portfolios and general accounting records, and
provide certain shareholder services.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The Funds expect to make all redemptions in cash, but have reserved the
right to make payment, in whole or in part, in portfolio securities. Payment
will be made other than all in cash if the Funds' Board of Trustees determines
that economic conditions exist which would make payment wholly in cash
detrimental to a particular fund's best interests. Portfolio securities to be so
distributed, if any, would be selected in the discretion of the Funds' Board of
Trustees and priced as described under "Determining Your Share Price" herein and
in the Prospectus.
NET ASSET VALUE
As more fully set forth in the Prospectus under "Determining Your Share
Price," the net asset value per share of each Fund is determined as of the close
of the New York Stock Exchange on each day that the Exchange is open. The
Exchange is open all week days that are not holidays, which it announces
annually. The most recent announcement states it will not be open on New Year's
Day, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Securities traded on more than one national securities exchange are
valued at the last sale price of the day as of which such value is being
determined as reflected at the close of the exchange which is the principal
market for such securities.
U.S. Government obligations and other debt instruments having sixty days
or less remaining until maturity are stated at amortized cost. Debt instruments
having a greater remaining maturity will be valued at the highest bid price from
the dealer maintaining an active market in that security or on the basis of
prices obtained from a pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees.
26
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<PAGE>
TAXES
Each Fund intends to qualify every year as a "regulated investment company"
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code").
Qualification as a regulated investment company relieves the Funds of Federal
income taxes on the portion of their net investment income and net realized
capital gains distributed to shareholders. The Funds intend to distribute
virtually all of their net investment income and net realized capital gains at
least annually to their respective shareholders.
A non-deductible 4% excise tax will be imposed on a Fund to the extent
that it does not distribute (including declaration of certain dividends), during
each calendar year, (i) 98% of its ordinary income for such calendar year, (ii)
98% of its capital gain net income (the excess of short and long term capital
gain over short and long term capital loss) for each one-year period ending
October 31 and (iii) certain other amounts not distributed in previous years.
Shareholders will be taxed during each calendar year on the full amount of such
dividends distributed (including certain declared dividends not actually paid
until the next calendar year).
For Federal income tax purposes, distributions paid from net investment
income and from any net realized short-term capital gains are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income, whether received in cash or in additional
shares. Distributions paid from net capital gains are taxable as long-term
capital gains, whether received in cash or shares and regardless of how long a
shareholder has held the shares, and are not eligible for the dividends received
deduction. Distributions of investment income (but not distributions of
short-term or long-term capital gains) received by shareholders will qualify for
the 70% dividends received deduction available to corporations to the extent
designated by the Fund in a notice to each shareholder. Unless all of a Fund's
gross income constitutes dividends from domestic corporations qualifying for the
dividends received deduction, a portion of the distributions of investment
income to those holders of that Fund which are corporations will not qualify for
the 70% dividends received deduction. The dividends received deduction for
corporate holders maybe further reduced if the shares with respect to which
dividends are received are treated as debt-financed or deemed to have been held
for less than forty-six (46) days.
The Funds will send written notices to shareholders regarding the
Federal income tax status of all distributions made during each calendar year as
ordinary income or capital gain and the amount qualifying for the 70% dividends
received deduction.
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The foregoing relates to Federal income taxation. Distributions may also
be subject to state and local taxes. The Funds are organized as a Massachusetts
business trust. Under current law, so long as the Funds qualify for the Federal
income tax treatment described above, it is believed that they will not be
liable for any income or franchise tax imposed by Massachusetts.
Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the
application of Federal, state and local tax laws.
ORGANIZATION AND CAPITALIZATION
GENERAL
BARON ASSET FUND is an open-end investment company organized as a series
fund and established under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts by a
Declaration of Trust dated February 19, 1987, as amended the two series
currently available are BARON ASSET FUND and BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND. Shares
entitle their holders to one vote per share. Shares have noncumulative voting
rights, which means that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the
election of Trustees can elect all Trustees and, in such event, the holders of
the remaining shares voting foe the election of Trustees will not be able to
elect any person or persons as Trustees. Shares have no preemptive or
subscription rights, and are transferable.
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust
may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the
obligations of the trust. The Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund or any
series thereof. Notice of such disclaimer will normally be given in each
agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Funds or
Trustees. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification by a Fund for
any loss suffered by a shareholder as a result of an obligation of that Fund.
The Declaration of Trust also provides that a Fund shall, upon request, assume
the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for an act or obligation
of that Fund and satisfy any judgement thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder
incurring financial loss on account or shareholder liability is limited to
circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meets its obligations.
The Trustees believe that, in view of the above, the risk of personal liability
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of shareholders is remote.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be
liable for errors of judgement or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the
Declaration of trust protects a trustee against liability to which he or she
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or
her office.
OTHER INFORMATION
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York 10019, has been selected as independent accountants of the Funds.
CALCULATIONS OF PERFORMANCE DATA
Advertisements and other sales literature for the Funds may refer to
average annual total return and actual return. Average annual total return is
computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return over a given
period that would equate a hypothetical initial investment to the ending
redeemable value thereof, as follows:
P(1+T)'pp'n =ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value at the end of the period of a
hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning
of the period
Actual return is computed by measuring the percentage change between the
net asset value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the Fund at the beginning
of a period and the net asset value of that investment at the end of a period.
The performance data used in advertisements does not give effect to a 2%
contingent deferred sales charge that is no longer applicable.
All performance calculations assume that dividends and distributions are
reinvested at the net asset value on the appropriate reinvestment dates and
include all recurring fees.
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Computed in the manner described above, the performance of BARON ASSET
FUND has been:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN ACTUAL RETURN (does not
(prior to January 1, 1992 include the 2% contingent
includes the 2% contingent deferred sales load)
deferred sales load where
investment is less than 3 years)
<S> <C> <C>
Year ended +22.0% +22.0%
12/31/96
Year ended
12/31/95
+35.3% +35.3%
Year ended
12/31/94
+7.4% +7.4%
Year ended
12/31/93
+23.5% +23.5%
Year ended
12/31/92
+13.9% +13.9%
Year ended
12/31/91
+32.0% +34.0%
Year ended
12/31/90
-20.5% -18.5%
Year ended
12/31/89
+23.0% +25.0%
Year Ended
12/31/88
+32.4% +34.4%
Inception (06/12/87) +17.6% +371.0%
to 12/31/96
Inception (06/12/87) +17.1% +286.2%
to 12/31/95
Inception (06/12/87) +14.9% +185.5%
to 12/31/94
Inception (06/12/87) +16.1% +165.8%
to 12/31/93
Inception (06/12/87) +14.8% +115.2%
to 12/31/92
Inception (06/12/87) +15.0% +89.0%
to 12/31/91
</TABLE>
30
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN ACTUAL RETURN (does not
(prior to January 1, 1992 include the 2% contingent
includes the 2% contingent deferred sales load)
deferred sales load where
investment is less than 3 years)
<S> <C> <C>
Inception (06/12/87) +10.1% +41.0%
to 12/31/90
Inception (06/12/87) +23.4% +73.0%
to 12/31/89
Inception (06/12/87) +22.1% 38.4%
to 12/31/88
Five Years Ended +22.3% +173.9%
12/31/95
For BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND the performance has been:
Year Ended 12/31/96 +27.7% +27.7%
Year Ended 12/31/95 +52.5% +52.5%
Two Years Ended 12/31/96 +39.6% +94.8%
(From Inception 01/03/95)
</TABLE>
Performance results represent past performance and are not necessarily
representative of future results. Investment return and principal value will
fluctuate so that shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when
redeemed.
In addition to advertising average annual and actual return data,
comparative performance information may be used in advertising materials about
the Funds, including data and other information from Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., CDA Investment Technologies, Morningstar Inc., Money, Forbes, SEI,
Ibbotson, No Load Investor, Growth Fund Guide, Fortune, Barron's, The New York
Times, The Wall Street Journal, Changing Times, Medical Economics, Business
Week, Consumer Digest, Dick Davis Digest, Dickenson's Retirement Letter, Equity
Fund Outlook, Executive Wealth Advisor, Financial World, Investor's Daily, Time,
Personal Finance, Investment Advisor, Smartmoney, Rukeyser, Kiplinger's, NAPFA
News, US News, Bottomline, Investors Business Daily, Bloomberg Radio, CNBC,
and/or USA Today. The Fund may also use comparative performance data from
indexes such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 400, 500,
Small Cap 600, 1,500, or Midcap 400, Value Line Index, Wilshire 4,500, 5000, or
Small Cap;
31
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NASDAQ/OTC Composite, New York Stock Exchange; and the Russell 1000, 2000, 2500,
3000, 2000 Growth, 2000 Value, or Midcap. With respect to the rating
services,the Fund may use performance information that ranks the Fund in any of
the following categories: all funds, aggressive growth funds, value funds,
mid-cap funds, small-cap funds, growth and income funds, equity income funds,
and any combination of the above listed categories.
32
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BARON ASSET FUND
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Market
Shares Value %(1)
- -------------- ------------------------------
Common Stocks
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Amusement and Recreation Services
420,000 Bristol Hotel Co.* $11,182,500 1.0 0.959001%
600,000 Circus Circus Enterprises, Inc.* 21,225,000 1.8 1.820236%
400,000 La Quinta Inns, Inc. 7,800,000 0.7 0.668921%
432,500 Marcus Corp. 10,380,000 0.9 0.890179%
250,000 Mirage Resorts, Inc.* 6,406,250 0.5 0.549394%
80,000 Promus Hotel Corp.* 2,260,000 0.2 0.193815%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
59,253,750 5.1 5.081545%
0.000000%
Business Services 0.000000%
112,000 Equity Corp. Intl.* 3,556,000 0.3 0.304959%
837,000 Olsten Corp. 20,820,375 1.8 1.785536%
1,250,000 Robert Half Intl., Inc.* 46,093,750 4.0 3.952956%
944,250 Stewart Enterprises, Inc. CL A 31,868,437 2.7 2.733007%
305,000 Team Rental Group, Inc.* 5,795,000 0.5 0.496974%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
108,133,562 9.3 9.273432%
0.000000%
Chemical 0.000000%
572,000 OM Group, Inc. 21,736,000 1.9 1.864059%
0.000000%
Communications 0.000000%
1,660,000 American Mobile Satellite Corp.* 24,070,000 2.1 2.064220%
870,000 Cellular Comm. of P.R., Inc.* 22,185,000 1.9 1.902565%
80,000 Globalstar Telecomm., Ltd* 4,120,000 0.3 0.353327%
900,000 Intl. CableTel, Inc.* 23,062,500 2.0 1.977818%
935,000 Palmer Wireless, Inc.* 16,537,812 1.4 1.418267%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
89,975,312 7.7 7.716198%
0.000000%
Education 0.000000%
400,000 DeVry, Inc.* 18,200,000 1.6 1.560815%
350,000 Learning Tree Intl., Inc.* 12,950,000 1.1 1.110580%
55,000 Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc.* 2,255,000 0.2 0.193387%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
33,405,000 2.9 2.864781%
0.000000%
Energy 0.000000%
1,325,000 Cross Timbers Oil Co. 31,800,000 2.7 2.727138%
100,000 Noble Drilling Corp.* 1,512,500 0.1 0.129711%
195,000 Seacor Holdings, Inc.* 9,896,250 0.9 0.848693%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
43,208,750 3.7 3.705541%
0.000000%
Financial 0.000000%
2,395,000 Charles Schwab Corp. 55,085,000 4.7 4.724037%
1,305,000 DVI, Inc.* 18,596,250 1.6 1.594797%
1,950,200 Mercury Finance Co. 23,402,400 2.0 2.006968%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
97,083,650 8.3 8.325802%
0.000000%
Food and Agriculture 0.000000%
580,000 Delta and Pine Land Co. 16,965,000 1.5 1.454902%
0.000000%
Government Services 0.000000%
421,000 Corrections Corp. of America* 13,156,250 1.1 1.128268%
200,000 Spacehab, Inc.* 1,700,000 0.2 0.145790%
213,000 Wackenhut Corrections Corp.* 4,739,250 0.4 0.406434%
588,750 Youth Services Intl., Inc.* 8,168,906 0.7 0.700558%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
27,764,406 2.4 2.381049%
0.000000%
Health Services 0.000000%
252,500 American Homepatient, Inc.* 5,618,125 0.5 0.481805%
895,000 Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.* 25,171,875 2.2 2.158716%
3,400,000 Manor Care, Inc. 130,475,000 11.2 11.189412%
634,000 Pediatric Services of America, Inc.* 11,729,000 1.0 1.005868%
1,218,500 Quorum Health Group, Inc.* 30,157,875 2.6 2.586311%
483,000 Summit Care Corp.* 10,626,000 0.9 0.911276%
360,000 Vitalink Pharmacy Svcs, Inc.* 8,550,000 0.7 0.733240%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
222,327,875 19.1 19.066628%
0.000000%
Manufacturing 0.000000%
1,270,000 Flextronics Intl. Ltd.* 35,083,750 3.0 3.008749%
0.000000%
Media and Entertainment 0.000000%
600,000 American Radio Systems Corp.* 22,350,000 1.9 1.916715%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
390,000 Cox Radio, Inc.* 8,580,000 0.7 0.735813%
615,000 Heftel Broadcasting Corp.* 26,829,375 2.3 2.300862%
1,560,300 Saga Communications, Inc.* 34,911,713 3.0 2.993995%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
92,671,088 7.9 7.947385%
0.000000%
Real Estate & REIT's 0.000000%
136,500 Alexander's, Inc.* 9,452,625 0.8 0.810648%
480,000 Avatar Holdings, Inc.* 15,000,000 1.3 1.286386%
125,700 Highwoods Properties, Inc. 3,818,138 0.3 0.327440%
250,000 Kimco Realty Corp. 7,437,500 0.7 0.637833%
200,000 Public Storage, Inc. 4,525,000 0.4 0.388060%
115,000 Redwood Trust, Inc. 3,680,000 0.3 0.315593%
215,000 Starwood Lodging Trust 9,003,125 0.8 0.772099%
140,000 Storage USA, Inc. 4,655,000 0.4 0.399208%
250,000 Sun Communities, Inc. 7,125,000 0.6 0.611033%
125,000 Vornado Realty Trust 5,062,500 0.4 0.434155%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
69,758,888 6.0 5.982456%
0.000000%
Retail Trade & Restaurants 0.000000%
850,000 Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.* 32,725,000 2.8 2.806465%
800,000 Heilig Meyers, Co. 12,500,000 1.1 1.071988%
200,000 Nine West Group, Inc.* 10,850,000 0.9 0.930486%
500,000 Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.* 13,625,000 1.1 1.168467%
170,000 Proffitt's Inc.* 6,715,000 0.6 0.575872%
1,940,000 Smart and Final, Inc. 46,560,000 4.0 3.992942%
145,000 Stein Mart, Inc.* 3,208,125 0.3 0.275126%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
126,183,125 10.8 10.821345%
0.000000%
Transportation 0.000000%
200,000 American Freightways Corp.* 1,775,000 0.1 0.152222%
235,000 USA Truck, Inc.* 2,085,625 0.2 0.178861%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
3,860,625 0.3 0.331084%
0.000000%
Wholesale Trade 0.000000%
310,000 Industrie Natuzzi SPA 14,415,000 1.2 1.236217%
0.000000%
0.000000%
Miscellaneous 10,549,507 0.9 0.904716%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
Total Common Stocks 0.000000%
(Cost $901,699,988) 1,072,375,288 92.0 91.965889%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
0.000000%
Convertible Preferred 0.000000%
0.000000%
Media and Entertainment 0.000000%
200,000 American Radio Systems Corp. 7% Conv. 10,800,000 0.9 0.926198%
(Cost $10,000,000) 0.000000%
0.000000%
<CAPTION>
0.000000%
0.000000%
Principal 0.000000%
Amount 0.000000%
- -------------- 0.000000%
Corporate Bonds 0.000000%
0.000000%
Communications 0.000000%
$20,500,000 Intl. CableTel, Inc. 7.25% 22,447,500 1.9 1.925076%
Conv. Sub. Notes 04/15/2005 0.000000%
0.000000%
14,000,000 Intl. CableTel, Inc. 7.0% 12,810,000 1.1 1.098573%
Conv. Sub. Notes 06/15/2008 0.000000%
0.000000%
11,000,000 Scandinavian Broadcasting Systems 11,110,000 1.0 0.952783%
7.25% Sub. Deb. Conv. 8/01/2005 0.000000%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
46,367,500 4.0 3.976433%
0.000000%
Government Services 0.000000%
5,000,000 Youth Services Intl. Inc. 7.00% 5,825,000 0.5 0.499546%
Conv. Sub. Deb. 02/01/2006 0.000000%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
Total Corporate Bonds 0.000000%
(Cost $52,306,522) 52,192,500 4.5 4.475979%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
0.000000%
0.000000%
Short Term Money Market Instrument 0.000000%
42,135,000 Prudential Funding Corp. , 5.7% 0.000000%
Due 10/01/96 42,135,000 3.6 3.613458%
Total Short Term Money Market 0.000000%
Instrument (Cost $42,135,000) 0.000000%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
0.000000%
Total Investments ------------------------------ 0.000000%
(Cost $1,006,141,510**) 1,177,502,788 101.0 100.981524%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
0.000000%
Liabilities Less 0.000000%
Cash and Other Assets (11,445,134) (1.0) -0.981524%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
0.000000%
0.000000%
Net Assets (Equivalent to $35.50 per 0.000000%
share based on 32,842,555 shares of 0.000000%
beneficial interest outstanding) 1,166,057,654 100.0 % 100.000000%
==============================
--------------------------------------
(1) Percentage of Net Assets
* Non-income producing securities
** For Federal income tax purposes the cost basis
is $1,006,320,843. Aggregate unrealized appreciation and
depreciation of investments are $213,502,535 and
$42,320,590, respectively.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Market
Shares Value %(1)
- -------------- ------------------------------
Common Stocks
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Amusement and Recreation Services
140,000 Circus Circus Enterprises, Inc.* $4,952,500 2.4 % 2.389805%
20,000 Golden Bear Golf, Inc.* 395,000 0.2 0.190605%
75,000 Marcus Corp. 1,800,000 0.8 0.868581%
30,000 Mirage Resorts, Inc.* 768,750 0.4 0.370957%
90,000 Studio Plus Hotels, Inc.* 1,485,000 0.7 0.716580%
85,000 Sun Intl. Hotels Ltd.* 4,356,250 2.1 2.102087%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
13,757,500 6.6 6.638615%
0.000000%
Business Services 0.000000%
75,000 Olsten Corp. 1,865,625 0.9 0.900248%
40,000 PMT Services, Inc.* 810,000 0.4 0.390862%
110,000 Robert Half Intl., Inc.* 4,056,250 2.0 1.957324%
100,000 Stewart Enterprises, Inc. CL A 3,375,000 1.6 1.628590%
60,000 Western Staffing Services, Inc.* 907,500 0.4 0.437910%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
11,014,375 5.3 5.314933%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
0.000000%
Chemical 0.000000%
85,000 OM Group, Inc. 3,230,000 1.6 1.558621%
0.000000%
Communications 0.000000%
230,000 American Mobile Satellite Corp.* 3,335,000 1.6 1.609288%
80,000 Cellular Comm. of P.R., Inc.* 2,040,000 1.0 0.984392%
150,000 Intl. CableTel, Inc.* 3,843,750 1.9 1.854783%
135,000 Palmer Wireless, Inc.* 2,387,813 1.1 1.152228%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
11,606,563 5.6 5.600691%
0.000000%
Education 0.000000%
36,000 DeVry, Inc.* 1,638,000 0.8 0.790409%
34,000 Learning Tree Intl., Inc.* 1,258,000 0.6 0.607042%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
2,896,000 1.4 1.397451%
0.000000%
Financial 0.000000%
418,000 Charles Schwab Corp. 9,614,000 4.6 4.639189%
160,000 DVI, Inc.* 2,280,000 1.1 1.100203%
50,000 Franklin Resources, Inc. 3,318,750 1.6 1.601447%
285,000 Medallion Financial Corp.* 4,132,500 2.0 1.994118%
375,000 Mercury Finance Co. 4,500,000 2.2 2.171453%
29,000 Rockford Industries, Inc.* 500,250 0.2 0.241393%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
24,345,500 11.7 11.747803%
0.000000%
Food and Agriculture 0.000000%
110,000 Delta and Pine Land Co. 3,217,500 1.6 1.552589%
0.000000%
Government Services 0.000000%
65,000 Corrections Corp. of America* 2,031,250 1.0 0.980170%
54,000 Spacehab, Inc.* 459,000 0.2 0.221488%
65,000 Youth Services Intl., Inc.* 901,875 0.4 0.435195%
-------------------------------- 0.000000%
3,392,125 1.6 1.636853%
0.000000%
Health Services 0.000000%
100,000 Counsel Corp.* 1,087,500 0.5 0.524768%
80,000 Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.* 2,250,000 1.1 1.085727%
385,000 Manor Care, Inc. 14,774,375 7.1 7.129303%
80,000 Multicare Companies, Inc.* 1,740,000 0.8 0.839629%
105,000 Pediatric Services of America, Inc. 1,942,500 0.9 0.937344%
70,000 PHP Healthcare Corp.* 2,003,750 1.0 0.966900%
125,000 Quorum Health Group, Inc.* 3,093,750 1.5 1.492874%
45,000 Summit Care Corp.* 990,000 0.5 0.477720%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
27,881,875 13.4 13.454264%
0.000000%
Manufacturing 0.000000%
165,000 Flextronics Intl. Ltd.* 4,558,125 2.2 2.199501%
0.000000%
Media & Entertainment 0.000000%
140,000 American Radio Systems Corp.* 5,215,000 2.5 2.516473%
120,000 Heftel Broadcasting Corp.* 5,235,000 2.5 2.526124%
210,000 Saga Communications, Inc.* 4,698,750 2.3 2.267359%
25,000 Univision Communications, Inc.* 837,500 0.4 0.404132%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
15,986,250 7.7 7.714087%
0.000000%
Real Estate & REIT's 0.000000%
16,000 Alexander's, Inc.* 1,108,000 0.5 0.534660%
30,000 Avatar Holdings, Inc.* 937,500 0.5 0.452386%
70,000 Beacon Properties Corp. 2,030,000 1.0 0.979567%
60,000 Cali Realty Corp. 1,627,500 0.8 0.785342%
90,000 CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. 2,070,000 1.0 0.998868%
160,000 Columbus Realty Trust 3,260,000 1.6 1.573097%
25,000 Crescent Real Estate Equities, Inc. 1,028,125 0.5 0.496117%
80,000 Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. 1,890,000 0.9 0.912010%
125,000 Highwoods Properties, Inc. 3,796,875 1.8 1.832164%
120,000 Kimco Realty Corp. 3,570,000 1.7 1.722686%
170,000 Public Storage, Inc. 3,846,250 1.9 1.855989%
125,000 Redwood Trust, Inc. 4,000,000 1.9 1.930181%
85,000 Simon Debartolo Group, Inc. 2,167,500 1.1 1.045917%
140,000 Starwood Lodging Trust 5,862,500 2.8 2.828921%
150,000 Storage USA, Inc. 4,987,500 2.4 2.406694%
170,000 Sun Communities, Inc. 4,845,000 2.3 2.337931%
66,500 Vornado Realty Trust 2,693,250 1.3 1.299615%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
49,720,000 24.0 23.992145%
0.000000%
Retail Trade & Restaurants 0.000000%
120,000 Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.* 4,620,000 2.2 2.229359%
100,000 Heilig Meyers, Co. 1,562,500 0.8 0.753977%
45,000 Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.* 1,226,250 0.6 0.591721%
120,000 Smart and Final, Inc. 2,880,000 1.4 1.389730%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
10,288,750 5.0 4.964786%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
0.000000%
Utility Services 0.000000%
220,000 Southern Union Co.* 5,115,000 2.5 2.468218%
0.000000%
Wholesale Trade 0.000000%
60,000 Industrie Natuzzi SPA 2,790,000 1.4 1.346301%
0.000000%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
Total Common Stocks 0.000000%
(Cost $171,370,089) 189,799,563 91.6 91.586859%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
Convertible Preferred 0.000000%
0.000000%
Media and Entertainment 0.000000%
50,000 American Radio Systems 7% Conv. Cor 2,700,000 1.3 1.302872%
(Cost $2,500,000) 0.000000%
0.000000%
<CAPTION>
Principal 0.000000%
Amount 0.000000%
- -------------- 0.000000%
Corporate Bonds 0.000000%
0.000000%
Communications 0.000000%
$1,800,000 Cellular Comm. Intl. Units 0.000000%
1 Unit = $1000 0% Sr. Disc. Notes 1,170,000 0.5 0.564578%
8/15/2000 and 1 Warrant 0.000000%
0.000000%
2,000,000 Intl. CableTel, Inc. 7.25% 0.000000%
Conv. Sub. Notes 4/15/2005 2,190,000 1.1 1.056774%
0.000000%
2,000,000 Intl. CableTel, Inc. 7.0% 0.000000%
Conv. Sub. Notes 6/15/2008 1,830,000 0.9 0.883058%
0.000000%
2,000,000 Scandinavian Broadcasting Systems 0.000000%
7.25% Sub. Deb. Conv. 8/01/2005 2,020,000 1.0 0.974741%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
7,210,000 3.5 3.479151%
0.000000%
Financial 0.000000%
2,000,000 Leucadia National Corp. 5.25% 0.000000%
Sub Deb. Conv. Due 02/01/2003 2,020,000 1.0 0.974741%
0.000000%
0.000000%
Government Services 0.000000%
1,200,000 Youth Services Intl. Inc. 7.0% 0.000000%
Conv. Sub. Deb. 02/01/2006 1,398,000 0.6 0.674598%
0.000000%
Real Estate & REITs 0.000000%
36,800 Avatar Holdings, Inc. 8.0% 0.000000%
Sr Deb 10/01/2000 33,212 0.0 0.016026%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
Total Corporate Bonds 10,661,212 5.1 5.144516%
(Cost $10,740,554) ------------------------------ 0.000000%
0.000000%
0.000000%
Short Term Money Market Instrument 0.000000%
7,792,000 Prudential Funding Corp., 5.7% 0.000000%
due 10/01/96 7,792,000 3.8 3.759992%
Total Short Term Money Market 0.000000%
Instrument (Cost $7,792,000) 0.000000%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
Total Investments 0.000000%
(Cost $192,402,643**) 210,952,775 101.8 101.794239%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
0.000000%
0.000000%
Liabilities Less 0.000000%
Cash and Other Assets (3,718,281) -1.8 -1.794239%
------------------------------ 0.000000%
0.000000%
0.000000%
Net Assets (Equivalent to $18.40 per 0.000000%
share based on 11,261,852 shares of 0.000000%
beneficial interest outstanding) 207,234,494 100.0 % 100.000000%
============================== 0.000000%
0.000000%
</TABLE>
-----------------------------------
(1) Percentage of Net Assets
* Non-income producing securities
** For Federal income tax purposes the cost basis
is identical. Aggregate unrealized appreciation and
depreciation of investments are $24,076,354 and
$5,526,222, respectively.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
THE BARON FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Baron Asset Baron Growth &
Fund Income Fund
-------------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets:
Investments in securities, at value
(Cost $1,006,141,510 and $192,402,643, respectively) $1,177,502,788 $210,952,775
Cash 0 11,801
Dividends and interest receivable 1,615,613 494,456
Receivable for securities sold 5,683,250 0
Receivable for shares sold 284,573 174,294
Unamortized organization costs (Note 1) 0 21,367
Prepaid expenses 33,117 0
-------------------- --------------------
1,185,119,341 211,654,693
-------------------- --------------------
Liabilities:
Payable for securities purchased 18,580,341 4,293,970
Accrued organization costs (Note 1) 0 21,367
Accrued expenses and other payables (Note 3) 481,346 104,862
-------------------- --------------------
19,061,687 4,420,199
-------------------- --------------------
Net Assets $1,166,057,654 $207,234,494
==================== ====================
Net Assets consist of:
Par value $328,425 $112,618
Paid-in capital in excess of par value 993,059,966 185,360,385
Undistributed net investment income 0 1,147,402
Undistributed net realized gains 1,307,985 2,063,957
Net unrealized appreciation on investments 171,361,278 18,550,132
-------------------- --------------------
Net Assets $1,166,057,654 $207,234,494
==================== ====================
9,895,597
Shares of Beneficial Interest Outstanding
($.01 par value; indefinite shares authorized) 32,842,555 11,261,852
==================== ====================
Net Asset Value Per Share $35.50 $18.40
==================== ====================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
THE BARON FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BARON ASSET BARON GROWTH
FUND & INCOME FUND
------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Investment income:
Income:
Interest $4,676,691 $928,767
Dividends 3,064,729 1,803,242
-------------------- --------------------
Total income 7,741,420 2,732,009
-------------------- --------------------
Expenses:
Investment advisory fees (Note 3) 6,923,899 994,621
Distribution fees (Note 3) 1,730,975 248,655
Custodian fees 121,126 54,531
Shareholder servicing agent fees 234,530 54,466
Amortization of organization costs (Note 1) 0 6,575
Registration and filing fees 426,727 128,611
Trustee fees 50,368 6,839
Professional fees 37,657 17,351
Reports to shareholders 188,687 24,005
Insurance 11,681 1,584
Miscellaneous 33,723 1,940
-------------------- --------------------
Total expenses 9,759,373 1,539,178
-------------------- --------------------
Custodian fees paid indirectly 0 (5,252)
-------------------- --------------------
Net expenses 9,759,373 1,533,926
-------------------- --------------------
Net investment income (loss) (2,017,953) 1,198,083
-------------------- --------------------
Realized and unrealized gain on
investments:
Net realized gain on investments sold 3,537,309 2,050,709
Change in net unrealized appreciation
of investments 95,636,324 16,132,008
-------------------- --------------------
Net gain on investments 99,173,633 18,182,717
-------------------- --------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting
from operations $97,155,680 $19,380,800
==================== ====================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
THE BARON FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BARON ASSET FUND BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE JANUARY 3, 1995
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED (COMMENCEMENT OF
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, OPERATIONS) TO
1996 1995 1996 SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
-------------------- -------------------- ---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
Operations:
Net investment income (loss) ($2,017,953) ($851,738) $1,198,083 $69,347
Net realized gain on investments sold 3,537,309 149,491 2,050,709 271,446
Net change in unrealized appreciation
on investments 95,636,324 54,335,827 16,132,008 2,418,124
-------------------- -------------------- ------------------------------
Increase in net assets resulting
from operations 97,155,680 53,633,580 19,380,800 2,758,917
-------------------- -------------------- ------------------------------
Dividends to shareholders from:
Net investment income 0 0 (98,552) 0
Net realized gain on investments (399,312) (2,514,282) (279,674) 0
-------------------- -------------------- ------------------------------
(399,312) (2,514,282) (378,226) 0
-------------------- -------------------- ------------------------------
Capital share transactions:
Proceeds from the sale of shares 1,084,282,947 219,118,186 203,114,578 27,921,323
Net asset value of shares issued in
reinvestment of dividends 386,670 2,410,279 368,158
Cost of shares redeemed (305,341,662) (62,932,974) (43,883,283) (2,047,773)
-------------------- -------------------- ------------------------------
Increase in net assets derived from
capital share transactions 779,327,955 158,595,491 159,599,453 25,873,550
-------------------- -------------------- ------------------------------
Net increase in net assets 876,084,323 209,714,789 178,602,027 28,632,467
Net assets:
Beginning of year 289,973,331 80,258,542 28,632,467 0
-------------------- -------------------- ------------------------------
End of year $1,166,057,654 $289,973,331 $207,234,494 $28,632,467
==================== ==================== ==============================
Undistributed net investment
income(loss) at end of year $0 $0 $1,168,878 $69,347
==================== ==================== ==============================
Shares of Beneficial Interest:
Shares sold 32,101,812 8,798,265 11,899,055 2,094,005
Shares issued in reinvestment
dividends 13,224 111,227 24,692 0
Shares redeemed (9,168,078) (2,531,541) (2,600,496) (155,404)
-------------------- -------------------- ------------------------------
Net increase 22,946,958 6,377,951 9,323,251 1,938,601
==================== ==================== ==============================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
THE BARON FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Baron Asset Fund (the "Trust") is registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the"1940 Act"), as a diversified, open-end management
investment company established as a Massachusetts business trust on February 19,
1987. The Trust currently offers two series (individually a "Fund" and
collectively the "Funds"): Baron Asset Fund, started in June of 1987, and Baron
Growth & Income Fund, started in January of 1995. The following is a summary of
significant accounting policies followed by the Funds. The policies are in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
(A) SECURITY VALUATION. Portfolio securities traded on any national stock
exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued on the basis
of the last sale price on the date of valuation or, in the absence of any sale
on that date, the last sale price on the date the security last traded. Other
securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices if
market quotations are readily available. Where market quotations are not readily
available the securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good
faith by the Board of Trustees, although the actual calculations may be done by
others. Money market instruments held by the Funds with a remaining maturity of
sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value.
(B) SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME. Securities transactions are
recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gain and loss from securities
transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis for financial reporting
and Federal income tax purposes. Dividend income is recognized on the
ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis.
(C) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES. Each Fund of the Trust is treated as a separate entity
for Federal income tax purposes. It is the policy of each Fund to continue to
qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including net
realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. No federal income tax
provision is therefore required.
(D) EXPENSE ALLOCATION. Expenses directly attributed to a Fund are charged to
that Fund's operations; expenses which are applicable to both Funds are
allocated on a basis deemed fair and equitable by the Trustees, usually on the
basis of average net assets.
(E) ORGANIZATION COSTS. Costs incurred in connection with the organization and
initial registration of Baron Growth & Income Fund have been deferred and are
being amortized on a straight-line basis over a five-year period. Baron Capital,
Inc.("BCI"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Baron Capital Group, Inc. ("BCG"),
agreed to make advances for organization expenses incurred and will be
reimbursed as the costs are amortized.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
(F) DISTRIBUTIONS. Income distributions and capital gains distributions are
determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from
generally accepted accounting principles. These differences are primarily due to
differing treatments for net operating losses. During the year ended September
30, 1996, Baron Asset Fund reclassifited a net operating loss of $2,017,953 to
Undistributed Net Realized Gains.
2) PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES.
During the year ended September 30, 1996, purchases and sales of securities,
other than short term securities, aggregated $880,566,201 and $127,379,025,
respectively for Baron Asset Fund, and $195,806,664 and $39,450,459,
respectively for Baron Growth & Income Fund.
(3) INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
(A) INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES. BAMCO, Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of BCG serves as investment adviser to the Funds. As compensation for
services rendered, the Adviser receives a fee payable monthly from the assets of
the Funds equal to 1% per annum of each Fund's average daily net asset value.
The Adviser has agreed that if the expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes,
brokerage, extraordinary expenses and amounts paid by the Funds under the plan
of distribution) of either Fund in any fiscal year exceed the limits prescribed
by any state in which that Fund's shares are qualified for sale, the Adviser
will reduce its fee by the amount of any such excess, up to the amount of the
Adviser's fee. The Trustees do not anticipate that the expenses will exceed 2.0%
of the first $100 million and 1.5% of the remainder in excess of $100 million of
each Fund.
(B) DISTRIBUTION FEES. BCI is a registered broker dealer and the distributor of
the shares of the Funds pursuant to a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 of the
1940 Act. The distribution plan authorizes the Funds to pay BCI a distribution
fee equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of the Funds' average daily net assets.
Brokerage transactions for the Funds may be effected by or through BCI. During
the year ended September 30, 1996, BCI earned $1,127,921 in brokerage
commissions from Baron Asset Fund, and $255,643 from Baron Growth & Income Fund.
(C) TRUSTEE FEES. Certain Trustees of the Trust may be deemed to be affiliated
with or interested persons (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Funds' Adviser or
of BCI. None of the Trustees so affiliated received compensation for his
services as a Trustee of the Trust. None of the Funds' officers received
compensation from the Funds.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
(4) Financial Highlights
BARON ASSET FUND
Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each
period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year $29.30 $22.82 $21.91 $16.20 $14.80 $10.88
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income (loss) (0.06) (0.09) (0.14) (0.13) (0.08) 0.07
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)
on investments 6.29 7.23 1.82 6.00 1.52 4.05
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 6.23 7.14 1.68 5.87 1.44 4.12
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income (0.04) (0.20)
Distributions from net realized gains (0.03) (0.66) (0.77) (0.16)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Distributions (0.03) (0.66) (0.77) (0.16) (0.04) (0.20)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of year $35.50 $29.30 $22.82 $21.91 $16.20 $14.80
========================================================================
Total Return 21.3% 32.3% 8.0% 36.5% 9.7% 38.3%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets (in millions), end of year $1,166.1 $290.0 $80.3 $59.9 $43.8 $47.4
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.4% 1.4% 1.6% 1.8% 1.7% 1.7%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets (0.3%) (0.5%) (0.7%) (0.7%) (0.5%) 0.5%
Portfolio turnover rate 19.3% 35.2% 55.9% 107.9% 95.5% 142.7%
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
1990 1989 1988 1987*
------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year $17.22 $12.98 $11.95 $10.00
------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income (loss) 0.21 0.13 0.05 0.07
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)
on investments (5.14) 4.81 1.18 1.88
------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations (4.93) 4.94 1.23 1.95
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income (0.16) (0.05) (0.03) 0.00
Distributions from net realized gains (1.25) (0.65) (0.17) 0.00
------------------------------------------------
Total Distributions (1.41) (0.70) (0.20) 0.00
------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of year $10.88 $17.22 $12.98 $11.95
================================================
Total Return (30.7%) 39.9% 10.7% 19.5%
------------------------------------------------
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets (in millions), end of year $40.0 $47.7 $11.7 $3.9
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.8% 2.1% 2.5% 2.8%**
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets 1.5% 1.3% 0.5% 1.9%**
Portfolio turnover rate 97.8% 148.9% 242.4% 84.7%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
* For the period June 12, 1987 (commencement of operations) to September 30,
1987.
** Annualized.
The Fund's adviser and/or Baron Capital reimbursed the Fund for expenses
aggregating $8,561 (less than $0.01 per share) in 1990, $27,315 ($0.01 per
share) in 1989, $83,219 ($0.11 per share) in 1988, and $36,330 ($0.20 per share)
in 1987. The reimbursement amounts are excluded from the expense data above.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BARON GROWTH & INCOME FUND
Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each
period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
1996 1995*
------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $14.77 $10.00
------------------------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income 0.11 0.04
Net realized and unrealized gains
on investments 3.66 4.73
------------------------
Total from investment operations 3.77 4.77
Less distributions
Dividends from net investment income (0.04) 0.00
Distributions from net realized gains (0.10) 0.00
------------------------
Total Distributions (0.14) 0.00
------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $18.40 $14.77
========================
Total Return 25.8% 47.7%
------------------------
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets (in millions), end of period $207.2 $28.6
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.5% 2.0%**
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets 1.2% 1.1%**
Portfolio turnover rate 40.3% 40.6%
- ------------------------------------------------------------
* For the period January 3, 1995 (commencement of operations) to September 30,
1995.
** Annualized.
The Fund's custodian offset custody fees of $5,252 (less than $.01 per share) in
1996 and $12,003(less than $0.01 per share) in 1995. The expense offset amounts
are included in expense data above.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BARON ASSET FUND
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
a. Financial Statements:
Included in Part B of this Registration Statement:
Report of Independent Accountants
Statement of Net Assets at September 30, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at September 30, 1996
Statement of Operations for the Year Ended to
September 30, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Years Ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995
Notes to the Financial Statements
Supplementary Information (condensed financial information)
(also included in Part A of this
Registration Statement)
b. Exhibits:
1. Declaration of Trust dated February 19, 1987.
2. By-laws dated February 19, 1987.
3. Inapplicable.
4. Specimen Share Certificates representing shares of
beneficial interest of $.01 par value.
5. (a) Investment Advisory Agreement between Baron Asset
Fund and BAMCO, Inc.
(b) Investment Advisory Agreement between Baron Growth
& Income Fund and BAMCO, Inc.
6. Distribution Agreement with Baron Capital, Inc.
7. Inapplicable.
8. (a) Custodian Agreement with The Bank of New York.
(b) Fee Schedule for Exhibit 8(a).
9. (a) Transfer Agency Agreement with Supervised Services
Company, Inc.
(b) Fee Schedule for Exhibit 9(a).
10. Opinion and consent of counsel as to legality of shares
being registered (filed with Rule 24f-2 Notice).
11. Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants.
12. Inapplicable.
13. Letter agreement between the Registrant and the
Purchaser of the Initial Shares.
14. (a) IRA Disclosure Statement.
(b) IRA Account Application.
(c) 5305-A Agreement.
15. Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
16. Schedule for computation of performance quotations.
17. Power of Attorney.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL
WITH REGISTRANT
The following diagram indicates the persons under common control with
Registrant, all of which are incorporated in New York.
Ronald Baron
|
|
90%
|
|
Baron Capital Group, Inc.
| |
100% 100%
| |
Baron Capital, Inc. BAMCO, Inc.
|
100%
|
|
Baron Capital Management, Inc.
Baron Capital, Inc. serves as distributor of Registrant's shares and performs
brokerage services for Registrant. BAMCO, Inc. serves as investment adviser
to Registrant. Ronald Baron, President of Registrant, is the controlling
shareholder of Baron Capital Group, Inc. and serves as President of all the
above entities.
Item 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES (AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996)
---------------------------------------------------------
(1) (2)
Title of Class of Series Number of Shareholders(approx)
----------------------------- -------------------------------
Shares of beneficial interest
($.01 par value),
Baron Asset Fund 90,000
Baron Growth & Income Fund 20,000
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION
---------------
Article IV of Registrant's Declaration of Trust states as follows:
Section 4.1. No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, Etc. No
shareholder shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any
Person in connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or
affairs of the Trust. No Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the
Trust shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any
Person, other than to the Trust of its shareholders, in connection with
Trust Property of the affairs of the Trust, save only that arising from
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of his duties with respect to such Person; and all such Persons shall
look solely to the Trust Property, or to the Property of one or more
specific series of the Trust if the claim arises from the conduct of
such Trustee, officer, employee or agent with respect to only such
Series, for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection
with the affairs of the Trust. If any shareholder, Trustee, officer,
employee, or agent, as such, of the Trust, is made a party to any suit
or proceeding to enforce any such liability of the Trust, he shall not,
on account thereof, be held to any personal liability. The Trust shall
indemnify and hold each shareholder harmless from and against all claims
and liabilities, to which such shareholder may become subject by reason
of his being or having been a shareholder, and shall reimburse such
shareholder out of the Trust Property for all legal and other expenses
reasonably incurred by him in connection with any such claim or
liability. Indemnification and reimbursement required by the preceding
sentence shall be made only out of assets of the one of more Series
whose shares were held by said shareholder at the time the act or event
occurred which gave rise to the claim against or liability of said
shareholder. The rights accruing to a shareholder under this Section 4.1
be lawfully entitled, nor shall anything herein contained restrict the
right of the Trust to indemnify or reimburse a shareholder in any
appropriate situation even though not specifically provided herein.
Section 4.2. Non-Liability of Trustees, Etc.
--------------------------------------------
No Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be liable to
the Trust, its shareholders, or to any shareholder, Trustee, officer,
employee, or agent thereof for any action or failure to act (including
without limitation the failure to compel in any way any former or acting
Trustee to redress any breach of trust) except for his own bad faith,
willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Section 4.3. Mandatory Indemnification.
----------------------------------------
(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph (b)
below:
(i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer of the
Trust shall be indemnified by the Trust, or by one or more Series
thereof if the claim arises from his or her conduct with respect
to only such Series to the fullest extent permitted by law
against all liability and against all expenses reasonably
incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action,
suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or
otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee or
officer and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the
settlement thereof;
(ii) the words "claim," "action," "suit," or "proceeding" shall
apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil,
criminal, or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and
the words "liability" and "expenses" shall include, without
limitation, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in
settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Trustee or
officer:
(i) against any liability to the Trust or a Series thereof or the
shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his office;
(ii) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been
finally adjudicated not the have acted in good faith in the
reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the
Trust or a Series thereof;
(iii) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not
involving a final adjudication as provided in paragraph (b)(ii)
resulting in a payment by a Trustee or officer, unless there has
been a determination that such Trustee or officer did not engage
in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office:
(A) by the court or other body approving the
settlement or other disposition; or
(B) based upon a review of readily available facts
(as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) by (x)
vote of a majority of the Non-interested Trustees
acting on the matter (provided that a majority of
the Non-interested Trustees then in office act on
the matter) or (y) written opinion of independent
legal counsel.
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against
by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not
affect any other rights to which any Trustee or officer may now or
hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
be such Trustee or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors, administrators and assigns of such a person. Nothing
contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which
personnel of the Trust other than Trustees and officers may be entitled
by contract or otherwise under law.
(d) Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim,
action, suit or proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a)
of this Section 4.3 may be advanced by the Trust or a Series thereof
prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or
on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately
determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section
4.3, provided that either:
(i) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other
appropriate security provided by the recipient, or the Trust or
Series thereof shall be insured against losses arising out of any
such advances; or
(ii) a majority of the Non-interested Trustees acting on the
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
matter (provided that a majority of the Non-interested Trustees
act on the matter) or an independent legal counsel in a written
opinion shall determine, based upon a review of readily available
facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is
reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found
entitled to indemnification.
As used in this Section 4.3, a "Non-interested Trustee" is one who is
not (i) an "Interested Person" of the Trust (including anyone who has been
exempted from being an "Interested Person" by any rule, regulation or order of
the Commission), or (ii) involved in the claim, action, suit or proceeding.
ITEM 28. BUSINESS OR OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
---------------------------------------------------
The business and other connections of BAMCO, Inc. is summarized under
"The Adviser" in the Prospectus constituting Part A of the Registration
Statement, which summary is incorporated herein by reference.
The business and other connections of the officers and directors of
BAMCO, Inc. is currently listed in the investment adviser registration on Form
ADV for BAMCO, Inc. (File No. 801-29080) and is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
-----------------------
(a) Inapplicable.
(b)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(1) (2) (3)
Positions and Positions and
Name and Principal Offices with Offices with
Business Address Underwriter Registrant
- ----------------- ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ronald Baron Director and Trustee and
767 Fifth Avenue President President
New York, N.Y. 10153
Collin Baron Director None
855 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Susan Robbins Director, Secretary Vice President
767 Fifth Avenue and Vice President
New York, N.Y. 10153
Peggy Wong Treasurer Treasurer
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10153
</TABLE>
(c) Inapplicable.
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
---------------------------------
Certain accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31 (a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated
thereunder are maintained at the offices of the Registrant, BAMCO, Inc. and
Baron Capital, Inc., 767 Fifth Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10153. Records
relating to the duties of the Registrant's transfer agent are maintained by
Supervised Service Company, Inc. 811 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64105 and of
the Registrant's custodian are maintained by The Bank of New York, 48 Wall
Street, New York, N.Y. 10015.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
-------------------
Inapplicable.
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS
------------
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
Trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
Registrant undertakes to file an amendment to the Registration Statement
which includes financial statements (which need not be certified) within four to
six months from the effective date of Registrant's 1933 Act Registration
Statement.
SIGNATURES
----------
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this
post-effective amendment No. 12 to the registration statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City and State
of New York, on the 13th day of January, 1997.
BARON ASSET FUND
By s/Ronald Baron
------------------------------
Ronald Baron, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
post-effective amendment No. 12 to the registration statement has been signed
below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signatures Title Date
---------- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C>
s/ Ronald Baron President (Principal January 13, 1997
- ------------------------ Executive Officer) &
Ronald Baron Trustee
*s/Raymond Noveck Trustee January 13, 1997
- -------------------------
Raymond Noveck
s/ Linda S. Martinson Secretary, January 13, 1997
- ------------------------ Vice President & Trustee
Linda S. Martinson
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signatures Title Date
---------- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C>
s/ Peggy Wong Treasurer (Principal January 13, 1997
- ----------------------- Financial & Accounting
Peggy Wong Officer)
*s/Mark M. Feldman Trustee January 13, 1997
- -----------------------
Mark M. Feldman
*s/Norman S. Edelcup Trustee January 13, 1997
- -------------------
Norman S. Edelcup
*s/Charles N. Mathewson Trustee January 13, 1997
- ------------------------
Charles N. Mathewson
*s/Irwin Greenberg Trustee January 13, 1997
- ------------------------
Irwin Greenberg
*s/Harold W. Milner Trustee January 13, 1997
- ------------------------
Harold W. Milner
*s/David A. Silverman Trustee January 13, 1997
- ------------------------
David A. Silverman
*s/N. Elliott Trustee January 13, 1997
- ------------------------
N. Elliott
s/M. Schaja Vice President & January 13, 1997
- --------------------- Trustee
M. Schaja
*By:s/ Linda S. Martinson
- ------------------------
Linda S. Martinson
Attorney-in-fact pursuant to a power of attorney previously filed.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BARON ASSET FUND
Index to Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Title of Exhibit Page
- ---------- ---------------- ----
<S> <C>
1 Declaration of Trust *
2 By-laws *
4 Specimen Certificates ***
Baron Asset Fund
Baron Growth & Income Fund
5(a) Investment Advisory Agreement for **
Baron Asset Fund
5(b) Investment Advisory Agreement for
Baron Growth & Income Fund
6 Distribution Agreement **
8(a) Custodian Contract *
8(b) Fee Schedule for Exhibit 8(a) *
9(a) Transfer Agency Agreement ***
9(b) Fee Schedule for Exhibit 9(a) ***
10 Opinion and consent of counsel as
to legality of shares being
registered (filed with Rule
24f-2 Notice)
11 Consent of Independent
Accountants
13 Letter agreement relating to *
inital capital
14(a) IRA Disclosure Statement <
14(b) IRA Application <
15 Distribution Plan pursuant to **
Rule 12b-1
16(a,b) Caluculation of performance
27(a) Financial Data Schedule @
Baron Asset Fund
27(b) Financial Data Schedule @
Baron Growth & Income Fund
Power of Attorney
</TABLE>
* Previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
** Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 3
*** Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 5
**** Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 7
< Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 10
@ Previously filed with Form NSAR for the period ended 09/30/96
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
------------------------
Character normally expressed as superscript shall be preceded by 'pp'
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit 11
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the inclusion in Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the
Registration Statement of Baron Asset Fund on Form N-1A of our report dated
November 27, 1996 on our audit of the financial statements and financial
highlights of Baron Asset Fund. We also consent to the references to our Firm in
the Prospectus under the caption "Financial Highlights" and in the Statement of
Additional Information under the caption "Independent Accountants."
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
New York, New York
January 13, 1997
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 16.a
Computation of Performance Data
Performance data, as described in the Prospectus and the Statement of
Additional Information, is calculated on an average annual total return
and an actual return basis.
For the period ended December 31, 1996, the Fund's performance was
calculated based on the following:
(1) Dividend Information
--------------------
Dividend Per Share Per Share No. of
Ex Dividend Reinvestment Reinvested
Date Amount Price Shares
---- ------ ----- ----------
12/23/87 $0.197 $10.06 1.96
12/28/88 0.701 12.77 5.60
12/28/89 1.409 14.51 10.44
12/27/90 0.198 11.67 2.00
12/27/91 0.035 15.60 0.27
12/29/92 0.162 17.49 1.11
12/28/93 0.774 20.85 4.51
12/28/94 0.656 21.67 3.81
12/27/95 0.034 29.24 0.15
12/27/96 0.039 36.66 0.14
(2) Valuation Information:
----------------------
Assuming $1,000 initial investment at inception at $10 per share (100
shares):
Total Shares NAV Total
Date Owned Per Share Value
---- ------------ --------- ---------
12/31/87 101.96 $10.10 $1,029.80
12/31/88 107.56 12.87 1,384.23
12/31/89 118.00 14.66 1,729.87
12/31/90 120.00 11.75 1,410.01
12/31/91 120.27 15.71 1,889.45
12/31/92 121.38 17.73 2,152.14
12/31/93 125.89 21.11 2,657.54
12/31/94 129.70 22.01 2,854.72
12/31/95 129.85 29.74 3,861.80
12/31/96 129.99 36.23 4,709.68
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Calculation of Average Annual Total Return:
'pp'n ERV
Using the formula: T = [root] P - 1
assuming P = $1.000
(A) For the one year ended 12/31/96
n = 1.00000
ERV = 1.21957
T = +22.0%
(B) For the five year period 12/31/91 - 12/31/96
n = 5.00000
ERV = 2.49262
T = 20.0%
(C) For the period 6/12/87 (inception) - 12/31/96
n = 9.55616
ERV = 4.70968
T = 17.6%
(4) Calculation of Actual Return
----------------------------
Assuming a $1,000 investment,
NAV per share at 6/12/87 = $10.00 at 100 shares. Value =$1,000.
NAV per share at 12/31/87 = $10.10 at 101.96 shares (includes 1.96 reinvested
shares). Value =$1,029.80.
NAV per share at 12/31/88 = $12.87 at 107.56 shares (includes 1.96 + 5.60
reinvested shares). Value =$1,384.23.
NAV per share at 12/31/89 = $14.66 at 118.00 shares (includes 1.96 + 5.60 +
10.44 reinvested shares). Value = $1,729.87.
NAV per share at 12/31/90 =$11.75 at 120.00 shares (includes 1.96 + 5.60 + 10.44
+ 2.00 reinvested shares). Value = $1,410.01.
NAV per share at 12/31/91 = $15.71 at 120.27 shares (includes 1.96 + 5.60 +
10.44 + 2.00 + 0.27 reinvested shares). Value = $1,889.45.
NAV per share at 12/31/92 = $17.73 at 121.38 shares (includes 1.96 + 5.60 +
10.44 + 2.00 + 0.27 + 1.11 reinvested shares). Value = $2,152.14.
NAV per share at 12/31/93 = $21.11 at 125.89 shares (includes 1.96 + 5.60 +
10.44 + 2.00 + 0.27 + 1.11 + 4.51 reinvested shares). Value = $2,657.54.
NAV per share at 12/31/94 = $22.01 at 129.70 shares (includes 1.96 + 5.60 +
10.44 + 2.00 + 0.27 + 1.11 + 4.51 + 3.81 reinvested shares). Value = $2,854.72.
NAV per share at 12/31/95 = $29.74 at 129.85 shares (includes 1.96 + 5.60 +
10.44 + 2.00 + 0.27 + 1.11 + 4.51 + 3.81 + 0.15 reinvested shares).
Value = $3,861.80.
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NAV per share at 12/31/96 = $36.23 at 129.99 shares (includes 1.96 + 5.60 +
10.44 + 2.00 + 0.27 + 1.11 + 4.51 + 3.81 + 0.15 + 0.14 reinvested shares).
Value = $4,709.68.
One Year
- ---------
Performance for the year ended 12/31/96 is 4709.68/3861.80 = +21.96%
Five Years
- ----------
Performance for the period 12/31/91 - 12/31/96 is 4709.68/1889.45 = +149.26%
Since Inception
- ----------------
Performance for the period 06/12/87 - 12/31/96 is 4709.68/1000 = +370.97%
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EXHIBIT 16.b
For the period ended December 31, 1996, Baron Growth & Income Fund's
performance was calculated based on the following:
(1) Dividend Information
---------------------
Dividend Per Share Per Share No. of
Ex Dividend Reinvestment Reinvested
Date Amount Price Shares
-------- --------- ------------ ----------
12/27/95 $ 0.142 $ 14.91 0.952
12/27/96 $ 0.255 $ 18.73 1.374
(2) Valuation Information:
----------------------
Assuming $1,000 initial investment at inception at $10 per share (100
shares):
Total Shares NAV Total
Date Owned Per Share Value
-------- ------------ ---------- -------
12/31/95 100.952 15.11 1525.38
12/31/96 102.326 19.04 1948.29
(3) Calculation of Average Annual Total Return:
--------------------------------------------
'pp'n ERV
Using the formula: T = [root] P - 1
assuming P = $1.000
For the one year ended 12/31/96
n = 1.00000
ERV = 1.27724
T = 27.7%
For the period 1/3/95 (commencement of operations) - 12/31/96
n = 2.0000
ERV = 1.94829
T = 39.6%
(4) Calculation of Actual Return
----------------------------
Assuming a $1,000 investment,
NAV per share at 01/03/95 = $10.00 at 100 shares Value = $1,000.
NAV per share at 12/31/95 = $15.11 at 100.952 shares (includes 0.952 reinvested
shares) Value = $1525.38.
NAV per share at 12/31/96 = $19.04 at 102.326 shares (includes 0.952 + 1.374
reinvested shares) Value = $1948.29.
One Year
- --------
Performance for the year ended 12/31/96 is 1948.29/1525.38 = +27.72%
Since Inception
- ----------------
Performance for the period 01/03/95 - 12/31/96 is 1948.29/1000 = +94.83%.
