December 29, 2000
FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
PROSPECTUS
FREMONT NEW ERA VALUE FUND
Like all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved
or disapproved these securities, nor has it passed on the accuracy or adequacy
of this prospectus. It is a criminal offense to represent otherwise.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY.........................................................3
MAIN RISKS.....................................................................3
PERFORMANCE....................................................................4
FEES AND EXPENSES..............................................................4
EXAMPLE........................................................................5
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT...........................................................5
GENERAL RISKS..................................................................5
ABOUT THE ADVISOR..............................................................7
TYPES OF ACCOUNTS AVAILABLE....................................................8
HOW TO INVEST..................................................................9
HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES.......................................................11
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS, AND TAXES...........................................16
INVESTMENT TERMS..............................................................19
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OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL STRATEGY
The Fremont New Era Value Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
in value stocks of large U.S. corporations. The Fund's investment process
incorporates a modernized investment methodology called Relative Value
Discipline to introduce a "new era" in value investing.
Unlike traditional value investing, this new discipline screens all large cap
stocks - including those that do not pay dividends - to identify those that are
relatively undervalued. Normally, the Fund will invest at least 65% of the its
total assets in these large cap stocks.
Fund management follows their Relative Value Discipline to select stocks for the
portfolio:
* Fund management looks at a stock's dividend yield or price-to-sales ratio
compared to the market and its own price history.
* Stocks identified as undervalued are then examined to compare the strength
of their business models and key financial indicators. This research may
also include communication with corporate executives regarding the firm's
plans, strategies and future outlook.
Stocks are normally purchased when prices are low and the valuation discipline
indicates value while sales occur when the valuation discipline demonstrates
overvaluation.
MAIN RISKS
The Fund is designed for investors who understand the risk of investing in
stocks and realize that the value of the Fund's investments and its shares may
decline due to a drop in the stock markets. These changes may occur over long or
short periods of time, and may cause the Fund's shares to be worth more or less
than they were at the time of purchase.
Because the Fund's portfolio managers actively buy and sell securities of the
Fund, investors are subject to the risk that the investment decisions may
increase the potential for a loss, especially over short periods.
As a non-diversified fund, the Fund may make larger investments in individual
companies. Therefore, the Fund's share price may fluctuate more than the share
price of a diversified fund. Also, the value of an individual security or
particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and
can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. There is the
risk that you may lose money on your investment. For more information on this
and other investment risks, please turn to page XX.
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PERFORMANCE
The Fund's total return bar chart and performance table will be provided once
the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations.
FEES AND EXPENSES
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and
hold shares of the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES+ None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS
Management Fees 0.75%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None
Other Expenses+++ 0.88%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.63%
Less: Fees waived and Reimbursed+++ 0.43%
Net Operating Expenses 1.20%
+ The Transfer Agent charges a $10 service fee on wire redemptions.
+++ Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
+++ The Advisor is indefinitely obligated by contract to limit the Fund's
expenses to 1.20%. However, this limit may be changed with the approval of
the Board of Directors.
EXAMPLE
The example below is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this
fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Your actual costs may be
higher or lower.
FREMONT VALUE FUND
1 YEAR 3 YEARS
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$122 $381
This example assumes:
* That you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, and
then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.
* That your investment has a 5% return each year and all dividends are
reinvested.
* That the Fund's operating expenses remain the same.
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PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fremont New Era Value Fund is managed by Fremont Investment Advisors, Inc.
Nancy Tengler, President and Chief Investment Officer, is the portfolio manager
of the Fund. The Fund is co-managed by Noel DeDora, Managing Director and Senior
Portfolio Manager.
Prior to joining Fremont Investment Advisors, Inc in October, 2000, Ms. Tengler
founded Global Alliance Value Investors, Ltd. in 1997 and served as the
President and Chief Investment Officer. From 1994 to 1997, she was Managing
Director and Head of the Value Equities Group of UBS Asset Management (NY) Inc.
in San Francisco.
Mr. DeDora was Executive Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Global
Alliance Value Investors, Ltd., from 1997 to October 2000. From 1994 to 1997,
Mr. DeDora was Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at UBS Asset
Management (NY) Inc. in San Francisco
What is a stock's "dividend yield"?
A dividend yield is the annual dividend that a stock pays, shown as a percentage
of its current share price. The dividend yield percentage is one measure that a
fund manager may use to determine whether a stock is undervalued.
UNDERSTANDING INVESTMENT RISK
GENERAL RISKS OF INVESTING
The following are general risk associated with investing. These risk should be
taken into consideration in addition to the Principal Risk discussed on page XX
before making an investment decision.
* Liquidity Risk: From time-to-time, certain Fund investments may be
illiquid, or difficult to sell, and this could affect performance. If, for
example, the Fund is not able to sell certain stocks or bonds at the
desired time and price, this may limit its ability to buy other securities.
* Portfolio Turnover: The Fund generally intends to purchase securities for
long-term investment rather than short-term gains. However, a security may
be held for a shorter than expected period of time if, among other things,
the manager needs to raise cash or feels that the investment has served its
purpose. Also, stocks or bonds may be sold sooner than anticipated due to
unexpected changes in the markets, or in the company that issued the
securities. Portfolio turnover rates are generally not a factor in making
buy and sell decisions. A high portfolio turnover rate may result in higher
costs relating to brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other
transaction costs, which may adversely affect Fund performance. The sale of
securities may also create taxable capital gains.
* Temporary Defensive Measures: From time-to-time, the Fund may invest a
portion of its assets in money market securities as a temporary defensive
measure. Of course, the Fund cannot pursue its stated investment objective
while taking defensive measures.
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ABOUT THE ADVISOR
Fremont Investment Advisors, Inc. (referred to in this prospectus as the
"Advisor"), located at 333 Market Street, Suite 2600, San Francisco, California,
provides the Fremont New Era Value Fund with investment management and
administrative services. The Advisor was formed in 1986 by a group of investment
professionals that served as the in-house investment management team for Bechtel
Group, Inc., the global engineering firm.
These professionals have provided investment management services to the Bechtel
Retirement Plan and the Bechtel Foundation since 1978. The Advisor now manages
investments for institutions and individuals, in addition to continuing to
service the Bechtel Group.
For its services, the Fund pays the Advisor a monthly management fee based upon
its average daily net assets at the annual rate of 0.75%.
In 1996, Fremont Mutual Funds and the Advisor obtained from the Securities and
Exchange Commission an order that permits the Advisor to hire and terminate
sub-advisors, and modify sub-advisory agreements without the prior approval of
shareholders. Fremont Mutual Funds' Board of Directors reviews and approves the
hiring of new sub-advisors. If the Advisor hires a new sub-advisor or materially
changes a sub-advisory agreement, the Advisor will notify shareholders of all
changes including sub-advisory fees.
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TYPES OF ACCOUNTS AVAILABLE
Once you choose the mutual funds that are right for you, you should choose the
type of account you want to invest in. Fremont offers a variety of accounts
designed for your investment needs. Review the types of accounts described below
to find the account type that is best for you.
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ACCOUNT TYPE PURPOSE DESCRIPTION
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INDIVIDUAL For your general investment needs. Individual accounts are owned by one person.
JOINT TENANTS For the general investment needs of two or Joint tenant accounts are owned by more than
more people. one person.
GIFT TO MINOR To invest for a minor's education or other Gift or Transfer to Minor (UGMA/UTMA)
future needs. custodial accounts provide a way to invest on
behalf of a minor.
TRUST For money being invested by a trust, employee The trust or plan must be established before
benefit plan, or profit-sharing plan. an account can be opened.
CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP For investment needs of corporations, You will need to provide a certified
OR OTHER ENTITY associations, partnerships, institutions, or corporate resolution with your application.
other groups.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS These accounts require a specific application. To order, call 800-548-4539 (press 1).
TRADITIONAL IRA Allows you to make deductible or This type of retirement account allows anyone
non-deductible contributions to your under age 70 1/2 with earned income to save
retirement account, and defer paying taxes on up to $2,000 per tax year. If your spouse has
your earnings until after you withdraw the less than $2,000 in earned income, he or she
money from your account - usually after may still contribute up to $2,000 to an IRA,
retirement. as long as you and your spouse's combined
earned income is at least $4,000.
ROTH IRA Allows you to make non-deductible Single taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income
contributions to your retirement account (AGI) up to $95,000 per year, and married
today, and withdraw your earnings tax-free couples with AGI up to $150,000 per year, may
after you are 59 1/2 and have had the account contribute up to $2,000 each, or $4,000 per
for at least five years. couple, respectively, per tax year
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE Allows owners and employees of small SEP-IRAs allow small business owners or those
PENSION PLAN (SEP-IRA) businesses with fewer than five employees to with self-employment income to make
invest tax-deferred for retirement. tax-deductible contributions of up to 15% of
the first $160,000 of compensation per year
for themselves and any eligible employees.
SIMPLE IRA Allows owners and employees of small This type of IRA must be established by an
businesses with 5 to 99 participants to employer (including a self-employed person).
invest tax-deferred for retirement. Simple IRAs enable all employees of the
employer to invest up to $6,000 of pre-tax contribution for each employee who elects to
income, deferring taxes until retirement. The contribute.
employer is also generally required to make a
OTHER RETIREMENT PLANS A Fremont Mutual Fund may be used as an
investment in many other kinds of
employer-sponsored retirement plans. All of
these accounts need to be established by the
trustee of the plan.
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HOW TO INVEST
There are a number of ways to invest with Fremont. THE MINIMUM INITIAL
INVESTMENT IS $2,000 FOR A REGULAR ACCOUNT AND $1,000 FOR AN IRA. Establish an
Automatic Investment Plan when opening an account and Fremont will waive the new
account minimum.
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INVESTMENT METHOD TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT TO ADD TO YOUR INVESTMENT
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BY MAIL Mail in an Account Application with your Mail your check or money order payable to
check or money order payable to FREMONT Fremont Mutual Funds for $100 or more
MUTUAL FUNDS. Fremont will not accept third
party checks.
BY TELEPHONE Use the Telephone Exchange Privilege to move Use the Telephone Exchange Privilege to move
(TELEPHONE EXCHANGE $2,000 or more ($1,000 for IRAs) from an your investment from one Fremont fund to
PRIVILEGE) existing Fremont Fund account into a new, another. Please note that exchanges between
identically registered account. To use the funds may be subject to capital gains taxes.
Telephone Exchange Privilege, you must first
sign up for the privilege by checking the
appropriate box on your Account Application.
After you sign up, please allow time for
Fremont to open your account.
BY TELEPHONE Transfer money from your bank to your Fremont
(AUTOBUY PROGRAM) account by telephone. You must sign up for
this privilege on your Account Application,
and attach a voided check.
BY WIRE
Call 800-548-4539 (press 2) to request bank
routing information for wiring your money to
Fremont. Not available for IRA accounts.
BY AUTOMATIC Use the Automatic Investment Plan to move
INVESTMENT PLAN money ($50 minimum) from your financial
institution (via Automated Clearing House) to
your Fremont account once or twice each
month. For more information about the
Automatic Investment Plan, see the text
immediately below. TO PARTICIPATE, CALL TO
REQUEST AN AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN REQUEST
FORM.
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FREMONT MAKES IT EASY TO INVEST
THE AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
This convenient service allows you to automatically transfer money once or twice
a month from your pre-designated bank account to your Fremont account.
* The amount of the monthly investment must be at least $50.
* Open your account with the Automatic Investment Plan, and we will waive the
new account minimum.
* If your transfer date falls on a weekend or holiday, we will process the
transaction on the previous business day. To change the amount or frequency
of your automatic investments, or to stop future investments, you must
notify us in writing or by calling 800-548-4539 (press 2). We must receive
your request at least 5 days prior to your next scheduled investment date.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW WHEN MAKING AN INVESTMENT
HOW A MUTUAL FUND IS PRICED
The Fund's net asset value, or NAV, is the price of a single share. The NAV is
computed by adding up the value of the Fund's investments, cash, and other
assets, subtracting its liabilities, and then dividing the total by the number
of shares outstanding.
The Fund's NAV is calculated after the close of trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE), usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day that the exchange
is open for trading ("Closing Time").
The Fund values its portfolio securities and assets using price quotes from the
primary market in which they are traded. If prices are not readily available,
values will be determined using a method adopted by the Fund's Board of
Directors. This value may be higher or lower than the securities' closing price
in their relevant markets.
WHEN AN ORDER TO BUY (OR SELL) IS CONSIDERED RECEIVED
Your investment and your application must both be received by Closing Time in
order for you to receive that day's price.
All orders received after Closing Time will be processed with the next day's
NAV.
An order is considered received when the completed application (for a new
account) or information identifying the account, plus any other required
documents, and the investment are received by National Financial Data Services
(NFDS), Fremont's transfer agent.
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OTHER PURCHASING POLICIES
All of your purchases must be made in U.S. dollars and checks must be drawn on
U.S. banks. Fremont Mutual Funds does not accept third party checks, cash,
credit cards, or credit card checks.
If you purchase shares by check, and then you sell those shares, your payment
may be delayed until your purchase check has cleared.
If Fremont receives notice of insufficient funds for a purchase made by check or
autobuy, the purchase will be canceled and you will be liable for any related
losses or fees the Fund or its transfer agent incurs.
During times of drastic economic or market conditions, it may be difficult to
purchase shares by telephone. The transfer agent will do its best to accommodate
all Fremont shareholders, but you should consider using overnight mail if you
find that you are unable to get through on the telephone.
ABUSIVE TRADING PRACTICES
Fremont does not permit excessive short-term trading, market-timing, or other
abusive trading practices in our Funds. These practices may disrupt portfolio
management strategies and harm fund performance. To minimize harm to the Funds
and their shareholders, we reserve the right to reject any purchase order
(including exchanges) from any investor we believe has a history of abusive
trading or whose trading, in our judgement, has been or may be disruptive to a
fund. Fremont defines abusive trading practices as making six or more complete
exchanges - into and out of - one fund within a 12-month period.
We also reserve the right to revoke the transaction privileges of any
shareholder at any time if he or she has used abusive language or misused the
Internet or phone privileges when making purchases and exchange requests.
Fremont may modify exchange privileges by giving 60 days' written notice to
shareholders.
INVESTING THROUGH OTHER INVESTMENT FIRMS
You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund through authorized broker-dealers,
banks, or other financial institutions. These institutions may charge for their
services or place limitations on the extent to which you may use the services
offered by Fremont Mutual Funds.
The Fund may compensate third-party service providers who perform shareholder
servicing normally performed by the Fund.
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HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES
You can arrange to take money out of your fund account at any time by selling
(redeeming) some or all of your shares. Your shares will be sold at the next
calculated NAV, or share price, after your request, along with all required
completed documents and/or forms described below, are received by the transfer
agent.
When you sell your shares, you may choose one of the selling methods described
in the table below, as well as how you would like to receive your money.
Fremont has put several safeguards in place which are intended to protect the
interests of our shareholders. By providing all the information requested when
you sell your shares, you help us to complete your order in as timely a manner
as possible.
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SELLING METHOD FEATURES AND REQUIREMENTS
<S> <C> <C>
BY MAIL Mail your instructions to: If you are using overnight mail:
Fremont Mutual Funds, Inc. Fremont Mutual Funds, Inc. c/o
c/o National Financial Data Services National Financial Data Services
P.O. Box 219343 330 W. 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64121-6343 Kansas City, MO 64105
BY TELEPHONE (TELEPHONE The Telephone Redemption Privilege allows you to redeem your shares
REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE) by phone. You must make your telephone redemptions by Closing Time
to receive that day's price. You must provide written authorization
to add this privilege to your account prior to making the request.
BY AUTOMATIC The Automatic Withdrawal Plan (explained more fully below) lets
WITHDRAWAL PLAN you set up automatic monthly, quarterly, or annual redemptions
from your account in specified dollar amounts ($100 minimum). To
establish this feature, complete an Automatic Withdrawal Request
form which is available by calling 800-548-4539 (press 2).
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HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE YOUR MONEY?
* By Check - Your check will be sent by regular mail to your address on file.
* By Wire - There is a $10 service fee.
* By Electronic Transfer - Please allow 3 business days. Before placing your
order, check to make sure that your financial institution can receive
electronic transfers made through the Automated Clearing House.
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SPECIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE:
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
This convenient service allows you to arrange to receive as little as $100 from
your Fremont account on either a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. There is
currently no charge for this service, but there are several policies you should
be aware of:
* Redemptions by check will be made on the 15th and/or the last business day
of the month.
* Redemptions made by electronic transfer will be made on the date you
indicate on your Automatic Withdrawal Form.
* If the withdrawal date falls on a weekend or holiday we will process the
transaction on the prior business day.
* You may also request automatic exchanges and transfers of a specified
dollar amount.
WIRE TRANSFER
You may wish to wire the proceeds of a redemption from your Fremont account to
another financial institution. If you wire money from your Fremont account,
shares from your Fremont account are sold on the day we receive your
instructions (if you call before the Closing Time).
Generally, the wire transfer is processed the next business day. The money
should arrive at your financial institution the same day the wire is sent.
In order to use the wire redemption feature, bank account instructions must be
established prior to the requests. You may authorize the wire privilege on your
new account application, or by written instruction with a signature guarantee,
and provide Fremont with bank account instructions. A $10 fee applies each time
you wire money from your Fremont account.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE REDEEMING SHARES:
HOW WE DETERMINE THE REDEMPTION PRICE
The price at which your shares will be redeemed is determined by the time of day
National Financial Data Services (NFDS), Fremont's transfer agent, or another
authorized agent, receives your redemption request.
If a request is received before Closing Time, the redemption price will be the
Fund's net asset value reported for that day. If a request is received after
Closing Time, the redemption price will be the Fund's net asset value reported
for the next day the market is open.
HOW TO REDEEM AT TODAY'S PRICE
If you have signed up for the Telephone Redemption Privilege, you may call in
your redemption request before Closing Time to receive that day's share price.
Or, you may arrange to have your written redemption request, with a signature
guarantee, if required, and any supporting documents, delivered to NFDS before
Closing Time.
REDEMPTIONS IN KIND
In extreme conditions, there is a possibility that Fremont may honor all or some
of a redemption amount as a "redemption in kind." This means that you could
receive some or all of your redemption in readily marketable securities held by
the Fund. You would also be responsible for paying any broker commissions.
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ABOUT REDEMPTION CHECKS
Normally, redemption proceeds will be mailed within three days after your
redemption request is received although it can take up to 10 days. The Fund may
hold payment on redemptions until it is reasonably satisfied that it has
received payment for a recent purchase.
Redemption checks are made payable to the shareholder(s) of record; if you wish
for the check to be made payable to someone other than the account owners, you
must submit your request in writing, and the signatures of all shareholders of
record must be guaranteed. For more information about a "signature guarantee"
please see page XX.
If your account balance falls below $2,000, the Fund has the right to redeem
your shares after giving you 30 days' notice.
WHEN YOU CAN'T REDEEM
Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates postponed on days when the NYSE is
closed (other than weekends or holidays), when trading on the NYSE is
restricted, or as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
During times of drastic economic or market conditions, it may be difficult to
sell shares by telephone. Fremont will do its best to accommodate all
shareholders, but you should consider using overnight mail if you find that you
are unable to get through by telephone.
REDEMPTION CHECKLIST:
Fremont would like to fulfill your request to sell shares as quickly as
possible. Here are reminders to help you avoid some of the common problems that
can delay the sale process:
X Include all your account information - your name, the fund's name, and your
account number.
X Provide your preferred redemption method - check, wire, or electronic
transfer.
X Specify the dollar amount or number of shares you are redeeming. For IRA
accounts, specify the percent of your holdings that you would like withheld
for taxes.
X Have all account owners sign the letter of instruction - if you send us a
letter of instruction, make sure that all account owners have signed the
letter requesting the sale.
X Have signature(s) guaranteed when needed - review the signature guarantee
requirements on page XX. Be sure to obtain a signature guarantee if your
sale meets those requirements.
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OTHER POLICIES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT (CON'T.)
WHEN ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED
Certain accounts (such as trust accounts, corporate accounts and custodial
accounts) may require documentation in addition to the redemption request. For
more information, please call 800-548-4539 (press 2).
WHEN YOU NEED A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Certain requests must include a signature guarantee, which is designed to
protect you and Fremont from fraudulent activities. Your request must be made in
writing and include a signature guarantee if any of the following situations
applies:
* You wish to redeem more than $50,000 worth of shares.
* The check is being mailed to an address different from the one on your
account (address of record).
* The check is being made payable to someone other than the account owner.
* You are instructing us to change your bank account information.
HOW TO OBTAIN A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
You should be able to obtain a signature guarantee from a bank, broker-dealer,
credit union (if authorized under state law), securities exchange or
association, clearing agency, or savings association. A notary public cannot
provide a signature guarantee.
If you would like more information about the signature guarantee, or would like
to sign up for the Telephone Redemption Privilege after you have already opened
your account, please call 800-548-4539 (press 2).
MONITORING YOUR INVESTMENT
STATEMENTS & REPORTS
There are a variety of ways to track your mutual fund investment. Most major
newspapers carry daily mutual fund listings.
You can check fund prices, your account balances, and process transactions by
calling our 24-hour automated line at 800-548-4539 (press 3).
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In addition, you will receive statements and reports regarding your account on a
regular basis:
* Confirmation statements will be sent when you make a transaction in your
account or change your account registration.
* Quarterly statements, with account information as of the end of March,
June, September and December.
* Annual and Semi-Annual Reports for shareholders.
You can request duplicate statements or copies of your historical account
information by calling 800-548-4539 (press 2).
ACCOUNT ACCESS ON THE INTERNET
Shareholders can use our secure Web site at www.fremontfunds.com to:
* Check current account balances;
* View a portfolio;
* Buy, exchange, or sell shares (some restrictions may apply);
* View previous transactions; and
* Order duplicate statements.
Our Web site also provides fund performance, distribution schedules, forms and
other in-depth information to help shareholders.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS, AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS HELP YOUR INVESTMENT GROW
The Fund pays dividends based on the income that it has received from its
investments. The dividends may be taxed as ordinary income. Capital gains
distributions occur when a Fund pays out gains realized on the sale of
investment securities. The Fund pays dividends and makes capital gains
distributions annually.
When you open a taxable account, you should specify on your application how you
would like to receive your dividends and capital gain distributions.
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As an investor, there are five different ways you can choose to receive
dividends and distributions:
* Automatically reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions in
additional shares.
* Receive all distributions of income dividends and capital gains in cash.
* Receive income dividends and short-term capital gains distributions in cash
and accept long-term capital gains distributions in additional shares.
* Automatically reinvest income and short-term capital gains distributions
and receive long-term capital gains distributions in cash.
* Invest all dividends and capital gains distributions in another Fremont
Mutual Fund owned through an identically registered account.
If circumstances change after you make your selection, you can always change
your options by calling 800-548-4539 (press 2).
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
If you are under age 59 1/2 , cash distributions from an IRA are subject to
income taxes and penalties. Therefore, all distributions for IRA accounts are
automatically reinvested. After age 59 1/2, you may request payment of
distributions in cash.
When you reinvest dividends and distributions, the reinvestment price is the
Fund's NAV at the close of business on the payable date.
YOUR TAX ID NUMBER IS REQUIRED
If you have not provided a correct taxpayer identification number, usually a
Social Security number, the Fund is required by the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) to withhold 31% from any dividend and/or redemption that you receive.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS
TAX PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund will
be taxed. If your account is tax-deferred or tax-exempt (for example, an IRA or
an employee benefit plan account), the information on this page does not apply.
If your account is not tax-deferred or tax-exempt, however, you should be aware
of these tax rules.
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DISTRIBUTIONS MAY BE TAXABLE
A distribution is a payout of realized investment gains on securities in the
Fund's portfolio. When, for example, the Fund sells a stock at a profit, that
profit has to be recorded for tax purposes, combined with all the other profits
made that year, and distributed to shareholders based on the number of shares
held.
Your capital gains distributions are taxed at different rates, depending on how
long the Fund owned the security. Long-term capital gains are those from
securities held more than 12 months, and short-term capital gains are from
securities held less than 12 months.
Distributions are subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to
state or local taxes.
Distributions are taxable when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or
reinvest them in additional shares. However, distributions declared in December
and paid in January are taxable as if they were paid on December 31.
CAPITAL GAINS ARE FEDERALLY TAXABLE
For federal tax purposes, the Fund's:
* Income and short-term capital gains distributions are taxed as dividends,
meaning that you'll pay tax at your marginal tax rate on this amount;
* Long-term capital gains distributions are taxed as long-term capital gains
(currently at a maximum of 20%).
TAX REPORTING
Every year, Fremont will send you and the IRS a statement, called a Form
1099-DIV, showing the amount of each taxable distribution you received in the
previous year.
TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS
A capital gain or loss is the difference between the cost of your shares and the
price you receive when you sell them.
Your redemptions-including exchanges between Funds-are subject to capital gains
tax.
17
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INVESTMENT TERMS
Advisor - A firm that provides investment management and administrative
services, in this case, Fremont Investment Advisors, Inc.
Automated Clearing House (ACH) - An outside service provider for Fremont Mutual
Funds that transfers money between Fremont and other participating financial
institutions.
Benchmark Index - A recognized measure of performance, of stock or bond markets.
All mutual funds are required to have a relevant benchmark index, so that
investors have a standard by which to judge fund performance over time.
Broker-Dealer - A firm that is licensed to carry out a securities transaction.
Examples would be Charles Schwab or E*Trade.
Capital Gain - The sale price of an investment less the original purchase price.
If the number is positive there is a gain. For example, if the Fund manager buys
10,000 shares of Stock A for $2,000,000 and later sells the same 10,000 shares
for $3,000,000, the result is a capital gain of $1,000,000 ($3,000,000 -
$2,000,000 = $1,000,000).
* Short-Term Gains - Capital gains on securities held for less than 12
months.
* Long-Term Gains - Capital gains on securities held for more than 12 months.
Closing Time - When regular session trading closes on the New York Stock
Exchange, usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, but sometimes earlier.
Distribution - A payout of realized capital gains on the securities in a Fund's
portfolio. Generally, once a year each Fremont Mutual Fund calculates the
profits it has made that year on the sale of securities, adds all other profits,
and distributes the profits to the Fund's investors based on the number of
shares they hold.
Dividend - The payout of income earned on an investment to a shareholder. Like
other mutual funds, Fremont Mutual Funds periodically pay dividends to
shareholders based on the income received from investments.
Liquidity - the ability to buy or sell an investment quickly without affecting
its price.
Market Capitalization (Market Cap) - The market value of a corporation's stock,
determined by multiplying the number of stock shares issued by the market price
of a share of stock. Investment managers often use market capitalization as one
investment criterion, requiring, for example, that a company have a market
capitalization of $100 million or more to qualify as an investment.
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<PAGE>
Mutual Fund - An investment company that pools the money of many people to
invest in any of a variety of different types of securities. A mutual fund
offers investors the advantages of investment diversification and professional
management.
Net Asset Value (or NAV) - The price of a single fund share. Calculated by
adding up the value of all the Fund's investments, cash, and other assets,
subtracting its liabilities, and then dividing the result by the number of
shares outstanding.
No-Load Mutual Fund - A type of mutual fund that does not impose a charge for
purchasing or redeeming shares, so that all of your money goes to work for you.
Portfolio - An investor's or a Fund's combined holdings.
Portfolio Turnover - The percentage of the dollar value of the portfolio which
is replaced each year. This is calculated by dividing the total purchases or
sales for the year, whichever is less, by the average assets for the year.
Price-to-Sales Ratio - The price of a stock divided by its sales dollar per
share.
Redemption - The act of selling shares of a mutual fund.
Security - A type of investment whose authenticity is attested to by a legal
document. Stocks, bonds, options and warrants are examples of a security. A
stock certificate signifies partial ownership of a corporation. A bond
demonstrates that the possessor is owed money by a corporation or government
body.
Signature Guarantee - A security measure that confirms your identity, required
for certain transactions in order to reduce fraud. For these transactions,
signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor" - a bank,
broker-dealer, credit union, national securities exchange, registered securities
association, clearing agency or savings association. A notary public is not an
acceptable guarantor.
Stock - A share of ownership in a corporation.
Sub-Advisor - A firm hired by the advisor of a fund to manage or co-manage that
fund's investment portfolio.
Transfer Agent - The service provider retained by a mutual fund company to keep
shareholder records, manage the flow of shareholders' funds, and resolve
administrative issues.
Wire - A method of transferring money between your Fremont account and another
financial institution using the Federal Reserve Wiring System.
19
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FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS
FOR MORE INFORMATION
In addition to the Fund information contained in this Prospectus, you may also
request the following free publications from Fremont Mutual Funds:
* Annual and Semi-Annual Reports
Additional information about the Fund's investments is available in the
Fund's Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders. In these reports,
you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during the
last fiscal year.
* Statement of Additional Information
This publication gives you more information about the Fund's investment
strategy. Legally it is "incorporated by reference," or considered part of
this Prospectus.
You can also review and copy these publications at the Public Reference Room of
the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. You can obtain
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling
202-942-8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are also available:
* Free of charge from the Commission's EDGAR database on the
Commission's Internet website at http://www.sec.gov., or
* For a fee, by writing to the Public Reference Room of the Commission,
Washington, DC 20549-0102, or
* For a fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address:
[email protected].
Fremont Funds [LOGO]
For general information: 800-565-0254, or 415-284-8562 (outside U.S.) Please
visit our web site at: www.fremontfunds.com
SEC File No: 811-05632
Distributed by First Fund Distributors, Inc., San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright
2000 Fremont Mutual Funds, Inc. All rights reserved.
20
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FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
FREMONT NEW ERA VALUE FUND
TOLL-FREE: 800-548-4539
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information concerning Fremont Mutual Funds, Inc.
(the "Investment Company") is not a prospectus. This Statement of Additional
Information supplements the Prospectus for the Fremont New Era Value Fund (the
"Fund") dated December 29, 2000 and should be read in conjunction with the
Prospectus. Copies of the Prospectus are available without charge by calling the
Investment Company at the phone number printed above.
The date of this Statement of Additional Information is December 29, 2000.
B-1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE CORPORATION..............................................................B-2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES, AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS......................B-3
GENERAL INVESTMENT POLICIES..................................................B-4
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS.....................................................B-14
INVESTMENT COMPANY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS...................................B-16
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES......................................B-18
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS.........................................B-21
HOW TO INVEST...............................................................B-22
OTHER INVESTMENT AND REDEMPTION SERVICES....................................B-23
TAXES - MUTUAL FUNDS........................................................B-24
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION......................................................B-27
INVESTMENT RESULTS..........................................................B-30
APPENDIX A: DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS..........................................B-38
THE CORPORATION
The Investment Company, organized as a Maryland corporation on July 13, 1988, is
a fully managed, open-end investment company. Currently, the Investment Company
has authorized several series of capital stock with equal dividend and
liquidation rights within each series. This Statement of Additional Information
pertains to the Fremont New Era Value Fund (the "Fund"), a non-diversified Fund.
Investment Company shares are entitled to one vote per share (with proportional
voting for fractional shares) and are freely transferable. Shareholders have no
preemptive or conversion rights. Shares may be voted in the election of
directors and on other matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. As
permitted by Maryland law, there normally will be no annual meeting of
shareholders in any year, except as required under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The 1940 Act requires that a meeting be held
within 60 days in the event that less than a majority of the directors holding
office has been elected by shareholders. Directors shall continue to hold office
until their successors are elected and have qualified. Investment Company shares
do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of a majority
of the shares voting for the election of directors can elect all of the
directors. Shareholders holding 10% of the outstanding shares may call a meeting
of shareholders for any purpose, including that of removing any director. A
director may be removed upon a majority vote of the shareholders qualified to
vote in the election. The 1940 Act requires the Investment Company to assist
shareholders in calling such a meeting.
B-2
<PAGE>
The management of the business and affairs of the Investment Company is the
responsibility of the Board of Directors. Fremont Investment Advisors, Inc. (the
"Advisor") provides the Fund with investment management and administrative
services under an Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement (the
"Advisory Agreement") with the Investment Company. The Advisory Agreement
provides that the Advisor shall furnish advice to the Fund with respect to its
investments and shall, to the extent authorized by the Board of Directors,
determine what securities shall be purchased or sold by the Fund. The Advisor's
Investment Committee oversees the portfolio management of the Fund.
The professional staff of the Advisor has offered professional investment
management services regarding asset allocation in connection with securities
portfolios to the Bechtel Group, Inc. Retirement Plan and the Bechtel Foundation
since 1978 and to Fremont Investors, Inc. (formerly Fremont Group, Inc.) since
1987. The Advisor also provides investment advisory services regarding asset
allocation, investment manager selection and portfolio diversification to a
number of large Bechtel-related investors. The Investment Company is one of the
Advisor's clients.
The Advisor will provide direct portfolio management services to the extent that
a sub-advisor does not provide those services. In the future, the Advisor may
propose to the Investment Company that a sub-advisor(s) be engaged to provide
investment advisory or portfolio management services to the Fund. Prior to such
engagement, any agreement with a sub-advisor must be approved by the Board of
Directors. The Advisor may in its discretion manage all or a portion of the
Fund's portfolio directly with or without the use of a sub-advisor.
On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, such matter shall be voted by
the Fund's shareholders separately when the matter affects the specific interest
of the Fund (such as approval of the Advisory Agreement with the Advisor) except
in matters where a vote of all series in the aggregate is required by the 1940
Act or otherwise.
Pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation, the Investment Company may issue ten
billion shares. This amount may be increased or decreased from time-to-time at
the discretion of the Board of Directors. Each share of a series represents an
interest in that series only, has a par value of $0.0001 per share, represents
an equal proportionate interest in that series with other shares of that series,
and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income earned on
the assets belonging to that series as may be declared at the discretion of the
Board of Directors. Shares of a series when issued are fully paid and are
non-assessable. The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, establish and
issue shares of additional series of the Investment Company.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES, AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
The descriptions below are intended to supplement the material in the
Prospectus.
B-3
<PAGE>
Although the Fund invests primarily in common stocks and securities convertible
into common stock, for liquidity purposes it will normally invest a portion of
its assets in high quality, short-term debt securities and money market
instruments with remaining maturities of one year or less, including repurchase
agreements. Whenever, in the judgment of the Advisor, market or economic
conditions warrant, the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest
without limitation in these instruments. Of course, during times that the Fund
is investing defensively, the Fund will not be able to pursue its stated
investment objective.
The Fund may also hold other types of securities from time to time, including
non-convertible bonds and preferred stocks, in an amount not exceeding 5% of its
net assets. Preferred stocks and bonds will be, at the time of purchase, (i)
rated in the top two categories of Moody's Investor Service, Inc. (Aaa or Aa) or
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, (AAA or AA), or (ii) have a comparable rating
by another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO), or
(iii) be of comparable quality as determined by the Advisor.
GENERAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS
The Fund may invest in any of the following "money market" instruments:
certificates of deposit, time deposits, commercial paper, bankers' acceptances
and Eurodollar certificates of deposit; U.S. dollar-denominated money market
instruments of foreign financial institutions, corporations and governments;
U.S. government and agency securities; money market mutual funds; and other debt
securities which are not specifically named but which meet the Fund's quality
guidelines. The Fund also may enter into repurchase agreements as described
below and may purchase variable and floating rate debt securities.
At the time of purchase, short-term securities must be rated in the top rating
category by at least two NRSROs or, in the case of a security rated by only one
NRSRO, rated in the top rating category of that NRSRO, or if not rated by an
NRSRO, must be determined to be of comparable quality by the Advisor. Generally,
high quality short-term securities must be issued by an entity with an
outstanding debt issue rated A or better by an NRSRO, or an entity of comparable
quality as determined by the Advisor, using guidelines approved by the Board of
Directors. Obligations of foreign banks, foreign corporations and foreign
branches of domestic banks must be payable in U.S. dollars. See Appendix A to
the Statement of Additional information for a description of rating categories.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in U.S. government securities, which are obligations of, or
guaranteed by, the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Some U.S.
government securities, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds and Government
National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") certificates, are supported by the full
faith and credit of the United States; those of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("FHLMC") are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from
the Treasury; those of the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), are
supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the
agency's obligations; and those of the Student Loan Marketing Association are
supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. The U.S. government is not
obligated by law to provide future financial support to the U.S. government
agencies or instrumentalities named above.
B-4
<PAGE>
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
As part of its cash reserve position, the Fund may enter into repurchase
agreements through which the Fund acquires a security (the "underlying
security") from the seller, a well-established securities dealer, or a bank that
is a member of the Federal Reserve System. At that time, the bank or securities
dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at the same price, plus a
specified amount of interest. Repurchase agreements are generally for a period
of less than one week. The seller must maintain with the Fund's custodian
collateral equal to at least 100% of the repurchase price, including accrued
interest, as monitored daily by the Advisor. The Fund will not enter into a
repurchase agreement with a maturity of more than seven business days if, as a
result, more than 15% of the value of its net assets would then be invested in
such repurchase agreements. The Fund will only enter into repurchase agreements
where (i) the underlying securities are issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government, (ii) the market value of the underlying security, including accrued
interest, will be at all times equal to or in excess of the value of the
repurchase agreement, and (iii) payment for the underlying securities is made
only upon physical delivery or evidence of book-entry transfer to the account of
the custodian or a bank acting as agent. In the event of a bankruptcy or other
default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both
delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses, including: (i) a
possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period in
which the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto; (ii) possible subnormal
levels of income and lack of access to income during this period; and (iii)
expenses of enforcing the Fund's rights.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND LEVERAGE
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements which involve the sale of
a security by the Fund and its agreement to repurchase the security at a
specified time and price. The Fund will maintain in a segregated account with
its custodian cash, cash equivalents, or liquid securities in an amount
sufficient to cover its obligations under reverse repurchase agreements with
broker-dealers (but not with banks). Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase
agreements are considered borrowings by the Fund; accordingly, the Fund will
limit its investments in these transactions, together with any other borrowings,
to no more than one-third of its total assets. The use of reverse repurchase
agreements by the Fund creates leverage which increases the Fund's investment
risk. If the income and gains on securities purchased with the proceeds of these
transactions exceed the cost, the Fund's earnings or net asset value will
increase faster than otherwise would be the case; conversely, if the income and
gains fail to exceed the costs, earnings or net asset value would decline faster
than otherwise would be the case. If the 300% asset coverage required by the
1940 Act should decline as a result of market fluctuation or other reasons, the
Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio securities within three days
to reduce the borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements) and restore
the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an
investment standpoint to sell securities at that time. The Fund intends to enter
into reverse repurchase agreements only if the income from the investment of the
proceeds is greater than the expense of the transaction, because the proceeds
are invested for a period no longer than the term of the reverse repurchase
agreement.
B-5
<PAGE>
FLOATING RATE AND VARIABLE RATE OBLIGATIONS AND PARTICIPATION INTERESTS
The Fund may purchase floating rate and variable rate obligations, including
participation interests therein. Floating rate or variable rate obligations
provide that the rate of interest is set as a specific percentage of a
designated base rate (such as the prime rate at a major commercial bank) or is
reset on a regular basis by a bank or investment banking firm to a market rate.
At specified times, the owner can demand payment of the obligation at par plus
accrued interest. Variable rate obligations provide for a specified periodic
adjustment in the interest rate, while floating rate obligations have an
interest rate which changes whenever there is a change in the external interest
rate. Frequently, banks provide letters of credit or other credit support or
liquidity arrangements to secure these obligations. The quality of the
underlying creditor or of the bank, as the case may be, must meet the minimum
credit quality standards, as determined by the Advisor, prescribed for the Fund
by the Board of Directors with respect to counterparties in repurchase
agreements and similar transactions.
The Fund may invest in participation interests purchased from banks in floating
rate or variable rate obligations owned by banks. A participation interest gives
the Fund an undivided interest in the obligation in the proportion that the
Fund's participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the
obligation, and provides a demand repayment feature. Each participation is
backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of a bank (which may be
the bank issuing the participation interest or another bank). The bank letter of
credit or guarantee must meet the prescribed investment quality standards for
the Fund. The Fund has the right to sell the participation instrument back to
the issuing bank or draw on the letter of credit on demand for all or any part
of the Fund's participation interest in the underlying obligation, plus accrued
interest.
SWAP AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into interest rate, index, and currency exchange rate swap
agreements for purposes of attempting to obtain a particular desired return at a
lower cost to the Fund than if the Fund had invested directly in an instrument
that yielded that desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts
entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few
weeks to more than one year. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree
to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized
on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be
exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are calculated with respect to a
"notional amount," i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular
dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign
currency, or in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index.
Commonly used swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return
for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that
interest rates exceed a specified rate, or "cap"; interest rate floors, under
which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other
to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or "floor"; and
interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or
vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements
exceeding minimum or maximum levels.
The "notional amount" of the swap agreement is only a fictive basis on which to
calculate the obligations which the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to
exchange. Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund would calculate the
obligations of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis." Consequently, the
Fund's obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal
B-6
<PAGE>
only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the
relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the "net
amount"). The Fund's obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily
(offset against amounts owed to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts
owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the maintenance of a segregated
account consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities, or high-grade debt
obligations, to avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund's portfolio. The Fund
will not enter into a swap agreement with any single party if the net amount
owed or to be received under existing contracts with that party would exceed 5%
of the Fund's net assets.
Whether the Fund's use of swap agreements will be successful in furthering its
investment objective will depend on the Advisor's ability to predict correctly
whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than
other investments. Because they are two-party contracts and because they may
have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements will be considered as
illiquid. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be
received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a
swap agreement counterparty. The Advisor will cause the Fund to enter into swap
agreements only with counterparties that would be eligible for consideration as
repurchase agreement counterparties under the Fund's repurchase agreement
guidelines. Certain restrictions imposed on the Fund by the Internal Revenue
Code may limit the Fund's ability to use swap agreements. The swaps market is
largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market,
including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund's
ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be
received under such agreements.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FIRM COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS
The Fund may purchase securities on a delayed delivery or "when-issued" basis
and enter into firm commitment agreements (transactions whereby the payment
obligation and interest rate are fixed at the time of the transaction but the
settlement is delayed). The Fund will not purchase securities the value of which
is greater than 5% of its net assets on a when-issued or firm commitment basis.
The Fund, as purchaser, assumes the risk of any decline in value of the security
beginning on the date of the agreement or purchase, and no interest accrues to
the Fund until it accepts delivery of the security. The Fund will not use such
transactions for leveraging purposes and, accordingly, will segregate cash, cash
equivalents, or liquid securities in an amount sufficient to meet its payment
obligations thereunder. There is always a risk that the securities may not be
delivered and that a Fund may incur a loss or will have lost the opportunity to
invest the amount set aside for such transaction in the segregated asset
account. Settlements in the ordinary course of business, which may take
substantially more than three business days for non-U.S. securities, are not
treated by the Funds as when-issued or forward commitment transactions and,
accordingly, are not subject to the foregoing limitations, even though some of
the risks described above may be present in such transactions. Although these
transactions will not be entered into for leveraging purposes, to the extent the
Fund's aggregate commitments under these transactions exceed its holdings of
cash and securities that do not fluctuate in value (such as short-term money
market instruments), the Fund temporarily will be in a leveraged position (i.e.,
it will have an amount greater than its net assets subject to market risk).
Should market values of the Fund's portfolio securities decline while the Fund
is in a leveraged position, greater depreciation of its net assets would likely
occur than were it not in such a position. As the Fund's aggregate commitments
B-7
<PAGE>
under these transactions increase, the opportunity for leverage similarly
increases. The Fund will not borrow money to settle these transactions and,
therefore, will liquidate other portfolio securities in advance of settlement if
necessary to generate additional cash to meet its obligations thereunder.
COMMERCIAL BANK OBLIGATIONS
For the purposes of the Fund's investment policies with respect to bank
obligations, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks
may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing bank,
or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by government
regulation. As with investment in non-U.S. securities in general, investments in
the obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks, and of foreign banks may
subject the Fund to investment risks that are different in some respects from
those of investments in obligations of domestic issuers. Although the Fund will
typically acquire obligations issued and supported by the credit of U.S. or
foreign banks having total assets at the time of purchase in excess of $1
billion, this $1 billion figure is not a fundamental investment policy or
restriction of the Fund. For the purposes of calculating the $1 billion figure,
the assets of a bank will be deemed to include the assets of its U.S. and
non-U.S. branches.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSTURE
When a temporary defensive posture in the market is appropriate in the Advisor's
opinion, the Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high
quality, short-term debt securities and money market instruments, including
repurchase agreements. The Fund may also hold other types of securities from
time to time, including bonds.
BORROWING
The Fund may borrow from banks an amount not exceeding 30% of the value of its
total assets for temporary or emergency purposes and may enter into reverse
repurchase agreements. If the income and gains on securities purchased with the
proceeds of borrowings or reverse repurchase agreements exceed the cost of such
borrowings or agreements, the Fund's earnings or net asset value will increase
faster than otherwise would be the case; conversely, if the income and gains
fail to exceed the cost, earnings or net asset value would decline faster than
otherwise would be the case.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
For the purpose of realizing additional income, the Fund may make secured loans
of portfolio securities amounting to not more than 33-1/3% of its net assets.
Securities loans are made to broker-dealers or institutional investors pursuant
to agreements requiring that the loans be continuously secured by collateral at
least equal at all times to the value of the securities lent marked to market on
a daily basis. The collateral received will consist of cash, short-term U.S.
Government securities, bank letters of credit, or such other collateral as may
be permitted under the Fund's investment program and by regulatory agencies and
approved by the Board of Directors. While the securities are being lent, the
Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid
by the issuer on the securities, as well as interest on the investment of the
collateral or a fee from the borrower. The Fund has a right to call each loan
and obtain the securities on five business days' notice. The Fund will not have
the right to vote equity securities while they are being lent, but it will call
a loan in anticipation of any vote in which it seeks to participate.
B-8
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund may trade in securities for short-term gain whenever deemed advisable
by the Advisor in order to take advantage of anomalies occurring in general
market, economic or political conditions. Therefore, the Fund may have a higher
portfolio turnover rate than that of some other investment companies, but it is
anticipated that the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund will not exceed
200%. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of sales
or purchases of long-term portfolio securities by the Fund's average month-end
long-term investments. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater
transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads or brokerage commissions and
other costs that the Fund will bear directly, and may result in the realization
of net capital gains, which are generally taxable whether or not distributed to
shareholders.
SHARES OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest some portion of its assets in shares of other no-load,
open-end investment companies and closed-end investment companies to the extent
that they may facilitate achieving the objective of the Fund or to the extent
that they afford the principal or most practical means of access to a particular
market or markets or they represent attractive investments in their own right.
The percentage of Fund assets which may be so invested is not limited, provided
that the Fund and its affiliates do not acquire more than 3% of the shares of
any such investment company. The provisions of the 1940 Act may also impose
certain restrictions on redemption of the Fund's shares in other investment
companies. The Fund's purchase of shares of investment companies may result in
the payment by a shareholder of duplicative management fees. The Advisor will
consider such fees in determining whether to invest in other mutual funds. The
Fund will invest only in investment companies which do not charge a sales load;
however, the Fund may invest in such companies with distribution plans and fees,
and may pay customary brokerage commissions to buy and sell shares of closed-end
investment companies.
The return on the Fund's investments in investment companies will be reduced by
the operating expenses, including investment advisory and administrative fees,
of such companies. The Fund's investment in a closed-end investment company may
require the payment of a premium above the net asset value of the investment
company's shares, and the market price of the investment company thereafter may
decline without any change in the value of the investment company's assets. The
Fund, however, will not invest in any investment company or trust unless the
potential benefits of such investment are sufficient to warrant the payment of
any such premium.
As an exception to the above, the Fund has the authority to invest all of its
assets in the securities of a single open-end investment company with
substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, restrictions, and
policies as that of the Fund. The Fund will notify its shareholders prior to
initiating such an arrangement.
B-9
<PAGE>
ILLIQUID AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in all forms of "illiquid
securities." An investment is generally deemed to be "illiquid" if it cannot be
disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the amount at which such securities are valued by the Fund.
"Restricted" securities are securities which were originally sold in private
placements and which have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933
(the "1933 Act"). However, a market exists for certain restricted securities
(for example, securities qualifying for resale to certain "qualified
institutional buyers" pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act). Additionally,
the Advisor and the Fund believe that a similar market exists for commercial
paper issued pursuant to the private placement exemption of Section 4(2) of the
1933 Act. The Fund may invest without limitation in these forms of restricted
securities if such securities are determined by the Advisor to be liquid in
accordance with standards established by the Investment Company's Board of
Directors. Under these standards, the Advisor must consider (a) the frequency of
trades and quotes for the security, (b) the number of dealers willing to
purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers, (c)
any dealer undertaking to make a market in the security, and (d) the nature of
the security and the nature of the marketplace trades (for example, the time
needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the
mechanics of transfer). The Board, however, will retain sufficient oversight and
will be ultimately responsible for the determination.
It is not possible to predict with accuracy how the markets for certain
restricted securities will develop. Investing in restricted securities could
have the effect of increasing the level of the Fund's illiquidity to the extent
that qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in
purchasing these securities.
WARRANTS OR RIGHTS
Warrants or rights may be acquired by a Fund in connection with other securities
or separately and provide the Fund with the right to purchase other securities
of the issuer at a later date. It is the present intention of each Fund to limit
its investments in warrants or rights, valued at the lower of cost or market, to
no more than 5% of the value of its net assets. Warrants or rights acquired by
the Funds in units or attached to securities will be deemed to be without value
for purposes of this restriction.
WRITING COVERED CALL OPTIONS
The Fund may write (sell) "covered" call options and purchase options to close
out options previously written by the Fund. The purpose of writing covered call
options is to generate additional premium income for the Fund. This premium
income will serve to enhance the Fund's total return and will reduce the effect
of any price decline of the security or currency involved in the option. Covered
call options will generally be written on securities and currencies which, in
the opinion of the Advisor, are not expected to make any major price moves in
the near future but which, over the long term, are deemed to be attractive
investments for the Fund.
A call option gives the holder (buyer) the "right to purchase" a security or
currency at a specified price (the exercise price) at any time until a certain
date (the expiration date). So long as the obligation of the writer of a call
option continues, he or she may be assigned an exercise notice by the
B-10
<PAGE>
broker-dealer through whom such option was sold, requiring him or her to deliver
the underlying security or currency against payment of the exercise price. This
obligation terminates upon the expiration of the call option, or such earlier
time at which the writer effects a closing purchase transaction by purchasing an
option identical to that previously sold. To secure his or her obligation to
deliver the underlying security or currency in the case of a call option, a
writer is required to deposit in escrow the underlying security or currency or
other assets in accordance with the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation.
The Fund will write only covered call options. This means that the Fund will
only write a call option on a security, index, or currency which the Fund
already effectively owns or has the right to acquire without additional cost.
Portfolio securities or currencies on which call options may be written will be
purchased solely on the basis of investment considerations consistent with the
Fund's investment objective. The writing of covered call options is a
conservative investment technique believed to involve relatively little risk (in
contrast to the writing of naked or uncovered options, which the Fund will not
do), but capable of enhancing the Fund's total return. When writing a covered
call option, the Fund, in return for the premium, gives up the opportunity for
profit from a price increase in the underlying security or currency above the
exercise price, but conversely limits the risk of loss should the price of the
security or currency decline. Unlike one who owns securities or currencies not
subject to an option, the Fund has no control over when it may be required to
sell the underlying securities or currencies, since it may be assigned an
exercise notice at any time prior to the expiration of its obligation as a
writer. If a call option which the Fund has written expires, the Fund will
realize a gain in the amount of the premium; however, such gain may be offset by
a decline in the market value of the underlying security or currency during the
option period. If the call option is exercised, the Fund will realize a gain or
loss from the sale of the underlying security or currency. The Fund will
identify assets for the purpose of segregation to cover the call. The Fund will
consider a security or currency covered by a call to be "pledged" as that term
is used in its policy which limits the pledging or mortgaging of its assets.
The premium received is the market value of an option. The premium the Fund
receives from writing a call option reflects, among other things, the current
market price of the underlying security or currency, the relationship of the
exercise price to such market price, the historical price volatility of the
underlying security or currency, and the length of the option period. Once the
decision to write a call option has been made, the Advisor, in determining
whether a particular call option should be written on a particular security or
currency, will consider the reasonableness of the anticipated premium and the
likelihood that a liquid secondary market will exist for those options. The
premium received by the Fund for writing covered call options will be recorded
as a liability in the Fund's statement of assets and liabilities. This liability
will be adjusted daily to the option's current market value, which will be the
latest sales price at the time at which the net asset value per share of the
Fund is computed (close of the regular trading session of the New York Stock
Exchange), or, in the absence of such sale, the latest asked price. The
liability will be extinguished upon expiration of the option, the purchase of an
identical option in a closing transaction, or delivery of the underlying
security or currency upon the exercise of the option.
Closing transactions will be effected in order to realize a profit on an
outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security or currency from
being called, or to permit the sale of the underlying security or currency.
B-11
<PAGE>
Furthermore, effecting a closing transaction will permit the Fund to write
another call option on the underlying security or currency with either a
different exercise price or expiration date or both. If the Fund desires to sell
a particular security or currency from its portfolio on which it has written a
call option, it will seek to effect a closing transaction prior to, or
concurrently with, the sale of the security or currency. There is, of course, no
assurance that the Fund will be able to effect such closing transactions at a
favorable price. If the Fund cannot enter into such a transaction, it may be
required to hold a security or currency that it might otherwise have sold, in
which case it would continue to be at market risk with respect to the security
or currency. The Fund will pay transaction costs in connection with the
purchasing of options to close out previously written options. Such transaction
costs are normally higher than those applicable to purchases and sales of
portfolio securities.
Call options written by the Fund will normally have expiration dates of less
than nine months from the date written. The exercise price of the options may be
below, equal to, or above the current market values of the underlying securities
or currencies at the time the options are written. From time to time, the Fund
may purchase an underlying security or currency for delivery in accordance with
an exercise notice of a call option assigned to it, rather than delivering such
security or currency from its portfolio. In such cases, additional costs will be
incurred.
The Fund will realize a profit or loss from a closing purchase transaction if
the cost of the transaction is less or more than the premium received from the
writing of the option. Because increases in the market price of a call option
will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security
or currency, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option is likely
to be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of the underlying security or
currency owned by the Fund.
WRITING COVERED PUT OPTIONS
The Fund may write covered put options. With a put option, the purchaser of the
option has the right to sell, and the writer (seller) may have the obligation to
buy, the underlying security or currency at the exercise price during the option
period. So long as the writer is short the put options, the writer may be
assigned an exercise notice by the broker-dealer through whom such option was
sold, requiring the writer to make payment of the exercise price against
delivery of the underlying security or currency. The operation of put options in
other respects, including their related risks and rewards, is substantially
identical to that of call options.
The Fund may write put options only on a covered basis, which means that the
Fund would maintain in a segregated account cash and liquid securities in an
amount not less than the exercise price at all times while the put option is
outstanding. (The rules of the Options Clearing Corporation currently require
that such assets be deposited in escrow to secure payment of the exercise
price.) The Fund would generally write covered put options in circumstances
where the Advisor wishes to purchase the underlying security or currency for the
Fund's portfolio at a price lower than the current market price of the security
or currency. In such event the Fund would write a put option at an exercise
price which, reduced by the premium received on the option, reflects the lower
price it is willing to pay. Since the Fund would also receive interest on debt
securities or currencies maintained to cover the exercise price of the option,
this technique could be used to enhance current return during periods of market
B-12
<PAGE>
uncertainty. The risk in such a transaction would be that the market price of
the underlying security or currency would decline below the exercise price less
the premiums received.
PURCHASING PUT OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase put options. As the holder of a put option, the Fund has
the right to sell the underlying security or currency at the exercise price at
any time during the option period. The Fund may enter into closing sale
transactions with respect to such options, exercise them, or permit them to
expire. The Fund may purchase put options for defensive purposes in order to
protect against an anticipated decline in the value of its securities or
currencies. An example of such use of put options is provided below.
The Fund may purchase a put option on an underlying security or currency (a
"protective put") owned as a defensive technique in order to protect against an
anticipated decline in the value of the security or currency. Such hedge
protection is provided only during the life of the put option when the Fund, as
the holder of the put option, is able to sell the underlying security or
currency at the put exercise price regardless of any decline in the underlying
security's market price or currency's exchange value. For example, a put option
may be purchased in order to protect unrealized appreciation of a security or
currency where the Advisor deems it desirable to continue to hold the security
or currency because of tax considerations. The premium paid for the put option
and any transaction costs would reduce any capital gain otherwise available for
distribution when the security or currency is eventually sold.
The Fund may also purchase put options at a time when the Fund does not own the
underlying security or currency. By purchasing put options on a security or
currency it does not own, the Fund seeks to benefit from a decline in the market
price of the underlying security or currency. If the put option is not sold when
it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security or
currency remains equal to or greater than the exercise price during the life of
the put option, the Fund will lose its entire investment in the put option. In
order for the purchase of a put option to be profitable, the market price of the
underlying security or currency must decline sufficiently below the exercise
price to cover the premium and transaction costs, unless the put option is sold
in a closing sale transaction.
The Fund will commit no more than 5% of its assets to premiums when purchasing
put options. The premium paid by the Fund when purchasing a put option will be
recorded as an asset in the Fund's statement of assets and liabilities. This
asset will be adjusted daily to the option's current market value, which will be
the latest sale price at the time at which the Fund's net asset value per share
is computed (close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange), or, in the
absence of such sale, the latest bid price. The asset will be extinguished upon
expiration of the option, the selling (writing) of an identical option in a
closing transaction, or the delivery of the underlying security or currency upon
the exercise of the option.
PURCHASING CALL OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase call options. As the holder of a call option, the Fund has
the right to purchase the underlying security or currency at the exercise price
at any time during the option period. The Fund may enter into closing sale
transactions with respect to such options, exercise them, or permit them to
B-13
<PAGE>
expire. The Fund may purchase call options for the purpose of increasing its
current return or avoiding tax consequences which could reduce its current
return. The Fund may also purchase call options in order to acquire the
underlying securities or currencies. Examples of such uses of call options are
provided below.
Call options may be purchased by the Fund for the purpose of acquiring the
underlying securities or currencies for its portfolio. Utilized in this fashion,
the purchase of call options enables the Fund involved to acquire the securities
or currencies at the exercise price of the call option plus the premium paid. At
times the net cost of acquiring securities or currencies in this manner may be
less than the cost of acquiring the securities or currencies directly. This
technique may also be useful to the Fund in purchasing a large block of
securities that would be more difficult to acquire by direct market purchases.
So long as it holds such a call option rather than the underlying security or
currency itself, the Fund is partially protected from any unexpected decline in
the market price of the underlying security or currency and in such event could
allow the call option to expire, incurring a loss only to the extent of the
premium paid for the option.
The Fund will commit no more than 5% of its assets to premiums when purchasing
call options. The Fund may also purchase call options on underlying securities
or currencies it owns in order to protect unrealized gains on call options
previously written by it. A call option would be purchased for this purpose
where tax considerations make it inadvisable to realize such gains through a
closing purchase transaction. Call options may also be purchased at times to
avoid realizing losses that would result in a reduction of the Fund's current
return. For example, where the Fund has written a call option on an underlying
security or currency having a current market value below the price at which such
security or currency was purchased by the Fund, an increase in the market price
could result in the exercise of the call option written by the Fund and the
realization of a loss on the underlying security or currency with the same
exercise price and expiration date as the option previously written.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment policies and
restrictions in addition to the policies and restrictions discussed in its
prospectus. The policies and restrictions listed below cannot be changed without
approval by the holders of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" of
the Fund (which is defined in the 1940 Act to mean the lesser of (i) 67% of the
shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares
are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares). These
restrictions provide that the Fund may not:
1. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in the securities
of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same
industry, except that this limitation shall not apply to securities
issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
B-14
<PAGE>
2. Buy or sell real estate (including real estate limited partnerships)
or commodities or commodity contracts; however, the Fund may invest in
securities secured by real estate, or issued by companies which invest
in real estate or interests therein, including real estate investment
trusts, and may purchase and sell currencies (including forward
currency exchange contracts), gold, bullion, futures contracts, and
related options generally as described in the Prospectus and Statement
of Additional Information.
3. Engage in the business of underwriting securities of other issuers,
except to the extent that the disposal of an investment position may
technically cause it to be considered an underwriter as that term is
defined under the Securities Act of 1933.
4. Make loans, except that the Fund may purchase debt securities, enter
into repurchase agreements, and make loans of portfolio securities
amounting to not more than 33 1/3% of its net assets calculated at the
time of the securities lending.
5. Borrow money, except from banks for temporary or emergency purposes
not in excess of 30% of the value of the Fund's total assets. The Fund
will not purchase securities while such borrowings are outstanding.
6. Change its status as a non-diversified investment company.
7. Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and
except that the Investment Company and the Fund may issue shares of
common stock in multiple series or classes.
8. Notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or
policy, the Fund may invest all of its assets in the securities of a
single open-end investment company with substantially the same
fundamental investment objectives, restrictions, and policies as the
Fund.
Other current investment policies of the Fund, which are not fundamental and
which may be changed by action of the Board of Directors without shareholder
approval, are as follows. The Fund may not:
9. Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or
management.
10. Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets, provided that this
restriction shall not apply to the transfer of securities in
connection with any permissible borrowing.
11. Invest in interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or
development programs or leases.
B-15
<PAGE>
12. Invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of companies
having, together with their predecessors, a record of less than three
years continuous operation.
13. Purchase securities on margin, provided that the Fund may obtain such
short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of securities, except that the Fund may make margin deposits
in connection with futures contracts.
14. Enter into a futures contract if, as a result thereof, more than 5% of
the Fund's total assets (taken at market value at the time of entering
into the contract) would be committed to margin on such futures
contract.
15. Acquire securities or assets for which there is no readily available
market or which are illiquid, if, immediately after and as a result of
the acquisition, the value of such securities would exceed, in the
aggregate, 15% of the Fund's net assets.
16. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, except
that the Fund may sell short "against the box."
17. Invest in securities of an issuer if the investment would cause the
Fund to own more than 10% of any class of securities of any one
issuer.
18. Acquire more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of any one
investment company.
Certain market strategies and market definitions applicable to the Fund - such
as the market capitalization ranges - may be adjusted from time to time to
reflect changing market circumstances subject to review and approval by the
Fund's Board of Directors.
INVESTMENT COMPANY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Bylaws of Fremont Mutual Funds, Inc. (the "Investment Company"), the
Maryland investment company of which the Fund is a series, authorize a Board of
Directors of between three and 15 persons, as fixed by the Board of Directors. A
majority of directors may fill vacancies caused by the resignation or death of a
director or the expansion of the Board of Directors. Any director may be removed
by vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of the Investment
Company qualified to vote at the meeting.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS AND BUSINESS
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BIRTH POSITIONS HELD EXPERIENCE FOR PAST FIVE YEARS
---------------- -------- -------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
David L. Redo(1)(2)(4) 9-1-37 Chairman and Director Chairman, CEO, and Director,
Fremont Investment, Advisors, Inc. Fremont Investment, Advisors, Inc.;
333 Market Street, 26th Floor Managing Director, Fremont Group,
San Francisco, CA 94105 LLC and Fremont Investors, Inc.;
Director, Sequoia Ventures, Sit/Kim
International Investment
Associates, Kern Capital Management
LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Asia.
</TABLE>
B-16
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS AND BUSINESS
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BIRTH POSITIONS HELD EXPERIENCE FOR PAST FIVE YEARS
---------------- -------- -------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Nancy Tengler(1)(2)(4) 2-26-58 President and Director 10/00 - Present, President, CIO and
Fremont Investment Advisors, Inc Director, Fremont Investment
333 Market Street, 26th Floor Advisors, Inc.; 9/97 - 9/00,
San Francisco, CA 94105 President and CIO, Global Alliance
Value Investors, Ltd.; 12/94-9/97,
Managing Director and Head of the
Value Equities Group, UBS Asset
Management (NY) Inc.
Richard E. Holmes(3) 5-14-43 Director Vice President and Director, BelMar
P.O. Box 479 Advisors, Inc. (marketing firm)
Sanibel, FL 33957
Donald C. Luchessa(3) 2-18-30 Director Principal, DCL Advisory
DCL Advisory (marketer for investment advisors).
4105 Shelter Bay Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
David L. Egan(3) 5-1-34 Director President, Fairfield Capital
Fairfield Capital Associates, Inc. Associates, Inc. Founding Partner
1640 Sylvaner of China Epicure, LLC and Palisades
St. Helena, CA 94574 Trading Company, LLC
Kimun Lee (3) 6-17-46 Director Principal of Resources Consolidated
Resources Consolidated (a consulting and investment
235 Montgomery Street, Ste 968 banking service group).
San Francisco, CA 94104
Christine D. Timmerman (3) 6-29-46 Director Financial Consultant
71 DeBell Drive
Atherton, CA 94027
Peter F. Landini(4) 5-10-51 Executive Vice President, Managing Director, Treasurer, and
Fremont Investment Advisors, Inc. and Treasurer COO, Fremont Investment Advisors,
333 Market Street, 26th Floor Inc.; 1/94 - 7/98, Director, J.P.
San Francisco, CA 94105 Morgan Securities, Asia
</TABLE>
B-17
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS AND BUSINESS
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BIRTH POSITIONS HELD EXPERIENCE FOR PAST FIVE YEARS
---------------- -------- -------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tina Thomas 8-7-49 Vice President, Secretary, 6/96 -Present Vice President,
Fremont Investment Advisors, Inc. and Chief Compliance Secretary, and Chief Compliance
333 Market Street, 26th Floor Officer Officer, Fremont Investment
San Francisco, CA 94105 Advisors, Inc., 9/88 - 5/96 Chief
Compliance Officer and Vice
President, Bailard, Biehl &Kaiser,
Inc. (BB&K); Treasurer, BB&K
International Fund Group, Inc. and
BB&K Fund Group; Principal, BB&K
Fund Services, Inc.
Jack Gee 9-12-59 Vice President and Chief 10/97 - Present, Vice President and
Fremont Investment Advisors, Inc. Financial Officer Chief Financial Officer, Fremont
333 Market Street, 26th Floor Investment Advisors, Inc.;
San Francisco, CA 94105 11/95-10/97, Sife, Inc.;6/91-6/95,
Controller, Concord General Corp
</TABLE>
----------
(1) Director who is an "interested person" of the Company due to his
affiliation with the Company's investment manager.
(2) Member of the Executive Committee.
(3) Member of the Audit Committee and the Contracts Committee.
(4) Member of the Fremont Investment Committee.
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999, Richard E. Holmes and David L.
Egan each received $16,000, and Donald C. Luchessa and Kimun Lee each received
$12,000 for serving as directors of the Investment Company.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
The Advisor, in addition to providing investment management services, furnishes
the services and pays the compensation and travel expenses of persons who
perform the executive, administrative, clerical, and bookkeeping functions of
the Investment Company, provides suitable office space, necessary small office
equipment and utilities, and general purpose accounting forms, supplies, and
postage used at the offices of the Investment Company.
The Advisor is responsible to pay sub-transfer agency fees when such entities
are engaged in connection with share holdings in the Fund acquired by certain
retirement plans.
For its services under the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement (the
"Advisory Agreement"), the Advisor is paid a monthly fee at the annual rate of
0.75% of the Fund's average net assets. The Fund will pay all of its own
expenses not assumed by the Advisor, including, but not limited to, the
following: custodian, stock transfer, and dividend disbursing fees and expenses;
taxes and insurance; expenses of the issuance and redemption of shares of the
Fund (including stock certificates, registration or qualification fees and
expenses); legal and auditing expenses; and the costs of stationery and forms
prepared exclusively for the Fund.
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<PAGE>
The allocation of general Investment Company expenses among its series is made
on a basis that the Directors deem fair and equitable, which may be based on the
relative net assets of each series or the nature of the services performed and
relative applicability to each series.
As noted in the Prospectus, the Advisor has agreed to reduce some or all of its
fees under the Advisory Agreement if necessary to keep total operating expenses,
expressed on an annualized basis, at or below the rate of 1.20% of the Fund's
average net assets. Any reductions made by the Advisor in its fees are subject
to reimbursement by the Fund within the following three years provided the Fund
is able to effect such reimbursement and remain in compliance with the foregoing
expense limitation. In considering approval of the Fund's Advisory Agreement,
the Board of Directors specifically considered and approved the provision which
permits the Advisor to seek reimbursement of any reduction made to its fees
within the three-year period. The Advisor's ability to request reimbursement is
subject to various conditions. First, any reimbursement is subject to the Fund's
ability to effect such reimbursement and remain in compliance with the 1.20%
limitation on annual operating expenses. Second, the Advisor must specifically
request the reimbursement from the Board of Directors. Third, the Board of
Directors must approve such reimbursement as appropriate and not inconsistent
with the best interests of the Fund and the shareholders at the time such
reimbursement is requested. Because of these substantial contingencies, the
potential reimbursements will be accounted for as contingent liabilities that
are not recordable on the balance sheet of the Fund until collection is
probable; but the full amount of the potential liability will appear in a
footnote to the Fund's financial statements. At such time as it appears probable
that the Fund is able to effect such reimbursement, that the Advisor intends to
seek such reimbursement and that the Board of Directors has or is likely to
approve the payment of such reimbursement, the amount of the reimbursement will
be accrued as an expense of the Fund for that current period.
The Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund may be renewed annually,
provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved by (i) the Board
of Directors, or by the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (ii) the vote of a majority of
directors who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or "interested persons"
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person, at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement also
provides that either party thereto has the right with respect to the Fund to
terminate it without penalty upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the other
party, and that the Advisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of
its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The Investment Company and the Advisor have adopted a Code of Ethics as required
under the 1940 Act. Subject to certain conditions or restrictions, the Code of
Ethics permits the trustees, directors, officers or employees of the Investment
Company or the Advisor to buy or sell securities for their own accounts. This
includes securities that may be purchased or held by the fundsThe Code of Ethics
includes some broad prohibitions against fraudulent conduct, and also includes
specific rules, restrictions, and reporting obligations with respect to personal
securities transactions of the Advisor's employees. Generally, each employee is
required to obtain prior approval of the Advisor's compliance officer in order
B-19
<PAGE>
to purchase or sell a security for the employee's own account. Purchases or
sales of securities which are not eligible for purchase or sale by the Fund or
any other client of the Advisor are exempted from the prior approval
requirement, as are certain other transactions which the Advisor believes
present no potential conflict of interest. The Advisor's employees are also
required to file with the Advisor quarterly reports of their personal securities
transactions.
SUB-ADVISORS
The Advisory Agreement authorizes the Advisor, at its option and at its sole
expense, to appoint a Sub-Advisor, which may assume all or a portion of the
responsibilities and obligations of the Advisor pursuant to the Advisory
Agreement as shall be delegated to the Sub-Advisor. Any appointment of a
Sub-Advisor and assumption of responsibilities and obligations of the Advisor by
such Sub-Advisor is subject to approval by the Board of Directors and, if
required by the law, the shareholders of the Fund.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
The Fund's principal underwriter is First Fund Distributors, Inc., 4455 E.
Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, Arizona 85018 (the "Distributor"). The
Distributor is engaged on a non-exclusive basis to assist in the distribution of
shares in various jurisdictions. The Distributor receives compensation from the
Advisor and is not paid either directly or indirectly by the Investment Company.
The Distributor will receive compensation of $50,000 from the Advisor with
respect to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2001 for services as Distributor.
TRANSFER AGENT
The Advisor has engaged State Street Bank and Trust Company, c/o NFDS, P.O. Box
419343, Kansas City, Missouri, 64141, to serve as Transfer and Dividend
Disbursing Agent and shareholder service agent. The Transfer Agent is not
involved in determining investment policies of the Fund or its portfolio
securities transactions. Its services do not protect shareholders against
possible depreciation of their assets. The fees of State Street Bank and Trust
Company are paid by the Fund and thus borne by the Fund's shareholders. State
Street Bank and Trust Company has contracted with National Financial Data
Services to serve as shareholder servicing agent. A depository account has been
established at United Missouri Bank of Kansas City through which all payments
for the funds will be processed.
The Fund may compensate third-party service providers who act as a shareholder
servicing agent or who perform shareholder servicing normally performed by the
Fund.
ADMINISTRATOR
The Advisor has retained Investment Company Administration, L.L.C. (the
"Sub-Administrator"), with offices at 2020 East Financial Way, Suite 100,
Glendora, California 91741. The Administration Agreement provides that the
Sub-Administrator will prepare and coordinate reports and other materials
supplied to the Directors; prepare and/or supervise the preparation and filing
of securities filings, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
marketing materials; prepare all required filings necessary to maintain the
Funds' notice filings to sell shares in all states where the Funds currently do,
or intends to do, business; and perform such additional services as may be
B-20
<PAGE>
agreed upon by the Advisor and the Sub-Administrator. For its services, the
Advisor (not the Fund) pays the Sub-Administrator an annual fee equal to .02% of
the first $1 billion of each Fund's average daily net assets, 0.015% thereafter,
subject to a minimum annual fee of $20,000. In addition, the Sub-Administrator
will prepare periodic financial reports, shareholder reports and other
regulatory reports or filings required for the Funds; coordinate the
preparation, printing and mailing of materials required to be sent to
shareholders; and perform such additional services as may be agreed upon by the
Advisor and the Sub-Administrator. For these additional services, the Advisor
(not the Fund) will pay the Sub-Administrator an annual fee of $100,000 for the
years 2001 and 2002. After the year 2002, the Sub-Administrator will receive
from the Advisor (not the Fund) an annual fee, calculated on each Fund's average
daily net assets, equal to 0.005% of the first $2 billion and 0.0025%
thereafter.
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
There are occasions in which portfolio transactions for the Fund may be executed
as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same security for
other accounts served by the Advisor including other series of the Investment
Company. Although such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either
advantageous or disadvantageous to the Fund, they will be effected only when the
Advisor believes that to do so will be in the best interest of the Fund. When
such concurrent authorizations occur, the objective will be to allocate the
executions in a manner which is deemed equitable to the accounts involved,
including the Fund and the other series of the Investment Company.
The Fund contemplates purchasing foreign equity and/or fixed-income securities
in over-the-counter markets or stock exchanges located in the countries in which
the respective principal offices of the issuers of the various securities are
located, if that is the best available market. Fixed commissions on foreign
stock transactions and transaction costs with respect to foreign fixed-income
securities are generally higher than negotiated commissions on United States
transactions, although the Fund will endeavor to achieve the best net results on
its portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and
regulation of foreign stock exchanges and brokers than in the United States.
Foreign security settlements may in some instances be subject to delays and
related administrative uncertainties.
Foreign equity securities may be held by the Fund in the form of American
Depository Receipts ("ADRs") or similar instruments. ADRs may be listed on stock
exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter markets in the United States. ADRs,
like other securities traded in the United States, will be subject to negotiated
commission rates. The government securities issued by the United States and
other countries and money market securities in which the Fund may invest are
generally traded in the over-the-counter markets.
Subject to the requirement of seeking the best available prices and executions,
the Advisor may, in circumstances in which two or more broker-dealers are in a
position to offer comparable prices and executions, give preference to
broker-dealers who have provided investment research, statistical, and other
related services to the Advisor for the benefit of the Fund and/or other
accounts served by the Advisor. Such preferences would only be afforded to a
B-21
<PAGE>
broker-dealer if the Advisor determines that the amount of the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by that broker-dealer and only to a broker-dealer acting as agent and
not as principal. The Advisor is of the opinion that, while such information is
useful in varying degrees, it is of indeterminable value and does not reduce the
expenses of the Advisor in managing the Fund's portfolio.
Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and procedures adopted by the Board
of Directors, the Fund may execute portfolio transactions through any broker or
dealer and pay brokerage commissions to a broker which is an affiliated person
of the Investment Company, the Advisor, or an affiliated person of such person.
HOW TO INVEST
PRICE OF SHARES
The price to be paid by an investor for shares of the Fund, the public offering
price, is based on the net asset value per share which is calculated once daily
as of the close of trading (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) each day the New
York Stock Exchange is open as set forth below. The New York Stock Exchange is
currently closed on weekends and on the following holidays: (i) New Year's Day,
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July
4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day; and (ii) the preceding Friday
when any one of those holidays falls on a Saturday or the subsequent Monday when
any one of those holidays falls on a Sunday.
The Fund will calculate its net asset value and complete orders to purchase,
exchange, or redeem shares only on a Monday through Friday basis (excluding
holidays on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed). The Fund's portfolio
securities may from time to time be listed on foreign stock exchanges or
otherwise traded on foreign markets which may trade on other days (such as
Saturday). As a result, the net asset value of the Fund may be significantly
affected by such trading on days when a shareholder has no access to the Fund.
See also in the Prospectus at "General Investment Policies - Special
Considerations in International Investing," "Calculation of Net Asset Value and
Public Offering Price," "How to Invest," "How to Redeem Shares," and
"Shareholder Account Services and Privileges - Exchanges Between Funds."
1. Fixed-income obligations with original or remaining maturities in
excess of 60 days are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid
and asked prices for such securities or, if such prices are not
available, at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality,
and type. However, in circumstances where the Advisor deems it
appropriate to do so, prices obtained for the day of valuation from a
bond pricing service will be used. The Fund amortizes to maturity all
securities with 60 days or less remaining to maturity based on their
cost to the Fund if acquired within 60 days of maturity or, if already
held by the Fund on the 60th day, based on the value determined on the
61st day. Options on currencies purchased by the Fund are valued at
their last bid price in the case of listed options or at the average
of the last bid prices obtained from dealers in the case of OTC
options. Where market quotations are not readily available, securities
are valued at fair value pursuant to methods approved by the Board of
Directors.
B-22
<PAGE>
2. Equity securities, including ADRs, which are traded on stock
exchanges, are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which
such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the
securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last
available mean price. In cases where securities are traded on more
than one exchange, the securities are valued on the exchange
designated by or under the authority of the Board of Directors as the
primary market. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are
valued at the last available bid price in the over-the-counter market
prior to the time of valuation. Securities and assets for which market
quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities
which are subject to limitations as to their sale) are valued at fair
value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the
Board of Directors.
3. Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern securities exchanges
and over-the-counter markets is normally completed well before the
close of the business day in New York. In addition, European or Far
Eastern securities trading may not take place on all business days in
New York. Furthermore, trading takes place in Japanese markets on
certain Saturdays and in various foreign markets on days which are not
business days in New York and on which the Fund's net asset value is
not calculated. The calculation of net asset value may not take place
contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of securities
held by the Fund used in such calculation. Events affecting the values
of portfolio securities that occur between the time their prices are
determined and the close of the New York Stock Exchange will not be
reflected in the Fund's calculation of net asset value unless the
Board of Directors deems that the particular event would materially
affect net asset value, in which case an adjustment will be made.
4. The value of each security denominated in a currency other than U.S.
dollars will be translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market
rate as determined by the Advisor.
5. The Fund's liabilities, including proper accruals of taxes and other
expense items, are deducted from total assets and a net asset figure
is obtained.
6. The net assets so obtained are then divided by the total number of
shares outstanding (excluding treasury shares), and the result,
rounded to the nearest cent, is the net asset value per share.
OTHER INVESTMENT AND REDEMPTION SERVICES
THE OPEN ACCOUNT
When an investor makes an initial investment in the Fund, a shareholder account
is opened in accordance with the investor's registration instructions. Each time
there is a transaction in a shareholder account, such as an additional
investment, redemption, or distribution (dividend or capital gain), the
shareholder will receive from the Sub-Transfer Agent a confirmation statement
showing the current transaction in the shareholder account, along with a summary
of the status of the account as of the transaction date.
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<PAGE>
PAYMENT AND TERMS OF OFFERING
Payment of shares purchased should accompany the purchase order, or funds should
be wired to the Sub-Transfer Agent as described in the Prospectus. Payment,
other than by wire transfer, must be made by check or money order drawn on a
U.S. bank. Checks or money orders must be payable in U.S. dollars and made
payable to Fremont Mutual Funds. Third party checks, credit cards, and cash will
not be accepted.
As a condition of this offering, if an order to purchase shares is cancelled due
to nonpayment (for example, because of a check returned for "not sufficient
funds"), the person who made the order will be responsible for reimbursing the
Advisor for any loss incurred by reason of such cancellation. If such purchaser
is a shareholder, the Fund shall have the authority as agent of the shareholder
to redeem shares in the shareholder's account for the then-current net asset
value per share to reimburse the Fund for the loss incurred. Such loss shall be
the difference between the net asset value of the Fund on the date of purchase
and the net asset value on the date of cancellation of the purchase. Investors
whose purchase orders have been cancelled due to nonpayment may be prohibited
from placing future orders.
The Fund reserves the right at any time to waive or increase the minimum
requirements applicable to initial or subsequent investments with respect to any
person or class of persons. An order to purchase shares is not binding on the
Fund until it has been confirmed in writing by the Sub-Transfer Agent (or other
arrangements made with the Fund, in the case of orders utilizing wire transfer
of funds) and payment has been received. To protect existing shareholders, the
Fund reserves the right to reject any offer for a purchase of shares by any
individual.
REDEMPTION IN KIND
A shareholder may request a redemption in kind, which the Fund will attempt to
honor if at all practicable. The Fund may also elect on its own initiative to
honor a redemption in kind in extraordinary circumstances. If the Fund elects to
redeem shares in kind (i.e., in assets other than cash), it must pay in cash (if
so requested) all redemptions with respect to any shareholder during any 90-day
period in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $250,000 or (ii) 1% of the net
asset value of the Fund at the beginning of such period. Shareholders who elect
to sell securities received in a redemption in kind will be responsible for
paying any brokerage commissions associated with those sale transactions.
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTION PRIVILEGES
The Fund may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of payment for
more than seven calendar days after the redemption order is received during any
period (1) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than customary
weekend and holiday closings, or trading on the Exchange is restricted as
determined by the SEC, (2) when an emergency exists, as defined by the SEC,
which makes it not reasonably practicable for the Investment Company to dispose
of securities owned by it or to fairly determine the value of its assets, or (3)
as the SEC may otherwise permit.
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<PAGE>
TAXES - MUTUAL FUNDS
STATUS AS A "REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY"
The Fund will be treated under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code") as a separate entity, and the Fund intends to qualify and elect,
and to continue to qualify, to be treated as a separate "regulated investment
company" under Subchapter M of the Code. To qualify for the tax treatment
afforded a regulated investment company under the Code, the Fund must annually
distribute at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income
(generally net investment income and certain short-term capital gains), its
tax-exempt interest income (if any) and net capital gains, and meet certain
diversification of assets and other requirements of the Code. If the Fund
qualifies for such tax treatment, it will not be subject to federal income tax
on the part of its investment company taxable income and its net capital gain
which it distributes to shareholders. To meet the requirements of the Code, the
Fund must (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest,
payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other
disposition of securities or currencies; (b) diversify its holdings so that, at
the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the
Fund's total assets is represented by cash, U.S. Government securities,
securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities,
limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the
Fund's total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer,
and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the
securities of other regulated investment companies), or in two or more issuers
which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or
businesses. Income and gain from investing in gold or other commodities will not
qualify in meeting the 90% gross income test.
Even though the Fund has elected and intends to continue to qualify as a
"regulated investment company," it may be subject to certain federal excise
taxes unless the Fund meets certain additional distribution requirements. Under
the Code, a nondeductible excise tax of 4% is imposed on the excess of a
regulated investment company's "required distribution" for the calendar year
over the "distributed amount" for such calendar year. The term "required
distribution" means the sum of (i) 98% of ordinary income (generally net
investment income) for the calendar year, (ii) 98% of capital gain net income
(both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of
such year, and (iii) the sum of any untaxed, undistributed net investment income
and net capital gains of the regulated investment company for prior periods. The
term "distributed amount" generally means the sum of (i) amounts actually
distributed by the Fund from its current year's ordinary income and capital gain
net income and (ii) any amount on which the Fund pays income tax for the year.
The Fund intends to meet these distribution requirements to avoid the excise tax
liability.
If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for the special tax treatment
afforded regulated investment companies, all of its taxable income will be
subject to tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for
distributions to its shareholders). In such event, dividend distributions would
be taxable to shareholders to the extent of earnings and profits.
DISTRIBUTIONS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividends from net investment income (including net short-term capital gains)
are taxable as ordinary income. Shareholders will be taxed for federal income
tax purposes on dividends from the Fund in the same manner whether such
dividends are received as shares or in cash. If the Fund does not receive any
B-25
<PAGE>
dividend income from U.S. corporations, dividends from the Fund will not be
eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations. To the
extent that dividends received by the Fund would qualify for the dividends
received deduction available to corporations, the Fund must designate in a
written notice to shareholders the amount of the Fund's dividends that would be
eligible for this treatment
NET CAPITAL GAINS
Any distributions designated as being made from the Fund's net capital gains
will be taxable as long-term capital gains regardless of the holding period of
the shareholders of the Fund's shares. The maximum federal capital gains rate
for individuals is 20% with respect to capital assets held more than 12 months.
The maximum capital gains rate for corporate shareholders is the same as the
maximum tax rate for ordinary income.
Capital loss carryforwards result when the Fund has net capital losses during a
tax year. These are carried over to subsequent years and may reduce
distributions of realized gains in those years. Unused capital loss
carryforwards expire in eight years. Until such capital loss carryforwards are
offset or expire, it is unlikely that the Board of Directors will authorize a
distribution of any net realized gains.
NON-U.S. SHAREHOLDERS
Under the Code, distributions of net investment income by the Fund to a
shareholder who, as to the U.S., is a nonresident alien individual, nonresident
alien fiduciary of a trust or estate, foreign corporation, or foreign
partnership (a "foreign shareholder") will be subject to U.S. tax withholding
(at a 30% or lower treaty rate). Withholding will not apply if a dividend paid
by the Fund to a foreign shareholder is "effectively connected" with a U.S.
trade or business, in which case the reporting and withholding requirements
applicable to U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, or domestic corporations will
apply. Distributions of net long-term capital gains are not subject to tax
withholding, but in the case of a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien
individual, such distributions ordinarily will be subject to U.S. income tax at
a rate of 30% if the individual is physically present in the U.S. for more than
182 days during the taxable year.
OTHER INFORMATION
The amount of any realized gain or loss on closing out a futures contract such
as a forward commitment for the purchase or sale of foreign currency will
generally result in a realized capital gain or loss for tax purposes. Under
Section 1256 of the Code, futures contracts held by the Fund at the end of each
fiscal year will be required to be "marked to market" for federal income tax
purposes, that is, deemed to have been sold at market value. Sixty percent (60%)
of any net gain or loss recognized on these deemed sales and sixty percent (60%)
of any net realized gain or loss from any actual sales will be treated as
long-term capital gain or loss, and the remainder will be treated as short-term
capital gain or loss. Code Section 988 may also apply to currency transactions.
Under Section 988 of the Code, each foreign currency gain or loss is generally
computed separately and treated as ordinary income or loss. In the case of
overlap between Sections 1256 and 988 of the Code, special provisions determine
the character and timing of any income, gain, or loss. The Fund will attempt to
monitor transactions under Section 988 of the Code to avoid an adverse tax
impact. See also "Investment Objective, Policies, and Risk Considerations" in
this Statement of Additional Information.
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<PAGE>
Any loss realized on redemption or exchange of the Fund's shares will be
disallowed to the extent shares are reacquired within the 61 day period
beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are redeemed or
exchanged.
Under the Code, the Fund's taxable income for each year will be computed without
regard to any net foreign currency loss attributable to transactions after
October 31, and any such net foreign currency loss will be treated as arising on
the first day of the following taxable year. The Fund may be required to pay
withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries generally at rates from
10% to 40% which would reduce the Fund's investment income. Tax conventions
between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such
taxes. It is not anticipated that shareholders will be entitled to a foreign tax
credit or deduction for such foreign taxes.
The Fund may purchase the securities of certain foreign investment funds or
trusts called passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs"). Currently, PFICs
are the only or primary means by which the Fund may invest in some countries. If
the Fund invests in PFICs, it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a
portion of any "excess distribution" or gain from the disposition of such shares
even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend to shareholders. In
addition to bearing their proportionate share of the Fund's expenses,
shareholders will also bear indirectly similar expenses of PFICs in which the
Fund has invested. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed
on either the Fund or its shareholders in respect of deferred taxes arising from
such distributions or gains. Capital gains on the sale of such holdings will be
deemed to be ordinary income regardless of how long such PFICs are held. If the
Fund were to invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a "qualified
electing fund" under the Code, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, the Fund
might be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary
earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not
distributed to the Fund, and such amounts would be subject to the 90% and
calendar year distribution requirements described above. In order to qualify for
the dividends received deduction, a corporate shareholder must hold the Fund's
shares paying the dividends, upon which a dividend received deduction would be
based, for at least 46 days during the 90-day period that begins 45 days before
the stock becomes ex-dividend with respect to the dividend without protection
from risk of loss. Similar requirements apply to the Fund with respect to each
qualifying dividend the Fund receives. Shareholders are advised to consult their
tax advisor regarding application of these rules to their particular
circumstances.
The foregoing is a general abbreviated summary of present United States federal
income taxes on dividends and distributions by the Fund. Investors are urged to
consult their own tax advisors for more detailed information and for information
regarding any foreign, state, and local taxes applicable to dividends and
distributions received.
B-27
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank & Trust Company, 801 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Missouri
64105, acts as Custodian for the Investment Company's assets, and as such
safekeeps the Fund's portfolio securities, collects all income and other
payments with respect thereto, disburses funds at the Investment Company's
request, and maintains records in connection with its duties.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Investment Company's independent auditor is PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 333
Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will
conduct an annual audit of the Fund, assist in the preparation of the Fund's
federal and state income tax returns, and consult with the Investment Company as
to matters of accounting, regulatory filings, and federal and state income
taxation.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon by
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, 345 California Street, San Francisco,
California 94104. In addition to acting as counsel to the Investment Company,
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP has acted and may continue to act as
counsel to the Advisor and its affiliates in various matters.
USE OF NAME
The Advisor has granted the Investment Company the right to use the "Fremont"
name and has reserved the rights to withdraw its consent to the use of such name
by the Investment Company at any time, or to grant the use of such name to any
other company, and the Investment Company has granted the Advisor, under certain
conditions, the use of any other name it might assume in the future, with
respect to any other investment company sponsored by the Advisor.
SHAREHOLDER VOTING RIGHTS
The Investment Company currently issues shares in 12 series and may establish
additional classes or series of shares in the future. When more than one class
or series of shares is outstanding, shares of all classes and series will vote
together for a single set of directors, and on other matters affecting the
entire Investment Company, with each share entitled to a single vote. On matters
affecting only one class or series, only the shareholders of that class or
series shall be entitled to vote. On matters relating to more than one class or
series but affecting the classes and series differently, separate votes by class
and series are required. Shareholders holding 10% of the shares of the
Investment Company may call a special meeting of shareholders.
LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Articles of Incorporation of the Investment Company provide that, subject to
the provisions of the 1940 Act, to the fullest extent permitted under Maryland
law, no officer or director of the Investment Company may be held personally
liable to the Investment Company or its shareholders.
B-28
<PAGE>
CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS
To the best knowledge of the Fund, shareholders owning 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of the Fund as of record are set forth below:
OTHER INVESTMENT INFORMATION
The Advisor directs the management of over $7.26 billion of assets and
internally manages over $1.55 billion of assets for retirement plans,
foundations, private portfolios, and mutual funds. The Advisor's philosophy is
to apply a long-term approach to investing that balances risk and return
potential.
Historical annual returns of various market indices may be used to represent the
returns of various asset classes as follows:
(1) U.S. Stocks: Standard & Poor's 500 Index,
(2) Foreign Stocks: Morgan Stanley Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE)
Index;
(3) Intermediate U.S. Bonds: Lehman Brothers Intermediate
Government/Corporate Bond Index;
(4) Foreign Bonds: Salomon Brothers Non-U.S. Dollar Bond Index; and Money
Market Securities: 1980-1986, 90 day U.S. Treasury Bill rate:
1987-1998 IBC First Tier Money Market Fund Average.
The total returns for the above indices for the years 1980 through 1999 are as
follows (source: Fremont Investment Advisors, Inc.):
U.S. Intermediate Money Market
Stocks Foreign Stocks U.S. Bonds Foreign Bonds Securities
------ -------------- ---------- ------------- ----------
1980 32.40% 24.40% 6.40% 14.20% 11.80%
1981 -5.00% -1.00% 10.50% -4.60% 16.10%
1982 21.30% -0.90% 26.10% 11.90% 10.70%
1983 22.30% 24.60% 8.60% 4.40% 8.60%
1984 6.30% 7.90% 14.40% -1.90% 10.00%
1985 31.80% 56.70% 18.10% 35.00% 7.50%
1986 18.70% 70.00% 13.10% 31.40% 5.90%
1987 5.10% 24.90% 3.70% 35.20% 6.00%
1988 16.80% 28.80% 6.70% 2.40% 6.90%
1989 31.40% 11.10% 12.80% -3.40% 8.50%
1990 -3.20% -23.00% 9.20% 15.30% 7.50%
1991 30.60% 12.90% 14.60% 16.20% 5.50%
1992 7.70% -11.50% 7.20% 4.80% 3.30%
1993 10.00% 33.30% 8.80% 15.10% 2.60%
1994 1.30% 8.10% -1.90% 6.00% 3.60%
1995 37.50% 11.20% 15.30% 19.60% 5.30%
1996 23.00% 6.10% 4.10% 4.50% 4.80%
1997 33.40% 1.80% 7.90% -4.30% 5.00%
1998 28.60% 20.00% 9.50% 11.50% 4.90%
1999 21.00% 27.00% -2.20% -5.10% 4.50%
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<PAGE>
The Fund is best suited as a long-term investment. While it offers higher
potential total returns than certificates of deposit or money market funds, it
involves added return volatility or risk. The prospective investor must weigh
this potential for higher return against the associated higher risk.
The Investment Company offers shares in twelve additional series under separate
Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information.
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The Investment Company may from time to time include information on the
investment results of the Fund in advertisements or in reports furnished to
current or prospective shareholders.
The average annual rate of return ("T") for a given period is computed by using
the redeemable value at the end of the period ("ERV") of a hypothetical initial
investment of $1,000 ("P") over the period in years ("n") according to the
following formula as required by the SEC:
n
P(1+T) = ERV
The following assumptions will be reflected in computations made in accordance
with the formula stated above: (1) reinvestment of dividends and distributions
at net asset value on the reinvestment date determined by the Board of
Directors; and (2) a complete redemption at the end of any period illustrated.
The Fund will calculate total return for one, five, and ten-year periods after
such a period has elapsed, and may calculate total returns for other periods as
well. In addition, the Fund will provide lifetime average annual total return
figures.
The Fund's investment results will vary from time to time depending upon market
conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio, and operating expenses of
the Fund, so that current or past total return should not be considered
representations of what an investment in the Fund may earn in any future period.
These factors and possible differences in the methods used in calculating
investment results should be considered when comparing the Fund's investment
results with those published for other investment companies and other investment
vehicles. The Fund's results also should be considered relative to the risks
associated with the Fund's investment objective and policies.
The Investment Company may from time to time compare the investment results of
the Fund with, or refer to, the following:
1. Average of Savings Accounts, which is a measure of all kinds of
savings deposits, including longer-term certificates (based on figures
supplied by the U.S. League of Savings Institutions). Savings accounts
offer a guaranteed rate of return on principal, but no opportunity for
capital growth. During certain periods, the maximum rates paid on some
savings deposits were fixed by law.
2. The Consumer Price Index, which is a measure of the average change in
prices over time in a fixed market basket of goods and services (e.g.,
food, clothing, shelter, and fuels, transportation fares, charges for
doctors' and dentists' services, prescription medicines, and other
goods and services that people buy for day-to-day living).
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<PAGE>
3. Statistics reported by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., which ranks
mutual funds by overall performance, investment objectives, and
assets.
4. Standard & Poor's "500" Index, which is a widely recognized index
composed of the capitalization-weighted average of the price of 500
large publicly traded U.S. common stocks.
5. Dow Jones Industrial Average.
6. CNBC/Financial News Composite Index.
7. Russell 1000 Index, which reflects the common stock price changes of
the 1,000 largest publicly traded U.S. companies by market
capitalization.
8. Russell 2000 Index, which reflects the common stock price changes of
the 2,000 largest publicly traded U.S. companies by market
capitalization.
9. Russell 3000 Index, which reflects the common stock price changes of
the 3,000 largest publicly traded U.S. companies by market
capitalization.
10. Wilshire 5000 Index, which reflects the investment return of the
approximately 5,000 publicly traded securities for which daily pricing
is available, weighted by market capitalization, excluding income.
11. Salomon Brothers Broad Investment Grade Index, which is a widely used
index composed of U.S. domestic government, corporate, and
mortgage-backed fixed income securities.
12. Wilshire Associates, an on-line database for international financial
and economic data including performance measures for a wide variety of
securities.
13. Morgan Stanley Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Index, which is
composed of foreign stocks.
14. IFC Emerging Markets Investables Indices, which measure stock market
performance in various developing countries around the world.
15. Salomon Brothers World Bond Index, which is composed of domestic and
foreign corporate and government fixed income securities.
16. Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index, which is a widely
used index composed of investment quality U.S. government and
corporate fixed income securities.
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17. Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Intermediate Bond Index, which is
a widely used index composed of investment quality U.S. government and
corporate fixed income securities with maturities between one and ten
years.
18. Salomon Brothers World Government Bond Index, which is a widely used
index composed of U.S. and non-U.S. government fixed income securities
of the major countries of the World.
19. 90-day U.S. Treasury Bills Index, which is a measure of the
performance of constant maturity 90-day U.S. Treasury Bills.
20. IBC First Tier Money Fund Average, which is an average of the 30-day
yield of approximately 250 major domestic money market funds.
21. Salomon Brothers Non-U.S. World Government Bond Index, which is the
World Government Bond index excluding its U.S. market component.
22. Salomon Brothers Non-Dollar Bond Index, which is composed of foreign
corporate and government fixed income securities.
23. Bear Stearns Foreign Bond Index, which provides simple average returns
for individual countries and GNP-weighted index, beginning in 1975.
The returns are broken down by local market and currency.
24. Ibbottson Associates International Bond Index, which provides a
detailed breakdown of local market and currency returns since 1960.
25. The World Bank Publication of Trends in Developing Countries ("TIDE"),
which provides brief reports on most of the World Bank's borrowing
members. The World Development Report is published annually and looks
at global and regional economic trends and their implications for the
developing economies.
26. Datastream and Worldscope, which is an on-line database retrieval
service for information including but not limited to international
financial and economic data.
27. International Financial Statistics, which is produced by the
International Monetary Fund.
28. Various publications and annual reports such as the World Development
Report, produced by the World Bank and its affiliates.
29. Various publications from the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development/The World Bank.
30. Various publications including but not limited to ratings agencies
such as Moody's Investors Service, Fitch Investors Service, and
Standard Poor's Ratings Group.
31. Various publications from the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development.
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Indices prepared by the research departments of such financial organizations as
J.P. Morgan; Lehman Brothers; S.G. Warburg; Jardine Fleming; the Asian
Development Bank; Bloomberg, L.P.; Morningstar, Inc; Salomon Brothers, Inc.;
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.; Morgan Stanley; Bear Stearns & Co.,
Inc.; Prudential Securities, Inc.; Smith Barney Inc.; and Ibbottson Associates
of Chicago, Illinois ("Ibbottson") may be used, as well as information provided
by the Federal Reserve and the respective central banks of various countries.
The Investment Company may use performance rankings and ratings reported
periodically in national financial publications such as, but not limited to,
Money Magazine, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily,
Fortune, Smart Money, Business Week, and Barron's.
The Advisor believes the Fund is an appropriate investment for long-term
investment goals including, but not limited to, funding retirement, paying for
education, or purchasing a house. The Fund does not represent a complete
investment program, and investors should consider the Fund as appropriate for a
portion of their overall investment portfolio with regard to their long-term
investment goals.
The Advisor believes that a growing number of consumer products, including, but
not limited to, home appliances, automobiles, and clothing, purchased by
Americans are manufactured abroad. The Advisor believes that investing globally
in the companies that produce products for U.S. consumers can help U.S.
investors seek protection of the value of their assets against the potentially
increasing costs of foreign manufactured goods. Of course, there can be no
assurance that there will be any correlation between global investing and the
costs of such foreign goods unless there is a corresponding change in value of
the U.S. dollar to foreign currencies. From time to time, the Investment Company
may refer to or advertise the names of such companies although there can be no
assurance that the Fund may own the securities of these companies.
From time to time, the Investment Company may refer to the number of
shareholders in the Fund or the aggregate number of shareholders in all Fremont
Mutual Funds or the dollar amount of Fund assets under management or rankings by
DALBAR Savings, Inc. in advertising materials.
The Fund may compare its performance to that of other compilations or indices of
comparable quality to those listed above which may be developed and made
available in the future. The Fund may be compared in advertising to Certificates
of Deposit (CDs), the Bank Rate Monitor National Index, an average of the quoted
rates for 100 leading banks and thrifts in ten U.S. cities chosen to represent
the ten largest Consumer Metropolitan statistical areas, or other investments
issued by banks. The Fund differs from bank investments in several respects. The
Fund may offer greater liquidity or higher potential returns than CDs; but
unlike CDs, the Fund will have a fluctuating share price and return and is not
FDIC insured. The Fund's performance may be compared to the performance of other
mutual funds in general, or to the performance of particular types of mutual
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funds. These comparisons may be expressed as mutual fund rankings prepared by
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. (Lipper), an independent service which monitors
the performance of mutual funds. Lipper generally ranks funds on the basis of
total return, assuming reinvestment of distributions, but does not take sales
charges or redemption fees into consideration, and is prepared without regard to
tax consequences. In addition to the mutual fund rankings, the Fund's
performance may be compared to mutual fund performance indices prepared by
Lipper.
The Investment Company may provide information designed to help individuals
understand their investment goals and explore various financial strategies. For
example, the Investment Company may describe general principles of investing,
such as asset allocation, diversification, and risk tolerance.
Ibbottson provides historical returns of capital markets in the United States,
including common stocks, small capitalization stocks, long-term corporate bonds,
intermediate-term government bonds, long-term government bonds, Treasury bills,
the U.S. rate of inflation (based on the CPI), and combinations of various
capital markets. The performance of these capital markets is based on the
returns of different indices.
The Investment Company may use the performance of these capital markets in order
to demonstrate general risk-versus-reward investment scenarios. Performance
comparisons may also include the value of a hypothetical investment in any of
these capital markets. The risks associated with the security types in any
capital market may or may not correspond directly to those of the Fund. The Fund
may also compare performance to that of other compilations or indices that may
be developed and made available in the future.
In advertising materials, the Advisor may reference or discuss its products and
services, which may include retirement investing, the effects of dollar-cost
averaging, and saving for college or a home. In addition, the Advisor may quote
financial or business publications and periodicals, including model portfolios
or allocations, as they relate to fund management, investment philosophy, and
investment techniques.
The Fund may discuss its NASDAQ symbol, CUSIP number, and its current portfolio
management team.
From time to time, the Fund's performance also may be compared to other mutual
funds tracked by financial or business publications and periodicals. For
example, the Fund may quote Morningstar, Inc. in its advertising materials.
Morningstar, Inc. is a mutual fund rating service that rates mutual funds on the
basis of risk-adjusted performance. In addition, the Fund may quote financial or
business publications and periodicals as they relate to fund management,
investment philosophy, and investment techniques. Rankings that compare the
performance of Fremont Mutual Funds to one another in appropriate categories
over specific periods of time may also be quoted in advertising.
The Fund may quote various measures of volatility and benchmark correlation such
as beta, standard deviation, and R2 in advertising. In addition, the Fund may
compare these measures to those of other funds. Measures of volatility seek to
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compare the Fund's historical share price fluctuations or total returns compared
to those of a benchmark. Measures of benchmark correlation indicate how valid a
comparative benchmark may be. All measures of volatility and correlation are
calculated using averages of historical data.
The Fund may advertise examples of the effects of periodic investment plans,
including the principle of dollar cost averaging. In such a program, an investor
invests a fixed dollar amount in the Fund at periodic intervals, thereby
purchasing fewer shares when prices are high and more shares when prices are
low. While such a strategy does not assure a profit or guard against loss in a
declining market, the investor's average cost per share can be lower than if a
fixed number of shares are purchased at the same intervals. In evaluating such a
plan, investors should consider their ability to continue purchasing shares
through periods of low price levels.
The Fund may be available for purchase through retirement plans of other
programs offering deferral of or exemption from income taxes, which may produce
superior after-tax returns over time. For example, a $10,000 investment earning
a taxable return of 10% annually would have an after-tax value of $17,976 after
ten years, assuming tax was deducted from the return each year at a 39.6% rate.
An equivalent tax-deferred investment would have an after-tax value of $19,626
after ten years, assuming tax was deducted at a 39.6% rate from the deferred
earnings at the end of the ten-year period.
The Fund may describe in its sales material and advertisements how an investor
may invest in the Fund through various retirement accounts and plans that offer
deferral of income taxes on investment earnings and may also enable an investor
to make pre-tax contributions. Because of their advantages, these retirement
accounts and plans may produce returns superior to comparable non-retirement
investments. The Fund may also discuss these accounts and plans which include
the following:
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAS)
Any individual who receives earned income from employment (including
self-employment) can contribute up to $2,000 each year to an IRA (or 100% of
compensation, whichever is less). If your spouse is not employed, a total of
$2,250 may be contributed each year to IRAs set up for each individual (subject
to the maximum of $2,000 per IRA). Some individuals may be able to take an
income tax deduction for the contribution. Regular contributions may not be made
for the year after you become 70 1/2, or thereafter.
ROLLOVER IRAS
Individuals who receive distributions from qualified retirement plans (other
than required distributions) and who wish to keep their savings growing
tax-deferred can rollover (or make a direct transfer of) their distribution to a
Rollover IRA. These accounts can also receive rollovers or transfers from an
existing IRA.
SEP-IRAS AND SIMPLE IRAS
Simplified employee pension (SEP) plans and SIMPLE plans provide employers and
self-employed individuals (and any eligible employees) with benefits similar to
Keogh-type plans or 401(k) plans, but with fewer administrative requirements and
therefore lower annual administration expenses.
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ROTH IRA
The Roth IRA allows investment of after-tax dollars in a retirement account that
provides tax-free growth. Funds can be withdrawn without federal income tax or
penalty after the account has been open for five years and the age of 59 1/2 has
been attained.
PROFIT SHARING (INCLUDING 401(K) AND MONEY PURCHASE PENSION PLANS)
Corporations can sponsor these qualified defined contribution plans for their
employees. A 401(k) plan, a type of profit sharing plan, additionally permits
the eligible, participating employees to make pre-tax salary reduction
contributions to the plan (up to certain limitations).
The Advisor may from time to time in its sales methods and advertising discuss
the risks inherent in investing. The major types of investment risk are market
risk, industry risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, and inflation risk. Risk
represents the possibility that you may lose some or all of your investment over
a period of time. A basic tenet of investing is the greater the potential
reward, the greater the risk.
From time to time, the Fund and the Advisor will quote certain information
including, but not limited to, data regarding: individual countries, regions,
world stock exchanges, and economic and demographic statistics from sources the
Advisor deems reliable, including, but not limited to, the economic and
financial data of such financial organizations as:
1. Stock market capitalization: Morgan Stanley Capital International
World Indices, International Finance Corporation, and Datastream.
2. Stock market trading volume: Morgan Stanley Capital International
World Indices, and International Finance Corporation.
3. The number of listed companies: International Finance Corporation,
Salomon Brothers, Inc., and S.G. Warburg.
4. Wage rates: U.S. Department of Labor Statistics and Morgan Stanley
Capital International World Indices.
5. International industry performance: Morgan Stanley Capital
International World Indices, Wilshire Associates, and Salomon
Brothers, Inc.
6. Stock market performance: Morgan Stanley Capital International World
Indices, International Finance Corporation, and Datastream.
7. The Consumer Price Index and inflation rate: The World Bank,
Datastream, and International Finance Corporation.
8. Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Datastream and The World Bank.
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9. GDP growth rate: International Finance Corporation, The World Bank,
and Datastream.
10. Population: The World Bank, Datastream, and United Nations.
11. Average annual growth rate (%) of population: The World Bank,
Datastream, and United Nations.
12. Age distribution within populations: Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development and United Nations.
13. Total exports and imports by year: International Finance Corporation,
The World Bank, and Datastream.
14. Top three companies by country, industry, or market: International
Finance Corporation, Salomon Brothers, Inc., and S.G. Warburg.
15. Foreign direct investments to developing countries: The World Bank and
Datastream.
16. Supply, consumption, demand, and growth in demand of certain products,
services, and industries, including, but not limited to, electricity,
water, transportation, construction materials, natural resources,
technology, other basic infrastructure, financial services, health
care services and supplies, consumer products and services, and
telecommunications equipment and services (sources of such information
may include, but would not be limited to, The World Bank, OECD, IMF,
Bloomberg, and Datastream).
17. Standard deviation and performance returns for U.S. and non-U.S.
equity and bond markets: Morgan Stanley Capital International.
18. Political and economic structure of countries: Economist Intelligence
Unit.
19. Government and corporate bonds - credit ratings, yield to maturity and
performance returns: Salomon Brothers, Inc.
20. Dividend for U.S. and non-U.S. companies: Bloomberg.
In advertising and sales materials, the Advisor may make reference to or discuss
its products, services, and accomplishments. Such accomplishments do not provide
any assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be achieved.
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