LOGO
JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
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PROSPECTUS
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July 28, 2000
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JAMES C. EDWARDS
EQUITY MASTERS FUND
a series of Professionally Managed Portfolios
The James C. Edwards Equity Masters Fund is a no-load mutual fund that
principally invests in equity securities. The Fund seeks to attain long-term
growth of capital.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
An Overview of the Fund ................................................. 2
Performance ............................................................. 3
Fees and Expenses ....................................................... 3
Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies ................ 4
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund ................................ 5
Investment Advisor ...................................................... 6
Shareholder Information ................................................. 6
Pricing of Fund Shares .................................................. 11
Dividends and Distributions ............................................. 11
Tax Consequences ........................................................ 11
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and
Exchange Commission nor has the Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy
of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is July 28, 2000
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUND
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT GOAL
The Fund seeks to attain long-term growth of capital.
THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund invests primarily in the common stocks of domestic companies of any
size that offer the possibility of capital growth. In selecting investments, the
Advisor focuses on companies with strong fundamentals, such as: a consistent
operating record, financial strength and solid growth prospects.
There is the risk that you could lose money on your investment in the Fund. The
following risks could affect the value of your investment:
* The stock market goes down in response to an unforeseen event
* Interest rates go up which can result in lower equity valuations
* Stocks in the Fund's portfolio may not increase their earnings at the rate
anticipated
* Growth stocks fall out of favor with the investment community
* Securities of small and medium sized companies may involve greater risk
than investing in larger companies
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
The Fund may be appropriate for investors who:
* Are pursuing a long-term goal such as retirement
* Want to add an equity investment to diversify their investment portfolio
* Are willing to accept higher short-term risk along with the higher
potential for long-term growth of capital
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST IN THE FUND
The Fund may not be appropriate for investors who:
* Need regular income or stability of principal
* Are pursuing a short-term goal
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
PERFORMANCE
Because the Fund has been in operation for less than a full calendar year,
its total return bar chart and performance table have not been included.
FEES AND EXPENSES
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and
hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed
on purchases ............................................ None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) ..................... None
Annual fund operating expenses*
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
Management Fees .......................................... 0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees .................... None
Other Expenses ........................................... 5.61%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses ..................... 6.36%
Fee Reduction and/or Expense Reimbursement ............... (4.86)%
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Net Expenses ............................................. 1.50%
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* Other Expenses are estimated for the first fiscal year of the Fund. The
Advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or pay expenses of
the Fund for an indefinite period to ensure that Total Fund Operating
Expenses will not exceed the net expense amount shown. The Advisor may be
reimbursed for any waiver of its fees or expenses paid on behalf of the
Fund if the Fund's expenses are less than the limit agreed to by the Fund.
The Trustees may terminate this expense reimbursement arrangement at any
time.
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
FEES AND EXPENSES, Continued
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the
Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time
periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those
periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each
year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested and that the Fund's
operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or
lower, under the assumptions, your costs would be:
One Year ........................................... $ 153
Three Years ........................................ $ 474
Five Years ......................................... $ 818
Ten Years .......................................... $ 1,791
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The goal of the Fund is to seek long-term growth of capital.
The Fund emphasizes the purchase of equity securities, including common
stocks, preferred stocks, warrants and other equity securities that, in the
Advisor's opinion, offer the possibility of capital growth. Under normal market
conditions, at least 65% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in such
securities. Except in unusual market circumstances, the Fund's goal is to be
fully invested, with approximately 95% of its total assets held in equity
securities. Although the Fund may invest in various equity securities, it is
anticipated that the Fund will primarily invest in common stocks.
The Advisor intends to invest in companies with strong fundamentals, a
consistent operating record, financial strength and solid growth prospects. The
Advisor considers the quality of the company's management, uniqueness of its
products or services, industry reputation and proven ability to gain market
penetration. In evaluating companies for purchase, the Advisor considers the
following characteristics to be attractive:
* High return on equity and assets
* Relatively low debt and high free cash flow
* Stable to rising profit margins with positive unit growth--not solely
reliant upon price increases to sustain earnings growth
* Management ownership of stock and shareholder orientation
* A focused and coherent business model
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, Continued
The Advisor must have a belief in the company's ability to sustain a solid
record of earnings growth. Investors' perceptions of growth stocks are often
reflected in price/earnings ratios. The Advisor looks at these company
valuations and compares them with expected earnings growth rates to determine
their relative attractiveness for purchase. The level and trend of inflation and
interest rates, as well as global influences on domestic markets, are also taken
into consideration.
The Advisor will sell a security from the Fund's portfolio when the
company's environment changes, adversely impacting its longer-term growth
prospects or when the Advisor anticipates a slowing of growth due to a
fundamental change from its original research opinion of the company.
The Fund anticipates that it will have a low rate of portfolio turnover.
This means that the Fund has the potential to be a tax efficient investment.
This should result in the realization and the distribution to shareholders of
lower capital gains, which would be considered tax efficient. This anticipated
lack of frequent trading also leads to lower transaction costs, which could help
to improve performance.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will stay fully invested in
stocks. However, the Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment
strategies by making short-term investments in cash equivalents in response to
adverse market, economic or political conditions. This may result in the Fund
not achieving its investment objective.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
The principal risks that may adversely affect the Fund's net asset value or
total return are summarized above under "An Overview of the Fund." These risks
are discussed in more detail below.
MANAGEMENT RISK. Management risk means that your investment in the Fund
varies with the success or failure of the Advisor's investment strategies and
the Advisor's research, analysis and selection of portfolio securities. If the
Advisor's investment strategies do not produce the expected results, your
investment could be diminished or even lost.
MARKET RISK. The risk that the market value of a security may move up and
down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. These fluctuations may cause a
security to be worth less than the price originally paid for it, or less than it
was worth at an earlier time. Market risk may affect a single issuer, industry,
sector of the economy or the market as a whole.
SMALL AND MEDIUM COMPANY RISK. Investing in securities of small and medium
sized companies may involve greater volatility than investing in larger and more
established companies because they can be subject to more abrupt or erratic
share price changes than larger, more established companies. Small companies may
have limited product lines, markets or financial resources and their management
may be dependent on a limited number of key individuals. Securities of these
companies may have limited market liquidity and their prices may be more
volatile.
5
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
James C. Edwards & Co., Inc. is the investment advisor to the Fund. The
Advisor's address is 570 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022. The Advisor and
its predecessor firm have provided investment advisory services to individual
and institutional accounts since 1931. The Advisor presently has assets under
management in excess of $1 billion. The Advisor provides the Fund with advice on
buying and selling securities. The Advisor also furnishes the Fund with office
space and certain administrative services and provides most of the personnel
needed by the Fund. For its services, the Fund pays the Advisor a monthly
management fee based upon its average daily net assets. For the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2000, the Advisor waived all advisory fees due from the Fund.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Messrs. Jeremiah M. Bogert, David B. MacNeil, Gordon L. Bowyer and Bart A.
Johnston are responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio. Each, other
than Mr. Johnston, has been associated with the Advisor for more than the past
five years. Prior to joining the Advisor in 1997, Mr. Johnston was Director of
Institutional Investment Management at Met Investment Services from 1993 to
1997.
FUND EXPENSES
The Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. The Advisor has
contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or pay expenses of the Fund to
ensure that the Fund's aggregate annual operating expenses (excluding interest
and tax expenses) will not exceed 1.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
Any reduction in advisory fees or payment of expenses made by the Advisor may be
reimbursed by the Fund in subsequent fiscal years if the Advisor so requests.
This reimbursement may be requested if the aggregate amount actually paid by the
Fund toward operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking into account the
reimbursement) does not exceed the applicable limitation on Fund expenses. The
Advisor is permitted to be reimbursed for fee reductions and/or expense payments
made in the prior three fiscal years. (At startup, the Fund is permitted to look
at longer periods of four and five years.) Any such reimbursement will be
reviewed by the Trustees. The Fund must pay its current ordinary operating
expenses before the Advisor is entitled to any reimbursement of fees and/or
expenses.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may open a Fund account with $5,000 and add to your account at any time
with $1,000 or more. You may open a retirement plan account with $2,000 and add
to your account at any time with $1,000 or more. After you have opened a Fund
account, you also may make automatic subsequent monthly investments of $100 or
more through the Automatic Investment Plan. The Fund may waive minimum
investment requirements from time to time.
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION, Continued
You may purchase shares of the Fund by check or wire. All purchases by
check must be in U.S. dollars. Third party checks and cash will not be accepted.
A charge may be imposed if your check does not clear. The Fund is not required
to issue share certificates. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase
in whole or in part.
Due to investment considerations, the Fund may close to new investors
periodically at certain asset levels. If the Fund closes to new investors, the
Trustees may determine to reopen the Fund at some point based on market
conditions and other factors.
BY CHECK
If you are making your first investment in the Fund, simply complete the
Account Application included with this Prospectus and mail it with a check (made
payable to "James C. Edwards Equity Masters Fund") to:
James C. Edwards Equity Masters Fund
P.O. Box 640856
Cincinnati, OH 45264-0856
If you wish to send your Account Application and check via an overnight
delivery service (such as FedEx), you should call the Transfer Agent at (800)
282-2340 for instructions.
If you are making a subsequent purchase, a stub is attached to the account
statement you will receive after each transaction. Detach the stub from the
statement and mail it together with a check made payable to "James C. Edwards
Equity Masters Fund" to the Fund in the envelope provided with your statement or
to the address noted above. You should write your account number on the check.
BY WIRE
If you are making your first investment in the Fund, before you wire funds
you should call the Transfer Agent at (800) 282-2340 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m., Eastern time, on a day when the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open
for trading to advise them that you are making an investment by wire. The
Transfer Agent will ask for your name and the dollar amount you are investing.
You will then receive your account number and an order confirmation number. You
should then complete the Account Application included with this Prospectus.
Include the date and the order confirmation number on the Account Application
and mail the completed Account Application to the address at the top of the
Account Application. Your bank should transmit immediately available funds by
wire in your name to:
Firstar Bank, N.A. Cinti/Trust
ABA Routing #0420-0001-3
James C. Edwards Equity Masters Fund
DDA #489022855
Account name (shareholder name)
Shareholder account number
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If you are making a subsequent purchase, your bank should wire funds as
indicated above. Before each wire purchase, you should be sure to notify the
Transfer Agent. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOUR BANK INCLUDE COMPLETE INFORMATION
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT IN ALL WIRE INSTRUCTIONS. If you have questions about how to
invest by wire, you may call the Transfer Agent. Your bank may charge you a fee
for sending a wire to the Fund.
THROUGH BROKERS
You may buy and sell shares of the Fund through certain brokers (and their
agents) that have made arrangements with the Fund to sell its shares. When you
place your order with such a broker or its authorized agent, your order is
treated as if you had placed it directly with the Fund's Transfer Agent, and you
will pay or receive the next price calculated by the Fund. The broker (or agent)
holds your shares in an omnibus account in the broker's (or agent's) name, and
the broker (or agent) maintains your individual ownership records. The Advisor
may pay the broker (or its agent) for maintaining these records as well as
providing other shareholder services. The broker (or its agent) may charge you a
fee for handling your order. The broker (or agent) is responsible for processing
your order correctly and promptly, keeping you advised regarding the status of
your individual account, confirming your transactions and ensuring that you
receive copies of the Fund's prospectus.
RETIREMENT PLANS
The Fund offers Individual Retirement Account ("IRA" and "Roth IRA") plans.
You may obtain information about opening an IRA by calling (800) 282-2340. If
you wish to open a Keogh, Section 403(b) or other retirement plan, please
contact your securities dealer.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may sell (redeem) your Fund shares on any day the Fund and the NYSE are
open for business.
You may redeem your shares by simply sending a written request to the
Transfer Agent. You should give your account number and state whether you want
all or some of your shares redeemed. The letter should be signed by all of the
shareholders whose names appear on the account registration. You should send
your redemption request to:
James C. Edwards Equity Masters Fund
c/o American Data Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5536
Hauppauge, NY 11788-0132
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION, Continued
To protect the Fund and its shareholders, a signature guarantee is required
for all written redemption requests over $5,000. Signature(s) on the redemption
request must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution." These include
banks, broker-dealers, credit unions and savings institutions. A broker-dealer
guaranteeing signatures must be a member of a clearing corporation or maintain
net capital of at least $100,000. Credit unions must be authorized to issue
signature guarantees. Signature guarantees will be accepted from any eligible
guarantor institution which participates in a signature guarantee program. A
notary public is not an acceptable guarantor.
If you complete the Redemption by Telephone portion of the Account
Application, you may redeem all or some of your shares by calling the Transfer
Agent at (800) 282-2340 before the close of trading on the NYSE. This is
normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. Redemption proceeds will be mailed on the next
business day to the address that appears on the Transfer Agent's records. If you
request, redemption proceeds will be wired on the next business day to the bank
account you designated on the Account Application. The minimum amount that may
be wired is $1,000. Wire charges, if any, will be deducted from your redemption
proceeds. Telephone redemptions cannot be made if you notify the Transfer Agent
of a change of address within 30 days before the redemption request. If you have
a retirement account, you may not redeem shares by telephone.
When you establish telephone privileges, you are authorizing the Fund and
its Transfer Agent to act upon the telephone instructions of the person or
persons you have designated on your Account Application. Redemption proceeds
will be transferred to the bank account you have designated on your Account
Application.
Before acting on instructions received by telephone, the Fund and the
Transfer Agent will use reasonable procedures to confirm that the telephone
instructions are genuine. These procedures may include recording the telephone
call and asking the caller for a form of personal identification. If the Fund
and the Transfer Agent follow these reasonable procedures, they will not be
liable for any loss, expense, or cost arising out of any telephone redemption
request that is reasonably believed to be genuine. This includes any fraudulent
or unauthorized request. The Fund may change, modify or terminate these
privileges at any time upon at least 60 days' notice to shareholders.
You may request telephone redemption privileges after your account is
opened by calling the Transfer Agent at (800) 282-2340 for instructions.
You may have difficulties in making a telephone redemption during periods
of abnormal market activity. If this occurs, you may make your redemption
request in writing.
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION, Continued
Payment of your redemption proceeds will be made promptly, but not later
than seven days after the receipt of your written request in proper form as
discussed in this Prospectus. If you made your first investment by wire, payment
of your redemption proceeds for those shares will not be made until one business
day after your completed Account Application is received by the Fund. If you did
not purchase your shares with a certified check or wire, the Fund may delay
payment of your redemption proceeds for up to 15 days from date of purchase or
until your check has cleared, whichever occurs first.
The Fund may redeem the shares in your account if the value of your account
is less than $2,500 as a result of redemptions you have made. This does not
apply to retirement plan or Uniform Gifts or Transfers to Minors Act accounts.
You will be notified that the value of your account is less than $2,500 before
the Fund makes an involuntary redemption. You will then have 30 days in which to
make an additional investment to bring the value of your account to at least
$2,500 before the Fund takes any action.
The Fund has the right to pay redemption proceeds to you in whole or in
part by a distribution of securities from the Fund's portfolio. It is not
expected that the Fund would do so except in unusual circumstances. If the Fund
pays your redemption proceeds by a distribution of securities, you could incur
brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PROGRAM
As another convenience, you may redeem your Fund shares through the
Systematic Withdrawal Program. If you elect this method of redemption, the Fund
will send you a check in a minimum amount of $100. You may choose to receive a
check each month or calendar quarter. Your Fund account must have a value of at
least $10,000 in order to participate in this Program. This Program may be
terminated at any time by the Fund. You may also elect to terminate your
participation in this Program at any time by writing to the Transfer Agent.
A withdrawal under the Program involves a redemption of shares and may
result in a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. In addition, if the
amount withdrawn exceeds the dividends credited to your account, the account
ultimately may be depleted.
10
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
PRICING OF FUND SHARES
The price of the Fund's shares is based on the Fund's net asset value. This
is calculated by dividing the Fund's assets, minus its liabilities, by the
number of shares outstanding. The Fund's assets are the market value of
securities held in its portfolio, plus any cash and other assets. The Fund's
liabilities are fees and expenses owed by the Fund. The number of Fund shares
outstanding is the amount of shares which have been issued to shareholders. The
price you will pay to buy Fund shares or the amount you will receive when you
sell your Fund shares is based on the net asset value next calculated after your
order is received by the Transfer Agent with complete information and meeting
all the requirements discussed in this Prospectus.
The net asset value of the Fund's shares is determined as of the close of
regular trading on the NYSE. This is normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. Fund
shares will not be priced on days that the NYSE is closed for trading (including
certain U.S. holidays).
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund will make distributions of dividends and capital gains, if any, at
least annually, typically after the Fund's year-end. In December, the Fund may
make another distribution of any additional undistributed capital gains earned
during the 12-month period ended October 31.
All distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares unless you choose one
of the following options: (1) receive dividends in cash, while reinvesting
capital gain distributions in additional Fund shares; or (2) receive all
distributions in cash. If you wish to change your distribution option, write to
the Transfer Agent in advance of the payment date of the distribution.
TAX CONSEQUENCES
The Fund intends to make distributions of dividends and capital gains.
Dividends are taxable to you as ordinary income. The rate you pay on capital
gain distributions will depend on how long the Fund held the securities that
generated the gains, not on how long you owned your Fund shares. You will be
taxed in the same manner whether you receive your dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash or reinvest them in additional Fund shares.
If you sell your Fund shares, it is considered a taxable event for you.
Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell, you
may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax
liabilities generated by your transaction.
11
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table shows the Fund's financial performance for the past year.
Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. "Total
return" shows how much your investment in the Fund would have increased or
decreased during the period shown, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and
distributions. This information has been audited by Tait, Weller & Baker,
independent accountants. Their report and the Fund's financial statements are
included in the Annual Report, which is available upon request.
For a capital share outstanding throughout the year
Year ended
March 31, 2000#
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Net asset value, beginning of year $10.00
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INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.04
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 2.43
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Total from investment operations 2.47
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Net asset value, end of year $12.47
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Total return 24.70%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (millions) $ 2.5
RATIO OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Before fees waived or expenses absorbed 6.36%
After fees waived and expenses absorbed 1.50%
RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed (4.40)%
After fees waived and expenses absorbed 0.46%
Portfolio turnover rate 42.80%
# Fund commenced operations on March 31, 1999.
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INVESTMENT ADVISOR
James C. Edwards & Co., Inc.
570 Lexington Ave., 29th Floor
New York, New York 10022
(212) 319-8490
www.jcedwards.com
DISTRIBUTOR
First Fund Distributors, Inc.
4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 261-E
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
CUSTODIAN
Firstar Institutional Custody Services
425 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
American Data Services, Inc.
150 Motor Parkway, Suite 109
Hauppauge, New York 11788-0132
(800) 282-2340
AUDITORS
Tait, Weller & Baker
8 Penn Center Plaza
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
LEGAL COUNSEL
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
345 California Street
San Francisco, California 94104
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JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND,
A SERIES OF PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS
(THE "TRUST")
WWW.JCEDWARDS.COM
For investors who want more information about the Fund, the following documents
are available free upon request:
ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS: Additional information about the Fund's investments
is available in the Fund's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In
the Fund's annual report, you will find a discussion of market conditions and
investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during
its last fiscal year.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI): The SAI provides more detailed
information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus.
You can get free copies of reports and the SAI, request other information and
discuss your questions about the Fund by contacting the Fund at:
American Data Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5536
Hauppauge, NY 11788-0132
Telephone: 1-800-282-2340
You can review and copy information including the Fund's reports and SAI at the
Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington,
D.C. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by
calling 1-202-942-8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are also
available:
* Free of charge from the Commission's EDGAR database on the Commission's
Internet website at http://www.sec.gov., or
* For a fee, by writing to the Public Reference Room of the Commission,
Washington, DC 20549-0102, or
* For a fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address:
[email protected].
================================================================================
(The Trust's SEC Investment Company Act file number is 811-05037)
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
JULY 28, 2000
JAMES C. EDWARDS EQUITY MASTERS FUND
A SERIES OF
PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS
570 LEXINGTON AVE., 29TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10022
(800) 282-2340
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus and it
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated July 28, 2000, as may be
revised, of James C. Edwards Equity Masters Fund (the "Fund"), a series of
Professionally Managed Portfolios (the "Trust"). James C. Edwards & Co., Inc.
(the "Advisor") is the investment adviser to the Fund. A copy of the Fund's
Prospectus is available by calling the number listed above or requesting one at
the Advisor's web page, www.jcedwards.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Trust ................................................................ B-2
Investment Objective and Policies ........................................ B-2
Investment Restrictions .................................................. B-7
Distributions and Tax Information ........................................ B-8
Trustees and Executive Officers .......................................... B-11
The Fund's Investment Advisor ............................................ B-12
The Fund's Administrator ................................................. B-13
The Fund's Distributor ................................................... B-14
Execution of Portfolio Transactions ...................................... B-14
Portfolio Turnover ....................................................... B-15
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information ........................... B-16
Determination of Share Price ............................................. B-19
Performance Information .................................................. B-19
General Information ...................................................... B-20
Financial Statements ..................................................... B-22
Appendix ................................................................. B-22
B-1
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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
consists of various series which represent separate investment portfolios. This
SAI relates only to the Fund.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The James C. Edwards Equity Masters Fund is a mutual fund with the
investment objective of seeking long-term growth of capital. The Fund is
diversified, which under applicable federal law means that as to 75% of its
total assets, no more than 5% may be invested in the securities of a single
issuer and that it may hold no more than 10% of the voting securities of a
single issuer. 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.
PREFERRED STOCK. A preferred stock is a blend of the characteristics of a
bond and common stock. It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority
over common stock in equity ownership, but does not have the seniority of a bond
and, unlike common stock, its participation in the issuer's growth may be
limited. Preferred stock has preference over common stock in the receipt of
dividends and in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the
issuer by dissolved. Although the dividend is set at a fixed annual rate, in
some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in convertible securities
(bonds, notes, debentures, preferred stock and other securities convertible
income common stocks ) that may offer higher income than the common stocks into
which they are convertible. The convertible securities in which the Fund may
invest include fixed-income or zero coupon debt securities, which may be
converted or exchanged at a rated or determinable exchange ratio into underlying
shares of common stock. Prior to their conversion, convertible securities may
have characteristics similar to non- convertible debt securities. While
convertible securities generally offer lower yields than non- convertible debt
securities of similar quality, their prices may reflect changes in the value of
the underlying common stock. Convertible securities generally entail less credit
risk than the i common stock.
WARRANTS. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in warrants. A warrant
gives the holder a right to purchase at any time during a specified period a
predetermined number of shares of common stock at a fixed price. Warrants do not
pay a fixed dividend. Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including
the possible lack of a liquid market for resale of the warrants, potential price
fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and failure of the
price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of
reaching a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES. The Fund may invest in shares of other investment
companies in pursuit of its investment objective. This may include investment in
money market mutual funds in connection with the Fund's management of daily cash
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positions. In addition to the advisory and operational fees the Fund bears
directly in connection with its own operation, the Fund and its shareholders
will also bear the pro rata portion of each other investment company's advisory
and operational expenses.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. 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 its net 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 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 Advisor seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase
agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the other party, 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
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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.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund may not invest more than 15% of the value of
its net assets in securities that at the time of purchase have legal or
contractual restrictions on resale or are otherwise illiquid. The Advisor will
monitor the amount of illiquid securities in the Fund's portfolio, under the
supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees, to ensure compliance with the
Fund's investment restrictions.
Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to
contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), securities
which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a
maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not been registered
under the Securities Act are referred to as private placement or restricted
securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary
market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these
restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on
resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse
effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Fund might be unable
to sell restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices
and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemption requests within
seven days. The Fund might also have to register such restricted securities in
order to sell them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market
conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed for
certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including
repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal
securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an
efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily
resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that
there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or
to certain institutions may not reflect the actual liquidity of such
investments. These securities might be adversely affected if qualified
institutional buyers were unwilling to purchase such securities. If such
securities are subject to purchase by institutional buyers in accordance with
Rule 144A promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, the Trust's Board of
Trustees may determine that such securities are not illiquid securities despite
their legal or contractual restrictions on resale. In all other cases, however,
securities subject to restrictions on resale will be deemed illiquid.
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 them 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
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purchase them 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's
Custodian will segregate 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 INVESTMENTS. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in
U.S. dollar dominated securities of foreign issuer. These securities will be
predominantly represented by American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") or New York
Stock Exchange listed foreign companies.
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign
issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"). These securities
may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities for
which they may be exchanged. These 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. securities markets, ADRs are alternatives
to the purchase of the underlying securities in their national market and
currencies. ADRs may be purchased through "sponsored" or "unsponsored"
facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the
underlying security and a depositary, whereas a depositary may establish an
unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the depositary
security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the
costs of such facilities and the depositary of an unsponsored facility
frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications
received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting
rights to the holders of such receipts of the deposited securities.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN FOREIGN SECURITIES. Investments in foreign securities
involve certain inherent risks, including the following:
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS. Individual foreign economies of certain
countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such
respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital
reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, diversification and balance of payments
position. The internal politics of certain foreign countries may not be as
stable as those of the United States. Governments in certain foreign countries
also continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest
or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could
include restrictions on foreign investment, nationalization, expropriation of
goods or imposition of taxes, and could have a significant effect on market
prices of securities and payment of interest. The economies of many foreign
countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly
affected by the trade policies and economic conditions of their trading
partners. Enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation
could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such
countries.
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LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS. Certain foreign countries may have less
supervision of securities markets, brokers and issuers of securities, and less
financial information available to issuers, than is available in the United
States.
TAXES. The interest and dividends payable on certain of the Fund's foreign
portfolio securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing
the net amount of income available for distribution to Fund shareholders.
COSTS. To the extent that the Fund invests in foreign securities, its
expense ratio is likely to be higher than those of investment companies
investing only in domestic securities, since the cost of maintaining the custody
of foreign securities is higher.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Although it has no present intention of doing
so during the coming year, the Fund may lend up to 33-1/3% of the total value of
its portfolio securities to broker- dealers or institutional investors that the
Advisor deems qualified, but only when the borrower maintains with the Fund's
custodian collateral either in cash or money market instruments in an amount at
least equal to the market value of the securities loaned, plus accrued interest
and dividends, determined on a daily basis and adjusted accordingly. In
determining whether to lend securities to a particular broker-dealer or
institutional investor, the Advisor will consider, and during the period of the
loan will monitor, all relevant facts and circumstances, including the
creditworthiness of the borrower. The Fund will retain authority to terminate
any loans at any time. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial
fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the interest
earned on the cash or money market instruments held as collateral to the
borrower or placing broker. The Fund will receive reasonable interest on the
loan or a flat fee from the borrower and amounts equivalent to any dividends,
interest or other distributions on the securities loaned. The Fund will retain
record ownership of loaned securities to exercise beneficial rights, such as
voting and subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest or other
distributions, when retaining such rights is considered to be in the Fund's
interest.
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS. The Fund may invest in any of the following
securities and instruments:
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES AND TIME DEPOSITS. The Fund
may acquire certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and time deposits.
Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds
deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a
specified return. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of
exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific
merchandise, which are "accepted" by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank
unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.
Certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances acquired by the Fund will be
dollar- denominated obligations of domestic banks, savings and loan associations
or financial institutions which, at the time of purchase, have capital, surplus
and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both
domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports, or less than
$100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured
by the U.S. Government.
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In addition to purchasing certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances,
to the extent permitted under its investment objective and policies stated above
and in its prospectus, the Fund may make interest-bearing time or other
interest-bearing deposits in commercial or savings banks. Time deposits are
non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified
period of time at a specified interest rate.
COMMERCIAL PAPER AND SHORT-TERM NOTES. The Fund may invest a portion of its
assets in commercial paper and short-term notes. Commercial paper consists of
unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Issues of commercial paper
and short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and
fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to
one year.
Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the
time of purchase "A-2" or higher by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, "Prime-1"
or "Prime-2" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or similarly rated by another
nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, will be
determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality. These rating symbols are
described in the Appendix.
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, or (c) to the extent the
entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.
2. (a) Borrow money, except from banks. 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 real estate, commodities or commodity contracts (As a matter of
operating policy, the Board of Trustees may authorize the Fund in the future to
engage in certain activities regarding futures contracts for bona fide hedging
purposes; any such authorization will be accompanied by appropriate notification
to shareholders).
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5. Invest 25% or more 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. With respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its
total assets in securities of a single issuer or hold more than 10% of the
voting securities of such issuer, except that this restriction does not apply to
investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities.
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental
and which may be changed without shareholder vote. The Fund may not:
8. Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control or management
9. Invest in securities of other investment companies except as permitted
under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
10. Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net 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.
11. With respect to fundamental investment restriction 2(a) above, the Fund
will not purchase portfolio securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of
its assets.
If a percentage restriction set forth in the prospectus or in this SAI 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 with respect to borrowing or the purchase
of restricted or illiquid securities.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX INFORMATION
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net profits
from the sale of securities are generally made annually. 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.
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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 as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (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 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
ordinary income for such year, (ii) at least 98% of the excess of realized
capital gains over 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 policies, it is
expected that dividends from domestic corporations may 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 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.
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A redemption of Fund shares may result in recognition of a taxable gain or
loss. Any loss realized upon a redemption 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 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 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 may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on dividends and
interest earned with respect to securities of foreign corporations.
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.
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TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
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, their affiliations, dates of
birth and principal occupations for the past five years are set forth below.
Unless noted otherwise, each person has held the position listed for a minimum
of five years.
Steven J. Paggioli,* 04/03/50 President and Trustee
915 Broadway, New York, New York 10010. Executive Vice President, The Wadsworth
Group (consultants) and Investment Company Administration, LLC ("ICA") (mutual
fund administrator and the Trust's administrator),and Vice President and
Secretary of First Fund Distributors, Inc. ("FFD") (a registered broker-dealer
and the Fund's Distributor).
Dorothy A. Berry, 08/12/43 Chairman and Trustee
14 Five Roses East, Ancram, NY 12502. President, Talon Industries (venture
capital and business consulting); formerly Chief Operating Officer, Integrated
Asset Management (investment adviser and manager) and formerly President, Value
Line, Inc., (investment advisory and financial publishing firm).
Wallace L. Cook 09/10/39 Trustee
One Peabody Lane, Darien, CT 06820. Retired. Formerly Senior Vice President,
Rockefeller Trust Co. Financial Counselor, Rockefeller & Co.
Carl A. Froebel 05/23 /38 Trustee
2 Crown Cove Lane, Savannah, GA 31411. Private Investor. Formerly Managing
Director, Premier Solutions, Ltd. (computer software); formerly President and
Founder, National Investor Data Services, Inc. (investment related computer
software).
Rowley W.P. Redington 06/01/44 Trustee
1191 Valley Road, Clifton, New Jersey 07103. President; Intertech (consumer
electronics and computer service and marketing); formerly Vice President, PRS of
New Jersey, Inc. (management consulting), and Chief Executive Officer, Rowley
Associates (consultants).
Robert M. Slotky* 6/17/47 Treasurer
2020 E. Financial Way, Suite 100, Glendora, California 91741. Senior Vice
President, ICA since May 1997; former instructor of accounting at California
State University-Northridge (1997); Chief Financial Officer, Wanger Asset
Management L.P. and Treasurer of Acorn Investment Trust (1992- 1996).
Robin Berger* 11/17/56 Secretary
915 Broadway, New York, New York 10010. Vice President, The Wadsworth Group.
Robert H. Wadsworth* 01/25/40 Vice President
4455 E. Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, Arizona 85018. President of The
Wadsworth Group, ICA and FFD.
* Indicates an "interested person" of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act.
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Set forth below is the rate of compensation received by the following
Trustees from all portfolios of the Trust. This total amount is allocated among
the portfolios. Disinterested Trustees receive an annual retainer of $10,000 and
a fee of $2,500 for each regularly scheduled meeting. These Trustees also
receive a fee of $1,000 for any special meeting attended. The Chairman of the
Board of Trustees receives an additional annual retainer of $5,000.
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 from the portfolios of the Trust.
Name of Trustee Total Annual Compensation
--------------- -------------------------
Dorothy A. Berry $25,000
Wallace L. Cook $20,000
Carl A. Froebel $20,000
Rowley W.P. Redington $20,000
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, trustees' fees and expenses in
the amount of $2,544 were allocated to the Fund. As of the date of this SAI, the
Trustees and Officers of the Trust as a group did not own more than 1% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund.
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT ADVISOR
The Board of Trustees of the Trust establishes the Fund's policies and
supervises and reviews the management of 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 investment advisory fee
(accrued daily) based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund at the rate
of 0.75% annually. The Investment Advisory Agreement 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
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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 use of the name "James C. Edwards" by the Fund is pursuant to a license
granted by the Advisor, and in the event the Investment Advisory Agreement is
terminated, the Advisor has reserved the right to require the Fund to remove any
references to the name "James C. Edwards," or other name derived from the
Advisor.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, the Fund incurred advisory fees
of $12,367, all of which were waived by the Advisor. During the same period, the
Advisor reimbursed the Fund an additional $68,139 in expenses.
THE FUND'S ADMINISTRATOR
The Fund has an Administration Agreement with Investment Company
Administration, LLC (the "Administrator"), a corporation partly owned and
controlled by Messrs. Paggioli and Wadsworth with offices at 2020 East Financial
Way, Ste. 100, Glendora, CA 91741 and 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 and other
regulatory reports or filings required of the Fund; prepare all required filings
necessary to maintain the Fund's ability to sell shares in all states where it
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 monthly fee from the Fund
based on the Fund's average daily net assets 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 $200 million 0.10%
Over $200 million 0.05%
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, the Administrator received fees
of $30,000.
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<PAGE>
THE FUND'S DISTRIBUTOR
First Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), a corporation partly
owned by Messrs. 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
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 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 are
eligible 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 accounts. 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 dealer or underwriter are comparable, the order
may be allocated to a 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 services needed to
obtain 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.
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<PAGE>
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
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 F 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.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, the Fund paid $4,002 in brokerage
commissions with respect to portfolio transactions.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Although the Fund generally will not invest for short-term trading
purposes, portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time
they have been held when, in the opinion of the Advisor, investment
considerations warrant such action. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by
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<PAGE>
dividing (1) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the
fiscal year by (2) the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities
owned during the fiscal year. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all the
securities in the Fund's portfolio, with the exception of securities whose
maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less, were sold and
either repurchased or replaced within one year. A high rate of portfolio
turnover (100% or more) generally leads to higher transaction costs and may
result in a greater number of taxable transactions. See "Execution of Portfolio
Transactions." The Fund's portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2000 was 42.80%.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The information provided below supplements the information contained in the
Fund's Prospectus regarding the purchase and redemption of Fund shares.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may purchase shares of the Fund from selected securities brokers,
dealers or financial intermediaries. Investors should contact these agents
directly for appropriate instructions, as well as information pertaining to
accounts and any service or transaction fees that may be charged by those
agents. Purchase orders through securities brokers, dealers and other financial
intermediaries are effected at the next-determined net asset value after receipt
of the order by such agent before the Fund's daily cutoff time. Orders received
after that time will be purchased at the next-determined net asset value.
The public offering price of Fund shares is the net asset value. The Fund
receives the net asset value. Shares are purchased at the public offering price
next determined after the Transfer Agent receives your order in proper form as
discussed in the Fund's Prospectus. In most cases, in order to receive that
day's public offering price, the Transfer Agent must receive your order in
proper form before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE"). If you buy shares through your investment representative, the
representative must receive your order before the close of regular trading on
the NYSE to receive that day's public offering price. Orders are in proper form
only after funds are converted to U.S. funds.
If you are considering redeeming or transferring shares to another person
shortly after purchase, you should pay for those shares with a certified check
to avoid any delay in R exchange or transfer. Otherwise the Fund may delay
payment until the purchase price of those shares has been collected or, if you
redeem by telephone, until 15 calendar days after the purchase date. To
eliminate the need for safekeeping, the Fund will not issue certificates for
your shares unless you request them.
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.
B-16
<PAGE>
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You can sell your Fund shares any day the NYSE is open for regular trading,
either directly to the Fund or through your investment representative. The Fund
will forward redemption proceeds or redeem shares for which it has collected
payment of the purchase price.
Payments to shareholders for Fund shares 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 with complete information
and meeting all the requirements discussed in the Fund's 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 NYSE is restricted as determined by
the SEC or the NYSE 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.
SELLING SHARES DIRECTLY TO THE FUND
Send a signed letter of instruction to the Transfer Agent. The price you
will receive is the next net asset value calculated after your order is received
by the Transfer Agent with complete information and meeting all the requirements
discussed in the Fund's Prospectus. In order to receive that day's net asset
value, the Transfer Agent must receive your request before the close of regular
trading on the NYSE.
SELLING SHARES THROUGH YOUR INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIVE
Your investment representative must receive your request before the close
of regular trading on the NYSE to receive that day's net asset value. Your
investment representative will be responsible for furnishing all necessary
documentation to the Transfer Agent, and may charge you for its services.
If you want your redemption proceeds sent to an address other than your
address as it appears on the Transfer Agent's records, a signature guarantee is
required. The Fund may require additional documentation for the sale of shares
by a corporation, partnership, agent or fiduciary, or a surviving joint owner.
Contact the Transfer Agent for details.
DELIVERY OF PROCEEDS
The Fund generally sends you payment for your shares the business day after
your request is received in proper form, assuming the Fund has collected payment
of the purchase price of your shares. Under unusual circumstances, the Fund may
B-17
<PAGE>
suspend redemptions, or postpone payment for more than seven days, but only as
authorized by SEC rules, as stated above under "How to Sell Shares."
TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS
Upon receipt of any instructions or inquiries by telephone from a
shareholder or, if held in a joint account, from either party, or from any
person claiming to be the shareholder, the Fund or its agent is authorized,
without notifying the shareholder or joint account parties, to carry out the
instructions or to respond to the inquiries, consistent with the service options
chosen by the shareholder or joint shareholders in his or their latest Account
Application or other written request for services, including purchasing,
exchanging or redeeming shares of the Fund and depositing and withdrawing monies
from the bank account specified in the shareholder's latest Account Application
or as otherwise properly specified to the Fund in writing.
The Transfer Agent will employ these and other reasonable procedures to
confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine; if it fails to
employ reasonable procedures, the Fund may be liable for any losses due to
unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. An investor agrees, however, that to
the extent permitted by applicable law, neither the Fund nor its agents will be
liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense arising out of any redemption
request, including any fraudulent or unauthorized request. For information,
consult the Transfer Agent.
During periods of unusual market changes and shareholder activity, you may
experience delays in contacting the Transfer Agent by telephone. In this event,
you may wish to submit a written redemption request, as described in the
Prospectus, or contact your investment representative. The Telephone Redemption
Privilege is not available if you were issued certificates for shares that
remain outstanding. The Telephone Redemption Privilege may be modified or
terminated without notice.
REDEMPTIONS-IN-KIND
The Trust has filed an election under SEC Rule 18f-1 committing to pay in
cash all redemptions by a shareholder of record up to amounts specified by the
rule (in excess of the lesser of (i) $250,000 or (ii) 1% of the Fund's assets).
The Fund has reserved the right to pay the redemption price of its shares in
excess of the amounts specified by the rule, either totally or partially, by a
distribution in kind of portfolio securities (instead of cash). The securities
so distributed would be valued at the same amount as that assigned to them in
calculating the net asset value for the shares being sold. If a shareholder
receives a distribution in kind, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other
charges in converting the securities to 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.
B-18
<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 the close of public trading on the NYSE (normally
4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open for trading. It is
expected that the NYSE will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on New Year's
Day, Martin Luther King Jr. 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 shares on any day when the NYSE 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.
However, the net asset value of Fund shares may be determined on days the NYSE
is closed or at times other than 4:00 p.m. if the Board of Trustees decides it
is necessary.
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 last reported 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 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
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<PAGE>
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.
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:
n
P(1+T) = 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 Fund's total annual total return for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2000 was 24.70%. Certain fees and expenses of the Fund have been reimbursed
from inception through March 31, 2000. Accordingly, the Fund's return figure is
higher than it would have been had such fees and expenses not been reimbursed.
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.
Firstar Institutional Custody Services, 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH
45202 acts as Custodian of the securities and other assets of the Fund. The
Custodian does not participate in decisions relating to the purchase and sale of
securities by the Fund. American Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5536, Hauppauge,
NY 11743 is the Fund's Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent.
Tait, Weller & Baker, 8 Penn Center Plaza, Philadelphia, PA 19103, are the
independent auditors for the Fund.
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP, 345 California St., 29th floor, San
Francisco, California 94104, are legal counsel to the Fund.
The following owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities as of June 30, 2000. An asterisk (*) denotes an
account affiliated with the Fund's investment advisor, officers or trustees:
Sally Edwards*, New York, NY 10021 - 21.37%
Bart Johnston*, New York, NY 10022 - 13.03%
Margot Bogert, Bedford Hills, New York, NY - 8.55%
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, New York, NY 07303 - 13.31%
Godley Family Trust, N. Kingstown, RI 02852 - 6.23%
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<PAGE>
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 17,
1987. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the Board of Trustees to
issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest,
without par value, which may be issued in any number of series. The Board of
Trustees may from time to time issue other series, the assets and liabilities of
which will be separate and distinct from any other series.
Shares issued by the Fund have no preemptive, conversion, or subscription
rights. Shareholders have equal and exclusive rights as to dividends and
distributions as declared by the Fund and to the net assets of the Fund upon
liquidation or dissolution. The Fund, as a separate series of the Trust, votes
separately on matters affecting only the Fund (e.g., approval of the Advisory
Agreement); all series of the Trust vote as a single class on matters affecting
all series jointly or the Trust as a whole (e.g., election or removal of
Trustees). Voting rights are not cumulative, so that the holders of more than
50% of the shares voting in any election of Trustees can, if they so choose,
elect all of the Trustees. While the Trust is not required and does not intend
to hold annual meetings of shareholders, such meetings may be called by the
Trustees in their discretion, or upon demand by the holders of 10% or more of
the outstanding shares of the Trust, for the purpose of electing or removing
Trustees.
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 Boards of the Trust, the Advisor and the Distributor have adopted Codes
of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These Codes permit, subject to
certain conditions, personnel of the Advisor and Distributor to invest in
securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The annual report to shareholder for the Fund for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2000 is a separate document supplied with this SAI and the financial
statements, accompanying notes and report of independent accountants appearing
therein are incorporated by reference in this SAI.
B-21
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
Prime-1--Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated "Prime-1" have
a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
"Prime-1" repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following
characteristics: leading market positions in w industries, high rates of return
on funds employed, conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance
on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation, and well-established access
to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
Prime-2--Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated "Prime-2" have
a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser
degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject
to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternative liquidity is maintained.
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP
A-1--This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding
timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong
safety characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign designation.
A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated "A-1."
B-22
