<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED DECEMBER 24, 1997
================================================================================
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. February 17, 1998
The following supplements the information in the section of the Prospectus
entitled Performance Information.
Comparative Performance
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Emerging Markets Portfolio of Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. ("The Emerging
Markets Portfolio of DPT") commenced operations on April 14, 1997. Delaware
International Advisers Ltd. ("Delaware International"), the investment adviser
to The Emerging Markets Portfolio of DPT, also serves as investment manager to
Delaware Group's Emerging Markets Fund (the "G&I Emerging Markets Fund"), which
is an investment series of Delaware Group Global & International Funds, Inc.
Shares of the G&I Emerging Markets Fund were initially offered to the public on
June 10, 1996. Except as set forth below, The Emerging Markets Portfolio of DPT
and the G&I Emerging Markets Fund are managed with substantially similar
investment objectives, policies and strategies.
For the period from the commencement of its operations on April 14, 1997 through
December 31, 1997, The Emerging Markets Portfolio of DPT has achieved the
performance set forth below. The Institutional Class of the G&I Emerging Markets
Fund has achieved the performance set forth below for the period from April 14,
1997 through December 31, 1997, the one-year period ended December 31, 1997, and
the period from the commencement of operations through December 31, 1997.
Performance information for the Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging
Markets Free Index, an unmanaged index, has also been provided.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The Emerging Markets G &I Emerging MSCI Emerging
Portfolio of DPT(1,2) Markets Fund(1,3) Markets Free Index(4)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
4/14/97-12/31/97.............(10.10%) 4/14/97-12/31/97...................(9.34%) 4/30/97-12/31/97..........(18.64%)
One Year........................... 1.58% One Year..................(11.59%)
Lifetime........................... 1.99% 6/30/96-12/31/97..........(10.47%)
</TABLE>
1. Return and share value fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth
more or less than their original cost. Past performance is not a guarantee of
future results.
2. The performance presented is the aggregate total return for The Emerging
Markets Portfolio of DPT for the period from the commencement of operations
on April 14, 1997 through December 31, 1997. During the period presented,
Delaware International voluntarily waived its investment management fee
and/or paid fund expenses to the extent necessary to limit total fund
operating expenses to no more than 1.55%.
3. The performance presented is the aggregate total return for the period from
April 14, 1997 through December 31, 1997, and average annual total return for
the one-year and lifetime periods ended December 31, 1997, for the G & I
Emerging Markets Fund Institutional Class, which is available only to certain
eligible investors. The G & I Emerging Markets Fund also offers an A Class, B
Class and C Class. The performance of the A Class, B Class, and C Class
varies from the performance of the Institutional Class due to varying expense
structures. During the periods presented, Delaware International voluntarily
waived its management fee and/or paid fund expenses to the extent necessary
to limit total fund operating expenses to no more than 1.70%.
4. The performance presented is for the Morgan Stanley Capital International
Emerging Markets Free Index, an unmanaged index of emerging market stocks.
Performance of the index has not been adjusted to reflect fees or expenses.
One year performance is for the one-year period ended December 31, 1997.
Performance for the period from April 30, 1997 through December 31, 1997 is
the aggregate total return.
<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED DECEMBER 24, 1997
================================================================================
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. February 17, 1998
The performance of the G&I Emerging Markets Fund has been presented to provide
investors with additional information on which to base their investment
decision. Emerging markets investment performance can be volatile and should be
evaluated over a multi-year period. The performance of the G&I Emerging Markets
Fund is not the performance of The Emerging Markets Portfolio of DPT and should
not be considered as a substitute for the performance of The Emerging Markets
Portfolio of DPT. The performance of the G&I Emerging Markets Fund should not be
considered indicative of the past or future performance of The Emerging Markets
Portfolio of DPT.
The charts on the following pages contain certain additional performance
information. For a description of the differences between The Emerging Markets
Portfolio of DPT and the G&I Emerging Markets Fund, see Differences Between
Funds.
Differences Between Funds
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment objective of The Emerging Markets Portfolio of DPT is identical
to the investment objective of the G&I Emerging Markets Fund and the two funds
invest in substantially similar securities. Investment strategies for the two
funds will be substantially similar; however, because of the nature of investors
in The Emerging Markets Portfolio of DPT, cash flows can be expected to be
substantial and irregular, while cash flows in the G&I Emerging Markets Fund
tend to be more regular and in smaller amounts. The differences in cash flows
may affect the timing of investment decisions, the relative speed with which
such decisions may be implemented, the investments held by each Fund from time
to time, and, consequently, performance. In addition, investments may be made
for each fund during varying market conditions.
Shares of each of The Emerging Markets Portfolio of DPT and the G&I Emerging
Markets Fund Institutional Class may be purchased and sold without the
imposition of a sales charge; however, investors in The Emerging Markets
Portfolio of DPT are subject to a purchase reimbursement fee and a redemption
reimbursement fee equal in each case to 0.75% (as a percentage of the dollar
amount purchased or redeemed). The reimbursement fees, which are paid directly
to The Emerging Markets Portfolio of DPT, are designed to reflect an
approximation of the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with the
investment of an investor's purchase amount or the disposition of assets to meet
redemptions, and to limit the extent to which The Emerging Markets Portfolio of
DPT and its existing shareholders would have to bear such costs. The G&I
Emerging Markets Fund does not assess reimbursement fees; therefore, all
transaction costs associated with purchases and redemptions are borne by the G&I
Emerging Markets Fund.
After giving effect to voluntary expense limitations described in each fund's
prospectus, the total operating expenses of The Emerging Markets Portfolio of
DPT during the current fiscal year are not expected to exceed 1.55% of the
average net assets of the Portfolio, compared to 1.70% for the Institutional
Class of the G&I Emerging Markets Fund. A component of the total operating
expenses is the investment management fee payable to Delaware International,
which is currently subject to a limit of 1.00% for The Emerging Markets
Portfolio of DPT compared to a maximum fee of 1.25% for the G&I Emerging
Markets Fund.
<PAGE>
GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT
================================================================================
Distributions Reinvested June 10, 1996 - December 31, 1997
MSCI Emerging Lipper Emerging G & I Emerging
Markets Free Markets Fund Markets
Index(3) Average(2) Fund(1)
-------- ---------- -------
6/96 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
7/96 $ 9,317 $ 9,418 $ 9,582
8/96 $ 9,556 $ 9,680 $10,000
9/96 $ 9,639 $ 9,750 $10,030
10/96 $ 9,381 $ 9,495 $ 9,850
11/96 $ 9,539 $ 9,707 $ 9,940
12/96 $ 9,582 $ 9,876 $10,101
1/97 $10,235 $10,619 $11,066
2/97 $10,673 $10,990 $11,538
3/97 $10,393 $11,243 $11,327
4/97 $10,411 $11,278 $11,628
5/97 $10,709 $11,734 $12,100
6/97 $11,282 $12,337 $12,844
7/97 $11,450 $12,682 $12,995
8/97 $ 9,994 $11,433 $12,020
9/97 $10,271 $11,884 $12,553
10/97 $ 8,585 $10,011 $10,744
11/97 $ 8,272 $ 9,640 $10,301
12/97 $ 8,471 $ 9,748 $10,312
Chart assumes $10,000 invested on June 10, 1996 and includes the effect of
the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains.
1. Performance of Delaware Group Global & International Funds, Inc. Emerging
Markets Fund (the "G & I Emerging Markets Fund") Institutional Class, net of
management fees and expenses. Past performance may not be indicative of
future results.
2. Performance of the Lipper Emerging Markets Equity Fund Universe consisting of
between 56 and 68 funds during the measurement period. Multiple share classes
are combined and regional or country funds are excluded.
3. Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets Free Index, an
unmanaged index of emerging markets stocks. The performance of the Index has
not been adjusted to reflect management fees or other expenses.
<PAGE>
MONTHLY RESULTS
================================================================================
G & I Emerging Markets Fund June 30, 1996 - December 31, 1997
Delaware Pooled
Trust, Inc. G & I Emerging
The Emerging G & I Emerging MSCI EMF Markets Fund
Markets Portfolio Markets Fund Index Return Relative Return*
----------------- ------------ ------------ ----------------
7/96 -4.2% -6.8% 2.8%
8/96 4.4% 2.6% 1.8%
9/96 0.3% 0.9% -0.6%
10/96 -1.8% -2.7% 0.9%
11/96 0.9% 1.7% -0.8%
12/96 1.6% 0.5% 1.2%
1/97 9.6% 6.8% 2.6%
2/97 4.3% 4.3% 0.0%
3/97 -1.8% -2.6% 0.8%
4/97 2.7% 0.2% 2.5%
5/97 4.6% 4.1% 2.9% 1.2%
6/97 5.9% 6.2% 5.4% 0.8%
7/97 0.4% 1.2% 1.5% -0.3%
8/97 -8.4% -7.5% -12.7% 6.0%
9/97 4.9% 4.4% 2.8% 1.6%
10/97 -14.7% -14.4% -16.4% 2.4%
11/97 -2.7% -4.1% -3.7% -0.5%
12/97 0.5% -0.4% 2.4% -2.8%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Delaware Pooled Trust, Inc. -- The Emerging Markets Portfolio
7/96 8/96 9/96 10/96 11/96 12/96 1/97 2/97 3/97 4/97 5/97 6/97 7/97 8/97 9/97 10/97 11/97 12/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.6 5.9 0.4 -8.4 4.9 -14.7 -2.7 0.5
G&I Emerging Markets Fund
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -4.2 4.4 0.3 -1.8 0.9 1.6 9.6 4.3 -1.8 2.7 4.1 6.2 1.2 -7.5 4.4 -14.4 -4.1 -0.4
MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -6.8 2.6 0.9 -2.7 1.7 0.5 6.8 4.3 -2.6 0.2 2.9 5.4 1.5 -12.7 2.8 -16.4 -3.7 2.4
G&I Emerging Markets Fund Relative Return
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.8 1.8 -0.6 0.9 -0.8 1.2 2.6 0.0 0.8 2.5 1.2 0.8 -0.3 6.0 1.6 2.4 -0.5 -2.8
</TABLE>
* G & I Emerging Markets Fund Relative Return is the geometric difference
between the monthly performance of the Delaware Group Global & International
Funds, Inc. Emerging Markets Fund (the "G & I Emerging Markets Fund")
Institutional Class, net of management fees and expenses, and the Morgan
Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets Free Index, an unmanaged index
of emerging markets stocks. For example, (1.000 - 0.042) / (1.000 - 0.068) =
(1.000 + 0.028). Performance of the Index has not been adjusted to reflect
management fees or other expenses. Past performance may not be indicative of
future results.
<PAGE>
DEFENSIVE CHARACTERISTICS(1)
================================================================================
June 30, 1996 - December 31, 1997
G&I Emerging US Consumer
Markets Fund(2) MSCI EMF Index(3) Price Index(4)
--------------- --------------- --------------
Bull Market Performance 46.3% 36.5%
Bear Market Performance -29.9% -37.9%
Total Performance
(annualized) 1.7% -10.5% 1.9%
Number of Months
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 6 18
Bull Market Bear Market Total Performance
Performance Performance (Annualized)
1. A Bull Market month is defined as one in which the MSCI EMF Index showed a
positive US dollar return, and a Bear Market month as one in which the MSCI
EMF Index showed a negative US dollar return. Bull Market months were August,
September, November and December 1996 and January, February, April, May,
June, July, September and December 1997. Bear Markets were July and October
1996 and March, August, October and November 1997. Bull Market performance
and Bear Market performance has not been annualized. Past performance may not
be indicative of future results.
2. Performance of Delaware Group Global & International Funds, Inc. Emerging
Markets Fund (the "G & I Emerging Markets Fund") Institutional Class, net of
management fees and expenses.
3. Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets Free Index is an
unmanaged index of emerging markets stocks. The performance of the Index has
not been adjusted to reflect management fees or other expenses.
4. Source: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data is for Consumer Price
Index - All Urban Consumers.
5. Total performance is calculated as the compound product of the Bull Market
period and the Bear Market period. For example, the G & I Emerging Markets
Fund performance is calculated as follows: (1.000 + 0.463) x (1.000 - 0.299)
= (1.000 + 0.026) or 1.7% annualized.
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE ANNUALIZED PERFORMANCE
AGAINST COMPETITORS(1)
================================================================================
June 30, 1996 - December 31, 1997
Minimum 75th Percentile Median 25th Percentile Maximum
------- --------------- ------ --------------- -------
-31.4% -8.8% -5.0% -0.9% 9.8%
1.7% G&I Emerging Markets Fund(2) -10.5% MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index(3)
1. Percentile, Maximum, Median and Minimum data are from Lipper Emerging Markets
Equity Fund Universe, consisting of 57 funds during the measurement period.
Multiple share classes are combined and regional or country funds are
excluded.
2. Performance represents total return of the Delaware Group Global
& International Funds, Inc. Emerging Markets Fund (the "G & I Emerging
Markets Fund") Institutional Class for the period June 30, 1996 to December
31, 1997 and is net of management fees and fund expenses. The average annual
total return for the lifetime period from the commencement of operations on
June 10, 1996 through December 31, 1997 is 1.99% and for the one year period
ended December 31, 1997 is 1.58%. Past performance may not be indicative of
future results.
3. Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets Free Index is an
unmanaged index of emerging markets stocks. Performance of the Index has not
been adjusted to reflect management fees or other expenses.
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE ANNUALIZED PERFORMANCE
AGAINST COMPETITORS(1)
================================================================================
December 31, 1996 - December 31, 1997
Minimum 75th Percentile Median 25th Percentile Maximum
------- --------------- ------ --------------- -------
-40.8% -10.5% -5.5% -0.4% 14.1%
1.6% G&I Emerging Markets Fund(2) -11.6% MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index(3)
1. Percentile, Maximum, Median and Minimum data are from Lipper Emerging Markets
Equity Fund Universe, consisting of 60 funds during the measurement period.
Multiple share classes are combined and regional or country funds are
excluded.
2. Performance represents total return of the Delaware Group Global
& International Funds, Inc. Emerging Markets Fund (the "G & I Emerging
Markets Fund") Institutional Class for the period December 31, 1996 to
December 31, 1997 and is net of management fees and fund expenses. The
average annual total return for the lifetime period from the commencement of
operations on June 10, 1996 through December 31, 1997 is 1.99% and for the
one year period ended December 31, 1997 is 1.58%. Past performance may not be
indicative of future results.
3. Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets Free Index is an
unmanaged index of emerging markets stocks. Performance of the Index has not
been adjusted to reflect management fees or other expenses.
