Annual Reports | Quarterly Filings | News | Prospectuses | Proxies | Mergers & Acquisitions | Initial Public Offerings

GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
485BPOS, 2000-12-19

Previous: HOLIDAY RV SUPERSTORES INC, 3, 2000-12-19

Next: GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST, 485BPOS, EX-99.J1, 2000-12-19

Prospectus

GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS

n	Goldman Sachs CORE SM International Equity Fund

n	Goldman Sachs International Equity Fund

n	Goldman Sachs European Equity Fund

n	Goldman Sachs Japanese Equity Fund

n	Goldman Sachs International Growth Opportunities Fund (formerly International Small Cap Fund)

n	Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Fund

n	Goldman Sachs Asia Growth Fund

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

NOT FDIC-INSURED

May Lose Value

No Bank Guarantee

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the CORE International Equity Fund. Goldman Sachs Asset Management International serves as investment adviser to International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds. Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International are each referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”

ACTIVE INTERNATIONAL STYLE FUNDS

Goldman Sachs’ Active International Investment Philosophy:

Belief		How the Investment Adviser Acts on Belief
n  Equity markets are inefficient		Seeks excess return through team driven, research intensive and bottom-up stock selection.
n  Returns are variable		Seeks to capitalize on variability of market and regional returns through asset allocation decisions.
n  Corporate fundamentals ultimately drive share price		Seeks to conduct rigorous, first-hand research of business and company management.
n A business’ intrinsic value will be achieved over time		Seeks to realize value through a long-term investment horizon.
n  Portfolio risk must be carefully analyzed and monitored		Seeks to systematically monitor and manage risk through diversification, multifactor risk models and currency management.

The Investment Adviser attempts to manage risk in these Funds through disciplined portfolio construction and continual portfolio review and analysis. As a result, bottom-up stock selection, driven by fundamental research, should be a main driver of returns.

---

QUANTITATIVE (“CORE”) STYLE FUNDS

Goldman Sachs’ CORE Investment Philosophy:

Goldman Sachs’ quantitative style of funds—CORE—emphasizes the two building blocks of active management: stock selection and portfolio construction.

I. CORE STOCK SELECTION

The CORE Fund uses the Goldman Sachs proprietary multifactor model (“Multifactor Model”), a rigorous computerized rating system, to forecast the returns of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio. The Multifactor Model incorporates common variables covering measures of:

n

Value (How is the company priced relative to fundamental accounting measures?)

n

Price Momentum (What are medium-term price trends?)

n

Earnings Momentum (Are company profit expectations growing?)

n

Stability (How likely is the risk of earnings disappointment?)

All of the above factors are carefully evaluated within the Multifactor Model since each has demonstrated a significant impact on the performance of the securities and markets they were designed to forecast. Stock selection in this process combines both our quantitative and qualitative analysis.

II. CORE PORTFOLIO CONSTRUCTION

Portfolio risk is monitored with the use of a sophisticated risk model, which measures the portfolio’s exposure to a variety of risk factors and estimates the associated volatility. In this process, the Investment Adviser manages risk by attempting to limit deviations from the benchmark and by attempting to run a size and sector neutral portfolio. A computer optimizer evaluates many different security combinations (considering many possible weightings) in an effort to construct the most efficient risk/return portfolio given each CORE Fund benchmark. In addition, the CORE International Equity Fund utilizes proprietary quantitative models to allocate assets across countries.

Goldman Sachs CORE Funds are fully invested, broadly diversified and offer consistent overall portfolio characteristics. They may serve as good foundations on which to build a portfolio.

---

Goldman Sachs CORE International Equity Fund

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term growth of capital

Benchmark:

MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (“EAFE®”) Index (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Large-capitalization equity securities of companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are primarily traded outside the United States

Investment Style:

Quantitative

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of large-cap companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.

The Fund may allocate its assets among countries as determined by the Investment Adviser from time to time, provided the Fund’ s assets are invested in at least three foreign countries. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers in countries with emerging markets or economies (“emerging countries”).

The Fund seeks broad representation of large-cap issuers across major countries and sectors of the international economy. The Fund’s investments are selected using both a variety of quantitative techniques and fundamental research in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return, while maintaining risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the EAFE® Index. In addition, the Fund seeks a portfolio composed of companies with attractive valuations and stronger momentum characteristics than the EAFE® Index.

Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered to be cash equivalents.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Equity securities of companies organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States

Investment Style:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States. The Fund intends to invest in companies with public stock market capitalizations that are larger than $1 billion at the time of investment.

The Fund may allocate its assets among countries as determined by the Investment Adviser from time to time provided that the Fund’s assets are invested in at least three foreign countries.

The Fund expects to invest a substantial portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in the developed countries of Western Europe and in Japan. However, the Fund may also invest in the securities of issuers located in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and in emerging countries. Currently, emerging countries include, among others, most Latin American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations.

Other. The Fund may also invest up to 35% of its total assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

MSCI® Europe Index (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Equity securities of European companies

Investment Style:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of European companies. Because of its focus, the Fund will be more susceptible to European economic, market, political and local risks than a fund that is more geographically diversified.

A European issuer is a company that either:

n

Has a class of its securities whose principal securities markets are in European countries;

n

Is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, a European country;

n

Derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services provided in one or more of the European countries; or

n

Maintains 50% or more of its assets in one or more of the European countries.

The Fund may allocate its assets among different countries as determined by the Investment Adviser from time to time, provided that the Fund’s assets are invested in at least three European countries. It is currently anticipated that a majority of the Fund’s assets will be invested in the equity securities of large cap companies located in the developed countries of Western Europe. However, the Fund may also invest, without limit, in mid cap companies and small cap companies, as well as companies located in emerging countries. Currently, emerging countries include among others, most Latin and South American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations, including the states that formerly comprised the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.

Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in equity securities of non-European countries and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

Tokyo Price Index (“TOPIX”) (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Equity securities of Japanese companies

Investment Style:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of Japanese companies. A Japanese issuer is a company that either:

n

Has a class of its securities whose principal securities markets is in Japan;

n

Is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, Japan;

n

Derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services provided in Japan; or

n

Maintains 50% or more of its assets in Japan.

The Fund’s concentration in Japanese companies will expose it to the risk of adverse social, political and economic events which occur in Japan or affect the Japanese markets.

Japan’s economy, the second largest in the world, has grown substantially over the last three decades. Japan’s economic growth in the 1990’s, however, was substantially below the level of earlier decades, and its economy drifted between modest growth and recession. In calendar year 1998, Japan’s gross national product contracted by 2.8% — its worst performance in the post-war period. To address this economic downturn, Japan has attempted to implement changes related to high wages and taxes, currency valuations, structural rigidities, political reform and the deregulation of its economy. These initiatives have, however, resulted in notable uncertainty and loss of public confidence. These conditions present risks to the Japanese Equity Fund and its ability to attain its investment objective.

Japan’s economy is heavily dependent upon international trade, and is especially sensitive to trade barriers and disputes. In particular, Japan relies on large imports of agricultural products, raw materials and fuels. A substantial rise in world oil or commodity prices, or a fall-off in Japan’s manufactured exports, could be expected to adversely affect Japan’s economy. In addition, Japan is vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters. Japan’s banking industry has recently suffered from non-performing loans, lower real estate values and lower valuations of securities holdings.

The Japanese securities markets are less regulated than the U.S. markets. Evidence has emerged from time to time of distortion of market prices to serve political or other purposes. Shareholders’ rights are also not always equally enforced.

For most of the 1990’s, Japanese securities markets experienced significant declines. Although the stock markets exhibited strength in 1999, they have again generally declined through the first three quarters of 2000.

The common stocks of many Japanese companies have historically traded at high price-earnings ratios. Differences in accounting methods have made it difficult to compare the earnings of Japanese companies with those of companies in other countries, especially the United States. Reported net income in Japan has been generally understated relative to U.S. accounting standards and this has been one reason price-earnings ratios of the stocks of Japanese companies have tended historically to be higher than those of U.S. stocks. In addition, Japanese companies have tended to have higher growth rates than U.S. companies, and Japanese interest rates have generally been lower than U.S. interest rates. These factors have contributed to lower discount rates and higher price-earnings ratios in Japan than in the United States.

Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in equity securities of non-Japanese companies and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

MSCI® EAFE® Small Cap Index (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Small-capitalization foreign equity securities

Investment Style:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of companies:

n

With public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within $100 million and $3 billion, at the time of investment; and

n

That are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity securities that are considered by the Investment Adviser to be strategically positioned for long-term growth.

The Fund may allocate its assets among countries as determined by the Investment Adviser from time to time provided that the Fund’s assets are invested in at least three foreign countries. The Fund expects to invest a substantial portion of its assets in securities of companies in the developed countries of Western Europe, Japan and Asia. However, the Fund may also invest in the securities of issuers located in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and in emerging countries. Currently, emerging countries include, among others, most Latin American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations.

Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in equity securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of the market capitalization range stated above at the time of investment and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside the range stated above, the Fund may, consistent with its investment objective, continue to hold the security.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

MSCI® Emerging Markets Free Index

Investment Focus:

Equity securities of emerging country issuers

Investment Style:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of emerging country issuers. The Investment Adviser may consider classifications by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations and its agencies in determining whether a country is emerging or developed. Currently, emerging countries include, among others, most Latin and South American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations. The Investment Adviser currently intends that the Fund’s investment focus will be in the following emerging countries as well as any other emerging country to the extent that foreign investors are permitted by applicable law to make such investments:

n Argentina		n Egypt		n Jordan		n Philippines		n Taiwan
n Botswana		n Greece		n Kenya		n Poland		n Thailand
n Brazil		n Hong Kong		n Malaysia		n Russia		n Turkey
n Chile		n Hungary		n Mexico		n Singapore		n Venezuela
n China		n India		n Morocco		n South Africa		n Zimbabwe
n Colombia		n Indonesia		n Pakistan		n South Korea
n Czech Republic		n Israel		n Peru		n Sri Lanka

An emerging country issuer is any company that either:

n

Has a class of its securities whose principal securities market is in an emerging country;

n

Is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, an emerging country;

n

Derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services provided in one or more emerging countries; or

n

Maintains 50% or more of its assets in one or more of the emerging countries.

Under normal circumstances, the Fund maintains investments in at least six emerging countries, and will not invest more than 35% of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one emerging country. Allocation of the Fund’s investments will depend upon the relative attractiveness of the emerging country markets and particular issuers. In addition, macro-economic factors and the portfolio managers’ and Goldman Sachs economists’ views of the relative attractiveness of emerging countries and currencies are considered in allocating the Fund’s assets among emerging countries.

Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in (i) fixed-income securities of private and government emerging country issuers; and (ii) equity and fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations, of issuers in developed countries.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

MSCI® All Country Asia Free ex-Japan Index (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Equity securities of companies in Asian countries

Investment Process:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of Asian issuers.

An Asian issuer is any company that either:

n

Has a class of its securities whose principal securities markets is in one or more Asian countries;

n

Is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, an Asian country;

n

Derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services provided in one or more Asian countries; or

n

Maintains 50% or more of its assets in one or more Asian countries.

The Fund may allocate its assets among the Asian countries as determined from time to time by the Investment Adviser. For purposes of the Fund’s investment policies, Asian countries are:

n China n Hong Kong n India n Indonesia

n Malaysia n Pakistan n Philippines n Singapore

n South Korea n Sri Lanka n Taiwan n Thailand

as well as any other country in Asia (other than Japan) to the extent that foreign investors are permitted by applicable law to make such investments.

Allocation of the Fund’s investments will depend upon the Investment Adviser’s views of the relative attractiveness of the Asian markets and particular issuers.

Concentration of the Fund’s assets in one or a few of the Asian countries and Asian currencies will subject the Fund to greater risks than if the Fund’s assets were not so concentrated. For example, on August 31, 2000 (the end of the Fund’s last fiscal year), more than 25% of the Fund’s assets were invested in securities that traded in Hong Kong.

Starting in mid-1997 some Pacific region countries began to experience currency devaluations that resulted in high interest rate levels and sharp reductions in economic activity. This situation resulted in a significant drop in the securities prices of companies located in the region. Some countries have recently experienced government intervention, have sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund and have experienced substantial domestic unrest. Although some restructuring has been undertaken, there can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful or that their recent problems will not persist. At the end of its last fiscal year, a substantial portion of the Asia Growth Fund was invested in securities traded in the Hong Kong market. In 1997, the sovereignty of Hong Kong reverted from the United Kingdom to China. Although Hong Kong is, by law, to maintain a high degree of autonomy, there can be no assurance that Hong Kong will not be adversely affected by Chinese sovereignty or political developments. Furthermore, the reversion of Hong Kong to China has created additional uncertainty as to future currency valuations relative to the U.S. dollar. Because the Hong Kong stock market has significant exposure to the property market in Hong Kong, the Fund’s investments could be adversely affected by a decline in that market.

Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers in non-Asian countries and Japan, and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

		CORE International Equity Fund		International Equity Fund		European Equity Fund
Investment Practices
Borrowings		33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3
Cross Hedging of Currencies		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Currency Swaps*		15		15		15
Custodial Receipts		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Equity Swaps*		15		15		15
Foreign Currency Transactions		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Investment Company Securities (including iShares SM and Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts TM )		10		10		10
Options on Foreign Currencies 1		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 2		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Unseasoned Companies		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Repurchase Agreements		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Securities Lending		33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3
Short Sales Against the Box		—		25		25
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ

Japanese Equity Fund		International Growth Opportunities Fund		Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Asia Growth Fund
33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
15		15		15		15
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
15		15		15		15
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
10		10		10		10
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3
25		25		25		25
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ

Ÿ	No specific percentage limitation on usage; limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund

		CORE International Equity Fund		International Equity Fund		European Equity Fund
Investment Securities
American, European and Global Depositary Receipts		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities 2		—		Ÿ		Ÿ
Bank Obligations 1 , 2		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Convertible Securities		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Corporate Debt Obligations 2		Ÿ 4		Ÿ		Ÿ
Equity Securities		90+		65+		65+
Emerging Country Securities		25		Ÿ		Ÿ
Fixed Income Securities 3		10 4		35		35 5
Foreign Securities		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Foreign Government Securities 2		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities 2		—		Ÿ 6		Ÿ 6
Real Estate Investment Trusts		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Structured Securities *		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Temporary Investments		35		100		100
U.S. Government Securities 2		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ

*

Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities which are not deemed to be liquid and all swap transactions.

1

Issued by U.S. or foreign banks.

2

Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities.

3

Except as noted under “Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities,” fixed-income securities are investment grade (e.g., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”) or Baa or higher by Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”)).

4

Cash equivalents only.

5

The European Equity Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) equity securities of non-European countries; and (2) fixed-income securities.

6

May be BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or lower by Moody’s.

Japanese Equity Fund			International Growth Opportunities Fund		Emerging Markets Equity Fund			Asia Growth Fund
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
65	+		65+		65	+		65	+
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
35	7		35 8		35	9		35	10
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ	6		Ÿ 6		Ÿ	6		Ÿ	6
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
100			100		35			100
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ

7

The Japanese Equity Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) fixed-income securities; and (2) equity securities of non-Japanese companies.

8

The International Growth Opportunities Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in (1) fixed-income securities; and (2) equity securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations of less than $100 million or more than $3 billion at the time of investment.

9

The Emerging Markets Equity Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) fixed-income securities of private and government emerging country issuers; and (2) equity and fixed-income securities of issuers in developed countries.

10

The Asia Growth Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) fixed-income securities; and (2) equity securities of issuers in non-Asian countries and Japan.

		CORE International Equity		International Equity		European Equity		Japanese Equity		International Growth Opportunities		Emerging Markets Equity		Asia Growth
Credit/Default		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Emerging Countries		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Interest Rate		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Small Cap		—		—		Ÿ		—		Ÿ		—		—
Foreign		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Derivatives		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Management		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Market		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Liquidity		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Stock		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Geographic		—		—		Ÿ		Ÿ		—		Ÿ		—
Initial Public Offering (“IPO”)		—		—		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ

n	Credit/Default Risk—The risk that an issuer or guarantor of fixed-income securities held by a Fund may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.

n

Emerging Countries Risk—The securities markets of Asian, Latin and South American, Eastern European, African and other emerging countries are less liquid, are especially subject to greater price volatility, have smaller market capitalizations, have less government regulation and are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements as the securities markets of more developed countries. Further, investment in equity securities of issuers located in Russia and certain other emerging countries involves risk of loss result -

ing from problems in share registration and custody and substantial economic and political disruptions. These risks are not normally associated with investment in more developed countries.

n	Interest Rate Risk—The risk that when interest rates increase, securities held by a Fund will decline in value. Long-term fixed-income securities will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed-income securities.

n

Foreign Risk—The risk that when a Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to risk of loss not typically associated with domestic issuers. Loss may result because of less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions. A Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations. Foreign risks will normally be greatest when a Fund invests in issuers located in emerging countries.

n	Derivatives Risk—The risk that loss may result from a Fund’s investments in options, futures, swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to a Fund.

n	Management Risk—The risk that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended results.

n

Market Risk—The risk that the value of the securities in which a Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. A Fund’s investments may be overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors, which will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those sectors.

n

Liquidity Risk—The risk that a Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated in this Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. Funds that invest in non-investment grade fixed-income securities, small capitalization stocks, REITs or emerging country issuers will be especially subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. The Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios (the “Asset Allocation Portfolios”) expect to invest a significant percentage of their assets in the Funds and other funds for which Goldman Sachs now or in the future acts as investment adviser or underwriter. Redemptions by an Asset Allocation Portfolio of its position in a Fund may further increase liquidity risk and may impact a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).

n

Stock Risk—The risk that stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. Recently, U.S. stock markets and certain foreign stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility and, at times, have traded at or close to record high levels. There is no guarantee that such levels will be reached or maintained in the future.

n

Geographic Risk—The European Equity Fund invests primarily in equity securities of European companies. The Japanese Equity Fund invests primarily in equity securities of Japanese equity companies. The Asia Growth Fund invests primarily in equity securities of Asian issuers. Concentration of the investments of these or other Funds in issuers located in a particular country or region will subject a Fund, to a greater extent than if investments were less concentrated, to the risks of adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory or economic events which may occur in that country or region.

n

Small Cap Risk—The securities of small capitalization stocks involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable a Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price.

n

IPO Risk—The risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When a Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance.

HOW THE FUNDS HAVE PERFORMED

The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks of investing in a Fund by showing: (a) changes in the performance of a Fund’s Institutional Shares from year to year; and (b) how the average annual returns of a Fund’s Institutional Shares compare to those of broad-based securities market indices. The bar chart and table assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. A Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. If expense limitations were not in place, a Fund’s performance would have been reduced.

TOTAL RETURN

CALENDAR YEAR

---

The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -13.15%.   Best Quarter Q4 ’98         +19.05%   Worst Quarter Q3 ’98         -15.84%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Institutional Shares (Inception 8/15/97)		29.03%		11.65%
Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI®) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index (unhedged)*		27.29%		15.99%

*

The unmanaged MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged) is a market capitalization-weighted composite of securities in 20 developed markets. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

CALENDAR YEAR

---

The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -10.15%.   Best Quarter Q4 ’99         +21.89%   Worst Quarter Q3 ’98         -14.25%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Institutional Shares (Inception 2/7/96)		31.78%		18.02%
MSCI® EAFE® (unhedged)*		27.29%		13.60%

*

The MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged) is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

CALENDAR YEAR

---

The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -5.40%.   Best Quarter Q4 ’99         +24.93%   Worst Quarter Q2 ’99         -2.86%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Institutional Shares (Inception 10/1/98)		27.07%		37.08%
MSCI® Europe Index (unhedged)*		16.21%		29.39%
FT/S&P Actuaries Europe Index (unhedged)**		16.14%		29.20%

*

The MSCI® Europe Index (unhedged), an unmanaged index of common stock prices, replaced the FT/S&P Actuaries Europe Index (unhedged) as the European Equity Fund’s performance benchmark. The MSCI® Europe Index is widely used throughout the investment management industry to represent the investment opportunities available to a large cap, developed country European equity strategy and, in the Investment Adviser’s opinion, is a more appropriate benchmark against which to measure the performance of the European Equity Fund. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

**

The unmanaged FT/S&P Actuaries Europe Index (unhedged) is a market capitalization-weighted composite of approximately 750 stocks from 16 countries in Europe. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

CALENDAR YEAR

---

The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -12.12%.   Best Quarter* Q3 ’99         +23.29%     Worst Quarter* Q1 ’99         +9.64%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Institutional Shares (Inception 5/1/98)		77.91%		50.30%
Tokyo Price Index (“TOPIX”) (unhedged)**		75.32%		43.28%

*

Please note that “Best Quarter” and “Worst Quarter” figures are applicable only to the time period covered by the bar chart.

**

The TOPIX (unhedged) is an unmanaged composite of all stocks on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

CALENDAR YEAR

---

The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 2.54%.   Best Quarter* Q4 ’99 +12.79%   Worst Quarter* Q1 ’99 +4.98%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Institutional Shares (Inception 5/1/98)		48.56%		30.08%
MSCI® EAFE® Small Cap Index (unhedged)**		17.67%		3.00%

*

Please note that “Best Quarter” and “Worst Quarter” figures are applicable only to the time period covered by the bar chart.

**

The MSCI® EAFE® Small Cap Index (unhedged), inception date 1/15/98, includes 1,502 securities from 23 developed markets with a capitalization range of $200-800 million and a general regional allocation of 60% Europe, 30% Japan and 10% Asia. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

CALENDAR YEAR

---

The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -15.40%.   Best Quarter Q4 ’99         +30.18%   Worst Quarter Q3 ’98         -22.78%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Institutional Shares (Inception 12/15/97)		63.71%		10.84%
MSCI® Emerging Markets Free (EMF) Index*		66.42%		14.52%

*

The unmanaged MSCI® EMF Index is a market capitalization-weighted composite of securities in over 30 emerging market countries. “Free” indicates an index that excludes shares in otherwise free markets that are not purchasable by foreigners. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

CALENDAR YEAR

---

The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -21.29%.   Best Quarter Q2 ’99         +31.32%   Worst Quarter Q4 ’97         -27.19%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Institutional Shares (Inception 2/2/96)		60.55%		(5.50)%
MSCI® All Country Asia Free ex-Japan Index (unhedged)*		61.95%		(4.05)%

*

The unmanaged MSCI® All Country Asia Free ex-Japan Index (unhedged) is a market capitalization-weighted composite of securities in ten Asian countries. “Free” indicates an index that excludes shares in otherwise free markets that are not purchasable by foreigners. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

		CORE International Equity Fund		International Equity Fund		European Equity Fund
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases		None		None		None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends		None		None		None
Redemption Fees		None		None		None
Exchange Fees		None		None		None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):1
Management Fees		0.85%		1.00%		1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		None		None		None
Other Expenses 2		0.25%		0.19%		0.52%
Total Fund Operating Expenses *		1.10%		1.19%		1.52%

*

As a result of the current expense limitations, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” of the Funds which are actually incurred as of the date of this Prospectus are as set forth below. The expense limitations may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.

		CORE International Equity Fund		International Equity Fund		European Equity Fund
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 1
Management Fees		0.85%		1.00%		1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		None		None		None
Other Expenses 2		0.16%		0.14%		0.14%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)		1.01%		1.14%		1.14%

Japanese Equity Fund		International Growth Opportunities Fund		Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Asia Growth Fund
None		None		None		None
None		None		None		None
None		None		None		None
None		None		None		None
1.00%		1.20%		1.20%		1.00%
None		None		None		None
0.45%		0.37%		0.45%		0.65%
1.45%		1.57%		1.65%		1.65%

Japanese Equity Fund		International Growth Opportunities Fund		Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Asia Growth Fund
1.00%		1.20%		1.20%		1.00%
None		None		None		None
0.15%		0.20%		0.39%		0.20%
1.15%		1.40%		1.59%		1.20%

1	The Funds’ annual operating expenses are based on actual expenses.

2

“Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees equal to 0.04% of the average daily net assets of each Fund’ s Institutional Shares plus all other ordinary expenses of the Funds not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, transfer agency fees, taxes, interest and brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification and other extraordinary expenses) to the following percentages of each Fund’s average daily net assets:

Fund		Other Expenses
CORE International Equity		0.12%
International Equity		0.10%
European Equity		0.10%
Japanese Equity		0.11%
International Growth Opportunities		0.16%
Emerging Markets Equity		0.35%
Asia Growth		0.16%

Fund		1 Year		3 Years		5 Years		10 Years
CORE International Equity		$112		$350		$606		$1,340
International Equity		$121		$378		$654		$1,443
European Equity		$155		$480		$829		$1,813
Japanese Equity		$148		$459		$792		$1,735
International Growth Opportunities		$160		$496		$855		$1,867
Emerging Markets Equity		$168		$520		$897		$1,955
Asia Growth		$168		$520		$897		$1,955

INVESTMENT ADVISERS

Investment Adviser		Fund
Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“GSAM”)		CORE International Equity
32 Old Slip
New York, New York 10005
Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”)		International Equity
Procession House		European Equity
55 Ludgate Hill		Japanese Equity
London, England EC4M 7JW		International Growth Opportunities
		Emerging Markets Equity
		Asia Growth

GSAM and GSAMI are separate business units of the Investment Management Division (“IMD”) of Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs registered as an investment adviser in 1981. GSAMI, a member of the Investment Management Regulatory Organization Limited since 1990 and a registered investment adviser since 1991, is an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. As of September 30, 2000, GSAM and GSAMI, along with other units of IMD, had assets under management of $281.3 billion.

The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the Funds’ portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Funds and places purchase and sale orders for the Funds’ portfolio transactions in U.S. and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the management of the Funds, it is able to draw upon the research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs, and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among categories of issuers and types of securities.

The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Funds:

n

Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Funds

n

Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Funds

n

Arranges for the preparation of all required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and statements of additional information and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other regulatory authorities

n

Maintains the records of each Fund

n

Provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services

MANAGEMENT FEES

As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates (as a percentage of each respective portfolio’s average daily net assets) listed below:

		Contractual Rate			Actual Rate For the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2000
GSAM:
CORE International Equity		0.85	%		0.85	%
GSAMI:
International Equity		1.00	%		1.00	%
European Equity		1.00	%		1.00	%
Japanese Equity		1.00	%		1.00	%
International Growth Opportunities		1.20	%		1.20	%
Emerging Markets Equity		1.20	%		1.20	%
Asia Growth		1.00	%		1.00	%

The difference, if any, between the stated fees and the actual fees paid by the Funds reflects that the Investment Adviser did not charge the full amount of the fees to which it would have been entitled. The Investment Adviser may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.

FUND MANAGERS

M. Roch Hillenbrand, a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs since 1997, is the Head of Global Equities for GSAM, overseeing the United States, Europe, Japan, and non-Japan Asia. In this capacity, he is responsible for managing the group as it defines and implements global portfolio management processes that are consistent, reliable and predictable. Mr. Hillenbrand joined Goldman Sachs in 1997

upon its acquisition of Commodities Corporation, LLC where he was and continues as President. Over the course of his 20-year career at Commodities Corporation, Mr. Hillenbrand has had extensive experience in dealing with internal and external investment managers who have managed a range of futures and equities strategies across multiple markets, using a variety of styles.

International Equity Portfolio Management Team

n

Global portfolio teams based in London, Singapore, Tokyo and New York. Local presence is a key to the Investment Adviser’s fundamental research capabilities

n

Team manages over $45.9 billion in international equities for retail, institutional and high net worth clients

n

Focus on bottom-up stock selection as main driver of returns, though the team leverages the asset allocation, currency and risk management capabilities of GSAM

---

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily Responsible		Five Year Employment History
David Dick Executive Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Dick joined the Investment Adviser as a senior portfolio manager on the European Equity team in 1998. From 1990 to 1998, he was with Mercury Asset Management, where he was a portfolio manager for European equity and was head of Mercury’s European sector strategy.
Gary Greenberg Vice President Co-Head of Emerging Markets Equity		Senior Portfolio Manager— Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Since 1999		Mr. Greenberg joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1999. From 1998 to 1999, he was a Managing Director and the lead international portfolio manager at Van Eck Global Asset Management. Prior to that, he was Chief Investment Officer for Peregrine Asset Management in Hong Kong from 1994 to 1998.

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily Responsible		Five Year Employment History
James P. Hordern Executive Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Hordern joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1997. From 1991 to 1997, he was an Assistant Director and portfolio manager at Mercury Asset Management on the European Specialist Team.
Ralf Laier Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Laier joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager with a focus on Central/Eastern European (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 1997. Prior to joining the Investment Adviser, from 1995 to 1997, he was Vice President of Soros Global Research, where he analyzed investment opportunities in CEE/CIS.
Susan Noble Managing Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund International Equity Fund		Since 1998 1998		Ms. Noble joined the Investment Adviser as a senior portfolio manager and head of the European Equity Team in October 1997. From 1986 to 1997, she worked at Fleming Investment Management in London, where she most recently was Portfolio Management Director for the European equity investment strategy and process.
Andrew Orchard Executive Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund International Equity Fund		Since 1999 1999		Mr. Orchard joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1999. From 1994 to 1999 he was a portfolio manager at Morgan Grenfell Asset Management where he managed global equity portfolios and chaired Morgan Grenfell’s Global Sector Committee.

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily Responsible		Five Year Employment History
Robert Stewart Executive Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund International Equity Fund		Since 1999 1999		Mr. Stewart joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1996. He is a member of the European Equity Team. From 1996 to 1998 he was a portfolio manager in Japan where he managed Japanese Equity Institutional Portfolios. Prior to that Mr. Stewart was a portfolio manager at CINMan from 1989 to 1996 where he managed international equities.
Danny Truell Managing Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund International Equity		Since 1998 2000		Mr. Truell joined the Investment Adviser as a senior portfolio manager and head of UK equities in 1998. From 1992 to 1996, he was Investment Banking Executive Director for SBC Warburg and Chief Asian Equity Strategist.
Gabriella Antici Vice President Co-Head of Emerging Markets Equity		Senior Portfolio Manager— Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Since 1998		Ms. Antici joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1997. From 1994 to 1997, she was a Vice President for HSBC Asset Management, where she was a portfolio manager for emerging markets and head of the Latin American Department.
Rory Bateman Executive Director		Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund		Since 2000		Mr. Bateman joined the Investment Adviser as an equity analyst in 1996. Prior to that he was an analyst at CINMan covering European equities.

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily  Responsible		Five Year Employment History
Melissa Brown Managing Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— CORE International Equity Fund		Since 1998		Ms. Brown joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1998. From 1984 to 1998, she was the director of Quantitative Equity Research and served on the Investment Policy Committee at Prudential Securities.
Mark M. Carhart Managing Director		Portfolio Manager— CORE International Equity Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Carhart joined the Investment Adviser as a member of the Quantitative Research and Risk Management team in 1997. From August 1995 to September 1997, he was Assistant Professor of Finance at the Marshall School of Business at USC and a Senior Fellow of the Wharton Financial Institutions Center.
Raymond J. Iwanowski Managing Director		Portfolio Manager— CORE International Equity Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Iwanowski joined the Investment Adviser as an associate and portfolio manager in 1997. From 1993 to 1997, he was a Vice President and head of the Fixed Derivatives Client Research group at Salomon Brothers.
Robert C. Jones Managing Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— CORE International Equity Fund		Since 1997		Mr. Jones joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1989.

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily  Responsible		Five Year Employment History
Alice Lui Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Asia Growth Fund Emerging Markets Equity Fund International Equity Fund International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1994 1999      1999 1999		Ms. Lui joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1990.
Ravi Shanker Vice President		Senior Portfolio Manager— Asia Growth Fund Emerging Markets Equity Fund International Equity Fund International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1997 1998      1999 1999		Mr. Shanker joined the Investment Adviser as an operations manager in 1997. From July 1996 to 1997, he worked for Goldman Sachs in Singapore as a strategic advisor for transactions involving infrastructure industries in Asia. From 1988 to 1996, he worked for Goldman Sachs as an investment banker in the Investment Banking Division.
Siew-Hua Thio Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Asia Growth Fund Emerging Markets Equity Fund International Equity Fund International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1998 1998      1998 1998		Ms. Thio joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1998. From 1997 to 1998, she was Head of Research for Indosuez WI Carr in Singapore. From 1993 to 1997, she was a research analyst at the same firm.

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily  Responsible		Five Year Employment History
Toshiyuki Ejima Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Japanese Equity Fund		Since 1999		Mr. Ejima joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in April 1999. Prior to that he was a portfolio manager at Daiichi Mutual Life from 1993 to 1999 where he managed Japanese equities.
Shigeka Kouda Vice President		Portfolio Manager— International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Kouda joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1997. From 1992 to 1997, he was at the Fixed Income Division of Goldman Sachs (Japan) Limited, where he was extensively involved in emerging markets trading as well as International Fixed Income institutional sales.
Shogo Maeda Managing Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— Japanese Equity Fund International Equity Fund International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1994 1994 1998		Mr. Maeda joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1994.
Miyako Shibamoto Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Japanese Equity Fund		Since 1998		Ms. Shibamoto joined the Investment Adviser as a member of the Japanese Equity team in March 1998. From 1993 to 1998, she was a Vice President at Scudder Stevens and Clark (Japan).
Takeya Suzuki Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Japanese Equity Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Suzuki joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1996. From 1990 to 1996, he was a Japanese equity portfolio manager at Nomura Investment Management where he actively managed assets for U.S. pension funds.

DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT

Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of each Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6372, also serves as the Funds’ transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and, as such, performs various shareholder servicing functions.

From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may purchase and hold shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares acquired for its own account.

ACTIVITIES OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN SACHS

The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in, other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present conflicts of interest with respect to a Fund or limit a Fund’s investment activities. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the Funds and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Funds. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any obligation to make available any information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of the Funds. The results of a Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and it is possible that a Fund could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. In addition, the Funds may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which other clients of Goldman Sachs have an adverse interest. A Fund’s activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions.

Each Fund pays dividends from its investment company taxable income and distributions from net realized capital gains. You may choose to have dividends and distributions paid in:

n

Cash

n

Additional shares of the same class of the same Fund

n

Shares of the same or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Special restrictions may apply for certain ILA Portfolios. See the Additional Statement.

You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any changes may be submitted in writing to Goldman Sachs at any time before the record date for a particular dividend or distribution. If you do not indicate any choice, dividends and distributions will be reinvested automatically in the applicable Fund.

The election to reinvest dividends and distributions in additional shares will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by you and then used to purchase the shares.

The Funds’ investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. Under certain circumstances, the Funds may elect to pass-through these taxes to you. If this election is made, a proportionate amount of such taxes will constitute a distribution to you, which would allow you either (1) to credit such proportionate amount of foreign taxes against your U.S. federal income tax liability or (2) to take such amount as an itemized deduction.

Dividends from investment company taxable income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid annually.

From time to time a portion of a Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital.

At the time of an investor’s purchase of shares of a Fund, a portion of the NAV per share may be represented by undistributed income or undistributed realized appreciation of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Therefore, subsequent distributions on such shares from such income or realized appreciation may be taxable to you even if the NAV of the shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the cost of such shares and the distributions (or portions thereof) represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Funds’ Institutional Shares.

HOW TO BUY SHARES

How Can I Purchase Institutional Shares Of The Funds?

You may purchase Institutional Shares on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of an order. No sales load is charged. You should place an order with Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550 and either:

n

Wire federal funds to The Northern Trust Company (“Northern”), as subcustodian for State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) (each Fund’s custodian) on the next business day; or

n

Send a check or Federal Reserve draft payable to Goldman Sachs Funds—(Name of Fund and Class of Shares), 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60606-6372. The Fund will not accept a check drawn on a foreign bank or a third-party check.

In order to make an initial investment in a Fund, you must furnish to the Fund or Goldman Sachs the Account Application attached to this Prospectus. Purchases of Institutional Shares must be settled within three business days of receipt of a complete purchase order.

In certain instances, the Trust may require a signature guarantee in order to effect purchase, redemption or exchange transactions. Signature guarantees must be obtained from a bank, brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise approved by Goldman Sachs. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.

How Do I Purchase Shares Through A Financial Institution?

Certain institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers may be authorized to accept, on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”), purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and may designate other intermediaries to accept such orders, if approved by the Trust. In these cases:

n

A Fund will be deemed to have received an order in proper form when the order is accepted by the authorized institution or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next determined after such acceptance.

n

Authorized institutions and intermediaries will be responsible for transmitting accepted orders and payments to the Trust within the time period agreed upon by them.

You should contact your institution or intermediary to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.

These institutions may receive payments from the Funds or Goldman Sachs for the services provided by them with respect to the Funds’ Institutional Shares. These payments may be in addition to other payments borne by the Funds.

The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay additional compensation from time to time, out of their assets and not as an additional charge to the Funds, to certain institutions and other persons in connection with the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds. Additional compensation based on sales may, but is currently not expected to, exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount invested.

In addition to Institutional Shares, each Fund also offers other classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are subject to different fees and expenses (which affect performance), have different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services than Institutional Shares. Information regarding these other share classes may be obtained from your sales representative or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.

What Is My Minimum Investment In The Funds?

Type of Investor		Minimum Investment
n  Banks, trust companies or other depository institutions investing for their own account or on behalf of clients		$1,000,000 in Institutional Shares of a Fund alone or in combination with other assets under the management of GSAM and its affiliates
n  Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension, tax- sheltered annuity, defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit plans that are sponsored by one or more employers (including governmental or church employers) or employee organizations
n  State, county, city or any instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof
n  Corporations with at least $100 million in assets or in outstanding publicly traded securities
n  “Wrap” account sponsors (provided they have an agreement covering the arrangement with GSAM)
n  Registered investment advisers investing for accounts for which they receive asset-based fees
n  Individual investors		$10,000,000
n  Qualified non-profit organizations, charitable trusts, foundations and endowments
n  Accounts over which GSAM or its advisory affiliates have investment discretion

The minimum investment requirement may be waived for current and former officers, partners, directors or employees of Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates or for other investors at the discretion of the Trust’s officers. No minimum amount is required for subsequent investments.

What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?

The Trust reserves the right to:

n

Modify or waive the minimum investment amounts.

n

Reject or restrict any purchase or exchange orders by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers). This may occur, for example, when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or exchanges of Institutional Shares of a Fund is evident, or if purchases, sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent abrupt redemption might be, of a size that would disrupt the management of a Fund.

n

Close a Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen a Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by a Fund’s Investment Adviser.

The Funds may allow you to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with a Fund’s investment policies and operations and if approved by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.

How Are Shares Priced?

The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or exchange Institutional Shares is determined by a Fund’s NAV. The Funds calculate NAV as follows:

		(Value of Assets of the Class)
		–  (Liabilities of the Class)
NAV  =
		Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

The Funds’ investments are valued based on market quotations or, if accurate quotations are not readily available, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trustees.

n

NAV per share of each class is calculated by State Street on each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time). Fund shares will not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed.

n

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV next calculated after the Funds receive your order in proper form.

n

When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Funds receive your order in proper form.

Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time.

Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days a Fund is closed. As a result, the NAV of a Fund that holds foreign securities may be impacted on days when investors may not purchase or redeem Fund shares.

In addition, the impact of events that occur after the publication of market quotations used by a Fund to price its securities but before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange will normally not be reflected in a Fund’s next determined NAV unless the Trust, in its discretion, makes an adjustment in light of the nature and materiality of the event, its effect on Fund operations and other relevant factors.

HOW TO SELL SHARES

How Can I Sell Institutional Shares Of The Funds?

You may arrange to take money out of your account by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. Generally, each Fund will redeem its Institutional Shares upon request on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper form. You may request that redemption proceeds be sent to you by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record). Redemptions may be requested in writing or by telephone.

Instructions For Redemptions:
By Writing:		n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
		n  Your name(s) and signature(s)
		n  Your account number
		n  The Fund name and Class of Shares
		n  The dollar amount you want to sell
		n  How and where to send the proceeds
		n  Mail your request to:
		Goldman Sachs Funds
		4900 Sears Tower
		Chicago, IL 60606-6372
By Telephone:		If you have elected the telephone
		redemption privilege on your Account Application:
		n  1-800-621-2550
		(8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

Certain institutions and intermediaries are authorized to accept redemption requests on behalf of the Funds as described under “How Do I Purchase Shares Through A Financial Institution?”

What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?

The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs employs reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The following general policies are currently in effect:

n

All telephone requests are recorded.

n

Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated on the Account Application must be in writing and signed by an authorized person designated on the Account Application. The

written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions .

n

The telephone redemption option may be modified or terminated at any time.

Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in times of drastic economic or market conditions.

How Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?

By Wire: You may arrange for your redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the bank account designated in your Account Application. The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:

n

Redemption proceeds will normally be wired on the next business day in federal funds (for a total of one business day delay), but may be paid up to three business days following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer redemption request. If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days. If the Federal Reserve Bank is closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed one additional business day.

n

To change the bank designated on your Account Application, you must send written instructions signed by an authorized person designated on the account application to the Transfer Agent.

n

Neither the Trust, Goldman Sachs nor any other institution assumes any responsibility for the performance of your bank or any intermediaries in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with your bank or any such intermediaries.

By Check: You may elect in writing to receive your redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of a properly executed redemption request. If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.

What Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?

The following generally applies to redemption requests:

n

Additional documentation may be required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A redemption request will not be in proper form until such additional documentation has been received.

	n	Institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) are responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the timely transmittal of redemption requests, these institutions may set times by which they must receive
redemption requests. These institutions may also require additional documentation from you.

The Trust reserves the right to:

n

Redeem your shares if your account balance falls below $50 as a result of earlier redemptions. The Funds will not redeem your shares on this basis if the value of your account falls below the minimum account balance solely as a result of market conditions. The Fund will give you 60 days’ prior written notice to allow you to purchase sufficient additional shares of the Fund in order to avoid such redemption.

n

Redeem your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.

n

Pay redemptions by a distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.

n

Reinvest any dividends or other distributions which you have elected to receive in cash should your check for such dividends or other distributions be returned to the Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. In addition, that distribution and all future distributions payable to you will be reinvested at NAV in additional Institutional Shares of the Fund that pays the distributions. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

Can I Exchange My Investment From One Fund To Another?

You may exchange Institutional Shares of a Fund at NAV for Institutional Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund. The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice to you.

Instructions For Exchanging Shares:
By Writing:		n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
		n  Your name(s) and signature(s)
		n  Your account number
		n  The Fund names and Class of Shares
		n  The dollar amount to be exchanged
		n  Mail the request to: Goldman Sachs Funds 4900 Sears Tower Chicago, IL 60606-6372
By Telephone:		If you have elected the telephone exchange privilege on your Account Application:
		n  1-800-621-2550 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

You should keep in mind the following factors when making or considering an exchange:

n

You should obtain and carefully read the prospectus of the Fund you are acquiring before making an exchange.

n

All exchanges which represent an initial investment in a Fund must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirements of that Fund, except that this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust.

n

Telephone exchanges normally will be made only to an identically registered account.

n

Shares may be exchanged among accounts with different names, addresses and social security or other taxpayer identification numbers only if the exchange instructions are in writing and are signed by an authorized person designated on the Account Application.

n

Exchanges are available only in states where exchanges may be legally made.

n

It may be difficult to make telephone exchanges in times of drastic economic or market conditions.

n

Goldman Sachs may use reasonable procedures described under “What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?” in an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.

n

Exchanges into Funds that are closed to new investors may be restricted.

For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax, followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.

Restrictions on Excessive Trading Practices. The Trust does not permit market-timing or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges should be made for long-term investment purposes only. The Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests for any investor. Excessive, short-term (market-timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, harm Fund performance and negatively impact long-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be held liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) and its shareholders, the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) will exercise these rights if, in the Trust’s (or Goldman Sachs’) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) has been or may be disruptive to a Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together.

What Types of Reports Will I Be Sent Regarding Investments In Institutional Shares?

You will receive an annual report containing audited financial statements and a semi-annual report. To eliminate unnecessary duplication, only one copy of such reports will be sent to shareholders with the same mailing address. If you would like a duplicate copy to be mailed to you, please contact Goldman Sachs Funds at 1-800-621-2550. You will also be provided with a printed confirmation for each transaction in your account and a monthly account statement. The Funds do not generally provide sub-accounting services.

As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Funds will be taxed. The tax information below is provided as general information. More tax information is available in the Additional Statement. You should consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in the Funds.

Unless your investment is an IRA or other tax-advantaged account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of Fund distributions and the sale of your Fund shares.

DISTRIBUTIONS

Distributions you receive from the Funds are generally subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash. For federal tax purposes, the Funds’ income dividend distributions and short-term capital gain distributions are taxable to you as ordinary income. Any long-term capital gain distributions are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares.

Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you in the year they are paid, distributions declared in October, November or December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December. A percentage of the Funds’ dividends paid to corporate shareholders may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. The Funds will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.

Each Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. In general, the Funds may deduct these taxes in computing their taxable income.

If you buy shares of a Fund before it makes a distribution, the distribution will be taxable to you even though it may actually be a return of a portion of your investment. This is known as “buying a dividend.”

SALES AND EXCHANGES

Your sale of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, and may also be subject to state and local taxes. For tax purposes, the exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different Goldman Sachs Fund is the same as a sale. When you sell your shares, you will generally recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount received. Generally, this gain or loss is long-term or short-term depending on whether your holding period exceeds twelve months, except that any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares.

OTHER INFORMATION

When you open your account, you should provide your social security or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, each Fund must withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and any redemption proceeds if you do not provide your correct taxpayer identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the IRS instructs the Fund to do so. Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax.

A.    General Portfolio Risks

The Funds will be subject to the risks associated with equity securities. “Equity securities” include common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants and stock purchase rights. In general, stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and in response to general market and economic conditions. Accordingly, the value of the stocks that a Fund holds may decline over short or extended periods. The stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when prices generally decline. The volatility of equity securities means that the value of your investment in the Funds may increase or decrease. Recently, certain stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility and, at times, have traded at or close to record high levels. There can be no guarantee that such levels will be reached or maintained in the future.

To the extent that a Fund invests in fixed-income securities, that Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk, credit risk and call/extension risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase (although many mortgage related securities will have less potential than other debt securities for capital appreciation during periods of declining rates). Conversely, when interest rates increase, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to decline. Credit risk involves the risk that an issuer or guarantor could default on its obligations, and a Fund will not recover its investment. Call risk and extension risk are normally present in mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. For example, homeowners have the option to prepay their mortgages. Therefore, the duration of a security backed by home mortgages can either shorten (call risk) or lengthen (extension risk). In general, if interest rates on new mortgage loans fall sufficiently below the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to increase. Conversely, if mortgage loan interest rates rise above the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to decrease. In either case, a change in the prepayment rate can result in losses to investors.

The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for a Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by a Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the dollar amount of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of a Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less. See “Financial Highlights” in Appendix B for a statement of the Funds’ historical portfolio turnover rates.

The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, including their associated risks. Additional information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request. Among other things, the Additional Statement describes certain fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all investment objectives, and all investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval. If there is a change in a Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether that Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of your then current financial position and needs.

B.    Other Portfolio Risks

Risks of Investing in Small Capitalization Companies. Each Fund may invest in small capitalization companies. Investments in small capitalization companies involve greater risk and portfolio price volatility than investments in larger capitalization stocks. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility of these investments are the less certain growth prospects of smaller firms and the lower degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities. Small capitalization companies may be thinly traded and may have to be sold at a discount from current market prices or in small lots over an extended period of time. In addition, these securities are subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities in these investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic or market conditions, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, a Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Small capitalization companies include “unseasoned” issuers that do not have an established financial history; often have limited product lines, markets or financial

resources; may depend on or use a few key personnel for management; and may be susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Transaction costs for these investments are often higher than those of larger capitalization companies. Investments in small capitalization companies may be more difficult to price precisely than other types of securities because of their characteristics and lower trading volumes.

Risks of Foreign Investments. The Funds may make foreign investments. Foreign investments involve special risks that are not typically associated with U.S. dollar denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and changes in exchange control regulations (e.g., currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate of the currency (i.e., weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security is quoted or denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value of the portfolio security. In addition, if the currency in which a Fund receives dividends, interest or other payments declines in value against the U.S. dollar before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders or converted to U.S. dollars, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to pay such dividends.

The introduction of a single currency, the euro, on January 1, 1999 for participating nations in the European Economic and Monetary Union has presented unique uncertainties, including the fluctuation of the euro relative to non-euro currencies during the transition period from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2001 and beyond; whether the interest rate, tax and labor regimes of European countries participating in the euro will converge over time; and whether the conversion of the currencies of other countries that now are or may in the future become members of the European Union (“EU”), may have an impact on the euro. Also, it is possible that the euro could be abandoned in the future by countries that have already adopted its use. These or other events, including political and economic developments, could cause market disruptions, and could adversely affect the value of securities held by the Funds. Because of the number of countries using this single currency, a significant portion of the assets held by the Funds may be denominated in the euro.

Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the United States. In addition, clearance and settlement procedures may be different in foreign countries and, in certain markets, such procedures have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it difficult to conduct such transactions.

Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer. In addition, there is generally less government regulation of foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the United States. Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and secu-

rities of many foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividend or interest payments (or, in some cases, capital gains distributions), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets from such countries, and risks of political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those countries.

Concentration of a Fund’s assets in one or a few countries and currencies will subject a Fund to greater risks than if a Fund’s assets were not geographically concentrated.

Investment in sovereign debt obligations by certain Funds involves risks not present in debt obligations of corporate issuers. The issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt, and a Fund may have limited recourse to compel payment in the event of a default. Periods of economic uncertainty may result in the volatility of market prices of sovereign debt, and in turn a Fund’s NAV, to a greater extent than the volatility inherent in debt obligations of U.S. issuers.

A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.

Investments in foreign securities may take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). Certain Funds may also invest in European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers. ADRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a domestic bank or a correspondent bank. Prices of ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars, and ADRs are traded in the United States. EDRs and GDRs are receipts evidencing an arrangement with a non-U.S. bank. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.

Risks of Emerging Countries. Certain Funds may invest in securities of issuers located in emerging countries. The risks of foreign investment are heightened when the issuer is located in an emerging country. Emerging countries are generally located in the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern Europe, Latin and South America and Africa. A Fund’s purchase and sale of portfolio securities in certain emerging countries may be constrained by limitations relating to daily changes in the prices of listed securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. Such limitations may be computed based on the aggregate trading volume by or holdings of a Fund, the Investment Adviser, its affiliates and their respective clients and other service providers. A Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached.

Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees which may limit investment in such countries or increase the administrative costs of such investments. For example, certain Asian countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. In addition, certain countries may restrict or prohibit investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests. Such restrictions may affect the market price, liquidity and rights of securities that may be purchased by a Fund. The repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain emerging countries is subject to restrictions such as the need for governmental consents. Due to restrictions on direct investment in equity securities in certain Asian and other countries, it is anticipated that a Fund may invest in such countries through other investment funds in such countries.

Many emerging countries have recently experienced currency devaluations and substantial (and, in some cases, extremely high) rates of inflation. Other emerging countries have experienced economic recessions. These circumstances have had a negative effect on the economies and securities markets of such emerging countries. Economies in emerging countries generally are dependent heavily upon commodity prices and international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by the economies of their trading partners, trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.

Many emerging countries are subject to a substantial degree of economic, political and social instability. Governments of some emerging countries are authoritarian in nature or have been installed or removed as a result of military coups, while governments in other emerging countries have periodically used force to suppress

civil dissent. Disparities of wealth, the pace and success of democratization, and ethnic, religious and racial disaffection, among other factors, have also led to social unrest, violence and/or labor unrest in some emerging countries. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Investing in emerging countries involves greater risk of loss due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. As an example, in the past some Eastern European governments have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and many claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that similar expropriations will not recur in Eastern Europe or other countries.

A Fund’s investment in emerging countries may also be subject to withholding or other taxes, which may be significant and may reduce the return from an investment in such countries to the Fund.

Settlement procedures in emerging countries are frequently less developed and reliable than those in the United States and often may involve a Fund’s delivery of securities before receipt of payment for their sale. In addition, significant delays are common in certain markets in registering the transfer of securities. Settlement or registration problems may make it more difficult for a Fund to value its portfolio securities and could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, to have a portion of its assets uninvested or to incur losses due to the failure of a counterparty to pay for securities the Fund has delivered or the Fund’s inability to complete its contractual obligations because of theft or other reasons. The creditworthiness of the local securities firms used by the Fund in emerging countries may not be as sound as the creditworthiness of firms used in more developed countries. As a result, the Fund may be subject to a greater risk of loss if a securities firm defaults in the performance of its responsibilities.

The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain emerging countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in those countries may make a Fund’s investments in such countries less liquid and more volatile than investments in countries with more developed securities markets (such as the United States, Japan and most Western European countries). A Fund’s investments in emerging countries are subject to the risk that the liquidity of a particular investment, or investments generally, in such countries will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political conditions or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, a Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Investments in emerging countries may be more difficult to price precisely because of the characteristics discussed above and lower trading volumes.

A Fund’s use of foreign currency management techniques in emerging countries may be limited. Due to the limited market for these instruments in emerging countries, the Investment Adviser does not currently anticipate that a significant portion of the Funds’ currency exposure in emerging countries, if any, will be covered by such instruments.

Risks of Derivative Investments. A Fund’s transactions, if any, in options, futures, options on futures, swaps, interest rate caps, floors and collars, structured securities and currency transactions involve additional risk of loss. Loss can result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged, the potential illiquidity of the markets for derivative instruments, or the risks arising from margin requirements and related leverage factors associated with such transactions. The use of these management techniques also involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices. Each Fund may also invest in derivative investments for non-hedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total return). Investing for non-hedging purposes is considered a speculative practice and presents even greater risk of loss.

Risks of Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities which cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include:

n

Both domestic and foreign securities that are not readily marketable

n

Certain stripped mortgage-backed securities

n

Repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days

n

Certain over-the-counter options

n

Certain structured securities and all swap transactions

n

Certain restricted securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (“144A Securities”) and, therefore, is liquid.

Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of a Fund’s portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.

Credit Risks. Debt securities purchased by the Funds may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises), foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.

Debt securities rated BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s or Baa or higher by Moody’s are considered “investment grade.” Securities rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capacity to pay interest and repay principal. A security will be deemed to have met a rating requirement if it receives the minimum required rating from at least one such rating organization even though it has been rated below the minimum rating by one or more other rating organizations, or if unrated by such rating organizations, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality.

Certain Funds may invest in fixed-income securities rated BB or Ba or below (or comparable unrated securities) which are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” Junk bonds are considered predominantly speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments.

In some cases, junk bonds may be highly speculative, have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing and be in default. As a result, investment in such bonds will present greater speculative risks than those associated with investment in investment grade bonds. Also, to the extent that the rating assigned to a security in a Fund’s portfolio is downgraded by a rating organization, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.

Risks of Initial Public Offerings. The Funds may invest in IPOs. An IPO is a company’s first offering of stock to the public. IPO risk is the risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When a Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance. Because of the price volatility of IPO shares, a Fund may choose to hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling IPO shares, the Fund may realize taxable gains it will subse -

quently distribute to shareholders. In addition, the market for IPO shares can be speculative and/or inactive for extended periods of time. There is no assurance that a Fund will be able to obtain allocable portions of IPO shares. The limited number of shares available for trading in some IPOs may make it more difficult for a Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. Investors in IPO shares can be affected by substantial dilution in the value of their shares, by sales of additional shares and by concentration of control in existing management and principal shareholders .

Temporary Investment Risks. Each Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest a certain percentage of its total assets in:

n

U.S. government securities

n

Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s or P-2 by Moody’s

n

Certificates of deposit

n

Bankers’ acceptances

n

Repurchase agreements

n

Non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year

When a Fund’s assets are invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.

C.    Portfolio Securities and Techniques

This section provides further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, including their associated risks. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.

Convertible Securities. Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are preferred stock or debt obligations that are convertible into common stock. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible securities in which a Fund invests are subject to the same rating criteria as its other investments in fixed-income securities. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed-income risk characteristics. Like all fixed-income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of the underlying common stock. As the market

price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed-income security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock.

Foreign Currency Transactions. A Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase or sell foreign currencies on a cash basis or through forward contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. A Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, certain Funds may also enter into such transactions to seek to increase total return, which is considered a speculative practice.

Some Funds may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in a currency different from that in which the hedged security is denominated or quoted. A Fund may hold foreign currency received in connection with investments in foreign securities when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, it would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars at a later date (e.g., the Investment Adviser may anticipate the foreign currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar).

Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing, along with other factors, a Fund’s NAV to fluctuate (when the Fund’s NAV fluctuates, the value of your shares may go up or down). Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.

The market in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps and other privately negotiated currency instruments offers less protection against defaults by the other party to such instruments than is available for currency instruments traded on an exchange. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on its obligations. Since these contracts are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on a contract would deprive a Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or could force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price.

Structured Securities. Each Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are securities whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References.

The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rates or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured securities may present a greater degree of market risk than other types of fixed-income securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.

REITs. Each Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either real estate or real estate related loans. The value of a REIT is affected by changes in the value of the properties owned by the REIT or securing mortgage loans held by the REIT. REITs are dependent upon the ability of the REITs’ managers, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and the qualification of the REITs under applicable regulatory requirements for favorable income tax treatment. REITs are also subject to risks generally associated with investments in real estate including possible declines in the value of real estate, general and local economic conditions, environmental problems and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying a REIT are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, these risks may be heightened. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.

Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Foreign Currencies. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument during the option period. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument during the option period. Each Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which they may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which they may invest. A Fund may also, to the extent that it invests in foreign securities, purchase and sell (write) put and call options on foreign currencies.

The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment risks. Options may be used for either hedging or cross-hedging purposes, or to seek to increase total return (which is considered a speculative activity). The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Invest-

ment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in market prices or determination of the correlation between the instruments or indices on which options are written and purchased and the instruments in a Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase a Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Funds may be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. Foreign and over-the-counter options will present greater possibility of loss because of their greater illiquidity and credit risks.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument or currency at a future time at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (and the writer of the option the obligation) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price within a specified period of time. A futures contract may be based on various securities (such as U.S. government securities), foreign currencies, securities indices and other financial instruments and indices. The Funds may engage in futures transactions on both U.S. and foreign exchanges.

Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts, in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent a Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage their term structures, sector selection and durations in accordance with their investment objectives and policies. Each Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. A Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions for bona fide hedging purposes as defined in regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or to seek to increase total return to the extent permitted by such regulations. A Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts or purchase or sell related options to seek to increase total return, except for closing purchase or sale transactions, if immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits and premiums paid on the Fund’s outstanding positions in futures and related options entered into for the purpose of seeking to increase total return would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s net assets.

Futures contracts and related options present the following risks:

n

While a Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.

n

Because perfect correlation between a futures position and portfolio position that is intended to be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection may not be obtained and a Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.

n

The loss incurred by a Fund in entering into futures contracts and in writing call options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.

n

Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of a Fund’s NAV.

n

As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund.

n

Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.

n

Foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges.

Equity Swaps. Each Fund may invest in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to a swap agreement to exchange the dividend income or other components of return on an equity investment (for example, a group of equity securities or an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or equity investment.

An equity swap may be used by a Fund to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impractical. Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict the potential relative fluctuation of the components swapped with another party, a Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The value of some components of an equity swap (such as the dividends on a common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore, a Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, a Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.

When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. Each Fund may purchase when-issued securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized, but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. A forward commitment involves the entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period.

The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines before the settlement date. Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may increase before the

settlement date. Although a Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, a Fund may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate.

Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with dealers in U.S. government securities and member banks of the Federal Reserve System which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation.

If the other party or “seller” defaults, a Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Fund’s costs associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of the seller, a Fund could suffer additional losses if a court determines that the Fund’s interest in the collateral is not enforceable.

In evaluating whether to enter into a repurchase agreement, the Investment Adviser will carefully consider the creditworthiness of the seller. Certain Funds, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.

Lending of Portfolio Securities. Each Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by a Fund to financial institutions such as certain broker-dealers. The borrowers are required to secure their loan continuously with cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or letters of credit in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral may be invested in cash equivalents. To the extent that cash collateral is invested in other investment securities, such collateral will be subject to market depreciation or appreciation, and a Fund will be responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrowers’ collateral. If the Investment Adviser determines to make securities loans, the value of the securities loaned may not exceed 33 1 /3% of the value of the total assets of a Fund (including the loan collateral).

A Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. A Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund.

Short Sales Against-the-Box. Certain Funds may make short sales against-the-box. A short sale against-the-box means that at all times when a short position is open the Fund will own an equal amount of securities sold short, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, without payment of any further consideration, an equal amount of the securities of the same issuer as the securities sold short.

Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. Each Fund may invest in preferred stock, warrants and rights. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock.

Warrants and other rights are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price at any time during the life of the warrant or right. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

Other Investment Companies. Each Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares  SM , as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Act. These limitations include a prohibition on any Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all investment companies. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies. Exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM are shares of unaffiliated investment companies which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ® National Market System.

n

Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™. The Funds may, consistent with their investment policies, purchase Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™ (“SPDRs”). SPDRs are securities traded on the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) that represent ownership in the SPDR Trust, a trust which has been established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and dividend yield of the S&P 500®. The SPDR Trust is sponsored by a subsidiary of the AMEX. SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling

notable uncertainty and loss of public confidence. These conditions present risks to the Japanese Equity Fund and its ability to attain its investment objective.

Japan’s economy is heavily dependent upon international trade, and is especially sensitive to trade barriers and disputes. In particular, Japan relies on large imports of agricultural products, raw materials and fuels. A substantial rise in world oil or commodity prices, or a fall-off in Japan’s manufactured exports, could be expected to adversely affect Japan’s economy. In addition, Japan is vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters. Japan’s banking industry has recently suffered from non-performing loans, lower real estate values and lower valuations of securities holdings.

The Japanese securities markets are less regulated than the U.S. markets. Evidence has emerged from time to time of distortion of market prices to serve political or other purposes. Shareholders’ rights are also not always equally enforced.

For most of the 1990’s, Japanese securities markets experienced significant declines. Although the stock markets exhibited strength in 1999, they have again generally declined through the first three quarters of 2000.

The common stocks of many Japanese companies have historically traded at high price-earnings ratios. Differences in accounting methods have made it difficult to compare the earnings of Japanese companies with those of companies in other countries, especially the United States. Reported net income in Japan has been generally understated relative to U.S. accounting standards and this has been one reason price-earnings ratios of the stocks of Japanese companies have tended historically to be higher than those of U.S. stocks. In addition, Japanese companies have tended to have higher growth rates than U.S. companies, and Japanese interest rates have generally been lower than U.S. interest rates. These factors have contributed to lower discount rates and higher price-earnings ratios in Japan than in the United States.

Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in equity securities of non-Japanese companies and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

MSCI® EAFE® Small Cap Index (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Small-capitalization foreign equity securities

Investment Style:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of companies:

n

With public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within $100 million and $3 billion, at the time of investment; and

n

That are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity securities that are considered by the Investment Adviser to be strategically positioned for long-term growth.

The Fund may allocate its assets among countries as determined by the Investment Adviser from time to time provided that the Fund’s assets are invested in at least three foreign countries. The Fund expects to invest a substantial portion of its assets in securities of companies in the developed countries of Western Europe, Japan and Asia. However, the Fund may also invest in the securities of issuers located in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and in emerging countries. Currently, emerging countries include, among others, most Latin American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations.

Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in equity securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of the market capitalization range stated above at the time of investment and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside the range stated above, the Fund may, consistent with its investment objective, continue to hold the security.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

MSCI® Emerging Markets Free Index

Investment Focus:

Equity securities of emerging country issuers

Investment Style:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of emerging country issuers. The Investment Adviser may consider classifications by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations and its agencies in determining whether a country is emerging or developed. Currently, emerging countries include, among others, most Latin and South American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations. The Investment Adviser currently intends that the Fund’s investment focus will be in the following emerging countries as well as any other emerging country to the extent that foreign investors are permitted by applicable law to make such investments:

n Argentina		n Egypt		n Jordan		n Philippines		n Taiwan
n Botswana		n Greece		n Kenya		n Poland		n Thailand
n Brazil		n Hong Kong		n Malaysia		n Russia		n Turkey
n Chile		n Hungary		n Mexico		n Singapore		n Venezuela
n China		n India		n Morocco		n South Africa		n Zimbabwe
n Colombia		n Indonesia		n Pakistan		n South Korea
n Czech Republic		n Israel		n Peru		n Sri Lanka

An emerging country issuer is any company that either:

n

Has a class of its securities whose principal securities market is in an emerging country;

n

Is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, an emerging country;

n

Derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services provided in one or more emerging countries; or

n

Maintains 50% or more of its assets in one or more of the emerging countries.

Under normal circumstances, the Fund maintains investments in at least six emerging countries, and will not invest more than 35% of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one emerging country. Allocation of the Fund’s investments will depend upon the relative attractiveness of the emerging country markets and particular issuers. In addition, macro-economic factors and the portfolio managers’ and Goldman Sachs economists’ views of the relative attractiveness of emerging countries and currencies are considered in allocating the Fund’s assets among emerging countries.

Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in (i) fixed-income securities of private and government emerging country issuers; and (ii) equity and fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations, of issuers in developed countries.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

MSCI® All Country Asia Free ex-Japan Index (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Equity securities of companies in Asian countries

Investment Process:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of Asian issuers.

An Asian issuer is any company that either:

n

Has a class of its securities whose principal securities markets is in one or more Asian countries;

n

Is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, an Asian country;

n

Derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services provided in one or more Asian countries; or

n

Maintains 50% or more of its assets in one or more Asian countries.

The Fund may allocate its assets among the Asian countries as determined from time to time by the Investment Adviser. For purposes of the Fund’s investment policies, Asian countries are:

n China n Hong Kong n India n Indonesia

n Malaysia n Pakistan n Philippines n Singapore

n South Korea n Sri Lanka n Taiwan n Thailand

as well as any other country in Asia (other than Japan) to the extent that foreign investors are permitted by applicable law to make such investments.

Allocation of the Fund’s investments will depend upon the Investment Adviser’s views of the relative attractiveness of the Asian markets and particular issuers.

Concentration of the Fund’s assets in one or a few of the Asian countries and Asian currencies will subject the Fund to greater risks than if the Fund’s assets were not so concentrated. For example, on August 31, 2000 (the end of the Fund’s last fiscal year), more than 25% of the Fund’s assets were invested in securities that traded in Hong Kong.

Starting in mid-1997 some Pacific region countries began to experience currency devaluations that resulted in high interest rate levels and sharp reductions in economic activity. This situation resulted in a significant drop in the securities prices of companies located in the region. Some countries have recently experienced government intervention, have sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund and have experienced substantial domestic unrest. Although some restructuring has been undertaken, there can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful or that their recent problems will not persist. At the end of its last fiscal year, a substantial portion of the Asia Growth Fund was invested in securities traded in the Hong Kong market. In 1997, the sovereignty of Hong Kong reverted from the United Kingdom to China. Although Hong Kong is, by law, to maintain a high degree of autonomy, there can be no assurance that Hong Kong will not be adversely affected by Chinese sovereignty or political developments. Furthermore, the reversion of Hong Kong to China has created additional uncertainty as to future currency valuations relative to the U.S. dollar. Because the Hong Kong stock market has significant exposure to the property market in Hong Kong, the Fund’s investments could be adversely affected by a decline in that market.

Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers in non-Asian countries and Japan, and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

		CORE International Equity Fund		International Equity Fund		European Equity Fund
Investment Practices
Borrowings		33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3
Cross Hedging of Currencies		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Currency Swaps*		15		15		15
Custodial Receipts		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Equity Swaps*		15		15		15
Foreign Currency Transactions		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Investment Company Securities (including iShares SM and Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts TM )		10		10		10
Options on Foreign Currencies 1		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 2		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Unseasoned Companies		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Repurchase Agreements		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Securities Lending		33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3
Short Sales Against the Box		—		25		25
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ

Japanese Equity Fund		International Growth Opportunities Fund		Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Asia Growth Fund
33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
15		15		15		15
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
15		15		15		15
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
10		10		10		10
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3		33 1 /3
25		25		25		25
Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ

Ÿ	No specific percentage limitation on usage; limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund

		CORE International Equity Fund		International Equity Fund		European Equity Fund
Investment Securities
American, European and Global Depositary Receipts		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities 2		—		Ÿ		Ÿ
Bank Obligations 1 , 2		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Convertible Securities		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Corporate Debt Obligations 2		Ÿ 4		Ÿ		Ÿ
Equity Securities		90+		65+		65+
Emerging Country Securities		25		Ÿ		Ÿ
Fixed Income Securities 3		10 4		35		35 5
Foreign Securities		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Foreign Government Securities 2		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities 2		—		Ÿ 6		Ÿ 6
Real Estate Investment Trusts		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Structured Securities *		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Temporary Investments		35		100		100
U.S. Government Securities 2		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ

*

Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities which are not deemed to be liquid and all swap transactions.

1

Issued by U.S. or foreign banks.

2

Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities.

3

Except as noted under “Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities,” fixed-income securities are investment grade (e.g., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”) or Baa or higher by Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”)).

4

Cash equivalents only.

5

The European Equity Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) equity securities of non-European countries; and (2) fixed-income securities.

6

May be BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or lower by Moody’s.

Japanese Equity Fund			International Growth Opportunities Fund		Emerging Markets Equity Fund			Asia Growth Fund
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
65	+		65+		65	+		65	+
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
35	7		35 8		35	9		35	10
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ	6		Ÿ 6		Ÿ	6		Ÿ	6
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ
100			100		35			100
Ÿ			Ÿ		Ÿ			Ÿ

7

The Japanese Equity Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) fixed-income securities; and (2) equity securities of non-Japanese companies.

8

The International Growth Opportunities Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in (1) fixed-income securities; and (2) equity securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations of less than $100 million or more than $3 billion at the time of investment.

9

The Emerging Markets Equity Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) fixed-income securities of private and government emerging country issuers; and (2) equity and fixed-income securities of issuers in developed countries.

10

The Asia Growth Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) fixed-income securities; and (2) equity securities of issuers in non-Asian countries and Japan.

		CORE International Equity		International Equity		European Equity		Japanese Equity		International Growth Opportunities		Emerging Markets Equity		Asia Growth
Credit/Default		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Emerging Countries		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Interest Rate		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Small Cap		—		—		Ÿ		—		Ÿ		—		—
Foreign		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Derivatives		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Management		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Market		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Liquidity		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Stock		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ
Geographic		—		—		Ÿ		Ÿ		—		Ÿ		—
Initial Public Offering (“IPO”)		—		—		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ		Ÿ

n	Credit/Default Risk—The risk that an issuer or guarantor of fixed-income securities held by a Fund may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.

n

Emerging Countries Risk—The securities markets of Asian, Latin and South American, Eastern European, African and other emerging countries are less liquid, are especially subject to greater price volatility, have smaller market capitalizations, have less government regulation and are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements as the securities markets of more developed countries. Further, investment in equity securities of issuers located in Russia and certain other emerging countries involves risk of loss result ing from problems in share registration and custody and substantial economic and political disruptions. These risks are not normally associated with investment in more developed countries.

n	Interest Rate Risk—The risk that when interest rates increase, securities held by a Fund will decline in value. Long-term fixed-income securities will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed-income securities.

n

Foreign Risk—The risk that when a Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to risk of loss not typically associated with domestic issuers. Loss may result because of less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions. A Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations. Foreign risks will normally be greatest when a Fund invests in issuers located in emerging countries.

n	Derivatives Risk—The risk that loss may result from a Fund’s investments in options, futures, swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to a Fund.

n	Management Risk—The risk that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended results.

n

Market Risk—The risk that the value of the securities in which a Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. A Fund’s investments may be overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors, which will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those sectors.

n

Liquidity Risk—The risk that a Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated in this Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. Funds that invest in non-investment grade fixed-income securities, small capitalization stocks, REITs or emerging country issuers will be especially subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. The Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios (the “Asset Allocation Portfolios”) expect to invest a significant percentage of their assets in the Funds and other funds for which Goldman Sachs now or in the future acts as investment adviser or underwriter. Redemptions by an Asset Allocation Portfolio of its position in a Fund may further increase liquidity risk and may impact a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).

n

Stock Risk—The risk that stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. Recently, U.S. stock markets and certain foreign stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility and, at times, have traded at or close to record high levels. There is no guarantee that such levels will be reached or maintained in the future.

n

Geographic Risk—The European Equity Fund invests primarily in equity securities of European companies. The Japanese Equity Fund invests primarily in equity securities of Japanese equity companies. The Asia Growth Fund invests primarily in equity securities of Asian issuers. Concentration of the investments of these or other Funds in issuers located in a particular country or region will subject a Fund, to a greater extent than if investments were less concentrated, to the risks of adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory or economic events which may occur in that country or region.

n

Small Cap Risk—The securities of small capitalization stocks involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable a Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price.

n

IPO Risk—The risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When a Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance.

HOW THE FUNDS HAVE PERFORMED

The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks of investing in a Fund by showing: (a) changes in the performance of a Fund’s Class A Shares from year to year; and (b) how the average annual returns of a Fund’s Class A, B and C Shares compare to those of broad-based securities market indices. The bar chart and table assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. A Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The average annual total return calculation reflects a maximum initial sales charge of 5.5% for Class A Shares, the assumed contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for Class B Shares (5% maximum declining to 0% after six years), and the assumed CDSC for Class C Shares (1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase). The bar chart does not reflect the sales loads applicable to Class A Shares. If the sales loads were reflected, returns would be less. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. If expense limitations were not in place, a Fund’s performance would have been reduced.

TOTAL RETURN

---

The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -13.52%.   Best Quarter Q4 ’98         +18.84%   Worst Quarter Q3 ’98         -16.00%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Class A (Inception 8/15/97)
Including Sales Charges		21.09%		8.32%
Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI®) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index (unhedged)*		27.29%		15.99%
Class B (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC		22.42%		9.30%
MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged)*		27.29%		15.99%
Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC		26.48%		10.47%
MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged)*		27.29%		15.99%

*

The unmanaged MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged) is a market capitalization-weighted composite of securities in 20 developed markets. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

---

The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -10.59%.   Best Quarter Q4 ’99         +21.70%   Worst Quarter Q3 ’98         -14.37%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		5 Years		Since Inception
Class A (Inception 12/1/92)
Including Sales Charges		23.78%		16.58%		13.46%
MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged)*		27.29%		13.14%		14.91%
Class B (Inception 5/1/96)
Including CDSC		24.65%		N/A		14.57%
MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged)*		27.29%		N/A		13.04%
Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC		29.16%		N/A		15.03%
MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged)*		27.29%		N/A		15.99%

*

The MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged) is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

---

The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -5.87%.   Best Quarter Q4 ’99         +24.66%   Worst Quarter Q2 ’99         -3.04%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Class A (Inception 10/1/98)
Including Sales Charges		19.30%		30.20%
MSCI® Europe Index (unhedged)*		16.21%		29.39%
FT/S&P Actuaries Europe Index (unhedged)**		16.14%		29.20%
Class B (Inception 10/1/98)
Including CDSC		20.30%		32.47%
MSCI® Europe Index (unhedged)*		16.21%		29.39%
FT/S&P Actuaries Europe Index (unhedged)**		16.14%		29.20%
Class C (Inception 10/1/98)
Including CDSC		24.69%		35.75%
MSCI® Europe Index (unhedged)*		16.21%		29.39%
FT/S&P Actuaries Europe Index (unhedged)**		16.14%		29.20%

*

The MSCI® Europe Index (unhedged), an unmanaged index of common stock prices, replaced the FT/S&P Actuaries Europe Index (unhedged) as the European Equity Fund’s performance benchmark. The MSCI® Europe Index is widely used throughout the investment management industry to represent the investment opportunities available to a large cap, developed country European equity strategy and, in the Investment Adviser’s opinion, is a more appropriate benchmark against which to measure the performance of the European Equity Fund. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

**

The unmanaged FT/S&P Actuaries Europe Index (unhedged) is a market capitalization-weighted composite of approximately 750 stocks from 16 countries in Europe. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

---

The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -12.61%.   Best Quarter* Q3 ’99         +23.08%   Worst Quarter* Q1 ’99         +9.49%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Class A (Inception 5/1/98)
Including Sales Charges		67.28%		44.49%
Tokyo Price Index (“TOPIX”) (unhedged)**		75.32%		43.28%
Class B (Inception 5/1/98)
Including CDSC		70.28%		46.68%
Tokyo Price Index (“TOPIX”) (unhedged)**		75.32%		43.28%
Class C (Inception 5/1/98)
Including CDSC		74.82%		48.85%
Tokyo Price Index (“TOPIX”) (unhedged)**		75.32%		43.28%

*

Please note that “Best Quarter” and “Worst Quarter” figures are applicable only to the time period covered by the bar chart.

**

The TOPIX (unhedged) is an unmanaged composite of all stocks on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

---

The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 2.03%.   Best Quarter* Q4 ’99         +12.52%   Worst Quarter* Q1 ’99         +4.81%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Class A (Inception 5/1/98)
Including Sales Charges		39.40%		24.93%
MSCI® EAFE® Small Cap Index (unhedged)**		17.67%		3.00%
Class B (Inception 5/1/98)
Including CDSC		41.62%		26.71%
MSCI® EAFE® Small Cap Index (unhedged)**		17.67%		3.00%
Class C (Inception 5/1/98)
Including CDSC		45.67%		28.76%
MSCI® EAFE® Small Cap Index (unhedged)**		17.67%		3.00%

*

Please note that “Best Quarter” and “Worst Quarter” figures are applicable only to the time period covered by the bar chart.

**

The MSCI® EAFE® Small Cap Index (unhedged), inception date 1/15/98, includes 1,502 securities from 23 developed markets with a capitalization range of $200-800 million and a general regional allocation of 60% Europe, 30% Japan and 10% Asia. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

---

The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -15.78%.   Best Quarter Q4 ’99         +29.84%   Worst Quarter Q3 ’98         -22.94%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		Since Inception
Class A (Inception 12/15/97)
Including Sales Charges		53.62%		6.98%
MSCI® Emerging Markets Free (EMF) Index*		66.42%		14.52%
Class B (Inception 12/15/97)
Including CDSC		56.59%		8.10%
MSCI® EMF Index*		66.42%		14.52%
Class C (Inception 12/15/97)
Including CDSC		60.84%		9.69%
MSCI® EMF Index*		66.42%		14.52%

*

The unmanaged MSCI® EMF Index is a market capitalization-weighted composite of securities in over 30 emerging markets countries. “Free” indicates an index that excludes shares in otherwise free markets that are not purchasable by foreigners. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

TOTAL RETURN

---

The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -21.73%.   Best Quarter Q2 ’99         +30.97%   Worst Quarter Q4 ‘97         -27.33%

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended December 31, 1999		1 Year		5 Years		Since Inception
Class A (Inception 7/8/94)
Including Sales Charges		50.70%		(2.84)%		(2.12)%
MSCI® All Country Asia Free ex-Japan (unhedged)*		61.95%		(1.28)%		(0.94)%
Class B (Inception 5/1/96)
Including CDSC		53.70%		N/A		(8.78)%
MSCI® All Country Asia Free ex-Japan (unhedged)*		61.95%		N/A		(5.50)%
Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC		57.52%		N/A		(8.65)%
MSCI® All Country Asia Free ex-Japan (unhedged)*		61.95%		N/A		(5.65)%

*

The unmanaged MSCI® All Country Asia Free ex-Japan Index (unhedged) is a market capitalization-weighted composite of securities in ten Asian countries. “Free” indicates an index that excludes shares in otherwise free markets that are not purchasable by foreigners. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.

		CORE International Equity Fund
		Class A			Class B			Class C
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases		5.5%	1		None			None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) 2		None	1		5.0%	3		1.0%	4
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends		None			None			None
Redemption Fees 5		None			None			None
Exchange Fees		None			None			None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):6
Management Fees		0.85%			0.85%			0.85%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%			1.00%			1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.40%			0.40%			0.40%
Total Fund Operating Expenses*		1.75%			2.25%			2.25%

See page 37 for all other footnotes.

*

As a result of the current expense limitations, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” of the Fund which are actually incurred as of the date of this Prospectus are as set forth below. The expense limitations may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.

		CORE International Equity Fund
		Class A		Class B		Class C
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6
Management Fees		0.85%		0.85%		0.85%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%		1.00%		1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.31%		0.31%		0.31%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)		1.66%		2.16%		2.16%

		International Equity Fund
		Class A			Class B			Class C
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases		5.5%	1		None			None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) 2		None	1		5.0%	3		1.0%	4
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends		None			None			None
Redemption Fees 5		None			None			None
Exchange Fees		None			None			None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):6
Management Fees		1.00%			1.00%			1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%			1.00%			1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.34%			0.34%			0.34%
Total Fund Operating Expenses*		1.84%			2.34%			2.34%

See page 37 for all other footnotes.

*

As a result of the current expense limitations, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” of the Fund which are actually incurred as of the date of this Prospectus are as set forth below. The expense limitations may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.

		International Equity Fund
		Class A		Class B		Class C
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6
Management Fees		1.00%		1.00%		1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%		1.00%		1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.29%		0.29%		0.29%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)		1.79%		2.29%		2.29%

		European Equity Fund
		Class A			Class B			Class C
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases		5.5%	1		None			None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) 2		None	1		5.0%	3		1.0%	4
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends		None			None			None
Redemption Fees 5		None			None			None
Exchange Fees		None			None			None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):6
Management Fees		1.00%			1.00%			1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%			1.00%			1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.67%			0.67%			0.67%
Total Fund Operating Expenses*		2.17%			2.67%			2.67%

See page 37 for all other footnotes.

*

As a result of the current expense limitations, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” of the Fund which are actually incurred as of the date of this Prospectus are as set forth below. The expense limitations may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.

		European Equity Fund
		Class A		Class B		Class C
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6
Management Fees		1.00%		1.00%		1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%		1.00%		1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.29%		0.29%		0.29%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)		1.79%		2.29%		2.29%

		Japanese Equity Fund
		Class A			Class B			Class C
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases		5.5%	1		None			None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) 2		None	1		5.0%	3		1.0%	4
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends		None			None			None
Redemption Fees 5		None			None			None
Exchange Fees		None			None			None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):6
Management Fees		1.00%			1.00%			1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%			1.00%			1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.60%			0.60%			0.60%
Total Fund Operating Expenses*		2.10%			2.60%			2.60%

See page 37 for all other footnotes.

*

As a result of the current expense limitations, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” of the Fund which are actually incurred as of the date of this Prospectus are as set forth below. The expense limitations may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.

		Japanese Equity Fund
		Class A		Class B		Class C
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6
Management Fees		1.00%		1.00%		1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%		1.00%		1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.30%		0.30%		0.30%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)		1.80%		2.30%		2.30%

		International Growth Opportunities Fund
		Class A			Class B			Class C
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases		5.5%	1		None			None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) 2		None	1		5.0%	3		1.0%	4
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends		None			None			None
Redemption Fees 5		None			None			None
Exchange Fees		None			None			None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):6
Management Fees		1.20%			1.20%			1.20%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%			1.00%			1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.52%			0.52%			0.52%
Total Fund Operating Expenses*		2.22%			2.72%			2.72%

See page 37 for all other footnotes.

*

As a result of the current expense limitations, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” of the Fund which are actually incurred as of the date of this Prospectus are as set forth below. The expense limitations may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.

		International Growth Opportunities Fund
		Class A		Class B		Class C
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6
Management Fees		1.20%		1.20%		1.20%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%		1.00%		1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.35%		0.35%		0.35%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)		2.05%		2.55%		2.55%

		Emerging Markets Equity Fund
		Class A			Class B			Class C
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases		5.5%	1		None			None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) 2		None	1		5.0%	3		1.0%	4
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends		None			None			None
Redemption Fees 5		None			None			None
Exchange Fees		None			None			None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):6
Management Fees		1.20%			1.20%			1.20%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%			1.00%			1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.60%			0.60%			0.60%
Total Fund Operating Expenses*		2.30%			2.80%			2.80%

See page 37 for all other footnotes.

*

As a result of the current expense limitations, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” of the Fund which are actually incurred as of the date of this Prospectus are as set forth below. The expense limitations may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.

		Emerging Markets Equity Fund
		Class A		Class B		Class C
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6
Management Fees		1.20%		1.20%		1.20%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%		1.00%		1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.54%		0.54%		0.54%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)		2.24%		2.74%		2.74%

		Asia Growth Fund
		Class A			Class B			Class C
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases		5.5%	1		None			None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) 2		None	1		5.0%	3		1.0%	4
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends		None			None			None
Redemption Fees 5		None			None			None
Exchange Fees		None			None			None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):6
Management Fees		1.00%			1.00%			1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%			1.00%			1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.80%			0.80%			0.80%
Total Fund Operating Expenses*		2.30%			2.80%			2.80%

See page 37 for all other footnotes.

*

As a result of the current expense limitations, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” of the Fund which are actually incurred as of the date of this Prospectus are as set forth below. The expense limitations may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.

		Asia Growth Fund
		Class A		Class B		Class C
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6
Management Fees		1.00%		1.00%		1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%		1.00%		1.00%
Other Expenses 7		0.35%		0.35%		0.35%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)		1.85%		2.35%		2.35%

1	The maximum sales charge is a percentage of the offering price. A CDSC of 1% is imposed on certain redemptions (within 18 months of purchase) of Class A Shares sold without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more.

2	The maximum CDSC is a percentage of the lesser of the NAV at the time of the redemption or the NAV when the shares were originally purchased.

3	A CDSC is imposed upon Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase at a rate of 5% in the first year, declining to 1% in the sixth year, and eliminated thereafter.

4	A CDSC of 1% is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.

5	A transaction fee of $7.50 may be charged for redemption proceeds paid by wire.

6	The Funds’ annual operating expenses are based on actual expenses.

7

“Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees equal to 0.19% of the average daily net assets of each Fund’ s Class A, B and C Shares, plus all other ordinary expenses not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agency fees, taxes, interest and brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification and other extraordinary expenses) to the following percentages of each Fund’s average daily net assets:

Fund		Other Expenses
CORE International Equity		0.12%
International Equity		0.10%
European Equity		0.10%
Japanese Equity		0.11%
International Growth Opportunities		0.16%
Emerging Markets Equity		0.35%
Asia Growth		0.16%

Fund		1 Year		3 Years		5 Years		10 Years
CORE International Equity
Class A Shares		$718		$1,071		$1,447		$2,499
Class B Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$728		$1,003		$1,405		$2,459
– Assuming no redemption		$228		$  703		$1,205		$2,459
Class C Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$328		$  703		$1,205		$2,585
– Assuming no redemption		$228		$  703		$1,205		$2,585
International Equity
Class A Shares		$727		$1,097		$1,491		$2,590
Class B Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$737		$1,030		$1,450		$2,552
– Assuming no redemption		$237		$  730		$1,250		$2,552
Class C Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$337		$  730		$1,250		$2,676
– Assuming no redemption		$237		$  730		$1,250		$2,676
European Equity
Class A Shares		$758		$1,192		$1,650		$2,916
Class B Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$770		$1,129		$1,615		$2,882
– Assuming no redemption		$270		$    829		$1,415		$2,882
Class C Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$370		$    829		$1,415		$3,003
– Assuming no redemption		$270		$    829		$1,415		$3,003

Fund		1 Year		3 Years		5 Years		10 Years
Japanese Equity
Class A Shares		$751		$1,172		$1,617		$2,847
Class B Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$763		$1,108		$1,580		$2,813
– Assuming no redemption		$263		$    808		$1,380		$2,813
Class C Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$363		$    808		$1,380		$2,934
– Assuming no redemption		$263		$    808		$1,380		$2,934
International Growth Opportunities
Class A Shares		$763		$1,206		$1,674		$2,964
Class B Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$775		$1,144		$1,640		$2,931
– Assuming no redemption		$275		$    844		$1,440		$2,931
Class C Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$375		$    844		$1,440		$3,051
– Assuming no redemption		$275		$    844		$1,440		$3,051
Emerging Markets Equity
Class A Shares		$770		$1,229		$1,713		$3,041
Class B Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$783		$1,168		$1,679		$3,009
– Assuming no redemption		$283		$  868		$1,479		$3,009
Class C Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$383		$  868		$1,479		$3,128
– Assuming no redemption		$283		$  868		$1,479		$3,128
Asia Growth
Class A Shares		$770		$1,229		$1,713		$3,041
Class B Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$783		$1,168		$1,679		$3,009
– Assuming no redemption		$283		$  868		$1,479		$3,009
Class C Shares
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period		$383		$   868		$1,479		$3,128
– Assuming no redemption		$283		$  868		$1,479		$3,128

INVESTMENT ADVISERS

Investment Adviser		Fund
Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“GSAM”)		CORE International Equity
32 Old Slip
New York, New York 10005
Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”)		International Equity
Procession House		European Equity
55 Ludgate Hill		Japanese Equity
London, England EC4M 7JW		International Growth Opportunities
		Emerging Markets Equity
		Asia Growth

GSAM and GSAMI are separate business units of the Investment Management Division (“IMD”) of Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs registered as an investment adviser in 1981. GSAMI, a member of the Investment Management Regulatory Organization Limited since 1990 and a registered investment adviser since 1991, is an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. As of September 30, 2000, GSAM and GSAMI, along with other units of IMD, had assets under management of $281.3 billion.

The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the Funds’ portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Funds and places purchase and sale orders for the Funds’ portfolio transactions in U.S. and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the management of the Funds, it is able to draw upon the research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs, and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among categories of issuers and types of securities.

The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Funds:

n

Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Funds

n

Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Funds

n

Arranges for the preparation of all required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and statements of additional information and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other regulatory authorities

n

Maintains the records of each Fund

n

Provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services

MANAGEMENT FEES

As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates (as a percentage of each respective portfolio’s average daily net assets) listed below:

		Contractual Rate		Actual Rate For the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2000
GSAM:
CORE International Equity		0.85%		0.85%
GSAMI:
International Equity		1.00%		1.00%
European Equity		1.00%		1.00%
Japanese Equity		1.00%		1.00%
International Growth Opportunities		1.20%		1.20%
Emerging Markets Equity		1.20%		1.20%
Asia Growth		1.00%		1.00%

The difference, if any, between the stated fees and the actual fees paid by the Funds reflects that the Investment Adviser did not charge the full amount of the fees to which it would have been entitled. The Investment Adviser may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.

FUND MANAGERS

M. Roch Hillenbrand, a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs since 1997, is the Head of Global Equities for GSAM, overseeing the United States, Europe, Japan, and non-Japan Asia. In this capacity, he is responsible for managing the group as it defines and implements global portfolio management processes that are consistent, reliable and predictable. Mr. Hillenbrand joined Goldman Sachs in 1997

upon its acquisition of Commodities Corporation, LLC where he was and continues as President. Over the course of his 20-year career at Commodities Corporation, Mr. Hillenbrand has had extensive experience in dealing with internal and external investment managers who have managed a range of futures and equities strategies across multiple markets, using a variety of styles.

International Equity Portfolio Management Team

n

Global portfolio teams based in London, Singapore, Tokyo and New York. Local presence is a key to the Investment Adviser’s fundamental research capabilities

n

Team manages over $45.9 billion in international equities for retail, institutional and high net worth clients

n

Focus on bottom-up stock selection as main driver of returns, though the team leverages the asset allocation, currency and risk management capabilities of GSAM

---

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily Responsible		Five Year Employment History
David Dick Executive Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Dick joined the Investment Adviser as a senior portfolio manager on the European Equity team in 1998. From 1990 to 1998, he was with Mercury Asset Management, where he was a portfolio manager for European equity and was head of Mercury’s European sector strategy.
Gary Greenberg Vice President Co-Head of Emerging Markets Equity		Senior Portfolio Manager— Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Since 1999		Mr. Greenberg joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1999. From 1998 to 1999, he was a Managing Director and the lead international portfolio manager at Van Eck Global Asset Management. Prior to that, he was Chief Investment Officer for Peregrine Asset Management in Hong Kong from 1994 to 1998.

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily Responsible		Five Year Employment History
James P. Hordern Executive Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Hordern joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1997. From 1991 to 1997, he was an Assistant Director and portfolio manager at Mercury Asset Management on the European Specialist Team.
Ralf Laier Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Laier joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager with a focus on Central/Eastern European (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 1997. Prior to joining the Investment Adviser, from 1995 to 1997, he was Vice President of Soros Global Research, where he analyzed investment opportunities in CEE/CIS.
Susan Noble Managing Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund International Equity Fund		Since 1998 1998		Ms. Noble joined the Investment Adviser as a senior portfolio manager and head of the European Equity Team in October 1997. From 1986 to 1997, she worked at Fleming Investment Management in London, where she most recently was Portfolio Management Director for the European equity investment strategy and process.
Andrew Orchard Executive Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund International Equity Fund		Since 1999 1999		Mr. Orchard joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1999. From 1994 to 1999 he was a portfolio manager at Morgan Grenfell Asset Management where he managed global equity portfolios and chaired Morgan Grenfell’s Global Sector Committee.

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily Responsible		Five Year Employment History
Robert Stewart Executive Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund International Equity Fund		Since 1999 1999		Mr. Stewart joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1996. He is a member of the European Equity Team. From 1996 to 1998 he was a portfolio manager in Japan where he managed Japanese Equity Institutional Portfolios. Prior to that Mr. Stewart was a portfolio manager at CINMan from 1989 to 1996 where he managed international equities.
Danny Truell Managing Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund International Equity		Since 1998 2000		Mr. Truell joined the Investment Adviser as a senior portfolio manager and head of UK equities in 1998. From 1992 to 1996, he was Investment Banking Executive Director for SBC Warburg and Chief Asian Equity Strategist.
Gabriella Antici Vice President Co-Head of Emerging Markets Equity		Senior Portfolio Manager— Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Since 1998		Ms. Antici joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1997. From 1994 to 1997, she was a Vice President for HSBC Asset Management, where she was a portfolio manager for emerging markets and head of the Latin American Department.
Rory Bateman Executive Director		Portfolio Manager— European Equity Fund		Since 2000		Mr. Bateman joined the Investment Adviser as an equity analyst in 1996. Prior to that he was an analyst at CINMan covering European equities.

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily  Responsible		Five Year Employment History
Melissa Brown Managing Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— CORE International Equity Fund		Since 1998		Ms. Brown joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1998. From 1984 to 1998, she was the director of Quantitative Equity Research and served on the Investment Policy Committee at Prudential Securities.
Mark M. Carhart Managing Director		Portfolio Manager— CORE International Equity Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Carhart joined the Investment Adviser as a member of the Quantitative Research and Risk Management team in 1997. From August 1995 to September 1997, he was Assistant Professor of Finance at the Marshall School of Business at USC and a Senior Fellow of the Wharton Financial Institutions Center.
Raymond J. Iwanowski Managing Director		Portfolio Manager— CORE International Equity Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Iwanowski joined the Investment Adviser as an associate and portfolio manager in 1997. From 1993 to 1997, he was a Vice President and head of the Fixed Derivatives Client Research group at Salomon Brothers.
Robert C. Jones Managing Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— CORE International Equity Fund		Since 1997		Mr. Jones joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1989.

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily  Responsible		Five Year Employment History
Alice Lui Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Asia Growth Fund Emerging Markets Equity Fund International Equity Fund International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1994 1999      1999 1999		Ms. Lui joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1990.
Ravi Shanker Vice President		Senior Portfolio Manager— Asia Growth Fund Emerging Markets Equity Fund International Equity Fund International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1997 1998      1999 1999		Mr. Shanker joined the Investment Adviser as an operations manager in 1997. From July 1996 to 1997, he worked for Goldman Sachs in Singapore as a strategic advisor for transactions involving infrastructure industries in Asia. From 1988 to 1996, he worked for Goldman Sachs as an investment banker in the Investment Banking Division.
Siew-Hua Thio Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Asia Growth Fund Emerging Markets Equity Fund International Equity Fund International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1998 1998      1998 1998		Ms. Thio joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1998. From 1997 to 1998, she was Head of Research for Indosuez WI Carr in Singapore. From 1993 to 1997, she was a research analyst at the same firm.

Name and Title		Fund Responsibility		Years Primarily  Responsible		Five Year Employment History
Toshiyuki Ejima Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Japanese Equity Fund		Since 1999		Mr. Ejima joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in April 1999. Prior to that he was a portfolio manager at Daiichi Mutual Life from 1993 to 1999 where he managed Japanese equities.
Shigeka Kouda Vice President		Portfolio Manager— International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Kouda joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1997. From 1992 to 1997, he was at the Fixed Income Division of Goldman Sachs (Japan) Limited, where he was extensively involved in emerging markets trading as well as International Fixed Income institutional sales.
Shogo Maeda Managing Director		Senior Portfolio Manager— Japanese Equity Fund International Equity Fund International Growth Opportunities Fund		Since 1994 1994 1998		Mr. Maeda joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1994.
Miyako Shibamoto Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Japanese Equity Fund		Since 1998		Ms. Shibamoto joined the Investment Adviser as a member of the Japanese Equity team in March 1998. From 1993 to 1998, she was a Vice President at Scudder Stevens and Clark (Japan).
Takeya Suzuki Vice President		Portfolio Manager— Japanese Equity Fund		Since 1998		Mr. Suzuki joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1996. From 1990 to 1996, he was a Japanese equity portfolio manager at Nomura Investment Management where he actively managed assets for U.S. pension funds.

DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT

Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of each Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6372, also serves as the Funds’ transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and, as such, performs various shareholder servicing functions.

From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may purchase and hold shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares acquired for its own account.

ACTIVITIES OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN SACHS

The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in, other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present conflicts of interest with respect to a Fund or limit a Fund’s investment activities. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the Funds and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Funds. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any obligation to make available any information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of the Funds. The results of a Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and it is possible that a Fund could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. In addition, the Funds may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which other clients of Goldman Sachs have an adverse interest. A Fund’s activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions.

Each Fund pays dividends from its investment company taxable income and distributions from net realized capital gains. You may choose to have dividends and distributions paid in:

n

Cash

n

Additional shares of the same class of the same Fund

n

Shares of the same or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Special restrictions may apply for certain ILA Portfolios. See the Additional Statement.

You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any changes may be submitted in writing to Goldman Sachs at any time before the record date for a particular dividend or distribution. If you do not indicate any choice, dividends and distributions will be reinvested automatically in the applicable Fund.

The election to reinvest dividends and distributions in additional shares will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by you and then used to purchase the shares.

The Funds’ investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. Under certain circumstances, the Funds may elect to pass-through these taxes to you. If this election is made, a proportionate amount of such taxes will constitute a distribution to you, which would allow you either (1) to credit such proportionate amount of foreign taxes against your U.S. federal income tax liability or (2) to take such amount as an itemized deduction.

Dividends from investment company taxable income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid annually.

From time to time a portion of a Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital.

At the time of an investor’s purchase of shares of a Fund, a portion of the NAV per share may be represented by undistributed income or undistributed realized appreciation of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Therefore, subsequent distributions on such shares from such income or realized appreciation may be taxable to you even if the NAV of the shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the cost of such shares and the distributions (or portions thereof) represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Funds’ shares.

HOW TO BUY SHARES

How Can I Purchase Class A, Class B And Class C Shares Of The Funds?

You may purchase shares of the Funds through:

n

Goldman Sachs;

n

Authorized Dealers; or

n

Directly from Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”).

In order to make an initial investment in a Fund, you must furnish to the Fund, Goldman Sachs or your Authorized Dealer the information in the Account Application attached to this Prospectus.

To Open an Account:

n

Complete the enclosed Account Application

n

Mail your payment and Account Application to:

Your Authorized Dealer

–

Purchases by check or Federal Reserve draft should be made payable to your Authorized Dealer

–

Your Authorized Dealer is responsible for forwarding payment promptly (within three business days) to the Fund

or

Goldman Sachs Funds c/o National Financial Data Services, Inc. (“NFDS”), P.O. Box 219711, Kansas City, MO 64121-9711

–

Purchases by check or Federal Reserve draft should be made payable to Goldman Sachs Funds – (Name of Fund and Class of Shares)

–

NFDS will not accept a check drawn on a foreign bank, a third-party check, cash, money orders, travelers cheques or credit card checks

–

Federal funds wire, Automated Clearing House Network (“ACH”) transfer or bank wires should be sent to State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) (each Fund’s custodian). Please call the Funds at 1-800-526-7384 to get detailed instructions on how to wire your money.

What Is My Minimum Investment In The Funds?

		Initial		Additional
Regular Accounts		$1,000		$50
Tax-Sheltered Retirement Plans (excluding SIMPLE IRAs and Education IRAs)		$250		$50
Uniform Gift to Minors Act Accounts/Uniform Transfer to Minors Act Accounts		$250		$50
403(b) Plan Accounts		$200		$50
SIMPLE IRAs and Education IRAs		$50		$50
Automatic Investment Plan Accounts		$50		$50

What Alternative Sales Arrangements Are Available?

The Funds offer three classes of shares through this Prospectus.

Maximum Amount You Can Buy In The Aggregate Across Funds		Class A		No limit
		Class B		$250,000
		Class C		$1,000,000
Initial Sales Charge		Class A		Applies to purchases of less than $1 million— varies by size of investment with a maximum of 5.5%
		Class B		None
		Class C		None
CDSC		Class A		1.00% on certain investments of $1 million or more if you sell within 18 months
		Class B		6 year declining CDSC with a maximum of 5%
		Class C		1% if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase
Conversion Feature		Class A		None
		Class B		Class B Shares convert to Class A Shares after 8 years
		Class C		None

What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?

The Trust reserves the right to:

n

Refuse to open an account if you fail to (i) provide a social security number or other taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).

n

Reject or restrict any purchase or exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers). This may occur, for example, when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or exchanges of shares of a Fund is evident, or if purchases, sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent abrupt redemption might be, of a size that would disrupt management of a Fund.

n

Close a Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen a Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by a Fund’s Investment Adviser.

n

Modify or waive the minimum investment amounts.

n

Modify the manner in which shares are offered.

n

Modify the sales charge rates applicable to future purchases of shares.

The Funds may allow you to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with a Fund’s investment policies and operations and if approved by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.

How Are Shares Priced?

The price you pay or receive when you buy, sell or exchange shares is determined by a Fund’s NAV and share class. Each class calculates its NAV as follows:

(Value of Assets of the Class)

NAV  =

–  (Liabilities of the Class)

Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

The Funds’ investments are valued based on market quotations or if accurate quotations are not readily available, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trustees.

n

NAV per share of each share class is calculated by the Fund’s custodian on each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time). Fund shares will not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed.

n

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV next calculated after the Funds receive your order in proper form, plus any applicable sales charge.

n

When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Funds receive your order in proper form, less any applicable CDSC.

Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time.

Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days a Fund is closed. As a result, the NAV of a Fund that holds foreign securities may be impacted on days when investors may not purchase or redeem Fund shares.

In addition, the impact of events that occur after the publication of market quotations used by a Fund to price its securities but before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange will normally not be reflected in a Fund’s next determined NAV unless the Trust, in its discretion, makes an adjustment in light of the nature and materiality of the event, its effect on Fund operations and other relevant factors.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES

What Is The Offering Price Of Class A Shares?

The offering price of Class A Shares of each Fund is the next determined NAV per share plus an initial sales charge paid to Goldman Sachs at the time of purchase of shares. The sales charge varies depending upon the amount you purchase. In some cases, described below, the initial sales charge may be eliminated altogether, and the offering price will be the NAV per share. The current sales charges and commissions paid to Authorized Dealers are as follows:

Amount of Purchase (including sales charge, if any)		Sales Charge as Percentage of Offering Price			Sales Charge as Percentage of Net Amount Invested			Maximum Dealer Allowance as Percentage of Offering Price*
Less than $50,000		5.50	%		5.82	%		5.00	%
$50,000 up to (but less than) $100,000		4.75			4.99			4.00
$100,000 up to (but less than) $250,000		3.75			3.90			3.00
$250,000 up to (but less than) $500,000		2.75			2.83			2.25
$500,000 up to (but less than) $1 million		2.00			2.04			1.75
$1 million or more		0.00	**		0.00	**		***

*

Dealer’s allowance may be changed periodically. During special promotions, the entire sales charge may be allowed to Authorized Dealers. Authorized Dealers to whom substantially the entire sales charge is allowed may be deemed to be “underwriters” under the Securities Act of 1933.

**

No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase of Class A Shares of $1 million or more, but a CDSC of 1% may be imposed in the event of certain redemptions within 18 months of purchase.

***

The Distributor may pay a one-time commission to Authorized Dealers who initiate or are responsible for purchases of $1 million or more of shares of the Funds equal to 1.00% of the amount under $3 million, 0.50% of the next $2 million, and 0.25% thereafter. The Distributor may also pay, with respect to all or a portion of the amount purchased, a commission in accordance with the foregoing schedule to Authorized Dealers who initiate or are responsible for purchases of $500,000 or more by certain Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit plans that are sponsored by one or more employers (including governmental or church employers) or employee organizations investing in the Funds which satisfy the criteria set forth below in “When Are Class A Shares Not Subject To A Sales Load?” or $1 million or more by certain “wrap” accounts. Purchases by such plans will be made at NAV with no initial sales charge, but if all of the shares held are redeemed within 18 months after the end of the calendar month in which such purchase was made, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed upon the plan sponsor or the third party administrator. In addition, Authorized Dealers will remit to the Distributor such payments received in connection with “wrap” accounts in the event that shares are redeemed within 18 months after the end of the calendar month in which the purchase was made.

What Else Do I Need To Know About Class A Shares’ CDSC?

Purchases of $1 million or more of Class A Shares will be made at NAV with no initial sales charge. However, if you redeem shares within 18 months after the end of the calendar month in which the purchase was made, excluding any period of time in which the shares were exchanged into and remained invested in an equivalent class of an ILA Portfolio, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed. The CDSC may not be imposed if your Authorized Dealer enters into an agreement with the Distributor to return all or an applicable prorated portion of its commission to the Distributor. The CDSC is waived on redemptions in certain circumstances. See “In What Situations May The CDSC On Class A, B Or C Shares Be Waived Or Reduced?” below.

When Are Class A Shares Not Subject To A Sales Load?

Class A Shares of the Funds may be sold at NAV without payment of any sales charge to the following individuals and entities:

n

Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or their respective officers, partners, directors or employees (including retired employees and former partners), any partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general partner, any Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of any of these individuals;

n

Qualified retirement plans of Goldman Sachs;

n

Trustees or directors of investment companies for which Goldman Sachs or an affiliate acts as sponsor;

n

Any employee or registered representative of any Authorized Dealer or their respective spouses, children and parents;

n

Banks, trust companies or other types of depository institutions investing for their own account or investing for discretionary or non-discretionary accounts;

n

Any state, county or city, or any instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof, which is prohibited by applicable investment laws from paying a sales charge or commission in connection with the purchase of shares of a Fund;

n

Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit plans that are sponsored by one or more employers (including governmental or church employers) or employee organizations (“Retirement Plans”) that:

n

Buy shares of Goldman Sachs Funds worth $500,000 or more; or

n

Have 100 or more eligible employees at the time of purchase; or

n

Certify that they expect to have annual plan purchases of shares of Goldman Sachs Funds of $200,000 or more; or

n

Are provided administrative services by certain third-party administrators that have entered into a special service arrangement with Goldman Sachs relating to such plans; or

n

Have at the time of purchase aggregate assets of at least $2,000,000;

n

“Wrap” accounts for the benefit of clients of broker-dealers, financial institutions or financial planners, provided they have entered into an agreement with GSAM specifying aggregate minimums and certain operating policies and standards;

n

Registered investment advisers investing for accounts for which they receive asset-based fees;

n

Accounts over which GSAM or its advisory affiliates have investment discretion;

n

Shareholders receiving distributions from a qualified retirement plan invested in the Goldman Sachs Funds and reinvesting such proceeds in a Goldman Sachs IRA;

n

Shareholders who roll over distributions from any tax-qualified retirement plan or tax-sheltered annuity to an IRA which invests in the Goldman Sachs Funds if the tax-qualified retirement plan or tax-sheltered annuity receives administrative services provided by certain third-party administrators that have entered into a special service arrangement with Goldman Sachs relating to such plan or annuity; or

n

Other exemptions may be stated from time to time in the Additional Statement.

You must certify eligibility for any of the above exemptions on your Account Application and notify the Fund if you no longer are eligible for the exemption. The Fund will grant you an exemption subject to confirmation of your entitlement. You may be charged a fee if you effect your transactions through a broker or agent.

How Can The Sales Charge On Class A Shares Be Reduced?

n

Right of Accumulation: When buying Class A Shares in Goldman Sachs Funds, your current aggregate investment determines the initial sales load you pay. You may qualify for reduced sales charges when the current market value of holdings (shares at current offering price), plus new purchases, reaches $50,000 or more. Class A Shares of any of the Goldman Sachs Funds may be combined under the Right of Accumulation. To qualify for a reduced sales load, you or your Authorized Dealer must notify the Funds’ Transfer Agent at the time of investment that a quantity discount is applicable. Use of this service is subject to a check of appropriate records. The Additional Statement has more information about the Right of Accumulation.

n

Statement of Intention: You may obtain a reduced sales charge by means of a written Statement of Intention which expresses your non-binding commitment to invest in the aggregate $50,000 or more (not counting reinvestments of dividends and distributions) within a period of 13 months in Class A Shares of one or more Goldman Sachs Fund. Any investments you make during the period will receive the discounted sales load based on the full amount of your investment commitment. If the investment commitment of the Statement of Intention is not met prior to the expiration of the 13-month period, the entire amount will be subject to the higher applicable sales charge. By signing the Statement of Intention, you authorize the Transfer Agent to escrow and redeem Class A Shares in your account to pay this additional charge. The Additional Statement has more information about the Statement of Intention, which you should read carefully.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS B SHARES

What Is The Offering Price Of Class B Shares?

You may purchase Class B Shares of the Funds at the next determined NAV without an initial sales charge. However, Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase will be subject to a CDSC at the rates shown in the table below based on how long you held your shares.

The CDSC schedule is as follows:

Year Since Purchase		CDSC as a Percentage of Dollar Amount Subject to CDSC
First		5%
Second		4%
Third		3%
Fourth		3%
Fifth		2%
Sixth		1%
Seventh and thereafter		None

Proceeds from the CDSC are payable to the Distributor and may be used in whole or in part to defray the Distributor’s expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the Funds in connection with the sale of Class B Shares, including the payment of compensation to Authorized Dealers. A commission equal to 4% of the amount invested is paid to Authorized Dealers.

What Should I Know About The Automatic Conversion Of Class B Shares?

Class B Shares of a Fund will automatically convert into Class A Shares of the same Fund at the end of the calendar quarter that is eight years after the purchase date.

If you acquire Class B Shares of a Fund by exchange from Class B Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund, your Class B Shares will convert into Class A Shares of such Fund based on the date of the initial purchase and the CDSC schedule of that purchase.

If you acquire Class B Shares through reinvestment of distributions, your Class B Shares will convert into Class A Shares based on the date of the initial purchase of the shares on which the distribution was paid.

The conversion of Class B Shares to Class A Shares will not occur at any time the Funds are advised that such conversions may constitute taxable events for federal tax purposes, which the Funds believe is unlikely. If conversions do not occur as a result of possible taxability, Class B Shares would continue to be subject to higher expenses than Class A Shares for an indeterminate period.

A COMMON QUESTION ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS C SHARES

What Is The Offering Price Of Class C Shares?

You may purchase Class C Shares of the Funds at the next determined NAV without paying an initial sales charge. However, if you redeem Class C Shares within 12 months of purchase, a CDSC of 1% will normally be deducted from the redemption proceeds; provided that in connection with purchases by Retirement Plans, where all of the Class C Shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed upon the plan sponsor or third-party administrator.

Proceeds from the CDSC are payable to the Distributor and may be used in whole or in part to defray the Distributor’s expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the Funds in connection with the sale of Class C Shares, including the payment of compensation to Authorized Dealers. An amount equal to 1% of the amount invested is normally paid by the Distributor to Authorized Dealers.

COMMON QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A, B AND C SHARES

What Else Do I Need To Know About The CDSC On Class A, B Or C Shares?

n

The CDSC is based on the lesser of the NAV of the shares at the time of redemption or the original offering price (which is the original NAV).

n

No CDSC is charged on shares acquired from reinvested dividends or capital gains distributions.

n

No CDSC is charged on the per share appreciation of your account over the initial purchase price.

n

When counting the number of months since a purchase of Class B or Class C Shares was made, all payments made during a month will be combined and considered to have been made on the first day of that month.

n

To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, the Funds will first sell any shares in your account that do not carry a CDSC and then the shares in your account that have been held the longest.

In What Situations May The CDSC On Class A, B Or C Shares Be Waived Or Reduced?

The CDSC on Class A, Class B and Class C Shares that are subject to a CDSC may be waived or reduced if the redemption relates to:

n

Retirement distributions or loans to participants or beneficiaries from Retirement Plans;

n

The death or disability (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of a participant or beneficiary in a Retirement Plan;

n

Hardship withdrawals by a participant or beneficiary in a Retirement Plan;

n

Satisfying the minimum distribution requirements of the Code;

n

Establishing “substantially equal periodic payments” as described under Section 72(t)(2) of the Code;

n

The separation from service by a participant or beneficiary in a Retirement Plan;

n

The death or disability (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code) of a shareholder if the redemption is made within one year of the event;

n

Excess contributions distributed from a Retirement Plan;

n

Distributions from a qualified Retirement Plan invested in the Goldman Sachs Funds which are being rolled over to a Goldman Sachs IRA; or

n

Redemption proceeds which are to be reinvested in accounts or non-registered products over which GSAM or its advisory affiliates have investment discretion.

In addition, Class A, B and C Shares subject to a systematic withdrawal plan may be redeemed without a CDSC. The Funds reserve the right to limit such redemptions, on an annual basis, to 12% each of the value of your Class B and C Shares and 10% of the value of your Class A Shares.

How Do I Decide Whether To Buy Class A, B Or C Shares?

The decision as to which Class to purchase depends on the amount you invest, the intended length of the investment and your personal situation.

n

Class A Shares. If you are making an investment of $50,000 or more that qualifies for a reduced sales charge, you should consider purchasing Class A Shares.

n

Class B Shares. If you plan to hold your investment for at least six years and would prefer not to pay an initial sales charge, you might consider purchasing Class B Shares. By not paying a front-end sales charge, your entire investment in Class B Shares is available to work for you from the time you make your initial investment. However, the distribution and service fee paid by Class B Shares will cause your Class B Shares (until conversion to Class A Shares) to have a higher expense ratio, and thus lower performance and lower dividend payments (to the extent dividends are paid) than Class A Shares. A maximum purchase limitation of $250,000 in the aggregate normally applies to Class B Shares. Individual purchases exceeding $250,000 will be rejected.

n

Class C Shares. If you are unsure of the length of your investment or plan to hold your investment for less than six years and would prefer not to pay an initial sales charge, you may prefer Class C Shares. By not paying a front-end sales charge, your entire investment in Class C Shares is available to work for you from the time you make your initial investment. However, the distribution and service fee paid by Class C Shares will cause your Class C Shares to have a higher expense ratio, and thus lower performance and lower dividend payments (to the extent dividends are paid) than Class A Shares (or Class B Shares after conversion to Class A Shares).

Although Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC for only 12 months, Class C Shares do not have the automatic eight year conversion feature applicable to Class B Shares and your investment may pay higher distribution fees indefinitely.

A maximum purchase limitation of $1,000,000 in the aggregate normally applies to purchases of Class C Shares. Individual purchases exceeding $1,000,000 will be rejected.

Note: Authorized Dealers may receive different compensation for selling Class A, Class B or Class C Shares.

In addition to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, each Fund also offers other classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are subject to different fees and expenses (which affect performance), have different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services. Information regarding these other share classes may be obtained from your sales representative or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.

HOW TO SELL SHARES

How Can I Sell Class A, Class B And Class C Shares Of The Funds?

You may arrange to take money out of your account by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. Each Fund will redeem its shares upon request on any business day at the NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper form, subject to any applicable CDSC. You may request that redemption proceeds be sent to you by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record). Redemptions may be requested in writing or by telephone.

Instructions For Redemptions:
By Writing:		n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
		n  Your name(s) and signature(s)
		n  Your account number
		n  The Fund name and Class of Shares
		n  The dollar amount you want to sell
		n  How and where to send the proceeds
		n  Obtain a signature guarantee (see details below)
		n  Mail your request to: Goldman Sachs Funds c/o NFDS P.O. Box 219711 Kansas City, MO 64121-9711
By Telephone:		If you have not declined the telephone redemption privilege on your Account Application:
		n  1-800-526-7384 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)
		n  You may redeem up to $50,000 of your shares within any 7 calendar day period
		n  Proceeds which are sent directly to a Goldman Sachs brokerage account are not subject to the $50,000 limit

When Do I Need A Signature Guarantee To Redeem Shares?

A signature guarantee is required if:

n

You are requesting in writing to redeem shares in an amount over $50,000;

n

You would like the redemption proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record; or

n

You would like to change the bank designated on your Account Application.

A signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank, brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise approved by Goldman Sachs. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be required for executors, trustees or corporations or when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent.

What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?

The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. The Trust may accept telephone redemption instructions from any person identifying himself or herself as the owner of an account or the owner’s registered representative where the owner has not declined in writing to use this service. Thus, you risk possible losses if a telephone redemption is not authorized by you.

In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs and NFDS each employ reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The following general policies are currently in effect:

n

All telephone requests are recorded.

n

Proceeds of telephone redemption requests will be sent only to your address of record or authorized bank account designated in the Account Application (unless you provide written instructions and a signature guarantee, indicating another address or account) and exchanges of shares normally will be made only to an identically registered account.

n

Telephone redemptions will not be accepted during the 30-day period following any change in your address of record.

n

The telephone redemption option does not apply to shares held in a “street name” account. “Street name” accounts are accounts maintained and serviced by your Authorized Dealer. If your account is held in “street name,” you should contact your registered representative of record, who may make telephone redemptions on your behalf.

n

The telephone redemption option may be modified or terminated at any time.

Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in times of drastic economic or market conditions.

How Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?

By Wire: You may arrange for your redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the bank account designated in your Account Application. The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:

n

Redemption proceeds will normally be wired on the next business day in federal funds (for a total of one business day delay), but may be paid up to three business days following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer redemption request. If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days. If th e

Federal Reserve Bank is closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed one additional business day.

n

A transaction fee of $7.50 may be charged for payments of redemption proceeds by wire. Your bank may also charge wiring fees. You should contact your bank directly to learn whether it charges such fees.

n

To change the bank designated on your Account Application, you must send written instructions (with your signature guaranteed) to the Transfer Agent.

n

Neither the Trust, Goldman Sachs nor any Authorized Dealer assumes any responsibility for the performance of your bank or any intermediaries in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with your bank or any such intermediaries.

By Check: You may elect to receive your redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of a properly executed redemption request. If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.

What Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?

The following generally applies to redemption requests:

n

Additional documentation may be required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A redemption request will not be in proper form until such additional documentation has been received.

The Trust reserves the right to:

n

Redeem your shares if your account balance is less than $50 as a result of a redemption. The Funds will not redeem your shares on this basis if the value of your account falls below the minimum account balance solely as a result of market conditions. The Funds will give you 60 days’ prior written notice to allow you to purchase sufficient additional shares of the Fund in order to avoid such redemption.

n

Redeem your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of Trustees to be in the best interests of the Trust.

n

Pay redemptions by a distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.

n

Reinvest any dividends or other distributions which you have elected to receive in cash should your check for such dividends or other distributions be returned to the Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. In addition, that distribution and all future distributions payable to you will be reinvested at NAV in additional shares of the same class of the Fund on which the distribu-

tions are paid. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

Can I Reinvest Redemption Proceeds In The Same Or Another Goldman Sachs Fund?

You may redeem shares of a Fund and reinvest a portion or all of the redemption proceeds (plus any additional amounts needed to round off purchases to the nearest full share) at NAV. To be eligible for this privilege, you must hold the shares you want to redeem for at least 30 days and you must reinvest the share proceeds within 90 days after you redeem. You may reinvest as follows:

n

Class A or B Shares—Class A Shares of the same Fund or any other Goldman Sachs Fund

n

Class C Shares—Class C Shares of the same Fund or any other Goldman Sachs Fund

n

You should obtain and read the applicable prospectuses before investing in any other Funds.

n

If you pay a CDSC upon redemption of Class A or Class C Shares and then reinvest in Class A or Class C Shares as described above, your account will be credited with the amount of the CDSC you paid. The reinvested shares will, however, continue to be subject to a CDSC. The holding period of the shares acquired through reinvestment will include the holding period of the redeemed shares for purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon a subsequent redemption. For Class B Shares, you may reinvest the redemption proceeds in Class A Shares at NAV but the amount of the CDSC paid upon redemption of the Class B Shares will not be credited to your account.

n

The reinvestment privilege may be exercised at any time in connection with transactions in which the proceeds are reinvested at NAV in a tax-sheltered retirement plan. In other cases, the reinvestment privilege may be exercised once per year upon receipt of a written request.

n

You may be subject to tax as a result of a redemption. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of a redemption and reinvestment.

Can I Exchange My Investment From One Fund To Another?

You may exchange shares of a Fund at NAV without the imposition of an initial sales charge or CDSC at the time of exchange for shares of the same class or an equivalent class of any other Goldman Sachs Fund. The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice to you.

Instructions For Exchanging Shares:
By Writing:		n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
		n  Your name(s) and signature(s)
		n  Your account number
		n  The Fund names and Class of Shares
		n  The dollar amount you want to exchange
		n  Obtain a signature guarantee (see details above)
		n  Mail the request to:
		Goldman Sachs Funds
		c/o NFDS
		P.O. Box 219711
		Kansas City, MO 64121-9711
		or for overnight delivery -
		Goldman Sachs Funds
		c/o NFDS
		330 West 9th St.
		Poindexter Bldg., 1st Floor
		Kansas City, MO 64105
By Telephone:		If you have not declined the telephone exchange privilege on your Account Application:
		n  1-800-526-7384 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

You should keep in mind the following factors when making or considering an exchange:

n

You should obtain and carefully read the prospectus of the Fund you are acquiring before making an exchange.

n

Currently, there is no charge for exchanges, although the Funds may impose a charge in the future.

n

The exchanged shares may later be exchanged for shares of the same class (or an equivalent class) of the original Fund at the next determined NAV without the imposition of an initial sales charge or CDSC if the amount in the Fund resulting from such exchanges is less than the largest amount on which you have previously paid the applicable sales charge.

n

When you exchange shares subject to a CDSC, no CDSC will be charged at that time. The exchanged shares will be subject to the CDSC of the shares originally held. For purposes of determining the amount of the applicable CDSC, the length of time you have owned the shares will be measured from the date you acquired the original shares subject to a CDSC and will not be affected by a subsequent exchange.

n

Eligible investors may exchange certain classes of shares for another class of shares of the same Fund. For further information, call Goldman Sachs Funds at 1-800-526-7384 and see the Additional Statement.

n

All exchanges which represent an initial investment in a Fund must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirements of that Fund.

n

Exchanges are available only in states where exchanges may be legally made.

n

It may be difficult to make telephone exchanges in times of drastic economic or market conditions.

n

Goldman Sachs and NFDS may use reasonable procedures described under “What Do I Need to Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?” in an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.

n

Telephone exchanges normally will be made only to an identically registered account. Shares may be exchanged among accounts with different names, addresses and social security or other taxpayer identification numbers only if the exchange instructions are in writing and accompanied by a signature guarantee.

n

Exchanges into Funds that are closed to new investors may be restricted.

For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax, followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.

Restrictions on Excessive Trading Practices. The Trust does not permit market-timing or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges should be made for long-term investment purposes only. The Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. Excessive, short-term (market-timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, harm Fund performance and negatively impact long-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be held liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) and its shareholders, the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) will exercise these rights if, in the Trust’s (or Goldman Sachs’) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) has been or may be disruptive to a Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

Can I Arrange To Have Automatic Investments Made On A Regular Basis?

You may be able to make systematic cash investments through your bank via ACH transfer or your checking account via bank draft each month. Forms for this option are available from Goldman Sachs, your Authorized Dealer or you may check the appropriate box on the Account Application.

Can My Dividends And Distributions From A Fund Be Invested In Other Funds?

You may elect to cross-reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions paid by a Fund in shares of the same class or an equivalent class of any other Goldman Sachs Fund.

n

Shares will be purchased at NAV.

n

No initial sales charge or CDSC will be imposed.

n

You may elect cross-reinvestment into an identically registered account or an account registered in a different name or with a different address, social security number or taxpayer identification number provided that the account has been properly established, appropriate signature guarantees obtained and the minimum initial investment has been satisfied.

Can I Arrange To Have Automatic Exchanges Made On A Regular Basis?

You may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of shares of a Fund for shares of the same class or an equivalent class of any other Goldman Sachs Fund.

n

Shares will be purchased at NAV.

n

No initial sales charge is imposed.

n

Shares subject to a CDSC acquired under this program may be subject to a CDSC at the time of redemption from the Fund into which the exchange is made depending upon the date and value of your original purchase.

n

Automatic exchanges are made monthly on the 15th day of each month or the first business day thereafter.

n

Minimum dollar amount: $50 per month.

What Else Should I Know About Cross-Reinvestments And Automatic Exchanges?

Cross-reinvestments and automatic exchanges are subject to the following conditions:

n

You must hold $5,000 or more in the Fund which is paying the dividend or from which the exchange is being made.

n

You must invest an amount in the Fund into which cross-reinvestments or automatic exchanges are being made that is equal to that Fund’s minimum initial investment or continue to cross-reinvest or to make automatic exchanges until such minimum initial investment is met.

n

You should obtain and read the prospectus of the Fund into which dividends are invested or automatic exchanges are made.

Can I Have Automatic Withdrawals Made On A Regular Basis?

You may draw on your account systematically via check or ACH transfer in any amount of $50 or more.

n

It is normally undesirable to maintain a systematic withdrawal plan at the same time that you are purchasing additional Class A, Class B or Class C Shares because of the sales charge imposed on your purchases of Class A Shares or the imposition of a CDSC on your redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C Shares.

n

You must have a minimum balance of $5,000 in a Fund.

n

Checks are mailed on or about the 25th day of each month.

n

Each systematic withdrawal is a redemption and therefore a taxable transaction.

n

The CDSC applicable to Class A, Class B or Class C Shares redeemed under the systematic withdrawal plan may be waived.

What Types of Reports Will I Be Sent Regarding My Investment?

You will be provided with a printed confirmation of each transaction in your account and an individual quarterly account statement. A year-to-date statement for your account will be provided upon request made to Goldman Sachs. If your account is held in “street name” you may receive your statements and confirmations on a different schedule.

You will also receive an annual shareholder report containing audited financial statements and a semi-annual shareholder report. If you have consented to the delivery of a single copy of shareholder reports, prospectuses and other information to all shareholders who share the same mailing address with your account, you may revoke your consent at any time by contacting Goldman Sachs Funds by phone at 1-800-526-7384 or by mail at Goldman Sachs Funds, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60606-6372. The Funds will begin sending individual copies to you within 30 days after receipt of your revocation.

The Funds do not generally provide sub-accounting services.

What Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Authorized Dealer?

Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries may provide varying arrangements for their clients to purchase and redeem Fund shares. They may charge additional fees not described in this Prospectus to their customers for such services.

If shares of a Fund are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to your account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Funds will have no record of your transactions, you should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about your account. The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require you to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer.

Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries may be authorized to accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such orders. In these cases:

n

A Fund will be deemed to have received an order that is in proper form when the order is accepted by an Authorized Dealer or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV per share (adjusted for any applicable sales charge) next determined after such acceptance.

n

Authorized Dealers and intermediaries are responsible for transmitting accepted orders to the Funds within the time period agreed upon by them.

You should contact your Authorized Dealer or intermediary to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.

The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay additional compensation from time to time, out of their assets and not as an additional charge to the Funds, to selected Authorized Dealers and other persons in connection with the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds. Additional compensation based on sales may, but is currently not expected to, exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount invested.

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AND FEES

What Are The Different Distribution And Service Fees Paid By Class A, B and C Shares?

The Trust has adopted distribution and service plans (each a “Plan”) under which Class A, Class B and Class C Shares bear distribution and service fees paid to Authorized Dealers and Goldman Sachs. If the fees received by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plans exceed its expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. Goldman Sachs pays the distribution and service fees on a quarterly basis.

Under the Plans, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a monthly fee from each Fund for distribution services equal, on an annual basis, to 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.75%, respectively, of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributed to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of such charges.

The distribution fees are subject to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, and may be used (among other things) for:

n

Compensation paid to and expenses incurred by Authorized Dealers, Goldman Sachs and their respective officers, employees and sales representatives;

n

Commissions paid to Authorized Dealers;

n

Allocable overhead;

n

Telephone and travel expenses;

n

Interest and other costs associated with the financing of such compensation and expenses;

n

Printing of prospectuses for prospective shareholders;

n

Preparation and distribution of sales literature or advertising of any type; and

n

All other expenses incurred in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.

In connection with the sale of Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the 0.75% distribution fee as an ongoing commission to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year.

PERSONAL ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND FEES

Under the Plans, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to receive a separate fee equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets attributed to Class A (applicable to Goldman Sachs International Equity Funds), Class B or Class C Shares. This fee is for personal and account maintenance services, and may be used to make payments to Goldman Sachs, Authorized Dealers and their officers, sales representatives and employees for responding to inquiries of, and furnishing assistance to, shareholders regarding ownership of their shares or their accounts or similar services not otherwise provided on behalf of the Funds. If the fees received by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plans exceed its expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from this arrangement.

In connection with the sale of Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the 0.25% ongoing service fee to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year.

As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Funds will be taxed. The tax information below is provided as general information. More tax information is available in the Additional Statement. You should consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in the Funds.

Unless your investment is an IRA or other tax-advantaged account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of Fund distributions and the sale of your Fund shares.

DISTRIBUTIONS

Distributions you receive from the Funds are generally subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash. For federal tax purposes, the Funds’ income dividend distributions and short-term capital gain distributions are taxable to you as ordinary income. Any long-term capital gain distributions are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares.

Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you in the year they are paid, distributions declared in October, November or December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December. A percentage of the Funds’ dividends paid to corporate shareholders may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. The Funds will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.

Each Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. In general, the Funds may deduct these taxes in computing their taxable income.

If you buy shares of a Fund before it makes a distribution, the distribution will be taxable to you even though it may actually be a return of a portion of your investment. This is known as “buying a dividend.”

SALES AND EXCHANGES

Your sale of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, and may also be subject to state and local taxes. For tax purposes, the exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different Goldman Sachs Fund is the same as a sale. When you sell your shares, you will generally recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount received. Generally, this gain or loss is long-term or short-term depending on whether your holding period exceeds twelve months, except that any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares.

OTHER INFORMATION

When you open your account, you should provide your social security or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, each Fund must withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and any redemption proceeds if you do not provide your correct taxpayer identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the IRS instructs the Fund to do so. Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax.

A.    General Portfolio Risks

The Funds will be subject to the risks associated with equity securities. “Equity securities” include common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants and stock purchase rights. In general, stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and in response to general market and economic conditions. Accordingly, the value of the stocks that a Fund holds may decline over short or extended periods. The stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when prices generally decline. The volatility of equity securities means that the value of your investment in the Funds may increase or decrease. Recently, certain stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility and, at times, have traded at or close to record high levels. There can be no guarantee that such levels will be reached or maintained in the future.

To the extent that a Fund invests in fixed-income securities, that Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk, credit risk and call/extension risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase (although many mortgage related securities will have less potential than other debt securities for capital appreciation during periods of declining rates). Conversely, when interest rates increase, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to decline. Credit risk involves the risk that an issuer or guarantor could default on its obligations, and a Fund will not recover its investment. Call risk and extension risk are normally present in mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. For example, homeowners have the option to prepay their mortgages. Therefore, the duration of a security backed by home mortgages can either shorten (call risk) or lengthen (extension risk). In general, if interest rates on new mortgage loans fall sufficiently below the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to increase. Conversely, if mortgage loan interest rates rise above the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to decrease. In either case, a change in the prepayment rate can result in losses to investors.

The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for a Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by a Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the dollar amount of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of a Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less. See “Financial Highlights” in Appendix B for a statement of the Funds’ historical portfolio turnover rates.

The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, including their associated risks. Additional information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request. Among other things, the Additional Statement describes certain fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all investment objectives, and all investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval. If there is a change in a Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether that Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of your then current financial position and needs.

B.    Other Portfolio Risks

Risks of Investing in Small Capitalization Companies. Each Fund may invest in small capitalization companies. Investments in small capitalization companies involve greater risk and portfolio price volatility than investments in larger capitalization stocks. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility of these investments are the less certain growth prospects of smaller firms and the lower degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities. Small capitalization companies may be thinly traded and may have to be sold at a discount from current market prices or in small lots over an extended period of time. In addition, these securities are subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities in these investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic or market conditions, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, a Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Small capitalization companies include “unseasoned” issuers that do not have an established financial history; often have limited product lines, markets or financial

resources; may depend on or use a few key personnel for management; and may be susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Transaction costs for these investments are often higher than those of larger capitalization companies. Investments in small capitalization companies may be more difficult to price precisely than other types of securities because of their characteristics and lower trading volumes.

Risks of Foreign Investments. The Funds may make foreign investments. Foreign investments involve special risks that are not typically associated with U.S. dollar denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and changes in exchange control regulations (e.g., currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate of the currency (i.e., weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security is quoted or denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value of the portfolio security. In addition, if the currency in which a Fund receives dividends, interest or other payments declines in value against the U.S. dollar before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders or converted to U.S. dollars, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to pay such dividends.

The introduction of a single currency, the euro, on January 1, 1999 for participating nations in the European Economic and Monetary Union has presented unique uncertainties, including the fluctuation of the euro relative to non-euro currencies during the transition period from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2001 and beyond; whether the interest rate, tax and labor regimes of European countries participating in the euro will converge over time; and whether the conversion of the currencies of other countries that now are or may in the future become members of the European Union (“EU”), may have an impact on the euro. Also, it is possible that the euro could be abandoned in the future by countries that have already adopted its use. These or other events, including political and economic developments, could cause market disruptions, and could adversely affect the value of securities held by the Funds. Because of the number of countries using this single currency, a significant portion of the assets held by the Funds may be denominated in the euro.

Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the United States. In addition, clearance and settlement procedures may be different in foreign countries and, in certain markets, such procedures have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it difficult to conduct such transactions.

Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer. In addition, there is generally less government regulation of foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the United States. Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and secu-

rities of many foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividend or interest payments (or, in some cases, capital gains distributions), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets from such countries, and risks of political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those countries.

Concentration of a Fund’s assets in one or a few countries and currencies will subject a Fund to greater risks than if a Fund’s assets were not geographically concentrated.

Investment in sovereign debt obligations by certain Funds involves risks not present in debt obligations of corporate issuers. The issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt, and a Fund may have limited recourse to compel payment in the event of a default. Periods of economic uncertainty may result in the volatility of market prices of sovereign debt, and in turn a Fund’s NAV, to a greater extent than the volatility inherent in debt obligations of U.S. issuers.

A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.

Investments in foreign securities may take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). Certain Funds may also invest in European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers. ADRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a domestic bank or a correspondent bank. Prices of ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars, and ADRs are traded in the United States. EDRs and GDRs are receipts evidencing an arrangement with a non-U.S. bank. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.

Risks of Emerging Countries. Certain Funds may invest in securities of issuers located in emerging countries. The risks of foreign investment are heightened when the issuer is located in an emerging country. Emerging countries are generally located in the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern Europe, Latin and South America and Africa. A Fund’s purchase and sale of portfolio securities in certain emerging countries may be constrained by limitations relating to daily changes in the prices of listed securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. Such limitations may be computed based on the aggregate trading volume by or holdings of a Fund, the Investment Adviser, its affiliates and their respective clients and other service providers. A Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached.

Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees which may limit investment in such countries or increase the administrative costs of such investments. For example, certain Asian countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. In addition, certain countries may restrict or prohibit investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests. Such restrictions may affect the market price, liquidity and rights of securities that may be purchased by a Fund. The repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain emerging countries is subject to restrictions such as the need for governmental consents. Due to restrictions on direct investment in equity securities in certain Asian and other countries, it is anticipated that a Fund may invest in such countries through other investment funds in such countries.

Many emerging countries have recently experienced currency devaluations and substantial (and, in some cases, extremely high) rates of inflation. Other emerging countries have experienced economic recessions. These circumstances have had a negative effect on the economies and securities markets of such emerging countries. Economies in emerging countries generally are dependent heavily upon commodity prices and international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by the economies of their trading partners, trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.

Many emerging countries are subject to a substantial degree of economic, political and social instability. Governments of some emerging countries are authoritarian in nature or have been installed or removed as a result of military coups, while

governments in other emerging countries have periodically used force to suppress civil dissent. Disparities of wealth, the pace and success of democratization, and ethnic, religious and racial disaffection, among other factors, have also led to social unrest, violence and/or labor unrest in some emerging countries. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Investing in emerging countries involves greater risk of loss due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. As an example, in the past some Eastern European governments have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and many claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that similar expropriations will not recur in Eastern Europe or other countries.

A Fund’s investment in emerging countries may also be subject to withholding or other taxes, which may be significant and may reduce the return from an investment in such countries to the Fund.

Settlement procedures in emerging countries are frequently less developed and reliable than those in the United States and often may involve a Fund’s delivery of securities before receipt of payment for their sale. In addition, significant delays are common in certain markets in registering the transfer of securities. Settlement or registration problems may make it more difficult for a Fund to value its portfolio securities and could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, to have a portion of its assets uninvested or to incur losses due to the failure of a counterparty to pay for securities the Fund has delivered or the Fund’s inability to complete its contractual obligations because of theft or other reasons. The creditworthiness of the local securities firms used by the Fund in emerging countries may not be as sound as the creditworthiness of firms used in more developed countries. As a result, the Fund may be subject to a greater risk of loss if a securities firm defaults in the performance of its responsibilities.

The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain emerging countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in those countries may make a Fund’s investments in such countries less liquid and more volatile than investments in countries with more developed securities markets (such as the United States, Japan and most Western European countries). A Fund’s investments in emerging countries are subject to the risk that the liquidity of a particular investment, or investments generally, in such countries will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political conditions or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, a Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Invest ments in emerging countries may be more difficult to price precisely because of the characteristics discussed above and lower trading volumes.

A Fund’s use of foreign currency management techniques in emerging countries may be limited. Due to the limited market for these instruments in emerging countries, the Investment Adviser does not currently anticipate that a significant portion of the Funds’ currency exposure in emerging countries, if any, will be covered by such instruments.

Risks of Derivative Investments. A Fund’s transactions, if any, in options, futures, options on futures, swaps, interest rate caps, floors and collars, structured securities and currency transactions involve additional risk of loss. Loss can result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged, the potential illiquidity of the markets for derivative instruments, or the risks arising from margin requirements and related leverage factors associated with such transactions. The use of these management techniques also involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices. Each Fund may also invest in derivative investments for non-hedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total return). Investing for non-hedging purposes is considered a speculative practice and presents even greater risk of loss.

Risks of Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities which cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include:

n

Both domestic and foreign securities that are not readily marketable

n

Certain stripped mortgage-backed securities

n

Repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days

n

Certain over-the-counter options

n

Certain structured securities and all swap transactions

n

Certain restricted securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (“144A Securities”) and, therefore, is liquid.

Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of a Fund’s portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.

Credit Risks. Debt securities purchased by the Funds may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises), foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.

Debt securities rated BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s or Baa or higher by Moody’s are considered “investment grade.” Securities rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capacity to pay interest and repay principal. A security will be deemed to have met a rating requirement if it receives the minimum required rating from at least one such rating organization even though it has been rated below the minimum rating by one or more other rating organizations, or if unrated by such rating organizations, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality.

Certain Funds may invest in fixed-income securities rated BB or Ba or below (or comparable unrated securities) which are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” Junk bonds are considered predominantly speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments.

In some cases, junk bonds may be highly speculative, have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing and be in default. As a result, investment in such bonds will present greater speculative risks than those associated with investment in investment grade bonds. Also, to the extent that the rating assigned to a security in a Fund’s portfolio is downgraded by a rating organization, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.

Risks of Initial Public Offerings. The Funds may invest in IPOs. An IPO is a company’s first offering of stock to the public. IPO risk is the risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When a Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance. Because of the price volatility of IPO shares, a Fund may choose to hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling IPO shares, the Fund may realize taxable gains it will subse-

quently distribute to shareholders. In addition, the market for IPO shares can be speculative and/or inactive for extended periods of time. There is no assurance that a Fund will be able to obtain allocable portions of IPO shares. The limited number of shares available for trading in some IPOs may make it more difficult for a Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. Investors in IPO shares can be affected by substantial dilution in the value of their shares, by sales of additional shares and by concentration of control in existing management and principal shareholders .

Temporary Investment Risks. Each Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest a certain percentage of its total assets in:

n

U.S. government securities

n

Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s or P-2 by Moody’s

n

Certificates of deposit

n

Bankers’ acceptances

n

Repurchase agreements

n

Non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year

When a Fund’s assets are invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.

C.    Portfolio Securities and Techniques

This section provides further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, including their associated risks. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.

Convertible Securities. Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are preferred stock or debt obligations that are convertible into common stock. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible securities in which a Fund invests are subject to the same rating criteria as its other investments in fixed-income securities. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed-income risk characteristics. Like all fixed-income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed-income security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock.

Foreign Currency Transactions. A Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase or sell foreign currencies on a cash basis or through forward contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. A Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, certain Funds may also enter into such transactions to seek to increase total return, which is considered a speculative practice.

Some Funds may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in a currency different from that in which the hedged security is denominated or quoted. A Fund may hold foreign currency received in connection with investments in foreign securities when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, it would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars at a later date (e.g., the Investment Adviser may anticipate the foreign currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar).

Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing, along with other factors, a Fund’s NAV to fluctuate (when the Fund’s NAV fluctuates, the value of your shares may go up or down). Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.

The market in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps and other privately negotiated currency instruments offers less protection against defaults by the other party to such instruments than is available for currency instruments traded on an exchange. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on its obligations. Since these contracts are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on a contract would deprive a Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or could force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price.

Structured Securities. Each Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are securities whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rates or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured securities may present a greater degree of market risk than other types of fixed-income securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.

REITs. Each Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either real estate or real estate related loans. The value of a REIT is affected by changes in the value of the properties owned by the REIT or securing mortgage loans held by the REIT. REITs are dependent upon the ability of the REITs’ managers, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and the qualification of the REITs under applicable regulatory requirements for favorable income tax treatment. REITs are also subject to risks generally associated with investments in real estate including possible declines in the value of real estate, general and local economic conditions, environmental problems and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying a REIT are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, these risks may be heightened. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.

Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Foreign Currencies. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument during the option period. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument during the option period. Each Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which they may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which they may invest. A Fund may also, to the extent that it invests in foreign securities, purchase and sell (write) put and call options on foreign currencies.

The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment risks. Options may be used for either hedging or cross-hedging purposes, or to seek to increase total return (which is considered a speculative activity). The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Invest ment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in market prices or determination of the correlation between the instruments or indices on which options are written and purchased and the instruments in a Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase a Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Funds may be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. Foreign and over-the-counter options will present greater possibility of loss because of their greater illiquidity and credit risks.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument or currency at a future time at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (and the writer of the option the obligation) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price within a specified period of time. A futures contract may be based on various securities (such as U.S. government securities), foreign currencies, securities indices and other financial instruments and indices. The Funds may engage in futures transactions on both U.S. and foreign exchanges.

Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts, in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent a Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage their term structures, sector selection and durations in accordance with their investment objectives and policies. Each Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. A Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions for bona fide hedging purposes as defined in regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or to seek to increase total return to the extent permitted by such regulations. A Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts or purchase or sell related options to seek to increase total return, except for closing purchase or sale transactions, if immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits and premiums paid on the Fund’s outstanding positions in futures and related options entered into for the purpose of seeking to increase total return would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s net assets.

Futures contracts and related options present the following risks:

n

While a Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.

n

Because perfect correlation between a futures position and portfolio position that is intended to be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection may not be obtained and a Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.

n

The loss incurred by a Fund in entering into futures contracts and in writing call options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.

n

Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of a Fund’s NAV.

n

As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund.

n

Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.

n

Foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges.

Equity Swaps. Each Fund may invest in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to a swap agreement to exchange the dividend income or other components of return on an equity investment (for example, a group of equity securities or an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or equity investment.

An equity swap may be used by a Fund to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impractical. Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict the potential relative fluctuation of the components swapped with another party, a Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The value of some components of an equity swap (such as the dividends on a common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore, a Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, a Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.

When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. Each Fund may purchase when-issued securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized, but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. A forward commitment involves the entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period.

The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines before the settlement date. Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may increase before the settlement date. Although a Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, a Fund may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate.

Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with dealers in U.S. government securities and member banks of the Federal Reserve System which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation.

If the other party or “seller” defaults, a Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Fund’s costs associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of the seller, a Fund could suffer additional losses if a court determines that the Fund’s interest in the collateral is not enforceable.

In evaluating whether to enter into a repurchase agreement, the Investment Adviser will carefully consider the creditworthiness of the seller. Certain Funds, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.

Lending of Portfolio Securities. Each Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by a Fund to financial institutions such as certain broker-dealers. The borrowers are required to secure their loan continuously with cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or letters of credit in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral may be invested in cash equivalents. To the extent that cash collateral is invested in other investment securities, such collateral will be subject to market depreciation or appreciation, and a Fund will be responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrowers’ collateral. If the Investment Adviser determines to make securities loans, the value of the securities loaned may not exceed 33 1 /3% of the value of the total assets of a Fund (including the loan collateral).

A Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. A Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund.

Short Sales Against-the-Box. Certain Funds may make short sales against-the-box. A short sale against-the-box means that at all times when a short position is open the Fund will own an equal amount of securities sold short, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, without payment of any further consideration, an equal amount of the securities of the same issuer as the securities sold short.

Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. Each Fund may invest in preferred stock, warrants and rights. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock.

Warrants and other rights are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price at any time during the life of the warrant or right. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

Other Investment Companies. Each Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares  SM , as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Act. These limitations include a prohibition on any Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all investment companies. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies. Exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares  SM are shares of unaffiliated investment companies which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ® National Market System.

n

Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™. The Funds may, consistent with their investment policies, purchase Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™ (“SPDRs”). SPDRs are securities traded on the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) that represent ownership in the SPDR Trust, a trust which has been established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and dividend yield of the S&P 500®. The SPDR Trust is sponsored by a subsidiary of the AMEX. SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling

of cash flows or trading, or reducing transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price action of the S&P 500®.

n

iShares  SM (formerly World Equity Benchmark Shares or WEBs). iShares are shares of an investment company that invests substantially all of its assets in securities included in the MSCI indices for specified countries. iShares are listed on the AMEX and were initially offered to the public in 1996. The market prices of iShares are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iShares on the AMEX. To date, iShares have traded at relatively modest discounts and premiums to their NAVs. However, iShares have a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iShares for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the AMEX necessary to maintain the listing of iShares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iShares should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of a Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, a Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iShares as part of its investment strategy.

Unseasoned Companies. Each Fund may invest in companies (including predecessors) which have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.

Corporate Debt Obligations. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal, and include securities issued by banks and other financial institutions. Each Fund may invest in corporate debt obligations issued by U.S. and certain non-U.S. issuers which issue securities denominated in the U.S. dollar (including Yankee and Euro obligations). In addition to obligations of corporations, corporate debt obligations include securities issued by banks and other financial institutions and supranational entities (i.e., the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc.).

Bank Obligations. Each Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitations, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulations. Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.

U.S. Government Securities. Each Fund may invest in U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. government securities may be supported by (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”)); (b) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (such as securities of the Student Loan Marketing Association); (c) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer; or (d) only the credit of the issuer. U.S. government securities also include Treasury receipts, zero coupon bonds and other stripped U.S. government securities, where the interest and principal components of stripped U.S. government securities are traded independently.

Custodial Receipts. Interests in U.S. government securities may be purchased in the form of custodial receipts that evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on certain notes or bonds issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities, political subdivisions or authorities. For certain securities law purposes, custodial receipts are not considered obligations of the U.S. government.

Mortgage-Backed Securities. Certain Funds may invest in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in, or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. Mortgage-backed securities can be backed by either fixed rate mortgage loans or adjustable rate mortgage loans, and may be issued by either a governmental or non-governmental entity. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are normally structured with one or more types of “credit enhancement.” However, these mortgage-backed securities typically do not have the same credit standing as U.S. government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.

Mortgage-backed securities may include multiple class securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”) pass-through or participation certificates. CMOs provide an investor with a specified interest in the cash flow from a pool of underlying mortgages or of other mortgage-backed securities. CMOs are issued in multiple classes. In many cases, payments of principal are applied to the CMO classes in the order of their respective stated maturities, so that no principal payments will be made on a CMO class until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity date are paid in full. A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment and invests in certain mortgages principally secured by interests in real property and other permitted investments.

Mortgaged-backed securities also include stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), which are derivative multiple class mortgage-backed securities. SMBS are usually structured with two different classes: one that receives substantially all of the interest payments and the other that receives substantially all of the principal payments from a pool of mortgage loans. The market value of SMBS consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on SMBS that receive all or most of the interest from mortgage loans are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.

Asset-Backed Securities. Certain Funds may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are securities whose principal and interest payments are collateralized by pools of assets such as auto loans, credit card receivables, leases, installment contracts and personal property. Asset-backed securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, a Fund’s ability to maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. This is because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the securities. In the event of a default, a Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.

Borrowings. Each Fund can borrow money from banks and other financial institutions in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes. A Fund may not make additional investments if borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand a Fund’s financial performance for the past five years (or less if the Fund has been in operation for less than five 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 a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information for the periods ended August 31, 2000 has been audited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, is included in the Funds’ annual reports (available upon request without charge). The information for all periods prior to the periods ended August 31, 2000, has been audited by the Funds’ previous independent accountants.

CORE INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

				Income from investment operations
		Net asset value, beginning of period		Net investment income (loss)			Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		$10.87		$    0.02	c		$ 0.74
2000 - Class B Shares		10.81		(0.04	) c		0.73
2000 - Class C Shares		10.82		(0.03	) c		0.72
2000 - Institutional Shares		11.00		0.09	c		0.75
2000 - Service Shares		10.93		0.05	c		0.73
For the Seven-month Period Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		9.98		0.05			0.84
1999 - Class B Shares		9.95		0.01			0.85
1999 - Class C Shares		9.96		0.01			0.85
1999 - Institutional Shares		10.06		0.09			0.85
1999 - Service Shares		10.02		0.01			0.90
For the Year Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		9.22		(0.01	)		0.79
1999 - Class B Shares		9.21		—			0.74
1999 - Class C Shares		9.22		—			0.74
1999 - Institutional Shares		9.24		0.05			0.80
1999 - Service Shares		9.23		—			0.81
For the Period Ended January 31,
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		10.00		—			(0.78	)
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		10.00		(0.02	)		(0.77	)
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		10.00		(0.02	)		(0.76	)
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		10.00		0.02			(0.76	)
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		10.00		0.01			(0.78	)

			Distributions to shareholders
Total from investment operations			From net investment income			From net realized gains			Total distributions			Net asset value, end of period		Total returna			Net assets at end of period (in 000s)		Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
$ 0.76			$(0.05	)		$(0.26	)		$(0.31	)		$11.32		6.92	%		$147,409		1.66	%
0.69			(0.02	)		(0.26	)		(0.28	)		11.22		6.36			12,032		2.16
0.69			(0.02	)		(0.26	)		(0.28	)		11.23		6.34			6,887		2.16
0.84			(0.10	)		(0.26	)		(0.36	)		11.48		7.62			308,074		1.01
0.78			(0.09	)		(0.26	)		(0.35	)		11.36		7.05			27		1.51
0.89			—			—			—			10.87		8.92			114,502		1.66	b
0.86			—			—			—			10.81		8.64			9,171		2.16	b
0.86			—			—			—			10.82		8.63			4,913		2.16	b
0.94			—			—			—			11.00		9.34			271,212		1.01	b
0.91			—			—			—			10.93		9.08			8		1.51	b
0.78			(0.02	)		—			(0.02	)		9.98		8.37			110,338		1.63
0.74			—			—			—			9.95		8.03			7,401		2.08
0.74			—			—			—			9.96		8.03			3,742		2.08
0.85			(0.03	)		—			(0.03	)		10.06		9.20			280,731		1.01
0.81			(0.02	)		—			(0.02	)		10.02		8.74			22		1.50
(0.78	)		—			—			—			9.22		(7.66	)		7,087		1.50	b
(0.79	)		—			—			—			9.21		(7.90	)		2,721		2.00	b
(0.78	)		—			—			—			9.22		(7.80	)		1,608		2.00	b
(0.74	)		(0.02	)		—			(0.02	)		9.24		(7.45	)		17,719		1.00	b
(0.77	)		—			—			—			9.23		(7.70	)		1		1.50	b

CORE INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND (continued)

					Ratios assuming no expense reductions
		Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets			Ratio of expenses to average net assets			Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets			Portfolio turnover rate
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		0.14	%		1.75	%		0.05	%		92.10	%
2000 - Class B Shares		(0.36	)		2.25			(0.45	)		92.10
2000 - Class C Shares		(0.34	)		2.25			(0.43	)		92.10
2000 - Institutional Shares		0.78			1.10			0.69			92.10
2000 - Service Shares		0.33			1.60			0.24			92.10
For the Seven-month Period Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		0.78	b		1.76	b		0.68	b		64.97
1999 - Class B Shares		0.26	b		2.26	b		0.16	b		64.97
1999 - Class C Shares		0.23	b		2.26	b		0.13	b		64.97
1999 - Institutional Shares		1.43	b		1.11	b		1.33	b		64.97
1999 - Service Shares		0.07	b		1.61	b		(0.03	) b		64.97
For the Year Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		(0.11	)		1.94			(0.42	)		194.61
1999 - Class B Shares		(0.03	)		2.39			(0.34	)		194.61
1999 - Class C Shares		(0.04	)		2.39			(0.35	)		194.61
1999 - Institutional Shares		0.84			1.32			0.53			194.61
1999 - Service Shares		0.02			1.81			(0.29	)		194.61
For the Period Ended January 31,
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		(0.27	) b		4.87	b		(3.90	) b		25.16
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		(0.72	) b		5.12	b		(3.84	) b		25.16
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		(0.73	) b		5.12	b		(3.85	) b		25.16
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		0.59	b		4.12	b		(2.53	) b		25.16
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		0.26	b		4.62	b		(2.86	) b		25.16

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

				Income from investment operations
		Net asset value, beginning of period		Net investment income (loss)			Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)			Total from investment operations
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		$23.12		$(0.03	) c		$3.41			$3.38
2000 - Class B Shares		22.73		(0.16	) c		3.38			3.22
2000 - Class C Shares		22.54		(0.14	) c		3.35			3.21
2000 - Institutional Shares		23.49		0.14	c		3.46			3.60
2000 - Service Shares		23.14		(0.01	) c		3.45			3.44
For the Seven Months Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		21.92		0.04			1.16			1.20
1999 - Class B Shares		21.63		(0.02	)		1.12			1.10
1999 - Class C Shares		21.45		(0.03	)		1.12			1.09
1999 - Institutional Shares		22.20		0.12	c		1.17	c		1.29
1999 - Service Shares		21.93		0.06			1.15			1.21
For the Years Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		19.85		(0.06	)		3.24			3.18
1999 - Class B Shares		19.70		(0.17	)		3.21			3.04
1999 - Class C Shares		19.56		(0.15	)		3.15			3.00
1999 - Institutional Shares		19.97		0.03			3.31			3.34
1999 - Service Shares		19.84		(0.04	)		3.24			3.20
1998 - Class A Shares		19.32		0.03			2.04			2.07
1998 - Class B Shares		19.24		(0.08	)		2.02			1.94
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		22.60		(0.04	)		(1.38	)		(1.42	)
1998 - Institutional Shares		19.40		0.10			2.11			2.21
1998 - Service Shares		19.34		0.02			2.06			2.08
1997 - Class A Shares		17.20		0.10			2.23			2.33
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)		18.91		(0.06	)		0.60			0.54
1997 - Institutional Shares (commenced February 7, 1996)		17.45		0.04			2.15			2.19
1997 - Service Shares (commenced March 6, 1996)		17.70		(0.02	)		1.87			1.85
1996 - Class A Shares		14.52		0.13			4.00			4.13

Distributions to shareholders
From net investment income			In excess of net investment income			From net realized gains			Total distributions			Net asset value, end of period		Total returna			Net assets at end of period (in 000s)		Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
$(0.10	)		$(0.24)			$(2.57	)		$(2.91	)		$23.59		14.68	%		$1,343,869		1.79	%
(0.07	)		(0.17)			(2.57	)		(2.81	)		23.14		14.20			80,274		2.29
(0.09	)		(0.20)			(2.57	)		(2.86	)		22.89		14.28			22,031		2.29
(0.14	)		(0.32)			(2.57	)		(3.03	)		24.06		15.45			325,161		1.14
(0.11	)		(0.25)			(2.57	)		(2.93	)		23.65		15.00			3,789		1.64
—			—			—			—			23.12		5.47			943,473		1.79	b
—			—			—			—			22.73		5.09			68,691		2.29	b
—			—			—			—			22.54		5.08			11,241		2.29	b
—			—			—			—			23.49		5.81			180,564		1.14	b
—			—			—			—			23.14		5.52			3,852		1.64	b
—			—			(1.11	)		(1.11	)		21.92		16.39			947,973		1.73
—			—			(1.11	)		(1.11	)		21.63		15.80			69,231		2.24
—			—			(1.11	)		(1.11	)		21.45		15.70			11,619		2.24
—			—			(1.11	)		(1.11	)		22.20		17.09			111,315		1.13
—			—			(1.11	)		(1.11	)		21.93		16.49			3,568		1.63
—			(0.30	)		(1.24	)		(1.54	)		19.85		11.12			697,590		1.67
—			(0.25	)		(1.23	)		(1.48	)		19.70		10.51			55,324		2.20
—			(0.38	)		(1.24	)		(1.62	)		19.56		(5.92	)		3,369		2.27	b
(0.07	)		(0.33	)		(1.24	)		(1.64	)		19.97		11.82			56,263		1.08
—			(0.35	)		(1.23	)		(1.58	)		19.84		11.25			3,035		1.55
—			—			(0.21	)		(0.21	)		19.32		13.48			536,283		1.69
—			—			(0.21	)		(0.21	)		19.24		2.83			19,198		2.23	b
(0.03	)		—			(0.21	)		(0.24	)		19.40		12.53			68,374		1.10	b
—			—			(0.21	)		(0.21	)		19.34		10.42			674		1.60	b
(0.58	)		—			(0.87	)		(1.45	)		17.20		28.68			330,860		1.52

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND (continued)

					Ratios assuming no expense reductions
		Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets			Ratio of expenses to average net assets			Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets			Portfolio turnover rate
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		(0.12	)%		1.84	%		(0.17	)%		79.79	%
2000 - Class B Shares		(0.65	)		2.34			(0.70	)		79.79
2000 - Class C Shares		(0.59	)		2.34			(0.64	)		79.79
2000 - Institutional Shares		0.54			1.19			0.49			79.79
2000 - Service Shares		(0.02	)		1.69			(0.07	)		79.79
For the Seven Months Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		0.31	b		1.84	b		0.26	b		61.10
1999 - Class B Shares		(0.19	) b		2.34	b		(0.24	) b		61.10
1999 - Class C Shares		(0.26	) b		2.34	b		(0.31	) b		61.10
1999 - Institutional Shares		0.89	b		1.19	b		0.84	b		61.10
1999 - Service Shares		0.47	b		1.69	b		0.42	b		61.10
For the Years Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		(0.28	)		1.82			(0.37	)		113.79
1999 - Class B Shares		(0.79	)		2.32			(0.87	)		113.79
1999 - Class C Shares		(0.98	)		2.32			(1.06	)		113.79
1999 - Institutional Shares		0.23			1.21			0.15			113.79
1999 - Service Shares		(0.18	)		1.71			(0.26	)		113.79
1998 - Class A Shares		(0.27	)		1.80			(0.40	)		40.82
1998 - Class B Shares		(0.90	)		2.30			(1.00	)		40.82
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		(1.43	) b		2.37	b		(1.53	) b		40.82
1998 - Institutional Shares		0.30			1.18			0.20			40.82
1998 - Service Shares		(0.36	)		1.65			(0.46	)		40.82
1997 - Class A Shares		(0.07	)		1.88			(0.26	)		38.01
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)		(0.97	) b		2.38	b		(1.12	) b		38.01
1997 - Institutional Shares (commenced February 7, 1996)		0.43	b		1.25	b		0.28	b		38.01
1997 - Service Shares (commenced March 6, 1996)		(0.40	) b		1.75	b		(0.55	) b		38.01
1996 - Class A Shares		0.26			1.77			0.01			68.48

EUROPEAN EQUITY FUND

				Income from investment operations
		Net asset value, beginning of period		Net investment income (loss)			Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		$11.75		$    —	c		$  2.78
2000 - Class B Shares		11.71		(0.04	) c		2.73
2000 - Class C Shares		11.72		(0.04	) c		2.75
2000 - Institutional Shares		11.82		0.10	c		2.79
2000 - Service Shares		11.76		0.01	c		2.80
For the Seven Months Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		12.20		0.05			(0.50	)
1999 - Class B Shares		12.19		0.03			(0.51	)
1999 - Class C Shares		12.20		0.04			(0.52	)
1999 - Institutional Shares		12.23		0.18			(0.59	)
1999 - Service Shares		12.20		0.08			(0.52	)
For the Period Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced October 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.03	)		2.23
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced October 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.02	)		2.21
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced October 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.01	)		2.21
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced October 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.01	)		2.24
1999 - Service Shares (commenced October 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.03	)		2.23

			Distributions to shareholders
Total from investment operations			From net realized gains			Total distributions			Net asset value, end of period		Total returna			Net assets at end of period (in 000s)		Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
$  2.78			$(0.71	)		$(0.71	)		$13.82		24.04	%		$139,966		1.79	%
2.69			(0.71	)		(0.71	)		13.69		23.32			4,538		2.29
2.71			(0.71	)		(0.71	)		13.72		23.48			1,482		2.29
2.89			(0.71	)		(0.71	)		14.00		24.85			14,630		1.14
2.81			(0.71	)		(0.71	)		13.86		24.28			2		1.64
(0.45	)		—			—			11.75		(3.69	)		74,862		1.79	b
(0.48	)		—			—			11.71		(3.94	)		879		2.29	b
(0.48	)		—			—			11.72		(3.93	)		388		2.29	b
(0.41	)		—			—			11.82		(3.35	)		5,965		1.14	b
(0.44	)		—			—			11.76		(3.61	)		2		1.64	b
2.20			—			—			12.20		22.00			61,151		1.79	b
2.19			—			—			12.19		21.90			432		2.29	b
2.20			—			—			12.20		22.00			587		2.29	b
2.23			—			—			12.23		22.30			12,740		1.14	b
2.20			—			—			12.20		22.00			2		1.64	b

EUROPEAN EQUITY FUND (continued)

					Ratios assuming no expense reductions
		Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets			Ratio of expenses to average net assets			Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets			Portfolio turnover rate
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		0.02	%		2.17	%		(0.36	)%		98.10	%
2000 - Class B Shares		(0.27	)		2.67			(0.65	)		98.10
2000 - Class C Shares		(0.26	)		2.67			(0.64	)		98.10
2000 - Institutional Shares		0.70			1.52			0.32			98.10
2000 - Service Shares		0.09			2.02			(0.29	)		98.10
For the Seven Months Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		0.80	b		2.29	b		0.30	b		54.98
1999 - Class B Shares		0.43	b		2.79	b		(0.07	) b		54.98
1999 - Class C Shares		0.42	b		2.79	b		(0.08	) b		54.98
1999 - Institutional Shares		1.53	b		1.64	b		1.03	b		54.98
1999 - Service Shares		1.10	b		2.14	b		0.60	b		54.98
For the Period Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced October 1, 1998)		(1.19	) b		2.80	b		(2.20	) b		70.77
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced October 1, 1998)		(1.78	) b		3.30	b		(2.79	) b		70.77
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced October 1, 1998)		(1.83	) b		3.30	b		(2.84	) b		70.77
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced October 1, 1998)		(0.33	) b		2.15	b		(1.34	) b		70.77
1999 - Service Shares (commenced October 1, 1998)		(0.69	) b		2.65	b		(1.70	) b		70.77

JAPANESE EQUITY FUND

				Income from investment operations
		Net asset value, beginning of period		Net investment loss			Net realized and unrealized gains		Total from investment operations
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		$16.24		$(0.20	) c		$1.67		$1.47
2000 - Class B Shares		16.14		(0.28	) c		1.68		1.40
2000 - Class C Shares		16.16		(0.28	) c		1.64		1.36
2000 - Institutional Shares		16.36		(0.09	) c		1.67		1.58
2000 - Service Shares		16.22		(0.16	) c		1.65		1.49
For the Seven Months Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		11.06		(0.06	)		5.24		5.18
1999 - Class B Shares		11.03		(0.09	)		5.20		5.11
1999 - Class C Shares		11.04		(0.08	)		5.20		5.12
1999 - Institutional Shares		11.10		(0.03	)		5.29		5.26
1999 - Service Shares		11.04		(0.06	)		5.24		5.18
For the Period Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.06	)		1.12		1.06
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.08	)		1.11		1.03
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.09	)		1.13		1.04
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.02	)		1.13		1.11
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.05	)		1.09		1.04

Distributions to shareholders
From net investment income			In excess of net investment income			From net realized gains			Total distributions			Net asset value, end of period		Total returnb			Net assets at end of period (in 000s)		Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
$    —			$(0.21	)		$(1.73	)		$(1.94	)		$15.77		8.47	%		$69,741		1.74	%
—			(0.18	)		(1.73	)		(1.91	)		15.63		8.12			5,783		2.24
—			(0.21	)		(1.73	)		(1.94	)		15.58		7.82			4,248		2.24
—			(0.25	)		(1.73	)		(1.98	)		15.96		9.14			27,768		1.09
—			(0.15	)		(1.73	)		(1.88	)		15.83		8.65			3		1.59
—			—			—			—			16.24		46.84			34,279		1.70	b
—			—			—			—			16.14		46.33			4,219		2.20	b
—			—			—			—			16.16		46.41			3,584		2.20	b
—			—			—			—			16.36		47.40			22,709		1.05	b
—			—			—			—			16.22		46.92			3		1.55	b
—			—			—			—			11.06		10.60			8,391		1.64	b
—			—			—			—			11.03		10.30			1,427		2.15	b
—			—			—			—			11.04		10.40			284		2.15	b
(0.01	)		—			—			(0.01	)		11.10		11.06			11,418		1.03	b
—			—			—			—			11.04		10.43			2		1.53	b

JAPANESE EQUITY FUND (continued)

					Ratios assuming no expense reductions
		Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets			Ratio of expenses to average net assets			Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets			Portfolio turnover rate
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		(1.20	)%		2.10	%		(1.56	)%		60.76	%
2000 - Class B Shares		(1.67	)		2.60			(2.03	)		60.76
2000 - Class C Shares		(1.66	)		2.60			(2.02	)		60.76
2000 - Institutional Shares		(0.53	)		1.45			(0.89	)		60.76
2000 - Service Shares		(0.94	)		1.95			(1.30	)		60.76
For the Seven Months Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		(1.17	) b		2.62	b		(2.09	) b		44.83
1999 - Class B Shares		(1.57	) b		3.12	b		(2.49	) b		44.83
1999 - Class C Shares		(1.81	) b		3.12	b		(2.73	) b		44.83
1999 - Institutional Shares		(0.37	) b		1.97	b		(1.29	) b		44.83
1999 - Service Shares		(0.74	) b		2.47	b		(1.66	) b		44.83
For the Period Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		(1.20	) b		4.18	b		(3.74	) b		53.29
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		(1.76	) b		4.69	b		(4.30	) b		53.29
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		(1.69	) b		4.69	b		(4.23	) b		53.29
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		(0.36	) b		3.57	b		(2.90	) b		53.29
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		(0.68	) b		4.07	b		(3.22	) b		53.29

INTERNATIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

(formerly International Small Cap Fund)

				Income from investment operations
		Net asset value, beginning of period		Net investment loss			Net realized and unrealized gain		Total from investment operations
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares                                                                                                                ;		$13.24		$(0.12	) c		$3.52		$3.40
2000 - Class B Shares		13.19		(0.18	) c		3.49		3.31
2000 - Class C Shares		13.19		(0.19	) c		3.49		3.30
2000 - Institutional Shares		13.35		(0.03	) c		3.57		3.54
2000 - Service Shares		13.24		(0.10	) c		3.54		3.44
For the Seven-month Period Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		10.62		(0.03	)		2.65		2.62
1999 - Class B Shares		10.61		(0.08	) c		2.66		2.58
1999 - Class C Shares		10.61		(0.08	) c		2.66		2.58
1999 - Institutional Shares		10.66		—			2.69		2.69
1999 - Service Shares		10.61		(0.02	)		2.65		2.63
For the Period Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.04	)		0.66		0.62
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.10	)		0.71		0.61
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.06	)		0.67		0.61
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		10.00		—			0.67		0.67
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		10.00		(0.02	)		0.63		0.61

Distributions to shareholders
In excess of net investment income			From net realized gains			Total distributions			Net asset value, end of period		Total returna			Net assets at end of period (in 000s)		Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
$    —			$(0.52	)		$(0.52	)		$16.12		26.26	%		$327,697		2.05	%
—			(0.52	)		(0.52	)		15.98		25.66			2,827		2.55
—			(0.52	)		(0.52	)		15.97		25.58			3,672		2.55
—			(0.52	)		(0.52	)		16.37		27.12			187,075		1.40
—			(0.52	)		(0.52	)		16.16		26.57			3		1.90
—			—			—			13.24		24.67			69,458		2.05	b
—			—			—			13.19		24.32			303		2.55	b
—			—			—			13.19		24.32			419		2.55	b
—			—			—			13.35		25.24			65,772		1.40	b
—			—			—			13.24		24.79			2		1.90	b
—			—			—			10.62		6.20			33,002		2.02	b
—			—			—			10.61		6.10			213		2.51	b
—			—			—			10.61		6.10			175		2.51	b
(0.01	)		—			(0.01	)		10.66		6.67			36,992		1.40	b
—			—			—			10.61		6.10			2		1.90	b

INTERNATIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

(formerly International Small Cap Fund) (continued)

					Ratios assuming no expense reductions
		Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets			Ratio of expenses to average net assets			Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets			Portfolio turnover rate
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares                                                                                                                ;		(0.79	)%		2.22	%		(0.96	)%		73.43	%
2000 - Class B Shares		(1.16	)		2.72			(1.33	)		73.43
2000 - Class C Shares		(1.23	)		2.72			(1.40	)		73.43
2000 - Institutional Shares		(0.19	)		1.57			(0.36	)		73.43
2000 - Service Shares		(0.63	)		2.07			(0.80	)		73.43
For the Seven-month Period Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		(0.68	) b		2.42	b		(1.05	) b		58.81
1999 - Class B Shares		(1.16	) b		2.92	b		(1.53	) b		58.81
1999 - Class C Shares		(1.21	) b		2.92	b		(1.58	) b		58.81
1999 - Institutional Shares		(0.05	) b		1.77	b		(0.42	) b		58.81
1999 - Service Shares		(0.35	) b		2.27	b		(0.72	) b		58.81
For the Period Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		(1.03	) b		3.60	b		(2.61	) b		96.11
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		(1.30	) b		4.09	b		(2.88	) b		96.11
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		(1.45	) b		4.09	b		(3.03	) b		96.11
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		(0.19	) b		2.98	b		(1.77	) b		96.11
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 1, 1998)		(0.26	) b		3.48	b		(1.84	) b		96.11

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND

				Income from investment operations
		Net asset value, beginning of period		Net investment income (loss)			Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)			Total from investment operations
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		$  9.26		$(0.05	) c		$  1.62			$  1.57
2000 - Class B Shares		9.21		(0.11	) c		1.62			1.51
2000 - Class C Shares		9.24		(0.10	) c		1.61			1.51
2000 - Institutional Shares		9.37		0.01	c		1.64			1.65
2000 - Service Shares		9.05		0.01	c		1.57			1.58
For the Seven Months Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		7.04		(0.01	)		2.23			2.22
1999 - Class B Shares		7.03		(0.03	)		2.21			2.18
1999 - Class C Shares		7.05		(0.03	)		2.22			2.19
1999 - Institutional Shares		7.09		0.02			2.26			2.28
1999 - Service Shares		6.87		0.01			2.17			2.18
For the Year Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		9.69		0.04			(2.40	)		(2.36	)
1999 - Class B Shares		9.69		0.03			(2.41	)		(2.38	)
1999 - Class C Shares		9.70		0.01			(2.39	)		(2.38	)
1999 - Institutional Shares		9.70		0.06			(2.36	)		(2.30	)
1999 - Service Shares		9.69		(0.13	)		(2.41	)		(2.28	)
For the Period Ended January 31,
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced December 15, 1997)		10.00		—			(0.31	)		(0.31	)
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced December 15, 1997)		10.00		—			(0.31	)		(0.31	)
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced December 15, 1997)		10.00		—			(0.30	)		(0.30	)
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced December 15, 1997)		10.00		0.01			(0.31	)		(0.30	)
1998 - Service Shares (commenced December 15, 1997)		10.00		—			(0.31	)		(0.31	)

Distributions to shareholders
From net investment income			In excess of net investment income		Total distributions			Net asset value, end of period		Total returna			Net assets at end of period (in 000s)		Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
$    —			$    —		$  —			$10.83		16.95	%		$64,279		2.11	%
—			—		—			10.72		16.40			2,187		2.61
—			—		—			10.75		16.34			1,304		2.61
—			—		—			11.02		17.61			145,774		1.46
—			—		—			10.63		17.46			2		1.96
—			—		—			9.26		31.53			65,698		2.04	b
—			—		—			9.21		31.01			972		2.54	b
—			—		—			9.24		31.06			1,095		2.54	b
—			—		—			9.37		32.16			108,574		1.39	b
—			—		—			9.05		31.73			2		1.89	b
(0.07	)		(0.22)		(0.29	)		7.04		(24.32	)		52,704		2.09
(0.07	)		(0.21)		(0.28	)		7.03		(24.51	)		459		2.59
(0.07	)		(0.20)		(0.27	)		7.05		(24.43	)		273		2.59
(0.08	)		(0.23)		(0.31	)		7.09		(23.66	)		90,189		1.35
(0.07	)		(0.21)		(0.28	)		6.87		(26.17	)		1		1.85
—			—		—			9.69		(3.10	)		17,681		1.90	b
—			—		—			9.69		(3.10	)		64		2.41	b
—			—		—			9.70		(3.00	)		73		2.48	b
—			—		—			9.70		(3.00	)		19,120		1.30	b
—			—		—			9.69		(3.10	)		2		2.72	b

EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND (continued)

					Ratios assuming no expense reductions
		Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets			Ratio of expenses to average net assets			Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets			Portfolio turnover rate
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		(0.49	)%		2.30	%		(0.68	)%		125.35	%
2000 - Class B Shares		(1.00	)		2.80			(1.19	)		125.35
2000 - Class C Shares		(0.96	)		2.80			(1.15	)		125.35
2000 - Institutional Shares		0.13			1.65			(0.06	)		125.35
2000 - Service Shares		0.14			2.15			(0.05	)		125.35
For the Seven Months Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		(0.15	) b		2.41	b		(0.52	) b		63.24
1999 - Class B Shares		(0.71	) b		2.91	b		(281.08	) b		63.24
1999 - Class C Shares		(0.85	) b		2.91	b		(1.22	) b		63.24
1999 - Institutional Shares		0.50	b		1.76	b		0.13	b		63.24
1999 - Service Shares		0.12	b		2.26	b		(0.25	) b		63.24
For the Year Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		0.80			2.53			0.36			153.67
1999 - Class B Shares		0.19			3.03			(0.25	)		153.67
1999 - Class C Shares		0.28			3.03			(0.16	)		153.67
1999 - Institutional Shares		1.59			1.79			1.15			153.67
1999 - Service Shares		(1.84	)		2.29			(2.28	)		153.67
For the Period Ended January 31,
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced December 15, 1997)		0.55	b		5.88	b		(3.43	) b		3.35
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced December 15, 1997)		0.05	b		6.39	b		(3.93	) b		3.35
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced December 15, 1997)		(0.27	) b		6.46	b		(4.25	) b		3.35
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced December 15, 1997)		0.80	b		5.28	b		(3.18	) b		3.35
1998 - Service Shares (commenced December 15, 1997)		(0.05	) b		6.70	b		(4.03	) b		3.35

ASIA GROWTH FUND

				Income from investment operations
		Net asset value, beginning of period		Net investment income (loss)			Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)			Total from investment operations
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		$11.07		$(0.05	) c		$0.14			$  0.09
2000 - Class B Shares		10.88		(0.11	) c		0.14			0.03
2000 - Class C Shares		10.85		(0.11	) c		0.14			0.03
2000 - Institutional Shares		11.24		0.01	c		0.16			0.17
For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		7.79		(0.02	)		3.30			3.28
1999 - Class B Shares		7.68		(0.04	)		3.24			3.20
1999 - Class C Shares		7.68		(0.04	)		3.21			3.17
1999 - Institutional Shares		7.91		0.01			3.36			3.37
For the Years Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		8.38		0.07			(0.66	)		(0.59	)
1999 - Class B Shares		8.31		0.01			(0.64	)		(0.63	)
1999 - Class C Shares		8.29		—			(0.61	)		(0.61	)
1999 - Institutional Shares		8.44		0.03			(0.56	)		(0.53	)
1998 - Class A Shares		16.31		—			(7.90	)		(7.90	)
1998 - Class B Shares		16.24		0.01			(7.91	)		(7.90	)
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		15.73		0.01			(7.42	)		(7.41	)
1998 - Institutional Shares		16.33		0.10			(7.96	)		(7.86	)
1997 - Class A Shares		16.49		0.06			(0.11	)		(0.05	)
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)		17.31		(0.05	)		(0.48	)		(0.53	)
1997 - Institutional Shares (commenced February 2, 1996)		16.61		0.04			(0.11	)		(0.07	)
1996 - Class A Shares		13.31		0.17			3.44			3.61

Distributions to shareholders
From net investment income			In excess of net investment income			From net realized gains			Total distributions			Net asset value, end of period		Total returna			Net assets at end of period (in 000s)		Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
$    —			$    —			$    —			$  —			$11.16		0.72	%		$  86,458		1.85	%
—			—			—			—			10.91		0.18			6,849		2.35
—			—			—			—			10.88		0.18			2,265		2.35
—			—			—			—			11.41		1.42			5,236		1.20
									—
—			—			—			—			11.07		42.11			84,269		1.85	b
—			—			—			—			10.88		41.67			7,258		2.35	b
—			—			—			—			10.85		41.28			2,281		2.35	b
—			(0.04	)		—			(0.04	)		11.24		42.61			12,363		1.20	b
—			—			—			—			7.79		(7.04	)		59,940		1.93
—			—			—			—			7.68		(7.58	)		4,190		2.45
—			—			—			—			7.68		(7.36	)		999		2.45
—			—			—			—			7.91		(6.28	)		4,200		1.16
—			(0.03	)		—			(0.03	)		8.38		(48.49	)		87,437		1.75
—			(0.03	)		—			(0.03	)		8.31		(48.70	)		3,359		2.30
—			(0.03	)		—			(0.03	)		8.29		(47.17	)		436		2.35	b
(0.03	)		—			—			(0.03	)		8.44		(48.19	)		874		1.11
(0.12	)		—			(0.01	)		(0.13	)		16.31		(1.01	)		263,014		1.67
(0.51	)		(0.03	)		—			(0.54	)		16.24		(6.02	)		3,354		2.21	b
(0.11	)		(0.06	)		(0.04	)		(0.21	)		16.33		(1.09	)		13,322		1.10	b
(0.12	)		(0.14	)		(0.17	)		(0.43	)		16.49		26.49			205,539		1.77

ASIA GROWTH FUND (continued)

					Ratios assuming no expense reductions
		Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets			Ratio of expenses to average net assets			Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets			Portfolio turnover rate
For the Year Ended August 31,
2000 - Class A Shares		(0.39	)%		2.30	%		(0.84	)%		207.22	%
2000 - Class B Shares		(0.91	)		2.80			(1.36	)		207.22
2000 - Class C Shares		(0.91	)		2.80			(1.36	)		207.22
2000 - Institutional Shares		0.12			1.65			(0.33	)		207.22
For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		(0.38	) b		2.27	b		(0.80	) b		96.58
1999 - Class B Shares		(0.90	) b		2.77	b		(1.32	) b		96.58
1999 - Class C Shares		(0.89	) b		2.77	b		(1.31	) b		96.58
1999 - Institutional Shares		(0.14	) b		1.62	b		(0.28	) b		96.58
For the Years Ended January 31,
1999 - Class A Shares		0.63			2.48			0.08			106.00
1999 - Class B Shares		0.10			2.97			(0.42	)		106.00
1999 - Class C Shares		0.10			2.97			(0.42	)		106.00
1999 - Institutional Shares		1.10			1.68			0.58			106.00
1998 - Class A Shares		0.31			1.99			0.07			105.16
1998 - Class B Shares		(0.29	)		2.50			(0.49	)		105.16
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)		(0.26	) b		2.55	b		(0.46	) b		105.16
1998 - Institutional Shares		0.87			1.31			0.67			105.16
1997 - Class A Shares		0.20			1.87			—			48.40
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)		(0.56	) b		2.37	b		(0.72	) b		48.40
1997 - Institutional Shares (commenced February 2, 1996)		0.54	b		1.26	b		0.38	b		48.40
1996 - Class A Shares		1.05			2.02			0.80			88.80

a

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period and no sales or redemption charges. Total return would be reduced if a sales or redemption charge were taken into account. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

b	Annualized.

c	Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

1		General Investment Management Approach
3		Fund Investment Objectives and Strategies
		3		Goldman Sachs CORE International Equity Fund
		4		Goldman Sachs International Equity Fund
		5		Goldman Sachs European Equity Fund
		6		Goldman Sachs Japanese Equity Fund
		8		Goldman Sachs International Growth Opportunities Fund
		9		Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Fund
		11		Goldman Sachs Asia Growth Fund
14		Other Investment Practices and Securities

18		Principal Risks of the Funds
21		Fund Performance
30		Fund Fees and Expenses
40		Service Providers
49		Dividends
50		Shareholder Guide
		50		How To Buy Shares
		60		How To Sell Shares
70		Taxation
72		Appendix A Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and Techniques
90		Appendix B Financial Highlights

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Annual/Semi-annual Report

Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Funds’ annual reports, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during the last fiscal year.

Statement of Additional Information

Additional information about the Funds and their policies is also available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”). The Additional Statement is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of this Prospectus).

The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports, and the Additional Statement, are available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at 1-800-526-7384.

To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:

By telephone – Call 1-800-526-7384

By mail – Goldman Sachs Funds, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60606-6372

By e-mail – [email protected]

On the Internet – Text-only versions of the Funds’ documents are located online and may be downloaded from:

SEC EDGAR database – http://www.sec.gov

Goldman Sachs – http://www.gs.com (Prospectus Only)

You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents, after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 or by electronic request to: [email protected]. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 942-8090.

The Funds’ investment company registration number is 811-5349.

CORE SM is a service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Prospectus

n	Goldman Sachs CORE  SM International Equity Fund

n	Goldman Sachs International Equity Fund

n	Goldman Sachs European Equity Fund

n	Goldman Sachs Japanese Equity Fund

n	Goldman Sachs International Growth Opportunities Fund (formerly International Small Cap Fund)

n	Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Fund

n	Goldman Sachs Asia Growth Fund

GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

No Bank Guarantee

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the CORE International Equity Fund. Goldman Sachs Asset Management International serves as investment adviser to International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds. Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International are each referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”

ACTIVE INTERNATIONAL STYLE FUNDS

Goldman Sachs’ Active International Investment Philosophy:

Belief		How the Investment Adviser Acts on Belief
n  Equity markets are inefficient		Seeks excess return through team driven, research intensive and bottom-up stock selection.
n  Returns are variable		Seeks to capitalize on variability of market and regional returns through asset allocation decisions.
n  Corporate fundamentals ultimately drive share price		Seeks to conduct rigorous, first-hand research of business and company management.
n A business’ intrinsic value will be achieved over time		Seeks to realize value through a long-term investment horizon.
n  Portfolio risk must be carefully analyzed and monitored		Seeks to systematically monitor and manage risk through diversification, multifactor risk models and currency management.

The Investment Adviser attempts to manage risk in these Funds through disciplined portfolio construction and continual portfolio review and analysis. As a result, bottom-up stock selection, driven by fundamental research, should be a main driver of returns.

---

QUANTITATIVE (“CORE”) STYLE FUNDS

Goldman Sachs’ CORE Investment Philosophy:

Goldman Sachs’ quantitative style of funds—CORE—emphasizes the two building blocks of active management: stock selection and portfolio construction.

I. CORE STOCK SELECTION

The CORE Fund uses the Goldman Sachs proprietary multifactor model (“Multifactor Model”), a rigorous computerized rating system, to forecast the returns of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio. The Multifactor Model incorporates common variables covering measures of:

n

Value (How is the company priced relative to fundamental accounting measures?)

n

Price Momentum (What are medium-term price trends?)

n

Earnings Momentum (Are company profit expectations growing?)

n

Stability (How likely is the risk of earnings disappointment?)

All of the above factors are carefully evaluated within the Multifactor Model since each has demonstrated a significant impact on the performance of the securities and markets they were designed to forecast. Stock selection in this process combines both our quantitative and qualitative analysis.

II. CORE PORTFOLIO CONSTRUCTION

Portfolio risk is monitored with the use of a sophisticated risk model, which measures the portfolio’s exposure to a variety of risk factors and estimates the associated volatility. In this process, the Investment Adviser manages risk by attempting to limit deviations from the benchmark and by attempting to run a size and sector neutral portfolio. A computer optimizer evaluates many different security combinations (considering many possible weightings) in an effort to construct the most efficient risk/return portfolio given each CORE Fund benchmark. In addition, the CORE International Equity Fund utilizes proprietary quantitative models to allocate assets across countries.

Goldman Sachs CORE Funds are fully invested, broadly diversified and offer consistent overall portfolio characteristics. They may serve as good foundations on which to build a portfolio.

---

Goldman Sachs CORE International Equity Fund

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term growth of capital

Benchmark:

MSCI® Europe, Australasia, Far East (“EAFE®”) Index (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Large-capitalization equity securities of companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are primarily traded outside the United States

Investment Style:

Quantitative

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of large-cap companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.

The Fund may allocate its assets among countries as determined by the Investment Adviser from time to time, provided the Fund’ s assets are invested in at least three foreign countries. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers in countries with emerging markets or economies (“emerging countries”).

The Fund seeks broad representation of large-cap issuers across major countries and sectors of the international economy. The Fund’s investments are selected using both a variety of quantitative techniques and fundamental research in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return, while maintaining risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the EAFE® Index. In addition, the Fund seeks a portfolio composed of companies with attractive valuations and stronger momentum characteristics than the EAFE® Index.

Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered to be cash equivalents.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Equity securities of companies organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States

Investment Style:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States. The Fund intends to invest in companies with public stock market capitalizations that are larger than $1 billion at the time of investment.

The Fund may allocate its assets among countries as determined by the Investment Adviser from time to time provided that the Fund’s assets are invested in at least three foreign countries.

The Fund expects to invest a substantial portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in the developed countries of Western Europe and in Japan. However, the Fund may also invest in the securities of issuers located in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and in emerging countries. Currently, emerging countries include, among others, most Latin American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations.

Other. The Fund may also invest up to 35% of its total assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

MSCI® Europe Index (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Equity securities of European companies

Investment Style:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of European companies. Because of its focus, the Fund will be more susceptible to European economic, market, political and local risks than a fund that is more geographically diversified.

A European issuer is a company that either:

n

Has a class of its securities whose principal securities markets are in European countries;

n

Is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, a European country;

n

Derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services provided in one or more of the European countries; or

n

Maintains 50% or more of its assets in one or more of the European countries.

The Fund may allocate its assets among different countries as determined by the Investment Adviser from time to time, provided that the Fund’s assets are invested in at least three European countries. It is currently anticipated that a majority of the Fund’s assets will be invested in the equity securities of large cap companies located in the developed countries of Western Europe. However, the Fund may also invest, without limit, in mid cap companies and small cap companies, as well as companies located in emerging countries. Currently, emerging countries include among others, most Latin and South American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations, including the states that formerly comprised the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.

Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in equity securities of non-European countries and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

FUND FACTS

---

Objective:

Long-term capital appreciation

Benchmark:

Tokyo Price Index (“TOPIX”) (unhedged)

Investment Focus:

Equity securities of Japanese companies

Investment Style:

Active International

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of Japanese companies. A Japanese issuer is a company that either:

n

Has a class of its securities whose principal securities markets is in Japan;

n

Is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, Japan;

n

Derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services provided in Japan; or

n

Maintains 50% or more of its assets in Japan.

The Fund’s concentration in Japanese companies will expose it to the risk of adverse social, political and economic events which occur in Japan or affect the Japanese markets.

Japan’s economy, the second largest in the world, has grown substantially over the last three decades. Japan’s economic growth in the 1990’s, however, was substantially below the level of earlier decades, and its economy drifted between modest growth and recession. In calendar year 1998, Japan’s gross national product contracted by 2.8% — its worst performance in the post-war period. To address this economic downturn, Japan has attempted to implement changes related to high wages and taxes, currency valuations, structural rigidities, political reform and the deregulation of its economy. These initiatives have, however, resulted in notable uncertainty and loss of public confidence. These conditions pres-