UNIVERSAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT TRUST
485BPOS, 1997-01-28
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<PAGE>
   
    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 1997
    

                                     Securities Act registration no. 33-37668
                                     Investment Company Act file no. 811-6212
_____________________________________________________________________________


                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C.  20549

                                 FORM N-1A 
______________________________________________________________________________

   
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933      [X]
                         Post-Effective Amendment No. 7                   [X]

                                        and

         REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940  [X]
                                 Amendment No. 9                          [X]
______________________________________________________________________________
    
                     UNIVERSAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT TRUST
                                 (Registrant)

                      One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708
                     Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
   
                      Telephone number:  630/932-3000
    
_______________________________________________________________________________

          James A. Dreher                      Janet D. Olsen
          Dreher & Associates, Inc.            Bell, Boyd & Lloyd 
          Suite 708                            Suite 3300
          One Oakbrook Terrace                 70 West Madison Street
          Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181     Chicago, Illinois  60602
                            (Agents for service)
   
          It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
          ___  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph(b)
          _X_  on January 28, 1997 pursuant to rule paragraph(b)
          ___  60 days after filing pursuant to rule paragraph(a)(1)
          ___  on (date) pursuant to rule paragraph(a)(1)
          ___  75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
          ___  on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.
    

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

   
Registrant has previously elected to register under the Securities Act of 
1933 an indefinite number of its shares of beneficial interest, without par 
value, of the series designated Universal Capital Growth Fund.  Pursuant to 
Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant's Rule 
24f-2 Notice for its fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 was filed on 
November 25, 1996. 
    
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
   
    
<PAGE>

                     UNIVERSAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT TRUST

               Cross-reference sheet pursuant to rule 495(a) of Regulation C

Item                      Location or Caption
- ----                 -------------------------------

               Part A (Prospectus)
               ------------------

1(a) & (b)     Front cover

2(a)           Expense Information
  (b)-(c)      Not applicable

3(a)           Financial Highlights
 (b)           Not applicable
 (c) & (d)     Performance Information

4(a)(i)        The Trust and Its Shares
 (a)(ii)&(b)   Investment Objective and Policies; Investment Restrictions
 (c)           Investment Objective and Policies; Investment Risks

5(a)           Management of the Fund -- The Trustees
 (b)           Management of the Fund -- The Adviser and Distributor; Rear Cover
 (c)           Not applicable
 (d)           Rear Cover
 (e)           Expense Information; Management of the Fund --
                 The Adviser and Distributor
 (f)           Portfolio Transactions

   
5A             Performance Information
    

6(a)           The Trust and Its Shares
 (b)-(d)       Not applicable
 (e)           Shareholder Services
 (f)           Dividends and Distributions
 (g)           Taxes

7              How to Purchase Shares
 (a)           How to Purchase Shares; Management of the Fund --
                 The Adviser and Distributor; Rear Cover
 (b)-(d)       How to Purchase Shares
 (e)-(f)       Management of the Fund -- Distribution Plan

8(a)-(d)       How to Redeem Shares

9              Not applicable

- -----------------------------


                                      2
<PAGE>


Item                      Location or Caption*
- ----                 -------------------------------

               Part B (Statement of Additional Information)
               -------------------------------------------


10(a) & (b)    Front cover

11             Front cover

12             General Information

13(a)-(d)      Investment Objective; Investment Practices; Investment
               Restrictions

14(a)-(b)      Management
  (c)          Not applicable

15(a)          Not applicable
  (b) & (c)    Management

16(a)-(c)      Investment Advisory Services
  (d)          Fund Accounting Services
  (e)          Not applicable
  (f)          Distribution Plan
  (g)          Not applicable
  (h)          Custodian; Independent Auditors
  (i)          Transfer Agent

17(a)-(d)      Portfolio Transactions
  (e)          Not applicable

18             Not applicable

19(a)          Purchasing and Redeeming Shares
  (b)          Purchasing and Redeeming Shares; Financial Statements
  (c)          Purchasing and Redeeming Shares

20             Taxation

21(a)&(b)      Distributor
  (c)          Not applicable

22(a)          Not applicable
  (b)          Performance Information

23             Financial Statements



                                      3
<PAGE>


Item                     Location or Caption*
- ----                -----------------------------

                    Part C (Other Information)
                    -------------------------

24                  Financial statements and exhibits

25                  Persons controlled by or under common control with 
                    registrant

26                  Number of holders of securities

27                  Indemnification

28                  Business and other connections of investment adviser

29                  Principal underwriters

30                  Location of accounts and records

31                  Management services

32                  Undertakings




- -----------------------------

* References are to captions within the part of the registration statement 
to which the particular item relates except as otherwise indicated.



                                     4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------
 
UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
 
- --------------------------------------
 
Universal Capital Growth Fund (the "Fund"), a series of Universal Capital
Investment Trust (the "Trust"), is a fully-managed, diversified, open-end mutual
fund. The Fund's investment objective is to maximize capital appreciation
primarily through investment in common stocks of companies which the Fund's
investment adviser, Integrated Financial Services, Inc., believes have potential
to increase earnings and are either undervalued or fairly valued.
 
This Prospectus, which should be read and retained for future reference, sets
forth concisely the information an investor should consider before investing in
the Fund. A Statement of Additional Information containing further information
about the Fund has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
may be obtained without charge by calling or writing the Fund at the telephone
number or address listed below. The Statement of Additional Information bears
the same date as this Prospectus and (together with any supplements thereto) is
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
   
UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
ONE OAKBROOK TERRACE
SUITE 708
OAKBROOK TERRACE, ILLINOIS 60181-4793
(630) 932-3000
    
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Highlights........................          2
Expense Information...............          3
Financial Highlights..............          3
Investment Objective and
 Policies.........................          4
Investment Risks..................          5
Investment Restrictions...........          5
How to Purchase Shares............          6
How to Redeem Shares..............          8
Shareholder Services..............         10
Dividends and Distributions.......         10
Taxes.............................         11
Management of the Fund............         11
Performance Information...........         12
Portfolio Transactions............         13
The Trust and Its Shares..........         14
Appendix - Letter of Intent.......         15
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL SECURITIES IN ANY STATE TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER IN SUCH STATE.
 
- ------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------
   
The date of this Prospectus is January 28, 1997
    
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
HIGHLIGHTS
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
   
The investment objective of Universal Capital Growth Fund (the "Fund") is to
maximize capital appreciation primarily through investment in common stocks of
companies which the Fund's investment adviser, Integrated Financial Services,
Inc. (the "Adviser"), believes have potential to increase earnings and are
either undervalued or fairly valued.
    
 
There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its objective.
 
INVESTMENT RISKS
 
The Fund is designed for long-term investors who can accept the fluctuations in
portfolio value and other risks associated with seeking to maximize capital
appreciation through investment in securities. The Fund invests in both large
and small companies. Investments in small, and often newer, companies involve
greater risk than is customarily associated with more established companies. See
"Investment Risks" and "Investment Objective and Policies" for a more complete
description of the risks of investing in the Fund.
 
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS
 
All dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any,
are paid to shareholders by the Fund at least annually. Distributions are
automatically reinvested in additional shares at net asset value (without a
sales charge) unless payment in cash has been requested. See "Dividends and
Distributions."
 
PURCHASING SHARES
 
Shares of the Fund are sold with a front-end sales charge of 1.5% of the
offering price, with reduced sales charges on larger investments. There is no
sales charge on purchases of $250,000 or more or on reinvestment of
distributions. See "How to Purchase Shares."
 
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS
 
   
The Fund's minimum account size is generally $1,000. Each subsequent investment
must be $50 or more except for reinvestment of distributions. There is no
minimum account size for retirement plans. See "How to Purchase Shares."
    
 
REDEMPTION PRICE
 
Shares are redeemed at current net asset value, without charge. See "How to
Redeem Shares."
 
EXPENSES OF THE FUND
 
The Fund pays a monthly advisory fee at the annual rate of 1% of the first $250
million of the Fund's average daily net assets. See "Management of the Fund --
The Adviser and Distributor." The Fund also pays the distributor monthly fees at
annual rates aggregating .50% of the Fund's average daily net assets for
shareholder servicing and for services in distributing Fund shares. See
"Management of the Fund -- Distribution Plan."
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
Integrated Financial Services, Inc.
One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-4793
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
Dreher & Associates, Inc.
One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-4793
(630) 932-3000
    
 
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2
<PAGE>
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
EXPENSE INFORMATION
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases
 (as a percentage of offering price)......      1.50%
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested
 Dividends................................       None
Deferred Sales Load.......................       None
Redemption Fees...........................       None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 (as a percentage of average net assets)
Advisory and Management Fees..............      1.00%
12b-1 Fees (b)............................       .50%
Other Expenses (after expense
 reimbursements) (a)......................       .50%
                                            ---------
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
 expense reimbursements) (a)..............      2.00%
</TABLE>
 
   
    (a) Takes into account the Adviser's voluntary undertaking to limit the
Fund's annual ordinary operating expenses to 2% of the Fund's average daily net
assets through December 31, 1997. "Other Expenses" and "Total Fund Operating
Expenses" for the year ended September 30, 1996 would have been .85% and 2.35%
respectively, without such limitation. You must pay the cost (currently $15) for
payment of redemption proceeds by wire.
    
 
    (b) Includes a distribution fee of 0.25% and a service fee of 0.25%, all or
a portion of which may be paid to brokers for continuing services to be provided
to shareholders of the fund. Long-term shareholders may, as a result of the
Fund's distribution plan, pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum
front-end sales charge. See "Management of the Fund -- Distribution Plan".
 
EXAMPLE: You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a
5% annual return and redemption at the end of each time period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 1 Yr.       3 Yrs.       5 Yrs.       10 Yrs.
                              -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                               $      35    $      77    $     122    $     246
</TABLE>
 
The purpose of the foregoing table is to assist an investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund may bear directly or
indirectly. The example assumes that the percentage amounts listed under Annual
Fund Operating Expenses remain the same through each of the periods, all income
dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested in additional shares of
the Fund, and the Fund's net assets remain constant. The example is not a
representation of past or future expenses or investment performance. Reduced
sales charges apply to purchases of $50,000 or more. See "How to Purchase
Shares."
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
   
The table below shows the results of the Fund's operations for a share
outstanding throughout each fiscal year ended September 30, and has been audited
by Ernst & Young LLP, the Fund's independent auditors. This table should be read
in conjunction with the Fund's annual report which may be obtained at no charge
by writing to the Fund.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996    1995    1994    1993    1992    1991(c)
                                                                       ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------
<S>                                                                    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period.................................  $16.28  $12.47  $12.27  $11.38  $11.16   $10.00
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income (loss)(a)....................................    (.10)   (.10)   (.13)   (.04)    .11      .07
  Net realized and unrealized gain on investments....................    1.14    4.54     .96    1.39     .37     1.09
                                                                       ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------
Total from investment operations.....................................    1.04    4.44     .83    1.35     .48     1.16
Less distribution to shareholder from:
  Net investment income..............................................     .00     .00     .00     .11     .07      .00
  Realized gains on investments......................................    2.33     .63     .63     .35     .19      .00
                                                                       ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------
Total distributions to shareholders..................................    2.33     .63     .63     .46     .26      .00
Net asset value, end of period.......................................  $14.99  $16.28  $12.47  $12.27  $11.38   $11.16
                                                                       ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------
                                                                       ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ---------
TOTAL RETURN (b).....................................................    7.4%   37.9%    7.5%   12.2%    4.3%    11.6%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands).............................  $11,124 $8,149  $4,969  $4,892  $4,715   $3,031
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (a)......................    2.0%    2.0%    2.0%    2.0%    2.0%     2.0%*
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (a)......  (0.7)%  (0.8)%  (1.1)%  (0.4)%    1.2%     1.3%*
Portfolio turnover rate..............................................  262.1%    158%    189%    186%    111%     126%*
Average commission rate per share....................................   .0208   N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A      N/A
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
*   Annualized
   
(a) After reimbursement and waiver of expenses by the Advisor of .35%, 0.7%,
    1.1%, .9% and 1.2% of average net assets for 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and
    1992, respectively.
    
(b) Total return is not annualized for periods less than a full year and does
    not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
(c) For the period January 22, 1991 (commencement of operations) through
    September 30, 1991.
 
   
Note: Per share data for 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was determined based on
average shares outstanding.
    
 
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                                                                               3
<PAGE>
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The investment objective of the Fund is to maximize capital appreciation. The
realization of current income is not normally a consideration in the selection
of securities for investment and the Fund is not designed for investors seeking
income rather than capital appreciation. There can be no assurance that the Fund
will achieve its objective. The Fund's investment objective may not be changed
without shareholder approval.
 
TYPES OF SECURITIES
 
The Fund seeks capital appreciation primarily through investment in common
stocks which the Adviser believes have potential to increase earnings and are
either undervalued or fairly valued relative to earnings or potential earnings
growth.
 
The Fund ordinarily invests on a long-term basis. However, from time to time,
the Fund may invest on a short-term basis, or may sell within a few months
securities purchased on a long-term basis because of the possibility of rapid
security price fluctuations or a change in the circumstances of a particular
company or industry or general market or economic conditions.
 
The Fund may invest in companies of all size capitalizations. Large
capitalization companies (with total stock market capitalizations of $1 billion
or more) selected by the Adviser will typically have demonstrated increasing
sales and earnings and may have leadership positions in the markets in which
they compete. Small capitalization companies may have recent favorable trends in
revenue and earnings growth due to a product or service that offers the
opportunity for substantial future growth in a specialized market. The Adviser
believes that while investment in smaller companies offers the potential for
substantial capital appreciation, there is a greater risk and volatility
associated with the securities of small companies. The allocation of investments
between large and small capitalization companies may vary greatly from time to
time based on the Adviser's analysis of economic and market conditions.
 
The Fund expects that, under normal market conditions, at least 75% of the
Fund's assets will be in common stocks of companies with potential to increase
earnings. Subject to that limitation, the Fund may also invest in securities
that the Adviser believes offer an opportunity for capital appreciation for
reasons other than earnings growth.
 
The Fund also may invest in securities of unseasoned issuers, convertible
securities (such as convertible bonds and convertible preferred stocks),
warrants, options on securities, index options, financial futures contracts and
foreign securities and at times may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund
expects that no more than 5% of its net assets would be placed at risk in
connection with any one category of such investments. A more thorough
description of these investment practices and a discussion of their associated
risks are contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
When the Adviser believes that the prevailing market conditions indicate that a
temporary defensive position is warranted, or so that the Fund may receive a
favorable return on any cash in its portfolio, the Fund may invest in short-term
interest-bearing securities, U.S. Government securities, corporate debt
securities, preferred stocks, certificates of deposit of commercial banks and
repurchase agreements. Some of these investments may be medium or long term
investment grade obligations (rated in one of the four highest by a nationally
recognized rating agency) which, in the judgement of the Adviser, have the
greatest potential for a high current return or capital appreciation. Securities
rated in the fourth highest category are considered to have speculative
characteristics. While the Fund maintains a temporary defensive position,
investment income may be expected to be higher than if the Fund were invested in
common stocks and may constitute a large portion of the return of the Fund.
Moreover, during any such period the Fund probably will not
 
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4
<PAGE>
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participate in market advances or declines to the extent that it would if it
were fully invested in common stocks.
 
The Fund may sell short securities the Fund owns or has the right to acquire
without further consideration, a technique called selling short "against the
box." Short sales against the box may protect the Fund against the risk of
losses in the value of its portfolio securities because any subsequent
unrealized losses with respect to such securities should be wholly or partially
offset by a corresponding gain in the short position. However, any subsequent
gains in such securities should be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding
loss in the short position. Short sales against the box may be used to lock in a
gain on a security when, for tax reasons or otherwise, the Adviser does not want
to sell the security. The Fund currently does not expect that more than 40% of
the Fund's total assets would be subject to short sales against the box. For a
more complete explanation, please refer to the Statement of Additional
Information.
 
INVESTMENT RISKS
 
All investments, including those in mutual funds, have risks. No investment is
suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed for long-term investors who can
accept the fluctuations in portfolio value and other risks associated with
seeking to maximize capital appreciation through investment in securities. There
can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objective.
 
The Fund diversifies its securities holdings to reduce risk. Although risk
cannot be eliminated, diversification reduces the impact of any single
investment. The Fund may invest in both large and small companies. Investments
in small, and often newer, companies involve greater risk than is customarily
associated with more established companies. Smaller and newer companies often
have limited product lines, markets, management personnel, research and/or
financial resources. The securities of small companies, which may be thinly
capitalized, may have more limited marketability and be subject to more abrupt
or erratic market movements than securities of larger companies or the market
averages in general.
 
   
Any investment by the Fund in medium or long term interest-bearing obligations
has the risk of principal fluctuation due to changing interest rates and the
ability of the issuer to repay the obligation at maturity. Certain risk factors
are also associated with other investment practices of the Fund (none of which
is expected to involve more than 5% of the Fund's assets), including investing
in debt securities and securities of unseasoned issuers, engaging in futures and
options transactions, and investing in foreign securities. Risk factors specific
to those practices are explained more fully in the Statement of Additional
Information. Although the Fund does not purchase securities with a view to rapid
turnover, there are no limitations on the length of time portfolio securities
must be held. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996 was 262.1%. The Fund's annual portfolio turnover rate will
vary from year to year; a high rate of portfolio turnover results in increased
transaction expenses and the realization of capital gains and losses. Please
refer to the Statement of Additional Information for a more complete
explanation.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund will not:
 
1.  As to 75% of its assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets, taken at
    market value at the time of a particular purchase, in the securities of any
    one issuer, except that this restriction does not apply to securities issued
    or guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies or
    instrumentalities;
 
2.  Acquire more than 10%, taken at the time of a particular purchase, of the
    outstanding voting securities of any issuer;
 
3.  Invest in a security if more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market
    value at the time of a particular purchase) would be invested in the
 
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                                                                               5
<PAGE>
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    securities of issuers in any particular industry, except that this
    restriction does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
    Government or its agencies or instrumentalities;
 
4.  Borrow, except that the Fund may borrow up to 5% of its total assets, taken
    at market value at the time of such borrowing, as a temporary measure for
    extraordinary purposes, but not to increase portfolio income (reverse
    repurchase agreements shall be considered borrowings for purposes of this
    restriction) nor enter into transactions in options, or;
 
5.  Purchase illiquid securities or securities of issuers (other than issuers of
    Federal agency obligations) which, including their predecessors, have been
    in operation for less than three years, if by reason of such purchase the
    value of the Fund's aggregate investment in such securities would exceed 5%
    of its total assets.
 
These are fundamental restrictions that cannot be changed without the approval
of a "majority of the outstanding" voting securities of the Fund, as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940. All of the Fund's investment restrictions
are described in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
 
An Application is included with this Prospectus. A completed and signed
Application is required for each new account opened, regardless of the method
chosen for purchasing shares. Redemptions will not be permitted until a
completed Application is on file and funds have been collected from the check
used to purchase shares.
 
   
The Fund's minimum account size is generally $1,000. Each subsequent investment
must be $50 or more except for reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions. There is no minimum account size for retirement plans. See
"Shareholder Services - Retirement Plans." These minimums may be changed at any
time. The Fund reserves the right to reject any order for the purchase of its
shares in whole or in part, and to suspend the sale of its shares to the public
in response to conditions in the securities markets or otherwise. Generally, the
Fund will not issue share certificates representing shares, although share
certificates in full share amounts will be furnished without charge upon a
shareholder's written request. Fractional shares, if any, will be carried on the
books of the Fund without issuance of certificates.
    
 
METHODS OF PURCHASE
 
Shares of the Fund may be purchased from Dreher & Associates, Inc. ("Dreher"),
the Fund's distributor, or from selected broker-dealers that have signed selling
agreements with Dreher. Investments in the Fund may be made either by check or
by wire. Please call the Fund at the number on the front cover of this
prospectus for wiring instructions.
 
BY CHECK: Checks should be made payable to "Universal Capital Growth Fund" and
mailed with the completed and signed Application to an authorized investment
dealer or directly to:
 
    Universal Capital Growth Fund
    c/o Dreher & Associates, Inc.
    One Oakbrook Terrace
    Suite 708
    Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-4793
 
All checks should be drawn on U.S. banks in U.S. dollars in order to avoid fees
and delays. A charge (currently $15) may be imposed if any check submitted for
investment does not clear.
 
PURCHASES BY EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS
 
If a shareholder's account with the Fund is already established and an
investment dealer is recorded for such account, subsequent orders for shares may
be either mailed directly to Universal Capital Growth Fund, c/o Dreher &
Associates, Inc., at the address shown above, or purchased through the
shareholder's own authorized investment dealer. A check should be enclosed made
payable to "Universal Capital Growth Fund," along with information identifying
the shareholder and the shareholder's account number.
 
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6
<PAGE>
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OFFERING PRICE
 
   
Except as otherwise described below under "Sales Commission Waiver," shares in
the Fund are offered at the public offering price, which is the net asset value
per share next determined after a properly completed order is received by the
Fund, plus a sales commission. Orders received after the close of regular
session trading on the New York Stock Exchange (ordinarily 3:00 p.m., Chicago
time) will be processed the next business day. The table below shows the sales
commission at various investment levels.
    
 
                             SALES COMMISSION TABLE
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       % of
                                             Paid by Investor        Offering
                                          -----------------------      Price
                                          As a % of    As a % of    Retained by
                                          Offering    Net Amount      Selling
               Investment                   Price      Invested       Dealer
- ----------------------------------------  ---------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>           <C>
Less than $100,000......................    1.50%        1.52%      1.75%(a)
$100,000 but less than $250,000.........    1.00%        1.01%      1.25%(a)
$250,000 or more........................    NONE         NONE        .25%(a)(b)
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
(a) Amount retained by selling dealer in excess of the sales commission paid by
    the investor is paid by the Fund's distributor from its own resources,
    including amounts received pursuant to the Fund's distribution (12b-1) plan.
(b) Paid by the Fund's distributor to the selling dealer six months after
    investment only if the shares purchased have not been redeemed.
 
Under certain circumstances, Dreher may reallow up to the entire sales
commission to dealers. Dealers who receive 90% or more of the sales commission
are deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933. Dreher may from
time to time conduct promotional campaigns in which incentives would be offered
to dealers who meet or exceed stated target sales of shares of the Fund. The
cost of any such promotional campaign, including any incentives offered, would
be borne entirely by Dreher and would have no effect on either the public
offering price of Fund shares or the percentage of the public offering price
retained by the selling dealer. The cost of any such promotional campaign is not
intended to be among the items for which the Distributor receives compensation
under the Fund's Distribution Plan. See "Management of the Fund - Distribution
Plan." At various times Dreher may also implement programs under which Dreher
will reallow, to all dealers or to dealers that meet uniformly applied targets
for sales of shares of the Fund, an amount not exceeding the total applicable
sales charges on the sales generated by the dealer at the public offering price
during such programs.
 
SALES COMMISSION WAIVER
 
The following persons or entities may purchase shares of the Fund at net asset
value without payment of any sales commission: (a) employees and registered
representatives of Dreher and its affiliates or broker-dealers with selling
group agreements with Dreher; (b) spouses and minor children of such persons;
(c) trustees of the Fund; (d) investment advisory clients of the Adviser; (e)
any trust, pension, profit sharing, or other benefit plan account for the
benefit of any person listed in (a), (b), (c) or (d) above; and (f) companies
exchanging shares with the Fund pursuant to a merger, acquisition or exchange
offer; and (g) clients of registered investment advisers and certified financial
planners who in each case either pay a fee for financial planning, investment
advisory or asset management services, or receive such services in connection
with the establishment of an investment account for which a comprehensive "wrap
fee" charge is imposed.
 
   
An investor may purchase shares of the Fund at net asset value, without a sales
commission, by certifying (on a form available from Dreher) that the amount
invested represents the proceeds of redemption, within the preceding 60 days, of
shares of another mutual fund as to which the investor paid a sales commission.
    
 
Dividends and distributions paid by the Fund are reinvested in shares of the
Fund at net asset value without the payment of any sales commission, or an
investor may elect to receive dividends and distributions in cash. See
"Dividends and Distributions."
 
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                                                                               7
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RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION
 
   
The reduced sales charges and offering prices set forth in the "Sales Commission
Table" may apply to subsequent purchases aggregated pursuant to a right of
accumulation privilege. With the right of accumulation privilege, investors are
permitted to purchase additional shares at the reduced sales charge and public
offering price applicable to the total of (a) the dollar amount then being
purchased, plus (b) an amount equal to the greater of (i) the then current net
asset value of aggregate holdings of shares of the Fund owned by the investor,
the investor's spouse, children of the investor or spouse for whom the investor
or spouse is custodian of such investment, Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
or other qualified plan of the investor or the investor's spouse, or any
revocable trust of which the grantor and principal beneficiary is the investor
or the investor's spouse, or (ii) the aggregate amount invested by the foregoing
in shares of the Fund. Although no sales charge or a reduced sales charge may be
applicable to a subsequent purchase, no refund of a sales charge previously paid
will be made by reason of subsequent purchases. Shareholders desiring to receive
the benefit of such right must, at the time of each purchase, give Dreher
sufficient information to permit confirmation of qualification. See the
Application enclosed with this Prospectus for additional details.
    
 
LETTER OF INTENT
 
An investor intending to make additional investments in Fund shares may qualify
for reduced sales commissions by electing on the purchase application to
purchase pursuant to a Letter of Intent. The sales commission on each investment
then is computed at the rate that would apply to the intended aggregate
investment over a thirteen month period. The provisions applicable to a Letter
of Intent are set out in an appendix to this Prospectus.
 
NET ASSET VALUE
 
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined as of the close of
regular session trading on the New York Stock Exchange (ordinarily 3:00 p.m.,
Chicago time) each day that exchange is open for trading by dividing the value
of all securities and other assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, by the
number of shares of the Fund outstanding.
 
Securities held by the Fund are valued on the basis of market valuation.
Securities and other assets for which market values are not readily available
are valued at a fair value as determined in good faith by a method the board of
trustees believes represents a fair value. For a more complete explanation,
please refer to the Statement of Additional Information.
 
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
 
Shares of the Fund will be redeemed at the net asset value next determined after
receipt of a redemption request in good form on any day the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading. Requests received after the close of regular
session trading on the New York Stock Exchange for that day (ordinarily 3:00
p.m., Chicago time) will be processed the next business day.
 
The redemption price per share may be more or less than the shareholder's cost
depending upon the value of the Fund's investment securities at the time of
redemption. The Fund imposes no redemption fee, although a shareholder must pay
a charge for payment of redemption proceeds by wire. An authorized dealer may
charge a fee for processing a redemption request on behalf of a shareholder.
Redemption of Fund shares is a taxable transaction.
 
   
PLEASE TELEPHONE THE FUND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT REQUIREMENTS FOR A
REDEMPTION BEFORE SUBMITTING A REQUEST. You may not cancel or revoke your
redemption request once your instructions have been received in good form.
    
 
REDEMPTION BY MAIL
 
A written request for redemption (and a properly endorsed share certificate, if
issued) must be received by the Fund to constitute a valid redemption request.
 
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8
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The redemption request must:
 
1.  specify the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, if less than
    all shares are to be redeemed;
 
2.  be signed by all owners exactly as their names appear on the account; and
 
3.  include a signature guarantee for each signature on the redemption request
    by Dreher & Associates, Inc., by a securities firm that is a member of the
    New York Stock Exchange or by a bank, savings bank, credit union, savings
    and loan association or other entity that is authorized by applicable state
    law to guarantee signatures.
 
In the case of shares held by a corporation, the redemption request must be
signed in the name of the corporation by an officer whose title must be stated,
and a certified bylaw provision or resolution of the board of directors
authorizing the officer to so act may be required. In the case of a trust or
partnership, the signature must include the name of the registered shareholder
and the title of the person signing on its behalf. Under certain circumstances,
before shares can be redeemed, additional documents may be required in order to
verify the authority of the person seeking to redeem.
 
EXPEDITED REDEMPTION
 
Unless share certificates have been issued, a shareholder may have redemption
proceeds of at least $5,000 wired directly to a domestic commercial bank account
or brokerage account that the shareholder has previously designated. Normally,
such payments will be transmitted no later than the second business day
following receipt of your written redemption request (provided redemptions may
be made under the general criteria set forth below). A service charge (currently
$15) for payment of redemption proceeds by wire will be deducted from the
proceeds. The service charge will not be changed without 30 days prior written
notice to shareholders.
 
GENERAL
 
Shares of the Fund may not be redeemed until funds from the check used to
purchase the shares has been collected, which is usually no more than 15 days
after purchase. A shareholder may avoid this delay by purchasing shares in such
a way that the Fund receives immediate payment for the purchase, such as by wire
transfer of funds or payment by a certified or cashier's check. The Fund may
suspend the right of redemption under certain extraordinary circumstances in
accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Due to the relatively high cost of handling small accounts, the Fund reserves
the right, upon 60 days written notice, to redeem, at net asset value, the
shares of any shareholder (other than a retirement plan) whose account with the
Fund which is more than 12 months old has a value of less than $500, unless the
reduction in value to less than $500 was the result of market fluctuation.
Retirement plan accounts are not subject to this minimum account value
requirement. See "Shareholder Services - Retirement Plans."
 
Shareholders may redeem shares and later reinvest the proceeds into the Fund at
the then current net asset value (without payment of a new sales commission)
provided that the reinvestment is made within 6 months of the redemption. This
redemption-reinvestment privilege is limited to two reinvestments per person per
calendar year. This limit helps keep the Fund's asset base stable and reduces
administrative expenses. For purposes of the two reinvestment limit, accounts
under common ownership or control, including accounts with the same taxpayer
identification number, will be aggregated. The Fund reserves the right to
terminate or modify this reinvestment privilege in the future. If you sell at a
loss and reinvest within 91 days, the loss attributable to any sales charge must
be deferred for the shareholder's tax purposes.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
Inquiries regarding the Fund should be addressed to Universal Capital Growth
Fund, One Oakbrook
 
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                                                                               9
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Terrace, Suite 708, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-4793. Telephone inquiries
may be made at (630) 932-3000.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTS
 
Each shareholder of the Fund receives quarterly account statements showing
transactions in shares of the Fund and the total account balance of Fund shares.
A confirmation will be sent to the shareholder upon purchase, redemption,
dividend reinvestment and change of shareholder address.
 
RETIREMENT PLANS
 
The Fund may be used as an investment for Individual Retirement Accounts
("IRA"), profit sharing or pension plans, Section 401(k) plans, Section
403(b)(7) plans in the case of employees of public school systems and certain
nonprofit organizations, and certain other qualified plans. A master IRA plan
and information regarding plan administration, fees and other details are
available from Dreher and authorized broker-dealers. The Fund's minimum
investment and minimum account value requirements do not apply to retirement
plan accounts.
 
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
 
Shares may be purchased by automatic monthly transfer of funds ($50 minimum per
month) from a shareholder's checking, bank money market, NOW account, or savings
account by electronic transfer through the Fund's Automatic Investment Plan.
 
Through the Automatic Investment Plan, the bank account designated by the
shareholder will be debited on the date selected by the shareholder or the next
business day, if the date selected is not a business day. Shares of the Fund
will be purchased on the date funds are actually received by the Fund's
custodian bank.
 
To sign up for the plan, new investors in the fund should complete the Automatic
Investment Plan section in the fund's application and attach a voided check to
the application. Existing shareholders of the fund may sign up for the Plan by
calling the fund or an authorized broker/dealer for a separate Automatic
Investment Plan Application.
 
Only an account at a domestic financial institution which is an Automated
Clearing House member may be used for the Automatic Investment Plan.
Participation in the Automatic Investment Plan may be changed or terminated only
upon written notice, which will be effective within five business days after
receipt of the notice by the Fund from the distributor or an authorized
broker/dealer. The Fund may modify or terminate the Automatic Investment Plan at
any time or charge a service fee, although no such fee currently is
contemplated. A charge (currently $15) may be imposed if an electronic transfer
does not clear. Normal sales commissions apply to the purchase of shares through
the Automatic Plan.
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
 
Shareholders may request that the Fund redeem shares monthly or quarterly in
specified dollar amounts. For example, a shareholder might request that enough
shares be redeemed to pay $200 per month.
 
Investors may initiate the Systematic Withdrawal Plan for a non-IRA account with
an initial investment of $25,000 or more, or at any time after the initial
investment if the value of the investor's account is $25,000 or more. An IRA
account must have a balance of at least $10,000 to begin a Systematic Withdrawal
Plan. The minimum periodic withdrawal amount is $100. Withdrawal proceeds are
likely to exceed dividends and distributions paid on shares in the account and
therefore may deplete and eventually exhaust the account. The periodic payments
are proceeds of redemption and are taxable as such. A shareholder normally
should not purchase shares while participating in the systematic withdrawal plan
if the additional investment would be subject to a sales charge.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
Shareholders may receive two kinds of distributions from the Fund: dividends and
capital gains. All dividends and capital gains distributions are paid in the
form of additional shares credited to the shareholder's account at the net asset
value per
 
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10
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share next computed after the dividend or distribution is payable to
shareholders (without a sales charge) unless the shareholder requested on the
account application or in writing that distributions be made in cash. All
dividends from net investment income and net realized short-term and long-term
capital gains, if any, are paid to shareholders by the Fund at least annually.
The Fund will not change the way in which shareholders may reinvest dividends
and distributions without giving shareholders at least 30 days written notice.
 
If two consecutive dividend checks from the Fund are returned as undeliverable,
the undelivered dividends will be invested in additional shares of the Fund at
the current net asset value and the account will be designated as a dividend
reinvestment account.
 
TAXES
 
The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a "regulated investment company"
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and thus not be subject to
federal income taxes on amounts which it distributes to shareholders.
 
You may realize a capital gain or capital loss when you redeem (sell) shares.
The federal tax treatment may depend on how long you owned the shares and on
your individual tax position. You may be subject to state and local taxes on
your investment in the Fund, depending on the laws of your home state and
locality.
 
Dividends and distributions paid by the Fund are subject to taxation as of the
date of payment, except that distributions declared in October, November or
December to shareholders of record in one of those months will be treated as
received by shareholders on December 31 of the year they are declared, provided
they are paid prior to February 1 of the next year.
 
You will be advised annually as to the source of your distributions for tax
purposes. If you are not subject to income taxation, you will not be required to
pay tax on amounts distributed to you.
 
The Fund is currently required by law to withhold 31% of reportable payments
(which may include redemptions, capital gains distributions and other taxable
distributions, if any) paid to any non-exempt shareholder who has failed to
certify to the Fund that the social security or taxpayer identification number
provided to the Fund is correct and that the shareholder is not subject to
backup withholding. Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information for
a more complete explanation.
 
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
 
THE TRUSTEES
 
The board of trustees of Universal Capital Investment Trust has overall
responsibility for the conduct of the affairs of the Fund. The trustees serve
indefinite terms of unlimited duration. The trustees appoint their own
successors, provided at least two-thirds of the trustees, after such
appointment, have been elected by the shareholders. A trustee may be removed
with or without cause upon the written declaration of a majority of the trustees
or by the declaration in writing or vote of two-thirds of the Trust's
outstanding shares.
 
THE ADVISER AND DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
The Fund's investments are managed by the Adviser, Integrated Financial
Services, Inc. James A. Dreher, who was co-manager of the Fund's portfolio from
its inception, has been the Fund's sole portfolio manager since August 27, 1996.
Mr. Dreher formed the Adviser in 1985, and since then has been its president and
chief executive officer. He has also served as president of the Fund's
distributor, Dreher & Associates, Inc., since 1980.
    
 
   
Dreher & Associates, Inc. is an affiliate of the Adviser and is owned by Mr.
Dreher, Richard H. Burgess and Patricia M. Ellington. Mr. Burgess and Ms.
Ellington are trustees of the Trust. Dreher was formed in 1980 and since
inception has sold over $550 million in equity and income oriented mutual funds.
    
 
   
The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Adviser acts as investment
adviser. Subject to the overall authority of the board of trustees, the
    
 
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                                                                              11
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Adviser furnishes continuous investment supervision and management to the Fund
under a management agreement and also furnishes office space, equipment and
management personnel. For these services the Adviser receives from the Fund a
fee accrued daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 1.0% of the first $250
million of the Fund's average daily net assets and .75% of average daily net
assets in excess of $250 million. These rates are higher than those paid by most
other mutual funds.
 
   
The management agreement also provides that the total annual expenses of the
Fund, exclusive of taxes, interest, extraordinary litigation expenses and
brokers' commissions and other charges relating to the purchase and sale of
securities but including fees paid to the Adviser and fees paid pursuant to the
Distribution Plan, shall not exceed the limits, if any, prescribed by any state
regulatory authority, and the Adviser has agreed to reimburse the Fund for any
such expenses in excess of such limits. In addition, the Adviser has voluntarily
undertaken to limit the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund to 2.0% of the
Fund's average daily net assets through December 31, 1997. Subject to those
expense limitations, the Fund pays all of its operating expenses not
specifically assumed by the Adviser.
    
 
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
 
The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 whereby the Fund pays to Dreher an
annual service fee of .25% and an annual sales compensation fee of .25%, both
accrued daily and paid monthly and based on the Fund's daily net assets. In
return, Dreher bears all expenses incurred in the distribution and promotion of
the Fund's shares, including the printing of prospectuses and reports used for
sales purposes, advertisements, expenses of preparation and printing of sales
literature, and other distribution related expenses, including service fees, at
an annual rate of up to .25% and distribution fees for ongoing services by the
broker to the shareholder of up to an additional .25% of average net assets,
paid to broker-dealers who have executed selling group agreements with Dreher.
The expenses incurred by Dreher may be more or less than the distribution fees
paid to Dreher by the Fund.
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
The Fund may quote total return figures from time to time in advertisements,
sales literature and otherwise. "Total Return" for a period is the percentage
change in value during a period of an investment in Fund shares, including the
value of all shares acquired through reinvestment of all dividends and capital
gains distributions. "Average Annual Total Return" is the average annual
compounded rate of change in value represented by the Total Return for the
period. All of these calculations assume the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions in additional shares of the Fund. Quotations of Average Annual
Total Return will take into account the effect of any sales charge on the amount
available for investment; quotations of Total Return will indicate whether the
effect of the sales charge is included. Income taxes owed by the shareholder are
not taken into account. Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information
for a more complete explanation.
 
   
1995 was an exceptional year for the U.S. stock market. Both the S&P 500 Index
and the NASDAQ Composite Index rose more than 30%. Universal Capital Growth Fund
gained 38%. After these results, many investors feared weaker performance in
1996.
    
 
   
The U.S. economy during fiscal 1996 was marked by uncertainty. General concerns
regarding the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy resulted in considerable
volatility in U.S. capital markets. However, interest rates remained low and
inflation remained tame throughout the year. A strong correlation has existed
historically between a strong stock market and low inflation. This correlation
continued throughout 1996 and U.S. stock market returns were again excellent.
    
 
   
As the market continued its climb in 1996, there was a general "flight to
quality." Large cap growth
    
 
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12
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companies in most sectors have been the beneficiaries. Universal Capital Growth
Fund lagged behind the S&P 500 Index and NASDAQ Composite Index in 1996.
Technology stocks and small cap stocks experienced a significant decline
beginning in June. At the beginning of June, 55% of Universal Capital Growth
Fund's portfolio was in small cap growth stocks including significant
investments in the technology sector. Small cap growth stocks as measured by the
Wilshire Small Cap Growth Index dropped over 18% in June and July alone.
    
 
   
The last quarter of 1996 has seen a realignment of the fund's portfolio into
mostly large cap growth stocks, which is intended to reduce the volatility that
accompanies investments in small cap companies. The portfolio is also more
concentrated -- at the end of December 1996 the Fund had 43 securities
positions, down from a high of 110.
    
 
   
In advertising and sales literature, the Fund's performance may be compared with
that of market indices and other mutual funds, comparative performance as
computed in a ranking determined by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., an
independent service that monitors the performance of over 2,000 mutual funds, or
that of another service. The following table summarizes the Fund's performance
as compared to the S&P 500 Index, the NASDAQ Composite Index, and the Lipper
Capital Appreciation Category for the fiscal periods ending September 30, 1996
and September 30, 1995:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        TOTAL RETURN
                                    --------------------
     FUND, INDEX OR CATEGORY          1996       1995
- ----------------------------------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                 <C>        <C>
Universal Capital Growth Fund.....       7.4%      37.9%
S&P 500 Index.....................     17.64%      29.7%
NASDAQ Composite Index............     17.99%      36.5%
Lipper Capital Appreciation
 Category.........................     16.01%      25.2%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
The graph below depicts the result of a $10,000 investment in the Universal
Capital Growth Fund from the inception of the fund on January 22, 1991 to
September 30, 1996 as compared to a theoretical investment of $10,000 in the S&P
500 Index over the same time period. The results for the Universal Capital
Growth Fund assume an initial sales charge of 1.5% which is deducted from the
investment proceeds on the initial investment date.
    
 
   
UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND AND S&P 500 INDEX
COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
    
 
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    S&P 500 INDEX, AN UNMANAGED
                                                          INDEX GENERALLY
                                UNIVERSAL CAPITAL         REPRESENTATIVE
                                   GROWTH FUND       OF THE U.S. STOCK MARKET.
<S>                             <C>                <C>
01/22/1991                                 $9,850                        $10,000
03/30/1991                                $10,205                        $10,000
06/30/1991                                 $9,990                         $9,980
09/30/1991                                $10,999                        $10,509
12/30/1991                                $12,242                        $11,381
03/30/1992                                $11,508                        $11,097
06/30/1992                                $11,047                        $11,307
09/30/1992                                $11,478                        $11,669
12/30/1992                                $11,995                        $12,253
03/30/1993                                $11,971                        $12,792
06/30/1993                                $12,019                        $12,856
09/30/1993                                $12,884                        $13,190
12/30/1993                                $13,013                        $13,494
03/30/1994                                $12,948                        $12,981
06/30/1994                                $11,886                        $13,033
09/30/1994                                $13,847                        $13,671
12/30/1994                                $14,041                        $13,658
03/30/1995                                $15,150                        $14,982
06/30/1995                                $17,514                        $16,391
09/30/1995                                $19,090                        $17,686
12/30/1995                                $19,510                        $18,641
03/30/1996                                $20,486                        $19,535
06/30/1996                                $20,854                        $20,297
09/30/1996                                $20,521                        $20,805
Universal Capital Growth Fund
Average Annual Total Returns                                        Life of Fund
For Periods Ended 9/30/96                  1 Year                (since 1/22/91)
Adjusted for 1.5% sales
charge:                                      5.8%                          13.4%
Not adjusted for sales
charge:(1)                                   7.4%                          13.7%
</TABLE>
 
   
1) Fund shares were offered without a sales charge until April 1, 1991. Average
annual total return without adjustment for the sales charge is presented for the
information of those shareholders who did not pay a sales charge. A sales charge
of 4.75% was in effect until September 22, 1995 and is not reflected in the
total return or annual average total return figures.
    
 
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Performance data shown represents past performance and is not indicative of
future results. The principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an
investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original
cost.
    
 
   
Performance information supplied by the Fund may not provide a basis for
comparison with other investments using different reinvestment assumptions or
time periods.
    
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
Consistent with the Fund's policy of obtaining the best combination of net price
and execution on portfolio transactions, the trustees have determined that
portfolio transactions for the Fund may be executed through Dreher if, in the
judgment of the Adviser, the use of Dreher is likely to result in a combination
of net price and execution at least as favorable to the Fund as that available
from other qualified brokers and if, in such transactions, Dreher charges the
Fund commission rates consistent with those charged by Dreher to comparable
unaffiliated customers in similar transactions.
 
Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and subject to seeking the most favorable combination
of net price and execution available and such other policies as the trustees may
determine, the Adviser may consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in
the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund.
 
THE TRUST AND ITS SHARES
 
The Fund is a series of Universal Capital Investment Trust, a Massachusetts
business trust organized on October 18, 1990, and is an open-end diversified
management investment company.
 
SHARES
 
Under the terms of the Declaration of Trust, the Trust may issue an unlimited
number of shares of beneficial interest without par value in one or more series
(funds). While only shares of a single series (the Fund) are presently being
offered, the Trustees may authorize the issuance of additional funds if deemed
desirable, each with its own investment objective, policies and restrictions.
All shares issued will be fully paid and non-assessable.
 
The Fund's shares are entitled to participate pro rata in any dividends and
other distributions declared by the Trust's board of trustees with respect to
shares of the Fund. All shares of the Fund have equal rights in the event of
liquidation of the Fund.
 
Under Massachusetts law, the shareholders of the Trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the Trust's obligations. However,
the Trust's Declaration of Trust disclaims liability of the shareholders,
trustees, and officers of the Trust for acts or obligations of a fund, which are
binding only on the assets and property of the fund. The Declaration of Trust
requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation,
or contract entered into or executed by the Trust or the board of trustees. The
Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the Fund's assets of
all losses and expenses of any Fund shareholder held personally liable for the
Fund's obligations. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on
account of shareholder liability is remote, since it is limited to circumstances
in which the disclaimer is inoperative and the Fund itself is unable to meet its
obligations.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
Each share has one vote and fractional shares have fractional votes. As a
business trust, the Trust is not required to hold annual shareholder meetings.
However, special meetings may be called (including by the holders of at least
10% of the Fund's outstanding shares) for purposes such as electing or removing
trustees, changing fundamental policies or approving an investment advisory
agreement. On any matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, shares are voted
by individual series and not in the aggregate, except when voting in the
aggregate is required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. Shares of the
Fund are not entitled to vote on any matter not affecting the Fund. All shares
of the Trust vote together in the election of trustees.
 
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APPENDIX - LETTER OF INTENT
 
By checking "Letter of Intent" on the Application and signing the Application, a
shareholder agrees to the following:
 
1.  ESCROW PROVISIONS.  Out of the shareholder's initial purchase (or subsequent
purchases if necessary) 5% of the specified dollar amount of the Letter will be
held in escrow in the shareholder's account. All dividends and capital gains
distributions on the escrowed shares will be paid directly to the shareholder or
credited to his account.
 
2.  COMPLETION.  When the shareholder's total purchases made at offering prices
pursuant to this Letter plus his Accumulation Credit equal the amount specified
on the face of this Letter, the escrowed shares will be released.
 
3.  RETROACTIVE PRICE ADJUSTMENT.  If the shareholder's total purchases through
the Dealer pursuant to this Letter plus the shareholder's Accumulation Credit
exceed the specified amount of this Letter and an equal amount which would
qualify for a further quantity discount, a retroactive price adjustment will be
made as of the expiration date of this Letter by Distributor and the Dealer for
all purchases made pursuant to this Letter to reflect such further quantity
discount. The resulting difference in offering price will be applied to the
purchase of additional shares for the shareholder's account at the offering
price then applicable to a single purchase of the dollar amount of his total
purchases hereunder. As part of such adjustment, Dealer shall return to
Distributor the excess of commission previously allowed or paid to Dealer over
that which would be applicable to the actual amount of the shareholder's
aggregate purchases. Such adjustment does not apply to the sales charge
applicable to the shares valued in the shareholder's Accumulation Credit. If at
the time of such adjustment a broker-dealer other than the Dealer is purchasing
shares for the shareholder's account, the adjustment will be made only with
respect to those shares purchased through such broker-dealer.
 
4.  NON-COMPLETION.  The shareholder makes no commitment to purchase additional
shares. However, if total purchases pursuant to this Letter plus the
Accumulation Credit are less than the specified amount of this Letter, an
appropriate number of the escrowed shares will be redeemed in order to realize
an amount equal to the difference in the dollar amount of sales charges actually
paid and the amount of sales charges that the shareholder would have paid on
those aggregate purchases if the total of such purchases had been made at a
single time. Any escrowed shares remaining after redemption as provided in this
paragraph, together with any excess cash proceeds of the redeemed shares, will
be credited to the shareholder's account. The shareholder hereby consents to the
redemption of any or all escrowed shares as described in this paragraph.
 
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INVESTMENT ADVISER
Integrated Financial Services, Inc.
One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-4793
 
   
DISTRIBUTOR
Dreher & Associates, Inc.
One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-4793
(630) 932-3000
    
 
CUSTODIAN
UMB Bank, N.A.
P.O. Box 419226
Kansas City, Missouri 64141
 
TRANSFER AGENT
Jones and Babson, Inc.
2440 Pershing Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
 
COUNSEL
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd
Chicago, Illinois
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
 
NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON IS AUTHORIZED, IN CONNECTION WITH
THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, TO ACT AS AGENT FOR UNIVERSAL
CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, NOR IS ANY PERSON AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION
OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION OR IN SUPPLEMENTAL SALES MATERIAL AUTHORIZED BY
UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND AND NO PERSON IS ENTITLED TO RELY UPON ANY
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN.
 
                                   UNIVERSAL
                                    CAPITAL
                                     GROWTH
                                      FUND
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                      ------------------------------------------
   
                                JANUARY 28, 1997
    
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<PAGE>
   
Statement of Additional Information                          January 28, 1997
UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
A series of Universal Capital Investment Trust
    
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

   
One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois  60181-4793
(630) 932-3000
    

   
This Statement of Additional Information relates to Universal Capital 
Growth Fund (the "Fund"), a series of Universal Capital Investment Trust 
(the "Trust").  It is not a prospectus, but provides information that 
should be read in conjunction with the Fund's prospectus dated December 13,
1996 and any supplements to the prospectus, and the Fund's annual report 
for the year ended September 30, 1996, a copy of which accompanies this 
Statement of Additional Information. 

The prospectus and additional copies of the annual report may be obtained 
without charge by writing or telephoning the Fund at the address or telephone 
number set forth above.
    
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________


                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                      PAGE
General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
Investment Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
Investment Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
Investment Restrictions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Investment Advisory Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
Distributor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Distribution Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
Purchasing and Redeeming Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
Performance Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
Portfolio Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
Taxation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
Transfer Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
Fund Accounting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
Independent Auditors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________


<PAGE>

                               GENERAL INFORMATION

Universal Capital Growth Fund began operations on January 23, 1991.  The 
Fund is a series of Universal Capital Investment Trust.

                            INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund's investment objective is to maximize capital appreciation.  The 
realization of current income is not normally a consideration in the 
selection of securities for investment and the Fund is not designed for 
investors seeking income rather than capital appreciation.  There can be no 
assurance that the Fund will achieve its objective.  The Fund's objective 
may not be changed without shareholder approval.

                           INVESTMENT PRACTICES

The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in the 
Prospectus.  Whenever an investment policy or limitation states a maximum 
percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or 
other asset or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such 
standard or percentage limitation shall be determined immediately after and 
as a result of the Fund's acquisition of such security or other asset. 
Accordingly, any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in 
values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered when 
determining whether the investment complies with the Fund's investment 
policies and limitations.

DEBT SECURITIES

As described in the Prospectus, the Fund may make substantial temporary 
investments in fixed-income obligations provided they are of 
investment-grade quality.  For this purpose investment-grade obligations 
are considered to be those which are rated Baa or higher by Moody's 
Investors Service, Inc. or BBB or higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation.  
Securities rated in the lowest of the investment grade categories are 
considered to have speculative characteristics.

WARRANTS

The Fund may invest up to 5% of the value of its net assets at the time of 
purchase in warrants (not including those acquired in units or attached to 
other securities), including up to 2% of the value of its net assets in 
warrants not listed on the New York or American stock exchanges.  A warrant 
is a right to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a 
premium above the market value of the underlying common stock at time of 
issuance) during a specified period of time.  A warrant may have a life 
ranging from less than a year to twenty years or longer, but a warrant 
becomes worthless unless it is exercised or sold before expiration.  In 
addition, if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the 
warrant's exercise price during the life of the warrant, the warrant will 
expire worthless.  Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends and 
have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them.  
The percentage increase or decrease in the value of a warrant may tend to 
be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the value of the 
underlying common stock.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in foreign securities.  For 
the purpose of calculating the 5% limitation, foreign securities do not 
include American Depository Receipts (ADRs) or securities guaranteed by a 
United States person.  ADRs are receipts typically issued by an American 
bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities.  
All foreign securities acquired by the Fund will be listed on a stock 
exchange.

Investment in foreign securities may entail a greater degree of risk 
(including risks relating to exchange rate fluctuations, tax provisions, or 
expropriation of assets) than does investment in securities of domestic 
issuers.  Investors should understand and consider carefully the risks 
involved in foreign investing. Investing in foreign securities, which are 
generally denominated in foreign currencies, and 

                                B-2

<PAGE>


utilization of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involve certain 
considerations comprising both risks and opportunities not typically 
associated with investing in U.S. securities.  These considerations 
include: fluctuations in exchange rates of foreign currencies; possible 
imposition of exchange control regulation or currency restrictions that 
would prevent cash from being brought back to the United States; less 
public information with respect to issuers of securities; less governmental 
supervision of stock exchanges, securities brokers, and issuers of 
securities; lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting 
standards; lack of uniform settlement periods and trading practices; less 
liquidity and frequently greater price volatility in foreign markets than 
in the United States; possible imposition of foreign taxes; possible 
investment in securities of companies in developing as well as developed 
countries; and sometimes less advantageous legal, operational, and 
financial protections applicable to foreign sub-custodial arrangements. 

Although the Fund intends to invest in companies and governments of 
countries having stable political environments, there is the possibility 
of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure or nationalization of 
foreign bank deposits or other assets, establishment of exchange controls, 
the adoption of foreign government restrictions, or other adverse 
political, social or diplomatic developments that could affect investment 
in these nations.

To the extent positions in portfolio securities are denominated in foreign 
currencies, the Fund's investment performance is affected by the strength 
or weakness of the U.S. dollar against these currencies.  For example, if 
the dollar falls in value relative to the Japanese yen, the dollar value of 
a Japanese stock held in the portfolio will rise even though the price of 
the stock remains unchanged.  Conversely, if the dollar rises in value 
relative to the yen, the dollar value of the Japanese stock will fall.

OPTIONS AND FUTURES

In order to provide additional revenue, or to hedge against changes in 
security prices or interest rates, the Fund may purchase and write (sell) 
both call options and put options on securities and on indexes and may 
enter into interest rate and index futures contracts and options on such 
futures contracts.

OPTIONS.  An option on a security (or index) is a contract that gives the 
holder, in return for a premium, the right to buy (call) from or sell (put) 
to the option seller (writer) the security (or the cash value of the index) 
underlying the option at a designated price during the term of the option 
(normally not exceeding nine months).  The Fund may write a call option 
only if the option is "covered" by the Fund's holding a position, in the 
underlying security or otherwise, which would allow immediate satisfaction 
of its obligation. Prior to exercise or expiration, an option may be closed 
out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of the same series.

The Fund may write puts only if they are "secured."  A put is "secured" if 
the Fund (i) maintains in a segregated account with the custodian cash or 
U.S. Government securities or other appropriate high-grade debt obligations 
with a value equal to the exercise price or (ii) holds a put on the same 
underlying security at an equal or greater exercise price.  When the Fund 
writes a put, it receives a premium and gives the purchaser of the put the 
right to sell the underlying security to the Fund at the exercise price at 
any time during the option period.  The Fund may purchase a put on the 
underlying security to effect a "closing purchase transaction," except in 
those circumstances, which are believed by the Adviser to be rare, when it 
is unable to do so.

There are several risks associated with transactions in options on 
securities and on indexes.  For example, there are significant differences 
between the securities and options markets that could result in an 
imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction 
not to achieve its objectives.  A decision as to whether, when, and how to 
use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a 
well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of 
market behavior or unexpected events.


                                      B-3
<PAGE>

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund 
seeks to close out an option position.  If the Fund were unable to close 
out an option that it had purchased on a security, it would have to 
exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option would 
expire and become worthless.  If the Fund were unable to close out a 
covered call option that it had written on a security, it would not be able 
to sell the underlying security unless the option expired without exercise. 
As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund foregoes, during the 
option's life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value 
of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and 
the exercise price of the call.

If trading were suspended in an option purchased or written by the Fund, 
the Fund would not be able to close out the option.  If restrictions on 
exercise were imposed, the Fund might be unable to exercise an option it 
had purchased.  Except to the extent that a call option on an index written 
by the Fund is covered by an option on the same index purchased by the 
Fund, movements in the index may result in a loss to the Fund; however, 
such losses may be mitigated by changes in the value of the Fund's 
securities during the period the option was outstanding.

The Fund will only enter into options that are standardized and traded on a 
U.S. exchange or board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on NASDAQ.  
When the Fund writes an over-the-counter option, there is no assurance 
that the Fund will be able to enter into a closing purchase transaction.  
It may not always be possible for the Fund to negotiate a closing purchase 
transaction with the same dealer for the same exercise price and expiration 
date as the option which the Fund previously had written.  Although the 
Fund may choose to purchase an option from a different dealer, the Fund 
would also be subject to the additional credit risk of such dealer.  If the 
Fund as a writer of a covered call option is unable to effect a closing 
purchase transaction, it will not be able to sell the underlying security 
until the option expires or until it delivers the underlying security upon 
exercise.  It is the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission that over-the-counter options are illiquid securities.

FUTURES.  The Fund may also engage in futures transactions.  An interest 
rate futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and 
purchase by another party of a specified quantity of a financial instrument 
(such as U.S. Treasury bonds) at a specified price and time.  A futures 
contract on a index is an agreement pursuant to which the parties agree to 
take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between 
the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the contract 
and the price at which the futures contract was originally written.  A 
futures contract may be satisfied by delivery or purchase, as the case may 
be, of the instrument or by payment of the change in the cash value of the 
index.  More commonly, a futures contract is closed out prior to delivery 
by entering into an offsetting transaction in a matching futures contract.

The Fund may also purchase and write call and put options on futures 
contracts ("futures options").  A futures option gives the holder the 
right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or 
short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price 
prior to the expiration of the option.  Upon exercise of a call option, the 
holder acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is 
assigned the opposite short position.  In the case of a put option, the 
opposite is true.  Prior to exercise or expiration, a futures option may be 
closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of a futures option of the 
same series.

The Fund will limit its use of futures contracts and futures options to 
hedging transactions to the extent required to do so by regulatory 
authorities.  For example, the Fund might use futures contracts to hedge 
against fluctuations in the general level of stock prices or anticipated 
changes in interest rates that might adversely affect either the value of 
the Fund's securities or the price of the securities that the Fund intends 
to purchase.  The Fund's hedging may include sales of futures contracts as 
an offset against the effect of expected declines in stock prices or 
increases in interest rates and purchases of futures contracts as an offset 
against the effect of expected increases in stock prices or declines in 
interest rates.

There are several risks associated with the use of futures contracts and 
futures options for hedging purposes.  There can be no guarantee that there 
will be a correlation between price movements in the 


                                      B-4
<PAGE>

hedging vehicle and the portfolio securities being hedged.  Successful 
hedging depends on the Adviser's ability to predict correctly changes in 
the level and the direction of stock prices, interest rates, and other 
market factors.  An incorrect prediction could result in a loss on both the 
hedged securities in the Fund's portfolio and the hedging vehicle so that 
the Fund's return might have been better had hedging not been attempted.  
In addition, because of the low margin deposits required, futures trading 
involves a high degree of leverage.(1)  As a result, a relatively small price 
movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial 
loss, or gain, to the investor.  A purchase or sale of a futures contract 
may result in losses in excess of the amount of the margin deposit.  
However, in the absence of the ability to hedge, the Fund might have taken 
portfolio actions in anticipation of the same events with similar 
investment results but, presumably, at greater transaction costs.

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when 
the Fund seeks to close out a futures contract or a futures option 
position.  This may prevent the Fund from liquidating an unfavorable 
position and the Fund would be exposed to possible loss on the position 
during the interval of inability to close and would continue to be required 
to meet margin requirements until the position is closed.  In addition, 
certain of these instruments are relatively new and without a significant 
trading history.  As a result, there is no assurance that an active 
secondary market will develop or continue to exist.

The Fund will only enter into futures contracts or futures options that are 
standardized and traded on a U.S. exchange or board of trade, or similar 
entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system.  The Fund will not 
enter into a futures contract or purchase a futures option if immediately 
thereafter the initial margin deposits for futures contracts held by the 
Fund plus premiums paid by it for open futures option positions, less the 
amount by which any such positions are "in-the-money, (2) would exceed 5% 
of the Fund's net assets.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
   
Although the Fund does not purchase securities with a view to rapid turnover, 
there are no limitations on the length of time that portfolio securities must 
be held.  Portfolio turnover can occur for a number of reasons, including 
general conditions in the securities markets, more favorable investment 
opportunities in other securities, or other factors relating to the 
desirability of holding or changing a portfolio investment. The Fund's 
portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 was 
262.1%. The Fund's annual portfolio turnover rate will vary from year to 
year; a high rate of portfolio turnover results in increased transaction 
expense, which must be borne by the Fund.  High portfolio turnover may also 
result in the realization of capital gains or losses and, to the extent net 
short-term capital gains are realized, any distributions resulting from such 
gains will be considered ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes. See 
"Investment Risks" and "Dividends and Distributions" in the Prospectus.
    

SHORT SALES

The Fund may sell securities short "against the box," that is: (1) enter 
into short sales of securities that it currently owns or has the right to 
acquire through the conversion or exchange of other securities that it 
owns; and (2) enter into arrangements with the broker-dealers through which 
such securities are sold 

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(1)  "Margin" is the fraction of the value of the contract that the Fund must
     actually deposit in order to invest in a futures contract.  The use of
     margin creates "leverage," which provides an opportunity for greater total
     return but correspondingly increases the risk of loss.  The margin deposit
     requirement applicable to futures contracts is generally only 10% or less
     of the value of the contract.  For comparison, the margin deposit
     requirementapplicable to securities is generally 50%.  The Fund does not
     purchase securities on margin.

(2)  A call option is "in-the-money" if it can be exercised at a price less
     than the current trading price of the underlying security.  A put option
     is "in-the-money" if it can be exercised at a price greater than the
     current trading price of the underlying security.

                                B-5

<PAGE>

short to receive income with respect to the proceeds of short sales during 
the period the Fund's short positions remain open.  The Fund may make short 
sales of securities only if at all times when a short position is open the 
Fund owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible into 
or exchangeable for, without payment of any further consideration, 
securities of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities 
sold short.

In a short sale against the box, the Fund does not deliver from its 
portfolio the securities sold and does not receive immediately the proceeds 
from the short sale.  Instead, the Fund borrows the securities sold short 
from a broker-dealer through which the short sale is executed, and the 
broker-dealer delivers such securities, on behalf of the Fund, to the 
purchaser of such securities.  Such broker-dealer is entitled to retain the 
proceeds from the short sale until the Fund delivers to such broker-dealer 
the securities sold short.  In addition, the Fund is required to pay to the 
broker-dealer the amount of any dividends paid on shares sold short.  
Finally, to secure its obligation to deliver to such broker-dealer the 
securities sold short, the Fund must deposit and continuously maintain in a 
separate account with the Fund's custodian an equivalent amount of the 
securities sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for 
such securities without the payment of additional consideration.  The Fund 
is said to have a short position in the securities sold until it delivers 
to the broker-dealer the securities sold, at which time the Fund receives 
the proceeds of the sale.  The Fund may close out a short position by 
purchasing on the open market and delivering to the broker-dealer an equal 
amount of the securities sold short, rather than by delivering portfolio 
securities.

Short sales may protect the Fund against the risk of losses in the value of 
its portfolio securities because any unrealized losses with respect to such 
portfolio securities should be wholly or partially offset by a 
corresponding gain in the short position.  However, any potential gains in 
such portfolio securities should be wholly or partially offset by a 
corresponding loss in the short position.  The extent to which such gains 
or losses are offset will depend upon the amount of securities sold short 
relative to the amount the Fund owns, either directly or indirectly, and, 
in the case where the Fund owns convertible securities, changes in the 
conversion premium.

Short sale transactions of the Fund involve certain risks.  If the price of 
the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and 
the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a 
loss and if the price declines during this period, the Fund will realize a 
short-term capital gain.  Any realized short-term capital gain will be 
decreased, and any incurred loss increased, by the amount of transaction 
costs and any premium, dividend or interest which the Fund may have to pay 
in connection with such short sale.  In determining the number of shares to 
be sold short against the Fund's position in the convertible securities, 
the anticipated fluctuation in the conversion premiums is considered.  The 
Fund will also incur transaction costs in connection with short sales.  
Certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code may limit the degree to 
which the Fund is able to enter into short sales.  See "Taxation."  The 
Fund does not currently expect that more than 40% of the Fund's total 
assets would be involved in short sales against the box.  

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

As part of its strategy for the temporary investment of cash, the Fund may 
enter into "repurchase agreements" or "reverse repurchase agreements" 
pertaining to U.S. Government securities with member banks of the Federal 
Reserve System or primary dealers (as designated by the Federal Reserve 
Bank of New York) in such securities. A repurchase agreement arises when 
the Fund purchases a security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the 
vendor at an agreed upon future date.  The resale price is greater than the 
purchase price, reflecting an agreed upon market rate of return that is 
effective for the period of time the Fund holds the security and that is 
not related to the coupon rate on the purchased security.  Such agreements 
generally have maturities of no more than seven days and could be used to 
permit the Fund to earn interest on assets awaiting long term investment.  
The Fund requires continuous maintenance by the custodian for the Fund's 
account in the Federal Reserve/Treasury Book Entry System of collateral in 
an amount equal to, or in excess of, the market value of the securities 
that are the subject

                                      B-6

<PAGE>

of a repurchase agreement.  The Fund does not intend to invest in 
repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, which are 
considered illiquid securities.

In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund temporarily transfers 
possession of an instrument to another party, such as a bank or 
broker-dealer, in return for cash.  At the same time, the Fund agrees to 
repurchase the instrument at an agreed upon time (normally within seven 
days) and price, including interest payment.  At all times that a reverse 
repurchase agreement is outstanding, the Fund will maintain cash and liquid 
securities in a segregated account at its custodian bank with a value at 
least equal to its obligation under the agreement.  Securities and other 
assets held in the segregated account may not be sold while the reverse 
repurchase agreement is outstanding, unless other suitable assets are 
substituted.  Reverse repurchase agreements are included in the Fund's 
fundamental limitations regarding borrowings, and may only be entered into 
for temporary or emergency purposes.

LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

In order to generate additional income, the Fund may from time to time lend 
securities from its portfolio with a value not exceeding 5% of its net 
assets, to brokers, dealers and financial institutions such as banks and 
trust companies for which it will receive collateral in cash, U.S. 
Government securities or irrevocable letters of credit that will be 
maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value 
of the loaned securities.  Cash collateral will be invested in short term 
securities, which will increase the current income of the Fund.  Such loans 
will be terminable at any time.  The Fund will have the right to regain 
record ownership of loaned securities to exercise beneficial rights such as 
voting rights and rights to interest or other distributions.  The Fund may 
pay reasonable fees to persons unaffiliated with the Fund for services in 
arranging such loans.  The lending of portfolio securities exposes the Fund 
to the risk of failure by the borrower to return the securities involved in 
such transactions, in which event the Fund may incur a loss.  In an effort 
to reduce that risk, the Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the 
firms to which the Fund lends portfolio securities.


                          INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund operates under the following investment restrictions.  The Fund 
may not (except as indicated):

(i)  as to 75% of its assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets, 
taken at market value at the time of a particular purchase, in the 
securities of any one issuer, except that this restriction does not apply 
to securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or its 
agencies or instrumentalities; 

(ii)  acquire more than 10%, taken at the time of a particular purchase, of 
the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer; 

(iii)  act as an underwriter of securities, except insofar as it may be 
deemed an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 on 
disposition of securities acquired subject to legal or contractual 
restrictions on resale; 

(iv)  purchase or sell real estate (although it may purchase securities 
secured by real estate or interests therein, or securities issued by 
companies which invest in real estate or interests therein), commodities or 
commodity contracts (except that it may enter into futures and options on 
futures); (3)

(v)  make loans, but this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from (a) 
investing in debt obligations, (b) investing in repurchase agreements or 
(c) lending portfolio securities; 


- ----------------------------

(3)  In addition, as long as Fund shares are qualified for sale in Texas, 
     the Fund will not invest in  interests in real estate limited
     partnerships.

                                       B-7


<PAGE>

(vi)  borrow, except that the Fund may (a) borrow up to 5% of its total 
assets, taken at market value at the time of such borrowing, as a temporary 
measure for extraordinary purposes, but not to increase portfolio income 
(reverse repurchase agreements shall be considered borrowings for purposes 
of this restriction) and (b) enter into transactions in options;

(vii)  invest in a security if more than 25% of its total assets (taken at 
market value at the time of a particular purchase) would be invested in the 
securities of issuers in any particular industry, except that this 
restriction does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. 
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities; or 

(viii)  issue any senior security.

Restrictions (i) through (viii) are fundamental policies and may not be 
changed without the approval of a "majority" of the outstanding shares of 
the Fund, which for this purpose means the approval of the lesser of (a) 
more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or (b) 67% 
or more of the outstanding shares if the holders of more than 50% of the 
outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented at the meeting by 
proxy.

In addition to the fundamental restrictions listed above, the Fund may not:

(a)  invest in interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or 
development programs or puts, calls, straddles, spreads, or any combination 
thereof (except that the Fund may enter into transactions in options, 
futures and options on futures);

(b)  invest in shares of other investment companies except in connection 
with a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets, or in the open 
market involving no commission or profit to a sponsor or dealer (other than 
the usual and customary broker's commission);(4)

(c)  invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or 
management; 

(d)  purchase securities on margin (except for use of such short-term 
credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, including 
transactions in options, futures and options on futures), or participate on 
a joint or a joint and several basis in any trading account in securities, 
except in connection with transactions in options, futures and options on 
futures;

(e)  make short sales of securities unless the Fund owns an equal amount of 
such securities, or owns securities that are convertible or exchangeable, 
without payment of further consideration, into an equal amount of such 
securities;

(f)  purchase or hold securities of an issuer if 5% of the securities of 
such issuer are owned by those officers, directors, or trustees of the 
Trust or of its investment adviser who each own beneficially more than 1/2 
of 1% of the securities of that issuer; 

(g)  purchase illiquid securities or securities of issuers (other than 
issuers of Federal agency obligations) which, including their predecessors, 
have been in operation for less than three years, if by reason of such 
purchase the value of the Fund's aggregate investment in such securities 
would exceed 5% of its total assets;

(h)  mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate in excess of 5% of the Fund's total 
assets (taken at cost), except as may be necessary in connection with 
options, futures, and options on futures; 

- ---------------------------
(4)  The Fund does not currently intend to invest in the shares of other
     investment companies.


                                       B-8

<PAGE>

(i)  invest more than 5% of the Fund's net assets (valued at time of 
purchase) in warrants, other than those acquired in units or attached to 
other securities;(5)

(j)  write an option on a security unless the option is issued by the 
Options Clearing Corporation, an exchange or similar entity; or buy or sell 
an option on a security unless the option is offered through the facilities 
of a recognized securities association or listed on a recognized exchange 
or similar entity;

(k)  buy or sell a futures contract, or an option on a futures contract, 
unless the futures contract or the option on the futures contract is 
offered through the facilities of a recognized securities association or 
listed on a recognized exchange or similar entity;

(l)  invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of issuers which 
the Fund is restricted from selling to the public without registration 
under the Securities Act of 1933 (6); or 

(m)  invest more than 5% of its net assets (valued at time of purchase) in 
securities of foreign issuers (other than securities represented by 
American Depository Receipts (ADRs) and securities guaranteed by a U.S. 
person).

Restrictions (a) through (m) may be changed by the board of trustees 
without shareholder approval.

                                   MANAGEMENT

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS


Set forth below is information about the trustees and officers of the Trust.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


Name, Date of Birth                        Position(s)                      Principal Occupation(s)
and Business Address                       with Trust                       During Past Five Years 
- --------------------                       -----------                      -----------------------
<S>                                        <C>                              <C>


Richard H. Burgess, DOB 4/26/34            Trustee,                        Compliance officer, Terra Securities
2015 Spring Road, Suite 550                Assistant Secretary and         Corp.; Director of Field Audits,
Oak Brook, Illinois 60521                  Assistant Treasurer             Dreher & Associates, Inc., December 1995
                                                                           to June 1996; Vice President, prior thereto,
                                                                           Dreher & Associates, Inc.

Patricia M. Ellington (1), DOB 5/1/36      Trustee and                     Vice President, Dreher &        
One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708            President                       Associates, Inc. since 1987 and
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181                                           Secretary prior thereto; Assistant
                                                                           Secretary and Assistant         
                                                                           Treasurer, Integrated Financial 
                                                                           Services, Inc., since 1988.     
</TABLE>
    

- -------------------------

(5) In addition, as long as Fund shares are qualified for sale in Texas,
    the Fund will not invest more than 2% of its net assets in warrants not
    listed on the New York or American stock exchanges.

(6) The Fund does not currently intend to invest in restricted securities.

                                       B-9

<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Name, Date of Birth                       Position(s)                       Principal Occupation(s)
and Business Address                      with Trust                        During Past Five Years 
- --------------------                      -----------                       -----------------------
<S>                                       <C>                               <C>


Dennis J. Hiffman (2), DOB 2/14/42        Trustee                           Vice Chairman, Hiffman Shaffer      
180 North Wacker Drive, Suite 500                                           Associates, Inc. (commercial and    
Chicago, Illinois  60606                                                    industrial real estate              
                                                                            development, management and         
                                                                            brokerage) since 1981.


Harold D. McAninch (2), DOB 5/29/33       Trustee                           Consultant; Interim President,     
73 Bluebird Lane                                                            Dundalk Community College, June    
Naperville, Illinois  60565                                                 1994 until January 1996; prior 
                                                                            thereto, President, College of DuPage       
                                                                            (community college).               


Alan L. Zable (2), DOB 10/28/36           Trustee                           Consultant since January 1, 1995;  
270 Indiana Street                                                          president and sole shareholder
Elmhurst, Illinois  60126                                                   of CAZCO, Inc. (hair salon business);
                                                                            prior thereto, President and Treasurer, 
                                                                            Midwest Stock Exchange, Incorporated. 


James A. Dreher, DOB 10/13/33             Chairman                          President, Integrated Financial    
One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708                                             Services, Inc., and President,     
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois  60181                                           Dreher & Associates, Inc.          


Linda M. Kozak, DOB 2/9/61                Secretary and                     Secretary and Treasurer, Dreher & 
One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708           Treasurer                         Associates, Inc.; Secretary and   
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois   60181                                          Treasurer, Integrated Financial   
                                                                            Services, Inc. and Dreher         
                                                                            Insurance Services, Inc.          

</TABLE>
    


- ----------------------
   
(1) Ms. Ellington is an "interested person" of the Trust as defined
    in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") and
    is a member of the executive committee of the board of trustees
    which has authority during intervals between meetings of the 
    board of trustees to exercise the powers of the board.
    
(2) Messrs. Hiffman, McAninch and Zable are members of the audit         
    committee of the board of trustees, which makes recommendations      
    regarding the selection of the Trust's independent auditors and      
    meets with representatives of the independent auditors to determine  
    the scope and review the results of each audit.                      


                                     B-10
<PAGE>

   
At December 31, 1996, the trustees and officers of the Trust owned 
beneficially 35,368 shares of the Fund, or 5.3% of the Fund's outstanding 
shares.  As of December 31, 1996, no person was known by the Fund to own 
beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund.  
    

   
    

                          INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES

Management and investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by 
Integrated Financial Services, Inc. (the "Adviser") pursuant to an 
Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement") dated January 14, 1991.  
See the prospectus - "Management of the Fund--The Adviser and Distributor." 
The Fund pays the Adviser a fee accrued daily and paid monthly at the 
annual rate of 1.00% of the first $250 million of the Fund's average daily 
net assets and .75% of the Fund's average daily net assets in excess of 
$250 million.

The Agreement will remain in effect until January 13, 1997, and from year 
to year thereafter so long as such continuation is approved at least 
annually by (1) the board of trustees or the vote of a majority of the 
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (2) a majority of the 
trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the Agreement, cast 
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.  
The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by either the 
Trust or the Adviser upon sixty days' written notice, and is automatically 
terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940 Act.


                                         B-11
<PAGE>

EXPENSES

Subject to the expense limitations described below, the Fund pays all its 
own operating expenses that are not specifically assumed by the Adviser, 
including (i) fees of the investment adviser; (ii) interest, taxes and any 
governmental filing fees; (iii) compensation and expenses of the trustees, 
other than those who are interested persons of the Trust, the investment 
adviser or the distributor; (iv) legal, audit, custodial, fund accounting 
and transfer agency fees and expenses; (v) fees and expenses related to the 
organization of the Fund and registration and qualification of the Fund and 
its shares under federal and state securities laws; (vi) expenses of 
printing and mailing reports, notices and proxy material to shareholders, 
and expenses incidental to meetings of shareholders; (vii) expenses of 
preparing prospectuses and of printing and distributing them to existing 
shareholders; (viii) insurance premiums; (ix) litigation and 
indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in 
the normal course of the business of the Trust; (x) distribution expenses 
pursuant to the Distribution Plan; and (xi) brokerage commissions and other 
transaction-related costs.

   
The Adviser has agreed to reimburse the Fund to the extent that the total 
annual expenses of the Fund, exclusive of taxes, interest, brokers' 
commissions and other charges related to the purchase and sale of securities 
and extraordinary litigation expenses, exceed the limits, if any, prescribed 
by any state regulatory authority. In addition, the Adviser has voluntarily 
undertaken to reimburse the Fund for any annual operating expenses in excess 
of 2% of the Fund's average net assets through December 31, 1997. 
    
   
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Fund 
paid advisory fees of $102,176, $59,467 and $48,202, respectively, but the 
Adviser waived fees or reimbursed expenses aggregating $35,431, $39,545 and
$50,672, respectively, pursuant to the expense limitation undertaking.
    

                                     DISTRIBUTOR


Dreher & Associates, Inc. ("Dreher"), a broker-dealer owned by Mr. Dreher 
and Mr. Burgess, serves as distributor for the Fund, subject to change by a 
majority of the "non-interested" trustees at any time.  Dreher is located 
at One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181. 
Dreher is responsible for all purchases, sales, redemptions and other 
transfers of shares of the Fund without any charge to the Fund except the 
fees paid to Dreher under the Distribution Plan.  Dreher is also 
responsible for all expenses incurred in connection with its performance of 
services for the Fund, including, but not limited to, personnel, office 
space and equipment, telephone, postage and stationery expenses.  Dreher 
receives commissions from sales of shares of the Fund which amounts are not 
expenses of the Fund but represent sales commissions added to the net asset 
value of shares purchased from the Fund.

Dreher has the exclusive right to distribute shares of the Fund in a 
continuous offering through affiliated and unaffiliated dealers.  The 
obligation of Dreher is an agency or "best efforts" arrangement, which does 
not obligate Dreher to sell any stated number of shares. 
   
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994, Dreher 
received and retained commissions of $33,145, $48,040 and $6,210 respectively.
    
Dreher also receives brokerage commissions for executing portfolio 
transactions on behalf of the Fund.  See "Portfolio Transactions."


                                      B-12

<PAGE>


                                  DISTRIBUTION PLAN


The Trust has adopted a plan pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the Investment 
Company Act of 1940 (the "Plan"), whereby the Fund pays to Dreher & 
Associates, Inc., the Fund's distributor ("Dreher"), fees accrued daily and 
paid monthly at the aggregate annual rate of .50% of the Fund's average 
daily net assets, consisting of a service fee of .25% of average daily net 
assets and additional sales compensation of .25% of average daily net 
assets.

From the payments made by the Fund to Dreher, Dreher pays service fees and 
additional sales compensation to brokers that have signed selling group 
agreements with Dreher and thereby participate in the distribution of Fund 
shares and provide services to Fund shareholders.  Payments to selling 
group members are made at the same rates as the payments from the Fund to 
Dreher - a service fee of .25% of the average daily net assets of the 
accounts for which the selling group member performs shareholder servicing 
and .25% of the average daily net asset value of those accounts as 
additional sales compensation.

The board of trustees of the Trust has determined that a continuous cash 
flow resulting from the sale of new shares is necessary and appropriate to 
meet redemptions and to take advantage of buying opportunities without 
having to make unwarranted liquidations of portfolio securities.  The board 
also considered that continuing growth in the size of the Fund would be in 
the best interests of shareholders because increased size would allow the 
Fund to realize certain economies of scale in its operations and would 
likely reduce the proportionate share of expenses borne by each 
shareholder. The board of trustees therefore determined that it would 
benefit the Fund to have monies available for the direct distribution and 
service activities of Dreher, as the Fund's distributor, in promoting the 
continuous sale of the Fund's shares.  The trustees, including the 
non-interested trustees, concluded, in the exercise of their reasonable 
business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties, that there is a 
reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and its 
shareholders.

The Plan has been approved by the board of trustees, including all of the 
trustees who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act.  The 
Plan must be approved annually by the board of trustees, including a 
majority of the trustees who are non-interested persons of the Fund and who 
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan 
("non-interested trustees"), by a vote cast in person at a meeting called 
for that purpose.  So long as the Plan is in effect, it is required that 
the selection and nomination of non-interested trustees be done by 
non-interested trustees.  The Plan may be terminated at any time, without 
penalty, by either a majority vote of such trustees or by vote of a 
majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, and shall terminate 
automatically in the event of any act that terminates the distribution 
agreement with Dreher.  Any agreement related to the Plan, including any 
distribution or service agreement, may be terminated in the same manner, 
except that such termination must be on not more than sixty days' written 
notice to any other party to such agreement.  Any such related agreement 
shall terminate automatically in the event of any act that terminates the 
Plan or the distribution agreement with Dreher, or in the event of any act 
that constitutes the assignment of any such related agreement.  Any 
distributor, dealer or institution may also terminate its distribution or 
service agreement at any time upon written notice.

Neither the Plan nor any distribution or service agreement may be amended 
to increase materially the amount spent for distribution or service 
expenses or in any other material way without approval by a majority of the 
outstanding shares of the Fund, and all such material amendments to the 
Plan or any distribution or service agreement must also be approved by a 
majority of the trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the 
non-interested trustees, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for 
the purpose of voting on any such amendment. 

Dreher is required to report in writing to the board of trustees at least 
quarterly on the amounts and purpose of any payments made under the Plan 
and any distribution or service agreement and the amount


                                   B-13

<PAGE>


of expenses incurred by Dreher under the Plan, and, to furnish the board 
with such other information as may reasonably be requested in order to 
enable the board to make an informed determination of whether the Plan 
should be continued.
   
During the year ended September 30, 1996, the Fund made payments to Dreher 
pursuant to the Plan, and Dreher paid expenses in connection with the 
distribution of Fund shares as shown below:
    
   
         Distribution fees paid by Fund to Dreher:            $ 51,088

         Distribution expenses incurred by Dreher:            
              Fees reallowed to brokers                       $ 30,653
              Employee Compensation                              5,840
              Printing - Quarterly reports to brokers            2,420
              Printing - Prospectus                              6,269
              Printing - Other                                     629
              Other marketing expenses                           2,127
         
         Total Expenses                                       $ 47,938
    

                          PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES

Purchases and redemptions are discussed in the Fund's prospectus under the 
headings "How to Purchase Shares" and "How to Redeem Shares."  All of that 
information is incorporated herein by reference.

NET ASSET VALUE.  For purposes of this computation, portfolio securities, 
including options, that are traded on a national securities exchange or in 
the over-the-counter market are valued at the last current reported sales 
price, or lacking any current reported sale on that day, at the mean of the 
most recently quoted bid and asked prices.  Each outstanding futures 
contract is valued at the official settlement price for the contract on the 
exchange on which the contract is traded, except that if the market price 
of the contract has increased or decreased by the maximum amount permitted 
on the valuation date ("up or down the limit"), the contract is valued at a 
fair value as described below.  Short-term obligations with maturities of 
60 days or less are valued at amortized cost.

When market quotations are not readily available for the Fund's securities, 
such securities are valued at a fair value following procedures approved by 
the board of trustees.  These procedures include determining fair value on 
the basis of valuations furnished by pricing services approved by the board 
of trustees, which include market transactions for comparable securities 
and various relationships between securities which are generally recognized 
by institutional traders, as well as on the basis of appraisals received 
from a pricing service using a computerized matrix system, or appraisals 
derived from information concerning the securities or similar securities 
received from recognized dealers in those securities.

The Fund's net asset value is determined only on days on which the New York 
Stock Exchange is open for trading.  That Exchange is regularly closed on 
Saturdays and Sundays and on New Year's Day, the third Monday in February, 
Good Friday, the last Monday in May, Independence Day, Labor Day, 
Thanksgiving and Christmas.  If one of these holidays falls on a Saturday 
or Sunday, the Exchange will be closed on the preceding Friday or the 
following Monday, respectively.


                                       B-14

<PAGE>

REDEMPTION IN KIND.  The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 pursuant to which it is obligated 
to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the 
net asset value of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one 
shareholder. Redemptions in excess of these amounts will normally be paid 
in cash, but may be paid wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of 
securities.

                             PERFORMANCE INFORMATION


From time to time the Fund may quote total return figures.  "Total Return" 
for a period is the percentage change in value during a period of an 
investment in Fund shares, including the value of shares acquired through 
reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions.  Total 
Return may also be described as the cumulative percentage change in value, 
assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.  "Average Annual 
Total Return" is the average annual compounded rate of change in value 
represented by the Total Return for the period.

Average Annual Total Return will be computed as follows:

                                   n
                 ERV    =    P(1+T)

   Where:        P      =    a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000

                 T      =    average annual total return

                 n      =    number of years

                 ERV    =    ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
                             investment made at the beginning of the period,
                             at the end of the period (or fractional portion
                             thereof)

   
The figures quoted will assume reinvestment of all dividends and 
distributions.  Quotations of Average Annual Total Return will take into 
account the effect of any sales charge on the amount available for 
investment or redemption, at the maximum rate in effect on the date of the 
quotation; quotations of Total Return will indicate whether or not the 
effect of the sales charge is included. Income taxes payable by 
shareholders will not be taken into account.  For example, Average Annual 
Total Return and Total Return for the Fund for various periods ended 
September 30, 1996 are shown below:
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Total Return         Total Return
                                            Average Annual            with                without
     Period                                  Total Return         Sales Charge         Sales Charge
     ------                                  ------------         ------------         ------------
     <S>                                      <C>                  <C>                 <C>

     1 year.............................          5.8%                 5.8%                 7.4%
     3 years............................         16.1%                56.7%                59.1%
     Life of fund.......................         13.4%               104.6%               107.7%
       (beginning January 22, 1991)

</TABLE>
    

                                            B-15

<PAGE>

The performance of the Fund is a result of conditions in the securities 
markets, portfolio management, and operating expenses.  Although 
information such as yield and total return is useful in reviewing the 
Fund's performance and in providing some basis for comparison with other 
investment alternatives, it should not be used for comparison with other 
investments using different reinvestment assumptions or time periods.

In advertising and sales literature, the Fund's performance may be compared 
with that of market indices and other mutual funds.  The Fund might also 
use comparative performance as computed in a ranking determined by Lipper 
Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper"), an independent service that monitors 
the performance of over 2,000 mutual funds, or that of another service.

In advertising and sales literature, the performance of the Fund may be 
compared with that of other mutual funds, indexes or averages of other 
mutual funds, indexes of related financial assets or data, and other 
competing investment and deposit products available from or through other 
financial institutions.  The composition of these indexes or averages 
differs from that of the Fund. Comparison of the Fund to an alternative 
investment should consider differences in features and expected performance.

All of the indexes and averages noted below will be obtained from the 
indicated sources or reporting services, which the Fund generally believes 
to be accurate.  The Fund may also note its mention in newspapers, 
magazines, or other media from time to time.  However, the Fund assumes no 
responsibility for the accuracy of such data.

The Fund may compare its performance to the Consumer Price Index (All 
Urban), a widely recognized measure of inflation.  The performance of the 
Fund may also be compared to the following indexes or averages:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                <C>
Dow-Jones Industrial Average                        New York Stock Exchange Composite Index 
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index                   American Stock Exchange Composite Index 
Standard & Poor's 400 Industrials                   NASDAQ Composite                        
Wilshire 5000                                       NASDAQ Industrials                      
 (These indexes are widely recognized indicators     (These indexes generally reflect the   
of general U.S. stock market results.)              performance of stocks traded in the     
                                                    indicated markets.)                     

</TABLE>

In addition, the Fund may compare its performance to:

         Value Line Index
          (Widely recognized indicator of the
           performance of small- and medium-
           sized company stocks.)
         Lipper Capital Appreciation Fund Average
         Lipper Growth Funds Average
         Lipper Small Company Growth Funds Average
         Lipper General Equity Funds Average
         Lipper Equity Funds Average
         Lipper Small Company Growth Fund Index
         


Lipper Small Company Growth Fund Index reflects the net asset value 
weighted total return of the largest thirty growth funds as calculated and 
published by Lipper.

                                         B-16
<PAGE>

The Lipper averages are unweighted averages of total return performance of 
mutual funds as classified, calculated and published by Lipper.  The Fund 
may also use comparative performance as computed in a ranking by Lipper or 
category averages and rankings provided by another independent service.  
Should Lipper or another service reclassify the Fund to a different 
category or develop (and place the Fund into) a new category, the Fund may 
compare its performance or ranking against other funds in the newly 
assigned category, as published by the service.  Moreover, the Fund may 
compare its performance or ranking against all funds tracked by Lipper or 
another independent service.

To illustrate the historical returns on various types of financial assets, 
the Fund may use historical data provided by Ibbotson Associates, Inc. 
("Ibbotson"), a Chicago-based investment firm. Ibbotson constructs (or 
obtains) very long-term (since 1926) total return data (including, for 
example, total return indexes, total return percentages, average annual 
total returns and standard deviations of such returns) for the following 
asset types:

                                  Common stocks
                                  Small company stocks
                                  Long-term corporate bonds
                                  Long-term government bonds
                                  Intermediate-term government bonds
                                  U.S. Treasury bills
                                  Consumer Price Index


                             PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS 


See "Management of the Fund - The Adviser and Distributors" and "Portfolio 
Transactions" in the Prospectus.

Portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund effected on stock exchanges 
involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions.  There is 
generally no stated commission in the case of securities traded in the 
over-the-counter markets, but the price paid by the Fund usually includes 
an undisclosed dealer commission or mark-up.  In underwritten offerings, 
the price paid by the Fund includes a disclosed, fixed commission or 
discount retained by the underwriter or dealer.

In executing portfolio transactions, the Adviser uses its best efforts to 
obtain for the Fund the most favorable price and execution available.  In 
seeking the most favorable price and execution, the Adviser considers all 
factors it deems relevant, including price, the size of the transaction, 
the nature of the market for the security, the amount of commission, the 
timing of the transaction taking into account market prices and trends, the 
execution capability of the broker-dealer and the quality of service 
rendered by the broker-dealer in other transactions.

The trustees have determined that portfolio transactions for the Fund may 
be executed through Dreher if, in the judgment of the Adviser, the use of 
Dreher is likely to result in prices and execution at least as favorable to 
the Fund as those available from other qualified brokers and if, in such 
transactions, Dreher charges the Fund commission rates consistent with 
those charged by Dreher to comparable unaffiliated customers in similar 
transactions.  The board of trustees, including a majority of the trustees 
who are not "interested" trustees, has adopted procedures that are 
reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other 
remuneration paid to Dreher are consistent with the foregoing standard.  
The Fund will not effect principal transactions with Dreher. It is expected 
that all or a significant portion of the Fund's portfolio transactions will 
be executed through Dreher.  In executing portfolio transactions through 
Dreher, the Fund will be subject to, and intends fully to comply with, 
section 17(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules 
thereunder.

                                       B-17

<PAGE>
   
During the years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Fund paid 
total brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of securities (not 
including the gross underwriting spread on securities purchased in 
underwritten offerings) of $31,168, $14,032 and $12,619, respectively, all 
of which was paid to Dreher, which executed all of the Fund's transactions 
as to which commissions were paid.
    
                                        TAXATION

The following is only a summary of certain tax considerations affecting the 
Fund and its shareholders.  No attempt is made to present a detailed 
explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the 
discussion here is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.  
Investors are urged to consult their tax advisers with specific reference 
to their own tax situations.

QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY.  The Fund intends to 
continue to qualify, as it did in its last fiscal year, as a regulated 
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 
as amended (the "Code").  As a regulated investment company, the Fund will 
be exempt from Federal income tax on its net investment income and capital 
gains that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it distributes at 
least 90% of its investment company taxable income (net investment income 
and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital 
loss) for the year (the "Distribution Requirement") and satisfies certain 
other requirements of the Code described below.  Distributions of 
investment company taxable income made during the taxable year or, under 
certain specified circumstances, after the close of the taxable year will 
satisfy the Distribution Requirement.

In addition to satisfaction of the Distribution Requirement, the Fund must 
(1) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, 
certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or 
other disposition of stock or securities and other income derived with 
respect to its business of investing in such stock or securities (the 
"Income Requirement"); and (2) derive less than 30% of its gross income 
(exclusive of certain offsetting gains from "designated hedge" transactions 
that are described below) from the sale or other disposition of stock, 
securities (as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act) or options held 
for less than three months (the "Short-Short Test").

In addition, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the close of 
each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its assets 
consists of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of 
other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as 
to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total 
assets in securities of such issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold 
more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer), and no 
more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in the 
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and 
securities of other regulated investment companies), or of two or more 
issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or 
similar trades or businesses (the "Diversification Requirement").  This 
Diversification Requirement is in addition to the diversification standard 
the Fund must meet under fundamental investment restriction (i).  See 
"Investment Restrictions."

Because of the Short-Short Test, the Fund may have to limit the sale of 
appreciated (but not depreciated) securities that it has held for less than 
three months.  The short sale (including for this purpose the acquisition 
of a put option) of (1) stock or securities held on the date of the short 
sale or acquired after the short sale and on or before the date of closing 
thereof or (2) stock or securities which are "substantially identical" to 
stock or securities held on the date of the short sale or acquired after 
the short sale and on or before the date of the closing thereof may reduce 
the holding period of such stock or securities for purposes of the 
Short-Short Test.

                                      B-18


<PAGE>

Any increase in value of a position that is part of a "designated hedge" 
will be offset by any decrease in value (whether realized or not) of the 
offsetting hedging position during the period of such hedge for purposes of 
the Short-Short Test.  Thus, only the net gain (if any) from the designated 
hedge will be included in gross income for purposes of the Short-Short 
Test.  The Fund anticipates engaging in hedging transactions that qualify 
as designated hedges.  However, because of the failure of the U.S. Treasury 
to promulgate regulations as authorized by the Code, it is not clear at the 
present time whether this treatment will be available to all of the Fund's 
hedging transactions.  To the extent the Fund's transactions do not qualify 
as designated hedges, the Fund's investments in short sales, options or 
other transactions may be limited.

The Fund's option and hedging activities are subject to special provisions 
of the Code that may, among other things, limit the use of losses of the 
Fund and affect the holding period of the securities held by the Fund and 
the nature of the income realized by the Fund.  These provisions may also 
require the Fund to mark-to-market some of the positions in its portfolio 
(i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause the Fund to 
recognize income without the cash to distribute such income.  The Fund and 
its shareholders may recognize taxable income as a result of the Fund's 
hedging activities, a portion of which may be treated as long-term capital 
gains.  The Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax 
elections in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent 
disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.

TAXATION OF DISTRIBUTIONS.  The Fund distributes substantially all of its 
net investment income and net short-term capital gains for any taxable 
(i.e., fiscal) year.  Distributions will be taxable to shareholders as 
described below, regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash 
or are reinvested in shares.  Shareholders receiving a distribution from 
the Fund in the form of additional shares will generally be treated as 
receiving a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair market 
value of the shares received on the distribution date and will take a tax 
basis for such shares equivalent to the amount deemed to have been 
distributed to them.  The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders its 
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss ("net 
capital gain") for each taxable year as a capital gain dividend.  A capital 
gain dividend will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, 
regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his shares, 
whether the net capital gain distributed by the Fund was recognized prior 
to the date on which a shareholder acquired shares and whether the 
distribution was paid in cash or reinvested in shares.  The aggregate 
amount of distributions designated by the Fund as capital gain dividends 
may not exceed the net capital gain of the Fund for any taxable year, 
determined by excluding any net capital loss or net long-term capital loss 
attributable to transactions occurring after October 31 of such year and by 
treating any such loss as if it arose on the first day of the following 
taxable year.

Dividends (whether received in cash or reinvested in shares) will generally 
be subject to taxation when received.  Dividends declared in October, 
November or December of any year accruing to shareholders of record on a 
specified date in such a month, however, will be deemed to have been 
received by the shareholders and paid by the Fund on December 31 of such 
year, if such dividends are paid during January of the following year.

The Fund is required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the United 
States Treasury 31% of dividends paid to any shareholder (1) who has 
provided either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, 
(2) who is subject to backup withholding by the Internal Revenue Service 
for failure to report the receipt of interest or dividend income properly, 
or (3) who has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not 
subject to backup withholding or that such shareholder is an "exempt 
recipient."

Shareholders will be advised annually as to the U.S. Federal income tax 
consequences of distributions made during the year.

                                    B-19

<PAGE>

CORPORATE INVESTORS.  In the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of 
Fund distributions (other than capital gain dividends) for any taxable year 
generally is expected to qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction 
for regular Federal income tax purposes to the extent of the gross amount 
of eligible dividends received by the Fund for the year with respect to 
stock that has been held for more than 45 days (more than 90 days in the 
case of certain preferred stock).  Legislation has been introduced from 
time to time to reduce the percentage of dividends entitled to the 
dividends received deduction; however, it is not known whether Congress 
will consider any such legislation in the near future.  The Fund's 
investment policies may affect the availability of the dividends received 
deduction with respect to dividends paid on certain stocks in the Fund's 
portfolio.  For example, the holding period of any dividend paying stock 
will not be deemed to include any day more than 45 days (or more than 90 
days in the case of certain preferred stock) after the date on which the 
stock becomes ex-dividend or any period in which the Fund holds a put 
option on, has contracted to sell, or has made but not closed a short sale 
of, "substantially identical" stock or securities. Convertible bonds or 
convertible preferred stock may be deemed "substantially identical" to 
common stock for purposes of this rule.  The Fund will provide a statement 
annually to shareholders of the amount of dividends eligible for the 
dividends received deduction.

Corporate investors should also note that although the dividends received 
deduction is available to reduce regular corporate Federal income tax 
liability, any amount so deducted may increase the tax base upon which the 
corporate alternative minimum tax and environmental tax is imposed.

                                 CUSTODIAN
  
United Missouri Bank, N.A. is the custodian for the Trust.  It is 
responsible for holding all cash and securities of the Fund, directly or 
through a book entry system, delivering and receiving payment for 
securities sold by the Fund, receiving and paying for securities purchased 
by the Fund, collecting income from investments of the Fund and performing 
other duties, all as directed by authorized persons of the Trust.  The 
custodian does not exercise any supervisory functions in such matters as 
the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund, payment of dividends or 
payment of expenses of the Fund.

                                TRANSFER AGENT

Jones and Babson, Inc. ("JBI") is the Fund's transfer agent and dividend 
disbursing agent.  JBI records all sales, transfers and redemptions of 
shares of the Fund, disburses dividends of the Fund and performs other 
recordkeeping functions.  JBI is responsible for all personnel, office 
space and equipment expenses related to the performance of these services 
for the Fund.  The Fund pays all other out-of-pocket expenses, including 
postage, mailing and stationery expenses.

                           FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES
   
United Missouri Bank, N.A. ("UMB"), the Fund's custodian, provides 
financial and accounting services, including portfolio accounting and 
calculation of the Fund's net asset value per share, preparation of 
financial statements and creation and maintenance of the related books and 
records.  UMB furnishes, at its own expense, the personnel and facilities 
necessary to perform its duties.  UMB receives from the Fund (a) a base fee 
of $600 per month and (b) a fee accrued daily and paid monthly at the 
annual rate of .03% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to and 
including $100 million, .02% of average daily net assets in excess of $100 
million, but not more than $350 million, .01% of average daily net assets 
in excess of $350 million, but not more than $1 billion, and .005% of 
average daily net assets in excess of $1 billion.  For the fiscal years 
ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994, fees paid by the Fund for 
financial and accounting services totalled $14,043, $11,654 and $11,609 
respectively.  Fees for periods prior to April 1, 1994 were paid to the 
Fund's prior accounting agent.
    

                                       B-20

<PAGE>


                               INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   
Ernst & Young LLP, Sears Tower, 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 
60606, audits and reports on the Fund's annual financial statements, 
reviews certain regulatory reports and the Fund's Federal income tax 
returns, and performs other professional accounting, tax and advisory 
services when engaged to do so by the Fund.
    
                             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
The Fund's annual report to shareholders for the year ended September 30, 
1996, a copy of which accompanies this statement of additional information, 
contains financial statements, notes thereto, supplementary information 
entitled "Financial Highlights" and a report of independent auditors, all 
of which (but no other part of the annual report) is incorporated herein by 
reference.
    











                                        B-21

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
November 26, 1996
 
                         ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
Dear Shareholder:
 
As of the date of this letter, the fund is up 12.4% since January 1, 1996. For
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 the fund gained 7.4%.
 
Our fund's record of investment performance is summarized in the table below:
 
                                    TABLE II
                          AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
                           THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         PAST         PAST        LIFE OF   
                                         PAST 1 YEAR    3 YEARS      5 YEARS      FUND 1)   
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         
Without Sales Charge...................         7.4%        16.7%        13.2%        13.7% 
With 1.5% Sales Charge.................         5.8%        16.1%        12.9%        13.4% 
</TABLE>
 
1)  since inception on 1/22/91
 
We feel that fundamentals remain strong in the U.S. Fiscal policy seems to have
achieved a "soft landing" -- a moderation of economic growth without a slide
into recession. Economic data for the second quarter 1996 showed continued
growth in output, employment and income. A majority of early corporate earnings
reports reflected the positive effect of a strong economy and earnings estimates
rose to higher levels. Inflation has remained low and overall the economy seems
quite healthy.
 
As the general stock market rises to dizzying heights, we have become concerned
with the volatility in the technology sector, and small cap stocks. We have
taken a more conservative stance and have narrowed our focus to fewer small cap
issues and have taken a larger cash position (currently about 25%).
 
While opinions differ over the likely direction of financial markets and the
economy over the next year we feel that the long term outlook for the U.S.
economy and the equity markets remains positive. However, for the immediate
future it may be time for a reality check. With many respected analysts shouting
caution, we are looking for a long overdue correction to reduce our cash
position with equity purchases at more attractive prices.
 
Your fund's management thanks you for the vote of confidence you have shown thru
your investment and continues its dedication to performance. We look forward to
serving your investment needs for years to come.
 
Sincerely,
James A. Dreher
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>

                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Trustees and Shareholders
Universal Capital Growth Fund


We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, 
including the portfolio of investments, of Universal Capital Growth Fund as of 
September 30, 1996, the related statements of operations for the year then ended
and changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, 
and the financial highlights for each of the fiscal years since 1992.  These 
financial statements and highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's 
management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial 
statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial 
highlights are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, 
on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the 
financial statements.  Our procedures included confirmation of investments 
owned as of September 30, 1996, by correspondence with the custodian.  An 
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant 
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial 
statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable 
basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to 
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
Universal Capital Growth Fund at September 30, 1996, the results of its 
operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of 
the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each 
of the fiscal years since 1992, in conformity with generally accepted 
accounting principles.


                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Chicago, Illinois
October 31, 1996

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
                            PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Number of
                                      Shares       Value
                                    -----------  ----------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>
COMMON STOCKS -- 73.6%
AUTOMOTIVE/MOTORCYCLES AND PARTS
 -- 1.6%
Genuine Parts.....................       4,000   $  175,000
BANKS -- 4.4%
Mellon Bank Corp..................       1,000       59,250
Nations Bank......................       2,000      173,750
Wells Fargo.......................       1,000      260,000
                                                 ----------
                                                    493,000
BIOTECHNOLOGY -- 3.3%
Amgen, Inc. (a)...................       4,500      284,062
Genzyme Corp. (a).................       3,400       86,700
                                                 ----------
                                                    370,762
COMPUTERS -- 0.7%
Hewlett Packard Co................       1,600       78,000
COMPUTER PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT --
 3.7%
Cisco Systems.....................       4,000      248,250
US Robotics.......................       4,000       64,625
Xicor.............................       8,000       93,000
                                                 ----------
                                                    405,875
COMPUTER SOFTWARE -- 6.5%
C Cube Microsystems, Inc..........       4,600      204,125
Cognex Corp. (a)..................      16,000      260,000
Microsoft Corp....................       2,000      263,750
                                                 ----------
                                                    727,875
CONSUMER PRODUCTS -- 3.3%
Kimberly Clark Corp...............       2,000      176,250
Procter & Gamble..................       2,000      195,000
                                                 ----------
                                                    371,250
DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING -- 1.1%
Thermo Electron Corp..............       3,000      121,500
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT -- 0.8%
General Electric..................       1,000       91,000
 
<CAPTION>
                                     Number of
                                      Shares       Value
                                    -----------  ----------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND COMPONENTS
 -- 6.5%
Altron, Inc. (a)..................       4,500   $   60,750
Analog Devices....................       5,000      135,625
Atmel Corp. (a)...................       5,400      166,725
Intel.............................       3,000      286,313
ITI Technologies, Inc. (a)........       2,000       70,500
                                                 ----------
                                                    719,913
ENERGY -- 2.7%
Input/Output, Inc. (a)............       3,000       89,250
Mobil.............................       1,000      115,750
Texaco, Inc.......................       1,000       92,000
                                                 ----------
                                                    297,000
FIBER OPTICS -- 1.1%
Amphenol Corp. (a)................       5,500      125,813
FINANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES --
 5.4%
MBIA Inc..........................       1,500      128,625
Merrill Lynch.....................       3,000      196,875
Paine Webber Group, Inc...........       5,000      105,000
Charles Schwab....................       7,200      166,500
                                                 ----------
                                                    597,000
FOOD -- 1.5%
Heinz H. J. Company...............       5,000      168,750
HEALTH/PHARMACEUTICALS -- 12.0%
Abbott Laboratories...............       3,000      147,750
American Home Products Corp.......       3,000      191,250
Johnson & Johnson.................       5,000      256,250
Lilly Eli & Co....................       3,000      193,500
Merck & Co., Inc..................       3,600      253,350
Schering Plough Corp..............       4,800      295,200
                                                 ----------
                                                  1,337,300
HEALTH/SUPPLIES -- 5.5%
Biomet, Inc.......................       8,000      131,000
Boston Scientific Corp............       2,000      115,000
Express Scripts, Inc..............       3,500      126,875
McKesson Corp.....................       2,000       94,750
Medtronic, Inc....................       2,200      141,075
                                                 ----------
                                                    608,700
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
                      PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Number of
                                      Shares       Value
                                    -----------  ----------
COMMON STOCKS -- (CONTINUED)
<S>                                 <C>          <C>
INSTRUMENTS/SCIENTIFIC -- 2.0%
Bio-Rad Laboratories CL A (a).....       5,000   $  143,750
Millipore Corp....................       2,000       79,000
                                                 ----------
                                                    222,750
INSURANCE -- 0.9%
Horace Mann Educ..................       3,000       98,625
LASER SYSTEMS -- 1.0%
Excel Technology, Inc.............      13,000      112,125
MISCELLANEOUS -- 3.9%
Boeing............................       2,000      189,000
Gillette Company..................       2,000      144,250
Oregon Metallurgic................       3,000       97,500
                                                 ----------
                                                    430,750
RAILROADS -- 1.5%
Burlington North..................       2,800      168,750
RETAIL -- 1.7%
Walgreen Co.......................       5,000      185,000
TELECOMMUNICATIONS -- 2.5%
Tellabs, Inc. (a).................       4,000      282,500
                                                 ----------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost:
 $7,378,115)......................               $8,189,238
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                   Value
                                                 ----------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT -- 24.3%
UMB Bank, n.a., dated 9/30/96, due
 10/3/96, 4.95%, collateralized by
 U.S. Treasury Bills (Cost:
 $2,700,000)......................               $2,700,000
                                                 ----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS -- 97.9% (Cost:
 $10,078,115).....................               10,889,238
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS, LESS
 LIABILITIES -- 2.1%..............                  234,360
                                                 ----------
NET ASSETS -- 100%................               $11,123,598
                                                 ----------
                                                 ----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
NOTE TO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
(a) Non-income producing security
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
 
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
   
ASSETS
Investments, at value (cost $7,378,115)..........  $  8,189,238
Repurchase agreements, at value (cost
 $2,700,000).....................................     2,700,000
Cash.............................................       328,773
Receivable for fund shares sold..................         3,624
Accrued dividends receivable.....................         8,353
Prepaid expenses.................................         2,767
                                                   ------------
  Total Assets...................................    11,232,755
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Payable to Advisor...............................         6,329
Payable to Distributor...........................         5,396
Payable for fund shares redeemed.................        71,086
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.........        26,346
                                                   ------------
  Total Liabilities..............................       109,157
                                                   ------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO 742,118 SHARES
 OUTSTANDING, NO PAR VALUE.......................  $ 11,123,598
                                                   ------------
                                                   ------------
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Paid in capital..................................  $  9,179,974
Accumulated net realized gain on investments.....     1,132,501
Unrealized appreciation of investments...........       811,123
                                                   ------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO SHARES OUTSTANDING......  $ 11,123,598
                                                   ------------
                                                   ------------
NET ASSET VALUE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE AT
 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 ($11,123,598 divided by
 742,118 shares outstanding).....................  $      14.99
                                                   ------------
                                                   ------------
MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE
 (net asset value, plus 1.52% of net asset value
 or 1.50% of offering price).....................  $      15.22
                                                   ------------
                                                   ------------
    
</TABLE>


STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                SEPT. 30, 1996  SEPT. 30, 1995
                                --------------  --------------
<S>                             <C>             <C>
OPERATIONS:
  Net investment loss.........   $    (68,812)   $    (45,564)
  Net realized gain on
   investments................      1,302,945       1,218,344
  Change in unrealized
   appreciation...............       (499,880)        829,469
                                --------------  --------------
Increase in net assets from
 operations...................        734,253       2,002,249
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:
Net realized gain on
 investment transactions......     (1,269,948)       (250,706)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) FROM
 CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS...      3,510,647       1,428,388
                                --------------  --------------
TOTAL INCREASE IN NET
 ASSETS.......................      2,974,952       3,179,931
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of year.............      8,148,646       4,968,715
                                --------------  --------------
End of year...................   $ 11,123,598    $  8,148,646
                                --------------  --------------
                                --------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
INVESTMENT INCOME
  Dividends......................................  $     98,159
  Interest.......................................        37,382
                                                   ------------
Total Investment Income..........................       135,541
EXPENSES
  Investment advisory fee........................       102,176
  Distribution fees..............................        51,088
  Transfer agent fees............................        11,307
  Legal fees.....................................        12,000
  Audit fees.....................................        15,500
  Accounting fees................................        14,043
  Amortization of deferred organization costs....         2,916
  Printing and postage...........................         4,500
  Custodian fees.................................         8,000
  Trustees fees..................................         2,750
  Registration fees..............................        14,088
  Insurance......................................           916
  Other..........................................           500
                                                   ------------
    Total Expenses...............................       239,784
    Less expense waiver and reimbursement........        35,431
                                                   ------------
    Net Expenses Absorbed by Fund................       204,353
                                                   ------------
NET INVESTMENT LOSS..............................       (68,812)
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS
  Net realized gain on investment transactions...     1,302,945
  Change in unrealized appreciation of
   investments...................................      (499,880)
                                                   ------------
NET GAIN ON INVESTMENTS..........................       803,065
                                                   ------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS.......  $    734,253
                                                   ------------
                                                   ------------
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements
 
                               FEDERAL TAX STATUS
                               OF 1996 DIVIDENDS
 
 The income dividend and the short term capital gain dividend are taxable as
 ordinary income. Income and capital gain dividends paid to you, whether
 received in cash or reinvested in shares, must be included in your federal
 income tax return and must be reported by the Fund to the Internal Revenue
 Service in accordance with U.S. Treasury Department regulations.
 
 Under current tax law, 14.28% of the ordinary income dividends paid by the
 Fund may qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction available to certain
 corporate shareholders.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.  ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
ORGANIZATION.  Universal Capital Investment Trust (the "Trust") is a
Massachusetts business trust organized on October 18, 1990. The Trust is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified, open-end
investment company. Universal Capital Growth Fund (the "Fund") is the only
series of the Trust currently offered, and commenced selling shares of
beneficial interest to the public on January 22, 1991 (commencement of
operations).
INVESTMENT VALUATION.  Investments are stated at value. Investments traded on a
securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last
current sale price as of the time of valuation or, lacking any current reported
sale on that day, at the mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations.
Investments for which quotations are not readily available and securities for
which the valuation methods described above do not produce a value reflective of
the fair value of the securities are valued at a fair value as determined in
good faith by the board of trustees or a committee thereof.
INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME. Investment transactions are
recorded on the trade date (the day the order to buy or sell is executed).
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is
recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment
transactions are reported on an identified cost basis.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES AND DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS.  It is the Fund's policy to
comply with the special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code available to
regulated investment companies and, in the manner provided therein, to
distribute all of its taxable income, as well as any net realized gain on sales
of investments. Such provisions were complied with and therefore no provision
for federal income taxes is required.
 
Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax principles which may
treat certain transactions differently than generally accepted accounting
principles.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  The fund has a significant portion of its investments in
repurchase agreements. All repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by
U.S. Treasury securities. All collateral is held through the Fund's custodian
bank and is monitored daily by the Fund to ensure that its market value exceeds
the carrying value of the repurchase agreement.
 
2.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with Integrated Financial Services,
Inc. ("Advisor"), the Fund pays an investment advisory fee accrued daily and
paid monthly at the annual rate of 1.0% of the first $250 million of the Fund's
average daily net assets and .75% of the Fund's average daily net assets in
excess of $250 million. During the year ended September 30, 1996, the Fund
incurred an investment advisory fee of $102,176.
 
The agreement provides for the waiver or reimbursement of expenses from the
Advisor should the Fund's normal operating expenses exceed the most restrictive
applicable state expense limitation. The Advisor also has agreed to limit the
Fund's annual operating expenses to 2.0% of average daily net assets through
December 31, 1996. During the year ended September 30, 1996, the Advisor waived
or reimbursed the Fund for expenses of $35,431.
 
While serving as Distributor, Dreher & Associates, Inc. ("Distributor") assumed
all expenses of personnel, office space, office facilities and equipment
incidental to such service. The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 whereby the Fund pays the
Distributor an annual service fee of .25% and an annual sales compensation fee
of .25%, both accrued daily and paid monthly and based on the Fund's average
daily
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
net assets. In return, the Distributor bears all expenses incurred in the
distribution and promotion of the Fund's shares. During the year ended September
30, 1996, the Fund incurred distribution fees of $51,088. The Distributor
received commissions of $33,145 from sale of the Fund's shares during the year
ended September 30, 1996, of which $2,569 was paid to brokers affiliated with
the Distributor and the remainder was paid to retail brokers.
 
Portfolio transactions for the Fund have been executed through the Distributor,
consistent with the Fund's policy of obtaining best price and execution. During
the year ended September 30, 1996, the Fund paid brokerage commissions to the
Distributor on purchases and sales of securities in the amount of $31,168. It is
management's opinion that commission rates charged to the Fund by the
Distributor are consistent with those charged to comparable unaffiliated
customers in similar transactions.
 
Certain officers or trustees of the Fund are also officers of the Distributor
and/or the Advisor. During the year ended September 30, 1996, the Fund made no
direct payments to its officers and incurred trustees' fees of $2,750 to its
unaffiliated trustees.
 
3.  INVESTMENTS
 
Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, were
$24,338,274 and $23,797,076, respectively, for the year ended September 30,
1996.
 
The cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes at September 30,
1996 was $7,378,115. At September 30, 1996, on a tax basis, gross unrealized
appreciation was $1,058,998, gross unrealized depreciation was $247,875 and net
unrealized appreciation was $811,123.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
4.  CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

The following table summarizes the activity in capital shares of the Fund.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         YEAR ENDED            YEAR ENDED
                                       SEPT. 30, 1996        SEPT. 30, 1995
                                    --------------------  --------------------
                                     SHARES     AMOUNT     SHARES     AMOUNT
                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Shares sold.......................    202,722  $3,008,775   103,666  $1,490,399
Shares issued on reinvestment of
 distributions....................     90,601  1,268,410     22,243    250,009
Less shares redeemed..............    (51,688)  (766,538)   (23,751)  (312,020)
                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net increase (decrease)...........    241,635  $3,510,647   102,158  $1,428,388
                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

5.  ORGANIZATION COSTS

Costs amounting to $45,961 were paid by the Advisor in connection with the 
organization and initial registration of the Fund. These costs were amortized 
over the period between June 1991 (when the Fund reached $2.5 million in 
total assets) and January 1996.


INVESTMENT ADVISOR 
Integrated Financial Services, Inc.
One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708 
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181

DISTRIBUTOR
Dreher & Associates, Inc.
One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181

CUSTODIAN
UMB Bank, n.a.
P.O. Box 419226
Kansas City, Missouri 64141

TRANSFER AGENT
Jones & Babson
2440 Pershing Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64108

COUNSEL
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd
Chicago, Illinois

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
  Per share income and capital changes (for a share outstanding throughout the
                                    period).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR
                                                              ENDED    YEAR ENDED   YEAR ENDED   YEAR ENDED   YEAR ENDED
                                                            SEPT. 30,   SEPT. 30,    SEPT. 30,    SEPT. 30,    SEPT. 30,
                                                              1996        1995         1994         1993         1992
                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
   
Net asset value, beginning of period......................  $   16.28   $   12.47    $   12.27    $   11.38    $   11.16
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income (loss)(a).........................       (.10)       (.10)        (.13)        (.04)         .11
  Net realized & unrealized gain on investments...........       1.14        4.54          .96         1.39          .37
                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Total from investment operations..........................       1.04        4.44          .83         1.35          .48
Less distribution to shareholders from:
  Net investment income...................................                                              .11          .07
  Realized gains on investments...........................       2.33         .63          .63          .35          .19
                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Total distributions to shareholders.......................       2.33         .63          .63          .46          .26
Net asset value, end of period............................  $   14.99   $   16.28    $   12.47    $   12.27    $   11.38
                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Total return (b)..........................................        7.4%       37.9%         7.5%        12.2%         4.3%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (a)...........        2.0%        2.0%         2.0%         2.0%         2.0%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net
 assets (a)...............................................       (0.7)%       (0.8 )%       (1.1 )%       (0.4 )%        1.2%
Portfolio turnover rate...................................      262.1%      157.6%       188.7%       186.3%       111.3%
Average commission rate per share.........................      .0208        N/A          N/A          N/A          N/A
Net assets, end of period (in 000's)......................  $  11,124  $    8,149   $    4,969   $    4,892   $    4,715
    
</TABLE>

   
(a) After reimbursement and waiver of expenses by the Advisor of .35%, .7%,
    1.1%, .9%, and 1.2% of average net assets for 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and
    1992, respectively.

(b) Total return is not annualized and does not reflect the effect of any sales
    charges.
 
Note:  Per share data for 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was determined based on
       average shares outstanding.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>

                               PART C  OTHER INFORMATION
   
Item 24.       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

  (a)              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

    (i)            Financial statements included in Part A of
                     this registration statement:  Financial Highlights.


   (ii)            Financial statements included in Part B of
                     this registration statement:

                   UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND (Incorporated by reference from
                     registrant's annual report to shareholders for the year 
                     ended September 30, 1996; a copy of that report is attached
                     hereto but, except for those portions incorporated by 
                     reference, is furnished for the information of the 
                     Commission and is not deemed to be filed as part of this 
                     registration statement):

                         Report of independent auditors
                         Portfolio of investments - September 30, 1996
                         Statement of assets and liabilities - 
                           September 30, 1996
                         Statement of operations for the year ended
                           September 30, 1996
                         Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended
                           September 30, 1996 and 1995
                         Notes to financial statements

                   Schedules II, III, IV and V are omitted as the required 
                     information is not present.

                   Schedule I has been omitted as the required information 
                     is presented in the Portfolio of Investments at 
                     September 30, 1996.

  (iii)            Financial Statements included in Part C of this
                     amendment: None

  (b)              EXHIBITS:

  1    (Ex 27)     Financial Data Schedule

  1.1  (Ex 99.B1A) Agreement and declaration of trust*

  1.2  (Ex 99.B1B) Amendment no. 1 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust*

  2     (Ex 99.B2) Bylaws, as amended*


  3                None

  4     (Ex 99.B4) Form of share certificate for series designated Universal 
                   Capital Growth Fund*

  5     (Ex 99.B5) Investment advisory agreement with Integrated Financial 
                   Services, Inc.*

  6.1  (Ex 99.B6A) Distribution agreement with Dreher & Associates, Inc.*
    

                                       C-1
<PAGE>

   
 6.2   (Ex 99.B6B) Form of selling group agreement*

 7                 None

 8      (Ex 99.B8) Custody agreement with United Missouri Bank, N.A.*

 9.1   (Ex 99.B9A) Transfer agency agreement with Jones & Babson, Inc.*

 9.2   (Ex 99.B9B) Fund accounting agreement with United Missouri Bank, N.A.*

 10    (Ex 99.B10) Opinion of Goodwin, Procter & Hoar dated January 16, 1991*

 11    (Ex 99.B11) Consent of independent auditors

 12                None

 13.1 (Ex 99.B13A) Subscription agreement*

 13.2 (Ex 99.B13B) Organizational expense agreement*

 14    (Ex 99.B14) Universal Capital Investment Trust Individual Retirement 
                   Account Prototype Plan, disclosure statement, and 
                   application, as amended and restated April 19, 1994*

 15    (Ex 99.B15) Distribution (12b-1) plan*

 16    (Ex 99.B16) Schedule for computation of performance quotations*

 18                None

 19    (Ex 99.B19) Account application*
    
   
- ---------------
       * Previously filed.  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same
number filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 7, Registration No. 33-37668, 
effective January 31, 1996.
    

Item 25.  PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

             The registrant does not consider that there are any persons 
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control 
with, the registrant within the meaning of this item.  The information in the 
prospectus under the captions "Management of the Fund - The Adviser and 
Distributor" and in the Statement of Additional Information under the caption 
"Management" is incorporated by reference.

Item 26.  NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
   
             As of November 30, 1996 there were 782 record holders of the 
series of registrant's shares designated Universal Capital Growth Fund.
    

Item 27.  INDEMNIFICATION

             Article VI of the agreement and declaration of trust of 
registrant (exhibit 1 to the registrant's registration statement on form 
N-1A, no. 33-37668, which is incorporated herein by reference) provides that 
the Trust shall indemnify (from the assets of the Sub-Trust or Sub-Trusts in 
question) each of its Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at 
the Trust's request as directors, officers or trustees of another 
organization in which the Trust has any interest as a 


                                       C-2

<PAGE>

shareholder, creditor or otherwise [hereinafter referred to as a 
"Covered Person"]) against all liabilities, including but not 
limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or 
as fines and penalties, and expenses, including reasonable 
accountants' and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in connection 
with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, 
whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative 
body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a 
party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been 
threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been 
such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, except with respect to any 
matter as to which it has been determined in one of the manners described 
below, that such covered Person (i) did not act in good faith in the 
reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in or not opposed to 
the best interests of the Trust or (ii) had acted with willful misfeasance, 
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in 
the conduct of such Covered Person's office (either and both of the conduct 
described in (i) and (ii) being referred to hereafter as "Disabling 
Conduct").  

            A determination that the Covered Person is not entitled to 
indemnification due to Disabling Conduct may be made by (i) a final decision 
on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought 
that the person to be indemnified was not liable by reason of Disabling 
Conduct, (ii) dismissal of a court action or an administrative proceeding 
against a Covered Person for insufficiency of evidence of Disabling Conduct, 
or (iii) a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that 
the indemnitee was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct by (a) a vote of 
a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither "interested persons" of 
the Trust as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 
1940 nor parties to the proceeding, or (b) an independent legal counsel in a 
written opinion.  Expenses, including accountants' and counsel fees so 
incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in 
satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be 
paid from time to time in advance of the final disposition of any such 
action, suit or proceeding, provided that the Covered Person shall have 
undertaken to repay the amounts so paid to the Sub-Trust in question if it is 
ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized 
under this Article VI and (i) the Covered Person shall have provided security 
for such undertaking, (ii) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising 
by reason of any lawful advances, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of the 
disinterested Trustees who are not a party to the proceeding, or an 
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based 
on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type 
inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the Covered Party ultimately 
will be found entitled to indemnification. 

            Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, 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 by 
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or 
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, 
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, 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.

Item 28.  BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER             

            The information in the prospectus in the first two paragraphs 
under the caption "Management of the Fund -- The Adviser and Distributor" is 
incorporated by reference.  Neither the Adviser nor any of its directors or 
officers has been engaged for its or his own account in any other business, 
profession,  vocation or employment of a substantial nature in the past two 
fiscal years.

                                    C-3
<PAGE>


Item 29.  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

       (a)  None.

       (b)                          Positions and Offices  Positions and Offices
            Name                       With Underwriter       With Registrant   
            ----                    --------------------   ---------------------
            
            James A. Dreher         President              Chairman
            
            Patricia M. Ellington   Vice President/        Trustee and
                                      Operations             President
            
            Linda M. Kozak          Secretary/Treasurer    Secretary and
                                                             Treasurer
       (c)  Not applicable

Item 30.  LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
   
            Linda M. Kozak
            Integrated Financial Services, Inc.
            One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 708
            Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
    
            United Missouri Bank, N.A.
            P.O. Box 419226
            Kansas City, Missouri 64141
            Attn:  Lori Judd

Item 31.  MANAGEMENT SERVICES

            None

Item 32.  UNDERTAKINGS

            (a)  Not applicable

            (b)  Not applicable

            (c)  Registrant undertakes to furnish each person to whom a 
                 prospectus is delivered with a copy of Registrant's latest 
                 annual report to shareholders, upon request and without charge.


                                       C-4
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

   
          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the 
Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant certifies that it meets all of 
the requirements for effectiveness of this amendment to the registration 
statement pursuant to rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has 
duly caused this amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its 
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Oakbrook Terrace, 
Illinois on January 28, 1997.
    
                                                UNIVERSAL CAPITAL
                                                  INVESTMENT TRUST
                                
                                
                                                By   /s/ James A. Dreher
                                                  -------------------------
                                                  James A. Dreher, Chairman

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this 
amendment to the registration statement has been signed below by the 
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

   
    Name                      Title                        Date
 ---------                 ----------                   ---------

/s/ James A. Dreher          Chairman (principal    )
- ---------------------------    executive officer)   )
 James A. Dreher                                    )
                                                    )
                                                    )
 /s/ Richard H. Burgess       Trustee               )
- ---------------------------                         )
 Richard H. Burgess                                 )
                                                    )
 /s/ Patricia M. Ellington    Trustee               )
- ---------------------------                         )
 Patricia M. Ellington                              )
                                                    )
 /s/ Dennis J. Hiffman        Trustee               )  January 28, 1997
- ---------------------------                         )
 Dennis J. Hiffman                                  )
                                                    )
 /s/ Harold D. McAninch       Trustee               )
- ---------------------------                         )
 Harold D. McAninch                                 )
                                                    )
 /s/ Alan L. Zable            Trustee               )
- ---------------------------                         )
 Alan L. Zable                                      )
                                                    )
 /s/ Linda M. Kozak           Treasurer (principal  )
- ---------------------------    financial and        )
 Linda M. Kozak                accounting officer)  )
    
<PAGE>

   
                                EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
- -------

  1     (Ex 27)      Financial data schedule

  2     (Ex 99.B11)  Consent of independent auditors                

    

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT OF UNIVERSAL CAPITAL GROWTH FUND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPT 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                             7378
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                            8189
<RECEIVABLES>                                       12
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                    3032
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   11233
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          109
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                109
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                          9180
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                              742
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                              500
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                           1133
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                           811
<NET-ASSETS>                                     11124
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                   98
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                   37
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     204
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           (69)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          1303
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                        (500)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              734
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                          1270
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           3009
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        766
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                               1268
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            3511
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         1168
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                              102
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    240
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             10220
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            16.28
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                  (.10)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.14
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         2.33
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              14.99
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    2.0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>


<PAGE>
   
                           CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Financial 
Highlights," "Independent Auditors" and "Financial Statements" and to the use 
of our report dated October 31, 1996 in the Registration Statement (Form 
N-1A) of the Universal Capital Growth Fund, a series of Universal Capital 
Investment Trust, and its incorporation by reference in the related 
prospectus and statement of additional information filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the 
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (Registration No. 
33-37668) and in this Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement under the 
Investment Company Act of 1940 (Registration No. 811-6212).

                                                /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                                --------------------------
                                                    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
January 28, 1997
    


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