As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March__, 1998.
File No. 33-30975
811-5875
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ ]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ ]
Amendment No. 12 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
THE CROWLEY PORTFOLIO GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
3201-B Millcreek Road, Suite H, Wilmington, DE 19808
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code (302) 994-4700
Robert A. Crowley, President, The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc.,
3201-B Millcreek Road, Suite H, Wilmington, DE 19808
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Please send copies of all communications to:
Bruce G. Leto, Esquire
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP
2600 One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7098
* Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate
box)
X immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).
_____ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b).
_____ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).
_____ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).
_____ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).
_____ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for
a previously filed post-effective amendment.
* Title of Securities Being Registered:
(* only if securities being registered under 33 act).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Registrant has registered an indefinite number or amount of securities under the
Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2 of the Investment Company Act of
1940. Registrant filed its Rule 24f-2 Notice for Registrant's fiscal year ended
November 30, 1997 on February 26, 1998.
<PAGE>
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
N-1A
Item No. INFORMATION REQUIRED
PART A. IN A PROSPECTUS. Caption or Location.
Item 1. Cover Page. Cover Page.
Item 2. Synopsis. Expenses of the
Portfolios;
Highlights.
Item 3. Condensed Financial Information. Financial Highlights.
Item 4. General Description of Registrant. Prospectus Cover;
Financial
Highlights;
Investment Objective
and Policies of Each
Portfolio; Risk
Factors; Investment
Restrictions.
Item 5. Management of the Fund. Management of the
Fund; Distribution
of Shares;
Custodian; Transfer
and Dividend
Disbursing Agent;
General Operations.
Item 5A. Management's Discussion of Fund Performance;
Performance. Management's
Discussion of Fund
Performance.
Item 6. Capital Stock and Other Capital Stock;
Securities. Dividends,
Distributions and
Taxes.
Item 7. Purchase of Securities Determination of Net
Being Offered. Asset Value; How to
Purchase Shares;
Special Plans.
Item 8. Redemption or Repurchase. How to Redeem
Shares; Special
Plans.
Item 9. Pending Legal Proceedings. Not Applicable.
<PAGE>
N-1A
Item No. INFO. REQUIRED IN A
PART B. STMT. OF ADD'L. INFO. Caption or Location.
Item 10. Cover Page. Cover Page.
Item 11. Table of Contents. Table of Contents.
Item 12. General Information and History. General Information;
See "Investment
Objectives and
Policies of Each
Portfolio".
Item 13. Investment Objectives and Cover Page; The
Policies. Crowley Portfolio
Group, Inc. --
Investment Objective
and Policies;
Investment
Restrictions.
Item 14. Management of the Registrant. Officers and
Directors of the
Fund.
Item 15. Control Persons and Principal Ownership of
Holders of Securities. of Securities.
Item 16. Investment Advisory and Other Investment Advisor.
Services.
Item 17. Brokerage Allocation and Other Allocation of
Practices. Portfolio Brokerage.
Item 18. Capital Stock and Other See "Capital Stock"
Securities. in Prospectus.
Item 19. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing Purchase of Shares;
of Securities Being Offered See "Determination
of Net Asset Value"
in Prospectus.
Item 20. Tax Status. Dividends,
Distributions
and Taxes.
Item 21. Underwriters. Distributor.
Item 22. Calculation of Performance Data. Performance.
Item 23. Financial Statements. 1
<PAGE>
N-1A
Item No.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION. Caption or Location.
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits. *
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or
Under Common Control with
Registrant.
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities. *
Item 27. Indemnification. *
Item 28. Business and Other Connections
of Investment Adviser. *
Item 29. Principal Underwriters. *
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records. *
Item 31. Management Services. *
Item 32. Undertakings. *
1 Incorporated by reference to filing of Registrant's Annual Report to
Shareholders dated November 30, 1997, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission's EDGAR system on January 26, 1998.
________________
* Item has been answered in order in Part C of the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A.
<PAGE>
THE CROWLEY PORTFOLIO GROUP, INC.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MARCH 30, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3201-B Millcreek Rd., Suite H, Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 994-4700
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc. ("Fund") is an open-end diversified management
investment company. It was organized as a series Maryland corporation on August
15, 1989 and currently offers shares of three series (the "Portfolio(s)"), each
of which has a specific investment objective. There is no assurance that each
Portfolio's objective will be achieved.
THE CROWLEY GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO (formerly, The Crowley Growth
Portfolio). The objective of the Portfolio is long-term growth of capital for
investors, with the secondary objective being current income. The Portfolio
seeks to achieve its objective by investing in the securities of companies
which, in the view of the investment advisor, have the prospects for above
average capital growth and by making other investments selected in accordance
with the Portfolio's investment policies and restrictions. (See "Investment
Objectives and Policies of Each Portfolio - The Crowley Growth and Income
Portfolio," page ).
THE CROWLEY INCOME PORTFOLIO. The objective of the Portfolio is to maximize
current income, consistent with prudent risk. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its
objective by investing in fixed-income securities and other debt instruments in
accordance with the Portfolio's investment policies and restrictions. (See
"Investment Objectives and Policies of Each Portfolio The Crowley Income
Portfolio," page ).
THE CROWLEY DIVERSIFIED MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO. The objective of the Portfolio is
high total return consistent with reasonable risk. The Portfolio seeks to
achieve its objective by concentrating (investing 25% or more of the value of
its assets) its investments in shares of registered investment companies and by
making other investments in accordance with the Portfolio's investment policies
and restrictions (see "Investment Objective and Policies of Each Portfolio - The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio," page ). The Portfolio, by investing
in shares of registered investment companies, indirectly pays a portion of the
operating expenses, management expenses and brokerage costs of such companies as
well as the expenses of operating the Portfolio. The Portfolio's investors
indirectly may pay higher total operating expenses and other costs than they
might by owning the underlying investment companies directly.
The shares of the Portfolios may be purchased or redeemed at any time. Purchases
will be effected at the public offering price and redemptions will be effected
at net asset value next determined following receipt of the investor's request.
(See "Determination of Net Asset Value," page , "How to Purchase Shares," page ,
and "How to Redeem Shares," page ).
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a
prospective investor should know before investing. Investors should read and
retain this Prospectus for future reference.
More information about the Fund has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and is contained in the "Statement of Additional Information," dated
March 30, 1998, which is available at no charge upon written request to the
Fund. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by
reference.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc.
Prospectus
March 30, 1998
Contents Page
Expenses of the Portfolios . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment Objectives and Policies
of Each Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment Restrictions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital Stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Distribution of Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent . . . . . . . .
General Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes . . . . . . . . . .
Determination of Net Asset Value . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Purchase Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Redeem Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management's Discussion of Fund Performance. . . . . .
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
<PAGE>
EXPENSES OF THE PORTFOLIOS
The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of the
Fund will incur.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Crowley Crowley
Growth and Crowley Diversified
Income Income Management
Shareholder Transaction Expenses Portfolio Portfolio Portfolio
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on
Purchases
(as a percentage of offering
price) ....................... None None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Load
(as a percentage of offering
price) ....................... None None None
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on
Reinvested Dividends [and Other
Distributions]
(as a percentage of offering
price) ....................... None None None
Redemption Fees
(as a percentage of amount
redeemed, if applicable) ..... None None None
Exchange Fee ................. None None None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average net
assets)
Management Fees .............. 1.00% 0.60% 1.00%
12b-1 Fees ................... None None None
Other Expenses ............... 0.95% 0.79% 0.87%
Total Fund Operating Costs ... 1.95% 1.39% 1.87%
</TABLE>
Example
The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in understanding the various
expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or indirectly. An
investor will bear Fund expenses in proportion to the number of shares owned by
such investor. For a more complete description of the Fund's various costs and
expenses, see the sections entitled "Management of the
<PAGE>
Fund" and "General Operations" on pages and , respectively.
Management and Advisory Expenses with respect to The Crowley Growth and Income
Portfolio and The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio are higher than those
paid by most other investment companies, but are similar to the expenses
normally paid by other funds with similar investment objectives.
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment assuming: (1) a 5%
annual rate of return; and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Example 1 yr. 3 yrs. 5 yrs. 10 yrs.
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Crowley Growth
and Income Portfolio $20 $61 $105 $227
Crowley Income Portfolio $14 $44 $76 $167
Crowley Diversified
Management Portfolio $19 $59 $101 $219
</TABLE>
This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or performance. Actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those
shown.
<PAGE>
HIGHLIGHTS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
THE CROWLEY GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO (formerly, The Crowley Growth
Portfolio). The objective of the Portfolio is long-term growth of capital, with
the secondary objective being current income. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its
objective by investing in the securities of companies which have the prospects
for above-average capital growth and by making other investments in accordance
with the Portfolio's investment policies and restrictions. (See "Investment
Objectives and Policies.")
THE CROWLEY INCOME PORTFOLIO. The objective of the Portfolio is to maximize
current income which is consistent with prudent risk. The Portfolio seeks to
achieve its objective by investing in fixed- income securities and other debt
instruments and by making other investments selected in accordance with the
Portfolio's investment policies and restrictions. (See "Investment Objectives
and Policies.")
THE CROWLEY DIVERSIFIED MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO. The objective of the Portfolio is
high total return consistent with reasonable risk. The Portfolio seeks to
achieve its objective by concentrating (investing 25% or more of the value of
its assets) its investments in shares of registered investment companies and by
making other investments in accordance with the Portfolio's investment policies
and restrictions (see "Investment Objectives and Policies.")
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio attempts to achieve its objectives by
investing primarily in common stocks, common stock equivalents and convertible
securities of companies which offer the prospect for growth of earnings while
paying current dividends. The Portfolio diversifies its investments among
different industries and companies, and changes its portfolio securities for
investment considerations and not for trading purposes. During times when the
investment advisor (Crowley & Crowley Corp.) determines that there is a
generally rising trend in the stock market, any return generated by the
Portfolio will consist primarily of net realized and unrealized appreciation in
the value of the securities it holds and, to a lesser degree, from dividends and
interest.
The Crowley Income Portfolio attempts to achieve its objectives by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities; however, the
portfolio may invest its assets in all classes of securities, bonds, preferred
stocks and common stocks which it believes have better income potential than
fixed-income securities. The investment advisor selects the Portfolio's
diversified group of securities for their high yields relative to risk involved.
During times when the investment advisor determines
<PAGE>
that there is a generally rising trend in fixed-income markets any return will,
in general, consist primarily of interest and, to a lesser degree, from net
realized and unrealized appreciation, and in a rising stock market the returns
will consist of dividends and net realized and unrealized gain from stocks.
The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio attempts to achieve its objectives
by concentrating (investing 25% or more of the value of its assets) in shares of
other registered investment companies and by making other investments in
accordance with the Portfolio's investment policies and restrictions. To
generate its return, the Portfolio uses a variety of investment techniques in an
effort to generate a high total return consisting of the sum of interest,
dividend and other income and net realized and unrealized appreciation in the
value of the Portfolio of investment companies (including money market mutual
funds), closed-end investment companies, cash equivalents (such as repurchase
agreements or certificates of deposit), cash, stocks, bonds and other debt
obligations, stock options, stock index options, stock index futures and options
thereon. These include investment companies which invest in foreign stocks and
bonds and gold and silver mining companies. To further enhance the performance,
the Advisor may invest in so-called "sector funds" which, in general,
concentrate their assets in one segment of the equity market. The Portfolio is
unable to predict what portion of its total return will consist of income,
short-term capital gains or long-term capital gains.
During times when the investment advisor determines that there is a generally
declining trend in the fixed-income and/or stock markets, greater percentages of
a Portfolio's assets will be placed in cash or cash equivalents. For each
Portfolio, such investments will emphasize protection of principal and will
de-emphasize the generation of growth (Crowley Growth and Income), high income
(Crowley Income), and high total return (Crowley Diversified Management). Cash
equivalents will consist of money market securities, which will include
marketable securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the
government of the United States or by its agencies or instrumentalities,
domestic bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, prime commercial
paper, and repurchase agreements (secured by United States Treasury or agency
obligations). Furthermore, in times of extremely volatile or abnormal market
conditions, the investment advisor may adopt a purely temporary defensive
position which would consist of having most, if not all, of the assets invested
in these instruments. This is designed to concentrate solely on preserving the
value of the assets in the Portfolios.
HOW TO INVEST
Shares of each Portfolio are distributed by Crowley Securities, the Distributor,
and selected dealers. The minimum initial investment is $5,000; subsequent
purchases must be at least $1,000. The minimum investment amount may consist of
a single investment in one
<PAGE>
Portfolio or an aggregate investment in any combination of Portfolios. An
investment by a spouse or parent may be combined with an investment of the other
spouse or children to meet the minimum initial or subsequent investment limit.
Further, an investment by a tax-qualified plan may be combined with a personal
investment to meet the minimum initial or subsequent investment limit. (See "How
to Purchase Shares.")
HOW TO REDEEM
Shares may be redeemed by the Portfolios or repurchased by the Distributor at
any time at the net asset value next determined after receipt of the request by
the Fund, which acts as its own Transfer Agent. There is no charge for
redemptions by the Portfolios or repurchases by the Distributor.
The Portfolios have the right to redeem shares in-kind, and to redeem accounts
reduced to less than the minimum investment (presently $5,000) when the account
is not brought up to the minimum after 60 days' notice to the shareholder. If an
investor purchases Fund shares in the minimum amount, then any redemption
request could subject the entire account to mandatory redemption by the Fund. If
shares are redeemed in-kind, the redeeming shareholder may incur brokerage costs
in converting the assets into cash. (For information regarding redemption or
repurchase of shares, see "How to Redeem Shares.")
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The net investment income of each Portfolio, if any, is distributed by an annual
dividend. If net capital gains are realized, they will be distributed in an
annual distribution. Dividends or distributions may be received in cash or by
reinvestment in additional shares. (See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.")
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Crowley & Crowley Corp. serves as the investment advisor to each Portfolio
(managing the assets of each Portfolio and allocating its portfolio
transactions) pursuant to separate management contracts providing for a monthly
fee equal to an annualized rate of 1.00% of the average daily net assets with
respect to The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio and the Crowley Diversified
Management Portfolio, and 0.60% of average daily net assets with respect to The
Crowley Income Portfolio. The fee with respect to The Crowley Growth and Income
Portfolio and The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio is higher than the
investment advisory fees paid by most other mutual funds. Crowley & Crowley
Corp. currently provides investment advisory services for individuals, trusts,
estates and the three Portfolios of the Fund. (See "Investment Advisor.")
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Prospective investors in each Portfolio should consider a number of factors:
<PAGE>
1. The Portfolios may engage in the following portfolio strategies: write
covered options; purchase options; and engage in transactions in stock
index options and futures and related options on such futures. (See
"Futures and Options," "Options," "Stock Index Futures," and "Risks of
Transactions in Stock Options, Stock Index Options and Options on Stock
Index Futures" under "Risk Factors.")
2. The Portfolios may invest in repurchase agreements which involve risks of
loss if a seller defaults on its obligations under the agreement. (See
"Investment Objective and Policies" for a discussion of the risks of
repurchase agreements.)
3. Redeeming shareholders may pay redemption fees or brokerage costs if shares
are redeemed in-kind.
4. The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio concentrates (invests more
than 25% and up to 100% of the value of its assets) in the shares of
registered investment companies, is affected by their performance, and
contributes to the expenses of operating those companies (including their
advisory or operating fees). (See "Investment Objectives and Policies of
Each Portfolio"). The Portfolio has the right to invest in investment
companies which impose a sales load or sales charges. While the Portfolio
will seek to minimize such charges, they can reduce the Portfolio's
investment results. (See "Risk Factors.")
5. The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio may invest in securities of
registered investment companies that invest in foreign securities, which
involves significant risks that shareholders should consider. (See "Risk
Factors" and the Appendix to this Prospectus.)
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following financial highlights from December 6, 1989 through November 30,
1997 are derived from the financial statements of The Crowley Growth and Income
Portfolio, The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc. and have been audited by Tait,
Weller & Baker, independent auditors. The data should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements, related notes, and the report of Tait, Weller &
Baker covering such financial information and highlights for the fiscal year
ended November 30, 1997, all of which are incorporated by reference into the
Fund's Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Fund's Annual Report
(including the report of Tait, Weller & Baker) may be obtained from the Fund
upon request at no charge.
CROWLEY GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12/01/96 12/01/95 12/01/94 12/01/93 12/01/92 12/01/91 12/01/90 12/06/89(a)
to to to to to to to to
11/30/97 11/30/96 11/30/95 11/30/94 11/30/93 11/30/92 11/30/91 11/30/90
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period $11.14 $11.37 $10.69 $10.45 $10.19 $9.94 $9.39 $10.00
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- ----- ------
Income from Investment Operations:
Net Investment Income .42 .23 .32 .12 .11 .17 .33 .32
Net Gains or Losses on Securities
(both realized & unrealized) .43 .36 .88 .63 .18 .32 1.06 (.61)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- ----- ------
Total from Investment
Operations .85 .59 1.20 .75 .29 .49 1.39 (.29)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- ----- ------
Less Distributions:
Dividends (from net investment
income) (.27) (.32) (.12) (.11) (.03) (.17) (.33) (.32)
Distributions (from capital
gains) (.31) (.50) (.40) (.40) (--) (.07) (.50) (--)
Return of Capital (--) (--) (--) (--) (--) (--) (.01) (--)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- ----- ------
Total Distributions (.58) (.82) (.52) (.51) (.03) (.24) (.84) (.32)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- ----- ------
Net Asset Value, End of Period $11.41 $11.14 $11.37 $10.69 $10.45 $10.19 $9.94 $9.39
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ===== ===== ======
Total Return 8.08% 5.55% 11.85% 7.41% 2.85% 4.93% 14.85% (2.90%)
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net Assets, End of Period
(000s omitted) $6,426 $6,744 $6,545 $5,496 $4,593 $4,440 $3,283 $1,653
Ratio of Expenses to Average
Net Assets 1.95% 1.95% 1.93% 1.85% 1.61% 1.52% 1.89% 1.00%(b)(c)
Ratio of Net Income to Average Net
Assets 3.57% 2.06% 3.00% 1.10% 1.00% 1.72% 3.64% 4.49%(b)(c)
Portfolio Turnover Rate 70.22% 182.41% 118.08% 107.37% 243.85% 178.78% 74.86% 110.61%
Average Commission Rate Paid $.0535 $.050 -- -- -- -- -- --
<FN>
(a) Effective date of the Fund's initial registration under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended.
(b) Annualized.
(c) The ratio of operating expenses and net income before reimbursement of
expenses by the advisor were 2.00% and 3.49%, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following financial highlights from December 6, 1989 through November 30,
1997 are derived from the financial statements of The Crowley Income Portfolio,
The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc. and have been audited by Tait, Weller & Baker,
independent auditors. The data should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements, related notes, and the report of Tait, Weller & Baker covering such
financial information and highlights for the fiscal year ended November 30,
1997, all of which are incorporated by reference into the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information. A copy of the Fund's Annual Report (including the report
of Tait, Weller & Baker) may be obtained from the Fund upon request at no
charge.
CROWLEY INCOME PORTFOLIO
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12/01/96 12/01/95 12/01/94 12/01/93 12/01/92 12/01/91 12/01/90 12/06/89(a)
to to to to to to to to
11/30/97 11/30/96 11/30/95 11/30/94 11/30/93 11/30/92 11/30/91 11/30/90
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value
Beginning of Period $10.89 $11.08 $10.69 $11.57 $10.58 $10.48 $10.19 $10.00
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income from Investment Operations:
Net Investment Income .69 .59 .65 .61 .65 .61 .67 .58
Net Gains or Losses on Securities
(both realized & unrealized) .07 (.15) .37 (.76) .40 .22 .43 .23
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from Investment Operations .76 .44 1.02 (.15) 1.05 .83 1.10 .81
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less Distributions:
Dividends (from net investment
income) (.65) (.62) (.63) (.66) (.06) (.61) (.67) (.58)
Distributions (from capital gains) (--) (--) (--) (.07) (--) (.12) (.13) (.04)
Return of Capital (--) (--) (--) (--) (--) (--) (.01) (--)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total Distributions (.65) (.62) (.63) (.73) (.06) (.73) (.81) (.62)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net Asset Value,
End of Period $11.00 $10.90 $11.08 $10.69 $11.57 $10.58 $10.48 $10.19
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total Return 7.34% 4.16% 10.12% (1.43%) 9.97% 7.69% 10.88% 8.10%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net Assets, End of Period
(000s omitted) $9,373 $9,529 $8,940 $6,654 $5,423 $4,133 $2,865 $1,397
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net
Assets 1.39% 1.39% 1.43% 1.37% 1.23% 1.20% 1.09%(c) .99%(b)(c)
Ratio of Net Income to
Average Net Assets 6.22% 5.62% 6.43% 6.28% 6.27% 6.11% 6.78%(c) 7.10%(b)(c)
Portfolio Turnover Rate 22.81% 66.18% 31.60% 14.45% 19.17% 45.00% 79.36% 48.74%
<FN>
(a) Effective date of the Fund's initial registration under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended.
(b) Annualized.
(c) The ratio of operating expenses and net income before reimbursement of
expenses by the advisor were 1.37% and 6.49%, respectively, for 1991 and
1.61% and 6.48%, respectively, for 1990.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following financial highlights from April 3, 1995 (commencement of
operations) through November 30, 1997 are derived from the financial statements
of The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio of The Crowley Portfolio Group,
Inc. and have been audited by Tait, Weller & Baker, independent auditors. The
data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, related notes,
and the report of Tait, Weller & Baker covering such financial information and
highlights for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997, all of which are
incorporated by reference into the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. A
copy of the Fund's Annual Report (including the report of Tait, Weller & Baker)
may be obtained from the Fund upon request at no charge.
CROWLEY DIVERSIFIED MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12/01/96 12/01/95 04/03/95(a)
to to to
11/30/97 11/30/96 11/30/95
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $12.15 $10.71 $10.00
------ ------ ------
Income From Investment Operations:
Net Investment Income .17 .05 --
Net Gains or Losses on Securities
(both realized & unrealized) 1.17 1.43 .71
------ ------ ------
Total from Investment Operations 1.34 1.48 .71
------ ------ ------
Less Distributions:
Dividends (from net investment
income) (.18) (.04) --
Distributions (from capital gains) (.44) -- --
------ ------ ------
Total Distributions (.62) (.04) --
------ ------ ------
Net Asset Value, End of Period $12.87 $12.15 $10.71
====== ====== ======
Total Return 11.64% 13.87% 7.10%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net Assets, End of Period (000s
omitted) $2,240 $1,500 $962
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net
Assets 1.87% 2.22% 2.06% (b)
Ratio of Net Income (Loss) to Average
Net Assets 1.08% 0.46% (0.09%)(b)
Portfolio Turnover Rate -- 20.69% --
<FN>
(a) Effective date of the Fund's initial registration under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended.
(b) Annualized.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF EACH PORTFOLIO
Set forth below are the investment objectives and policies of each Portfolio.
The investment objective of a Portfolio is a fundamental policy and may not be
changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Portfolio's
outstanding voting securities. There can be no assurance that a Portfolio will
achieve its objective.
THE CROWLEY GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO
The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio was formerly named The Crowley Growth
Portfolio. On November 1, 1995, the Fund's Board of Directors voted unanimously
to change the name of the Portfolio to reflect more accurately the investment
objectives of the Portfolio. The name change of the Portfolio was effected under
Maryland corporate law, effective March 29, 1996.
The Portfolio's objective is long-term growth of capital, with the secondary
objective being to achieve current income. The Crowley Growth and Income
Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in
common stocks, securities convertible into common stocks and common stock
equivalents (including rights and warrants). The Portfolio will invest most of
its assets in common stocks, although it may also invest in other types of
securities such as preferred stocks, high-grade bonds, short-term United States
Government securities, other high-quality, short-term securities such as
commercial paper, repurchase agreements, banker's acceptances, certificates of
deposit and other evidences of indebtedness. While it is the Portfolio's policy
to seek long-term investments, changes will be made whenever management believes
that such changes will strengthen the Portfolio's investments and realization of
its objectives. The Portfolio may also utilize stock index futures and options
to a limited extent, for hedging purposes, although at no time will more than 5%
of the Portfolio's assets be allocated to futures or options premiums. The
Portfolio will pursue its objective by investing a major portion of its assets
in securities of companies which offer prospects for growth of capital. The
Portfolio will consider income potential incidental to growth potential. The
Portfolio expects to include primarily securities that offer growth and
secondarily securities that combine elements of current income, dividend growth
and capital appreciation. The Portfolio may also invest up to 5% of its assets
in foreign securities, including sponsored or unsponsored American Depository
Receipts, and an additional 5% in sponsored or unsponsored American Depository
Receipts only, as more fully described in the Statement of Additional
Information.
To achieve its investment objective, Crowley & Crowley Corp., the investment
advisor (the "Advisor") will attempt to determine the prevailing trend in the
equity market. In order to assess the trend for rising or falling securities,
the Advisor will make use of the stock market moving averages, for example, the
Dow Jones Industrial Average, the Standard & Poor's 500 Average and the NASDAQ
OTC Composite. The Advisor will plot weekly statistics to assess the various
trends. The Advisor will also make use of the weekly advance-decline statistics
and
<PAGE>
new high-low statistics. When it is determined that there is a prevailing upward
trend in the equity market, more of the Portfolio will be positioned in common
stocks and common stock equivalents. During times when the Advisor determines
that there is a generally rising trend in the stock market, the Portfolio will
attempt to take advantage of this opportunity by generating returns consisting
primarily of net realized and unrealized appreciation in the value of the
securities it holds and, to a lesser degree, from dividends and interest. The
Portfolio will generally select securities based on their current income, their
prospects for dividend growth, and their prospects for capital appreciation.
Since the Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital and secondarily current
income, its portfolio can be expected to include some securities that offer only
growth, others that offer only income potential, as well as many securities that
combine elements of both. When investing for long-term growth of capital, the
Portfolio will seek to buy equity securities of companies with attractive
earnings prospects. A portion of the portfolio may consist of non-income
producing common stocks when their potential for capital appreciation is
believed to be especially promising. The Portfolio may invest in preferred
stocks consistent with its objectives. From time to time the Portfolio may
invest a portion of its assets in cash or debt securities, when the Advisor
feels such a position is advisable in light of economic or market conditions.
When the Advisor anticipates a generally declining trend in the equity market,
the Advisor will begin to move funds into cash and cash equivalents purely as a
temporary defensive position. If the Advisor anticipates a prolonged or
significant decline, then the Portfolio may place most, if not all, of its funds
in cash or cash equivalents.
The Fund's Advisor will attempt to monitor and respond to changing economic and
market conditions and then, if necessary, reposition the Portfolio's assets,
depending on the trend analysis. Trends are analyzed by using a variety of
technical and fundamental indicators. Trends are determined by the Fund's
Advisor's judgment in light of current and past general economic and market
conditions. Among the factors which are included in the analysis are direction
of interest rates, fiscal and monetary policy, economic growth, inflation rates,
industry trends and various moving averages. When a general rising trend of the
securities market is identified, The Crowley Growth Portfolio will position
itself in common stocks and in common stock equivalents that offer prospects for
above-average capital growth.
In order to determine whether a company has above-average capital growth
prospects, the Advisor will find a mean in the growth and earnings of a
particular company over a three to five year period. The Advisor will compare
that mean to the company's actual and projected earnings to determine a
realistic estimate of future growth and earnings. The Advisor will use such
comparative figures, as well as future projections, to compare a company's
growth with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Standard & Poor growth
rates. Although the analysis will be done primarily for individual companies,
the Advisor may rely on
<PAGE>
similar comparative analyses performed on an industry basis in its selection of
individual securities.
THE CROWLEY INCOME PORTFOLIO
The Portfolio's objective is to maximize current income, consistent with prudent
risk, (i.e, reasonable risk to principal). The Portfolio primarily seeks to earn
and pay its shareholders current income while limiting risk to principal through
prudent investing, (i.e., achieving maximum current income with reasonable risk
to principal). The Portfolio seeks to achieve this objective by investing in a
diversified portfolio of debt securities of domestic corporations, United States
Government securities, bankers' acceptances and certificates of deposit,
repurchase agreements and convertible securities. The Portfolio may also
purchase dividend paying common stocks which it believes have better income
potential than fixed-income securities. Fixed-income securities will include
debt securities and preferred stocks, some of which may have a call on common
stock by means of a conversion privilege or attached warrants. Investment in
corporate debt securities will meet a minimum rating of Baa by Moody's Investor
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or, if
not so rated, will have been issued by a corporation having outstanding
indebtedness rated at least Baa or BBB, and dollar-denominated obligations of
foreign issuers issued in the U.S. Such securities are considered to be
"investment grade" and have been assigned one of the four highest grades by
Moody's and S&P. Only up to 5% of the Portfolio's assets may be invested in
corporate debt securities rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P, or that are of
comparable quality. The remaining investments by the Portfolio in corporate debt
securities must be made in securities rated at least A by Moody's or A by S&P,
or be of comparable quality. See "Risk Factors to Consider - Fixed-income
Securities." In the event that the rating attributed to a security which the
Portfolio has purchased is reduced below Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P, the
Portfolio, as soon as practicable, will dispose of the security unless such
disposal would be detrimental to the Portfolio in light of market conditions.
The Portfolio's policy is to invest shorter to intermediate term when interest
rates are historically lower and longer-term when interest rates are
historically higher. The Portfolio may also utilize stock index futures and
options to a limited extent, although at no time will more than 5% of the
Portfolio's assets be allocated to futures or options premiums. The Portfolio
may also invest up to 5% of its assets in foreign securities, including
sponsored or unsponsored American Depository Receipts, and an additional 5% in
sponsored or unsponsored American Depository Receipts only, as more fully
described in the Statement of Additional Information.
In selecting corporate debt securities for the Portfolio, the Advisor reviews
and monitors the creditworthiness of each issuer and issue. Interest rate trends
and specific developments which may affect individual issuers are also analyzed.
<PAGE>
When the Advisor anticipates a generally declining trend in fixed-income
securities markets, the Advisor will begin to move more funds into cash and cash
equivalents. If the Advisor anticipates a prolonged or significant decline, then
the Portfolio may place most, if not all, of its funds in cash and cash
equivalents.
The Portfolio's Advisor will attempt to monitor and respond to changing economic
and market conditions and then, if necessary, reposition the Portfolio's assets,
depending on the trend analysis. Trends are analyzed by using a variety of
technical and fundamental indicators. The trends are determined by the Fund's
Advisor's judgment in light of current and past general economic and market
conditions. Among the factors which are included in the analysis, but not
limited to, are the direction of interest rates, trends in yields, fiscal and
monetary policy, economic growth, inflation rates, industry trends and various
moving averages. Fixed-income securities are more dependent upon interest rate
movements than are stocks. In The Crowley Income Portfolio, when a general
rising trend in the fixed-income market is identified, the Portfolio will
position itself in fixed-income securities. If a general rising trend is
identified in both the fixed-income market and the equity market, the Portfolio
will position itself in fixed-income securities, preferred stocks, and high
dividend paying stocks.
The range of maturities of obligations to be held by the Portfolio will
generally be short to intermediate, zero to seven years. The Portfolio intends
to invest one-third of its obligations in each segment of the zero to seven year
range (one segment being obligations maturing within zero to two years, one
segment being obligations which mature within two to four years, and one-third
being obligations maturing within four to seven years). The Portfolio retains
the right to invest in obligations with greater maturities when greater returns
are available because of higher interest rates.
THE CROWLEY DIVERSIFIED MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO The Portfolio's objective is high
total return consistent with reasonable risk. The Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in
shares of other registered investment companies. While it is the Portfolio's
policy to invest primarily in registered investment companies, the Portfolio may
also utilize other investment vehicles such as cash or cash equivalents (such as
repurchase agreements or certificates of deposit), closed-end investment
portfolios, stocks, bonds and other debt objectives, stock options, stock index
options, stock index futures and options thereon. At no time will more than 5%
of the Portfolio's assets be allocated to futures or option premiums. Further,
the Portfolio, under normal circumstances, will not invest in a registered
investment company that has a stated policy of investing more than 50% of its
assets in derivatives, and will not invest more than 35% of its net assets in
any registered investment company that may invest more than 35% of its net
assets in bonds rated lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB by Standard & Poor's.
(See the Appendix at the end of this Prospectus for
<PAGE>
a description of "junk bonds.")
The Portfolio will invest only in registered investment companies. If a
registered investment company in which the Portfolio invests becomes a
non-registered investment company, the Portfolio will dispose of the securities
of such non-registered investment company that it holds in its portfolio of
securities.
The Portfolio may invest in registered investment companies that are closed-end
funds. After their initial public offering, the shares of closed-end funds
frequently trade on the open market at a price per share which is less than the
net asset value per share, the difference representing the "market discount" of
such shares. Market discount may be due in part to the fact that the shares of
closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at
the next determined net asset value, but rather are subject to the principles of
supply and demand in the market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers
of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a
discount to their net asset value.
Although the Portfolio intends primarily to purchase shares of closed-end funds
which trade at a market discount and which the investment manager believes
present the opportunity for capital appreciation or increased income due in part
to such market discount, there can be no assurance that the market discount on
shares of any closed-end fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that
this market discount may increase or that the Portfolio may experience realized
or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the
securities held in the portfolios of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely
affecting the net asset value of the Portfolio's shares. Similarly, there can be
no assurance that the shares of closed-end funds which trade at a premium will
continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent
to a purchase of such shares by the Portfolio. Although no assurances can be
given, the Advisor believes that its market research and analysis and the
diversification policies of the Portfolio will enable the Portfolio to avoid
significant declines in the net asset value of the Portfolio's shares due to
losses related to an individual issuer.
The Portfolio must structure its investments in other investment company shares
to comply with certain provisions of federal and state securities laws. The
Portfolio and its affiliates currently may not hold more than 3% of an
underlying fund's shares. In the event that the Portfolio holds more than 1% of
an underlying fund's shares, the underlying fund is obligated to redeem only 1%
of the underlying fund's outstanding securities during any period of less than
30 days. Consequently, any shares of an underlying fund held by the Portfolio in
excess of 1% of the underlying fund's outstanding shares will be considered
illiquid securities that, together with other such securities, may not exceed
10% of the Portfolio's net assets. When the Portfolio is more heavily
concentrated in small investment companies, it may not be able to readily
dispose of such investment company shares and may be forced to
<PAGE>
redeem Portfolio shares in-kind to redeeming Portfolio shareholders by
delivering shares of investment companies that are held in the Portfolio. The
Portfolio may be restricted in its ability to redeem because of the 1%
limitation discussed above; however, Portfolio shareholders who redeem their
shares in-kind would not be so restricted. Applicable fundamental policies are
reflected in the Portfolio's investment restrictions.
To achieve the Portfolio's investment objective, the Advisor attempts to
determine the prevailing trend in the equity market. The strategy consists of
moving into those investments which would most benefit from the prevailing
trend. In choosing from among the available investment companies, the Advisor
considers among other things, the prior performance of the underlying investment
company, its management, its performance in both up and down markets, the
current composition of its portfolio and current investment philosophy.
The Advisor attempts to monitor and respond to changing economic and market
conditions as well as monitor the performance of the investments. If necessary,
the Advisor will reposition the Portfolio's assets to meet the changing
environment.
When the Advisor has identified a significant upward trend in a particular
industry group, the Portfolio retains the right to invest in investment
companies that concentrate in a particular industry sector. The Portfolio may
invest in these investment companies, which tend to have greater fluctuations in
value when compared to other categories of investment companies.
The Portfolio expects that it will select the investment companies in which it
will invest based, in part, upon an analysis of the past and projected
performance and investment structure of the investment companies. (See the
Appendix at the end of this Prospectus for a description of the securities that
underlying funds of the Portfolio may invest in.) However, the Portfolio must
consider other factors in the selection of the investment companies. These other
factors include the investment company's size, shareholder services, liquidity,
the investment objective and investment techniques, etc. The Portfolio may be
affected by the losses of such underlying investment companies, and the level or
risk arising from the investment practices of such investment companies (such as
repurchase agreements, quality standards, or lending of securities) and had no
control over the risk taken by such investment companies. The Portfolio can also
elect to redeem (subject to the 1% limitation discussed above) its investment in
an underlying investment company (or sell it to the company as a closed-end one)
if that action is considered necessary or appropriate.
In accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, if an underlying fund
submits a matter to shareholders for a vote, the Portfolio will either vote the
shares: (i) in accordance with instructions received from Portfolio
shareholders; or (ii) in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of
such securities.
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
Unless otherwise noted, the following risk factors apply to each Portfolio.
Fixed-income Securities. The Portfolios may invest only in fixed-income
securities that are investment grade, which means that they have a rating of Baa
or better as determined by Moody's or BBB or better by S&P or are of comparable
quality. These are the four highest ratings or categories as defined by Moody's
and S&P. Debt securities that are rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P or, if
unrated, are of comparable quality, have speculative characteristics, and
changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case
with higher rated bonds. Only up to 5% of a Portfolio's assets may be invested
in debt securities rated Baa by Moody's, or BBB by S&P, or if unrated, are
determined to be of comparable quality. Any additional investments in such
securities must be rated A or better by Moody's and S&P, or be deemed to be of
comparable quality. Categories below this have lower ratings and are considered
more speculative in nature. In the event that the rating attributed to a
security which a Portfolio has purchased is reduced below Baa by Moody's or BBB
by S&P, the Portfolio, as soon as practicable, will dispose of the security
unless such disposal would be detrimental to the Portfolio in light of market
conditions.
The following four categories of bonds are eligible for investment by the
Portfolios and are included in the categories of bonds classified as investment
grade by Moody's and Standard and Poor's.
Moody's Standard & Poor's
No lower than -
Gilt-Edged Aaa AAA
High-Quality Aa AA
High-Grade A A
Investment-Grade Baa BBB
The Advisor will attempt to monitor and respond to changing economic and market
conditions and if necessary reposition the portfolios' assets depending on the
trend analysis. Trends are analyzed by using a variety of technical and
fundamental indicators. Among the factors which are included in the analysis are
the direction of interest rates, economic growth, industry trends and various
moving averages.
When the Advisor identifies an upward trend, The Crowley Growth and Income
Portfolio will seek to obtain growth over income while managing risk, The
Crowley Income Portfolio will seek to obtain income while managing risk, and The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio will seek to obtain high total return
while managing risk. There can be no assurance that the judgment of the Advisor
as to market trends will be
<PAGE>
correct. In the event that a Portfolio were invested substantially in common
stocks during a downward market trend, because of the volatility of stocks, it
is likely that the value of an investment in the Fund would decline more rapidly
than the decline in the market as a whole.
When a downward trend has been identified protection of principal may be
emphasized over opportunities for gains in each Portfolio. When the Advisor
believes that income producing assets are more appropriate due to the economic
and market conditions an emphasis will be placed on income producing investment
vehicles. During periods of time when the Advisor believes there may be
unacceptable high risks, the portfolios may invest in cash, bank money market
accounts, or money market instruments to protect the value of the Portfolios.
The market value of the interest-bearing debt securities held by the Fund is
affected by changes in interest rates. There is normally an inverse relationship
between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates
and actual changes in interest rates; i.e., a decline in interest rates produces
an increase in market value, while an increase in rates produces a decrease in
market value. Moreover, the longer the remaining maturity of a security, the
greater is the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of such a
security. In addition, changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of
interest and principal and in the market's perception of an issuer's
creditworthiness also affect the market value of the debt securities of that
issuer.
Money Market Securities. Each Portfolio may invest in money market securities,
which include: marketable securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the government of the United States or by its agencies or
instrumentalities, domestic bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances,
prime commercial paper and repurchase agreements (secured by United States
Treasury or agency obligations).
Cash equivalents will consist of high-quality money market instruments which
return maximum current income and maintain preservation of capital. These
instruments are considered safe because of their short-term maturities,
liquidity and high-quality ratings.
Commercial paper is limited to the two highest ratings of Moody's and S&P. Firms
rate borrowers differently according to their classifications. S&P's rates
companies from A for the highest quality to D for the lowest quality rating. The
A-rated companies are also subdivided into three groups depending on relative
strength. Moody's uses P-1 as their highest rating along with P-2 and P-3.
Commercial Paper may be purchased that is rated P-1 or P-2 by Moody's or A-1 or
A-2 by S&P. Instruments such as commercial paper and notes which are issued by
companies having an outstanding debt rated within these two highest ratings may
be purchased.
Bank Certificates of Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances are limited to U.S. dollar
denominated instruments of domestic banks (generally limited
<PAGE>
to institutions with a net worth of at least $100,000,000) and of domestic
branches of foreign banks (limited to institutions having total assets of not
less than $1 billion or its equivalent).
Repurchase Agreements. Under a repurchase agreement the Portfolio acquires a
debt instrument for a relatively short period (usually not more than one week)
subject to the obligations of the seller to repurchase and of the Portfolio to
resell such instrument at a fixed price. The use of repurchase agreements
involves certain risks. For example, if the seller of the agreement defaults on
its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities at a time when the value
of these securities has declined, the Portfolio may incur a loss upon
disposition of them. If the seller of the agreement becomes insolvent and
subject to liquidation or reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code or other
laws, a bankruptcy court may determine that the underlying securities are
collateral not within the control of the Portfolio and therefore subject to sale
by the trustee in bankruptcy. Finally, it is possible that the Portfolio may not
be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying securities. While
management of the Portfolio acknowledges these risks, it is expected that they
can be controlled through stringent security selection and careful monitoring
procedures. A Portfolio may not invest more than 10% of its net assets in
repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days. A Portfolio may enter
into repurchase agreements with banks or broker-dealers deemed to be
creditworthy by the Advisor and the Advisor will monitor the creditworthiness of
these banks or broker-dealers on an ongoing basis to ensure continued ability of
the Portfolios to engage in repurchase transactions with such institutions.
The Portfolios will select money market securities for investment when such
securities offer a current market rate of return which the Advisor considers
reasonable in relation to the risk of the investment, and the issuer can satisfy
suitable standards of creditworthiness set by the Advisor and described in the
Statement of Additional Information.
Futures And Options. Each Portfolio may seek to protect itself from anticipated
market action by using "hedging" techniques which the Fund expects will generate
gains which would offset losses on other securities owned by the Fund. These
hedging techniques could involve combinations of various techniques, such as the
purchase or sale of stocks or the use of stock options, stock index options,
stock index futures and options thereon to seek to achieve increases in the
values of such options and futures which offset decreases in the values of other
securities owned by the Fund. The Fund's Advisor would select the specific
technique(s) based upon analysis of the Fund's Portfolios, market conditions,
relative costs and risks, tax effects and other factors. There can be variations
between the relative movements of investments and the hedge selected with
respect to that investment. This may increase or decrease the gains or losses
each Fund achieves by its hedging relative to losses or gains on the hedged
investments. The following descriptions illustrate some of the techniques and
risks involved in such hedging. Further information appears in the Statement
<PAGE>
of Additional Information, and a more detailed description of futures and
options activities is contained in the Appendix to this Prospectus.
Options. Each Portfolio intends to purchase and/or write ("sell") call and put
options that are traded on U.S. Securities Exchanges. Each Portfolio seeks to
enhance its objective by receiving premiums for writing covered call and put
options. Although each Portfolio receives premium income from these techniques,
any appreciation realized will be limited by the terms of the option. Each
Portfolio may purchase call options to protect against an increase in the price
of securities that it ultimately wants to buy. It may purchase put options to
protect its Portfolio securities against a decline in market value.
Stock Index Futures. Each Portfolio intends to purchase and sell stock index
futures contracts. A Portfolio may sell stock index futures contracts in
anticipation of, or during a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease in
market value of its common stocks that might otherwise result; and it may
purchase such contracts in order to offset increases in the cost of common
stocks that it intends to purchase.
Options on Stock Indexes and Stock Index Futures. Each Portfolio intends to
purchase and/or write call and put options on stock indexes which are traded on
U.S. Exchanges. The Portfolios also intend to purchase and/or write call and put
options on stock index futures which are traded on U.S. Exchanges. Options on
stock index futures are similar to options on stocks or options on stock
indexes.
The selection of the foregoing techniques or any combination of them to be used
at any particular time will depend upon an assessment of the relative
implementation costs and the liquidity of the particular secondary market in
which such options, stock index futures, and options on stock indexes and stock
index futures are traded.
Risks of Transactions in Stock Options, Stock Index Options and Options on Stock
Index Futures. An option position may be closed out only on an Exchange which
provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the
Portfolios will generally purchase or write only those options for which the
Advisor believes there is an active secondary market, there is no assurance that
a liquid secondary market on an Exchange will exist for any particular option.
In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in
particular options, with the result that the Portfolio would have to exercise
its options in order to realize any profit or allow the option to expire. The
inability to close-out these options may result in a loss to the Portfolio. If
exercised, the Portfolio would incur brokerage commissions upon the subsequent
disposition of underlying securities acquired. An imperfect correlation exists
between the options and securities being hedged. Success of any hedging position
depends on the ability of the investment advisor to predict a stock and interest
rate movement. The skills necessary for successful use of hedges are different
than those used in the selection of equity or fixed-income securities. The
Advisor's officer who will be responsible for hedging
<PAGE>
does not have experience in managing portfolios which trade in such hedging
instruments. If the Advisor is incorrect in its forecasts regarding market
values, interest rates, and other applicable factors, the Portfolio utilizing
these investment techniques may be in a worse position than if the investment
techniques had never been used.
While the Portfolios have not adopted fundamental limitations on their futures
or options activities, they must comply with certain requirements of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities Futures Trading
Commission. For example, these provisions require that each Portfolio shall not
purchase or sell any futures or puts or calls on futures if immediately
thereafter the sum of the amount of the Portfolio's margin deposits (both
initial and variation deposits) and premiums paid for outstanding puts and/or
calls on futures would exceed 5% of the value of its total assets. This
limitation could, however, change if regulatory provisions applicable to the
Portfolios were to be changed. The Portfolios will not engage in transactions in
future contracts or related options for speculation but only as a hedge against
changes resulting from market conditions in the values of securities held in the
Portfolio or which a Portfolio intends to purchase. Although it is not a
fundamental policy, a Portfolio will not purchase or sell futures contracts or
purchase or sell related options if immediately thereafter more than 30% of its
net assets would be so invested. Shareholders will be notified in advance of any
change in this limitation.
By writing a call option, the Portfolio limits 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, the Portfolio assumes the risk
that it may be required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise
price higher than its current market value, resulting in a potential capital
loss unless the security subsequently appreciates in value.
Risks of Investing in Other Investment Companies. The Crowley Diversified
Management Portfolio, by investing in shares of investment companies, indirectly
pays a portion of the operating expenses, management expenses and brokerage
costs of such companies as well as the expense of operating the Portfolios.
Thus, the Portfolio's investors may indirectly pay higher total operating
expenses and other costs than they might pay by owning the underlying investment
companies directly. The Portfolio attempts to identify investment companies that
have demonstrated superior management in the past, thus possibly offsetting
these factors by producing better results and/or lower costs and expenses than
other investment companies. There can be no assurance that this result will be
achieved.
Further, the Portfolio may invest in investment companies which concentrate
(invest 25% or more of the value of their assets) in a particular industry.
These companies tend to have greater fluctuation in value than other investment
companies.
<PAGE>
The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio may invest in shares of registered
investment companies which invest in foreign securities.
Foreign Securities and Currency Considerations
The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio may invest in shares of registered
investment companies which invest in foreign securities. Investments in
securities of foreign issuers may involve greater risks that those of U.S.
issuers. There is generally less information available to the public about
non-U.S. companies and less government regulation and supervision of non-U.S.
stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies. Non-U.S. companies are not
subject to uniform global accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards, practices and requirements. Securities of some non-U.S. companies are
less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable U.S.
companies. Securities trading practices abroad may offer less protection to
investors. Settlement of transactions in some non-U.S. markets may be delayed or
may be less frequent than in the U.S., which could affect the liquidity of the
underlying fund's portfolio, and, in turn, the Portfolio. Additionally, in some
non-U.S. countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory
taxation, limitations on the removal of securities, property or other assets of
the fund, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which
could affect U.S. investments in those countries. The Portfolio intends to
invest in such registered investment companies that diversify broadly among
countries, but reserves the right to invest in investment companies that invest
a substantial portion of assets in one or more countries if economic and
business conditions warrant such investments. The Advisor will take these
factors into consideration in managing the Portfolio's investments.
The U.S. dollar market value of the underlying funds' investments and of
dividends and interest earned by the underlying funds, and in turn, the
Portfolio may be significantly affected by changes in currency exchange rates.
Some currency prices may be volatile, and there is the possibility of
governmental controls on currency exchange or governmental intervention in
currency markets, which could adversely affect the underlying funds and, in
turn, the Portfolio. Although underlying funds may attempt to manage currency
exchange rate risks, there is no assurance that the underlying funds will do so
at an appropriate time or that it will be able to predict exchange rates
accurately. For example, if any of the funds increase their exposure to a
currency and that currency's price subsequently falls, such currency management
may result in increased losses to those funds. Similarly, if any of the funds
decrease their exposure to a currency, and the currency's price rises, those
funds will lose the opportunity to participate in the currency's appreciation.
These events may adversely affect the Portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover. It is anticipated that the annualized portfolio turnover
rate for The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio, The Crowley Income Portfolio
and The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio generally will not exceed 150%,
100% and 200%, respectively. The
<PAGE>
portfolio turnover rate of the underlying funds in The Crowley Diversified
Management Portfolio will affect indirectly gains and losses, and transaction
costs, of that Portfolio. High portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves
additional transaction costs (such as brokerage commissions or sales charges)
which are borne by the Portfolio, and might involve adverse tax effects. (See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.")
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Fund as
fundamental policies for each Portfolio, to limit certain risks that may result
from investment in specific types of securities or from engaging in certain
kinds of transactions addressed by such restrictions. They may not be changed
without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Portfolio. Certain of these policies are detailed
below, while other policies are set forth in the Statement of Additional
Information. Changes in values of particular Portfolio assets or the assets of
the Portfolio as a whole will not cause a violation of the investment
restrictions so long as percentage restrictions are observed by the Portfolio at
the time it purchases any security.
Each Portfolio's investment restrictions specifically provide that the Portfolio
will not:
(a) as to 75% of the Portfolio's total assets, invest more than 5% of its
total assets in the securities of any one issuer. (This limitation
does not apply to cash and cash items, obligations issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities.)
(b) purchase more than 10% of the voting securities, or more than 10% of
any class of securities of any issuer. For purposes of this
restriction, all outstanding fixed-income securities of an issuer are
considered as one class.
(c) purchase or sell commodities or commodity futures contracts, provided
that each Portfolio may enter into futures contracts and related
options and make initial and variation margin deposits in connection
therewith.
(d) make loans of money or securities, except: (i) by the purchase of
fixed-income obligations in which the Portfolio may invest consistent
with its investment objective and policies; or (ii) by investment in
repurchase agreements (see "Investment Objective and Policies").
(e) invest in securities of any company if, to the knowledge of the
Portfolio, any officer or director of the Fund or the Advisor owns
more than 0.5% of the outstanding securities of such company and such
officers and directors (who own
more than 0.5%) in the aggregate own more than 5% of the outstanding
securities of such company.
<PAGE>
(f) borrow money, except the Portfolio may borrow from banks: (i) for
temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the
Portfolio's assets; or (ii) to meet redemption requests that might
otherwise require the untimely disposition of portfolio securities, in
an amount up to 33 1/3% of the value of the Portfolio's total assets
(including the amount borrowed) valued at market less liabilities (not
including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing was made.
While borrowings exceed 5% of the value of the Portfolio's total
assets, the Portfolio will not purchase securities. Interest paid on
borrowings will reduce net income.
(g) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except
in an amount up to 33 1/3% of the value of its net assets but only to
secure borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to
effect redemptions.
(h) purchase the securities of any issuer, if, as a result, more than 10%
of the value of a Portfolio's net assets would be invested in
securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on
resale ("restricted securities"), in securities for which there are no
readily available market quotations, or in repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days, if all such securities would
constitute more than 10% of the Portfolio's net assets.
(i) for The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio only
o invest in any investment company if a purchase of its shares
would result in the Portfolio and its affiliates owning more than
3% of the total outstanding stock of such investment company.
o invest in any investment company which itself does not qualify as
a diversified investment company under the Internal Revenue Code.
CAPITAL STOCK
The authorized capital stock of The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc. consists of
500,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 each. At the
present time, 150,000,000 shares of such stock have been allocated to each of
The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio, The Crowley Income Portfolio and The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio. Each share has equal dividend, voting,
liquidation and redemption rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights.
<PAGE>
Shares, when issued, will be fully-paid and non-assessable. Fractional shares
have proportional voting rights. Shares of the Portfolios do not have cumulative
voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares
voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors if they
choose to do so and, in such event, the holders of the remaining shares will not
be able to elect any person to the Board of Directors. The Portfolios'
shareholders will vote together to elect directors and on other matters
affecting the entire corporation, but will vote separately on matters affecting
separate series, such as changing the investment objective or restrictions
governing a Portfolio.
Shareholder inquiries should be made directly to the Distributor at (302)
994-4700.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Directors. The Fund's Board of Directors are fiduciaries for the
Portfolios' shareholders and are governed by the law of the State of Maryland in
this regard. They establish policy for the operation of the Portfolios, and
appoint the Officers who conduct the daily business of the Portfolios.
Investment Advisor. The investments of each Portfolio are managed by Crowley &
Crowley Corp., a corporation organized on August 28, 1989 under the laws of the
state of Delaware, (the "Advisor"), 3201-B Millcreek Road, Suite H, Wilmington,
DE 19808, under separate management contracts (the "Management Contracts".) The
Management Contracts became effective on December 6, 1989 for The Crowley Growth
and Income Portfolio (formerly, The Crowley Growth Portfolio) and The Crowley
Income Portfolio; April 1, 1995 for The Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio. The Management Contracts were initially approved by shareholders of
The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio and The Crowley Income Portfolio on
November 29, 1990 and by the initial shareholder of the Crowley Diversified
Management Portfolio on April 3, 1995. The Management Contracts are approved
annually by the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Board of
Directors who are not parties to the Management Contract or interested persons
(as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of
any party to the Agreement, voting in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval. The Management Contracts provide that Crowley &
Crowley Corp. shall supervise and manage each Portfolio's investments and shall
determine each Portfolio's portfolio transactions, subject to periodic review
and ratification by the Fund's Directors. The Advisor is responsible for
selecting brokers and dealers to execute transactions for the Portfolios. The
Board has also authorized the Advisor and the Fund's officers to consider sales
of Portfolio shares when allocating brokerage, subject to the policy of
obtaining best price and execution on such transactions.
Pursuant to its Management Contract with each Portfolio, the Advisor will manage
the assets of each Portfolio in accordance with the stated
<PAGE>
objective, policies and restrictions of the Portfolio and manage the business
affairs of the Fund (subject to the supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors
and the Fund's officers). The Advisor will also provide administrative and
clerical services, keep certain books and records in connection with its
services to the Fund and supervise the services rendered to the Fund by other
persons. The Advisor has also authorized any of its directors, officers and
employees who have been elected as directors or officers of the Fund to serve in
the capacities in which they have been elected. Services furnished by the
Advisor under the contracts may be furnished through the medium of any such
directors and officers.
As compensation for its services as Advisor, the Advisor receives a fee,
computed daily and payable monthly, at the annualized rate of 1.00% of the
average daily net assets of The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio and The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio, and 0.60% of the average daily net
assets of The Crowley Income Portfolio. The Advisor's fee with respect to The
Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio and The Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio is higher than that paid by most other investment companies. The
Advisor pays all expenses incurred by it in rendering management services to the
Fund including the costs of accounting, bookkeeping and data processing services
provided in its role as administrator. The Fund bears its costs of operations.
These expenses include, but are not limited to: the fee of the Advisor, taxes,
brokerage fees, fees associated with calculating the net asset value of each
Portfolio daily, legal fees, custodian and auditing fees, and printing and other
expenses which are not expressly assumed by the Advisor under the Management
Contracts. For the fiscal year ending November 30, 1997, The Crowley Growth and
Income Portfolio, The Crowley Income Portfolio and The Crowley Diversified
Management Portfolio incurred expenses equal to 1.95%, 1.39%, and 1.87%,
respectively, of average net assets.
The Advisor has committed to the Fund to offset the management fees payable by
The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio by the fees that Crowley
Securities, the Portfolios' Distributor and an affiliate of the Advisor,
receives in connection with the purchase and sale of investment company
securities for such Portfolio for which Crowley Securities is the dealer of
record and which have an associated sales charge, 12b-1 or shareholder servicing
fee. The Advisor will offset management fees on a monthly basis, consistent with
its receipt of such fees.
Frederick J. Crowley, Jr., Vice President of the Fund, and Robert A. Crowley,
President of the Fund, each own 50% of the voting common stock of the Advisor.
The Advisor was organized in 1986 and principally provides investment advice to
individuals. The Advisor does not provide investment advice to any other
investment companies.
Each Management Contract also identifies the right of the Advisor to the use of
the name "Crowley," and the Fund may be required to change its name if the
Advisor ceases to act as advisor to the Portfolios.
<PAGE>
The Advisor, pursuant to the Management Contracts, also serves as the
Portfolios' administrator. The Management Contracts provide that the Advisor
will furnish each Portfolio with office facilities, with any ordinary clerical
and bookkeeping services not furnished by the custodian, or distributor and with
Portfolio accounting services. Such services include the maintenance of the
Fund's books and records of each Portfolio. The Advisor has not agreed to
perform daily pricing for the Fund. The Fund will perform that function.
The portfolio manager for each Portfolio is Mr. Robert A. Crowley, who has been
managing all the Portfolios since their inception, in 1989 for The Crowley
Growth and Income Portfolio and The Crowley Income Portfolio, and 1995 for The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio. Mr. Crowley, who received his
Chartered Financial Analyst certification in 1990, received his Bachelor of
Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Delaware in
1980 and his Masters Degree in Business Administration from George Washington
University in 1985. In addition to his responsibilities in managing the
Portfolios, Mr. Crowley is a financial planner with Crowley & Crowley Corp.
Prior to managing the Portfolios, Mr. Crowley managed individual securities
accounts in addition to engaging in financial planning activities.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Crowley Securities (the "Distributor") is each Portfolio's distributor under
separate Distribution Agreements for each Portfolio dated December 6, 1989
(April 1, 1995 for The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio), and renewed
annually by the Portfolios' Board of Directors. The Distributor promotes the
distribution of the shares of each Portfolio in accordance with each respective
agreement. Frederick J. Crowley, Jr. and Robert A. Crowley, officers of the
Advisor, are also equal general partners and registered representatives of the
Distributor, which is, therefore, an affiliated person of the Fund. The
Distributor's offices are at 3201-B Millcreek Road, Suite H, Wilmington, DE
19808.
All orders for the purchase of shares of a Portfolio are subject to acceptance
or rejection by the Fund in its discretion. The sale of shares will be suspended
during any period when the determination of net asset value is suspended, and
may be suspended by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment it is in the
best interest of the Fund to do so.
CUSTODIAN
Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, Wilmington, DE, 19890, acts as
the Custodian of the securities and cash of each Portfolio.
<PAGE>
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
The Crowley Financial Group, Inc. ("CFG" or the "Transfer Agent"), 3201- B
Millcreek Road, Suite H, Wilmington, DE 19808 serves as the Fund's transfer
agent, dividend disbursing agent, and as redemption agent for redemptions. CFG
is under common control with the Advisor and the Distributor and as compensation
for its services, receives an asset-based fee.
GENERAL OPERATIONS
Except as indicated above, the Fund is responsible for the payment of its
expenses, including: (a) the fees payable to the Advisor, the Distributor and
the Transfer Agent; (b) the fees and expenses of directors who are not
affiliated with the Advisor or the Distributor; (c) the fees and certain
expenses of the Fund's Custodian; (d) the charges and expenses of the Fund's
legal counsel and independent accountants; (e) brokers' commissions and any
issue or transfer taxes chargeable to a Portfolio in connection with its
securities transactions; (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to
governmental agencies; (g) the fees of any trade association of which the Fund
is a member; (h) the cost of stock certificates, if any, representing shares of
the Portfolio; (i) reimbursements of the organization expenses of the Fund and
the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of
the Fund and its shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission laws, and
the preparation and printing of the Fund's registration statements and
prospectuses for such purposes; (j) allocable communications expenses with
respect to investor services and all expenses of shareholders and directors
meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses and reports to
shareholders; (k) litigation and indemnification expenses and other
extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund's
business; and (l) compensation for employees of the Fund.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Each Portfolio will declare and pay annual dividends to its shareholders of
substantially all of its net investment income, if any, earned during the year
from its investments. Each Portfolio will also distribute net realized capital
gains, if any, once with respect to each year. Expenses of the Portfolios,
including the advisory fee, are accrued each day. Reinvestments of dividends and
distributions in additional shares of a Portfolio will be made on the payment
date at the net asset value determined on the record date of the dividend or
distribution unless the shareholder has elected in writing to receive dividends
or distributions in cash. An election may be changed by notifying the Transfer
Agent in writing thirty days prior to record date.
<PAGE>
Each Portfolio of The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc. has qualified, and intends
to continue to qualify, as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of
the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). As such, a Portfolio will not be subject
to federal income tax, or to any excise tax, to the extent its earnings are
distributed as provided in the Code.
Each Portfolio intends to distribute substantially all of its new investment
income and net capital gains. Dividends from net investment income or net
short-term capital gains will be taxable to you as ordinary income, whether
received in cash or in additional shares. For corporate investors, dividends
from net investment income may qualify in part for the corporate
dividends-received deduction. The portion of dividends paid by a Portfolio that
so qualifies will be designated each year in a notice mailed to the Portfolio's
shareholders, and cannot exceed the gross amount of dividends received by a
Portfolio from domestic (U.S.) corporations that would have qualified for the
dividends-received deduction in the hands of the Portfolio if the Portfolio were
a regular corporation. The availability of the dividends-received deduction is
subject to certain holding period and debt financing restrictions imposed under
the Code on the corporation claiming the deduction.
Distributions paid by a Portfolio from long-term capital gains, whether received
in cash or in additional shares, are taxable to those investors who are subject
to income taxes as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time an
investor has owned shares in a Portfolio. A Portfolio does not seek to realize
any particular amount of capital gains during a year; rather, realized gains are
a byproduct of Portfolio management activities. Consequently, capital gains
distributions may be expected to vary considerably from year to year. Also, for
those investors subject to tax, if purchases of shares in a Portfolio are made
shortly before the record date for a dividend or capital gains distribution, a
portion of the investment will be returned as a taxable distribution.
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, dividends
which are declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record on
a specified date in one of those months, but which, for operational reasons, may
not be paid to the shareholder until the following January, will be treated for
tax purposes as if paid by a Portfolio and received by the shareholder on
December 31 of the year declared.
The sale of shares of a Portfolio is a taxable event and may result in a capital
gain or loss to shareholders subject to tax. Capital gain or loss may be
realized from an ordinary redemption of shares or an exchange of shares between
two Portfolios. Any loss incurred on sale or exchange of a Portfolio's shares,
held for six months or less, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the
extent of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares.
<PAGE>
In addition to federal taxes, shareholders may be subject to state and local
taxes on distributions. Distributions of interest income and capital gains
realized from certain types of U.S. government securities may be exempt from
state personal income taxes.
Each year, the Portfolio will mail you information on the tax status of the
Portfolio's dividends and distributions. Shareholders will also receive each
year information as to the portion of dividend income that is derived from U.S.
government securities that are exempt from state income tax. Of course,
shareholders who are not subject to tax on their income would not be required to
pay tax on amounts distributed to them by a Portfolio.
Each Portfolio is required to withhold 31% of taxable dividends, capital gains
distributions, and redemptions paid to shareholders who have not complied with
IRS taxpayer identification regulations. You may avoid this withholding
requirement by certifying on your Account Registration Form your proper Taxpayer
Identification Number and by certifying that you are not subject to backup
withholding.
The tax discussion set forth above is included for general information only.
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers concerning the
federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in a
Portfolio
Additional information on tax matters relating to the Portfolio and their
shareholders is included in the section entitled "Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes" in the Statement of Additional Information.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of a Portfolio share is determined by the Fund as of the
close of regular trading on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open
for unrestricted trading from Monday through Friday and on which there is a
purchase or redemption of a Portfolio's share. The net asset value is determined
by the Fund by dividing the value of the Portfolio's securities, plus any cash
and other assets, less all liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding.
Expenses and fees of the Portfolio, including the advisory and the distributor
fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining
the net asset value.
Portfolio securities listed or traded on a securities exchange for which
representative market quotations are available, will be valued at the last
quoted sales price on the security's principal exchange on that day. Listed
securities not traded on an exchange that day, and other securities which are
traded in the over-the-counter market, will be valued at the last reported bid
price in the market on that day, if any. Securities for which market quotations
are not readily available and all other assets will be valued at their
respective fair market value as determined in good faith by, or under procedures
established by, the Board of Directors.
<PAGE>
Money market securities with less than sixty days remaining to maturity when
acquired by a Portfolio will be valued on an amortized cost basis by a
Portfolio, excluding unrealized gains or losses thereon from the valuation. This
is accomplished by valuing the security at cost and then assuming a constant
amortization to maturity of any premium or discount. If the Portfolio acquires a
money market security with more than sixty days remaining to its maturity, it
will be valued at current market value until the 60th day prior to maturity, and
will then be valued on an amortized cost basis based upon the value on such date
unless the Board determines during such 60 day period that this amortized cost
value does not represent fair market value.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Shares of the Fund are offered for sale to the public through its Distributor at
the public offering price thereof next computed after the receipt of both the
purchase order by the Distributor, and payment for shares purchased by the
Custodian. The public offering price is equal to the net asset value of the
shares of a Portfolio. Net asset value per share of each Portfolio is determined
as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange on each day when the Exchange is
open for business and during which there is a sufficient degree of trading in a
Portfolio's securities that the current net asset value of the shares might be
materially affected by the changes in value of such securities but only when
there has been a purchase or redemption of a Portfolio's share.
The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $5,000, and each subsequent
investment must be not less than $1,000. The minimum amount may consist of a
single investment in one Portfolio or an aggregate investment in any combination
of the Portfolios. An investment by a spouse or parent may be combined with an
investment of the other spouse or children to meet the minimum initial or
subsequent investment limit. Further, an investment by a tax-qualified plan may
be combined with a personal investment to meet the minimum initial or subsequent
investment limit.
Investments in any Portfolio may be made by completing the application form and
mailing it together with your check payable to The Crowley Portfolio Group,
Inc., to:
Crowley Securities
3201-B Millcreek Road
Suite H
Wilmington, DE 19808
Subsequent investments may be made at any time (minimum additional investment
$1,000) by mailing a check, payable to The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc., to the
Distributor at the above address. The Distributor may be reached at (302)
994-4700.
Investments in any Portfolio may also be made through investment dealers
<PAGE>
which have sales agreements with Crowley Securities, the principal underwriter
of the Fund's shares. Such dealers should send the investor's Investment
Application and payment for the shares to the Fund. Payment should be made by
check. Purchase orders placed by dealers will be confirmed at the public
offering price calculated next after receipt of the properly completed
Investment Application and payment by Wilmington Trust, the Custodian. It is the
responsibility of dealers to transmit purchase orders so that they will be
received by the Custodian by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Orders received by
Wilmington Trust after 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time will be priced at the
public offering price in effect at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the next
business day. To date, Crowley Securities has not retained any selling dealers.
Each Portfolio reserves the right in its sole discretion: (i) to suspend the
offering of its shares; and (ii) to reject purchase orders when in the best
interest of the Portfolio.
Your purchase will be made in full and fractional shares of the Portfolio
calculated to three decimal places. Shares are normally held in an open account
for shareholders by each Portfolio, which will send to shareholders a statement
of shares owned at the time of each transaction. Share certificates for full
shares are, of course, available at any time by written request at no additional
cost to the shareholder. No certificates will be issued for fractional shares.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
Shareholders may redeem all or a portion of their shares without charge on any
day on which the Portfolios calculate their net asset values (see "Determination
of Net Asset Value"). Redemptions of shares of each Portfolio of the Fund will
be effective at the net asset value per share next determined after the receipt
of a redemption request by the Transfer Agent, meeting the requirements
described below. Written redemption requests should be submitted to: The Crowley
Financial Group, Inc., 3201-B Millcreek Road, Suite H, Wilmington, DE 19808.
Shareholders who have questions about a redemption should contact the Transfer
Agent at (302) 994-4700, although all redemption requests must be in writing.
The Portfolios normally send redemption proceeds on the next business day, but
in any event redemption proceeds are sent within seven days of receipt of a
redemption request in proper form.
A written redemption request to the Transfer Agent must: (i) identify the
Portfolio and the shareholder's account number; (ii) state the number of shares
to be redeemed; and (iii) be signed by each registered owner exactly as the
shares are registered. If the shares to be redeemed were issued in certificate
form, the certificates must be endorsed for transfer (or be accompanied by an
endorsed stock power) and must be submitted to the Transfer Agent together with
the redemption request. A redemption request for an amount in excess of $5,000,
or for any amount if for payment other than to the shareholder of record, or if
the proceeds are to be sent elsewhere than the address of record, must be
accompanied by signature guarantees. The guarantor of a signature must
<PAGE>
be a national bank or trust company (not a savings bank), a member bank of the
Federal Reserve System or a member firm of a national securities exchange. The
Transfer Agent may require additional supporting documents for redemptions made
by corporations, executors, administrators, trustees and guardians. A redemption
request will not be deemed to be properly received until the Transfer Agent
receives all required documents in proper form. Questions with respect to the
proper form for redemption requests should be directed to the Transfer Agent at
the numbers listed on the cover of this Prospectus.
Delivery of the proceeds of a redemption of shares purchased and paid for by
check shortly before the receipt of the request may be delayed until the
Portfolio determines that its Custodian Bank has completed collection of the
purchase check which may take up to 15 days from the purchase date. The Board of
Directors may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment
during any period when: (a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted
as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission or such Exchange is
closed for other than weekends and holidays; (b) the Securities and Exchange
Commission has by order permitted such suspension; or (c) an emergency, as
defined by rules of the Commission, exists during which time the sale of
Portfolio securities or valuation of securities held by the Portfolio are not
reasonably practicable.
Each Portfolio also reserves the right to redeem an investor's account where the
aggregate account is worth less than the minimum initial investment required
when the account is established, presently $5,000. (The minimum initial
investment may be divided between the Portfolios. Any redemption of shares from
an inactive account established with a minimum investment may reduce the account
below the minimum initial investment, and could subject the account to such
redemption). The Portfolio will advise the shareholder of such intention in
writing at least sixty (60) days prior to effecting such redemption, during
which time the shareholder may purchase additional shares in any amount
necessary to bring the account back to $5,000, and the Portfolio will not redeem
an investor's account which is worth less than $5,000 solely on account of a
market decline.
If the Board determines that it would be detrimental to the best interest of the
remaining shareholders of a Portfolio to make payment in cash, the Portfolio may
pay the redemption price in whole or in part by distribution in-kind of
securities from the Portfolio, within certain limits prescribed by the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission. Such securities will be valued on the
basis of the procedures used to determine the net asset value at the time of the
redemption. If shares are redeemed in-kind, the redeeming shareholder will incur
brokerage costs in converting the assets into cash.
<PAGE>
SPECIAL PLANS
Each Portfolio also offers its shares for use in certain Tax Sheltered (such as
IRA, Keogh, 401(k) and 403(b)(7) plans) and Withdrawal Plans. Information on
these Plans is available from the Portfolios' Distributor or by reviewing the
Statement of Additional Information.
Exchange Privilege. Shareholders of a Portfolio may exchange all or part of
their shares into any other Portfolio, at net asset value, with a maximum of two
exchanges per calendar year. There is no fee for exchanges. Shares of a
Portfolio are available only in states where such shares may lawfully be sold.
The amount invested must equal or exceed the required minimum investment of the
Portfolio which is purchased. A shareholder requesting an exchange will be sent
a current prospectus and an exchange authorization form to authorize the
exchange. To exchange shares, shareholders should contact the Portfolios'
Distributor. Exchanges may not be made by telephone. The Fund retains the right
to modify the terms of its exchange privilege or to terminate the privilege.
An exchange, for tax purposes, constitutes the sale of one Portfolio and the
purchase of another. The sale may involve either a capital gain or loss to the
shareholder for federal income tax purposes.
PERFORMANCE
Total return data may from time to time be included in advertisements about the
Portfolios.
"Total return" of a Portfolio of the Fund refers to the average annual
compounded rates of return over certain periods that would equate an initial
amount invested at the beginning of a stated period from which the maximum sales
load is deducted, to the ending redeemable value of the investment. The Fund
will provide total returns for the Portfolios for one, five and ten-year
periods, as well as from inception. Nonstandardized total return quotations may
also be presented for other periods, or to reflect voluntary expense limitations
in effect for the Fund in question during the relevant period, or to reflect
investment at reduced sales charge levels or net asset value. Any quotation of
total return not reflecting the maximum sales charge, or which reflects any
voluntary expense limitations, would be reduced if the maximum sales charge were
used or Fund expenses were not voluntarily limited.
The Fund may also include the yield of The Crowley Income Portfolio, accompanied
by its total return, in advertising and other written material. Yield will be
computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned during a recent
one-month period by the maximum offering price per share of the Portfolio
(reduced by any undeclared earned income expected to be paid shortly as a
dividend) on the last day of the period.
The Portfolios may also compare their investment performance to
<PAGE>
appropriate market indexes such as the S&P Index and to appropriate mutual fund
indexes; they may advertise their ranking compared to other similar mutual funds
as reported by industry analysts such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
All data will be based on a Portfolio's past investment results and does not
predict future performance. Investment performance, which will vary, is based on
many factors, including market conditions, the composition of the investments in
a Portfolio, and a Portfolio's operating expenses. Investment performance also
often reflects the risk associated with a Portfolio's investment objective and
policies. These factors should be considered when comparing a Portfolio to other
mutual funds and other investment vehicles.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
The line graphs depicted below for The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio, The
Crowley Income Portfolio, and The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio,
respectively, illustrate the performance of $10,000 in each Portfolio from
November 30, 1989 to November 30, 1997 (April 3, 1995 to November 30, 1997 for
%The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio), as compared to certain
broad-based indexes.
The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio
[Line graph and total return table appear here]
The line graph illustrates the past performance of The Crowley Growth and
Income Portfolio as compared to the Lipper Growth & Income Index. The chart
illustrates that a $10,000 investment in November of 1989 would be worth
$29,972 for the Lipper Growth & Income Index and $16,495 for The Crowley
Growth and Income Portfolio through November 30, 1997. The average annual
total return chart for The Crowley Growth & Income Portfolio appears next
to the line graph. This chart illustrates that the average annual total
return for The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio was 8.08%, 7.11% and
6.47% for the one, five and since inception time periods, respectively.
Source: LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICE, INC.
The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio ("T.C.G.P.") is an investment vehicle
which seeks to achieve long term growth of capital and, secondarily, current
income. The investment vehicles for this Portfolio are common stocks and fixed
income investments. During times when the Advisor perceives that stock prices
are fully valued for investment purposes, the Advisor will increase the
percentage of fixed income investments. In the Advisor's judgment, this has been
the case for most of the existence of the Portfolio, and the Advisor has chosen
to invest in a balance of common stocks, preferred stocks, money market
instruments and bonds, both U.S. government and corporate. During recent years,
common stocks have comprised a smaller than anticipated portion of the
Portfolio's assets.
During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997, "T.C.G.P." had a total return of
8.08%. An index of funds which invest in predominately stocks and some bonds
(the "Lipper Growth & Income Index") returned 23.56% for the same period. While
it is difficult to determine the composition of each fund within the index, the
Advisor would estimate that the average fund in the index had maintained a much
higher stock exposure than that
<PAGE>
of "T.C.G.P." The historical balance of investments of "T.C.G.P." is more
reflective of the Lipper Growth & Income Index than of a growth index, but the
Portfolio also maintained a much larger cash and cash equivalent position than
funds within the Lipper Growth and Income Index. The Advisor continues to
believe that stocks are fully valued and that a correction is needed to make the
risk-reward ratio of investing in stocks more attractive for the long term value
investor. With interest rates at historically low levels, management believes
that these overvaluations could continue for a longer period of time than
normal.
For the five year period ended November 30, 1997, the market value of the
"T.C.G.P." would have been $14,096 and $21,989 for the Lipper Growth & Income
Index. Since inception, "T.C.G.P." produced an investment value of $16,979,
while the investment value for the Lipper Growth & Income Index would have been
$29,972. The Advisor attributes the difference in investment value to the
conservative management philosophy of the advisor and the continuance of an
overextended stock market cycle.
<PAGE>
The Crowley Income Portfolio
[Line graph and total return table appear here]
The line graph illustrates the past performance of The Crowley Income
Portfolio as compared to both the Lipper Short A Index and the Lipper
Corporate A Index. The chart illustrates that a $10,000 investment in
November of 1989 would be worth $17,277 for The Crowley Income Portfolio,
$18,931 for the Lipper Corporate A Index and $16,957 for the Lipper Short A
index through November 30, 1997. The average total return chart for The
Crowley Income Portfolio appears next to the line graph. This chart
illustrates that the average annual total return for The Crowley Growth
Portfolio was 7.34%, 5.94% and 7.09% for the one, five, and since
inception time periods, respectively.
Source: LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICE, INC.
The objective of the Crowley Income Portfolio ("T.C.I.P.") is to maximize
current income, consistent with prudent risk. The Portfolio has the flexibility
to invest in several types of fixed income vehicles but the majority of its
investments must be by definition investment grade, which means they must be in
one of the four top ratings of certain nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations. (See "Risk Factors-Fixed-Income-Securities"). Since inception,
"T.C.I.P." has invested almost exclusively in high quality corporate bonds,
government and government agency bonds. By investing in such bonds, the
Portfolio has been able to reduce its exposure to the risk of default by any one
issuer. Over the eight years of operations, the Portfolio has not held any
securities that have defaulted or missed a coupon payment.
A second area of risk management has been through the use of maturity length.
Over the past eight years, the Advisor has taken a short to intermediate
approach to maturities. By selecting bonds which mature or are callable in
several years, the Advisor attempts to control the price volatility of
investments within the Portfolio. This should add an element of downside risk
protection in the event that interest rates were to rise.
As of November 30, 1997, the dollar weighted average maturity was 10.3 years, as
compared to 10.5 years as of November 30, 1996. The Advisor has continued to
maintain an investment position in preferred stocks. "T.C.I.P." had a total
return of 7.34% for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997. By comparison, the
Lipper Investment Grade Bond Index (Corporate A) had an investment return of
7.07% for the same period. The Lipper Short Investment Grade Bond Index (Short
A) had an investment return of 5.55%. Both indices may be comparable to the
Portfolio, depending on maturity and duration during a given period.
For the five year period ended November 30, 1997, the investment value for the
Short A would have been $13,234, the Corporate A would have been
<PAGE>
$14,408, while the "T.C.I.P." produced an investment value of $13,347. Since
inception, "T.C.I.P." produced an investment value of $17,277, while the
Corporate A would have been $18,931 and $16,957 for the Short A. Over the first
six years, the Advisor continued to maintain a shorter weighted average maturity
and has over the last two years increased the weighted average maturity. During
the first six years the weighted average maturity was more similar to that of a
Short A index and currently reflects more of a Corporate A index.
<PAGE>
The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio
[Line graph and total return table appear here]
The line graph illustrates the past performance for The Crowley Diversified
Management Portfolio as compared to the Lipper Growth Index. The chart
illustrates that a $10,000 investment in April of 1995 would have been
worth $13,614 for The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio and $18,269
for the Lipper Growth Index through November 30, 1997. The average return
chart for the one year period and inception to November 30, 1997 for The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio appears next to the line graph.
The Fund's average total return for the one year and since inception time
periods was 11.64 and 12.19%.
Source: LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICE, INC.
The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio ("T.C.D.M.") seeks high total
return consistent with reasonable risk. The Portfolio invests primarily in
shares of other registered investment companies. Since inception in April of
1995, "T.C.D.M." had an investment value of $13,614. There is not a readily
available index for similar portfolios, which might be labeled "Flexible
Portfolio Funds Index", so management has chosen to compare the Lipper Growth
Index as the broad based index with which to compare "T.C.D.M." During the same
period, (April 3, 1995 to November 30, 1997), the index would have produced an
investment value of $18,269. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997,
"T.C.D.M." had a total return of 11.64%. The Lipper Growth Index would have had
a total return of 23.65%. At year end "T.C.D.M." had investments in 35 mutual
funds in 12 different fund groups. The greatest weighting was that of the
Growth/Income category (17.07%), followed by Growth (14.16%), Aggressive Growth
(10.82%), Small Company (10.19%), Corporate High-Yield (7.18%), Balanced
(5.84%), Income - Equity (5.52%), and Corporate - Investment Grade (2.11%). The
International portion of the Portfolio was at 19.98% as of November 30, 1997.
Management, over the next several years, intends to increase the number of
different companies to approximately 50, while continuing to stay close to fully
invested.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF UNDERLYING FUNDS
Convertible Securities
Certain preferred stocks and debt securities that may be held by an underlying
fund have conversion features allowing the holder to convert securities into
another specified security (usually common stock) of the same issuer at a
specified conversion ratio (e.g., two shares of preferred for one share of
common stock) at some specified future date or period. The market value of
convertible securities generally includes a premium that reflects the conversion
right. That premium may be negligible or substantial. To the extent that any
preferred stock or debt security remains unconverted after the expiration of the
conversion period, the market value will fall to the extent represented by that
premium.
Foreign Investments
The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio (the "Portfolio") may invest in
certain underlying funds which invest all or a portion of their assets in
foreign securities. Investing in securities of non-U.S. companies, which are
generally denominated in foreign currencies, and utilization of forward foreign
currency exchange contracts and other currency hedging techniques involve
certain considerations comprising both opportunity and risk not typically
associated with investing in U.S. dollar-denominated securities. Risks unique to
international investing include: (1) restrictions on foreign investment and on
repatriation of capital; (2) fluctuations in currency exchange rates; (3) costs
of converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars; (4) price volatility and less
liquidity; (5) settlement practices, including delays, which may differ from
those customary in U.S. markets; (6) exposure to political and economic risks,
including the risk of nationalization, expropriation of assets, and war; (7)
possible imposition of foreign taxes and exchange control and currency
restrictions; (8) lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting
standards; (9) less governmental supervision of securities markets, brokers and
issuers of securities; (10) less financial information available to investors;
(11) difficulty in enforcing legal rights outside the U.S.; and (12) higher
costs, including custodial fees. These risks are often heightened for
investments in emerging or developing countries.
Foreign Currency Transactions
Foreign securities in which the underlying funds invest are subject to currency
risk, (i.e, the risk that the U.S. dollar value of these securities may be
affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates
and exchange control regulations.) To manage this risk and facilitate the
purchase and sale of foreign securities, these underlying funds may engage in
foreign currency
<PAGE>
transactions involving the purchase and sale of forward foreign currency
exchange contracts. Although foreign currency transactions will be used
primarily to protect the underlying funds from adverse currency movements, they
also involve the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately
predicted and the underlying funds' total return could be adversely affected.
Futures Contracts
An underlying fund may enter into futures contracts for the purchase or sale of
debt securities and stock indexes. A futures contract is an agreement between
two parties to buy and sell a security or an index for a set price on a future
date. Futures contracts are traded on designated "contract markets" which,
through their clearing corporations, guarantee performance of the contracts.
Generally, if market interest rates increase, the value of outstanding debt
securities declines (and vice versa). Entering into a futures contract for the
sale of securities has an effect similar to the actual sale of securities,
although sale of the futures contract might be accomplished more easily and
quickly. For example, if a fund holds long-term U.S. Government securities and
it anticipates a rise in long-term interest rates, it could, in lieu of
disposing of its portfolio securities, enter into futures contracts for the sale
of similar long-term securities. If rates increased and the value of the fund's
portfolio securities declined, the value of the fund's futures contracts would
increase, thereby protecting the fund by preventing the net asset value from
declining as much as it otherwise would have. Similarly, entering into futures
contracts for the purchase of securities has an effect similar to the actual
purchase of the underlying securities but permits the continued holding of
securities other than the underlying securities. For example, if the fund
expects long-term interest rates to decline, it might enter into futures
contracts for the purchase of long-term securities so that it could gain rapid
market exposure that may offset anticipated increases in the cost of securities
it intends to purchase while continuing to hold higher-yield short-term
securities or waiting for the long-term market to stabilize.
A stock index futures contract may be used to hedge an underlying fund's
portfolio with regard to market risk as distinguished from risk relating to a
specific security. A stock index futures contract does not require the physical
delivery of securities but merely provides for profits and losses resulting from
changes in the market value of the contract to be credited or debited at the
close of each trading day to the respective accounts of the parties to the
contract. On the contract's expiration date, a final cash settlement occurs.
Changes in the market value of a particular stock index futures contract reflect
changes in the specified index of equity securities on which the future is
based.
There are several risks in connection with the use of futures contracts. In the
event of an imperfect correlation between the futures contract and the portfolio
position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be
obtained, and the fund may be exposed to
<PAGE>
risk of loss. Further, unanticipated changes in interest rates or stock price
movements may result in a poorer overall performance for the fund than if it had
not entered into futures contracts on debt securities or stock indexes.
In addition, the market prices of futures contracts may be affected by certain
factors. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin
deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin
deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting
transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the securities
and futures markets. Second, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit
requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in
the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the
futures market may also cause temporary price distortions.
Finally, positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or
board of trade which provides a secondary market for such futures. There is no
assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange or board of trade will
exist for any particular contract or at any particular time.
Options on Futures Contracts
A fund also may purchase and sell listed put and call options on futures
contracts. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in
return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long
position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at
a specified exercise price at any time during the option period. When an option
on a futures contract is exercised, delivery of the futures position is
accompanied by cash representing the difference between the current market price
of the futures contract and the exercise price of the option. The fund may
purchase put options on futures contracts in lieu of, and for the same purpose
as, a sale of a futures contract. It also may purchase such put options in order
to hedge a long position in the underlying futures contract in the same manner
as it purchases "protective puts" on securities.
As with options on securities, the holder of an option may terminate a position
by selling an option of the same series. There is no guarantee that such closing
transactions can be effected. The fund is required to deposit initial margin and
maintenance margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts
written by it pursuant to brokers' requirements similar to those applicable to
futures contracts described above, and, in addition, net option premiums
received will be included as initial margin deposits.
In addition to the risks which apply to all options transactions, there are
several special risks relating to options on futures contracts. The ability to
establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the
development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is not certain that
this market will develop. Compared to the use of
<PAGE>
futures contracts, the purchase of options on futures contracts involves less
potential risk to the fund, because the maximum amount at risk is the premium
paid for the options (plus transaction costs). However, there may be
circumstances when the use of an option on a futures contract would result in a
loss to the fund when the use of a futures contract would not, such as when
there is no movement in the prices of the underlying securities. Writing an
option on a futures contract involves risks similar to those arising in the sale
of futures contracts as described above.
Options Activities
An underlying fund may write (i.e., sell) listed call options ("calls") if the
calls are "covered" throughout the life of the option. A call is "covered" if
the fund owns the optioned securities. When a fund writes a call, it receives a
premium and gives the purchaser the right to buy the underlying security at any
time during the call period (usually not more than nine months in the case of
common stock) at a fixed exercise price regardless of market price changes
during the call period. If the call is exercised, the fund will forgo any gain
from an increase in the market price of the underlying security over the
exercise price.
A fund may purchase a call on securities only to effect a "closing purchase
transaction" which is the purchase of a call covering the same underlying
security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as a call
previously written by the fund on which it wishes to terminate its obligation.
If the fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be
able to sell the underlying security until the call previously written by the
fund expires (or until the call is exercised and the fund delivers the
underlying security).
An underlying fund also may write and purchase put options ("puts"). When a fund
writes a put, it receives a premium and gives the purchaser of the put the right
to sell the underlying security to the fund at the exercise price at any time
during the option period. When a fund purchases a put, it pays a premium in
return for the right to sell the underlying security at the exercise price at
any time during the option period. An underlying fund also may purchase stock
index puts which differ from puts on individual securities in that they are
settled in cash based on the values of the securities in the underlying index
rather than by delivery of the underlying securities. Purchase of a stock index
put is designed to protect against decline in the value of the portfolio
generally rather than an individual security in the portfolio. If any put is not
exercised or sold, it will become worthless on its expiration date.
A fund's option positions may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a
secondary market for options of the same series, but there can be no assurance
that a liquid secondary market will exist at a given time for any particular
option. In this regard, trading in options on
<PAGE>
certain securities (such as U.S. Government securities) is relatively new so
that it is impossible to predict to what extent liquid markets will develop or
continue.
The underlying fund's custodian, or a securities depository acting for it,
generally acts as escrow agent for the securities on which the fund has written
puts or calls or for other securities acceptable for such escrow, so that no
margin deposit is required of the fund. Until the underlying securities are
released from escrow, they cannot be sold by the fund.
In the event of a shortage of the underlying securities deliverable on exercise
of an option, the Options Clearing Corporation has the authority to permit
other, generally comparable securities to be delivered in fulfillment of option
exercise obligations. If the Options Clearing Corporation exercises its
discretionary authority to allow such other securities to be delivered, it may
also adjust the exercise prices of the affected options by setting different
prices at which otherwise ineligible securities may be delivered. As an
alternative to permitting such substitute deliveries, the Options Clearing
Corporation may impose special exercise settlement procedures.
Hedging
An underlying fund may employ many of the investment techniques described in
this APPENDIX not only for investment purposes, but also for hedging purposes.
For example, an underlying fund may purchase or sell put and call options on
common stocks to hedge against movements in individual common stock prices or
purchase and sell stock index futures and related options to hedge against
market wide movements in common stock prices. Although such hedging techniques
generally tend to minimize the risk of loss that is hedged against, they also
may limit commensurately the potential gain that might have resulted had the
hedging transaction not occurred. Also, the desired protection generally
resulting from hedging transactions may not always be achieved.
Junk Bonds
Bonds which are rated BB and below by Standard & Poor's and Ba and below by
Moody's (See "RISK FACTORS - Fixed-income Securities" for a more detailed
explanation of bond ratings) are commonly known as "junk bonds." Investing in
junk bonds involves special risks in addition to the risks associated with
investments in higher rated debt securities. Junk bonds may be regarded as
predominately speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing ability to
meet principal and interest payments.
Junk bonds may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and
competitive industry conditions than higher grade securities. The prices of junk
bonds have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than more
highly rated investments but more sensitive to
<PAGE>
adverse economic downturns or individual corporate developments. A projection of
an economic downturn or of a period of rising interest rates, for example, could
cause a decline in junk bonds prices, because the advent of a recession could
lessen the ability of a highly leveraged company to make principal and interest
payments on its debt securities. If the issuer of junk bonds defaults, a fund
may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. In the case of junk bonds
structured as zero coupon or payment-in-kind securities, the market prices of
such securities are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes and,
therefore, tend to be more volatile than securities which pay interest
periodically and in cash.
The secondary markets on which junk bonds are traded may be less liquid than the
market for higher grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading
markets could adversely affect and cause large fluctuations in the daily net
asset value of a fund's shares. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions,
whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and
liquidity of junk bonds, especially in a thinly traded market.
There may be special tax considerations associated with investing in junk bonds
structured as zero coupon or payment-in-kind securities. A fund records the
interest on these securities as income even though it receives no cash interest
until the security's maturity or payment date. A fund will be required to
distribute all or substantially all such amounts annually and may have to obtain
the cash to do so by selling securities which otherwise would continue to be
held. Shareholders will be taxed on these distributions.
The use of credit ratings as the sole method of evaluating junk bonds can
involve certain risks. For example, credit ratings evaluate the safety of
principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of junk bonds. Also,
credit rating agencies may fail to change credit ratings in a timely fashion to
reflect events since the security was last rated.
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
An underlying fund may invest not more than 15% of its net assets in securities
for which there is no readily available market ("illiquid securities") including
securities the disposition of which would be subject to legal restrictions
(so-called "restricted securities") and repurchase agreements having more than
seven days to maturity. A considerable period of time may elapse between an
underlying fund's decision to dispose of such securities and the time when the
fund is able to dispose of them, during which time the value of the securities
(and therefore the value of the underlying fund's shares held by the Portfolio)
could decline.
<PAGE>
Industry Concentration
An underlying fund may concentrate its investments within one industry. Because
the scope of investment alternatives within an industry is limited, the value of
the shares of such an underlying fund may be subject to greater market
fluctuation than an investment in a fund which invests in a broader range of
securities.
Leverage through Borrowing
An underlying fund may borrow up to 33 1/3% of the value of its net assets on an
unsecured basis from banks to increase its holdings of portfolio securities.
Under the 1940 Act, a fund is required to maintain continuous asset coverage of
300% with respect to such borrowings and to sell (within three days) sufficient
portfolio holdings to restore such coverage if it should decline to less than
300% due to market fluctuations or otherwise, even if disadvantageous from an
investment standpoint. Leveraging will exaggerate the effect of any increase or
decrease in the value of portfolio securities on a fund's net asset value, and
money borrowed will be subject to interest costs (which may include commitment
fees and/or the cost of maintaining minimum average balances) which may or may
not exceed the interest and option premiums received from the securities
purchased with borrowed funds.
Loans of Portfolio Securities
An underlying fund may lend its portfolio securities provided that: (1) the loan
is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities
or cash or cash equivalents maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an
amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned; (2)
the fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of the securities
loaned; (3) the fund will receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned
securities; and (4) the aggregate market value of securities loaned will not at
any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the fund. Loans of securities
involve a risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities or may fail
to provide additional collateral.
Master Demand Notes
Although the Portfolio itself will not do so, underlying funds (particularly
money market mutual funds) may invest up to 100% of their assets in master
demand notes. Master demand notes are unsecured obligations of U.S. corporations
redeemable upon notice that permit investment by a fund of fluctuating amounts
at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between the fund
and the issuing corporation. Because they are direct arrangements between the
fund and the issuing corporation, there is no secondary market for the notes.
However, they are redeemable at face value plus accrued interest at any time.
<PAGE>
Repurchase Agreements
Underlying funds, particularly money market funds, may enter into repurchase
agreements with banks and broker-dealers under which they acquire securities
subject to an agreement with the seller to repurchase the securities at an
agreed upon time and price. These agreements are considered under the 1940 Act
to be loans by the purchaser collateralized by the underlying securities. If the
seller should default on its obligation to repurchase the securities, the
underlying fund may experience delay or difficulties in exercising its rights to
realize upon the securities held as collateral and might incur a loss if the
value of the securities should decline.
Short Sales
An underlying fund may sell securities short. In a short sale, a fund sells
stock which it does not own, making delivery with securities "borrowed" from a
broker. The fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by
purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. This price may not
be less than the price at which the security was sold by the fund. Until the
security is replaced, the fund is required to pay to the lender any dividends or
interest which accrue during the period of the loan. In order to borrow the
security, the fund may also have to pay a premium which would increase the cost
of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the
broker to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements until the short
position is closed out.
The fund also must deposit in a segregated account an amount of cash or U.S.
Government securities equal to the difference between: (a) the market value of
the securities sold short at the time they were sold short; and (b) the value of
the collateral deposited with the broker in connection with the short sale (not
including the proceeds from the short sale). While the short position is open,
the fund must maintain daily the segregated account at such a level that: (1)
the amount deposited in it plus the amount deposited with the broker as
collateral equals the current market value of the securities sold short; and (2)
the amount deposited in it plus the amount deposited with the broker as
collateral is not less than the market value of the securities at the time they
were sold short. Depending upon market conditions, up to 80% of the value of a
fund's net assets may be deposited as collateral for the obligation to replace
securities borrowed to effect short sales and allocated to a segregated account
in connection with short sales.
The fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the
security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the
fund replaces the borrowed security. The fund will realize a gain if the
security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will be
decreased and the amount of any loss increased by the amount of any premium,
dividends, or interest the fund may be required to pay in connection with a
short sale.
<PAGE>
A short sale is "against the box" if at all times when the short position is
open the fund owns an equal amount of the securities or securities convertible
into, or exchangeable without further consideration for, securities of the same
issue as the securities sold short. Such a transaction serves to defer a gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes.
Warrants
An underlying fund may invest in warrants, which are options to purchase equity
securities at specific prices valid for a specific period of time. The prices do
not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities.
Warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends, and have no rights with
respect to the assets of the issuer. If a warrant is not exercised within the
specified time period, it will become worthless and the fund will lose the
purchase price and the right to purchase the underlying security.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Crowley & Crowley Corp.
3201-B Millcreek Road
Suite H
Wilmington, DE 19808
DISTRIBUTOR
Crowley Securities
3201-B Millcreek Road
Suite H
Wilmington, DE 198108
TRANSFER AGENT
The Crowley Financial Group, Inc.
3201-B Millcreek Road
Suite H
Wilmington, DE 19808
CUSTODIAN
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, DE 19890
LEGAL COUNSEL
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP
2600 One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7098
AUDITORS
Tait, Weller & Baker
Eight Penn Center
Suite 800
Philadelphia, PA 19103
<PAGE>
The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc.
Prospectus
March 30, 1998
Contents Page
Expenses of the Portfolios . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment Objectives and Policies
of Each Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment Restrictions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital Stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Distribution of Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent . . . . . . . .
General Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes . . . . . . . . . .
Determination of Net Asset Value . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Purchase Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Redeem Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management's Discussion of Fund Performance. . . . . .
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
<PAGE>
THE CROWLEY PORTFOLIO GROUP, INC.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATED MARCH 30, 1998
3201-B Millcreek Road, Suite H, Wilmington, DE 19808
The Distributor may be telephoned at (302) 994-4700
A copy of the Prospectus of The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc. (the "Fund") is
available without charge upon written request to the Fund.
The Fund is an open-end diversified investment company currently offering three
series of shares: The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio (formerly, The Crowley
Growth Portfolio; see "Investment Objectives and Policies of Each Portfolio -
The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio" in the Fund's prospectus), The Crowley
Income Portfolio, and The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio (each, a
"Portfolio"). The shares of each Portfolio may be purchased or redeemed at any
time. Purchases will be effected at the public offering price and redemptions
will be effected at net asset value next computed after the receipt of the
investor's request.
The objective of The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio is long-term growth of
capital for investors, with the secondary objective being current income. The
objective of The Crowley Income Portfolio is to maximize current income,
consistent with prudent risk (i.e. reasonable risk to principal). The objective
of The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio is high total return consistent
with reasonable risk. The Portfolios will use a variety of investment strategies
in an effort to balance portfolio risks and to hedge market risks. There can be
no assurance that the objectives of the Portfolios will be achieved.
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND SHOULD BE READ
IN CONNECTION WITH THE FUND'S PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 30, 1998. RETAIN THIS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Money Market Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment Company Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portfolio Turnover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INVESTMENT ADVISOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DISTRIBUTOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TRANSFER AGENCY FUNCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PURCHASE OF SHARES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax-Sheltered Retirement Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GENERAL INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audits and Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PERFORMANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comparisons and Advertisements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Each Portfolio seeks to achieve its objective by making investments selected in
accordance with the Portfolio's investment restrictions and policies. Each
Portfolio will vary its investment strategy to achieve its objective, as
described in the Portfolio's prospectus. This Statement of Additional
Information contains further information concerning the techniques and
operations of each Portfolio, the securities in which it will invest, and the
policies it will follow.
Money Market Securities
Although The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio (formerly, The Crowley Growth
Portfolio) intends to invest in common stocks and common stock equivalents, The
Crowley Income Portfolio will primarily invest in debt securities,
dividend-paying stocks and preferred stocks; The Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio concentrates its investments in shares of registered investment
companies. Each Portfolio may invest its assets directly in money market
securities whenever deemed appropriate by the advisor to achieve the Portfolio's
investment objective. It may invest, without limitation, in such securities for
temporary defensive purposes.
Securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United
States government ("Government Securities") include a variety of Treasury
securities, which differ in their interest rates, maturities and dates of issue.
Treasury bills have a maturity of one year or less; Treasury notes have
maturities of one to ten years; Treasury bonds generally have a maturity of
greater than five years. The Portfolios will only acquire Government Securities
which are supported by the "full faith and credit" of the United States.
Securities which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States
include Treasury bills, Treasury notes, Treasury bonds, and obligations of the
Government National Mortgage Association, the Farmers Home Administration, and
the Export-Import Bank. The Portfolios' direct investments in money market
securities will generally favor securities with shorter maturities (maturities
of less than 60 days) which are less affected by price fluctuations than those
with longer maturities.
Certificates of deposit are certificates issued against funds deposited in a
commercial bank or a savings and loan association for a definite period of time
and earning a specified return. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable drafts or
bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific
merchandise, which are "accepted" by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank
unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.
Investments in bank certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances are
generally limited to domestic banks and savings and loan associations that are
members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or Federal Savings and Loan
<PAGE>
Insurance Corporation having a net worth of at least one hundred million dollars
("Domestic Banks") and domestic branches of foreign banks (limited to
institutions having total assets not less than $1 billion or its equivalent).
Investments in prime commercial paper may be made in notes, drafts, or similar
instruments payable on demand or having a maturity at the time of issuance not
exceeding nine months, exclusive of days of grace, or any renewal thereof
payable on demand or having a maturity likewise limited.
Under a repurchase agreement the Portfolio acquires a debt instrument for a
relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to the
obligation of the seller to repurchase and the Portfolio to resell such debt
instrument at a fixed price. The Portfolio will enter into repurchase agreements
only with banks which are members of the Federal Reserve System, or securities
dealers who are members of a national securities exchange or are market-makers
in government securities and report to the Market Reports Division of the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York and, in either case, only where the debt
instrument collateralizing the repurchase agreement is a U.S. Treasury or agency
obligation supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. A repurchase
agreement may also be viewed as the loan of money by the Portfolio to the
seller. The resale price specified is normally in excess of the purchase price,
reflecting an agreed upon interest rate. The rate is effective for the period of
time the Portfolio is invested in the agreement and may not be related to the
coupon rate on the underlying security. The term of these repurchase agreements
will usually be short (from overnight to one week) and at no time will a
Portfolio invest in repurchase agreements of more than sixty days. The
securities which are collateral for the repurchase agreements, however, may have
maturity dates in excess of sixty days from the effective date of the repurchase
agreement. A Portfolio will always receive, as collateral, securities whose
market value, including accrued interest, will be at least equal to 102% of the
dollar amount to be paid to the Portfolio under each agreement at its maturity,
and the Portfolio will make payment for such securities only upon physical
delivery or evidence of book entry transfer to the account of the Custodian. If
the seller defaults, the Portfolio might incur a loss if the value of the
collateral securing the repurchase agreement declines, and might incur
disposition costs in connection with liquidation of the collateral. In addition,
if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the
security, collection of the collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or
limited. A Portfolio may not enter into a repurchase agreement with more than
seven days to maturity if, as a result, more than 10% of the market value of the
Portfolio's net assets would be invested in such repurchase agreements together
with any other illiquid assets.
<PAGE>
Foreign Investments
The Portfolios have the authority to invest up to 5% of their respective assets
in foreign securities, including sponsored or unsponsored American Depository
Receipts ("ADRs") for securities of foreign issuers, and the authority to invest
an additional 5% of their respective assets in sponsored or unsponsored American
Depository Receipts only. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or
trust company evidencing ownership of underlying foreign securities. These
securities are not denominated in the same currency as their underlying
securities, but rather in U.S. dollars. The issuers of unsponsored ADRs are not
obligated to disclose material information in the United States and therefore
there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of
unsponsored ADRs. Investment in foreign issuers, directly or through ADRs,
involves certain risks which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in
domestic investments. Such risks include the fact that there may be less
publicly available information about foreign companies, and such companies are
generally not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards.
Investment Company Securities
Each investment company in which The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio
invests will be a registered investment company, and will operate subject to a
variety of regulatory constraints. While such regulation does not guarantee the
investment success of an investment company, or assure that it will not suffer
investment losses, the Advisor believes that such investment companies provide a
sound foundation upon which to base an investment portfolio. By investing in a
broad spectrum of such companies the Portfolio hopes to benefit from the
collective research and analysis of many experienced investment personnel.
There are many types of investment companies. All maintain portfolios which are
generally liquid, but can be composed of different kinds of securities and
involve different objectives. Such companies may seek only income, only
appreciation, or various combinations of these. They may invest in money market
securities, short or long-term bonds, dividend producing stocks, tax-exempt
municipal securities, or a variety of other instruments. They may seek
speculative or conservative investments ranging from securities issued by new
companies to securities issued by "blue- chip" companies. An investment company
which has a policy of holding 80% of its assets in debt securities maturing in
thirteen months or less, or which holds itself out as a "money market fund,"
will be treated as a money market fund by the Portfolio.
The Portfolio's investment advisor will be responsible for monitoring and
evaluating these kinds of factors to select investment company fund securities
for the Portfolio in accordance with the policies and techniques described in
the prospectus.
<PAGE>
The Portfolio, by investing in shares of investment companies, indirectly pay a
portion of the operating expenses, management expenses and brokerage costs of
such companies as well as the expense of operating the Portfolio. Thus, the
Portfolio's investors will indirectly pay higher total operating expenses and
other costs than they would pay by owning the underlying investment companies
directly. The Portfolio attempts to identify investment companies that have
demonstrated superior management in the past, thus possibly offsetting these
factors by producing better results and/or lower costs and expenses than other
investment companies. There can be no assurance that this result will be
achieved.
Investment decisions by the investment advisors of the underlying funds are made
independently of the Portfolio and its Advisor. Therefore, the investment
advisor of one underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose
shares are being sold by the investment advisor of another such fund. The result
of this would be an indirect expense to the Portfolio without accomplishing any
investment purpose.
The Portfolio expects that it will select the investment companies in which it
will invest based, in part, upon an analysis of the past and projected
performance and investment structure of the investment companies. However, the
Portfolio must consider other factors in the selection of investment companies.
These other factors include the investment company's size, shareholder services,
liquidity, investment objective and investment techniques, etc. The Portfolio
will be affected by the losses of its underlying investment companies, and the
level of risk arising from the investment practices of such investment companies
(such as repurchase agreements, quality standards, or lending of securities) and
has no control over the risks taken by such investment companies. The Portfolio
can also elect to redeem (subject to the 1% limitation discussed in the
Portfolio's prospectus) its investment in an underlying investment company (or
sell it if the company is a closed-end one) if that action is considered
necessary or appropriate.
Portfolio Turnover
It is not the policy of the Portfolios to purchase or sell securities for
short-term trading purposes, but each Portfolio of the Fund may sell securities
to recognize gains or avoid potential for loss. A Portfolio of the Fund will,
however, sell any portfolio security (without regard to the time it has been
held) when the investment advisor believes that market conditions,
credit-worthiness factors or general economic conditions warrant such a step.
The Fund presently estimates that the annualized portfolio turnover rates for
The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio, The Crowley Income Portfolio, and The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio generally will not exceed 150%, 100%
and 200%, respectively. High portfolio turnover (100% or more) will involve
additional transaction costs (such as brokerage
<PAGE>
commissions or sales charges or adverse tax effects) which are borne by the
respective Portfolio. (See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in the
prospectus.) For the fiscal years ended November 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, the
portfolio turnover rates for The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio were
118.08%, 182.41% and 70.22%, respectively, and for The Crowley Income Portfolio
were 31.60%, 66.18% and 22.81%, respectively. For the period beginning April 3,
1995 (commencement of operations) through November 30, 1995 and fiscal years
ended November 30, 1996 and 1997, the portfolio turnovers for the Crowley
Diversified Management Portfolio were 0%, 20.69%, and 0%, respectively.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
In addition to those set forth in the Fund's current Prospectus, the Fund has
adopted the Investment Restrictions set forth below for each Portfolio, which
are fundamental policies and cannot be changed without the approval of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Portfolio. As provided in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, a "vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities" of each Portfolio means the affirmative vote of the lesser
of: (i) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio; or (ii) 67% or
more of the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding
shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. These investment
restrictions provide that each Portfolio will not:
(1) issue senior securities;
(2) engage in the underwriting of securities except insofar as the
Portfolio may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in
disposing of a portfolio security;
(3) purchase or sell real estate or interests therein, although it may
purchase securities of issuers which engage in real estate operations and
securities which are secured by real estate or interests therein;
(4) invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of another
company;
(5) purchase oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or royalty contracts
or exploration or development programs, except that the Portfolio may invest in
the securities of companies which invest in or sponsor such programs;
(6) concentrate (invest 25% or more of the value of its assets) its
investments in any industry (this restriction does not apply to The Crowley
Diversified Management Portfolio with respect to registered investment
companies);
<PAGE>
(7) make purchases of securities on "margin", or make short sales of
securities, provided that each Portfolio may enter into futures contracts and
related options and make initial and variation margin deposits in connection
therewith.
With the exception of investment restriction (f) in the Fund's Prospectus
relating to borrowing, so long as percentage restrictions are observed by each
Portfolio at the time it purchases any security, changes in values of particular
Portfolio assets or the assets of the Portfolio as a whole will not cause a
violation of any of the foregoing restrictions.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
The Management Contract for The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio (formerly,
The Crowley Growth Portfolio) and The Crowley Income Portfolio became effective
on December 6, 1989 for an initial term of two years. Shareholders of the Fund
approved those Management Contracts on November 29, 1990. The Management
Contract for The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio initially became
effective on April 1, 1995. The Management Contracts are initially effective for
a two-year term, and, thereafter, continue in effect from year-to-year only if
such continuance is approved annually by either: (i) the Portfolio's Board of
Directors; or (2) by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the respective Portfolio of the Fund and, in either case, by the vote of a
majority of the directors who are not parties to the Management Contract or
interested persons (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended) of any party to the Management Contract, voting in-person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Agreements may be
terminated at any time without penalty by: (i) the Fund's Board of Directors; or
(ii) by a majority vote of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or by the
Investment Advisor, in each instance on not less than 60 days' written notice
and shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
The management fees for each Portfolio are paid monthly at the annual rate of
1.00%, 0.60% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of The Crowley Growth and
Income Portfolio, The Crowley Income Portfolio and The Crowley Diversified
Management Portfolio,
respectively.
For the fiscal years ended November 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, the adviser
received fees of $60,261, $66,981 and $66,416, respectively, for The Crowley
Growth and Income Portfolio and $46,815, $55,642 and $55,578, respectively, for
The Crowley Income Portfolio. With regard to The Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio, for period beginning April 3, 1995 (commencement of operations) to
November 30, 1995 and the fiscal years ended November 30, 1996 and 1997 the
adviser received fees of $4,534,
<PAGE>
$12,059 and $19,044, respectively.
The officers and directors of The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc. and their
positions held with the Fund are as follows: Robert A. Crowley, President and
Treasurer; Frederick J. Crowley, Jr., Vice President and Secretary; Catherine C.
Crowley, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.
DISTRIBUTOR
Pursuant to the Fund's Distribution Agreement, the expenses of printing all
sales literature, including prospectuses used as sales material, are to be borne
by the Distributor. The Distribution Agreement for each Portfolio provides that
it will continue in effect from year-to-year only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by either the Fund's Board of Directors
or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
respective Portfolio of the Fund and, in either case, by the vote of a majority
of the Fund's disinterested directors, voting in-person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval. The Agreement will terminate
automatically in the event of its assignment. Under the Distribution Agreement,
the Distributor is the exclusive agent for the Portfolio's shares, and has the
right to select selling dealers to offer the shares to investors.
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE
The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc., in effecting the purchases and sales of
portfolio securities for the account of the Fund, will seek execution of trades
either: (i) at the most favorable and competitive rate of commission charged by
any broker, dealer or member of an exchange; or (ii) at a higher rate of
commission charges if reasonable in relation to brokerage and research services
provided to the Fund or the Investment Advisor by such member, broker, or
dealer. Such services may include, but are not limited to, any one or more of
the following: Information as to the availability of securities for purchase or
sale; statistical or factual information or opinions pertaining to investments.
The Fund's Investment Advisor may use research and services provided to it by
brokers and dealers in servicing all its clients, however, not all such services
will be used by the Investment Advisor in connection with the Fund. Brokerage
may also be allocated to dealers in consideration of the Fund's share
distribution but only when execution and price are comparable to that offered by
other brokers.
The Investment Advisor is responsible for making the Fund's portfolio decisions
subject to instructions described in the prospectus. The Board of Directors may,
however, impose limitations on the allocation of portfolio brokerage. For the
<PAGE>
fiscal years ended November 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, aggregate brokerage
commissions for The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio amounted to $9,232,
$14,393 and $5,117, respectively and for The Crowley Income Portfolio,
commissions amounted to $250, $515 and $0, respectively. For the period
beginning April 3, 1995 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 1995, and
the fiscal years ended November 30, 1996 and November 30, 1997, aggregate
brokerage commissions for The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio amounted
to $0, $0 and $0, respectively.
TRANSFER AGENCY FUNCTION
The Crowley Financial Group, Inc. ("CFG") serves as the Fund's transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for redemptions, performing all
the usual or ordinary services required, including: receiving and processing
orders and payments for purchases of shares, opening stockholder accounts,
preparing annual stockholder meeting lists, mailing proxy material, receiving
and tabulating proxies, mailing stockholder reports and prospectuses,
withholding certain taxes on nonresident alien accounts, disbursing income
dividends and capital distributions, preparing and filing U.S. Treasury
Department Form 1099 (or equivalent) for all stockholders, preparing and mailing
confirmation forms to stockholders for all purposes and redemption of the Fund's
shares and all other confirmable transactions in stockholders' accounts,
recording reinvestment of dividends and distributions of the Fund's shares and
causing redemption of shares for and disbursements of proceeds to withdrawal
plan stockholders. CFG is under common control with the Advisor and the
Distributor and, as compensation for its services, receives an asset-based fee.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
The shares of each Portfolio of the Fund are continuously offered by the
Distributor. Orders will not be considered complete until receipt by the
Distributor of a completed account application form, and receipt by the
Custodian of payment for the shares purchased. Once both are received, such
orders will be confirmed at the next determined net asset value (based upon
valuation procedures described in the prospectus) as of the close of business of
the business day on which the completed order is received, normally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time. Completed orders received by the Fund after 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern Standard Time will be confirmed at the next day's price.
Tax-Sheltered Retirement Plans
Shares of each Portfolio of the Fund are available to all types of tax-deferred
retirement plans including IRA's, Keogh Plans and tax-sheltered custodial
accounts described in Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. Qualified
investors benefit from the tax-
<PAGE>
free compounding of income dividends and capital gains distributions.
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) -- Individuals, who are not active
participants (and, when a joint return is filed, who do not have a spouse who is
an active participant) in an employer maintained retirement plan are eligible to
contribute on a deductible basis to an IRA account. The IRA deduction is also
retained for individual taxpayers and married couples with adjusted gross
incomes not in excess of certain specified limits. All individuals who have
earned income may make nondeductible IRA contributions to a separate account to
the extent that they are not eligible for a deductible contribution. Income
earned by an IRA account will continue to be tax deferred. A special IRA program
is available for employers under which the employers may establish IRA accounts
for their employees in lieu of establishing tax qualified retirement plans.
Known as SEP-IRAs (Simplified Employee Pension- IRA), they free the employer of
many of the recordkeeping requirements of establishing and maintaining a
tax-qualified retirement plan trust.
If you have received a lump sum distribution from another qualified retirement
plan, you may rollover all or part of that distribution into the Fund's IRA.
Your rollover contribution is not subject to the limits on annual IRA
contributions. By acting within applicable time limits, you can continue to
defer Federal income taxes on your lump sum contribution and on any income that
is earned on that contribution.
Keogh Plans for Self-Employed -- If you are a self-employed individual, you may
establish a Self-Employed Retirement (Keogh) Plan and contribute up to the
maximum amounts permitted for your plan under current tax laws. Under a Defined
Benefit Keogh Plan, you may establish a program with a specific amount of
retirement income as your objective. The annual contributions needed to achieve
this goal are calculated actuarially and can sometimes exceed the tax-deductible
contributions allowed under a regular Keogh Plan.
Tax-Sheltered Custodial Accounts -- If you are an employee of a public school,
state college or university, or a nonprofit organization exempt from tax under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, you may be eligible to make
contributions into a custodial account (pursuant to section 403(b)(7) of the
IRC) which invests in Fund shares. Such contributions, to the extent that they
do not exceed certain limits, are excludable from the gross income of the
employee for federal income tax purposes.
How to Establish Retirement Accounts -- All the foregoing retirement plan
options require special plan documents. Please call us to obtain information
regarding the establishment of retirement plan accounts. In the case of IRA and
Keogh Plans,
<PAGE>
Delaware Charter Guarantee and Trust Company acts as the plan custodian and
charges nominal fees in connection with plan establishment and maintenance.
These fees are detailed in the plan documents. You should consult with your
attorney or other tax advisor for specific advice prior to establishing a plan.
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE FUND
The directors and principal executive offers and their principal occupations for
the past five years are listed below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Positions Held Principal Occupation(s) During
Name, Address and Age with the Fund the Past Five Years
<S> <C> <C>
*Robert A. Crowley (39) President, Treasurer
3201-B Millcreek Road and Director
Wilmington, DE 19808 Vice President, Crowley & Crowley Corp. (financial
planning and registered investment advisor)
(formerly Crowley Planning & Management Corp.)
from November, 1986 until present; Vice President,
The Crowley Financial Group, Inc. (financial
management firm and transfer agent) from February,
1990 to present; Vice President, Crowley Real
Estate Services, Inc. from September, 1986 until
present; General Partner, Crowley Securities
(registered broker-dealer) from February, 1985
until present; Partner, Crowley Insurance,
(insurance brokerage) July, 1986 until present.
*Frederick J. Crowley, Jr. Vice President,
(41) Secretary, and
3201-B Millcreek Road Director
Wilmington, DE 19808 President, Crowley & Crowley Corp. (financial
planning and registered investment advisor)
(formerly Crowley Planning and Management Corp.)
from November, 1986 until present; President and
Treasurer, The Crowley Financial Group, Inc.
(financial management firm and transfer agent)
from February, 1990 to present; Vice President,
Crowley Real Estate Services, Inc. (real estate
brokerage) from September, 1986 until present;
General Partner, Crowley Securities (registered
broker-dealer) from February, 1985 until present;
Partner, Crowley Insurance (insurance brokerage)
July, 1985 until present.
William O. Cregar (72) Director
4556 Simon Road
Wilmington, DE 19803 Retired. Formerly Security Director, E.I. duPont
de Nemours & Co., until December, 1990.
<PAGE>
Bruce A. Humphries (50) Director, Operations
2 Radburn Lane
Newark, DE 19711 Senior Management,
Data International, Inc.
Daniel J. Piscitello (56) Director
3933 Branches Lane
Doylestown, PA 18901 Director of Creative Services, Lenox Collections,
1986 to Present.
Peter Veenema (48) Director
1211 Norbee Drive
Wilmington, DE 19803 Senior Research Engineer, E.I. duPont de Nemours,
1989 to Present.
Catherine Crowley (62) Assistant Secretary &
3201-B Millcreek Road Assistant Treasurer
Wilmington, DE 19808 Office Manager, Crowley & Crowley Corp. (financial
planning and advisor) (formerly Crowley Management
Corp.); Secretary, The Crowley Financial Group,
Inc. (financial management firm and transfer
agent) from February, 1990 to
present.
<FN>
___________________
*"Interested" director as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act")
</FN>
</TABLE>
The officers conduct and supervise the daily business operations of the
Fund, while the directors, in addition to functions set forth under
"Advisor" and "Distributor" review such actions and decide on general
policy. Compensation to officers and directors of the Fund who are
affiliated with the Investment Advisor or the Distributor is paid by the
Investment Advisor or the Distributor, respectively, and not by the Fund.
Each non-affiliated director of the Fund received $1,500 for the fiscal
year ending November 30, 1997. Robert A. Crowley and Frederick J. Crowley,
Jr. are brothers, and the sons of Catherine C. Crowley.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(5)
Total
(3) Compensation
Pension or from
(2) Retirement (4) Registrant
Aggregate Benefits Estimated and Fund
(1) Compensation Accrued as Annual Complex Paid
Name of from Part of Fund Benefits Upon to
Person, Position Registrant Expenses Retirement Directors*
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert A. Crowley,
President,
Treasurer and
Director $0 $0 $0 $0
Frederick J.
Crowley, Jr., Vice
President,
Secretary and
Director $0 $0 $0 $0
William O. Cregar,
Director $1,500 $0 $0 $1,500
<PAGE>
Bruce A.
Humphries,
Director $1,500 $0 $0 $1,500
Daniel J.
Piscitello,
Director $1,500 $0 $0 $1,500
Peter Veenema,
Director $1,500 $0 $0 $1,500
<FN>
* The "Fund Complex" presently consists of three investment companies, each an
individual series of the Registrant.
</FN>
</TABLE>
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
As of February 28, 1998, the directors and officers of the Fund owned
beneficially, in the aggregate, 9.6%, 6.0% and 5.8%% of the shares outstanding
of The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio, The Crowley Income Portfolio and The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio, respectively.
As of the same date, the following individuals owned greater than five percent
(5%) of a Portfolio of the Fund:
Portfolio Shareholder/Address % of Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
The Crowley Income Ronald Cooney 9.5
Portfolio Wilmington, DE
Portfolio Shareholder/Address % of Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
The Crowley Diversified Albert R. and 8.8
Management Portfolio Patricia A. Forster
Glendale, AZ
David J. 7.6
Brenda B. Jones
Lewis, DE
Portfolio Shareholder/Address % of Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
The Crowley Growth William O. and 5.5
and Income Portfolio Elynor K. Cregar
Wilmington, DE
Joyce B. Boylen 5.6
Wilmington, DE
Albert R. and 6.5
Patricia A. Forster
Glendale, AZ
GENERAL INFORMATION
Audits and Reports
The accounts of the Fund are audited each year by Tait, Weller & Baker of
Philadelphia, PA, independent certified public accountants whose selection must
be ratified annually by the shareholders. Shareholders receive semi-annual and
annual reports of the Fund including the annual audited financial statements and
a list of securities owned.
<PAGE>
Custodian
The Fund has retained Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, Wilmington,
DE 19890 (the "Custodian Bank"), to act as custodian of the securities and cash
of the Fund.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTION AND TAXES
The Funds' investments in options and futures contracts are subject to many
complex and special tax rules. For example, over-the-counter options on debt and
equity securities will generally produce a long-term or short-term capital gain
or loss upon exercise, lapse, or closing out of the option or sale of the
underlying stock or security. By contrast, the Fund's positions in put or call
options (including options it has written as well as options it has purchased)
which are "listed" (traded on or subject to the rules of a qualified board of
Exchange) and which include non-equity options, regulated futures contracts and
options on futures contracts will be required to be "marked to market" at the
end of the Fund's fiscal year -- that is, treated as closed out or sold at their
fair market value -- for Federal income tax purposes. This means that the
unrealized appreciation or depreciation in such positions will be treated as
having been realized on that date. Sixty percent of such gain or loss and sixty
percent of any gain or loss from the actual closing out or exercise of such
positions, will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss and the remainder
will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. In addition, on the
stipulated expiration date sixty percent of any gain realized on the expiration
of a listed option which the Fund has written and sixty percent of any loss
realized on the expiration of such an option it has purchased will also be
treated as long-term capital gain or loss, as the case may be, and the balance
as short-term capital gain or loss. Under legislation pending in technical
corrections to the 1997 Act, the 60% long-term capital gain portion will qualify
as 20% rate gain and will be subject to tax to individual investors at a maximum
rate of 20% for investors in the 28% or higher federal income tax brackets, or
at a maximum rate of 10% for investors in the 15% federal income tax bracket.
Section 1092 of the Code may affect the taxation of options on securities,
futures contracts and options on futures contracts. Section 1092 defines a
"straddle" as offsetting positions with respect to personal property. A position
in personal property is generally defined as any interest, including an option,
in personal property. A position in personal property, therefore, includes a
debt security and an option written on, or a futures contact to sell, a debt
security. Section 1092 generally provides that in the case of a straddle, any
loss from the disposition of a position in the straddle can be deducted only to
the extent that the loss exceeds the unrealized gains on any offsetting straddle
position.
<PAGE>
For example, if the Fund enters into a straddle consisting of U.S. Treasury bond
and a purchased put with respect to such bond, any loss realized from a closing
purchase transaction with respect to the put can be recognized only to the
extent that such loss exceeds any unrealized gain on the underlying bond.
Section 1092 also exceeds any unrealized gain on the underlying bond. Section
1092 also provides that "wash sale" rules are applicable to transactions where a
position is sold at a loss and a new offsetting position is acquired within a
prescribed period as are "short sale" rules which could (i) eliminate or stop
the Fund's holding period in a security, and (ii) convert losses arising from
the disposition of an option or futures position from short-term to long-term
when a hypothetical sale of the underlying security on the date of entry into
the option or futures position would have given rise to a long-term capital
gain. Management will manage the Fund so as to take into account Section 1092
and IRS ***** MISSING LANGUAGE ****
current income may, under certain circumstances, be adversely affected.
If such a put or call option or futures contract is part of a "mixed
straddle," as defined in the IRC, however, the Fund may be able to make an
election under Section 1256(d) of the IRC under which the mark to market and
60/40 rules and the straddle rules of Section 1092 will be inapplicable in whole
or in part to positions within the straddle. If a Section 1256(d) election is
made and a call or put option the Fund has written lapses, the Fund will
recognize a short-term capital gain for Federal income tax purposes. If a call
option the Fund has written is exercised and the Fund makes such an election,
the Fund will realize a capital gain or loss (long-term or short-term, depending
on the Fund's holding period in the underlying security) from the sale of the
underlying security and the proceeds from such sale will be increased by the
premium originally received. Also, in such case, if a put option which the Fund
has written is exercised, the amount of the premium originally received will
reduce the cost of the security which the Fund purchases upon exercise of the
option. If the Fund terminates its obligation under an option it has written by
entering a closing purchase transaction and it makes such an election it will
recognize a short-term gain or loss measured by the difference between the price
it has to pay to close the option position and the premium it received for
writing the option. This election would also apply to options purchased and
futures contracts entered into by the Fund. A Section 1256(d) election could
result in an increase in distributions or ordinary income (relative to long-term
capital gains) to shareholders.
In the case of another election the Fund may make, the Fund may set up one
or more mixed straddle accounts comprising all or some positions held by the
Fund that are required to be "marked to market" as described above (called
"Section 1256 contracts"), and all positions offsetting such positions. In such
a case, the Fund
<PAGE>
will mark each such position to market on a daily basis, compute the net Section
1256 contract gain or loss and net non-Section 1256 contract gain or loss for
the account, and the "daily account net gain or loss" for each account. Any
daily account net gain or loss attributable to a net non-Section 1256 gain or
loss attributable to net Section 1256 contract gain or loss, and forty percent
short-term capital gain or loss, with corresponding basis adjustments. Such
daily account net gains and losses will be netted on an annual basis as will the
annual account net gains and losses for all mixed straddle accounts; however, no
more than fifty percent of the total annual account net gain for a taxable year
shall be treated as long-term capital gain, and no more than forty percent of
the total annual account net loss for a taxable year shall be treated as
short-term capital loss.
Yet a third election the Fund may make would enable it to identify
separately those mixed straddles with respect to which it chooses to offset
gains and losses before applying "60/40 treatment" to the net amount of any
gains or losses attributable to Section 1256 contracts.
Section 1233 of the IRC provides generally for the gain and loss
consequences of short sales. Such gains and losses are capital gains and losses
to the extent the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital
asset of the Fund (which will always be the case under the Fund's method of
investment). Section 1233 establishes those rules for determining holding period
of securities involved in short sales and whether the capital gain or loss on
short sales is long term and short term. Under Rule one, if at the time of a
short sale, the Fund has not held short term securities "substantially
identical" to the securities sold short [for a period longer than the short time
holding period], then any gain realized on the closing on the short sale is
short term regardless of the length of time the sale was open or the period for
which the securities used to close the sale were held. Rule two provides that
the holding period of any securities "substantially identical" to the securities
sold short, which were short term at the time of the short sale or required
thereafter and before its closing, begins on the earlier of: (a) the date the
short sale is closed; and (b) the date such other acquired securities are sold
or otherwise disposed of. Rule one applies only to the extent gain is realized;
Rule two applies in gain or loss situations. Rule three provides that when at
the time of a short sale the Fund holds securities long term which are
"substantially identical to those sold short, any loss resulting from the
closing of the short sale is a long term loss regardless of the holding period
of the securities used to close the transaction are not in excess of the
substantially identical securities in the order of acquisition and only to the
extent they do not exceed the quantity sold short. The term "substantially
identical" in the case of securities has the same meaning as in Section 1091 of
the IRC dealing with "wash sales".
<PAGE>
A holder of a zero coupon Treasury security will receive no case payment of
interest prior to maturity; it will be required for federal income taxes
purposes to include an imputed amount of interest income on its investment
income calculations each year a particular zero coupon Treasury security is
held. In general, this income computation will be based upon the "effective
interest" method of calculation. This method results in the reporting of income
in increasing amounts each year and in reduced net investment income on a
present value basis when compared to the (former) "straight-line" method. The
straight-line computation of interest simply allocates the total discount
equally over all periods during which the obligation will exist.
The 1997 Act has also added new provisions for dealing with transactions
that are generally called "Constructive Sale Transactions." Under these rules,
the Fund must recognize gain (but not loss) on any constructive sale of an
appreciated financial position in stock, a partnership interest or certain debt
instruments. The Fund will generally be treated as making a constructive sale
when it: 1) enters into a short sale on the same property, 2) enters into an
offsetting notional principal contact, or 3) enters into a futures or forward
contract to deliver the same or substantially similar property. Other
transactions (including certain financial instruments called collars) will be
treated as constructive sales as providing in Treasury regulations to be
published. There are also certain expectations that apply for transactions that
are closed before the end of the 30th day after the close of the taxable year.
Distributions paid to shareholders by the Fund of ordinary income and
short-term capital gains arising from the Fund's investments, including
investments in options, forwards, and futures contracts, will be taxable as
ordinary income. The Fund will monitor its transactions in such options and
contracts and may make certain other tax elections in order to mitigate the
effect of the above rules.
Since it is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of Subchapter M of
the IRC of 1986, and accordingly distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of
the income, the Fund may be required to pay out as a dividend each year an
amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually
received. Such distributions will be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by
liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary. If a distribution of cash
necessitates the liquidation of portfolio securities, the Investment Advisor
will select which securities to sell. The Fund may realize a gain or loss from
such sales. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gain from such
transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution,
if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Under the 1997 Act, the Fund is required to report the capital gain of
portfolio securities using the following categories:
<PAGE>
"28% rate gains": gains resulting from securities sold by the Fund after
July 28, 1997 that were held for more than one year but not more than 18 months,
and securities sold by the Fund before May 7, 1997 that were held for more than
one year. These gains will be taxable to individual investors at a maximum rate
of 28%.
"20% rate gains": gains resulting from securities sold by the Fund after
July 28, 1997 that were held for more than 18 months, and under a transitional
rule, securities sold by the Fund between May 7 and July 28, 1997 (inclusive)
that were held for more than one year. These gains will be taxable to individual
investors at a maximum rate of 20% for individual investors in the 28% or higher
federal income tax brackets, and at a maximum rate of 10% for investors in the
15% federal income tax bracket.
The Act also provides for a new maximum rate of tax on capital gains of 18%
for individuals in the 28% or higher federal income tax brackets and 8% for
individuals in the 15% federal income tax bracket for "qualified 5-year gains."
For individuals in the 15% bracket, qualified 5-year gains are net gains on
securities held for more than 5 years which are sold after December 31, 2000.
For individuals who are subject to tax at higher rates, qualified 5-year gains
are net gains on securities which are purchased after December 31, 2000 and are
held for more than 5 years. Taxpayers subject to tax at the higher rates may
also make an election for shares held on January 1, 2001 to recognize gain on
their shares in order to qualify such shares as qualified 5-year property.
PERFORMANCE
Current yield and total return may be quoted in advertisements, shareholder
reports or other communications to shareholders. Yield is the ratio of income
per share derived from a Portfolio's investments to a current maximum offering
price expressed in terms of percent. The yield is quoted on the basis of
earnings after expenses have been deducted. Total return is the total of all
income and capital gains paid to shareholders, assuming reinvestment of all
distributions, plus (or minus) the change in the value of the original
investment, expressed as a percentage of the purchase price. Occasionally, the
Fund may include its distribution rate in advertisements. The distribution rate
is the amount of distributions per share made by the Fund over a 12-month period
divided by the current maximum offering price.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules require the use of standardized
performance quotations or, alternatively, that every non-standardized
performance quotation furnished by the Fund be accompanied by certain
standardized performance information computed as required by the Commission.
Current yield and total return quotations used by the Fund are based on the
standardized methods of
<PAGE>
computing performance mandated by the Commission. An explanation of those and
other methods used by the Fund to compute or express performance follows.
The average annual total return figures for The Crowley Income Portfolio for the
one year period ending November 30, 1997, the five year period ending November
30, 1997, and the period from inception to November 30, 1997, were 7.34%, 5.94%,
and 7.07%, respectively; for The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio for the one
year period ending November 30, 1997, the five year period ending November 30,
1997, and the period from inception to November 30, 1997, were 8.08%, 7.11% and
6.84%, respectively. The average total return figures for The Crowley
Diversified Management Portfolio for the one year period ending November 1, 1997
and the period from April 5, 1995 (commencement of operations) to November 30,
1995 (not annualized) were 11.64% and 12.19%, respectively.
As the following formula indicates, the average annual total return is
determined by multiplying a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000 by the
average annual compound rate of return (including capital
appreciation/depreciation and dividends and distributions paid and reinvested)
for the stated period less any fees charged to all shareholder accounts and
annualizing the result. The calculation assumes the maximum sales load is
deducted from the initial $1,000 purchase order and that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested at the public offering price on the
<PAGE>
reinvestment dates during the period. The quotation assumes the account was
completely redeemed at the end of each one, five and ten-year period and assumes
the deduction of all applicable charges and fees. According to the SEC formula:
n
P(1+T) = ERV
where:
P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
T = average annual total return.
n = number of years.
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made
at the beginning of the 1, 5 or 10-year periods, determined at
the end of the 1, 5 or 10- year periods (or fractional portion
thereof).
Regardless of the method used, past performance is not necessarily indicative of
future results, but is an indication of the return to shareholders only for the
limited historical period used.
Comparisons and Advertisements
To help investors better evaluate how an investment in a Portfolio of the Fund
might satisfy their investment objective, advertisements regarding the Fund's
Portfolios may discuss yield or total return for a Portfolio as reported by
various financial publications. Advertisements may also compare yield or total
return to yield or total return as reported by other investments, indices, and
averages. The following publications, indices, and averages may be used:
Lipper Mutual Fund Performance Analysis
Lipper Fixed Income Analysis
Lipper Mutual Fund Indices
Morgan Stanley World Index
Shearson Lehman Hutton Treasury Index
Salomon Bros. Corporate Bond Index
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's audited financial statements, related notes and the report of Tait,
Weller & Baker for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997, as set forth in the
Fund's Annual Report to Stockholders
<PAGE>
dated November 30, 1997, are incorporated herein by reference. A shareholder may
obtain a copy of the Annual Report to Stockholders upon request and without
charge by contacting the Fund at the address or telephone number appearing on
the cover of the Statement of Additional Information.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Crowley & Crowley Corp.
3201-B Millcreek Road
Suite H
Wilmington, DE 19808
DISTRIBUTOR
Crowley Securities
3201-B Millcreek Road
Suite H
Wilmington, DE 19808
TRANSFER AGENT
Crowley Financial Group
3201-B Millcreek Road
Suite H
Wilmington, DE 19808
CUSTODIAN
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, DE 19890
LEGAL COUNSEL
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP
2600 One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7098
AUDITORS
Tait, Weller & Baker
Two Penn Center
Suite 700
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1707
<PAGE>
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Financial Statements:
Included in Part A:
o Financial Highlights for The Crowley Growth and Income
Portfolio (formerly, The Crowley Growth Portfolio) for the
fiscal years ended November 30, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994,
1993, 1992, 1991 and for the period December 6, 1989
(commencement of operations) to November 30, 1990 (audited).
o Financial Highlights for The Crowley Income Portfolio for
the fiscal years ended November 30, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994,
1993, 1992, 1991 and for the period December 6, 1989
(commencement of operations) to November 30, 1990 (audited).
o Financial Highlights for The Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio for the fiscal years ended November 30, 1997 and
1996 and for the period from April 3, 1995 (commencement of
operations) through November 30, 1995 (audited).
(1) Part B:
o Portfolio of Investments at November 30,1997 (audited).
o Statement of Assets and Liabilities at November 30, 1997
(audited).
o Statement of Operations at November 30, 1997 (audited).
o Statement of Changes in Net Assets at November 30, 1997
(audited).
o Notes to Financial Statements at November 30, 1997 (audited).
o Report of Independent Public Accountants dated
December 19, 1997.
________________
(1) The financial statements and Accountant's Report listed above are
incorporated by reference into Part B from the Registrant's Annual Report to
Shareholders for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997 as filed via the
Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR system on January 26, 1998.
<PAGE>
(b) (1) Charter, as now in effect.
Registrant's Articles of Incorporation dated
August 15, 1989 are incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit No. 24(b)(1) of
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-
1A (File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-5875) as filed
with the SEC on March 29, 1996.
(a) Articles Supplementary effective March
22, 1995 to Registrant's Articles of
Incorporation dated August 15, 1989 are
incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit No. 24(b)(1)(a) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A as
filed with the SEC on March 29, 1996.
(b) Articles of Amendment effective March 29,
1996 to Registrant's Articles of
Incorporation dated August 15, 1989 are
incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit No. 24(b)(1)(b) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A as
filed with the SEC on March 29, 1996.
(2) Existing By-Laws, or Instruments Corresponding
Thereto. By-Laws of Registrant are
incorporated by reference to Exhibit No.
24(b)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8/10
to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
N-1A (File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-5875) as
filed with the SEC on March 29, 1996.
(3) Voting Trust Agreements. Not applicable.
(4) Instruments Defining the Rights of Holders of
the Securities Being Registered.
(a) Specimen copy of The Crowley Growth and
Income Portfolio certificate denoting
securities to be issued by the Registrant
is incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit No. 24(b)(4)(a) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File
Nos. 33-30975 and 811-5875)as filed with
the SEC on March 29, 1996.
(b) Specimen copy of The Crowley Income Portfolio
certificate denoting securities to be issued by the
Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to
<PAGE>
Exhibit No. 24(b)(4)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
8/10 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-5875) as filed with the SEC
on March 29, 1996.
(c) Specimen copy of The Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio certificate denoting securities to be issued
by the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit No. 24(b)(4)(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No.
8/10 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-5875) as filed with the SEC
on March 29, 1996.
(5) Investment Advisory Contracts Relating to the
Management of the Assets of the Registrant.
(a) Management Contract dated December 6, 1989
between Crowley & Crowley Corp. and the
Registrant on behalf of The Crowley Growth
Portfolio is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit No. 24(b)(5)(a) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 8/10 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-
5875) as filed with the SEC on March 29,
1996.
(b) Management Contract dated December 6, 1989
between Crowley & Crowley Corp. and the
Registrant on behalf of The Crowley Income
Portfolio is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit No. 24(b)(5)(b) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 8/10 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-
5875) as filed with the SEC on March 29,
1996.
(c) Management Contract dated March 31, 1995 between Crowley
& Crowley Corp. and the Registrant on behalf of The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio is incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit No. 24(b)(5)(c) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-30975
and 811-5875) as filed with the SEC on March 29, 1996.
<PAGE>
(6) (a) Underwriting or Distribution Contract
Between the Registrant and a Principal
Underwriter.
(1) Underwriting Agreement dated
December 6, 1989 between Crowley
Securities and the Registrant on
behalf of The Crowley Growth
Portfolio is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit No.
24(b)(6)(a)(1) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-5875) as
filed with the SEC on March 29,
1996.
(2) Underwriting Agreement dated
December 6, 1989 between Crowley
Securities and the Registrant on
behalf of The Crowley Income
Portfolio is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit No.
24(b)(6)(a)(2) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-5875) as
filed with the SEC on March 29,
1996.
(3) Underwriting Agreement dated March
31, 1995 between Crowley Securities
and the Registrant on behalf of The
Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit No.
24(b)(6)(a)(3) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-5875) as
filed with the SEC on March 29,
1996.
(b) Specimens or Copies of All Agreements
Between Principal Underwriters and
Dealers.
(1) Form of Dealer Selling Agreement is
incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit No. 24(b)(6)(b) to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 8/10 to
Registrant's Registration Statement
<PAGE>
on Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-30975 and
811-5875) as filed with the SEC on
March 29, 1996.
(7) Bonus, Profit Sharing, Pension or Other
Similar Contracts or Arrangements Wholly or
Partly for the Benefit of Directors or
Officers of the Registrant. Not Applicable.
(8) Custodian Agreements.
(a) Custodian Agreement dated November 29, 1989 between the
Registrant and Wilmington Trust Company on behalf of The
Crowley Growth Portfolio is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit No. 24(b)(8)(a) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-
5875) as filed with the SEC on March 29, 1996.
(b) Custodian Agreement dated November 29, 1989 between the
Registrant and Wilmington Trust Company on behalf of The
Crowley Income Portfolio is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit No. 24(b)(8)(b) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-
5875) as filed with the SEC on March 29, 1996.
(c) Custodian Agreement dated March 31, 1995 between the
Registrant and Wilmington Trust Company on behalf of The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio is incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit No. 24(b)(8)(c) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-30975
and 811-5875) as filed with the SEC on March 29, 1996.
(9) Other Material Contracts.
(a) Shareholder Services Agreement dated
August 1, 1993 between the Registrant and
The Crowley Financial Group, Inc. (the
"Agreement") is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit No. 24(b)(9) to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 8/10 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-
<PAGE>
5875) as filed with the SEC on March 29,
1996.
(1) Amendment I dated March 31, 1995 to
the Agreement is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit No.
24(b)(9)(a) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 8/10 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-5875) as
filed with the SEC on March 29,
1996.
(10) Opinion and Consent of Counsel. Opinion of
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP dated
March , 1998.
(11) Other Opinions and Consents.
(a) Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker,
Independent Public Accountants dated March
, 1998.
(b) Representation of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens and Young,
LLP relating to availability of use of Rule 485(b) dated
March , 1998.
(12) Financial Statements Omitted form Item 23. Not
applicable.
(13) Agreements or Understandings Made in
Consideration for Providing Initial Capital.
Letter dated from contributors of initial
capital to the Registrant is incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit No. 24(b)(13)
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8/10 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-
1A (File Nos. 33-30975 and 811-5875) as filed
with the SEC on March 29, 1996.
(14) Model Plans Used in Establishment of Any
Retirement Plan. Not Applicable.
(15) 12b-1 Plans. Not Applicable.
(16) Schedules for Computation of Performance
Quotations.
(a) On behalf of The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio is
attached hereto as EX-16.1.
(b) On behalf of The Crowley Income Portfolio is attached
hereto as EX-16.2.
<PAGE>
(c) On behalf of The Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio is attached hereto as EX-16.3.
(17) Financial Data Schedules for the Fiscal Year ended November
30, 1997.
(a) On behalf of the Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio is
attached hereto as EX-27.1.
(b) On behalf of the Crowley Income Portfolio is attached
hereto as EX-27.2.
(c) On behalf of the Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio is attached hereto as EX-27.3.
(18) Multiple Class Plans Under Rule 18f-3. Not
Applicable.
Item 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL OF THE
REGISTRANT.
None.
Item 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
The number of record holders of each class of securities of the
Registrant as of February 28, 1998, is as follows:
(1) (2)
Title of Class Number of Record
Holders
The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio 153
The Crowley Income Portfolio 157
The Crowley Diversified Management
Portfolio 94
Item 27. INDEMNIFICATION.
Under the terms of the Maryland General Corporation Law and the
Registrant's Articles of Incorporation, the Registrant shall indemnify
any person who was or is a director, officer or employee of the
Registrant to the maximum extent permitted by the Maryland General
Corporation Law; provided however, that any such indemnification
(unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Registrant only as
authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of such persons is proper in the circumstances. Such
determination shall be made:
(i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a
<PAGE>
quorum which consists of the directors who are neither
"interested persons" of the Registrant as defined in Section
2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, nor parties to the proceedings; or
(ii) if the required quorum is not obtainable or if a quorum of such
Directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion.
No indemnification will be provided by the Registrant to any
Director or officer of the Registrant for any liability to the
Registrant or shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of duty.
As permitted by Article EIGHTH of the Registrant's Articles of
Incorporation:
(a) To the fullest extent that limitations on the
liability of directors and officers are permitted
by the Maryland General Corporation Law, no
director or officer of the Corporation shall have
any liability to the Corporation or its
stockholders for money damages. This limitation on
liability applies to events occurring at the time a
person serves as a director or officer of the
Corporation whether or not such person is a
director or officer at the time of any proceeding
in which liability is asserted.
(b) The Corporation shall indemnify and advance
expenses to its currently acting and its former
directors to the fullest extent that
indemnification of directors is permitted by the
Maryland General Corporation Law. The Corporation
shall indemnify and advance expenses to its
officers to the same extent as its directors and to
such further extent as is consistent with law. The
Board of Directors may by By-Law, resolution or
agreement make further provisions for
indemnification of directors, officers, employees
and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the
Maryland General Corporation Law.
(c) No provision of this Articles shall be effective to
protect or purport to protect any director or
officer of the Corporation against any liability to
the Corporation or its security holders to which he
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
<PAGE>
conduct of his office.
Item 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.
The principal business of Crowley & Crowley Corp. is to
provide investment counsel and advice to individual
investors.
Item 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.
(a) Crowley Securities, Inc., the only principal underwriter of the
Registrant, does not act as principal underwriter, depositor or
investment advisor to any other investment company.
(b) Herewith is the information required by the following table with
respect to each director, officer or partner of the only
underwriter named in answer to Item 21 of Part B:
Position and Position and
Name and Principal Offices with Offices with
Business Address Underwriter Registrant
Robert A. Crowley General Partner President
3201-B Millcreek Road
Suite H
Wilmington, DE 19808
Frederick J. Crowley, Jr. General Partner Vice
3201-B Millcreek Road President
Suite H
Wilmington, DE 19808
(c) Not applicable.
Item 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.
All records described in Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, and the Rules [17 CFR 270.31a-1 to 31a-3]
promulgated thereunder, are maintained by the Registrant's Investment
Advisor, Crowley & Crowley Corp., except for those maintained by the
Registrant's custodian, Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North,
Wilmington, DE 19890, and the Registrant's administrator, transfer,
redemption, dividend disbursing and accounting agent, The Crowley
Financial Group, Inc.
<PAGE>
Item 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
All management services are covered in the management agreement
between the Registrant and Crowley & Crowley Corp., as discussed in
Parts A and B.
Item 32. UNDERTAKINGS.
(1) Insofar as indemnification for liability arising
under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted
to Directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant, the Registrant has been advised
that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of
expenses incurred or paid by a Director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such Director, officer
or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has
been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(2) Registrant hereby undertakes, if requested to do so
by the holders of at least 10% of the Registrant's
outstanding shares, to call a meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the
question of removal of a trustee or trustees and to
assist in communication with other shareholders, as
directed by Section 16(c) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940.
(3) The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each
person to whom a prospectus is delivered with a copy
of the Registrant's latest Annual Report to
Shareholders, upon request and without change.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that this amendment meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and has duly caused this amendment
to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on
the 30th day of March, 1998.
THE CROWLEY PORTFOLIO GROUP, INC.
(Registrant)
By: ROBERT A. CROWLEY
Robert A. Crowley, President
(Signature and Title)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to
the Registrant's Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature Title Date
ROBERT A. CROWLEY President, March 30, 1998
Robert A. Crowley Treasurer
and Director
FREDERICK J. CROWLEY, JR. Vice President, March 30, 1998
Frederick J. Crowley, Jr. Secretary
and Director
WILLIAM O. CREGAR Director March 30, 1998
William O. Cregar
BRUCE A. HUMPHRIES Director March 30, 1998
Bruce A. Humphries
DANIEL J. PISCITELLO Director March 30, 1998
Daniel J. Piscitello
PETER VEENEMA Director March 30, 1998
Peter Veenema
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Item 24(b) Document
10 Opinion and Consent of Stradley, Ronon,
Stevens & Young, LLP is attached hereto as EX-
99.a.
11(a) Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker is attached
hereto as EX-11.
11(b) Letter from Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young LLP is attached
hereto as EX-99.b.
16(a) Schedule of Performance Calculations for The
Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio is
attached hereto as EX-16.1.
16(b) Schedule of Performance Calculations for The
Crowley Income Portfolio is attached hereto as
EX-16.2.
16(c) Schedule of Performance Calculations for The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio is
attached hereto as EX-16.3.
17(a) Financial Data Schedule on behalf of The
Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio is
attached hereto as EX-27.1.
17(b) Financial Data Schedule on behalf of The
Crowley Income Portfolio is attached hereto as
EX-27.2.
17(c) Financial Data Schedule on behalf of The
Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio is
attached hereto as EX-27.3.
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the reference to our firm in the Registration Statement, (Form
N-1A) and related Statement of Additional Information of The Crowley Portfolio
Group, Inc. and to the inclusion of our report dated December 19, 1997 to the
Shareholders and Board of Directors of The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc.
Tait, Weller & Baker
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 25, 1998
GROWTH & INCOME
TOTAL RETURN: P(1+T)=ERV
INCEPTION TO 11/30/97
P = $10,000
T = 6.47%
N = 8
ERV = $16,495
FIVE YEARS ENDED 11/30/97
P = $10,000
T = 7.11%
N = 5
ERV = $14,096
ONE YEAR ENDED 11/30/97
P = $10,000
T = 8.08%
N = 1
ERV = $10,808
INCOME
TOTAL RETURN: P(1+T)=ERV
P = $10,000
T = 7.09%
N = 8
ERV = $17,277
FIVE YEARS ENDED 11/30/97
P = $10,000
T = 5.94%
N = 5
ERV = $13,346
ONE YEAR ENDED 11/30/97
P = $10,000
T = 7.34%
N = 1
ERV = $10,734
DIVERSIFIED
TOTAL RETURN: P(1+T)=ERV
P = $10,000
T = 12.19%
N = 2.68
ERV = $13,613
ONE YEAR ENDED 11/30/97
P = $10,000
T = 11.64%
N = 1
ERV = $11,164
Law Offices
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP
2600 One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7098
(215) 564-8000
Direct Dial: (215) 564-8024
March 27, 1998
The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc.
3201-B Millcreek Rd., Suite H
Wilmington, DE 19808
Re: Legal Opinion-Securities Act of 1933
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the
"Articles") of The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc. (the "Fund"), a series
corporation organized under Maryland law, the By-Laws of the Fund, the
resolutions adopted by the Fund's Board of Directors organizing the business of
the Fund, and its proposed form of Share Certificates (if any), all as amended
to date, and the various pertinent corporate proceedings we deem material. We
have also examined the Notification of Registration and the Registration
Statements filed under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment
Company Act") and the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), all as
amended to date, as well as other items we deem material to this opinion.
The Fund is authorized by the Articles to issue five hundred million
(500,000,000) shares of common stock at a par value of $.01. The Fund issues
shares of The Crowley Growth and Income Portfolio, The Crowley Income Portfolio,
and The Crowley Diversified Management Portfolio. The Articles also empower the
Board to designate any additional series or classes and allocate shares to such
series or classes.
The Fund has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, a
registration statement under the Securities Act, which registration statement is
deemed to register an indefinite number of shares of the Fund pursuant to the
provisions of Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act. You have further
advised us that the Fund has filed, and each year hereafter will timely file, a
Notice pursuant to Rule 24f-2 perfecting the registration of the shares sold by
the Fund during each fiscal year during which such registration of an indefinite
number of shares remains in effect.
<PAGE>
You have also informed us that the shares of the Fund have been, and
will continue to be, sold in accordance with the Fund's usual method of
distributing its registered shares, under which prospectuses are made available
for delivery to offerees and purchasers of such shares in accordance with
Section 5(b) of the Securities Act.
Based upon the foregoing information and examination, so long as the
Fund remains a valid and subsisting entity under the laws of its state of
organization, and the registration of an indefinite number of shares of the Fund
remains effective, the authorized shares of the Fund when issued for the
consideration set by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Articles, and
subject to compliance with Rule 24f-2, will be legally outstanding, fully-paid,
and non-assessable shares, and the holders of such shares will have all the
rights provided for with respect to such holding by the Articles and the laws of
the State of Maryland.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion, in lieu of any other, as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement of the Fund, along with any amendments
thereto, covering the registration of the shares of the Fund under the
Securities Act and the applications, registration statements or notice filings,
and amendments thereto, filed in accordance with the securities laws of the
several states in which shares of the Fund are offered, and we further consent
to reference in the registration statement of the Fund to the fact that this
opinion concerning the legality of the issue has been rendered by us.
Very truly yours,
STRADLEY, RONON, STEVENS & YOUNG, LLP
BY: /s/ MARK H. PLAFKER
-----------------------
Mark H. Plafker
Law Offices
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP
2600 One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7098
(215) 564-8000
March 25, 1998
VIA EDGAR
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
Re: The Crowley Portfolio, Inc.
SEC File Nos. 33-30975, 811-5875
Dear Sir or Madam:
We are counsel to The Crowley Portfolio Group, Inc. (the "Fund"), a Maryland
corporation. As such, we have reviewed Post-Effective Amendment No. 10/12 to the
Fund's Registration Statement to be filed pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.
In our judgment, Post-Effective Amendment No. 10/12 to the Fund's Registration
Statement does not contain disclosures which would render it ineligible to
become effective pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.
We consent to the inclusion of this written representation as an Exhibit to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10/12 to the Registration Statement of the Fund.
Sincerely,
/s/ LISA M. KING
- ----------------
Lisa M. King
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE
CROWLEY GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO FOR THE NOVEMBER
30,1997 ANNUAL REPORT
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 01
<NAME> THE CROWLEY GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 5,450,534
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 5,665,033
<RECEIVABLES> 57,660
<ASSETS-OTHER> 762,320
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 6,485,013
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 59,050
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 59,050
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 5,690,966
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 563,301
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 605,470
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 202,630
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 317,868
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 214,499
<NET-ASSETS> 6,425,963
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 108,382
<INTEREST-INCOME> 247,845
<OTHER-INCOME> 10,145
<EXPENSES-NET> 129,483
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 236,889
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 317,280
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (35,592)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 518,577
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 159,580
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 188,051
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 28,866
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 104,142
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 33,108
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (318,413)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 125,320
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 188,638
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 66
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 129
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 5,020
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.14
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.42
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.43
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.27
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.31
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.41
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.95
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE
CROWLEY GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO FOR THE NOVEMBER 30,1997
ANNUAL REPORT
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 02
<NAME> THE CROWLEY INCOME PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 8,345,410
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 8,476,433
<RECEIVABLES> 130,843
<ASSETS-OTHER> 782,274
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 9,389,550
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 16,196
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 16,196
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 8,983,861
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 851,801
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 874,008
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 513,212
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (254,742)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 131,023
<NET-ASSETS> 9,373,354
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 91,533
<INTEREST-INCOME> 614,047
<OTHER-INCOME> 362
<EXPENSES-NET> 128,931
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 577,011
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (47,021)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 122,332
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 652,322
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 556,624
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 51,646
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 128,371
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 54,518
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (251,109)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (207,721)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 56
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 129
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 8,787
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.89
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.69
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.07
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.65
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.39
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE CROWLEY
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO FOR THE NOVEMBER 30,1997 ANNUAL REPORT
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 03
<NAME> THE CROWLEY DIVERSIFIED MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,803,214
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 2,080,157
<RECEIVABLES> 307
<ASSETS-OTHER> 161,657
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,242,421
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,552
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2,552
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,906,765
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 173,981
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 56,161
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 276,943
<NET-ASSETS> 2,239,869
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 53,892
<INTEREST-INCOME> 2,214
<OTHER-INCOME> 93
<EXPENSES-NET> 35,687
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 20,512
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 55,919
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 132,478
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 208,909
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 23,277
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 56,464
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 62,490
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 18,966
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 6,934
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 610,496
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,638
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 56,706
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 19
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 36
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,761
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.15
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.17
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.17
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.18
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.44
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.87
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.87
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
