ENDEAVOR
Series Trust
Capital Guardian Value Portfolio
(formerly Endeavor Value Equity Portfolio)
Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio
[FRONT COVER]
Prospectus
May 1, 2000
(as amended October 9, 2000)
Like all securities, these securities have not been approved
or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor has the
Securities and Exchange Commission passed upon
the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary
is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
Table of Contents
Page
INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
Understanding the Trust.........................................3
THE PORTFOLIOS...........................................................4
Investment Summary.......................................................4
Investment Objectives, Investment Strategies, Risks and Past Performance for:
Capital Guardian Value Portfolio
(formerly Endeavor Value Equity Portfolio)........................6
Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio..................................10
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio..............................13
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio...............................16
Primary Risks of Investing in the Portfolios................................19
Additional Investment Strategies............................................21
Management..................................................................26
The Manager........................................................26
The Investment Advisers............................................27
Brokerage Enhancement Plan.........................................30
Financial Highlights.......................................................32
YOUR INVESTMENT............................................................41
Shareholder Information...........................................41
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes................................41
Sales and Purchases of Shares.....................................41
GLOSSARY OF INVESTMENT TERMS...............................................43
FOR MORE INFORMATION.......................................................46
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
Understanding the Trust
Endeavor Series Trust (the "Trust") is an open-end management investment company
that offers a selection of fourteen managed investment portfolios or mutual
funds, only four of which are offered through this Prospectus (the
"Portfolios"). Each of the four Portfolios described in this Prospectus has its
own investment objective designed to meet different investment goals. Please see
the Investment Summary section of this Prospectus for specific information on
each Portfolio. Certain terms are defined in the Glossary of Investment Terms in
the back of this Prospectus.
Investing Through a Variable Insurance Contract
Each Portfolio currently sells its shares only to separate accounts of PFL Life
Insurance Company and certain of its affiliates ("PFL") and, in the future, may
sell its shares to qualified pension and profit sharing plans. PFL created the
separate accounts to fund different insurance contracts ("Contracts") including:
o variable life insurance policies (scheduled premium, flexible premium and
single premium)
o variable annuity contracts
As a Contract owner, your premium payments are allocated to one or more of these
Portfolios in accordance with your Contract.
[SIDE BAR:
Please see the Contracts prospectus that accompanies this Prospectus
for a detailed explanation of your Contract.]
Understanding The Portfolios
After this Introduction you will find an Investment Summary for each Portfolio.
Each Investment Summary presents important facts about a Portfolio, including
information about its investment objective, principal investment strategy,
primary risks and past performance.
<PAGE>
THE PORTFOLIOS
Investment Summary
Each Portfolio's summary discusses the following :
o Investment Objective
What is the Portfolio's investment goal?
o Principal Investment Strategy
How does the Portfolio attempt to achieve its investment goal?
What types of investments does it contain? What style of investing and
investment philosophy does it follow?
o Primary Risks
What are the specific risks of investing in the Portfolio?
o Past Performance
How well has the Portfolio performed over time?
In addition to its principal investment strategy, each Portfolio may invest in
various types of securities and engage in various investment techniques and
practices which are not the principal focus of the Portfolio and therefore are
not described in this section of the Prospectus. These other securities and
investment techniques and practices in which a Portfolio may engage, together
with their risks, are briefly discussed in "Additional Investment Strategies" in
this Prospectus.
Following the Investment Summary is the section entitled "Primary Risks of
Investing in the Portfolios" which lists some of the factors that may affect the
value of a Portfolio's investments. Shares of a Portfolio are not deposits or
obligations of, or guaranteed by, any banks, and are not federally insured by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any
other agency of the U.S. government.
The Statement of Additional Information provides more detailed information
regarding the various types of securities that a Portfolio may purchase and
certain investment techniques and practices of its investment adviser. For
details about how to obtain a copy of the Statement of Additional Information
and other reports and information, see the back cover of this Prospectus.
[SIDE BAR: A Portfolio's investment adviser may sell a portfolio security when
the value of the investment reaches or exceeds its estimated fair value, when
the issuer's investment fundamentals begin to deteriorate, when the Portfolio
must meet redemptions, or for other investment reasons.]
[SIDE BAR: Each Portfolio in this Prospectus is a mutual fund: a pooled
investment that is professionally managed and that gives you the opportunity to
participate in financial markets. Each Portfolio strives to reach its stated
investment objective, which can be changed without shareholder approval. As with
all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that a Portfolio will achieve its
investment objective. You could lose money investing in a Portfolio, but you
also have the potential to make money.]
A NOTE ON FEES
As an investor in any of the Portfolios, you will incur various
operating costs, including management expenses. You also will incur fees
associated with the Contracts which you purchase. Detailed information about the
cost of investing in a Portfolio is presented in the "Annuity Policy Fee Table"
section of the accompanying prospectus for the Contracts through which Portfolio
shares are offered to you.
<PAGE>
[Left Side:]
Capital Guardian Value Portfolio
(formerly Endeavor Value Equity Portfolio)
[SIDE BAR:
This Portfolio may be appropriate for you if you seek:
o A relatively conservative equity investment
o Long-term growth of capital and income]
Investment Objective
To provide long-term growth of capital and income through investments in a
portfolio comprised primarily of equity securities of U.S. issuers and
securities whose principal markets are in the U.S. (including American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and other U.S. registered foreign securities.
Principal Investment Strategy
The Portfolio normally will invest primarily in common stocks (or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks) of companies with
market capitalization greater than $1 billion at the time of purchase.
[SIDE BAR:
The Portfolio can also hold cash, invest in cash equivalents and U.S.
government securities when prevailing market and economic conditions indicate
that it is desirable to do so. The Portfolio intends to remain fully invested;
however, cash and cash equivalents maybe held for defensive purposes.]
In selecting securities for purchase or sale by the Portfolio, the
Portfolio's investment adviser uses a "value" approach to investing, and
searches for securities of companies it believes exhibit one or more "value"
characteristics relative to the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
Index ("S&P 500 Index"). The "value" characteristics include below market price
to earnings ratios, below market price to book ratios, and equal to or above
market dividend yields.
Based on the research carried out by the investment adviser's analysts,
portfolio managers look across industry sectors in selecting stocks for the
Portfolio. With a long-term perspective, portfolio managers look for quality
companies at attractive prices that will outperform their peers and the
benchmark over time. In keeping with the investment adviser's bottom-up
philosophy, the weighting for any given sector reflects the managers' and
analysts' assessments and outlooks for individual companies within that sector.
Weightings are arrived at through individual stock selection rather than through
top-down judgments.
[SIDE BAR:
When investment advisers use a "bottom-up" approach, they look
primarily at individual companies against the context of broader market or
country factors.]
[SIDE BAR:
Market capitalization is the most commonly used measure of the size and
value of a company. It is the total value of a company's stock in the
marketplace and is computed by multiplying the current market price of a share
of the company's stock by the total number of its shares outstanding. Generally,
large-cap companies have market capitalizations in excess of $5 billion; mid-cap
companies have market capitalizations ranging from $1.5 billion to $5 billion;
and small-cap companies have market capitalizations ranging from $150 million to
$1.5 billion.]
<PAGE>
[Right Side:]
Primary Risks:
The value of your investment in the Portfolio may be affected by one or
more of the following risks, which are described in detail on page 19, any of
which could cause the Portfolio's return or the price of its shares to decrease:
o Market risk
o Credit risk
o Interest rate risk
o Foreign investment risk
o Market capitalization risk
o Investment style risk
Past Performance:
The information below provides an indication of the risks of investing
in the Portfolio by showing the volatility of the Portfolio's returns. Both
tables assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Note that the results
in each table do not include the effect of Contract charges. If these Contract
charges had been included, performance would have been lower. As with all mutual
funds, past returns are not a prediction of future returns.
The bar chart below shows you the Portfolio's performance for each full
calendar year since its inception (5/27/93) and indicates how it has varied from
year to year. The Portfolio can also experience short-term performance swings as
indicated in the high and low quarter information at the bottom of the chart.
Capital Guardian Trust Company has been the Portfolio's investment adviser since
October 9, 2000. Prior to that date, a different firm managed the Portfolio and
the performance set forth below is attributable to that firm. For information on
the performance results of Capital Guardian Trust Company's U.S. Value Equity
Composite, see "Management - The Investment Advisers" on page 27.
Year-by-Year Total Return as of 12/31 of Each Year
------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
4.09% 34.59% 23.84% 24.81% 7.56% (3.06)%
94 95 96 97 98 99
------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
High Quarter: 4th - 1998 +14.89%
Low Quarter: 3rd - 1998 -15.72%
The table below compares the Portfolio's average annual compounded
total returns for the 1-year period, 5-year period, and since inception through
12/31/99 with the S&P 500 Index, a widely recognized unmanaged index that
measures the stock performance of 500 large- and medium-sized publicly traded
companies and is often used to indicate the performance of the overall stock
market, with the Russell 1000 Value index, an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of the 1000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index with lower
price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values and with the Lipper VA
Capital Appreciation Index, an equally weighted performance index of capital
appreciation funds underlying 30 variable annuities. An index does not include
transfer costs associated with buying and selling securities or any mutual fund
expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
<PAGE>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Annual Total Return as of 12/31/99
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------
Since
1 Year 5 Year Inception
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------
Portfolio (3.06)% 16.74% 13.61%
S&P 500 Index 21.05% 28.54% 27.36%*
Russell 1000 7.35% 23.07% 17.92%
Value Index
Lipper VA Capital
Appreciation Index 38.57% 24.77% 19.13%**
--------------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------
* From 5/31/93
[SIDE BAR:
Portfolio Management
o Capital Guardian Trust Company
see page 27
=
o For financial highlights see page 32]
=
<PAGE>
[Left Side:]
Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio
[SIDE BAR:
This Portfolio may be appropriate for you if you seek:
o Long-term growth of capital
o A less conservative investment with greater risk and
reward potential than a portfolio investing in
large-capitalization companies]
Investment Objective
To seek capital growth by investing in companies with a
median-capitalization of approximately $750 million, with at least 75% of the
Portfolio's investments in companies with capitalizations between $150 million
and $1.5 billion.
Principal Investment Strategy
The Portfolio normally invests in "value" companies. The investment
adviser uses its own research and computer models to identify by various
measures those companies that appear to be underpriced, but have good prospects
for capital growth and dividend growth.
In selecting investments, the investment adviser generally favors
companies with the following:
o relatively low price-to-book ratios
o low price-to-earnings ratios
o higher-than-average dividend payments in relation to price
Because a company could remain undervalued for years, value investors
search for factors that could trigger a rise in price, including new products or
markets, opportunities for greater market share and more effective management.
Most of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in equity securities,
primarily common stocks of U.S. issuers. Normally, the Portfolio will not invest
more than 20% of its total assets in foreign securities.
<PAGE>
[Right side:]
Primary Risks:
The value of your investment in the Portfolio may be affected by one or
more of the following risks, which are described in detail on page 19, any of
which could cause the Portfolio's return or the price of its shares to decrease:
o Market risk
o Foreign investment risk
o Market capitalization risk
o Investment style risk
The Portfolio's emphasis on stocks of established companies paying high
dividends and its potential investments in fixed income securities may limit its
potential for appreciation in a broad market advance. Such securities may also
decline in value when interest rates rise sharply. Also, a company may reduce or
eliminate its dividend.
Past Performance
The information below provides an indication of the risks of investing
in the Portfolio by showing the volatility of the Portfolio's returns. Both
tables assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Note that the results
in each table do not include the effect of Contract charges. If these Contract
charges had been included, performance would have been lower. As with all mutual
funds, past returns are not a prediction of future returns.
The bar chart below shows you the Portfolio's performance for each full
calendar year since its inception (5/4/93) and indicates how it has varied from
year to year. The Portfolio can also experience short-term performance swings as
indicated in the high and low quarter information at the bottom of the chart.
Year-by-Year Total Return as of 12/31 of Each Year
---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(1.79)% 14.05% 25.63% 25.56% (2.18)% 29.39%
94 95 96 97 98 99
---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
High Quarter: 2nd - 1999 +31.03%
Low Quarter: 3rd - 1998 -27.73%
The table below compares the Portfolio's average annual compounded
total returns for the 1-year period, 5-year period, and since inception through
12/31/99 with the Russell 2000 Index, a widely recognized unmanaged index that
measures small company stock performance, and with the Lipper VA Small-Cap
Index, an equally weighted performance index of small cap funds underlying 30
variable annuities. An index does not include transaction costs associated with
buying and selling securities or any mutual fund expenses. It is not possible to
invest directly in an index.
<PAGE>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Annual Total Return as of 12/31/99
----------- ------------- ----------------- ----------
Since
1 Year 5 Year Inception
------ ------ ---------
----------- ------------- ----------------- ----------------
Portfolio 29.39% 17.88% 14.74%
S&P 500 Index 21.26% 16.69% 14.66%*
=======
Lipper VA Small-Cap
Index 43.03% 20.17% 16.57%*
----------------- ------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------
* From 4/30/93
[SIDE BAR:
Portfolio Management:
o The Dreyfus Corporation
see page 29
=
o For financial highlights
see page 32]
==
<PAGE>
[Left side:]
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio
[SIDE BAR:
This Portfolio may be appropriate for you if you seek:
o A relatively conservative equity investment
o Substantial dividend income along with long-term capital growth]
Investment Objective
To provide substantial dividend income as well as long-term growth of capital by
primarily investing in the dividend-paying common stocks of established
companies.
Principal Investment Strategy
The Portfolio's investment adviser primarily invests in common stocks of
well-established companies paying above-average dividends.
The investment adviser typically employs a "value" approach in selecting
investments. The investment adviser's in-house research team seeks companies
that appear to be undervalued by various measures and may be temporarily out of
favor, but have good prospects for capital appreciation and dividend growth.
In selecting investments, the investment adviser generally favors companies with
the following:
o an established operating history
o above-average dividend yield relative to the S&P 500 Index o low
price-to-earnings ratio relative to the S&P 500 Index o a sound balance sheet
and other positive financial characteristics
o low stock price relative to a company's underlying value as measured by
assets, cash flow or business
franchises
Most of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in U.S. common stocks. However,
the Portfolio may also invest in foreign securities (up to 25% of total assets)
and other securities, including debt securities, in keeping with its investment
objective.
<PAGE>
[Right side:]
Primary Risks:
The value of your investment in the Portfolio may be affected by one or more of
the following risks, which are described in detail on page 19, any of which
could cause the Portfolio's return or the price of its shares to decrease or
could cause the Portfolio's yield to fluctuate:
o Market risk
o Foreign investment risk
o Market capitalization risk
o Investment style risk
The Portfolio's emphasis on stocks of established companies paying high
dividends and its potential investments in fixed income securities may limit its
potential for appreciation in a broad market advance. Such securities may also
decline in value when interest rates rise sharply. In addition, a company may
reduce or eliminate its dividend.
Past Performance
The information below provides an indication of the risks of investing
in the Portfolio by showing the volatility of the Portfolio's returns. Both
tables assume the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Note that the
results in each table do not include the effect of Contract charges. If these
Contract charges had been included, performance would have been lower. As with
all mutual funds, past returns are not a prediction of future returns.
The bar chart below shows you the Portfolio's performance for each full
calendar year since its inception (1/3/95) and indicates how it has varied from
year to year. The Portfolio can also experience short-term performance swings as
indicated in the high and low quarter information at the bottom of the chart.
Year-by-Year Total Return as of 12/31 of Each Year
------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ -------------
30.50% 19.88% 28.27% 8.81% 3.47%
95 96 97 98 99
------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ -------------
High Quarter: 2nd - 1999 +13.35%
Low Quarter: 3rd - 1999 -8.64%
The table below compares the Portfolio's average annual compounded
total returns for the 1-year period, 5-year period and since inception through
12/31/99 with the S&P 500 Index, a widely recognized unmanaged index of stock
performance of 500 large- and medium-sized publicly traded companies and is
often used to indicate the performance of the overall stock market, and with the
Lipper VA Equity Income Index, an index which measures the total returns earned
by 10 variable annuities investing in equity income funds. An index does not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities or any
mutual fund expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Annual Total Return as of 12/31/99
------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------------
Since
1 Year 5 Year Inception
------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------------
Portfolio 3.47% 17.69% 17.73%
S&P 500 Index 21.03% 28.53% 28.53%*
Lipper VA Equity Income Index 5.41% N/A 15.20**
------------------------------- ------------ ---------- --------------- ------
* From 12/31/94
** Since Index's inception on 12/29/95
[SIDE BAR:
Portfolio management:
o T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
see page 29
=
o For financial highlights
see page 32]
==
<PAGE>
[Left Side:]
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio
[SIDE BAR:
This Portfolio may be appropriate for you if you seek:
o A moderate risk investment
o Long-term growth of capital]
Investment Objective
To provide long-term capital growth, and secondarily, increasing
dividend income through investments in the common stocks of well-established
growth companies.
Principal Investment Strategy
The Portfolio invests primarily in the common stocks of a diversified
group of growth companies. The investment adviser normally (but not always)
seeks investments where dividends are expected to rise over time as earnings
increase. The investment adviser generally looks for companies with an
above-average rate of earnings growth and a lucrative niche in the economy that
gives them the ability to sustain earnings momentum even during times of slow
economic growth. As a growth investor, the investment adviser believes that when
a company's earnings grow faster than both inflation and the overall economy,
the market will eventually reward it with a higher stock price.
Most of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in U.S. common stocks.
The investment adviser may also invest in foreign securities (up to 30% of its
total assets).
<PAGE>
[Right side:]
Primary Risks:
The value of your investment in the Portfolio may be affected by one or
more of the following risks, which are described in detail on page 19, any of
which could cause the Portfolio's return or the price of its shares to decrease:
o Market risk
o Foreign investment risk
o Market capitalization risk
o Investment style risk
Past Performance
The information below provides an indication of the risks of investing
in the Portfolio by showing the volatility of the Portfolio's returns. Both
tables assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Note that the results
in each table do not include the effect of Contract charges. If these Contract
charges had been included, performance would have been lower. As with all mutual
funds, past returns are not a prediction of future returns.
The bar chart below shows you the Portfolio's performance for each full
calendar year since its inception (1/3/95) and indicates how it has varied from
year to year. The Portfolio can also experience short-term performance swings as
indicated in the high and low quarter information at the bottom of the chart.
Year-by-Year Total Return as of 12/31 of Each Year
----------- ---------- ------------ ---------- ---------
37.20% 20.77% 28.57% 28.67% 22.19%
95 96 97 98 99
----------- ---------- ------------ ---------- ---------
High Quarter: 4th - 1998 +23.37%
Low Quarter: 3rd - 1998 -11.13%
The table below compares the Portfolio's average annual compounded
total returns for the 1-year period, 5-year period and since inception through
12/31/99 with the S&P 500 Index, a widely recognized unmanaged index that
measures the stock performance of 500 large- and medium-sized publicly traded
companies and is often used to indicate the performance of the overall stock
market, and with the Lipper VA Growth Index, an equally weighted performance
index of growth funds underlying 30 variable annuities. An index does not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities or any
mutual fund expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Annual Total Return as of 12/31/99
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------
Since
1 Year 5 Year Inception
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------
Portfolio 22.19% 27.33% 27.38%
S&P 500 Index 21.03% 28.53% 28.53%*
Lipper VA Growth Index 25.78% 24.91% 24.91%*
-------------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------
* From 12/31/94
[SIDE BAR:
Portfolio Management
o T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
see page 29
=
o For financial highlights see page 32]
=====================================
<PAGE>
Primary Risks of Investing in the Portfolios
One or more of the following primary risks may apply to your Portfolio. Please
see the Investment Summary for your particular Portfolio to determine which
risks apply and for a discussion of other risks that may apply to the Portfolio.
Market Risk
A Portfolio's share price can fall because of weakness in the broad market, a
particular industry, or specific holdings. The market as a whole can decline for
many reasons, including disappointing corporate earnings, adverse political or
economic developments here or abroad, changes in investor psychology, or heavy
institutional selling. The prospects for an industry or a company may
deteriorate. In addition, an assessment by a Portfolio's investment adviser of
particular companies may prove incorrect, resulting in losses or poor
performance by those holdings, even in a rising market. A Portfolio could also
miss attractive investment opportunities if its investment adviser underweights
fixed income markets or industries where there are significant returns, and
could lose value if the investment adviser overweights fixed income markets or
industries where there are significant declines.
Interest Rate Risk
The values of debt securities are subject to change when prevailing interest
rates change. When interest rates go up, the value of debt securities and
certain dividend paying stocks tends to fall. If your Portfolio invests a
significant portion of its assets in debt securities or stocks purchased
primarily for dividend income and interest rates rise, then the value of your
investment may decline. Alternatively, when interest rates go down, the value of
debt securities and certain dividend paying stocks may rise.
Interest rate risk will affect the price of a fixed income security more if the
security has a longer maturity because changes in interest rates are
increasingly difficult to predict over longer periods of time. Fixed income
securities with longer maturities will therefore be more volatile than other
fixed income securities with shorter maturities. Conversely, fixed income
securities with shorter maturities will be less volatile but generally provide
lower returns than fixed income securities with longer maturities. The average
maturity of a Portfolio's fixed income investments will affect the volatility of
the Portfolio's share price.
[SIDE BAR:
A fixed income security's term to maturity is the time until a fixed
income security provides its final payment.]
Credit Risk
The value of debt securities is directly affected by an issuer's ability to pay
principal and interest on time. If your Portfolio invests in debt securities,
the value of your investment may be adversely affected when an issuer fails to
pay an obligation on a timely basis.
High Yield Debt Security Risk
High yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are securities which are rated below
"investment grade" or are not rated, but are of equivalent quality. High yield
debt securities range from those for which the prospect for repayment of
principal and interest is predominantly speculative to those which are currently
in default on principal or interest payments. A Portfolio with high yield debt
securities may be more susceptible to credit risk and market risk than a
Portfolio that invests only in higher quality debt securities because these
lower-rated debt securities are less secure financially and more sensitive to
downturns in the economy. In addition, the secondary market for such securities
may not be as liquid as that for more highly rated debt securities. As a result,
a Portfolio's investment adviser may find it more difficult to sell these
securities or may have to sell them at lower prices.
You should understand that high yield securities are not generally meant for
short-term investing. When a Portfolio invests in high yield securities it
generally seeks to receive a correspondingly higher return to compensate it for
the additional credit risk and market risk it has assumed.
Foreign Investment Risk
Investments in foreign securities involve risks relating to political, social
and economic developments abroad, as well as risks resulting from the
differences between the regulations to which U.S. and foreign issuers and
markets are subject:
o These risks may include the seizure by the government of company
assets, excessive taxation, withholding taxes on dividends and
interest, limitations on the use or transfer of portfolio assets, and
political or social instability.
o Enforcing legal rights may be difficult, costly and slow in foreign
countries, and there may be special problems enforcing claims against
foreign governments.
o Foreign companies may not be subject to accounting standards or
governmental supervision comparable to U.S. companies, and there may be
less public information about their operations.
o Foreign markets may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. markets.
o Foreign securities often trade in currencies other than the U.S.
dollar, and a Portfolio may directly hold foreign currencies and
purchase and sell foreign currencies. Changes in currency exchange
rates will affect a Portfolio's net asset value, the value of dividends
and interest earned, and gains and losses realized on the sale of
foreign securities. An increase in the strength of the U.S. dollar
relative to these other currencies may cause the value of a Portfolio
to decline. Certain foreign currencies may be particularly volatile,
and foreign governments may intervene in the currency markets, causing
a decline in value or liquidity of a Portfolio's foreign currency or
securities holdings.
o Costs of buying, selling and holding foreign securities, including
brokerage, tax and custody costs, may be higher than those involved in
domestic transactions.
Market Capitalization Risk
Stocks fall into three broad market capitalization categories - large, medium
and small. Investing primarily in one category carries the risk that due to
current market conditions that category may be out of favor. If valuations of
large capitalization companies appear to be greatly out of proportion to the
valuations of small or medium capitalization companies, investors may migrate to
the stocks of small and mid-sized companies causing a Portfolio that invests in
these companies to increase in value more rapidly than a Portfolio that invests
in larger, fully-valued companies. Investing in medium and small capitalization
companies may be subject to special risks associated with narrower product
lines, more limited financial resources, smaller management groups, and a more
limited trading market for their stocks as compared with larger companies.
Securities of smaller capitalization issuers may therefore be subject to greater
price volatility and may decline more significantly in market downturns than
securities of larger companies.
Investment Style Risk
Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon
market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. A Portfolio may
outperform or underperform other funds that employ a different investment style.
A Portfolio may also employ a combination of styles that impact its risk
characteristics. Examples of different investment styles include growth and
value investing. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because
they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company's growth
of earnings potential. Also, since growth companies usually invest a high
portion of earnings in their business, growth stocks may lack the dividends of
value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. Growth oriented
funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor. Value stocks
are those which are undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse
business developments or other factors. Value investing carries the risk that
the market will not recognize a security's inherent value for a long time, or
that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or
overvalued. Value oriented funds will typically underperform when growth
investing is in favor.
Additional Investment Strategies
In addition to the principal investment strategies discussed in each
individual Portfolio's Investment Summary, a Portfolio, as indicated, may at
times invest a portion of its assets in the investment strategies and may engage
in certain investment techniques as described below. These strategies and
techniques may involve risks. Although a Portfolio that is not identified below
in connection with a particular strategy or technique generally has the ability
to engage in such a transaction, its investment adviser currently intends to
invest little, if any, of the Portfolio's assets in that strategy or technique.
(Please note that some of these strategies may be a principal investment
strategy for a particular Portfolio and consequently are also described in that
Portfolio's Investment Summary.)
For a description of each of these investment techniques and strategies, please
refer to the Glossary of Investment Terms on page 43.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
--------
PORTFOLIO RISKS
<S> <C> <C>
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Foreign Debt Securities T. Rowe Price Growth Foreign debt securities may be subject to
====== ========================================
Stock foreign investment risk, credit risk, and
===== ========================================
interest
rate
risk.
Securities
in
developing
countries
are
also
subject
to the
additional
risks
associated
with
emerging
markets.
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Securities All Portfolios U.S. government securities are subject to
========================== ============== =========================================
interest rate risk. Credit risk is
===================================
remote.
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
High Quality Short-term Debt All Portfolios These instruments are subject to
Obligations including Bankers' credit risk and interest rate risk.
Acceptances, Commercial Paper,
==============================
Certificates of Deposit and
===========================
Eurodollar Obligations issued
=============================
or guaranteed by Bank Holding
=============================
Companies in the U.S., their
============================
Subsidiaries and Foreign
========================
Branches or of the World Bank;
==============================
Variable Amount Master Demand
=============================
Notes and Variable Rate Notes
=============================
issued by U.S. and Foreign
==========================
Corporations; and Short-term
============================
Corporate Bonds
===============
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Foreign Currency Transactions T. Rowe Price Growth Foreign currency exchange rates may
============================== ==================== ===================================
Stock fluctuate significantly over short
======== ==================================
periods of time. A forward foreign
====================================
currency exchange contract reduces the
======================================
Portfolio's exposure to changes in the
======================================
value of the currency it will deliver and
=========================================
increases its exposure to changes in the
========================================
value of the currency it will exchange
======================================
into. Contracts to sell foreign currency
=========================================
will limit any potential gain which might
=========================================
be realized by the Portfolio if the value
=========================================
of the hedged currency increases. In the
=========================================
case of forward contracts entered into
======================================
for the purpose of increasing return, the
=========================================
Portfolio may sustain losses which will
=======================================
reduce its gross income. Forward foreign
=========================================
currency exchange contracts also involve
========================================
the risk that the party with which the
======================================
Portfolio enters the contract may fail to
=========================================
perform its obligations to the Portfolio.
=========================================
The purchase and sale of foreign currency
=========================================
futures contracts and the purchase of
=====================================
call and put options on foreign currency
========================================
futures contracts and on foreign
================================
currencies involve certain risks
================================
associated with derivates.
==========================
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Preferred Stocks T. Rowe Price Equity Preferred stocks are subject to market
================ ==================== ======================================
Income risk. In addition, because preferred
========= =====================================
T. Rowe Price Growth stocks pay fixed dividends, an increase
=======================================
Stock in
interest
rates
may
cause
the
price
of a
preferred
stock
to
fall.
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Convertible Securities Dreyfus Small Cap Value Traditionally, convertible securities
====================== ======================= ====================================
T. Rowe Price Equity have paid dividends or interest rates
=====================================
Income higher than common stocks but lower than
========================================
T. Rowe Price Growth nonconvertible securities. They
================================
Stock
generally
participate
in the
appreciation
or
depreciation
of the
underlying
stock
into
which
they
are
convertible,
but to
a
lesser
degree.
These
securities
are
also
subject
to
market
risk
and
credit
risk.
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Rights and Warrants T. Rowe Price Equity These investments carry the risk that
=================== =====================================
Income they may be worthless to the Portfolio at
=========================================
T. Rowe Price Growth the time it may exercise its rights, due
========================================
Stock to the fact that the underlying
===============================
securities have a market value less than
========================================
the exercise price of the right or
==================================
warrant.
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Depositary Receipts T. Rowe Price Equity These instruments are subject to market
=================== ======================================
Income risk and foreign investment risk.
=================================
T. Rowe Price Growth
Stock
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Forward Commitments, When Capital Guardian Value The Portfolio does not earn interest on
========================== =======================================
Issued and Delayed Delivery such securities until settlement and
============================ ====================================
Securities bears the risk of market value
========== ==============================
fluctuations in between the purchase and
========================================
settlement dates.
=================
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Hybrid Instruments T. Rowe Price Equity Hybrids may bear interest or pay
================== ===============================
Income dividends at below market (or even
==================================
T. Rowe Price Growth relatively nominal) rates. Under certain
=========================================
Stock conditions, the redemption value of the
===== ======================================
instrument could be zero. Hybrids can
======================================
have volatile prices and limited
================================
liquidity and their use by the Portfolio
=========================================
may not be successful.
======================
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Investment Grade Corporate T. Rowe Price Equity Interest rate risk and credit risk.
=========================== ===================================
Debt Securities Income Securities rated in the fourth investment
=============== =========================================
T. Rowe Price Growth category by a nationally recognized
===================================
Stock rating agency may have speculative
==================================
characteristics.
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
High Yield/High Risk Debt T. Rowe Price Equity High yield/high risk debt securities are
==========================
Securities Income subject to high yield debt security risk.
==========
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Defensive Investments
Under adverse market or economic conditions, a Portfolio could invest
for temporary defensive purposes some or all of its assets in money market
securities or utilize other investment strategies that may be inconsistent with
a Portfolio's principal investment strategy. Although a Portfolio would employ
these measures only in seeking to avoid losses, they could reduce the benefit
from an upswing in the market or prevent the Portfolio from meeting its
investment objective.
Portfolio Turnover
The Portfolios' investment advisers will sell a security when they
believe it is appropriate to do so, regardless of how long a Portfolio has owned
that security. Buying and selling securities generally involves some expense to
a Portfolio, such as commissions paid to brokers and other transaction costs.
Generally speaking, the higher a Portfolio's annual portfolio turnover rate, the
greater its brokerage costs. Increased brokerage costs may adversely affect a
Portfolio's performance. The Portfolios, with the exception of Dreyfus Small Cap
Value Portfolio, generally intend to purchase securities for long-term
investment and therefore have a relatively low turnover rate. Annual turnover
rate of 100% or more is considered high and will result in increased costs to
the Portfolios. Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio generally will have annual
turnover rates in excess of 100%.
The turnover rates for the Portfolios can be found in the Financial
Highlights section of this Prospectus.
Downgrades in Fixed Income Debt Securities
Unless required by applicable law, the Portfolios are not required to
sell or dispose of any debt security that either loses its rating or has its
rating reduced after a Portfolio purchases the security.
<PAGE>
Management
The Manager
Endeavor Management Co. (the "Manager"), 4333 Edgewood Road N.E., Cedar Rapids,
Iowa 52499, has overall responsibility for the general management and
administration of all of the Portfolios. The Manager selects and pays the fees
of the investment advisers for each of the Trust's Portfolios and monitors each
investment adviser's investment program.
The annual management fee, as a percentage of a Portfolio's average daily net
assets, that the Manager receives from each Portfolio for these services is as
follows:
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio - .80%
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio - .80%
Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio - .80%
Capital Guardian Value Portfolio - .85% on first $300 million; .80% on
assets over $300 million up to $500 million; .775% on assets over $500 million.
The Trust and the Manager have received an exemptive order from the
Securities and Exchange Commission that permits the Manager, subject to certain
conditions, and without the approval of shareholders to: (a) employ a new
unaffiliated investment adviser for a Portfolio pursuant to the terms of a new
investment advisory agreement, in each case either as a replacement for an
existing investment adviser or as an additional investment adviser; (b) change
the terms of any investment advisory agreement; and (c) continue the employment
of an existing investment adviser on the same advisory contract terms where a
contract has been assigned because of a change in control of the investment
adviser. In such circumstances, shareholders would receive notice of such
action, including the information concerning the investment adviser that
normally is provided in a proxy statement. The exemptive order also permits
disclosure of fees paid to multiple unaffiliated investment advisers of a
Portfolio on an aggregate basis only.
<PAGE>
The Investment Advisers
The investment adviser of each Portfolio makes day-to-day investment
decisions, arranges for the execution of portfolio transactions, and generally
manages each Portfolio's investments.
Capital Guardian Value Portfolio
Capital Guardian Trust Company ("Capital Guardian"), 333 South Hope
Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071 is each Portfolio's investment adviser. Capital
Guardian is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capital Group International, Inc.,
which itself is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Capital Group Companies, Inc.
Capital Guardian has been providing investment management services since 1968
and manages approximately $123 billion in investments as of December 31, 1999.
Capital Guardian uses a multiple portfolio manager system under which
the Portfolio is divided into several segments. Each segment is individually
managed with the portfolio manager free to decide on company and industry
selection as well as valuation and transaction assessment. An additional portion
of each Portfolio is managed by a group of investment research analysts.
The individual portfolio managers of each segment of the Portfolio,
other than that managed by the group of research analysts, are as follows:
o Donnalisa P. Barnum is a Senior Vice President and a portfolio manager
of Capital Guardian. She joined the Capital organization in 1986.
o Theodore R. Samuels is a Director and Senior Vice President of Capital
Guardian. He joined the Capital organization in 1981.
o Eugene P. Stein is Director, Executive Vice President, and Chairman of
the Investment Committee of Capital Guardian with portfolio management
responsibilities. He joined the Capital organization in 1972.
Prior Experience of Capital Guardian
Capital Guardian became the investment adviser to the Capital Guardian
Value Portfolio in October 2000.
As a result, Capital Guardian Portfolio has no operating history with
Capital Guardian as investment adviser. In order to provide you with information
regarding the investment capabilities of Capital Guardian, performance
information is presented concerning other registered investment companies and
institutional private accounts managed by Capital Guardian that have investment
objectives, policies, strategies and risks substantially similar to those of the
respective Portfolios. Such performance information should not be relied upon as
an indication of the future performance of the Portfolios.
Composite performance data relating to the historical performance of
institutional private accounts was calculated on a total return basis and
includes all losses. The total returns for each composite reflect the deduction
of the highest investment advisory fee for any one portfolio in the composite,
brokerage commissions and execution costs paid by Capital Guardian's
institutional private accounts without provision for federal or state income
taxes. Custodial fees, if any, were included in the calculation for some but not
all of the accounts. Each composite includes all actual, fee-paying,
discretionary institutional private accounts managed by Capital Guardian, that
have investment objectives, policies, strategies and risks substantially similar
to those of the relevant Portfolio. Securities transactions are accounted for on
the trade date and accrual accounting is utilized. Cash and equivalents are
included in performance returns. The institutional private accounts that are
included in the composites are not subject to the same types of expenses to
which the relevant Portfolio is subject or to the diversification requirements,
specific tax restrictions and investment limitations imposed on the Portfolio by
the 1940 Act or Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently, the
performance results for the composites could have been adversely affected if the
institutional private accounts included in the composites had been regulated as
investment companies under the federal securities laws.
The major difference between the SEC prescribed calculation of average
annual total returns for registered investment companies and total returns for
composite performance is that average annual total returns reflects all fees and
charges applicable to the registered investment company in question and the
total return calculation for the composites reflects only those fees and charges
described in the paragraph directly above.
The performance results for the composites presented below are mostly
subject to lower fees and expenses than the relevant Portfolios. If the
composites reflected the fees and expenses of the Portfolios, performance
results would have been lower.
The table below assumes the investment of all dividends and capital
gain distributions. The table does not include the effect of Contract charges.
If these Contract charges had been included, performance would have been lower.
The table below compares the Capital Guardian U.S. Equity Composite's
average annual compounded total returns for the 1-, 5- and 10-year periods
through 12/31/99 with the S&P 500 Index, the Capital Guardian U.S. Value Equity
Composite's average annual compounded total returns for the 1- and 5- year
periods and since inception through 12/31/99 with the Russell 1000 Value Index
and the Capital Guardian Global Composite's average annual compounded total
returns for the 1-, 5- and 10-year periods through 12/31/99 with the Morgan
Stanley Capital International World Index ("MSCI World Index").
The S&P 500 Index is a widely recognized index that measures the stock
performance of 500 large- and medium-sized publicly traded companies and is
often used to indicate the performance of the overall stock market. The Russell
1000 Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 1000
largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index with lower price-to-book ratios and
lower forecasted growth values. The MCSI World Index in an unmanaged index which
tracks the stocks of approximately 1,575 companies representing the stock
markets of 22 countries. An index does not include transaction costs associated
with buying and selling securities or composite account expenses. It is not
possible to invest directly in an index.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Annual Total Return as of 12/31/99
-------------------------------------
10 Year or
1 Year 5 Year Since Inception
------ ------ -----
-------------------------------------
Capital Guardian
U.S. Equity
Composite 23.16% 27.02% 17.33%
S&P 500 Index 21.04% 28.50 % 18.15%
Capital Guardian
U.S. Value Equity
Composite 4.16% 20.80% 16.63%*
Russell 1000
Value Index 7.35 % 23.08 % 17.77%*
Capital Guardian
Global Composite 46.91% 25.47% 15.63%
MSCI World Index 25.17% 20.06 % 11.76%
* Inception was 6/30/93
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio
The Dreyfus Corporation ("Dreyfus"), 200 Park Avenue, New York, New
York 10166, is the Portfolio's investment adviser. Dreyfus, established in 1951,
is one of the nation's leading fund companies, currently managing more than $125
billion in more than 160 mutual fund portfolios nationwide as of December 31,
1999. Dreyfus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank Corporation, a global
financial services company with approximately $480 billion in assets under
management.
o Peter I. Higgins is the portfolio manager for the Dreyfus Small Cap Value
Portfolio. Mr. Higgins has been employed by The Boston Company, Inc., a
subsidiary of Mellon Bank Corporation, since August 1988 and by Dreyfus
since February 1996. He has managed the Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund
since November 1997.
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.("T. Rowe Price"), 100 East Pratt Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202, each Portfolio's investment adviser, was founded in
1937. As of December 31, 1999, T. Rowe Price and its affiliates managed over
$179 billion in investments for more than 8 million individual and institutional
investor accounts.
o Brian C. Rogers - a Managing Director of T. Rowe Price, manages the T. Rowe
Price Equity Income Portfolio day-to-day and has been Chairman of the
Portfolio's Investment Advisory Committee since 1995. He joined T. Rowe
Price in 1982 and has been managing investments since 1983. Mr. Rogers has
managed the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund since 1993 and the T. Rowe
Price Value Fund since 1994.
o Robert W. Smith - a Managing Director of T. Rowe Price, manages the T. Rowe
Price Growth Stock Portfolio day-to-day and has been Chairman of the
Portfolio's Investment Advisory Committee since 1997. He joined T. Rowe
Price in 1992 as an equity analyst and has also managed the U.S. stock
portion of the T. Rowe Price Global Stock Fund since its inception in 1996
and the T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund since 1997.
Brokerage Enhancement Plan
The Trust has adopted, in accordance with the substantive provisions of
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, a Brokerage Enhancement
Plan (the "Plan") for each of its Portfolios. The Plan uses available brokerage
commissions to promote the sale and distribution of each Portfolio's shares.
Under the Plan, the Trust uses recaptured commissions to pay for distribution
expenses. Except for recaptured commissions, unlike asset based charges imposed
by many mutual funds for sales expenses, the Portfolios do not incur any asset
based or additional fees or charges under the Plan.
How the Plan Works
Under the Plan, the Manager is authorized to direct investment advisers
to use certain broker-dealers for securities transactions. (The duty of best
price and execution still applies to these transactions.) These broker-dealers
have agreed to give a percentage of their commission from the sale and purchase
of securities to Transamerica Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Endeavor Group),
the distributor of the Trust's shares.
Transamerica Capital, Inc. will not make any profit from participating
in the Plan. It is obligated to use any money given to it under the Plan for
distribution expenses (other than a minimal amount to defray its legal and
administrative costs). The rest will be spent on activities that are meant to
result in the sale of the Portfolios' shares, including:
o holding or participating in seminars and sales meetings promoting the sale of
the Portfolios' shares o paying marketing fees requested by broker-dealers who
sell Contracts o training sales personnel o compensating broker-dealers and/or
registered representatives in connection with the allocation of cash
values and premiums of the Contracts to the Trust
o printing and mailing Trust prospectuses, statements of additional
information and shareholder reports to prospective Contract holders
o creating and mailing advertising and sales literature
[SIDE BAR:
If you would like to learn more about the Plan including the amount of
commissions recaptured in 1999, please read the Statement of Additional
Information which discusses the legal terms and conditions of the Plan.]
<PAGE>
Financial Highlights
The following financial highlights tables are intended to help you
understand each Portfolio's financial performance for the past 5 years and the
six month period ended June 30, 2000. Certain information reflects financial
results for a single Portfolio share. Total return in each table shows how much
an investment in a Portfolio would have increased (or decreased) during each
period (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The
information for the years or periods ended December 31 has been audited by Ernst
& Young LLP, whose report, along with each Portfolio's financial statements, is
included in the Trust's Annual Report, which is available upon request. The
information for the six month period ended June 30, 2000 is unaudited and is
included in the Trust's Semi-Annual Report, which is available upon request.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL GUARDIAN VALUE PORTFOLIO*
======================
Six Months Year Year Year Year Year
Ended 6/30/00 Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
=====
(Unaudited) 12/31/99 12/31/98 12/31/97 12/31/96+++ 12/31/95
----------- -------- --======== --======== =========== ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating
performance:
Net asset value, beginning
of
period.....................
$19.99 $21.68 $20.70 $17.21 $14.23 $10.69
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== =====
Net investment income...... 0.08 0.18 0.22 0.20 0.20 0.15
===================== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
Net realized and
unrealized gain/(loss) on
investments................ (1.15) (0.72) 1.36 3.96 3.15 3.52
=========== ====== ====== ==== ==== ==== ====
Net increase/(decrease) in
net assets
resulting from
investment operations...... (1.07) (0.54) 1.58 4.16 3.35 3.67
===================== ====== ====== ==== ==== ==== ====
Distributions:
Dividends from
net investment income...... (0.19) (0.24) (0.22) (0.14) (0.13) (0.09)
===================== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Distributions
from net
========
realized gains.............
==============
(3.05) (0.91) (0.38) (0.53) (0.24) (0.04)
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total distributions..........(3.24)...........(1.15).........(0.60) (0.67) (0.37) (0.13)
=================== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Net asset value, end of
period..................... $15.68 $19.99 $21.68 $20.70 $17.21 $14.23
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total return++........... (5.89)% (3.06)% 7.56% 24.81% 23.84% 34.59%
====== ====== ==== ======= ======= ====
Ratio s to ave rage ne t asset s/ supplemental data:
Net asset s, end of
period (in 000 's)....... $1 75,891 $209, 653 $246,102 $216, 039 $127,927 $68,630
Ratio of net investment
income to average net
assets..................... 0.70%+ 0.77% 1.10% 1.39% 1.29% 1.56%
====
Ratio of net expenses to
average net
assets..................... 0.90%+ 0.88% 0.84% 0.89% 0.91% 0.86%
====== ===== ===== ===== =====
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets......... 0.93%+ 0.95% 0.85% 0.89% 0.91% 0.86%
====== ===== ===== ===== ===== ====
Portfolio turnover rate.... 1% 51% 19% 16% 27% 28%
======================= == === === === === ===
-----------------------
* Effective October 9, 2000, the name of the Endeavor Value Equity
Portfolio was changed to Capital Guardian Value Portfolio and Capital
Guardian Trust Company became the Portfolio's investment adviser.
+ Annualized.
++ Total return represents aggregate total return for the years indicated.
The total return of the Portfolio does not reflect the charges against
the separate accounts of PFL or the Contracts.
+++ Per share amounts have been calculated using the average share method
which more appropriately presents the per share data for the year since
use of the undistributed method did not accord with results of
operations.
<PAGE>
DREYFUS SMALL CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO
=================================
Six Months
Ended Year Year Year Year Year
6/30/00 Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
(Unaudited) 12/31/99 12/31/98 12/31/97 12/31/96+++# 12/31/95
------------ -------- --======== -------- -----------= ------
Operating
performance:
Net asset value, beginning
of period.......................$16.51 $14.14 $16.41 $14.69 $12.22 $10.98
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== =====
Net investment income/(loss)
(0.01) (0.04) (0.03) 0.02 0.12 0.15
====== ====== ====== ==== ==== ====
Net realized and unrealized
gain/(loss) on investments
1.71 4.00 (0.13) 3.52 2.95 1.36
==== ==== ====== ==== ==== ====
Net increase/
=============
(decrease) in net assets
==========
resulting from investment
operations................ 1.70 3.96 (0.16) 3.54 3.07 1.51
--==== --==== -====== --==== --====
Distributions:
Dividends from
net investment income..... --- --- (0.02) (0.10) (0.14) (0.10)
=== === ====== ====== =
Distributions from net
realized gains.................(2.73) (1.59) (2.09) (1.72) (0.46) (0.17)
-====== ====== ====== ====== ====== =====
Total distributions............(2.73) (1.59) (2.11) (1.82) (0.60) (0.27)
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== -----
Net asset value, end of
period.................... $15.48 $16.51 $14.14 $16.41 $14.69 $12.22
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== =====
Total return++............ 10.03% 29.39% (2.18)% 25.56% 25.63% 14.05%
============== ====== ====== ======= ====== ====== ======
Ratios to average net assets/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
(in 000's)................ $212,928 $187,803 $158,662 $146,195 $85,803 $52,597
======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======
Ratio of net investment
income/(loss) to average net
=============
assets.................. (0.13)%+ (0.28)% (0.23)% 0.20% 0.95% 1.56%
======== ======= ======= ===== ===== ===
Ratio of net expenses to
average net
assets.................... 0.89%+ 0.90% 0.86% 0.91% 0.92% 0.87%
====== ===== ===== ===== ===== ====
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets........ 1.24%+ 1.22% 0.94% 0.91% 0.92% 0.87%
====== ===== ===== ===== ===== ====
Portfolio turnover rate. 95% 216% 183% 127% 171% 75%
=== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==
-----------------------
+........Annualized.
++ Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods
indicated. The total return of the Portfolio does not reflect the
charges against the separate accounts of PFL or the Contracts.
+++ Per share amounts have been calculated using the average share method
which more appropriately presents the per share data for the year since
use of the undistributed method did not accord with results of
operations.
# The Dreyfus Corporation became the Portfolio's investment adviser effective
September 16, 1996.
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
====================================
Six Months
Ended Year Year Year Year Period
====
6/30/00 Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
(Unaudited) 12/31/99 12/31/98 12/31/97 12/31/96+++ 12/31/95*+++
----------- -------- -------- -------- ----------- --------====
Operating performance:
Net asset value, beginning
of period.................. $19.50 $20.04 $19.34 $15.49 $13.05 $10.00
--====== ====== ====== ====== ====== =====
Net investment
income..................... 0.21 0.38 0.35 0.25 0.41 0.34
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
Net realized and
unrealized gain/(loss) on
investments................ (0.72) 0.42 1.33 4.06 2.17 2.71
=========== ====== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from investment operations......
(0.51) 0.80 1.68 4.31 2.58 3.05
-====== --==== --==== --==== --====
Distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income.......... (0.39) (0.40) (0.28) (0.19) (0.10) ---
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ==
Distributions from net
realized gains............. (1.76) (0.94) (0.70) (0.27) (0.04) ---
-====== -====== -====== -====== ------
Total distributions........ (2.15) (1.31) (0.98) (0.46) (0.14) ---
-====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ==
Net asset value, end of
period..................... $16.84 $19.50 $20.04 $19.34 $15.49 $13.05
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== =====
Total return++............. (3.11)% 3.47% 8.81% 28.27% 19.88% 30.50%
============== ======= ===== ===== ====== ====== ======
Ratios to average net assets/ supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
(in 000's)................. $235,752 $264,718 $262,328 $197,228 $78,251 $21,910
======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======
Ratio of net investment
income to average net
assets................... 2.17%+ 1.89% 2.18% 2.47% 2.89% 3.24%+
====== ===== ===== ===== ===== ====
Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets......... 0.89%+ 0.87% 0.85% 0.94% 0.96% 1.15%+
================== ====== ===== ===== ===== ===== ======
Ratio of expenses to
=========
average net assets....... 0.89%+ 0.88% 0.85% 0.94% 0.96% 1.15%+
====== ===== ===== ===== ===== ====
Portfolio turnover rate 20% 35% 20% 23% 19% 16%
=== === === ===
--------------------------
* The Portfolio commenced operations on January 3, 1995.
+ Annualized.
++ Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods
indicated. The total return of the Portfolio does not reflect the
charges against the separate accounts of PFL or the Contracts.
+++ Per share amounts have been calculated using the average share method
which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period
since use of the undistributed method did not accord with results of
operations.
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE GROWTH STOCK PORTFOLIO
===================================
Six Months Year Year Year Year Period
Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
6/30/00 12/31/99 12/31/98 12/31/97 12/31/96+++ 12/31/95*+++
-------- -------- -------- ------------- -----------
(Unaudited)
Operating performance:
Net asset value,
beginning of period..... $28.73 $25.60 $20.78 $16.29 $13.72 $10.00
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ----
Net investment income.
0.01 0.03 0.06 0.04 0.11 0.08
Net realized and
unrealized gain on
investments............. 2.00 5.28 5.76 4.59 2.71 3.64
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Net increase in net assets resulting from investment operations...
2.01 5.31 5.82 4.63 2.82 3.72
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income....... (0.03) (0.07) (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ---
Distributions from net
realized gains.......... (2.93) (2.11) (0.95) (0.11) (0.24) ---
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ---
Total distributions..... (2.96) (2.18) (1.00) (0.14) (0.25) ---
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ---
Net asset value, end of
period..................$27.78.........$28.73 $25.60 $20.78 $16.29 $13.72
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ====
Total return++.......... 7.88% 22.19% 28.67% 28.57% 20.77% 37.20%
==== ===== ===== ===== ===== ======
Ratios to average net assets/supplemental data:
Net assets, end of
period (in 000's)....... $290,722 $257,879 $194,301 $123,230 $59,732 $21,651
Ratio of net investment
income to average net
assets..................
0.02%+ 0.21% 0.43% 0.38% 0.75% 0.69%+
Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets... 0.87%+ 0.87% 0.87% 0.96% 1.01% 1.26%+
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets...... 0.87%+ 0.88% 0.87% 0.96% 1.01% 1.26%+
Portfolio turnover rate.
40% 66% 58% 41% 44% 64%
</TABLE>
--------------------
* The Portfolio commenced operations on January 3, 1995.
+ Annualized.
++ Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods
indicated. The total return of the Portfolio does not reflect the
charges against the separate accounts of PFL or the Contracts.
+++ Per share amounts have been calculated using the average share method
which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period
since use of the undistributed method did not accord with results of
operations.
<PAGE>
YOUR INVESTMENT
Shareholder Information
The separate accounts of PFL are the record owners of the Portfolios'
shares. Any reference to the shareholder in this Prospectus technically refers
to PFL's separate accounts and not to you, the Contract owner. The legal rights
of you, the Contract owner, are different from the legal rights of PFL.
However, PFL is required to solicit instructions from the Contract
owners when voting on shareholder issues. Any voting by PFL as shareholder would
therefore reflect the actual votes of Contract owners. Please see "Voting
Rights" in the prospectus for the Contracts accompanying this Prospectus for
more information on your voting rights.
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
Each Portfolio distributes its dividends from its net investment income
to PFL's separate accounts once a year and not to you, the Contract owner. These
distributions are in the form of additional shares of stock and not cash. The
result is that a Portfolio's investment performance, including the effect of
dividends, is reflected in the cash value of the Contracts. Please see the
Contracts prospectus accompanying this Prospectus for more information.
All net realized long- or short-term capital gains of each Portfolio
are also declared once a year and reinvested in the Portfolio.
Please see the Contracts prospectus accompanying this Prospectus for a
discussion of the tax impact on you resulting from the income taxes PFL owes as
a result of its ownership of a Portfolio's shares and its receipt of dividends
and capital gains.
Sales and Purchases of Shares
The Trust does not sell its shares directly to the public. The Trust
continuously sells shares of each Portfolio only to PFL's separate accounts and
may in the future offer its shares to qualified pension and profit-sharing
plans. It could also offer shares to other separate accounts of other insurers
if approved by the Board of Trustees.
AFSG Securities Corporation ("AFSG Securities"), an affiliate of PFL,
is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Contracts. AFSG Securities
places orders for the purchase or redemption of shares of each Portfolio based
on, among other things, the amount of net Contract premiums or purchase payments
transferred to the separate accounts, transfers to or from a separate account
investment division and benefit payments to be effected on a given date pursuant
to the terms of the Contracts. Such orders are effected, without sales charge,
at the net asset value per share for each Portfolio determined on that same
date.
The net asset value per share of each Portfolio for the purpose of
pricing orders for the purchase and sale of shares is generally calculated as of
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the Exchange is open. Net asset value per share is computed by
dividing the value of all assets of a Portfolio (including accrued interest and
dividends), less all liabilities of the Portfolio (including accrued expenses
and dividends payable), by the number of outstanding shares of the Portfolio.
Each Portfolio's investments are valued based on market value, or where
market quotations are not readily available, based on fair value as determined
in good faith by the Trust's Board of Trustees. Amortized cost is also used to
value the short-term (60 days or less) assets of the Trust's other Portfolios.
Transamerica Capital, Inc., an affiliate of the Manager, serves as the
distributor for the Trust. Transamerica Capital, Inc.'s office is located at
4600 South Syracuse Street, Suite 1180, Denver, Colorado 80237.
<PAGE>
GLOSSARY OF INVESTMENT TERMS
This glossary provides a more detailed description of some of the types
of securities in which the Portfolios may invest. The Portfolios may invest in
these securities to the extent permitted by their investment objectives and
policies. The Portfolios are not limited by this discussion and may invest in
any other types of securities not precluded by the policies discussed elsewhere
in this Prospectus. Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information for
a more detailed discussion of certain of these and other securities.
Bonds are also called debt securities or debt obligations. The issuer of the
bond, which could be the U.S. government, a corporation, or a city or state,
borrows money from investors and agrees to pay back the loan amount (the
principal) on a certain date (the maturity date). Usually, the issuer also
agrees to pay interest on certain dates during the period of the loan. Some
bonds, such as zero-coupon bonds, do not pay interest, but instead pay back more
at maturity than the original loan. Most bonds pay a fixed rate of interest (or
income), but some bonds' interest rates may change based on market or other
factors.
Commercial paper is a short-term debt obligation with a maturity ranging from
one to 270 days issued by banks, corporations, and other borrowers to investors
seeking to invest idle cash.
Common stocks are equity securities representing shares of ownership in a
company and usually carry voting rights and earn dividends. Unlike preferred
stock, dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the
discretion of the issuer's board of directors.
Convertible securities are preferred stocks or bonds that pay a fixed dividend
or interest payment and are convertible into common stock at a specified price
or conversion ratio.
Debt securities are securities representing money borrowed that must be repaid
at a later date. Such securities have specific maturities and usually a specific
rate of interest or an original purchase discount. They include bonds and high
yield debt securities (junk bonds). Some debt securities have variable or
floating rates of interest. Variable and floating rate securities carry interest
rates that may be adjusted periodically to reflect changes in interest rates.
Depositary receipts are receipts for shares of a foreign-based corporation that
entitle the holder to dividends and capital gains on the underlying security.
Receipts include those issued by domestic banks (American Depositary Receipts),
foreign banks (Global or European Depositary Receipts), and broker-dealers
(depositary shares).
Equity Securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, warrants and other rights to purchase common stock.
Eurodollar obligations are dollar-denominated securities issued outside the U.S.
by foreign corporations and financial institutions and by foreign branches of
U.S. corporations and financial institutions.
Fixed income securities are securities that pay a specified rate of return. The
term generally includes short- and long-term government, corporate and municipal
obligations that pay a specified rate of interest or coupon for a specified
period of time, and preferred stock, which pays fixed dividends. Coupon and
dividend rates may be fixed for the life of the issue or, in the case of
adjustable and floating rate securities, for a shorter period.
Foreign currency transactions are entered into for the purpose of hedging
against foreign exchange risk arising from the Portfolio's investment or
anticipated investment in securities denominated in foreign currencies. The
Portfolio also may enter into these contracts for purposes of increasing
exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency
fluctuations from one country to another. Foreign currency transactions include
the purchase of foreign currency on a spot (or cash) basis, contracts to
purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date (forward contracts), the
purchase and sale of foreign currency futures contracts, and the purchase of
exchange traded and over-the-counter call and put options on foreign currency
futures contracts and on foreign currencies.
These hedging transactions do not eliminate fluctuations in the
underlying prices of the securities which the Portfolio owns or intends to
purchase or sell. They simply establish a rate of exchange which can be achieved
at some future point in time.
Foreign debt securities are issued by foreign corporations and governments. They
may include Eurodollar obligations and Yankee bonds.
Forward commitments, when-issued and delayed delivery securities generally
involve the purchase of a security with payment and delivery at some time in the
future - i.e., beyond normal settlement. The Portfolios do not earn interest on
such securities until settlement and bear the risk of market value fluctuations
in between the purchase and settlement dates. New issues of stocks and bonds,
private placements and U.S. government securities may be sold in this manner.
Forward contracts are contracts to purchase or sell a specified amount of a
financial instrument for an agreed upon price at a specified time.
Futures are contracts that obligate the buyer to receive and the seller to
deliver an instrument or money at a specified price on a specified date.
High yield/high risk debt securities are securities that are rated below
investment grade by the primary rating agencies (e.g., BB or lower by Standard &
Poor's Ratings Services ("Standard & Poor's"), and Ba or lower by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")). Other terms commonly used to describe such
securities include "lower rated bonds," "noninvestment grade bonds," and "junk
bonds."
Hybrid Instruments were recently developed and combine the elements of futures
contracts or options with those of debt, preferred equity or a depositary
instrument. They are often indexed to the price of a commodity, particular
currency, or a domestic or foreign debt or equity security index. Examples of
hybrid instruments include debt instruments with interest or principal payments
or redemption terms determined by reference to the value of a currency or
commodity or securities index at a future point in time or preferred stock with
dividend rates determined by reference to the value of a currency.
Investment grade corporate debt securities are securities rated in one of the
four highest rating categories by Standard & Poor's, Moody's or other nationally
recognized rating agency. Securities rated in the fourth category (e.g., BBB by
Standard & Poor's and Baa by Moody's) may have some speculative characteristics.
Notes are debt securities with shorter-term obligations than bonds.
Preferred stocks are equity securities that generally pay dividends at a
specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends
and liquidation. Preferred stock generally does not carry voting rights.
U.S. government securities include direct obligations of the U.S. government
that are supported by its full faith and credit, like Treasury bills. Treasury
bills have initial maturities of less than one year, Treasury notes have initial
maturities of one to ten years and Treasury bonds may be issued with any
maturity but generally have maturities of at least ten years. U.S. government
securities also include indirect obligations of the U.S. government that are
issued by federal agencies and government-sponsored entities, like bonds and
notes issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank, Government National Mortgage
Association ("Ginnie Mae"), Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie
Mae"), and Student Loan Marketing Association ("Sallie Mae"). Unlike Treasury
securities, agency securities generally are not backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. government. Some agency securities are supported by the right
of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury, others are supported by the
discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency's
obligations and others are supported only by the credit of the sponsoring
agency.
Variable amount master demand notes differ from ordinary commercial paper in
that they are issued pursuant to a written agreement between the issuer and the
holder, their amounts may be increased from time to time by the holder (subject
to an agreed maximum) or decreased by the holder or the issuer, they are payable
on demand, the rate of interest payable on them varies with an agreed formula
and they are typically not rated by a rating agency. Transfer of such notes is
usually restricted by the issuer, and there is no secondary trading market for
them. Any variable amount master demand note purchased by a Portfolio will be
regarded as an illiquid security.
Warrants are securities, typically issued with preferred stock or bonds, that
give the holder the right to buy a proportionate amount of common stock at a
specified price, usually at a price that is higher than the market price at the
time of issuance of the warrant. The right may last for a period of years or
indefinitely.
Yankee bonds are dollar-denominated securities issued in the U.S. by foreign
issuers.
<PAGE>
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you would like more information about a Portfolio, the following documents
are available to you free upon request:
Annual/ Semi-annual Reports
Contain additional information about a Portfolio's
performance. In a Portfolio's annual report, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies
that significantly affected the Portfolio's performance during
its last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
Provides a fuller technical and legal description of the
Portfolio's policies, investment restrictions, and business
structure. The SAI is legally considered to be a part of this
Prospectus.
If you would like a copy of the current versions of these documents, or other
information about a Portfolio, contact:
ENDEAVOR SERIES TRUST
4333 Edgewood Road N.E.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499
1-800-525-6205
Information about a Portfolio, including the Annual and Semi-annual Reports and
SAI, may also be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission (`SEC"):
oIn person Review and copy documents in the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington, D.C. (for
information call 1-202-942-8090).
oOn line Retrieve information from the EDGAR database on the
SEC's web site at:
http://www.sec.gov.
oBy mail Request documents, upon payment of a duplicating
fee, by writing to SEC, Public Reference Section,
Washington, D.C. 20549 or by emailing the SEC at
publicinfo@ SEC.gov.
SEC FILE # 811-5780
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ENDEAVOR(SM) SERIES TRUST
This Statement of Additional Information provides supplementary
information pertaining to shares of four of the fourteen investment portfolios
("Portfolios") of Endeavor Series Trust (the "Fund"), a diversified, open-end,
management investment company. This Statement of Additional Information is not a
prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated May 1,
2000, as amended October 9, 2000 (the "Prospectus") for the Capital Guardian
Value Portfolio (formerly known as Endeavor Value Equity Portfolio), the Dreyfus
Small Cap Value Portfolio, the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio and the T.
Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio of the Fund, which may be obtained by writing
the Fund at 4333 Edgewood Road N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499 or by calling
(800) 525-6205. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms have the
meanings given to them in the Prospectus.
The date of this Statement of Additional Information is May 1, 2000, as
amended October 9, 2000.
Endeavor(SM) is a registered service mark of Endeavor Management Co.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES........................................3
U.S. Government Securities.......................................3
Money Market Securities..........................................3
Mortgage-Backed Securities.......................................4
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations..............................5
Preferred Stocks........................................5
Rights and Warrants............................................. 6
Convertible Securities......................................... 6
Foreign Securities............................................. 7
Investment Grade Corporate Debt Securities.................... 7
Other Investment Companies............................ 7
Reverse Repurchase Agreements......................... 8
Depositary Receipts................................... 8
Hybrid Instruments.................................... 9
Illiquid Securities................................... 9
High Yield/High Risk Debt Securities................... 9
Options and Futures Strategies......................... 10
Foreign Currency Transactions.......................... 14
Repurchase Agreements.................................. 18
Forward Commitments, When-Issued and Delayed Delivery
Securities.............................................. 18
Securities Loans................................................. 18
Interest Rate Transactions..........................................19
Portfolio Turnover..................................... 20
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS......................................... 20
Other Policies......................................... 22
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION......................................... 22
Total Return........................................... 22
Non-Standardized Performance................. 23
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS................................ 23
Brokerage Enhancement Plan................... 25
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND................................ 26
Trustees and Officers........................ 27
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES................ 32
The Manager.................................. 32
The Investment Advisers...................... 33
Code of Ethics............................... 36
Custodian..................................... 36
Transfer Agent................................ 36
Legal Matters................................. 36
Independent Auditors.......................... 36
REDEMPTION OF SHARES................................... 36
NET ASSET VALUE........................................ 37
TAXES .............................................. 38
Federal Income Taxes.......................... 38
ORGANIZATION AND CAPITALIZATION OF THE FUND............ 40
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS................................... 41
APPENDIX ................................................A-1
----------------------
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representation not contained in this Statement of Additional Information or in
the Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representation must
not be relied upon as having been authorized. This Statement of Additional
Information does not constitute an offering of any securities other than the
registered securities to which it relates or an offer to any person in any state
or other jurisdiction of the United States or any country where such offer would
be unlawful.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The following information supplements the discussion of the investment
objectives and policies of the Portfolios in the Prospectus of the Fund. The
Fund is managed by Endeavor Management Co. The Manager has selected Capital
Guardian Trust Company as investment adviser for the Capital Guardian Value
Portfolio, The Dreyfus Corporation as investment adviser for the Dreyfus Small
Cap Value Portfolio and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. as investment adviser for
the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio and the T. Rowe Price Growth Stock
Portfolio.
U.S. Government Securities (All Portfolios)
--------------------------
Securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the
U.S. government or its agencies and government-sponsored entities include U.S.
Treasury obligations, consisting of bills, notes and bonds, which principally
differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance, and
obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies and government-sponsored entities
which are supported by (i) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (such
as securities of the Small Business Administration), (ii) the limited authority
of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (such as securities of the
Student Loan Marketing Association) or (iii) the authority of the U.S.
government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer (such as securities of
the Federal National Mortgage Association). No assurance can be given that the
U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government agencies or
government-sponsored entities as described in clauses (ii) or (iii) above in the
future, other than as set forth above, since it is not obligated to do so by
law.
Money Market Securities (All Portfolios)
-----------------------
Money market securities in which the Portfolios may invest include U.S.
government securities, U.S. dollar denominated instruments (such as bankers'
acceptances, commercial paper, domestic or Yankee certificates of deposit and
Eurodollar obligations) issued or guaranteed by bank holding companies in the
United States, their subsidiaries and their foreign branches. These bank
obligations may be general obligations of the parent bank holding company or may
be limited to the issuing entity by the terms of the specific obligation or by
government regulation.
Obligations of the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (also known as the World Bank) are supported by subscribed but
unpaid commitments of its member countries. There can be no assurance that these
commitments will be undertaken or complied with in the future.
Other money market securities in which a Portfolio may invest also
include certain variable and floating rate instruments and participations in
corporate loans to corporations in whose commercial paper or other short-term
obligations a Portfolio may invest. Because the bank issuing the participations
does not guarantee them in any way, they are subject to the credit risks
generally associated with the underlying corporate borrower. To the extent that
a Portfolio may be regarded as a creditor of the issuing bank (rather than of
the underlying corporate borrower under the terms of the loan participation),
the Portfolio may also be subject to credit risks associated with the issuing
bank. The secondary market, if any, for these loan participations is extremely
limited and any such participations purchased by a Portfolio will be regarded as
illiquid.
A Portfolio may also invest in bonds and notes with remaining
maturities of thirteen months or less, variable rate notes and variable amount
master demand notes. A variable amount master demand note differs from ordinary
commercial paper in that it is issued pursuant to a written agreement between
the issuer and the holder, its amount may be increased from time to time by the
holder (subject to an agreed maximum) or decreased by the holder or the issuer,
it is payable on demand, the rate of interest payable on it varies with an
agreed formula and it is typically not rated by a rating agency. Transfer of
such notes is usually restricted by the issuer, and there is no secondary
trading market for them. Any variable amount master demand note purchased by a
Portfolio will be regarded as an illiquid security.
The Portfolios will invest only in high quality money market
instruments, i.e., securities which have been assigned the highest quality
ratings by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations ("NRSROs")
such as "A-1" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("Standard & Poor's") or
"Prime-1" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or if not rated,
determined to be of comparable quality by the Portfolio's investment adviser.
Mortgage-Backed Securities (T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio)
-------------------------- = ========
The mortgage-backed securities in which the Portfolio invests represent
participation interests in pools of mortgage loans which are guaranteed by
agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government. However, the guarantee of
these types of securities runs only to the principal and interest payments and
not to the market value of such securities. In addition, the guarantee only runs
to the portfolio securities held by the Portfolio and not the purchase of shares
of the Portfolio.
Mortgage-backed securities are issued by lenders such as mortgage
bankers, commercial banks, and savings and loan associations. Such securities
differ from conventional debt securities which provide for periodic payment of
interest in fixed amounts (usually semiannually) with principal payments at
maturity or specified call dates. Mortgage-backed securities provide for monthly
payments which are, in effect, a "pass-through" of the monthly interest and
principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers
on the pooled mortgage loans. Principal prepayments result from the sale of the
underlying property or the refinancing or foreclosure of underlying mortgages.
The yield of mortgage-backed securities is based on the average life of
the underlying pool of mortgage loans, which is computed on the basis of the
maturities of the underlying instruments. The actual life of any particular pool
may be shortened by unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest. The
occurrence of prepayments is affected by a wide range of economic, demographic
and social factors and, accordingly, it is not possible to accurately predict
the average life of a particular pool. For pools of fixed rate 30-year
mortgages, it has been common practice to assume that prepayments will result in
a 12-year average life. The actual prepayment experience of a pool of mortgage
loans may cause the yield realized by the Portfolio to differ from the yield
calculated on the basis of the average life of the pool. In addition, if any of
these mortgage-backed securities are purchased at a premium, the premium may be
lost in the event of early prepayment which may result in a loss to the
Portfolio.
Prepayments tend to increase during periods of falling interest rates,
while during periods of rising interest rates prepayments will most likely
decline. Reinvestment by the Portfolio of scheduled principal payments and
unscheduled prepayments may occur at higher or lower rates than the original
investment, thus affecting the yield of the Portfolio. Monthly interest payments
received by the Portfolio have a compounding effect which will increase the
yield to shareholders as compared to debt obligations that pay interest
semiannually. Because of the reinvestment of prepayments of principal at current
rates, mortgage-backed securities may be less effective than Treasury bonds of
similar maturity at maintaining yields during periods of declining interest
rates. Also, although the value of debt securities may increase as interest
rates decline, the value of these pass-through type of securities may not
increase as much due to the prepayment feature.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Capital Guardian Value Portfolio)
----------------------------------- =================================
Collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), which are debt
obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through
securities, provide the holder with a specified interest in the cash flow of a
pool of underlying mortgages or other mortgage-backed securities. Issuers of
CMOs frequently elect to be taxed as a pass-through entity known as real estate
mortgage investment conduits. CMOs are issued in multiple classes, each with a
specified fixed or floating interest rate and a final distribution date. The
relative payment rights of the various CMO classes may be structured in many
ways. In most cases, however, payments of principal are applied to the CMO
classes in the order of their respective stated maturities, so that no principal
payments will be made on a CMO class until all other classes having an earlier
stated maturity date are paid in full. The classes may include accrual
certificates (also known as "Z-Bonds"), which only accrue interest at a
specified rate until other specified classes have been retired and are converted
thereafter to interest-paying securities. They may also include planned
amortization classes which generally require, within certain limits, that
specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date, and generally
exhibit less yield and market volatility than other classes. Generally, CMOs are
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities
or maybe collateralized by a portfolio of mortgages or mortgage-related
securities guaranteed by such an agency or instrumentality. Certain CMOs in
which the Portfolio may invest are not guaranteed by the U.S. government or its
agencies or instrumentalities.
Preferred Stocks (All Portfolios except Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio)
------------------ =======
A Portfolio may purchase preferred stock. Preferred stock, unlike
common stock, has a stated dividend rate payable from the corporation's
earnings. Preferred stock dividends may be cumulative or non-cumulative,
participating, or auction rate. "Cumulative" dividend provisions require all or
a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid.
If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be
less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline. Preferred
stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as call/redemption
provisions prior to maturity, which can be a negative feature when interest
rates decline. Preferred stock also generally has a preference over common stock
on the distribution of a corporation's assets in the event of liquidation of the
corporation. Preferred stock may be "participating" stock, which means that it
may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the stated dividend in certain cases.
The rights of preferred stock on distribution of a corporation's assets in the
event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a
corporation's debt securities.
Rights and Warrants (All Portfolios except Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio)
------------------- ========
A Portfolio may purchase rights and warrants. Warrants basically are
options to purchase equity securities at specific prices valid for a specific
period of time. Their prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of
the underlying securities. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a
short duration and are distributed directly by the issuer to its shareholders.
Rights and warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no
rights with respect to the assets of the issuer. These investments carry the
risk that they may be worthless to the Portfolio at the time it may exercise its
rights, due to the fact that the underlying securities have a market value less
than the exercise price.
Convertible Securities (All Portfolios )
----------------------
A Portfolio may invest in convertible securities of domestic and,
subject to the Portfolio's investment strategy, foreign issuers. The convertible
securities in which a Portfolio may invest include any debt securities or
preferred stock which may be converted into common stock or which carry the
right to purchase common stock. Convertible securities entitle the holder to
exchange the securities for a specified number of shares of common stock,
usually of the same company, at specified prices within a certain period of
time.
Convertible securities may be converted at either a stated price or
stated rate into underlying shares of common stock. Although to a lesser extent
than with fixed-income securities, the market of convertible securities tends to
decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as
interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the
market value of convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the
market value of the underlying common stock. A unique feature of convertible
securities is that as the market price of the underlying common stock declines,
convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so may
not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common
stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the
prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value
of the underlying common stock. While no securities investments are without
risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than
investments in common stock of the same issuer.
Convertible securities are investments that provide for a stable stream
of income with generally higher yields than common stocks. There can be no
assurance of current income because the issuers of the convertible securities
may default on their obligations. A convertible security, in addition to
providing fixed income, offers the potential for capital appreciation through
the conversion feature, which enables the holder to benefit from increases in
the market price of the underlying common stock. There can be no assurance of
capital appreciation, however, because securities prices fluctuate. Convertible
securities, however, generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than
non-convertible securities of similar quality because of the potential for
capital appreciation.
Foreign Securities (All Portfolios)
------------------
A Portfolio may invest in foreign equity and debt securities or U.S.
securities traded in foreign markets. In addition to securities issued by
foreign companies, permissible investments may also consist of obligations of
foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks, including European
certificates of deposit, European time deposits, Canadian time deposits, Yankee
certificates of deposit, Eurodollar bonds and Yankee bonds. The Portfolio may
also invest in Canadian commercial paper and Europaper. These instruments may
subject the Portfolio to additional investment risks from those related to
investments in obligations of U.S. issuers. See the prospectus for a discussion
of the risks of investing in foreign securities. In addition, foreign branches
of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve
requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks.
The debt obligations of foreign governments and entities may or may not
be supported by the full faith and credit of the foreign government. A Portfolio
may buy securities issued by certain "supra-national" entities, which include
entities designated or supported by governments to promote economic
reconstruction or development, international banking organizations and related
government agencies. Examples are the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (commonly called the "World Bank"), the Asian Development bank and
the Inter-American Development Bank.
The governmental members of these supranational entities are
"stockholders" that typically make capital contributions and may be committed to
make additional capital contributions if the entity is unable to repay its
borrowings. A supra-national entity's lending activities may be limited to a
percentage of its total capital, reserves and net income. There can be no
assurance that the constituent foreign governments will continue to be able or
willing to honor their capitalization commitments for those entities.
Investment Grade Corporate Debt Securities (All Portfolios except Dreyfus
Small Cap Value Portfolio)
Debt securities are rated by national bond ratings agencies. Securities
rated BBB by Standard & Poor's or Baa by Moody's are considered investment grade
securities, but are somewhat riskier than higher rated investment grade
obligations because they are regarded as having only an adequate capacity to pay
principal and interest, and are considered to lack outstanding investment
characteristics and may be speculative. See the Appendix to this Statement of
Additional Information for a description of the various securities ratings.
Other Investment Companies (All Portfolios )
----------------------------
In connection with its investments in accordance with the various
investment disciplines, a Portfolio may invest up to 10% of its total assets in
shares of other investment companies investing exclusively in securities in
which it may otherwise invest. Because of restrictions on direct investment by
U.S. entities in certain countries, other investment companies may provide the
most practical or only way for a Portfolio to invest in certain markets. Such
investments may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the net asset
value of those investment companies' portfolio securities and are subject to
limitations under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"). A
Portfolio also may incur tax liability to the extent it invests in the stock of
a foreign issuer that is a "passive foreign investment company" regardless of
whether such "passive foreign investment company" makes distributions to the
Portfolio.
Each Portfolio does not intend to invest in other investment companies
unless, in the investment adviser's judgment, the potential benefits exceed
associated costs. As a shareholder in an investment company, a Portfolio bears
its ratable share of that investment company's expenses, including advisory and
administration fees.
It is expected that the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio and T.
Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio will each invest its cash reserves primarily
in a money market fund established for the exclusive use of the T. Rowe Price
family of mutual funds and other clients of the Portfolios' investment advisers.
The Reserve Investment Fund ("RIF") is a series of Reserve Investment Funds,
Inc. Additional series may be created in the future. The RIF was created and
operates under an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The RIF must comply with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940
Act governing money market funds. The RIF invests at least 95% of its total
assets in prime money market instruments receiving the highest credit rating.
The RIF provides a very efficient means of managing the cash reserves
of the Portfolios. While the RIF does not pay an advisory fee to its investment
adviser, it will incur other expenses. However, the RIF is expected by its
investment adviser to operate at a very low expense ratio. Each Portfolio will
only invest in RIF to the extent it is consistent with its objective and
program.
In addition to the above, pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, each Portfolio may invest its uninvested
cash in shares of the Endeavor Money Market Portfolio if, in the opinion of the
Portfolio's investment adviser, such investment is in the Portfolio's best
interests.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements (All Portfolios except Capital Guardian Value
Portfolio)
Each Portfolio is permitted to enter into reverse repurchase
agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Portfolio sells a security
and agrees to repurchase it at a mutually agreed upon date and price, reflecting
the interest rate effective for the term of the agreement. For the purposes of
the 1940 Act it is considered a form of borrowing by the Portfolio and,
therefore, is a form of leverage. Leverage may cause any gains or losses of the
Portfolio to be magnified.
Depositary Receipts (All Portfolios )
-------------------
A Portfolio may purchase foreign securities in the form of American
Depositary Receipts, European Depositary Receipts, Global Depositary Receipts or
other securities convertible into securities of corporations in which the
Portfolio is permitted to invest pursuant to its investment objectives and
policies. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same
currency into which they may be converted. Depositary receipts are receipts
typically issued by a U.S. or foreign bank or trust company and evidence
ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. Because
American Depositary Receipts are listed on a U.S. securities exchange, the
Portfolio's investment adviser does not treat them as foreign securities.
However, like other depositary receipts, American Depositary Receipts are
subject to many of the risks of foreign securities such as changes in exchange
rates and more limited information about foreign issuers.
Hybrid Instruments (T. Rowe Price Equity Income, T. Rowe Price Growth Stock
and Capital Guardian Value Portfolios)
The T. Rowe Price Equity Income and T. Rowe Price Growth Stock
Portfolios may invest up to 10% of their total assets in hybrid instruments.
Hybrid instruments have recently been developed and combine the elements of
futures contracts or options with those of debt, preferred equity or a
depository instrument. Often these hybrid instruments are indexed to the price
of a commodity, particular currency, or a domestic or foreign debt or equity
securities index. Hybrid instruments may take a variety of forms, including, but
not limited to, debt instruments with interest or principal payments or
redemption terms determined by reference to the value of a currency or commodity
or securities index at a future point in time, preferred stock with dividend
rates determined by reference to the value of a currency, or convertible
securities with the conversion terms related to a particular commodity. Hybrid
instruments may bear interest or pay dividends at below market (or even
relatively nominal) rates. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of
such an instrument could be zero. Hybrid instruments can have volatile prices
and limited liquidity and their use by a Portfolio may not be successful.
Illiquid Securities (All Portfolios)
------------------
Each Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid
securities and other securities which are not readily marketable, including
non-negotiable time deposits, certain restricted securities not deemed by the
Fund's Trustees to be liquid and repurchase agreements with maturities longer
than seven days. Securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, which have been determined to be liquid, will not be
considered by the Portfolios' investment advisers to be illiquid or not readily
marketable and, therefore, are not subject to the aforementioned 15% limit. The
inability of a Portfolio to dispose of illiquid or not readily marketable
investments readily or at a reasonable price could impair the Portfolio's
ability to raise cash for redemptions or other purposes. The liquidity of
securities purchased by a Portfolio which are eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A will be monitored by the Portfolios' investment advisers on an ongoing
basis, subject to the oversight of the Trustees. In the event that such a
security is deemed to be no longer liquid, a Portfolio's holdings will be
reviewed to determine what action, if any, is required to ensure that the
retention of such security does not result in a Portfolio having more than 15%
of its assets invested in illiquid or not readily marketable securities.
High Yield/High Risk Debt Securities (T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio)
-------------------------------------- =======
Certain lower rated securities purchased by the Portfolio, such as
those rated Ba or B by Moody's or BB or B by Standard & Poor's (commonly known
as junk bonds), may be subject to certain risks with respect to the issuing
entity's ability to make scheduled payments of principal and interest and to
greater market fluctuations. While generally providing greater income than
investments in higher quality securities, lower quality fixed income securities
involve greater risk of loss of principal and income, including the possibility
of default or bankruptcy of the issuers of such securities, and have greater
price volatility, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change.
These lower quality fixed income securities tend to be affected by economic
changes and short-term corporate and industry developments to a greater extent
than higher quality securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the
general level of interest rates. To the extent that the Portfolio invests in
such lower quality securities, the achievement of its investment objective may
be more dependent on the investment adviser's own credit analysis.
Lower quality fixed income securities are affected by the market's
perception of their credit quality, especially during times of adverse
publicity, and the outlook for economic growth. Economic downturns or an
increase in interest rates may cause a higher incidence of default by the
issuers of these securities, especially issuers that are highly leveraged. The
market for these lower quality fixed income securities is generally less liquid
than the market for investment grade fixed income securities. It may be more
difficult to sell these lower rated securities to meet redemption requests, to
respond to changes in the market, or to value accurately the Portfolio's
portfolio securities for purposes of determining the Portfolio's net asset
value.
In determining suitability of investment in a particular unrated
security, the investment adviser takes into consideration asset and debt service
coverage, the purpose of the financing, history of the issuer, existence of
other rated securities of the issuer, and other relevant conditions, such as
comparability to other issuers.
Options and Futures Strategies (All Portfolios )
------------------------------
A Portfolio may seek to increase the current return on its investments
by writing covered call or covered put options. In addition, a Portfolio may at
times seek to hedge against either a decline in the value of its portfolio
securities or an increase in the price of securities which its investment
adviser plans to purchase through the writing and purchase of options including
options on stock indices and the purchase and sale of futures contracts and
related options. A Portfolio may utilize options or futures contracts and
related options for other than hedging purposes to the extent that the aggregate
initial margins and premiums do not exceed 5% of the Portfolio's net asset
value. The investment advisers to the Capital Guardian Value Portfolio, Dreyfus
Small Cap Value Portfolio, T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio and T. Rowe
Price Growth Stock Portfolio do not presently intend to utilize options or
futures contracts and related options but may do so in the future. The
investment adviser to the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio and T. Rowe
Price Growth Stock Portfolio does not presently intend to write or purchase put
or call options, but may do so in the future. Expenses and losses incurred as a
result of such hedging strategies will reduce a Portfolio's current return.
The ability of a Portfolio to engage in the options and futures
strategies described below will depend on the availability of liquid markets in
such instruments. Markets in options and futures with respect to stock indices
and U.S. government securities are relatively new and still developing. It is
impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in various
types of options or futures. Therefore no assurance can be given that a
Portfolio will be able to utilize these instruments effectively for the purposes
stated below.
Writing Covered Options on Securities. A Portfolio may write covered
call options and covered put options on optionable securities of the types in
which it is permitted to invest from time to time as its investment adviser
determines is appropriate in seeking to attain the Portfolio's investment
objective. Call options written by a Portfolio give the holder the right to buy
the underlying security from the Portfolio at a stated exercise price; put
options give the holder the right to sell the underlying security to the
Portfolio at a stated price.
A Portfolio may only write call options on a covered basis or for
cross-hedging purposes and will only write covered put options. A put option
would be considered "covered" if the Portfolio owns an option to sell the
underlying security subject to the option having an exercise price equal to or
greater than the exercise price of the "covered" option at all times while the
put option is outstanding. A call option is covered if the Portfolio owns or has
the right to acquire the underlying securities subject to the call option (or
comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of securities exchanges)
at all times during the option period. A call option is for cross-hedging
purposes if it is not covered, but is designed to provide a hedge against
another security which the Portfolio owns or has the right to acquire. In the
case of a call written for cross-hedging purposes or a put option, the Portfolio
will maintain in a segregated account at the Fund's custodian bank liquid assets
with a value equal to or greater than the Portfolio's obligation under the
option. A Portfolio may also write combinations of covered puts and covered
calls on the same underlying security.
A Portfolio will receive a premium from writing an option, which
increases the Portfolio's return in the event the option expires unexercised or
is terminated at a profit. The amount of the premium will reflect, among other
things, the relationship of the market price of the underlying security to the
exercise price of the option, the term of the option, and the volatility of the
market price of the underlying security. By writing a call option, a Portfolio
will limit its opportunity to profit from any increase in the market value of
the underlying security above the exercise price of the option. By writing a put
option, a Portfolio will assume the risk that it may be required to purchase the
underlying security for an exercise price higher than its then current market
price, resulting in a potential capital loss if the purchase price exceeds the
market price plus the amount of the premium received.
A Portfolio may terminate an option which it has written prior to its
expiration by entering into a closing purchase transaction in which it purchases
an option having the same terms as the option written. The Portfolio will
realize a profit (or loss) from such transaction if the cost of such 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, any loss resulting
from the repurchase of a call option may be offset in whole or in part by
unrealized appreciation of the underlying security owned by the Portfolio.
Purchasing Put and Call Options on Securities. A Portfolio may purchase
put options to protect its portfolio holdings in an underlying security against
a decline in market value. This protection is provided during the life of the
put option since the Portfolio, as holder of the put, is able to sell the
underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any decline in the
underlying security's market price. For the purchase of a put option to be
profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline
sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction
costs. By using put options in this manner, any profit which the Portfolio might
otherwise have realized on the underlying security will be reduced by the
premium paid for the put option and by transaction costs.
A Portfolio may also purchase a call option to hedge against an
increase in price of a security that it intends to purchase. This protection is
provided during the life of the call option since the Portfolio, as holder of
the call, is able to buy the underlying security at the exercise price
regardless of any increase in the underlying security's market price. For the
purchase of a call option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying
security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium
and transaction costs. By using call options in this manner, any profit which
the Portfolio might have realized had it bought the underlying security at the
time it purchased the call option will be reduced by the premium paid for the
call option and by transaction costs.
No Portfolio intends to purchase put or call options if, as a result of
any such transaction, the aggregate cost of options held by the Portfolio at the
time of such transaction would exceed 5% of its total assets.
Purchase and Sale of Options and Futures on Stock Indices. A Portfolio
may purchase and sell options on stock indices and stock index futures contracts
either as a hedge against movements in the equity markets or for other
investment purposes.
Options on stock indices are similar to options on specific securities
except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of the specific
security at a specific price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the
right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing
level of that stock index is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than,
in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is
equal to such difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise
price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. The writer
of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery
of this amount. Unlike options on specific securities, all settlements of
options on stock indices are in cash and gain or loss depends on general
movements in the stocks included in the index rather than price movements in
particular stocks. Currently options traded include the Standard & Poor's 500
Composite Stock Price Index, the NYSE Composite Index, the AMEX Market Value
Index, the National Over-The-Counter Index, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average Index,
the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index and other standard broadly based
stock market indices. Options are also traded in certain industry or market
segment indices such as the Pharmaceutical Index.
A stock index futures contract is an agreement in which one party
agrees to deliver to the other an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar
amount times the difference between the value of a specific stock index at the
close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the
agreement is made. No physical delivery of securities is made.
If a Portfolio's investment adviser expects general stock market prices
to rise, it might purchase a call option on a stock index or a futures contract
on that index as a hedge against an increase in prices of particular equity
securities it wants ultimately to buy for the Portfolio. If in fact the stock
index does rise, the price of the particular equity securities intended to be
purchased may also increase, but that increase would be offset in part by the
increase in the value of the Portfolio's index option or futures contract
resulting from the increase in the index. If, on the other hand, the Portfolio's
investment adviser expects general stock market prices to decline, it might
purchase a put option or sell a futures contract on the index. If that index
does in fact decline, the value of some or all of the equity securities held by
the Portfolio may also be expected to decline, but that decrease would be offset
in part by the increase in the value of the Portfolio's position in such put
option or futures contract.
Purchase and Sale of Interest Rate Futures. A Portfolio may purchase
and sell interest rate futures contracts on fixed income securities or indices
of such securities, including municipal indices and any other indices of fixed
income securities that may become available for trading either for the purpose
of hedging its portfolio securities against the adverse effects of anticipated
movements in interest rates or for other investment purposes.
A Portfolio may sell interest rate futures contracts in anticipation of
an increase in the general level of interest rates. Generally, as interest rates
rise, the market value of the securities held by a Portfolio will fall, thus
reducing the net asset value of the Portfolio. This interest rate risk can be
reduced without employing futures as a hedge by selling such securities and
either reinvesting the proceeds in securities with shorter maturities or by
holding assets in cash. However, this strategy entails increased transaction
costs in the form of dealer spreads and brokerage commissions and would
typically reduce the Portfolio's average yield as a result of the shortening of
maturities.
The sale of interest rate futures contracts provides a means of hedging
against rising interest rates. As rates increase, the value of a Portfolio's
short position in the futures contracts will also tend to increase thus
offsetting all or a portion of the depreciation in the market value of the
Portfolio's investments that are being hedged. While the Portfolio will incur
commission expenses in selling and closing out futures positions (which is done
by taking an opposite position in the futures contract), commissions on futures
transactions are lower than transaction costs incurred in the purchase and sale
of portfolio securities.
A Portfolio may purchase interest rate futures contracts in
anticipation of a decline in interest rates when it is not fully invested. As
such purchases are made, it is expected that an equivalent amount of futures
contracts will be closed out.
A Portfolio will enter into futures contracts which are traded on
national or foreign futures exchanges, and are standardized as to maturity date
and the underlying financial instrument. Futures exchanges and trading in the
United States are regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"). Futures are traded in London at the London
International Financial Futures Exchange, in Paris, at the MATIF, and in Tokyo
at the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Options on Futures Contracts. A Portfolio may purchase and write call
and put options on stock index and interest rate futures contracts. A Portfolio
may use such options on futures contracts in connection with its hedging
strategies in lieu of purchasing and writing options directly on the underlying
securities or stock indices or purchasing or selling the underlying futures. For
example, a Portfolio may purchase put options or write call options on stock
index futures or interest rate futures, rather than selling futures contracts,
in anticipation of a decline in general stock market prices or rise in interest
rates, respectively, or purchase call options or write put options on stock
index or interest rate futures, rather than purchasing such futures, to hedge
against possible increases in the price of equity securities or debt securities,
respectively, which the Portfolio intends to purchase.
In connection with transactions in stock index options, stock index
futures, interest rate futures and related options on such futures, a Portfolio
will be required to deposit as "initial margin" an amount of cash and short-term
U.S. government securities. The current initial margin requirement per contract
is approximately 2% of the contract amount. Thereafter, subsequent payments
(referred to as "variation margin") are made to and from the broker to reflect
changes in the value of the futures contract. Brokers may establish deposit
requirements higher than exchange minimums.
Limitations. A Portfolio will not purchase or sell futures contracts or
options on futures contracts or stock indices for non-hedging purposes if, as a
result, the sum of the initial margin deposits on its existing futures contracts
and related options positions and premiums paid for options on futures contracts
or stock indices would exceed 5% of the net assets of the Portfolio.
Risks of Options and Futures Strategies. The effective use of options
and futures strategies depends, among other things, on a Portfolio's ability to
terminate options and futures positions at times when its investment adviser
deems it desirable to do so. Although a Portfolio will not enter into an option
or futures position unless its investment adviser believes that a liquid market
exists for such option or future, there can be no assurance that a Portfolio
will be able to effect closing transactions at any particular time or at an
acceptable price. The investment advisers generally expect that options and
futures transactions for the Portfolios will be conducted on recognized
exchanges. In certain instances, however, a Portfolio may purchase and sell
options in the over-the-counter market. The staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission considers over-the-counter options to be illiquid. A Portfolio's
ability to terminate option positions established in the over-the-counter market
may be more limited than in the case of exchange traded options and may also
involve the risk that securities dealers participating in such transactions
would fail to meet their obligations to the Portfolio.
The use of options and futures involves the risk of imperfect
correlation between movements in options and futures prices and movements in the
price of the securities that are the subject of the hedge. The successful use of
these strategies also depends on the ability of a Portfolio's investment adviser
to forecast correctly interest rate movements and general stock market price
movements. This risk increases as the composition of the securities held by the
Portfolio diverges from the composition of the relevant option or futures
contract.
Foreign Currency Transactions (T. Rowe Price Growth Stock and Capital Guardian
Value Portfolios)
Foreign Currency Exchange Transactions. The Portfolio may engage in
foreign currency exchange transactions to protect against uncertainty in the
level of future exchange rates. The investment adviser to the Portfolio may
engage in foreign currency exchange transactions in connection with the purchase
and sale of portfolio securities ("transaction hedging"), and to protect the
value of specific portfolio positions ("position hedging").
The Portfolio may engage in "transaction hedging" to protect against a
change in the foreign currency exchange rate between the date on which the
Portfolio contracts to purchase or sell the security and the settlement date, or
to "lock in" the U.S. dollar equivalent of a dividend or interest payment in a
foreign currency. For that purpose, the Portfolio may purchase or sell a foreign
currency on a spot (or cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate in connection
with the settlement of transactions in portfolio securities denominated in or
exposed to that foreign currency.
If conditions warrant, the Portfolio may also enter into contracts to
purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date ("forward contracts") and
purchase and sell foreign currency futures contracts as a hedge against changes
in foreign currency exchange rates between the trade and settlement dates on
particular transactions and not for speculation. A foreign currency forward
contract is a negotiated agreement to exchange currency at a future time at a
rate or rates that may be higher or lower than the spot rate. Foreign currency
futures contracts are standardized exchange-traded contracts and have margin
requirements.
For transaction hedging purposes, the Portfolio may also purchase
exchange-listed and over-the-counter call and put options on foreign currency
futures contracts and on foreign currencies. A put option on a futures contract
gives the Portfolio the right to assume a short position in the futures contract
until expiration of the option. A put option on currency gives a Portfolio the
right to sell a currency at an exercise price until the expiration of the
option. A call option on a futures contract gives the Portfolio the right to
assume a long position in the futures contract until the expiration of the
option. A call option on currency gives the Portfolio the right to purchase a
currency at the exercise price until the expiration of the option.
The Portfolio may engage in "position hedging" to protect against a
decline in the value relative to the U.S. dollar of the currencies in which its
portfolio securities are denominated, or quoted or exposed (or an increase in
the value of currency for securities which the Portfolio intends to buy, when it
holds cash reserves and short-term investments). For position hedging purposes,
a Portfolio may purchase or sell foreign currency futures contracts and foreign
currency forward contracts, and may purchase put or call options on foreign
currency futures contracts and on foreign currencies on exchanges or
over-the-counter markets. In connection with position hedging, the Portfolio may
also purchase or sell foreign currency on a spot basis.
The precise matching of the amounts of foreign currency exchange
transactions and the value of the portfolio securities involved will not
generally be possible since the future value of such securities in foreign
currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of
those securities between the dates the currency exchange transactions are
entered into and the dates they mature.
It is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of
portfolio securities at the expiration or maturity of a forward or futures
contract. Accordingly, it may be necessary for a Portfolio to purchase
additional foreign currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such
purchase) if the market value of the security or securities being hedged is less
than the amount of foreign currency the Portfolio is obligated to deliver and if
a decision is made to sell the security or securities and make delivery of the
foreign currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market
some of the foreign currency received upon the sale of the portfolio security or
securities if the market value of such security or securities exceeds the amount
of foreign currency the Portfolio is obligated to deliver.
Hedging transactions involve costs and may result in losses. The
Portfolio may write covered call options on foreign currencies to offset some of
the costs of hedging those currencies. The Portfolio will engage in
over-the-counter transactions only when appropriate exchange-traded transactions
are unavailable and when, in the opinion of the Portfolio's investment adviser,
the pricing mechanism and liquidity are satisfactory and the participants are
responsible parties likely to meet their contractual obligations. The
Portfolio's ability to engage in hedging and related option transactions may be
limited by tax considerations.
Transaction and position hedging do not eliminate fluctuations in the
underlying prices of the securities which the Portfolio owns or intends to
purchase or sell. They simply establish a rate of exchange which one can achieve
at some future point in time. Additionally, although these techniques tend to
minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency,
they tend to limit any potential gain which might result from the increase in
the value of such currency.
Currency Forward and Futures Contracts. A forward foreign currency
exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency
at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the
contract as agreed by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract.
In the case of a cancelable forward contract, the holder has the unilateral
right to cancel the contract at maturity by paying a specified fee. The
contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract
generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any
stage for trades. A foreign currency futures contract is a standardized contract
for the future delivery of a specified amount of a foreign currency at a future
date at a price set at the time of the contract. Foreign currency futures
contracts traded in the United States are designed by and traded on exchanges
regulated by the CFTC, such as the New York Mercantile Exchange. The Portfolio
would enter into foreign currency futures contracts solely for hedging or other
appropriate investment purposes as defined in CFTC regulations.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts differ from foreign
currency futures contracts in certain respects. For example, the maturity date
of a forward contract may be any fixed number of days from the date of the
contract agreed upon by the parties, rather than a predetermined date in any
given month. Forward contracts may be in any amounts agreed upon by the parties
rather than predetermined amounts. Also, forward foreign exchange contracts are
traded directly between currency traders so that no intermediary is required. A
forward contract generally requires no margin or other deposit.
At the maturity of a forward or futures contract, the Portfolio may
either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract, or at
or prior to maturity enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or
sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward
contracts are usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to the
original forward contract. Closing transactions with respect to futures
contracts are effected on a commodities exchange; a clearing corporation
associated with the exchange assumes responsibility for closing out such
contracts.
Positions in foreign currency futures contracts may be closed out only
on an exchange or board of trade which provides a secondary market in such
contracts. Although the Portfolio intends to purchase or sell foreign currency
futures contracts only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be
an active secondary market, there can be no assurance that a secondary market on
an exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular contract or at any
particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures
position and, in the event of adverse price movements, the Portfolio would
continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin.
Foreign Currency Options. Options on foreign currencies operate
similarly to options on securities, and are traded primarily in the
over-the-counter market, although options on foreign currencies have recently
been listed on several exchanges. Such options will be purchased or written only
when the Portfolio's investment adviser believes that a liquid secondary market
exists for such options. There can be no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for a particular option at any specific time. Options on
foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors which influence foreign
exchange rates and investments generally. The investment adviser for the
Endeavor High Yield Portfolio does not intend to engage in foreign currency
options.
The value of a foreign currency option is dependent upon the value of
the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar, and may have no relationship to the
investment merits of a foreign security. Because foreign currency transactions
occurring in the interbank market involve substantially larger amounts than
those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, investors may
be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of
transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at
prices that are less favorable than for round lots.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign
currencies and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available
through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis.
Available quotation information is generally representative of very large
transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively smaller
transactions (less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The
interbank market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To
the extent that the U.S. options markets are closed while the markets for the
underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements may take
place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets.
Foreign Currency Conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not
charge a fee for currency conversion, they do realize a profit based on the
difference (the "spread") between prices at which they are buying and selling
various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the
Portfolio at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the
Portfolio desire to resell that currency to the dealer.
Repurchase Agreements (All Portfolios)
---------------------
Each of the Portfolios may enter into repurchase agreements with a
bank, broker-dealer, or other financial institution but no Portfolio may invest
more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including repurchase
agreements having maturities of greater than seven days. A Portfolio may enter
into repurchase agreements, provided the Fund's custodian always has possession
of securities serving as collateral whose market value at least equals the
amount of the repurchase obligation. To minimize the risk of loss a Portfolio
will enter into repurchase agreements only with financial institutions which are
considered by its investment adviser to be creditworthy. If an institution
enters an insolvency proceeding, the resulting delay in liquidation of the
securities serving as collateral could cause a Portfolio some loss, as well as
legal expense, if the value of the securities declines prior to liquidation.
Forward Commitments, When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities
(All Portfolios)
A Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment
basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more
after the purchase or sale commitment is made.
A Portfolio may purchase securities under such conditions only with the
intention of actually acquiring them, but may enter into a separate agreement to
sell the securities before the settlement date. Since the value of securities
purchased may fluctuate prior to settlement, the Portfolio may be required to
pay more at settlement than the security is worth. In addition, the purchaser is
not entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement.
Upon making a commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued,
delayed delivery or forward commitment basis the Portfolio will hold liquid
assets in a segregated account at the Portfolio's custodian bank worth at least
the equivalent of the amount due. The liquid assets will be monitored on a daily
basis and adjusted as necessary to maintain the necessary value.
Purchases made under such conditions may involve the risk that yields
secured at the time of commitment may be lower than otherwise available by the
time settlement takes place, causing an unrealized loss to the Portfolio. In
addition, when the Portfolio engages in such purchases, it relies on the other
party to consummate the sale. If the other party fails to perform its
obligations, the Portfolio may miss the opportunity to obtain a security at a
favorable price or yield. Although a Portfolio will generally enter into forward
commitments to purchase securities with the intention of actually acquiring the
security for its portfolio (or for delivery pursuant to options contracts it has
entered into), the Portfolio may dispose of a security prior to settlement if
its investment adviser deems it advisable to do so. The Portfolio may realize
short-term gains or losses in connection with such sales.
Securities Loans (All Portfolios)
----------------
Each Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to qualified
institutional buyers for the purpose of realizing additional income. Each of the
Portfolios may pay reasonable finders', administrative and custodial fees in
connection with loans of its portfolio securities. Such loans must be
continuously secured by liquid assets at least equal to the market value of the
securities loaned. Although voting rights or the right to consent accompanying
loaned securities pass to the borrower, a Portfolio retains the right to call
the loan at any time on reasonable notice, and will do so in order that the
securities may be voted by the Portfolio with respect to matters materially
affecting the investment. A Portfolio may also call a loan in order to sell the
securities involved. Loans of portfolio securities will only be made to
borrowers considered by a Portfolio's investment adviser to be creditworthy
under guidelines adopted by the Trustees of the Fund. Securities lending may
involve some credit risk to a Portfolio if the borrower defaults and the
Portfolio is delayed or prevented from recovering the collateral.
Interest Rate Transactions (T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio)
-------------------------- = ========
Among the strategic transactions into which the T. Rowe Price Growth
Stock Portfolio may enter are interest rate swaps and the purchase or sale of
related caps and floors. The Portfolio expects to enter into these transactions
primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion
of its portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration
management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of
securities the Portfolio anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Portfolio
intends to use these transactions as hedges and not as speculative investments
and will not sell interest rate caps or floors where it does not own securities
or other instruments providing the income stream the Portfolio may be obligated
to pay. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Portfolio with another
party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an
exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a
notional amount of principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash
flows on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value
differential among them and an index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on
a notional amount based on changes in the values of the reference indices. The
purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specific index
exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a
notional principal amount from the party selling such cap. The purchase of a
floor entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount
from the party selling such floor to the extent that a specified index falls
below a predetermined interest rate or amount.
The Portfolio will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the
two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or
dates specified in the instrument, with the Portfolio receiving or paying, as
the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Inasmuch as these
swaps, caps and floors are entered into for good faith hedging purposes, the
investment adviser to the Portfolio and the Fund believe such obligations do not
constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat
them as being subject to its borrowing restrictions. The Portfolio will not
enter into any swap, cap and floor transaction unless, at the time of entering
into such transaction, the unsecured long-term debt of the counterparty,
combined with any credit enhancements, is rated at least "A" by Standard &
Poor's or Moody's or has an equivalent rating from an NRSRO or is determined to
be of equivalent credit quality by the investment adviser. For a description of
the NRSROs and their ratings, see the Appendix. If there is a default by the
counterparty, the Portfolio may have contractual remedies pursuant to the
agreements related to the transaction. The swap market has grown substantially
in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting
both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a
result, the swap market has become relatively liquid. Caps and floors are more
recent innovations for which standardized documentation has not yet been fully
developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.
With respect to swaps, the Portfolio will accrue the net amount of the
excess, if any, of its obligations over its entitlements with respect to each
swap on a daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or liquid high grade
securities having a value equal to the accrued excess. Caps and floors require
segregation of assets with a value equal to the Portfolio's net obligations, if
any.
From time to time, Congress has considered restricting or eliminating
the federal income tax exemption for interest on municipal bonds. Such actions
could materially affect the availability of municipal bonds and the value of
those already owned by the Portfolio. If such legislation were passed, the
Fund's Board of Trustees may recommend changes in the Portfolio's investment
objectives and policies.
Portfolio Turnover
While it is impossible to predict portfolio turnover rates, the
investment advisers to the Portfolios other than the Dreyfus Small Cap Value
Portfolio anticipate that portfolio turnover will generally not exceed 100% per
year. The investment adviser to the Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio
anticipates that the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate will generally not
exceed 200%. Higher portfolio turnover rates usually generate additional
brokerage commissions and expenses.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Except for restriction numbers 2, 3, 4, 11 and 12 with respect to the
T. Rowe Price Equity Income and T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolios and
restriction number 11 with respect to the Capital Guardian Value and Dreyfus
Small Cap Value Portfolios (which restrictions are not fundamental policies),
the following investment restrictions (numbers 1 through 12) are fundamental
policies, which may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Portfolio, and apply to each of the Portfolios except
as otherwise indicated. As provided in the 1940 Act, a vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares necessary to amend a fundamental policy means the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the
holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio are present
or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Portfolio.
A Portfolio may not:
1. Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by applicable law.
2. Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to
secure borrowings permitted by restriction 1 above. Collateral arrangements with
respect to margin for futures contracts and options are not deemed to be pledges
or other encumbrances for purposes of this restriction.
3. Purchase securities on margin, except a Portfolio may obtain such short-term
credits as may be necessary for the clearance of securities transactions and may
make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, futures
contracts and options on such contracts.
4. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position for the account
of the Portfolio, unless at all times when a short position is open the
Portfolio owns an equal amount of such securities or owns securities which,
without payment of any further consideration, are convertible or exchangeable
for securities of the same issue as, and in equal amounts to, the securities
sold short.
5. Underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent that in
connection with the disposition of its portfolio investments it may be deemed to
be an underwriter under federal securities laws.
6. Purchase or sell real estate, although a Portfolio may purchase securities of
issuers which deal in real estate, securities which are secured by interests in
real estate and securities representing interests in real estate.
7. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that all
Portfolios may purchase or sell financial futures contracts and related options.
For purposes of this restriction, currency contracts or hybrid investments shall
not be considered commodities.
8. Make loans, except by purchase of debt obligations in which the Portfolio may
invest consistently with its investment policies, by entering into repurchase
agreements or through the lending of its portfolio securities.
9. Invest in the securities of any issuer if, immediately after such investment,
more than 5% of the total assets of the Portfolio (taken at current value) would
be invested in the securities of such issuer or acquire more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of any issuer, provided that this limitation does
not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by
the U.S. government or its agencies and government-sponsored entities or to
repurchase agreements secured by such obligations and that up to 25% of the
Portfolio's total assets (taken at current value) may be invested without regard
to this limitation.
10. Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in any one industry,
provided that this limitation does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed
as to interest and principal by the U.S. government, its agencies and
government-sponsored entities, and repurchase agreements secured by such
obligations.
11. Invest more than 15% of its net assets (taken at current value at the time
of each purchase) in illiquid securities including repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days.
12. Purchase securities of any issuer for the purpose of exercising
control or management.
All percentage limitations on investments will apply at the time of the
making of an investment and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or
deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and partially or completely as a
result of such investment.
Other Policies
The Capital Guardian Value and Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolios may
not invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in warrants not listed
on either the New York or American Stock Exchange. Each of the T. Rowe Price
Equity Income and T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolios will not invest in
warrants if, as a result thereof, the Portfolio will have more than 10% of the
value of its total assets invested in warrants; provided that this restriction
does not apply to warrants acquired as a result of the purchase of another
security.
With respect to borrowing, in general, under the 1940 Act, a Portfolio
may not borrow money except that (1) a Portfolio may borrow from banks or enter
into reverse repurchase agreements, in amounts up to 33_% of its total assets
(including the amount borrowed); and (2) a Portfolio may borrow up to an
additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Total return will be computed as described below.
Total Return
Each Portfolio's "average annual total return" figures described and
shown in the Prospectus are computed according to a formula prescribed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The formula can be expressed as follows:
P(1+T)n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = Ending Redeemable Value of a hypothetical $1000 payment made at the
beginning of the 1, 5, or 10 years (or other) periods at the end of the 1, 5, or
10 years (or other) periods (or fractional portion thereof)
The table below shows the average annual total return for the Capital
Guardian Value, Dreyfus Small Cap Value, T. Rowe Price Equity Income and T. Rowe
Price Growth Stock Portfolios for the specific periods.
Capital Guardian Trust Company became the investment adviser to the
Capital Guardian Value Portfolio on October 9, 2000.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the One Year For the Five Year For Period From Inception
Period Ended Period Ended June to
June 30, 2000. 30, 2000. June 30, 2000 .
= =
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Guardian
Value(1)......... (15.30)% 10.93% 11.64%/11.64%*
================== ======== ====== ==============
Dreyfus Small Cap Value(2)..........
14.68% 18.72% 15.18%/15.17%*
====== ====== =============
T. Rowe Price Equity Income(3)...
=========
(10.75)% 14.27% 15.33%
==
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock(3)....
============
22.02% 24.22% 26.35%
------------------------
</TABLE>
* The figure shows what the Portfolio's performance would have been in
the absence of fee waivers and/or reimbursement of other expenses, if
any.
(1) The Portfolio commenced operations on May 27, 1993.
(2) The Portfolio commenced operations on May 4, 1993.
===
(3) The Portfolio commenced operations on January 3, 1995.
===
The calculations of total return assume the reinvestment of all
dividends and capital gain distributions on the reinvestment dates during the
period and the deduction of all recurring expenses that were charged to
shareholders' accounts. The above table does not reflect charges and deductions
which are, or may be, imposed under the Contracts.
The performance of each Portfolio will vary from time to time in
response to fluctuations in market conditions, interest rates, the composition
of the Portfolio's investments and expenses. Consequently, a Portfolio's
performance figures are historical and should not be considered representative
of the performance of the Portfolio for any future period.
Non-Standardized Performance
In addition to the performance information described above, the Fund
may provide total return information with respect to the Portfolios for
designated periods, such as for the most recent six months or most recent twelve
months. This total return information is computed as described under "Total
Return" above except that no annualization is made.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Subject to the supervision and control of the Manager and the Trustees
of the Fund, each Portfolio's investment adviser is responsible for decisions to
buy and sell securities for its account and for the placement of its portfolio
business and the negotiation of commissions, if any, paid on such transactions.
Brokerage commissions are paid on transactions in equity securities traded on a
securities exchange and on options, futures contracts and options thereon. Fixed
income securities and certain equity securities in which the Portfolios invest
are traded in the over-the-counter market. These securities are generally traded
on a net basis with dealers acting as principal for their own account without a
stated commission, although prices of such securities usually include a profit
to the dealer. In over-the-counter transactions, orders are placed directly with
a principal market maker unless a better price and execution can be obtained by
using a broker. In underwritten offerings, securities are usually purchased at a
fixed price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter
generally referred to as the underwriter's concession or discount. Certain money
market securities may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no
commissions or discounts are paid. U.S. government securities are generally
purchased from underwriters or dealers, although certain newly-issued U.S.
government securities may be purchased directly from the U.S. Treasury or from
the issuing agency or instrumentality. Each Portfolio's investment adviser is
responsible for effecting its portfolio transactions and will do so in a manner
deemed fair and reasonable to the Portfolio and not according to any formula.
The primary consideration in all portfolio transactions will be prompt execution
of orders in an efficient manner at a favorable price. In selecting
broker-dealers and negotiating commissions, an investment adviser considers the
firm's reliability, the quality of its execution services on a continuing basis
and its financial condition. When more than one firm is believed to meet these
criteria, preference may be given to brokers that provide the Portfolios or
their investment advisers with brokerage and research services within the
meaning of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Each
Portfolio's investment adviser is of the opinion that, because this material
must be analyzed and reviewed, its receipt and use does not tend to reduce
expenses but may benefit the Portfolio by supplementing the investment adviser's
research. In seeking the most favorable price and execution available, an
investment adviser may, if permitted by law, consider sales of the Contracts as
described in the Prospectus a factor in the selection of broker-dealers.
An investment adviser may effect portfolio transactions for other
investment companies and advisory accounts. Research services furnished by
broker-dealers through which a Portfolio effects its securities transactions may
be used by the Portfolio's investment adviser in servicing all of its accounts;
not all such services may be used in connection with the Portfolio. In the
opinion of each investment adviser, it is not possible to measure separately the
benefits from research services to each of its accounts, including a Portfolio.
Whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities by a
Portfolio and another account, the Portfolio's investment adviser will attempt
to allocate equitably portfolio transactions among the Portfolio and other
accounts. In making such allocations between the Portfolio and other accounts,
the main factors to be considered are the respective investment objectives, the
relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the
availability of cash for investment, the size of investment commitments
generally held, and the opinions of the persons responsible for recommending
investments to the Portfolio and the other accounts. In some cases this
procedure could have an adverse effect on a Portfolio. In the opinion of each
investment adviser, however, the results of such procedures will, on the whole,
be in the best interest of each of the accounts.
The investment adviser to the T. Rowe Price Equity Income and T. Rowe
Price Growth Stock Portfolios may execute portfolio transactions through certain
of their affiliated brokers, acting as agent in accordance with the procedures
established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, but will not purchase any
securities from or sell any securities to any such affiliate acting as principal
for its own account.
For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Capital Guardian Value
Portfolio and the Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio paid $75,870 and $525,982,
respectively, in brokerage commissions. For the year ended December 31, 1997,
the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio and the T. Rowe Price Growth Stock
Portfolio paid $117,830 and $87,464, respectively, in brokerage commissions of
which $74 (.06%) with respect to the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio was
paid to Robert Flemings Holdings Limited and $2,663 (3.04%) with respect to the
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio was paid to Robert Flemings Holdings
Limited.
For the year ended December 31, 1998, the Capital Guardian Value
Portfolio and the Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio paid $142,104 and $889,611,
respectively, in brokerage commissions . For the year ended December 31, 1998,
the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio and the T. Rowe Price Growth Stock
Portfolio paid $122,431 and $21,866, respectively, in brokerage commissions of
which $2,964 (1.37%) with respect to the T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio
was paid to Robert Fleming Holdings Limited.
For the year ended December 31, 1999, the Capital Guardian Value
Portfolio and the Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio paid $296,817 and
$1,384,644, respectively, in brokerage commissions. For the year ended December
31, 1999, the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio and the T. Rowe Price Growth
Stock Portfolio paid $187,277 and $285,487, respectively, in brokerage
commissions of which $2,845 (1.00%) with respect to the T. Rowe Price Growth
Stock Portfolio was paid to Robert Fleming Holdings Limited.
For 1999, the percentage of each Portfolio's aggregate dollar amount of
commissionable transactions effected through an affiliated broker is as follows:
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio - 0.52% (Robert Fleming Holdings
Limited)
Brokerage Enhancement Plan
The Board of Trustees of the Fund, including all of the Trustees who
are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, Endeavor
Management Co. or Transamerica Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Endeavor Group)
(the "Distributor") (hereinafter referred to as "Independent Trustees"), and
each Portfolio's shareholders, have voted pursuant to the substantive provisions
of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act to adopt a Brokerage Enhancement Plan (the
"Plan") for the purpose of utilizing the Fund's brokerage commissions, to the
extent available, to promote the sale and distribution of the Fund's shares.
Under the Plan, the Fund is using recaptured commissions to pay for distribution
expenses. However, under the Plan, except for recaptured commissions, neither
the Fund nor any series of the Fund, including the Portfolios, will incur any
additional fees or charges. As part of the Plan, the Fund and the Distributor
have entered into a Distribution Agreement. Under the Distribution Agreement,
the Distributor is the principal underwriter of the Fund, with responsibility
for promoting sales of the shares of each Portfolio.
The Distributor, however, does not receive any additional compensation
from the Fund for performing this function. Instead, under the Plan, the Manager
is authorized to direct that the investment adviser of each Portfolio effect
brokerage transactions in portfolio securities through certain broker-dealers,
consistent with each investment adviser's obligations to achieve best price and
execution. It is anticipated that these broker-dealers will agree that a
percentage of the commission will be directed to the Distributor. The
Distributor will use a part of these directed commissions to defray legal and
administrative costs associated with implementation of the Plan. These expenses
are expected to be minimal. The remainder of the commissions received by the
Distributor will be used to finance activities principally intended to result in
the sale of shares of the Portfolios. These activities will include: holding or
participating in seminars and sales meetings designed to promote the sale of
Fund shares; paying marketing fees requested by broker-dealers who sell
Contracts; training sales personnel; compensating broker-dealers and/or their
registered representatives in connection with the allocation of cash values and
premiums of the Contracts to the Fund; printing and mailing Fund prospectuses,
statements of additional information, and shareholder reports for prospective
Contract holders; and creating and mailing advertising and sales literature.
The Distributor is obligated to use all of the funds directed to it for
distribution expenses, except for a small amount to be used to defray the
incidental costs associated with implementation of the Plan. Accordingly, the
Distributor will not make any profit from the operation of the Plan.
Both the Plan and the Distribution Agreement provide (A) that they will
be subject to annual approval by the Trustees and the Independent Trustees; (B)
that any person authorized to make payments under the Plan or Distribution
Agreement must provide the Trustees a quarterly written report of payments made
and the purpose of the payments; (C) that the Plan may be terminated at any time
by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees; (D) that the Distribution
Agreement may be terminated without penalty at any time by a vote of a majority
of the Independent Trustees or, as to a Portfolio, by vote of a majority of the
outstanding securities of the Portfolio on not more than 60 days' written
notice; and (E) that the Distribution Agreement terminates if it is assigned.
The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for
distribution without shareholder approval, and all material Plan amendments must
be approved by a vote of the Independent Trustees. In addition, the selection
and nomination of the Independent Trustees must be committed to the Independent
Trustees.
For the year ended December 31, 1999, the Distributor received an
aggregate for all of the Portfolios of the Fund of $829,876 pursuant to the
Plan, of which $519,184 was attributable to the Dreyfus Small Cap Value
Portfolio, $175,545 to the Capital Guardian Value Portfolio, $23,039 to the T.
Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio and $9,160 to the T. Rowe Price Growth Stock
Portfolio. In 1999, $888,475 was utilized on behalf of all of the Portfolios of
the Fund, including the four Portfolios described in the Prospectus, to pay the
costs of seminars and sales meetings.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Fund is supervised by a Board of Trustees that is responsible for
representing the interests of shareholders. The Trustees meet periodically
throughout the year to oversee the Portfolios' activities, reviewing, among
other things, each Portfolio's performance and its contractual arrangements with
various service providers.
Trustees and Officers
The Trustees and executive officers of the Fund, their ages and their principal
occupations during the past five years are set forth below. Unless otherwise
indicated, the business address of each is 4333 Edgewood Road N.E., Cedar
Rapids, Iowa 52499.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal
Position(s) Occupation(s)
Held with During Past
Name, Age and Address Registrant 5 Years
--------------------- ----------- ----====
<S> <C> <C>
*+Vincent J. McGuinness, Jr. President, Trustee Since September 2000, from July, 1997
==========================
(34) to November, 1997, Executive Vice
President
-
Administration
of
Registrant;
from
September,
1996
to
June,
1997
and
from
June,
1998
to
June,
2000,
Chief
Financial
Officer
(Treasurer)
of
Registrant;
from
February,
1997
to
December,
1997,
Executive
Vice-President,
Chief
of
Operations,
from
March,
1997
to
October,
1999,
Director,
from
December,
1997
to
October,
1999,
Chief
Operating
Officer,
and
from
June,
1998
to
October,
1999,
Chief
Financial
Officer,
from
July,
1999
to
October,
1999,
Chief
Executive
Officer
of
Transamerica
Capital,
Inc.;
from
September,
1996
to
June,
1997,
and
from
June,
1998
to
October,
1999,
Chief
Financial
Officer,
since
May,
1996,
Director
and
from
June,
1997
to
October,
1998,
Executive
Vice
President
-
Administration,
from
October,
1998
to
October,
1999,
Chief
Executive
Officer,
of
Endeavor
Management
Co.;
since
August,
1996,
Chief
Financial
Officer
of
VJM
Corporation
(oil
and
gas);
from
May,
1996
to
January,
1997,
Executive
Vice
President
and
Director
of
Sales,
Western
Division
of
Transamerica
Capital,
Inc.;
since
May,
1996,
Chief
Financial
Officer
of
McGuinness
&
Associates.
*Vincent J. McGuinness (65) Trustee Until December 31, 1999, Director of
1901 Ocean Way Transamerica Capital, Inc. and Endeavor
Laguna Beach, California Management Co.; President of VJM
92651 corporation (oil and gas); until July,
1999,
Chairman,
Chief
Executive
Officer
and
Director
of
McGuinness
&
Associates
and
VJM
Corporation;
until
July,
1996,
Chairman,
Chief
Executive
Officer
and
Director
of
McGuinness
Group
(insurance
marketing);
from
September,
1988
to
July,
1999,
Chief
Executive
Officer
of
Endeavor
Management
Co.;
until
October,
1998,
President
of
Endeavor
Management
Co.
Manager,
PFL
Endeavor
Target
Account
and
AUSA
Endeavor
Target
Account.
Timothy A. Devine (65) Trustee President, Chief Executive Officer,
1424 Dolphin Terrace Devine Properties, Inc. (landscape
Corona del Mar, California contracting and maintenance); Consultant,
92625 Plant Control, Inc. Manager, PFL Endeavor
Target Account and AUSA Endeavor Target
Account.
Thomas J. Hawekotte (64) Trustee President, Thomas J. Hawekotte, P.C. (law
6007 North Sheridan Road practice). Manager, PFL Endeavor Target
Chicago, Illinois 60660
Account and AUSA Endeavor Target Account.
Steven L. Klosterman (49)
5973 Avenida Encinas Trustee Since July, 1995, President of Klosterman
Suite 300 Capital Corporation (investment adviser);
Carlsbad, California 92008 Investment Counselor, Robert J. Metcalf &
Associates, Inc. (investment adviser)
from August, 1990 to June, 1995.
Manager, PFL Endeavor Target Account and
AUSA Endeavor Target Account.
Halbert D. Lindquist (53) Trustee President, Lindquist and Associates
1650 E. Fort Lowell Road (investment adviser) and since December,
Suite 203 1987 Tucson Asset Management, Inc.
Tucson, Arizona 85719-2324 (commodity trading adviser), and since
November, 1987, Presidio Securities, Inc.
(broker-dealer), and from January, 1998
to January 1999, Chief Investment Officer
and since January, 1999, Consultant,
Blackstone Alternative Asset Management.
Manager, PFL Endeavor Target Account and
AUSA Endeavor Target Account.
Keith H. Wood (63) Trustee Since 1972, Chairman and Chief Executive
39 Main Street Officer of Jamison, Eaton & Wood
Chatham, New Jersey 07928 (investment adviser) and from 1978 to
December, 1997, President of Ivory & Sime
International, Inc. (investment adviser);
since 1999, President, Wood & Anthony,
LLC (investment adviser). Manager, PFL
Endeavor Target Account and AUSA Endeavor
Target Account.
Peter F. Muratore (67) Trustee From June, 1989 to March, 1998, President
Too Far of OCC Distributors (broker-dealer), a
Posthouse Road subsidiary of Oppenheimer Capital.
Morristown, New Jersey 07960 Manager, PFL Endeavor Target Account and
AUSA Endeavor Target Account.
P. Michael Pond (46) Executive Vice- President Since November 1, 1998, Executive Vice-
- Administration and President - Administration and Compliance
=
Compliance of Transamerica Capital, Inc.; from
November 1, 1998 to October, 1999,
Executive Vice President -Administration
and Compliance and Chief Investment
Officer of Endeavor Management Co.; since
October, 1999, President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Investment Officer of
Endeavor Management Co.; from November,
1991 to November, 1996, Chairman and
President of The Preferred Group of
Mutual Funds; from October, 1989 to
December, 1996, President of Caterpillar
Securities Inc. and Caterpillar
Investment Manager Ltd.
Jodi Schlessel (31) Chief Financial Officer Since June 1, 2000, Chief Financial
=================== ========================
(Treasurer) Officer (Treasurer) of Registrant; July
===========
1997, accounting department manager for
Transamerica Capital, Inc. and Endeavor
Management Co. from 1987 to July, 1997,
Bankruptcy Specialist for Independent
Management Services, Inc.
Gail A. Hanson(57) Secretary Since September, 1994, Vice President for
PFPC Inc. (formerly known as First Data
Services Investor Group, Inc.) (mutual
fund administration).
</TABLE>
* May be deemed an "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act.
+ Vincent J. McGuinness, Jr. is the son of Vincent J. McGuinness.
No remuneration will be paid by the Fund to any Trustee or officer of
the Fund who is affiliated with the Manager or the investment advisers. Each
Trustee who is not an affiliated person of the Manager or the investment
advisers will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses and currently receives an
annual fee of $18,000 and $2,500 for attendance at each Trustees' Board or
committee meeting. Set forth below for each of the Trustees of the Fund is the
aggregate compensation paid to such Trustees for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1999.
COMPENSATION TABLE
Total
Compensation
From Fund
Aggregate and Fund
=========
Name of Compensation Complex
======= ============
Person From Fund Paid to Trustees
====== ===========- ----------------
Vincent J. McGuinness $ - $ -
=====
Timothy A. Devine $18,000 $19,400
=======
Thomas J. Hawekotte $18,500 $19,90 0
=======
Steven L. Klosterman $19,000 $20,400
=======
Halbert D. Lindquist $18,000 $19,300
=======
Keith H. Wood $18,500 $19,900
=======
Peter F. Muratore $18,500 $19,900
=======
Vincent J. McGuinness, Jr, - -
= =====
---------------------------
* Former Trustee - retired as of December 31, 1998.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that the
Fund will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses
incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of
their offices with the Fund, except if it is determined in the manner specified
in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust that they have not acted in good faith
in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interests of the
Fund or that such indemnification would relieve any officer or Trustee of any
liability to the Fund or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties. The Fund, at its
expense, provides liability insurance for the benefit of its Trustees and
officers.
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the
officers and Trustees of the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The Manager
The Fund is managed by Endeavor Management Co. (the "Manager") which,
subject to the supervision and direction of the Trustees of the Fund, has
overall responsibility for the general management and administration of the
Fund. AUSA Holding Company ("AUSA"), an affiliate of PFL Life Insurance Company,
owns all of the outstanding common shares of the Manager and Transamerica
Capital, Inc.
The Manager is responsible for providing investment management and
administrative services to the Fund and in the exercise of such responsibility
selects the investment advisers for the Fund's Portfolios and monitors the
investment advisers' investment programs and results, reviews brokerage matters,
oversees compliance by the Fund with various federal and state statutes, and
carries out the directives of the Trustees. The Manager is responsible for
providing the Fund with office space, office equipment, and personnel necessary
to operate and administer the Fund's business, and also supervises the provision
of services by third parties such as the Fund's custodian and transfer agent.
Pursuant to an administration agreement, PFPC Inc. assists the Manager in the
performance of its administrative responsibilities to the Fund.
As compensation for these services the Fund pays the Manager a monthly
fee at the following annual rates of each Portfolio's average daily net assets:
T. Rowe Price Endeavor Value Equity Portfolio - .80%; Dreyfus Small Cap Value
Portfolio - .80%; T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio - .80%; T. Rowe Price
Growth Stock Portfolio - .80%. ; Capital Guardian Value Portfolio - .85% on the
first $300 million, .80% on assets over $300 million up to $500 million, .775%
on assets over $500 million. The management fees paid by the Portfolios,
although higher than the fees paid by most other investment companies in
general, are comparable to management fees paid for similar services by many
investment companies with similar investment objectives and policies. From the
management fees, the Manager pays the expenses of providing investment advisory
services to the Portfolios, including the fees of the investment adviser of each
Portfolio.
The Manager pays the fees and expenses of PFPC Inc. pursuant to the
administration agreement and the Manager is entitled to be reimbursed for each
Portfolio's portion of the fees and expenses paid by the Manager to PFPC Inc.
with respect to each Portfolio. The Manager pays an annual fee equal to $650,000
plus 0.01% of the Fund's average daily net assets in excess of $1 billion. These
fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.
In addition to the management fees and allocable administrative fees,
the Fund pays all expenses not assumed by the Manager, including, without
limitation, expenses for legal, accounting and auditing services, interest,
taxes, costs of printing and distributing reports to shareholders, proxy
materials and prospectuses, charges of its custodian, transfer agent and
dividend disbursing agent, registration fees, fees and expenses of the Trustees
who are not affiliated persons of the Manager, insurance, brokerage costs,
litigation, and other extraordinary or nonrecurring expenses. All general Fund
expenses are allocated among and charged to the assets of the Portfolios of the
Fund on a basis that the Trustees deem fair and equitable, which may be on the
basis of relative net assets of each Portfolio or the nature of the services
performed and relative applicability to each Portfolio.
The Management Agreement continues in force for two years from its
commencement date, with respect to each Portfolio, and from year to year
thereafter, but only so long as its continuation as to each Portfolio is
specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Trustees or by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio, and (ii) by the
vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, by votes cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Management
Agreement provides that it shall terminate automatically if assigned, and that
it may be terminated as to any Portfolio without penalty by the Trustees of the
Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Portfolio upon 60 days' prior written notice to the Manager, or by the Manager
upon 90 days' prior written notice to the Fund, or upon such shorter notice as
may be mutually agreed upon. In the event the Manager ceases to be the Manager
of the Fund, the right of the Fund to use the identifying name of "Endeavor" may
be withdrawn.
The Investment Advisers
Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Manager, each
investment adviser to a Portfolio furnishes continuously an investment program
for the Portfolio, makes investment decisions on behalf of the Portfolio, places
all orders for the purchase and sale of investments for the Portfolio's account
with brokers or dealers selected by such investment adviser and may perform
certain limited related administrative functions in connection therewith. For
its services, the Manager pays each investment adviser a fee based on a
percentage of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios as follows:
Endeavor Value Equity - OpCap Advisors - .40%
====================================
Dreyfus Small Cap Value - The Dreyfus Corporation - .375%
T. Rowe Price Equity Income - T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. - .40%
T. Rowe Price Growth Stock - T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. - .40%
Capital Guardian Value - Capital Guardian Trust Company - .50% up to
$150 million; .45% in excess of $150 million up to $300 million; .35%
in excess of $300 million up to $500 million; and .30% of assets in
excess of $500 million .
Effective September 16, 1996, The Dreyfus Corporation became the
investment adviser of the Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio; effective October
9, 2000 Capital guardian became investment adviser of the Capital Guardian Value
Portfolio . The investment adviser to each other Portfolio has managed the
Portfolio since its inception date.
Each investment advisory agreement will continue in force for two years
from its commencement date, and from year to year thereafter, but only so long
as its continuation as to a Portfolio is specifically approved at least annually
(i) by the Trustees or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Portfolio, and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the
Independent Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval. Each investment advisory agreement provides that it
shall terminate automatically if assigned or if the Management Agreement with
respect to the related Portfolio terminates, and that it may be terminated as to
a Portfolio without penalty by the Manager, by the Trustees of the Fund or by
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio on not
less than 60 days' prior written notice to the investment adviser or by the
investment adviser on not less than 150 days' prior written notice to the
Manager, or upon such shorter notice as may be mutually agreed upon.
Each investment advisory agreement provides that the investment adviser
shall not be subject to any liability to the Fund or the Manager for any act or
omission in the course of or connected with rendering services thereunder in the
absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its duties on the part of the investment adviser.
The following table shows the fees paid by each of the Portfolios and
any fee waivers or reimbursements during the fiscal years ended December 31,
1997, December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999
Investment Management Fee Investment Management Fee
Paid Waived Other Expenses Reimbursed
==== ====== --========================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Guardian Value
Portfolio..... $1,856,971 $-- $--
==== === ==
Dreyfus Small
Cap Value Portfolio..... $1,300,689 -- --
==== ========== ==
T. Rowe Price
Equity Income $2,160,124 -- --
== =
Portfolio.....
===
T. Rowe Price
Growth Stock $1,712,439 -- --
========== == ==
Portfolio.....
===
1998
Investment Management Investment Management Fee
Fee Paid Waived Other Expenses Reimbursed
======== ====== --========================
Capital Guardian Value
Portfolio..... $1,901,572 $--- $---
==== ==== ==
Dreyfus Small
Cap Value Portfolio..... 1,207,117 --- ---
==== ========= === =
T. Rowe Price
Equity Income 1,866,844 --- ---
========= === ===
Portfolio.....
===
T. Rowe Price
Growth Stock 1,255,157 --- ---
============ ========= === ===
Portfolio.....
==============
1997
Investment Management Fee Investment Management Fee
Paid Waived Other Expenses Reimbursed
Capital Guardian Value
Portfolio..... $1,367,432 $--- $---
==== ==== ==
Dreyfus Small
Cap Value Portfolio..... 920,244 --- ---
==== ======= ===
T. Rowe Price
Equity Income 1,073,258 --- ---
========= === ===
Portfolio.....
===
T. Rowe Price
Growth Stock 710,554 --- ---
======= ===
Portfolio.....
===
</TABLE>
For the year ended December 31, 1999, the following Portfolios
reimbursed, after waivers, the Manager for administrative expenses incurred by
the Manager on behalf of the Portfolios:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Capital Guardian Value Portfolio- $45,114 T. Rowe Price Growth Stock - $42,322
=========================================
Dreyfus Small Cap Value - $34,255 T. Rowe Price Equity Income - $53,809
</TABLE>
Code of Ethics
The Fund, its Manager, its Distributor, and each of its investment
advisers, have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940
Act. Each of these Codes of Ethics permits the personnel of their respective
organizations to invest in securities for their own accounts. A copy of each of
the Codes of Ethics is on public file with, and is available from the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Custodian
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, located at One Boston Place,
Boston, Massachusetts 02108, serves as the custodian of the Fund. Under the
custody agreement, Boston Safe holds the Portfolios' securities and keeps all
necessary records and documents.
Transfer Agent
PFPC Inc., located at 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts
01581, serves as transfer agent for the Fund.
Legal Matters
Certain legal matters are passed on for the Fund by Sullivan & Worcester
LLP, 1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.
Independent Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP, located at Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street,
Suite 4000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as the Fund's independent
auditors.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The Fund may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of
payment on shares of the Portfolios for more than seven days during any period
(1) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed or trading on the Exchange is
restricted as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, (2) when an
emergency exists, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which
makes it not reasonably practicable for a Portfolio to dispose of securities
owned by it or fairly to determine the value of its assets, or (3) as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may otherwise permit.
The value of the shares on redemption may be more or less than the
shareholder's cost, depending upon the market value of the portfolio securities
at the time of redemption.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of each Portfolio is determined as of the
close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m.,
New York City time), each day the Exchange is open for trading. Currently, the
Exchange is closed on: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents'
Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day. Portfolio securities for which the primary market is on a
domestic or foreign exchange or which are traded over-the-counter and quoted on
the NASDAQ System will be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation
or, if there was no sale that day, at the last reported bid price, using prices
as of the close of trading. Portfolio securities not quoted on the NASDAQ System
that are actively traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed
securities for which the primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, will
be valued at the most recently quoted bid price provided by the principal market
makers.
In the case of any securities which are not actively traded, reliable
market quotations may not be considered to be readily available. These
investments are stated at fair value as determined under the direction of the
Trustees. Such fair value is expected to be determined by utilizing information
furnished by a pricing service which determines valuations for normal,
institutional-size trading units of such securities using methods based on
market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships between
securities which are generally recognized by institutional traders.
If any securities held by a Portfolio are restricted as to resale,
their fair value will be determined following procedures approved by the
Trustees. The fair value of such securities is generally determined as the
amount which the Portfolio could reasonably expect to realize from an orderly
disposition of such securities over a reasonable period of time. The valuation
procedures applied in any specific instance are likely to vary from case to
case. However, consideration is generally given to the financial position of the
issuer and other fundamental analytical data relating to the investment and to
the nature of the restrictions on disposition of the securities (including any
registration expenses that might be borne by the Portfolio in connection with
such disposition). In addition, specific factors are also generally considered,
such as the cost of the investment, the market value of any unrestricted
securities of the same class (both at the time of purchase and at the time of
valuation), the size of the holding, the prices of any recent transactions or
offers with respect to such securities and any available analysts' reports
regarding the issuer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, short-term debt securities with
maturities of 60 days or less will be valued at amortized cost.
Foreign securities traded outside the United States are generally
valued as of the time their trading is complete, which is usually different from
the close of the New York Stock Exchange. Occasionally, events affecting the
value of such securities may occur between such times and the close of the New
York Stock Exchange that will not be reflected in the computation of the
Portfolio's net asset value. If events materially affecting the value of such
securities occur during such period, these securities will be valued at their
fair value according to procedures decided upon in good faith by the Fund's
Board of Trustees. All securities and other assets of a Portfolio initially
expressed in foreign currencies will be converted to U.S. dollar values at the
mean of the bid and offer prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars last
quoted on a valuation date by any recognized dealer.
TAXES
Federal Income Taxes
Each Portfolio intends to qualify each year as a "regulated investment
company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). By so
qualifying, a Portfolio will not be subject to federal income taxes to the
extent that its net investment income and net realized capital gains are
distributed.
In order to so qualify, a Portfolio must, among other things, (1)
derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or
other disposition of stocks or securities or foreign currencies, or other income
(including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stocks or securities;
and (2) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the
Portfolio's taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of the
Portfolio's assets is represented by cash, government securities and other
securities limited in respect of any one issuer to 5% of the value of the
Portfolio's assets and to not more than 10% of the voting securities of such
issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in
securities of any one issuer (other than government securities).
As a regulated investment company, a Portfolio will not be subject to
federal income tax on net investment income and capital gains (short- and
long-term), if any, that it distributes to its shareholders if at least 90% of
its net investment income and net short-term capital gains for the taxable year
are distributed, but will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on any
income or gains that are not distributed. In general, dividends will be treated
as paid when actually distributed, except that dividends declared in October,
November or December and made payable to shareholders of record in such a month
will be treated as having been paid by the Portfolio (and received by
shareholders) on December 31, provided the dividend is paid in the following
January. Each Portfolio intends to satisfy the distribution requirement in each
taxable year.
The Portfolios will not be subject to the 4% federal excise tax imposed
on registered investment companies that do not distribute all of their income
and gains each calendar year because such tax does not apply to a registered
investment company whose only shareholders are segregated asset accounts of life
insurance companies held in connection with variable annuity and/or variable
life insurance policies.
The Fund intends to comply with section 817(h) of the Code and the
regulations issued thereunder. As required by regulations under that section,
the only shareholders of the Fund and its Portfolios will be life insurance
company segregated asset accounts (also referred to as separate accounts) that
fund variable life insurance or annuity contracts and the general account of PFL
Life Insurance Company which provided the initial capital for the Portfolios of
the Fund. See the prospectus or other material for the Contracts for additional
discussion of the taxation of segregated asset accounts and of the owner of the
particular Contract described therein.
Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Department regulations
thereunder impose certain diversification requirements on the segregated asset
accounts investing in the Portfolios of the Fund. These requirements, which are
in addition to the diversification requirements applicable to the Fund under the
1940 Act and under the regulated investment company provisions of the Code, may
limit the types and amounts of securities in which the Portfolios may invest.
Failure to meet the requirements of section 817(h) could result in current
taxation of the owner of the Contract on the income of the Contract.
The Fund may therefore find it necessary to take action to ensure that
a Contract continues to qualify as a Contract under federal tax laws. The Fund,
for example, may be required to alter the investment objectives of a Portfolio
or substitute the shares of one Portfolio for those of another. No such change
of investment objectives or substitution of securities will take place without
notice to the shareholders of the affected Portfolio and the approval of a
majority of such shareholders and without prior approval of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, to the extent legally required.
In certain foreign countries, interest and dividends are subject to a
tax which is withheld by the issuer. U.S. income tax treaties with certain
countries reduce the rates of these withholding taxes. The Fund intends to
provide the documentation necessary to achieve the lower treaty rate of
withholding whenever applicable or to seek refund of amounts withheld in excess
of the treaty rate.
Portfolios that invest in foreign securities may purchase the
securities of certain foreign investment funds or trusts called passive foreign
investment companies. Such trusts have been the only or primary way to invest in
certain countries. In addition to bearing their proportionate share of a
Portfolio's expenses (management fees and operating expenses), shareholders will
also indirectly bear similar expenses of such trusts. Capital gains on the sale
of such holdings are considered ordinary income regardless of how long a
Portfolio held its investment. In addition, a Portfolio could be subject to
corporate income tax and an interest charge on certain dividends and capital
gains earned from these investments, regardless of whether such income and gains
are distributed to shareholders. To avoid such tax and interest, a Portfolio's
investment adviser intends to treat these securities as sold on the last day of
its fiscal year and recognize any gains for tax purposes at that time;
deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any gains resulting
from these deemed sales for prior taxable years. Such gains will be considered
ordinary income, which a Portfolio will be required to distribute even though it
has not sold the security.
ORGANIZATION AND CAPITALIZATION OF THE FUND
The Fund is a Massachusetts business trust organized on November 18,
1988. A copy of the Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, which
is governed by Massachusetts law, is on file with the Secretary of State of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Trustees of the Fund have authority to issue an unlimited number of
shares of beneficial interest without par value of one or more series.
Currently, the Trustees have established and designated fourteen series, four of
which are described in this Statement of Additional Information. Each series of
shares represents the beneficial interest in a separate Portfolio of assets of
the Fund, which is separately managed and has its own investment objective and
policies. The Trustees of the Fund have authority, without the necessity of a
shareholder vote, to establish additional portfolios and series of shares. The
shares outstanding are, and those offered hereby when issued will be, fully paid
and nonassessable by the Fund. The shares have no preemptive, conversion or
subscription rights and are fully transferable.
The assets received from the sale of shares of a Portfolio, and all
income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of
creditors, constitute the underlying assets of the Portfolio. The underlying
assets of a Portfolio are required to be segregated on the Fund's books of
account and are to be charged with the expenses with respect to that Portfolio.
Any general expenses of the Fund not readily attributable to a Portfolio will be
allocated by or under the direction of the Trustees in such manner as the
Trustees determine to be fair and equitable, taking into consideration, among
other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative sizes of the
Portfolio and the other Portfolios.
Each share has one vote, with fractional shares voting proportionately.
Shareholders of a Portfolio are not entitled to vote on any matter that requires
a separate vote of the shares of another Portfolio but which does not affect the
Portfolio. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust does not require the Fund to
hold annual meetings of shareholders. Thus, there will ordinarily be no annual
shareholder meetings, unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act. The Trustees of
the Fund may appoint their successors until fewer than a majority of the
Trustees have been elected by shareholders, at which time a meeting of
shareholders will be called to elect Trustees. Under the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust, any Trustee may be removed by vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of the Fund, and holders of 10% or more of the outstanding
shares can require the Trustees to call a meeting of shareholders for the
purpose of voting on the removal of one or more Trustees. If ten or more
shareholders who have been such for at least six months and who hold in the
aggregate shares with a net asset value of at least $25,000 inform the Trustees
that they wish to communicate with other shareholders, the Trustees either will
give such shareholders access to the shareholder lists or will inform them of
the cost involved if the Fund forwards materials to the shareholders on their
behalf. If the Trustees object to mailing such materials, they must inform the
Securities and Exchange Commission and thereafter comply with the requirements
of the 1940 Act.
PFL Life Insurance Company will vote shares of the Fund as described
under the caption "Voting Rights" in the prospectus or other material for the
Contracts which accompanies the Prospectus.
As of July 28, 2000, the PFL Endeavor Variable Annuity Account owned of
record the following approximate percentages of the outstanding shares of each
Portfolio: 75.87% of the Capital Guardian Value Portfolio; 67.47% of the Dreyfus
Small Cap Value Portfolio; 69.81% of the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio;
and 61.49% of the T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio. As of July 28, 2000, the
PFL Endeavor Platinum Variable Annuity Account owned of record the following
approximate percentages of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio: 14.18% of
the Capital Guardian Value Portfolio; 13.79% of the Dreyfus Small Cap Value
Portfolio; 14.54% of the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio; and 17.79% of
the T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio. As of July 28, 2000, the AUSA Life
Insurance Variable Annuity Account owned of record the following approximate
percentages of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio: 3.68% of the Capital
Guardian Value Portfolio; 3.29% of the Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio; 3.25%
of the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio; and 3.76% of the T. Rowe Price
Growth Stock Portfolio. As of July 28, 2000, the People's Benefit Life Insurance
Company Separate Account V owned of record approximately 2.20% of the
outstanding shares of the Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund.
However, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability
for acts and obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer
be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by
the Fund or the Trustees. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides for
indemnification out of Fund property for all loss and expense of any
shareholders held personally liable for obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk
of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its
obligations. The likelihood of such circumstances is remote.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements of the Capital Guardian Value Portfolio,
Dreyfus Small Cap Value Portfolio, T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio and T.
Rowe Price Growth Stock Portfolio, for the fiscal period ended December 31,
1999, including notes to the financial statements and financial highlights and
the Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors, and for the six month
period ended June 30, 2000 (unaudited) are included in the Fund's Annual Report
to Shareholders and Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders, respectively. Copies of
the Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report accompany this Statement of Additional
Information. The financial statements (including the Report of Independent
Auditors) included in the Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report are incorporated
herein by reference.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
SECURITIES RATINGS
Standard & Poor's Bond Ratings
A Standard & Poor's corporate debt rating is a current assessment of
the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. Debt
rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. Capacity to
pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong. Debt rated "AA" has a very
strong capacity to pay interest and to repay principal and differs from the
highest rated issues only in small degree. Debt rated "A" has a strong capacity
to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to
the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
debt of a higher rated category. Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an
adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally
exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and
to repay principal for debt in this category than for higher rated categories.
Bonds rated "BB", "B", "CCC" and "CC" are regarded, on balance, as predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. "BB" indicates the
lowest degree of speculation and "CC" the highest degree of speculation. While
such bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these
are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse
conditions. The rating "C" is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is
being paid. Debt rated "D" is in default, and payment of interest and/or
repayment of principal is in arrears. The ratings from "AA" to "B" may be
modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing
within the major rating categories.
Moody's Bond Ratings
Bonds which are rated "Aaa" are judged to be the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt-edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin, and principal is secure. While the various protective elements
are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to
impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues. Bonds which are rated
"Aa" are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa
group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated
lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as
in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater
amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks
appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities. Moody's applies numerical
modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in the Aa and A rating categories. The modifier 1 indicates
that the security ranks at a higher end of the rating category, modifier 2
indicates a mid-range rating and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks
at the lower end of the rating category. Bonds which are rated "A" possess many
favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade
obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered
adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to
impairment sometime in the future. Bonds which are rated "Baa" are considered as
medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly
secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the
present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be
characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack
outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative
characteristics as well. Bonds which are rated "Ba" are judged to have
speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often
the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and
thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future.
Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class. Bonds which are rated
"B" generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of
interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract
over any long period of time may be small. Bonds which are rated "Caa" are of
poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of
danger with respect to principal or interest. Bonds which are rated "Ca"
represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are
often in default or have other marked shortcomings. Bonds which are rated "C"
are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as
having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Standard & Poor's Commercial Paper Ratings
"A" is the highest commercial paper rating category utilized by
Standard & Poor's, which uses the numbers "1+", "1", "2" and "3" to denote
relative strength within its "A" classification. Commercial paper issuers rated
"A" by Standard & Poor's have the following characteristics. Liquidity ratios
are better than industry average. Long-term debt rating is "A" or better. The
issuer has access to at least two additional channels of borrowing. Basic
earnings and cash flow are in an upward trend. Typically, the issuer is a strong
company in a well-established industry and has superior management. Issues rated
"B" are regarded as having only an adequate capacity for timely payment.
However, such capacity may be damaged by changing conditions or short-term
adversities. The rating "C" is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a
doubtful capacity for repayment. An issue rated "D" is either in default or is
expected to be in default upon maturity.
Moody's Commercial Paper Ratings
"Prime-1" is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moody's,
which uses the numbers "1", "2" and "3" to denote relative strength within its
highest classification of Prime. Commercial paper issuers rated Prime by Moody's
have the following characteristics. Their short-term debt obligations carry the
smallest degree of investment risk. Margins of support for current indebtedness
are large or stable with cash flow and asset protection well assured. Current
liquidity provides ample coverage of near-term liabilities and unused
alternative financing arrangements are generally available. While protective
elements may change over the intermediate or longer terms, such changes are most
unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of short-term obligations.
Fitch IBCA, Inc. Commercial Paper Ratings. Fitch Investors Service L.P. employs
the rating F-1+ to indicate issues regarded as having the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment. The rating F-1 reflects an assurance of timely
payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated F-1+, while the rating
F-2 indicates a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, although
the margin of safety is not as great as indicated by the F-1+ and F-1
categories.
Duff & Phelps Inc. Commercial Paper Ratings. Duff & Phelps Inc. employs the
designation of Duff 1 with respect to top grade commercial paper and bank money
instruments. Duff 1+ indicates the highest certainty of timely payment:
short-term liquidity is clearly outstanding, and safety is just below risk-free
U.S. Treasury short-term obligations. Duff 1- indicates high certainty of timely
payment. Duff 2 indicates good certainty of timely payment: liquidity factors
and company fundamentals are sound.
Thomson BankWatch, Inc. ("BankWatch") Commercial Paper Ratings. BankWatch will
assign both short-term debt ratings and issuer ratings to the issuers it rates.
BankWatch will assign a short-term rating ("TBW-1", "TBW-2", "TBW-3", or
"TBW-4") to each class of debt (e.g., commercial paper or non-convertible debt),
having a maturity of one-year or less, issued by a holding company structure or
an entity within the holding company structure that is rated by BankWatch.
Additionally, BankWatch will assign an issuer rating ("A", "A/B", "B", "B/C",
"C", "C/D", "D", "D/E", and "E") to each issuer that it rates.
Various of the NRSROs utilize rankings within rating categories
indicated by a + or -. The Portfolios, in accordance with industry practice,
recognize such rankings within categories as graduations, viewing for example
Standard & Poor's rating of A-1+ and A-1 as being in Standard & Poor's highest
rating category.
