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Prospectus
April 30, 1996
[LOGO]
PAPP AMERICA-ABROAD FUND, INC.
4400 North 32nd Street, Suite 280
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
(602)956-1115
(800)421-4004
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: LONG-TERM CAPITAL GROWTH
The Fund invests with the objective of long-term capital growth resulting
to a considerable extent from international activities of its portfolio
companies. The Fund acquires common stocks of United States enterprises that
have substantial international activities, and common stocks of foreign
enterprises that are traded publicly in United States securities markets.
Additional information appears under the captions "Investment Methods" and "Risk
Factors".
- Minimum Investment -
Initial Purchase $ 5,000
Subsequent Purchases and
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) 1,000
NO SALES OR REDEMPTION CHARGES
(A pure no-load fund)
This prospectus sets forth concisely information a prospective investor should
know before investing in Papp America-Abroad Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"). Please
retain it for future reference. An Additional Information Statement regarding
the Fund dated the date of this prospectus has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and (together with any supplement to it) is incorporated
by reference. The Additional Information Statement may be obtained at no charge
by writing or telephoning the Fund at its address or telephone number shown
above.
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.
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Table of Contents
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Page
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Fund Expenses 3
Financial Highlights 4
Investment Objective 5
Investment Methods 5
Risk Factors 6
Investment Restrictions 7
Purchasing Shares 7
Redeeming Shares 8
Determination of Net Asset Value 9
Management of the Fund 9
Investment Advisory Agreement 10
Distributions 11
Federal Income Tax 11
Other Information 12
</TABLE>
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FUND EXPENSES
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The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of the
Fund will bear, directly or indirectly.
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases..................................... None
Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends.......................... None
Deferred Sales Load................................................. None
Redemption Fees..................................................... None
Exchange Fees....................................................... None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as percentages of average daily net assets)
Management Fee.......................................................1.0%
12b-1 Fees.......................................................... None
Other Expenses...................................................... 0.22%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after any expense reimbursement)..... 1.22%
Example:
The investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment in the Fund
assuming (1) a 5% annual rate of return, (2) continuance of the above operating
expense percentage, (3) reinvestment of all distributions to shareholders, and
(4) redemption at the end of each period.
One Year Three Years Five Years Ten Years
-------- ----------- ---------- ---------
$13 $41 $71 $155
This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or performance. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those
shown.
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:
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Per share income and capital changes (for a share outstanding throughout the
period)
The following information has been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP., independent
auditors, for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993, and by other
auditors for prior periods, whose reports thereon are unqualified. The audited
financial statements of the Fund and the auditor's report thereon are contained
in the Fund's 1995 Annual Report, which may be obtained from the Fund upon
request at no cost. The Annual Report also includes information about the
Fund's investment performance.
<TABLE>
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Period Ended
Year Ended December 31, December 31,
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 (A)
------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning
of period $ 12.24 $ 11.45 $ 11.67 $ 10.98 $ 10.00
Income from investment
operations:
Net investment income .04 .10 .10 .11 .02
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments 4.52 .79 (.11) .71 .98
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Total from investment
operations 4.56 .89 (.01) .82 1.00
Less Distributions:
Dividend from net investment
income (.04) (.10) (.09) (.11) (.02)
Distribution of net realized
gain (.29) - (.12) (.02) -
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Total Distributions (.33) (.10) (.21) (.13) (.02)
Net asset value, end of period $ 16.47 $ 12.24 $ 11.45 $ 11.67 $ 10.98
Total return 37.05% 7.77% (.08)% 7.44% 9.94%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period $15,988,267 $11,573,197 $10,934,293 $5,013,407 $1,369,899
Expenses to average
net assets (B) 1.22% 1.25% 1.25% 1.25% 1.25%*
Net investment income to
average net assets (C) 1.50% 2.07% 2.28% 2.28% 4.51%*
Portfolio turnover rate 26.65% 16.00% 8.00% 16.00% 0.00%
</TABLE>
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* Annualized
(A) From the date of commencement of operations (December 6, 1991).
(B) If the Fund had paid all of its expenses and there had been no
reimbursement by the investment adviser, this ratio would have been 1.30%,
1.33%, 3.16% and 2.07% for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993, 1992
and the period ended December 31, 1991.
(C) Computed giving effect to investment adviser's expense limitation
undertaking.
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
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The Fund invests with the objective of long-term capital growth resulting
to a considerable extent from the international activities of its portfolio
companies. The Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy that may not
be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund acquires
common stocks of United States enterprises that have substantial
international activities, and
common stocks of foreign enterprises that are traded publicly in
United States securities markets.
Additional information appears under "Investment Methods".
INVESTMENT METHODS
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United States international companies. The Fund invests at least 70% of its
common stock assets (valued at the time of each investment) in stocks of United
States-domiciled companies, each of which satisfies at least one of the
alternative criteria in either of clauses (a) or (b) below, measured according
to the most recent annual data published by the company and then available to
the investment adviser:
(a) at least 35% of its aggregate reported sales (including United States
exports) and other revenues, or of its reported "operating" earnings
(however labeled by the company), were classified by the company as
"foreign", "international" or "outside of the United States", or
(b) at least 25% of any one of its aggregate reported revenues, operating
earnings, or identifiable assets were classified as foreign, and had
doubled in amount over the past five years, and the Fund's investment
adviser believes that prospects are excellent for a continuing large
increase over the company's next five fiscal years.
The Fund expects that all of its United States portfolio companies will be
required to publish the annual geographic segment data needed for the above
measurements, pursuant to and in the manner prescribed by rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Fund will rely entirely upon those
published data in its measurements.
Foreign companies. The Fund may invest a maximum of 30% of its common stock
assets (valued at the time of each investment), in common stocks of foreign-
domiciled companies that are traded, either directly or in the form of American
Depositary Receipts (ADRs), on a United States stock exchange or in the Nasdaq
National Market. ADRs evidence the beneficial ownership of common stocks of
foreign-domiciled companies held in trust by United States fiduciaries.
In this prospectus, "companies" refers to business enterprises in general,
and in the case of foreign enterprises "common stock" refers to residual equity
interests that are similar in nature generally to common stocks of United States
corporations. Some foreign enterprises with ADRs held by the Fund, e.g., a
German GmbH, and their equity interests, though similar to United States
companies and common stocks from an investment viewpoint, could have some
national legal characteristics that do not correspond wholly with those of
United States companies.
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The Fund seeks to purchase the shares of companies that it regards as
having excellent prospects for capital appreciation (measured on an overall
basis by such considerations as earnings growth over extended periods of time,
long-term dividend growth, above-average profitability created through operating
efficiency rather than financial leverage, and cash flows that appear to confirm
the sustainability of growth) at a price, relative to the market as a whole,
that does not fully reflect the superiority of a particular company. The Fund
is not designed for investors seeking income rather than capital appreciation.
Investments are not limited by ratings or other external criteria of quality,
and investments may vary in quality measured by such criteria, and may include
speculative securities. Once purchased, the shares of such companies are
ordinarily retained so long as the investment adviser believes that the
prospects for appreciation continue to be favorable and that the securities are
not overvalued in the marketplace. Accordingly, it is expected that the Fund's
annual portfolio turnover rate will be less than that of most mutual funds that
invest primarily in common stocks.
Under normal market conditions, substantially all of the Fund's assets are
invested in common stocks, other than cash and cash equivalents anticipated to
be needed for payment of the Fund's obligations. However, if a temporary
defensive position should be considered by the investment adviser to be
advisable in view of market conditions, the Fund may hold cash and may invest up
to 100% of its assets in United States government, agency and instrumentality
obligations, and in other domestic debt rated in one of the two highest grades
by one or more of the nationally recognized statistical ratings organizations
or, if unrated, believed by the investment adviser to be comparable in quality,
are readily salable, and mature or are redeemable by the Fund not more than one
year from the time of investment.
RISK FACTORS
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Investment in foreign business interests (either in United States
enterprises with substantial international activities, or in shares, or ADRs for
shares, of foreign companies), may be riskier in some ways than domestic
investment because of possibilities of: foreign controls over currency exchange;
restrictions on monetary repatriation; oppressive regulation; differing tax
systems among countries, with differing consequences to portfolio companies;
heavy or confiscatory taxation; less liquidity and more price volatility of some
foreign securities and ADRs; less governmental supervision of issuers of
securities; limited publicly available corporate information; varying
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and financial statements
among countries; difficulties in obtaining legal recourse and enforcing
judgments abroad; nationalization or expropriation of assets; and political,
economic or social instability. Also, risk may be increased to the extent of
commitments by portfolio companies in developing countries, contrasted with
developed countries. Unless and until such time as conditions in the former
Communist-bloc countries of eastern Europe are drastically improved, the Fund
will not invest in any enterprise in such a country nor in any enterprise
domiciled elsewhere but having all or a major part of its commitments or assets
in one or more of those countries.
The Fund is not intended to present a balanced investment program. It is
not intended to be a vehicle for short-term trading, but is intended for
investment for the long-term. The securities in which the Fund invests are
subject to the risks inherent in the respective portfolio companies and to
market fluctuations, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
6
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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
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The Fund will not:
1. To the extent of 75% of its assets (valued at time of investment),
invest more than 5% of its assets (valued at such time) in securities of
any one issuer, except in obligations of the United States Government and
its agencies and instrumentalities;
2. Acquire securities of any one issuer that at time of investment (a)
represent more than 10% of the voting securities of the issuer or (b) have
a value greater than 10% of the value of the outstanding securities of the
issuer;
3. Invest more than 5% of its assets (valued at time of investment) in
securities of issuers with less than three years' operation (including
predecessors);
4. Invest more than 5% of its assets (valued at time of investment) in
securities that are not readily marketable.
These restrictions cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a
"majority of the outstanding voting securities" as defined in the Investment
Company Act. All of the Fund's investment restrictions are set forth in the
Additional Information Statement.
PURCHASING SHARES (see New Account Purchase Application accompanying this
- -----------------
prospectus)
Shares of the Fund are purchased at the net asset value per share next
determined after receipt of the purchase order, as described under
"Determination of Net Asset Value." There are no sales commissions or
underwriting discounts. The minimum initial investment is $5,000, except for
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) where the minimum is $1,000. Minimum
subsequent investments in all cases are $1,000, excluding reinvestments of
dividends and capital gains distributions.
To make an initial purchase of shares, complete and sign the New Account
Purchase Application and mail it, together with a check for the total purchase
price, to Papp America-Abroad Fund, Inc., 4400 North 32nd Street, Suite 280,
Phoenix, AZ 85018. The purchase price is the net asset value per share as
described under "Determination of Net Asset Value".
Each investment in shares of the Fund, including dividends and capital
gains distributions reinvested in Fund shares, is acknowledged by a statement
showing the number of shares purchased, the net asset value at which the shares
are purchased, and the new balance of Fund shares owned. The Fund does not
issue stock certificates for the shares purchased. All full and fractional
shares will be carried on the books of the Fund without the issuance of
certificates.
Shares may be purchased or redeemed directly through the Fund or through an
investment dealer, bank or other institution. The Fund may enter into an
arrangement with such an institution allowing the institution to process
purchase orders or redemption requests for its customers with the Fund on an
expedited basis, including requesting share redemptions by telephone. Although
these arrangements might permit one to effect a purchase or redemption of Fund
shares through the institution more quickly than would otherwise be possible,
the institution may impose charges for its
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services. Those charges could constitute a significant portion of a smaller
account, and might not be in a shareholder's best interest. Shares of the Fund
may be purchased or redeemed directly from the Fund without imposition of any
charges other than those described in the prospectus.
Some financial institutions that maintain nominee accounts with the Fund for
their clients for whom they hold Fund shares charge an annual fee of up to 0.35%
of the average net assets held in such accounts for accounting, servicing, and
distribution services they provide with respect to the underlying Fund shares.
Such fees are paid by the Adviser.
The Fund reserves the right not to accept purchase orders under
circumstances or in amounts considered disadvantageous to existing shareholders.
REDEEMING SHARES
- ----------------
The Fund will redeem all or any part of shares owned upon written request
delivered to the Fund at 4400 North 32nd Street, Suite 280, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
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;
(3) include a signature guarantee from any "eligible guarantor institution"
as defined by the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Eligible guarantor institutions include banks, brokers, dealers, credit
unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations,
clearing agencies and savings associations. A notary public is not an
eligible guarantor; and
(4) be accompanied by any stock certificate(s) representing the shares to
be redeemed, if they are represented by certificates.
In the case of shares registered in the name of 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 must be furnished. In the
case of a trust or a 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 the shares can be redeemed, additional documents
may be required in order to verify the authority of the person seeking to
redeem.
The redemption price per share is net asset value determined as described
under "Determination of Net Asset Value." There is no redemption charge. The
redemption value of the shares may be more or less than the cost, depending upon
the value of the Fund's portfolio securities at the time of redemption. If the
net asset value of the shares in an account is less than $1,000 as a result of
previous redemptions and not market price declines, the Fund may notify the
registered holder that unless the account value is increased to at least the
minimum within 60 days the Fund will redeem all shares in the account and pay
the redemption price to the registered holder.
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Payment for shares redeemed is made within seven days after receipt by the
Fund of a request for redemption in good order. However, if shares are redeemed
immediately after they are purchased, the Fund may delay paying the redemption
proceeds only until the shareholder's check for the purchase price has been
cleared, which may take up to 15 days. The Fund reserves the right to suspend or
postpone redemptions during any period when (a) trading on the New York Stock
Exchange is restricted, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
or that Exchange is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday
closings, (b) the Commission has by order permitted such suspension, or (c) an
emergency, as determined by the Commission, exists making disposal of portfolio
securities or valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
- --------------------------------
For purposes of computing the net asset value of a share of the Fund,
securities traded on securities exchanges, or in the over-the-counter market in
which transaction prices are reported, are valued at the last sales prices at
the time of valuation or, lacking any reported sales on that day, at the most
recent bid quotations. Other securities traded over-the-counter are also valued
at the most recent bid quotations. Securities for which quotations are not
available and any other assets are valued at a fair value as determined in good
faith by the board of directors. The price per share for a purchase order or
redemption request is the net asset value next determined after receipt of the
order.
The net asset value of a share of the Fund is determined as of the close of
trading on the New York Stock Exchange, currently 4:00 p.m. New York City time,
on any day on which that Exchange is open for trading, by dividing the market
value of the Fund's assets, less its liabilities, by the number of shares
outstanding, and rounding the result to the nearest full cent.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
- ----------------------
The board of directors has overall responsibility for the conduct of the
Fund's affairs. The directors of the Fund, including those directors who are
also officers, and their principal business activities during the past five
years, are:
L. Roy Papp, Chairman and director.
Partner, L. Roy Papp & Associates (investment manager).
Harry A. Papp, CFA, President and director.
Partner, L. Roy Papp & Associates.
Robert L. Mueller, Vice President, Secretary and director.
Partner, L. Roy Papp & Associates.
Rosellen C. Papp, CFA, Vice President, Treasurer and director.
Partner, L. Roy Papp & Associates.
Bruce C. Williams, CFA, Vice President and director. Partner, L. Roy Papp
& Associates.
James K. Ballinger, director. The Director of the Phoenix Art Museum.
Amy S. Clague, director. Partner, Boyd and Clague (bookkeeping services
for small companies).
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Each of the following is an "interested person" of the Fund (as defined in
the Investment Company Act): L. Roy Papp as an officer of the Fund and a partner
of its investment adviser, L. Roy Papp & Associates; Harry A. Papp and Rosellen
C. Papp, as officers of the Fund, partners of the investment adviser and as the
son and daughter-in-law, respectively, of L. Roy Papp; Robert L. Mueller and
Bruce C. Williams as partners of the investment adviser and as officers of the
Fund. All but Mrs. Clague and Mr. Ballinger are also personnel of the investment
adviser.
The address of Messrs. L. Roy Papp, Harry A. Papp, Robert L. Mueller, Bruce
C. Williams, and Ms. Rosellen C. Papp, is 4400 North 32nd Street - Suite 280,
Phoenix, Arizona 85018; the address of Mr. Ballinger is 1625 North Central
Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004; and the address of Mrs. Clague is 326 East Kaler
Drive, Phoenix, Arizona 85020.
L. Roy Papp, Harry A. Papp, and Robert L. Mueller are the members of the
executive committee, which has authority during intervals between meetings of
the board of directors to exercise the powers of the Board, with certain
exceptions. Directors not affiliated with the investment adviser and not
officers of the Fund receive from the Fund an attendance fee of $600 for each
meeting of the board of directors attended.
The following are Vice Presidents of the Fund: George D. Clark, Jr.,
Jeffrey N. Edwards, Robert L. Hawley and Victoria S. Cavallero. Julie A. Hein
is Assistant Treasurer of the Fund. Mr. Clark has been a partner or associate
of L. Roy Papp & Associates since 1987. Mr. Edwards has been a partner or
associate of L. Roy Papp & Associates since 1987. Ms. Cavallero has been a
partner or associate of L. Roy Papp & Associates since 1987. Mr. Hawley has
been a partner or associate of L. Roy Papp & Associates since 1993. Ms. Hein
has been a partner or associate of L. Roy Papp & Associates since 1989. The
address of all of the officers is L. Roy Papp & Associates, 4400 North 32nd
Street, Suite 280, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
- -----------------------------
L. Roy Papp & Associates serves as investment adviser to the Fund. L. Roy
Papp and Rosellen C. Papp, partners of that firm, manage the portfolio of the
Fund. Except for two years when he was United States director of, and
ambassador to, the Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines, Mr. Papp has
been in the money management field since 1955. He has been either sole
proprietor of or a partner of L. Roy Papp & Associates since 1978. Rosellen C.
Papp has been the Director of Research of L. Roy Papp & Associates since 1981.
The firm of L. Roy Papp & Associates is also investment adviser to
individuals, trusts, retirement plans, endowments, and foundations. Assets
under management exceed $589 million. The firm also acts as investment adviser
to The L. Roy Papp Stock Fund, Inc. which commenced operations in 1989 and whose
assets approximate $45 million.
Subject to the overall authority of the Fund's board of directors, the
adviser furnishes continuous investment supervision and management to the Fund
under an investment advisory agreement.
The investment adviser receives from the Fund, as compensation for its
services, a fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 1% of
the Fund's net assets. On days for which the values of the Fund's net assets
are not determined, the fee is accrued on the most recently determined
10
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net assets adjusted for subsequent daily income and expense accruals. The fee
percentage is higher than those of most other mutual funds, but the adviser has
obligated itself to reimburse the Fund to the extent the Fund's total annual
expenses, excluding taxes, interest and extraordinary litigation expenses,
during any of its fiscal years, exceed 1.25% of its average daily net asset
value in such year.
Under the agreement, the investment adviser furnishes at its own expense
office space to the Fund and all necessary office facilities, equipment, and
personnel for managing the assets of the Fund. The investment adviser also pays
all expenses of marketing shares of the Fund, all expenses in determination of
daily price computations, placement of securities orders and related
bookkeeping.
The Fund pays all expenses incident to its operations and business not
specifically assumed by the investment adviser, including expenses relating to
custodial, legal, and auditing charges; printing and mailing reports and
prospectuses to existing shareholders; taxes and corporate fees; maintaining
registration of the Fund under the Investment Company Act and registration of
its shares under the Securities Act of 1933; and qualifying and maintaining
qualification of its shares under the securities laws of certain states.
DISTRIBUTIONS
- -------------
The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders substantially all net
investment income and any net capital gains realized from sales of the Fund's
portfolio securities.
Dividends from net investment income and distributions from any net
realized capital gains are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund unless
the shareholder has requested in writing to have them paid by check.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
- ------------------
The Fund intends to qualify to be taxed as a regulated investment company
under the Internal Revenue Code so as to be relieved of federal income tax on
its capital gains and net investment income currently distributed to its
shareholders. Dividends from investment income and net short-term capital gains
are taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of long-term capital gains are
taxable as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of time shares in
the Fund have been held. Distributions are taxable, whether received in cash or
reinvested in shares of the Fund.
Each shareholder is advised annually of the source or sources of
distributions for federal income tax purposes. A shareholder who is not subject
to federal income taxation will not be required to pay tax on distributions
received.
If shares are purchased shortly before a record date for a distribution,
the shareholder will, in effect, receive a return of a portion of his
investment, but the distribution will be taxable to him even if the net asset
value of the shares is reduced below the shareholder's cost. However, for
federal income tax purposes the original cost would continue as the tax basis.
If shares are redeemed within six months, any loss on the sale of those shares
would be long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of long-term
capital gains that the shareholder has received on those shares.
If a shareholder fails to furnish his social security or other tax
identification number or to certify properly that it is correct, the Fund may be
required to withhold federal income tax at the rate
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of 31% ("backup withholding") from dividend, capital gain and redemption
payments to him. Dividend and capital gain payments may also be subject to
backup withholding if the shareholder fails to certify properly that he is not
subject to backup withholding due to the under-reporting of certain
income. These certifications are contained in the New Account Purchase
Application which should be completed and returned to the Fund when the initial
investment is made.
OTHER INFORMATION
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The Fund was incorporated in Maryland on August 15, 1991, and commenced
operations as an open-end diversified management investment company on December
6, 1991. Each share of capital stock, $.01 par value, is entitled to share pro
rata in any dividends and other distributions on shares declared by the board of
directors, to one vote per share in elections of directors and other matters
presented to shareholders, and to equal rights per share in the event of
liquidation.
The Fund issues annual reports to shareholders containing financial
statements audited by its independent auditors, Arthur Andersen LLP. The Fund
also issues interim quarterly reports containing lists of securities owned by
the Fund.
The Fund may provide information about its total return and average
annual total return in letters to shareholders or in sales materials. Total
return is the percentage change in value during the period of an investment in
the Fund, including the value of shares acquired through reinvestment of all
dividend 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. Performance quotations for any period when an expense
limitation is in effect will be greater than if the limitation had not been in
effect. The Fund's performance may also be compared to various indices. See the
Additional Information Statement for a more complete explanation.
All performance data is based on the Fund's past investment results and
does not predict future performance. Investment performance, which will vary,
is based on many factors, including market conditions, the composition of the
Fund's portfolio, and the Fund's operating expenses. Investment performance
also reflects the risks associated with the Fund's investment objective and
policies. These factors should be considered when comparing the Fund's
investment results to those of other mutual funds and other investment vehicles.
According to the law of Maryland, under which the Fund is incorporated, and
the Fund's bylaws, the Fund is not required to hold an annual meeting of
shareholders unless required to do so under the Investment Company Act.
Inquiries regarding the Fund should be directed to the Fund at its address or
telephone number shown on the front cover.
The Fund will call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon
the question of removal of a director or directors when requested in writing to
do so by record holders of at least 10% of the Fund's outstanding common shares,
and in connection with such meeting will comply with the provisions of section
16(c) of the Investment Company Act concerning assistance with a record
shareholder communication asking other record shareholders to join in that
request.
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Papp America-Abroad Fund, Inc.
(a pure no-load fund)
Investment Adviser
L. Roy Papp & Associates
4400 North 32nd Street
Suite 280
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Telephone: (602) 956-0980
Custodian
First Interstate Bank of Arizona, N.A.
100 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent
L. Roy Papp & Associates
4400 North 32nd Street
Suite 280
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Independent Auditors
Arthur Andersen LLP
Two North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Legal Counsel
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd
70 West Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60602
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PAPP AMERICA-ABROAD FUND, INC.
[LOGO]
Additional Information Statement
--------------------------------
April 30, 1996
4400 North 32nd Street - Suite #280
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
Phone (602) 956-1115
(800) 421-4004
________________________________
Table of Contents
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Additional Information...............................................1
Investment Policies and Restrictions.................................2
Investment Adviser...................................................3
Directors and Officers...............................................4
Performance Information..............................................4
Purchasing and Redeeming Shares......................................5
Additional Tax Information...........................................5
Portfolio Transactions...............................................5
Custodian............................................................6
Transfer Agent.......................................................7
Certain Shareholders.................................................7
</TABLE>
_______________________________
Additional Information
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This Additional Information Statement is not a prospectus, but provides
information that should be read in conjunction with the Fund's prospectus dated
April 30, 1996 and any supplement thereto.
The prospectus may be obtained from the Fund at no charge by writing or
telephoning the Fund at its address or telephone number shown above.
The 1995 annual report of the Fund, a copy of which accompanies this
Additional Information Statement, contains financial statements, notes thereto,
and reports of independent auditors, all of which (but no other part of the
annual report) are incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
Investment Policies and Restrictions
- ------------------------------------
The Fund's investment objective is stated in the prospectus on the front
cover and under "Investment Objective". The manner in which the Fund pursues
its investment objective is discussed in the prospectus under the captions
"Investment Methods" and "Risk Factors". The investment restrictions are set
forth in full immediately below.
The Fund will not:
1. To the extent of 75% of its assets (valued at time of investment),
invest more than 5% of its assets (valued at such time) in securities
of any one issuer, except in obligations of the United States
Government and its agencies and instrumentalities;
2. Acquire securities of any one issuer that at time of investment
(a) represent more than 10% of the voting securities of the issuer or
(b) have a value greater than 10% of the value of the outstanding
securities of the issuer;
3. Invest more than 5% of its assets (valued at time of investment)
in securities of issuers with less than three years' operation
(including predecessors);
4. Invest more than 5% of its assets (valued at time of investment)
in securities that are not readily marketable;
5. Invest more than 25% of its assets (valued at time of investment)
in securities of companies in any one industry;
6. Invest in repurchase agreements or reverse repurchase agreements;
7. Acquire securities of other investment companies except (a) by
purchase in the open market, where no commission or profit to a
sponsor or dealer results from such purchase other than the customary
broker's commission and (b) where the acquisition results from a
dividend or a merger, consolidation or other reorganization [in
addition to this investment restriction, the Investment Company Act of
1940 provides that the Fund may neither purchase more than 3% of the
voting securities of any one investment company nor invest more than
10% of the Fund's assets (valued at time of investment) in all
investment company securities purchased by the Fund];
8. Purchase or retain securities of a company if all of the directors
and officers of the Fund and of its investment adviser who
individually own beneficially more than 1/2% of the securities of the
company collectively own beneficially more than 5% of such
securities;
9. Borrow money except from banks for temporary or emergency purposes
in amounts not exceeding 10% of the value of the Fund's assets at the
time of borrowing (the Fund will not purchase additional securities
when its borrowings exceed 5% of the value of its assets);
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<PAGE>
10. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except for
temporary or emergency purposes and then to an extent not greater than
15% of its assets at cost;
11. Underwrite the distribution of securities of other issuers, or
acquire "restricted" securities that, in the event of a resale, might
be required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 on the
ground that the Fund could be regarded as an underwriter as defined by
that Act with respect to such resale;
12. Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate,
although it may invest in marketable securities of enterprises that
invest in real estate or interests in real estate;
13. Purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts or options;
14. Make margin purchases or short sales of securities;
15. Invest in companies for the purpose of management or the
exercise of control;
16. Make loans (but this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from
investing in debt securities, subject to the 5% limitation stated in
restriction 4 above);
17. Invest in or write puts, calls, straddles or spreads;
18. Invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development
programs, although it may invest in marketable securities of
enterprises engaged in oil, gas or mineral exploration;
19. Invest more than 5% of its net assets (valued at time of
investment) in warrants, nor more than 2% of its net assets in
warrants that are not listed on the New York or American Stock
Exchanges.
All 19 restrictions listed above are fundamental policies, and may be changed
only with the approval of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" as
defined in the Investment Company Act.
Investment Adviser
- ------------------
Information on the Fund's investment adviser, L. Roy Papp & Associates, is
set forth in the prospectus under "Management of the Fund" and "Investment
Advisory Agreement", and is incorporated herein by reference. During the fiscal
periods ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993 the Fund paid management fees of
$137,892, $108,170, and $89,159, respectively. During the same periods, the
Adviser reimbursed the Fund for expenses in excess of the applicable expense
limitations in the following amounts: 1995, 0; 1994, $5,750; and 1993,
$6,894.
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<PAGE>
Directors and Officers
- ----------------------
Information about the directors and officers of the Fund and their
principal business activities during the past five years is set forth in the
prospectus under "Management of the Fund", and is incorporated herein by
reference.
All of the directors, except James K. Ballinger and Amy S. Clague, are
partners of L. Roy Papp & Associates, the Fund's investment adviser, and serve
without any compensation from the Fund. The following table sets forth
compensation paid by the Fund to Mr. Ballinger and Mrs. Clague during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995. The Fund has no pension or retirement plan.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Total Compensation from Fund
Compensation and L. Roy Papp Stock Fund
Name of Director From the Fund Paid to Directors
- ---------------- ------------- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
James K. Ballinger $2,000.00 $5,000.00
Amy S. Clague $1,500.00 $3,750.00
</TABLE>
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 the period of an
investment in Fund shares, including the value of 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 Percentage for the period.
Average Annual Total Return is computed as follows:
ERV = P(1 + T)/n/
--
Where: P = the amount of an assumed initial investment in Fund shares
T = average annual total return
n = number of years from initial investment to the end of the
period
ERV = ending redeemable value of shares held at the end of the
period
Applying the above method of computation to the operations of the Fund for the
one year ended December 31, 1995 and from December 6, 1991 (the commencement of
the Fund's operations) through December 31, 1995, the Average Annual Total
Return would be 37.1% and 14.6%, respectively. Total Return for the same
periods was 37.1% and 74.3%, respectively.
The Fund imposes no sales charge and pays no distribution expenses. Income
taxes are not taken into account. The Fund's performance is a function of
conditions in the securities markets, portfolio management, and operating
expenses. Although information such as that shown above 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. In addition to the above
computations, the Fund
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<PAGE>
might use comparative performance as computed in a ranking determined by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., or that of another service.
Purchasing and Redeeming Shares
- -------------------------------
Purchases and redemptions are discussed in the Fund's prospectus under the
headings "Purchasing Shares" and "Redeeming Shares". All of that information is
incorporated herein by reference.
The Fund's net asset value is determined on days on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading, which regularly is every day except Saturday
and Sunday. However, that Exchange is also closed on New Year's Day, the third
Monday in February, Good Friday, the last Monday in May, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and if one of those holidays should
fall on a Saturday or a Sunday, on the preceding Friday or the following Monday,
respectively. Net asset value will not be computed on the days of observance of
those holidays, unless, in the judgment of the board of directors, it should be
determined on any such day, in which case the determination will be made as of
1:00 p.m., Phoenix time.
The Fund has elected to be governed by rule 18f-1 under the Investment
Company Act 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 the above
amounts will normally be paid in cash, but may be paid wholly or partly by a
distribution in kind of securities.
Redemptions will be made at net asset value. See "Determination of Net
Asset Value" in the prospectus, which information is incorporated herein by
reference.
Additional Tax Information
- --------------------------
See "Federal Income Tax" in the prospectus. All that information is
incorporated herein by reference.
Portfolio Transactions
- ----------------------
The Fund expects that its annual portfolio turnover rate will not exceed
25% under normal conditions, a turnover rate less than that of most mutual funds
that invest primarily in common stocks. However, there can be no assurance that
the Fund will not exceed this rate, and the portfolio turnover rate may vary
from year to year.
The investment adviser places portfolio transactions of the Fund with those
securities brokers and dealers that it believes will provide the best value in
transaction and research services for the Fund, either in a particular
transaction or over a period of time. Although some transactions involve only
brokerage services, some involve research services as well.
In valuing brokerage services, the investment adviser makes a judgment as
to which brokers are capable of providing the most favorable net price (not
necessarily the lowest commission considered alone) and the best execution in a
particular transaction. Best execution
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<PAGE>
connotes not only general competence and reliability of a broker, but specific
expertise and effort of a broker in overcoming the anticipated difficulties in
fulfilling the requirements of particular transactions, because the problems of
execution and the required skills and effort vary greatly among transactions.
In valuing research services, the investment adviser makes a judgment of
the usefulness of research and other information provided by a broker to the
investment adviser in managing the Fund's investment portfolio. The
information, e.g., data or recommendations concerning particular securities,
relates to the specific transaction placed with the broker. The extent, if any,
to which the obtaining of such information may reduce the expenses of the
adviser in providing management services to the Fund is not determinable. In
addition, it is understood by the Board of Directors that other clients of the
investment adviser might also benefit from the information obtained for the
Fund, in the same manner that the Fund might also benefit from information
obtained by the investment adviser in performing services to others.
The reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund in relation to
transaction and research services received is evaluated by the staff of the
investment adviser on an ongoing basis. The general level of brokerage charges
and other aspects of the Fund's portfolio transactions are reviewed periodically
by the Board of Directors.
Transactions of the Fund in the over-the-counter market are executed with
primary market makers acting as principal except where it is believed that
better prices and execution may be obtained otherwise.
Subject to the overriding objective of seeking the best value in
transaction and research services for the Fund, the adviser may select those
brokers and dealers who have made recommendations resulting in sales of Fund
shares.
Although investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from
those for other investment advisory clients of L. Roy Papp & Associates, it may
develop that the same investment decision is made for both the Fund and one or
more other advisory clients. If both the Fund and other clients purchase or
sell the same class of securities on the same day, the transactions will be
allocated as to amount and price in a manner considered equitable to each.
During the year ended December 31, 1995, brokerage commissions paid by the
Fund totaled $11,947 on portfolio transactions aggregating $7,503,048. Of this
amount, zero was paid for research services. All commissions were paid to
discount brokers or to brokers who are primary market makers in the over-the-
counter security purchased.
Custodian
- ---------
First Interstate Bank of Arizona, N.A., P.O. Box 53434, Phoenix, Arizona
85018, is the custodian for the Fund. It is responsible for holding all
securities and cash of the Fund, receiving and paying for securities purchased,
delivering against payment securities sold, receiving and collecting income from
investments, making all payments covering expenses of the Fund, and performing
other administrative duties, all as directed by authorized persons of the Fund.
The custodian does not exercise any supervisory function in such matters as
purchase and sale of portfolio securities, payment of dividends, or payment of
expenses of the
6
<PAGE>
Fund. The Fund has authorized the custodian to deposit certain portfolio
securities in central depository systems as permitted under federal law. The
Fund may invest in obligations of the custodian and may purchase or sell
securities from or to the custodian.
Transfer Agent
- --------------
L. Roy Papp & Associates, the investment adviser to the Fund, also acts as
transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund
pursuant to a written agreement with the Fund. Under the agreement, L. Roy Papp
& Associates is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent
functions, for acting as service agent in connection with dividend and
distribution functions, for performing shareholder account administration agent
functions in connection with the issuance, transfer and redemption of the Fund's
shares, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable laws,
rules and regulations.
For its services L. Roy Papp & Associates receives from the Fund a monthly
fee of $.75 for each shareholder account of the Fund, $.50 for each dividend
paid on a shareholder account, and $1.00 for each purchase (other than by
reinvestment, transfer or redemption) of shares of the Fund. The Board of
Directors of the Fund has determined the charges by L. Roy Papp & Associates to
the Fund are comparable to the charges of others performing similar services.
Certain Shareholders
- --------------------
At April 1, 1996, the only person known to the Fund to own of record and
beneficially in excess of 5% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Fund was the Sisters of Mercy who owned 320,128 shares or 31.9% and whose
address is C/O The Northern Trust Co., P.O. Box 92956, Chicago, IL 60675. At
that date, 70,747 shares, or 7.0% of the outstanding shares, were owned by the
directors and officers of the Fund as a group.
7
