STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 1, 1996
AVONDALE TOTAL RETURN FUND
a series of
PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS
1105 Holliday
Wichita Falls, Texas 76301
(817) 761-3777
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus, and it should
be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Avondale Total Return Fund.
Copies of the prospectus are available by calling (817) 761-3777 or (800)
385-7003.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Investment Objective and Policies............................. B-2
Investment Restrictions....................................... B-4
Distributions and Tax Information............................. B-6
Management......................... .......................... B-9
The Fund's Investment Manager................................ B-12
The Fund's Administrator...................................... B-12
The Fund's Distributor........................................ B-13
Execution of Portfolio Transactions........................... B-13
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information................ B-15
Determination of Share Price.................................. B-17
Performance Information....................................... B-17
General Information........................................... B-18
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-20
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-20
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Avondale Total Return Fund (the "Fund") is a mutual fund with the
investment objective of seeking the combination of income and capital
appreciation that will produce the maximum total return consistent with
reasonable risk. The Fund seeks to
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achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity securities (common and
preferred stocks) and higher quality fixed income obligations. The balance
between debt and equity securities may be adjusted based upon the market
interpretation of the Investment Manager of the Fund. The following discussion
supplements the discussion of the Fund's investment objective and policies as
set forth in the Prospectus. There can be no assurance the objective of the Fund
will be attained.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements as discussed in the
Prospectus. Under such agreements, the seller of the security agrees to
repurchase it at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price may
be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or
the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated
rate due to the Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either
case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the U.S.
Government security itself. Such repurchase agreements will be made only with
banks with assets of $500 million or more that are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or with Government securities dealers recognized
by the Federal Reserve Board and registered as broker-dealers with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or exempt from such registration. The
Fund will generally enter into repurchase agreements of short durations, from
overnight to one week, although the underlying securities generally have longer
maturities. The Fund may not enter into a repurchase agreement with more than
seven days to maturity if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's
total assets would be invested in illiquid securities including such repurchase
agreements.
For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), a
repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from the Fund to the seller of the
U.S. Government security subject to
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the repurchase agreement. It is not clear whether a court would consider the
U.S. Government security acquired by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement
as being owned by the Fund or as being collateral for a loan by the Fund to the
seller. In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings
with respect to the seller of the U.S. Government security before its repurchase
under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delays and incur costs
before being able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or a
decline in price of the U.S. Government security. If a court characterizes the
transaction as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the
U.S. Government security, the Fund may be required to return the security to the
seller's estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an
unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at the risk of losing some or all of the
principal and income involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt
instrument purchased for the Fund, the investment manager seeks to minimize the
risk of loss through repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of
the obligor, in this case the seller of the U.S. Government security.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is
also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, the
Fund will always receive as collateral for any repurchase agreement to which it
is a party securities acceptable to it, the market value of which is equal to at
least 100% of the amount invested by the Fund plus accrued interest, and the
Fund will make payment against such securities only upon physical delivery or
evidence of book entry transfer to the account of its Custodian. If the market
value of the U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement
becomes less than the repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will
direct the seller of the U.S. Government security to deliver additional
securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase
agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. It is possible that the
Fund will be unsuccessful in seeking to impose on the seller a contractual
obligation to deliver additional securities.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
As noted in the Prospectus, the Fund may lend up to 30% of its
portfolio securities in order to generate additional income.
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The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with
a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the
borrower or placing broker. Loans are subject to termination at the option of
the Fund or the borrower at any time.
When-Issued Securities
The Fund may from time to time purchase securities on a "when-issued"
basis. The price of such securities, which may be expressed in yield terms, is
fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment
for the when-issued securities take place at a later date. Normally, the
settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase; during the period
between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer
and no interest accrues to the Fund. To the extent that assets of the Fund are
held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund would
earn no income; however, it is the Fund's intention to be fully invested to the
extent practicable and subject to the policies stated above. While when-issued
securities may be sold prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to
purchase such securities with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a
sale appears desirable for investment reasons. At the time the Fund makes the
commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the
transaction and reflect the value of the security in determining its net asset
value. The market value of the when-issued securities may be more or less than
the purchase price. The Fund does not believe that its net asset value or income
will be adversely affected by its purchase of securities on a when-issued basis.
The Fund will establish a segregated account with its Custodian in which it will
maintain liquid assets equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities.
Such segregated assets either will mature or, if necessary, be sold on or before
the settlement date.
Foreign Securities
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in foreign securities.
Foreign economies may differ from the U.S. economy; individual foreign companies
may differ from domestic companies in the same industry and foreign currencies
maybe stronger or weaker than the U.S. dollar. An investment may be affected by
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changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations, and the Fund may
incur transaction charges in exchanging currencies. Foreign companies are
frequently not subject to the accounting and financial reporting standards
applicable to domestic companies, and there may be less information available
about foreign issuers. Foreign stock markets may have substantially less volume
than the New York Stock Exchange, and securities of foreign issuers may be
generally less liquid and more volatile than those of comparable domestic
issuers. There is frequently less government regulation of exchanges,
broker-dealers and issuers than in the United States. In addition, investments
in foreign countries are subject to the possibility of expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic
developments that could adversely affect the value of those investments.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following policies and investment restrictions have been adopted by
the Fund and (unless otherwise noted) are fundamental and cannot be changed
without the affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may not:
1. With respect to 75% of its total assets: (a) invest more than 5% of
its total assets (taken at market value at the time of investment) in the
securities of any one issuer, or (b) acquire more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of any one issuer (at the time of acquisition); except that
this restriction does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the United
States Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.
2. Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt
securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b)
through the lending of its portfolio securities as described above and in its
Prospectus, or (c) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed
to be a loan.
3. (a) Borrow money, except temporarily for extraordinary or emergency
purposes from a bank and then not in excess of 10% of its total assets (at the
lower of cost or fair market value). Any such borrowing will be made only if
immediately thereafter
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there is an asset coverage of at least 300% of all borrowings, and no additional
investments may be made while any such borrowings are in excess of 5% of total
assets.
(b) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets
except in connection with any such borrowings.
4. Purchase securities on margin, sell securities short, participate on
a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, or
underwrite securities. (Does not preclude the Fund from obtaining such
short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales
of its portfolio securities.)
5. Buy or sell interests in oil, gas or mineral exploration or
development programs, or real estate. (Does not preclude investments in
marketable securities of issuers engaged in such activities.)
6. Purchase or hold securities of any issuer, if, at the time of
purchase or thereafter, any of the Trustees or officers of the Trust or the
Fund's investment manager owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1%, and all such
Trustees or officers holding more than 1/2 of 1% together own beneficially more
than 5% of the issuer's securities.
7. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts or invest in put,
call, straddle or spread options. (As a matter of operating policy, the Board of
Trustees may authorize the Fund to engage in certain activities involving
options and/or futures for bona fide hedging purposes; any such authorization
will be accompanied by appropriate notification to shareholders.)
8. Invest, in the aggregate, more than 10% of its total assets in
securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities which
are not readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days
to maturity.
9. Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control
or management.
10. Invest more than 25% of the market value of its assets
in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry.
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(Does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.)
11. Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except that
this restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit the Fund from (a) making any
permitted borrowings, mortgages or pledges, or (b) entering into repurchase
transactions.
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental
and which may be changed without shareholder vote.
12. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities
of any issuer which has not had a record, together with predecessors, of at
least three years of continuous operation.
13. Invest in securities of other investment companies which would result
in the Fund owning more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of any one
such investment company, the Fund owning securities of another investment
company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund's
total assets, or the Fund owning securities of investment companies in the
aggregate which would exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
Under applicable provisions of Texas law, any investment by the Fund in
warrants may not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets. Included
within that amount, but not to exceed 2% of the value of the Fund's net assets
may be warrants which are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
subsequent increase or decrease in a percentage resulting from a change in the
values of assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction, except as
otherwise noted.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income and distributions from
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net profits from the sale of securities are generally made annually, as
described in the Prospectus after the conclusion of the Fund's fiscal year
(March 31). Also, the Fund expects to distribute any undistributed net
investment income on or about December 31 of each year. Any net capital gains
realized through the period ended October 31 of each year will also be
distributed by December 31 of each year.
Each distribution by the Fund is accompanied by a brief explanation of
the form and character of the distribution. In January of each year the Fund
will issue to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of
all distributions.
Tax Information
Each series of the Trust is treated as a separate entity for federal
income tax purposes. The Fund intends to continue to qualify and elect to be
treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), provided it complies with all
applicable requirements regarding the source of its income, diversification of
its assets and timing of distributions. The Fund's policy is to distribute to
its shareholders all of its investment company taxable income and any net
realized long-term capital gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies
with the distribution requirements of the Code, so that the Fund will not be
subject to any federal income or excise taxes. To comply with the requirements,
the Fund must also distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31
of each calendar year (I) at least 98% of its ordinary income for such year,
(ii) at least 98% of the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized
capital losses for the 12-month period ending on October 31 during such year and
(iii) any amounts from the prior calendar year that were not distributed and on
which the Fund paid no federal income tax.
Net investment income consists of interest and dividend income, less
expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal period are computed by taking
into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund.
Distributions of net investment income and net short-term
capital gains are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In
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the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of the distributions may qualify
for the intercorporate dividends-received deduction to the extent the Fund
designates the amount distributed as a qualifying dividend. The aggregate amount
so designated cannot, however, exceed the aggregate amount of qualifying
dividends received by the Fund for its taxable year. In view of the Fund's
investment policy, it is expected that dividends from domestic corporations will
be part of the Fund's gross income and that, accordingly, part of the
distributions by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction
for corporate shareholders. However, the portion of the Fund's gross income
attributable to qualifying dividends is largely dependent on that Fund's
investment activities for a particular year and therefore cannot be predicted
with any certainty. The deduction may be reduced or eliminated if the Fund
shares held by a corporate investor are treated as debt-financed or are held for
less than 46 days.
Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital
gains, regardless of the length of time they have held their shares. Capital
gains distributions are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction
referred to in the previous paragraph. Distributions of any net investment
income and net realized capital gains will be taxable as described above,
whether received in shares or in cash. Shareholders electing to receive
distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for
federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset
value of a share on the reinvestment date. Distributions are generally taxable
when received. However, distributions declared in October, November or December
to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid the following
January are taxable as if received on December 31. Distributions are includable
in alternative minimum taxable income in computing a shareholder's liability for
the alternative minimum tax.
A redemption or exchange of Fund shares may result in recognition of a
taxable gain or loss. Any loss realized upon a redemption or exchange of shares
within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term
capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term
capital gains during such six-month period. In determining gain
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or loss from an exchange of Fund shares for shares of another mutual fund, the
sales charge incurred in purchasing the shares that are surrendered will be
excluded from their tax basis to the extent that a sales charge that would
otherwise be imposed in the purchase of the shares received in the exchange is
reduced. Any portion of a sales charge excluded from the basis of the shares
surrendered will be added to the basis of the shares received. Any loss realized
upon a redemption or exchange may be disallowed under certain wash sale rules to
the extent shares of the same Fund are purchased (through reinvestment of
distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the redemption or
exchange.
Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS") all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as
well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in
the case of exempt shareholders, which includes most corporations. Pursuant to
the backup withholding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, distributions of
any taxable income and capital gains and proceeds from the redemption of Fund
shares may be subject to withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 31
percent in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Fund with
their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding
their status under the federal income tax law. If the withholding provisions are
applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or
reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be
withheld. Corporate and other exempt shareholders should provide the Fund with
their taxpayer identification numbers or certify their exempt status in order to
avoid possible erroneous application of backup withholding. The Fund reserves
the right to refuse to open an account for any person failing to provide a
certified taxpayer identification number.
The Fund will not be subject to tax in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts as long as it qualifies as a regulated investment
company for federal income tax purposes. Distributions and the
transactions referred to in the preceding paragraphs may be
subject to state and local income taxes, and the tax treatment
thereof may differ from the federal income tax treatment.
Moreover, the above discussion is not intended to be a complete
discussion of all applicable federal tax consequences of an
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investment in the Fund. Shareholders are advised to consult with their own tax
advisers concerning the application of federal, state and local taxes to an
investment in the Fund.
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to
the application of that law to U.S. citizens or residents and U.S. domestic
corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each shareholder who is not a
U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership
of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be
subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent (or at a lower rate
under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts constituting ordinary income.
This discussion and the related discussion in the prospectus have been
prepared by Fund management, and counsel to the Fund has expressed no opinion in
respect thereof.
MANAGEMENT
Trustees
The Trustees of the Trust, who were elected for an indefinite term by
the initial shareholders of the Trust, are responsible for the overall
management of the Trust, including general supervision and review of the
investment activities of the Fund. The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of
the Trust, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of
the Trust and its separate series. The current Trustees and officers and their
affiliations and principal occupations for the past five years are set forth
below.
Steven J. Paggioli,* 46 President and Trustee
479 West 22nd Street, New York, New York 10011. Executive Vice
President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. (consultants)
since 1986; Executive Vice President of Investment Company
Administration Corporation ("ICAC"; mutual fund administrator and
the Trust's administrator),and Vice President of First Fund
Distributors, Inc. ("FFD"; registered broker-dealer and the Fund's
Distributor) since 1990.
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Dorothy A. Berry, 52 Trustee
Wildflower Hill, Ancram New York 12502. President, Talon Industries (venture
capital and business consulting); formerly Chief Operating Officer, Integrated
Asset Management (investment advisor and manager) and formerly President, Value
Line, Inc., (investment advisory and financial publishing firm).
Wallace L. Cook, 56 Trustee
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112. Senior Vice
President, Rockefeller Trust Co. Financial Counselor, Rockefeller
& Co.
Carl A. Froebel, 57 Trustee
333 Technology Dr., Malvern, PA. Managing Director, Premier
Solutions, Ltd. Formerly President and Founder, National Investor
Data Services, Inc. (investment related computer software).
Rowley W.P. Redington, 51 Trustee
260 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102. Vice President,
PRS of New Jersey, Inc. (management consulting); Chief Financial
Officer, Jersey Electronics, Inc. (formerly ESI, Inc.) (consumer
electronics service and marketing); formerly President, Aveco Inc.
(consumer electronic service and marketing) and formerly Chief
Executive Officer, Rowley Associates (consultants).
Eric M. Banhazl*, 38 Treasurer
2025 E. Financial Way, Suite 101, Glendora, California 91741.
Senior Vice President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc.,
Senior Vice President of ICAC and Vice President of FFD since 1990.
Robin Berger*, 39 Secretary
479 West 22nd St., New York, New York 10011. Vice President, Robert
H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since June, 1993; formerly
Regulatory and Compliance Coordinator, Equitable Capital
Management, Inc. (1991-93).
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Robert H. Wadsworth*, 56 Vice President
4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
President of Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since 1982,
President of ICAC and FFD since 1990.
*Indicates an "interested person" of the Trust as defined in the
1940 Act.
Set forth below is the rate of compensation received by the following
Trustees from the Fund and all other portfolios of the Trust. This amount is
allocated among the portfolios. Disinterested trustees are also reimbursed for
expenses in connection with each Board meeting attended. No other compensation
or retirement benefits were received by any Trustee or officer from the Fund or
any other portfolios of the Trust.
Name of Trustee Total Annual Compensation
Dorothy A. Berry $10,000
Wallace L. Cook $10,000
Carl A. Froebel $10,000
Rowley W.P Redington $10,000
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, trustees' fees and expenses in
the amount of $3,308 were allocated to the Fund.
The Fund receives investment advisory services pursuant to agreements
with the Advisor and the Trust. Each such agreement, after its initial term,
continues in effect for successive annual periods so long as such continuation
is approved at least annually by the vote of (1) the Board of Trustees of the
Trust (or a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund to which the
agreement applies), and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of any party to the Agreement, in each case cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Any such agreement may be
terminated at any time, without penalty, by either party to the agreement upon
sixty days' written notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its
"assignment," as defined in the 1940 Act.
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THE FUND'S INVESTMENT MANAGER
As stated in the Prospectus, investment management services are
provided to the Fund by Herbert R. Smith, Incorporated, the Manager, pursuant to
an Investment Management Agreement. The Agreement continues in effect from year
to year so long as such continuation is approved at least annually by (1) the
Board of Trustees of the Trust or the vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Fund, and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of any party to the Agreement, in each case cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Agreement may be
terminated at any time, without penalty, by either the Fund or the Manager upon
sixty days' written notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its
assignment as defined in the 1940 Act.
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1994, March 31, 1995, and March
31, 1996, the Manager received investment management fees of $58,018, $44,869
and $58,529 under the Agreement.
Herbert R. Smith,Incorporated is independently owned by its officers.
Herbert R. Smith is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the
Manager and owns a controlling interest in the Investment Manager.
The use of the name "Avondale" by the Fund is pursuant to a license
granted by the Investment Manager, and in the event the Investment Management
Agreement with the Fund is terminated, the Investment Manager has reserved the
right to require the Fund to remove any references to the name "Avondale."
THE FUND'S ADMINISTRATOR
The Fund has an Administration Agreement with Investment Company
Administration Corporation (the "Administrator"), a corporation owned and
controlled by Messrs. Banhazl, Paggioli and Wadsworth with offices at 4455 E.
Camelback Rd., Ste. 261-E, Phoenix, AZ 85018. The Administration Agreement
provides that the Administrator will prepare and coordinate reports and other
materials supplied to the Trustees; prepare and/or supervise the preparation and
filing of all securities filings, periodic financial reports, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, marketing materials, tax returns,
shareholder reports
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and other regulatory reports or filings required of the Fund; prepare all
required filings necessary to maintain the Fund's qualification and/or
registration to sell shares in all states where the Fund currently does, or
intends to do business; coordinate the preparation, printing and mailing of all
materials (e.g., Annual Reports) required to be sent to shareholders; coordinate
the preparation and payment of Fund related expenses; monitor and oversee the
activities of the Fund's servicing agents (i.e., transfer agent, custodian, fund
accountants, etc.); review and adjust as necessary the Fund's daily expense
accruals; and perform such additional services as may be agreed upon by the Fund
and the Administrator. For its services, the Administrator receives an annual
fee equal to the greater of .15% of the Fund's average daily net assets or
$30,000, provided that if the Fund's annual operating expenses exceed $90,000
after waiver of the Investment Manager's fee, and if the net assets of the Fund
are $5 million or less, the Administrator will waive its fee in an amount equal
to such excess.
During each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, March 31, 1995 and March
31, 1994, respectively, the Administrator and its predecessor received fees of
$30,000.
THE FUND'S DISTRIBUTOR
First Fund Distributors, Inc., (the "Distributor"), a corporation owned
by Mr. Banhazl, Mr. Paggioli and Mr. Wadsworth, acts as the Fund's principal
underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund's shares. The
Distribution Agreement between the Fund and the Distributor continues in effect
for periods not exceeding one year if approved at least annually by (I) the
Board of Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the
Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and (ii) a majority of the Trustees who are
not interested persons of any such party, in each case cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Distributing
Agreement may be terminated without penalty by the parties thereto upon sixty
days' written notice, and is automatically terminated in the event of its
assignment as defined in the 1940 Act.
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Manager
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determines which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which
broker-dealers will be used to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions.
Purchases and sales of securities in the over-the-counter market will be
executed directly with a "market-maker" unless, in the opinion of the Manager, a
better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the
transaction.
Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund also may be made
directly from issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale
transactions will be effected through dealers (including banks) which specialize
in the types of securities which the Fund will be holding, unless better
executions are available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as
principal for their own account. Purchases from underwriters will include a
concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will
include the spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and
price offered by more than one broker, dealer or underwriter are comparable, the
order may be allocated to a broker, dealer or underwriter that has provided
research or other services as discussed below.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Manager will use its best
efforts to choose a broker-dealer capable of providing the services necessary to
obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and
quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations,
such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational
facilities of the firm involved, the firm's risk in positioning a block of
securities, and other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably
determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the most favorable price
and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers
which furnish or supply research and statistical information to the Manager that
it may lawfully and appropriately use in its investment advisory capacities, as
well as provide other services in addition to execution services. The Manager
considers such information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the
services required to be performed by it under its Agreement with the Fund, to be
useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value. Portfolio transactions
may be placed with broker-dealers who sell shares of the Fund subject to rules
adopted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
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While it is the Fund's general policy to seek first to obtain the most
favorable price and execution available, in selecting a broker-dealer to execute
portfolio transactions for the Fund, weight is also given to the ability of a
broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the
Manager, even if the specific services are not directlt useful to the Fund and
may be useful to the Manager in advising other clients. In negotiating
commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the
Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if
no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided
that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith
by the Manager to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or
research services provided by such broker-dealer. The standard of reasonableness
is to be measured in light of the Manager's overall responsibilities to the
Fund. In this regard, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, substantially
all of the brokerage commissions paid by the Fund were directed to the selected
brokers because of research services provided and were effected at rates
believed by the Manager to be higher than otherwise obtainable, but reasonable
in relation to the services provided. The services obtained by this allocation
of brokerage included the Bridge Trading System software and data access fees
and research reports from William O'Neil & Co.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
other client accounts or mutual funds ("Funds") managed or advised by the
Manager. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be
acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts. In such
event, the position of the Fund and such client account(s) in the same issuer
may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its investment in
the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of these client
accounts seeks to acquire the same security as the Fund at the same time, the
Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such security as it
desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such
security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or
as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security at the same
time. If one or more of such client accounts simultaneously purchases or sells
the same security that the Fund is purchasing or selling, each day's
transactions in such security will be allocated between the Fund and all such
client accounts in a manner deemed
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equitable by the Manager, taking into account the respective sizes of the
accounts and the amount being purchased or sold. It is recognized that in some
cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the
security insofar as the Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, it is
believed that the ability of the Fund to participate in volume transactions may
produce better executions for the Fund.
The Fund does not use the Distributor to execute its portfolio
transactions. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1994, March 31, 1995, and
March 31, 1996, respectively, the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the
Fund were $17,664, $12,690 and $15,895.
The Fund does not effect securities transactions through brokers solely
for selling shares of the Fund, although the Fund may consider the sale of
shares as a factor in allocating brokerage. However, as stated above,
broker-dealers who execute brokerage transactions may effect purchases of shares
of the Fund for their customers.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (I) to suspend the
continued offering of the Fund's shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole
or in part when in the judgment of the Manager or the Distributor such rejection
is in the best interest of the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum
for initial and subsequent investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under
circumstances where certain economies can be achieved in sales of the Fund's
shares.
The Fund issues shares for consideration other than cash only where there
is a bona fide reorganization, statutory merger, or where the securities to be
acquired meet the investment objectives and policies of the Fund, are acquired
for investment and not for resale, and liquid and not restricted as to transfer
either by law or market liquidity, and have a value which is readily
ascertainable (and not established only by valuation procedures), as evidenced
by a listing on the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange or
NASDAQ.
Payments to shareholders for shares of the Fund redeemed directly from
the Fund will be made as promptly as possible but no
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later than seven days after receipt by the Fund's Transfer Agent of the written
request in proper form, with the appropriate documentation as stated in the
Prospectus, except that the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone
the date of payment during any period when (a) trading on the New York Stock
Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC or such Exchange is closed for
other than weekends and holidays; (b) an emergency exists as determined by the
SEC making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets of the
Fund not reasonably practicable; or (c) for such other period as the SEC may
permit for the protection of the Fund's shareholders. At various times, the Fund
may be requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received confirmation
of good payment; in this circumstance, the Fund may delay the redemption until
payment for the purchase of such shares has been collected and confirmed to the
Fund.
The Fund intends to pay cash (U.S. dollars) for all shares redeemed,
but, under abnormal conditions which make payment in cash unwise, the Fund may
make payment partly in securities with a current market value equal to the
redemption price. Although the Fund does not anticipate that it will make any
part of a redemption payment in securities, if such payment were made, an
investor may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. The
Fund has elected to be governed by the provisions of Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act, which contains a formula for determining the minimum redemption amounts
that must be paid in cash.
The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less
than the investor's cost, depending upon the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund provides a Check-A-Matic Plan
for the convenience of investors who wish to purchase shares of the Fund on a
regular basis. All record keeping and custodial costs of the Check-A-Matic Plan
are paid by the Fund. The market value of the Fund's shares is subject to
fluctuation, so before undertaking any plan for systematic investment, the
investor should keep in mind that this plan does not assure a profit nor protect
against depreciation in declining markets.
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
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As noted in the Prospectus, the net asset value and offering price of
shares of the Fund will be determined once daily as of the close of public
trading on the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on
each day that the Exchange is open for trading. It is expected that the Exchange
will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on New Year's Day, Presidents' Day,
Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas. The Fund does not expect to determine the net asset value of its
shares on any day when the Exchange is not open for trading even if there is
sufficient trading in its portfolio securities on such days to materially affect
the net asset value per share.
In valuing the Fund's assets for calculating net asset value, readily
marketable portfolio securities listed on a national securities exchange or on
NASDAQ are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such
value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such exchange or on
NASDAQ on such day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on such day.
Readily marketable securities traded only in the over-the-counter market and not
on NASDAQ are valued at the current or last bid price. If no bid is quoted on
such day, the security is valued by such method as the Board of Trustees of the
Trust shall determine in good faith to reflect the security's fair value. All
other assets of each Fund are valued in such manner as the Board of Trustees in
good faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated as follows: all
liabilities incurred or accrued are deducted from the valuation of total assets
which includes accrued but undistributed income; the resulting net assets are
divided by the number of shares of the Fund outstanding at the time of the
valuation and the result (adjusted to the nearest cent) is the net asset value
per share.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may state its total return in
advertisements and investor communications. Total return may be stated for any
relevant period as specified in the advertisement or communication. Any
statements of total return will be accompanied by information on the Fund's
average annual compounded rate of
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return over the most recent four calendar quarters and the period from the
Fund's inception of operations. The Fund may also advertise aggregate and
average total return information over different periods of time.
The Fund's average annual compounded rate of return is determined by
reference to a hypothetical $1,000 investment that includes capital appreciation
and depreciation for the stated period, according to the following formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000 from
which the maximum sales load is deducted
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the hypothetical $1,000
purchase at the end of the period
Aggregate total return is calculated in a similar manner, except that
the results are not annualized. Each calculation assumes that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during
the period.
The average annual compounded rate of returns, or total return, for the
Fund for the one year and five year periods and from the period from inception
of the Fund on October 12, 1988 through June 30, 1996 were 15.43%, 11.17% and
9.88%, respectively.
The Fund's total return may be compared to relevant indices, including
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index and indices published by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc. From time to time, evaluations of a Fund's performance
by independent sources may also be used in advertisements and in information
furnished to present or prospective investors in the Funds.
Investors should note that the investment results of the Fund will
fluctuate over time, and any presentation of the Fund's total return for any
period should not be considered as a representation of what an investment may
earn or what an investor's total return may be in any future period.
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<PAGE>
GENERAL INFORMATION
Investors in the Fund will be informed of the Fund's progress through periodic
reports. Financial statements certified by independent public accountants will
be submitted to shareholders at least annually.
Star Bank N.A., 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 acts as Custodian
of the securities and other assets of the Fund. American Data Services, Inc., 24
West Carver St., Huntington, NY 11743 is the Fund's transfer and shareholder
service agent. The Custodian and Transfer Agent do not participate in decisions
relating to the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund.
Tait, Weller & Baker, 121 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, are
the independent auditors for the Fund.
Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, 333 Bush Street, San Francisco,
California 94104, are legal counsel to the Fund.
The following persons are beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities as of July 11, 1996. An asterisk (*) denotes an
account affiliated with the Fund's investment advisor, officers or trustees:
Trust Company of Texas, Trustee, Humphrey Printing Co. Profit
Sharing Trust, Dallas, TX 75205; 5.364%.
Star Bank, custodian for Ted F Gingrich IRA Account, Yuba City, CA 95991;
5.15%.
The shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its obligations.
However, the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust. The
Agreement and Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification and
reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's assets for any shareholder held
personally liable for obligations of the Fund or Trust. The Agreement and
Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of
the Fund or Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon. All such rights are
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<PAGE>
limited to the assets of the Fund. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust
further provides that the Trust may maintain appropriate insurance (for example,
fidelity bonding and errors and omissions insurance) for the protection of the
Trust, its shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and agents to cover
possible tort and other liabilities. Furthermore, the activities of the Trust as
an investment company would not likely give rise to liabilities in excess of the
Trust's total assets. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss
on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both
inadequate insurance exists and the Fund itself is unable to meet its
obligations.
The Trust is registered with the SEC as a management investment company.
Such a registration does not involve supervision of the management or policies
of the Fund. The Prospectus of the Fund and this Statement of Additional
Information omit certain of the information contained in the Registration
Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of such information may be obtained from
the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The annual report to shareholders for the Fund for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996 is a separate document supplied with this Statement of Additional
Information and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of
independent accountants appearing therein are incorporated by reference in this
Statement of Additional Information.
APPENDIX
Description of Bond Ratings*
Moody's Investors Service
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most
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<PAGE>
unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such
issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuations or protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements: their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues
may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with
respect to principal or interest.
Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are
speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or
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<PAGE>
have other marked shortcomings.
Standard & Poor's Corporation
AAA: Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This
rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and
interest.
AA: Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they
differ from AAA issues only in small degree.
A: Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although
they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and
economic conditions.
BBB: Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in
this category than for bonds in the A category.
BB, B, CCC, CC: Bonds rated BB, B, CCC and CC are regarded, on balance, as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates
the lowest degree of speculation and CC the highest degree of speculation. While
such bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these
are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse
conditions.
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus
sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
*Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the
rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no
obligation to do so.
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<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 1, 1996
HODGES FUND
a series of
PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS
2905 Maple Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201
(800) 388-8512
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and it
should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Hodges Fund (the
"Fund"). A copy of the prospectus of the Fund dated August 1, 1996 is available
by calling (800) 388-8512 or (800) 385-7003.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
The Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Objective and Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5
Distributions and Tax Information . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7
Trustees and Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-11
The Fund's Investment Advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-12
The Fund's Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-12
The Fund's Distributor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-13
Execution of Portfolio Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . B-13
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information . . . . . B-16
Determination of Share Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17
Performance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-20
<PAGE>
THE TRUST
Professionally Managed Portfolios (the "Trust") is an open-end
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The
Trust consists of various series which represent separate investment portfolios.
This Statement of Additional Information relates only to the Hodges Fund series
(the "Fund").
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Hodges Fund (the "Fund") is a mutual fund with the investment
objective of seeking capital appreciation. The following discussion supplements
the discussion of the Fund's investment objective and policies as set forth in
the Prospectus. There can be no assurance the objective of the Fund will be
attained.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements as discussed in the
Prospectus. Under such agreements, the seller of the security agrees to
repurchase it at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price may
be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or
the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated
rate due to the Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either
case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the U.S.
Government security itself. Such repurchase agreements will be made only with
banks with assets of $500 million or more that are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or with Government securities dealers recognized
by the Federal Reserve Board and registered as broker-dealers with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or exempt from such registration. The
Fund will generally enter into repurchase agreements of short durations, from
overnight to one week, although the underlying securities generally have longer
maturities. The Fund may not enter into a repurchase agreement with more than
seven days to maturity if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's
total assets would be invested in illiquid securities including such repurchase
agreements.
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<PAGE>
For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), a
repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from the Fund to the seller of the
U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement. It is not clear
whether a court would consider the U.S. Government security acquired by the Fund
subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by the Fund or as being
collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller. In the event of the
commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller
of the U.S. Government security before its repurchase under a repurchase
agreement, the Fund may encounter delays and incur costs before being able to
sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of
the U.S. Government security. If a court characterizes the transaction as a loan
and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the U.S. Government
security, the Fund may be required to return the security to the seller's estate
and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor,
the Fund would be at the risk of losing some or all of the principal and income
involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt instrument purchased for
the Fund, the investment manager seeks to minimize the risk of loss through
repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this
case the seller of the U.S. Government security.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is
also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, the
Fund will always receive as collateral for any repurchase agreement to which it
is a party securities acceptable to it, the market value of which is equal to at
least 100% of the amount invested by the Fund plus accrued interest, and the
Fund will make payment against such securities only upon physical delivery or
evidence of book entry transfer to the account of its Custodian. If the market
value of the U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement
becomes less than the repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will
direct the seller of the U.S. Government security to deliver additional
securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase
agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. It is possible that the
Fund will be unsuccessful in seeking to impose on the seller a contractual
obligation to deliver additional securities.
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When-Issued Securities
The Fund may from time to time purchase securities on a "when-issued"
basis. The price of such securities, which may be expressed in yield terms, is
fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment
for the when-issued securities take place at a later date. Normally, the
settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase; during the period
between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer
and no interest accrues to the Fund. To the extent that assets of the Fund are
held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund would
earn no income; however, it is the Fund's intention to be fully invested to the
extent practicable and subject to the policies stated above. While when-issued
securities may be sold prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to
purchase such securities with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a
sale appears desirable for investment reasons. At the time the Fund makes the
commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the
transaction and reflect the value of the security in determining its net asset
value. The market value of the when-issued securities may be more or less than
the purchase price. The Fund does not believe that its net asset value or income
will be adversely affected by its purchase of securities on a when-issued basis.
The Fund will establish a segregated account with its Custodian in which it will
maintain liquid assets equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities.
Such segregated securities either will mature or, if necessary, be sold on or
before the settlement date.
U. S. Government Securities
U.S. Government securities in which the Fund may invest include direct
obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury, such as Treasury bills, certificates of
indebtedness, notes and bonds. U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities
that issue or guarantee securities include, but are not limited to, the Federal
Housing Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan
Banks, Government National Mortgage Association, International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development and Student Loan Marketing Association.
All Treasury securities are backed by the full faith and
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credit of the United States. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities may or may not be supported by the full faith and credit of
the United States. Some, such as the Federal Home Loan Banks, are backed by the
right of the agency or instrumentality to borrow from the Treasury. Others, such
as securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, are supported
only by the credit of the instrumentality and not by the Treasury. If the
securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the
owner of the securities must look principally to the agency issuing the
obligation for repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against United
States in the event that the agency or instrumentality does not meet its
commitment.
Among the U.S. Government securities that may be purchased by the Fund are
"mortgage-backed securities" of the Government National Mortgage Association
("Ginnie Mae"), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association ("Freddie Mac") and
the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"). These mortgage-backed
securities include "pass-through" securities and "participation certificates,"
both of which represent pools of mortgages that are assembled, with interests
sold in the pool. Payments of principal (including prepayments) and interest by
individual mortgagors are "passed through" to the holders of interests in the
pool; thus each payment to holders may contain varying amounts of principal and
interest. Prepayments of the mortgages underlying these securities may result in
the Fund's inability to reinvest the principal at comparable yields.
Mortgage-backed securities also include "collateralized mortgage obligations,"
which are similar to conventional bonds in that they have fixed maturities and
interest rates and are secured by groups of individual mortgages. Timely payment
of principal and interest on Ginnie Mae pass-throughs is guaranteed by the full
faith and credit of the United States. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are both
instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, but their obligations are not backed
by the full faith and credit of the United States.
Securities Lending
Although the Fund's objective is capital appreciation, the Fund
reserves the right to lend its portfolio securities in order to generate
additional income. Securities may be loaned to
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broker-dealers, major banks or other recognized domestic institutional borrowers
of securities who are not affiliated with the Advisor or Distributor and whose
creditworthiness is acceptable to the Advisor. The borrower must deliver to the
Fund cash or cash equivalent collateral, or provide to the Fund an irrevocable
letter of credit equal in value to at least 100% of the value of the loaned
securities at all times during the loan. During the time the portfolio
securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any interest paid on such
securities. The Fund may invest the cash collateral and earn additional income,
or it may receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income if the borrower has
delivered equivalent collateral or a letter of credit. The Fund may pay
reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan and may
pay a negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the borrower or
placing broker. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or
the borrower at any time. It is not anticipated that more than 5% of the value
of the Fund's portfolio securities will be subject to lending.
Options on Securities
The Fund may write (sell) covered call options to a limited extent on its
portfolio securities ("covered options") in an attempt to enhance gain.
When the Fund writes a covered call option, it gives the purchaser of the
option the right, upon exercise of the option, to buy the underlying security at
the price specified in the option (the "exercise price") at any time during the
option period, generally ranging up to nine months. If the option expires
unexercised, the Fund will realize income to the extent of the amount received
for the option (the "premium"). If the call option is exercised, a decision over
which the Fund has no control, the Fund must sell the underlying security to the
option holder at the exercise price. By writing a covered option, the Fund
forgoes, in exchange for the premium less the commission ("net premium") the
opportunity to profit during the option period from an increase in the market
value of the underlying security above the exercise price.
The Fund may terminate its obligation as writer of a call
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option by purchasing an option with the same exercise price and
expiration date as the option previously written. This
transaction is called a "closing purchase transaction."
Closing sale transactions enable the Fund immediately to realize gains or
minimize losses on its options positions. There is no assurance that a liquid
secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or
at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market may exist. In
addition, stock index prices may be distorted by interruptions in the trading of
securities of certain companies or of issuers in certain industries, which could
disrupt trading in option positions on such indices and preclude the Fund from
closing out its options positions. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing
purchase transaction with respect to options it has written, it will not be able
to terminate its obligations or minimize its losses under such options prior to
their expiration. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction
with respect to options that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the
option in order to realize any profit.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which
the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets
close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and
rate movements may take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected
in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity
which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
Options on Securities Indices
The Fund may write (sell) covered call options on securities indices in an
attempt to increase gain. A securities index option written by the Fund would
obligate it, upon exercise of the options, to pay a cash settlement, rather than
to deliver actual securities, to the option holder. Although the Fund will not
ordinarily own all of the securities comprising the stock indices on which it
writes call options, such options will usually be written on those indices which
correspond most closely to the composition of the Fund's portfolio. As with the
writing of covered call options on securities, the Fund will realize a
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<PAGE>
gain in the amount of the premium received upon writing an option if the value
of the underlying index increases above the exercise price and the option is
exercised, the Fund will be required to pay a cash settlement that may exceed
the amount of the premium received by the Fund. The Fund may purchase call
options in order to terminate its obligations under call options it has written.
The Fund may purchase call and put options on securities indices for the
purpose of hedging against the risk of unfavorable price movements adversely
affecting the value of the Fund's securities or securities the Fund intends to
buy. Securities index options will not be purchased for speculative purposes.
Unlike an option on securities, which gives the holder the right to purchase or
sell specified securities at a specified price, an option on a securities index
gives the holder the right, upon the exercise of the option, to receive a cash
"exercise settlement amount" equal to (i) the difference between the exercise
price of the option and the value of the underlying securities index on the
exercise date multiplied by (ii) a fixed "index multiplier."
A securities index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the
securities included in the index. For example, some securities index options are
based on a broad market index such as the Standard & Poor's 500 or the Value
Line Composite Index, or a narrower market index such as the Standard & Poor's
100. Indices may also be based on industry or market segments.
The Fund may purchase put options in order to hedge against an anticipated
decline in stock market prices that might adversely affect the value of the
Fund's portfolio securities. If the Fund purchases a put option on a stock
index, the amount of payment it receives on exercising the option depends on the
extent of any decline in the level of the stock index below the exercise price.
Such payments would tend to offset a decline in the value of the Fund's
portfolio securities. If, however, the level of the stock index increases and
remains above the exercise price while the put option is outstanding, the Fund
will not be able to profitably exercise the option and will lose the amount of
the premium and any transaction costs. Such loss may be partially offset by an
increase in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities. The Fund may write put
options on stock
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indices in order to close out positions in stock index put
options which it has purchased.
The Fund may purchase call options on stock indices in order to participate
in an anticipated increase in stock market prices or to lock in a favorable
price on securities that it intends to buy in the future. If the Fund purchases
a call option on a stock index, the amount of the payment it receives upon
exercising the option depends on the extent of any increase in the level of the
stock index above the exercise price. Such payments would in effect allow the
Fund to benefit from stock market appreciation even though it may not have had
sufficient cash to purchase the underlying stocks. Such payments may also offset
increases in the price of stocks that the Fund intends to purchase. If, however,
the level of the stock index declines and remains below the exercise price while
the call option is outstanding, the Fund will not be able to exercise the option
profitably and will lose the amount of the premium and transaction costs. Such
loss may be partially offset by a reduction in the price the Fund pays to buy
additional securities for its portfolio. The Fund may write call options on
stock indices in order to close out positions in stock index call options which
it has purchased.
The effectiveness of hedging through the purchase of options on securities
indices will depend upon the extent to which price movements in the portion of
the securities portfolio being hedged correlate with price movements in the
selected stock index. Perfect correlation is not possible because the securities
held or to be acquired by the Fund will not exactly match the composition of the
stock indices on which the options are available. In addition, the purchase of
stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs
paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of
unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index
on which the option is based.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following policies and investment restrictions have been adopted by
the Fund and (unless otherwise noted) are fundamental and cannot be changed
without the affirmative vote
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of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities as
defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may not:
1. Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt
securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b)
through the lending of its portfolio securities as described above and in its
Prospectus, or (c) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed
to be a loan.
2. (a) Borrow money, except temporarily for extraordinary or emergency
purposes from a bank and then not in excess of 10% of its total assets (at the
lower of cost or fair market value). Any such borrowing will be made only if
immediately thereafter there is an asset coverage of at least 300% of all
borrowings, and no additional investments may be made while any such borrowings
are in excess of 5% of total assets.
(b) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets
except in connection with any such borrowings.
3. Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and
several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does
not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary
for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities.)
4. Buy or sell interests in oil, gas or mineral exploration or
development programs or related leases, or real estate. (Does not preclude
investments in marketable securities of issuers engaged in such activities.)
5. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts (As a matter of
operating policy, the Board of Trustees may authorize the Fund to engage in
certain activities regarding futures contracts for bona fide hedging purposes;
any such authorization will be accompanied by appropriate notification to
shareholders).
6. Invest more than 25% of the market value of its assets
in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry.
(Does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.)
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7. Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except that
this restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit the Fund from (a) making any
permitted borrowings, mortgages or pledges, or (b) entering into options,
futures or repurchase transactions.
8. Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control
or management.
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental
and which may be changed without shareholder vote. The Fund may not:
9. Purchase or hold securities of any issuer, if, at the time of purchase
or thereafter, any of the Trustees or officers of the Trust or the Fund's
investment manager owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1%, and all such Trustees
or officers holding more than 1/2 of 1% together own beneficially more than 5%
of the issuer's securities.
10. Invest in securities of other investment companies which would
result in the Fund owning more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of
any one such investment company, the Fund owning securities of another
investment company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the
Fund's total assets, or the Fund owning securities of investment companies in
the aggregate which would exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
11. Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its total assets in
securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities which
are not readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days
to maturity.
Under applicable provisions of Texas law, any investment by the Fund in
warrants may not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets. Included
within that amount, but not to exceed 2% of the value of the Fund's net assets
may be warrants which are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange.
The Fund has undertaken to certain state securities
administrators (a) not to purchase the securities of any issuer
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if, as to seventy-five percent of the assets of the Fund at the time of
purchase, more than ten percent of the voting securities of any issuer would be
held by the Fund and (b) not to invest more than 15 % of the Fund's total assets
in securities of issuers which together with any predecessors have a record of
less than three years continuous operation and in securities of issuers which
are restricted as to disposition.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
subsequent increase or decrease in a percentage resulting from a change in the
values of assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction, except as
otherwise noted.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net profits
from the sale of securities, if any, are generally made annually by the Fund
after the conclusion of its fiscal year (March 31). Also, the Fund expects to
distribute any undistributed net investment income on or about December 31 of
each year. Any net capital gains realized through the twelve month period ended
October 31 of each year will also be distributed by December 31 of each year.
Each distribution by the Fund is accompanied by a brief explanation of
the form and character of the distribution. In January of each year the Fund
will issue to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of
all distributions.
Tax Information
The Fund is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax
purposes. The Fund intends to continue to qualify and elect to be treated as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (the "Code"). In order to qualify, the Fund must comply with all applicable
requirements regarding the source of its income, diversification of its assets
and timing of its distributions. The Fund's policy is to distribute to its
shareholders all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized
long-term capital gains for
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each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the distribution requirements of
the Code, so that the Fund will not be subject to any federal income tax or
excise taxes based on net income. The Fund will generally be subject to federal
income tax on its undistributed net investment income and capital gains. To
avoid federal excise taxes based on its net income, the Fund must distribute (or
be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year (i) at least
98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) at least 98% of the excess of its
realized capital gains over its realized capital losses for the 12-month period
ending on October 31 during such year and (iii) any amounts from the prior
calendar year that were not distributed.
Net investment income consists of interest and dividend income and
foreign currency gain, less expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal
period are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the
Fund.
Distributions of net investment income and the excess of net short-term
capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. In the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of the
distributions may qualify for the intercorporate dividends-received deduction to
the extent the Fund designates the amount distributed as a qualifying dividend.
The aggregate amount so designated cannot, however, exceed the aggregate amount
of qualifying dividends received by the Fund for its taxable year. In view of
the Fund's investment policy, it is expected that dividends from domestic
corporations will be part of the Fund's gross income and that, accordingly, part
of the distributions by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction for corporate shareholders. However, the portion of the Fund's gross
income attributable to qualifying dividends is largely dependent on the Fund's
investment activities for a particular year and therefore cannot be predicted
with any certainty. The deduction may be reduced or eliminated if the Fund
shares held by a corporate investor are treated as debt-financed or are held for
less than 46 days.
Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital
gains, regardless of the length of time the shareholders have held their shares.
Capital gains distributions
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<PAGE>
are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction referred to in the
previous paragraph. Distributions of any net investment income and net realized
capital gains will be taxable as described above, whether received in shares or
in cash. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of
additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each
share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment
date. Distributions are generally taxable when received. However, distributions
declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a date in
such a month and paid the following January are taxable as if received on
December 31. Distributions are includable in alternative minimum taxable income
in computing a shareholder's liability for the alternative minimum tax.
The Fund may write, purchase or sell certain options and futures contracts.
Such transactions are subject to special tax rules that may affect the amount,
timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Unless the Fund is
eligible to make and makes a special election, such contracts that are "Section
1256 contracts" will be "marked-to-market" for federal income tax purposes at
the end of each taxable year, i.e., each contract will be treated as sold for
its fair market value on the last day of the taxable year. In general, unless
the special election referred to in the previous sentence is made, gain or loss
from transactions in such contracts will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term
capital gain or loss. Section 1092 of the Code, which applies to certain
"straddles", may affect the taxation of the Fund's transactions in options and
futures contracts. Under Section 1092 of the Code, the Fund may be required to
postpone recognition for tax purposes of losses incurred in certain closing
transactions.
One of the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment
company is that less than 30% of the Fund's gross income must be derived from
gains from the sale or other disposition of securities held for less than three
months. Accordingly, the Fund may be restricted in effecting closing
transactions within three months after entering into an option contract.
A redemption of Fund shares may result in recognition of a
taxable gain or loss. Any loss realized upon a redemption of
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shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of
long-term capital gains during such six-month period. Any loss realized upon a
redemption of Fund shares may be disallowed under certain wash sale rules to the
extent shares of the Fund are purchased (through reinvestment of distributions
or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the redemption.
Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal
Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as
gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the
case of exempt shareholders, which includes most corporations. Pursuant to the
backup withholding provisions of the Code, distributions of any taxable income
and capital gains and proceeds from the redemption of Fund shares may be subject
to withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 31 percent in the case of
non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Fund with their taxpayer
identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status
under the Code. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such
distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional
shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Corporate and
other exempt shareholders should provide the Fund with their taxpayer
identification numbers or certify their exempt status in order to avoid possible
erroneous application of backup withholding. The Fund reserves the right to
refuse to open an account for any person failing to provide a certified taxpayer
identification number.
The Fund will not be subject to tax in The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts as long as it qualifies as a regulated investment company for
federal income tax purposes. Distributions and the transactions referred to in
the preceding paragraphs may be subject to state and local income taxes, and the
tax treatment thereof may differ from the federal income tax treatment.
Moreover, the above discussion is not intended to be a complete discussion of
all applicable tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. Shareholders are
advised to consult with their own tax advisers concerning the application of
federal, state and local taxes to an investment in the Fund.
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<PAGE>
The foregoing discussion of the Code relates solely to the
application of that law to U.S. citizens or residents and U.S.
domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each
shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and
foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund,
including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject
to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent (or at a lower
rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts
constituting ordinary income.
This discussion and the related discussion in the prospectus have been
prepared by Fund management, and counsel to the Fund has expressed no opinion in
respect thereof.
MANAGEMENT
Trustees
The Trustees of the Trust, who were elected for an indefinite term by
the initial shareholders of the Trust, are responsible for the overall
management of the Trust, including general supervision and review of the
investment activities of the Fund. The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of
the Trust, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of
the Trust and its separate series. The current Trustees and officers and their
affiliations and principal occupations for the past five years are set forth
below.
Steven J. Paggioli,* 46 President and Trustee
479 West 22nd Street, New York, New York 10011. Executive Vice
President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. (consultants)
since 1986; Executive Vice President of Investment Company
Administration Corporation ("ICAC"; mutual fund administrator and
the Fund's Administrator), and Vice President of First Fund
Distributors, Inc. ("FFD"; registered broker-dealer and the Fund's
Distributor) since 1990.
Dorothy A. Berry, 52 Trustee
Wildflower Hill, Ancram New York 12502. President, Talon Industries
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(venture capital and business consulting); formerly Chief Operating Officer,
Integrated Asset Management (investment advisor and manager) and formerly
President, Value Line, Inc., (investment advisory and financial publishing
firm).
Wallace L. Cook, 56 Trustee
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112. Senior Vice
President, Rockefeller Trust Co. Financial Counselor, Rockefeller
& Co.
Carl A. Froebel, 57 Trustee
333 Technology Dr., Malvern, PA. Managing Director, Premier
Solutions, Ltd. Founder and Former President, National Investor
Data Services, Inc. (investment related computer software).
Rowley W.P. Redington, 51 Trustee
260 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102. Vice President,
PRS of New Jersey, Inc. (management consulting); Chief Financial
Officer, Jersey Electronics, Inc. (formerly ESI, Inc.) (consumer
electronics service and marketing); formerly President, Aveco Inc.
(consumer electronic service and marketing) and formerly Chief
Executive Officer, Rowley Associates (consultants).
Eric M. Banhazl*, 38 Treasurer
2025 E. Financial Way, Suite 101, Glendora, California 91741.
Senior Vice President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc.,
Senior Vice President of ICAC and Vice President of FFD since 1990.
Robin Berger*, 39 Secretary
479 West 22nd St., New York, New York 10011. Vice President, Robert
H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since June, 1993; formerly
Regulatory and Compliance Coordinator, Equitable Capital
Management, Inc. (1991-93).
Robert H. Wadsworth*, 56 Vice President
4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
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President of Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since 1982,
President of ICAC and FFD 1990.
*Indicates an "interested person" of the Trust as defined in the
1940 Act.
Set forth below is the rate of compensation received by the following
Trustees from the Fund and all other portfolios of the Trust. This total amount
is allocated among the portfolios. Disinterested trustees are also reimbursed
for expenses in connection with each Board meeting attended. No other
compensation or retirement benefits were received by any Trustee or officer from
the Fund or any other portfolios of the Trust.
Name of Trustee Total Compensation
Dorothy A. Berry $10,000
Wallace L. Cook $10,000
Carl A. Froebel $10,000
Rowley W.P Redington $10,000
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, trustees' fees and expenses in
the amount of $3,209 were allocated to the Fund.
The Fund receives investment advisory services pursuant to agreements
with the Advisor and the Trust. Each such agreement, after its initial term,
continues in effect for successive annual periods so long as such continuation
is approved at least annually by the vote of (1) the Board of Trustees of the
Trust (or a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund to which the
agreement applies), and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of any party to the Agreement, in each case cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Any such agreement may be
terminated at any time, without penalty, by either party to the agreement upon
sixty days' written notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its
"assignment," as defined in the 1940 Act.
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Investment Advisor
As stated in the Prospectus, investment advisory services are provided
to the Fund by Hodges Capital Management, Inc., the Advisor, pursuant to an
Investment Advisory Agreement. The Investment Advisory Agreement continues in
effect from year to year so long as such continuation is approved at least
annually by (1) the Board of Trustees of the Trust or the vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of the Fund, and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are
not interested persons of any party to the Agreement, in each case cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The
Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by either the Fund or
the Advisor upon sixty days' written notice and is automatically terminated in
the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940 Act. For the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1994, the Advisor voluntarily waived $43,804 of its advisory fee
of $66,915. The Advisor received advisory fees totalling $73,966 and $94,361 for
the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively.
The use of the name "Hodges" by the Fund is pursuant to a license
granted by the Advisor, and in the event the Investment Advisory Agreement with
the Fund is terminated, the Advisor has reserved the right to require the Fund
to remove any references to the name "Hodges."
Administrator
The Fund has entered into an Administration Agreement with ICAC, a
corporation owned and controlled by Messrs. Banhazl, Paggioli and Wadsworth. The
Agreement provides that ICAC will prepare and coordinate reports and other
materials supplied to the Trustees; prepare and/or supervise the preparation and
filing of all securities filings, periodic financial reports, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, marketing materials, tax returns,
shareholder reports and other regulatory reports or filings required of the
Fund; prepare all required filings necessary to maintain the Fund's
qualification and/or registration to sell shares in all states where the Fund
currently does, or intends to do business; coordinate the preparation, printing
and mailing of all materials (e.g., Annual Reports) required to be sent to
shareholders; coordinate the preparation and payment of Fund related expenses;
monitor and oversee the activities of the Fund's
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servicing agents (i.e., transfer agent, custodian, fund accountants, etc.);
review and adjust as necessary the Fund's daily expense accruals; and perform
such additional services as may be agreed upon by the Fund and the Manager. For
its services, ICAC receives a monthly fee at the following annual rate:
Average Net Assets Fee or Fee Rate
Under $15 million $30,000
$15 to $15 million 0.20%
$50 to $100 million 0.15%
$100 to $150 million 0.10%
Over $150 million 0.05%
During the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1994,
ICAC and its predecessor received fees of $30,476, $30,000 and $30,000
respectively.
Distributor
First Dallas Securities, (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the
Advisor, acts as the Fund's principal underwriter in a continuous public
offering of the Fund's shares. The Distribution Agreement between the Fund and
the Distributor continues in effect from year to year if approved at least
annually by (i) the Board of Trustees or the vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and (ii) a majority
of the Trustees who are not interested persons of any such party, in each case
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Distribution Agreement may be terminated without penalty by the parties
thereto upon sixty days' written notice, and is automatically terminated in the
event of its assignment as defined in the 1940 Act. In connection with the
distribution of the Fund's shares, the Distributor received as commissions
$16,914, $10,969 and $7,021 during the fiscal years ended March 31, 1994, March
31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively.
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act. The Plan provides that the Fund will pay a fee to the
Distributor at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets of
the Fund. The fee is paid to the Distributor as reimbursement for or in
anticipation of,
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expenses incurred for distribution related activities. During the year
ended March 31, 1996, the Fund paid fees of $55,506 to the Distributor, of which
$44,405 was for selling compensation, and $1,033 was for expenses related to
advertising and sales material and $10,068 related to Distributor printing
expenses.
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Advisor determines
which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which
broker-dealers will be used to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions.
Purchases and sales of securities in the over-the-counter market will be
executed directly with a "market-maker" unless, in the opinion of the Advisor, a
better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the
transaction.
Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund also may be made
directly from issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale
transactions will be effected through dealers (including banks) which specialize
in the types of securities which the Fund will be holding, unless better
executions are available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as
principal for their own account. Purchases from underwriters will include a
concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will
include the spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and
price offered by more than one broker, dealer or underwriter are comparable, the
order may be allocated to a broker, dealer or underwriter that has provided
research or other services as discussed below.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor will use its best
efforts to choose a broker-dealer capable of providing the services necessary to
obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and
quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations,
such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational
facilities of the firm involved, the firm's risk in positioning a block of
securities, and other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably
determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the most favorable price
and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers
which furnish or supply research and statistical information to the
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Advisor that it may lawfully and appropriately use in its investment advisory
capacities, as well as provide other services in addition to execution services.
The Advisor considers such
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information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to
be performed by it under its Agreement with the Fund, to be useful in varying
degrees, but of indeterminable value. Portfolio transactions also may be placed
with broker-dealers who sell shares of the Fund subject to rules adopted by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
While it is the Fund's general policy to seek first to obtain the most
favorable price and execution available, in selecting a broker-dealer to execute
portfolio transactions for the Fund, weight may also be given to the ability of
a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the
Advisor, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Fund and
may be useful to the Advisor in advising other clients. In negotiating
commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the
Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if
no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided
that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith
by the Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or
research services provided by such broker-dealer. The standard of reasonableness
is to be measured in light of the Advisor's overall responsibilities to the
Fund.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
other client accounts or mutual funds ("Funds") managed or advised by the
Advisor. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be
acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts or Funds.
In such event, the position of the Fund and such client account(s) or Funds in
the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its
investment in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of
these client accounts or Funds seeks to acquire the same security as the Fund at
the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such
security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower
yield for such security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a
price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security
at the same time. If one or more of such client accounts or Funds simultaneously
purchases or sells the same security that the Fund is purchasing or selling,
each day's transactions in such security will be allocated between the
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Fund and all such client accounts or Funds in a manner deemed equitable by the
Advisor, taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount
being purchased or sold. It is recognized that in some cases this system could
have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as the
Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of
the Fund to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for
the Fund.
The Fund does not effect securities transactions through brokers in
accordance with any formula, nor does it effect securities transactions through
such brokers solely for selling shares of the Fund, although the Fund may
consider the sale of shares as a factor in allocating brokerage. However, as
stated above, broker-dealers who execute brokerage transactions may effect
purchase of shares of the Fund for their customers.
During the Fund's fiscal years ended March 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, the
Distributor received $25,603, $12,756 and $20,198 respectively in brokerage
commissions with respect to Fund portfolio transactions, which constituted all
of the Fund's brokerage commissions during those periods.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the
continued offering of the Fund's shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole
or in part when in the judgment of the Advisor or the Distributor such rejection
is in the best interest of the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum
for initial and subsequent investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under
circumstances where certain economies can be achieved in sales of the Fund's
shares.
Payments to shareholders for shares of the Fund redeemed directly from
the Fund will be made as promptly as possible but no later than seven days after
receipt by the Fund's Transfer Agent of the written request in proper form, with
the appropriate documentation as stated in the Prospectus, except that the Fund
may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any
period when (a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as
determined by the SEC or such Exchange is closed
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for other than weekends and holidays; (b) an emergency exists as determined by
the SEC making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets of
the Fund not reasonably practicable; or (c) for such other period as the SEC may
permit for the protection of the Fund's shareholders. At various times, the Fund
may be requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received confirmation
of good payment; in this circumstance, the Fund may delay the redemption until
payment for the purchase of such shares has been collected and confirmed to the
Fund.
The Fund intends to pay cash (U.S. dollars) for all shares redeemed,
but, under abnormal conditions which make payment in cash unwise, the Fund may
make payment partly in securities with a current market value equal to the
redemption price. Although the Fund does not anticipate that it will make any
part of a redemption payment in securities, if such payment were made, an
investor may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. The
Fund has elected to be governed by the provisions of Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act, which contains a formula for determining the minimum redemption amounts
that must be paid in cash.
The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less
than the investor's cost, depending upon the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund provides a Check-A-Matic Plan
for the convenience of investors who wish to purchase shares of the Fund on a
regular basis. All record keeping and custodial costs of the Check-A-Matic Plan
are paid by the Fund. The market value of the Fund's shares is subject to
fluctuation, so before undertaking any plan for systematic investment, the
investor should keep in mind that this plan does not assure a profit nor protect
against depreciation in declining markets.
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
As noted in the Prospectus, the net asset value and offering price of
shares of the Fund will be determined once daily as of 4:00 p.m., New York City
time, on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. It is
expected that the Exchange will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on New
Year's Day,
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Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. The Fund does not expect to determine the net
asset value of its shares on any day when the Exchange is not open for trading
even if there is sufficient trading in its portfolio securities on such days to
materially affect the net asset value per share.
In valuing the Fund's assets for calculating net asset value, readily
marketable portfolio securities listed on a national securities exchange or on
NASDAQ are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such
value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such exchange or on
NASDAQ on such day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on such day.
Readily marketable securities traded only in the over-the-counter market and not
on NASDAQ are valued at the current or last bid price. If no bid is quoted on
such day, the security is valued by such method as the Board of Trustees of the
Trust shall determine in good faith to reflect the security's fair value. All
other assets of each Fund are valued in such manner as the Board of Trustees in
good faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated as follows: all
liabilities incurred or accrued are deducted from the valuation of total assets
which includes accrued but undistributed income; the resulting net assets are
divided by the number of shares of the Fund outstanding at the time of the
valuation and the result (adjusted to the nearest cent) is the net asset value
per share.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may state its total return in
advertisements and investor communications. Total return may be stated for any
relevant period as specified in the advertisement or communication. Any
statements of total return will be accompanied by information on the Fund's
average annual compounded rate of return over the most recent four calendar
quarters and the period from the Fund's inception of operations. The Fund may
also advertise aggregate and average total return information over different
periods of time.
The Fund's average annual compounded rate of return is
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determined by reference to a hypothetical $1,000 investment that includes
capital appreciation and depreciation for the stated period, according to the
following formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000
from which the maximum sales load is deducted
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the
hypothetical $1,000 purchase at the end of the
period
Aggregate total return is calculated in a similar manner, except that
the results are not annualized. Each calculation assumes that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during
the period and gives effect to the maximum applicable sales charge.
The Fund's average annual total returns for the one year period and for the
period from inception on October 9, 1992 through June 30, 1996 were 28.39% and
15.90%, respectively.
The Fund's total return may be compared to relevant indices, including
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index and indices published by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc. From time to time, evaluations of a Fund's performance
by independent sources may also be used in advertisements and in information
furnished to present
or prospective investors in the Funds.
Investors should note that the investment results of the Fund will
fluctuate over time, and any presentation of the Fund's total return for any
period should not be considered as a representation of what an investment may
earn or what an investor's total return may be in any future period.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Investors in the Fund will be informed of the Fund's progress
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through periodic reports. Financial statements certified by independent public
accountants will be submitted to shareholders at least annually.
Star Bank N.A., 425 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 acts as Custodian of
the securities and other assets of the Fund. American Data Services, Inc., 24
West Carver St., Huntington, NY 11743 is the Fund's transfer and shareholder
service agent. The Custodian and Transfer Agent do not participate in decisions
relating to the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund.
Tait, Weller & Baker, Two Penn Center Plaza, Philadelphia, PA 19102,
are the independent auditors for the Fund.
The following persons are beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities as of July 11, 1996. An asterisk (*) denotes an
account affiliated with the Fund's investment advisor, officers or trustees:
*Don W. Hodges, 2905 Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75201; 9.39%.
Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, 333 Bush Street, San Francisco,
California 94104, are legal counsel to the Fund.
The shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its obligations.
However, the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust. The
Agreement and Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification and
reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's assets for any shareholder held
personally liable for obligations of the Fund or Trust. The Agreement and
Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of
the Fund or Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon. All such rights are limited
to the assets of the Fund. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust further
provides that the Trust may maintain appropriate insurance (for example,
fidelity bonding and errors and omissions insurance) for the protection of the
Trust, its shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and agents to cover
possible tort and other liabilities. Furthermore, the activities of the Trust as
an investment company would not likely give rise to liabilities in
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excess of the Trust's total assets. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring
financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances
in which both inadequate insurance exists and the Fund itself is unable to meet
its obligations.
The Trust is registered with the SEC as a management investment
company. Such a registration does not involve supervision of the management or
policies of the Fund. The Prospectus of the Fund and this Statement of
Additional Information omit certain of the information contained in the
Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of such information may be
obtained from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The annual report to shareholders for the Fund for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996 is a separate document supplied with this Statement of Additional
Information and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of
independent accountants appearing therein are incorporated by reference in this
Statement of Additional Information.
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<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 1, 1996
PERKINS OPPORTUNITY FUND
a series of
PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS
730 East Lake Street
Wayzata, MN 55391-1713
(800) 366-8361
(612) 473-8367
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and it
should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Perkins Opportunity
Fund (the "Fund"). A copy of the prospectus of the Fund dated August 1, 1996 is
available by calling the numbers listed above or (212) 633-9700.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
The Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Objective and Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-8
Distributions and Tax Information . . . . . . . . . . . . B-10
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-13
The Fund's Investment Advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15
The Fund's Administrative Manager . . . . . . . . . . . B-16
The Fund's Distributor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17
Execution of Portfolio Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . B-17
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information . . . . . B-20
Determination of Share Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-21
Performance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-22
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-23
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . B-24
<PAGE>
THE TRUST
Professionally Managed Portfolios (the "Trust") is an open-end
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The
Trust consists of various series which represent separate investment portfolios.
This Statement of Additional Information relates only to the Perkins Opportunity
Fund series (the "Fund").
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Perkins Opportunity Fund (the "Fund") is a mutual fund with the
investment objective of seeking capital appreciation. The following discussion
supplements the discussion of the Fund's investment objective and policies as
set forth in the Prospectus. There can be no assurance the objective of the Fund
will be attained.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements as discussed in the
Prospectus. Under such agreements, the seller of the security agrees to
repurchase it at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price may
be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or
the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated
rate due to the Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either
case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the U.S.
Government security itself. Such repurchase agreements will be made only with
banks with assets of $500 million or more that are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or with Government securities dealers recognized
by the Federal Reserve Board and registered as broker-dealers with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or exempt from such registration. The
Fund will generally enter into repurchase agreements of short durations, from
overnight to one week, although the underlying securities generally have longer
maturities. The Fund may not enter into a repurchase agreement with more than
seven days to maturity if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's
total assets would be invested in illiquid securities including such repurchase
agreements.
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<PAGE>
For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), a
repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from the Fund to the seller of the
U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement. It is not clear
whether a court would consider the U.S. Government security acquired by the Fund
subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by the Fund or as being
collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller. In the event of the
commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller
of the U.S. Government security before its repurchase under a repurchase
agreement, the Fund may encounter delays and incur costs before being able to
sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of
the U.S. Government security. If a court characterizes the transaction as a loan
and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the U.S. Government
security, the Fund may be required to return the security to the seller's estate
and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor,
the Fund would be at the risk of losing some or all of the principal and income
involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt instrument purchased for
the Fund, the investment manager seeks to minimize the risk of loss through
repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this
case the seller of the U.S. Government security.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is
also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, the
Fund will always receive as collateral for any repurchase agreement to which it
is a party securities acceptable to it, the market value of which is equal to at
least 100% of the amount invested by the Fund plus accrued interest, and the
Fund will make payment against such securities only upon physical delivery or
evidence of book entry transfer to the account of its Custodian. If the market
value of the U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement
becomes less than the repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will
direct the seller of the U.S. Government security to deliver additional
securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase
agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. It is possible that the
Fund will be unsuccessful in seeking to impose on the seller a contractual
obligation to deliver additional securities.
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<PAGE>
When-Issued Securities
The Fund may from time to time purchase securities on a "when-issued"
basis. The price of such securities, which may be expressed in yield terms, is
fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment
for the when-issued securities take place at a later date. Normally, the
settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase; during the period
between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer
and no interest accrues to the Fund. To the extent that assets of the Fund are
held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund would
earn no income; however, it is the Fund's intention to be fully invested to the
extent practicable and subject to the policies stated above. While when-issued
securities may be sold prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to
purchase such securities with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a
sale appears desirable for investment reasons. At the time the Fund makes the
commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the
transaction and reflect the value of the security in determining its net asset
value. The market value of the when-issued securities may be more or less than
the purchase price. The Fund does not believe that its net asset value or income
will be adversely affected by its purchase of securities on a when-issued basis.
The Fund will establish a segregated account with its Custodian in which it will
maintain liquid assets equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities.
Such segregated assets either will mature or, if necessary, be sold on or before
the settlement date.
Securities Lending
Although the Fund's objective is capital appreciation, the Fund
reserves the right to lend its portfolio securities in order to generate
additional income. Securities may be loaned to broker-dealers, major banks or
other recognized domestic institutional borrowers of securities who are not
affiliated with the Advisor or Distributor and whose creditworthiness is
acceptable to the Advisor. The borrower must deliver to the Fund cash or cash
equivalent collateral, or provide to the Fund an irrevocable letter of credit
equal in value to at least 100% of the value of the loaned securities at all
times during the loan, marked to market daily. During the time the portfolio
securities
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<PAGE>
are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any interest paid on such securities.
The Fund may invest the cash collateral and earn additional income, or it may
receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income if the borrower has delivered
equivalent collateral or a letter of credit. The Fund may pay reasonable
administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a
negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the borrower or placing
broker. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the
borrower at any time. It is not anticipated that more than 5% of the value of
the Fund's portfolio securities will be subject to lending.
Foreign Investments
Although it has no present intention of doing so, the Fund has reserved
the right to invest in foreign securities. Foreign investments can involve
significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. The
value of securities denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies, and of
dividends and interest from such securities, can change significantly when
foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign
securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than
U.S. markets, and prices on some foreign markets can be highly volatile. Many
foreign countries lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards comparable to
those applicable to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult to obtain
reliable information regarding an issuer's financial condition and operations.
In addition, the costs of foreign investing, including withholding taxes,
brokerage commissions, and custodial costs, generally are higher than for U.S.
investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S.
markets. Foreign issuers, brokers, and securities markets may be subject to less
government supervision. Foreign security trading practices, including those
involving the release of assets in advance of payment, may invoke increased
risks in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and
may involve substantial delays. It also may be difficult to enforce legal rights
in foreign countries.
Investing abroad also involves different political and
economic risks. Foreign investments may be affected by actions of
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<PAGE>
foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S. investors, including the
possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory
taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or on the ability to repatriate assets
or convert currency into U.S. dollars, or other government intervention. There
may be a greater possibility of default by foreign governments or foreign
government-sponsored enterprises. Investments in foreign countries also involve
a risk of local political, economic, or social instability, military action or
unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that an
Adviser will be able to anticipate or counter these potential events and their
impacts on the Fund's share price.
American Depositary Receipts and European Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"
and "EDRs") are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign-based
issuer held in trust by a bank or similar financial institution. Designed for
use in U.S. and European securities markets, respectively, ADRs and EDRs are
alternatives to the purchase of the underlying securities in their national
market and currencies.
Options on Securities
Although it has no present intention of doing so, the Fund reserves the
right to engage in certain purchases and sales of options on securities. The
Fund may write (i.e., sell) call options ("calls") on equity securities if the
calls are "covered" throughout the life of the option. A call is "covered" if
the Fund owns the optioned securities. When the Fund writes a call, it receives
a premium and gives the purchaser the right to buy the underlying security at
any time during the call period at a fixed exercise price regardless of market
price changes during the call period. If the call is exercised, the Fund will
forgo any gain from an increase in the market price of the underlying security
over the exercise price.
The Fund may purchase a call on securities to effect a "closing
purchase transaction" which is the purchase of a call covering the same
underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as a
call previously written by the Fund on which it wishes to terminate its
obligation. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, it
will not be able to sell the underlying security until the call
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<PAGE>
previously written by the Fund expires (or until the call is exercised and the
Fund delivers the underlying security).
The Fund also may write and purchase put options ("puts"). When the
Fund writes a put, it receives a premium and gives the purchaser of the put the
right to sell the underlying security to the Fund at the exercise price at any
time during the option period. When the Fund purchases a put, it pays a premium
in return for the right to sell the underlying security at the exercise price at
any time during the option period. If any put is not exercised or sold, it will
become worthless on its expiration date. When the Fund writes a put, it will
maintain at all times during the option period, in a segregated account, liquid
assets equal in value to the exercise price of the put.
The Fund's option positions may be closed out only on an exchange which
provides a secondary market for options of the same series, but there can be no
assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist at a given time for any
particular option.
The Fund's custodian, or a securities depository acting for it,
generally acts as escrow agent as to the securities on which the Fund as written
puts or calls, or as to other securities acceptable for such escrow so that no
margin deposit is required of the Fund. Until the underlying securities are
released from escrow, they cannot be sold by the Fund.
In the event of a shortage of the underlying securities deliverable on
exercise of an option, the Options Clearing Corporation has the authority to
permit other, generally comparable securities to be delivered in fulfillment of
option exercise obligations. If the Options Clearing Corporation exercises its
discretionary authority to allow such other securities to be delivered, it may
also adjust the exercise prices of the affected options by setting different
prices at which otherwise ineligible securities may be delivered. As an
alternative to permitting such substitute deliveries, the Options Clearing
Corporation may impose special exercise settlement procedures.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the
hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the
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<PAGE>
extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying
securities, significant price and rate movements may take place in the
underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase
of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques
and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities
transactions.
Short Sales
The Fund may seek to hedge investments or realize additional gains
through short sales. The Fund may make short sales, which are transactions in
which the Fund sells a security it does not own, in anticipation of a decline in
the market value of that security. To complete such a transaction, the Fund must
borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund than is obligated to
replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at or prior
to the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the
price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is
replaced, the Fund is required to repay the lender any dividends or interest
that accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund also
may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security
sold. The net proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the
extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed
out. The Fund also will incur transaction costs in effecting short sales.
The Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price
of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on
which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. The Fund will realize a gain if
the security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will
be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased by the amount of the premium,
dividends, interest, or expenses the Fund may be required to pay in connection
with a short sale.
No securities will be sold short if, after effect is given to any such
short sale, the total market value of all securities sold short would exceed 25%
of the value of the Fund's net equity. The Fund similarly will limit its short
sales of the securities of any single issuer if the market value of the
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<PAGE>
securities that have been sold short by the Fund would exceed the two percent
(2%) of the value of the Fund's net equity or if such securities would
constitute more than two percent (2%) of any class of the issuer's securities.
Whenever the Fund engages in short sales, its custodian will segregate
liquid assets equal to the difference between (a) the market value of the
securities sold short at the time they were sold short and (b) any cash or U.S.
Government securities required to be deposited with the broker in connection
with the short sale (not including the proceeds from the short sale). The
segregated assets are marked to market daily, provided that at no time will the
amount deposited in it plus the amount deposited with the broker be less than
the market value of the securities at the time they were sold short.
In addition, the Fund may make short sales "against the box," i.e. when
a security identical to one owned by the Fund is borrowed and sold short. If the
Fund enters into a short sale against the box, it is required to segregate
securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or
securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and is required to
hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. The Fund will incur
transaction costs, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short
sales against the box.
Leverage Through Borrowing
The Fund may borrow money for leveraging purposes. Leveraging creates
an opportunity for increased net income but, at the same time, creates special
risk considerations. For example, leveraging may exaggerate changes in the net
asset value of Fund shares and in the yield on the Fund's portfolio. Although
the principal of such borrowings will be fixed, the Fund's assets may change in
value during the time the borrowing is outstanding. Leveraging will create
interest expenses for the Fund which can exceed the income from the assets
retained. To the extent the income derived from securities purchased with
borrowed funds exceeds the interest the Fund will have to pay, the Fund's net
income will be greater than if leveraging were not used. Conversely, if the
income from the assets retained with borrowed funds is not sufficient to cover
the cost of leveraging, the net
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income of the Fund will be less than if leveraging were not used, and therefore
the amount available for distribution to stockholders as dividends will be
reduced.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following policies and investment restrictions have been adopted by
the Fund and (unless otherwise noted) are fundamental and cannot be changed
without the affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may not:
1. Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt
securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b)
through the lending of its portfolio securities as described above and in its
Prospectus, or (c) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed
to be a loan.
2. (a) Borrow money, except as stated in the Prospectus
and this Statement of Additional Information. Any such borrowing
will be made only if immediately thereafter there is an asset
coverage of at least 300% of all borrowings.
(b) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets
except in connection with any such borrowings.
3. Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and
several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does
not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary
for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities.)
4. Buy or sell interests in oil, gas or mineral exploration or
development programs or related leases or real estate. (Does not preclude
investments in marketable securities of issuers engaged in such activities.)
5. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts (As a matter of
operating policy, the Board of Trustees may authorize the Fund to engage in
certain activities regarding futures contracts for bona fide hedging purposes;
any such
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authorization will be accompanied by appropriate notification to
shareholders).
6. Invest more than 25% of the market value of its assets
in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry.
(Does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.)
7. Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except that
this restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit the Fund from (a) making any
permitted borrowings, mortgages or pledges, or (b) entering into options,
futures or repurchase transactions.
8. Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control
or management.
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental
and which may be changed without shareholder vote. The Fund may not:
9. Purchase or hold securities of any issuer, if, at the time of purchase
or thereafter, any of the Trustees or officers of the Trust or the Fund's
investment manager owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1%, and all such Trustees
or officers holding more than 1/2 of 1% together own beneficially more than 5%
of the issuer's securities.
10. Invest in securities of other investment companies which would
result in the Fund owning more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of
any one such investment company, the Fund owning securities of another
investment company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the
Fund's total assets, or the Fund owning securities of investment companies in
the aggregate which would exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
11. Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its total assets in
securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities which
are not readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days
to maturity.
Under applicable provisions of Texas law, any investment by
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the Fund in warrants may not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets.
Included within that amount, but not to exceed 2% of the value of the Fund's net
assets may be warrants which are not listed on the New York or American Stock
Exchange. Also, as provided for under Texas law, the Fund may not purchase real
estate limited partnership interests.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
subsequent increase or decrease in a percentage resulting from a change in the
values of assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction, except as
otherwise noted.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net profits
from the sale of securities are generally made annually, as described in the
Prospectus after the conclusion of the Fund's fiscal year (March 31). Also, the
Fund expects to distribute any undistributed net investment income on or about
December 31 of each year. Any net capital gains realized through the period
ended October 31 of each year will also be distributed by December 31 of each
year.
Each distribution by the Fund is accompanied by a brief explanation of
the form and character of the distribution. In January of each year the Fund
will issue to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of
all distributions.
Tax Information
Each series of the Trust is treated as a separate entity for federal
income tax purposes. The Fund intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code") for its fiscal period ended March 31, 1994 and
intends to continue to qualify, provided it complies with all applicable
requirements regarding the source of its income, diversification of its assets
and timing of distributions. The Fund's policy is to distribute to its
shareholders all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized
long-term
B-12
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capital gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the
distribution requirements of the Code, so that the Fund will not be subject to
any federal income or excise taxes. To comply with the requirements, the Fund
must also distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each
calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) at
least 98% of the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital
losses for the 12-month period ending on October 31 during such year and (iii)
any amounts from the prior calendar year that were not distributed and on which
the Fund paid no federal income tax.
Net investment income consists of interest and dividend income, less
expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal period are computed by taking
into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund.
Distributions of net investment income and net short-term capital gains
are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In the case of corporate
shareholders, a portion of the distributions may qualify for the intercorporate
dividends-received deduction to the extent the Fund designates the amount
distributed as a qualifying dividend. The aggregate amount so designated cannot,
however, exceed the aggregate amount of qualifying dividends received by the
Fund for its taxable year. In view of the Fund's investment policy, it is
expected that dividends from domestic corporations will be part of the Fund's
gross income and that, accordingly, part of the distributions by the Fund may be
eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.
However, the portion of the Fund's gross income attributable to qualifying
dividends is largely dependent on that Fund's investment activities for a
particular year and therefore cannot be predicted with any certainty. The
deduction may be reduced or eliminated if the Fund shares held by a corporate
investor are treated as debt-financed or are held for less than 46 days.
Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital
gains, regardless of the length of time they have held their shares. Capital
gains distributions are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction
referred to in the previous paragraph. Distributions of any net investment
income
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and net realized capital gains will be taxable as described above, whether
received in shares or in cash. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in
the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax
purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on
the reinvestment date. Distributions are generally taxable when received.
However, distributions declared in October, November or December to shareholders
of record on a date in such a month and paid the following January are taxable
as if received on December 31. Distributions are includable in alternative
minimum taxable income in computing a shareholder's liability for the
alternative minimum tax.
A redemption or exchange of Fund shares may result in recognition of a
taxable gain or loss. Any loss realized upon a redemption or exchange of shares
within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term
capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term
capital gains during such six-month period. In determining gain or loss from an
exchange of Fund shares for shares of another mutual fund, the sales charge
incurred in purchasing the shares that are surrendered will be excluded from
their tax basis to the extent that a sales charge that would otherwise be
imposed in the purchase of the shares received in the exchange is reduced. Any
portion of a sales charge excluded from the basis of the shares surrendered will
be added to the basis of the shares received. Any loss realized upon a
redemption or exchange may be disallowed under certain wash sale rules to the
extent shares of the same Fund are purchased (through reinvestment of
distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the redemption or
exchange.
Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS") all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as
well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in
the case of exempt shareholders, which includes most corporations. Pursuant to
the backup withholding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, distributions of
any taxable income and capital gains and proceeds from the redemption of Fund
shares may be subject to withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 31
percent in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Fund with
their taxpayer identification numbers and with required
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certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law. If the
withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds,
whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the
amounts required to be withheld. Corporate and other exempt shareholders should
provide the Fund with their taxpayer identification numbers or certify their
exempt status in order to avoid possible erroneous application of backup
withholding. The Fund reserves the right to refuse to open an account for any
person failing to provide a certified taxpayer identification number.
The Fund will not be subject to tax in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts as long as it qualifies as a regulated investment company for
federal income tax purposes. Distributions and the transactions referred to in
the preceding paragraphs may be subject to state and local income taxes, and the
tax treatment thereof may differ from the federal income tax treatment.
Moreover, the above discussion is not intended to be a complete discussion of
all applicable federal tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.
Shareholders are advised to consult with their own tax advisers concerning the
application of federal, state and local taxes to an investment in the Fund.
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law
relates solely to the application of that law to U.S. citizens or
residents and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts
and estates. Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should
consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership of
shares of the Fund, including the possibility that such a
shareholder may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of
30 percent (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax
treaty) on amounts constituting ordinary income.
This discussion and the related discussion in the prospectus have been
prepared by Fund management, and counsel to the Fund has expressed no opinion in
respect thereof.
MANAGEMENT
Trustees
The Trustees of the Trust, who were elected for an indefinite
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term by the initial shareholders of the Trust, are responsible for the overall
management of the Trust, including general supervision and review of the
investment activities of the Fund. The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of
the Trust, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of
the Trust and its separate series. The current Trustees and officers and their
affiliations and principal occupations for the past five years are set forth
below.
Steven J. Paggioli,* 46 President and Trustee
479 West 22nd Street, New York, New York 10011. Executive Vice
President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. (consultants)
since 1986; Executive Vice President of Investment Company
Administration Corporation ("ICAC"; mutual fund administration and
the Fund's Administrator), and Vice President of First Fund
Distributors, Inc. ("FFD"; registered broker-dealer and the Fund's
Distributor) since 1990.
Dorothy A. Berry, 52 Trustee
Wildflower Hill, Ancram New York 12502. President, Talon Industries (venture
capital and business consulting); formerly Chief Operating Officer, Integrated
Asset Management (investment advisor and manager) and formerly President, Value
Line, Inc., (investment advisory and financial publishing firm).
Wallace L. Cook, 56 Trustee
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112. Senior Vice
President, Rockefeller Trust Co. Financial Counselor, Rockefeller
& Co.
Carl A. Froebel, 57 Trustee
333 Technology Dr., Malvern, PA. Managing Director, Premier
Solutions, Ltd. Founder and former President, National Investor
Data Services, Inc. (investment related computer software).
Rowley W.P. Redington, 51 Trustee
260 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102. Vice President,
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PRS of New Jersey, Inc. (management consulting); Chief Financial
Officer, Jersey Electronics, Inc. (formerly ESI, Inc.) (consumer
electronics service and marketing); formerly President, Aveco Inc.
(consumer electronic service and marketing) and formerly Chief
Executive Officer, Rowley Associates (consultants).
Eric M. Banhazl*, 38 Treasurer
2025 E. Financial Way, Suite 101, Glendora, California 91741.
Senior Vice President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc.,
Senior Vice President of ICAC and Vice President of
FFD since 1990.
Robin Berger*, 39 Secretary
479 West 22nd St., New York, New York 10011. Vice President, Robert
H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since June, 1993; formerly
Regulatory and Compliance Coordinator, Equitable Capital
Management, Inc. (1991-93).
Robert H. Wadsworth*, 56 Vice President
4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
President of Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since 1982,
President of ICAC and FFD since 1990.
*Indicates an "interested person" of the Trust as defined in the
1940 Act.
Set forth below is the rate of compensation received by the following
Trustees from the Fund and all other portfolios of the Trust. This total amount
is allocated among the portfolios. Disinterested trustees are also reimbursed
for expenses in connection with each Board meeting attended. No other
compensation or retirement benefits were received by any Trustee or officer from
the Fund or any other portfolios of the Trust. During the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996, trustees fees and expenses of $5,009 were allocated to the Fund.
Name of Trustee Total Compensation
Dorothy A. Berry $10,000
Wallace L. Cook $10,000
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<PAGE>
Carl A. Froebel $10,000
Rowley W.P Redington $10,000
The Fund receives investment advisory services pursuant to agreements
with the Advisor and the Trust. Each such agreement, after its initial term,
continues in effect for successive annual periods so long as such continuation
is approved at least annually by the vote of (1) the Board of Trustees of the
Trust (or a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund to which the
agreement applies), and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of any party to the Agreement, in each case cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Any such agreement may be
terminated at any time, without penalty, by either party to the agreement upon
sixty days' written notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its
"assignment," as defined in the 1940 Act.
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT ADVISOR
As stated in the Prospectus, investment advisory services are provided
to the Fund by Perkins Capital Management, Inc., the Advisor, pursuant to an
Investment Advisory Agreement. The Advisor is controlled by Richard Perkins,
Sr., Richard Perkins, Jr. and Daniel Perkins. The Investment Advisory Agreement
continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuation is approved
at least annually by (1) the Board of Trustees of the Trust or the vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and (2) a majority of the
Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the Agreement, in each
case cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval. The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by
either the Fund or the Advisor upon sixty days' written notice and is
automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940
Act.
The Advisor has agreed to reduce fees payable to it by the Fund to the
extent necessary to limit the Fund's aggregate annual operating expenses to the
most stringent limits prescribed by any state in which the Fund's sales are
offered for sale. Currently, the expense limit is 2.5% on the first $30 million
of net assets, 2% on the next $70 million of net assets and 1 1/2% thereafter.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1994, the Advisor waived its
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<PAGE>
fee of $19,303 and reimbursed the Fund for other expenses in the amount of
$31,782. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995, the Advisor received fees of
$48,841 and reimbursed the Fund for other expenses in the amount of $22,466. For
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, the Advisor received fees of $516,259.
The use of the name "Perkins" by the Fund is pursuant to a license
granted by the Advisor, and in the event the Investment Advisory Agreement with
the Fund is terminated, the Advisor has reserved the right to require the Fund
to remove any references to the name "Perkins."
THE FUND'S ADMINISTRATOR
The Fund has entered into an Administratiion Agreement with Investment
Company Administration Corporation (the "Administrator"), a corporation owned
and controlled by Messrs. Banhazl, Paggioli and Wadsworth. The Administration
Agreement provides that the Administrator will prepare and coordinate reports
and other materials supplied to the Trustees; prepare and/or supervise the
preparation and filing of all securities filings, periodic financial reports,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, marketing materials, tax
returns, shareholder reports and other regulatory reports or filings required of
the Fund; prepare all required filings necessary to maintain the Fund's
qualification and/or registration to sell shares in all states where the Fund
currently does, or intends to do business; coordinate the preparation, printing
and mailing of all materials (e.g., Annual Reports) required to be sent to
shareholders; coordinate the preparation and payment of Fund related expenses;
monitor and oversee the activities of the Fund's servicing agents (i.e.,
transfer agent, custodian, fund accountants, etc.); review and adjust as
necessary the Fund's daily expense accruals; and perform such additional
services as may be agreed upon by the Fund and the Administrator. For its
services, the Administrator receives an monthly fee at the following annual
rate:
Less than $12,000,000 $30,000
$12 million to $50 million 0.25%
$50 million to $100 million 0.20%
$100 million to $200 million 0.15%
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<PAGE>
Over $200 million 0.10%
During the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, March 31, 1995, and March 31,
1994, the Administrator and its predecessor received fees of $123,567, $30,000
and $30,000, respectively.
THE FUND'S DISTRIBUTOR
First Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), a corporation owned
by Messrs. Banhazl, Paggioli and Wadsworth, acts as the Fund's principal
underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund's shares. The
Distribution Agreement between the Fund and the Distributor continues in effect
from year to year if approved at least annually by (i) the Board of Trustees or
the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund (as defined in the
1940 Act) and (ii) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of
any such party, in each case cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated without
penalty by the parties thereto upon sixty days' written notice, and is
automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940
Act. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, March 31, 1995 and March 31,
1994, the aggregate of sales commissions received by the Distributor were
$78,000, $35,000 and $922, respectively.
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act. The Plan provides that the Fund will pay a fee to the
Distributor at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of
the Fund (currently 0.20%). The fee is paid to the Distributor as reimbursement
for, or in anticipation of, expenses incurred for distribution related activity.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1994, the Fund paid fees of $4,805 to the
Distributor, all of which was paid out as selling compensation to dealers.
During the year ended March 31, 1995, the Fund paid fees of $12,435 to the
Distributor, of which $3,460 was paidout by the Distributor as selling
compensation to dealers, $6521 was for reimbursement of Distributor printing
expenses and $2,108 was for reimbursement of advertising/sales literature
expenses. During the year ended March 31, 1996, the Fund paid fees of $76,418 to
the Distributor, of which $2,874 was paid out by the Distributor as selling
compensation to dealers and $13,026 was for reimbursement of
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<PAGE>
Distributor printing expenses and $60,518 was for reimbursement of
advertising/sales literature expenses. The Fund also has a Shareholder Service
Plan pursuant to which payments or reimbursements of payments may be made to
selected brokers, dealers or administrators which have enetered into agreements
for services provided to shareholders of the Fund. During the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996, fees of $76,000 were paid pursuant to the shareholder service
plan.
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Advisor
determines which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which
broker-dealers will be used to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions.
Purchases and sales of securities in the over-the-counter market will generally
be executed directly with a "market-maker" unless, in the opinion of the
Advisor, a better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a
broker for the transaction.
Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund also may be made
directly from issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale
transactions will be effected through dealers (including banks) which specialize
in the types of securities which the Fund will be holding, unless better
executions are available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as
principal for their own account. Purchases from underwriters will include a
concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will
include the spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and
price offered by more than one broker, dealer or underwriter are comparable, the
order may be allocated to a broker, dealer or underwriter that has provided
research or other services as discussed below.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor will use its best
efforts to choose a broker-dealer capable of providing the services necessary to
obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and
quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations,
such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational
facilities of the firm involved, the firm's risk in positioning a block of
securities, and other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably
determined that more than one
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<PAGE>
broker-dealer can offer the most favorable price and execution available,
consideration may be given to those broker-dealers which furnish or supply
research and statistical information to the Advisor that it may lawfully and
appropriately use in its investment advisory capacities, as well as provide
other services in addition to execution services. The Advisor considers such
information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to
be performed by it under its Agreement with the Fund, to be useful in varying
degrees, but of indeterminable value. Portfolio transactions may also be placed
with broker-dealers who sell shares of the Fund subject to rules adopted by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
While it is the Fund's general policy to seek first to obtain the most
favorable price and execution available, in selecting a broker-dealer to execute
portfolio transactions for the Fund, weight may also be given to the ability of
a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the
Advisor, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Fund and
may be useful to the Advisor in advising other clients. In negotiating
commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the
Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if
no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided
that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith
by the Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or
research services provided by such broker-dealer. The standard of reasonableness
is to be measured in light of the Advisor's overall responsibilities to the
Fund.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
other client accounts or mutual funds ("Funds") managed or advised by the
Advisor. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be
acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts or Funds.
In such event, the position of the Fund and such client account(s) or Funds in
the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its
investment in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of
these client accounts or Funds seeks to acquire the same security as the Fund at
the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such
security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower
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yield for such security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a
price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security
at the same time. If one or more of such client accounts or Funds simultaneously
purchases or sells the same security that the Fund is purchasing or selling,
each day's transactions in such security will be allocated between the Fund and
all such client accounts or Funds in a manner deemed equitable by the Advisor,
taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount being
purchased or sold. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a
detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as the Fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of the Fund
to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for the
Fund.
The Fund does not effect securities transactions through brokers in
accordance with any formula, nor does it effect securities transactions through
such brokers solely for selling shares of the Fund, although the Fund may
consider the sale of shares as a factor in allocating brokerage. However, as
stated above, broker-dealers who execute brokerage transactions may effect
purchase of shares of the Fund for their customers.
The Fund does not use the Distributor to execute its portfolio
transactions. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, March 31, 1995 and
March 31, 1994, such commissions paid by the Fund totaled $225,689, $42,830 and
$4,181, respectively.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the
continued offering of the Fund's shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole
or in part when in the judgment of the Advisor or the Distributor such rejection
is in the best interest of the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum
for initial and subsequent investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under
circumstances where certain economies can be achieved in sales of the Fund's
shares.
Payments to shareholders for shares of the Fund redeemed directly from
the Fund will be made as promptly as possible but no later than seven days after
receipt by the Fund's Transfer Agent of the written request in proper form, with
the appropriate
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<PAGE>
documentation as stated in the Prospectus, except that the Fund may suspend the
right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any period when (a)
trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC or
such Exchange is closed for other than weekends and holidays; (b) an emergency
exists as determined by the SEC making disposal of portfolio securities or
valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable; or (c) for such
other period as the SEC may permit for the protection of the Fund's
shareholders. At various times, the Fund may be requested to redeem shares for
which it has not yet received confirmation of good payment; in this
circumstance, the Fund may delay the redemption until payment for the purchase
of such shares has been collected and confirmed to the Fund.
The Fund intends to pay cash (U.S. dollars) for all shares redeemed,
but, under abnormal conditions which make payment in cash unwise, the Fund may
make payment partly in securities with a current market value equal to the
redemption price. Although the Fund does not anticipate that it will make any
part of a redemption payment in securities, if such payment were made, an
investor may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. The
Fund has elected to be governed by the provisions of Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act, which contains a formula for determining the minimum redemption amounts
that must be paid in cash.
The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less
than the investor's cost, depending upon the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund provides a Check-A-Matic Plan
for the convenience of investors who wish to purchase shares of the Fund on a
regular basis. All record keeping and custodial costs of the Check-A-Matic Plan
are paid by the Fund. The market value of the Fund's shares is subject to
fluctuation, so before undertaking any plan for systematic investment, the
investor should keep in mind that this plan does not assure a profit nor protect
against depreciation in declining markets.
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
As noted in the Prospectus, the net asset value and offering
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<PAGE>
price of shares of the Fund will be determined once daily as of 4:00 p.m., New
York City time, on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. It
is expected that the Exchange will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on New
Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. The Fund does not expect to determine the
net asset value of its shares on any day when the Exchange is not open for
trading even if there is sufficient trading in its portfolio securities on such
days to materially affect the net asset value per share.
In valuing the Fund's assets for calculating net asset value, readily
marketable portfolio securities listed on a national securities exchange or on
NASDAQ are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such
value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such exchange or on
NASDAQ on such day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on such day.
Readily marketable securities traded only in the over-the-counter market and not
on NASDAQ are valued at the current or last bid price. If no bid is quoted on
such day, the security is valued by such method as the Board of Trustees of the
Trust shall determine in good faith to reflect the security's fair value. All
other assets of each Fund are valued in such manner as the Board of Trustees in
good faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated as follows: all
liabilities incurred or accrued are deducted from the valuation of total assets
which includes accrued but undistributed income; the resulting net assets are
divided by the number of shares of the Fund outstanding at the time of the
valuation and the result (adjusted to the nearest cent) is the net asset value
per share.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may state its total return in
advertisements and investor communications. Total return may be stated for any
relevant period as specified in the advertisement or communication. Any
statements of total return will be accompanied by information on the Fund's
average annual compounded rate of
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<PAGE>
return over the most recent four calendar quarters and the period from the
Fund's inception of operations. The Fund may also advertise aggregate and
average total return information over different periods of time.
The Fund's average annual compounded rate of return is determined by
reference to a hypothetical $1,000 investment that includes capital appreciation
and depreciation for the stated period, according to the following formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000
from which the maximum sales load is deducted
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the hypothetical $1,000
purchase at the end of the period
Aggregate total return is calculated in a similar manner, except that
the results are not annualized. Each calculation assumes that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during
the period and gives effect to the maximum applicable sales charge.
The Fund's average annual total returns for the one year period and for the
period from inception on February 18, 1993 through June 30, 1996 were 35.90% and
40.17%, respectively.
The Fund's total return may be compared to relevant indices, including
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index and indices published by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc. From time to time, evaluations of a Fund's performance
by independent sources may also be used in advertisements and in information
furnished to present or prospective investors in the Funds.
Investors should note that the investment results of the Fund will
fluctuate over time, and any presentation of the Fund's total return for any
period should not be considered as a representation of what an investment may
earn or what an investor's total return
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<PAGE>
may be in any future period.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Investors in the Fund will be informed of the Fund's progress through
periodic reports. Financial statements certified by independent public
accountants will be submitted to shareholders at least annually.
The Provident Bank, One East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 acts as
Custodian of the securities and other assets of the Fund. Rodney Square
Management Corp., P.O. Box 8987, Wilmington, DE 19899, acts as the Fund's
transfer and shareholder service agent. The Custodian and Transfer Agent do not
participate in decisions relating to the purchase and sale of securities by the
Fund.
Tait, Weller & Baker, 121 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107,
are the independent auditors for the Fund.
Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, 333 Bush Street, San Francisco,
California 94104, are legal counsel to the Fund.
As of July 13, 1996, the following shareholders owned more than 5% of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund: Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette
Securities Corporation, Jersey City, NJ 07303 6.612%; Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
For Exclusive Benefit of Customers, San Francisco CA 94104; 18.36%.
The shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its obligations.
However, the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust. The
Agreement and Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification and
reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's assets for any shareholder held
personally liable for obligations of the Fund or Trust. The Agreement and
Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of
the Fund or Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon. All such rights are limited
to the assets of the Fund. The Agreement and Declaration
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<PAGE>
of Trust further provides that the Trust may maintain appropriate insurance (for
example, fidelity bonding and errors and omissions insurance) for the protection
of the Trust, its shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and agents to
cover possible tort and other liabilities. Furthermore, the activities of the
Trust as an investment company would not likely give rise to liabilities in
excess of the Trust's total assets. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring
financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances
in which both inadequate insurance exists and the Fund itself is unable to meet
its obligations.
The Trust is registered with the SEC as a management investment
company. Such a registration does not involve supervision of the management or
policies of the Fund. The Prospectus of the Fund and this Statement of
Additional Information omit certain of the information contained in the
Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of such information may be
obtained from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The annual report to shareholders for the Fund for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996 is a separate document supplied with this Statement of Additional
Information and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of
independent accountants appearing therein are incorporated by reference in this
Statement of Additional Information.
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<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 1, 1996
UAM/FPA CRESCENT FUND
a series of
PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS
11400 West Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 996-5417
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and it
should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the UAM/FPA Crescent Fund
(the "Fund"). A copy of the prospectus of the Fund dated August 1, 1996 is
available by calling the number listed above or (800) 385-7003.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
The Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Objective and Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7
Distributions and Tax Information . . . . . . . . . . . . B-9
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-13
Execution of Portfolio Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . B-16
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information . . . . . B-18
Determination of Share Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-19
Performance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-20
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-21
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-22
Appendix-Description of Bond Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . B-23
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THE TRUST
Professionally Managed Portfolios (the "Trust") is an open-end
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The
Trust currently consists of various series which represent separate investment
portfolios. This Statement of Additional Information relates only to the UAM/FPA
Crescent Fund series (the "Fund").
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
UAM/FPA Crescent Fund (the "Fund") is a mutual fund with the investment
objective of seeking to provide, through a combination of income and capital
appreciation, a total return consistent with reasonable investment risk. The
following discussion supplements the discussion of the Fund's investment
objective and policies as set forth in the Prospectus. There can be no assurance
the objective of the Fund will be attained.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements as discussed in the
Prospectus. Under such agreements, the seller of the security agrees to
repurchase it at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price may
be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or
the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated
rate due to the Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either
case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the U.S.
Government security itself. Such repurchase agreements will be made only with
banks with assets of $500 million or more that are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or with Government securities dealers recognized
by the Federal Reserve Board and registered as broker-dealers with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or exempt from such registration.
The Fund will generally enter into repurchase agreements of short durations,
from overnight to one week, although the underlying securities generally have
longer maturities. The Fund may not enter into a repurchase agreement with more
than seven days to maturity if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of the
Fund's total assets would be invested in illiquid securities including such
repurchase agreements.
For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), a
repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from the Fund to the seller of the
U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement. It is not clear
whether a court would consider the U.S. Government security acquired by the Fund
subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by the Fund or as being
collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller. In the event of the
commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller
of the U.S. Government security before its
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repurchase under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delays and incur
costs before being able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of
interest or a decline in price of the U.S. Government security. If a court
characterizes the transaction as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a
security interest in the U.S. Government security, the Fund may be required to
return the security to the seller's estate and be treated as an unsecured
creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at the risk
of losing some or all of the principal and income involved in the transaction.
As with any unsecured debt instrument purchased for the Fund, the investment
manager seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase agreements by
analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the seller of the
U.S. Government security.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is
also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, the
Fund will always receive as collateral for any repurchase agreement to which it
is a party securities acceptable to it, the market value of which is equal to at
least 100% of the amount invested by the Fund plus accrued interest, and the
Fund will make payment against such securities only upon physical delivery or
evidence of book entry transfer to the account of its Custodian. If the market
value of the U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement
becomes less than the repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will
direct the seller of the U.S. Government security to deliver additional
securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase
agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. It is possible that the
Fund will be unsuccessful in seeking to impose on the seller a contractual
obligation to deliver additional securities.
When-Issued Securities
The Fund may from time to time purchase securities on a "when-issued"
basis. The price of such securities, which may be expressed in yield terms, is
fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment
for the when-issued securities take place at a later date. Normally, the
settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase; during the period
between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer
and no interest accrues to the Fund. To the extent that assets of the Fund are
held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund would
earn no income; however, it is the Fund's intention to be fully invested to the
extent practicable and subject to the policies stated above. While when-issued
securities may be sold prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to
purchase such securities with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a
sale appears desirable for investment reasons. At the time the Fund makes the
commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the
transaction and reflect the value of the security in determining
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its net asset value. The market value of the when-issued securities may be more
or less than the purchase price. The Fund does not believe that its net asset
value or income will be adversely affected by its purchase of securities on a
when-issued basis. The Fund will establish a segregated account with its
Custodian in which it will maintain liquid assets equal in value to commitments
for when-issued securities. Such segregated assets either will mature or, if
necessary, be sold on or before the settlement date.
Foreign Securities
Among the means through which the Fund may invest in foreign securities is
the purchase of American Depository Receipts ("ADR's") or European Depository
Receipts ("EDR's"). Generally, ADR's, in registered form, are denominated in
U.S. dollars and are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, while
EDR's, in bearer form, may be denominated in other currencies and are designed
for use in European securities markets. ADR's are receipts typically issued by a
U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities.
EDR's are European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. For purposes of
the Funds' investment policies, ADR's and EDR's are deemed to have the same
classification as the underlying securities they represent. Thus an ADR or EDR
representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock.
Debt Securities and Ratings
Ratings of debt securities represent the rating agencies' opinions
regarding their quality, are not a guarantee of quality and may be reduced after
the Fund has acquired the security. The Advisor will consider whether the Fund
should continue to hold the security but is not required to dispose of it.
Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments
and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. Also, rating
agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit ratings in response to
subsequent events, so that an issuer's current financial conditions may be
better or worse than the rating indicates.
The Fund reserves the right to invest up to 20% of its assets in securities
rated lower than BBB by S & P or lower than Baa by Moody's but rated at least B
by S & P or Moody's (or, in either case, if unrated, deemed by the Advisor to be
of comparable quality). Lower rated securities generally offer a higher current
yield than that available for higher grade issues. However, lower rated
securities involve higher risks, in that they are especially subject to adverse
changes in general economic conditions and in the industries in which the
issuers are engaged, to changes in the financial condition of the issuers and to
price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates. During periods of
economic downturn or rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may
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<PAGE>
experience financial stress which could adversely affect their ability to make
payments of interest and principal and increase the possibility of default. In
addition, the market for lower rated debt securities has expanded rapidly in
recent years, and its growth paralleled a long economic expansion. At times in
recent years, the prices of many lower rated debt securities declined
substantially, reflecting an expectation that many issuers of such securities
might experience financial difficulties. As a result, the yields on lower rated
debt securities rose dramatically, but such higher yields did not reflect the
value of the income stream that holders of such securities expected, but rather,
the risk that holders of such securities could lose a substantial portion of
their value as a result of the issuers' financial restructuring or default.
There can be no assurance that such declines will not recur. The market for
lower-rated debt issues generally is thinner and less active than that for
higher quality securities, which may limit the Fund's ability to sell such
securities at fair value in response to changes in the economy or financial
markets. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on
fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of lower rated
securities, especially in a thinly traded market.
Short Sales
The Fund may seek to hedge investments or realize additional gains
through short sales. The Fund may make short sales, which are transactions in
which the Fund sells a security it does not own, in anticipation of a decline in
the market value of that security. To complete such a transaction, the Fund must
borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund than is obligated to
replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at or prior
to the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the
price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is
replaced, the Fund is required to repay the lender any dividends or interest
that accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund also
may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security
sold. The net proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the
extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed
out. The Fund also will incur transaction costs in effecting short sales.
The Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price
of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on
which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. The Fund will realize a gain if
the security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will
be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased by the amount of the premium,
dividends, interest, or expenses the Fund may be required to pay in connection
with a short sale.
No securities will be sold short if, after effect is given to any such
short sale, the total market value of all securities sold
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short would exceed 25% of the value of the Fund's net equity. The Fund similarly
will limit its short sales of the securities of any single issuer if the market
value of the securities that have been sold short by the Fund would exceed the
two percent (2%) of the value of the Fund's net equity or if such securities
would constitute more than two percent (2%) of any class of the issuer's
securities.
Whenever the Fund engages in short sales, its custodian segregates an
amount of liquid assets equal to the difference between (a) the market value of
the securities sold short at the time they were sold short and (b) any cash or
U.S. Government securities required to be deposited with the broker in
connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds from the short sale).
The segregated assets are marked to market daily, provided that at no time will
the amount deposited in it plus the amount deposited with the broker be less
than the market value of the securities at the time they were sold short.
In addition, the Fund may make short sales "against the box," i.e. when
a security identical to one owned by the Fund is borrowed and sold short. If the
Fund enters into a short sale against the box, it is required to segregate
securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or
securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and is required to
hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. The Fund will incur
transaction costs, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short
sales against the box.
Options and Futures Transactions.
As indicated in the prospectus, to the extent consistent with its
investment objectives and policies, the Fund may purchase and write call and put
options on securities, securities indexes and on foreign currencies and enter
into futures contracts and use options on futures contracts, to the extent of up
to 5% of its assets.
Transactions in options on securities and on indexes involve certain risks.
For example, there are significant differences between the securities and
options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these
markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. A decision
as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and
judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some
degree because of market behavior or unexpected events.
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund
seeks to close out an option position. If the Fund were unable to close out an
option that it had purchased on a security, it would have to exercise the option
in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless. If the Fund
were unable to close out a covered call option that it had written on a
security,
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<PAGE>
it would not be able to sell the underlying security unless the option expired
without exercise. As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund forgoes,
during the option's life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market
value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and
the exercise price of the call.
If trading were suspended in an option purchased by the Fund, the Fund
would not be able to close out the option. If restrictions on exercise were
imposed, the Fund might be unable to exercise an option it has purchased. Except
to the extent that a call option on an index written by the Fund is covered by
an option on the same index purchased by the Fund, movements in the index may
result in a loss to the Fund; such losses may be mitigated or exacerbated by
changes in the value of the Fund's securities during the period the option was
outstanding.
Use of futures contracts and options thereon also involves certain risks.
The variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts
and price movements in the related portfolio positions of the Fund creates the
possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be greater than gains in
the value of the Fund's position. Also, futures and options markets may not be
liquid in all circumstances and certain over the counter options may have no
markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close
out a transaction at all or without incurring losses. Although the use of
options and futures transactions for hedging should minimize the risk of loss
due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend
to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in the value of
such position. If losses were to result from the use of such transactions, they
could reduce net asset value and possibly income. The Fund may use these
techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates or securities prices or as
part of its overall investment strategy. The Fund will maintain segregated
accounts consisting of liquid assets (or, as permitted by applicable regulation,
enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under options
and futures contracts to avoid leveraging of the Fund.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following policies and investment restrictions have been adopted by
the Fund and (unless otherwise noted) are fundamental and cannot be changed
without the affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may not:
1. Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt
securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) to the
extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.
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<PAGE>
2. (a) Borrow money, except as stated in the Prospectus and
this Statement of Additional Information. Any such borrowing will
be made only if immediately thereafter there is an asset coverage
of at least 300% of all borrowings.
(b) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets
except in connection with any such borrowings.
3. Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and
several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does
not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary
for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities).
4. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts (other than
futures transactions for the purposes and under the conditions described in the
prospectus and in this Statement of Additional Information).
5. Invest more than 25% of the market value of its assets in
the securities of companies engaged in any one industry. (Does not
apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.)
6. Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except that
this restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit the Fund from (a) making any
permitted borrowings, mortgages or pledges, or (b) entering into options,
futures or repurchase transactions.
7. Purchase the securities of any issuer, if as a result more than 5% of
the total assets of the Fund would be invested in the securities of that issuer,
other than obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, provided that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's assets may
be invested without regard to this limitation.
8. Purchase or sell real estate; however, the Fund may invest in debt
securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies
which invest in real estate or interests therein, including real estate
investment trusts;
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed
fundamental and which may be changed without shareholder vote. The
Fund may not:
9. Purchase any security if as a result the Fund would then hold more than
10% of any class of securities of an issuer (taking all common stock issues of
an issuer as a single class, all preferred stock issues as a single class, and
all debt issues as a single class) or more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of an issuer.
B-8
<PAGE>
10. Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control
or management.
11. Buy or sell interests in oil, gas or mineral exploration or development
programs or related leases, or real estate. (Does not preclude investments in
marketable securities of issuers engaged in such activities.)
12. Purchase or hold securities of any issuer, if, at the time of purchase
or thereafter, any of the Trustees or officers of the Trust or the Fund's
investment manager owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1%, and all such Trustees
or officers holding more than 1/2 of 1% together own beneficially more than 5%
of the issuer's securities.
13. Invest in securities of other investment companies which would result
in the Fund owning more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of any one
such investment company, the Fund owning securities of another investment
company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund's
total assets, or the Fund owning securities of investment companies in the
aggregate which would exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
14. Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its total
assets in securities which are not readily marketable or are
illiquid.
Under applicable provisions of Texas law, any investment by the Fund in
warrants may not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets. Included
within that amount, but not to exceed 2% of the value of the Fund's net assets
may be warrants which are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
subsequent increase or decrease in a percentage resulting from a change in the
values of assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction, except as
otherwise noted.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net profits
from the sale of securities, if any, are generally made annually by the Fund
after the conclusion of its fiscal year (March 31). Also, the Fund expects to
distribute any undistributed net investment income on or about December 31 of
each year. Any net capital gains realized through the twelve month period ended
October 31 of each year will also be distributed by December 31 of each year.
Each distribution by the Fund is accompanied by a brief
explanation of the form and character of the distribution. In
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January of each year the Fund will issue to each shareholder a statement of the
federal income tax status of all distributions.
Tax Information
The Fund is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax
purposes. The Fund intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
"Code"). In order to qualify, the Fund must comply with all applicable
requirements regarding the source of its income, diversification of its assets
and timing of its distributions. The Fund's policy is to distribute to its
shareholders all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized
long-term capital gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the
distribution requirements of the Code, so that the Fund will not be subject to
any federal income tax or excise taxes based on net income. The Fund will
generally be subject to federal income tax on its undistributed net investment
income and capital gains. To avoid federal excise taxes based on its net income,
the Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of
each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii)
at least 98% of the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized
capital losses for the 12-month period ending on October 31 during such year and
(iii) any amounts from the prior calendar year that were not distributed.
Net investment income consists of interest and dividend income and
foreign currency gain, less expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal
period are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the
Fund.
Distributions of net investment income and the excess of net short-term
capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. In the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of the
distributions may qualify for the intercorporate dividends-received deduction to
the extent the Fund designates the amount distributed as a qualifying dividend.
The aggregate amount so designated cannot, however, exceed the aggregate amount
of qualifying dividends received by the Fund for its taxable year. In view of
the Fund's investment policy, it is expected that dividends from domestic
corporations will be part of the Fund's gross income and that, accordingly, part
of the distributions by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction for corporate shareholders. However, the portion of the Fund's gross
income attributable to qualifying dividends is largely dependent on the Fund's
investment activities for a particular year and therefore cannot be predicted
with any certainty. The deduction may be reduced or eliminated if the Fund
shares held by a corporate investor are treated as debt-financed or are held for
less than 46 days.
Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gains
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over net short-term capital losses are taxable to shareholders as long-term
capital gains, regardless of the length of time the shareholders have held their
shares. Capital gains distributions are not eligible for the dividends-received
deduction referred to in the previous paragraph. Distributions of any net
investment income and net realized capital gains will be taxable as described
above, whether received in shares or in cash. Shareholders electing to receive
distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for
federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset
value of a share on the reinvestment date. Distributions are generally taxable
when received. However, distributions declared in October, November or December
to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid the following
January are taxable as if received on December 31. Distributions are includable
in alternative minimum taxable income in computing a shareholder's liability for
the alternative minimum tax.
The Fund may write, purchase or sell certain options and futures contracts.
Such transactions are subject to special tax rules that may affect the amount,
timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Unless the Fund is
eligible to make and makes a special election, such contracts that are "Section
1256 contracts" will be "marked-to-market" for federal income tax purposes at
the end of each taxable year, i.e., each contract will be treated as sold for
its fair market value on the last day of the taxable year. In general, unless
the special election referred to in the previous sentence is made, gain or loss
from transactions in such contracts will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term
capital gain or loss. Section 1092 of the Code, which applies to certain
"straddles", may affect the taxation of the Fund's transactions in options and
futures contracts. Under Section 1092 of the Code, the Fund may be required to
postpone recognition for tax purposes of losses incurred in certain closing
transactions.
One of the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment
company is that less than 30% of the Fund's gross income must be derived from
gains from the sale or other disposition of securities held for less than three
months. Accordingly, the Fund may be restricted in effecting closing
transactions within three months after entering into an option contract.
A redemption of Fund shares may result in recognition of a taxable gain
or loss. Any loss realized upon a redemption of shares within six months from
the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the
extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains during
such six-month period. Any loss realized upon a redemption of Fund shares may be
disallowed under certain wash sale rules to the extent shares of the Fund are
purchased (through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days
before or after the redemption.
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Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal
Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as
gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the
case of exempt shareholders, which includes most corporations. Pursuant to the
backup withholding provisions of the Code, distributions of any taxable income
and capital gains and proceeds from the redemption of Fund shares may be subject
to withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 31 percent in the case of
non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Fund with their taxpayer
identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status
under the Code. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such
distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional
shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Corporate and
other exempt shareholders should provide the Fund with their taxpayer
identification numbers or certify their exempt status in order to avoid possible
erroneous application of backup withholding. The Fund reserves the right to
refuse to open an account for any person failing to provide a certified taxpayer
identification number.
The Fund will not be subject to tax in The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts as long as it qualifies as a regulated investment company for
federal income tax purposes. Distributions and the transactions referred to in
the preceding paragraphs may be subject to state and local income taxes, and the
tax treatment thereof may differ from the federal income tax treatment.
Moreover, the above discussion is not intended to be a complete discussion of
all applicable tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. Shareholders are
advised to consult with their own tax advisers concerning the application of
federal, state and local taxes to an investment in the Fund.
The foregoing discussion of the Code relates solely to the
application of that law to U.S. citizens or residents and U.S.
domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each
shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and
foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund,
including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to
a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent (or at a lower rate
under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts constituting
ordinary income.
This discussion and the related discussion in the prospectus have been
prepared by Fund management, and counsel to the Fund has expressed no opinion in
respect thereof.
MANAGEMENT
Trustees
The Trustees of the Trust, who were elected for an indefinite
term by the initial shareholders of the Trust, are responsible for
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the overall management of the Trust, including general supervision and review of
the investment activities of the Fund. The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers
of the Trust, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of
the Trust and its separate series. The current Trustees and officers and their
affiliations and principal occupations for the past five years are set forth
below.
Steven J. Paggioli,* 46 President and Trustee
479 West 22nd Street, New York, New York 10011. Executive Vice
President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. (consultants)
since 1986; Executive Vice President of Investment Company
Administration Corporation ("ICAC"; mutual fund administration and
the Fund's Administrator), and Vice President of First Fund
Distributors, Inc. ("FFD"; registered broker-dealer and the Fund's
Distributor) since 1990.
Dorothy A. Berry, 52 Trustee
Wildflower Hill, Ancram New York 12502. President, Talon Industries (venture
capital and business consulting); formerly Chief Operating Officer, Integrated
Asset Management (investment advisor and manager) and formerly President, Value
Line, Inc., (investment advisory and financial publishing firm).
Wallace L. Cook, 56 Trustee
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112. Senior Vice
President, Rockefeller Trust Co. Financial Counselor, Rockefeller
& Co.
Carl A. Froebel, 57 Trustee
333 Technology Dr., Malvern, PA 19355. Managing Director, Premier
Solutions, Ltd. Founder and former President, National Investor
Data Services, Inc. (investment related computer software).
Rowley W.P. Redington, 51 Trustee
260 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102. Vice President,
PRS of New Jersey, Inc. (management consulting); Chief Financial
Officer, Jersey Electronics, Inc. (formerly ESI, Inc.) (consumer
electronics service and marketing); formerly President, Aveco Inc.
(consumer electronic service and marketing) and formerly Chief
Executive Officer, Rowley Associates (consultants).
Eric M. Banhazl*, 38 Treasurer
2025 E. Financial Way, Suite 101, Glendora, California 91741.
Senior Vice President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc.,
Senior Vice President of ICAC and Vice President of
FFD since 1990.
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Robin Berger*, 39 Secretary
479 West 22nd St., New York, New York 10011. Vice President, Robert
H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since June, 1993; formerly
Regulatory and Compliance Coordinator, Equitable Capital
Management, Inc. (1991-93).
Robert H. Wadsworth*, 56 Vice President
4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
President of Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since 1982,
President of ICAC and FFD.
*Indicates an "interested person" of the Trust as defined in the
1940 Act.
Set forth below is the rate of compensation received by the following
Trustees from the Fund and all other portfolios of the Trust. This total amount
is allocated among the portfolios. Disinterested trustees are also reimbursed
for expenses in connection with each Board meeting attended. No other
compensation or retirement benefits were received by any Trustee or officer from
the Fund or any other portfolios of the Trust.
Name of Trustee Total Compensation
Dorothy A. Berry $10,000
Wallace L. Cook $10,000
Carl A. Froebel $10,000
Rowley W.P Redington $10,000
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, trustees' fees and
expenses in the amount of $3,609 were allocated to the Fund.
The Fund receives investment advisory services pursuant to agreements
with the Advisor and the Trust. Each such agreement, after its initial term,
continues in effect for successive annual periods so long as such continuation
is approved at least annually by the vote of (1) the Board of Trustees of the
Trust (or a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund to which the
agreement applies), and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of any party to the Agreement, in each case cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Any such agreement may be
terminated at any time, without penalty, by either party to the agreement upon
sixty days' written notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its
"assignment," as defined in the 1940 Act.
Investment Advisor
Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by First Pacific
Advisors, Inc., (the "Advisor"), pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement.
The Agreement continues in effect from year to
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<PAGE>
year for periods not exceeding one year so long as such continuation is approved
at least annually by (1) the Board of Trustees of the Trust or the vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and (2) a majority of the
Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the Agreement, in each
case cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval. The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by
either the Fund or the Advisor upon sixty days' written notice and is
automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940
Act.
During the Fund's initial fiscal period ended March 31, 1994, Crescent
Management, the Fund's previous Advisor received advisory fees of $75,407 and
reimbursed expenses of $927. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995, the
previous Advisor received advisory fees of $132,646. For the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996, the previous Advisor, and with respect to the month of March,
1996, the Advisor received advisory fees totaling $189,156.
Administrator
The Fund has entered into an Administrative Agreement with Investment
Company Administration Corporation (the "Administrator"), a corporation owned
and controlled by Messrs. Banhazl, Paggioli and Wadsworth. The Agreement
provides that the Administrator will prepare and coordinate reports and other
materials supplied to the Trustees; prepare and/or supervise the preparation and
filing of all securities filings, periodic financial reports, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, marketing materials, tax returns,
shareholder reports and other regulatory reports or filings required of the
Fund; prepare all required filings necessary to maintain the Fund's
qualification and/or registration to sell shares in all states where the Fund
currently does, or intends to do business; coordinate the preparation, printing
and mailing of all materials (e.g., Annual Reports) required to be sent to
shareholders; coordinate the preparation and payment of Fund related expenses;
monitor and oversee the activities of the Fund's servicing agents (i.e.,
transfer agent, custodian, fund accountants, etc.); review and adjust as
necessary the Fund's daily expense accruals; and perform such additional
services as may be agreed upon by the Fund and the Administrator. For its
services, the Administrator receives a fee at the following annual rate:
Average net assets Fee or fee rate
Under $15 million $30,000
$15 to $50 million 0.20%
$50 to $100 million 0.15%
$100 million to $150 million 0.10%
Over $150 million 0.05%
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<PAGE>
During the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, March 31, 1995 and for
the initial fiscal period ended March 31, 1994 the Administrator and its
predecessor received fees of $51,509, $30,000 and $24,936, respectively.
Distributor
First Fund Distributors, (the "Distributor") a corporation owned by
Messrs. Banhazl, Paggioli and Wadsworth, acts as the Fund's distributor and
principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund's shares. The
Distribution Agreement between the Fund and the Distributor continues in effect
from year to year if approved at least annually by (I) the Board of Trustees or
the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund (as defined in the
1940 Act) and (ii) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of
any such party, in each case cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated without
penalty by the parties thereto upon sixty days' written notice, and is
automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940
Act.
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Advisor determines
which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which
broker-dealers will be used to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions.
Purchases and sales of securities in the over-the-counter market will be
executed directly with a "market-maker" unless, in the opinion of the Advisor, a
better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the
transaction.
Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund also may be made
directly from issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale
transactions will be effected through dealers (including banks) which specialize
in the types of securities which the Fund will be holding, unless better
executions are available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as
principal for their own account. Purchases from underwriters will include a
concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will
include the spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and
price offered by more than one broker dealer or underwriter are comparable, the
order may be allocated to a broker dealer or underwriter that has provided
research or other services as discussed below.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor will use its best
efforts to choose a broker-dealer capable of providing the services necessary to
obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and
quality of services
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<PAGE>
available will be considered in making these determinations, such as the size of
the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities of the firm
involved, the firm's risk in positioning a block of securities, and other
factors. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more than one
broker-dealer can offer the most favorable price and execution available,
consideration may be given to those broker-dealers which furnish or supply
research and statistical information to the Advisor that it may lawfully and
appropriately use in its investment advisory capacities, as well as provide
other services in addition to execution services. The Advisor considers such
information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to
be performed by it under its Agreement with the Fund, to be useful in varying
degrees, but of indeterminable value. Portfolio transactions also may be placed
with broker-dealers who sell shares of the Fund subject to rules adopted by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
While it is the Fund's general policy to seek first to obtain the most
favorable price and execution available, in selecting a broker-dealer to execute
portfolio transactions for the Fund, weight may also be given to the ability of
a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the
Advisor, even if the specific services were not directly useful to the Fund and
may be useful to the Advisor in advising other clients. In negotiating
commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the
Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if
no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided
that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith
by the Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or
research services provided by such broker-dealer. The standard of reasonableness
is to be measured in light of the Advisor's overall responsibilities to the
Fund.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
other client accounts or mutual funds ("Funds") managed or advised by the
Advisor. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be
acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts or Funds.
In such event, the position of the Fund and such client account(s) or Funds in
the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its
investment in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of
these client accounts or Funds seeks to acquire the same security as the Fund at
the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such
security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower
yield for such security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a
price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security
at the same time. If one or more of such client accounts or Funds simultaneously
purchases or sells the same security that the Fund is purchasing or selling,
each
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<PAGE>
day's transactions in such security will be allocated between the Fund and all
such client accounts or Funds in a manner deemed equitable by the Advisor,
taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount being
purchased or sold. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a
detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as the Fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of the Fund
to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for the
Fund.
The Fund does not effect securities transactions through brokers in
accordance with any formula, nor does it effect securities transactions through
such brokers solely for selling shares of the Fund, although the Fund may
consider the sale of shares as a factor in allocating brokerage. However, as
stated above, broker-dealers who execute brokerage transactions may effect
purchase of shares of the Fund for their customers.
The Fund does not use the Distributor to execute its portfolio
transactions. During the initial fiscal period from June 2, 1993 through March
31, 1994 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995, and March 31, 1996
brokerage commissions paid by the Fund totaled $38,160, $51,853 and $63,938,
respectively.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (I) to suspend the
continued offering of the Fund's shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole
or in part when in the judgment of the Advisor or the Distributor such rejection
is in the best interest of the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum
for initial and subsequent investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under
circumstances where certain economies can be achieved in sales of the Fund's
shares.
Payments to shareholders for shares of the Fund redeemed directly from
the Fund will be made as promptly as possible but no later than seven days after
receipt by the Fund's Transfer Agent of the written request in proper form, with
the appropriate documentation as stated in the Prospectus, except that the Fund
may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any
period when (a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as
determined by the SEC or such Exchange is closed for other than weekends and
holidays; (b) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC making disposal of
portfolio securities or
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<PAGE>
valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable; or (C) for such
other period as the SEC may permit for the protection of the Fund's
shareholders. At various times, the Fund may be requested to redeem shares for
which it has not yet received confirmation of good payment; in this
circumstance, the Fund may delay the redemption until payment for the purchase
of such shares has been collected and confirmed to the Fund.
The Fund intends to pay cash (U.S. dollars) for all shares redeemed,
but, under abnormal conditions which make payment in cash unwise, the Fund may
make payment partly in securities with a current market value equal to the
redemption price. Although the Fund does not anticipate that it will make any
part of a redemption payment in securities, if such payment were made, an
investor may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. The
Fund has elected to be governed by the provisions of Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act, which contains a formula for determining the minimum redemption amounts
that must be paid in cash.
The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less
than the investor's cost, depending upon the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund provides a Check-A-Matic Plan
for the convenience of investors who wish to purchase shares of the Fund on a
regular basis. All record keeping and custodial costs of the Check-A-Matic Plan
are paid by the Fund. The market value of the Fund's shares is subject to
fluctuation, so before undertaking any plan for systematic investment, the
investor should keep in mind that this plan does not assure a profit nor protect
against depreciation in declining markets.
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
As noted in the Prospectus, the net asset value of shares of the Fund
will be determined once daily as of 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on each day
the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. It is expected that the
Exchange will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. The Fund does not expect to determine the net
asset value of its shares on any day when the Exchange is not open for trading
even if there is sufficient trading in its portfolio securities on such days to
materially affect the net asset value per share.
In valuing the Fund's assets for calculating net asset value, readily
marketable portfolio securities listed on a national securities exchange or on
NASDAQ are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such
value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such exchange or on
NASDAQ on such day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on such day.
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<PAGE>
Readily marketable securities traded only in the over-the-counter market and not
on NASDAQ are valued at the current or last bid price. If no bid is quoted on
such day, the security is valued by such method as the Board of Trustees of the
Trust shall determine in good faith to reflect the security's fair value. All
other assets of each Fund are valued in such manner as the Board of Trustees in
good faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated as follows: all
liabilities incurred or accrued are deducted from the valuation of total assets
which includes accrued but undistributed income; the resulting net assets are
divided by the number of shares of the Fund outstanding at the time of the
valuation and the result (adjusted to the nearest cent) is the net asset value
per share.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may state its total return in
advertisements and investor communications. Total return may be stated for any
relevant period as specified in the advertisement or communication. Any
statements of total return will be accompanied by information on the Fund's
average annual compounded rate of return over the most recent four calendar
quarters and the period from the Fund's inception of operations. The Fund may
also advertise aggregate and average total return information over different
periods of time.
The Fund's average annual compounded rate of return is determined by
reference to a hypothetical $1,000 investment that includes capital appreciation
and depreciation for the stated period, according to the following formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000
from which the maximum sales load is deducted
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the hypothetical
$1,000 purchase at the end of the period
Aggregate total return is calculated in a similar manner,
except that the results are not annualized. Each calculation
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<PAGE>
assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value
on the reinvestment dates during the period and gives effect to the maximum
applicable sales charge.
The Fund's average annual total returns for the one year period and from
inception on June 2, 1993 through June 30, 1996 were 22.27% and 16.16%
respectively.
The Fund's total return may be compared to relevant indices, including
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index and indices published by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc. From time to time, evaluations of a Fund's performance
by independent sources may also be used in advertisements and in information
furnished to present
or prospective investors in the Funds.
Investors should note that the investment results of the Fund will
fluctuate over time, and any presentation of the Fund's total return for any
period should not be considered as a representation of what an investment may
earn or what an investor's total return may be in any future period.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Investors in the Fund will be informed of the Fund's progress through
periodic reports. Financial statements certified by independent public
accountants will be submitted to shareholders at least annually.
The Star Bank, located at 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201
acts as Custodian of the securities and other assets of the Fund. American Data
Services, 24 West Carver St., Huntington, NY, 11743 acts as the Fund's transfer
and shareholder service agent. The Custodian and Agent do not participate in
decisions relating to the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund.
Tait, Weller & Baker, Two Penn Center Plaza, Philadelphia, PA
19102, are the independent auditors for the Fund.
Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, 333 Bush Street, San Francisco,
California 94104, are legal counsel to the Fund.
The following persons are beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities as of July 11,, 1996. An asterisk (*) denotes an
account affiliated with the Fund's investment advisor, officers or trustees:
David Sofro Trust DTD 1990, Van Nuys, CA 91409; 13.96%
*Crescent Multi-Advisor Fund, LP, Los Angeles, CA; 13.20%
Bear Stearns Securities Corp., Special Custody Acc't for
Customers, Brooklyn, NY 11201, 7.71%
Hillside Memorial Park Fund, Los Angeles, CA 90045, 5.23%
B-21
<PAGE>
The shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its obligations.
However, the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust. The
Agreement and Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification and
reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's assets for any shareholder held
personally liable for obligations of the Fund or Trust. The Agreement and
Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of
the Fund or Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon. All such rights are limited
to the assets of the Fund. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust further
provides that the Trust may maintain appropriate insurance (for example,
fidelity bonding and errors and omissions insurance) for the protection of the
Trust, its shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and agents to cover
possible tort and other liabilities. Furthermore, the activities of the Trust as
an investment company would not likely give rise to liabilities in excess of the
Trust's total assets. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss
on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both
inadequate insurance exists and the Fund itself is unable to meet its
obligations.
The Trust is registered with the SEC as a management investment
company. Such a registration does not involve supervision of the management or
policies of the Fund. The Prospectus of the Fund and this Statement of
Additional Information omit certain of the information contained in the
Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of such information may be
obtained from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The annual report to shareholders for the Fund for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996 is a separate document supplied with this Statement of Additional
Information and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of
independent accountants appearing therein are incorporated by reference in this
Statement of Additional Information.
B-22
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
Description of Bond Ratings*
Moody's Investors Service
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuations or protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements: their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
B-23
<PAGE>
Standard & Poor's Corporation
AAA: Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This
rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and
interest.
AA: Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they
differ from AAA issues only in small degree.
A: Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although
they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and
economic conditions.
BBB: Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in
this category than for bonds in the A category.
BB, B: Bonds rated BB and B are regarded, on balance, as predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. While such bonds will
likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by
large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
Ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative
standing within the major rating categories.
*Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the
rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no
obligation to do so.
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<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 1, 1996
THE OSTERWEIS FUND
a series of
PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS
One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1201
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 434-4441
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and it
should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Osterweis Fund (the
"Fund"). A copy of the prospectus of the Fund dated August 1, 1996 is available
by calling the number listed above or (800-385-7003).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
The Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Objective and Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7
Distributions and Tax Information . . . . . . . . . . . . B-9
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-12
Execution of Portfolio Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . B-16
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information . . . . . B-18
Determination of Share Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-19
Performance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-20
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-21
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-22
Appendix: Description of Bond Ratings . . . . . . . . . . B-23
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<PAGE>
THE TRUST
Professionally Managed Portfolios (the "Trust") is an open-end
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The
Trust consists of various series which represent separate investment portfolios.
This Statement of Additional Information relates only to The Osterweis Fund
series (the "Fund").
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Osterweis Fund (the "Fund") is a mutual fund with the investment
objective of attaining long term total returns. The following discussion
supplements the discussion of the Fund's investment objective and policies as
set forth in the Prospectus. There can be no assurance the objective of the Fund
will be attained.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements as discussed in the
Prospectus. Under such agreements, the seller of the security to the Fund agrees
to repurchase it at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price
may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund,
or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated
rate due to the Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either
case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the U.S.
Government security itself. Such repurchase agreements will be made only with
banks with assets of $500 million or more that are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or with Government securities dealers recognized
by the Federal Reserve Board and registered as broker-dealers with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or exempt from such registration. The
Fund will generally enter into repurchase agreements of short durations, from
overnight to one week, although the underlying securities generally have longer
maturities. The Fund may not enter into a repurchase agreement with more than
seven days to maturity if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's
total assets would be invested in illiquid securities including such repurchase
agreements.
For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), a
repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from the Fund to the seller of the
U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement. It is not clear
whether a court would consider the U.S. Government security acquired by the Fund
subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by the Fund or as being
collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller. In the event of the
commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller
of the U.S. Government security before its repurchase under a repurchase
agreement, the Fund may
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<PAGE>
encounter delays and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Delays
may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the U.S. Government
security. If a court characterizes the transaction as a loan and the Fund has
not perfected a security interest in the U.S. Government security, the Fund may
be required to return the security to the seller's estate and be treated as an
unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at
the risk of losing some or all of the principal and income involved in the
transaction. As with any unsecured debt instrument purchased for the Fund, the
investment manager seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase
agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the
seller of the U.S. Government security.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is
also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, the
Fund will always receive as collateral for any repurchase agreement to which it
is a party securities acceptable to it, the market value of which is equal to at
least 100% of the amount invested by the Fund plus accrued interest, and the
Fund will make payment against such securities only upon physical delivery or
evidence of book entry transfer to the account of its Custodian. If the market
value of the U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement
becomes less than the repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will
direct the seller of the U.S. Government security to deliver additional
securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase
agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. It is possible that the
Fund will be unsuccessful in seeking to impose on the seller a contractual
obligation to deliver additional securities.
When-Issued Securities
The Fund may from time to time purchase securities on a "when-issued"
basis. The price of such securities, which may be expressed in yield terms, is
fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment
for the when-issued securities take place at a later date. Normally, the
settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase; during the period
between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer
and no interest accrues to the Fund. To the extent that assets of the Fund are
held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund would
earn no income; however, it is the Fund's intention to be fully invested to the
extent practicable and subject to the policies stated above. While when-issued
securities may be sold prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to
purchase such securities with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a
sale appears desirable for investment reasons. At the time the Fund makes the
commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, it will record the
transaction and reflect the value of the security in
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<PAGE>
determining its net asset value. The market value of the when-issued securities
may be more or less than the purchase price. The Fund does not believe that its
net asset value or income will be adversely affected by its purchase of
securities on a when-issued basis. The Fund will establish a segregated account
with its Custodian in which it will maintain liquid assets equal in value to
commitments for when-issued securities. Such segregated assets either will
mature or, if necessary, be sold on or before the settlement date.
Foreign Securities
Among the means through which the Fund may invest in foreign securities is
the purchase of American Depository Receipts ("ADR's") or European Depository
Receipts ("EDR's"). Generally, ADR's, in registered form, are denominated in
U.S. dollars and are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, while
EDR's, in bearer form, may be denominated in other currencies and are designed
for use in European securities markets. ADR's are receipts typically issued by a
U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities.
EDR's are European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. For purposes of
the Funds' investment policies, ADR's and EDR's are deemed to have the same
classification as the underlying securities they represent. Thus an ADR or EDR
representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock.
Debt Securities and Ratings
Ratings of debt securities represent the rating agencies' opinions
regarding their quality, are not a guarantee of quality and may be reduced after
the Fund has acquired the security. If a security's rating is reduced while it
is held by the Fund, the Advisor will consider whether the Fund should continue
to hold the security but is not required to dispose of it. Credit ratings
attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments and do not
evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. Also, rating agencies may
fail to make timely changes in credit ratings in response to subsequent events,
so that an issuer's current financial conditions may be better or worse than the
rating indicates.
The Fund reserves the right to invest up to 30% of its assets in securities
rated lower than BBB by S & P or lower than Baa by Moody's but rated at least B
by S & P or Moody's (or, in either case, if unrated, deemed by the Advisor to be
of comparable quality). Lower-rated securities generally offer a higher current
yield than that available for higher grade issues. However, lower-rated
securities involve higher risks, in that they are especially subject to adverse
changes in general economic conditions and in the industries in which the
issuers are engaged, to changes in the financial condition of the issuers and to
price fluctuations in response to changes in interest
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rates. During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates, highly
leveraged issuers may experience financial stress which could adversely affect
their ability to make payments of interest and principal and increase the
possibility of default. In addition, the market for lower-rated debt securities
has expanded rapidly in recent years, and its growth paralleled a long economic
expansion. At times in recent years, the prices of many lower-rated debt
securities declined substantially, reflecting an expectation that many issuers
of such securities might experience financial difficulties. As a result, the
yields on lower-rated debt securities rose dramatically, but such higher yields
did not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities
expected, but rather, the risk that holders of such securities could lose a
substantial portion of their value as a result of the issuers' financial
restructuring or default. There can be no assurance that such declines will not
recur. The market for lower-rated debt issues generally is thinner and less
active than that for higher quality securities, which may limit the Fund's
ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the
economy or financial markets. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions,
whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and
liquidity of lower-rated securities, especially in a thinly traded market.
Lower-rated debt obligations also present risks based on payment
expectations. If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption, a Fund may have
to replace the security with a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased
return for investors. Also, as the principal value of bonds moves inversely with
movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates the value of
the securities held by a Fund may decline proportionately more than a Fund
consisting of higher-rated securities. If a Fund experiences unexpected net
redemptions, it may be forced to sell its higher-rated bonds, resulting in a
decline in the overall credit quality of the securities held by the Fund and
increasing the exposure of the Fund to the risks of lower-rated securities.
Investments in zero-coupon bonds may be more speculative and subject to greater
fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates than bonds that pay
interest currently.
Options and Futures Transactions. As indicated in the prospectus, to the extent
consistent with its investment objectives and policies, the Fund may purchase
and write call and put options on securities, securities indexes and on foreign
currencies and enter into futures contracts and use options on futures
contracts, to the extent of up to 5% of its assets.
Transactions in options on securities and on indexes involve certain risks.
For example, there are significant differences between the securities and
options markets that could result in
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an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not
to achieve its objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options
involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived
transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or
unexpected events.
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund
seeks to close out an option position. If the Fund were unable to close out an
option that it had purchased on a security, it would have to exercise the option
in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless. If the Fund
were unable to close out a covered call option that it had written on a
security, it would not be able to sell the underlying security unless the option
expired without exercise. As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund
forgoes, during the option's life, the opportunity to profit from increases in
the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the
premium and the exercise price of the call.
If trading were suspended in an option purchased by the Fund, the Fund
would not be able to close out the option. If restrictions on exercise were
imposed, the Fund might be unable to exercise an option it has purchased. Except
to the extent that a call option on an index written by the Fund is covered by
an option on the same index purchased by the Fund, movements in the index may
result in a loss to the Fund; such losses may be mitigated or exacerbated by
changes in the value of the Fund's securities during the period the option was
outstanding.
Use of futures contracts and options thereon also involves certain risks.
The variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts
and price movements in the related portfolio positions of the Fund creates the
possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be greater than gains in
the value of the Fund's position. Also, futures and options markets may not be
liquid in all circumstances and certain over the counter options may have no
markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close
out a transaction at all or without incurring losses. Although the use of
options and futures transactions for hedging should minimize the risk of loss
due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend
to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in the value of
such position. If losses were to result from the use of such transactions, they
could reduce net asset value and possibly income. The Fund may use these
techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates or securities prices or as
part of its overall investment strategy. The Fund will maintain segregated
accounts consisting of liquid assets, (or, as permitted by applicable
regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations
under options and futures contracts to avoid leveraging of the Fund.
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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following policies and investment restrictions have been adopted by
the Fund and (unless otherwise noted) are fundamental and cannot be changed
without the affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may not:
1. Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt
securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) to the
extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.
2. (a) Borrow money, except as stated in the Prospectus
and this Statement of Additional Information. Any such borrowing
will be made only if immediately thereafter there is an asset
coverage of at least 300% of all borrowings.
(b) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets
except in connection with any such borrowings.
3. Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and
several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does
not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary
for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities).
4. Purchase or sell real estate, commodities or commodity contracts
(other than futures transactions for the purposes and under the conditions
described in the prospectus and in this Statement of Additional Information).
5. Invest more than 25% of the market value of its assets
in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry.
(Does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.)
6. Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except that
this restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit the Fund from (a) making any
permitted borrowings, mortgages or pledges, or (b) entering into options,
futures, forward or repurchase transactions.
7. Purchase the securities of any issuer, if as a result more than 5% of
the total assets of the Fund would be invested in the securities of that issuer,
other than obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, provided that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's assets may
be invested without regard to this limitation.
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental
and which may be changed without shareholder vote. The Fund may not:
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8. Purchase any security if as a result the Fund would then hold more than
10% of any class of securities of an issuer (taking all common stock issues of
an issuer as a single class, all preferred stock issues as a single class, and
all debt issues as a single class) or more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of an issuer.
9. Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control
or management.
10. Purchase or hold securities of any issuer, if, at the time of purchase
or thereafter, any of the Trustees or officers of the Trust or the Fund's
investment manager owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1%, and all such Trustees
or officers holding more than 1/2 of 1% together own beneficially more than 5%
of the issuer's securities.
11. Invest in securities of other investment companies which would result in
the Fund owning more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of any one
such investment company, the Fund owning securities of another investment
company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund's
total assets, or the Fund owning securities of investment companies in the
aggregate which would exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
12. Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its total assets in
securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities which
are not readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days
to maturity.
13. Buy or sell interests in oil, gas or mineral exploration or development
programs or related leases, or real estate. (Does not preclude investments in
marketable securities of issuers engaged in such activities.)
14. Purchase any security if as a result the Fund would have more than 5% of
its total assets (taken at current value) invested in securities of companies
(including predecessors) less than three years old.
Under applicable provisions of Texas law, any investment by the Fund in
warrants may not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets. Included
within that amount, but not to exceed 2% of the value of the Fund's net assets
may be warrants which are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
subsequent increase or decrease in a percentage resulting from a change in the
values of assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction, except as
otherwise noted.
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DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net profits
from the sale of securities, if any, are generally made annually by the Fund
after the conclusion of its fiscal year (March 31). Also, the Fund expects to
distribute any undistributed net investment income on or about December 31 of
each year. Any net capital gains realized through the twelve month period ended
October 31 of each year will also be distributed by December 31 of each year.
Each distribution by the Fund is accompanied by a brief explanation of
the form and character of the distribution. In January of each year the Fund
will issue to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of
all distributions.
Tax Information
The Fund is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax
purposes. The Fund intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
"Code"). In order to qualify, the Fund must comply with all applicable
requirements regarding the source of its income, diversification of its assets
and timing of its distributions. The Fund's policy is to distribute to its
shareholders all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized
long-term capital gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the
distribution requirements of the Code, so that the Fund will not be subject to
any federal income tax or excise taxes based on net income. The Fund will
generally be subject to federal income tax on its undistributed net investment
income and capital gains. To avoid federal excise taxes based on its net income,
the Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of
each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii)
at least 98% of the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized
capital losses for the 12-month period ending on October 31 during such year and
(iii) any amounts from the prior calendar year that were not distributed.
Net investment income consists of interest and dividend income and
foreign currency gain, less expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal
period are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the
Fund.
Distributions of net investment income and the excess of net short-term
capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. In the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of the
distributions may qualify for the intercorporate dividends-received deduction to
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the extent the Fund designates the amount distributed as a qualifying dividend.
The aggregate amount so designated cannot, however, exceed the aggregate amount
of qualifying dividends received by the Fund for its taxable year. In view of
the Fund's investment policy, it is expected that dividends from domestic
corporations will be part of the Fund's gross income and that, accordingly, part
of the distributions by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction for corporate shareholders. However, the portion of the Fund's gross
income attributable to qualifying dividends is largely dependent on the Fund's
investment activities for a particular year and therefore cannot be predicted
with any certainty. The deduction may be reduced or eliminated if the Fund
shares held by a corporate investor are treated as debt-financed or are held for
less than 46 days.
Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital
gains, regardless of the length of time the shareholders have held their shares.
Capital gains distributions are not eligible for the dividends-received
deduction referred to in the previous paragraph. Distributions of any net
investment income and net realized capital gains will be taxable as described
above, whether received in shares or in cash. Shareholders electing to receive
distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for
federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset
value of a share on the reinvestment date. Distributions are generally taxable
when received. However, distributions declared in October, November or December
to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid the following
January are taxable as if received on December 31. Distributions are includable
in alternative minimum taxable income in computing a shareholder's liability for
the alternative minimum tax.
The Fund may write, purchase or sell certain options and futures contracts.
Such transactions are subject to special tax rules that may affect the amount,
timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Unless the Fund is
eligible to make and makes a special election, such contracts that are "Section
1256 contracts" will be "marked-to-market" for federal income tax purposes at
the end of each taxable year, i.e., each contract will be treated as sold for
its fair market value on the last day of the taxable year. In general, unless
the special election referred to in the previous sentence is made, gain or loss
from transactions in such contracts will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term
capital gain or loss. Section 1092 of the Code, which applies to certain
"straddles", may affect the taxation of the Fund's transactions in options and
futures contracts. Under Section 1092 of the Code, the Fund may be required to
postpone recognition for tax purposes of losses incurred in certain closing
transactions.
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One of the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment
company is that less than 30% of the Fund's gross income must be derived from
gains from the sale or other disposition of securities held for less than three
months. Accordingly, the Fund may be restricted in effecting closing
transactions within three months after entering into an option contract.
A redemption of Fund shares may result in recognition of a taxable gain
or loss. Any loss realized upon a redemption of shares within six months from
the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the
extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains during
such six-month period. Any loss realized upon a redemption of Fund shares may be
disallowed under certain wash sale rules to the extent shares of the Fund are
purchased (through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days
before or after the redemption.
Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal
Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as
gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the
case of exempt shareholders, which includes most corporations. Pursuant to the
backup withholding provisions of the Code, distributions of any taxable income
and capital gains and proceeds from the redemption of Fund shares may be subject
to withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 31 percent in the case of
non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Fund with their taxpayer
identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status
under the Code. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such
distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional
shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Corporate and
other exempt shareholders should provide the Fund with their taxpayer
identification numbers or certify their exempt status in order to avoid possible
erroneous application of backup withholding. The Fund reserves the right to
refuse to open an account for any person failing to provide a certified taxpayer
identification number.
The Fund will not be subject to tax in The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts as long as it qualifies as a regulated investment company for
federal income tax purposes. Distributions and the transactions referred to in
the preceding paragraphs may be subject to state and local income taxes, and the
tax treatment thereof may differ from the federal income tax treatment.
Moreover, the above discussion is not intended to be a complete discussion of
all applicable tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. Shareholders are
advised to consult with their own tax advisers concerning the application of
federal, state and local taxes to an investment in the Fund.
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The foregoing discussion of the Code relates solely to the
application of that law to U.S. citizens or residents and U.S.
domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each
shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and
foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund,
including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject
to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent (or at a lower
rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts
constituting ordinary income.
This discussion and the related discussion in the prospectus have been
prepared by Fund management, and counsel to the Fund has expressed no opinion in
respect thereof.
MANAGEMENT
Trustees
The Trustees of the Trust, who were elected for an indefinite term by
the initial shareholders of the Trust, are responsible for the overall
management of the Trust, including general supervision and review of the
investment activities of the Fund. The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of
the Trust, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of
the Trust and its separate series. The current Trustees and officers and their
affiliations and principal occupations for the past five years are set forth
below.
Steven J. Paggioli,* 46 President and Trustee
479 West 22nd Street, New York, New York 10011. Executive Vice
President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. (consultants)
since 1986; Executive Vice President of Investment Company
Administration Corporation ("ICAC"; mutual fund administration, and
the Fund's Administrative Manager), and Vice President of First
Fund Distributors, Inc. ("FFD"; registered broker-dealer and the
Fund's Distributor) since 1990.
Dorothy A. Berry, 52 Trustee
Wildflower Hill, Ancram New York 12502. President, Talon Industries (venture
capital and business consulting); formerly Chief Operating Officer, Integrated
Asset Management (investment advisor and manager) and formerly President, Value
Line, Inc., (investment advisory and financial publishing firm).
Wallace L. Cook, 56 Trustee
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112. Senior Vice
President, Rockefeller Trust Co. Financial Counselor, Rockefeller
& Co.
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Carl A. Froebel, 57 Trustee
333 Technology Drive, Malvern, PA. Managing Director, Premier
Solutions, Ltd., Founder and former President, National Investor
Data Services, Inc. (investment related computer software).
Rowley W.P. Redington, 51 Trustee
260 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102. Vice President,
PRS of New Jersey, Inc. (management consulting); Chief Financial
Officer, Jersey Electronics, Inc. (formerly ESI, Inc.) (consumer
electronics service and marketing); formerly President, Aveco Inc.
(consumer electronic service and marketing) and formerly Chief
Executive Officer, Rowley Associates (consultants).
Eric M. Banhazl*, 38 Treasurer
2025 E. Financial Way, Suite 101, Glendora, California 91741.
Senior Vice President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc.,
Senior Vice President of ICAC and Vice President of FFD since 1990.
Robin Berger*, 39 Secretary
479 West 22nd St., New York, New York 10011. Vice President, Robert
H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since June, 1993; formerly
Regulatory and Compliance Coordinator, Equitable Capital
Management, Inc. (1991-93).
Robert H. Wadsworth*, 56 Vice President
4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
President of Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since 1982,
President of ICAC and FFD since 1990.
*Indicates an "interested person" of the Trust as defined in the
1940 Act.
Set forth below is the rate of compensation received by the following
Trustees from the Fund and all other portfolios of the Trust. This total amount
is allocated among the portfolios. Disinterested trustees are also reimbursed
for expenses in connection with each Board meeting attended. No other
compensation or retirement benefits were received by any Trustee or officer from
the Fund or any other portfolios of the Trust.
Name of Trustee Total Compensation
Dorothy A. Berry $10,000
Wallace L. Cook $10,000
Carl A. Froebel $10,000
Rowley W.P Redington $10,000
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During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, trustees' fees and
expenses in the amount of $3,009 were allocated to the Fund.
The Fund receives investment advisory services pursuant to agreements
with the Advisor and the Trust. Each such agreement, after its initial term,
continues in effect for successive annual periods so long as such continuation
is approved at least annually by the vote of (1) the Board of Trustees of the
Trust (or a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund to which the
agreement applies), and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of any party to the Agreement, in each case cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Any such agreement may be
terminated at any time, without penalty, by either party to the agreement upon
sixty days' written notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its
"assignment," as defined in the 1940 Act.
Investment Advisor
The Board of Trustees of the Trust establishes the Fund's policies and
supervises and reviews the management of the Fund. Osterweis Capital Management,
One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1201, San Francisco, CA 94111, is the Advisor to the
Fund.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Fund, the Advisor
provides the Fund with advice on buying and selling securities, manages the
investments of the Fund, furnishes the Fund with office space and certain
administrative services, and provides most of the personnel needed by the Fund.
As compensation, the Fund pays the Advisor a monthly management fee (accrued
daily) based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund at the rate of 1.00%
annually.
The Investment Advisory Agreement continues in effect from year to year so
long as such continuation is approved at least annually by (1) the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the
Fund, and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of any
party to the Agreement, in each case cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval. The Agreement may be terminated at any time,
without penalty, by either the Fund or the Advisor upon sixty days' written
notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined
in the 1940 Act.
The Adviser has undertaken to limit the Fund's operating expenses to an
annual level of 1.75% of the Fund's average net assets. During the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1996, the Adviser received fees of $160,490 and reimbursed
expenses of $2,770. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995, the Fund
incurred advisory fees of $77,490 and the Advisor reimbursed expenses of
$44,889. During the Fund's initial fiscal period from October 4, 1993 through
March 31, 1994, the Fund incurred advisory fees of
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$14,490 and the Advisor reimbursed expenses of $29,431.
Administrator
The Fund has entered into an Administrative Management Agreement with
Investment Company Administration Corporation ("ICAC"), a corporation owned and
controlled by Messrs. Banhazl, Paggioli and Wadsworth. The Agreement provides
that ICAC will prepare and coordinate reports and other materials supplied to
the Trustees; prepare and/or supervise the preparation and filing of all
securities filings, periodic financial reports, prospectuses, statements of
additional information, marketing materials, tax returns, shareholder reports
and other regulatory reports or filings required of the Fund; prepare all
required filings necessary to maintain the Fund's qualification and/or
registration to sell shares in all states where the Fund currently does, or
intends to do business; coordinate the preparation, printing and mailing of all
materials (e.g., Annual Reports) required to be sent to shareholders; coordinate
the preparation and payment of Fund related expenses; monitor and oversee the
activities of the Fund's servicing agents (i.e., transfer agent, custodian, fund
accountants, etc.); review and adjust as necessary the Fund's daily expense
accruals; and perform such additional services as may be agreed upon by the Fund
and the Manager. For its services, ICAC receives an annual fee equal to the
greater of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets or $30,000. During the
fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, March 31, 1995, and March 31, 1994, ICAC and
its predecessor received fees of $38,728, $30,000, and $14,712, respectively.
Distributor
First Fund Distributors, (the "Distributor") a corporation owned by
Messrs. Banhazl, Paggioli and Wadsworth, acts as the Fund's distributor and
principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund's shares. The
Distribution Agreement between the Fund and the Distributor continues in effect
from year to year if approved at least annually by (i) the Board of Trustees or
the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund (as defined in the
1940 Act) and (ii) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of
any such party, in each case cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated without
penalty by the parties thereto upon sixty days' written notice, and is
automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940
Act.
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Advisor determines
which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which
broker-dealers will be used to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions.
Purchases and sales of securities in the
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over-the-counter market will be executed directly with a "market-maker" unless,
in the opinion of the Advisor, a better price and execution can otherwise be
obtained by using a broker for the transaction.
Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund also may be made
directly from issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale
transactions will be effected through dealers (including banks) which specialize
in the types of securities which the Fund will be holding, unless better
executions are available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as
principal for their own account. Purchases from underwriters will include a
concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will
include the spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and
price offered by more than one broker, dealer or underwriter are comparable, the
order may be allocated to a borker, dealer or underwriter that has provided
research or other services as discussed below.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor will use its reasonable
efforts to choose broker-dealers capable of providing the services necessary to
obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and
quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations,
such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational
facilities of the firm involved, the firm's risk in positioning a block of
securities, and other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably
determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the most favorable price
and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers
which furnish or supply research and statistical information to the Advisor that
it may lawfully and appropriately use in its investment advisory capacities, as
well as provide other services in addition to execution services. The Advisor
considers such information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the
services required to be performed by it under its Agreement with the Fund, to be
useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value. Portfolio transactions
also may be placed with broker-dealers who sell shares of the Fund subject to
rules adopted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
While it is the Fund's general policy to seek first to obtain the most
favorable price and execution available, in selecting a broker-dealer to execute
portfolio transactions for the Fund, weight may also be given to the ability of
a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the
Advisor, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Fund and
may be useful to the Advisor in advising other clients. In negotiating
commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the
Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if
no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided
that the amount of such commission or spread has been
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determined in good faith by the Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the
value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer.
The standard of reasonableness is to be measured in light of the Advisor's
overall responsibilities to the Fund.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
other client accounts or mutual funds ("Funds") managed or advised by the
Advisor. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be
acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts or Funds.
In such event, the position of the Fund and such client account(s) or Funds in
the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its
investment in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of
these client accounts or Funds seeks to acquire the same security as the Fund at
the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such
security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower
yield for such security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a
price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security
at the same time. If one or more of such client accounts or Funds simultaneously
purchases or sells the same security that the Fund is purchasing or selling,
each day's transactions in such security will be allocated between the Fund and
all such client accounts or Funds in a manner deemed equitable by the Advisor,
taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount being
purchased or sold. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a
detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as the Fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of the Fund
to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for the
Fund.
The Fund does not effect securities transactions through brokers in
accordance with any formula, nor does it effect securities transactions through
brokers solely for selling shares of the Fund, although the Fund may consider
the sale of shares as a factor in allocating brokerage. However, as stated
above, broker-dealers who execute brokerage transactions may effect purchase of
shares of the Fund for their customers. The Fund does not use the Distributor to
execute its portfolio transactions. During the fiscal period from inception on
October 4, 1993 through March 31, 1994 and for the fiscal years ended March 31,
1995 and March 31, 1996, aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the Fund were
$7,043, $15,346 and $23,276, respectively.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the
continued offering of the Fund's shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole
or in part when in the judgment of the Advisor or the Distributor such rejection
is in the best interest of the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum
for initial
B-17
<PAGE>
and subsequent investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under circumstances
where certain economies can be achieved in sales of the Fund's shares.
Payments to shareholders for shares of the Fund redeemed directly from
the Fund will be made as promptly as possible but no later than seven days after
receipt by the Fund's Transfer Agent of the written request in proper form, with
the appropriate documentation as stated in the Prospectus, except that the Fund
may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any
period when (a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as
determined by the SEC or such Exchange is closed for other than weekends and
holidays; (b) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC making disposal of
portfolio securities or valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably
practicable; or (c) for such other period as the SEC may permit for the
protection of the Fund's shareholders. At various times, the Fund may be
requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received confirmation of
good payment; in this circumstance, the Fund may delay the redemption until
payment for the purchase of such shares has been collected and confirmed to the
Fund.
The Fund intends to pay cash (U.S. dollars) for all shares redeemed,
but, under abnormal conditions which make payment in cash unwise, the Fund may
make payment partly in securities with a current market value equal to the
redemption price. Although the Fund does not anticipate that it will make any
part of a redemption payment in securities, if such payment were made, an
investor may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. The
Fund has elected to be governed by the provisions of Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act, which contains a formula for determining the minimum redemption amounts
that must be paid in cash.
The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less
than the investor's cost, depending upon the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
As noted in the Prospectus, the net asset value and offering price of
shares of the Fund will be determined once daily as of 4:00 p.m., New York City
time, on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. It is
expected that the Exchange will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on New
Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. The Fund does not expect to determine the
net asset value of its shares on any day when the Exchange is not open for
trading even if there is sufficient trading in its portfolio securities on such
days to materially affect the net asset value per share.
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<PAGE>
In valuing the Fund's assets for calculating net asset value, readily
marketable portfolio securities listed on a national securities exchange or on
the National Association of Securities Dealers' National Market System (the
"NASDAQ National Market System") are valued at the last sale price on the
business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no
sale on such exchange or the NASDAQ National Market System on such day, the
security is valued at the closing bid price on such day. Readily marketable
securities traded only in the over-the-counter market and not on the NASDAQ
National Market System are valued at the current or last bid price. If no bid is
quoted on such day, the security is valued by such method as the Board of
Trustees of the Trust shall determine in good faith to reflect the security's
fair value. All other assets of the Fund are valued in such manner as the Board
of Trustees in good faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated as follows: all
liabilities incurred or accrued are deducted from the valuation of total assets
which includes accrued but undistributed income; the resulting net assets are
divided by the number of shares of the Fund outstanding at the time of the
valuation and the result (adjusted to the nearest cent) is the net asset value
per share.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may state its total return in
advertisements and investor communications. Total return may be stated for any
relevant period as specified in the advertisement or communication. Any
statements of total return will be accompanied by information on the Fund's
average annual compounded rate of return over the most recent four calendar
quarters and the period from the Fund's inception of operations. The Fund may
also advertise aggregate and average total return information over different
periods of time.
The Fund's average annual compounded rate of return is determined by
reference to a hypothetical $1,000 investment that includes capital appreciation
and depreciation for the stated period, according to the following formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000
from which the maximum sales load is deducted
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the hypothetical $1,000
purchase at the end of the period
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<PAGE>
Aggregate total return is calculated in a similar manner, except that
the results are not annualized. Each calculation assumes that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during
the period and gives effect to the maximum applicable sales charge.
The Fund's average annual total returns for the one year period and period
from inception on October 4, 1993 through June 30, 1996 were 13.94% and 10.01%,
respectively.
The Fund's total return may be compared to relevant indices, including
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index and indices published by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc. From time to time, evaluations of the Fund's
performance by independent sources may also be used in advertisements and in
information furnished to present or prospective investors in the Funds.
Investors should note that the investment results of the Fund will
fluctuate over time, and any presentation of the Fund's total return for any
period should not be considered as a representation of what an investment may
earn or what an investor's total return may be in any future period.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Investors in the Fund will be informed of the Fund's progress through
periodic reports. Financial statements certified by independent public
accountants will be submitted to shareholders at least annually.
Star Bank, 425 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45201 acts as Custodian of the
securities and other assets of the Fund. American Data Services, 24 West Carver
St., Huntington, NY, 11743 acts as the Fund's transfer agent. The Custodian and
Transfer agent do not participate in decisions relating to the purchase and sale
of securities by the Fund.
Coopers and Lybrand, L.L.P., 350 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
90071, are the independent auditors for the Fund.
Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, 333 Bush Street, San Francisco,
California 94104, are legal counsel to the Fund.
The following persons are beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities as of July 11, 1996. An asterisk (*)denotes an
account affiliated with the Advisor, officers or trustees:
*Osterweis Retirement Trust, John S. Osterweis, Trustee, San
Francisco, CA 94111; 9.46%
Hawaiian Trust Co, Trustee, FBO J. Edmunds Amended Profit
Sharing Trust, Honolulu, HI 96805-1930; 5.75%
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<PAGE>
U.S. Bank of Oregon as Custodian, Vesper Society, Portland, OR
CA 94607; 12.08%.
The holders of beneficial interest of a Massachusetts business trust
could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for
its obligations. However, the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust
contains an express disclaimer of beneficial interest holder liability for acts
or obligations of the Trust. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust also
provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's
assets for any beneficial interest holder held personally liable for obligations
of the Fund or Trust. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the
Trust shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any
beneficial interest holder for any act or obligation of the Fund or Trust and
satisfy any judgment thereon. All such rights are limited to the assets of the
Fund. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trust may
maintain appropriate insurance (for example, fidelity bonding and errors and
omissions insurance) for the protection of the Trust, its shareholders,
trustees, officers, employees and agents to cover possible tort and other
liabilities. Furthermore, the activities of the Trust as an investment company
would not likely give rise to liabilities in excess of the Trust's total assets.
Thus, the risk of a beneficial interest holder incurring financial loss on
account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both
inadequate insurance exists and the Fund itself is unable to meet its
obligations.
The Trust is registered with the SEC as a management investment
company. Such a registration does not involve supervision of the management or
policies of the Fund. The Prospectus of the Fund and this Statement of
Additional Information omit certain of the information contained in the
Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of such information may be
obtained from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The annual report to shareholders for the Fund for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996 is a separate document supplied with this Statement of Additional
Information and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of
independent accountants appearing therein are incorporated by reference in this
Statement of Additional Information.
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<PAGE>
APPENDIX
Description of Bond Ratings*
Moody's Investors Service
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuations or protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements: their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
B-22
<PAGE>
Standard & Poor's Corporation
AAA: Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This
rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and
interest.
AA: Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they
differ from AAA issues only in small degree.
A: Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although
they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and
economic conditions.
BBB: Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in
this category than for bonds in the A category.
BB, B: Bonds rated BB and B are regarded, on balance, as predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. While such bonds will
likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by
large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
Ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative
standing within the major rating categories.
*Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the
rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no
obligation to do so.
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<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 1, 1996
PRO-CONSCIENCE
WOMEN'S EQUITY MUTUAL FUND
a series of
PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS
500 Washington St. Ste. 600
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 296-9135
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and it
should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Pro-Conscience Women's
Equity Mutual Fund (the "Fund"). A copy of the prospectus of the Fund dated
August 1, 1996 is available by calling (415) 296-9135 or (800) 385-7003.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
The Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Objective and Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Investment Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5
Distributions and Tax Information . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-10
Execution of Portfolio Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . B-15
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information . . . . . B-17
Determination of Share Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18
Performance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-19
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. B-21
Appendix-Description of Bond Ratings . . . . . . . .. . . B-22
<PAGE>
THE TRUST
Professionally Managed Portfolios (the "Trust") is an open-end management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Trust
currently consists of various series which represent separate investment
portfolios. This Statement of Additional Information relates only to the
Pro-Conscience Women's Equity Mutual Fund series (the "Fund").
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund is a mutual fund with the investment objective of providing long-term
capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities (common and
preferred stocks). The following discussion supplements the discussion of the
Fund's investment objective and policies as set forth in the Prospectus. There
can be no assurance the objective of the Fund will be attained.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements as discussed in the Prospectus.
Under such agreements, the seller of the security agrees to repurchase it at a
mutually agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price may be higher than the
purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and
repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the
Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the
income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the U.S. Government
security itself. Such repurchase agreements will be made only with banks with
assets of $500 million or more that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or with Government securities dealers recognized by the Federal
Reserve Board and registered as broker-dealers with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") or exempt from such registration. The Fund will generally
enter into repurchase agreements of short durations, from overnight to one week,
although the underlying securities generally have longer maturities. The Fund
may not enter into a repurchase agreement with more than seven days to maturity
if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be
invested in illiquid securities including such repurchase agreements.
For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), a
repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from the Fund to the seller of the
U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement. It is not clear
whether a court would consider the U.S. Government security acquired by the Fund
subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by the Fund or as being
collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller. In the event of the
commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller
of the U.S. Government security before its repurchase under a repurchase
agreement, the Fund may encounter
B-2
<PAGE>
delays and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Delays may
involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the U.S. Government security.
If a court characterizes the transaction as a loan and the Fund has not
perfected a security interest in the U.S. Government security, the Fund may be
required to return the security to the seller's estate and be treated as an
unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at
the risk of losing some or all of the principal and income involved in the
transaction. As with any unsecured debt instrument purchased for the Fund, the
investment manager seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase
agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the
seller of the U.S. Government security.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the
risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, the Fund will
always receive as collateral for any repurchase agreement to which it is a party
securities acceptable to it, the market value of which is equal to at least 100%
of the amount invested by the Fund plus accrued interest, and the Fund will make
payment against such securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book
entry transfer to the account of its Custodian. If the market value of the U.S.
Government security subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the
repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will direct the seller of the
U.S. Government security to deliver additional securities so that the market
value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement will equal or exceed
the repurchase price. It is possible that the Fund will be unsuccessful in
seeking to impose on the seller a contractual obligation to deliver additional
securities.
When-Issued Securities
The Fund may from time to time purchase securities on a "when-issued" basis. The
price of such securities, which may be expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the
time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment for the
when-issued securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date
occurs within one month of the purchase; during the period between purchase and
settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues
to the Fund. To the extent that assets of the Fund are held in cash pending the
settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund would earn no income; however,
it is the Fund's intention to be fully invested to the extent practicable and
subject to the policies stated above. While when-issued securities may be sold
prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to purchase such securities with
the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale appears desirable for
investment reasons. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a
security on a when-issued basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the
value of the security in determining its net asset value. The market value of
the when-issued
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<PAGE>
securities may be more or less than the purchase price. The Fund does not
believe that its net asset value or income will be adversely affected by its
purchase of securities on a when-issued basis. The Fund will establish a
segregated account with its Custodian in which it will maintain liquid assets
equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities. Such segregated
securities either will mature or, if necessary, be sold on or before the
settlement date.
Foreign Securities; Currency Contracts and Related Options
Among the means through which the Fund may invest in foreign securities is the
purchase of American Depository Receipts ("ADR's") or European Depository
Receipts ("EDR's"). Generally, ADR's, in registered form, are denominated in
U.S. dollars and are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, while
EDR's, in bearer form, may be denominated in other currencies and are designed
for use in European securities markets. ADR's are receipts typically issued by a
U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities.
EDR's are European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. For purposes of
the Funds' investment policies, ADR's and EDR's are deemed to have the same
classification as the underlying securities they represent. Thus an ADR or EDR
representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock.
As indicated in the prospectus, to the extent consistent with its investment
objectives and policies relating to investment in foreign securities, the Fund
is authorized to engage in currency exchange transactions by means of buying and
selling foreign currency on a spot basis, entering into foreign currency forward
contracts, buying and selling currency options, futures and options on future to
the extent of up to 5% of its assets. The Fund has no present intention to do
so.
These transactions involve certain risks. For example, there are significant
differences between the securities markets and options, futures or currency
contract markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these
markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. A decision
as to whether, when and how to use these transactions involves the exercise of
skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to
some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events.
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to
close out an options, futures or currency contract position. The variable degree
of correlation between price movements of options, futures or currency contracts
and price movements in the related portfolio positions of the Fund creates the
possibility that losses on these transactions may be greater than gains in the
value of the Fund's position. Also, options, futures and currency contract
markets may not be liquid in all
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<PAGE>
circumstances and certain over the counter options may have no markets. As a
result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a
transaction at all or without incurring losses. Although the use of these
transactions is intended to reduce the risk of loss due to a decline in the
value of the Fund's underlying position, at the same time they tend to limit any
potential gain which might result from an increase in the value of such
position. If losses were to result from the use of such transactions, they could
reduce net asset value and possibly income. If the Fund determines to make use
of these transactions to the limited degree set forth above, the Fund will
observe the federal and other regulatory requirements pertaining to such
transactions and will maintain segregated accounts consisting of liquid assets
(or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting
positions) to cover its obligations under such transactions to avoid leveraging
of the Fund.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following policies and investment restrictions have been adopted by the Fund
and (unless otherwise noted) are fundamental and cannot be changed without the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities as
defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may not:
1. Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt
securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) to the
extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.
2. (a) Borrow money, except as stated in the Prospectus and
this Statement of Additional Information. Any such borrowing will
be made only if immediately thereafter there is an asset coverage
of at least 300% of all borrowings.
(b) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets
except in connection with any such borrowings.
3. Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and
several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does
not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary
for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities).
4. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts (other than
futures transactions for the purposes and under the conditions described in the
prospectus and in this Statement of Additional Information).
5. Invest more than 25% of the market value of its assets in
the securities of companies engaged in any one industry. (Does not
apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.)
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<PAGE>
6. Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except that
this restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit the Fund from (a) making any
permitted borrowings, mortgages or pledges, or (b) entering into options,
futures, currency contract or repurchase transactions.
7. Purchase the securities of any issuer, if as a result more than 5% of
the total assets of the Fund would be invested in the securities of that issuer,
other than obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, provided that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's assets may
be invested without regard to this limitation.
8. Purchase or sell real estate; however, the Fund may invest in debt
securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies
which invest in real estate or interests therein, including real estate
investment trusts;
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed
fundamental and which may be changed without shareholder vote. The
Fund may not:
9. Purchase any security if as a result the Fund would then hold more than
10% of any class of securities of an issuer (taking all common stock issues of
an issuer as a single class, all preferred stock issues as a single class, and
all debt issues as a single class) or more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of an issuer.
10. Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control
or management.
11. Buy or sell interests in oil, gas or mineral exploration or development
programs or related leases, or real estate. (Does not preclude investments in
marketable securities of issuers engaged in such activities.)
12. Purchase or hold securities of any issuer, if, at the time of purchase
or thereafter, any of the Trustees or officers of the Trust or the Fund's
investment manager owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1%, and all such Trustees
or officers holding more than 1/2 of 1% together own beneficially more than 5%
of the issuer's securities.
13. Invest in securities of other investment companies which would result
in the Fund owning more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of any one
such investment company, the Fund owning securities of another investment
company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund's
total assets, or the Fund owning securities of investment companies in the
aggregate which would exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
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<PAGE>
14. Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its total
assets in securities which are not readily marketable or are
illiquid.
Under applicable provisions of Texas law, any investment by the Fund in warrants
may not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets. Included within that
amount, but not to exceed 2% of the value of the Fund's net assets may be
warrants which are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
subsequent increase or decrease in a percentage resulting from a change in the
values of assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction, except as
otherwise noted.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net profits from the
sale of securities, if any, are generally made annually by the Fund after the
conclusion of its fiscal year (March 31). Also, the Fund expects to distribute
any undistributed net investment income on or about December 31 of each year.
Any net capital gains realized through the twelve month period ended October 31
of each year will also be distributed by December 31 of each year.
Each distribution by the Fund is accompanied by a brief explanation of the form
and character of the distribution. In January of each year the Fund will issue
to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all
distributions.
Tax Information
The Fund is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The
Fund intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). In
order to qualify, the Fund must comply with all applicable requirements
regarding the source of its income, diversification of its assets and timing of
its distributions. The Fund's policy is to distribute to its shareholders all of
its investment company taxable income and any net realized long-term capital
gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the distribution
requirements of the Code, so that the Fund will not be subject to any federal
income tax or excise taxes based on net income. The Fund will generally be
subject to federal income tax on its undistributed net investment income and
capital gains. To avoid federal excise taxes based on its net income, the Fund
must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each
calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) at
least 98% of the
B-7
<PAGE>
excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses for the
12-month period ending on October 31 during such year and (iii) any amounts from
the prior calendar year that were not distributed.
Net investment income consists of interest and dividend income and foreign
currency gain, less expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal period are
computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund.
Distributions of net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital
gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income. In the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of the distributions
may qualify for the intercorporate dividends-received deduction to the extent
the Fund designates the amount distributed as a qualifying dividend. The
aggregate amount so designated cannot, however, exceed the aggregate amount of
qualifying dividends received by the Fund for its taxable year. In view of the
Fund's investment policy, it is expected that dividends from domestic
corporations will be part of the Fund's gross income and that, accordingly, part
of the distributions by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction for corporate shareholders. However, the portion of the Fund's gross
income attributable to qualifying dividends is largely dependent on the Fund's
investment activities for a particular year and therefore cannot be predicted
with any certainty. The deduction may be reduced or eliminated if the Fund
shares held by a corporate investor are treated as debt-financed or are held for
less than 46 days.
Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term
capital losses are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains,
regardless of the length of time the shareholders have held their shares.
Capital gains distributions are not eligible for the dividends-received
deduction referred to in the previous paragraph. Distributions of any net
investment income and net realized capital gains will be taxable as described
above, whether received in shares or in cash. Shareholders electing to receive
distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for
federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset
value of a share on the reinvestment date. Distributions are generally taxable
when received. However, distributions declared in October, November or December
to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid the following
January are taxable as if received on December 31. Distributions are includable
in alternative minimum taxable income in computing a shareholder's liability for
the alternative minimum tax.
One of the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company is
that less than 30% of the Fund's gross income must be derived from gains from
the sale or other disposition of securities
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<PAGE>
held for less than three months. Accordingly, the Fund may be restricted in
effecting closing transactions within three months after entering into an option
contract.
A redemption of Fund shares may result in recognition of a taxable gain or loss.
Any loss realized upon a redemption of shares within six months from the date of
their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any
amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains during such
six-month period. Any loss realized upon a redemption of Fund shares may be
disallowed under certain wash sale rules to the extent shares of the Fund are
purchased (through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days
before or after the redemption.
Under the Code, the Fund is required to report to the Internal Revenue Service
all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds
from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of exempt
shareholders, which includes most corporations. Pursuant to the backup
withholding provisions of the Code, distributions of any taxable income and
capital gains and proceeds from the redemption of Fund shares may be subject to
withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 31 percent in the case of
non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Fund with their taxpayer
identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status
under the Code. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such
distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional
shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Corporate and
other exempt shareholders should provide the Fund with their taxpayer
identification numbers or certify their exempt status in order to avoid possible
erroneous application of backup withholding. The Fund reserves the right to
refuse to open an account for any person failing to provide a certified taxpayer
identification number.
The Fund will not be subject to tax in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as long
as it qualifies as a regulated investment company for federal income tax
purposes. Distributions and the transactions referred to in the preceding
paragraphs may be subject to state and local income taxes, and the tax treatment
thereof may differ from the federal income tax treatment. Moreover, the above
discussion is not intended to be a complete discussion of all applicable tax
consequences of an investment in the Fund. Shareholders are advised to consult
with their own tax advisers concerning the application of federal, state and
local taxes to an investment in the Fund.
The foregoing discussion of the Code relates solely to the
application of that law to U.S. citizens or residents and U.S.
domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each
shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and
foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund,
including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to
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<PAGE>
a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent (or at a lower rate
under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts constituting
ordinary income.
This discussion and the related discussion in the prospectus have been prepared
by Fund management, and counsel to the Fund has expressed no opinion in respect
thereof.
MANAGEMENT
Trustees
The Trustees of the Trust, who were elected for an indefinite term by the
initial shareholders of the Trust, are responsible for the overall management of
the Trust, including general supervision and review of the investment activities
of the Fund. The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust, who are
responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Trust and its
separate series. The current Trustees and officers and their affiliations and
principal occupations for the past five years are set forth below.
Steven J. Paggioli,* 46 President and Trustee
479 West 22nd Street, New York, New York 10011. Executive Vice
President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. (consultants)
since 1986; Executive Vice President of Investment Company
Administration Corporation ("ICAC"; mutual fund administration and
the Fund's Administrator), and Vice President of First Fund
Distributors, Inc. ("FFD"; registered broker-dealer and the Fund's
Distributor) since 1990.
Dorothy A. Berry, 52 Trustee
Wildflower Hill, Ancram New York 12502. President, Talon Industries (venture
capital and business consulting); formerly Chief Operating Officer, Integrated
Asset Management (investment advisor and manager) and formerly President, Value
Line, Inc., (investment advisory and financial publishing firm).
Wallace L. Cook, 56 Trustee
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112. Senior Vice
President, Rockefeller Trust Co. Financial Counselor, Rockefeller
& Co.
Carl A. Froebel, 57 Trustee
333 Technology Dr., Malvern, PA 19355. Managing Director, Premier
Solutions, Ltd. Founder and former President, National Investor
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<PAGE>
Data Services, Inc. (investment related computer software).
Rowley W.P. Redington, 51 Trustee
260 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102. Vice President,
PRS of New Jersey, Inc. (management consulting); Chief Financial
Officer, Jersey Electronics, Inc. (formerly ESI, Inc.) (consumer
electronics service and marketing); formerly President, Aveco Inc.
(consumer electronic service and marketing) and formerly Chief
Executive Officer, Rowley Associates (consultants).
Eric M. Banhazl*, 39 Treasurer
2025 E. Financial Way, Suite 101, Glendora, California 91741.
Senior Vice President, Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc.,
Senior Vice President of ICAC and Vice President of
FFD since 1990.
Robin Berger*, 39 Secretary
479 West 22nd St., New York, New York 10011. Vice President, Robert
H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since June, 1993; formerly
Regulatory and Compliance Coordinator, Equitable Capital
Management, Inc. (1991-93).
Robert H. Wadsworth*, 56 Vice President
4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
President of Robert H. Wadsworth & Associates, Inc. since 1982,
President of ICAC and FFD.
*Indicates an "interested person" of the Trust as defined in the
1940 Act.
Set forth below is the rate of compensation received by the following Trustees
from the Fund and all other portfolios of the Trust. This total amount is
allocated among the portfolios. Disinterested trustees are also reimbursed for
expenses in connection with each Board meeting attended. No other compensation
or retirement benefits were received by any Trustee or officer from the Fund or
any other portfolios of the Trust.
Name of Trustee Total Compensation
Dorothy A. Berry $10,000
Wallace L. Cook $10,000
Carl A. Froebel $10,000
Rowley W.P Redington $10,000
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, trustees' fees and expenses of
$3,008 were allocated to the Fund.
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<PAGE>
The Fund receives investment advisory services pursuant to agreements with the
Advisor and the Trust. Each such agreement, after its initial term, continues in
effect for successive annual periods so long as such continuation is approved at
least annually by the vote of (1) the Board of Trustees of the Trust (or a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund to which the agreement applies),
and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of any party
to the Agreement, in each case cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval. Any such agreement may be terminated at any
time, without penalty, by either party to the agreement upon sixty days' written
notice and is automatically terminated in the event of its "assignment," as
defined in the 1940 Act.
Investment Advisor
As stated in the Prospectus, investment advisory services are provided to the
Fund by Pro-Conscience Funds, Inc., the Advisor, pursuant to an Investment
Advisory Agreement. The Agreement continues in effect from year to year for
periods not exceeding one year so long as such continuation is approved at least
annually by (1) the Board of Trustees of the Trust or the vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of the Fund, and (2) a majority of the Trustees who are
not interested persons of any party to the Agreement, in each case cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The
Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by either the Fund or
the Advisor upon sixty days' written notice and is automatically terminated in
the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940 Act.
The use of the name "Pro-Conscience" by the Fund is pursuant to a license
granted by the Advisor, and in the event the Investment Advisory Agreement with
the Fund is terminated, the Advisor has reserved the right to require the Fund
to remove any references to the name "Pro-Conscience."
The Advisor has undertaken to limit the Fund's operating expenses to no more
than 1.50% of the Fund's average net assets annually. During the Fund's initial
fiscal period from October 1, 1993 through March 31, 1994, the Advisor received
advisory fees of $1,786 and reimbursed fees and expenses of $37,334. For the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1995, the Advisor waived its advisory fee and
reimbursed expenses in an amount totaling $75,535. For the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996, the Advisor waived its advisory fee and reimbursed expenses
totaling $68,805.
Sub-Advisor
United States Trust Company of Boston is the Sub-Advisor to the
Fund, pursuant to a Sub-Advisory agreement approved by shareholders
at a meeting held on September 15,1995. The Sub-Advisor, together
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with the Advisor, is responsible for formulating and implementing the Fund's
investment program. The Sub-Advisor is a Massachusetts-chartered banking and
trust company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UST Corporation, a
Massachusetts bank holding company. It is located at 40 Court St., Boston, MA
02108. The Sub-Advisor has approximately $3.1 billion of assets under
management. The Trust Department of the Sub-Advisor has managed funds as a
fiduciary since 1895. Ms. Cheryl Smith, Vice President of the Sub-Advisor, is
the Fund's portfolio manager. For its services, the Sub-Advisor receives a
Sub-Advisory fee from the Advisor at the rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average net
assets annually. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, the subadvisor
waived its fee.
Administrator
The Fund has entered into an Administration Agreement with Investment
Company Administration Corporation ("ICAC"), a corporation owned and controlled
by Messrs. Banhazl, Paggioli and Wadsworth. The Agreement provides that ICAC
will prepare and coordinate reports and other materials supplied to the
Trustees; prepare and/or supervise the preparation and filing of all securities
filings, periodic financial reports, prospectuses, statements of additional
information, marketing materials, tax returns, shareholder reports and other
regulatory reports or filings required of the Fund; prepare all required filings
necessary to maintain the Fund's qualification and/or registration to sell
shares in all states where the Fund currently does, or intends to do business;
coordinate the preparation, printing and mailing of all materials (e.g., Annual
Reports) required to be sent to shareholders; coordinate the preparation and
payment of Fund related expenses; monitor and oversee the activities of the
Fund's servicing agents (i.e., transfer agent, custodian, fund accountants,
etc.); review and adjust as necessary the Fund's daily expense accruals; and
perform such additional services as may be agreed upon by the Fund and ICAC.
ICAC received fees of $30,000 for each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995
and March 31, 1996 and $14,784 during the Fund's initial fiscal period from
October 1, 1993 through March 31, 1994
Distributor
First Fund Distributors, (the "Distributor") a corporation owned by Messrs.
Banhazl, Paggioli and Wadsworth, acts as the Fund's distributor and principal
underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund's shares. The
Distribution Agreement between the Fund and the Distributor continues in effect
from year to year if approved at least annually by (I) the Board of Trustees or
the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund (as defined in the
1940 Act) and (ii) a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of
any such party, in each case cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated without
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<PAGE>
penalty by the parties thereto upon sixty days' written notice, and is
automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940
Act.
Distribution Plan
At a meeting held on September 15, 1995, shareholders approved a distribution
plan under Investment Company Act Rule 12b-1. The Plan provides that the Fund
may pay distribution and related expenses of up to 0.25% of the Fund's average
net assets to the Advisor as distribution coordinator. Expenses permitted to be
paid include preparation, printing and mailing of prospectuses, shareholder
reports such as semi-annual and annual reports, performance reports and
newsletters, sales literature and other promotional material to prospective
investors, direct mail solicitations, advertising, public relations,
compensation of sales personnel, advisors or other third parties for their
assistance with respect to the distribution of the Fund's shares, payments to
financial intermediaries for shareholder support, administrative and accounting
services with respect to shareholders of the Fund and such other expenses as may
be approved from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
The Plan allows excess distribution expenses to be carried forward by the
Advisor, as distribution coordinator, and resubmitted in a subsequent fiscal
year, provided that (I)distribution expenses cannot be carried forward for more
than three years following initial submission; (ii) the Board of Trustees has
made a determination at the time of initial submission that the distribution
expenses are appropriate to be carried forward and (iii) the Trustees make a
further determination, at the time any distribution expenses which have been
carried forward are submitted for payment, that payment at the time is
appropriate, consistent with the objectives of the Plan and in the current best
interests of shareholders.
Under the Plan, the Trustees are furnished with information quarterly detailing
the amount of expenses paid under the plan and the purposes for which payments
were made. The Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons. Continuation of the Plan
is considered by such Trustees no less frequently than annually. Distribution
fees in the amount of $3,587 were incurred by the Fund from inception of the
Plan through March 31, 1996.
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<PAGE>
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Advisor determines which
securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which broker-dealers
will be used to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales
of securities in the over-the-counter market will be executed directly with a
"market-maker" unless, in the opinion of the Advisor, a better price and
execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the transaction.
Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund also may be made directly from
issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale transactions
will be effected through dealers (including banks) which specialize in the types
of securities which the Fund will be holding, unless better executions are
available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as principal for their
own account. Purchases from underwriters will include a concession paid by the
issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will include the spread
between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and price offered by more
than one broker, dealer or underwriter are comparable, the order may be
allocated to a broker, dealer or underwriter that has provided research or other
services as discussed below.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor will use its best efforts to
choose a broker-dealer capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the
most favorable price and execution available. The full range and quality of
services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as
the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities
of the firm involved, the firm's risk in positioning a block of securities, and
other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more
than one broker-dealer can offer the most favorable price and execution
available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers which furnish or
supply research and statistical information to the Advisor that it may lawfully
and appropriately use in its investment advisory capacities, as well as provide
other services in addition to execution services. The Advisor considers such
information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to
be performed by it under its Agreement with the Fund, to be useful in varying
degrees, but of indeterminable value. Portfolio transactions may be placed with
broker-dealers who sell shares of the Fund subject to rules adopted by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
While it is the Fund's general policy to seek first to obtain the most favorable
price and execution available, in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio
transactions for the Fund, weight may also be given to the ability of a
broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the
Advisor, even if the specific services are not directly useful to
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<PAGE>
the Fund and may be useful to the Advisor in advising other clients. In
negotiating any commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to
a dealer, the Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be
the case if no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental
services, provided that the amount of such commission or spread has been
determined in good faith and the Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the
value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer.
The standard of reasonableness is to be measured in light of the Advisor's
overall responsibilities to the Fund.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other
client accounts or mutual funds ("Funds") managed or advised by the Advisor.
Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be
acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts or Funds.
In such event, the position of the Fund and such client account(s) or Funds in
the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its
investment in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of
these client accounts or Funds seeks to acquire the same security as the Fund at
the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such
security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower
yield for such security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a
price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security
at the same time. If one or more of such client accounts or Funds simultaneously
purchases or sells the same security that the Fund is purchasing or selling,
each day's transactions in such security will be allocated between the Fund and
all such client accounts or Funds in a manner deemed equitable by the Advisor,
taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount being
purchased or sold. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a
detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as the Fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of the Fund
to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for the
Fund.
The Fund does not effect securities transactions through brokers in accordance
with any formula, nor does it effect securities transactions through such
brokers solely for selling shares of the Fund, although the Fund may consider
the sale of shares as a factor in allocating brokerage. However, as stated
above, broker-dealers who execute brokerage transactions may effect purchase of
shares of the Fund for their customers.
The Fund does not use the Distributor to execute its portfolio transactions.
During the Fund's initial fiscal period from October 1, 1993 through March 31,
1994 and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, brokerage
commissions paid by the Fund totaled $6,211, $31,934 and $12,822, respectively.
B-16
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (I) to suspend the continued
offering of the Fund's shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole or in
part when in the judgment of the Advisor or the Distributor such rejection is in
the best interest of the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum for
initial and subsequent investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under
circumstances where certain economies can be achieved in sales of the Fund's
shares.
Payments to shareholders for shares of the Fund redeemed directly from the Fund
will be made as promptly as possible but no later than seven days after receipt
by the Fund's Transfer Agent of the written request in proper form, with the
appropriate documentation as stated in the Prospectus, except that the Fund may
suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any
period when (a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as
determined by the SEC or such Exchange is closed for other than weekends and
holidays; (b) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC making disposal of
portfolio securities or valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably
practicable; or (C) for such other period as the SEC may permit for the
protection of the Fund's shareholders. At various times, the Fund may be
requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received confirmation of
good payment; in this circumstance, the Fund may delay the redemption until
payment for the purchase of such shares has been collected and confirmed to the
Fund.
The Fund intends to pay cash (U.S. dollars) for all shares redeemed, but, under
abnormal conditions which make payment in cash unwise, the Fund may make payment
partly in securities with a current market value equal to the redemption price.
Although the Fund does not anticipate that it will make any part of a redemption
payment in securities, if such payment were made, an investor may incur
brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. The Fund has elected to
be governed by the provisions of Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, which contains a
formula for determining the minimum redemption amounts that must be paid in
cash.
The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the
investor's cost, depending upon the market value of the Fund's portfolio
securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund provides a Check-A-Matic Plan for the
convenience of investors who wish to purchase shares of the Fund on a regular
basis. All record keeping and custodial costs of the Check-A-Matic Plan are paid
by the Fund. The market value of the Fund's shares is subject to fluctuation, so
before undertaking any plan for systematic investment, the investor should keep
in mind that this plan does not assure a profit nor protect against depreciation
in declining markets.
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<PAGE>
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
As noted in the Prospectus, the net asset value of shares of the Fund will be
determined once daily as of 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on each day the New
York Stock Exchange is open for trading. It is expected that the Exchange will
be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas. The Fund does not expect to determine the net asset value of its
shares on any day when the Exchange is not open for trading even if there is
sufficient trading in its portfolio securities on such days to materially affect
the net asset value per share.
In valuing the Fund's assets for calculating net asset value, readily marketable
portfolio securities listed on a national securities exchange or on NASDAQ are
valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is
being determined. If there has been no sale on such exchange or on NASDAQ on
such day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on such day. Readily
marketable securities traded only in the over-the-counter market and not on
NASDAQ are valued at the current or last bid price. If no bid is quoted on such
day, the security is valued by such method as the Board of Trustees of the Trust
shall determine in good faith to reflect the security's fair value. All other
assets of each Fund are valued in such manner as the Board of Trustees in good
faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated as follows: all
liabilities incurred or accrued are deducted from the valuation of total assets
which includes accrued but undistributed income; the resulting net assets are
divided by the number of shares of the Fund outstanding at the time of the
valuation and the result (adjusted to the nearest cent) is the net asset value
per share.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may state its total return in advertisements and
investor communications. Total return may be stated for any relevant period as
specified in the advertisement or communication. Any statements of total return
will be accompanied by information on the Fund's average annual compounded rate
of return over the most recent four calendar quarters and the period from the
Fund's inception of operations. The Fund may also advertise aggregate and
average total return information over different periods of time.
The Fund's average annual compounded rate of return is determined by reference
to a hypothetical $1,000 investment that includes capital appreciation and
depreciation for the stated period, according to the following formula:
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<PAGE>
P(1+T)n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000
from which the maximum sales load is deducted
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the
hypothetical $1,000 purchase at the end of the
period
Aggregate total return is calculated in a similar manner, except that the
results are not annualized. Each calculation assumes that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during
the period and gives effect to the maximum applicable sales charge.
The Fund's average annual total returns for the one year period and from
inception on October 1, 1993 through June 30, 1996 were 16.89% and 8.27%
respectively.
The Fund's total return may be compared to relevant indices, including Standard
& Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index and indices published by Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc. From time to time, evaluations of a Fund's performance by
independent sources may also be used in advertisements and in information
furnished to present
or prospective investors in the Funds.
Investors should note that the investment results of the Fund will fluctuate
over time, and any presentation of the Fund's total return for any period should
not be considered as a representation of what an investment may earn or what an
investor's total return may be in any future period.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Investors in the Fund will be informed of the Fund's progress through periodic
reports. Financial statements certified by independent public accountants will
be submitted to shareholders at least annually.
The Star Bank, located at 425 Walnut St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45201 acts as
Custodian of the securities and other assets of the Fund. American Data Services
, 24 West Carver St., Huntington, NY 11743 acts as the Fund's transfer and
shareholder service agent. The Custodian and Transfer Agent do not participate
in decisions relating to the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund.
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<PAGE>
Tait, Weller & Baker, Two Penn Center Plaza, Philadelphia, PA
19102, are the independent auditors for the Fund.
Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, 333 Bush Street, San Francisco,
California 94104, are legal counsel to the Fund.
The following persons are beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities as of July 11, 1996. An asterisk denotes an
account affiliated with the Fund's investment advisor, officers, or trustees:
Star Bank, Cust., L. Christian IRA, Seattle, WA 98119; 8.20%*
Hub & Co., c/o U.S. Trust Co. Boston, Boston, MA 02108; 5.81%*
First National Bank of Seattle, Trustee, Rosebud Trust, Los Angeles, CA
90051; 7.64%.
The shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its obligations.
However, the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust. The
Agreement and Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification and
reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's assets for any shareholder held
personally liable for obligations of the Fund or Trust. The Agreement and
Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of
the Fund or Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon. All such rights are limited
to the assets of the Fund. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust further
provides that the Trust may maintain appropriate insurance (for example,
fidelity bonding and errors and omissions insurance) for the protection of the
Trust, its shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and agents to cover
possible tort and other liabilities. Furthermore, the activities of the Trust as
an investment company would not likely give rise to liabilities in excess of the
Trust's total assets. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss
on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both
inadequate insurance exists and the Fund itself is unable to meet its
obligations.
The Trust is registered with the SEC as a management investment company. Such a
registration does not involve supervision of the management or policies of the
Fund. The Prospectus of the Fund and this Statement of Additional Information
omit certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement filed
with the SEC. Copies of such information may be obtained from the SEC upon
payment of the prescribed fee.
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<PAGE>
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The annual report to shareholders for the Fund for the fiscal year ended March
31, 1996 is a separate document supplied with this Statement of Additional
Information and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of
independent accountants appearing therein are incorporated by reference in this
Statement of Additional Information.
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APPENDIX
Description of Bond Ratings*
Moody's Investors Service
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuations or protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements: their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
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Standard & Poor's Corporation
AAA: Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This
rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and
interest.
AA: Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they
differ from AAA issues only in small degree.
A: Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although
they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and
economic conditions.
BBB: Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in
this category than for bonds in the A category.
BB, B: Bonds rated BB and B are regarded, on balance, as predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. While such bonds will
likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by
large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
Ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative
standing within the major rating categories.
*Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the
rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no
obligation to do so.
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