As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 1998.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / X /
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ___ / /
Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 / X /
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
/ X /
Amendment No. 9 / X /
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address of principal executive office) Zip Code
(617) 742-7825
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Joseph P. Barri, Hale and Dorr, 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
(Name and address of agent for service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
____ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
__X_ on (July 2, 1998) 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: Shares of beneficial interest,
no par value
<PAGE>
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
Cross-Reference Sheet Showing Location in Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information of Information
Required by Items of the Registration Form
Locations apply to both the Class A, B & C and the Class Y Prospectuses unless
otherwise noted
Location in Prospectus or
Statement of Additional
Form N-1A Item Number and Caption Information
- --------------------------------- -----------------------
1. Cover Page Prospectus - Cover Page
2. Synopsis Prospectus - Expense
Information
3. Condensed Financial Information Prospectus - Financial
Highlights
4. General Description of Registrant Prospectus - Cover Page,
Investment Objective and
Policies; Europe;
Management of the Fund;
Fund Share Alternatives
Class A, B & C Prospectus);
Fund Shares (Class Y
Prospectus); The Fund
5. Management of the Fund Prospectus - Management of
the Fund
5.A. Management's Discussion of
Fund Performance Not Applicable
6. Capital Stock and Other Securities Prospectus - Fund Share
Alternatives (Class A, B & C
Prospectus); Fund Shares
(Class Y Prospectus);
Dividends, Distributions and
Taxation; The Fund
7. Purchase of Securities Being Offered Prospectus - Fund Share
Alternatives,Distribution
Plans, How to Buy Fund
Shares, How to Exchange Fund
Shares, Shareholder
Services (Class A, B & C
Prospectus); Purchasing Class
Y Shares (Class Y Prospectus)
The Fund
<PAGE>
Location in Prospectus or
Statement of Additional
Form N-1A Item Number and Caption Information
- --------------------------------- -----------------------
8. Redemption or Repurchase Prospectus - Fund Share
Alternatives, How
to Sell Fund Shares, How to
Exchange Fund Shares,
Shareholder Services (Class
A, B & C Prospectus);
Redeeming Class Y Shares,
Exchanging Class Y Shares
(Class Y Prospectus); The
Fund
9. Pending Legal Proceedings Not Applicable
10. Cover Page Statement of Additional
Information - Cover Page
11. Table of Contents Statement of Additional
Information - Cover Page
12. General Information and History Statement of Additional
Information - Cover Page;
Description of Shares
13. Investment Objectives and Policy Statement of Additional
Information - Investment
Policies and Restrictions
14. Management of the Fund Statement of Additional
Information -Management of
the Fund; Investment Manager
15. Control Persons and Principle
Holders of Securities Statement of Additional
Information - Management of
the Fund
16. Investment Advisory and Other
Services Statement of Additional
Information - Management of
the Fund; Investment Manager;
Principal Underwriter;
Distribution Plans;
Shareholder Servicing/
Transfer Agent; Custodian;
Independent Public
Accountant
17. Brokerage Allocation and Other
Practices Statement of Additional
Information - Portfolio
Transactions
<PAGE>
Location in Prospectus or
Statement of Additional
Form N-1A Item Number and Caption Information
- --------------------------------- -----------
18. Capital Stock and Other Securities Statement of Additional
Information -Description of
Shares; Certain Liabilities
19. Purchase Redemption and Pricing of
Securities Being Offered Statement of Additional
Information - Letter of
of Intent; Systematic
Withdrawal Plan;
Determination of Net Asset
Value
20. Tax Status Statement of Additional
Information - Tax Status
21. Underwriters Statement of Additional
Information - Principal
Underwriter; Distribution
Plans
22. Calculation of Performance Data Statement of Additional
Information - Investment
Results
23. Financial Statements Statement of Additional
Information - Financial
Statements
<PAGE>
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PART A
CLASS A, B & C SHARES PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The Class A, B & C Shares prospectus (Part A) contained in
Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 filed on February 27, 1998 (Accedssion No.
0000866707-98-00004)hereby is incorporated by reference in its entirety into
this Post-Effective Amendment No. 8.
<PAGE>
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PART A
CLASS Y SHARES PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Pioneer
Europe Fund
Class Y Shares
Prospectus
July 2, 1998
Pioneer Europe Fund (the "Fund") seeks long-term growth of capital. The
Fund seeks this objective by investing in a diversified portfolio consisting
primarily of securities of European companies and in Depositary Receipts for
such securities. Any current income generated from these securities is
incidental to the investment objective of the Fund. There is no assurance that
the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Fund returns and share prices fluctuate and the value of your account upon
redemption may be more or less than your purchase price. Shares in the Fund are
not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other
depository institution, and the shares are not federally insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government
agency. Investments in securities issued by foreign companies or governments
entail risks in addition to those customarily associated with investing in U.S.
securities. The Fund is intended for investors who can accept the risks
associated with its investments and may not be suitable for all investors. See
"Investment Objective and Policies" for a discussion of these risks.
This Prospectus provides information about the Fund that you should know
before investing. Please read and retain it for your future reference. More
information about the Fund is included in the Fund's Statement of Additional
Information, dated July 2, 1998, as supplemented or revised from time to time,
which is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference. A copy of the Statement
of Additional Information may be obtained free of charge by calling Shareholder
Services at 1-800-225-6292 or by written request to the Fund at 60 State Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109. Additional information about the Fund has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and is available
upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-225-6292 or through the SEC's
Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov).
[Pioneer logo]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
----------------------------------------------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
I. EXPENSE INFORMATION ........................... 2
II. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS .......................... 2
III. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES ............. 2
IV. EUROPE ........................................ 4
V. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND ........................ 5
VI. FUND SHARES ................................... 6
VII. SHARE PRICE ................................... 6
VIII. PURCHASING CLASS Y SHARES ..................... 7
IX. REDEEMING CLASS Y SHARES ...................... 7
X. EXCHANGING CLASS Y SHARES ..................... 8
XI. DISTRIBUTION OF CLASS Y SHARES ................ 9
XII. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXATION ......... 9
XIII. SHAREHOLDER SERVICES .......................... 10
Account and Confirmation Statements .......... 10
Financial Reports and Tax Information ........ 10
Distribution Options ......................... 10
Telephone Transactions ....................... 10
FactFone(SM) ................................. 11
XIV. THE FUND ...................................... 11
XV. INVESTMENT RESULTS ............................ 11
</TABLE>
--------------------
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>
I. EXPENSE INFORMATION
This table is designed to help you understand the charges and expenses that
you, as a shareholder, will bear directly or indirectly when you invest in the
Fund. Operating expenses for Class Y shares are based on expenses that would
have been incurred for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, had such shares
been outstanding for the entire fiscal year.+
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class Y
-----------
<S> <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses:
Maximum Initial Sales Charge on Purchases (as a percentage
of offering price) ....................................... None
Maximum Sales Charge on Reinvestment of Dividends .......... None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of purchase
price or redemption proceeds, as applicable) ............. None
Redemption Fee ............................................. None
Exchange Fee ............................................... None
Annual Operating Expenses
(As a Percentage of Average Net Assets):
Management fee ............................................. 1.00%
12b-1 fees ................................................. None
Other Expenses (including transfer agent fee, custodian fees
and accounting and printing expenses)(1).................. 0.53%
Total Operating Expenses ..................................... 1.53%
=====
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
+ Class Y Shares were first offered on July 2, 1998.
(1)Expenses do not reflect reductions due to certain third-party
brokerage/service and/or certain expense offset arrangements. Because of
these arrangements, Total Operating Expenses would be 1.52% of average daily
net assets.
Example:
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, with or
without redemption at the end of each time period, assuming a 5% annual return,
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and that the percentage amounts
listed under "Annual Operating Expenses" remain the same each year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
-------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class Y Shares $16 $48 $83 $182
</TABLE>
The example is designed for information purposes only, and should not be
considered a representation of past or future expenses or return. Actual Fund
expenses and return may vary from year to year and may be higher or lower than
those shown.
For further information regarding management fees and other expenses of the
Fund, see "Management of the Fund" and "Distribution of Class Y Shares" in this
Prospectus and "Management of the Fund" and "Underwriting Agreement and
Distribution Plans" in the Statement of Additional Information.
II. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Class Y shares are a new class of shares; financial highlights are not
currently available for Class Y shares. Arthur Andersen LLP's reports on the
Fund's audited financial statements as of October 31, 1997 and April 30, 1998
for Class A, Class B and Class C shares appear in the Fund's Annual and
Semiannual Reports, respectively, which are incorporated by reference into the
Statement of Additional Information. The Annual and Semiannual Reports include
more information about the Fund's performance and are available free of charge
by calling Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-6292.
III. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Fund
seeks this objective by investing in a diversified portfolio consisting
primarily of securities of companies (a) that are organized under the laws of a
European country and have a principal office in a European country or (b) that
derive 50% or more of their total revenues from business in Europe or (c) the
equity securities of which are traded principally on a stock exchange in Europe;
and in Depositary Receipts for such securities (collectively, "European
Securities").
Under normal circumstances at least 80% of the assets of the Fund are
invested in European Securities consisting of common stock and in securities
with common stock characteristics, such as preferred stock, warrants and debt
securities convertible into common stock. The Fund will not invest more than 5%
of its total assets in convertible debt securities rated at the time of purchase
by a national ratings agency below investment grade, i.e., BBB or better by
Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") or Baa by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group
("Standard & Poor's"). Such securities may have speculative characteristics and
changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may lead to a lesser
capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher
rated securities. In the event that the rating on a convertible debt security is
downgraded below investment grade, PMC, the Fund's investment adviser, will
dispose of the security in a timely manner. The Fund may invest the balance of
its assets in Temporary Investments (as defined below).
The Fund may invest in the securities of companies domiciled in any
European country, including but not limited to Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Fund may invest up to 10%
of its total assets in securities of companies with principal executive offices
located in Eastern European countries and which trade on recognized European
exchanges.
In pursuit of its objective, the Fund may pursue certain active management
techniques including forward foreign currency contracts, options and futures.
These techniques may be employed in an attempt to hedge currency exchange rate
or other risks associated with the Fund's securities. Forward foreign currency
contracts, options and futures contracts are described below and in greater
detail in the Statement of Additional Information under the caption "Investment
Policies and Restrictions."
The Fund's investment objective and certain investment restrictions
designated as fundamental set forth in the Statement of Additional Information
may not be changed without shareholder approval.
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
The Fund has the ability to hold a portion of its assets in foreign
currencies and to enter into forward foreign currency contracts to facilitate
settlement of foreign securities trans-
2
<PAGE>
actions or to protect against changes in foreign currency exchange rates. A
forward foreign currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a
specific currency on a future date, at a price set at the time of the contract.
The Fund might sell a foreign currency on either a spot or forward basis to
hedge against an anticipated decline in the dollar value of securities in its
portfolio or securities it intends or has contracted to sell or to preserve the
U.S. dollar value of dividends, interest or other amounts it expects to receive.
Although this strategy could minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the
value of the hedged foreign currency, it could also limit any potential gain
which might result from an increase in the value of the currency. Alternatively,
the Fund might purchase a foreign currency or enter into a forward purchase
contract for the currency to preserve the U.S. dollar price of securities it is
authorized to purchase or has contracted to purchase.
The Fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one
currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in
a different currency, if PMC determines that there is a pattern of correlation
between the two currencies. Cross-hedging may also include entering into a
forward transaction involving two foreign currencies, using one foreign currency
as a proxy for the U.S. dollar to hedge against variations in the other foreign
currency, if PMC determines that there is a pattern of correlation between the
proxy currency and the U.S. dollar.
If the Fund enters into a forward contract to buy foreign currency for any
purpose, the Fund will place cash or liquid securities in a segregated account
with the Fund's custodian in an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total
assets committed to the consummation of the forward contract. The Fund may enter
into forward currency contracts having an intrinsic value of up to 30% of its
net assets.
Options
To seek to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio
transactions alone, the Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options on
any securities in which it may invest or on any securities index based on
securities in which the Fund may invest. The Fund may also purchase put and call
options on such securities and indices.
The Fund may purchase put and call options on securities indices to manage
cash flow and to attempt to remain fully invested in the stock market, instead
of or in addition to buying and selling stocks. The Fund may also purchase these
options in order to hedge against risks of market-wide price fluctuations.
Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities except that
the delivery requirements are different. Unlike a securities option, which gives
the holder the right to purchase or sell a specified security at a specified
price, an option on a securities index gives the holder the right to receive a
cash "exercise settlement amount" equal to (i) the difference between the
exercise price of the option and the value of the underlying securities index on
the exercise date, (ii) multiplied by a fixed "index multiplier." In exchange
for undertaking the obligation to make such a cash payment in the event the
option is exercised, the writer of the securities index option receives a
premium.
Gains or losses on the Fund's transactions in securities index options
depend on price movements in the securities market generally (or, for narrow
market indices, in a particular industry or segment of the market) rather than
the price movement of individual securities held by the Fund. The effectiveness
of hedging through the purchase of stock index options will depend upon the
extent to which price movements in the portion of the securities portfolio being
hedged correlate with the price movements in the selected stock index. Perfect
correlation may not be possible because the securities held or to be acquired by
the Fund may not exactly match the composition of the stock index on which
options are written. In the event of market changes, the Fund's position in
stock index options may not be easily closed out. If PMC's forecasts regarding
movements in securities prices are incorrect, the Fund's investment results may
have been better without the hedge. The Fund has no present intention of
investing more than 5% of the Fund's total assets in securities index option
transactions.
The Fund may also purchase and write put and call options on foreign
currencies to seek to protect against declines in the dollar value of foreign
portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign
securities to be acquired. The Fund may also use options on currencies to
cross-hedge, which involves writing or purchasing options on one currency to
hedge against changes in exchange rates of a different currency with a pattern
of correlation. Cross-hedging may also include using a foreign currency as a
proxy for the U.S. dollar if PMC determines that there is a pattern of
correlation between that currency and the U.S. dollar. The writing of an option
on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of
the premium received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign
currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The
purchase of an option on a foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge
against exchange rate fluctuations. However, in the event of unanticipated rate
movements adverse to the Fund's option position, the Fund may forfeit the entire
amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. The Fund will only write
or purchase options on foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. or foreign
exchanges or over-the-counter. The Fund may sell an option it has purchased or a
similar option prior to the expiration of the purchased option in order to close
out its position in the purchased option. The Fund may also allow purchased
options to expire unexercised, which would result in the loss of the premium
paid. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any
particular option at any particular time, and the Fund may therefore be unable
to effect closing transactions on, or sell, options it has purchased. The Fund
may not invest more than 10% of its net assets in premiums on purchased options.
See "Investment Policies and Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
The Fund's transactions in forward currency contracts, futures and options
as described herein may be limited by the requirements for qualification of the
Fund as a regulated investment company for tax purposes. See "Tax Status" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
3
<PAGE>
Investments in Depositary Receipts
The Fund may hold securities of foreign issuers in the form of American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global
Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and other similar instruments or other securities
convertible into securities of eligible issuers. Generally, ADRs in registered
form are designed for use in U.S. securities markets, and EDRs and GDRs and
other similar global instruments in bearer form are designed for use in non-U.S.
securities markets.
ADRs are denominated in U.S. dollars and represent an interest in the right
to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a U.S. bank or
correspondent bank. ADRs do not eliminate all the risk inherent in investing in
the securities of non-U.S. issuers. However, by investing in ADRs rather than
directly in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers, the Fund will avoid currency
risks during the settlement period for either purchases or sales. EDRs and GDRs
are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the underlying
securities which they represent. For purposes of the Fund's investment policies,
investments in ADRs, GDRs and similar instruments will be deemed to be
investments in the underlying equity securities of the foreign issuers. The Fund
may acquire depositary receipts from banks that do not have a contractual
relationship with the issuer of the security underlying the depositary receipt
to issue and secure such depositary receipt. To the extent the Fund invests in
such unsponsored depositary receipts there may be an increased possibility that
the Fund may not become aware of events affecting the underlying security and
thus the value of the related depositary receipt. In addition, certain benefits
(i.e., rights offerings) which may be associated with the security underlying
the depositary receipt may not inure to the benefit of the holder of such
depositary receipt.
Futures Contracts
The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts on securities, securities
indices, currencies and interest rates and purchase and write call and put
options on such futures contracts. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase
and sale transactions with respect to such futures contracts and options. The
Fund will engage in futures contracts and related options transactions for bona
fide hedging purposes as defined in regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission or to seek to increase total return to the extent permitted by such
regulations.
The Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts or purchase related
options to increase total return, except for closing purchase or sale
transactions, if immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of initial margin
deposits on the Fund's outstanding futures and the amount of premiums paid for
outstanding options on futures entered into for the purpose of seeking to
increase total return, adjusted to reflect the amount of any such option which
is "in-the-money," would exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets. These
transactions involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in the case
of contracts and options obligating the Fund to purchase securities or
currencies, require the Fund to segregate assets to cover such contracts and
options. The loss incurred by the Fund in writing options on futures is
potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, generally not exceeding
seven days. Such repurchase agreements will be fully collateralized with
securities whose market value is not less than 100% of the obligation, valued
daily. Collateral will be held in a segregated, safekeeping account for the
benefit of the Fund. The Fund may be prevented from realizing the value of the
collateral by reason of an order of a court with jurisdiction over an insolvency
proceeding with respect to the other party to the repurchase agreement.
Temporary Investments
Temporary Investments are short-term (less than 12 months to maturity)
obligations, consisting of: (a) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government or the government of a European country or their respective agencies
or instrumentalities; (b) international organizations designated or supported by
multiple foreign governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or
development; (c) corporate commercial paper and other short-term commercial
obligations, in each case rated or issued by companies with similar securities
outstanding that are rated Prime-1 or Aa or better by Moody's or A-1 or AA or
better by Standard & Poor's; and (d) obligations (including certificates of
deposit, time deposits, demand deposits and bankers' acceptances) of banks
(located in the U.S. or in European countries) with securities outstanding that
are rated Prime-1 or Aa or better by Moody's or A-1 or AA or better by Standard
& Poor's.
The Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest up to 100% of its
assets in Temporary Investments. The Fund may assume a temporary defensive
posture only when political and economic factors broadly affect one or more
European equity markets to such an extent that PMC believes there to be
extraordinary risks in being substantially fully invested.
Portfolio Turnover
Securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold whenever PMC believes that
it is necessary without regard to length of time the particular security may
have been held. This policy is subject to certain requirements for continuing
the Fund's qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). See "Financial Highlights" for
the actual turnover rates.
IV. EUROPE
PMC believes that a favorable environment for investing in Europe has been
created, and may continue to develop. One of the more significant changes is the
economic integration of the European Union ("EU") member states. It is not
possible to quantify the economic benefits derived from the attainment of a
single market among member states of the EU. However, a single market is
generally expected to reduce costs of doing
4
<PAGE>
business, thereby resulting in a reduction of prices, and to spur increased
competition among businesses in member states. There can be no assurance that
such economic benefits will benefit the Fund.
Another development that may provide investment opportunities is the
development and expansion of free-market economies in Eastern Europe. The Fund
may also invest in European Securities whose issuers can benefit from the
expansion of free-market economies in Eastern European countries.
Risk Factors
Investing in securities of foreign companies and foreign governments
involves certain considerations and risks which are not typically associated
with investing in securities of U.S. companies and the U.S. government. European
companies are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial
standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
There may also be less government supervision and regulation of European
securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United
States. Interest and dividends paid by European issuers may be subject to
withholding and other foreign taxes which will decrease the net return on such
investments as compared to interest and dividends paid to a fund by domestic
companies or by the U.S. government.
In addition, the value of European securities may also be adversely
affected by fluctuations in the relative rates of exchange between the
currencies of different nations and by exchange control regulations. There may
be less publicly available information about European companies compared to
reports and ratings published about U.S. companies. European securities markets
generally have substantially less trading volume than U.S. markets and
securities of some European companies are less liquid and more volatile than
securities of comparable U.S. companies. Brokerage commissions in Europe are
generally fixed, and other transaction costs on European securities exchanges
are generally higher than in the United States. The countries of Eastern Europe
are generally considered to have emerging economies or securities markets.
Political and economic structures in many of such countries may be undergoing
significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the
social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed
countries. As a result, the risks described above relating to investments in
foreign securities, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of
assets, may be heightened.
V. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Fund's Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for management and
supervision of the Fund. The Board meets at least quarterly. By virtue of the
functions performed by PMC as investment adviser, the Fund requires no employees
other than its executive officers, all of whom receive their compensation from
PMC or other sources. The Statement of Additional Information contains the names
and general business and professional background of each Trustee and executive
officer of the Fund.
The Fund is managed under a contract with PMC, which serves as the
investment adviser to the Fund and is responsible for the overall management of
the Fund's business affairs. PMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Pioneer
Group, Inc. ("PGI"), a publicly traded Delaware corporation. Pioneer Funds
Distributor, Inc. ("PFD"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of PGI, is the
principal underwriter of the Fund. John F. Cogan, Jr., Chairman and President of
the Fund, Chairman and a Director of PMC and PFD, and President and a Director
of PGI, beneficially owned approximately 14% of the outstanding capital stock of
PGI as of the date of this Prospectus.
Mr. David Tripple, President and Chief Investment Officer of PMC and
Executive Vice President of each Pioneer mutual fund, has general
responsibility for PMC's investment operations and chairs a committee of PMC's
global equity managers which reviews PMC's research and portfolio operations,
including those of the Fund. Mr. Tripple joined PMC in 1974.
Research and management of the Fund is the responsibility of a team of
portfolio managers and analysts focusing on non-U.S. securities. Members of the
team meet regularly to discuss holdings, prospective investments and portfolio
composition. Dr. Norman Kurland, a Senior Vice President of PMC and Vice
President of the Fund, is the senior member of the team. Dr. Kurland joined PMC
in 1990.
Day-to-day management of the Fund has been the responsibility of Mr.
Patrick M. Smith, a Vice President of PMC and the Fund, since January 1994. Mr.
Smith joined PMC in 1992 and has 12 years of investment experience.
In addition to the Fund, PMC also manages and serves as the investment
adviser for other mutual funds and is an investment adviser to certain other
institutional accounts. PMC's and PFD's executive offices are located at 60
State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. In an effort to avoid conflicts of
interest with the Fund, the Fund and PMC have adopted a Code of Ethics that is
designed to maintain a high standard of personal conduct by directing that all
personnel defer to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders in making
personal securities transactions.
In managing the Fund, PMC relies primarily on the knowledge, experience and
judgment of its research staff, but also receives and uses information from a
variety of outside sources, including brokerage firms, electronic databases,
specialized research firms and technical journals.
Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by PMC pursuant to a
management contract between PMC and the Fund. PMC assists in the management of
the Fund and is authorized in its discretion to buy and sell securities for the
account of the Fund. PMC pays all the ordinary operating expenses, including
executive salaries and the rental of office space related to its services for
the Fund, with the exception of the following which are to be paid by the Fund:
(a) charges and expenses for fund accounting, pricing and appraisal services and
related overhead, including, to the extent such services are performed by
personnel of PMC or its affiliates,
5
<PAGE>
office space and facilities and personnel compensation, training and benefits;
(b) the charges and expenses of auditors; (c) the charges and expenses of any
custodian, transfer agent, plan agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar;
(d) issue and transfer taxes, chargeable to the Fund in connection with
securities transactions to which the Fund is a party; (e) insurance premiums,
interest charges, dues and fees for membership in trade associations and all
taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to federal, state or other
governmental agencies; (f) fees and expenses involved in registering and
maintaining registrations of the Fund and/or its shares with the SEC, state or
blue sky securities agencies and foreign countries, including the preparation of
Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for filing with the SEC;
(g) all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing,
printing and distributing prospectuses, notices, proxy statements and all
reports to shareholders and to governmental agencies; (h) charges and expenses
of legal counsel to the Fund and to the Trustees; (i) distribution fees paid by
the Fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); (j) compensation of
those Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with or interested persons of
PMC, the Fund (other than as Trustees), PGI or PFD; (k) the cost of preparing
and printing share certificates; and (l) interest on borrowed money, if any. In
addition to the expenses described above, the Fund pays all brokers' and
underwriting commissions chargeable to the Fund in connection with securities
transactions to which the Fund is a party.
As compensation for its management services and certain expenses which PMC
incurs, PMC is entitled to a management fee equal to 1% per annum of the Fund's
average daily net assets up to $300 million, 0.85% of the next $200 million and
0.75% of the excess over $500 million. The fee is normally computed daily and
paid monthly. See "Expense Information" in this Prospectus and "Investment
Adviser" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Orders for the Fund's portfolio securities transactions are placed by PMC,
which strives to obtain the best price and execution for each transaction. In
circumstances in which two or more broker-dealers are in a position to offer
comparable prices and execution, consideration may be given to whether the
broker-dealer provides investment research or brokerage services or sells shares
of any Pioneer mutual fund or other funds for which PMC or any affiliate or
subsidiary serves as investment adviser or manager. See the Statement of
Additional Information for a further description of brokerage allocation
practices.
Certain information technology experts currently predict the possibility of
a widespread failure of computer systems and certain other equipment which will
be triggered on or after certain dates--primarily January 1, 2000--due to a
systemic inability to process date-related information. This scenario, commonly
known as the "Year 2000 Problem," could have an adverse impact on individuals
and businesses, including the Fund and other mutual funds and financial
organizations. PMC and its affiliates are taking steps believed to be adequate
to address the Year 2000 Problem with respect to the systems and equipment
controlled by the Fund's investment adviser, broker-dealer and transfer agent.
In addition, other entities providing services to the Fund and its shareholders
are being asked to provide assurances that they have undertaken similar measures
with respect to their systems and equipment. Although PMC is not expecting any
adverse impact to it or its clients from the Year 2000 Problem, it cannot
provide complete assurances that its efforts or the efforts of its key vendors
will be successful.
VI. FUND SHARES
The Fund continuously offers four Classes of shares designated as Class A,
Class B, Class C and Class Y shares. Class A, Class B and Class C shares are
offered in a separate prospectus which may be obtained by contacting your sales
representative or by calling Pioneering Services Corporation ("PSC") at
1-800-225-6292.
Class Y shares are sold at net asset value, without either an initial sales
charge or a contingent deferred sales charge. Class Y shares are not subject to
any ongoing service fee or distribution fee and do not convert to any other
class of shares. Class Y shares are described more fully in "Purchasing Class Y
Shares" in this Prospectus.
Investment dealers or their representatives may receive different
compensation depending on which Class of shares they sell. Shares may be
exchanged only for shares of the same Class of another Pioneer mutual fund.
Shares sold outside the U.S. to persons who are not U.S. citizens may be subject
to different sales charges, contingent deferred sales charges and dealer
compensation arrangements in accordance with local laws and business practices.
VII. SHARE PRICE
Class Y shares of the Fund are sold at the net asset value per share. The
net asset value per share of each Class of the Fund is determined by dividing
the value of its assets, less liabilities attributable to that Class, by the
number of shares of that Class outstanding. The net asset value is computed once
daily, on each day the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is open, as of
the close of regular trading on the Exchange. The net asset value per share of
Class Y shares will generally be higher than the net asset value per share of
the Fund's other three classes of shares because Class Y shares are not subject
to any ongoing distribution fee, and certain other expenses are expected to be
lower.
Securities are valued at the last sale price on the principal exchange or
market where they are traded. Securities which have not traded on the date of
valuation or securities for which sales prices are not generally reported are
valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices. Securities quoted
in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars utilizing foreign exchange
rates employed by the Fund's independent pricing services. Generally, trading in
foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to
the close of regular trading on the Exchange. The
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values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's
shares are determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also
generally determined prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange.
Occasionally, events which affect the values of such securities and such
exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined and the
close of regular trading on the Exchange and will therefore not be reflected in
the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If events materially affecting
the value of such securities occur during such period, then these securities may
be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. All
assets of the Fund for which there is no other readily available valuation
method are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the
Trustees.
VIII. PURCHASING CLASS Y SHARES
To open an account for an individual or other non-institutional investor, a
completed Account Application must be received by PSC by mail or by fax prior to
the purchase of Class Y shares. All other investors should call PSC at
1-888-294-4480 to obtain an account set-up kit and to obtain an account number.
A bank wire address of record (your predesignated bank account) must be provided
to PSC at the time an account is established.
The minimum initial investment for Class Y shares is $5 million which may
be invested in one or more of the Pioneer mutual funds that currently offer
Class Y shares. There is no minimum additional investment amount. Class Y shares
will be purchased at the net asset value per share next computed after receipt
of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales charge and are
not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. All purchases must be made in
U.S. dollars.
The $5 million minimum investment requirement will be waived if:
(i) a trust company or bank trust department is initially investing at least $1
million in any of the Pioneer mutual funds and, at the time of the purchase,
such assets are held in a fiduciary, advisory, custodial or similar capacity
over which the trust company or bank trust department has full or shared
investment discretion; or
(ii)the investment is made by an employer sponsored retirement plan that meets
the requirements of Sections 401, 403 or 457 of the Code, provided that the
number of employees covered by the plan is 5,000 or more or the plan has
assets of $25 million or more; or
(iii) the investment is at least $1 million in any of the Pioneer mutual funds
and the purchaser is an insurance company separate account; or
(iv) the investment is made by an employer sponsored retirement plan established
for the benefit of (1) employees of PGI or employees of PGI's affiliates or
(2) employees or affiliates of broker-dealers who have a Class Y shares
sales agreement with PFD.
Payment By Wire. Funds may be wired in payment of a request to purchase
Class Y shares provided that such funds are wired to a Class Y shares account.
See above for information on establishing an account. To wire funds in payment
of a request to purchase Class Y shares instruct your bank to wire funds to:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Receiving Bank State Street Bank and Trust Company
Address 225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02101
ABA Routing No. 011000028
For further credit to: Shareholder Name
Existing Pioneer Account No.
Pioneer Europe Fund
</TABLE>
A request to purchase shares must be received by PSC or by your
broker-dealer by the close of regular trading on the Exchange (currently 4:00
p.m. Eastern time) in order to purchase shares at the price determined on that
day. Funds wired in payment of such requests must be received by State Street
Bank and Trust Company by 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on the next business day
following receipt of the request to purchase shares. If wired funds are not
received by State Street Bank and Trust Company by 11:00 a.m. on the next
business day following receipt of the request to purchase shares, the
transaction will be canceled at the expense and risk of the purchaser. Wire
transfers normally take two or more hours to complete and a fee may be charged
by the sending bank. Wire transfers may be restricted on holidays and at certain
other times. Questions on wire transfers should be directed to PSC or your
broker-dealer.
By Mail. Purchases of Class Y shares may always be made by mail. For
accounts registered to individuals or non-institutional investors, make your
check payable to Pioneer Europe Fund and mail a completed Account Application
to PSC at: P.O. Box 9150, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8573. For accounts
registered to institutions, completed account set-up kit materials must be sent
to PSC with payment. Checks written on non-U.S. banks will delay purchases
until U.S. funds are received and a collection charge may be imposed.
Broker-Dealers. An order for Class Y shares received by a broker-dealer
prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange is confirmed at the price
for Class Y shares as determined at the close of regular trading on the Exchange
on the day the order is received, provided the order is received by PFD from the
broker-dealer prior to PFD's close of business (usually, 5:30 p.m. Eastern
time), except as described above for wire transfers. It is the responsibility of
broker-dealers to transmit orders so that they will be received by PFD prior to
its close of business.
General. The Fund reserves the right in its sole discretion to withdraw all
or any part of the offering of shares when, in the judgment of the Fund's
management, such withdrawal is in the best interest of the Fund. An order to
purchase shares is not binding on, and may be rejected by, PFD until it has been
confirmed in writing by PFD and payment has been received.
IX. REDEEMING CLASS Y SHARES
Class Y shares will be redeemed at the share price next calculated after a
redemption request is received in good
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order as described below. Redemption proceeds generally will be sent to the
registered owner by check or by wire transfer, normally within seven days after
the request is received in good order. The Fund reserves the right to withhold
payment of the redemption proceeds until checks or wire transfers received by
the Fund in payment for the shares being sold have cleared, which may take up to
15 calendar days from the purchase date.
In Writing. Class Y shares may be redeemed by delivering a written request,
signed by all registered owners, in good order to PSC. A written request,
including a signature guarantee, must be used to redeem Class Y shares if any of
the following applies:
[bullet] the requested redemption is for over $100,000 and there is no
record of a predesignated bank account,
[bullet] the requested redemption is for over $100,000 and the account
registration or address of record has changed within the last
30 days,
[bullet] the requested redemption is for over $5 million,
[bullet] the check for the amount of the redemption proceeds is not being
mailed to the address of record,
[bullet] the check for the amount of the redemption proceeds is not being
made payable to the account's record owners, or
[bullet] the redemption proceeds are being transferred to a Pioneer mutual
fund account with a different registration.
Include in the request the account's registration name, the Fund's name,
the Fund account number, the Class of shares to be redeemed, the dollar amount
or number of shares to be redeemed, and any other applicable requirements as
described below. Redemption requests for accounts registered in the name of a
corporation or other fiduciary must name an authorized person and must be
accompanied by a certified copy of a current corporate resolution, certificate
of incumbency or similar legal document showing that the named individual is
authorized to act on behalf of the record owner. Unless instructed otherwise,
PSC will send the proceeds of the redemption by check to the address of record.
For more information, contact PSC at 1-888-294-4480.
Written requests will not be processed until they are received in good
order by PSC. Good order means that there are no outstanding claims or requests
to hold redemptions on the account, any share certificates are endorsed by the
record owner(s) exactly as the shares are registered and the signature(s) on the
share certificate are guaranteed by an eligible guarantor. A bank, broker,
dealer, credit union (if authorized under state law), securities exchange or
association, clearing agency or savings association will generally be able to
provide a signature guarantee. A notary public cannot provide a signature
guarantee. Signature guarantees are not accepted by facsimile ("fax"). For
additional information about the necessary documentation for redemption by mail,
please contact PSC at 1-888-294-4480.
A signature guarantee must also accompany any request to change your
predesignated bank account information.
By Telephone or Fax. Class Y share accounts are automatically authorized to
have the telephone redemption privilege unless indicated otherwise on the
Account Application or by writing to PSC. Proper account identification will be
required for each telephone redemption. A maximum of $5 million per account per
day may be redeemed by telephone or fax if PSC has a predesignated bank account
number on record. If there is no predesignated bank account number on file, a
maximum of $100,000 may be redeemed by telephone or fax. The proceeds of a
telephone or fax redemption may be received by bank wire, electronic funds
transfer or by check. Proceeds of a telephone or fax request will normally be
mailed or transmitted the next business day.
To redeem by telephone, see "Shareholder Services-- Telephone Transactions"
for more information.
To redeem by fax, send your redemption request to 1-888-294-4485.
To receive the proceeds by bank wire: the proceeds must be sent to the bank
wire address of record which must have been properly predesignated either on
your Account Application or on an Account Options Form and which must not have
changed in the last 30 days.
To receive the proceeds by check: the check must be made payable exactly as
the account is registered and the check must be sent to the address of record
which must not have changed in the last 30 days.
You may always elect to deliver redemption instructions to PSC by mail.
Redeeming Shares Through a Broker-Dealer. The Fund has authorized PFD to
act as its agent in the repurchase of shares of the Fund from qualified
broker-dealers and reserves the right to terminate this procedure at any time.
Broker-dealers must receive redemption requests prior to the close of business
of the Exchange and must transmit each redemption request to PFD before PFD's
close of business to receive that day's redemption price. Broker-dealers are
responsible for providing all necessary documentation to PFD and may charge for
their services.
General. Redemptions may be suspended or payment postponed during any
period in which any of the following conditions exist: the Exchange is closed or
trading on the Exchange is restricted; an emergency exists as a result of which
disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or
it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of
the net assets of its portfolio; or the SEC, by order, so permits.
Redemptions and repurchases are taxable transactions to shareholders unless
the account qualifies as tax-exempt. The net asset value per share received upon
redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the cost of shares to an
investor, depending on the market value of the portfolio at the time of
redemption or repurchase.
X. EXCHANGING CLASS Y SHARES
Exchanges of Class Y shares must be at least $1,000. You may exchange your
investment from one Class of Fund
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shares at net asset value, without a sales charge, for shares of the same Class
of any other Pioneer mutual fund. Not all Pioneer mutual funds offer Class Y
shares. A new Pioneer mutual fund account opened through an exchange must have a
registration identical to that on the original account.
PSC will process exchanges only after receiving an exchange request in good
order. Exchange requests received by PSC before the close of the Exchange,
generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, will be effective on that day if the
requirements above have been met, otherwise, they will be effective on the next
business day. There are currently no fees or sales charges imposed at the time
of an exchange. An exchange of shares may be made only in states where legally
permitted. For federal and (generally) state income tax purposes, an exchange is
considered to be a sale of the shares of the Fund exchanged and a purchase of
shares in another Pioneer mutual fund. Therefore, an exchange could result in a
gain or loss on the shares sold, depending on the tax basis of these shares and
the timing of the transaction, and special tax rules may apply.
You should consider the differences in objectives and policies of the
Pioneer mutual funds, as described in each fund's current prospectus, before
making any exchange. For the protection of the Fund's performance and
shareholders, the Fund and PFD reserve the right to refuse any exchange request
or restrict, at any time without notice, the number and/or frequency of
exchanges to prevent abuses of the exchange privilege. Such abuses may arise
from frequent trading in response to short-term market fluctuations, a pattern
of trading by an individual or group that appears to be an attempt to "time the
market," or any other exchange request which, in the view of management, will
have a detrimental effect on the Fund's portfolio management strategy or its
operations. In addition, the Fund and PFD reserve the right to charge a fee for
exchanges or to modify, limit, suspend or discontinue the exchange privilege
with notice to shareholders as required by law.
Telephone and Fax Exchanges. Class Y share accounts are automatically
authorized to have the telephone exchange privilege unless indicated otherwise
on the Account Application or by writing to PSC. Proper account identification
will be required for each telephone exchange. Telephone exchanges or fax
exchanges of Class Y shares may not exceed $5 million per account per day. Each
telephone exchange request will be recorded. See "Telephone Transactions" below.
Written Exchanges. Class Y shares may be exchanged by sending a letter of
instruction to PSC. Include in your letter the record name on the account, the
name of the Pioneer mutual fund out of which to exchange and the name of the
Pioneer mutual fund into which to exchange, the fund account number(s), the
Class of shares to be exchanged and the dollar amount or number of shares to be
exchanged. Written exchange requests must be signed by all record owner(s)
exactly as the shares are registered. Written documentation may be required for
accounts registered in the name of a corporation or fiduciary.
XI. DISTRIBUTION OF CLASS Y SHARES
PFD incurs the expenses of distributing the Fund's Class Y shares, none of
which are reimbursed or paid for by the Fund. These expenses include fees paid
to, or on account of, broker-dealers and other qualifying institutions which
have sales agreements with PFD, advertising expenses, the cost of printing and
mailing prospectuses to potential investors and other direct and indirect
expenses associated with the sale of Fund's Class Y shares.
PFD or its affiliates may make payments out of its own resources to dealers
and other persons who distribute shares of the Fund, including Class Y shares.
Such payments may be calculated by reference to the net asset value of shares
sold by such person or otherwise. Dealers and other persons may from time to
time be required to meet certain criteria in order to receive such payments.
Banks are currently prohibited under the Glass-Steagall Act from providing
certain underwriting or distribution services. If a bank was prohibited from
acting in any capacity or providing any of the described services, management
would consider what action, if any, would be appropriate.
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution for each Class of shares, other
than Class Y shares, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant
to which certain distribution fees are paid to PFD. For more information, see
"Underwriting Agreement and Distribution Plans" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
XII. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXATION
The Fund has elected to be treated, has qualified, and intends to qualify
each year as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code, so
that it will not pay federal income tax on income and capital gains distributed
to shareholders as required under the Code.
Under the Code, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal
excise tax on a portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital gains
if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each
calendar year. The Fund intends to make distributions in a timely manner and
accordingly does not expect to be subject to the excise tax.
The Fund pays dividends from net investment income and distributes its net
realized short and long-term capital gains, if any, annually, usually in
December. Dividends from income and/or capital gains may also be paid at such
other times as may be necessary for the Fund to avoid federal income or excise
tax. Generally, dividends from the Fund's net investment income, market discount
income, certain net foreign exchange gains, and net short-term capital gains are
taxable under the Code as ordinary income, and dividends from the Fund's net
long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains. The Fund's
distributions of long-term capital gains to individuals or other noncorporate
taxpayers are subject to different maximum tax rates (which will be indicated in
the annual tax information the Fund provides to shareholders), depending
generally upon the sources of, and the Fund's holding period for the assets that
produce, the gains.
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Unless shareholders specify otherwise, all distributions will be
automatically reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the Fund.
For federal income tax purposes, all dividends are taxable as described above
whether a shareholder takes them in cash or reinvests them in additional shares
of the Fund. Information as to the federal tax status of dividends and
distributions will be provided to shareholders annually. For further information
on the distribution options available to shareholders, see "Distribution
Options" and "Directed Dividends" below.
The Fund's dividends and distributions generally will not qualify for any
dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes or other foreign taxes
on income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) on certain of its
foreign investments, which will reduce the yield on or return from those
investments. In any year in which the Fund qualifies, it may make an election
that would permit certain of its shareholders to take a credit or a deduction
for qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund. Each shareholder would then
include in gross income (in addition to dividends actually received) his or her
appropriate share of the amount of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If
this election is made, the Fund will notify its shareholders annually as to
their share of the amount of qualified foreign taxes paid and the foreign source
income of the Fund.
Dividends and other distributions and the proceeds of redemptions,
exchanges or repurchases of Fund shares paid to individuals and other non-exempt
payees will be subject to 31% backup withholding of federal income tax if the
Fund is not provided with the shareholder's correct taxpayer identification
number and certification that the number is correct and that the shareholder is
not subject to backup withholding or the Fund receives notice from the IRS or a
broker that such withholding applies. Please refer to the Account Application
for additional information.
The description above relates only to U.S. federal income tax consequences
for shareholders who are U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S.
corporations, partnerships, trust or estates, and who are subject to U.S.
federal income tax. Non-U.S. shareholders and tax-exempt shareholders are
subject to tax treatment that is different than described above. Shareholders
should consult their own tax advisors regarding state, local and other
applicable tax laws, including the application of the federal tax legislation
and regulations referred to above in their particular circumstances.
XIII. SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
PSC is the shareholder services and transfer agent for shares of the Fund.
PSC, a Massachusetts corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PGI. PSC's
offices are located at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, and
inquiries to PSC should be mailed to Pioneering Services Corporation, P.O. Box
9014, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9014. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (the
"Custodian") serves as custodian of the Fund's portfolio securities. The
principal business address of the mutual fund division of the Custodian is 40
Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. The Custodian oversees a network of
subcustodians and depositories around the world.
Account and Confirmation Statements
PSC maintains an account for each shareholder and all transactions of the
shareholder are recorded in this account. Confirmation statements showing the
details of transactions are sent to shareholders as transactions occur.
Financial Reports and Tax Information
As a shareholder, you will receive financial reports at least semiannually.
In January of each year the Fund will mail to you information about the tax
status of dividends and distributions.
Distribution Options
Dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, will automatically be
invested in additional shares of the Fund, at the applicable net asset value per
share, unless you indicate another option on the Account Application.
Two other options available are (a) dividends in cash and capital gains
distributions in additional shares; and (b) all dividends and capital gains
distributions in cash. These two options are not available, however, for
retirement plans or an account with a net asset value of less than $500. Changes
in the distribution option may be made by written request to PSC.
If you elect to receive either dividends or dividends and capital gains in
cash and a distribution check issued to you is returned by the U. S. Postal
Service as not deliverable or a distribution check remains uncashed for six
months or more, the amount of the check may be reinvested in your account. Such
additional shares will be purchased at the then current net asset value.
Furthermore, the distribution option on the account will automatically be
changed to the reinvestment option until such time as you request a different
option by writing to PSC.
Telephone Transactions
Class Y accounts are automatically authorized to have telephone transaction
privileges as described above . To redeem or exchange Class Y shares by
telephone, call 1-888-294-4480 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Eastern time on weekdays. See "Selling Class Y Shares" and "Exchanging Class Y
Shares" for more information.
To confirm that each transaction instruction received by telephone is
genuine, the Fund will record each telephone transaction, require the caller to
provide the personal identification number ("PIN") for the account and send you
a written confirmation of each telephone transaction. Different procedures may
apply to accounts that are registered to non-U.S. citizens or that are held in
the name of an institution or in the name of an investment broker-dealer or
other third party. If reasonable procedures, such as those described above, are
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<PAGE>
not followed, the Fund may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or
fraudulent instructions. In all other cases, neither the Fund, PSC nor PFD will
be responsible for the authenticity of instructions received by telephone;
therefore, you bear the risk of loss for unauthorized or fraudulent telephone
transactions. The Fund may implement other procedures from time to time.
During times of economic turmoil or market volatility or as a result of
severe weather or a natural disaster, it may be difficult to contact the Fund by
telephone to institute a redemption or exchange. You should communicate with the
Fund in writing if you are unable to reach the Fund by telephone.
FactFone(SM)
FactFone(SM) is an automated inquiry and telephone transaction system
available to Pioneer shareholders by dialing 1-800-225-4321. FactFone(SM) allows
shareholder access to current information on Pioneer mutual fund accounts and to
the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual funds. Computer
assisted telephone purchases, exchanges and redemptions of Class Y shares are
not currently available through FactFone(SM).
The options and services available to shareholders may be revised,
suspended, or terminated at any time by PFD or by the Fund. You may establish
the services described in this section when you open your account. You may also
establish or revise many of them on an existing account by completing an Account
Options Form, which you may obtain by calling 1-888-294-4480.
XIV. THE FUND
The Fund is an open-end, diversified management investment company
(commonly referred to as a mutual fund) organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on June 22, 1990. The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest. As an open-end management investment company, the Fund
usually continuously offers its shares to the public and under normal conditions
must redeem its shares upon the demand of any shareholder at the then current
net asset value per share, less any applicable CDSC. See "Redeeming Class Y
Shares." The Fund is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual
shareholder meetings, although special meetings may be called for the purposes
of electing or removing Trustees, changing fundamental investment restrictions
or approving a management contract.
The Trustees have the authority, without further shareholder approval, to
classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund, or any additional series of the
Fund, into one or more classes. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Trustees
have authorized the issuance of four classes of shares, designated Class A,
Class B, Class C and Class Y. The shares of each class represent an interest in
the same portfolio of investments of the Fund. Each class has equal rights as to
voting, redemption, dividends and liquidation, except that each class bears
different distribution and transfer agent fees and may bear other expenses
properly attributable to the particular class. Class A, Class B and Class C
shareholders have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1
distribution plans adopted by holders of those shares in connection with the
distribution of shares. The Fund reserves the right to create and issue
additional series of shares. A Rule 12b-1 Plan has not been adopted with respect
to the Class Y shares of the Fund (see "Distribution of Class Y Shares" for more
information).
When issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information, shares of the Fund are fully-paid and
non-assessable by the Fund. Shares will remain on deposit with the Fund's
transfer agent and certificates will not normally be issued. The Fund reserves
the right to charge a fee for the issuance of Class A share certificates;
certificates will not be issued for Class B, Class C or Class Y shares.
XV. INVESTMENT RESULTS
The average annual total return (for a designated period of time) on an
investment in the Fund may be included in advertisements, and furnished to
existing or prospective shareholders. The average annual total return for each
Class is computed in accordance with the SEC's standardized formula. The
calculation for each Class assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of federal or
state income taxes. In addition, for Class A shares the calculation assumes the
deduction of the maximum sales charge of 5.75%; for Class B and Class C shares
the calculation reflects the deduction of any applicable CDSC. The periods
illustrated would normally include one, five and ten years (or since the
commencement of the public offering of the shares of a Class, if shorter)
through the most recent calendar quarter.
One or more additional measures and assumptions, including but not limited
to historical total returns; distribution returns; results of actual or
hypothetical investments; changes in dividends, distributions or share values;
or any graphic illustration of such data may also be used. These data may cover
any period of the Fund's existence and may or may not include the impact of
sales charges, taxes or other factors.
Other investments or savings vehicles and/or unmanaged market indices,
indicators of economic activity or averages of mutual funds results may be cited
or compared with the investment results of the Fund. Rankings or listings by
magazines, newspapers or independent statistical or rating services, such as
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., may also be referenced.
The Fund's investment results will vary from time to time depending on
market conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio and operating
expenses of the Fund. All quoted investment results are historical and should
not be considered representative of what an investment in the Fund may earn in
any future period. For further information about the calculation methods and
uses of the Fund's investment results, see the Statement of Additional
Information.
11
<PAGE>
Pioneer
Europe Fund
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
OFFICERS
JOHN F. COGAN, JR., Chairman and President
DAVID D. TRIPPLE, Executive Vice President
NORMAN KURLAND, Ph.D., Vice President
PATRICK M. SMITH, Vice President
WILLIAM H. KEOUGH, Treasurer
JOSEPH P. BARRI, Secretary
INVESTMENT ADVISER
PIONEERING MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
CUSTODIAN
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
LEGAL COUNSEL
HALE AND DORR LLP
0798-5358
(c)Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
[Pioneer logo]
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
PIONEER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AND TRANSFER AGENT
PIONEERING SERVICES CORPORATION
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Telephone: 1-888-294-4480
SERVICE INFORMATION
If you would like information on the following, please call:
Existing and new accounts, prospectuses,
applications, service forms
and telephone transactions.................................... 1-800-294-4480
FactFone(SM)
Automated fund yields, automated prices and
account information........................................... 1-800-225-4321
Toll-free fax...................................................1-888-294-4485
Visit our website: www:pioneerfunds.com
<PAGE>
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<PAGE>
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y Shares
February 27, 1998
Revised July 2, 1998
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus, but
should be read in conjunction with the Class A, Class B and Class C Prospectus
dated February 27, 1998 and the Class Y Prospectus dated July 2, 1998 (each a
"Prospectus," and together, the "Prospectuses") as amended and/or supplemented
from time to time, of Pioneer Europe Fund (the "Fund"). A copy of each
Prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling Shareholder Services at
1-800-225-6292 or by written request to the Fund at 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109. The most recent Annual Report to Shareholders is attached
to this Statement of Additional Information and is hereby incorporated into this
Statement of Additional Information by reference.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Investment Policies and Restrictions........................ 2
2. Management of the Fund...................................... 10
3. Investment Adviser.......................................... 15
4. Underwriting Agreement and Distribution Plans............... 15
5. Shareholder Servicing/Transfer Agent........................ 18
6. Custodian................................................... 19
7. Principal Underwriter....................................... 19
8. Independent Public Accountants.............................. 19
9. Portfolio Transactions...................................... 20
10. Tax Status.................................................. 21
11. Description of Shares....................................... 25
12. Certain Liabilities......................................... 26
13. Letter of Intent............................................ 27
14. Systematic Withdrawal Plan.................................. 27
15. Determination of Net Asset Value............................ 28
16. Investment Results.......................................... 28
17. Financial Statements........................................ 31
Appendix A - Description of Short-Term Debt
and Corporate Bond Ratings............................. 32
Appendix B - Performance Statistics......................... 36
Appendix C - Other Pioneer Information...................... 49
-------------------------
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED
FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED
OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
1. INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
The Fund's Prospectuses present the investment objective and the
principal investment policies of the Fund. Additional investment policies and a
further description of some of the policies described in theProspectuses appear
below. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meaning given to
them in the Prospectuses.
The following policies and restrictions supplement those discussed in
the Prospectuses. Except with respect to the policy on borrowing described
below, whenever an investment policy or restriction states a maximum percentage
of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or presents a policy
regarding quality standards, this standard or other restrictions shall be
determined immediately after and as a result of the Fund's investment.
Accordingly, any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values,
net assets or other circumstances will not be considered in determining whether
the investment complies with the Fund's investment objective and policies, other
than the policy on borrowing.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to member firms of the Exchange
under agreements which require that the loans be fully collateralized by cash,
cash equivalents or U.S. Treasury bills maintained on a current basis at an
amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The Fund
would continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by
the issuer on the securities loaned as well as the benefit of any increase in
the market value of the securities loaned and would also receive compensation
based on investment of the collateral. The Fund would not, however, have the
right to vote any securities having voting rights during the existence of the
loan, but would call the loan in anticipation of an important vote to be taken
among holders of the securities or of the giving or withholding of their consent
on a material matter affecting the investment.
As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in
recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the
securities fail financially. The Fund will lend portfolio securities only to
firms which have been approved in advance by the Board of Trustees which will
monitor the creditworthiness of any such firms pursuant to standards approved by
the Fund's Board of Trustees. At no time would the value of the securities
loaned exceed 30% of the value of the Fund's total assets. The Fund did not lend
portfolio securities during the last fiscal year and has no present intention to
engage in any material portfolio lending in the future.
Other Investment Companies
The Fund may not, under the 1940 Act, acquire the securities of other
domestic or foreign investment companies or investment funds if, as a result,
(i) more than 10% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of
other investment companies, (ii) such purchase would result in more than 3% of
the total outstanding voting securities of any one investment company being held
by the Fund, or (iii) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested
in any one investment company. These limitations do not apply to the purchase of
shares of any investment company in connection with a merger, consolidation,
reorganization or acquisition of substantially all the assets of another
investment company. The Fund, as a shareholder of the securities of other
investment companies, will bear its pro rata portion of the other investment
company's expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to
the direct expenses of a Portfolio's own operations.
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
The foreign currency transactions of the Fund may be conducted on a
spot, i.e., cash, basis at the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency
prevailing in the foreign exchange market. The Fund also has authority to enter
into forward foreign currency exchange contracts involving currencies of the
different countries in which it will invest as a hedge against possible
variations in the foreign exchange rate between these currencies and the U.S.
dollar. This is accomplished through contractual agreements to purchase or sell
a specified currency at a specified future date and price set at the time of the
contract. The Fund's transactions in forward foreign currency contracts will be
limited to hedging either specific transactions or portfolio positions.
Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward foreign currency
contracts with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund, accrued
in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities denominated
in foreign currencies. Portfolio hedging is the use of forward foreign currency
contracts to offset portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in such
foreign currencies. There is no guarantee that the Fund will be engaged in
hedging activities when adverse exchange rate movements occur. The Fund will not
attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio positions and will enter into such
transactions only to the extent, if any, deemed appropriate by the Fund's
investment adviser. The Fund will not enter into speculative forward foreign
currency contracts.
If the Fund enters into a forward contract to purchase foreign
currency, its custodian bank will segregate cash or liquid securities in a
separate account of the Fund in an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total
assets committed to the consummation of such forward contract. Those assets will
be valued at market daily, and if the value of the assets in the separate
account declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the account so
that the value of the account will equal the amount of the Fund's commitment
with respect to such contracts.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the
prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also limit the opportunity
for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not
be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally
anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a
price above the devaluation level it anticipates. The cost to the Fund of
engaging in foreign currency transactions varies with such factors as the
currency involved, the size of the contract, the length of the contract period
and the market conditions then prevailing. Since transactions in foreign
currency and forward contracts are usually conducted on a principal basis, no
fees or commissions are involved. The Fund may close out a forward position in a
currency by selling the forward contract or entering into an offsetting forward
contract.
Options on Foreign Currencies
The Fund may purchase and write options on foreign currencies for
hedging purposes in a manner similar to that of transactions in forward
contracts. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in
which portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such
securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In an
attempt to protect against such decreases in the value of portfolio securities,
the Fund may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the
currency declines, the Fund will have the right to sell such currency for a
fixed amount of dollars which exceeds the market value of such currency. This
would result in a gain that may offset, in whole or in part, the negative effect
of currency depreciation on the value of the Fund's securities denominated in
that currency.
Conversely, if a rise in the dollar value of a currency is projected
for those securities to be acquired, thereby increasing the cost of such
securities, the Fund may purchase call options on such currency. If the value of
such currency increases, the purchase of such call options would enable the Fund
to purchase currency for a fixed amount of dollars which is less than the market
value of such currency. Such a purchase would result in a gain that may offset,
at least partially, the effect of any currency related increase in the price of
securities the Fund intends to acquire. As in the case of other types of options
transactions, however, the benefit the Fund derives from purchasing foreign
currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related
transaction costs. In addition, if currency exchange rates do not move in the
direction or to the extent anticipated, the Fund could sustain losses on
transactions in foreign currency options which would deprive it of a portion or
all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.
The Fund may also write options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes. For example, if the Fund anticipated a decline in the dollar value of
foreign currency denominated securities because of declining exchange rates, it
could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a covered call option on the
relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs, the option will most likely
not be exercised, and the decrease in value of portfolio securities will be
offset by the amount of the premium received by the Fund.
Similarly, the Fund could write a put option on the relevant currency,
instead of purchasing a call option, to hedge against an anticipated increase in
the dollar cost of securities to be acquired. If exchange rates move in the
manner projected, the put option will expire unexercised and allow the Fund to
offset such increased cost up to the amount of the premium. However, as in the
case of other types of options transactions, the writing of a foreign currency
option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium,
only if rates move in the expected direction. If unanticipated exchange rate
fluctuations occur, the option may be exercised and the Fund would be required
to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a loss which may not be fully
offset by the amount of the premium. As a result of writing options on foreign
currencies, the Fund also may be required to forego all or a portion of the
benefits which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements in
currency exchange rates.
A call option written on foreign currency by the Fund is "covered" if
the Fund owns the underlying foreign currency subject to the call, or if it has
an absolute and immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without
additional cash consideration. A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a
call on the same foreign currency for the same principal amount as the call
written where the exercise price of the call held is (a) equal to or less than
the exercise price of the call written or (b) greater than the exercise price of
the call written if the amount of the difference is maintained by the Fund in
cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with its custodian.
The Fund may close out its position in a currency option by either
selling the option it has purchased or entering into an offsetting option.
<PAGE>
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts on securities,
securities indices, currencies and interest rates and purchase and write call
and put options on such futures contracts. The Fund may also enter into closing
purchase and sale transactions with respect to such futures contracts and
options. All futures contracts entered into by the Fund are traded on U.S.
exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"") or on foreign exchanges.
Futures Contracts. A futures contract may generally be described as an
agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments
for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash
settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise
not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).
When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, the
Fund can seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio
securities through the sale of futures contracts. When interest rates are
falling or securities prices are rising, the Fund, through the purchase of
futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later
be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, the
Fund can sell futures contracts on a specified currency to seek to protect
against a decline in the value of such currency and a decline in the value of
its portfolio securities which are denominated in such currency. The Fund can
purchase futures contracts on foreign currency to establish the price in U.S.
dollars of a security denominated in such currency that the Fund has acquired or
expects to acquire.
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to
maturity but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may
result in a profit or a loss. While futures contracts on securities or currency
will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Fund may instead make, or take,
delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears
economically advantageous to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the
exchange on which futures on securities or currency are traded guarantees that,
if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.
Hedging Strategies. Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to
establish with more certainty the effective price, rate of return and currency
exchange rate on portfolio securities and securities that the Fund owns or
proposes to acquire. The Fund may, for example, take a "short" position in the
futures market by selling futures contracts in an attempt to hedge against an
anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or foreign
currency rates that would adversely affect the value of the Fund's portfolio
securities. Such futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery
of securities held by the Fund or securities with characteristics similar to
those of the Fund's portfolio securities. Similarly, the Fund may sell futures
contracts in currency in which its portfolio securities are denominated or in
one currency to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities
denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical
pattern of correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of PMC,
there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for the Fund's
portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments,
securities indices or other indices, the Fund may also enter into such futures
contracts as part of its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances
prices of securities in the Fund's portfolio may be more or less volatile than
prices of such futures contracts, PMC will attempt to estimate the extent of
this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any
such differential by having the Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of
futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price
changes affecting the Fund's securities portfolio. When hedging of this
character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities
will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures
position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of the
Fund's portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the
value of the futures position.
On other occasions, the Fund may take a "long" position by purchasing
futures contracts. This would be done, for example, when the Fund anticipates
the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash,
but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the
applicable market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently
available.
Options on Futures Contracts. The acquisition of put and call options
on futures contracts will give the Fund the right (but not the obligation) for a
specified price to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures
contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on
a futures contract, the Fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if
prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of
an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium
which may partially offset a decline in the value of the Fund's assets. By
writing a call option, the Fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium,
to sell a futures contract which may have a value higher than the exercise
price. Conversely, the writing of a put option on a futures contract generates a
premium which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities that
the Fund intends to purchase. However, the Fund becomes obligated to purchase a
futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value lower than
the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by the Fund in writing call options
on futures (and in entering into futures transactions) is potentially unlimited
and may exceed the amount of the premium received. The Fund will incur
transaction costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.
The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate
its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same series.
There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. The Fund's
ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to
the development and maintenance of a liquid market.
Other Considerations. The Fund will engage in futures and related
options transactions for bona fide hedging purposes in accordance with CFTC
regulations or to seek to increase total return to the extent permitted by such
regulations, which permit principals of an investment company registered under
the 1940 Act, to engage in such transactions without registering as commodity
pool operators. The Fund is not permitted to engage in speculative futures
trading. The Fund will determine that the price fluctuations in the futures
contracts and options on futures used for hedging purposes are substantially
related to price fluctuations in securities held by the Fund or which it expects
to purchase.
Except as stated below, the Fund's futures transactions will be entered
into for traditional hedging purposes -- i.e., futures contracts will be sold to
seek to protect against a decline in the price of securities (or the currency in
which they are denominated) that the Fund owns, or futures contracts will be
purchased to seek to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of
securities (or the currency in which they are denominated) it intends to
purchase. As evidence of this hedging intent, the Fund expects that on 75% or
more of the occasions on which it takes a long futures or option position
(involving the purchase of futures contracts), the Fund will have purchased, or
will be in the process of purchasing, equivalent amounts of related securities
or assets denominated in the related currency in the cash market at the time
when the futures or option position is closed out. However, in particular cases,
when it is economically advantageous for the Fund to do so, a long futures
position may be terminated or an option may expire without the corresponding
purchase of securities or other assets.
Transaction costs associated with futures contracts and related options
involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in the case of contracts
and options obligating the Fund to purchase securities or currencies, require
the Fund to segregate assets to cover such contracts and options.
While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may
reduce certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks.
Thus, while the Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures,
unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange
rates may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not
entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. In the event of an
imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which
is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the
Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.
Perfect correlation between the Fund's futures positions and portfolio
positions will be difficult to achieve because no futures contracts based on
foreign corporate equity securities are currently available. The only futures
contracts available to hedge the Fund's portfolio are various futures on U.S.
government securities and foreign currencies, futures on a municipal securities
index and stock index futures. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or
perfectly against the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of foreign
securities because currency movements impact the value of different securities
to different degrees.
Securities Index Options
The Fund may purchase call and put options on securities indices for
the purpose of hedging against the risk of unfavorable price movements adversely
affecting the value of the Fund's securities or securities the Fund intends to
buy. Securities index options will not be used for speculative purposes.
Currently, options on stock indices are traded only on national
securities exchanges and over the counter, both in the U.S. and in foreign
countries. A securities index fluctuates with changes in the market values of
the securities included in the index. For example, some stock index options are
based on a broad market index such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index
("S&P 500") or the Value Line Composite Index in the U.S., the Nikkei in Japan
or the FTSE 100 in the United Kingdom. Index options may also be based on a
narrower market index such as the Standard & Poor's 100 or on an industry or
market segment such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business
Equipment Index.
The Fund may purchase put options in an attempt to hedge against an
anticipated decline in securities prices that might adversely affect the value
of the Fund's portfolio securities. If the Fund purchases a put option on a
securities index, the amount of the payment it would receive upon exercising the
option would depend on the extent of any decline in the level of the securities
index below the exercise price. Such payments would tend to offset a decline in
the value of the Fund's portfolio securities. However, if the level of the
securities index increases and remains above the exercise price while the put
option is outstanding, the Fund will not be able to profitably exercise the
option and will lose the amount of the premium and any transaction costs. Such
loss may be partially offset by an increase in the value of the Fund's portfolio
securities.
The Fund may purchase call options on securities indices in order to
remain fully invested in a particular foreign stock market or to lock in a
favorable price on securities that it intends to buy in the future. If the Fund
purchases a call option on a securities index, the amount of the payment it
receives upon exercising the option depends on the extent of an increase in the
level of other securities indices above the exercise price. Such payments would
in effect allow the Fund to benefit from securities market appreciation even
though it may not have had sufficient cash to purchase the underlying
securities. Such payments may also offset increases in the price of securities
that the Fund intends to purchase. If, however, the level of the securities
index declines and remains below the exercise price while the call option is
outstanding, the Fund will not be able to exercise the option profitably and
will lose the amount of the premium and transaction costs. Such loss may be
partially offset by a reduction in the price the Fund pays to buy additional
securities for its portfolio.
The Fund may sell the securities index option it has purchased or write
a similar offsetting securities index option in order to close out a position in
a securities index option which it has purchased. These closing sale
transactions enable the Fund to immediately realize gains or minimize losses on
its options positions. However, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any
particular time, and for some options no secondary market may exist. In
addition, securities index prices may be distorted by interruptions in the
trading of securities of certain companies or of issuers in certain industries,
or by restrictions that may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing
transactions, or both, which would disrupt trading in options on such indices
and preclude the Fund from closing out its options positions. If the Fund is
unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options that it has
purchased, it would have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during
which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options
markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant
price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that can not
be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly
specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different
from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
In addition to the risks of imperfect correlation between the Fund's
portfolio and the index underlying the option, the purchase of securities index
options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the
Fund in purchasing an option will be lost. This could occur as a result of
unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the securities
index on which the option is based.
Investment Restrictions
Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following list presents all of
the fundamental investment restrictions applicable to the Fund. These
restrictions cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the Fund's outstanding shares. As used in the Prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information, such approval means the approval of the
lesser of (i) the holders of 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting
if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person
or by proxy, or (ii) the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares.
Pursuant to these restrictions, the Fund may not:
(1)......borrow money, except from banks to meet redemptions in amounts
not exceeding 33 1/3% (taken at the lower of cost or current value) of its total
assets (including the amount borrowed);
(2)......purchase securities of an issuer (other than the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities), if such purchase would at the
time result in more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer
being held by the Fund;
(3)......purchase securities for the purpose of controlling management
of other companies;
(4)......invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except interest
rate futures contracts, options on securities, securities indices, currency and
other financial instruments, futures contracts on securities, securities
indices, currency and other financial instruments and options on such futures
contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, forward commitments,
securities index put or call warrants and repurchase agreements entered into in
accordance with the Fund's investment policies;
(5)......invest in real estate or interests therein, except that the
Fund may invest in readily marketable securities, other than limited partnership
interests, of companies that invest in real estate;
(6)......make loans, provided that the lending of portfolio securities
and the purchase of debt securities pursuant to the Fund's investment objective
shall not be deemed loans for the purposes of this restriction;
(7)......act as an underwriter, except as it may be deemed to be an
underwriter in a sale of restricted securities;
(8)......issue senior securities, except as permitted by restrictions
numbers 1, 4 and 6 above, and, for purposes of this restriction, the issuance of
shares of beneficial interest in multiple classes or series, the purchase or
sale of options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, forward
commitments, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and repurchase
agreements entered into in accordance with the Fund's investment policies, and
the pledge, mortgage or hypothecation of the Fund's assets within the meaning of
restriction number 9 below are not deemed to be senior securities;
(9)......guarantee the securities of any other company, or mortgage,
pledge, hypothecate, assign or otherwise encumber as security for indebtedness
its securities or receivables in an amount exceeding the amount of the borrowing
secured thereby; or
(10).....invest more than 5% of its total assets in convertible debt
securities rated by a national ratings agency below investment grade.
In addition to the foregoing fundamental restrictions, at least 75% of
the value of the Fund's total assets must be represented by cash and cash items,
U.S. government securities, securities of other investment companies, and other
securities for the purpose of this calculation limited in respect of any one
issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the total
assets of the Fund and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities
of such issuer.
It is a fundamental policy of the Fund not to concentrate its
investments in securities of companies in any particular industry. Following the
current opinion of the staff of the SEC, investments are deemed to be
concentrated in a particular industry if such investments constitute 25% or more
of the Fund's total assets. The Fund's policy does not apply to investments in
U.S. government securities.
Non-fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following list represents
non-fundamental investment restrictions applicable to the Fund. These
non-fundamental restrictions may be changed by a vote of the Board of Trustees
without shareholder approval.
The Fund may not:
(a)......purchase securities "on margin" or effect "short sales" of
securities;
(b)......purchase any security, including any repurchase agreement
maturing in more than seven days, which is illiquid, if more than 15% of the net
assets of the Fund, taken at market value, would be invested in such securities;
In order to register its shares in certain jurisdictions, the Fund has
agreed to adopt certain additional investment restrictions which are not
fundamental and which may be changed by a vote of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
Pursuant to these additional investment restrictions, the Fund may not write
(sell) uncovered calls or puts or any combination thereof. The Fund does not
intend to borrow money during the coming year, and will do so only as a
temporary measure for extraordinary purposes or to facilitate redemptions. The
Fund will not purchase securities while any borrowings are outstanding.
2. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Fund's Board of Trustees provides broad supervision over the
affairs of the Fund. The officers of the Fund are responsible for the Fund's
operations. The Trustees and executive officers of the Fund are listed below,
together with their principal occupations during the past five years. An
asterisk indicates those Trustees who are interested persons of the Fund within
the meaning of the 1940 Act.
JOHN F. COGAN, JR.*, Chairman of the Board, President and Trustee,
DOB: June 1926
President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of The Pioneer Group,
Inc. ("PGI"); Chairman and a Director of Pioneering Management Corporation
("PMC") and Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. ("PFD"); Director of Pioneering
Services Corporation ("PSC"), Pioneer Capital Corporation ("PCC"), Pioneer Real
Estate Advisors, Inc., Pioneer Forest, Inc., Pioneer Explorer, Inc., Pioneer
Management (Ireland) Ltd. ("PMIL") and Closed Joint Stock Company
"Forest-Starma"; President and Director of Pioneer Metals and Technology, Inc.
("PMT"), Pioneer International Corp. ("PIntl"), Pioneer First Russia, Inc.
("First Russia") and Pioneer Omega, Inc. ("Omega"); Chairman of the Board and
Director of Pioneer Goldfields Limited ("PGL") and Teberebie Goldfields Limited;
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Pioneer Fonds Marketing, GmbH, Pioneer
First Polish Investment Fund Joint Stock Company, S.A. and Pioneer Czech
Investment Company, A.S.; Chairman, President and Trustee of all of the Pioneer
mutual funds; Director of Pioneer Global Equity Fund Plc, Pioneer Global Bond
Fund Plc, Pioneer DM Cashfonds Plc, Pioneer European Equity Fund Plc, Pioneer
Central & Eastern Europe Fund Plc and Pioneer U.S. Real Estate Fund Plc; and
Partner, Hale and Dorr LLP (counsel to PGI and the Fund).
MARY K. BUSH, Trustee, DOB: April 1948
4201 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016
President, Bush & Co., an international financial advisory firm;
Director and Trustee of Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Novecon
Management Company, Hoover Institution, Folger Shakespeare Library, March of
Dimes, Project 2000, Inc. (a not-for-profit educational organization), Small
Enterprise Assistance Fund and Wilberforce University; Advisory Board Member,
Washington Mutual Investors Fund, a registered investment company; and Trustee
of all the Pioneer mutual funds, except Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
RICHARD H. EGDAHL, M.D., Trustee, DOB: December 1926
Boston University Health Policy Institute, 53 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215
Alexander Graham Bell Professor of Health Care Entrepreneurship, Boston
University; Professor of Management, Boston University School of Management;
Professor of Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health; Professor
of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine; University Professor, Boston
University; Director, Boston University Health Policy Institute and Boston
University Program for Health Care Entrepreneurship; Director, CORE (management
of workers' compensation and disability costs - Nasdaq National Market);
Director, WellSpace (provider of complementary health care); Trustee, Boston
Medical Center; Honorary Trustee, Franciscan Children's Hospital; and Trustee of
all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
MARGARET B.W. GRAHAM, Trustee, DOB: May 1947
The Keep, P.O. Box 110, Little Deer Isle, ME 04650
Founding Director, The Winthrop Group, Inc. (consulting firm); Manager
of Research Operations, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, from 1991 to 1994;
Professor of Operations Management and Management of Technology and Associate
Dean, Boston University School of Management from 1989 to 1993; and Trustee of
all the Pioneer mutual funds, except Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
JOHN W. KENDRICK, Trustee, DOB: July 1917
6363 Waterway Drive, Falls Church, VA 22044
Professor Emeritus, George Washington University; Director, American
Productivity and Quality Center; Adjunct Scholar, American Enterprise Institute;
Economic Consultant; and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds, except
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust.
MARGUERITE A. PIRET, Trustee, DOB: May 1948
One Boston Place, Suite 2635, Boston, MA 02108
President, Newbury, Piret & Company, Inc. (merchant banking firm);
Trustee of Boston Medical Center; Member of the Board of Governors of the
Investment Company Institute; and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
DAVID D. TRIPPLE*, Trustee and Executive Vice President, DOB: February 1944
Executive Vice President and a Director of PGI; President, Chief
Investment Officer and a Director of PMC; Director of PFD, PCC, PIntl, First
Russia, Omega, Pioneer SBIC Corporation ("Pioneer SBIC"), PMIL, Pioneer Global
Equity Fund Plc, Pioneer Global Bond Fund Plc, Pioneer DM Cashfonds Plc, Pioneer
European Equity Fund Plc, Pioneer Central and Eastern Europe Fund Plc and
Pioneer U.S. Real Estate Fund Plc; and Executive Vice President and Trustee of
all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
STEPHEN K. WEST, Trustee, DOB: September 1928
125 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004
Of Counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell (law firm); Trustee, The Winthrop
Focus Funds (mutual funds); and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
JOHN WINTHROP, Trustee, DOB: June 1936
One North Adgers Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401
President, John Winthrop & Co., Inc. (private investment firm);
Director of NUI Corp. (energy sales, services and distribution); Trustee of
Alliance Capital Reserves, Alliance Government Reserves and Alliance Tax Exempt
Reserves; and Trustee of all of the Pioneer mutual funds, except Pioneer
Variable Contracts Trust.
NORMAN KURLAND, Vice President, DOB: November 1949
Senior Vice President of PMC since 1993; Vice President of PMC from 1990 to
1993; Vice President of Pioneer India Fund, Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund and
Pioneer International Growth Fund.
PATRICK SMITH, Vice President, DOB: March 1962
Vice President of PMC and Pioneer World Equity Fund.
WILLIAM H. KEOUGH, Treasurer, DOB: April 1937
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of PGI;
Treasurer of PFD, PMC, PSC, PCC, PIntl, PMT, PGL, First Russia, Omega and
Pioneer SBIC; and Treasurer of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
JOSEPH P. BARRI, Secretary, DOB: August 1946
Corporate Secretary of PGI and most of its subsidiaries; Secretary of
all of the Pioneer mutual funds; and Partner, Hale and Dorr LLP.
ERIC W. RECKARD, Assistant Treasurer, DOB: June 1956
Manager of Fund Accounting of PMC since May 1994; Manager of Auditing,
Compliance and Business Analysis for PGI prior to May 1994; and Assistant
Treasurer of all of the Pioneer mutual funds.
ROBERT P. NAULT, Assistant Secretary, DOB: March 1964
General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of PGI since 1995; Assistant
Secretary of PMC, PIntl, PGL, First Russia, Omega and all of the Pioneer mutual
funds; Assistant Clerk of PFD and PSC; and junior partner of Hale and Dorr LLP
prior to 1995.
The Fund's Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated October 13,
1992 (the "Declaration "), provides that the holders of two-thirds of its
outstanding shares may vote to remove a Trustee of the Fund at any meeting of
shareholders. See "Description of Shares" below. The business address of all
officers is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. All of the outstanding
capital stock of PFD, PMC and PSC is owned, directly or indirectly, by PGI, a
publicly-owned Delaware corporation. PMC, the Fund's investment adviser, serves
as the investment adviser for the Pioneer mutual funds listed below and manages
the investments of certain institutional accounts.
The table below lists all the Pioneer mutual funds currently offered to
the public and the investment adviser and principal underwriter for each fund.
<PAGE>
Investment Principal
Fund Name Adviser Underwriter
Pioneer World Equity Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer International Growth Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Europe Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer India Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Capital Growth Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Mid-Cap Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Growth Shares PMC PFD
Pioneer Small Company Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Independence Fund PMC Note 1
Pioneer Gold Shares PMC PFD
Pioneer Equity-Income Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer II PMC PFD
Pioneer Micro-Cap Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Real Estate Shares PMC PFD
Pioneer Balanced Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Short-Term Income Trust PMC PFD
Pioneer America Income Trust PMC PFD
Pioneer Bond Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Intermediate Tax-Free Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Tax-Free Income Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Cash Reserves Fund PMC PFD
Pioneer Interest Shares PMC Note 2
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust PMC Note 3
- -----------------
Note 1 This fund is available to the gneral public only through Pioneer
Independence Plans, a systematic investment plan, sponsored by PFD.
Note 2 This fund is a closed-end fund.
Note 3 This is a series of ten separate portfolios designed to provide
investment vehicles for the variable annuity and variable life
insurance contracts of various insurance companies or for certain
qualified pension plans.
To the knowledge of the Fund, no officer or Trustee of the Fund owned
5% or more of the issued and outstanding shares of PGI as of the date of this
Statement of Additional Information, except Mr. Cogan who then owned
approximately 14% of such shares. As of the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, the Trustees and officers of the Fund owned beneficially in the
aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As of June 1,
1998, of the Fund's Class A shares, Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc.
for the sole benefit of its customers, Mutual Fund Administration, 4800 Deer
Lake Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32246 owned of record 21.45% (1,959,566 shares), of
the Fund's Class B shares, Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc. for the
sole benefit of its customers, Mutual Fund Administration, 4800 Deer Lake Drive,
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 owned of record 10.19% (297,654 shares), and of the
Fund's Class C shares Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. for the sole
benefit of its customers, Mutual Fund Administration, 4800 Deer Lake Drive,
Jacksonville, FL 32246 owned of record 29.78% (206,070 shares).
Compensation of Officers and Trustees
The Fund pays no salaries or compensation to any of its officers,
however, the Fund pays an annual trustees' fee to each Trustee who is not
affiliated with PGI, PMC, PFD or PSC consisting of two components: (a) a base
fee of $500 and (b) a variable fee, calculated on the basis of the Fund's
average net assets of the Fund. In addition, the Fund pays a per meeting fee of
$100 to each Trustee who is not affiliated with PGI, PMC, PFD or PSC and pays an
annual Trustee's fee of $500 plus expenses to each Trustee affiliated with PGI,
PMC, PFD and PSC. The Fund also pays an annual committee participation fee to
each Trustee who serves as a member of any committees established to act on
behalf of one or more of the of Pioneer mutual funds. Committee fees are
allocated to the Fund on the basis of the Fund's average net assets. Each
Trustee who is a member of the Audit Committee for the Pioneer mutual funds
receives an annual fee equal to 10% of the aggregate annual trustees' fee,
except the Committee Chairperson who receives an annual trustees' fee equal to
20% of the aggregate annual trustees' fee. Members of the Pricing Committee for
the Pioneer mutual funds, as well as any other committee which renders material
functional services to the Boards of Trustees for the Pioneer mutual funds,
receives an annual fee equal to 5% of the annual trustees' fee, except the
Committee Chairperson who receives an annual trustees' fee equal to 10% of the
annual trustees' fee. Each Trustee who is not affiliated with PGI, PMC, PFD or
PSC also receives $375 per meeting for attendance at meetings of the
Non-Interested Trustees Committee, except for the Committee Chairperson who will
receive an additional $375 per meeting. Any such fees paid to affiliated or
interested persons of PGI, PMC, PFD or PSC are reimbursed to the Fund under its
management contract.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
compensation of each Trustee of the Fund
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Pension or
Retirement Benefits Total Compensation
Accrued as Part of from Fund and all
Aggregate the Trust's Expenses other Pioneer Mutual
Compensation Funds**
Name of Trustee from the Fund*
John F. Cogan, Jr. $500 $0 $12,000
Mary K. Bush 642 0 30,000
Richard H. Egdahl, M.D. 1,920 0 62,000
Margaret B.W. Graham 1,920 0 60,000
John W. Kendrick 1,920 0 55,800
Marguerite A. Piret 2,253 0 80,000
David D. Tripple 500 0 12,000
Stephen K. West 2,056 0 63,800
John Winthrop 2,164 0 69,000
Total $13,873 0 $444,600
</TABLE>
* For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997.
** For the calendar year ended December 31, 1997.
3. INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Fund has contracted with PMC, 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, to act as its investment adviser. A description of the
services provided under the management contract and the expenses paid by the
Fund is set forth under "Management of the Fund" in the Prospectus.
The term of the contract is renewable annually by the vote of a
majority of the Board of Trustees (including a majority of the Trustees who are
not parties to the contract or interested persons of any such parties) cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such renewal. The
contract terminates if assigned and may be terminated without penalty by either
party upon 60 days' written notice by vote of its Board of Directors or Trustees
or a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. Pursuant to the
management contract, PMC will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss sustained by reason of the adoption of any investment
policy or the purchase, sale or retention of any securities on the
recommendation of PMC. PMC, however, is not protected against liability by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties under the management contract.
The Fund's current management contract was approved by the shareholders
of the Fund on April 27, 1994 and became effective on April 30, 1994. As
compensation for its management services and expenses incurred, PMC is entitled
to a management fee from the Fund at the rate of 1.00% per annum of the Fund's
average daily net assets up to $300 million, 0.85% of the next $200 million and
0.75% of any excess over $500 million. The fee is computed and accrued daily and
paid monthly. Prior to March 1, 1996, PMC had agreed not to impose a portion of
its management fee to the extent required to limit the Class A shares' total
expenses to 1.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class A
shares. The portion of the management fee attributable to Class B shares was
waived only to the extent the management fee was waived for Class A shares. This
agreement was voluntary and temporary and was terminated by PMC on February 28,
1996.
The Fund paid or owed $499,754, $950,146 and $1,681,417 in management
fees for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
The Fund would have incurred management fees payable to PMC during 1995 and 1996
of $758,700 and $1,009,461, respectively, had the fee reduction agreements
described above not been in place.
4. UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The Fund has entered into an Underwriting Agreement with PFD. The
Underwriting Agreement will continue from year to year if annually approved by
the Trustees. The Underwriting Agreement provides that PFD will bear certain
distribution expenses for the distribution of the Fund's shares, except for
expenses incurred by PFD for which it is reimbursed or compensated by the Fund
under the distribution plans (discussed below). PFD bears all expenses it incurs
in providing services under the Underwriting Agreement. Such expenses include
compensation to its employees and representatives and to securities dealers for
distribution related services. PFD also pays certain expenses in connection with
the distribution of the Fund's shares, including the cost of preparing, printing
and distributing advertising or promotional materials, and the cost of printing
and distributing prospectuses and supplements to prospective shareholders. The
Fund bears the cost of registering its shares under federal and state securities
law and the laws of certain foreign countries. The Fund and PFD have agreed to
indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under the Underwriting Agreement, PFD
will use its best efforts in rendering services to the Fund.
The Fund has adopted a plan of distribution for each Class of shares
(except Class Y shares) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act
pursuant to which certain distribution fees are paid to PFD. (the "Class A
Plan," the "Class B Plan" and the "Class C Plan") (together, the "Plans").
Class A Plan
Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund reimburses PFD for its
expenditures in financing any activity primarily intended to result in the sale
of Class A shares of the Fund. Certain categories of such expenditures have been
approved by the Board of Trustees and are set forth in the Prospectus. (See
"Distribution Plans" in the Prospectus.) The expenses of the Fund pursuant to
the Class A Plan are accrued daily at a rate which may not exceed the annual
rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A
shares.
Class B Plan
The Class B Plan provides that the Fund shall pay PFD, as the Fund's
distributor for its Class B shares, a daily distribution fee equal on an annual
basis to 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B
shares and will pay PFD a service fee equal to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily
net assets attributable to Class B shares (which PFD will in turn pay to
securities dealers which enter into a sales agreement with PFD at a rate of up
to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares
owned by investors for whom that securities dealer is the holder or dealer of
record). This service fee is intended to be consideration of personal services
and/or account maintenance services rendered by the dealer with respect to Class
B shares. PFD will advance to dealers the first-year service fee at a rate equal
to 0.25% of the amount invested. As compensation therefor, PFD may retain the
service fee paid by the Fund with respect to such shares for the first year
after purchase. Dealers will become eligible for additional service fees with
respect to such shares commencing in the thirteenth month following purchase.
Dealers may from time to time be required to meet certain other criteria in
order to receive service fees. PFD or its affiliates are entitled to retain all
service fees payable under the Class B Plan for which there is no dealer of
record or for which qualification standards have not been met as partial
consideration for personal services and/or account maintenance services
performed by PFD or its affiliates for shareholder accounts.
The purpose of distribution payments to PFD under the Class B Plan is
to compensate PFD for its distribution services to the Fund. PFD pays
commissions to dealers as well as expenses of printing prospectuses and reports
used for sales purposes, expenses with respect to the preparation and printing
of sales literature and other distribution related expenses, including, without
limitation, the cost necessary to provide distribution-related services, or
personnel, travel office expenses and equipment. The Class B Plan also provides
that PFD will receive all contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs")
attributable to Class B shares. (See "Distribution Plans" in the Prospectus.)
When the broker-dealer sells Class B shares and elects, with PFD's approval, to
waive its right to receive the commissions normally paid at the time of the
sale, PFD may cause all or a portion of the distribution fees described above to
be paid to that broker-dealer.
<PAGE>
Class C Plan
The Class C Plan provides that the Fund will pay PFD, as the Fund's
distributor for its Class C shares, a distribution fee accrued daily and paid
quarterly, equal on an annual basis to 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net
assets attributable to Class C shares and will pay PFD a service fee equal to
0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. PFD
will in turn pay to securities dealers which enter into a sales agreement with
PFD a distribution fee and a service fee at rates of up to 0.75% and 0.25%,
respectively, of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C
shares owned by investors for whom that securities dealer is the holder or
dealer of record. The service fee is intended to be in consideration of personal
services and/or account maintenance services rendered by the dealer with respect
to Class C shares. PFD will advance to dealers the first year's service fee at a
rate equal to 0.25% of the amount invested. As compensation therefor, PFD may
retain the service fee paid by the Fund with respect to such shares for the
first year after purchase. Commencing in the thirteenth month following a
purchase of Class C shares, dealers will become eligible for additional service
fees at a rate of up to 0.25% of the current value of the amount invested and
additional compensation at a rate of up to 0.75% of the amount invested with
respect to such shares. Dealers may from time to time be required to meet
certain other criteria in order to receive service fees. PFD or its affiliates
are entitled to retain all service fees payable under the Class C Plan for which
there is no dealer of record or for which qualification standards have not been
met as partial consideration for personal services and/or account maintenance
services performed by PFD or its affiliates for shareholder accounts.
The purpose of distribution payments to PFD under the Class C Plan is
to compensate PFD for its distribution services with respect to the Class C
shares of the Fund. PFD pays commissions to dealers as well as expenses of
printing prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses with respect
to the preparation and printing of sales literature and other
distribution-related expenses, including, without limitation, the cost necessary
to provide distribution-related services, or personnel, travel office expenses
and equipment. The Class C Plan also provides that PFD will receive all CDSCs
attributable to Class C shares. (See "Distribution Plans" in the Prospectus.)
When the broker-dealer sells Class C shares and elects, with PFD's approval, to
waive its right to receive the commissions normally paid at the time of the
sale, PFD may cause all or a portion of the distribution fees described above to
be paid to the broker-dealer.
PFD incurs the expenses of distributing the Fund's Class Y shares, none
of which are reimbursed or paid for by the Fund. These expenses include any
commissions or account servicing fees paid to, or on account of, broker-dealers
which have selling agreements with PFD and certain qualifying registered
investment advisers and other financial institutions.
General
In accordance with the terms of the Plans, PFD provides to the Fund for
review by the Trustees a quarterly written report of the amounts expended under
the respective Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made. In
the Trustees' quarterly review of the Plans, they will consider the continued
appropriateness and the level of reimbursement or compensation the Plans
provide.
No interested person of the Fund, nor any Trustee of the Fund who is
not an interested person of the Fund, has any direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Plans except to the extent that PFD and certain
of its employees may be deemed to have such an interest as a result of receiving
a portion of the amounts expended under the Plans by the Fund and except to the
extent certain officers may have an interest in PFD's ultimate parent, PGI.
The Plans were adopted by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees,
including all of the Trustees who are not, and were not at the time they voted,
interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (none of whom has or
have any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans)
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plans. In
approving the Plans, the Trustees identified and considered a number of
potential benefits which the Plans may provide. The Board of Trustees believes
that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Fund and
its current and future shareholders. Under their terms, the Plans remain in
effect from year to year provided such continuance is approved annually by vote
of the Trustees in the manner described above. The Plans may not be amended to
increase materially the annual percentage limitation of average net assets which
may be spent for the services described therein without approval of the
shareholders of the Fund. Material amendments of the Plans must also be approved
by the Trustees in the manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any
time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of the majority of the Trustees
who are not interested persons of the Fund and have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operations of the Plan, or by a vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the respective
Class of the Fund. A Plan will automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, the Fund incurred total
distribution fees of $322,466, $334,923 and $36,516 pursuant to the Class A
Plan, Class B Plan, and Class C Plan, respectively. Distribution fees were paid
by the Fund to PFD in reimbursement of or as compensation for expenses related
to servicing of shareholder accounts and to compensate dealers and sales
personnel.
A CDSC of 1% may be imposed on redemptions of certain net asset value
purchases of Class A shares within one year of purchase. Class B shares that are
redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to a CDSC at declining rates
from a maximum of 4% of the lower of the cost or market value of the shares
being redeemed. Redemptions of Class C shares within one year of purchase are
subject to a CDSC of 1%. Redemptions of Class Y shares are not subject to a
CDSC. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, CDSCs in the amount of $59,624
were paid to PFD in reimbursement of or as compensation for expenses related to
servicing of shareholder accounts and to compensate dealers and sales personnel.
5. SHAREHOLDER SERVICING/TRANSFER AGENT
The Fund has contracted with PSC, 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, to act as shareholder servicing and transfer agent for the
Fund. This contract may be terminated without penalty by either party upon 90
days' written notice.
Under the terms of its contract with the Fund, PSC services shareholder
accounts, and its duties include: (i) processing sales, redemptions and
exchanges of shares of the Fund; (ii) distributing dividends and capital gains
associated with Fund portfolio accounts; and (iii) maintaining account records
and responding to shareholder inquiries.
PSC receives an annual fee of $22.75 per each Class A, Class B, and
Class C shareholder account from the Fund as compensation for the services
described above. PSC is also reimbursed by the Fund for its out-of-pocket
expenditures. This annual fee is set at an amount determined by vote of a
majority of the Fund's Trustees (including a majority of the Trustees who are
not parties to the contract with PSC or interested persons of any such parties)
to be comparable to fees for such services being paid by other investment
companies. The Fund may compensate entities which have agreed to provide certain
sub-accounting services such as specific transaction processing and
recordkeeping services. Any such payments by the Fund would be in lieu of the
per account fee which would otherwise be paid by the Fund to PSC.
6. CUSTODIAN
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02109 is the custodian (the "Custodian") of the Fund's assets. The Custodian's
responsibilities include safekeeping and controlling the Fund's cash and
securities in the U.S. as well as in Europe, handling the receipt and delivery
of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund's investments.
The Custodian fulfills its function in Europe and throughout the world through
an international network of subcustodian banks (the "Subcustodians"). The
Custodian also provides fund accounting, bookkeeping and pricing assistance to
the Fund and assistance in arranging for forward currency exchange contracts as
described above under "Investment Policies and Restrictions."
The Custodian does not determine the investment policies of the Fund or
decide which securities the Fund will buy or sell. The Fund may invest in
securities issued by the Custodian or any of the Subcustodians, deposit cash in
the Custodian or any Subcustodian and deal with the Custodian or any of the
Subcustodians as a principal in securities transactions. Portfolio securities
may be deposited into the Federal Reserve-Treasury Department Book Entry System
or the Depository Trust Company in the U.S. or in recognized central
depositories in Europe. The Trustees periodically review the Fund's European
custodian arrangements..
7. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
PFD, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, serves as the
principal underwriter in connection with the continuous offering of its shares.
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, net underwriting
commissions retained by PFD were approximately $56,000, $60,000 and $71,000,
respectively. Commissions reallowed to dealers during such periods were
approximately $368,000, $399,000 and $687,000 respectively. See "Underwriting
Agreement and Distribution Plans" above for a description of the terms of the
Underwriting Agreement.
The Fund will not generally issue Fund shares for consideration other
than cash. At the Fund's sole discretion, however, the Fund may issue shares for
consideration other than cash in connection with an acquisition of portfolio
securities or a merger or other reorganization.
8. INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Arthur Andersen LLP, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110,
is the Fund's independent public accountants, providing audit services and
assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of tax returns and
filings with the SEC.
<PAGE>
9. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed
on behalf of the Fund by PMC pursuant to authority contained in the Fund's
management contract. In selecting broker-dealers, PMC considers other factors
relating to best execution, including, but not limited to, the size and type of
the transaction; the nature and character of the markets for the security to be
purchased or sold; the execution efficiency, settlement capability and financial
condition of the broker-dealer; the broker-dealer's execution services rendered
on a continuing basis; and the reasonableness of any broker-dealer spreads.
Brokerage commissions in European countries are generally fixed (non-negotiable)
and other transaction costs on European securities exchanges are generally
higher than in the United States.
PMC may select broker-dealers which provide brokerage and/or research
services to the Fund and/or other investment companies or other accounts managed
by PMC. In addition, consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Act of
1934, as amended, the Fund may pay commissions to such broker-dealers in an
amount greater than the amount another firm might charge. Such services may
include advice concerning the value of securities; the advisability of investing
in, purchasing or selling securities; the availability of securities or the
purchasers or sellers of securities; providing stock price quotation services;
furnishing analyses, manuals and reports concerning issuers, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, performance of
accounts, comparative fund statistics and credit rating service information; and
effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto
(such as clearance and settlement). PMC maintains a listing of broker-dealers
who provide such services on a regular basis. However, because many transactions
on behalf of the Fund and other investment companies or accounts managed by PMC
are placed with broker-dealers (including broker-dealers on the listing) without
regard to the furnishing of such services, it is not possible to estimate the
proportion of such transactions directed to such broker-dealers solely because
such services were provided. Management believes that no exact dollar value can
be calculated for such services.
The research received from broker-dealers may be useful to PMC in
rendering investment management services to the Fund as well as to other
investment companies or other accounts managed by PMC, although not all of such
research may be useful to the Fund. Conversely, such information provided by
brokers or dealers who have executed transaction orders on behalf of such other
PMC clients may be useful to PMC in carrying out its obligations to the Fund.
The receipt of such research has not reduced PMC's normal independent research
activities; however, it enables PMC to avoid the additional expenses which might
otherwise be incurred if it were to attempt to develop comparable information
through its own staff.
In circumstances where two or more broker-dealers offer comparable
prices and executions, preference may be given to a broker-dealer which has sold
shares of the Fund. This policy does not imply a commitment to execute all
portfolio transactions through all broker-dealers that sell shares of the Fund.
In addition to the Fund, PMC acts as investment adviser to other
Pioneer mutual funds and certain private accounts with investment objectives
similar to those of the Fund. Securities may meet the investment objective of
the Fund, such other funds and such private accounts. In such cases, the
decision to recommend a purchase to one fund or account rather than another is
based on a number of factors. The determining factors in most cases are the
amount of securities of the issuer then outstanding, the value of those
securities and the market for them. Other factors considered in the investment
recommendations include other investments which each fund or account presently
has in a particular industry and the availability of investment funds in each
fund or account.
It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more
than one fund and/or account. However, positions in the same issue may vary and
the length of time that any fund or account may choose to hold its investment in
the same issue may likewise vary. To the extent that more than one of the
Pioneer mutual funds or a private account managed by PMC seeks to acquire the
same security at about the same time as the Fund, the Fund may not be able to
acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay
a higher price for the security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain
as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular
portfolio security if PMC decides to sell on behalf of another account the same
portfolio security at the same time. On the other hand, if the same securities
are bought or sold at the same time by more than one company or account, the
resulting participation in volume transactions could produce better executions
for the Fund. In the event more than one account purchases or sells the same
security on a given date, the purchases and sales will normally be made as
nearly as practicable on a pro rata basis in proportion to the amounts desired
to be purchased or sold by each.
The Trustees periodically review PMC's performance of its
responsibilities in connection with portfolio transactions on behalf of the
Fund.
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, the Fund
paid or owed aggregate brokerage commissions of approximately $250,000, $315,000
and $336,000, respectively.
10. TAX STATUS
It is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of Subchapter M of the
Code for qualification as a regulated investment company. These requirements
relate to the sources of the Fund's income, the diversification of its assets
and the distribution of its income to shareholders. If the Fund meets all such
requirements and distributes to its shareholders, in accordance with the Code's
timing requirements, all investment company taxable income and net capital gain,
if any, which it earns, the Fund will be relieved of the necessity of paying
federal income tax.
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter
M, the Fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its annual gross
income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans,
gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign
currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures and forward
contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock,
securities or currencies (the "90% income test" and satisfy certain annual
distribution and quarterly diversification requirements.
Dividends from investment company taxable income, which includes net
investment income, net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term
capital loss, and certain net foreign exchange gains, are taxable as ordinary
income, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Dividends
from net long-term capital gain in excess of net short-term capital loss ("net
capital gain"), if any, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional
shares, are taxable to the Fund's shareholders as capital gains for federal
income tax purposes without regard to the length of time shares of the Fund have
been held As a result of the enactment of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the
"1997 TRA") on August 5, 1997, gain recognized after May 6, 1997 from the sale
of a capital asset is taxable to individual (noncorporate) investors at
different maximum federal income tax rates, depending generally upon the tax
holding period for the asset, the federal income tax bracket of the taxpayer,
and the dates the asset was acquired and/or sold. The Treasury Department has
issued guidance under the 1997 TRA that (subject to possible modification by
future "technical corrections" legislation) enables the Fund to pass through to
its shareholders the benefits of the capital gains tax rates enacted in the 1997
TRA. The Fund will provide appropriate information to its shareholders about its
distributions, including the tax rate(s) applicable to its distributions from
its long-term capital gains, in accordance with this and any future guidance.
Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers on the correct application of
these new rules in their particular circumstances.
Any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December as
of a record date in such a month and paid during the following January will be
treated for federal income tax purposes as received by shareholders on December
31 of the calendar year in which it is declared.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund in connection
with transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities,
certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign
currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables
denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which
generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and
losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to
shareholders. Under future regulations, any such transactions that are not
directly related to the Fund's investments in stock or securities (or its
options or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may need to be
limited in order to enable the Fund to satisfy 90% income test. If the net
foreign exchange loss for a year were to exceed the Fund's investment company
taxable income (computed without regard to such loss), the resulting ordinary
loss for such year would not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in
future years.
If the Fund acquires any equity interest (under proposed regulations,
generally including not only stock but also an option to acquire stock such as
is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive
at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as
interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties or capital gains) or hold at
least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income ("passive
foreign investment companies"), the Fund could be subject to federal income tax
and additional interest charges on "excess distributions" received from such
companies or gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income
or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders.
The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or
deduction for such a tax. An election may generally be available that would
ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but any such election could require
the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (subject to tax distribution
requirements) without the concurrent receipt of cash. These investments could
also result in the treatment of associated capital gains as ordinary income. The
Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment
companies to minimize its tax liability or maximize its return from these
investments.
The Fund may invest to a limited extent in debt obligations that are in
the lower rating categories or are unrated. Investments in debt obligations that
are at risk of default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are
not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue
interest, original issue discount, or market discount, when and to what extent
deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments
received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and
income, and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are
taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, in the event it
invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes
sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and
does not become subject to federal income or excise tax.
If the Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities ("PIKs"), zero
coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other
securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund
elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund must accrue
income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior
to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must
distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its net income,
including such accrued income, to shareholders to qualify as a regulated
investment company under the Code and avoid Federal income and excise taxes.
Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under
disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself
by borrowing the cash, to satisfy distribution requirements.
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is permitted to carry forward
a net capital loss for any year to offset its capital gains, if any, during the
eight years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital
gains are offset by such losses, they would not result in federal income tax
liability to the Fund and therefore are not expected to be distributed as such
to shareholders.
At the time of an investor's purchase of Fund shares, a portion of the
purchase price may be attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation in the
Fund's portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the Fund. Consequently,
subsequent distributions by the Fund on these shares from such appreciation or
income may be taxable to such investor even if the net asset value of the
investor's shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the
investor's cost for such shares and the distributions economically represent a
return of a portion of the investment.
Redemptions and exchanges are taxable events for shareholders that are
subject to tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with
reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular
transaction in Fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as
the following discussion assumes, and the character of and tax rate applicable
to any gains or losses recognized in such transactions under the new rate
structure enacted in the 1997 TRA. Any loss realized by a shareholder upon the
redemption, exchange or other disposition of shares with a tax holding period of
six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of
any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to
such shares.
In addition, if Class A shares redeemed or exchanged have been held for
less than 91 days, (1) in the case of a reinvestment in the Fund at net asset
value pursuant to the reinvestment privilege, the sales charge paid on such
shares is not included in their tax basis under the Code, and (2) in the case of
an exchange, all or a portion of the sales charge paid on such shares is not
included in their tax basis under the Code, to the extent a sales charge that
would otherwise apply to the shares received is reduced pursuant to the exchange
privilege. In either case, the portion of the sales charge not included in the
tax basis of the shares redeemed or surrendered in an exchange is included in
the tax basis of the shares acquired in the reinvestment or exchange. Losses on
redemptions or other dispositions of shares may be disallowed under "wash sale"
rules in the event of other investments in the Fund (including those made
pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain distributions) within
a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a
redemption or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the disallowed
portion of any loss would be included in the federal tax basis of the shares
acquired in the other investments.
Options written or purchased and futures contracts entered into by the
Fund on certain securities, indices and foreign currencies, as well as certain
foreign currency forward contracts, may cause the Fund to recognize gains or
losses from marking-to-market even though such options may not have lapsed, been
closed out, or exercised or such futures or forward contracts may not have been
performed or closed out. The tax rules applicable to these contracts may affect
the characterization as long-term or short-term of some capital gains and losses
realized by the Fund. Certain options, futures and forward contracts relating to
foreign currency may be subject to Section 988, as described above, and may
accordingly produce ordinary income or loss. Additionally, the Fund may be
required to recognize gain if an option, futures contract, forward contract, or
other transaction that is not subject to the mark to market rules is treated as
a "constructive sale" of an "appreciated financial position" held by the Fund
under Section 1259 of the Code. Any net mark to market gains and/or gains from
constructive sales may also have to be distributed to satisfy the distribution
requirements referred to above even though no corresponding cash amounts may
concurrently be received. Losses on certain options, futures or forward
contracts and/or offsetting positions (portfolio securities or other positions
with respect to which the Fund's risk of loss is substantially diminished by one
or more options, futures or forward contracts) may also be deferred under the
tax straddle rules of the Code, which may also affect the characterization of
capital gains or losses from straddle positions and certain successor positions
as long-term or short-term. Certain tax elections may be available that would
enable the Fund to ameliorate some adverse effects of the tax rules described in
this paragraph. The tax rules applicable to options, futures or forward
contracts and straddles may affect the amount, timing and character of the
Fund's income and losses and hence of its distributions to shareholders.
The Fund's dividends and distributions will not qualify for any
dividends-received deduction that might otherwise be available for certain
dividends received by shareholders that are corporations.
The Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by
foreign countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains,
with respect to its investments in those countries. Tax conventions between
certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases.
If more than 50% of the Fund's total assets at the close of any taxable year
consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to
pass through to its shareholders their pro rata shares of qualified foreign
taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that shareholders would be required to
include such taxes in their gross incomes (in addition to dividends and
distributions they actually received), would treat such taxes as foreign taxes
paid by them, and may be entitled to a tax deduction or credit for such taxes,
subject to a holding period requirement added by the 1997 TRA and other
limitations under the Code.
Qualified foreign taxes generally include taxes that would be treated
as income taxes under U.S. tax regulations but do not include most other taxes,
such as stamp taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes. If the
Fund makes the election described above, shareholders may deduct their pro rata
portion of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund (not in excess of the tax
actually owed by the Fund) in computing their income subject to U.S. federal
income taxation or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits, subject to
applicable limitations under the Code, against their U.S. federal income taxes.
Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will
not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of qualified foreign
taxes paid by the Fund, although such shareholders will be required to include
their shares of such taxes in gross income if the Fund makes the election
described above.
If the Fund makes this election and a shareholder chooses to take a
credit for the foreign taxes deemed paid by such shareholder, the amount of the
credit that may be claimed in any year may not exceed the same proportion of the
U.S. tax against which such credit is taken which the shareholder's taxable
income from foreign sources (but not in excess of the shareholder's entire
taxable income) bears to his entire taxable income. For this purpose, long-term
and short-term capital gains the Fund realizes and distributes to shareholders
will generally not be treated as income from foreign sources in their hands, nor
will distributions of certain foreign currency gains subject to Section 988 of
the Code and of any other income realized by the Fund that is deemed, under the
Code, to be U.S.-source income in the hands of the Fund. This foreign tax credit
limitation may also be applied separately to certain specific categories of
foreign-source income and the related foreign taxes. As a result of these rules,
which may have different effects depending upon each shareholder's particular
tax situation, certain shareholders may not be able to claim a credit for the
full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
Shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, including
tax-exempt shareholders, will ordinarily not benefit from this election. If the
Fund does make the election, it will provide required tax information to
shareholders. If the Fund does not make the election, it may deduct such taxes
in computing its income available for distribution to shareholders to satisfy
applicable tax distribution requirements.
Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess
contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement
distributions, and certain prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts
maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax
advisers for more information.
Federal law requires that the Fund withhold (as "backup withholding")
31% of reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain dividends and the
proceeds of redemptions (including exchanges) and repurchases to shareholders
who have not complied with Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regulations. In
order to avoid this withholding requirement, shareholders must certify on their
Account Applications, or on separate IRS Forms W-9, that the Social Security
Number or other Taxpayer Identification Number they provide is their correct
number and that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that
they are exempt from backup withholding. The Fund may nevertheless be required
to withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that the number
provided is incorrect or backup withholding is applicable as a result of
previous underreporting of interest or dividend income.
If, as anticipated, the Fund continues to qualify as a regulated
investment company under the Code, it will not be required to pay any
Massachusetts income, corporate excise or franchise taxes.
The description of certain federal tax provisions above relates only to
U.S. federal income tax consequences for shareholders who are U.S. persons, i.e.
U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or
estates, and who are subject to U.S. federal income tax. This description does
not address the special tax rules that may be applicable to particular types of
investors, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, securities
dealers, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts or entities. Investors
other than U.S. persons may be subject to different U.S. tax treatment,
including a possible 30% non-resident alien U.S. withholding tax (or
non-resident alien withholding tax at a lower treaty rate) on amounts treated as
ordinary dividends from the Fund and, unless an effective IRS Form W-8 or
authorized substitute for Form W-8 is on file, to 31% backup withholding on
certain other payments from the Fund. Shareholders should consult their own tax
advisers on these matters and on state, local and other applicable tax laws.
11. DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Declaration permits the Board of Trustees to authorize the issuance
of an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest
(without par value) which may be divided into such separate series as the
Trustees may establish. Currently, the Fund consists of only one series. The
Trustees may establish additional series of shares, and may divide or combine
the shares into a greater or lesser number of shares without thereby changing
the proportionate beneficial interests in the Fund. The Declaration further
authorizes the Trustees to classify or reclassify any series of the shares into
one or more classes. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have authorized the issuance
of four classes of shares of the Fund, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y.
Each share of a class of the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in
the assets of the Fund allocable to that class. Upon liquidation of the Fund,
shareholders of each class of the Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the
Fund's net assets allocable to such class available for distribution to
shareholders. The Fund reserves the right to create and issue additional series
or classes of shares, in which case the shares of each class of a series would
participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets allocable to that
class of the particular series.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held and may vote
in the election of Trustees and on other matters submitted to meetings of
shareholders. Although Trustees are not elected annually by the shareholders,
shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more
Trustees.
The shares of each series of the Fund are entitled to vote separately
to approve investment advisory agreements or changes in investment restrictions,
but shareholders of all series vote together in the election and selection of
Trustees and accountants. Shares of all series of the Fund vote together as a
class on matters that affect all series of the Fund in substantially the same
manner. As to matters affecting a single series or class, shares of such series
or class will vote separately. No amendment that adversely affects the rights of
shareholders may be made to the Declaration without the affirmative vote of a
majority of the Fund's shares. Shares have no preemptive or conversion rights,
except that under certain circumstances Class B shares may convert to Class A
shares. Shares are fully paid and non-assessable by the Fund, except as stated
below.
12. CERTAIN LIABILITIES
As a Massachusetts business trust, the Fund's operations are governed
by the Declaration, a copy of which is on file with the office of the Secretary
of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Theoretically, shareholders of a
Massachusetts business trust may, under certain circumstances, be held
personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. However, the Declaration
contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations
of the Fund or any series of the Fund and provides that notice of such
disclaimer may be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into
or executed by the Fund or its Trustees. Moreover, the Declaration provides for
the indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholders held personally
liable for any obligations of the Fund or any series of the Fund. The
Declaration also provides that the Fund shall, upon request, assume the defense
of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the Fund
and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring
financial loss beyond his or her investment because of shareholder liability
would be limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to
meet its obligations. In light of the nature of the Fund's business and the
nature and amount of its assets, the possibility of the Fund's liabilities
exceeding its assets, and therefore a shareholder's risk of personal liability,
is remote.
The Declaration further provides that the Fund shall indemnify each of
its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred
by them, in connection with, or arising out of, any action, suit or proceeding,
threatened against or otherwise involving such Trustee or officer, directly or
indirectly, by reason of being or having been a Trustee or officer of the Fund.
The Declaration does not authorize the Fund to indemnify any Trustee or officer
against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of
or for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
such person's duties.
<PAGE>
13. LETTER OF INTENT (Class A Shares Only)
A Letter of Intent ("LOI") may be established by completing the LOI
section of the Account Application. When you sign the Account Application, you
agree to irrevocably appoint PSC your attorney-in-fact to surrender for
redemption any or all shares held in escrow with full power of substitution. An
LOI is not a binding obligation upon the investor to purchase, or the Fund to
sell, the full amount indicated.
If the total purchases, less redemptions, exceed the amount specified
under the LOI and are in an amount which would qualify for a further quantity
discount, all transactions will be recomputed on the expiration date of the LOI
to effect the lower sales charge. Any difference in the sales charge resulting
from such recomputation will be either delivered to you in cash or invested in
additional shares at the lower sales charge. The dealer, by signing the Account
Application, agrees to return to PFD, as part of such retroactive adjustment,
the excess of the commission previously reallowed or paid to the dealer over
that which is applicable to the actual amount of the total purchases under the
LOI.
If the total purchases, less redemptions, are less than the amount
specified under the Letter of Intention, you must remit to PFD any difference
between the sales charge on the amount actually purchased and the amount
originally specified in the Letter of Intention section of the Account
Application. When the difference is paid, the shares held in escrow will be
deposited to your account. If you do not pay the difference in sales charge
within 20 days after written request from PFD or your dealer, PSC, after
receiving instructions from PFD, will redeem the appropriate number of shares
held in escrow to realize the difference and release any excess.
See "How to Buy Fund Shares - Letter of Intent" in the Prospectus for
more information.
14. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN (Class A, Class B and Class C Shares Only)
The Systematic Withdrawal Plan ("SWP") is designed to provide a
convenient method of receiving fixed payments at regular intervals from shares
of the Fund deposited by the applicant under the SWP. The applicant must deposit
or purchase for deposit with PSC shares of the Fund having a total value of not
less than $10,000. Periodic payments of $50 or more will be deposited monthly or
quarterly directly into a bank account designated by the applicant, or will be
sent by check to the applicant, or any person designated by the applicant. Class
B share accounts must meet the minimum initial investment requirement prior to
establishing a SWP. Withdrawals under a SWP from Class B and Class C share
accounts are limited to 10% of the value at the time the SWP is established. See
"Waiver or Reduction of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the prospectus.
Designation of another person to receive the payments subsequent to opening an
account must be accompanied by a signature guarantee.
Any income dividends or capital gains distributions on shares under the
SWP will be credited to the SWP account on the payment date in full and
fractional shares at the net asset value per share in effect on the record date.
SWP payments are made from the proceeds of the redemption of shares
deposited under the SWP in a SWP account. To the extent that such redemptions
for periodic withdrawals exceed dividend income reinvested in the SWP account,
such redemptions will reduce and may ultimately exhaust the number of shares
deposited in the SWP account. Redemptions are potentially taxable transactions
to shareholders. In addition, the amounts received by a shareholder cannot be
considered as yield or income on his or her investment because part of such
payments may be a return of his or her investment.
The SWP may be terminated at any time (1) by written notice to PSC or
from PSC to the shareholder; (2) upon receipt by PSC of appropriate evidence of
the shareholder's death; or (3) when all shares under the SWP have been
redeemed.
15. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of each class of the Fund is determined
as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 PM, Eastern
time) on each day on which the Exchange is open for trading. As of the date of
this Statement of Additional Information, the Exchange is open for trading every
weekday except for the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The net asset value per share of each
class of the Fund is also determined on any other day in which the level of
trading in its portfolio securities is sufficiently high that the current net
asset value per share might be materially affected by changes in the value of
its portfolio securities. The Fund is not required to determine its net asset
value per share on any day in which no purchase orders for the shares of the
Fund become effective and no shares are tendered for redemption.
The net asset value per share of each class of the Fund is computed by
taking the value of all of the Fund's assets attributable to a class, less the
Fund's liabilities attributable to that class, and dividing the result by the
number of outstanding shares. For purposes of determining net asset value,
expenses of the classes of the Fund are accrued daily.
Securities that have not traded on the date of valuation or securities
for which sales prices are not generally reported are valued at the mean between
the last bid and asked prices. Securities for which no market quotations are
readily available (including those the trading of which has been suspended) will
be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees,
although the actual computations may be made by persons acting pursuant to the
direction of the Board. The maximum offering price per Class A share is the net
asset value per Class A share, plus the maximum sales charge. Class B and Class
C shares are offered at net asset value without the imposition of an initial
sales charge. Class Y shares are offered without an initial sales charge and are
not subject to a CDSC.
16. INVESTMENT RESULTS
Quotations, Comparisons, and General Information
From time to time, in advertisements, in sales literature, or in
reports to shareholders the past performance of the Fund may be illustrated
and/or compared to that of other mutual funds with similar investment
objectives, and to stock or other relevant indices. For example, total return of
the Fund's classes may be compared to averages or rankings prepared by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., a widely recognized independent service which
monitors mutual fund performance; the Europe Australia Far East Index ("EAFE"),
an unmanaged index of international stock markets; The Europe 13 Index, an
unmanaged market weighted index of 13 European markets; any of the country
indexes or regional indexes prepared by Morgan Stanley Capital International;
the S&P 500, an index of unmanaged groups of common stock; or the Dow Jones
Industrial Average, a recognized unmanaged index of common stocks of 30
industrial companies listed on the Exchange.
In addition, the performance of the classes of the Fund may be compared
to alternative investment or savings vehicles and/or to indexes or indicators of
economic activity, e.g., inflation or interest rates. Performance rankings and
listings reported in newspapers or national business and financial publications,
such as Barron's, Business Week, Consumers Digest, Consumer Reports, Financial
World, Forbes, Fortune, Investors Business Daily, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Magazine, Money Magazine, New York Times, Smart Money, USA Today, U.S. News and
World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Worth may also be cited (if the Fund
is listed in any such publication) or used for comparison, as well as
performance listings and rankings from various other sources including Bloomberg
Financial Markets, CDA/Wiesenberger, Donoghue's Mutual Fund Almanac, Investment
Company Data, Inc., Johnson's Charts, Kanon Bloch Carre & Co., Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc., Micropal, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Schabacker Investment
Management and Towers Data Systems, Inc.
In addition, from time to time, quotations from articles from financial
publications such as those listed above may be used in advertisements, in sales
literature or in reports to shareholders of the Fund.
The Fund may also present, from time to time, historical information
depicting the value of a hypothetical account in one or more classes of the Fund
since the Fund's inception.
In presenting investment results, the Fund may also include references
to certain financial planning concepts, including (a) an investor's need to
evaluate his financial assets and obligations to determine how much to invest;
(b) his need to analyze the objectives of various investments to determine where
to invest; and (c) his need to analyze his time frame for future capital needs
to determine how long to invest. The investor controls these three factors, all
of which affect the use of investments in building assets.
One of the primary methods used to measure the performance of a Class
of the Fund is "total return." Total return will normally represent the
percentage change in value of an account, or of a hypothetical investment in a
Class of the Fund, over any period up to the lifetime of that Class of the Fund.
Total return calculations will usually assume the reinvestment of all dividends
and capital gains distributions and will be expressed as a percentage increase
or decrease from an initial value for the entire period or for one or more
specified periods within the entire period. Total return percentages for periods
of less than one year will usually be annualized; total return percentages for
periods longer than one year will usually be accompanied by total return
percentages for each year within the period and/or by the average annual
compounded total return for the period. The income and capital components of a
given return may be separated and portrayed in a variety of ways in order to
illustrate their relative significance. Performance may also be portrayed in
terms of cash or investment values, without percentages. Past performance cannot
guarantee any particular future result.
The Fund's average annual total return quotations for each of its
classes as that information may appear in the Prospectus, this Statement of
Additional Information or in advertising are calculated by standard methods
prescribed by the SEC.
Standardized Average Annual Total Return Quotations
Average annual total return quotations for Class A, Class B and Class C
shares are computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return
that would cause a hypothetical investment in the class made on the first day of
a designated period (assuming all dividends and distributions are reinvested) to
equal the ending redeemable value of such hypothetical investment on the last
day of the designated period in accordance with the following formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
Where: P = A hypothetical initial payment of
$1,000, less the maximum sales load of
$57.50 for Class A shares or the deduction
of the CDSC for Class B and Class C shares
at the end of the period. Class Y shares, no
sales load or deductions of a CDSC is
applicable.
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the hypothetical
$1,000 initial payment made at the
beginning of the designated period (or
fractional portion thereof)
For purposes of the above computation, it is assumed that all dividends and
distributions made by the Fund are reinvested at net asset value during the
designated period. The average annual total return quotation is determined to
the nearest 1/100 of 1%.
In determining the average annual total return (calculated as provided
above), recurring fees, if any, that are charged to all shareholder accounts of
a particular Class of shares are taken into consideration. For any account fees
that vary with the size of the account, the account fee used for purposes of the
above computation is assumed to be the fee that would be charged to the Class'
mean account size.
The average annual total return for each Class of shares for the
one-year, five-year, ten-year and life-of-the-Fund periods ended October 31,
1997 were:
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Life of Fund*
------ ------- -------- -------------
Class A Shares 20.92% 18.61% N/A 13.46%
Class B Shares 23.35% N/A N/A 18.79%
Class C Shares 27.47% N/A N/A 23.75%
Class Y Shares N/A N/A N/A N/A
- --------------
*Commencement of operations for Class A shares was April 2, 1991; for
Class B shares, April 4, 1994; for Class C shares, January 31, 1996 and for
Class Y shares, July 2, 1998.
Class A share results reflect the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. Class
B and Class C share results reflect the effect of the CDSC that would have been
charged if shares were redeemed at the end of each period. If PMC's voluntary
fee and expense reduction agreement, which was terminated by PMC in February,
1996, had not been in place, total return would have been lower.
<PAGE>
Automated Information Line
FactFoneSM, Pioneer's 24-hour automated information line, allows
shareholders to dial toll-free 1-800-225-4321 and hear recorded fund
information, including:
o net asset value prices for all Pioneer mutual funds;
o annualized 30-day yields on Pioneer's fixed income funds;
o annualized 7-day yields and 7-day effective (compound) yields
for Pioneer's money market fund; and
o dividends and capital gains distributions on all Pioneer
mutual funds.
Yields are calculated in accordance with SEC mandated standard formulas.
In addition, using a personal identification number ("PIN"),
shareholders may enter purchases, exchanges and redemptions, access their
account balances and last three transactions and may order a duplicate
statement. See "FactFoneSM" in the Prospectus for more information.
All performance numbers communicated through FactFoneSM represent past
performance and figures for all quoted bond funds include the maximum applicable
sales charge. A shareholder's actual yield and total return will vary with
changing market conditions. The value of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Y
shares (except for Pioneer Cash Reserves Fund, which seeks to maintain a stable
$1.00 share price) will also vary, and such shares and may be worth more or less
at redemption than their original cost. Certain FactFoneSM features are not
available to Class Y shareholders.
17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's Annual Report, filed with the SEC on December 24, 1997
(Accession No. 0000866707-97-000009), and Semiannual Report, filed with the SEC
on June 19, 1998 (Accession No. 0000866707-98-000007), are incorporated by
reference into this Statement of Additional Information. The financial
statements in the Fund's Annual and Semiannual Reports, including the financial
highlights, for the periods ended October 31, 1997 and April 30, 1998,
respectively, included or incorporated by reference into the Prospectus for the
Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares and this Statement of Additional
Inforamtion, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect to the financial
statements, and are included in reliance upon the authority of Arthur Andersen
LLP as experts in accounting and auditing in giving their reports.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM DEBT AND CORPORATE BOND RATINGS1
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. SHORT-TERM PRIME RATING SYSTEM
- - TAXABLE DEBT AND DEPOSITS GLOBALLY
Moody's short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay
punctually senior debt obligations. These obligations have an original maturity
not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted.
Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment
grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
Prime-1: Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment
ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:
Leading market positions in well-established industries. High rates of
return on funds employed.
Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt
and ample asset protection. Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation. Well-established
access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate
liquidity.
Prime-2: Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally
be evidenced by many of the Characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Prime-3: Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable
ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry
characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in
earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection
measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate
alternate liquidity is maintained.
Not Prime: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating
categories.
Obligations of a branch of a bank are considered to be domiciled in the country
in which the branch is located. Unless noted as an exception, Moody's rating on
a bank's ability to repay senior obligations extends only to branches located in
countries which carry a Moody's Sovereign Rating for Bank Deposits. Such branch
obligations are rated at the lower of the bank's rating or Moody's Sovereign
Rating for Bank Deposits for the country in which the branch is located.
When the currency in which an obligation is denominated is not the same as the
currency of the country in which the obligation is domiciled, Moody's ratings do
not incorporate an opinion as to whether payment of the obligation will be
affected by actions of the government controlling the currency of denomination.
In addition, risks associated with bilateral conflicts between an investor's
home country and either the issuer's home country or the country where an
issuer's branch is located are not incorporated into Moody's short-term debt
ratings.
If an issuer represents to Moody's that its short-term debt obligations are
supported by the credit of another entity or entities, then the name or names of
such supporting entity or entities are listed within the parenthesis beneath the
name of the issuer, or there is a footnote referring the reader to another page
for the name or names of the supporting entity or entities. In assigning ratings
to such issuers, Moody's evaluates the financial strength of the affiliated
corporations, commercial banks, insurance companies, foreign governments or
other entities, but only as one factor in the total rating assessment.
MOODY'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A: Bonds which are rated A posses many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C: Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicated that the obligation
ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicated
a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of
that generic rating category.
STANDARD & POOR'S SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
A-1: A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by
Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are
designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to
meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2: A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely
to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation.
B: A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties
which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
C: A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D: A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category
is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action
if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
AAA: An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is extremely strong.
AA: An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only in a
small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is very strong.
A: An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in
higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB: An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C
the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major
exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to the
obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated
BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will
likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
CCC: An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of
adverse business, financial or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to
have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC: An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has
been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are
being continued.
D: An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used
when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action
if payments are jeopardized.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): The rating from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition
of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major categories.
r: This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant
noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected
returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include:
obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities;
obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk, such as interest-only or
principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky
interest terms, such as inverse floaters.
- --------
1 The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings
available at the date of this Statement of Additional Information for the
securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of
issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings,
they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated do not
necessarily represent ratings which will be given to these securities on the
date of the Fund's fiscal year-end.
APPENDIX B
Performance Statistics
Pioneer Europe Fund
Class A Shares
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Initial Net
Initial Offering Sales Charge Shares Value Asset
Date Investment Price Included Purchased Per Share Value
4/2/91 $10,000 $15.92 5.75% 628.141 $15.00 $9,425
</TABLE>
Value of Shares
Dividends and Capital Gains Reinvested
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
From Investment From Capital From Dividends Total
Date Gains Reinvested Reinvested Value
12/31/91 $9,774 $0 $0 $9,774
12/31/92 $9,253 $113 $84 $9,450
12/31/93 $11,237 $309 $274 $11,820
12/31/94 $10,986 $1,244 $304 $12,534
12/31/95 $12,431 $2,452 $344 $15,227
12/31/96 $14,604 $4,151 $579 $19,334
12/31/97 $16,752 $6,049 $664 $23,465
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Pioneer Europe Fund
Class B Shares
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Initial Net
Initial Offering Sales Charge Shares Value Asset
Date Investment Price Included Purchased Per Share Value
4/4/94 $10,000 $17.96 0.00% 556.793 $17.96 $10,000
</TABLE>
Value of Shares
Dividends and Capital Gains Reinvested
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Contingent
Deferred
Date From Investment From Capital From Dividends Sales Charge Total CDSC
Gains Reinvested Reinvested If Redeemed Value Percentage
12/31/94 $9,661 $793 $38 $386 $10,106 4.00%
12/31/95 $10,852 $1,772 $43 $400 $12,267 4.00%
12/31/96 $12,684 $3,144 $123 $300 $15,651 3.00%
12/31/97 $14,415 $4,657 $140 $300 $18,912 3.00%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Pioneer Europe Fund
Class C Shares
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Initial Net
Initial Offering Sales Charge Shares Value Asset
Date Investment Price Included Purchased Per Share Value
1/31/96 $10,000 $19.92 0.00% 502.008 $19.92 $10,000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Value of Shares
Dividends and Capital Gains Reinvested
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Contingent
Deferred
Date From Investment From Capital From Dividends Sales Charge Total CDSC
Gains Reinvested Reinvested If Redeemed Value Percentage
12/31/96 $11,361 $828 $104 $100 $12,193 1.00%
12/31/97 $12,926 $1,783 $119 0 $14,828 0.00
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE
INDEX DESCRIPTIONS
The following securities indices are well known, unmanaged measures of market
performance. Advertisements and sales literature for the Fund may refer to these
indices or may present comparisons between the performance of the Fund and one
or more of the indices. Other indices may also be used, if appropriate. The
indices are not available for direct investment. The data presented are not
meant to be indicative of the performance of the Fund, do not reflect past
performance and do not guarantee future results.
S&P 500
This index is a readily available, carefully constructed, market value weighted
benchmark of common stock performance. Currently, the S&P 500 includes 500 of
the largest stocks (in terms of stock market value) in the U.S.
DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE
This is a total return index based on the performance of stocks of 30 blue chip
companies widely held by individuals and institutional investors. The 30 stocks
represent about a fifth of the $8 trillion-plus market value of all U.S. stocks
and about a fourth of the value of stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE).
U.S. SMALL STOCK INDEX
This index is a market value weighted index of the ninth and tenth deciles of
the NYSE, plus stocks listed on the American Stock Exchange and over the counter
with the same or less capitalization as the upper bound of the NYSE ninth
decile.
U.S. INFLATION
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), not seasonally
adjusted, is used to measure inflation, which is the rate of change of consumer
goods prices. Unfortunately, the inflation rate as derived by the CPI is not
measured over the same period as the other asset returns. All of the security
returns are measured from one month-end to the next month-end. CPI commodity
prices are collected during the month. Thus, measured inflation rates lag the
other series by about one-half month. Prior to January 1978, the CPI (as
compared with CPI-U) was used. Both inflation measures are constructed by the
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, DC.
S&P/BARRA INDEXES
The S&P/BARRA Growth and Value Indexes are constructed by dividing the stocks in
the S&P 500 according to price-to-book ratios. The Growth Index contains stocks
with higher price-to-book ratios, and the Value Index contains stocks with lower
price-to-book ratios. Both indexes are market capitalization weighted.
MERRILL LYNCH MICRO-CAP INDEX
The Merrill Lynch Micro-Cap Index represents the performance of 2,036 stocks
ranging in market capitalization from $50 million to $220 million. Index returns
are calculated monthly.
LONG-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT BONDS
The total returns on long-term government bonds after 1977 are constructed with
data from The Wall Street Journal and are calculated as the change in the flat
price or and-interest price. From 1926 to 1976, data are obtained from the
government bond file at the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP),
Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago. Each year, a one-bond
portfolio with a term of approximately 20 years and a reasonably current coupon
was used and whose returns did not reflect potential tax benefits, impaired
negotiability or special redemption or call privileges. Where callable bonds had
to be used, the term of the bond was assumed to be a simple average of the
maturity and first call dates minus the current date. The bond was "held" for
the calendar year and returns were computed.
INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT BONDS
Total returns of intermediate-term government bonds after 1987 are calculated
from The Wall Street Journal prices, using the change in flat price. Returns
from 1934 to 1986 are obtained from the CRSP government bond file.
Each year, one-bond portfolios are formed, the bond chosen is the shortest
noncallable bond with a maturity not less than five years, and this bond is
"held" for the calendar year. Monthly returns are computed. (Bonds with impaired
negotiability or special redemption privileges are omitted, as are partially or
fully tax-exempt bonds starting with 1943.) From 1934 to 1942, almost all bonds
with maturities near five years were partially or fully tax-exempt and were
selected using the rules described above. Personal tax rates were generally low
in that period, so that yields on tax-exempt bonds were similar to yields on
taxable bonds. From 1926 to 1933, there are few bonds suitable for construction
of a series with a five-year maturity. For this period, five-year bond yield
estimates are used.
MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL ("MSCI")
MSCI's international indices are based on the share prices of approximately
1,700 companies listed on stock exchanges in the 22 countries that make up the
MSCI World Index. MSCI's emerging market indices are comprised of approximately
1000 stocks from 26 countries.
Countries in the MSCI EAFE Index are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.
Countries in the MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index are: Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
China Free, Czech Republic, Colombia, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia Free,
Israel, Jordan, Korea (at 50%), Malaysia Free, Mexico Free, Pakistan, Peru,
Philippines Free, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (at 50%),
Thailand Free, Turkey and Venezuela.
6-MONTH CDs
Data sources include the Federal Reserve Bulletin and The Wall Street Journal.
LONG-TERM U.S. CORPORATE BONDS
Since 1969, corporate bond total returns are represented by the Salomon Brothers
Long-Term High-Grade Corporate Bond Index. As most large corporate bond
transactions take place over the counter, a major dealer is the natural source
of these data. The index includes nearly all Aaa- and Aa-rated bonds with at
least 10 years to maturity. If a bond is downgraded during a particular month,
its return for the month is included in the index before removing the bond from
future portfolios.
From 1926 to 1968 the total returns were calculated by summing the capital
appreciation returns and the income returns. For the period 1946 to 1968,
Ibbotson and Sinquefield backdated the Salomon Brothers' index, using Salomon
Brothers' monthly yield data with a methodology similar to that used by Salomon
Brothers for 1969 to 1995. Capital appreciation returns were calculated from
yields assuming (at the beginning of each monthly holding period) a 20-year
maturity, a bond price equal to par, and a coupon equal to the
beginning-of-period yield. For the period 1926 to 1945, Standard & Poor's
monthly high-grade corporate composite yield data were used, assuming a 4%
coupon and a 20-year maturity. The conventional present-value formula for bond
price for the beginning and end-of-month prices was used. (This formula is
presented in Ross, Stephen A., and Westerfield, Randolph W. Corporate Finance,
Times Mirror/Mosby, St. Louis, 1990, p. 97 ["Level-Coupon Bonds"].) The monthly
income return was assumed to be one-twelfth the coupon.
U.S. (30-DAY) TREASURY BILLS
For the U.S. Treasury Bill Index, data from The Wall Street Journal are used
after 1977; the CRSP government bond file is the source until 1976. Each month a
one-bill portfolio containing the shortest-term bill having not less than one
month to maturity is constructed. (The bill's original term to maturity is not
relevant.) To measure holding period returns for the one-bill portfolio, the
bill is priced as of the last trading day of the previous month-end and as of
the last trading day of the current month.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
("NAREIT")EQUITY REIT INDEX
All of the data are based upon the last closing price of the month for all
tax-qualified REITs listed on the NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ. The data are
market-value-weighted. Prior to 1987 REITs were added to the index the January
following their listing. Since 1987 newly formed or listed REITs are added to
the total shares outstanding figure in the month that the shares are issued.
Only common shares issued by the REIT are included in the index. The total
return calculation is based upon the weighting at the beginning of the period.
Only those REITs listed for the entire period are used in the total return
calculation. Dividends are included in the month based upon their payment date.
There is no smoothing of income. Liquidating dividends, whether full or partial,
are treated as income.
RUSSELL U.S. EQUITY INDEXES
The Russell 3000(R) Index (the "Russell 3000") is comprised of the 3,000 largest
U.S. companies as determined by market capitalization representing approximately
98% of the U.S. equity market. The average market capitalization is
approximately $2.8 billion. The Russell 2500TM Index measures performance of the
2,500 smallest companies in the Russell 3000. The average market capitalization
is approximately $733.4 million, and the largest company in the index has an
approximate market capitalization of $2.9 billion. The Russell 2000(R) Index
measures performance of the 2,000 smallest stocks in the Russell 3000; the
largest company in the index has a market capitalization of approximately $1.1
billion. The Russell 1000(R) Index (the "Russell 1000") measures the performance
of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000. The average market
capitalization is approximately $7.6 billion. The smallest company in the index
has an approximate market capitalization of $1.1 billion. The Russell MidcapTM
Index measures performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000.
The largest company in the index has an approximate market capitalization of
$8.0 billion.
The Russell indexes are reconstituted annually as of July 1, based on May 31
market capitalization rankings.
WILSHIRE REAL ESTATE SECURITIES INDEX
The Wilshire Real Estate Securities Index is a market capitalization weighted
index of 120 publicly traded real estate securities, such as REITs, real estate
operating companies ("REOCs") and partnerships.
The index contains performance data on five major categories of property:
office, retail, industrial, apartment and miscellaneous. The companies in the
index are 91.66% equity and hybrid REITs and 8.33% REOCs.
STANDARD & POOR'S MIDCAP 400 INDEX
The S&P 400 is a market-capitalization-weighted index. The performance data for
the index were calculated by taking the stocks presently in the index and
tracking them backwards in time as long as there were prices reported. No
attempt was made to determine what stocks "might have been" in the S&P 400 five
or ten years ago had it existed. Dividends are reinvested on a monthly basis
prior to June 30, 1991, and are reinvested daily thereafter.
LIPPER BALANCED FUNDS INDEX
This index represents equally weighted performance, adjusted for capital gains
distributions and income dividends, of approximately 30 of the largest funds
with a primary objective of conserving principal by maintaining at all times a
balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds. Typically, the stock/bond ratio ranges
around 60%/40%.
BANK SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Data sources include the U.S. League of Savings Institutions Sourcebook; average
annual yield on savings deposits in FSLIC [FDIC] insured savings institutions
for the years 1963 to 1987; and The Wall Street Journal thereafter.
Sources: Ibbotson Associates, Towers Data Systems,
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and PGI
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dow S&P/ S&P/
S&P Jones U.S. Small BARRA BARRA Merrill Lynch
500 Industrial Stock U.S. 500 500 Micro-Cap
Average Index Inflation Growth Value Index
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 11.62 N/A 0.28 -1.49 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 37.49 N/A 22.10 -2.08 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 43.61 55.38 39.69 -0.97 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 -8.42 -13.64 -51.36 0.20 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 -24.90 -30.22 -38.15 -6.03 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1931 -43.34 -49.03 -49.75 -9.52 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1932 -8.19 -16.88 -5.39 -10.30 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1933 53.99 73.71 142.87 0.51 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1934 -1.44 8.08 24.22 2.03 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1935 47.67 43.77 40.19 2.99 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1936 33.92 30.23 64.80 1.21 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1937 -35.03 -28.88 -58.01 3.10 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1938 31.12 33.16 32.80 -2.78 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1939 -0.41 1.31 0.35 -0.48 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1940 -9.78 -7.96 -5.16 0.96 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1941 -11.59 -9.88 -9.00 9.72 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1942 20.34 14.12 44.51 9.29 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1943 25.90 19.06 88.37 3.16 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1944 19.75 17.19 53.72 2.11 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1945 36.44 31.60 73.61 2.25 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1946 -8.07 -4.40 -11.63 18.16 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1947 5.71 7.61 0.92 9.01 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1948 5.50 4.27 -2.11 2.71 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1949 18.79 20.92 19.75 -1.80 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1950 31.71 26.40 38.75 5.79 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1951 24.02 21.77 7.80 5.87 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1952 18.37 14.58 3.03 0.88 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1953 -0.99 2.02 -6.49 0.62 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1954 52.62 51.25 60.58 -0.50 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1955 31.56 26.58 20.44 0.37 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1956 6.56 7.10 4.28 2.86 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1957 -10.78 -8.63 -14.57 3.02 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1958 43.36 39.31 64.89 1.76 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1959 11.96 20.21 16.40 1.50 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1960 0.47 -6.14 -3.29 1.48 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1961 26.89 22.60 32.09 0.67 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1962 -8.73 -7.43 -11.90 1.22 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1963 22.80 20.83 23.57 1.65 N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dow S&P/ S&P/
S&P Jones U.S. Small BARRA 500 BARRA Merrill Lynch
500 Industrial Stock U.S. Growth 500 Micro-Cap
Average Index Inflation Value Index
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1964 16.48 18.85 23.52 1.19 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1965 12.45 14.39 41.75 1.92 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1966 -10.06 -15.78 -7.01 3.35 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1967 23.98 19.16 83.57 3.04 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1968 11.06 7.93 35.97 4.72 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1969 -8.50 -11.78 -25.05 6.11 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1970 4.01 9.21 -17.43 5.49 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1971 14.31 9.83 16.50 3.36 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1972 18.98 18.48 4.43 3.41 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1973 -14.66 -13.28 -30.90 8.80 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1974 -26.47 -23.58 -19.95 12.20 N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1975 37.20 44.75 52.82 7.01 31.72 43.38 N/A
Dec 1976 23.84 22.82 57.38 4.81 13.84 34.93 N/A
Dec 1977 -7.18 -12.84 25.38 6.77 -11.82 -2.57 N/A
Dec 1978 6.56 2.79 23.46 9.03 6.78 6.16 27.76
Dec 1979 18.44 10.55 43.46 13.31 15.72 21.16 43.18
Dec 1980 32.42 22.17 39.88 12.40 39.40 23.59 32.32
Dec 1981 -4.91 -3.57 13.88 8.94 -9.81 0.02 9.18
Dec 1982 21.41 27.11 28.01 3.87 22.03 21.04 33.62
Dec 1983 22.51 25.97 39.67 3.80 16.24 28.89 42.44
Dec 1984 6.27 1.31 -6.67 3.95 2.33 10.52 -14.97
Dec 1985 32.16 33.55 24.66 3.77 33.31 29.68 22.89
Dec 1986 18.47 27.10 6.85 1.13 14.50 21.67 3.45
Dec 1987 5.23 5.48 -9.30 4.41 6.50 3.68 -13.84
Dec 1988 16.81 16.14 22.87 4.42 11.95 21.67 22.76
Dec 1989 31.49 32.19 10.18 4.65 36.40 26.13 8.06
Dec 1990 -3.17 -0.56 -21.56 6.11 0.20 -6.85 -29.55
Dec 1991 30.55 24.19 44.63 3.06 38.37 22.56 57.44
Dec 1992 7.67 7.41 23.35 2.90 5.07 10.53 36.62
Dec 1993 9.99 16.94 20.98 2.75 1.68 18.60 31.32
Dec 1994 1.31 5.06 3.11 2.67 3.13 -0.64 1.81
Dec 1995 37.43 36.84 34.46 2.54 38.13 36.99 30.70
Dec 1996 23.07 28.84 17.62 3.32 23.96 21.99 13.88
Dec 1997 33.36 24.88 22.78 1.92 36.52 29.98 24.61
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Long- Intermediate- MSCI Long-
Term Term U.S. EAFE 6- Term U.S. U.S.
U.S. Gov't Government (Net of Month Corporate T-Bill
Bonds Bonds Taxes) CDs Bonds (30-Day)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 7.77 5.38 N/A N/A 7.37 3.27
Dec 1927 8.93 4.52 N/A N/A 7.44 3.12
Dec 1928 0.10 0.92 N/A N/A 2.84 3.56
Dec 1929 3.42 6.01 N/A N/A 3.27 4.75
Dec 1930 4.66 6.72 N/A N/A 7.98 2.41
Dec 1931 -5.31 -2.32 N/A N/A -1.85 1.07
Dec 1932 16.84 8.81 N/A N/A 10.82 0.96
Dec 1933 -0.07 1.83 N/A N/A 10.38 0.30
Dec 1934 10.03 9.00 N/A N/A 13.84 0.16
Dec 1935 4.98 7.01 N/A N/A 9.61 0.17
Dec 1936 7.52 3.06 N/A N/A 6.74 0.18
Dec 1937 0.23 1.56 N/A N/A 2.75 0.31
Dec 1938 5.53 6.23 N/A N/A 6.13 -0.02
Dec 1939 5.94 4.52 N/A N/A 3.97 0.02
Dec 1940 6.09 2.96 N/A N/A 3.39 0.00
Dec 1941 0.93 0.50 N/A N/A 2.73 0.06
Dec 1942 3.22 1.94 N/A N/A 2.60 0.27
Dec 1943 2.08 2.81 N/A N/A 2.83 0.35
Dec 1944 2.81 1.80 N/A N/A 4.73 0.33
Dec 1945 10.73 2.22 N/A N/A 4.08 0.33
Dec 1946 -0.10 1.00 N/A N/A 1.72 0.35
Dec 1947 -2.62 0.91 N/A N/A -2.34 0.50
Dec 1948 3.40 1.85 N/A N/A 4.14 0.81
Dec 1949 6.45 2.32 N/A N/A 3.31 1.10
Dec 1950 0.06 0.70 N/A N/A 2.12 1.20
Dec 1951 -3.93 0.36 N/A N/A -2.69 1.49
Dec 1952 1.16 1.63 N/A N/A 3.52 1.66
Dec 1953 3.64 3.23 N/A N/A 3.41 1.82
Dec 1954 7.19 2.68 N/A N/A 5.39 0.86
Dec 1955 -1.29 -0.65 N/A N/A 0.48 1.57
Dec 1956 -5.59 -0.42 N/A N/A -6.81 2.46
Dec 1957 7.46 7.84 N/A N/A 8.71 3.14
Dec 1958 -6.09 -1.29 N/A N/A -2.22 1.54
Dec 1959 -2.26 -0.39 N/A N/A -0.97 2.95
Dec 1960 13.78 11.76 N/A N/A 9.07 2.66
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Long- Intermediate- MSCI Long-
Term Term U.S. EAFE 6- Term U.S. U.S.
U.S. Gov't Government (Net of Month Corporate T-Bill
Bonds Bonds Taxes) CDs Bonds (30-Day)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1961 0.97 1.85 N/A N/A 4.82 2.13
Dec 1962 6.89 5.56 N/A N/A 7.95 2.73
Dec 1963 1.21 1.64 N/A N/A 2.19 3.12
Dec 1964 3.51 4.04 N/A 4.18 4.77 3.54
Dec 1965 0.71 1.02 N/A 4.68 -0.46 3.93
Dec 1966 3.65 4.69 N/A 5.76 0.20 4.76
Dec 1967 -9.18 1.01 N/A 5.48 -4.95 4.21
Dec 1968 -0.26 4.54 N/A 6.44 2.57 5.21
Dec 1969 -5.07 -0.74 N/A 8.71 -8.09 6.58
Dec 1970 12.11 16.86 -11.66 7.06 18.37 6.52
Dec 1971 13.23 8.72 29.59 5.36 11.01 4.39
Dec 1972 5.69 5.16 36.35 5.38 7.26 3.84
Dec 1973 -1.11 4.61 -14.92 8.60 1.14 6.93
Dec 1974 4.35 5.69 -23.16 10.20 -3.06 8.00
Dec 1975 9.20 7.83 35.39 6.51 14.64 5.80
Dec 1976 16.75 12.87 2.54 5.22 18.65 5.08
Dec 1977 -0.69 1.41 18.06 6.12 1.71 5.12
Dec 1978 -1.18 3.49 32.62 10.21 -0.07 7.18
Dec 1979 -1.23 4.09 4.75 11.90 -4.18 10.38
Dec 1980 -3.95 3.91 22.58 12.33 -2.76 11.24
Dec 1981 1.86 9.45 -2.28 15.50 -1.24 14.71
Dec 1982 40.36 29.10 -1.86 12.18 42.56 10.54
Dec 1983 0.65 7.41 23.69 9.65 6.26 8.80
Dec 1984 15.48 14.02 7.38 10.65 16.86 9.85
Dec 1985 30.97 20.33 56.16 7.82 30.09 7.72
Dec 1986 24.53 15.14 69.44 6.30 19.85 6.16
Dec 1987 -2.71 2.90 24.63 6.58 -0.27 5.47
Dec 1988 9.67 6.10 28.27 8.15 10.70 6.35
Dec 1989 18.11 13.29 10.54 8.27 16.23 8.37
Dec 1990 6.18 9.73 -23.45 7.85 6.78 7.81
Dec 1991 19.30 15.46 12.13 4.95 19.89 5.60
Dec 1992 8.05 7.19 -12.17 3.27 9.39 3.51
Dec 1993 18.24 11.24 32.56 2.88 13.19 2.90
Dec 1994 -7.77 -5.14 7.78 5.40 -5.76 3.90
Dec 1995 31.67 16.80 11.21 5.21 27.20 5.60
Dec 1996 -0.93 2.10 6.05 5.21 1.40 5.21
Dec 1997 15.85 8.38 1.78 5.71 12.95 5.26
<PAGE>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NAREIT Lipper MSCI
Equity Russell Wilshire Balanced Emerging Bank
REIT 2000 Real Estate S&P Fund Markets Savings
Index Index Securities 400 Index Free Index Account
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1925 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1926 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1927 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1928 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1929 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dec 1930 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.30
Dec 1931 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.10
Dec 1932 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 4.10
Dec 1933 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.40
Dec 1934 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1935 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.10
Dec 1936 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.20
Dec 1937 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1938 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.50
Dec 1939 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.40
Dec 1940 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.30
Dec 1941 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.10
Dec 1942 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.00
Dec 1943 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1944 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.80
Dec 1945 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.50
Dec 1946 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.20
Dec 1947 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.30
Dec 1948 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.30
Dec 1949 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.40
Dec 1950 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.50
Dec 1951 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.60
Dec 1952 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.70
Dec 1953 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.80
Dec 1954 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1955 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.90
Dec 1956 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.00
Dec 1957 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.30
Dec 1958 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.38
Dec 1959 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.53
Dec 1960 N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.77 N/A 3.86
Dec 1961 N/A N/A N/A N/A 20.59 N/A 3.90
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS - TOTAL RETURN PERCENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NAREIT Lipper MSCI
Equity Russell Wilshire Balanced Emerging Bank
REIT 2000 Real Estate S&P Fund Markets Savings
Index Index Securities 400 Index Free Index Account
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 1962 N/A N/A N/A N/A -6.80 N/A 4.08
Dec 1963 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.10 N/A 4.17
Dec 1964 N/A N/A N/A N/A 12.36 N/A 4.19
Dec 1965 N/A N/A N/A N/A 9.80 N/A 4.23
Dec 1966 N/A N/A N/A N/A -5.86 N/A 4.45
Dec 1967 N/A N/A N/A N/A 15.09 N/A 4.67
Dec 1968 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.97 N/A 4.68
Dec 1969 N/A N/A N/A N/A -9.01 N/A 4.80
Dec 1970 N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.62 N/A 5.14
Dec 1971 N/A N/A N/A N/A 13.90 N/A 5.30
Dec 1972 8.01 N/A N/A N/A 11.13 N/A 5.37
Dec 1973 -15.52 N/A N/A N/A -12.24 N/A 5.51
Dec 1974 -21.40 N/A N/A N/A -18.71 N/A 5.96
Dec 1975 19.30 N/A N/A N/A 27.10 N/A 6.21
Dec 1976 47.59 N/A N/A N/A 26.03 N/A 6.23
Dec 1977 22.42 N/A N/A N/A -0.72 N/A 6.39
Dec 1978 10.34 N/A 13.04 N/A 4.80 N/A 6.56
Dec 1979 35.86 43.09 70.81 N/A 14.67 N/A 7.29
Dec 1980 24.37 38.58 22.08 N/A 19.70 N/A 8.78
Dec 1981 6.00 2.03 7.18 N/A 1.86 N/A 10.71
Dec 1982 21.60 24.95 24.47 22.68 30.63 N/A 11.19
Dec 1983 30.64 29.13 27.61 26.10 17.44 N/A 9.71
Dec 1984 20.93 -7.30 20.64 1.18 7.46 N/A 9.92
Dec 1985 19.10 31.05 22.20 35.58 29.83 N/A 9.02
Dec 1986 19.16 5.68 20.30 16.21 18.43 N/A 7.84
Dec 1987 -3.64 -8.77 -7.86 -2.03 4.13 N/A 6.92
Dec 1988 13.49 24.89 24.18 20.87 11.18 40.43 7.20
Dec 1989 8.84 16.24 2.37 35.54 19.70 64.96 7.91
Dec 1990 -15.35 -19.51 -33.46 -5.12 0.66 -10.55 7.80
Dec 1991 35.70 46.05 20.03 50.10 25.83 59.91 4.61
Dec 1992 14.59 18.41 7.36 11.91 7.46 11.40 2.89
Dec 1993 19.65 18.91 15.24 13.96 11.95 74.83 2.73
Dec 1994 3.17 -1.82 1.64 -3.57 -2.05 -7.32 4.96
Dec 1995 15.27 28.44 13.65 30.94 24.89 -5.21 5.24
Dec 1996 35.26 16.49 36.87 19.20 13.01 6.03 4.95
Dec 1997 20.29 22.36 19.80 32.26 20.05 -11.59 5.17
Source: Lipper Analytical Services. Inc.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
OTHER PIONEER INFORMATION
The Pioneer group of mutual funds was established in 1928 with the creation of
Pioneer Fund. Pioneer is one of the oldest and most experienced money managers
in the United States.
As of December 31, 1997, PMC employed a professional investment staff of 58,
with a combined average of 12 years' experience in the financial services
industry.
Total assets of all Pioneer mutual funds at December 31, 1997, were
approximately $19.8 billion representing 1,177,148 shareholder accounts, 791,468
non-retirement accounts and 385,680 retirement accounts.
<PAGE>
FORM N-1A
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements:
The financial statements of the Registrant are incorporated by
reference from the Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1997 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December
24, 1997, Accession No. 0000866707-97-000009) and the Semiannual Report to
Shareholders for the six months ended April 30, 1998 (filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on June 19, 1998, Accession No. 0000866707-98-000007).
(b) Exhibits:
1.1. Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust***
1.2. Establishment and Designation of Classes***
1.3 Establishment and Designation of Classes+
2. Amended and Restated By-Laws***
3. None
4. None
5. Management Contract dated April 30, 1994 between the Registrant and
Pioneering Management Corporation***
6.1. Underwriting Agreement dated October 9, 1990 between the Registrant and
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.***
6.2. Form of Dealer Sales Agreement***
7. None
8. Custodian Agreement dated January 14, 1992 between the Registrant and
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.***
9. Investment Company Service Agreement dated April 2, 1991 between the
Registrant and Pioneering Services Corporation***
10. None
11. Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP+
C-1
<PAGE>
12. None
13. Stock Purchase Agreement***
14. None
15.1 Distribution Plan relating to Class A shares****
15.2 Distribution Plan relating to Class B shares***
15.3 Distribution Plan relating to Class C shares***
16. Description of Average Annual Total Return**
17. Financial Data Schedule+
18.1 Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 relating to Class A and
Class B shares***
18.2 Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 relating to Class A, Class B
and Class C shares***
18.3 Form of Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3+
19. Powers of Attorney.*
19.1 Power of Attorney for Mary K. Bush*****
- -----------------------
+ Filed herewith.
* Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-36265 and 811-6151) (the "Registration
Statement") as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") on August 8, 1990.
** Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement as filed with the SEC on February
6, 1992.
*** Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement as filed with the SEC on February
28, 1996.
**** Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement as filed with the SEC on February
28, 1997.
***** Incoporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement as filed with the SEC on February
27, 1998.
C-2
<PAGE>
Item 25. Persons Controlled By or Under
Common Control With Registrant
No person is controlled by the Registrant. A common control
relationship could exist from a management perspective because the Chairman and
President of the Registrant owns approximately 14% of the outstanding shares of
The Pioneer Group, Inc. (PGI), the parent company of the Registrant's investment
adviser, and certain Trustees or officers of the Registrant (i) hold similar
posiitions with other investment companies advised by PGI and (ii) are directors
or officers of PGI and/or its direct or indirect subsidiaries. The following
lists all U.S. and the principal non-U.S. subsidiaries of PGI and those
registered investment companies with a common or similar Board of Trustees
advised by PGI.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Owned By Percent of Shares State/Country of
Company Incorporation
Pioneering Management Corp. (PMC) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. (PFD) PMC 100% MA
Pioneer Explorer, Inc. (PEI) PMC 100% DE
Pioneer Fonds Marketing GmbH (GmbH) PFD 100% Germany
Pioneer Forest, Inc. (PFI) PGI 100% DE
CJSC "Forest-Starma" (Forest-Starma) PFI 95% Russia
Pioneer Metals and Technology, Inc. (PMT) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer Capital Corp. (PCC) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer SBIC Corp. PCC 100% MA
Pioneer Real Estate Advisors, Inc. (PREA) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer Management (Ireland) Ltd. (PMIL) PGI 100% Ireland
Pioneer Plans Corporation (PPC) PGI 100% DE
PIOGlobal Corp. (PIOGlobal) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer Investments Corp. (PIC) PGI 100% MA
Pioneer Goldfields Holdings, Inc. (PGH) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer Goldfields Ltd. (PGL) PGH 100% Guernsey
Teberebie Goldfields Ltd. (TGL) PGL 90% Ghana
Pioneer Omega, Inc. (Omega) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer First Russia, Inc. (First Russia) Omega 81.65% DE
Pioneering Services Corp. (PSC) PGI 100% MA
Pioneer International Corp. (PIntl) PGI 100% DE
Pioneer First Polish Investment Fund JSC, S.A PIntl 100% Poland
(First Polish)
Pioneer Czech Investment Company, A.S.
(Pioneer Czech) PIntl 100% Czech Republic
</TABLE>
Registered investment companies that are parties to management contracts with
PMC:
Funds Business Trust
Pioneer International Growth Fund MA
Pioneer World Equity Fund DE
Pioneer Europe Fund MA
Pioneer Emerging Markets Fund DE
Pioneer India Fund DE
Pioneer Growth Trust MA
Pioneer Capital Growth Fund DE
Pioneer Equity-Income Fund DE
Pioneer Gold Shares DE
Pioneer Mid-Cap Fund DE
Pioneer Growth Shares DE
Pioneer Independence Fund DE
Pioneer Small Company Fund DE
Pioneer Fund DE
Pioneer II DE
Pioneer Real Estate Shares DE
Pioneer Short-Term Income Trust MA
Pioneer America Income Trust MA
Pioneer Bond Fund MA
Pioneer Balanced Fund DE
Pioneer Intermediate Tax-Free Fund MA
Pioneer Tax-Free Income Fund DE
Pioneer Money Market Trust DE
Pioneer Variable Contracts Trust DE
Pioneer Interest Shares DE
Pioneer Micro-Cap Fund DE
The following table lists John F. Cogan, Jr.'s positions with the
investment companies, PGI and principal direct or indirect PGI subsidiaries
referenced above and the Registrant's counsel.
Trustee/
Entity Chairman President Director Other
Pioneer mutual funds
X X X
PGL
X X X
PGI
X X X
PPC
X X
PIC
X X
PIntl
X X
PMT
X X
Omega
X X
PIOGlobal
X X
First Russia
X X
PCC
X
PSC
X
PMIL
X
PEI
X
PFI
X
PREA
X
Forest-Starma
X
PMC
X X
PFD
X X
TGL
X X
First Polish
Chairman of
Supervisory Board
GmbH Chairman of
Supervisory Board
Pioneer Czech Chairman of
Supervisory Board
Hale and Dorr LLP Partner
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities
The following table sets forth the approximate number of
record holders of each class of securities of the Registrant as of May 31,
1998:
Class A Class B Class C Class Y
Number of Record Holders: 15,042 7,378 1,008 0
Item 27. Indemnification
Except for the Declaration of Trust dated June 22, 1990, as amended and
restated on October 13, 1992 (the "Declaration of Trust"), establishing the
Registrant as a Trust under Massachusetts law, there is no contract, arrangement
or statute under which any director, officer, underwriter or affiliated person
of the Registrant is insured or indemnified. The Declaration of Trust provides
that no Trustee or officer will be indemnified against any liability to which
the Registrant would otherwise be subject by reason of or for willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such person's
duties.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
the 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 of 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.
C-5
<PAGE>
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
All of the information required by this item is set forth in
the Form ADV, as amended, of the Registrant's investment adviser, PMC. The
following sections of such Form ADV are incorporated herein by reference:
(a) Items 1 and 2 of Part 2;
(b) Section 6, Business Background, of each Schedule D.
Item 29. Principal Underwriter
(a) See Item 25 above.
(b) Directors and officers of PFD:
Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
Name with Underwriter with Registrant
John F. Cogan, Jr. Director and Chairman Chairman of the
Board, President
and Trustee
Robert L. Butler Director and President None
David D. Tripple Director Executive Vice
President and
Trustee
Steven M. Graziano Senior Vice President None
Stephen W. Long Senior Vice President None
Barry G. Knight Vice President None
William A. Misata Vice President None
Anne W. Patenaude Vice President None
Elizabeth B. Bennett Vice President None
Gail A. Smyth Vice President None
Constance D. Spiros Vice President None
Marcy L. Supovitz Vice President None
Mary Kleeman Vice President None
Steven R. Berke Assistant Vice President None
Steven H. Forss Assistant Vice President None
Mary Sue Hoban Assistant Vice President None
Debra A. Levine Assistant Vice President None
Junior Roy McFarland Assistant Vice President None
Marie E. Moynihan Assistant Vice President None
William H. Keough Treasurer Treasurer
Roy P. Rossi Assistant Treasurer None
Joseph P. Barri Clerk Secretary
Robert P. Nault Assistant Clerk Assistant Secretary
The principal business address of each of these individuals is 60 State Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109-1820.
C-6
<PAGE>
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts and records are maintained at the Registrant's
office at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts; contact the Treasurer.
Item 31. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 32. Undertakings
(a)
The Registrant undertakes to deliver, or cause to be delivered with
the Prospectus, to each person to whom the Prospectus is sent or given
a copy of the Registrant's report to shareholders furnished pursuant
to and meeting the requirements of Rule 30d-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 from which the specified information is
incorporated by reference, unless such person currently holds
securities of the Registrant and otherwise has received a copy of such
report, in which case the Registrant shall state in the Prospectus
that it will furnish, without charge, a copy of such report on
request, and the name, address and telephone number of the person to
whom such a request should be directed.
C-7
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all the
requirements for effectiveness pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act
of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration
Statement (the "Amendment") to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereto duly authorized, in the City of Boston and The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, on the 1st day of July, 1998.
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
/s/ John F. Cogan, Jr.
---------------------------
John F. Cogan, Jr.
Chairman and President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by
the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature Date
--------- ----
Principal Executive Officer: )
)
)
/s/John F. Cogan, Jr.
- ----------------------------- )
John F. Cogan, Jr., President )
)
)
Principal Financial and )
Accounting Officer: )
)
)
/s/William H. Keough
- ----------------------------- )
William H. Keough, Treasurer )
)
Trustees: )
)
)
)
/s/John F. Cogan, Jr.
- ----------------------------- )
John F. Cogan, Jr. )
C-8
<PAGE>
Mary K. Bush* )
Mary K. Bush )
)
)
Robert H. Egdahl, M.D.* )
Robert H. Egdahl, M.D. )
)
)
John W. Kendrick* )
John W. Kendrick )
)
)
Marguerite A. Piret* )
Marguerite A. Piret )
)
)
David D. Tripple* )
David D. Tripple )
)
)
Stephen K. West* )
Stephen K. West )
)
)
John Winthrop* )
John Winthrop )
)
)
Margaret B. W. Graham* )
Margaret B. W. Graham )
*By: /s/ John F. Cogan, Jr. July 1, 1998
---------------------------
John F. Cogan, Jr.
Attorney-in-Fact
C-9
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Document Title
1.3 Designation of Classes
11. Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
17. Financial Data Schedules
(filed as Exhibit 27)
18.3 Form of Multiple Class Plan
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
Establishment and Designation
of
Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class Y Shares
of Beneficial Interest of
Pioneer Europe Fund
The undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of Pioneer Europe
Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), acting pursuant to Article V,
Sections 5.1 and 5.11 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated
October 13, 1992 of the Fund (the "Declaration"), do hereby divide the shares of
beneficial interest of the Fund (the "Shares") to create four classes of Shares
of the Fund as follows:
1. The four classes of Shares established and designated
hereby are "Class A Shares," "Class B Shares," "Class C
Shares" and "Class Y Shares," respectively.
2. Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class Y
Shares shall each be entitled to all of the rights and
preferences accorded to Shares under the Declaration.
3. The purchase price of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class
C Shares and Class Y Shares, the method of determining the net
asset value of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares
and Class Y Shares and the relative dividend rights of holders
of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class Y
Shares shall be established by the Trustees of the Trust in
accordance with the provisions of the Declaration and shall be
set forth in the Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended and as in effect at the time of
issuing such Shares.
4. The Trustees, acting in their sole discretion, may
determine that any Shares of the Fund issued are Class A
Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Class Y Shares, or
Shares of any other class of the Fund hereinafter established
and designated by the Trustees.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument this
1st day of July, 1997.
/s/John F. Cogan, Jr. /s/Marguerite A. Piret
John F. Cogan, Jr. Marguerite A. Piret
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
975 Memorial Drive, #802 162 Washington Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 Belmont, MA 02178
/s/Mary K. Bush /s/David D. Tripple
Mary K. Bush David D. Tripple
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
Health Policy Institute 6 Woodbine Road
53 Bay State Road Belmont, MA 02178
Boston, MA 02215
/s/Richard H. Egdahl, M.D. /s/Stephen K. West, Esq.
Richard H. Egdahl, M.D. Stephen K. West, Esq.
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
Health Policy Institute Sullivan & Cromwell
53 Bay State Road 125 Board Street
Boston, MA 02215 New York, NY 10004
/s/Margaret B.W. Graham /s/John Winthrop
Margaret B.W. Graham John Winthrop
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
The Keep One Adgers Wharf
P.O. Box 110 Charlestown, SC 29401
Little Deer Isle, ME 04650
/s/John W. Kendrick
John W. Kendrick
as Trustee and not individually
6363 Waterway Drive
Falls Church, VA 22044
/tmp/mccain.wpf
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
reports on Pioneer Europe Fund dated June 5, 1998 December 3, 1997 (and to all
references to our firm) included in or made a part of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 8 and Amendment No. 9 to Registration Statement File Nos. 33-36265 and
811-06151, respectively.
/s/ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
June 30, 1998
PIONEER EUROPE FUND
Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3
Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class Y Shares
May, 1998
Each class of shares of Pioneer Europe Fund (the "Fund") will have the
same relative rights and privileges and be subject to the same sales charges,
fees and expenses, except as set forth below. The Board of Trustees may
determine in the future that other distribution arrangements, allocations of
expenses (whether ordinary or extraordinary) or services to be provided to a
class of shares are appropriate and amend this Plan accordingly without the
approval of shareholders of any class. Except as set forth in the Fund's
prospectus, shares may be exchanged only for shares of the same class of another
Pioneer mutual fund.
Article I. Class A Shares
Class A Shares are sold at net asset value and subject to the initial
sales charge schedule or contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") and minimum
purchase requirements as set forth in the Fund's prospectus. Class A Shares
shall be entitled to the shareholder services set forth from time to time in the
Fund's prospectus with respect to Class A Shares. Class A Shares are subject to
fees calculated as a stated percentage of the net assets attributable to Class A
shares under the Fund's Class A Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan as set forth in
such Distribution Plan. The Class A Shareholders have exclusive voting rights,
if any, with respect to the Class A Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan. Transfer
agency fees are allocated to Class A Shares on a per account basis except to the
extent, if any, such an allocation would cause the Fund to fail to satisfy any
requirement necessary to obtain or rely on a private letter ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") relating to the issuance of multiple classes of
shares. Class A shares shall bear the costs and expenses associated with
conducting a shareholder meeting for matters relating to Class A shares.
Article II. Class B Shares
Class B Shares are sold at net asset value per share without the
imposition of an initial sales charge. However, Class B shares redeemed within a
specified number of years of purchase will be subject to a CDSC as set forth in
the Fund's prospectus. Class B Shares are sold subject to the minimum purchase
requirements set forth in the Fund's prospectus. Class B Shares shall be
entitled to the shareholder services set forth from time to time in the Fund's
prospectus with respect to Class B Shares. Class B Shares are subject to fees
calculated as a stated percentage of the net assets attributable to Class B
shares under the Class B Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan as set forth in such
Distribution Plan. The Class B Shareholders of the Fund have exclusive voting
rights, if any, with respect to the Fund's Class B Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan.
Transfer agency fees are allocated to Class B Shares on a per account basis
except to the extent, if any, such an allocation would cause the Fund to fail to
satisfy any requirement necessary to obtain or rely on a private letter ruling
from the IRS relating to the issuance of multiple classes of shares. Class B
shares shall bear the costs and expenses associated with conducting a
shareholder meeting for matters relating to Class B shares.
Class B Shares will automatically convert to Class A Shares of the Fund
at the end of a specified number of years after the initial purchase date of
Class B shares, except as provided in the Fund's prospectus. Such conversion
will occur at the relative net asset value per share of each class without the
imposition of any sales charge, fee or other charge. The conversion of Class B
Shares to Class A Shares may be suspended if it is determined that the
conversion constitutes or is likely to constitute a taxable event under federal
income tax law.
The initial purchase date for Class B shares acquired through (i)
reinvestment of dividends on Class B Shares or (ii) exchange from another
Pioneer mutual fund will be deemed to be the date on which the original Class B
shares were purchased.
Article III. Class C Shares
Class C Shares are sold at net asset value per share without the
imposition of an initial sales charge. However, Class C shares redeemed within
one year of purchase will be subject to a CDSC as set forth in the Fund's
prospectus. Class C Shares are sold subject to the minimum purchase requirements
set forth in the Fund's prospectus. Class C Shares shall be entitled to the
shareholder services set forth from time to time in the Fund's prospectus with
respect to Class C Shares. Class C Shares are subject to fees calculated as a
stated percentage of the net assets attributable to Class C shares under the
Class C Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan as set forth in such Distribution Plan. The
Class C Shareholders of the Fund have exclusive voting rights, if any, with
respect to the Fund's Class C Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan. Transfer agency fees
are allocated to Class C Shares on a per account basis except to the extent, if
any, such an allocation would cause the Fund to fail to satisfy any requirement
necessary to obtain or rely on a private letter ruling from the IRS relating to
the issuance of multiple classes of shares. Class C shares shall bear the costs
and expenses associated with conducting a shareholder meeting for matters
relating to Class C shares.
The initial purchase date for Class C shares acquired through (i)
reinvestment of dividends on Class C Shares or (ii) exchange from another
Pioneer mutual fund will be deemed to be the date on which the original Class C
shares were purchased.
Article IV. Class Y Shares
Class Y Shares are sold at net asset value per share without the
imposition of an initial sales charge. Class Y Shares are not subject to a CDSC
upon redemption regardless of the length of the period of time such shares are
held. Class Y Shares are sold subject to the minimum purchase requirements set
forth in the Fund's prospectus. Class Y Shares shall be entitled to the
shareholder services set forth from time to time in the Fund's prospectus with
respect to Class Y Shares. Class Y Shares are not subject to fees payable under
a distribution or other plan adopted to Rule 12b-1. The Class Y Shareholders of
the Fund have exclusive voting rights, if any, with respect to the Fund's
possible future adoption of a Class Y Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan. Transfer
agency fees are allocated to Class Y Shares on a per account basis except to the
extent, if any, such an allocation would cause the Fund to fail to satisfy any
requirement necessary to obtain or rely on a private letter ruling from the IRS
relating to the issuance of multiple classes of shares. Class Y shares shall
bear the costs and expenses associated with conducting a shareholder meeting for
matters relating to Class Y shares.
The initial purchase date for Class Y shares acquired through (i)
reinvestment of dividends on Class Y Shares or (ii) exchange from another
Pioneer mutual fund will be deemed to be the date on which the original Class Y
shares were purchased.
Article V. Approval by Board of Trustees
This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved by the vote
of a majority (or whatever greater percentage may, from time to time, be
required under Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "Act")) of (a) all of the Trustees of the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and
(b) those of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust, as such
term may be from time to time defined under the Act.
Article VI. Amendments
No material amendment to the Plan shall be effective unless it is
approved by the Board of Trustees in the same manner as is provided for approval
of this Plan in Article V.
/tmp/mccain.wpf
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<NAME> PIONEER EUROPE FUND CLASS A
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<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1998
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<NAME> PIONEER EUROPE FUND CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
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<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1998
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 2579252
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1271960
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<SHARES-REINVESTED> 87112
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<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 18964
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 11639290
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
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<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2278732
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 54897261
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 26.88
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.13)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 8.12
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 1.55
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 33.32
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.40
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
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<NUMBER> 003
<NAME> PIONEER EUROPE FUND CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 295811128
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 399868894
<RECEIVABLES> 13316188
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<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2510148
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 16106022
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 279348586
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 514136
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 234399
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 418025
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 17120792
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 104053067
<NET-ASSETS> 400104420
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1346291
<INTEREST-INCOME> 456452
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 2239732
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (436989)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 17214679
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 55557859
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 72335549
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 378222
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 312058
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 43290
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 10969
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 199099977
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 18964
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 11639290
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2278732
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 8904364
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 26.73
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.11)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 8.09
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
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<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
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</TABLE>
