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PROSPECTUS
A Portfolio of Federated Fixed Income Securities, Inc.
A mutual fund seeking to provide current income exempt from federal regular income tax by investing primarily in a portfolio of short-term, investment grade tax exempt securities.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
NOT FDIC INSURED
MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEEOCTOBER 16, 2000
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Risk/Return Summary 1
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<R>
What are the Fund's Fees and Expenses? 3
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What are the Fund's Investment Strategies? 4
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What are the Principal Securities in Which the
Fund Invests? 5
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What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund? 6
</R>
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What Do Shares Cost? 8
</R>
<R>
How is the Fund Sold? 8
</R>
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How to Purchase Shares 9
</R>
<R>
How to Redeem Shares 11
</R>
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Account and Share Information 12
</R>
<R>
Who Manages the Fund? 13
</R>
<R>
Financial Information 14
</R>
The Fund's investment objective is to provide current income exempt from federal regular income tax. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the strategies and policies described in this prospectus.
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The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of tax exempt securities issued by state and local governments. Interest from the Fund's investments may be subject to federal alternative minimum tax for individuals and corporations (AMT). The Fund's portfolio securities will be primarily investment grade or of comparable quality. The Adviser seeks to maintain a low degree of share price fluctuation by generally limiting the Fund's dollar-weighted average portfolio duration to one year or less. Duration measures the sensitivity of a security's price to change in interest rates.
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The Adviser seeks higher returns than may be offered by a tax exempt money market fund by investing in: (1) short-term securities with maturities greater than one year; (2) medium quality securities (i.e., securities in the third and fourth highest rating category by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) or of comparable quality thereto); and (3) noninvestment grade securities. The Fund is not a money market fund and is not subject to the special regulatory requirements (including maturity and credit quality constraints) designed to enable money market funds to maintain a stable share price.
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All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund's returns include:
The Shares offered by this prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
A performance bar chart and total return information for the Fund will be provided after the Fund has been in operation for a full calendar year.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Institutional Shares of the Fund.
|
Shareholder Fees |
|
|
|
Fees Paid Directly From Your Investment |
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
None |
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable) |
|
None |
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
None |
|
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable) |
|
None |
|
Exchange Fee |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waivers and Reimbursements)1 |
|
|
|
Expenses That are Deducted From Fund Assets (as a percentage of average net assets) |
|
|
|
Management Fee2 |
|
0.60% |
|
Distribution (12b-1) Fee |
|
None |
|
Shareholder Services Fee3 |
|
0.25% |
|
Other Expenses4 |
|
0.36% |
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
1.21% |
|
1 Although not contractually obligated to do so, the adviser and shareholder services provider expect to waive and reimburse certain amounts. These are shown below along with the net expenses the Fund expects to pay for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. |
||
|
Total Waivers and Reimbursement of Fund Expenses |
|
0.86% |
|
Total Actual Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after waivers and reimbursements) |
|
0.35% |
|
2 The adviser expects to voluntarily waive a portion of the management fee. The adviser can terminate this anticipated voluntary waiver at any time. The management fee the Fund expects to pay (after the anticipated voluntary waiver) is 0.00% for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. |
||
|
3 The Fund does not anticipate accruing or paying shareholder services fees for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. If the Fund were to accrue or pay shareholder services fees, it could pay up to 0.25% of the average net assets of the Institutional Shares. |
||
|
4 The adviser expects to voluntarily reimburse certain operating expenses. The adviser can terminate this anticipated voluntary reimbursement at any time. Total other expenses the Fund expects to pay (after the anticipated voluntary reimbursement) is 0.35% for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. |
||
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's Institutional Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund's Institutional Shares for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's Institutional Shares operating expenses are before waivers and reimbursements as shown in the table and remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
1 Year |
$123 |
|
|
|
|
3 Years |
$384 |
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|
|
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The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of tax exempt securities. Interest from the Fund's investments may be subject to AMT. The Adviser, which actively manages the Fund's portfolio, seeks to maintain a low degree of share price fluctuation by generally limiting the Fund's dollar-weighted average portfolio duration to one year or less. "Duration" measures the sensitivity of a security's price to changes in interest rates. The greater a portfolio's average duration, the greater the change in the portfolio's value in response to a change in market interest rates.
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The Adviser seeks higher returns than may be offered by a tax exempt money market fund by investing in: (1) securities with maturities greater than one year; (2) medium-quality securities (i.e., securities in the third and fourth highest rating category by an NRSRO or of comparable quality thereto); and (3) noninvestment grade securities. The Fund is not a money market fund and is not subject to the special regulatory requirements (including maturity and credit quality constraints) designed to enable money market funds to maintain a stable share price.
</R>
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The Fund invests at least 65% of its portfolio in investment grade tax exempt securities. The Fund may invest the remainder of its portfolio in noninvestment grade tax exempt securities. The Adviser performs a fundamental credit analysis on all tax exempt securities before the Fund purchases such securities. The Adviser considers various factors, including the economic feasibility of revenue bond financings and general purpose financings; the financial condition of the issuer or guarantor; and political developments that may affect credit quality. The Adviser monitors the credit risks of all tax exempt securities on an ongoing basis by reviewing periodic financial data and ratings of NRSROs.
</R>
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The Fund's investments in noninvestment grade securities will be more dependent on the Adviser's credit analysis than would be investment grade securities, because noninvestment grade securities, while generally offering higher yields, also involve greater risks. Consequently, in addition to the review process described above, the Adviser may, for example, visit the site that the issuer of a private activity bond is developing with the proceeds of the offering; and generally will engage in detailed discussions with the issuer regarding the offering.
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Within the Fund's one-year portfolio duration goal, the Adviser may further manage interest rate risk by lengthening or shortening duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook. If the Adviser expects interest rates to decline, it will generally lengthen the Fund's duration, and if the Adviser expects interest rates to increase, it will generally shorten the Fund's duration. The Adviser formulates its interest rate outlook and otherwise attempts to anticipate changes in economic and market conditions in analyzing a variety of factors, such as:
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The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in cash or securities subject to federal income tax. It may do this to minimize potential losses and maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions during adverse market conditions. This may cause the Fund to receive and distribute taxable income to investors.
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Tax exempt securities are fixed income securities that pay interest that is not subject to federal income taxes. Fixed income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be fixed or adjusted periodically. The issuer must also repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time.
Typically, states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions and authorities issue tax exempt securities. The market categorizes tax exempt securities by their source of repayment.
The following describes the types of tax exempt securities in which the Fund may invest.
General obligation bonds are supported by the issuer's power to exact property or other taxes. The issuer must impose and collect taxes sufficient to pay principal and interest on the bonds. However, the issuer's authority to impose additional taxes may be limited by its charter or state law.
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Special revenue bonds are payable solely from specific revenues received by the issuer such as specific taxes, assessments, tolls or fees. Bondholders may not collect from the municipality's general taxes or revenues. For example, a municipality may issue bonds to build a toll road and pledge the tolls to repay the bonds. Therefore, a shortfall in the tolls could result in a default on the bonds.
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Municipal mortgage backed securities are special revenue bonds the proceeds of which may be used to provide mortgage loans for single family homes or to finance multifamily housing. Municipal mortgage backed securities represent interests in pools of mortgages. The mortgages that comprise a pool normally have similar interest rates, maturities and other terms. Municipal mortgage backed securities generally have fixed interest rates.
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Private activity bonds are special revenue bonds used to finance private entities. For example, a municipality may issue bonds to finance a new factory to improve its local economy. The municipality would lend the proceeds from its bonds to the company using the factory, and the company would agree to make loan payments sufficient to repay the bonds. The bonds would be payable solely from the company's loan payments, not from any other revenues of the municipality. Therefore, any default on the loan normally would result in a default on the bonds.
The interest on many types of private activity bonds is subject to AMT. The Fund may invest in bonds subject to AMT.
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Certain of the tax exempt securities in which the Fund invests may have credit enhancement, which consists of an arrangement in which a company agrees to pay amounts due on a fixed income security if the issuer defaults. In some cases the company providing credit enhancement makes all payments directly to the security holders and receives reimbursement from the issuer. Normally, the credit enhancer has greater financial resources and liquidity than the issuer. For this reason, the Adviser usually evaluates the credit risk of a fixed income security based solely upon its credit enhancement.
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Prices of fixed income securities rise and fall in response to changes in the interest rate paid by similar securities. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed income securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular fixed income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.
Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed income securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates.
Credit risk is the possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, the Fund will lose money.
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Many fixed income securities receive credit ratings from NRSROs such as Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Service. These NRSROs assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of issuer default. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser's credit assessment.
</R>
Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a fixed income security before maturity (a call) at a price below its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security's price.
If a fixed income security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other fixed income securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks, or other less favorable characteristics.
Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed income securities that have not received any credit ratings or are not widely held. These features may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.
Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund's performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility.
Securities rated below BBB by an NRSRO, also known as junk bonds, generally entail greater interest rate, credit and liquidity risks than investment grade securities. For example, their prices are more volatile, economic downturns and financial setbacks may affect their price more negatively, and their trading market may be more limited.
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A substantial part of the Fund's portfolio may be comprised of securities credit enhanced by banks, insurance companies or companies with similar characteristics. As a result, the Fund will be more susceptible to any economic, business, political or other developments which generally affect these issuers.
</R>
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Unlike traditional fixed income securities, which pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity (when the entire principal amount is due) payments on municipal mortgage backed securities include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Partial payment of principal may be comprised of scheduled principal payments as well as unscheduled payments from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying loans. These unscheduled prepayments of principal create risks that can adversely affect a fund holding municipal mortgage backed securities.
</R>
<R>
For example, when interest rates decline, the values of municipal mortgage backed securities generally rise. However, when interest rates decline, unscheduled prepayments can be expected to accelerate, and the Fund would be required to reinvest the proceeds of the prepayments at the lower interest rates then available. Unscheduled prepayments would also limit the potential for capital appreciation on municipal mortgage backed securities.
</R>
<R>
Conversely, when interest rates rise, the values of municipal mortgage backed securities generally fall. Since rising interest rates typically result in decreased payments, this could lengthen the average lives of municipal mortgage backed securities, and cause their value to decline more than traditional fixed income securities.
</R>
You can purchase or redeem Shares any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. When the Fund receives your transaction request in proper form (as described in this prospectus) it is processed at the next calculated net asset value (NAV).
The Fund does not charge a front-end sales charge. NAV is determined at the end of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open.
The Fund generally values fixed income securities according to the mean between bid and asked prices as furnished by an independent pricing service, except that fixed income securities with remaining maturities of less than 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost.
The Fund's current NAV and public offering price may be found in the mutual funds section of certain local newspapers under "Federated" and Institutional Shares.
The required minimum initial investment for Fund Shares is $250,000. There is no required minimum subsequent investment amount.
An account may be opened with a smaller amount as long as the $250,000 minimum is reached within 90 days. An institutional investor's minimum investment is calculated by combining all accounts it maintains with the Fund. Accounts established through investment professionals may be subject to a smaller minimum investment amount. Keep in mind that investment professionals may charge you fees for their services in connection with your Share transactions.
The Fund offers two share classes: Institutional Shares and Institutional Service Shares, each representing interests in a single portfolio of securities. This prospectus relates only to Institutional Shares. Each share class has different expenses, which affect their performance. Contact your investment professional or call 1-800-341-7400 for more information concerning the other class.
The Fund's Distributor, Federated Securities Corp., markets the Shares described in this prospectus to accounts for which financial institutions act in a fiduciary or agency capacity, or to individuals, directly or through investment professionals. The Fund may not be a suitable investment for retirement plans because it invests in municipal securities.
The Distributor and its affiliates may pay out of their assets other amounts (including items of material value) to investment professionals for marketing and servicing Shares. The Distributor is a subsidiary of Federated Investors, Inc. (Federated).
You may purchase Shares through an investment professional or directly from the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to reject any request to purchase Shares.
Investment professionals should send payments according to the instructions in the sections "By Wire" or "By Check."
You will become the owner of Shares and your Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your wire or your check. If your check does not clear, your purchase will be canceled and you could be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Fund or Federated Shareholder Services Company, the Fund's transfer agent.
An institution may establish an account and place an order by calling the Fund and the Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives the order.
Send your wire to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Boston, MA
Dollar Amount of Wire
ABA Number 011000028
Attention: EDGEWIRE
Wire Order Number, Dealer Number or Group Number
Nominee/Institution Name
Fund Name and Number and Account Number
You cannot purchase Shares by wire on holidays when wire transfers are restricted.
Make your check payable to The Federated Funds, note your account number on the check, and mail it to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
If you send your check by a private courier or overnight delivery service that requires a street address, mail it to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
1099 Hingham Street
Rockland, MA 02370-3317
Payment should be made in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. The Fund will not accept third-party checks (checks originally payable to someone other than you or The Federated Funds).
Once you have opened an account, you may automatically purchase additional Shares on a regular basis by completing the Systematic Investment Program (SIP) section of the New Account Form or by contacting the Fund or your investment professional. The minimum investment amount for SIPs is $50.
Once you have opened an account, you may purchase additional Shares through a depository institution that is an ACH member. This purchase option can be established by completing the appropriate sections of the New Account Form.
You should redeem Shares:
Submit your redemption request to your investment professional by the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The redemption amount you will receive is based upon the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives the order from your investment professional.
You may redeem Shares by calling the Fund at 1-800-341-7400 once you have completed the appropriate authorization form for telephone transactions. If you call before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) you will receive a redemption amount based on that day's NAV.
You may redeem Shares by mailing a written request to the Fund. You will receive a redemption amount based on the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your written request in proper form.
Send requests by mail to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
Send requests by private courier or overnight delivery service to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
1099 Hingham Street
Rockland, MA 02370-3317
All requests must include:
Call your investment professional or the Fund if you need special instructions.
Signatures must be guaranteed if:
A signature guarantee is designed to protect your account from fraud. Obtain a signature guarantee from a bank or trust company, savings association, credit union or broker, dealer, or securities exchange member. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
Your redemption proceeds will be mailed by check to your address of record. The following payment options are available if you complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form. These payment options require a signature guarantee if they were not established when the account was opened:
Although the Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of the Fund's portfolio securities.
Redemption proceeds normally are wired or mailed within one business day after receiving a request in proper form. Payment may be delayed up to seven days:
You will not accrue interest or dividends on uncashed checks from the Fund if those checks are undeliverable and returned to the Fund.
You may automatically redeem Shares in a minimum amount of $100 on a regular basis. Complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form or contact your investment professional or the Fund. Your account value must meet the minimum initial investment amount at the time the program is established. This program may reduce, and eventually deplete, your account. Payments should not be considered yield or income.
The Fund will record your telephone instructions. If the Fund does not follow reasonable procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.
The Fund does not issue share certificates.
You will receive confirmation of purchases and redemptions (except for systematic transactions). In addition, you will receive periodic statements reporting all account activity, including systematic transactions, dividends and capital gains paid.
The Fund declares any dividends daily and pays them monthly to shareholders. If you purchase Shares by wire, you begin earning dividends on the day your wire is received. If you purchase Shares by check, you begin earning dividends on the business day after the Fund receives your check. In either case, you earn dividends through the day your redemption request is received.
If you purchase Shares just before a Fund declares a capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the Shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution, whether or not you reinvest the distribution in Shares. Therefore, you should consider the tax implications of purchasing Shares shortly before the Fund declares a capital gain. Contact your investment professional or the Fund for information concerning when dividends and capital gains will be paid.
Due to the high cost of maintaining accounts with low balances, accounts may be closed if redemptions cause the account balance to fall below the minimum initial investment amount. Before an account is closed, you will be notified and allowed 30 days to purchase additional Shares to meet the minimum.
The Fund sends an annual statement of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. It is anticipated that Fund distributions will be primarily dividends that are exempt from federal income tax, although a portion of the Fund's dividends may not be exempt. Dividends may be subject to state and local taxes, although the Federated Municipal Ultrashort Fund's dividends will be exempt from the taxes discussed above to the extent they are derived from interest on obligations exempt from such taxes. Capital gains and non-exempt dividends are taxable whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund. Redemptions are taxable sales. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your federal, state and local tax liability.
The Board of Directors governs the Fund. The Board selects and oversees the Adviser, Federated Investment Management Company. The Adviser manages the Fund's assets, including buying and selling portfolio securities. The Adviser's address is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779.
The Adviser and other subsidiaries of Federated advise approximately 176 mutual funds and separate accounts, which totaled approximately $125 billion in assets as of December 31, 1999. Federated was established in 1955 and is one of the largest mutual fund investment managers in the United States with approximately 1,900 employees. More than 4,000 investment professionals make Federated Funds available to their customers.
Mary Jo Ochson has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since October 2000. She is Vice President of the Fund. Ms. Ochson joined Federated in 1982 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager and a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1996. From 1988 through 1995, Ms. Ochson served as a Portfolio Manager and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser. Ms. Ochson is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received her M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh.
Jeff A. Kozemchak has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since October 2000. He is Vice President of the Fund. Mr. Kozemchak joined Federated in 1987 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager since 1996 and a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1999. He was a Portfolio Manager until 1996 and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser from 1993 to 1998. Mr. Kozemchak is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University in 1987.
The Adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee of 0.60% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses.
The Fund's fiscal year end is September 30. As this is the Fund's first fiscal year, financial information is not yet available.
Federated
World-Class Investment Manager
PROSPECTUS
A Portfolio of Federated Fixed Income Securities, Inc.
<R>
OCTOBER 16, 2000
</R>
A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated October 16, 2000, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To obtain the SAI and other information without charge, and make inquiries, call your investment professional or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
You can obtain information about the Fund (including the SAI) by writing to or visiting the Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. You may also access fund information from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You can purchase copies of this information by contacting the SEC by email at publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. Call 1-202-942-8090 for information on the Public Reference Room's operations and copying fees.
<R>
Federated
Federated Municipal Ultrashort Fund
Federated Investors
Funds
5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
15237-7000
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Federated
Securities Corp., Distributor
Investment Company Act File No. 811-7115
Cusip 31417P882
</R>
<R>
25680 (10/00)
</R>
Federated is a registered mark of Federated Investors, Inc. 2000 ©Federated Investors, Inc.
PROSPECTUS
A Portfolio of Federated Fixed Income Securities, Inc.
A mutual fund seeking to provide current income exempt from federal regular income tax by investing primarily in a portfolio of short-term, investment grade tax exempt securities.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
NOT FDIC INSURED
MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEEOCTOBER 16, 2000
<R>
Risk/Return Summary 1
</R>
<R>
What are the Fund's Fees and Expenses? 3
</R>
<R>
What are the Fund's Investment Strategies? 4
</R>
<R>
What are the Principal Securities in Which the
Fund Invests? 5
</R>
<R>
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund? 6
</R>
<R>
What Do Shares Cost? 8
</R>
<R>
How is the Fund Sold? 9
</R>
<R>
How to Purchase Shares 9
</R>
<R>
How to Redeem Shares 11
</R>
<R>
Account and Share Information 13
</R>
<R>
Who Manages the Fund? 13
</R>
<R>
Financial Information 14
</R>
The Fund's investment objective is to provide current income exempt from federal regular income tax. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the strategies and policies described in this prospectus.
<R>
The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of tax exempt securities issued by state and local governments. Interest from the Fund's investments may be subject to federal alternative minimum tax for individuals and corporations (AMT). The Fund's portfolio securities will be primarily investment grade or of comparable quality. The Adviser seeks to maintain a low degree of share price fluctuation by generally limiting the Fund's dollar-weighted average portfolio duration to one year or less. Duration measures the sensitivity of a security's price to change in interest rates.
</R>
<R>
The Adviser seeks higher returns than may be offered by a tax exempt money market fund by investing in: (1) short-term securities with maturities greater than one year; (2) medium quality securities (i.e., securities in the third and fourth highest rating category by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) or of comparable quality thereto); and (3) noninvestment grade securities. The Fund is not a money market fund and is not subject to the special regulatory requirements (including maturity and credit quality constraints) designed to enable money market funds to maintain a stable share price.
</R>
All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund's returns include:
The Shares offered by this prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
A performance bar chart and total return information for the Fund will be provided after the Fund has been in operation for a full calendar year.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Institutional Service Shares of the Fund.
|
Shareholder Fees |
|
|
|
Fees Paid Directly From Your Investment |
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
None |
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable) |
|
None |
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price) |
|
None |
|
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable) |
|
None |
|
Exchange Fee |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waivers and Reimbursements)1 |
|
|
|
Expenses That are Deducted From Fund Assets (as a percentage of average net assets) |
|
|
|
Management Fee2 |
|
0.60% |
|
Distribution (12b-1) Fee3 |
|
0.25% |
|
Shareholder Services Fee |
|
0.25% |
|
Other Expenses4 |
|
0.36% |
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
1.46% |
|
1 Although not contractually obligated to do so, the adviser and distributor expect to waive and reimburse certain amounts. These are shown below along with the net expenses the Fund expects to pay for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. |
|
|
|
Total Waivers and Reimbursement of Fund Expenses |
|
0.66% |
|
Total Actual Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after waivers and reimbursements) |
|
0.80% |
|
2 The adviser expects to voluntarily waive the management fee. The adviser can terminate this anticipated voluntary waiver at any time. The management fee the Fund expects to pay (after the anticipated voluntary waiver) is 0.00% for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. |
|
|
|
3 The distributor expects to voluntarily waive a portion of the distribution (12b-1) fee. The distributor can terminate this anticipated voluntary waiver at any time. The distribution (12b-1) fee the Fund expects to pay (after the anticipated voluntary waiver) is 0.20% for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. |
|
|
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4 The adviser expects to voluntarily reimburse certain operating expenses. The adviser can terminate this anticipated voluntary reimbursement at any time. Total other expenses the Fund expects to pay (after the anticipated voluntary reimbursement) is 0.35% for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. |
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's Institutional Service Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund's Institutional Service Shares for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's Institutional Service Shares operating expenses are before waivers and reimbursements as shown in the table and remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
1 Year |
$149 |
|
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|
3 Years |
$462 |
|
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The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of tax exempt securities. Interest from the Fund's investments may be subject to AMT. The Adviser, which actively manages the Fund's portfolio, seeks to maintain a low degree of share price fluctuation by generally limiting the Fund's dollar-weighted average portfolio duration to one year or less. "Duration" measures the sensitivity of a security's price to changes in interest rates. The greater a portfolio's average duration, the greater the change in the portfolio's value in response to a change in market interest rates.
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The Adviser seeks higher returns than may be offered by a tax exempt money market fund by investing in: (1) securities with maturities greater than one year; (2) medium-quality securities (i.e., securities in the third and fourth highest rating category by an NRSRO or of comparable quality thereto); and (3) noninvestment grade securities. The Fund is not a money market fund and is not subject to the special regulatory requirements (including maturity and credit quality constraints) designed to enable money market funds to maintain a stable share price.
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The Fund invests at least 65% of its portfolio in investment grade tax exempt securities. The Fund may invest the remainder of its portfolio in noninvestment grade tax exempt securities. The Adviser performs a fundamental credit analysis on all tax exempt securities before the Fund purchases such securities. The Adviser considers various factors, including the economic feasibility of revenue bond financings and general purpose financings; the financial condition of the issuer or guarantor; and political developments that may affect credit quality. The Adviser monitors the credit risks of all tax exempt securities on an ongoing basis by reviewing periodic financial data and ratings of NRSROs.
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The Fund's investments in noninvestment grade securities will be more dependent on the Adviser's credit analysis than would be investment grade securities, because noninvestment grade securities, while generally offering higher yields, also involve greater risks. Consequently, in addition to the review process described above, the Adviser may, for example, visit the site that the issuer of a private activity bond is developing with the proceeds of the offering; and generally will engage in detailed discussions with the issuer regarding the offering.
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Within the Fund's one-year portfolio duration goal, the Adviser may further manage interest rate risk by lengthening or shortening duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook. If the Adviser expects interest rates to decline, it will generally lengthen the Fund's duration, and if the Adviser expects interest rates to increase, it will generally shorten the Fund's duration. The Adviser formulates its interest rate outlook and otherwise attempts to anticipate changes in economic and market conditions in analyzing a variety of factors, such as:
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The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in cash or securities subject to federal income tax. It may do this to minimize potential losses and maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions during adverse market conditions. This may cause the Fund to receive and distribute taxable income to investors.
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Tax exempt securities are fixed income securities that pay interest that is not subject to federal income taxes. Fixed income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be fixed or adjusted periodically. The issuer must also repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time.
Typically, states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions and authorities issue tax exempt securities. The market categorizes tax exempt securities by their source of repayment.
The following describes the types of tax exempt securities in which the Fund may invest.
General obligation bonds are supported by the issuer's power to exact property or other taxes. The issuer must impose and collect taxes sufficient to pay principal and interest on the bonds. However, the issuer's authority to impose additional taxes may be limited by its charter or state law.
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Special revenue bonds are payable solely from specific revenues received by the issuer such as specific taxes, assessments, tolls or fees. Bondholders may not collect from the municipality's general taxes or revenues. For example, a municipality may issue bonds to build a toll road and pledge the tolls to repay the bonds. Therefore, a shortfall in the tolls could result in a default on the bonds.
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Municipal mortgage backed securities are special revenue bonds the proceeds of which may be used to provide mortgage loans for single family homes or to finance multifamily housing. Municipal mortgage backed securities represent interests in pools of mortgages. The mortgages that comprise a pool normally have similar interest rates, maturities and other terms. Municipal mortgage backed securities generally have fixed interest rates.
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Private activity bonds are special revenue bonds used to finance private entities. For example, a municipality may issue bonds to finance a new factory to improve its local economy. The municipality would lend the proceeds from its bonds to the company using the factory, and the company would agree to make loan payments sufficient to repay the bonds. The bonds would be payable solely from the company's loan payments, not from any other revenues of the municipality. Therefore, any default on the loan normally would result in a default on the bonds.
The interest on many types of private activity bonds is subject to AMT. The Fund may invest in bonds subject to AMT.
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Certain of the tax exempt securities in which the Fund invests may have credit enhancement, which consists of an arrangement in which a company agrees to pay amounts due on a fixed income security if the issuer defaults. In some cases the company providing credit enhancement makes all payments directly to the security holders and receives reimbursement from the issuer. Normally, the credit enhancer has greater financial resources and liquidity than the issuer. For this reason, the Adviser usually evaluates the credit risk of a fixed income security based solely upon its credit enhancement.
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Prices of fixed income securities rise and fall in response to changes in the interest rate paid by similar securities. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed income securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular fixed income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.
Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed income securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates.
Credit risk is the possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, the Fund will lose money.
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Many fixed income securities receive credit ratings from NRSROs such as Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Service. These NRSROs assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of issuer default. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser's credit assessment.
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Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a fixed income security before maturity (a call) at a price below its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security's price.
If a fixed income security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other fixed income securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks, or other less favorable characteristics.
Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed income securities that have not received any credit ratings or are not widely held. These features may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.
Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund's performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility.
Securities rated below BBB by an NRSRO, also known as junk bonds, generally entail greater interest rate, credit and liquidity risks than investment grade securities. For example, their prices are more volatile, economic downturns and financial setbacks may affect their price more negatively, and their trading market may be more limited.
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A substantial part of the Fund's portfolio may be comprised of securities credit enhanced by banks, insurance companies or companies with similar characteristics. As a result, the Fund will be more susceptible to any economic, business, political or other developments which generally affect these issuers.
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Unlike traditional fixed income securities, which pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity (when the entire principal amount is due) payments on municipal mortgage backed securities include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Partial payment of principal may be comprised of scheduled principal payments as well as unscheduled payments from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying loans. These unscheduled prepayments of principal create risks that can adversely affect a fund holding municipal mortgage backed securities.
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For example, when interest rates decline, the values of municipal mortgage backed securities generally rise. However, when interest rates decline, unscheduled prepayments can be expected to accelerate, and the Fund would be required to reinvest the proceeds of the prepayments at the lower interest rates then available. Unscheduled prepayments would also limit the potential for capital appreciation on municipal mortgage backed securities.
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Conversely, when interest rates rise, the values of municipal mortgage backed securities generally fall. Since rising interest rates typically result in decreased prepayments, this could lengthen the average lives of municipal mortgage backed securities, and cause their value to decline more than traditional fixed income securities.
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You can purchase or redeem Shares any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. When the Fund receives your transaction request in proper form (as described in this prospectus) it is processed at the next calculated net asset value (NAV).
The Fund does not charge a front-end sales charge. NAV is determined at the end of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open.
The Fund generally values fixed income securities according to the mean between bid and asked prices as furnished by an independent pricing service, except that fixed income securities with remaining maturities of less than 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost.
The Fund's current NAV and public offering price may be found in the mutual funds section of certain local newspapers under "Federated" Institutional Service Shares.
The required minimum initial investment for Fund Shares is $25,000. There is no required minimum subsequent investment amount.
An account may be opened with a smaller amount as long as the $25,000 minimum is reached within 90 days. An institutional investor's minimum investment is calculated by combining all accounts it maintains with the Fund. Accounts established through investment professionals may be subject to a smaller minimum investment amount. Keep in mind that investment professionals may charge you fees for their services in connection with your Share transactions.
The Fund offers two share classes: Institutional Shares and Institutional Service Shares, each representing interests in a single portfolio of securities. This prospectus relates only to Institutional Service Shares. Each share class has different expenses, which affect their performance. Contact your investment professional or call 1-800-341-7400 for more information concerning the other class.
The Fund's Distributor, Federated Securities Corp., markets the Shares described in this prospectus to accounts for which financial institutions act in a fiduciary or agency capacity, or to individuals, directly or through investment professionals. The Fund may not be a suitable investment for retirement plans because it invests in municipal securities.
When the Distributor receives marketing fees, it may pay some or all of them to investment professionals. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay out of their assets other amounts (including items of material value) to investment professionals for marketing and servicing Shares. The Distributor is a subsidiary of Federated Investors, Inc. (Federated).
The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan, which allows it to pay marketing fees to the Distributor and investment professionals for the sale, distribution and customer servicing of the Fund's Institutional Service Shares. Because these Shares pay marketing fees on an ongoing basis, your investment cost may be higher over time than other shares with different marketing fees.
You may purchase Shares through an investment professional or directly from the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to reject any request to purchase Shares.
Investment professionals should send payments according to the instructions in the sections "By Wire" or "By Check."
You will become the owner of Shares and your Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your wire or your check. If your check does not clear, your purchase will be canceled and you could be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Fund or Federated Shareholder Services Company, the Fund's transfer agent.
An institution may establish an account and place an order by calling the Fund and the Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives the order.
Send your wire to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Boston, MA
Dollar Amount of Wire
ABA Number 011000028
Attention: EDGEWIRE
Wire Order Number, Dealer Number or Group Number
Nominee/Institution Name
Fund Name and Number and Account Number
You cannot purchase Shares by wire on holidays when wire transfers are restricted.
Make your check payable to The Federated Funds, note your account number on the check, and mail it to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
If you send your check by a private courier or overnight delivery service that requires a street address, mail it to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
1099 Hingham Street
Rockland, MA 02370-3317
Payment should be made in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. The Fund will not accept third-party checks (checks originally payable to someone other than you or The Federated Funds).
Once you have opened an account, you may automatically purchase additional Shares on a regular basis by completing the Systematic Investment Program (SIP) section of the New Account Form or by contacting the Fund or your investment professional. The minimum investment amount for SIPs is $50.
Once you have opened an account, you may purchase additional Shares through a depository institution that is an ACH member. This purchase option can be established by completing the appropriate sections of the New Account Form.
You should redeem Shares:
Submit your redemption or exchange request to your investment professional by the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The redemption amount you will receive is based upon the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives the order from your investment professional.
You may redeem Shares by calling the Fund at 1-800-341-7400 once you have completed the appropriate authorization form for telephone transactions. If you call before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) you will receive a redemption amount based on that day's NAV.
You may redeem or exchange Shares by mailing a written request to the Fund.
You will receive a redemption amount based on the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your written request in proper form.
Send requests by mail to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
Send requests by private courier or overnight delivery service to:
Federated Shareholder Services Company
1099 Hingham Street
Rockland, MA 02370-3317
All requests must include:
Call your investment professional or the Fund if you need special instructions.
Signatures must be guaranteed if:
A signature guarantee is designed to protect your account from fraud. Obtain a signature guarantee from a bank or trust company, savings association, credit union or broker, dealer, or securities exchange member. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
Your redemption proceeds will be mailed by check to your address of record. The following payment options are available if you complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form. These payment options require a signature guarantee if they were not established when the account was opened:
Although the Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of the Fund's portfolio securities.
Redemption proceeds normally are wired or mailed within one business day after receiving a request in proper form. Payment may be delayed up to seven days:
You will not accrue interest or dividends on uncashed checks from the Fund if those checks are undeliverable and returned to the Fund.
You may automatically redeem or exchange Shares in a minimum amount of $100 on a regular basis. Complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form or contact your investment professional or the Fund. Your account value must meet the minimum initial investment amount at the time the program is established. This program may reduce, and eventually deplete, your account. Payments should not be considered yield or income.
The Fund will record your telephone instructions. If the Fund does not follow reasonable procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.
The Fund does not issue share certificates.
You will receive confirmation of purchases and redemptions (except for systematic transactions). In addition, you will receive periodic statements reporting all account activity, including systematic transactions, dividends and capital gains paid.
The Fund declares any dividends daily and pays them monthly to shareholders. If you purchase Shares by wire, you begin earning dividends on the day your wire is received. If you purchase Shares by check, you begin earning dividends on the business day after the Fund receives your check. In either case, you earn dividends through the day your redemption request is received.
If you purchase Shares just before a Fund declares a capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the Shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution, whether or not you reinvest the distribution in Shares. Therefore, you should consider the tax implications of purchasing Shares shortly before the Fund declares a capital gain. Contact your investment professional or the Fund for information concerning when dividends and capital gains will be paid.
Due to the high cost of maintaining accounts with low balances, accounts may be closed if redemptions cause the account balance to fall below the minimum initial investment amount. Before an account is closed, you will be notified and allowed 30 days to purchase additional Shares to meet the minimum.
The Fund sends an annual statement of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. It is anticipated that Fund distributions will be primarily dividends that are exempt from federal income tax, although a portion of the Fund's dividends may not be exempt. Dividends may be subject to state and local taxes, although the Federated Municipal Ultrashort Fund's dividends will be exempt from the taxes discussed above to the extent they are derived from interest on obligations exempt from such taxes. Capital gains and non-exempt dividends are taxable whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund. Redemptions are taxable sales. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your federal, state and local tax liability.
The Board of Directors governs the Fund. The Board selects and oversees the Adviser, Federated Investment Management Company. The Adviser manages the Fund's assets, including buying and selling portfolio securities. The Adviser's address is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779.
The Adviser and other subsidiaries of Federated advise approximately 176 mutual funds and separate accounts, which totaled approximately $125 billion in assets as of December 31, 1999. Federated was established in 1955 and is one of the largest mutual fund investment managers in the United States with approximately 1,900 employees. More than 4,000 investment professionals make Federated Funds available to their customers.
Mary Jo Ochson has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since October 2000. She is Vice President of the Fund. Ms. Ochson joined Federated in 1982 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager and a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1996. From 1988 through 1995, Ms. Ochson served as a Portfolio Manager and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser. Ms. Ochson is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received her M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh.
Jeff A. Kozemchak has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since October 2000. He is Vice President of the Fund. Mr. Kozemchak joined Federated in 1987 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager since 1996 and a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1999. He was a Portfolio Manager until 1996 and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser from 1993 to 1998. Mr. Kozemchak is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University in 1987.
The Adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee of 0.60% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses.
The Fund's fiscal year end is September 30. As this is the Fund's first fiscal year, financial information is not yet available.
Federated
World-Class Investment Manager
PROSPECTUS
A Portfolio of Federated Fixed Income Securities, Inc.
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OCTOBER 16, 2000
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A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated October 16, 2000, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To obtain the SAI and other information without charge, and make inquiries, call your investment professional or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
You can obtain information about the Fund (including the SAI) by writing to or visiting the Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. You may also access fund information from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You can purchase copies of this information by contacting the SEC by email at publicinfo; sec.gov or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. Call 1-202-942-8090 for information on the Public Reference Room's operations and copying fees.
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Federated
Federated Municipal Ultrashort Fund
Federated Investors
Funds
5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
15237-7000
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Federated
Securities Corp., Distributor
Investment Company Act File No. 811-7115
Cusip 31417P874
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25681 (10/00)
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Federated is a registered mark of Federated Investors, Inc. 2000 ©Federated Investors, Inc.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FEDERATED MUNICIPAL ULTRASHORT FUND
A Portfolio of Federated Fixed Income Securities, Inc.
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. Read this
SAI in conjunction with the prospectuses for Federated Municipal Ultrashort Fund
(Fund), dated October 16, 2000. Obtain the prospectuses without charge by
calling 1-800-341-7400.
October 16, 2000
CONTENTS
How is the Fund Organized?
Securities in Which the Fund Invests
What Do Shares Cost?
How is the Fund Sold?
Subaccounting Services
Redemption in Kind
Account and Share Information
Tax Information
Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?
How Does the Fund Measure Performance?
Who is Federated Investors, Inc.?
Investment Ratings
Addresses
CUSIP 31428Q861
CUSIP 31428Q853
25683 (10/00)
HOW IS THE FUND ORGANIZED?
The Fund is a diversified portfolio of Federated Fixed Income Securities,
Inc. (Corporation). Effective February 1, 2000, Fixed Income Securities, Inc.
changed its name to Federated Fixed Income Securities, Inc. The Corporation is
an open-end, management investment company that was established under the laws
of the State of Maryland on October 15, 1991. The Corporation may offer separate
series of shares representing interests in separate portfolios of securities
The Board of Directors (the Board) has established two classes of shares
of the Fund, known as Institutional Shares and Institutional Service Shares
(Shares). This SAI relates to both classes of Shares. The Fund's investment
adviser is Federated Investment Management Company (Adviser).
SECURITIES IN WHICH THE FUND INVESTS
The Fund's principal securities are described in its prospectus. Additional
securities, and further details regarding the principal securities, are
outlined below. In pursuing its investment strategy, the Fund may invest in such
securities for any purpose that is consistent with its investment objective.
SECURITIES DESCRIPTIONS AND TECHNIQUES
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
Fixed income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified
rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or adjusted
periodically. In addition, the issuer of a fixed income security must repay the
principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time. Fixed income
securities provide more regular income than equity securities. However, the
returns on fixed income securities are limited and normally do not increase with
the issuer's earnings. This limits the potential appreciation of fixed income
securities as compared to equity securities.
A security's yield measures the annual income earned on a security as a
percentage of its price. A security's yield will increase or decrease depending
upon whether it costs less (a discount) or more (a premium) than the principal
amount. If the issuer may redeem the security before its scheduled maturity, the
price and yield on a discount or premium security may change based upon the
probability of an early redemption. Securities with higher risks generally have
higher yields.
Tax Exempt Securities
Tax exempt securities are fixed income securities that pay interest that is not
subject to federal regular income taxes. Typically, states, counties, cities and
other political subdivisions and authorities issue tax exempt securities. The
market categorizes tax exempt securities by their source of repayment.
Variable Rate Demand Instruments
Variable rate demand instruments are tax exempt securities that require the
issuer or a third party, such as a dealer or bank, to repurchase the security
for its face value upon demand. The securities also pay interest at a variable
rate intended to cause the securities to trade at their face value. The Fund
treats demand instruments as short-term securities, because their variable
interest rate adjusts in response to changes in market rates, even though their
stated maturity may extend beyond 13 months.
Municipal Notes
Municipal notes are short-term tax exempt securities. Many municipalities issue
such notes to fund their current operations before collecting taxes or other
municipal revenues. Municipalities may also issue notes to fund capital projects
prior to issuing long-term bonds. The issuers typically repay the notes at the
end of their fiscal year, either with taxes, other revenues or proceeds from
newly issued notes or bonds.
Tax Increment Financing Bonds
Tax increment financing (TIF) bonds are payable from increases in taxes or other
revenues attributable to projects financed by the bonds. For example, a
municipality may issue TIF bonds to redevelop a commercial area. The TIF bonds
would be payable solely from any increase in sales taxes collected from
merchants in the area. The bonds could default if merchants' sales, and related
tax collections, failed to increase as anticipated.
Inverse Floaters
An inverse floater has a floating or variable interest rate that moves in the
opposite direction of market interest rates. When market interest rates go up,
the interest rate paid on the inverse floater goes down; when market interest
rates go down, the interest rate paid on the inverse floater goes up. Inverse
floaters generally respond more rapidly to market interest rate changes than
fixed rate tax exempt securities. Inverse floaters are subject to interest rate
risks and leverage risks.
Municipal Leases
Municipalities may enter into leases for equipment or facilities. In order to
comply with state public financing laws, these leases are typically subject to
annual appropriation. In other words, a municipality may end a lease, without
penalty, by not providing for the lease payments in its annual budget. After the
lease ends, the lessor can resell the equipment or facility but may lose money
on the sale.
The Fund may invest in securities supported by pools of municipal leases. The
most common type of lease backed securities are certificates of participation
(COPs). However, the Fund may also invest directly in individual leases.
Zero Coupon Securities
Zero coupon securities do not pay interest or principal until final maturity
unlike debt securities that provide periodic payments of interest (referred to
as a coupon payment). Investors buy zero coupon securities at a price below the
amount payable at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the
amount paid at maturity represents interest on the zero coupon security.
Investors must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which
increases the market and credit risks of a zero coupon security.
PACs
PACs (planned amortization classes) are a sophisticated form of municipal
mortgage backed security issued with a company class. PACs receive principal
payments and prepayments at a specified rate. In addition, PACs will receive the
companion classes' share of principal payments, if necessary, to cover a
shortfall in the prepayment rate. This helps PACs to control prepayment risks by
increasing the risks to their companion classes.
Credit Enhancement
Common types of credit enhancement include guarantees, letters of credit, bond
insurance and surety bonds. Credit enhancement also includes arrangements where
securities or other liquid assets secure payment of a fixed income security. If
a default occurs, these assets may be sold and the proceeds paid to security's
holders. Either form of credit enhancement reduces credit risks by providing
another source of payment for a fixed income security.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies,
including the securities of affiliated money market funds, as an efficient means
of carrying out its investment policies and managing its uninvested cash.
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS
Derivative contracts are financial instruments that require payments based upon
changes in the values of designated (or underlying) securities, currencies,
commodities, financial indices or other assets. Some derivative contracts (such
as futures, forwards and options) require payments relating to a future trade
involving the underlying asset. The other party to a derivative contract is
referred to as a counterparty.
Many derivative contracts are traded on securities or commodities exchanges. In
this case, the exchange sets all the terms of the contract except for the price.
Investors make payments due under their contracts through the exchange. Most
exchanges require investors to maintain margin accounts through their brokers to
cover their potential obligations to the exchange. Parties to the contract make
(or collect) daily payments to the margin accounts to reflect losses (or gains)
in the value of their contracts. This protects investors against potential
defaults by the counterparty. Trading contracts on an exchange also allows
investors to close out their contracts by entering into offsetting contracts.
For example, the Fund could close out an open contract to buy an asset at a
future date by entering into an offsetting contract to sell the same asset on
the same date. If the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase
price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss.
Exchanges may limit the amount of open contracts permitted at any one time. Such
limits may prevent the Fund from closing out a position. If this happens, the
Fund will be required to keep the contract open (even if it is losing money on
the contract), and to make any payments required under the contract (even if it
has to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices to do so). Inability to
close out a contract could also harm the Fund by preventing it from disposing of
or trading any assets it has been using to secure its obligations under the
contract.
Depending upon how the Fund uses derivative contracts and the relationships
between the market value of a derivative contract and the underlying asset,
derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund's exposure to interest
rate risks, and may also expose the Fund to liquidity and leverage risks.
The Fund may trade in the following types of derivative contracts.
Futures Contracts
Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by
another party of a specified amount of an underlying asset at a specified price,
date and time. Entering into a contract to buy an underlying asset is commonly
referred to as buying a contract or holding a long position in the asset.
Entering into a contract to sell an underlying asset is commonly referred to as
selling a contract or holding a short position in the asset. Futures contracts
are considered to be commodity contracts. The Fund may buy and sell interest
rate and index futures contracts.
Options
Options are rights to buy or sell an underlying asset for a specified price (the
exercise price) during, or at the end of, a specified period. A call option
gives the holder (buyer) the right to buy the underlying asset from the seller
(writer) of the option. A put option gives the holder the right to sell the
underlying asset to the writer of the option. The writer of the option receives
a payment, or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of
whether the buyer uses (or exercises) the option.
The Fund may:
o buy call options on portfolio securities and municipal bond or U.S.
Treasury futures contracts in anticipation of an increase in the value of
the underlying asset;
o buy put options on portfolio securities and municipal bond or U.S. Treasury
futures contracts in anticipation of a decrease in the value of the
underlying asset; and
o buy or write options to close out existing options.
The Fund may not buy or sell futures contracts or related options if the margin
deposits and premiums paid for these securities would exceed 5% of the market
value of the Fund's total assets.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE INVESTMENTS
The Fund may make temporary defensive investments in the following taxable
securities:
Corporate Debt Securities
Corporate debt securities are fixed income securities issued by businesses.
Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most prevalent types of
corporate debt securities. The Fund may also purchase interests in bank loans to
companies.
Commercial Paper
Commercial paper is an issuer's obligation with a maturity of less than nine
months. Companies typically issue commercial paper to pay for current
expenditures. Most issuers constantly reissue their commercial paper and use the
proceeds (or bank loans) to repay maturing paper. If the issuer cannot continue
to obtain liquidity in this fashion, its commercial paper may default.
Treasury Securities
Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government of the
United States.
Agency Securities
Agency securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or other
government sponsored entity acting under federal authority (a "GSE"). The United
States supports some GSEs with its full faith and credit. Other GSEs receive
support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. A few GSEs have no
explicit financial support, but are regarded as having implied support because
the federal government sponsors their activities.
Bank Instruments
Bank instruments are unsecured interest bearing deposits with banks. Bank
instruments include bank accounts, time deposits, certificates of deposit and
banker's acceptances.
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Fund buys a security from a
dealer or bank and agrees to sell the security back at a mutually agreed upon
time and price. The repurchase price exceeds the sale price, reflecting the
Fund's return on the transaction. This return is unrelated to the interest rate
on the underlying security. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only
with banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as securities
dealers, deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.
The Fund's custodian or subcustodian will take possession of the securities
subject to repurchase agreements. The Adviser or subcustodian will monitor the
value of the underlying security each day to ensure that the value of the
security always equals or exceeds the repurchase price.
Repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Reverse repurchase agreements are repurchase agreements in which the Fund is the
seller (rather than the buyer) of the securities, and agrees to repurchase them
at an agreed upon time and price. A reverse repurchase agreement may be viewed
as a type of borrowing by the Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to
credit risks. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements create leverage risks
because the Fund must repurchase the underlying security at a higher price,
regardless of the market value of the security at the time of repurchase.
SPECIAL TRANSACTIONS
Delayed Delivery Transactions
Delayed delivery transactions, including when-issued transactions, are
arrangements in which the Fund buys securities for a set price, with payment and
delivery of the securities scheduled for a future time. During the period
between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer
and no interest accrues to the Fund. The Fund records the transaction when it
agrees to buy the securities and reflects their value in determining the price
of its shares. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into these
transactions so that the market values of the securities bought may vary from
the purchase prices. Therefore, delayed delivery transactions create interest
rate risks for the Fund. Delayed delivery transactions also involve credit risk
in the event of a counterparty default.
Inter-fund Borrowing and Lending Arrangements
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted an exemption that
permits the Fund and all other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated
Investors, Inc. (Federated funds) to lend and borrow money for certain temporary
purposes directly to and from other Federated funds. Participation in this
inter-fund lending program is voluntary for both borrowing and lending funds,
and an inter-fund loan is only made if it benefits each participating fund.
Federated administers the program according to procedures approved by the Fund's
Board, and the Board monitors the operation of the program. Any inter-fund loan
must comply with certain conditions set out in the exemption, which are designed
to assure fairness and protect all participating funds.
For example, inter-fund lending is permitted only (a) to meet shareholder
redemption requests, and (b) to meet commitments arising from "failed" trades.
All inter-fund loans must be repaid in seven days or less. The Fund's
participation in this program must be consistent with its investment policies
and limitations, and must meet certain percentage tests. Inter-fund loans may be
made only when the rate of interest to be charged is more attractive to the
lending fund than market-competitive rates on overnight repurchase agreements
(the Repo Rate) and more attractive to the borrowing fund than the rate of
interest that would be charged by an unaffiliated bank for short-term borrowings
(the Bank Loan Rate), as determined by the Board. The interest rate imposed on
inter-fund loans is the average of the Repo Rate and the Bank Loan Rate.
Asset Coverage
In order to secure its obligations in connection with derivatives contracts or
special transactions, including delayed delivery transactions, the Fund will
either own the underlying assets, enter into an offsetting transaction or set
aside readily marketable securities with a value that equals or exceeds the
Fund's obligations. Unless the Fund has other readily marketable assets to set
aside, it cannot trade assets used to secure such obligations without entering
into an offsetting derivatives contract or terminating a special transaction.
This may cause the Fund to miss favorable trading opportunities or to realize
losses on derivatives contracts or special transactions.
INVESTMENT RATINGS FOR INVESTMENT GRADE SECURITIES
The Adviser will determine whether a security is investment grade based upon the
credit ratings given by one or more nationally recognized rating services. For
example, Standard and Poor's, a rating service, assigns ratings to investment
grade securities (AAA, AA, A and BBB) based on their assessment of the
likelihood of the issuer's inability to pay interest or principal (default) when
due on each security. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If
a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the
Adviser's credit assessment that the security is comparable to investment grade.
If a security is downgraded below the minimum quality grade discussed above, the
Adviser will reevaluate the security, but it will not be required to sell
it.
INVESTMENT RISKS
There are many factors which may affect an investment in the Fund. The Fund's
principal risks are described in its prospectus. Additional risk factors are
outlined below.
TAX RISKS
In order to be tax-exempt, municipal securities must meet certain legal
requirements. Failure to meet such requirements may cause the interest received
and distributed by the Fund to shareholders to be taxable.
Changes or proposed changes in federal tax laws may cause the prices of
municipal securities to fall.
LIQUIDITY RISKS
Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to
sell a security or close out a derivative contract when it wants to. If this
happens, the Fund will be required to continue to hold the security or keep the
position open, and the Fund could incur losses.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is to provide current income exempt from federal
regular income tax.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
DIVERSIFICATION
With respect to securities comprising 75% of the value of its total assets, the
Fund will not purchase securities of any one issuer (other than cash; cash
items; securities issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States or
its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements collateralized by
such U.S. government securities; and securities of other investment companies)
if, as a result, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested
in the securities of that issuer, or the Fund would own more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
CONCENTRATION
The Fund will not make investments that will result in the concentration of its
investments in the securities of issuers primarily engaged in the same industry.
For purposes of this restriction, the term concentration has the meaning set
forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act (1940 Act), any rule or order
thereunder, or any SEC staff interpretation thereof. Government securities and
municipal securities will not be deemed to constitute an industry.
UNDERWRITING
The Fund may not underwrite the securities of other issuers, except that the
Fund may engage in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale
of its portfolio securities, under circumstances where it may be considered to
be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933.
INVESTING IN COMMODITIES
The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities, provided that the Fund
may purchase securities of companies that deal in commodities. For purposes of
this restriction, investments in transactions involving futures contracts and
options, forward currency contracts, swap transactions and other financial
contracts that settle by payment of cash are not deemed to be investments in
commodities.
INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE
The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, provided that this restriction
does not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers which invest, deal, or
otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, or
investing in securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein.
The Fund may exercise its rights under agreements relating to such securities,
including the right to enforce security interests and to hold real estate
acquired by reason of such enforcement until that real estate can be liquidated
in an orderly manner.
BORROWING MONEY AND ISSUING SENIOR SECURITIES
The Fund may borrow money, directly or indirectly, and issue senior securities
to the maximum extent permitted under the 1940 Act, any rule or order
thereunder, or any SEC staff interpretation thereof.
LENDING
The Fund may not make loans, provided that this restriction does not prevent the
Fund from purchasing debt obligations, entering into repurchase agreements,
lending its assets to broker/dealers or institutional investors and investing in
loans, including assignments and participation interests.
THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS CANNOT BE CHANGED UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD AND BY
THE "VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF ITS OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES," AS DEFINED BY THE
1940 ACT. THE FOLLOWING LIMITATIONS, HOWEVER, MAY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD
WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BEFORE ANY MATERIAL
CHANGE IN THESE LIMITATIONS BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund will not purchase securities for which there is no readily available
market, or enter into repurchase agreements or purchase time deposits maturing
in more than seven days, if immediately after and as a result, the value of such
securities would exceed, in the aggregate, 15% of the Fund's net assets.
PURCHASES ON MARGIN
The Fund will not purchase securities on margin, provided that the Fund may
obtain short-term credits necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of
securities, and further provided that the Fund may make margin deposits in
connection with its use of financial options and futures, forward and spot
currency contracts, swap transactions and other financial contracts or
derivative instruments.
PLEDGING ASSETS
The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any of its assets, provided
that this shall not apply to the transfer of securities in connection with any
permissible borrowing or to collateral arrangements in connection with
permissible activities.
For purposes of the diversification limitation, the Fund considers
certificates of deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of
a domestic bank or savings association having capital, surplus and undivided
profits in excess of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
For purposes of the concentration limitation, investments in certain industrial
development bonds funded by activities in a single industry, will be deemed to
constitute investment in an industry. In addition, (a) utility companies will be
divided according to their services, for example, gas, gas transmission,
electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry; (b)
financial service companies will be classified according to the end users of
their services, for example, automobile finance, bank finance and diversified
finance will each be considered a separate industry; and (c) asset-backed
securities will be classified according to the underlying assets securing such
securities. Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage limitation
is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in
percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a
violation of such limitation.
DETERMINING MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES
Market values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
o futures contracts and options are generally valued at market values
established by the exchanges on which they are traded at the close of
trading on such exchanges. Options traded in the over-the-counter market
are generally valued according to the mean between the last bid and the
last asked price for the option as provided by an investment dealer or
other financial institution that deals in the option. The Board may
determine in good faith that another method of valuing such investments is
necessary to appraise their fair market value;
o for fixed income securities, according to the mean between bid and asked
prices as furnished by an independent pricing service, except that fixed
income securities with remaining maturities of less than 60 days at the
time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost; and
o for all other securities at fair value as determined in good faith by the
Board.
Prices provided by independent pricing services may be determined without
relying exclusively on quoted prices and may consider institutional trading in
similar groups of securities, yield, quality, stability, risk, coupon rate,
maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data or
factors. From time to time, when prices cannot be obtained from an independent
pricing service, securities may be valued based on quotes from broker-dealers or
other financial institutions that trade the securities.
WHAT DO SHARES COST?
The Fund's net asset value (NAV) per Share fluctuates and is based on the market
value of all securities and other assets of the Fund. The NAV for each class of
Shares may differ due to the variance in daily net income realized by each
class. Such variance will reflect only accrued net income to which the
shareholders of a particular class are entitled.
HOW IS THE FUND SOLD?
Under the Distributor's Contract with the Fund, the Distributor (Federated
Securities Corp.) offers Shares on a continuous, best-efforts basis.
RULE 12B-1 PLAN (INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES)
As a compensation-type plan, the Rule 12b-1 Plan is designed to pay the
Distributor (who may then pay investment professionals such as banks,
broker/dealers, trust departments of banks, and registered investment advisers)
for marketing activities (such as advertising, printing and distributing
prospectuses, and providing incentives to investment professionals) to promote
sales of Shares so that overall Fund assets are maintained or increased. This
helps the Fund achieve economies of scale, reduce per share expenses, and
provide cash for orderly portfolio management and Share redemptions. In
addition, the Fund's service providers that receive asset-based fees also
benefit from stable or increasing Fund assets.
The Fund may compensate the Distributor more or less than its actual marketing
expenses. In no event will the Fund pay for any expenses of the Distributor that
exceed the maximum Rule 12b-1 Plan fee.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Fund may pay Federated Shareholder Services Company, a subsidiary of
Federated Investors, Inc. (Federated), for providing shareholder services and
maintaining shareholder accounts. Federated Shareholder Services Company may
select others to perform these services for their customers and may pay them
fees.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS
Investment professionals (such as broker-dealers or banks) may be paid fees,
in significant amounts, out of the assets of the Distributor and/or Federated
Shareholder Services Company (these fees do not come out of Fund assets). The
Distributor and/or Federated Shareholder Services Company may be reimbursed by
the Adviser or its affiliates.
Investment professionals receive such fees for providing distribution-related
and/or shareholder services, such as advertising, providing incentives to their
sales personnel, sponsoring other activities intended to promote sales, and
maintaining shareholder accounts. These payments may be based upon such factors
as the number or value of Shares the investment professional sells or may sell;
the value of client assets invested; and/or the type and nature of sales or
marketing support furnished by the investment professional.
SUBACCOUNTING SERVICES
Certain investment professionals may wish to use the transfer agent's
subaccounting system to minimize their internal recordkeeping requirements. The
transfer agent may charge a fee based on the level of subaccounting services
rendered. Investment professionals holding Shares in a fiduciary, agency,
custodial or similar capacity may charge or pass through subaccounting fees as
part of or in addition to normal trust or agency account fees. They may also
charge fees for other services that may be related to the ownership of Shares.
This information should, therefore, be read together with any agreement between
the customer and the investment professional about the services provided, the
fees charged for those services, and any restrictions and limitations imposed.
REDEMPTION IN KIND
Although the Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the
right, as described below, to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a
distribution of the Fund's portfolio securities.
Because the Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act,
the Fund is obligated to pay Share redemptions to any one shareholder in cash
only up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets represented by such
Share class during any 90-day period.
Any Share redemption payment greater than this amount will also be in cash
unless the Fund's Board determines that payment should be in kind. In such a
case, the Fund will pay all or a portion of the remainder of the redemption in
portfolio securities, valued in the same way as the Fund determines its NAV. The
portfolio securities will be selected in a manner that the Fund's Board deems
fair and equitable and, to the extent available, such securities will be readily
marketable.
Redemption in kind is not as liquid as a cash redemption. If redemption is made
in kind, shareholders receiving the portfolio securities and selling them before
their maturity could receive less than the redemption value of the securities
and could incur certain transaction costs.
ACCOUNT AND SHARE INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS
Each share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Director elections and
other matters submitted to shareholders for vote. All Shares of the Corporation
have equal voting rights, except that in matters affecting only a particular
Fund or class, only Shares of that Fund or class are entitled to vote.
Directors may be removed by the Board or by shareholders at a special meeting. A
special meeting of shareholders will be called by the Board upon the written
request of shareholders who own at least 10% of the Corporation's outstanding
shares of all series entitled to vote.
TAX INFORMATION
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
The Fund intends to meet requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code applicable to regulated investment companies. If these requirements are not
met, it will not receive special tax treatment and will pay federal income tax.
The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax
purposes so that income earned and capital gains and losses realized by the
Corporation's other portfolios will be separate from those realized by the Fund.
WHO MANAGES AND PROVIDES SERVICES TO THE FUND?
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board is responsible for managing the Corporation's business affairs and for
exercising all the Corporation's powers except those reserved for the
shareholders. Information about each Board member is provided below and includes
each person's: name, address, birth date, present position(s) held with the
Corporation, principal occupations for the past five years and positions held
prior to the past five years, total compensation received as a Director from the
Corporation for its most recent fiscal year end, if applicable, and the total
compensation received from the Federated Fund Complex for the most recent
calendar year. The Corporation is comprised of five funds and the Federated Fund
Complex is comprised of 43 investment companies, whose investment advisers are
affiliated with the Fund's Adviser.
NAME AGGREGATE TOTAL
BIRTH DATE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
ADDRESS FOR PAST FIVE YEARS FROM FROM CORPORATION
POSITION WITH CORPORATION AND FUND COMPLEX
CORPORATION
JOHN F. DONAHUE*+# Chief Executive Officer and Director NA $0 for the
Birth Date: July or Trustee of the Federated Fund Corporation and
28, 1924 Complex; Chairman and Director, 43 other
Federated Investors Federated Investors, Inc.; Chairman, investment
Tower Federated Investment Management companies in the
1001 Liberty Avenue Company, Federated Global Investment Fund Complex
Pittsburgh, PA Management Corp. and Passport
CHAIRMAN AND Research, Ltd.; formerly: Trustee,
DIRECTOR Federated Investment Management
Company and Chairman and Director,
Federated Investment Counseling.
-------------------- ---------------------------------------------------$116,760.63-for
THOMAS G. BIGLEY Director or Trustee of the Federated NA the Corporation
Birth Date: Fund Complex; Director, Member of and 43 other
February 3, 1934 Executive Committee, Children's investment
15 Old Timber Trail Hospital of Pittsburgh; Director and companies in the
Pittsburgh, PA Chairman of Audit Committee, Robroy Fund Complex
DIRECTOR Industries, Inc. (coated steel
conduits/computer storage equipment);
formerly: Senior Partner, Ernst &
Young LLP; Director, MED 3000 Group,
Inc. (physician practice management);
Director, Member of Executive
Committee, University of Pittsburgh.
----------------------Director or Trustee of the Federated ----------$128,455.37-for-------
JOHN T. CONROY, JR. Fund Complex; Chairman of the Board, NA the Corporation]
Birth Date: June Investment Properties Corporation; and 43 other
23, 1937 Partner or Trustee in private real investment
Grubb & estate ventures in Southwest Florida; companies in the
Ellis/Investment formerly: President, Investment Fund Complex
Properties Properties Corporation; Senior Vice
Corporation President, John R. Wood and
3201 Tamiami Trail Associates, Inc., Realtors; President,
North Naples Property Management, Inc. and
Naples, FL Northgate Village Development
DIRECTOR Corporation.
------------------------------------------------------------- ----------$73,191.21-for--------
NICHOLAS P. Director or Trustee of the Federated NA the Corporation
CONSTANTAKIS Fund Complex; Director and Chairman of and 37 other
Birth Date: the Audit Committee, Michael Baker investment
September 3, 1939 Corporation (engineering, companies in the
175 Woodshire Drive construction, operations and technical Fund Complex
Pittsburgh, PA services); formerly: Partner, Andersen
DIRECTOR Worldwide SC.
-------------------- --------------------------------------- ---------------------------
JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM++ Director or Trustee of some of the NA $93,190.48 for
Birth Date: March Federated Fund Complex; Chairman, the Corporation
5, 1943 President and Chief Executive Officer, and 37 other
353 El Brillo Way Cunningham & Co., Inc. (strategic investment
Palm Beach, FL business consulting); Trustee companies in the
DIRECTOR Associate, Boston College; Director, Fund Complex
Iperia Corp.
(communications/software); formerly:
Director, Redgate Communications and EMC Corporation
(computer storage systems).
Previous Positions: Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer,
Computer Consoles, Inc.; President and
Chief Operating Officer, Wang
Laboratories; Director, First National
Bank of Boston; Director, Apollo
Computer, Inc.
----------------------Director or Trustee of the Federated ------------$116,760.63-for-----
LAWRENCE D. ELLIS, Fund Complex; Professor of Medicine, NA the Corporation
M.D.* University of Pittsburgh; Medical and 43 other
Birth Date: October Director, University of Pittsburgh investment
11, 1932 Medical Center - Downtown; companies in the
3471 Fifth Avenue Hematologist, Oncologist and Fund Complex
Suite 1111 Internist, University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA Medical Center; Member, National Board
DIRECTOR of Trustees, Leukemia Society of
America.
----------------------Director or Trustee of the Federated ------------$109,153.60-for-----
PETER E. MADDEN Fund Complex; formerly: NA the Corporation
Birth Date: March Representative, Commonwealth of and 43 other
16, 1942 Massachusetts General Court; investment
One Royal Palm Way President, State Street Bank and Trust companies in the
100 Royal Palm Way Company and State Street Corporation. Fund Complex
Palm Beach, FL
DIRECTOR Previous Positions: Director, VISA USA
and VISA International; Chairman and
Director, Massachusetts Bankers
Association; Director, Depository
Trust Corporation; Director, The
Boston Stock Exchange.
----------------------Director or Trustee of some of the ------------$102,573.91-for
CHARLES F. Federated Fund Complex; Management NA the Corporation
MANSFIELD, JR. Consultant; formerly: Executive Vice and 40 other
Birth Date: April President, Legal and External Affairs, investment
10, 1945 DVC Group, Inc. (formerly, Dugan Valva companies in the
80 South Road Contess, Inc.) (marketing, Fund Complex
Westhampton Beach, communications, technology and
NY DIRECTOR consulting).
Previous Positions: Chief Executive Officer, PBTC
International Bank; Partner, Arthur Young & Company (now
Ernst & Young LLP); Chief Financial Officer of Retail
Banking Sector, Chase Manhattan Bank; Senior Vice
President, HSBC Bank USA (formerly, Marine Midland Bank);
Vice President, Citibank; Assistant Professor of Banking
and Finance, Frank G. Zarb School of Business, Hofstra
University.
----------------------Director or Trustee of the Federated
JOHN E. MURRAY, Fund Complex; President, Law NA $128,455.37 for
JR., J.D., S.J.D.# Professor, Duquesne University; the Corporation
Birth Date: Consulting Partner, Mollica & Murray; and 43 other
December 20, 1932 Director, Michael Baker Corp. investment
President, Duquesne (engineering, construction, operations companies in the
University and technical services). Fund Complex
Pittsburgh, PA
DIRECTOR Previous Positions: Dean and Professor
of Law, University of Pittsburgh
School of Law; Dean and Professor of
Law, Villanova University School of
Law.
----------------------Director or Trustee of the Federated ------------$116,760.63-for
MARJORIE P. SMUTS Fund Complex; Public NA the Corporation
Birth Date: June Relations/Marketing/Conference and 43 other
21, 1935 Planning. investment
4905 Bayard Street companies in the
Pittsburgh, PA Previous Positions: National Fund Complex
DIRECTOR Spokesperson, Aluminum Company of
America; television producer; business owner; conference
coordinator.
----------------------Director or Trustee of some of the ------------$94,536.85-for
JOHN S. WALSH Federated Fund Complex; President and NA the Corporation
Birth Date: Director, Heat Wagon, Inc. and 39 other
November 28, 1957 (manufacturer of construction investment
2604 William Drive temporary heaters); President and companies in the
Valparaiso, IN Director, Manufacturers Products, Inc. Fund Complex
DIRECTOR (distributor of portable construction
heaters); President, Portable Heater
Parts, a division of Manufacturers
Products, Inc.; Director, Walsh &
Kelly, Inc. (heavy highway
contractor); formerly: Vice President,
Walsh & Kelly, Inc.
----------------------President or Executive Vice President ------------$0-for-the
J. CHRISTOPHER of the Federated Fund Complex; NA Corporation
DONAHUE+* Director or Trustee of some of the and 30 other
Birth Date: April Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; investment
11, 1949 President, Chief Executive Officer and companies in the
Federated Investors Director, Federated Investors, Inc.; Fund Complex
Tower President, Chief Executive Officer and
1001 Liberty Avenue Trustee, Federated Investment
Pittsburgh, PA Management Company; Trustee, Federated
EXECUTIVE VICE Investment Counseling; President,
PRESIDENT AND Chief Executive Officer and Director,
DIRECTOR Federated Global Investment Management
Corp.; President and Chief Executive
Officer, Passport Research, Ltd.;
Trustee, Federated Shareholder
Services Company; Director, Federated
Services Company; formerly: President,
Federated Investment Counseling.
----------------------President, Executive Vice President ------------$0-for-the
EDWARD C. GONZALES and Treasurer of some of the Funds in NA Corporation
Birth Date: October the Federated Fund Complex; Vice and 42 other
22, 1930 Chairman, Federated Investors, Inc.; investment
Federated Investors Trustee, Federated Administrative companies in the
Tower Services; formerly: Trustee or Fund Complex
1001 Liberty Avenue Director of some of the Funds in the
Pittsburgh, PA Federated Fund Complex; CEO and
EXECUTIVE VICE Chairman, Federated Administrative
PRESIDENT Services; Vice President, Federated
Investment Management Company,
Federated Investment Counseling,
Federated Global Investment Management
Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.;
Director and Executive Vice President,
Federated Securities Corp.; Director,
Federated Services Company; Trustee,
Federated Shareholder Services Company.
----------------------Executive Vice President and Secretary
JOHN W. MCGONIGLE of the Federated Fund Complex; NA $0 for the
Birth Date: October Executive Vice President, Secretary Corporation
26, 1938 and Director, Federated Investors, and 43 other
Federated Investors Inc.; formerly: Trustee, Federated investment
Tower Investment Management Company and companies in the
1001 Liberty Avenue Federated Investment Counseling; Fund Complex
Pittsburgh, PA Director, Federated Global Investment
EXECUTIVE VICE Management Corp., Federated Services
PRESIDENT AND Company and Federated Securities Corp.
SECRETARY
----------------------Treasurer of the Federated Fund ------------$0-for-the
RICHARD J. THOMAS Complex; Senior Vice President, NA Corporation
Birth Date: June Federated Administrative Services; and 43 other
17, 1954 formerly: Vice President, Federated investment
Federated Investors Administrative Services; held various companies in the
Tower management positions within Funds Fund Complex
1001 Liberty Avenue Financial Services Division of
Pittsburgh, PA Federated Investors, Inc.
TREASURER
------------------------------------------------------------- ----------$0-for-the
WILLIAM D. DAWSON, Chief Investment Officer of this Fund NA Corporation
III and various other Funds in the and 27 other
Birth Date: March Federated Fund Complex; Executive Vice investment
3, 1949 President, Federated Investment companies in the
Federated Investors Counseling, Federated Global Fund Complex
Tower Investment Management Corp., Federated
1001 Liberty Avenue Investment Management Company and
Pittsburgh, PA Passport Research, Ltd.; Director,
CHIEF INVESTMENT Federated Global Investment Management
OFFICER Corp. and Federated Investment
Management Company; Registered
Representative, Federated Securities
Corp.; Portfolio Manager, Federated
Administrative Services; Vice
President, Federated Investors, Inc.;
formerly: Executive Vice President and
Senior Vice President, Federated
Investment Counseling Institutional
Portfolio Management Services
Division; Senior Vice President,
Federated Investment Management
Company and Passport Research, Ltd.
----------------------Mary Jo Ochson has been the Fund's ----------$0-for-the
MARY JO OCHSON Portfolio Manager since 2000. She is NA Corporation
Birth Date: Vice President of the Corporation. and 4 other
September 12, 1953 Ms. Ochson joined Federated in 1982 investment
Federated Investors and has been a Senior Portfolio companies in the
Tower Manager and a Senior Vice President of Fund Complex
1001 Liberty Avenue the Fund's Adviser since 1996. From -----------------
Pittsburgh, PA 1988 through 1995, Ms. Ochson served
VICE PRESIDENT as a Portfolio Manager and a Vice
President of the Fund's Adviser. Ms.
Ochson is a Chartered Financial
Analyst and received her M.B.A. in
Finance from the University of
Pittsburgh.
-------------------- --------------------------------------- ---------------------------
JEFF A. KOZEMCHAK Jeff A. Kozemchak has been the Fund's NA $0 for the
Birth Date: January Portfolio Manager since 2000. He is Corporation
15, 1960 Vice President of the Corporation. and 2 other
Federated Investors Mr. Kozemchak joined Federated in 1987 investment
Tower and has been a Senior Portfolio companies in the
1001 Liberty Avenue Manager since 1996 and a Senior Vice Fund Complex
Pittsburgh, PA President of the Fund's Adviser since
VICE PRESIDENT 1999. He was a Portfolio Manager until
1996 and a Vice President of the
Fund's Adviser from 1993 to 1998. Mr.
Kozemchak is a Chartered Financial
Analyst and received his M.S. in
Industrial Administration from
Carnegie Mellon University in 1987.
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* AN ASTERISK DENOTES A DIRECTOR WHO IS DEEMED TO BE AN INTERESTED PERSON AS
DEFINED IN THE1940 ACT. # A POUND SIGN DENOTES A MEMBER OF THE BOARD'S EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE, WHICH HANDLES THE BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN ITS MEETINGS.
+ MR. DONAHUE IS THE FATHER OF J. CHRISTOPHER DONAHUE, EXECUTIVE VICE
PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF THE CORPORATION.
++ Because the Fund is a new portfolio of the Corporation, Director
compensation has not yet been earned and will be reported following the Fund's
next fiscal year.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Adviser conducts investment research and makes investment decisions for the
Fund.
The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Federated.
The Adviser shall not be liable to the Corporation or any Fund shareholder for
any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or sale of any
security or for anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions
involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties imposed upon it by its contract with the Corporation.
OTHER RELATED SERVICES
Affiliates of the Adviser may, from time to time, provide certain electronic
equipment and software to institutional customers in order to facilitate the
purchase of Fund Shares offered by the Distributor.
CODE OF ETHICS RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL TRADING
As required by SEC rules, the Fund, its Adviser, and its Distributor have
adopted codes of ethics. These codes govern securities trading activities of
investment personnel, Fund Directors, and certain other employees. Although they
do permit these people to trade in securities, including those that the Fund
could buy, they also contain significant safeguards designed to protect the Fund
and its shareholders from abuses in this area, such as requirements to obtain
prior approval for, and to report, particular transactions.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio
instruments, the Adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable
price. The Adviser will generally use those who are recognized dealers in
specific portfolio instruments, except when a better price and execution of the
order can be obtained elsewhere. In selecting among firms believed to meet these
criteria, the Adviser may give consideration to those firms which have sold or
are selling Shares of the Fund and other funds distributed by the Distributor
and its affiliates. The Adviser makes decisions on portfolio transactions and
selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the Fund's Board.
RESEARCH SERVICES
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other
accounts managed by the Adviser. When the Fund and one or more of those accounts
invests in, or disposes of, the same security, available investments or
opportunities for sales will be allocated among the Fund and the account(s) in a
manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable. While the coordination and
ability to participate in volume transactions may benefit the Fund, it is
possible that this procedure could adversely impact the price paid or received
and/or the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund.
ADMINISTRATOR
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated, provides administrative
personnel and services (including certain legal and financial reporting
services) necessary to operate the Fund. Federated Services Company provides
these at the following annual rate of the average aggregate daily net assets of
all Federated Funds as specified below:
AVERAGE AGGREGATE DAILY
MAXIMUM NET ASSETS OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE FEE FEDERATED FUNDS
0.150 of 1% on the first $250 million
0.125 of 1% on the next $250 million
0.100 of 1% on the next $250 million
0.075 of 1% on assets in excess of
$750 million
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least
$125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of Shares.
Federated Services Company may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee and may
reimburse the Fund for expenses.
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Federated Services Company also provides certain accounting and recordkeeping
services with respect to the Fund's portfolio investments for a fee based on
Fund assets plus out-of-pocket expenses.
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, Massachusetts, is custodian for the
securities and cash of the Fund.
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Federated Services Company, through its registered transfer agent subsidiary,
Federated Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder
records. The Fund pays the transfer agent a fee based on the size, type and
number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The independent auditor for the Fund, Deloitte & Touche LLP, plans and performs
its audit so that it may provide an opinion as to whether the Fund's financial
statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement.
HOW DOES THE FUND MEASURE PERFORMANCE?
The Fund may advertise Share performance by using the SEC's standard method for
calculating performance applicable to all mutual funds. The SEC also permits
this standard performance information to be accompanied by non-standard
performance information.
The performance of Shares depends upon such variables as: portfolio quality;
average portfolio maturity; type and value of portfolio securities; changes in
interest rates; changes or differences in the Fund's or any class of Shares'
expenses; and various other factors.
Share performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net earnings
fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and offering price per Share are factors in
the computation of yield and total return.
TOTAL RETURN
Total return represents the change (expressed as a percentage) in the value of
Shares over a specific period of time, and includes the investment of income and
capital gains distributions.
The average annual total return for Shares is the average compounded rate of
return for a given period that would equate a $1,000 initial investment to the
ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending redeemable value is
computed by multiplying the number of Shares owned at the end of the period by
the NAV per Share at the end of the period. The number of Shares owned at the
end of the period is based on the number of Shares purchased at the beginning of
the period with $1,000, less any applicable sales charge, adjusted over the
period by any additional Shares, assuming the annual reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions.
When Shares of a Fund are in existence for less than a year, the Fund may
advertise cumulative total return for that specific period of time, rather than
annualizing the total return.
YIELD AND TAX-EQUIVALENT YIELD
The yield of Shares is calculated by dividing: (i) the net investment income per
Share earned by the Shares over a 30-day period; by (ii) the maximum offering
price per Share on the last day of the period. This number is then annualized
using semi-annual compounding. This means that the amount of income generated
during the 30-day period is assumed to be generated each month over a 12-month
period and is reinvested every six months. The tax-equivalent yield of Shares is
calculated similarly to the yield, but is adjusted to reflect the taxable yield
that Shares would have had to earn to equal the actual yield, assuming the
maximum combined federal and state tax rate. The yield and tax-equivalent yield
do not necessarily reflect income actually earned by Shares because of certain
adjustments required by the SEC and, therefore, may not correlate to the
dividends or other distributions paid to shareholders.
To the extent investment professionals and broker/dealers charge fees in
connection with services provided in conjunction with an investment in Shares,
the Share performance is lower for shareholders paying those fees.
TAX EQUIVALENCY TABLE
Set forth below is a sample of a tax-equivalency table that may be used in
advertising and sales literature. This table is for illustrative purposes only
and is not representative of past or future performance of the Fund. The
interest earned by the municipal securities owned by the Fund generally remains
free from federal regular income tax and is often free from state and local
taxes as well. However, some of the Fund's income may be subject to the federal
alternative minimum tax and state and/or local taxes.
TAX EQUIVALENCY TABLE
TAXABLE YIELD EQUIVALENT FOR 2000 MULTISTATE MUNICIPAL FUNDS
FEDERAL INCOME TAX 15.00% 28.00% 31.00% 36.00% 39.60%
BRACKET:
Joint Return $1-43,85$43,851-105,$105,951-161,$161,451-288Over
288,350
Single Return $1-26,25$26,251-63,5$63,551-132,6$132,601-288Over
288,350
TAX EXEMPT YIELD: TAXABLE YIELD EQUIVALENT:
1.00% 1.18% 1.39% 1.45% 1.56% 1.66%
1.50% 1.76% 2.08% 2.17% 2.34% 2.48%
2.00% 2.35% 2.78% 2.90% 3.13% 3.31%
2.50% 2.94% 3.47% 3.62% 3.91% 4.14%
3.00% 3.53% 4.17% 4.35% 4.69% 4.97%
3.50% 4.12% 4.86% 5.07% 5.47% 5.79%
4.00% 4.71% 5.56% 5.80% 6.25% 6.62%
4.50% 5.29% 6.25% 6.52% 7.03% 7.45%
5.00% 5.88% 6.94% 7.25% 7.81% 8.28%
5.50% 6.47% 7.64% 7.97% 8.59% 9.11%
6.00% 7.06% 8.33% 8.70% 9.38% 9.93%
6.50% 7.65% 9.03% 9.42% 10.16% 10.76%
7.00% 8.24% 9.72% 10.14% 10.94% 11.59%
7.50% 8.82% 10.42% 10.87% 11.72% 12.42%
8.00% 9.41% 11.11% 11.59% 12.50% 13.25%
8.50% 10.00% 11.81% 12.32% 13.28% 14.07%
9.00% 10.59% 12.50% 13.04% 14.06% 14.90%
NOTE: THE MAXIMUM MARGINAL TAX RATE FOR EACH BRACKET WAS USED IN CALCULATING
THE TAXABLE YIELD EQUIVALENT.
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PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
Advertising and sales literature may include:
o references to ratings, rankings, and financial publications and/or
performance comparisons of Shares to certain indices;
o charts, graphs and illustrations using the Fund's returns, or returns in
general, that demonstrate investment concepts such as tax-deferred
compounding, dollar-cost averaging and systematic investment;
o discussions of economic, financial and political developments and their
impact on the securities market, including the portfolio manager's views on
how such developments could impact the Fund; and
o information about the mutual fund industry from sources such as the
Investment Company Institute.
The Fund may compare its performance, or performance for the types of securities
in which it invests, to a variety of other investments, including federally
insured bank products such as bank savings accounts, certificates of deposit,
and Treasury bills.
The Fund may quote information from reliable sources regarding individual
countries and regions, world stock exchanges, and economic and demographic
statistics.
You may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more complete view
of Share performance. When comparing performance, you should consider all
relevant factors such as the composition of the index used, prevailing market
conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods used to value
portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial publications
and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:
LEHMAN BROTHERS MUNICIPAL 1 YEAR INDEX
The Lehman Brothers Municipal 1 Year Index is an unmanaged index of municipal
bonds issued after January 1, 1991, with a minimum credit rating of at least
Baa, which have been issued as part of a deal of at least $50 million, have a
maturity value of at least $3 million and mature in at least 1, but not more
than 2, years. As of January 1996, the index also includes zero coupon bonds and
bonds subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax.
LIPPER INSTITUTIONAL TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND INDEX
The Lipper Institutional Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund Index is an index of funds
with dollar weighted average maturities of less than 90 days that invest in
municipal obligations and intend to keep constant net asset value.
WHO IS FEDERATED INVESTORS, INC.?
Federated is dedicated to meeting investor needs by making structured,
straightforward and consistent investment decisions. Federated investment
products have a history of competitive performance and have gained the
confidence of thousands of financial institutions and individual investors.
Federated's disciplined investment selection process is rooted in sound
methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. At Federated,
success in investment management does not depend solely on the skill of a single
portfolio manager. It is a fusion of individual talents and state-of-the-art
industry tools and resources. Federated's investment process involves teams of
portfolio managers and analysts, and investment decisions are executed by
traders who are dedicated to specific market sectors and who handle trillions of
dollars in annual trading volume.
FEDERATED FUNDS OVERVIEW
MUNICIPAL FUNDS
In the municipal sector, as of December 31, 1999, Federated managed 12 bond
funds with approximately $2.0 billion in assets and 24 money market funds with
approximately $13.1 billion in total assets. In 1976, Federated introduced one
of the first municipal bond mutual funds in the industry and is now one of the
largest institutional buyers of municipal securities. The Funds may quote
statistics from organizations including The Tax Foundation and the National
Taxpayers Union regarding the tax obligations of Americans.
EQUITY FUNDS
In the equity sector, Federated has more than 29 years' experience. As of
December 31, 1999, Federated managed 53 equity funds totaling approximately
$18.3 billion in assets across growth, value, equity income, international,
index and sector (i.e. utility) styles. Federated's value-oriented management
style combines quantitative and qualitative analysis and features a structured,
computer-assisted composite modeling system that was developed in the 1970s.
CORPORATE BOND FUNDS
In the corporate bond sector, as of December 31, 1999, Federated managed 13
money market funds and 29 bond funds with assets approximating $35.7 billion and
$7.7 billion, respectively. Federated's corporate bond decision making--based on
intensive, diligent credit analysis--is backed by over 27 years of experience in
the corporate bond sector. In 1972, Federated introduced one of the first
high-yield bond funds in the industry. In 1983, Federated was one of the first
fund managers to participate in the asset backed securities market, a market
totaling more than $209 billion.
GOVERNMENT FUNDS
In the government sector, as of December 31, 1999, Federated managed 9 mortgage
backed, 11 government/agency and 16 government money market mutual funds, with
assets approximating $4.7 billion, $1.6 billion and $34.1 billion, respectively.
Federated trades approximately $450 million in U.S. government and mortgage
backed securities daily and places approximately $25 billion in repurchase
agreements each day. Federated introduced the first U.S. government fund to
invest in U.S. government bond securities in 1969. Federated has been a major
force in the short- and intermediate-term government markets since 1982 and
currently manages approximately $43.8 billion in government funds within these
maturity ranges.
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
In the money market sector, Federated gained prominence in the mutual fund
industry in 1974 with the creation of the first institutional money market fund.
Simultaneously, the company pioneered the use of the amortized cost method of
accounting for valuing shares of money market funds, a principal means used by
money managers today to value money market fund shares. Other innovations
include the first institutional tax-free money market fund. As of December 31,
1999, Federated managed more than $83.0 billion in assets across 54 money market
funds, including 16 government, 13 prime, 24 municipal and 1 euro-denominated
with assets approximating $34.1 billion, $35.7 billion, $13.1 billion and $115
million, respectively.
The Chief Investment Officers responsible for oversight of the various
investment sectors within Federated are: U.S. equity and high yield - J. Thomas
Madden; U.S. fixed income -William D. Dawson, III; and global equities and fixed
income - Henry A. Frantzen. The Chief Investment Officers are Executive Vice
Presidents of the Federated advisory companies.
MUTUAL FUND MARKET
Thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $5 trillion to the more than 7,300 funds available,
according to the Investment Company Institute.
FEDERATED CLIENTS OVERVIEW
Federated distributes mutual funds through its subsidiaries for a variety of
investment purposes. Specific markets include:
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
Federated meets the needs of approximately 1,160 institutional clients
nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a
variety of purposes, including defined benefit and defined contribution
programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients
include corporations, pension funds, tax exempt entities,
foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial
advisers. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John
B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division, Federated Securities Corp.
BANK MARKETING
Other institutional clients include more than 1,600 banks and trust
organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top 100 bank holding
companies use Federated Funds in their clients' portfolios. The marketing effort
to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice President, Bank
Marketing & Sales.
BROKER/DEALERS AND BANK BROKER/DEALER SUBSIDIARIES
Federated Funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms
nationwide--we have over 2,200 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer
relationships across the country--supported by more wholesalers than any other
mutual fund distributor. Federated's service to financial professionals and
institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by DALBAR,
Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality
measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz,
President, Broker/Dealer Sales Division, Federated Securities Corp.
INVESTMENT RATINGS
STANDARD AND POOR'S LONG-TERM DEBT RATING DEFINITIONS
AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the higher-rated issues only in small degree.
A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.
BBB--Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.
BB--Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB rating.
B--Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB-
rating.
CCC--Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and
is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet
timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is also
used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied
B or B- rating.
CC--The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that
is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating.
C--The rating C typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which
is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating. The C rating may be used to
cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service
payments are continued.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE LONG-TERM BOND RATING DEFINITIONS AAA--Bonds
which are rated AAA are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the
smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as gilt edged.
Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin
and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to
change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
AA--Bonds which are rated AA are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the AAA group, they comprise what are generally known as
high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in AAA securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in AAA securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
BAA--Bonds which are rated BAA are considered as medium-grade obligations,
(i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
BA--Bonds which are BA are judged to have speculative elements; their future
cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and
principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during
both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes
bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
CAA--Bonds which are rated CAA are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
CA--Bonds which are rated CA represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C--Bonds which are rated C are the lowest-rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
FITCH IBCA, INC. LONG-TERM DEBT RATING DEFINITIONS
AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality.
The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay
principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+.
A--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are
more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore impair timely
payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below
investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However,
business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the
obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B--Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely
payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the
life of the issue.
CCC--Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may
lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and economic environment.
CC--Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C--Bonds are imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
PRIME-1--Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:
o Leading market positions in well-established industries;
o High rates of return on funds employed;
o Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and
ample asset protection;
o Broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation; and
o Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources
of alternate liquidity.
PRIME-2--Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a
strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser
degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject
to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
STANDARD AND POOR'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
A-1--This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated A-1.
FITCH IBCA, INC. COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING DEFINITIONS
FITCH-1--(Highest Grade) Commercial paper assigned this rating is regarded as
having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
FITCH-2--(Very Good Grade) Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of
timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strongest issues.
ADDRESSES
FEDERATED MUNICIPAL ULTRASHORT FUND
Institutional Shares
Institutional Service Shares
Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
DISTRIBUTOR
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Federated Investment Management Company
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116
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