Filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 1, 1998.
File No. 33-22059
File No. 811-5565
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 11
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
AMENDMENT No. 13
Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (617) 295-
2567
Thomas F. McDonough
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
on November 1, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
X on November 1, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
on ________________________ pursuant to paragraph
(a)(ii) of Rule 485
If appropriate, check the following:
this post-effective amendment designates a new
effective date for a previously filed post-
effective amendment
<PAGE>
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
SCUDDER GOLD FUND
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
Items Required by Form N-1A
PART A
Item No. Item Caption Prospectus Caption
1. Cover Page COVER PAGE
2. Synopsis EXPENSE INFORMATION
3. Condensed FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Financial
Information
4. General INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
Description of WHY INVEST IN THE FUND?
Registrant ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
POLICIES AND INVESTMENTS
RISK FACTORS
FUND ORGANIZATION
5. Management of A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
the Fund FUND ORGANIZATION-Investment
adviser and Transfer agent
SHAREHOLDER BENEFITS-A Team
Approach to Investing
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
5A. Management's NOT APPLICABLE
Discussion of
Fund Performance
6. Capital Stock DISTRIBUTION AND PERFORMANCE
and Other INFORMATION-Dividends and
Securities capital gains distributions
FUND ORGANIZATION
TRANSACTION INFORMATION-Tax
information
SHAREHOLDER BENEFITS-SAILT-Scudder
Automated Information Line,
Dividend reinvestment plan, T.D.D.
service for the hearing impaired
HOW TO CONTACT SCUDDER
7. Purchase of PURCHASES
Securities Being FUND ORGANIZATION-Underwriter
Offered TRANSACTION INFORMATION-Purchasing
shares, Share price, Processing
time, Minimum balances, Third
party transactions
SHAREHOLDER BENEFITS-Dividend
reinvestment plan
SCUDDER TAX-ADVANTAGED RETIREMENT
PLANS
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
8. Redemption or EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS
Repurchase TRANSACTION INFORMATION-Redeeming
shares, Tax identification
number, Minimum balances
1
<PAGE>
SCUDDER GOLD FUND
(continued)
9. Pending Legal NOT APPLICABLE
Proceedings
PART B
Caption in Statement of
Item No. Item Caption Additional Information
10. Cover Page COVER PAGE
11. Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS
12. General FUND ORGANIZATION
Information and
History
13. Investment THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
Objectives and AND POLICIES
Policies PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS - Brokerage
Commissions, Portfolio Turnover
14. Management of the INVESTMENT ADVISER
Fund DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
REMUNERATION
15. Control Persons DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
and Principal
Holders of
Securities
16. Investment INVESTMENT ADVISER
Advisory and DISTRIBUTOR
Other Services ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-Experts,
Other Information
17. Brokerage PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS - Brokerage
Allocation and Commissions, Portfolio Turnover
Other Practices
18. Capital Stock and FUND ORGANIZATION
Other Securities DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS
DISTRIBUTIONS
19. Purchase, PURCHASES
Redemption and EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS
Pricing of FEATURES AND SERVICES OFFERED BY
Securities Being THE FUND-Dividend and Capital
Offered Gain Distribution Options
SPECIAL PLAN ACCOUNTS
NET ASSET VALUE
20. Tax Status DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS
DISTRIBUTIONS
TAXES
21. Underwriters DISTRIBUTOR
22. Calculation of PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Performance Data
23. Financial FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements
2
<PAGE>
This prospectus sets forth concisely the information about Scudder Gold Fund, a
non-diversified series of Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc., an open-end management
investment company, that a prospective investor should know before investing.
Please retain it for future reference.
If you require more detailed information, a Statement of Additional Information
dated November 1, 1998, as amended from time to time, may be obtained without
charge by writing Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Two International Place,
Boston, MA 02110-4103 or calling 1-800-225-2470. The Statement, which is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus, has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and is available along with other related
materials on the SEC's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Contents--see page 4.
- -------------------------------
NOT FDIC- MAY LOSE VALUE
INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE
- -------------------------------
Scudder
Gold
Fund
Prospectus
November 1, 1998
A pure no-load(TM) (no sales charges) mutual fund series which seeks maximum
return consistent with investing primarily in a portfolio of gold-related equity
securities and gold.
<PAGE>
Expense information
How to compare a Scudder Family of Funds pure no-load(TM) fund
This information is designed to help you understand the various costs and
expenses of investing in Scudder Gold Fund (the "Fund").* By reviewing this
table and those in other mutual funds' prospectuses, you can compare the Fund's
fees and expenses with those of other funds. With Scudder's pure no-load(TM)
funds, you pay no commissions to purchase or redeem shares, or to exchange from
one fund to another. As a result, all of your investment goes to work for you.
[THE ENTIRE TABLE FOLLOWING IS TO BE UPDATED]
1) Shareholder transaction expenses: Expenses charged directly to your
individual account in the Fund for various transactions.
Sales commissions to purchase shares (sales load) NONE
Commissions to reinvest dividends NONE
Redemption fees NONE**
Fees to exchange shares NONE
2) Annual Fund operating expenses: Expenses paid by the Fund before it
distributes its net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the
Fund's average daily net assets for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998.
Investment management fee 1.00%
12b-1 fees NONE
Other expenses ____%
----
Total Fund operating expenses ____%
====
Example
Based on the level of total Fund operating expenses listed above, the total
expenses relating to a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return and
redemption at the end of each period, are listed below. Investors do not pay
these expenses directly; they are paid by the Fund before it distributes its
net investment income to shareholders. (As noted above, the Fund has no
redemption fees of any kind.)
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
------ ------- ------- --------
$-- $-- $-- $--
See "Fund organization--Investment adviser" for further information about the
investment management fee. This example assumes reinvestment of all dividends
and distributions and that the percentage amounts listed under "Annual Fund
operating expenses" remain the same each year. This example should not be
considered a representation of past or future expenses or return. Actual Fund
expenses and return vary from year to year and may be higher or lower than
those shown.
* This information also includes expenses of a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc., the capital of which is limited to 25% of the
Fund's assets. (See "Investment objective and policies--Investments.")
** You may redeem by writing or calling the Fund. If you wish to receive
redemption proceeds via wire, there is a $5 wire service fee. For additional
information, please refer to "Transaction information--Redeeming shares."
2
<PAGE>
Financial highlights
The following table includes selected consolidated data for a share
outstanding throughout each period and other performance information derived
from the audited financial statements. If you would like more detailed
information concerning the Fund's performance, a complete portfolio listing
and audited financial statements are available in the Fund's Annual Report
dated June 30, 1998 which may be obtained without charge by writing or calling
Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(commencement
Years Ended June 30, of operations)
to June 30,
1997(a) 1996(a) 1995(a) 1994(a) 1993(a) 1992(a) 1991 1990 1989
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
period ....................... $15.34 $12.86 $12.64 $12.13 $ 9.19 $ 9.87 $10.21 $10.58 $12.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment
operations: .................. (.08) (.09) (.08) (.10) (.08) (.12) (.04) .07 (.06)
Net investment income (loss)
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investment
transactions ................. (2.12) 4.28 1.02 .85 3.02 (.56) (.30) (.34) (1.36)
Total from investment ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
operations ................... (2.20) 4.19 .94 .75 2.94 (.68) (.34) (.27) (1.42)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
From net investment income ...... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (.01) --
In excess of net investment
income ....................... (2.39) (1.08) (.25) (.24) -- -- -- -- --
From net realized gains on
investment transactions ...... (.26) (.63) (.47) -- -- -- -- (.03) --
From paid-in capital ............ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (.06) --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions ............. (2.65) (1.71) (.72) (.24) -- -- -- (.10) --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period .. $10.49 $15.34 $12.86 $12.64 $12.13 $ 9.19 $ 9.87 $10.21 $10.58
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return (%) ................ -17.72 36.91 7.50 6.35 31.99 (6.89)(c) (3.33)(c) (2.71)(c) (11.83)(c)**
Ratios and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period
($ millions) ................. 164 173 126 130 90 31 33 17 9
Ratio of operating expenses to
average net assets (%) ....... 1.60 1.50 1.65 1.69 2.17 2.54 2.54 2.60 3.00*
Ratio of operating expenses
before expense reductions,
to average daily net
assets (%) ................... 1.60 1.50 1.65 1.69 2.17 2.57 2.82 3.74 6.59*
Ratio of net investment income
(loss) to average net
assets (%) ................... (.62) (.61) (.69) (.81) (.81) (1.34) (.59) .34 (1.06)*
Portfolio turnover rate (%) ..... 38.9 29.7 42.0 50.8 59.2 57.5 71.4 80.6 34.5*
Average commission rate
paid (b) ..................... $.0213 $.0309 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
</TABLE>
(a) Based on monthly average shares outstanding during the period.
(b) Average commission rate paid per share of common and preferred stocks is
calculated for fiscal years ending on or after June 30, 1997.
(c) Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized ** Not annualized
3
<PAGE>
A message from the President
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., investment adviser to the Scudder Family of
Funds, is one of the largest and most experienced investment management
organizations worldwide, managing more than $200 billion in assets globally for
mutual fund investors, retirement and pension plans, institutional and corporate
clients, and private family and individual accounts. It is one of the ten
largest mutual fund companies in the U.S.
We offered America's first no-load mutual fund in 1928, and today the Scudder
Family of Funds includes over 50 no-load mutual fund portfolios or classes of
shares. We also manage the mutual funds in a special program for the American
Association of Retired Persons, as well as the fund options available through
Scudder Horizon Plan, a tax-advantaged variable annuity. We also advise The
Japan Fund, and numerous other open- and closed-end funds that invest in this
country and other countries around the world.
The Scudder Family of Funds is designed to make investing easy and less costly.
It includes money market, tax free, income and growth funds as well as IRAs,
401(k)s, Keoghs and other retirement plans.
Services available to shareholders include toll-free access to professional
representatives, easy exchange among the Scudder Family of Funds, shareholder
reports, informative newsletters and the walk-in convenience of Scudder Investor
Centers.
Funds or fund classes in the Scudder Family of Funds are offered without
commissions to purchase or redeem shares or to exchange from one fund to
another. There are no 12b-1 fees either, which many other funds now charge to
support their marketing efforts. All of your investment goes to work for you. We
look forward to welcoming you as a shareholder.
Scudder Gold Fund
Investment objective
o maximum return consistent with investing primarily in a portfolio of
gold-related equity securities and gold
Investment characteristics
o convenient and cost-effective way to broaden an investment portfolio
o opportunity to participate in possible increases in the price of gold
Investors in the Fund must be willing to accept above-average risk and should
not consider the Fund a complete investment program.
Contents
Investment objective and policies 5
Why invest in the Fund? 6
Additional information about policies
and investments 7
Risk factors 9
Distribution and performance information 12
Fund organization 12
Transaction information 14
Shareholder benefits 17
Purchases 20
Exchanges and redemptions 21
Directors and Officers 23
Investment products and services 24
How to contact Scudder 25
4
<PAGE>
Investment objective and policies
Investment objective
Scudder Gold Fund (the "Fund"), a non-diversified series of Scudder Mutual
Funds, Inc. (the "Corporation"), seeks maximum return (principal change and
income) consistent with investing in a portfolio of gold-related equity
securities and gold. When making portfolio investments, the Fund will emphasize
the potential for growth of the proposed investment, although it may also
consider the income generating capacity of a stock as one factor among others in
evaluating investment opportunities.
Although the Fund is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the "1940 Act"), it is designed as a convenient and cost-effective means for
investors to provide diversity to their investments and to participate in
possible increases in the price of gold. Investors in the Fund must be willing
to accept above-average risk compared to that available from larger companies
such as those in the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index. Investors should not
consider the Fund a complete investment program.
Except as otherwise indicated, the Fund's investment objective and policies are
not fundamental and may be changed without a vote of shareholders. If there is a
change in investment objective, shareholders should consider whether the Fund
remains an appropriate investment in light of their then current financial
position and needs. There can be no assurance that the Fund's objective will be
met.
Investments
The Fund pursues its objective primarily through a portfolio of gold-related
investments. Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the Fund's total
assets will be invested in:
o equity securities (defined as common stock, investment-grade preferred stock
and debt securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for common
stock) of U.S. and foreign companies primarily engaged in the exploration,
mining, fabrication, processing or distribution of gold,
o gold bullion, and
o gold coins.
A company will be considered "primarily engaged" in a business or an activity if
it devotes or derives at least 50% of its assets, revenues and/or operating
earnings from that business or activity.
The remaining 35% of the Fund's assets may be invested in any precious metals
other than gold; in equity securities of companies engaged in activities
primarily relating to precious metals and minerals other than gold; in
investment-grade debt securities, including zero coupon bonds, of companies
engaged in activities relating to gold or other precious metals and minerals;
warrants; and in certain debt securities, a portion of the return on which is
indexed to the price of precious metals and money market instruments. In
addition, the Fund may make short sales against the box, engage in securities
lending and strategic transactions, which may include derivatives, enter into
repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and may invest in illiquid
securities.
Investment-grade preferred stock and debt securities are securities rated Baa or
higher by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or BBB or higher by
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"), or, if unrated, are deemed by the Fund's
investment adviser, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser"), to be of
equivalent quality.
Up to 10% of the Fund's total assets may be invested directly in gold, silver,
platinum and palladium bullion and in gold and silver coins. In addition, the
Fund's assets may be invested in wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Corporation
5
<PAGE>
that invest in gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion and in gold and
silver coins (see "Risk factors--Precious metals").
When deemed appropriate by the Adviser, the Fund may temporarily invest up to
30% of its assets to maintain liquidity. For temporary defensive purposes, the
Fund may vary from its investment policies during periods when the Adviser
determines that it is advisable to do so because of conditions in the securities
markets or other economic or political conditions. During such periods, the Fund
may hold without limit cash, high quality cash equivalents (including foreign
money market instruments, such as bankers' acceptances, certificates of deposit,
commercial paper, short-term government and corporate obligations, and
repurchase agreements), obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,
its agencies or instrumentalities ("Government Securities"), and domestic
repurchase agreements. The Fund may also, for hedging purposes, invest up to 10%
of its assets in foreign currencies in the form of bank deposits (see "Risk
factors"). It is impossible to accurately predict how long such alternative
strategies may be utilized. To the extent the Fund holds cash or is not invested
in securities used to pursue its investment objective, the Fund will not achieve
its investment objective.
How investments are selected
The Adviser considers a variety of factors when making investments in securities
related to gold and other precious metals. Some of these factors may include the
ore quality of metals mined by a company, the company's mining, processing and
fabricating costs and techniques, and the quantity of unmined reserves. Other
factors that may be evaluated include a company's financial condition, potential
development of property, capital spending plans, quality of management, nature
of any affiliations, current and prospective tax liability, labor relations and
marketability of a company's equity or debt securities.
Bullion and coins in which the Fund invests will be bought from and sold to
institutions such as U.S. and foreign banks, regulated U.S. commodities
exchanges, exchanges affiliated with a regulated U.S. stock exchange, and
dealers who are members of, or affiliated with, a regulated U.S. commodities
exchange and who are qualified to provide an accepted certification of purity.
Coins will be purchased for their metallic value and not for their currency or
numismatic value. While bullion and coins do not generate income and may subject
the Fund to certain taxes, insurance, shipping and storage costs, the Adviser
believes that such investments could serve to moderate fluctuations in the value
of the Fund's shares. Historically, prices of precious metals have tended not to
fluctuate as widely as shares of companies engaged in precious metals-related
businesses.
The Fund generally invests in equity securities of established companies listed
on U.S. or foreign securities exchanges but may also invest in securities traded
over-the-counter. Investments include companies of varying size as measured by
assets, sales or capitalization. The Fund may invest in certain closed-end
investment companies holding foreign securities in accordance with the
limitations of the 1940 Act.
Why invest in the Fund?
The Fund is designed as a convenient and cost-effective means for investors to
provide diversity to their investment holdings and to participate in possible
long-term increases in the value of gold. By owning shares of the Fund,
investors can benefit from a professionally managed portfolio of gold and other
precious metals-related investments.
An investment in the Fund may appeal to both individuals and institutions for a
variety of reasons. First, gold can offer the potential for a return higher than
other investments for the long-term investor willing to accept above-average
6
<PAGE>
risk. Although gold bullion normally provides no current income, in certain
periods, precious metals such as gold have generated capital returns (capital
change) that compare favorably with the total returns (capital change plus
income) of other more traditional types of investments, such as common stocks.
In 1969, central banks abandoned fixing the private market price of gold at $35
per ounce. Since then, gold as a tangible asset has not moved in close
correlation with other financial assets. Gold has been viewed as a hedge against
inflation, making it a potentially effective means for protecting the purchasing
power of long-term savings. Investors have also purchased gold investments to
diversify an existing portfolio of stocks, bonds and money market investments.
Investors may consider allocating some portion of their assets to gold or other
precious metals, thereby potentially reducing the volatility of their overall
investment portfolio. Investing in shares of the Fund is not intended to provide
a complete investment program for an investor, but should be considered part of
an overall investment plan.
In addition, investing directly in gold and gold related securities can be
expensive and inconvenient for many individuals. The Adviser is responsible for
all phases of investment research and portfolio management, as well as
acquiring, storing and insuring all direct precious metals holdings.
Additional information about policies and investments
Investment restrictions
The Fund has certain investment restrictions which are designed to reduce the
Fund's investment risk. Fundamental investment restrictions may not be changed
without a vote of shareholders; non-fundamental investment restrictions may be
changed by a vote of the Corporation's Board of Directors. A complete listing of
investment restrictions is contained under "Investment Restrictions" in the
Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not borrow money, except as
permitted under Federal law. Further, as a matter of non-fundamental policy, the
Fund may not borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of total assets, except
for temporary or emergency purposes and by engaging in reverse repurchase
agreements and dollar rolls.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not make loans except through
the lending of portfolio securities, the purchase of debt securities or
interests in indebtedness or through repurchase agreements. The Fund has adopted
a non-fundamental policy restricting the lending of portfolio securities to no
more than 5% of total assets.
Common stocks
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests primarily in common stocks. Common
stock is issued by companies to raise cash for business purposes and represents
a proportionate interest in the issuing companies. Therefore, the Fund
participates in the success or failure of any company in which it holds stock.
The market values of common stock can fluctuate significantly, reflecting the
business performance of the issuing company, investor perception and general
economic or financial market movements. Despite the risk of price volatility,
however, common stocks have traditionally offered the greatest potential for
gain on investment, compared to other classes of financial assets such as bonds
or cash equivalents.
Repurchase agreements
As a means of earning income for periods as short as overnight, the Fund may
invest its assets in repurchase agreements with selected domestic and foreign
banks and broker/dealers. Under a repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires
7
<PAGE>
securities, subject to the seller's agreement to repurchase them at a specified
time and price.
Illiquid securities
The Fund may invest in securities for which there is not an active trading
market, or which have resale restrictions. These types of securities generally
offer a higher return than more readily marketable securities, but carry the
risk that the Fund may not be able to dispose of them at an advantageous time or
price.
Short sales against the box
With respect to 30% of its assets, the Fund may make short sales of common
stocks if, at all times when a short position is open, the Fund owns the stock
or owns preferred stocks or debt securities convertible or exchangeable, without
payment of further consideration, into the shares of common stock sold short.
Short sales of this kind are referred to as short sales "against the box." The
broker/dealer that executes a short sale generally invests cash proceeds of the
sale until they are paid to the Fund. Arrangements may be made with the
broker/dealer to obtain a portion of the interest earned by the broker on the
investment of short sale proceeds. The Fund will segregate the common stock or
convertible or exchangeable preferred stock or debt securities in a special
account.
Strategic Transactions and derivatives
The Fund may, but is not required to, utilize various other investment
strategies as described below to hedge various market risks (such as interest
rates, currency exchange rates, and broad or specific equity or fixed-income
market movements), to manage the effective maturity or duration of fixed-income
securities in the Fund's portfolio or to enhance potential gain. These
strategies may be executed through the use of derivative contracts. Such
strategies are generally accepted as a part of modern portfolio management and
are regularly utilized by many mutual funds and other institutional investors.
Techniques and instruments may change over time as new instruments and
strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur.
In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may purchase and
sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities,
equity and fixed-income indices and other financial instruments, purchase and
sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, enter into various
interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and enter
into various currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency
futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currencies or currency futures
(collectively, all the above are called "Strategic Transactions").
Strategic Transactions may be used without limit to attempt to protect against
possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased
for the Fund's portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange
rate fluctuations, to protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its
portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment
purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of fixed-income
securities in the Fund's portfolio, or to establish a position in the
derivatives markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling
particular securities. Some Strategic Transactions may also be used to enhance
potential gain although no more than 5% of the Fund's assets will be committed
to Strategic Transactions entered into for non-hedging purposes. Any or all of
these investment techniques may be used at any time and in any combination, and
there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather
than another, as use of any Strategic Transaction is a function of numerous
variables including market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these
Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Adviser's ability to
predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will
comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these
8
<PAGE>
strategies, techniques and instruments. Strategic Transactions involving
financial futures and options thereon will be purchased, sold or entered into
only for bona fide hedging, risk management or portfolio management purposes and
not to create leveraged exposure in the Fund. Please refer to "Risk
factors--Strategic Transactions and derivatives" for more information.
Risk factors
Precious metals. The Fund "concentrates" (for purposes of the 1940 Act) its
assets in securities related to gold and gold bullion and coins, which means
that at least 25% of its assets will be invested in these holdings at all times.
As a result, the Fund may be subject to greater market fluctuation than a fund
which has securities representing a broader range of investment alternatives.
In addition to investing up to 10% of its total assets directly in precious
metals, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in wholly-owned subsidiaries
of the Corporation which invest in gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion
and in gold and silver coins. The subsidiaries will incur expenses for the
storage and insurance of precious metals purchased. However, the subsidiaries
may realize capital gains from the sale of metals and may pay distributions to
the Fund from such gains. Currently, Scudder Precious Metals, Inc. is the
Corporation's only subsidiary. There is currently no market for such company's
shares, and no market is expected to develop.
Investments in precious metals and in precious metals-related securities and
companies involve a relatively high degree of risk. Prices of gold and other
precious metals can be influenced by a variety of global economic, financial and
political factors and may fluctuate markedly over short periods of time. Among
other things, precious metals values can be affected by changes in inflation,
investment speculation, metal sales by governments or central banks, changes in
industrial and commercial demand, and any governmental restrictions on private
ownership of gold or other precious metals.
Precious Metals Custody. Gold and other precious metals held by or on behalf of
the Fund may be held on either an allocated or an unallocated basis inside or
outside the United States. Placing metals in an allocated custody account gives
the Fund a direct interest in specified gold bars, whereas an unallocated
deposit does not and merely gives the Fund a right to compel the counterparty to
deliver a specific amount of gold. Consequently, the Fund could experience a
loss if the counterparty to an unallocated deposit arrangement becomes bankrupt
or fails to redeliver gold as requested. An allocated gold custody account also
involves the risk that the precious metals will be stolen or damaged while in
transit. Both allocated and unallocated arrangements require the Fund as seller
to deliver the metal sold in advance of the receipt of payment.
Mining and exploration risks. The business of precious metals mining by its
nature involves significant risks and hazards, including environmental hazards,
industrial accidents, labor disputes, discharge of toxic chemicals, fire,
drought, flooding and other natural acts. The occurrence of any of these hazards
can delay production, increase production costs and result in liability to the
operator of the mines. A mining operation may become subject to liability for
pollution or other hazards against which it has not insured or cannot insure,
including those in respect of past mining activities for which it was not
responsible.
Exploration for gold and other precious metals is speculative in nature,
involves many risks and frequently is unsuccessful. There can be no assurance
that any gold mineralisation discovered will result in an increase in the proven
and probable reserves of a mining operation. If reserves are developed, it can
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take a number of years from the initial phases of drilling and identification of
mineralisation until production is possible, during which time the economic
feasibility of production may change. Substantial expenditures are required to
establish ore reserves properties and to construct mining and processing
facilities. As a result of these uncertainties, no assurance can be given that
the exploration programs undertaken by a particular mining operation will
actually result in any new commercial mining.
Non-diversification. The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the 1940
Act, which means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion
of its assets that it may invest in the obligations of a single issuer. The
investment of a large percentage of the Fund's assets in the securities of a
small number of issuers may cause the Fund's share price to fluctuate more than
that of a diversified fund.
Repurchase agreements. If the seller under a repurchase agreement becomes
insolvent, the Fund's right to dispose of the securities may be restricted, or
the value of the securities may decline before the Fund is able to dispose of
them. In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings
with respect to the seller of the securities before repurchase of the securities
under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs,
including a decline in the value of the securities, before being able to sell
the securities.
Illiquid securities. The absence of a trading market can make it difficult to
ascertain a market value for illiquid or restricted investments. Disposing of
illiquid or restricted investments may involve time-consuming negotiation and
legal expenses, and it may be difficult or impossible for the Fund to sell them
promptly at an acceptable price.
Foreign securities. Because of the Fund's policy of investing primarily in
securities of companies engaged in gold related investments, a substantial part
of the Fund's assets is generally invested outside the United States (including
the Cayman Islands, the domicile of Scudder Precious Metals, Inc.). In addition,
the Fund may make money market investments in the obligations of foreign banks.
Investments in foreign securities involve economic and political considerations
not typically found in U.S. markets. These considerations, which may favorably
or unfavorably affect the Fund's performance, include changes in exchange rates
and exchange rate controls (which may include suspension of the ability to
transfer currency from a given country), conversion difficulties and
uncertainties, costs incurred in conversions between currencies, non-negotiable
brokerage commissions, less publicly available information, different accounting
standards, lower trading volume and greater market volatility, the difficulty of
enforcing obligations in other countries, less securities regulation, different
tax provisions (including withholding on dividends paid to the Fund), war,
expropriation, political and social instability and diplomatic developments.
Further, the settlement period of securities transactions in foreign markets may
be longer than in domestic markets. These considerations generally are more of a
concern in developing (or emerging) countries, in which the Fund also intends to
invest.
Investing in emerging markets. Securities of many issuers in emerging markets
may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic
issuers. Emerging markets also have different clearance and settlement
procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have
not kept pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to
conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary
periods when a portion of the assets of the Fund is uninvested and no return is
earned thereon.
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The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement
problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities.
Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could
result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in the value of
those securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell a security,
in possible liability to the purchaser.
Certain emerging markets may require governmental approval for the repatriation
of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign
investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in an emerging market's
balance of payments or for other reasons, a country could impose temporary
restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund could be adversely
affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval
for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any
restrictions on investments.
Throughout the last decade many emerging markets have experienced, and continue
to experience, high rates of inflation. In certain countries inflation has at
times accelerated rapidly to hyperinflationary levels, creating a negative
interest rate environment and sharply eroding the value of outstanding financial
assets in those countries. Increases in inflation could have an adverse effect
on the Fund's non-dollar denominated securities.
For a more complete description of the risks of investing in emerging markets,
please refer to the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
Correlation of gold and gold securities. The Adviser believes that the value of
the securities of firms that deal in gold will correspond generally, over time,
with the prices of the underlying metal. At any given time, however, changes in
the price of gold may not strongly correlate with changes in the value of
securities related to gold, which are expected to constitute the principal part
of the Fund's assets. In fact, there may be periods in which the price of gold
stocks and gold will move in different directions. The reason for this potential
disparity is that political and economic factors, including behavior of the
stock market, may have differing impacts on gold versus gold stocks.
Debt securities. Up to 35% of the Fund's assets may be invested in bonds rated
Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P. Moody's considers bonds it rates Baa to have
speculative elements as well as investment-grade characteristics. Zero coupon
bonds (which do not pay interest until maturity) and pay-in-kind securities
which pay interest in the form of additional securities, may be more speculative
than securities which pay income periodically and in cash.
Strategic Transactions and derivatives. Strategic Transactions, including
derivative contracts, have risks associated with them including possible default
by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the
Adviser's view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the
use of such Strategic Transactions could result in losses greater than if they
had not been used. Use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund,
force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for
prices higher than (in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of
call options) current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund
can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might
otherwise sell. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund
incurring losses as a result of a number of factors including the imposition of
exchange controls, suspension of settlements or the inability to deliver or
receive a specified currency.
The use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In
particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of
futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio position of the
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Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be
greater than gains in the value of the Fund's position. In addition, futures and
options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and certain
over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in certain markets,
the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring
substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of futures contracts and options
transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a
decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to limit
any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of such
position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts
would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of
options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium.
Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce net asset
value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the Strategic
Transactions had not been utilized. The Strategic Transactions that the Fund may
use and some of their risks are described more fully in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information.
Distribution and performance information
Dividends and capital gains distributions
The Fund intends to distribute any dividends from its net investment income and
any net realized capital gains resulting from Fund investment activity in
December to prevent application of federal excise tax. Any dividends or capital
gains distributions declared in October, November or December with a record date
in such a month and paid during the following January will be treated by
shareholders for federal income tax purposes as if received on December 31 of
the calendar year declared. According to preference, shareholders may receive
distributions in cash or have them reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
If an investment is in the form of a retirement plan, all dividends and capital
gains distributions must be reinvested into the shareholder's account.
Generally, dividends from net investment income are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income.
Long-term capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable as long-term capital
gains, regardless of the length of time shareholders have owned their shares.
Short-term capital gains and any other taxable income distributions are taxable
as ordinary income. Shareholders may be able to claim a credit or deduction on
their income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by
the Fund to foreign countries.
The Fund sends detailed tax information to its shareholders about the amount and
type of its distributions by January 31 of the following year.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as
to the federal and local tax consequences of investing in the Fund.
Performance information
From time to time, quotations of the Fund's performance may be included in
advertisements, sales literature or shareholder reports. All performance figures
are historical, show the performance of a hypothetical investment and are not
intended to indicate future performance. "Total return" is the change in value
of an investment in the Fund for a specified period. The "average annual total
return" of the Fund is the average annual compound rate of return of an
investment in the Fund assuming the investment has been held for one year, five
years and the life of the Fund as of a stated ending date. "Cumulative total
return" represents the cumulative change in value of an investment in the Fund
for various periods. All types of total return calculations assume that all
dividends and capital gains distributions during the period were reinvested in
shares of the Fund. Performance will vary based upon, among other things,
changes in market conditions and the level of the Fund's expenses.
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Fund organization
Scudder Gold Fund is a non-diversified series of Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc., an
open-end, management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The
Corporation was organized as a Maryland corporation in March 1988.
The Fund's activities are supervised by the Corporation's Board of Directors.
Shareholders have one vote for each share held on matters on which they are
entitled to vote. The Corporation is not required to hold and has no current
intention of holding annual shareholder meetings, although special meetings may
be called for purposes such as electing or removing Directors, changing
fundamental investment policies or approving an investment management contract.
Shareholders will be assisted in communicating with other shareholders in
connection with removing a Director as if Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act were
applicable.
Investment adviser
The Fund retains the investment management firm of Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly known as Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc.
("Scudder"), to manage its daily investment and business affairs subject to the
policies established by the Board of Directors. The Directors have overall
responsibility for the management of the Fund under Maryland law.
Pursuant to the terms of an agreement, Scudder and Zurich Insurance Company
("Zurich"), an international insurance and financial services organization, have
formed a new global investment organization by combining Scudder with Zurich's
subsidiary, Zurich Kemper Investments, Inc. As a result of the transaction,
Zurich owns approximately 70% of the Adviser, with the balance owned by the
Adviser's officers and employees.
On September __, 1998, the businesses of Zurich (including Zurich's 70% interest
in Scudder Kemper) and the financial services businesses of B.A.T Industries
p.l.c. ("B.A.T") were combined to form a new global insurance and financial
services company known as Zurich Financial Services Group. By way of a dual
holding company structure, former Zurich shareholders initially owned
approximately 57% of Zurich Financial Services Group, with the balance initially
owned by former B.A.T shareholders.
Upon consummation of this transaction, the Fund's existing investment management
agreement with Scudder Kemper was deemed to have been assigned and, therefore,
terminated. The Board has approved a new investment management agreement with
Scudder Kemper, which is substantially identical to the current investment
management agreement, except for the date of execution and termination. This
agreement became effective upon the termination of the then current investment
management agreement and will be submitted for shareholder approval at special
meetings currently scheduled to conclude in December 1998.
The Adviser receives monthly an investment management fee for its services which
fee equals approximately 1% of the Fund's average daily net assets on an annual
basis. The fee is higher than that charged to most other investment companies
but not necessarily higher than fees charged to funds with investment objectives
similar to those of the Fund.
The Fund's fee is payable monthly, provided that the Fund will make such interim
payments as may be requested by the Adviser not to exceed 75% of the amount of
the fee then accrued on the books of the Fund and unpaid.
The Fund's expenses are paid out of gross investment income and, to the extent
necessary, the Fund's net assets. Shareholders pay no direct charges or fees for
investment services.
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Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. is located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New
York.
Like other mutual funds and financial and business organizations worldwide, the
Fund could be adversely affected if computer systems on which the Fund relies,
which primarily include those used by the Adviser, its affiliates or other
service providers, are unable to correctly process date-related information on
and after January 1, 2000. This risk is commonly called the Year 2000 Issue.
Failure to successfully address the Year 2000 Issue could result in
interruptions to and other material adverse effects on the Fund's business and
operations. The Adviser has commenced a review of the Year 2000 Issue as it may
affect the Fund and is taking steps it believes are reasonably designed to
address the Year 2000 Issue, although there can be no assurances that these
steps will be sufficient. In addition, there can be no assurances that the Year
2000 Issue will not have an adverse effect on the companies whose securities are
held by the Fund or on global markets or economies generally.
Transfer agent
Scudder Service Corporation, P.O. Box 2291, Boston, Massachusetts 02107-2291, a
subsidiary of the Adviser is the transfer, shareholder servicing and
dividend-paying agent for the Fund.
Underwriter
Scudder Investor Services, Inc., a subsidiary of the Adviser, is the Fund's
principal underwriter. Scudder Investor Services, Inc. confirms, as agent, all
purchases of shares of the Fund. Scudder Investor Relations is a telephone
information service provided by Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
Fund accounting agent
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation, a subsidiary of the Adviser, is responsible
for determining the daily net asset value per share and maintaining the general
accounting records for the Fund.
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is the Fund's custodian.
Transaction information
Purchasing shares
Purchases are executed at the next calculated net asset value per share after
the Fund's transfer agent receives the purchase request in good order. Purchases
are made in full and fractional shares. (See "Share price.")
By check. If you purchase shares with a check that does not clear, your purchase
will be canceled and you will be subject to any losses or fees incurred in the
transaction. Checks must be drawn on or payable through a U.S. bank. If you
purchase shares by check and redeem them within seven business days of purchase,
the Fund may hold redemption proceeds until the purchase check has cleared. If
you purchase shares by federal funds wire, you may avoid this delay. Redemption
requests by telephone prior to the expiration of the seven-day period will not
be accepted.
By wire. To open a new account by wire, first call Scudder at 1-800-225-5163 to
obtain an account number. A representative will instruct you to send a
completed, signed application to the transfer agent. Accounts cannot be opened
without a completed, signed application and a Scudder fund account number.
Contact your bank to arrange a wire transfer to:
The Scudder Funds
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Boston, MA 02101
ABA Number 011000028
DDA Account 9903-5552
Your wire instructions must also include:
- -- the name of the fund in which the money is to be invested,
- -- the account number of the fund, and
- -- the name(s) of the account holder(s).
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The account will be established once the application and money order are
received in good order.
You may also make additional investments of $100 or more to your existing
account by wire.
By exchange. The Fund may be exchanged for shares of other funds in the Scudder
Family of Funds unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. Your new
account will have the same registration and address as your existing account.
The exchange requirements for corporations, other organizations, trusts,
fiduciaries, agents, institutional investors and retirement plans may be
different from those for regular accounts. Please call 1-800-225-5163 for more
information, including information about the transfer of special account
features.
You can also make exchanges among your Scudder fund accounts on SAIL, the
Scudder Automated Information Line, by calling 1-800-343-2890.
By telephone order. Existing shareholders may purchase shares at a certain day's
price by calling 1-800-225-5163 before the close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"), normally 4 p.m. eastern time, on that day.
Orders must be for $10,000 or more and cannot be for an amount greater than four
times the value of your account at the time the order is placed. A confirmation
with complete purchase information is sent shortly after your order is received.
You must include with your payment the order number given at the time the order
is placed. If payment by check or wire is not received within three business
days, the order is subject to cancellation and the shareholder will be
responsible for any loss to the Fund resulting from this cancellation. Telephone
orders are not available for shares held in Scudder IRA accounts and most other
Scudder retirement plan accounts.
By "QuickBuy." If you elected "QuickBuy" for your account, you can call
toll-free to purchase shares. The money will be automatically transferred from
your predesignated bank checking account. Your bank must be a member of the
Automated Clearing House for you to use this service. If you did not elect
"QuickBuy," call 1-800-225-5163 for more information.
To purchase additional shares, call 1-800-225-5163. Purchases may not be for
more than $250,000. Proceeds in the amount of your purchase will be transferred
from your bank checking account in two or three business days following your
call. For requests received by the close of regular trading on the Exchange,
shares will be purchased at the net asset value per share calculated at the
close of trading on the day of your call. "QuickBuy" requests received after the
close of regular trading on the Exchange will begin their processing and be
purchased at the net asset value calculated the following business day.
If you purchase shares by "QuickBuy" and redeem them within seven days of the
purchase, the Fund may hold the redemption proceeds for a period of up to seven
business days. If you purchase shares and there are insufficient funds in your
bank account, the purchase will be canceled and you will be subject to any
losses or fees incurred in the transaction. "QuickBuy" transactions are not
available for most retirement plan accounts. However, "QuickBuy" transactions
are available for Scudder IRA accounts.
Redeeming shares
The Fund allows you to redeem shares (i.e., sell them back to the Fund) without
redemption fees.
By telephone. This is the quickest and easiest way to sell Fund shares. If you
provided your banking information on your application, you can call to request
that federal funds be sent to your authorized bank account. If you did not
include your banking information on your application, call 1-800-225-5163 for
more information.
Redemption proceeds will be wired to your bank unless otherwise requested. If
your bank cannot receive federal reserve wires, redemption proceeds will be
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mailed to your bank. There will be a $5 charge for all wire redemptions.
You can also make redemptions from your Scudder fund account on SAIL by calling
1-800-343-2890.
If you open an account by wire, you cannot redeem shares by telephone until the
Fund's transfer agent has received your completed and signed application.
Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in Scudder IRA accounts
and most other Scudder retirement plan accounts.
In the event that you are unable to reach the Fund by telephone, you should
write to the Fund; see "How to contact Scudder" for the address.
By "QuickSell." If you elected "QuickSell" for your account, you can call
toll-free to redeem shares. The money will be automatically transferred to your
predesignated bank checking account. Your bank must be a member of the Automated
Clearing House for you to use this service. If you did not elect "QuickSell,"
call 1-800-225-5163 for more information.
To redeem shares, call 1-800-225-5163. Redemptions must be for at least $250.
Proceeds in the amount of your redemption will be transferred to your bank
checking account in two or three business days following your call. For requests
received by the close of regular trading on the Exchange, shares will be
redeemed at the net asset value per share calculated at the close of trading on
the day of your call. "QuickSell" requests received after the close of regular
trading on the Exchange will begin their processing and be redeemed at the net
asset value calculated the following business day.
"QuickSell" transactions are not available for Scudder IRA accounts and most
other retirement plan accounts.
Signature guarantees. For your protection and to prevent fraudulent redemptions,
on written redemption requests in excess of $100,000 we require an original
signature and an original signature guarantee for each person in whose name the
account is registered. (The Fund reserves the right, however, to require a
signature guarantee for all redemptions.) You can obtain a signature guarantee
from most banks, credit unions or savings associations, or from broker/dealers,
municipal securities broker/dealers, government securities broker/dealers,
national securities exchanges, registered securities associations or clearing
agencies deemed eligible by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Signature
guarantees by notaries public are not acceptable. Redemption requirements for
corporations, other organizations, trusts, fiduciaries, agents, institutional
investors and retirement plans may be different from those for regular accounts.
For more information, please call 1-800-225-5163.
Telephone transactions
Shareholders automatically receive the ability to exchange by telephone and the
right to redeem by telephone up to $100,000 to their address of record.
Shareholders also may, by telephone, request that redemption proceeds be sent to
a predesignated bank account. The Fund uses procedures designed to give
reasonable assurance that telephone instructions are genuine, including
recording telephone calls, testing a caller's identity and sending written
confirmation of telephone transactions. If the Fund does not follow such
procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
telephone instructions. The Fund will not be liable for acting upon instructions
communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be genuine.
Share price
Purchases and redemptions, including exchanges, are made at net asset value.
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation determines net asset value per share as of
the close of regular trading on the Exchange, normally 4 p.m. eastern time, on
each day the Exchange is open for trading. Net asset value per share is
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<PAGE>
calculated by dividing the value of total Fund assets, less all liabilities, by
the total number of shares outstanding.
Processing time
All purchase and redemption requests must be received in good order by the
Fund's transfer agent. Those requests received by the close of regular trading
on the Exchange are executed at the net asset value per share calculated at the
close of regular trading that day.
Purchase and redemption requests received after the close of regular trading on
the Exchange will be executed the following business day.
If you wish to make a purchase of $500,000 or more, you should notify Scudder
Investor Relations by calling 1-800-225-5163.
The Fund will normally send your redemption proceeds within one business day
following the redemption request, but may take up to seven business days (or
longer in the case of shares recently purchased by check).
Purchase restrictions
Purchases and sales should be made for long-term investment purposes only. The
Fund and Scudder Investor Services, Inc. each reserves the right to reject
purchases of Fund shares (including exchanges) for any reason including when a
pattern of frequent purchases and sales made in response to short-term
fluctuations in the Fund's share price appears evident.
Tax information
A redemption of shares, including an exchange into another Scudder fund, is a
sale of shares and may result in a gain or loss for income tax purposes.
Tax identification number
Be sure to complete the Tax Identification Number section of the Fund's
application when you open an account. Federal tax law requires the Fund to
withhold 31% of taxable dividends, capital gains distributions and redemption
and exchange proceeds from accounts (other than those of certain exempt payees)
without a correct certified Social Security or tax identification number and
certain other certified information or upon notification from the IRS or a
broker that withholding is required. The Fund reserves the right to reject new
account applications without a correct certified Social Security or tax
identification number. The Fund also reserves the right, following 30 days'
notice, to redeem all shares in accounts without a correct certified Social
Security or tax identification number. A shareholder may avoid involuntary
redemption by providing the Fund with a tax identification number during the
30-day notice period.
Minimum balances
Shareholders should maintain a share balance worth at least $2,500, which amount
may be changed by the Board of Directors. Scudder retirement plans and certain
other accounts have similar or lower minimum share balance requirements. A
shareholder may open an account with at least $1,000, if an automatic investment
plan of $100/month is established.
Shareholders who maintain a non-fiduciary account balance of less than $2,500 in
the Fund, without establishing an automatic investment plan, will be assessed an
annual $10.00 per fund charge with the fee to be paid to the Fund. The $10.00
charge will not apply to shareholders with a combined household account balance
in any of the Scudder Funds of $25,000 or more. The Fund reserves the right,
following 60 days' written notice to shareholders, to redeem all shares in
accounts below $250, including accounts of new investors, where a reduction in
value has occurred due to a redemption or exchange out of the account. The Fund
will mail the proceeds of the redeemed account to the shareholder. Reductions in
value that result solely from market activity will not trigger an involuntary
redemption. Retirement accounts and certain other accounts will not be assessed
the $10.00 charge or be subject to automatic liquidation. Please refer to
"Exchanges and Redemptions--Other Information" in the Fund's Statement of
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Additional Information for more information.
Third party transactions
If purchases and redemptions of Fund shares are arranged and settlement is made
at an investor's election through a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., other than Scudder Investor Services, Inc., that
member may, at its discretion, charge a fee for that service.
Redemption-in-kind
The Fund reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash payments
undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase order by making
payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities chosen by the Fund
and valued as they are for purposes of computing the Fund's net asset value (a
redemption-in-kind).
Shareholder benefits
Experienced professional management
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., one of the nation's most experienced
investment management firms, actively manages your fund investment. Professional
management is an important advantage for investors who do not have the time or
expertise to invest directly in individual securities.
A team approach to investing
Scudder Gold Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals, each of whom
plays an important role in the Fund's management process. Team members work
together to develop investment strategies and select securities for the Fund's
portfolio. They are supported by the Adviser's large staff of economists,
research analysts, traders and other investment specialists who work in the
Adviser's offices across the United States and abroad. We believe our team
approach benefits Fund investors by bringing together many disciplines and
leveraging our extensive resources.
Lead Portfolio Manager Clay L. Hoes assumed responsibility for the Fund's
day-to-day management in 1997. Mr. Hoes joined the Adviser in 1996 as a mining
equity research analyst and portfolio manager before becoming the lead portfolio
manager in 1997. Prior to joining the Adviser, Mr. Hoes had ten years of metals
and mining experience in the investment industry. For the past five years he has
worked as an equity research analyst in natural resources and as an equity
research analyst in metals and mining.
William J. Wallace, Portfolio Manager, has been a member of Scudder Gold Fund's
team since 1991 and also serves as a Portfolio Manager for Scudder Value Fund.
Mr. Wallace, who has over 17 years of investment experience, contributes
expertise in quantitative analysis.
SAIL(TM)--Scudder Automated Information Line
For personalized account information including fund prices, yields and account
balances, to perform transactions in existing Scudder fund accounts, or to
obtain information on any Scudder fund, shareholders can call Scudder's
Automated Information Line (SAIL) at 1-800-343-2890, 24 hours a day. During
periods of extreme economic or market changes, or other conditions, it may be
difficult for you to effect telephone transactions in your account. In such an
event you should write to the Fund; please see "How to contact Scudder" for the
address.
Investment flexibility
Scudder offers toll-free telephone exchange between funds at current net asset
value. You can move your investments among money market, income, growth,
tax-free and growth and income funds with a simple toll-free call or, if you
prefer, by sending your instructions through the mail or by fax. (The exchange
privilege may not be available for certain Scudder funds or classes thereof. For
more information, please call 1-800-225-5163.) Telephone and fax redemptions and
exchanges are subject to termination and their terms are subject to change at
any time by the Fund or the transfer agent. In some cases, the transfer agent or
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Scudder Investor Services, Inc. may impose additional conditions on telephone
transactions.
Personal Counsel(SM) -- A Managed Fund Portfolio Program
If you would like to receive direct guidance and management of your overall
mutual fund portfolio to help you pursue your investment goals, you may be
interested in Personal Counsel from Scudder. Personal Counsel, a program of
Scudder Investor Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser and a
subsidiary of Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., combines the benefits of a
customized portfolio of no-load mutual funds with ongoing portfolio monitoring
and individualized service, for an annual fee of generally 1.25% or less of
assets. In addition, it draws upon the Adviser's more than 75-year heritage of
providing investment counsel to large corporate and private clients. If you have
$100,000 or more to invest initially and would like more information about
Personal Counsel, please call 1-800-700-0183.
Dividend reinvestment plan
You may have dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in additional
Fund shares. Please call 1-800-225-5163 to request this feature.
Shareholder statements
You will receive a detailed statement summarizing account activity, including
dividend and capital gain reinvestment, purchases and redemptions. All of your
statements should be retained to help you keep track of account activity and the
cost of shares for tax purposes.
Shareholder reports
In addition to account statements, you receive periodic shareholder reports
highlighting relevant information, including investment results and a review of
portfolio changes.
To reduce the volume of mail you receive, only one copy of most Fund reports,
such as the Fund's Annual Report, may be mailed to your household (same surname,
same address). Please call 1-800-225-5163 if you wish to receive additional
shareholder reports.
Newsletters
Four times a year, Scudder sends you Perspectives, an informative newsletter
covering economic and investment developments, service enhancements and other
topics of interest to Scudder fund investors.
Scudder Investor Centers
As a convenience to shareholders who like to conduct business in person, Scudder
Investor Services, Inc. maintains Investor Centers in Boca Raton, Boston,
Chicago, New York and San Francisco.
T.D.D. service for the hearing impaired
Scudder's full range of investor information and shareholder services is
available to hearing impaired investors through a toll-free T.D.D. (Telephone
Device for the Deaf) service. If you have access to a T.D.D., call
1-800-543-7916 for investment information or specific account questions and
transactions.
19
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Purchases
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Opening
an account Minimum initial investment: $2,500; IRAs $1,000
Group retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), etc.) have similar or lower minimums.
See appropriate plan literature.
o By Mail Send your completed and signed application and check
Make checks
payable to "The
Scudder Funds."
by regular mail to: or by express, registered,
or certified mail to:
The Scudder Funds The Scudder Funds
P.O. Box 2291 66 Brooks Drive
Boston, MA Braintree, MA 02184
02107-2291
o By Wire Please see Transaction information--Purchasing shares-- By
wire for details, including the ABA wire transfer number. Then call
1-800-225-5163 for instructions.
o In Person Visit one of our Investor Centers to complete your application with the
help of a Scudder representative. Investor Center locations are listed
under Shareholder benefits.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchasing Minimum additional investment: $100; IRAs $50
additional shares Group retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), etc.) have similar or lower minimums.
See appropriate plan literature.
Make checks o By Mail Send a check with a Scudder investment slip, or with a letter of
payable to "The instruction including your account number and the
Scudder Funds." complete Fund name, to the appropriate address listed above.
o By Wire Please see Transaction information--Purchasing shares-- By
wire for details, including the ABA wire transfer number.
o In Person Visit one of our Investor Centers to make an additional
investment in your Scudder fund account. Investor Center locations
are listed under Shareholder benefits.
o By Telephone Please see Transaction information--Purchasing shares-- By
QuickBuy or By telephone order for more details.
o By Automatic You may arrange to make investments on a regular basis through
Investment Plan automatic deductions from your bank checking account.
($50 minimum) Please call 1-800-225-5163 for more information and an
enrollment form.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
20
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exchanges and redemptions
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Exchanging Minimum investments: $2,500 to establish a new account;
shares $100 to exchange among existing accounts
o By Telephone To speak with a service representative, call 1-800-225-5163 from
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time or to access SAIL(TM), Scudder's Automated
Information Line, call 1-800-343-2890 (24 hours a day).
o By Mail Print or type your instructions and include:
or Fax - the name of the Fund and the account number you are exchanging from;
- your name(s) and address as they appear on your account;
- the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to exchange;
- the name of the Fund you are exchanging into;
- your signature(s) as it appears on your account; and
- a daytime telephone number.
Send your instructions
by regular mail to: or by express, registered, or by fax to:
or certified mail to:
The Scudder Funds The Scudder Funds 1-800-821-6234
P.O. Box 2291 66 Brooks Drive
Boston, MA 02107-2291 Braintree, MA 02184
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redeeming shares o By Telephone To speak with a service representative, call 1-800-225-5163 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
eastern time or to access SAIL(TM), Scudder's Automated Information Line, call
1-800-343-2890 (24 hours a day). You may have redemption proceeds sent to your
predesignated bank account, or redemption proceeds of up to $100,000 sent to your
address of record.
o By Mail Send your instructions for redemption to the appropriate address or fax number
or Fax above and include:
- the name of the Fund and the account number you are exchanging from;
- your name(s) and address as they appear on your account;
- the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to exchange;
- the name of the Fund you are exchanging into;
- your signature(s) as it appears on your account; and
- a daytime telephone number.
A signature guarantee is required for redemptions over $100,000. See Transaction
information--Redeeming shares.
o By Automatic You may arrange to receive automatic cash payments periodically.
Withdrawal Call 1-800-225-5163 for more information and an enrollment form.
Plan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE>
Scudder tax-advantaged retirement plans
Scudder offers a variety of tax-advantaged retirement plans for individuals,
businesses and non-profit organizations. These flexible plans are designed for
use with the Scudder Family of Funds (except Scudder tax-free funds, which are
inappropriate for such plans). Scudder Funds offer a broad range of investment
objectives and can be used to seek almost any investment goal. Using Scudder's
retirement plans can help shareholders save on current taxes while building
their retirement savings.
o Scudder No-Fee IRAs. These retirement plans allow a maximum annual
contribution of up to $2,000 per person for anyone with earned income (up to
$2,000 per individual for married couples filing jointly, even if only one
spouse has earned income). Many people can deduct all or part of their
contributions from their taxable income, and all investment earnings accrue
on a tax-deferred basis. The Scudder No-Fee IRA charges you no annual
custodial fee.
o Scudder Roth No-Fee IRAs. Similar to the traditional IRA in many respects,
these retirement plans provide a unique opportunity for qualifying
individuals to accumulate investment earnings tax free. Unlike a traditional
IRA, with a Roth IRA, if you meet the distribution requirements, you can
withdraw your money without paying any taxes on the earnings. No tax
deduction is allowed for contributions to a Roth IRA. The Scudder Roth IRA
charges you no annual custodial fee.
o 401(k) Plans. 401(k) plans allow employers and employees to make
tax-deductible retirement contributions. Scudder offers a full service
program that includes recordkeeping, prototype plan, employee communications
and trustee services, as well as investment options.
o Profit Sharing and Money Purchase Pension Plans. These plans allow
corporations, partnerships and people who are self-employed to make annual,
tax-deductible contributions of up to $30,000 for each person covered by the
plans. Plans may be adopted individually or paired to maximize contributions.
These are sometimes known as Keogh plans.
o 403(b) Plans. Retirement plans for tax-exempt organizations and school
systems to which employers and employees may both contribute.
o SEP-IRAs. Easily administered retirement plans for small businesses and
self-employed individuals. The maximum annual contribution to SEP-IRA
accounts is adjusted each year for inflation. The Scudder SEP-IRA charges you
no annual custodial fee.
o Scudder Horizon Plan. A no-load variable annuity that lets you build assets
by deferring taxes on your investment earnings. You can start with $2,500 or
more.
Scudder Trust Company (an affiliate of the Adviser) is Trustee or Custodian for
some of these plans and is paid an annual fee for some of the above retirement
plans. For information about establishing a Scudder No-Fee IRA, SEP-IRA, Profit
Sharing Plan, Money Purchase Pension Plan or a Scudder Horizon Plan, please call
1-800-225-2470. For information about 401(k)s or 403(b)s please call
1-800-323-6105. To effect transactions in existing IRA, SEP-IRA and most Profit
Sharing or Pension Plan accounts, call 1-800-225-5163.
The variable annuity contract is provided by Charter National Life Insurance
Company (in New York State, Intramerica Life Insurance Company [S 1802]). The
contract is offered by Scudder Insurance Agency, Inc. (in New York State, Nevada
and Montana, Scudder Insurance Agency of New York, Inc.). CNL, Inc. is the
Principal Underwriter. Scudder Horizon Plan is not available in all states.
Scudder Investor Relations is a service provided through Scudder Investor
Services, Inc., Distributor.
22
<PAGE>
Directors and Officers
Daniel Pierce*
President and Director
Paul Bancroft III
Director; Venture Capitalist and Consultant
Sheryle J. Bolton
Director; Chief Executive Officer, Scientific Learning Corporation
William T. Burgin
Director; General Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners
Thomas J. Devine
Director; Consultant
Keith R. Fox
Director; President, Exeter Capital Management Corporation
William H. Luers
Director; President, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Kathryn L. Quirk*
Director, Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Robert G. Stone, Jr.
Honorary Director; Chairman Emeritus and Director, Kirby Corporation
Jerard K. Hartman*
Vice President
Clay Hoes*
Vice President
Thomas W. Joseph*
Vice President
Thomas F. McDonough*
Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
John R. Hebble*
Assistant Treasurer
Caroline Pearson*
Assistant Secretary
*Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
23
<PAGE>
Investment products and services
The Scudder Family of Funds+++
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market
- ------------
Scudder U.S. Treasury Money Fund
Scudder Cash Investment Trust
Scudder Money Market Series--
Premium Shares*
Managed Shares*
Scudder Government Money Market Series--
Managed Shares*
Tax Free Money Market+
- ----------------------
Scudder Tax Free Money Fund
Scudder Tax Free Money Market Series--
Managed Shares*
Scudder California Tax Free Money Fund**
Scudder New York Tax Free Money Fund**
Tax Free+
- ---------
Scudder Limited Term Tax Free Fund
Scudder Medium Term Tax Free Fund
Scudder Managed Municipal Bonds
Scudder High Yield Tax Free Fund
Scudder California Tax Free Fund**
Scudder Massachusetts Limited Term Tax Free Fund**
Scudder Massachusetts Tax Free Fund**
Scudder New York Tax Free Fund**
Scudder Ohio Tax Free Fund**
Scudder Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund**
U.S. Income
- -----------
Scudder Short Term Bond Fund
Scudder Zero Coupon 2000 Fund
Scudder GNMA Fund
Scudder Income Fund
Scudder Corporate Bond Fund
Scudder High Yield Bond Fund
Global Income
- -------------
Scudder Global Bond Fund
Scudder International Bond Fund
Scudder Emerging Markets Income Fund
Asset Allocation
- ----------------
Scudder Pathway Conservative Portfolio
Scudder Pathway Balanced Portfolio
Scudder Pathway Growth Portfolio
Scudder Pathway International Portfolio
U.S. Growth and Income
- ----------------------
Scudder Balanced Fund
Scudder Dividend & Growth Fund
Scudder Growth and Income Fund
Scudder S&P 500 Index Fund
Scudder Real Estate Investment Fund
U.S. Growth
- -----------
Value
Scudder Large Company Value Fund
Scudder Value Fund***
Scudder Small Company Value Fund
Scudder Micro Cap Fund
Growth
Scudder Classic Growth Fund***
Scudder Large Company Growth Fund
Scudder Development Fund
Scudder 21st Century Growth Fund
Global Equity
- -------------
Worldwide
Scudder Global Fund
Scudder International Value Fund
Scudder International Growth and Income Fund
Scudder International Fund++
Scudder International Growth Fund
Scudder Global Discovery Fund***
Scudder Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Scudder Gold Fund
Regional
Scudder Greater Europe Growth Fund
Scudder Pacific Opportunities Fund
Scudder Latin America Fund
The Japan Fund, Inc.
Industry Sector Funds
- ---------------------
Choice Series
Scudder Financial Services Fund
Scudder Health Care Fund
Scudder Technology Fund
Preferred Series
- ----------------
Scudder Tax Managed Growth Fund
Scudder Tax Managed Small Company Fund
Retirement Programs and Education Accounts
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retirement Programs
- -------------------
Traditional IRA
Roth IRA
SEP-IRA
Keogh Plan
401(k), 403(b) Plans
Scudder Horizon Plan **+++ +++
(a variable annuity)
Education Accounts
- ------------------
Education IRA
UGMA/UTMA
Closed-End Funds#
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Argentina Fund, Inc.
The Brazil Fund, Inc.
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Montgomery Street Income Securities, Inc.
Scudder Global High Income Fund, Inc.
Scudder New Asia Fund, Inc.
Scudder New Europe Fund, Inc.
Scudder Spain and Portugal Fund, Inc.
For complete information on any of the above Scudder funds, including management
fees and expenses, call or write for a free prospectus. Read it carefully before
you invest or send money. +++Funds within categories are listed in order from
expected least risk to most risk. Certain Scudder funds or classes thereof may
not be available for purchase or exchange. +A portion of the income from the
tax-free funds may be subject to federal, state, and local taxes. *A class of
shares of the Fund. **Not available in all states. ***Only the Scudder Shares of
the Fund are part of the Scudder Family of Funds. ++Only the International
Shares of the Fund are part of the Scudder Family of Funds. +++ +++A no-load
variable annuity contract provided by Charter National Life Insurance Company
and its affiliate, offered by Scudder's insurance agencies, 1-800-225-2470.
#These funds, advised by Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc., are traded on the New
York Stock Exchange and, in some cases, on various foreign stock exchanges.
24
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
How to contact Scudder
Account Service and Information:
<S> <C>
For existing account service and transactions
Scudder Investor Relations -- 1-800-225-5163
For 24 hour account information, fund information, exchanges, and an
overview of all the services available to you
Scudder Electronic Account Services -- http://funds.scudder.com
For personalized information about your Scudder accounts, exchanges and redemptions
Scudder Automated Information Line (SAIL) -- 1-800-343-2890
Investment Information:
For information about the Scudder funds, including additional
applications and prospectuses, or for answers to investment questions
Scudder Investor Relations -- 1-800-225-2470
[email protected]
Scudder's World Wide Web Site -- http://funds.scudder.com
For establishing 401(k) and 403(b) plans
Scudder Defined Contribution Services -- 1-800-323-6105
Scudder Brokerage Services:
To receive information about this discount brokerage service and to obtain an application
Scudder Brokerage Services* -- 1-800-700-0820
Personal Counsel(SM) -- A Managed Fund Portfolio Program:
To receive information about this mutual fund portfolio guidance and management program
Personal Counsel from Scudder -- 1-800-700-0183
Please address all correspondence to:
The Scudder Funds
P.O. Box 2291
Boston, Massachusetts
02107-2291
Or Stop by a Scudder Investor Center:
Many shareholders enjoy the personal, one-on-one service of the Scudder
Investor Centers. Check for an Investor Center near you--they can be
found in the following cities:
Boca Raton Chicago San Francisco
Boston New York
Scudder Investor Relations and Scudder Investor Centers are services provided
through Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Distributor.
</TABLE>
* Scudder Brokerage Services, Inc., 42 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA
02061--Member NASD/SIPC.
25
<PAGE>
SCUDDER GOLD FUND
An Investment Portfolio of Scudder
Mutual Funds, Inc.
A Pure No-Load(TM) (No Sales Charges) Mutual Fund
which Invests in Gold-Related Equity
Securities and Gold
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
November 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read
in conjunction with the prospectus of Scudder Gold Fund dated November 1, 1998,
as amended from time to time, a copy of which may be obtained without charge by
writing to Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110-4103.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES.......................................................... 1
General Investment Objective and Policies.................................................... 1
Master/feeder Structure...................................................................... 2
Investment Restrictions...................................................................... 14
PURCHASES............................................................................................. 16
Additional Information About Opening an Account.............................................. 16
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments by QuickBuy........................16
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments By Telephone Order................ 17
Checks....................................................................................... 17
Wire Transfer of Federal Funds................................................................17
Share Price...................................................................................17
Share Certificates............................................................................17
Other Information............................................................................ 18
EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS..............................................................................18
Exchanges.....................................................................................18
Redemption by Telephone...................................................................... 19
Redemption by QuickSell...................................................................... 20
Redemption by Mail or Fax.....................................................................20
Redemption-In-Kind........................................................................... 21
Other Information............................................................................ 21
FEATURES AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE FUND............................................................. 22
The Pure No-Load(TM) Concept................................................................. 22
Internet access.............................................................................. 23
Dividends and Capital Gains Distribution Options........................................... 23
Scudder Investor Centers..................................................................... 24
Reports to Shareholders...................................................................... 24
Transaction Summaries........................................................................ 24
THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS........................................................................... 24
SPECIAL PLAN ACCOUNTS................................................................................. 29
Scudder Retirement Plans: Profit-Sharing and Money Purchase Pension Plans for
Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals.............................................. 29
Scudder 401(k): Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan for Corporations and Self-Employed
Individuals............................................................................. 30
Scudder IRA: Individual Retirement Account.................................................. 30
Scudder Roth IRA: Individual Retirement Account............................................. 31
Scudder 403(b) Plan.......................................................................... 31
Automatic Withdrawal Plan.................................................................... 31
Group or Salary Deduction Plan............................................................... 32
Automatic Investment Plan.................................................................... 32
Uniform Transfers/Gifts to Minors Act........................................................ 32
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS............................................................. 33
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION............................................................................... 33
Average Annual Total Return.................................................................. 33
Cumulative Total Return...................................................................... 34
Total Return................................................................................. 34
Comparison of Fund Performance............................................................... 35
Taking a Global Approach..................................................................... 38
Scudder's 30% Solution....................................................................... 39
i
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Page
FUND ORGANIZATION..................................................................................... 39
INVESTMENT ADVISER.................................................................................... 39
Personal Investments By Employees Of The Adviser........................................... 42
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS................................................................................ 43
Responsibilities of the Board -- Board and Committee Meetings................................ 45
Compensation of Officers and Directors....................................................... 45
DISTRIBUTOR........................................................................................... 46
TAXES................................................................................................. 47
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS................................................................................ 50
Brokerage Commissions........................................................................ 50
Portfolio Turnover........................................................................... 51
NET ASSET VALUE....................................................................................... 51
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION................................................................................ 52
Experts...................................................................................... 52
Other Information............................................................................ 52
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.................................................................................. 53
DESCRIPTION OF S&P AND MOODY'S RATINGS................................................................ 54
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
(See "Investment objective and policies," "Additional
information about policies and investments," and
"Risk factors" in the Fund's prospectus.)
General Investment Objective and Policies
Scudder Gold Fund (the "Fund"), a non-diversified series of Scudder
Mutual Funds, Inc. (the "Corporation"), seeks maximum return (principal change
and income) consistent with investing in a portfolio of gold-related equity
securities and gold. When making portfolio investments, the Fund will emphasize
the potential for growth of the proposed investment, although it may also
consider the income generating capacity of a stock as one factor among others in
evaluating investment opportunities.
Although the Fund is non-diversified under the - (the "1940 Act"), it
is designed as a convenient and cost-effective means for investors to provide
diversity to their investments and to participate in possible increases in the
price of gold. Investors in the Fund must be willing to accept above-average
risk compared to that available from larger companies such as those in the
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index. Investors should not consider the Fund a
complete investment program.
Except as otherwise indicated, the Fund's investment objective and
policies are not fundamental and may be changed without a vote of shareholders.
If there is a change in investment objective, shareholders should consider
whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of their then
current financial position and needs. There can be no assurance that the Fund's
objective will be met.
Investments. The Fund pursues its objective primarily through a portfolio of
gold-related investments. Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the
Fund's total assets will be invested in:
o equity securities (defined as common stock, investment-grade preferred
stock and debt securities that are convertible into or exchangeable
for common stock) of U.S. and foreign companies primarily engaged in
the exploration, mining, fabrication, processing or distribution of
gold,
o gold bullion, and
o gold coins.
A company will be considered "primarily engaged" in a business or an
activity if it devotes or derives at least 50% of its assets, revenues and/or
operating earnings from that business or activity.
The remaining 35% of the Fund's assets may be invested in any precious
metals other than gold; in equity securities of companies engaged in activities
primarily relating to precious metals and minerals other than gold; in
investment-grade debt securities, including zero coupon bonds, of companies
engaged in activities relating to gold or other precious metals and minerals;
warrants; and in certain debt securities, a portion of the return on which is
indexed to the price of precious metals and money market instruments. In
addition, the Fund may make short sales against the box, engage in securities
lending and strategic transactions, which may include derivatives, enter into
repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and may invest in illiquid
securities.
Investment-grade preferred stock and debt securities are securities
rated Baa or higher by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or BBB or
higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"), or, if unrated, are deemed by
the Fund's investment adviser, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser"),
to be of equivalent quality.
Up to 10% of the Fund's total assets may be invested directly in gold,
silver, platinum and palladium bullion and in gold and silver coins. In
addition, the Fund's assets may be invested in wholly-owned subsidiaries of the
Corporation that invest in gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion and in
gold and silver coins (see "Risk factors -- Precious metals").
When deemed appropriate by the Adviser, the Fund may temporarily invest
up to 30% of its assets to maintain liquidity. For temporary defensive purposes,
the Fund may vary from its investment policies during periods when the Adviser
<PAGE>
determines that it is advisable to do so because of conditions in the securities
markets or other economic or political conditions. During such periods, the Fund
may hold without limit cash, high quality cash equivalents (including foreign
money market instruments, such as bankers' acceptances, certificates of deposit,
commercial paper, short-term government and corporate obligations, and
repurchase agreements), obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,
its agencies or instrumentalities ("Government Securities"), and domestic
repurchase agreements. The Fund may also, for hedging purposes, invest up to 10%
of its assets in foreign currencies in the form of bank deposits (see "Risk
factors"). It is impossible to accurately predict how long such alternative
strategies may be utilized. To the extent the Fund holds cash or is not invested
in securities used to pursue its investment objective, the Fund will not achieve
its investment objective.
How investments are selected. The Adviser considers a variety of factors when
making investments in securities related to gold and other precious metals. Some
of these factors may include the ore quality of metals mined by a company, the
company's mining, processing and fabricating costs and techniques, and the
quantity of unmined reserves. Other factors that may be evaluated include a
company's financial condition, potential development of property, capital
spending plans, quality of management, nature of any affiliations, current and
prospective tax liability, labor relations and marketability of a company's
equity or debt securities.
Bullion and coins in which the Fund invests will be bought from and
sold to institutions such as U.S. and foreign banks, regulated U.S. commodities
exchanges, exchanges affiliated with a regulated U.S. stock exchange, and
dealers who are members of, or affiliated with, a regulated U.S. commodities
exchange and who are qualified to provide an accepted certification of purity.
Coins will be purchased for their metallic value and not for their currency or
numismatic value. While bullion and coins do not generate income and may subject
the Fund to certain taxes, insurance, shipping and storage costs, the Adviser
believes that such investments could serve to moderate fluctuations in the value
of the Fund's shares. Historically, prices of precious metals have tended not to
fluctuate as widely as shares of companies engaged in precious metals-related
businesses.
The Fund generally invests in equity securities of established
companies listed on U.S. or foreign securities exchanges but may also invest in
securities traded over-the-counter. Investments include companies of varying
size as measured by assets, sales or capitalization. The Fund may invest in
certain closed-end investment companies holding foreign securities in accordance
with the limitations of the 1940 Act.
Master/feeder Structure
The Board of Directors has the discretion to retain the current
distribution arrangement for the Fund while investing in a master fund in a
master/feeder structure as described below.
A master/feeder fund structure is one in which a fund (a "feeder
fund"), instead of investing directly in a portfolio of securities, invests most
or all of its investment assets in a separate registered investment company (the
"master fund") with substantially the same investment objective and policies as
the feeder fund. Such a structure permits the pooling of assets of two or more
feeder funds, preserving separate identities or distribution channels at the
feeder fund level. Based on the premise that certain of the expenses of
operating an investment portfolio are relatively fixed, a larger investment
portfolio may eventually achieve a lower ratio of operating expenses to average
net assets. An existing investment company is able to convert to a feeder fund
by selling all of its investments, which involves brokerage and other
transaction costs and realization of a taxable gain or loss, or by contributing
its assets to the master fund and avoiding transaction costs and, if proper
procedures are followed, the realization of taxable gain or loss.
Foreign Securities. Because of the Fund's policy of investing primarily in
gold-related investments, a substantial part of the Fund's assets is generally
invested in securities of companies primarily outside the United States,
wherever domiciled or operating (as well as in the Cayman Islands, the domicile
of Scudder Precious Metals, Inc.). Although the percentages of fund assets
invested outside the United States will vary, the Fund expects that a
substantial portion of its assets at any time will consist of non-U.S.
securities. Investors should recognize that investing in foreign securities
involves certain special considerations, including those set forth below, which
are not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities and which may
affect the Fund's performance favorably or unfavorably. As foreign companies are
not generally subject to uniform accounting and auditing and financial reporting
standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic
companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign
company than about a domestic company. Many foreign stock markets, while growing
2
<PAGE>
in volume of trading activity, have substantially less volume than the New York
Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"), and securities of some foreign companies are
less liquid and more volatile than securities of domestic companies. Similarly,
volume and liquidity in most foreign bond markets is less than that in the U.S.
market and at times, volatility of price can be greater than in the U.S.
Further, foreign markets have different clearance and settlement procedures and
in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to
keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to
conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary
periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned thereon.
The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement
problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities.
Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems either
could result in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the
portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the
security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Fixed commissions
on some foreign stock exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions
on U.S. exchanges, although the Fund will endeavor to achieve the most favorable
net results on its portfolio transactions. Further, the Fund may encounter
difficulties or be unable to pursue legal remedies and obtain judgments in
foreign courts. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of
business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies
than in the U.S. It may be more difficult for the Fund's agents to keep
currently informed about corporate actions such as stock dividends or other
matters which may affect the prices of portfolio securities. Communications
between the U.S. and foreign countries may be less reliable than within the
U.S., thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions
or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Payment for securities without
delivery may be required in certain foreign markets. In addition, with respect
to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments which could affect U.S. investments in those countries. Investments
in foreign securities may also entail certain risks such as possible currency
blockages or transfer restrictions, and the difficulty of enforcing rights in
other countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or
unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national
product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and
balance of payments position.
Investments in companies domiciled in developing countries may be
subject to potentially greater risks than investments in developed countries.
For example, the possibility of revolution and the dependence on foreign
economic assistance may be greater in these countries than in developed
countries. The management of the Fund seeks to mitigate the risks associated
with these considerations through diversification and active professional
management.
Investing in Emerging Markets. Most emerging securities markets may have
substantially less volume and are subject to less government supervision than
U.S. securities markets. Securities of many issuers in emerging markets may be
less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. In
addition, there is less regulation of securities exchanges, securities dealers,
and listed and unlisted companies in emerging markets than in the U.S.
Certain emerging markets may require governmental approval for the
repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of
securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in an
emerging market's balance of payments or for other reasons, a country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund could be
adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required
governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application
to the Fund of any restrictions on investments.
In the course of investment in emerging markets, the Fund will be
exposed to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social and economic
changes in one or more emerging markets. While the Fund will manage its assets
in a manner that will seek to minimize the exposure to such risks, there can be
no assurance that adverse political, social or economic changes will not cause
the Fund to suffer a loss of value in respect of the securities in the Fund's
portfolio.
The risk also exists that an emergency situation may arise in one or
more emerging markets as a result of which trading of securities may cease or
may be substantially curtailed and prices for the Fund's securities in such
markets may not be readily available. The Corporation may suspend redemption of
its shares for any period during which an emergency exists, as determined by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly, if the Fund
believes that appropriate circumstances exist, it will promptly apply to the SEC
for a determination that an emergency is present. During the period commencing
from the Fund's identification of such condition until the date of the SEC
action, the Fund's securities in the affected markets will be valued at fair
value determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Corporation's
Board of Directors.
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Volume and liquidity in most foreign markets are less than in the U.S.
and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than
securities of comparable U.S. companies. Fixed commissions on foreign securities
exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges,
although the Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on its
portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and
regulation of business and industry practices, securities exchanges, brokers,
dealers and listed companies than in the U.S. Mail service between the U.S. and
foreign countries may be slower or less reliable than within the U.S., thus
increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of
certificates for portfolio securities. In addition, with respect to certain
emerging markets, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory
taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which
could affect the Fund's investments in those countries. Moreover, individual
emerging market economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S.
economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation,
capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments
position.
Income from securities held by the Fund could be reduced by a
withholding tax on the source or other taxes imposed by the emerging market
countries in which the Fund makes its investments. The Fund's net asset value
may also be affected by changes in the rates or methods of taxation applicable
to the Fund or to entities in which the Fund has invested. The Adviser will
consider the cost of any taxes in determining whether to acquire any particular
investments, but can provide no assurance that the taxes will not be subject to
change.
Many emerging markets have experienced substantial, and in some periods
extremely high rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid
fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have adverse
effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market
countries. In an attempt to control inflation, wage and price controls have been
imposed in certain countries. Of these countries, some, in recent years, have
begun to control inflation through prudent economic policies.
Emerging market governmental issuers are among the largest debtors to
commercial banks, foreign governments, international financial organizations and
other financial institutions. Certain emerging market governmental issuers have
not been able to make payments of interest on or principal of debt obligations
as those payments have come due. Obligations arising from past restructuring
agreements may affect the economic performance and political and social
stability of those issuers.
Governments of many emerging market countries have exercised and
continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private
sector through the ownership or control of many companies, including some of the
largest in any given country. As a result, government actions in the future
could have a significant effect on economic conditions in emerging markets,
which in turn, may adversely affect companies in the private sector, general
market conditions and prices and yields of certain of the securities in the
Fund's portfolio. Expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization,
political, economic or social instability or other similar developments have
occurred frequently over the history of certain emerging markets and could
adversely affect the Fund's assets should these conditions recur.
The ability of emerging market country governmental issuers to make
timely payments on their obligations is likely to be influenced strongly by the
issuer's balance of payments, including export performance, and its access to
international credits and investments. An emerging market whose exports are
concentrated in a few commodities could be vulnerable to a decline in the
international prices of one or more of those commodities. Increased
protectionism on the part of an emerging market's trading partners could also
adversely affect the country's exports and diminish its trade account surplus,
if any. To the extent that emerging markets receive payment for its exports in
currencies other than dollars or non-emerging market currencies, its ability to
make debt payments denominated in dollars or non-emerging market currencies
could be affected.
Another factor bearing on the ability of emerging market countries to
repay debt obligations is the level of international reserves of the country.
Fluctuations in the level of these reserves affect the amount of foreign
exchange readily available for external debt payments and thus could have a
bearing on the capacity of emerging market countries to make payments on these
debt obligations.
To the extent that an emerging market country cannot generate a trade
surplus, it must depend on continuing loans from foreign governments,
multilateral organizations or private commercial banks, aid payments from
foreign governments and on inflows of foreign investment. The access of emerging
markets to these forms of external funding may not be certain, and a withdrawal
of external funding could adversely affect the capacity of emerging market
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country governmental issuers to make payments on their obligations. In addition,
the cost of servicing emerging market debt obligations can be affected by a
change in international interest rates since the majority of these obligations
carry interest rates that are adjusted periodically based upon international
rates.
Foreign Currencies. Investments in foreign securities usually will involve
currencies of foreign countries. Moreover, the Fund temporarily may hold funds
in bank deposits in foreign currencies during the completion of investment
programs. Because of these factors, the value of the assets of the Fund as
measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in
foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations, and the Fund
may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies.
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does not
intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a
daily basis. It will do so from time to time, and investors should be aware of
the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not
charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference
(the "spread") between the prices at which they are buying and selling various
currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at
one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to
resell that currency to the dealer. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency
exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate
prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through strategic
transactions involving currencies. (See "Strategic Transactions and
Derivatives.")
Because the Fund normally will be invested in both U.S. and foreign
securities markets, changes in the Fund's share price may not have a high
correlation with movements in the U.S. markets. The Fund's share price will
reflect the movements of both the different stock and bond markets in which it
is invested and of the currencies in which the investments are denominated; the
strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies may account
for part of the Fund's investment performance. U.S. and foreign securities
markets do not always move in step with each other and the total returns from
different markets may vary significantly.
Because of the Fund's investment policies and the investment
considerations discussed herein and in the Prospectus, an investment in shares
of the Fund is not intended to provide a complete investment program for an
investor.
Mining and exploration risks. The business of gold mining by its nature involves
significant risks and hazards, including environmental hazards, industrial
accidents, labor disputes, discharge of toxic chemicals, fire, drought, flooding
and natural acts. The occurrence of any of these hazards can delay production,
increase production costs and result in liability to the operator of the mines.
A mining operation may become subject to liability for pollution or other
hazards against which it has not insured or cannot insure, including those in
respect of past mining activities for which it was not responsible.
Exploration for gold and other precious metals is speculative in
nature, involves many risks and frequently is unsuccessful. There can be no
assurance that any mineralisation discovered will result in an increase in the
proven and probable reserves of a mining operation. If reserves are developed,
it can take a number of years from the initial phases of drilling and
identification of mineralisation until production is possible, during which time
the economic feasibility of production may change. Substantial expenditures are
required to establish ore reserves properties and to construct mining and
processing facilities. As a result of these uncertainties, no assurance can be
given that the exploration programs undertaken by a particular mining operation
will actually result in any new commercial mining.
Illiquid Securities. The Fund may occasionally purchase securities other than in
the open market. While such purchases may often offer attractive opportunities
for investment not otherwise available on the open market, the securities so
purchased are often "restricted securities" or "not readily marketable," i.e.,
securities which cannot be sold to the public without registration under the
Securities Act of 1933 or the availability of an exemption from registration
(such as Rules 144 or 144A) or because they are subject to other legal or
contractual delays in or restrictions on resale.
Debt Securities. The Fund may invest in investment-grade debt securities
convertible into or exchangeable for common stock. Investment grade-debt
securities are those rated Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's") or AAA, AA, A or BBB by Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or, if unrated,
judged to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser. Moody's
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considers bonds it rates Baa to have speculative elements as well as
investment-grade characteristics. (See "DESCRIPTION OF S&P AND MOODY'S
RATINGS.")
Asset-Indexed Securities. The Fund may purchase asset-indexed securities which
are debt securities usually issued by companies in precious metals related
businesses such as mining, the principal amount, redemption terms, or interest
rates of which are related to the market price of a specified precious metal.
The Fund will only enter into transactions in publicly traded asset-indexed
securities. Market prices of asset-indexed securities will relate primarily to
changes in the market prices of the precious metals to which the securities are
indexed rather than to changes in market rates of interest. However, there may
not be a perfect correlation between the price movements of the asset-indexed
securities and the underlying precious metals. Asset-indexed securities
typically bear interest or pay dividends at below market rates (and in certain
cases at nominal rates). The Fund may purchase asset-indexed securities to the
extent permitted by law.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with any
member bank of the Federal Reserve System, any foreign bank when the repurchase
agreement is fully secured by government securities of the particular
jurisdiction, or with any domestic or foreign broker/dealer which is recognized
as a reporting government securities dealer if the creditworthiness of the bank
or broker/dealer has been determined by the Adviser to be at least as high as
that of other obligations the Fund may purchase.
A repurchase agreement provides a means for the Fund to earn income on
funds for periods as short as overnight. It is an arrangement under which the
Purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires a security ("Obligation") and the seller
agrees, at the time of sale, to repurchase the Obligation at a specified time
and price. Securities subject to a repurchase agreement are held in a segregated
account and the value of such securities is kept at least equal to the
repurchase price on a daily basis. The repurchase price may be higher than the
purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and
repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the
Fund together with the repurchase price on the date of repurchase. In either
case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the Obligation
itself. Obligations will be held by the Fund's custodian or in the Federal
Reserve Book Entry System.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a
loan from the Fund to the seller of the Obligation subject to the repurchase
agreement and is therefore subject to the Fund's investment restriction
applicable to loans. It is not clear whether a court would consider the
Obligation purchased by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being
owned by the Fund or as being collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller.
In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with
respect to the seller of the Obligation before repurchase of the Obligation
under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs
before being able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or
decline in price of the Obligation. If the court characterizes the transaction
as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the Obligation,
the Fund may be required to return the Obligation to the seller's estate and be
treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the
Fund would be at the risk of losing some or all of the principal and income
involved in the transaction. As with unsecured debt obligations purchased for
the Fund, the Adviser seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase
agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the
seller of the Obligation. Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the
Obligation. However, if the market value of the Obligation subject to the
repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including
interest), the Fund will direct the seller of the Obligation to deliver
additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the
repurchase agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. It is possible
that the Fund will be unsuccessful in seeking to impose on the seller a
contractual obligation to deliver additional securities.
Short Sales Against the Box. The Fund may make short sales of common stocks if,
at all times when a short position is open, the Fund owns the stock or owns
preferred stocks or debt securities convertible or exchangeable, without payment
of further consideration, into the shares of common stock sold short. Short
sales of this kind are referred to as short sales "against the box." The
broker/dealer that executes a short sale generally invests cash proceeds of the
sale until they are paid to the Fund. Arrangements may be made with the
broker/dealer to obtain a portion of the interest earned by the broker on the
investment of short sale proceeds. The Fund will segregate the common stock or
convertible or exchangeable preferred stock or debt securities in a special
account with the Custodian.
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Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund has the ability to lend portfolio
securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations. Loans of
portfolio securities will be collateralized by cash, letters of credit or
Government Securities which are maintained at all times in an amount equal to at
least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. From time to
time, the Fund may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of
collateral received for securities loaned to the borrower and/or a third party
that is unaffiliated with the Fund and that is acting as a "finder."
By lending its securities, the Fund can increase its income by
continuing to receive interest on the loaned securities as well as by either
investing the cash collateral in short-term instruments or obtaining yield in
the form of interest paid by the borrower when Government Securities are used as
collateral. The Fund will adhere to the following conditions whenever its
portfolio securities are loaned: (a) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash
collateral or equivalent securities from the borrower; (b) the borrower must
increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above
the level of such collateral; (c) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan at
any time; (d) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as
any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities, and any
increase in market value; (e) the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees in
connection with the loan; and (f) voting rights on the loaned securities may
pass to the borrower; provided, however, that if a material event adversely
affecting the investment occurs, the Corporation's Board of Directors must
terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities. Any gain or loss
in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of
the loan would be for the Fund's account. The Fund has no current intention to
loan portfolio securities.
Zero Coupon Bonds. The Fund may invest in zero coupon bonds which pay no
periodic interest payments and are sold at substantial discounts from their
value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire income, which consists of
accretion of discount, comes from the difference between the issue price and
their value at maturity. Zero coupon bonds are subject to greater market value
fluctuations from changing interest rates than debt obligations of comparable
maturities which make current distributions of interest (cash).
Warrants. The Fund may purchase warrants issued by domestic and foreign issuers
to purchase newly created equity issues consisting of common and preferred
stock, convertible preferred stock and warrants that themselves are only
convertible into common, preferred or convertible preferred stock. The equity
issue underlying an equity warrant is outstanding at the time the equity warrant
is issued or is issued together with the warrant. At the time the Fund acquires
an equity warrant convertible into a warrant, the terms and conditions under
which the warrant received upon conversion can be exercised will have been
determined; the warrant received upon conversion will only be convertible into a
common, preferred or convertible preferred stock.
Investing in warrants can provide a greater potential for profit or
loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security, and, thus, can be
a speculative investment. The value of a warrant may decline because of a
decline in the value of the underlying security, the passage of time, changes in
interest rates or in the dividend or other policies of the company whose equity
underlies the warrant or a change in the perception as to the future price of
the underlying security, or any combination thereof. Warrants generally pay no
dividends and confer no voting or other rights other than to purchase the
underlying security.
Strategic Transactions and Derivatives. The Fund may, but is not required to,
utilize various other investment strategies as described below to hedge various
market risks (such as interest rates, currency exchange rates, and broad or
specific equity or fixed-income market movements), to manage the effective
maturity or duration of fixed-income securities in the Fund's portfolio, or to
enhance potential gain. These strategies may be executed through the use of
derivative contracts. Such strategies are generally accepted as a part of modern
portfolio management and are regularly utilized by many mutual funds and other
institutional investors. Techniques and instruments may change over time as new
instruments and strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur.
In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may
purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on
securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other financial instruments,
purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, enter into
various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and
enter into various currency transactions such as currency forward contracts,
currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currencies or currency
futures (collectively, all the above are called "Strategic Transactions").
Strategic Transactions may be used without limit to attempt to protect against
possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased
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for the Fund's portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange
rate fluctuations, to protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its
portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment
purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of fixed-income
securities in the Fund's portfolio, or to establish a position in the
derivatives markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling
particular securities . Some Strategic Transactions may also be used to enhance
potential gain although no more than 5% of the Fund's assets will be committed
to Strategic Transactions entered into for non-hedging purposes. Any or all of
these investment techniques may be used at any time and in any combination, and
there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather
than another, as use of any Strategic Transaction is a function of numerous
variables including market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these
Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Adviser's ability to
predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will
comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these
strategies, techniques and instruments. Strategic Transactions involving
financial futures and options thereon will be purchased, sold or entered into
only for bona fide hedging, risk management or portfolio management purposes and
not to create leveraged exposure in the Fund.
Strategic Transactions, including derivative contracts, have risks
associated with them including possible default by the other party to the
transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Adviser's view as to certain
market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic
Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use
of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale or
purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than
(in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of call options) current
market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its
investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The
use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses as a result
of a number of factors including the imposition of exchange controls, suspension
of settlements, or the inability to deliver or receive a specified currency. The
use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In
particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of
futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio position of the
Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be
greater than gains in the value of the Fund's position. In addition, futures and
options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and certain
over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in certain markets,
the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring
substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of futures and options
transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a
decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to limit
any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of such
position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts
would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of
options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium.
Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce net asset
value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the Strategic
Transactions had not been utilized.
General Characteristics of Options. Put options and call options typically have
similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the
underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following
general discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed
in greater detail below. In addition, many Strategic Transactions involving
options require segregation of Fund assets in special accounts, as described
below under "Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts."
A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a
premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying
security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price.
For instance, the Fund's purchase of a put option on a security might be
designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some
cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value
by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise
price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the
option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying
instrument at the exercise price. The Fund's purchase of a call option on a
security, financial future, index, currency or other instrument might be
intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying
instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at
which it may purchase such instrument. An American style put or call option may
be exercised at any time during the option period while a European style put or
call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior
thereto. The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell exchange listed options and
over-the-counter options ("OTC options"). Exchange listed options are issued by
a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), which
guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to such options.
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The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other
financial intermediaries.
With certain exceptions, OCC issued and exchange listed options
generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency,
although in the future cash settlement may become available. Index options and
Eurodollar instruments are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the
option is "in-the-money" (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument
exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put
option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised.
Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument
through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by
entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in
ownership of the new option.
The Fund's ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller
of an OCC or exchange listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the
liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a
liquid option market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in
certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii)
trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to
particular classes or series of options or underlying securities including
reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the
OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to
handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to
discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options),
in which event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease
to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue
to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours
during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that
the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial
instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the
underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.
OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial
institutions or other parties ("Counterparties") through direct bilateral
agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which
generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an
OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price,
premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties. The
Fund will only sell OTC options (other than OTC currency options) that are
subject to a buy-back provision permitting the Fund to require the Counterparty
to sell the option back to the Fund at a formula price within seven days. The
Fund expects generally to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement
provisions, although it is not required to do so.
Unless the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or
guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty fails to
make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying
an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash
settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund
will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit
of the transaction. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of
each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the
Counterparty's credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC
option will be satisfied. The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only
with U.S. government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York as "primary dealers" or broker/dealers, domestic or foreign banks or
other financial institutions which have received (or the guarantors of the
obligation of which have received) a short-term credit rating of A-1 from S&P or
P-1 from Moody's or an equivalent rating from any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization ("NRSRO") or, in the case of OTC currency
transactions, are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser.
The staff of the SEC currently takes the position that OTC options purchased by
the Fund, and portfolio securities "covering" the amount of the Fund's
obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by it (the cost of the sell-back plus
the in-the-money amount, if any) are illiquid, and are subject to the Fund's
limitation on investing no more than 10% of its assets in illiquid securities.
If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve
as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in
the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will
increase the Fund's income. The sale of put options can also provide income.
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The Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities including
U.S. Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt
securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar
instruments that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the
over-the-counter markets, and on securities indices, currencies and futures
contracts. All calls sold by the Fund must be "covered" (i.e., the Fund must own
the securities or futures contract subject to the call) or must meet the asset
segregation requirements described below as long as the call is outstanding.
Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against
loss, a call sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to
possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the
underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or
instrument which it might otherwise have sold.
The Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities including U.S.
Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt
securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar
instruments (whether or not it holds the above securities in its portfolio), and
on securities, indices, currencies and futures contracts other than futures on
individual corporate debt and individual equity securities. The Fund will not
sell put options if, as a result, more than 50% of the Fund's assets would be
required to be segregated to cover its potential obligations under such put
options other than those with respect to futures and options thereon. In selling
put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying
security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.
General Characteristics of Futures. The Fund may enter into financial futures
contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures as a hedge
against anticipated interest rate, currency or equity market changes, for
duration management and for risk management purposes. Futures are generally
bought and sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed with payment
of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures
contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the
buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a
specific future time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures
and Eurodollar instruments, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts
are similar to options on securities except that an option on a futures contract
gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a
position in a futures contract and obligates the seller to deliver such
position.
The Fund's use of financial futures and options thereon will in all
cases be consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and in particular
the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and will
be entered into only for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration
management) or other portfolio management purposes. Typically, maintaining a
futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to deposit with
a financial intermediary as security for its obligations an amount of cash or
other specified assets (initial margin) which initially is typically 1% to 10%
of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances).
Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to be deposited
thereafter on a daily basis as the mark to market value of the contract
fluctuates. The purchase of an option on financial futures involves payment of a
premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the Fund.
If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be obligated to
post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation margin) for the
resulting futures position just as it would for any position. Futures contracts
and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting
transaction but there can be no assurance that the position can be offset prior
to settlement at an advantageous price, nor that delivery will occur.
The Fund will not enter into a futures contract or related option
(except for closing transactions) if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the
amount of its initial margin and premiums on open futures contracts and options
thereon would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets (taken at current value);
however, in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of the
purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%
limitation. The segregation requirements with respect to futures contracts and
options thereon are described below.
Options on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices. The Fund also may
purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices and other financial
indices and in so doing can achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve
through the sale or purchase of options on individual securities or other
instruments. Options on securities indices and other financial indices are
similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than
settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash
settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive,
upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index
upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than,
in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option (except if, in the case
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of an OTC option, physical delivery is specified). This amount of cash is equal
to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the
option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the
option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of
this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price
movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or
other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price
movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on
securities.
Currency Transactions. The Fund may engage in currency transactions with
Counterparties in order to hedge the value of portfolio holdings denominated in
particular currencies against fluctuations in relative value. Currency
transactions include forward currency contracts, exchange listed currency
futures, exchange listed and OTC options on currencies, and currency swaps. A
forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated obligation to purchase
or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific currency at a future date,
which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon
by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency swap is
an agreement to exchange cash flows based on the notional difference among two
or more currencies and operates similarly to an interest rate swap, which is
described below. The Fund may enter into currency transactions with
Counterparties which have received (or the guarantors of the obligations which
have received) a credit rating of A-1 or P-1 by S&P or Moody's, respectively, or
that have an equivalent rating from a NRSRO or are determined to be of
equivalent credit quality by the Adviser.
The Fund's dealings in forward currency contracts and other currency
transactions such as futures, options, options on futures and swaps will be
limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio
positions. Transaction hedging is entering into a currency transaction with
respect to specific assets or liabilities of the Fund, which will generally
arise in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities or the
receipt of income therefrom. Position hedging is entering into a currency
transaction with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or
generally quoted in that currency.
The Fund will not enter into a transaction to hedge currency exposure
to an extent greater, after netting all transactions intended wholly or
partially to offset other transactions, than the aggregate market value (at the
time of entering into the transaction) of the securities held in its portfolio
that are denominated or generally quoted in or currently convertible into such
currency, other than with respect to proxy hedging or cross hedging as described
below.
The Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions
to purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value
relative to other currencies to which the Fund has or in which the Fund expects
to have portfolio exposure.
To reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing
or anticipated holdings of portfolio securities, the Fund may also engage in
proxy hedging. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Fund's
portfolio is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the dollar. Proxy
hedging entails entering into a commitment or option to sell a currency whose
changes in value are generally considered to be correlated to a currency or
currencies in which some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities are or are
expected to be denominated, in exchange for U.S. dollars. The amount of the
commitment or option would not exceed the value of the Fund's securities
denominated in correlated currencies. For example, if the Adviser considers that
the Austrian schilling is correlated to the German deutschemark (the "D-mark"),
the Fund holds securities denominated in schillings and the Adviser believes
that the value of schillings will decline against the U.S. dollar, the Adviser
may enter into a commitment or option to sell D-marks and buy dollars. Currency
hedging involves some of the same risks and considerations as other transactions
with similar instruments. Currency transactions can result in losses to the Fund
if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction
that is not anticipated. Further, there is the risk that the perceived
correlation between various currencies may not be present or may not be present
during the particular time that the Fund is engaging in proxy hedging. If the
Fund enters into a currency hedging transaction, the Fund will comply with the
asset segregation requirements described below.
Risks of Currency Transactions. Currency transactions are subject to risks
different from those of other portfolio transactions. Because currency control
is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic
planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency and related instruments can
be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and
manipulations or exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These can result
in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or funds in
settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be
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rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring
transaction costs. Buyers and sellers of currency futures are subject to the
same risks that apply to the use of futures generally. Further, settlement of a
currency futures contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a
bank based in the issuing nation. Trading options on currency futures is
relatively new, and the ability to establish and close out positions on such
options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid market which may not always be
available. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate based on factors extrinsic to
that country's economy.
Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including
multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency
transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate
transactions and any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate
transactions ("component" transactions), instead of a single Strategic
Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of
the Adviser, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined
transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of
its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered
into based on the Adviser's judgment that the combined strategies will reduce
risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management
goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or
hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.
Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. Among the Strategic Transactions into which the
Fund may enter are interest rate, currency and index swaps and the purchase or
sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter into these
transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment
or portion of its portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a
duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of
securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund intends to
use these transactions as hedges and not as speculative investments and will not
sell interest rate caps or floors where it does not own securities or other
instruments providing the income stream the Fund may be obligated to pay.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating
rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of
principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows on a notional
amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among
them and an index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional amount
based on changes in the values of the reference indices. The purchase of a cap
entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from
the party selling such cap to the extent that a specified index exceeds a
predetermined interest rate or amount. The purchase of a floor entitles the
purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party
selling such floor to the extent that a specified index falls below a
predetermined interest rate or amount. A collar is a combination of a cap and a
floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest
rates or values.
The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two
payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates
specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may
be, only the net amount of the two payments. Inasmuch as these swaps, caps,
floors and collars are entered into for good faith hedging purposes, the Adviser
and the Fund believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities under
the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to its
borrowing restrictions. The Fund will not enter into any swap, cap, floor or
collar transaction unless, at the time of entering into such transaction, the
unsecured long-term debt of the Counterparty, combined with any credit
enhancements, is rated at least A by S&P or Moody's or has an equivalent rating
from a NRSRO or is determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser.
If there is a default by the Counterparty, the Fund may have contractual
remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The swap market
has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and
investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing
standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become
relatively liquid. Caps, floors and collars are more recent innovations for
which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and,
accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.
Eurodollar Instruments. The Fund may make investments in Eurodollar instruments.
Eurodollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts or options
thereon which are linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"),
although foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time to
time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for
the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. The Fund
might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against
changes in LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments
are linked.
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Risks of Strategic Transactions Outside the U.S. When conducted outside the
U.S., Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the U.S.,
may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to
the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign
securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also
could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and
economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the U.S. of data on which to
make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon economic
events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the U.S., (iv)
the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and
margin requirements than in the U.S., and (v) lower trading volume and
liquidity.
Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts. Many Strategic Transactions, in
addition to other requirements, require that the Fund segregate liquid high
grade assets with its custodian to the extent Fund obligations are not otherwise
"covered" through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or
currency. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to
pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the
securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered, or, subject to any
regulatory restrictions, an amount of cash or liquid high grade securities at
least equal to the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the
custodian. The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent
assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate
them. For example, a call option written by the Fund will require the Fund to
hold the securities subject to the call (or securities convertible into the
needed securities without additional consideration) or to segregate liquid
high-grade securities sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the
call is exercised. A call option sold by the Fund on an index will require the
Fund to own portfolio securities which correlate with the index or to segregate
liquid high grade assets equal to the excess of the index value over the
exercise price on a current basis. A put option written by the Fund requires the
Fund to segregate liquid, high grade assets equal to the exercise price.
Except when the Fund enters into a forward contract for the purchase or
sale of a security denominated in a particular currency, which requires no
segregation, a currency contract which obligates the Fund to buy or sell
currency will generally require the Fund to hold an amount of that currency or
liquid securities denominated in that currency equal to the Fund's obligations
or to segregate liquid high grade assets equal to the amount of the Fund's
obligation.
OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities,
currency, financial instruments or indices and OCC issued and exchange listed
index options, will generally provide for cash settlement. As a result, when the
Fund sells these instruments it will only segregate an amount of assets equal to
its accrued net obligations, as there is no requirement for payment or delivery
of amounts in excess of the net amount. These amounts will equal 100% of the
exercise price in the case of a non cash-settled put, the same as an OCC
guaranteed listed option sold by the Fund, or the in-the-money amount plus any
sell-back formula amount in the case of a cash-settled put or call. In addition,
when the Fund sells a call option on an index at a time when the in-the-money
amount exceeds the exercise price, the Fund will segregate, until the option
expires or is closed out, cash or cash equivalents equal in value to such
excess. OCC issued and exchange listed options sold by the Fund other than those
above generally settle with physical delivery, or with an election of either
physical delivery or cash settlement and the Fund will segregate an amount of
assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC options settling with physical
delivery, or with an election of either physical delivery or cash settlement
will be treated the same as other options settling with physical delivery.
In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon, the Fund must
deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to
segregating assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide
securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an
index-based futures contract. Such assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents,
liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets.
With respect to swaps, the Fund will accrue the net amount of the
excess, if any, of its obligations over its entitlements with respect to each
swap on a daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or liquid high grade
securities having a value equal to the accrued excess. Caps, floors and collars
require segregation of assets with a value equal to the Fund's net obligation,
if any.
Strategic Transactions may be covered by other means when consistent
with applicable regulatory policies. The Fund may also enter into offsetting
transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets,
equals its net outstanding obligation in related options and Strategic
Transactions. For example, the Fund could purchase a put option if the strike
price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option
sold by the Fund. Moreover, instead of segregating assets if the Fund held a
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futures or forward contract, it could purchase a put option on the same futures
or forward contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the
contract held. Other Strategic Transactions may also be offset in combinations.
If the offsetting transaction terminates at the time of or after the primary
transaction no segregation is required, but if it terminates prior to such time,
assets equal to any remaining obligation would need to be segregated.
The Fund's activities involving Strategic Transactions may be limited
by the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code for
qualification as a regulated investment company. (See "TAXES.")
Investment Considerations. In non-U.S. markets, issuers often issue new shares
on a partially-paid basis. The aggregate purchase price is paid in installments
over a specified period, generally not more than nine months, during which time
the shares trade freely on a partially-paid basis. The Fund anticipates that it
may purchase partially-paid shares from time to time.
Foreign securities such as those purchased by the Fund may be subject
to foreign government taxes which could reduce the yield on such securities,
although a shareholder of the Fund may, subject to certain limitations, be
entitled to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes for
his or her proportionate share of such foreign taxes paid by the Fund. (See
"TAXES.")
Because direct investments in precious metals do not generate income,
they may be subject to greater fluctuations in value than interest-paying and
dividend-paying securities. Investors should also be aware that gold coins trade
at approximately the current or spot price of the underlying gold bullion plus a
premium which reflects, among other things, fabrication costs incurred in
producing the coins. This premium has ranged from 2.5% to 15%. Any change in
this premium will affect the value of the Fund's shares.
Changes in portfolio securities are normally made on the basis of
investment considerations.
The Fund cannot guarantee a gain or eliminate the risk of loss. The net
asset value of the Fund's shares will increase or decrease with changes in the
market price of the Fund's investments.
Investment Restrictions
The policies set forth below have been adopted by the Corporation with
respect to the Fund as fundamental policies and may not be changed without
approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund which,
under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and as used in this Statement of
Additional Information, means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the shares
present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (2) more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of the Fund.
The Fund has elected to be classified as a non-diversified series of an
open-end investment company.
The Fund may not:
(1) make loans to other persons, except (i) loans of portfolio
securities, and (ii) to the extent that entry into repurchase
agreements and the purchase of debt instruments or interests
in indebtedness in accordance with the Fund's investment
objective and policies may be deemed to be loans.
(2) engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by
others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be
an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio
securities;
(3) purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include
securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages
or investments secured by real estate or interests therein,
except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to
sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund's ownership
of securities;
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(4) purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts relating to
physical commodities, except for contracts for the future
delivery of gold, silver, platinum and palladium and gold,
silver, platinum and palladium bullion and coins;
(5) concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that
term is used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory
authority having jurisdiction, from time to time, except that
the Fund may concentrate in securities issued by wholly owned
subsidiaries of Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc. and securities of
companies that are primarily engaged in the exploration,
mining, fabrication, processing or distribution of gold and
other precious metals and in gold, silver, platinum and
palladium bullion and coins;
(6) borrow money, except as permitted under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by
regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;
and
(7) issue senior securities, except as permitted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted
or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from
time to time.
Other Investment Policies. The Directors of the Corporation have voluntarily
adopted certain policies and restrictions which are observed in the conduct of
the Fund's affairs. These represent intentions of the Directors based upon
current circumstances. They differ from fundamental investment policies in that
they may be changed or amended by action of the Directors without requiring
prior notice to or approval of shareholders.
In accordance with such policies and guidelines the Corporation may
not, for or on behalf of the Fund:
(1) borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of its total assets,
except (I) for temporary or emergency purposes and (ii) by
engaging in reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, or
other investments or transactions described in the Fund's
registration statement which may be deemed to be borrowings;
(2) purchase securities on margin or make short sales, except (I)
short sales against the box, (ii) in connection with arbitrage
transactions, (iii) for margin deposits in connection with
futures contracts, options or other permitted investments,
(iv) that transactions in futures contracts and options shall
not be deemed to constitute selling securities short, and (v)
that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be
necessary for the clearance of securities transactions;
(3) purchase options, unless the aggregate premiums paid on all
such options held by the Fund at any time do not exceed 20% of
its total assets; or sell put options , if as a result, the
aggregate value of the obligations underlying such put options
would exceed 50% of its total assets;
(4) enter into futures contracts or purchase options thereon for
other than bona fide hedging purposes unless immediately after
the purchase, the value of the aggregate initial margin with
respect to such futures contracts entered into on behalf of
the Fund and the premiums paid for such options on futures
contracts does not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the
Fund's total assets; provided that in the case of an option
that is in-the-money at the time of purchase, the in-the-money
amount may be excluded in computing the 5% limit;
(5) purchase warrants if as a result, such securities, taken at
the lower of cost or market value, would represent more than
5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (for this purpose,
warrants acquired in units or attached to securities will be
deemed to have no value); and
(6) lend portfolio securities in an amount greater than 5% of its
total assets.
The 1940 Act limits the Fund's investment in other investment
companies. To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other investment
companies, pursuant to the 1940 Act, additional fees and expenses in addition to
those incurred by the Fund may be deducted from such investments.
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If a percentage restriction on investment or utilization of assets as
set forth under "Investment Restrictions" and "Other Investment Policies" above
is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later change in percentage
resulting from changes in the value or the total cost of the Funds assets will
not be considered a violation of the restriction. In order to permit sale of the
Fund's shares in certain states, the Corporation may make commitments more
restrictive than the investment restrictions described above with respect to the
Fund. Should the Corporation determine that any such commitment is no longer in
the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, it will revoke the
commitment by terminating sales of the Fund's shares in the state involved.
PURCHASES
(See "Purchases" and "Transaction information" in the Fund's
prospectus.)
Additional Information About Opening an Account
Clients having a regular investment counsel account with the Adviser or
its affiliates and members of their immediate families, officers and employees
of Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. or of any affiliated organization and their
immediate families, members of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD") and banks may, if they prefer, subscribe initially for at least
$2,500 through Scudder Investor Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") by letter,
fax, TWX, or telephone.
Shareholders of other Scudder funds who have submitted an account
application and have a certified tax identification number, clients having a
regular investment counsel account with the Adviser or its affiliates and
members of their immediate families, officers and employees of the Adviser or of
any affiliated organization and their immediate families, members of the NASD
and banks may open an account by wire. These investors must call 1-800-225-5163
to get an account number. During the call, the investor will be asked to
indicate the Fund name, amount to be wired ($2,500 minimum), name of bank or
Corporation company from which the wire will be sent, the exact registration of
the new account, the tax identification or Social Security number, address and
telephone number. The investor must then call the bank to arrange a wire
transfer to State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA
02110, Account Number 9903-5552, ABA Number 011000028. The investor must give
the Scudder fund name, account name and new account number. Finally, the
investor must send the completed and signed application to the Fund promptly.
The minimum initial purchase amount is less than $2,500 under certain
special plan accounts.
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments by QuickBuy
Shareholders, whose predesignated bank account of record is a member of
the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) and who have elected to participate
in the QuickBuy program, may purchase shares of the Fund by telephone. Through
this service shareholders may purchase up to $250,000. To purchase shares by
QuickBuy, shareholders should call before the close of regular trading on the
Exchange, normally 4 p.m. eastern time. Proceeds in the amount of your purchase
will be transferred from your bank checking account two or three business days
following your call. For requests received by the close of regular trading on
the Exchange, shares will be purchased at the net asset value per share
calculated at the close of trading on the day of your call. QuickBuy requests
received after the close of regular trading on the Exchange will begin their
processing and be purchased at the net asset value calculated the following
business day. If you purchase shares by QuickBuy and redeem them within seven
days of the purchase, the Fund may hold the redemption proceeds for a period of
up to seven business days. If you purchase shares and there are insufficient
funds in your bank account the purchase will be canceled and you will be subject
to any losses or fees incurred in the transaction. QuickBuy transactions are not
available for most retirement plan accounts. However, QuickBuy transactions are
available for Scudder IRA accounts.
In order to request purchases by QuickBuy, shareholders must have
completed and returned to the Transfer Agent the application, including the
designation of a bank account from which the purchase payment will be debited.
New investors wishing to establish QuickBuy may so indicate on the application.
Existing shareholders who wish to add QuickBuy to their account may do so by
completing a QuickBuy Enrollment Form. After sending in an enrollment form
shareholders should allow 15 days for this service to be available.
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The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls,
testing a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone
transactions, designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent
that the Fund does not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be
liable for acting upon instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably
believes to be genuine.
Additional Information About Making Subsequent Investments By Telephone Order
Subsequent purchase orders for $10,000 or more and for an amount not
greater than four times the value of the shareholder's account may be placed by
telephone or fax by members of the NASD, by banks and by established
shareholders (except by Scudder Individual Retirement Account (IRA), Scudder
Profit Sharing and Money Purchase Pension Plans, and Scudder 401(k) and Scudder
403(b) Planholders). Orders placed in this manner may be directed to any office
of the Distributor listed in the Fund's prospectus. An invoice of the purchase
will be mailed out promptly following receipt of a request to buy. Payment
should be attached to a copy of the invoice for proper identification. Federal
regulations require that payment be received within three (3) business days. If
payment is not received within that time, the shares may be canceled. In the
event of such cancellation or cancellation at the purchaser's request, the
purchaser will be responsible for any loss incurred by the Fund or the principal
underwriter by reason of such cancellation. If the purchaser is a shareholder,
the Fund shall have the authority, as agent of the shareholder, to redeem shares
in the account in order to reimburse the Fund or the principal underwriter for
the loss incurred. Net losses on such transactions which are not recovered from
the purchaser will be absorbed by the principal underwriter. Any net profit on
the liquidation of unpaid shares will accrue to the Fund.
Checks
A certified check is not necessary, but checks are only accepted
subject to collection at full face value in U.S. funds and must be drawn on, or
payable through, a U.S. bank.
If shares of the Fund are purchased by a check which proves to be
uncollectible, the Corporation reserves the right to cancel the purchase
immediately and the purchaser will be responsible for any loss incurred by the
Corporation, the Fund or the principal underwriter by reason of such
cancellation. If the purchaser is a shareholder, the Corporation will have the
authority, as agent of the shareholder, to redeem shares in the account to
reimburse the Fund or the principal underwriter for the loss incurred. Investors
whose orders have been canceled may be prohibited from or restricted in placing
future orders in any of the Scudder funds.
Wire Transfer of Federal Funds
To obtain the net asset value determined as of the close of regular
trading on the Exchange (normally 4 p.m. eastern time) on a selected day, your
bank must forward federal funds by wire transfer and provide the required
account information so as to be available to the Corporation prior to 4 p.m.
eastern time.
The bank sending an investor's federal funds by bank wire may charge
for the service. Presently, the Distributor pays a fee for receipt by State
Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian"), of "wired funds," but the right
to charge investors for this service is reserved.
Boston banks are closed on certain holidays although the Exchange may
be open. These holidays include: Columbus Day (the 2nd Monday in October), and
Veterans' Day (November 11). Investors are not able to purchase shares by wiring
federal funds on such holidays because the Custodian is not open to receive such
funds on behalf of the Fund.
Share Price
Purchases will be filled without sales charge at the net asset value
next computed after receipt of the purchase order in good order. Net asset value
normally will be computed as of the close of regular trading on each day the
Exchange is open for trading. Orders received after the close of regular trading
on the Exchange will be executed at the next business day's net asset value. If
the order has been placed by a member of the NASD, other than Scudder Investor
Services, Inc., it is the responsibility of that member broker, rather than the
Fund, to forward the purchase order to Scudder Service Corporation (the
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<PAGE>
"Transfer Agent") in Boston by the close of regular trading on the Exchange.
Share Certificates
Due to the desire of the Fund's management to afford ease of
redemption, certificates will not be issued to indicate ownership in the Fund.
Share certificates now in a shareholder's possession may be sent to the Transfer
Agent for cancellation and credit to such shareholder's account. Shareholders
who prefer may hold the certificates in their possession until they wish to
exchange or redeem such shares.
Other Information
The Fund has authorized certain members of the NASD other than the
Distributor to accept purchase and redemption orders for the Fund's shares.
Those brokers may also designate other parties to accept purchase and redemption
orders on the Fund's behalf. Orders for purchase or redemption will be deemed to
have been received by the Fund when such brokers or their authorized designees
accept the orders. Subject to the terms of the contract between the Fund and the
broker, ordinarily orders will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next
computed after acceptance by such brokers or their authorized designees.
Further, if purchases or redemptions of the Fund's shares are arranged and
settlement is made at an investor's election through any other authorized NASD
member, that member may, at its discretion, charge a fee for that service. The
Board of Directors and the Distributor, also the Fund's principal underwriter,
each has the right to limit the amount of purchases by, and to refuse to sell
to, any person. The Directors and the Distributor may suspend or terminate the
offering of shares of the Fund at any time for any reason.
The Board of Directors and the Distributor, the Fund's principal
underwriter, each has the right to limit, for any reason, the amount of
purchases by, and to refuse to sell to any person; and each may suspend or
terminate the offering of shares of the Fund at any time for any reason.
The Tax Identification Number section of the application must be
completed when opening an account. Applications and purchase orders without a
correct certified tax identification number and certain other certified
information (e.g., from exempt investors, certification of exempt status) may be
returned to the investor unless a correct, certified tax identification number
and certain other required certificates are supplied.
The Corporation may issue shares of the Fund at net asset value in
connection with any merger or consolidation with, or acquisition of the assets
of, any investment company or personal holding company, subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS
(See "Exchanges and redemptions" and "Transaction information" in the
Fund's prospectus.)
Exchanges
Exchanges are comprised of a redemption from one Scudder fund and a
purchase into another Scudder fund. The purchase side of the exchange either may
be an additional investment into an existing account or may involve opening a
new account in the other fund. When an exchange involves a new account, the new
account will be established with the same registration, tax identification
number, address, telephone redemption option, "Scudder Automated Information
Line" (SAIL) transaction authorization and dividend option as the existing
account. Other features will not carry over automatically to the new account.
Exchanges to a new fund account must be for a minimum of $2,500. When an
exchange represents an additional investment into an existing account, the
account receiving the exchange proceeds must have identical registration,
address, and account options/features as the account of origin. Exchanges into
an existing account must be for $100 or more. If the account receiving the
exchange proceeds is to be different in any respect, the exchange request must
be in writing and must contain a signature guarantee as described under
"Transaction Information -- Redeeming shares -- By mail or fax" in the Fund's
prospectus.
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<PAGE>
Exchange orders received before the close of regular trading on the
Exchange on any business day ordinarily will be executed at the respective net
asset values determined on that day. Exchange orders received after the close of
regular trading on the Exchange will be executed on the following business day.
Investors may also request, at no extra charge, to have exchanges
automatically executed on a predetermined schedule from one Scudder fund to an
existing account in another Scudder fund, at current net asset value, through
Scudder's Automatic Exchange Program. Exchanges must be for a minimum of $50.
Shareholders may add this free feature over the telephone or in writing.
Automatic Exchanges will continue until the shareholder requests by telephone or
in writing to have the feature removed, or until the originating account is
depleted. The Corporation and the Transfer Agent each reserves the right to
suspend or terminate the privilege of the Automatic Exchange Program at any
time.
There is no charge to the shareholder for any exchange described above.
An exchange into another Scudder fund is a redemption of shares, and therefore
may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder, and the
proceeds of such an exchange may be subject to backup withholding.
(See "TAXES.")
Investors currently receive the exchange privilege, including exchange
by telephone, automatically without having to elect it. The Corporation employs
procedures, including recording telephone calls, testing a caller's identity,
and sending written confirmation of telephone transactions, designed to give
reasonable assurance that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine,
and to discourage fraud. To the extent that the Corporation does not follow such
procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
telephone instructions. The Corporation will not be liable for acting upon
instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be
genuine. The Corporation and the Transfer Agent each reserves the right to
suspend or terminate the privilege of exchanging by telephone or fax at any
time.
The Scudder funds into which investors may make an exchange are listed
under "THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS" herein. Before making an exchange,
shareholders should obtain from Scudder Investor Services, Inc. a prospectus of
the Scudder fund into which the exchange is being contemplated.
Scudder retirement plans may have different exchange requirements.
Please refer to appropriate plan literature.
Redemption by Telephone
In order to request redemptions by telephone, shareholders must have
completed and returned to the Transfer Agent the application, including the
designation of a bank account to which the redemption proceeds are to be sent.
Shareholders currently receive automatically, without having to elect it, the
right to redeem up to $100,000 to their address of record. Shareholders may
request to have the proceeds mailed or wired to their predesignated bank
account.
(a) NEW INVESTORS wishing to establish telephone redemption to a
predesignated bank account must complete the appropriate section on
the application.
(b) EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS (except those who are Scudder IRA, Scudder
Pension and Profit-Sharing, Scudder 401(k) and Scudder 403(b)
Planholders) who wish to establish telephone redemption to a
predesignated bank account or who want to change the bank account
previously designated to receive redemption payments should either
return a Telephone Redemption Option Form (available upon request) or
send a letter identifying the account and specifying the exact
information to be changed. The letter must be signed exactly as the
shareholder's name(s) appears on the account. A signature and a
signature guarantee are required for each person in whose name the
account is registered.
Telephone redemption is not available with respect to shares
represented by share certificates or shares held in certain retirement accounts.
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<PAGE>
If a request for redemption to a shareholder's bank account is made by
telephone or fax, payment will be by Federal Reserve bank wire to the bank
account designated on the application, unless a request is made that the
redemption check be mailed to the designated bank account. There will be a $5
charge for all wire redemptions.
Note: Investors designating a savings bank to receive their telephone
redemption proceeds are advised that if the savings bank is not a
participant in the Federal Reserve System, redemption proceeds
must be wired through a commercial bank which is a correspondent
of the savings bank. As this may delay receipt by the
shareholder's account, it is suggested that investors wishing to
use a savings bank discuss wire procedures with their bank and
submit any special wire transfer information with the telephone
redemption authorization. If appropriate wire information is not
supplied, redemption proceeds will be mailed to the designated
bank.
The Corporation employs procedures, including recording telephone
calls, testing a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of
telephone transactions, designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent
that the Corporation does not follow such procedures, it may be liable for
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. The Corporation
will not be liable for acting upon instructions communicated by telephone that
it reasonably believes to be genuine.
Redemption requests by telephone (technically a repurchase by agreement
between the Fund and the shareholder) of shares purchased by check will not be
accepted until the purchase check has cleared which may take up to seven
business days.
Redemption by QuickSell
Shareholders, whose predesignated bank account of record is a member of
the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) and who have elected to participate
in the QuickSell program may sell shares of the Fund by telephone. Redemptions
must be for at least $250. Proceeds in the amount of your redemption will be
transferred to your bank checking account two or three business days following
your call. For requests received by the close of regular trading on the
Exchange, normally 4 p.m. eastern time, shares will be redeemed at the net asset
value per share calculated at the close of trading on the day of your call.
QuickSell requests received after the close of regular trading on the Exchange
will begin their processing and be redeemed at the net asset value calculated
the following business day. QuickSell transactions are not available for Scudder
IRA accounts and most other retirement plan accounts.
In order to request redemptions by QuickSell, shareholders must have
completed and returned to the Transfer Agent the application, including the
designation of a bank account to which the redemption proceeds will be credited.
New investors wishing to establish QuickSell may so indicate on the application.
Existing shareholders who wish to add QuickSell to their account may do so by
completing a QuickSell Enrollment Form. After sending in an enrollment form,
shareholders should allow for 15 days for this service to be available.
The Fund employs procedures, including recording telephone calls,
testing a caller's identity, and sending written confirmation of telephone
transactions, designed to give reasonable assurance that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine, and to discourage fraud. To the extent
that the Fund does not follow such procedures, it may be liable for losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be
liable for acting upon instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably
believes to be genuine.
Redemption by Mail or Fax
Any existing share certificates representing shares being redeemed must
accompany a request for redemption and be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
proper stock assignment form with a signature guarantee as explained in the
Fund's prospectus.
In order to ensure proper authorization before redeeming shares, the
Transfer Agent may request additional documents such as, but not limited to,
stock powers, trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as
executor, certificates of corporate authority and waivers of tax (required in
some states when settling estates).
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<PAGE>
It is suggested that shareholders holding share certificates or shares
registered in other than individual names contact the Transfer Agent prior to
any redemptions to ensure that all necessary documents accompany the request.
When shares are held in the name of a corporation, trust, fiduciary agent,
attorney or partnership, the Transfer Agent requires, in addition to the stock
power, certified evidence of authority to sign. These procedures are for the
protection of shareholders and should be followed to ensure prompt payment.
Redemption requests must not be conditional as to date or price of the
redemption. Proceeds of a redemption will be sent within seven business days
after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a request for redemption that complies
with the above requirements. Delays of more than seven days of payment for
shares tendered for repurchase or redemption may result but only until the
purchase check has cleared.
The requirements for IRA redemptions are different from those for
regular accounts. For more information call 1-800-225-5163.
Redemption-In-Kind
The Corporation reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash
payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase order by
making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities chosen by
the Corporation and valued as they are for purposes of computing the Fund's net
asset value (a redemption-in-kind). If payment is made in securities, a
shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities into
cash. The Fund has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act as a result of which the Fund is obligated to redeem shares, with respect to
any one shareholder during any 90 day period, solely in cash up to the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund at the beginning of the
period.
Other Information
If a shareholder redeems all shares in the account after the record
date of a dividend, the shareholder will receive, in addition to the net asset
value thereof, all declared but unpaid dividends thereon. The value of shares
redeemed or repurchased may be more or less than the shareholder's cost
depending on the net asset value at the time of redemption or repurchase. The
Corporation does not impose a redemption or repurchase charge, although a wire
charge may be applicable for redemption proceeds wired to an investor's bank
account. Redemptions of shares of the Fund, including an exchange into another
series of the Corporation, if any, or another Scudder fund, may result in tax
consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and the proceeds of such
redemptions may be subject to backup withholding. (See "TAXES.")
Shareholders who wish to redeem shares from Special Plan Accounts
should contact the employer, director or custodian of the Plan for the
requirements.
The determination of net asset value may be suspended at times and a
shareholder's right to redeem shares and to receive payment may be suspended at
times during which (a) the Exchange is closed, other than customary weekend and
holiday closings, (b) trading on the Exchange is restricted for any reason, (c)
an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities
owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable
for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or (d) the SEC may
by order permit such a suspension for the protection of the Corporation's
shareholders; provided that applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (or any
succeeding governmental authority) shall govern as to whether the conditions
prescribed in (b) or (c) exist.
Shareholders should maintain a share balance worth at least $2,500
($1,000 for IRAs, Uniform Gift to Minor Act, and Uniform Trust to Minor Act
accounts), which amount may be changed by the Board of Directors. Scudder
retirement plans have similar or lower minimum balance requirements. A
shareholder may open an account with at least $1,000 ($500 for an IRA), if an
automatic investment plan (AIP) of $100/month ($50/month for an IRA) is
established.
Shareholders who maintain a non-fiduciary account balance of less than
$2,500 in the Fund, without establishing an AIP, will be assessed an annual
$10.00 per fund charge with the fee to be reinvested in the Fund. The $10.00
charge will not apply to shareholders with a combined household account balance
in any of the Scudder Funds of $25,000 or more. The Fund reserves the right,
following 60 days' written notice to shareholders, to redeem all shares in
accounts below $250, including accounts of new investors, where a reduction in
value has occurred due to a redemption or exchange out of the account. The Fund
will mail the proceeds of the redeemed account to the shareholder at the address
of record. Reductions in value that result solely from market activity will not
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<PAGE>
trigger an involuntary redemption. UGMA, UTMA, IRA and other retirement accounts
will not be assessed the $10.00 charge or be subject to automatic liquidation.
FEATURES AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE FUND
(See "Shareholder benefits" in the Fund's prospectus.)
The Pure No-Load(TM) Concept
Investors are encouraged to be aware of the full ramifications of
mutual fund fee structures, and of how Scudder distinguishes its funds from the
vast majority of mutual funds available today. The primary distinction is
between load and no-load funds.
Load funds generally are defined as mutual funds that charge a fee for
the sale and distribution of fund shares. There are three types of loads:
front-end loads, back-end loads, and asset-based 12b-1 fees. 12b-1 fees are
distribution-related fees charged against fund assets and are distinct from
service fees, which are charged for personal services and/or maintenance of
shareholder accounts. Asset-based sales charges and service fees are typically
paid pursuant to distribution plans adopted under 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
A front-end load is a sales charge, which can be as high as 8.50% of
the amount invested. A back-end load is a contingent deferred sales charge,
which can be as high as 8.50% of either the amount invested or redeemed. The
maximum front-end or back-end load varies, and depends upon whether or not a
fund also charges a 12b-1 fee and/or a service fee or offers investors various
sales-related services such as dividend reinvestment. The maximum charge for a
12b-1 fee is 0.75% of a fund's average annual net assets, and the maximum charge
for a service fee is 0.25% of a fund's average annual net assets.
A no-load fund does not charge a front-end or back-end load, but can
charge a small 12b-1 fee and/or service fee against fund assets. Under the
National Association of Securities Dealers Rules of Fair Practice, a mutual fund
can call itself a "no-load" fund only if the 12b-1 fee and/or service fee does
not exceed 0.25% of a fund's average annual net assets.
Because Scudder funds do not pay any asset-based sales charges or
service fees, Scudder developed and trademarked the phrase pure no-load(TM) to
distinguish Scudder funds from other no-load mutual funds. Scudder pioneered the
no-load concept when it created the nation's first no-load fund in 1928, and
later developed the nation's first family of no-load mutual funds.
The following chart shows the potential long-term advantage of
investing $10,000 in a Scudder pure no-load fund over investing the same amount
in a load fund that collects an 8.50% front-end load, a load fund that collects
only a 0.75% 12b-1 and/or service fee, and a no-load fund charging only a 0.25%
12b-1 and/or service fee. The hypothetical figures in the chart show the value
of an account assuming a constant 10% rate of return over the time periods
indicated and reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
YEARS ScudderPure No-Load(TM)8.50% Load Fund Load Fund with 0.75% No-Load Fund with
Fund 12b-1 Fee 0.25% 12b-1 Fee
10 $ 25,937 $ 23,733 $ 24,222 $ 25,354
15 41,772 38,222 37,698 40,371
20 67,275 61,557 58,672 64,282
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
Investors are encouraged to review the fee tables on page 2 of the
Fund's prospectus for more specific information about the rates at which
management fees and other expenses are assessed.
Internet access
World Wide Web Site -- The address of the Scudder Funds site is
http://funds.scudder.com. The site offers guidance on global investing and
developing strategies to help meet financial goals and provides access to the
Scudder investor relations department via e-mail. The site also enables users to
access or view fund prospectuses and profiles with links between summary
information in Profiles and details in the Prospectus. Users can fill out new
account forms on-line, order free software, and request literature on funds.
The site is designed for interactivity, simplicity and maneuverability.
A section entitled "Planning Resources" provides information on asset
allocation, tuition, and retirement planning to users who fill out interactive
"worksheets." Investors can easily establish a "Personal Page," that presents
price information, updated daily, on funds they're interested in following. The
"Personal Page" also offers easy navigation to other parts of the site. Fund
performance data from both Scudder and Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. are
available on the site. Also offered on the site is a news feature, which
provides timely and topical material on the Scudder Funds.
Scudder has communicated with shareholders and other interested parties
on Prodigy since 1988 and has participated since 1994 in GALT's Networth
"financial marketplace" site on the Internet. The firm made Scudder Funds
information available on America Online in early 1996.
Account Access -- Scudder is among the first mutual fund families to allow
shareholders to manage their fund accounts through the World Wide Web. Scudder
Fund shareholders can view a snapshot of current holdings, review account
activity and move assets between Scudder Fund accounts.
Scudder's personal portfolio capabilities -- known as SEAS (Scudder
Electronic Account Services) -- are accessible only by current Scudder Fund
shareholders who have set up a Personal Page on Scudder's Web site. Using a
secure Web browser, shareholders sign on to their account with their Social
Security number and their SAIL password. As an additional security measure,
users can change their current password or disable access to their portfolio
through the World Wide Web.
An Account Activity option reveals a financial history of transactions
for an account, with trade dates, type and amount of transaction, share price
and number of shares traded. For users who wish to trade shares between Scudder
Funds, the Fund Exchange option provides a step-by-step procedure to exchange
shares among existing fund accounts or to new Scudder Fund accounts.
A Call MeTM feature enables users to speak with a Scudder Investor
Relations telephone representative while viewing their account on the Web site.
In order to use the Call MeTM feature, an individual must have two phone lines
and enter on the screen the phone number that is not being used to connect to
the Internet. They are connected to the next available Scudder Investor
Relations representative from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time.
Dividends and Capital Gains Distribution Options
Investors have freedom to choose whether to receive cash or to reinvest
any dividends from net investment income or distributions from realized capital
gains in additional shares of a Fund. A change of instructions for the method of
payment must be received by the Transfer Agent at least five days prior to a
dividend record date. Shareholders also may change their dividend option either
by calling 1-800-225-5163 or by sending written instructions to the Transfer
Agent. Please include your account number with your written request. See "How to
contact Scudder" in the Funds' prospectuses for the address.
Reinvestment is usually made at the closing net asset value determined
on the business day following the record date. Investors may leave standing
instructions with the Transfer Agent designating their option for either
reinvestment or cash distribution of any income dividends or capital gains
distributions. If no election is made, dividends and distributions will be
invested in additional shares of a Fund.
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<PAGE>
Investors may also have dividends and distributions automatically
deposited in their predesignated bank account through Scudder's
DistributionsDirect Program. Shareholders who elect to participate in the
DistributionsDirect Program, and whose predesignated checking account of record
is with a member bank of the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) can have
income and capital gain distributions automatically deposited to their personal
bank account usually within three business days after the Fund pays its
distribution. A DistributionsDirect request form can be obtained by calling
1-800-225-5163. Confirmation statements will be mailed to shareholders as
notification that distributions have been deposited.
Investors choosing to participate in Scudder's Automatic Withdrawal
Plan must reinvest any dividends or capital gains. For most retirement plan
accounts, the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains is also required.
Scudder Investor Centers
Investors may visit any of the Investor Centers maintained by Scudder
Investor Services, Inc. listed in the Prospectus. The Centers are designed to
provide individuals with services during any business day. Investors may pick up
literature or obtain assistance with opening an account, adding monies or
special options to existing accounts, making exchanges within the Scudder Family
of Funds, redeeming shares or opening retirement plans. Checks should not be
mailed to the Centers but should be mailed to "The Scudder Funds" at the address
listed under "How to contact Scudder" in the Prospectus.
Reports to Shareholders
The Corporation issues shareholders semiannual financial statements
(audited annually by independent accountants) including a list of investments
held and statements of assets and liabilities, statements of operations,
statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights.
Transaction Summaries
Annual summaries of all transactions in each Fund account are available
to shareholders. The summaries may be obtained by calling 1-800-225-5163.
THE SCUDDER FAMILY OF FUNDS
(See "Investment products and services" in the Fund's
prospectuses.)
The Scudder Family of Funds is America's first family of mutual funds
and the nation's oldest family of no-load mutual funds. To assist investors in
choosing a Scudder fund, descriptions of the Scudder funds' objectives follow.
MONEY MARKET
Scudder U.S. Treasury Money Fund seeks to provide safety, liquidity and
stability of capital and, consistent therewith, to provide current
income. The Fund seeks to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00
per share, although in certain circumstances this may not be possible,
and declares dividends daily.
Scudder Cash Investment Trust ("SCIT") seeks to maintain the stability
of capital and, consistent therewith, to maintain the liquidity of
capital and to provide current income. SCIT seeks to maintain a
constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, although in certain
circumstances this may not be possible, and declares dividends daily.
Scudder Money Market Series seeks to provide investors with as high a
level of current income as is consistent with its investment polices
and with preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund seeks to
maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, but there is no
assurance that it will be able to do so. The institutional class of
shares of this Fund is not within the Scudder Family of Funds.
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<PAGE>
Scudder Government Money Market Series seeks to provide investors with
as high a level of current income as is consistent with its investment
polices and with preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund seeks
to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, but there is
no assurance that it will be able to do so. The institutional class of
shares of this Fund is not within the Scudder Family of Funds.
TAX FREE MONEY MARKET
Scudder Tax Free Money Fund ("STFMF") seeks to provide income exempt
from regular federal income tax and stability of principal through
investments primarily in municipal securities. STFMF seeks to maintain
a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, although in extreme
circumstances this may not be possible.
Scudder Tax Free Money Market Series seeks to provide investors with as
high a level of current income that cannot be subjected to federal
income tax by reason of federal law as is consistent with its
investment policies and with preservation of capital and liquidity. The
Fund seeks to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share,
but there is no assurance that it will be able to do so. The
institutional class of shares of this Fund is not within the Scudder
Family of Funds.
Scudder California Tax Free Money Fund* seeks stability of capital and
the maintenance of a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share while
providing California taxpayers income exempt from both California State
personal and regular federal income taxes. The Fund is a professionally
managed portfolio of high quality, short-term California municipal
securities. There can be no assurance that the stable net asset value
will be maintained.
Scudder New York Tax Free Money Fund* seeks stability of capital and
the maintenance of a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, while
providing New York taxpayers income exempt from New York State and New
York City personal income taxes and regular federal income tax. There
can be no assurance that the stable net asset value will be maintained.
TAX FREE
Scudder Limited Term Tax Free Fund seeks to provide as high a level of
income exempt from regular federal income tax as is consistent with a
high degree of principal stability.
Scudder Medium Term Tax Free Fund seeks to provide a high level of
income free from regular federal income taxes and to limit principal
fluctuation. The Fund will invest primarily in high-grade,
intermediate-term bonds.
Scudder Managed Municipal Bonds seeks to provide income exempt from
regular federal income tax primarily through investments in high-grade,
long-term municipal securities.
Scudder High Yield Tax Free Fund seeks to provide a high level of
interest income, exempt from regular federal income tax, from an
actively managed portfolio consisting primarily of investment-grade
municipal securities.
Scudder California Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide California taxpayers
with income exempt from both California State personal income and
regular federal income tax. The Fund is a professionally managed
portfolio consisting primarily of California municipal securities.
Scudder Massachusetts Limited Term Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide
Massachusetts taxpayers with as high a level of income exempt from
Massachusetts personal income tax and regular federal income tax, as is
consistent with a high degree of price stability, through a
professionally managed portfolio consisting primarily of
investment-grade municipal securities.
- -------------------
* These funds are not available for sale in all states. For information,
contact Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
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<PAGE>
Scudder Massachusetts Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide Massachusetts
taxpayers with income exempt from both Massachusetts personal income
tax and regular federal income tax. The Fund is a professionally
managed portfolio consisting primarily of investment-grade municipal
securities.
Scudder New York Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide New York taxpayers
with income exempt from New York State and New York City personal
income taxes and regular federal income tax. The Fund is a
professionally managed portfolio consisting primarily of New York
municipal securities.
Scudder Ohio Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide Ohio taxpayers with income
exempt from both Ohio personal income tax and regular federal income
tax. The Fund is a professionally managed portfolio consisting
primarily of investment-grade municipal securities.
Scudder Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund* seeks to provide Pennsylvania
taxpayers with income exempt from both Pennsylvania personal income tax
and regular federal income tax. The Fund is a professionally managed
portfolio consisting primarily of investment-grade municipal
securities.
U.S. INCOME
Scudder Short Term Bond Fund seeks to provide a high level of income
consistent with a high degree of principal stability by investing
primarily in high quality short-term bonds.
Scudder Zero Coupon 2000 Fund seeks to provide as high an investment
return over a selected period as is consistent with investment in U.S.
Government securities and the minimization of reinvestment risk.
Scudder GNMA Fund seeks to provide high current income primarily from
U.S. Government guaranteed mortgage-backed (Ginnie Mae) securities.
Scudder Income Fund seeks a high level of income, consistent with the
prudent investment of capital, through a flexible investment program
emphasizing high-grade bonds.
Scudder High Yield Bond Fund seeks a high level of current income and,
secondarily, capital appreciation through investment primarily in below
investment-grade domestic debt securities.
GLOBAL INCOME
Scudder Global Bond Fund seeks to provide total return with an emphasis
on current income by investing primarily in high-grade bonds
denominated in foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. As a secondary
objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation.
Scudder International Bond Fund seeks to provide income primarily by
investing in a managed portfolio of high-grade international bonds. As
a secondary objective, the Fund seeks protection and possible
enhancement of principal value by actively managing currency, bond
market and maturity exposure and by security selection.
Scudder Emerging Markets Income Fund seeks to provide high current
income and, secondarily, long-term capital appreciation through
investments primarily in high-yielding debt securities issued by
governments and corporations in emerging markets.
- ------------------
* These funds are not available for sale in all states. For information,
contact Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
26
<PAGE>
ASSET ALLOCATION
Scudder Pathway Series: Conservative Portfolio seeks primarily current
income and secondarily long-term growth of capital. In pursuing these
objectives, the Portfolio, under normal market conditions, will invest
substantially in a select mix of Scudder bond mutual funds, but will
have some exposure to Scudder equity mutual funds.
Scudder Pathway Series: Balanced Portfolio seeks to provide investors
with a balance of growth and income by investing in a select mix of
Scudder money market, bond and equity mutual funds.
Scudder Pathway Series: Growth Portfolio seeks to provide investors
with long-term growth of capital. In pursuing this objective, the
Portfolio will, under normal market conditions, invest predominantly in
a select mix of Scudder equity mutual funds designed to provide
long-term growth.
Scudder Pathway Series: International Portfolio seeks maximum total
return for investors. Total return consists of any capital appreciation
plus dividend income and interest. To achieve this objective, the
Portfolio invests in a select mix of established international and
global Scudder funds.
U.S. GROWTH AND INCOME
Scudder Balanced Fund seeks a balance of growth and income from a
diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income securities. The Fund
also seeks long-term preservation of capital through a quality-oriented
approach that is designed to reduce risk.
Scudder Dividend & Growth Fund seeks high current income and long-term
growth of capital through investment in income paying equity
securities.
Scudder Growth and Income Fund seeks long-term growth of capital,
current income, and growth of income.
Scudder S&P 500 Index Fund seeks to provide investment results that,
before expenses, correspond to the total return of common stocks
publicly traded in the United States, as represented by the Standard &
Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.
Scudder Real Estate Investment Fund seeks long-term capital growth and
current income by investing primarily in equity securities of companies
in the real estate industry.
U.S. GROWTH
Value
Scudder Large Company Value Fund seeks to maximize long-term capital
appreciation through a value-driven investment program.
Scudder Value Fund** seeks long-term growth of capital through
investment in undervalued equity securities.
Scudder Small Company Value Fund invests for long-term growth of
capital by seeking out undervalued stocks of small U.S. companies.
Scudder Micro Cap Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of U.S. micro-capitalization
("micro-cap") common stocks.
- -----------
** Only the Scudder Shares are part of the Scudder Family of Funds.
27
<PAGE>
Growth
Scudder Classic Growth Fund** seeks to provide long-term growth of
capital with reduced share price volatility compared to other growth
mutual funds.
Scudder Large Company Growth Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of
capital through investment primarily in the equity securities of
seasoned, financially strong U.S. growth companies.
Scudder Development Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
primarily in securities of small and medium-size growth companies.
Scudder 21st Century Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by
investing primarily in the securities of emerging growth companies
poised to be leaders in the 21st century.
SCUDDER CHOICE SERIES
Scudder Financial Services Fund seeks long-term growth of capital
primarily through investment in equity securities of financial services
companies.
Scudder Health Care Fund seeks long-term growth of capital primarily
through investment in securities of companies that are engaged in the
development, production or distribution of products or services related
to the treatment or prevention of diseases and other medical problems.
Scudder Technology Fund seeks long-term growth of capital primarily
through investment in securities of companies engaged in the
development, production or distribution of technology-related products
or services.
SCUDDER PREFERRED SERIES
Scudder Tax Managed Fund seeks long-term growth of capital on an
after-tax basis by investing primarily in established, medium- to
large-sized U.S. companies with leading competitive positions.
Scudder Tax Managed Small Company Fund seeks long-term growth of
capital on an after-tax basis through investment primarily in
undervalued stocks of small U.S. companies.
GLOBAL EQUITY
Worldwide
Scudder Global Fund seeks long-term growth of capital through a
diversified portfolio of marketable securities, primarily equity
securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and debt
securities convertible into common stocks.
Scudder International Value Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation
through investment primarily in undervalued foreign equity securities.
Scudder International Growth and Income Fund seeks long-term growth of
capital and current income primarily from foreign equity securities.
Scudder International Fund*** seeks long-term growth of capital
primarily through a diversified portfolio of marketable foreign equity
securities.
Scudder International Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation
through investment primarily in the equity securities of foreign
companies with high growth potential.
- ------------------
** Only the Scudder Shares are part of the Scudder Family of Funds.
*** Only the International Shares are part of the Scudder Family of Funds.
28
<PAGE>
Scudder Global Discovery Fund** seeks above-average capital
appreciation over the long term by investing primarily in the equity
securities of small companies located throughout the world.
Scudder Emerging Markets Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital
primarily through equity investment in emerging markets around the
globe.
Scudder Gold Fund seeks maximum return (principal change and income)
consistent with investing in a portfolio of gold-related equity
securities and gold.
Regional
Scudder Greater Europe Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital
through investments primarily in the equity securities of European
companies.
Scudder Pacific Opportunities Fund seeks long-term growth of capital
through investment primarily in the equity securities of Pacific Basin
companies, excluding Japan.
Scudder Latin America Fund seeks to provide long-term capital
appreciation through investment primarily in the securities of Latin
American issuers.
The Japan Fund, Inc. seeks long-term capital appreciation by
investing primarily in equity securities (including American
Depository Receipts) of Japanese companies.
The net asset values of most Scudder funds can be found daily in the
"Mutual Funds" section of The Wall Street Journal under "Scudder Funds," and in
other leading newspapers throughout the country. Investors will notice the net
asset value and offering price are the same, reflecting the fact that no sales
commission or "load" is charged on the sale of shares of the Scudder funds. The
latest seven-day yields for the money-market funds can be found every Monday and
Thursday in the "Money-Market Funds" section of The Wall Street Journal. This
information also may be obtained by calling the Scudder Automated Information
Line (SAIL) at 1-800-343-2890.
The Scudder Family of Funds offers many conveniences and services,
including: active professional investment management; broad and diversified
investment portfolios; pure no-load funds with no commissions to purchase or
redeem shares or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees; individual attention from a
service representative of Scudder Investor Relations; and easy telephone
exchanges into other Scudder funds. Certain Scudder funds or classes thereof may
not be available for purchase or exchange. For more information, please call
1-800-225-5163.
SPECIAL PLAN ACCOUNTS
(See "Scudder tax-advantaged retirement plans," "Purchases--By Automatic
Investment Plan" and "Exchanges and redemptions--By Automatic
Withdrawal Plan" in the Fund's prospectus.)
Detailed information on any Scudder investment plan, including the
applicable charges, minimum investment requirements and disclosures made
pursuant to Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") requirements, may be obtained
by contacting Scudder Investor Services, Inc., Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110-4103 or by calling toll free, 1-800-225-2470. The
discussions of the plans below describe only certain aspects of the federal
income tax treatment of the plan. The state tax treatment may be different and
may vary from state to state. It is advisable for an investor considering the
funding of the investment plans described below to consult with an attorney or
other investment or tax adviser with respect to the suitability requirements and
tax aspects thereof.
Shares of the Fund may also be a permitted investment under profit
sharing and pension plans and IRAs other than those offered by the Fund's
distributor depending on the provisions of the relevant plan or IRA.
None of the plans assures a profit or guarantees protection against
depreciation, especially in declining markets.
29
<PAGE>
Scudder Retirement Plans: Profit-Sharing and Money Purchase
Pension Plans for Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the investment medium under a
plan in the form of a Scudder Profit-Sharing Plan (including a version of the
Plan which includes a cash-or-deferred feature) or a Scudder Money Purchase
Pension Plan (jointly referred to as the Scudder Retirement Plans) adopted by a
corporation, a self-employed individual or a group of self-employed individuals
(including sole proprietorships and partnerships), or other qualifying
organization. Each of these forms was approved by the IRS as a prototype. The
IRS's approval of an employer's plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code will be greatly facilitated if it is in such approved form. Under
certain circumstances, the IRS will assume that a plan, adopted in this form,
after special notice to any employees, meets the requirements of Section 401(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code as to form.
Scudder 401(k): Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan
for Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the investment medium under a
plan in the form of a Scudder 401(k) Plan adopted by a corporation, a
self-employed individual or a group of self-employed individuals (including sole
proprietors and partnerships), or other qualifying organization. This plan has
been approved as a prototype by the IRS.
Scudder IRA: Individual Retirement Account
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the underlying investment for an
Individual Retirement Account which meets the requirements of Section 408(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code.
A single individual who is not an active participant in an
employer-maintained retirement plan, a simplified employee pension plan, or a
tax-deferred annuity program (a "qualified plan"), and a married individual who
is not an active participant in a qualified plan and whose spouse is also not an
active participant in a qualified plan, are eligible to make tax deductible
contributions of up to $2,000 to an IRA prior to the year such individual
attains age 70 1/2. In addition, certain individuals who are active participants
in qualified plans (or who have spouses who are active participants) are also
eligible to make tax-deductible contributions to an IRA; the annual amount, if
any, of the contribution which such an individual will be eligible to deduct
will be determined by the amount of his, her, or their adjusted gross income for
the year. Whenever the adjusted gross income limitation prohibits an individual
from contributing what would otherwise be the maximum tax-deductible
contribution he or she could make, the individual will be eligible to contribute
the difference to an IRA in the form of nondeductible contributions.
An eligible individual may contribute as much as $2,000 of qualified
income (earned income or, under certain circumstances, alimony) to an IRA each
year (up to $2,000 per individual for married couples if only one spouse has
earned income). All income and capital gains derived from IRA investments are
reinvested and compound tax-deferred until distributed. Such tax-deferred
compounding can lead to substantial retirement savings.
The table below shows how much individuals would accumulate in a fully
tax-deductible IRA by age 65 (before any distributions) if they contribute
$2,000 at the beginning of each year, assuming average annual returns of 5, 10,
and 15%. (At withdrawal, accumulations in this table will be taxable.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Value of IRA at Age 65
Assuming $2,000 Deductible Annual Contribution
- ---------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------------
Starting
Age of Annual Rate of Return
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributions 5% 10% 15%
- ---------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------------
25 $253,680 $973,704 $4,091,908
35 139,522 361,887 999,914
45 69,439 126,005 235,620
55 26,414 35,062 46,699
</TABLE>
30
<PAGE>
This next table shows how much individuals would accumulate in non-IRA
accounts by age 65 if they start with $2,000 in pretax earned income at the
beginning of each year (which is $1,380 after taxes are paid), assuming average
annual returns of 5, 10 and 15%. (At withdrawal, a portion of the accumulation
in this table will be taxable.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Value of a Non-IRA Account at
Age 65 Assuming $1,380 Annual Contributions
(post tax, $2,000 pretax) and a 31% Tax Bracket
- ---------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------------
Starting
Age of Annual Rate of Return
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributions 5% 10% 15%
- ---------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------------
25 $119,318 $287,021 $741,431
35 73,094 136,868 267,697
45 40,166 59,821 90,764
55 16,709 20,286 24,681
</TABLE>
Scudder Roth IRA: Individual Retirement Account
Shares of the Fund may be purchased as the underlying investment for a
Roth individual Retirement Account which meets the requirements of Section 408A
of the Internal Revenue Code.
A single individual earning below $95,000 can contribute up to $2,000
per year to a Roth IRA. The maximum contribution amount diminishes and gradually
falls to zero for single filers with adjusted gross incomes ranging from $95,000
to $110,000. Married couples earning less than $150,000 combined, and filing
jointly, can contribute a full $4,000 per year ($2,000 per IRA). The maximum
contribution amount for married couples filing jointly phases out from $150,000
to $160,000.
An eligible individual can contribute money to a traditional IRA and a
Roth IRA as long as the total contribution to all IRAs does not exceed $2,000.
No tax deduction is allowed under Section 219 of the Internal Revenue Code for
contributions to a Roth IRA. Contributions to a Roth IRA may be made even after
the individual for whom the account is maintained has attained age 70 1/2.
All income and capital gains derived from Roth IRA investments are
reinvested and compounded tax-free. Such tax-free compounding can lead to
substantial retirement savings. No distributions are required to be taken prior
to the death of the original account holder. If a Roth IRA has been established
for a minimum of five years, distributions can be taken tax-free after reaching
age 59 1/2, for a first-time home purchase ($10,000 maximum, one-time use) or
upon death or disability. All other distributions of earnings from a Roth IRA
are taxable and subject to a 10% tax penalty unless an exception applies.
Exceptions to the 10% penalty include: disability, excess medical expenses, the
purchase of health insurance for an unemployed individual and education
expenses.
An individual with an income of less than $100,000 (who is not married
filing separately) can roll his or her existing IRA into a Roth IRA. However,
the individual must pay taxes on the taxable amount in his or her traditional
IRA. Individuals who complete the rollover in 1998 will be allowed to spread the
tax payments over a four-year period. After 1998, all taxes on such a rollover
will have to be paid in the tax year in which the rollover is made.
Scudder 403(b) Plan
Shares of the Fund may also be purchased as the underlying investment
for tax sheltered annuity plans under the provisions of Section 403(b)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code. In general, employees of tax-exempt organizations
described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (such as hospitals,
churches, religious, scientific, or literary organizations and educational
institutions) or a public school system are eligible to participate in a 403(b)
plan.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan
Non-retirement plan shareholders may establish an Automatic Withdrawal
Plan to receive monthly, quarterly or periodic redemptions from his or her
account for any designated amount of $50 or more. Shareholders may designate
31
<PAGE>
which day they want the automatic withdrawal to be processed. The check amounts
may be based on the redemption of a fixed dollar amount, fixed share amount,
percent of account value or declining balance. The Plan provides for income
dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, to be reinvested in
additional shares. Shares are then liquidated as necessary to provide for
withdrawal payments. Since the withdrawals are in amounts selected by the
investor and have no relationship to yield or income, payments received cannot
be considered as yield or income on the investment and the resulting
liquidations may deplete or possibly extinguish the initial investment and any
reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions. Requests for increases in
withdrawal amounts or to change the payee must be submitted in writing, signed
exactly as the account is registered, and contain signature guarantee(s) as
described under "Transaction information--Redeeming shares--Signature
guarantees" in the Fund's prospectus. Any such requests must be received by the
Fund's transfer agent ten days prior to the date of the first automatic
withdrawal. An Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by the
shareholder, the Trust or its agent on written notice, and will be terminated
when all shares of the Fund under the Plan have been liquidated or upon receipt
by the Corporation of notice of death of the shareholder.
An Automatic Withdrawal Plan request form can be obtained by calling
1-800-225-5163.
Group or Salary Deduction Plan
An investor may join a Group or Salary Deduction Plan where
satisfactory arrangements have been made with Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
for forwarding regular investments through a single source. The minimum annual
investment is $240 per investor which may be made in monthly, quarterly,
semiannual or annual payments. The minimum monthly deposit per investor is $20.
Except for trustees or custodian fees for certain retirement plans, at present
there is no separate charge for maintaining group or salary deduction plans;
however, the Corporation and its agents reserve the right to establish a
maintenance charge in the future depending on the services required by the
investor.
The Corporation reserves the right, after notice has been given to the
shareholder, to redeem and close a shareholder's account in the event that the
shareholder ceases participating in the group plan prior to investment of $1,000
per individual or in the event of a redemption which occurs prior to the
accumulation of that amount or which reduces the account value to less than
$1,000 and the account value is not increased to $1,000 within a reasonable time
after notification. An investor in a plan who has not purchased shares for six
months shall be presumed to have stopped making payments under the plan.
Automatic Investment Plan
Shareholders may arrange to make periodic investments through automatic
deductions from checking accounts by completing the appropriate form and
providing the necessary documentation to establish this service. The minimum
investment is $50.
The Automatic Investment Plan involves an investment strategy called
dollar cost averaging. Dollar cost averaging is a method of investing whereby a
specific dollar amount is invested at regular intervals. By investing the same
dollar amount each period, when shares are priced low the investor will purchase
more shares than when the share price is higher. Over a period of time this
investment approach may allow the investor to reduce the average price of the
shares purchased. However, this investment approach does not assure a profit or
protect against loss. This type of regular investment program may be suitable
for various investment goals such as, but not limited to, college planning or
saving for a home.
Uniform Transfers/Gifts to Minors Act
Grandparents, parents or other donors may set up custodian accounts for
minors. The minimum initial investment is $1,000 unless the donor agrees to
continue to make regular share purchases for the account through Scudder's
Automatic Investment Plan (AIP). In this case, the minimum initial investment is
$500.
32
<PAGE>
The Corporation reserves the right, after notice has been given to the
shareholder and custodian, to redeem and close a shareholder's account in the
event that regular investments to the account cease before the $1,000 minimum is
reached.
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
(See "Distribution and performance information --
Dividends and capital gains distributions" in the
Fund's prospectus.)
The Corporation intends to follow the practice of distributing
substantially all of the Fund's net investment income, including any excess of
net realized short-term capital gains over net realized long-term capital
losses. The Corporation intends to follow the practice of distributing the
entire excess of the Fund's net realized long-term capital gains over net
realized short-term capital losses. However, if it appears to be in the best
interest of the Fund and its shareholders, the Fund may retain all or part of
such gain for reinvestment after paying the related federal income taxes on
behalf of the shareholders.
The Corporation intends to distribute the Fund's net investment income
and any net realized short-term and long-term capital gains resulting from Fund
investment activity in December to prevent application of a federal excise tax.
Both types of distributions will be made in shares of the Fund and confirmations
will be mailed to each shareholder unless a shareholder has elected to receive
cash, in which case a check will be sent. Distributions are taxable, whether
made in shares or cash (see "TAXES"). Any distributions declared in October,
November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the
following January will be treated by shareholders for federal income tax
purposes as if received on December 31 of the calendar year declared.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
(See "Distribution and performance information -- Performance information" in
the Fund's prospectus.)
From time to time, quotations of the Fund's performance may be included
in advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders or prospective
investors. These performance figures may be calculated in the following manner:
Average Annual Total Return
Average annual total return is the average annual compound rate of
return for the periods of one year, five years and the life of the Fund, ended
on the date of the most recent balance sheet. Average annual total return
quotations reflect changes in the price of the Fund's shares and assume that all
dividends and capital gains distributions during the respective periods were
reinvested in Fund shares. Average annual total return is calculated by
computing the average annual compound rates of return of a hypothetical
investment over such periods, according to the following formula (average annual
total return is then expressed as a percentage):
T = (ERV/P)1/n - 1
Where:
T = Average Annual Total Return
P = a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical
$1,000 investment made at the beginning of
the periods of one year or the life of the
Fund (or fractional portion thereof).
Average Annual Total Return for periods ended June 30, 1998*
One Year Five Years Life of the Fund
% % %
33
<PAGE>
(1) For the period September 2, 1988 (commencement of operations) to June 30,
1998.
* If the Adviser had not absorbed a portion of Fund expenses and had imposed
a full management fee, the average annual total return for the life of the
Fund would have been lower.
As described above, average annual total return is based on historical
earnings and is not intended to indicate future performance. Average annual
total return for the Fund will vary based on changes in market conditions and
the level of the Fund's expenses.
In connection with communicating its average annual total return to
current or prospective shareholders, the Fund also may compare these figures to
the performance of other mutual funds tracked by mutual fund rating services or
to other unmanaged indices which may assume reinvestment of dividends but
generally do not reflect deductions for administrative and management costs.
Cumulative Total Return
Cumulative total return is the cumulative rate of return on a
hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 for a specified period. Cumulative
total return quotations reflect changes in the price of the Fund's shares and
assume that all dividends and capital gains distributions during the period were
reinvested in Fund shares. Cumulative total return is calculated by computing
the cumulative rates of return of a hypothetical investment over such periods,
according to the following formula (cumulative total return is then expressed as
a percentage):
C = (ERV/P) - 1
Where:
C = Cumulative Total Return
P = a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000
ERV = ending redeemable value: ERV is the
value, at the end of the applicable period,
of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made at
the beginning of the applicable period.
Cumulative Total Return for periods ended June 30, 1998*
One Year Five Years Life of the Fund
% % %
(1) For the period September 2, 1988 (commencement of operations) to June 30,
1998.
* If the Adviser had not absorbed a portion of Fund expenses and had imposed
a full management fee, the cumulative total return for the life of the Fund
would have been approximately ___%.
A comparison of the quoted non-standard performance offered for various
investments is valid only if performance is calculated in the same manner. Since
there are different methods of calculating performance, investors should
consider the effects of the methods used to calculate performance when comparing
performance of the Fund with performance quoted with respect to other investment
companies or types of investments.
The Fund's performance is affected by changes in the prices of gold and
other precious metals, the level of stock prices generally, by the Adviser's
selection of securities for the portfolio, by the Fund's expense ratio and other
factors.
Because some of the Fund's investments are denominated in foreign
currencies, the strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar against these currencies
may account for part of the Fund's investment performance. Historical
information on the value of the dollar versus foreign currencies may be used
from time to time in advertisements concerning the Fund. Such historical
information is not indicative of future performance.
34
<PAGE>
Total Return
Total return is the rate of return on an investment for a specified
period of time calculated in the same manner as cumulative total return.
Comparison of Fund Performance
A comparison of the quoted non-standard performance offered for various
investments is valid only if performance is calculated in the same manner. Since
there are different methods of calculating performance, investors should
consider the effects of the methods used to calculate performance when comparing
performance of the Fund with performance quoted with respect to other investment
companies or types of investments.
In connection with communicating its performance to current or
prospective shareholders, the Fund also may compare these figures to the
performance of unmanaged indices which may assume reinvestment of dividends or
interest but generally do not reflect deductions for administrative and
management costs. Examples include, but are not limited to the Dow Jones
Industrial Average, the Consumer Price Index, Standard & Poor's 500 Composite
Stock Price Index (S&P 500), the Nasdaq OTC Composite Index, the Nasdaq
Industrials Index, the Russell 2000 Index, the Wilshire Real Estate Securities
Index and statistics published by the Small Business Administration.
Because some or all of the Fund's investments are denominated in
foreign currencies, the strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar as against these
currencies may account for part of the Fund's investment performance. Historical
information on the value of the dollar versus foreign currencies may be used
from time to time in advertisements concerning the Fund. Such historical
information is not indicative of future fluctuations in the value of the U.S.
dollar against these currencies. In addition, marketing materials may cite
country and economic statistics and historical stock market performance for any
of the countries in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, the
following: population growth, gross domestic product, inflation rate, average
stock market price-earnings ratios and the total value of stock markets. Sources
for such statistics may include official publications of various foreign
governments and exchanges.
From time to time, in advertising and marketing literature, this Fund's
performance may be compared to the performance of broad groups of mutual funds
with similar investment goals, as tracked by independent organizations such as,
Investment Company Data, Inc. ("ICD"), Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
("Lipper"), CDA Investment Technologies, Inc. ("CDA"), Morningstar, Inc., Value
Line Mutual Fund Survey and other independent organizations. When these
organizations' tracking results are used, the Fund will be compared to the
appropriate fund category, that is, by fund objective and portfolio holdings, or
to the appropriate volatility grouping, where volatility is a measure of a
fund's risk. For instance, a Scudder growth fund will be compared to funds in
the growth fund category; a Scudder income fund will be compared to funds in the
income fund category; and so on. Scudder funds (except for money market funds)
may also be compared to funds with similar volatility, as measured statistically
by independent organizations. In addition, the Fund's performance may also be
compared to the performance of broad groups of comparable mutual funds.
Unmanaged indices with which the Fund's performance may be compared include, but
are not limited to, the following:
The Europe/Australia/Far East (EAFE) Index
International Finance Corporation's Latin America Investable
Total Return Index
Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index
J.P. Morgan Global Traded Bond Index
Salomon Brothers World Government Bond Index
Nasdaq Composite Index
Wilshire 5000 Stock Index
From time to time, in marketing and other Fund literature, Directors
and officers of the Fund, the Fund's portfolio manager, or members of the
portfolio management team may be depicted and quoted to give prospective and
current shareholders a better sense of the outlook and approach of those who
manage the Fund. In addition, the amount of assets that the Adviser has under
management in various geographical areas may be quoted in advertising and
marketing materials.
35
<PAGE>
The Fund may be advertised as an investment choice in Scudder's college
planning program. The description may contain illustrations of projected future
college costs based on assumed rates of inflation and examples of hypothetical
fund performance, calculated as described above.
Statistical and other information, as provided by the Social Security
Administration, may be used in marketing materials pertaining to retirement
planning in order to estimate future payouts of social security benefits.
Estimates may be used on demographic and economic data.
Marketing and other Fund literature may include a description of the
potential risks and rewards associated with an investment in the Fund. The
description may include a "risk/return spectrum" which compares the Fund to
other Scudder funds or broad categories of funds, such as money market, bond or
equity funds, in terms of potential risks and returns. Money market funds are
designed to maintain a constant $1.00 share price and have a fluctuating yield.
Share price, yield and total return of a bond fund will fluctuate. The share
price and return of an equity fund also will fluctuate. The description may also
compare the Fund to bank products, such as certificates of deposit. Unlike
mutual funds, certificates of deposit are insured up to $100,000 by the U.S.
government and offer a fixed rate of return.
Because bank products guarantee the principal value of an investment
and money market funds seek stability of principal, these investments are
considered to be less risky than investments in either bond or equity funds,
which may involve the loss of principal. However, all long-term investments,
including investments in bank products, may be subject to inflation risk, which
is the risk of erosion of the value of an investment as prices increase over a
long time period. The risks/returns associated with an investment in bond or
equity funds depend upon many factors. For bond funds these factors include, but
are not limited to, a fund's overall investment objective, the average portfolio
maturity, credit quality of the securities held, and interest rate movements.
For equity funds, factors include a fund's overall investment objective, the
types of equity securities held and the financial position of the issuers of the
securities. The risks/returns associated with an investment in international
bond or equity funds also will depend upon currency exchange rate fluctuation.
A risk/return spectrum generally will position the various investment
categories in the following order: bank products, money market funds, bond funds
and equity funds. Shorter-term bond funds generally are considered less risky
and offer the potential for less return than longer-term bond funds. The same is
true of domestic bond funds relative to international bond funds, and bond funds
that purchase higher quality securities relative to bond funds that purchase
lower quality securities. Growth and income equity funds are generally
considered to be less risky and offer the potential for less return than growth
funds. In addition, international equity funds usually are considered more risky
than domestic equity funds but generally offer the potential for greater return.
Risk/return spectrums also may depict funds that invest in both
domestic and foreign securities or a combination of bond and equity securities.
Evaluation of Fund performance or other relevant statistical
information made by independent sources may also be used in advertisements
concerning the Fund, including reprints of, or selections from, editorials or
articles about this Fund. Sources for Fund performance information and articles
about the Fund include the following:
American Association of Individual Investors' Journal, a monthly publication of
the AAII that includes articles on investment analysis techniques.
Asian Wall Street Journal, a weekly Asian newspaper that often reviews U.S.
mutual funds investing internationally.
Banxquote, an on-line source of national averages for leading money market and
bank CD interest rates, published on a weekly basis by Masterfund, Inc. of
Wilmington, Delaware.
Barron's, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. business and financial weekly that
periodically reviews mutual fund performance data.
Business Week, a national business weekly that periodically reports the
performance rankings and ratings of a variety of mutual funds investing abroad.
36
<PAGE>
CDA Investment Technologies, Inc., an organization which provides performance
and ranking information through examining the dollar results of hypothetical
mutual fund investments and comparing these results against appropriate market
indices.
Consumer Digest, a monthly business/financial magazine that includes a "Money
Watch" section featuring financial news.
Financial Times, Europe's business newspaper, which features from time to time
articles on international or country-specific funds.
Financial World, a general business/financial magazine that includes a "Market
Watch" department reporting on activities in the mutual fund industry.
Forbes, a national business publication that from time to time reports the
performance of specific investment companies in the mutual fund industry.
Fortune, a national business publication that periodically rates the performance
of a variety of mutual funds.
The Frank Russell Company, a West-Coast investment management firm that
periodically evaluates international stock markets and compares foreign equity
market performance to U.S. stock market performance.
Global Investor, a European publication that periodically reviews the
performance of U.S. mutual funds investing internationally.
Handy and Harman, a major New York-based gold fabricator and metal refiner that
issues public quotes on gold prices daily.
IBC Money Fund Report, a weekly publication of IBC Financial Data, Inc.,
reporting on the performance of the nation's money market funds, summarizing
money market fund activity and including certain averages as performance
benchmarks, specifically "IBC's Money Fund Average," and "IBC's Government Money
Fund Average."
Ibbotson Associates, Inc., a company specializing in investment research and
data.
Investment Company Data, Inc., an independent organization which provides
performance ranking information for broad classes of mutual funds.
Investor's Business Daily, a daily newspaper that features financial, economic,
and business news.
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly investment advisory publication
that periodically features the performance of a variety of securities.
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.'s Mutual Fund Performance Analysis, a weekly
publication of industry-wide mutual fund averages by type of fund.
Money, a monthly magazine that from time to time features both specific funds
and the mutual fund industry as a whole.
Morgan Stanley International, an integrated investment banking firm that
compiles statistical information.
Mutual Fund Values, a biweekly Morningstar, Inc. publication that provides
ratings of mutual funds based on fund performance, risk and portfolio
characteristics.
The New York Times, a nationally distributed newspaper which regularly covers
financial news.
The No-Load Fund Investor, a monthly newsletter, published by Sheldon Jacobs,
that includes mutual fund performance data and recommendations for the mutual
fund investor.
No-Load Fund*X, a monthly newsletter, published by DAL Investment Company, Inc.,
that reports on mutual fund performance, rates funds and discusses investment
strategies for the mutual fund investor.
37
<PAGE>
Personal Investing News, a monthly news publication that often reports on
investment opportunities and market conditions.
Personal Investor, a monthly investment advisory publication that includes a
"Mutual Funds Outlook" section reporting on mutual fund performance measures,
yields, indices and portfolio holdings.
SmartMoney, a national personal finance magazine published monthly by Dow Jones
and Company, Inc. and The Hearst Corporation. Focus is placed on ideas for
investing, spending and saving.
Success, a monthly magazine targeted to the world of entrepreneurs and growing
business, often featuring mutual fund performance data.
United Mutual Fund Selector, a semi-monthly investment newsletter, published by
Babson United Investment Advisors, that includes mutual fund performance data
and reviews of mutual fund portfolios and investment strategies.
USA Today, a leading national daily newspaper.
U.S. News and World Report, a national news weekly that periodically reports
mutual fund performance data.
Value Line Mutual Fund Survey, an independent organization that provides
biweekly performance and other information on mutual funds.
The Wall Street Journal, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. newspaper which regularly
covers financial news.
Wiesenberger Investment Companies Services, an annual compendium of information
about mutual funds and other investment companies, including comparative data on
funds' backgrounds, management policies, salient features, management results,
income and dividend records and price ranges.
Working Woman, a monthly publication that features a "Financial Workshop"
section reporting on the mutual fund/financial industry.
Worth, a national publication issued 10 times per year by Capital Publishing
Company, a subsidiary of Fidelity Investments. Focus is placed on personal
financial journalism.
Taking a Global Approach
Many U.S. investors limit their holdings to U.S. securities because
they assume that international or global investing is too risky. While there are
risks connected with investing overseas, it's important to remember that no
investment -- even in blue-chip domestic securities -- is entirely risk free.
Looking outside U.S. borders, an investor today can find opportunities that
mirror domestic investments -- everything from large, stable multinational
companies to start-ups in emerging markets. To determine the level of risk with
which you are comfortable, and the potential for reward you're seeking over the
long term, you need to review the type of investment, the world markets, and
your time horizon.
The U.S. is unusual in that it has a very broad economy that is well
represented in the stock market. However, many countries around the world are
not only undergoing a revolution in how their economies operate, but also in
terms of the role their stock markets play in financing activities. There is
vibrant change throughout the global economy and all of this represents
potential investment opportunity.
Investing beyond the United States can open this world of opportunity,
due partly to the dramatic shift in the balance of world markets. In 1970, the
United States alone accounted for two-thirds of the value of the world's stock
markets. Now, the situation is reversed -- only 35% of global stock market
capitalization resides here. There are companies in Southeast Asia that are
starting to dominate regional activity; there are companies in Europe that are
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<PAGE>
expanding outside of their traditional markets and taking advantage of faster
growth in Asia and Latin America; other companies throughout the world are
getting out from under state control and restructuring; developing countries
continue to open their doors to foreign investment.
Stocks in many foreign markets can be attractively priced. The global
stock markets do not move in lock step. When the valuations in one market rise,
there are other markets that are less expensive. There is also volatility within
markets in that some sectors may be more expensive while others are depressed in
valuation. A wider set of opportunities can help make it possible to find the
best values available.
International or global investing offers diversification because the
investment is not limited to a single country or economy. In fact, many experts
agree that investment strategies that include both U.S. and non-U.S. investments
strike the best balance between risk and reward.
Scudder's 30% Solution
The 30 Percent Solution -- A Global Guide for Investors Seeking Better
Performance With Reduced Portfolio Risk is a booklet, created by Scudder, to
convey its vision about the new global investment dynamic. This dynamic is a
result of the profound and ongoing changes in the global economy and the
financial markets. The booklet explains how Scudder believes an equity
investment portfolio with up to 30% in international holdings and 70% in
domestic holdings can improve long-term performance while simultaneously helping
to reduce overall risk.
FUND ORGANIZATION
(See "Fund organization" in the Fund's prospectus.)
The Corporation is a Maryland corporation organized in March 1988. The
Corporation currently offers shares of common stock of one investment fund which
represents interests in the Fund. The authorized capital stock of the
Corporation consists of 100 million shares of a par value of $0.01 each. Shares
are divided into series, one of which represents interests in the one investment
fund currently offered by the Corporation. Shares of each class have equal
rights as to voting, redemption, dividends and liquidation. Shareholders have
one vote for each share held. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid
and nonassessable, transferable, and redeemable at net asset value of the
relevant fund at the option of the shareholder. Shares have no preemptive or
conversion rights.
The shares of the Corporation have noncumulative voting rights, which
means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of
directors can elect 100% of the directors if they choose to do so, and, in such
event, the holders of the remaining less than 50% of the shares voting for the
election of directors will not be able to elect any person or persons to the
Board of Directors. Shareholders of the Corporation generally vote by class,
rather than in the aggregate, except with respect to the election of directors
and the selection of independent accountants.
The Articles of Incorporation provide that the Directors of the
Corporation shall not be liable for any action taken by them in good faith. The
By-Laws provide that the Corporation will indemnify Directors and officers of
the Corporation against liabilities and expenses actually incurred in connection
with litigation in which they may be involved because of their positions with
the Corporation. However, nothing in the Articles of Incorporation or the
By-Laws protects or indemnifies a Director or officer against any liability to
which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his or her office.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
(See "Fund organization -- Investment adviser" in the Fund's
prospectus.)
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser"), an investment counsel
firm, acts as investment adviser to the Fund. This organization, the predecessor
of which is Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc., is one of the most experienced
investment counsel firms in the U. S. It was established as a partnership in
1919 and pioneered the practice of providing investment counsel to individual
clients on a fee basis. In 1928 it introduced the first no-load mutual fund to
39
<PAGE>
the public. In 1953 the Adviser introduced Scudder International Fund, Inc., the
first mutual fund available in the U.S. investing internationally in securities
of issuers in several foreign countries. The predecessor firm reorganized from a
partnership to a corporation on June 28, 1985. On June 26, 1997, Scudder,
Stevens & Clark, Inc. ("Scudder") entered into an agreement with Zurich
Insurance Company ("Zurich") pursuant to which Scudder and Zurich agreed to form
an alliance. On December 31, 1997, Zurich acquired a majority interest in
Scudder, and Zurich Kemper Investments, Inc. , a Zurich subsidiary, became part
of Scudder. Scudder's name has been changed to Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
Founded in 1872, Zurich is a multinational, public corporation
organized under the laws of Switzerland. Its home office is located at
Mythenquai 2, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. Historically, Zurich's earnings have
resulted from its operations as an insurer as well as from its ownership of its
subsidiaries and affiliated companies (the "Zurich Insurance Group"). Zurich and
the Zurich Insurance Group provide an extensive range of insurance products and
services and have branch offices and subsidiaries in more than 40 countries
throughout the world.
The principal source of the Adviser's income is professional fees
received from providing continuous investment advice, and the firm derives no
income from brokerage or underwriting of securities. Today, it provides
investment counsel for many individuals and institutions, including insurance
companies, colleges, industrial corporations, and financial and banking
organizations. In addition, it manages Montgomery Street Income Securities,
Inc., Scudder California Tax Free Trust, Scudder Cash Investment Trust, Value
Equity Trust, Scudder Fund, Inc., Scudder Funds Trust, Global/International
Fund, Inc., Scudder Global High Income Fund, Inc., Scudder GNMA Fund, Scudder
Portfolio Trust, Scudder Institutional Fund, Inc., Scudder International Fund,
Inc., Investment Trust, Scudder Municipal Trust, Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc.,
Scudder New Asia Fund, Inc., Scudder New Europe Fund, Inc., Scudder Pathway
Series, Scudder Securities Trust, Scudder State Tax Free Trust, Scudder Tax Free
Money Fund, Scudder Tax Free Trust, Scudder U.S. Treasury Money Fund, Scudder
Variable Life Investment Fund, The Argentina Fund, Inc., The Brazil Fund, Inc.,
The Korea Fund, Inc., The Japan Fund, Inc. and Scudder Spain and Portugal Fund,
Inc. Some of the foregoing companies or trusts have two or more series.
The Adviser also provides investment advisory services to the mutual
funds which comprise the AARP Investment Program from Scudder. The AARP
Investment Program from Scudder has assets over $13 billion and includes the
AARP Growth Trust, AARP Income Trust, AARP Tax Free Income Trust, AARP Managed
Investment Portfolios Trust and AARP Cash Investment Funds.
Pursuant to an Agreement between the Adviser and AMA Solutions, Inc., a
subsidiary of the American Medical Association (the "AMA"), dated May 9, 1997,
the Adviser has agreed, subject to applicable state regulations, to pay AMA
Solutions, Inc. royalties in an amount equal to 5% of the management fee
received by the Adviser with respect to assets invested by AMA members in
Scudder funds in connection with the AMA InvestmentLinkSM Program. The Adviser
will also pay AMA Solutions, Inc. a general monthly fee, currently in the amount
of $833. The AMA and AMA Solutions, Inc. are not engaged in the business of
providing investment advice and neither is registered as an investment adviser
or broker/dealer under federal securities laws. Any person who participates in
the AMA InvestmentLinkSM Program will be a customer of the Adviser (or of a
subsidiary thereof) and not the AMA or AMA Solutions, Inc. AMA InvestmentLinkSM
is a service mark of AMA Solutions, Inc.
The Adviser maintains a large research department, which conducts
continual studies of the factors that affect the position of various industries,
companies and individual securities. In this work, the Adviser utilizes certain
reports and statistics from a variety of sources, including brokers and dealers
who may execute portfolio transactions for the Fund and other clients of the
Adviser, but conclusions are based primarily on investigations and critical
analyses by the Adviser's own research specialists. However, the Adviser regards
this information and material as an adjunct to its own research activities. In
selecting the securities in which the Fund may invest, the conclusions and
investment decisions of the Adviser with respect to the Fund are based primarily
on the analyses of its own research department.
Certain investments may be appropriate for the Fund and also for other
clients advised by the Adviser. Investment decisions for the Fund and other
clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives
and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings, availability
of cash for investment and the size of their investments generally. Frequently,
a particular security may be bought or sold for only one client or in different
amounts and at different times for more than one but less than all clients.
Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one
or more other clients are selling the security. In addition, purchases or sales
of the same security may be made for two or more clients on the same date. In
such event, such transactions will be allocated among the clients in a manner
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<PAGE>
believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each. In some cases, this procedure
could have an adverse effect on the price or amount of the securities purchased
or sold by the Fund. Purchase and sale orders for the Fund may be combined with
those of other clients of the Adviser in the interest of most favorable net
results to the Fund.
The Investment Management Agreement (the "Agreement") dated September
5, 1996 was last approved by the shareholders of the Fund on September 4, 1996 ,
and by the Directors of the Corporation on September 10-11, 1997. Because the
transaction between Scudder and Zurich resulted in the assignment of the Fund's
investment management agreement with Scudder, that agreement was deemed to be
automatically terminated at the consummation of the transaction. In anticipation
of the transaction, however, a new investment management agreement between the
Fund and the Adviser was approved by the Corporation's Directors on August 6,
1997. At the special meeting of the Fund's stockholders held on October 27,
1997, the stockholders also approved the new investment management agreement.
The new investment management agreement (the "Agreement") became effective as of
December 31, 1997 and will be in effect for an initial term ending on September
30, 1998. The Agreement is in all material respects on the same terms as the
previous investment management agreement which it supersedes. The Agreement
incorporates conforming changes which promote consistency among all of the funds
advised by the Adviser and which permit ease of administration.
The Agreement dated December 31, 1997 was last approved by the
Directors of the Corporation on August 6, 1998. The Agreement will continue in
effect until September 30, 1999 and from year to year thereafter only if its
continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority of those Directors
who are not parties to such Agreement or interested persons of the Adviser or
the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval, and either by a vote of the Corporation's Directors or of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Agreement may be
terminated at any time without payment of penalty by either party on sixty days'
written notice, and automatically terminates in the event of its assignment.
On September __, 1998, the businesses of Zurich (including Zurich's 70%
interest in Scudder Kemper) and the financial services businesses of B.A.T
Industries p.l.c. ("B.A.T") were combined to form a new global insurance and
financial services company known as Zurich Financial Services Group. By way of a
dual holding company structure, former Zurich shareholders initially owned
approximately 57% of Zurich Financial Services Group, with the balance initially
owned by former B.A.T shareholders.
Upon consummation of this transaction, the Fund's existing investment
management agreement with Scudder Kemper was deemed to have been assigned and,
therefore, terminated. The Board has approved a new investment management
agreement with Scudder Kemper, which is substantially identical to the current
investment management agreement, except for the date of execution and
termination This agreement became effective upon the termination of the then
current investment management agreement and will be submitted for shareholder
approval at special meetings currently scheduled to conclude in December 1998.
Under the Agreement, the Adviser regularly provides the Fund with
continuing investment management for the Fund's portfolio consistent with the
Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions and determines what
securities shall be purchased , held or sold and what portion of the Fund's
assets shall be held uninvested, subject to the Fund's Articles, By-Laws, the
1940 Act, the Code and to the Fund's investment objective, policies and
restrictions, and subject, further, to such policies and instructions as the
Board of Directors of the Corporation may from time to time establish.
Under the Agreement, the Adviser renders significant administrative
services (not otherwise provided by third parties) necessary for the Fund's
operations as an open-end investment company including, but not limited to,
preparing reports and notices to the Directors and shareholders; supervising,
negotiating contractual arrangements with, and monitoring various third-party
service providers to the Fund (such as the Fund's transfer agent, pricing
agents, custodian, accountants and others); preparing and making filings with
the Commission and other regulatory agencies; assisting in the preparation and
filing of the Fund's federal, state and local tax returns; preparing and filing
41
<PAGE>
the Fund's federal excise tax returns; assisting with investor and public
relations matters; monitoring the valuation of securities and the calculation of
net asset value; monitoring the registration of shares of the Fund under
applicable federal and state securities laws; maintaining the Fund's books and
records to the extent not otherwise maintained by a third party; assisting in
establishing accounting policies of the Fund; assisting in the resolution of
accounting and legal issues; establishing and monitoring the Fund's operating
budget; processing the payment of the Fund's bills; assisting the Fund in, and
otherwise arranging for, the payment of distributions and dividends and
otherwise assisting the Fund in the conduct of its business, subject to the
direction and control of the Directors.
The Adviser pays the compensation and expenses (except those of
attending Board and committee meetings outside New York, New York or Boston,
Massachusetts) of all Directors, officers and executive employees of the Fund
affiliated with the Adviser and makes available, without expense to the Fund,
the services of such Directors, officers and employees of the Adviser as may
duly be elected officers of the Fund, subject to their individual consent to
serve and to any limitations imposed by law, and provides the Fund's office
space and facilities.
For these services, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual fee equal to
1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets , payable monthly, provided the
Fund will make such interim payments as may be requested by the Adviser not to
exceed 75% of the amount of the fee then accrued on the books of the Fund and
unpaid. The net investment advisory fees for the fiscal years ended June 30,
1998, 1997 and 1996 were $_______, $1,948,814 and $1,545,158 , respectively.
Under the Agreement the Fund is responsible for all of its other
expenses including: fees and expenses incurred in connection with membership in
investment company organizations; brokers' commissions; legal, auditing and
accounting expenses; the calculation of net asset value; taxes and governmental
fees; the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent; the cost of preparing share
certificates or any other expenses of issue, sale, underwriting, distribution,
redemption or repurchase of shares; the expenses of and the fees for registering
or qualifying securities for sale; the fees and expenses of Directors, officers
and employees of the Fund who are not affiliated with the Adviser; the cost of
printing and distributing reports and notices to stockholders; and the fees and
disbursements of custodians. The Fund may arrange to have third parties assume
all or part of the expenses of sale, underwriting and distribution of shares of
the Fund. The Fund is also responsible for its expenses of shareholders'
meetings, the cost of responding to shareholders' inquiries, and its expenses
incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings and claims and the legal
obligation it may have to indemnify its officers and Directors of the Fund with
respect thereto.
The Agreement expressly provides that the Adviser shall not be required
to pay a pricing agent of the Fund for portfolio pricing services , if any.
The Agreement identifies the Adviser as the exclusive licensee of the
rights to use and sublicense the names "Scudder," "Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc." and "Scudder, Stevens and Clark, Inc." (together, the "Scudder Marks").
Under this license, the Corporation, with respect to the Fund, has the
non-exclusive right to use and sublicense the Scudder name and marks as part of
its name, and to use the Scudder Marks in the Corporation's investment products
and services.
In reviewing the terms of the Agreement and in discussions with the
Adviser concerning such Agreement, the Directors of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Adviser are represented by independent counsel at
the Fund's expense. Wilkie Farr & Gallagher serve as counsel for the Fund and
also for Scudder Investor Services, Inc.
The Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in
connection with matters to which the Agreement relates , except a loss resulting
from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the
Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the
Adviser of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.
Officers and employees of the Adviser from time to time may have
transactions with various banks, including the Fund's custodian bank. It is the
Adviser's opinion that the terms and conditions of those transactions which have
occurred were not influenced by existing or potential custodial or other Fund
relationships.
The Adviser may serve as adviser to other funds with investment
objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund that may have different
distribution arrangements or expenses, which may affect performance.
None of the officers or Directors of the Fund may have dealings with
the fund as principals in the purchase or sale of securities, except as
individual subscribers to or holders of shares of the Fund.
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<PAGE>
Personal Investments By Employees Of The Adviser
Employees of the Adviser are permitted to make personal securities
transactions, subject to requirements and restrictions set forth in the
Adviser's Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics contains provisions and
requirements designed to identify and address certain conflicts of interest
between personal investment activities and the interests of investment advisory
clients such as the Fund. Among other things, the Code of Ethics, which
generally complies with standards recommended by the Investment Company
Institute's Advisory Group on Personal Investing, prohibits certain types of
transactions absent prior approval, imposes time periods during which personal
transactions may not be made in certain securities, and requires the submission
of duplicate broker confirmations and monthly reporting of securities
transactions. Additional restrictions apply to portfolio managers, traders,
research analysts and others involved in the investment advisory process.
Exceptions to these and other provisions of the Code of Ethics may be granted in
particular circumstances after review by appropriate personnel.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Position with
Underwriter,
Name, Date of Birth, and Position with Fund Principal Occupation** Scudder Investor
Address Services, Inc.
Daniel Pierce (3/18/34)*@# President and Director Managing Director of Scudder Vice President and
Kemper Investments, Inc. Assistant Treasurer
Paul Bancroft III Director Venture Capitalist and Consultant; --
(2/27/30)79 Pine LaneBox Retired, President, Chief Executive
6639Snowmass Village, CO Officer and Director, Bessemer
81615 Securities Corporation
Sheryle J. Bolton Director CEO, Scientific Learning --
(7/4/46)Scientific Learning Corporation, Former President and
Corporation1995 University Chief Operating Officer, Physicians
AveSuite 400San Francisco, Online, Inc. (electronic
CA 94704 transmission of clinical information
for physicians (1994-1995); Member,
Senior Management Team, Rockefeller
& Co. (1990-1993)
William T. Burgin (9/2/43)83 Director General Partner, Bessemer Venture --
Walnut StreetWellesley, MA Partners; General Partner, Deer &
02181 Company; Director, James River
Corp.; Director, Galile Corp.,
Director of various privately held
companies
Thomas J. Devine Director Consultant --
(12/9/26)450 Park AvenueNew
York, NY 10022
Keith R. Fox (4/11/54)10 Director President, Exeter Capital --
East 53rd StreetNew York, Management Corporation
NY 10022
43
<PAGE>
Position with
Underwriter,
Name, Date of Birth, and Position with Fund Principal Occupation** Scudder Investor
Address Services, Inc.
William H. Luers Director President, The Metropolitan Museum --
(5/15/29)The MetrMuseum of of Art (1986 to present)
Art1000 Fifth AvenueNew
York, NY 10028
Kathryn L. Quirk (12/3/52) Director, Vice Managing Director of Scudder Kemper Senior Vice President,
*+# President and Investments, Inc. Chief Legal Officer and
Assistant Secretary Assistant Clerk
Robert G. Stone, Jr. Honorary Director Chairman Emeritus and Director, --
(3/21/23)405 Lexington Kirby Corporation (inland and
Avenue39th FloorNew York, NY offshore marine transportation and
10174 diesel repairs)
Jerard K. Hartman (3/1/33)+ Vice President Managing Director of Scudder Kemper --
Investments, Inc.
Clay L. Hoes(5/25/56)+ Vice President Vice President of Scudder Kemper --
Investments, Inc.
Thomas W. Joseph (4/22/39)@ Vice President Senior Vice President of Scudder Vice President,
Kemper Investments, Inc. Treasurer and Assistant
Clerk
Thomas F. McDonough Vice President, Senior Vice President of Scudder Clerk
(1/20/47)@ Treasurer and Secretary Kemper Investments, Inc.
John R. Hebble (6/27/58)@ Assistant Treasurer Senior Vice President of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc.
Caroline Pearson (4/1/62)@ Assistant Secretary Senior Vice President of Scudder --
Kemper Investments, Inc. ;
Associate, Dechert Price & Rhoads
(law firm) 1989 - 1997
</TABLE>
* Persons considered by the Fund and its counsel to be Directors who are
"interested persons" of the Adviser or of the Fund, within the meaning of
the 1940 Act, as amended.
** Unless otherwise stated, all the Directors and officers have been
associated with their respective companies for more than five years, but
not necessarily in the same capacity.
+ Address: 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154
@ Address: Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
44
<PAGE>
# Mr. Pierce and Ms. Quirk are the sole members of the Executive Committee,
which may exercise substantially all of the powers of the Directors when
they are not in session.
The Directors and officers of the Fund also serve in similar capacities
with other Scudder Funds.
As of September 30, 1998 all Directors and officers of the Corporation
as a group owned beneficially (as the term is defined in Section 13(d) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) less than 1% of the Fund.
As of September 30, 1998, _____shares in the aggregate, ____% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund, were held in the name of _____, who may be
deemed to be the beneficial owner of certain of these shares, but disclaims any
beneficial ownership therein.
To the knowledge of the Trust, as of September 30, 1998, no person
owned beneficially more than 5% of the Fund's outstanding shares except as
stated above.
Responsibilities of the Board -- Board and Committee Meetings
The Board of Directors is responsible for the general oversight of the
Fund's business. A majority of the Board's members are not affiliated with
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. These "Independent Directors" have primary
responsibility for assuring that the Fund is managed in the best interests of
its shareholders.
The Board of Directors meets at least quarterly to review the
investment performance of the Fund and other operational matters, including
policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with various regulatory
requirements. At least annually, the Independent Directors review the fees paid
to the Adviser and its affiliates for investment advisory services and other
administrative and shareholder services. In this regard, they evaluate, among
other things, the Fund's investment performance, the quality and efficiency of
the various other services provided, costs incurred by the Adviser and its
affiliates and comparative information regarding fees and expenses of
competitive funds. They are assisted in this process by the Fund's independent
public accountants and by independent legal counsel selected by the Independent
Directors.
All the Independent Directors serve on the Committee on Independent
Directors, which nominates Independent Directors and considers other related
matters, and the Audit Committee, which selects the Fund's independent public
accountants and reviews accounting policies and controls. In addition,
Independent Directors from time to time have established and served on task
forces and subcommittees focusing on particular matters such as investment,
accounting and shareholder service issues.
Compensation of Officers and Directors
The Independent Directors receive the following compensation from the
Fund: an annual director's fee of $3,500; a fee of $325 for attendance at each
board meeting, audit committee meeting or other meeting held for the purposes of
considering arrangements between the Corporation on behalf of the Fund and the
Adviser or any affiliate of the Adviser; $100 for all other committee meetings;
and reimbursement of expenses incurred for travel to and from Board Meetings. No
additional compensation is paid to any Independent Director for travel time to
meetings, attendance at directors' educational seminars or conferences, service
on industry or association committees, participation as speakers at directors'
conferences or service on special trustee task forces or subcommittees .
Independent Directors do not receive any employee benefits such as pension or
retirement benefits or health insurance. Notwithstanding the schedule of fees,
the Independent Directors have in the past and may in the future waive a portion
of their compensation.
The Independent Directors also serve in the same capacity for other
funds managed by the Adviser. These funds differ broadly in type and complexity
and in some cases have substantially different Director fee schedules. The
following table shows the aggregate compensation received by each Independent
Director during 1997 from the Corporation and from all of the Scudder funds as a
group.
45
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc. *
All Scudder Funds
Paid by Paid by the Paid by the Paid by the Adviser(1)
Name the Corporation Adviser(1) Funds
Paul Bancroft III, $1,267 $0.00 $156,922 $25,950 (20 funds)
Director
Sheryle J. Bolton, $1,267 $0.00 $86,213 $10,800 (20 funds)
Director
William T. Burgin, $5,841 $1,350 $85,950 $17,550 (20 funds)
Director
Thomas J. Devine, $8,900 $1,350 $186,598 $27,150 (21 funds)
Director
Keith R. Fox, Director $9,350 $1,350 $134,390 $17,550 (18 funds)
William H. Luers, $1,267 $0.00 $117,729 $16,350 (20 funds)
Director
</TABLE>
(1) Meetings associated with the Adviser's alliance with Zurich Insurance
Company. See "Investment Adviser" for additional information.
* Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc. consists of one mutual fund, Scudder Gold Fund.
Members of the Board of Directors who are employees of the Adviser or
its affiliates receive no direct compensation from the Corporation, although
they are compensated as employees of Scudder, or its affiliates, as a result of
which they may be deemed to participate in fees paid by each Fund.
DISTRIBUTOR
The Fund has an underwriting agreement with Scudder Investor Services,
Inc. (the "Distributor"), a Massachusetts corporation, which is a subsidiary of
the Adviser, a Delaware corporation. The Fund's underwriting agreement dated
September ___, 1998 will remain in effect from year to year thereafter only if
its continuance is approved annually by a majority of the members of the
Directors who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any
such party and either by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors or a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation. The
underwriting agreement was most recently approved by the Directors on August 6,
1998, until the earlier of the approval of a new Underwriting Agreement and the
consummation of the Adviser's change in control, or September 30, 1999
Under the underwriting agreement, the Fund is responsible for: the
payment of all fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing
with the SEC of the registration statement and prospectus and any amendments and
supplements thereto relating to the Fund, the registration and qualification of
Fund shares for sale in the various states, including registering the Fund as a
broker/dealer in various states, as required; the fees and expenses of
preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses (see below for expenses relating to
prospectuses paid by the Distributor), notices, proxy statements, reports or
other communications (including newsletters) to shareholders of the Fund; the
cost of printing and mailing confirmations of purchases of Fund shares and the
prospectuses accompanying such confirmations; any issuance taxes or any initial
transfer taxes; a portion of shareholder toll-free telephone charges and
expenses of shareholder service representatives, the cost of wiring funds for
share purchases and redemptions (unless paid by the shareholder who initiates
the transaction); the cost of printing and postage of business reply envelopes;
and a portion of the cost of computer terminals used by both the Fund and the
Distributor.
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<PAGE>
The Distributor will pay for printing and distributing prospectuses or
reports prepared for its use in connection with the offering of the shares of
the Fund to the public and preparing, printing and mailing any other literature
or advertising in connection with the offering of shares of the Fund to the
public. The Distributor will pay all fees and expenses in connection with its
qualification and registration as a broker or dealer under federal and state
laws, a portion of the cost of toll-free telephone service and expenses of
shareholder service representatives, a portion of the cost of computer
terminals, and of any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale
of shares of the Fund issued by the Corporation.
Note: Although the Fund currently has no 12b-1 Plan and shareholder
approval would be required in order to adopt one, the
underwriting agreement provides that the Fund will also pay
those fees and expenses permitted to be paid or assumed by the
Fund pursuant to a 12b-1 Plan, if any, adopted by the Fund,
notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in the
underwriting agreement, and the Fund or a third party will pay
those fees and expenses not specifically allocated to the
Distributor in the underwriting agreement.
As agent, the Distributor will offer the Fund's shares on a continuous
basis to investors in all states. The underwriting agreement provides that the
Distributor accepts orders for Fund shares at net asset value as no sales
commission or load is charged the investor. The Distributor has made no firm
commitment to acquire shares of the Fund.
TAXES
(See "Distribution and performance information -- Dividends and capital
gains distributions" and "Transaction information -- Tax information, Tax
identification number" in the Fund's prospectus.)
The Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), or a predecessor statute and has qualified as such since its inception.
It intends to continue to qualify for such treatment. Such qualification does
not involve governmental supervision or management of investment practices or
policy.
As a regulated investment company qualifying under Subchapter M of the
Code, the Fund is required to distribute to its shareholders at least 90 percent
of its investment company taxable income (including net short-term capital gain)
and generally is not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it
distributes annually its investment company taxable income and net realized
capital gains in the manner required under the Code.
Investment company taxable income generally is made of dividends,
interest, and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital
losses, less expenses. Net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital
gain over net short-term capital loss) are computed by taking into account any
capital loss carryforward of the Fund.
In addition, no more than 10% of the Fund's gross income may be from
nonqualifying sources, including income from investments in precious metals and
precious metals futures and options transactions. The Fund may therefore need to
limit the extent to which it makes such investments in order to qualify as a
regulated investment company.
The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax calculated as a
percentage of certain undistributed amounts of taxable income and capital gain.
The Fund has established distribution policies which should minimize or
eliminate the application of this tax.
If any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized
short-term capital losses are retained by the Fund for reinvestment, requiring
federal income taxes to be paid thereon by the Fund, the Fund intends to elect
to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to shareholders. As a
result, each shareholder will report such capital gains as long-term capital
gains, will be able to claim a proportionate share of federal income taxes paid
by the Fund on such gains as a credit against the shareholder's federal income
tax liability, and will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of the
shareholder's Fund shares by the difference between the shareholder's pro rata
share of such gains and the shareholder's tax credit.
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<PAGE>
Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net
short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income.
Properly designated distributions of the excess of net long-term
capital gain over net short-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as
long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund
have been held by such shareholders. The Fund will designate the amount of each
distribution that will qualify for the 20% capital gains rate or the 28% capital
gains rate. Such distributions are not eligible for the dividends-received
deduction. Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares held at the time of
redemption for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to
the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain
during such six-month period.
Distributions of taxable net investment income and net realized capital
gains will be taxable as described above, whether received in shares or in cash.
Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares
will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received
equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.
All distributions of taxable net investment income and net realized
capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each
shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends declared in
October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during
the following January will be treated by shareholders for federal income tax
purposes as if received on December 31 of the calendar year declared.
Redemptions of shares, including exchanges for shares of another Scudder Fund,
may result in the recognition of gain or loss by the shareholder.
Distributions by the Fund result in a reduction in the net asset value
of the Fund's shares. Should a distribution reduce the net asset value below a
shareholder's cost basis, such distribution would nevertheless be taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain as described above, even though,
from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In
particular, investors should consider the tax implications of buying shares just
prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the
amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior to a
distribution will then receive a partial return of capital upon the
distribution, which will nevertheless be taxable to them.
The Fund may qualify for and make an election which would allow
shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their federal income tax returns
for foreign taxes paid by the Fund. Should the Fund elect to do so, shareholders
would be required to treat as part of the amounts distributed to them, their pro
rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries. The Fund
will be qualified to make the election if more than 50% of the value of the
total assets of the Fund at the close of its taxable year consists of securities
in foreign corporations. The foreign tax credit available to shareholders is
subject to certain limitations imposed by Section 904 of the Code. No deduction
for foreign taxes may be claimed by shareholders who do not itemize deductions
on their federal income tax returns, although any such shareholder may claim a
credit for foreign taxes and in any event will be treated as having taxable
income in respect to the shareholder's pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by
the Fund. For any year for which such an election is made, the Fund will report
to shareholders (no later than 60 days after the close of its fiscal year) the
amount per share of such foreign taxes that must be included in the
shareholder's gross income and will be available as a deduction or credit.
In addition, if the Fund fails to satisfy these holding period
requirements, it cannot elect under Section 853 to pass through to shareholders
the ability to claim a deduction for the related foreign taxes.
No gain or loss is recognized by the Fund upon payment of a premium in
connection with the purchase of a put or call option. The character of any gain
or loss recognized (i.e., long-term or short-term) will generally depend, in the
case of a lapse or sale of the option, on the Fund's holding period for the
option and, in the case of an exercise of the put option purchased by the Fund,
on the Fund's holding period for the underlying stock it sells pursuant to the
put option. The purchase of a put option may constitute a short sale for federal
income tax purposes, causing an adjustment in the holding period of the
underlying stock in the Fund's portfolio. If the Fund writes a put or call
option, no gain or loss is recognized upon its receipt of a premium. If the
option lapses or is closed out, any gain or loss is treated as a short-term
capital gain or loss. If a purchaser exercises a call option written by the Fund
and such call option is exercised, the character of the gain or loss recognized
by the Fund will depend on the Fund's holding period for the underlying stock
48
<PAGE>
sold pursuant to such exercise. The exercise of an equity put option written by
the Fund is not a taxable transaction for the Fund.
Many futures contracts (including foreign currency futures contracts)
entered into by the Fund, certain forward currency contracts, and all listed
nonequity options written or purchased by the Fund (including options on debt
securities, options on futures contracts, options on securities indexes and
options on broad-based stock indexes) will be considered "Section 1256"
contracts under the Code. Absent an election to the contrary, gain or loss
attributable to the lapse, exercise or closing out of any such position will be
treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term. Under present law, it does not
appear that any long term capital gains attributable to Section 1256 contracts
will be eligible for the 20% capital gains vote. Moreover, on the last trading
day of the Fund's fiscal year, all outstanding Section 1256 positions will be
marked to market (i.e. treated as if such positions were closed out at their
closing price on such day), with any resulting gain or loss recognized. Under
certain circumstances, entry into a futures contract to sell a security held by
the Fund may constitute a short sale of that security for federal income tax
purposes, causing an adjustment in the Fund's holding period for that security.
The Fund's short sales against the box, if any, will be subject to
special provisions of the code that may affect the character of gains and losses
realized by the Fund and the holding periods of securities held by the Fund, and
may accelerate the recognition of income to the Fund.
Under Section 988 of the Code, discussed below, foreign currency gains
or loss from foreign currency related forward contracts, certain futures and
similar financial instruments entered into or acquired by a Fund will be treated
as ordinary income or loss.
The Fund intends to invest up to 25% of its assets in a foreign
subsidiary of the Corporation which invests in gold, silver, platinum and
palladium bullion and in gold and silver coins. The Corporation intends that the
subsidiary be structured so that it will not be subject to tax in the U.S.
However, the Fund (or its shareholders) may be subject to tax on the income of
the subsidiary, regardless of whether the income is distributed to the Fund.
The Fund may invest in shares of certain foreign corporations which may
be classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs").
If the Fund receives a so-called "excess distribution" with respect to PFIC
stock, the Fund itself may be subject to a tax on a portion of the excess
distribution. Certain distributions from a PFIC as well as gains from the sale
of the PFIC shares are treated as "excess distributions." In general, under the
PFIC rules, an excess distribution is treated as having been realized ratably
over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC shares. The Fund will be
subject to tax on the portion, if any, of an excess distribution that is
allocated to prior Fund taxable years and an interest factor will be added to
the tax, as if the tax had been payable in such prior taxable years. Excess
distributions allocated to the current taxable year are characterized as
ordinary income even though, absent application of the PFIC rules, certain
excess distributions might have been classified as capital gain.
Recently legislation was enacted which would allow the Fund to make an
election to mark to market its shares of these foreign investment companies that
would result in the Fund being treated as if it had sold and repurchased all of
its PFIC stock at the end of each year. This election is effective for taxable
years beginning after December 31, 1997. At the end of each taxable year to
which the election applies, the Fund would report as ordinary income the amount
by which the fair market value of the foreign company's stock exceeds the Fund's
adjusted basis in these shares. Ordinary mark to market losses may be recognized
to the extent of previously recognized mark-to-market gains. The effect of the
election would be to treat excess distributions and gain on dispositions as
ordinary income which is not subject to a fund level tax when distributed to
shareholders as a dividend. This election, once made, would be effective for all
subsequent taxable years of the Fund, unless revoked with the consent of the
IRS. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to include as income and gain its share
of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of certain foreign investment
companies in lieu of being taxed in the manner described above. Under present
law, long-term capital gains included in income by the Fund pursuant to the
election described in the preceding sentence will not be eligible for the 20%
capital gains rate.
Backup withholding may be required if the Fund is notified by the IRS
or a broker that the taxpayer identification number furnished by the shareholder
is incorrect or that the shareholder has previously failed to report interest or
dividend income.
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<PAGE>
Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on
distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares.
Each distribution is accompanied by a brief explanation of the form and
character of the distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each
shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions
made for the previous year.
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely
to the application of that law to U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens and
residents and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each
shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax
consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that
such a shareholder may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or
at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on amounts constituting
ordinary income received by him or her, where such amounts are treated as income
from U.S. sources under the Code.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the application of
the provisions of tax law described in this Statement of Additional Information
in light of their particular tax situations.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Brokerage Commissions
Allocation of brokerage is supervised by the Adviser.
The primary objective of the Adviser in placing orders for the purchase
and sale of securities for a Fund is to obtain the most favorable net results,
taking into account such factors as price, commission where applicable, size of
order, difficulty of execution and skill required of the executing
broker/dealer. The Adviser seeks to evaluate the overall reasonableness of
brokerage commissions paid (to the extent applicable) through the familiarity of
the Distributor with commissions charged on comparable transactions, as well as
by comparing commissions paid by the Fund to reported commissions paid by
others. The Adviser reviews on a routine basis commission rates, execution and
settlement services performed, making internal and external comparisons.
The Fund's purchases and sales of fixed-income securities are generally
placed by the Adviser with primary market makers for these securities on a net
basis, without any brokerage commission being paid by the Fund. Trading does,
however, involve transaction costs. Transactions with dealers serving as primary
market makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices. Purchases of
underwritten issues may be made, which will include an underwriting fee paid to
the underwriter.
When it can be done consistently with the policy of obtaining the most
favorable net results, it is the Adviser's practice to place such orders with
broker/dealers who supply research, market and statistical information to the
Fund. The term "research, market and statistical information" includes advice as
to the value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or
selling securities; the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of
securities; and analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities,
economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts.
The Adviser is authorized when placing portfolio transactions for the Fund to
pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker might charge
for executing the same transaction on account of execution services and the
receipt of research, market or statistical information. The Adviser will not
place orders with broker/dealers on the basis that the broker/dealer has or has
not sold shares of the Fund. In effecting transactions in over-the-counter
securities, orders are placed with the principal market makers for the security
being traded unless, after exercising care, it appears that more favorable
results are available elsewhere.
To the maximum extent feasible, it is expected that the Adviser will
place orders for portfolio transactions through the Distributor, which is a
corporation registered as a broker-dealer and a subsidiary of the Adviser; the
Distributor will place orders on behalf of the Fund with issuers, underwriters
or other brokers and dealers. The Distributor will not receive any commission,
fee or other remuneration from the Fund for this service.
Although certain research, market and statistical information from
broker/dealers may be useful to the Fund and to the Adviser, it is the opinion
of the Adviser that such information only supplements the Adviser's own research
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effort since the information must still be analyzed, weighed, and reviewed by
the Adviser's staff. Such information may be useful to the Adviser in providing
services to clients other than the Fund, and not all such information is used by
the Adviser in connection with the Fund . Conversely, such information provided
to the Adviser by broker/dealers through whom other clients of the Adviser
effect securities transactions may be useful to the Adviser in providing
services to the Fund.
The Directors review from time to time whether the recapture for the
benefit of the Fund of some portion of the brokerage commissions or similar fees
paid by the Fund on portfolio transactions is legally permissible and advisable.
In the fiscal years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996 the Fund paid
brokerage commissions of $_____, $455,167 and $128,087 , respectively. For the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, $_____ (___%) of the total brokerage
commissions paid ($____) by the Fund resulted from orders placed, consistent
with the policy of obtaining the most favorable net results, with
brokers/dealers who provided supplementary research, market and statistical
information to the Fund or the Adviser. The amount of such transactions
aggregated $______ (___%) of all brokerage transactions. Such brokerage was not
allocated to any particular brokers or dealers or with any regard to the
provision of market quotations for purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio or
to any other special factors.
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund's portfolio turnover rates (defined by the SEC as the ratio of
the lesser of sales or purchases of securities to the monthly average value of
the portfolio, excluding all securities with remaining maturities of less than
one year) for the two fiscal years ended June 30, 1997 and 1998, were 38.9% and
____%, respectively.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of shares of the Fund is computed as of the close
of regular trading on the Exchange on each day the Exchange is open for trading.
The Exchange is scheduled to be closed on the following holidays: New Year's
Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Net asset value per
share is determined by dividing the value of the total assets of the Fund, less
all liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding.
An exchange-traded equity security is valued at its most recent sale
price. Lacking any sales, the security is valued at the calculated mean between
the most recent bid quotation and the most recent asked quotation (the
"Calculated Mean"). Lacking a Calculated Mean, the security is valued at the
most recent bid quotation. An equity security which is traded on The Nasdaq
Stock Market ("Nasdaq") is valued at its most recent sale price. Lacking any
sales, the security is valued at the most recent bid quotation. The value of an
equity security not quoted on the Nasdaq system, but traded in another
over-the-counter market, is its most recent sale price. Lacking any sales, the
security is valued at the Calculated Mean. Lacking a Calculated Mean, the
security is valued at the most recent bid quotation.
Debt securities, other than short-term securities, are valued at prices
supplied by the Fund's pricing agent(s) which reflect broker/dealer supplied
valuations and electronic data processing techniques. Short-term securities
purchased with remaining maturities of sixty days or less shall be valued by the
amortized cost method, which the Board believes approximates market value. If it
is not possible to value a particular debt security pursuant to these valuation
methods, the value of such security is the most recent bid quotation supplied by
a bona fide marketmaker. If it is not possible to value a particular debt
security pursuant to the above methods, the Adviser may calculate the price of
that debt security, subject to limitations established by the Board.
An exchange traded options contract on securities, currencies, futures
and other financial instruments is valued at its most recent sale price on such
exchange. Lacking any sales, the options contract is valued at the Calculated
Mean. Lacking any Calculated Mean, the options contract is valued at the most
recent bid quotation in the case of a purchased options contract, or the most
recent asked quotation in the case of a written options contract. An options
contract on securities, currencies and other financial instruments traded
over-the-counter is valued at the most recent bid quotation in the case of a
purchased options contract and at the most recent asked quotation in the case of
a written options contract. Futures contracts are valued at the most recent
settlement price. Foreign currency exchange forward contracts are valued at the
value of the underlying currency at the prevailing exchange rate.
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If a security is traded on more than one exchange, or upon one or more
exchanges and in the over-the-counter market, quotations are taken from the
market in which the security is traded most extensively.
If, in the opinion of the Fund's Valuation Committee, the value of a
portfolio asset as determined in accordance with these procedures does not
represent the fair market value of the portfolio asset, the value of the
portfolio asset is taken to be an amount which, in the opinion of the Valuation
Committee, represents fair market value on the basis of all available
information. The value of other portfolio holdings owned by the Fund is
determined in a manner which, in the discretion of the Valuation Committee most
fairly reflects fair market value of the property on the valuation date.
Following the valuations of securities or other portfolio assets in
terms of the currency in which the market quotation used is expressed ("Local
Currency"), the value of these portfolio assets in terms of U.S. dollars is
calculated by converting the Local Currency into U.S. dollars at the prevailing
currency exchange rate on the valuation date.
Gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion shall be valued based on
the London Fixing or, if there is no London Fixing available, the value of gold
and silver bullion shall be based on the last spot settlement as reported by the
Comex, a division of the New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX"), and the value
of platinum and palladium bullion shall be based on the last spot settlement on
NYMEX, as supplied by a recognized precious metals dealer as of the time of
valuation; coins and precious metals other than gold, silver, platinum and
palladium bullion shall be valued at the calculated mean based on market
quotations or, if there are no such bid and ask quotations available
simultaneously, at the most recent bid quotation provided by a bona fide market
maker as of the time of valuation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Experts
The financial highlights of the Fund included in the Fund's prospectus
and the Financial Statements incorporated by reference in this Statement of
Additional Information have been so included or incorporated by reference in
reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, One Post Office Square,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109, independent accounts, and given on the authority of
that firm as experts in accounting and auditing. Effective July 1, 1998, Coopers
& Lybrand L.L.P. and Price Waterhouse LLP merged to become
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is responsible for
performing annual and semiannual audits of the financial statements and
financial highlights of the Fund in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards and the preparation of federal tax returns.
Other Information
Many of the investment changes in the Fund will be made at prices
different from those prevailing at the time they may be reflected in a regular
report to shareholders of the Fund. These transactions will reflect investment
decisions made by the Adviser in light of the Fund's objectives and policies,
and other factors, such as its other portfolio holdings and tax considerations
and should not be construed as recommendations for similar action by other
investors.
The Corporation sends to each shareholder of the Fund audited
semiannual and annual reports, each of which includes a list of the investment
securities held by the Fund. Shareholders may seek information regarding the
Corporation, including the current performance of the Fund from their Scudder
service representative. The CUSIP number of the Fund is 810904-10-2.
The Corporation employs Brown Brothers Harriman & Company, 40 Water
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 as custodian for the Fund. Brown Brothers
Harriman & Company has entered into agreements with foreign subcustodians
approved by the Directors of the Corporation pursuant to Rule 17f-5 of the 1940
Act.
Scudder Service Corporation ("Service Corporation"), P.O. Box 2291,
Boston, Massachusetts 02107-2291, a subsidiary of the Adviser, is the transfer
and dividend paying agent for the Fund. Service Corporation also serves as
shareholder service agent and provides subaccounting and recordkeeping services
for shareholder accounts in certain retirement and employee benefit plans. The
Fund pays Service Corporation an annual fee of $26 for each retail account and
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<PAGE>
$29 for each retirement account maintained for a participant. For the fiscal
years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996 , Service Corporation charged the Fund
aggregate fees of ___, $483,408, and $287,010.
The Fund, or the Adviser (including any affiliate of the Adviser), may
pay unaffiliated third parties for providing recordkeeping and other
administrative services with respect to accounts of participants in retirement
plans or other beneficial owners of Fund shares whose interests are held in an
omnibus account.
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation ("SFAC"), Two International Place,
Boston, Massachusetts, 02110-4103, a subsidiary of the Adviser, computes net
asset value for the Fund. The Fund pays SFAC an annual fee equal to 0.025% of
the first $150 million of average daily net assets, 0.0075% of such assets on
the next $850 million, 0.0045% of such assets in excess of $1 billion, plus
holding and transaction charges for this service. For the fiscal years ended
June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996 , the amount charged to the Fund by SFAC aggregated
___, $59,281, and $13,007.
Scudder Trust Company, an affiliate of the Adviser, provides
subaccounting and recordkeeping services for shareholder accounts in certain
retirement and employee benefit plans. Annual service fees are paid by the Fund
to Scudder Trust Company, Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts
02110-4103, an affiliate of the Adviser, for such accounts. The Fund pays
Scudder Trust Company an annual fee of $29 per shareholder account. For the
fiscal years ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 , Scudder Trust Company's fees
amounted to ___ and $19,318.
The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information omit
certain information contained in the Registration Statement of the Corporation
relating to the Fund that has been filed with the SEC under the Securities Act
of 1933 and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement for further
information with respect to the Fund and the securities offered hereby. This
Registration Statement is available for inspection by the public at the SEC in
Washington, D.C.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements, including the investment portfolio, of
Scudder Gold Fund, which are included on pages 9 through 18, inclusive, in the
Annual Report to the Shareholders of the Fund dated June 30, 1998, together with
the Report of Independent Accountants, and Supplementary Information, are
incorporated by reference and attached hereto, and are hereby deemed to be a
part of this Statement of Additional Information.
53
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF S&P AND MOODY'S RATINGS
Description of S&P preferred stock and corporate bond ratings:
AAA -- Preferred stock and bonds rated AAA have the highest rating
assigned by S&P to a preferred stock issue or debt obligation. Capacity to pay
the preferred stock obligations, in the case of preferred stocks, and to pay
interest and repay principal, in the case of bonds, is extremely strong.
AA -- Preferred stock and bonds rated AA have a very strong capacity to
pay the preferred stock obligations, in the case of preferred stocks, and to pay
interest and repay principal, in the case of bonds, and differ from the highest
rated issues only in small degree.
A -- Preferred stock and bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay
the preferred stock obligations, in the case of preferred stocks, and to pay
interest and repay principal, in the case of bonds, although they are somewhat
more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than preferred stocks or bonds in higher rated categories.
BBB -- Preferred stock and bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an
adequate capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations, in the case of
preferred stocks, and to pay interest and repay principal, in the case of bonds.
Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse economic
conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to pay preferred stock obligations or to pay interest and repay
principal for bonds in this category than for preferred stocks or bonds in
higher rated categories.
Description of Moody's preferred stock ratings:
aaa -- An issue which is rated aaa is considered to be a top-quality
preferred stock. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk
of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.
aa -- An issue which is rated aa is considered a high-grade preferred
stock. This rating indicates that there is reasonable assurance that earnings
and asset protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable
future.
a -- An issue which is rated a is considered to be an upper-medium
grade preferred stock. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the
aaa and aa classifications, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless,
expected to be maintained at adequate levels.
baa -- An issue which is rated baa is considered to be medium grade,
neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset protection
appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great length of
time.
Description of Moody's corporate bond ratings:
Aaa -- Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality.
They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to
as "gilt-edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa -- Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa Group they comprise what are generally known as
high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
54
<PAGE>
A -- Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors
giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements
may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the
future.
Baa -- Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade
obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but
certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
55
<PAGE>
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
a. Financial Statements
Included in Part A of this Registration Statement:
Financial Highlights for the period September 2,
1988 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 1989
and for each of the nine years ended June 30,
through 1998.
To be filed by amendment
Included in Part B of this Registration Statement:
Investment Portfolio as of June 30, 1998
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of June
30, 1998
Statement of Operations for the year ended
June 30, 1998
Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the two
fiscal years
ended June 30, 1997 and 1998
Financial Highlights for the period September 2,
1988 (commencement of operations)
to June 30, 1989 and each of the nine years ended
June 30, 1998
Notes to Financial Statements
Report of Independent Accountants
To be filed by amendment
Statements, schedules and historical information other
than those listed above have been omitted since they
are either not applicable or are not required.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
b. Exhibits:
1. (a) Articles of Incorporation dated March 17, 1988.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to
the Registration Statement.)
(b) Articles of Amendment dated October 12, 1990.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
2. (a) By-Laws dated March 18, 1988.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(b) Amendment to the By-Laws dated December 12, 1991.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(c) Amendment to By-Laws dated June 4, 1996. (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 2(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to this
Registration Statement.)
(d) Amendment to By-Laws dated September 4, 1996. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 2(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to
this Registration Statement.)
3. Inapplicable.
4. Inapplicable
<PAGE>
5. (a) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of
Scudder Gold Fund) and Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc. dated August
22, 1988.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(b) Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf
of Scudder Gold Fund) and Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc. dated
September 5, 1996. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5(b) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to this Registration Statement.)
(c) Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf
of Scudder Gold Fund) and Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. dated
December 31, 1997 is filed herein.
(d) Form of Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant
(on behalf of Scudder Gold Fund) and Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc. dated September ___, 1998 to be filed by Amendment.
6. (a) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Scudder Investor
Services, Inc. dated August 22, 1988
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.).
(b) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Scudder Investor
Services, Inc. dated September , 1998 to be filed by Amendment.
7. Inapplicable.
8. (a)(1) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.).
(a)(2) Fee schedule for Exhibit (8)(a)(1).
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(b)(1) Custodian agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers
Harriman & Co. dated April 30, 1998 is filed herein.
(b)(2) Fee schedule for Exhibit (8)(b)(1) is filed herein.
9. (a)(1) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and
Scudder Service Corporation dated October 2, 1989.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
2
<PAGE>
(a)(2) Fee schedule for Exhibit (9)(a)(1).
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(a)(3) Service Agreement between Copeland Associates, Inc. on behalf of
Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc. and Scudder Gold Fund dated June 8, 1995.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to
the Registration Statement.)
(a)(4) Form of fee schedule for Exhibit 9(a)(1).
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(b)(1) COMPASS Service Agreement between the Registrant and Scudder Trust
Company dated January 1, 1990.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(b)(2) Fee schedule for Exhibit (9)(b)(1).
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(b)(3) COMPASS Service Agreement between the Registrant and Scudder Trust
Company dated October 1, 1995. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 9(b)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to this
Registration Statement.)
(c)(1) Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and The
First National Bank of Boston dated August 22, 1988.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(c)(2) Pricing Authorization Form (Exhibit B) for Exhibit 9(c)(1) dated
January 10, 1991. (Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(c)(3) Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation dated March 28, 1995.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
10. Inapplicable.
11. Inapplicable.
12. Inapplicable.
13. Letter of Investment Intent Purchase Agreement (on behalf of Scudder
Mutual Funds, Inc.).
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
14. (a) Scudder Flexi-Plan for Corporations and Self-Employed Individuals.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
3
<PAGE>
(b) Scudder Individual Retirement Plan.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(c) Scudder Funds 403(b) Plan.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(d) Scudder Employer-Select 403(b) Plan.
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(e) Scudder Cash or Deferred Profit Sharing Plan under Section 401(k).
(Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement.)
(f) Scudder Roth IRA plan is filed herein.
15. Inapplicable.
16. Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotation.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 2 to this Registration Statement.)
17. Inapplicable
18. Inapplicable.
</TABLE>
Power of Attorney for Paul Bancroft III, Sheryle J. Bolton, William H. Luers and
Kathryn L. Quirk is filed herein.
Power of attorney for William T. Burgin is incorporated by reference to the
Signature Page of Post-Effective Amendment No. 10.
Power of Attorney for Keith R. Fox is incorporated by reference to the Signature
Page of Post-Effective Amendment No. 9.
Power of Attorney for Daniel Pierce and Thomas J. Devine is incorporated by
reference to the signature page of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1.
Item 25 Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.
- ------- -------------------------------------------------------------
None
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities (as of August 17, 1998).
(1) (2)
Title of Class Number of Shareholders
Shares of common stock 13,807
($0.01 par value)
Item 27. Indemnification.
A policy of insurance covering Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc., its subsidiaries including Scudder Investor Services,
Inc., and all of the registered investment companies advised
by Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. insures the Registrant's
4
<PAGE>
Directors and officers and others against liability arising by
reason of an alleged breach of duty caused by any negligent
error or accidental omission in the scope of their duties.
Article Seven of Registrant's Articles of Incorporation state
as follows:
(1) To the fullest extent that limitation on the
liability of directors and officers is permitted by
the Maryland General Corporation Law, no director or
officer of the Registrant shall have any liability to
the Registrant or its stockholders for damages. This
limitation on liability applies to events occurring
at the time a person serves as a director or officer
of the Registrant whether or not such person is a
director or officer at the time of any proceeding in
which liability is asserted.
(2) The Registrant shall indemnify and advance expenses
to its currently acting and its former directors to
the fullest extent that indemnification of directors
is permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law.
The Registrant shall indemnify and advance expenses
to its officers to the same extent as its directors
and to such further extent as is consistent with law.
The Board of Directors may by Bylaw, resolution or
agreement make further provision for indemnification
of directors, officers, employees and agents to the
fullest extent permitted by the Maryland General
Corporation Law.
(3) References to the Maryland General Corporation Law in
this Article are to that law as from time to time
amended. No amendment to the charter of the
Registrant shall affect any right of any person under
this Article based on any event, omission or
proceeding prior to the amendment.
(4) No provision of the Articles of Incorporation of the
Registrant shall be effective to (i) require a waiver
of compliance with any provision of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, or the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), or of any
valid rule, regulation or order of the Securities and
Exchange Commission under those Acts or (ii) protect
or purport to protect any director of officer of the
Registrant against any liability to the Registrant or
its security holders to which he would otherwise be
subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.
Item 28. Business or Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. has stockholders and employees
who are denominated officers but do not as such have
corporation-wide responsibilities. Such persons are not
considered officers for the purpose of this Item 28.
Stephen R. Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Scudder
Beckwith Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Vice President and Treasurer, Scudder Fund
Accounting Corporation*
Director, Scudder Stevens & Clark Corporation**
Director and Chairman, Scudder Defined
Contribution Services, Inc.**
Director and President, Scudder Capital Asset
Corporation**
Director and President, Scudder Capital Stock
Corporation**
Director and President, Scudder Capital Planning
Corporation**
Director and President, SS&C Investment
Corporation**
Director and President, SIS Investment
Corporation**
Director and President, SRV Investment
Corporation**
Lynn S. Director and Vice President, Scudder Kemper
Birdsong Investments, Inc.**
Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark (Luxembourg)
S.A.#
Laurence W. Director, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Cheng
Member, Corporate Executive Board, Zurich
Insurance Company of Switzerland##
5
<PAGE>
Director, ZKI Holding Corporation xx
Steven Director, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Gluckstern
Member, Corporate Executive Board, Zurich
Insurance Company of Switzerland##
Director, Zurich Holding Company of Americao
Rolf Hoppi Director, Chairman of the Board, Scudder Kemper
Investments, Inc.**
Member, Corporate Executive Board, Zurich
Insurance Company of Switzerland##
Director, Chairman of the Board, Zurich Holding
Company of Americao
Director, ZKI Holding Corporation xx
Kathryn L. Director, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance
Quirk Officer and Secretary, Scudder Kemper
Investments, Inc.**
Director, Senior Vice President & Assistant
Clerk, Scudder Investor Services, Inc.*
Director, Vice President & Secretary, Scudder
Fund Accounting Corporation*
Director, Vice President & Secretary, Scudder
Realty Holdings Corporation*
Director & Assistant Clerk, Scudder Service
Corporation*
Director, SFA, Inc.*
Vice President, Director & Assistant Secretary,
Scudder Precious Metals, Inc.***
Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark Japan,
Inc.***
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder,
Stevens & Clark of Canada, Ltd.***
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder
Canada Investor Services Limited***
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder
Realty Advisers, Inc. x
Director and Secretary, Scudder, Stevens & Clark
Corporation**
Director and Secretary, Scudder, Stevens & Clark
Overseas Corporationoo
Director and Secretary, SFA, Inc.*
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder
Defined Contribution Services, Inc.**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder
Capital Asset Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder
Capital Stock Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder
Capital Planning Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, SS&C
Investment Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, SIS
Investment Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, SRV
Investment Corporation**
Director, Vice President and Secretary, Scudder
Brokerage Services, Inc.*
Director, Korea Bond Fund Management Co., Ltd.+
Markus Director, Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Rohrbasser
Member Corporate Executive Board, Zurich
Insurance Company of Switzerland##
President, Director, Chairman of the Board, ZKI
Holding Corporation xx
Cornelia M. Vice President, Scudder Kemper Investments,
Small Inc.**
Edmond D. Director, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Villani Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.**
Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark Japan,
Inc.###
President and Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark
Overseas Corporationoo
President and Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark
Corporation**
Director, Scudder Realty Advisors, Inc.x
Director, IBJ Global Investment Management S.A.
Luxembourg, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
* Two International Place, Boston, MA
x 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA
** 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY
# Socit Anonyme, 47, Boulevard Royal, L-2449
Luxembourg, R.C. Luxembourg B 34.564
*** Toronto, Ontario, Canada
xxx Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies
6
<PAGE>
oo 20-5, Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
### 1-7, Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
xx 222 S. Riverside, Chicago, IL
o Zurich Towers, 1400 American Ln., Schaumburg, IL
+ P.O. Box 309, Upland House, S. Church St., Grand
Cayman, British West Indies
## Mythenquai-2, P.O. Box CH-8022, Zurich,
Switzerland
Item 29. Principal Underwriters.
(a)
Scudder Investor Services, Inc. acts as principal underwriter of the
Registrant's shares and also acts as principal underwriter for other
funds managed by Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
(b)
The Underwriter has employees who are denominated officers of an
operational area. Such persons do not have corporation-wide
responsibilities and are not considered officers for the purpose of
this Item 29.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
(1) (2) (3)
Name and Principal Position and Offices with Positions and
Business Address Scudder Investor Services, Inc. Offices with Registrant
William S. Baughman Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Lynn S. Birdsong Senior Vice President None
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Mary Elizabeth Beams Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Mark S. Casady Director, President and Assistant None
Two International Place Treasurer
Boston, MA 02110
Linda Coughlin Director and Senior Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Richard W. Desmond Vice President None
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Paul J. Elmlinger Senior Vice President and Assistant None
345 Park Avenue Clerk
New York, NY 10154
7
<PAGE>
Name and Principal Position and Offices with Positions and
Business Address Scudder Investor Services, Inc. Offices with Registrant
Philip S. Fortuna Vice President None
101 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
William F. Glavin Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Margaret D. Hadzima Assistant Treasurer None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Thomas W. Joseph Director, Vice President, Treasurer
Two International Place and Vice President Assistant Clerk
Boston, MA 02110
Thomas F. McDonough Clerk Vice President, Secretary
Two International Place and Treasurer
Boston, MA 02110
Daniel Pierce Director, Vice President President and Director
Two International Place and Assistant Treasurer
Boston, MA 02110
Kathryn L. Quirk Director, Senior Vice President and Director, Vice President
345 Park Avenue Assistant Clerk and Assistant Secretary
New York, NY 10154
Robert A. Rudell Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
William M. Thomas Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Benjamin Thorndike Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Sydney S. Tucker Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Linda J. Wondrack Vice President None
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(c)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Net Underwriting Compensation on
Name of Principal Discounts and Redemptions Brokerage Other Compensation
Underwriter Commissions and Repurchases Commissions
Scudder Investor None None None None
Services, Inc.
</TABLE>
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records.
Certain accounts, books and other documents required to be
maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules
promulgated thereunder are maintained by Scudder Kemper
Investments, Inc., Two International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts, 02110. Records relating to the duties of the
Registrant's custodian are maintained by Brown Brothers
Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Records relating to the duties of the Registrants' transfer
agent are maintained by Scudder Service Corporation, Two
International Place, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110.
Item 31. Management Services.
Inapplicable.
Item 32. Undertaking.
Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a
prospectus is delivered with a copy of such Fund's latest
annual report to shareholders upon request and without charge.
9
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
----------
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this amendment to its Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 485(a) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly
caused this amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 25th day of August, 1998.
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
By /s/Thomas F. McDonough
----------------------
Thomas F. McDonough,
Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
amendment to its Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
/s/Daniel Pierce
- -------------------------------------
Daniel Pierce* President (Principal Executive August 25, 1998
Officer) and Director
/s/Paul Bancroft III
- -------------------------------------
Paul Bancroft III* Director August 25, 1998
/s/Sheryle J. Bolton
- -------------------------------------
Sheryle J. Bolton* Director August 25, 1998
/s/William T. Burgin
- -------------------------------------
William T. Burgin* Director August 25, 1998
/s/Thomas J. Devine
- -------------------------------------
Thomas J. Devine* Director August 25, 1998
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
/s/William H. Luers
- -------------------------------------
William H. Luers* Director August 25, 1998
/s/Kathryn L. Quirk
- -------------------------------------
Kathryn L. Quirk* Director, Vice President and Assistant August 25, 1998
Secretary
/s/Keith R. Fox
- -------------------------------------
Keith R. Fox* Director August 25, 1998
</TABLE>
*By: /s/Thomas F. McDonough
---------------------------
Thomas F. McDonough
Attorney-in-fact pursuant to powers of attorney for
Daniel Pierce and Thomas J. Devine contained in the
signature page of Post-Effective Amendment No.1
to the Registration Statement filed February 22, 1989, for
Keith R. Fox contained in the signature page of Post-
Effective Amendment No. 9 to the registration
statement filed October 25, 1996, for William T.
Burgin contained in the signature page of the Post-
Effective Amendment No. 10 to the Registration
Statement filed October 10, 1997 and for Paul Bancroft
III, Sheryle J. Bolton, William H. Luers and Kathryn
L. Quirk contained in this Post-Effective amendment to
the Registration Statement.
2
<PAGE>
File No. 33-22059
File No. 811-5565
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
EXHIBITS
TO
FORM N-1A
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 11
TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AND
AMENDMENT NO. 13
TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
<PAGE>
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
Exhibit Index
5(c)
8(b)(1)
8(b)(2)
14(f)
Exhibit 5(c)
Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc.
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
December 31, 1997
Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
Investment Management Agreement
Scudder Gold Fund
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Scudder Mutual Funds, Inc. (the "Corporation") has been established as
a Maryland corporation to engage in the business of an investment company.
Pursuant to the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, as amended from
time-to-time (the "Articles"), the Board of Directors may divided the
Corporation's shares of capital stock, par value $0.01 per share, (the "Shares")
into separate series, or funds, including Scudder Gold Fund (the "Fund"). Series
may be abolished and dissolved, and additional series established, from time to
time by action of the Directors.
The Corporation, on behalf of the Fund, has selected you to act as the
sole investment manager of the Fund and to provide certain other services, a
more fully set forth below, and you have indicated that you are willing to act
as such investment manager and to perform such services under the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Corporation on behalf of the
Fund agrees with you as follows:
1. Delivery of Documents. The Corporation engages in the business of
investing and reinvesting the assets of the Fund in the manner and in accordance
with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions specified in the
currently effective Prospectus (the "Prospectus") and Statement of Additional
Information (the "SAI") relating to the Fund included in the Corporation's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as amended from time to time, (the
"Registration Statement") filed by the Corporation under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, (the "1940 Act") and the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. Copies of the documents referred to in the preceding sentence have been
furnished to you by the Corporation. The Corporation has also furnished you with
copies properly certified or authenticated of each of the following additional
documents related to the Corporation and the Fund:
(a) The Articles dated September 5, 1996, as amended to date.
(b) By-Laws of the Corporation as in effect on the date hereof (the "By-Laws").
(c) Resolutions of the Directors of the Corporation and the shareholders of the
Fund selecting you as investment manager and approving the form of this
Agreement.
<PAGE>
The Corporation will furnish you from time to time with copies,
properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments of or supplements, if
any, to the foregoing, including the Prospectus, the SAT and the Registration
Statement.
2. Sublicense to Use the Scudder Trademarks. As exclusive licensee of
the rights to use and sublicense the use of the "Scudder," "Scudder Kemper
Investments, Inc." and "Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc." trademarks (together,
the "Scudder Marks"), you hereby grant the Corporation a nonexclusive right and
sublicense to use (i) the "Scudder" name and mark as part of the Corporation's
name (the "Fund Name"), and (ii) the Scudder Marks in connection with the
Corporation's investment products and services, in each case only for so long as
this Agreement, any other investment management agreement between you or any
organization which shall have succeeded to your business as investment manager
("your Successor") and the Corporation, or any extension, renewal or amendment
hereof or thereof remains in effect, and only for so long as you are a licensee
of the Scudder Marks, provided however, that you agree to use your best efforts
to maintain your license to use and sublicense the Scudder Marks. The
Corporation agrees that it shall have no right to sublicense or assign rights to
use the Scudder Marks, shall acquire no interest in the Scudder Marks other than
the rights granted herein, that all of the Corporation's uses of the Scudder
Marks shall inure to the benefit of Scudder Trust Company as owner and licensor
of the Scudder Marks (the "Trademark Owner"), and that the Corporation shall not
challenge the validity of the Scudder Marks or the Trademark Owner's ownership
thereof. The Corporation further agrees that all services and products it offers
in connection with the Scudder Marks shall meet commercially reasonable
standards of duality, as may be determined by you or the Trademark Owner from
time to time, provided that you acknowledge that the services and products the
Corporation rendered during the one-year period preceding the date of this
Agreement are acceptable. At your reasonable request, the Corporation shall
cooperate with you and the Trademark Owner and shall execute and deliver any and
all documents necessary to maintain and protect (including but not limited to in
connection with any trademark infringement action) the Scudder Marks and/or
enter the Corporation as a registered user thereof. At such time as this
Agreement or any other investment management agreement shall no longer be in
effect between you (or your Successor) and the Corporation, or you no longer are
a licensee of the Scudder Marks, the Corporation shall (to the extent that, and
as soon as, it lawfully can) cease to use the Fund Name or any other name
indicating that it is advised by, managed by or otherwise connected with you (or
your Successor) or the Trademark Owner. In no event shall the Corporation use
the Scudder Marks or any other name or mark confusingly similar thereto
(including, but not limited to, any name or mark that includes the name
"Scudder") if this Agreement or any other investment advisory agreement between
you (or your Successor) and the Fund is terminated.
3. Portfolio Management Services. As manager of the assets of the Fund,
you shall provide continuing investment management of the assets of the Fund in
accordance with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth
in the Prospectus and SAI; the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code") relating to regulated
investment companies and all rules and regulations thereunder; and all other
applicable federal and state laws and regulations of which you have knowledge;
subject always to policies and instructions adopted by the Corporation's Board
of Directors. In connection therewith, you shall use reasonable efforts to
manage the Fund so that it will qualify as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Code and regulations issued thereunder. The Fund shall have
the benefit of the investment analysis and research, the review of current
economic conditions and trends and the consideration of long-range investment
policy generally available to your investment advisory clients. In managing the
Fund in accordance with the requirements set forth in this section 3, you shall
be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Corporation or
counsel to you. You shall also make available to the Corporation promptly upon
request all of the Fund's investment records and ledgers as are necessary to
assist the Corporation in complying with the requirements of the 1940 Act and
other applicable laws. To the extent required by law, you shall furnish to
regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports
in connection with the
2
<PAGE>
services provided pursuant to this Agreement which may be requested in order to
ascertain whether the operations of the Corporation are being conducted in a
manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
You shall determine the securities, instruments, investments,
currencies, repurchase agreements, futures, options and other contracts relating
to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund and place
orders with broker-dealers, foreign currency dealers, futures commission
merchants or others pursuant to your determinations and all in accordance with
Fund policies as expressed in the Registration Statement. You shall determine
what portion of the Fund's portfolio shall be invested in securities and other
assets and what portion, if any, should be held uninvested.
You shall furnish to the Corporation's Board of Directors periodic
reports on the investment performance of the Fund and on the performance of your
obligations pursuant to this Agreement, and you shall supply such additional
reports and information as the Corporation's officers or Board of Directors
shall reasonably request.
4. Administrative Services. In addition to the portfolio management
services specified above in section 3, you shall furnish at your expense for the
use of the Fund such office space and facilities in the United States as the
Fund may require for its reasonable needs, and you (or one or more of your
affiliates designated by you) shall render to the Corporation administrative
services on behalf of the Fund necessary for operating as an open-end investment
company and not provided by persons not parties to this Agreement including, but
not limited to, preparing reports to and meeting materials for the Corporation's
Board of Directors and reports and notices to Fund shareholders; supervising,
negotiating contractual arrangements with, to the extent appropriate, and
monitoring the performance of, accounting agents, custodians, depositories,
transfer agents and pricing agents, accountants, attorneys, printers,
underwriters, brokers and dealers, insurers and other persons in any capacity
deemed to be necessary or desirable to Fund operations; preparing and making
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and other
regulatory and self-regulatory organizations, including, but not limited to,
preliminary and definitive proxy materials, post-effective amendments to the
Registration Statement, semi-annual reports on Form N-SAR and notices pursuant
to Rule 24f-2 under the 1940 Act; overseeing the tabulation of proxies by the
Fund's transfer agent; assisting in the preparation and filing of the Fund's
federal, state and local tax returns; preparing and filing the Fund's federal
excise tax return pursuant to Section 4982 of the Code; providing assistance
with investor and public relations matters; monitoring the valuation of
portfolio securities and the calculation of net asset value; monitoring the
registration of Shares of the Fund under applicable federal and state securities
laws; maintaining or causing to be maintained for the Fund all books, records
and reports and any other information required under the 1940 Act, to the extent
that such books, records and reports and other information are not maintained by
the Fund's custodian or other agents of the Fund; assisting in establishing the
accounting policies of the Fund; assisting in the resolution of accounting
issues that may arise with respect to the Fund's operations and consulting with
the Fund's independent accountants, legal counsel and the Fund's other agents as
necessary in connection therewith; establishing and monitoring the Fund's
operating expense budgets; reviewing the Fund's bills; processing the payment of
bills that have been approved by an authorized person; assisting the Fund in
determining the amount of dividends and distributions available to be paid by
the Fund to its shareholders, preparing and arranging for the printing of
dividend notices to shareholders, and providing the transfer and dividend paying
agent, the custodian, and the accounting agent with such information as is
required for such parties to effect the payment of dividends and distributions;
and otherwise assisting the Corporation as it may reasonably request in the
conduct of the Fund's business, subject to the direction and control of the
Corporation's Board of Directors. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to
shift to you or to diminish the obligations
3
<PAGE>
of any agent of the Fund or any other person not a party to this Agreement which
is obligated to provide services to the Fund.
5. Allocation of Charges and Expenses. Except as otherwise specifically
provided in this section 5, you shall pay the compensation and expenses of all
Directors, officers and executive employees of the Corporation (including the
Fund's share of payroll taxes) who are affiliated persons of you, and you shall
make available, without expense to the Fund, the services of such of your
directors, officers and employees as may duly be elected officers of the
Corporation, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any limitations
imposed by law. You shall provide at your expense the portfolio management
services described in section 3 hereof and the administrative services described
in section 4 hereof.
You shall not be required to pay any expenses of the Fund other than
those specifically allocated to you in this section 5. In particular, but
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you shall not be responsible,
except to the extent of the reasonable compensation of such of the Fund's
Directors and officers as are directors, officers or employees of you whose
services may be involved, for the following expenses of the Fund: organization
expenses of the Fund (including out-of-pocket expenses, but not including your
overhead or employee costs); fees payable to you and to any other Fund advisors
or consultants; legal expenses; auditing and accounting expenses; maintenance of
books and records which are required to be maintained by the Fund's custodian or
other agents of the Corporation; telephone, telex, facsimile, postage and other
communications expenses; taxes and governmental fees; fees, dues and expenses
incurred by the Fund in connection with membership in investment company trade
organizations; fees and expenses of the Fund's accounting agent, custodians,
subcustodians, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents and registrars;
payment for portfolio pricing or valuation services to pricing agents,
accountants, bankers and other specialists, if any; expenses of preparing share
certificates and, except as provided below in this section 5, other expenses in
connection with the issuance, offering, distribution, sale, redemption or
repurchase of securities issued by the Fund; expenses relating to investor and
public relations; expenses and fees of registering or qualifying Shares of the
Fund for sale; interest charges, bond premiums and other insurance expense;
freight, insurance and other charges in connection with the shipment of the
Fund's portfolio securities; the compensation and all expenses (specifically
including travel expenses relating to Corporation business) of Directors,
officers and employees of the Corporation who are not affiliated persons of you;
brokerage commissions or other costs of acquiring or disposing of any portfolio
securities of the Fund; expenses of printing and distributing reports, notices
and dividends to shareholders; expenses of printing and mailing Prospectuses and
SAIs of the Fund and supplements thereto; costs of stationery; any litigation
expenses; indemnification of Directors and officers of the Corporation; costs of
shareholders' and other meetings; and travel expenses (or an appropriate portion
thereof) of Directors and officers of the Corporation who are directors,
officers or employees of you to the extent that such expenses relate to
attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or any
committees thereof or advisors thereto held outside of Boston, Massachusetts or
New York, New York.
You shall not be required to pay expenses of any activity which is
primarily intended to result in sales of Shares of the Fund if and to the extent
that (i) such expenses are required to be borne by a principal underwriter which
acts as the distributor of the Fund's Shares pursuant to an underwriting
agreement which provides that the underwriter shall assume some or all of such
expenses, or (ii) the Corporation on behalf of the Fund shall have adopted a
plan in conformity with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act providing that the Fund
(or some other party) shall assume some or all of such expenses. You shall be
required to pay such of the foregoing sales expenses as are not required to be
paid by the principal underwriter pursuant to the underwriting agreement or are
not permitted to be paid by the Fund (or some other party) pursuant to such a
plan.
4
<PAGE>
6. Management Fee. For all services to be rendered, payments to be made
and costs to be assumed by you as provided in sections 3, 4 and 5 hereof, the
Corporation on behalf of the Fund shall pay you in United States Dollars on the
last day of each month the unpaid balance of a fee equal to the excess of (a)
1/12 of 1 percent of the average daily net assets as defined below of the Fund
for such month over any compensation waived by you from time to time (as more
fully described below). You shall be entitled to receive during any month such
interim payments of your fee hereunder as you shall request, provided that no
such payment shall exceed 75 percent of the amount of your fee then accrued on
the books of the Fund and unpaid.
The "average daily net assets" of the Fund shall mean the average of
the values placed on the Fund's net assets as of 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on
each day on which the net asset value of the Fund is determined consistent with
the provisions of Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act or, if the Fund lawfully
determines the value of its net assets as of some other time on each business
day, as of such time. The value of the net assets of the Fund shall always be
determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Articles and the
Registration Statement. If the determination of net asset value does not take
place for any particular day, then for the purposes of this section 6, the value
of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value
of its net assets as of 4:00 p.m. (New York time), or as of such other time as
the value of the net assets of the Fund's portfolio may be lawfully determined
on that day. If the Fund determines the value of the net assets of its portfolio
more than once on any day, then the last such determination thereof on that day
shall be deemed to be the sole determination thereof on that day for the
purposes of this section 6.
You may waive all or a portion of your fees provided for hereunder and
such waiver shall be treated as a reduction in purchase price of your services.
You shall be contractually bound hereunder by the terms of any publicly
announced waiver of your fee, or any limitation of the Fund's expenses, as if
such waiver or limitation were fully set forth herein.
7. Avoidance of Inconsistent Position; Services Not Exclusive. In
connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities and other investments
for the account of the Fund, neither you nor any of your directors, officers or
employees shall act as a principal or agent or receive any commission. You or
your agent shall arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale
of portfolio securities and other investments for the Fund's account with
brokers or dealers selected by you in accordance with Fund policies as expressed
in the Registration Statement. If any occasion should arise in which you give
any advice to clients of yours concerning the Shares of the Fund, you shall act
solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of
the Fund.
Your services to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement are not to be
deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that you may render investment
advice, management and services to others. In acting under this Agreement, you
shall be an independent contractor and not an agent of the Corporation. Whenever
the Fund and one or more other accounts or investment companies advised by the
Manager have available funds for investment, investments suitable and
appropriate for each shall be allocated in accordance with procedures believed
by the Manager to be equitable to each entity. Similarly, opportunities to sell
securities shall be allocated in a manner believed by the Manager to be
equitable. The Fund recognizes that in some cases this procedure may adversely
affect the size of the position that may be acquired or disposed of for the
Fund.
5
<PAGE>
8. Limitation of Liability of Manager. As an inducement to your
undertaking to render services pursuant to this Agreement, the Corporation
agrees that you shall not be liable under this Agreement for any error of
judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection
with the matters to which this Agreement relates, provided that nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed to protect or purport to protect you against any
liability to the Corporation, the Fund or its shareholders to which you would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of your duties, or by reason of your reckless
disregard of your obligations and duties hereunder. Any person, even though also
employed by you, who may be or become an employee of and paid by the Fund shall
be deemed, when acting within the scope of his or her employment by the Fund, to
be acting in such employment solely for the Fund and not as your employee or
agent.
9. Duration and Termination of This Agreement. This Agreement shall
remain in force until September 30, 1998, and continue in force from year to
year thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved
at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of the Directors who are not
parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any party to this Agreement,
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval,
and (b) by the Directors of the Corporation, or by the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The aforesaid requirement that
continuance of this Agreement be "specifically approved at least annually" shall
be construed in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder and any applicable SEC exemptive order therefrom.
This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Fund at any time,
without the payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund or by the Corporation's Board of Directors on 60
days' written notice to you, or by you on 60 days' written notice to the
Corporation. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment.
10. Amendment of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be
changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in
writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be
effective until approved in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and rules and
regulations thereunder and any applicable SEC exemptive order therefrom.
11. Miscellaneous. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. This
Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
In interpreting the provisions of this Agreement, the definitions
contained in Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act (particularly the definitions of
"affiliated person," "assignment" and "majority of the outstanding voting
securities"), as from time to time amended, shall be applied, subject, however,
to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation or
order.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Maryland, provided that nothing herein shall be construed in a manner
inconsistent with the 1940 Act, or in a manner which would cause the Fund to
fail to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code.
6
<PAGE>
This Agreement shall supersede all prior investment advisory or
management agreements entered into between you and the Corporation on behalf of
the Fund.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please execute the form of
acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such
counterpart to the Corporation, whereupon this letter shall become a binding
contract effective as of the date of this Agreement.
Yours very truly,
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC., on behalf
of Scudder Gold Fund
By: /s/Daniel Pierce
----------------------------
President
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted as of the date hereof.
SCUDDER KEMPER INVESTMENTS, INC.
By: /s/Stephen R. Beckwith
------------------------------
Managing Director
7
Exhibit 8(b)(1)
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
Dated as of
February 27, 1998
Between
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
and
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
ARTICLE I
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
ARTICLE II
POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
<CAPTION>
2.1. Safekeeping......................................................................... 6
2.2. Manner of Holding Securities........................................................ 6
2.3. Registered Name; Nominee............................................................ 6
2.4. Purchases by the Fund............................................................... 7
2.5. Exchanges of Securities............................................................. 8
2.6. Sales of Securities................................................................. 8
2.7. Depositary Receipts................................................................. 9
2.8. Exercise of Rights; Tender Offers................................................... 9
2.9. Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc........................................................ 9
2.10. Options and Swaps................................................................... 9
2.11. Futures and Forward Contracts...................................................... 10
2.12. Borrowings......................................................................... 11
2.13. Bank Accounts...................................................................... 11
2.14. Interest-Bearing Deposits.......................................................... 12
2.15. Foreign Exchange Transactions....................................................... 12
2.16. Securities Loans.................................................................... 13
2.17. Collections......................................................................... 13
2.18. Dividends, Distributions and
Redemptions...................................................................... 14
2.19. Proxies; Communications Relating to
Portfolio Securities............................................................. 14
2.20. Bills............................................................................... 15
2.21. Nondiscretionary Details............................................................ 15
2.22. Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities
Systems.......................................................................... 15
2.23. Other Transfers..................................................................... 16
2.24. Establishment of Segregated Accounts................................................ 17
2.25. Custodian Advances.................................................................. 17
2
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
ARTICLE III
PROPER INSTRUCTIONS, SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
AND RELATED MATTERS
3.1. Proper Instructions and Special
Instructions..................................................................... 18
3.2. Authorized Persons.................................................................. 19
3.3 Persons Having Access to Assets of the Fund......................................... 19
3.4. Actions of Custodian Based on Proper
Instructions and Special Instructions............................................ 19
ARTICLE IV
SUBCUSTODIANS
4.1. Domestic Subcustodians.............................................................. 20
4.2. Foreign Subcustodians and Interim
Subcustodians.................................................................... 20
4.3. Termination of a Subcustodian....................................................... 22
4.4. Agents.............................................................................. 22
ARTICLE V
STANDARD OF CARE; INDEMNIFICATION
5.1. Standard of Care.................................................................... 23
5.2. Liability of Custodian for Actions of
Other Persons.................................................................... 24
5.3. Indemnification..................................................................... 25
5.4. Investment Limitations.............................................................. 26
5.5. Fund's Right to Proceed............................................................. 26
ARTICLE VI
RECORDS
6.1. Preparation of Reports.............................................................. 27
6.2. Custodian's Books and Records....................................................... 27
6.3. Opinion of Fund's Independent Certified
Public Accountants............................................................... 28
6.4. Reports of Custodian's Independent
Certified Public Accountants..................................................... 28
6.5. Information Regarding Foreign Subcustodians
and Foreign Depositories.......................................................... 28
3
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
ARTICLE VII
CUSTODIAN FEES
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
9.1. Execution of Documents.............................................................. 33
9.2. Entire Agreement.................................................................... 33
9.3. Waivers and Amendments.............................................................. 33
9.4. Captions............................................................................ 33
9.5. Governing Law....................................................................... 33
9.6. Notices............................................................................. 33
9.7. Successors and Assigns.............................................................. 34
9.8. Counterparts........................................................................ 34
9.9. Representative Capacity; Nonrecourse
Obligations...................................................................... 34
</TABLE>
Appendix A Procedures Relating to Custodian's Security Interest
Appendix B Subcustodians, Foreign Countries, and Foreign Depositories
Appendix C Sources of Price Quotations
4
<PAGE>
Form of Custodian Agreement
---------------------------
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT dated as of February 27, 1998, between Scudder Mutual
Funds, Inc. (the "Fund"), a Maryland corporation, and Brown Brothers Harriman &
Co. (the "Custodian"), a New York limited partnership. The Fund is entering into
this Agreement on behalf of each of its series existing as of the date hereof.
The Custodian shall treat the assets of each series as a separate Fund
hereunder, and any reference to "Fund" shall refer to a series of the Fund as
the context shall require. In the event the Fund establishes one or more
additional series after the date hereof, with respect to which the Fund desires
to have the Custodian render services as Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall so
notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to
provide such services, such series shall become a Fund or Funds hereunder.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained,
the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
The Fund hereby employs and appoints the Custodian as a custodian for the
term of and subject to the provisions of this Agreement. The Fund agrees to
deliver to the Custodian all securities, cash and other assets owned by it, and
all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received
by it with respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and
the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of capital
stock of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time.
The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to require the Fund
to deliver to it any securities, cash or other assets owned by the Fund and
shall have no responsibility or liability for or on account of securities, cash
or other assets not so delivered. The Fund will deposit with the Custodian
copies of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws (or comparable documents) of
the Fund and all amendments thereto, and copies of such votes and other
proceedings of the Fund as may be necessary for or convenient to the Custodian
in the performance of its duties.
5
<PAGE>
ARTICLE II
POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
The Custodian shall have and perform, or cause to be performed in
accordance with this Agreement, the powers and duties set forth in this Article
II. Pursuant to and in accordance with Article IV, the Custodian may appoint one
or more Subcustodians (as that term is defined in Article IV) to exercise the
powers and perform the duties of the Custodian set forth in this Article II and,
except as the context shall otherwise require, references to the Custodian in
this Article II shall include any Subcustodian so appointed.
2.1. Safekeeping. The Custodian shall keep safely the cash, securities and
other assets of the Fund that have been delivered to the Custodian and from time
to time shall accept delivery of cash, securities and other assets for
safekeeping.
2.2. Manner of Holding Securities. (a) The Custodian shall hold securities
of the Fund (i) by physical possession of the share certificates or other
instruments representing such securities in registered or bearer form, or the
broker's receipts or confirmations for forward contracts, futures contracts,
options and similar contracts and securities, or (ii) in book-entry form by a
Securities System (as that term is defined in section 2.22) or (iii) by a
Foreign Depository (as that term is defined in section 4.2(a)).
(b) The Custodian shall identify securities and other assets held by it
hereunder as being held for the account of the Fund and shall require each
Subcustodian to identify securities and other assets held by such Subcustodian
as being held for the account of the Custodian for the Fund (or, if authorized
by Special Instructions, for customers of the Custodian) or for the account of
another Subcustodian for the Fund (or, if authorized by Special Instructions,
for customers of such Subcustodian); provided that if assets are held for the
account of the Custodian or a Subcustodian for customers of the Custodian or
such Subcustodian, the records of the Custodian shall at all times indicate the
Fund and other customers of the Custodian for which such assets are held in such
account and their respective interests therein.
2.3. Registered Name; Nominee. (a) The Custodian shall hold registered
securities and other assets of the Fund (i) in the name of the Custodian
(including any Subcustodian), the Fund, a Securities System, a Foreign
Depository or any nominee of any such person or (ii) in street certificate form,
so-called, and in any case with or without any indication of fiduciary capacity,
provided that such securities and other assets of the Fund are held in an
account of the Custodian containing only assets of the Fund or only assets held
as fiduciary or custodian for customers.
6
<PAGE>
(b) Except with respect to securities or other assets which under local
custom and practice generally accepted by Institutional Clients are held in the
investor's name, the Custodian shall not hold registered securities or other
assets in the name of the Fund, and shall require each Subcustodian not to hold
registered securities or other assets in the name of the Fund, unless the
Custodian or such Subcustodian promptly notifies the Fund that such registered
securities are being held in the Fund's name and causes the Securities System,
Foreign Depository, issuer or other relevant person to direct all correspondence
and payments to the address of the Custodian or such Subcustodian, as the case
may be.
2.4. Purchases by the Fund. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions (as that
term is defined in section 3.1(a)) and insofar as funds are available for the
purpose (or as funds are otherwise provided by the Custodian at its discretion
pursuant to section 2.25), the Custodian shall pay for and receive securities or
other assets purchased for the account of the Fund, payment being made only upon
receipt of the securities or other assets (a) by the Custodian, or (b) by credit
to an account which the Custodian may have with a Securities System, clearing
corporation of a national securities exchange, Foreign Depository or other
financial institution approved by the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon
receipt of Proper Instructions: (i) in the case of repurchase agreements entered
into by the Fund in a transaction involving a Securities System or a Foreign
Depository, the Custodian may release funds to the Securities System or Foreign
Depository prior to the receipt of advice from the Securities System or Foreign
Depository that the securities underlying such repurchase agreement have been
transferred by book entry into the Account (as defined in section 2.22) of the
Custodian maintained with such Securities System or similar account with a
Foreign Depository, provided that the instructions of the Custodian to the
Securities System or Foreign Depository require that the Securities System or
Foreign Depository, as the case may be, may make payment of such funds to the
other party to the repurchase agreement only upon transfer by book-entry of the
securities underlying the repurchase agreement into the Account, (ii) in the
case of futures and forward contracts, options and similar securities, foreign
currency purchased from third parties, time deposits, foreign currency call
account deposits, and other bank deposits, and transactions pursuant to sections
2.10, 2.11, 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15, the Custodian may make payment therefor prior
to delivery of the contract, currency, option or security without receiving an
instrument evidencing said contract, currency, option, security or deposit, and
(iii) in the case of the purchase of securities or other assets the settlement
of which occurs outside the United States of America, the Custodian may make
payment therefor and receive delivery thereof in accordance with local custom
and practice generally accepted by Institutional Clients (as defined below) in
the country in which settlement occurs, provided that in every case the
Custodian shall be subject to the standard of care set forth in Article V and to
any Special Instructions given in accordance with
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section 3.1(b). Except in the cases provided for in the immediately preceding
sentence, in any case where payment for purchase of securities or other assets
for the account of the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of
the securities or other assets so purchased in the absence of Proper
Instructions to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to
the Fund for such securities or other assets to the same extent as if the
securities or other assets had been received by the Custodian. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Institutional Clients" means U.S. registered investment
companies, or major, U.S.-based commercial banks, insurance companies, pension
funds or substantially similar financial institutions which, as a substantial
part of their business operations, purchase or sell securities and make use of
custodial services.
2.5. Exchanges of Securities. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall exchange securities held by it for the account of the Fund for
other securities in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization,
split-up of shares, change of par value, conversion or other event, and to
deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization
or protective plan. Without Proper Instructions, the Custodian may surrender
securities in temporary form for definitive securities, may surrender securities
for transfer into a name or nominee name as permitted in section 2.3, and may
surrender securities for a different number of certificates or instruments
representing the same number of shares or same principal amount of indebtedness,
provided that the securities to be issued are to be delivered to the Custodian.
2.6. Sales of Securities. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall make delivery of securities or other assets which have been sold
for the account of the Fund, but only against payment therefor (a) in cash, by a
certified check, bank cashier's check, bank credit, or bank wire transfer, or
(b) by credit to the account of the Custodian with a Securities System, clearing
corporation of a national securities exchange, Foreign Depository or other
financial institution approved by the Fund by Proper Instructions. However, (i)
in the case of delivery of physical certificates or instruments representing
securities, the Custodian may make delivery to the broker acting as agent for
the buyer of the securities, against receipt therefor, for examination in
accordance with "street delivery" custom, provided that the Custodian shall have
taken reasonable steps to ensure prompt collection of the payment for, or the
return of, such securities by the broker or its clearing agent and (ii) in the
case of the sale of securities or other assets the settlement of which occurs
outside the United States of America, such securities shall be delivered and
paid for in accordance with local custom and practice generally accepted by
Institutional Clients in the country in which settlement occurs, provided that
in every case the Custodian shall be subject to the standard of care set forth
in Article V and to any Special Instructions given in accordance with section
3.1(b). Except in the cases provided for in the immediately preceding sentence,
in any case where delivery of securities or other
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<PAGE>
assets for the account of the Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of
receipt of payment for the securities or other assets so sold in the absence of
Proper Instructions to so deliver in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely
liable to the Fund for such payment to the same extent as if such payment had
been received by the Custodian.
2.7. Depositary Receipts. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall surrender securities to the depositary used by an issuer of
American Depositary Receipts, European Depositary Receipts, Global Depositary
Receipts, International Depositary Receipts and other types of Depositary
Receipts (hereinafter collectively referred to as "ADRs") for such securities
against a written receipt therefor adequately describing such securities and
written evidence satisfactory to the Custodian that the depositary has
acknowledged receipt of instructions to issue ADRs with respect to such
securities in the name of the Custodian, or a nominee of the Custodian, for
delivery to the Custodian in Boston, Massachusetts, or at such other place as
the Custodian may from time to time designate.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender ADRs to
the issuer thereof against a written receipt therefor adequately describing the
ADRs surrendered and written evidence satisfactory to the Custodian that the
issuer of the ADRs has acknowledged receipt of instructions to cause its
depositary to deliver the securities underlying such ADRs to the Custodian.
2.8. Exercise of Rights; Tender Offers. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian shall (a) deliver to the issuer or trustee thereof,
or to the agent of either, warrants, puts, calls, futures contracts, options,
rights or similar securities for the purpose of being exercised or sold,
provided that the new securities and cash, if any, acquired by such action are
to be delivered to the Custodian, and (b) deposit securities upon invitations
for tenders of securities, provided that the consideration is to be paid or
delivered or the tendered securities are to be returned to the Custodian.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian
shall take all necessary action, unless otherwise directed to the contrary by
Proper Instructions, to comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory
exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions or similar rights of security ownership
of which the Custodian receives notice or otherwise becomes aware, and shall
promptly notify the Fund of any such action in writing by facsimile transmission
or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing.
2.9. Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc. The Custodian shall receive and collect
all stock dividends, rights and other items of like nature and shall deal with
the same as it would other deposited assets or as directed in Proper
Instructions.
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2.10. Options and Swaps. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions or
instructions from a third party properly given under any Procedural Agreement,
the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain confirmations or other documents (to
the extent confirmations or other documents are provided to the Custodian)
evidencing the purchase, sale or writing of an option or swap of any type on or
in respect of a security, securities index, currency or similar form of property
by the Fund; (b) deposit and maintain in a segregated account, either physically
or by book-entry in a Securities System or Foreign Depository or with a broker,
dealer or other party designated by the Fund, securities, cash or other assets
in connection with options transactions or swap agreements entered into by the
Fund; (c) transfer securities, cash or other assets to a Securities System,
Foreign Depository, broker, dealer or other party or organization, as margin
(including variation margin) or other security for the Fund's obligations in
respect of an option or swap; and (d) pay, release and/or transfer such
securities, cash or other assets only in accordance with a notice or other
communication evidencing the expiration, termination, exercise of any such
option or default under any such option or swap furnished by The Options
Clearing Corporation, the securities or options exchange on which such option is
traded, or such other organization, party, broker or dealer as may be
responsible for handling such options or swap transactions or have authority to
give such notice or communication under a Procedural Agreement. Subject to the
standard of care set forth in Article V (and to its safekeeping duties set forth
in section 2.1), the Custodian shall not be responsible for the sufficiency of
assets held in any segregated account established and maintained in accordance
with Proper Instructions or instructions from a third party properly given under
any Procedural Agreement or for the performance by the Fund or any third party
of its obligations under any Procedural Agreement. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Procedural Agreement" is a procedural agreement relating to
options, swaps (including caps, floors and similar arrangements), futures
contracts, forward contracts or borrowings by the Fund to which the Fund, the
Custodian and a third party are parties.
2.11. Futures and Forward Contracts. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions or
instructions from a third party properly given under any Procedural Agreement,
the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain confirmations or other documents (to
the extent confirmations or other documents are provided to the Custodian)
evidencing the purchase or sale of a futures contract or an option on a futures
contract by the Fund or the entry into a forward contract by the Fund; (b)
deposit and maintain in a segregated account, either physically or by book entry
in a Securities System or Foreign Depository, for the benefit of any futures
commission merchant, or pay to such futures commission merchant, securities,
cash or other assets designated by the Fund as initial, maintenance or variation
"margin" deposits intended to secure the Fund's performance of its obligations
under any futures contracts purchased or sold or any options on futures
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contracts written, purchased or sold by the Fund or any forward contracts
entered into, in accordance with the provisions of any Procedural Agreement
designed to comply with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations on
which such contracts or options are traded; and (c) pay, release and/or transfer
securities, cash or other assets into or out of such margin accounts only in
accordance with any such agreements or rules. Subject to the standard of care
set forth in Article V, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the
sufficiency of assets held in any such margin account established and maintained
in accordance with Proper Instructions or instructions from a third party
properly given under any Procedural Agreement or for the performance by the Fund
or any third party of its obligations under any Procedural Agreement.
2.12. Borrowings. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions or instructions from
a third party properly given under any Procedural Agreement, the Custodian shall
deliver securities of the Fund to lenders or their agents, or otherwise
establish a segregated account as agreed to by the Fund and the Custodian, as
collateral for borrowings effected by the Fund, but only against receipt of the
amounts borrowed (or to adjust the amount of such collateral in accordance with
the Procedural Agreement), provided that if such collateral is held in
book-entry form by a Securities System or Foreign Depository, such collateral
may be transferred by book-entry to such lender or its agent against receipt by
the Custodian of an undertaking by such lender to pay such borrowed money to or
upon the order of the Fund on the next business day following such transfer of
collateral.
2.13 Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and operate one or more
accounts in the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order by the
Custodian, and to hold in such account or accounts all deposits denominated in
U.S. and foreign currency, received for the account of the Fund, other than
deposits with Banking Institutions held in accordance with the last paragraph of
this Section 2.13. The responsibilities of the Custodian to the Fund for
deposits accepted on the Custodian's books and denominated in U.S. currency
shall be that of a U.S. bank for a similar deposit. The obligation of the
Custodian for any deposit denominated in any foreign currency shall have the
benefit of and be subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section
5.1(b) hereof, and accordingly in the event and to the extent the Custodian
shall be unable to make payment in the currency in which a certain deposit is
denominated due to an act of God, sovereign event or other factor beyond its
control, the Custodian's obligation to pay the Fund in respect of such foreign
currency obligation shall be deferred or relieved until and to the extent the
Custodian is able to make payment in such currency and accordingly shall not be
payable on demand in U.S. currency.
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2.14 Interest-Bearing Deposits. The Custodian shall place interest-bearing
fixed term and call deposits with such banks and in such amounts as the Fund may
authorize pursuant to Proper Instructions. Such deposits may be placed with the
Custodian or with Subcustodians or other Banking Institutions as the Fund may
determine. Deposits may be denominated in U.S. Dollars or other currencies, as
the Fund may determine, and need not be evidenced by the issuance or delivery of
a certificate to the Custodian, provided that the Custodian shall include in its
records with respect to the assets of the Fund, appropriate notation as to the
amount and currency of each such deposit, the accepting Banking Institution and
all other appropriate details, and shall retain such forms of advice or receipt
evidencing such deposits as may be forwarded to the Custodian by the Banking
Institution in question. The responsibility of the Custodian for such deposits
accepted on the Custodian's books shall be that of a U.S. bank for a similar
deposit. With respect to interest-bearing deposits other than those accepted on
the Custodian's books, (a) the Custodian shall be responsible for the collection
of income as set forth in section 2.17, and (b) so long as the Custodian
exercises reasonable care and diligence in executing Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall have no responsibility for the failure of any Banking
Institution to make payment in accordance with the terms of such an account.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall take such reasonable
steps as the Fund deems necessary or appropriate to cause such deposits to be
insured to the maximum extent possible by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation and any other applicable deposit insurers. The obligation of the
Custodian for any interest-bearing deposit denominated in any foreign currency
shall have the benefit of and be subject to the provisions of the last paragraph
of Section 5.1(b) hereof, and accordingly in the event and to the extent the
Custodian shall be unable to make payment in the currency in which a certain
deposit is denominated due to an act of God, sovereign event or other factor or
event beyond its control, the Custodian's obligation to pay the Fund in respect
of such foreign currency obligation shall be deferred or relieved until and to
the extent the Custodian is able to make payment in such currency and
accordingly shall not be payable on demand in U.S. currency.
2.15. Foreign Exchange Transactions. (a) Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian shall settle foreign exchange contracts or options
to purchase and sell foreign currencies for spot and future delivery on behalf
and for the account of the Fund with such currency brokers or Banking
Institutions as the Fund may direct pursuant to Proper Instructions. The
Custodian shall be responsible for the transmission of cash and instructions to
and from the currency broker or Banking Institution with which the contract or
option is made, the safekeeping of all certificates and other documents and
agreements received by the Custodian evidencing or relating to such foreign
exchange transactions and the maintenance of proper records as set forth in
section 6.2. In connection with such transactions, upon
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receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall be authorized to make free
outgoing payments of cash in the form of U.S. Dollars or foreign currency
without receiving confirmation of a foreign exchange contract or option or
confirmation that the countervalue currency completing the foreign exchange
contract has been delivered or that the option has been delivered or received.
The Custodian shall have no authority to select third party foreign exchange
dealers and, so long as the Custodian exercises reasonable care and diligence in
executing Proper Instructions, shall have no responsibility for the failure of
any such dealer to settle any such contract or option in accordance with its
terms. The Fund shall reimburse the Custodian for any interest charges or
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian resulting from the
failure or delay of third party foreign exchange dealers to deliver foreign
exchange, other than interest charges and expenses occasioned by or resulting
from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian.
(b)The Custodian shall not be obligated to enter into foreign exchange
transactions as principal. However, if the Custodian has made available to the
Fund its services as principal in foreign exchange transactions, upon receipt of
Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall enter into foreign exchange contracts
or options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for spot and future delivery
on behalf of and for the account of the Fund with the Custodian as principal.
The responsibility of the Custodian with respect to foreign exchange contracts
and options executed with the Custodian as principal shall be that of a U.S.
bank with respect to a similar contract or option.
2.16. Securities Loans. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian
shall deliver securities of the Fund, in connection with loans of securities by
the Fund, to the borrower thereof in accordance with the terms of a written
securities lending agreement to which the Fund is a party or which is otherwise
approved by the Fund.
2.17. Collections. The Custodian shall promptly collect, receive and
deposit in the account or accounts referred to in section 2.13 all income,
payments of principal and other payments with respect to the securities and
other assets held hereunder, promptly endorse and deliver any instruments
required to effect such collections and in connection therewith deliver the
certificates or other instruments representing securities to the issuer thereof
or its agent when securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable; provided that the payment is to be made in such form and manner and at
such time, which may be after delivery by the Custodian of the instrument
representing the security, as is in accordance with the terms of the instrument
representing the security, such Proper Instructions as the Custodian may
receive, governmental regulations, the rules of the Securities System or Foreign
Depository in which such security is held or, with respect to securities
referred to in clause (iii) of the second sentence of section 2.4, in accordance
with
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local custom and practice generally accepted by Institutional Clients in the
market where payment or delivery occurs, but in all events subject to the
standard of care set forth in Article V. The Custodian shall promptly execute
ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal, state and
foreign tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
respect to securities or other assets of the Fund or in connection with transfer
of securities or other assets. Pursuant to Proper Instructions, the Custodian
shall take such other actions, which may involve an investment decision, as the
Fund may request with respect to the collection or receipt of funds or the
transfer of securities. Except in the cases provided for in the first sentence
of this section, in any case where delivery of securities for the account of the
Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of payment with respect to
such securities in the absence of Proper Instructions to so deliver in advance,
the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Fund for such payment to the
same extent as if such payment had been received by the Custodian. The Custodian
shall promptly notify the Fund in writing by facsimile transmission or in such
other manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing if any amount
payable with respect to securities or other assets of the Fund is not received
by the Custodian when due.
2.18. Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, or upon receipt of instructions from the Fund's shareholder
servicing agent or agent with comparable duties (the "Shareholder Servicing
Agent") (given by such person or persons and in such manner on behalf of the
Shareholder Servicing Agent as the Fund shall have authorized by Proper
Instructions), the Custodian shall release funds or securities, insofar as
available, to the Shareholder Servicing Agent or as such Shareholder Servicing
Agent shall otherwise instruct (a) for the payment of dividends or other
distributions to Fund shareholders or (b) for payment to the Fund shareholders
who have delivered to such Shareholder Servicing Agent a request for repurchase
or redemption of their shares of capital stock of the Fund.
2.19. Proxies; Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities. The
Custodian shall, as promptly as is appropriate under the circumstances, deliver
or mail to the Fund all forms of proxies and all notices of meetings and any
other notices, announcements or information (including, without limitation,
information relating to pendency of calls and maturities of securities and
expirations of rights in connection therewith, notices of exercise of call and
put options written by the Fund, and notices of the maturity of futures
contracts (and options thereon) purchased or sold by the Fund) affecting or
relating to securities owned by the Fund that are received by the Custodian.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall execute and deliver or
cause its nominee to execute and deliver such proxies or other authorizations as
may be required. Neither the Custodian nor its nominees shall vote upon any of
such securities or execute any proxy to vote thereon or give any consent or
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take any other action with respect to securities or other assets of the Fund
(except as otherwise herein provided) unless ordered to do so by Proper
Instructions.
The Custodian shall notify the Fund on or before ex-date (or if later
within 24 hours after receipt by the Custodian of the notice of such corporate
action) of all corporate actions affecting portfolio securities of the Fund
received by the Custodian from the issuers of the securities involved, from
third parties proposing a corporate action, from subcustodians, or from commonly
utilized sources (including proprietary sources) providing corporate action
information, a list of which will be provided by the Custodian to the Fund from
time to time upon request. Information as to corporate actions shall include
information as to dividends, distributions, stock splits, stock dividends,
rights offerings, conversions, exchanges, tender offers, recapitalizations,
mergers, redemptions, calls, maturity dates and similar transactions, including
ex-, record and pay dates and the amounts or other terms thereof. If the Fund
desires to take action with respect to any corporate action, the Fund shall
notify the Custodian within such period as will give the Custodian (including
any Subcustodian) a sufficient amount of time to take such action.
2.20. Bills. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall pay
or cause to be paid, insofar as funds are available for the purpose, bills,
statements, or other obligations of the Fund (including but not limited to
interest charges, taxes, advisory fees, compensation to Fund officers and
employees, and other operating expenses of the Fund).
2.21. Nondiscretionary Details. Without the necessity of express
authorization from the Fund, the Custodian shall (a) attend to all
nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution,
purchase, transfer or other dealings with securities, cash or other assets of
the Fund held by the Custodian except as otherwise directed from time to time by
the Board of Directors of the Fund, and (b) make payments to itself or others
for minor expenses of handling securities or other assets and for other similar
items relating to the Custodian's duties under this Agreement, provided that all
such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund.
2.22. Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems. The Custodian may
deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in (a) The Depository Trust
Company, (b) the Participants Trust Company, (c) any book-entry system as
provided in Subpart O of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306, Subpart B of 31
CFR Part 350, or the book-entry regulations of federal agencies substantially in
the form of Subpart O, or (d) any other domestic clearing agency registered with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under Section 17A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which acts as a securities
depository and whose use the Fund has previously
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approved by Special Instructions (as that term is defined in section 3.1(b))
(each of the foregoing being referred to in this Agreement as a "Securities
System"). Utilization of a Securities System shall be in accordance with
applicable Federal Reserve Board and SEC rules and regulations, if any, and
subject to the following provisions:
(i) The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities held
hereunder in a Securities System, provided that such securities are
represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities
System which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for customers;
(ii) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
Fund which are maintained in a securities System shall identify by book
entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
(iii) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account
of the Fund only upon (A) receipt of advice from the Securities System that
such securities have been transferred to the Account, and (B) the making of
an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
transfer for the account of the Fund. The Custodian shall transfer
securities sold for the account of the Fund only upon (1) receipt of advice
from the Securities System that payment for such securities has been
transferred to the Account, and (2) the making of an entry on the records
of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of
the Fund. Copies of all advices from the Securities System of transfers of
securities for the account of the Fund shall identify the Fund, be
maintained for the Fund by the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its
request. The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer
to or from the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice or
notice and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets
reflecting each day's transactions in the Securities System for the account
of the Fund on the next business day;
(iv) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by
the Custodian on the Securities System's accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in
the Securities System; and the Custodian shall send to the Fund such
reports on its own systems of internal accounting control as the Fund may
reasonably request from time to time; and
(v) Upon receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall
terminate the use of any such Securities System on behalf of the Fund as
promptly as practicable and shall take all actions
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reasonably practicable to safeguard the securities of the Fund that had
been maintained with such Securities System.
2.23. Other Transfers. The Custodian shall deliver securities, cash, and
other assets of the Fund to a Subcustodian as necessary to effect transactions
authorized by Proper Instructions. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions in
writing in advance, the Custodian shall make such other disposition of
securities, cash or other assets of the Fund in a manner other than or for
purposes other than as enumerated in this Agreement, provided that such written
Proper Instructions relating to such disposition shall include a statement of
the purpose for which the delivery is to be made, the amount of funds and/or
securities to be delivered and the name of the person or persons to whom
delivery is to be made.
2.24. Establishment of Segregated Accounts. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain on its books a
segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the Fund, into which account
or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities or other assets of the
Fund, including securities maintained by the Custodian in a Securities System,
said account to be maintained (a) for the purposes set forth in sections 2.10,
2.11, 2.12 and 2.15; (b) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the
procedures required by Release No. 10666 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), or any subsequent release or releases of the
SEC relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment
companies; or (c) for such other purposes as set forth, from time to time, in
Special Instructions.
2.25. Custodian Advances. (a) In the event that the Custodian is directed
by Proper Instructions to make any payment or transfer of funds on behalf of the
Fund for which there would be, at the close of business on the date of such
payment or transfer, insufficient funds held by the Custodian on behalf of the
Fund, the Custodian may, in its discretion without further Proper Instructions,
provide an advance ("Advance") to the Fund in an amount sufficient to allow the
completion of the transaction by reason of which such payment or transfer of
funds is to be made. In addition, in the event the Custodian is directed by
Proper Instructions to make any payment or transfer of funds on behalf of the
Fund as to which it is subsequently determined that the Fund has overdrawn its
cash account with the Custodian as of the close of business on the date of such
payment or transfer, said overdraft shall constitute an Advance. Any Advance
shall be payable on demand by the Custodian, unless otherwise agreed by the Fund
and the Custodian, and shall accrue interest from the date of the Advance to the
date of payment by the Fund at a rate agreed upon in writing from time to time
by the Custodian and the Fund. It is understood that any transaction in respect
of which the Custodian shall have made an Advance, including but not limited to
a foreign exchange contract or other transaction in respect of which the
Custodian is not acting as a principal, is for the account of and at
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the risk of the Fund, and not, by reason of such Advance, deemed to be a
transaction undertaken by the Custodian for its own account and risk. The
Custodian and the Fund acknowledge that the purpose of Advances is to finance
temporarily the purchase or sale of securities for prompt delivery or to meet
redemptions or emergency expenses or cash needs that are not reasonably
foreseeable by the Fund. The Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in writing
(an "Notice of Advance") of any Advance by facsimile transmission or in such
other manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing. At the request
of the Custodian, the Fund shall pledge, assign and grant to the Custodian a
security interest in certain specified securities of the Fund, as security for
Advances provided to the Fund, under the terms and conditions set forth in
Appendix A attached hereto.
ARTICLE III
PROPER INSTRUCTIONS, SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
AND RELATED MATTERS
3.1. Proper Instructions and Special Instructions.
--------------------------------------------------
(a) Proper Instructions. As used in this Agreement, the term "Proper
Instructions" shall mean: (i) a tested telex from the Fund or the Fund's
investment manager or adviser, or a written request, direction, instruction or
certification (which may be given by facsimile transmission) signed or initialed
on behalf of the Fund by, one or more Authorized Persons (as that term is
defined in section 3.2); (ii) a telephonic or other oral communication by one or
more Authorized Persons; or (iii) a communication (other than facsimile
transmission) effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices
or systems (including, without limitation, computers) by the Fund or the Fund's
investment manager or adviser or by one or more Authorized Persons on behalf of
the Fund; provided that communications of the types described in clauses (ii)
and (iii) above purporting to be given by an Authorized Person shall be
considered Proper Instructions only if the Custodian reasonably believes such
communications to have been given by an Authorized Person with respect to the
transaction involved. Instructions given in the form of Proper Instructions
under clause (i) shall be deemed to be Proper Instructions if they are
reasonably believed by the Custodian to be genuine. Proper Instructions in the
form of oral communications shall be confirmed by the Fund in the manner set
forth in clauses (i) or (iii) above, but the lack of such confirmation shall in
no way affect any action taken by the Custodian in reliance upon such oral
instructions prior to the Custodian's receipt of such confirmation. The Fund,
the Custodian and any investment manager or adviser of the Fund each is hereby
authorized to record any telephonic or other oral communications between the
Custodian and any such person. Proper Instructions may relate to specific
transactions or to types or classes of transactions, provided that Proper
Instructions may take the form of standing instructions only if they are in
writing.
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(b) Special Instructions. As used in this Agreement, the term "Special
Instructions" shall mean Proper Instructions countersigned or confirmed in
writing by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Fund or any other
person designated by the Treasurer of the Fund in writing, which
countersignature or confirmation shall be (i) included on the instrument
containing the Proper Instructions or on a separate instrument relating thereto,
and (ii) delivered by hand, facsimile transmission, mail or courier service or
in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian agree in writing.
(c) Address for Proper Instructions and Special Instructions. Proper
Instructions and Special Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian at the
address and/or telephone, telecopy or telex number agreed upon from time to time
by the Custodian and the Fund.
3.2. Authorized Persons. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement
and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a certificate, duly certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary
of the Fund, setting forth: (a) the names, titles, signatures and scope of
authority of all persons authorized to give Proper Instructions or any other
notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of
the Fund (each an "Authorized Person"); and (b) the names, titles and signatures
of those persons authorized to issue Special Instructions. Such certificate may
be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts
set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until
delivery to the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary. Upon
delivery of a certificate which deletes the name(s) of a person previously
authorized to give Proper Instructions or to issue Special Instructions, such
persons shall no longer be considered an Authorized Person or authorized to
issue Special Instructions.
3.3. Persons Having Access to Assets of the Fund. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement, the Custodian shall not deliver any assets of
the Fund held by the Custodian to or for the account of any Authorized Person,
director, officer, employee or agent of the Fund, provided that nothing in this
section 3.3 shall prohibit (a) any Authorized Person from giving Proper
Instructions, or any person authorized to issue Special Instructions from
issuing Special Instructions, provided such action does not result in delivery
of or access to assets of the Fund prohibited by this section 3.3; or (b) the
Fund's independent certified public accountants from examining or reviewing the
assets of the Fund held by the Custodian. The Fund shall provide a list of such
persons to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon such
list and any modifications thereto that are provided to the Custodian from time
to time by the Fund.
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3.4. Actions of Custodian Based on Proper Instructions and Special
Instructions. So long as and to the extent that the Custodian acts in accordance
with Proper Instructions or Special Instructions, as the case may be, and the
terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title,
validity or genuineness of any property, or evidence of title thereof, received
or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
SUBCUSTODIANS
The Custodian may, from time to time, in accordance with the relevant
provisions of this Article IV, appoint one or more Domestic Subcustodians,
Foreign Subcustodians and Interim Subcustodians (as such terms are defined
below) to act on behalf of the Fund. For purposes of this Agreement, all duly
appointed Domestic Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians and Interim
Subcustodians are referred to collectively as "Subcustodians."
4.1. Domestic Subcustodians. The Custodian may, at any time and from time
to time, at its own expense, appoint any bank as defined in section 2(a)(5) of
the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under section 17(f) of the
1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf of the Fund
as a subcustodian for purposes of holding cash, securities and other assets of
the Fund and performing other functions of the Custodian within the United
States (a "Domestic Subcustodian"), provided that the Custodian shall notify the
Fund in writing of the identity and qualifications of any proposed Domestic
Subcustodian at least 30 days prior to appointment of such Domestic
Subcustodian, and the Fund may, in its sole discretion, by written notice to the
Custodian executed by an Authorized Person disapprove of the appointment of such
Domestic Subcustodian. If following notice by the Custodian to the Fund
regarding appointment of a Domestic Subcustodian and the expiration of 30 days
after the date of such notice, the Fund shall have failed to notify the
Custodian of its disapproval thereof, the Custodian may, in its discretion,
appoint such proposed Domestic Subcustodian as its subcustodian.
4.2. Foreign Subcustodians and Interim Subcustodians.
(a) Foreign Subcustodians. The Custodian may, at any time and from time to
time, at its own expense, appoint: (i) any bank, trust company or other entity
meeting the requirements of an "eligible foreign custodian" under section 17(f)
of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder or exempted therefrom
by order of the SEC, or (ii) any bank as defined in section 2(a)(5) of the 1940
Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under section 17(f) of the 1940 Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder to act on behalf of the Fund as a
subcustodian for purposes of holding cash, securities and other assets of the
Fund and performing other functions of the Custodian in
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countries other than the United States of America (a "Foreign Subcustodian");
provided that prior to the appointment of any Foreign Subcustodian, the
Custodian shall have obtained written confirmation of the approval of the Board
of Directors of the Fund (which approval may be withheld in the sole discretion
of such Board of Directors) with respect to (A) the identity and qualifications
of any proposed Foreign Subcustodian, (B) the country or countries in which, and
the securities depositories or clearing agencies (meeting the requirements of an
"eligible foreign custodian" under section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder or exempted therefrom by order of the SEC) through
which, any proposed Foreign Subcustodian is authorized to hold Securities, cash
and other assets of the Fund (each a "Foreign Depository") and (C) the form and
terms of the subcustodian agreement to be entered into between such proposed
Foreign Subcustodian and the Custodian. In addition, the Custodian may utilize
directly any Foreign Depository, provided the Board of Directors shall have
approved in writing the use of such Foreign Depository by the Custodian. Each
such duly approved Foreign Subcustodian and the countries where and the Foreign
Depositories through which it may hold securities and other assets of the Fund
and the Foreign Depositories that the Custodian may utilize shall be listed in
Appendix B, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the
provisions of section 9.3. The Fund shall be responsible for informing the
Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which is to be held
in a country in which no Foreign Subcustodian is authorized to act, in order
that there shall be sufficient time for the Custodian to effect the appropriate
arrangements with a proposed Foreign Subcustodian, including obtaining approval
as provided in this section 4.2(a). The Custodian shall not agree to any
material amendment to any subcustodian agreement entered into with a Foreign
Subcustodian, or agree to permit any material changes thereunder, or waive any
material rights under such agreement, except upon prior approval pursuant to
Special Instructions. The Custodian shall promptly provide the Fund with notice
of any such amendment, change, or waiver, whether or not material, including a
copy of any such amendment. For purposes of this subsection, a material
amendment, change or waiver means an amendment, change or waiver that may
reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the Fund in any material
way, including but not limited to the Fund's or the Board's obligations under
the 1940 Act, including Rule 17f-5 thereunder.
(b) Interim Subcustodians. In the event that the Fund shall invest in a
security or other asset to be held in a country in which no Foreign Subcustodian
is authorized to act (whether because the Custodian has not appointed a Foreign
Subcustodian in such country and entered into a subcustodian agreement with it
or because the Board of Directors of the Fund has not approved the Foreign
Subcustodian appointed by the Custodian in such country and the related
subcustodian agreement), the Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in writing
by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the Fund and Custodian
shall agree in writing that no Foreign Subcustodian
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<PAGE>
is approved in such country and the Custodian shall, upon receipt of Special
Instructions, appoint any person designated by the Fund in such Special
Instructions to hold such security or other asset. Any person appointed as a
Subcustodian pursuant to this section 4.2(b) is hereinafter referred to herein
as an "Interim Subcustodian." Each Interim Custodian and the securities or
assets of the Fund that it is authorized to hold shall be set forth in Appendix
B.
In the absence of such Special Instructions, such security or other asset
shall be held by such agent as the Custodian may appoint unless and until the
Fund shall instruct the Custodian to move the security or other asset into the
possession of the Custodian or a Subcustodian.
4.3. Termination of a Subcustodian. The Custodian shall (a) cause each
Domestic Subcustodian and Foreign Subcustodian to, and (b) use its best efforts
to cause each Interim Subcustodian to, perform all of its obligations in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the subcustodian agreement between
the Custodian and such Subcustodian. In the event that the Custodian is unable
to cause such Subcustodian to fully perform its obligations thereunder, the
Custodian shall forthwith, upon the receipt of Special Instructions, exercise
its best efforts to recover any Losses (as hereinafter defined) incurred by the
Fund because of such failure to perform from such Subcustodian under the
applicable subcustodian agreement and, if necessary or desirable, terminate such
subcustodian and appoint a replacement Subcustodian in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement. In addition to the foregoing, the Custodian (i)
may, at any time in its discretion, upon written notification to the Fund,
terminate any Domestic Subcustodian, Foreign Subcustodian or Interim
Subcustodian, and (ii) shall, upon receipt of Special Instructions, terminate
any Subcustodian with respect to the Fund, in each case in accordance with the
termination provisions of the applicable subcustodian agreement.
4.4. Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion
appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank, trust company, securities
depository or clearing agency that is itself qualified to act as a custodian
under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, as its agent (an
"Agent") to carry out such of the provisions of this Agreement as the Custodian
may from time to time direct, provided that the appointment of one or more
Agents (other than an agent appointed to the second paragraph of section 4.2(b))
shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities under this Agreement.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Custodian shall be responsible for any
notices, documents or other information, or any securities, cash or other assets
of the Fund, received by any Agent on behalf of the Custodian or the Fund as if
the Custodian had received such items itself.
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ARTICLE V
STANDARD OF CARE; INDEMNIFICATION
5.1. Standard of Care.
----------------------
(a) General Standard of Care. The Custodian shall exercise reasonable care
and diligence in carrying out all of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement, and shall be liable to the Fund for all Losses suffered or incurred
by the Fund resulting from the failure of the Custodian to exercise such
reasonable care and diligence. For purposes of this Agreement, "Losses" means
any losses, damages, and expenses.
(b) Actions Prohibited by Applicable Law, Etc. In no event shall the
Custodian incur liability hereunder if the Custodian or any Subcustodian or
Securities System, or any subcustodian, securities depository or securities
system utilized by any such Subcustodian or the Custodian, or any nominee of the
Custodian or any Subcustodian, is prevented, forbidden or delayed from
performing, or omits to perform, any act or thing which this Agreement provides
shall be performed or omitted to be performed, by reason of: (i) any provision
of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of
America, or any state thereof, or of any foreign country, or political
subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction; or (ii) any act
of God or war or action of any de facto or de jure government or other similar
circumstance beyond the control of the Custodian, unless, in each case, such
delay or nonperformance is caused by the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct
of such person.
(c) Mitigation by Custodian. Upon the occurrence of any event which causes
or may cause any Losses to the Fund (i) the Custodian shall, and shall cause any
applicable Domestic Subcustodian or Foreign Subcustodian to, and (ii) the
Custodian shall use its best efforts to cause any applicable Interim
Subcustodian to, use all commercially reasonable efforts and take all reasonable
steps under the circumstances to mitigate the effects of such event and to avoid
continuing harm to the Fund.
(d) Advice of Counsel. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and act
upon advice of counsel on all matters. The Custodian shall be without liability
for any action reasonably taken or omitted in good faith pursuant to the advice
of (i) counsel for the Fund, or (ii) at the expense of the Custodian, such other
counsel as the Fund may agree to, such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld
or delayed; provided that with respect to the performance of any action or
omission of any action upon such advice, the Custodian shall be required to
conform to the standard of care set forth in section 5.1(a).
(e) Expenses. In addition to the liability of the Custodian under this
Article V, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for all reasonable costs
and expenses incurred by the Fund in
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connection with any claim by the Fund against the Custodian arising from the
obligations of the Custodian hereunder including, without limitation, all
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in asserting any
such claim, and all reasonable expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with
any investigations, lawsuits or proceedings relating to such claim, provided
that the Fund has recovered from the Custodian for such claim.
(f) Liability for Past Records. The Custodian shall have no liability in
respect of any Losses suffered by the Fund, insofar as such Losses arise from
the performance of the Custodian's duties hereunder by reason of the Custodian's
reliance upon records that were maintained for the Fund by entities other than
the Custodian prior to the Custodian's employment hereunder.
(g) Reliance on Certifications. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
the Fund shall certify to the Custodian the names and signatures of the officers
of the Fund, the name and address of the Shareholder Servicing Agent, and any
instructions or directions to the Custodian by the Fund's Board of Directors or
shareholders. Any such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the
Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and may be
considered in full force and effect until receipt of a similar certificate to
the contrary.
5.2. Liability of Custodian for Actions of Other Persons.
---------------------------------------------------------
(a) Domestic Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians and Agents. The Custodian
shall be liable for the actions or omissions of any Domestic Subcustodian,
Foreign Subcustodian or Agent (other than an agent appointed pursuant to section
4.2(b)) to the same extent as if such action or omission were performed by the
Custodian itself pursuant to this Agreement. In the event of any Losses suffered
or incurred by the Fund caused by or resulting from the actions or omissions of
any Domestic Subcustodian, Foreign Subcustodian or Agent (other than an agent
appointed pursuant to section 4.2(b)) for which the Custodian would be directly
liable if such actions or omissions were those of the Custodian, the Custodian
shall promptly reimburse the Fund in the amount of any such Losses.
(b) Interim Subcustodians. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 5.1 to
the contrary, the Custodian shall not be liable to the Fund for any Losses
suffered or incurred by the Fund resulting from the actions or omissions of an
Interim Subcustodian or an agent appointed pursuant to section 4.2(b) unless
such Losses are caused by, or result from, the negligence, misfeasance or
misconduct of the Custodian; provided that in the event of any Losses (whether
or not caused by or resulting from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of
the Custodian), the Custodian shall take all reasonable steps to enforce such
rights as it may have against such Interim Subcustodian or agent to protect the
interests of the Fund.
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(c) Securities Systems and Foreign Depositories. Notwithstanding the
provisions of section 5.1 to the contrary, the Custodian shall not be liable to
the Fund for any Losses suffered or incurred by the Fund resulting from the use
by the Custodian or any Subcustodian of a Securities System or Foreign
Depository, unless such Losses are caused by, or result from, the negligence,
misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian; provided that in the event of any
such Losses, the Custodian shall take all reasonable steps to enforce such
rights as it may have against the Securities System or Foreign Depository, as
the case may be, to protect the interests of the Fund.
(d) Reimbursement of Expenses. The Fund agrees to reimburse the Custodian
for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian in
connection with the fulfillment of its obligations under this section 5.2,
provided that such reimbursement shall not apply to expenses occasioned by or
resulting from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian.
5.3. Indemnification.
---------------------
(a) Indemnification Obligations. Subject to the limitations set forth in
this Agreement, the Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and
its nominees for all Losses suffered or incurred by the Custodian or its nominee
(including Losses suffered under the Custodian's indemnity obligations to
Subcustodians) caused by or arising from actions taken by the Custodian in the
performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, provided that
such indemnity shall not apply to Losses occasioned by or resulting from the
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any Subcustodian,
Securities System, Foreign Depository or their respective nominees. In addition,
the Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian against any liability incurred by
reason of taxes assessed to the Custodian, any Subcustodian, any Securities
System, any Foreign Depository, and their respective nominees, or other Losses
incurred by such persons, resulting from the fact that securities and other
property of the Fund are registered in the name of such persons, provided that
in no event shall such indemnification be applicable to income, franchise or
similar taxes which may be imposed or assessed against such persons.
(b) Notice of Litigation, Right to Prosecute, etc. The Fund shall not be
liable for indemnification under this section 5.3 unless the person seeking
indemnification shall have notified the Fund in writing (i) within such time
after the assertion of any claim as is sufficient for such person to determine
that it will seek indemnification from the Fund in respect of such claim or (ii)
promptly after the commencement of any litigation or proceeding brought against
such person, in respect of which indemnity may be sought; provided that in the
case of clause (i) of this section 5.3(b) the Fund shall not be liable for such
indemnification to the extent the Fund is disadvantaged by any such delay in
notification. With respect to claims in such litigation or proceedings for which
indemnity by the Fund may be sought and subject to applicable law and
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the ruling of any court of competent jurisdiction, the Fund shall be entitled to
participate in any such litigation or proceeding and, after written notice from
the Fund to the person seeking indemnification, the Fund may assume the defense
of such litigation or proceeding with counsel of its choice at its own expense
in respect of that portion of the litigation for which the Fund may be subject
to an indemnification obligation, provided that such person shall be entitled to
participate in (but not control) at its own cost and expense, the defense of any
such litigation or proceeding if the Fund has not acknowledged in writing its
obligation to indemnify such person with respect to such litigation or
proceeding. If the Fund is not permitted to participate in or control such
litigation or proceeding under applicable law or by a ruling of a court of
competent jurisdiction, such person shall reasonably prosecute such litigation
or proceeding. A person seeking indemnification hereunder shall not consent to
the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement of any such litigation or
proceeding without providing the Fund with adequate notice of any such
settlement or judgment and without the Fund's prior written consent, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. All persons seeking
indemnification hereunder shall submit written evidence to the Fund with respect
to any cost or expense for which they are seeking indemnification in such form
and detail as the Fund may reasonably request.
5.4. Investment Limitations. If the Custodian has otherwise complied with
the terms and conditions of this Agreement in performing its duties generally,
and more particularly in connection with the purchase, sale or exchange of
securities made by or for the Fund, the Custodian shall not be liable to the
Fund, and the Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian and its nominees, for any
Losses suffered or incurred by the Custodian and its nominees arising out of any
violation of any investment or other limitation to which the Fund is subject.
5.5. Fund's Right to Proceed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, the Fund shall have, at its election upon reasonable notice to
the Custodian, the right to enforce, to the extent permitted by any applicable
agreement and applicable law, the Custodian's rights against any Subcustodian,
Securities System, Foreign Depository or other person for Losses caused the Fund
by such Subcustodian, Securities System, Foreign Depository or other person, and
shall be entitled to enforce the rights of the Custodian with respect to any
claim against such Subcustodian, Securities System, Foreign Depository or other
person which the Custodian may have as a consequence of any such Losses, if and
to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for such Losses. If the
Custodian makes the Fund whole for such Losses, the Custodian shall retain the
ability to enforce its rights directly against such Subcustodian, Securities
System, Foreign Depository or other person. Upon the Fund's election to enforce
any rights of the Custodian under this section 5.5, the Fund shall reasonably
prosecute all actions and proceedings directly relating to the rights of the
Custodian in respect of the Losses
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incurred by the Fund; provided that, so long as the Fund has acknowledged in
writing its obligation to indemnify the Custodian under section 5.3 hereof with
respect to such claim, the Fund shall retain the right to settle, compromise
and/or terminate any action or proceeding in respect of the Losses incurred by
the Fund without the Custodian's consent; and provided further that if the Fund
has not made an acknowledgment of its obligation to indemnify the Custodian, the
Fund shall not settle, compromise or terminate any such action or proceeding
without the written consent of the Custodian, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Custodian agrees to cooperate with the
Fund and take all actions reasonably requested by the Fund in connection with
the Fund's enforcement of any rights of the Custodian. The Fund agrees to
reimburse the Custodian for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
the Custodian in connection with the fulfillment of its obligations under this
section 5.5, provided that such reimbursement shall not apply to expenses
occasioned by or resulting from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the
Custodian.
ARTICLE VI
RECORDS
6.1. Preparation of Reports. The Custodian shall, as reasonably requested
by the Fund, assist generally in the preparation of reports to Fund
shareholders, regulatory authorities and others, audits of accounts, and other
ministerial matters of like nature. The Custodian shall render statements,
including interim monthly and complete quarterly financial statements, or copies
thereof, from time to time as reasonably requested by Proper Instructions.
6.2. Custodian's Books and Records. The Custodian shall maintain complete
and accurate records with respect to securities and other assets held for the
account of the Fund as required by the rules and regulations of the SEC
applicable to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, including: (a)
journals or other records of original entry containing a detailed and itemized
daily record of all receipts and deliveries of securities (including certificate
and transaction identification numbers, if any), and all receipts and
disbursements of cash; (b) ledgers or other records reflecting (i) securities in
physical possession, (ii) securities in transfer, (iii) securities borrowed,
loaned or collateralizing obligations of the Fund, (iv) monies borrowed and
monies loaned (together with a record of the collateral therefor and
substitutions of collateral), and (v) dividends and interest received; and (c)
canceled checks and bank records related thereto. The Custodian shall keep such
other books and records of the Fund as the Fund shall reasonably request. All
such books and records maintained by the Custodian shall be maintained in a form
acceptable to the Fund and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the
SEC (including, but not limited to, books and records required to be maintained
under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations from time to
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time adopted thereunder), and any other applicable Federal, State and foreign
tax laws and administrative regulations. All such records will be the property
of the Fund and in the event of termination of this Agreement shall be delivered
to the successor custodian.
All books and records maintained by the Custodian pursuant to this
Agreement and any insurance policies and fidelity or similar bonds maintained by
the Custodian shall be made available for inspection and audit at reasonable
times by officers of, attorneys for, and auditors employed by, the Fund and the
Custodian shall promptly provide the Fund with copies of all reports of its
independent auditors regarding the Custodian's controls and procedures.
6.3. Opinion of Fund's Independent Certified Public Accountants. The
Custodian shall take all reasonable action as the Fund may request to obtain
from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's independent certified
public accountants with respect to the Custodian's activities hereunder in
connection with the preparation of any periodic reports to or filings with the
SEC and with respect to any other requirements of the SEC.
6.4. Reports of Custodian's Independent Certified Public Accountants. At
the request of the Fund, the Custodian shall deliver to the Fund a written
report prepared by the Custodian's independent certified public accountants with
respect to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the Custodian's accounting system, internal
accounting control and procedures for safeguarding cash, securities and other
assets, including cash, securities and other assets deposited and/or maintained
in a Securities System or with a Subcustodian. Such report shall be of
sufficient scope and in sufficient detail as may reasonably be required by the
Fund and as may reasonably be obtained by the Custodian.
6.5. Information Regarding Foreign Subcustodians and Foreign Depositories.
(a) The Custodian shall use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund in obtaining
the following with respect to any country in which any assets of the Fund are
held or proposed to be held:
(1) information concerning whether, and to what extent, applicable
foreign law would restrict the access afforded the Fund's independent
public accountants to books and records kept by a foreign custodian or
foreign securities depository used, or proposed to be used, in that
country;
(2) information concerning whether, and to what extent, applicable
foreign law would restrict the Fund's ability to recover its assets in the
event of the bankruptcy of a foreign
28
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custodian or foreign securities depository used, or proposed to be used, in
that country;
(3) information concerning whether, and to what extent, applicable
foreign law would restrict the Fund's ability to recover assets that are
lost while under the control of a foreign custodian or foreign securities
depository used, or proposed to be used, in that country;
(4) information concerning the likelihood of expropriation,
nationalization, freezes or confiscation of the Fund's assets in that
country;
(5) information concerning whether difficulties in converting the
Fund's cash and cash equivalents held in that country into U.S. Dollars are
reasonably foreseeable, including without limitation as a result of
applicable foreign currency exchange regulations;
(6) information concerning the financial strength, general reputation
and standing and ability to perform custodial services of each foreign
custodian or foreign securities depository used, or proposed to be used, in
that country;
(7) information concerning whether each foreign custodian or foreign
securities depository used, or proposed to be used, in that country would
provide a level of safeguards for maintaining the Fund's assets not
materially different from that provided by the Custodian in maintaining the
Fund's securities in the United States;
(8) information concerning whether each foreign custodian or foreign
securities depository used, or proposed to be used, in that country has
offices in the United States in order to facilitate the assertion of
jurisdiction over and enforcement of judgments against such custodian or
depository;
(9) as to each foreign securities depository used, or proposed to be
used, in that country information concerning the number of participants in,
and operating history of, such depository; and
(10) such other information as may be requested by the Fund to ensure
compliance with Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.
(b) During the term of this Agreement, the Custodian shall use
reasonable efforts to provide the Fund with prompt notice of any material
changes in the facts or circumstances upon which any of the foregoing
information or statements were based.
(c) Upon request of the Fund, the Custodian shall deliver to the Fund
a certificate stating: (i) the identity of each Foreign
29
<PAGE>
Subcustodian then acting on behalf of the Custodian; and (ii) the countries in
which and the Foreign Depositories through which each such Foreign Subcustodian
or the Custodian is then holding cash, securities and other assets of the Fund.
ARTICLE VII
CUSTODIAN FEES
The Fund shall pay the Custodian a custody fee based on such fee schedule
as may from time to time be agreed upon in writing by the Custodian and the
Fund. Such fee, together with all amounts for which the Custodian is to be
reimbursed in accordance with the following sentence, shall be billed to the
Fund in such a manner as to permit payment either by a direct cash payment to
the Custodian or by placing Fund portfolio transactions with the Custodian
resulting in an agreed-upon amount of commissions being paid to the Custodian
within an agreed-upon period of time. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive
reimbursement from the Fund on demand for its cash disbursements and expenses
(including cash disbursements and expenses of any Subcustodian or Agent for
which the Custodian has reimbursed such Subcustodian or Agent) permitted by this
Agreement, but excluding salaries and usual overhead expenses, upon receipt by
the Fund of reasonable evidence thereof.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until terminated by
either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid,
to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60)
days after the date of such delivery or mailing. In the event of termination,
the Custodian shall be entitled to receive prior to delivery of the securities,
cash and other assets held by it all accrued fees and unreimbursed expenses the
payment of which is contemplated by Article VII, upon receipt by the Fund of a
statement setting forth such fees and expenses.
In the event of the appointment of a successor custodian, it is agreed that
the cash, securities and other assets owned by the Fund and held by the
Custodian or any Subcustodian or Agent shall be delivered to the successor
custodian, and the Custodian agrees to cooperate with the Fund in execution of
documents and performance of other actions necessary or desirable in order to
substitute the successor custodian for the Custodian under this Agreement.
30
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
9.1. Execution of Documents. Upon request, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may be
reasonable and necessary or desirable in connection with the performance by the
Custodian or any Subcustodian of their respective obligations under this
Agreement or any applicable subcustodian agreement.
9.2. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding
and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
9.3. Waivers and Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be amended
or terminated except by a statement in writing signed by the party against which
enforcement of the amendment or termination is sought, provided that Appendix B
listing the Foreign Subcustodians and Foreign Depositories approved by the Fund
and Appendix C listing quotation and information sources may be amended from
time to time to add or delete one or more of such entities or sources by
delivery to the Custodian of a revised Appendix B or C executed by an Authorized
Person, such amendment to take effect immediately upon execution of the revised
Appendix B or C by the Custodian.
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and the
Fund may agree in writing from time to time on such provisions interpretative of
or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion
be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. No interpretative or
additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed
to be an amendment of this Agreement.
9.4. Captions. The section headings in this Agreement are for the
convenience of the parties and in no way alter, amend, limit or restrict the
contractual obligations of the parties set forth in this Agreement.
9.5. Governing Law. This instrument shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
9.6. Notices. Notices and other writings delivered or mailed postage
prepaid to the Fund addressed to the Fund at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154
or to such other address as the Fund may have designated to the Custodian in
writing, or to the Custodian at 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109,
Attention: Manager, Securities Department, or to such other address as the
Custodian may
31
<PAGE>
have designated to the Fund in writing, shall be deemed to have been properly
delivered or given hereunder to the respective addressee.
9.7. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall
inure to the benefit of the Fund and the Custodian and their respective
successors and assigns, provided that neither party hereto may assign this
Agreement or any of its rights hereunder without the prior written consent of
the other party.
9.8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall
become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by
each of the parties.
9.9. Representative Capacity; Nonrecourse Obligations. The Custodian agrees
that any claims by it against the Fund under this Agreement may be satisfied
only from the assets of the Fund; that the person executing this Agreement has
executed it on behalf of the Fund and not individually, and that the obligations
of the Fund arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon such person or
the Fund's shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and
property of the Fund; and that no shareholders, directors or officers of the
Fund may be held personally liable or responsible for any obligations of the
Fund arising out of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed in its name and behalf on the day and year first above written.
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
per pro /s/Douglas A. Donahue
---------------------------
Name: Douglas A. Donahue
Title: Partner
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
By: /s/Daniel Pierce
-------------------------------
Name: Daniel Pierce
Title: President
32
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A TO THE
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC. AND
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
DATED AS OF December 4, 1997
PROCEDURES RELATING TO CUSTODIAN'S SECURITY INTEREST
----------------------------------------------------
As security for any Advances (as defined in the Custodian Agreement) of the
Fund, the Fund shall pledge, assign and grant to the Custodian a security
interest in Collateral (as hereinafter defined), under the terms, circumstances
and conditions set forth in this Appendix A.
Section 1. Defined Terms. As used in this Appendix A the following terms
shall have the following respective meanings:
(a) "Business Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a
day on which the Custodian is closed for business.
(b) "Collateral" shall mean those securities having a fair market value (as
determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in the prospectus for the
Fund) equal to the aggregate of all Advance Obligations of the Fund that are (i)
identified in any Pledge Certificate executed on behalf of the Fund or (ii)
designated by the Custodian for the Fund pursuant to Section 3 of this Appendix
A. Such securities shall consist of marketable securities held by the Custodian
on behalf of the Fund or, if no such marketable securities are held by the
Custodian on behalf of the Fund, such other securities designated by the Fund in
the applicable Pledge Certificate or by the Custodian pursuant to Section 3 of
this Appendix A.
(c) "Advance Obligations" shall mean the amount of any outstanding
Advance(s) provided by the Custodian to the Fund together with all accrued
interest thereon.
(d) "Pledge Certificate" shall mean a Pledge Certificate in the form
attached as Exhibit 1 to this Appendix A, executed by a duly authorized officer
of the Fund and delivered by the Fund to the Custodian by facsimile transmission
or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing.
(e) "Release Certificate" shall mean a Release Certificate in the form
attached as Exhibit 2 to this Appendix A, executed by a duly authorized officer
of the Custodian and delivered by the Custodian to the Fund by facsimile
transmission or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in
writing.
33
<PAGE>
(f) "Written Notice" shall mean a written notice executed by a duly
authorized officer of the party delivering the notice and delivered by facsimile
transmission or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian shall agree
in writing.
Section 2. Pledge of Collateral. To the extent that any Advance Obligations
of the Fund are not satisfied by the close of business on the first Business Day
following the Business Day on which the Fund receives a Written Notice
requesting security for such Advance Obligation and stating the amount of such
Advance Obligation, the Fund shall pledge, assign and grant to the Custodian a
first priority security interest in Collateral specified by the Fund by
delivering to the Custodian a Pledge Certificate executed by the Fund describing
such Collateral. Such Written Notice may, in the discretion of the Custodian, be
included within or accompany the Notice of Advance (as defined in the Custodian
Agreement) relating to the applicable Advance Obligation.
Section 3. Failure to Pledge Collateral. In the event that the Fund shall
fail (a) to pay the Advance Obligation described in such Written Notice, (b) to
deliver to the Custodian a Pledge Certificate pursuant to Section 2, or (c) to
identify substitute securities pursuant to Section 6 upon the sale or maturity
of any securities identified as Collateral, the Custodian may, by Written Notice
to the Fund, specify Collateral which shall secure the applicable Advance
Obligation. The Fund hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Custodian a first
priority security interest in any and all Collateral specified in such Written
Notice; provided that such pledge, assignment and grant of security shall be
deemed to be effective only upon receipt by the Fund of such Written Notice, and
provided further that if the Custodian specifies Collateral in which a first
priority security interest has already been granted, the security interest
pledged, assigned and granted hereunder shall be a security interest that is not
a first priority security interest.
Section 4. Delivery of Additional Collateral. If at any time the Custodian
shall notify the Fund by Written Notice that the fair market value of the
Collateral securing any Advance Obligation is less than the amount of such
Advance Obligation, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian, within one Business
Day following the Fund's receipt of such Written Notice, an additional Pledge
Certificate describing additional Collateral. If the Fund shall fail to deliver
such additional Pledge Certificate, the Custodian may specify Collateral which
shall secure the unsecured amount of the applicable Advance Obligation in
accordance with Section 3 of this Appendix A.
Section 5. Release of Collateral. Upon payment by the Fund of any Advance
Obligation secured by the pledge of Collateral, the Custodian shall promptly
deliver to the Fund a Release
34
<PAGE>
Certificate pursuant to which the Custodian shall release Collateral from the
lien under the applicable Pledge Certificate or Written Notice pursuant to
Section 3 having a fair market value equal to the amount paid by the Fund on
account of such Advance Obligation. In addition, if at any time the Fund shall
notify the Custodian by Written Notice that the Fund desires that specified
Collateral be released and (a) that the fair market value of the Collateral
securing any Advance Obligation exceeds the amount of such Advance Obligation,
or (b) that the Fund has delivered a Pledge Certificate pursuant to Section 6
substituting Collateral in respect of such Advance Obligation, the Custodian
shall deliver to the Fund, within one Business Day following the Custodian's
receipt of such Written Notice, a Release Certificate relating to the Collateral
specified in such Written Notice.
Section 6. Substitution of Collateral. The Fund may substitute securities
for any securities identified as Collateral by delivery to the Custodian of a
Pledge Certificate executed by the Fund, indicating the securities pledged as
Collateral.
Section 7. Security for Fund Advance Obligations. The pledge of Collateral
by the Fund shall secure only Advance Obligations of the Fund. In no event shall
the pledge of Collateral by the Fund be deemed or considered to be security for
any other types of obligations of the Fund to the Custodian or for the Advance
Obligations or other types of obligations of any other fund.
Section 8. Custodian's Remedies. Upon (a) the Fund's failure to pay any
Advance Obligation of the Fund within thirty days after receipt by the Fund of a
Written Notice demanding security therefor, and (b) one Business Day's prior
Written Notice to the Fund, the Custodian may elect to enforce its security
interest in the Collateral securing such Advance Obligation, by taking title to
(at the then prevailing fair market value), or selling in a commercially
reasonable manner, so much of the Collateral as shall be required to pay such
Advance Obligation in full. Notwithstanding the provisions of any applicable
law, including, without limitation, the Uniform Commercial Code, the remedy set
forth in the preceding sentence shall be the only right or remedy to which the
Custodian is entitled with respect to the pledge and security interest granted
pursuant to any Pledge Certificate or Section 3. Without limiting the foregoing,
the Custodian hereby waives and relinquishes all contractual and common law
rights of set-off to which it may now or hereafter be or become entitled with
respect to any obligations of the Fund to the Custodian arising under this
Appendix A to the Custodian Agreement.
35
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Appendix A to
be executed in its name and behalf on the day and year first above written.
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
per pro /s/Douglas A. Donahue
---------------------------
Name: Douglas A. Donahue
Title: Partner
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
By: /s/Daniel Pierce
-------------------------------
Name: Daniel Pierce
Title: President
36
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 1
TO
Appendix A
PLEDGE CERTIFICATE
------------------
This Pledge Certificate is delivered pursuant to the Custodian Agreement
dated as of _____________________ (the "Agreement"), between
_____________________ (the "Fund") and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (the
"Custodian"). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the
respective meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement. Pursuant to [Section 2 or
Section 4] of Appendix A attached to the Agreement, the Fund hereby pledges,
assigns and grants to the Custodian a first priority security interest in the
securities listed on Schedule A attached to this Pledge Certificate
(collectively, the "Pledged Securities"). Upon delivery of this Pledge
Certificate, the Pledged Securities shall constitute Collateral, and shall
secure all Advance Obligations of the Fund described in that certain Written
Notice dated __________, 19__, delivered by the Custodian to the Fund. The
pledge, assignment and grant of security in the Pledged Securities hereunder
shall be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Agreement,
including, without limitation, Sections 7 and 8 of Appendix A attached hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund has caused this Pledge Certificate to be
executed in its name, on behalf of the Fund this ___ day of _________, 19__.
By:
---------------------------
Name:
---------------------------
Title:
---------------------------
37
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
TO
PLEDGE CERTIFICATE
Type of Certificate/CUSIP Number of
Issuer Security Numbers Shares
- ------ -------- ----------------- ------
38
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 2
TO
Appendix A
RELEASE CERTIFICATE
-------------------
This Release Certificate is delivered pursuant to the Custodian Agreement
dated as of _________, 199_ (the "Agreement"), between _______________________
(the "Fund") and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (the "Custodian"). Capitalized
terms used herein without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed
to them in the Agreement. Pursuant to Section 5 of Appendix A attached to the
Agreement, the Custodian hereby releases the securities listed on Schedule A
attached to this Release Certificate from the lien under the [Pledge Certificate
dated __________, 19 or the Written Notice delivered pursuant to Section 3 of
Appendix A dated ___________, 19 ].
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Custodian has caused this Release Certificate to be
executed in its name and on its behalf this ____ day of 19__.
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
By:
---------------------------
Name:
---------------------------
Title:
---------------------------
39
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
TO
RELEASE CERTIFICATE
Type of Certificate/CUSIP Number of
Issuer Security Numbers Shares
- ------ -------- ----------------- ------
40
<PAGE>
APPENDIX "C"
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
and BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
Dated as of April 30, 1998
--------------
The following is a list of Funds for which the Custodian shall serve under a
Custodian Agreement dated as of February 27, 1998, 1998 (the "Agreement"):
Scudder Gold Fund
Scudder Precious Metals Inc
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be
executed in its name and on behalf of each such Fund.
SCUDDER BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
By: /s/Daniel Pierce By: /s/Stokley P. Towles
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Name: Daniel Pierce Name: Stokley P. Towles
Title: President Title: Partner
Exhibit 8(b)(2)
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
EXHIBIT H
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Global Custody Fee Proposal
on behalf of
Scudder Kemper Investments Inc.
January, 1998
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
<CAPTION>
Market Asset Charge (basis points) Trade Instruction Charge (USD)
- ------ --------------------------- ------------------------------
Argentina 25 b.p. $75
Australia 5 b.p. $60
Austria 6 b.p. $80
Bahrain 40 b.p. $150
Bangladesh 45 b.p. $150
Belgium 6 b.p. $60
Botswana 60 b.p. $175
Brazil (including 25 b.p. $50
Administration, excluding
The Brazil Fund, Inc.)
Canada 3 b.p. $25
Chile 35 b.p. $75
China 35 b.p. $60
Colombia 60 b.p. $100
Czech Republic 35 b.p. $75
Denmark 5 b.p. $80
Euroclear 3 b.p. $35
Ecuador 50 b.p. $125
Egypt 40 b.p. $175
Finland 8 b.p. $60
France 5 b.p. $60
Germany 3.5 b.p. $35
Ghana 60 b.p. $175
Greece 50 b.p. $150
Hong Kong 6 b.p. $60
Hungary 45 b.p. $175
India 40 b.p. $125
Indonesia 15 b.p. $75
Ireland 6 b.p. $60
<PAGE>
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Market Asset Charge (basis points) Trade Instruction Charge (USD)
- ------ --------------------------- ------------------------------
Israel 30 b.p. $150
Italy 6 b.p. $50
Japan 3 b.p. $25
Jordan 50 b.p. $175
Kenya 60 b.p. $175
Korea 16 b.p. $50
The Korea Fund, Inc. 14.5 b.p. $50
Lebanon 40 b.p. $150
Malaysia 8 b.p. $50
Mauritius 40 b.p. $150
Mexico 12 b.p. $50
Morocco 40 b.p. $150
Namibia 40 b.p. $150
Netherlands 6 b.p. $35
New Zealand 6 b.p. $45
Norway 6 b.p. $60
Oman 40 b.p. $150
Pakistan 40 b.p. $125
Peru 50 b.p. $150
Philippines 18 b.p. $100
Poland 50 b.p. $100
Portugal 20 b.p. $100
Russia 65 b.p. $250
Singapore 6 b.p. $75
Slovakia 35 b.p. $15
South Africa 10 b.p. $50
Spain 8 b.p. $60
Sri Lanka 20 b.p. $75
Swaziland 60 b.p. $175
Sweden 6 b.p. $60
Switzerland 5 b.p. $75
Taiwan 25 b.p. $75
Thailand 12 b.p. $50
Turkey 35 b.p. $75
United Kingdom 3 b.p. $35
<PAGE>
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Market Asset Charge (basis points) Trade Instruction Charge (USD)
- ------ --------------------------- ------------------------------
Uruguay 50 b.p. $150
Venezuela 35 b.p. $125
Zambia 60 b.p. $175
Zimbabwe 60 b.p. $175
United States .8 b.p. on first$ 100 million $8.00
.5 b.p. on all next S400 million
.3 b.p. on all above S500 million
Other Transaction Fees
- ----------------------
DTC, FBE, PTC $ 8.00
Affirmation Charge $ 1.00
U.S. Physical Securities $25.00
Short-Term instruments (time deposits, BA, CP, CD, repos) $25.00
Maturities $15.00
Third Party FX $35.00
Derivatives (futures, options, hedges, swaps) $35.00
Incoming/Outgoing wires $10.00
Security Instruction Corrections/Cancellations/Repair $15.00
Check Processing $10.00
Euroclear Deposit/Withdrawal $75.00
</TABLE>
Annual Account Minimum: $10,000
- ----------------------
Subcustodian Out-of-Pocket Expenses
- -----------------------------------
Subcustodian out-of-pocket expenses are statutory taxes or other
charges mandated in the local market which are passed on without markup to the
Funds.- The level of out-of-pocket expenses depends on the geographic
composition of the Fund and trading activity. Subcustodian out-of-pocket
expenses reimbursable to BBH&Co. will be added to each monthly invoice.
Subcustodian out-of-pocket expenses may be revised from time to time.
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. Out-of-Pocket Expenses
- ----------------------------------------------------
BBH&Co. out-of-pocket expenses including but not limited to
extraordinary telecommunications expenses, audit reporting, legal fees
including sophisticated investor letter processing, postage including overnight
and courier, shipping insurance, duplication charges, forms and supplies, proxy
charges, consolidation and reorganization charges, fractional share liquidation
charges, and customized reporting and programming would be additional. The cost
of obtaining market quotations and local administration charges if arranged
through BBH&Co would be for the account of the Fund.
<PAGE>
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADDITIONAL SAVINGS
Relationship Discount:
----------------------
o A 10 percent reduction will be applied against the asset based
custody fee on assets between $ 10 billion and $ 15 billion.
o A 15 percent reduction will be applied against the asset based
custody fee on assets in excess of $15 billion.
NOTES
Fees for additional markets will be negotiated prior to investment and based
upon local market conditions at time of investment.
This schedule assumes that trade instructions will be sent in properly formatted
SWIFT or ISITC protocol, or another mutually agreed upon automated means. A $25
manual trade instruction charge will be incurred six months from the effective
date of this schedule. BBH&Co. has a readily available economic solution to
trade communication and messaging. We agree to lead project management of an
automation effort for Scudder.
IRA Custodian Disclosure Statement and Plan Agreement
<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN DISCLOSURE
STATEMENT
The following information is provided to you by the Custodian (as specified
on the Scudder IRA application or Scudder Brokerage IRA application) of the
Scudder Individual Retirement Account, as required by the Internal Revenue Code.
You should read this information along with the Individual Retirement Account
Custodial Agreement and the prospectus(es) and/or other information for the
investments you have selected for your IRA contributions. If there is any
inconsistency between the provisions of your plan or a prospectus and this
Statement, the plan and the prospectus provisions will control.
REVOCATION OF YOUR IRA
If you have not received this Disclosure Statement at least seven calendar
days before your IRA has been established, you have the right to revoke your IRA
during the seven calendar days after your IRA was established. To revoke your
IRA, you must request the revocation in writing and send or deliver it to:
Scudder Trust Company Trust Department Two International Place Boston, MA 02110
If you mail your revocation, the postmark must be within the seven-day
period during which you are permitted to revoke your IRA. If you revoke your IRA
within the proper time, the entire amount that you contributed, without any
adjustments for administrative fees, expenses, price fluctuation, or earnings,
will be returned to you. You may obtain further IRA information from any
district office of the Internal Revenue Service.
IRA TYPES
Within this Disclosure Statement, the IRA types which are addressed are as
follows:
Traditional IRA
A Traditional IRA is an IRA to which you make regular deductible or
non-deductible contributions or your employer makes Simplified Employee Pension
Plan (SEP) IRA contributions.
Roth IRA
A Roth IRA is an IRA to which you make regular non-deductible contributions
and from which distributions are tax and penalty free if certain conditions are
met.
Conversion Roth IRA
A Conversion Roth IRA is a Roth IRA to which you convert a Traditional IRA.
<PAGE>
CONTRIBUTIONS
Eligibility to Make Contributions
Traditional IRA Contributions
You are eligible to make a regular Traditional IRA contribution for any tax
year in which you have earned income. However, you cannot make a Traditional IRA
contribution for the calendar year you reach age 701/2 or for any later year.
You must make your regular Traditional IRA contributions for any tax year
during that tax year or by April 15th of the next year. You may make rollover
contributions or transfers to your Traditional IRA at any time even if you have
reached the age of 701/2 (see "Rollovers, Transfers and Conversions" below).
If you are an employee, "earned income" means the amount shown as wages on
the Form W-2 that you receive from your employer. If you are self-employed, your
"earned income" is your net profits, if any, as shown on the "Net profits or
loss" line on the Schedule C or C-EZ of your IRS Form 1040 less your
self-employment tax deduction and contributions to a qualified retirement plan
on your own behalf. If you are performing income-producing services as a partner
in a partnership, your "earned income" is your share of the net partnership
profits as shown on the Schedule K-1 of your partnership return (IRS Form 1065)
less your self-employment tax deduction and contributions to a qualified
retirement plan on your own behalf. In most cases, earned income will not
include passive income, such as investment income or rental income.
Roth IRA Contributions
You are eligible to make a regular Roth IRA contribution for any tax year
in which you have earned income (described above), and if your Adjusted Gross
Income (AGI) does not exceed the applicable tax year's maximum allowable AGI.
Your AGI for this purpose is, in general, your income from all sources before
any deductions. The instructions to your federal income tax return (i.e., Form
1040) will provide you with specific guidance on calculating your AGI for this
purpose.
For 1998, if you are single and your AGI is below $95,050, you may make a
full $2,000 (or 100% of your earned income, if less) Roth IRA contribution. If
your AGI is $110,000 or more, you cannot make any Roth IRA contribution. If your
AGI is more than $95,050 and less than $110,000, and you have earned income of
at least the amount of your Roth IRA contribution, your maximum Roth IRA
contribution will be an amount between $200 and $1,990. If your AGI falls in
this zone, you can calculate your maximum Roth IRA contribution with this
formula:
Maximum Maximum
$15,000 - (AGI - $95,000) X Allowable = Roth IRA
- ------------------------- Contribution Contribution
$15,000
(Your "Maximum Allowable Contribution" is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of
your earned income.)
<PAGE>
You must round up your result to the next highest $10 level (the next
highest number which ends in zero). For example, if your result was $1,521, you
would round it up to $1,530. In addition, if your rounded result is greater than
$0, but less than $200, your maximum Roth IRA contribution would automatically
be $200.*
For 1998, if you are married and file a joint return and you and your
spouse's combined AGI is below $150,050, you may make a full $2,000 Roth IRA
contribution (or 100% of your combined earned income, if less). If your combined
AGI is $160,000 or more, you cannot make any Roth IRA contribution. If your
combined AGI is more than $150,050 and less than $160,000, and you have earned
income of at least the amount of your Roth IRA contribution, your maximum Roth
IRA contribution will be an amount between $200 and $1,990. If your combined AGI
falls in this zone, you can calculate your maximum Roth IRA contribution with
this formula:
$10,000 - Maximum Maximum
(combined AGI - $150,000) X Allowable = Roth IRA
- -------------------------- Contribution Contribution
$10,000
(Your "Maximum Allowable Contribution" is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of
your earned income.)
You must round up your result to the next highest $10 level (the next
highest number which ends in zero). For example, if your result was $1,521, you
would round it up to $1,530. In addition, if your rounded result is greater than
$0, but less than $200, your maximum Roth IRA contribution would automatically
be $200.*
* This assumes that you have at least $200 in earned income. If you have
less, the maximum would be equal to the amount of the earned income.
Maximum Combined Traditional and Roth IRA Contributions
Your maximum combined regular Traditional and Roth IRA contributions for
each tax year is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of your earned income. However, if
your earned income is less than your spouse's earned income and you and your
spouse file a joint federal income tax return for the year, you may contribute
up to the lesser of (a) $2,000 or (b) your combined earned income reduced by the
amount your spouse contributes to his or her IRA for the year. Thus, married
persons may often make total IRA contributions of up to $4,000, even if one
spouse does not work. You can split the contribution amount in any manner among
IRAs for you and your spouse as long as you do not contribute more than $2,000
to all IRAs belonging to one spouse. (Your ability to make a Roth IRA
contribution is subject to your AGI, as described above in this section. Also,
under certain circumstances to gain the maximum possible federal income tax
deduction for Traditional IRA contributions, you may be required to carefully
allocate your contributions among IRAs. See "Deductibility of Your Traditional
IRA Contributions" below.)
<PAGE>
Excess IRA Contributions
If you make contributions to one or more IRAs which exceed the amount you
are allowed to contribute for any tax year, the excess over the allowable amount
will be subject to a 6% IRS excess contribution tax unless you remove it (and
any attributable earnings) by the due date, including any extensions, for your
federal income tax return for the year for which you made the contributions.
If you make a contribution to a Roth IRA or a conversion of a Traditional
IRA (see "Conversion from a Traditional IRA to a Conversion Roth IRA" below) and
later determine that you do not qualify to make such contribution or conversion,
legislation is currently pending which may allow you to transfer the excess
amount (and earnings) to a Traditional IRA by the due date of your tax return
for the year of the contribution or conversion. This transfer will be included
as a part of your Maximum Allowable Contribution (see "Eligibility to Make
Contributions" above) for the year. If this legislation is not enacted, the 6%
penalty described above may apply for contributions or conversions which you are
not qualified to make.
Deductibility of Your Traditional IRA Contributions
Active Participant Status
If either you or your spouse is an "active participant" in an
employer-maintained retirement plan, your Traditional IRA contributions may be
fully or partially deductible or may be nondeductible. You are an "active
participant" if you make contributions to, or receive credit for an employer
contribution in, certain employer-maintained retirement plans. These plans
include pension plans, profit-sharing plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans
(tax-sheltered annuities), Keogh plans, ESOPs (stock bonus plans), simplified
employee pension plans (SEP-IRAs), simple retirement accounts (simple IRAs) and
certain governmental plans.
You will be considered to be an active participant for the year even if you
are not yet vested in any contributions made on your behalf to an
employer-maintained retirement plan. Also, if you make required contributions or
voluntary employee contributions to an employer-maintained retirement plan, you
will be considered to be an active participant even if you only worked for the
employer for part of the year.
You will not be considered to be an active participant if you are covered
in a plan only because of your service as (1) an Armed Force Reservist, for less
than 90 days active service, or (2) a volunteer firefighter covered for
firefighting service by a governmental plan.
If you are an employee, the Form W-2 that you receive from your employer
should indicate whether you were an active participant for the year that the
Form W-2 covers. If you have any questions about your participation in your
employer's plan, you should check with your employer.
(NOTE: If a husband and wife live apart for an entire tax year, and file
separate federal income tax returns, they will not be treated as married for the
purposes of these IRA deduction limits.)
<PAGE>
Deductibility if Neither You nor Your Spouse Is an Active Participant
If neither you nor your spouse is an active participant in an
employer-maintained retirement plan, you can deduct 100% of your Traditional IRA
contributions up to the maximum amount: in general, the lesser of $2,000 or 100%
of earned income. (See "Eligibility to Make Contributions" above.)
Deductibility if You or Your Spouse Is an Active Participant
If you are an active participant in an employer-maintained retirement plan,
the amount of your Traditional IRA contributions that you can deduct will depend
on what your modified adjusted gross income ("AGI") is for the year for which
you want to make an IRA contribution. Your AGI for this purpose is, in general,
your income from all sources before any deductions. The instructions to your
federal income tax return (i.e., Form 1040) will provide you with specific
guidance on calculating your AGI for this purpose.
Remember, even if you can deduct only a portion of your maximum allowable
Traditional IRA contribution, you can still contribute the difference between
the maximum deductible portion of your contribution and your maximum IRA
contribution (see "Eligibility to Make Contributions" above) as a nondeductible
contribution to a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA (if you meet the Roth IRA income
qualifications, as described above in "Eligibility to Make Contributions"). You
may also choose to treat as nondeductible a contribution which could be
deductible. Any contributions you make to an IRA, whether deductible or
nondeductible, will accumulate earnings tax deferred until you withdraw the
contributions at a later date. (Withdrawals of Roth IRA earnings may be
tax-free, as described below in "Taxability of IRA Distributions.")
Single Individuals
If you are single and your AGI is below $30,050, you can deduct 100% of
your Traditional IRA contribution up to your maximum allowable contribution (see
"Eligibility to Make Contributions" above). If your AGI is $40,000 or more, you
cannot deduct any of your Traditional IRA contribution. If your AGI is more than
$30,050 and less than $40,000, and you have earned income of at least the amount
of your Traditional IRA contribution, your maximum tax-deductible Traditional
IRA contribution will be an amount between $200 and $1,990. If your AGI falls in
this zone, you can calculate the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional
IRA contribution with this formula:
Maximum
$10,000 - Maximum Deductible
(combined AGI - $30,000) X Allowable = Portion of
- --------------------------- Contribution Traditional IRA
$10,000 Contribution
<PAGE>
(Your "Maximum Allowable Contribution" is the
lesser of $2,000 or 100% of your earned income.)
You must round up your result to the next highest $10 level (the next
highest number which ends in zero). For example, if your result was $1,521, you
would round it up to $1,530. In addition, if your rounded result is greater than
$0, but less than $200, the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional IRA
contribution would automatically be $200.*
Married Individuals
If you are married and file a joint return and you and your spouse's
combined AGI is below $50,050, you can deduct 100% of your Traditional IRA
contribution up to your Maximum Allowable Contribution (see "Eligibility to Make
Contributions" above). If your combined AGI is $60,000 or more, you cannot
deduct any of your Traditional IRA contribution. If your combined AGI is more
than $50,050 and less than $60,000, and you have earned income of at least the
amount of your IRA contribution, your maximum tax-deductible IRA contribution
will be an amount between $200 and $1,990. If your combined AGI falls in this
zone, you can calculate the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional IRA
contribution with this formula:
Maximum
$10,000 - Maximum Deductible
(combined AGI - $150,000) X Allowable = Portion of
- -------------------------- Contribution Traditional IRA
$10,000 Contribution
(Your "Maximum Allowable Contribution" is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of
your earned income.)
You must round up your result to the next highest $10 level (the next
highest number which ends in zero). For example, if your result was $1,521, you
would round it up to $1,530. In addition, if your rounded result is greater than
$0, but less than $200, the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional IRA
contribution would automatically be $200.*
* This assumes that you have at least $200 in earned income. If you have
less, the deductible portion would be equal to the amount of the earned
income.
Deductibility if Your Spouse Is an Active Participant, and You Are Not
If you are married and file a joint return and your spouse is an active
participant in an employer-maintained retirement plan, but you are not, then you
can deduct 100% of your Traditional IRA contribution up to your Maximum
Allowable Contribution (see "Eligibility to Make Contributions" above) if your
combined AGI is below $150,050. If your combined AGI is $160,000 or more, you
cannot deduct any of your Traditional IRA contribution. If your combined AGI is
more than $150,050 and less than $160,000, and you and your spouse have earned
income of at least the amount of your IRA contribution, your maximum
tax-deductible Traditional IRA contribution will be
<PAGE>
an amount between $200 and $1,990. If your combined AGI falls in this zone, you
can calculate the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional IRA
contribution with this formula:
Maximum
$10,000 Maximum Deductible
(combined AGI - $150,000) X Allowable = Portion of
- ---------------------------- Contribution Traditional IRA
$10,000 Contribution
(Your "Maximum Allowable Contribution" is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of
your earned income.)
You must round up your result to the next highest $10 level (the next
highest number which ends in zero). For example, if your result was $1,521, you
would round up to $1,530. In addition, if your rounded result is greater than
$0, but less than $200, the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional IRA
contribution would automatically be $200.*
* This assumes that you and your spouse have at least $200 in earned income.
If you and your spouse have less, the deductible portion would be equal to
the amount of earned income.
Nondeductibility of your Roth IRA Contributions
Contributions to a Roth IRA are not deductible, regardless of your earned
income.
Other Eligibility, Contribution and Deductibility Provisions
Reporting of Nondeductible Contributions to IRAs
If you make a nondeductible contribution to a Traditional IRA, you must
report the amount of the nondeductible contribution to the IRS on Form 8606 as a
part of your annual federal income tax return. It has not yet been established
whether your nondeductible Roth IRA contributions must be reported on Form 8606.
You may make contributions to your Traditional IRA at any time during the
year until the total of your contributions to your Traditional IRA equals your
maximum (see "Eligibility to Make Contributions" above), without having to know
how much will be a Traditional IRA deductible contribution. When you fill out
your tax return, you may then figure out how much of your Traditional IRA
contribution is deductible. You should be aware that there is a $100 IRS penalty
tax for overstating on your federal income tax return the amount you can deduct.
Form of Contribution
Unless you are making a rollover contribution, your contribution must be
made in cash. Rollover contributions may be made in a form other than cash if
permitted by Scudder Investor Services, Inc. You cannot make any contributions
to this IRA for investment in life insurance contracts.
All contributions you make to this IRA are nonforfeitable (100% vested).
<PAGE>
SEP Contributions
If your employer makes contributions to your Traditional IRA as part of a
Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP-IRA), those employer contributions are not
subject to the eligibility and deduction limits discussed above. Your employer
may contribute up to the lesser of $24,000 (for 1997 and 1998) or 15% of your
compensation to your IRA and deduct that amount on the employer's federal income
tax return. The employer contribution amount is excluded from your income for
federal income tax purposes. You may also make your own contributions, subject
to the eligibility and deduction limits above, to the same Traditional IRA to
which your employer makes contributions.
ROLLOVERS, TRANSFERS, and CONVERSIONS
Rollovers and Transfers to Traditional IRAs
You are allowed to transfer or roll over all or a part of your Traditional
IRA investment to another Traditional IRA without any tax liability. However,
you are only allowed to make one rollover from a particular Traditional IRA
during any 12-month period. In addition, if you are to receive a distribution of
all or any part of your interest in an employer-maintained retirement plan, then
you may roll over all or a portion of the distribution into a Traditional IRA
either directly from the employer-maintained plan or within 60 days of the day
you receive it, unless the distribution is a required minimum distribution or
part of a series of substantially equal payments made over a period of 10 years
or more or over your life expectancy or the joint life expectancy of you and
your beneficiary. Please note that distributions paid to you directly will be
subject to a 20% withholding requirement unless they are required minimum
distributions, or payments made over a period longer than 10 years of your life
expectancy or the joint life expectancy of you and your beneficiary.
Distributions directly rolled over to a Traditional IRA are not subject to 20%
withholding.
Rollovers and Transfers to Roth IRAs
You are allowed to transfer or roll over all or part of your Roth IRA
investment to another Roth IRA without any tax liability. However, you are only
allowed to make one rollover from a particular Roth IRA during any 12-month
rollover period. In addition, if you are to receive a distribution of all or any
part of your interest in an employer-maintained retirement plan, you may not
directly roll over such amount to a Roth IRA. You must roll it over into a
Traditional IRA first, and you may then be able to convert all or part of your
Traditional IRA to a Conversion Roth IRA, depending on your AGI, or you and your
spouse's combined AGI (see "Conversion from a Traditional IRA to a Conversion
Roth IRA" below).
Conversion from a Traditional IRA to a Conversion Roth IRA
If you are single and your AGI does not exceed $100,000, or if you are
married and you and your spouse's combined AGI does not exceed $100,000 (and you
are not married filing a separate return), you may convert all or part of your
Traditional IRA to a Conversion Roth IRA. (Note, a conversion from a Traditional
IRA to a Conversion Roth IRA must be made as a rollover and not a transfer.) If
you are married and file a separate return, you may not make a conversion.The
entire amount of the taxable portion of the conversion (i.e., all amounts other
than nondeductible contributions) is taxable to you for the tax year during
which the conversion is made. However, if you make the conversion before January
1, 1999, the tax will be spread over four years. If you die during the four year
period, it has not been determined whether any remaining taxable amounts must be
included on your final tax return, or if you are married and your spouse is your
beneficiary, if your spouse can continue to include the appropriate amounts in
his or her income for the remainder of the four year period.
TAXABILITY OF IRA DISTRIBUTIONS
Traditional IRAs
If you have made only deductible contributions to your Traditional IRA, all of
your distributions will be taxed as ordinary income for the year you receive the
distributions. If, however, you made any nondeductible contributions, the
portion of the IRA distributions consisting of nondeductible contributions will
not be taxed again when you receive it. If you made any nondeductible
Traditional IRA contributions, each distribution from your Traditional IRA (or
IRAs) will consist of a nontaxable portion (return of nondeductible
contributions) and a taxable portion (return of deductible contributions, if
any, and account earnings). You may use the following formula to determine the
nontaxable portion of your distributions for a tax year:
Nondeductible
Contributions Total Non-taxable
Not Yet Distributed x Distribution = Distribution
------------------- (for the year) (for the year)
Year-End Total Traditional
IRA Account Balances Plus
Distributions Taken During
Year (Currently, there is
no clarification as to whether
you must also include your Roth
and Conversion Roth IRA
account balances in this amount.)
To figure the year-end total Traditional IRA account balances, you treat
all of your Traditional IRAs as a single IRA. This includes all regular
Traditional IRAs, as well as SEP-IRAs, and Traditional IRAs to which you have
made rollover contributions.
If you take a distribution from a Traditional IRA to which you have made
nondeductible contributions, you must file Form 8606 as part of your annual
federal income tax return for the year of the distribution.
Roth IRAs
Distributions of earnings from your Roth IRA (or Conversion Roth IRA) will
be taxed as ordinary income for the year you receive the distribution, unless 1)
the distribution is made after five taxable years from your first Roth IRA
contribution (or after five taxable years from each conversion of a Traditional
IRA to a Conversion Roth IRA) and if 2) the distribution is made for one of the
following reasons:
1) It is paid to you after you attain age 59 1/2.
2) It is paid to you because you are disabled.
3) It is paid to your beneficiary or estate because of your death.
4) It is paid for the first-time home purchase for you, your spouse, or any
child, grandchild or ancestor of you or your spouse. (Please see your tax
advisor to determine if your distribution qualifies as made for the
first-time purchase of a home.) A maximum lifetime amount of $10,000 from
all IRAs can qualify for this tax exception.
The five-taxable-year period indicated above begins on the January 1
of the calendar year during which you make a contribution or conversion.
Distributions from a Roth IRA are made first from non-taxable principal and
then from earnings. Roth IRAs to which you make regular contributions are
aggregated for purposes of determining non-taxable principal and earnings for
distributions from Roth IRAs. Conversion Roth IRAs with the same five year
holding period are aggregated for purposes of determining non-taxable principal
and earnings for distributions from Conversion Roth IRAs. The five year holding
period for a Conversion Roth IRA begins with the tax year of the most recent
conversion to the Conversion Roth IRA. Because of this rule, you may wish to
establish a separate Conversion Roth IRA account for each conversion you make.
Special rules may apply if a distribution is made from a Conversion Roth
IRA within the five-taxable-year period beginning with the January 1 of the year
in which the most recent conversion was made to that particular Conversion Roth
IRA. In this case, certain penalties may apply on the amounts which were
previously subject to tax at the time of the conversion (see "Special Penalty
for Certain Conversion Roth IRA Distributions" below).
It is currently not yet established whether you must file Form 8606 as part
of your annual federal income tax return for the year of the distribution of
Roth IRA contributions and/or earnings.
<PAGE>
PENALTIES ON IRA DISTRIBUTIONS
Traditional IRAs
Since the purpose of your IRA is to accumulate funds for your retirement, if you
take a distribution from your Traditional IRA before you reach the age of 591/2,
the taxable portion of the distribution will be subject to a 10% IRS early
withdrawal penalty tax unless the distribution meets one of these exceptions:
1) It is made to your beneficiary or your estate because of your death.
2) It is part of a series of installment payments paid over your life
expectancy or the joint life and last survivor expectancy of you and your
beneficiary, and the payments continue until the later of five years or
your reaching age 59 1/2.
3) It is rolled over into another IRA or a qualified plan (if allowed) within
60 days of the day you receive the distribution.
4) It is paid to you because you are disabled.
5) It is paid to you to pay medical expenses in excess of 7 1/2% of your
adjusted gross income.
6) It is paid to you to pay for medical insurance premiums if you are
unemployed (or within 60 days after your re-employment) and you have
received unemployment compensation for at least 12 consecutive weeks during
the current or preceding taxable year. (Self-employed individuals may only
be eligible for this exception in certain circumstances.)
7) It is paid to you, your spouse, or any child or grandchild of you or your
spouse for qualified higher education expenses. (Please see your tax
advisor to determine if your distribution qualifies as made for qualified
higher education expenses.)
8) It is paid for the first-time purchase of a home for you, your spouse, or
any child, grandchild or ancestor of you or your spouse. (See your tax
advisor to determine if your distribution qualifies as made for the
first-time purchase of a home.) A maximum lifetime amount of $10,000 from
all IRAs can qualify for this penalty exception.
Roth IRAs
The taxable portion (the earnings portion) of distributions from Roth IRAs
or Conversion Roth IRAs will be subject to a 10% penalty tax, unless one of the
exceptions listed in items 1-8 above applies. (A special penalty may apply for
distribution from a Conversion Roth IRA within five taxable years of a
conversion. See "Special Penalty for Certain Conversion Roth IRA Distributions"
below).
<PAGE>
SPECIAL PENALTY
FOR CERTAIN CONVERSION
ROTH IRA DISTRIBUTIONS
Legislation is currently pending which will provide that amounts which are
distributed from a Conversion Roth IRA within five taxable years of a conversion
would be subject to i) a 10% penalty and ii) for conversions made in 1998, an
additional 10% penalty. These penalties would be based on the amount that was
taxable at the time of conversion. Any such withdrawal from a Conversion Roth
IRA may also be deemed to come first from amounts which were taxable at the time
of the conversion.
In addition, separate Roth IRAs and Conversion Roth IRAs must be
maintained. The proposed legislation would provide that the five year holding
period described above may be deemed to begin with the most recent taxable year
for which a conversion is made. All Roth IRAs with the same five year holding
period would be aggregated to determine the amount of the withdrawal which is
considered attributable to the taxable amounts at the time of the conversion.
You must establish a separate Conversion Roth IRA for conversions of Traditional
IRAs that you make in different calendar years. One Conversion Roth IRA can be
established for all conversions made within the same calendar year.
REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS
Traditional IRAs
You must begin taking distributions from your Traditional IRA by the April
1 following the year in which you reach age 701/2. The minimum amount that you
are required to take for the year you reach 701/2 and each following year is the
amount that you would take as a distribution if you were taking distributions
over the joint life and last survivor expectancy of you and your beneficiary.
For more information on the minimum distribution requirements of your IRA, see
Articles IV and VIII of the Form 5305-A (1-98) Individual Retirement Custodial
Account Agreement.
Roth IRAs
You are not required to begin taking distributions from a Roth IRA (or
Conversion Roth IRA) at any time. If you die prior to a distribution of all
amounts held in a Roth IRA (or Conversion Roth IRA), certain distribution rules
apply to your beneficiary. For more information on the distribution requirements
of your Roth IRA (or Conversion Roth IRA) after your death, see Articles V and
IX of the Form 5303-RA(1-98) Individual Retirement Custodial Account Agreement.
EXCESS ACCUMULATION
PENALTY TAX
If you do not meet the minimum distribution requirements as discussed in
Articles IV and VIII of the Form 5305-A (1-98) Individual Retirement Custodial
<PAGE>
Account Agreement for any year, you will be subject to an IRS penalty tax of 50%
of the amount that you were required to take as a distribution but did not take
as a distribution.
ESTATE TAX
After your death, the balance in your IRA may be subject to an estate tax.
You should contact your attorney or accountant for more details.
PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
If you or your Beneficiary engage in any prohibited transactions, including
selling, exchanging, or leasing any property between you and the custodial
account, the account would lose its tax-exempt status and all assets of the
account will be treated as if they were distributed to you. You would then be
required to pay taxes on the appropriate portion of your IRA assets. (See
"Taxability of IRA Distributions" above.) In addition, if you are under age 59
1/2 and are not disabled, the distribution will also be subject to the 10% IRS
early withdrawal penalty tax unless it meets any of the exceptions listed above
under "Penalties on IRA Distributions" and is not subject to the penalty
described in "Special Penalty for Certain Conversion Roth IRA Distributions"
described above.
You also cannot use your IRA assets as collateral for a loan. If you do
this, the amount used as collateral will be treated as if it were distributed to
you and will be subject to tax and penalty tax as provided in the paragraph
above for prohibited transactions.
SCUDDER MUTUAL FUND
INFORMATION
Information about the Scudder mutual funds available for investment in this
IRA is available from Scudder Investor Services, Inc. You are required to
receive this information (given in the form of a prospectus governed by the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission) before you invest in the Funds.
Growth in the value of your custodial account cannot be guaranteed or
projected. The Funds' prospectuses and reports provide information regarding
current income and expenses.
BROKERAGE INFORMATION
Information about the brokerage services available for this IRA is available
from Scudder Brokerage Services, Inc. Growth in the value of your custodial
account cannot be guaranteed or projected.
CUSTODIAL PROVISIONS
These provisions supplement paragraphs 5-7 of Article IX of the Form 5305-RA
(1-98), Individual Retirement Custodial Account Agreement and paragraphs 5-7 of
Article VIII of the Form 5305-A (1-98), Individual Retirement Custodial Account
Agreement and should be read in conjunction with them.
<PAGE>
1. Your contributions must be made to a trust or custodial account for which
the trustee or custodian is either a bank or a person who has been approved
by the Secretary of the Treasury.
2. The Custodian may charge your custodial account for any fees or other
expenses of maintaining your account. The Custodian's fee schedule is also
referred to in Article IX of the Form 5305-RA (1-98), IRA Custodial Account
Agreement and Article VIII of the Form 5305-A (1-98) IRA Custodial Account
Agreement and notice of such fee schedule will be provided to you in an
appropriate manner.
REPORTING EXCESS
CONTRIBUTIONS,
EXCESS ACCUMULATIONS,
and EARLY WITHDRAWALS
TO THE IRS
For any year for which you have an excess contribution, an excess
accumulation, or an early withdrawal (unless the 1099-R you receive correctly
reflects that the distributions meet an exception to the penalty tax), you are
required to report it on Form 5329 with your annual federal income tax return to
the Internal Revenue Service.
The form of this Individual Retirement Account Plan has been approved by
the Internal Revenue Service. The approval, however, is only for the form of the
Plan and does not represent an approval of the merits of the Plan.
For Traditional IRAs:
IRA Form 5305-A (1-98)
SCUDDER INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT CUSTODIAL
ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
(Under Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code)
The Depositor whose name appears on the Scudder IRA Application is
establishing an individual retirement account under section 408(a) to provide
for his or her retirement and for the support of his or her beneficiaries after
death.
The Custodian named on the Application has given the Depositor the
disclosure statement required under Regulations section 1.408-6.
The Depositor has deposited with the Custodian the amount indicated on the
Application in cash. The Depositor and the Custodian make the following
agreement:
ARTICLE I
The Custodian may accept additional cash contributions on behalf of the
Depositor for a tax year of the Depositor. The total cash contributions are
limited to $2,000 for the tax year unless the contribution is a rollover
<PAGE>
contribution described in section 402(c), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), or an
employer contribution to a simplified employee pension plan as described in
section 408(k).
ARTICLE II
The Depositor's interest in the balance in the custodial account is
nonforfeitable.
ARTICLE III
1. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in life insurance
contracts, nor may the assets of the custodial account be commingled with other
property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund (within the
meaning of section 408(a)(5).
2. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in collectables (within
the meaning of section 408(m)), except as otherwise permitted by section
408(m)(3), which provides an exception for certain gold, silver, and platinum
coins issued under the laws of any state, and certain bullion.
ARTICLE IV
1. Notwithstanding any provision of this agreement to the contrary, the
distribution of the Depositor's interest in the custodial account shall be made
in accordance with the following requirements and shall otherwise comply with
section 408(a)(6) and Proposed Regulations section 1.408-8, including the
incidental death benefit provisions of Proposed Regulations section
1.401(a)(9)-2, the provisions of which are incorporated by reference.
2. Unless otherwise elected by the time distributions are required to begin
to the Depositor under paragraph 3, or to the surviving spouse under paragraph
4, other than in the case of a life annuity, life expectancies shall be
recalculated annually. Such election shall be irrevocable as to the Depositor
and to the surviving spouse and shall apply to all subsequent years. The life
expectancy of a non-spouse beneficiary may not be recalculated.
3. The Depositor's entire interest in the custodial account must be, or
begin to be, distributed by the Depositor's required beginning date April 1
following the calendar year end in which the Depositor reaches age 70 1/2. By
that date, the Depositor may elect, in a manner acceptable to the Custodian, to
have the balance in the custodial account distributed in:
(a) A single sum payment.
(b) An annuity contract that provides equal or substantially equal
monthly, quarterly, or annual payments over the life of the Depositor.
(c) An annuity contract that provides equal or substantially equal
monthly, quarterly, or annual payments over the joint and last
survivor lives of the Depositor and his or her designated beneficiary.
(d) Equal or substantially equal annual payments over a specified period
that may not be longer than the Depositor's life expectancy.
<PAGE>
(e) Equal or substantially equal annual payments over a specified period
that may not be longer than the joint life and last survivor
expectancy of the Depositor and his or her designated beneficiary.
4. If the Depositor dies before his or her entire interest is distributed
to him or her, the entire remaining interest will be distributed as follows:
(a) If the Depositor dies on or after distribution of his or her interest
has begun, distribution must continue to be made in accordance with
paragraph 3.
(b) If the Depositor dies before distribution of his or her interest has
begun, the entire remaining interest will at the election of the
Depositor or, if the Depositor has not so elected, at the election of
the beneficiary or beneficiaries, either
(i) Be distributed by the December 31 of the year containing the
fifth anniversary of the Depositor's death, or
(ii) Be distributed in equal or substantially equal payments over the
life or life expectancy of the designated beneficiary or
beneficiaries starting by December 31 of the year following the
year of the Depositor's death. If, however, the beneficiary is
the Depositor's surviving spouse, then this distribution is not
required to begin before December 31 of the year in which the
Depositor would have reached age 70 1/2.
(c) Except where distribution in the form of an annuity meeting the
requirements of section 408(b)(3) and its related regulations has
irrevocably commenced, distributions are treated as having begun on
the Depositor's required beginning date, even though payments may
actually have been made before that date.
(d) If the Depositor dies before his or her entire interest has been
distributed and if the beneficiary is other than the surviving spouse,
no additional cash contributions or rollover contributions may be
accepted in the account.
5. In the case of distribution over life expectancy in equal or
substantially equal annual payments, to determine the minimum annual payment for
each year, divide the Depositor's entire interest in the Custodial account as of
the close of business on December 31 of the preceding year by the life
expectancy of the Depositor (or the joint life and last survivor expectancy of
the Depositor and the Depositor's designated beneficiary, or the life expectancy
of the designated beneficiary, whichever applies). In the case of distributions
under paragraph 3, determine the initial life expectancy (or joint life and last
survivor expectancy) using the attained ages of the Depositor and designated
beneficiary as of their birthdays in the year the Depositor reaches age 70 1/2.
In the case of distribution in accordance with paragraph 4(b)(ii), determine
life expectancy using the attained age of the designated beneficiary as of the
beneficiary's birthday in the year distributions are required to commence.
6. The owner of two or more individual retirement accounts may use the
"Alternative Method" described in Notice 88-38, 1988-1 C.B. 524, to satisfy the
minimum distribution requirements described above. This method permits an
individual to satisfy these requirements by taking from one individual
retirement account the amount required to satisfy the requirement for another.
ARTICLE V
1. The Depositor agrees to provide the Custodian with information necessary
for the Custodian to prepare any reports required under section 408(i) and
Regulations sections 1.408-5 and 1.408-6.
2. The Custodian agrees to submit reports to the Internal Revenue Service
and the Depositor prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE VI
Notwithstanding any other articles which may be added or incorporated, the
provisions of Articles I through III and this sentence will be controlling. Any
additional articles that are not consistent with section 408(a) and related
regulations will be invalid.
ARTICLE VII
This agreement will be amended from time to time to comply with the provisions
of the Code and related regulations. Other amendments may be made with the
consent of the persons whose signatures appear on the Application.
ARTICLE VIII
1. Please refer to the Scudder IRA Application or Scudder Brokerage IRA
Application which is incorporated into this Agreement as this paragraph of
Article VIII.
2. Depositor's Selection of Investments.
Investment Options
The Depositor may only direct the Custodian to invest custodial funds in
investment shares of the Mutual Funds (regulated investment companies for which
Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc., its successor or any affiliates, acts as the
investment adviser and which Scudder Investor Services, Inc., (the
"Distributor") has designated as appropriate for investments in the custodial
account), or in other investments which the Distributor or its successors has
designated as eligible investments for the custodial account.
Investments
As soon as practicable after the Custodian receives the Application, the
Custodian will invest the initial contribution or transfer as the Depositor
directed on the Application in shares of the Mutual Fund(s) or other investments
designated by the Distributor as eligible investments for the custodial account.
With regard to the Mutual Funds listed on the Application and any other Mutual
<PAGE>
Fund, the Depositor understands that neither the Custodian nor the Distributor
endorses the Mutual Funds as suitable investments for the custodial account. In
addition, neither the Custodian nor the Distributor will provide investment
advice to the Depositor. The Depositor assumes all responsibility for the choice
of his or her investments in the custodial account.
The Custodian will invest each subsequent contribution or transfer to the
custodial account as soon as practicable after the Custodian receives the
contribution or transfer, according to the Depositor's instructions for that
subsequent contribution or transfer, in the Mutual Funds or other investment
designated by the Distributor as eligible investments for the custodial account.
If the Depositor's custodial account assets are invested in any Mutual Fund
which terminates or is eliminated, the Custodian will transfer the custodial
account assets in that Mutual Fund to another Mutual Fund designated by the
Distributor unless the Depositor instructs the Custodian otherwise in the manner
required by the Custodian.
If the Custodian receives any investment instructions from the Depositor
which in the opinion of the Custodian are not in good order or are unclear, or
if the Custodian receives any monies from the Depositor which would exceed the
amount that the Depositor may contribute to the custodial account, the Custodian
may hold all or a portion of the monies uninvested pending receipt of written
(or in any other manner permitted by the Distributor) instructions or
clarification. During any such delay the Custodian will not be liable for any
loss of income or appreciation, loss of interest, or for any other loss. The
Custodian may also return all or a portion of the monies to the Depositor.
Again, in such situations, the Custodian will not be liable for any loss.
Unless the Custodian permits otherwise, all dividend and capital gains
distributions received on shares of a Mutual Fund in the custodial account
(unless made in the form of additional shares) will be reinvested in shares of
the same Mutual Fund which paid the distribution, and credited to the custodial
account. All accumulations from other investments will be reinvested in the
Depositor's custodial account according to the Depositor's instructions to the
Custodian which must be in a form acceptable to the Custodian.
The Depositor may change any portion of his or her investment in an
eligible investment to another eligible investment by requesting the change in
the manner the Custodian requires. However, the Distributor reserves the right
to refuse to sell shares of any Mutual Fund when it determines in its own
judgment that the Depositor has made frequent trading in the custodial account.
3. Contributions
All contributions by the Depositor to the custodial account must be in
cash, except for initial contributions of rollovers which may be made in a form
other than cash if permitted by the Distributor.
<PAGE>
The Custodian will designate contributions (other than rollover
contributions) as being made for particular years as requested by the Depositor.
If the Depositor does not designate a year for any contribution, the Custodian
will designate the contribution as being made for a particular year according to
a policy established by the Distributor.
If permitted by the Distributor, the Depositor may make rollover
contributions to the custodial account of deductible employee contributions
which were made to qualified employer or government retirement plans as provided
in Internal Revenue Code Section 72(o).
The Depositor warrants that all contributions to the custodial account,
including any rollover contributions, will be made in accordance with the
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Excess Contributions
If the Depositor exceeds the amount that may be contributed to his or her
custodial account for any year, the Custodian will, upon a proper written
request from the Depositor, either 1) return the excess and any attributable
earnings to the Depositor, or 2) treat the contribution as if it were made for a
later year.
4. Transfers
The Custodian will accept transfers of a cash amount to the custodial
account from another custodian or a trustee of an individual retirement account
or individual retirement annuity upon the Depositor's written direction. The
Custodian will also transfer a cash amount in the custodial account upon the
written request of the Depositor to another custodian or trustee of an
individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity. For such a
transfer, the Custodian may require the written acceptance of the successor
custodian. The Depositor warrants that all transfers to and from the custodial
account will be made in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by the
Internal Revenue Service.
5. Custodian's Fees
The Custodian is entitled to receive reasonable fees for establishing and
maintaining the custodial account. These fees will be set by the Custodian from
time to time.
The Custodian may change its fee schedule upon thirty (30) days' written
notice to the Distributor.
The Custodian has the right to charge the custodial account, including the
right to liquidate Mutual Fund shares or other investments, or to charge the
Depositor for the Custodian's fees, as well as for any income, gift, estate and
inheritances taxes (including any transfer taxes incurred in connection with the
investment or reinvestment of the assets of the custodial account), which are
levied or assessed against the custodial account assets, and for all other
administrative expenses of the Custodian for performing its duties, including
any fees for legal services provided to the Custodian.
<PAGE>
6. Custodial Account
Once the Custodian mails an acknowledgement of its receipt of the
Application to the Depositor, this Agreement will be effective as of the date
the Depositor signed the Application. As soon as practicable after the Custodian
receives the Application, the Custodian will open and maintain a separate
custodial account for the Depositor.
All Mutual Fund shares or other investments in the custodial account will
be registered in the name of the Custodian (with or without identifying the
Depositor) or in the name of the Custodian's nominee. The Custodian will
deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Depositor all notices,
prospectuses, financial statements, proxies and proxy solicitating materials
relating to the Mutual Funds or other investments in the custodial account.
The Custodian will vote shares only according to the Depositor's
instructions on an executed proxy; provided that the Custodian may without
written direction from the Depositor vote shares "present" solely for the
purposes of establishing a quorum.
7. Additional Provisions Regarding the Custodian
According to this Agreement, the Custodian will be an agent for the
Depositor for the custodial account to receive and to invest contributions, and
to hold and to distribute these investments as authorized by the Depositor, and
to keep adequate records and provide reports as required by the Agreement. None
of the parties to this Agreement intend to confer any fiduciary duties on the
Custodian, and no such duties shall be implied.
The Custodian may perform any of its administrative duties through other
persons designated by the Custodian from time to time. However, the custodial
account must be registered in the name of the Custodian or its nominee as
provided in paragraph 6 above.
The Custodian assumes no responsibility or liability for collecting
contributions, for the deductibility or propriety of any contribution made to
the custodial account, or for the purpose or propriety of any distributions made
from the custodial account. Those matters are the sole responsibility of the
Depositor.
The Custodian will keep adequate records of transactions it is required to
perform for the custodial account. The Custodian will provide to the Depositor a
written report or reports reflecting the transactions in the custodial account
over each calendar year and the assets in the custodial account as of the end of
the calendar year.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, as provided in paragraph 10 below,
the Custodian must provide a written report or reports reflecting the
transactions in the custodial account from the last report through the date of
the Custodian's resignation or removal, and the assets in the custodial account
as of the date of the Custodian's resignation or removal.
After providing the end-of-the-year report or the reports from the
Custodian's resignation or removal, the Custodian will be forever released from
all liability and accountability to anyone for its acts or transactions
reflected in the report(s), except those acts or transactions to which the
Depositor (or recipient, if different) has filed a written objection with the
Custodian within 60 days of the date the report was provided to the Depositor or
other recipient.
The Depositor always fully indemnifies the Custodian and will hold it
harmless from any and all liability which may arise from this Agreement, except
that which arises from the Custodian's negligence or willful misconduct. The
Custodian will not be obligated or expected to commence or defend any legal
action or proceeding about this Agreement unless both the Custodian and
Depositor agree and the Custodian will be fully indemnified to its satisfaction.
The Custodian may conclusively rely upon and will be protected from acting
on any written order from or authorized by the Depositor, or any other notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument, paper, or other communication
which the Custodian believes to be genuine and issued in proper form with proper
authority, as long as the Custodian acts in good faith in taking or omitting to
take any action in reliance upon the communication.
Before the Beneficiary has notified the Custodian (in the manner required
by the Custodian) of the Depositor's death, the Custodian will not be
responsible for treating the Beneficiary as if he or she has rights and
obligations under this Agreement.
8. Distributions
This paragraph supplements the information found in Article IV above, and
must be read in conjunction with it.
The Depositor has the responsibility to ensure that he or she will begin to
receive distributions from the custodial account on or before the Required
Beginning Date (i.e., the April 1 following the year in which the Depositor
reaches age 70 1/2). The Depositor also has sole responsibility to initiate
distributions from the custodial account and sole responsibility to ensure that
all distributions are made in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Distribution Requests
The Depositor is responsible for making the distribution requests to the
Custodian sufficiently in advance of any requested or required distribution time
to ensure that the distribution will be made before that requested or required
distribution time.
The Custodian will make distributions from the custodial account only after
receiving a written request from the Depositor (or any other party entitled to
receive the assets of the custodial account) or any other party entitled to
receive the assets of the custodial account. The Custodian will make the
distribution as soon as practicable after it receives the written request.
The Depositor must make the distribution request in the form required by
the Custodian. The distribution
<PAGE>
request must include the form of distribution requested (e.g., lump-sum
distribution or installment payments). The Depositor must provide to the
Custodian any applications, certificates, tax waivers, signature guarantees, and
any other documents (including proof of legal representative's authority) that
the Custodian requires. The Custodian will not be liable for complying with a
distribution request that appears on its face to be genuine, nor will the
Custodian be liable for refusing to comply with a distribution request which the
Custodian is not satisfied is genuine.
If the distribution request is not made in the correct form, the Custodian
is not responsible and will not be liable to the Depositor for any losses while
the Custodian waits for the distribution request to be made in the proper form.
The Depositor also agrees to fully indemnify the Custodian for any losses which
may result from the Custodian's failing to act upon an improperly made
distribution request.
The Depositor may request a distribution of any portion of the custodial
account at any time. However, the Depositor must meet the minimum distribution
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code at all times.
The Custodian does not assume any responsibility for the tax treatment of
any distributions from the custodial account.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in 3.(b.) and (c.) of Article IV
above, the Depositor may not receive distributions from the custodial account in
the form of an annuity.
Designation of Beneficiary
The Depositor may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries (the
"Beneficiary") to receive the assets of the custodial account upon the
Depositor's death. The Depositor must designate his or her Beneficiary to the
Custodian in the manner required by the Custodian.
If the Depositor's Beneficiary is not living at the Depositor's death, the
Depositor's estate is entitled to receive the assets of the custodial account.
In addition, to the extent the Depositor has not effectively disposed of the
assets in the custodial account by his or her designation of Beneficiary, the
Depositor's estate will be entitled to receive the assets of the custodial
account.
If the Depositor's Beneficiary dies after the Depositor, the Beneficiary's
estate will be entitled to receive the assets of the custodial account.
The Depositor may change his or her choice of a Beneficiary at any time by
notifying the Custodian in the manner required by the Custodian. However, if the
Depositor changes his or her Beneficiary after the Required Beginning Date, that
new Beneficiary may decrease the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the
Depositor and his or her Beneficiary for purposes of installment payments paid
over the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the Depositor and his or her
Beneficiary.
Before the Depositor's death, the Depositor's Beneficiary has no right or
power to anticipate any part of the custodial account, or to sell, assign,
<PAGE>
transfer, pledge, or hypothecate any part of the account. In addition, the
Custodial account will not be liable for any debts of the Depositor's
Beneficiary or, except as required by law, subject to attachment, execution, or
any other legal process.
Election to Have Life Expectancy Recalculated
For installment payments to be made over the Depositor's life expectancy,
the Depositor may make an election to have the Custodian annually recalculate
his or her life expectancy, and the life expectancy of the Depositor's spouse,
if applicable.
The Depositor must make the election to have the Custodian recalculate no
later than his or her Required Beginning Date. The Depositor must make this
election in the manner required by the Custodian.
If the depositor does not elect to have the Custodian recalculate life
expectancy, the Custodian will not recalculate the life expectancy.
9. Amendment
This paragraph supplements the information found in Article VII above, and
must be read in conjunction with it.
If the Distributor amends this Agreement, it must provide a written notice
of the amendment to both the Depositor and the Custodian. The Depositor will be
considered to have consented to the Distributor's amendment 30 days after the
Distributor has mailed the notice to the Depositor unless within that 30-day
period the Depositor gives the Custodian a proper written order for a lump-sum
distribution. The Custodian will be considered to have consented to the
Distributor's amendment unless it notifies the Distributor otherwise within 30
days after the Distributor has mailed (or otherwise delivered) the notice to the
Custodian.
The Custodian may change its fee schedule, as provided in paragraph 5
above, without having to amend this Agreement.
10. Resignation or Removal of Custodian
The Custodian may resign at any time by giving at least 30 days' written
notice to the Distributor. The Distributor may remove the Custodian at any time
by giving at least 30 days' written notice to the Custodian.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, the Distributor must either appoint
a successor custodian to serve under this Agreement or notify the Depositor that
he or she must appoint a successor custodian. The successor custodian must
provide a written acceptance of its appointment as successor custodian to the
Custodian. Upon receiving this written acceptance, the Custodian must transfer
to the successor custodian all of the assets and records of the custodial
account.
The Custodian may reserve a portion of the custodial account assets to pay
for any fees, compensation, costs, expenses, or for any liabilities constituting
a charge on or against the Custodian. If any assets remain after paying these
<PAGE>
items, the Custodian will pay the remainder to the successor custodian.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, and the Distributor or the
Depositor has not appointed a successor custodian within 30 days after the
Custodian's resignation or removal (or a longer period, if the Custodian
agrees), the Custodian will terminate this Agreement as provided in paragraph
11, below.
After the Custodian has transferred the custodial account assets to the
successor custodian, the Custodian is relieved of any further liability for this
Agreement, the custodial account, and the custodial account assets.
The Custodian or any successor custodian appointed to serve under this
Agreement, must be either 1) a bank as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section
408(n), or 2) such other person who qualifies to serve as prescribed by Internal
Revenue Code Section 408(a)(2) and satisfies the Distributor and the Custodian
that he or she qualifies.
11. Termination of Agreement
As provided in paragraph 10, above, the Custodian will terminate the
Agreement if the Distributor or the Depositor has not appointed a successor
custodian within the specified time after the Custodian resigns or is removed.
If this Agreement is terminated, the Custodian will distribute the custodial
account assets in kind or cash to the Depositor. The Custodian may reserve a
portion of the assets as provided in paragraph 10.
The Depositor may terminate this Agreement at any time by taking a lump-sum
distribution of his or her investment in the custodial account.
After this Agreement has been terminated, it will have no further force and
effect, and the Custodian is relieved of any further liability for this
Agreement, the custodial account, and the custodial account assets.
12. Liquidation of Custodial Account
The Distributor has the right to direct the Custodian by a written order to
liquidate the custodial account if the value of the account is below a minimum
level established from time to time by the Distributor on a nondiscriminatory
basis. Once the Custodian receives a written liquidation order from the
Distributor, the Custodian will liquidate the assets in the custodial account as
soon as practicable and distribute the proceeds to the Depositor in a lump sum
in cash or in kind. The Custodian may reserve a portion of the account to pay
for any fees, compensation, costs or expenses, or for any liabilities
constituting a charge on or against the Custodian. If any assets remain after
paying these items, the Custodian will pay the remainder to the Depositor.
If the custodial account is liquidated as provided above, neither the
Distributor nor the Custodian will be responsible or liable for any penalty or
loss incurred by anyone because of the liquidation. In addition, after the
account is liquidated, both the Distributor and the Custodian will be relieved
from any further liability for this Agreement, the custodial account, and the
custodial account assets.
13. Miscellaneous
Any reference in this Agreement to Internal Revenue Code means the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any future successors.
Except as provided in the next sentence, any references to "Depositor" in
this Agreement will apply to the Depositor's Beneficiary if the Depositor is
deceased. The references to the "Depositor" in paragraphs 3, 4, and 8 of this
Article VIII will apply to the Depositor's Beneficiary only if the Depositor is
deceased, the Depositor's Beneficiary is the Depositor's surviving spouse, and
the surviving spouse elects to treat the custodial account as his or her own. If
the spouse does elect to treat the custodial account as his or her own, as
discussed in the preceding sentence, references to "Depositor" in Articles I
through VII will apply to the spouse as the Depositor's Beneficiary.
Unless specifically designated otherwise in this Agreement, any notice or
report that the Custodian must provide to any person by reason of this Agreement
will be considered to have been provided by the Custodian as of the date it is
sent by first-class mail to the person at his or her most recent address on the
Custodian's records.
To the extent permitted by law, the Custodian may, at its election and upon
the written instructions of the Depositor, pay investment adviser fees from the
Depositor's custodial accounts.
This Agreement is accepted by the Custodian in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and will be constructed and administered in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This Agreement is intended to qualify under Section 408 of the Internal
Revenue Code as an Individual Retirement Account, and under Section 219 of the
Internal Revenue Code for any tax-deductibility and limitations of contributions
made to the IRA. If any language or provision of this Agreement can be
interpreted in more than one way, the interpretation of the language or
provision that is consistent with the intention of this Agreement will control.
However, the Custodian and the Mutual Funds (or any company associated with
them) will not be responsible for guaranteeing that the intentions of this
Agreement are met through the use of this Agreement. The Depositor should
consult his or her own attorney for any assurances that the intentions of the
Agreement will be met through the use of this Agreement.
For Roth IRAs: Form 5305-RA (1-98)
SCUDDER ROTH INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT
CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
(Under section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code)
The Depositor whose name appears on the Scudder IRA application or Scudder
Brokerage IRA application is establishing a Roth individual retirement account
(Roth IRA) under Section 408A to provide for his or her retirement and for the
<PAGE>
support of his or her beneficiaries after death. The Custodian named on the
Application has given the Depositor the disclosure statement required under
Regulations Section 1.408-6. The Depositor has deposited with the Custodian the
amount indicated on the Application in cash. The Depositor and the Custodian
make the following agreement:
ARTICLE I
1. If this Roth IRA is not designated as a Roth Conversion IRA, then,
except in the case of a rollover contribution described in Section 408A(e), the
custodian will accept only cash contributions and only up to a maximum amount of
$2,000 for any tax year of the depositor.
2. If this Roth IRA is designated as a Roth Conversion IRA, no
contributions other than IRA Conversion Contributions made during the same tax
year will be accepted.
ARTICLE II
The $2,000 limit described in Article I is gradually reduced to $0 between
certain levels of adjusted gross income (AGI). For a single depositor, the
$2,000 annual contribution is phased out between AGI of $95,000 and $110,000;
for a married depositor who files jointly, between AGI $150,000 and $160,000;
and for a married depositor who files separately, between $0 and $10,000. In the
case of a conversion, the custodian will not accept IRA Conversion Contributions
in a tax year if the depositor's AGI for that tax year exceeds $100,000 or if
the depositor is married and files a separate return. Adjusted gross income is
defined in section 408A(c)(3) and does not include IRA Conversion Contributions.
ARTICLE III
The depositor's interest in the balance in the custodial account is
nonforfeitable.
ARTICLE IV
1. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in life insurance
contracts, nor may the assets of the custodial account be commingled with other
property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund (within the
meaning of section 408(a)(5)).
2. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in collectibles (within
the meaning of section 408(m)), except as otherwise permitted by section
408(m)(3), which provides an exception for certain gold, silver and platinum
coins, coins issued under the laws of any state, and certain bullion.
ARTICLE V
1. If the depositor dies before his or her entire interest is distributed
to him or her and the grantor's surviving spouse is not the sole beneficiary,
the entire remaining interest will, at the election of the depositor or, if the
depositor has not so elected, at the election of the beneficiary or
beneficiaries, either:
(a) Be distributed by December 31 of the year containing the fifth
anniversary of the depositor's death, or
(b) Be distributed over the life expectancy of the designated beneficiary
starting no later than December 31 of the year following the year of
the depositor's death. If distributions do not begin by the date
described in (b), distribution method (a) will apply.
2. In the case of distribution method 1.(b) above, to determine the minimum
annual payment for each year, divide the grantor's entire interest in the trust
as of the close of business on December 31 of the preceding year by the life
expectancy of the designated beneficiary using the attained age of the
designated beneficiary as of the beneficiary's birthday in the year
distributions are required to commence and subtract 1 for each subsequent year.
3. If the depositor's spouse is the sole beneficiary on the depositor's
date of death, such spouse will then be treated as the depositor.
ARTICLE VI
1.The depositor agrees to provide the custodian with information necessary
for the custodian to prepare any reports required under sections 408(i) and
408A(d)(3)(E), Regulations sections 1.408-5 and 1.408-6, and under guidance
published by the Internal Revenue Service.
2.The Custodian agrees to submit reports to the Internal Revenue Service
and the depositor prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE VII
Notwithstanding any other articles which may be added or incorporated, the
provisions of Articles I through IV and this sentence will be controlling. Any
additional articles that are not consistent with Section 408A, the related
regulations, and other published guidance will be invalid.
ARTICLE VIII
This agreement will be amended from time to time to comply with the
provisions of the code, related regulations, and other published guidance. Other
Amendments may be made with the consent of the persons whose signatures appear
on the application.
ARTICLE IX
1. Please refer to the Scudder IRA Application or Scudder Brokerage IRA
Application, which is incorporated into this Agreement as this paragraph of
Article IX.
2. Depositor's Selection of Investments
<PAGE>
Investment Options
The Depositor may only direct the Custodian to invest custodial funds in
investment shares of the Mutual Funds (regulated investment companies for which
Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc., its successor or any affiliates, acts as the
investment adviser and which Scudder Investor Services, Inc., (the
"Distributor") has designated as appropriate for investments in the custodial
account), or in other investments which the Distributor or its successors has
designated as eligible investments for the custodial account.
Investments
As soon as practicable after the Custodian receives the Application, the
Custodian will invest the initial contribution or transfer as the Depositor
directed on the Application in shares of the Mutual Fund(s) or other investments
designated by the Distributor as eligible investments for the custodial account.
With regard to the Mutual Funds listed on the Application and any other Mutual
Fund, the Depositor understands that neither the Custodian nor the Distributor
endorses the Mutual Funds as suitable investments for the custodial account. In
addition, the Custodian (and the Distributor, unless the Distributor otherwise
agrees) will not provide investment advice to the Depositor. The Depositor
assumes all responsibility for the choice of his or her investments in the
custodial account.
The Custodian will invest each subsequent contribution or transfer to the
custodial account as soon as practicable after the Custodian receives the
contribution or transfer, according to the Depositor's instructions for that
subsequent contribution or transfer, in the Mutual Funds or other investment
designated by the Distributor as eligible investments for the custodial account.
If the Depositor's custodial account assets are invested in any Mutual Fund
which terminates or is eliminated, the Custodian will transfer the custodial
account assets in that Mutual Fund to another Mutual Fund designated by the
Distributor unless the Depositor instructs the Custodian otherwise in the manner
required by the Custodian.
If the Custodian receives any investment instructions from the Depositor
which in the opinion of the Custodian are not in good order or are unclear, or
if the Custodian receives any monies from the Depositor which would exceed the
amount that the Depositor may contribute to the custodial account, the Custodian
may hold all or a portion of the monies uninvested pending receipt of written
(or in any other manner permitted by the Distributor) instructions or
clarification. During any such delay the Custodian will not be liable for any
loss of income or appreciation, loss of interest, or for any other loss. The
Custodian may also return all or a portion of the monies to the Depositor.
Again, in such situations, the Custodian will not be liable for any loss.
Unless the Custodian permits otherwise, all dividend and capital gains
distributions received on shares of a Mutual Fund in the custodial account
(unless made in the form of additional shares) will be reinvested in shares of
the same Mutual Fund which paid the distribution, and credited to the custodial
account. All accumulations from other investments will be reinvested in the
Depositor's custodial account according to the Depositor's instructions to the
Custodian which must be in a form acceptable to the Custodian.
The Depositor may change any portion of his or her investment in an
eligible investment to another eligible investment by requesting the change in
the manner the Custodian requires. However, the Distributor reserves the right
to refuse to sell shares of any Mutual Fund when it determines in its own
judgment that the Depositor has made frequent trading in the custodial account.
3. Contributions
All contributions by the Depositor to the custodial account must be in
cash, except for initial contributions of rollovers which may be made in a form
other than cash if permitted by the Distributor.
The Custodian will designate contributions (other than rollover
contributions) as being made for particular years as requested by the Depositor.
If the Depositor does not designate a year for any contribution, the Custodian
will designate the contribution as being made for a particular year according to
a policy established by the Distributor.
If permitted by the Distributor, the Depositor may make rollover
contributions to the custodial account of deductible employee contributions
which were made to qualified employer or government retirement plans as provided
in Internal Revenue Code Section 72(o).
The Depositor warrants that all contributions to the custodial account,
including any rollover contributions, will be made in accordance with the
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Excess Contributions
If the Depositor exceeds the amount that may be contributed to his or her
custodial account for any year, the Custodian will apply such amount as is
allowed by law.
4. Transfers
The Custodian will accept transfers to the custodial account of investments
which the Distributor or its successors have designated as eligible investments
for the custodial account from another custodian or trustee of an individual
retirement account or individual retirement annuity upon the Depositor's
direction. The Custodian will also transfer amounts in the custodial account
upon the request in writing, or in such other manner as agreed upon by the
Custodian, of the Depositor to another custodian or trustee of an individual
retirement account or individual retirement annuity. For such a transfer, the
Custodian may require the written acceptance of the successor custodian. The
Depositor warrants that all transfers to and from the custodial account will be
<PAGE>
made in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by the Internal Revenue
Service.
5. Custodian's Fees
The Custodian is entitled to receive reasonable fees for establishing and
maintaining the custodial account. These fees will be set by the Custodian from
time to time.
The Custodian may change its fee schedule upon thirty (30) days' written
notice to the Distributor.
The Custodian has the right to charge the custodial account, including the
right to liquidate Mutual Fund shares or other investments, or to charge the
Depositor for the Custodian's fees, as well as for any income, gift, estate, and
inheritance taxes (including any transfer taxes incurred in connection with the
investment or reinvestment of the assets of the custodial account), which are
levied or assessed against the custodial account assets, and for all other
administrative expenses of the Custodian for performing its duties, including
any fees for legal services provided to the Custodian.
6. Custodial Account
Once the Custodian mails an acknowledgment of its receipt of the
Application to the Depositor, this Agreement will be effective as of the date
the Depositor signed the Application. As soon as practicable after the Custodian
receives the Application, the Custodian will open and maintain a separate
custodial account for the Depositor.
All Mutual Fund shares or other investments in the custodial account will
be registered in the name of the Custodian (with or without identifying the
Depositor) or in the name of the Custodian's nominee. The Custodian or its agent
will deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Depositor all
notices, prospectuses, financial statements, proxies, and proxy soliciting
materials which the Custodian or its agent receives which relate to the Mutual
Funds or other investments in the custodial account. The Custodian or its agent
will vote shares only according to the Depositor's instructions on an executed
proxy, provided that the Custodian may without written direction from the
Depositor vote shares "present" solely for purposes of establishing a quorum.
7. Additional Provisions Regarding the Custodian
According to this Agreement, the Custodian will be an agent for the
Depositor for the custodial account to receive and to invest contributions, and
to hold and to distribute these investments as authorized by the Depositor, and
to keep adequate records and provide reports as required by the Agreement. None
of the parties to this Agreement intend to confer any fiduciary duties on the
Custodian, and no such duties shall be implied.
The Custodian may perform any of its administrative duties through other
persons designated by the Custodian from time to time. However, the custodial
account must be registered in the name of the Custodian or its nominee as
provided in paragraph 6 above.
The Custodian assumes no responsibility or liability for collecting
contributions, for the deductibility or propriety of any contribution made to
the custodial account, or for the purpose or propriety of any distributions made
from the custodial account. Those matters are the sole responsibility of the
Depositor.
The Custodian will keep adequate records of transactions it is required to
perform for the custodial account. The Custodian will provide to the Depositor a
written report or reports reflecting the transactions in the custodial account
over each calendar year and the assets in the custodial account as of the end of
the calendar year.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, as provided in paragraph 10 below,
the Custodian must provide a written report or reports reflecting the
transactions in the custodial account from the last report through the date of
the Custodian's resignation or removal, and the assets in the custodial account
as of the date of the Custodian's resignation or removal.
After providing the end-of-the-year report or the reports from the
Custodian's resignation or removal, the Custodian will be forever released from
all liability and accountability to anyone for its acts or transactions
reflected in the report(s), except those acts or transactions to which the
Depositor (or recipient, if different) has filed a written objection with the
Custodian within 60 days of the date the report was provided to the Depositor or
other recipient.
The Depositor always fully indemnifies the Custodian and will hold it
harmless from any and all liability which may arise from this Agreement, except
that which arises from the Custodian's negligence or willful misconduct. The
Custodian will not be obligated or expected to commence or defend any legal
action or proceeding about this Agreement unless both the Custodian and
Depositor agree and the Custodian will be fully indemnified to its satisfaction.
The Custodian may conclusively rely upon and will be protected from acting
on any written order from or authorized by the Depositor, or any other notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument, paper, or other communication
which the Custodian believes to be genuine and issued in proper form with proper
authority, as long as the Custodian acts in good faith in taking or omitting to
take any action in reliance upon the communication.
Before the Beneficiary has notified the Custodian (in the manner required
by the Custodian) of the Depositor's death, the Custodian will not be
responsible for treating the Beneficiary as if he or she has rights and
obligations under this Agreement.
8. Distributions
This paragraph supplements the information found in Article V above, and
must be read in conjunction with it.
The Depositor has sole responsibility to initiate distributions from the
custodial account and sole responsibility to ensure that all distributions are
made in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
<PAGE>
Distribution Requests
The Depositor* is responsible for making the distribution requests to the
Custodian sufficiently in advance of any requested or required distribution time
to ensure that the distribution will be made before that requested or required
distribution time.
The Custodian will make distributions from the custodial account only after
receiving a request in writing, or in such other manner as agreed upon by the
Custodian, from the Depositor*. The Custodian will make the distribution as soon
as practicable after it receives the request in writing, or in such other manner
as agreed upon by the Custodian.
The Depositor* must make the distribution request in the form required by
the Custodian. The distribution request must include the form of distribution
requested (e.g., lump-sum distribution or installment payments). The Depositor*
must provide to the Custodian any applications, certificates, tax waivers,
signature guarantees and any other documents (including proof of legal
representative's authority) that the Custodian requires. The Custodian will not
be liable for complying with a distribution request that appears on its face to
be genuine, nor will the Custodian be liable for refusing to comply with a
distribution request which the Custodian is not satisfied is genuine.
If the distribution request is not made in the correct form, the Custodian
is not responsible and will not be liable to the Depositor* for any losses while
the Custodian waits for the distribution request to be made in the proper form.
The Depositor* also agrees to fully indemnify the Custodian for any losses which
may result from the Custodian's failing to act upon an improperly made
distribution request.
The Depositor* may request a distribution of any portion of the custodial
account at any time.
The Custodian does not assume any responsibility for the tax treatment of
any distributions from the custodial account.
* or any other party entitled to receive the assets of the custodial
account
Designation of Beneficiary
The Depositor may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries (the
"Beneficiary") to receive the assets of the custodial account upon the
Depositor's death. The Depositor must designate his or her Beneficiary to the
Custodian in the manner required by the Custodian.
If the Depositor's Beneficiary is not living at the Depositor's death, the
Depositor's estate is entitled to receive the assets of the custodial account.
In addition, to the extent the Depositor has not effectively disposed of the
assets in the custodial account by his or her designation of beneficiary, the
Depositor's estate will be entitled to receive the assets of the custodial
account.
If the Depositor's Beneficiary dies after the Depositor, the Beneficiary's
estate will be entitled to receive the assets of the custodial account.
The Depositor may change his or her choice of a Beneficiary at any time by
notifying the Custodian in the manner required by the Custodian.
Before the Depositor's death, the Depositor's Beneficiary has no right or
power to anticipate any part of the custodial account, or to sell, assign,
transfer, pledge, or hypothecate any part of the account. In addition, the
Custodial account will not be liable for any debts of the Depositor's
Beneficiary or, except as required by law, subject to attachment, execution, or
any other legal process.
Election to Have Life Expectancy Recalculated
For installment payments to be made over the Depositor's life expectancy,
the Depositor may make an election to have the Custodian annually recalculate
his or her life expectancy, and the life expectancy of the Depositor's spouse,
if applicable. The Depositor must make this election in the manner required by
the Custodian.
If the Depositor does not elect to have the Custodian recalculate life
expectancy, the Custodian will not recalculate the life expectancy of any other
party entitled to receive the assets of the custodial account.
9. Amendment
This paragraph supplements the information found in Article VIII above, and
must be read in conjunction with it.
If the Distributor amends this Agreement, it must provide a written notice
of the amendment to both the Depositor and the Custodian. The Depositor will be
considered to have consented to the Distributor's amendment 30 days after the
Distributor has mailed the notice to the Depositor unless within that 30-day
period the Depositor gives the Custodian a proper request in writing, or in such
other manner as agreed upon by the Custodian, for a lump-sum distribution. The
Custodian will be considered to have consented to the Distributor's amendment
unless it notifies the Distributor otherwise within 30 days after the
Distributor has mailed (or otherwise delivered) the notice to the Custodian.
The Custodian may change its fee schedule, as provided in paragraph 5
above, without having to amend this Agreement.
10. Resignation or Removal of Custodian
The Custodian may resign at any time by giving at least 30 days' written
notice to the Distributor. The Distributor may remove the Custodian at any time
by giving at least 30 days' written notice to the Custodian.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, the Distributor must either appoint
a successor custodian to serve under this Agreement or notify the Depositor that
he or she must appoint a successor custodian. The successor custodian must
provide a written acceptance of its appointment as successor custodian to the
<PAGE>
Custodian. Upon receiving this written acceptance, the Custodian must transfer
to the successor custodian all of the assets and records of the custodial
account.
The Custodian may reserve a portion of the custodial account assets to pay
for any fees, compensation, costs, expenses, or for any liabilities constituting
a charge on or against the Custodian. If any assets remain after paying these
items, the Custodian will pay the remainder to the successor custodian.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, and the Distributor or the
Depositor has not appointed a successor custodian within 30 days after the
Custodian's resignation or removal (or a longer period, if the Custodian
agrees), the Custodian will terminate this Agreement as provided in paragraph
11, below.
After the Custodian has transferred the custodial account assets to the
successor custodian, the Custodian is relieved of any further liability for this
Agreement, the custodial account, and the custodial account assets.
The Custodian or any successor custodian appointed to serve under this
Agreement must be either 1) a bank as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section
408(n), or 2) such other person who qualifies to serve as prescribed by Internal
Revenue Code Section 408(a)(2) and satisfies the Distributor and the Custodian
that he or she qualifies.
11. Termination of Agreement
As provided in paragraph 10, above, the Custodian will terminate the
Agreement if the Distributor or the Depositor has not appointed a successor
custodian within the specified time after the Custodian resigns or is removed.
If this Agreement is terminated, the Custodian will distribute the custodial
account assets in kind or cash to the Depositor. The Custodian may reserve a
portion of the assets as provided in paragraph 10.
The Depositor may terminate this Agreement at any time by taking a lump-sum
distribution of his or her investment in the custodial account.
After this Agreement has been terminated, it will have no further force and
effect, and the Custodian is relieved of any further liability for this
Agreement, the custodial account, and the custodial account assets.
12. Liquidation of Custodial Account
The Distributor has the right to direct the Custodian by a request in
writing, or in such other manner as agreed upon by the Custodian, to liquidate
the custodial account if the value of the account is below a minimum level
established from time to time by the Distributor on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Once the Custodian receives a request in writing, or in such other manner as
agreed upon by the Custodian, from the Distributor, the Custodian will liquidate
the assets in the custodial account as soon as practicable and distribute the
proceeds to the Depositor in a lump sum in cash or in kind. The Custodian may
reserve a portion of the account to pay for any fees, compensation, costs or
expenses, or for any liabilities constituting a charge on or against the
Custodian. If any assets remain after paying these items, the Custodian will pay
the remainder to the Depositor.
If the custodial account is liquidated as provided above, neither the
Distributor nor the Custodian will be responsible or liable for any penalty or
loss incurred by anyone because of the liquidation. In addition, after the
account is liquidated, both the Distributor and the Custodian will be relieved
from any further liability for this Agreement, the custodial account, and the
custodial account assets.
13. Miscellaneous
Any references in this Agreement to Internal Revenue Code mean the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any future successors.
Except as provided in the next sentence, any references to "Depositor" in
this Agreement will apply to the Depositor's Beneficiary if the Depositor is
deceased. The references to the "Depositor" in paragraphs 3, 4, and 8 of this
Article IX will apply to the Depositor's Beneficiary only if the Depositor is
deceased, the Depositor's Beneficiary is the Depositor's surviving spouse, and
the surviving spouse elects to treat the custodial account as his or her own. If
the spouse does elect to treat the custodial account as his or her own, as
discussed in the preceding sentence, references to "Depositor" in Articles I
through VIII will apply to the spouse as the Depositor's Beneficiary. (Note,
this highlighted information overrides otherwise conflicting information found
in Article V.3 of this Agreement.)
Unless specifically designated otherwise in this Agreement, any notice or
report that the Custodian must provide to any person by reason of this Agreement
will be considered to have been provided by the Custodian as of the date it is
sent by first-class mail to the person at his or her most recent address on the
Custodian's records.
To the extent permitted by law, the Custodian may, at its election and upon
the written instructions of the Depositor, pay investment adviser fees from the
Depositor's custodial accounts.
This Agreement is accepted by the Custodian in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and will be constructed and administered in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This Agreement is intended to qualify under Section 408 of the Internal
Revenue Code as an Individual Retirement Account, and under Section 219 of the
Internal Revenue Code for any tax-deductibility and limitations of contributions
made to the IRA. If any language or provision of this Agreement can be
interpreted in more than one way, the interpretation of the language or
provision that is consistent with the intention of this Agreement will control.
However, the Custodian and the Mutual Funds (or any company associated with
them) will not be responsible for guaranteeing that the intentions of this
Agreement are met through the use of this Agreement. The Depositor should
consult his or her own attorney for any assurances that the intentions of the
Agreement will be met through the use of this Agreement.
