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Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
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Prospectus dated January 29, 1999
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund is a mutual fund. It seeks high current
income by investing mainly in high-yield, lower rated fixed income securities as
its primary goal. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks capital growth when
consistent with its main goal.
This Prospectus contains important information about the Fund's objective,
its investment policies, strategies and risks. It also contains important
information about how to buy and sell shares of the Fund and other account
features. Please read this Prospectus carefully before you invest and keep it
for future reference about your account.
(OppenheimerFunds logo)
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
approved or disapproved the Fund's securities nor has it determined that this
Prospectus is accurate or complete. It is a criminal offense to represent
otherwise.
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Contents
About the Fund
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The Fund's Objectives and Investment Strategies
Main Risks of Investing in the Fund
The Fund's Past Performance
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
About the Fund's Investments
How the Fund is Managed
About Your Account
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How to Buy Shares
Class A Shares
Class B Shares
Class C Shares
Special Investor Services
AccountLink
PhoneLink
OppenheimerFunds Web Site
Retirement Plans
How to Sell Shares
By Mail
By Telephone
By Checkwriting
How to Exchange Shares
Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Financial Highlights
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<PAGE>
About the Fund
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The Fund's Objectives and Investment Strategies
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What Are the Fund's Investment Objectives? The Fund's main objective is to seek
a high level of current income primarily by investing in a diversified portfolio
of high-yield, lower-rated fixed-income securities believed by the Fund's
investment Manager, OppenheimerFunds, Inc., not to involve undue risk.
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The Fund's secondary objective is to seek capital growth when consistent with
its primary objective.
What Does the Fund Invest In? The Fund invests mainly in a variety of high-yield
fixed income debt securities of domestic and foreign issuers for high current
income. These securities typically include:
o Lower-grade bonds and notes of corporate issuers
o Foreign government bonds
o Mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities
o Participation interests in loans
o "Structured" notes
o Preferred stock
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 60% of its total
assets in high-yield, lower grade fixed-income securities, commonly called "junk
bonds." Lower-grade debt securities are those rated below "Baa" by Moody's
Investors Service or lower than "BBB" by Standard & Poor's or comparable ratings
by other nationally-recognized rating organizations (or, in the case of unrated
securities, by the Manager).
The remainder of the Fund's assets can be invested in other debt
securities, common stocks or other equity securities, such as warrants and
rights, or in cash and cash equivalents when the Manager believes those
investments are consistent with the Fund's objectives. Investments in high-yield
securities and equity securities may also provide opportunities for capital
growth while also providing income to the Fund.
The Fund's foreign investments can include debt securities of issuers in
developed markets and emerging markets, which have special risks. The Fund can
also use hedging instruments and certain derivative investments, primarily
"structured notes," to try to enhance income or to try to manage investment
risks. These investments are more fully explained in "About the Fund's
Investments," below.
|X| How Does the Manager Decide What Securities to Buy or Sell? In
selecting securities for the Fund, the Fund's portfolio managers analyze the
overall investment opportunities and risks in different market sectors,
industries and countries. The portfolio managers' overall strategy is to build a
broadly diversified portfolio of debt securities to help moderate the special
risks of investing in high yield debt instruments. The portfolio managers
currently use a "bottom up" approach, focusing on the performance of individual
securities before considering industry trends. They first evaluate an issuer's
liquidity, financial strength and earnings power. The portfolio managers also
consider the factors below (which may vary in particular cases and may change
over time), looking for: |_| Changes in the business cycle that might affect
corporate profits, |_| Corporate sectors that in the portfolio managers' view
are currently
undervalued in the marketplace,
|_| Issuers with earnings growth rates that are faster than the growth rate
of the overall economy,
|_| Securities or sectors that will help the overall diversification of
the portfolio,
|_| Issuers with improvements in relative cash flows and liquidity to help
them meet their obligations.
Who Is the Fund Designed For? The Fund is designed primarily for investors
seeking high current income from a fund that can have significant investments in
lower-grade domestic and foreign debt securities. Those investors should be
willing to assume the risks of short-term share price fluctuations that are
typical for a fund that invests mainly in high-yield domestic and foreign fixed
income debt securities, which have special risks. Since the Fund's income level
will fluctuate, it is not designed for investors needing an assured level of
current income. The Fund is designed as a long-term investment and may be
appropriate as a part of an investor's retirement plan portfolio. However, the
Fund is not a complete investment program.
Main Risks of Investing in the Fund
All investments carry risks to some degree. The Fund's investments in debt
and equity securities are subject to changes in their value from a number of
factors. They include changes in general bond and stock market movements in the
U.S. and abroad (this is referred to as "market risk"), or the change in value
of particular bonds or stocks because of an event affecting the issuer (this is
known as "credit risk"). The Fund can focus significant amounts of its
investments in foreign debt securities. Therefore, it will be subject to the
risks of economic, political or other events that can affect the values of
securities of issuers in particular foreign countries. These risks are
heightened in the case of emerging market debt securities. Changes in interest
rates can also affect bond prices (this is known as "interest rate risk").
These risks collectively form the risk profile of the Fund and can affect
the value of the Fund's investments, its investment performance and its price
per share. These risks mean that you can lose money by investing in the Fund.
When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid
for them.
The Fund's investment Manager, OppenheimerFunds, Inc., tries to reduce
risks by carefully researching securities before they are purchased. The Fund
attempts to reduce its exposure to market risks by diversifying its investments,
that is, by not holding a substantial amount of securities of any one issuer and
by not investing too great a percentage of the Fund's assets in any one issuer.
Also, the Fund does not concentrate 25% or more of its investments in the
securities of issuers in any one industry or the securities of any one foreign
government.
However, changes in the overall market prices of securities and the income
they pay can occur at any time. The share price and yield of the Fund will
change daily based on changes in market prices of securities and market
conditions, and in response to other economic events. There is no assurance that
the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
|X| Credit Risk. Debt securities are subject to credit risk. Credit risk
relates to the ability of the issuer of a security to make interest and
principal payments on the security as they become due. If the issuer fails to
pay interest, the Fund's income might be reduced, and if the issuer fails to
repay principal, the value of that security and of the Fund's shares might be
reduced. The Fund's investments in high-yield, lower-grade debt securities, are
especially subject to risks of default.
|_| Special Risks of Lower-Grade Securities. Because the Fund can
invest without limit in securities below investment grade to seek high income,
the Fund's credit risks are greater than those of funds that buy only
investment-grade securities. Lower-grade debt securities may be subject to
greater market fluctuations and greater risks of loss of income and principal
than investment-grade debt securities. Securities that are (or that have fallen)
below investment grade are exposed to a greater risk that the issuers of those
securities might not meet their debt obligations. These risks can reduce the
Fund's share prices and the income it earns.
While investment grade securities are subject to risks of non-payment of
interest and principal, generally, higher yielding lower-grade bonds, whether
rated or unrated, have greater risks than investment grade securities. They may
be subject to greater market fluctuations and risk of loss of income and
principal than investment grade securities. There may be less of a market for
them and therefore they may be harder to sell at an acceptable price. There is a
relatively greater possibility that the issuer's earnings may be insufficient to
make the payments of interest and principal due on the bonds.
These risks mean that the Fund may not achieve the expected income from
lower-grade securities, and that the Fund's net asset value per share may be
affected by declines in value of these securities.
|X| Risks of Foreign Investing. The Fund can invest up to 100% of its
assets in foreign debt securities and can buy securities of governments and
companies in both developed markets and emerging markets. The Fund does not
currently intend to invest more than 25% of its net assets in foreign securities
but may invest significant amounts of its assets in those securities. While
foreign securities offer special investment opportunities, there are also
special risks that can reduce the Fund's share prices and returns.
The change in value of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar will
result in a change in the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated in that
foreign currency. Currency rate changes can also affect the distributions the
Fund makes from the income it receives from foreign securities as foreign
currency values change against the U.S. dollar. Foreign investing can result in
higher transaction and operating costs for the Fund. Foreign issuers are not
subject to the same accounting and disclosure requirements that U.S. companies
are subject to. The value of foreign investments may be affected by exchange
control regulations, expropriation or nationalization of a company's assets,
foreign taxes, delays in settlement of transactions, changes in governmental
economic or monetary policy in the U.S. or abroad, or other political and
economic factors.
There may be transaction costs and risks from the conversion of certain
European currencies to the Euro that commenced in January 1999. For example,
brokers and the Fund's custodian bank must convert their computer systems and
records to reflect the Euro value of securities. If they are not prepared, there
could be delays in settlements of securities trades and additional costs to the
Fund.
|_| Special Risks of Emerging and Developing Markets. Securities in
emerging and developing market countries may offer special investment
opportunities but investments in these countries present risks not found in more
mature markets. Those securities might be more difficult to sell at an
acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of
issuers in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to
greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a
security on a timely basis.
Emerging markets might have less developed trading markets and exchanges.
Emerging countries may have less developed legal and accounting systems and
investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions on
withdrawing the sales proceeds of securities from the country. Economies of
developing countries may be more dependent on relatively few industries that may
be highly vulnerable to local and global changes. Governments may be more
unstable and present greater risks of nationalization or restrictions on foreign
ownership of stocks of local companies. These investments may be substantially
more volatile than debt securities of issuers in the U.S. and other developed
countries and may be very speculative.
|X| Interest Rate Risks. The values of debt securities are subject to
change when prevailing interest rates change. When interest rates fall, the
values of already-issued debt securities generally rise. When interest rates
rise, the values of already-issued debt securities generally fall, and they may
sell at a discount from their face amount. The magnitude of these fluctuations
will often be greater for longer-term debt securities than shorter-term debt
securities. The Fund's share prices can go up or down when interest rates change
because of the effect of the changes on the value of the Fund's investments in
debt securities.
|X| Prepayment Risk. Prepayment risk occurs when the issuer of a security
can prepay the principal prior to the security's maturity. Securities subject to
prepayment risk, including the CMOs and other mortgage-related securities that
the Fund buys, generally offer less potential for gains when prevailing interest
rates decline, and have greater potential for loss when interest rates rise. The
impact of prepayments on the price of a security may be difficult to predict and
may increase the volatility of the price. Additionally, the Fund may buy
mortgage-related securities at a premium. Accelerated prepayments on those
securities could cause the Fund to lose a portion of its principal investment
represented by the premium the Fund paid.
If interest rates rise rapidly, prepayments may occur at slower rates than
expected, which could have the effect of lengthening the expected maturity of a
short or medium-term security. That could cause its value to fluctuate more
widely in response to changes in interest rates. In turn, this could cause the
value of the Fund's shares to fluctuate more.
|X| There are Special Risks in Using Derivative Investments. The Fund can
use derivatives to seek increased income or to try to hedge investment risks. In
general terms, a derivative investment is an investment contract whose value
depends on (or is derived from) the value of an underlying asset, interest rate
or index. Options, futures, interest rate swaps, structured notes, and CMOs are
examples of derivatives the Fund can use.
If the issuer of the derivative does not pay the amount due, the Fund can
lose money on the investment. Also, the underlying security or investment on
which the derivative is based, and the derivative itself, might not perform the
way the Manager expected it to perform. If that happens, the Fund's share price
could decline or the Fund could get less income than expected. The Fund has
limits on the amount of particular types of derivatives it can hold. However,
using derivatives can cause the Fund to lose money on its investment and/or
increase the volatility of its share prices.
How Risky is the Fund Overall? In the short term, the values of high yield debt
securities can fluctuate substantially because of interest rate changes and
perceptions about the high yield market among investors. Foreign debt
securities, particularly those of issuers in emerging markets, can be volatile,
and the price of the Fund's shares can go up and down substantially because of
events affecting foreign markets or issuers. The Fund's holdings of equity
investments are also subject to short-term volatility.
The Fund's diversification strategy may help cushion the Fund's share
prices from that volatility, but debt securities are subject to credit and
interest rate risks that can affect their values and the share prices of the
Fund. In the OppenheimerFunds spectrum, the Fund is likely to be more volatile
and has more risks than bond funds that focus on U. S. government securities and
investment grade bonds but may be less volatile than funds that focus solely on
investments in foreign markets.
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency.
The Fund's Past Performance
The bar chart and table below show one measure of the risks of investing
in the Fund, by showing changes in the Fund's performance (for its Class A
shares) from year to year for the last ten calendar years and by showing how the
average annual total returns of the Fund's shares compare to those of
broad-based market indices. The Fund's past investment performance is not
necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Annual Total Returns (Class A) (as of 12/31 each year)
[See appendix to prospectus for data in bar chart showing annual total
returns]
Sales charges are not included in the calculations of return in this bar chart,
and if those charges were included, the returns would be less than those shown.
During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return (not annualized)
for a calendar quarter was 12.06% (1Q'91) and the lowest return (not annualized)
for a calendar quarter was -6.46% (3Q'98).
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Average Annual
Total Returns for 5 Years 10 Years
the periods ended 1 Year (or life of (or life of
December 31, 1998 class, if less) class, if less)
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Class A Shares -4.34% 6.82% 10.89%
(inception 11/16/87)
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Merrill Lynch High 3.66% 9.01% 11.08%
Yield
Master Index
(from 12/31/88)
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Class B Shares -4.89% 7.37% N/A
(inception 10/2/95)
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Merrill Lynch High 3.66% 9.48% N/A
Yield
Master Index
(from 9/30/95)
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Class C Shares -1.29% 7.03% 7.23%
(inception 12/1/93)
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Merrill Lynch High 3.66% 9.01% 9.08%
Yield Master Index
(From 11/30/93)
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The Fund's average annual total returns in the table include the applicable
sales charge for Classes A, B and C shares: for Class A, the current maximum
initial sales charge of 4.75%; for Class B, the contingent deferred sales
charges of 5% (1-year) and 3% (life of class); and for Class C, the 1%
contingent deferred sales charge for the 1-year period.
The returns measure the performance of a hypothetical account and assume that
all dividends and capital gains distributions have been reinvested in additional
shares. Because the Fund invests in a variety of debt securities, the Fund's
performance is compared to the Merrill Lynch High Yield Master Index, an
unmanaged index of below-investment-grade debt securities of U.S. corporate
issuers. However, it must be remembered that the index performance reflects the
reinvestment of income but does not consider transaction costs. Also, the Fund
may have investments that vary from those in the index. Because the Fund invests
in other debt securities, it compares its performance to that of the Lehman
Brothers Corporate Bond Index, an index of non-convertible U.S. investment grade
corporate bonds. That information is contained in the Fund's Annual Report.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The Fund pays a variety of expenses directly for management of its assets,
administration, distribution of its shares and other services. Those expenses
are subtracted from the Fund's assets to calculate the Fund's net asset value
per share. All shareholders therefore pay those expenses indirectly.
Shareholders pay other expenses directly, such as sales charges and account
transaction charges. The following tables are provided to help you understand
the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The
numbers below are based on the Fund's expenses during its fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998.
Shareholder Fees (charges paid directly from your investment):
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Class A Class B Shares Class C Shares
Shares
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Maximum Sales Charge
(Load) on purchases 4.75% None None
(as % of offering
price)
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Maximum Deferred
Sales Charge (Load)
(as % of the lower of None1 5%2 1%3
the original offering
price or redemption
proceeds)
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1. A contingent deferred sales charge may apply to redemptions of investments of
$1 million or more ($500,000 for retirement plan accounts) of Class A shares.
See "How to Buy Shares" for details.
2. Applies to redemptions in first year after purchase. The contingent deferred
sales charge declines to 1% in the sixth year and is eliminated after that.
3. Applies to shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (deducted from Fund assets):
(% of average daily net assets)
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Class A Shares Class B Class C Shares
Shares
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Management Fees 0.63% 0.63% 0.63%
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Distribution and/or 0.24% 1.00% 1.00%
Service (12b-1) Fees
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Other Expenses 0.19% 0.18% 0.18%
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Total Annual 1.06% 1.81% 1.81%
Operating Expenses
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Expenses may vary in future years. "Other expenses" include transfer agent fees,
custodial expenses, and accounting and legal expenses the Fund pays.
Examples. These examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing
in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The examples
assume that you invest $10,000 in a class of shares of the Fund for the time
periods indicated and reinvest your dividends and distributions.
The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of
those periods. The second example assumes that you keep your shares. Both
examples also assume that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the
class's operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or
lower because expenses will vary over time. Based on these assumptions your
expenses would be as follows:
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If shares are 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years1
redeemed:
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Class A Shares $578 $796 $1,032 $1,708
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Class B Shares $684 $869 $1,180 $1,749
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Class C Shares $284 $569 $980 $2,127
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If shares are not 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years1
redeemed:
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Class A Shares $578 $796 $1,032 $1,708
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Class B Shares $184 $569 $980 $1,749
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Class C Shares $184 $569 $980 $2,127
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In the first example, expenses include the initial sales charge for Class A and
the applicable Class B or Class C contingent deferred sales charges. In the
second example, the Class A expenses include the sales charge, but Class B and
Class C expenses do not include the contingent deferred sales charges. 1. Class
B expenses for years 7 through 10 are based on Class A expenses,
since Class B shares automatically convert to Class A after 6 years.
About the Fund's Investments
The Fund's Principal Investment Policies. The composition of the Fund's
portfolio among the different types of permitted investments will vary over time
based upon the evaluation of economic and market trends by the Manager. However,
under normal market conditions, investments in high-yield, lower grade
fixed-income securities will be emphasized. The Fund has no requirements as to
the range of maturities of the debt securities it can buy, or as to the market
capitalization ranges of the issuers of those securities.
A debt security is essentially a loan by the buyer to the issuer of the
debt security. The issuer promises to pay back the principal amount of the loan
and normally pays interest, at a fixed or variable rate, on the debt while it is
outstanding. The Fund can invest in different types of debt securities, as
described above. The Manager does not rely solely on ratings issued by rating
organizations when selecting investments for the Fund. The Fund can buy unrated
securities that offer high current income. The Manager may assign a rating to an
unrated security that is equivalent to the rating of what the Manager believes
are comparable rated securities. The Fund's investments primarily will be below
investment grade in credit quality and the Fund can invest without limit in
those securities, commonly called "junk bonds."
The Fund can invest some of its assets in other types of debt securities,
as well as common stocks and other equity securities of foreign and U.S.
companies when consistent with the Fund's goals. The Fund's portfolio might not
always include all of the different types of investments described below. The
Statement of Additional Information contains more detailed information about the
Fund's investment policies and risks.
|X| High-Yield, Lower-Grade Debt Securities. The Fund can purchase a
variety of lower-grade, high yield fixed-income securities of U.S. issuers,
including bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks, loan participation
interests, structured notes, and asset-backed securities, among others, to seek
high current income. There are no limits on the amount of the Fund's assets that
can be invested in debt securities below investment grade.
The Fund can invest in securities rated as low as "C" or "D" or which may
be in default at the time the Fund buys them. While securities rated "Baa" by
Moody's or "BBB" by S&P are considered "investment grade," they have some
speculative characteristics.
|X| Mortgage-Related Securities. The Fund can buy interests in pools of
residential or commercial mortgages, in the form of collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs") and other "pass-through" mortgage securities. They may
be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies and
instrumentalities, or by private issuers. CMOs that are U.S. government
securities have collateral to secure payment of interest and principal. They
may be issued in different series, each having different interest rates and
maturities. The collateral is either in the form of mortgage pass-through
certificates issued or guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or
instrumentality or mortgage loans insured by a U.S. government agency.
The prices and yields of CMOs are determined, in part, by assumptions
about the cash flows from the rate of payments of the underlying mortgages.
Changes in interest rates may cause the rate of expected prepayments of those
mortgages to change. In general, prepayments increase when general interest
rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise.
If prepayments of mortgages underlying a CMO occur faster than expected
when interest rates fall, the market value and yield of the CMO could be
reduced. Additionally, the Fund might have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds
in other securities paying interest at lower rates, which could reduce the
Fund's yield.
When interest rates rise rapidly, and if prepayments occur more slowly
than expected, a short- or medium-term CMO can in effect become a long-term
security, subject to greater fluctuations in value. These prepayment risks can
make the prices of CMOs very volatile when interest rates change. The prices of
longer-term debt securities tend to fluctuate more than those of shorter-term
debt securities. That volatility will affect the Fund's share prices.
|_| Private-Issuer Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund can invest a
substantial portion of its assets in mortgage-backed securities issued by
private issuers, which do not offer the credit backing of U.S. government
securities. Primarily these include multi-class debt or pass-through
certificates secured by mortgage loans. They may be issued by banks, savings and
loans, mortgage bankers and other non-governmental issuers. Private issuer
mortgage-backed securities are subject to the credit risks of the issuers (as
well as the investment rate risks and prepayment risks of CMOs), although in
some cases they may be supported by insurance or guarantees.
|X| Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund can buy asset-backed securities,
which are fractional interests in pools of loans collateralized by the loans or
other assets or receivables. They are issued by trusts and special purpose
corporations that pass the income from the underlying pool to the buyer of the
interest. These securities are subject to the risk of default by the issuer as
well as by the borrowers of the underlying loans in the pool.
|X| Foreign Debt Securities. The Fund can buy a variety of debt securities
issued by foreign governments and companies, as well as "supra-national"
entities, such as the World Bank. They can include bonds, debentures, and notes,
including derivative investments called "structured notes," described below. The
Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in debt securities of any
one foreign government. The Fund will buy foreign currency only in connection
with the purchase and sale of foreign securities and not for speculation.
|X| "Structured" Notes. The Fund can buy "structured" notes, which are
specially-designed derivative debt investments with principal payments or
interest payments that are linked to the value of an index (such as a currency
or securities index) or commodity. The terms of the instrument may be
"structured" by the purchaser (the Fund) and the borrower issuing the note.
The principal and/or interest payments depend on the performance of one or
more other securities or indices, and the values of these notes will therefore
fall or rise in response to the changes in the values of the underlying security
or index. They are subject to both credit and interest rate risks and therefore
the Fund could receive more or less than it originally invested when the notes
mature, or it might receive less interest than the stated coupon payment if the
underlying investment or index does not perform as anticipated. Their values may
be very volatile and they may have a limited trading market, making it difficult
for the Fund to sell its investment at an acceptable price.
|X| Stocks. The Fund can invest in common stock and other equity
securities, including warrants and rights, preferred stock and convertible
securities, when consistent with the Fund's objectives.
|_| Risks of Investing in Stocks. Stocks fluctuate in price, and
their short-term volatility at times may be great. To the extent that the Fund
invests in equity securities, the value of the Fund's portfolio will be affected
by changes in the stock markets. Market risk can affect the Fund's net asset
value per share, which will fluctuate as the values of the Fund's portfolio
securities change. The prices of individual stocks do not all move in the same
direction uniformly or at the same time. Different stock markets may behave
differently from each other.
Other factors can affect a particular stock's price, such as poor earnings
reports by the issuer, loss of major customers, major litigation against the
issuer, or changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or its
industry. The Fund can invest in securities of large companies and mid-size
companies, but may also buy stocks of small companies, which may have more
volatile stock prices than large companies.
|_| Preferred Stocks. Preferred stock, unlike common stock, has a
stated dividend rate payable from the corporation's earnings. Preferred
stock dividends may be cumulative or non-cumulative. "Cumulative" dividend
provisions require all or a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid
before dividends may be paid on common stock.
|X| Can the Fund's Investment Objective and Policies Change? The Fund's
Board of Trustees can change non-fundamental investment policies without
shareholder approval, although significant changes will be described in
amendments to this Prospectus. Fundamental policies are those that cannot be
changed without the approval of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
shares. The Fund's objectives are fundamental policies. Investment restrictions
that are fundamental policies are listed in the Statement of Additional
Information. An investment policy is not fundamental unless this Prospectus or
the Statement of Additional Information says that it is.
|X| Portfolio Turnover. The Fund may engage in short-term trading to try
to achieve its objective. Portfolio turnover affects brokerage and transaction
costs the Fund pays. It typically expects to have a portfolio turnover rate in
excess of 100% annually. If the Fund realizes capital gains when it sells its
portfolio investments, it must generally pay those gains out to shareholders,
increasing their taxable distributions. The Financial Highlights table below
shows the Fund's portfolio turnover rates during prior fiscal years.
Other Investment Strategies. To seek its objective, the Fund can also use the
investment techniques and strategies described below. The Fund might not always
use all of the different types of techniques and investments described below.
These techniques involve certain risks, although some are designed to help
reduce investment or market risks.
|X| Zero-Coupon and "Stripped" Securities. Some of the government and
corporate debt securities the Fund buys are zero-coupon bonds that pay no
interest. They are issued at a substantial discount from their face value.
"Stripped" securities are the separate income or principal components of a debt
security. Some CMOs or other mortgage-related securities may be stripped, with
each component having a different proportion of principal or interest payments.
One class might receive all the interest and the other all the principal
payments.
Zero-coupon and stripped securities are subject to greater fluctuations in
price from interest rate changes than interest-bearing securities. The Fund may
have to pay out the imputed income on zero coupon securities without receiving
the actual cash currently. Interest-only securities are particularly sensitive
to changes in interest rates.
The values of interest-only mortgage related securities are also very
sensitive to prepayments of underlying mortgages. Principal-only securities are
also sensitive to changes in interest rates. When prepayments tend to fall, the
timing of the cash flows to these securities increases, making them more
sensitive to changes in interest rates. The market for some of these securities
may be limited, making it difficult for the Fund to dispose of its holdings at
an acceptable price.
|X| Participation Interests in Loans. These securities represent an
undivided fractional interest in a loan obligation by a borrower. They are
typically purchased from banks or dealers that have made the loan or are members
of the loan syndicate. The loans may be to foreign or U.S. companies. The Fund
does not invest more than 5% of its net assets in participation interests of any
one borrower. They are subject to the risk of default by the borrower. If the
borrower fails to pay interest or repay principal, the Fund can lose money on
its investment.
|X| "When-Issued" and "Delayed-Delivery" Transactions. The Fund can
purchase securities on a "when-issued" basis and may purchase or sell securities
on a "delayed-delivery" basis. These terms refer to securities that have been
created and for which a market exists, but which are not available for immediate
delivery. There might be a risk of loss to the Fund if the value of the security
declines prior to the settlement date.
|X| Illiquid and Restricted Securities. Under the policies and procedures
established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Manager determines the
liquidity of certain of the Fund's investments. Investments may be illiquid
because of the absence of an active trading market, making it difficult to value
them or dispose of them promptly at an acceptable price. A restricted security
is one that has a contractual restriction on its resale or which cannot be sold
publicly until it is registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund will
not invest more than 10% of its net assets in illiquid or restricted securities
(the Board can increase that limit to 15%). Certain restricted securities that
are eligible for resale to qualified institutional purchasers may not be subject
to that limit. The Manager monitors holdings of illiquid securities on an
ongoing basis to determine whether to sell any holdings to maintain adequate
liquidity.
|X| Derivative Investments. The Fund can invest in a number of different
kinds of "derivative" investments. In the broadest sense, exchange-traded
options, futures contracts, structured notes, CMOs and other hedging instruments
the Fund can use may be considered "derivative investments." In addition to
using hedging instruments, the Fund can use other derivative investments because
they offer the potential for increased income and principal value.
Markets underlying securities and indices may move in a direction not
anticipated by the Manager. Interest rate and stock market changes in the U.S.
and abroad may also influence the performance of derivatives. As a result of
these risks the Fund could realize less principal or income from the investment
than expected. Certain derivative investments held by the Fund may be illiquid.
|X| Hedging. The Fund can buy and sell certain futures contracts. As a
fundamental policy, they must relate to interest rates or securities indices.
The Fund can also buy and sell certain put and call options and forward
contracts. These are all referred to as "hedging instruments." The Fund is not
required to use hedging instruments to seek its objective. The Fund will not use
hedging instruments for speculative purposes, and has limits on its use of them.
The Fund could buy and sell options, futures and forward contracts for a
number of purposes. It might do so to try to manage its exposure to the
possibility that the prices of its portfolio securities may decline, or to
establish a position in the securities market as a temporary substitute for
purchasing individual securities. It might do so to try to manage its exposure
to changing interest rates. The Fund can use forward contracts to try to manage
foreign currency risks on the Fund's foreign investments.
As a fundamental policy, the Fund can buy and sell puts and calls only if
they are listed on a domestic securities or commodities exchange or NASDAQ.
Other fundamental policies limiting the Fund's use of hedging are listed in the
Statement of Additional Information.
Options trading involves the payment of premiums and has special tax
effects on the Fund. There are also special risks in particular hedging
strategies. For example, if a covered call written by the Fund is exercised on
an investment that has increased in value, the Fund will be required to sell the
investment at the call price and will not be able to realize any profit if the
investment has increased in value above the call price. In writing a put, there
is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a
disadvantageous price.
If the Manager used a hedging instrument at the wrong time or judged
market conditions incorrectly, the strategy could reduce the Fund's return. The
Fund could also experience losses if the prices of its futures and options
positions were not correlated with its other investments or if it could not
close out a position because of an illiquid market.
Temporary Defensive Investments. For cash management purposes the Fund can hold
cash equivalents such as commercial paper, repurchase agreements, U.S. Treasury
bills and other short-term U.S. government securities. In times of unstable
market or economic conditions, the Fund can invest up to 100% of its assets in
temporary defensive investments. These would ordinarily be short-term U.S.
government securities, highly-rated commercial paper, bank obligations or
repurchase agreements. To the extent the Fund invests defensively in these
securities, it might not achieve its primary investment objective of high
current income.
Year 2000 Risks. Because many computer software systems in use today cannot
distinguish the year 2000 from the year 1900, the markets for securities in
which the Fund invests could be detrimentally affected by computer failures
beginning January 1, 2000. Failure of computer systems used for securities
trading could result in settlement and liquidity problems for the Fund and other
investors. That failure could have a negative impact on handling securities
trades, pricing and accounting services. Data processing errors by government
issuers of securities could result in economic uncertainties, and those issuers
may incur substantial costs in attempting to prevent or fix such errors, all of
which could have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.
The Manager, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent have been working on
necessary changes to their computer systems to deal with the year 2000 and
expect that their systems will be adapted in time for that event, although there
cannot be assurance of success. Additionally, the services they provide depend
on the interaction of their computer systems with those of brokers, information
services, the Fund's Custodian and other parties. Therefore, any failure of the
computer systems of those parties to deal with the year 2000 may also have a
negative effect on the services they provide to the Fund. The extent of that
risk cannot be ascertained at this time.
How the Fund Is Managed
The Manager. The Fund's investment Manager, OppenheimerFunds, Inc., chooses the
Fund's investments and handles its day-to-day business. The Manager carries out
its duties, subject to the policies established by the Board of Trustees, under
an Investment Advisory Agreement that states the Manager's responsibilities. The
Agreement sets forth the fees paid by the Fund to the Manager and describes the
expenses that the Fund is responsible to pay to conduct its business.
The Manager has operated as an investment adviser since 1959. The Manager
(including subsidiaries) currently manages investment companies, including other
Oppenheimer funds, with assets of more than $95 billion as of December 31, 1998,
and with more than 4 million shareholder accounts. The Manager is located at Two
World Trade Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048-0203.
|X| Portfolio Managers. The portfolio managers of the Fund are David
P. Negri and Thomas Reedy. They are the persons principally responsible for
the day-to-day management of the Fund's investments, and each is a Vice
President of the Fund. Mr. Negri is a Senior Vice President of the Manager.
Mr. Reedy is a Vice President of the Manager. Mr. Negri has been a portfolio
manager of the Fund since December 1997, and Mr. Reedy since October 1998.
Each is an officer and portfolio manager of other Oppenheimer funds and has
been with the Manager for more than five years.
|X| Advisory Fees. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays
the Manager an advisory fee at an annual rate that declines on additional assets
as the Fund grows: 0.70% of the first $250 million of average annual net assets
of the Fund, 0.65% of the next $250 million, 0.60% of the next $500 million, and
0.55% of average annual net assets in excess of $1 billion. The Fund's
management fee for its last fiscal year ended September 30, 1998 was 0.63% of
average annual net assets for each class of shares.
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About Your Account
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How to Buy Shares
How Are Shares Purchased? You can buy shares several ways -- through any dealer,
broker or financial institution that has a sales agreement with the Fund's
Distributor, or directly through the Distributor, or automatically through an
Asset Builder Plan under the OppenheimerFunds AccountLink service. The
Distributor may appoint certain servicing agents to accept purchase (and
redemption) orders. The Distributor, in its sole discretion, may reject any
purchase order for the Fund's shares.
|X| Buying Shares Through Your Dealer. Your dealer will place your
order with the Distributor on your behalf.
|X| Buying Shares Through the Distributor. Complete an OppenheimerFunds New
Account Application and return it with a check payable to "OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc." Mail it to P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado 80217. If you
don't list a dealer on the application, the Distributor will act as your agent
in buying the shares. However, we recommend that you discuss your investment
with a financial advisor before you make a purchase to be sure that the Fund is
appropriate for you.
|X| Buying Shares by Federal Funds Wire. Shares purchased through the
Distributor may be paid for by Federal Funds wire. The minimum investment is
$2,500. Before sending a wire, call the Distributor's Wire Department at
1-800-525-7048 to notify the Distributor of the wire, and to receive further
instructions.
|X| Buying Shares Through OppenheimerFunds AccountLink. With AccountLink,
shares are purchased for your account on the regular business day the
Distributor is instructed by you to initiate the Automated Clearing House (ACH)
transfer to buy the shares. You can provide those instructions automatically,
under an Asset Builder Plan, described below, or by telephone instructions using
OppenheimerFunds PhoneLink, also described below. Please refer to "AccountLink,"
below for more details.
|X| Buying Shares Through Asset Builder Plans. You may purchase shares of
the Fund (and up to four other Oppenheimer funds) automatically each month from
your account at a bank or other financial institution under an Asset Builder
Plan with AccountLink. Details are in the Asset Builder Application and the
Statement of Additional Information.
How Much Must You Invest? You can open a Fund account with a minimum initial
investment of $1,000 and make additional investments at any time with as little
as $25. There are reduced minimum investments under special investment plans.
|_| With Asset Builder Plans, 403(b) plans, Automatic Exchange Plans and
military allotment plans, you can make initial and subsequent investments for as
little as $25. Subsequent purchases of at least $25 can be made by telephone
through AccountLink.
|_| Under retirement plans, such as IRAs, pension and profit-sharing plans
and 401(k) plans, you can start your account with as little as $250. If your IRA
is started under an Asset Builder Plan, the $25 minimum applies.
Additional purchases may be as little as $25.
|_| The minimum investment requirement does not apply to reinvesting
dividends from the Fund or other Oppenheimer funds (a list of them appears in
the Statement of Additional Information, or you can ask your dealer or call the
Transfer Agent), or reinvesting distributions from unit investment trusts that
have made arrangements with the Distributor.
At What Price Are Shares Sold? Shares are sold at their offering price (the net
asset value per share plus any initial sales charge that applies). The offering
price that applies to a purchase order is based on the next calculation of the
net asset value per share that is made after the Distributor receives the
purchase order at its offices in Denver, Colorado, or after any agent appointed
by the Distributor receives the order and sends it to the Distributor.
|_| The net asset value of each class of shares is determined as of the
close of The New York Stock Exchange, on each day the Exchange is open for
trading (referred to in this Prospectus as a "regular business day"). The
Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M., New York time, but may close earlier on
some days. (All references to time in this Prospectus mean "New York time").
The net asset value per share is determined by dividing the value of the
Fund's net assets attributable to a class by the number of shares of that class
that are outstanding. To determine net asset value, the Fund's Board of Trustees
has established procedures to value the Fund's securities, in general based on
market value. The Board has adopted special procedures for valuing illiquid and
restricted securities and obligations for which market values cannot be readily
obtained. Because some foreign securities trade in markets and exchanges that
operate on weekends and U.S. holidays, the values of some of the Fund's foreign
investments may change significantly on days when investors cannot buy or redeem
Fund shares.
|_| To receive the offering price for a particular day, in most cases the
Distributor or its designated agent must receive your order by the time of day
The New York Stock Exchange closes that day. If your order is received on a day
when the Exchange is closed or after it has closed, the order will receive the
next offering price that is determined after your order is received.
|_| If you buy shares through a dealer, your dealer must receive the order
by the close of The New York Stock Exchange and transmit it to the Distributor
so that it is received before the Distributor's close of business on a regular
business day (normally 5:00 P.M.) to receive that day's offering price.
Otherwise, the order will receive the next offering price that is determined.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What Classes of Shares Does the Fund Offer? The Fund offers investors three
different classes of shares. The different classes of shares represent
investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject
to different expenses and will likely have different share prices. When you
buy shares, be sure to specify the class of shares. If you do not choose a
class, your investment will be made in Class A shares.
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|X| Class A Shares. If you buy Class A shares, you pay an initial sales
charge (on investments up to $1 million for regular accounts or $500,000 for
certain retirement plans). The amount of that sales charge will vary depending
on the amount you invest. The sales charge rates are listed in "How Can I Buy
Class A Shares?" below.
|X| Class B Shares. If you buy Class B shares, you pay no sales charge
at the time of purchase, but you will pay an annual asset-based sales charge,
and if you sell your shares within six years of buying them, you will
normally pay a contingent deferred sales charge. That contingent deferred
sales charge varies depending on how long you own your shares, as described in
"How Can I Buy Class B Shares?" below.
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|X| Class C Shares. If you buy Class C shares, you pay no sales charge at
the time of purchase, but you will pay an annual asset-based sales charge, and
if you sell your shares within 12 months of buying them, you will normally pay a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1%, as described in "How Can I Buy Class C
Shares?" below.
Which Class of Shares Should You Choose? Once you decide that the Fund is an
appropriate investment for you, the decision as to which class of shares is best
suited to your needs depends on a number of factors that you should discuss with
your financial advisor. Some factors to consider are how much you plan to invest
and how long you plan to hold your investment. If your goals and objectives
change over time and you plan to purchase additional shares, you should
re-evaluate those factors to see if you should consider another class of shares.
The Fund's operating costs that apply to a class of shares and the effect of the
different types of sales charges on your investment will vary your investment
results over time.
The discussion below is not intended to be investment advice or a
recommendation, because each investor's financial considerations are different.
You should review these factors with your financial advisor. The discussion
below assumes that you will purchase only one class of shares, and not a
combination of shares of different classes.
|X| How Long Do You Expect to Hold Your Investment? While future financial
needs cannot be predicted with certainty, knowing how long you expect to hold
your investment will assist you in selecting the appropriate class of shares.
Because of the effect of class-based expenses, your choice will also depend on
how much you plan to invest. For example, the reduced sales charges available
for larger purchases of Class A shares may, over time, offset the effect of
paying an initial sales charge on your investment, compared to the effect over
time of higher class-based expenses on shares of Class B or Class C .
|_| Investing for the Short Term. If you have a relatively short-term
investment horizon (that is, you plan to hold your shares for not more than six
years), you should probably consider purchasing Class A or Class C shares rather
than Class B shares. That is because of the effect of the Class B contingent
deferred sales charge if you redeem within six years, as well as the effect of
the Class B asset-based sales charge on the investment return for that class in
the short-term. Class C shares might be the appropriate choice (especially for
investments of less than $100,000), because there is no initial sales charge on
Class C shares, and the contingent deferred sales charge does not apply to
amounts you sell after holding them one year.
However, if you plan to invest more than $100,000 for the shorter term,
then as your investment horizon increases toward six years, Class C shares might
not be as advantageous as Class A shares. That is because the annual asset-based
sales charge on Class C shares will have a greater impact on your account over
the longer term than the reduced front-end sales charge available for larger
purchases of Class A shares.
And for investors who invest $1 million or more, in most cases Class A
shares will be the most advantageous choice, no matter how long you intend to
hold your shares. For that reason, the Distributor normally will not accept
purchase orders of $500,000 or more of Class B shares or $1 million or more of
Class C shares from a single investor.
|_| Investing for the Longer Term. If you are investing less than
$100,000 for the longer-term, for example for retirement, and do not expect to
need access to your money for seven years or more, Class B shares may be
appropriate.
Of course, these examples are based on approximations of the effect of
current sales charges and expenses projected over time, and do not detail all of
the considerations in selecting a class of shares. You should analyze your
options carefully with your financial advisor before making that choice.
|X| Are There Differences in Account Features That Matter to You? Some
account features may not be available to Class B or Class C shareholders. Other
features (such as Automatic Withdrawal Plans) may not be advisable (because of
the effect of the contingent deferred sales charge) for Class B or Class C
shareholders. Therefore, you should carefully review how you plan to use your
investment account before deciding which class of shares to buy.
Additionally, the dividends payable to Class B and Class C shareholders
will be reduced by the additional expenses borne by those classes that are not
borne by Class A shares, such as the Class B and Class C asset-based sales
charges described below and in the Statement of Additional Information. Share
certificates are not available for Class B and Class C shares, and if you are
considering using your shares as collateral for a loan, that may be a factor to
consider.
|X| How Does It Affect Payments to My Broker? A salesperson, such as a
broker, may receive different compensation for selling one class of shares than
for selling another class. It is important to remember that Class B and Class C
contingent deferred sales charges and asset-based sales charges have the same
purpose as the front-end sales charge on sales of Class A shares: to compensate
the Distributor for commissions and expenses it pays to dealers and financial
institutions for selling shares. The Distributor may pay additional compensation
from its own resources to securities dealers or financial institutions based
upon the value of shares of the Fund owned by the dealer or financial
institution for its own account or for its customers.
Special Sales Charge Arrangements and Waivers. Appendix C to the Statement of
Additional Information details the conditions for the waiver of sales charges
that apply in certain cases, and the special sales charge rates that apply to
purchases of shares of the Fund by certain groups, or under specified retirement
plan arrangements or in other special types of transactions.
How Can I Buy Class A Shares? Class A shares are sold at their offering price,
which is normally net asset value plus an initial sales charge. However, in some
cases, described below, purchases are not subject to an initial sales charge,
and the offering price will be the net asset value. In other cases, reduced
sales charges may be available, as described below or in the Statement of
Additional Information. Out of the amount you invest, the Fund receives the net
asset value to invest for your account.
The sales charge varies depending on the amount of your purchase. A
portion of the sales charge may be retained by the Distributor or allocated to
your dealer as commission. The Distributor reserves the right to reallow the
entire commission to dealers. The current sales charge rates and commissions
paid to dealers and brokers are as follows:
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Front-End Sales Front-End Sales
Charge As a Charge As a Commission As
Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of
Amount of Purchase Offering Price Net Amount Offering Price
Invested
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Less than $50,000 4.75% 4.98% 4.00%
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$50,000 or more
but less than 4.50% 4.71% 3.75%
$100,000
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$100,000 or more
but less than 3.50% 3.63% 2.75%
$250,000
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$250,000 or more
but less than 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000
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$500,000 or more
but less than $1 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
million
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|X| Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. There is no initial sales
charge on purchases of Class A shares of any one or more of the Oppenheimer
funds aggregating $1 million or more or for certain purchases by particular
types of retirement plans described in Appendix C to the Statement of Additional
Information. The Distributor pays dealers of record commissions in an amount
equal to 1.0% of purchases of $1 million or more other than by those retirement
accounts. For those retirement plan accounts, the commission is 1.0% of the
first $2.5 million, plus 0.50% of the next $2.5 million, plus 0.25% of purchases
over $5 million, calculated on a calendar year basis. In either case, the
commission will be paid only on purchases that were not previously subject to a
front-end sales charge and dealer commission.1
If you redeem any of those shares within 18 months of the end of the
calendar month of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge (called the
"Class A contingent deferred sales charge") may be deducted from the redemption
proceeds. That sales charge will be equal to 1.0% of the lesser of (1) the
aggregate net asset value of the redeemed shares at the time of redemption
(excluding shares purchased by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain
distributions) or (2) the original net asset value of the redeemed shares.
However, the Class A contingent deferred sales charge will not exceed the
aggregate amount of the commissions the Distributor paid to your dealer on all
purchases of Class A shares of all Oppenheimer funds you made that were subject
to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge.
In determining whether a contingent deferred sales charge is payable when
shares are redeemed, the Fund will first redeem shares that are not subject to
the sales charge, including shares purchased by reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains. Then the Fund will redeem other shares in the order in which you
purchased them. The Class A contingent deferred sales charge is waived in
certain cases described in Appendix C to the Statement of Additional
Information.
The Class A contingent deferred sales charge is not charged on exchanges
of shares under the Fund's exchange privilege (described below). However, if the
shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 18 calendar months of the end of
the calendar month in which the exchanged shares were originally purchased, then
the sales charge will apply.
How Can I Reduce Sales Charges for Class A Share Purchases? You may be eligible
to buy Class A shares at reduced sales charge rates under the Fund's "Right of
Accumulation" or a Letter of Intent, as described in "Reduced Sales Charges" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
|X| Waivers of Class A Sales Charges. The Class A initial and contingent
deferred sales charges are not imposed in the circumstances described in
Appendix C to the Statement of Additional Information. In order to receive a
waiver of the Class A contingent deferred sales charge, you must notify the
Transfer Agent when purchasing shares whether any of the special conditions
apply.
How Can I Buy Class B Shares? Class B shares are sold at net asset value per
share without an initial sales charge. However, if Class B shares are redeemed
within 6 years of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge will be
deducted from the redemption proceeds. The Class B contingent deferred sales
charge is paid to compensate the Distributor for its expenses of providing
distribution-related services to the Fund in connection with the sale of Class B
shares.
The contingent deferred sales charge will be based on the lesser of the
net asset value of the redeemed shares at the time of redemption or the original
net asset value. The contingent deferred sales charge is not imposed on:
|_| the amount of your account value represented by an increase in net
asset value over the initial purchase price, |_| shares purchased by the
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions, or |_| shares
redeemed in the special circumstances described in Appendix C to the
Statement of Additional Information.
To determine whether the contingent deferred sales charge applies to a
redemption, the Fund redeems shares in the following order: (1) shares acquired
by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions,
(2) shares held for over 6 years, and
(3) shares held the longest during the 6-year period.
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge will depend on the
number of years since you invested and the dollar amount being redeemed,
according to the following schedule:
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Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
Years Since Beginning of Month in on Redemptions in That Year
Which Purchase Order was Accepted (As % of Amount Subject to
Charge)
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0 - 1 5.0%
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1 - 2 4.0%
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2 - 3 3.0%
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3 - 4 3.0%
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4 - 5 2.0%
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5 - 6 1.0%
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6 and following None
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In the table, a "year" is a 12-month period. In applying the sales charge, all
purchases are considered to have been made on the first regular business day of
the month in which the purchase was made.
|X| Automatic Conversion of Class B Shares. Class B shares automatically
convert to Class A shares 72 months after you purchase them. This conversion
feature relieves Class B shareholders of the asset-based sales charge that
applies to Class B shares under the Class B Distribution and Service Plan,
described below. The conversion is based on the relative net asset value of the
two classes, and no sales load or other charge is imposed. When Class B shares
convert, any other Class B shares that were acquired by the reinvestment of
dividends and distributions on the converted shares will also convert to Class A
shares. The conversion feature is subject to the continued availability of a tax
ruling described in the Statement of Additional Information.
How Can I Buy Class C Shares? Class C shares are sold at net asset value per
share without an initial sales charge. However, if Class C shares are redeemed
within 12 months of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.0%
will be deducted from the redemption proceeds. The Class C contingent deferred
sales charge is paid to compensate the Distributor for its expenses of providing
distribution-related services to the Fund in connection with the sale of Class C
shares.
The contingent deferred sales charge will be based on the lesser of the
net asset value of the redeemed shares at the time of redemption or the original
net asset value. The contingent deferred sales charge is not imposed on:
|_| the amount of your account value represented by the increase in net
asset value over the initial purchase price,
|_| shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions, or
|_| shares redeemed in the special circumstances described in Appendix C to
the Statement of Additional Information.
To determine whether the contingent deferred sales charge applies to a
redemption, the Fund redeems shares in the following order: (1) shares acquired
by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions,
(2) shares held for over 12 months, and
(3) shares held the longest during the 12-month period.
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Plans.
|X| Service Plan for Class A Shares. The Fund has adopted a Service Plan
for Class A shares. It reimburses the Distributor for a portion of its costs
incurred for services provided to accounts that hold Class A shares.
Reimbursement is made quarterly at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average
annual net assets of Class A shares of the Fund. The Distributor currently uses
all of those fees to pay dealers, brokers, banks and other financial
institutions quarterly for providing personal service and maintenance of
accounts of their customers that hold Class A shares.
|X| Distribution and Service Plans for Class B and Class C Shares. The
Fund has adopted Distribution and Service Plans for Class B and Class C shares
to pay the Distributor for its services and costs in distributing Class B and
Class C shares and servicing accounts. Under the plans, the Fund pays the
Distributor an annual asset-based sales charge of 0.75% per year on Class B
shares and on Class C shares. The Distributor also receives a service fee of
0.25% per year under each plan.
The asset-based sales charge and service fees increase Class B and Class C
expenses by 1.00% of the net assets per year of the respective class. Because
these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an on-going basis, over time
these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than
other types of sales charges.
The Distributor uses the service fees to compensate dealers for providing
personal services for accounts that hold Class B or Class C shares. The
Distributor pays the 0.25% service fees to dealers in advance for the first year
after the shares were sold by the dealer. After the shares have been held for a
year, the Distributor pays the service fees to dealers on a quarterly basis.
The Distributor currently pays sales commission of 3.75% of the purchase
price of Class B shares to dealers from its own resources at the time of sale.
Including the advance of the service fee, the total amount paid by the
Distributor to the dealer at the time of sale of Class B shares is therefore
4.00% of the purchase price. The Distributor retains the Class B asset-based
sales charge.
The Distributor currently pays sales commissions of 0.75% of the purchase
price of Class C shares to dealers from its own resources at the time of sale.
Including the advance of the service fee, the total amount paid by the
Distributor to the dealer at the time of sale of Class C shares is therefore
1.00% of the purchase price. The Distributor pays the asset-based sales charge
as an ongoing commission to the dealer on Class C shares that have been
outstanding for a year or more.
Special Investor Services
AccountLink. You can use our AccountLink feature to link your Fund account
with an account at a U.S. bank or other financial institution. It must be an
Automated Clearing House (ACH) member. AccountLink lets you:
|_| transmit funds electronically to purchase shares by telephone (through
a service representative or by PhoneLink) or automatically under Asset
Builder Plans, or |_| have the Transfer Agent send redemption proceeds or
transmit dividends and distributions directly to your bank account. Please
call
the Transfer Agent for more information.
You may purchase shares by telephone only after your account has been
established. To purchase shares in amounts up to $250,000 through a telephone
representative, call the Distributor at 1-800-852-8457. The purchase payment
will be debited from your bank account.
AccountLink privileges should be requested on your Application or your
dealer's settlement instructions if you buy your shares through a dealer. After
your account is established, you can request AccountLink privileges by sending
signature-guaranteed instructions to the Transfer Agent. AccountLink privileges
will apply to each shareholder listed in the registration on your account as
well as to your dealer representative of record unless and until the Transfer
Agent receives written instructions terminating or changing those privileges.
After you establish AccountLink for your account, any change of bank account
information must be made by signature-guaranteed instructions to the Transfer
Agent signed by all shareholders who own the account.
PhoneLink. PhoneLink is the OppenheimerFunds automated telephone system that
enables shareholders to perform a number of account transactions automatically
using a touch-tone phone. PhoneLink may be used on already-established Fund
accounts after you obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN), by calling the
special PhoneLink number, 1-800-533-3310.
|X| Purchasing Shares. You may purchase shares in amounts up to $100,000
by phone, by calling 1-800-533-3310. You must have established AccountLink
privileges to link your bank account with the Fund to pay for these purchases.
|X| Exchanging Shares. With the OppenheimerFunds Exchange Privilege,
described below, you can exchange shares automatically by phone from your Fund
account to another OppenheimerFunds account you have already established by
calling the special PhoneLink number.
|X| Selling Shares. You can redeem shares by telephone automatically by
calling the PhoneLink number and the Fund will send the proceeds directly to
your AccountLink bank account. Please refer to "How to Sell Shares," below for
details.
Can I Submit Transaction Requests by Fax? You may send requests for certain
types of account transactions to the Transfer Agent by fax (telecopier). Please
call 1-800-525-7048 for information about which transactions may be handled this
way. Transaction requests submitted by fax are subject to the same rules and
restrictions as written and telephone requests described in this Prospectus.
OppenheimerFunds Internet Web Site. You can obtain information about the Fund,
as well as your account balance, on the OppenheimerFunds Internet web site, at
http://www.oppenheimerfunds.com. Additionally, shareholders listed in the
account registration (and the dealer of record) may request certain account
transactions through a special section of that web site. To perform account
transactions, you must first obtain a personal identification number (PIN) by
calling the Transfer Agent at 1-800-533-3310. If you do not want to have
Internet account transaction capability for your account, please call the
Transfer Agent at 1-800-525-7048.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. The Fund has several plans that enable
you to sell shares automatically or exchange them to another OppenheimerFunds
account on a regular basis. Please call the Transfer Agent or consult the
Statement of Additional Information for details.
Reinvestment Privilege. If you redeem some or all of your Class A or Class B
shares of the Fund, you have up to 6 months to reinvest all or part of the
redemption proceeds in Class A shares of the Fund or other Oppenheimer funds
without paying a sales charge. This privilege applies only to Class A shares
that you purchased subject to an initial sales charge and to Class A or Class B
shares on which you paid a contingent deferred sales charge when you redeemed
them. This privilege does not apply to Class C shares. You must be sure to ask
the Distributor for this privilege when you send your payment.
Retirement Plans. You may buy shares of the Fund for your retirement plan
account. If you participate in a plan sponsored by your employer, the plan
trustee or administrator must buy the shares for your plan account. The
Distributor also offers a number of different retirement plans that can be used
by individuals and employers:
|X| Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), including regular IRAs, Roth
IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, rollover and Education IRAs.
|X| SEP-IRAs, which are Simplified Employee Pensions Plan IRAs for small
business owners or self-employed individuals.
|X| 403(b)(7) Custodial Plans, that are tax deferred plans for employees
of eligible tax-exempt organizations, such as schools, hospitals and charitable
organizations.
|X| 401(k) Plans, which are special retirement plans for businesses.
|X| Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans, designed for businesses and
self-employed individuals.
Please call the Distributor for OppenheimerFunds retirement plan
documents, which include applications and important plan information.
How to Sell Shares
You can sell (redeem) some or all of your shares on any regular business
day. Your shares will be sold at the next net asset value calculated after your
order is received in proper form (which means that it must comply with the
procedures described below) and is accepted by the Transfer Agent. The Fund lets
you sell your shares by writing a letter, by using the Fund's checkwriting
privilege or by telephone. You can also set up Automatic Withdrawal Plans to
redeem shares on a regular basis. If you have questions about any of these
procedures, and especially if you are redeeming shares in a special situation,
such as due to the death of the owner or from a retirement plan account, please
call the Transfer Agent first, at 1-800-525-7048, for assistance.
|X| Certain Requests Require a Signature Guarantee. To protect you and the
Fund from fraud, the following redemption requests must be in writing and must
include a signature guarantee (although there may be other situations that also
require a signature guarantee):
|_| You wish to redeem $50,000 or more and receive a check |_| The
redemption check is not payable to all shareholders listed on
the account statement
|_| The redemption check is not sent to the address of record on your
account statement
|_| Shares are being transferred to a Fund account with a different
owner or name
|_| Shares are being redeemed by someone (such as an Executor) other
than the owners
|X| Where Can I Have My Signature Guaranteed? The Transfer Agent will
accept a guarantee of your signature by a number of financial institutions,
including: a U.S. bank, trust company, credit union or savings association,
or by a foreign bank that has a U.S. correspondent bank, or by a U.S.
registered dealer or broker in securities, municipal securities or government
securities, or by a U.S. national securities exchange, a registered
securities association or a clearing agency. If you are signing on behalf of
a corporation, partnership or other business or as a fiduciary, you must also
include your title in the signature.
|X| Retirement Plan Accounts. There are special procedures to sell shares
in an OppenheimerFunds retirement plan account. Call the Transfer Agent for a
distribution request form. Special income tax withholding requirements apply to
distributions from retirement plans. You must submit a withholding form with
your redemption request to avoid delay in getting your money and if you do not
want tax withheld. If your employer holds your retirement plan account for you
in the name of the plan, you must ask the plan trustee or administrator to
request the sale of the Fund shares in your plan account.
|X| Sending Redemption Proceeds by Wire. While the Fund normally sends
your money by check, you can arrange to have the proceeds of the shares you sell
sent by Federal Funds wire to a bank account you designate. It must be a
commercial bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve wire system. The minimum
redemption you can have sent by wire is $2,500. There is a $10 fee for each
wire. To find out how to set up this feature on your account or to arrange a
wire, call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-852-8457.
How Do I Sell Shares by Mail? Write a letter of instructions that includes:
|_| Your name |_| The Fund's name |_| Your Fund account number (from your
account statement) |_| The dollar amount or number of shares to be
redeemed |_| Any special payment instructions |_| Any share certificates
for the shares you are selling |_| The signatures of all registered owners
exactly as the account is
registered, and
|_| Any special documents requested by the Transfer Agent to assure proper
authorization of the person asking to sell the shares.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Use the following address for requests by mail:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OppenheimerFunds Services
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217-5270
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Send courier or express mail requests to:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OppenheimerFunds Services
10200 E. Girard Avenue, Building D
Denver, Colorado 80231
How Do I Sell Shares by Telephone? You and your dealer representative of record
may also sell your shares by telephone. To receive the redemption price on a
regular business day, your call must be received by the Transfer Agent by the
close of The New York Stock Exchange that day, which is normally 4:00 P.M., but
may be earlier on some days. You may not redeem shares held in an
OppenheimerFunds retirement plan account or under a share certificate by
telephone.
|_| To redeem shares through a service representative, call
1-800-852-8457
|_| To redeem shares automatically on PhoneLink, call 1-800-533-3310
Whichever method you use, you may have a check sent to the address on the
account statement, or, if you have linked your Fund account to your bank account
on AccountLink, you may have the proceeds sent to that bank account.
Are There Limits on Amounts Redeemed by Telephone?
|X| Telephone Redemptions Paid by Check. Up to $50,000 may be redeemed by
telephone in any 7-day period. The check must be payable to all owners of record
of the shares and must be sent to the address on the account statement. This
service is not available within 30 days of changing the address on an account.
|X| Telephone Redemptions Through AccountLink. There are no dollar limits
on telephone redemption proceeds sent to a bank account designated when you
establish AccountLink. Normally the ACH transfer to your bank is initiated on
the business day after the redemption. You do not receive dividends on the
proceeds of the shares you redeemed while they are waiting to be transferred.
How Do I Write Checks Against My Account? To write checks against your Fund
account, request that privilege on your account Application, or contact the
Transfer Agent for signature cards. They must be signed (with a signature
guarantee) by all owners of the account and returned to the Transfer Agent so
that checks can be sent to you to use. Shareholders with joint accounts can
elect in writing to have checks paid over the signature of one owner. If you
previously signed a signature card to establish checkwriting in another
Oppenheimer fund, simply call 1-800-525-7048 to request checkwriting for an
account in this Fund with the same registration as the other account.
|_| Checks can be written to the order of whomever you wish, but may not
be cashed at the Fund's bank or Custodian.
|_| Checkwriting privileges are not available for accounts holding shares
that are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
|_| Checks must be written for at least $100.
|_| Checks cannot be paid if they are written for more than your account
value.
|_| You may not write a check that would require the Fund to redeem shares
that were purchased by check or Asset Builder Plan payments within the prior 10
days.
|_| Don't use your checks if you changed your Fund account number, until
you receive new checks.
Can I Sell Shares Through My Dealer? The Distributor has made arrangements to
repurchase Fund shares from dealers and brokers on behalf of their customers.
Brokers or dealers may charge for that service. If your shares are held in the
name of your dealer, you must redeem them through your dealer.
How to Exchange Shares
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of certain Oppenheimer
funds at net asset value per share at the time of exchange, without sales
charge. To exchange shares, you must meet several conditions:
|_| Shares of the fund selected for exchange must be available for sale in
your state of residence.
|_| The prospectuses of this Fund and the fund whose shares you want to
buy must offer the exchange privilege.
|_| You must hold the shares you buy when you establish your account for
at least 7 days before you can exchange them. After the account is open 7 days,
you can exchange shares every regular business day.
|_| You must meet the minimum purchase requirements for the fund you
purchase by exchange.
|_| Before exchanging into a fund, you should obtain and read its
prospectus.
Shares of a particular class of the Fund may be exchanged only for shares
of the same class in the other Oppenheimer funds. For example, you can exchange
Class A shares of this Fund only for Class A shares of another fund. In some
cases, sales charges may be imposed on exchange transactions. For tax purposes,
exchanges of shares involve a sale of the shares of the fund you own and a
purchase of the shares of the other fund, which may result in a capital gain or
loss. Please refer to "How to Exchange Shares" in the Statement of Additional
Information for more details.
How Do I Submit Exchange Requests? Exchanges may be requested in writing or
by telephone:
|X| Written Exchange Requests. Submit an OppenheimerFunds Exchange Request
form, signed by all owners of the account. Send it to the Transfer Agent at the
address on the Back Cover. Exchanges of shares held under certificates cannot be
processed unless the Transfer Agent receives the certificates with the request.
|X| Telephone Exchange Requests. Telephone exchange requests may be made
either by calling a service representative at 1-800-852-8457, or by using
PhoneLink for automated exchanges by calling 1-800-533-3310. Telephone exchanges
may be made only between accounts that are registered with the same name(s) and
address. Shares held under certificates may not be exchanged by telephone.
You can find a list of Oppenheimer funds currently available for exchanges
in the Statement of Additional Information or obtain one by calling a service
representative at 1-800-525-7048. That list can change from time to time.
Are There Limitations on Exchanges? There are certain exchange policies you
should be aware of:
|_| Shares are normally redeemed from one fund and purchased from the
other fund in the exchange transaction on the same regular business day on which
the Transfer Agent receives an exchange request that conforms to the policies
described above. It must be received by the close of The New York Stock Exchange
that day, which is normally 4:00 P.M. but may be earlier on some days. However,
either fund may delay the purchase of shares of the fund you are exchanging into
up to seven days if it determines it would be disadvantaged by a same-day
exchange. For example, the receipt of multiple exchange requests from a "market
timer" might require the Fund to sell securities at a disadvantageous time
and/or price.
|_| Because excessive trading can hurt fund performance and harm
shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to refuse any exchange request that it
believes will disadvantage it, or to refuse multiple exchange requests submitted
by a shareholder or dealer.
|_| The Fund may amend, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege at any
time. Although the Fund will attempt to provide you notice whenever it is
reasonably able to do so, it may impose these changes at any time.
|_| If the Transfer Agent cannot exchange all the shares you request
because of a restriction cited above, only the shares eligible for exchange will
be exchanged.
Shareholder Account Rules and Policies
More information about the Fund's policies and procedures for buying, selling
and exchanging shares is contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
|X| The offering of shares may be suspended during any period in which the
determination of net asset value is suspended, and the offering may be suspended
by the Board of Trustees at any time the Board believes it is in the Fund's best
interest to do so.
|X| Telephone Transaction Privileges for purchases, redemptions or
exchanges may be modified, suspended or terminated by the Fund at any time. If
an account has more than one owner, the Fund and the Transfer Agent may rely on
the instructions of any one owner. Telephone privileges apply to each owner of
the account and the dealer representative of record for the account unless the
Transfer Agent receives cancellation instructions from an owner of the account.
|X| The Transfer Agent will record any telephone calls to verify data
concerning transactions and has adopted other procedures to confirm that
telephone instructions are genuine, by requiring callers to provide tax
identification numbers and other account data or by using PINs, and by
confirming such transactions in writing. The Transfer Agent and the Fund will
not be liable for losses or expenses arising out of telephone instructions
reasonably believed to be genuine.
|X| Redemption or transfer requests will not be honored until the Transfer
Agent receives all required documents in proper form. From time to time, the
Transfer Agent in its discretion may waive certain of the requirements for
redemptions stated in this Prospectus.
|X| Dealers that can perform account transactions for their clients by
participating in NETWORKING through the National Securities Clearing Corporation
are responsible for obtaining their clients' permission to perform those
transactions, and are responsible to their clients who are shareholders of the
Fund if the dealer performs any transaction erroneously or improperly.
|X| The redemption price for shares will vary from day to day because the
value of the securities in the Fund's portfolio fluctuates. The redemption
price, which is the net asset value per share, will normally differ for each
class of shares. The redemption value of your shares may be more or less than
their original cost.
|X| Payment for redeemed shares ordinarily is made in cash. It is
forwarded by check or through AccountLink or by Federal Funds wire (as elected
by the shareholder) within seven days after the Transfer Agent receives
redemption instructions in proper form. However, under unusual circumstances
determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, payment may be delayed or
suspended. For accounts registered in the name of a broker-dealer, payment will
normally be forwarded within three business days after redemption.
|X| The Transfer Agent may delay forwarding a check or processing a
payment via AccountLink for recently purchased shares, but only until the
purchase payment has cleared. That delay may be as much as 10 days from the date
the shares were purchased. That delay may be avoided if you purchase shares by
Federal Funds wire or certified check, or arrange with your bank to provide
telephone or written assurance to the Transfer Agent that your purchase payment
has cleared.
|X| Involuntary redemptions of small accounts may be made by the Fund if
the account value has fallen below $200 for reasons other than the fact that the
market value of shares has dropped. In some cases involuntary redemptions may be
made to repay the Distributor for losses from the cancellation of share purchase
orders.
|X| Shares may be "redeemed in kind" under unusual circumstances (such as
a lack of liquidity in the Fund's portfolio to meet redemptions). This means
that the redemption proceeds will be paid with securities from the Fund's
portfolio.
|X| "Backup Withholding" of Federal income tax may be applied against
taxable dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds (including exchanges)
if you fail to furnish the Fund your correct, certified Social Security or
Employer Identification Number when you sign your application, or if you
under-report your income to the Internal Revenue Service.
|X| To avoid sending duplicate copies of materials to households, the Fund
will mail only one copy of each annual and semi-annual report to shareholders
having the same last name and address on the Fund's records. However, each
shareholder may call the Transfer Agent at 1-800-525-7048 to ask that copies of
those materials be sent personally to that shareholder.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Dividends. The Fund intends to declare dividends separately for each class of
shares from net investment income on each regular business day and to pay those
dividends to shareholders monthly on a date selected by the Board of Trustees.
Daily dividends will not be declared or paid on newly-purchased shares until
Federal Funds are available to the Fund from the purchase payment for the
shares.
The amount of those dividends may vary over time, depending on market
conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio, and expenses borne by the
particular class of shares. Dividends and distributions paid on Class A shares
will generally be higher than dividends for Class B and Class C shares, which
normally have higher expenses than Class A. The Fund has no fixed dividend rate
and cannot guarantee that it will pay any dividends or distributions.
Capital Gains. The Fund may realize capital gains on the sale of portfolio
securities. If it does, it may make distributions out of any net short-term or
long-term capital gains in December of each year. The Fund may make supplemental
distributions of dividends and capital gains following the end of its fiscal
year. There can be no assurance that the Fund will pay any capital gains
distributions in a particular year.
What Choices Do I Have for Receiving Distributions? When you open your account,
specify on your application how you want to receive your dividends and
distributions. You have four options:
|X| Reinvest All Distributions in the Fund. You can elect to reinvest
all dividends and long-term capital gains distributions in additional shares
of the Fund.
|X| Reinvest Long-Term Capital Gains Only. You can elect to reinvest
long-term capital gains distributions in the Fund while receiving dividends by
check or having them sent to your bank account through AccountLink.
|X| Receive All Distributions in Cash. You can elect to receive a check
for all dividends and long-term capital gains distributions or have them sent to
your bank through AccountLink.
|X| Reinvest Your Distributions in Another OppenheimerFunds Account.
You can reinvest all distributions in the same class of shares of another
OppenheimerFunds account you have established.
Taxes. If your shares are not held in a tax-deferred retirement account, you
should be aware of the following tax implications of investing in the Fund.
Distributions are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state or
local taxes. Dividends paid from short-term capital gains and net investment
income are taxable as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are taxable as
long-term capital gains when distributed to shareholders. It does not matter how
long you have held your shares. Whether you reinvest your distributions in
additional shares or take them in cash, the tax treatment is the same.
Every year the Fund will send you and the IRS a statement showing the
amount of any taxable distribution you received in the previous year. Any
long-term capital gains will be separately identified in the tax information the
Fund sends you after the end of the calendar year.
|X| Avoid "Buying a Dividend". If you buy shares on or just before the
Fund declares a capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the
shares and then receive a portion of the price back as a taxable capital gain.
|X| Remember, There May Be Taxes on Transactions. Because the Fund's share
price fluctuates, you may have a capital gain or loss when you sell or exchange
your shares. A capital gain or loss is the difference between the price you paid
for the shares and the price you received when you sold them.
Any capital gain is subject to capital gains tax.
|X| Returns of Capital Can Occur. In certain cases, distributions made
by the Fund may be considered a non-taxable return of capital to
shareholders. If that occurs, it will be identified in notices to
shareholders.
This information is only a summary of certain federal tax information
about your investment. You should consult with your tax adviser about the effect
of an investment in the Fund on your particular tax situation.
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
The Financial Highlights Table is presented to help you understand the Fund's
financial performance for the past 5 fiscal years. Certain information reflects
financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table
represent the rate that an investor would have earned [or lost] on an investment
in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This
information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's independent
auditors, whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, is included
in the Statement of Additional Information, which is available on request.
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
-----------------------------------------------------
Year Ended September 30,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
====================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Data
Net asset value, beginning of period $13.49 $12.92 $12.47 $12.32 $12.90
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income 1.09 1.15 1.15 1.05 1.10
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.11) .57 .44 .14 (.38)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total income from investment operations (.02) 1.72 1.59 1.19 .72
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (1.05) (1.15) (1.14) (1.04) (1.10)
Dividends in excess of net investment income -- -- -- -- (.01)
Tax return of capital distribution (.04) -- -- -- --
Distributions from net realized gain (.20) -- -- -- --
Distributions in excess of net realized gain -- -- -- -- (.19)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total dividends and distributions
to shareholders (1.29) (1.15) (1.14) (1.04) (1.30)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $12.18 $13.49 $12.92 $12.47 $12.32
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
====================================================================================================
Total Return, at Net Asset Value(3) (0.49)% 13.96% 13.28% 10.09% 5.61%
====================================================================================================
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $572,354 $502,211 $359,208 $255,139 $160,505
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $567,689 $425,258 $305,638 $204,917 $135,431
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 8.18% 8.75% 8.97% 8.45% 8.49%
Expenses 1.06% 1.10% 1.17% 1.18% 1.22%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(5) 100.2% 136.0% 95.0% 72.5% 108.0%
</TABLE>
1. For the period from December 1, 1993 (inception of offering) to September 30,
1994.
2. For the period from October 2, 1995 (inception of offering) to September 30,
1996.
3. Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before the
first day of the fiscal period (or inception of offering), with all dividends
and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and
redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the
fiscal period. Sales charges are not reflected in the total returns. Total
returns are not annualized for periods of less than one full year.
4. Annualized.
5. The lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a period,
divided by the monthly average of the market value of portfolio securities owned
during the period. Securities with a maturity or expiration date at the time of
acquisition of one year or less are excluded from the calculation. Purchases and
sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the period
ended September 30, 1998 were $1,152,439,768 and $933,387,430, respectively.
1
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
(continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B
-----------------------------
Year Ended September 30,
1998 1997 1996(2)
===========================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Data
Net asset value, beginning of period $13.48 $12.91 $12.47
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .99 1.05 1.03
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.11) .57 .44
------ ------ ------
Total income from investment operations (.12) 1.62 1.47
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (.95) (1.05) (1.03)
Dividends in excess of net investment income -- -- --
Tax return of capital distribution (.04) -- --
Distributions from net realized gain (.20) -- --
Distributions in excess of net realized gain -- -- --
------ ------ ------
Total dividends and distributions
to shareholders (1.19) (1.05) (1.03)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $12.17 $13.48 $12.91
====== ====== ======
===========================================================================
Total Return, at Net Asset Value(3) (1.25)% 13.10% 12.20%
===========================================================================
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $388,572 $238,505 $82,052
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $326,804 $151,197 $33,189
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 7.42% 7.89% 7.90%(4)
Expenses 1.81% 1.86% 1.97%(4)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(5) 100.2% 136.0% 95.0%
</TABLE>
1. For the period from December 1, 1993 (inception of offering) to September 30,
1994.
2. For the period from October 2, 1995 (inception of offering) to September 30,
1996.
3. Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before the
first day of the fiscal period (or inception of offering), with all dividends
and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and
redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the
fiscal period. Sales charges are not reflected in the total returns. Total
returns are not annualized for periods of less than one full year.
4. Annualized.
5. The lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a period,
divided by the monthly average of the market value of portfolio securities owned
during the period. Securities with a maturity or expiration date at the time of
acquisition of one year or less are excluded from the calculation. Purchases and
sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the period
ended September 30, 1998 were $1,152,439,768 and $933,387,430, respectively.
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
(continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class C
-----------------------------------------------
Year Ended September 30,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(1)
==============================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Data
Net asset value, beginning of period $13.48 $12.91 $12.46 $12.32 $13.13
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .99 1.05 1.06 .95 .75
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.11) .57 .44 .13 (.60)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total income from investment operations (.12) 1.62 1.50 1.08 .15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (.95) (1.05) (1.05) (.94) (.77)
Dividends in excess of net investment income -- -- -- -- --
Tax return of capital distribution (.04) -- -- -- --
Distributions from net realized gain (.20) -- -- -- --
Distributions in excess of net realized gain -- -- -- -- (.19)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total dividends and distributions
to shareholders (1.19) (1.05) (1.05) (.94) (.96)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $12.17 $13.48 $12.91 $12.46 $12.32
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
==============================================================================================
Total Return, at Net Asset Value(3) (1.25)% 13.12% 12.44% 9.16% 1.11%
==============================================================================================
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $224,439 $181,025 $112,945 $64,932 $27,743
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $210,338 $143,363 $ 89,416 $43,584 $13,693
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 7.42% 7.98% 8.19% 7.63% 7.24%(4)
Expenses 1.81% 1.86% 1.93% 1.95% 1.94%(4)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(5) 100.2% 136.0% 95.0% 72.5% 108.0%
</TABLE>
1. For the period from December 1, 1993 (inception of offering) to September 30,
1994.
2. For the period from October 2, 1995 (inception of offering) to September 30,
1996.
3. Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before the
first day of the fiscal period (or inception of offering), with all dividends
and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and
redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the
fiscal period. Sales charges are not reflected in the total returns. Total
returns are not annualized for periods of less than one full year.
4. Annualized.
5. The lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a period,
divided by the monthly average of the market value of portfolio securities owned
during the period. Securities with a maturity or expiration date at the time of
acquisition of one year or less are excluded from the calculation. Purchases and
sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the period
ended September 30, 1998 were $1,152,439,768 and $933,387,430, respectively.
<PAGE>
For More Information about Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund: The following
additional information about the Fund is available without charge upon request:
Statement of Additional Information
This document includes additional information about the Fund's investment
policies, risks, and operations. It is incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus (which means it is legally part of this Prospectus).
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports
Additional information about the Fund's investments and performance is available
in the Fund's Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders. The Annual Report
includes a discussion of market conditions and investment strategies that
significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Get More Information:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can request the Statement of Additional Information, the Annual and
Semi-Annual Reports, and other information about the Fund or your account:
By Telephone:
Call OppenheimerFunds Services toll-free:
1-800-525-7048
By Mail:
Write to:
OppenheimerFunds Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217-5270
On the Internet:
You can read or down-load documents on the OppenheimerFunds web site:
http://www.oppenheimerfunds.com You can also obtain copies of the Statement of
Additional Information and other Fund documents and reports by visiting the
SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. (Phone 1-800-SEC-0330) or the
SEC's Internet web site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies may be obtained upon
payment of a duplicating fee by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section,
Washington, D.C. 20549-6009.
No one has been authorized to provide any information about the Fund or to make
any representations about the Fund other than what is contained in this
Prospectus. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell shares of the Fund, nor a
solicitation of an offer to buy shares of the Fund, to any person in any state
or other jurisdiction where it is unlawful to make such an offer.
The Fund's shares are distributed by:
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
SEC File No. 811-5281
PR0190.001.0199 Printed on recycled paper.
<PAGE>
Appendix to the Prospectus of
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
Graphic material included in the Prospectus of Oppenheimer Champion
Income Fund (the "Fund") under the heading "Annual Total Returns (Class A)
(as of 12/31 each year)":
A bar chart will be included in the Prospectus of the Fund depicting the
annual total returns of a hypothetical investment in Class A shares of the
Fund for each of the ten most recent calendar years, without deducting sales
charges. Set forth below are the relevant data points that will appear on the
bar chart:
Calendar Year Ended: Annual Total Return:
12/31/89 7.23%
12/31/90 2.08%
12/31/91 30.90%
12/31/92 16.25%
12/31/93 21.37%
12/31/94 -0.12%
12/31/95 14.69%
12/31/96 13.40%
12/31/97 11.91%
12/31/98 0.44%
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
1-800-525-7048
Statement of Additional Information dated January 29, 1999
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. This
document contains additional information about the Fund and supplements
information in the Prospectus dated January 29, 1999. It should be read together
with the Prospectus. You can obtain the Prospectus by writing to the Fund's
Transfer Agent, OppenheimerFunds Services, at P.O. Box 5270, Denver, Colorado
80217, or by calling the Transfer Agent at the toll-free number shown above, or
by downloading it from the OppenheimerFunds Internet web site at
www.oppenheimerfunds.com.
Contents
Page
About the Fund
Additional Information About the Fund's Investment Policies and Risks 2
The Fund's Investment Policies............................ 2
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies................ 12
Investment Restrictions................................... 28
How the Fund is Managed ..................................... 30
Organization and History.................................. 30
Trustees and Officers..................................... 32
The Manager............................................... 37
Brokerage Policies of the Fund............................... 38
Distribution and Service Plans............................... 40
Performance of the Fund...................................... 43
About Your Account
How To Buy Shares............................................ 48
How To Sell Shares........................................... 57
How To Exchange Shares....................................... 62
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes........................... 64
Additional Information About the Fund........................ 66
Financial Information About the Fund
Independent Auditors' Report................................. 67
Financial Statements......................................... 68
Appendix A: Ratings Definitions.............................. A-1
Appendix B: Industry Classifications......................... B-1
Appendix C: Special Sales Charge Arrangements and Waivers.... C-1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Information About the Fund's Investment Policies and Risks
The investment objective, the principal investment policies and the main
risks of the Fund are described in the Prospectus. This Statement of Additional
Information contains supplemental information about those policies and risks and
the types of securities that the Fund's investment Manager, OppenheimerFunds,
Inc., can select for the Fund. Additional information is also provided about the
strategies that the Fund may use to try to achieve its objective.
The Fund's Investment Policies. The composition of the Fund's portfolio and the
techniques and strategies that the Fund's Manager may use in selecting portfolio
securities will vary over time. The Fund is not required to use all of the
investment techniques and strategies described below at all times in seeking its
goal. It may use some of the special investment techniques and strategies at
some times or not at all.
In selecting securities for the Fund's portfolio, the Manager evaluates
the merits of particular securities primarily through the exercise of its own
investment analysis. That process may include, among other things, evaluation of
the issuer's historical operations, prospects for the industry of which the
issuer is part, the issuer's financial condition, its pending product
developments and business (and those of competitors), the effect of general
market and economic conditions on the issuer's business, and legislative
proposals that might affect the issuer.
Additionally, in analyzing a particular issuer, the Manager may consider
the trading activity in the issuer's securities, present and anticipated cash
flow, estimated current value of its assets in relation to their historical
cost, the issuer's experience and managerial expertise, responsiveness to
changes in interest rates and business conditions, debt maturity schedules,
current and future borrowing requirements, and any change in the financial
condition of an issuer and the issuer's continuing ability to meet its future
obligations. The Manager also may consider anticipated changes in business
conditions, levels of interest rates of bonds as contrasted with levels of cash
dividends, industry and regional prospects, the availability of new investment
opportunities and the general economic, legislative and monetary outlook for
specific industries, the nation and the world.
|X| Debt Securities. The Fund can invest in a variety of debt
securities to seek its objective. Foreign debt securities are subject to the
risks of foreign securities described below. In general, debt securities are
also subject to two additional types of risk: credit risk and interest rate
risk.
|_| Credit Risk. Credit risk relates to the ability of the issuer to
meet interest or principal payments or both as they become due. In general,
lower-grade, higher-yield bonds are subject to credit risk to a greater extent
than lower-yield, higher-quality bonds.
The Fund's debt investments can include high yield, non-investment-grade
bonds (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"). Investment-grade bonds are bonds
rated at least "Baa" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., at least "BBB" by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Service or Duff & Phelps, Inc., or that have
comparable ratings by another nationally-recognized rating organization.
In making investments in debt securities, the Manager may rely to some
extent on the ratings of ratings organizations or it may use its own research to
evaluate a security's credit-worthiness. If securities the Fund buys are
unrated, they are assigned a rating by the Manager of comparable quality to
bonds having similar yield and risk characteristics within a rating category of
a rating organization.
The Fund does not have investment policies establishing specific maturity
ranges for the Fund's investments, and they may be within any maturity range
(short, medium or long) depending on the Manager's evaluation of investment
opportunities available within the debt securities markets. Generally, however,
it is expected that the Fund's average portfolio maturity will be of a longer
average maturity. The Fund may shift its investment focus to securities of
longer maturity as interest rates decline and to securities of shorter maturity
as interest rates rise.
|_| Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk refers to the fluctuations
in value of fixed-income securities resulting from the inverse relationship
between price and yield. For example, an increase in general interest rates will
tend to reduce the market value of already-issued fixed-income investments, and
a decline in general interest rates will tend to increase their value. In
addition, debt securities with longer maturities, which tend to have higher
yields, are subject to potentially greater fluctuations in value from changes in
interest rates than obligations with shorter maturities.
While the changes in value of the Fund's portfolio securities after they
are purchased will be reflected in the net asset value of the Fund's shares,
those changes normally do not affect the interest income paid by those
securities (unless the security's interest is paid at a variable rate pegged to
particular interest rate changes). However, those price fluctuations will be
reflected in the valuations of the securities, and therefore the Fund's net
asset values will be affected by those fluctuations.
|_| Special Risks of Lower-Grade Securities. The Fund can invest
without limit in lower-grade debt securities, and the Fund will normally invest
60% or more of its assets in these securities to seek the Fund's main objective.
Lower-grade securities tend to offer higher yields than investment grade
securities, but also are subject to greater risks of default by the issuer in
its obligations to pay interest and/or repay principal on the maturity of the
security.
"Lower-grade" debt securities are those rated below "investment grade,"
which means they have a rating lower than "Baa" by Moody's or lower than "BBB"
by Standard & Poor's or Duff & Phelps, or similar ratings by other rating
organizations. If they are unrated, and are determined by the Manager to be of
comparable quality to debt securities rated below investment grade, they are
considered part of the Fund's portfolio of lower-grade securities. The Fund can
invest in securities rated as low as "C" or "D" or which may be in default at
the time the Fund buys them.
Some of the special credit risks of lower-grade securities are discussed
below. There is a greater risk that the issuer may default on its obligation to
pay interest or to repay principal than in the case of investment grade
securities. The issuer's low creditworthiness may increase the potential for its
insolvency. An overall decline in values in the high yield bond market is also
more likely during a period of a general economic downturn. An economic downturn
or an increase in interest rates could severely disrupt the market for high
yield bonds, adversely affecting the values of outstanding bonds as well as the
ability of issuers to pay interest or repay principal. In the case of foreign
high yield bonds, these risks are in addition to the special risk of foreign
investing discussed in the Prospectus and in this Statement of Additional
Information.
To the extent they can be converted into stock, convertible securities may
be less subject to some of these risks than non-convertible high yield bonds,
since stock may be more liquid and less affected by some of these risk factors.
While securities rated "Baa" by Moody's or "BBB" by Standard & Poor's or
Duff & Phelps are investment grade and are not regarded as junk bonds, those
securities may be subject to special risks, and have some speculative
characteristics. Definitions of the debt security ratings categories of the
principal rating organizations are included in Appendix A to this Statement of
Additional Information.
|X| Foreign Securities. The percentage of the Fund's assets that will be
allocated to foreign securities will vary over time depending on a number of
factors. Those factors may include the relative yields of foreign and U.S.
securities, the economies of foreign countries, the condition of a country's
financial markets, the interest rate climate of particular foreign countries and
the relationship of particular foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar. The
Manager analyzes fundamental economic criteria (for example, relative inflation
levels and trends, growth rate forecasts, balance of payments status, and
economic policies) as well as technical and political data.
The Fund can invest up to 100% of its assets in foreign securities. While
it currently limits investment in foreign securities to 25% of its net assets,
the Fund expects from time to time to have substantial investments in foreign
securities. These primarily will be fixed income debt securities issued or
guaranteed by foreign companies or governments, including supra-national
entities. "Foreign securities" include equity and debt securities of companies
organized under the laws of countries other than the United States and debt
securities issued or guaranteed by governments other than the U.S. government or
by foreign supra-national entities. They may be traded on foreign securities
exchanges or in the foreign over-the-counter markets.
Securities of foreign issuers that are represented by American Depository
Receipts or that are listed on a U.S. securities exchange or traded in the U.S.
over-the-counter markets are not considered "foreign securities" for the purpose
of the Fund's investment allocations, because they are not subject to many of
the special considerations and risks, discussed below, that apply to foreign
securities traded and held abroad.
Because the Fund can purchase securities denominated in foreign
currencies, a change in the value of such foreign currency against the U.S.
dollar will result in a change in the amount of income the Fund has available
for distribution. Because a portion of the Fund's investment income may be
received in foreign currencies, the Fund will be required to compute its income
in U.S. dollars for distribution to shareholders, and therefore the Fund will
absorb the cost of currency fluctuations. After the Fund has distributed income,
subsequent foreign currency losses may result in the Fund's having distributed
more income in a particular fiscal period than was available from investment
income, which could result in a return of capital to shareholders.
Investing in foreign securities offers potential benefits not available
from investing solely in securities of domestic issuers. They include the
opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear to offer high income
potential, or in foreign countries with economic policies or business cycles
different from those of the U.S., or to reduce fluctuations in portfolio value
by taking advantage of foreign securities markets that do not move in a manner
parallel to U.S. markets. The Fund will hold foreign currency only in connection
with the purchase or sale of foreign securities.
|_| Foreign Debt Obligations. The debt obligations of foreign
governments and entities may or may not be supported by the full faith and
credit of the foreign government. The Fund may buy securities issued by certain
"supra-national" entities, which include entities designated or supported by
governments to promote economic reconstruction or development, international
banking organizations and related government agencies. Examples are the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (commonly called the
"World Bank"), the Asian Development bank and the Inter-American Development
Bank.
The governmental members of these supra-national entities are
"stockholders" that typically make capital contributions and may be committed to
make additional capital contributions if the entity is unable to repay its
borrowings. A supra-national entity's lending activities may be limited to a
percentage of its total capital, reserves and net income. There can be no
assurance that the constituent foreign governments will continue to be able or
willing to honor their capitalization commitments for those entities.
The Fund can invest in U.S. dollar-denominated "Brady Bonds." These
foreign debt obligations may be fixed-rate par bonds or floating-rate discount
bonds. They are generally collateralized in full as to repayment of principal at
maturity by U.S. Treasury zero-coupon obligations that have the same maturity as
the Brady Bonds. Brady Bonds can be viewed as having three or four valuation
components: (i) the collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity;
(ii) the collateralized interest payments; (iii) the uncollateralized interest
payments; and (iv) any uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity.
Those uncollateralized amounts constitute what is called the "residual risk."
If there is a default on collateralized Brady Bonds resulting in
acceleration of the payment obligations of the issuer, the zero coupon U.S.
Treasury securities held as collateral for the payment of principal will not be
distributed to investors, nor will those obligations be sold to distribute the
proceeds. The collateral will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled
maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds. The defaulted bonds will continue to
remain outstanding, and the face amount of the collateral will equal the
principal payments which would have then been due on the Brady Bonds in the
normal course. Because of the residual risk of Brady Bonds and the history of
defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of
countries issuing Brady Bonds, Brady Bonds are considered speculative
investments.
|_| Risks of Foreign Investing. Investments in foreign securities may
offer special opportunities for investing but also present special additional
risks and considerations not typically associated with investments in domestic
securities. Some of these additional risks are:
o reduction of income by foreign taxes;
o fluctuation in value of foreign investments due to changes in currency
rates or currency control regulations (for example, currency blockage);
o transaction charges for currency exchange;
o lack of public information about foreign issuers;
o lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
in foreign countries comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers;
o less volume on foreign exchanges than on U.S. exchanges;
o greater volatility and less liquidity on foreign markets than in the
U.S.;
o less governmental regulation of foreign issuers, stock exchanges and
brokers than in the U.S.;
o greater difficulties in commencing lawsuits;
o higher brokerage commission rates than in the U.S.;
o increased risks of delays in settlement of portfolio transactions or
loss of certificates for portfolio securities;
o possibilities in some countries of expropriation, confiscatory taxation,
political, financial or social instability or adverse diplomatic
developments; and
o unfavorable differences between the U.S. economy and foreign economies.
In the past, U.S. Government policies have discouraged certain
investments abroad by U.S. investors, through taxation or other restrictions,
and it is possible that such restrictions could be re-imposed.
|_| Special Risks of Emerging Markets. Emerging and developing
markets abroad may also offer special opportunities for investing but have
greater risks than more developed foreign markets, such as those in Europe,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. There may be even less liquidity in
their securities markets, and settlements of purchases and sales of securities
may be subject to additional delays. They are subject to greater risks of
limitations on the repatriation of income and profits because of currency
restrictions imposed by local governments. Those countries may also be subject
to the risk of greater political and economic instability, which can greatly
affect the volatility of prices of securities in those countries. The Manager
will consider these factors when evaluating securities in these markets, because
the selection of those securities must be consistent with the Fund's investment
objective.
|_| Risks of Conversion to Euro. On January 1, 1999, eleven countries
in the European Union adopted the euro as their official currency. However,
their current currencies (for example, the franc, the mark, and the lire) will
also continue in use until January 1, 2002. After that date, it is expected that
only the euro will be used in those countries. A common currency is expected to
confer some benefits in those markets, by consolidating the government debt
market for those countries and reducing some currency risks and costs. But the
conversion to the new currency will affect the Fund operationally and also has
potential risks, some of which are listed below. Among other things, the
conversion will affect:
o issuers in which the Fund invests, because of changes in the competitive
environment from a consolidated currency market and greater operational
costs from converting to the new currency. This might depress securities
values. o vendors the Fund depends on to carry out its business, such as
its Custodian (which holds the foreign securities the Fund buys), the
Manager (which must price the Fund's investments to deal with the
conversion to the euro) and brokers, foreign markets and securities
depositories. If they are not prepared, there could be delays in
settlements and additional costs to the Fund. o exchange contracts and
derivatives that are outstanding during the transition to the euro. The
lack of currency rate calculations between the affected currencies and the
need to update the Fund's contracts could pose extra costs to the Fund.
The Manager is upgrading (at its expense) its computer and bookkeeping
systems to deal with the conversion. The Fund's Custodian has advised the
Manager of its plans to deal with the conversion, including how it will update
its record keeping systems and handle the redenomination of outstanding foreign
debt. The Fund's portfolio managers will also monitor the effects of the
conversion on the issuers in which the Fund invests. The possible effect of
these factors on the Fund's investments cannot be determined with certainty at
this time, but they may reduce the value of some of the Fund's holdings and
increase its operational costs.
|X| Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are fractional
interests in pools of assets, typically accounts receivable or consumer loans.
They are issued by trusts or special-purpose corporations. They are similar to
mortgage-backed securities, described below, and are backed by a pool of assets
that consist of obligations of individual borrowers. The income from the pool is
passed through to the holders of participation interest in the pools. The pools
may offer a credit enhancement, such as a bank letter of credit, to try to
reduce the risks that the underlying debtors will not pay their obligations when
due. However, the enhancement, if any, might not be for the full par value of
the security. If the enhancement is exhausted and any required payments of
interest or repayments of principal are not made, the Fund could suffer losses
on its investment or delays in receiving payment.
The value of an asset-backed security is affected by changes in the
market's perception of the asset backing the security, the creditworthiness of
the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator of the loans, or the
financial institution providing any credit enhancement, and is also affected if
any credit enhancement has been exhausted. The risks of investing in
asset-backed securities are ultimately related to payment of consumer loans by
the individual borrowers. As a purchaser of an asset-backed security, the Fund
would generally have no recourse to the entity that originated the loans in the
event of default by a borrower. The underlying loans are subject to prepayments,
which may shorten the weighted average life of asset-backed securities and may
lower their return, in the same manner as in the case of mortgage-backed
securities and CMOs, described below. Unlike mortgage-backed securities,
asset-backed securities typically do not have the benefit of a security interest
in the underlying collateral.
|X| Mortgage-Related Securities. Mortgage-related securities are a form of
derivative investment collateralized by pools of commercial or residential
mortgages. Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as securities for sale to
investors by government agencies or entities or by private issuers. These
securities include collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), mortgage
pass-through securities, stripped mortgage pass-through securities, interests in
real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs") and other real-estate
related securities.
Mortgage-related securities that are issued or guaranteed by agencies or
instrumentalities of the U.S. government have relatively little credit risk
(depending on the nature of the issuer) but are subject to interest rate risks
and prepayment risks, as described in the Prospectus.
As with other debt securities, the prices of mortgage-related securities
tend to move inversely to changes in interest rates. The Fund can buy
mortgage-related securities that have interest rates that move inversely to
changes in general interest rates, based on a multiple of a specific index.
Although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline when interest
rates rise, the converse is not always the case.
In periods of declining interest rates, mortgages are more likely to be
prepaid. Therefore, a mortgage-related security's maturity can be shortened by
unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgages. Therefore, it is not
possible to predict accurately the security's yield. The principal that is
returned earlier than expected may have to be reinvested in other investments
having a lower yield than the prepaid security. Therefore, these securities may
be less effective as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term interest
rates, and they may have less potential for appreciation during periods of
declining interest rates, than conventional bonds with comparable stated
maturities.
Prepayment risks can lead to substantial fluctuations in the value of a
mortgage related security. In turn, this can affect the value of the Fund's
shares. If a mortgage-related security has been purchased at a premium, all or
part of the premium the Fund paid may be lost if there is a decline in the
market value of the security, whether that results from interest rate changes or
prepayments on the underlying mortgages. In the case of stripped
mortgage-related securities, if they experience greater rates of prepayment than
were anticipated, the Fund may fail to recoup its initial investment on the
security.
During periods of rapidly rising interest rates, prepayments of
mortgage-related securities may occur at slower than expected rates. Slower
prepayments effectively may lengthen a mortgage-related security's expected
maturity. Generally, that would cause the value of the security to fluctuate
more widely in responses to changes in interest rates. If the prepayments on the
Fund's mortgage-related securities were to decrease broadly, the Fund's
effective duration, and therefore its sensitivity to interest rate changes,
would increase.
As with other debt securities, the values of mortgage related securities
may be affected by changes in the market's perception of the creditworthiness of
the entity issuing the securities or guaranteeing them. Their values may also be
affected by changes in government regulations and tax policies.
|_| Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. CMOs are multi-class
bonds that are backed by pools of mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through
certificates. They may be collateralized by:
(1) pass-through certificates issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae,
or Freddie Mac,
(2) unsecuritized mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration
or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs,
(3) unsecuritized conventional mortgages, (4) other mortgage-related securities,
or (5) any combination of these.
Each class of CMO, referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific
coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal
prepayments on the underlying mortgages may cause the CMO to be retired much
earlier than the stated maturity or final distribution date. The principal and
interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several classes
of a series of a CMO in different ways. One or more tranches may have coupon
rates that reset periodically at a specified increase over an index. These are
floating rate CMOs, and typically have a cap on the coupon rate. Inverse
floating rate CMOs have a coupon rate that moves in the reverse direction to an
applicable index. The coupon rate on these CMOs will increase as general
interest rates decrease. These are usually much more volatile than fixed rate
CMOs or floating rate CMOs.
|X| U.S. Government Securities. These are securities issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Treasury or other government agencies or federally-chartered
corporate entities referred to as "instrumentalities." The obligations of U.S.
government agencies or instrumentalities in which the Fund can invest may or may
not be guaranteed or supported by the "full faith and credit" of the United
States. "Full faith and credit" means generally that the taxing power of the
U.S. government is pledged to the payment of interest and repayment of principal
on a security. If a security is not backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States, the owner of the security must look principally to the agency
issuing the obligation for repayment. The owner might not be able to assert a
claim against the United States if the issuing agency or instrumentality does
not meet its commitment. The Fund will invest in securities of U.S. government
agencies and instrumentalities only if the Manager is satisfied that the credit
risk with respect to such instrumentality is minimal.
|_| U.S. Treasury Obligations. These include Treasury bills
(maturities of one year or less when issued), Treasury notes (maturities of from
one to ten years), and Treasury bonds (maturities of more than ten years).
Treasury securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States
as to timely payments of interest and repayments of principal. They also can
include U. S. Treasury securities that have been "stripped" by a Federal Reserve
Bank, zero-coupon U.S. Treasury securities described below, and Treasury
Inflation-Protection Securities ("TIPS").
|_| Treasury Inflation-Protection Securities. The Fund can buy these
U.S. Treasury securities, called "TIPS," that are designed to provide an
investment vehicle that is not vulnerable to inflation. The interest rate paid
by TIPS is fixed. The principal value rises or falls semi-annually based on
changes in the published Consumer Price Index. If inflation occurs, the
principal and interest payments on TIPS are adjusted to protect investors from
inflationary loss. If deflation occurs, the principal and interest payments will
be adjusted downward, although the principal will not fall below its face amount
at maturity.
|_| Obligations Issued or Guaranteed by U.S. Government Agencies or
Instrumentalities. These include direct obligations and mortgage related
securities that have different levels of credit support from the government.
Some are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as
Government National Mortgage Association pass-through mortgage certificates
(called "Ginnie Maes"). Some are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow
from the U.S. Treasury under certain circumstances, such as Federal National
Mortgage Association bonds ("Fannie Maes"). Others are supported only by the
credit of the entity that issued them, such as Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation obligations ("Freddie Macs").
|_| U.S. Government Mortgage Related Securities. The Fund can
invest in a variety of mortgage related securities that are issued by U.S.
Government agencies or instrumentalities, some of which are described below.
|_| GNMA Certificates. The Government National Mortgage Association
("GNMA") is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the United States within
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. GNMA's principal programs
involve its guarantees of privately-issued securities backed by pools of
mortgages. Ginnie Macs are debt securities representing an interest in one or a
pool of mortgages that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or the
Farmers Home Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration.
The Ginnie Macs in which the Fund invests are of the "fully modified
pass-through" type. They provide that the registered holders of the Certificates
will receive timely monthly payments of the pro-rata share of the scheduled
principal payments on the underlying mortgages, whether or not those amounts are
collected by the issuers. Amounts paid include, on a pro rata basis, any
prepayment of principal of such mortgages and interest (net of servicing and
other charges) on the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Ginnie Macs,
whether or not the interest on the underlying mortgages has been collected by
the issuers.
The Ginnie Macs purchased by the Fund are guaranteed as to timely payment
of principal and interest by GNMA. In giving that guaranty, GNMA expects that
payments received by the issuers of Ginnie Macs on account of the mortgages
backing the Certificates will be sufficient to make the required payments of
principal of and interest on those Ginnie Macs. However, if those ayments are
insufficient, the guaranty agreements between the issuers of the Ginnie Macs and
GNMA require the issuers to make advances sufficient for the payments. If the
issuers fail to make those payments, GNMA will do so.
Under Federal law, the full faith and credit of the United States is
pledged to the payment of all amounts that may be required to be paid under any
guaranty issued by GNMA as to such mortgage pools. An opinion of an Assistant
Attorney General of the United States, dated December 9, 1969, states that such
guaranties "constitute general obligations of the United States backed by its
full faith and credit." GNMA is empowered to borrow from the United States
Treasury to the extent necessary to make any payments of principal and interest
required under those guaranties.
Ginnie Macs are backed by the aggregate indebtedness secured by the
underlying FHA-insured, FMHA-insured or VA-guaranteed mortgages. Except to the
extent of payments received by the issuers on account of such mortgages, Ginnie
Macs do not constitute a liability of those issuers, nor do they evidence any
recourse against those issuers. Recourse is solely against GNMA. Holders of
Ginnie Macs (such as the Fund) have no security interest in or lien on the
underlying mortgages.
Monthly payments of principal will be made, and additional prepayments of
principal may be made, to the Fund with respect to the mortgages underlying the
Ginnie Macs held by the Fund. All of the mortgages in the pools relating to the
Ginnie Macs in the Fund are subject to prepayment without any significant
premium or penalty, at the option of the mortgagors. While the mortgages on
1-to-4-family dwellings underlying certain Ginnie Macs have a stated maturity of
up to 30 years, it has been the experience of the mortgage industry that the
average life of comparable mortgages, as a result of prepayments, refinancing
and payments from foreclosures, is considerably less.
|_| Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates. FHLMC, a
corporate instrumentality of the United States, issues FHLMC Certificates
representing interests in mortgage loans. FHLMC guarantees to each registered
holder of a FHLMC Certificate timely payment of the amounts representing a
holder's proportionate share in: (i) interest payments less servicing and
guarantee fees, (ii) principal prepayments and (iii) the ultimate collection of
amounts representing the holder's
proportionate interest in principal payments on the mortgage loans in
the pool represented by the FHLMC Certificate, in each case whether
or not such amounts are actually received.
The obligations of FHLMC under its guarantees are obligations solely of
FHLMC and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
|_| Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) Certificates.
Fannie Mae, a federally-chartered and privately-owned corporation, issues Fannie
Mae Certificates which are backed by a pool of mortgage loans. Fannie Mae
guarantees to each registered holder of a Fannie Mae Certificate that the holder
will receive amounts representing the holder's proportionate interest in
scheduled principal and interest payments, and any principal prepayments, on the
mortgage loans in the pool represented by such Certificate, less servicing and
guarantee fees, and the holder's proportionate interest in the full principal
amount of any foreclosed or other liquidated mortgage loan. In each case the
guarantee applies whether or not those amounts are actually received. The
obligations of Fannie Mae under its guarantees are obligations solely of Fannie
Mae and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or any
of its agencies or instrumentalities other than Fannie Mae.
|_| Zero-Coupon U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may buy
zero-coupon U.S. government securities. These will typically be U.S. Treasury
Notes and Bonds that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons,
the coupons themselves, or certificates representing interests in those
stripped debt obligations and coupons.
Zero-coupon securities do not make periodic interest payments and are sold
at a deep discount from their face value at maturity. The buyer recognizes a
rate of return determined by the gradual appreciation of the security, which is
redeemed at face value on a specified maturity date. This discount depends on
the time remaining until maturity, as well as prevailing interest rates, the
liquidity of the security and the credit quality of the issuer. The discount
typically decreases as the maturity date approaches.
Because zero-coupon securities pay no interest and compound semi-annually
at the rate fixed at the time of their issuance, their value is generally more
volatile than the value of other debt securities that pay interest. Their value
may fall more dramatically than the value of interest-bearing securities when
interest rates rise. When prevailing interest rates fall, zero-coupon securities
tend to rise more rapidly in value because they have a fixed rate of return.
The Fund's investment in zero-coupon securities may cause the Fund to
recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any
cash payments on the zero-coupon investment. To generate cash to satisfy those
distribution requirements, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities that
it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other
sources such as the sale of Fund shares.
|X| Preferred Stocks. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on
preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks
to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well
as call/redemption provisions prior to maturity, which can be a negative feature
when interest rates decline. Preferred stock also generally has a preference
over common stock on the distribution of a corporation's assets in the event of
liquidation of the corporation. Preferred stock may be "participating" stock,
which means that it may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the stated dividend
in certain cases. The rights of preferred stock on distribution of a
corporation's assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to
the rights associated with the corporation's debt securities.
|X| Participation Interests. The Fund can invest in participation
interests, subject to the Fund's limitation on investments in illiquid
investments. A participation interest is an undivided interest in a loan made by
the issuing financial institution in the proportion that the buyers
participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the loan. No more
than 5% of the Fund's net assets can be invested in participation interests of
the same borrower. The issuing financial institution may have no obligation to
the Fund other than to pay the Fund the proportionate amount of the principal
and interest payments it receives.
Participation interests are primarily dependent upon the creditworthiness
of the borrowing corporation, which is obligated to make payments of principal
and interest on the loan. There is a risk that a borrower may have difficulty
making payments. If a borrower fails to pay scheduled interest or principal
payments, the Fund could experience a reduction in its income. The value of that
participation interest might also decline, which could affect the net asset
value of the Fund's shares. If the issuing financial institution fails to
perform its obligations under the participation agreement, the Fund might incur
costs and delays in realizing payment and suffer a loss of principal and/or
interest.
|X| Portfolio Turnover. "Portfolio turnover" describes the rate at which
the Fund traded its portfolio securities during its last fiscal year. For
example, if a fund sold all of its securities during the year, its portfolio
turnover rate would have been 100%. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate will
fluctuate from year to year, and the Fund may have a portfolio turnover rate of
more than 100% annually.
Increased portfolio turnover can result in higher brokerage and
transaction costs for the Fund, which may reduce its overall performance.
Additionally, the realization of capital gains from selling portfolio securities
may result in distributions of taxable long-term capital gains to shareholders,
since the Fund will normally distribute all of its capital gains realized each
year, to avoid excise taxes under the Internal Revenue Code.
Other Investment Techniques and Strategies. In seeking its objective, the Fund
may from time to time use the types of investment strategies and investments
described below. It is not required to use all of these strategies at all times,
and at times may not use them.
|X| Other Zero-Coupon Securities. The Fund may buy zero-coupon and delayed
interest securities, and "stripped" securities of corporations and of foreign
government issuers. These are similar in structure to zero-coupon and "stripped"
U.S. government securities, but in the case of foreign government securities may
or may not be backed by the "full faith and credit" of the issuing foreign
government. Zero coupon securities issued by foreign governments and by
corporations will be subject to greater credit risks than U.S. government
zero-coupon securities.
|X| "Stripped" Mortgage-Related Securities. The Fund can invest in
stripped mortgage-related securities that are created by segregating the cash
flows from underlying mortgage loans or mortgage securities to create two or
more new securities. Each has a specified percentage of the underlying
security's principal or interest payments. These are a form of derivative
investment.
Mortgage securities may be partially stripped so that each class receives
some interest and some principal. However, they may be completely stripped. In
that case all of the interest is distributed to holders of one type of security,
known as an "interest-only" security, or "I/O," and all of the principal is
distributed to holders of another type of security, known as a "principal-only"
security or "P/O." Strips can be created for pass-through certificates or CMOs.
The yields to maturity of I/Os and P/Os are very sensitive to principal
repayments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgages. If the
underlying mortgages experience greater than anticipated prepayments of
principal, the Fund might not fully recoup its investment in an I/O based on
those assets. If underlying mortgages experience less than anticipated
prepayments of principal, the yield on the P/Os based on them could decline
substantially.
|X| Floating Rate and Variable Rate Obligations. Variable rate obligations
can have a demand feature that allows the Fund to tender the obligation to the
issuer or a third party prior to its maturity. The tender may be at par value
plus accrued interest, according to the terms of the obligations.
The interest rate on a floating rate demand note is adjusted automatically
according to a stated prevailing market rate, such as a bank's prime rate, the
91-day U.S. Treasury Bill rate, or some other standard. The instrument's rate is
adjusted automatically each time the base rate is adjusted. The interest rate on
a variable rate demand note is also based on a stated prevailing market rate but
is adjusted automatically at specified intervals. Generally, the changes in the
interest rate on such securities reduce the fluctuation in their market value.
As interest rates decrease or increase, the potential for capital appreciation
or depreciation is less than that for fixed-rate obligations of the same
maturity. The Manager may determine that an unrated floating rate or variable
rate demand obligation meets the Fund's quality standards by reason of being
backed by a letter of credit or guarantee issued by a bank that meets those
quality standards.
Floating rate and variable rate demand notes that have a stated maturity
in excess of one year may have features that permit the holder to recover the
principal amount of the underlying security at specified intervals not exceeding
one year and upon no more than 30 days' notice. The issuer of that type of note
normally has a corresponding right in its discretion, after a given period, to
prepay the outstanding principal amount of the note plus accrued interest.
Generally the issuer must provide a specified number of days' notice to the
holder.
|X| When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions. The Fund may invest in
securities on a "when-issued" basis and may purchase or sell securities on a
"delayed-delivery" (or "forward-commitment") basis. When-issued and
delayed-delivery are terms that refer to securities whose terms and indenture
are available and for which a market exists, but which are not available for
immediate delivery.
When such transactions are negotiated, the price (which is generally
expressed in yield terms) is fixed at the time the commitment is made. Delivery
and payment for the securities take place at a later date (generally within 45
days of the date the offer is accepted). The securities are subject to change in
value from market fluctuations during the period until settlement. The value at
delivery may be less than the purchase price. For example, changes in interest
rates in a direction other than that expected by the Manager before settlement
will affect the value of such securities and may cause a loss to the Fund.
During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the
Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund from the investment.
The Fund will engage in when-issued transactions to secure what the
Manager considers to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of entering
into the obligation. When the Fund enters into a when-issued or delayed-delivery
transaction, it relies on the other party to complete the transaction. Its
failure to do so may cause the Fund to lose the opportunity to obtain the
security at a price and yield the Manager considers to be advantageous.
When the Fund engages in when-issued and delayed-delivery transactions, it
does so for the purpose of acquiring or selling securities consistent with its
investment objective and policies for its portfolio or for delivery pursuant to
options contracts it has entered into, and not for the purpose of investment
leverage. Although the Fund will enter into delayed-delivery or when-issued
purchase transactions to acquire securities, it may dispose of a commitment
prior to settlement. If the Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a
when-issued security prior to its acquisition or to dispose of its right to
delivery or receive against a forward commitment, it may incur a gain or loss.
At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase or sell a security
on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, it records the transaction on its
books and reflects the value of the security purchased in determining the Fund's
net asset value. In a sale transaction, it records the proceeds to be received.
The Fund will identify on its books liquid assets at least equal in value to the
value of the Fund's purchase commitments until the Fund pays for the investment.
When issued and delayed-delivery transactions can be used by the Fund as a
defensive technique to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and
prices. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling prices,
the Fund might sell securities in its portfolio on a forward commitment basis to
attempt to limit its exposure to anticipated falling prices. In periods of
falling interest rates and rising prices, the Fund might sell portfolio
securities and purchase the same or similar securities on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis to obtain the benefit of currently higher cash yields.
|X| Repurchase Agreements. The Fund can acquire securities subject to
repurchase agreements. It might do so for liquidity purposes to meet anticipated
redemptions of Fund shares, or pending the investment of the proceeds from sales
of Fund shares, or pending the settlement of portfolio securities transactions,
or for temporary defensive purposes, as described below.
In a repurchase transaction, the Fund buys a security from, and
simultaneously resells it to, an approved vendor for delivery on an agreed-upon
future date. The resale price exceeds the purchase price by an amount that
reflects an agreed-upon interest rate effective for the period during which the
repurchase agreement is in effect. Approved vendors include U.S. commercial
banks, U.S. branches of foreign banks, or broker-dealers that have been
designated as primary dealers in government securities. They must meet credit
requirements set by the Fund's Board of Trustees from time to time.
The majority of these transactions run from day to day, and delivery
pursuant to the resale typically occurs within one to five days of the purchase.
Repurchase agreements having a maturity beyond seven days are subject to the
Fund's limits on holding illiquid investments. The Fund will not enter into a
repurchase agreement that causes more than 10% of its net assets to be subject
to repurchase agreements having a maturity beyond seven days. There is no limit
on the amount of the Fund's net assets that may be subject to repurchase
agreements having maturities of seven days or less.
Repurchase agreements, considered "loans" under the Investment Company
Act, are collateralized by the underlying security. The Fund's repurchase
agreements require that at all times while the repurchase agreement is in
effect, the value of the collateral must equal or exceed the repurchase price to
fully collateralize the repayment obligation. However, if the vendor fails to
pay the resale price on the delivery date, the Fund may incur costs in disposing
of the collateral and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability
to do so. The Manager will monitor the vendor's creditworthiness to confirm that
the vendor is financially sound and will continuously monitor the collateral's
value.
|X| Illiquid and Restricted Securities. Under the policies and procedures
established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Manager determines the
liquidity of certain of the Fund's investments. To enable the Fund to sell its
holdings of a restricted security not registered under the Securities Act of
1933, the Fund may have to cause those securities to be registered. The expenses
of registering restricted securities may be negotiated by the Fund with the
issuer at the time the Fund buys the securities. When the Fund must arrange
registration because the Fund wishes to sell the security, a considerable period
may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the
time the security is registered so that the Fund could sell it. The Fund would
bear the risks of any downward price fluctuation during that period.
The Fund may also acquire restricted securities through private
placements. Those securities have contractual restrictions on their public
resale. Those restrictions might limit the Fund's ability to dispose of the
securities and might lower the amount the Fund could realize upon the sale.
The Fund has limitations that apply to purchases of restricted securities,
as stated in the Prospectus. Those percentage restrictions do not limit
purchases of restricted securities that are eligible for sale to qualified
institutional purchasers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, if those
securities have been determined to be liquid by the Manager under Board-approved
guidelines. Those guidelines take into account the trading activity for such
securities and the availability of reliable pricing information, among other
factors. If there is a lack of trading interest in a particular Rule 144A
security, the Fund's holdings of that security may be considered to be illiquid.
Illiquid securities include repurchase agreements maturing in more than
seven days and participation interests that do not have puts exercisable within
seven days.
|X| Forward Rolls. The Fund can enter into "forward roll" transactions
with respect to mortgage-related securities. In this type of transaction, the
Fund sells a mortgage related security to a buyer and simultaneously agrees to
repurchase a similar security (the same type of security, and having the same
coupon and maturity) at a later date at a set price. The securities that are
repurchased will have the same interest rate as the securities that are sold,
but typically will be collateralized by different pools of mortgages (with
different prepayment histories) than the securities that have been sold.
Proceeds from the sale are invested in short-term instruments, such as
repurchase agreements. The income from those investments, plus the fees from the
forward roll transaction, are expected to generate income to the Fund in excess
of the yield on the securities that have been sold.
The Fund will only enter into "covered" rolls. To assure its future
payment of the purchase price, the Fund will identify on its books liquid assets
in an amount equal to the payment obligation under the roll.
These transactions have risks. During the period between the sale and the
repurchase, the Fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal
payments on the securities that have been sold. It is possible that the market
value of the securities the Fund sells may decline below the price at which the
Fund is obligated to repurchase securities.
|X| Investments in Equity Securities. The Fund can invest limited amounts
of its assets in securities other than debt securities, including certain types
of equity securities of both foreign and U.S. companies. Those equity securities
include preferred stocks (described above), rights and warrants, and securities
convertible into common stock. Certain equity securities may be selected because
they may provide dividend income.
|_| Convertible Securities. While convertible securities are a form
of debt security, in many cases their conversion feature (allowing conversion
into equity securities) causes them to be regarded more as "equity equivalents."
As a result, the rating assigned to the security has less impact on the
Manager's investment decision with respect to convertible securities than in the
case of non-convertible fixed income securities. Convertible securities are
subject to the credit risks and interest rate risks described above.
To determine whether convertible securities should be regarded as "equity
equivalents," the Manager examines the following factors: (1) whether, at the
option of the investor, the convertible security can be
exchanged for a fixed number of shares of common stock of the issuer,
(2) whether the issuer of the convertible securities has restated its
earnings per share of common stock on a fully diluted basis
(considering the effect of conversion of the convertible securities),
and
(3) the extent to which the convertible security may be a defensive "equity
substitute," providing the ability to participate in any appreciation in
the price of the issuer's common stock.
|_| Rights and Warrants. As a matter of fundamental policy, the
Fund can invest up to 5% of its total assets in warrants or rights. That limit
does not apply to warrants and rights the Fund has acquired as part of units
of securities or that are attached to other securities that the Fund buys.
The Fund does not expect that it will have significant investments in warrants
and rights.
Warrants basically are options to purchase equity securities at specific
prices valid for a specific period of time. Their prices do not necessarily move
parallel to the prices of the underlying securities. Rights are similar to
warrants, but normally have a short duration and are distributed directly by the
issuer to its shareholders. Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive
no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
|X| Loans of Portfolio Securities. To raise cash for liquidity or income
purposes, the Fund can lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and
other types of financial institutions approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees.
These loans are limited to not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's net
assets. The Fund currently does not intend to engage in loans of securities, but
if it does so, such loans will not likely exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets.
There are some risks in connection with securities lending. The Fund might
experience a delay in receiving additional collateral to secure a loan, or a
delay in recovery of the loaned securities if the borrower defaults. The Fund
must receive collateral for a loan. Under current applicable regulatory
requirements (which are subject to change), on each business day the loan
collateral must be at least equal to the value of the loaned securities. It must
consist of cash, bank letters of credit, securities of the U.S. government or
its agencies or instrumentalities, or other cash equivalents in which the Fund
is permitted to invest. To be acceptable as collateral, letters of credit must
obligate a bank to pay amounts demanded by the Fund if the demand meets the
terms of the letter. The terms of the letter of credit and the issuing bank both
must be satisfactory to the Fund.
When it lends securities, the Fund receives amounts equal to the dividends
or interest on loaned securities. It also receives one or more of (a) negotiated
loan fees, (b) interest on securities used as collateral, and (c) interest on
any short-term debt securities purchased with such loan collateral. Either type
of interest may be shared with the borrower. The Fund may also pay reasonable
finder's, custodian and administrative fees in connection with these loans. The
terms of the Fund's loans must meet applicable tests under the Internal Revenue
Code and must permit the Fund to reacquire loaned securities on five days'
notice or in time to vote on any important matter.
|X| Derivatives. The Fund can invest in a variety of derivative
investments to seek income or for hedging purposes. Some derivative investments
the Fund can use are the hedging instruments described below in this Statement
of Additional Information.
Among the derivative investments the Fund can invest in are "index-linked"
or "currency-linked" notes. Principal and/or interest payments on index-linked
notes depend on the performance of an underlying index. Currency-indexed
securities are typically short-term or intermediate-term debt securities. Their
value at maturity or the rates at which they pay income are determined by the
change in value of the U.S. dollar against one or more foreign currencies or an
index. In some cases, these securities may pay an amount at maturity based on a
multiple of the amount of the relative currency movements. This type of index
security offers the potential for increased income or principal payments but at
a greater risk of loss than a typical debt security of the same maturity and
credit quality.
Other derivative investments the Fund can use include "debt exchangeable
for common stock" of an issuer or "equity-linked debt securities" of an issuer.
At maturity, the debt security is exchanged for common stock of the issuer or it
is payable in an amount based on the price of the issuer's common stock at the
time of maturity. Both alternatives present a risk that the amount payable at
maturity will be less than the principal amount of the debt because the price of
the issuer's common stock might not be as high as the Manager expected.
|X| Hedging. Although the Fund does not anticipate the extensive use of
hedging instruments, the Fund can use hedging instruments. It is not obligated
to use them in seeking its objective. To attempt to protect against declines in
the market value of the Fund's portfolio, to permit the Fund to retain
unrealized gains in the value of portfolio securities that have appreciated, or
to facilitate selling securities for investment reasons, the Fund could:
|_| sell futures contracts,
|_| buy puts on such futures or on securities, or
|_| write covered calls on securities or futures. Covered calls may also
be used to increase the Fund's income, but the Manager does not expect to
engage extensively in that practice.
The Fund can use hedging to establish a position in the securities market
as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities. In that case the
Fund would normally seek to purchase the securities and then terminate that
hedging position. The Fund might also use this type of hedge to attempt to
protect against the possibility that its portfolio securities would not be fully
included in a rise in value of the market. To do so the Fund could:
|_| buy futures, or
|_| buy calls on such futures or on securities.
The Fund's strategy of hedging with futures and options on futures will be
incidental to the Fund's activities in the underlying cash market. The
particular hedging instruments the Fund can use are described below. The Fund
may employ new hedging instruments and strategies when they are developed, if
those investment methods are consistent with the Fund's investment objective and
are permissible under applicable regulations governing the Fund.
|_| Futures. The Fund can buy and sell futures contracts but as a
fundamental policy only those futures that relate to debt securities (these are
referred to as "interest rate futures"). An interest rate future obligates the
seller to deliver (and the purchaser to take) cash or a specified type of debt
security to settle the futures transaction. Either party could also enter into
an offsetting contract to close out the position.
No money is paid or received by the Fund on the purchase or sale of a
future. Upon entering into a futures transaction, the Fund will be required to
deposit an initial margin payment with the futures commission merchant (the
"futures broker"). Initial margin payments will be deposited with the Fund's
Custodian bank in an account registered in the futures broker's name. However,
the futures broker can gain access to that account only under specified
conditions. As the future is marked to market (that is, its value on the Fund's
books is changed) to reflect changes in its market value, subsequent margin
payments, called variation margin, will be paid to or by the futures broker
daily.
At any time prior to expiration of the future, the Fund may elect to close
out its position by taking an opposite position, at which time a final
determination of variation margin is made and any additional cash must be paid
by or released to the Fund. Any loss or gain on the future is then realized by
the Fund for tax purposes. All futures transactions (except forward contracts)
are effected through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the
contracts are traded.
|_| Put and Call Options. The Fund can buy and sell certain kinds of
put options ("puts") and call options ("calls").
|_| Writing Covered Call Options. The Fund may write (that is, sell)
covered calls on debt securities, interest rate futures and foreign currencies.
As a fundamental policy, the calls must be listed on a domestic securities or
commodities exchange or quoted on NASDAQ. In the case of calls on foreign
currencies, they must be quoted by a major recognized dealer. As a fundamental
policy, if the Fund sells a call option, it must be covered. That means the Fund
must own the security subject to the call while the call is outstanding, or, for
certain types of calls, the call must be covered by segregating liquid assets to
enable the Fund to satisfy its obligations if the call is exercised. There is no
limit on the amount of the Fund's total assets may be subject to covered calls
the Fund writes.
When the Fund writes a call on a security, it receives cash (a premium).
The Fund agrees to sell the underlying security to a purchaser of a
corresponding call on the same security during the call period at a fixed
exercise price regardless of market price changes during the call period. The
call period is usually not more than nine months. The exercise price may differ
from the market price of the underlying security. The Fund has the risk of loss
that the price of the underlying security may decline during the call period.
That risk may be offset to some extent by the premium the Fund receives. If the
value of the investment does not rise above the call price, it is likely that
the call will lapse without being exercised. In that case the Fund would keep
the cash premium and the investment.
When the Fund writes a call on an index, it receives cash (a premium). If
the buyer of the call exercises it, the Fund will pay an amount of cash equal to
the difference between the closing price of the call and the exercise price,
multiplied by a specific multiple that determines the total value of the call
for each point of difference. If the value of the underlying investment does not
rise above the call price, it is likely that the call will lapse without being
exercised. In that case, the Fund would keep the cash premium .
The Fund's Custodian, or a securities depository acting for the Custodian,
will act as the Fund's escrow agent, through the facilities of the Options
Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), as to the investments on which the Fund has
written calls traded on exchanges or as to other acceptable escrow securities.
In that way, no margin will be required for such transactions. OCC will release
the securities on the expiration of the option or when the Fund enters into a
closing transaction.
To terminate its obligation on a call it has written, the Fund may
purchase a corresponding call in a "closing purchase transaction." The Fund will
then realize a profit or loss, depending upon whether the net of the amount of
the option transaction costs and the premium received on the call the Fund wrote
is more or less than the price of the call the Fund purchases to close out the
transaction. The Fund may realize a profit if the call expires unexercised,
because the Fund will retain the underlying security and the premium it received
when it wrote the call. Any such profits are considered short-term capital gains
for Federal income tax purposes, as are the premiums on lapsed calls. When
distributed by the Fund they are taxable as ordinary income. If the Fund cannot
effect a closing purchase transaction due to the lack of a market, it will have
to hold the callable securities until the call expires or is exercised.
The Fund may also write calls on a futures contract without owning the
futures contract or securities deliverable under the contract. To do so, at the
time the call is written, the Fund must cover the call by segregating an
equivalent dollar amount of liquid assets. The Fund will segregate additional
liquid assets if the value of the segregated assets drops below 100% of the
current value of the future. Because of this segregation requirement, in no
circumstances would the Fund's receipt of an exercise notice as to that future
require the Fund to deliver a futures contract. It would simply put the Fund in
a short futures position, which is permitted by the Fund's hedging policies.
|_| Writing Put Options. The Fund can sell put options on debt securities
or foreign currency options, but as a fundamental policy only if the put is
listed on a domestic securities or commodities exchange or quoted on NASDAQ. In
the case of puts on currencies, they may be quoted by a major recognized dealer.
A put option on securities gives the purchaser the right to sell, and the writer
the obligation to buy, the underlying investment at the exercise price during
the option period. As a fundamental policy, a put written on debt securities
must be covered by segregated liquid assets and the Fund cannot write puts if,
as a result, more than 50% of the Fund's net assets would be required to be
segregated to cover such put options. As a fundamental policy, the Fund cannot
write puts on interest rate futures.
If the Fund writes a put, the put must be covered by segregated liquid
assets. The premium the Fund receives from writing a put represents a profit, as
long as the price of the underlying investment remains equal to or above the
exercise price of the put. However, the Fund also assumes the obligation during
the option period to buy the underlying investment from the buyer of the put at
the exercise price, even if the value of the investment falls below the exercise
price.
If a put the Fund has written expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a
gain in the amount of the premium less the transaction costs incurred. If the
put is exercised, the Fund must fulfill its obligation to purchase the
underlying investment at the exercise price. That price will usually exceed the
market value of the investment at that time. In that case, the Fund may incur a
loss if it sells the underlying investment. That loss will be equal to the sum
of the sale price of the underlying investment and the premium received minus
the sum of the exercise price and any transaction costs the Fund incurred.
When writing a put option on a security, to secure its obligation to pay
for the underlying security the Fund will deposit in escrow liquid assets with a
value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the underlying securities.
The Fund therefore forgoes the opportunity of investing the segregated assets or
writing calls against those assets.
As long as the Fund's obligation as the put writer continues, it may be
assigned an exercise notice by the broker-dealer through which the put was sold.
That notice will require the Fund to take delivery of the underlying security
and pay the exercise price. The Fund has no control over when it may be required
to purchase the underlying security, since it may be assigned an exercise notice
at any time prior to the termination of its obligation as the writer of the put.
That obligation terminates upon expiration of the put. It may also terminate if,
before it receives an exercise notice, the Fund effects a closing purchase
transaction by purchasing a put of the same series as it sold. Once the Fund has
been assigned an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase
transaction.
The Fund may decide to effect a closing purchase transaction to realize a
profit on an outstanding put option it has written or to prevent the underlying
security from being put. Effecting a closing purchase transaction will also
permit the Fund to write another put option on the security, or to sell the
security and use the proceeds from the sale for other investments. The Fund will
realize a profit or loss from a closing purchase transaction depending on
whether the cost of the transaction is less or more than the premium received
from writing the put option. Any profits from writing puts are considered
short-term capital gains for Federal tax purposes, and when distributed by the
Fund, are taxable as ordinary income.
|_| Purchasing Calls and Puts. The Fund can purchase puts and calls on
debt securities, foreign currencies or interest rate futures. As a fundamental
policy, the calls must be listed on a domestic securities or commodities
exchange or quoted on NASDAQ. In the case of puts and calls on currencies, they
may be quoted by major recognized dealers. When the Fund buys a call (other than
in a closing purchase transaction), it pays a premium. The Fund then has the
right to buy the underlying investment from a seller of a corresponding call on
the same investment during the call period at a fixed exercise price.
The Fund benefits only if it sells the call at a profit or if, during the
call period, the market price of the underlying investment is above the sum of
the call price plus the transaction costs and the premium paid for the call and
the Fund exercises the call. If the Fund does not exercise the call or sell it
(whether or not at a profit), the call will become worthless at its expiration
date. In that case the Fund will have paid the premium but lost the right to
purchase the underlying investment.
The Fund can buy puts whether or not it owns the underlying investment.
When the Fund purchases a put, it pays a premium and, except as to puts on
indices, has the right to sell the underlying investment to a seller of a put on
a corresponding investment during the put period at a fixed exercise price.
Buying a put on an investment the Fund does not own (such as a future)
permits the Fund either to resell the put or to buy the underlying investment
and sell it at the exercise price. The resale price will vary inversely to the
price of the underlying investment. If the market price of the underlying
investment is above the exercise price and, as a result, the put is not
exercised, the put will become worthless on its expiration date.
Buying a put on securities or futures the Fund owns enables the Fund to
attempt to protect itself during the put period against a decline in the value
of the underlying investment below the exercise price by selling the underlying
investment at the exercise price to a seller of a corresponding put. If the
market price of the underlying investment is equal to or above the exercise
price and, as a result, the put is not exercised or resold, the put will become
worthless at its expiration date. In that case the Fund will have paid the
premium but lost the right to sell the underlying investment. However, the Fund
may sell the put prior to its expiration. That sale may or may not be at a
profit.
When the Fund purchases a call or put on an index or future, it pays a
premium, but settlement is in cash rather than by delivery of the underlying
investment to the Fund. Gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question
(and thus on price movements in the securities market generally) rather than on
price movements in individual securities or futures contracts.
As a fundamental policy, the Fund may buy a call or put only if, after the
purchase, the value of all call and put options held by the Fund will not exceed
5% of the Fund's total assets.
|_| Buying and Selling Options on Foreign Currencies. The Fund can buy and
sell calls and puts on foreign currencies. They include puts and calls that
trade on a securities or commodities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets
or are quoted by major recognized dealers in such options. The Fund could use
these calls and puts to try to protect against declines in the dollar value of
foreign securities and increases in the dollar cost of foreign securities the
Fund wants to acquire.
If the Manager anticipates a rise in the dollar value of a foreign
currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated, the increased cost
of those securities may be partially offset by purchasing calls or writing puts
on that foreign currency. If the Manager anticipates a decline in the dollar
value of a foreign currency, the decline in the dollar value of portfolio
securities denominated in that currency might be partially offset by writing
calls or purchasing puts on that foreign currency. However, the currency rates
could fluctuate in a direction adverse to the Fund's position. The Fund will
then have incurred option premium payments and transaction costs without a
corresponding benefit.
A call the Fund writes on a foreign currency is "covered" if the Fund owns
the underlying foreign currency covered by the call or has an absolute and
immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without additional cash
consideration (or it can do so for additional cash consideration held in a
segregated account by its Custodian bank) upon conversion or exchange of other
foreign currency held in its portfolio.
The Fund could write a call on a foreign currency to provide a hedge
against a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the Fund owns or
has the right to acquire and which is denominated in the currency underlying the
option. That decline might be one that occurs due to an expected adverse change
in the exchange rate. This is known as a "cross-hedging" strategy. In those
circumstances, the Fund covers the option by maintaining cash, U.S. government
securities or other liquid, high grade debt securities in an amount equal to the
exercise price of the option, in a segregated account with the Fund's Custodian
bank.
|_| Risks of Hedging with Options and Futures. The use of hedging
instruments requires special skills and knowledge of investment techniques that
are different than what is required for normal portfolio management. If the
Manager uses a hedging instrument at the wrong time or judges market conditions
incorrectly, hedging strategies may reduce the Fund's return. The Fund could
also experience losses if the prices of its futures and options positions were
not correlated with its other investments.
The Fund's option activities could affect its portfolio turnover rate and
brokerage commissions. The exercise of calls written by the Fund might cause the
Fund to sell related portfolio securities, thus increasing its turnover rate.
The exercise by the Fund of puts on securities will cause the sale of underlying
investments, increasing portfolio turnover. Although the decision whether to
exercise a put it holds is within the Fund's control, holding a put might cause
the Fund to sell the related investments for reasons that would not exist in the
absence of the put.
The Fund could pay a brokerage commission each time it buys a call or put,
sells a call or put, or buys or sells an underlying investment in connection
with the exercise of a call or put. Those commissions could be higher on a
relative basis than the commissions for direct purchases or sales of the
underlying investments. Premiums paid for options are small in relation to the
market value of the underlying investments. Consequently, put and call options
offer large amounts of leverage. The leverage offered by trading in options
could result in the Fund's net asset value being more sensitive to changes in
the value of the underlying investment.
If a covered call written by the Fund is exercised on an investment that
has increased in value, the Fund will be required to sell the investment at the
call price. It will not be able to realize any profit if the investment has
increased in value above the call price.
An option position may be closed out only on a market that provides
secondary trading for options of the same series, and there is no assurance that
a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. The Fund might
experience losses if it could not close out a position because of an illiquid
market for the future or option.
There is a risk in using short hedging by selling futures or purchasing
puts on broadly-based indices or futures to attempt to protect against declines
in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities. The risk is that the prices of
the futures or the applicable index will correlate imperfectly with the behavior
of the cash prices of the Fund's securities. For example, it is possible that
while the Fund has used hedging instruments in a short hedge, the market may
advance and the value of the securities held in the Fund's portfolio might
decline. If that occurred, the Fund would lose money on the hedging instruments
and also experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities. However,
while this could occur for a very brief period or to a very small degree, over
time the value of a diversified portfolio of securities will tend to move in the
same direction as the indices upon which the hedging instruments are based.
The risk of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the
Fund's portfolio diverges from the securities included in the applicable index.
To compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of the
portfolio securities being hedged and movements in the price of the hedging
instruments, the Fund might use hedging instruments in a greater dollar amount
than the dollar amount of portfolio securities being hedged. It might do so if
the historical volatility of the prices of the portfolio securities being hedged
is more than the historical volatility of the applicable index.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets are
subject to distortions, due to differences in the nature of those markets.
First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and
maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit
requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting
transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and
futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on
participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking
delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity
in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from
the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures market
are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities markets. Therefore,
increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary
price distortions.
The Fund can use hedging instruments to establish a position in the
securities markets as a temporary substitute for the purchase of individual
securities (long hedging) by buying futures and/or calls on such futures,
broadly-based indices or on securities. It is possible that when the Fund does
so the market might decline. If the Fund then concludes not to invest in
securities because of concerns that the market might decline further or for
other reasons, the Fund will realize a loss on the hedging instruments that is
not offset by a reduction in the price of the securities purchased.
|_| Forward Contracts. Forward contracts are foreign currency
exchange contracts. They are used to buy or sell foreign currency for future
delivery at a fixed price. The Fund uses them to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price
of a security denominated in a foreign currency that the Fund has bought or
sold, or to protect against possible losses from changes in the relative values
of the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency. The Fund limits its exposure in
foreign currency exchange contracts in a particular foreign currency to the
amount of its assets denominated in that currency or a closely-correlated
currency. The Fund can also use "cross-hedging" where the Fund hedges against
changes in currencies other than the currency in which a security it holds is
denominated.
Under a forward contract, one party agrees to purchase, and another party
agrees to sell, a specific currency at a future date. That date may be any fixed
number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties. The
transaction price is set at the time the contract is entered into. These
contracts are traded in the inter-bank market conducted directly among currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.
The Fund may use forward contracts to protect against uncertainty in the
level of future exchange rates. The use of forward contracts does not eliminate
the risk of fluctuations in the prices of the underlying securities the Fund
owns or intends to acquire, but it does fix a rate of exchange in advance.
Although forward contracts may reduce the risk of loss from a decline in the
value of the hedged currency, at the same time they limit any potential gain if
the value of the hedged currency increases.
When the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a
security denominated in a foreign currency, or when it anticipates receiving
dividend payments in a foreign currency, the Fund might desire to "lock-in" the
U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of the dividend
payments. To do so, the Fund could enter into a forward contract for the
purchase or sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying
transaction, in a fixed amount of U.S. dollars per unit of the foreign currency.
This is called a "transaction hedge." The transaction hedge will protect the
Fund against a loss from an adverse change in the currency exchange rates during
the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold or on
which the payment is declared, and the date on which the payments are made or
received.
The Fund could also use forward contracts to lock in the U.S. dollar value
of portfolio positions. This is called a "position hedge." When the Fund
believes that foreign currency might suffer a substantial decline against the
U.S. dollar, could enter into a forward contract to sell an amount of that
foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio
securities denominated in that foreign currency. When the Fund believes that the
U.S. dollar might suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it
could enter into a forward contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed
dollar amount. Alternatively, the Fund could enter into a forward contract to
sell a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount if the Fund
believes that the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency to be sold pursuant
to its forward contract will fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. dollar
value of the currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated.
That is referred to as a "cross hedge."
The Fund will cover its short positions in these cases by identifying to
its Custodian bank assets having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the
Fund's commitment under forward contracts. The Fund will not enter into forward
contracts or maintain a net exposure to such contracts if the consummation of
the contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency
in excess of the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or other assets
denominated in that currency or another currency that is the subject of the
hedge.
However, to avoid excess transactions and transaction costs, the Fund may
maintain a net exposure to forward contracts in excess of the value of the
Fund's portfolio securities or other assets denominated in foreign currencies if
the excess amount is "covered" by liquid securities denominated in any currency.
The cover must be at least equal at all times to the amount of that excess. As
one alternative, the Fund may purchase a call option permitting the Fund to
purchase the amount of foreign currency being hedged by a forward sale contract
at a price no higher than the forward contract price. As another alternative,
the Fund may purchase a put option permitting the Fund to sell the amount of
foreign currency subject to a forward purchase contract at a price as high or
higher than the forward contact price.
The precise matching of the amounts under forward contracts and the value
of the securities involved generally will not be possible because the future
value of securities denominated in foreign currencies will change as a
consequence of market movements between the date the forward contract is entered
into and the date it is sold. In some cases the Manager might decide to sell the
security and deliver foreign currency to settle the original purchase
obligation. If the market value of the security is less than the amount of
foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver, the Fund might have to
purchase additional foreign currency on the "spot" (that is, cash) market to
settle the security trade. If the market value of the security instead exceeds
the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver to settle the
trade, the Fund might have to sell on the spot market some of the foreign
currency received upon the sale of the security. There will be additional
transaction costs on the spot market in those cases.
The projection of short-term currency market movements is extremely
difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is
highly uncertain. Forward contracts involve the risk that anticipated currency
movements will not be accurately predicted, causing the Fund to sustain losses
on these contracts and to pay additional transactions costs. The use of forward
contracts in this manner might reduce the Fund's performance if there are
unanticipated changes in currency prices to a greater degree than if the Fund
had not entered into such contracts.
At or before the maturity of a forward contract requiring the Fund to sell
a currency, the Fund might sell a portfolio security and use the sale proceeds
to make delivery of the currency. In the alternative the Fund might retain the
security and offset its contractual obligation to deliver the currency by
purchasing a second contract. Under that contract the Fund will obtain, on the
same maturity date, the same amount of the currency that it is obligated to
deliver. Similarly, the Fund might close out a forward contract requiring it to
purchase a specified currency by entering into a second contract entitling it to
sell the same amount of the same currency on the maturity date of the first
contract. The Fund would realize a gain or loss as a result of entering into
such an offsetting forward contract under either circumstance. The gain or loss
will depend on the extent to which the exchange rate or rates between the
currencies involved moved between the execution dates of the first contract and
offsetting contract.
The costs to the Fund of engaging in forward contracts varies with factors
such as the currencies involved, the length of the contract period and the
market conditions then prevailing. Because forward contracts are usually entered
into on a principal basis, no brokerage fees or commissions are involved.
Because these contracts are not traded on an exchange, the Fund must evaluate
the credit and performance risk of the counterparty under each forward contract.
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it
does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars
on a daily basis. The Fund may convert foreign currency from time to time, and
will incur costs in doing so. Foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for
conversion, but they do seek to realize a profit based on the difference between
the prices at which they buy and sell various currencies. Thus, a dealer might
offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a
lesser rate of exchange if the Fund desires to resell that currency to the
dealer.
|_| Interest Rate Swap Transactions. The Fund can enter into interest
rate swap agreements. In an interest rate swap, the Fund and another party
exchange their right to receive or their obligation to pay interest on a
security. For example, they might swap the right to receive floating rate
payments for fixed rate payments. The Fund can enter into swaps only on
securities that it owns. The Fund will not enter into swaps with respect to more
than 25% of its total assets. Also, the Fund will segregate liquid assets (such
as cash or U.S. government securities) to cover any amounts it could owe under
swaps that exceed the amounts it is entitled to receive, and it will adjust that
amount daily, as needed.
Swap agreements entail both interest rate risk and credit risk. There is a
risk that, based on movements of interest rates in the future, the payments made
by the Fund under a swap agreement will be greater than the payments it
received. Credit risk arises from the possibility that the counterparty will
default. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund's loss will consist of the net
amount of contractual interest payments that the Fund has not yet received. The
Manager will monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties to the Fund's
interest rate swap transactions on an ongoing basis.
The Fund can enter into swap transactions with certain counterparties
pursuant to master netting agreements. A master netting agreement provides that
all swaps done between the Fund and that counterparty shall be regarded as parts
of an integral agreement. If amounts are payable on a particular date in the
same currency in respect of one or more swap transactions, the amount payable on
that date in that currency shall be the net amount. In addition, the master
netting agreement may provide that if one party defaults generally or on one
swap, the counterparty can terminate all of the swaps with that party. Under
these agreements, if a default results in a loss to one party, the measure of
that party's damages is calculated by reference to the average cost of a
replacement swap for each swap. It is measured by the mark-to-market value at
the time of the termination of each swap. The gains and losses on all swaps are
then netted, and the result is the counterparty's gain or loss on termination.
The termination of all swaps and the netting of gains and losses on termination
is generally referred to as "aggregation."
|_| Regulatory Aspects of Hedging Instruments. When using futures and
options on futures, the Fund is required to operate within certain guidelines
and restrictions with respect to the use of futures as established by the
Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"). In particular, the Fund is
exempted from registration with the CFTC as a "commodity pool operator" if the
Fund complies with the requirements of Rule 4.5 adopted by the CFTC. The Rule
does not limit the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be used for futures
margin and related options premiums for a bona fide hedging position. However,
under the Rule, the Fund must limit its aggregate initial futures margin and
related options premiums to not more than 5% of the Fund's net assets for
hedging strategies that are not considered bona fide hedging strategies under
the Rule. Under the Rule, the Fund must also use short futures and options on
futures solely for bona fide hedging purposes within the meaning and intent of
the applicable provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Transactions in options by the Fund are subject to limitations established
by the option exchanges. The exchanges limit the maximum number of options that
may be written or held by a single investor or group of investors acting in
concert. Those limits apply regardless of whether the options were written or
purchased on the same or different exchanges or are held in one or more accounts
or through one or more different exchanges or through one or more brokers. Thus,
the number of options that the Fund may write or hold may be affected by options
written or held by other entities, including other investment companies having
the same adviser as the Fund (or an adviser that is an affiliate of the Fund's
adviser). The exchanges also impose position limits on futures transactions. An
exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of
those limits and may impose certain other sanctions.
Under the Investment Company Act, when the Fund purchases a future, it
must maintain cash or readily marketable short-term debt instruments in an
amount equal to the market value of the securities underlying the future, less
the margin deposit applicable to it.
|_| Tax Aspects of Certain Hedging Instruments. Certain foreign
currency exchange contracts in which the Fund may invest are treated as "Section
1256 contracts" under the Internal Revenue Code. In general, gains or losses
relating to Section 1256 contracts are characterized as 60% long-term and 40%
short-term capital gains or losses under the Code. However, foreign currency
gains or losses arising from Section 1256 contracts that are forward contracts
generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. In addition, Section 1256
contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year are
"marked-to-market," and unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they
were realized. These contracts also may be marked-to-market for purposes of
determining the excise tax applicable to investment company distributions and
for other purposes under rules prescribed pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
An election can be made by the Fund to exempt those transactions from this
marked-to-market treatment.
Certain forward contracts the Fund enters into may result in "straddles"
for Federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character and
timing of gains (or losses) recognized by the Fund on straddle positions.
Generally, a loss sustained on the disposition of a position making up a
straddle is allowed only to the extent that the loss exceeds any unrecognized
gain in the offsetting positions making up the straddle. Disallowed loss is
generally allowed at the point where there is no unrecognized gain in the
offsetting positions making up the straddle, or the offsetting position is
disposed of.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, the following gains or losses are treated
as ordinary income or loss: (1) gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in
exchange rates that
occur between the time the Fund accrues interest or other receivables or
accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency
and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such
liabilities, and
(2) gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of a foreign
currency between the date of acquisition of a debt security denominated
in a foreign currency or foreign currency forward contracts and the date
of disposition.
Currency gains and losses are offset against market gains and losses on
each trade before determining a net "Section 988" gain or loss under the
Internal Revenue Code for that trade, which may increase or decrease the amount
of the Fund's investment income available for distribution to its shareholders.
|X| Temporary Defensive Investments. When market conditions are unstable,
or the Manager believes it is otherwise appropriate to reduce holdings in
stocks, the Fund can invest in a variety of debt securities for defensive
purposes. The Fund can also purchase these securities for liquidity purposes to
meet cash needs due to the redemption of Fund shares, or to hold while waiting
reinvest cash received from the sale of other portfolio securities. The Fund's
temporary defensive investments can include the following short-term (maturing
in one year or less) dollar-denominated debt obligations: |_| obligations issued
or guaranteed by the U. S. government or its
instrumentalities or agencies,
|_| commercial paper (short-term, unsecured promissory notes) rated in the
highest rating category by an established rating organization,
|_| debt obligations of domestic or foreign corporate issuers rated "Baa"
or higher by Moody's or "BBB" or higher by Standard & Poor's,
|_| certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances and other bank
obligations, and
|_| repurchase agreements.
Short-term debt securities would normally be selected for defensive or
cash management purposes because they can normally be disposed of quickly, are
not generally subject to significant fluctuations in principal value and their
value will be less subject to interest rate risk than longer-term debt
securities.
Investment Restrictions
|X| What Are "Fundamental Policies?" Fundamental policies are those
policies that the Fund has adopted to govern its investments that can be changed
only by the vote of a "majority" of the Fund's outstanding voting securities.
Under the Investment Company Act, a "majority" vote is defined as the vote of
the holders of the lesser of:
|_| 67% or more of the shares present or represented by proxy at a
shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares are present or represented by proxy, or |_| more than 50% of the
outstanding shares.
The Fund's investment objectives are a fundamental policy. Other policies
described in the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information are
"fundamental" only if they are identified as such. The Fund's Board of Trustees
can change non-fundamental policies without shareholder approval. However,
significant changes to investment policies will be described in supplements or
updates to the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information, as
appropriate. The Fund's most significant investment policies are described in
the Prospectus.
|X| Does the Fund Have Additional Fundamental Policies? The following
investment restrictions are fundamental policies of the Fund.
|_| The Fund cannot buy securities issued or guaranteed by any one issuer
if more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in securities of that
issuer or if it would then own more than 10% of that issuer's voting securities.
That restriction applies to 75% of the Fund's total assets. The limit does not
apply to securities issued by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities.
|_| The Fund cannot invest 25% or more of its total assets in any one
industry. That limit does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities. Under this policy,
utilities are divided into "industries" according to the services they provide
(for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and telephone utilities will be
considered to be in separate industries).
|_| The Fund cannot invest more than 5% of its net assets in securities of
issuers (including their predecessors) that have been in operation less than
three years.
|_| The Fund cannot borrow money in excess of 10% of the value of its
total assets. The Fund may only borrow as a temporary measure for emergency
purposes. The Fund cannot make any investment at a time during which its
borrowings exceed 5% of the value of its assets.
|_| The Fund cannot make loans. However, it can purchase portfolio
securities subject to repurchase agreements. The Fund may also lend its
portfolio securities.
|_| The Fund cannot invest in real estate. However, the Fund can purchase
debt securities secured by real estate or interests in real estate, or issued by
companies, including real estate investment trusts, that invest in real estate
or interests in real estate.
|_| The Fund cannot invest in any company for the primary purpose of
acquiring management or control of it.
|_| The Fund cannot invest in or hold securities of any issuer if officers
and Trustees of the Fund or the Manager individually own more than 1/2 of 1% of
the securities of that issuer and together own more than 5% of the securities of
that issuer.
|_| The Fund cannot buy securities on margin or engage in short sales.
However, the Fund can make margin deposits in connection with its use of hedging
instruments permitted by its other fundamental policies.
|_| The Fund cannot mortgage, hypothecate or pledge any of its assets.
However, the Fund can make escrow arrangements in connection with its use of
hedging instruments permitted by its other fundamental policies.
|_| The Fund cannot invest in mineral-related programs or leases.
|_| The Fund cannot invest in other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of
assets.
|_| The Fund cannot invest in commodities or commodity contracts. However,
the Fund may buy and sell any of the hedging instruments permitted by its other
investment policies, whether or not the hedging instrument is considered a
commodity or commodity contract, subject to the restrictions and limitations on
such investments specified in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information.
|_| The Fund cannot issue "senior securities, but this does not prohibit
certain investment activities for which assets of the Fund are designated as
segregated, or margin, collateral or escrow arrangements are established, to
cover the related obligations. Examples of those activities include borrowing
money, reverse repurchase agreements, delayed-delivery and when-issued
arrangements for portfolio securities transactions, and contracts to buy or sell
derivatives, hedging instruments, options or futures.
Unless the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information states
that a percentage restriction applies on an ongoing basis, it applies only at
the time the Fund makes an investment. The Fund need not sell securities to meet
the percentage limits if the value of the investment increases in proportion to
the size of the Fund.
The Fund has an operating policy (which is not fundamental) that states
that it cannot underwrite the securities of other issuers. A permitted exception
is in case it is deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933
when reselling any securities held in its own portfolio.
For purposes of the Fund's policy not to concentrate its investments, the
Fund has adopted the industry classifications set forth in Appendix B to this
Statement of Additional Information. This is not a fundamental policy.
How the Fund is Managed
Organization and History. The Fund is an open-end, diversified management
investment company with an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial
interest. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust in 1987.
The Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is responsible for
protecting the interests of shareholders under Massachusetts law. The Trustees
meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Fund's activities, review
its performance, and review the actions of the Manager. Although the Fund will
not normally hold annual meetings of its shareholders, it may hold shareholder
meetings from time to time on important matters, and shareholders have the right
to call a meeting to remove a Trustee or to take other action described in the
Fund's Declaration of Trust.
|X| Classes of Shares. The Board of Trustees has the power, without
shareholder approval, to divide unissued shares of the Fund into two or more
classes. The Board has done so, and the Fund currently has three classes of
shares: Class A, Class B, and Class C. All classes invest in the same investment
portfolio. Each class of shares: o has its own dividends and distributions, o
pays certain expenses which may be different for the different classes, o may
have a different net asset value, o may have separate voting rights on matters
in which interests of one
class are different from interests of another class, and o votes as a
class on matters that affect that class alone.
Shares are freely transferable, and each share of each class has one vote
at shareholder meetings, with fractional shares voting proportionally on matters
submitted to the vote of shareholders. Each share of the Fund represents an
interest in the Fund proportionately equal to the interest of each other share
of the same class.
The Trustees are authorized to create new series and classes of shares.
The Trustees may reclassify unissued shares of the Fund into additional series
or classes of shares. The Trustees also may divide or combine the shares of a
class into a greater or lesser number of shares without changing the
proportionate beneficial interest of a shareholder in the Fund. Shares do not
have cumulative voting rights or preemptive or subscription rights. Shares may
be voted in person or by proxy at shareholder meetings.
|X| Meetings of Shareholders. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Fund
is not required to hold, and does not plan to hold, regular annual meetings of
shareholders. The Fund will hold meetings when required to do so by the
Investment Company Act or other applicable law. It will also do so when a
shareholder meeting is called by the Trustees or upon proper request of the
shareholders.
Shareholders have the right, upon the declaration in writing or vote of
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Fund, to remove a Trustee. The
Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to vote on the removal of a Trustee
upon the written request of the record holders of 10% of its outstanding shares.
If the Trustees receive a request from at least 10 shareholders stating that
they wish to communicate with other shareholders to request a meeting to remove
a Trustee, the Trustees will then either make the Fund's shareholder list
available to the applicants or mail their communication to all other
shareholders at the applicants' expense. The shareholders making the request
must have been shareholders for at least six months and must hold shares of the
Fund valued at $25,000 or more or constituting at least 1% of the Fund's
outstanding shares, whichever is less. The Trustees may also take other action
as permitted by the Investment Company Act.
|X| Shareholder and Trustee Liability. The Fund's Declaration of Trust
contains an express disclaimer of shareholder or Trustee liability for the
Fund's obligations. It also provides for indemnification and reimbursement of
expenses out of the Fund's property for any shareholder held personally liable
for its obligations. The Declaration of Trust also states that upon request, the
Fund shall assume the defense of any claim made against a shareholder for any
act or obligation of the Fund and shall satisfy any judgment on that claim.
Massachusetts law permits a shareholder of a business trust (such as the Fund)
to be held personally liable as a "partner" under certain circumstances.
However, the risk that a Fund shareholder will incur financial loss from being
held liable as a "partner" of the Fund is limited to the relatively remote
circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations.
The Fund's contractual arrangements state that any person doing business
with the Fund (and each shareholder of the Fund) agrees under its Declaration of
Trust to look solely to the assets of the Fund for satisfaction of any claim or
demand that may arise out of any dealings with the Fund. The contracts further
state that the Trustees shall have no personal liability to any such person, to
the extent permitted by law.
Trustees and Officers of the Fund. The Fund's Trustees and officers and their
principal occupations and business affiliations during the past five years are
listed below. Trustees denoted with an asterisk (*) below are deemed to be
"interested persons" of the Fund under the Investment Company Act. All of the
Trustees are also trustees, directors or managing general partners of the
following Denver-based Oppenheimer funds1:
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves Oppenheimer Total Return Fund,
Inc.
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund Panorama Series Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund Centennial America Fund, L. P.
Oppenheimer International Bond Centennial California Tax Exempt
Fund Trust
Oppenheimer Integrity Funds Centennial Government Trust
Oppenheimer Limited-Term Centennial Money Market Trust
Government Fund
Oppenheimer Main Street Funds, Centennial New York Tax Exempt
Inc. Trust
Oppenheimer Municipal Fund Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund The New York Tax-Exempt Income
Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Strategic Income
Fund
<PAGE>
35
Ms. Macaskill and Messrs. Swain, Bishop, Bowen, Donohue, Farrar and Zack,
who are officers of the Fund, respectively hold the same offices with the other
Denver-based Oppenheimer funds. As of January 1, 1999, the Trustees and officers
of the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
The foregoing statement does not reflect shares held of record by an employee
benefit plan for employees of the Manager other than shares beneficially owned
under that plan by the officers of the Fund listed below. Ms. Macaskill and Mr.
Donohue, are trustees of that plan.
Robert G. Avis,* Trustee; Age: 67
One North Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63103
Vice Chairman of A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. (a broker-dealer) and A.G.
Edwards, Inc. (its parent holding company); Chairman of A.G.E. Asset
Management and A.G. Edwards Trust Company (its affiliated investment adviser
and trust company, respectively).
William A. Baker, Trustee; Age: 84
197 Desert Lakes Drive, Palm Springs, California 92264
Management Consultant.
George C. Bowen,* Vice President, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Trustee;
Age: 62
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Senior Vice President (since September 1987) and Treasurer (since March 1985) of
the Manager; Vice President (since June 1983) and Treasurer (since March 1985)
of the Distributor; Vice President (since October 1989) and Treasurer (since
April 1986) of HarbourView Asset Management Corp., an investment adviser
subsidiary of the Manager; Senior Vice President (since February 1992),
Treasurer (since July 1991) and a director (since December 1991) of Centennial
Asset Management Corporation, an investment adviser subsidiary of the Manager;
Vice President and Treasurer (since August 1978) and Secretary (since April
1981) of Shareholder Services Inc., a transfer agent subsidiary of the Manager;
Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary (since November 1989) of Shareholder
Financial Services, Inc., a transfer agent subsidiary of the Manager; Assistant
Treasurer (since March 1998) of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., the parent
company of the Manager; Treasurer of Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc.
(since November 1989); Vice President and Treasurer of Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. (since July 1996), an investment adviser subsidiary of the
Manager; an officer of other Oppenheimer funds; formerly Treasurer (June 1990-
March 1998) of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp.
Charles Conrad, Jr., Trustee; Age: 68
1501 Quail Street, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Chairman and CEO of Universal Space Lines, Inc. (a space services management
company); formerly Vice President of McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co.
prior to which he was associated with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
Jon S. Fossel, Trustee; Age: 56
P.O. Box 44, Mead Street, Waccabuc, New York 10597
Formerly Chairman and a director of the Manager, President and a director of
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., Shareholder Services, Inc. and Shareholder
Financial Services, Inc.
Sam Freedman, Trustee; Age: 58
4975 Lakeshore Drive, Littleton, Colorado 80123
Formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OppenheimerFunds Services,
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Shareholder Services,
Inc. and Shareholder Financial Services, Inc., Vice President and a director
of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. and a director of the Manager.
Raymond J. Kalinowski, Trustee; Age: 69
44 Portland Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131
Director of Wave Technologies International, Inc. (a computer products
training company).
C. Howard Kast, Trustee; Age: 77
2552 East Alameda, Denver, Colorado 80209
Formerly Managing Partner of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (an accounting firm).
Robert M. Kirchner, Trustee; Age: 77
7500 E. Arapahoe Road, Englewood, Colorado 80112
President of The Kirchner Company (management consultants).
Bridget A. Macaskill,* President and Trustee; Age: 50
Two World Trade Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048
President (since June 1991), Chief Executive Officer (since September 1995) and
a director (since December 1994) of the Manager; President and a director (since
June 1991) of HarbourView Asset Management Corp.; Chairman and a director (since
August 1994) of Shareholder Services, Inc. and (since September 1995)
Shareholder Financial Services, Inc.; President (since September 1995) and a
director (since October 1990) of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp.; President (since
September 1995) and a director (since November 1989) of Oppenheimer Partnership
Holdings, Inc., a holding company subsidiary of the Manager; a director of
Oppenheimer Real Asset Management, Inc. (since July 1996); President and a
director (since October 1997) of OppenheimerFunds International Ltd., an
offshore fund management subsidiary of the Manager, and Oppenheimer Millennium
Funds plc; President and a director of other Oppenheimer funds; a director of
Hillsdown Holdings plc (a U.K. food company).
Ned M. Steel, Trustee; Age: 83
3416 South Race Street, Englewood, Colorado 80110
Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter; a director of Visiting Nurse
Corporation of Colorado.
James C. Swain,* Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee; Age: 65 6803
South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112 Vice Chairman of the Manager (since
September 1988); formerly President and a director of Centennial Asset
Management Corporation, and Chairman of the Board of Shareholder Services, Inc.
David P. Negri, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age: 44
Two World Trade Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048-0203
Senior Vice President of the Manager; an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
Thomas P. Reedy, Vice President and Portfolio Manager; Age: 36 Two World Trade
Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048-0203 Vice President of the Manager
(since June 1993); an officer of other Oppenheimer funds; formerly a Securities
Analyst for the Manager.
Andrew J. Donohue, Vice President and Secretary; Age: 48
Two World Trade Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048
Executive Vice President (since January 1993), General Counsel (since October
1991) and a Director (since September 1995) of the Manager; Executive Vice
President (since September 1993) and a director (since January 1992) of the
Distributor; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and a director of
HarbourView Asset Management Corp., Shareholder Services, Inc., Shareholder
Financial Services, Inc. and Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc. (since
September 1995); President and a director of Centennial Asset Management Corp.
(since September 1995); President and a director of Oppenheimer Real Asset
Management, Inc. (since July 1996); General Counsel (since May 1996) and
Secretary (since April 1997) of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp.; Vice President
and a Director of OppenheimerFunds International Ltd. and Oppenheimer Millennium
Funds plc (since October 1997); an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
Robert J. Bishop, Assistant Treasurer; Age: 40
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (since May 1996); an
officer of other Oppenheimer funds; formerly an Assistant Vice President of the
Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (April 1994-May 1996), and a Fund
Controller for the Manager.
Scott Farrar, Assistant Treasurer; Age: 33
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Vice President of the Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (since May 1996); Assistant
Treasurer of Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc (since October 1997); an officer
of other Oppenheimer funds; formerly an Assistant Vice President of the
Manager/Mutual Fund Accounting (April 1994-May 1996), and a Fund Controller for
the Manager.
Robert G. Zack, Assistant Secretary; Age: 50
Two World Trade Center, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10048-0203 Senior Vice
President (since May 1985) and Associate General Counsel (since May 1981) of the
Manager, Assistant Secretary of Shareholder Services, Inc. (since May 1985), and
Shareholder Financial Services, Inc. (since November 1989); Assistant Secretary
(since October 1997) of Oppenheimer Millennium Funds plc and OppenheimerFunds
International Ltd.; an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
|X| Remuneration of Trustees. The officers of the Fund and three of the
Trustees of the Fund (Ms. Macaskill and Messrs. Bowen and Mr. Swain) are
affiliated with the Manager and receive no salary or fee from the Fund. The
remaining Trustees of the Fund received the compensation shown below. The
compensation from the Fund was paid during its fiscal year ended September 30,
1998. The compensation from all of the Denver-based Oppenheimer funds includes
the compensation from the Fund and represents compensation received as a
director, trustee, managing general partner or member of a committee of the
Board during the calendar year 1998.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Compensation
Trustee's Name and Aggregate From all
Other Positions Compensation Denver-Based
from Fund Oppenheimer Funds1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert G. Avis $854 $67,998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
William A. Baker $917 $69,998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Conrad, Jr. $881 $67,998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon. S. Fossel $848 $67,496.04
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Sam Freedman
Audit and Review
Committee Member $921 $73,998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Raymond J. Kalinowski
Audit and Review
Committee Member $937 $73,998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Howard Kast
Audit and Review
Committee Chairman $981 $76,998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert M. Kirchner $881 $67,998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Ned M. Steel $854 $67,998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1. For the 1998 calendar year.
|X| Deferred Compensation Plan. The Board of Trustees has adopted a Deferred
Compensation Plan for disinterested Trustees that enables them to elect to defer
receipt of all or a portion of the annual fees they are entitled to receive from
the Fund. Under the plan, the compensation deferred by a Trustee is periodically
adjusted as though an equivalent amount had been invested in shares of one or
more Oppenheimer funds selected by the Trustee. The amount paid to the Trustee
under the plan will be determined based upon the performance of the selected
funds.
Deferral of Trustee's fees under the plan will not materially affect the
Fund's assets, liabilities and net income per share. The plan will not obligate
the fund to retain the services of any Trustee or to pay any particular level of
compensation to any Trustee. Pursuant to an Order issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Fund may invest in the funds selected by the Trustee
under the plan without shareholder approval for the limited purpose of
determining the value of the Trustee's deferred fee account.
|X| Major Shareholders. As of January 4, 1999, the only person who owned
of record or was known by the Fund to own beneficially 5% or more of any class
of the Fund's outstanding shares was Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith,
Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246, which owned
2,480.733.387 Class B shares (6.90% of the Class B shares then outstanding) and
3,839,181.688 Class C shares (19.68% of the Class C shares then outstanding),
which it advised the Fund that it held for the benefit of its customers.
The Manager. The Manager is wholly-owned by Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp., a
holding company controlled by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. The
Manager and the Fund have a Code of Ethics. It is designed to detect and prevent
improper personal trading by certain employees, including portfolio managers,
that would compete with or take advantage of the Fund's portfolio transactions.
Compliance with the Code of Ethics is carefully monitored and enforced by the
Manager.
|X| The Investment Advisory Agreement. The Manager provides investment
advisory and management services to the Fund under an investment advisory
agreement between the Manager and the Fund. The Manager selects securities for
the Fund's portfolio and handles its day-to-day business. The portfolio managers
of the Fund are employed by the Manager and are the persons who are principally
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio. Other members
of the Manager's Fixed-Income Portfolio Team provide the portfolio managers with
counsel and support in managing the Fund's portfolio.
The agreement requires the Manager, at its expense, to provide the Fund with
adequate office space, facilities and equipment. It also requires the Manager to
provide and supervise the activities of all administrative and clerical
personnel required to provide effective administration for the Fund. Those
responsibilities include the compilation and maintenance of records with respect
to its operations, the preparation and filing of specified reports, and
composition of proxy materials and registration statements for continuous public
sale of shares of the Fund.
The Fund pays expenses not expressly assumed by the Manager under the
advisory agreement. The advisory agreement lists examples of expenses paid by
the Fund. The major categories relate to interest, taxes, brokerage commissions,
fees to certain Trustees, legal and audit expenses, custodian and transfer agent
expenses, share issuance costs, certain printing and registration costs and
non-recurring expenses, including litigation costs. The management fees paid by
the Fund to the Manager are calculated at the rates described in the Prospectus,
which are applied to the assets of the Fund as a whole. The fees are allocated
to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of the Fund's net
assets represented by that class.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year ended 9/30: Management Fees Paid to OppenheimerFunds,
Inc.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 $2,902,865
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 $4,685,210
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 $6,943,309
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment advisory agreement states that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties or
reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the investment advisory
agreement, the Manager is not liable for any loss resulting from a good faith
error or omission on its part with respect to any of its duties under the
agreement.
The agreement permits the Manager to act as investment adviser for any other
person, firm or corporation and to use the name "Oppenheimer" in connection with
other investment companies for which it may act as investment adviser or general
distributor. If the Manager shall no longer act as investment adviser to the
Fund, the Manager may withdraw the right of the Fund to use the name
"Oppenheimer" as part of its name.
Brokerage Policies of the Fund
Brokerage Provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement. One of the duties of
the Manager under the investment advisory agreement is to arrange the portfolio
transactions for the Fund. The advisory agreement contains provisions relating
to the employment of broker-dealers to effect the Fund's portfolio transactions.
The Manager is authorized by the advisory agreement to employ broker-dealers,
including "affiliated" brokers, as that term is defined in the Investment
Company Act. The Manager may employ broker-dealers that the Manager thinks, in
its best judgment based on all relevant factors, will implement the policy of
the Fund to obtain, at reasonable expense, the "best execution" of the Fund's
portfolio transactions. "Best execution" means prompt and reliable execution at
the most favorable price obtainable. The Manager need not seek competitive
commission bidding. However, it is expected to be aware of the current rates of
eligible brokers and to minimize the commissions paid to the extent consistent
with the interests and policies of the Fund as established by its Board of
Trustees.
Under the investment advisory agreement, the Manager may select brokers
(other than affiliates) that provide brokerage and/or research services for the
Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Manager or its affiliates have
investment discretion. The commissions paid to such brokers may be higher than
another qualified broker would charge, if the Manager makes a good faith
determination that the commission is fair and reasonable in relation to the
services provided. Subject to those considerations, as a factor in selecting
brokers for the Fund's portfolio transactions, the Manager may also consider
sales of shares of the Fund and other investment companies for which the Manager
or an affiliate serves as investment adviser.
Brokerage Practices Followed by the Manager. The Manager allocates brokerage for
the Fund subject to the provisions of the investment advisory agreement and the
procedures and rules described above. Generally, the Manager's portfolio traders
allocate brokerage based upon recommendations from the Manager's portfolio
managers. In certain instances, portfolio managers may directly place trades and
allocate brokerage. In either case, the Manager's executive officers supervise
the allocation of brokerage.
Transactions in securities other than those for which an exchange is the
primary market are generally done with principals or market makers. In
transactions on foreign exchanges, the Fund may be required to pay fixed
brokerage commissions and therefore would not have the benefit of negotiated
commissions available in U.S. markets. Brokerage commissions are paid primarily
for transactions in listed securities or for certain fixed-income agency
transactions in the secondary market. Otherwise brokerage commissions are paid
only if it appears likely that a better price or execution can be obtained by
doing so. In an option transaction, the Fund ordinarily uses the same broker for
the purchase or sale of the option and any transaction in the securities to
which the option relates. Other funds advised by the Manager have investment
policies similar to those of the Fund. Those other funds may purchase or sell
the same securities as the Fund at the same time as the Fund, which could affect
the supply and price of the securities. If two or more funds advised by the
Manager purchase the same security on the same day from the same dealer, the
transactions under those combined orders are averaged as to price and allocated
in accordance with the purchase or sale orders actually placed for each account.
Most purchases of debt obligations are principal transactions at net prices.
Instead of using a broker for those transactions, the Fund normally deals
directly with the selling or purchasing principal or market maker unless the
Manager determines that a better price or execution can be obtained by using the
services of a broker. Purchases of portfolio securities from underwriters
include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter.
Purchases from dealers include a spread between the bid and asked prices. The
Fund seeks to obtain prompt execution of these orders at the most favorable net
price.
The investment advisory agreement permits the Manager to allocate brokerage
for research services. The investment research services provided by a particular
broker may be useful only to one or more of the advisory accounts of the Manager
and its affiliates. The investment research received for the commissions of
those other accounts may be useful both to the Fund and one or more of the
Manager's other accounts. Investment research may be supplied to the Manager by
a third party at the instance of a broker through which trades are placed.
Investment research services include information and analysis on particular
companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and portfolio
strategy, market quotations for portfolio evaluations, information systems,
computer hardware and similar products and services. If a research service also
assists the Manager in a non-research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other
administrative functions), then only the percentage or component that provides
assistance to the Manager in the investment decision-making process may be paid
in commission dollars.
The Board of Trustees permits the Manager to use stated commissions on
secondary fixed-income agency trades to obtain research if the broker represents
to the Manager that: (i) the trade is not from or for the broker's own
inventory, (ii) the trade was executed by the broker on an agency basis at the
stated commission, and (iii) the trade is not a riskless principal transaction.
The Board of Trustees permits the Manager to use concessions on fixed-price
offerings to obtain research, in the same manner as is permitted for agency
transactions.
The research services provided by brokers broadens the scope and supplements
the research activities of the Manager. That research provides additional views
and comparisons for consideration, and helps the Manager to obtain market
information for the valuation of securities that are either held in the Fund's
portfolio or are being considered for purchase. The Manager provides information
to the Board about the commissions paid to brokers furnishing such services,
together with the Manager's representation that the amount of such commissions
was reasonably related to the value or benefit of such services.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended 9/30: Total Brokerage Commissions Paid by the Fund1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 $ 18,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 $ 70,843
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 $200,7092
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Amounts do not include spreads or concessions on principal transactions on a
net trade basis.
2. In the fiscal year ended 9/30/98, the amount of transactions directed to
brokers for research services was $16,418,967 and the amount of the
commissions paid to broker-dealers for those services was $32,808.
Distribution and Service Plans
The Distributor. Under its General Distributor's Agreement with the Fund, the
Distributor acts as the Fund's principal underwriter in the continuous public
offering of the Fund's classes of shares. The Distributor is not obligated to
sell a specific number of shares. Expenses normally attributable to sales are
borne by the Distributor.
The compensation paid to (or retained by) the Distributor from the sale of
shares or on the redemption of shares during the Fund's three most recent fiscal
years is shown in the table below.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Class A Commissions Commissions Commissions
Fiscal Front-End Front-End on Class A on Class B on Class
Year Sales Sales Shares Shares C Shares
Ended Charges on Charges Advanced Advanced Advanced
9/30: Class A Retained by by by
Shares by Distributor1Distributor1Distributor1
Distributor
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 $2,709,849 $ 693,681 $ 95,357 $2,801,916 $ 680,794
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 $2,874,912 $ 777,402 $ 85,101 $5,694,296 $ 768,684
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 $3,634,751 $1,033,370 $162,557 $7,767,436 $1,005,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The Distributor advances commission payments to dealers for certain sales of
Class A shares and for sales of Class B and Class C shares from its own
resources at the time of sale.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Contingent Class C
Fiscal Contingent Deferred Sales Contingent
Year Deferred Sales Charges Retained Deferred Sales
Ended 9/30 Charges Retained by Distributor Charges Retained
by Distributor by Distributor
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 None $661,736 $82,701
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and Service Plans. The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for Class A
shares and Distribution and Service Plans for Class B and Class C shares under
Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act. Under those plans the Fund pays the
Distributor for all or a portion of its costs incurred in connection with the
distribution and/or servicing of the shares of the particular class.
Each plan has been approved by a vote of the Board of Trustees, including a
majority of the Independent Trustees2, cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on that plan. Each plan has also been approved by the
holders of a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the shares
of the applicable class. The shareholder votes for the plans for Class B and
Class C shares were cast by the Manager as the sole initial holder of those
classes of shares of the Fund.
Under the plans, the Manager and the Distributor, in their sole discretion,
from time to time, may use their own resources (at no direct cost to the fund)
to make payments to brokers, dealers or other financial institutions for
distribution and administrative services they perform. The Manager may use its
profits from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund. In their sole
discretion, the Distributor and the Manager may increase or decrease the amount
of payments they make from their own resources to plan recipients.
Unless a plan is terminated as described below, the plan continues in effect
from year to year but only if the Fund's Board of Trustees and its Independent
Trustees specifically vote annually to approve its continuance. Approval must be
by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
continuing the plan. A plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a
majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a
"majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the outstanding shares
of that class.
The Board of Trustees and the Independent Trustees must approve all material
amendments to a plan. An amendment to increase materially the amount of payments
to be made under a plan must be approved by shareholders of the class affected
by the amendment. Because Class B shares of the Fund automatically convert into
Class A shares after six years, the Fund must obtain the approval of both Class
A and Class B shareholders for a proposed material amendment to the Class A Plan
that would materially increase payments under the Plan. That approval must be by
a "majority" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the shares of each
Class, voting separately by class.
While the plans are in effect, the Treasurer of the Fund shall provide
separate written reports on the plans to the Board of Trustees at least
quarterly for its review. The Reports shall detail the amount of all payments
made under a plan, the purpose for which the payments were made and, in the case
of the Class C plan, the identity of each recipient of a payment. The reports on
the Class Class C plan shall also include the Distributor's distribution costs
for that quarter and in the case of the Class B plan the amount of those costs
for previous fiscal periods that are unreimbursed. Those reports are subject to
the review and approval of the Independent Trustees.
Each plan states that while it is in effect, the selection and nomination of
those Trustees of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund is
committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees. This does not prevent
the involvement of others in the selection and nomination process as long as the
final decision as to selection or nomination is approved by a majority of the
Independent Trustees.
Under the plan for a class, no payment will be made to any recipient in any
quarter in which the aggregate net asset value of all Fund shares of that class
held by the recipient for itself and its customers does not exceed a minimum
amount, if any, that may be set from time to time by a majority of the
Independent Trustees. The Board of Trustees has set no minimum amount of assets
to qualify for payments under the plans.
| | Class A Service Plan. Under the Class A service plan, the Distributor
currently uses the fees it receives from the Fund to pay brokers, dealers and
other financial institutions (they are referred to as "recipients") for personal
services and account maintenance services they provide for their customers who
hold Class A shares. The services include, among others, answering customer
inquiries about the Fund, assisting in establishing and maintaining accounts in
the Fund, making the Fund's investment plans available and providing other
services at the request of the Fund or the Distributor. While the plan permits
the Board to authorize payments to the Distributor to reimburse itself for
services under the plan, the Board has not yet done so. The Distributor makes
payments to plan recipients quarterly at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of
the average annual net assets consisting of Class A shares held in the accounts
of the recipients or their customers.
For the fiscal period ended September 30, 1998 payments under the Class A
Plan totaled $1,384,686, all of which was paid by the Distributor to recipients.
That included $75,033 paid to an affiliate of the Distributor's parent company.
Any unreimbursed expenses the Distributor incurs with respect to Class A shares
in any fiscal year cannot be recovered in subsequent years. The Distributor may
not use payments received the Class A Plan to pay any of its interest expenses,
carrying charges, or other financial costs, or allocation of overhead.
|X| Class B and Class C Service and Distribution Plans. Under each plan,
service fees and distribution fees are computed on the average of the net asset
value of shares in the respective class, determined as of the close of each
regular business day during the period. The Class C plan allows the Distributor
to be reimbursed for its services and costs in distributing Class C shares and
servicing accounts. The Class B plan provides for the Distributor to be
compensated at a flat rate, whether the Distributor's distribution expenses are
more or less than the amounts paid by the Fund under the plan during the period
for which the fee is paid. The types of services that recipients provide are
similar to the services provided under the Class A service plan, described
above.
The Class B and the Class C Plans permit the Distributor to retain both the
asset-based sales charges and the service fees or to pay recipients the service
fee on a quarterly basis, without payment in advance. However, the Distributor
currently intends to pay the service fee to recipients in advance for the first
year after the shares are purchased. After the first year shares are
outstanding, the Distributor makes service fee payments quarterly on those
shares. The advance payment is based on the net asset value of shares sold.
Shares purchased by exchange do not qualify for the advance service fee payment.
If Class B or Class C shares are redeemed during the first year after their
purchase, the recipient of the service fees on those shares will be obligated to
repay the Distributor a pro rata portion of the advance payment of the service
fee made on those shares.
The Distributor retains the asset-based sales charge on Class B shares. The
Distributor retains the asset-based sales charge on Class C shares during the
first year the shares are outstanding. It pays the asset-based sales charge as
an ongoing commission to the recipient on Class C shares outstanding for a year
or more. If a dealer has a special agreement with the Distributor, the
Distributor will pay the Class B and/or Class C service fee and the asset-based
sales charge to the dealer quarterly in lieu of paying the sales commissions and
service fee in advance at the time of purchase.
The asset-based sales charges on Class B and Class C shares allow investors
to buy shares without a front-end sales charge while allowing the Distributor to
compensate dealers that sell those shares. The Fund pays the asset-based sales
charges to the Distributor for its services rendered in distributing Class B and
Class C shares. The payments are made to the Distributor in recognition that the
Distributor: o pays sales commissions to authorized brokers and dealers at the
time of
sale and pays service fees as described above,
o may finance payment of sales commissions and/or the advance of the service
fee payment to recipients under the plans, or may provide such financing
from its own resources or from the resources of an affiliate,
o employs personnel to support distribution of Class B and Class C shares,
and
o bears the costs of sales literature, advertising and prospectuses (other
than those furnished to current shareholders) and state "blue sky"
registration fees and certain other distribution expenses.
For the fiscal period ended September 30, 1998, payments under the Class B
plan totaled $3,263,947 (including $7,465 paid to an affiliate of the
Distributor's parent). The Distributor retained $2,872,599 of the total amount.
For the fiscal period ended September 30, 1998, payments under the Class C plan
totaled $2,102,188, (including $14,912 paid to an affiliate of the Distributor's
parent). The Distributor retained $1,093,459 of the total amount.
The Distributor's actual expenses in selling Class B and Class C shares may
be more than the payments it receives from the contingent deferred sales charges
collected on redeemed shares and from the Fund under the plans. As of September
30, 1998, the Distributor had incurred unreimbursed expenses under the Class B
plan in the amount of $15,379,085 (equal to 3.96% of the Fund's net assets
represented by Class B shares on that date) and unreimbursed expenses under the
Class C plan of $3,314,525 (equal to 1.48% of the Fund's net assets represented
by Class C shares on that date). If either the Class B or the Class C plan is
terminated by the Fund, the Board of Trustees may allow the Fund to continue
payments of the asset-based sales charge to the Distributor for distributing
shares before the plan was terminated. The Class B plan allows for the
carry-forward of unreimbursed distribution expenses, to be recovered from
asset-based sales charges in subsequent fiscal periods.
All payments under the Class B and the Class C plans are subject to the
limitations imposed by the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. on payments of asset-based sales charges and service
fees.
Performance of the Fund
Explanation of Performance Terminology. The Fund uses a variety of terms to
illustrate its performance. These terms include "standardized yield," "dividend
yield," "average annual total return," "cumulative total return," "average
annual total return at net asset value" and "total return at net asset value."
An explanation of how yields and total returns are calculated is set forth
below. The charts below show the Fund's performance as of the Fund's most recent
fiscal year end. You can obtain current performance information by calling the
Fund's Transfer Agent at 1-800-525-7048 or by visiting the OppenheimerFunds
Internet web site at http://www.oppenheimerfunds.com.
The Fund's illustrations of its performance data in advertisements must
comply with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those rules
describe the types of performance data that may be used and how it is to be
calculated. In general, any advertisement by the Fund of its performance data
must include the average annual total returns for the advertised class of shares
of the Fund. Those returns must be shown for the 1-, 5- and 10-year periods (or
the life of the class, if less) ending as of the most recently ended calendar
quarter prior to the publication of the advertisement (or its submission for
publication). Certain types of yields may also be shown, provided that they are
accompanied by standardized average annual total returns.
Use of standardized performance calculations enables an investor to
compare the Fund's performance to the performance of other funds for the same
periods. However, a number of factors should be considered before using the
Fund's performance information as a basis for comparison with other investments:
|_| Yields and total returns measure the performance of a hypothetical
account in the Fund over various periods and do not show the performance of each
shareholder's account. Your account's performance will vary from the model
performance data if your dividends are received in cash, or you buy or sell
shares during the period, or you bought your shares at a different time and
price than the shares used in the model.
|_| The Fund's performance returns do not reflect the effect of taxes on
dividends and capital gains distributions.
|_| An investment in the Fund is not insured by the FDIC or any other
government agency.
|_| The principal value of the Fund's shares, and its yields and total
returns are not guaranteed and normally will fluctuate on a daily basis.
|_| When an investor's shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less
than their original cost.
|_| Yields and total returns for any given past period represent
historical performance information and are not, and should not be considered, a
prediction of future yields or returns.
The performance of each class of shares is shown separately, because the
performance of each class of shares will usually be different. That is because
of the different kinds of expenses each class bears. The yields and total
returns of each class of shares of the Fund are affected by market conditions,
the quality of the Fund's investments, the maturity of those investments, the
types of investments the Fund holds, and its operating expenses that are
allocated to the particular class.
|X| Yields. The Fund uses a variety of different yields to illustrate its
current returns. Each class of shares calculates its yield separately because of
the different expenses that affect each class.
|_| Standardized Yield. The "standardized yield" (sometimes referred
to just as "yield") is shown for a class of shares for a stated 30-day period.
It is not based on actual distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders in the
30-day period, but is a hypothetical yield based upon the net investment income
from the Fund's portfolio investments for that period. It may therefore differ
from the "dividend yield" for the same class of shares, described below.
Standardized yield is calculated using the following formula set forth in
rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, designed to assure
uniformity in the way that all funds calculate their yields:
Standardized Yield = 2[(a-b 6
--- + 1) - 1]
cd
The symbols above represent the following factors:
a =dividends and interest earned during the 30-day period.
b =expenses accrued for the period (net of any expense assumptions).
c =the average daily number of shares of that class outstanding during
the 30-day period that were entitled to receive dividends.
d =the maximum offering price per share of that class on the last day of
the period, adjusted for undistributed net investment income.
The standardized yield for a particular 30-day period may differ from the
yield for other periods. The SEC formula assumes that the standardized yield for
a 30-day period occurs at a constant rate for a six-month period and is
annualized at the end of the six-month period. Additionally, because each class
of shares is subject to different expenses, it is likely that the standardized
yields of the Fund's classes of shares will differ for any 30-day period.
|_| Dividend Yield. The Fund may quote a "dividend yield" for each
class of its shares. Dividend yield is based on the dividends paid on a class of
shares during the actual dividend period. To calculate dividend yield, the
dividends of a class declared during a stated period are added together, and the
sum is multiplied by 12 (to annualize the yield) and divided by the maximum
offering price on the last day of the dividend period. The formula is shown
below:
Dividend Yield = dividends paid x 12/maximum offering price (payment date)
The maximum offering price for Class A shares includes the current maximum
initial sales charge. The maximum offering price for Class B and Class C shares
is the net asset value per share, without considering the effect of contingent
deferred sales charges. There is no sales charge on Class Y shares. The Class A
dividend yield may also be quoted without deducting the maximum initial sales
charge.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's Yields for the 30-Day Periods Ended 9/30/98
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
Standardized Yield Dividend Yield
Class of
Shares
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
Without After Without After
Sales Sales Sales Sales
Charge Charge Charge Charge
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 8.96% 8.53% 9.02% 8.59%
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 8.18% N/A 8.27% N/A
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 8.18% N/A 8.26% N/A
------------------------------------------------------------------
|X| Total Return Information. There are different types of "total returns"
to measure the Fund's performance. Total return is the change in value of a
hypothetical investment in the Fund over a given period, assuming that all
dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested in additional shares
and that the investment is redeemed at the end of the period. Because of
differences in expenses for each class of shares, the total returns for each
class are separately measured. The cumulative total return measures the change
in value over the entire period (for example, ten years). An average annual
total return shows the average rate of return for each year in a period that
would produce the cumulative total return over the entire period. However,
average annual total returns do not show actual year-by-year performance. The
Fund uses standardized calculations for its total returns as prescribed by the
SEC. The methodology is discussed below.
In calculating total returns for Class A shares, the current maximum sales
charge of 4.75% (as a percentage of the offering price) is deducted from the
initial investment ("P") (unless the return is shown without sales charge, as
described below). For Class B shares, payment of the applicable contingent
deferred sales charge is applied, depending on the period for which the return
is shown: 5.0% in the first year, 4.0% in the second year, 3.0% in the third and
fourth years, 2.0% in the fifth year, 1.0% in the sixth year and none
thereafter. For Class C shares, the 1% contingent deferred sales charge is
deducted for returns for the 1-year period.
|_| Average Annual Total Return. The "average annual total return" of
each class is an average annual compounded rate of return for each year in a
specified number of years. It is the rate of return based on the change in value
of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 ("P" in the formula below) held
for a number of years ("n" in the formula) to achieve an Ending Redeemable Value
("ERV" in the formula) of that investment, according to the following formula:
ERV 1/n
--- -1 = Average Annual Total Return
P
|_| Cumulative Total Return. The "cumulative total return"
calculation measures the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $1,000
over an entire period of years. Its calculation uses some of the same factors as
average annual total return, but it does not average the rate of return on an
annual basis. Cumulative total return is determined as follows:
ERV-P
----- = Total Return
P
|_| Total Returns at Net Asset Value. From time to time the Fund may
also quote a cumulative or an average annual total return "at net asset value"
(without deducting sales charges) for Class A, Class B or Class C shares. Each
is based on the difference in net asset value per share at the beginning and the
end of the period for a hypothetical investment in that class of shares (without
considering front-end or contingent deferred sales charges) and takes into
consideration the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's Total Returns for the Periods Ended 9/30/98
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative Average Annual Total Returns
Class Total Returns
of (10 years or
Shares Life of Class)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1-Year 5-Year 10-Year
(or (or (or
life-of-class) life-of-class) life-of-class)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
After WithoutAfter WithoutAfter Without After Without
Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales
Charge Charge Charge Charge Charge Charge Charge Charge
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 178.12% 191.99%-5.22% -0.49% 7.31% 8.36% 10.77%111.31%1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 22.39% -5.76% -1.25% 6.98%2 7.83%2 N/A N/A
25.32%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 38.63% -2.16% -1.25% 7.00%3 7.00%3 N/A N/A 38.63%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Inception of Class A: 11/16/87
2. Inception of Class B: 10/2/95
3. Inception of Class C: 12/1/93
Other Performance Comparisons. The Fund compares its performance annually to
that of an appropriate broadly-based market index in its Annual Report to
shareholders. You can obtain that information by contacting the Transfer Agent
at the addresses or telephone numbers shown on the cover of this Statement of
Additional Information. The Fund may also compare its performance to that of
other investments, including other mutual funds, or use rankings of its
performance by independent ranking entities. Examples of these performance
comparisons are set forth below.
|X| Lipper Rankings. From time to time the Fund may publish the ranking of
the performance of its classes of shares by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
Lipper is a widely-recognized independent mutual fund monitoring service. Lipper
monitors the performance of regulated investment companies, including the Fund,
and ranks their performance for various periods based on categories relating to
investment objectives. Lipper currently ranks the Fund's performance against all
other high current yield funds. The Lipper performance rankings are based on
total returns that include the reinvestment of capital gain distributions and
income dividends but do not take sales charges or taxes into consideration.
Lipper also publishes "peer-group" indices of the performance of all mutual
funds in a category that it monitors and averages of the performance of the
funds in particular categories.
|X| Morningstar Rankings. From time to time the Fund may publish the star
ranking of the performance of its classes of shares by Morningstar, Inc., an
independent mutual fund monitoring service. Morningstar ranks mutual funds in
broad investment categories: domestic stock funds, international stock funds,
taxable bond funds and municipal bond funds. The Fund is ranked among taxable
bond funds.
Morningstar star rankings are based on risk-adjusted total investment
return. Investment return measures a fund's (or class's) one-, three-, five- and
ten-year average annual total returns (depending on the inception of the fund or
class) in excess of 90-day U.S. Treasury bill returns after considering the
fund's sales charges and expenses. Risk measures a fund's (or class's)
performance below 90-day U.S. Treasury bill returns. Risk and investment return
are combined to produce star rankings reflecting performance relative to the
average fund in a fund's category. Five stars is the "highest" ranking (top 10%
of funds in a category), four stars is "above average" (next 22.5%), three stars
is "average" (next 35%), two stars is "below average" (next 22.5%) and one star
is "lowest" (bottom 10%). The current star ranking is the fund's (or class's)
3-year ranking or its combined 3- and 5-year ranking (weighted 60%/40%
respectively), or its combined 3-, 5-, and 10-year ranking (weighted 40%, 30%
and 30%, respectively), depending on the inception date of the fund (or class).
Rankings are subject to change monthly.
The Fund may also compare its performance to that of other funds in its
Morningstar category. In addition to its star rankings, Morningstar also
categorizes and compares a fund's 3-year performance based on Morningstar's
classification of the fund's investments and investment style, rather than how a
fund defines its investment objective. Morningstar's four broad categories
(domestic equity, international equity, municipal bond and taxable bond) are
each further subdivided into categories based on types of investments and
investment styles. Those comparisons by Morningstar are based on the same risk
and return measurements as its star rankings but do not consider the effect of
sales charges.
|X| Performance Rankings and Comparisons by Other Entities and
Publications. From time to time the Fund may include in its advertisements and
sales literature performance information about the Fund cited in newspapers and
other periodicals such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Barron's,
or similar publications. That information may include performance quotations
from other sources, including Lipper and Morningstar. The performance of the
Fund's classes of shares may be compared in publications to the performance of
various market indices or other investments, and averages, performance rankings
or other benchmarks prepared by recognized mutual fund statistical services.
Investors may also wish to compare the returns on the Fund's share classes
to the return on fixed-income investments available from banks and thrift
institutions. Those include certificates of deposit, ordinary interest-paying
checking and savings accounts, and other forms of fixed or variable time
deposits, and various other instruments such as Treasury bills. However, the
Fund's returns and share price are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any
other agency and will fluctuate daily, while bank depository obligations may be
insured by the FDIC and may provide fixed rates of return. Repayment of
principal and payment of interest on Treasury securities is backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. government.
From time to time, the Fund may publish rankings or ratings of the Manager
or Transfer Agent, and of the investor services provided by them to shareholders
of the Oppenheimer funds, other than performance rankings of the Oppenheimer
funds themselves. Those ratings or rankings of shareholder and investor services
by third parties may include comparisons of their services to those provided by
other mutual fund families selected by the rating or ranking services. They may
be based upon the opinions of the rating or ranking service itself, using its
research or judgment, or based upon surveys of investors, brokers, shareholders
or others.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Buy Shares
Additional information is presented below about the methods that can be
used to buy shares of the Fund. Appendix C contains more information about the
special sales charge arrangements offered by the Fund, and the circumstances in
which sales charges may be reduced or waived for certain classes of investors.
AccountLink. When shares are purchased through AccountLink, each purchase must
be at least $25. Shares will be purchased on the regular business day the
Distributor is instructed to initiate the Automated Clearing House ("ACH")
transfer to buy the shares. Dividends will begin to accrue on shares purchased
with the proceeds of ACH transfers on the business day the Fund receives Federal
Funds for the purchase through the ACH system before the close of The New York
Stock Exchange. The Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M., but may close earlier
on certain days. If Federal Funds are received on a business day after the close
of the Exchange, the shares will be purchased and dividends will begin to accrue
on the next regular business day. The proceeds of ACH transfers are normally
received by the Fund 3 days after the transfers are initiated. The Distributor
and the Fund are not responsible for any delays in purchasing shares resulting
from delays in ACH transmissions.
Reduced Sales Charges. As discussed in the Prospectus, a reduced sales charge
rate may be obtained for Class A shares under Right of Accumulation and Letters
of Intent because of the economies of sales efforts and reduction in expenses
realized by the Distributor, dealers and brokers making such sales. No sales
charge is imposed in certain other circumstances described in Appendix C to this
Statement of Additional Information because the Distributor or dealer or broker
incurs little or no selling expenses.
|X| Right of Accumulation. To qualify for the lower sales charge rates
that apply to larger purchases of Class A shares, you and your spouse can add
together:
|_| Class A and Class B shares you purchase for your individual
accounts, or for your joint accounts, or for trust or custodial
accounts on behalf of your children who are minors, and
|_|current purchases of Class A and Class B shares of the Fund and
other Oppenheimer funds to reduce the sales charge rate that applies
to current purchases of Class A shares, and
|_|Class A and Class B shares of Oppenheimer funds you previously
purchased subject to an initial or contingent deferred sales charge
to reduce the sales charge rate for current purchases of Class A
shares, provided that you still hold your investment in one of the
Oppenheimer funds.
A fiduciary can count all shares purchased for a trust, estate or other
fiduciary account (including one or more employee benefit plans of the same
employer) that has multiple accounts. The Distributor will add the value, at
current offering price, of the shares you previously purchased and currently own
to the value of current purchases to determine the sales charge rate that
applies. The reduced sales charge will apply only to current purchases. You must
request it when you buy shares.
|X| The Oppenheimer Funds. The Oppenheimer funds are those mutual
funds for which the Distributor acts as the distributor or the
sub-distributor and currently include the following:
Oppenheimer Bond Fund Oppenheimer Limited-Term
Government Fund
Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation Oppenheimer Main Street California Fund
Municipal Fund Oppenheimer California Municipal Oppenheimer Main Street Growth &
Fund Income Fund Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund Oppenheimer MidCap Fund
Oppenheimer Convertible Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Securities Fund Fund
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund Fund Oppenheimer
Disciplined Oppenheimer New York Municipal Fund Allocation Fund Oppenheimer
Disciplined Value Oppenheimer New Jersey Municipal Fund Fund Oppenheimer
Discovery Fund Oppenheimer Pennsylvania Municipal
Fund
Oppenheimer Enterprise Fund Oppenheimer Quest Balanced Value
Fund
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund Oppenheimer Quest Capital Value
Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Florida Municipal Oppenheimer Quest Global Value
Fund Fund, Inc.
Oppenheimer Global Fund Oppenheimer Quest Opportunity
Value Fund
Oppenheimer Global Growth & Oppenheimer Quest Small Cap Value
Income Fund Fund
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc.
Minerals Fund
Oppenheimer Growth Fund Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund
Oppenheimer High Yield Fund Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund
Oppenheimer Insured Municipal Oppenheimer Total Return Fund,
Fund Inc.
Oppenheimer Intermediate Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
Municipal Fund
Oppenheimer International Bond Oppenheimer World Bond Fund
Fund
Oppenheimer International Growth Limited-Term New York Municipal
Fund Fund
Oppenheimer International Small Rochester Fund Municipals
Company Fund
Oppenheimer Large Cap Growth Fund
and the following money market
funds:
Centennial America Fund, L. P. Centennial New York Tax Exempt
Trust
Centennial California Tax Exempt Centennial Tax Exempt Trust
Trust
Centennial Government Trust Oppenheimer Cash Reserves
Centennial Money Market Trust Oppenheimer Money Market Fund,
Inc.
There is an initial sales charge on the purchase of Class A shares of each
of the Oppenheimer funds except the money market funds. Under certain
circumstances described in this Statement of Additional Information, redemption
proceeds of certain money market fund shares may be subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge.
Letters of Intent. Under a Letter of Intent, if you purchase Class A shares or
Class A and Class B shares of the Fund and other Oppenheimer funds during a
13-month period, you can reduce the sales charge rate that applies to your
purchases of Class A shares. The total amount of your intended purchases of both
Class A and Class B shares will determine the reduced sales charge rate for the
Class A shares purchased during that period. You can include purchases made up
to 90 days before the date of the Letter.
A Letter of Intent is an investor's statement in writing to the
Distributor of the intention to purchase Class A shares or Class A and Class B
shares of the Fund (and other Oppenheimer funds) during a 13-month period (the
"Letter of Intent period"). At the investor's request, this may include
purchases made up to 90 days prior to the date of the Letter. The Letter states
the investor's intention to make the aggregate amount of purchases of shares
which, when added to the investor's holdings of shares of those funds, will
equal or exceed the amount specified in the Letter. Purchases made by
reinvestment of dividends or distributions of capital gains and purchases made
at net asset value without sales charge do not count toward satisfying the
amount of the Letter.
A Letter enables an investor to count the Class A and Class B shares
purchased under the Letter to obtain the reduced sales charge rate on purchases
of Class A shares of the Fund (and other Oppenheimer funds) that applies under
the Right of Accumulation to current purchases of Class A shares. Each purchase
of Class A shares under the Letter will be made at the offering price (including
the sales charge) that applies to a single lump-sum purchase of shares in the
amount intended to be purchased under the Letter.
In submitting a Letter, the investor makes no commitment to purchase
shares. However, if the investor's purchases of shares within the Letter of
Intent period, when added to the value (at offering price) of the investor's
holdings of shares on the last day of that period, do not equal or exceed the
intended purchase amount, the investor agrees to pay the additional amount of
sales charge applicable to such purchases. That amount is described in "Terms of
Escrow," below (those terms may be amended by the Distributor from time to
time). The investor agrees that shares equal in value to 5% of the intended
purchase amount will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent subject to the
Terms of Escrow. Also, the investor agrees to be bound by the terms of the
Prospectus, this Statement of Additional Information and the Application used
for a Letter of Intent. If those terms are amended, as they may be from time to
time by the Fund, the investor agrees to be bound by the amended terms and that
those amendments will apply automatically to existing Letters of Intent.
If the total eligible purchases made during the Letter of Intent period do
not equal or exceed the intended purchase amount, the commissions previously
paid to the dealer of record for the account and the amount of sales charge
retained by the Distributor will be adjusted to the rates applicable to actual
total purchases. If total eligible purchases during the Letter of Intent period
exceed the intended purchase amount and exceed the amount needed to qualify for
the next sales charge rate reduction set forth in the Prospectus, the sales
charges paid will be adjusted to the lower rate. That adjustment will be made
only if and when the dealer returns to the Distributor the excess of the amount
of commissions allowed or paid to the dealer over the amount of commissions that
apply to the actual amount of purchases. The excess commissions returned to the
Distributor will be used to purchase additional shares for the investor's
account at the net asset value per share in effect on the date of such purchase,
promptly after the Distributor's receipt thereof.
The Transfer Agent will not hold shares in escrow for purchases of shares
of the Fund and other Oppenheimer funds by OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k)
plans under a Letter of Intent. If the intended purchase amount under a Letter
of Intent entered into by an OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k) plan is not
purchased by the plan by the end of the Letter of Intent period, there will be
no adjustment of commissions paid to the broker-dealer or financial institution
of record for accounts held in the name of that plan.
In determining the total amount of purchases made under a Letter, shares
redeemed by the investor prior to the termination of the Letter of Intent period
will be deducted. It is the responsibility of the dealer of record and/or the
investor to advise the Distributor about the Letter in placing any purchase
orders for the investor during the Letter of Intent period. All of such
purchases must be made through the Distributor.
|X| Terms of Escrow That Apply to Letters of Intent.
1. Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary) made
pursuant to a Letter, shares of the Fund equal in value up to 5% of the intended
purchase amount specified in the Letter shall be held in escrow by the Transfer
Agent. For example, if the intended purchase amount is $50,000, the escrow shall
be shares valued in the amount of $2,500 (computed at the offering price
adjusted for a $50,000 purchase). Any dividends and capital gains distributions
on the escrowed shares will be credited to the investor's account.
2. If the total minimum investment specified under the Letter is completed
within the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period, the escrowed shares will be
promptly released to the investor.
3. If, at the end of the thirteen-month Letter of Intent period the total
purchases pursuant to the Letter are less than the intended purchase amount
specified in the Letter, the investor must remit to the Distributor an amount
equal to the difference between the dollar amount of sales charges actually paid
and the amount of sales charges which would have been paid if the total amount
purchased had been made at a single time. That sales charge adjustment will
apply to any shares redeemed prior to the completion of the Letter. If the
difference in sales charges is not paid within twenty days after a request from
the Distributor or the dealer, the Distributor will, within sixty days of the
expiration of the Letter, redeem the number of escrowed shares necessary to
realize such difference in sales charges. Full and fractional shares remaining
after such redemption will be released from escrow. If a request is received to
redeem escrowed shares prior to the payment of such additional sales charge, the
sales charge will be withheld from the redemption proceeds.
4. By signing the Letter, the investor irrevocably constitutes and
appoints the Transfer Agent as attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any
or all escrowed shares.
5. The shares eligible for purchase under the Letter (or the holding of
which may be counted toward completion of a Letter) include:
(a) Class A shares sold with a front-end sales charge or subject to a
Class A contingent deferred sales charge,
(b) Class B shares of other Oppenheimer funds acquired subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge, and
(c) Class A or Class B shares acquired by exchange of either (1) Class A
shares of one of the other Oppenheimer funds that were acquired
subject to a Class A initial or contingent deferred sales charge or
(2) Class B shares of one of the other Oppenheimer funds that were
acquired subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
6. Shares held in escrow hereunder will automatically be exchanged for
shares of another fund to which an exchange is requested, as described in the
section of the Prospectus entitled "How to Exchange Shares" and the escrow will
be transferred to that other fund.
Asset Builder Plans. To establish an Asset Builder Plan to buy shares directly
from a bank account, you must enclose a check (minimum $25) for the initial
purchase with your application. Shares purchased by Asset Builder Plan payments
from bank accounts are subject to the redemption restrictions for recent
purchases described in the Prospectus. Asset Builder Plans also enable
shareholders of Oppenheimer Cash Reserves to use their fund account to make
monthly automatic purchases of shares of up to four other Oppenheimer funds.
If you make payments from your bank account to purchase shares of the
Fund, your bank account will be automatically debited, normally four to five
business days prior to the investment dates selected in the Application. Neither
the Distributor, the Transfer Agent nor the Fund shall be responsible for any
delays in purchasing shares resulting from delays in ACH transmissions.
Before initiating Asset Builder payments, obtain a prospectus of the
selected fund(s) from the Distributor or your financial advisor and request an
application from the Distributor, complete it and return it. The amount of the
Asset Builder investment may be changed or the automatic investments may be
terminated at any time by writing to the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent
requires a reasonable period (approximately 15 days) after receipt of such
instructions to implement them. The Fund reserves the right to amend, suspend,
or discontinue offering Asset Builder plans at any time without prior notice.
Retirement Plans. Certain types of retirement plans are entitled to purchase
shares of the Fund without sales charge or at reduced sales charge rates, as
described in Appendix C to this Statement of Additional Information. Certain
special sales charge arrangements described in that Appendix apply to retirement
plans whose records are maintained on a daily valuation basis by Merrill Lynch
Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc. or an independent record keeper that has a contract
or special arrangement with Merrill Lynch. If on the date the plan sponsor
signed the Merrill Lynch record keeping service agreement the plan has less than
$3 million in assets (other than assets invested in money market funds) invested
in applicable investments, then the retirement plan may purchase only Class B
shares of the Oppenheimer funds. Any retirement plans in that category that
currently invest in Class B shares of the Fund will have their Class B shares
converted to Class A shares of the Fund when the plan's applicable investments
reach $5 million.
Cancellation of Purchase Orders. Cancellation of purchase orders for the Fund's
shares (for example, when a purchase check is returned to the Fund unpaid)
causes a loss to be incurred when the net asset value of the Fund's shares on
the cancellation date is less than on the purchase date. That loss is equal to
the amount of the decline in the net asset value per share multiplied by the
number of shares in the purchase order. The investor is responsible for that
loss. If the investor fails to compensate the Fund for the loss, the Distributor
will do so. The Fund may reimburse the Distributor for that amount by redeeming
shares from any account registered in that investor's name, or the Fund or the
Distributor may seek other redress.
Classes of Shares. Each class of shares of the Fund represents an interest in
the same portfolio of investments of the Fund. However, each class has different
shareholder privileges and features. The net income attributable to Class B or
Class C shares and the dividends payable on Class B or Class C shares will be
reduced by incremental expenses borne solely by that class. Those expenses
include the asset-based sales charges to which Class B and Class C are subject.
The availability of different classes of shares permits an investor to
choose the method of purchasing shares that is more appropriate for the
investor. That may depend on the amount of the purchase, the length of time the
investor expects to hold shares, and other relevant circumstances. Class A
shares normally are sold subject to an initial sales charge. While Class B and
Class C shares have no initial sales charge, the purpose of the deferred sales
charge and asset-based sales charge on Class B and Class C shares is the same as
that of the initial sales charge on Class A shares - to compensate the
Distributor and brokers, dealers and financial institutions that sell shares of
the Fund. A salesperson who is entitled to receive compensation from his or her
firm for selling Fund shares may receive different levels of compensation for
selling one class of shares than another.
The Distributor will not accept any order in the amount of $500,000 or
more for Class B shares or $1 million or more for Class C shares on behalf of a
single investor (not including dealer "street name" or omnibus accounts). That
is because generally it will be more advantageous for that investor to purchase
Class A shares of the Fund.
|X| Class B Conversion. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares
after six years is subject to the continuing availability of a private letter
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel or tax
adviser, to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares does not constitute
a taxable event for the shareholder under Federal income tax law. If such a
revenue ruling or opinion is no longer available, the automatic conversion
feature may be suspended, in which event no further conversions of Class B
shares would occur while such suspension remained in effect. Although Class B
shares could then be exchanged for Class A shares on the basis of relative net
asset value of the two classes, without the imposition of a sales charge or fee,
such exchange could constitute a taxable event for the shareholder, and absent
such exchange, Class B shares might continue to be subject to the asset-based
sales charge for longer than six years.
|X| Allocation of Expenses. The Fund pays expenses related to its daily
operations, such as custodian fees, Trustees' fees, transfer agency fees, legal
fees and auditing costs. Those expenses are paid out of the Fund's assets and
are not paid directly by shareholders. However, those expenses reduce the net
asset value of shares, and therefore are indirectly borne by shareholders
through their investment.
The methodology for calculating the net asset value, dividends and
distributions of the Fund's share classes recognizes two types of expenses.
General expenses that do not pertain specifically to any one class are allocated
pro rata to the shares of all classes. The allocation is based on the percentage
of the Fund's total assets that is represented by the assets of each class, and
then equally to each outstanding share within a given class. Such general
expenses include management fees, legal, bookkeeping and audit fees, printing
and mailing costs of shareholder reports, Prospectuses, Statements of Additional
Information and other materials for current shareholders, fees to unaffiliated
Trustees, custodian expenses, share issuance costs, organization and start-up
costs, interest, taxes and brokerage commissions, and non-recurring expenses,
such as litigation costs.
Other expenses that are directly attributable to a particular class are
allocated equally to each outstanding share within that class. Examples of such
expenses include distribution and service plan (12b-1) fees, transfer and
shareholder servicing agent fees and expenses, and shareholder meeting expenses
(to the extent that such expenses pertain only to a specific class).
Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share. The net asset values per share of
each class of shares of the Fund are determined as of the close of business of
The New York Stock Exchange on each day that the Exchange is open. The
calculation is done by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets attributable
to a class by the number of shares of that class that are outstanding. The
Exchange normally closes at 4:00 P.M., New York time, but may close earlier on
some other days (for example, in case of weather emergencies or on days falling
before a holiday). The Exchange's most recent annual announcement (which is
subject to change) states that it will close on New Year's Day, Presidents' Day,
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It may also close on other days.
Dealers other than Exchange members may conduct trading in certain
securities on days on which the Exchange is closed (including weekends and U.S.
holidays) or after 4:00 P.M. and a regular business day. The Fund's net asset
values will not be calculated on those days, and the value of some of the Fund's
portfolio securities may change significantly on those days, when shareholders
may not purchase or redeem shares. Additionally, trading on European and Asian
stock exchanges and over-the-counter markets normally is completed before the
close of The New York Stock Exchange.
Changes in the values of securities traded on foreign exchanges or markets
as a result of events that occur after the prices of those securities are
determined, but before the close of The New York Stock Exchange, will not be
reflected in the Fund's calculation of its net asset values that day unless the
Manager determines that the event is likely to effect a material change in the
value of the security. The Manager may make that determination, under procedures
established by the Board.
|X| Securities Valuation. The Fund's Board of Trustees has established
procedures for the valuation of the Fund's securities. In general those
procedures are as follows:
|_| Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or on NASDAQ
are valued as follows:
(1) if last sale information is regularly reported, they are valued at the
last reported sale price on the principal exchange on which they
are traded or on NASDAQ, as applicable, on that day, or
(2) if last sale information is not available on a valuation date, they
are valued at the last reported sale price preceding the valuation
date if it is within the spread of the closing "bid" and "asked"
prices on the valuation date or, if not, at the closing "bid" price
on the valuation date.
|_| Equity securities traded on a foreign securities exchange generally
are valued in one of the following ways:
(1) at the last sale price available to the pricing service approved by the
Board of Trustees, or
(2) at the last sale price obtained by the Manager from the report of
the principal exchange on which the security is traded at its last
trading session on or immediately before the valuation date, or
(3) at the mean between the "bid" and "asked" prices obtained from the
principal exchange on which the security is traded or, on the basis
of reasonable inquiry, from two market makers in the security.
|_| Long-term debt securities having a remaining maturity in excess of 60
days are valued based on the mean between the "bid" and "asked" prices
determined by a portfolio pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of
Trustees or obtained by the Manager from two active market makers in the
security on the basis of reasonable inquiry.
|_| The following securities are valued at the mean between the "bid" and
"asked" prices determined by a pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of
Trustees or obtained by the Manager from two active market makers in the
security on the basis of reasonable inquiry: (1) debt instruments that have a
maturity of more than 397 days when issued, (2) debt instruments that had a
maturity of 397 days or less when issued and
have a remaining maturity of more than 60 days, and (3) non-money market
debt instruments that had a maturity of 397 days or
less when issued and which have a remaining maturity of 60 days or less.
|_| The following securities are valued at cost, adjusted for
amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts:
(1) money market debt securities held by a non-money market fund that had a
maturity of less than 397 days when issued that have a remaining
maturity of 60 days or less, and
(2) debt instruments held by a money market fund that have a remaining
maturity of 397 days or less.
|_| Securities (including restricted securities) not having
readily-available market quotations are valued at fair value determined under
the Board's procedures. If the Manager is unable to locate two market makers
willing to give quotes, a security may be priced at the mean between the "bid"
and "asked" prices provided by a single active market maker (which in certain
cases may be the "bid" price if no "asked" price is available).
In the case of U.S. government securities, mortgage-backed securities,
corporate bonds and foreign government securities, when last sale information is
not generally available, the Manager may use pricing services approved by the
Board of Trustees. The pricing service may use "matrix" comparisons to the
prices for comparable instruments on the basis of quality, yield, and maturity.
Other special factors may be involved (such as the tax-exempt status of the
interest paid by municipal securities). The Manager will monitor the accuracy of
the pricing services. That monitoring may include comparing prices used for
portfolio valuation to actual sales prices of selected securities.
The closing prices in the London foreign exchange market on a particular
business day that are provided to the Manager by a bank, dealer or pricing
service that the Manager has determined to be reliable are used to value foreign
currency, including forward contracts, and to convert to U.S. dollars securities
that are denominated in foreign currency.
Puts, calls, and futures are valued at the last sale price on the
principal exchange on which they are traded or on NASDAQ, as applicable, as
determined by a pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees or by the
Manager. If there were no sales that day, they shall be valued at the last sale
price on the preceding trading day if it is within the spread of the closing
"bid" and "asked" prices on the principal exchange or on NASDAQ on the valuation
date. If not, the value shall be the closing bid price on the principal exchange
or on NASDAQ on the valuation date. If the put, call or future is not traded on
an exchange or on NASDAQ, it shall be valued by the mean between "bid" and
"asked" prices obtained by the Manager from two active market makers. In certain
cases that may be at the "bid" price if no "asked" price is available.
When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received is
included in the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset. An
equivalent credit is included in the liability section. The credit is adjusted
("marked-to-market") to reflect the current market value of the option. In
determining the Fund's gain on investments, if a call or put written by the Fund
is exercised, the proceeds are increased by the premium received. If a call or
put written by the Fund expires, the Fund has a gain in the amount of the
premium. If the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will have a
gain or loss, depending on whether the premium received was more or less than
the cost of the closing transaction. If the Fund exercises a put it holds, the
amount the Fund receives on its sale of the underlying investment is reduced by
the amount of premium paid by the Fund.
How to Sell Shares
Information on how to sell shares of the Fund is stated in the Prospectus.
The information below provides additional information about the procedures and
conditions for redeeming shares.
Checkwriting. When a check is presented to the Bank for clearance, the Bank will
ask the Fund to redeem a sufficient number of full and fractional shares in the
shareholder's account to cover the amount of the check. This enables the
shareholder to continue receiving dividends on those shares until the check is
presented to the Fund. Checks may not be presented for payment at the offices of
the Bank or the Fund's Custodian. This limitation does not affect the use of
checks for the payment of bills or to obtain cash at other banks. The Fund
reserves the right to amend, suspend or discontinue offering checkwriting
privileges at any time without prior notice.
In choosing to take advantage of the Checkwriting privilege, by signing
the Account Application or by completing a Checkwriting card, each individual
who signs: (1) for individual accounts, represents that they are the registered
owner(s) of the shares of the Fund in that account;
(2) for accounts for corporations, partnerships, trusts and other entities,
represents that they are an officer, general partner, trustee or other
fiduciary or agent, as applicable, duly authorized to act on behalf of
the registered owner(s);
(3) authorizes the Fund, its Transfer Agent and any bank through which the
Fund's drafts (checks) are payable to pay all checks drawn on the Fund
account of such person(s) and to redeem a sufficient amount of shares
from that account to cover payment of each check;
(4) specifically acknowledges that if they choose to permit checks to be
honored if there is a single signature on checks drawn against joint
accounts, or accounts for corporations, partnerships, trusts or other
entities, the signature of any one signatory on a check will be
sufficient to authorize payment of that check and redemption from the
account, even if that account is registered in the names of more than
one person or more than one authorized signature appears on the
Checkwriting card or the Application, as applicable;
(5) understands that the Checkwriting privilege may be terminated or amended
at any time by the Fund and/or the Fund's bank; and
(6) acknowledges and agrees that neither the Fund nor its bank shall incur
any liability for that amendment or termination of checkwriting
privileges or for redeeming shares to pay checks reasonably believed by
them to be genuine, or for returning or not paying checks that have not
been accepted for any reason.
Reinvestment Privilege. Within six months of a redemption, a shareholder may
reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds of:
|_| Class A shares purchased subject to an initial sales charge or Class A
shares on which a contingent deferred sales charge was paid, or
|_| Class B shares that were subject to the Class B contingent deferred
sales charge when redeemed.
The reinvestment may be made without sales charge only in Class A shares
of the Fund or any of the other Oppenheimer funds into which shares of the Fund
are exchangeable as described in "How to Exchange Shares" below. Reinvestment
will be at the net asset value next computed after the Transfer Agent receives
the reinvestment order. The shareholder must ask the Transfer Agent for that
privilege at the time of reinvestment. This privilege does not apply to Class C
shares. The Fund may amend, suspend or cease offering this reinvestment
privilege at any time as to shares redeemed after the date of such amendment,
suspension or cessation.
Any capital gain that was realized when the shares were redeemed is
taxable, and reinvestment will not alter any capital gains tax payable on that
gain. If there has been a capital loss on the redemption, some or all of the
loss may not be tax deductible, depending on the timing and amount of the
reinvestment. Under the Internal Revenue Code, if the redemption proceeds of
Fund shares on which a sales charge was paid are reinvested in shares of the
Fund or another of the Oppenheimer funds within 90 days of payment of the sales
charge, the shareholder's basis in the shares of the Fund that were redeemed may
not include the amount of the sales charge paid. That would reduce the loss or
increase the gain recognized from the redemption. However, in that case the
sales charge would be added to the basis of the shares acquired by the
reinvestment of the redemption proceeds.
Payments "In Kind". The Prospectus states that payment for shares tendered for
redemption is ordinarily made in cash. However, the Board of Trustees of the
Fund may determine that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the
remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment of a redemption order wholly
or partly in cash. In that case, the Fund may pay the redemption proceeds in
whole or in part by a distribution "in kind" of securities from the portfolio of
the Fund, in lieu of cash.
The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment
Company Act. Under that rule, the Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in
cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund during any
90-day period for any one shareholder. If shares are redeemed in kind, the
redeeming shareholder might incur brokerage or other costs in selling the
securities for cash. The Fund will value securities used to pay redemptions in
kind using the same method the Fund uses to value its portfolio securities
described above under "Determination of Net Asset Values Per Share." That
valuation will be made as of the time the redemption price is determined.
Involuntary Redemptions. The Fund's Board of Trustees has the right to cause the
involuntary redemption of the shares held in any account if the aggregate net
asset value of those shares is less than $200 or such lesser amount as the Board
may fix. The Board will not cause the involuntary redemption of shares in an
account if the aggregate net asset value of such shares has fallen below the
stated minimum solely as a result of market fluctuations. If the Board exercises
this right, it may also fix the requirements for any notice to be given to the
shareholders in question (not less than 30 days). The Board may alternatively
set requirements for the shareholder to increase the investment, or set other
terms and conditions so that the shares would not be involuntarily redeemed.
Transfers of Shares. A transfer of shares to a different registration is not an
event that triggers the payment of sales charges. Therefore, shares are not
subject to the payment of a contingent deferred sales charge of any class at the
time of transfer to the name of another person or entity. It does not matter
whether the transfer occurs by absolute assignment, gift or bequest, as long as
it does not involve, directly or indirectly, a public sale of the shares. When
shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge are transferred, the
transferred shares will remain subject to the contingent deferred sales charge.
It will be calculated as if the transferee shareholder had acquired the
transferred shares in the same manner and at the same time as the transferring
shareholder.
If less than all shares held in an account are transferred, and some but
not all shares in the account would be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge if redeemed at the time of transfer, the priorities described in the
Prospectus under "How to Buy Shares" for the imposition of the Class B or Class
C contingent deferred sales charge will be followed in determining the order in
which shares are transferred.
Distributions From Retirement Plans. Requests for distributions from
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored IRAs, 403(b)(7) custodial plans, 401(k) plans or
pension or profit-sharing plans should be addressed to "Trustee,
OppenheimerFunds Retirement Plans," c/o the Transfer Agent at its address listed
in "How To Sell Shares" in the Prospectus or on the back cover of this Statement
of Additional Information. The request must: (1) state the reason for the
distribution; (2) state the owner's awareness of tax penalties if the
distribution is
premature; and
(3) conform to the requirements of the plan and the Fund's other redemption
requirements.
Participants (other than self-employed persons) in
OppenheimerFunds-sponsored pension or profit-sharing plans with shares of the
Fund held in the name of the plan or its fiduciary may not directly request
redemption of their accounts. The plan administrator or fiduciary must sign the
request.
Distributions from pension and profit sharing plans are subject to special
requirements under the Internal Revenue Code and certain documents (available
from the Transfer Agent) must be completed and submitted to the Transfer Agent
before the distribution may be made. Distributions from retirement plans are
subject to withholding requirements under the Internal Revenue Code, and IRS
Form W-4P (available from the Transfer Agent) must be submitted to the Transfer
Agent with the distribution request, or the distribution may be delayed. Unless
the shareholder has provided the Transfer Agent with a certified tax
identification number, the Internal Revenue Code requires that tax be withheld
from any distribution even if the shareholder elects not to have tax withheld.
The Fund, the Manager, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent assume no
responsibility to determine whether a distribution satisfies the conditions of
applicable tax laws and will not be responsible for any tax penalties assessed
in connection with a distribution.
Special Arrangements for Repurchase of Shares from Dealers and Brokers. The
Distributor is the Fund's agent to repurchase its shares from authorized dealers
or brokers on behalf of their customers. Shareholders should contact their
broker or dealer to arrange this type of redemption. The repurchase price per
share will be the net asset value next computed after the Distributor receives
an order placed by the dealer or broker. However, if the Distributor receives a
repurchase order from a dealer or broker after the close of The New York Stock
Exchange on a regular business day, it will be processed at that day's net asset
value if the order was received by the dealer or broker from its customers prior
to the time the Exchange closes. Normally, the Exchange closes at 4:00 P.M., but
may do so earlier on some days. Additionally, the order must have been
transmitted to and received by the Distributor prior to its close of business
that day (normally 5:00 P.M.).
Ordinarily, for accounts redeemed by a broker-dealer under this procedure,
payment will be made within three business days after the shares have been
redeemed upon the Distributor's receipt of the required redemption documents in
proper form. The signature(s) of the registered owners on the redemption
documents must be guaranteed as described in the Prospectus.
Automatic Withdrawal and Exchange Plans. Investors owning shares of the Fund
valued at $5,000 or more can authorize the Transfer Agent to redeem shares
(having a value of at least $50) automatically on a monthly, quarterly,
semi-annual or annual basis under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Shares will be
redeemed three business days prior to the date requested by the shareholder for
receipt of the payment. Automatic withdrawals of up to $1,500 per month may be
requested by telephone if payments are to be made by check payable to all
shareholders of record. Payments must also be sent to the address of record for
the account and the address must not have been changed within the prior 30 days.
Required minimum distributions from OppenheimerFunds-sponsored retirement plans
may not be arranged on this basis.
Payments are normally made by check, but shareholders having AccountLink
privileges (see "How To Buy Shares") may arrange to have Automatic Withdrawal
Plan payments transferred to the bank account designated on the Account
Application or by signature-guaranteed instructions sent to the Transfer Agent.
Shares are normally redeemed pursuant to an Automatic Withdrawal Plan three
business days before the payment transmittal date you select in the Account
Application. If a contingent deferred sales charge applies to the redemption,
the amount of the check or payment will be reduced accordingly.
The Fund cannot guarantee receipt of a payment on the date requested. The
Fund reserves the right to amend, suspend or discontinue offering these plans at
any time without prior notice. Because of the sales charge assessed on Class A
share purchases, shareholders should not make regular additional Class A share
purchases while participating in an Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Class B and Class
C shareholders should not establish withdrawal plans, because of the imposition
of the contingent deferred sales charge on such withdrawals (except where the
contingent deferred sales charge is waived as described in Appendix C, below).
By requesting an Automatic Withdrawal or Exchange Plan, the shareholder
agrees to the terms and conditions that apply to such plans, as stated below.
These provisions may be amended from time to time by the Fund and/or the
Distributor. When adopted, any amendments will automatically apply to existing
Plans.
|X| Automatic Exchange Plans. Shareholders can authorize the Transfer
Agent to exchange a pre-determined amount of shares of the Fund for shares (of
the same class) of other Oppenheimer funds automatically on a monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis under an Automatic Exchange Plan. The
minimum amount that may be exchanged to each other fund account is $25.
Instructions should be provided on the OppenheimerFunds Application or
signature-guaranteed instructions. Exchanges made under these plans are subject
to the restrictions that apply to exchanges as set forth in "How to Exchange
Shares" in the Prospectus and below in this Statement of Additional Information.
|X| Automatic Withdrawal Plans. Fund shares will be redeemed as necessary
to meet withdrawal payments. Shares acquired without a sales charge will be
redeemed first. Shares acquired with reinvested dividends and capital gains
distributions will be redeemed next, followed by shares acquired with a sales
charge, to the extent necessary to make withdrawal payments. Depending upon the
amount withdrawn, the investor's principal may be depleted. Payments made under
these plans should not be considered as a yield or income on your investment.
The Transfer Agent will administer the investor's Automatic Withdrawal
Plan as agent for the shareholder(s) (the "Planholder") who executed the Plan
authorization and application submitted to the Transfer Agent. Neither the Fund
nor the Transfer Agent shall incur any liability to the Planholder for any
action taken or not taken by the Transfer Agent in good faith to administer the
Plan. Share certificates will not be issued for shares of the Fund purchased for
and held under the Plan, but the Transfer Agent will credit all such shares to
the account of the Planholder on the records of the Fund. Any share certificates
held by a Planholder may be surrendered unendorsed to the Transfer Agent with
the Plan application so that the shares represented by the certificate may be
held under the Plan.
For accounts subject to Automatic Withdrawal Plans, distributions of
capital gains must be reinvested in shares of the Fund, which will be done at
net asset value without a sales charge. Dividends on shares held in the account
may be paid in cash or reinvested.
Shares will be redeemed to make withdrawal payments at the net asset value
per share determined on the redemption date. Checks or AccountLink payments
representing the proceeds of Plan withdrawals will normally be transmitted three
business days prior to the date selected for receipt of the payment, according
to the choice specified in writing by the Planholder. Receipt of payment on the
date selected cannot be guaranteed.
The amount and the interval of disbursement payments and the address to
which checks are to be mailed or AccountLink payments are to be sent may be
changed at any time by the Planholder by writing to the Transfer Agent. The
Planholder should allow at least two weeks' time after mailing such notification
for the requested change to be put in effect. The Planholder may, at any time,
instruct the Transfer Agent by written notice to redeem all, or any part of, the
shares held under the Plan. That notice must be in proper form in accordance
with the requirements of the then-current Prospectus of the Fund. In that case,
the Transfer Agent will redeem the number of shares requested at the net asset
value per share in effect and will mail a check for the proceeds to the
Planholder.
The Planholder may terminate a Plan at any time by writing to the Transfer
Agent. The Fund may also give directions to the Transfer Agent to terminate a
Plan. The Transfer Agent will also terminate a Plan upon its receipt of evidence
satisfactory to it that the Planholder has died or is legally incapacitated.
Upon termination of a Plan by the Transfer Agent or the Fund, shares that have
not been redeemed will be held in uncertificated form in the name of the
Planholder. The account will continue as a dividend-reinvestment, uncertificated
account unless and until proper instructions are received from the Planholder,
his or her executor or guardian, or another authorized person.
To use shares held under the Plan as collateral for a debt, the Planholder
may request issuance of a portion of the shares in certificated form. Upon
written request from the Planholder, the Transfer Agent will determine the
number of shares for which a certificate may be issued without causing the
withdrawal checks to stop. However, should such uncertificated shares become
exhausted, Plan withdrawals will terminate.
If the Transfer Agent ceases to act as transfer agent for the Fund, the
Planholder will be deemed to have appointed any successor transfer agent to act
as agent in administering the Plan.
How to Exchange Shares
As stated in the Prospectus, shares of a particular class of Oppenheimer
funds having more than one class of shares may be exchanged only for shares of
the same class of other Oppenheimer funds. Shares of Oppenheimer funds that have
a single class without a class designation are deemed "Class A" shares for this
purpose. You can obtain a current list showing which funds offer which classes
by calling the Distributor at 1-800-525-7048.
|_| All of the Oppenheimer funds currently offer Class A, B and C shares
except Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc., Centennial Money Market Trust,
Centennial Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial Government Trust, Centennial New York
Tax Exempt Trust, Centennial California Tax Exempt Trust, and Centennial America
Fund, L.P., which only offer Class A shares.
|_| Oppenheimer Main Street California Municipal Fund currently offers
only Class A and Class B shares.
|_| Class B and Class C shares of Oppenheimer Cash Reserves are generally
available only by exchange from the same class of shares of other Oppenheimer
funds or through OppenheimerFunds-sponsored 401 (k) plans.
|_| Class Y shares of Oppenheimer Real Asset Fund may not be exchanged for
shares of any other Fund.
Class A shares of Oppenheimer funds may be exchanged at net asset value
for shares of any money market fund offered by the Distributor. Shares of any
money market fund purchased without a sales charge may be exchanged for shares
of Oppenheimer funds offered with a sales charge upon payment of the sales
charge. They may also be used to purchase shares of Oppenheimer funds subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge.
Shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. purchased with the
redemption proceeds of shares of other mutual funds (other than funds managed by
the Manager or its subsidiaries) redeemed within the 30 days prior to that
purchase may subsequently be exchanged for shares of other Oppenheimer funds
without being subject to an initial or contingent deferred sales charge. To
qualify for that privilege, the investor or the investor's dealer must notify
the Distributor of eligibility for this privilege at the time the shares of
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. are purchased. If requested, they must
supply proof of entitlement to this privilege.
For accounts established on or before March 8, 1996 holding Class M shares
of Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund, Class M shares can be exchanged only
for Class A shares of other Oppenheimer funds. Exchanges to Class M shares of
Oppenheimer Convertible Securities Fund are permitted from Class A shares of
Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. or Oppenheimer Cash Reserves that were
acquired by exchange of Class M shares. No other exchanges may be made to Class
M shares.
Shares of the Fund acquired by reinvestment of dividends or distributions
from any of the other Oppenheimer funds or from any unit investment trust for
which reinvestment arrangements have been made with the Distributor may be
exchanged at net asset value for shares of any of the Oppenheimer funds.
|X| How Exchanges Affect Contingent Deferred Sales Charges. No contingent
deferred sales charge is imposed on exchanges of shares of any class purchased
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. However, when Class A shares
acquired by exchange of Class A shares of other Oppenheimer funds purchased
subject to a Class A contingent deferred sales charge are redeemed within 18
months of the end of the calendar month of the initial purchase of the exchanged
Class A shares, the Class A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on the
redeemed shares. The Class B contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on
Class B shares acquired by exchange if they are redeemed within 6 years of the
initial purchase of the exchanged Class B shares. The Class C contingent
deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C shares acquired by exchange if they
are redeemed within 12 months of the initial purchase of the exchanged Class C
shares.
When Class B or Class C shares are redeemed to effect an exchange, the
priorities described in "How To Buy Shares" in the Prospectus for the imposition
of the Class B or the Class C contingent deferred sales charge will be followed
in determining the order in which the shares are exchanged. Before exchanging
shares, shareholders should take into account how the exchange may affect any
contingent deferred sales charge that might be imposed in the subsequent
redemption of remaining shares. Shareholders owning shares of more than one
class must specify which class of shares they wish to exchange.
|X| Limits on Multiple Exchange Orders. The Fund reserves the right to
reject telephone or written exchange requests submitted in bulk by anyone on
behalf of more than one account. The Fund may accept requests for exchanges of
up to 50 accounts per day from representatives of authorized dealers that
qualify for this privilege.
|X| Telephone Exchange Requests. When exchanging shares by telephone, a
shareholder must have an existing account in the fund to which the exchange is
to be made. Otherwise, the investors must obtain a Prospectus of that fund
before the exchange request may be submitted. For full or partial exchanges of
an account made by telephone, any special account features such as Asset Builder
Plans and Automatic Withdrawal Plans will be switched to the new account unless
the Transfer Agent is instructed otherwise. If all telephone lines are busy
(which might occur, for example, during periods of substantial market
fluctuations), shareholders might not be able to request exchanges by telephone
and would have to submit written exchange requests.
|X| Processing Exchange Requests. Shares to be exchanged are redeemed on
the regular business day the Transfer Agent receives an exchange request in
proper form (the "Redemption Date"). Normally, shares of the fund to be acquired
are purchased on the Redemption Date, but such purchases may be delayed by
either fund up to five business days if it determines that it would be
disadvantaged by an immediate transfer of the redemption proceeds. The Fund
reserves the right, in its discretion, to refuse any exchange request that may
disadvantage it. For example, if the receipt of multiple exchange requests from
a dealer might require the disposition of portfolio securities at a time or at a
price that might be disadvantageous to the Fund, the Fund may refuse the
request.
In connection with any exchange request, the number of shares exchanged
may be less than the number requested if the exchange or the number requested
would include shares subject to a restriction cited in the Prospectus or this
Statement of Additional Information, or would include shares covered by a share
certificate that is not tendered with the request. In those cases, only the
shares available for exchange without restriction will be exchanged.
The different Oppenheimer funds available for exchange have different
investment objectives, policies and risks. A shareholder should assure that the
fund selected is appropriate for his or her investment and should be aware of
the tax consequences of an exchange. For federal income tax purposes, an
exchange transaction is treated as a redemption of shares of one fund and a
purchase of shares of another. "Reinvestment Privilege," above, discusses some
of the tax consequences of reinvestment of redemption proceeds in such cases.
The Fund, the Distributor, and the Transfer Agent are unable to provide
investment, tax or legal advice to a shareholder in connection with an exchange
request or any other investment transaction.
Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions. Dividends will be payable on shares held of
record at the time of the previous determination of net asset value, or as
otherwise described in "How to Buy Shares." Daily dividends will not be declared
or paid on newly purchased shares until such time as Federal Funds (funds
credited to a member bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank) are available
from the purchase payment for such shares. Normally, purchase checks received
from investors are converted to Federal Funds on the next business day. Shares
purchased through dealers or brokers normally are paid for by the third business
day following the placement of the purchase order.
Shares redeemed through the regular redemption procedure will be paid
dividends through and including the day on which the redemption request is
received by the Transfer Agent in proper form. Dividends will be declared on
shares repurchased by a dealer or broker for three business days following the
trade date (that is, up to and including the day prior to settlement of the
repurchase). If all shares in an account are redeemed, all dividends accrued on
shares of the same class in the account will be paid together with the
redemption proceeds.
The Fund has no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance as to
the payment of any dividends or the realization of any capital gains. The
dividends and distributions paid by a class of shares will vary from time to
time depending on market conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio,
and expenses borne by the Fund or borne separately by a class. Dividends are
calculated in the same manner, at the same time, and on the same day for each
class of shares. However, dividends on Class B and Class C shares are expected
to be lower than dividends on Class A shares. That is because of the effect of
the asset-based sales charge on Class B and Class C shares. Those dividends will
also differ in amount as a consequence of any difference in the net asset values
of the different classes of shares.
Dividends, distributions and proceeds of the redemption of Fund shares
represented by checks returned to the Transfer Agent by the Postal Service as
undeliverable will be invested in shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc.
Reinvestment will be made as promptly as possible after the return of such
checks to the Transfer Agent, to enable the investor to earn a return on
otherwise idle funds. Unclaimed accounts may be subject to state escheatment
laws, and the Fund and the Transfer Agent will not be liable to shareholders or
their representatives for compliance with those laws in good faith.
Tax Status of the Fund's Dividends and Distributions. The Federal tax treatment
of the Fund's dividends and capital gains distributions is briefly highlighted
in the Prospectus.
Special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code govern the eligibility of
the Fund's dividends for the dividends-received deduction for corporate
shareholders. Long-term capital gains distributions are not eligible for the
deduction. The amount of dividends paid by the Fund that may qualify for the
deduction is limited to the aggregate amount of qualifying dividends that the
Fund derives from portfolio investments that the Fund has held for a minimum
period, usually 46 days. A corporate shareholder will not be eligible for the
deduction on dividends paid on Fund shares held for 45 days or less. To the
extent the Fund's dividends are derived from gross income from option premiums,
interest income or short-term gains from the sale of securities or dividends
from foreign corporations, those dividends will not qualify for the deduction.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, by December 31 each year, the Fund must
distribute 98% of its taxable investment income earned from January 1 through
December 31 of that year and 98% of its capital gains realized in the period
from November 1 of the prior year through October 31 of the current year. If it
does not, the Fund must pay an excise tax on the amounts not distributed. It is
presently anticipated that the Fund will meet those requirements. However, the
Board of Trustees and the Manager might determine in a particular year that it
would be in the best interests of shareholders for the Fund not to make such
distributions at the required levels and to pay the excise tax on the
undistributed amounts. That would reduce the amount of income or capital gains
available for distribution to shareholders.
The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code (although it reserves the right not to qualify). That
qualification enables the Fund to "pass through" its income and realized capital
gains to shareholders without having to pay tax on them. This avoids a double
tax on that income and capital gains, since shareholders normally will be taxed
on the dividends and capital gains they receive from the Fund (unless the Fund's
shares are held in a retirement account or the shareholder is otherwise exempt
from tax). If the Fund qualifies as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code, it will not be liable for Federal income taxes on amounts
paid by it as dividends and distributions. The Fund qualified as a regulated
investment company in its last fiscal year. The Internal Revenue Code contains a
number of complex tests relating to qualification which the Fund might not meet
in any particular year. If it did not so qualify, the Fund would be treated for
tax purposes as an ordinary corporation and receive no tax deduction for
payments made to shareholders.
If prior distributions made by the Fund must be re-characterized as a
non-taxable return of capital at the end of the fiscal year as a result of the
effect of the Fund's investment policies, they will be identified as such in
notices sent to shareholders.
Dividend Reinvestment in Another Fund. Shareholders of the Fund may elect to
reinvest all dividends and/or capital gains distributions in shares of the same
class of any of the other Oppenheimer funds listed above. Reinvestment will be
made without sales charge at the net asset value per share in effect at the
close of business on the payable date of the dividend or distribution. To elect
this option, the shareholder must notify the Transfer Agent in writing and must
have an existing account in the fund selected for reinvestment. Otherwise the
shareholder first must obtain a prospectus for that fund and an application from
the Distributor to establish an account. Dividends and/or distributions from
shares of certain other Oppenheimer funds (other than Oppenheimer Cash Reserves)
may be invested in shares of this Fund on the same basis.
Additional Information About the Fund
The Distributor. The Fund's shares are sold through dealers, brokers and other
financial institutions that have a sales agreement with OppenheimerFunds
Distributor, Inc., a subsidiary of the Manager that acts as the Fund's
Distributor. The Distributor also distributes shares of the other Oppenheimer
funds and is sub-distributor for funds managed by a subsidiary of the Manager.
The Transfer Agent. OppenheimerFunds Services, the Fund's Transfer Agent, is a
division of the Manager. It is responsible for maintaining the Fund's
shareholder registry and shareholder accounting records, and for paying
dividends and distributions to shareholders. It also handles shareholder
servicing and administrative functions. It acts on an "at-cost" basis. It also
acts as shareholder servicing agent for the other Oppenheimer funds.
Shareholders should direct inquiries about their accounts to the Transfer Agent
at the address and toll-free numbers shown on the back cover.
The Custodian. The Bank of New York is the Custodian of the Fund's assets. The
Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund's
portfolio securities and handling the delivery of such securities to and from
the Fund. It will be the practice of the Fund to deal with the Custodian in a
manner uninfluenced by any banking relationship the Custodian may have with the
Manager and its affiliates. The Fund's cash balances with the custodian in
excess of $100,000 are not protected by Federal deposit insurance. Those
uninsured balances at times may be substantial.
Independent Auditors. Deloitte & Touche LLP are the independent auditors of the
Fund. They audit the Fund's financial statements and perform other related audit
services. They also act as auditors for the Manager and for certain other funds
advised by the Manager and its affiliates.
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Independent Auditors' Report
================================================================================
================================================================================
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the statement of investments, of Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund as of
September 30, 1998, the related statement of operations for the year then ended,
the statements of changes in net assets for the years ended September 30, 1998
and 1997, and the financial highlights for the period October 1, 1993 to
September 30, 1998. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and
financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities
owned at September 30, 1998, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers;
where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing
procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Oppenheimer
Champion Income Fund at September 30, 1998, the results of its operations, the
changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the respective
stated periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
- -------------------------
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Denver, Colorado
October 28, 1998
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statement of Investments September 30, 1998
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
=======================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
Mortgage-Backed Obligations--2.5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMRESCO Commercial Mortgage Funding I Corp., Multiclass
Mtg. Pass-Through Certificates, Series 1997-C1, Cl. H, 7%,
6/17/29(2) $ 360,000 $ 259,537
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset Securitization Corp., Commercial
Mtg. Pass-Through Certificates:
Series 1997-D4, Cl. B3, 7.525%, 4/14/29(3) 1,500,000 1,375,078
Series 1997-D5, Cl. B2, 6.93%, 2/14/41 3,800,000 3,417,625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBA Mortgage Corp., Mtg. Pass-Through Certificates,
Series 1993-C1, Cl. E, 7.76%, 12/25/03(2)(3) 622,000 606,839
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CS First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.,
Mtg. Pass-Through Certificates:
Series 1997-C1, Cl. F, 7.50%, 6/20/13(2) 600,000 499,875
Series 1997-C1, Cl. G, 7.50%, 6/20/14(2) 810,000 626,231
Series 1997-C1, Cl. H, 7.50%, 8/20/14(2) 600,000 445,500
Series 1997-C2, Cl. F, 7.46%, 5/17/14 2,000,000 1,784,375
Series 1997-C2, Cl. H, 7.46%, 1/17/35 1,400,000 1,040,375
Series 1998-C1, Cl. F, 6%, 5/17/40(2) 3,000,000 2,158,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Chicago/Lennar Trust 1, Commercial Mtg. Pass-Through
Certificates, Series 1997-CHL1, 8.132%, 2/28/11(2)(3) 4,000,000 3,275,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Motors Acceptance Corp.:
Collateralized Mtg. Obligations, Series 1997-C2,
Cl. F, 6.75%, 4/16/29 2,000,000 1,588,750
Interest-Only Stripped Mtg.-Backed Security, Series 1997-C1,
Cl. X, 2.077%, 7/15/27(4) 43,131 4,057
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Inc., Commercial Mtg.
Pass-Through Certificates:
Series 1997-RR, Cl. D, 7.769%, 4/30/39(2) 2,000,000 1,991,875
Series 1997-RR, Cl. F, 7.769%, 4/30/39(2) 5,000,000 4,017,969
Series 1997-XL1, Cl. G, 7.695%, 10/3/30(2)(3) 1,200,000 1,193,437
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mortgage Capital Funding, Inc., Commercial Mtg. Pass-Through
Certificates, Series 1997-MC1, Cl. F, 7.452%, 5/20/07(2) 600,000 565,688
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resolution Trust Corp., Commercial Mtg. Pass-Through Certificates:
Series 1994-C2, Cl. E, 8%, 4/25/25 430,663 434,095
Series 1995-C1, Cl. F, 6.90%, 2/25/27 244,006 231,463
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salomon Brothers Mortgage Securities VII, Series 1996-C1,
Cl. E, 9.184%, 1/20/06 704,000 756,140
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salomon, Inc., Commercial Mtg. Pass-Through Certificates,
Series 1998-A1, 5%, 12/25/00(2) 316,461 303,803
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Structured Asset Securities Corp., Commercial Mtg. Pass-Through
Certificates, Series 1997-LLI, Cl. F, 7.30%, 4/12/12(2) 3,000,000 3,021,563
-----------
Total Mortgage-Backed Obligations (Cost $29,609,211) 29,597,400
</TABLE>
13 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statement of Investments (Continued)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Foreign Government Obligations--4.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argentina (Republic of) Bonds, Bonos de Consolidacion de
Deudas, Series I, 2.974%, 4/1/07(3)ARP $ 8,393,320 $ 4,817,789
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argentina (Republic of) Nts., Series REGS, 11.75%, 2/12/07ARP 2,340,000 1,702,551
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Banco Hipotecario Nacional (Argentina) Medium-Term Nts.,
10.625%, 8/7/06 1,000,000 870,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bulgaria (Republic of) Disc. Bonds, Tranche A, 6.688%, 7/28/24(3) 3,795,000 2,443,031
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bulgaria (Republic of) Interest Arrears Bonds, 6.688%, 7/28/11(3) 4,400,000 2,618,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ecuador (Republic of) Debs., 6.625%, 2/27/15(3) 1,697,490 577,146
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ecuador (Republic of) Disc. Bonds, 6.625%, 2/28/25(3) 7,035,000 3,372,403
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ecuador (Republic of) Past Due Interest Bonds, 6.625%, 2/27/15(3) 4,526,640 1,539,058
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany (Republic of) Treasury Bills, Zero Coupon,
3.418%, 1/15/99(5)DEM 25,000,000 14,814,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perusahaan Listr, 17%, 8/21/01(2)IDR 1,000,000,000 52,570
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PT Hutama Karya Medium-Term Nts., Zero Coupon, 3/17/99(2)(12)IDR 1,000,000,000 23,364
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hashemite (Kingdom of Jordan) Collateralized Par Bonds,
Series DEF, 5%, 12/23/23(7)(8) 1,750,000 914,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nigeria (Federal Republic of) Promissory Nts., Series RC,
5.092%, 1/5/10 2,079,297 1,103,924
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panama (Government of) Bonds, 8.875%, 9/30/27 885,000 746,719
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panama (Government of) Past Due Interest Debs.,
6.688%, 7/17/16(3) 1,139,032 803,018
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peru (Republic of) Front-Loaded Interest Reduction Bonds,
3.25%, 3/7/17(3) 5,000,000 2,262,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia (Government of) Federal Loan Bonds, Series 5022,
15%, 2/23/00(2)RUR 20,402,000 496,903
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia (Government of) Principal Loan Debs., Series 24 yr.,
6.625%, 12/15/20(3) 4,500,000 289,687
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Mexican States Sr. Nts., 8.625%, 3/12/08 2,000,000 1,716,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Venezuela (Republic of) Disc. Bonds, Series DL, 6.625%, 12/18/07(3) 8,595,238 4,942,262
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Venezuela (Republic of) Front-Loaded Interest Reduction Bonds,
Series A, 6.625%, 3/31/07(3) 1,500,009 827,818
-----------
Total Foreign Government Obligations (Cost $50,130,876) 46,933,368
=======================================================================================================
Loan Participations--0.1%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Algeria (Republic of) Reprofiled Debt Loan Participation Nts.,
Tranche 1, 6.375%, 9/4/06(3) 1,561,090 741,518
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morocco (Kingdom of) Loan Participation Agreement,
Tranche A, 6.563%, 1/1/09(2)(3) 1,075,000 782,063
-----------
Total Loan Participations (Cost $2,040,734) 1,523,581
</TABLE>
14 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Corporate Bonds and Notes--64.5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aerospace/Defense--2.1%
America West Airlines, Inc., 10.75% Sr. Nts., 9/1/05 $ 2,000,000 $ 2,010,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amtran, Inc., 10.50% Sr. Nts., 8/1/04 3,400,000 3,417,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlas Air, Inc.:
10.75% Sr. Nts., 8/1/05 60,000 60,300
12.25% Pass-Through Certificates, 12/1/02 2,750,000 2,970,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Constellation Finance LLC, 9.80% Airline Receivable
Asset-Backed Nts., Series 1997-1, 1/1/01(2) 3,500,000 3,508,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrane Aircraft Holdings, Inc., 12% Sr. Sub. Nts., 9/30/08(7)(9) 3,450,000 3,467,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pegasus Aircraft Lease Securitization Trust, 11.76% Sr. Nts.,
Cl. B, 6/15/04(2) 1,828,818 1,972,564
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SC International Services, Inc., 9.25% Sr. Sub. Nts.,
Series B, 9/1/07 1,000,000 977,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trans World Airlines Lease, 14% Equipment Trust, 7/2/08(2) 1,080,391 1,112,804
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trans World Airlines, Inc., 11.50% Sr. Sec. Nts., 12/15/04 5,775,000 5,515,125
-----------
25,011,293
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chemicals--2.3%
Brunner Mond Group plc, 12.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/15/08(7)GBP 5,150,000 7,789,213
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ClimaChem, Inc., 10.75% Sr. Unsec. Nts., Series B, 12/1/07 2,020,000 1,949,300
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICO, Inc., 10.375% Sr. Nts., 6/1/07 600,000 570,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laroche Industries, Inc., 9.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 9/15/07 1,615,000 1,413,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NL Industries, Inc., 11.75% Sr. Sec. Nts., 10/15/03 9,205,000 9,941,400
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PCI Chemicals Canada, Inc., 9.25% Sec. Nts., 10/15/07 50,000 40,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pioneer Americas Acquisition Corp., 9.25% Sr. Nts., 6/15/07 1,900,000 1,539,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sovereign Specialty Chemicals, Inc., 9.50% Sr. Unsec. Sub. Nts.,
Series B, 8/1/07 3,925,000 3,807,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sterling Chemicals, Inc., 11.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 4/1/07 170,000 146,200
-----------
27,195,488
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Durables--0.4%
Holmes Products Corp., 9.875% Sr. Unsec. Sub. Nts.,
Series B, 11/15/07 2,575,000 2,356,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAG Heuer International SA, 12% Sr. Sub. Nts., 12/15/05(2) 1,865,000 2,199,581
-----------
4,555,706
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Non-Durables--2.0%
AKI Holdings, Inc.:
0%/13.50% Sr. Disc. Debs., 7/1/09(7)(10) 1,350,000 627,750
10.50% Sr. Nts., 7/1/08(7) 1,250,000 1,206,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Pad & Paper Co., 13% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 11/15/05 1,500,000 832,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bell Sports, Inc., 11% Sr. Sub. Nts., 8/15/08(7) 3,020,000 2,974,700
</TABLE>
15 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statement of Investments (Continued)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Consumer Non-Durables (continued)
Globe Manufacturing, Inc., 10% Sr. Sub. Nts., 8/1/08(7) $ 4,300,000 $ 4,063,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., 9.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/1/08(7) 1,100,000 1,056,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revlon Consumer Products Corp., 8.625% Sr. Unsec.
Sub. Nts., 2/1/08 2,800,000 2,751,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revlon Worldwide Corp., Zero Coupon Sr. Sec. Disc. Nts.,
Series B, 11.431%, 3/15/01(5) 9,165,000 7,057,050
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Styling Technology Corp., 10.875% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/1/08(7) 2,320,000 2,180,800
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William Carter Co., 10.375% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series A, 12/1/06 805,000 845,250
-----------
23,594,800
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy--5.1%
Chesapeake Energy Corp.:
9.125% Sr. Unsec. Nts., 4/15/06 2,530,000 2,188,450
9.625% Sr. Unsec. Nts., Series B, 5/1/05 3,110,000 2,752,350
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clark Refinancing & Marketing, Inc., 8.875%
Sr. Sub. Nts., 11/15/07 3,625,000 3,135,625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clark USA, Inc., 10.875% Sr. Nts., Series B, 12/1/05 825,000 771,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dailey International, Inc., 9.50% Sr. Unsec. Nts.,
Series B, 2/15/08 1,750,000 1,023,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denbury Management, Inc., 9% Sr. Sub. Nts., 3/1/08 1,250,000 1,043,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Empresa Electric Del Norte, 10.50% Sr. Debs., 6/15/05(2) 3,800,000 2,603,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forcenergy, Inc.:
8.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 2/15/07 2,800,000 1,974,000
9.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 11/1/06 4,965,000 3,649,275
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gothic Energy Corp., 0%/14.125% Sr. Disc. Nts., 5/1/06(10) 8,775,000 3,553,875
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gothic Production Corp., 11.125% Sr. Sec. Nts.,
Series B, 5/1/05(7) 3,000,000 2,175,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grant Geophysical, Inc., 9.75% Sr. Unsec. Nts.,
Series B, 2/15/08(11) 1,985,000 1,597,925
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grey Wolf, Inc., 8.875% Sr. Unsec. Nts., Series C, 7/1/07 900,000 688,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Energy Group, Inc., 10.75% Sr. Nts., Series D, 11/1/06 2,800,000 1,190,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ocean Rig Norway AS, 10.25% Sr. Sec. Nts., 6/1/08(7) 3,150,000 2,346,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P&L Coal Holdings Corp., 9.625% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/15/08(7) 10,125,000 10,175,625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petroleum Heat & Power Co., Inc., 9.375% Sub. Debs., 2/1/06 4,855,000 4,442,325
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pogo Producing Co., 8.75% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/15/07 1,330,000 1,270,150
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RAM Energy, Inc., 11.50% Sr. Unsec. Nts., 2/15/08 6,000,000 5,130,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statia Terminals International/Statia Terminals (Canada), Inc.,
11.75% First Mtg. Nts., Series B, 11/15/03 1,050,000 1,013,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stone Energy Corp., 8.75% Sr. Sub. Nts., 9/15/07 5,665,000 5,410,075
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Universal Compression Holdings, Inc.:
0%/9.875% Sr. Disc. Nts., 2/15/08(7)(10) 2,350,000 1,363,000
0%/11.375% Sr. Disc. Nts., 2/15/09(7)(10) 800,000 448,000
-----------
59,946,050
</TABLE>
16 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Financial--0.8%
AMRESCO, Inc., 9.875% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series 98-A, 3/15/05 $165,000 $ 132,825
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank Plus Corp., 12% Sr. Nts., 7/18/07 578,000 615,570
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECM Fund, L.P.I., 14% Sub. Nts., 6/10/02(2) 133,140 133,473
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emergent Group, Inc., 10.75% Sr. Nts., Series B, 9/15/04 1,220,000 616,100
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lomas Financial Corp., 9% Cv. Sr. Nts., 10/31/03(2)(12) 600,000 --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ocwen Financial Corp., 11.875% Nts., 10/1/03 625,000 612,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parametric RE Ltd., 10.206% Nts., 11/15/07(2)(3) 600,000 612,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PT Polysindo Eka Perkasa, Zero Coupon Nts.,
Series 2, 7/15/98(2)(12)IDR 6,314,400,000 59,013
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saul (B.F.) Real Estate Investment Trust, 9.75% Sr. Sec. Nts.,
Series B, 4/1/08 4,930,000 4,363,050
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veritas Capital Trust, 10% Nts., 1/1/28(2) 1,700,000 1,653,250
-----------
8,797,781
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food & Drug--1.9%
Ameriking, Inc., 10.75% Sr. Nts., 12/1/06 3,101,000 3,194,030
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fleming Cos., Inc.:
10.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 12/1/04 1,885,000 1,837,875
10.625% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 7/31/07 6,200,000 6,169,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pathmark Stores, Inc.:
0%/10.75% Jr. Sub. Deferred Coupon Nts., 11/1/03(10) 4,975,000 3,706,375
12.625% Sub. Nts., 6/15/02 2,500,000 2,337,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Randall's Food Markets, Inc., 9.375% Sr. Sub. Nts.,
Series B, 7/1/07 3,970,000 4,108,950
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp., 9.75% Sr. Nts., 6/15/04 1,260,000 1,345,050
-----------
22,698,780
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food/Tobacco--2.1%
Aurora Foods, Inc., 8.75% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 7/1/08 900,000 931,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cott Corp., 9.375% Sr. Nts., 7/1/05 3,885,000 3,826,725
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Del Monte Foods Co., 0%/12.50% Sr. Disc. Nts., 12/15/07(7)(10) 3,450,000 1,983,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Home Foods, Inc., 10.375% Sr. Sub. Nts., 11/1/06 4,655,000 4,957,575
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Packaged Ice, Inc., 9.75% Sr. Unsec. Nts., Series B, 2/1/05 8,065,000 7,621,425
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purina Mills, Inc., 9% Sr. Unsec. Sub. Nts., 3/15/10 1,000,000 1,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sparkling Spring Water Group Ltd., 11.50% Sr. Sec.
Sub. Nts., 11/15/07 4,025,000 3,964,625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Windy Hill Pet Food, Inc., 9.75% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/15/07 860,000 872,900
-----------
25,158,500
</TABLE>
17 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statement of Investments (Continued)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Forest Products/Containers--1.5%
Ball Corp.:
7.75% Sr. Nts., 8/1/06(7) $ 3,000,000 $ 3,097,500
8.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 8/1/08(7) 2,100,000 2,168,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Four M Corp., 12% Sr. Sec. Nts., Series B, 6/1/06 645,000 635,325
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riverwood International Corp., 10.625% Sr. Unsec. Nts., 8/1/07 3,660,000 3,385,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SD Warren Co., 12% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 12/15/04 3,450,000 3,777,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SF Holdings Group, Inc., 0%/12.75% Sr. Disc. Nts., 3/15/08(10) 700,000 311,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Can Corp., 10.125% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 10/15/06 800,000 812,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Timberlands Co. LP, 9.625% Sr. Nts., 11/15/07 4,085,000 4,023,725
-----------
18,211,550
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gaming/Leisure--4.6%
AP Holdings, Inc., 0%/11.25% Sr. Disc. Nts., 3/15/08(7)(10) 750,000 367,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apcoa, Inc., 9.25% Sr. Unsec. Sub. Nts., 3/15/08 1,675,000 1,499,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona Charlie's, Inc., 12% First Mtg. Nts.,
Series B, 11/15/00(2)(12) 275,000 265,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Gaming International, Inc., 11.50% Promissory Nts.,
8/1/95(12) 7,500 --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitol Queen & Casino, Inc., 12% First Mtg. Nts., Series A,
11/15/00(2)(12) 100,000 6,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capstar Hotel Co., 8.75% Sr. Sub. Nts., 8/15/07 2,100,000 2,021,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Casino Magic of Louisiana Corp., 13% First Mtg. Nts., Series B,
8/15/03 2,030,000 2,263,450
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Empress Entertainment, Inc., 8.125% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/1/06(7) 1,200,000 1,188,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Empress River Casino Finance Corp., 10.75% Sr. Nts., 4/1/02 2,705,000 2,779,387
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Casinos, Inc., 10.125% First Mtg. Sec. Nts., 12/1/03 4,500,000 4,747,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Rock Hotel, Inc., 9.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 4/1/05(7) 2,800,000 2,786,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harveys Casino Resorts, 10.625% Sr. Unsec. Sub. Nts., 6/1/06 150,000 159,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horseshoe Gaming LLC, 9.375% Sr. Sub. Nts., 6/15/07 5,895,000 5,777,100
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intrawest Corp., 9.75% Sr. Nts., 8/15/08 3,295,000 3,295,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Majestic Star Casino LLC (The), 12.75% Sr. Sec. Nts., 5/15/03 1,400,000 1,442,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (Connecticut),
13.50% Sr. Sec. Nts., Series B, 11/15/02 2,340,000 2,925,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outboard Marine Corp., 10.75% Sr. Nts., 6/1/08(7) 1,355,000 1,280,475
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Premier Cruise Ltd., 11% Sr. Nts., 3/15/08(7) 3,900,000 2,418,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Premier Parks, Inc.:
0%/10% Sr. Disc. Nts., 4/1/08(10) 1,970,000 1,231,250
9.25% Sr. Nts., 4/1/06 1,595,000 1,579,050
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rio Hotel & Casino, Inc.:
10.625% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/15/05 1,825,000 1,980,125
9.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 4/15/07 4,490,000 4,894,100
</TABLE>
18 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Gaming/Leisure (continued)
Showboat Marina Casino Partnership/Showboat Marina
Finance Corp., 13.50% First Mtg. Nts., Series B, 3/15/03 $ 5,240,000 $ 5,921,200
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six Flags Entertainment Corp., 8.75% Sr. Nts., 4/1/06 1,900,000 1,890,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Station Casinos, Inc., 9.625% Sr. Sub. Nts., 6/1/03 300,000 297,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Venetian Casino Resort LLC/Las Vegas Sands, Inc.,
12.25% Mtg. Nts., 11/15/04 1,495,000 1,352,975
-----------
54,367,112
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Healthcare--1.6%
Fresenius Medical Care Capital Trust II, 7.875% Nts., 2/1/08 4,050,000 3,746,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICN Pharmaceutical, Inc., 8.75% Sr. Nts., 11/15/08(7) 2,715,000 2,660,700
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Integrated Health Services, Inc.:
10.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 4/30/06 2,850,000 2,807,250
9.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 9/15/07 5,985,000 5,595,975
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oxford Health Plans, Inc., 11% Sr. Nts., 5/15/05(7) 3,100,000 2,635,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun Healthcare Group, Inc., 9.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/1/07 1,925,000 1,761,375
-----------
19,206,550
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Housing--1.3%
Building Materials Corp. of America, 8.625% Sr. Nts.,
Series B, 12/15/06 200,000 202,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Falcon Building Products, Inc., 9.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 6/15/07 675,000 570,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greystone Homes, Inc., 10.75% Sr. Nts., 3/1/04 830,000 871,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hovnanian K. Enterprises, Inc., 11.25% Gtd. Sub. Nts., 4/15/02 3,180,000 3,172,050
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nortek, Inc.:
8.875% Sr. Nts., 8/1/08(7) 2,000,000 1,940,000
9.125% Sr. Nts., Series B, 9/1/07(13) 5,040,000 4,964,400
9.25% Sr. Nts., Series B, 3/15/07 4,070,000 4,110,700
-----------
15,831,025
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information Technology--1.5%
Businessland, Inc., 5.50% Sub. Debs., 3/1/07(2) 770,000 550,550
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Covad Communications Group, Inc., 0%/13.50% Sr. Disc. Nts.,
Series B, 3/15/08(10) 7,310,000 2,960,550
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Details, Inc., 10% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 11/15/05 2,800,000 2,674,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dialog Corp. plc, 11% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 11/15/07 1,750,000 1,820,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DII Group, Inc., 8.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 9/15/07 1,200,000 1,110,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dyncorp, Inc., 9.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 3/1/07 2,150,000 1,988,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unisys Corp., 11.75% Sr. Nts., 10/15/04 2,275,000 2,559,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAM!NET, Inc., 0%/13.25% Sr. Disc. Unsec. Nts.,
Series B, 3/1/05(10) 5,745,000 3,073,575
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wavetek Corp., 10.125% Sr. Sub. Nts., 6/15/07 1,440,000 1,332,000
-----------
18,068,800
</TABLE>
19 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statement of Investments (Continued)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Manufacturing--2.0%
Axia, Inc., 10.75% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/15/08(7) $ 1,560,000 $ 1,513,200
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Burke Industries, Inc., 10% Sr. Sub. Nts., 8/15/07 1,125,000 1,125,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Communications & Power Industries, Inc., 12% Sr. Sub. Nts.,
Series B, 8/1/05 802,000 872,175
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., 9.375% Sr. Unsec.
Sub. Nts., 3/1/08 1,500,000 1,380,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grove Worldwide LLC, 9.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/1/08(7) 1,150,000 1,006,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hydrochem Industrial Services, Inc., 10.375% Sr.
Sub. Nts., 8/1/07 2,275,000 2,127,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insilco Corp., 10.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 8/15/07 3,770,000 3,788,850
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Wire Group, Inc., 11.75% Sr. Sub. Nts.,
Series B, 6/1/05 3,720,000 3,831,600
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moll Industries, Inc., 10.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/1/08(7) 1,000,000 925,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paragon Corp. Holdings, Inc., 9.625% Sr. Unsec. Nts.,
Series B, 4/1/08 355,000 253,825
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Park-Ohio Industries, Inc., 9.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 12/1/07 2,100,000 2,121,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Polymer Group, Inc., 9% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/1/07 960,000 921,600
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roller Bearing Co. of America, Inc., 9.625% Gtd. Sr. Sub. Nts.,
Series B, 6/15/07 2,285,000 2,227,875
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terex Corp., 8.875% Sr. Unsec. Sub. Nts., 4/1/08 1,000,000 937,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unifrax Investment Corp., 10.50% Sr. Nts., 11/1/03(2) 1,075,000 1,080,375
-----------
24,111,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media/Entertainment: Broadcasting--2.3%
Allbritton Communications Co., 8.875% Sr. Sub. Nts.,
Series B, 2/1/08 1,000,000 980,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capstar Broadcasting Partners, Inc., 9.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/1/07 1,990,000 2,019,850
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Radio, Inc., 11.375% Exchangeable Unsec. Sub. Debs.,
1/15/09(14) 1,174,400 1,344,688
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chancellor Media Corp., 9% Sr. Sub. Nts., 10/1/08(2) 10,000,000 10,125,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paxson Communications Corp., 11.625% Sr. Sub. Nts., 10/1/02 4,665,000 4,734,975
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radio One, Inc., 7% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 5/15/04(8) 1,000,000 945,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., 9% Sr. Unsec. Sub. Nts., 7/15/07 4,000,000 4,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spanish Broadcasting Systems, Inc.:
11% Sr. Nts., 3/15/04 650,000 653,250
12.50% Sr. Nts., 6/15/02 300,000 328,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young Broadcasting, Inc., 8.75% Sr. Sub. Debs., 6/15/07 1,650,000 1,645,875
-----------
26,777,138
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media/Entertainment: Cable/Wireless Video--2.5%
Adelphia Communications Corp., 8.125% Sr. Nts., 7/15/03(7) 6,000,000 6,030,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CSC Holdings, Inc.:
9.875% Sr. Sub. Debs., 2/15/13 215,000 236,500
9.875% Sr. Sub. Debs., 4/1/23 1,100,000 1,199,000
9.875% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/15/06 1,710,000 1,863,900
</TABLE>
20 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Media/Entertainment: Cable/Wireless Video (continued)
EchoStar DBS Corp., 12.50% Sr. Sec. Nts., 7/1/02 $ 6,425,000 $ 6,810,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EchoStar I, 8.25% Bonds, 2/26/01(2) 1,114,930 1,081,482
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EchoStar II, 8.25% Bonds, 11/9/01(2) 1,104,705 1,071,564
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EchoStar Satellite Broadcasting Corp., 0%/13.125% Sr. Sec.
Disc. Nts., 3/15/04(10) 4,475,000 3,982,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Falcon Holding Group LP, 0%/9.285% Sr. Disc. Debs.,
Series B, 4/15/10(10) 1,000,000 685,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Optel, Inc., 13% Sr. Nts., Series B, 2/15/05 4,640,000 4,732,800
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCI Satellite Entertainment, Inc., 10.875% Sr. Sub. Nts., 2/15/07 185,000 172,050
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United International Holdings, Inc.:
0%/10.75% Sr. Disc. Nts., Series B, 2/15/08(10) 1,260,000 623,700
0%/14% Sr. Disc. Nts., Series B, 5/15/06(10) 1,350,000 573,750
-----------
29,062,996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media/Entertainment: Diversified Media--1.4%
Hollinger International Publishing, Inc., 9.25% Sr. Unsec.
Sub. Nts., 2/1/06 1,000,000 1,032,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hollywood Theaters, Inc., 10.625% Sr. Sub. Nts., 8/1/07 700,000 640,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imax Corp., 10% Sr. Nts., 3/1/01(3) 1,700,000 1,759,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IPC Magazines Group plc, 9.625% Bonds, 3/15/08(2)GBP 3,000,000 4,206,022
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lamar Advertising Co., 9.625% Sr. Sub. Nts., 12/1/06 3,270,000 3,482,550
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outdoor Systems, Inc., 8.875% Sr. Sub. Nts., 6/15/07 2,000,000 2,075,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SFX Entertainment, Inc., 9.125% Sr. Unsec. Sub. Nts.,
Series B, 2/1/08 3,900,000 3,666,000
-----------
16,862,072
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media/Entertainment: Telecommunications--11.0%
Amazon.Com, Inc., 0%/10% Sr. Disc. Nts., 5/1/08(10) 6,600,000 3,993,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Call-Net Enterprises, Inc., 0%/9.27% Sr. Disc. Nts., 8/15/07(10) 1,440,000 943,200
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLT Telecom Group plc:
0%/12% Sr. Unsec. Disc. Nts., 12/15/06(10) 900,000 697,500
7.625% Bonds, 7/31/08DEM 9,725,000 5,218,589
8.875% Sr. Nts., 11/30/07DEM 1,880,000 1,095,310
10.125% Sr. Nts., 11/30/07GBP 2,330,000 3,722,032
Units (each unit consists of $1,000 principal amount of 0%/12%
sr. disc. nts., 12/15/06 and one warrant to purchase 7.8 ordinary
shares)(10)(15) 3,185,000 2,452,450
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comcast UK Cable Partner Ltd., 0%/11.20% Sr. Disc. Debs.,
11/15/07(10) 1,350,000 1,100,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentric Network Corp., 12.75% Sr. Unsec. Nts., 12/15/07 2,225,000 2,102,625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Convergent Communications, Inc., Units (each unit consists of
$1,000 principal amount of 13% sr. nts., 4/1/08 and four warrants
to purchase 10.8 shares of common stock)(7)(15) 1,600,000 1,288,000
</TABLE>
21 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statement of Investments (Continued)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Media/Entertainment: Telecommunications (continued)
Diamond Cable Communications plc:
0%/10.75% Sr. Disc. Nts., 2/15/07(10) $ 1,800,000 $ 1,251,000
0%/11.75% Sr. Disc. Nts., 12/15/05(10) 9,665,000 7,732,000
9.125% Sr. Nts., 2/1/08 800,000 772,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
e.spire Communications, Inc.:
0%/10.625% Sr. Disc. Nts., 7/1/08(7)(10) 1,690,000 870,350
13.75% Sr. Nts., 7/15/07 1,400,000 1,519,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exodus Communications, Inc., 11.25% Sr. Nts., 7/1/08(7) 1,155,000 1,056,825
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FaciliCom International, Inc., 10.50% Sr. Nts., Series B, 1/15/08 2,700,000 2,362,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Firstworld Communications, Inc., Units (each unit consists of
$1,000 principal amount of 0%/13% sr. disc. nts., 4/15/08 and
one warrant to purchase 7.9002 shares of series B common
stock)(7)(10)(15) 1,985,000 615,350
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Focal Communications Corp., 0%/12.125% Sr. Disc. Nts.,
Series B, 2/15/08(10) 5,675,000 2,894,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Crossing Holdings Ltd., 9.625% Sr. Nts., 5/15/08(7) 2,760,000 2,684,100
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Globix Corp., 13% Sr. Unsec. Nts., 5/1/05(2) 4,175,000 3,381,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GST Telecommunications, Inc., 0%/13.875% Cv. Sr. Sub.
Disc. Nts., 12/15/05(7)(10) 407,000 354,090
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GST Telecommunications, Inc./GST Network Funding Corp., Inc.,
0%/10.50% Sr. Disc. Nts., 5/1/08(7)(10) 1,980,000 960,300
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GST USA, Inc., 0%/13.875% Gtd. Sr. Disc. Nts., 12/15/05(10) 3,715,000 2,693,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICG Holdings, Inc., 0%/12.50% Sr. Sec. Disc. Nts., 5/1/06(10) 400,000 286,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICG Services, Inc., 0%/10% Sr. Unsec. Disc. Nts., 2/15/08(10) 690,000 348,450
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermedia Communications, Inc.:
8.50% Sr. Nts., Series B, 1/15/08 4,540,000 4,505,950
8.60% Sr. Unsec. Nts., Series B, 6/1/08 3,000,000 2,992,500
8.875% Sr. Nts., 11/1/07 2,690,000 2,716,900
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc., 0%/12.50% Sr. Unsec.
Disc. Nts., 2/15/08(10) 7,885,000 3,666,525
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level 3 Communications, Inc., 9.125% Sr. Unsec. Nts., 5/1/08 6,385,000 6,033,825
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Distance International, Inc., Units (each unit consists of
$1,000 principal amount of 12.25% sr. nts., 4/15/08 and one
warrant to purchase 15.0875 shares of common stock)(7)(15) 1,390,000 1,216,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Netia Holdings BV:
0%/11% Sr. Disc. Nts., 11/1/07(10)DEM 2,250,000 609,162
0%/11.25% Sr. Disc. Nts., Series B, 11/1/07(10) 3,600,000 1,611,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.:
0%/9.45% Sr. Disc. Unsec. Nts., 4/15/08(10) 3,300,000 1,897,500
9.625% Sr. Nts., 10/1/07 6,205,000 6,049,875
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NorthEast Optic Network, Inc., 12.75% Sr. Nts., 8/15/08 1,950,000 1,823,250
</TABLE>
22 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Media/Entertainment: Telecommunications (continued)
NTL, Inc.:
0%/10.75% Sr. Unsec. Unsub. Nts., Series REGS, 4/1/08(10)GBP $ 6,700,000 $ 5,522,209
10% Sr. Nts., Series B, 2/15/07 2,440,000 2,476,600
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Onepoint Communications Corp., Units (each unit consists of
$1,000 principal amount of 14.50% sr. nts., 6/1/08 and one warrant
to purchase one share of common stock at $.01 per share)(7)(15) 4,800,000 3,528,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petersburg Long Distance, Inc., 9% Cv. Sub. Nts., 6/1/06(7) 200,000 54,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLD Telekom, Inc., Units (each unit consists of $1,000 principal
amount 0%/14% sr. disc. nts., 6/1/04 and one warrant to
purchase 34 shares of common stock)(7)(10)(15) 3,500,000 2,957,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pratama Datakom Asia BV, 12.75% Gtd. Nts., 7/15/05(7) 4,000,000 970,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PSINet, Inc., 10% Sr. Unsec. Nts., Series B, 2/15/05 10,050,000 10,125,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Qwest Communications International, Inc.:
0%/8.29% Sr. Unsec. Disc. Nts., Series B, 2/1/08(10) 830,000 622,500
0%/9.47% Sr. Disc. Nts., 10/15/07(10)(13) 7,845,000 6,079,875
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RSL Communications plc:
0%/10% Bonds, 3/15/08(10)DEM 4,200,000 1,174,796
0%/10.125% Sr. Disc. Nts., 3/1/08(10) 1,300,000 669,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time Warner Telecom LLC, 9.75% Sr. Nts., 7/15/08 3,650,000 3,686,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US Xchange LLC, 15% Sr. Nts., 7/1/08(7) 1,485,000 1,425,600
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Verio, Inc.:
10.375% Sr. Unsec. Nts., 4/1/05 2,735,000 2,721,325
13.50% Sr. Unsec. Nts., 6/15/04 700,000 780,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Viatel, Inc., 11.25% Sr. Nts., 4/15/08(7) 2,700,000 2,430,000
-----------
130,741,813
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media/Entertainment: Wireless Communications--7.0%
Arch Communications, Inc., 12.75% Sr. Nts., 7/1/07(7) 700,000 696,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CellNet Data Systems, Inc., 0%/14% Sr. Disc. Nts., 10/1/07(10) 5,999,000 2,399,600
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cellular Communications International, Inc.:
0%/9.50% Bonds, 4/1/05(10)XEU 10,825,000 9,241,351
6% Cv. Sub. Nts., 4/1/05(7) 800,000 1,227,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crown Castle International Corp., 0%/10.625% Sr. Unsec.
Disc. Nts., 11/15/07(10) 5,385,000 3,257,925
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CTI Holdings SA, 0%/11.50% Sr. Deferred Coupon Nts., 4/15/08(7)(10) 2,525,000 984,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dobson Communications Corp., 11.75% Sr. Nts., 4/15/07 400,000 406,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geotek Communications, Inc., 12% Cv. Sr. Sub. Nts., 2/15/01(12) 1,665,000 10,406
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Ltd., Units (each unit
consists of $1,000 principal amount of 15% sr. nts., 8/1/05 and
one warrant to purchase 19.85 shares of common stock)(15) 1,325,000 1,033,500
</TABLE>
23 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statement of Investments (Continued)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Media/Entertainment: Wireless Communications (continued)
Microcell Telecommunications, Inc., 0%/11.125% Sr. Disc. Nts.,
Series B, 10/15/07(10)CAD $ 4,405,000 $ 1,519,909
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nextel Communications, Inc.:
0%/10.65% Sr. Disc. Nts., 9/15/07(10) 5,805,000 3,686,175
0%/9.75% Sr. Disc. Nts., 10/31/07(10) 8,350,000 5,051,750
0%/9.95% Sr. Disc. Nts., 2/15/08(10) 1,650,000 977,625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Omnipoint Corp.:
11.625% Sr. Nts., 8/15/06 2,750,000 1,911,250
11.625% Sr. Nts., Series A, 8/15/06 5,600,000 3,892,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orange plc:
7.625% Sr. Nts., 8/1/08XEU 2,600,000 2,898,915
8% Sr. Nts., 8/1/08 12,500,000 12,187,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ORBCOMM Global LP/ORBCOMM Capital Corp.,
14% Sr. Nts., 8/15/04 2,890,000 2,557,650
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orion Network Systems, Inc., 0%/12.50% Sr. Disc. Nts., 1/15/07(10) 3,315,000 2,204,475
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pinnacle Holdings, Inc., 0%/10% Sr. Unsec. Disc. Nts., 3/15/08(10) 3,775,000 2,019,625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price Communications Cellular Holdings, Inc., 11.25% Sr. Nts.,
8/15/08(14) 2,775,000 2,566,875
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price Communications Wireless, Inc.:
9.125% Sr. Sec. Nts., 12/15/06(7) 4,100,000 4,018,000
11.75% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/15/07 3,650,000 3,832,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Cellular Corp., 9.625% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 5/15/08 3,000,000 2,880,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Satelites Mexicanos SA, 10.125% Sr. Nts., 11/1/04(7) 875,000 614,688
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SBA Communications Corp., 0%/12% Sr. Disc. Nts., 3/1/08(10) 8,955,000 4,701,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spectrasite Holdings, Inc., 0%/12% Sr. Disc. Nts., 7/15/08(7)(10) 4,100,000 1,947,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprint Spectrum LP/Sprint Spectrum Finance Corp., 0%/12.50%
Sr. Disc. Nts., 8/15/06(10) 3,778,000 3,192,410
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USA Mobile Communications, Inc. II:
9.50% Sr. Nts., 2/1/04 300,000 274,500
14% Sr. Nts., 11/1/04 655,000 697,575
-----------
82,889,329
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metals/Minerals--2.1%
Algoma Steel, Inc., 12.375% First Mtg. Nts., 7/15/05 8,783,000 7,070,315
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bar Technologies, Inc., 13.50% Sr. Sec. Nts., 4/1/01 1,965,000 2,112,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centaur Mining & Exploration Ltd., 11% Sr. Nts., 12/1/07 2,325,000 2,011,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great Lakes Carbon Corp.:
10.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/15/08(7) 1,700,000 1,632,000
10.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/15/08 1,000,000 960,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Utility Structures, Inc., 10.75% Sr. Sub. Nts., 2/1/08 750,000 667,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc., 9.625% Sr. Sec. Nts., 8/1/07 2,035,000 1,841,675
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metallurg Holdings, Inc., 0%/12.75% Sr. Disc. Nts., 7/15/08(7)(10) 6,100,000 2,165,500
</TABLE>
24 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Metals/Minerals (continued)
Metallurg, Inc., 11% Sr. Nts., 12/1/07 $ 3,945,000 $ 3,767,475
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Republic Engineered Steels, Inc., 9.875% First Mtg. Nts., 12/15/01 2,450,000 2,388,750
-----------
24,616,715
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retail--1.4%
Boyds Collection Ltd., 9% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/15/08(7) 3,870,000 3,715,200
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eye Care Centers of America, Inc.:
9.125% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/1/08(7) 6,470,000 5,661,250
12% Sr. Nts., 10/1/03 900,000 958,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finlay Enterprises, Inc., 9% Debs., 5/1/08 900,000 814,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finlay Fine Jewelry Corp., 8.375% Sr. Nts., 5/1/08 1,025,000 948,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home Interiors & Gifts, Inc., 10.125% Sr. Sub. Nts., 6/1/08(7) 2,850,000 2,686,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pantry, Inc. (The), 10.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 10/15/07 1,600,000 1,560,000
-----------
16,343,700
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service--3.1%
Allied Waste Industries, Inc., 0%/11.30% Sr. Disc. Nts., 6/1/07(10) 8,100,000 6,034,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borg-Warner Security Corp., 9.625% Sr. Sub. Nts., 3/15/07 2,570,000 2,839,850
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coinstar, Inc., 0%/13% Sr. Disc. Nts., 10/1/06(10) 2,025,000 1,478,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comforce Operating, Inc., 12% Sr. Nts., Series B, 12/1/07 1,080,000 1,063,800
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fisher Scientific International, Inc., 9% Sr. Unsec.
Sub. Nts., 2/1/08 5,065,000 4,862,400
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp., 11.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., 8/15/08(7) 2,900,000 2,856,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kindercare Learning Centers, Inc., 9.50% Sr. Sub. Nts., 2/15/09 3,550,000 3,425,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norse CBO Ltd., 9.342% Sub. Bond, Series 1A, Cl. C2, 8/13/10(2) 7,500,000 7,500,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc.:
6.75% Cv. Sr. Sub. Nts., 9/15/03 2,868,000 3,226,500
13.625% Sr. Sub. Disc. Nts., 6/30/05 2,700,000 3,091,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Stationers Supply Co., 12.75% Sr. Sub. Nts., 5/1/05 692,000 775,040
-----------
37,154,090
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transportation--3.0%
Cambridge Industries, Inc., 10.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 7/15/07 2,440,000 2,257,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coach USA, Inc., 9.375% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 7/1/07 1,930,000 1,920,350
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Collins & Aikman Products Co., 11.50% Sr. Unsec. Sub. Nts., 4/15/06 6,480,000 6,804,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Golden Ocean Group Ltd., 10% Sr. Unsec. Nts., 8/31/01 1,200,000 588,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hayes Wheels International, Inc., 11% Sr. Sub. Nts., 7/15/06 4,160,000 4,581,200
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HDA Parts System, Inc., 12% Sr. Sub. Nts., 8/1/05(7) 2,300,000 2,093,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key Plastics, Inc., 10.25% Sr. Sub. Nts., Series B, 3/15/07 2,405,000 2,308,800
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Millenium Seacarriers, Inc., Units (each unit consists of $1,000
principal amount of 12% priority ship mtg. nts., 7/15/05 and
one warrant to purchase 5 shares of common stock)(7)(15) 3,200,000 2,896,000
</TABLE>
25 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statement of Investments (Continued)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Transportation (continued)
Navigator Gas Transport plc:
10.50% First Priority Ship Mtg. Nts., 6/30/07(7) $ 3,715,000 $ 3,529,250
Units (each unit consists of $1,000 principal amount of 12%
second priority ship mtg. nts., 6/30/07 and 7.66 warrants)(7)(15) 2,605,000 2,735,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TFM SA de CV, 10.25% Sr. Nts., 6/15/07 1,440,000 1,198,800
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transtar Holdings LP/Transtar Capital Corp.,
0%/13.375% Sr. Disc. Nts., Series B, 12/15/03(10) 4,391,000 3,842,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tribasa Toll Road Trust,
10.50% Nts., Series 1993-A, 12/1/11(2) 910,560 503,085
-----------
35,256,860
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Utility--1.5%
CalEnergy Co., Inc., 7.52% Sr. Unsec. Nts., 9/15/08 12,000,000 12,336,744
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
El Paso Electric Co., 9.40% First Mtg. Sec. Nts., Series E, 5/1/11 2,350,000 2,711,313
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.:
0%/8.50% Sr. Unsec. Nts., Series H, 7/1/10(10) 1,000,000 718,663
7.75% Sr. Unsec. Nts., Series G, 10/1/08 2,000,000 2,121,232
-----------
17,887,952
-----------
Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $819,416,343) 764,347,475
<CAPTION>
Shares
=======================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
Preferred Stocks--6.1%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AmeriKing, Inc., 13% Cum. Sr. Exchangeable, Non-Vtg.(14) 85,369 2,112,883
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BankUnited Capital Trust, 10.25% Gtd. Bonds, 12/31/26 750,000 789,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CGA Group Ltd., Preferred Stock, Series A(2)(14)(17) 130,000 3,250,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chesapeake Energy Corp., 7% Cum. Cv.(7) 161,000 2,616,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clark USA, Inc., 11.50% Cum. Exchangeable(14) 2,707 2,334,787
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentric Network Corp., 13.50% Preferred, Series B(14) 2,268 2,001,510
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CSC Holdings, Inc.:
8.50% Cum. Cv., Series I, Non-Vtg. 28,900 1,907,400
11.125% Cum., Series M(14) 5,332 586,520
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doane Products Co., 14.25% Exchangeable, Non-Vtg.(2)(16) 100,000 3,887,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dobson Communications Corp., 12.25% Sr. Exchangeable(14) 2,648 2,389,820
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
e.spire Communications, Inc., 12.75% Jr. Redeemable
Preferred Stock(2) 1,231 1,012,497
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eagle-Picher Holdings, Inc., Cum. Exchangeable, Series B,
3/1/08, Non-Vtg.(2)(16) 15,000 813,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earthwatch, Inc., 12% Cum. Cv., Series C, Non-Vtg.(7)(14) 110,000 220,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EchoStar Communications Corp., 12.125% Sr. Redeemable
Exchangeable, Series B, Non-Vtg.(14) 3,405 3,302,850
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
El Paso Electric Co., 11.40% Cum., Series A, Non-Vtg.(14) 18,804 2,040,234
</TABLE>
26 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Market Value
Shares See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Preferred Stocks (continued)
Fidelity Federal Bank FSB Glendale California, l2% Non-Cum.
Exchangeable Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A 30 $ 772
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICG Holdings, Inc., 14.25% Exchangeable(14) 2,814 3,243,135
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermedia Communications, Inc.:
7% Cv. Preferred Securities(7)(16) 200,000 3,900,000
13.50% Exchangeable, Series B(14) 2,131 2,386,720
Depositary Shares Representing one one-hundredth 7% Cum.
Cv. Jr. Preferred Stock, Series E, Non-Vtg.(7) 61,150 1,475,244
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Utility Structures, Inc.:
13% Preferred(2)(14) 19 20,187
Units (each unit consists of $1,000 principal amount of 13% sr.
exchangeable preferred stock and one warrant to purchase
30 shares of common stock)(2)(14)(15) 300 301,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nebco Evans Holdings, Inc., 11.25% Cum. Exchangeable(14) 26,384 1,721,556
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nextel Communications, Inc., 11.125% Exchangeable, Series E(14) 1,188 1,072,170
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., 14% Cum. Exchangeable, Vtg.(14) 65,798 3,470,844
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paxson Communications Corp., 13.25% Cum. Jr. Exchangeable,
Non-Vtg.(7)(14) 285 2,429,625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRIMEDIA, Inc.:
8.625% Exchangeable 54,950 5,014,188
9.20% Exchangeable, Series F 22,500 2,165,625
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Cellular Corp., 11.375% Sr. Exchangeable(2)(14) 4,098 3,718,935
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SD Warren Co., 14% Cum. Exchangeable, Series B, Non-Vtg.(16) 118,300 5,634,038
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SF Holdings Group, Inc., 13.75% Cum. Nts., Series B, 3/15/09,
Non-Vtg.(2)(14) 100 722,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SFX Broadcasting, Inc./Capstar Broadcasting Corp., 12.625%
Cum., Series E, Non-Vtg.(14) 4,104 481,194
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spanish Broadcasting Systems, Inc., 14.25% Cum. Exchangeable,
Non-Vtg.(2)(14) 3,809 3,742,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Viatel, Inc., 10% Cv., Series A(2)(14) 1,339 66,950
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walden Residential Properties, Inc.:
9.16% Cv., Series B 3,250 87,750
9.20% Preferred 83,700 1,961,719
----------
Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $83,620,546) 72,882,371
=======================================================================================================
Common Stocks--2.8%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airtouch Communications, Inc.(16) 55,000 3,135,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Tower Corp.(16) 65,000 1,657,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cellular Communications International, Inc.(16) 45,000 2,441,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECM Fund, L.P.I.(2) 75 66,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
El Paso Electric Co.(16) 56,400 546,375
</TABLE>
27 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statements of Investments (Continued)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Market Value
Shares See Note 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Common Stocks (continued)
Equitable Bag, Inc.(2)(16) 2,261 $ 3,392
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Golden State Bancorp, Inc.(16) 58,176 1,159,884
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Casinos, Inc.(16) 60,000 476,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greate Bay Casino Corp.(16) 1,678 419
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grupo Iusacell SA, ADR(16) 45,000 222,188
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harveys Casino Resorts 50,000 1,196,875
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hilton Hotels Corp. 50,000 853,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hollywood Casino Corp., Cl. A(16) 10,000 14,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horizon Group Properties, Inc.(16) 1,880 4,465
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Host Marriott Corp.(16) 10,000 126,875
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermedia Communications, Inc.(16) 42,243 1,037,594
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Omnipoint Corp.(16) 60,000 446,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Optel, Inc.(16) 3,815 38
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orbital Sciences Corp.(16) 5,000 140,312
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oxford Health Plans, Inc.(16) 75,000 778,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panamerican Beverages, Inc., Cl. A 35,000 623,437
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protection One, Inc.(16) 55,000 536,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PsiNet, Inc.(16) 132,000 1,839,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Qwest Communications International, Inc.(16) 108,305 3,391,300
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rio Hotel & Casino, Inc.(16) 20,000 276,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SF Holdings Group, Inc., Cl. C(16) 5,100 10,200
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Siena Holdings, Inc.(2)(16) 16,299 21,393
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southwest Airlines Co. 6,975 139,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. 46,000 612,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprint Corp. 37,000 2,664,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Station Casinos, Inc.(16) 65,000 345,312
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tele-Communications, Inc. (New), Liberty Media Group,
A Shares(16) 20,000 733,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tele-Communications, Inc. (New), TCI Group, A Shares(16) 65,000 2,543,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tele-Communications, Inc. (New), TCI Ventures Group,
A Shares(16) 35,000 627,813
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras SA, Sponsored ADR 5,000 345,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time Warner, Inc. 20,000 1,751,250
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc.(16) 45,000 1,755,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Verio, Inc.(16) 25,000 618,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vimpel-Communications, Sponsored ADR(16) 10,000 52,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Wireless Corp.(16) 10,000 178,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ziff-Davis, Inc.(16) 20,000 145,000
-----------
Total Common Stocks (Cost $36,630,324) 33,517,372
</TABLE>
28 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Market Value
Units See Note 1
=======================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
Rights, Warrants and Certificates--0.2%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Telecasting, Inc. Wts.:
Exp. 6/99(2) 5,500 $ 55
Exp. 8/00(2) 850 8
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ames Department Stores, Inc., Litigation Trust(2) 19,829 198
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Australis Holdings PTY Ltd./ Australia Media Ltd. Wts., Exp. 5/00(2) 190 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Becker Gaming, Inc. Wts., Exp. 11/00(2) 12,500 3,125
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CellNet Data Systems, Inc. Wts., Exp. 10/07(7) 2,899 9,784
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CGA Group Ltd. Wts., Exp. 12/49(2)(17) 130,000 52,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clearnet Communications, Inc. Wts., Exp. 9/05 1,320 3,074
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concentric Network Corp. Wts., Exp. 12/07(2) 2,320 208,800
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Covad Communications Group, Inc. Wts., Exp. 3/08(2) 7,310 73,100
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
e.spire Communications, Inc. Wts., Exp. 11/05 725 38,496
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gaylord Container Corp. Wts., Exp. 11/02 1,174 3,522
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Globix Corp. Wts., Exp. 5/05 4,175 41,750
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Golden State Bancorp, Inc. Wts., Exp. 1/01 58,176 245,430
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gothic Energy Corp. Wts.:
Exp. 1/03(7) 89,486 895
Exp. 5/05(2) 69,612 80,750
Exp. 9/04(2) 91,000 102,375
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Union Co. Wts., Exp. 8/03 94 270
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hyperion Telecommunications, Inc. Wts., Exp. 4/01 265 23,883
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICG Communications, Inc. Wts., Exp. 9/05(2) 17,655 198,592
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In-Flight Phone Corp. Wts., Exp. 8/02 1,600 --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jewel Recovery LP, Participation Units of Limited Partners' Interest 1,985 --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc. Wts., Exp. 4/08(7) 7,885 40,411
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Omnipoint Corp. Wts., Exp. 11/00(2) 8,000 59,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orion Network Systems, Inc. Wts., Exp. 1/07(2) 2,565 36,231
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price Communications Corp. Wts., Exp. 8/07(2) 19,178 345,204
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protection One, Inc. Wts.:
Exp. 11/03(2) 28,000 350,000
Exp. 6/05(2) 15,200 152,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rocky Mountain Internet, Inc. Wts., Exp. 7/03(2) 12,145 103,240
Trizec Hahn Corp. Wts., Exp. 7/99 1,985 3,571
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Venezuela (Republic of) Oil Linked Payment Obligation Wts.,
Exp. 4/20 5,355 --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walden Residential Properties, Inc. Wts., Exp. 1/02(2) 49,200 55,350
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAM!NET, Inc. Wts., Exp. 3/05(2) 17,235 137,880
----------
Total Rights, Warrants and Certificates (Cost $628,832) 2,369,495
</TABLE>
29 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statement of Investments (Continued)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Market Value
Amount(1) See Note 1
=======================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
Structured Instruments--8.5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bankers Trust/Bear Stearns
High Yield Composite Index Linked Nts.:
8.135%, 6/1/99 $ 12,500,000 $ 12,468,750
8.55%, 4/5/99 5,000,000 4,695,650
8.55%, 5/4/99 5,000,000 4,685,350
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bayerische Landesbank Girozentrale (New York Branch)
Lehman High Yield Index Nts., 8.50%, 3/8/99 7,000,000 6,521,200
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bear Stearns High Yield Composite Index Linked Nts.:
8.50%, 10/9/98(2) 12,500,000 11,622,500
8.50%, 4/9/99 5,000,000 4,641,150
8.50%, 4/14/99(9) 9,000,000 9,000,000
8.50%, 5/14/99(9) 12,000,000 12,000,000
9%, 2/5/99 10,000,000 9,217,700
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commerzbank International SA, Morgan Stanley Group, Inc.
Natural Gas Futures:
1999 Linked Nts., 5.225%, 9/23/99(3) 1,500,000 1,101,150
1999 Linked Nts., 5.225%, 9/8/99(3) 1,500,000 883,950
Linked Nts., 4.913%, 5/22/99(3) 500,000 510,150
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc., The Emerging Markets Bond Index
Leveraged Nts., 9.50%, 10/29/98(6) 10,000,000 7,570,420
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shoshone Partners Loan Trust Sr. Nts., 7.437%, 4/28/02
(representing a basket of reference loans and a total return
swap between Chase Manhattan Bank and the Trust)(2)(3) 16,600,000 16,010,184
--------------
Total Structured Instruments (Cost $108,488,950) 100,928,154
=======================================================================================================
Repurchase Agreements--12.3%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repurchase agreement with PaineWebber, Inc., 5.50%, dated
9/30/98, to be repurchased at $145,522,229 on 10/1/98,
collateralized by U.S. Treasury Bonds, 7.625%, 2/15/25,
with a value of $152,043,609 (Cost $145,500,000) 145,500,000 145,500,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments, at Value (Cost $1,276,065,816) 101.0% 1,197,599,216
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (1.0) (12,234,490)
------------ --------------
Net Assets 100.0% $1,185,364,726
============ ==============
</TABLE>
1. Face amount is reported in U.S. Dollars, except for those denoted in the
following currencies:
ARP -- Argentine Peso IDR -- Indonesian Rupiah
CAD -- Canadian Dollar RUR -- Russian Ruble
DEM -- German Mark XEU -- European Currency Units
GBP -- British Pound Sterling
2. Identifies issues considered to be illiquid or restricted--See Note 8 of
Notes to Financial Statements.
3. Represents the current interest rate for a variable rate security.
30 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Interest-Only Strips represent the right to receive the monthly interest
payments on an underlying pool of mortgage loans. These securities typically
decline in price as interest rates decline. Most other fixed income securities
increase in price when interest rates decline. The principal amount of the
underlying pool represents the notional amount on which current interest is
calculated. The price of these securities is typically more sensitive to changes
in prepayment rates than traditional mortgage-backed securities (for example,
GNMA pass-throughs). Interest rates disclosed represent current yields based
upon the current cost basis and estimated timing and amount of future cash
flows.
5. For zero coupon bonds, the interest rate shown is the effective yield on the
date of purchase.
6. Security is linked to the Emerging Markets Bond Index (EMBI). The EMBI tracks
total returns for currency denominated debt instruments of the emerging markets.
Countries covered are Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Mexico, Morocco,
Nigeria, Panama, Peru, The Philippines, Poland, Russia and Venezuela.
7. Represents securities sold under Rule 144A, which are exempt from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities have
been determined to be liquid under guidelines established by the Board of
Trustees. These securities amount to $143,349,425 or 12.09% of the Fund's net
assets as of September 30, 1998.
8. Represents the current interest rate for an increasing rate security.
9. When-issued security to be delivered and settled after September 30, 1998.
10. Denotes a step bond: a zero coupon bond that converts to a fixed or variable
interest rate at a designated future date.
11. A sufficient amount of securities has been designated to cover outstanding
forward foreign currency exchange contracts. See Note 5 of Notes to Financial
Statements.
12. Non-income producing--issuer is in default.
13. Securities with an aggregate market value of $7,020,500 are held in
collateralized accounts to cover initial margin requirements on open futures
sales contracts. See Note 6 of Notes to Financial Statements.
14. Interest or dividend is paid-in-kind.
15. Units may be comprised of several components, such as debt and equity and/or
warrants to purchase equity at some point in the future. For units which
represent debt securities, face amount disclosed represents total underlying
principal.
16. Non-income producing security.
17. Affiliated company. Represents ownership of at least 5% of the voting
securities of the issuer, and is or was an affiliate, as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, at or during the period ended September 30,
1998. The aggregate fair value of securities of affiliated companies held by the
Fund as of September 30, 1998 amounts to $3,302,000. Transactions during the
period in which the issuer was an affiliate are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Gross Gross Shares
September 30, 1997 Additions Reductions September 30, 1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CGA Group Ltd.,
Preferred Stock, Series A 130,000 -- -- 130,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CGA Group Ltd. Wts.,
Exp. 12/49 130,000 -- -- 130,000
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
31 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
===============================================================================
Statement of Assets and Liabilities September 30, 1998
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
Assets
Investments, at value (including repurchase agreement of $145,500,000)--see
accompanying statement:
Unaffiliated companies (cost $1,272,815,816) $ 1,194,297,216
Affiliated companies (cost $3,250,000) 3,302,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash 439,032
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency
exchange contracts--Note 5 68,682
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivables:
Interest and dividends 19,674,570
Shares of beneficial interest sold 6,088,443
Investments sold 2,315,972
Daily variation on futures contracts--Note 6 504,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 4,420
---------------
Total assets 1,226,694,335
===============================================================================
Liabilities
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency
exchange contracts--Note 5 682,032
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payables and other liabilities:
Investments purchased (including $24,450,000
purchased on a when-issued basis)--Note 1 32,099,071
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed 3,499,927
Dividends 2,636,807
Closed forward foreign currency exchange contracts 1,205,300
Distribution and service plan fees 740,724
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees 160,194
Shareholder reports 126,686
Other 178,868
---------------
Total liabilities 41,329,609
===============================================================================
Net Assets $ 1,185,364,726
===============
===============================================================================
Composition of Net Assets
Paid-in capital $ 1,256,524,564
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undistributed net investment income 654,557
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated net realized gain on investments and
foreign currency transactions 7,004,267
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized depreciation on investments and translation of
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (78,818,662)
---------------
Net assets $ 1,185,364,726
===============
32 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
================================================================================
Net Asset Value Per Share
Class A Shares:
Net asset value and redemption price per share (based on net assets of
$572,353,689 and 46,997,413 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $12.18
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value plus sales charge of 4.75% of
offering price) $12.79
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B Shares:
Net asset value, redemption price (excludes applicable contingent deferred sales
charge) and offering price per share (based on net assets of $388,572,385 and
31,937,543 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $12.17
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C Shares:
Net asset value, redemption price (excludes applicable contingent deferred sales
charge) and offering price per share (based on net assets of $224,438,652 and
18,448,505 shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $12.17
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
33 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statement of Operations For the Year Ended September 30, 1998
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=======================================================================================
<S> <C>
Investment Income
Interest (net of foreign withholding taxes of $51,348) $ 96,447,261
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends 5,567,892
-------------
Total income 102,015,153
=======================================================================================
Expenses
Management fees--Note 4 6,943,309
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and service plan fees--Note 4:
Class A 1,384,686
Class B 3,263,947
Class C 2,102,188
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees--Note 4 1,424,014
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder reports 343,129
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration and filing fees 115,978
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custodian fees and expenses 83,427
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal, auditing and other professional fees 31,543
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance expenses 8,571
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trustees' fees and expenses 8,074
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 20,370
-------------
Net expenses 15,729,236
=======================================================================================
Net Investment Income 86,285,917
=======================================================================================
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain (loss) on:
Investments (including premiums on options exercised) 8,528,028
Closing of futures contracts 1,317,887
Closing and expiration of option contracts written--Note 7 109,323
Foreign currency transactions (3,006,731)
-------------
Net realized gain 6,948,507
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on:
Investments (115,426,085)
Translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (267,778)
-------------
Net change (115,693,863)
-------------
Net realized and unrealized loss (108,745,356)
=======================================================================================
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $ (22,459,439)
=============
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
34 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30,
1998 1997
======================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
Operations
Net investment income $ 86,285,917 $ 60,589,864
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain 6,948,507 13,385,770
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation (115,693,863) 20,234,385
-------------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations (22,459,439) 94,210,019
======================================================================================
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders Dividends from net investment
income:
Class A (44,685,298) (37,216,010)
Class B (23,050,424) (11,933,911)
Class C (14,921,590) (11,440,006)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax return of capital distribution:
Class A (1,752,073) --
Class B (1,189,487) --
Class C (687,045) --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions from net realized gain:
Class A (8,099,904) --
Class B (4,232,404) --
Class C (2,892,893) --
======================================================================================
Beneficial Interest Transactions Net increase in net assets resulting from
beneficial interest transactions--Note 2:
Class A 131,249,208 123,701,684
Class B 189,452,940 148,822,899
Class C 66,892,330 61,390,727
======================================================================================
Net Assets
Total increase 263,623,921 367,535,402
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 921,740,805 554,205,403
-------------- ------------
End of period (including undistributed net investment
income of $654,557 and $175,879, respectively) $1,185,364,726 $921,740,805
============== ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
35 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Financial Highlights
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
-----------------------------------------------------
Year Ended September 30,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
====================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Data
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 13.49 $ 12.92 $ 12.47 $ 12.32 $ 12.90
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income 1.09 1.15 1.15 1.05 1.10
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.11) .57 .44 .14 (.38)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total income from investment operations (.02) 1.72 1.59 1.19 .72
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (1.05) (1.15) (1.14) (1.04) (1.10)
Dividends in excess of net investment income -- -- -- -- (.01)
Tax return of capital distribution (.04) -- -- -- --
Distributions from net realized gain (.20) -- -- -- --
Distributions in excess of net realized gain -- -- -- -- (.19)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total dividends and distributions
to shareholders (1.29) (1.15) (1.14) (1.04) (1.30)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 12.18 $ 13.49 $ 12.92 $ 12.47 $ 12.32
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
====================================================================================================
Total Return, at Net Asset Value(3) (0.49)% 13.96% 13.28% 10.09% 5.61%
====================================================================================================
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $572,354 $502,211 $359,208 $255,139 $160,505
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $567,689 $425,258 $305,638 $204,917 $135,431
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 8.18% 8.75% 8.97% 8.45% 8.49%
Expenses 1.06% 1.10% 1.17% 1.18% 1.22%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(5) 100.2% 136.0% 95.0% 72.5% 108.0%
</TABLE>
1. For the period from December 1, 1993 (inception of offering) to September 30,
1994.
2. For the period from October 2, 1995 (inception of offering) to September 30,
1996.
3. Assumes a hypothetical initial investment on the business day before the
first day of the fiscal period (or inception of offering), with all dividends
and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and
redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the
fiscal period. Sales charges are not reflected in the total returns. Total
returns are not annualized for periods of less than one full year.
4. Annualized.
36 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B Class C
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Year Ended September 30, Year Ended September 30,
1998 1997 1996(2) 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(1)
================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Operating Data
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 13.48 $ 12.91 $ 12.47 $ 13.48 $ 12.91 $ 12.46 $ 12.32 $ 13.13
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income .99 1.05 1.03 .99 1.05 1.06 .95 .75
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.11) .57 .44 (1.11) .57 .44 .13 (.60)
-------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Total income from investment operations (.12) 1.62 1.47 (.12) 1.62 1.50 1.08 .15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (.95) (1.05) (1.03) (.95) (1.05) (1.05) (.94) (.77)
Dividends in excess of net investment income -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Tax return of capital distribution (.04) -- -- (.04) -- -- -- --
Distributions from net realized gain (.20) -- -- (.20) -- -- -- --
Distributions in excess of net realized gain -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (.19)
-------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Total dividends and distributions
to shareholders (1.19) (1.05) (1.03) (1.19) (1.05) (1.05) (.94) (.96)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 12.17 $ 13.48 $ 12.91 $ 12.17 $ 13.48 $ 12.91 $ 12.46 $ 12.32
======== ======== ======= ======== ======== ======== ======= =======
================================================================================================================================
Total Return, at Net Asset Value(3) (1.25)% 13.10% 12.20% (1.25)% 13.12% 12.44% 9.16% 1.11%
================================================================================================================================
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $388,572 $238,505 $82,052 $224,439 $181,025 $112,945 $64,932 $27,743
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average net assets (in thousands) $326,804 $151,197 $33,189 $210,338 $143,363 $ 89,416 $43,584 $13,693
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to average net assets:
Net investment income 7.42% 7.89% 7.90%(4) 7.42% 7.98% 8.19% 7.63% 7.24%(4)
Expenses 1.81% 1.86% 1.97%(4) 1.81% 1.86% 1.93% 1.95% 1.94%(4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate(5) 100.2% 136.0% 95.0% 100.2% 136.0% 95.0% 72.5% 108.0%
</TABLE>
5. The lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a period,
divided by the monthly average of the market value of portfolio securities owned
during the period. Securities with a maturity or expiration date at the time of
acquisition of one year or less are excluded from the calculation. Purchases and
sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the year
ended September 30, 1998, were $1,152,439,768 and $933,387,430, respectively.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
37 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Notes to Financial Statements
================================================================================
================================================================================
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund (the Fund) is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, open-end management
investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to seek a high level of
current income primarily by investing in a diversified portfolio of high-yield,
lower-rated, fixed income securities (commonly known as "junk bonds") believed
by the Fund's investment manager not to involve undue risk. The Fund's
investment advisor is OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (the Manager). The Fund offers
Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end
sales charge. Class B and Class C shares may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge. All classes of shares have identical rights to earnings, assets
and voting privileges, except that each class has its own distribution and/or
service plan, expenses directly attributable to that class and exclusive voting
rights with respect to matters affecting that class. Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares six years after the date of purchase.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Fund.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Valuation. Portfolio securities are valued at the close of the New
York Stock Exchange on each trading day. Listed and unlisted securities for
which such information is regularly reported are valued at the last sale price
of the day or, in the absence of sales, at values based on the closing bid or
the last sale price on the prior trading day. Long-term and short-term
"non-money market" debt securities are valued by a portfolio pricing service
approved by the Board of Trustees. Such securities which cannot be valued by an
approved portfolio pricing service are valued using dealer-supplied valuations
provided the Manager is satisfied that the firm rendering the quotes is reliable
and that the quotes reflect current market value, or are valued under
consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees to
determine fair value in good faith. Short-term "money market type" debt
securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at cost (or
last determined market value) adjusted for amortization to maturity of any
premium or discount. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued
based on the closing prices of the forward currency contract rates in the London
foreign exchange markets on a daily basis as provided by a reliable bank or
dealer. Options are valued based upon the last sale price on the principal
exchange on which the option is traded or, in the absence of any transactions
that day, the value is based upon the last sale price on the prior trading date
if it is within the spread between the closing bid and asked prices. If the last
sale price is outside the spread, the closing bid is used.
38 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
================================================================================
Structured Notes. The Fund invests in foreign currency-linked structured notes
whereby the market value and redemption price are linked to foreign currency
exchange rates. The Fund also invests in index-linked notes whereby the
principal and/or interest payment depend on one or more market indices.The
structured notes may be leveraged, which increases the notes' volatility
relative to the face of the security. Fluctuations in values of the securities
are recorded as unrealized gains and losses in the accompanying financial
statements. During the year ended September 30, 1998, the market value of these
securities comprised an average of 7% of the Fund's net assets, and resulted in
realized and unrealized losses of $8,900,617.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Purchased on a When-Issued Basis. Delivery and payment for securities
that have been purchased by the Fund on a forward commitment or when-issued
basis can take place a month or more after the transaction date. During this
period, such securities do not earn interest, are subject to market fluctuation
and may increase or decrease in value prior to their delivery. The Fund
maintains, in a segregated account with its custodian, assets with a market
value equal to the amount of its purchase commitments. The purchase of
securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis may increase the
volatility of the Fund's net asset value to the extent the Fund makes such
purchases while remaining substantially fully invested. As of September 30,
1998, the Fund had entered into outstanding when-issued or forward commitments
of $24,450,000.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Security Credit Risk. The Fund invests in high yield securities, which may be
subject to a greater degree of credit risk, greater market fluctuations and risk
of loss of income and principal, and may be more sensitive to economic
conditions than lower yielding, higher rated, fixed income securities. The Fund
may acquire securities in default, and is not obligated to dispose of securities
whose issuers subsequently default. As of September 30, 1998, securities with an
aggregate market value of $364,158, representing 0.03% of the Fund's net assets,
were in default.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign Currency Translation. The accounting records of the Fund are maintained
in U.S. dollars. Prices of securities denominated in foreign currencies are
translated into U.S. dollars at the closing rates of exchange. Amounts related
to the purchase and sale of foreign securities and investment income are
translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such
transactions.
The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on
investments is separately identified from the fluctuations arising from changes
in market values of securities held and reported with all other foreign currency
gains and losses in the Fund's Statement of Operations.
39 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
================================================================================
================================================================================
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund requires the custodian to take possession, to
have legally segregated in the Federal Reserve Book Entry System or to have
segregated within the custodian's vault, all securities held as collateral for
repurchase agreements. The market value of the underlying securities is required
to be at least 102% of the resale price at the time of purchase. If the seller
of the agreement defaults and the value of the collateral declines, or if the
seller enters an insolvency proceeding, realization of the value of the
collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation of Income, Expenses, Gains and Losses. Income, expenses (other than
those attributable to a specific class), gains and losses are allocated daily to
each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets
represented by such class. Operating expenses directly attributable to a
specific class are charged against the operations of that class.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Taxes. The Fund intends to continue to comply with provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gain on
investments not offset by loss carryovers, to shareholders. Therefore, no
federal income or excise tax provision is required.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions to Shareholders. The Fund intends to declare dividends separately
for Class A, Class B and Class C shares from net investment income each day the
New York Stock Exchange is open for business and pay such dividends monthly.
Distributions from net realized gains on investments, if any, will be declared
at least once each year.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification of Distributions to Shareholders. Net investment income (loss)
and net realized gain (loss) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes
primarily because of the recognition of certain foreign currency gains (losses)
as ordinary income (loss) for tax purposes. The character of the distributions
made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ
from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Also, due to
timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are
distributed may differ from the fiscal year in which the income or realized gain
was recorded by the Fund.
The Fund adjusts the classification of distributions to shareholders
to reflect the differences between financial statement amounts and distributions
determined in accordance with income tax regulations. Accordingly, during the
year ended September 30, 1998, amounts have been reclassified to reflect a
decrease in paid-in capital of $3,644,139, an increase in undistributed net
investment income of $478,678, and an increase in accumulated net realized gain
on investments of $3,165,461.
40 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the investments are
purchased or sold (trade date) and dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date. Discount on securities purchased is amortized over the life of
the respective securities, in accordance with federal income tax requirements.
Realized gains and losses on investments and unrealized appreciation and
depreciation are determined on an identified cost basis, which is the same basis
used for federal income tax purposes. Dividends-in-kind are recognized as income
on the ex-dividend date, at the current market value of the underlying security.
Interest on payment-in-kind debt instruments is accrued as income at the coupon
rate and a market adjustment is made periodically.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
================================================================================
2. Shares of Beneficial Interest
The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of no par value shares of beneficial
interest of each class. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended September 30, 1998 Year Ended September 30, 1997
------------------------------- -----------------------------
Shares Amount Shares Amount
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A:
Sold 19,832,167 $263,900,806 16,568,069 $217,572,287
Dividends and distributions
reinvested 2,859,050 37,768,272 1,893,564 24,892,342
Redeemed (12,908,673) (170,419,870) (9,055,154) (118,762,945)
----------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net increase 9,782,544 $131,249,208 9,406,479 $123,701,684
=========== ============ ========== ============
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B:
Sold 17,351,158 $230,121,700 12,465,577 $163,647,329
Dividends and distributions
reinvested 1,359,478 17,905,868 557,270 7,333,434
Redeemed (4,464,160) (58,574,628) (1,689,558) (22,157,864)
----------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net increase 14,246,476 $189,452,940 11,333,289 $148,822,899
=========== ============ ========== ============
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C:
Sold 8,603,599 $114,157,872 6,567,675 $ 86,149,589
Dividends and distributions
reinvested 1,025,732 13,534,307 618,611 8,129,826
Redeemed (4,608,529) (60,799,849) (2,510,331) (32,888,688)
----------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net increase 5,020,802 $ 66,892,330 4,675,955 $ 61,390,727
=========== ============ ========== ============
</TABLE>
41 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
================================================================================
================================================================================
3. Unrealized Gains and Losses on Investments
As of September 30, 1998, net unrealized depreciation on investments of
$78,466,600 was composed of gross appreciation of $20,009,350, and gross
depreciation of $98,475,950.
================================================================================
4. Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Management fees paid to the Manager were in accordance with the investment
advisory agreement with the Fund which provides for a fee of 0.70% of the first
$250 million of average annual net assets, 0.65% of the next $250 million, 0.60%
of the next $500 million and 0.55% of average annual net assets in excess of $1
billion. The Fund's management fee for the year ended September 30, 1998 was
0.63% of average annual net assets for Class A, Class B and Class C shares.
For the year ended September 30, 1998, commissions (sales charges
paid by investors) on sales of Class A shares totaled $3,634,751, of which
$1,033,370 was retained by OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. (OFDI), a
subsidiary of the Manager, as general distributor, and by an affiliated
broker/dealer. Sales charges advanced to broker/dealers by OFDI on sales of the
Fund's Class B and Class C shares totaled $7,767,436 and $1,005,500,
respectively, of which $251,000 and $19,396, respectively, was paid to an
affiliated broker/dealer. During the year ended September 30, 1998, OFDI
received contingent deferred sales charges of $661,736 and $82,701,
respectively, upon redemption of Class B and Class C shares, as reimbursement
for sales commissions advanced by OFDI at the time of sale of such shares.
OppenheimerFunds Services (OFS), a division of the Manager, is the
transfer and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund and for other Oppenheimer
funds. OFS's total costs of providing such services are allocated ratably to
these funds.
The Fund has adopted a Service Plan for Class A shares to reimburse
OFDI for a portion of its costs incurred in connection with the personal service
and maintenance of shareholder accounts that hold Class A shares. Reimbursement
is made quarterly at an annual rate that may not exceed 0.25% of the average
annual net assets of Class A shares of the Fund. OFDI uses the service fee to
reimburse brokers, dealers, banks and other financial institutions quarterly for
providing personal service and maintenance of accounts of their customers that
hold Class A shares. During the year ended September 30, 1998, OFDI paid $75,033
to an affiliated broker/dealer as reimbursement for Class A personal service and
maintenance expenses.
42 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
================================================================================
The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan for Class B shares to
compensate OFDI for its costs in distributing Class B shares and servicing
accounts. Under the Plan, the Fund pays OFDI an annual asset-based sales charge
of 0.75% per year on Class B shares for its services rendered in distributing
Class B. OFDI also receives a service fee of 0.25% per year to compensate
dealers for providing personal services for accounts that hold Class B shares.
Each fee is computed on the average annual net assets of Class B shares,
determined as of the close of each regular business day. During the year ended
September 30, 1998, OFDI paid $7,465 to an affiliated broker/dealer as
compensation for Class B personal service and maintenance expenses and retained
$2,872,599 as compensation for Class B sales commissions and service fee
advances, as well as financing costs. If the Plan is terminated by the Fund, the
Board of Trustees may allow the Fund to continue payments of the asset-based
sales charge to OFDI for distributing shares before the Plan was terminated. As
of September 30, 1998, OFDI had incurred xcess distribution and servicing costs
of $15,379,085 for Class B.
The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan for Class C
shares to reimburse OFDI for its costs in distributing Class C shares and
servicing accounts. Under the Plan, the Fund pays OFDI an annual asset-based
sales charge of 0.75% per year on Class C shares for its services rendered in
distributing Class C. OFDI also receives a service fee of 0.25% per year to
reimburse dealers for providing personal services for accounts that hold Class C
shares. Each fee is computed on the average annual net assets of Class C shares,
determined as of the close of each regular business day. During the year ended
September 30, 1998, OFDI paid $14,912 to an affiliated broker/dealer as
reimbursement for Class C personal service and maintenance expenses and retained
$1,093,459 as reimbursement for Class C sales commissions and service fee
advances, as well as financing costs. If the Plan is terminated by the Fund, the
Board of Trustees may allow the Fund to continue payments of the asset-based
sales charge to OFDI for distributing shares before the Plan was terminated. As
of September 30, 1998, OFDI had incurred excess distribution and servicing costs
of $3,314,525 for Class C.
43 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
================================================================================
================================================================================
5. Forward Contracts
A forward foreign currency exchange contract (forward contract) is a commitment
to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date, at a negotiated rate.
The Fund uses forward contracts to seek to manage foreign currency
risks. They may also be used to tactically shift portfolio currency risk. The
Fund generally enters into forward contracts as a hedge upon the purchase or
sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency. In addition, the Fund may
enter into such contracts as a hedge against changes in foreign currency
exchange rates on portfolio positions.
Forward contracts are valued based on the closing prices of the
forward currency contract rates in the London foreign exchange markets on a
daily basis as provided by a reliable bank or dealer. The Fund will realize a
gain or loss upon the closing or settlement of the forward transaction.
Securities held in segregated accounts to cover net exposure on
outstanding forward contracts are noted in the Statement of Investments where
applicable. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on forward contracts is
reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gains and losses
are reported with all other foreign currency gains and losses in the Fund's
Statement of Operations.
Risks include the potential inability of the counterparty to meet
the terms of the contract and unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign
currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
As of September 30, 1998, the Fund had outstanding forward contracts as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Valuation as of
Expiration Contract Amount September 30, Unrealized Unrealized
Date (000s) 1998 Appreciation Depreciation
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Contracts to Sell
British Pound Sterling(GPB) 12/15/98 12,660 GPB $21,406,877 $ -- $682,032
Canadian Dollar(CAD) 12/15/98 2,925 CAD 1,913,015 68,682 --
------- --------
Total Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation $68,682 $682,032
======= ========
</TABLE>
44 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
================================================================================
6. Futures Contracts
The Fund may buy and sell interest rate futures contracts in order to gain
exposure to or protect against changes in interest rates. The Fund may also buy
and sell financial futures. The Fund may also buy or write put or call options
on these futures contracts.
The Fund generally sells futures contracts to hedge against
increases in interest rates and the resulting negative effect on the value of
fixed rate portfolio securities. The Fund may also purchase futures contracts to
gain exposure to changes in interest rates as it may be more efficient or cost
effective than actually buying fixed income securities.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to
deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) in an amount equal to a
certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin)
are made or received by the Fund each day. The variation margin payments are
equal to the daily changes in the contract value and are recorded as unrealized
gains and losses. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract
is closed or expires.
Securities held in collateralized accounts to cover initial margin
requirements on open futures contracts are noted in the Statement of
Investments. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflects a receivable or
payable for the daily mark to market for variation margin.
Risks of entering into futures contracts (and related options)
include the possibility that there may be an illiquid market and that a change
in the value of the contract or option may not correlate with changes in the
value of the underlying securities.
As of September 30, 1998, the Fund had outstanding futures contracts as follows:
Expiration Number of Valuation as of Unrealized
Date Contracts September 30, 1998 Appreciation
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contracts to Sell
Standard & Poor's 500 12/17/98 87 $22,315,500 $293,938
45 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
================================================================================
================================================================================
7. Option Activity
The Fund may buy and sell put and call options, or write put and covered call
options on portfolio securities in order to produce incremental earnings or
protect against changes in the value of portfolio securities.
The Fund generally purchases put options or writes covered call
options to hedge against adverse movements in the value of portfolio holdings.
When an option is written, the Fund receives a premium and becomes obligated to
sell or purchase the underlying security at a fixed price, upon exercise of the
option.
Options are valued daily based upon the last sale price on the
principal exchange on which the option is traded and unrealized appreciation or
depreciation is recorded. The Fund will realize a gain or loss upon the
expiration or closing of the option transaction. When an option is exercised,
the proceeds on sales for a written call option, the purchase cost for a written
put option, or the cost of the security for a purchased put or call option is
adjusted by the amount of premium received or paid.
Securities designated to cover outstanding call options are noted in
the Statement of Investments where applicable. Shares subject to call,
expiration date, exercise price, premium received and market value are detailed
in a footnote to the Statement of Investments. Options written are reported as a
liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains and losses are
reported in the Statement of Operations.
The risk in writing a call option is that the Fund gives up the
opportunity for profit if the market price of the security increases and the
option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that the Fund may incur
a loss if the market price of the security decreases and the option is
exercised. The risk in buying an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether
or not the option is exercised. The Fund also has the additional risk of not
being able to enter into a closing transaction if a liquid secondary market does
not exist.
Written option activity for the year ended September 30, 1998 was as follows:
Call Options Put Options
----------------------- ----------------------
Number of Amount of Number of Amount of
Options Premiums Options Premiums
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding as of
September 30, 1997 4,850 $ 112,278 -- $ --
Options written 1,561 109,785 980 67,950
Options closed or expired (731) (86,115) (980) (67,950)
Options exercised (5,680) (135,928) -- --
------ -------- ---- --------
Options outstanding as of
September 30, 1998 -- $ -- -- $ --
====== ======== ==== ========
===========================================================================
8. Illiquid and Restricted Securities
As of September 30, 1998, investments in securities included issues that are
illiquid or restricted. Restricted securities are often purchased in private
placement transactions, are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, may
have contractual restrictions on resale,
46 Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
<PAGE>
================================================================================
================================================================================
================================================================================
and are valued under methods approved by the Board of Trustees as reflecting
fair value. A security may be considered illiquid if it lacks a readily
available market or if its valuation has not changed for a certain period of
time. The Fund intends to invest no more than 10% of its net assets (determined
at the time of purchase and reviewed periodically) in illiquid or restricted
securities. Certain restricted securities, eligible for resale to qualified
institutional investors, are not subject to that limit. The aggregate value of
illiquid or restricted securities subject to this limitation as of September 30,
1998 was $111,164,395, which represents 9.38% of the Fund's net assets, of which
$4,948,652 is considered restricted. Information concerning restricted
securities is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Valuation
Per Unit as of
Acquisition Cost September 30,
Security Dates Per Unit 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Bonds
Arizona Charlie's, Inc., 12% First Mtg. Nts.,
Series A, 11/15/00 11/18/93 100.00% 96.50%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitol Queen & Casino, Inc., 12% First Mtg. Nts.,
Series A, 11/15/00 11/18/93 87.50 6.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECM Fund L.P.I., 14% Sub. Nts., 6/10/02 7/28/92 100.50 100.25
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trans World Airlines Lease, 14% Equipment Trust,
7/2/08 3/19/98 101.00 103.00
Stocks and Warrants
Becker Gaming, Inc. Wts., Exp. 11/00 11/18/93 $ 2.00 $ .25
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CGA Group Ltd., Preferred Stock, Series A 6/17/97 25.00 25.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CGA Group Ltd. Wts., Exp. 12/49 6/17/97 -- .40
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECM Fund L.P.I. 4/14/92 1,000.00 885.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Omnipoint Corp. Wts. 11/29/95 -- 7.44
</TABLE>
================================================================================
9. Bank Borrowings
The Fund may borrow from a bank for temporary or emergency purposes including,
without limitation, funding of shareholder redemptions provided asset coverage
for borrowings exceeds 300%. The Fund has entered into an agreement which
enables it to participate with other Oppenheimer funds in an unsecured line of
credit with a bank, which permits borrowings up to $400 million, collectively.
Interest is charged to each fund, based on its borrowings, at a rate equal to
the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.35%. Borrowings are payable 30 days after such
loan is executed. The Fund also pays a commitment fee equal to its pro rata
share of the average unutilized amount of the credit facility at a rate of
0.0575% per annum.
The Fund had no borrowings outstanding during the year ended
September 30, 1998.
<PAGE>
Appendix A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATINGS DEFINITIONS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below are summaries of the rating definitions used by the nationally-recognized
rating agencies listed below. Those ratings represent the opinion of the agency
as to the credit quality of issues that they rate. The summaries below are based
upon publicly-available information provided by the rating organizations.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term (Taxable) Bond Ratings
Aaa: Bonds rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality. They carry the smallest
degree of investment risk. Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, the changes that can be expected are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together
with the Aaa group, they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds.
They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not
be as large as with Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be
of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than those of Aaa securities.
A: Bonds rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be
considered as upper-medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds rated Baa are considered medium grade obligations; that is, they are
neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal
security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be
lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time.
Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative
characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements. Their future cannot
be considered well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal
payments may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during both good and bad
times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this
class.
B: Bonds rated B generally lack characteristics of desirable investment.
Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of
the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds rated Caa are of poor standing and may be in default or there may
be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca: Bonds rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high
degree and are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C: Bonds rated C are the lowest class of rated bonds and can be regarded as
having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier "1" indicates that the
obligation ranks in the higher end of its category; the modifier "2" indicates a
mid-range ranking and the modifier "3" indicates a ranking in the lower end of
the category.
Short-Term Ratings - Taxable Debt
These ratings apply to the ability of issuers to repay punctually senior debt
obligations having an original maturity not exceeding one year:
Prime-1: Issuer has a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt
obligations.
Prime-2: Issuer has a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt
obligations. Earnings trends and coverage, while sound, may be subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Prime-3: Issuer has an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term
obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may
be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in
changes in the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively
high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
Not Prime: Issuer does not fall within any Prime rating category.
Standard & Poor's Rating Services
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term Credit Ratings
AAA: Bonds rated "AAA" have the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.
The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is
extremely strong.
AA: Bonds rated "AA" differ from the highest rated obligations only in small
degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is very strong.
A: Bonds rated "A" are somewhat more susceptible to adverse effects of changes
in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated
categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is still strong.
BBB: Bonds rated BBB exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse
economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a
weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest.
While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major
exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: Bonds rated BB are less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative
issues. However, these face major uncertainties or exposure to adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate
capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: A bond rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than an obligation rated BB,
but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation.
CCC: A bond rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent
upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to
meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse
business, financial or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have
the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC: An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: The C rating may used where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar
action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.
D: Bonds rated D are in default. Payments on the obligation are not being
made on the date due.
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or
minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories. The
"r" symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant noncredit
risks.
Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
A-1: Rated in the highest category. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, a plus (+) sign
designation indicates the issuer's capacity to meet its financial obligation is
very strong.
A-2: Obligation is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes
in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating
categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: Exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic
conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: Regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. The obligor
currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's
inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
C: Currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable
business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation.
D: In payment default. Payments on the obligation have not been made on the
due date. The rating may also be used if a bankruptcy petition has been filed
or similar actions jeopardize payments on the obligation.
Fitch IBCA, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Long-Term Credit Ratings
Investment Grade:
AAA: Highest Credit Quality. "AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of
credit risk. They are assigned only in the case of exceptionally strong
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly
unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Very High Credit Quality. "AA" ratings denote a very low expectation of
credit risk. They indicate a very strong capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to
foreseeable events.
A: High Credit Quality. "A" ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk.
The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered
strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in
circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB: Good Credit Quality. "BBB" ratings indicate that there is currently a
low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and
in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the
lowest investment-grade category.
Speculative Grade:
BB: Speculative. "BB" ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit
risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over
time. However, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow
financial commitments to be met.
B: Highly Speculative. "B" ratings indicate that significant credit risk is
present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are
currently being met. However, capacity for continued payment is contingent
upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
CCC, CC C: High Default Risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for
meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable
business or economic developments. A "CC" rating indicates that default of
some kind appears probable. "C" ratings signal imminent default.
DDD, DD, and D: Default. Securities are not meeting current obligations and
are extremely speculative. "DDD" designates the highest potential for
recovery of amounts outstanding on any securities involved.
Plus (+) and minus (-) signs may be appended to a rating symbol to denote
relative status within the rating category. Plus and minus signs are not added
to the "AAA" category or to categories below "CCC."
International Short-Term Credit Ratings
F1: Highest credit quality. Strongest capacity for timely payment. May have an
added "+" to denote exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2: Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment, but the
margin of safety is not as great as in higher ratings.
F3: Fair credit quality. Capacity for timely payment is adequate. However,
near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.
B: Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment, plus vulnerability to
near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility, Capacity for
meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable
business and economic environment.
D: Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. Ratings
Long-Term Debt and Preferred Stock
AAA: Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only
slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
AA+, AA, AA-: High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is modest
but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions.
A+, A & A-: Protection factors are average but adequate. However, risk factors
are more variable in periods of greater economic stress.
BBB+, BBB & BBB-: Below average protection factors but still considered
sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable variability in risk during
economic cycles.
BB+, BB & BB-: Below investment grade but deemed likely to meet obligations when
due. Present or prospective financial protection factors fluctuate according to
industry conditions. Overall quality may move up or down frequently within the
category.
B+, B & B-: Below investment grade and possessing risk that obligations will not
be met when due. Financial protection factors will fluctuate widely according to
economic cycles, industry conditions and/or company fortunes. Potential exists
for frequent changes in the rating within this category or into a higher of
lower rating grade.
CCC: Well below investment-grade securities. Considerable uncertainty exists as
to timely payment of principal, interest or preferred dividends. Protection
factors are narrow and risk can be substantial with unfavorable
economic/industry conditions, and/or with unfavorable company developments.
DD: Defaulted debt obligations. Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal
and/or interest payments.
DP: Preferred stock with dividend arrearages.
Short-Term Debt:
High Grade:
D-1+: Highest certainty of timely payment. Safety is just below risk-free
U.S. Treasury short-term debt.
D-1: Very high certainty of timely payment. Risk factors are minor.
D-1-: High certainty of timely payment. Risk factors are very small.
Good Grade:
D-2: Good certainty of timely payment. Risk factors are small.
Satisfactory Grade:
D-3: Satisfactory liquidity and other protection factors qualify issues as to
investment grade. Risk factors are larger and subject to more variation.
Nevertheless, timely payment is expected.
Non-Investment Grade:
D-4: Speculative investment characteristics. Liquidity is not sufficient to
insure against disruption in debt service.
Default:
D-5: Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal and/or interest payments.
<PAGE>
B-1
Appendix B
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry Classifications
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aerospace/Defense Food and Drug Retailers
Air Transportation Gas Utilities
Asset-Backed Health Care/Drugs
Auto Parts and Equipment Health Care/Supplies & Services
Automotive Homebuilders/Real Estate
Bank Holding Companies Hotel/Gaming
Banks Industrial Services
Beverages Information Technology
Broadcasting Insurance
Broker-Dealers Leasing & Factoring
Building Materials Leisure
Cable Television Manufacturing
Chemicals Metals/Mining
Commercial Finance Nondurable Household Goods
Communication Equipment Office Equipment
Computer Hardware Oil - Domestic
Computer Software Oil - International
Conglomerates Paper
Consumer Finance Photography
Consumer Services Publishing
Containers Railroads
Convenience Stores Restaurants
Department Stores Savings & Loans
Diversified Financial Shipping
Diversified Media Special Purpose Financial
Drug Wholesalers Specialty Printing
Durable Household Goods Specialty Retailing
Education Steel
Electric Utilities Telecommunications - Technology
Electrical Equipment Telephone - Utility
Electronics Textile/Apparel
Energy Services & Producers Tobacco
Entertainment/Film Trucks and Parts
Environmental Wireless Services
Food
<PAGE>
C-12
Appendix C
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OppenheimerFunds Special Sales Charge Arrangements and Waivers
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In certain cases, the initial sales charge that applies to purchases of
Class A shares of the Oppenheimer funds or the contingent deferred sales charge
that may apply to Class A, Class B or Class C shares may be waived. That is
because of the economies of sales efforts realized by the Distributor or the
dealers or other financial institutions offering those shares to certain classes
of investors or in certain transactions.
Not all waivers apply to all funds. For example, waivers relating to
Retirement Plans do not apply to Oppenheimer municipal funds, because shares of
those funds are not available for purchase by or on behalf of retirement plans.
Other waivers apply only to shareholders of certain funds that were merged into
or became Oppenheimer funds.
For the purposes of some of the waivers described below and in the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the applicable Oppenheimer
funds, the term "Retirement Plan" refers to the following types of plans: (1)
plans qualified under Sections 401(a) or 401(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code,
(2) non-qualified deferred compensation plans, (3) employee benefit plans1 (4)
Group Retirement Plans2 (5) 403(b)(7) custodial plan accounts (6) SEP-IRAs,
SARSEPs or SIMPLE plans
The interpretation of these provisions as to the applicability of a waiver
in a particular case is determined solely by the Distributor or the Transfer
Agent of the fund. These waivers and special arrangements may be amended or
terminated at any time by the applicable Fund and/or the Distributor. Waivers
that apply at the time shares are redeemed must be requested by the shareholder
and/or dealer in the redemption request.
- --------------
1. An "employee benefit plan" means any plan or arrangement, whether or not it
is "qualified" under the Internal Revenue Code, under which Class A shares of
an Oppenheimer fund or funds are purchased by a fiduciary or other
administrator for the account of participants who are employees of a single
employer or of affiliated employers. These may include, for example, medical
savings accounts, payroll deduction plans or similar plans. The fund accounts
must be registered in the name of the fiduciary or administrator purchasing
the shares for the benefit of participants in the plan.
2. The term "Group Retirement Plan" means any qualified or non-qualified
retirement plan for employees of a corporation or sole proprietorship,
members and employees of a partnership or association or other organized
group of persons (the members of which may include other groups), if the
group has made special arrangements with the Distributor and all members of
the group participating in (or who are eligible to participate in) the plan
purchase Class A shares of an Oppenheimer fund or funds through a single
investment dealer, broker or other financial institution designated by the
group. Such plans include 457 plans, SEP-IRAs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE plans and
403(b) plans other than plans for public school employees. The term "Group
Retirement Plan" also includes qualified retirement plans and non-qualified
deferred compensation plans and IRAs that purchase Class A shares of an
Oppenheimer fund or funds through a single investment dealer, broker or other
financial institution that has made special arrangements with the Distributor
enabling those plans to purchase Class A shares at net asset value but
subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Applicability of Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charges in Certain Cases
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchases of Class A Shares of Oppenheimer Funds That Are Not Subject to Initial
Sales Charge but May Be Subject to the Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
(unless a waiver applies).
There is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of any of
the Oppenheimer funds in the cases listed below. However, these purchases may be
subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within 18
months of the end of the calendar month of their purchase, as described in the
Prospectus (unless a waiver described elsewhere in this Appendix applies to the
redemption). Additionally, on these purchases the Distributor will pay the
applicable commission described in the Prospectus under "Class A Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge": |_| Purchases of Class A shares aggregating $1 million
or more. |_| Purchases by a Retirement Plan that: (1) buys shares costing
$500,000 or more, or (2) has, at the time of purchase, 100 or more eligible
participants or total
plan assets of $500,000 or more, or
(3) certifies to the Distributor that it projects to have annual plan
purchases of $200,000 or more.
|_| Purchases by an OppenheimerFunds-sponsored Rollover IRA, if the
purchases are made:
(1) through a broker, dealer, bank or registered investment adviser that
has made special arrangements with the Distributor for those
purchases, or
(2) by a direct rollover of a distribution from a qualified Retirement
Plan if the administrator of that Plan has made special arrangements
with the Distributor for those purchases.
|_| Purchases of Class A shares by Retirement Plans that have any of the
following record-keeping arrangements:
(1) The record keeping is performed by Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith,
Inc. ("Merrill Lynch") on a daily valuation basis for the
Retirement Plan. On the date the plan sponsor signs the
record-keeping service agreement with Merrill Lynch, the Plan must
have $3 million or more of its assets invested in (a) mutual funds,
other than those advised or managed by Merrill Lynch Asset
Management, L.P. ("MLAM"), that are made available under a Service
Agreement between Merrill Lynch and the mutual fund's principal
underwriter or distributor, and (b) funds advised or managed by
MLAM (the funds described in (a) and (b) are referred to as
"Applicable Investments").
(2) The record keeping for the Retirement Plan is performed on a daily
valuation basis by a record keeper whose services are provided
under a contract or arrangement between the Retirement Plan and
Merrill Lynch. On the date the plan sponsor signs the record
keeping service agreement with Merrill Lynch, the Plan must have $3
million or more of its assets (excluding assets invested in money
market funds) invested in Applicable Investments.
(3) The record keeping for a Retirement Plan is handled under a service
agreement with Merrill Lynch and on the date the plan sponsor signs
that agreement, the Plan has 500 or more eligible employees (as
determined by the Merrill Lynch plan conversion manager).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waivers of Class A Sales Charges of Oppenheimer Funds
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waivers of Initial and Contingent Deferred Sales Charges for Certain
Purchasers.
Class A shares purchased by the following investors are not subject to any Class
A sales charges (and no commissions are paid by the Distributor on such
purchases):
|_| The Manager or its affiliates.
|_| Present or former officers, directors, trustees and employees (and
their "immediate families") of the Fund, the Manager and its affiliates, and
retirement plans established by them for their employees. The term "immediate
family" refers to one's spouse, children, grandchildren, grandparents, parents,
parents-in-law, brothers and sisters, sons- and daughters-in-law, a sibling's
spouse, a spouse's siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; relatives by
virtue of a remarriage (step-children, step-parents, etc.) are included.
|_| Registered management investment companies, or separate accounts of
insurance companies having an agreement with the Manager or the Distributor for
that purpose.
|_| Dealers or brokers that have a sales agreement with the Distributor,
if they purchase shares for their own accounts or for retirement plans for their
employees.
|_| Employees and registered representatives (and their spouses) of
dealers or brokers described above or financial institutions that have entered
into sales arrangements with such dealers or brokers (and which are identified
as such to the Distributor) or with the Distributor. The purchaser must certify
to the Distributor at the time of purchase that the purchase is for the
purchaser's own account (or for the benefit of such employee's spouse or minor
children).
|_| Dealers, brokers, banks or registered investment advisors that have
entered into an agreement with the Distributor providing specifically for the
use of shares of the Fund in particular investment products made available to
their clients. Those clients may be charged a transaction fee by their dealer,
broker, bank or advisor for the purchase or sale of Fund shares.
|_| Investment advisors and financial planners who have entered into an
agreement for this purpose with the Distributor and who charge an advisory,
consulting or other fee for their services and buy shares for their own accounts
or the accounts of their clients.
|_| "Rabbi trusts" that buy shares for their own accounts, if the
purchases are made through a broker or agent or other financial intermediary
that has made special arrangements with the Distributor for those purchases.
|_| Clients of investment advisors or financial planners (that have
entered into an agreement for this purpose with the Distributor) who buy shares
for their own accounts may also purchase shares without sales charge but only if
their accounts are linked to a master account of their investment advisor or
financial planner on the books and records of the broker, agent or financial
intermediary with which the Distributor has made such special arrangements .
Each of these investors may be charged a fee by the broker, agent or financial
intermediary for purchasing shares.
|_| Directors, trustees, officers or full-time employees of OpCap Advisors
or its affiliates, their relatives or any trust, pension, profit sharing or
other benefit plan which beneficially owns shares for those persons.
|_| Accounts for which Oppenheimer Capital (or its successor) is the
investment advisor (the Distributor must be advised of this arrangement) and
persons who are directors or trustees of the company or trust which is the
beneficial owner of such accounts.
|_| A unit investment trust that has entered into an appropriate agreement
with the Distributor.
|_| Dealers, brokers, banks, or registered investment advisers that have
entered into an agreement with the Distributor to sell shares to defined
contribution employee retirement plans for which the dealer, broker or
investment adviser provides administration services.
|_| Retirement plans and deferred compensation plans and trusts used to
fund those plans (including, for example, plans qualified or created under
sections 401(a), 401(k), 403(b) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code), in each
case if those purchases are made through a broker, agent or other financial
intermediary that has made special arrangements with the Distributor for those
purchases.
|_| A TRAC-2000 401(k) plan (sponsored by the former Quest for Value
Advisors) whose Class B or Class C shares of a Former Quest for Value Fund were
exchanged for Class A shares of that Fund due to the termination of the Class B
and Class C TRAC-2000 program on November 24, 1995.
|_| A qualified Retirement Plan that had agreed with the former Quest for
Value Advisors to purchase shares of any of the Former Quest for Value Funds at
net asset value, with such shares to be held through DCXchange, a sub-transfer
agency mutual fund clearinghouse, if that arrangement was consummated and share
purchases commenced by December 31, 1996.
Waivers of Initial and Contingent Deferred Sales Charges in Certain
Transactions.
Class A shares issued or purchased in the following transactions are not subject
to sales charges (and no commissions are paid by the Distributor on such
purchases):
|_| Shares issued in plans of reorganization, such as mergers, asset
acquisitions and exchange offers, to which the Fund is a party.
|_| Shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or other
distributions reinvested from the Fund or other Oppenheimer funds (other than
Oppenheimer Cash Reserves) or unit investment trusts for which reinvestment
arrangements have been made with the Distributor.
|_| Shares purchased and paid for with the proceeds of shares redeemed in
the prior 30 days from a mutual fund (other than a fund managed by the Manager
or any of its subsidiaries) on which an initial sales charge or contingent
deferred sales charge was paid. This waiver also applies to shares purchased by
exchange of shares of Oppenheimer Money Market Fund, Inc. that were purchased
and paid for in this manner. This waiver must be requested when the purchase
order is placed for shares of the Fund, and the Distributor may require evidence
of qualification for this waiver.
|_| Shares purchased with the proceeds of maturing principal units of any
Qualified Unit Investment Liquid Trust Series.
|_| Shares purchased by the reinvestment of loan repayments by a
participant in a Retirement Plan for which the Manager or an affiliate acts as
sponsor.
Waivers of the Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain
Redemptions.
The Class A contingent deferred sales charge is also waived if shares that would
otherwise be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge are redeemed in the
following cases:
|_| To make Automatic Withdrawal Plan payments that are limited annually
to no more than 12% of the original account value.
|_| Involuntary redemptions of shares by operation of law or involuntary
redemptions of small accounts (see "Shareholder Account Rules and Policies," in
the Prospectus).
|_| For distributions from Retirement Plans, deferred compensation
plans or other employee benefit plans for any of the following purposes:
(1) Following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue
Code) of the participant or beneficiary. The death or disability must
occur after the participant's account was established.
(2) To return excess contributions.
(3) To return contributions made due to a mistake of fact. (4) Hardship
withdrawals, as defined in the plan.
(5) Under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code.
(6) To meet the minimum distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue
Code.
(7) To establish "substantially equal periodic payments" as described in
Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(8) For retirement distributions or loans to participants or beneficiaries. (9)
Separation from service.
(10) Participant-directed redemptions to purchase shares of a mutual
fund other than a fund managed by the Manager or a subsidiary. The fund
must be one that is offered as an investment option in a Retirement Plan
in which Oppenheimer funds are also offered as investment options under
a special arrangement with the Distributor. (11) Plan termination or
"in-service distributions," if the redemption proceeds are rolled over
directly to an OppenheimerFunds-sponsored IRA.
|_| For distributions from Retirement Plans having 500 or more eligible
participants, except distributions due to termination of all of the Oppenheimer
funds as an investment option under the Plan. |_| For distributions from 401(k)
plans sponsored by broker-dealers that
have entered into a special agreement with the Distributor allowing this
waiver.
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waivers of Class B and Class C Sales Charges of Oppenheimer Funds
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Class B and Class C contingent deferred sales charges will not be
applied to shares purchased in certain types of transactions or redeemed in
certain circumstances described below.
Waivers for Redemptions in Certain Cases.
The Class B and Class C contingent deferred sales charges will be waived for
redemptions of shares in the following cases:
|_|Shares redeemed involuntarily, as described in "Shareholder Account
Rules and Policies,"
in the applicable Prospectus.
|_| Distributions to participants or beneficiaries from Retirement
Plans, if the distributions are made:
(a) under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan after the participant reaches age
59-1/2, as long as the payments are no more than 10% of the account
value annually (measured from the date the Transfer Agent receives
the request), or
(b) following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue
Code) of the participant or beneficiary (the death or disability must
have occurred after the account was established).
|_| Redemptions from accounts other than Retirement Plans following the
death or disability of the last surviving shareholder, including a trustee of a
grantor trust or revocable living trust for which the trustee is also the sole
beneficiary. The death or disability must have occurred after the account was
established, and for disability you must provide evidence of a determination of
disability by the Social Security Administration.
|_| Returns of excess contributions to Retirement Plans.
|_| Distributions from Retirement Plans to make "substantially equal
periodic payments" as permitted in Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code
that do not exceed 10% of the account value annually, measured from the date the
Transfer Agent receives the request.
|_|Distributions from OppenheimerFunds prototype 401(k) plans and from
certain Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company prototype 401(k) plans:
(1) for hardship withdrawals;
(2) under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code;
(3) to meet minimum distribution requirements as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code;
(4) to make "substantially equal periodic payments" as described in
Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code;
(5) for separation from service; or (6) for loans to participants or
beneficiaries.
|_| Distributions from 401(k) plans sponsored by broker-dealers that have
entered into a special agreement with the Distributor allowing this waiver.
|_| Redemptions of Class B shares held by Retirement Plans whose records
are maintained on a daily valuation basis by Merrill Lynch or an independent
record keeper under a contract with Merrill Lynch.
|_| Redemptions of Class C shares of Oppenheimer U.S. Government Trust
from accounts of clients of financial institutions that have entered into a
special arrangement with the Distributor for this purpose.
Waivers for Shares Sold or Issued in Certain Transactions.
The contingent deferred sales charge is also waived on Class B and Class C
shares sold or issued in the following cases:
|_| Shares sold to the Manager or its affiliates.
|_| Shares sold to registered management investment companies or separate
accounts of insurance companies having an agreement with the Manager or the
Distributor for that purpose.
|_| Shares issued in plans of reorganization to which the Fund is
a party.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Sales Charge Arrangements for Shareholders of Certain Oppenheimer
Funds Who Were Shareholders of the Former Quest for Value Funds
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The initial and contingent deferred sales charge rates and waivers for
Class A, Class B and Class C shares described in the Prospectus or Statement of
Additional Information of the Oppenheimer funds are modified as described below
for certain persons who were shareholders of the former Quest for Value Funds.
To be eligible, those persons must have been shareholders on November 24, 1995,
when OppenheimerFunds, Inc. became the investment advisor to those former Quest
for Value Funds. Those funds include:
Oppenheimer Quest Value Fund, Inc., Oppenheimer Quest Balanced Value Fund,
Oppenheimer Quest Opportunity Value Fund, Oppenheimer Quest Small Cap
Value Fund and Oppenheimer Quest Global Value Fund, Inc.
These arrangements also apply to shareholders of the following funds when
they merged into various Oppenheimer funds on November 24, 1995:
Quest for Value U.S. Government Income Fund, Quest for Value Investment
Quality Income Fund, Quest for Value Global Income Fund, Quest for Value
New York Tax-Exempt Fund, Quest for Value National Tax-Exempt Fund and
Quest for Value California Tax-Exempt Fund
All of the funds listed above are referred to in this Appendix as the
"Former Quest for Value Funds." The waivers of initial and contingent deferred
sales charges described in this Appendix apply to shares of an Oppenheimer fund
that are either:
|_| acquired by such shareholder pursuant to an exchange of shares of an
Oppenheimer fund that was one of the Former Quest for Value Funds or
|_| purchased by such shareholder by exchange of shares of another
Oppenheimer fund that were acquired pursuant to the merger of any of the Former
Quest for Value Funds into that other Oppenheimer fund on November 24, 1995.
Reductions or Waivers of Class A Sales Charges.
|X| Reduced Class A Initial Sales Charge Rates for Certain Former Quest
for Value Funds Shareholders
Purchases by Groups and Associations. The following table sets forth the initial
sales charge rates for Class A shares purchased by members of "Associations"
formed for any purpose other than the purchase of securities. The rates in the
table apply if that Association purchased shares of any of the Former Quest for
Value Funds or received a proposal to purchase such shares from OCC Distributors
prior to November 24, 1995.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Initial Sales
Eligible Initial Sales Charge as a % Commission as %
Employees or Charge as a % of of Net Amount of Offering
Members Offering Price Invested Price
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
9 or Fewer 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
At least 10 but
not more than 49 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
For purchases by Associations having 50 or more eligible employees or
members, there is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares, but
those shares are subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge
described in the applicable fund's Prospectus.
Purchases made under this arrangement qualify for the lower of either the
sales charge rate in the table based on the number of members of an Association,
or the sales charge rate that applies under the Right of Accumulation described
in the applicable fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Individuals who qualify under this arrangement for reduced sales charge rates as
members of Associations also may purchase shares for their individual or
custodial accounts at these reduced sales charge rates, upon request to the
Distributor.
|X| Waiver of Class A Sales Charges for Certain Shareholders. Class A
shares purchased by the following investors are not subject to any Class A
initial or contingent deferred sales charges:
|_| Shareholders who were shareholders of the AMA Family of Funds on
February 28, 1991 and who acquired shares of any of the Former Quest for Value
Funds by merger of a portfolio of the AMA Family of Funds.
|_| Shareholders who acquired shares of any Former Quest for Value Fund by
merger of any of the portfolios of the Unified Funds.
|X| Waiver of Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge in Certain
Transactions. The Class A contingent deferred sales charge will not apply to
redemptions of Class A shares purchased by the following investors who were
shareholders of any Former Quest for Value Fund:
Investors who purchased Class A shares from a dealer that is or was not
permitted to receive a sales load or redemption fee imposed on a shareholder
with whom that dealer has a fiduciary relationship, under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and regulations adopted under that law.
Class A, Class B and Class C Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers
|X| Waivers for Redemptions of Shares Purchased Prior to March 6, 1995. In
the following cases, the contingent deferred sales charge will be waived for
redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C shares of an Oppenheimer fund. The
shares must have been acquired by the merger of a Former Quest for Value Fund
into the fund or by exchange from an Oppenheimer fund that was a Former Quest
for Value Fund or into which such fund merged. Those shares must have been
purchased prior to March 6, 1995 in connection with:
|_| withdrawals under an automatic withdrawal plan holding only either
Class B or Class C shares if the annual withdrawal does not exceed 10% of the
initial value of the account, and
|_| liquidation of a shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset
value of shares held in the account is less than the required minimum value of
such accounts.
|X| Waivers for Redemptions of Shares Purchased on or After March 6, 1995
but Prior to November 24, 1995. In the following cases, the contingent deferred
sales charge will be waived for redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of an Oppenheimer fund. The shares must have been acquired by the merger
of a Former Quest for Value Fund into the fund or by exchange from an
Oppenheimer fund that was a Former Quest For Value Fund or into which such
Former Quest for Value Fund merged. Those shares must have been purchased on or
after March 6, 1995, but prior to November 24, 1995:
|_| redemptions following the death or disability of the shareholder(s)
(as evidenced by a determination of total disability by the U.S. Social
Security Administration);
|_| withdrawals under an automatic withdrawal plan (but only for Class B
or Class C shares) where the annual withdrawals do not exceed 10% of the initial
value of the account; and
|_| liquidation of a shareholder's account if the aggregate net asset
value of shares held in the account is less than the required minimum account
value.
A shareholder's account will be credited with the amount of any contingent
deferred sales charge paid on the redemption of any Class A, Class B or Class C
shares of the Oppenheimer fund described in this section if the proceeds are
invested in the same Class of shares in that fund or another Oppenheimer fund
within 90 days after redemption.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Sales Charge Arrangements for Shareholders of Certain Oppenheimer Funds
Who Were Shareholders of Connecticut Mutual Investment Accounts, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The initial and contingent deferred sale charge rates and waivers for
Class A and Class B shares described in the Prospectus or this Appendix for
Oppenheimer U. S. Government Trust, Oppenheimer Bond Fund, Oppenheimer
Disciplined Value Fund and Oppenheimer Disciplined Allocation Fund (each is
included in the reference to "Fund" below) are modified as described below for
those shareholders who were shareholders of Connecticut Mutual Liquid Account,
Connecticut Mutual Government Securities Account, Connecticut Mutual Income
Account, Connecticut Mutual Growth Account, Connecticut Mutual Total Return
Account, CMIA LifeSpan Capital Appreciation Account, CMIA LifeSpan Balanced
Account and CMIA Diversified Income Account (the "Former Connecticut Mutual
Funds") on March 1, 1996, when OppenheimerFunds, Inc. became the investment
adviser to the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds.
Prior Class A CDSC and Class A Sales Charge Waivers
|_| Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Certain shareholders of a
Fund and the other Former Connecticut Mutual Funds are entitled to continue to
make additional purchases of Class A shares at net asset value without a Class A
initial sales charge, but subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales
charge that was in effect prior to March 18, 1996 (the "prior Class A CDSC").
Under the prior Class A CDSC, if any of those shares are redeemed within one
year of purchase, they will be assessed a 1% contingent deferred sales charge on
an amount equal to the current market value or the original purchase price of
the shares sold, whichever is smaller (in such redemptions, any shares not
subject to the prior Class A CDSC will be redeemed first).
Those shareholders who are eligible for the prior Class A CDSC are: (1)
persons whose purchases of Class A shares of a Fund and other Former
Connecticut Mutual Funds were $500,000 prior to March 18, 1996, as a
result of direct purchases or purchases pursuant to the Fund's policies
on Combined Purchases or Rights of Accumulation, who still hold those
shares in that Fund or other Former Connecticut Mutual Funds, and
(2) persons whose intended purchases under a Statement of Intention entered
into prior to March 18, 1996, with the former general distributor of the
Former Connecticut Mutual Funds to purchase shares valued at $500,000 or
more over a 13-month period entitled those persons to purchase shares at
net asset value without being subject to the Class A initial sales
charge.
Any of the Class A shares of a Fund and the other Former Connecticut
Mutual Funds that were purchased at net asset value prior to March 18, 1996,
remain subject to the prior Class A CDSC, or if any additional shares are
purchased by those shareholders at net asset value pursuant to this arrangement
they will be subject to the prior Class A CDSC.
|_| Class A Sales Charge Waivers. Additional Class A shares of a Fund may
be purchased without a sales charge, by a person who was in one (or more) of the
categories below and acquired Class A shares prior to March 18, 1996, and still
holds Class A shares: (1) any purchaser, provided the total initial amount
invested in the Fund or
any one or more of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds totaled $500,000
or more, including investments made pursuant to the Combined Purchases,
Statement of Intention and Rights of Accumulation features available at
the time of the initial purchase and such investment is still held in
one or more of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds or a Fund into which
such Fund merged;
(2) any participant in a qualified plan, provided that the total initial
amount invested by the plan in the Fund or any one or more of the Former
Connecticut Mutual Funds totaled $500,000 or more;
(3) Directors of the Fund or any one or more of the Former Connecticut
Mutual Funds and members of their immediate families;
(4) employee benefit plans sponsored by Connecticut Mutual Financial
Services, L.L.C. ("CMFS"), the prior distributor of the Former
Connecticut Mutual Funds, and its affiliated companies;
(5) one or more members of a group of at least 1,000 persons (and persons
who are retirees from such group) engaged in a common business,
profession, civic or charitable endeavor or other activity, and the
spouses and minor dependent children of such persons, pursuant to a
marketing program between CMFS and such group; and
(6) an institution acting as a fiduciary on behalf of an individual or
individuals, if such institution was directly compensated by the
individual(s) for recommending the purchase of the shares of the Fund or
any one or more of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds, provided the
institution had an agreement with CMFS.
Purchases of Class A shares made pursuant to (1) and (2) above may be
subject to the Class A CDSC of the Former Connecticut Mutual Funds described
above.
Additionally, Class A shares of a Fund may be purchased without a sales
charge by any holder of a variable annuity contract issued in New York State by
Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company through the Panorama Separate Account
which is beyond the applicable surrender charge period and which was used to
fund a qualified plan, if that holder exchanges the variable annuity contract
proceeds to buy Class A shares of the Fund.
<PAGE>
Class A and Class B Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers
In addition to the waivers set forth in the Prospectus and in this Appendix,
above, the contingent deferred sales charge will be waived for redemptions of
Class A and Class B shares of a Fund and exchanges of Class A or Class B shares
of a Fund into Class A or Class B shares of a Former Connecticut Mutual Fund
provided that the Class A or Class B shares of the Fund to be redeemed or
exchanged were (i) acquired prior to March 18, 1996 or (ii) were acquired by
exchange from an Oppenheimer fund that was a Former Connecticut Mutual Fund.
Additionally, the shares of such Former Connecticut Mutual Fund must have been
purchased prior to March 18, 1996: (1) by the estate of a deceased shareholder;
(2) upon the disability of a shareholder, as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of
the Internal Revenue Code;
(3) for retirement distributions (or loans) to participants or beneficiaries
from retirement plans qualified under Sections 401(a) or 403(b)(7)of the
Code, or from IRAs, deferred compensation plans created under Section
457 of the Code, or other employee benefit plans;
(4) as tax-free returns of excess contributions to such retirement or
employee benefit plans;
(5) in whole or in part, in connection with shares sold to any state,
county, or city, or any instrumentality, department, authority, or
agency thereof, that is prohibited by applicable investment laws from
paying a sales charge or commission in connection with the purchase of
shares of any registered investment management company;
(6) in connection with the redemption of shares of the Fund due to a
combination with another investment company by virtue of a merger,
acquisition or similar reorganization transaction;
(7) in connection with the Fund's right to involuntarily redeem or liquidate
the Fund;
(8) in connection with automatic redemptions of Class A shares and Class B
shares in certain retirement plan accounts pursuant to an Automatic
Withdrawal Plan but limited to no more than 12% of the original value
annually; or
(9) as involuntary redemptions of shares by operation of law, or under
procedures set forth in the Fund's Articles of Incorporation, or as
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Reduced Sales Charge for Former Shareholders of Advance America
Funds, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders of Oppenheimer Municipal Bond Fund, Oppenheimer U.S.
Government Trust, Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund and Oppenheimer Equity
Income Fund who acquired (and still hold) shares of those funds as a result of
the reorganization of series of Advance America Funds, Inc. into those
Oppenheimer funds on October 18, 1991, and who held shares of Advance America
Funds, Inc. on March 30, 1990, may purchase Class A shares of those four
Oppenheimer funds at a maximum sales charge rate of 4.50%.
<PAGE>
Oppenheimer Champion Income Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Web Site:
www.oppenheimerfunds.com
Investment Adviser
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Distributor
OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0203
Transfer Agent
OppenheimerFunds Services
P.O. Box 5270
Denver, Colorado 80217
1-800-525-7048
Custodian Bank
The Bank of New York
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10015
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
555 Seventeenth Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Legal Counsel
Myer, Swanson, Adams & Wolf, P.C.
1600 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80202
PX190.0199
