GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
497, 2001-01-04
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Prospectus
 
 
Institutional
Shares
 

December 29, 2000

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.

 

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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOT FDIC-INSURED
May Lose Value
No Bank Guarantee
 
 
 
General Investment Management Approach
 
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.
 

 
 
Fund Investment Objectives
and Strategies
 
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.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
International Equity Fund
 
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 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
European Equity Fund
 
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.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Japanese Equity Fund
 
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.
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
Goldman Sachs
International Growth Opportunities Fund
 
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 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
 
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   
 
Goldman Sachs
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
continued
 
 
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 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Asia Growth Fund
 
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.
 
Goldman Sachs
Asia Growth Fund
continued
 
 
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.
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
Other Investment Practices and Securities
 
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also highlights the differences among the Funds in their use of these techniques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Fund’s annual/semi-annual reports. For more information see Appendix A.
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
     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

 
* 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 The Funds may purchase and sell call and put options.
 
2 The Funds may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
 
    
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

 
 
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
       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.
 
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
Principal Risks of the Funds
 
Loss of money is a risk of investing in each Fund. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
Ÿ Applicable
Not applicable
 
     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
 

 
All Funds:
 
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.
 
Specific Funds:
 
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.
 
More information about the Funds’ portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.
 
 
Fund 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.
 
CORE International Equity Fund
 
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.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
International Equity Fund
 
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.
 
 
European Equity Fund
 
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.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Japanese Equity Fund
 
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.
 
 
International Growth Opportunities Fund
 
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.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
 
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.
 
 
 
Asia Growth Fund
 
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.
 
 
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Fund Fees and Expenses (Institutional Shares)
 
This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Institutional Shares of a Fund.
 
       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%

See page 32 for all other footnotes.
 
*
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%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
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%

 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
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 FEES AND EXPENSES
 
Example
 
 
The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund (without the expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Institutional Shares of a Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that a Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
 
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

 
Institutions that invest in Institutional Shares on behalf of their customers may charge other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your institution for information regarding such charges. Such fees, if any, may affect the return customers realize with respect to their investments.
 
Certain institutions that invest in Institutional Shares may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Institutional Shares or for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Other Information” in the Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).
 
 
Service Providers
 
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
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
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
 

London-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.

 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
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.

 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
New York-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.

 
 
 
Singapore-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.

 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
Tokyo-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.
 
 
Dividends
 
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.
 
 
Shareholder Guide
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
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)

 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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.
 
Taxation
 
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.
 
Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and Techniques
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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:
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Both domestic and foreign securities that are not readily marketable
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Certain stripped mortgage-backed securities
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Repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
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Certain over-the-counter options
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Certain structured securities and all swap transactions
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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:
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U.S. government securities
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Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s or P-2 by Moody’s
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Certificates of deposit
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Bankers’ acceptances
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Repurchase agreements
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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:
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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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
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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.
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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.
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Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of a Fund’s NAV.
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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.
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Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.
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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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
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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®.
 
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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.
 
 
 
 
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Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
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 )

 
See page 101 for all footnotes.
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
         
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  

 
 
 
 
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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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
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  

 
 
 
 
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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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
     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

 
 
 
 
 
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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

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
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  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
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

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
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  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
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 )

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
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  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
Footnotes:
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.
Annualized.
Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
 
 
Index
 
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
 
34    Service Providers
 
43    Dividends
 
44    Shareholder Guide
 
     44    How To Buy Shares
 
     48    How To Sell Shares
 
 
53    Taxation
 
55    Appendix A
Additional Information on
Portfolio Risks, Securities
and Techniques
 
74    Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
 
 
 
International Equity Funds
Prospectus (Institutional Shares)
 
 
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 1-800-621-2550.
 
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
 
By telephone – Call 1-800-621-2550
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
 
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.
 
 
EQINTLPROINS
 
Prospectus
 
Class A, B
and C Shares
 
December 29, 2000
 
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.
 
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
 
 
 
 
NOT FDIC-INSURED
May Lose Value
No Bank Guarantee
 
 
 
General Investment Management Approach
 
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.
 

 
 
Fund Investment Objectives
and Strategies
 
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.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
International Equity Fund
 
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 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
European Equity Fund
 
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.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Japanese Equity Fund
 
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.
 
 
Goldman Sachs
International Growth Opportunities Fund
 
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 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
 
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   
 
Goldman Sachs
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
continued
 
 
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 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Asia Growth Fund
 
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.
 
Goldman Sachs
Asia Growth Fund
continued
 
 
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.
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
Other Investment Practices and Securities
 
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also highlights the differences among the Funds in their use of these techniques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Fund’s annual/semi-annual reports. For more information see Appendix A.
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
     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

 
* 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 The Funds may purchase and sell call and put options.
 
2 The Funds may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
 
    
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

 
 
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
       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.
 
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
Principal Risks of the Funds
 
Loss of money is a risk of investing in each Fund. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
Ÿ Applicable
Not applicable
 
     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
 

 
All Funds:
 
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.
 
Specific Funds:
 
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.
 
More information about the Funds’ portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.
 
 
Fund 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.
 
 
 
CORE International Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
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.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
 
International Equity Fund
 
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.
 
European Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
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.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
 
Japanese Equity Fund
 
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.
 
International Growth Opportunities Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
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.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
 
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
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.
 
 
 
Asia Growth Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
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.
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Class A, B and C Shares)
 
This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Class A, Class B, or Class C Shares of a Fund.
 
       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%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
       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%

 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
 
       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%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
       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%

 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
 
       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%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
       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%

 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
 
       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%

 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
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%
 
 
 
Example
 
The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund (without expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Class A, B or C Shares of a Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that a Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
 
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 FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
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

The hypothetical example assumes that a CDSC will not apply to redemptions of Class A Shares within the first 18 months. Class B Shares convert to Class A Shares eight years after purchase; therefore, Class A expenses are used in the hypothetical example after year eight.
 
Certain institutions that sell Fund shares and/or their salespersons may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “What Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Authorized Dealer?”
 
 
Service Providers
 
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
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
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
 

London-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.

 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
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.

 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
New York-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.

 
 
 
Singapore-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.

 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
Tokyo-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.
 
 
Dividends
 
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.
 
Shareholder Guide
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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.
 
Taxation
 
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.”
 
TAXATION
 
 
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.
 
Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and Techniques
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
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 )

See page 117 for all footnotes.
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
         
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  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
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  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
     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

 
 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
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

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
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  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
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

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
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  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
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 )

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
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  

 
 
 
 
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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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
Footnotes:
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.
Annualized.
Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
 
 
Index
 
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
 
 
International Equity Funds
Prospectus (Class A, B and C Shares)
 
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.
 
516433
EQINTLPROABC
 
Prospectus
 
Service
Shares
 
December 29, 2000
 
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.

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
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOT FDIC-INSURED
May Lose Value
No Bank Guarantee
 
 
 
General Investment Management Approach
 
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.
 

 
 
Fund Investment Objectives
and Strategies
 
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.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
International Equity Fund
 
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 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
European Equity Fund
 
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.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Japanese Equity Fund
 
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 ent 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.
 
 
Goldman Sachs
International Growth Opportunities Fund
 
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 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
 
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   
 
Goldman Sachs
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
continued
 
 
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 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Asia Growth Fund
 
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.
 
Goldman Sachs
Asia Growth Fund
continued
 
 
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 the 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.
 
 
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Other Investment Practices and Securities
 
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also highlights the differences among the Funds in their use of these techniques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Fund’s annual/semi-annual reports. For more information see Appendix A.
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
     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

 
* 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 The Funds may purchase and sell call and put options.
 
2 The Funds may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
 
    
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

 
 
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
       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.
 
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
Principal Risks of the Funds
 
Loss of money is a risk of investing in each Fund. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
Ÿ Applicable
Not applicable
 
     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
 

 
All Funds:
 
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.
 
Specific Funds:
 
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.
 
More information about the Funds’ portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.
 
 
Fund 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 Service Shares from year to year; and (b) how the average annual returns of a Fund’s Service 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. As of the date of this Prospectus, Service Shares of the Asia Growth Fund had not commenced operations. Performance of the Asia Growth Fund is represented by the Fund’s Class A Shares. Class A Shares are not offered in this Prospectus but have substantially similar annual returns because the shares are invested in the same investment portfolio of securities. Annual returns differ only to the extent that Class A Shares have a 0.50% distribution and service fee and a 0.19% transfer agency fee while Service Shares have a 0.50% service fee and a 0.04% transfer agency fee. In addition, Class A Shares, unlike Service Shares, are subject to a maximum sales charge of 5.5%.
 
 
 
CORE International Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -13.40%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’98
+18.97%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98
-15.97%
 
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 8/15/97)      28.34 %      11.13 %
Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI®) Europe,
Australasia, Far East (EAFE®) Index (unhedged)*
     27.29 %      15.99 %

 
  *
The unmanaged MSCI® EAFE® Index is a market capitalization-weighted composite of securities in 20 developed markets. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
International Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -10.46%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’99
+21.77%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98
-14.37%
 
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 3/6/96)      31.14 %      17.23 %
MSCI® EAFE® (unhedged)*      27.29 %      13.96 %

 
  *
The MSCI® EAFE® Index (unhedged) is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
European Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -5.72%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’99
+24.91%
 
Worst Quarter
Q2 ’99
-3.04%
 
 
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 10/1/98)      26.41 %      36.41 %
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 increase 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.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Japanese Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -12.41%.
 
Best Quarter*
Q3 ’99
+23.18%
 
Worst Quarter*
Q1 ’99
+9.31%
 
 
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 5/1/98)      76.76 %      49.37 %
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.
 
 
International Growth Opportunities Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for the Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 2.23%.
 
Best Quarter*
Q4 ’99
+12.60%
 
Worst Quarter*
Q1 ’99
+4.71%
 
 
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 5/1/98)      47.68 %      29.27 %
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.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
 
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -15.43%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’99
+30.10%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98
-23.84 %
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 12/15/97)      63.00%      8.79%
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.
27
 
 
 
Asia Growth Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
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 5.5% Sales Charge      50.70%      (2.84)      (2.12)%
MSCI® All Country Asia Free ex-Japan (unhedged)*      61.95%      (1.28)      (.94)%

 
 *
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.
 
 
 
 
 
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Fund Fees and Expenses (Service Shares)
 
This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Service Shares of a Fund.
 
       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):2               
 
Management Fees      0.85%      1.00%      1.00%
Service Fees 3      0.50%      0.50%      0.50%
Other Expenses 4      0.25%      0.19%      0.52%

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.60%      1.69%      2.02%

See page 32 for all other footnotes.
 
 *
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):
2
              
Management Fees      0.85%      1.00%      1.00%
Service Fees 3      0.50%      0.50%      0.50%
Other Expenses 4      0.16%      0.14%      0.14%

Total Fund Operating Expenses
(after current expense limitations)
     1.51%      1.64%      1.64%

 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
Japanese
Equity
Fund
   International Growth
Opportunities Fund
   Emerging
Markets
Equity Fund
   Asia
Growth
Fund
1

 
 
 
 
None    None    None    None
          
None    None    None    None
None    None    None    None
None    None    None    None
 
 
 
 
1.00%    1.20%    1.20%    1.00%
0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%
0.45%    0.37%    0.45%    0.65%

1.95%    2.07%    2.15%    2.15%

 
 
Japanese
Equity
Fund
   International Growth
Opportunities Fund
   Emerging
Markets
Equity Fund
   Asia
Growth
Fund
1

 
 1.00%    1.20%    1.20%    1.00%
 0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%
 0.15%    0.20%    0.39%    0.20%

 
 1.65%    1.90%    2.09%    1.70%

 
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
1
Service Shares had not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus.
2
The Funds’ annual operating expenses are based on actual expenses.
3
Service Organizations may charge other fees to their customers who are beneficial owners of Service Shares in connection with their customers’ accounts. Such fees may affect the return customers realize with respect to their investments.
4
“Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees equal to 0.04% of the average daily net assets of each Fund’ s Service Shares, plus all other ordinary expenses not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, transfer agency fees, service 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 FEES AND EXPENSES
 
Example
 
The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund (without the expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Service Shares of a Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Service Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that a Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
 
Fund      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years

CORE International Equity      $163      $505      $  871      $1,900

International Equity      $172      $533      $  918      $1,998

European Equity      $205      $634      $1,088      $2,348

Japanese Equity      $198      $612      $1,052      $2,275

International Growth Opportunities      $210      $649      $1,114      $2,400

Emerging Markets Equity      $218      $673      $1,154      $2,483

Asia Growth      $218      $673      $1,154      $2,483

 
Service Organizations that invest in Service Shares on behalf of their customers may charge other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your Service Organization for information regarding such charges. Such fees, if any, may affect the return such customers realize with respect to their investments.
 
Certain Service Organizations that invest in Service Shares may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Service Shares or for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Other Information” in the Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).
 
 
Service Providers
 
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
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
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
 

London-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.

 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
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.

 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
New York-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.

 
 
 
Singapore-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.

 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
Tokyo-Based Portfolio Management Team
 
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.
 
 
Dividends
 
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.
 
 
Shareholder Guide
 
The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Funds’ Service Shares.
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES
 
How Can I Purchase Service Shares Of The Funds?
Generally, Service Shares may be purchased only through institutions that have agreed to provide account administration and personal and account maintenance services to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Service Shares. These institutions are called “Service Organizations.” Customers of a Service Organization will normally give their purchase instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place purchase orders with Goldman Sachs. Service Organizations will set times by which purchase orders and payments must be received by them from their customers. Generally, Service Shares may be purchased from the Funds on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of an order by Goldman Sachs from a Service Organization. No sales load is charged. Purchases of Service Shares must be settled within three business days of receipt of a complete purchase order.
 
Service Organizations are responsible for transmitting purchase orders and payments to Goldman Sachs in a timely fashion. Service Organizations 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 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
What Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
Service Organizations may provide the following services in connection with their customers’ investments in Service Shares:
n
Acting, directly or through an agent, as the sole shareholder of record
n
Maintaining account records for customers
n
Processing orders to purchase, redeem or exchange shares for customers
n
Responding to inquiries from prospective and existing shareholders
n
Assisting customers with investment procedures
 
In addition, some (but not all) Service Organizations are 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 Service Organization or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next determined after such acceptance.
n
Service Organizations or 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 Service Organization directly to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.
 
Pursuant to a service plan adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, Service Organizations are entitled to receive payment for their services from the Trust of up to 0.50% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of the Funds, which are attributable to or held in the name of the Service Organization for its customers.
 
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 Service Organizations 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 Service 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 Service 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?
The Funds do not have any minimum purchase or account requirements with respect to Service Shares. A Service Organization may, however, impose a minimum amount for initial and subsequent investments in Service Shares, and may establish other requirements such as a minimum account balance. A Service Organization may redeem Service Shares held by non-complying accounts, and may impose a charge for any special services.
 
What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
The Trust reserves the right to:
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 Service 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 Service Organizations 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 Service Shares is determined by a Fund’s NAV. The Funds calculate 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 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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 Service Shares Of The Funds?
Generally, Service Shares may be sold (redeemed) only through Service Organizations. Customers of a Service Organization will normally give their redemption instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place redemption orders with the Funds. Generally, each Fund will redeem its Service Shares upon request on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper form. Redemption proceeds may be sent to recordholders by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record).
 
A Service Organization may request redemptions in writing or by telephone if the optional telephone redemption privilege is elected on the Account Application.
 
 
    

By Writing:      Goldman Sachs Funds
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606-6372

By Telephone:      1-800-621-2550
(8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

 
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 tele phone, 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:  The Funds will arrange for redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the bank account designated in the recordholder’s 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 the shares to be sold were recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay the redemption proceeds when the 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 Service Organization.
n
Neither the Trust nor Goldman Sachs assumes any responsibility for the performance of intermediaries or your Service Organization in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with such intermediaries or Service Organization.
 
By Check:  A recordholder may elect in writing to receive redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of receipt of a properly executed redemption request. If the shares to be sold were recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay the redemption proceeds when the check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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  
Service Organizations 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, Service Organizations may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. Service Organizations may also require additional documentation from you.
 
The Trust reserves the right to:
n  
Redeem the Service Shares of any Service Organization whose account balance falls below $50 as a result of a redemption. The Funds will not redeem Service Shares on this basis if the value of the account falls below the minimum account balance solely as a result of market conditions. The Fund will give 60 days’ prior written notice to allow a Service Organization 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 Service 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?
A Service Organization may exchange Service Shares of a Fund at NAV for Service Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund. The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice.
 
 
 
 
Instructions For Exchanging Shares:       

By Writing:      n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
       n  The recordholder name(s) and signature(s)
       n  The 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 requirement 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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.
 
What Types Of Reports Will Be Sent Regarding Investments In Service Shares?
Service Organizations will receive from the Funds annual reports containing audited financial statements and semi-annual reports. Service Organizations will also be provided with a printed confirmation for each transaction in their account and a monthly account statement. Service Organizations are responsible for providing these or other reports to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Service Shares in accordance with the rules that apply to their accounts with the Service Organizations.
 
Taxation
 
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.”
 
TAXATION
 
 
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.
 
Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and Techniques
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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:
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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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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:
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U.S. government securities
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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:
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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®.
 
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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.
 
Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
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 )

See page 99 for all footnotes.
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
         
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  

 
 
 
 
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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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
    
    
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  

 
 
 
 
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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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
     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

 
 
 
 
 
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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

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
 
    
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  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
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

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
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  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
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 )

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
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  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
    
    
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  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
Footnotes:
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.
Annualized.
Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
 
 
Index
 
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
 
34    Service Providers
 
43    Dividends
 
44    Shareholder Guide
 
     44    How To Buy Shares
 
     47    How to Sell Shares
 
52    Taxation
 
54    Appendix A
Additional Information on
Portfolio Risks, Securities
and Techniques
 
72    Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
 
 
 
International Equity Funds
Prospectus (Service Shares)
 
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 1-800-621-2550.
 
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
 
By telephone – Call 1-800-621-2550
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
 
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.
 
EQINTLPROSVC
 
 
Prospectus
 
GOLDMAN SACHS DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS
 
Class A, B and C Shares
 
December 29, 2000

 

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.
 
n
Goldman Sachs Balanced Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM Large Cap Value Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM U.S. Equity Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM Large Cap Growth Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM Small Cap Equity Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly Mid Cap Equity)
 
n
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund
 
 
 
 
NOT FDIC-INSURED
May Lose Value
No Bank Guarantee
 
 
 
General Investment
Management Approach
 
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Balanced, Growth and Income, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value and Large Cap Value Funds. Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. serves as investment adviser to the CORE U.S. Equity and Capital Growth Funds. Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. are each referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.” ;
 
VALUE STYLE FUNDS
 
Goldman Sachs’ Value Investment Philosophy:
Through intensive, hands-on research our portfolio team seeks to identify:
 
1.
Well-positioned businesses that have:
n
Attractive returns on capital.
n
Sustainable earnings and cash flow.
n
Strong company management focused on long-term returns to shareholders.
 
2.
Attractive valuation opportunities where:
n
The intrinsic value of the business is not reflected in the stock price.
 
Business quality, conservative valuation, and thoughtful portfolio construction are the key elements of our value approach.
 

 
GROWTH STYLE FUNDS
 
Goldman Sachs’ Growth Investment Philosophy:
1.
Invest as if buying the company/business, not simply trading its stock:
n
Understand the business, management, products and competition.
n
Perform intensive, hands-on fundamental research.
n
Seek businesses with strategic competitive advantages.
n
Over the long-term, expect each company’s stock price ultimately to track the growth in the value of the business.
 
 
 
 
2.
Buy high-quality growth businesses that possess strong business franchises, favorable long-term prospects and excellent management.
 
3.
Purchase superior long-term growth companies at a favorable price—seek to purchase at a fair valuation, giving the investor the potential to fully capture returns from above-average growth rates.
 
Growth companies have earnings expectations that exceed those of the stock market as a whole.
 

 
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 Funds use the Goldman Sachs’ proprietary multifactor model (“Multifactor Model”), a rigorous computerized rating system, to forecast the returns of securities held in each Fund’s portfolio. The Multifactor Model incorporates common variables covering measures of:
n
Research (What do fundamental analysts think about the company and its prospects?)
n
Value (How is the company priced relative to fundamental accounting measures?)
n
Momentum (What are medium-term price trends? How has the price responded to new information?)
n
Profitability (What is the company’s margin on sales? How efficient are its operations?)
n
Earnings Quality (Were earnings derived from sustainable (cash-based) sources?)
 
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.
 
 
GENERAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT APPROACH
 
II. CORE Portfolio Construction
A proprietary risk model, which is intended to identify and measure risk as accurately as possible, includes all the above factors used in the return model to select stocks, as well as several other factors associated with risk but not return. 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.
 
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.
 

 
 
Fund Investment Objectives and Strategies
 
Goldman Sachs
Balanced Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and current income
 
                                      Benchmarks:
S&P 500® Index and Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large capitalization U.S. stocks and fixed-income securities
 
                                Investment Style:
Asset Allocation, with growth and value (blend) equity components
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital and current income. The Fund seeks growth of capital primarily through investments in equity securities (stocks). The Fund seeks to provide current income through investment in fixed-income securities (bonds).
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Historically, stock and bond markets have often had different cycles, with one asset class rising when the other is falling. A balanced objective seeks to reduce the volatility associated with investing in a single market. There is no guarantee, however, that market cycles will move in opposition to one another or that a balanced investment program will successfully reduce volatility.
 
The percentage of the portfolio invested in equity and fixed-income securities will vary from time to time as the Investment Adviser evaluates such securities’ relative attractiveness based on market valuations, economic growth and inflation prospects. The allocation between equity and fixed-income securities is subject to the Fund’s intention to pay regular quarterly dividends. The amount of quarterly dividends can also be expected to fluctuate in accordance with factors such as prevailing interest rates and the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in fixed-income securities.
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, between 45% and 65% of its total assets in equity securities. Although the Fund’s equity investments consist primarily of publicly traded U.S. securities, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the equity securities of foreign issuers, including issuers in countries with emerging markets or economies (“emerging countries”) and equity securities quoted in foreign currencies. A portion of the Fund’s portfolio of equity securities may be selected primarily to provide current income (including interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), convertible securities, preferred stocks, utility stocks, and interests in limited partnerships).
 
Fixed Income Securities. The Fund invests at least 25% of its total assets in fixed-income senior securities. The remainder of the Fund’s assets are invested in other fixed-income securities and cash.
 
The Fund’s fixed-income securities primarily include:
n
Securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises
n
Securities issued by corporations, banks and other issuers
n
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
 
The Fund may also invest up to 10% of its total assets in debt obligations (U.S. dollar and non-U.S.-dollar denominated) issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities and foreign corporations or other entities. The issuers of these securities may be located in emerging countries.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Growth and Income Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and growth of income
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large capitalization U.S. equity securities with an emphasis on undervalued stocks
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and growth of income.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities that the Investment Adviser considers to have favorable prospects for capital appreciation and/or dividend-paying ability. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
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, that offer the potential to further the Fund’s investment objective.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and dividend income
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 1000® Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Diversified portfolio of equity securities of large-cap U.S. issuers selling at low to modest valuations
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to large-cap value stocks
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and dividend income. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of large-cap U.S. issuers that are selling at low to modest valuations relative to general market measures, such as earnings, book value and other fundamental accounting measures, and that are expected to have favorable prospects for capital appreciation and/or dividend-paying ability.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
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 Russell 1000® Value Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with above average capitalizations and low to moderate valuations as measured by price/earnings ratios, book value and other fundamental accounting measures.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and dividend income
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap U.S. equity securities
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to large-cap growth and value (blend) stocks
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and dividend income. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of large-cap and blue chip equity securities representing all major sectors of the U.S. economy.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
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 S&P 500® Index. The Fund seeks a broad representation in most major sectors of the U.S. economy and a portfolio consisting of companies with average long-term earnings growth expectations and dividend yields.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital; dividend income is a secondary consideration
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 1000® Growth Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap, growth-oriented U.S. stocks
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to large-cap growth stocks
 
 
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 U.S. issuers that are expected to have better prospects for earnings growth than the growth rate of the general domestic economy. Dividend income is a secondary consideration.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
The Investment Adviser emphasizes a company’s growth prospects in analyzing equity securities to be purchased by the Fund. 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 Russell 1000® Growth Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with above average capitalizations and earnings growth expectations and below average dividend yields.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 2000® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Stocks of small capitalization U.S. companies
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to small-cap growth and value (blend) stocks
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of U.S. issuers which are included in the Russell 2000® Index at the time of investment.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
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 Russell 2000® Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with small market capitalizations, strong expected earnings growth and momentum, and better valuation and risk characteristics than the Russell 2000® Index. If the issuer of a portfolio security held by the Fund is no longer included in the Russell 2000® Index, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the security.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Capital Growth Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap U.S. equity securities that offer long-term capital appreciation potential
 
                                Investment Style:
Growth
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities. 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 have long-term capital appreciation potential. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Strategic Growth Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap U.S. equity securities that are considered to be strategically positioned for consistent long-term growth
 
                                Investment Style:
Growth
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities. 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 consistent long-term growth. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Growth Opportunities Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P Midcap 400 Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
U.S. equity securities that offer long-term capital appreciation
with a primary focus on mid-capitalization companies
 
                                Investment Style:
Growth
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities with a primary focus on mid-cap companies. 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. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Mid Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term capital appreciation
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell Midcap Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Mid-capitalization U.S. stocks that are believed to be undervalued or undiscovered by the marketplace
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all of its assets in equity securities and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of mid-cap companies with public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell Midcap Value Index at the time of investment (currently between $300 million and $15 billion). If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell Midcap Value Index at the time of investment and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Small Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 2000® Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Small-capitalization U.S. stocks that are believed to be undervalued or undiscovered by the marketplace
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment (currently between $20 million and $3 billion). If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s investment horizon for ownership of stocks will be two to three years. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Large Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term capital appreciation
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 1000® Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large capitalization U.S. equity securities that are believed to be undervalued
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities. The Fund seeks its investment objective by investing in value opportunities that the Investment Adviser defines as companies with identifiable competitive advantages whose intrinsic value is not reflected in the stock price. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
Other. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
 
 
 
 
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Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also highlights the differences among the Funds in their use of these techniques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Funds’ annual/semi-annual reports. For more information see Appendix A.
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
       Balanced
Fund
     Growth
and Income
Fund
     CORE
Large Cap
Value Fund
     CORE
U.S. Equity
Fund

Investment Practices
 
Borrowings      33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
 
Credit, Currency, Index, Interest Rate and
Mortgage Swaps*
     15               
 
Cross Hedging of Currencies      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Custodial Receipts      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Equity Swaps*      15      15      15      15
 
Foreign Currency Transactions**      Ÿ 1      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures
Contracts
     Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ 2      Ÿ 3
 
Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars      Ÿ               
 
Investment Company Securities (including
iShares
SM and Standard & Poor’s Depositary
Receipts
TM )
     10      10      10      10
 
Loan Participations      Ÿ               
 
Mortgage Dollar Rolls      Ÿ               
 
Options on Foreign Currencies 4      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 5      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Repurchase Agreements      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements (for investment
purposes)
     Ÿ               
 
Securities Lending      33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
 
Short Sales Against the Box      25      25          
 
Unseasoned Companies      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
When-Issued Securities and Forward
Commitments
     Ÿ      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.
**
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in foreign securities.
 1
The Balanced Fund may also enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to seek to increase total return.
 2
The CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds may enter into futures transactions only with respect to a representative index.
 3
The CORE U.S. Equity Fund may enter into futures transactions only with respect to the S&P 500 Index.
 4
The Funds may purchase and sell call and put options.
 5
The Funds may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
 
 
CORE
Large Cap
Growth Fund
   CORE
Small Cap
Equity Fund
   Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid Cap
Value
Fund
   Small Cap
Value
Fund
   Large Cap
Value
Fund

 
 
33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
 
 
                    
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
15    15    15    15    15    15    15    15
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
 
Ÿ 2    Ÿ 2    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
                    
 
 
 
10    10    10    10    10    10    10    10
 
                    
 
                    
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    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
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
 
      25    25    25    25    25    25
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ

 
 
 
 
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
       Balanced
Fund
     Growth
and Income
Fund
     CORE
Large Cap
Value Fund
     CORE
U.S. Equity
Fund

Investment Securities
 
American, European and Global Depositary
Receipts
     Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ 6        Ÿ 6  
 
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities 7      Ÿ        Ÿ                
 
Bank Obligations 7      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Convertible Securities 8      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Corporate Debt Obligations 7      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  9        Ÿ  9  
 
Equity Securities      45-65        65 +      90 +      90 +
 
Emerging Country Securities      10 10        25 10              
 
Fixed Income Securities 11      35-45 18      35        10  9      10  9
 
Foreign Securities      10 10        25 10      Ÿ  14        Ÿ  14  
 
Foreign Government Securities 7      Ÿ                       
 
Municipal Securities      Ÿ                       
 
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities      10 15        10 16              
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Stripped Mortgage Backed Securities 7      Ÿ                       
 
Structured Securities*      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Temporary Investments      100        100        35        35  
 
U.S. Government Securities 7      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Yield Curve Options and Inverse Floating Rate
Securities
     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.
 6
The CORE Funds may not invest in European Depositary Receipts.
 7
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities.
 8
Convertible securities purchased by the Balanced Fund must be B or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”) or Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”). The CORE Funds have no minimum rating criteria and all other Funds use the same rating criteria for convertible and non-convertible debt securities.
 9
Cash equivalents only.
10
The Balanced, Growth and Income, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value and Small Cap Value Funds may invest in the aggregate up to 10%, 25%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 25% and 25%, respectively, of their total assets in foreign securities, including emerging country securities.
11
Except as noted under “Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities,” fixed-income securities must be investment grade (i.e., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s or Baa or higher by Moody’s).
12
The Mid Cap Value Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets is (1) securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell Midcap Value Index at the time of investment and (2) fixed-income securities.
13
The Small Cap Value Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment and (2) fixed-income securities.
 
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
CORE
Large Cap
Growth Fund
   CORE
Small Cap
Equity Fund
   Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid Cap
Value
Fund
   Small Cap
Value
Fund
   Large Cap
Value
Fund

 
 
 
Ÿ  6    Ÿ  6    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
      Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ  9    Ÿ  9    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
90+    90+    90 +    90+    90+    65+    65+    90+
 
      10 10    10 10    10 10    25 10    25 10   
 
10  9    10  9    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    35 12    35 13    10
 
Ÿ  14    Ÿ  14    10 10    10 10    10 10    25 10    25 10    25
 
                      
 
                      
 
      10 16    10 16    10 16    10 17    35 16    10 16
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
                      
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
35    35    100      100    100    100    100    100
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
                      

 
14
Equity securities of foreign issuers must be traded in the United States.
15
Must be at least BB or B by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or B by Moody’s.
16
May be BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or lower by Moody’s.
17
Must be B or higher by Standard & Poor’s or B or higher by Moody’s.
18
The Balanced Fund invests at least 25% of its total assets in fixed-income senior securities; the remainder may be invested in other fixed-income securities and cash.
 
Principal Risks of the Funds
 
Loss of money is a risk of investing in each Fund. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ  Applicable
— Not applicable
   Balanced
Fund
   Growth
and
Income
Fund
   CORE
Large
Cap
Value
Fund
   CORE
U.S.
Equity
Fund
   CORE
Large
Cap
Growth
Fund
   CORE
Small
Cap
Equity
Fund

Credit/Default    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Foreign    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Emerging Countries    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Small Cap                   Ÿ
 
Stock    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Derivatives    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Interest Rate    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Management    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Market    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Liquidity    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Initial Public Offering (“IPO”)                  
 

 
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUNDS
 
 
 
 
 
Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid
Cap
Value
Fund
       
Small
Cap
Value
Fund
   Large
Cap
Value
Fund

Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
         Ÿ    Ÿ   
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
   Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ   
 

 
 
 
 
All Funds:
 
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
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
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 resulting from problems in share registration and custody and substantial economic and political disruptions. These risks are not normally associated with investments in more developed countries.
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
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
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
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 and 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”).
 
Specific Funds:
 
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.
 
More information about the Funds’ portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.
 
 
Fund 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. The Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities and Large Cap Value Funds commenced operations on May 24, 1999, May 24, 1999 and December 15, 1999, respectively. Since these Funds have less than one calendar year’s performance, no performance information is provided in this section.
 
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Balanced Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 2.16%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’97 +9.92%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -8.71%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      5 Years      Since Inception

Class A (Inception 10/12/94)
Including Sales Charges      2.86%      13.96%      13.10%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      28.54%      27.00%
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index**      (0.82)%      7.73%      7.46%

Class B (Inception 5/1/96)
Including CDSC      2.78%      N/A      10.76%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      N/A      26.74%
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index**      (0.82)%      N/A      6.36%

Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC      7.01%      N/A      5.20%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      N/A      23.21%
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index**      (0.82)%      N/A      5.14%

 
  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
**
The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of bond prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
Growth and Income Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -.92%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’97 +15.18%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -16.97%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      5 Years      Since Inception

Class A (Inception 2/5/93)
Including Sales Charges      0.00%      15.26%      12.98%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      28.54%      21.37%

Class B (Inception 5/1/96)
Including CDSC      (0.29)%      N/A      10.26%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      N/A      26.74%

Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC      3.94%      N/A      (0.71)%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      N/A      23.21%

 
  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 2.48%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’99 +10.41%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’99 -8.52%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Class A (Inception 12/31/98)
Including Sales Charges      2.87%      2.86%
Russell 1000® Value Index*      7.34%      7.34%

Class B (Inception 12/31/98)
Including CDSC      2.95%      3.95%
Russell 1000® Value Index*      7.34%      7.34%

Class C (Inception 12/31/98)
Including CDSC      7.06%      8.05%
Russell 1000® Value Index*      7.34%      7.34%

 
  *
The Russell 1000® Value Index (inception date 1/1/99) is a market capitalization weighted index of the 1,000 highest ranking U.S. stocks with below-average growth orientation. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -0.40%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’98 +21.44%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -14.69%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      5 Years      Since Inception

Class A (Inception 5/24/91)
Including Sales Charges      16.08%      24.93%      16.84%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      28.54%      19.87%

Class B (Inception 5/1/96)
Including CDSC      16.39%      N/A      22.70%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      N/A      26.74%

Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC      20.84%      N/A      19.73%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      N/A      23.21%

 
  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -0.87%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’98 +25.47%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -13.95%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Class A (Inception 5/1/97)
Including Sales Charges      28.83%      30.63%
Russell 1000® Growth Index*      33.15%      35.42%

Class B (Inception 5/1/97)
Including CDSC      30.31%      31.76%
Russell 1000® Growth Index*      33.15%      35.42%

Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC      34.40%      27.94%
Russell 1000® Growth Index*      33.15%      31.26%

 
  *
The Russell 1000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 6.96%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’99 +15.26%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -24.34%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Class A (Inception 8/15/97)
Including Sales Charges      10.20%      4.85%
Russell 2000® Index*      21.26%      10.21%

Class B (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC      10.78%      5.42%
Russell 2000® Index*      21.26%      10.21%

Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC      14.97%      6.71%
Russell 2000® Index*      21.26%      10.21%

 
  *
The Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Capital Growth Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 0.29%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’98 +24.31%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -11.44%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      5 Years      Since Inception

Class A (Inception 4/20/90)
Including Sales Charges      20.24%      27.15%      19.81%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      28.54%      19.33%

Class B (Inception 5/1/96)
Including CDSC      20.78%      N/A      28.09%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      N/A      26.74%

Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC      25.22%      N/A      27.67%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      N/A      23.21%

 
  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 17.88%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’99 +21.13%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -20.87%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Class A (Inception 8/15/97)
Including Sales Charges      (6.07)%      (4.27)%
Russell Midcap Value Index*      (0.10)%      6.38%

Class B (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC      (6.32)%      (3.87)%
Russell Midcap Value Index*      (0.10)%      6.38%

Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC      (2.37)%      (2.58)%
Russell Midcap Value Index*      (0.10)%      6.38%

 
 *The Russell Midcap Value Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Small Cap Value Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR (CLASS A)

 
The total return for Class A Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 26.61%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’99 +30.13%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -32.23%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      5 Years      Since Inception

Class A (Inception 10/22/92)
Including Sales Charges      (7.55)%      5.77%      7.65%
Russell 2000® Value Index*      (1.49)%      13.13%      13.94%

Class B (Inception 5/1/96)
Including CDSC      (7.72)%      N/A      1.13%
Russell 2000® Value Index*      (1.49)%      N/A      9.06%

Class C (Inception 8/15/97)
Including CDSC      (3.84)%      N/A      (6.15)%
Russell 2000® Value Index*      (1.49)%      N/A      0.81%

 
 *The Russell 2000® Value Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Class A, B and C Shares)
 
This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Class A, Class B, or Class C Shares of a Fund.
 
       Balanced 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      0.65%        0.65%        0.65%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.39%        0.39%        0.39%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.29%        2.04%        2.04%  

See page 48 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.
 
       Balanced Fund
       Class A      Class B      Class C

Annual Fund Operating Expenses               
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6               
Management Fees      0.65%      0.65%      0.65%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.25%      0.25%      0.25%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
     1.15%      1.90%      1.90%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
       Growth and Income 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      0.70%        0.70%        0.70%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.23%        0.23%        0.23%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.18%        1.93%        1.93%  

See page 48 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.
 
       Growth and Income Fund
       Class A      Class B      Class C

Annual Fund Operating Expenses               
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6               
Management Fees      0.70%      0.70%      0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.23%      0.23%      0.23%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
     1.18%      1.93%      1.93%

 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
 
       CORE Large Cap Value 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      0.60%        0.60%        0.60%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.32%        0.32%        0.32%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.17%        1.92%        1.92%  

See page 48 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 Large Cap Value Fund
       Class A      Class B      Class C

Annual Fund Operating Expenses               
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6               
Management Fees      0.60%      0.60%      0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.25%      0.25%      0.25%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
     1.10%      1.85%      1.85%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
       CORE U.S. 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 7      0.75%        0.75%        0.75%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.23%        0.23%        0.23%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.23%        1.98%        1.98%  

See page 48 for all other footnotes.
 
 *
As a result of the current waivers and 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 waivers and 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 U.S. Equity Fund
       Class A      Class B      Class C

Annual Fund Operating Expenses               
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6               
Management Fees 7      0.70%      0.70%      0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.19%      0.19%      0.19%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current
waivers and expense limitations)
     1.14%      1.89%      1.89%

 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
 
       CORE Large Cap 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 7      0.75%        0.75%        0.75%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.24%        0.24%        0.24%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1. 24%        1.99%        1.99%  

See page 48 for all other footnotes.
 
 *
As a result of the current waivers and 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 waivers and 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 Large Cap Growth Fund
       Class A      Class B      Class C

Annual Fund Operating Expenses               
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6               
Management Fees 7      0.70%      0.70%      0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.21%      0.21%      0.21%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current
waivers and expense limitations)
     1.16%      1.91%      1.91%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
       CORE Small Cap 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      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.45%        0.45%        0.45%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.55%        2.30%        2.30%  

See page 48 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 Small Cap 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      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.23%      0.23%      0.23%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current
expense limitations)
     1.33%      2.08%      2.08%

 
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
 
       Capital 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      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.22%        0.22%        0.22%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.47%        2.22%        2.22%  

See page 48 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.
 
       Capital 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      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.19%      0.19%      0.19%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
     1.44%      2.19%      2.19%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
       Strategic 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      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.38%        0.38%        0.38%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.63%        2.38%        2.38%  

See page 48 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.
 
       Strategic 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      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.19%      0.19%      0.19%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
     1.44%      2.19%      2.19%

 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
 
       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      1.00%        1.00%        1.00%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.36%        0.36%        0.36%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.61%        2.36%        2.36%  

See page 48 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.
 
       Growth Opportunities 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      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.30%      0.30%      0.30%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
     1.55%      2.30%      2.30%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
       Mid Cap Value 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      0.75%        0.75%        0.75%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.34%        0.34%        0.34%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.34%        2.09%        2.09%  

See page 48 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.
 
       Mid Cap Value Fund
       Class A      Class B      Class C

Annual Fund Operating Expenses               
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6               
Management Fees      0.75%      0.75%      0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.29%      0.29%      0.29%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
     1.29%      2.04%      2.04%

 
 
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
 
       Small Cap Value 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      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      0.32%        0.32%        0.32%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.57%        2.32%        2.32%  

See page 48 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.
 
       Small Cap Value 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      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.25%      0.25%      0.25%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
     1.50%      2.25%      2.25%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
       Large Cap Value 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      0.75%        0.75%        0.75%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 8      2.30%        2.30%        2.30%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      3.30%        4.05%        4.05%  

See page 48 for all other footnotes.
 
 *
As a result of the current waivers and 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 waivers and 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.
 
       Large Cap Value Fund
       Class A      Class B      Class C

Annual Fund Operating Expenses               
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6               
Management Fees      0.75%      0.75%      0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 8      0.25%      0.25%      0.25%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current waivers and expense limitations)
     1.25%      2.00%      2.00%

 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
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  
The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed not to impose a portion of the management fee on the CORE U.S. Equity Fund and the CORE Large Cap Growth Fund equal to 0.05% and 0.05%, respectively, of such Funds’ average daily net assets. As a result of fee waivers, the current management fees of the CORE U.S. Equity Fund and CORE Large Cap Growth Fund are 0.70% and 0.70%, respectively, of such Fund’s average daily net assets. The waivers may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser.
8  
“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 “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

Balanced    0.06%
 
Growth and Income    0.05%
 
CORE Large Cap Value    0.06%
 
CORE U.S. Equity    0.00%
 
CORE Large Cap Growth    0.02%
 
CORE Small Cap Equity    0.04%
 
Capital Growth    0.00%
 
Strategic Growth    0.00%
 
Growth Opportunities    0.11%
 
Mid Cap Value    0.10%
 
Small Cap Value    0.06%
 
Large Cap Value    0.06%
 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
Example
The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund (without the waivers and expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Class A, B or C Shares of a Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that a Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
 
Fund      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years

Balanced
Class A Shares      $674      $936      $1,219      $2,021
Class B Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $707      $940      $1,298      $2,176
    – Assuming no redemption      $207      $640      $1,098      $2,176
Class C Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $307      $640      $1,098      $2,369
    – Assuming no redemption      $207      $640      $1,098      $2,369

Growth and Income
Class A Shares      $664      $904      $1,163      $1,903
Class B Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $696      $906      $1,242      $2,059
    – Assuming no redemption      $196      $606      $1,042      $2,059
Class C Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $296      $606      $1,042      $2,254
    – Assuming no redemption      $196      $606      $1,042      $2,254

CORE Large Cap Value
Class A Shares      $663      $901      $1,158      $1,892
Class B Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $695      $903      $1,237      $2,048
    – Assuming no redemption      $195      $603      $1,037      $2,048
Class C Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $295      $603      $1,037      $2,243
    – Assuming no redemption      $195      $603      $1,037      $2,243

 
 
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
 
Fund      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years

CORE U.S. Equity
Class A Shares      $668      $  919      $1,188      $1,957
Class B Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $701      $  921      $1,268      $2,113
    – Assuming no redemption      $201      $  621      $1,068      $2,113
Class C Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $301      $  621      $1,068      $2,306
    – Assuming no redemption      $201      $  621      $1,068      $2,306

CORE Large Cap Growth
Class A Shares      $669      $  922      $1,194      $1,967
Class B Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $702      $  924      $1,273      $2,123
    – Assuming no redemption      $202      $  624      $1,073      $2,123
Class C Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $302      $  624      $1,073      $2,317
    – Assuming no redemption      $202      $  624      $1,073      $2,317

CORE Small Cap Equity
Class A Shares      $699      $1,013      $1,348      $2,294
Class B Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $733      $1,118      $1,430      $2,448
    – Assuming no redemption      $233      $  718      $1,230      $2,448
Class C Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $333      $  718      $1,230      $2,636
    – Assuming no redemption      $233      $  718      $1,230      $2,636

Capital Growth
Class A Shares      $691      $  989      $1,309      $2,211
Class B Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $725      $1,094      $1,390      $2,365
    – Assuming no redemption      $225      $  694      $1,190      $2,365
Class C Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $325      $  694      $1,190      $2,554
    – Assuming no redemption      $225      $  694      $1,190      $2,554

Strategic Growth
Class A Shares      $707      $1,036      $1,388      $2,376
Class B Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $741      $1,042      $1,470      $2,530
    – Assuming no redemption      $241      $  742      $1,270      $2,530
Class C Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $341      $  742      $1,270      $2,716
    – Assuming no redemption      $241      $  742      $1,270      $2,716

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Fund      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years

Growth Opportunities                                               
Class A Shares      $  705      $  1,030      $  1,378      $  2,356
Class B Shares                            
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $  739      $  1,036      $  1,460      $  2,510
    – Assuming no redemption      $  239      $    736      $  1,260      $  2,510
Class C Shares                            
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $  339      $    736      $  1,260      $  2,696
    – Assuming no redemption      $  239      $    736      $  1,260      $  2,696

Mid Cap Value                            
Class A Shares      $  679      $    951      $  1,244      $  2,074
Class B Shares                            
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $  712      $    955      $  1,344      $  2,229
    – Assuming no redemption      $  212      $    655      $  1,124      $  2,229
Class C Shares                            
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $  312      $    655      $  1,124      $  2,421
    – Assuming no redemption      $  212      $    655      $  1,124      $  2,421

Small Cap Value                            
Class A Shares      $  701      $  1,018      $  1,358      $  2,315
Class B Shares                            
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $  735      $  1,024      $  1,440      $  2,468
    – Assuming no redemption      $  235      $    724      $  1,240      $  2,468
Class C Shares                            
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $  335      $    724      $  1,240      $  2,656
    – Assuming no redemption      $  235      $    724      $  1,240      $  2,656

Large Cap Value                            
Class A Shares      $  865      $  1,510      $  2,177      $  3,947
Class B Shares                                       
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $  907      $  1,532      $  2,274      $  4,090
    – Assuming no redemption      $  407      $  1,232      $  2,074      $  4,090
Class C Shares                            
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $  507      $  1,232      $  2,074      $  4,248
    – Assuming no redemption      $  407      $  1,232      $  2,074      $  4,248

 
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
The hypothetical example assumes that a CDSC will not apply to redemptions of Class A Shares within the first 18 months. Class B Shares convert to Class A Shares eight years after purchase; therefore, Class A expenses are used in the hypothetical example after year eight.
 
Certain institutions that sell Fund shares and/or their salespersons may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “What Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Authorized Dealer?”
 
 
Service Providers
 
INVESTMENT ADVISERS
 
 
Investment Adviser      Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“GSAM”)      Balanced
32 Old Slip      Growth and Income
New York, New York 10005      CORE Large Cap Value
       CORE Large Cap Growth
          CORE Small Cap Equity
          Strategic Growth
          Growth Opportunities
          Mid Cap Value
          Small Cap Value
       Large Cap Value

Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. (“GSFM”)      CORE U.S. Equity
32 Old Slip      Capital Growth
New York, New York 10005

 
GSAM and GSFM are separate business units of the Investment Management Division (“IMD”) of Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs registered as an investment adviser in 1981. GSFM, a registered investment adviser since 1990, is a Delaware limited partnership which is an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. As of September 30, 2000, GSAM and GSFM, 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 listed below (as a percentage of each respective Fund’s average daily net assets):
 
       Contractual Rate      Actual Rate
For the Fiscal 
Year  Ended
August  31, 2000

GSAM:

Balanced      0.65%      0.65%

Growth and Income      0.70%      0.70%

CORE Large Cap Value      0.60%      0.60%

CORE Large Cap Growth      0.75%      0.64%

CORE Small Cap Equity      0.85%      0.85%

Strategic Growth      1.00%      1.00%

Growth Opportunities      1.00%      1.00%

Mid Cap Value      0.75%      0.75%

Small Cap Value      1.00%      1.00%

Large Cap Value      0.75%      0.75%

GSFM:            

CORE U.S. Equity      0.75%      0.70%

Capital 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.
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
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 19-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.
 
Value Team
n
Twelve portfolio managers/analysts with over 100 years of combined financial experience comprise the Investment Adviser’s value investment team
n
Multi-sector focus provides a balanced perspective and in-depth industry
knowledge
n
Across all value products, the Investment Adviser leverages the industry research expertise of its small, mid and large cap investment teams
 

Value Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Eileen A. Aptman
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Mid Cap Value
Small Cap Value
   Since
1996
1997
   Ms. Aptman joined the Investment
Adviser as a research analyst in
1993. She became a portfolio
manager in 1996.

Matthew B.
McLennan
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Small Cap Value
Mid Cap Value
   Since
1996
1998
   Mr. McLennan joined the
Investment Adviser as a research
analyst in 1995 and became a
portfolio manager in 1996. From
1994 to 1995, he worked in the
Investment Banking Division of
Goldman Sachs in Australia.

Meera Mayer
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Growth and Income
Large Cap Value
Balanced (Equity)
   Since
1999
1999
1999
   Ms. Mayer joined the Investment
Adviser as a senior portfolio
manager in November 1999. From
July 1999 to November 1999, she
worked at Oppenheimer Funds as a
senior equity analyst. From 1995 to
March 1999, she worked at Spears,
Benzak, Salomon and Farrell as a
managing director and portfolio
manager.

 
 
 
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Chip Otness
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Small Cap Value
Mid Cap Value
   Since
2000
2000
   Mr. Otness joined the Investment
Adviser as a senior portfolio
manager in 2000. From 1998 to
2000, he headed Dolphin Asset
Management. From 1970 to 1998,
he worked at J.P. Morgan, most
recently as a managing director
and senior portfolio manager
responsible for small-cap
institutional equity investments.

Eileen Rominger
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Growth and Income
Large Cap Value
Balanced (Equity)
   Since
1999
1999
1999
   Ms. Rominger joined the
Investment Adviser as a senior
portfolio manager and Chief
Investment Officer of the Value
Equity team in 1999. From 1981 to
1999, she worked at Oppenheimer
Capital, most recently as a senior
portfolio manager.

 
Quantitative Equity Team
n
A stable and growing team supported by an extensive internal staff
n
Access to the research ideas of Goldman Sachs’ renowned Global Investment Research Department
n
More than $34 billion in equities currently under management
 

Quantitative Equity Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Melissa Brown
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
CORE Large Cap Value
CORE U.S. Equity
CORE Large Cap Growth
CORE Small Cap Equity
   Since
1998
1998
1998
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.

Robert C. Jones
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
CORE U.S. Equity
CORE Large Cap Growth
CORE Small Cap Equity
CORE Large Cap Value
   Since
1991
1997
1997
1998
   Mr. Jones joined the
Investment Adviser as a portfolio
manager in 1989.

Victor H. Pinter
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
CORE U.S. Equity
CORE Large Cap Growth
CORE Small Cap Equity
CORE Large Cap Value
   Since
1996
1997
1997
1998
   Mr. Pinter joined the
Investment Adviser as a research
analyst in 1989. He became a
portfolio manager in 1992.

 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
Growth Equity Investment Team
n
18 year consistent investment style applied through diverse and complete market cycles
n
More than $22 billion in equities currently under management
n
More than 300 client account relationships
n
A portfolio management and analytical team with more than 150 years combined investment experience
 

Growth Equity Investment Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

George D. Adler
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Balanced (Equity)
Capital Growth
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1997
1999
1999
   Mr. Adler joined the
Investment Adviser as a portfolio
manager in 1997. From 1990 to
1997, he was a portfolio manager
at Liberty Investment
Management, Inc. (“Liberty”).

Steve Barry
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Growth Opportunities
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
   Since
1999
2000
2000
2000
   Mr. Barry joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1999. From 1988 to 1999, he was
a portfolio manager at Alliance
Capital Management.

Kenneth T. Berents
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
2000
2000
2000
2000
   Mr. Berents joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
2000. From 1992 to 1999, he was
Director of Research and head of
the Investment Committee at
Wheat First Union.

Robert G. Collins
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Collins joined the Investment
Adviser as portfolio manager and
Co-Chair of the Growth Equity
Investment Committee in 1997.
From 1991 to 1997, he was a
portfolio manager at Liberty.

Herbert E. Ehlers
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Ehlers joined the Investment
Adviser as a senior portfolio
manager and Chief Investment
Officer of the Growth Equity team
in 1997. From 1994 to 1997, he
was the Chief Investment Officer
and Chairman of Liberty.

 
 
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Gregory H. Ekizian
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Ekizian joined the Investment
Adviser as portfolio manager and
Co-Chair of the Growth Equity
Investment Committee in 1997.
From 1990 to 1997, he was a
portfolio manager at Liberty and
its predecessor firm, Eagle.

Scott Kolar
Vice President
   Portfolio Manager—
Growth Opportunities
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
   Since
1999
2000
2000
2000
   Mr. Kolar joined the Investment
Adviser as an equity analyst in
1997 and became a portfolio
manager in 1999. From 1994 to
1997, he was an equity analyst and
information systems specialist at
Liberty.

David G. Shell
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Shell joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1997. From 1987 to 1997, he was
a portfolio manager at Liberty and
its predecessor firm, Eagle.

Ernest C. Segundo, Jr.
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Segundo joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1997. From 1992 to 1997, he was
a portfolio manager at Liberty.

 
Fixed-Income Portfolio Management Team
n
Fixed-income portfolio management is comprised of a deep team of sector specialists
n
The team strives to maximize risk-adjusted returns by de-emphasizing interest rate anticipation and focusing on security selection and sector allocation
n
The team manages approximately $49 billion in fixed-income assets for retail, institutional and high net worth clients
 

Fixed-Income Portfolio Management Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Jonathan A. Beinner
Managing Director and
Co-Head U.S. Fixed
Income
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Balanced (Fixed-Income)
   Since
1994
   Mr. Beinner joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1990.

C. Richard Lucy
Managing Director and
Co-Head U.S. Fixed
Income
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Balanced (Fixed-Income)
   Since
1994
   Mr. Lucy joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1992.

 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
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.
 
 
Dividends
 
 
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, your 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.
 
Dividends from net investment company taxable income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid as follows:
 
Fund      Investment
Income Dividends
     Capital Gains
Distributions

Balanced      Quarterly      Annually

Growth and Income      Quarterly      Annually

CORE Large Cap Value      Quarterly      Annually

CORE U.S. Equity      Annually      Annually

CORE Large Cap Growth      Annually      Annually

CORE Small Cap Equity      Annually      Annually

Capital Growth      Annually      Annually

Strategic Growth      Annually      Annually

Growth Opportunities      Annually      Annually

Mid Cap Value      Annually      Annually

Small Cap Value      Annually      Annually

Large Cap Value      Annually      Annually

 
DIVIDENDS
 
 
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.
 
Shareholder Guide
 
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.
 
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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)
       –  (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 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;
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
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 invest ment 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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 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    
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 distributions 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
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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.
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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.
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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.
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You must have a minimum balance of $5,000 in a Fund.
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Checks are mailed on or about the 25th day of each month.
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Each systematic withdrawal is a redemption and therefore a taxable transaction.
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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:
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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.
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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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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:
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Compensation paid to and expenses incurred by Authorized Dealers, Goldman Sachs and their respective officers, employees and sales representatives;
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Commissions paid to Authorized Dealers;
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Allocable overhead;
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Telephone and travel expenses;
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Interest and other costs associated with the financing of such compensation and expenses;
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Printing of prospectuses for prospective shareholders;
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Preparation and distribution of sales literature or advertising of any type; and
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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.
 
Taxation
 
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.”
 
TAXATION
 
 
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.
 
Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and Techniques
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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:
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Both domestic and foreign securities that are not readily marketable
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Certain stripped mortgage-backed securities
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Repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
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Certain over-the-counter options
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Certain structured securities and all swap transactions
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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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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:
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U.S. government securities
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Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s or P-2 by Moody’s
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Certificates of deposit
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Bankers’ acceptances
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Repurchase agreements
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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.
 
 
Mortgage Dollar Rolls. Certain Funds may enter into mortgage dollar rolls. A mortgage dollar roll involves the sale by a Fund of securities for delivery in the current month. The Fund simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, the Fund benefits to the extent of any difference between (a) the price received for the securities sold and (b) the lower forward price for the future purchase and/or fee income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold. Unless the benefits of a mortgage dollar roll exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the roll, the use of this technique will diminish the Fund’s performance.
 
Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls depends upon the Investment Adviser’s ability to predict correctly interest rates and mortgage prepayments. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its prediction, a Fund may experience a loss. For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Funds treat mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions: one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale. The Funds do not currently intend to enter into mortgage dollar rolls that are accounted for as a financing and do not treat them as borrowings.
 
Yield Curve Options. Certain Funds may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease.
 
The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, such options present a risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Certain Funds may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by a Fund subject to the Fund’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price (including interest). These transactions may be entered into as a temporary measure for emergency purposes or to meet redemption requests. Reverse repurchase agreements may also be entered into when the Invest ment Adviser expects that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the transaction proceeds will be greater than the related interest expense. Reverse repurchase agreements involve leveraging. If the securities held by a Fund decline in value while these transactions are outstanding, the NAV of the Fund’s outstanding shares will decline in value by proportionately more than the decline in value of the securities. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the interest income earned by a Fund (from the investment of the proceeds) will be less than the interest expense of the transaction, that the market value of the securities sold by a Fund will decline below the price the Fund is obligated to pay to repurchase the securities, and that the securities may not be returned to the Fund.
 
Municipal Securities. Certain Funds may invest in securities and instruments issued by state and local government issuers. Municipal securities in which a Fund may invest consist of bonds, notes, commercial paper and other instruments (including participating interests in such securities) issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities. Such securities may pay fixed, variable or floating rates of interest. Municipal securities are often issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other public purposes for which municipal securities may be issued include refunding outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses, and obtaining funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities. Municipal securities in which a Fund may invest include private activity bonds, municipal leases, certificates of participation, pre-funded municipal securities and auction rate securities.
 
Interest Rate Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps, Currency Swaps and Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses of an underlying security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive or make a payment from the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Currency swaps involve the exchange of the parties’ respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar is the combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates.
 
Certain Funds may enter into swap transactions for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The use of interest rate, mortgage, credit and currency swaps, as well as interest rate caps, floors and collars, is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market value, interest rates and currency exchange rates, the investment performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.
 
Loan Participations. Certain Funds may invest in loan participations. A loan participation is an interest in a loan to a U.S. or foreign company or other borrower which is administered and sold by a financial intermediary. A Fund may only invest in loans to issuers in whose obligations it may otherwise invest. Loan participation interests may take the form of a direct or co-lending relationship with the corporate borrower, an assignment of an interest in the loan by a co-lender or another participant, or a participation in the seller’s share of the loan. When a Fund acts as co-lender in connection with a participation interest or when it acquires certain participation interests, the Fund will have direct recourse against the borrower if the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal and interest. In cases where the Fund lacks direct recourse, it will look to the agent bank to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower. In these cases, the Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Fund had purchased a direct obligation (such as commercial paper) of such borrower. Moreover, under the terms of the loan participation, the Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the agent bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the Fund may also be subject to the risk that the agent bank may become insolvent.
 
Inverse Floaters. Certain Funds may invest in inverse floating rate debt securities (“inverse floaters”). The interest rate on inverse floaters resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher the degree of leverage of an inverse floater, the greater the volatility of its market value.
 
 
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Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
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 not 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 a Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report (available upon request). The information for all periods prior to the periods ended August 31, 2000 has been audited by the Funds’ previous independent accountants.
 
BALANCED FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
 
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
Income
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain (loss)
   Total from
investment
operations

For The Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $20.38    $0.60 c    $  1.75      $2.35
 
2000 - Class B Shares    20.26    0.45 c    1.73      2.18
 
2000 - Class C Shares    20.23    0.45 c    1.74      2.19
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    20.39    0.71 c    1.75      2.46
 
2000 - Service Shares    20.37    0.59 c    1.74      2.33

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    20.48      0.32       (0.19 )    0.13
 
1999 - Class B Shares    20.37    0.22      (0.18 )    0.04
 
1999 - Class C Shares    20.34    0.23      (0.19 )    0.04
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    20.48    0.53      (0.35 )    0.18
 
1999 - Service Shares    20.47    1.22      (1.14 )    0.08

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares      20.29      0.58          0.20      0.78
 
1999 - Class B Shares    20.20    0.41      0.21      0.62
 
1999 - Class C Shares    20.17    0.41      0.21      0.62
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    20.29    0.64      0.20      0.84
 
1999 - Service Shares    20.28    0.53      0.21      0.74

 
1998 - Class A Shares    18.78    0.57      2.66      3.23
 
1998 - Class B Shares    18.73    0.50      2.57      3.07
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    21.10    0.25      0.24      0.49
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    21.18    0.26      0.32      0.58
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    21.18    0.22      0.32      0.54

 
1997 - Class A Shares    17.31    0.66      2.47      3.13
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    17.46    0.42      2.34      2.76

 
1996 - Class A Shares    14.22    0.51      3.43      3.94

See page 150 for all footnotes.
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
    
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
return
a
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets

 
 
$(0.50 )    $    —      $(0.81 )    $(1.31 )    $21.42    12.00 %    $135,632    1.12 %
 
 (0.36 )          —        (0.81 )    (1.17 )    21.27    11.17      33,759    1.87  
 
 (0.36 )          —          (0.81 )    (1.17 )    21.25    11.23      8,658    1.87  
 
 (0.58 )          —          (0.81 )    (1.39 )    21.46    12.59      2,509    0.72  
 
 (0.48 )          —          (0.81 )    (1.29 )    21.41    11.89      17    1.22  

 
 
 (0.23 )          —            —        (0.23 )      20.38    0.62        169,395    1.10 b
 
 (0.15 )          —            —      (0.15 )    20.26    0.20      40,515    1.85 b
 
 (0.15 )          —            —      (0.15 )    20.23    0.18      11,284    1.85 b
 
 (0.27 )          —            —      (0.27 )    20.39    0.86      2,361    0.70 b
 
 (0.18 )          —            —      (0.18 )    20.37    0.39      15    1.20 b

 
 
 (0.59 )          —            —      (0.59 )    20.48    3.94      192,453    1.04  
 
 (0.45 )              (0.45 )    20.37    3.15      43,926    1.80  
 
 (0.45 )              (0.45 )    20.34    3.14      14,286    1.80  
 
 (0.65 )              (0.65 )    20.48    4.25      8,010    0.73  
 
 (0.55 )              (0.55 )    20.47    3.80      490    1.23  

 
 (0.56 )         (1.16 )    (1.72 )    20.29    17.54       163,636    1.00  
 
 (0.42 )     (0.02 )    (1.16 )    (1.60 )     20.20    16.71      23,639    1.76  
 
 (0.22 )    (0.04 )    (1.16 )     (1.42 )    20.17    2.49      8,850    1.77 b
 
 (0.23 )    (0.08 )    (1.16 )    (1.47 )    20.29    2.93      8,367    0.76 b
 
 (0.22 )    (0.06 )    (1.16 )    (1.44 )    20.28    2.66      16    1.26 b

 
 (0.66 )         (1.00 )    (1.66 )    18.78    18.59          81,410    1.00  
 
 (0.42 )    (0.07 )    (1.00 )    (1.49 )    18.73    16.22      2,110    1.75 b

 
 (0.50 )         (0.35 )    (0.85 )    17.31    28.10      50,928    1.00  

 
 
 
BALANCED FUND (continued)
 
              
Ratios assuming
no expense reductions

    
 
     Ratio of
net investment
income to
average net
assets
   Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets
   Ratio of
net investment
income to
average net
assets
   Portfolio
turnover
rated

For The Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    2.94 %    1.29 %    2.77 %    153.69 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    2.19      2.04      2.02      153.69  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    2.19      2.04      2.02      153.69  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    3.46      0.89      3.29      153.69  
 
2000 - Service Shares    2.86      1.39      2.69      153.69  

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    2.58 b    1.32 b    2.36 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.83 b    2.07 b    1.61 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    1.84 b    62.07 b    1.62 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    2.96 b    60.92 b    2.74 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Service Shares    2.46 b    1.42 b    2.24 b    90.41  

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    2.90      1.45      2.49      175.06  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    2.16      2.02      1.94      175.06  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    2.17      2.02      1.95      175.06  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    3.22      0.95      3.00      175.06  
 
1999 - Service Shares    2.77      1.45      2.55      175.06  

 
1998 - Class A Shares    2.94      1.57      2.37       190.43  
 
1998 - Class B Shares     2.14       2.07       1.83      190.43  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    2.13 b    2.08 b    1.82 b    190.43  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    3.13 b    1.07 b    2.82 b    190.43  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    2.58 b    1.57 b    2.27 b    190.43  

 
1997 - Class A Shares    3.76      1.77      2.99      208.11  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    2.59 b    2.27 b    2.07 b    208.11  

 
1996 - Class A Shares    3.65      1.90      2.75      197.10  

 
 
 
 
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GROWTH AND INCOME 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    $24.68    $  0.07 c    $1.44      $1.51  
 
2000 - Class B Shares    24.46     (0.10 ) c    1.42      1.32  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    24.41    (0.09 ) c    1.40      1.31  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    24.72    0.16 c    1.49      1.65  
 
2000 - Service Shares    24.68    0.05 c    1.44      1.49  

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    24.33    0.19      0.31      0.50  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    24.13    0.08      0.31      0.39  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    24.08    0.08      0.30      0.38  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    24.35    0.34      0.23      0.57  
 
1999 - Service Shares    24.33    0.17      0.32      0.49  

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    25.93    0.20      (1.60 )    (1.40 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares    25.73    0.02      (1.58 )    (1.56 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares    25.70    0.02    (1.59 )    (1.57 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    25.95    0.29      (1.58 )    (1.29 )
 
1999 - Service Shares    25.92    0.17      (1.58 )    (1.41 )

 
1998 - Class A Shares     23.18    0.11      5.27      5.38  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    23.10    0.04       5.14      5.18  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    28.20     (0.01 )    0.06      0.05  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    23.19    0.27      5.23      5.50  
 
1998 - Service Shares    23.17    0.14      5.23      5.37  

 
1997 - Class A Shares    19.98    0.35      5.18      5.53  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    20.82    0.17      4.31      4.48  
 
1997 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 3, 1996)    21.25    0.29      3.96      4.25  
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced March 6, 1996)    20.71    0.28      4.50      4.78  

 
1996 - Class A Shares    15.80    0.33      4.75      5.08  

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
    
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

                    
$(0.05 )    $(0.03 )    $(1.33 )    $(1.41 )    $24.78    6.48 %    $    576,354    1.18 %
 
(0.02 )    (0.01 )    (1.33 )    (1.36 )    24.42    5.70      155,527    1.93  
 
(0.01 )    (0.01 )    (1.33 )    (1.35 )    24.37    5.67      15,746    1.93  
 
(0.09 )    (0.04 )    (1.33 )    (1.46 )    24.91    7.05      28,543    0.78  
 
(0.05 )    (0.02 )    (1.33 )    (1.40 )    24.77    6.40      7,926    1.28  

                    
 
(0.15 )              (0.15 )    24.68    2.05    855,174    1.19 b
 
(0.06 )              (0.06 )    24.46    1.60    271,912    1.94 b
 
(0.05 )              (0.05 )    24.41    1.58    31,328    1.94 b
 
(0.20 )              (0.20 )    24.72    2.32    32,181    0.79 b
 
(0.14 )              (0.14 )    24.68    2.01    10,008    1.29 b

                    
 
(0.19 )      (0.01 )         —      (0.20 )    24.33    (5.40 )    1,122,157    1.22  
 
(0.04 )              (0.04 )    24.13    (6.07 )    349,662    1.92  
 
(0.05 )              (0.05 )    24.08    (6.12 )    48,146    1.92  
 
(0.30 )    (0.01 )         (0.31 )    24.35    (5.00 )    173,696    0.80  
 
(0.17 )    (0.01 )         (0.18 )    24.33    (5.44 )    11,943    1.30  

 
 (0.11 )         (2.52 )    (2.63 )     25.93    23.71       1,216,582    1.25  
 
     (0.03 )     (2.52 )    (2.55 )    25.73    22.87      307,815    1.94  
 
      (0.03 )    (2.52 )    (2.55 )    25.70    0.51      31,686    1.99 b
 
(0.22 )         (2.52 )    (2.74 )    25.95    24.24      36,225    0.83  
 
(0.06 )    (0.04 )    (2.52 )    (2.62 )    25.92    23.63      8,893    1.32  

 
(0.35 )    (0.01 )    (1.97 )    (2.33 )    23.18    28.42      615,103    1.22  
 
(0.17 )    (0.06 )    (1.97 )    (2.20 )    23.10    22.23      17,346    1.93 b
 
(0.30 )    (0.04 )    (1.97 )    (2.31 )    23.19    20.77    193    0.82 b
 
(0.28 )    (0.07 )    (1.97 )    (2.32 )    23.17    23.87    3,174    1.32 b

 
(0.30 )          —      (0.60 )    (0.90 )    19.98    32.45      436,757    1.20  

 
 
 
 
GROWTH AND INCOME 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    0.31 %      1.18 %      0.31 %      86.84 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.41 )      1.93        (0.41 )      86.84  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.40 )      1.93        (0.40 )      86.84  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.69        0.78        0.69        86.84  
 
2000 - Service Shares    0.20        1.28        0.20        86.84  

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,                  
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.26 b      1.20 b      1.25 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    0.51 b      1.95 b      0.50 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    0.51 b      1.95 b      0.50 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    1.72 b      0.80 b      1.71 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.16 b      1.30 b      1.15 b      55.43  

For The Years Ended January 31,                  
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.78        1.32        0.68        125.79  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    0.09        1.92        0.09        125.79  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    0.10        1.92        0.10        125.79  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    1.25        0.80        1.25        125.79  
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.72        1.30        0.72        125.79  

 
1998 - Class A Shares    0.43        1.42        0.26        61.95  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    (0.35 )      1.94        (0.35 )      61.95  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.48 ) b      1.99 b      (0.48 ) b      61.95  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    0.76        0.83        0.76        61.95  
 
1998 - Service Shares    0.32        1.32        0.32        61.95  

 
1997 - Class A Shares    1.60        1.43        1.39        53.03  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    0.15 b      1.93 b      0.15 b      53.03  
 
1997 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 3, 1996)    1.36 b      0.82 b      1.36 b      53.03  
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced March 6, 1996)    0.94 b      1.32 b      0.94 b      53.03  

 
1996 - Class A Shares    1.67        1.45        1.42        57.93  

 
 
 
 
 
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CORE LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
     Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $10.55    $0.12 c    $0.36    $0.48
 
2000 - Class B Shares    10.50    0.05 c    0.36    0.41
 
2000 - Class C Shares    10.51    0.04 c    0.37    0.41
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    10.55    0.16 c    0.37    0.53
 
2000 - Service Shares    10.55    0.11 c    0.36    0.47

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    10.15    0.04      0.40    0.44
 
1999 - Class B Shares    10.15    0.01      0.36    0.37
 
1999 - Class C Shares    10.15    0.01      0.37    0.38
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    10.16    0.06      0.38    0.44
 
1999 - Service Shares    10.16    0.02      0.40    0.42

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00      0.01        0.14    0.15
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00          0.15    0.15
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00          0.15    0.15
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00    0.01       0.15    0.16
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00    0.02       0.14    0.16

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
Distributions to
shareholders

                           
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
   Ratio of
net investment
income to
average net assets

                    
 
$(0.10 )    $(0.12 )    $(0.22 )    $10.81    4.68 %    $100,972    1.06 %    1.14 %
 
(0.04 )    (0.12 )    (0.16 )    10.75    3.96      19,069    1.81      0.44  
 
(0.04 )    (0.12 )    (0.16 )    10.76    3.97    11,178    1.81      0.45  
 
(0.14 )    (0.12 )    (0.26 )    10.82    5.20    175,493    0.66      1.54  
 
(0.09 )    (0.12 )    (0.21 )    10.81    4.60      12    1.16      1.07  

                    
 
(0.04 )         (0.04 )    10.55    4.31          91,072    1.04 b    0.87 b
 
(0.02 )         (0.02 )    10.50    3.68      14,464    1.79 b    0.05 b
 
(0.02 )         (0.02 )    10.51    3.73      8,032    1.79 b    0.09 b
 
(0.05 )         (0.05 )    10.55    4.35      189,540    0.64 b    1.29 b
 
(0.03 )         (0.03 )    10.55    4.11      13    1.14 b    0.72 b

                    
 
 —       —           10.15    1.50      6,665    1.08 b    1.45 b
 
 —       —           10.15    1.50      340    1.82 b    0.84 b
 
 —       —       —      10.15    1.50      268    1.83 b    0.70 b
 
 —       —       —      10.16    1.60      53,396    0.66 b    1.97 b
 
 —       —       —      10.16    1.60      2    1.16 b    2.17 b

 
 
 
 
CORE LARGE CAP VALUE FUND (continued)
 
         
Ratios assuming no
expense reductions

      
     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    1.17 %      1.03 %      83.30 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    1.92        0.33        83.30  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    1.92        0.34        83.30  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.77        1.43        83.30  
 
2000 - Service Shares    1.27        0.96        83.30  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.21 b      0.70 b      36.10  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.96 b      (0.12 ) b      36.10  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    1.96 b      (0.08 ) b      36.10  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.81 b      1.12 b      36.10  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.31 b      0.55 b      36.10  

For the Period Ended January 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.03 b      (5.50 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.77 b      (6.11 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.78 b      (6.25 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    7.61 b      (4.98 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.11 b      (4.78 ) b      0.00  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
CORE U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations

For The Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $34.21    $  0.10 c    $6.00    $6.10
 
2000 - Class B Shares    33.56    (0.14 ) c    5.83    5.69
 
2000 - Class C Shares    33.46    (0.13 ) c    5.80    5.67
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    34.61    0.24 c    6.07    6.31
 
2000 - Service Shares    34.05    0.07 c    5.96    6.03

For The Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    32.98    0.03      1.20    1.23
 
1999 - Class B Shares    32.50    (0.11 )    1.17    1.06
 
1999 - Class C Shares    32.40    (0.10 )    1.16    1.06
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    33.29    0.11      1.21    1.32
 
1999 - Service Shares    32.85    0.01      1.19    1.20

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares      26.59        0.04        7.02    7.06
 
1999 - Class B Shares    26.32     (0.10 )    6.91    6.81
 
1999 - Class C Shares    26.24    (0.10 )    6.89    6.79
 
1999 - Institutional Shares      26.79    0.20      7.11    7.31
 
1999 - Service Shares    26.53    0.06      7.01    7.07

1998 - Class A Shares     23.32     0.11      5.63    5.74
 
1998 - Class B Shares    23.18    0.11      5.44    5.55
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    27.48    0.03      1.22    1.25
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    23.44    0.30      5.65    5.95
 
1998 - Service Shares    23.27    0.19      5.57    5.76

1997 - Class A Shares    19.66    0.16      4.46    4.62
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    20.44    0.04      3.70    3.74
 
1997 - Institutional Shares    19.71    0.30      4.51    4.81
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced June 7, 1996)    21.02    0.13      3.15    3.28

1996 - Class A Shares    14.61    0.19      5.43    5.62
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 15, 1995)    16.97    0.16      3.23    3.39

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
    
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
   Ratio of
net investment
income (loss)
to average
net assets

                       
 
$    —      $    —      $(3.54 )    $(3.54 )    $36.77    18.96 %    $715,775    1.14 %    0.31 %
 
          (3.54 )    (3.54 )    35.71    18.03      275,673    1.89      (0.44 )
 
          (3.54 )    (3.54 )    35.59    18.03      62,820    1.89      (0.43 )
 
(0.08 )         (3.54 )    (3.62 )    37.30    19.41      379,172    0.74      0.71  
 
          (3.54 )    (3.54 )    36.54    18.83      11,879    1.24      0.19  

                       
 
                    34.21    3.73      614,310    1.14 b    0.15 b
 
                    33.56    3.26      214,087    1.89 b    (0.60 ) b
 
                    33.46    3.27      43,361    1.89 b    (0.61 ) b
 
                    34.61    3.97      335,465    0.74 b    0.54 b
 
                    34.05    3.65      11,204    1.24 b    0.06 b

                       
 
  (0.03 )      (0.01 )      (0.63 )    (0.67 )    32.98    26.89    605,566    1.23      0.15  
 
          (0.63 )    (0.63 )    32.50    26.19      152,347    1.85      (0.50 )
 
          (0.63 )    (0.63 )    32.40    26.19      26,912    1.87      (0.53 )
 
(0.15 )    (0.03 )    (0.63 )    (0.81 )    33.29    27.65      307,200    0.69      0.69  
 
(0.10 )    (0.02 )    (0.63 )    (0.75 )    32.85    27.00      11,600    1.19      0.19  

 (0.12 )          (2.35 )    (2.47 )    26.59    24.96      398,393    1.28      0.51  
 
      (0.06 )    (2.35 )    (2.41 )    26.32    24.28      59,208    1.79      (0.05 )
 
     (0.14 )    (2.35 )    (2.49 )    26.24    4.85      6,267    1.78 b    (0.21 ) b
 
(0.24 )    (0.01 )    (2.35 )    (2.60 )    26.79    25.76      202,893    0.65      1.16  
 
(0.07 )    (0.08 )    (2.35 )    (2.50 )    26.53    25.11      7,841    1.15      0.62  

(0.16 )         (0.80 )    (0.96 )    23.32    23.75      225,968    1.29      0.91  
 
(0.04 )    (0.16 )    (0.80 )    (1.00 )    23.18    18.59      17,258    1.83 b    0.06 b
 
(0.28 )         (0.80 )    (1.08 )    23.44    24.63      148,942    0.65      1.52  
 
(0.13 )    (0.10 )    (0.80 )    (1.03 )    23.27    15.92      3,666    1.15 b    0.69 b

(0.16 )         (0.41 )    (0.57 )    19.66    38.63      129,045    1.25      1.01  
 
(0.24 )         (0.41 )    (0.65 )    19.71    20.14      64,829    0.65 b    1.49 b

 
 
 
CORE U.S. EQUITY FUND (continued)
 
         
    
Ratios assuming no expense reductions

      
     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    1.23 %      0.22 %      59.27 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    1.98        (0.53 )      59.27  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    1.98        (0.52 )      59.27  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.83        0.62        59.27  
 
2000 - Service Shares    1.33        0.10        59.27  

For The Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.24 b      0.05 b      41.84  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.99 b      (0.70 ) b      41.84  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    1.99 b      (0.71 ) b      41.84  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.84 b      0.44 b      41.84  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.34 b      (0.04 ) b      41.84  

For The Years Ended January 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.36        0.02        63.79  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.98        (0.63 )      63.79  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    2.00        (0.66 )      63.79  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.82        0.56        63.79  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.32        0.06        63.79  

1998 - Class A Shares    1.47        0.32        65.89  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    1.96        (0.22 )      65.89  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    1.95 b      (0.38 ) b      65.89  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    0.82        0.99        65.89  
 
1998 - Service Shares    1.32        0.45        65.89  

1997 - Class A Shares    1.53        0.67        37.28  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    2.00 b      (0.11 ) b      37.28  
 
1997 - Institutional Shares    0.85        1.32        37.28  
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced June 7, 1996)    1.35 b      0.49 b      37.28  

1996 - Class A Shares    1.55        0.71        39.35  
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 15, 1995)    0.96 b      1.18 b      39.35  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
CORE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
         
    
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $17.02    $  0.06 c    $5.67    $5.73
 
2000 - Class B Shares    16.75    (0.09 ) c    5.57    5.48
 
2000 - Class C Shares    16.75    (0.08 ) c    5.57    5.49
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    17.10    0.13 c    5.73    5.86
 
2000 - Service Shares    16.95    0.03 c    5.66    5.69

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    16.17    (0.01 )    0.86    0.85
 
1999 - Class B Shares    15.98    (0.07 )    0.84    0.77
 
1999 - Class C Shares    15.99    (0.07 )    0.83    0.76
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    16.21    0.03      0.86    0.89
 
1999 - Service Shares    16.11    (0.02 )    0.86    0.84

For the Year Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    11.97    0.01      4.19    4.20
 
1999 - Class B Shares    11.92     (0.06 )    4.12    4.06
 
1999 - Class C Shares    11.93     (0.05 )    4.11    4.06
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    11.97    0.02      4.23    4.25
 
1999 - Service Shares    11.95    (0.01 )    4.17    4.16

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)      10.00        0.01        2.35    2.36
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    10.00    (0.03 )    2.33    2.30
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    11.80    (0.02 )    0.54    0.52
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    10.00    0.01      2.35    2.36
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    10.00    (0.02 )    2.35    2.33

 
APPENDIX B
 
    
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

                    
 
$    —      $    —      $(0.09 )    $(0.09 )    $22.66    33.73 %    $545,763    1.09 %
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.14    32.78      338,128    1.84  
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.15    32.84      154,966    1.84  
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.87    34.34      322,900    0.69  
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.55    33.64      3,879    1.19  

                    
 
                    17.02    5.26      300,684    1.04 b
 
                    16.75    4.82      181,626    1.79 b
 
                    16.75    4.75      75,502    1.79 b
 
                    17.10    5.49      310,704    0.64 b
 
                    16.95    5.21      2,510    1.14 b

                    
 
                    16.17    35.10      175,510    0.97  
 
                    15.98    34.07      93,711    1.74  
 
                    15.99    34.04      37,081    1.74  
 
      (0.01 )         (0.01 )    16.21    35.54      295,734    0.65  
 
                    16.11    34.85      1,663    1.15  

                    
 
 (0.01 )          (0.38 )    (0.39 )      11.97    23.79          53,786    0.91 b
 
          (0.38 )    (0.38 )    11.92    23.26      13,857    1.67 b
 
     (0.01 )    (0.38 )    (0.39 )    11.93    4.56      4,132    1.68 b
 
(0.01 )         (0.38 )    (0.39 )    11.97    23.89      4,656    0.72 b
 
          (0.38 )    (0.38 )    11.95    23.56      115    1.17 b

 
 
 
CORE LARGE CAP 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    0.31 %    1.24 %    0.16 %    72.59 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.44 )    1.99      (0.59 )    72.59  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.43 )    1.99      (0.58 )    72.59  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.65      0.84      0.50      72.59  
 
2000 - Service Shares    0.15      1.34           72.59  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.11 ) b    1.26 b    (0.33 ) b    32.74  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.87 ) b    2.01 b    (1.09 ) b    32.74  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.87 ) b    2.01 b    (1.09 ) b    32.74  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.31 b    0.86 b    0.09 b    32.74  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.21 ) b    1.36 b    (0.43 ) b    32.74  

For the Year Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.05      1.46      (0.44 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.73 )    2.11      (1.10 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.74 )    2.11      (1.11 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.35      1.02      (0.02 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.16 )    1.52      (0.53 )    63.15  

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    0.12 b    2.40 b    (1.37 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    (0.72 ) b    2.91 b    (1.96 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.76 ) b    2.92 b    (2.00 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    0.42 b    1.96 b    (0.82 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    (0.21 ) b    2.41 b    (1.45 ) b    74.97  

 
 
 
 
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CORE SMALL CAP 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      $10.23      $(0.03 ) c      $2.70        $2.67  
 
2000 - Class B Shares      10.09      (0.11 ) c      2.65        2.54  
 
2000 - Class C Shares      10.10      (0.10 ) c      2.66        2.56  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      10.30      0.02 c      2.71        2.73  
 
2000 - Service Shares      10.22      (0.04 ) c      2.69        2.65  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares      10.16      (0.01 )      0.08        0.07  
 
1999 - Class B Shares      10.07      (0.05 )      0.07        0.02  
 
1999 - Class C Shares      10.08      (0.05 )      0.07        0.02  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares      10.20      0.02        0.08        0.10  
 
1999 - Service Shares      10.16      (0.01 )      0.07        0.06  

For the Year Ended January 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares        10.59          0.01        (0.43 )      (0.42 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares      10.56      (0.05 )      (0.44 )      (0.49 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares      10.57      (0.04 )      (0.45 )      (0.49 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares      10.61      0.04        (0.43 )      (0.39 )
 
1999 - Service Shares      10.60      0.01        (0.44 )      (0.43 )

For the Period Ended January 31,                    
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      (0.01 )      0.65        0.64  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00       (0.03 )      0.64        0.61  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      (0.02 )      0.64        0.62  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      0.01        0.65        0.66  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      0.01        0.64        0.65  

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
Distributions to
Shareholders

                        
    
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

                 
 
$    —      $    —      $    —      $12.90    26.10 %    $54,954    1.33 %
 
               12.63    25.17      17,923    2.08  
 
               12.66    25.35      8,289    2.08  
 
               13.03    26.60      86,196    0.93  
 
               12.87    25.93      63    1.43  

                 
 
      —            —            —        10.23    0.69      52,660    1.33 b
 
               10.09    0.20      13,711    2.08 b
 
               10.10    0.20      6,274    2.08 b
 
               10.30    0.98      62,633    0.93 b
 
               10.22    0.59      64    1.43 b

                 
 
 (0.01 )          (0.01 )    10.16    (3.97 )    64,087    1.31  
 
               10.07    (4.64 )    15,406    2.00  
 
               10.08    (4.64 )    6,559    2.01  
 
(0.02 )         (0.02 )    10.20    (3.64 )    62,763    0.94  
 
(0.01 )         (0.01 )    10.16    (4.07 )    54    1.44  

                 
 
      (0.05 )     (0.05 )      10.59    6.37      11,118    1.25 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.56    6.07      9,957    1.95 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.57    6.17      2,557    1.95 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.61    6.57      9,026    0.95 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.60    6.47      2    1.45 b

 
 
 
 
CORE SMALL CAP 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
loss
to average
net assets
   Portfolio
turnover
rate

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    (0.21 )%    1.55 %    (0.43 )    135.36 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.96 )    2.30      (1.18 )    135.36  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.96 )    2.30      (1.18 )    135.36  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.19      1.15      (0.03 )    135.36  
 
2000 - Service Shares    (0.30 )    1.65      (0.52 )    135.36  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.12 ) b    1.67 b    (0.46 ) b    52.03
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.86 ) b    2.42 b    (1.20 ) b    52.03  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.86 ) b    2.42 b    (1.20 ) b    52.03  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.28 b    1.27 b    (0.06 ) b    52.03  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.22 ) b    1.77 b    (0.56 ) b    52.03  

For the Year Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.08      2.00      (0.61 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.55 )    2.62      (1.17 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.56 )    2.63      (1.18 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.60      1.56      (0.02 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.01      2.06      (0.61 )    75.38  

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.36 ) b    3.92 b    (3.03 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (1.04 ) b    4.37 b    (3.46 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (1.07 ) b    4.37 b    (3.49 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.15 b    3.37 b    (2.27 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.40 b    3.87 b    (2.02 ) b    37.65  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gains
   Total
income
from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $24.96    $(0.11 ) c    $6.29    $6.18
 
2000 - Class B Shares    24.37    (0.30 ) c    6.11    5.81
 
2000 - Class C Shares    24.33    (0.30 ) c    6.10    5.80
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    25.06         6.32    6.32
 
2000 - Service Shares    24.88    (0.13 ) c    6.25    6.12

For the Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares      24.03      (0.08 )      1.01    0.93
 
1999 - Class B Shares    23.57    (0.17 )    0.97    0.80
 
1999 - Class C Shares    23.52    (0.16 )    0.97    0.81
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    24.07    (0.02 )    1.01    0.99
 
1999 - Service Shares    23.96    (0.08 )    1.00    0.92

For the Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    18.48    (0.03 )    6.35    6.32
 
1999 - Class B Shares    18.27    (0.12 )    6.19    6.07
 
1999 - Class C Shares    18.24    (0.10 )    6.15    6.05
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    18.45    0.01      6.38    6.39
 
1999 - Service Shares    18.46    (0.04 )    6.31    6.27
 

1998 - Class A Shares      16.73        0.02        4.78    4.80
 
1998 - Class B Shares    16.67    0.02      4.61    4.63
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    19.73    (0.02 )    1.60    1.58
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    19.88    0.02      1.66    1.68
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    19.88    (0.01 )    1.66    1.65
 

1997 - Class A Shares    14.91    0.10      3.56    3.66
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    15.67    0.01      2.81    2.82
 

1996 - Class A Shares    13.67    0.12      3.93    4.05

 
APPENDIX B
 
    
Distributions to
shareholders

    
From net
investment
income
       
In excess
of net
investment
income
   From net
realized gain
   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

                    
 
$    —      $    —      $(2.19 )    $(2.19 )    $28.95    25.70 %    $2,736,484    1.45 %
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    27.99    24.75      451,666    2.20  
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    27.94    24.75      143,126    2.20  
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    29.19    26.18      497,986    1.05  
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    28.81    25.53      13,668    1.55  

                    
 
      —            —            —           24.96    3.87        1,971,097    1.44 b
 
                    24.37    3.39      329,870    2.19 b
 
                    24.33    3.44      87,284    2.19 b
 
                    25.06    4.11      255,210    1.04 b
 
                    24.88    3.84      6,466    1.54 b

                    
 
 —       —       (0.77 )    (0.77 )    24.03    34.58      1,992,716    1.42  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    23.57    33.60      236,369    2.19  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    23.52    33.55      60,234    2.19  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    24.07    35.02      41,817    1.07  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    23.96    34.34      3,085    1.57  
 

 (0.01 )     (0.01 )      (3.03 )    (3.05 )      18.48    29.71      1,256,595    1.40  
 
          (3.03 )    (3.03 )    18.27    28.73      40,827    2.18  
 
     (0.04 )    (3.03 )    (3.07 )    18.24    8.83      5,395    2.21 b
 
(0.01 )    (0.07 )    (3.03 )    (3.11 )    18.45    9.31      7,262    1.16 b
 
     (0.04 )    (3.03 )    (3.07 )    18.46    9.18      2    1.50 b
 

(0.10 )    (0.02 )    (1.72 )    (1.84 )    16.73    25.97      920,646    1.40  
 
(0.01 )    (0.09 )    (1.72 )    (1.82 )    16.67    19.39      3,221    2.15 b
 

(0.12 )         (2.69 )    (2.81 )    14.91    30.45      881,056    1.36  

 
 
CAPITAL 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    (0.41 )%    1.47 %    (0.44 )%    34.03 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (1.16 )    2.22      (1.19 )    34.03  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (1.16 )    2.22      (1.19 )    34.03  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares         1.07      (0.03 )    34.03  
 
2000 - Service Shares    (0.49 )    1.57      (0.52 )    34.03  

For the Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.53 ) b    1.47 b    (0.56 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (1.29 ) b    2.22 b    (1.32 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (1.29 ) b    2.22 b    (1.32 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    (0.20 ) b    1.07 b    (0.23 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.65 ) b    1.57 b    (0.68 ) b    18.16  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.18 )    1.58      (0.34 )    30.17  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.98 )    2.21      (1.00 )    30.17  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (1.00 )    2.21      (1.02 )    30.17  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.11      1.09      0.09      30.17  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.37 )    1.59      (0.39 )    30.17  
 

1998 - Class A Shares    0.08      1.65      (0.17 )    61.50  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    (0.77 )    2.18      (0.77 )    61.50  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.86 ) b    2.21 b    (0.86 ) b    61.50
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.18 b    1.16 b    0.18 b    61.50
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.16 ) b    1.50 b    (0.16 ) b    61.50
 

1997 - Class A Shares    0.62      1.65      0.37      52.92  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    (0.39 ) b    2.15 b    (0.39 ) b    52.92  
 

1996 - Class A Shares    0.65      1.61      0.40      63.90  

 
 
 
 
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STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
                  
Income from
investment operations

      
       Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
income
(loss)
     Net
realized and
unrealized gain
     Total
income from
investment
operations

For The Year Ended August 31,                    
 
2000 - Class A Shares      $10.06      $(0.06 ) c      $2.52      $2.46
 
2000 - Class B Shares      10.04       (0.14 ) c      2.50      2.36
 
2000 - Class C Shares      10.05      (0.14 ) c      2.51      2.37
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      10.07      (0.01 ) c      2.52      2.51
 
2000 - Service Shares      10.06      (0.04 ) c      2.50      2.46

For The Period Ended August 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00             0.06      0.06
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00       (0.03 ) c      0.07      0.04
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00      (0.03 ) c      0.08      0.05
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00      0.01        0.06      0.07
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00      (0.01 )      0.07      0.06

 
 
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
    
    
    
                   
 
Net asset
value, end
of period
   Total
returna
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses to
average net assets
   Ratio of
net investment
income (loss) to
average net assets

             
 
$12.52    24.46 %    $92,271    1.44 %    (0.50 )%
 
12.40    23.51      17,149    2.19      (1.24 )
 
12.42    23.58      7,287    2.19      (1.24 )
 
12.58    24.93      22,910    1.04      (0.09 )
 
12.52    24.45      2    1.54      (0.35 )

             
 
10.06    0.60      10,371    1.44 b    (0.17 ) b
 
10.04    0.40      3,393    2.19 b    (0.97 ) b
 
10.05    0.50      2,388    2.19 b    (0.99 ) b
 
10.07    0.70      5,981    1.04 b    0.24 b
 
10.06    0.60      2    1.54 b    (0.24 ) b

 
 
STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND (continued)
 
           
    
Ratios assuming no expense reductions

      
           
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      1.63 %      (0.69 )%      19.28 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares      2.38        (1.43 )      19.28  
 
2000 - Class C Shares      2.38        (1.43 )      19.28  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      1.23        (0.28 )      19.28  
 
2000 - Service Shares      1.73        (0.54 )      19.28  

For The Period Ended August 31,               
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)      11.70 b      (10.43 ) b      6.98
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)      12.45 b      (11.23 ) b      6.98  
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)      12.45 b      (11.25 ) b      6.98  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)      11.30 b      (10.02 ) b      6.98  
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)      11.80 b      (10.50 ) b      6.98  

 
 
 
 
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GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
 
                
Income from
investment operations

 
         
    
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
income
(loss)
     Net realized
and unrealized
gain

For the Year Ended August 31,             
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $10.13      $(0.11 ) c      $9.71
 
2000 - Class B Shares    10.18      (0.24 ) c      9.74
 
2000 - Class C Shares    10.10      (0.24 ) c      9.68
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    10.13      (0.04 ) c      9.73
 
2000 - Service Shares    10.12      (0.12 ) c      9.68

For the Period Ended August 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      (0.01 ) c      0.14
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      (0.03 ) c      0.21
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      (0.03 ) c      0.13
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      0.01        0.12
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00             0.12

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
         
Distributions
to shareholders

    
 
Total from
investment
operations
   From net
realized gains
   Net asset
value, end
of period
   Total
returna
       
    
Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets

                
 
$9.60    $(0.23 )    $19.50    95.73 %    $188,199    1.52 %
 
9.50    (0.23 )    19.45    94.27      42,061    2.27  
 
9.44    (0.23 )    19.31    94.43      26,826    2.27  
 
9.69    (0.23 )    19.59    96.67      49,921    1.12  
 
9.56    (0.23 )    19.45    95.41      3    1.62  

                
 
  0.13          —      10.13    1.30            8,204    1.44 b
 
0.18         10.18    1.80      520    2.19 b
 
0.10         10.10    1.00      256    2.19 b
 
0.13         10.13    1.30      5,223    1.04 b
 
0.12      —      10.12    1.20      2    1.54 b

 
 
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES 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
loss to
average
net assets
     Portfolio
turnover
rate

For the Year Ended August 31,                    
 
2000 - Class A Shares      (0.64 )%      1.61 %      (0.73 )%      73.35 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares      (1.38 )      2.36        (1.47 )      73.35  
 
2000 - Class C Shares      (1.38 )      2.36        (1.47 )      73.35  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      (0.23 )      1.21        (0.32 )      73.35  
 
2000 - Service Shares      (0.69 )      1.71        (0.78 )      73.35  

For the Period Ended August 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)      (0.27 ) b      14.15 b      (12.98 ) b      26.53
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)      (1.04 ) b      14.90 b      (13.75 ) b      26.53  
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)      (1.12 ) b      14.90 b      (13.83 ) b      26.53  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)      0.39 b      13.75 b      (12.32 ) b      26.53  
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)      0.03 b      14.25 b      (12.68 ) b      26.53  

 
 
 
 
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MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
                
Income from
investment operations

         
    
    
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain (loss)
     Total income
from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,              
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $18.42      $0.20 c    $1.38        $1.58  
 
2000 - Class B Shares    18.23      0.06 c    1.40        1.46  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    18.24      0.06 c    1.37        1.43  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    18.45      0.27 c    1.36        1.63  
 
2000 - Service Shares    18.31      0.18 c    1.35        1.53  

For the Seven Months Ended August 31,                
 
1999 - Class A Shares    18.38      0.06      1.71        1.77  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    18.29      (0.04 )    1.71        1.67  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    18.30      (0.04 )    1.71        1.67  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    18.37      0.09      1.72        1.81  
 
1999 - Service Shares    18.29      0.05      1.70        1.75  

For the Years Ended January 31,                
 
1999 - Class A Shares    21.61      0.10      (2.38 )      (2.28 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares    21.57      (0.05 )    (2.35 )      (2.40 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares    21.59      (0.05 )    (2.34 )      (2.39 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    21.65      0.19      (2.38 )      (2.19 )
 
1999 - Service Shares    21.62      0.03      (2.31 )      (2.28 )

1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    23.63      0.09      0.76        0.85  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    23.63      0.06      0.74        0.80  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    23.63      0.06      0.76        0.82  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    18.73      0.16      5.66        5.82  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced July 18, 1997)    23.01      0.09      1.40        1.49  

1997 - Institutional Shares    15.91      0.24      3.77        4.01  

For the Period Ended January 31,                
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 1, 1995)    15.00      0.13      0.90        1.03  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
    
    
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

                    
 
$(0.12 )    $    —      $    —      $(0.12 )    $19.88    8.70 %    $  39,142    1.29 %
 
      —                     19.69    8.01      22,284    2.04  
 
      —                     19.67    7.84      5,720    2.04  
 
  (0.22 )              (0.22 )    19.86    9.08       158,188    0.89  
 
  (0.11 )              (0.11 )    19.73    8.48      206    1.39  

                    
 
           (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.42    9.04      49,081    1.29 b
 
          (1.73 )     (1.73 )    18.23    8.53      31,824    2.04 b
 
          (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.24    8.52      9,807    2.04 b
 
          (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.45    9.26      190,549    0.89 b
 
          (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.31    8.97      190    1.39 b

                    
 
(0.07 )     —      (0.88 )    (0.95 )    18.38    (10.48 )    70,578    1.33  
 
          (0.88 )    (0.88 )    18.29    (11.07 )    37,821    1.93  
 
(0.02 )         (0.88 )    (0.90 )    18.30    (11.03 )    10,800    1.93  
 
(0.21 )         (0.88 )    (1.09 )    18.37    (10.07 )    196,512    0.87  
 
(0.17 )         (0.88 )    (1.05 )    18.29    (10.48 )    289    1.37  

(0.06 )     (0.04 )    (2.77 )    (2.87 )    21.61    3.42      90,588    1.35 b
 
(0.09 )         (2.77 )    (2.86 )    21.57    3.17      28,743    1.85 b
 
(0.09 )         (2.77 )    (2.86 )    21.59    3.27      6,445    1.85 b
 
(0.13 )         (2.77 )    (2.90 )    21.65    30.86      236,440    0.85  
 
(0.11 )         (2.77 )    (2.88 )    21.62    6.30      8    1.35 b

(0.24 )    (0.93 )    (0.02 )    (1.19 )      18.73      25.63        145,253    0.85  

                    
 
(0.12 )              (0.12 )    15.91    6.89      135,671    0.85 b

 
MID CAP VALUE 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    1.11 %    1.34 %    1.06 %    82.92 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    0.35      2.09      0.30      82.92  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    0.32      2.09      0.27      82.92  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    1.51      0.94      1.46      82.92  
 
2000 - Service Shares    1.03      1.44      0.98      82.92  

For the Seven-Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.43 b    1.37 b    0.35 b    68.84  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.33 ) b    2.12 b    (0.41 ) b    68.84  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.34 ) b    2.12 b    (0.42 ) b    68.84  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.79 b    0.97 b    0.71 b    68.84  
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.38 b    1.47 b    0.30 b    68.84  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.38      1.41      0.30      92.18  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.22 )    2.01      (0.30 )    92.18
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.22 )    2.01      (0.30 )    92.18
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.83      0.95      0.75      92.18
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.32      1.45      0.24      92.18

1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.33 b    1.47 b    0.21 b    62.60  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.20 ) b    1.97 b    (0.32 ) b    62.60  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.23 ) b    1.97 b    (0.35 ) b    62.60  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    0.78      0.97      0.66      62.60  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced July 18, 1997)    0.63 b    1.43 b    0.51 b    62.60  

1997 - Institutional Shares      1.35      0.91        1.29      74.03  

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 1, 1995)    1.67 b    0.98 b    1.54 b    58.77  

 
 
 
 
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SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
 
              
Income (loss) from
investment operations

    
     Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income (loss)
       
Net realized and
unrealized
gain (loss)
   Total
income
(loss) from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
2000 - Class A Shares    $19.80    $  0.01 c    $ 3.40      $  3.41  
 
2000 - Class B Shares    19.27    (0.13 ) c    3.26      3.13  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    19.28    (0.12 ) c    3.26      3.14  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    19.95    0.10 c    3.42      3.52  
 
2000 - Service Shares    19.76    0.01 c    3.36      3.37  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
1999 - Class A Shares    18.51    (0.05 )     1.34      1.29  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    18.10     (0.12 )    1.29      1.17  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    18.12    (0.11 )    1.27      1.16  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    18.62         1.33      1.33  
 
1999 - Service Shares    18.50    (0.13 )    1.39      1.26  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
1999 - Class A Shares    24.05    (0.06 )    (4.48 )     (4.54 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares    23.73    (0.21 )    (4.42 )    (4.63 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares    23.73    (0.18 )    (4.43 )    (4.61 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    24.09    0.03      (4.50 )    (4.47 )
 
1999 - Service Shares    24.05    (0.04 )    (4.51 )    (4.55 )

1998 - Class A Shares    20.91    0.14       5.33      5.47  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    20.80     (0.01 )    5.27      5.26  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    24.69    (0.06 )    1.43      1.37  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    24.91    0.03      1.48      1.51  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    24.91    (0.01 )    1.48      1.47  

1997 - Class A Shares    17.29    (0.21 )    4.92      4.71  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    20.79    (0.11 )    1.21      1.10  

1996 - Class A Shares    16.14    (0.23 )    1.39      1.16  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
 
    
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

                   
$    —    $    —      $    —      $23.21    17.22 %    $157,791    1.50 %
 
   —              22.40    16.24    29,199    2.25
 
             22.42    16.34      8,428    2.25
 
             23.47    17.64      26,445    1.10
 
             23.13    17.05      83    1.60

                   
              19.80    6.97      210,500    1.50 b
 
             19.27    6.46      37,386    2.25 b
 
             19.28    6.40      8,079    2.25 b
 
             19.95    7.14      27,023    1.10 b
 
             19.76    6.81      57    1.60 b

                   
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.51    (17.37 )    261,661    1.50  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.10    (18.00 )    42,879    2.25  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.12    (17.91 )    8,212    2.25  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.62    (17.04 )    15,351    1.13  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.50    (17.41 )    261    1.62  

    (2.33 )    (2.33 )     24.05    26.17      370,246    1.54  
 
   (2.33 )    (2.33 )    23.73    25.29      42,677    2.29  
 
   (2.33 )     (2.33 )    23.73    5.51      5,604    2.09 b
 
   (2.33 )    (2.33 )    24.09    6.08      14,626    1.16 b
 
   (2.33 )    (2.33 )    24.05    5.91      2    1.45 b

   (1.09 )    (1.09 )    20.91    27.28      212,061    1.60  
 
   (1.09 )    (1.09 )    20.80    5.39      3,674    2.35 b

   (0.01 )    (0.01 )    17.29    7.20      204,994    1.41  

 
 
SMALL CAP VALUE 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    0.07 %    1.57 %    %    75.31 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.68 )    2.32      (0.75 )    75.31  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.65 )    2.32      (0.72 )    75.31  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.49      1.17      0.42      75.31  
 
2000 - Service Shares    0.03      1.67      (0.04 )    75.31  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,         
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.35 ) b    1.61 b    (0.46 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (1.10 ) b    2.36 b    (1.21 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (1.10 ) b    2.36 b    (1.21 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.05 b    1.21 b    (0.06 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.41 ) b    1.71 b    (0.52 ) b    46.95  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.24 )    1.74    (0.48 )    98.46  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.99 )    2.29      (1.03 )    98.46  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.99 )    2.29      (1.03 )    98.46  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.13      1.17      0.09      98.46  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.47 )    1.66      (0.51 )    98.46  

1998 - Class A Shares    (0.28 )    1.76      (0.50 )    84.81  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    (0.92 )    2.29      (0.92 )    84.81  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.79 ) b    2.09 b    (0.79 ) b    84.81  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.27 b    1.16 b    0.27 b    84.81  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.07 ) b    1.45 b    (0.07 ) b    84.81  

1997 - Class A Shares    (0.72 )    1.85      (0.97 )    99.46  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    (1.63 ) b    2.35 b    (1.63 ) b    99.46  

1996 - Class A Shares    (0.59 )    1.66      (0.84 )    57.58  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
 
 
LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

         
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
incomec
   Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations
   Net asset
value,
end
of period

For the Period Ended August 31,               
 
2000 - Class A Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    $10.00    $0.06    $0.33    $0.39    $10.39
 
2000 - Class B Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00       0.33    0.33    10.33
 
2000 - Class C Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00    0.01    0.31    0.32    10.32
 
2000 - Institutional Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00    0.09    0.31    0.40    10.40
 
2000 - Service Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00    0.07    0.31    0.38    10.38

Footnotes:
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 average shares outstanding methodology.
d
Includes the effect of mortgage dollar roll transactions.
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
 
         
Ratios assuming no
expense reductions

Total
returna
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of net
expenses
to average
net assetsb
   Ratio of net
investment
income to
average
net assetsb
   Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assetsb
   Ratio of net
investment
income to
average
net assetsb
   Portfolio
turnover
rate

                   
 
3.90 %    $7,181    1.25 %    0.84 %    3.30 %    (1.21 )%    66.79 %
 
3.30      1,582    2.00      0.06      4.05      (1.99 )    66.79  
 
3.20      850    2.00      0.15      4.05      (1.90 )    66.79  
 
4.00      16,155    0.85      1.31      2.90      (0.74 )    66.79  
 
3.80      2    1.35      0.95      3.40      (1.10 )    66.79  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
Index
1    General Investment
Management Approach
 
4    Fund Investment Objectives
and Strategies
 
   4    Goldman Sachs Balanced
Fund
 
   6    Goldman Sachs Growth and
Income Fund
 
   7    Goldman Sachs CORE Large
Cap Value Fund
 
   8    Goldman Sachs CORE U.S.
Equity Fund
 
   9    Goldman Sachs CORE Large
Cap Growth Fund
 
   10    Goldman Sachs CORE Small
Cap Equity Fund
 
   11    Goldman Sachs Capital
Growth Fund
 
   12    Goldman Sachs Strategic
Growth Fund
 
   13    Goldman Sachs Growth
Opportunities Fund
 
   14    Goldman Sachs Mid Cap
Value Fund
 
   15    Goldman Sachs Small Cap
Value Fund
 
   16    Goldman Sachs Large Cap
Value Fund
 
18    Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
22    Principal Risks of the Funds
 
26    Fund Performance
 
36    Fund Fees and Expenses
 
53    Service Providers
 
60    Dividends
 
62    Shareholder Guide
 
   62    How To Buy Shares
 
   71    How To Sell Shares
 
 
82    Taxation
 
84    Appendix A
Additional Information on
Portfolio Risks, Securities
and Techniques
 
106    Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
 
 
Domestic Equity Funds
Prospectus (Class A, B and C Shares)
 
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’ 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.
 
516434
EQDOMPROABC
 
 
Prospectus
 
GOLDMAN SACHS DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS
 
Institutional Shares
 
December 29, 2000
 

 

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.
 
n
Goldman Sachs Balanced Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM
Large Cap Value Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM U.S. Equity Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM Large Cap Growth Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM Small Cap Equity Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly Mid Cap Equity)
 
n
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund
 
n
Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund

 
 
 
NOT FDIC-INSURED
May Lose Value
No Bank Guarantee
 
 
 
General Investment
Management Approach
 
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Balanced, Growth and Income, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value and Large Cap Value Funds. Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. serves as investment adviser to the CORE U.S. Equity and Capital Growth Funds. Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. are each referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.” ;
 
VALUE STYLE FUNDS
 
Goldman Sachs’ Value Investment Philosophy:
Through intensive, hands-on research our portfolio team seeks to identify:
 
1.
Well-positioned businesses that have:
n
Attractive returns on capital.
n
Sustainable earnings and cash flow.
n
Strong company management focused on long-term returns to shareholders.
 
2.
Attractive valuation opportunities where:
n
The intrinsic value of the business is not reflected in the stock price.
 
Business quality, conservative valuation, and thoughtful portfolio construction are the key elements of our value approach.
 

 
GROWTH STYLE FUNDS
 
Goldman Sachs’ Growth Investment Philosophy:
1.
Invest as if buying the company/business, not simply trading its stock:
n
Understand the business, management, products and competition.
n
Perform intensive, hands-on fundamental research.
n
Seek businesses with strategic competitive advantages.
n
Over the long-term, expect each company’s stock price ultimately to track the growth in the value of the business.
 
 
 
 
2.
Buy high-quality growth businesses that possess strong business franchises, favorable long-term prospects and excellent management.
 
3.
Purchase superior long-term growth companies at a favorable price—seek to purchase at a fair valuation, giving the investor the potential to fully capture returns from above-average growth rates.
 
Growth companies have earnings expectations that exceed those of the stock market as a whole.
 

 
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 Funds use the Goldman Sachs’ proprietary multifactor model (“Multifactor Model”), a rigorous computerized rating system, to forecast the returns of securities held in each Fund’s portfolio. The Multifactor Model incorporates common variables covering measures of:
n
Research (What do fundamental analysts think about the company and its prospects?)
n
Value (How is the company priced relative to fundamental accounting measures?)
n
Momentum (What are medium-term price trends? How has the price responded to new information?)
n
Profitability (What is the company’s margin on sales? How efficient are its operations?)
n
Earnings Quality (Were earnings derived from sustainable (cash-based) sources?)
 
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.
 
GENERAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT APPROACH
 
 
II. CORE Portfolio Construction
A proprietary risk model, which is intended to identify and measure risk as accurately as possible, includes all the above factors used in the return model to select stocks, as well as several other factors associated with risk but not return. 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.
 
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.
 

 
 
Fund Investment Objectives
and Strategies
 
Goldman Sachs
Balanced Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and current income
 
                                      Benchmarks:
S&P 500® Index and Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large capitalization U.S. stocks and fixed-income securities
 
                                Investment Style:
Asset Allocation, with growth and value (blend) equity components
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital and current income. The Fund seeks growth of capital primarily through investments in equity securities (stocks). The Fund seeks to provide current income through investment in fixed-income securities (bonds).
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Historically, stock and bond markets have often had different cycles, with one asset class rising when the other is falling. A balanced objective seeks to reduce the volatility associated with investing in a single market. There is no guarantee, however, that market cycles will move in opposition to one another or that a balanced investment program will successfully reduce volatility.
 
The percentage of the portfolio invested in equity and fixed-income securities will vary from time to time as the Investment Adviser evaluates such securities’ relative attractiveness based on market valuations, economic growth and inflation prospects. The allocation between equity and fixed-income securities is subject to the Fund’s intention to pay regular quarterly dividends. The amount of quarterly dividends can also be expected to fluctuate in accordance with factors such as prevailing interest rates and the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in fixed-income securities.
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, between 45% and 65% of its total assets in equity securities. Although the Fund’s equity investments consist primarily of publicly traded U.S. securities, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the equity securities of foreign issuers, including issuers in countries with emerging markets or economies (“emerging countries”) and equity securities quoted in foreign currencies. A portion of the Fund’s portfolio of equity securities may be selected primarily to provide current income (including interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), convertible securities, preferred stocks, utility stocks, and interests in limited partnerships).
 
Fixed Income Securities. The Fund invests at least 25% of its total assets in fixed-income senior securities. The remainder of the Fund’s assets are invested in other fixed-income securities and cash.
 
The Fund’s fixed-income securities primarily include:
n
Securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises
n
Securities issued by corporations, banks and other issuers
n
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
 
The Fund may also invest up to 10% of its total assets in debt obligations (U.S. dollar and non-U.S.-dollar denominated) issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities and foreign corporations or other entities. The issuers of these securities may be located in emerging countries.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Growth and Income Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and growth of income
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large capitalization U.S. equity securities with an emphasis on undervalued stocks
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and growth of income.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities that the Investment Adviser considers to have favorable prospects for capital appreciation and/or dividend-paying ability. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
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, that offer the potential to further the Fund’s investment objective.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and dividend income
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 1000® Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Diversified portfolio of equity securities of large-cap U.S. issuers selling at low to modest valuations
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to large-cap value stocks
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and dividend income. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of large-cap U.S. issuers that are selling at low to modest valuations relative to general market measures, such as earnings, book value and other fundamental accounting measures, and that are expected to have favorable prospects for capital appreciation and/or dividend-paying ability.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
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 Russell 1000® Value Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with above average capitalizations and low to moderate valuations as measured by price/earnings ratios, book value and other fundamental accounting measures.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and dividend income
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap U.S. equity securities
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to large-cap growth and value (blend) stocks
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and dividend income. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of large-cap and blue chip equity securities representing all major sectors of the U.S. economy.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
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 S&P 500® Index. The Fund seeks a broad representation in most major sectors of the U.S. economy and a portfolio consisting of companies with average long-term earnings growth expectations and dividend yields.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital; dividend income is a secondary consideration
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 1000® Growth Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap, growth-oriented U.S. stocks
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to large-cap growth stocks
 
 
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 U.S. issuers that are expected to have better prospects for earnings growth than the growth rate of the general domestic economy. Dividend income is a secondary consideration.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
The Investment Adviser emphasizes a company’s growth prospects in analyzing equity securities to be purchased by the Fund. 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 Russell 1000® Growth Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with above average capitalizations and earnings growth expectations and below average dividend yields.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 2000® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Stocks of small capitalization U.S. companies
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to small-cap growth and value (blend) stocks
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of U.S. issuers which are included in the Russell 2000® Index at the time of investment.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
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 Russell 2000® Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with small market capitalizations, strong expected earnings growth and momentum, and better valuation and risk characteristics than the Russell 2000® Index. If the issuer of a portfolio security held by the Fund is no longer included in the Russell 2000® Index, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the security.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Capital Growth Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap U.S. equity securities that offer long-term capital appreciation potential
 
                                Investment Style:
Growth
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities. 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 have long-term capital appreciation potential. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Strategic Growth Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap U.S. equity securities that are considered to be strategically positioned for consistent long-term growth
 
                                Investment Style:
Growth
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities. 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 consistent long-term growth. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Growth Opportunities Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P Midcap 400 Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
U.S. equity securities that offer long-term capital appreciation
with a primary focus on mid-capitalization companies
 
                                Investment Style:
Growth
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities with a primary focus on mid-cap companies. 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. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Mid Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term capital appreciation
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell Midcap Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Mid-capitalization U.S. stocks that are believed to be undervalued or undiscovered by the marketplace
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all of its assets in equity securities and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of mid-cap companies with public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell Midcap Value Index at the time of investment (currently between $300 million and $15 billion). If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell Midcap Value Index at the time of investment and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Small Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 2000® Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Small-capitalization U.S. stocks that are believed to be undervalued or undiscovered by the marketplace
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment (currently between $20 million and $3 billion). If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s investment horizon for ownership of stocks will be two to three years. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
 
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Large Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term capital appreciation
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 1000® Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large capitalization U.S. equity securities that are believed to be undervalued
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities. The Fund seeks its investment objective by investing in value opportunities that the Investment Adviser defines as companies with identifiable competitive advantages whose intrinsic value is not reflected in the stock price. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
Other. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also highlights the differences among the Funds in their use of these techniques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Funds’ annual/semi-annual reports. For more information see Appendix A.
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
       Balanced
Fund
     Growth
and Income
Fund
     CORE
Large Cap
Value Fund
     CORE
U.S. Equity
Fund

Investment Practices
 
Borrowings      33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
 
Credit, Currency, Index, Interest Rate and
Mortgage Swaps*
     15               
 
Cross Hedging of Currencies      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Custodial Receipts      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Equity Swaps*      15      15      15      15
 
Foreign Currency Transactions**      Ÿ 1      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures
Contracts
     Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ 2      Ÿ 3
 
Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars      Ÿ               
 
Investment Company Securities (including
iShares
SM and Standard & Poor’s Depositary
Receipts
TM )
     10      10      10      10
 
Loan Participations      Ÿ               
 
Mortgage Dollar Rolls      Ÿ               
 
Options on Foreign Currencies 4      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 5      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Repurchase Agreements      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements (for investment
purposes)
     Ÿ               
 
Securities Lending      33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
 
Short Sales Against the Box      25      25          
 
Unseasoned Companies      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
When-Issued Securities and Forward
Commitments
     Ÿ      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.
**
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in foreign securities.
 1
The Balanced Fund may also enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to seek to increase total return.
 2
The CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds may enter into futures transactions only with respect to a representative index.
 3
The CORE U.S. Equity Fund may enter into futures transactions only with respect to the S&P 500 Index.
 4
The Funds may purchase and sell call and put options.
 5
The Funds may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
 
 
CORE
Large Cap
Growth Fund
   CORE
Small Cap
Equity Fund
   Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid Cap
Value
Fund
   Small Cap
Value
Fund
   Large Cap
Value
Fund

 
 
33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
 
 
                    
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
15    15    15    15    15    15    15    15
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
 
Ÿ 2    Ÿ 2    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
                    
 
 
 
10    10    10    10    10    10    10    10
 
                    
 
                    
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    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
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
 
      25    25    25    25    25    25
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ

 
 
 
 
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
       Balanced
Fund
     Growth
and Income
Fund
     CORE
Large Cap
Value Fund
     CORE
U.S. Equity
Fund

Investment Securities
 
American, European and Global Depositary
Receipts
     Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ 6        Ÿ 6  
 
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities 7      Ÿ        Ÿ                
 
Bank Obligations 7      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Convertible Securities 8      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Corporate Debt Obligations 7      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  9        Ÿ  9  
 
Equity Securities      45-65        65 +      90 +      90 +
 
Emerging Country Securities      10 10        25 10              
 
Fixed Income Securities 11      35-45 18      35        10  9      10  9
 
Foreign Securities      10 10        25 10      Ÿ  14        Ÿ  14  
 
Foreign Government Securities 7      Ÿ                       
 
Municipal Securities      Ÿ                       
 
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities      10 15        10 16              
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Stripped Mortgage Backed Securities 7      Ÿ                       
 
Structured Securities*      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Temporary Investments      100        100        35        35  
 
U.S. Government Securities 7      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Yield Curve Options and Inverse Floating Rate
Securities
     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.
 6
The CORE Funds may not invest in European Depositary Receipts.
 7
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities.
 8
Convertible securities purchased by the Balanced Fund must be B or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”) or Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”). The CORE Funds have no minimum rating criteria and all other Funds use the same rating criteria for convertible and non-convertible debt securities.
 9
Cash equivalents only.
10
The Balanced, Growth and Income, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value and Small Cap Value Funds may invest in the aggregate up to 10%, 25%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 25% and 25%, respectively, of their total assets in foreign securities, including emerging country securities.
11
Except as noted under “Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities,” fixed-income securities must be investment grade (i.e., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s or Baa or higher by Moody’s).
12
The Mid Cap Value Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell Midcap Value Index at the time of investment; and (2) fixed-income securities.
13
The Small Cap Value Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment; and (2) fixed-income securities.
 
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
CORE
Large Cap
Growth Fund
   CORE
Small Cap
Equity Fund
   Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid Cap
Value
Fund
   Small Cap
Value
Fund
   Large Cap
Value
Fund

 
 
 
Ÿ  6    Ÿ  6    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
      Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ  9    Ÿ  9    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
90+    90+    90 +    90+    90+    65+    65+    90+
 
      10 10    10 10    10 10    25 10    25 10   
 
10  9    10  9    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    35 12    35 13    10
 
Ÿ  14    Ÿ  14    10 10    10 10    10 10    25 10    25 10    25
 
                      
 
                      
 
      10 16    10 16    10 16    10 17    35 16    10 16
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
                      
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
35    35    100      100    100    100    100    100
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
                      

 
14
Equity securities of foreign issuers must be traded in the United States.
15
Must be at least BB or B by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or B by Moody’s.
16
May be BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or lower by Moody’s.
17
Must be B or higher by Standard & Poor’s or B or higher by Moody’s.
18
The Balanced Fund invests at least 25% of its total assets in fixed-income senior securities; the remainder may be invested in other fixed-income securities and cash.
 
Principal Risks of the Funds
 
Loss of money is a risk of investing in each Fund. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ  Applicable
— Not applicable
   Balanced
Fund
   Growth
and
Income
Fund
   CORE
Large
Cap
Value
Fund
   CORE
U.S.
Equity
Fund
   CORE
Large
Cap
Growth
Fund
   CORE
Small
Cap
Equity
Fund

Credit/Default    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Foreign    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Emerging Countries    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Small Cap                   Ÿ
 
Stock    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Derivatives    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Interest Rate    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Management    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Market    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Liquidity    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Initial Public Offering (“IPO”)                  
 

 
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUNDS
 
 
 
 
 
Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid
Cap
Value
Fund
       
Small
Cap
Value
Fund
   Large
Cap
Value
Fund

Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
         Ÿ    Ÿ   
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
   Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ   
 

 
 
 
 
All Funds:
 
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
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
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 resulting from problems in share registration and custody and substantial economic and political disruptions. These risks are not normally associated with investments in more developed countries.
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
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
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
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 and 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”).
 
Specific Funds:
 
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 attributanble 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.
 
More information about the Funds’ portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.
 
 
Fund 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. The Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities and Large Cap Value Funds commenced operations on May 24, 1999, May 24, 1999 and December 15, 1999, respectively. Since these Funds have less than one calendar year’s performance, no performance information is provided in this section.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Balanced Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 2.65%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’99 +8.29%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -8.69%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Institutional Shares (Inception 8/15/97)      9.31%      6.33%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      23.21%
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index**      (0.82)%      5.14%

 
  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
**
The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of bond prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
 
Growth and Income Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -0.46%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’97
+15.24%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98
-16.86%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Institutional Shares (Inception 6/3/96)      6.23%      12.03%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      26.60%

 
  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 2.68%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’99 +10.50%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’99 -8.52%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Institutional Shares (Inception 12/31/98)      9.22%      9.19%
Russell 1000 Value Index      7.34%      7.34%

 
  *
The Russell 1000® Value Index (inception date 1/1/99) is a market capitalization weighted index of the 1000 highest ranking U.S. stocks with below-average growth orientation. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -0.09%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’98 +21.60%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -14.57%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Institutional Shares (Inception 6/15/95)      23.33%      25.59%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      27.01%

 
  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was -0.53%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’98 +25.61%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -13.87%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Institutional Shares (Inception 5/1/97)      36.89%      33.80%
Russell 1000® Growth Index*      33.15%      35.42%

 
  *
The Russell 1000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 7.25%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’99 +15.35%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -24.25%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Institutional Shares (Inception 8/15/97)      17.18%      7.77%
Russell 2000® Index*      21.26%      10.21%

 
  *
The Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Capital Growth Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 0.58%
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’98 +24.46%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -11.40%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Institutional Shares (Inception 8/15/97)      27.75%      29.05%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      23.21%

 
  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 18.17%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’99 +21.23%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -20.78%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Institutional Shares (Inception 8/1/95)      (0.24)%      11.76%
Russell Midcap Value Index*      (0.10)%      14.92%

 
  *
The Russell Midcap Value Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Small Cap Value Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Institutional Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 26.83%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’99 +30.23%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -32.16%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Institutional Shares (Inception 8/15/97)      (1.74)%      (5.12)%
Russell 2000® Value Index *      (1.49)%      0.81%

 
  *
The Russell 2000® Value Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Institutional Shares)
 
This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Institutional Shares of a Fund.
 
       Balanced
Fund
     Growth and
Income
Fund
     CORE
Large Cap
Value
Fund
     CORE
U.S. Equity
Fund

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on
Purchases
     None      None      None      None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on
Reinvested Dividends
     None      None      None      None
Redemption Fees      None      None      None      None
Exchange Fees      None      None      None      None
 
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):1
Management Fees 2      0.65%      0.70%      0.60%      0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      None      None      None      None
Other Expenses 3      0.24%      0.08%      0.17%      0.08%

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      0.89%      0.78%      0.77%      0.83%

See page 38 for all other footnotes.
 
 *
As a result of current waivers and 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 waivers and 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.
 
     Balanced
Fund
   Growth and
Income
Fund
   CORE
Large Cap
Value
Fund
   CORE
U.S. Equity
Fund

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 1
Management Fees 2    0.65%    0.70%    0.60%    0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees    None    None    None    None
Other Expenses 3    0.10%    0.08%    0.10%    0.04%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current
waivers and expense limitations)
   0.75%    0.78%    0.70%    0.74%

 
 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
CORE
Large Cap
Growth
Fund
   CORE
Small Cap
Equity
Fund
   Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid Cap
Value
Fund
   Small Cap
Value
Fund
   Large Cap
Value
Fund

 
None    None    None    None    None    None    None    None
 
None    None    None    None    None    None    None    None
None    None    None    None    None    None    None    None
None    None    None    None    None    None    None    None
 
 
0.75%    0.85%    1.00%    1.00%    1.00%    0.75%    1.00%    0.75%
None    None    None    None    None    None    None    None
0.09%    0.30%    0.07%    0.23%    0.21%    0.19%    0.17%    2.15%

0.84%    1.15%    1.07%    1.23%    1.21%    0.94%    1.17%    2.90%

 
 
CORE
Large Cap
Growth
Fund
   CORE
Small Cap
Equity
Fund
   Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid Cap
Value
Fund
   Small Cap
Value
Fund
   Large Cap
Value
Fund

 
 
0.70%    0.85%    1.00%    1.00%    1.00%    0.75%    1.00%    0.75%
None    None    None    None    None    None    None    None
0.06%    0.08%    0.04%    0.04%    0.15%    0.14%    0.10%    0.10%

 
0.76%    0.93%    1.04%    1.04%    1.15%    0.89%    1.10%    0.85%

 
 
 
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
1
The Funds’ annual operating expenses are based on actual expenses.
2
The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed not to impose a portion of the management fee on the CORE U.S. Equity Fund and the CORE Large Cap Growth Fund equal to 0.05% and 0.05%, respectively, of such Funds’ average daily net assets. As a result of fee waivers, the current management fees of the CORE U.S. Equity Fund and CORE Large Cap Growth Fund are 0.70% and 0.70%, respectively, of such Funds’ average daily net assets. The waivers may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser.
3
“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 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

 
Balanced    0.06%
 
Growth and Income    0.05%
 
CORE Large Cap Value    0.06%
 
CORE U.S. Equity    0.00%
 
CORE Large Cap Growth    0.02%
 
CORE Small Cap Equity    0.04%
 
Capital Growth    0.00%
 
Strategic Growth    0.00%
 
Growth Opportunities    0.11%
 
Mid Cap Value    0.10%
 
Small Cap Value    0.06%
 
Large Cap Value    0.06%
 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
Example
 
The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund (without the waivers and expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Institutional Shares of a Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that a Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
 
Fund      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years

Balanced      $  91      $284      $  493      $1,096

Growth and Income      $ 80      $249      $  433      $  966

CORE Large Cap Value      $ 79      $246      $  428      $  954

CORE U.S. Equity      $ 85      $265      $  460      $1,025

CORE Large Cap Growth      $ 86      $268      $  466      $1,037

CORE Small Cap Equity      $117      $365      $  633      $1,398

Capital Growth      $109      $340      $  590      $1,306

Strategic Growth      $125      $390      $  676      $1,489

Growth Opportunities      $123      $384      $  665      $1,466

Mid Cap Value      $ 96      $300      $  520      $1,155

Small Cap Value      $119      $372      $  644      $1,420

Large Cap Value      $293      $898      $1,528      $3,223

 
Institutions that invest in Institutional Shares on behalf of their customers may charge other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your institution for information regarding such charges. Such fees, if any, may affect the return such customers realize with respect to their investments.
 
Certain institutions that invest in Institutional Shares may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Institutional Shares or for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Other Information” in the Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).
 
 
Service Providers
 
INVESTMENT ADVISERS
 
 
Investment Adviser      Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“GSAM”)      Balanced
32 Old Slip      Growth and Income
New York, New York 10005      CORE Large Cap Value
       CORE Large Cap Growth
          CORE Small Cap Equity
          Strategic Growth
          Growth Opportunities
          Mid Cap Value
          Small Cap Value
       Large Cap Value

Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. (“GSFM”)      CORE U.S. Equity
32 Old Slip      Capital Growth
New York, New York 10005

 
GSAM and GSFM are separate business units of the Investment Management Division (“IMD”) of Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs registered as an investment adviser in 1981. GSFM, a registered investment adviser since 1990, is a Delaware limited partnership which is an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. As of September 30, 2000, GSAM and GSFM, 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.
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
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 listed below (as a percentage of each respective Fund’s average daily net assets):
 
       Contractual Rate      Actual Rate
For the Fiscal 
Year Ended
August 31, 2000

GSAM:

Balanced      0.65%      0.65%

Growth and Income      0.70%      0.70%

CORE Large Cap Value      0.60%      0.60%

CORE Large Cap Growth      0.75%      0.64%

CORE Small Cap Equity      0.85%      0.85%

Strategic Growth      1.00%      1.00%

Growth Opportunities      1.00%      1.00%

Mid Cap Value      0.75%      0.75%

Small Cap Value      1.00%      1.00%

Large Cap Value      0.75%      0.75%

GSFM:            

CORE U.S. Equity      0.75%      0.70%

Capital 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 19-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.
 
Value Team
n
Twelve portfolio managers/analysts with over 100 years of combined financial experience comprise the Investment Adviser’s value investment team
n
Multi-sector focus provides a balanced perspective and in-depth industry
knowledge
n
Across all value products, the Investment Adviser leverages the industry research expertise of its small, mid and large cap investment teams
 

Value Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Eileen A. Aptman
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Mid Cap Value
Small Cap Value
   Since
1996
1997
   Ms. Aptman joined the Investment
Adviser as a research analyst in
1993. She became a portfolio
manager in 1996.

Matthew B.
McLennan
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Small Cap Value
Mid Cap Value
   Since
1996
1998
   Mr. McLennan joined the
Investment Adviser as a research
analyst in 1995 and became a
portfolio manager in 1996. From
1994 to 1995, he worked in the
Investment Banking Division of
Goldman Sachs in Australia.

Meera Mayer
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Growth and Income
Large Cap Value
Balanced (Equity)
   Since
1999
1999
1999
   Ms. Mayer joined the Investment
Adviser as a senior portfolio
manager in November 1999. From
July 1999 to November 1999, she
worked at Oppenheimer Funds as a
senior equity analyst. From 1995 to
March 1999, she worked at Spears,
Benzak, Salomon and Farrell as a
managing director and portfolio
manager.

 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Chip Otness
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Small Cap Value
Mid Cap Value
   Since
2000
2000
   Mr. Otness joined the Investment
Adviser as a senior portfolio
manager in 2000. From 1998 to
2000, he headed Dolphin Asset
Management. From 1970 to 1998,
he worked at J.P. Morgan, most
recently as a managing director
and senior portfolio manager
responsible for small-cap
institutional equity investments.

Eileen Rominger
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Growth and Income
Large Cap Value
Balanced (Equity)
   Since
1999
1999
1999
   Ms. Rominger joined the
Investment Adviser as a senior
portfolio manager and Chief
Investment Officer of the Value
Equity team in 1999. From 1981 to
1999, she worked at Oppenheimer
Capital, most recently as a senior
portfolio manager.

 
Quantitative Equity Team
n
A stable and growing team supported by an extensive internal staff
n
Access to the research ideas of Goldman Sachs’ renowned Global Investment Research Department
n
More than $34 billion in equities currently under management
 

Quantitative Equity Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Melissa Brown
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
CORE Large Cap Value
CORE U.S. Equity
CORE Large Cap Growth
CORE Small Cap Equity
   Since
1998
1998
1998
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.

Robert C. Jones
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
CORE U.S. Equity
CORE Large Cap Growth
CORE Small Cap Equity
CORE Large Cap Value
   Since
1991
1997
1997
1998
   Mr. Jones joined the
Investment Adviser as a portfolio
manager in 1989.

Victor H. Pinter
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
CORE U.S. Equity
CORE Large Cap Growth
CORE Small Cap Equity
CORE Large Cap Value
   Since
1996
1997
1997
1998
   Mr. Pinter joined the
Investment Adviser as a research
analyst in 1989. He became a
portfolio manager in 1992.

 
 
Growth Equity Investment Team
n
18 year consistent investment style applied through diverse and complete market cycles
n
More than $22 billion in equities currently under management
n
More than 300 client account relationships
n
A portfolio management and analytical team with more than 150 years combined investment experience
 

Growth Equity Investment Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

George D. Adler
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Balanced (Equity)
Capital Growth
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1997
1999
1999
   Mr. Adler joined the
Investment Adviser as a portfolio
manager in 1997. From 1990 to
1997, he was a portfolio manager
at Liberty Investment
Management, Inc. (“Liberty”).

Steve Barry
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Growth Opportunities
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
   Since
1999
2000
2000
2000
   Mr. Barry joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1999. From 1988 to 1999, he was
a portfolio manager at Alliance
Capital Management.

Kenneth T. Berents
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
2000
2000
2000
2000
   Mr. Berents joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
2000. From 1992 to 1999, he was
Director of Research and head of
the Investment Committee at
Wheat First Union.

Robert G. Collins
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Collins joined the Investment
Adviser as portfolio manager and
Co-Chair of the Growth Equity
Investment Committee in 1997.
From 1991 to 1997, he was a
portfolio manager at Liberty.

Herbert E. Ehlers
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Ehlers joined the Investment
Adviser as a senior portfolio
manager and Chief Investment
Officer of the Growth Equity team
in 1997. From 1994 to 1997, he
was the Chief Investment Officer
and Chairman of Liberty.

 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Gregory H. Ekizian
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Ekizian joined the Investment
Adviser as portfolio manager and
Co-Chair of the Growth Equity
Investment Committee in 1997.
From 1990 to 1997, he was a
portfolio manager at Liberty and
its predecessor firm, Eagle.

Scott Kolar
Vice President
   Portfolio Manager—
Growth Opportunities
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
   Since
1999
2000
2000
2000
   Mr. Kolar joined the Investment
Adviser as an equity analyst in
1997 and became a portfolio
manager in 1999. From 1994 to
1997, he was an equity analyst and
information systems specialist at
Liberty.

David G. Shell
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Shell joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1997. From 1987 to 1997, he was
a portfolio manager at Liberty and
its predecessor firm, Eagle.

Ernest C. Segundo, Jr.
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Segundo joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1997. From 1992 to 1997, he was
a portfolio manager at Liberty.

 
Fixed-Income Portfolio Management Team
n
Fixed-income portfolio management is comprised of a deep team of sector specialists
n
The team strives to maximize risk-adjusted returns by de-emphasizing interest rate anticipation and focusing on security selection and sector allocation
n
The team manages approximately $49 billion in fixed-income assets for retail, institutional and high net worth clients
 

Fixed-Income Portfolio Management Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Jonathan A. Beinner
Managing Director and
Co-Head U.S. Fixed
Income
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Balanced (Fixed-Income)
   Since
1994
   Mr. Beinner joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1990.

C. Richard Lucy
Managing Director and
Co-Head U.S. Fixed
Income
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Balanced (Fixed-Income)
   Since
1994
   Mr. Lucy joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1992.

 
 
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.
 
 
Dividends
 
 
Each Fund pays dividends from its investment company taxable income and distributions from net realized and 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, your 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.
 
Dividends from net investment company taxable income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid as follows:
 
Fund      Investment
Income Dividends
     Capital Gains
Distributions

Balanced      Quarterly      Annually

Growth and Income      Quarterly      Annually

CORE Large Cap Value      Quarterly      Annually

CORE U.S. Equity      Annually      Annually

CORE Large Cap Growth      Annually      Annually

CORE Small Cap Equity      Annually      Annually

Capital Growth      Annually      Annually

Strategic Growth      Annually      Annually

Growth Opportunities      Annually      Annually

Mid Cap Value      Annually      Annually

Small Cap Value      Annually      Annually

Large Cap Value      Annually      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.
 
 
Shareholder Guide
 
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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)
 
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 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.
 
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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 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 GUIDE
 
 
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.
 
Taxation
 
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.”
 
TAXATION
 
 
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.
 
Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and Techniques
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
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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.
 
 
 
Mortgage Dollar Rolls. Certain Funds may enter into mortgage dollar rolls. A mortgage dollar roll involves the sale by a Fund of securities for delivery in the current month. The Fund simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, the Fund benefits to the extent of any difference between (a) the price received for the securities sold and (b) the lower forward price for the future purchase and/or fee income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold. Unless the benefits of a mortgage dollar roll exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the roll, the use of this technique will diminish the Fund’s performance.
 
Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls depends upon the Investment Adviser’s ability to predict correctly interest rates and mortgage prepayments. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its prediction, a Fund may experience a loss. For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Funds treat mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions: one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale. The Funds do not currently intend to enter into mortgage dollar rolls that are accounted for as a financing and do not treat them as borrowings.
 
Yield Curve Options. Certain Funds may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease.
 
The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, such options present a risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Certain Funds may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by a Fund subject to the Fund’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price (including interest). These transactions may be entered into as a temporary measure for emergency purposes or to meet redemption requests. Reverse repurchase agreements may also be entered into when the Invest ment Adviser expects that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the transaction proceeds will be greater than the related interest expense. Reverse repurchase agreements involve leveraging. If the securities held by a Fund decline in value while these transactions are outstanding, the NAV of the Fund’s outstanding shares will decline in value by proportionately more than the decline in value of the securities. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the interest income earned by a Fund (from the investment of the proceeds) will be less than the interest expense of the transaction, that the market value of the securities sold by a Fund will decline below the price the Fund is obligated to pay to repurchase the securities, and that the securities may not be returned to the Fund.
 
Municipal Securities. Certain Funds may invest in securities and instruments issued by state and local government issuers. Municipal securities in which a Fund may invest consist of bonds, notes, commercial paper and other instruments (including participating interests in such securities) issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities. Such securities may pay fixed, variable or floating rates of interest. Municipal securities are often issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other public purposes for which municipal securities may be issued include refunding outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses, and obtaining funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities. Municipal securities in which a Fund may invest include private activity bonds, municipal leases, certificates of participation, pre-funded municipal securities and auction rate securities.
 
Interest Rate Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps, Currency Swaps and Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses of an underlying security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive or make a payment from the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Currency swaps involve the exchange of the parties’ respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar is the combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates.
 
Certain Funds may enter into swap transactions for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The use of interest rate, mortgage, credit and currency swaps, as well as interest rate caps, floors and collars, is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market value, interest rates and currency exchange rates, the investment performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.
 
Loan Participations. Certain Funds may invest in loan participations. A loan participation is an interest in a loan to a U.S. or foreign company or other borrower which is administered and sold by a financial intermediary. A Fund may only invest in loans to issuers in whose obligations it may otherwise invest. Loan participation interests may take the form of a direct or co-lending relationship with the corporate borrower, an assignment of an interest in the loan by a co-lender or another participant, or a participation in the seller’s share of the loan. When a Fund acts as co-lender in connection with a participation interest or when it acquires certain participation interests, the Fund will have direct recourse against the borrower if the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal and interest. In cases where the Fund lacks direct recourse, it will look to the agent bank to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower. In these cases, the Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Fund had purchased a direct obligation (such as commercial paper) of such borrower. Moreover, under the terms of the loan participation, the Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the agent bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the Fund may also be subject to the risk that the agent bank may become insolvent.
 
Inverse Floaters. Certain Funds may invest in inverse floating rate debt securities (“inverse floaters”). The interest rate on inverse floaters resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher the degree of leverage of an inverse floater, the greater the volatility of its market value.
 
 
 
 
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Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
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 not 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 30, 2000 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with a Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report (available upon request). The information for all periods prior to the periods ended August 31, 2000 has been audited by the Funds’ previous independent accountants.
 
BALANCED FUND
              
Income from
investment operations

    
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
Income
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain(loss)
   Total from
investment
operations

For The Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $20.38    $0.60 c    $  1.75      $2.35
 
2000 - Class B Shares    20.26    0.45 c    1.73      2.18
 
2000 - Class C Shares    20.23    0.45 c    1.74      2.19
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    20.39    0.71 c    1.75      2.46
 
2000 - Service Shares    20.37    0.59 c    1.74      2.33

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    20.48      0.32       (0.19 )    0.13
 
1999 - Class B Shares    20.37    0.22      (0.18 )    0.04
 
1999 - Class C Shares    20.34    0.23      (0.19 )    0.04
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    20.48    0.53      (0.35 )    0.18
 
1999 - Service Shares    20.47    1.22      (1.14 )    0.08

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares      20.29      0.58          0.20      0.78
 
1999 - Class B Shares    20.20    0.41      0.21      0.62
 
1999 - Class C Shares    20.17    0.41      0.21      0.62
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    20.29    0.64      0.20      0.84
 
1999 - Service Shares    20.28    0.53      0.21      0.74

 
1998 - Class A Shares    18.78    0.57      2.66      3.23
 
1998 - Class B Shares    18.73    0.50      2.57      3.07
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    21.10    0.25      0.24      0.49
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    21.18    0.26      0.32      0.58
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    21.18    0.22      0.32      0.54

 
1997 - Class A Shares    17.31    0.66      2.47      3.13
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    17.46    0.42      2.34      2.76

 
1996 - Class A Shares    14.22    0.51      3.43      3.94

See page 126 for all footnotes.
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
    
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
return
a
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets

 
 
$(0.50 )    $    —      $(0.81 )    $(1.31 )    $21.42    12.00 %    $135,632    1.12 %
 
 (0.36 )          —        (0.81 )    (1.17 )    21.27    11.17      33,759    1.87  
 
 (0.36 )          —          (0.81 )    (1.17 )    21.25    11.23      8,658    1.87  
 
 (0.58 )          —          (0.81 )    (1.39 )    21.46    12.59      2,509    0.72  
 
 (0.48 )          —          (0.81 )    (1.29 )    21.41    11.89      17    1.22  

 
 
 (0.23 )          —            —        (0.23 )      20.38    0.62        169,395    1.10 b
 
 (0.15 )          —            —      (0.15 )    20.26    0.20      40,515    1.85 b
 
 (0.15 )          —            —      (0.15 )    20.23    0.18      11,284    1.85 b
 
 (0.27 )          —            —      (0.27 )    20.39    0.86      2,361    0.70 b
 
 (0.18 )          —            —      (0.18 )    20.37    0.39      15    1.20 b

 
 
 (0.59 )          —            —      (0.59 )    20.48    3.94      192,453    1.04  
 
 (0.45 )              (0.45 )    20.37    3.15      43,926    1.80  
 
 (0.45 )              (0.45 )    20.34    3.14      14,286    1.80  
 
 (0.65 )              (0.65 )    20.48    4.25      8,010    0.73  
 
 (0.55 )              (0.55 )    20.47    3.80      490    1.23  

 
 (0.56 )         (1.16 )    (1.72 )    20.29    17.54       163,636    1.00  
 
 (0.42 )     (0.02 )    (1.16 )    (1.60 )     20.20    16.71      23,639    1.76  
 
 (0.22 )    (0.04 )    (1.16 )     (1.42 )    20.17    2.49      8,850    1.77 b
 
 (0.23 )    (0.08 )    (1.16 )    (1.47 )    20.29    2.93      8,367    0.76 b
 
 (0.22 )    (0.06 )    (1.16 )    (1.44 )    20.28    2.66      16    1.26 b

 
 (0.66 )         (1.00 )    (1.66 )    18.78    18.59          81,410    1.00  
 
 (0.42 )    (0.07 )    (1.00 )    (1.49 )    18.73    16.22      2,110    1.75 b

 
 (0.50 )         (0.35 )    (0.85 )    17.31    28.10      50,928    1.00  

 
 
 
BALANCED FUND (continued)
              
Ratios assuming
no expense reductions

    
     Ratio of
net investment
income to
average net
assets
   Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets
   Ratio of
net investment
income to
average net
assets
   Portfolio
turnover
rate
d

For The Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    2.94 %    1.29 %    2.77 %    153.69 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    2.19      2.04      2.02      153.69  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    2.19      2.04      2.02      153.69  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    3.46      0.89      3.29      153.69  
 
2000 - Service Shares    2.86      1.39      2.69      153.69  

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    2.58 b    1.32 b    2.36 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.83 b    2.07 b    1.61 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    1.84 b    2.07 b    1.62 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    2.96 b    0.92 b    2.74 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Service Shares    2.46 b    1.42 b    2.24 b    90.41  

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    2.90      1.45      2.49      175.06  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    2.16      2.02      1.94      175.06  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    2.17      2.02      1.95      175.06  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    3.22      0.95      3.00      175.06  
 
1999 - Service Shares    2.77      1.45      2.55      175.06  

 
1998 - Class A Shares    2.94      1.57      2.37       190.43  
 
1998 - Class B Shares     2.14       2.07       1.83      190.43  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    2.13 b    2.08 b    1.82 b    190.43  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    3.13 b    1.07 b    2.82 b    190.43  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    2.58 b    1.57 b    2.27 b    190.43  

 
1997 - Class A Shares    3.76      1.77      2.99      208.11  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    2.59 b    2.27 b    2.07 b    208.11  

 
1996 - Class A Shares    3.65      1.90      2.75      197.10  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
GROWTH AND INCOME 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    $24.68    $  0.07 c    $1.44      $1.51  
 
2000 - Class B Shares    24.46     (0.10 ) c    1.42      1.32  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    24.41    (0.09 ) c    1.40      1.31  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    24.72    0.16 c    1.49      1.65  
 
2000 - Service Shares    24.68    0.05 c    1.44      1.49  

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    24.33    0.19      0.31      0.50  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    24.13    0.08      0.31      0.39  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    24.08    0.08      0.30      0.38  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    24.35    0.34      0.23      0.57  
 
1999 - Service Shares    24.33    0.17      0.32      0.49  

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    25.93    0.20      (1.60 )    (1.40 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares    25.73    0.02      (1.58 )    (1.56 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares    25.70    0.02    (1.59 )    (1.57 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    25.95    0.29      (1.58 )    (1.29 )
 
1999 - Service Shares    25.92    0.17      (1.58 )    (1.41 )

 
1998 - Class A Shares     23.18    0.11      5.27      5.38  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    23.10    0.04       5.14      5.18  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    28.20     (0.01 )    0.06      0.05  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    23.19    0.27      5.23      5.50  
 
1998 - Service Shares    23.17    0.14      5.23      5.37  

 
1997 - Class A Shares    19.98    0.35      5.18      5.53  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    20.82    0.17      4.31      4.48  
 
1997 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 3, 1996)    21.25    0.29      3.96      4.25  
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced March 6, 1996)    20.71    0.28      4.50      4.78  

 
1996 - Class A Shares    15.80    0.33      4.75      5.08  

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
    
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

                    
$(0.05 )    $(0.03 )    $(1.33 )    $(1.41 )    $24.78      6.48 %    $    576,354    1.18 %
 
(0.02 )    (0.01 )    (1.33 )    (1.36 )    24.42      5.70      155,527    1.93  
 
(0.01 )    (0.01 )    (1.33 )    (1.35 )    24.37      5.67      15,746    1.93  
 
(0.09 )    (0.04 )    (1.33 )    (1.46 )    24.91      7.05      28,543    0.78  
 
(0.05 )    (0.02 )    (1.33 )    (1.40 )    24.77      6.40      7,926    1.28  

                    
 
(0.15 )              (0.15 )    24.68      2.05    855,174    1.19 b
 
(0.06 )              (0.06 )    24.46      1.60    271,912    1.94 b
 
(0.05 )              (0.05 )    24.41      1.58    31,328    1.94 b
 
(0.20 )              (0.20 )    24.72      2.32    32,181    0.79 b
 
(0.14 )              (0.14 )    24.68      2.01    10,008    1.29 b

                    
 
(0.19 )      (0.01 )         —      (0.20 )    24.33      (5.40 )    1,122,157    1.22  
 
(0.04 )              (0.04 )    24.13      (6.07 )    349,662    1.92  
 
(0.05 )              (0.05 )    24.08      (6.12 )    48,146    1.92  
 
(0.30 )    (0.01 )         (0.31 )    24.35      (5.00 )    173,696    0.80  
 
(0.17 )    (0.01 )         (0.18 )    24.33      (5.44 )    11,943    1.30  

 
 (0.11 )         (2.52 )    (2.63 )     25.93      23.71       1,216,582    1.25  
 
     (0.03 )     (2.52 )    (2.55 )    25.73      22.87      307,815    1.94  
 
      (0.03 )    (2.52 )    (2.55 )    25.70      0.51      31,686    1.99 b
 
(0.22 )         (2.52 )    (2.74 )    25.95      24.24      36,225    0.83  
 
(0.06 )    (0.04 )    (2.52 )    (2.62 )    25.92      23.63      8,893    1.32  

 
(0.35 )    (0.01 )    (1.97 )    (2.33 )    23.18      28.42      615,103    1.22  
 
(0.17 )    (0.06 )    (1.97 )    (2.20 )    23.10      22.23      17,346    1.93 b
 
(0.30 )    (0.04 )    (1.97 )    (2.31 )    23.19      20.77    193    0.82 b
 
(0.28 )    (0.07 )    (1.97 )    (2.32 )    23.17      23.87    3,174    1.32 b

 
(0.30 )          —      (0.60 )    (0.90 )    19.98      32.45      436,757    1.20  

 
 
 
 
GROWTH AND INCOME 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    0.31 %      1.18 %      0.31 %      86.84 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.41 )      1.93        (0.41 )      86.84  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.40 )      1.93        (0.40 )      86.84  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.69        0.78        0.69        86.84  
 
2000 - Service Shares    0.20        1.28        0.20        86.84  

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.26 b      1.20 b      1.25 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    0.51 b      1.95 b      0.50 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    0.51 b      1.95 b      0.50 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    1.72 b      0.80 b      1.71 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.16 b      1.30 b      1.15 b      55.43  

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.78        1.32        0.68        125.79  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    0.09        1.92        0.09        125.79  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    0.10        1.92        0.10        125.79  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    1.25        0.80        1.25        125.79  
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.72        1.30        0.72        125.79  

 
1998 - Class A Shares    0.43        1.42        0.26        61.95  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    (0.35 )      1.94        (0.35 )      61.95  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.48 ) b      1.99 b      (0.48 ) b      61.95  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    0.76        0.83        0.76        61.95  
 
1998 - Service Shares    0.32        1.32        0.32        61.95  

 
1997 - Class A Shares    1.60        1.43        1.39        53.03  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    0.15 b      1.93 b      0.15 b      53.03  
 
1997 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 3, 1996)    1.36 b      0.82 b      1.36 b      53.03  
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced March 6, 1996)    0.94 b      1.32 b      0.94 b      53.03  

 
1996 - Class A Shares    1.67        1.45        1.42        57.93  

 
 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
 
CORE LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
     Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $10.55    $0.12 c    $0.36    $0.48
 
2000 - Class B Shares    10.50    0.05 c    0.36    0.41
 
2000 - Class C Shares    10.51    0.04 c    0.37    0.41
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    10.55    0.16 c    0.37    0.53
 
2000 - Service Shares    10.55    0.11 c    0.36    0.47

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    10.15    0.04      0.40    0.44
 
1999 - Class B Shares    10.15    0.01      0.36    0.37
 
1999 - Class C Shares    10.15    0.01      0.37    0.38
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    10.16    0.06      0.38    0.44
 
1999 - Service Shares    10.16    0.02      0.40    0.42

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00      0.01        0.14    0.15
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00          0.15    0.15
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00          0.15    0.15
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00    0.01       0.15    0.16
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00    0.02       0.14    0.16

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
Distributions to
shareholders

                           
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
   Ratio of
net investment
income to
average net assets

                    
 
$(0.10 )    $(0.12 )    $(0.22 )    $10.81    4.68 %    $100,972    1.06 %    1.14 %
 
(0.04 )    (0.12 )    (0.16 )    10.75    3.96      19,069    1.81      0.44  
 
(0.04 )    (0.12 )    (0.16 )    10.76    3.97    11,178    1.81      0.45  
 
(0.14 )    (0.12 )    (0.26 )    10.82    5.20    175,493    0.66      1.54  
 
(0.09 )    (0.12 )    (0.21 )    10.81    4.60      12    1.16      1.07  

                    
 
(0.04 )         (0.04 )    10.55    4.31          91,072    1.04 b    0.87 b
 
(0.02 )         (0.02 )    10.50    3.68      14,464    1.79 b    0.05 b
 
(0.02 )         (0.02 )    10.51    3.73      8,032    1.79 b    0.09 b
 
(0.05 )         (0.05 )    10.55    4.35      189,540    0.64 b    1.29 b
 
(0.03 )         (0.03 )    10.55    4.11      13    1.14 b    0.72 b

                    
 
 —       —           10.15    1.50      6,665    1.08 b    1.45 b
 
 —       —           10.15    1.50      340    1.82 b    0.84 b
 
 —       —       —      10.15    1.50      268    1.83 b    0.70 b
 
 —       —       —      10.16    1.60      53,396    0.66 b    1.97 b
 
 —       —       —      10.16    1.60      2    1.16 b    2.17 b

 
 
 
 
CORE LARGE CAP VALUE FUND (continued)
 
         
Ratios assuming no
expense reductions

      
     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    1.17 %      1.03 %      83.30 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    1.92        0.33        83.30  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    1.92        0.34        83.30  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.77        1.43        83.30  
 
2000 - Service Shares    1.27        0.96        83.30  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.21 b      0.70 b      36.10  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.96 b      (0.12 ) b      36.10  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    1.96 b      (0.08 ) b      36.10  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.81 b      1.12 b      36.10  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.31 b      0.55 b      36.10  

For the Period Ended January 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.03 b      (5.50 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.77 b      (6.11 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.78 b      (6.25 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    7.61 b      (4.98 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.11 b      (4.78 ) b      0.00  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
CORE U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations

For The Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $34.21    $  0.10 c    $6.00    $6.10
 
2000 - Class B Shares    33.56    (0.14 ) c    5.83    5.69
 
2000 - Class C Shares    33.46    (0.13 ) c    5.80    5.67
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    34.61    0.24 c    6.07    6.31
 
2000 - Service Shares    34.05    0.07 c    5.96    6.03

For The Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    32.98    0.03      1.20    1.23
 
1999 - Class B Shares    32.50    (0.11 )    1.17    1.06
 
1999 - Class C Shares    32.40    (0.10 )    1.16    1.06
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    33.29    0.11      1.21    1.32
 
1999 - Service Shares    32.85    0.01      1.19    1.20

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares      26.59        0.04        7.02    7.06
 
1999 - Class B Shares    26.32     (0.10 )    6.91    6.81
 
1999 - Class C Shares    26.24    (0.10 )    6.89    6.79
 
1999 - Institutional Shares      26.79    0.20      7.11    7.31
 
1999 - Service Shares    26.53    0.06      7.01    7.07

1998 - Class A Shares     23.32     0.11      5.63    5.74
 
1998 - Class B Shares    23.18    0.11      5.44    5.55
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    27.48    0.03      1.22    1.25
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    23.44    0.30      5.65    5.95
 
1998 - Service Shares    23.27    0.19      5.57    5.76

1997 - Class A Shares    19.66    0.16      4.46    4.62
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    20.44    0.04      3.70    3.74
 
1997 - Institutional Shares    19.71    0.30      4.51    4.81
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced June 7, 1996)    21.02    0.13      3.15    3.28

1996 - Class A Shares    14.61    0.19      5.43    5.62
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 15, 1995)    16.97    0.16      3.23    3.39

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
    
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
   Ratio of
net investment
income (loss)
to average
net assets

                       
 
$    —      $    —      $(3.54 )    $(3.54 )    $36.77    18.96 %    $715,775    1.14 %    0.31 %
 
          (3.54 )    (3.54 )    35.71    18.03      275,673    1.89      (0.44 )
 
          (3.54 )    (3.54 )    35.59    18.03      62,820    1.89      (0.43 )
 
(0.08 )         (3.54 )    (3.62 )    37.30    19.41      379,172    0.74      0.71  
 
          (3.54 )    (3.54 )    36.54    18.83      11,879    1.24      0.19  

                       
 
                    34.21    3.73      614,310    1.14 b    0.15 b
 
                    33.56    3.26      214,087    1.89 b    (0.60 ) b
 
                    33.46    3.27      43,361    1.89 b    (0.61 ) b
 
                    34.61    3.97      335,465    0.74 b    0.54 b
 
                    34.05    3.65      11,204    1.24 b    0.06 b

                       
 
  (0.03 )      (0.01 )      (0.63 )    (0.67 )    32.98    26.89    605,566    1.23      0.15  
 
          (0.63 )    (0.63 )    32.50    26.19      152,347    1.85      (0.50 )
 
          (0.63 )    (0.63 )    32.40    26.19      26,912    1.87      (0.53 )
 
(0.15 )    (0.03 )    (0.63 )    (0.81 )    33.29    27.65      307,200    0.69      0.69  
 
(0.10 )    (0.02 )    (0.63 )    (0.75 )    32.85    27.00      11,600    1.19      0.19  

 (0.12 )          (2.35 )    (2.47 )    26.59    24.96      398,393    1.28      0.51  
 
      (0.06 )    (2.35 )    (2.41 )    26.32    24.28      59,208    1.79      (0.05 )
 
     (0.14 )    (2.35 )    (2.49 )    26.24    4.85      6,267    1.78 b    (0.21 ) b
 
(0.24 )    (0.01 )    (2.35 )    (2.60 )    26.79    25.76      202,893    0.65      1.16  
 
(0.07 )    (0.08 )    (2.35 )    (2.50 )    26.53    25.11      7,841    1.15      0.62  

(0.16 )         (0.80 )    (0.96 )    23.32    23.75      225,968    1.29      0.91  
 
(0.04 )    (0.16 )    (0.80 )    (1.00 )    23.18    18.59      17,258    1.83 b    0.06 b
 
(0.28 )         (0.80 )    (1.08 )    23.44    24.63      148,942    0.65      1.52  
 
(0.13 )    (0.10 )    (0.80 )    (1.03 )    23.27    15.92      3,666    1.15 b    0.69 b

(0.16 )         (0.41 )    (0.57 )    19.66    38.63      129,045    1.25      1.01  
 
(0.24 )         (0.41 )    (0.65 )    19.71    20.14      64,829    0.65 b    1.49 b

 
 
 
CORE U.S. EQUITY FUND (continued)
 
         
    
Ratios assuming no expense reductions

      
     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    1.23 %      0.22 %      59.27 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    1.98        (0.53 )      59.27  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    1.98        (0.52 )      59.27  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.83        0.62        59.27  
 
2000 - Service Shares    1.33        0.10        59.27  

For The Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.24 b      0.05 b      41.84  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.99 b      (0.70 ) b      41.84  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    1.99 b      (0.71 ) b      41.84  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.84 b      0.44 b      41.84  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.34 b      (0.04 ) b      41.84  

For The Years Ended January 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.36        0.02        63.79  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.98        (0.63 )      63.79  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    2.00        (0.66 )      63.79  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.82        0.56        63.79  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.32        0.06        63.79  

1998 - Class A Shares    1.47        0.32        65.89  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    1.96        (0.22 )      65.89  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    1.95 b      (0.38 ) b      65.89  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    0.82        0.99        65.89  
 
1998 - Service Shares    1.32        0.45        65.89  

1997 - Class A Shares    1.53        0.67        37.28  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    2.00 b      (0.11 ) b      37.28  
 
1997 - Institutional Shares    0.85        1.32        37.28  
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced June 7, 1996)    1.35 b      0.49 b      37.28  

1996 - Class A Shares    1.55        0.71        39.35  
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 15, 1995)    0.96 b      1.18 b      39.35  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
CORE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
         
    
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $17.02    $  0.06 c    $5.67    $5.73
 
2000 - Class B Shares    16.75    (0.09 ) c    5.57    5.48
 
2000 - Class C Shares    16.75    (0.08 ) c    5.57    5.49
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    17.10    0.13 c    5.73    5.86
 
2000 - Service Shares    16.95    0.03 c    5.66    5.69

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    16.17    (0.01 )    0.86    0.85
 
1999 - Class B Shares    15.98    (0.07 )    0.84    0.77
 
1999 - Class C Shares    15.99    (0.07 )    0.83    0.76
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    16.21    0.03      0.86    0.89
 
1999 - Service Shares    16.11    (0.02 )    0.86    0.84

For the Year Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    11.97    0.01      4.19    4.20
 
1999 - Class B Shares    11.92     (0.06 )    4.12    4.06
 
1999 - Class C Shares    11.93     (0.05 )    4.11    4.06
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    11.97    0.02      4.23    4.25
 
1999 - Service Shares    11.95    (0.01 )    4.17    4.16

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)      10.00        0.01        2.35    2.36
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    10.00    (0.03 )    2.33    2.30
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    11.80    (0.02 )    0.54    0.52
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    10.00    0.01      2.35    2.36
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    10.00    (0.02 )    2.35    2.33

 
APPENDIX B
 
    
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

                    
 
$    —      $    —      $(0.09 )    $(0.09 )    $22.66    33.73 %    $545,763    1.09 %
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.14    32.78      338,128    1.84  
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.15    32.84      154,966    1.84  
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.87    34.34      322,900    0.69  
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.55    33.64      3,879    1.19  

                    
 
                    17.02    5.26      300,684    1.04 b
 
                    16.75    4.82      181,626    1.79 b
 
                    16.75    4.75      75,502    1.79 b
 
                    17.10    5.49      310,704    0.64 b
 
                    16.95    5.21      2,510    1.14 b

                    
 
                    16.17    35.10      175,510    0.97  
 
                    15.98    34.07      93,711    1.74  
 
                    15.99    34.04      37,081    1.74  
 
      (0.01 )         (0.01 )    16.21    35.54      295,734    0.65  
 
                    16.11    34.85      1,663    1.15  

                    
 
 (0.01 )          (0.38 )    (0.39 )      11.97    23.79          53,786    0.91 b
 
          (0.38 )    (0.38 )    11.92    23.26      13,857    1.67 b
 
     (0.01 )    (0.38 )    (0.39 )    11.93    4.56      4,132    1.68 b
 
(0.01 )         (0.38 )    (0.39 )    11.97    23.89      4,656    0.72 b
 
          (0.38 )    (0.38 )    11.95    23.56      115    1.17 b

 
 
 
CORE LARGE CAP 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    0.31 %    1.24 %    0.16 %    72.59 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.44 )    1.99      (0.59 )    72.59  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.43 )    1.99      (0.58 )    72.59  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.65      0.84      0.50      72.59  
 
2000 - Service Shares    0.15      1.34           72.59  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.11 ) b    1.26 b    (0.33 ) b    32.74  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.87 ) b    2.01 b    (1.09 ) b    32.74  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.87 ) b    2.01 b    (1.09 ) b    32.74  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.31 b    0.86 b    0.09 b    32.74  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.21 ) b    1.36 b    (0.43 ) b    32.74  

For the Year Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.05      1.46      (0.44 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.73 )    2.11      (1.10 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.74 )    2.11      (1.11 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.35      1.02      (0.02 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.16 )    1.52      (0.53 )    63.15  

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    0.12 b    2.40 b    (1.37 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    (0.72 ) b    2.91 b    (1.96 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.76 ) b    2.92 b    (2.00 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    0.42 b    1.96 b    (0.82 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    (0.21 ) b    2.41 b    (1.45 ) b    74.97  

 
 
 
 
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CORE SMALL CAP 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      $10.23      $(0.03 ) c      $2.70        $2.67  
 
2000 - Class B Shares      10.09      (0.11 ) c      2.65        2.54  
 
2000 - Class C Shares      10.10      (0.10 ) c      2.66        2.56  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      10.30      0.02 c      2.71        2.73  
 
2000 - Service Shares      10.22      (0.04 ) c      2.69        2.65  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares      10.16      (0.01 )      0.08        0.07  
 
1999 - Class B Shares      10.07      (0.05 )      0.07        0.02  
 
1999 - Class C Shares      10.08      (0.05 )      0.07        0.02  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares      10.20      0.02        0.08        0.10  
 
1999 - Service Shares      10.16      (0.01 )      0.07        0.06  

For the Year Ended January 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares        10.59          0.01        (0.43 )      (0.42 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares      10.56      (0.05 )      (0.44 )      (0.49 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares      10.57      (0.04 )      (0.45 )      (0.49 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares      10.61      0.04        (0.43 )      (0.39 )
 
1999 - Service Shares      10.60      0.01        (0.44 )      (0.43 )

For the Period Ended January 31,                    
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      (0.01 )      0.65        0.64  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00       (0.03 )      0.64        0.61  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      (0.02 )      0.64        0.62  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      0.01        0.65        0.66  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      0.01        0.64        0.65  

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
Distributions to
Shareholders

                        
    
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

                 
 
$    —      $    —      $    —      $12.90    26.10 %    $54,954    1.33 %
 
               12.63    25.17      17,923    2.08  
 
               12.66    25.35      8,289    2.08  
 
               13.03    26.60      86,196    0.93  
 
               12.87    25.93      63    1.43  

                 
 
      —            —            —        10.23    0.69      52,660    1.33 b
 
               10.09    0.20      13,711    2.08 b
 
               10.10    0.20      6,274    2.08 b
 
               10.30    0.98      62,633    0.93 b
 
               10.22    0.59      64    1.43 b

                 
 
 (0.01 )          (0.01 )    10.16    (3.97 )    64,087    1.31  
 
               10.07    (4.64 )    15,406    2.00  
 
               10.08    (4.64 )    6,559    2.01  
 
(0.02 )         (0.02 )    10.20    (3.64 )    62,763    0.94  
 
(0.01 )         (0.01 )    10.16    (4.07 )    54    1.44  

                 
 
      (0.05 )     (0.05 )      10.59    6.37      11,118    1.25 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.56    6.07      9,957    1.95 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.57    6.17      2,557    1.95 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.61    6.57      9,026    0.95 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.60    6.47      2    1.45 b

 
 
 
 
CORE SMALL CAP 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
loss
to average
net assets
   Portfolio
turnover
rate

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    (0.21 )%    1.55 %    (0.43 )    135.36 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.96 )    2.30      (1.18 )    135.36  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.96 )    2.30      (1.18 )    135.36  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.19      1.15      (0.03 )    135.36  
 
2000 - Service Shares    (0.30 )    1.65      (0.52 )    135.36  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.12 ) b    1.67 b    (0.46 ) b    52.03
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.86 ) b    2.42 b    (1.20 ) b    52.03  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.86 ) b    2.42 b    (1.20 ) b    52.03  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.28 b    1.27 b    (0.06 ) b    52.03  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.22 ) b    1.77 b    (0.56 ) b    52.03  

For the Year Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.08      2.00      (0.61 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.55 )    2.62      (1.17 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.56 )    2.63      (1.18 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.60      1.56      (0.02 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.01      2.06      (0.61 )    75.38  

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.36 ) b    3.92 b    (3.03 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (1.04 ) b    4.37 b    (3.46 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (1.07 ) b    4.37 b    (3.49 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.15 b    3.37 b    (2.27 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.40 b    3.87 b    (2.02 ) b    37.65  

 
 
 
 
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CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gains
   Total
income
from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $24.96    $(0.11 ) c    $6.29    $6.18  
 
2000 - Class B Shares    24.37    (0.30 ) c    6.11    5.81  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    24.33    (0.30 ) c    6.10    5.80  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    25.06         6.32    6.32  
 
2000 - Service Shares    24.88    (0.13 ) c    6.25    6.12  

For the Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares      24.03      (0.08 )      1.01    0.93  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    23.57    (0.17 )    0.97    0.80  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    23.52    (0.16 )    0.97    0.81  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    24.07    (0.02 )    1.01    0.99  
 
1999 - Service Shares    23.96    (0.08 )    1.00    0.92  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    18.48    (0.03 )    6.35    6.32  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    18.27    (0.12 )    6.19    6.07  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    18.24    (0.10 )    6.15    6.05  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    18.45    0.01      6.38    6.39  
 
1999 - Service Shares    18.46    (0.04 )    6.31    6.27  
 

1998 - Class A Shares      16.73        0.02        4.78    4.80  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    16.67    0.02      4.61    4.63  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    19.73    (0.02 )    1.60    1.58  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    19.88    0.02      1.66    1.68  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    19.88    (0.01 )    1.66    1.65  
 

1997 - Class A Shares    14.91    0.10      3.56    3.66  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    15.67    0.01      2.81    2.82  
 

1996 - Class A Shares    13.67    0.12      3.93    4.05  

 
APPENDIX B
 
    
Distributions to
shareholders

    
From net
investment
income
       
In excess
of net
investment
income
   From net
realized gain
   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

                    
 
$    —      $    —      $(2.19 )    $(2.19 )    $28.95    25.70 %    $2,736,484    1.45 %
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    27.99    24.75      451,666    2.20  
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    27.94    24.75      143,126    2.20  
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    29.19    26.18      497,986    1.05  
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    28.81    25.53      13,668    1.55  

                    
 
      —            —            —           24.96    3.87        1,971,097    1.44 b
 
                    24.37    3.39      329,870    2.19 b
 
                    24.33    3.44      87,284    2.19 b
 
                    25.06    4.11      255,210    1.04 b
 
                    24.88    3.84      6,466    1.54 b

                    
 
 —       —       (0.77 )    (0.77 )    24.03    34.58      1,992,716    1.42  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    23.57    33.60      236,369    2.19  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    23.52    33.55      60,234    2.19  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    24.07    35.02      41,817    1.07  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    23.96    34.34      3,085    1.57  
 

 (0.01 )     (0.01 )      (3.03 )    (3.05 )      18.48    29.71      1,256,595    1.40  
 
          (3.03 )    (3.03 )    18.27    28.73      40,827    2.18  
 
     (0.04 )    (3.03 )    (3.07 )    18.24    8.83      5,395    2.21 b
 
(0.01 )    (0.07 )    (3.03 )    (3.11 )    18.45    9.31      7,262    1.16 b
 
     (0.04 )    (3.03 )    (3.07 )    18.46    9.18      2    1.50 b
 

(0.10 )    (0.02 )    (1.72 )    (1.84 )    16.73    25.97      920,646    1.40  
 
(0.01 )    (0.09 )    (1.72 )    (1.82 )    16.67    19.39      3,221    2.15 b
 

(0.12 )         (2.69 )    (2.81 )    14.91    30.45      881,056    1.36  

 
 
CAPITAL 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    (0.41 )%    1.47 %    (0.44 )%    34.03 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (1.16 )    2.22      (1.19 )    34.03  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (1.16 )    2.22      (1.19 )    34.03  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares         1.07      (0.03 )    34.03  
 
2000 - Service Shares    (0.49 )    1.57      (0.52 )    34.03  

For the Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.53 ) b    1.47 b    (0.56 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (1.29 ) b    2.22 b    (1.32 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (1.29 ) b    2.22 b    (1.32 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    (0.20 ) b    1.07 b    (0.23 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.65 ) b    1.57 b    (0.68 ) b    18.16  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.18 )    1.58      (0.34 )    30.17  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.98 )    2.21      (1.00 )    30.17  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (1.00 )    2.21      (1.02 )    30.17  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.11      1.09      0.09      30.17  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.37 )    1.59      (0.39 )    30.17  
 

1998 - Class A Shares    0.08      1.65      (0.17 )    61.50  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    (0.77 )    2.18      (0.77 )    61.50  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.86 ) b    2.21 b    (0.86 ) b    61.50
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.18 b    1.16 b    0.18 b    61.50
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.16 ) b    1.50 b    (0.16 ) b    61.50
 

1997 - Class A Shares    0.62      1.65      0.37      52.92  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    (0.39 ) b    2.15 b    (0.39 ) b    52.92  
 

1996 - Class A Shares    0.65      1.61      0.40      63.90  

 
 
 
 
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STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
                  
Income from
investment operations

       Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
income
(loss)
     Net
realized and
unrealized gain
     Total
income from
investment
operations

For The Year Ended August 31,                    
 
2000 - Class A Shares      $10.06      $(0.06 ) c      $2.52      $2.46
 
2000 - Class B Shares      10.04       (0.14 ) c      2.50      2.36
 
2000 - Class C Shares      10.05      (0.14 ) c      2.51      2.37
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      10.07      (0.01 ) c      2.52      2.51
 
2000 - Service Shares      10.06      (0.04 ) c      2.50      2.46

For The Period Ended August 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00             0.06      0.06
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00       (0.03 ) c      0.07      0.04
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00      (0.03 ) c      0.08      0.05
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00      0.01        0.06      0.07
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00      (0.01 )      0.07      0.06

 
 
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
    
    
    
                   
 
Net asset
value, end
of period
   Total
returna
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses to
average net assets
   Ratio of
net investment
income (loss) to
average net assets

             
 
$12.52    24.46 %    $92,271    1.44 %    (0.50 )%
 
12.40    23.51      17,149    2.19      (1.24 )
 
12.42    23.58      7,287    2.19      (1.24 )
 
12.58    24.93      22,910    1.04      (0.09 )
 
12.52    24.45      2    1.54      (0.35 )

             
 
10.06    0.60      10,371    1.44 b    (0.17 ) b
 
10.04    0.40      3,393    2.19 b    (0.97 ) b
 
10.05    0.50      2,388    2.19 b    (0.99 ) b
 
10.07    0.70      5,981    1.04 b    0.24 b
 
10.06    0.60      2    1.54 b    (0.24 ) b

 
 
STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND (continued)
 
           
    
Ratios assuming no expense reductions

      
           
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      1.63 %      (0.69 )%      19.28 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares      2.38        (1.43 )      19.28  
 
2000 - Class C Shares      2.38        (1.43 )      19.28  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      1.23        (0.28 )      19.28  
 
2000 - Service Shares      1.73        (0.54 )      19.28  

For The Period Ended August 31,               
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)      11.70 b      (10.43 ) b      6.98
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)      12.45 b      (11.23 ) b      6.98  
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)      12.45 b      (11.25 ) b      6.98  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)      11.30 b      (10.02 ) b      6.98  
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)      11.80 b      (10.50 ) b      6.98  

 
 
 
 
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GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
 
                
Income from
investment operations

 
         
    
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
income
(loss)
     Net realized
and unrealized
gain

For the Year Ended August 31,             
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $10.13      $(0.11 ) c      $9.71
 
2000 - Class B Shares    10.18      (0.24 ) c      9.74
 
2000 - Class C Shares    10.10      (0.24 ) c      9.68
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    10.13      (0.04 ) c      9.73
 
2000 - Service Shares    10.12      (0.12 ) c      9.68

For the Period Ended August 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      (0.01 ) c      0.14
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      (0.03 ) c      0.21
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      (0.03 ) c      0.13
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      0.01        0.12
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00             0.12

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
         
Distributions
to shareholders

    
 
Total from
investment
operations
   From net
realized gains
   Net asset
value, end
of period
   Total
returna
       
    
Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets

                
 
$9.60    $(0.23 )    $19.50    95.73 %    $188,199    1.52 %
 
9.50    (0.23 )    19.45    94.27      42,061    2.27  
 
9.44    (0.23 )    19.31    94.43      26,826    2.27  
 
9.69    (0.23 )    19.59    96.67      49,921    1.12  
 
9.56    (0.23 )    19.45    95.41      3    1.62  

                
 
  0.13          —      10.13    1.30            8,204    1.44 b
 
0.18         10.18    1.80      520    2.19 b
 
0.10         10.10    1.00      256    2.19 b
 
0.13         10.13    1.30      5,223    1.04 b
 
0.12      —      10.12    1.20      2    1.54 b

 
 
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES 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
loss to
average
net assets
     Portfolio
turnover
rate

For the Year Ended August 31,                    
 
2000 - Class A Shares      (0.64 )%      1.61 %      (0.73 )%      73.35 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares      (1.38 )      2.36        (1.47 )      73.35  
 
2000 - Class C Shares      (1.38 )      2.36        (1.47 )      73.35  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      (0.23 )      1.21        (0.32 )      73.35  
 
2000 - Service Shares      (0.69 )      1.71        (0.78 )      73.35  

For the Period Ended August 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)      (0.27 ) b      14.15 b      (12.98 ) b      26.53
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)      (1.04 ) b      14.90 b      (13.75 ) b      26.53  
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)      (1.12 ) b      14.90 b      (13.83 ) b      26.53  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)      0.39 b      13.75 b      (12.32 ) b      26.53  
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)      0.03 b      14.25 b      (12.68 ) b      26.53  

 
 
 
 
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MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
                
Income from
investment operations

         
    
    
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain (loss)
     Total income
from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,              
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $18.42      $0.20 c    $1.38        $1.58  
 
2000 - Class B Shares    18.23      0.06 c    1.40        1.46  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    18.24      0.06 c    1.37        1.43  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    18.45      0.27 c    1.36        1.63  
 
2000 - Service Shares    18.31      0.18 c    1.35        1.53  

For the Seven Months Ended August 31,                
 
1999 - Class A Shares    18.38      0.06      1.71        1.77  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    18.29      (0.04 )    1.71        1.67  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    18.30      (0.04 )    1.71        1.67  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    18.37      0.09      1.72        1.81  
 
1999 - Service Shares    18.29      0.05      1.70        1.75  

For the Years Ended January 31,                
 
1999 - Class A Shares    21.61      0.10      (2.38 )      (2.28 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares    21.57      (0.05 )    (2.35 )      (2.40 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares    21.59      (0.05 )    (2.34 )      (2.39 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    21.65      0.19      (2.38 )      (2.19 )
 
1999 - Service Shares    21.62      0.03      (2.31 )      (2.28 )

1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    23.63      0.09      0.76        0.85  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    23.63      0.06      0.74        0.80  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    23.63      0.06      0.76        0.82  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    18.73      0.16      5.66        5.82  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced July 18, 1997)    23.01      0.09      1.40        1.49  

1997 - Institutional Shares    15.91      0.24      3.77        4.01  

For the Period Ended January 31,                
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 1, 1995)    15.00      0.13      0.90        1.03  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
    
    
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

                    
 
$(0.12 )    $    —      $    —      $(0.12 )    $19.88    8.70 %    $  39,142    1.29 %
 
      —                     19.69    8.01      22,284    2.04  
 
      —                     19.67    7.84      5,720    2.04  
 
  (0.22 )              (0.22 )    19.86    9.08       158,188    0.89  
 
  (0.11 )              (0.11 )    19.73    8.48      206    1.39  

                    
 
           (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.42    9.04      49,081    1.29 b
 
          (1.73 )     (1.73 )    18.23    8.53      31,824    2.04 b
 
          (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.24    8.52      9,807    2.04 b
 
          (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.45    9.26      190,549    0.89 b
 
          (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.31    8.97      190    1.39 b

                    
 
(0.07 )     —      (0.88 )    (0.95 )    18.38    (10.48 )    70,578    1.33  
 
          (0.88 )    (0.88 )    18.29    (11.07 )    37,821    1.93  
 
(0.02 )         (0.88 )    (0.90 )    18.30    (11.03 )    10,800    1.93  
 
(0.21 )         (0.88 )    (1.09 )    18.37    (10.07 )    196,512    0.87  
 
(0.17 )         (0.88 )    (1.05 )    18.29    (10.48 )    289    1.37  

(0.06 )     (0.04 )    (2.77 )    (2.87 )    21.61    3.42      90,588    1.35 b
 
(0.09 )         (2.77 )    (2.86 )    21.57    3.17      28,743    1.85 b
 
(0.09 )         (2.77 )    (2.86 )    21.59    3.27      6,445    1.85 b
 
(0.13 )         (2.77 )    (2.90 )    21.65    30.86      236,440    0.85  
 
(0.11 )         (2.77 )    (2.88 )    21.62    6.30      8    1.35 b

(0.24 )    (0.93 )    (0.02 )    (1.19 )      18.73      25.63        145,253    0.85  

                    
 
(0.12 )              (0.12 )    15.91    6.89      135,671    0.85 b

 
MID CAP VALUE 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    1.11 %    1.34 %    1.06 %    82.92 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    0.35      2.09      0.30      82.92  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    0.32      2.09      0.27      82.92  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    1.51      0.94      1.46      82.92  
 
2000 - Service Shares    1.03      1.44      0.98      82.92  

For the Seven-Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.43 b    1.37 b    0.35 b    68.84  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.33 ) b    2.12 b    (0.41 ) b    68.84  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.34 ) b    2.12 b    (0.42 ) b    68.84  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.79 b    0.97 b    0.71 b    68.84  
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.38 b    1.47 b    0.30 b    68.84  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.38      1.41      0.30      92.18  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.22 )    2.01      (0.30 )    92.18
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.22 )    2.01      (0.30 )    92.18
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.83      0.95      0.75      92.18
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.32      1.45      0.24      92.18

1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.33 b    1.47 b    0.21 b    62.60  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.20 ) b    1.97 b    (0.32 ) b    62.60  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.23 ) b    1.97 b    (0.35 ) b    62.60  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    0.78      0.97      0.66      62.60  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced July 18, 1997)    0.63 b    1.43 b    0.51 b    62.60  

1997 - Institutional Shares      1.35      0.91        1.29      74.03  

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 1, 1995)    1.67 b    0.98 b    1.54 b    58.77  

 
 
 
 
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SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
 
              
Income (loss) from
investment operations

     Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income (loss)
       
Net realized and
unrealized
gain (loss)
   Total
income
(loss) from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
2000 - Class A Shares    $19.80    $  0.01 c    $ 3.40      $  3.41  
 
2000 - Class B Shares    19.27    (0.13 ) c    3.26      3.13  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    19.28    (0.12 ) c    3.26      3.14  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    19.95    0.10 c    3.42      3.52  
 
2000 - Service Shares    19.76    0.01 c    3.36      3.37  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
1999 - Class A Shares    18.51    (0.05 )     1.34      1.29  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    18.10     (0.12 )    1.29      1.17  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    18.12    (0.11 )    1.27      1.16  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    18.62         1.33      1.33  
 
1999 - Service Shares    18.50    (0.13 )    1.39      1.26  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
1999 - Class A Shares    24.05    (0.06 )    (4.48 )     (4.54 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares    23.73    (0.21 )    (4.42 )    (4.63 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares    23.73    (0.18 )    (4.43 )    (4.61 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    24.09    0.03      (4.50 )    (4.47 )
 
1999 - Service Shares    24.05    (0.04 )    (4.51 )    (4.55 )

1998 - Class A Shares    20.91    0.14       5.33      5.47  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    20.80     (0.01 )    5.27      5.26  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    24.69    (0.06 )    1.43      1.37  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    24.91    0.03      1.48      1.51  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    24.91    (0.01 )    1.48      1.47  

1997 - Class A Shares    17.29    (0.21 )    4.92      4.71  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    20.79    (0.11 )    1.21      1.10  

1996 - Class A Shares    16.14    (0.23 )    1.39      1.16  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
 
    
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

                   
$—    $    —      $    —      $23.21    17.22 %    $157,791    1.50 %
 
             22.40    16.24    29,199    2.25
 
             22.42    16.34      8,428    2.25
 
             23.47    17.64      26,445    1.10
 
             23.13    17.05      83    1.60

                   
              19.80    6.97      210,500    1.50 b
 
             19.27    6.46      37,386    2.25 b
 
             19.28    6.40      8,079    2.25 b
 
             19.95    7.14      27,023    1.10 b
 
             19.76    6.81      57    1.60 b

                   
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.51    (17.37 )    261,661    1.50  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.10    (18.00 )    42,879    2.25  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.12    (17.91 )    8,212    2.25  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.62    (17.04 )    15,351    1.13  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.50    (17.41 )    261    1.62  

    (2.33 )    (2.33 )     24.05    26.17      370,246    1.54  
 
   (2.33 )    (2.33 )    23.73    25.29      42,677    2.29  
 
   2.33       (2.33 )    23.73    5.51      5,604    2.09 b
 
   2.33      (2.33 )    24.09    6.08      14,626    1.16 b
 
   2.33      (2.33 )    24.05    5.91      2    1.45 b

   (1.09 )    (1.09 )    20.91    27.28      212,061    1.60  
 
   (1.09 )    (1.09 )    20.80    5.39      3,674    2.35 b

   (0.01 )    (0.01 )    17.29    7.20      204,994    1.41  

 
 
SMALL CAP VALUE 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    0.07 %    1.57 %    %    75.31 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.68 )    2.32      (0.75 )    75.31  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.65 )    2.32      (0.72 )    75.31  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.49      1.17      0.42      75.31  
 
2000 - Service Shares    0.03      1.67      (0.04 )    75.31  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,         
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.35 ) b    1.61 b    (0.46 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (1.10 ) b    2.36 b    (1.21 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (1.10 ) b    2.36 b    (1.21 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.05 b    1.21 b    (0.06 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.41 ) b    1.71 b    (0.52 ) b    46.95  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.24 )    1.74    (0.48 )    98.46  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.99 )    2.29      (1.03 )    98.46  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.99 )    2.29      (1.03 )    98.46  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.13      1.17      0.09      98.46  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.47 )    1.66      (0.51 )    98.46  

1998 - Class A Shares    (0.28 )    1.76      (0.50 )    84.81  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    (0.92 )    2.29      (0.92 )    84.81  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.79 ) b    2.09 b    (0.79 ) b    84.81  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.27 b    1.16 b    0.27 b    84.81  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.07 ) b    1.45 b    (0.07 ) b    84.81  

1997 - Class A Shares    (0.72 )    1.85      (0.97 )    99.46  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    (1.63 ) b    2.35 b    (1.63 ) b    99.46  

1996 - Class A Shares    (0.59 )    1.66      (0.84 )    57.58  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
 
 
LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

         
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
incomec
   Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations
   Net asset
value,
end
of period

For the Period Ended August 31,               
 
2000 - Class A Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    $10.00    $0.06    $0.33    $0.39    $10.39
 
2000 - Class B Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00       0.33    0.33    10.33
 
2000 - Class C Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00    0.01    0.31    0.32    10.32
 
2000 - Institutional Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00    0.09    0.31    0.40    10.40
 
2000 - Service Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00    0.07    0.31    0.38    10.38

Footnotes:
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 average shares outstanding methodology.
d
Includes the effect of mortgage dollar roll transactions.
 
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
 
 
         
Ratios assuming no
expense reductions

Total
returna
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of net
expenses
to average
net assetsb
   Ratio of net
investment
income to
average
net assetsb
   Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assetsb
   Ratio of net
investment
income to
average
net assetsb
   Portfolio
turnover
rate

                   
 
3.90 %    $7,181    1.25 %    0.84 %    3.30 %    (1.21 )%    66.79 %
 
3.30      1,582    2.00      0.06      4.05      (1.99 )    66.79  
 
3.20      850    2.00      0.15      4.05      (1.90 )    66.79  
 
4.00      16,155    0.85      1.31      2.90      (0.74 )    66.79  
 
3.80      2    1.35      0.95      3.40      (1.10 )    66.79  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
Index
1    General Investment
Management Approach
 
4    Fund Investment Objectives
and Strategies
 
     4    Goldman Sachs Balanced
Fund
 
     6    Goldman Sachs Growth and
Income Fund
 
     7    Goldman Sachs CORE Large
Cap Value Fund
 
     8    Goldman Sachs CORE U.S.
Equity Fund
 
     9    Goldman Sachs CORE Large
Cap Growth Fund
 
     10    Goldman Sachs CORE Small
Cap Equity Fund
 
     11    Goldman Sachs Capital
Growth Fund
 
     12    Goldman Sachs Strategic
Growth Fund
 
     13    Goldman Sachs Growth
Opportunities Fund
 
     14    Goldman Sachs Mid Cap
Value Fund
 
     15    Goldman Sachs Small Cap
Value Fund
 
     16    Goldman Sachs Large Cap
Value Fund
 
18    Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
22    Principal Risks of the Funds
 
26    Fund Performance
 
36    Fund Fees and Expenses
 
40    Service Providers
 
47    Dividends
 
49    Shareholder Guide
 
     49    How To Buy Shares
 
     53    How To Sell Shares
 
 
58    Taxation
 
60    Appendix A
Additional Information on
Portfolio Risks, Securities
and Techniques
 
82    Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
 
Domestic Equity Funds
Prospectus (Institutional Shares)
 
 
 
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’ 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 1-800-621-2550.
 
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
 
By telephone – Call 1-800-621-2550
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
 
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.
 
EQDOMPROINST                                                                                                                                                    
 
 
Prospectus
 
Service
Shares
 
December 29, 2000
 
GOLDMAN SACHS DOMESTIC 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.
 
n 
Goldman Sachs Balanced Fund
 
n 
Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund
 
n 
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM Large Cap Value Fund
 
n 
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM U.S. Equity Fund
 
n 
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM Large Cap Growth Fund
 
n 
Goldman Sachs CORE  SM Small Cap Equity Fund
 
n 
Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund
 
n 
Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund
 
n 
Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund
 
n 
Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly Mid Cap Equity)
 
n 
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund
 
n 
Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund
 
 
 
 
NOT FDIC-INSURED
May Lose Value
No Bank Guarantee
 
 
 
General Investment
Management Approach
 
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Balanced, Growth and Income, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value and Large Cap Value Funds. Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. serves as investment adviser to the CORE U.S. Equity and Capital Growth Funds. Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. are each referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.” ;
 
VALUE STYLE FUNDS
 
Goldman Sachs’ Value Investment Philosophy:
Through intensive, hands-on research our portfolio team seeks to identify:
 
1.
Well-positioned businesses that have:
n
Attractive returns on capital.
n
Sustainable earnings and cash flow.
n
Strong company management focused on long-term returns to shareholders.
 
2.
Attractive valuation opportunities where:
n
The intrinsic value of the business is not reflected in the stock price.
 
Business quality, conservative valuation, and thoughtful portfolio construction are the key elements of our value approach.
 

 
GROWTH STYLE FUNDS
 
Goldman Sachs’ Growth Investment Philosophy:
1.
Invest as if buying the company/business, not simply trading its stock:
n
Understand the business, management, products and competition.
n
Perform intensive, hands-on fundamental research.
n
Seek businesses with strategic competitive advantages.
n
Over the long-term, expect each company’s stock price ultimately to track the growth in the value of the business.
 
 
 
 
2.
Buy high-quality growth businesses that possess strong business franchises, favorable long-term prospects and excellent management.
 
3.
Purchase superior long-term growth companies at a favorable price—seek to purchase at a fair valuation, giving the investor the potential to fully capture returns from above-average growth rates.
 
Growth companies have earnings expectations that exceed those of the stock market as a whole.
 

 
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 Funds use the Goldman Sachs’ proprietary multifactor model (“Multifactor Model”), a rigorous computerized rating system, to forecast the returns of securities held in each Fund’s portfolio. The Multifactor Model incorporates common variables covering measures of:
n
Research (What do fundamental analysts think about the company and its prospects?)
n
Value (How is the company priced relative to fundamental accounting measures?)
n
Momentum (What are medium-term price trends? How has the price responded to new information?)
n
Profitability (What is the company’s margin on sales? How efficient are its operations?)
n
Earnings Quality (Were earnings derived from sustainable (cash-based) sources?)
 
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.
 
GENERAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT APPROACH
 
 
II. CORE Portfolio Construction
A proprietary risk model, which is intended to identify and measure risk as accurately as possible, includes all the above factors used in the return model to select stocks, as well as several other factors associated with risk but not return. 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.
 
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.
 

 
 
Fund Investment Objectives and Strategies
 
Goldman Sachs
Balanced Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and current income
 
                                      Benchmarks:
S&P 500® Index and Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large capitalization U.S. stocks and fixed-income securities
 
                                Investment Style:
Asset Allocation, with growth and value (blend) equity components
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital and current income. The Fund seeks growth of capital primarily through investments in equity securities (stocks). The Fund seeks to provide current income through investment in fixed-income securities (bonds).
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Historically, stock and bond markets have often had different cycles, with one asset class rising when the other is falling. A balanced objective seeks to reduce the volatility associated with investing in a single market. There is no guarantee, however, that market cycles will move in opposition to one another or that a balanced investment program will successfully reduce volatility.
 
The percentage of the portfolio invested in equity and fixed-income securities will vary from time to time as the Investment Adviser evaluates such securities’ relative attractiveness based on market valuations, economic growth and inflation prospects. The allocation between equity and fixed-income securities is subject to the Fund’s intention to pay regular quarterly dividends. The amount of quarterly dividends can also be expected to fluctuate in accordance with factors such as prevailing interest rates and the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in fixed-income securities.
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, between 45% and 65% of its total assets in equity securities. Although the Fund’s equity investments consist primarily of publicly traded U.S. securities, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the equity securities of foreign issuers, including issuers in countries with emerging markets or economies (“emerging countries”) and equity securities quoted in foreign currencies. A portion of the Fund’s portfolio of equity securities may be selected primarily to provide current income (including interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), convertible securities, preferred stocks, utility stocks, and interests in limited partnerships).
 
Fixed Income Securities. The Fund invests at least 25% of its total assets in fixed-income senior securities. The remainder of the Fund’s assets are invested in other fixed-income securities and cash.
 
The Fund’s fixed-income securities primarily include:
n
Securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises
n
Securities issued by corporations, banks and other issuers
n
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
 
The Fund may also invest up to 10% of its total assets in debt obligations (U.S. dollar and non-U.S.-dollar denominated) issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities and foreign corporations or other entities. The issuers of these securities may be located in emerging countries.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Growth and Income Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and growth of income
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large capitalization U.S. equity securities with an emphasis on undervalued stocks
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and growth of income.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities that the Investment Adviser considers to have favorable prospects for capital appreciation and/or dividend-paying ability. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
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, that offer the potential to further the Fund’s investment objective.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and dividend income
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 1000® Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Diversified portfolio of equity securities of large-cap U.S. issuers selling at low to modest valuations
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to large-cap value stocks
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and dividend income. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of large-cap U.S. issuers that are selling at low to modest valuations relative to general market measures, such as earnings, book value and other fundamental accounting measures, and that are expected to have favorable prospects for capital appreciation and/or dividend-paying ability.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
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 Russell 1000® Value Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with above average capitalizations and low to moderate valuations as measured by price/earnings ratios, book value and other fundamental accounting measures.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital and dividend income
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap U.S. equity securities
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to large-cap growth and value (blend) stocks
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and dividend income. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of large-cap and blue chip equity securities representing all major sectors of the U.S. economy.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
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 S&P 500® Index. The Fund seeks a broad representation in most major sectors of the U.S. economy and a portfolio consisting of companies with average long-term earnings growth expectations and dividend yields.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital; dividend income is a secondary consideration
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 1000® Growth Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap, growth-oriented U.S. stocks
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to large-cap growth stocks
 
 
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 U.S. issuers that are expected to have better prospects for earnings growth than the growth rate of the general domestic economy. Dividend income is a secondary consideration.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
The Investment Adviser emphasizes a company’s growth prospects in analyzing equity securities to be purchased by the Fund. 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 Russell 1000® Growth Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with above average capitalizations and earnings growth expectations and below average dividend yields.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 2000® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Stocks of small capitalization U.S. companies
 
                                Investment Style:
Quantitative, applied to small-cap growth and value (blend) stocks
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of U.S. issuers which are included in the Russell 2000® Index at the time of investment.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
 
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 Russell 2000® Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with small market capitalizations, strong expected earnings growth and momentum, and better valuation and risk characteristics than the Russell 2000® Index. If the issuer of a portfolio security held by the Fund is no longer included in the Russell 2000® Index, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the security.
 
Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Capital Growth Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap U.S. equity securities that offer long-term capital appreciation potential
 
                                Investment Style:
Growth
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities. 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 have long-term capital appreciation potential. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Strategic Growth Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large-cap U.S. equity securities that are considered to be strategically positioned for consistent long-term growth
 
                                Investment Style:
Growth
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities. 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 consistent long-term growth. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Growth Opportunities Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P Midcap 400 Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
U.S. equity securities that offer long-term capital appreciation
with a primary focus on mid-capitalization companies
 
                                Investment Style:
Growth
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities with a primary focus on mid-cap companies. 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. Although the Fund invests primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Mid Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term capital appreciation
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell Midcap Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Mid-capitalization U.S. stocks that are believed to be undervalued or undiscovered by the marketplace
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all of its assets in equity securities and at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of mid-cap companies with public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell Midcap Value Index at the time of investment (currently between $300 million and $15 billion). If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell Midcap Value Index at the time of investment and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
 
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
Goldman Sachs
Small Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 2000® Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Small-capitalization U.S. stocks that are believed to be undervalued or undiscovered by the marketplace
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment (currently between $20 million and $3 billion). If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to sell the securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s investment horizon for ownership of stocks will be two to three years. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment and in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Large Cap Value Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term capital appreciation
 
                                       Benchmark:
Russell 1000® Value Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
Large capitalization U.S. equity securities that are believed to be undervalued
 
                                Investment Style:
Value
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in equity securities. The Fund seeks its investment objective by investing in value opportunities that the Investment Adviser defines as companies with identifiable competitive advantages whose intrinsic value is not reflected in the stock price. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities quoted in foreign currencies.
 
Other. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
 
 
 
 
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Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also highlights the differences among the Funds in their use of these techniques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Funds’ annual/semi-annual reports. For more information see Appendix A.
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
       Balanced
Fund
     Growth
and Income
Fund
     CORE
Large Cap
Value Fund
     CORE
U.S. Equity
Fund

Investment Practices
 
Borrowings      33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
 
Credit, Currency, Index, Interest Rate and
Mortgage Swaps*
     15               
 
Cross Hedging of Currencies      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Custodial Receipts      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Equity Swaps*      15      15      15      15
 
Foreign Currency Transactions**      Ÿ 1      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures
Contracts
     Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ 2      Ÿ 3
 
Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars      Ÿ               
 
Investment Company Securities (including
iShares
SM and Standard & Poor’s Depositary
Receipts
TM )
     10      10      10      10
 
Loan Participations      Ÿ               
 
Mortgage Dollar Rolls      Ÿ               
 
Options on Foreign Currencies 4      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 5      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Repurchase Agreements      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements (for investment
purposes)
     Ÿ               
 
Securities Lending      33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
     33 1 /3
 
Short Sales Against the Box      25      25          
 
Unseasoned Companies      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ      Ÿ
 
When-Issued Securities and Forward
Commitments
     Ÿ      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.
**
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in foreign securities.
 1
The Balanced Fund may also enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to seek to increase total return.
 2
The CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds may enter into futures transactions only with respect to a representative index.
 3
The CORE U.S. Equity Fund may enter into futures transactions only with respect to the S&P 500 Index.
 4
The Funds may purchase and sell call and put options.
 5
The Funds may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
 
 
CORE
Large Cap
Growth Fund
   CORE
Small Cap
Equity Fund
   Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid Cap
Value
Fund
   Small Cap
Value
Fund
   Large Cap
Value
Fund

 
 
33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
 
 
                    
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
15    15    15    15    15    15    15    15
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
 
Ÿ 2    Ÿ 2    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
                    
 
 
 
10    10    10    10    10    10    10    10
 
                    
 
                    
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    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
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
   33 1 /3
 
      25    25    25    25    25    25
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ

 
 
 
 
 
10 Percent of total assets (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objectives and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
 
       Balanced
Fund
     Growth
and Income
Fund
     CORE
Large Cap
Value Fund
     CORE
U.S. Equity
Fund

Investment Securities
 
American, European and Global Depositary
Receipts
     Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ 6        Ÿ 6  
 
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities 7      Ÿ        Ÿ                
 
Bank Obligations 7      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Convertible Securities 8      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Corporate Debt Obligations 7      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  9        Ÿ  9  
 
Equity Securities      45-65        65 +      90 +      90 +
 
Emerging Country Securities      10 10        25 10              
 
Fixed Income Securities 11      35-45 18      35        10  9      10  9
 
Foreign Securities      10 10        25 10      Ÿ  14        Ÿ  14  
 
Foreign Government Securities 7      Ÿ                       
 
Municipal Securities      Ÿ                       
 
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities      10 15        10 16              
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Stripped Mortgage Backed Securities 7      Ÿ                       
 
Structured Securities*      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Temporary Investments      100        100        35        35  
 
U.S. Government Securities 7      Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ        Ÿ  
 
Yield Curve Options and Inverse Floating Rate
Securities
     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.
 6
The CORE Funds may not invest in European Depositary Receipts.
 7
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities.
 8
Convertible securities purchased by the Balanced Fund must be B or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”) or Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”). The CORE Funds have no minimum rating criteria and all other Funds use the same rating criteria for convertible and non-convertible debt securities.
 9
Cash equivalents only.
10
The Balanced, Growth and Income, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value and Small Cap Value Funds may invest in the aggregate up to 10%, 25%, 10%, 10%, 10%, 25% and 25%, respectively, of their total assets in foreign securities, including emerging country securities.
11
Except as noted under “Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities,” fixed-income securities must be investment grade (i.e., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s or Baa or higher by Moody’s).
12
The Mid Cap Value Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in: (1) securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell Midcap Value Index at the time of investment and (2) fixed-income securities.
 
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
 
CORE
Large Cap
Growth Fund
   CORE
Small Cap
Equity Fund
   Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid Cap
Value
Fund
   Small Cap
Value
Fund
   Large Cap
Value
Fund

 
 
 
Ÿ  6    Ÿ  6    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
      Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ  9    Ÿ  9    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
90+    90+    90 +    90+    90+    65+    65+    90+
 
      10 10    10 10    10 10    25 10    25 10   
 
10  9    10  9    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    35 12    35 13    10
 
Ÿ  14    Ÿ  14    10 10    10 10    10 10    25 10    25 10    25
 
                      
 
                      
 
      10 16    10 16    10 16    10 17    35 16    10 16
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
                      
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
35    35    100      100    100    100    100    100
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ      Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
                      

 
13
The Small Cap Value Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 35% of its total assets in:
(1) securities of companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Value Index at the time of investment; and (2) fixed-income
securities.
14
Equity securities of foreign issuers must be traded in the United States.
15
Must be at least BB or B by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or B by Moody’s.
16
May be BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or lower by Moody’s.
17
Must be B or higher by Standard & Poor’s or B or higher by Moody’s.
18
The Balanced Fund invests at least 25% of its total assets in fixed-income senior securities; the remainder may be invested in other fixed-income securities and cash.
 
Principal Risks of the Funds
 
Loss of money is a risk of investing in each Fund. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ  Applicable
— Not applicable
   Balanced
Fund
   Growth
and
Income
Fund
   CORE
Large
Cap
Value
Fund
   CORE
U.S.
Equity
Fund
   CORE
Large
Cap
Growth
Fund
   CORE
Small
Cap
Equity
Fund

Credit/Default    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Foreign    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Emerging Countries    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Small Cap                   Ÿ
 
Stock    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Derivatives    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Interest Rate    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Management    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Market    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Liquidity    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Initial Public Offering (“IPO”)                  
 

 
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUNDS
 
 
 
 
 
Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid
Cap
Value
Fund
       
Small
Cap
Value
Fund
   Large
Cap
Value
Fund

Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
         Ÿ    Ÿ   
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ
 
   Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ    Ÿ   
 

 
 
 
 
All Funds:
 
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
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
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 resulting from problems in share registration and custody and substantial economic and political disruptions. These risks are not normally associated with investments in more developed countries.
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
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
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
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 developements 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 and 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”).
 
Specific Funds:
 
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.
 
More information about the Funds’ portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.
 
 
Fund 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 Service Shares from year to year; and (b) how the average annual returns of a Fund’s Service 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. The Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities and Large Cap Value Funds commenced operations on May 24, 1999, May 24, 1999 and December 15, 1999, respectively. Since these Funds have less than one calendar year’s performance, no performance information is provided in this section.
 
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Balanced Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was
2.10%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’99         +8.14%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98         -8.76%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 8/15/97)      8.56  %      5.74%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04  %      23.21%
Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index**      (0.82 )%      5.14%

  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
**
The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of bond prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
Growth and Income Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was
-0.92%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’97 +15.16%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -16.98%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 3/6/96)      5.64%      11.53%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      25.79%

  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the
9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 2.41%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’99 +10.38%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’99 -8.53%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 12/31/98)      8.70%      8.68%
Russell 1000® Value Index*      7.34%      7.34%

  *
The Russell 1000® Value Index, (inception date 1/1/99), is a market capitalization weighted index of the 1,000 highest ranking U.S. stocks with below-average growth orientation. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the
9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was
-0.46%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’98 +21.46%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -14.68%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 6/7/96)      22.71%      23.91%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      26.47%

  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the
9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was
-0.92%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’98 +25.52%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -14.00%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 5/1/97)      36.26%      33.20%
Russell 1000® Growth Index*      33.15%      35.42%

  *
The Russell 1000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares the
9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was
6.80%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’99 +15.28%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -24.34%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 8/15/97)      16.65%      7.32%
Russell 2000® Index*      21.26%      10.21%

  *
The Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Capital Growth Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was
0.22%.
 
Best Quarter
Q4 ’98 +24.32%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -11.51%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 8/15/97)      27.08%      28.47%
S&P 500® Index*      21.04%      23.21%

  *
The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was 17.69%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’99 +21.13%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -20.81%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 7/18/97)      (0.70 )%      (0.84 )%
Russell Midcap Value Index*      (0.10 )%      7.04  %

  *
The Russell Midcap Value Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
FUND PERFORMANCE
 
Small Cap Value Fund
 
TOTAL RETURN
CALENDAR YEAR

 
The total return for Service Shares for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000 was
26.33%.
 
Best Quarter
Q2 ’99 +30.02%
 
Worst Quarter
Q3 ’98 -32.23%
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
 
For the period ended December 31, 1999      1 Year      Since Inception

Service Shares (Inception 8/15/97)      (2.28)%      (5.56)%
Russell 2000® Value Index*      (1.49)%      0.81%

  *
The Russell 2000® Value Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The Index figures do not reflect any fees or expenses.
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Service Shares)
 
This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Service Shares of a Fund.
 
       Balanced
Fund
     Growth
and
Income
Fund
     CORE
Large Cap
Value
Fund
     CORE
U.S.
Equity
Fund

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
 
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases
     None      None      None      None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on
Reinvested Dividends
     None      None      None      None
Redemption Fees      None      None      None      None
Exchange Fees      None      None      None      None
 
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):1
 
Management Fees 2      0.65%      0.70%      0.60%      0.75%
Service Fees 3      0.50%      0.50%      0.50%      0.50%
Other Expenses 4      0.24%      0.08%      0.17%      0.08%

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.39%      1.28%      1.27%      1.33%

See page 38 for all other footnotes.
 
 *
As a result of current waivers and 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 waivers and 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.
 
       Balanced
Fund
     Growth
and
Income
Fund
     CORE
Large Cap
Value
Fund
     CORE
U.S.
Equity
Fund

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 1
Management Fees 2      0.65%      0.70%      0.60%      0.70%
Service Fees 3      0.50%      0.50%      0.50%      0.50%
Other Expenses 4      0.10%      0.08%      0.10%      0.04%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current
waivers and expense limitations)
     1.25%      1.28%      1.20%      1.24%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
CORE
Large Cap
Growth
Fund
   CORE
Small Cap
Equity
Fund
   Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid Cap
Value
Fund
   Small Cap
Value
Fund
   Large Cap
Value
Fund

 
 
 
None    None    None    None    None    None    None    None
 
None    None    None    None    None    None    None    None
None    None    None    None    None    None    None    None
None    None    None    None    None    None    None    None
 
0.75%    0.85%    1.00%    1.00%    1.00%    0.75%    1.00%    0.75%
0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%
0.09%    0.30%    0.07%    0.23%    0.21%    0.19%    0.17%    2.15%

1.34%    1.65%    1.57%    1.73%    1.71%    1.44%    1.67%    3.40%

 
 
CORE
Large Cap
Growth
Fund
   CORE
Small Cap
Equity
Fund
   Capital
Growth
Fund
   Strategic
Growth
Fund
   Growth
Opportunities
Fund
   Mid Cap
Value
Fund
   Small Cap
Value
Fund
   Large Cap
Value
Fund

    
    
0.70%    0.85%    1.00%    1.00%    1.00%    0.75%    1.00%    0.75%
0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%    0.50%
0.06%    0.08%    0.04%    0.04%    0.15%    0.14%    0.10%    0.10%

      
1.26%    1.43%    1.54%    1.54%    1.65%    1.39%    1.60%    1.35%

 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued
 
 
1
The Funds’ annual operating expenses are based on actual expenses.
2
The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed not to impose a portion of the management fee on the CORE U.S. Equity Fund and the CORE Large Cap Growth Fund equal to 0.05% and 0.05%, respectively, of such Funds’ average daily net assets. As a result of fee waivers, the current management fees of the CORE U.S. Equity Fund and CORE Large Cap Growth Fund are 0.70% and 0.70%, respectively, of such Funds’ average daily net assets. The waivers may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser.
3
Service Organizations may charge other fees to their customers who are beneficial owners of Service Shares in connection with their customers’ accounts. Such fees may affect the return customers realize with respect to their investments.
4
“Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees equal to 0.04% of the average daily net assets of each Fund’ s Service Shares, plus all other ordinary expenses not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, transfer agency fees, service 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

 
Balanced    0.06%
 
Growth and Income    0.05%
 
CORE Large Cap Value    0.06%
 
CORE U.S. Equity    0.00%
 
CORE Large Cap Growth    0.02%
 
CORE Small Cap Equity    0.04%
 
Capital Growth    0.00%
 
Strategic Growth    0.00%
 
Growth Opportunities    0.11%
 
Mid Cap Value    0.10%
 
Small Cap Value    0.06%
 
Large Cap Value    0.06%
 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
Example
 
The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund (without the waivers and expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Service Shares of a Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that a Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
 
Fund      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years

Balanced      $142      $  440      $  761      $1,669

Growth and Income      $130      $  406      $  702      $1,545

CORE Large Cap Value      $129      $  403      $  697      $1,534

CORE U.S. Equity      $135      $  421      $  729      $1,601

CORE Large Cap Growth      $136      $  425      $  734      $1,613

CORE Small Cap Equity      $168      $  520      $  897      $1,955

Capital Growth      $160      $  496      $  855      $1,867

Strategic Growth      $176      $  545      $  939      $2,041

Growth Opportunities      $174      $  539      $  928      $2,019

Mid Cap Value      $147      $  456      $  787      $1,724

Small Cap Value      $170      $  526      $  907      $1,976

Large Cap Value      $343      $1,045      $1,769      $3,685

 
Service Organizations that invest in Service Shares on behalf of their customers may charge other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your Service Organization for information regarding such charges. Such fees, if any, may affect the return such customers realize with respect to their investments.
 
Certain Service Organizations that invest in Service Shares may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Service Shares or for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Other Information” in the Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).
 
 
Service Providers
 
INVESTMENT ADVISERS
 
 
Investment Adviser      Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“GSAM”)      Balanced
32 Old Slip      Growth and Income
New York, New York 10005      CORE Large Cap Value
       CORE Large Cap Growth
          CORE Small Cap Equity
          Strategic Growth
          Growth Opportunities
          Mid Cap Value
          Small Cap Value
       Large Cap Value

Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. (“GSFM”)      CORE U.S. Equity
32 Old Slip      Capital Growth
New York, New York 10005

 
GSAM and GSFM are separate business units of the Investment Management Division (“IMD”) of Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs registered as an investment adviser in 1981. GSFM, a registered investment adviser since 1990, is a Delaware limited partnership which is an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. As of September 30, 2000, GSAM and GSFM, 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.
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
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 listed below (as a percentage of each respective Fund’s average daily net assets):
 
       Contractual Rate      Actual Rate
For the Fiscal 
Year  Ended
August  31, 2000

GSAM:

Balanced      0.65%      0.65%

Growth and Income      0.70%      0.70%

CORE Large Cap Value      0.60%      0.60%

CORE Large Cap Growth      0.75%      0.64%

CORE Small Cap Equity      0.85%      0.85%

Strategic Growth      1.00%      1.00%

Growth Opportunities      1.00%      1.00%

Mid Cap Value      0.75%      0.75%

Small Cap Value      1.00%      1.00%

Large Cap Value      0.75%      0.75%

GSFM:            

CORE U.S. Equity      0.75%      0.70%

Capital 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 19-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.
 
Value Team
n
Twelve portfolio managers/analysts with over 100 years of combined financial experience comprise the Investment Adviser’s value investment team
n
Multi-sector focus provides a balanced perspective and in-depth industry
knowledge
n
Across all value products, the Investment Adviser leverages the industry research expertise of its small, mid and large cap investment teams
 

Value Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Eileen A. Aptman
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Mid Cap Value
Small Cap Value
   Since
1996
1997
   Ms. Aptman joined the Investment
Adviser as a research analyst in
1993. She became a portfolio
manager in 1996.

Matthew B.
McLennan
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Small Cap Value
Mid Cap Value
   Since
1996
1998
   Mr. McLennan joined the
Investment Adviser as a research
analyst in 1995 and became a
portfolio manager in 1996. From
1994 to 1995, he worked in the
Investment Banking Division of
Goldman Sachs in Australia.

Meera Mayer
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Growth and Income
Large Cap Value
Balanced (Equity)
   Since
1999
1999
1999
   Ms. Mayer joined the Investment
Adviser as a senior portfolio
manager in November 1999. From
July 1999 to November 1999, she
worked at Oppenheimer Funds as a
senior equity analyst. From 1995 to
March 1999, she worked at Spears,
Benzak, Salomon and Farrell as a
managing director and portfolio
manager.

 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Chip Otness
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Small Cap Value
Mid Cap Value
   Since
2000
2000
   Mr. Otness joined the Investment
Adviser as a senior portfolio
manager in 2000. From 1998 to
2000, he headed Dolphin Asset
Management. From 1970 to 1998,
he worked at J.P. Morgan, most
recently as a managing director
and senior portfolio manager
responsible for small-cap
institutional equity investments.

Eileen Rominger
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Growth and Income
Large Cap Value
Balanced (Equity)
   Since
1999
1999
1999
   Ms. Rominger joined the
Investment Adviser as a senior
portfolio manager and Chief
Investment Officer of the Value
Equity team in 1999. From 1981 to
1999, she worked at Oppenheimer
Capital, most recently as a senior
portfolio manager.

 
Quantitative Equity Team
n
A stable and growing team supported by an extensive internal staff
n
Access to the research ideas of Goldman Sachs’ renowned Global Investment Research Department
n
More than $34 billion in equities currently under management
 

Quantitative Equity Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Melissa Brown
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
CORE Large Cap Value
CORE U.S. Equity
CORE Large Cap Growth
CORE Small Cap Equity
   Since
1998
1998
1998
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.

Robert C. Jones
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
CORE U.S. Equity
CORE Large Cap Growth
CORE Small Cap Equity
CORE Large Cap Value
   Since
1991
1997
1997
1998
   Mr. Jones joined the
Investment Adviser as a portfolio
manager in 1989.

Victor H. Pinter
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
CORE U.S. Equity
CORE Large Cap Growth
CORE Small Cap Equity
CORE Large Cap Value
   Since
1996
1997
1997
1998
   Mr. Pinter joined the
Investment Adviser as a research
analyst in 1989. He became a
portfolio manager in 1992.

 
 
 
Growth Equity Investment Team
n
18 year consistent investment style applied through diverse and complete market cycles
n
More than $22 billion in equities currently under management
n
More than 300 client account relationships
n
A portfolio management and analytical team with more than 150 years combined investment experience
 

Growth Equity Investment Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

George D. Adler
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Balanced (Equity)
Capital Growth
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1997
1999
1999
   Mr. Adler joined the
Investment Adviser as a portfolio
manager in 1997. From 1990 to
1997, he was a portfolio manager
at Liberty Investment
Management, Inc. (“Liberty”).

Steve Barry
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Growth Opportunities
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
   Since
1999
2000
2000
2000
   Mr. Barry joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1999. From 1988 to 1999, he was
a portfolio manager at Alliance
Capital Management.

Kenneth T. Berents
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
2000
2000
2000
2000
   Mr. Berents joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
2000. From 1992 to 1999, he was
Director of Research and head of
the Investment Committee at
Wheat First Union.

Robert G. Collins
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Collins joined the Investment
Adviser as portfolio manager and
Co-Chair of the Growth Equity
Investment Committee in 1997.
From 1991 to 1997, he was a
portfolio manager at Liberty.

Herbert E. Ehlers
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Ehlers joined the Investment
Adviser as a senior portfolio
manager and Chief Investment
Officer of the Growth Equity team
in 1997. From 1994 to 1997, he
was the Chief Investment Officer
and Chairman of Liberty.

 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Gregory H. Ekizian
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Ekizian joined the Investment
Adviser as portfolio manager and
Co-Chair of the Growth Equity
Investment Committee in 1997.
From 1990 to 1997, he was a
portfolio manager at Liberty and
its predecessor firm, Eagle.

Scott Kolar
Vice President
   Portfolio Manager—
Growth Opportunities
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
   Since
1999
2000
2000
2000
   Mr. Kolar joined the Investment
Adviser as an equity analyst in
1997 and became a portfolio
manager in 1999. From 1994 to
1997, he was an equity analyst and
information systems specialist at
Liberty.

David G. Shell
Managing Director
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Shell joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1997. From 1987 to 1997, he was
a portfolio manager at Liberty and
its predecessor firm, Eagle.

Ernest C. Segundo, Jr.
Vice President
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Capital Growth
Balanced (Equity)
Strategic Growth
Growth Opportunities
   Since
1997
1998
1999
1999
   Mr. Segundo joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1997. From 1992 to 1997, he was
a portfolio manager at Liberty.

 
Fixed-Income Portfolio Management Team
n
Fixed-income portfolio management is comprised of a deep team of sector specialists
n
The team strives to maximize risk-adjusted returns by de-emphasizing interest rate anticipation and focusing on security selection and sector allocation
n
The team manages approximately $49 billion in fixed-income assets for retail, institutional and high net worth clients
 

 
 
Fixed-Income Portfolio Management Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Jonathan A. Beinner
Managing Director and
Co-Head U.S. Fixed
Income
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Balanced (Fixed-Income)
   Since
1994
   Mr. Beinner joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1990.

C. Richard Lucy
Managing Director and
Co-Head U.S. Fixed
Income
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Balanced (Fixed-Income)
   Since
1994
   Mr. Lucy joined the Investment
Adviser as a portfolio manager in
1992.

 
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.
 
Dividends
 
 
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, your 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.
 
Dividends from net investment company taxable income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid as follows:
 
Fund      Investment
Income Dividends
     Capital Gains
Distributions

Balanced      Quarterly      Annually

Growth and Income      Quarterly      Annually

CORE Large Cap Value      Quarterly      Annually

CORE U.S. Equity      Annually      Annually

CORE Large Cap Growth      Annually      Annually

CORE Small Cap Equity      Annually      Annually

Capital Growth      Annually      Annually

Strategic Growth      Annually      Annually

Growth Opportunities      Annually      Annually

Mid Cap Value      Annually      Annually

Small Cap Value      Annually      Annually

Large Cap Value      Annually      Annually

 
DIVIDENDS
 
 
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.
 
 
Shareholder Guide
 
The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Funds’ Service Shares.
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES
 
How Can I Purchase Service Shares Of The Funds?
Generally, Service Shares may be purchased only through institutions that have agreed to provide account administration and personal and account maintenance services to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Service Shares. These institutions are called “Service Organizations.” Customers of a Service Organization will normally give their purchase instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place purchase orders with Goldman Sachs. Service Organizations will set times by which purchase orders and payments must be received by them from their customers. Generally, Service Shares may be purchased from the Funds on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of an order by Goldman Sachs from a Service Organization. No sales load is charged. Purchases of Service Shares must be settled within three business days of receipt of a complete purchase order.
 
Service Organizations are responsible for transmitting purchase orders and payments to Goldman Sachs in a timely fashion. Service Organizations 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 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
What Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
Service Organizations may provide the following services in connection with their customers’ investments in Service Shares:
n
Acting, directly or through an agent, as the sole shareholder of record
n
Maintaining account records for customers
n
Processing orders to purchase, redeem or exchange shares for customers
n
Responding to inquiries from prospective and existing shareholders
n
Assisting customers with investment procedures
 
In addition, some (but not all) Service Organizations are 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 Service Organization or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next determined after such acceptance.
n
Service Organizations or 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 Service Organization directly to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.
 
Pursuant to a service plan adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, Service Organizations are entitled to receive payment for their services from the Trust of up to 0.50% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of the Funds, which are attributable to or held in the name of the Service Organization for its customers.
 
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 Service Organizations 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 Service 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 Service 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?
The Funds do not have any minimum purchase or account requirements with respect to Service Shares. A Service Organization may, however, impose a minimum amount for initial and subsequent investments in Service Shares, and may establish other requirements such as a minimum account balance. A Service Organization may redeem Service Shares held by non-complying accounts, and may impose a charge for any special services.
 
What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
The Trust reserves the right to:
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 Service 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 Service Organizations 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 Service Shares is determined by a Fund’s NAV. The Funds calculate 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 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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, if a Fund holds foriegn securities, its NAV 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 Service Shares Of The Funds?
Generally, Service Shares may be sold (redeemed) only through Service Organizations. Customers of a Service Organization will normally give their redemption instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place redemption orders with the Funds. Generally, each Fund will redeem its Service Shares upon request on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper form. Redemption proceeds may be sent to recordholders by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record).
 
A Service Organization may request redemptions in writing or by telephone if the optional telephone redemption privilege is elected on the Account Application.
 
 
    

By Writing:      Goldman Sachs Funds
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606-6372

By Telephone:      1-800-621-2550
(8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

 
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 tele phone, 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:  The Funds will arrange for redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the bank account designated in the recordholder’s 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 the shares to be sold were recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay the redemption proceeds when the 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 Service Organization.
n
Neither the Trust nor Goldman Sachs assumes any responsibility for the performance of intermediaries or your Service Organization in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with such intermediaries or Service Organization.
 
By Check:  A recordholder may elect in writing to receive redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of receipt of a properly executed redemption request. If the shares to be sold were recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay the redemption proceeds when the check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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  
Service Organizations 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, Service Organizations may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. Service Organizations may also require additional documentation from you.
 
The Trust reserves the right to:
n  
Redeem the Service Shares of any Service Organization whose account balance falls below $50 as a result of a redemption. The Funds will not redeem Service Shares on this basis if the value of the account falls below the minimum account balance solely as a result of market conditions. The Fund will give 60 days’ prior written notice to allow a Service Organization 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 Service 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?
A Service Organization may exchange Service Shares of a Fund at NAV for Service Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund. The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice.
 
 
 
 
Instructions For Exchanging Shares:       

By Writing:      n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
       n  The recordholder name(s) and signature(s)
       n  The 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 requirement 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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.
 
What Types Of Reports Will Be Sent Regarding Investments In Service Shares?
Service Organizations will receive from the Funds annual reports containing audited financial statements and semi-annual reports. Service Organizations will also be provided with a printed confirmation for each transaction in their account and a monthly account statement. Service Organizations are responsible for providing these or other reports to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Service Shares in accordance with the rules that apply to their accounts with the Service Organizations.
 
Taxation
 
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.”
 
TAXATION
 
 
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.
 
Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio
Risks, Securities and Techniques
 
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
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:
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U.S. government securities
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Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s or P-2 by Moody’s
n
Certificates of deposit
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Bankers’ acceptances
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Repurchase agreements
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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:
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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.
 
 
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.
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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.
 
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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®.
 
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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.
 
 
 
Mortgage Dollar Rolls. Certain Funds may enter into mortgage dollar rolls. A mortgage dollar roll involves the sale by a Fund of securities for delivery in the current month. The Fund simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, the Fund benefits to the extent of any difference between (a) the price received for the securities sold and (b) the lower forward price for the future purchase and/or fee income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold. Unless the benefits of a mortgage dollar roll exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the roll, the use of this technique will diminish the Fund’s performance.
 
Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls depends upon the Investment Adviser’s ability to predict correctly interest rates and mortgage prepayments. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its prediction, a Fund may experience a loss. For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Funds treat mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions: one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale. The Funds do not currently intend to enter into mortgage dollar rolls that are accounted for as a financing and do not treat them as borrowings.
 
Yield Curve Options. Certain Funds may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease.
 
The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, such options present a risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Certain Funds may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by a Fund subject to the Fund’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price (including interest). These transactions may be entered into as a temporary measure for emergency purposes or to meet redemption requests. Reverse repurchase agreements may also be entered into when the Invest ment Adviser expects that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the transaction proceeds will be greater than the related interest expense. Reverse repurchase agreements involve leveraging. If the securities held by a Fund decline in value while these transactions are outstanding, the NAV of the Fund’s outstanding shares will decline in value by proportionately more than the decline in value of the securities. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the interest income earned by a Fund (from the investment of the proceeds) will be less than the interest expense of the transaction, that the market value of the securities sold by a Fund will decline below the price the Fund is obligated to pay to repurchase the securities, and that the securities may not be returned to the Fund.
 
Municipal Securities. Certain Funds may invest in securities and instruments issued by state and local government issuers. Municipal securities in which a Fund may invest consist of bonds, notes, commercial paper and other instruments (including participating interests in such securities) issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities. Such securities may pay fixed, variable or floating rates of interest. Municipal securities are often issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other public purposes for which municipal securities may be issued include refunding outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses, and obtaining funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities. Municipal securities in which a Fund may invest include private activity bonds, municipal leases, certificates of participation, pre-funded municipal securities and auction rate securities.
 
Interest Rate Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps, Currency Swaps and Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses of an underlying security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive or make a payment from the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Currency swaps involve the exchange of the parties’ respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar is the combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates.
 
Certain Funds may enter into swap transactions for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The use of interest rate, mortgage, credit and currency swaps, as well as interest rate caps, floors and collars, is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market value, interest rates and currency exchange rates, the investment performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.
 
Loan Participations. Certain Funds may invest in loan participations. A loan participation is an interest in a loan to a U.S. or foreign company or other borrower which is administered and sold by a financial intermediary. A Fund may only invest in loans to issuers in whose obligations it may otherwise invest. Loan participation interests may take the form of a direct or co-lending relationship with the corporate borrower, an assignment of an interest in the loan by a co-lender or another participant, or a participation in the seller’s share of the loan. When a Fund acts as co-lender in connection with a participation interest or when it acquires certain participation interests, the Fund will have direct recourse against the borrower if the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal and interest. In cases where the Fund lacks direct recourse, it will look to the agent bank to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower. In these cases, the Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Fund had purchased a direct obligation (such as commercial paper) of such borrower. Moreover, under the terms of the loan participation, the Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the agent bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the Fund may also be subject to the risk that the agent bank may become insolvent.
 
Inverse Floaters. Certain Funds may invest in inverse floating rate debt securities (“inverse floaters”). The interest rate on inverse floaters resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher the degree of leverage of an inverse floater, the greater the volatility of its market value.
 
 
 
 
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Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
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 not 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 a Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report (available upon request). The information for all periods prior to the periods ended August 31, 2000 has been audited by the Funds’ previous independent accountants.
 
BALANCED FUND
              
Income from
investment operations

    
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
Income
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain(loss)
   Total from
investment
operations

For The Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $20.38    $0.60 c    $  1.75      $2.35
 
2000 - Class B Shares    20.26    0.45 c    1.73      2.18
 
2000 - Class C Shares    20.23    0.45 c    1.74      2.19
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    20.39    0.71 c    1.75      2.46
 
2000 - Service Shares    20.37    0.59 c    1.74      2.33

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    20.48      0.32       (0.19 )    0.13
 
1999 - Class B Shares    20.37    0.22      (0.18 )    0.04
 
1999 - Class C Shares    20.34    0.23      (0.19 )    0.04
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    20.48    0.53      (0.35 )    0.18
 
1999 - Service Shares    20.47    1.22      (1.14 )    0.08

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares      20.29      0.58          0.20      0.78
 
1999 - Class B Shares    20.20    0.41      0.21      0.62
 
1999 - Class C Shares    20.17    0.41      0.21      0.62
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    20.29    0.64      0.20      0.84
 
1999 - Service Shares    20.28    0.53      0.21      0.74

 
1998 - Class A Shares    18.78    0.57      2.66      3.23
 
1998 - Class B Shares    18.73    0.50      2.57      3.07
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    21.10    0.25      0.24      0.49
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    21.18    0.26      0.32      0.58
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    21.18    0.22      0.32      0.54

 
1997 - Class A Shares    17.31    0.66      2.47      3.13
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    17.46    0.42      2.34      2.76

 
1996 - Class A Shares    14.22    0.51      3.43      3.94

 
See page 126 for all footnotes.
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
    
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
return
a
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets

 
 
$(0.50 )    $    —      $(0.81 )    $(1.31 )    $21.42    12.00 %    $135,632    1.12 %
 
 (0.36 )          —        (0.81 )    (1.17 )    21.27    11.17      33,759    1.87  
 
 (0.36 )          —          (0.81 )    (1.17 )    21.25    11.23      8,658    1.87  
 
 (0.58 )          —          (0.81 )    (1.39 )    21.46    12.59      2,509    0.72  
 
 (0.48 )          —          (0.81 )    (1.29 )    21.41    11.89      17    1.22  

 
 
 (0.23 )          —            —        (0.23 )      20.38    0.62        169,395    1.10 b
 
 (0.15 )          —            —      (0.15 )    20.26    0.20      40,515    1.85 b
 
 (0.15 )          —            —      (0.15 )    20.23    0.18      11,284    1.85 b
 
 (0.27 )          —            —      (0.27 )    20.39    0.86      2,361    0.70 b
 
 (0.18 )          —            —      (0.18 )    20.37    0.39      15    1.20 b

 
 
 (0.59 )          —            —      (0.59 )    20.48    3.94      192,453    1.04  
 
 (0.45 )              (0.45 )    20.37    3.15      43,926    1.80  
 
 (0.45 )              (0.45 )    20.34    3.14      14,286    1.80  
 
 (0.65 )              (0.65 )    20.48    4.25      8,010    0.73  
 
 (0.55 )              (0.55 )    20.47    3.80      490    1.23  

 
 (0.56 )         (1.16 )    (1.72 )    20.29    17.54       163,636    1.00  
 
 (0.42 )     (0.02 )    (1.16 )    (1.60 )     20.20    16.71      23,639    1.76  
 
 (0.22 )    (0.04 )    (1.16 )     (1.42 )    20.17    2.49      8,850    1.77 b
 
 (0.23 )    (0.08 )    (1.16 )    (1.47 )    20.29    2.93      8,367    0.76 b
 
 (0.22 )    (0.06 )    (1.16 )    (1.44 )    20.28    2.66      16    1.26 b

 
 (0.66 )         (1.00 )    (1.66 )    18.78    18.59          81,410    1.00  
 
 (0.42 )    (0.07 )    (1.00 )    (1.49 )    18.73    16.22      2,110    1.75 b

 
 (0.50 )         (0.35 )    (0.85 )    17.31    28.10      50,928    1.00  

 
 
 
BALANCED FUND (continued)
              
Ratios assuming
no expense reductions

    
     Ratio of
net investment
income to
average net
assets
   Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets
   Ratio of
net investment
income to
average net
assets
   Portfolio
turnover
rate
d

For The Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    2.94 %    1.29 %    2.77 %    153.69 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    2.19      2.04      2.02      153.69  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    2.19      2.04      2.02      153.69  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    3.46      0.89      3.29      153.69  
 
2000 - Service Shares    2.86      1.39      2.69      153.69  

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    2.58 b    1.32 b    2.36 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.83 b    2.07 b    1.61 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    1.84 b    2.07 b    1.62 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    2.96 b    0.92 b    2.74 b    90.41  
 
1999 - Service Shares    2.46 b    1.42 b    2.24 b    90.41  

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    2.90      1.45      2.49      175.06  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    2.16      2.02      1.94      175.06  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    2.17      2.02      1.95      175.06  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    3.22      0.95      3.00      175.06  
 
1999 - Service Shares    2.77      1.45      2.55      175.06  

 
1998 - Class A Shares    2.94      1.57      2.37       190.43  
 
1998 - Class B Shares     2.14       2.07       1.83      190.43  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    2.13 b    2.08 b    1.82 b    190.43  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    3.13 b    1.07 b    2.82 b    190.43  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    2.58 b    1.57 b    2.27 b    190.43  

 
1997 - Class A Shares    3.76      1.77      2.99      208.11  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    2.59 b    2.27 b    2.07 b    208.11  

 
1996 - Class A Shares    3.65      1.90      2.75      197.10  

 
 
 
 
 
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GROWTH AND INCOME 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    $24.68    $  0.07 c    $1.44      $1.51  
 
2000 - Class B Shares    24.46     (0.10 ) c    1.42      1.32  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    24.41    (0.09 ) c    1.40      1.31  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    24.72    0.16 c    1.49      1.65  
 
2000 - Service Shares    24.68    0.05 c    1.44      1.49  

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    24.33    0.19      0.31      0.50  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    24.13    0.08      0.31      0.39  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    24.08    0.08      0.30      0.38  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    24.35    0.34      0.23      0.57  
 
1999 - Service Shares    24.33    0.17      0.32      0.49  

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    25.93    0.20      (1.60 )    (1.40 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares    25.73    0.02      (1.58 )    (1.56 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares    25.70    0.02    (1.59 )    (1.57 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    25.95    0.29      (1.58 )    (1.29 )
 
1999 - Service Shares    25.92    0.17      (1.58 )    (1.41 )

 
1998 - Class A Shares     23.18    0.11      5.27      5.38  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    23.10    0.04       5.14      5.18  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    28.20     (0.01 )    0.06      0.05  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    23.19    0.27      5.23      5.50  
 
1998 - Service Shares    23.17    0.14      5.23      5.37  

 
1997 - Class A Shares    19.98    0.35      5.18      5.53  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    20.82    0.17      4.31      4.48  
 
1997 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 3, 1996)    21.25    0.29      3.96      4.25  
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced March 6, 1996)    20.71    0.28      4.50      4.78  

 
1996 - Class A Shares    15.80    0.33      4.75      5.08  

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
    
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

                    
$(0.05 )    $(0.03 )    $(1.33 )    $(1.41 )    $24.78    6.48 %    $    576,354    1.18 %
 
(0.02 )    (0.01 )    (1.33 )    (1.36 )    24.42    5.70      155,527    1.93  
 
(0.01 )    (0.01 )    (1.33 )    (1.35 )    24.37    5.67      15,746    1.93  
 
(0.09 )    (0.04 )    (1.33 )    (1.46 )    24.91    7.05      28,543    0.78  
 
(0.05 )    (0.02 )    (1.33 )    (1.40 )    24.77    6.40      7,926    1.28  

                    
 
(0.15 )              (0.15 )    24.68    2.05    855,174    1.19 b
 
(0.06 )              (0.06 )    24.46    1.60    271,912    1.94 b
 
(0.05 )              (0.05 )    24.41    1.58    31,328    1.94 b
 
(0.20 )              (0.20 )    24.72    2.32    32,181    0.79 b
 
(0.14 )              (0.14 )    24.68    2.01    10,008    1.29 b

                    
 
(0.19 )      (0.01 )         —      (0.20 )    24.33    (5.40 )    1,122,157    1.22  
 
(0.04 )              (0.04 )    24.13    (6.07 )    349,662    1.92  
 
(0.05 )              (0.05 )    24.08    (6.12 )    48,146    1.92  
 
(0.30 )    (0.01 )         (0.31 )    24.35    (5.00 )    173,696    0.80  
 
(0.17 )    (0.01 )         (0.18 )    24.33    (5.44 )    11,943    1.30  

 
 (0.11 )         (2.52 )    (2.63 )     25.93    23.71       1,216,582    1.25  
 
     (0.03 )     (2.52 )    (2.55 )    25.73    22.87      307,815    1.94  
 
      (0.03 )    (2.52 )    (2.55 )    25.70    0.51      31,686    1.99 b
 
(0.22 )         (2.52 )    (2.74 )    25.95    24.24      36,225    0.83  
 
(0.06 )    (0.04 )    (2.52 )    (2.62 )    25.92    23.63      8,893    1.32  

 
(0.35 )    (0.01 )    (1.97 )    (2.33 )    23.18    28.42      615,103    1.22  
 
(0.17 )    (0.06 )    (1.97 )    (2.20 )    23.10    22.23      17,346    1.93 b
 
(0.30 )    (0.04 )    (1.97 )    (2.31 )    23.19    20.77    193    0.82 b
 
(0.28 )    (0.07 )    (1.97 )    (2.32 )    23.17    23.87    3,174    1.32 b

 
(0.30 )          —      (0.60 )    (0.90 )    19.98    32.45      436,757    1.20  

 
 
 
 
GROWTH AND INCOME 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    0.31 %      1.18 %      0.31 %      86.84 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.41 )      1.93        (0.41 )      86.84  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.40 )      1.93        (0.40 )      86.84  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.69        0.78        0.69        86.84  
 
2000 - Service Shares    0.20        1.28        0.20        86.84  

For The Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.26 b      1.20 b      1.25 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    0.51 b      1.95 b      0.50 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    0.51 b      1.95 b      0.50 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    1.72 b      0.80 b      1.71 b      55.43  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.16 b      1.30 b      1.15 b      55.43  

For The Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.78        1.32        0.68        125.79  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    0.09        1.92        0.09        125.79  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    0.10        1.92        0.10        125.79  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    1.25        0.80        1.25        125.79  
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.72        1.30        0.72        125.79  

 
1998 - Class A Shares    0.43        1.42        0.26        61.95  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    (0.35 )      1.94        (0.35 )      61.95  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.48 ) b      1.99 b      (0.48 ) b      61.95  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    0.76        0.83        0.76        61.95  
 
1998 - Service Shares    0.32        1.32        0.32        61.95  

 
1997 - Class A Shares    1.60        1.43        1.39        53.03  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    0.15 b      1.93 b      0.15 b      53.03  
 
1997 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 3, 1996)    1.36 b      0.82 b      1.36 b      53.03  
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced March 6, 1996)    0.94 b      1.32 b      0.94 b      53.03  

 
1996 - Class A Shares    1.67        1.45        1.42        57.93  

 
 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
 
CORE LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
     Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $10.55    $0.12 c    $0.36    $0.48
 
2000 - Class B Shares    10.50    0.05 c    0.36    0.41
 
2000 - Class C Shares    10.51    0.04 c    0.37    0.41
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    10.55    0.16 c    0.37    0.53
 
2000 - Service Shares    10.55    0.11 c    0.36    0.47

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    10.15    0.04      0.40    0.44
 
1999 - Class B Shares    10.15    0.01      0.36    0.37
 
1999 - Class C Shares    10.15    0.01      0.37    0.38
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    10.16    0.06      0.38    0.44
 
1999 - Service Shares    10.16    0.02      0.40    0.42

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00      0.01        0.14    0.15
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00          0.15    0.15
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00          0.15    0.15
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00    0.01       0.15    0.16
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    10.00    0.02       0.14    0.16

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
    
Distributions to
shareholders

                           
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
   Ratio of
net investment
income to
average net assets

                    
 
$(0.10 )    $(0.12 )    $(0.22 )    $10.81    4.68 %    $100,972    1.06 %    1.14 %
 
(0.04 )    (0.12 )    (0.16 )    10.75    3.96      19,069    1.81      0.44  
 
(0.04 )    (0.12 )    (0.16 )    10.76    3.97    11,178    1.81      0.45  
 
(0.14 )    (0.12 )    (0.26 )    10.82    5.20    175,493    0.66      1.54  
 
(0.09 )    (0.12 )    (0.21 )    10.81    4.60      12    1.16      1.07  

                    
 
(0.04 )         (0.04 )    10.55    4.31          91,072    1.04 b    0.87 b
 
(0.02 )         (0.02 )    10.50    3.68      14,464    1.79 b    0.05 b
 
(0.02 )         (0.02 )    10.51    3.73      8,032    1.79 b    0.09 b
 
(0.05 )         (0.05 )    10.55    4.35      189,540    0.64 b    1.29 b
 
(0.03 )         (0.03 )    10.55    4.11      13    1.14 b    0.72 b

                    
 
 —       —           10.15    1.50      6,665    1.08 b    1.45 b
 
 —       —           10.15    1.50      340    1.82 b    0.84 b
 
 —       —       —      10.15    1.50      268    1.83 b    0.70 b
 
 —       —       —      10.16    1.60      53,396    0.66 b    1.97 b
 
 —       —       —      10.16    1.60      2    1.16 b    2.17 b

 
 
 
 
CORE LARGE CAP VALUE FUND (continued)
 
         
Ratios assuming no
expense reductions

      
     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    1.17 %      1.03 %      83.30 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    1.92        0.33        83.30  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    1.92        0.34        83.30  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.77        1.43        83.30  
 
2000 - Service Shares    1.27        0.96        83.30  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.21 b      0.70 b      36.10  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.96 b      (0.12 ) b      36.10  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    1.96 b      (0.08 ) b      36.10  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.81 b      1.12 b      36.10  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.31 b      0.55 b      36.10  

For the Period Ended January 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.03 b      (5.50 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.77 b      (6.11 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.78 b      (6.25 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    7.61 b      (4.98 ) b      0.00  
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced December 31, 1998)    8.11 b      (4.78 ) b      0.00  

 
 
 
 
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CORE U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

      
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain
     Total from
investment
operations

For The Year Ended August 31,              
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $34.21    $  0.10 c    $6.00      $6.10
 
2000 - Class B Shares    33.56    (0.14 ) c    5.83      5.69
 
2000 - Class C Shares    33.46    (0.13 ) c    5.80      5.67
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    34.61    0.24 c    6.07      6.31
 
2000 - Service Shares    34.05    0.07 c    5.96      6.03

For The Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,              
 
1999 - Class A Shares    32.98    0.03      1.20      1.23
 
1999 - Class B Shares    32.50    (0.11 )    1.17      1.06
 
1999 - Class C Shares    32.40    (0.10 )    1.16      1.06
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    33.29    0.11      1.21      1.32
 
1999 - Service Shares    32.85    0.01      1.19      1.20

For The Years Ended January 31,              
 
1999 - Class A Shares      26.59        0.04        7.02      7.06
 
1999 - Class B Shares    26.32     (0.10 )    6.91      6.81
 
1999 - Class C Shares    26.24    (0.10 )    6.89      6.79
 
1999 - Institutional Shares      26.79    0.20      7.11      7.31
 
1999 - Service Shares    26.53    0.06      7.01      7.07

1998 - Class A Shares     23.32     0.11      5.63      5.74
 
1998 - Class B Shares    23.18    0.11      5.44      5.55
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    27.48    0.03      1.22      1.25
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    23.44    0.30      5.65      5.95
 
1998 - Service Shares    23.27    0.19      5.57      5.76

1997 - Class A Shares    19.66    0.16      4.46      4.62
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    20.44    0.04      3.70      3.74
 
1997 - Institutional Shares    19.71    0.30      4.51      4.81
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced June 7, 1996)    21.02    0.13      3.15      3.28

1996 - Class A Shares    14.61    0.19      5.43      5.62
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 15, 1995)    16.97    0.16      3.23      3.39

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
    
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
   Ratio of
net investment
income (loss)
to average
net assets

                       
 
$    —      $    —      $(3.54 )    $(3.54 )    $36.77    18.96 %    $715,775    1.14 %    0.31 %
 
          (3.54 )    (3.54 )    35.71    18.03      275,673    1.89      (0.44 )
 
          (3.54 )    (3.54 )    35.59    18.03      62,820    1.89      (0.43 )
 
(0.08 )         (3.54 )    (3.62 )    37.30    19.41      379,172    0.74      0.71  
 
          (3.54 )    (3.54 )    36.54    18.83      11,879    1.24      0.19  

                       
 
                    34.21    3.73      614,310    1.14 b    0.15 b
 
                    33.56    3.26      214,087    1.89 b    (0.60 ) b
 
                    33.46    3.27      43,361    1.89 b    (0.61 ) b
 
                    34.61    3.97      335,465    0.74 b    0.54 b
 
                    34.05    3.65      11,204    1.24 b    0.06 b

                       
 
  (0.03 )      (0.01 )      (0.63 )    (0.67 )    32.98    26.89    605,566    1.23      0.15  
 
          (0.63 )    (0.63 )    32.50    26.19      152,347    1.85      (0.50 )
 
          (0.63 )    (0.63 )    32.40    26.19      26,912    1.87      (0.53 )
 
(0.15 )    (0.03 )    (0.63 )    (0.81 )    33.29    27.65      307,200    0.69      0.69  
 
(0.10 )    (0.02 )    (0.63 )    (0.75 )    32.85    27.00      11,600    1.19      0.19  

 (0.12 )          (2.35 )    (2.47 )    26.59    24.96      398,393    1.28      0.51  
 
      (0.06 )    (2.35 )    (2.41 )    26.32    24.28      59,208    1.79      (0.05 )
 
     (0.14 )    (2.35 )    (2.49 )    26.24    4.85      6,267    1.78 b    (0.21 ) b
 
(0.24 )    (0.01 )    (2.35 )    (2.60 )    26.79    25.76      202,893    0.65      1.16  
 
(0.07 )    (0.08 )    (2.35 )    (2.50 )    26.53    25.11      7,841    1.15      0.62  

(0.16 )         (0.80 )    (0.96 )    23.32    23.75      225,968    1.29      0.91  
 
(0.04 )    (0.16 )    (0.80 )    (1.00 )    23.18    18.59      17,258    1.83 b    0.06 b
 
(0.28 )         (0.80 )    (1.08 )    23.44    24.63      148,942    0.65      1.52  
 
(0.13 )    (0.10 )    (0.80 )    (1.03 )    23.27    15.92      3,666    1.15 b    0.69 b

(0.16 )         (0.41 )    (0.57 )    19.66    38.63      129,045    1.25      1.01  
 
(0.24 )         (0.41 )    (0.65 )    19.71    20.14      64,829    0.65 b    1.49 b

 
 
 
CORE U.S. EQUITY FUND (continued)
 
         
    
Ratios assuming no expense reductions

      
     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    1.23 %      0.22 %      59.27 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    1.98        (0.53 )      59.27  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    1.98        (0.52 )      59.27  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.83        0.62        59.27  
 
2000 - Service Shares    1.33        0.10        59.27  

For The Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.24 b      0.05 b      41.84  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.99 b      (0.70 ) b      41.84  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    1.99 b      (0.71 ) b      41.84  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.84 b      0.44 b      41.84  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.34 b      (0.04 ) b      41.84  

For The Years Ended January 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares    1.36        0.02        63.79  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    1.98        (0.63 )      63.79  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    2.00        (0.66 )      63.79  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.82        0.56        63.79  
 
1999 - Service Shares    1.32        0.06        63.79  

1998 - Class A Shares    1.47        0.32        65.89  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    1.96        (0.22 )      65.89  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    1.95 b      (0.38 ) b      65.89  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    0.82        0.99        65.89  
 
1998 - Service Shares    1.32        0.45        65.89  

1997 - Class A Shares    1.53        0.67        37.28  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    2.00 b      (0.11 ) b      37.28  
 
1997 - Institutional Shares    0.85        1.32        37.28  
 
1997 - Service Shares (commenced June 7, 1996)    1.35 b      0.49 b      37.28  

1996 - Class A Shares    1.55        0.71        39.35  
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 15, 1995)    0.96 b      1.18 b      39.35  

 
 
 
 
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CORE LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
         
    
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $17.02    $  0.06 c    $5.67    $5.73
 
2000 - Class B Shares    16.75    (0.09 ) c    5.57    5.48
 
2000 - Class C Shares    16.75    (0.08 ) c    5.57    5.49
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    17.10    0.13 c    5.73    5.86
 
2000 - Service Shares    16.95    0.03 c    5.66    5.69

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    16.17    (0.01 )    0.86    0.85
 
1999 - Class B Shares    15.98    (0.07 )    0.84    0.77
 
1999 - Class C Shares    15.99    (0.07 )    0.83    0.76
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    16.21    0.03      0.86    0.89
 
1999 - Service Shares    16.11    (0.02 )    0.86    0.84

For the Year Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    11.97    0.01      4.19    4.20
 
1999 - Class B Shares    11.92     (0.06 )    4.12    4.06
 
1999 - Class C Shares    11.93     (0.05 )    4.11    4.06
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    11.97    0.02      4.23    4.25
 
1999 - Service Shares    11.95    (0.01 )    4.17    4.16

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)      10.00        0.01        2.35    2.36
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    10.00    (0.03 )    2.33    2.30
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    11.80    (0.02 )    0.54    0.52
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    10.00    0.01      2.35    2.36
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    10.00    (0.02 )    2.35    2.33

 
APPENDIX B
 
    
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

                    
 
$    —      $    —      $(0.09 )    $(0.09 )    $22.66    33.73 %    $545,763    1.09 %
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.14    32.78      338,128    1.84  
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.15    32.84      154,966    1.84  
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.87    34.34      322,900    0.69  
 
          (0.09 )    (0.09 )    22.55    33.64      3,879    1.19  

                    
 
                    17.02    5.26      300,684    1.04 b
 
                    16.75    4.82      181,626    1.79 b
 
                    16.75    4.75      75,502    1.79 b
 
                    17.10    5.49      310,704    0.64 b
 
                    16.95    5.21      2,510    1.14 b

                    
 
                    16.17    35.10      175,510    0.97  
 
                    15.98    34.07      93,711    1.74  
 
                    15.99    34.04      37,081    1.74  
 
      (0.01 )         (0.01 )    16.21    35.54      295,734    0.65  
 
                    16.11    34.85      1,663    1.15  

                    
 
 (0.01 )          (0.38 )    (0.39 )      11.97    23.79          53,786    0.91 b
 
          (0.38 )    (0.38 )    11.92    23.26      13,857    1.67 b
 
     (0.01 )    (0.38 )    (0.39 )    11.93    4.56      4,132    1.68 b
 
(0.01 )         (0.38 )    (0.39 )    11.97    23.89      4,656    0.72 b
 
          (0.38 )    (0.38 )    11.95    23.56      115    1.17 b

 
 
 
CORE LARGE CAP 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    0.31 %    1.24 %    0.16 %    72.59 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.44 )    1.99      (0.59 )    72.59  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.43 )    1.99      (0.58 )    72.59  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.65      0.84      0.50      72.59  
 
2000 - Service Shares    0.15      1.34           72.59  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.11 ) b    1.26 b    (0.33 ) b    32.74  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.87 ) b    2.01 b    (1.09 ) b    32.74  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.87 ) b    2.01 b    (1.09 ) b    32.74  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.31 b    0.86 b    0.09 b    32.74  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.21 ) b    1.36 b    (0.43 ) b    32.74  

For the Year Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.05      1.46      (0.44 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.73 )    2.11      (1.10 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.74 )    2.11      (1.11 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.35      1.02      (0.02 )    63.15  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.16 )    1.52      (0.53 )    63.15  

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    0.12 b    2.40 b    (1.37 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    (0.72 ) b    2.91 b    (1.96 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.76 ) b    2.92 b    (2.00 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    0.42 b    1.96 b    (0.82 ) b    74.97  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced May 1, 1997)    (0.21 ) b    2.41 b    (1.45 ) b    74.97  

 
 
 
 
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CORE SMALL CAP 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      $10.23      $(0.03 ) c      $2.70        $2.67  
 
2000 - Class B Shares      10.09      (0.11 ) c      2.65        2.54  
 
2000 - Class C Shares      10.10      (0.10 ) c      2.66        2.56  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      10.30      0.02 c      2.71        2.73  
 
2000 - Service Shares      10.22      (0.04 ) c      2.69        2.65  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares      10.16      (0.01 )      0.08        0.07  
 
1999 - Class B Shares      10.07      (0.05 )      0.07        0.02  
 
1999 - Class C Shares      10.08      (0.05 )      0.07        0.02  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares      10.20      0.02        0.08        0.10  
 
1999 - Service Shares      10.16      (0.01 )      0.07        0.06  

For the Year Ended January 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares        10.59          0.01        (0.43 )      (0.42 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares      10.56      (0.05 )      (0.44 )      (0.49 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares      10.57      (0.04 )      (0.45 )      (0.49 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares      10.61      0.04        (0.43 )      (0.39 )
 
1999 - Service Shares      10.60      0.01        (0.44 )      (0.43 )

For the Period Ended January 31,                    
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      (0.01 )      0.65        0.64  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00       (0.03 )      0.64        0.61  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      (0.02 )      0.64        0.62  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      0.01        0.65        0.66  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)      10.00      0.01        0.64        0.65  

 
 
APPENDIX B
 
    
Distributions to
Shareholders

                        
    
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

                 
 
$    —      $    —      $    —      $12.90    26.10 %    $54,954    1.33 %
 
               12.63    25.17      17,923    2.08  
 
               12.66    25.35      8,289    2.08  
 
               13.03    26.60      86,196    0.93  
 
               12.87    25.93      63    1.43  

                 
 
      —            —            —        10.23    0.69      52,660    1.33 b
 
               10.09    0.20      13,711    2.08 b
 
               10.10    0.20      6,274    2.08 b
 
               10.30    0.98      62,633    0.93 b
 
               10.22    0.59      64    1.43 b

                 
 
 (0.01 )          (0.01 )    10.16    (3.97 )    64,087    1.31  
 
               10.07    (4.64 )    15,406    2.00  
 
               10.08    (4.64 )    6,559    2.01  
 
(0.02 )         (0.02 )    10.20    (3.64 )    62,763    0.94  
 
(0.01 )         (0.01 )    10.16    (4.07 )    54    1.44  

                 
 
      (0.05 )     (0.05 )      10.59    6.37      11,118    1.25 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.56    6.07      9,957    1.95 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.57    6.17      2,557    1.95 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.61    6.57      9,026    0.95 b
 
     (0.05 )    (0.05 )    10.60    6.47      2    1.45 b

 
 
 
 
CORE SMALL CAP 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
loss
to average
net assets
   Portfolio
turnover
rate

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    (0.21 )%    1.55 %    (0.43 )    135.36 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.96 )    2.30      (1.18 )    135.36  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.96 )    2.30      (1.18 )    135.36  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.19      1.15      (0.03 )    135.36  
 
2000 - Service Shares    (0.30 )    1.65      (0.52 )    135.36  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.12 ) b    1.67 b    (0.46 ) b    52.03
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.86 ) b    2.42 b    (1.20 ) b    52.03  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.86 ) b    2.42 b    (1.20 ) b    52.03  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.28 b    1.27 b    (0.06 ) b    52.03  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.22 ) b    1.77 b    (0.56 ) b    52.03  

For the Year Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.08      2.00      (0.61 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.55 )    2.62      (1.17 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.56 )    2.63      (1.18 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.60      1.56      (0.02 )    75.38  
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.01      2.06      (0.61 )    75.38  

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.36 ) b    3.92 b    (3.03 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (1.04 ) b    4.37 b    (3.46 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (1.07 ) b    4.37 b    (3.49 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.15 b    3.37 b    (2.27 ) b    37.65  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.40 b    3.87 b    (2.02 ) b    37.65  

 
 
 
 
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CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

    
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gains
   Total
income
from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $24.96    $(0.11 ) c    $6.29    $6.18
 
2000 - Class B Shares    24.37    (0.30 ) c    6.11    5.81
 
2000 - Class C Shares    24.33    (0.30 ) c    6.10    5.80
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    25.06         6.32    6.32
 
2000 - Service Shares    24.88    (0.13 ) c    6.25    6.12

For the Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares      24.03      (0.08 )      1.01    0.93
 
1999 - Class B Shares    23.57    (0.17 )    0.97    0.80
 
1999 - Class C Shares    23.52    (0.16 )    0.97    0.81
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    24.07    (0.02 )    1.01    0.99
 
1999 - Service Shares    23.96    (0.08 )    1.00    0.92

For the Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    18.48    (0.03 )    6.35    6.32
 
1999 - Class B Shares    18.27    (0.12 )    6.19    6.07
 
1999 - Class C Shares    18.24    (0.10 )    6.15    6.05
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    18.45    0.01      6.38    6.39
 
1999 - Service Shares    18.46    (0.04 )    6.31    6.27
 

1998 - Class A Shares      16.73        0.02        4.78    4.80
 
1998 - Class B Shares    16.67    0.02      4.61    4.63
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    19.73    (0.02 )    1.60    1.58
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    19.88    0.02      1.66    1.68
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    19.88    (0.01 )    1.66    1.65
 

1997 - Class A Shares    14.91    0.10      3.56    3.66
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    15.67    0.01      2.81    2.82
 

1996 - Class A Shares    13.67    0.12      3.93    4.05

 
APPENDIX B
 
    
Distributions to
shareholders

    
From net
investment
income
       
In excess
of net
investment
income
   From net
realized gain
   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

                    
 
$    —      $    —      $(2.19 )    $(2.19 )    $28.95    25.70 %    $2,736,484    1.45 %
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    27.99    24.75      451,666    2.20  
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    27.94    24.75      143,126    2.20  
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    29.19    26.18      497,986    1.05  
 
          (2.19 )    (2.19 )    28.81    25.53      13,668    1.55  

                    
 
      —            —            —           24.96    3.87        1,971,097    1.44 b
 
                    24.37    3.39      329,870    2.19 b
 
                    24.33    3.44      87,284    2.19 b
 
                    25.06    4.11      255,210    1.04 b
 
                    24.88    3.84      6,466    1.54 b

                    
 
 —       —       (0.77 )    (0.77 )    24.03    34.58      1,992,716    1.42  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    23.57    33.60      236,369    2.19  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    23.52    33.55      60,234    2.19  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    24.07    35.02      41,817    1.07  
 
          (0.77 )    (0.77 )    23.96    34.34      3,085    1.57  
 

 (0.01 )     (0.01 )      (3.03 )    (3.05 )      18.48    29.71      1,256,595    1.40  
 
          (3.03 )    (3.03 )    18.27    28.73      40,827    2.18  
 
     (0.04 )    (3.03 )    (3.07 )    18.24    8.83      5,395    2.21 b
 
(0.01 )    (0.07 )    (3.03 )    (3.11 )    18.45    9.31      7,262    1.16 b
 
     (0.04 )    (3.03 )    (3.07 )    18.46    9.18      2    1.50 b
 

(0.10 )    (0.02 )    (1.72 )    (1.84 )    16.73    25.97      920,646    1.40  
 
(0.01 )    (0.09 )    (1.72 )    (1.82 )    16.67    19.39      3,221    2.15 b
 

(0.12 )         (2.69 )    (2.81 )    14.91    30.45      881,056    1.36  

 
 
CAPITAL 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    (0.41 )%    1.47 %    (0.44 )%    34.03 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (1.16 )    2.22      (1.19 )    34.03  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (1.16 )    2.22      (1.19 )    34.03  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares         1.07      (0.03 )    34.03  
 
2000 - Service Shares    (0.49 )    1.57      (0.52 )    34.03  

For the Seven Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.53 ) b    1.47 b    (0.56 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (1.29 ) b    2.22 b    (1.32 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (1.29 ) b    2.22 b    (1.32 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    (0.20 ) b    1.07 b    (0.23 ) b    18.16  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.65 ) b    1.57 b    (0.68 ) b    18.16  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.18 )    1.58      (0.34 )    30.17  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.98 )    2.21      (1.00 )    30.17  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (1.00 )    2.21      (1.02 )    30.17  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.11      1.09      0.09      30.17  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.37 )    1.59      (0.39 )    30.17  
 

1998 - Class A Shares    0.08      1.65      (0.17 )    61.50  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    (0.77 )    2.18      (0.77 )    61.50  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.86 ) b    2.21 b    (0.86 ) b    61.50
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.18 b    1.16 b    0.18 b    61.50
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.16 ) b    1.50 b    (0.16 ) b    61.50
 

1997 - Class A Shares    0.62      1.65      0.37      52.92  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    (0.39 ) b    2.15 b    (0.39 ) b    52.92  
 

1996 - Class A Shares    0.65      1.61      0.40      63.90  

 
 
 
 
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STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
                  
Income from
investment operations

      
       Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
income
(loss)
     Net
realized and
unrealized gain
     Total
income from
investment
operations

For The Year Ended August 31,                    
 
2000 - Class A Shares      $10.06      $(0.06 ) c      $2.52      $2.46
 
2000 - Class B Shares      10.04       (0.14 ) c      2.50      2.36
 
2000 - Class C Shares      10.05      (0.14 ) c      2.51      2.37
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      10.07      (0.01 ) c      2.52      2.51
 
2000 - Service Shares      10.06      (0.04 ) c      2.50      2.46

For The Period Ended August 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00             0.06      0.06
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00       (0.03 ) c      0.07      0.04
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00      (0.03 ) c      0.08      0.05
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00      0.01        0.06      0.07
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)      10.00      (0.01 )      0.07      0.06

 
 
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
    
    
    
                   
 
Net asset
value, end
of period
   Total
returna
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses to
average net assets
   Ratio of
net investment
income (loss) to
average net assets

             
 
$12.52    24.46 %    $92,271    1.44 %    (0.50 )%
 
12.40    23.51      17,149    2.19      (1.24 )
 
12.42    23.58      7,287    2.19      (1.24 )
 
12.58    24.93      22,910    1.04      (0.09 )
 
12.52    24.45      2    1.54      (0.35 )

             
 
10.06    0.60      10,371    1.44 b    (0.17 ) b
 
10.04    0.40      3,393    2.19 b    (0.97 ) b
 
10.05    0.50      2,388    2.19 b    (0.99 ) b
 
10.07    0.70      5,981    1.04 b    0.24 b
 
10.06    0.60      2    1.54 b    (0.24 ) b

 
 
STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND (continued)
 
           
    
Ratios assuming no expense reductions

      
           
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      1.63 %      (0.69 )%      19.28 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares      2.38        (1.43 )      19.28  
 
2000 - Class C Shares      2.38        (1.43 )      19.28  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      1.23        (0.28 )      19.28  
 
2000 - Service Shares      1.73        (0.54 )      19.28  

For The Period Ended August 31,               
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)      11.70 b      (10.43 ) b      6.98
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)      12.45 b      (11.23 ) b      6.98  
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)      12.45 b      (11.25 ) b      6.98  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)      11.30 b      (10.02 ) b      6.98  
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)      11.80 b      (10.50 ) b      6.98  

 
 
 
 
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GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
 
                
Income from
investment operations

 
         
    
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
income
(loss)
     Net realized
and unrealized
gain

For the Year Ended August 31,             
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $10.13      $(0.11 ) c      $9.71
 
2000 - Class B Shares    10.18      (0.24 ) c      9.74
 
2000 - Class C Shares    10.10      (0.24 ) c      9.68
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    10.13      (0.04 ) c      9.73
 
2000 - Service Shares    10.12      (0.12 ) c      9.68

For the Period Ended August 31,             
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      (0.01 ) c      0.14
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      (0.03 ) c      0.21
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      (0.03 ) c      0.13
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00      0.01        0.12
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)    10.00             0.12

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
         
Distributions
to shareholders

    
 
Total from
investment
operations
   From net
realized gains
   Net asset
value, end
of period
   Total
returna
       
    
Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets

                
 
$9.60    $(0.23 )    $19.50    95.73 %    $188,199    1.52 %
 
9.50    (0.23 )    19.45    94.27      42,061    2.27  
 
9.44    (0.23 )    19.31    94.43      26,826    2.27  
 
9.69    (0.23 )    19.59    96.67      49,921    1.12  
 
9.56    (0.23 )    19.45    95.41      3    1.62  

                
 
  0.13          —      10.13    1.30            8,204    1.44 b
 
0.18         10.18    1.80      520    2.19 b
 
0.10         10.10    1.00      256    2.19 b
 
0.13         10.13    1.30      5,223    1.04 b
 
0.12      —      10.12    1.20      2    1.54 b

 
 
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES 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
loss to
average
net assets
     Portfolio
turnover
rate

For the Year Ended August 31,                    
 
2000 - Class A Shares      (0.64 )%      1.61 %      (0.73 )%      73.35 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares      (1.38 )      2.36        (1.47 )      73.35  
 
2000 - Class C Shares      (1.38 )      2.36        (1.47 )      73.35  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares      (0.23 )      1.21        (0.32 )      73.35  
 
2000 - Service Shares      (0.69 )      1.71        (0.78 )      73.35  

For the Period Ended August 31,                    
 
1999 - Class A Shares (commenced May 24)      (0.27 ) b      14.15 b      (12.98 ) b      26.53
 
1999 - Class B Shares (commenced May 24)      (1.04 ) b      14.90 b      (13.75 ) b      26.53  
 
1999 - Class C Shares (commenced May 24)      (1.12 ) b      14.90 b      (13.83 ) b      26.53  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares (commenced May 24)      0.39 b      13.75 b      (12.32 ) b      26.53  
 
1999 - Service Shares (commenced May 24)      0.03 b      14.25 b      (12.68 ) b      26.53  

 
 
 
 
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MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
                
Income from
investment operations

         
    
    
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
income
(loss)
   Net realized
and unrealized
gain (loss)
     Total income
from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,              
 
2000 - Class A Shares    $18.42      $0.20 c    $1.38        $1.58  
 
2000 - Class B Shares    18.23      0.06 c    1.40        1.46  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    18.24      0.06 c    1.37        1.43  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    18.45      0.27 c    1.36        1.63  
 
2000 - Service Shares    18.31      0.18 c    1.35        1.53  

For the Seven Months Ended August 31,                
 
1999 - Class A Shares    18.38      0.06      1.71        1.77  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    18.29      (0.04 )    1.71        1.67  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    18.30      (0.04 )    1.71        1.67  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    18.37      0.09      1.72        1.81  
 
1999 - Service Shares    18.29      0.05      1.70        1.75  

For the Years Ended January 31,                
 
1999 - Class A Shares    21.61      0.10      (2.38 )      (2.28 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares    21.57      (0.05 )    (2.35 )      (2.40 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares    21.59      (0.05 )    (2.34 )      (2.39 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    21.65      0.19      (2.38 )      (2.19 )
 
1999 - Service Shares    21.62      0.03      (2.31 )      (2.28 )

1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    23.63      0.09      0.76        0.85  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    23.63      0.06      0.74        0.80  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    23.63      0.06      0.76        0.82  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    18.73      0.16      5.66        5.82  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced July 18, 1997)    23.01      0.09      1.40        1.49  

1997 - Institutional Shares    15.91      0.24      3.77        4.01  

For the Period Ended January 31,                
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 1, 1995)    15.00      0.13      0.90        1.03  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
    
    
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

                    
 
$(0.12 )    $    —      $    —      $(0.12 )    $19.88    8.70 %    $  39,142    1.29 %
 
      —                     19.69    8.01      22,284    2.04  
 
      —                     19.67    7.84      5,720    2.04  
 
  (0.22 )              (0.22 )    19.86    9.08       158,188    0.89  
 
  (0.11 )              (0.11 )    19.73    8.48      206    1.39  

                    
 
           (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.42    9.04      49,081    1.29 b
 
          (1.73 )     (1.73 )    18.23    8.53      31,824    2.04 b
 
          (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.24    8.52      9,807    2.04 b
 
          (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.45    9.26      190,549    0.89 b
 
          (1.73 )    (1.73 )    18.31    8.97      190    1.39 b

                    
 
(0.07 )     —      (0.88 )    (0.95 )    18.38    (10.48 )    70,578    1.33  
 
          (0.88 )    (0.88 )    18.29    (11.07 )    37,821    1.93  
 
(0.02 )         (0.88 )    (0.90 )    18.30    (11.03 )    10,800    1.93  
 
(0.21 )         (0.88 )    (1.09 )    18.37    (10.07 )    196,512    0.87  
 
(0.17 )         (0.88 )    (1.05 )    18.29    (10.48 )    289    1.37  

(0.06 )     (0.04 )    (2.77 )    (2.87 )    21.61    3.42      90,588    1.35 b
 
(0.09 )         (2.77 )    (2.86 )    21.57    3.17      28,743    1.85 b
 
(0.09 )         (2.77 )    (2.86 )    21.59    3.27      6,445    1.85 b
 
(0.13 )         (2.77 )    (2.90 )    21.65    30.86      236,440    0.85  
 
(0.11 )         (2.77 )    (2.88 )    21.62    6.30      8    1.35 b

(0.24 )    (0.93 )    (0.02 )    (1.19 )      18.73      25.63        145,253    0.85  

                    
 
(0.12 )              (0.12 )    15.91    6.89      135,671    0.85 b

 
MID CAP VALUE 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    1.11 %    1.34 %    1.06 %    82.92 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    0.35      2.09      0.30      82.92  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    0.32      2.09      0.27      82.92  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    1.51      0.94      1.46      82.92  
 
2000 - Service Shares    1.03      1.44      0.98      82.92  

For the Seven-Months Ended August 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.43 b    1.37 b    0.35 b    68.84  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.33 ) b    2.12 b    (0.41 ) b    68.84  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.34 ) b    2.12 b    (0.42 ) b    68.84  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.79 b    0.97 b    0.71 b    68.84  
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.38 b    1.47 b    0.30 b    68.84  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
 
1999 - Class A Shares    0.38      1.41      0.30      92.18  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.22 )    2.01      (0.30 )    92.18
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.22 )    2.01      (0.30 )    92.18
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.83      0.95      0.75      92.18
 
1999 - Service Shares    0.32      1.45      0.24      92.18

1998 - Class A Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.33 b    1.47 b    0.21 b    62.60  
 
1998 - Class B Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.20 ) b    1.97 b    (0.32 ) b    62.60  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.23 ) b    1.97 b    (0.35 ) b    62.60  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares    0.78      0.97      0.66      62.60  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced July 18, 1997)    0.63 b    1.43 b    0.51 b    62.60  

1997 - Institutional Shares      1.35      0.91        1.29      74.03  

For the Period Ended January 31,            
 
1996 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 1, 1995)    1.67 b    0.98 b    1.54 b    58.77  

 
 
 
 
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SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
 
              
Income (loss) from
investment operations

     Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
income (loss)
       
Net realized and
unrealized
gain (loss)
   Total
income
(loss) from
investment
operations

For the Year Ended August 31,            
2000 - Class A Shares    $19.80    $  0.01 c    $ 3.40      $  3.41  
 
2000 - Class B Shares    19.27    (0.13 ) c    3.26      3.13  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    19.28    (0.12 ) c    3.26      3.14  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    19.95    0.10 c    3.42      3.52  
 
2000 - Service Shares    19.76    0.01 c    3.36      3.37  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,            
1999 - Class A Shares    18.51    (0.05 )     1.34      1.29  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    18.10     (0.12 )    1.29      1.17  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    18.12    (0.11 )    1.27      1.16  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    18.62         1.33      1.33  
 
1999 - Service Shares    18.50    (0.13 )    1.39      1.26  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
1999 - Class A Shares    24.05    (0.06 )    (4.48 )     (4.54 )
 
1999 - Class B Shares    23.73    (0.21 )    (4.42 )    (4.63 )
 
1999 - Class C Shares    23.73    (0.18 )    (4.43 )    (4.61 )
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    24.09    0.03      (4.50 )    (4.47 )
 
1999 - Service Shares    24.05    (0.04 )    (4.51 )    (4.55 )

1998 - Class A Shares    20.91    0.14       5.33      5.47  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    20.80     (0.01 )    5.27      5.26  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    24.69    (0.06 )    1.43      1.37  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    24.91    0.03      1.48      1.51  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    24.91    (0.01 )    1.48      1.47  

1997 - Class A Shares    17.29    (0.21 )    4.92      4.71  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    20.79    (0.11 )    1.21      1.10  

1996 - Class A Shares    16.14    (0.23 )    1.39      1.16  

 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
 
    
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

                   
$—    $    —      $    —      $23.21    17.22 %    $157,791    1.50 %
 
             22.40    16.24    29,199    2.25
 
             22.42    16.34      8,428    2.25
 
             23.47    17.64      26,445    1.10
 
             23.13    17.05      83    1.60

                   
              19.80    6.97      210,500    1.50 b
 
             19.27    6.46      37,386    2.25 b
 
             19.28    6.40      8,079    2.25 b
 
             19.95    7.14      27,023    1.10 b
 
             19.76    6.81      57    1.60 b

                   
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.51    (17.37 )    261,661    1.50  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.10    (18.00 )    42,879    2.25  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.12    (17.91 )    8,212    2.25  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.62    (17.04 )    15,351    1.13  
 
   (1.00 )    (1.00 )    18.50    (17.41 )    261    1.62  

    (2.33 )    (2.33 )     24.05    26.17      370,246    1.54  
 
   (2.33 )    (2.33 )    23.73    25.29      42,677    2.29  
 
   2.33       (2.33 )    23.73    5.51      5,604    2.09 b
 
   2.33      (2.33 )    24.09    6.08      14,626    1.16 b
 
   2.33      (2.33 )    24.05    5.91      2    1.45 b

   (1.09 )    (1.09 )    20.91    27.28      212,061    1.60  
 
   (1.09 )    (1.09 )    20.80    5.39      3,674    2.35 b

   (0.01 )    (0.01 )    17.29    7.20      204,994    1.41  

 
 
SMALL CAP VALUE 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    0.07 %    1.57 %    %    75.31 %
 
2000 - Class B Shares    (0.68 )    2.32      (0.75 )    75.31  
 
2000 - Class C Shares    (0.65 )    2.32      (0.72 )    75.31  
 
2000 - Institutional Shares    0.49      1.17      0.42      75.31  
 
2000 - Service Shares    0.03      1.67      (0.04 )    75.31  

For the Seven-Month Period Ended August 31,         
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.35 ) b    1.61 b    (0.46 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (1.10 ) b    2.36 b    (1.21 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (1.10 ) b    2.36 b    (1.21 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.05 b    1.21 b    (0.06 ) b    46.95  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.41 ) b    1.71 b    (0.52 ) b    46.95  

For the Years Ended January 31,            
1999 - Class A Shares    (0.24 )    1.74    (0.48 )    98.46  
 
1999 - Class B Shares    (0.99 )    2.29      (1.03 )    98.46  
 
1999 - Class C Shares    (0.99 )    2.29      (1.03 )    98.46  
 
1999 - Institutional Shares    0.13      1.17      0.09      98.46  
 
1999 - Service Shares    (0.47 )    1.66      (0.51 )    98.46  

1998 - Class A Shares    (0.28 )    1.76      (0.50 )    84.81  
 
1998 - Class B Shares    (0.92 )    2.29      (0.92 )    84.81  
 
1998 - Class C Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.79 ) b    2.09 b    (0.79 ) b    84.81  
 
1998 - Institutional Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    0.27 b    1.16 b    0.27 b    84.81  
 
1998 - Service Shares (commenced August 15, 1997)    (0.07 ) b    1.45 b    (0.07 ) b    84.81  

1997 - Class A Shares    (0.72 )    1.85      (0.97 )    99.46  
 
1997 - Class B Shares (commenced May 1, 1996)    (1.63 ) b    2.35 b    (1.63 ) b    99.46  

1996 - Class A Shares    (0.59 )    1.66      (0.84 )    57.58  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
 
 
 
 
LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
              
Income from
investment operations

         
         
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   Net
investment
incomec
   Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain
   Total from
investment
operations
   Net asset
value,
end
of period

For the Period Ended August 31,               
 
2000 - Class A Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    $10.00    $0.06    $0.33    $0.39    $10.39
 
2000 - Class B Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00       0.33    0.33    10.33
 
2000 - Class C Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00    0.01    0.31    0.32    10.32
 
2000 - Institutional Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00    0.09    0.31    0.40    10.40
 
2000 - Service Shares (commenced Dec. 15, 1999)    10.00    0.07    0.31    0.38    10.38

Footnotes:
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 average shares outstanding methodology.
d
Includes the effect of mortgage dollar roll transactions.
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
 
         
Ratios assuming no
expense reductions

Total
returna
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of net
expenses
to average
net assetsb
   Ratio of net
investment
income to
average
net assetsb
   Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assetsb
   Ratio of net
investment
income to
average
net assetsb
   Portfolio
turnover
rate

                   
 
3.90 %    $7,181    1.25 %    0.84 %    3.30 %    (1.21 )%    66.79 %
 
3.30      1,582    2.00      0.06      4.05      (1.99 )    66.79  
 
3.20      850    2.00      0.15      4.05      (1.90 )    66.79  
 
4.00      16,155    0.85      1.31      2.90      (0.74 )    66.79  
 
3.80      2    1.35      0.95      3.40      (1.10 )    66.79  

 
 
 
 
[This page intentionally left blank]
 
Index
1    General Investment
Management Approach
 
4    Fund Investment Objectives
and Strategies
 
     4    Goldman Sachs Balanced
Fund
 
     6    Goldman Sachs Growth and
Income Fund
 
     7    Goldman Sachs CORE Large
Cap Value Fund
 
     8    Goldman Sachs CORE U.S.
Equity Fund
 
     9    Goldman Sachs CORE Large
Cap Growth Fund
 
     10    Goldman Sachs CORE Small
Cap Equity Fund
 
     11    Goldman Sachs Capital
Growth Fund
 
     12    Goldman Sachs Strategic
Growth Fund
 
     13    Goldman Sachs Growth
Opportunities Fund
 
     14    Goldman Sachs Mid Cap
Value Fund
 
     15    Goldman Sachs Small Cap
Value Fund
 
     16    Goldman Sachs Large Cap
Value Fund
 
18    Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
22    Principal Risks of the Funds
 
26    Fund Performance
 
36    Fund Fees and Expenses
 
40    Service Providers
 
48    Dividends
 
50    Shareholder Guide
 
     50    How To Buy Shares
 
     53    How To Sell Shares
 
58    Taxation
 
60    Appendix A
Additional Information on
Portfolio Risks, Securities
and Techniques
 
82    Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
 
Domestic Equity Funds
Prospectus (Service Shares)
 
 
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’ 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 1-800-621-2550.
 
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
 
By telephone – Call 1-800-621-2550
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
 
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.
 
EQDOMPROSVC
Prospectus
 
Service Shares
 
December 29, 2000
 
GOLDMAN SACHS RESEARCH SELECT FUND SM
 
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 THE FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
 
 
 
 
NOT FDIC-INSURED
May Lose Value
No Bank Guarantee
 
 
 
General Investment
Management Approach
 
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Research Select Fund (the “Fund”). Goldman Sachs Asset Management is referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”
 
RESEARCH STYLE FUNDS—RESEARCH SELECT FUND
 
The Goldman Sachs Research Select Fund selects substantially all of its securities from the U.S. Select List developed by the Goldman Sachs Investment Research Division. The Fund leverages the resources of Goldman Sachs by applying the Investment Management Division’s portfolio management expertise to the equity securities included in the U.S. Select List.
 
The Fund has determined to discontinue public sales of its shares to new investors when the Fund’ s total net assets reach approximately $1.2 billion. As of the close of business on December 15, 2000, the Fund’s total net assets equaled $771.5 million. A shareholder who has an open Fund account on the date the Fund is closed may make additional investments and reinvest dividends and capital gains distributions in that account after that date if the account remains open. Current shareholders may also open additional Fund accounts under certain conditions. If a Fund account is closed, however, additional investments in the Fund may not be possible.
 
 
Fund Investment Objective
and Strategies
 
Goldman Sachs
Research Select Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
A focused portfolio of U.S. equity securities that offer the potential for long-term capital appreciation
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital by investing in a focused portfolio of U.S. equity securities.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities.    The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in U.S. equity securities, including securities of foreign issuers that are traded in the United States. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will only purchase equity securities that are included in the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division’s U.S. Select List and will sell securities that have been removed from the U.S. Select List. Notification of changes to the U.S. Select List is made to clients of Goldman Sachs and to the Fund’s portfolio management team at the same time. The Fund will purchase a security that has been added to, or sell a security that has been removed from, the list after publication of that change. In addition, the Investment Adviser may apply the techniques described below in managing the Fund and in purchasing and selling securities that are included in the U.S. Select List.
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES
 
 
The Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division’s U.S. Select List.     The U.S. Select List was introduced on September 9, 1998 and comprises approximately 25 to 35 equity securities that the Goldman Sachs U.S. Stock Selection Committee expects, as a portfolio, to outperform its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index over the next 12 to 18 months. The list is consistent with overall investment policy and emphasizes strategically favored economic sectors. The U.S. Select List is updated on a regular basis. Historically, the U.S. Select List has consisted primarily of common stocks of relatively large U.S. companies, although the list is not restricted to those types of companies.
 
The U.S. Select List is used primarily by institutional clients.
 
Our Approach to Portfolio Management.     To the extent practicable, the Fund will seek to deliver returns that are comparable to the price returns of the U.S. Select List. Generally, the Fund will seek to maintain approximate equal weightings of its assets among the securities included in the list. Any remaining assets may be invested by the Investment Adviser in the other instruments described in this Prospectus, including short-term debt obligations, options and futures contracts.
 
Investors should be aware, however, that the performance of the Fund will differ from the price returns of the U.S. Select List for a variety of reasons, including the change in securities prices that may occur between the time when a security is added to or removed from the list and when it is bought or sold for the Fund; the Fund’s investment of cash flow from purchases and sales of Fund shares, which can occur daily and will result in portfolio purchases and sales; modifications in the Fund’s stock weights in order to control trading costs; the timing and amount of dividend and distribution payments; and the Fund’s use of investment techniques and instruments that are not included in the U.S. Select List. In addition, unlike the U.S. Select List, the Fund will incur transactional costs (such as brokerage commissions) and operational expenses (such as investment advisory fees).
 
While the Fund intends to track the composition of the U.S. Select List, the Fund’s purchases and sales of securities that are added to and deleted from the list may not be completed on the first trading day after changes to the list are announced, and in certain cases may take several days or weeks to complete. Moreover, purchases and sales of the Fund and other investors following the U.S. Select List could create a temporary imbalance between the supply and demand of the securities on the list. The imbalance could affect the time it takes the Fund to complete its transactions, as well as the price the Fund pays or receives. In order to reduce impact of these trading costs, the Investment Adviser may decide for a period of time not to buy a security that is included in the U.S. Select List or to continue to hold a security that has been removed from the list.
 
The Fund will periodically rebalance its portfolio in an effort to maintain approximate equal weightings of its assets among the securities on the U.S. Select List.
 
Other.    The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Fund’s annual/semi-annual reports. For more information see Appendix A.
 
10   Percent of total assets (italic type)
10   Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objective and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
       Research
Select
Fund

Investment Practices
 
Borrowings      33 1 /3
 
Custodial Receipts     
 
Equity Swaps*      15
 
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts      Ÿ
 
Investment Company Securities (including exchange-traded funds)      10
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 1      Ÿ
 
Repurchase Agreements      Ÿ
 
Securities Lending      33 1 /3
 
Short Sales Against the Box      25
 
Unseasoned Companies      Ÿ
 
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights      Ÿ
 
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments      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
The Fund may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
10   Percent of total assets (italic type)
10   Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objective and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
       Research
Select
Fund

Investment Securities
 
American and Global Depositary Receipts       
 
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities       
 
Bank Obligations 2      Ÿ  
 
Convertible Securities 3      Ÿ  
 
Corporate Debt Obligations 2      Ÿ  
 
Equity Securities      90 +
 
Emerging Country Securities       
 
Fixed Income Securities      Ÿ  
 
Foreign Issuers      Ÿ  
 
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities       
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)      Ÿ  
 
Structured Securities *      Ÿ  
 
Temporary Investments      100  
 
U.S. Government Securities 2      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.
2
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities. Cash equivalents only.
3
The Fund has no minimum rating criteria.
 
Principal Risks of the Fund
 
Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Fund and may result in a loss of your investment. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
 
 
INVESTMENT RISKS
 
 
     Research
Select
Fund
Ÿ  Applicable

U.S. Select List    Ÿ
 
Stock    Ÿ
 
Credit/Default    Ÿ
 
Foreign    Ÿ
 
Derivatives    Ÿ
 
Interest Rate    Ÿ
 
Management    Ÿ
 
Market    Ÿ
 
Liquidity    Ÿ
 
Small Cap    Ÿ

 
n  
U.S. Select List Risk—The Fund invests principally in securities included in the U.S. Select List, which comprises approximately 25 to 35 stocks. As a result of the small universe of stocks in which the Fund generally invests, it may be subject to greater risks than would a more diversified fund.
 
  
Price returns reported for the U.S. Select List do not predict or reflect the future results of the U.S. Select List or the Fund. In addition, unlike the Fund, the securities included in the U.S. Select List constitute only a “paper portfolio” that does not reflect actual trading and does not have an actual performance record.
 
  
Although the Goldman Sachs U.S. Stock Selection Committee periodically makes subjective decisions to add or delete companies for the U.S. Select List, the list is not compiled with any particular client or product in mind and is not (and will not be) compiled with the Fund in mind. The Global Investment Research Division could at any time cease publishing the U.S. Select List . In that event, the Board of Trustees will make a determination on how to proceed in the best interest of shareholders of the Fund, consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. Goldman Sachs publishes similar lists of recommended securities that may be appropriate for shareholders of the Fund but which will not be used by the Investment Adviser for the Fund at this time.
 
The Fund’s purchases and sales for its portfolio will be affected by market conditions following the publication of changes to the U.S. Select List and will be subject to competing orders by Goldman Sachs clients who invest in the securities included on the list.
 
The activities of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may occasionally limit the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities included in the U.S. Select List. The U.S. Select List is also subject to restrictions related to Goldman Sachs’ other businesses. In addition, certain securities may or may not appear on the U.S. Select List or may or may not be removed from the list due to legal restrictions applicable to, or other business concerns of, Goldman Sachs. An investor should understand that these concerns will generally not be related to whether a particular security on the list or a security not on the list is an attractive investment opportunity.
 
As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs provides a wide range of financial services to issuers of securities and investors in securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in and affect transactions in, securities of companies included in the U.S. Select List and may also perform or seek to perform financial services for those companies. Within the last three years, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates may have managed or co-managed public security offerings for companies included in the U.S. Select List, and they or their employees may have a long or short position on holdings in the securities, or options on securities, or other related investments of companies included in the U.S. Select List.
 
The Fund’s ability to invest in particular securities included in the U.S. Select List may be limited by the diversification and other restrictions imposed on it as a registered mutual fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”).
 
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  
Credit/Default Risk—The risk that an issuer or guarantor of fixed-income securities held by the Fund may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
n  
Foreign Risk—The risk that when the Fund invests in foreign issuers, 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.
n  
Derivatives Risk—The risk that loss may result from the 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 the Fund.
n  
Interest Rate Risk—The risk that when interest rates increase, fixed-income securities held by the Fund will decline in value.
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 the 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. The 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 the 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. Because the Fund may invest in small capitalization stocks and REITs, the Fund 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.
n
Small Cap Stock 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 the Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price.
 
More information about the Fund’s portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.
 
 
Fund Performance
 
HOW THE FUND HAS PERFORMED
 
The Fund commenced operations on June 19, 2000. Since the Fund has less than one calendar year’s performance, no performance information is provided in this section.
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Service Shares)
 
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Service Shares of the Fund.
 
       Research
Select
Fund

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
 
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Purchases
     None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends      None
Redemption Fees      None
Exchange Fees      None
 
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):1
 
Management Fees      1.00%
Service Fees 2      0.50%
Other Expenses 3      0.65%

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      2.15%

See page 11 for all other footnotes.
 
 *
As a result of current expense limitations, the estimated “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.
 
       Research
Select
Fund

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 1
Management Fees      1.00%
Service Fees 2      0.50%
Other Expenses 3      0.10%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)      1.60%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
The operating expenses for the Fund are estimated for the current year.
Service Organizations may charge other fees to their customers who are beneficial owners of Service Shares in connection with their customers’ accounts. Such fees may affect the return customers realize with respect to their investments.
Estimated “Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees equal to 0.04% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Service Shares, plus all other ordinary expenses not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, transfer agency fees, service fees, taxes, interest and brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification and other extraordinary expenses) to the following percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets:
 
Fund    Other
Expenses

Research Select    0.06%
 
 
 
 
Example
 
The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund (without the waivers and expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Service Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
 
Fund      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years

Research Select      $218      $673      N/A      N/A

 
 
Service Organizations that invest in Service Shares on behalf of their customers may charge other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your Service Organization for information regarding such charges. Such fees, if any, may affect the return such customers realize with respect to their investments.
 
Certain Service Organizations that invest in Service Shares may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Service Shares or for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Other Information” in the Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).
 
 
Service Providers
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
 
Investment Adviser      Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“GSAM”)      Research Select
32 Old Slip     
New York, New York 10005     
      

 
GSAM is a business unit of the Investment Management Division (“IMD”) of Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs registered as an investment adviser in 1981. As of September 30, 2000, GSAM, along with other units of IMD, had assets under management of $281.3 billion.
 
The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day investment management services regarding the Fund’s portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Fund and places purchase and sale orders for the Fund’s portfolio transactions in U.S. markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs.
 
The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Fund:
n  
Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Fund
n  
Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Fund
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 the 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 fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate listed below (as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets):
 
       Contractual Rate      Actual Rate for the
Fiscal Period Ended
August 31, 2000

Research Select      1.00%      1.00%

 
The Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its advisory fee from time to time, and may discontinue any voluntary waiver at any time at its discretion.
 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
FUND MANAGERS
 
Robert B. Litterman, Ph.D., a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs, is the co-developer, along with the late Fischer Black, of the Black-Litterman Global Asset Allocation Model, a key tool in IMD’s asset allocation process. As Director of Quantitative Resources, Dr. Litterman oversees Quantitative Equities, the Quantitative Strategies Group, the Investment Performance & Valuation Oversight Group, and the Client Research Groups. In total, these groups include over 120 professionals. Prior to moving to IMD, Dr. Litterman was the head of the Firmwide Risk department of Goldman Sachs since becoming a Partner in 1994. Preceding his time in the Operations, Technology & Finance Division, Dr. Litterman spent eight years in the Fixed Income Division’s research department where he was co-director of the research and model development group.
 
Quantitative Equity Team
n
A stable and growing team supported by an extensive internal staff
n
Access to the research ideas of Goldman Sachs’ renowned Global Investment Research Department
n
More than $34 billion in equities currently under management
n
Proprietary research on quantitative models and tax-advantaged strategies
 

Quantitative Equity Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Melissa Brown
Managing Director
Product Manager for
Quantitative Equities
   Senior Portfolio Manager —
Research Select
   Since
2000
   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.

Robert C. Jones
Managing Director
Head of Quantitative
Equities
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Research Select
   Since
2000
   Mr. Jones joined the
Investment Adviser as a portfolio
manager in 1989.

Victor H. Pinter
Vice President
Head of Portfolio
Construction
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Research Select
   Since
2000
   Mr. Pinter joined the
Investment Adviser as a research
analyst in 1989. He became a
portfolio manager in 1992.

 
 
 
 
DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT
 
Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of the Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6372, also serves as the Fund’s 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 Fund. 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 the Fund or limit the 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 Fund and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Fund. 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 Fund. The results of the Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and it is possible that the 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 Fund may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which other clients of Goldman Sachs have an adverse interest. The 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.
 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
APPROACH TO INVESTMENT RESEARCH
 
In providing its investment management services for the Fund, the Investment Adviser invests in equity securities that are included in the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division’s U.S. Select List. Goldman Sachs is a leading, full service global investment banking and securities firm. The firm’s Global Investment Research Division provides far-reaching and comprehensive analysis and commentary on portfolio strategy, economics, industries and companies. For over two decades, Goldman Sachs has committed the resources on a global scale to develop an industry-leading position for the firm’s investment research products.
 
Goldman Sachs has achieved worldwide recognition for its value-added research products. The Global Investment Research Division has a well-regarded staff of approximately 900 professionals including more than 300 equity analysts, 25 global research teams, and 12 portfolio strategists, covering approximately 2400 companies, over 50 economies and over 25 stock markets.
 
The U.S. Stock Selection Committee comprises approximately twelve senior professionals, including the head of Global Investment Research and the Director of U.S. Investment Research, as well as a senior market strategist, an economist, and sector specialists.
 
 
Dividends
 
The 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 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 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.
 
Dividends from investment company taxable income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid as follows:
 
Fund      Investment
Income
Dividends
     Capital Gains
Distributions

Research Select      Annually      Annually

 
From time to time a portion of the Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital.
 
At the time of an investor’s purchase of shares of the Fund, a portion of the net asset value (“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.
 
 
Shareholder Guide
 
The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Fund’s Service Shares.
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES
 
How Can I Purchase Service Shares Of The Fund?
Generally, Service Shares may be purchased only through institutions that have agreed to provide account administration and personal and account maintenance services to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Service Shares. These institutions are called “Service Organizations.” Customers of a Service Organization will normally give their purchase instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place purchase orders with Goldman Sachs. Service Organizations will set times by which purchase orders and payments must be received by them from their customers. Generally, Service Shares may be purchased from the Fund on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of an order by Goldman Sachs from a Service Organization. No sales load is charged. Purchases of Service Shares must be settled within three business days of receipt of a complete purchase order.
 
Service Organizations are responsible for transmitting purchase orders and payments to Goldman Sachs in a timely fashion. Service Organizations 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”) (the 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 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.
 
What Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
Service Organizations may provide the following services in connection with their customers’ investments in Service Shares:
n
Acting, directly or through an agent, as the sole shareholder of record
n
Maintaining account records for customers
 
 
n
Processing orders to purchase, redeem or exchange shares for customers
n
Responding to inquiries from prospective and existing shareholders
n
Assisting customers with investment procedures
 
In addition, some (but not all) Service Organizations are 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
The Fund will be deemed to have received an order in proper form when the order is accepted by the authorized Service Organization or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next determined after such acceptance.
n
Service Organizations or 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 Service Organization directly to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.
 
Pursuant to a service plan adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, Service Organizations are entitled to receive payment for their services from the Trust of up to 0.50% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of the Fund, which are attributable to or held in the name of the Service Organization for its customers.
 
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 Fund, to selected Service Organizations and other persons in connection with the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Fund 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 Service Shares, the 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 Service 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 Fund?
The Fund does not have any minimum purchase or account requirements with respect to Service Shares. A Service Organization may, however, impose a mini mum amount for initial and subsequent investments in Service Shares, and may establish other requirements such as a minimum account balance. A Service Organization may redeem Service Shares held by non-complying accounts, and may impose a charge for any special services.
 
What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
The Trust reserves the right to:
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 Service Shares of the 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 the Fund.
n
Close the Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen the Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.
 
The Fund may allow Service Organizations to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with the 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 Service Shares is determined by the Fund’s NAV. The Fund calculates NAV as follows:
 
 
(Value of Assets of the Class)
 
NAV  =  
–  (Liabilities of the Class)

 
 
Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class
 
 
The Fund’s 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 Fund receives your order in proper form.
n
When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives 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.
 
 
 
 
In addition, the impact of events that occur after the publication of market quotations used by the Fund to price its securities (for example, in foreign markets), but before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange will normally not be reflected in the 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 Service Shares Of The Fund?
Generally, Service Shares may be sold (redeemed) only through Service Organizations. Customers of a Service Organization will normally give their redemption instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place redemption orders with the Fund. Generally, the Fund will redeem its Service Shares upon request on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper form. Redemption proceeds may be sent to recordholders by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record).
 
A Service Organization may request redemptions in writing or by telephone if the optional telephone redemption privilege is elected on the Account Application.
 

By Writing:      Goldman Sachs Funds
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606-6372

By Telephone:      If you have elected the telephone redemption
privilege on your Account Application:

1-800-621-2550
(8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

 
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:  The Fund will arrange for redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the bank account designated in the recordholder’s 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 the shares to be sold were recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay the redemption proceeds when the 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 Service Organization.
n
Neither the Trust, Goldman Sachs nor any other institution assumes any responsibility for the performance of intermediaries or your Service Organization in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with such intermediaries or Service Organization.
 
By Check:  A recordholder may elect in writing to receive redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of receipt of a properly executed redemption request. If the shares to be sold were recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay the redemption proceeds when the 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  
Service Organizations 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, Service Organizations may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. Service Organizations may also require additional documentation from you.
 
The Trust reserves the right to:
n  
Redeem the Service Shares of any Service Organization whose account balance falls below $50 as a result of earlier redemptions. The Fund will not redeem Service Shares on this basis if the value of the account falls below the minimum account balance solely as a result of market conditions. The Fund will give 60 days’ prior written notice to allow a Service Organization 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 Fund Service Shares of the Fund. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
Can I Exchange My Investment From One Fund To Another?
A Service Organization may exchange Service Shares of the Fund at NAV for Service Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund. The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice.
 
 
Instructions For Exchanging Shares:       

By Writing:      n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
       n  The recordholder name(s) and signature(s)
       n  The 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 requirement 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 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 the Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together.
 
What Types Of Reports Will Be Sent Regarding Investments In Service Shares?
Service Organizations will receive from the Fund annual reports containing audited financial statements and semi-annual reports. Service Organizations will also be provided with a printed confirmation for each transaction in their account and a monthly account statement. Service Organizations are responsible for providing these or other reports to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Service Shares in accordance with the rules that apply to their accounts with the Service Organizations.
 
Taxation
 
 
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund 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 Fund.
 
Unless your investment is in 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 Fund 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s dividends paid to corporate shareholders may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. The Fund will inform shareholders of the character and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.
 
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. In general, the Fund may deduct these taxes in computing its taxable income.
 
If you buy shares of the 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 long-term capital gain dividends that were received on the shares.
 
RETIREMENT PLANS
 
The one major exception to these tax principles is that distributions on, and sales, exchanges and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
When you open your account, you should provide your social security or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, the 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.
 
Appendix A
    
Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and Techniques
    
A.    General Portfolio Risks
 
The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with equity securities. “Equity securities” may 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 the 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 Fund 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 the Fund invests in fixed-income securities, the Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk and credit risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase. 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 the Fund will not recover its investment.
 
The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for the Fund. Trading to keep the Fund’s portfolio holdings consistent with, and equally weighted among, the securities in the U.S. Select List may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by the 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 the Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less.
 
 
 
 
The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, 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 the investment objective, 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 the Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether the 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. The 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 particular 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, the 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 Issuers. The Fund may invest in foreign issuers. Foreign issuers involve special risks that are not typically associated with 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 compa nies than in the United States. The securities 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), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets, and political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could affect the Fund’s investments.
 
Risks of Derivative Investments. The Fund’s transactions in options, futures, options on futures, swaps and structured securities 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 or interest rates. The 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. The 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
Securities that are not readily marketable
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 the 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 Fund may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instru mentalities and sponsored enterprises), domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.
 
Temporary Investment Risks. The 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 the 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 Fund, including their associated risks. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.
 
Structured Securities. The 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 securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.
 
REITs. The 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. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices. 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. The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which it may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest.
 
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 markets. If the Investment 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 the Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase the Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Fund may be traded on U.S. exchanges or over-the-counter. 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 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), securities indices, and other financial instruments and indices. The Fund may engage in futures transactions on U.S. exchanges.
 
 
 
 
The 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 or securities prices. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The 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. The 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 the Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates or securities prices 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 the Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.
n
The loss incurred by the 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 the 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 the Fund.
n
Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.
 
Equity Swaps. The 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 the 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, the 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, the Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, the Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.
 
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase when-issued securities and enter into forward commitments. 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 or 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 the Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, the 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. The 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, the 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, the 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. The Fund, 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. The Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by the 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 the 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 the Fund (including the loan collateral).
 
The Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. The Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities or a capital loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund.
 
Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. The 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. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Act. These limitations include a prohibition on the Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of the 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. The 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 are shares of unaffiliated investment companies which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ® National Market System.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
n
Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts TM . The Fund may, consistent with its 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®.
 
Unseasoned Companies. The 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. The 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. The 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. The 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 (such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”)); or (d) only the credit of the issuer.
 
Borrowings. The 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. The Fund may not make additional investments if borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.
 
Short Sales Against-the-Box. The Fund 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.
 
 
 
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Appendix B
    
Financial Highlights
    
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance from its commencement (June 19, 2000) to August 31, 2000. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information for the period ended August 31, 2000 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report (available upon request).
 
RESEARCH SELECT FUND
 
 
              Income from
investment operations

      
 
       Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
loss(c)
     Net realized
and unrealized
gain
     Total from
investment
operations

For the Period Ended August 31,  
2000 - Class A Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      $10.00      $(0.02 )      $0.79      $0.77
 
2000 - Class B Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.04 )      0.80      0.76
 
2000 - Class C Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.04 )      0.81        0.77
 
2000 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.01 )      0.79      0.78
 
2000 - Service Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.02 )      0.80        0.78

 
 
(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.
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
                         Ratios assuming
no expense reductions

    
 
Net asset
value, end
of period
   Total
return(a)
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets(b)
   Ratio of
net investment
loss to average
net assets(b)
   Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets(b)
   Ratio of
net investment
loss to average
net assets(b)
   Portfolio
turnover
rate

 
 
 $10.77    7.70 %    $217,861    1.50 %    (1.04 )%    2.05 %    (1.59 )%    5.04 %
 
 10.76    7.60      201,437    2.25      (1.79 )    2.80      (2.34 )    5.04  
 
 10.77    7.70    96,393    2.25      (1.78 )    2.80      (2.33 )    5.04  
 
 10.78    7.80      12,677    1.10      (0.50 )    1.65      (1.05 )    5.04  
 
 10.78    7.70      12    1.60      (1.13 )    2.15      (1.68 )    5.04  

 
 
Appendix C
    
Prior Price Returns of the U.S. Select List
    
U.S. Select List
 
As mentioned in “Fund Investment Objective and Strategies,” the U.S. Select List was introduced on September 9, 1998 and comprises approximately 25 to 35 stocks that the Goldman Sachs U.S. Stock Selection Committee expects, as a portfolio, to outperform its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index, over the next twelve to eighteen months. The U.S. Select List changes regularly. While the companies on the list generally have been relatively large U.S. companies, the list is not restricted to those types of companies. It is expected that, under normal market conditions, the quarterly performance of the Fund, before expenses, will track the price return of the U.S. Select List within a .90 correlation coefficient.
 
The Fund’s portfolio management team does not have access to information regarding additions or deletions for the U.S. Select List prior to their publication. Goldman Sachs publishes other lists of recommended securities that could be appropriate for Fund investors but that are not used by the Fund’s portfolio management team.
 
The chart below reflects historical information regarding the U.S. Select List. The U.S. Select List is not maintained for the purpose of managing any account or investment company such as the Fund. The number of stocks on the U.S. Select List and the frequency of additions to and deletions from the U.S. Select List change from time to time. The stocks included in the U.S. Select List constitute only a “paper portfolio” that does not reflect actual trading and does not have an actual performance record. The U.S. Select List’s price return does not represent the return on any fund or any other account that involves actual trading. The price returns are not indicative of the returns on any fund or account because, among other things, they do not reflect actual prices when stocks are purchased or sold, transaction costs and account fees. In addition, because the U.S. Select List does not include a cash component, price returns are based on a constant 100% investment in the stocks on the U.S. Select List. Also, the information below does not reflect the impact that the Investment Adviser’s portfolio management decisions and techniques may have on performance. Further, the actual performance of the Fund may differ from that of the U.S. Select List because of time delays between when a stock is added to or removed from the list and when it is bought or sold for the Fund. Investors should not consider this price return information as a substitute for, or an indication of, future performance of the Research Select Fund or the Investment Adviser. Finally, past price returns of the U.S. Select List are not representative of future price returns of the list.
 
 
       9/9/98
(inception)
to
12/31/98
     1/1/99
to
12/31/99
     1/1/00
to
10/31/00
     9/9/98
(inception)
to
10/31/00

U.S. Select List Stock Price Return*      37.57%      33.81%      18.1%      117.5%
S&P 500® Index Price Return**      22.73%      21.06%      -1.8%      45.9%

 
 *
The results for the U.S. Select List portfolio represent an equal-weighted arithmetic average of the stocks held at any point during the month. The results are calculated monthly using each stock’s capital appreciation or depreciation during the period that it is on the U.S. Select List and dividing that by the highest number of stocks that were on the U.S. Select List at any point during the month. Prior to June 1999, the divisor was the time-weighted number of stocks on the list for the specified period. The results are calculated using the prices of the stocks at the close of trading of the stock market one full day after the stock was added to the U.S. Select List (e.g., if the stock was added on the afternoon of 5/5, the recorded price is at the close on 5/6). The results do not reflect the execution of actual purchases or sales, and there is no guarantee that a mutual fund following the U.S. Select List would be able to execute purchases and sales at the prices used to calculate the price returns. Because the U.S. Select List is a paper portfolio that is not managed to a target number of stocks, no “ re-balancing” of actual investments is done when stocks are added to or deleted from the U.S. Select List. Price returns are based on 100% investment in the stocks on the U.S. Select List.
 
  
Price returns are calculated to include the price return plus dividends for the stock during the month in which they are paid without being reinvested into the security. They do not reflect the market impact on the stock prices that may occur between the time the publication is made of additions to and deletions from the U.S. Select List and the time a mutual fund following the U.S. Select List would be able to execute purchases and sales. They also do not reflect transaction fees, such as commissions, fees and interest charges, or the costs of running a mutual fund, such as management fees, distribution fees and other expenses. They do not reflect the impact that an investment adviser’s portfolio management decisions and techniques may have on a mutual fund’s returns. Actual transactions and the effect of dividends, fees and costs will result in returns that differ from those of the U.S. Select List.
 
**
The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index containing common stocks of 500 industrial, transportation, utility and financial companies, regarded as generally representative of the U.S. stock market. The S&P 500® Index performance numbers shown are price returns reflecting the reinvestment of dividends. They do not reflect fees, brokerage commissions or other costs of investing that are not incurred by an index.
 
 
Index
 
1    General Investment
Management Approach
 
2    Fund Investment Objective
and Strategies
 
     2    Goldman Sachs Research
Select Fund
 
4    Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
6    Principal Risks of the Fund
 
9    Fund Performance
 
10    Fund Fees and Expenses
 
13    Service Providers
 
     17    Approach to Investment
Research
 
18    Dividends
 
19    Shareholder Guide
 
     19    How To Buy Shares
 
     22    How To Sell Shares
 
27    Taxation
 
29    Appendix A
Additional Information on
Portfolio Risks, Securities
and Techniques
 
40    Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
42    Appendix C
Prior Price Returns of the

U.S. Select List
 
 
 
Research Select Fund
Prospectus (Service Shares)
 
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION
 
Annual/Semi-annual Report
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.
 
Statement of Additional Information
Additional information about the Fund and its policies is also available in the Fund’s Additional Statement. The Additional Statement is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
 
The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, and the Additional Statement, are available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550.
 
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
 
By telephone – Call 1-800-621-2550
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 Fund’s documents are located online and may be downloaded from:
SEC EDGAR database – http://www.sec.gov
 
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 Goldman Sachs Research Select Fund  SM is a service mark of Goldman Sachs & Co.
The Fund’s investment company registration number is 811-5349.
 
RESPROSVC
 
 
Prospectus
 
Institutional Shares
 
December 29, 2000
 
GOLDMAN SACHS RESEARCH SELECT FUND SM
 
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 THE FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
 
 
NOT FDIC-INSURED
May Lose Value
No Bank Guarantee
 
 
 
General Investment
Management Approach
 
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Research Select Fund (the “Fund”). Goldman Sachs Asset Management is referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”
 
RESEARCH STYLE FUNDS—RESEARCH SELECT FUND
 
The Goldman Sachs Research Select Fund selects substantially all of its securities from the U.S. Select List developed by the Goldman Sachs Investment Research Division. The Fund leverages the resources of Goldman Sachs by applying the Investment Management Division’s portfolio management expertise to the equity securities included in the U.S. Select List.
 
The Fund has determined to discontinue public sales of its shares to new investors when the Fund’ s total net assets reach approximately $1.2 billion. As of the close of business on December 15, 2000, the Fund’s total net assets equaled $771.5 million. A shareholder who has an open Fund account on the date the Fund is closed may make additional investments and reinvest dividends and capital gains distributions in that account after that date if the account remains open. Current shareholders may also open additional Fund accounts under certain conditions. If a Fund account is closed, however, additional investments in the Fund may not be possible.
 
 
Fund Investment Objective
and Strategies
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Research Select Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
A focused portfolio of U.S. equity securities that offer the potential for long-term capital appreciation
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital by investing in a focused portfolio of U.S. equity securities.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities.    The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in U.S. equity securities, including securities of foreign issuers that are traded in the United States. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will only purchase equity securities that are included in the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division’s U.S. Select List and will sell securities that have been removed from the U.S. Select List. Notification of changes to the U.S. Select List is made to clients of Goldman Sachs and to the Fund’s portfolio management team at the same time. The Fund will purchase a security that has been added to, or sell a security that has been removed from, the list after publication of that change. In addition, the Investment Adviser may apply the techniques described below in managing the Fund and in purchasing and selling securities that are included in the U.S. Select List.
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES
 
 
The Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division’s U.S. Select List.     The U.S. Select List was introduced on September 9, 1998 and comprises approximately 25 to 35 equity securities that the Goldman Sachs U.S. Stock Selection Committee expects, as a portfolio, to outperform its benchmark, the S&Ps 500® Index over the next 12 to 18 months. The list is consistent with overall investment policy and emphasizes strategically favored economic sectors. The U.S. Select List is updated on a regular basis. Historically, the U.S. Select List has consisted primarily of common stocks of relatively large U.S. companies, although the list is not restricted to those types of companies.
 
The U.S. Select List is used primarily by institutional clients.
 
Our Approach to Portfolio Management.     To the extent practicable, the Fund will seek to deliver returns that are comparable to the price returns of the U.S. Select List. Generally, the Fund will seek to maintain approximate equal weightings of its assets among the securities included in the list. Any remaining assets may be invested by the Investment Adviser in the other instruments described in this Prospectus, including short-term debt obligations, options and futures contracts.
 
Investors should be aware, however, that the performance of the Fund will differ from the price returns of the U.S. Select List for a variety of reasons, including the change in securities prices that may occur between the time when a security is added to or removed from the list and when it is bought or sold for the Fund; the Fund’s investment of cash flow from purchases and sales of Fund shares, which can occur daily and will result in portfolio purchases and sales; modifications in the Fund’s stock weights in order to control trading costs; the timing and amount of dividend and distribution payments; and the Fund’s use of investment techniques and instruments that are not included in the U.S. Select List. In addition, unlike the U.S. Select List, the Fund will incur transactional costs (such as brokerage commissions) and operational expenses (such as investment advisory fees).
 
While the Fund intends to track the composition of the U.S. Select List, the Fund’s purchases and sales of securities that are added to and deleted from the list may not be completed on the first trading day after changes to the list are announced, and in certain cases may take several days or weeks to complete. Moreover, purchases and sales of the Fund and other investors following the U.S. Select List could create a temporary imbalance between the supply and demand of the securities on the list. The imbalance could affect the time it takes the Fund to complete its transactions, as well as the price the Fund pays or receives. In order to reduce impact of these trading costs, the Investment Adviser may decide for a period of time not to buy a security that is included in the U.S. Select List or to continue to hold a security that has been removed from the list.
 
The Fund will periodically rebalance its portfolio in an effort to maintain approximate equal weightings of its assets among the securities on the U.S. Select List.
 
Other.    The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Fund’s annual/semi-annual reports. For more information see Appendix A.
 
10   Percent of total assets (italic type)
10   Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objective and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
       Research
Select
Fund

Investment Practices
 
Borrowings      33 1 /3
 
Custodial Receipts     
 
Equity Swaps*      15
 
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts      Ÿ
 
Investment Company Securities (including exchange-traded funds)      10
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 1      Ÿ
 
Repurchase Agreements      Ÿ
 
Securities Lending      33 1 /3
 
Short Sales Against the Box      25
 
Unseasoned Companies      Ÿ
 
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights      Ÿ
 
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments      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
The Fund may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
10   Percent of total assets (italic type)
10   Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objective and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
       Research
Select
Fund

Investment Securities
 
American and Global Depositary Receipts       
 
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities       
 
Bank Obligations 2      Ÿ  
 
Convertible Securities 3      Ÿ  
 
Corporate Debt Obligations 2      Ÿ  
 
Equity Securities      90 +
 
Emerging Country Securities       
 
Fixed Income Securities      Ÿ  
 
Foreign Issuers      Ÿ  
 
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities       
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)      Ÿ  
 
Structured Securities *      Ÿ  
 
Temporary Investments      100  
 
U.S. Government Securities 2      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.
2
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities. Cash equivalents only.
3
The Fund has no minimum rating criteria.
 
Principal Risks of the Fund
 
Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Fund and may result in a loss of your investment. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
 
 
INVESTMENT RISKS
 
 
     Research
Select
Fund
Ÿ  Applicable

U.S. Select List    Ÿ
 
Stock    Ÿ
 
Credit/Default    Ÿ
 
Foreign    Ÿ
 
Derivatives    Ÿ
 
Interest Rate    Ÿ
 
Management    Ÿ
 
Market    Ÿ
 
Liquidity    Ÿ
 
Small Cap    Ÿ

 
n  
U.S. Select List Risk—The Fund invests principally in securities included in the U.S. Select List, which comprises approximately 25 to 35 stocks. As a result of the small universe of stocks in which the Fund generally invests, it may be subject to greater risks than would a more diversified fund.
 
  
Price returns reported for the U.S. Select List do not predict or reflect the future results of the U.S. Select List or the Fund. In addition, unlike the Fund, the securities included in the U.S. Select List constitute only a “paper portfolio” that does not reflect actual trading and does not have an actual performance record.
 
  
Although the Goldman Sachs U.S. Stock Selection Committee periodically makes subjective decisions to add or delete companies for the U.S. Select List, the list is not compiled with any particular client or product in mind and is not (and will not be) compiled with the Fund in mind. The Global Investment Research Division could at any time cease publishing the U.S. Select List . In that event, the Board of Trustees will make a determination on how to proceed in the best interest of shareholders of the Fund, consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. Goldman Sachs publishes similar lists of recommended securities that may be appropriate for shareholders of the Fund but which will not be used by the Investment Adviser for the Fund at this time.
 
The Fund’s purchases and sales for its portfolio will be affected by market conditions following the publication of changes to the U.S. Select List and will be subject to competing orders by Goldman Sachs clients who invest in the securities included on the list.
 
The activities of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may occasionally limit the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities included in the U.S. Select List. The U.S. Select List is also subject to restrictions related to Goldman Sachs’ other businesses. In addition, certain securities may or may not appear on the U.S. Select List or may or may not be removed from the list due to legal restrictions applicable to, or other business concerns of, Goldman Sachs. An investor should understand that these concerns will generally not be related to whether a particular security on the list or a security not on the list is an attractive investment opportunity.
 
As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs provides a wide range of financial services to issuers of securities and investors in securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in and affect transactions in, securities of companies included in the U.S. Select List and may also perform or seek to perform financial services for those companies. Within the last three years, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates may have managed or co-managed public security offerings for companies included in the U.S. Select List, and they or their employees may have a long or short position on holdings in the securities, or options on securities, or other related investments of companies included in the U.S. Select List.
 
The Fund’s ability to invest in particular securities included in the U.S. Select List may be limited by the diversification and other restrictions imposed on it as a registered mutual fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”).
 
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  
Credit/Default Risk—The risk that an issuer or guarantor of fixed-income securities held by the Fund may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
n  
Foreign Risk—The risk that when the Fund invests in foreign issuers, 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.
n  
Derivatives Risk—The risk that loss may result from the 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 the Fund.
n  
Interest Rate Risk—The risk that when interest rates increase, fixed-income securities held by the Fund will decline in value.
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 the 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. The 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 the 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. Because the Fund may invest in small capitalization stocks and REITs, the Fund 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.
n
Small Cap Stock 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 the Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price.
 
More information about the Fund’s portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.
 
 
Fund Performance
 
HOW THE FUND HAS PERFORMED
 
The Fund commenced operations on June 19, 2000. Since the Fund has less than one calendar year’s performance, no performance information is provided in this section.
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Institutional Shares)
 
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Institutional Shares of the Fund.
 
       Research
Select
Fund

Shareholder Fees       
(fees paid directly from your investment):       
 
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases      None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends      None
Redemption Fees      None
Exchange Fees      None
 
Annual Fund Operating Expenses       
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):1       
 
Management Fees      1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      None
Other Expenses 2      0.65%

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      1.65%

See page 11 for all other footnotes.
 
 * 
As a result of current expense limitations, the estimated “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.
 
       Research
Select
Fund

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):1
Management Fees      1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      None
Other Expenses 2      0.10%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)      1.10%

 
 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
1  
The operating expenses for the Fund are estimated for the current year.
2  
Estimated “Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees equal to 0.04% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Institutional Shares plus all other ordinary expenses 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 percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets:
 
Fund    Other
Expenses

 
Research Select    0.06%
 
 
Example
 
The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund (without the waivers and expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Institutional Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
 
Fund    1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years

Research Select    $168      $520      N/A      N/A

 
Institutions that invest in Institutional Shares on behalf of their customers may charge other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your institution for information regarding such charges. Such fees, if any, may affect the return such customers realize with respect to their investments.
 
Certain institutions that invest in Institutional Shares may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Institutional Shares or for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Fund. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Other Information” in the Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).
 
 
Service Providers
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
 
Investment Adviser      Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“GSAM”)      Research Select
32 Old Slip     
New York, New York 10005     
      

 
GSAM is a business unit of the Investment Management Division (“IMD”) of Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs registered as an investment adviser in 1981. As of September 30, 2000, GSAM, along with other units of IMD, had assets under management of $281.3 billion.
 
The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day investment management services regarding the Fund’s portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Fund and places purchase and sale orders for the Fund’s portfolio transactions in U.S. markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs.
 
The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Fund:
n  
Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Fund
n  
Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Fund
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 the 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 fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate listed below (as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets):
 
       Contractual Rate      Actual Rate for the
Fiscal Period Ended
August 31, 2000

Research Select      1.00%      1.00%

 
The Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its advisory fee from time to time, and may discontinue any voluntary waiver at any time at its discretion.
 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
FUND MANAGERS
 
Robert B. Litterman, Ph.D., a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs, is the co-developer, along with the late Fischer Black, of the Black-Litterman Global Asset Allocation Model, a key tool in IMD’s asset allocation process. As Director of Quantitative Resources, Dr. Litterman oversees Quantitative Equities, the Quantitative Strategies Group, the Investment Performance & Valuation Oversight Group, and the Client Research Groups. In total, these groups include over 120 professionals. Prior to moving to IMD, Dr. Litterman was the head of the Firmwide Risk department of Goldman Sachs since becoming a Partner in 1994. Preceding his time in the Operations, Technology & Finance Division, Dr. Litterman spent eight years in the Fixed Income Division’s research department where he was co-director of the research and model development group.
 
Quantitative Equity Team
n
A stable and growing team supported by an extensive internal staff
n
Access to the research ideas of Goldman Sachs’ renowned Global Investment Research Department
n
More than $34 billion in equities currently under management
n
Proprietary research on quantitative models and tax-advantaged strategies
 

Quantitative Equity Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Melissa Brown
Managing Director
Product Manager for
Quantitative Equities
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Research Select
   Since
2000
   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.

Robert C. Jones
Managing Director
Head of Quantitative
Equities
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Research Select
   Since
2000
   Mr. Jones joined the
Investment Adviser as a portfolio
manager in 1989.

Victor H. Pinter
Vice President
Head of Portfolio
Construction
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Research Select
   Since
2000
   Mr. Pinter joined the
Investment Adviser as a research
analyst in 1989. He became a
portfolio manager in 1992.

 
 
 
DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT
 
Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of the Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6372, also serves as the Fund’s 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 Fund. 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 the Fund or limit the 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 Fund and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Fund. 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 Fund. The results of the Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and it is possible that the 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 Fund may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which other clients of Goldman Sachs have an adverse interest. The 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.
 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
APPROACH TO INVESTMENT RESEARCH
 
In providing its investment management services for the Fund, the Investment Adviser invests in equity securities that are included in the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division’s U.S. Select List. Goldman Sachs is a leading, full service global investment banking and securities firm. The firm’s Global Investment Research Division provides far-reaching and comprehensive analysis and commentary on portfolio strategy, economics, industries and companies. For over two decades, Goldman Sachs has committed the resources on a global scale to develop an industry-leading position for the firm’s investment research products.
 
Goldman Sachs has achieved worldwide recognition for its value-added research products. The Global Investment Research Division has a well-regarded staff of approximately 900 professionals including more than 300 equity analysts, 25 global research teams, and 12 portfolio strategists, covering approximately 2400 companies, over 50 economies and over 25 stock markets.
 
The U.S. Stock Selection Committee comprises approximately twelve senior professionals, including the head of Global Investment Research and the Director of U.S. Investment Research, as well as a senior market strategist, an economist, and sector specialists.
 
 
Dividends
 
The 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 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 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.
 
Dividends from investment company taxable income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid as follows:
 
Fund      Investment
Income
Dividends
     Capital Gains
Distributions

Research Select      Annually      Annually

 
From time to time a portion of the Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital.
 
At the time of an investor’s purchase of shares of the Fund, a portion of the net asset value (“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.
 
 
Shareholder Guide
 
The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Fund’s Institutional Shares.
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES
 
How Can I Purchase Institutional Shares Of The Fund?
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”) (the 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 the 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 
The 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 Fund or Goldman Sachs for the services provided by them with respect to the Fund’s Institutional Shares. These payments may be in addition to other payments borne by the Fund.
 
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 Fund, to certain institutions and other persons in connection with the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Fund 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, the 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
What Is My Minimum Investment In The Fund?
 
 
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 the 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 the 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 the Fund.
 
 
 
n 
Close the Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen the Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.
 
The Fund may allow you to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with the 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 the Fund’s NAV. The Fund calculates NAV as follows:
 
      
     (Value of Assets of the Class)
NAV  =       –  (Liabilities of the Class)
     
     Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class
 
The Fund’s 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 Fund receives your order in proper form.
n 
When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives 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.
 
In addition, the impact of events that occur after the publication of market quotations used by the Fund to price its securities (for example, in foreign markets), but before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange will normally not be reflected in the 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.
 
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
HOW TO SELL SHARES
 
How Can I Sell Institutional Shares Of The Fund?
You may arrange to take money out of your account by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. Generally, the 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 Fund 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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 Fund 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. 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 the 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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 the 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 Fund does not generally provide sub-accounting services.
 
Taxation
 
 
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund 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 Fund.
 
Unless your investment is in 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 Fund 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s dividends paid to corporate shareholders may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. The Fund will inform shareholders of the character and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.
 
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. In general, the Fund may deduct these taxes in computing its taxable income.
 
If you buy shares of the 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.”
 
TAXATION
 
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 long-term capital gain dividends that were received on the shares.
 
RETIREMENT PLANS
 
The one major exception to these tax principles is that distributions on, and sales, exchanges and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
When you open your account, you should provide your social security or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, the 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.
 
Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and Techniques
    
A.    General Portfolio Risks
 
The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with equity securities. “Equity securities” may 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 the 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 Fund 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 the Fund invests in fixed-income securities, the Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk and credit risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase. 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 the Fund will not recover its investment.
 
The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for the Fund. Trading to keep the Fund’s portfolio holdings consistent with, and equally weighted among, the securities in the U.S. Select List may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by the 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 the Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, 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 the investment objective, 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 the Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether the 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. The 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 particular 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, the 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 Issuers. The Fund may invest in foreign issuers. Foreign issuers involve special risks that are not typically associated with 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 compa nies than in the United States. The securities 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), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets, and political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could affect the Fund’s investments.
 
Risks of Derivative Investments. The Fund’s transactions in options, futures, options on futures, swaps and structured securities 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 or interest rates. The 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. The 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
Securities that are not readily marketable
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 the 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 Fund may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instru mentalities and sponsored enterprises), domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.
 
Temporary Investment Risks. The 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 the 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 Fund, including their associated risks. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.
 
Structured Securities. The 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 securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.
 
REITs. The 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. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices. 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. The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which it may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest.
 
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 markets. If the Investment 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 the Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase the Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Fund may be traded on U.S. exchanges or over-the-counter. 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 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), securities indices, and other financial instruments and indices. The Fund may engage in futures transactions on U.S. exchanges.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
The 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 or securities prices. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The 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. The 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 the Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates or securities prices 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 the Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.
n
The loss incurred by the 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 the 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 the Fund.
n
Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.
 
Equity Swaps. The 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 the 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, the 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, the Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, the Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.
 
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase when-issued securities and enter into forward commitments. 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 or 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 the Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, the 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. The 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, the 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, the 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. The Fund, 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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by the 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 the 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 the Fund (including the loan collateral).
 
The Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. The Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities or a capital loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund.
 
Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. The 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. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Act. These limitations include a prohibition on the Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of the 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. The 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 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 TM . The Fund may, consistent with its 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®.
 
Unseasoned Companies. The 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. The 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. The 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. The 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 (such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”)); or (d) only the credit of the issuer.
 
Borrowings. The 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. The Fund may not make additional investments if borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.
 
Short Sales Against-the-Box. The Fund 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.
 
Appendix B
    
Financial Highlights
    
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance from its commencement (June 19, 2000) to August 31, 2000. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information for the period ended August 31, 2000 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report (available upon request).
 
RESEARCH SELECT FUND
 
 
              Income from
investment operations

      
 
       Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
loss(c)
     Net realized
and unrealized
gain
     Total from
investment
operations

For the Period Ended August 31,  
2000 - Class A Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      $10.00      $(0.02 )      $0.79      $0.77
 
2000 - Class B Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.04 )      0.80      0.76
 
2000 - Class C Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.04 )      0.81        0.77
 
2000 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.01 )      0.79      0.78
 
2000 - Service Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.02 )      0.80        0.78

 
 
(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.
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
                         Ratios assuming
no expense reductions

    
 
Net asset
value, end
of period
   Total
return(a)
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets(b)
   Ratio of
net investment
loss to average
net assets(b)
   Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets(b)
   Ratio of
net investment
loss to average
net assets(b)
   Portfolio
turnover
rate

 
 
 $10.77    7.70 %    $217,861    1.50 %    (1.04 )%    2.05 %    (1.59 )%    5.04 %
 
 10.76    7.60      201,437    2.25      (1.79 )    2.80      (2.34 )    5.04  
 
 10.77    7.70    96,393    2.25      (1.78 )    2.80      (2.33 )    5.04  
 
 10.78    7.80      12,677    1.10      (0.50 )    1.65      (1.05 )    5.04  
 
 10.78    7.70      12    1.60      (1.13 )    2.15      (1.68 )    5.04  

 
 
Appendix C
    
Prior Price Returns of the U.S. Select List
    
U.S. Select List
 
As mentioned in “Fund Investment Objective and Strategies,” the U.S. Select List was introduced on September 9, 1998 and comprises approximately 25 to 35 stocks that the Goldman Sachs U.S. Stock Selection Committee expects, as a portfolio, to outperform its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index, over the next twelve to eighteen months. The U.S. Select List changes regularly. While the companies on the list generally have been relatively large U.S. companies, the list is not restricted to those types of companies. It is expected that, under normal market conditions, the quarterly performance of the Fund, before expenses, will track the price return of the U.S. Select List within a .90 correlation coefficient.
 
The Fund’s portfolio management team does not have access to information regarding additions or deletions for the U.S. Select List prior to their publication. Goldman Sachs publishes other lists of recommended securities that could be appropriate for Fund investors but that are not used by the Fund’s portfolio management team.
 
The chart below reflects historical information regarding the U.S. Select List. The U.S. Select List is not maintained for the purpose of managing any account or investment company such as the Fund. The number of stocks on the U.S. Select List and the frequency of additions to and deletions from the U.S. Select List change from time to time. The stocks included in the U.S. Select List constitute only a “paper portfolio” that does not reflect actual trading and does not have an actual performance record. The U.S. Select List’s price return does not represent the return on any fund or any other account that involves actual trading. The price returns are not indicative of the returns on any fund or account because, among other things, they do not reflect actual prices when stocks are purchased or sold, transaction costs and account fees. In addition, because the U.S. Select List does not include a cash component, price returns are based on a constant 100% investment in the stocks on the U.S. Select List. Also, the information below does not reflect the impact that the Investment Adviser’s portfolio management decisions and techniques may have on performance. Further, the actual performance of the Fund may differ from that of the U.S. Select List because of time delays between when a stock is added to or removed from the list and when it is bought or sold for the Fund. Investors should not consider this price return information as a substitute for, or an indication of, future performance of the Research Select Fund or the Investment Adviser. Finally, past price returns of the U.S. Select List are not representative of future price returns of the list.
 
 
       9/9/98
(inception)
to
12/31/98
     1/1/99
to
12/31/99
     1/1/00
to
10/31/00
     9/9/98
(inception)
to
10/31/00

U.S. Select List Stock Price Return*      37.57%      33.81%      18.1%      117.5%
S&P 500® Index Price Return**      22.73%      21.06%      -1.8%      45.9%

 
 *
The results for the U.S. Select List portfolio represent an equal-weighted arithmetic average of the stocks held at any point during the month. The results are calculated monthly using each stock’s capital appreciation or depreciation during the period that it is on the U.S. Select List and dividing that by the highest number of stocks that were on the U.S. Select List at any point during the month. Prior to June 1999, the divisor was the time-weighted number of stocks on the list for the specified period. The results are calculated using the prices of the stocks at the close of trading of the stock market one full day after the stock was added to the U.S. Select List (e.g., if the stock was added on the afternoon of 5/5, the recorded price is at the close on 5/6). The results do not reflect the execution of actual purchases or sales, and there is no guarantee that a mutual fund following the U.S. Select List would be able to execute purchases and sales at the prices used to calculate the price returns. Because the U.S. Select List is a paper portfolio that is not managed to a target number of stocks, no “ re-balancing” of actual investments is done when stocks are added to or deleted from the U.S. Select List. Price returns are based on 100% investment in the stocks on the U.S. Select List.
 
  
Price returns are calculated to include the price return plus dividends for the stock during the month in which they are paid without being reinvested into the security. They do not reflect the market impact on the stock prices that may occur between the time the publication is made of additions to and deletions from the U.S. Select List and the time a mutual fund following the U.S. Select List would be able to execute purchases and sales. They also do not reflect transaction fees, such as commissions, fees and interest charges, or the costs of running a mutual fund, such as management fees, distribution fees and other expenses. They do not reflect the impact that an investment adviser’s portfolio management decisions and techniques may have on a mutual fund’s returns. Actual transactions and the effect of dividends, fees and costs will result in returns that differ from those of the U.S. Select List.
 
**
The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index containing common stocks of 500 industrial, transportation, utility and financial companies, regarded as generally representative of the U.S. stock market. The S&P 500® Index performance numbers shown are price returns reflecting the reinvestment of dividends. They do not reflect fees, brokerage commissions or other costs of investing that are not incurred by an index.
 
 
Index
 
1    General Investment
Management Approach
 
2    Fund Investment Objective
and Strategies
 
     2    Goldman Sachs Research
Select Fund
 
4    Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
6    Principal Risks of the Fund
 
9    Fund Performance
 
10    Fund Fees and Expenses
 
13    Service Providers
 
     17    Approach to Investment
Research
 
18    Dividends
 
19    Shareholder Guide
 
     19    How To Buy Shares
 
     23    How To Sell Shares
 
28    Taxation
 
30    Appendix A
Additional Information
on Portfolio Risks, Securities
and Techniques
 
40    Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
42    Appendix C
Prior Price Returns of the
U.S. Select List
 
 
 
Research Select Fund
Prospectus (Institutional Shares)
 
 
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION
 
Annual/Semi-annual Report
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.
 
Statement of Additional Information
Additional information about the Fund and its policies is also available in the Fund’s Additional Statement. The Additional Statement is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
 
The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, and the Additional Statement, are available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550.
 
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
 
By telephone – Call 1-800-621-2550
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 Fund’s documents are located online and may be downloaded from:
SEC EDGAR database – http://www.sec.gov
 
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 Goldman Sachs Research Select Fund  SM is a service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
The Fund’s investment company registration number is 811-5349.
 
RESPROINST                                                                                                                                                      
 
 
Prospectus
 
GOLDMAN SACHS RESEARCH SELECT FUND SM
 
Class A, B
and C Shares
 
December 29, 2000
 
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 THE FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
 
 
 
 
NOT FDIC-INSURED
May Lose Value
No Bank Guarantee
 
 
 
General Investment
Management Approach
 
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Research Select Fund (the “Fund”). Goldman Sachs Asset Management is referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”
 
RESEARCH STYLE FUNDS—RESEARCH SELECT FUND
 
The Goldman Sachs Research Select Fund selects substantially all of its securities from the U.S. Select List developed by the Goldman Sachs Investment Research Division. The Fund leverages the resources of Goldman Sachs by applying the Investment Management Division’s portfolio management expertise to the equity securities included in the U.S. Select List.
 
The Fund has determined to discontinue public sales of its shares to new investors when the Fund’ s total net assets reach approximately $1.2 billion. As of the close of business on December 15, 2000, the Fund’s total net assets equaled $771.5 million. A shareholder who has an open Fund account on the date the Fund is closed may make additional investments and reinvest dividends and capital gains distributions in that account after that date if the account remains open. Current shareholders may also open additional Fund accounts under certain conditions. If a Fund account is closed, however, additional investments in the Fund may not be possible.
 
 
Fund Investment Objective
and Strategies
 
Goldman Sachs
Research Select Fund
 
                                       FUND FACTS

 
                                       Objective:
Long-term growth of capital
 
                                       Benchmark:
S&P 500® Index
 
                                Investment Focus:
A focused portfolio of U.S. equity securities that offer the potential for long-term capital appreciation
 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital by investing in a focused portfolio of U.S. equity securities.
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
Equity Securities.    The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its total assets in U.S. equity securities, including securities of foreign issuers that are traded in the United States. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will only purchase equity securities that are included in the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division’s U.S. Select List and will sell securities that have been removed from the U.S. Select List. Notification of changes to the U.S. Select List is made to clients of Goldman Sachs and to the Fund’s portfolio management team at the same time. The Fund will purchase a security that has been added to, or sell a security that has been removed from, the list after publication of that change. In addition, the Investment Adviser may apply the techniques described below in managing the Fund and in purchasing and selling securities that are included in the U.S. Select List.
 
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES
 
 
The Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division’s U.S. Select List.     The U.S. Select List was introduced on September 9, 1998 and comprises approximately 25 to 35 equity securities that the Goldman Sachs U.S. Stock Selection Committee expects, as a portfolio, to outperform its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index over the next 12 to 18 months. The list is consistent with overall investment policy and emphasizes strategically favored economic sectors. The U.S. Select List is updated on a regular basis. Historically, the U.S. Select List has consisted primarily of common stocks of relatively large U.S. companies, although the list is not restricted to those types of companies.
 
The U.S. Select List is used primarily by institutional clients.
 
Our Approach to Portfolio Management.     To the extent practicable, the Fund will seek to deliver returns that are comparable to the price returns of the U.S. Select List. Generally, the Fund will seek to maintain approximate equal weightings of its assets among the securities included in the list. Any remaining assets may be invested by the Investment Adviser in the other instruments described in this Prospectus, including short-term debt obligations, options and futures contracts.
 
Investors should be aware, however, that the performance of the Fund will differ from the price returns of the U.S. Select List for a variety of reasons, including the change in securities prices that may occur between the time when a security is added to or removed from the list and when it is bought or sold for the Fund; the Fund’s investment of cash flow from purchases and sales of Fund shares, which can occur daily and will result in portfolio purchases and sales; modifications in the Fund’s stock weights in order to control trading costs; the timing and amount of dividend and distribution payments; and the Fund’s use of investment techniques and instruments that are not included in the U.S. Select List. In addition, unlike the U.S. Select List, the Fund will incur transactional costs (such as brokerage commissions) and operational expenses (such as investment advisory fees).
 
While the Fund intends to track the composition of the U.S. Select List, the Fund’s purchases and sales of securities that are added to and deleted from the list may not be completed on the first trading day after changes to the list are announced, and in certain cases may take several days or weeks to complete. Moreover, purchases and sales of the Fund and other investors following the U.S. Select List could create a temporary imbalance between the supply and demand of the securities on the list. The imbalance could affect the time it takes the Fund to complete its transactions, as well as the price the Fund pays or receives. In order to reduce impact of these trading costs, the Investment Adviser may decide for a period of time not to buy a security that is included in the U.S. Select List or to continue to hold a security that has been removed from the list.
 
The Fund will periodically rebalance its portfolio in an effort to maintain approximate equal weightings of its assets among the securities on the U.S. Select List.
 
Other.    The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.
 
 
Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Fund’s annual/semi-annual reports. For more information see Appendix A.
 
10   Percent of total assets (italic type)
10   Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objective and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
       Research
Select
Fund

Investment Practices
 
Borrowings      33 1 /3
 
Custodial Receipts     
 
Equity Swaps*      15
 
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts      Ÿ
 
Investment Company Securities (including exchange-traded funds)      10
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 1      Ÿ
 
Repurchase Agreements      Ÿ
 
Securities Lending      33 1 /3
 
Short Sales Against the Box      25
 
Unseasoned Companies      Ÿ
 
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights      Ÿ
 
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments      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
The Fund may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
 
OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
 
 
10   Percent of total assets (italic type)
10   Percent of net assets (roman type)
Ÿ
No specific percentage limitation on usage;
limited only by the objective and
strategies of the Fund
Not permitted
 
       Research
Select
Fund

Investment Securities
 
American and Global Depositary Receipts       
 
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities       
 
Bank Obligations 2      Ÿ  
 
Convertible Securities 3      Ÿ  
 
Corporate Debt Obligations 2      Ÿ  
 
Equity Securities      90 +
 
Emerging Country Securities       
 
Fixed Income Securities      Ÿ  
 
Foreign Issuers      Ÿ  
 
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities       
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)      Ÿ  
 
Structured Securities *      Ÿ  
 
Temporary Investments      100  
 
U.S. Government Securities 2      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.
2
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities. Cash equivalents only.
3
The Fund has no minimum rating criteria.
 
Principal Risks of the Fund
 
Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Fund and may result in a loss of your investment. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
 
 
INVESTMENT RISKS
 
 
     Research
Select
Fund
Ÿ  Applicable

U.S. Select List    Ÿ
 
Stock    Ÿ
 
Credit/Default    Ÿ
 
Foreign    Ÿ
 
Derivatives    Ÿ
 
Interest Rate    Ÿ
 
Management    Ÿ
 
Market    Ÿ
 
Liquidity    Ÿ
 
Small Cap    Ÿ

 
n  
U.S. Select List Risk—The Fund invests principally in securities included in the U.S. Select List, which comprises approximately 25 to 35 stocks. As a result of the small universe of stocks in which the Fund generally invests, it may be subject to greater risks than would a more diversified fund.
 
  
Price returns reported for the U.S. Select List do not predict or reflect the future results of the U.S. Select List or the Fund. In addition, unlike the Fund, the securities included in the U.S. Select List constitute only a “paper portfolio” that does not reflect actual trading and does not have an actual performance record.
 
  
Although the Goldman Sachs U.S. Stock Selection Committee periodically makes subjective decisions to add or delete companies for the U.S. Select List, the list is not compiled with any particular client or product in mind and is not (and will not be) compiled with the Fund in mind. The Global Investment Research Division could at any time cease publishing the U.S. Select List . In that event, the Board of Trustees will make a determination on how to proceed in the best interest of shareholders of the Fund, consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. Goldman Sachs publishes similar lists of recommended securities that may be appropriate for shareholders of the Fund but which will not be used by the Investment Adviser for the Fund at this time.
 
The Fund’s purchases and sales for its portfolio will be affected by market conditions following the publication of changes to the U.S. Select List and will be subject to competing orders by Goldman Sachs clients who invest in the securities included on the list.
 
The activities of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may occasionally limit the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities included in the U.S. Select List. The U.S. Select List is also subject to restrictions related to Goldman Sachs’ other businesses. In addition, certain securities may or may not appear on the U.S. Select List or may or may not be removed from the list due to legal restrictions applicable to, or other business concerns of, Goldman Sachs. An investor should understand that these concerns will generally not be related to whether a particular security on the list or a security not on the list is an attractive investment opportunity.
 
As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs provides a wide range of financial services to issuers of securities and investors in securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in and affect transactions in, securities of companies included in the U.S. Select List and may also perform or seek to perform financial services for those companies. Within the last three years, Goldman Sachs or its affiliates may have managed or co-managed public security offerings for companies included in the U.S. Select List, and they or their employees may have a long or short position on holdings in the securities, or options on securities, or other related investments of companies included in the U.S. Select List.
 
The Fund’s ability to invest in particular securities included in the U.S. Select List may be limited by the diversification and other restrictions imposed on it as a registered mutual fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”).
 
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  
Credit/Default Risk—The risk that an issuer or guarantor of fixed-income securities held by the Fund may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
n  
Foreign Risk—The risk that when the Fund invests in foreign issuers, 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.
n  
Derivatives Risk—The risk that loss may result from the 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 the Fund.
n  
Interest Rate Risk—The risk that when interest rates increase, fixed-income securities held by the Fund will decline in value.
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 the 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. The 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 the 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. Because the Fund may invest in small capitalization stocks and REITs, the Fund 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.
n
Small Cap Stock 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 the Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price.
 
More information about the Fund’s portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.
 
 
Fund Performance
 
HOW THE FUND HAS PERFORMED
 
The Fund commenced operations on June 19, 2000. Since the Fund has less than one calendar year’s performance, no performance information is provided in this section.
 
 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Class A, B and C Shares)
 
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Class A, Class B, or Class C Shares of the Fund.
 
       Research Select 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      0.25%        1.00%        1.00%  
Other Expenses 7      0.80%        0.80%        0.80%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*      2.05%        2.80%        2.80%  

See page 11 for all other footnotes.
 
 *
As a result of current expense limitations, the estimated “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.
 
       Research Select 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      0.25%      1.00%      1.00%
Other Expenses 7      0.25%      0.25%      0.25%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current
expense limitations)
     1.50%      2.25%      2.25%

 
 
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
 
 
1  
The maximum sales charge is a percentage of the offering price. A contingent deferred sales charge (“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 Fund’s operating expenses for the current fiscal year have been estimated.
7  
Estimated “Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees equal to 0.19% of the average daily net assets of the 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 “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 percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets:
 
Fund    Other
Expenses

Research Select    0.06%
 
 
 
 
Example
The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund (without the expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Class A, B or C Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
 
Fund      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years

Research Select
Class A Shares      $747      $1,157      N/A      N/A
Class B Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $783      $1,168      N/A      N/A
    – Assuming no redemption      $283      $  868      N/A      N/A
Class C Shares
    – Assuming complete redemption at end of period      $383      $  868      N/A      N/A
    – Assuming no redemption      $283      $  868      N/A      N/A

 
The hypothetical example assumes that a CDSC will not apply to redemptions of Class A Shares within the first 18 months.
 
Certain institutions that sell Fund shares and/or their salespersons may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “What Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Authorized Dealer?”
 
 
Service Providers
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
 
Investment Adviser      Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“GSAM”)      Research Select
32 Old Slip     
New York, New York 10005     
      

 
GSAM is a business unit of the Investment Management Division (“IMD”) of Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs registered as an investment adviser in 1981. As of September 30, 2000, GSAM, along with other units of IMD, had assets under management of $281.3 billion.
 
The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day investment management services regarding the Fund’s portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Fund and places purchase and sale orders for the Fund’s portfolio transactions in U.S. markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs.
 
The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Fund:
n  
Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Fund
n  
Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Fund
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 the 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 fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate listed below (as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets):
 
       Contractual Rate      Actual Rate for the
Fiscal Period Ended
August 31, 2000

Research Select      1.00%      1.00%

 
The Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its advisory fee from time to time, and may discontinue any voluntary waiver at any time at its discretion.
 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
FUND MANAGERS
 
Robert B. Litterman, Ph.D., a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs, is the co-developer, along with the late Fischer Black, of the Black-Litterman Global Asset Allocation Model, a key tool in IMD’s asset allocation process. As Director of Quantitative Resources, Dr. Litterman oversees Quantitative Equities, the Quantitative Strategies Group, the Investment Performance & Valuation Oversight Group, and the Client Research Groups. In total, these groups include over 120 professionals. Prior to moving to IMD, Dr. Litterman was the head of the Firmwide Risk department of Goldman Sachs since becoming a Partner in 1994. Preceding his time in the Operations, Technology & Finance Division, Dr. Litterman spent eight years in the Fixed Income Division’s research department where he was co-director of the research and model development group.
 
Quantitative Equity Team
n
A stable and growing team supported by an extensive internal staff
n
Access to the research ideas of Goldman Sachs’ renowned Global Investment Research Department
n
More than $34 billion in equities currently under management
n
Proprietary research on quantitative models and tax-advantaged strategies
 

Quantitative Equity Team
 
Name and Title    Fund Responsibility    Years
Primarily
Responsible
   Five Year Employment History

Melissa Brown
Managing Director
Product Manager for
Quantitative Equities
   Senior Portfolio Manager —
Research Select
   Since
2000
   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.

Robert C. Jones
Managing Director
Head of Quantitative
Equities
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Research Select
   Since
2000
   Mr. Jones joined the
Investment Adviser as a portfolio
manager in 1989.

Victor H. Pinter
Vice President
Head of Portfolio
Construction
   Senior Portfolio Manager—
Research Select
   Since
2000
   Mr. Pinter joined the
Investment Adviser as a research
analyst in 1989. He became a
portfolio manager in 1992.

 
 
 
 
DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT
 
Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of the Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6372, also serves as the Fund’s 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 Fund. 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 the Fund or limit the 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 Fund and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Fund. 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 Fund. The results of the Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and it is possible that the 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 Fund may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which other clients of Goldman Sachs have an adverse interest. The 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.
 
 
SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
 
APPROACH TO INVESTMENT RESEARCH
 
In providing its investment management services for the Fund, the Investment Adviser invests in equity securities that are included in the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division’s U.S. Select List. Goldman Sachs is a leading, full service global investment banking and securities firm. The firm’s Global Investment Research Division provides far-reaching and comprehensive analysis and commentary on portfolio strategy, economics, industries and companies. For over two decades, Goldman Sachs has committed the resources on a global scale to develop an industry-leading position for the firm’s investment research products.
 
Goldman Sachs has achieved worldwide recognition for its value-added research products. The Global Investment Research Division has a well-regarded staff of approximately 900 professionals including more than 300 equity analysts, 25 global research teams, and 12 portfolio strategists, covering approximately 2400 companies, over 50 economies and over 25 stock markets.
 
The U.S. Stock Selection Committee comprises approximately twelve senior professionals, including the head of Global Investment Research and the Director of U.S. Investment Research, as well as a senior market strategist, an economist, and sector specialists.
 
 
Dividends
 
The 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 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 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.
 
Dividends from investment company taxable income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid as follows:
 
Fund      Investment
Income
Dividends
     Capital Gains
Distributions

Research Select      Annually      Annually

 
From time to time a portion of the Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital.
 
At the time of an investor’s purchase of shares of the Fund, a portion of the net asset value (“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.
 
Shareholder Guide
 
The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Fund’s shares.
 
HOW TO BUY SHARES
 
How Can I Purchase Class A, Class B And Class C Shares Of The Fund?
You may purchase shares of the Fund through:
n  
Goldman Sachs;
n  
Authorized Dealers; or
n  
Directly from Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”).
 
In order to make an initial investment in the 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”) (the Fund’s custodian). Please call the Fund at 1-800-526-7384 to get detailed instructions on how to wire your money.
 
 
 
 
What Is My Minimum Investment In The Fund?
 
     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 Fund offers three classes of shares through this Prospectus.
 
 
         

Maximum Amount You Can      Class A      No limit

Buy In The Aggregate      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).
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
   
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 the 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 the Fund.

n  
Close the Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen the Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by the 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 Fund may allow you to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with the 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 the 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 Fund’s 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 Fund receives your order in proper form, plus any applicable sales charge.
n    
When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives 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.
 
In addition, the impact of events that occur after the publication of market quotations used by the Fund to price its securities (for example, in foreign markets), but before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange will nor mally not be reflected in the 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 the 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 Fund 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 Fund 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.
 
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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 Fund 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 Fund’s 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 Funds. 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 the Fund will automatically convert into Class A Shares of the Fund at the end of the calendar quarter that is eight years after the purchase date.
 
If you acquire Class B Shares of the 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 Fund is advised that such conversions may constitute taxable events for federal tax purposes, which the Fund believes 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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 Fund reserves 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, the 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 Fund?
You may arrange to take money out of your account by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. The 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
 
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 by check to your address of record 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 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    
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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
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 earlier redemptions. The Fund 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 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. 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 the 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 Fund or any other Goldman Sachs Fund
n  
Class C Shares—Class C Shares of the 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 capital gains tax as a result of a redemption. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of a redemption and reinvestment.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
Can I Exchange My Investment From One Fund To Another?
You may exchange shares of the 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 Fund 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 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 the Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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 From The Fund Be Invested In Other Funds?
You may elect to cross-reinvest dividends paid by the 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 the 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 the 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 Fund will begin sending individual copies to you within 30 days after receipt of your revocation.
 
The Fund does not generally provide sub-accounting services.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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 the 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 Fund 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    
The 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 Fund 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 Fund, to selected Authorized Dealers and other persons in connection with the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Fund 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 the Fund for distribution services equal, on an annual basis, to 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.75%, respectively, of the 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.
 
SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
 
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 the Fund’s average daily net assets attributed to
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 Fund. 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.
 
Taxation
 
 
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund 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 Fund.
 
Unless your investment is in 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 Fund 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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s dividends paid to corporate shareholders may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. The Fund will inform shareholders of the character and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.
 
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. In general, the Fund may deduct these taxes in computing its taxable income.
 
If you buy shares of the 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.”
 
TAXATION
 
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 long-term capital gain dividends that were received on the shares.
 
RETIREMENT PLANS
 
The one major exception to these tax principles is that distributions on, and sales, exchanges and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
When you open your account, you should provide your social security or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, the 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.
 
Appendix A
    
Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and Techniques
    
A.    General Portfolio Risks
 
The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with equity securities. “Equity securities” may 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 the 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 Fund 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 the Fund invests in fixed-income securities, the Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk and credit risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase. 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 the Fund will not recover its investment.
 
The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for the Fund. Trading to keep the Fund’s portfolio holdings consistent with, and equally weighted among, the securities in the U.S. Select List may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by the 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 the Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
 
The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, 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 the investment objective, 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 the Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether the 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. The 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 particular 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, the 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 Issuers. The Fund may invest in foreign issuers. Foreign issuers involve special risks that are not typically associated with 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 compa nies than in the United States. The securities 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), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets, and political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could affect the Fund’s investments.
 
Risks of Derivative Investments. The Fund’s transactions in options, futures, options on futures, swaps and structured securities 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 or interest rates. The 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. The 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
Securities that are not readily marketable
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 the 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 Fund may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instru mentalities and sponsored enterprises), domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.
 
Temporary Investment Risks. The 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 the 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 Fund, including their associated risks. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.
 
Structured Securities. The 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 securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.
 
REITs. The 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. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices. 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. The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which it may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest.
 
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 markets. If the Investment 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 the Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase the Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Fund may be traded on U.S. exchanges or over-the-counter. 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 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), securities indices, and other financial instruments and indices. The Fund may engage in futures transactions on U.S. exchanges.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
 
The 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 or securities prices. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The 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. The 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 the Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates or securities prices 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 the Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.
n
The loss incurred by the 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 the 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 the Fund.
n
Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.
 
Equity Swaps. The 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 the 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, the 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, the Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, the Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.
 
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase when-issued securities and enter into forward commitments. 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 or 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 the Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, the 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. The 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, the 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, the 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. The Fund, 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.
 
APPENDIX A
 
 
 
Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by the 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 the 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 the Fund (including the loan collateral).
 
The Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. The Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities or a capital loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund.
 
Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. The 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. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Act. These limitations include a prohibition on the Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of the 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. The 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 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 TM . The Fund may, consistent with its 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®.
 
Unseasoned Companies. The 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. The 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. The 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. The 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 (such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”)); or (d) only the credit of the issuer.
 
Borrowings. The 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. The Fund may not make additional investments if borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.
 
Short Sales Against-the-Box. The Fund 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.
 
Appendix B
    
Financial Highlights
    
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance from its commencement (June 19, 2000) to August 31, 2000. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information for the period ended August 31, 2000 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report (available upon request).
 
RESEARCH SELECT FUND
 
 
              Income from
investment operations

      
 
       Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
     Net
investment
loss(c)
     Net realized
and unrealized
gain
     Total from
investment
operations

For the Period Ended August 31,  
2000 - Class A Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      $10.00      $(0.02 )      $0.79      $0.77
 
2000 - Class B Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.04 )      0.80      0.76
 
2000 - Class C Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.04 )      0.81        0.77
 
2000 - Institutional Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.01 )      0.79      0.78
 
2000 - Service Shares (commenced June 19, 2000)      10.00      (0.02 )      0.80        0.78

 
 
(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.
 
APPENDIX B
 
 
 
                         Ratios assuming
no expense reductions

    
 
Net asset
value, end
of period
   Total
return(a)
   Net assets
at end of
period
(in 000s)
   Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets(b)
   Ratio of
net investment
loss to average
net assets(b)
   Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets(b)
   Ratio of
net investment
loss to average
net assets(b)
   Portfolio
turnover
rate

 
 
 $10.77    7.70 %    $217,861    1.50 %    (1.04 )%    2.05 %    (1.59 )%    5.04 %
 
 10.76    7.60      201,437    2.25      (1.79 )    2.80      (2.34 )    5.04  
 
 10.77    7.70    96,393    2.25      (1.78 )    2.80      (2.33 )    5.04  
 
 10.78    7.80      12,677    1.10      (0.50 )    1.65      (1.05 )    5.04  
 
 10.78    7.70      12    1.60      (1.13 )    2.15      (1.68 )    5.04  

 
 
Appendix C
    
Prior Price Returns of the U.S. Select List
    
U.S. Select List
 
As mentioned in “Fund Investment Objective and Strategies,” the U.S. Select List was introduced on September 9, 1998 and comprises approximately 25 to 35 stocks that the Goldman Sachs U.S. Stock Selection Committee expects, as a portfolio, to outperform its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index, over the next twelve to eighteen months. The U.S. Select List changes regularly. While the companies on the list generally have been relatively large U.S. companies, the list is not restricted to those types of companies. It is expected that, under normal market conditions, the quarterly performance of the Fund, before expenses, will track the price return of the U.S. Select List within a .90 correlation coefficient.
 
The Fund’s portfolio management team does not have access to information regarding additions or deletions for the U.S. Select List prior to their publication. Goldman Sachs publishes other lists of recommended securities that could be appropriate for Fund investors but that are not used by the Fund’s portfolio management team.
 
The chart below reflects historical information regarding the U.S. Select List. The U.S. Select List is not maintained for the purpose of managing any account or investment company such as the Fund. The number of stocks on the U.S. Select List and the frequency of additions to and deletions from the U.S. Select List change from time to time. The stocks included in the U.S. Select List constitute only a “paper portfolio” that does not reflect actual trading and does not have an actual performance record. The U.S. Select List’s price return does not represent the return on any fund or any other account that involves actual trading. The price returns are not indicative of the returns on any fund or account because, among other things, they do not reflect actual prices when stocks are purchased or sold, transaction costs and account fees. In addition, because the U.S. Select List does not include a cash component, price returns are based on a constant 100% investment in the stocks on the U.S. Select List. Also, the information below does not reflect the impact that the Investment Adviser’s portfolio management decisions and techniques may have on performance. Further, the actual performance of the Fund may differ from that of the U.S. Select List because of time delays between when a stock is added to or removed from the list and when it is bought or sold for the Fund. Investors should not consider this price return information as a substitute for, or an indication of, future performance of the Research Select Fund or the Investment Adviser. Finally, past price returns of the U.S. Select List are not representative of future price returns of the list.
 
 
       9/9/98
(inception)
to
12/31/98
     1/1/99
to
12/31/99
     1/1/00
to
10/31/00
     9/9/98
(inception)
to
10/31/00

U.S. Select List Stock Price Return*      37.57%      33.81%      18.1%      117.5%
S&P 500® Index Price Return**      22.73%      21.06%      -1.8%      45.9%

 
 *
The results for the U.S. Select List portfolio represent an equal-weighted arithmetic average of the stocks held at any point during the month. The results are calculated monthly using each stock’s capital appreciation or depreciation during the period that it is on the U.S. Select List and dividing that by the highest number of stocks that were on the U.S. Select List at any point during the month. Prior to June 1999, the divisor was the time-weighted number of stocks on the list for the specified period. The results are calculated using the prices of the stocks at the close of trading of the stock market one full day after the stock was added to the U.S. Select List (e.g., if the stock was added on the afternoon of 5/5, the recorded price is at the close on 5/6). The results do not reflect the execution of actual purchases or sales, and there is no guarantee that a mutual fund following the U.S. Select List would be able to execute purchases and sales at the prices used to calculate the price returns. Because the U.S. Select List is a paper portfolio that is not managed to a target number of stocks, no “ re-balancing” of actual investments is done when stocks are added to or deleted from the U.S. Select List. Price returns are based on 100% investment in the stocks on the U.S. Select List.
 
         Price returns are calculated to include the price return plus dividends for the stock during the month in which they are paid without being reinvested into the security. They do not reflect the market impact on the stock prices that may occur between the time the publication is made of additions to and deletions from the U.S. Select List and the time a mutual fund following the U.S. Select List would be able to execute purchases and sales. They also do not reflect transaction fees, such as commissions, fees and interest charges, or the costs of running a mutual fund, such as management fees, distribution fees and other expenses. They do not reflect the impact that an investment adviser’s portfolio management decisions and techniques may have on a mutual fund’s returns. Actual transactions and the effect of dividends, fees and costs will result in returns that differ from those of the U.S. Select List.
 
**
The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index containing common stocks of 500 industrial, transportation, utility and financial companies, regarded as generally representative of the U.S. stock market. The S&P 500® Index performance numbers shown are price returns reflecting the reinvestment of dividends. They do not reflect fees, brokerage commissions or other costs of investing that are not incurred by an index.
 
 
Index
 
1    General Investment
Management Approach
 
2    Fund Investment Objective
and Strategies
 
     2    Goldman Sachs Research
Select Fund
 
4    Other Investment Practices
and Securities
 
6    Principal Risks of the Fund
 
9    Fund Performance
 
10    Fund Fees and Expenses
 
13    Service Providers
 
     17    Approach to Investment
Research
 
18    Dividends
 
19    Shareholder Guide
 
     19    How To Buy Shares
 
     28    How To Sell Shares
 
 
40    Taxation
 
42    Appendix A
Additional Information on
Portfolio Risks, Securities
and Techniques
 
52    Appendix B
Financial Highlights
 
54    Appendix C
Prior Price Returns of the
U.S. Select List
 
 
 
 
Research Select Fund
Prospectus (Class A, B and C Shares)
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION
 
Annual/Semi-annual Report
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.
 
Statement of Additional Information
Additional information about the Fund and its policies is also available in the Fund’s Additional Statement. The Additional Statement is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
 
The Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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 Goldman Sachs Research Select Fund SM is a service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
The Fund’s investment company registration number is 811-5349.
 
516432
RESPROABC


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